Format: Chapter Book Fiction

Adventures of Mary Jane

Adventures of Mary JaneAdventures of Mary Jane by Hope Jahren
Published by Delacorte Press on June 25, 2024
ISBN: 0593484118
Genres: Adventure, Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“The Adventures of Mary Jane” is a young adult historical fiction novel by Hope Jahren. Mary Jane is a teen living frontier life in Minnesota in the mid-1800s, when she is sent down the Mississippi River on a riverboat to help her aunt. Jahren is a scientist and clearly has done her research into the history of the time. The book’s setting feels real and accurate. Mary Jane is a smart, funny, and adventurous girl who showcases girl power in the best way. The book includes a map, suggested reading for more information, and a note from the author about the history in the text. A very well written and exciting novel that will keep readers interested. A recommended purchase for YA fiction collections where historical fiction is popular.

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

four-stars

Too Small Tola Makes it Count

Too Small Tola Makes it CountToo Small Tola Makes It Count by Atinuke, Onyinye Iwu
Series: Too Small Tola #4
Published by Candlewick Press on 9/24/24
ISBN: 1536238155
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

In this installment of Too Small Tola, Tola, her family, and neighbors return to their apartments after the  COVID-19 lockdowns.  This early chapter book is broken into three separate sections.  In the first, Tola is being ridiculed by classmates who don’t believe she worked as a house girl for a famous Nigerian singer during the pandemic.  As she deals with this disappointment, she devises a creative solution to help her elderly neighbor, Mrs. Shaky-Shaky, who no longer has the strength to climb the stairs to her room.  The second chapter describes the vacation Tola and her gram take to a litter-strewn beach.  The final chapter pulls everything together when the famous singer releases a song with Tola’s name in it!  Tola has learned about friendship and making mistakes and prepares to forgive her peers who apologize, though she is careful not to be too trusting of them in the future.  

Like the other books in this series,  this book addresses important and relevant topics in a straightforward, kid-friendly way.  Poverty, the pandemic, and aging are mentioned, but they are not the focus of Tola’s story.  Instead, themes of love, community, and resilience emerge and will stay with the readers long after they finish reading.  This book would be great for elementary schools or public libraries, especially if they already have the other books in this series. Black and white drawings break up the text, making it ideal for new chapter book readers.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

three-stars

A Strange Thing Happened in Cherry Hall

A Strange Thing Happened in Cherry HallPublished by Harper Genres: Mystery
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
four-stars

Middle-schooler Rami spends a lot of time at the Penelope museum. Not only does his mother work there, but he doesn’t have a lot of other hanging out options since his friends ditched him when middle school started. When a painting is stolen and suspicion falls upon his mother, Rami teams up with a classmate to get to the bottom of the theft. The two new friends find help in the forms of an amnesiac ghost and an artistic turtle and realize how emotionally meaningful art can be.

Mystery fans will enjoy the twists, but this could also easily be recommended to supernatural readers, or even animal lovers thanks to the reptilian artist, Agatha. There are a lot of elements here, and it can feel a little jumbled at times, but it all evens out and culminates in an undeniably touching denouement.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

 

four-stars

Nate the Great and the Star-Spangled Parrot

Nate the Great and the Star-Spangled ParrotNate the Great and the Star-Spangled Parrot by Andrew Sharmat
Published by Delacorte Press on June 11, 2024
ISBN: 0593805550
Pages: 60
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General, Mystery
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Nate and his dog, Sludge, run into their friend, Pip and his pet parrot, Prattles, who are desperately searching for his drone parrot, Penelope, who went missing in the recent wind storm. Nate agrees to take the case of the missing drone in hopes of finding it before they are due to sing the national anthem at the annual 4th of July picnic in two days time.

The next day Nate’s friend, Claude comes round needing Nate to help find his missing drone parrot, Baxter. The similarities start adding up and Nate and Sludge are on the case!

Through a series of oftentimes confusing misadventures and round about clues Nate is able to solve the mystery and save the day for Pip and his parrots, both real and drone.

Suggested age: 6-9

Reviewed by MaryAnn Lopes, Lewiston Public Schools, Lewiston, ME.

three-stars

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