Format: Chapter Book Fiction

The Beast of Buckingham Palace

The Beast of Buckingham PalaceThe Beast of Buckingham Palace by David Walliams
Published by HarperCollins on March 1, 2022
ISBN: 0062840126
Pages: 320
Genres: Fantasy, Humor
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Set a hundred years in the future, London is a glum place where the royal family hides in Buckingham Palace, there is rampant poverty and pollution, and the Lord Protector has the King following his orders. When Prince Alfred’s mother (the Queen!) is thrown into the tower of London and accused of helping the Revolutionaries, Alfred springs into action to try to save his  mother. This is a silly book that would be a delightful read-aloud with lots of ZAPS! and BOOMS! and CLUNKS! and plenty of potty humor.

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

three-stars

Message Not Found

Message Not FoundMessage Not Found by Dante Medema
Published by Quill Tree Books on March 29, 2022
ISBN: 0062954431
Pages: 400
Genres: Mystery, Psychological thriller
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

When Bailey’s best friend Vanessa dies in a car accident Bailey struggles to make sense of the death. Bailey “borrows” an AI app from her mom and programs a virtual version of Vanessa she names V so they can continue to exchange text messages. Bailey becomes a little too obsessed – going so far as to mine personal data from communications Vanessa had with her boyfriend and others. Will Bailey discover why Vanesa was nowhere near her house the night of the accident? Will she uncover the secrets Vanessa kept from her? Written in a unique mix of text messages, notes, and brief chapters, readers will scarf down this YA thriller/mystery in one sitting.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

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

five-stars

Unfadeable

UnfadeableUnfadeable by Maurice Broaddus
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on April 19, 2022
ISBN: 0062796348
Pages: 288
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Bella “Unfadeable” Fades, a graffiti artist – and a kid, is on her own in her Indianapolis neighborhood. She spends her days scrounging for food, laundry money, paint supplies, and a place to charge her phone. Fortunately she has neighbors who look after her. When her neighbor hires her to investigate a gentrification project that seems to be spending a lot of city money with few visible results, she is determined to fight for the future of her neighborhood.

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

four-stars

Maizy Chen’s Last Chance

Maizy Chen’s Last ChanceMaizy Chen's Last Chance by Lisa Yee
Published by Random House on February 1, 2022
ISBN: 1984830252
Pages: 288
Genres: Historical Fiction, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Maizy and her mother spend the summer in Last Chance, Minnesota so they can help take care of her ailing grandfather. Maizy’s grandparents – who have been estranged from Maizy’s mom – own and run a Chinese restaurant and don’t understand Maizy’s mom’s career as a food stylist. Maizy can’t wait to get back to her life and friends in Los Angeles but she finds that she enjoys getting to know her grandparents and hanging out at their Golden Palace restaurant. Maizy’s grandfather shares the story of her great-grandfather Lucky who first ran the Golden Palace and how he got to Minnesota. She also learns how challenging it was to be a Chinese immigrant in the late 1800s/early 1900s when Lucky came to America. Maizy is curious about the photographs of young men in the restaurant office and learns about “paper sons” that came through Last Chance. The only pathway for citizenship for Chinese immigrants in the wake of the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act was to show proof that they were the children of US citizens of Chinese descent. It was fairly easy to purchase fake documents and thus become “paper sons” of US citizens. Maizy also experiences racism first hand  but unlike Lucky, she is able to confront it head on. Includes an author’s note with more historical information.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

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

five-stars

Healer and Witch

Healer and WitchHealer and Witch by Nancy Werlin
Published by Candlewick Press on March 22, 2022
ISBN: 1536219568
Pages: 304
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Sylvie comes from a long line of healers but her grandmother Sylvie seems to have more than just the power to mix herbs to soothe pain and illness. Sylvie starts to realize she may also possess the same power as her grandmother but her grandmother dies before she can teach Sylvie how to harness her power for good. When Sylvie tries to help her grief-stricken mother after her grandmother’s death, something goes awry. Sylvie sets off on a perilous journey to find a mentor who can help her reverse the damage she has done to her mother. Martin, the son of the local farrier follows her and together they must use their wits to survive not only the elements but dangerous people they meet along the way. Set in the 16th century France with strong female characters.

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

four-stars

Storm

StormStorm by Nicola Skinner
Published by HarperCollins on March 29, 2022
ISBN: 0063071681
Pages: 384
Genres: Horror
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Frankie’s parents were always reminding her she was born during a storm – especially when she’d lose her temper. When she finds herself alone – and dead – in her seaside cottage, she has to try to remember what happened. She falls into a century-long sleep and when she awakens to construction – her family home is being rebuilt as a museum – she encounters a living boy who can see her. Will his friendship be the key to her future and will she ever move on? A poltergeist story told by the ghost with some interesting twists and turns and a lesson on dealing with anger and extreme emotions.

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

 

four-stars

Where the Sky Lives

Where the Sky LivesWhere the Sky Lives by Margaret Dilloway
Published by Balzer & Bray/Harperteen on March 8, 2022
ISBN: 0063047241
Pages: 336
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Tuesday is a neurodivergent kid who lives in Zion National Park with her park ranger mother, Dana. When things get stressful, Tuesday likes to look at the night sky, just like she did with her uncle Ezra before he died. When it becomes clear that developers are going to build houses on a large tract of land outside the park, Dana and her friend Carter set out to try to preserve the land. When they discover an endangered animal within the building site, they’re excited but then discouraged when it appears to not have made a big difference. They enlist the help of a social media influencer as well as the local community to continue the fight.

This is a light-hearted read that is perfect for advanced younger readers. It does touch on the subject of familial death with Tuesday’s uncle, but it isn’t overly traumatizing. Tuesday is quirky, smart, and fun, and many kids will relate to her. This is a wonderful addition to any library where realistic fiction is popular.

Recommended for readers 3rd grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Turtle of Michigan

Turtle of MichiganThe Turtle of Michigan by Naomi Shihab Nye
Published by Greenwillow Books on March 15, 2022
ISBN: 0063014165
Pages: 336
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
In this follow-up (but fine as a standalone) to The Turtle of Oman, Aref and his family have moved from Muscat, Oman and settled in Ann Arbor, MI. Aref is enjoying life in the US and is making a wonderful new community for himself, but he misses his Sidi, his grandfather, dearly. They write regular letters to each other, and this helps, but nothing beats an in-person visit.

This is a wonderful book for younger middle grade readers. It brings up issues of immigration, community, family, and finding oneself, but it does so in a way that’s appropriate for younger readers. While reading the first book provides some back-story, it isn’t at all necessary to have read it prior to this book.

Recommended for readers 3rd grade and up and for some advanced second grade readers.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Confessions of a Class Clown

Confessions of a Class ClownConfessions of a Class Clown by Arianne Costner
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on March 1, 2022
ISBN: 0593118707
Pages: 288
Genres: Humor, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars
Jack is the class clown. He’s always looking for that next joke, sketch, or video that’s going to get him more likes, follows, and interaction on social media. Despite having thousands of followers on his accounts, Jack finds himself with no real friends. When a prank video takes it too far and hurts a potential new friend, Jack realizes there’s more to life than likes and follows.

This is an engaging story about friendship and school social dynamics. There is a good deal of discussion about the role social media plays in the lives of middle schoolers and how the number of likes something gets really doesn’t matter. This is an easy read for fans of realistic fiction and would be great for more advanced younger readers.

Recommended for readers 3rd grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Max and the Midknights: The Tower of Time

Max and the Midknights: The Tower of TimeThe Tower of Time (Max and the Midknights, #3) by Lincoln Peirce
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on March 1, 2022
ISBN: 0593377893
Pages: 272
Genres: Adventure, Humor
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars
Max is back for the third installment in this fun illustrated series. Max’s evil twin is public enemy #1, and she and the Midknights are trying to find her before time runs out. This highly illustrated book falls into that crossover area of not quite a graphic novel, but more graphic novel-esque than most middle grade books. Lincoln Peirce’s characteristic humor and illustrations will draw in fans of his previous work. The story is funny and action packed and sure to keep young readers wanting more. Hand this series to fans of Big Nate, Dog Man, and the like.

Recommended for readers 2nd grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars