Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction

Money Out Loud

Money Out LoudMoney Out Loud: All the Financial Stuff No One Taught Us by Berna Anat, Monique Sterling
Published by Quill Tree Books/HarperCollins on April 25, 2023
ISBN: 0063067374
Pages: 258
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Berna Anat has written an irreverent and savvy guide to financial management for those feeling left out by the “hella male, pale and stale financial world”. The book is full of hip slang, pertinent black and white illustrations and, most importantly, sound financial advice aimed primarily at women, people of color, and children of immigrants; marginalized groups who often receive minimal financial guidance, if any. Teens and young adults will find it very readable – chapters are divided into short sections, with text bubbles, illustrations, sidebars and funny footnotes – and relatable, as Anat breaks concepts down to be inherently manageable by meeting readers where they are. She covers every financial topic from a first savings account to retirement. Her voice is unique and her writing style engaging; highly recommend.

5 stars

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

five-stars

The Best Way to Get Your Way

The Best Way to Get Your WayThe Best Way to Get Your Way (-) by Chanelle Nibbelink, Tanya Lloyd Kyi
ISBN: 1525305484
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

In The Best Way to Get Your Way, author Tanya Lloyd Kyi introduces readers to the debate process as she explores 5 common issues kids are familiar with, including eating vegetables and doing homework. Kyi follows the debate format and illustrates how it works by presenting both sides of the issue, from opening arguments and rebuttals to closing arguments. She uses various techniques to present each side and explains why the technique is used and whether or not it makes for a strong argument. At the end of each topic, she leaves it up to readers to decide which side they agree with. She introduces readers to new vocabulary such as rebuttal and bias and all new terms can also be found in the glossary. The back of the book also includes an index and a list of selected sources, reinforcing the importance of research to an effective debate. This book might look like a resource for kids to learn how to get out of doing chores, but really it’s about improving a child’s critical thinking and presentation skills in a fun way. The book is well organized and easy to follow and the colorful and inclusive graphics are engaging without being distracting. This nonfiction book would be great for 3-5th graders, especially those who are part of a debate team or who are ready to learn how to make thoughtful and effective arguments.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

four-stars

Queer Ducks (and Other Animals): The Natural World of Animal Sexuality

Queer Ducks (and Other Animals): The Natural World of Animal SexualityQueer Ducks (and Other Animals): The Natural World of Animal Sexuality by Eliot Schrefer
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on May 24, 2022
ISBN: 0063069490
Pages: 240
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Using solid scientific data and humorous writing that will grab teens’ attention, Schrefer details the diversity of sexual behavior in the animal world proving that humans are not the only creatures who are queer. Interspersing his prose with the comics of Jules Zuckerberg, Schrefer provides examples from history, science, anthropology, and sociology to illustrate how animals from the albatross to doodlebugs to bonobos exhibit queer behavior and practice same-sex relationships.  This book opens the readers eyes to the ways in which we have viewed animal behavior through a lens of personal bias and Victorian values. Like humans, animal motivation is complex and this book removes some of the filters through which we have come to understand the natural world. A solid addition to YA and high school collections.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Baxter Memorial Library, Gorham

five-stars

Girls Who Green the World: Thirty-four Rebel Women Out to Save Our Planet

Girls Who Green the World: Thirty-four Rebel Women Out to Save Our PlanetGirls Who Green the World: Thirty-Four Rebel Women Out to Save Our Planet by Diana Kapp, Ana Jaren
Published by Delacorte Press on April 5, 2022
ISBN: 0593428056
Pages: 336
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This informative and encouraging book of thirty-four mini-biographies, each accompanied by a full-page, full-color illustration of the subject, tells the stories of women of various ages who are all doing something important to save the world. Each biography includes some background of the subject, but clearly focuses on the issues they are successfully tackling, ranging from stopping food waste, to farming kelp, to harvesting geothermal energy. Particularly of note is the fact that almost none of these women knew what they were embarking on when they started their journeys. They all learned along the way.

The book includes many fascinating and frightening facts, hints for ways to get involved, an explanation of “How we got here to begin with”, and culminates with a section called “What now”. One interesting statistic states that teenage girls are better advocates than teenage boys. Throughout, the author’s tone is one of encouragement, urging motivation and enforcing the idea that any one of us can make a positive difference in the world, regardless of our backgrounds.

Highly recommended.

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, University of Southern Maine, Gorham Campus Library

five-stars

A Child’s Introduction to Jazz: the Musicians, Culture, and Roots of the World’s Coolest Music

A Child’s Introduction to Jazz: the Musicians, Culture, and Roots of the World’s Coolest MusicA Child's Introduction to Jazz: The Musicians, Culture, and Roots of the World's Coolest Music (A Child's Introduction Series) by Jabari Asim, Jerrard K. Polk
Series: A Child's Introduction
Published by Black Dog & Leventhal ISBN: 0762479418
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This selection introduces the reader to the history of jazz music; how and where it originated starting with those who came over on slave ships. The music of each African region came together and blended with the music of Mexico and the Indigenous peoples and became a genre known as Jazz. It gives profiles of famous musicians such as Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, and Louis Armstrong, along with those who are not so well known, that made the genre what it is today. The author has given the reader a comprehensive history of Jazz and those musicians and instruments that have moved it along adding to and blending the music of each of the decades so that is a living and changing thing. Also offered in this book are downloadable links and QR codes so the reader can listen to the music and/or the instruments. This is a good solid addition to any library public or school that has patrons that love music. It can be used in both history and music units.

Reviewed by Kathy George, Retired Children’s Librarian

five-stars

Olaf Hajek’s Fantastic Fruits

Olaf Hajek’s Fantastic FruitsOlaf Hajek's Fantastic Fruits by Annette Roeder, Olaf Hajek
Published by Prestel Junior Pages: 40
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This large format nonfiction book is a beautiful celebration of all things fruit. It begins with text about fruit in general where readers learn that raspberries and strawberries aren’t actually berries at all—but bananas are berries! Each two-page spread features one or two fruits including one page of text and a beautiful full page illustration. The text teaches readers about the highlighted fruit: where it grows, how it is edible, history of its cultivation, and more. The information about the fruits is interesting, but the illustrations really steal the show with this book. They are full of color, whimsy, and each illustration is more than just the fruit. There are stories in each picture—where does the fruit grow, who enjoys eating it and how—and some illustrations even include references to historical fables. This book is great for those who love nonfiction, art lovers, and anyone who loves to flip through a big book. Recommended for readers 8 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Can’t Get Enough Shark Stuff

Can’t Get Enough Shark StuffCan't Get Enough Shark Stuff: Fun Facts, Awesome Info, Cool Games, Silly Jokes, and More! by Andrea Silen, Kelly Hargrave
Published by National Geographic Kids on May 3, 2022
ISBN: 1426372582
Pages: 128
Genres: Animals, Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Shark enthusiasts, rejoice! This fact- and fun-filled book celebrates all things sharks. It covers many different species of sharks both living and extinct. As with many National Geographic books, there are quizzes, factoids, and as always, beautiful images. This is a great book for budding scientists, shark lovers, and those just who just love to learn more about the natural world. Recommended for readers 8 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Little Kids’ First Big Book of Baby Animals

Little Kids’ First Big Book of Baby AnimalsLittle Kids First Big Book of Baby Animals by Maya Myers
Published by National Geographic Kids on March 22, 2022
ISBN: 1426371462
Pages: 128
Genres: Animals
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This is a National Geographic book featuring all sorts of baby animals. Each two page spread features a different animal and is awash with beautiful images (as one would expect from Nat Geo). The animals span all types from mammals to fish to insects to birds and more. There are little factoids in bubbles around the edges of more dense text, but the text isn’t overly dense and won’t overwhelm young readers. The book is, however, over a hundred pages long. It is hard to pinpoint the audience since the title suggests little kids, but the length and vocabulary of the book suggests older kids. This book will be popular in most libraries simply due to the format — the eye catching images and promise of baby animals. Recommended for animal enthusiasts ages 7 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Hardcourt

HardcourtHardcourt: Stories from 75 Years of the National Basketball Association by Fred Bowen, James E. Ransome
Published by Margaret K. McElderry Books on January 18, 2022
ISBN: 1534460438
Pages: 112
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This is a beautifully illustrated comprehensive history of the NBA. Basketball enthusiasts will love it. From the inception of the game in a YMCA gym in the late 19th century to the present day NBA, this book is full of great information. The detailed history of the sport and the NBA make this a 5-star book for readers everywhere. The watercolor illustrations elevate the book even further. The details, the emotions, the motion of the game — they’re all brought forward through Ransome’s art. Recommended for readers 9 and up and for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

five-stars

Dinosaur Atlas

Dinosaur AtlasNational Geographic Kids Dinosaur Atlas by National Geographic Society
Published by National Geographic Kids on September 20, 2022
ISBN: 1426372795
Pages: 128
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Exactly what one would expect from a National Geographic atlas. It features T. Rex, Spinosaurus, Triceratops, Diplodocus, Brontosaurus, and more, covering ancient Pangaea to the modern-day continents and such topics as fossils and prehistoric landscapes. A solid addition to any library’s dinosaur book collection. Ages 7-10.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars