Format: Fiction

All That’s Left In the World

All That’s Left In the WorldAll That's Left in the World by Erik J. Brown
Published by Balzer & Bray/Harperteen on March 8, 2022
ISBN: 0063054973
Pages: 352
Genres: Adventure, Romance, Science Fiction
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Set in a post-Covid times, the world has experienced an even more devastating pandemic that has wiped out about 90% of the population. Andrew is all alone and traveling through the woods when he accidentally steps in a bear trap. He somehow manages to hobble his way to a nearby cabin, where he meets Jamison. The two boys are the same age, but very different in most other ways. 

Andrew and Jamie are fast friends, and they quickly come to depend on one another. Each struggles with internal battles; Andrew holds a dark secret about choices he’s made to stay alive, while Jamie is struck with the realization that his feelings for Andrew run deeper than he initially realized. As they travel down the east coast, with evolving goals along the way, they share experiences and meet people that change their lives as well as their connection to each other. 

For high school-aged fans of post-apocalyptic fiction, All That’s Left In the World will be a huge hit. Other themes include gay romance and adventure.

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta

five-stars

Battle of the Bands

Battle of the BandsBattle of the Bands by Ashley Poston, Ashley Woodfolk, Brittany Cavallaro, Eric Smith, Jasmine Warga, Jay Coles, Jeff Zentner, Jenn Marie Thorne, Jenny Torres Sanchez, Justin Courtney Pierre, Katie Cotugno, Lauren Gibaldi, Preeti Chhibber, Sarah Nicole Smetana, Sarvenaz Taghavian, Shaun David Hutchinson
on September 7, 2021
ISBN: 1536214337
Pages: 320
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Romance, Short Stories
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Battle of the Bands is a clever idea for an anthology; fifteen high school age bands are competing to be the best in a New Jersey high school auditorium. Each band, or more accurately, a band member from each band has story to tell and they intertwine as we get glimpses into other stories. The book is inclusive and full of (mostly) likable characters. Unfortunately, most of the stories revolve around romantic entanglements. I wanted to know more about  the music, and while some of the stories did focus on it, overall the bands  and music were outweighed by all of the relationship drama. Even my favorite chapter, one about the people running the sound and lighting, had to awkwardly include a crush sub-plot.  Not a must-have, but it will probably circulate.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

three-stars

Welcome Back Maple Mehta-Cohen

Welcome Back Maple Mehta-CohenWelcome Back, Maple Mehta-Cohen by Kate McGovern
Published by Candlewick Press on October 12, 2021
ISBN: 1536215589
Pages: 288
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

What would happen if the secret that you can not read is uncovered? In “Welcome Back Maple Mehta-Cohen” our lead character Maple learns that she is being held back. She will spend another year with her fifth-grade teacher, Ms. Littleton-Chan, the observant young teacher who had Maple tested. Not only ashamed of the label “dyslexic” Maple also can’t move up to the sixth-grade floor with her best friends Aislinn and Marigold. Her panicked reaction to the situation leads to a web of lies that Maple finds herself entangled in.

This book deals with the stigma and real feelings dyslexic students may find themselves in. Also, Maple’s loving, multi-ethnic, family reflects the support and compassion any child would cherish. Even though the story can be a bit “clunky” at times and the ending is a bit rushed, “Welcome Back Maple Mehta-Cohen” addresses an important topic and would benefit any library collection.

Reviewed by Liz Davis, Children’s Librarian, Waterville Public Library

three-stars

Beasts and Beauty: Dangerous Tales

Beasts and Beauty: Dangerous TalesBeasts and Beauty by Julia Iredale, Soman Chainani
Published by HarperCollins on September 21, 2021
ISBN: 006265263X
Pages: 336
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Fans of fractured fairy tales will be intrigued by these classic stories with more modern twists. Chainani includes topics of race, immigration, and LGBTQ relationships along with other current issues within familiar stories such as “Snow White”, “Beauty and the Beast”, and “Sleeping Beauty.” While these stories are intense, they are also refreshing. Many readers will rejoice as the Sea Witch tells the Little Mermaid the honest truth: That she does not know the name of her supposed true love, nor ever spoken to him, yet she is willing to mutilate herself when for all she knows “he could be a psychopath or a philanderer or a prince who prefers the company of men.”

There is a noticeable absence of quotation marks, which could throw some readers off a bit but is not enough of a hindrance to interfere with comprehension. 

Black and white as well as color illustrations adorn the pages throughout. 

Recommended for grades 6+

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

four-stars

It All Comes Back to You

It All Comes Back to YouIt All Comes Back to You by Farah Naz Rishi
Published by Quill Tree Books on September 14, 2021
ISBN: 0062741489
Pages: 432
Genres: Romance
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

It All Comes Back to You is  the second book by Farah Naz Rishi. This book will appeal to those that enjoy rom-coms and Pride and Prejudice type stories.  The story is about Muslim characters and culture and revolves around the impending wedding of Amira Noorani and Faisal Malik.

Amira’s sister, Kiran,  thinks her older sister is rushing into marriage and then moving cross country with Faisal after knowing him  for only three months. To make matters worse, Kiran used to date Faisal’s brother in the past, a relationship that did not end well after he (Deen) ghosted her during her mother’s fatal illness diagnosis. Flash forward three years and he is back in her life. Her mother is deceased and her sister is leaving her for a new life with his brother.

Deen and Amira decide to keep their past romance a secret from the future bride and groom.   Amira cannot  help herself in meddling in the relationship of her sister after discovering that the fiancée is hiding  something in his past from her sister.

This story revolves around Amira trying to break up the relationship and expose Faisal’s past. She now is also forced to deal with all of the past and present issues that she has with Deen being that he is back in her life again. It is a story of many twists and turns and secrets.  The looming mystery of what Faisal’s deep, dark secret is keeps the reader engaged. However, this story was a bit long winded and I had a difficult time finishing it due to the lack of progression and the  ending was a bit deflated.  Not a must for a collection but for those pre-teens and teens that enjoy romance comedies and it being a book of diverse characters it may  be a fun story.

 

Reviewed by Amy Tobalske, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook

three-stars

Dragonfly Girl

Dragonfly GirlDragonfly Girl by Marti Leimbach
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on February 23, 2021
ISBN: 0062995863
Pages: 384
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Fans of international spy thrillers will not be disappointed by Marti Leimbach’s “Dragonfly Girl”. Kira is the epitome of a misfit, nerdy teenager, barely passing high school, except for when it comes to science. Living with her cancer stricken mom, and deeply in debt to a loan shark, she enters a prestigious science contest for the cash prize and ends up as one of the four winners, with an all expense paid trip to Sweden. The only kicker is the contest was meant only for professional PhDs. She goes to Sweden anyway to present her paper and collect the money, but when a rival young scientist with a grudge bitterly reveals that she is only in high school, she fears all is lost. However she is offered a job in a top secret laboratory by a prestigious professor who knew her brillant, but dead father. Soon after starting work, she begins helping out another scientist on an experiment that eventually leads her to bring a rat back from the dead. Now considered a scientific genius, she is thrust into the world of very dark international Cold War type dealings, and ends up fighting for her own life, far from friends and family.

This book is fast paced and exciting with plot twists throughout. Kira must decide who she can trust, while following her instincts to survive. The reader is introduced to plenty of villains, yet Kira does have a few good friends in her corner. She is a likable character, and one can’t help but root for her. There is an abundance of scientific dialogue throughout the book, but it’s written so it is easy to understand and it doesn’t slow down the action. Anyone who likes James Bond or Jason Bourne type spy thrillers will love “Dragonfly Girl”.

Recommended for grades 8-12

Lee Remick, York Middle School, York

five-stars

White Smoke

White SmokeWhite Smoke by Tiffany D. Jackson
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on September 14, 2021
ISBN: 006302909X
Pages: 384
Genres: Horror
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

On its surface, “White Smoke’’ by Tiffany D. Jackson is the sort of creepy haunted house type horror/thriller that will keep you up at night. But the many subplots and abrupt yet surprise ending in this YA novel are what bring it to another level.

Marigold and her newly blended family are headed across the country for a fresh start. A promising track star at her California high school, an unfortunate bed bug infestation of her home leaves Marigold with severe anxiety. Treated with percocet prescribed by the doctors and self medicating with marijuana, Marigold overdoses, ends up in a treatment center and is expelled from school. After her release, her family (mother, brother, step father and step sister, as well as the family dog) head out to the midwest (think Detroit) where her mom has been offered a free house for an artist’s residency. Of course, once they get there they see that the neighborhood is in shambles – streets of burned out houses seemingly abandoned in a run down depressed town, and their house, which although being newly renovated appears to be haunted.

There are so many other facets to this story besides a haunted house – drug addiction and recovery, the bi-racial blended family dynamic, gentrification, urban folklore, sinister business plots, and good old fashioned goosebump worthy jump out of the closet creepiness. 

My only complaint was the sudden, shocking ending that left me with even more questions and a desire for a sequel! This is a great addition to any YA horror section.

Recommended for grades 9-12

Lee Remick, York Middle School, York

five-stars

Act Cool

Act CoolAct Cool by Tobly McSmith
Published by Quill Tree Books on September 7, 2021
ISBN: 0063038560
Pages: 352
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

August is a junior in high who has run away – from his small town home, from parents who don’t accept him as a transgendered boy, and from potentially being sent to conversion therapy. He moves in with his aunt in New York City and is accepted into a prestigious arts academy where he begins his life dream of studying theater. 

August wears a mask with almost everyone he encounters throughout most of this book. He is on the precipice of discovering who he is and has always had to act as though he were someone else. Fearing judgement, misunderstandings, and general teenage angst over not fitting in, he manages to act his way through most challenging situations – until he doesn’t. He makes plenty of mistakes, but does eventually learn from them. August forms strong bonds with new friends and family members, and tries to learn how to let go of unsafe and disrespectful relationships that break his heart. 

Act Cool is an important book because it is written by a trans man and amplifies a version of the trans experience. It’s great in other ways too, and would be an excellent addition to any YA collection. Teens will relate to August fumbling his way through adolescence in ways we all do.

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta

four-stars

Ghost Girl

Ghost GirlGhost Girl by Ally Malinenko
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on August 10, 2021
ISBN: 0063044609
Pages: 288
Genres: Adventure, Horror, Mystery
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

From the opening paragraph, Ghost Girl by Ally Malinenko sucks the reader into the story of Zee Puckett, a white-haired girl and infamous outsider in her small town. Cared for by her older sister Abby, Zee has no real adult supervision. Much of her time is spent in the local graveyard or with her best friend Elijah. Zee’s natural ability to spin tall tales works against her when she begins to have vivid dreams of terrifying wolf-like creatures that she feels are chasing her.
The story shifts during a library field trip where Zee converses with a young boy who worked for the library over 100 years earlier. Her then enemy, Nellie, promptly nicknames Zee “Ghost Girl”. The fight that ensues ushers in the character Mr. Scratch, the new school principal. With one red-gloved touch from Mr. Scratch and promises that the children’s deepest desires can be fulfilled, he takes control of the school. But it doesn’t stop there. Mr. Scratch gains control of the whole town, even Zee’s sister Abby.
The nightmares increase with ghostly visitations at night. Zee has inherited “the gift” that her mother had for talking to ghosts. With the help of the ghost of a murdered kindergarten teacher, Zee, Elijah, and Nellie end up working together to break the curse that has been cast over the town.

There are positive themes in this horror story of friendship, trust, and learning to accept yourself. A good addition to any library’s horror section.
Suitable for ages 9 and up.

Reviewed by Liz Davis, Children's Librarian, Waterville Public Library

four-stars

The Ghosts We Keep

The Ghosts We KeepThe Ghosts We Keep by Mason Deaver
Published by Push on June 1, 2021
ISBN: 133859334X
Pages: 336
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Sixteen year old Liam Cooper’s older brother Ethan, star baseball player and golden child, is killed by a hit and run right down the road from his house. “The Ghosts We Keep” by Mason Deaver explores Liam’s grief, alternating chapters before and after the accident. While coping with his brother’s death, Liam also navigates his relationship with his grieving parents, his feelings about his own sexuality, his tumultuous break from his best friends, a suicide attempt, and his budding friendship with his brother’s best friend. While the book grabs the reader in the beginning with the graphic details of Ethan’s death, the pace is slow throughout, and the end wraps up somewhat oddly with glimpses of Liam’s life far into the future. 

Unfortunately, Liam’s friends come across as toxic and unlikeable, his parents’ characters are one dimensional, and we guess his brother’s Ethan and his friend Marcus’s “secret ” right away. In a nutshell, none of the characters, Liam included, are likable. And while LGBTQIA+ representation in YA is great, every single character in this book with the exception of Liam’s parents falls into that category, which seems unrealistic and forced and doesn’t provide any kind of foil for those characters, or allow us to get any in depth look into the struggles they allude to. 

I would not recommend this book to a young adult struggling with the grief of a loved one dying, I think there are better options out there for a YA collection.

Grades 9-12

Lee Remick, York Middle School, York

three-stars