Format: Chapter Book Fiction

Luna Howls at the Moon

Luna Howls at the MoonLuna Howls at the Moon by Kristin O'Donnell Tubb
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on June 15, 2021
ISBN: 0063018624
Pages: 240
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General, Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Horses, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

“Luna Howls at the Moon” by Kristin O’Donnell Tubb is a new addition to  her canine working dog collection. It is written from the viewpoint of Luna, a therapy dog certified through Therapy Dogs Worldwide. Therapy sessions are held in a church basement alongside her handler, Tessa, a seasoned therapist who works with tweens that suffer from mental health and emotional issues. The story starts by showing how Luna reacts differently for each of the clients in a new group: Amelia (the Shadow), Beatrice (the Knot), Caleb (the Waterfall), and Hector (the River Rock). The tweens resist bonding until one afternoon when Hector does not show up for the group therapy session. When Tessa leaves the room for a moment to handle a parental conflict upstairs, Beatrice impulsively leads Amelia, Caleb, and Luna out the basement window and through the streets of Austin, Texas to find the missing Hector.

What ensues is an epic adventure where the reader learns the ways that Luna protects her clients. As the story unfolds we watch the tweens face their fears, learn how to trust each other, and find value in themselves with Luna’s persistent presence.

The story also features a stray cat named Sandpaper, who attaches himself to the group and becomes the self-proclaimed narrator. “Luna Howls at the Moon” deals with real-life issues that middle-grade readers will relate to. Its slow pace at the start requires a couple of chapters to become engaged in the story. Recommended for ages 8 and up. 

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

four-stars

The Legend of Hobart

The Legend of HobartThe Legend of Hobart by Heather Mullaly
Published by Favored Oak Press on July 26, 2021
ISBN: 9781736477397
Pages: 92
Genres: Adventure
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Set in a mythical medieval fantasy world amid a backdrop of castles, dragons, and damsels in distress. Tired of being teased about his name and his stutter, twelve-year-old Hobart wants to do heroic deeds and earn a place in Knight School. He sets out on a most daring quest to kill a dragon. Along the way he meets several strange and endearing characters.  Hobart’s honesty and self-deprecation will have readers relating to his failures and disappointments. When he begins to sense the needs and desires of others, he becomes more compassionate and self-confident. His quest takes readers on a journey that is entertaining and inspiring. Good pacing and humor will keep readers engaged. Recommended for reluctant readers because it is only 90 pages and a it’s a rolicking good story.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

Weird Kid

Weird KidWeird Kid by Greg Van Eekhout
Published by HarperCollins on July 20, 2021
ISBN: 0062970607
Pages: 208
Genres: Fantasy, Humor, Mystery
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This humorous, slightly eye-rolling, Sci-fi chapter book for readers in grades 4-6 will inspire both a love of goo and detective work in readers.  Jake is an alien, the green goo variety, that has been living with his human Dutch-Indonesian parents in human form with relatively few accidental shape-shifting incidents until this past July.  Now that he has pushed to attend public middle school, he feels the pressure to keep his shifting under control.  Right after Agnes agrees to be his new friend, as they both are into the comic Night Kite, a huge sinkhole complete with goo that Jake feels very reminiscent about, opens up before them.  Jake must overcome his own desire for an origin story to help Agnes find out the reasons behind the hum in his head, the sinkholes and the newly appearing goo entities in various places in town, including his closet. Although the sci-fi theme is strong with silly goo and butt joke inferences due to Jake’s father being a proctologist, the relationship between Jake and Agnes is endearing and the writing is a fast paced mystery that clearly answers questions and entertains at the same time.

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

 

five-stars

The World Between Blinks

The World Between BlinksThe World Between Blinks (The World Between Blinks, #1) by Amie Kaufman, Ryan Graudin
Published by Quill Tree Books on January 5, 2021
ISBN: 0062882244
Pages: 336
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This is the first book in a new fantasy series for readers in grades 4-7.  On the day that cousins Marisol, from Bolivia, and Jake, world traveler from America, take one last adventure trip to the lighthouse in remembrance of their newly deceased grandmother an extraordinary occurrence happens that changes their perspective on grief and loss.  They fall into the world between blinks.  They encounter historical figures who have disappeared, like Amelia Earhart, and mythical beasts like the Loch Ness Monster as well as objects and places.  Together they must stop Christopher, who is disguised as a curator of the world and has stolen a ledger that shifts various items back to the “unlost” world, before Marisol and Jake lose their own memories.  The story is told in alternating chapters by Marisol and Jake.  Bolivian Spanish sentiments are scattered throughout that the author explains in the back note.  A ledger detailing more of the various time periods and lost persons represented in the Blinks world is also in the back. Fantasy and historical fiction fans will enjoy this new series.

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

four-stars

Beauty Mark: A Verse Novel of Marilyn Monroe

Beauty Mark: A Verse Novel of Marilyn MonroeBeauty Mark: A Verse Novel of Marilyn Monroe by Carole Boston Weatherford
Published by Candlewick Press on September 8, 2020
ISBN: 1536206296
Pages: 192
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads

In this verse novel, the author leads us from Norma Jeane’s cradle with an unfit mother to a string of foster homes that she never fit into. As a teenager, age 16, she married a family friend, so that she wouldn’t have to go back to the orphanage after her guardian left her alone again.

Her story brings about unknowns such as her love of books, her business sense, and many deep, dark secrets that seem to unfold as the novel progresses. Well written and easy to follow as you get wrapped up in Marilyn Monroe’s life.

Recommended for grades 9 and up.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.

 

The Lonely Heart of Maybelle Lane

The Lonely Heart of Maybelle LaneThe Lonely Heart of Maybelle Lane by Kate O'Shaughnessy
Published by Random House LCC US on March 3, 2020
ISBN: 9781984893833
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Maybelle has panic attacks. Her mom worried and about her and tries to help her with them but she can’t always be there. She wishes her daddy (she has never met him) was there to help too. Then she hears his voice on the radio and decides she is going to find a way to meet him. The start of this story is a bit slow but if the reader sticks with it, they will be rewarded. Maybelle’s journey and her friendships that blossom between a class bully and strict teacher will make you tear up, laugh and root for her to find what she is looking for.

 

Mary Lehmer, Youth Services Librarian, Freeport Community Library, Freeport, ME

four-stars

A to Z Mysteries: Space Shuttle Scam

A to Z Mysteries: Space Shuttle ScamA to Z Mysteries Super Edition #12: Space Shuttle Scam by John Steven Gurney, Ron Roy
Published by Random House ISBN: 0525578900
Pages: 132
Genres: Adventure, Mystery
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

A fun mystery book that tells of the adventure of 3 children at the Space Museum. Also contains a hidden message in 26 of the illustrations that spells out the message. Children should enjoy trying to solve the mystery before the end.

For ages 6 to 12

Reviewed by Ginni Nichols, Gardiner Public Library, Gardiner

four-stars

You’d Be Home Now

You’d Be Home NowYou'd Be Home Now by Kathleen Glasgow
Published by Delacorte Press on September 28, 2021
ISBN: 0525708049
Pages: 400
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Main character Emory, a high school junior has always felt invisible, and so acted out in private ways by stealing small things and engaging in sexual behavior. But everything gets flipped on its head when she’s a passenger in a car accident that kills a classmate. Her overdosed brother (Joey) was also in the car driven by his friend and dealer. Joey is sent to rehab out of state while Emory has to deal with her healing injuries and the loathing of the community for the death of her classmate. Emory withdraws even more into herself as her parents expect her to be Joey’s keeper upon his return and keep him from relapsing. This novel tackles so many important issues, from self-esteem to diversity issues in English class assignments, to how addiction affects whole families and whole communities. While the story is deeply troubling, it’s an honest look at what many teens and many families go through. And since Emory’s family has a lot of money, it’s a good reminder that money truly cannot buy happiness. The author doesn’t shy away from showcasing the truth about addiction, drug use, teen sex, suicide, etc. It’s a stark look at the truth of all too many families. Recommended for all high school collections. Best for ages 14+.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Maine State Library

five-stars

Fifty-Four Things Wrong With Gwendolyn Rogers

Fifty-Four Things Wrong With Gwendolyn RogersFifty-Four Things Wrong with Gwendolyn Rogers by Caela Carter
Published by Quill Tree Books on October 19, 2021
ISBN: 0062996630
Pages: 336
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Fifty-Four Things Wrong With Gwendolyn Rogers

 

Gwendolyn Rogers wants to be good; she really does.  But, because of the way her brain is wired, and the fact that she isn’t neurotypical, and the way no one can determine what she has and what “initials” go with her, she is in a tough situation.  She has a single mother who loves Gwen but struggles and is forever being called, either by the school or the after-school program concerning Gwendolyn.  In 3rd-4th grade she was evaluated as part of an IEP, but it was inconclusive.  Unfortunately, Gwen saw it and has taken the comments to heart; hence the Fifty-Four things.

Gwen has a brother by a different mother who has many of the same manifestations.  But, the love between them is real.  She also has a group of loyal friends, one of whom identifies as Non-Binary.

Caela Carter takes the readers into the mind and heart of a child that so many of us see in our schools every day.  How many times have we told them to behave, be good, or try harder when, because of their conditions, they aren’t able to?

This book is set in the world of 5th grade, on the edge of middle school.  I believe this should be a Cream of the Crop contender in the upper reaches of the children’s age group.  It is excellent.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

 

five-stars

A Kind of Spark

A Kind of SparkA Kind of Spark by Elle McNicoll
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on October 19, 2021
ISBN: 0593374258
Pages: 192
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

A Kind of Spark

 

Addie is an eleven-year-old girl who is on the autism spectrum and has always felt that she should change in order to make other people more comfortable.   She has a horrible teacher who never tries to understand Addie and bullies her.  Her best friend has deserted her for another girl.  But Addie has a great relationship with the school librarian and one of her sisters and she loves studying sharks.  However, when a field trip ignites Addie’s concern for the women in her community who were killed because they were different and believed to be witches, Addie fights for a memorial for them.

There is so much information on autism and what people should know to better treat those who are on the spectrum.  This is an excellent book to educate upper elementary and middle school students and Addie is such a sympathetic character. I believe it should be considered for Cream of the Crop.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

five-stars