Format: Chapter Book Fiction

Glitter Gets Everywhere

Glitter Gets EverywhereGlitter Gets Everywhere by Yvette Clark
Published by HarperCollins on May 4, 2021
ISBN: 0063034484
Pages: 320
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Kitty’s mother died on an “inappropriately sunny Tuesday.” Life hasn’t been the same since, and she’s struggling to find her way without her mom. What she doesn’t expect is that she, her dad, and her sister will move from their cozy and familiar corner of London all the way to the hustle and bustle of New York City. Kitty’s trying to fit in to this new city and school, and she’s also struggling with grief and anger over her mother’s death. Along the way, she makes an unexpected friend, and together they discover who they are inside. This is a sweet coming of age story that tackles the many facets of grief. Kitty has so many emotions and she’s never shamed for any of them. They’re real, they’re raw. She has a couple therapists throughout the book, and it’s refreshing to see a positive (and sometimes humorous) representation of therapy.

This book is a bit hard to read at the beginning as Kitty is really struggling. As she settles into her new life and city, she still struggles, she just has worked out coping strategies and support systems to help her move through her different emotions. Recommended for readers 4th grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Don’t Breathe a Word

Don’t Breathe a WordDon't Breathe a Word by Jordyn Taylor
Published by HarperTeen on May 18, 2021
ISBN: 0063038889
Pages: 352
Genres: Historical Fiction, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Eva’s family has sent her to Hardwick Preparatory Academy, a boarding school that is a far cry from the hustle and bustle of NYC to which she’s become accustomed. She feels like an outsider until she’s recruited by a secret society called The Fives. Desperate for friendship and belonging, Eva does some things for The Fives she could never have imagined before. She is also recruited by the cross country team, and there she meets and befriends Erik. Erick comes from a long line of Hardwick alumni, and when he tells Eva of a family member who tragically dies while at Hardwick, the two decide to investigate a little further. What they uncover goes is far deeper and more sinister than either of them could ever have imagined. Their quest to reveal the truth threatens their futures at Hardwick and beyond.

This book is told in alternating perspectives—that of present day Eva and of 1962 Connie, one of the Hardwick students caught up in the middle of a Stanford Prison Experiment-esque plot that leads to the tragic death of Erik’s family member. This book is part coming of age, part subtle romance, and part mystery. It is entertaining, and the plot is easy to follow and flows well. Some parts are a bit predictable and it buttons up a bit too neatly and quickly at the end. It is still a fun read. Recommended for readers 8th grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls

Cece Rios and the Desert of SoulsCece Rios and the Desert of Souls by Kaela Rivera
on April 13, 2021
ISBN: 0062947559
Pages: 352
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Folklore
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Cecelia (Cece) Rios lives in a remote town in the desert, and at certain times of the year, criaturas roam the land and threaten humans. When Cece’s sister is kidnapped by a powerful criatura, Cece is determined to do whatever it takes to get her back—even if that means becoming a bruja. Brujas have the power to capture and control criaturas, but their powers aren’t look upon highly by the community, and if caught, Cece will be punished. This is a well-written, engaging middle grade fantasy. Cece loves her family and her sister, and she’s willing to risk her life for them. This book tackles family and cultural dynamics very well, and expands fantasy and folk to different cultural realms. Cece is funny, smart, and determined, and young readers will relate to her tenacity as well as her insecurities. Hand this book to fans of Rick Riordan. Recommended for readers 4th grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Case File: Little Claws

Case File: Little ClawsCase File: Little Claws (The Animal Rescue Agency, #1) by Eliot Schrefer
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on January 12, 2021
ISBN: 0062982338
Pages: 176
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Humor
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Little Claws, a young polar bear cub, finds himself separated from his mother and floating dangerously far from shore on a small ice floe. His predicament wasn’t accidental, however, it was part of a more sinister plot concocted by humans to capture Little Claws and put him in a zoo. When an animal is in danger like this, there’s only one option—The Animal Rescue Agency! Esquire Fox and her chicken sidekick, Mr. Pepper are on the case, and they’re determined to save Little Claws no matter how dangerous or zany their strategy.

This is the first in a new early chapter series with animal characters that are full of wit, humor, adventure, and intrigue—there’s also a chicken wearing a tea cozy. This easy to read and fun story will delight young independent readers and giggles will abound. Some of the jokes may be lost on the youngest readers, but the story doesn’t suffer without them. Recommended for readers 2nd–4th grade.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Root Magic

Root MagicRoot Magic by Eden Royce
Published by Walden Pond Press on January 5, 2021
ISBN: 0062899570
Pages: 352
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Folklore
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Almost 11 yr old twins Jezebel and Jay are in for some big changes. It’s 1963 in South Carolina, and Jez and her brother are about to start school with a whole suite of new kids thanks to school integration. The local police won’t stop harassing Jez’s family about insignificant things, and Jez’s grandmother, the family matriarch, has just passed away. The biggest change comes when Doc, the twins’ uncle, tells them he’s going to begin training them in rootwork. They’ve always been fascinated by this African American folk magic and its long ties to their family, but things run much deeper and much darker than Jez or Jay expected.

This is a well-written and engaging historical ghost story with a side of magic. The writing is poetic, colorful, and really allows the reader to visualize the environment and feel the creepiness in the marsh on that foggy night. Recommended for readers 4th grade and up and for readers who enjoy a little fantasy and not a lot of scare.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Jay’s Gay Agenda

Jay’s Gay AgendaJay's Gay Agenda (Jay's Gay Agenda, #1) by Jason June
Published by HarperTeen on June 1, 2021
ISBN: 0063015153
Pages: 368
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Jay is the only out gay boy in his whole town. But his life changes in a big way when his parents announce their move to Seattle. Jay is so excited to meet other gay boys that he creates his own Gay Agenda full of experiences he can’t wait to have. Number one is meet another gay kid. Number eight is to lose his virginity. Upon starting school there, he is immediately taken under the wing of genderqueer Max and becomes the Vice President of the school’s Queer/Straight Alliance. Max decides to become Jay’s Gay Guide and help him accomplish his list. Jay throws himself into his new experiences a little too quickly, and drama ensues. However, Jay and the other characters get their happy endings. This is June’s first young adult book and he clearly had fun writing these characters. However, many of the characters feel more like caricatures than well-developed characters. This whole book takes place during about 6-8 weeks, ending right after homecoming, which feels incredibly rushed for all the plots to have taken place. All in all, it’s a fun read, particularly for those in the LGBTQ+ community. The book features lots of sexual acts and kissing, but it’s not graphic. Best for ages 15+.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Maine State Library

three-stars

Franklin Endicott and the Third Key

Franklin Endicott and the Third KeyFranklin Endicott and the Third Key: Tales from Deckawoo Drive, Volume Six by Chris Van Dusen, Kate DiCamillo
Published by Candlewick Press on June 8, 2021
ISBN: 1536201812
Pages: 112
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

A delightful addition to the Deckawoo Drive collection. DiCamillo and Van Dusen can do no wrong together. The story is gentle and literary and lovely, and the illustrations are a triumph.

The story revolves around Frank and his growing list of worries; his literal list of worries as he writes them down in his notebook. When his worries threaten to completely overwhelm him, he seeks help from a rather unlikely source: Eugenia Lincoln. Frank is calmed by Eugenia’s no-nonsense approach to worries: find a way to be productive and you will quiet those worries. It might have worked if she hadn’t taken him to the odd thrift shop where he meets proprietor Buddy Lamp and then accidentally procures the key from the title. The acquisition of this key is unsettling as Frank is unsure what it’s for and what to do with it. His list of worries grows. The plot is an ode to the calming power of stories and reading.  Mercy Watson takes a role as a therapy pig and though she doesn’t quite nail the part for Franklin’s purposes, she does snuggle up with Stella and she is quite an attentive listener when being read to.  “But to sit in the kitchen and read to someone he loved and to push back the darkness with a story–that was a wonderful thing.” Wonderful indeed. Recommend for all libraries.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

five-stars

The Initial Insult

The Initial InsultThe Initial Insult (The Initial Insult, #1) by Mindy McGinnis
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on February 23, 2021
ISBN: 0062982427
Pages: 370
Genres: Horror
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

An intense, suspenseful young adult novel that is the first book in a duology. Filled with references to Edgar Allen Poe stories and characters, this is a deep dive into revenge gone horribly wrong. When Tress Montor decides that she’s had enough bullying. and that she finally needs to know the truth about the disappearance of her parents, she takes it out on her former best friend Felicity Turnado by chaining her in a basement and threatening her with a good, old-fashion entombment Amontillado-style. But like a good Poe story, there are twists and turns as they two young women recall their shared history in an effort to determine where their friendship went wrong and what Felicity knows about the dark night when Tress’s parents went missing. The plotting is fraught with things unsaid and actions unforgiven, or unforgivable. This has sex, drugs, violence, gore, and torture – sure to draw readers of other dark series like One of Us is Lying and Truly Devious. The book is a page-turner and the ending will have readers clamoring for Book 2. Recommend for grades 10 and up.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

four-stars

The Shrinking of Treehorn

The Shrinking of TreehornThe Shrinking of Treehorn (50th Anniversary Edition) by Edward Gorey, Florence Parry Heide
Published by Holiday House on October 27, 2020
ISBN: 0823447030
Pages: 80
Genres: Humor
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

I love that Edward Gorey is in right now and this book by Florence Parry Heide is a perfect companion to his illustrations. I originally picked this up because of Gorey but the book is hilarious and I’ll be reading more by Heide. It’s the story of Treehorn, a small child who is becoming smaller. And smaller. He’s shrinking and as obvious as it is to him, none of the adults in his life notice it, until they finally do, and then they dismiss it as unimportant. The book took a risk in that it could have come across as an indictment of all adults and our obliviousness to children’s concerns, and even though there’s definitely an element of that, it reads as more surreal than straightforward judgement. It’s laugh out loud funny and would be a great read aloud book for ages 8-12.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars

The Sea in Winter

The Sea in WinterThe Sea in Winter by Christine Day
Published by Heartdrum on January 5, 2021
ISBN: 0062872044
Pages: 250
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Maisie Cannon loves ballet — it’s what she loves doing most. When a knee injury stops her dancing, she feels hopeless and lost. She’s not at all looking forward to her family’s winter road trip up the coast near the Makah community where her mother grew up. She loves learning about her Native history, but she’s struggling to keep a strong face on when inside she’s full of turmoil and anxiety. A potential reinjury of her knee while hiking on their trip sets her over the edge, and all her emotions come spilling out. She reconnects with her family, and finds some wonderful coping strategies to help her through this difficult time.

This is a beautiful book about family, depression, anxiety, and finding oneself when what that looks like seems to be changing. Maisie has many of the same struggles that middle schoolers have, and kids will relate to that. The story is well written, engaging, and easy to follow and includes some education about Indigenous Cultures as well. Recommended for readers 4th grade and up and for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

five-stars