Format: Chapter Book Fiction

Black Girl Unlimited

Black Girl UnlimitedBlack Girl Unlimited by Echo Brown
Published by Henry Holt & Company on January 14, 2020
ISBN: 1250309859
Pages: 304
Genres: Fantasy, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

An unflinching look at the life of a young black girl who just also happens to be a wizard. This book deals with a lot of tough subjects including, abuse, drug use, poverty, sexual violence, and mental health issues. The book mixes these real-life problems with magical realism which helps it remain a dark and gritty story instead of a fantastical story. Throughout the book Echo, the main character travels between different magical worlds and her East Side Ohio town to her West Side School. During these journeys, she’s helped by a different wizard, all of whom are women. These women teach Echo how to survive in a world that treats black girls as less than. I would recommend this book for ages 13-18.

Reviewed by Sophie Gagnon, Skidompha Public Library

four-stars

Nobody Knows but You

Nobody Knows but YouNobody Knows but You by Anica Mrose Rissi
Published by HarperCollins/Quill Tree on September 8, 2020
ISBN: 0062685317
Genres: Mystery, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This mystery/thriller for high school readers is told through the voice of Kayla in letters to her best friend Lainie.  Kayla met Lainie during summer camp and they became instant best friends. During that time, Lainie starts an on again/off again relationship with Jackson that Kayla tries to accept.  The letters are a way for Kayla to cope with a murder that occurs at the end of their summer camp experience.   Police reports, camper interviews and newspaper articles round out Kayla’s letters providing much needed breaks to the intense, personal verbiage.    Secrets, obsessions and murder go hand in hand, as does a few twists in the story line.  An enjoyable psychological thriller.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Youth Services, Springvale Public Library

four-stars

I Hope You’re Listening

I Hope You’re ListeningI Hope You're Listening by Tom Ryan
Published by Aw Teen on October 6, 2020
ISBN: 0807535087
Pages: 368
Genres: Mystery, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

At the age of seven, Dee and Sibby go into the woods to play.  Only Dee comes back out.  Ten years later, Dee is haunted by what she can’t remember.  To cope, Dee has started a podcast that shares stories of missing people, hoping that she can make a difference in someone else’s case.  The podcast has gained a large following and has actually been able to bring some people home.  Dee doesn’t talk about Sibby.  Until another young child goes missing from the same house that Dee used to live in.  People recall Sibby’s case and try to find a link between the two.  Finally, Dee has to deal with Sibby’s case and her past.  This is a fast-paced thriller that will keep you turning the pages and constantly keeps you guessing about the truth.  Give to fans of true crime podcasts and mysteries.  Recommended for ages 13+.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Maine State Library

five-stars

The Princess in Black and the Giant Problem

The Princess in Black and the Giant ProblemThe Princess in Black and the Giant Problem (Princess in Black #8) by Dean Hale, LeUyen Pham, Shannon Hale
Published by Candlewick Press on October 6, 2020
ISBN: 1536202223
Pages: 96
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Book 8 in “The Princess in Black” series. The Princess in Black is ready for her snowy playdate with the Goat Avenger and the Princess in Blankets. It’s a perfect day to build snow monsters and battle them for practice, but just when they’re about to wage battle, a huge foot smashes their snow monster. It is a typical but worthy addition to the series wherever it is popular. I have found that it is one of the few series with a female protagonist and the word “princess” in the title that boys will read.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

three-stars

Teen Killers Club

Teen Killers ClubTeen Killers Club by Lily Sparks
Published by Crooked Lane Books on November 10, 2020
ISBN: 1643852299
Genres: Mystery, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Signal has been in juvenile prison for murdering her best friend.  The first thing we learn about Signal is that she’s on a bus heading to some camp in order to get out of prison.  Turns out it’s a camp for teen killers to be trained to carry out government killings without getting caught.  There’s a ragtag group of teens all considered “Class A,” the most violent members of society.  As Signal struggles with figuring out what really happened the night her best friend was murdered and what’s going on at the camp, she makes the first friends she’s had in years.  But can they be trusted?  This is an exciting mystery that takes you on a fast and fun thrill ride.  Recommended for ages 15+.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Maine State Library

four-stars

City Spies

City SpiesCity Spies (City Spies, #1) by James Ponti
on March 10, 2020
ISBN: 1534414916
Genres: Adventure
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

An entertaining start to this new middle grade series. Sara Martinez has been in the foster care system and used her hacking skills to call out her latest bad foster parents, but she gets in trouble. While in court, a man swoops in and defends Sara and asks that she be remanded to his care. He happens to lead a group of extraordinary kids who work as a spy unit for MI6 out of a Scottish base. There are usual blips as Sara attempts to find her spot on the team. There is also a master criminal, a extreme science fair-type competition, and plenty of thrills. The book has a good pace and plenty of action, but one hacker supposedly hacks another hacker and causes that team to mess up; wouldn’t the one hacker have been able to catch the code embedded by the other hacker? And at one point, the team infiltrates a highly secure building that seems to have no security cameras inside and some pretty lax security guards. All of that is in the name of plot movement but it did take me out of the story in a way that made it hard to give this a higher rating. Readers of Stuart Gibbs books and Ponti’s Framed series, which I loved, will enjoy this first book in which should be an entertaining and engaging series.

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

three-stars

How to Pack for the End of the World

How to Pack for the End of the WorldHow to Pack for the End of the World by Michelle Falkoff
Published by HarperTeen on November 10, 2020
ISBN: 0062680269
Pages: 320
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Ever since her synagogue got set on fire, Amina has been having nightmares and obsessing over potential and past disaster in the world. She spends hours researching topics like the Holocaust and surviving a disaster. Fed up, her parents send her to a private school in Vermont known for its rich and preppy students. As a scholarship student, Amina worries she won’t make any friends.  Surprisingly, she meets some seemingly like-minded students right away and they begin a club based on teaching each other survival skills and playing games.  The book misses a little bit on character development and the movement of the storyline.  We get small pieces of characters’ backstories, but never enough to understand why they do what they do.  A small mystery presents itself, though the answer seems fairly obvious. The end is a bit anticlimactic, but it ends on a positive note.  This may be of interest to anyone who’s into protests and social justice topics.  Recommended for ages 14+. 

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Maine State Library

three-stars

Kitty and the Treetop Chase

Kitty and the Treetop ChaseKitty and the Treetop Chase by Jenny Lovlie, Paula Harrison
Published by Greenwillow Books on September 1, 2020
ISBN: 0062935771
Pages: 128
Genres: Animals
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Kitty and her feline friends are back for another superhero adventure, and this time, she’s got a new superhero friend, Ozzy. Ozzy is new in town, and when Kitty’s mom suggests a sleepover, Kitty is initially wary of how this will interfere with her nocturnal superhero adventures. Ozzy turns out to be another superhero in training who converses with owls, so the two are a perfect pair. This time, they’re working to find the dog who has wreaked havoc on the local bakery and to put things back before morning. Will they be able to figure it out, and how will their super powers work together to solve the mystery? This is the fourth installment in the Kitty series, and it’s every bit as sweet as the previous books. This is a great early chapter book series for kids who love mystery but who aren’t ready or interested in scary things. Kitty and Ozzy work together for good, and they’re bolstered by their animal companions. The illustrations are line drawings done entirely in black, white, and orange, as with previous books. They help to break up the text making the book more accessible for younger readers, and they add a level of fun and emotion to the story. Recommended for readers 2nd grade and up, though this makes a good read aloud for younger kids too.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Dot. For Pet’s Sake

Dot. For Pet’s SakeDot: For Pet's Sake by Candlewick Press, The Jim Henson Company
Published by Candlewick Press on September 8, 2020
ISBN: 1536216569
Pages: 80
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Dot is back for another adventure, this time in an early chapter book. Dot has a pet sitting business, and she initially has a couple pets to look after. When more and more pets get added to the bunch, it seems she has bitten off more than she can chew. This is a great early chapter book, and I hope it becomes a series. Kids will recognize Dot and her family, and the familiarity of the characters will encourage them to pick it up. The story is easy to follow and fun. The illustrations are characteristic of other Dot books — high color, cartoonish, and engaging for young readers. Recommended for readers 4 and up. This is a great read aloud for younger readers as well.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Ballad of Tubs Marshfield

Ballad of Tubs MarshfieldThe Ballad of Tubs Marshfield by Cara Hoffman
Published by HarperCollins on November 10, 2020
ISBN: 0062865471
Pages: 208
Genres: Animals
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Tubs is a frog and a musician, and he and his friends live in a swamp in Louisiana. They love it there. It’s their home. Recently, however, something terrible is happening. Animals all over the swamp are getting sick, and even Tubs’s music can’t make them feel better. Can Tubs and his friends figure out what is making them all sick in time to save the swamp community? This is a wonderfully written book — the tie between the plot and music weaves throughout the story and colors the language beautifully. This is a story of community, friendship, and trust. The swamp community works together to identify and combat the pollution that’s making them all sick. It tackles bigger issues of loss and environmentalism with grace and without being preachy. This is a great read for those who enjoy animal centered books and books without a lot of unnecessary drama. Recommended for readers 3rd grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars