Format: Chapter Book Fiction

All We Could Have Been

All We Could Have BeenAll We Could Have Been by T.E. Carter
Published by Feiwel & Friends on April 23rd 2019
ISBN: 1250172969
Pages: 291
Goodreads
three-stars

Lexi is overwhelmed by her family tragedy but her character and the book is somewhat underwhelming.  Her brother is guilty of a crime that embarrasses Lexi enough to keep her moving from relative to relative till her senior year.  Enter some friends that she values and a crisis arises that threatens to destroy her year and relationships.   The plot is interesting but its development is weak and the characters are just out of reach.  Lexi’s pain feels real and it is this fact that saves the book.   Teens who have faced physiological trauma will identify with the character and are sure to cheer for a good outcome.

Give this title to the middle and high school social worker and add to HS media centers where current fiction is collected.  All We Could Have Been might find itself in the hands of the teen who needs it.

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

three-stars

Squirrel in the Museum

Squirrel in the MuseumSquirrel in the Museum (Twitch the Squirrel, #3) by Vivian Vande Velde, Steve Bjorkman
Published by Holiday House on March 19th 2019
ISBN: 0823441679
Pages: 112
Goodreads
four-stars

Twitch does it again, as an adventuresome squirrel he manages to squeeze under school windows and to jump through an open bus widow to join a class taking a field trip.  When he hears about the science museum his single desire is to join the class on this educational outing.  The fun begins when Twitch comes out of hiding from a girl’s backpack and terrorizes the class and museum staff.  While enjoying this outing Twitch teaches readers about animals in the museum all the while entertaining them to the point of getting stitches from giggling.  Character development is expressed as the chaos gets thicker and thicker; readers are sure to love Twitch and to identify with students who interact with him.

This experienced author/ illustrator combination is perfect for the early primary grades, like the past two books about Twitch this is a delight.  Text is just right for 2nd – 4th grade readers and the illustrations are captivating expressing lots of movement and emotion.  Consider for a read aloud and add to primary school shelves.   Public libraries need to add this and the other two titles to their collection of early readers.

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

four-stars

Bloodleaf

BloodleafBloodleaf (Bloodleaf, #1) by Crystal Smith
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on March 12th 2019
ISBN: 1328496309
Pages: 373
Goodreads
four-stars

Bloodleaf is the first of a new trilogy that is sure to win admirers and sustain interest through the next two books.  As a talented user of magic Princess Aurelia must hide her skills from the Tribunal as magic is forbidden.  The action builds from the beginning working up to a fevered pitch as her life and skills are continually challenged in two communities.  Fans of Medieval Age fantasy will be delighted with the dual of royal privilege and struggle of the simple life.  Aurelia will win the hearts of readers who are inspired by strong women especially those who are unafraid of ghostly presence, blood magic and violence.  This is a somewhat creepy read that reaches beyond Halloween and will be appreciated all year long.   Readers will anxiously wait for the next title in spring.

This book is divided into three sections which help to separate the different locations and action.  Yet a full circle is completed and the reader will be satisfied by the romance, suspense and battle to the end and beyond.  Add this new title to middle school and public libraries where fantasy is appreciated by readers.  Cannot wait to see where the next title takes readers.

four-stars

Tell Me Everything

Tell Me EverythingTell Me Everything by Sarah Enni
Published by Point on February 26th 2019
ISBN: 1338139150
Pages: 288
Goodreads
four-stars

Tell Me Everything is a compelling first novel that is sure to draw in young teens.  Introverted Ivy survives a summer without her best friend Harold as she gets more and move involved with an artistic sharing app.  Most readers will identify with the attentive app usage and many may understand Ivy’s personality as a loner.  What they will not see coming are the tweaks and spins that make up sophomore year as the characters try to work out their personal place within the high school culture.  Several characters are introduced but few fully develop to the extent of Ivy and Harold.  Parents and teachers are painted with typical disdain and affection.  The daily challenges and family situations of several classmates adds depth to the storyline.

Add this modern real-world title to middle school media centers and place on public library shelves.

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

four-stars

Out Walkers

Out WalkersOutwalkers by Fiona Shaw
Published by David Fickling Books on February 26th 2019
ISBN: 1338277502
Pages: 416
Goodreads
four-stars

Jacob lives in a British government orphanage following an accident that took his parents.  Like all of society the orphanage is a front for a controlling government that watches every action of the citizens.  This book shares a futuristic story of a desperate young man and his dog in a fast moving and compelling read.   The characters are edgy and at times surprising as they face major road blocks to their existence.

Perhaps not all new this book does bring up lots of interesting thoughts and fears of current society.  The author has written a good story complete with some grit and lots of determination for the 5th to 7th grade reader.   Order this for intermediate and middle school collections and gift to young readers who love futuristic and compelling stories.

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

four-stars

The Hippo at the End of the Hall

The Hippo at the End of the HallThe Hippo at the End of the Hall by Helen Cooper
Published by Candlewick Press on October 8th 2019
ISBN: 153620448X
Pages: 352
Goodreads
four-stars

The invitation comes without an address, but Ben is convinced that it’s meant for him. When he asks his mom what she knows about the mysterious museum, she pointedly doesn’t answer, but she does reluctantly allow him go to see it for himself. When he arrives at the deserted, dilapidated museum, Ben finds a menagerie of specimens, which, though stuffed and preserved, nonetheless move and talk. The animals soon reveal that they have been awaiting his arrival and that they are relying on him to save the museum. The adventure that follows is fast-pasted with mysteries and magic scattered throughout the story. Ben must save the museum from being sold to developers and a greedy competitor. In the process, he learns a great deal about himself and about the father he never knew.

Helen Cooper , best known for her picture books (Pumpkin Soup), offers up a delightful, illustrated chapter book for grades 2 to 4. The frequent and charming pencil illustrations make this a pleasurable read for those who are on their way to discovering a love of fantasy. Perfect for kids who have enjoyed and graduated from Mary Pope Osborne’s Magic Treehouse books.

Reviewed by Kelly Greenlee, Prince Memorial Library, Cumberland

four-stars

On Snowden Mountain

On Snowden MountainOn Snowden Mountain by Jeri Watts
Published by Candlewick Press on September 10th 2019
ISBN: 0763697443
Pages: 208
Goodreads
five-stars

This historical fictional novel takes place during WWII. Twelve year old Ellen faces many challenges. Her father has left to fight in the war and her mother is suffering from severe depression. Ellen contacts her aunt to help them. They go to her aunt’s home in the mountains of Virginia. There is no electricity or running water. Life is much different than what Ellen and her mother were used to in Baltimore. Ellen meets and becomes friends with a classmate who faces his own set of difficulties. There are many touching moments in this well written story that deals with family, friendship, mental illness, domestic violence, and alcoholism. The characters and the plot are very well developed. Although, this story takes place in the 1940s the issues are contemporary. I highly recommend this exceptional book for grades 4-6. Reviewed by Kris Zuidema, retired school librarian, Standish

five-stars

Rachel’s Roses

Rachel’s RosesRachel's Roses by Ferida Wolff, Margeaux Lucas
Published by Holiday House on August 20th 2019
ISBN: 0823443655
Pages: 112
Goodreads
five-stars

This short chapter book is set in the early 1900s in an immigrant neighborhood in New York City. Rachel is in third grade and has a younger sister Hannah. The family is getting ready for the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah. Rachel and her sister will be wearing identical skirts and she wants hers to stand out from Hannah’s skirt. Rachel ends up in a situation that causes her to need extra money for some special buttons that are beyond her family’s means. This endearing story about family relationships demonstrates what is really meaningful in the end. The story is short and simple. The message is strong and clear, but not didactic. Black and white drawings enhance this delightful book. An author's note is included. I highly recommend this for 3rd and 4th grade readers. Reviewed by Kris Zuidema, retired school librarian, Standish.

five-stars

Death Prefers Blondes

Death Prefers BlondesDeath Prefers Blondes by Caleb Roehrig
Published by Feiwel & Friends on January 29th 2019
ISBN: 1250155827
Pages: 448
Goodreads
three-stars

Death Prefers Blondes

 

Margo is a rich seventeen-year-old socialite living in Los Angeles who, at first out of boredom, has begun a life of crime with a group of friends.  Readers learn what is motivating the Drag-wearing group’s members which range from a father in prison, to a search for excitement, enough money to go to ballet school and to parents’ or guardians’ drug addiction.  Margo is sending money to a refugee organization.

But, when Margo’s father is killed it becomes personal as she learns that her father was targeted with a poison specific to him.

Throughout it is never really in doubt that Margo and the boys will triumph.  The ages of the characters are all supposed to be in their teens but this didn’t seem realistic.  Mid-twenties would have been much more believable.  They talk about their high schools but they don’t appear to ever go.

This book is recommended for students in grades 10-12 who like adventure and learning about scientific gadgets.  This book was full of them.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

three-stars

Every Moment After

Every Moment AfterEvery Moment After by Joseph Moldover
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on April 9th 2019
ISBN: 1328547272
Pages: 364
Goodreads
three-stars

Cole and Matt are recent high school grads who are still struggling with the aftermath of a school shooter who killed most of their first grade classroom and rocked their entire community.  Cole survived and became the literal posterboy, known nationwide after a photograph went viral. Matt was home sick that day and has struggled ever since that day with not being there and why he survived when his classmates didn’t.  Matt is a baseball player heading to college in the fall dealing with an injury that he’s been ignoring. Cole’s father recently passed away, and he delayed college to stay home and take care of his mother. Both boys struggle daily to keep moving forward with their lives.

The book focuses solely on the people and their lives now, and only discusses the shooting when they talk about the people involved and the shooter himself.  No details are discussed. The author is a clinical psychologist, and has used his insight to create flawed and honest characters. Unfortunately, the characters seem to travel on a linear path and don’t show much growth.  By the end, they’re in pretty much the same positions they are at the beginning. They’ve made small changes, but it would have been nice to see them experience a bit of true healing. Instead of a true story arc, we have a peak into a period of their lives.  Best for ages 14+.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Maine State Library, Augusta

three-stars