Format: Chapter Book Fiction

The Magical Reality of Nadia

The Magical Reality of NadiaThe Magical Reality of Nadia (The Magical Reality of Nadia #1) by Bassem Youssef, Catherine R. Daly, Douglas Holgate
Published by Scholastic Inc. on February 2, 2021
ISBN: 1338572288
Pages: 176
Genres: Fantasy, Humor
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Sixth grader Nadia is an Egyptian American who loves facts, research and sharing it with whoever will listen.  Her resources take a giant leap forward when the elephant amulet she bought on her summer trip to Egypt begins glowing and Titi, a genie-like teacher from ancient Egypt, appears on her comic book.  He gives her a tour of ancient Egypt and shares stories and facts that help her during a group project with her friends that is testing her listening skills and her friendships, especially with her BFF. She also is challenged to figure out a way to call out the offensive comments and attitudes toward her culture that a new student continues to blatantly throw at her.  Nadia’s friends are from a variety of cultures, further normalizing Nadia’s immigrant experience in the school setting.   Holgate’s illustrates two of the travels to another time period using a graphic novel comic frame style which is a good vehicle to intersperse more information into this full tale and keeping the serious themes light- hearted and fun.   This chapter book, which hints at a sequel, is most suitable for readers in 4-6 grade.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Youth Services Librarian, Springvale Public Library

five-stars

Ballet Bunnies: The New Class

Ballet Bunnies: The New ClassBallet Bunnies #1: The New Class by Binny Talib, Swapna Reddy
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on March 2, 2021
ISBN: 0593304926
Pages: 96
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
two-stars

This is a soft cover chapter book most suitable for readers in grades 2-4.  Millie’s dream has seemed to come true.  She is starting ballet lessons at Miss Luisa’s School of Dance as a present from her mom for her 6th birthday.  Her high expectations are quickly dashed when a mean student, unfamiliar dance steps and an incompetent teacher leave her feeling insecure and unsure about dance class.  As she waits to be picked up, she encounters Dolly, Fifi, Pod and Trixie, the ballet bunnies.  They provide the support Millie needs and Dolly even sneaks home with her to spend the night.  The second class is not much better and leaves Millie crying in the bathroom.  The ballet bunnies help reassure her that she should go at her own pace.  Samira, a classmate, begins to make friends with Millie in the end.   There is a two- page spread of Millie demonstrating the basic ballet positions and a glossary of ballet words in the back.  Unfortunately, the glossary lacks a pronunciation guide and the chart of ballet positions are not drawn in enough detail for them to be distinguished or correct.  For example, first position is with the heels touching and the illustration shows Millie with space between her feet.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Youth Services Librarian, Springvale Public Library

two-stars

War and Millie McGonigle

War and Millie McGonigleWar and Millie McGonigle by Karen Cushman
Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers on April 6, 2021
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

The short opening chapter of War and Millie McGonigle nicely sets the scene as well as the mood of this intermediate historic fiction title.   Twelve-year-old Millie is the central character but the influence of her lost grandmother is evident throughout the book.  With a war in Europe, lingering financial difficulties from the depression and a sick sister Millie has good reason to be scared and unsure about the future.  A notebook given to the central character by her grandmother helps readers understand Millie’s state of mind and her fixation with death.  Beyond pre-teen angst is depression, desperation, and loneliness.   Some characters are well developed yet Mom and Dad seem detached and somewhat removed from the action.

Certainly, children ages 8-12 feel the tensions of the adults in their surroundings.  Intermediate readers have recently seen climate disasters, wars waged far away from home and now a major pandemic.  Some manage issues silently becoming depressed while others act out in anger and fear.   War and Millie McGonigle belongs on shelves of school councilors and should be included in media centers.  This title would make an excellent parent/child book discussion choice in a public library.

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

four-stars

Merci Suarez Can’t Dance

Merci Suarez Can’t DanceMerci Suárez Can't Dance by Meg Medina
Published by Candlewick Press on April 6, 2021
ISBN: 0763690503
Pages: 384
Genres: Humor, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Merci Suarez returns in a sequel that has the ability to stand alone.  Medina has brought back a well-developed character readers met and loved in Merci Suarez Changes Gears.  Now starting seventh grade Merci is continuing to mature with all the fear and dreams that most pre-teens experience.  Within her multigenerational family things are changing as her grandfather deals with decline.  The author presents her characters as strong individuals who rely on close relationships and love.  This title offers humor, dedication and responsibility, a touch of romance, as well as emotional growth to its readers.  Merci’s cultural background and dedication too her strong family helps her navigate the world of middle school.  Median’s  character deals with the potential loss of a valued friendship and the blooming of her first romantic interest.

Dancing may not be her only apprehension and it may not be shared by readers.  Pre-teens will identify with Merci’s doubts and concerns about herself, her friendships and her family.  All middle school media centers and public libraries need to add both this sequel and the original title about Merci Suarez.

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

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

five-stars

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