Like Nothing Ever Happened

November 6, 2020

Like Nothing Amazing Ever Happened by Emily Blejwas
Published by Delacorte Press on April 14, 2020
ISBN: 1984848496
Pages: 224
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Middle-schooler Justin is trying to come to grips with his father’s death — did the damaged Vietnam vet take his own life or was it just an unfortunate accident? Set during the Gulf War, this is a story about resilience, family, and the long-term impact of war. Also, the author includes a lovely description of the power of librarians “…but the librarian calls some librarian friend somewhere and gets the spelling, which makes me picture the map of the United States crisscrossed not by a bunch of highways but by a network of librarians, all calling each other on the phone during critical moments like this one.” (p. 147)

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

Redemption Prep

November 6, 2020November 6, 2020

Redemption Prep by Samuel Miller
on April 14, 2020
ISBN: 0062662031
Genres: Mystery
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Students at Redemption Prep are the best of the best and have been carefully hand-selected to attend the school in remote Utah from all over the world. When Emma goes missing after evening mass, her schoolmates try to find her. The story is told from the alternating viewpoints of her jock boyfriend Aiden, her science wiz roommate Neesha, and her stalker Evan. They quickly learn that something is not right at Redemption Prep. Will they solve the mystery? Will they find Emma? Readers will enjoy the time period (mid-nineties) and reading about early searches on the world wide web.

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

Finally, Something Mysterious

November 4, 2020

Finally, Something Mysterious by Doug Cornett
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers on April 14, 2020
ISBN: 1984830031
Pages: 256
Genres: Adventure, Humor, Mystery
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Paul Marconi lives in the small town of Bellwood. He and his two friends call themselves “The One and Onlys.” They like to solve mysteries. The story takes place in the summer before they enter the sixth grade. Hundreds of yellow rubber duckies suddenly appear in a neighbor’s yard. No one seems to know how they got there. Finally, it looks like they have a real mystery on their hands. There is an upcoming contest called “The Bellwood Bratwurst Bonanza.” It is very competitive and adds to the fun of the story. A wildfire is burning outside of their town. Signs are appearing around Bellwood with the slogan, “The Conquistador is Coming.” There’s a lot happening in this humorous adventure filled mystery. Middle grade readers will enjoy this delightful and suspenseful story.

Reviewed by Kris Zuidema, retired school librarian, Standish

Circus Rose

November 4, 2020November 4, 2020

The Circus Rose by Betsy Cornwell
Published by Clarion Books on June 16, 2020
ISBN: 1328639509
Pages: 288
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Ivory and Rosie are twin sisters working in a travelling circus with their mother, the ringmaster. Ivory is interested in building and learning how things work. She works behind the scenes. Ivory has a close relationship with a Faerie magician, Tam who is referred to as “fer” and “fe.” Rosie is a performer. She and Bear are constant companions. An accident takes places that changes everything for everyone. A fanatic religious fundamentalist group is part of the quickly moving plot. This retelling of Snow White and Rose Red is told in alternating chapters. Ivory’s chapters are in prose and Rosie’s are in free verse. Sexual identity and gender roles are explored and questioned. This sensitive story is well told and will appeal to a mature audience.

Reviewed by Kris Zuidema, retired school librarian, Standish

Last Mirror on the Left

November 4, 2020December 9, 2020

The Last Mirror on the Left by Dapo Adeola, Lamar Giles
on October 20, 2020
ISBN: 0358129419
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Move over, “Through the Looking-Glass” and “Greystone Secrets” to make room for this parallel universe installment for “The Legendary Alston Boys” series. Cousins Otto and Sheed are pulled into a series of mirrors from the Rorrim Mirror Emporium (check that name again!), where they are forced to assist in looking for a fugitive, trying to figure out who is the real enemy, and getting home safely without being locked in a mirror for the rest of their lives.

Occasional black and white sketches help the reader picture the characters.

This is a sequel to “The Last Last-Day-of-Summer” (previously reviewed on this blog) which sets up some of the problems; this reviewer has not read that which led to some confusion and trying to figure out the backstory, especially about Sheed’s mysterious, deadly illness. Purchase of both titles is recommended for the action, suspense, and diverse set of characters to satisfy middle-upper elementary fantasy readers.

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

The Willoughbys Return

November 4, 2020

The Willoughbys Return by Lois Lowry
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on September 29, 2020
ISBN: 0358423899
Pages: 192
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

One does not need to read “The Willoughbys” to enjoy this follow-up in which the mean and presumed dead parents thaw out and return home after 30 years of being frozen in the Alps.

Lowry is known for her clever writing, and this book is no disappointment. Each chapter begs the reader to keep reading. In spite of a lot of technical terms about finance, medicine, and manufacturing, these are not distracting, and can add to the humor for older readers. Lots of footnotes directed to the reader add to the entertainment, and some describe certain historical events, which may prompt further investigation by the reader.

Would make a great read aloud for middle elementary and perhaps younger grades. As a pre-reading activity, students could try to list things not heard of 30 years ago, such as Google, Uber, and Tesla.

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

Field Notes on Love

November 3, 2020

Field Notes on Love by Jennifer E. Smith
on March 5, 2019
ISBN: 0399559442
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

British high school graduate Hugh has big plans: traveling across the USA with his girlfriend, Margaret. He finds himself in a bit of a nonrefundable, nontransferable ticket pickle when she breaks up with him before the trip. As one of a group of septuplet children, he decides he really needs some time away, and sets off to find someone who shares Margaret’s name to accompany him on the trip. Also a recent graduate, Mae (Margaret) is looking to experience more life before she heads to college. She answers his ad and away they go on a train trip across the USA. They end up on a real coming of age journey, with both coming to grips with parts of themselves that they’d been avoiding. It’s a lovely light romance with a brilliant supporting cast of relatives for both characters. Best for grades 7+.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Maine State Library

Punching the Air

November 2, 2020

Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi, Yusef Salaam
Published by Balzer + Bray on September 1, 2020
ISBN: 0062996487
Pages: 400
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Punching the Air, written by American Street author Ibi Ziboi and Yusef Salaam, one of the Exonerated Five, belongs in all libraries serving young adults. The novel-in-verse is inspired by Salaam’s experience of being wrongly convicted and unjustly incarcerated. Like Walter Dean Myers’s Monster, Punching the Air covers both the court experience and time incarcerated of a black boy assumed to be guilty because of the color of his skin. The main character, Amal, is a student at a diverse art school where students seem to appreciate differences but he is still considered “disruptive” by his teachers, one of whom even testifies against him at his trial. Punching the Air will appeal to fans of Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Jason Reynolds, Jacqueline Woodson, and readers of Ziboi’s other work. Put this book in the hands of any student interested in social justice or the power of art as self-expression and healing. Librarians be prepared to guide students to learn more about Yusef Salaam and the Exonerated Five after they read this book. Recommended for grades 8 and up.

Elizabeth Andersen, Librarian, Westbrook High School

Hostile Territory

November 1, 2020November 1, 2020

Hostile Territory by Paul Greci
Published by Imprint on January 28, 2020
ISBN: 1250184622
Pages: 352
Genres: Adventure
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Greci is an accomplished author and wilderness expert who has provided older YA readers with an intense futuristic adventure. While attending a wilderness summer camp four older teens find themselves alone on a mountain following a catastrophic earth quake. From here the action never falters making this an intense adventure. Readers will appreciate the authors knowledge of the landscape and wildlife residing in the mountain far from civilization. Josh is the most invested character; without him the others may not have survived. Unfortunately, the character development is not as complete for the other members of the overland hiker’s group. Readers will be challenged by the wilderness descriptions, animal encounters, and the ultimate test of their ability to work together. Not all action is limited to the woods as a larger danger looms but that is best left for the reader to discover

Add to public libraries and high schools were YA adventure is collected and appreciated by teens.

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

Catalyst

October 30, 2020

Catalyst by Sarah Beth Durst
Published by Clarion on June 9, 2020
ISBN: 035806502X
Pages: 288
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
In true Sarah Beth Durst style this is a fantasy/mystery that is sure to please. Zoe is an almost 12-year-old girl who wants a small slice of life for herself. Enter a tiny kitten into changing family dynamics as well as Zoe’s relationship with her best friend and you have the makings of a good story. As the kitten literally grows the human characters mature . Aside from the plot the best part of this book is the character development. Middle grade readers are more apt to prefer the image of a giant talking cat to the accomplishments of Zoe and Harrison. Fantasy and mystery readers will find their own answers as they quickly turn page after page.

Add to intermediate school media centers and to public library collections where fantasy is enjoyed. There is great content within this book to make it a good selection for book discussion groups.