Format: Chapter Book Fiction

Unsettled

UnsettledUnsettled by Reem Faruqi
Published by HarperCollins on May 11, 2021
ISBN: 0063044706
Pages: 352
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Unsettled is a well written story told in verse that is bound to capture the hearts of readers.  When Nurah’s family relocates from Pakistan to Georgia life become a challenge.  As a middle school student, she is aware that everything is different from her home and finds herself isolated.   Nurah’s story is not surprising yet it is revealing in many specific situations, several that are heartbreaking.  This strong central character is portrayed as a sensitive and introspective Muslim girl who is not without flaws.

The storyline flows like a river, it weaves in and out of places of joy and sadness.   There are henna designs throughout the book but it is the chapter introduction pages that reveal the intricate henna illustrations depicting staging of growth.  This story is truly told in text and illustrations, it belongs on all public library shelves. Middle grade school media centers should add Unsettled to their collection.  An amazing coming-of-age story concerning immigration that will benefit all readers.  The back pages include a glossary as well as a recipe for Kabab.

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

Recommended for Cream of the Crop

five-stars

Franklin Endicott and the Third Key

Franklin Endicott and the Third KeyFranklin Endicott and the Third Key by Chris Van Dusen, Kate DiCamillo
Published by Candlewick Press on June 8, 2021
ISBN: 9781536201819
Pages: 112
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Book 6 in Tales from Deckawoo Drive series. True confession – I love everything this team of Kate DiCamillo and Chris Van Dusen puts out! And I didn’t think I could like any book better than Stella Endicott and the Anything-Is-Possible Poem. But along came Franklin Endicott and the Third Key…

Franklin Endicott is a worrier. (Aren’t we all these days?) One night, when his worries cause nightmares, he befriends Eugenia Lincoln, the lady next door (and one of my all-time favorite characters!), who is also up in her kitchen fighting insomnia. Together they visit Buddy Lamp’s Used Goods shop to get a key duplicated and wind up with an extra key that nobody knows what it goes to – which worries Franklin. After returning it to the shop, Buddy Lamp shares a book of stories which helps Franklin, (and maybe Eugenia?) deal with his other worries. The power of words and stories is a central theme, but Kate also weaves in the importance of family and friends plus the power of learning to let go. Van Dusen’s illustrations are perfect, especially the ones of Eugenia. Mercy Watson plays a cameo role as a reading therapy pig.

 Professional Review

The latest book from “Tales from Deckawoo Drive” might be DiCamillo’s most charming offering yet in the series. . . . The tale is as uplifting as it is literary, and the author tells a genuine story that may inspire readers to be like Franklin, a child open to receiving his very own mysterious, ­life-changing key. . . . DiCamillo pens a glorious love letter to childhood uncertainty and the powerful and transformative world of reading.

—School Library Journal (starred review)

And from Chris Van Dusen’s Facebook page: A brand new Tales from Deckawoo Drive hits the stores today! And it might be my favorite so far. Kate’s story is simply wonderful and it was an honor to illustrate her words. I love this sweet little book.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

Ancestor Approved: Intertribal Stories for Kids

Ancestor Approved: Intertribal Stories for KidsAncestor Approved: Intertribal Stories for Kids by Andrea L. Rogers, Art Coulson, Brian Young, Carole Lindstrom, Christine Day, Cynthia Leitich Smith, David Alexander Robertson, Dawn Quigley, Eric Gansworth, Erika T. Wurth, Joseph Bruchac, Kim Rogers, Monique Gray Smith, Rebecca Roanhorse, Tim Tingle, Traci Sorell
Published by Heartdrum on February 9, 2021
ISBN: 0062869949
Pages: 320
Genres: Short Stories
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

An anthology of short stories and poems themed around an intertribal powwow, written by major Indigenous authors including Joseph Bruchac, Carole Lindstrom, Rebecca Roanhorse, and Traci Sorell, this book is a must-buy for every collection. The stories and poems all revolve around the theme of community. Some are humorous, some more serious, but all of them celebrate Native culture.

I also really appreciated the various glossaries at the back of the book that defined words from various Nations, including Cree, Choctaw, Navajo, and Ojibwe. The author bios and notes at the end of the book add to the collection, really emphasizing the fact that this book is something special and that the publishing industry should be doing more to promote Indigenous authors.

Written for kids aged 8 to 12, though teens and adults will enjoy it as well. If this middle grade book is not already in your collection, I highly recommend getting it!

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook.

five-stars

Zara Hossain is Here

Zara Hossain is HereZara Hossain Is Here by Sabina Khan
on April 6, 2021
ISBN: 1338580876
Pages: 249
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Zara Hossain is Here

 

Zara Hossain is living with her kind and accepting family in Corpus Christi, Texas after having moved from Pakistan when she was only three years old.  She and her family have done everything right and followed all the immigration rules, but still have not gotten their green cards.  Their situation becomes much worse when Zara has an altercation with a boy at school who dislikes her for being Muslim.  The parents become involved and there are charges of trespassing and a shooting.  The United States isn’t what her parents had hoped for and they eventually plan to move to Canada.  Zara is also bisexual so considering returning to Pakistan would have had serious consequences.  This book gives the perspective of an immigrant who is targeted for what isn’t her fault but who has wonderful parents and great friends who stick by her throughout.  It is recommended for Young Adults.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

four-stars

Rebel Daughter

Rebel DaughterRebel Daughter by Lori Banov Kaufmann
Published by Delacorte Press on February 9, 2021
ISBN: 0593125819
Pages: 400
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Rebel Daughter

 

In this historical fiction book set in the first century of the Christian Era the author, Lori Banov Kaufmann, has heard about a 2,000-year-old tombstone belonging to Claudia Aster who is mostly known as Esther in this book, and is fascinated by it.  Many of the characters were real people whom the author learned of by reading one of the main character’s, Josephus’s, autobiography.  The plot follows Esther from fourteen to nineteen-years-old and her family and relationships with Josephus and finally with her one true love, Tiberius, who ultimately frees her from slavery and marries her.  Sadly, they only have six years together as she dies at twenty-five in childbirth.

The book is often very graphic and true to what the lives of both the upper Roman class and the slaves lived through, whether it was excrement on the roads or the torture or sexual exploitation endured.

The depth of research of the author is evident although the plot seems as though it could have been whittled down in places.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

four-stars

Blackout

BlackoutBlackout by Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, Dhonielle Clayton, Nic Stone, Nicola Yoon, Tiffany D. Jackson
Published by Quill Tree Books on June 22, 2021
ISBN: 0063088096
Pages: 256
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

During the 2020 pandemic, author Dhonielle Clayton was inspired by the world’s metaphorical blackout to create a series of stories about a literal blackout in NYC featuring black teens in varying romantic situations. Clayton reached out to fellow writers Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Toon to help write the stories. While each story features its own characters in differing locations, the theme throughout is life at an unexpected standstill and self-realization. The authors do a great job of creating instances that tie all the stories together, like some characters know each other, and most of them are attempting to get to a party in Brooklyn, while keeping each story a standalone (with the exception of Jackson’s piece which is told in 5 separate acts). While each author has their own voice, the differences between stories are never jarring and flow smoothly together.  All in all, the authors have created a book full of black joy and possibility.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Maine State Library

five-stars

Ghosted

GhostedGhosted by Michael Fry
Published by Clarion on January 19, 2021
ISBN: 9780358269618
Pages: 272
Genres: Humor, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

It is difficult when your best friend dies, but when he reappears as a ghost, that’s when life gets strange and really confusing.  Larry’s best friend, Grimm dies while rescuing a cat in a tree during a lightening storm. Grimm is in limbo and it is up to Larry to figure out how to help him cross over to the other side.  Together, they brainstorm many ideas  on how to get Grimm to transition on.   Would  completing their ‘’Totally To-Do bucket list” that was cut short when Grimm died be the answer?   Is he hanging on due to unfinished business on this list?

The story carries the reader through the various pranks on this list that both boys thought up in happier times.  Some are crazy like taking a bath in spaghetti while others are scary like kissing a girl.  Grimm (in ghost form) encourages, teases and taunts Larry  as he completes the various tasks all alone.   Along the way,  Larry is confronted with dealing with grief, loneliness and courage.  He learns about himself as a person and aspects of Grimm that he was not  aware of when he was alive.  All alone without his best friend,  he learns to make new friends.  Surprisingly, in people he never would have befriended before.

This is a fun story that has illustrations similar to “Diary of a Wimpy Kid’ books.  It is a book that is good for tweens and boys may identify with the two characters and the pranks they carry out.  It addresses the difficult topic of death of a friend in a light hearted  yet caring  manner.

Amy Tobalske, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook

three-stars

The One Thing You’d Save

The One Thing You’d SaveThe One Thing You'd Save by Linda Sue Park, Robert Sae-Heng
Published by Clarion Books on March 16, 2021
ISBN: 1328515133
Pages: 72
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

The big question is – What would you save if your home were on fire?  If you only take one thing, excluding your family and pets and if  the size and weight didn’t matter.  What would you choose? This is the question a teacher poses to her classroom. It is interesting to read what each student feels is  valuable to rescue and how they arrive at their decisions. Some choices are sentimental while others are practical. The class argues over choices, some change their minds, and some discover things about their peers that they never knew before.  It is a thought-provoking book that makes the reader think of what they might too save in this situation.

This book is written in verse that is inspired by the Korean poetry form- “Sijo”. Classic Sijo has three lines of thirteen to seventeen syllables. It is a small, easy-to-read book with many pictures. Regrettably, I wish the illustrations were done in color.   However, there are many illustrations to compliment the text which is nice.  This would be a good book for teachers to read with children in a classroom environment.

It is appropriate for ages 8-12 and is a book that would definitely inspire some meaningful conversations afterward.

Reviewed by Amy Tobalske, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook

four-stars

Bloodsworn

BloodswornBloodsworn by Scott Reintgen
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on February 16, 2021
ISBN: 0593119223
Pages: 400
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Many of the riders from the phoenix-horse races in Ashlords are back. The rebellion hinted at in Ashlords has become a war between the ruling Ashlords (and their Gods), the Dividians, and the Longhands. The action is just as scorching as Ashlords but readers may miss the focus on the horses. (Ashlords 2)

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

four-stars

An Occasionally Happy Family

An Occasionally Happy FamilyAn Occasionally Happy Family by Cliff Burke
Published by Clarion Books on May 18, 2021
ISBN: 0358325676
Pages: 224
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

 Theo is off on a family vacation with his dad and older sister to Big Bend National Park in western Texas. It’s been two years since his mom died and this is their first vacation without their mother. Theo’s dad awkwardly reveals that the real purpose of the vacation is to introduce his new girlfriend to the family which prompts Theo to finally face his grief. This is a touching and humorous upper-elementary/middle-grade novel. With Theo and his family stuck in their grieving, the secondary characters shine a little more. Theo is an artist working on a graphic novel and he uses his writing to process his feelings.

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

five-stars