Format: Chapter Book Fiction

The Verdigris Pawn

The Verdigris PawnThe Verdigris Pawn by Alysa Wishingrad
Published by HarperCollins on July 13, 2021
ISBN: 0062908057
Pages: 368
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

A debut middle grade fantasy that challenges concepts of power and class. Beau is the heir to Himself, iron ruler of the land. As a virus spreads across the land, the people are bled dry by a ruler who cares more for power  than for the love of his subjects. Led by fear of magic and an abhorrence for weakness, Himself is a one-dimensional character offered as a foil to Beau and all that he can become if he can break free from his father’s callous example.

Through the metaphor of a chess-like game called Fist, Wishingrad weaves in strategy, intrigue, and the use of people as playing pieces in a game of power. After coming to terms with the truth about his uncaring father, acquiring real friends, and finding a purpose to his life, the hero Beau, his name appropriately a homonym for the tool that wields the weapon when aimed correctly, learns that he, too, can be sharp and deadly.  The book leans heavily on fantasy tropes like secret magic, a quest, and an alleged hero turned villain, but it does it with aplomb and, in the end, is a highly entertaining and readable book. Give to fans of Adam Gidwitz, Diane Magras, and Anne Ursu.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

five-stars

The Crown Heist

The Crown HeistThe Crown Heist by Deron R. Hicks
Series: the Lost Art Mystery #3
Published by Clarion Books on November 16, 2021
ISBN: 0358396069
Pages: 303
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General, Mystery
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This is the third installment in the Lost Art Mystery series and the setting is the museums and castles of London.  Twelve-year-old best friends, Camilla and Arthur (Art) have gained an international reputation for solving crimes in the previous novels and this time they think they are on a vacation trip to London with Camilla’s mom so that Camilla can meet her father in person for the first time.  When Dad is a no-show, the friends find themselves on a scavenger hunt to find him and a crown attributed to King Arthur.  They have to solve the riddle and keep ahead of the henchman who is threatening her father to solve the riddle and find the crown first.  Readers are treated to elaborate descriptions of London’s tourist points around the towers and some interesting history attributed to the various kings.  The twelve year olds seem very sophisticated in their riddle solving and in navigating all around London on their own for the first time.  Fans of the series will be surprised at some of the family revelations along the way.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Youth Services Librarian, Springvale Public Library

four-stars

Creatures of the Flood (Bamboo Kingdom #1)

Creatures of the Flood (Bamboo Kingdom #1)Creatures of the Flood (Bamboo Kingdom, #1) by Erin Hunter
Published by HarperCollins on September 28, 2021
ISBN: 0063021927
Pages: 256
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Fantasy, Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

The entity that is Erin Hunter has birthed another adventure of epic proportions. Creatures of the Flood introduces us to triplet panda cubs separated from each other by the Giant Flood. The unexpected catastrophe was not foretold by Sunset, the Dragon Speaker, and resulted in devastation throughout the Bamboo Kingdom. The orphans, Rain, Leaf, and Ghost, long to find out the truth of who they are and their personal connection to the Great Dragon.

Secondary characters include a snow leopard family, fun-loving red pandas, and a troop of golden monkeys that heckle and taunt the pandas. Sunset, the Dragon speaker, resurfaces, bringing hopes that all the lost pandas will return to the Bamboo Kingdom. There are some scenes of peril, including a tiger mauling, an attempted murder, and multiple death scenes.

A mix of action, humor, and mystery, Creatures of the Flood will not disappoint Hunter’s readers and will be a staple for both public and school libraries.

Suitable for ages 9 and up.

Reviewed by Liz Davis, Children’s Librarian, Waterville Public Library

four-stars

The Leopard Behind the Moon

The Leopard Behind the MoonThe Leopard Behind the Moon by Mayonn Paasewe-Valchev
Published by Greenwillow Books on September 21, 2021
ISBN: 0062993615
Pages: 288
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

The Leopard Behind the Moon

 

The setting of this story is lush Africa.  Ezomo, the main character, is thought of as useless by his village.  His father has recently died and a leopard is the perpetrator.  Ezomo and his two loyal friends are searching for the leopard to kill it, but instead they find some magical leaves that may be able to give Ezomo and his friends what they most desire.

The author takes the reader into the African scenery in an adventure story with a hint of magical realism.  This book is recommended for 4th -8th graders.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

four-stars

Love & Other Natural Disasters

Love & Other Natural DisastersLove & Other Natural Disasters by Misa Sugiura
Published by HarperTeen on June 8, 2021
ISBN: 006299123X
Pages: 352
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Nozomi, a seventeen-year-old queer, Japanese American is riddled with self-doubt about relationships as she and her older brother Max fly out to San Francisco to internships that their Uncles have secured for them at a private art museum.  Being gay is not a concern, but building up potential rom-com situations in her head get her into trouble when she throws herself into a “fake dating” situation with a new girl she is infatuated with.  The pressure to keep this social media created relationship going adds complications to her real life situations which include recently divorced parents, the homophobia of her grandmother with dementia who is resisting assistance from her family and the potential “real” romance with an installation artist at the museum.  Sugiura creates the right balance between calling out issues of body image, homophobia, Asian stereotyping, and racial profiling while keeping the romantic storyline lighthearted.  Some parts are extremely heart felt that will make the reader pause and reflect while other parts of the story are true to the flighty romantic vibe with unbelievable triteness.  Suggested for readers in high school.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Youth Services Librarian, Springvale Public Library

four-stars

The League of Picky Eaters

The League of Picky EatersThe League of Picky Eaters by Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic
Published by Clarion Books on November 2, 2021
ISBN: 0358379865
Pages: 304
Genres: Humor, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

The town of Muffuletta was founded by chef and food writers, subsequently, the importance of trying new and inventive foods become a hallmark in every aspect of daily life.  In sixth grader Minerva’s school, the St. Julia Child Middle School, eating is a curriculum requirement.  Minerva is sensitive to certain lingering flavors and that “talent” lands her in the remedial (RETCH) eating tract.  What seems like the worst fate to Minerva actual reveals how she has allowed herself to be bullied by her so called friends over the years.  She comes to realize and appreciate the non-judgmental way her new friends in the remedial class treat each other.  Lucianovic has whipped up an eye rolling, humorous world for foodie lovers. Not all readers will “sink their teeth” into the world of Muffelatta, but those who do will find a solid story of true friendship and interesting facts about loving food in the process.  Suggested reading interests is 4-8 grades.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Youth Services Librarian, Springvale Public Library

 

five-stars

All These Warriors

All These WarriorsAll These Warriors (Monsters, #2) by Amy Tintera
Published by Clarion Books, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt on July 13, 2021
ISBN: 0358012414
Pages: 336
Genres: Fantasy, Horror, Mystery
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

In this sequel to All Those Monsters, Clara and team seven seek some respite from fighting scabs.   Their belief that the scabs were trained and planted by the government develops into a search for truth.  Some characters are well developed but it is Clara’s ex-boyfriend who dominated several scenes as Clara provides the narrative.  As a sequel this story does pick up where the previous storyline stopped but it cannot stand alone.  Not enough backstory is provided to hold the interest of readers who have not already digested All These Monsters.

The level of violence may distract some readers as well as the physical proximity of casual relationships.

These two books are suggested for high school readers who enjoy fantasy and mystery in unlikely situations.  While the text may not be believable it surely presents some relief from the current social and political problems of current times.    Librarians who have purchased All These Monsters will want to add this sequel to their collections.  Gift only as a 2 book set to teens.

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired librarian in Scarborough, ME

four-stars

Muddle School

Muddle SchoolMuddle School by Dave Whamond
Published by Kids Can Press on September 7, 2021
ISBN: 1525304860
Pages: 144
Genres: Humor
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Graphic novels are frequently the best genre to attract reluctant readers, Muddle School will not disappoint intermediate and middle students.  The text includes the hope, concerns, and fears which dwell in the heart of most grade four students.   Our lovable character appears to resemble the author in his past, at the very least Whamond is familiar with the situations and emotions contained in this very humorous graphic.  As the protagonist develops more confidence and exhibits a positive attitude his year improves.   Typical subjects are included in the dialog; bullies, first crush, making friends and strange family members all own a spot in the storyline.

My only critic is the use of only blue on white in the illustrations.   The book would have been more appealing if there existed some additional colors.  Add this to intermediate and middle school graphic collections and persuade public librarians to purchase Muddle School for their shelves.  Students will be looking for more graphic novels by this author.

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired youth services librarian in Scarborough, ME

four-stars

An Emotion of Great Delight

An Emotion of Great DelightAn Emotion of Great Delight by Tahereh Mafi
Published by HarperCollins on June 1, 2021
ISBN: 0062972413
Pages: 256
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Written with excellent prose and character development, this book is a definite winner.  Mafi offers readers the opportunity to view what life was like for a teenage Muslim American girl following 9/11.

Shadi experienced societal stress and discrimination as well as surviving overwhelming family drama and sorrow.   Her story is told mostly in 2003 but it shifts over a year as she slowly loses her connections with family and friends.  Readers are led to an approaching emotional breakdown that is beyond understandable.  And yet, the protagonist has a strong sense of self and walks herself back to her family.  Teens will cheer for a romance which is integral to the storyline but it takes a back seat to the family interaction.

Purchase this book for all high school media centers and public libraries which collect YA fiction.  An Emotion of Great Delight would make an excellent choice for mother/daughter book groups.

Recommend for Cream of the Crop

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired youth services librarian in Scarborough, ME

five-stars

The Upper World

The Upper WorldThe Upper World by Femi Fadugba
Published by HarperTeen on December 7, 2021
ISBN: 0063078597
Pages: 368
Genres: Science Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

“The Upper World” by Femi Fadugba is a young adult science fiction novel that not only explains time travel to its readers but uses math and physics to do it in a way that is understandable. The book starts with one of the main characters, Esso, a teen in London who is on the verge of getting expelled and caught up in gang violence. During a few harrowing moments in his life, Esso seems to briefly travel into the future and see what is going to happen but is unable to change things.

The other main character, Rhia, is also a London teen, but she lives 15 years in the future from Esso’s time. When adult Esso shows up in her life as a math tutor, she discovers that he knew her missing mother and that he needs her to understand time travel. But why?

The novel is compelling and keeps you guessing about what is going to happen. The math sections about the speed of light and time travel are well explained, but still took me one or two times of rereading before I really understood it. Fadugba is a former science tutor with a master’s degree in physics from Oxford. The characters use British slang which may throw off American readers, but it’s understandable enough with context. A must buy for your young adult section if science fiction is popular.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook.

four-stars