Format: Chapter Book Fiction

The Dragon Egg Princess

The Dragon Egg PrincessThe Dragon Egg Princess by Ellen Oh
Published by HarperCollins on March 3, 2020
ISBN: 0062875795
Pages: 256
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Jiho has no magical abilities what so ever. But in a land that is filled with magic this is actually a power- magic has no effect on him. So, when the missing royal princess needs his help, this ability will prove to be invaluable, especially in the magical Kidahara forest. Lots of cool magic by othere characters in the story. An interesting twist having that not having magic is powerful. At times, Princess Coco tended to be a bit annoying. But her feelings of frustration are real and when the reader discovers why, they will become more understanding of this. For ages 10 and up.

Mary Lehmer, Youth Services Librarian, Freeport Community Library, Freeport, ME

three-stars

My Life as a Potato

My Life as a PotatoMy Life as a Potato by Arianne Costner, James Lancett
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on March 24, 2020
ISBN: 0593118669
Pages: 272
Genres: Humor
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Ben moves to a new school and is bummed- the school’s team are the Spuds, their mascot a potato. Ben  feels he has a potato curse because several bad things have happened to him and a potato of some sorts always seems to play a part. But when Ben gets in trouble things get worse, he is going to have to be the school mascot for part of the basketball season, and that means wearing a potato costume. Ben is so embarrassed he does everything he can to hide it from his parents and friends, which gets way more complicated than he planned. Lots of humor in here and middle school issues with some sports as well. The shenanigans Ben goes through to keep his mascot identity a secret are funny and understandable.  Filled with humor, middle school bullies and cliques and sports, this is a terrific read. Ages 9 and up. Cream

Mary Lehmer, Youth Services Librarian, Freeport Community Library, Freeport, ME

five-stars

Bloom

BloomBloom by Kenneth Oppel
on February 4, 2020
ISBN: 152477300X
Genres: Science Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

The Earth has been invaded by plants, and these plants not only out-compete Earth’s native plants for survival, they can use humans as a food source. No one knows how to stop them but on an island off of Canada, 3 teens are beginning to notice physical changes in their bodies when the plants arrive. And their changes might be the only thing that can stop the alien plants. This is a sci-fi, thriller, survival story. The plant aliens are brutal in here. The teens that are taking them on are cool too- and not perfect. Love the hint of the powers and what comes next. A series that will pull kids in. Ages 10 and up. Cream

Mary Lehmer, Youth Services Librarian, Freeport Community Library, Freeport, ME

five-stars

A Home for Goddesses and Dogs

A Home for Goddesses and DogsA Home for Goddesses and Dogs by Connor, Leslie
Published by Groundwood Books, HarperCollins, Katherine Tegen Books on February 25, 2020
ISBN: 006279678X
Pages: 385
Genres: Non-Fiction, Realistic Fiction
Format: Board Book, Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Lydia’s mom died of cancer recently. The 2 were very close and Lydia has so many memories, Especially of her mom being honest with Lydia about her disease and their creation of goddesses to celebrate things in their lives. Now she is living with her Aunt Brat and her wife Eileen, both have made her feel welcome but Lydia wants to make sure that she does everything right. The problem is the dog they adopt and want Lydia to love too, is a hand full and a dog that most people would find hard to love. There is humor in this story and tearful moments as well. The adopted dog (Guffer) is far from perfect, he is really awful and challenging, a dog that most people would not keep. But the way this new family works at that, their passions, humor and love, shine through to make things work. One of the best parts is the relationship between Lydia’s two aunts. It isn’t always perfect and there are arguments but the love they have for each other (and Eileen’s humor) keep the couple, and eventually Lydia and Guffer loved and grounded. Terrific book. Ages 9 and up. Cream.

Mary Lehmer, Youth Services Librarian, Freeport Community Library, Freeport, ME

five-stars

Nessie Quest

Nessie QuestNessie Quest by Melissa Savage
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on January 14, 2020
ISBN: 0525645675
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Mystery
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

It is necessary to reveal the spoiler first, this reader has been to Loch Ness and looked for Nessie.   All the same the character of Ada Ru is compelling and her interactions with other characters are enlightened.  Perhaps the fact that her mother is a therapist helps Ada Ru stay in touch with her feelings but it is her desire to learn and to become involved that move this book forward.  Other characters are equally exposed in terms of their weaknesses and loyalties but perhaps the most definitive individual is Hamish Bean better known as Captain Green Bean.  Not only is this an enchanted mystery for intermediate and middle school readers but there is pre-adolescent romance budding as well.  Lots of twist and turns risk blindsiding the reader making the end satisfactory to all readers.

It is recommended that middle school media specialist and public librarians find room on their shelves for this title.  There may be classroom teachers that would find this an appropriate read aloud as it reveals Scottish traditions, local language and geography.

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired librarian in Scarborough, ME

four-stars

Not So Pure and Simple

Not So Pure and SimpleNot So Pure and Simple by Lamar Giles
Published by HarperTeen on January 21, 2020
ISBN: 0062349198
Pages: 304
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Edgar Award-winner and founding member of We Need Diverse Books, Lamar Giles, steps away from mystery to write a YA romantic comedy; however, readers should not expect a typical love story. Giles takes the classic boy-gets-girl trope and tackles toxic masculinity and societal expectations to create an original love story that is fresh and honest. Del has a reputation as a ladies’ man, so when the girl he has a crush on volunteers to be part of the purity pledge group at Church, he shocks everyone by joining too. Del works under the false assumption, that if he is nice, girls will owe him something; so when that doesn’t work, Del is confused and angry. Luckily, Del has friends and family who will be brutally honest with him. As he begins to listen to their assessments of his behavior, he begins to be more honest with himself. At times it reads like a much-needed, how-to-manual for teen boys. Girls will shake their heads in recognition and laugh at the humor, but there will not be any revelations for them. Boys will be able to laugh along with Del and possibly even at themselves as Giles tackles serious coming-of-age themes. This book should be on the shelves of all libraries working with teens! Recommended for grades 8 and up. 

Elizabeth Andersen, Librarian, Westbrook High School

five-stars

Bent Heavens

Bent HeavensBent Heavens by Daniel Kraus
Published by Henry Holt & Company on February 25, 2020
ISBN: 1250151678
Pages: 291
Genres: Horror, Science Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

It has been a long time since a book made me wonder about aliens, but this sci-fi, horror story not only had me thinking, aliens infiltrated my dreams. Local high school English teacher and Drama advisor, Mr. Fleming, begins to act erratically, claiming to have been abducted by aliens, just before he disappears. After his disappearance, his daughter, Liv, is embarrassed and confused. She tries to rebrand herself as a popular athlete, but these changes are superficial and do not resolve Liv’s anger and sorrow. Her friendship with her childhood friend, Doug, is both her savior and her undoing. They still check the alien traps her father left in the backyard every Sunday. When an alien is caught in one of the traps, Liv must confront the fact that her father might not have been crazy. The story turns haunting when, in their fear and distress, Doug and Liv torture the alien. Both teens become increasingly angry when torture does not produce any answers. As Maya Angelou explained, “There’s a world of difference between truth and facts. Facts can obscure the truth.” As the truth is revealed, readers will question who is the real “monster” of the story. The plot of the story stays fast-paced, upsetting until the very end. Recommended for grades 9 and up. 

Elizabeth Andersen, Librarian, Westbrook High School

five-stars

To the Moon and Back for you

To the Moon and Back for youTo the Moon and Back for You by E.G. Keller, Emilia Bechrakis Serhant
Published by Random House ISBN: 0593173880
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

A mother’s joy is alive in the lovely text and the illustrations are amazing.   Certainly, any mother who has under gone medical assistance to become pregnant can identify.  While Kleenex may be needed to read the content, the pictures are bright and cheerful and will make the reader smile.  I only wish that lesbian mothers were included, perhaps in the Author’s Note where parents are described as mothers and fathers.

This is not a book that school media centers would purchase but it belongs in public libraries in the parenting collection.  A copy of To the Moon and Back for You would be an excellent gift for any mother who has undergone IVF procedures.

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

three-stars

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