Format: Chapter Book Fiction

The Burning Swift

The Burning SwiftThe Burning Swift by Joseph Elliott
Published by Walker Books US on January 4, 2022
ISBN: 1536207497
Pages: 336
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

“The Burning Swift” by Joseph Elliott is the third and final installment of the Shadow Skye trilogy, a teen fantasy series set in a mythical version of Scotland. Our protagonists come from different clans: Agatha is a Hawk, Jaime is an Angler, and they partner with Sigrid who has an amazing memory. They must unite Scotia and the Isle of Skye against the coming war.

Fans of fantasy, especially those who enjoyed the Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander, will feel at home in this series. The characters are unique and keep the novel from being just another standard fantasy. Not a must-buy, but the series is a good additional purchase at libraries where teen fantasy is popular.

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

three-stars

Finding Jupiter

Finding JupiterFinding Jupiter by Kelis Rowe
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on May 31, 2022
ISBN: 0593429257
Pages: 320
Genres: Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

“Finding Jupiter” by Kelis Rowe is a young adult romance with two protagonists that have tragic backstories. Ray is named after her father who died on her birthday and feels like she can’t separate herself from that tragedy. Orion’s little sister died in a crash years ago and he can’t get his happy family back. The two meet and sparks fly. There’s supposed to be a huge plot twist, but readers will likely figure it out early on.

Characters are interesting, especially that Orion has sensory processing disorder, which I haven’t often seen in Black book characters. The plot feels a little rushed. Told from the alternating points of view, I found Ray’s chapters more compelling than Orion’s, but both were well done. A good alternate purchase for libraries who have a large young adult fiction collection.

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

three-stars

Creep: A Love Story

Creep: A Love StoryCreep: A Love Story by Lygia Day Peñaflor
Published by HarperCollins US on February 1, 2023
ISBN: 035869292X
Pages: 272
Genres: Suspense
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

“Creep: A Love Story” by Lygia Day Peñaflor is a young adult thriller where the main character, Rafi, becomes obsessed with Laney and Nico, her high school’s perfect couple. Rafi finds ways to get involved in their lives and the title “creep” is completely accurate. When Laney and Nico’s relationship hits the rocks, Rafi can’t handle it and goes to extremes to get them back together.

The level of creepiness in this book is off the charts, and even make you feel like you are also creeping on Laney and Nico’s relationship. Character building felt a little weak and while the plot keeps twisting and keeping the reader in suspense about what will happen next, I never really cared about the main characters. A suggested purchase for young adult collections where psychological thrillers are popular.

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

three-stars

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