Source: MSL Book Review

Cosmic Collisions: Asteroid vs. Comet

Cosmic Collisions: Asteroid vs. CometGenres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
five-stars

First in a series with a similar setup as the wildly popular “Who Would Win” series. What happens when two massive hunks of hurtling space debris slam into each other? This is a smackdown between the veteran asteroid fighter and the dazzling comet. Asteroid vs. Comet starts by comparing the two opponents, then encourage readers to use science to form a hypothesis. The head-to-head premise keeps readers entertained as they learn about comets and asteroids. Action-packed full-color illustrations with a comic book feel will attract kids, especially budding astronomers ages 7-9. Back matter addresses fact versus fiction, how to become a citizen scientist, and comets and asteroids in the news. Highly recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

The Grinch Takes a Vacation

The Grinch Takes a VacationDr. Seuss Graphic Novel: The Grinch Takes a Vacation: A Grinch Story (Dr. Seuss Graphic Novels) by Kaeti Vandorn
on September 24, 2024
ISBN: 0593703065
Genres: Holiday
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Whoville is looking pretty empty – where is everyone going? It turns out, all the Whos are headed on vacation – and Grinch wants to know what all the fuss is about. So, Grinch and Max decide to try their own vacation, including a visit to the beach, amusement park, and a mountain. Grinch unsurprisingly doesn’t like the sandy beach, gets nauseated on rides, and can’t enjoy the mountain view because of clouds. Finally, he realizes that perhaps the point of vacations is spending time with your loved ones, and he does really appreciate his time with Max. This graphic novel has colorful illustrations and would be a fine addition to a graphic novel collection. Recommended for ages 6-7 (1st to 2nd Grade).

Reviewed by: Jenn Mead, Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library, Lovell

three-stars

Puffin and Penguin

Puffin and PenguinPuffin and Penguin by Helaine Becker, Kevin Sylvester
ISBN: 1525306545
Genres: Animals
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

When Puffin’s mom gets a new job at the United Avian Nations, his family relocates from Iceland to New Stork City. His new class is a full cast of characters, from King Penguin “the Cool Kid” to Blue Jay “the Class Clown” and Loon “the Gossip”. How will Puffin fit in? Puffin gets assigned a buddy to show him around – Penguin. But Penguin is so popular, and so busy, that Puffin doesn’t feel like a priority. So, Puffin decides to try to educate the other students about puffins (did you know that puffins can fly and have beaks that light up?!?) and join the drama club. Puffin finds his place on the stage crew, with Penguin being the lead of the play. When there is an unexpected power outage during the performance – they truly work as a team, with Puffin’s glow-in-the-dark beak saving the day! This graphic novel was full of bird puns, cute illustrations, and tells a classic tale of fitting in, being your true self, and making friends. Especially good for the bird or nature lovers, and actually includes some real facts about puffins (it turns out their beaks really do glow in the dark due to bioluminescence!). Recommended for ages 7-8 (2nd to 3rd Grade).

Reviewed by: Jenn Mead, Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library, Lovell

four-stars

Everyone Loves Career Day but Zia

Everyone Loves Career Day but ZiaEveryone Loves Career Day but Zia: A Zia Story by Dream Chen, Jenny Liao
ISBN: 0593425456
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

It’s Career Day at school, and all of the parents are invited to come teach the class about their jobs! Zia wishes that her mom could come teach the other students about her job as a seamstress. But her mom is not comfortable speaking English (her native tongue is Cantonese), and besides – she never misses work. With the help of her teacher, Zia is able to video call into the factory where her mom works. Her mother demonstrates to the class how to make a beautiful dress while Zia translates her words into English. This heartwarming story would be a great addition to any picture book collection, and is cream-of-the-crop worthy. It demonstrates diversity in the classroom, showcases different and unique families and professions (such as a stay-at-home Dad who also comes to school for Career Day), and provides a window into the day-to-day lives of immigrant families. The words and illustrations perfectly celebrate the story, by bringing to life and intermingling the English and Cantonese words onto each page. The back of the book includes an Author’s Note describing her experience growing up as a translator for her parents, as well as a glossary of English to Cantonese words. Recommended for ages 6-7 (1st to 2nd Grade).

Reviewed by: Jenn Mead, Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library, Lovell

five-stars

Bubble Gum Bison Needs a Bath

Bubble Gum Bison Needs a BathBubble Gum Bison Needs a Bath (The Bison Family Series) by Pete Oswald, Scott Rothman
ISBN: 0593702956
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

The Bison family is back, and this time Bubble Gum Bison needs a bath – like really really needs a bath. At first, she’s merely covered in mud, and declines the opportunity to have one. When she tries to sneak back to the park to find her friends, she finds herself also covered in bubblegum and feathers! And even worse – the water is now out all over town since her brother decided to ram his head on the water tower. Bubble Gum Bison MacGyvers a water tower repair, and finds herself elated that the water is back on and everyone can now take baths again. This fun story has cute and colorful illustrations, and could even be a good tool for caregivers needing to coax resilient children into bathtime. Recommended for ages 5-7 (Kindergarten to 2nd Grade).

Reviewed by: Jenn Mead, Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library, Lovell

four-stars

Earnest Sandpiper’s Great Ascent

Earnest Sandpiper’s Great AscentEarnest Sandpiper’s Great Ascent by Timothy Basil Ering
Published by Candlewick Press on April 9, 2024
ISBN: 0763697354
Genres: Animals, Emotions & Feelings
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

This heartfelt story is about overcoming fear using a gentle text and bright illustrations to encourage growth in one’s own sweet time. This is the day the sandpiper children will learn to fly. Two of them are ready; the third, Earnest, isn’t. His parents are patient and his siblings offer Earnest guidance and reassurance. After being left alone, Earnest makes a flying attempt but fails. He sees a free-flying balloon and follows it into the water and becomes entangled in its dangling ribbon. His cries for help go unanswered until his returning family finally arouses sufficient belief in himself that he is ready to fly. Earnest frees himself by flapping his wings hard, allowing him to take flight. An author’s note offers more information on the dangers balloons pose to wildlife. The largish-size format will make this a nice readaloud for ages 5-7 as it is on the longer side for a picture book and packs a lot into its pages. Follow-up with discussion.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

Carter Avery’s Tricky Fourth Grade Year

Carter Avery’s Tricky Fourth Grade YearCarter Avery's Tricky Fourth-Grade Year by Rob Buyea
Published by Delacorte Press on September 3, 2024
ISBN: 0593376188
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Carter Avery is dreading 4th grade.  Everyone said his teacher Ms. Krane is mean and he is stuck with his bossy nemesis, Missy Gerber.  To make matters worse, Carter struggles in school because writing is hard for him, he can’t sit still for long, and often blurts out the first thing he thinks of.  Luckily Carter has a good support system at home in his grandma and his older sister (his parents died in a car crash when he was young).  After suspecting his teacher will trick him somehow, Carter’s perspective slowly shifts when he realizes how kind and creative she is.  He also works on a project with Missy, and he starts to think differently about her too.  Things are going relatively well until Ms. Krane isn’t at school anymore.  Eventually he finds out that it’s because she had her baby prematurely, not because of a petition some families are signing to get her removed because she is pregnant through artificial insemination.  After getting off to a rocky start with the long term substitute, Carter is able to make things right and works as hard for the substitute as he did for Ms. Krane.  

Carter learns a lot in this novel geared towards 4th-6th graders.  He overcomes many obstacles, learns what it means to be a true friend, and how to be brave and stick up for others.  Carter values friends of all kinds because he has a hard time making them.  He comes up with creative ways to show the people in his life that he cares about them, including hosting Thanksgiving and throwing a party for his teacher.  Carter is very accepting of others, like his teacher who has a prominent birth mark on her face and Mason and his guide dog Susie, whom he met at the library during Summer Reading.  Carter isn’t perfect, but he is always working hard to be better.  This story is told from Carter’s perspective and his funny yet thoughtful voice is a strength of this novel.  Readers will enjoy getting to know Carter and will appreciate how his confidence and success grows because of a variety of caring adults in his life.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

four-stars

Old Wounds

Old WoundsOld Wounds by Logan-Ashley Kisner
on September 10, 2024
ISBN: 0593814746
Genres: Horror, Supernatural
Format: Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Erin and Max are two complicated teens: they used to date, they’re both trans, and together they’ve fled their homes in Ohio for sunny California, where they imagine a better, more accepting life. However, an unexpected stop in rural Kentucky leaves them stranded and in danger. Not only do the two have to deal with the social horror of transphobes, but they also have to face the supernatural horror of a woman-devouring monster. Together, the two will need to find each other and fight to survive the night.

There are plenty of heavy, honest themes in this book. The two protagonists have differing levels of acceptance (and rejection) for their transness: Max has attempted suicide in the past, Erin’s mother is distant, and both are deeply concerned about being outed to strangers. Kisner includes content warnings at the beginning of the book to prepare readers. While these are serious topics, they are addressed with compassion and honesty.

Kisner has written several essays on queer representation in horror, and the book itself feels like a slasher movie with two teens fighting for survival and to be seen as who they really are. The book’s creativity and meta analysis on being trans are combined with the idea of a supernatural monster and how it sees trans and genderfluid people. Patrons looking for trans representation in genres other than realistic fiction may enjoy this supernatural horror novel. Due to the multiple on-page deaths by gunshot and supernatural entities, discussions of suicide and self-hate, and transphobia, this book is recommended for mature readers.

Reviewed by Raechel Moore, Maine State Library, Augusta

four-stars

Woe: A Housecat’s Story of Despair

Woe: A Housecat’s Story of DespairWoe: A Housecat's Story of Despair by Lucy Knisley
Published by Random House Graphic on July 2, 2024
ISBN: 0593177630
Pages: 208
Genres: Animals
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

“Woe: A Housecat’s Story of Despair” by Lucy Knisley is a graphic novel comprised of a collection of web comics about the relationship between the author and her cat Linney. The story humorously explores all the ups and downs of being a pet owner, including all of the quirks of owning a beloved cat. Through charming illustrations and witty narration, Knisley captures the emotional landscape of her and Linney’s experiences, blending humor with poignant moments of reflection on love, pet care, loss, and the day to day antics of her cat. Although often funny, the book doesn’t shy away from the difficult and heartbreaking aspects of pet ownership.  Although I, as an adult reader, would prefer more of a story than a series of graphic vignettes, this graphic novel is beloved by my middle grade animal loving daughter. This book would be a popular addition to any middle school library’s graphic novel collection.

Reviewed by Rebecca Duquette, Pittston Randolph Consolidated School

three-stars

Silent Sister by Megan Davidhizar

Silent Sister by Megan DavidhizarSilent Sister by Megan Davidhizar
on August 6, 2024
ISBN: 0593705645
Genres: Mystery, Psychological thriller
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“Silent Sister” by Megan Davidhizar tells the story of a young woman whose sister disappears during an overnight school trip.  The sister who comes home, Grace, grapples with the complexities of her missing memories of that night, particularly concerning her sister, who Grace discovers has been keeping secrets from her. As Grace uncovers hidden truths about her family and classmates, she confronts issues of identity, loyalty, and the impact of silence in relationships. Beyond the mystery, this story explores the process of healing from trauma and the pain of loss. Although an experienced mystery reader can predict many of the twists and turns of the story, the relationship between Grace and her sister Maddy, as well as the mystery of what really happened is enough to keep readers hooked throughout the story. This would be a great addition to any high school library.

Reviewed by Rebecca Duquette, Pittston Randolph Consolidated School

four-stars