Format: Chapter Book Fiction

The Willoughbys Return

The Willoughbys ReturnThe 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

four-stars

Field Notes on Love

Field Notes on LoveField 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

four-stars

Punching the Air

Punching the AirPunching 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

five-stars

Hostile Territory

Hostile TerritoryHostile 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

four-stars

Catalyst

CatalystCatalyst 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.

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

four-stars

No Place for Monsters

No Place for MonstersNo Place for Monsters by Kory Merritt
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on September 15, 2020
ISBN: 0358128536
Pages: 384
Genres: Adventure, Mystery
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars
Cowslip Grove is your typical suburban town — neat lawns, clean sidewalks, everything is as it should be. But then, children begin to go missing. Here’s the catch — no one remembers they ever existed, and all evidence of their existence has vanished. No one remembers them, except for Levi and Kat. Will they be able to figure out where the children have gone? Who or what is that shadowy figure they keep seeing? And why can they remember when no one else can?

This highly illustrated middle grade novel is perfect for the young reader who enjoys slightly scary and a little bit more creepy books. Levi is delightfully kind and innocent, and Kat is quirky, smart and fun. Together, they make a likeable duo. The black and white line drawing illustrations really help to bring the story alive and will make this long book feel more accessible to young readers. Recommended for readers 9 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Cut Off

Cut OffCut Off by Adrianne Finlay
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on August 11, 2020
ISBN: 0358006457
Pages: 384
Genres: Horror, Science Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
This Sci-fi thriller for readers in grades 10-12 provides page turning suspense and thought provoking outcomes.  Recommending for Cream of the Crop consideration.   The newest entertainment is a 24-hour live streaming game show called “Cut Off” that takes the “Survivor” type reality show premise to an extreme level through a 3D Virtual Reality experience.  Four young adult contestants are left after an earthquake knocks out their communications with the producers of the show and they must work together to survive and try to be rescued.   At first it seems like the earthquake is the issue, but hour by hour they are faced with ever increasing life threatening situations that seem to come from within each contestant’s own worst fears.   Is it real or a hallucination?  Can they find their way back home or will they all die?  Finlay intersperses action chapters with producer’s files and contestant audition interviews that fuel the page turning suspense of the story.  There are many twists and surprise connections that send the ending to an unsuspecting conclusion.    There is action, suspense, danger, technology and a bit of romance in this suspenseful, Sci-fi/Horror mashup.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Youth Services Librarian, Springvale Public Library

five-stars

By The Book

By The BookBy the Book by Amanda Sellet
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on May 12, 2020
ISBN: 0358156610
Pages: 384
Genres: Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars
By The Book, a Book of Prose and Cons is a new contemporary young adult romance. The classic literary references in this book were enjoyable. The main character, Mary, is someone you will either love or hate but it was nice to read about a character who doesn’t mind being herself. The vocabulary used in the book makes me suggest it for older advanced teens. Other than that I found it to be a heartwarming read that would be a nice addition to any young adult collection.

Reviewed by Sophie Gagnon, Skidompha Public Library

three-stars

The Willoughbys Return

The Willoughbys ReturnThe Willoughbys Return by Lois Lowry
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on September 29, 2020
ISBN: 0358423899
Pages: 192
Genres: Humor
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
In this absurd and comical story for readers in grades 2-5, Lowry brings back the characters from “The Willoughbys” (2008).  Two catastrophic situations happen simultaneously in the world.    In the United States, Congress bans candy and in the Swiss Alps a couple, who were frozen for 30 years, thaw out (thanks to global warming).  The couple is Mr. and Mrs. Willoughby who had traveled to the Swiss Alps in the first book.  They are now faced with missing out on 30 years of complaining about their children, being displaced and strangers to all the technological advances.   Tim, the oldest of the Willoughby’s children, is a Millionaire candy maker who is faced with being poor since candy is banned.  His son, Richie, doesn’t want for anything (ordering everything on Google), is lonely.  Their next door neighbors, aptly named Poore, are so destitute that they reuse tea bags, Band-Aids and have never had candy. Winnifred and Winston (a Win-Win situation), the Poore children, hire themselves out as Richie’s companions.  In a few missteps and unlikely situations the characters converge and everyone’s perspectives and living situations are changed.  The chapters are short 2-3 page gems that flesh out the darkly comical, Dahl-esque story line that fans of the first book will enjoy.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Youth Services Librarian, Springvale Public Library

four-stars

Puppet’s Payback and Other Chilling Tales

Puppet’s Payback and Other Chilling TalesThe Puppet's Payback and Other Chilling Tales by Mary Downing Hahn
Published by Clarion Books on September 1, 2020
ISBN: 0358067324
Pages: 192
Genres: Horror, Short Stories
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
This collection of 10 scary stories from acclaimed author, Mary Downing Hahn will delight fans of the creepy and unnerving. From ghosts to the unexplained to a puppet with nefarious intentions, this book has it all. It isn’t too over the top scary, so it’s perfectly age appropriate. The writing is clear and easy to follow, and many of the stories feature completely unexpected twists. Hand to fans of RL Stine, Hahn’s previous works, and anyone looking for a spooky read. Recommended for readers 3rd grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars