Something Like Home

October 23, 2023October 24, 2023

Something Like Home by Andrea Beatriz Arango
on September 12, 2023
ISBN: 0593566181
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This poignant novel in verse tells the story of Laura and how she comes to be living with her Aunt Silvia who she barely knows. Laura worries that she should not have called 911 when she found her parents because then things would be the same – she’d be home in her cozy trailer, attending her old school, and hanging out with her friends. Instead she is placed in kinship care, living with a relative she’s never known who doesn’t quite know what to do with Laura. One day Laura rescues an abandoned dog and her aunt allows her to keep the dog. When Laura learns about therapy dogs, she decides to train her dog so she’ll be able to visit her parents in rehab with her therapy dog. Along the way, she makes a new friend and starts to see that other people have challenges in their lives too. A realistic and age-appropriate look at how addiction hurts families and how children are impacted. A powerful and important book for middle grade readers.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Karen Sandlin Silverman, Mt. Ararat Middle School, Topsham

On Air with Zoe Washington

October 10, 2023October 10, 2023

On Air with Zoe Washington (Zoe Washington, #2) by Janae Marks
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on February 14, 2023
ISBN: 0063212315
Pages: 293
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

The sequel to Cream of the Crop nominated book, From the Desk of Zoe Washington. Now that Zoe has seen her biological father exonerated and released from prison, she wants to get to know him better. She starts her own podcast to spread the word about people who’ve served in the prison system. She also hopes that her podcast will raise some money. There is a diverse cast of characters with different experiences in this engaging coming-of-age story.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

When Clouds Touch Us

October 6, 2023

When Clouds Touch Us by Thanhha Lai
Published by Harper on May 9, 2023
ISBN: 0063047004
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry, Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars
This sequel to Newbery Honor Inside Out & Back Again continues the story of Hà and her family as they struggle with life as refugees from Vietnam. Hà is just getting comfortable in Alabama when her mom moves their family to Texas for better opportunities, hoping to be able to save enough money for a down payment on a home. Once again, Hà struggles to make friends and fit in at her new school. She also misses her mom who works a lot and her father who was captured years before during the Vietnam War. This middle grade novel is written in verse. The sparse yet rhythmic language captures the strong thoughts and emotions of the characters. This story of hope, resilience, and family is a pretty quick read, but it does leave the reader with a lot to think about. Readers who enjoyed the first book will no doubt enjoy this well written sequel.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

My Father, The Panda Killer

September 27, 2023September 27, 2023

My Father, The Panda Killer by Jamie Jo Hoang
ISBN: 0593642961
Genres: Historical Fiction, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
“My Father, the Panda Killer” by Jamie Jo Hoang is a young adult historical fiction novel about a daughter’s relationship with her abusive Vietnamese father. Jane is leaving for college and is having trouble telling her younger brother that she’ll be leaving. The story switches from Jane’s life in 1999 to her retelling of her father’s story in 1975 of trying to escape the Vietnam war. The book is unflinching in its depiction of violence, both during the war and from Phuc, Jane’s father in the present day. Themes of generational trauma and abuse are clear. Hoang does a great job of making the characters seem like real people, flaws and all. We may not like all the characters, but we learn their backgrounds and see where they are coming from.

The author includes a note at the beginning of the book in all caps that “THIS BOOK IS NOT A HISTORY LESSON,” which I appreciate because too often readers will assume that historical fiction is specifically to teach about history, but this story is not meant to teach us about that historical event. It is its own fictional story. Readers may find the abuse and violence very hard to get through, but it is a key part of this novel. Recommended for ages 15 and up, this is a recommended purchase for YA collections.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.

Shannon in the Spotlight

September 25, 2023

Shannon in the Spotlight by Kalena Miller
Published by Delacorte Press on April 25, 2023
ISBN: 0593486056
Pages: 272
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars
Shannon and her friends love participating in their community theater’s summer musical each year. Shannon and her friend Fatima work behind the scenes, while their friend Elise prefers to be up on stage in front of the audience. Shannon, suffering from severe OCD, sticks to her routines and tries not to draw attention to herself. However a chance encounter at auditions lands her one of the starring roles – unfortunately the role her bff Elise wanted. As rehearsals get underway, Elise distances herself from the friendship, Fatima becomes increasingly busy in the tech side of the play, and even her mom has misgivings about her ability to perform and doesn’t seem supportive. Just when things couldn’t get more stressful, a fire forces her cantankerous grandmother to move in with Shannon and her mother – and it is not an ideal living situation due to the stress and fighting between her mom and grandma, and her grandmother’s refusal to accept Shannon’s mental health issues. But Shannon relishes being on stage, and with the help of her new friend (crush) Micah, a fellow actor, she finds her place in the spotlight. This is a great middle grade read highlighting coping with mental illness, navigating rocky friendships and family situations, and overcoming your fears to let yourself shine. A solid pick for a middle grade collection.

Recommended for grades 4-7

Lee Remick, York Middle School, York

Bianca Torre Is Afraid of Everything

September 15, 2023

Bianca Torre Is Afraid of Everything by Justine Pucella Winans
Published by Clarion on April 11, 2023
ISBN: 0358721644
Genres: Mystery
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
Fans of the hit show “Only Murders in the Building” will love Justine Winans’ “Bianca Torre Is Afraid of Everything.” Borderline agoraphobic, sixteen year old Bianca Torre has two hobbies: birding and spying on her neighbors through the telescope in her bedroom. When she witnesses the actual murder of one of her reclusive neighbors, she enlists the help of her one friend, Anderson to solve the crime. Overcoming her many fears, as well as grappling with her burgeoning gender identity crisis, Bianca works with Anderson, and eventually her new crush Elaine, to solve the murder. What they uncover with their sleuthing is far bigger than they imagined. This mystery thriller is darkly funny, with lots of focus on friendship, overcoming fears, and self exploration. A great pick for any YA shelf.

Recommended for ages 13 and up.

Lee Remick, York Middle School, York

Royal Blood: A Scandal to Die For

September 14, 2023January 17, 2024

Royal Blood: A Scandal to Die For Royal Blood (Royal Blood, #1) by Aimee Carter
on March 7, 2023
ISBN: 0593485890
Genres: Mystery, Romance, Suspense
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
On the cusp of graduation, Evan is kicked out of yet another boarding school. When she is rescued by her family’s handler, she is taken to meet the father she has never known. Her father who just happens to be the King of England. Evan quickly becomes tabloid and social media fodder and when she is accused of a major crime she has to decide which royal family members she can trust. This is a classic tale of an American girl who is actually royalty (although not quite a princess) that includes some romance and a mystery. Best of all, it’s the first in a planned trilogy. There is an attempted date rape in the book which is handled well and should be suitable for older middle grade readers and high school readers.

Reviewed by Karen Sandlin Silverman, Mt. Ararat Middle School, Topsham

Back to the Bright Before

September 13, 2023

Back to the Bright Before by Jen Bricking, Katherin Nolte
ISBN: 9780593565100
Genres: Magical Realism
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Ever since her Daddy fell off of a ladder (which she blames herself for), Pet’s world has come crashing down. After two failed surgeries, Daddy’s arm is still unusable so he spends all day and night in bed, while Momma is tired and angry from taking as many waitressing shifts as she can in order to keep their heads above water. Pet’s brother Simon has almost completely stopped speaking, only using the word “cheese” to communicate. Bound and determined to save her family, Pet sets off with Simon, a “borrowed” pony and a chicken to find a long-lost ancient coin whose value will surely provide the money they so desperately need. Along the way, they are helped by three mysterious people while being pursued by a dangerous man who is also seeking the treasure.

This is a story for upper middle-grade readers who like stories about tough topics and a touch of fantasy. The pain and sadness of the family are palpable and Momma’s anger toward Pet could be offputting to some. There is an undercurrent of spirituality, partly due to the presence of the nuns whose abbey is near Pet’s house, but also through the seemingly divine intervention of the beings who come to Pet and Simon’s rescue. This short adventure comes with a smattering of black-and-white illustrations and a happily-ever-after ending.

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

Only This Beautiful Moment

September 13, 2023

Only This Beautiful Moment by Abdi Nazemian
Published by Balzer + Bray on May 9, 2023
ISBN: 0063039370
Pages: 400
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars
“Only This Beautiful Moment” by Abdi Nazemian is a beautifully written, complex story of three generations of Iranian-American men. The narration alternates between the three as young men roughly the same age in different times – Bobby (Baba) in 1939, Saeed in 1979 and Moud in 2019, as well as switching settings between Los Angeles and Tehran. Bobby and Moud struggle with being gay during oppressive times and regimes, and Saeed struggles with accepting his gay father and gay son. Bobby is under contract in the 1930s at MGM studios, and forced to sign a contract with a “morals” clause, meaning he has to hide his true self. Saeed takes part in the protests in Tehran in the late 70s hoping to change his government to one of freedom and democracy, only to be sent to Los Angeles against his will by his parents for his own safety. Moud is openly gay in Los Angeles currently, but struggles with his feelings of being neither fully American or fully Iranian. He eventually goes with his father Saeed to visit Baba in Tehran, where he discovers the beauty of his homeland, despite the horror of knowing being gay in Iran can be punishable by death. Part historical fiction, part queer coming of age story, focusing on intergenerational family trauma, this book manages to weave two intricate plot lines of finding one’s identity simultaneously.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Recommended for grades 9-12.

Lee Remick, York Middle School, York

The Many Fortunes of Maya

September 13, 2023

The Many Fortunes of Maya by Nicole D. Collier
ISBN: 0358434645
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

12-year-old Maya Jenkins is determined to get recruited to the Chargers soccer team–the elite team her dad was a part of during his youth. She also is secretly still practicing her flute because while she loves it, she doesn’t believe she can focus fully on soccer if she gives her music the attention she’d like to. Add in her parent’s separation, her now strained relationship with her best friend and swimming lessons, and this summer is not turning out the way Maya was hoping. Using her wheel of fortunes as a compass, Maya tries to navigate the muddy waters of being true to herself under the weight of others’ dreams.

Maya’s struggle to remain loyal to her parents while trying to decide where her true interests lie will be relatable to many middle-grade readers. Surely grappling with parents on the brink of divorce will be familiar territory as well. Her emotional turmoil is honest and each problem is resolved realistically even if predictably. Each chapter is tagged with one of Maya’s collected fortunes which adds an interesting plot device as the story moves along.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York