Format: Chapter Book Fiction

Children of Ragnarok

Children of RagnarokChildren of Ragnarok (Runestone Saga, #1) by Cinda Williams Chima
Published by Balzer&Bray on November 8, 2022
Pages: 536
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

“Children of Ragnarok” by Cinda Williams Chima is the start of a young adult Norse-based fantasy epic. If you like your books long and filled with magic and machinations, this book is for you. Following Eiric and his half-sister Liv, who comes with her own mysterious background, we explore the world and its politics. After killing their stepfather to protect themselves, they are forced to take on a quest. Another storyline features Reggin, a magical healer who is enslaved by a demon.

Though slow at times, the novel features plenty of adventure and the characters are extremely compelling. Readers will want to know how the characters will eventually meet and how they will hopefully be successful in their quests. Aimed at teens and young adults, this is a must-buy for libraries with a strong YA fantasy collection.

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

four-stars

This Appearing House

This Appearing HouseThis Appearing House by Ally Malinenko
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on August 16, 2022
ISBN: 0063136570
Pages: 288
Genres: Horror, Supernatural
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

“This Appearing House” is a middle grade horror novel written by Ally Malinenko. Middle schooler Jac was diagnosed with childhood cancer five years ago and hopes to be told she has “No Evidence of Disease” soon. As if that isn’t enough, she also has to deal with her helicopter mom’s constant worries. One day a mysterious house appears out of nowhere. Jac and her friend Hazel are dared to go into the creepy house and find themselves trapped. Each door features its own scares including a really creepy part involving teeth. While trying to escape the house, Jac faces her own fears and owns her anger that things are not fair!

A good scary book that also has a heartfelt and welcome message that the world isn’t fair, but also that sick kids don’t always die at the end of the book (an annoyingly common trope that Jac mentions in the book). Written for ages 8 – 12, this book is a suggested purchase for middle grade collections.

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

four-stars

Shipwreck Island

Shipwreck IslandOrphans of the Tide #2: Shipwreck Island by Struan Murray
Published by HarperCollins on December 13, 2022
ISBN: 0063043165
Pages: 416
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
two-stars

“Shipwreck Island” by Struan Murray is the second novel in the “Orphans of the Tide” middle grade series. In a post-apocalyptic fantasy world where one island of inhabitants have survived The Great Drowning and some have godlike powers, main characters Seth and Ellie have already left their island, escaped the Enemy (an evil god) and survived the trip to another island where they must now deal with the problems their new island faces.

Characters are likable and I enjoyed the worldbuilding put into the setting, but the narrative felt choppy and a bit overly clichéd at times. Written for ages 8 – 12, this book is a suggested purchase at libraries where the first volume is popular.

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

two-stars

Shad Hadid and the Alchemists of Alexandria

Shad Hadid and the Alchemists of AlexandriaShad Hadid and the Alchemists of Alexandria by George Jreije
Published by HarperCollins on October 4, 2022
ISBN: 0063094819
Pages: 304
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

“Shad Hadid and the Alchemists of Alexandria” by George Jreije is a fun new twist on the Harry Potter/Percy Jackson model where the main character discovers that they have special powers and get to go to a special school to learn more about them. Shad has always felt like an outsider, focusing more on his baking in his grandmother’s Lebanese bakery in Maine and avoiding bullies rather than making friends.  When he discovers that he is descended from alchemists, Shad goes to the Alexandria Academy to learn as much as he can.

Facing challenges from within the academy and outside, Shad Hadid focuses on friendship, family, and finding oneself. The author has clearly put his love for Lebanese culture into the book and readers will either enjoy seeing themselves represented as a fantasy hero or will learn more about Lebanese and Arabic culture while enjoying a fun magical ride. The author also is a Maine author, so the descriptions of Maine are true to life. Written for middle graders, “Shad Hadid and the Alchemists of Alexandria” is a must-buy for all libraries in Maine.

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

four-stars

The 9:09 Project

The 9:09 ProjectThe 9:09 Project by Mark H. Parsons
Published by Delacorte on October 18, 2022
ISBN: 0593309758
Pages: 320
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

“The 9:09 Project” by Mark H. Parsons is a young adult novel about Jamison, a teen boy whose mother died a few years ago. He worries that he is forgetting her, so he begins an art project where he takes photos at 9:09pm every day at the same place. Parsons’ description of the photos and the way that Jamison uses photography to form relationships and connections with other people keep the novel interesting and compelling.

The themes of grief and healing are woven throughout. I was initially worried that the book would be very depressing, but while it is sad, the author keeps the reader interested in Jamison’s journey as his photos lead him to discover his true self. Written for teens and young adults, this book is a suggested purchase for libraries where YA realistic fiction is popular.

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

four-stars

The Lost Whale

The Lost WhaleThe Lost Whale by Hannah Gold
Published by HarperCollins on October 11, 2022
ISBN: 0063041111
Pages: 304
Genres: Adventure, Animals
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
The Lost Whale is a sensitive family story that goes beyond the maternal bonds of mother, grandmother, and child. When Rio’s mother falls ill, he is sent to America to stay with his grandmother whom he barely remembers. Feeling depressed and far-removed from home, Rio suffers a difficult transition before he makes a friend on the beach.  Although the title highlights White Beak the whale, this storyline expresses the power of love and protection offered by family and friends. Gold has written a book that is deeply sensitive to relationships as well as to the natural environment. With compassion and tender dialogue this novel is up to par with Gold’s previous work “The Last Bear”.

Budding naturalists and those who have experienced whale watching tours will love the ocean adventure. Readers are sure to cheer for the lost whale and to envy the love between humans and mammals expressed in this book. Librarians in middle grade schools and those in public libraries should add this title to their collections. Hand to readers who appreciate the underwater world of mammals and have dreams of swimming with a whale or dolphin.

Reviewed by Jan Hamilton, retired Youth Services Librarian

four-stars

Ghostlight

GhostlightGhostlight by Kenneth Oppel
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers on September 6, 2022
ISBN: 0593487931
Pages: 400
Genres: Fantasy, Supernatural
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
Suspense, supernatural creatures, and a tight storyline make this newest novel by Oppel a winner. Gabe lands a summer job telling stories while taking tourist on tours of Toronto Island. This novel quickly reveals the underlying historical ghost tales of a long-dead lighthouse keeper and his daughter. Readers are introduced to two additional teen characters who add immensely to the storyline. Each have necessary talents which Gabe leans upon to solve the mysterious long-ago deaths . These three characters appear larger than life, and readers come to know their individual abilities and fears.

Oppel is one of a few authors who can portray ghosts as living creatures, giving them personality and emotion. While reading Ghostlight we come face to face with true evil and yet there is room for compassion. This story reveals the possibility of a human /ghost relationship that goes beyond our human experience.

A great, fast-moving ghost story that is a well-written, creative read. Add this to any middle school media centers or public library collection as librarians will delight in handing this book to middle grade readers.

Nominated for Cream of the Crop

Reviewed by Jan Hamilton, retired Youth Services Librarian

five-stars

The Bridge Battle

The Bridge BattleThe Bridge Battle (The Lemonade War, #6) by Jacqueline Davies
Series: Lemonade War #6
Published by HarperCollins US on March 8, 2023
ISBN: 0358692997
Pages: 240
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
The Bridge Battle is the sixth installment of the popular Lemonade War Series by Jacqueline Davies. Siblings Jessie and Evan each find themselves in new and uncomfortable situations. Jessie, a science nerd, is stuck in a summer day camp singing songs and making fairy houses when she’d rather be in the group building bridges. To make matters worse, her former bullies are part of her group. Evan, normally the popular leader in a group, is accidentally placed in a summer school class with older students. He witnesses bullying and feels guilty for not stopping it, and then feels even worse when he joins in the tormenting of a weaker student. Everything comes to a head when Evan and Jessie try to stop the bully from destroying the bridge Jessie plans to enter into a contest. Chapters alternate between the siblings, but the themes of right and wrong, bullying, and being yourself, are woven throughout this book.

This middle grade novel was well written. The main characters are well rounded and readers can feel their confusion and anguish as they are faced with difficult situations. The antagonists are appropriately cringeworthy and are authentic to the middle grade experience. Although this novel is part of a series, it definitely also works as a stand alone. It would be appropriate for middle grade readers who enjoy realistic fiction with a mostly happy ending or as a read aloud. This book explores some difficult topics such as bullying and learning challenges that could lay the foundation for some important discussions.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

four-stars

The Dragon’s Promise

The Dragon’s PromiseThe Dragon's Promise (Six Crimson Cranes, #2) by Elizabeth Lim
Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers on August 30, 2022
ISBN: 0593300955
Pages: 484
Genres: Fairy Tale, Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
The second book in a fantasy duology, this novel picks up moments after the first, Six Crimson Cranes, left off. This writing style reinforces the epic, sweeping feel of the duology, but, full disclosure, it also means this book is not ideal as a stand-alone novel.

While the first book was loosely based on the Grimm fairytale The Six Swans, this 484-page novel is original. Shiori, the book’s heroine, promised her dying stepmother at the end of book one that she would return a dragon pearl – the heart of a dragon – to its unknown owner, and that is the focus of this tale. She is helped by her six brothers and her betrothed in her journey, as she battles dragons, demons, fellow humans and even the treacherous dragon pearl itself, to keep her promise. On the positive side, the story is engaging and the magical Asian setting is beautifully described. More critically, the book has a few too many distinct arcs, bringing Shiori to the point of certain death in an end-of-book kind of way multiple times, before she is saved and – lo! – sets off on yet another previously unknown leg of her journey, which at times felt a little…ho-hum, here we go again.

On the whole, the duology is an enjoyable tale for readers who enjoy epic fantasy with a little romance, Chinese folklore and mythology, or who enjoyed Grace Lin’s Where the Mountain Meets the Moon trilogy as middle grade readers. This book on its own would be a harder sell for readers who are not familiar with the first; together they are telling a single tale.

Recommended to: libraries who purchased the first book will definitely want to add this one to the collection.

Reviewed by Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library

four-stars

Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School

Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic SchoolThe Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes
Published by Balzer & Bray/Harperteen on May 17, 2022
ISBN: 006306023X
Pages: 400
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
Sixteen-year-old Mexican-American Yamilet is starting over at a new school, and not just any school: a wealthy, mostly white, Catholic school outside the city that could not be more different than the city school she’s left. At her old school, Yami was outed by her (now ex-) best friend, a secret she managed to keep from her Mami, who she is sure would kick her out if she knew. At the new school, she’s determined to act “straight” and stay away from romance, keep her brother out of trouble, and work as much as she can to save money (in case Mami does find out, and she needs to survive on her own.) But then she meets Bo, a queer girl who is unabashedly out, and despite trying hard to ignore her feelings as they become friends, falls hard.

Yami is a vulnerable and very relatable character with a deep commitment to her family. The Mexican-American community around her is loving and strong, and at the core of her cultural identity; but at the same time the more intolerant religious beliefs held by the people she loves threaten her safety if her secret comes out. These deeper storylines ground the budding romance between Yami and Bo into a complex, layered novel with moments of humor and a sense of purpose. Yamilet begins the year often doubting her place in her family and even the world; but new friends and allies – and sometimes her own sheer force of will – help her figure out who she is in the best way possible. This is a debut work that feels very close to the author’s heart.

Highly recommend this to libraries looking to diversity their YA shelves.

Five stars/Cream of the Crop nominee

Reviewed by Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library

five-stars