Format: Chapter Book Fiction

Unseen Magic

Unseen MagicUnseen Magic (Unseen Magic, #1) by Emily Lloyd-Jones
Published by Greenwillow Books on February 22, 2022
ISBN: 0063057980
Pages: 352
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

After moving a lot as a young child, Fin finally feels at home in the small town of Aldermere, California. She is enchanted by the magical elements she encounters, especially the magical tea that temporarily helps calm her fears. But magic can be dangerous and after a mishap with the tea, Fin is forced to set aside her fears in order to help save her beloved town from her doppelganger. This novel is beautifully written with likable, well-rounded characters. Readers will be able to relate to Fin’s fears and insecurities which she confronts on this journey to self-awareness and self-acceptance. This book would be appropriate for 4th-6th graders, especially those who enjoy magical realism.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

four-stars

Brand New Boy

Brand New BoyBrand New Boy by David Almond, Marta Altés
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536222704
Pages: 320
Genres: Science Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Daniel and his friends are ordinary children who attend school in England. They befriend a new student, George, whom they find odd but also fascinating. He can’t answer personal questions but can answer complex math equations and is a soccer wiz on the playground. When they find out he is a robot, they are determined to save him from his evil creators while also showing him what it means to be a real child. Readers will join the characters in grappling with the question of what it means to be a real child. The black and white illustrations scattered throughout the story have great facial expressions and complement the text well. American readers might be challenged by some of the British terms and references, but this is still a good novel for kids who want to try science fiction. Appropriate for grades 4-6.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

three-stars

The School for Whatnots

The School for WhatnotsThe School for Whatnots by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on March 1, 2022
ISBN: 0062838490
Pages: 304
Genres: Science Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

At the end of elementary school, Max learns that his classmates have all been “whatnots.” Whatnots are android students that wealthy parents arrange to have as fellow students for their children to protect them from bullies and mean children. Max’s best friend Josie comes from a poor family and is given the opportunity to attend a good school by posing as a whatnot. The world Haddix creates has a huge divide between the haves and have nots and verges on the dystopian.

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

three-stars

The Last Mapmaker

The Last MapmakerThe Last Mapmaker by Christina Soontornvat
Published by Candlewick Press on April 12, 2022
ISBN: 1536204951
Pages: 368
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Sai works for the famous mapmaker Paiyoon in the kingdom of Mangkon. Now that Mangkon has won a long-time war, the Queen wants to explore her newly conquered territory and arranges for boats to search for the never-seen continent in the Southern Hemisphere. Paiyoon signs on as mapmaker on a ship and arranges for Sai to travel with him. Sai jumps at the opportunity as she comes from a poor background and her father is a grifter. She’s worried that her apprenticeship will come to an end when she turns 13 and does not receive a lineal necklace from her family representing her ancestry. At its heart, this is a swashbuckling sea adventure with a strong female protagonist that features mutiny and sea creatures and readers will be hoping to read more of Sai’s adventures!

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

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

five-stars

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