Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction

Child of the dream

Child of the dreamChild of the Dream (A Memoir of 1963) by Sharon Robinson
Published by Scholastic Press on September 3, 2019
ISBN: 1338282808
Pages: 240
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Sharon is the daughter of Jackie Robinson, the baseball hero. This memoir takes place during the Civil Rights Movement when she is thirteen. Her family lives in Connecticut in a wealthy white neighborhood. She attends school there and is the minority. She has a younger brother and an older brother. Although, she lives a privileged life she has some typical teenage experiences involving friends and going to dances. She is concerned about what is happening during this turbulent time. Her father is active in the Civil Rights Movement. The Robinsons work together to host fundraisers at their home to support the movement. The Children’s March in Birmingham, the church bombings, The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom illustrate the racial tensions of the time. This memoir is well written and offers a unique perspective of this time in American history. Numerous black and white photographs and an author’s note is included. I highly recommend this for readers ages 10-14. Kris Zuidema, retired school librarian, Standish
Recommend for Cream of the Crop

five-stars

Nazi saboteurs Hitler’s secret attack on America

Nazi saboteurs Hitler’s secret attack on AmericaNazi Saboteurs: Hitler's Secret Attack on America (Scholastic Focus): Hitler's Secret Attack on America by Samantha Seiple
Published by Scholastic Nonfiction on December 3, 2019
ISBN: 1338259148
Pages: 224
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This non-fiction World War II account of German saboteurs in the United States is fascinating. It focuses on George Dasch who came to the United States at age nineteen and after twenty years returns to Germany. The plan of this Nazi plot, Operation Pastorius, was to attack factories, disable transportation lines, and commit other acts of sabotage in the United States. The individuals selected had all lived in America before returning to Germany. The teams traveled to the United States by submarine. As soon as the first team landed on a beach in Long Island, New York there were problems. This riveting story sounds unbelievable at times since so much went wrong. There are black and white photos throughout the book including photographs and descriptions of each of the eight saboteurs. The epilogue ties this plot with the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the fate of those captured. There are extensive sources including declassified government documents, newspaper and magazine articles, photo credits, and a thorough index. I highly recommend this well researched account for ages 10 and older. Reviewed by Kris Zuidema, retired school librarian, Standish.

four-stars

Girl Mogul

Girl MogulGirl Mogul: How to Create Success in all Areas of Your Life by Tiffany Pham
Published by Imprint on April 2, 2019
ISBN: 1250298962
Pages: 208
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
two-stars

A how to book that offers somewhat unattainable steps to success in life and business. While this book does offer some sound advice a lot of it seems out of reach. The timeline Pham presents from being born to being the CEO of Mogul is outrageous. Though her success does stem from very strict work and study habits you can’t help but feel that she lived a somewhat blessed life and it probably had some influence on how far and fast she rose in her business career. I would recommend this to older teens who are very academically focused.

Reviewed by Sophie Gagnon, Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta

two-stars

THE OTHER SIDE, Stories of Central American Teen Refugees who Dream of Crossing the Border

THE OTHER SIDE, Stories of Central American Teen Refugees who Dream of Crossing the BorderThe Other Side: Stories of Central American Teen Refugees Who Dream of Crossing the Border by Juan Pablo Villalobos, Rosalind Harvey
Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) on September 10, 2019
ISBN: 0374305730
Pages: 160
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Advertised for grades 7 and up

This is a wonderful narrative non-fiction book that relates short snippets of life and its hardships of eleven teenagers as they try to escape the horrors of their present situations.  Wonderfully written, it is a very easy read, showcasing many stories of abuse, poverty and hardship, but also hope and love.

The young refugees telling their stories are highlighted in the back of the book, with a summary and update of their current situation. This adds so much depth and honesty to the book.  It also has a glossary which explains the local terminology that we might not be familiar with, such as; Salvatrucha, or the MS-13, one of several gangs in the US and El Salvador; mara is a gang, mareros are gang members; La Bestia (the train of death) is the network of freight trains crossing Mexico; and other terms used in the book.  A Further Reading section in the back also provides websites and organizations for young people to explore to find out more about refugees and migrants.

.I highly recommend this book to all ages wanting to hear fresh stories of the realism of the U.S – Central American refugee crisis.  Finally, it does not (thankfully) talk at all about the U.S. current administration or politics of immigration. We just hear the stories of the refugees themselves, and their hopes and dreams of a better life.

Reviewed By Irene Hall, Witherle Memorial Public Library, Castine

five-stars

All in a drop

All in a dropAll in a Drop: How Antony van Leeuwenhoek Discovered an Invisible World by Lori Alexander, Vivien Mildenberger
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on August 6, 2019
ISBN: 1328884201
Pages: 96
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This is a well written and very accessible biography of Antony van Leeuwenhoek, the “grandfather of microbiology.” An uneducated man with a strong curiosity of the world around him, van Leeuwenhoek crafted the most sophisticated microscopes of his time. He was the first to observe many things in the microscopic world, including the presence of life in water. This book does a good job of providing important information without overloading the reader. The illustrations are colorful, provide additional context, and help break things up and make this book more accessible to younger readers. There are also actual photos of microscopic organisms, though it would have been better to have only photos of microbes rather than artist renderings. Interspersed throughout the text about van Leeuwenhoek’s life are pages with relevant historical information about things such as disease, the role of women in daily life, etc. Overall, this biography is very well done and written appropriately for the audience. Hand this book to curious kids and budding scientists, 3rd grade and up. They won’t be disappointed.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Mighty Moe

Mighty MoeMighty Moe: The True Story of a Thirteen-Year-Old Women's Running Revolutionary by Kit Fox, Rachel Swaby
Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) on October 15, 2019
ISBN: 0374311609
Pages: 320
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

This book is couched as a biography of Canadian running phenom Maureen Wilton, better known as Mighty Moe. While the book does chronicle her very short running career as a young girl, it is really more of a history of women’s running in general. The entire first half of the book does more talking about other women runners and the restrictive rules about women running long distances. It has a lot of great information about the history of running and will be enjoyed by those already running or those who just love to learn more about the history of the sport. Best for 5th grade and up, it’s a pretty dense book.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Girls Who Run the World

Girls Who Run the WorldGirls Who Run the World: Thirty CEOs Who Mean Business by Bijou Karman, Diana Kapp
Published by Delacorte Press on October 15, 2019
ISBN: 198489305X
Pages: 208
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

A showcase of 31 Female CEO’s who rule and run the world. This book offers 31 short biographies and tips and tricks to help women in their own business ventures. The book is full of interesting facts about these lady CEO’s but because of the limited length of pages given to each woman the info doesn’t really amount to much. The book seems to be falling short of giving real advice that teens can take to heart and actually implement.  I would recommend this book for tweens. It reads too young for older teens.

Reviewed by Sophie Gagnon, Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta

three-stars

Deadly Aim: The Civil War Story of Michigan’s Anishinaabe Sharpshooters

Deadly Aim: The Civil War Story of Michigan’s Anishinaabe SharpshootersDeadly Aim: The Civil War Story of Michigan's Anishinaabe Sharpshooters by Sally M. Walker
Published by Henry Holt & Company on July 30, 2019
ISBN: 1250125251
Pages: 304
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads

Deadly Aim is a fascinating book about the Anishinaabe Native Americans that fought bravely, with many losing their lives, in the Civil War. Because of their hunting skills and precision marksmanship, the Odawas, Potawatomis and Ojibwes people decided to fight — was it for their freedom, potentially becoming enslaved themselves or to obtain equality no one is sure, but no matter their reason, the Anishinaabe felt that it was their duty and honor.

Well documented with time-period photos, copies of articles and military orders that follow through with the text. TOC, glossary, muster roll and appendices support the information and accessibility of this title.

Great reference book and general read for anyone interested in the Civil War and the Native Americans  involvement. Recommended for 7th grade and up.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.

 

Dreams From Many Rivers: A Hispanic History of the United States Told in Poems

Dreams From Many Rivers: A Hispanic History of the United States Told in PoemsDreams from Many Rivers: A Hispanic History of the United States Told in Poems by Beatriz Gutierrez Hernandez, Margarita Engle
Published by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) on October 8, 2019
ISBN: 1627795316
Pages: 208
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Margarita Engle has once again come up with a wonderful book of poetry that describes the Hispanic History In this country. Divided into six parts that tracks the movement of the Hispanic people and their impact on colonization along with the impact the Spaniards had in coming into their world. At the start of each section is a brief introduction of the poetry that is within. Illustrations are black and white drawings that compliment the sections of history.

Recommended for grades 6 and up and a well addition to poetry and history shelves.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.

 

five-stars

Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of the “Children’s Ship”

Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of the “Children’s Ship”Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship" by Deborah Heiligman
Published by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) on October 8, 2019
ISBN: 1627795545
Pages: 304
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

During World War II, England had a program called the CORB (Children’s Overseas Reception Board) that took children away from the bombing to live in Canada, to return when the war was over. On September 13, 1940, 100 children with adult chaperones and other paying customers boarded and set sail on the SS City of Benares for Canada. Four days later, during the night when the children were asleep, a German U-Boat torpedoed the Benares. 258 people on board lost their lives; of the 100 children on board heading for safety, only 13 survived.

Very interesting and heart wrenching. Would be a great addition to World War II books that could be used for personal reading and research. Well documented with a list of passengers, crew and other essential personnel that perished/survived, TOC, a section about the survivors and their lives afterward, bibliography, endnotes and index.

Recommended for grades 7 and up.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.

 

 

 

five-stars