Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction

Memories and Life Lessons from the Magic Tree House

Memories and Life Lessons from the Magic Tree HouseMemories and Life Lessons from the Magic Tree House by Mary Pope Osborne, Sal Murdocca
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on September 6, 2022
ISBN: 0593484541
Pages: 144
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

In this book, author Mary Pope Osborne reflects on lessons found in her popular Magic Tree House series. The book is broken into ten chapters that encompass big-picture ideas such as discovering the magic of books, taking risks, and being kind to animals. Within each chapter there are smaller sections, each starting with a passage from one of the Magic Tree House books. These passages are followed by a short reflection from the author and then a succinct quote that brings the theme all together. The book has beautiful illustrations throughout and the end includes photos of Mary Pope Osborne’s life. This book would be perfect for either kids who enjoy the books now or older kids who loved this popular series as young children and who are ready to reflect on some of the important lessons found in these books.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

three-stars

Play Like a Girl: A Graphic Memoir

Play Like a Girl: A Graphic MemoirPlay Like a Girl by Misty Wilson, David Wilson
Published by Balzer & Bray/Harperteen on September 27, 2022
ISBN: 0063064693
Pages: 272
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction, Graphic Novel
Goodreads
four-stars

This empowering middle grade memoir told in graphic novel form will keep the reader interested from the first page to the last. Misty Wilson tells the true story of her seventh grade year when she played football on the boys team. The reader will experience friend drama, family issues, first crushes, and a girl trying to find her place in middle school and on the team. The expressive and detailed artwork tells the story just as much as the words do. Boys and girls can both relate to the issues discussed in this story. Play Like A Girl is a great read for grades 5-8.

Reviewed by Erin Scott, MSAD 75, Woodside

four-stars

Sunday Funday: An Activity for Every Weekend of the Year

Sunday Funday: An Activity for Every Weekend of the YearSunday Funday: An Activity for Every Weekend of the Year by Katherine Halligan, Jesús Verona
Published by Nosy Crow on October 4, 2022
ISBN: 153622748X
Pages: 112
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

An oversized activity book divided into seasons. Projects include cooking, garden-based activities, and crafts and art using nature or other easy-to-find items. The activities are aimed at children “to do with family and friends” – there is an assumption that an adult will be helping younger children for many of them. In some cases this might be simply organizing, in others helping with sharp objects or kitchen appliances.

Of the 52 projects, many (maybe all) can be found in other places. That said, this is a really nicely done collection of ideas for families of young children, and also for children’s librarians looking for something new to try for a craft time or story hour. Instructions are clear and illustrations are colorful and relevant, whether demonstrating what the project might look like or showing step by step directions. Another plus was that projects primarily used easy-to-find, inexpensive or free materials, including items simply found in nature, allowing for plenty of creativity. Also, it’s a really attractive book! Would be great in a display; it’s easy to imagine it catching the attention of browsing patrons.

Reviewed by Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library

five-stars

Snowy Owl Scientist

Snowy Owl ScientistThe Snowy Owl Scientist by Mark Wilson
Published by Clarion Books on April 19, 2022
ISBN: 0358329590
Pages: 96
Genres: Animals
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Come June of each year on the North Slope of Alaska in its northernmost town, the hunt is on for nesting snowy owls. These owls have been coming to this region to nest for thousands of years. It has been a passion for researcher Denver Holt who, since 1992, has been gathering data on one of the few owl species that actually make a nest. This is one of the latest in the “Scientist in the Field” series and it does not disappoint. The reader follows Holt as he treks this arctic region – the only region in the world where snowy owls raise their families. It is the only region that has the right temperature, food source, and isolation for the owls.  Understandable, non-scientific language paired with incredible photographs offered by Mark Wilson allows the reader to come away with a fascination and understanding of these birds and their importance to the ecosystem. With the Arctic warming, the permafrost thawing, and the encroachment of man leading to a decrease in lemmings (owls main food source), the fate of these incredible birds, like many other species, depends on how we care for them. Recommend for grades 3-7.

Reviewed by Kathy George, retired children’s librarian

five-stars

I Am Coco: The Life of Coco Chanel

I Am Coco: The Life of Coco ChanelI Am Coco: The Life of Coco Chanel by Isabel Pin
Published by Prestel Junior on September 13, 2022
ISBN: 3791375083
Pages: 96
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
one-star

The book is comprised of approximately thirty-eight moments in Gabrielle (Coco) Chanel’s life. These moments are described in snippets of two paragraphs or less, accompanied by charming illustrations. This book is much less about the facts of Chanel’s life than about the connection of these experiences in her life to the inspirations for her designs. The author glosses over Chanel’s known collaboration with Nazis and other challenging times in her life.

Pin’s illustrations of Chanel designs are the draw (!) of this book but for fashionistas and others looking for information about this iconic designer would do better with Coco Chanel: Pearls, Perfume and the Little Back Dress (Goldman).

Reviewed by Deanna Contrino, Young School Library, Saco

one-star

The Wonders We Seek: Thirty Incredible Muslims Who Helped Shape the World

The Wonders We Seek: Thirty Incredible Muslims Who Helped Shape the WorldThe Wonders We Seek: Thirty Incredible Muslims Who Helped Shape the World by Aneesa Mumtaz, Saadia Faruqi, Saffa Khan
Published by Quill Tree Books on June 7, 2022
ISBN: 0062973444
Pages: 160
Genres: Biography/Autobiography, Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This is a collective biography highlighting 30 Muslims who have made noteworthy contributions to the world throughout history. The book begins with a letter from the authors explaining their motivation for telling these stories—the desire for readers to be aware of the amazing contributions of Muslims, to be awed and inspired, and to have Muslim readers feel pride and joy in their heritage.

Many of the people highlighted in this book are not well known – in fact this may be the first time young readers have heard of them and their accomplishments. Thirty Muslims are highlighted in this book and offer a diverse representation of skills and accomplishments: a surgeon, a female king, scientists, warriors, poets and an Islamic feminist, for example. Although the profiles are short, they provide enough information for readers to get a basic understanding of the notable achievements. The artwork is engaging and rich with colorful illustrations of the subjects set off against the rich palette of the book which is dark, earthy tones of blue, green, rusts and greys.

This well written book accomplishes the writers’ goal of informing readers of the amazing contributions of Muslims throughout history and is a strong addition to both public and school libraries.

Reviewed by Terri Bauld, Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library, Kennebunkport, ME

four-stars

Kay’s Anatomy: A Complete (and completely disgusting) Guide to the Human Body

Kay’s Anatomy: A Complete (and completely disgusting) Guide to the Human BodyKay's Anatomy: A Complete (and Completely Disgusting) Guide to the Human Body by Adam Kay, Henry Paker
Published by Delacorte Press on July 26, 2022
ISBN: 0593483405
Pages: 416
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

The human body is not only fascinating and extraordinary, it is also pretty weird. This guide to the human body will answer important questions such as — are boogers safe to eat? How much of your life is spent on the toilet? Fourteen chapters of doctor guided information that covers a broad range of body parts as well as common conditions. Also included, is straightforward talk on anxiety, depression, the dangers of smoking, drugs & alcohol, and a chapter on life and death. The book is both informational and entertaining with plenty of poop and fart references to keep middle school students laughing. The black and white illustrations are playful and humorous with labeled cutaway views to further convey the information. The illustrations are plentiful and appear throughout the book.

This is a nice to book to supplement a more conventional book on the body as at times more information on the topic would be beneficial. It is, however, a fun book that will provide readers with fun insights into the human body. The back pages include a glossary, index, and further reading suggestions. Recommended for readers ages 10 to 14.

Reviewed by Terri Bauld, Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library, Kennebunkport, ME

four-stars

Camp Scare

Camp ScareCamp Scare by Delilah S. Dawson
Published by Delacorte Press on August 2, 2022
ISBN: 059337326X
Pages: 288
Genres: Horror, Supernatural, Suspense
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Inspired by the author’s own traumatic week at sleepaway camp in 1988, Camp Scare is a tense, unsettling book about the lasting effects of bullying. After a bullying incident is recorded and goes viral at her school, 12 year-old Parker is given a scholarship to Camp Care, a summer camp which prides itself on being bully-free. Her excitement  to make new friends is quickly extinguished by the discovery that one of her bullies from back home is in her cabin and is determined to ruin Parker’s chance of having a fun, normal week of camp. Parker then turns to another outcast camper, who, unbeknownst to her, is a vengeful ghost.

The ghost plot, while important, is secondary in this book, which is mostly concerned with bullies. The adult characters are infuriating in their inability to recognize and intervene with Parker’s tormentors.

This book is decent, but cynical enough so that it would maybe be better off in a teen room. However, the characters are twelve so it’s clearly meant to be middle grade. The bullying that the ghost experienced is really horrific and involves a death that is reported as a suicide (which is a misunderstanding of events). The book is bleak and the resolution between the two main characters is forced; it seems as though the bully would never have had a change of heart if she hadn’t had her life threatened by the ghost. Older R.L. Stine or Christopher Pike fans might enjoy it, but it’s not the intro to the horror genre it appears to be at first glance.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

three-stars

The Hanmoji Handbook

The Hanmoji HandbookThe Hanmoji Handbook: Your Guide to the Chinese Language Through Emoji by An Xiao Mina, Jason Li, Jennifer 8. Lee
Published by Miteen Press on August 30, 2022
ISBN: 1536219134
Pages: 160
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars

This accessible book teaches the basics of the written Chinese language using the parallels of Chinese characters and emojis. It not only successfully explains how logographic language works, it is a terrific book on linguistics in general. It’s a clever way to teach a language that seems so different from an alphabetic language; most of use emojis and can combine several to create meaning so this book opens our minds to learning in a whole new way. I would absolutely recommend this for a high school language class (not even necessarily a Chinese class-it’s an all around fun read about language). It is a little intense, so I’m not sure how well it would circulate outside of being used as part of a class, but if your library or classroom has a language instruction shelf, it will fit right in.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

5000 Awesome Facts (About Animals)

5000 Awesome Facts (About Animals)5,000 Awesome Facts About Animals by National Geographic Society
Published by National Geographic Kids on September 6, 2022
ISBN: 1426372612
Pages: 224
Genres: Animals, Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
four-stars
National Geographic Kids will rope in curious children with 5000 Awesome Facts (About Animals). In the back matter it says putting this book together was a bit like doing a jigsaw puzzle and it reads the same way. Each 2-page spread contains anywhere from 1-100 facts alongside beautiful, photographs and images. Some pages are very text heavy which may limit the interest for some readers. The book, however, is very well produced, as we’ve come to expect from National Geographic, and readers need not travel far to find a page with more of what they like. Topics range from “Social Media Pets”, to gorillas, to “Creature Couples”, to flightless birds, to “Animals That Can Take the Heat” (like tardigrades and camels) and more. The back matter includes an index, credits and citations, and a “behind the book” section.

Unfortunately, like many fact books, this one is not made of the most solid construction. The binding is sewn and some pages were breaking with just one adult gently reviewing the book. These kinds of books circulate heavily and need kevlar bindings! This would be an especially big hit with 2nd-5th graders for an individual check out. 

Reviewed by Savannah Sessions, MSAD#17 Librarian

four-stars