Format: Chapter Book Fiction

Like the Willow Tree

Like the Willow TreeLike the Willow Tree by Lois Lowry
Published by Scholastic Inc. on September 1, 2020
ISBN: 1338724320
Pages: 224
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

A very timely update for this entry in the Dear America series. Lydia and her brother are orphaned suddenly when their parents and baby sister die of the Spanish Flu in Portland, Maine. After a brief stay with their Uncle and his family, they end up with the Shaker community in Sabbathday Lake, Maine.

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

four-stars

In the Red

In the RedIn the Red by Christopher Swiedler
on March 24, 2020
ISBN: 0062894412
Genres: Science Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Sci-fi meets survival meets… panic attacks? Michael is determined to overcome his suit (as in spacesuit) anxiety and pass the suit exam so he will be allowed out on the surface of Mars. Later that night, he and his friend Lilith decide to sneak outside on the very night the solar flares cause problems on the planet. Will they be able to get back home before their air filters are depleted? Will Michael overcome his anxiety? A page-turner you won’t be able to put down!

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

five-stars

Chirp

ChirpChirp by Kate Messner
Published by Bloomsbury Children's Books on February 4, 2020
ISBN: 1547602813
Pages: 240
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This mystery involving entomophagy, or eating insects, is a #metoo book for middle school readers. Mia must come to terms — with the help of strong female characters — with the trauma of surviving (not-graphic) sexual harassment. Mia and her family move back to Vermont to help her grandmother with her cricket farm. Mia’s parents think her grandmother should sell but Mia and her new friends are determined to save the farm. There is also a mystery surrounding Mia’s sudden loss of interest in gymnastics.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

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

five-stars

What Lane?

What Lane?Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
five-stars

A book to introduce Black Lives Matter to middle-grade readers. Stephen, who is bi-racial, enjoys hanging out with his best friend Dan, who is white. Stephen starts to notice how people treat them differently; they treat Stephen with suspicion even when Stephen and Dan are doing the exact same thing. Stephen wears a bracelet that says “What Lane?” and tries to figure out which lane he will take through life. This is a brief chapter book that would be great for a read-aloud and discussion.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

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

five-stars

Beast: Face-To-Face with the Florida Bigfoot

Beast: Face-To-Face with the Florida BigfootBeast: Face-To-Face with the Florida Bigfoot by Watt Key
ISBN: 0374313695
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Adam sets off into the Florida swamp to find answers after his parents’ disappearance following a late night car crash. Did Adam see some kind of creature just after the accident? Did he encounter a Bigfoot? What happened to his parents? This adventure and survival story will have you on the edge of your seat!

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

four-stars

Like Nothing Ever Happened

Like Nothing Ever HappenedLike 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

five-stars

Redemption Prep

Redemption PrepRedemption 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

three-stars

Finally, Something Mysterious

Finally, Something MysteriousFinally, 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

four-stars

Circus Rose

Circus RoseThe 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

 

 

four-stars

Last Mirror on the Left

Last Mirror on the LeftThe 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

four-stars