A Study in Drowning

February 1, 2024February 1, 2024

A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid
Published by HarperTeen on September 19, 2023
ISBN: 0063211505
Pages: 378
Genres: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Folklore, Magical Realism
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Ava Reid’s YA debut is an atmospheric, dreamy fantasy that dances the line between what is real and what is believed to be real.

Effy Sayre is one of the highest scoring students ever to enter the Llyrian University, but, as a woman, she is not allowed to study literature, so she ends up in the Architecture college instead. Lonely and unhappy, she seeks solace in her well-worn pages of Angharad, Emrys Myrddin’s epic masterpiece about the love between a mortal girl and the bewitching – but malicious – fairy king. When Myrddin dies, a contest is announced to redesign his estate. A contest which Effy, a first-year architecture student, inexplicably wins. She travels far south, to the most distant reaches of the land, where she finds herself isolated by geography, superstition, and land-swallowing storms. Her host is the son of Myrddin, and it is clear he is harboring a dark secret. Effy’s only ally is a fellow student from the university, there with his own secret mission, of proving Myrddin a fraud. Together they peel back layer upon layer of the mystery behind Angharad, and, in turn, Effy herself, who it turns out had her own brush with the Fairy King as a child, and has been stalked by him ever since.

Drowning is in turns creepy, desolate, disturbing, deeply magical, and fascinating. Two threads to be aware of: there is an oft-referred to incident of abuse at the hands of a professor that happened just before the beginning of the story. Also, Effy’s mother believes she is mentally unstable and forces her to take meds to control her visions and anxieties – both of which she ultimately discovers to be real, and the result of her lifelong entanglement with the Fairy King.

Perfect for fans of fantasy that draws on dark magical themes while having one foot in a recognizable world, such as Melissa Albert’s Hazel Wood. A great addition to library shelves.

5 stars

Reviewed by: Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library, Augusta

Three Tasks for a Dragon

February 1, 2024February 2, 2024

Three Tasks for a Dragon by Eoin Colfer, P.J. Lynch
Published by Candlewick ISBN: 1536229997
Genres: Fairy Tale
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Upon his father’s death, Prince Lir’s evil-villain of a step-brother Delbayne neatly tricks him into undertaking a dangerous quest, sure that Prince Lir will perish in the process, and the kingdom will be his. The studious and caring young prince has been tasked with – he believes – saving a hapless maiden from a fearsome dragon. In truth, Delbayne has sent the maiden to the dragon’s island as bait, and magicked the dragon into compliance.

But things do not go as planned – the maiden is no helpless girl, nor is she discontented with her lot on the dragon’s island. And the dragon, while truly fearsome, has resisted full enchantment by Delbayne. Prince Lir invokes his right, as a Questor, to perform three tasks for the dragon to win the maiden, rather than fighting to the death, and the dragon, intrigued, agrees.

The three tasks are done; the dragon is pleased; Lir and the girl, Cethlenn, have become friends. Delbayne hears that his plan has failed and launches a second attack, which is foiled by the three allies, at considerable cost. But all does not end there; dark years pass before the poignant and beautiful ending of this tale.

A gorgeously illustrated, wholly original fairy tale with a subtle but pleasing feminist slant. Language and storyline are middle grade; this book might need some hand selling due to it presenting like a (very thick) picture book at first, but the author’s fame will help to promote it.

Highly recommend. 5 stars, cream.

Reviewed by: Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library, Augusta

Tethered to Other Stars

January 31, 2024January 31, 2024

Tethered to Other Stars by Elisa Stone Leahy
Published by Quill Tree on October 3, 2023
ISBN: 0063255480
Pages: 313
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Wendy just wants to keep her head down as she starts her new school. Her family has moved because many of their friends – including her best friend and her brother’s girlfriend – were recently detained by ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents. Unfortunately, Wendy finds it hard to stay invisible between her friend Etta who wants to loudly protest for human – and immigrants’ – rights and becoming the target of bullies. With a woman seeking sanctuary in the church next door and the charming bully stealing her science fair project, things begin to heat up. Wendy starts to question her family’s desperate need to lay low as her brother starts attending rallies. While at times challenging and disturbing to read – especially reading about the mistreatment immigrants face in our country – it is nonetheless hopeful. This middle grade novel is timely and may be of interest in our Maine communities welcoming New Mainers. While well-written and engaging, it does not quite rise to the level of cream of the crop.

Reviewed by Karen Sandlin Silverman, Mt. Ararat Middle School, Topsham

Gnome is Where Your Heart Is

January 31, 2024January 31, 2024

Gnome Is Where Your Heart Is by Casey Lyall
ISBN: 0063239825
Genres: Science Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Lemon decides this is the summer she will make contact with Gnemo, the gnome-like alien that her grandfather met thirty years ago. If only she could find Gnemo and also figure out how to evade the nurse guarding the door at her grandfather’s nursing home. When she discovers Gnemo and her crew have actually crash-landed in the woods, she must convince her friends to help her make contact. Reminiscent of Leonard, My Life as a Cat, this science fiction gem explores family relationships – especially when family members are stuck in their ways and beliefs. The author also tells a poignant story about grief and loss – especially when families are dealing with Alzheimer’s. This book is perfect for middle grade readers, especially readers who profess not to like science fiction. While delightful and innovative, it does not quite rise to the level of cream of the crop. The mushroom storyline was a little confusing and the gnome joke spread out over an entire novel verged on the silly.

Reviewed by Karen Sandlin Silverman, Mt. Ararat Middle School, Topsham

The Queens of New York

January 29, 2024

The Queens of New York by E.L. Shen
on June 6, 2023
ISBN: 0063237954
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“The Queens of New York” is a young adult novel by author E. L. Shen. The book follows three Asian-American best friends going off and doing different things for the summer. Chapters change between Jia, Ariel, and Everett as each experience the summer in New York City, San Francisco, and Ohio. Shen believably portrays the teens and themes of friendship and personal growth. The three teens face pressure, racism, and grief, but their friendship helps them persevere. A recommended purchase for library Teen/YA collections where realistic fiction is popular.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.

The Improbable Tales of Baskerville Hall

January 18, 2024

The Improbable Tales of Baskerville Hall by Ali Standish
ISBN: 0063275570
Pages: 310
Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“Arthur hadn’t known what he had set in motion the afternoon back in Edinburgh… One never knew where one’s choices might lead. All one could do was make the right choice in the moment.” A chance encounter between a young Arthur Conan Doyle and a mysterious man begins this adventure tale of mystery, secret societies, science fiction, and a little fantasy. Arthur is whisked off to a secret school for brilliant young minds called Baskerville Hall. Together with a familiar crew of friends (and enemies) he must follow the clues to keep the truth from falling into the wrong hands.

This novel is one that keeps readers guessing right up to the end. Those familiar with the Sherlock Holmes series and characters will truly appreciate the creativity that went into weaving this tale, while those not acquainted with the world of Holmes could become lost. Standish has partnered with the Conan Doyle estate for the creation of this series. Fans of Harry Potter and The Mysterious Benedict Society will enjoy this multilayered historical mystery filled with intricate details and nods to Doyle’s real life childhood. Recommended for readers aged nine to fourteen.

Reviewed by Heidi Kopishke, Camden Hills Regional High School (ESVM Library), Rockport, ME.

The Labors of Hercules Beal

January 17, 2024

The Labors of Hercules Beal by Gary D. Schmidt
Published by Clarion Books on May 23, 2023
ISBN: 0358659639
Pages: 352
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

A heartwarming, genuine, miraculous middle grade novel that will nestle its way into your heart. When the Beal brothers lose their parents in a car accident, life is shaken up. Older brother Achilles abandons his job traveling the world to write for magazines, returning home to run Beal Brothers Farm and Nursery, and 12-year-old Hercules must leave public middle school to attend the Cape Cod Academy for Environmental Sciences, which is much closer to home. Both characters are struggling with grief and loss, but the book is told exclusively in Hercules’s voice as he navigates the new normal. When Hercules’s teacher Mr. Hupfer, a retired marine lieutenant colonel, creates a full-year assignment specifically designed for each student in his class, Hercules is, naturally, assigned the 12 labors of the mythical demigod.

Perplexed about how he can possibly complete the labors in a mortal world, Hercules proceeds slowly. This is where Schmidt’s masterful plotting steps in. As Hercules lives his life and faces challenges that are presented to him, he finds connection with one labor after another, but not in a completely obvious way. Mr. Hupfer requires that each student write a reflection on their project as they complete steps and tasks. These short reflections followed by the feedback from Hupfer are the heart of the book. The reader travels with Hercules, watching as he recognizes his inner strength, accepts help from his community, and gains insight into his brother’s life and heart. He also learns to let go of the intense survivor’s guilt and find peace. A beautiful book with moments of heart-stopping action, humor, sadness, sweetness, and light.

Recommend for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Middle School

Cage of Dreams

January 17, 2024

Cage of Dreams (City of Nightmares Duology, 2) by Rebecca Schaeffer
on September 26, 2023
ISBN: 0358645549
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

“Cage of Dreams” by Rebecca Schaeffer is the second and final book in the “City of Nightmares” YA fiction duology. The premise in “City of Nightmares” is that when people go to sleep and dream, they can turn into their worst fear, including monsters, giant insects, and other terrifying things. By the end of the first book the main character, Ness, has discovered that the Nightmare Phantom creating these nightmares in dreams is trapped in the dream realm, so she makes a deal and releases him. Now at the beginning of the second book, Ness is still terrified of the violence in this post-apocalyptic world and wants to make a deal with the Nightmare Phantom to make her more powerful and less vulnerable. Things go wrong and chaos ensues.

The book is both scary and humorous with lots of little quips from Ness and the other characters. Themes of friendship, acceptance, fear, and strength are strong in the series and Ness comes to terms with who they are and how they fit with their friends and in this terrifying world in general. Written for teens and young adults, this is a recommended purchase where the first book is popular.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.

Rez Ball

January 12, 2024

Rez Ball by Byron Graves
on September 12, 2023
ISBN: 0063160374
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

“Rez Ball” is a young adult novel by debut author Byron Graves (Ojibwe) about a teen from Red Lake Nation Reservation who wants to succeed at basketball. Tre’s brother was a basketball star, but died in an accident, so Tre feels driven to follow in his footsteps and beyond, to become a player in the NBA. Tre has to deal with grief, racism, and general teen high school issues. It’s clear that Graves knows what he writes about and the main character and his family and friends have a lot of depth. Exploring the themes of bereavement and figuring out who you are, this is a recommended purchase for all YA collections.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.

Ryan and Avery

January 11, 2024

Ryan and Avery by David Levithan
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers on September 12, 2023
ISBN: 0399553096
Pages: 320
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

As the kid from The Princess Bride movie would put it, Ryan and Avery by David Levithan is a kissing book. The omniscient third person narrator starts the novel by showing us Ryan and Avery’s fourth date where they are very much already smitten with each other. The story floats between earlier and later dates allowing us to witness their improbable beginning and the mostly parental obstacles trying to keep them apart. Their love is simple and innocent, but Levithan never shies away from the harder parts of teenage life, so it may be helpful to let your patrons know that there are mentions and instances of homophobia, transphobia, and eating disorders.

The narrator spends more time soliloquizing about love than developing the characters or plot in the beginning chapters, so this should only be recommended to serious fans of the romance genre. Non-romance readers could get cavities from how earnestly sweet this love story is at times. This book could also be recommended to parents whose queer teens are starting to date as it demonstrates the difference between logical boundaries placed with love and irrational rules imposed with fear. That being said, Ryan and Avery reads like a contemporary fairy-tale romance and would be a lovely spoonful of sugar in YA collections that too often focus on the harder aspects of queer youth experiences.

Reviewed by Ivy Burns, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth