Format: Chapter Book Fiction

The Luis Ortega Survival Club

The Luis Ortega Survival ClubThe Luis Ortega Survival Club by Sonora Reyes
on May 23, 2023
ISBN: 0063060302
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Sonora Reyes, author of “The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School,” has written another excellent queer young adult novel that should be added to your library teen/YA collection. “The Luis Ortega Survival Club” features a queer and autistic female protagonist, Ariana Ruiz. After a non-consensual sexual encounter (rape) with popular student Luis Ortega, Ariana struggles to deal with her feelings. When an anonymous person reaches out to her to say that they have experienced the same thing and ask to meet, Ariana discovers that there is a group of them and she is not alone.

The author kindly includes the sensitive topics that the book covers at the beginning of the book. This novel deals with these difficult topics well, though this is a tough book to get through. As an autistic and queer author, Reyes creates believable and well-developed characters. A recommended purchase for young adult collections everywhere, especially where “The Lesbiana’s Guide” is popular. While readers may find the subject matter difficult, these topics need to be discussed, and more queer and neurodivergent representation is definitely needed.

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

four-stars

Where the Water Takes Us

Where the Water Takes UsWhere the Water Takes Us by Alan Barillaro
Published by Candlewick Press on July 4, 2023
Pages: 208
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

“Where the Water Takes Us” is Alan Barillaro’s debut middle grade novel about a girl named Ava who goes to stay with her grandparents while her mom is having a difficult pregnancy. Spending time in nature in a cabin on a lake sounds idyllic, but Ava suffers from anxiety and dread while she is there. After she finds a dead bird, she feels cursed and is determined to take care of some abandoned eggs that she finds, telling herself that if she does, her mother’s pregnancy will go well. The book gives an accurate portrayal of anxiety as Ava faces other challenges and acknowledges that you can have anxiety even if you have supportive adults in your life. Barillaro clearly has a love for nature and the environment is well described.

There are beautiful watercolor pictures drawn on the edges of each page and you can watch nature scenes from the lake or landscape eventually becoming (spoiler alert) two birds that fly away. This book doesn’t break new ground, but is a good addition to middle grade collections as an accurate depiction of youth mental health. Recommended additional purchase where realistic fiction is popular.

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

three-stars

Fake Dates and Mooncakes

Fake Dates and MooncakesFake Dates and Mooncakes by Sher Lee
on May 16, 2023
ISBN: 0593569954
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

“Fake Dates and Mooncakes” by Sher Lee is a young adult realistic fiction/romance novel featuring two Asian-American teens  whose lives come together due to a Mid-Autumn Festival mooncake competition. Dylan is determined to win the competition for his mother and to improve business at his aunt’s Chinese restaurant, while Theo needs a date to a family wedding and is willing to donate a large amount to the restaurant to get Dylan to be his date (the title’s “Fake Dates”). Themes of embracing your values and being willing to be yourself are clearly shown in the narrative. The teen characters felt realistic and well developed by the author. The ending is easily guessed, but still a worthwhile read. A recommended purchase where LGBTQIA + YA romances are popular. Good for fans of Heartstopper.

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

three-stars

The Windeby Puzzle

The Windeby PuzzleThe Windeby Puzzle by Lois Lowry
Published by Clarion Books on February 14, 2023
ISBN: 0358672503
Pages: 224
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
A book that is difficult to classify in a genre as it is a unique combination of fiction and nonfiction. A 2,000-year-old body was found in a peat bog in 1952 on Windeby Estate in northern Germany. Lois Lowry imagines the life that might have been, first for a young girl and then for a boy during the Iron Age. Estrild, not content with the dictates of what her life as a woman, wants to be a warrior. Varick, an orphan boy with a twisted back, is treated poorly because of his differences. We know how the stories will end with them blindfolded and left to die in the bog.

The reader learns much about bogs, bog people, and the history of the Druids in this rarely depicted time period. Although short and easy-to-read, the subject may be difficult for children because of the harsh content. Lowry takes quite a few liberties in imagining the two stories, but there is not a lot of information available about this first century time period. Interesting book, unlike any other, but definitely consider the reader before recommending it.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Select

SelectSelect by Christie Matheson
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on May 9, 2023
ISBN: 0593567234
Pages: 224
Genres: Sports
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars
Alex has loved playing soccer since she was five years old. Now 12, she has been chosen to play for an elite team called Select. Playing for Select gives Alex a great opportunity to play at Nationals and earn a scholarship for college, which would be the only way she could afford to go. Playing for Select also means leaving the Rec team she loves, playing for a domineering coach who disrespects his players, and requires more logistical planning to get to practices and games, as Alex relies on public transportation. Alex is also frustrated by watching her mother not stand up for herself when her boyfriend mistreats her. Seeing this helps Alex confront her coach despite the risk of potentially losing her soccer career. This middle grade book would be great for readers who love soccer but also for those who enjoy strong female characters. This book confronts the issue of emotional abuse in an age-appropriate way both in the plot and in the author’s note. This book is more than just another sports book and would be a great addition to any middle school library collection.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

three-stars

The Labors of Hercules Beal

The Labors of Hercules BealThe Labors of Hercules Beal by Gary D. Schmidt
Published by Clarion Books on May 23, 2023
ISBN: 0358659639
Pages: 352
Genres: Humor, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
Hercules Beal has been given a tough assignment at his new school: to duplicate the feats of the mythological Hercules in his small Cape Cod town and write reflections on each one. At first this task seems daunting, but with some ingenuity and help from a few friends and neighbors, he is able to chip away at the twelve labors. As he reflects on his completed challenges, Hercules experiences a year of tremendous growth and healing after the death of his parents in a car accident. Hercules becomes an important member of his school and a valued member of his community, so when he needs help he is surrounded by a network of friends and neighbors who lift him up.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

five-stars

The Mystery Box

The Mystery BoxThe Mystery Box by Wes Hargis
Series: Down in the Dumps #1
Published by HarperCollins on September 13, 2022
ISBN: 0062910108
Pages: 96
Genres: Adventure, Humor
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Down in the Dumps: The Mystery Box introduces readers to the Westerfield Waste Transfer and Recycling Center and to Nana the moldy banana. This short adventure has the main characters, Nana, along with her friends a broken tea pot and a crusty blob of gum, trying to return a clearly misplaced teddy bear to the non-trash world outside. With short chapters and a quick and easy adventure to follow, this book will appeal to readers in grades first through third. A nice addition to a collection, but not necessary to add.

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Patten Free Library

four-stars

Trash vs. Trucks

Trash vs. TrucksDown in the Dumps #2: Trash vs. Trucks by Wes Hargis
Series: Down in the Dumps #2
Published by HarperCollins on September 13, 2022
ISBN: 0062910159
Pages: 96
Genres: Adventure, Humor
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Down in the Dumps: Trash vs. Trucks is about a trash heap and its inhabitants. This book follows a few pieces of refuse as they try to keep their trash heap where it is, to keep the giant dump trucks from scooping them up and relocating them. The prose is easy to follow and the adventure itself is engaging. The artwork adds to the overall ease of understanding and fun for the reader. An interesting addition to the book is that every now and then it stops and comments on how much the reader has read, which can be a nice benchmark for someone who may need a little encouragement.

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Patten Free Library

four-stars

Someday We’ll Find It

Someday We’ll Find ItSomeday We'll Find It by Jennifer Wilson
Published by HarperTeen on April 26, 2022
ISBN: 006304465X
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars
Six years ago, Bliss Walker’s mother left for Japan to pursue a modeling career, leaving her to live with her Aunt, Uncle, and Cousin Patsy in a rural, dusty town in Illinois. Now 17, Bliss is spending her summer before senior year trying to sort out her future. Not strong academically and feeling trapped by her attitudinally challenged boyfriend, River, Bliss becomes even more confused about life when her mother waltzes back into town promising to bring Bliss along to model with her in Europe. Add in Blake, the new guy in town whose very presence poses a threat to River, and Bliss is even more unsure of what she wants and who she is. 

Teens who are contemplating life post-high school and who may be grappling with who they are outside of the life they’ve been living, the expectations of others, and the future they always imagined will relate to Bliss and the tug-of-war she is having within herself. Wilson’s ability to capture small-town rural life will undoubtedly connect to readers who have grown up in such places. Predictable but enjoyable. 

Grades 9-12

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

three-stars

Good Luck, Anna Hibiscus

Good Luck, Anna HibiscusGood Luck, Anna Hibiscus! by Atinuke, Lauren Tobia
Series: Anna Hibiscus #3
Published by Candlewick Press on January 10, 2023
ISBN: 153622524X
Pages: 112
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Originally published in 2009, this is the third book in this series. Anna Hibiscus is a little girl who lives in Nigeria with a loving extended family. Each chapter is a short story and there is usually a moral dilemma. In the second half of the book, Anna Hibiscus is looking forward to visiting her grandmother in Canada, where she will see snow for the first time. But before she goes, she must find warm clothes to wear in the cold winter weather. In the last chapter, she shares a universal worry about missing her family while she is away. Children beginning to read chapter books will find this book enlightening and entertaining. Also a fun read aloud.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars