Format: Chapter Book Fiction

The Secret Commonwealth: The Book of Dust

The Secret Commonwealth: The Book of DustThe Secret Commonwealth (The Book of Dust, #2) by Philip Pullman
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers on October 3, 2019
ISBN: 0553510665
Pages: 633
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

The second book of The Book of Dust series jumps to twenty years after the first was written. Lyra is now a young woman in her twenties. Pan, her daemon, witnesses a murder, while he was away from her and now their are involved in a plot that could destroy the world as they know it. The quest for the origins of the mysterious rose oil and why those searching for it are disappearing lead Lyra, Pan, and Malcolm on adventures throughout  the Middle East.

Need to read the first in the series to have the background history of the main characters and some of the new characters that are introduced. Interesting plots and political twists  that will leave many teens behind. Recommended for advanced readers and adults. Stay tuned though for a third book.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.

 

four-stars

The Rookie Trap

The Rookie TrapThe Rookie Trap by Chris Kreie
Published by Darby Creek (Tm) on August 1, 2019
ISBN: 1541556844
Pages: 120
Genres: Mystery
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Molly has moved again and is thrilled to make the varsity soccer team in her new hometown. Midfielding is her dream and plans on being the best. Coach asked her before practice to go to the equipment shed and grab something for her and it was the scare of Molly’s life. Guess what — her new teammates forgot to warn the new girl of the team’s curse.

Well written, an easy read for those reluctant readers. Has a good combination of sports with a little bit of the paranormal thrown in. 

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.

 

five-stars

Star-Crossed

Star-CrossedStar-Crossed by Loren Bailey
Published by Darby Creek (Tm) on August 1, 2019
ISBN: 1541556909
Pages: 112
Genres: Science Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Androids have just become legalized as humans. Now schools and neighborhoods are being integrated. In their Junior year, everyone is required to take the Android/Human Relations class. Alyssa, human, and Reid, Android, are paired up to do an assignment on getting to know each other and their cultures. Definitely isn’t starting very well, with neither of them talking to each other, but soon things change, that makes Alyssa and Reid do a lot of thinking.

Grades 6 and up. Great easy read that will interest even those determined not to read. 

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.

 

five-stars

Stripes of the Sidestep Wolf

Stripes of the Sidestep WolfStripes of the Sidestep Wolf by Sonya Hartnett
Published by Candlewick Press (MA) ISBN: 1536208825
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Satchel’s world is dying and he refuses to admit it or even leave it. When his only friend, Leroy, moves out of town, that leaves Moke, Satchel’s dog, and Chelsea, Leroy’s sister who is an emotional wreck, as his only remaining friends.

Believing that Satchel has seen a Thylacine or Tasmanian Tiger that has been extinct for hundreds of years, Chelsea tries to convince him that this could be their way out of their dying worlds. Together they both discover what is right for themselves and the directions they must go.

Well written with the setting in Australia. Represents the dying rural towns that can be found all around and the decisions that the people of these worlds have to make in order to survive. Recommended for grades 10 and up.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.

 

five-stars

Unpregnant

UnpregnantUnpregnant by Jenni Hendriks, Ted Caplan
Published by HarperTeen on September 10, 2019
ISBN: 0062876244
Pages: 320
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

What do you do when the pregnancy test comes back positive, the school weirdo is the one that knows your secret and to top it off, Kevin, the wonderful boyfriend, already suspected that you were pregnant, because he put holes in the condom for what reason — he didn’t want her to go to Brown in the fall!!

All of thing leads into a hilarious road to trip from Missouri to New Mexico, where Veronica can get an abortion and be back before her parents are any wiser and Bailey, she justs wants to Roswell. This novel wonderfully brings up topics that are difficult with a sense of humor and the respect of individual rights. Recommended for grades 9 and up.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford high School, Biddeford.

 

Cream of the Crop

 

five-stars

Michigan vs. the Boys

Michigan vs. the BoysMichigan vs. the Boys by Carrie S. Allen
Published by Kids Can Press on October 1st 2019
ISBN: 1525301489
Pages: 304
Goodreads
four-stars

This book faces many issues associated with team sports in the high school environment.   Although not subtle Allen outlines some of the more frightening aspects of competition.  Michigan is a skilled ice hockey player on her girl’s hockey team but the high school just cut that team.  In spite of harassment and taunting she joins the boy’s team where the situation gets more difficult.  This book goes beyond a typical sports book, it delves into serious issues of bullying and sexual intimidation.

Michigan vs. the Boys is well written as it depicts situations that no athletic director wants to see in their school.   Coaches should be made aware of this title and librarians will want to included it on the shelves of high school media centers.  Gift to both female and male athletics.

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

four-stars

My Jasper June

My Jasper JuneMy Jasper June by Laurel Snyder
Published by Walden Pond Press on September 3rd 2019
ISBN: 0062836625
Pages: 304
Goodreads
four-stars

Summer arrives but Leah is bored and lonely since she is not going to camp this year.  Enter a refreshing new girl to the community who emits self-confidence and exhibits a sense of personal freedom.   This book is powerful as it goes beyond typical teen friendship to reveal some serious situations.  Readers will be surprised twice by twist that are not expected even as they are enchanted by the quality of real friendship.  The only weakness is the under development of Leah’s parents.

My Jasper June does have a magical quality and will appeal to mostly7th and 8th grade girls.  Public and middle school librarians will want to add this book to their collection.  School social workers may find the runaway and family loss themes helpful for their students.

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired librarian in Scarborough, ME

four-stars

The Tornado

four-stars

Bell is being bullied by Parker at school. He has devised a strategy to help stop the bullying- avoid Parker at all costs. He tried to tell the principal about it and so did his parents, but the principal is Parker’s dad and he just can’t see/believe what Parker is doing. But then a new student joins the school and Parker has a new target which Bell knows is wrong but can’t help feeling relieved. The humor in here was good and the bullying very real. Also the turning on friends or just not standing up for them to avoid being bullied is something lots of kids will relate too. Bells parents were a big plus in this book, their roll is minor but it added quite a bit. Not quite as good as Burt’s other books, as Good as Greetings from Witness Protection or The Right Hook of Devin Velma, but still good. Grades 4 and up

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

four-stars

Cog

five-stars

COG is an android. He was developed on the sly by Gina, a programmer that wanted to make a robot that could learn and grow with the experiences it had. The company that hired Gina,  uniMIND, has other ideas and want the android for themselves. COG is going to have use all of his experiences to out smart uniMIND and escape them. This is a great sci-fi book for a younger reader. It has a few pictures, (wish it had more), that add to the book. COG’s dilemma  about what to do and how to go about doing it were action filled at times, other times creative and sometimes funny. Each of the robots/androids had a quirk and unique personality that made the story. Grades 4 and up

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

 

five-stars

The Year We Fell From Space

The Year We Fell From SpaceThe Year We Fell From Space by A.S. King
Published by Arthur A. Levine Books on October 15th 2019
ISBN: 1338236369
Pages: 272
Goodreads
four-stars

Liberty loves everything about constellations and she knows so much about them. She often goes out at night to look at them. One night when she is outside she sees a meteorite crash into the forest behind their cabin. She is super excited about it, but on that same night, something awful happens, her dad moves out and her parents end up getting divorced. This book deals with depression in a parent and the impact it can have on their children. Liberty tries to shoulder a lot of the taking care of people in her family because of this, but it affects her and her life in ways she can’t see until she gets help. The story also explores the fears a child might have in a family with depression that they too might have depression. There is a list of resources at the back of the book on where to get help and learn about depression. Grades 5 and up

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

 

four-stars