Format: Chapter Book Fiction

The Puttermans are in the House

The Puttermans are in the HouseThe Puttermans Are in the House by Jacquetta Nammar Feldman
ISBN: 0063034433
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Twins Sammy and Matty have always done everything together but when Matty walks away during their baseball game, Sammy realizes she no longer has the same telepathic link to her brother she has always had. After Hurricane Harvey floods their neighborhood and they are forced to kayak out with their dog and parents, they move in with their Aunt and Uncle – now the Puttermans total 9 (including Bubbe and Papa) plus their neighbor and her cat. Will all the Puttermans be able to live together and possibly reconnect under one roof? Will anyone pay attention to cousin Becky’s bat mitzvah when their hometown Houston Astros are on the verge of winning the World Series? This is a great coming-of-age story, complete with the big feeling of adolescence and a feline social media star. This book touches on many topics – climate change, the lack of out gay baseball players, the importance of staying connected to family, contemporary Jewish life, and one character even mentions wanting to vacation in Maine. A book perfect for middle grade readers.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

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

five-stars

Chaos Theory

Chaos TheoryChaos Theory by Nic Stone
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on February 28, 2023
ISBN: 0593307704
Pages: 288
Genres: Mental Health, Realistic Fiction, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
This young adult novel by Nic Stone delivers a raw, honest look at the lives of two teens dealing with serious issues. Andy is trying to move past the death of his younger sister and an increasing disconnect from his demanding, distant mother and turns to alcohol to numb the pain. And Shelbi has bipolar depression and has self-harmed to cope with the overwhelm that she experiences. When the two have a chance text exchange, thanks to a wrong number, they form a cautious friendship. Shelbi’s voice is fantastic, as a character she is clear about her boundaries and is honest and unapologetic about where she is in her mental health journey. The friendship is a slow-burn toward a romantic relationship though not without its serious bumps. There could be triggers for certain readers, but Stone knows this subject well and has written an authentic and gripping story.  Recommend for mature 8th grade readers through grade 12.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Middle School

five-stars

Fergus and Zeke for President

Fergus and Zeke for PresidentFergus and Zeke for President by Kate Messner, Heather Ross
Published by Candlewick Press on May 23, 2023
Pages: 56
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Horses
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
Fergus and Zeke are pet mice that live in Miss Maxwell’s class. Though the humans in the story don’t seem to notice, the mice like to join in with lessons and projects. This is the fifth early chapter book featuring this cast of characters.

Miss Maxwell talks to her class about the role of the president in the United States. She talks about presidency prerequisites, some of the early and more influential presidents, and asks her students what they think it takes to be an effective leader. The children (and mice) visit the school library to research the presidents and begin a project of their choosing. 

An interesting subplot includes Zeke acting as president of the mouse cage and bossing Fergus around. Eventually, Fergus tires of being mistreated and says, “You don’t get to be president just because you say so. And you weren’t acting like a president anyway. Presidents work hard and listen. They care about everyone’s ideas. You were not doing any of those things, Zeke.” Zeke apologizes, and the two work together to complete a project of their own.

It should also be noted that the children in the story ask their teacher why a woman has never been president. The teacher responds with a frank answer addressing the unequal distribution of rights in our nation’s history, including the rights of women, African American people, and Native people.

Highly recommended for libraries that serve an early elementary population.

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta

five-stars

Conjure Island

Conjure IslandConjure Island by Eden Royce
Published by Walden Pond Press on June 27, 2023
ISBN: 0062899619
Pages: 320
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars
Due to her grandmother’s illness, Del must spend the summer with her great grandmother, who she didn’t know existed. Her great grandmother, Nana Rose, lives on an island in South Carolina and runs a school that teaches “conjure magic” with the goal of preserving the rich culture of formerly enslaved people. Del is skeptical but slowly starts to believe in this magic and realizes she is in the perfect place to find the answer to questions her family won’t answer. Specifically, why did her grandmother leave Nemmine Island so long ago and why won’t she talk about Nana Rose? This summer is important for Del as she learns about the importance of friendship and she develops a connection with her family that she didn’t know was missing. Middle grade readers will enjoy this stand alone fantasy novel. The setting is unique and there is enough intrigue and potential danger to keep readers engaged.

Reviewed  by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

three-stars

Elf Dog and Owl Head

Elf Dog and Owl HeadElf Dog and Owl Head by Junyi Wu, M.T. Anderson
Published by Candlewick Press on April 11, 2023
ISBN: 153622281X
Pages: 240
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Elf Dog and Owl Head is a lovely new middle grade fantasy novel by acclaimed author M.T. Anderson that quietly alludes to the Covid pandemic in a very subtle way. Our main character, Clay O’Brian is stuck at home in quarantine with his family due to a “global pandemic”. Tired of fighting with his sisters over the computer, hearing his parents worry about money and only seeing his best friend on video chats, he escapes into the woods near his house. There he finds a beautiful young white dog with red ears and a bejeweled collar named Elphinore. That meeting draws him into a magical world in, around and under the woods and mountain. Eventually his sisters are drawn into this world as well, and the young humans befriend Amos, the owl boy, and Vud the ancient giant among others. They are chased by horrible creatures like wyrms, and the bad People Under the Mountain (where Elphinore came from), but also partake of the magical Midsommers Eve festival. The black and white illustrations by Junyi Wu are both creepy and beautiful, and really add another dimension to the story. Family, adventure, friendship, resilience and empathy are the main themes throughout. This book would appeal to any reader looking for something a little bit different.

Recommended for grades 4-6.

Reviewed by Lee Remick, York Middle School, York

four-stars

Izzy’s Dog Days of Summer

Izzy’s Dog Days of SummerIzzy's Dog Days of Summer by Caroline Adderson
Series: The Izzy #3
Published by Kids Can Press on September 5, 2023
ISBN: 9781771387347
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars
Izzy and her friend Zoe did not have the fun they were expecting at Summer camp, so they decided to create their own in Izzy’s back yard. They enjoy jumping on the trampoline, doing crafts and telling stories, much to the annoyance of Izzy’s grumpy neighbor. The third book in The Izzy series, designed for emerging chapter book readers,is a story of friendship, first between the girls, and later between Izzy and her neighbor. The font is large and the language is appropriate for readers at this stage. There are fun illustrations scattered throughout the text that add to the humor of the story. Readers who enjoyed the previous Izzy books will enjoy this installation, but this book also works well as a stand alone.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

three-stars

Isaiah Dunn Saves The Day

Isaiah Dunn Saves The DayIsaiah Dunn Saves the Day by Kelly J. Baptist
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on August 2, 2022
ISBN: 0593429214
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
This diverse sequel to Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero follows poetry-loving Isaiah and his friends as they navigate middle school. Isaiah has a lot on his plate with a younger sister, his mother going back to school, joining a mentoring group, and attempting to mentor a third grader who isn’t an easy match. This book shows Isaiah dealing with everything life throws at him and learning a lot of lessons along the way. It is a well written, easy-to-follow story and will be a big hit with readers in grades 3-5.

Reviewed by Erin Scott. Woodside School Topsham ME

four-stars

Confessions of a Candy Snatcher

Confessions of a Candy SnatcherConfessions of a Candy Snatcher by Phoebe Sinclair, Theodore Taylor III
Published by Candlewick Press on August 15, 2023
ISBN: 1536213683
Pages: 336
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Jonas and his buddies have a tradition of snatching candy from unsuspecting trick-or-treaters.  This year, one of Jonas’ victims fights back and Jonas injures her.  The guilt of this sticks with Jonas and it gets worse when someone leaves notes for him in his locker.  The harassment escalates when signs and balloons are plastered at school saying “JONAS DID IT” causing Jonas to get in a fight with one of his friends.  Another friend, Concepcion, tries to help Jonas process what he did through a zine she is writing.  On top of all this, Jonas’ parents are separated and living in different homes but their boundaries are blurry which is frustrating for Jonas and confusing for his sister.  Middle grade readers will enjoy the unique writing style of this novel which is broken up by drafts of the zine Jonas and his friend are working on.  At times the pace of this story is slower, but it matches the contemplative mood of the book as Jonas wrestles with difficult issues such as peer pressure, consent, bullying, and friendship. The end of the novel moves quicker, bringing readers to a somewhat surprising and very satisfying ending.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

four-stars

The Cricket War

The Cricket WarThe Cricket War by Sandra McTavish, Tho Pham
Published by Kids Can Press on October 3, 2023
ISBN: 1525306553
Pages: 160
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry, Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars
Based on the author’s life, this is the story of the Vietnamese “Boat People” escaping Vietnam after the fall of Saigon. It’s a short and compelling story. After Pho’s best friend and older brother were smuggled out by their families, it was Pho’s turn. His mother took him to his aunt’s house – an all-day bus trip – where he was taken by small boat to a larger boat. As if enduring seasickness, crowded conditions, and little food and water wasn’t enough, Pho’s boat was attacked by pirates on a daily – and sometimes more than daily – basis. He decided to hide on a pirate ship after one raid and helped the pirate fish until they passed him off to a fishing boat. Finally, after weeks at sea, he was rescued by a German rescue ship, the Cap Anamur, and eventually taken to a refugee camp in the Philippines. After writing to his family, he heard from his brother who had made it to Canada; eventually Pho was invited to move to Canada as well. I can’t help but wonder if this powerful story would reach a wider audience as a verse or graphic novel. I also was hoping for a longer historical note and photographs.

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

 

three-stars

Once in a Blue Moon

Once in a Blue MoonOnce in a Blue Moon by Sharon G. Flake
ISBN: 0593480988
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry, Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

James Henry can’t bring himself to leave his house ever since that night at the lighthouse with Ma. He lives in the south during Jim Crow with his twin sister and his Gran. Gran and his sister Hattie Mae encourage him to face his fears during the upcoming night of the blue moon. When James finally works up the courage to leave the house with Hattie and her new friend Lottie, they encounter the Baker brothers who bully them, have a near-miss with white supremacists, and encounter a few kind strangers on their trip back to the lighthouse to make sense of the event that changed their family. A powerful story told in verse.

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

four-stars