Format: Chapter Book Fiction

Rain Rising

Rain RisingRain Rising by Courtne Comrie
Published by HarperCollins on September 27, 2022
ISBN: 0063159732
Pages: 336
Genres: Mental Health, Realistic Fiction, Fiction in Verse/Poetry
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This book is phenomenal. Rain loves her family—her mom and her brother are her constants, and they help keep her strong. She’s hiding a deep sadness inside her, though. When her brother is attacked during a college visit, all the feelings and emotions she’s been hiding for so long start to surface. Her favorite teacher, Miss Walia, invites Rain to an after-school circle group, and it’s here that she finds the courage to share her feelings and her struggles. She finds friendship. She finds safety. She finds trust. Through circle group and more formal therapy both Rain and her brother find healing.

This is a beautiful novel written in verse. It covers so many topics—difficult family relationships, racism, self esteem, self harm, and more. All of the difficult topics are handled in a very age-appropriate manner and with respect for the characters. The text is gorgeously written, colorful, poetic, and moving. This book is highly recommended for readers 5th grade and up and for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

five-stars

My life begins

My life beginsMy Life Begins! by Patricia MacLachlan
Published by HarperCollins US on November 30, 2022
ISBN: 0063116014
Pages: 128
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Jacob is 9 when his triplet sisters arrive. He really wanted a litter of puppies, but instead he got “The Trips.” He begins chronicling their lives and the things that make them different from each other, and along the way, he decides he actually likes them a bit.

This is a gentle and sweet story about family, growing up, and helping out. This is a great book for new chapter book readers and would be a great bed time read aloud. There are some black and white illustrations throughout, but they don’t add a ton to the story. The text is widely spaced making this an accessible book for new readers. Recommended for readers 7 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-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
five-stars
Unlike many YA novels that deal with the loss of a family member, seventeen year old Jamison Deever’s family didn’t fall apart after his mother died of cancer. He and his sister and father have begun the journey towards healing in the two years since she’s been gone, each in their own way while supporting each other. But J still acutely feels his loss and so sets out on a project to honor his mother and their shared love of photography, while coping with his grief. Dubbed “the 9:09 project”, he takes random photos of strangers every night on the same street corner at 9:09 pm, the exact time she died. With the help of friends, he creates a website to upload the photos and shares his thoughts about what he sees portrayed in them. The website takes off and becomes wildly popular, with J eventually realizing how many people he is helping to recognize and express their own grief. Along the way, he truly starts to find his talent and his self confidence, makes some really good friends, and even falls in love. He also connects with his father and sister in a more meaningful way.

This is a beautifully written novel, with every chapter starting with a quote from famed photographer Dorothea Lange. There is a lot of technical photography jargon in the book, but it doesn’t slow down the pace of the story. Besides loss and grief, this is a great coming of age story for high schoolers, with J also finding his moral compass amid some dicey peer situations. A great addition to any YA section.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Lee Remick, York Middle School

five-stars

Blood Scion

Blood ScionBlood Scion (Blood Scion, #1) by Deborah Falaye
Published by HarperCollins US on June 1, 2022
Pages: 432
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
two-stars
Sloane, a fifteen year old who is searching for her mother’s body in the outskirts of her village, has just been drafted to become a child soldier for the enemy Lucis; she also happens to be a Scion. With ancestral magic coursing through her veins, she has no choice but to try to control the fire that burns within her – for if she fails she will be executed. Based on Yoruba-Nigerian folklore, this book is heavy on world building, violence, betrayal, vengeance and perseverance.

The plot initially sounds intriguing, but the world building is at times confusing, the pacing seems rushed, there was little background or character development for some of the major supporting characters and the ending left me even more confused. Most reviews list the grade range for this book as 8-12. Really though, this book reads more like an adult novel, and probably not a good use of funds as a purchase for a young adult section.

Reviewed by Lee Remick, York Middle School

two-stars

Where You’ve Got To Be

Where You’ve Got To BeWhere You've Got to Be by Caroline Gertler
Published by Greenwillow Books on September 13, 2022
ISBN: 0063027054
Pages: 288
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Where You’ve Got to Be is a lovely middle grade novel that introduces us to Nolie, a rising sixth grader who lives with her mom, dad and older sister Linden in a small, New York City apartment. The summer has ended on a bad note when the cousins’ week at her Grandma’s beach house is cut short due to her older sister Linden, a picture perfect ballet star, insisting on going back to the city early for a workshop. To make matters worse, when she tries to reconnect with her best friend Jessa, it seems another girl has seemingly taken her place, and they’ve moved on to another level of maturity that Nolie doesn’t feel comfortable with. When her sister Linden gets the starring role in the NYC Ballet’s Nutcracker, Nolie really starts to feel invisible. So she starts to take things that don’t belong to her, including a family heirloom from her Grandma’s house – telling herself it’s just temporary to make herself feel better. But it starts to spiral out of control and Nolie finds herself in an uncomfortable position of her own making.

This is a great middle grade book about navigating growing up, old and new friendships and sibling dynamics. Another great theme throughout the book is Nolie and Linden working to understand their Jewish faith, when Linden makes some hard choices while facing anti-Semitic comments at ballet.
Recommended Grades 5-7
Recommended for Cream of the Crop

Reviewed by Lee Remick, York Middle School

four-stars

Fenris & Mott

Fenris & MottFenris Mott by Greg Van Eekhout
Published by HarperCollins US on November 3, 2022
ISBN: 0062970631
Pages: 208
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars
Mott has experienced too many broken promises, so when she makes a promise, she vows to keep it. Things go terribly wrong when she promises to keep an abandoned dog safe. The problem is that Fenris is a wolf, not a rescue dog, and he is trying to end the world by eating the moon. Fenris is cute and cuddly at first but then quickly becomes destructive and violent and Mott can see the danger he poses. Mott teams up with Thrudi, a Valkyrie from Midgard, and together they try to stop what the prophecy has proclaimed is inevitable- that the world will be destroyed and Fenris will play a key role. 4th- 6th graders will enjoy the fast-paced plot that Greg Van Eekhout creates and will appreciate the creative ideas Mott and Thrudi come up with to try to survive all of the unexpected challenges they face. This book offers a combination of action and suspense that will keep readers engrossed.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

three-stars

How to Excavate a Heart

How to Excavate a HeartHow to Excavate a Heart by Jake Maia Arlow
Published by HarperTeen on November 1, 2022
ISBN: 0063078724
Pages: 369
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
Shani arrives in D.C. for a winter internship just after being dumped by her girlfriend at the end of their first semester of college. She’s heartbroken, lonely, and determined to focus on nothing but her work at the Smithsonian. It doesn’t help that she isolated herself from her best friend during her intense (and now over) relationship, or that she hasn’t come out to her mom yet.

Then she meets May. Attraction blossoms, and, though the tropes of a rom-com are present, the characters are realistically awkward, fumbling in their interactions, and unsure of themselves and each other. Shani’s insecurities from her past relationship – one that slowly reveals itself to have been a bad one on many levels – plague her decision making and confidence. Through it all, the vulnerability brought on by that intense crush/first love situation between Shani and May is palpable and sweet. The characters – particularly the main characters, but supporting cast as well – felt genuine. Best of all, the ending was not wrapped up with a kiss and a gallop into the sunset: it was complicated, honest and a little messy, as is life, but left room for a future despite that. Readers will root for Shani and May, both individually and as a couple. A welcome addition to YA shelves.

Reviewed by Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library

five-stars

Two Small Tola and the Three Fine Girls

Two Small Tola and the Three Fine GirlsToo Small Tola and the Three Fine Girls by Atinuke, Onyinye Iwu
Published by Candlewick Press on September 27, 2022
ISBN: 1536225177
Pages: 96
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
Too Small Tola and the Three Fine Girls by Atinuke is comprised of three short stories featuring young Tola and her family. Tola lives with two older siblings and her grandmother in Lagos, Nigeria. Each story depicts life as a poor yet loving family in a big city. Though the stories are fiction, readers will learn about the Nigerian way of life, from Tola’s grandmother street hawking groundnuts to put food on the table, to the beauty and love felt by Tola when her grandmother weaves her hair for the first time. The stories are simple, yet engaging and meant for early elementary children. Despite taking place on another continent, readers will be able to relate to the characters and will leave each story with something to think about.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

five-stars

The First Thing About You

The First Thing About YouThe First Thing About You by Chaz Hayden
Published by Candlewick Press on September 6, 2022
ISBN: 1536223115
Pages: 384
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
“The First Thing About You” is a debut YA novel by Chaz Hayden. The main character, Harris Jacobus, is fifteen and has spinal muscular atrophy. His family is moving from California to New Jersey, which Harris hopes will give him a chance to reboot his life and get a more typical high school experience. There are a lot of incidents featuring ableism. Author Chaz also has SMA, and has created a deeply enganging and well-developed character in Harris. Readers will enjoy the funnier moments (and this book has a lot of very funny moments) and will empathize and root for Harris during the more difficult times in the book.

The only flaws I had with the book were that occasionally the relationship between Harris and his nurse seemed a bit inappropriate, though this definitely isn’t a “patient/nurse romance” novel, and that the book seemed overly slow at times. Written for teens age 14 to 18, this is a recommended purchase for all libraries with a teen/young adult section.

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

four-stars

If You Read This

If You Read ThisIf You Read This by Kereen Getten
Published by Delacorte Press on August 16, 2022
ISBN: 0593174003
Pages: 208
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
“If You Read This” by Kereen Getten is a middle grade novel about a 12 year-old girl named Brie. Brie’s mother died several years ago. She was fun and full of life and Brie misses her very much. On her birthday, she receives a treasure hunt from her mother. By following the clues with her friends and family, she learns more about her mother, her family, and her past. Readers will enjoy following Brie as she follows the treasure hunt across Jamaica, learning secrets, fun stories, and deepening her relationship with her family and helping deal with the loss and grief she feels over her mother’s death.

Written for readers aged 8 to 12, this book is a suggested purchase for all middle grade fiction collections.

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

four-stars