Format: Chapter Book Fiction

Riot Act

Riot ActRiot Act by Sarah Lariviere
Published by Alfred A. Knopf ISBN: 0593479955
Genres: Historical Fiction, Science Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

“Riot Act” is a YA historical dystopian novel by Sarah Lariviere. Set in 1991 in an alternate history, Americans are living under an authoritarian government that prohibits anti-American thought. We follow two teens who are dealing with the death of their friend as they get a group together to put on an illegal underground Shakespeare performance. There is death and romance, queer representation, and a lot of punk rebellion. The use of an unusual narrator was interesting, but also seemed to hinder readers from fully engaging with the main characters. With shades of 1984, this story of teenagers rebelling through art against a repressive government will likely resonate with theater kids and teens disenchanted with the current political world. A suggested additional purchase for YA collections, especially where dystopian fiction is popular.

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

three-stars

The Color of a Lie

The Color of a LieThe Color of a Lie by Kim Johnson
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on June 11, 2024
ISBN: 0593118804
Pages: 336
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“The Color of a Lie” is a young adult historical fiction novel by Kim Johnson. Set in 1955, Calvin is a Black American whose family is able to pass for white, so they have been. When the family moves from Chicago to a small segregated community in Pennsylvania it is even more important that they pass. The high school Calvin goes to integrates a Black student, Lily, and Calvin is forced to face the danger of racism and discrimination. Characters are believable and compelling and Johnson has captured the feel and details of the Jim Crow Era and the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement. The end of the book contains a list of additional resources for those wanting more information. A recommended purchase for YA collections, especially where historical fiction is popular.

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

four-stars

Practical Rules for Cursed Witches

Practical Rules for Cursed WitchesPractical Rules for Cursed Witches by Kayla Cottingham
on August 27, 2024
ISBN: 0593813979
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“Practical Rules for Cursed Witches” by Kayla Cottingham is a YA fantasy novel about a witch attempting to break her curse. Delilah is a witch born to a cursed family where if anyone falls in love with them, they will forget everything about them. Delilah decides she is going to try to break the curse while on a quest for her “calling,” where she will try to break the curse on a dying wealthy man and she only has six months to do it or she will lose her magic forever. The book follows Delilah as she goes on her quest and meets Kieran who needs to find his lost twin.

Characters become well developed and are interesting. The world building is great and well done, though more information about the lore at the beginning of the book might have been helpful. A fun queer fantasy romance, this is a recommended purchase where YA fantasy does well.

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

four-stars

Zodiac Rising

Zodiac RisingZodiac Rising (Descendants of the Zodiac, #1) by Katie Zhao
on October 8, 2024
ISBN: 059364641X
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

“Zodiac Rising” is a young adult modern fantasy/heist novel by Katie Zhao. The story opens with the emperor of the Middle Kingdom being punished by the gods for his greed. The gods release monsters called wrathlings to destroy everything. One god relents and provides 12 warriors who are descendants of a magical animal from the Chinese zodiac. The warriors fight back and win. Many years later, the heads of the animal statues are stolen and the descendants’ powers are removed, with many of them being transformed into supernatural creatures like vampires and werewolves. They cannot return to their original selves until the statue heads are returned.

The book mostly takes place in present time with the descendants who are left attending a special hidden school, which was the part that really took me out of the story because I couldn’t understand why the centuries old descendants were essentially in high school with actual teen descendants. Several of the characters go to faerie land to pull a heist and get back the statue heads, which I found the most interesting part of the novel. The characters were fleshed out and believable and I enjoyed the trust building.  A recommended additional purchase for YA collections where modern fantasy novels are popular.

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

three-stars

The Everybody Experiment

The Everybody ExperimentThe Everybody Experiment by Lisa Moore Ramée
on August 27, 2024
ISBN: 0063039478
Genres: Emotions & Feelings
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Middle Grade Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

The Everybody Experiment by Lisa Moore Ramee

This middle grade novel for readers ages 8-12 focuses on the protagonist and self-described crybaby, Kylie, who worries that her friends will leave her behind for being too babyish and immature. Therefore, she embarks on an experiment in the summer before seventh grade to prove she is just as mature as her friends- Kylie vows to do everything that her friends do. Kylie’s struggle between being true to herself and wanting to fit in is one that everyone can relate to, especially middle-schoolers. Kylie encounters moral dilemmas, such as when her friend Naomi lies and steals, and Kylie is forced to choose between protecting her friendship and demonstrating integrity. This novel also touches upon how hidden personal struggles can impact one’s behavior. Kylie learns that maturity can have multiple forms- physical, emotional,
social.  Kylie, who endearingly refers to her mother as “Momma,” is a character for whom the
reader will cheer as she learns to be true to herself.
 4 stars
Reviewed by Lindsey Hopkins, Jay-Niles Memorial Library, Jay
four-stars

The Fairy Tale Fan Club: Legendary Letters Collected by C.C. Cecily

The Fairy Tale Fan Club: Legendary Letters Collected by C.C. CecilyThe Fairy Tale Fan Club: Legendary Letters Collected by C.C. Cecily by David Roberts, Richard Ayoade
Published by Walker Books US on October 1, 2024
ISBN: 1536222178
Genres: Fairy Tale, Humor
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

C.C. Cecily, Senior Secretary to the Fairy Tale Fan Club, has here compiled fan mail and responses between readers and famous fairy tale characters. The Big Bad Wolf gives his side to the story; Sleeping Beauty quashes rumors about her general boringness; Pinocchio considers the ups and downs of his transformation from puppet to boy, and more.

Amusing and charmingly illustrated, this book would be a fun addition to any collection. Younger middle grade patrons, particularly reluctant readers looking for short, humorous vignettes, will surely enjoy the silliness of these “legendary letters.”

4 stars

Reviewed by: Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library, Augusta

four-stars

Everyone Loves Career Day but Zia

Everyone Loves Career Day but ZiaEveryone Loves Career Day but Zia: A Zia Story by Dream Chen, Jenny Liao
ISBN: 0593425456
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars
It’s Career Day at school, and all of the parents are invited to come teach the class about their jobs! Zia wishes that her mom could come teach the other students about her job as a seamstress. But her mom is not comfortable speaking English (her native tongue is Cantonese), and besides – she never misses work. With the help of her teacher, Zia is able to video call into the factory where her mom works. Her mother demonstrates to the class how to make a beautiful dress while Zia translates her words into English. This heartwarming story would be a great addition to any picture book collection, and is cream-of-the-crop worthy. It demonstrates diversity in the classroom, showcases different and unique families and professions (such as a stay-at-home Dad who also comes to school for Career Day), and provides a window into the day-to-day lives of immigrant families. The words and illustrations perfectly celebrate the story, by bringing to life and intermingling the English and Cantonese words onto each page. The back of the book includes an Author’s Note describing her experience growing up as a translator for her parents, as well as a glossary of English to Cantonese words. Recommended for ages 6-7 (1st to 2nd Grade).

Reviewed by: Jenn Mead, Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library, Lovell

five-stars

Carter Avery’s Tricky Fourth Grade Year

Carter Avery’s Tricky Fourth Grade YearCarter Avery's Tricky Fourth-Grade Year by Rob Buyea
Published by Delacorte Press on September 3, 2024
ISBN: 0593376188
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars
Carter Avery is dreading 4th grade.  Everyone said his teacher Ms. Krane is mean and he is stuck with his bossy nemesis, Missy Gerber.  To make matters worse, Carter struggles in school because writing is hard for him, he can’t sit still for long, and often blurts out the first thing he thinks of.  Luckily Carter has a good support system at home in his grandma and his older sister (his parents died in a car crash when he was young).  After suspecting his teacher will trick him somehow, Carter’s perspective slowly shifts when he realizes how kind and creative she is.  He also works on a project with Missy, and he starts to think differently about her too.  Things are going relatively well until Ms. Krane isn’t at school anymore.  Eventually he finds out that it’s because she had her baby prematurely, not because of a petition some families are signing to get her removed because she is pregnant through artificial insemination.  After getting off to a rocky start with the long term substitute, Carter is able to make things right and works as hard for the substitute as he did for Ms. Krane.  

Carter learns a lot in this novel geared towards 4th-6th graders.  He overcomes many obstacles, learns what it means to be a true friend, and how to be brave and stick up for others.  Carter values friends of all kinds because he has a hard time making them.  He comes up with creative ways to show the people in his life that he cares about them, including hosting Thanksgiving and throwing a party for his teacher.  Carter is very accepting of others, like his teacher who has a prominent birth mark on her face and Mason and his guide dog Susie, whom he met at the library during Summer Reading.  Carter isn’t perfect, but he is always working hard to be better.  This story is told from Carter’s perspective and his funny yet thoughtful voice is a strength of this novel.  Readers will enjoy getting to know Carter and will appreciate how his confidence and success grows because of a variety of caring adults in his life.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

four-stars

Red Bird Danced

Red Bird DancedRed Bird Danced by Dawn Quigley
Published by Heartdrum on June 4, 2024
ISBN: 0063223627
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
This novel-in-verse is told in the alternating voices of Ariel and Tomah who are urban Native Americans – they live in a Native American housing complex. This may be a new concept to many readers. Ariel takes up jingle dress dancing not only to honor her heritage but to save money. Money is tight since her beloved Aunt has disappeared. As time passes, Ariel learns about the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (#MMIW) movement. Thousands of Indigenous Women are murdered or reported missing each year and several groups are working to create awareness of the problem and help organize searches for these women. Tomah is an observer – he watches over the birds and the people in their housing complex. When he falls ill, the community rallies to watch over him. Although Tomah struggles academically, he is a gifted storyteller and uses his gift to help Ariel raise awareness for missing Indigineous women by displaying red dresses, a la the REDress project. Don’t let the short length fool you – this book packs a powerful punch. Readers will be inspired to learn more about #MMIW and the REDress Project. A good choice for middle grade readers who are looking for a story based on real events and a cause to rally around.

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

five-stars

Silent Sister by Megan Davidhizar

Silent Sister by Megan DavidhizarSilent Sister by Megan Davidhizar
on August 6, 2024
ISBN: 0593705645
Genres: Mystery, Psychological thriller
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars
“Silent Sister” by Megan Davidhizar tells the story of a young woman whose sister disappears during an overnight school trip.  The sister who comes home, Grace, grapples with the complexities of her missing memories of that night, particularly concerning her sister, who Grace discovers has been keeping secrets from her. As Grace uncovers hidden truths about her family and classmates, she confronts issues of identity, loyalty, and the impact of silence in relationships. Beyond the mystery, this story explores the process of healing from trauma and the pain of loss. Although an experienced mystery reader can predict many of the twists and turns of the story, the relationship between Grace and her sister Maddy, as well as the mystery of what really happened is enough to keep readers hooked throughout the story. This would be a great addition to any high school library.

Reviewed by Rebecca Duquette, Pittston Randolph Consolidated School

four-stars