Format: Chapter Book Fiction

The Lucky Ones

The Lucky OnesPublished by Delacorte Genres: Realistic Fiction, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction

A tale of how surviving trauma can be painful and emotional. This book follows two teens dealing with the aftermath of a school shooting. I felt that the topics of violence and survivors’ guilt were dealt with in an age-appropriate manner. There is also a romantic plotline that I didn’t feel the book needed but in the end, it didn’t take away from the books’ serious topics. I would recommend this for ages 15-19. It’s a timely addition to any young adult book collection

Reviewed by Sophie Gagnon, Skidompha Public Library

Instant Karma

Instant KarmaInstant Karma by Marissa Meyer
Published by Feiwel & Friends on November 3, 2020
ISBN: 1250618819
Genres: Fantasy, Realistic Fiction, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Prudence does not like her lab partner, Quint.  She finds him lazy and irresponsible.  Quint finds her unwillingness to truly see him frustrating.  One night, Pru hits her head and wakes up with the ability to enact instant karma on anyone.  With a tightening of her fist, that angry, rude customer is escorted out by the police.  While Pru has  no idea why the universe has granted her with this power, she happily accepts the ability to give karmic retribution whenever she thinks she’s witnessed a wrong.  However, it doesn’t always work out the way she thinks it should,  especially in relation to herself and Quint.  As Pru is forced to work with Quint over the summer, she starts to see the truth about him and why he’s often late to class.  As they get closer, a mystery abounds and Pru is forced to take the blame, incurring Quint’s wrath.  While the mystery is quickly resolved, it does provide a much-needed tie-up for the end of the book.  Not Meyer’s strongest work, but it should be loved by her fans as well as other fans of YA romance.  Recommended for grades 9+.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Maine State Library

four-stars

It Only Happens in the Movies

It Only Happens in the MoviesIt Only Happens in the Movies by Holly Bourne
Published by Usborne Publishing on October 1, 2017
ISBN: 1474921329
Pages: 410
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

On the surface, this book is about love and zombies.  But once you look below the surface, you find themes of divorce, trauma, sex and women, mental health, and substance abuse.  Audrey hates romance and all of its tropes.  Setting out to write a project for her media studies class about it, her life seems to be going another direction.  She ends up falling for her co-worker, Harry,  against her better judgement.  As she helps Harry film his zombie movie, he starts to break down her walls and helps her to get over some of her past sex-related trauma.  However, she’s also dealing with her family’s trauma and Harry is not the perfect boyfriend.  In the end, she stands up for herself and gets to a place where she’s ready to move on in her life and not focus so much on the past.  Each chapter starts with a section of her report, and is a clever way to tie the story and her report together.  Recommended for ages 15+.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Maine State Library

four-stars

Frozen Beauty

Frozen BeautyFrozen Beauty by Lexa Hillyer
Published by HarperTeen on March 17, 2020
ISBN: 0062330403
Pages: 368
Genres: Mystery, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Frozen Beauty is a mystery that reveals itself slowly as the reader becomes acquainted with the three Malloy girls.  The story line is embedded in deep relationships and loving sisterhood yet secrets are held tight to the chest.  The book is beautifully written using prose and poetry to unravel the past and present.  Character development is strong yet readers may not be able to predict situations or actions. Each of the three sisters reveal their individuality and in good time their stories coincide enough to solve the mystery.  Hillyer deals effectively with love, loss, fear, eating issues and abuse while writing a story of betrayal and death.  It appears that the new YA focus is on teen crime, this is an excellent example of the genre.

Add this to all public libraries and to High School media center shelves.  Gift to teen girls who love mysteries and romance novels.  Readers will find it difficult to put this book aside, it is recommended as an all-night read.

 

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

five-stars

If These Wings Could Fly

If These Wings Could FlyIf These Wings Could Fly by Kyrie McCauley
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on March 3, 2020
ISBN: 0062885022
Pages: 400
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Being a HS senior with a huge goal is stressful enough for any young person but Leighton is also faced with domestic violence, two scared siblings, a budding romance and a somewhat magical home.  While her community is concerned about the huge influx of crows our heroine is busy juggling life at home and in school.   McCauley knows and treats the subject of domestic violence with tender care, it is obvious that the father has a problem, the three sisters are in no way viewed as weak or complacent.    The boyfriend is perfectly written into the story, his gentle and loving attention is an exact opposite to the violent father.   Teen readers are going to adore Liam, stand by Leighton, respect strong Campbell and Love sweet Juniper.

Each character has been well developed and yet readers will wonder why the mother does not stand her ground.  That is not easily answered and remains the question in many domestic violent situations.  Oh, and the crows, so many crows but there is one very special one named Joe who almost resembles an angel.   The author uses the crows to drive the inner story of Leighton’s love of writing while tying it into the overall plot.   This is a coming of age story that blends part magic, love, relationships, and to a large degree courage.   Add to HS and middle school media centers and to public libraries who collect YA.

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

 

four-stars

The Peacock Detectives

The Peacock DetectivesThe Peacock Detectives by Carly Nugent
Published by HarperCollins on January 14, 2020
ISBN: 0062896709
Pages: 288
Genres: Mystery, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This story takes place in Australia. Cassie, the girl telling the story, lives with her parents and her fourteen year old sister Diana. The novel begins with the neighbor’s peacocks escaping and Cassie starting to write this story. Cassie is eleven years old and good at noticing things. She found her neighbor’s peacocks when they escaped the last time so she is ready to do it again. Cassie’s father is a high school English teacher who has given her many tips about writing. Cassie shares these writing tips throughout her story. Jonas is her best friend and helps her try to find the missing peacocks. He is very good with science and math facts. Cassie knows a lot about reading and writing. In many ways they are opposites. Cassie notices that her family is changing. Diana has become a vegetarian and is interested in Buddhist meditation. Her mother starts cooking differently, her father is acting strangely, and her interaction with her grandfather has been altered. There is much more to this story than finding the missing peacocks. The variety of themes in this book include adoption, mental illness, bullying, friendship, death, family and marriage issues, etc. Although some of these are heavy topics, the book is written in a charming and sensitive manner. I highly recommend this well written novel for young readers 10-12 years old. Reviewed by Kris Zuidema, retired school librarian, Standish

four-stars

The Good Hawk

The Good HawkThe Good Hawk by Joseph Elliott
Published by Walker Books US on January 21, 2020
ISBN: 9781536207187
Pages: 368
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This fantasy is told in two voices. Agatha, the heroine, is fifteen and has Down Syndrome. Her job in the clan as a “Hawk” is to guard their wall and watch for attackers. She is very proud of her role. Jaime is also fifteen and an “Angler.” He does not enjoy his position and would rather build boats than be on them. Their clan lives on the Isle of Skye. The book is divided into three parts: Skye, Scotia, and Norveg. When disaster strikes their clan circumstances dictate that Agatha and Jaime must cross Scotia to Norveg to rescue their people. Agatha has the gift of communicating with animals including her pet vole, Highland bulls, and more. Part of the plot also deals with the plague. This well written fantasy is action packed, full of mystery, has touches of humor, and magic. Having the story told in two voices adds much to the depth of the characters and the interpretation of what takes place in the story. This is the first in the Shadow Skye trilogy. I highly recommend it for ages 12 and up. Reviewed by Kris Zuidema, retired school librarian, Standish

four-stars

Wayside School Beneath the Cloud of Doom

Wayside School Beneath the Cloud of DoomWayside School Beneath the Cloud of Doom by Louis Sachar, Tim Heitz
on March 3, 2020
ISBN: 0062965387
Genres: Humor
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Wayside School is BACK! Though young readers may not be familiar with the series, this new addition will surely spark their interest in the first three books. You don’t need to read the first three, however, to enjoy this book. The Wayside School has been shrouded by a giant cloud of doom, and it’s throwing everything out of whack. The already strange and quirky nature of the school is flipped on end because of the cloud. The book is full of puns, twists, wordplays, and just general silliness, and it’s sure to delight many a young reader. It’s a fun and light read recommended for 2nd – 4th grade readers.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Busted by Breakfast

Busted by BreakfastBusted by Breakfast (Trouble at Table 5, #2) by Marta Kissi, Tom Watson
Published by HarperCollins on March 3, 2020
ISBN: 0062953443
Pages: 96
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Molly and crew are back for the second installment in the Trouble at Table 5 early chapter series. This time, it’s Simon at the center of the story. When Simon gets excited about something, he simply cannot stop talking about it. The more he talks the faster and louder he gets, and when this happens in school, sometimes he gets in trouble. In order to try to smooth things over with his parents, Simon, Rosie, and Molly hatch a plan to clean up the garage, but when things don’t go according to plan, can they get it all done in time?

Much like the first book in this series, this book celebrates neurodiversity in all of the main characters. This plot line isn’t as compelling as the first, and there’s a bit of humor at the expense of an older character. It is still a good book, and I look forward to seeing subsequent books from this series. Recommended for 2nd-4th grade readers.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

The Candy Caper

The Candy CaperThe Candy Caper (Trouble at Table 5, #1) by Marta Kissi, Tom Watson
Published by HarperCollins on March 3, 2020
ISBN: 0062953419
Pages: 96
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Molly and her friends Simon and Rosie share Table 5 in their classroom, and they’re also best friends. Molly spots a jar of Skittles in the office one morning, and she needs to know how many Skittles are in the jar. Other kids may feel like they want to know, but for Molly, numbers and other things stick with her. It isn’t a want to know situation, she needs to know. Molly, Simon, and Rosie hatch a plan to count the Skittles in the office without getting caught, but will they do it?

The story of this book is good, but the best part of it is the neurodiverse representation of the characters in the book. Molly is the real focus of the book, and she has clear obsessive compulsive tendencies. Her friends and family understand her and support her. The vocabulary is age-appropriate with a few more difficult words. The black, white, and red illustrations are appropriate for the age of the readers and help to break up the text. Recommended for 2nd-4th grade readers.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars