Source: MSL Book Review

Hollowthorn

HollowthornHollowthorn (Ravenfall, #2) by Kalyn Josephson
Published by Penguin Random House on October 17, 2023
ISBN: 0593483626
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Fantasy, Folklore, Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General, Supernatural
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Josephson’s Hollowthorn picks up where the first book of the middle grade series, Ravenfall, ended. Friends Anna Ballinkay and Colin Pierce are continuing to work on developing and controlling their magical powers after narrowly defeating the King of the Dead on Samhain. Hollowthorn follows Anna, her father Henry, Henry’s friend Salem, and Colin as they go on a journey through the Otherworld to stop the Jewish Lord of the Demons, Ashmedai, from absorbing the Tree of Life’s magical energy. Whereas Ravenfall featured Celtic mythology, Hollowthorn features the lesser known mythoi of Jewish mythology. Although Hollowthorn’s pace is quicker than Ravenfall’s, Josephson still manages to create an intriguing expansion of the series’ magical world using detailed descriptions of the characters’ experiences and creatures in the Otherworld.

With a twist that will have readers questioning the definitions of good and evil, Hollowthorn is a solid second book in the Ravenfall series. Middle grade readers who enjoy books featuring Greek and Norse mythology may also be intrigued by the varied myths and adventure found in the Ravenfall series.

Reviewed by Sarah Hartje, Lewiston Public Library, Lewiston

four-stars

All the Small Wonderful Things

All the Small Wonderful ThingsAll the Small Wonderful Things by Kate Foster
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536225800
Genres: Animals, Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Horses, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

In the middle grade novel All the Small Wonderful Things, Alex, an eleven year old living with autism, is sure that the way to become friends with the most popular kid at his school, and avoid future bullying, is to prove his worth by winning an award. Alex decides the best way to achieve his goal is to enter his dog Kevin in Australia’s best dog show, P.A.W.S. The novel follows Alex’s joys and struggles as he trains Kevin and hopes to make a true friend before the next school year.

Like most kids who are transitioning from elementary to middle school, Alex faces the familiar stresses of fitting in at school, developing friendships, and wanting to truly be understood. By experiencing the story first person through Alex, readers will be able to gain insight into how people with autism may interpret stimuli and make interpersonal connections. Neurotypical readers can feel empathy for Alex that may encourage social emotional connections with children whose neurodivergent experiences differ from their own. While everyone’s experience with neurodivergence will vary, readers with autism may be able to identify with Alex and the positive disability representation provided in the story.

All the Small Wonderful Things will appeal to elementary and middle grade readers who are interested in feel good stories with happy endings, friendship stories, and animal lovers.

Reviewed by Sarah Hartje, Lewiston Public Library, Lewiston

five-stars

Alma and her Family= Alma y su familia

Alma and her Family= Alma y su familiaAlma and Her Family/Alma y su familia (Alma's Words/Las palabras de Alma) by Juana Martinez-Neal
Published by Candlewick Press (MA) on 9/5/23
ISBN: 0763693626
Genres: board book
Format: Board Book
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Alma and her Family is a bilingual board book based on the picture book character from Alma and How She Got Her Name.   This book introduces children to some family members and some easy verbs (kiss, paint, squeeze) in English and Spanish.  The text is easy to follow as the English is in black text and the Spanish is in light blue.  The illustrations are large, covering most of the pages.  The colors are soft and not overwhelming.  The pictures match the text perfectly and convey the deep love that Alma and her family feel for each other.  This board book would be a great addition to any public library.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

four-stars

The Girl From Earth’s End

The Girl From Earth’s EndThe Girl from Earth's End by Tara Dairman
Published by Candlewick Press on March 14, 2023
ISBN: 1536224804
Pages: 384
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Twelve years ago, the Orange Boat brought an unexpected delivery to Earth’s End, a forgotten corner of the Gardenia Isles archipelago. Neither of Henna’s papas expected to receive a baby in the mail. Henna loves everything about her life gardening with Papa Niall and Joaquim until Papa Niall’s resurgence of a terminal illness. Determined to save him, Henna embarks on a secret mission at St. Basil’s Conservatory, an elite horticulture boarding school where she hopes to find and steal  a heavily guarded nightwalker seed, a plant rumored to produce a miracle healing elixir.

Dairman builds a fantastical setting. P, Henna’s genderfluid friend, provides a comic element. Their roommate, Lora, who uses a wheelchair for mobility, enables the story to provide an awareness of barriers for physically challenged people. Care is taken to affirm all the multi-dimensional characters without being moralistic, concluding with a pragmatic, bittersweet ending. I would be remiss if I did not comment about the beauty of the book jacket and the floral pattern that edges the corners of each page. Recommended for grades 4-6, especially for anyone who enjoys gardening. Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

 

five-stars

Mammals Everywhere

Mammals EverywhereMammals Everywhere (Animals Everywhere) by Britta Teckentrup, Camilla de la Bedoyere
ISBN: 1536232629
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

“Mammals Everywhere” is a nonfiction picture book with basic information about mammals, written by Camilla De La Bedoyere and illustrated by Britta Teckentrup. The book is 32 pages long with information about what a mammal is, where mammals live, and facts about different kinds of mammals. The illustrations by Teckentrup are vibrant and feature a lot of detail while still simplifying the animals. There is a lot of small text, but really young kids will probably still enjoy the images and the “can you find” portions on each page. Written for ages 6 to 9, this is a good intermediary book between early reader books about mammals with few words and large encyclopedias of mammals with tons of words. A recommended purchase for juvenile nonfiction collections where picture book nonfiction is popular.

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

three-stars

A Letter for Bob

A Letter for BobA Letter for Bob by Jonathan Nelson, Kim Rogers
ISBN: 0063044552
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“A Letter for Bob” is a picture book in verse written by Kim Rogers (an enrolled member of Wichita and Affiliated Tribes) and illustrated by Jonathan Nelson (Diné). It tells the story of the family car, Bob, and all the places and activites he took them to, including Yellowstone, the Witchita Annual Dance, the library, the playground, and other family gatherings. The family has grown too big for Bob, so now they are saying goodbye, but will never forget him. Nelson’s images are colorful and highlight the parts of the image that you should pay close attention to, like at the end when the family is driving away from Bob at the dealership, but a new family is already looking to buy Bob. For ages 4 to 8, this is a recommended picture book purchase for all library collections.

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

four-stars

Chubby Bunny

Chubby BunnyChubby Bunny by Julie Murphy, Sarah Winifred Searle
ISBN: 0063011182
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
two-stars

“Chubby Bunny” is bestselling author Julie Murphy’s first picture book. The book is illustrated by Sarah Winifred Searle. Barbara “Bunny” Binks is a grade school student with a mother and grandmother who are both named Barbara. Bunny is excited about field day at school, but when teachers have the kids take part in the “chubby bunny” marshmallow challenge, Bunny is teased about her body and repeatedly called “Chubby Bunny.” There is an excellent conversation in the book between Bunny and her grandmother about how it’s okay for people to have different shaped bodies and that chubby is not a bad thing to be called.

The illustrations are beautiful and fun. I feel like the fact that the “chubby bunny challenge” can be a choking hazard makes this book a bit uncomfortable for adult readers. There is a note on the back cover that “chubby bunny” should not be attempted without adult supervision. Unfortunately the positive message of this book is muddled by the marshmallow challenge and the lack of apologies from the bullies in the end. Written for ages 4 – 8. An additional purchase for library picture book collections.

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

two-stars

Pete the Kitty’s Outdoor Art Project

Pete the Kitty’s Outdoor Art ProjectPete the Kitty's Outdoor Art Project by James Dean, Kimberly Dean
Series: My First I Can Read
Published by HarperCollins on March 14, 2023
ISBN: 0062974327
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Early Reader
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

An “I Can Read” book featuring everyone’s favorite groovy kitty. Aimed at the Pre-K set, Pete the Kitty is tasked with finding pieces of nature for an art project. Usually one to use paints and paper, Pete is not so sure that art can come from objects in nature. As he walks around, he sees his classmates using objects to create interesting things like a flower crown and a pinecone turtle. Feeling inspired, Pete finds a way to create his own art with the items he finds. A nice exploration of the different ways we can define and create art for young readers. The text makes good use of repetition and sight words, and even throws in some new vocabulary like “nifty” and “awesome”, and the illustrations are clear and support the text. Get for collections with Pete fans or for those readers who always seem to have a few sticks and rocks in their pocket.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Middle School Library

three-stars

Gnome and Rat

Gnome and RatGnome and Rat: (A Graphic Novel) by Lauren Stohler
Series: Gnome and Rat, #1, #1
Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers on June 13, 2023
ISBN: 0593487826
Pages: 66
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Early Reader, Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

From its adorable cover to its delightful endpapers, this elementary graphic novel focuses on friendship and the importance of the right hat. Short chapters celebrate the fabulous hat of Gnome, question whether hat is necessary or if hair will do (it will not), and ponder whether a new hat is necessary (it is not). Rat is a supportive friend, recognizing how important the hat is to Gnome. There are a lot of word bubbles on some pages, so it might feel overwhelming to emerging readers, but the pictures do a wonderful job of supporting story, so they could flip through and enjoy the bright, engaging illustrations. Stohler has created a delightful duo; fortunately, the end of the book promises future adventures.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Middle School Library

four-stars

The Deep End: Real Facts About the Ocean

The Deep End: Real Facts About the OceanThe Deep End: Real Facts About the Ocean by Drew Sheneman
on July 11, 2023
ISBN: 0063224550
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Reminiscent of the “Magic School Bus” series, but in this instance Miss Frizzle is replaced by an unnamed, dark-skinned scientist in a lab coat who pops up on Brownbeard’s pirate ship. The scientist introduces oceanic inhabitants, such as sea pigs, giant squid, and unusual bioluminescent creatures, but also about ancient undersea explorers. It ends with warnings about the dangers of climate change and overfishing. This book is informative and comical. Text is mostly in the speech bubbles from the scientist, Brownbeard the pirate, and his sidekick Alan, a parrot. Graphic comic-book style illustrations.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars