Format: Chapter Book Fiction

Anya and the Dragon

Anya and the DragonAnya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack
Published by Versify on September 24th 2019
ISBN: 0358006074
Pages: 416
Goodreads
four-stars

Anya lives in a village and shares the area in and around the village magical creatures live. The czar sends one of his men to capture a dragon he thinks is in her village. Anya agrees to help because it pays well and she need the money. But, as the hunt progresses ,she begins to wonder if capturing a dragon is really the right thing to do. The beginning seemed a bit slow which might cause some readers to not want to finish the story. Also, the number of unusual names of many of the characters were kind of tough to keep straight. But once Anya is part of the posse hunting the dragon, the story was quite good. A nice twist or two in here as well. For grades 4 and up.

 

Mary Lehmer, Youth Services Librarian, Freeport Community Library.

four-stars

Unicorn and Yeti Sparkly New Friends

Unicorn and Yeti Sparkly New FriendsSparkly New Friends (Unicorn and Yeti, #1) by Heather Ayris Burnell, Hazel Quintanilla
Published by Scholastic Inc. on April 30th 2019
ISBN: 1338329014
Pages: 64
Goodreads
three-stars

Unicorn and Yeti are friends. The two have 3 adventures in this early chapter book for young readers. In one they search for something sparkly, in another they find more about each other and in another they have a friendly snowball fight. Each page is filled with colorful fun drawings. The book is not a graphic novel but has the feel of one. A good book for young readers that like humor, fantasy and unicorns. For kindergarten and up.

 

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

three-stars

My Life as a Meme

My Life as a MemeMy Life as a Meme (My Life, #8) by Janet Tashjian, Jake Tashjian
Published by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) on April 2nd 2019
ISBN: 1250196574
Pages: 256
Goodreads
three-stars

This is the eighth book in the “My Life” series, and it will continue to amuse its young fans. Derek has broken his phone (again!) but keeps the information from his parents, so he can go on a dog-sitting vacation to a beach house in Malibu. As expected, the trip soon turns into a mayhem, complete with a wildfire and a forced evacuation. But when someone Derek barely knows makes a meme that makes fun of Derek …well… what else is there to do but retaliate?

The story is formulaic. Here’s the thing: kids won’t care. It’s a fun little story with a topical storyline. Kids who know the series will enjoy this latest installment. Grades 3 and up.

Reviewed by Kelly Greenlee, Prince Memorial Library, Cumberland

three-stars

The Library of Ever

The Library of EverThe Library of Ever by Zeno Alexander
Published by Imprint on April 30th 2019
ISBN: 1250169178
Pages: 191
Goodreads
four-stars

This time-travelling fantasy novel is reminiscent of such classics as A Wrinkle in Time or The Phantom Tollbooth, but will delight the younger reader with its whirlwind pacing that whisks young Lenora to wildly different worlds in seemingly every chapter. After stumbling through a mysterious archway in her local library, Lenora is suddenly thrust into a new position as an apprentice librarian in the most fantastic library within imagination, with vast corridors and passageways that transcend time and space. The fanciful imagery will transport the reader to all corners of the imagination. Whether its resetting the calendar in a futuristic kingdom in the year 8000 or shrinking to help a tardigrade blast off into space, Lenora is there to save the day with mighty answers to requests for information. Meanwhile, there are dark forces conspiring against knowledge itself, and Lenora must be brave and steadfast to defend truth and save the library.

Avid book lovers and anyone who feels that unmistakable sense of wonder and awe within a library will enjoy this quick but fun read. There are interesting and random facts throughout the story, and readers young and old will make new discoveries alongside Lenora’s quest for knowledge, including this old reader who now knows that the highest point on Earth is not Mount Everest but in fact, Mount Chimborazo, Ecuador. Recommended for ages 7-10.

Reviewed by Kat Luedke, Long Island Community Library

four-stars

The Magical Unicorn Society: A Brief History of Unicorns

The Magical Unicorn Society: A Brief History of UnicornsThe Magical Unicorn Society: A Brief History of Unicorns by Selwyn E. Phipps, Aitch, Oana Befort, Rae Ritchie, Zanna Goldhawk, Harry Goldhawk
Published by Feiwel & Friends on October 1st 2019
ISBN: 1250251877
Pages: 128
Goodreads
four-stars

The Magical Unicorn Society has resurfaced to reveal another mystical offering of short tales for the unicorn devotee, with eight accounts of unicorn encounters that span time and place, from Ancient Chinese lore to pirates in the Mediterranean to modern Central Park. Since its likely that at least a few of these devotees reside in your classroom, library, or home, you’ll need to assist them in this ancient quest to understand and protect these magical creatures by offering them this book. Eight unique types of unicorns are presented, along with a short story about different people interacting with each of them. The stories are brief but distinctive and engaging, making them great classroom or bedtime reading fare. At the end of the book, readers can take a personality quiz to find out what type of unicorn best represents them, study their profiles and traits, and discover what it takes to become a member of the Society themselves. Charming pastel illustrations and a pink and glimmering gold foil cover will likely prove irresistible, and young fans will be clamoring for it. Recommended for ages 6-10.

Reviewed by Kat Luedke, Long Island Community Library

four-stars

The Oregon Trail – Calamity in the cold

The Oregon Trail – Calamity in the coldCalamity in the Cold by Jesse Wiley
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on September 10th 2019
ISBN: 0358040590
Pages: 160
Goodreads
three-stars

In this choose-your-own-trail story, you’ll be traveling all the way from Florida, heading west to the Oregon Trail. Your goal is to make it to Oregon City!

It’s 1845 and your family is setting out from  Florida with hopes of getting a fresh start out west. Can you make the right choices in your route and make it to the Oregon trail?
The book includes a map and useful tips on how to survive the Trail.                      Good for 2nd – 4th grades

Reviewed by Melissa Madigan

three-stars

The 117-Story Treehouse

The 117-Story TreehouseThe 117-Story Treehouse: Dots, Plots & Daring Escapes! by Andy Griffiths, Terry Denton
Published by Feiwel & Friends on September 24th 2019
ISBN: 1250317207
Pages: 384
Goodreads
four-stars

Fans of the 13-Story Treehouse illustrated chapter book series will be clamoring to see what the next thirteen stories of the treehouse hold in store for young Andy and Terry in this ninth installment of the super-silly series, while those new to the series can still delight in the absurdity of this story as a stand-alone tale. The book follows their tried-and-true formula, which involves treehouse-dwelling Andy and Terry, accompanied by their animal-loving friend Jill, running around in ridiculous hi-jinks while trying to finish their next book assignment. Illustrator Terry decides to take a crack at authoring this time, and they end up in hot pursuit of the Story Police for “crimes against storytelling”. Similar to Dav Pilkey’s Dog Man series, there is also plenty of parody of actual literature within the story as the kids try to outrun the Story Police and find themselves within the pages of other stories, such as “Where the Filed Things Are”, Dr. Moose, and…The Tales of Beatrix Potty.

Adults may find themselves sighing at the absurdity but the kids will be laughing all the way to the end, and they’ll likely want to find out what happens when the treehouse adds its 130th floor. The illustrations are doodle-like and a bit frenzied, but the style lends itself well to the wackiness and breakneck pacing of the story. Be sure to pick this new one up for collections already containing the series. For those that haven’t, consider this one to recommend alongside Dav Pilkey and Jeff Kinney for ages 7-11.

Reviewed by Kat Luedke, Long Island Community Library

four-stars

Starworld

StarworldStarworld by Audrey Coulthurst, Paula Garner
Published by Candlewick Press on April 16th 2019
ISBN: 0763697567
Pages: 342
Goodreads
three-stars

Sam Jones and Zoe Miller are both seniors in high school, struggling with their lives in different ways. Quiet, artistic Sam feels invisible and separate from everyone around her. Pretty, popular Zoe doesn’t let anyone actually see her true self. After a chance encounter brings them together, Sam and Zoe begin to create Starworld together, an imaginary respite from their lives, even as things seem to fall apart around them. But when Sam realizes that she’s starting to fall for Zoe, it threatens the world they’ve created together.

Authors Audrey Coulthurst and Paula Garner have collaborated on a novel for high school readers that depicts the quiet dramas that many are experiencing. Sam and Zoe grapple with personal problems with heart and truth. While other characters are less fully developed, many readers will be moved by the authentic and natural way that Coulthurst and Garner write about adoption, unrequited crushes, popularity, families with developmental disabilities or mental illnesses, and how people’s lives look different from the inside.

Characters are assumed white. Resources are provided in the back for additional information on many of the topics brought up in the novel. Recommended where “issue-driven” books are popular in young adult collections.

Reviewed by Sarah Cropley, Scarborough Public Library.

three-stars

Big Mouth Elizabeth

Big Mouth ElizabethBig Mouth Elizabeth by Rachel Vail, Paige Keiser
Published by Feiwel & Friends on May 7th 2019
ISBN: 1250162173
Pages: 128
Goodreads
five-stars

This is an adorable first chapter book of a second grade little girl Elizabeth and her real life 7 year old problems!  Problems like fitting in, being in the right “club” and friends.

 Elizabeth is hurt because her friend Anna loses her first baby tooth before Elizabeth does, and is now part of the Big Mouth Club. Elizabeth wants to be part of that club too, and struggles with how it feels to be left out.

 This book has large print, short chapters and cute drawings. It explores realist concerns of age-appropriate problems and possible creative solutions.

 I would highly recommend this to beginning readers ready for chapter books, and as a great read aloud.  Children will easily relate to Elizabeth’s problems and might be inspired by her solutions!

Reviewed By Irene Hall, Witherle Memorial Public Library, Castine

five-stars

A is for Elizabeth

A is for ElizabethA is for Elizabeth by Rachel Vail, Paige Keiser
Published by Feiwel & Friends on May 7th 2019
ISBN: 1250162122
Pages: 128
Goodreads
five-stars

This is an adorable first chapter book about a second grade little girl Elizabeth and her real life 7- year- old problems!  Problems such as fitting in, being first in line, and friends.

 Elizabeth is hurt because her “friend” Anna comes first in the alphabet and therefore gets to be first in many activities. On a list of what Elizabeth believes in, “I want to be first” comes in at number 4. She and her friends work together to find solutions agreeable to everyone, including the teacher.

 This book has large print, short chapters and cute drawings. It explores realist concerns of age-appropriate problems and possible creative solutions.

 I would highly recommend this to beginning readers ready for chapter books, and as a great read aloud.  Children will easily relate to Elizabeth’s problems and might be inspired by her solutions!

Reviewed By Irene Hall, Witherle Memorial Public Library, Castine

five-stars