Format: Chapter Book Fiction

The Guinevere Deception

The Guinevere DeceptionThe Guinevere Deception (Camelot Rising, #1) by Kiersten White
Published by Delacorte Press on November 5, 2019
ISBN: 0525581685
Pages: 352
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

 

A Young Adult spin on the Arthurian legend. This book has received a lot of recognition from the Young Adult book community as of late. It may be because of this, that I was a little disappointed. Having the story be about Guinevere instead of Arthur was a nice change of pace, and I thought it was a great twist to turn Lancelot into a strong female character. The main love story between Guinevere and Arthur is just starting out in this book but you can tell the author will continue to grow that connection.  Unfortunately Lancelot isn’t introduced till the last 1/3 of the book, despite this, the relationship between Guinevere and Lancelot has already set its hooks in me. I have no idea where the two of them will end up but I’m excited to find out. The writing style is unpretentious and flows well. Because of this I would recommend it for Young Adults ages 14-19 who struggle with reading.

three-stars

I, Cosmo

I, CosmoI, Cosmo by Carlie Sorosiak
Published by Walker Books UsS on December 24, 2019
ISBN: 1536207691
Pages: 192
Genres: Animals
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

The dog doesn’t die! Unlike a lot of books that kill the animal in the end this one does not do that. Thank god! Told from the dog’s point of view this book explores the relationship between family members during a particularly trying year. At times some of the situations described can make one uncomfortable if only because they are achingly familiar to many of us. This book would be a great addition to any 5-8 grade classroom especially for children who are dealing with difficult situations at home.

Reviewed by Sophie Gagnon, Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta

three-stars

The Burning Queen

The Burning QueenThe Burning Queen by Kathryn Lasky
Published by HarperCollins on October 29, 2019
ISBN: 0062693301
Pages: 336
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
two-stars

Book two of this series falls prey to the curse of the dreaded sequel. This installment again focuses on our main character Rose as she travels between present day Indianapolis and 1553 Tudor England. What was bearable and somewhat cute in the first book becomes hard to bear in the second. The repetitive use of the phrase “you have such a way with words Rose” to address the fact that Rose is not blending into the historical time period and that people are noticing really starts to shock you out of the story. Though this book does do a great job of having inclusive characters and focusing on the relationship between peers I would skip adding it to a collection unless the first in the series circulated well.

Reviewed by Sophie Gagnon, Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta

two-stars

The Miraculous

The MiraculousThe Miraculous by Jess Redman
Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux on July 30, 2019
ISBN: 0374309744
Pages: 320
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads

Twelve-year old Wunder Ellis became a “miraclologist” when he was five years old. He  documents the miracles he sees in the world in his journal. When his infant sister passes away, Wunder stops looking for miracles. With the help of his friend Faye and a strange old woman in town, Wunder will believe in miracles again. This fantasy story about loss and grief will strike a chord with some middle grade readers. However, the theme comes across in a heavy-handed manner and the pacing is slow at times.  (Grades 4-6)three-stars

Cathy Potter, Falmouth Middle School, Falmouth, ME

This is My Fort!

This is My Fort!This Is MY Fort! (Monkey & Cake, #2) by Drew Daywalt, Olivier Tallec
Published by Orchard Books on February 26, 2019
ISBN: 1338143905
Pages: 56
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Monkey and Cake love building forts. Cake decides to build a fort only for Cakes, no Monkeys allowed. After much begging and pleading, Monkey devises his own genius plan for a fort — a fort only for Monkeys.

This is the second in the Monkey and Cake series brought to us by the author of The Day the Crayons Quit. Wonderfully clever and simply executed, this book will appeal to many early readers. The bold text is easy to follow, not too difficult for new readers, and the story is fun. The illustrations are simple, clear, and help convey the emotions Monkey and Cake are feeling. This book is best for Pre-K-2, and it would be a great read aloud — especially if you build a fort afterwards!

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Goldilocks, Go Home!

Goldilocks, Go Home!Goldilocks, Go Home! by Marta Sevilla, Martha Freeman
Published by Holiday House on June 11, 2019
ISBN: 0823438570
Pages: 176
Genres: Animals, Folklore, Humor
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Goldilocks is in search of her real parents (her actual parents are too boring and not royalty). She ends up in the house of the three bears, and with the threat of the big bad wolf in the woods, she stays for about a week, much to Bobby (formerly known as Baby) Bear’s chagrin.

This witty combination of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Little Red Riding Hood, and countless more fairy tales will entertain many young readers. Several of the fairy tale references are subtle and may be lost on kids, but if used as a one-on-one read aloud, the adult will certainly get them and chuckle. Each chapter is told from the perspective of either Bobby or Goldilocks, and the one not in charge of the chapter has many sidebar comments and interludes. While some find this distracting, those who enjoy things like Big Nate, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, etc.won’t mind and will likely find the humor in this book appealing. Best for 3rd and 4th graders, this could be a good choice for reluctant readers, as a story read aloud to younger readers, or just as a quick, fun read.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Santa’s Puppy

Santa’s PuppySanta's Puppy by Catherine Hapka
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on October 15, 2019
ISBN: 0358051843
Pages: 240
Genres: Animals
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Santa’s puppy, Peppermint Bark, has alwasy wanted to ride with Santa on Christmas. This year, he stows away on the sleigh, and he ends up left behind at Chris and Holly’s house in the Christmasy town of Poinsettia. Because they’re so filled with Christmas cheer, Chris, Holly, and their friend, Ivy, can hear Peppermint Bark speak (as well as the jingle bells that come with his wagging tail), and they conspire to help Peppermint Bark get back to the North Pole by the end of Christmas Day.

The cheesy Christmas references are almost too much in this book.

This lighthearted, fun Christmas story will delight young readers. It’s simple, easy to follow, and kids will enjoy all the holiday references. This book would be best for 2-4 graders and would be a great book for a family read aloud or just as a fun holiday read.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Little lunch: loads of laughs

Little lunch: loads of laughsLittle Lunch: Loads of Laughs by Danny Katz, Mitch Vane
Published by Candlewick Press on December 10, 2019
ISBN: 1536209147
Pages: 128
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Short Stories
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
two-stars

This book consists of short stories that take place during ‘little lunch’ at a school in Australia — it seems to be a hybrid between recess and snack time. This is the second installment of this series based on an Australian TV show. The first story in this book was sweet, but the second two fell flat for me. All stories have a good life lesson, and some children may relate to the situations presented (not wanting to eat your snack, being ostracized by classmates, etc.), but the quality of writing and illustrations just don’t match what’s out there right now. This book is best for 2-3 graders and could be used as a group read aloud. An additional purchase for libraries looking to expand their early chaper book section.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

two-stars

The Dragon Thief

The Dragon ThiefThe Dragon Thief (Dragons in a Bag, #2) by Zetta Elliott
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on October 22, 2019
ISBN: 1524770493
Pages: 176
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Kavita has stolen a dragon from her brother’s friend, Jaxon. Jaxon’s only job was to return three dragons to the realm of magic, and Kavita has ruined everything. Kavita tries to keep the dragon a secret, but it keeps growing. Enlisting the help of Aunty, the two work to outsmart Blue from the magical realm to help get the dragon home.

This book is the sequel to Dragons in a Bag, but it’s fine as a stand alone book. The writing and story are great, and lovers of fun fantasy will enjoy this tale. The book features a diverse cast of characters and a strong female lead. The story is easy to follow and an entertaining read, but things seemed to wrap up unexpectedly quickly and easily. This book is best for 3-5th graders and could be used as a classroom read aloud. A good purchase for libraries where young fantasy is very popular.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Out to Get You

Out to Get YouOut to Get You: 13 Tales of Weirdness and Woe by Josh Allen, Sarah J Coleman
Published by Holiday House on September 3, 2019
ISBN: 0823443663
Pages: 176
Genres: Animals, Horror, Short Stories
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Thirteen stories of unnerving, scary, dark, and simply weird situations with 13 different kids. A comfy couch isn’t safe, your beloved family cat isn’t safe, even your own shadow isn’t safe. The stories in this book are great. They’re delightfully creepy without being cheesy or over the top weird. The black and white sketch style illustrations are perfectly dark and unsettling. Fourth to sixth grade readers who have enjoyed RL Stine will devour this book. It would be a really fun read aloud since they’re short stories and could be paired with a thematically appropriate scary program. If not for some unfortunate and completely unnecessary gender norm stereotyping, this book would have gotten 4 stars from me.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars