Frankie and Friends: Breaking News

January 2, 2024January 17, 2024

Frankie and Friends: Breaking News by Alea Marley, Christine Platt
Series: Frankie and Friends #1
Published by Walker Books on October 10, 2023
ISBN: 1536222097
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
two-stars

Frankie’s mother is a famous journalist who has to travel for work to cover important events. While she is gone, Frankie, a budding journalist, decides to work on a broadcast of her own. With the help of her dolls and toys, Frankie goes undercover and then does a human interest story with her older sister to share what she learned. This early chapter book would be good for kids who are interested in learning about journalism. New terms are explained within the text and there is a glossary in narrative form at the end of the book with explicit definitions. The size of this book, larger font, and thicker glossy pages lends itself more as an early reader, but the vocabulary, content matter, and the amount of text makes the audience of this book a little older. The colorful, expressive illustrations break up the text and add visual interest for readers. The dialogue at times doesn’t seem realistic and the book seems very didactic, but the camaraderie between the sisters and the broadcast they make together brings the story to a satisfying conclusion.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

Champion of Fate

December 29, 2023

Champion of Fate (Heromaker, #1) by Kendare Blake
on September 19, 2023
ISBN: 0062977202
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

“Champion of Fate” is the first book in Kendare Blake’s Heromaker young adult fantasy series. It follows Reed, an orphan who is selected to try out for the Order of Aristene, a group of immortal and very powerful female warriors, similar to Amazons. She must guide a hero as part of her first trial, but if she fails, she must leave the group. There is obvious chemistry between Reed and the hero she must guide to glory, Hestion, but Aristene are forbidden from making bonds with regular humans. The idea of fate and whether it’s worth attempting to change it if it goes against your beliefs is a clear message in the book. Written for older teens and young adults, this is a recommended purchase for YA fantasy collections.

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

The Stupendous Switcheroo: New Powers Every 24 Hours

December 29, 2023

The Stupendous Switcheroo: New Powers Every 24 Hours by Chad Sell, Mary Winn Heider
ISBN: 0593427300
Genres: Science Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

The first book in “The Stupendous Switcheroo” series, “New Powers Every 24 Hours,” is a combination graphic and prose novel written by Mary Winn Heider and illustrated by Chad Sell. The book starts with our main character waking up with unexpected superpowers. Deciding to become a superhero, they call the headquarters of their favorite superhero, Vin Valor to see if he needs any super help. They do! The Stupendous Switcheroo learns that becoming a superhero isn’t easy, especially when your powers change every day.

Part adventure, part mystery, middle grade readers will enjoy the humor and excitement as well as the black, white, and teal illustrations throughout the book. Aimed at readers age 8 to 12, this book is a recommended purchase wherever mixed graphic/prose middle grade books (similar to “Diary of a Wimpy Kid”) are popular.

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

The Lost Galumpus

December 22, 2023January 17, 2024

The Lost Galumpus by Joseph Helgerson, Udayana Lugo
Published by Clarion Books on January 10, 2023
ISBN: 0358415225
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

During the biggest blizzard in memory, a possum named Gilly is given the daunting task of returning a creature none of the animals in Theodore Wirth Park have ever seen before to his unknown home. While making plans to help the lost creature they’ve named a galumpus, the group encounter a teaching robot from the future. The robot informs the animals their galumpus is a wooly mammoth from the past who was mistakenly pulled through a time portal, and that time is limited before the portal they were transported through closes permanently. To further complicate matters, the mammoth is being hunted by three cavemen from his home as part of a prehistoric coming-of-age ceremony. The story follows the group’s challenges as they attempt to guide the time-traveling visitors back to the portal.

The simple black ink drawings throughout the book add an engaging visual element that contrasts with an otherwise overly complicated story. Although Gilly is a charming narrator, the slow pacing, disjointed storytelling, and repetitive arguing between the characters may turn away readers interested in other fantasy titles of similar length. Overall, this is an average tale for readers between the ages 8-12 who enjoy prolonged fantasies featuring animal narrators with mild conflict.

Reviewed by Sarah Hartje, Lewiston Public Library, Lewiston

Actually Super

December 18, 2023

Actually Super by Adi Alsaid
ISBN: 0593375807
Genres: Science Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

“Actually Super” by Adi Alsaid is a young adult fiction novel. Protagonist Isabel is a high schooler who is depressed by how things are going in the world. She hears about potential “superheroes” that exists and decides to leave school to find them and see if they are using their powers to help solve the world’s problems. Her friends Sam and Chio agree to meet with Isabel in a year in Mexico, but when Isabel doesn’t show up, they start looking for her. The book switches between Isabel during her yearlong search for supers and Clio and Sam looking for Isabel in the present.

Themes of good and evil versus a more grey and nuanced reality will resonate with teens and young adults as Isabel meets up with potential superheroes and discovers their truth. Plot moves a little slowly at times and the switching of narrators and time is occasionally confusing. A recommended supplemental purchase for young adult collections.

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

The Homecoming War

December 12, 2023

The Homecoming War (Underlined) by Addie Woolridge
ISBN: 0593568664
Genres: Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
The Homecoming War by Addie Woolridge is a heartfelt, grounded high school romance. When rival schools are forced to merge – chaos ensues, and it is the responsibility of the school’s respective junior high presidents (Meg and Chris) to unite the schools. Their chemistry is undeniable from the start, but if they move too fast the fragile truce they have built between the schools could crumble…

The diverse cast of lived-in characters fit perfectly in their central California setting. The escalating pranks were at times far-fetched, but everything else about the plot, characters, and setting were refreshingly authentic. This clean romance (only kissing) was a slow burn that was well worth the wait, but the real treasure at the emotional heart of this novel is what it has to say about grief. The Homecoming War’s themes of letting go, having fun, and prioritizing your happiness are perfect for all current and former overachievers. If you have a lot of romance readers in your library, this is a great addition!

Reviewed by Ivy Burns, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

Alice Atherton’s Grand Tour

December 11, 2023January 17, 2024

Alice Atherton’s Grand Tour Alice Atherton's Grand Tour by Lesley M.M. Blume
Published by Alfred A. Knopf on 10/10/2023
ISBN: 0553536818
Pages: 208
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars
Alice Atherton’s father sends Alice to France to spend the summer with some dear friends and their children. He is hoping that being around this eccentric family will help Alice find joy after her mother’s death from scarlet fever. As part of the children’s summer lessons, Mr. and Mrs. Murphy arrange for Alice and their three children to make art with Pablo Picasso, dance with the Ballets Russes, and go on a treasure hunt with F. Scott Fitzgerald. Through these adventures, Alice grieves for her mother but also starts living with happiness again. When Alice’s father picks her up at the end of the summer, he is thrilled with the changes he sees in his daughter. Elementary school readers will enjoy this imaginative historical fiction novel; it would also make a good classroom read aloud. Backmatter includes short biographies about the famous historical figures the children meet in the story. Although not a must have, this sweet story of ingenuity and resilience would make a great addition to any library.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

Mr. Whiskers and the Shenanigan Sisters

December 6, 2023January 17, 2024

Mr. Whiskers and the Shenanigan Sisters by Wendelin Van Draanen
Published by Alfred A. Knopf on October 2, 2023
ISBN: 0593644301
Genres: Humor, Mystery
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars
Zelda and Misty’s father, a professor, has been kidnapped by people claiming to be FBI agents. Mr. Whiskers, the local stray dog , witnesses this and follows the car. What ensues is a light-hearted mystery as Mr. Whiskers teams up with the Shenanigan sisters to unravel the puzzle of who kidnapped the professor and why. This book is narrated by Mr. Whiskers and readers will no doubt enjoy his personality, as the author has given him a unique voice that makes him easy to distinguish from the human characters. Readers who like puns will be entertained by this novel as it is full of dog related word play and humor. The pace of this novel is quick as the trio frequently discover new clues that lead them in and out of danger. This novel is ideal for readers in 2nd-4th grade who like mysteries that aren’t scary or dark. Not a must-have, but still an enjoyable, light book to add to the collection.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

The Puppets of Spelhorst: a Norendy Tale

December 5, 2023

The Puppets of Spelhorst: a Norendy Tale The Puppets of Spelhorst (The Norendy Tales) by Julie Morstad, Kate DiCamillo
Published by Candlewick Press on October 10, 2023
Pages: 149
Genres: Fairy Tale
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Early Reader
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars
Told with DiCamillo’s trademark elegant simplicity and wit, this first in a series of original fairy tales will not disappoint her many fans.

Five friends, puppets all: a king, a wolf, a girl, a boy, and an owl, are taken from a shop window and become part of a Story. They are at first together in their story, which takes them by a roundabout route to the home of two young girls, before each has an adventure of their own – sometimes gently harrowing – before they are happily reunited. DiCamillo creates wonder in simple pleasures such as a rising moon, and a song, and a puppet show that magically reflects life.

Chapters are short, and black and white pencil drawings by Julie Morstad beautifully illustrate the text. Text is straightforward enough for a reader of short chapter books, but never feels like it is being simplified. It would also make a lovely read-aloud for slightly older children who do not need an illustration on every page to remain engaged.

5 Stars

Reviewed by Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library, Augusta

Her Radiant Curse

December 5, 2023

Her Radiant Curse (Legends of Lor'yan) by Elizabeth Lim
Published by Alfred A. Knopf on August 29, 2023
ISBN: 0593300998
Pages: 416
Genres: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Folklore
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars
This prequel to Lim’s bestselling Six Crimson Cranes duology tells the story of Channi, who is offered up by her father in sacrifice to the Demon Witch when she is two years old to save her mother, on her deathbed after birthing a second daughter.

But it is not Channi that the Demon wants; it is Vanna, newly born and somehow in possession of half of a dragon pearl, which gives her otherworldly, radiant beauty, and a magical ability to charm everyone in her orbit. The Demon, who possesses the other half of the broken pearl and desires the power of both together, curses Channi with the face of a serpent. The only way to break the curse, she tells Channi, is to sacrifice Vanna. She will return on Vanna’s 17^th birthday to collect her prize.

Chianni is determined to save her beloved sister, and that sets the course of her life. When the time comes, Chianni must use every part of her physical and mental power to rescue Vanna from the Demon, setting off a chain of intrigue, battles, alliances formed and destroyed, and a (very light) potential for romance. But behind everything she does lurks the demon’s cursed promise: one sister must fall for the other to rise.

Fans of the Six Crimson Cranes duology will love this well written, fast paced and original backstory, set in the same mythological Asian world of Lor’yan. Channi figures in that duology as the much reviled, but ultimately heroic stepmother, and other significant characters in this tale will be familiar as well. Readers will be glad to have this satisfying tale to round out the series. A must-have for any library with the duology already on the shelf; but also a worthwhile purchase for anyone to boost their fantasy collection. It is a fine stand-alone, or could be read before the previously published books; either way it will certainly gain Lim more fans.

Reviewed by Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library, Augusta