Source: MSL Book Review

You Can’t Say That!: Writers for young people talk about censorship, free expression, and the stories they have to tell.

You Can’t Say That!: Writers for young people talk about censorship, free expression, and the stories they have to tell.You Can't Say That!: Writers for Young People Talk About Censorship, Free Expression, and the Stories They Have to Tell by Leonard S. Marcus
Published by Candlewick Press on September 16, 2021
ISBN: 1536232971
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

In this nonfiction collection, thirteen popular authors are interviewed by Leonars S. Marcus with a focus on their experiences with their writing being challenged.  How they felt about the challenges and how it shaped their future writing are common threads.  Challenges run the breadth of race, sex, LGBTQ matters, and the always contentious “course language.”  Authors that are interviewed include: Matt de la Pena, Robie H. Harris, Susan Kuklin, David Levithan, Meg Medina, Leslea Newman, Katherine Patterson, Dav Pilkey, Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell, Sonya Sones, R.L. Stein, and Angie Thomas.  The forward is written by Levar Burton.  The format of the book is that of a chapter per author starting with an introduction to the author’s background followed by what feels like an informal chat/interview between the author and Marcus.

The intended audience of this book should be those out there who feel the need to protect young readers by restricting what they read.  Those who are facing these challenges (librarians, educators, authors, literary fans) are more likely the ones to pick up this book and read it.  It’s informative and a real eye opener for those not in the thick of dealing with challenged books.  It’s packed full of powerful quotes for those wanting to support the first amendment.  

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

five-stars

Too Small Tola Makes it Count

Too Small Tola Makes it CountToo Small Tola Makes It Count by Atinuke, Onyinye Iwu
Series: Too Small Tola #4
Published by Candlewick Press on 9/24/24
ISBN: 1536238155
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

In this installment of Too Small Tola, Tola, her family, and neighbors return to their apartments after the  COVID-19 lockdowns.  This early chapter book is broken into three separate sections.  In the first, Tola is being ridiculed by classmates who don’t believe she worked as a house girl for a famous Nigerian singer during the pandemic.  As she deals with this disappointment, she devises a creative solution to help her elderly neighbor, Mrs. Shaky-Shaky, who no longer has the strength to climb the stairs to her room.  The second chapter describes the vacation Tola and her gram take to a litter-strewn beach.  The final chapter pulls everything together when the famous singer releases a song with Tola’s name in it!  Tola has learned about friendship and making mistakes and prepares to forgive her peers who apologize, though she is careful not to be too trusting of them in the future.  

Like the other books in this series,  this book addresses important and relevant topics in a straightforward, kid-friendly way.  Poverty, the pandemic, and aging are mentioned, but they are not the focus of Tola’s story.  Instead, themes of love, community, and resilience emerge and will stay with the readers long after they finish reading.  This book would be great for elementary schools or public libraries, especially if they already have the other books in this series. Black and white drawings break up the text, making it ideal for new chapter book readers.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

three-stars

Turning Twelve

Turning TwelveTurning Twelve by Kathryn Ormsbee, Molly Brooks
on October 29, 2024
ISBN: 0593650069
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel, Middle Grade Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“Turning Twelve” is a middle grade graphic novel written by Kathryn Ormsbee and illustrated by Molly Brooks. This is a sequel to their graphic novel, “Growing Pangs.” Katie is heading into seventh grade and her best friends are temporarily moving away to help with an ill family member and could be gone for months! How will she deal with seventh grade without them? We follow Katie as she makes a new friend in theatre and then begins to wonder if she has a crush on a girl? Set in the early 2000s, Katie tries to cope with her potential crush, the thoughts of her church, youth group, and just being 12. We follow Katie as she tries to accept herself amongst all the expectations and pressures of seventh grade. Katie wrestling with her internal thoughts and figuring out who she is will likely resonate with middle school readers. A must-buy for middle grade graphic novel collections.

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

 

four-stars

Nate the Great and the Star-Spangled Parrot

Nate the Great and the Star-Spangled ParrotNate the Great and the Star-Spangled Parrot by Andrew Sharmat
Published by Delacorte Press on June 11, 2024
ISBN: 0593805550
Pages: 60
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General, Mystery
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Nate and his dog, Sludge, run into their friend, Pip and his pet parrot, Prattles, who are desperately searching for his drone parrot, Penelope, who went missing in the recent wind storm. Nate agrees to take the case of the missing drone in hopes of finding it before they are due to sing the national anthem at the annual 4th of July picnic in two days time.

The next day Nate’s friend, Claude comes round needing Nate to help find his missing drone parrot, Baxter. The similarities start adding up and Nate and Sludge are on the case!

Through a series of oftentimes confusing misadventures and round about clues Nate is able to solve the mystery and save the day for Pip and his parrots, both real and drone.

Suggested age: 6-9

Reviewed by MaryAnn Lopes, Lewiston Public Schools, Lewiston, ME.

three-stars

Riot Act

Riot ActRiot Act by Sarah Lariviere
Published by Alfred A. Knopf ISBN: 0593479955
Genres: Historical Fiction, Science Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

“Riot Act” is a YA historical dystopian novel by Sarah Lariviere. Set in 1991 in an alternate history, Americans are living under an authoritarian government that prohibits anti-American thought. We follow two teens who are dealing with the death of their friend as they get a group together to put on an illegal underground Shakespeare performance. There is death and romance, queer representation, and a lot of punk rebellion. The use of an unusual narrator was interesting, but also seemed to hinder readers from fully engaging with the main characters. With shades of 1984, this story of teenagers rebelling through art against a repressive government will likely resonate with theater kids and teens disenchanted with the current political world. A suggested additional purchase for YA collections, especially where dystopian fiction is popular.

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

three-stars

The Color of a Lie

The Color of a LieThe Color of a Lie by Kim Johnson
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on June 11, 2024
ISBN: 0593118804
Pages: 336
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“The Color of a Lie” is a young adult historical fiction novel by Kim Johnson. Set in 1955, Calvin is a Black American whose family is able to pass for white, so they have been. When the family moves from Chicago to a small segregated community in Pennsylvania it is even more important that they pass. The high school Calvin goes to integrates a Black student, Lily, and Calvin is forced to face the danger of racism and discrimination. Characters are believable and compelling and Johnson has captured the feel and details of the Jim Crow Era and the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement. The end of the book contains a list of additional resources for those wanting more information. A recommended purchase for YA collections, especially where historical fiction is popular.

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

four-stars

Practical Rules for Cursed Witches

Practical Rules for Cursed WitchesPractical Rules for Cursed Witches by Kayla Cottingham
on August 27, 2024
ISBN: 0593813979
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“Practical Rules for Cursed Witches” by Kayla Cottingham is a YA fantasy novel about a witch attempting to break her curse. Delilah is a witch born to a cursed family where if anyone falls in love with them, they will forget everything about them. Delilah decides she is going to try to break the curse while on a quest for her “calling,” where she will try to break the curse on a dying wealthy man and she only has six months to do it or she will lose her magic forever. The book follows Delilah as she goes on her quest and meets Kieran who needs to find his lost twin.

Characters become well developed and are interesting. The world building is great and well done, though more information about the lore at the beginning of the book might have been helpful. A fun queer fantasy romance, this is a recommended purchase where YA fantasy does well.

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

four-stars

Pizza and Taco: Best Christmas Ever!

Pizza and Taco: Best Christmas Ever!Best Christmas Ever! (Pizza and Taco #8) by Stephen Shaskan
Series: Pizza and Taco #8
Published by Random House on 10/01/24
ISBN: 0593703499
Genres: Humor
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Young readers will enjoy this installment of the popular Pizza and Taco series.  In this graphic novel, Pizza and Taco are preparing for Christmas.  They carefully make lists of all the toys they want.  They also try to out-do one another in being nice because they know Santa Slaw is watching.  On Christmas morning, they are initially disappointed because they didn’t receive everything they asked for, but then they realize that the best present is their friendship.  This book is ideal for any library that serves newer readers in Kindergarten or 1st grade.  Most of the pictures are simple yet humorous, especially the facial expressions,  and there isn’t much text on each page.  Libraries that already have books in this series should consider adding this graphic novel to their collection.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

three-stars

Zodiac Rising

Zodiac RisingZodiac Rising (Descendants of the Zodiac, #1) by Katie Zhao
on October 8, 2024
ISBN: 059364641X
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

“Zodiac Rising” is a young adult modern fantasy/heist novel by Katie Zhao. The story opens with the emperor of the Middle Kingdom being punished by the gods for his greed. The gods release monsters called wrathlings to destroy everything. One god relents and provides 12 warriors who are descendants of a magical animal from the Chinese zodiac. The warriors fight back and win. Many years later, the heads of the animal statues are stolen and the descendants’ powers are removed, with many of them being transformed into supernatural creatures like vampires and werewolves. They cannot return to their original selves until the statue heads are returned.

The book mostly takes place in present time with the descendants who are left attending a special hidden school, which was the part that really took me out of the story because I couldn’t understand why the centuries old descendants were essentially in high school with actual teen descendants. Several of the characters go to faerie land to pull a heist and get back the statue heads, which I found the most interesting part of the novel. The characters were fleshed out and believable and I enjoyed the trust building.  A recommended additional purchase for YA collections where modern fantasy novels are popular.

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

three-stars

Molly, Olive, and Dexter: The Guessing Game

Molly, Olive, and Dexter: The Guessing GameMolly, Olive, and Dexter: The Guessing Game by Catherine Rayner
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536234141
Genres: Animals, Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Horses
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

The second in a series by Catherine Rayner is Molly, Olive, and Dexter: The Guessing Game. This is a charming picture book in Rayner’s series that focuses on the theme of friendship. Each book is a different game they play together. The Guessing Game is reminiscent of an “I Spy” game one might play with friends.

Rayner’s stunning illustrations are shiny and colorful with beautiful watercolor-brushed animals including: Molly the hare, Olive the owl, and Dexter the fox. The story goes back and forth to each of the animals trying to guess what item the other animal is thinking about. Olive the owl is thinking about two things that are lovely, and Molly and Dexter are frustrated! They cannot guess what it might be. Then they realize that Olive is owl is thinking about Molly and Dexter!

“This game is lovely,” says Dexter. “It’s the loveliest game in the world,” says Molly. Albeit a bit too saccharine at times, a child will find these characters to be cozy nonetheless. A great addition to a sweet and gentle series that also includes, Molly, Olive, and Dexter Play Hide-and-Seek, Molly, Olive, and Dexter: You Can’t Catch Me! (2025), and Molly, Olive, and Dexter: Who’s Afraid of the Dark? (2025).

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

three-stars