Format: Chapter Book Fiction

No Vacancy

No VacancyNo Vacancy by Tziporah Cohen
Published by Groundwood Books on September 1, 2020
ISBN: 177306410X
Pages: 224
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

When Miriam’s father loses his job, their family uses all the money they have left to buy a run-down motel in upstate New York. Miriam’s parents are hoping they’ll save on rent and be able to get back on their feet by running a successful motel business. Miriam isn’t thrilled about leaving the city, but she quickly befriends Kate, whose grandmother owns and runs the diner next door to the motel. When a supposed image of Mary appears on the old drive-in screen of this very Catholic town, it seems Miriam’s family may be getting the Jewish miracle she’d been hoping would save the motel.

This is a really fun novel of frienship, family, and adventure. The image of Mary on the drive-in screen didn’t just *happen* to show up — Miriam and Kate had a hand in it, and they struggle with knowing the truth and also knowing that people’s faith and beliefs are sometimes all that’s needed. The plot moves easily throughout the book, and the characters are relatable and, at times, funny. Recommended for readers 4th grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Jasmine Green Rescues: A Collie Called Sky

Jasmine Green Rescues: A Collie Called SkyJasmine Green Rescues: A Collie Called Sky by Ellie Snowdon, Helen Peters
Published by Walker Books US on September 1, 2020
ISBN: 1536210269
Pages: 160
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

An abandoned pup catches Jasmine’s attention in this #3 in the chapter book series. She nurses it back to health, trains, and falls in love with it, not knowing if she’ll be allowed to keep it. A few predictable twists, such as the puppy going to get help when Jasmine sprains her ankle in a distant field in the rain, don’t detract from the pleasure and suspense that animal-loving transitional readers will have while reading it. The series looks similarly enjoyable.Occasional sketched and well-spaced lines help make the text accessible. This would also make a great read aloud to introduce young readers to chapter books.

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

four-stars

Fins

FinsFins by Randy Wayne White
Published by Roaring Brook Press on March 31, 2020
ISBN: 125024465X
Pages: 313
Genres: Adventure, Mystery
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Luke and sisters Maribel and Sabina sign up for a summer job tagging sharks for Doc Ford. When they stray a little too far on one of their fishing expeditions, they stumble across a ring of shark poachers. This middle school adventure is a welcome addition to the Doc Ford mystery series.

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

four-stars

Stick With Me

Stick With MeStick With Me by Jennifer Blecher
Published by Greenwillow Books on November 3, 2020
ISBN: 0062748629
Pages: 256
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

An original premise for dealing with middle school ‘friends’ and those who are not really friends!

Wren is missing practice time during school vacation for an upcoming ice skating competition as her little sister needs an operation in another city. Her family rents a house from Izzy’s family for the week. Neither want to attend Theater Camp, where jealousy and cliques rear their ugly heads for both girls.  

Izzy and Wren’s stories are interwoven through alternating chapters as they deal with each other, the operation, the rental, the Camp, the clique, and their own needs. The title refers to the multitude of stickers Izzy has on the back of her bedroom door – which is the room Wren stays in. The only detail that didn’t ring true for this reviewer was that Izzy’s family was uprooted for a week and stayed in the convenient garage apartment to make a little extra money.

Middle elementary girls could find lots to relate to here and perhaps glean a few strategies to deal with their own situations 

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

four-stars

Show Me a Sign

Show Me a SignShow Me a Sign by Ann Clare LeZotte
Published by Scholastic Press on March 3, 2020
ISBN: 1338255819
Pages: 288
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Why was there a large population of deaf people on Martha’s Vineyard in the early 1800’s? And an ever higher rate in the small village of Chilmark? This part of the story is true, and the author has created an engaging historical fiction account of one attempt to find out. Prejudice and land ownership issues between the English and the Wampanoag worsen the relationship of the community to the outside world when Mary is kidnapped by Andrew – a man acting as a scientist to find out the reason for the deafness.

The author is deaf herself, and the in-depth backmatter she includes helps the reader understand the early settlement of this now popular island. Throughout the story she garners respect for the deaf and their families and friends, which includes freedmen and the Wampanoag. 

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

five-stars

Wondrous Rex

Wondrous RexWondrous Rex by Emilia Dziubak, Patricia MacLachlan
on March 17, 2020
ISBN: 0062940988
Pages: 88
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Grace lives next door to her Aunt Lily and spends a great deal of time with her as her parents, both doctors are often busy. Aunt Lily is a writer and Grace loves that writer’s world, the words her aunt has introduced to her, the stories her aunt has shared with her, her aunt’s writing group even the snacks served at writer’s group. With her vocabulary, Grace’s teacher urges her to use those words in a story, but Grace feels she is no writer, her journal remains empty.  When Aunt Lily falls prey to writer’s block, she puts a notice in the post office, the grocery bulletin and online- “wanted, an assistant, a coach, a helper, for inspiration and a bit of magic.” a magician appears the next day with Rex- his dog also in need of something new. Rex changes their lives.

The story invites the reader into a simple, magical story of the love of words and stories, and that each of us has a poem or story that needs to be written even if we don’t think we have it in us.

It is a  good story that brings a smile to the reader, you want to live next to Lily and Grace and share in their love of story and Rex.

Patricia Maclachlan has again offered a story to be enjoyed by readers of all ages but is especially for those readers new to the chapter book format. As she did in the Poet’sDog, My Father’sWords, Waitingfor Magic, and Word After Word After Word, she has written a bit of magic for us to share.

submitted by Kathy George

Gray Public Library, Gray Me

Cream

five-stars

Be Not Far From Me

Be Not Far From MeBe Not Far from Me by Mindy McGinnis
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on March 3, 2020
ISBN: 0062561626
Pages: 240
Genres: Adventure
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

A survival story that ranges from adventure to near horror.   What is different is that the surviving protagonist is a teenage girl who has the ability and spunk to survive.  The big question is who is responsible for her current situation of being injured, lost, and alone in the woods?

Readers will wrestle with why Ashley is in this position and how will she survive without any camping equipment, food or water.  McGinnis raises the emotional pitch making the readers into a cheering squad for Ashley.  A well written story that will appeal to teen girls and perhaps some guys.  This is a story about failed relationships and personal inner strength. Be Not Far from ME is intended for an older teen audience but belongs in public library YA collections.

 

Reviewed by Jan Hamilton, retired youth service librarian in Scarborough, ME.

five-stars

Your Corner Dark

Your Corner DarkYour Corner Dark by Desmond Hall
Published by Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books on January 19, 2021
ISBN: 1534460713
Pages: 384
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

In Desmond Hall’s, Your Corner Dark, a picture of Jamaica will emerge that will not be seen in any tourist brochures. Eighteen-year-old Frankie Green has tried to make his father proud. He has studied in schools, stayed away from the dangerous and politically corrupt gang life of Jamaica, but then a series of events forces him to join his uncle’s gang (posse) in order to support his family. Trying to balance family responsibilities with friendships, a budding romance, and his personal ambitions, Frankie finds himself between a rock and a hard place (which in Jamaican culture is known as “your corner dark.”). Debut author Desmond Hall, who was born in Jamaica and lost his uncle to violence, draws a picture of a country that lives in fear of the gangs that are aligned with the two major political parties. Recommended for fans of Angie Thomas, Renee Watson, and Lamar Giles, grades 7 and up.

To learn more about the author, this book, and Jamaica, watch an interview with the author: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lkun-R5_YfY 

Elizabeth Andersen, Librarian, Westbrook High School

five-stars

What Makes Us

What Makes UsWhat Makes Us by Rafi Mittlefehldt
Published by Candlewick Press on October 15, 2019
ISBN: 0763697508
Pages: 352
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars
This incredibly heavy book attempts to tackle many topics and themes, some of which are parent/child relationships, prejudice, violence in protest, and terrorism.  Unfortunately, the overall message of the book gets lost in too many plot points and viewpoints from three different main characters.  First is Eran who has grown up with only his very stoic and private mother.  His mother formerly known as Devorah.  And Eran’s new friend Jade who knows her parents are keeping something from her.  The main storyline features Eran’s passion about social justice and protest plan that goes wrong.  He ends up in a shoving match with another person caught on camera.  The press then digs into his past and discovers the truth about Eran’s father and his family.  Devorah’s storyline is told via flashbacks to Eran’s childhood and the fallout from what his father did.  Intertwined with this is Jade’s storyline of being on the fringe of Eran’s life and struggling with whatever secret her family is keeping from her.  Her’s is the storyline that really over-complicates.   There’s a lot to relate to the current climate, with unjust hatred and racism being lobbied at innocent parties simply because their background is another religion or country.  Mittlefehldt’s second book falls short of its goals by including too much.  It may still be of interest to teens studying the current political climate or talking about peaceful vs violent protest.  Best for grades 8+.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Maine State Library

three-stars

Muck and Magic

Muck and MagicMuck and Magic by Michael Morpurgo, Olivia Lomenech Gill
Published by Candlewick Press on November 10, 2020
ISBN: 1536212881
Pages: 64
Genres: Animals, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Bonny has always dreamed of being an Olympic cyclist, but when a crash on her new bike lands her outside a small farm, something shifts for her. Bonny then finds herself intentionally biking (and taking breaks) near the farm so she can see “her” horses and give them carrots. She is intrigued by the woman who lives in the house but never comes to say hello as well as by all the statues adorning the woman’s yard. When the woman, Lizzie, does finally come talk to Bonny, she offers her a job helping her on the farm, and this changes the course of Bonny’s life forever.

This is a short and heartwarming story of friendship and finding your true passion. Bonny is likable, courageous, and at times, sarcastically funny. The relationship she forms with Lizzie and the horses pulls the reader into their lives quickly and effectively. Though the ending was a bit predictable, the story is a good one overall. Throughout, there are beautiful mixed media illustrations that really bring the story to life. There are line drawings as well as full two-page spread paintings, and they’re just really beautiful. The story would be fine without the illustrations, but they enhance it and could help keep reluctant readers engaged. Recommended for readers 3rd grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars