Format: Chapter Book Fiction

You Say it First

You Say it FirstYou Say It First by Katie Cotugno
Published by Balzer + Bray on June 16, 2020
ISBN: 0062674129
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

At first glance, Meg’s life seems charmed.  She lives in a big house, goes to a fancy school, has plans to go to college with her best friend, and a part time job that she’s passionate about.  What the casual observer doesn’t see is the drinking her divorced mom does, her messy house, her utter lack of interest in her college plans.  The next state over reveals Colby, a recent high school grad who loads boxes for a living and whose dad has passed away.  When they end up talking on the phone by chance through Meg’s job, everything begins to change for both of them.  Is Meg too uptight and virtued for Colby?  Is Colby too lazy and apathetic for Meg?  They work through their issues on nightly phone calls and eventually the relationship turns romantic.  Will they work it out in the end?  Cotugno has provided us with another great contemporary teen romance.  An especially great read for teens into politics making a difference.  Best for ages 14+

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Maine State Library

four-stars

Robot to the Rescue

Robot to the RescueRobot to the Rescue (Makers Make It Work: Robots) by Kay Lawrence, Sergio de Georgi
on January 1st 1970
ISBN: 1635920116
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

This is an Easy Reader and part of a series by Kane Press focused on the maker movement called “Makers Make it Work”.  Greta and her mom have built a robot named Water-bot that waters their plants when activated through a cell phone.  When they are invited to their friend’s snowy cabin for an overnight, they can only go if they can figure out how to program Water-bot to feed their new kitty.  Using paper and pencil and trying different ideas, Greta and her friend Bruce work through different scenarios until they are successful.  When Greta goes on her trip, the suspense of wondering where the kitty is hiding will keep the reader engaged.  The bright illustrations clearly show the problem solving being done and the different technology used in the story.  The amount of text and smaller font makes this science- themed reader most appropriate for grades 1-3.   The last page provides encouragement to further explore the technology in the story and find more problems to solve.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Springvale Public Library

three-stars

The Oregon Trail: The Race to Chimney Rock

The Oregon Trail: The Race to Chimney RockThe Race to Chimney Rock by Jesse Wiley
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on September 4th 2018
ISBN: 1328550001
Pages: 160
Genres: Adventure
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Based on the popular historically-based 80s game, The Oregon Trail: The Race to Chimney Rock is the first book in a four book series of choose your own adventure style books.  This first edition starts with a family (of which the reader is an unnamed, genderless child) of 5 getting ready to head out at the beginning of the trail with 9 other families.  Very quickly, you must make a decision whether to start early in the spring or to wait until there will be more grass for your oxen, which is just how the game always started, as well.  Each decision carries you on a different path.  With 22 possible endings, some of them lead to your death, some to having to end the journey where you are, some having to go back to where you started, only one will bring you to the correct location to continue on your way to Oregon.

While this is a fun flashback for 40-somethings, kids will have no idea what this book is based on and will not find much of interest here.  Purchase only where choose your own adventure books are popular.  Recommended for ages 7-10.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook

three-stars

Time Dogs: Seaman and the Great Northern Adventure

Time Dogs: Seaman and the Great Northern AdventureTime Dogs: Seaman and the Great Northern Adventure by Helen Moss, Misa Saburi
Published by Henry Holt & Company on June 4th 2019
ISBN: 1250186358
Pages: 144
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

A new series that is essentially the Magic Tree House series with dogs instead of kids. The old dogs time travel in an old van – and turn into puppies – to help real-life famous dogs. In this adventure, the dogs travel to 1805 on the Missouri River where they help Seaman, the legendary dog of explorers Lewis and Clark. I enjoyed this one less than the first in the series, Balto and the Race Against Time, but perhaps I was just finding the whole premise tiresome. Better books about these events are available. Author’s Notes at the end describe the historical event and the liberties the author takes in the story.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library, Liberty

three-stars

Hazel’s Theory of Evolution

Hazel’s Theory of EvolutionHazel's Theory of Evolution by Lisa Jenn Bigelow
Published by Harper, HarperCollins on October 8, 2019
ISBN: 0062791176
Pages: 336
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Hazel is at a new school and making friends is tough. On top of that her moms are expecting a baby. Her mom has lost 2 babies before so she is so terrified of it happening again. So she decides it is just better to pretend that it isn’t happening so she won’t get her heartbroken again. The second half of the book is much more compelling than the first half. The start of the book kind of dragged. It did seem strange that her two mom’s that loved her and knew her so well hadn’t spoken to her sooner about her issues with the new pregnancy/baby or got help for her about what was happening.

three-stars

All Your Twisted Secrets

All Your Twisted SecretsAll Your Twisted Secrets by Diana Urban
Published by HarperTeen on March 17, 2020
ISBN: 0062908219
Pages: 390
Genres: Horror, Mystery, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

WOW this first novel is truly amazing, the plot is rooted in pain and teen angst.  Just as the title indicates the story line is full of slowly revealed twisted secrets and relationships.  Amber struggles to be normal but truly has only one friend.  This character is so well portrayed, her secrets are deeply hidden but her heart is on her sleeve.  As a musician she can put on the earphones and escape reality until everything changes. Each character is introduced in their own time so that they become truly necessary to the story.  The genius of this book is the way past secrets are revealed leaving readers waiting for more.

Assuming this was influenced by the escape entertainment movement it may go a little to far.  All Your Twisted Secrets is recommended for HS media centers and public libraries but it may be challenged due to the group and individual behaviors during the last 30 minutes.  It is also a good read for adults who enjoy mysteries and thrillers.  Looking forward to seeing more by this new author.

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

four-stars

Coo

CooCoo by Kaela Noel
Published by Greenwillow Books on March 3, 2020
ISBN: 0062955977
Pages: 432
Genres: Animals, Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

If there was a genre called charming fantasy, Coo would be the first novel on the list.   A girl rescued and raised by pigeons seems to be an unlikely plot, but then again, why not?  Readers will be delighted with the story line as they learn about pigeon lifestyle and human compassion.  Noel gently introduces readers to a wild child with descriptive words that express Coo’s loyalty and exposes her heart of gold. What is intensely interesting is that Coo cannot speak a word of English and therefor is unable too communicate with humans. Another central character is equally treated well in the text; Tully’s love of birds is well defined and her understanding of human behavior saves the day.

Although 407 pages are daunting the large font accounts for easy and fast reading for grades 4-6 students.  This title would make a wonderful family read aloud for younger readers and is recommended for parent/child book groups.  Librarians will want to place this new author’s work on the shelves of public and intermediate school libraries.   As a first novel this is a memorable read that is sure to lead to future titles.

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

four-stars

The Easy Part of Impossible

The Easy Part of ImpossibleThe Easy Part of Impossible by Sarah Tomp
Published by HarperTeen on April 21, 2020
ISBN: 0062898280
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

High school senior Ria is feeling lost after getting kicked off her diving team. Benny, her coach, refused to keep her after she had an accident at her last meet and refused to dive. We learn through Ria’s interactions with Benny that he has been physically abusing her. She struggles to get to a place where she can acknowledge that what he’s been doing is wrong. She eventually finds a way to cope with all her feelings by getting to know and going caving with Cotton, a childhood classmate. Cotton, with issues of his own, and Ria help each other deal with their fears. It’s incredibly uncomfortable to follow Ria along this journey, as the reader seems to realize the abuse before she does. It’s a grim look into the relationship between a coach and an athlete. The author showcases just how difficult it can be to get out of an abusive relationship or situation. Ria and Cotton get a hopeful ending, leaving the reader feeling good overall.  Best for ages 14+.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Maine State Library

four-stars

The lightness of Hands

The lightness of HandsThe Lightness of Hands by Jeff Garvin
Published by Balzer + Bray on April 14, 2020
ISBN: 0062382896
Genres: Adventure, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Life is not all glamour when you and your Dad work parties and bars as magicians.  Ellie manages to schedule performances and attend HS online as she struggles to live with her bipolar issues.   Her story is well depicted and exposes the truth about living with mental illness.  The story is far from gentle but offers a real presentation of a teenager’s life on the road in an RV.   Both Ellie and her Dad are well drawn characters who possess flaws but are resilient.    An online BBF and recently found boyfriend add interest while balancing Ellie’s life to a more manageable and normal existence.

Teens dealing with mental illness will find hope and satisfaction in this story.  A strong dose of family love is written into this book which should find a home on all HS media center shelves.  Public libraries who collect YA fiction must add this to their next book order.

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

four-stars

Narwal on a Sunny Night (Magic Tree House #33)

Narwal on a Sunny Night (Magic Tree House #33)Narwhal on a Sunny Night (Magic Tree House, #33) by A.G. Ford, Mary Pope Osborne
on January 7, 2020
ISBN: 0525648364
Genres: Adventure
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

How does one adequately review another addition to one of the most popular series for elementary children? Number 33 in the series, Osborne gives up another hit for fans. Here we meet Lief and Eric the Red in Greenland. 

Many curricula and interest links, as with all of the books in this series. 

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

five-stars