Format: Chapter Book Fiction

Everyone Loves Career Day but Zia

Everyone Loves Career Day but ZiaEveryone Loves Career Day but Zia: A Zia Story by Dream Chen, Jenny Liao
ISBN: 0593425456
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

It’s Career Day at school, and all of the parents are invited to come teach the class about their jobs! Zia wishes that her mom could come teach the other students about her job as a seamstress. But her mom is not comfortable speaking English (her native tongue is Cantonese), and besides – she never misses work. With the help of her teacher, Zia is able to video call into the factory where her mom works. Her mother demonstrates to the class how to make a beautiful dress while Zia translates her words into English. This heartwarming story would be a great addition to any picture book collection, and is cream-of-the-crop worthy. It demonstrates diversity in the classroom, showcases different and unique families and professions (such as a stay-at-home Dad who also comes to school for Career Day), and provides a window into the day-to-day lives of immigrant families. The words and illustrations perfectly celebrate the story, by bringing to life and intermingling the English and Cantonese words onto each page. The back of the book includes an Author’s Note describing her experience growing up as a translator for her parents, as well as a glossary of English to Cantonese words. Recommended for ages 6-7 (1st to 2nd Grade).

Reviewed by: Jenn Mead, Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library, Lovell

five-stars

Carter Avery’s Tricky Fourth Grade Year

Carter Avery’s Tricky Fourth Grade YearCarter Avery's Tricky Fourth-Grade Year by Rob Buyea
Published by Delacorte Press on September 3, 2024
ISBN: 0593376188
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Carter Avery is dreading 4th grade.  Everyone said his teacher Ms. Krane is mean and he is stuck with his bossy nemesis, Missy Gerber.  To make matters worse, Carter struggles in school because writing is hard for him, he can’t sit still for long, and often blurts out the first thing he thinks of.  Luckily Carter has a good support system at home in his grandma and his older sister (his parents died in a car crash when he was young).  After suspecting his teacher will trick him somehow, Carter’s perspective slowly shifts when he realizes how kind and creative she is.  He also works on a project with Missy, and he starts to think differently about her too.  Things are going relatively well until Ms. Krane isn’t at school anymore.  Eventually he finds out that it’s because she had her baby prematurely, not because of a petition some families are signing to get her removed because she is pregnant through artificial insemination.  After getting off to a rocky start with the long term substitute, Carter is able to make things right and works as hard for the substitute as he did for Ms. Krane.  

Carter learns a lot in this novel geared towards 4th-6th graders.  He overcomes many obstacles, learns what it means to be a true friend, and how to be brave and stick up for others.  Carter values friends of all kinds because he has a hard time making them.  He comes up with creative ways to show the people in his life that he cares about them, including hosting Thanksgiving and throwing a party for his teacher.  Carter is very accepting of others, like his teacher who has a prominent birth mark on her face and Mason and his guide dog Susie, whom he met at the library during Summer Reading.  Carter isn’t perfect, but he is always working hard to be better.  This story is told from Carter’s perspective and his funny yet thoughtful voice is a strength of this novel.  Readers will enjoy getting to know Carter and will appreciate how his confidence and success grows because of a variety of caring adults in his life.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

four-stars

Red Bird Danced

Red Bird DancedRed Bird Danced by Dawn Quigley
Published by Heartdrum on June 4, 2024
ISBN: 0063223627
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This novel-in-verse is told in the alternating voices of Ariel and Tomah who are urban Native Americans – they live in a Native American housing complex. This may be a new concept to many readers. Ariel takes up jingle dress dancing not only to honor her heritage but to save money. Money is tight since her beloved Aunt has disappeared. As time passes, Ariel learns about the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (#MMIW) movement. Thousands of Indigenous Women are murdered or reported missing each year and several groups are working to create awareness of the problem and help organize searches for these women. Tomah is an observer – he watches over the birds and the people in their housing complex. When he falls ill, the community rallies to watch over him. Although Tomah struggles academically, he is a gifted storyteller and uses his gift to help Ariel raise awareness for missing Indigineous women by displaying red dresses, a la the REDress project. Don’t let the short length fool you – this book packs a powerful punch. Readers will be inspired to learn more about #MMIW and the REDress Project. A good choice for middle grade readers who are looking for a story based on real events and a cause to rally around.

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

five-stars

Silent Sister by Megan Davidhizar

Silent Sister by Megan DavidhizarSilent Sister by Megan Davidhizar
on August 6, 2024
ISBN: 0593705645
Genres: Mystery, Psychological thriller
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“Silent Sister” by Megan Davidhizar tells the story of a young woman whose sister disappears during an overnight school trip.  The sister who comes home, Grace, grapples with the complexities of her missing memories of that night, particularly concerning her sister, who Grace discovers has been keeping secrets from her. As Grace uncovers hidden truths about her family and classmates, she confronts issues of identity, loyalty, and the impact of silence in relationships. Beyond the mystery, this story explores the process of healing from trauma and the pain of loss. Although an experienced mystery reader can predict many of the twists and turns of the story, the relationship between Grace and her sister Maddy, as well as the mystery of what really happened is enough to keep readers hooked throughout the story. This would be a great addition to any high school library.

Reviewed by Rebecca Duquette, Pittston Randolph Consolidated School

four-stars

My Salty Mary

My Salty MaryMy Salty Mary (Mary, #3) by Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand, Jodi Meadows
on August 20, 2024
ISBN: 0062930109
Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“My Salty Mary” is a YA historical fantasy novel by “The Lady Janies,” authors Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows. This book is a retelling of the Little Mermaid mixed in with a bit of the history of the female pirate, Mary Read. Mary is a mermaid who trades her fins for legs for the love of the prince, who turns out to be a dud. She then gets rescued by a pirate crew and decides to join up. This all leads to her meeting Tobias, the son of Blackbeard, and Mary attempting to become the Pirate King. This is a fun, feminist retelling with a little history thrown in. The main characters are interesting and readers will follow along to find out what happens. A recommended purchase for YA collections, especially where the other Lady Janies’ books are popular.

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

four-stars

Love is in the Hair

Love Is in the Hair by Gemma Cary
on August 27, 2024
ISBN: 059365126X
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

“Love is in the Hair” is a young adult realistic fiction novel by Gemma Cary. Eva is a 15 year old, dealing with typical high school girl pressures, when her best friend, Frankie, is bullied for her facial hair due to her PCOS. The bullies go so far as to shave part of her head and take a video of it. Eva decides to fight back, creating the “Hairy Girls Club” to help normalize girls having hair.

A good story about friendship and the basics of feminism, Eva is a compelling main character, though her friend Frankie felt a little thin, plot-wise. Still a worthwhile purchase for teen/YA collections where realistic fiction is popular.

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

three-stars

Tales from Cabin 23: The Boo Hag Flex

Tales from Cabin 23: The Boo Hag FlexThe Boo Hag Flex (Tales From Cabin 23 #1) by Justina Ireland
Series: Tales from Cabin 23 #1
Published by Balzer + Bray on May 14, 2024
ISBN: 006328782X
Pages: 199
Genres: Horror, Supernatural, Suspense
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Despite a cartoonish, younger-looking cover, the first book in this new series is quite spooky and offers a complexity of plot and level of gore that might turn off younger elementary readers. Elaina is unhappy to be at summer camp; so unhappy that she skips the first night of dinner, opting instead to sulk in her cabin, #16 of 20. When a strange fog rolls into her cabin, she investigates and is enticed outside only to find that her cabin has disappeared and in its place is Cabin 23. A woman in Cabin 23 offers to tell Elaina a story in exchange for what Elaina hopes is safe passage out of this strange alternative world in which she finds herself. The story “The Boo Hag Flex” is macabre and suspenseful. The story takes up most of the book; in fact, a reader might forget that it is not the plot of the book, but only a story trade for the protagonist, briefly introduced in chapter one. The story wraps up neatly, but then the Epilogue reminds the reader that they have only been caught up in the story – Elaina is still in trouble. The ending is open-ended and a bit jarring though fans of horror will enjoy it. This is the first in a series and with under 200 pages per book, it will appeal to upper elementary and early middle school readers. Hopefully, future titles will have more accurate, appealing covers.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Elementary School.

four-stars

Jupiter Rising

Jupiter RisingJupiter Rising by Gary D. Schmidt
Published by Clarion Books on 8/27/24
ISBN: 0358659647
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

In this sequel to Orbiting Jupiter, Jack is faced with the very real prospect that he will need to say goodbye to his foster sister, Jupiter, when out of the blue her maternal grandparents fight to adopt her.  Jupiter is the daughter of Joseph, Jack’s late foster brother, who is buried on the family farm where Jack is growing up with his adoptive parents.  Jack and his parents promised Joseph they would always know where Jupiter is and are devastated by the thought she will grow up without them.  Meanwhile, the track coach pairs Jack with his former enemy, Jay, who helps him train to eventually make varsity.  As they run through their rural Maine town, a friendship develops between the two.  Unbeknownst to them, this friendship will be life changing for them and for Jupiter.  This book would be great for a YA or high school collection, especially if libraries already have Orbiting Jupiter.  This story is one of family, perseverance, and receiving acts of kindness when life is difficult.  The content, not the reading level, makes this book appropriate for young adult collections.  The language is simple and somewhat sparse and the length of the novel is short, making it ideal for readers who want a short but mature book.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

four-stars

Kingdom of Dust

Kingdom of DustKingdom of Dust by Lisa Stringfellow
Published by Quill Tree Books/HarperCollins on August 20, 2024
ISBN: 0063043483
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars
Kingdom of Dust is a middle-grade fantasy novel about Amara, a young West-African girl in the barren land of Kun, who is being raised by her foster mother, Zirachi. Amara does not know any details about her origin, but she suspects that it is somehow linked to her broken kingdom, which is currently ruled a powerful and unkind king, Eze Udo. The Kingdom of Kun used to be lush and verdant before a band of magical musicians, the Griots, vanished. Now, the dusty sands of the Zare dessert keep encroaching.  Following an attack from the king’s guard, Amara flees Kun and embarks on a quest find the griots and bring justice to her people. Amara brings a few enchanted items, gifted to her by a woman named Ebele who rescued Amara from a fall in the Eke River, to assist her along her way.  Amara’s journey leads her to discover her sister, Chizoba, in a tower in a temple in the Stone Hills. Amara also discovers the secret of her past in the process.
Many words in this novel are based on the tonal language of the Igbo people of southern Nigeria. The similarity of the words may be confusing to young readers. For example, the following proper nouns can be found within the same page: Nduka, Nkume, Nweke. The book felt a little lacking in character development of the numerous supporting but integral characters, but overall it is refreshing and inclusive novel with a young girl of color as the heroine in her own fairy tale.
This book is for ages 8-12.
3 stars.
Reviewed by Lindsey Hopkins, Jay-Niles Memorial Library, Jay
three-stars

The Secret Library

The Secret LibraryThe Secret Library by Kekla Magoon
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 153623088X
Genres: Adventure, Historical Fiction, Magical Realism, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

In the wake of her grandfather’s death, 11-year-old Dally lives alone with her distant, business-focused mother on their huge estate. She misses the adventures she had with her grandfather, and, despite the many luxuries that come with her family’s wealth, is lonely. Then she discovers that he left her with something, after all: the Secret Library. Though the letter he left requested that she wait until she was 21, she impatiently solves the riddle of how to find it. The library houses every secret ever told in bound volumes, and patrons who “read” them travel through space and time to be a part of the moment a given secret is made. In this way, Dally begins – without her mother knowing – to trace back the many secrets of her own family, through the past two hundred and fifty years, that have helped shape who she is. She has no idea that in the process of discovering her past, she is also opening herself to an unexpected future.

Dally is Black, as was her deceased father; her mother and grandfather present white. There is LGBTQ+ representation as well as a realistic portrayal of race issues in the historical context of the times she travelled to.

This book was replete with magic, adventure, family secrets, and the unpredictable results of choosing to take opportunities. It felt wholly original, and had twists and turns that keep the reader fully engaged. Dally is a relatable, genuine heroine who readers will root for and be stricken to leave on the last page.

Short, engaging chapters make the book hard to put down. Highly recommend for middle grade readers looking for their next magical fix or rollicking adventure story.

5 stars/cream

Reviewed by Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library, Augusta

five-stars