Josephine Against the Sea

Josephine Against the SeaJosephine Against the Sea by Shakirah Bourne
Published by Scholastic Inc. on July 6, 2021
ISBN: 1338642081
Pages: 304
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Josephine Against the Sea

 

Josephine’s mother has died and her father is her whole world.  But, the women of the community in Barbados where they live, are attracted to him, also.  Josephine has been able to fend them off with fish soup on the head and all manner of exploits until Mariss arrives.  She is not intimidated at all and soon has moved in.  There is something very strange about Mariss and soon Josephine, with the help of her best friend, Ahkai, is searching for a way to rid the community of the sea creature.

Ahkai is on the autism spectrum but he is accepted by all and it isn’t a point of emphasis.  Cricket plays an important role and, for those readers who aren’t familiar with the sport, this book may entice them to learn more.  The mythology of Barbados and the Caribbean are utilized in creative ways.

This book is unique and I believe it should be a Cream of the Crop contender.  It is recommended for 3rd-6th grades.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

five-stars

Crashing in Love

Crashing in LoveCrashing in Love by Jennifer Richard Jacobson
Published by Candlewick Press on October 12, 2021
ISBN: 1536211532
Pages: 272
Genres: Mystery, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Middle grade readers will enjoy this sweet and fast-moving mystery written by a Maine author.   Jacobson locates her almost thirteen-year-old protagonist in a small ME coastal town.  Peyton is prepared for a perfect summer which soon unravels when her BBF deserts her ruining all their joint plans.  The mystery surrounds a hit and run accident which leaves a twelve-year-old boy in a coma.  Having found Gray on the street our heroine decides to make his recovery her mission.   The book is full of compassion and empathy for the victim as well as other cast of characters. This well written story reads beautifully centering on a middle grader with romance on her mind and a deep need to please.

Add this to middle grade media centers as well as too public libraries.  Gift this coming-of-age mystery to 10 -12-year-old students.  Readers who enjoy making list may find themselves within these pages.

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

five-stars

Lena, the Sea, and Me

Lena, the Sea, and MeLena, the Sea, and Me by Guy Puzey, Maria Parr
Published by Candlewick Press on August 3, 2021
ISBN: 1536207721
Pages: 304
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This sweet, humorous middle school story is the follow-up to Adventures with Waffles. Trille narrates the adventures he has with his neighbor Lena in the small Norwegian town of Mathilewick Cove. When Brigit arrives for the year from the Netherlands, friendships change. Trille also learns more about his grandparents. Readers will laugh and cringe at some of their adventures from building a raft, almost colliding with the ferry, exploring a remote island with a lighthouse, caroling in a hurricane, performing in a concert, playing soccer, and hanging out with family.

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

five-stars

Ben Yokoyama and the Cookie of Endless Waiting

Ben Yokoyama and the Cookie of Endless WaitingBen Yokoyama and the Cookie of Endless Waiting by Matthew Swanson, Robbi Behr
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers on March 2, 2021
ISBN: 0593302761
Pages: 304
Genres: Humor
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Ben Yokoyama is back and once again his adventures start after receiving a fortune from a cookie. This time he grapples with “Good things come to those who wait.” This immediately lands him in a dispute with his best friend Janet because he decides to wait to apologize after leaving her waiting for him in a rainstorm. He waits to choose a partner in class and ends up with a student he wouldn’t have chosen. This book turns into a great story about friendship.

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

four-stars

Ben Yokoyama and the Cookie of Doom

Ben Yokoyama and the Cookie of DoomBen Yokoyama and the Cookie of Doom by Matthew Swanson, Robbi Behr
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers on March 2, 2021
ISBN: 0593302753
Pages: 304
Genres: Humor
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Ben Yokoyama loves noodles and when his aunt takes him to dinner at a Chinese restaurant he finds something else to like: fortune cookies. When Ben’s fortune advises him to “live each day as if it were your last,” Ben takes it literally and furiously tries to create a bucket list and check everything off beginning at 12 AM. Ben’s father and best friend end up with their own list of things to accomplish on their last day too. Elementary readers will laugh out loud at this cleverly illustrated chapter book.

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

four-stars

Wild Survival: Crocodile Rescue!

Wild Survival:  Crocodile Rescue!Adriana vs. the Crocodile (Wild Survival #1) by Melissa Cristina Márquez
Published by Scholastic Paperbacks on February 2, 2021
ISBN: 1338635050
Pages: 240
Genres: Adventure
Goodreads
four-stars
Wild Survival:  Crocodile Rescue!

 

Adrianna, her brother Feye, and her parents operate Sacred Sanctuary and Zoological Park where they rehabilitate wild animals.  They are also featured in Wild Survival which has really taken off and is now a TV show.  At this time they are in Cuba in search of a wounded American Crocodile which is Vulnerable in the threat category.  There is adventure with Adrianna’s leg being bitten by a giant crocodile, poachers, and thirty baby crocodile eggs needing to be saved.

What I wondered about was why Adrianna and Feye didn’t report the fact that they had seen two infamous poachers.  Also, one of the film crew appeared sketchy, but nothing came of it.

Every so often there would be an illustrated page describing an animal, bird, or turtle.  These were very helpful.

This is the first book in the Wild Survival series which will have a wide readership in the 4th-7th grade age range where animal lovers live.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

four-stars

Zeus the Mighty: The Trials of Hairy-Clees

Zeus the Mighty:  The Trials of Hairy-CleesZeus the Mighty: The Trials of Hairy-Clees (Book 3) by Crispin Boyer
Published by Under the Stars on August 3, 2021
ISBN: 142633897X
Pages: 192
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Zeus the Mighty:  The Trials of Hairy-Clees

 

At the Mount Olympus Pet Center there live a lively assortment of animals who, when it is night-time, come out as the ancient Greek creatures they firmly believe they are.  Zeus, a golden hamster, functions as the leader.  Hermes, a “lady chicken” wants to join a group and, by accomplishing a series of trials, she is successful.

This is a creative way to learn about the Greek gods and goddesses who are very endearing as their animal nature fits into their roles from ancient times.  At the end there is a section called “The Truth Behind the Fiction” where heroes, myths, and the ancient Greek characters are described.  Heracles, or Hercules in Roman history, is a main character, and his description goes along with that.  The illustrative drawings add so much to the text.

This book is the 3rd in the Zeus the Mighty series which should appeal to 2nd to 5th graders.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

four-stars

things that grow

things that growThings That Grow by Meredith Goldstein
Published by Clarion Books on March 9, 2021
ISBN: 1328770109
Pages: 336
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
As senior year looms, Lori’s world comes to a halt when her beloved guardian Grandma Shirley dies.  Following Shirley’s request, Lori, her best friend Chris and a few family members take a road trip around to scatter her cremains in four different gardens and do a reading at each one.  Along the way, with sarcastic humor and much grace, Lori has to face the possibility of moving her senior year, changing her perspectives about her Uncle Seth and acknowledging her suppressed romantic feelings for Chris.    Goldstein provides positive spins on the messy relationships in Lori’s family that need to be tackled during these road trips.  Lori is white and Chris is black.  Every concern is neatly tied up in the end.  The setting is Massachusetts with an emphasis on Natick Mall and surrounding shops.  Readers will be inspired to further check out authors like Dorothy Parker, Stephen King and Edith Wharton.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Youth Services, Springvale Public Library

four-stars

The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy

The Troubled Girls of Dragomir AcademyThe Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy by Anne Ursu
Published by Walden Pond Press on October 12, 2021
ISBN: 0062275127
Pages: 432
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

In the Kingdom of Illyria, boys are sought out and tested for magical talent so that they might become sorcerer’s capable of defending the land against a deadly curse known as the Dread. When Marya accidentally disrupts her brother Luka’s test, she is sent to Dragomir Academy, a school for troubled girls. Alongside the other girls, Marya tries to figure out how to shape herself into the expectations of a society that doesn’t have a place for her. She quickly realizes that what they have been told their whole lives is not the full truth, and that those with power will do anything to keep it for themselves. 

This captivating fantasy is a must-have for middle grade collections. Strong female characters fighting for their place in a patriarchal society with a critical message about the question that we must all remember to ask ourselves: “Who does the story serve?” Perfect for fans of Colfer’s “A Tale of Magic.” Nominated for Cream. 

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

five-stars

Judy Moody in a Monday Mood

Judy Moody in a Monday MoodJudy Moody: In a Monday Mood by Megan McDonald, Peter H. Reynolds
Published by Candlewick Press on September 14, 2021
ISBN: 1536213918
Pages: 144
Genres: Humor, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
In the 16th book of Judy Moody, “Judy Moody in a Monday Mood”, Judy wakes with the Monday blahs and dreads going back to school after the weekend. She is what some would call a Monday Morning Mopey. The same old week at school plays out. Every single week.  Until one Monday, when her teacher, Mr. Todd starts his Monday class by celebrating “Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day!”.  Suddenly school has become fun!  His activity brings the realization to her that each day something can be celebrated to make life less dull and memorable.  She, along with her brother, Stink, and her friends and parents come up with various things to celebrate during the week. Everything from playing zucchini ninjas in the neighborhood and ding-dong-ditching zucchinis to their neighbors to making pet rocks for peace. Finally, when Saturday arrives, she is not sure how to celebrate it since they have always been special days. Her parents invent ‘National Blah-Blah -Blah Day” which is doing all those things you mean to do. As, she tackles cleaning her room, she discovers things that make her happy and appreciates. Sunday is a day of doing nothing and thinking of how Mondays are not something to be dreaded anymore. There can be good and fun in every day.

The Judy Moody series are fun and easy to read books.  It is always fun to read about her many adventures with her friends and family. Appropriate for ages 6-9 years old.

Reviewed by, Amy Tobalske, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook

four-stars