Source: MSL Book Review

The Misfits: A Royal Conundrum

The Misfits: A Royal ConundrumA Royal Conundrum (The Misfits #1) by Dan Santat, Lisa Yee
Series: The Misfits #1
Published by Random House ISBN: 1984830295
Pages: 276
Genres: Adventure, Humor, Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Olive Cobin-Zang has never felt like she’s belonged. But even worse than feeling invisible at school or being left alone by her constantly traveling parents, is the news that they are sending her to a boarding school called RASCH – a.k.a. the “Reforming Arts School,” set on an island off the California coast.

Despite initial misgivings, Olive quickly finds her place and wants above all to stay at RASCH. Odd students, quirky teachers and the strangest tests she’s ever taken (a conundrum! A Gymkhanasplore!) make this school different. And that’s before discovering that RASCH is actually a cover for an elite group of student-aged crimefighters – and they’re recruiting!

Olive joins a diverse group of like-minded misfits, all with special talents, to do what has eluded law enforcement for decades: take down the jewelry thief known as the Bling King and, by doing so, save their school. These five students don’t always get along, but they (eventually) learn to always have each other’s backs.

This fast-paced and hilarious series opener will be enthusiastically welcomed by fans of the Mysterious Benedict Society or Mrs. Smith’s Spy School for Girls. Black and white illustrations by Dan Santat throughout the book lend to the visual appeal.

5 stars

Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library

five-stars

Ten Little Rabbits

Ten Little RabbitsTen Little Rabbits by Maurice Sendak
Published by Harper ISBN: 006264467X
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Maurice Sendak’s delightful trademark illustrations decorate each page, telling the story of a young magician and his eponymous rabbits with minimal words and numbers. Young children will certainly giggle, and even count along, as he first makes rabbits appear from his top hat, one by one, and then, thoroughly overrun by rabbits and looking quite vexed, he makes them vanish, again one by one.

Fans of Sendak, and especially his Nutshell Library books, will find this familiar. Sure to be a favorite! Highly recommend.

Five stars/Cream

Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library

five-stars

The Last Zookeeper

The Last ZookeeperThe Last Zookeeper by Aaron Becker
Published by Candlewick Press on March 26, 2024
ISBN: 1536227684
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Aaron Beckler’s third picture book paints the story of a futuristic, flooded world, where NOA, a robot, cares for an assortment of zoo animals that have been abandoned to their fates.

Beckler’s signature is to tell his story through art, not words. The watercolor and pen and ink drawings do this beautifully. Initial pages show us a flooded but seemingly peaceful world, where large zoo animals are tended by a tall, humanoid robot. But then, as in the story of Noah’s Ark, the water rises to what’s-left-of-life-destroying levels. NOA builds an ark and bundles the animals on. They drift in a storm, are shipwrecked on a small island, and, eventually, saved by another robot flying by in a hot-air balloon.

Given our current climate crisis, this book feels both timely and disturbing. Unlike the ancient story of Noah’s Ark, which it is clearly based on, the not-so-futuristic rendering of this story feels like a warning. The illustrations are beautiful and there is a thread of tenderness and empathy running through as NOA cares for the animals; but for young children – or their parents – dealing with climate anxiety, this has the potential to exacerbate those feelings.

Three stars (beautiful illustrations but anxiety provoking story).

Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library

three-stars

Born Naughty

Born NaughtyBorn Naughty: My Childhood in China by Anisi Baigude, Jin Wang, Tony Johnston
Published by Anne Schwartz Books on 5/7/24
ISBN: 0593563611
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Born Naughty: My Childhood in China is the story of the childhood of a mischievous girl, Jin, who grew up in a remote village in Mongolia, China.  This short memoir truly provides a window and mirror experience for young readers.  Jin shares what it was like to be a poor child with no running water or electricity, living in a small house with mud floors. Jin also talks about other things many readers can relate to, like getting in trouble for breaking the rules and the love of family holiday celebrations.  Black and white drawings break up the text and enhance the meaning for readers, especially the characters’ emotions.  This book would be most appropriate for second or third grade readers. Most sentences are short, but there are some longer sentences and dialogue, so the text doesn’t feel choppy.  This book would be great for kids who are curious about children who live other places.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

three-stars

Aqua Boy

Aqua BoyAqua Boy (Wonder Kids) by Ken Wilson-Max
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536236640
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Aqua Boy is a beautiful and gentle story of a young boy named Aaron who lives by the sea with his mother, father, and sister. They are very conscious of their role in caring for the environment, referring to themselves as “ocean guardians”. Aaron dreams of one day feeling brave enough to put his head beneath the water, and he is encouraged and supported by his family, who reassure him that he will do so when the time is right.

One day the family is cleaning trash from the beach after a storm, and they find a stranded octopus. The father carefully coaxes the octopus onto a stick and brings it back into the water. Aaron is transfixed. He grabs his goggles, follows his father into the water, dips his head beneath, and shares a special moment of connection with the octopus before it swims away.

The illustrations in the book are gorgeous; they are simultaneously bold and calming and were created with acrylic paint. The characters all have a brown skin tone. Themes of environmentalism are woven throughout but are presented in a way that is not overwhelming to the reader. Brief informational pages at the end of the book detail facts about octopuses and share a resource to learn more about being an ocean guardian.

This book is highly recommended for libraries serving patrons ages 3-6.

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta

four-stars

Una Tortuguita

Una TortuguitaUna tortuguita: Read and Wonder (Spanish Edition) by Jane Chapman, Nicola Davies
Published by Candlewick Press on January 1, 2001
ISBN: 1536234753
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“Una Tortuguita” is the Spanish edition of “One Tiny Turtle,” a picture book about a loggerhead turtle written by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Jane Chapman, and translated by Georgina Lázaro. Lázaro has done an excellent job translating Davies’ text and keeping the almost lyrical prose throughout the book (which makes sense because Lázaro is a Puerto Rican poet and children’s book author). The story of a tiny loggerhead turtle hatching and growing up, and returning to the beach to lay her own eggs, readers will enjoy the beautiful illustrations and the way that the book manages to tell a story while providing interesting information about sea turtles. Written for ages 4-8, this is a recommended purchase for any Spanish language picture book collection.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.

four-stars

Tree. Table. Book.

Tree. Table. Book.Tree. Table. Book. by Lois Lowry
ISBN: 006329950X
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

What a lovely story! Eleven-year-old Sophia Henry Winslow is good at telling stories but learns that you have to put in feelings to make a really good story. This story is about friendship. It’s about sadness. It’s about dementia. It’s about the heartbreaking memories of a young Jewish girl in Poland during WW II. It’s about fixing those people in this world who don’t understand and accept people who are different. All this packed in a less than a 200-page book told in a child’s voice and perspective. Lowry is masterful in the telling. She is able to put herself beautifully into the characters of both 11-year old Sophie and her 88-year old neighbor Sophie Gershowitz and their very special friendship. There were many quotes that spoke to me, but this one was my favorite:

“I had told Sophie Gershowitz that I always got the dates right, on history tests, always got As. That was true. But I had never really got it, never understood history, how things fit together, because I needed someone to tell me the stories not of politics and dictators, but of berries and bunnies and books. Of how things are lost, and what that means and how it hurts.”

Cream of the Crop nominee

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

 

five-stars

Queer History A to Z: 100 Years of LGBTQ+ Activism

Queer History A to Z: 100 Years of LGBTQ+ ActivismQueer History A to Z: 100 Years of LGBTQ+ Activism by Robin Stevenson, Vivian Rosas
Published by Kids Can Press on 5/7/24
ISBN: 1525308351
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

This middle grade nonfiction book introduces readers to the history of LGBTQ+ activism in the United States and Canada.  It is organized in an A to Z format, with each letter highlighting an important idea, person, or event in the history of LGBTQ+ activism.  Some of the terms will probably be familiar for readers like P is for Pride or Q is for Queer.  Others will be new for readers as they learn about activists like Baynard Rustin and Urvashi Vaid.  The alphabet format and bright illustrations makes the information accessible and engaging to readers. The text offers an age-appropriate overview of LGBTQ+ activism and why it was/is necessary.  The backmatter includes descriptions of more queer activists, a timeline of important events, and a glossary.  This book would be great in a middle school collection as it offers important information on a relevant topic without going into too much depth.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

four-stars

Not Quite a Ghost

Not Quite a GhostNot Quite a Ghost by Anne Ursu
Published by Walden Pond Press on January 16, 2024
ISBN: 0062275151
Pages: 277
Genres: Magical Realism
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Middle School is off to a difficult start for Violet.  Her friend group is changing and her attic  bedroom with the ugly wallpaper in the house her family just moved into appears to be haunted.  Adding to this stress is the fact that Violet is sick and no one can figure out what’s wrong with her.  She gets weak easily and no matter how much she rests, she is always exhausted.  It lasts so long that some of her friends and even her doctors believe she is making it up.  The sicker she gets, the more her bedroom haunts her.  As Violet works to figure out what is wrong with her and how to expel the spirit from her room, she learns important lessons about who she is and what it means to be a friend.  In addition to friendship, this book explores living with invisible illness, blended families, and perseverance.  Violet and her friends are white, but her stepdad is Black.  There is also LGBTQ representation as her new friend Will has two dads and the sibling of another friend uses “they” pronouns.  This coming of age story would be a great addition for libraries with middle grade readers.  Violet is an authentic, likable character who navigates the inevitable ups and downs of middle school with some hiccups.  The novel isn’t action packed, but readers will care about Violet and will want to know what is wrong with her and the gentle ghost story adds a little suspense to the plot. 

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

five-stars

Sona and the Golden Beasts

Sona and the Golden BeastsSona and the Golden Beasts by Rajani LaRocca
on March 5, 2024
ISBN: 0063295407
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

The realm of Devia was overthrown by the Malechs centuries before.  Devia is the location of precious gems, of which the Malechian king greedily wants for himself.  The ruling Malechians oppress the Devians and outlaw many things the Devians honor, including music.  Malechian born Sona hears music everywhere, but has to hide this fact, until a golden eared wolf pup shows up.  When her Devian born Aya (nanny/nurse) falls ill, Sona sets off on a quest to retrieve a magical cure.  Subsequently, she hopes to save the young wolf pup from a Malechian hunter who is determined to kill all sacred beasts of Devia.  Accompanied by a Devian boy, Sona’s perilous journey leads her to uncover some surprising truths about her past.  Along the way she realizes that the fate of all the golden beasts of the realm might fall upon her.  

Sona, the novel’s protagonist, is very likable and it’s easy to root for her.  Her heart is in the right place and she fights for what she knows is right.  The pacing is fair and although the story is at times predictable (hero on a quest plot), LaRocca throws in some twists and turns to keep the reader on their toes.  This middle grade fantasy novel is good for readers interested in socio-political issues.  Warning: readers who are upset by the death of animals could find the story too emotionally triggering.  

Reviewed by Heidi Kopishke, Camden Hills Regional High School, Rockport, ME.

four-stars