Format: Chapter Book Fiction

Thirteen doorways Wolves behind them all

Thirteen doorways Wolves behind them allThirteen Doorways, Wolves Behind Them All by Laura Ruby
Published by Balzer + Bray on October 1, 2019
ISBN: 0062317644
Pages: 358
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This historical fiction novel with a paranormal twist is recommended for cream consideration. A Chicago orphanage is the setting in 1941 where a Sicilian-American teen named Francesca (Frankie) and her siblings are raised as their father abandons them by taking a new wife and moving to Colorado to better his financial situation.   Frankie fights to be independent of the painful and abandonment of her father through a brief, but poignant tryst with Sam who enlists and losses his life overseas.   This is historical fiction at its best with the added bonus of a ghost narrator.  The poverty of the times, the extreme pressures that females were placed under to survive and the race and cultural wrongs of the period are examined effortlessly through the vivid stories of  Frankie, the ghost and a variety of fleshed out secondary characters both human and spirit.  The book was a National Book Award 2019 Finalist.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Springvale Public Library

five-stars

Rise of the Dragon Moon

Rise of the Dragon MoonRise of the Dragon Moon by Gabrielle K. Byrne
Published by Imprint on August 6, 2019
ISBN: 1250195551
Pages: 320
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This fantasy with a strong, persistent female protagonist will appeal to readers in grades 4-7.  Twelve year old, Princess Anatolia (Toli) carries that guilt of believing she is the reason her father was killed a year ago by the dragons during the annual ceremonial offering to keep the Queendom of Gall safe.  When her mother the Queen of their frozen, glacier civilization is taken by the dragons, Princess Toli is left in charge with her mentors to prepare the Queendom for the Annual ceremonial offering.   With her sister and faithful friend looking out for her, they go on a quest to find the reasons behind the Dragon mother’s actions.  Finding a dragon egg and hatching it becomes the bargaining chip that Toli uses to negotiate  information from the dragons and safe passage.  She ultimately makes a princess-like sacrifice that bridges the two groups.  This is a darker fantasy that pulsates with emotions, betrayals, warrior actions and extreme weather conditions.   Dragon fans will swoop this one up.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Springvale Public Library

four-stars

Wishtree

WishtreeWishtree by Katherine Applegate
Published by Feiwel & Friends on January 8, 2019
Pages: 224
Genres: Animals
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This is published as a special edition for adults.
Wishtree is written from he point of view of Red, it is a 200 year old red oak and a neighborhood’s wishing tree. It is where kids and adults of the neighborhood deposit their wishes in the branches of the tree. 

Red cares about the people of the neighborhood, but is dismayed when a Muslin family moves to town and they receive a hostile reception. One boy even carves the word LEAVE into the trunk of the tree.

Through the perspective of Reds 200 years, the tree, with the help of birds and the animals intervenes and helps the children and adults gain compassion and kindness towards Samar and her family.

Reviewed by Melissa Madigan retired Youth Services Librarian

four-stars

I Hope You Get This Message

I Hope You Get This MessageI Hope You Get This Message by Farah Naz Rishi
Published by HarperTeen on October 22, 2019
ISBN: 0062741454
Pages: 420
Genres: Science Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

The Earth has received a message from outer space — that Earth is really an experimental colony and the superior beings that created Earth will destroy the planet due to it’s  failure. Life on earth will cease to exist in 9 days. Three teens are running out of time to face the mistakes in their lives — will they succeed before the end of the Earth. The readers of this well written and interesting twist in apocalyptic fiction,  will recognize the issues that are currently present in our society and will make one wonder if our path is not already in destructive mode.

Recommended for grades 8 and up. A great addition to those Sci-Fi-Fi shelves.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.

five-stars

Eve of Man

Eve of ManEve of Man (Eve of Man, #1) by Giovanna Fletcher, Tom Fletcher
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on June 18, 2019
ISBN: 1984830112
Pages: 451
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Thrilling and thought provoking this dystopian novel is a little different than other popular novels of its type.   Being the first of a trilogy for middle and high school readers this book originated in Great Britain a year before being published in the USA. Readers of the much-loved Hunger Games and Divergent series will find it of interest and cherish it for its differences.

Eve is a sixteen-year-old girl, the only girl to have been born in 50 years. She has lived a pampered yet isolated life and knows that she has no life choices. This story highlights controlled procreation, climate change, social uprising and male dominance.  At times the story line lags but readers will fast forgive as they get caught up in the imagery and a single positive relationship.

A better than good read for fantasy readers from grade 8 to adult. Eve of Man needs to find its way onto the public library YA shelves and middle school students will be pleased to find it in their school collection.  Readers will be anxious to check out the next two books in the trilogy.

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

four-stars

When She Reigns

When She ReignsWhen She Reigns (Fallen Isles, #3) by Jodi Meadows
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on September 10, 2019
ISBN: 0062469460
Pages: 528
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Who doesn’t love dragons? This is the 3rd and final book in a Young Adult Epic fantasy series.This trilogy centers around Mira Minkoba, a Hopebearer. Through out the series we see Mira fight for a different future than what everyone has planned for her. During her struggles she deals with anxiety issues and betrayal. This book does a great job of tidying up the ending for MOST of the Characters. My favorite part of this book has to be the Dragons! I would recommend this book for ages 13-19. I now have the entire trilogy for our Young Adult collection.

Reviewed by Sophie Gagnon, Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta

four-stars

I Can Make This Promise

I Can Make This PromiseI Can Make This Promise by Christine Day
Published by Harper, HarperCollins, Quill Tree Books on October 1, 2019
ISBN: 0062871994
Pages: 272
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Family relationships and historical influences are the main subjects of this well written novel.  As a young teen Edie finds some letters in the attic that shed light on her heritage.  Not wanted to challenge her mother our protagonist turns to her friends.  This story reveals some historical facts concerning Native People in the Seattle WA area.  Decimation and family separation by immoral government personal is revealed to Edie and the reader.  The only difficulty with this text is the interactions between mother and daughter seem unrealistic.

This novel will be appreciated by school librarians and intermediate history teachers.  Young readers are bound to enjoy the character interactions and the emotional content.  Public librarians will want to add this book to their collections.

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

four-stars

Stand on the sky

Stand on the skyStand on the Sky by Erin Bow
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt on March 5, 2019
ISBN: 1328557464
Pages: 330
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Aisulu and her brother, Serik live in Mongolia with their Kazakh nomadic family. Aisulu breaks tradition by becoming an eagle hunter since Serik’s fate has been drastically altered. Aisulu raises and trains an orphaned baby golden eagle. She has much to learn about eagle hunting with her horse. She is helped by her extended family and determined to help her own family that moves to the city because of her brother, Serik’s illness. Winning an eagle hunting competition that offers prize money will allow the family to continue their nomadic way of life. Aisulu is determined to win. The author completed extensive research and lived with a family of eagle hunters. The descriptions of the eagles, animals, people, clothing, landscape, traditions, food, and dwellings are colorful and rich. The story moves quickly from the first page to the ending. The blend of traditional and current modern lifestyles is fascinating. There is a glossary consisting of terms and phrases, family members and others with the meaning of their names, and an author’s note. I highly recommend this novel for reader for ages 10 and up. The second sentence of the book has a typo. Kris Zuidema, retired school librarian, Standish
Recommend for Cream of the Crop

five-stars

Banjo

BanjoBanjo by Graham Salisbury
Published by Wendy Lamb Books on October 8, 2019
ISBN: 0375842640
Pages: 224
Genres: Animals, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Danny is a twelve year old rodeo star who lives with his father, older brother, and his border collie, Banjo on a ranch in Oregon. Banjo is shot and wounded by neighbor boys who accuse him of attacking their sheep. Danny knows that Banjo would never do this. The father of the boys who shot Banjo informs Danny and his father that Banjo must be put down. Danny and his father know this is what must happen when a dog attacks livestock. Danny has to make a heartbreaking decision. Another character in the book is Meg. She crosses Banjo’s path and eventually Danny’s path. The story is told by Danny and Meg. This realistic story about the bond that people develop with animals is engaging. It is heartbreaking and heartwarming. It is about trust, loyalty, and determination. The author makes the setting come alive with descriptions of rodeos and life on a ranch. The characters are well developed and grow with the story.
I highly recommend this book for ages 10-14. 5 stars Kris Zuidema, retired school librarian, Standish
Recommend for Cream of the Crop

five-stars

Warrior of the Wild

Warrior of the WildWarrior of the Wild by Tricia Levenseller
Published by Feiwel & Friends on February 26, 2019
ISBN: 1250189942
Pages: 329
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This Viking inspired fantasy is told through Rasmira’s eyes and thoughts. She is eighteen years old and the youngest of six daughters. Her father is the leader of the village and has planned that Rasmira will inherit his position. She is the only female being trained as a warrior and when the final test takes place she is betrayed. She is forced to go into the Wild to complete an impossible task. The Wild is full of monsters, the god that she must slay in order to redeem herself, and others she is surprised to find there. It is rapidly paced and full of adventure. There is humor, romance, and some gore. I highly recommend this for readers 14 and older. Reviewed by Kris Zuidema, retired school librarian, Standish

four-stars