Source: MSL Book Review

Harriet Hound

Harriet HoundHarriet Hound by Kate Foster, Sophie Beer
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536238104
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General, Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Horses
Format: Middle Grade Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Harriet lives with her family in Australia and helps run their dog rescue. She has a very special super power – she can call on any of the dogs in her shelter and they will magically appear, understand what to do, and help her!  Harriet uses her super power to help solve problems in three different adventures, finding her shelter dogs forever homes in the process. The problems she faces are appropriate for the youngest readers (for example, vanishing vegetables at a friend’s garden), but may be lackluster for the more thrill-seeking readers. Harriet is also autistic, and the book does an amazing job at explaining what that means for Harriet in an understandable and relatable way (such as wearing headphones in the car, or stimming when she’s nervous). There are also so many fun facts about different dog breeds throughout the book. A solid addition to any juvenile fiction collection, particularly for animal lovers and increasing autism awareness. Recommended for ages 7-8 (2nd to 3rd Grade).

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

four-stars

When We Gather: (Ostadahlisiha): A Cherokee Tribal Feast

When We Gather: (Ostadahlisiha): A Cherokee Tribal FeastWhen We Gather (Ostadahlisiha): A Cherokee Tribal Feast by Andrea L. Rogers, Madelyn Goodnight
ISBN: 0063076799
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

This beautiful book covers so many desirable picture book categories: Indigenous knowledge and traditions, community, sustainability, family, food, caring for our elders, and so much more.

At the start of the story, a Cherokee girl welcomes the onset of spring. Details of tasks being done by different family members help set the tone, and readers will enjoy the family adventure to gather wild onions. The tale continues as everyone makes their way to the community center to help prepare a meal. Various traditional dishes are described and recipes are included in the back of the book.

In addition to the recipes, back matter includes a glossary of native words, a note to the reader, and a longer and more detailed author’s note. When We Gather was published in association with We Need Diverse Books. This selection is recommended for all libraries with picture book collections.

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta

five-stars

Find Out About Animal Tools

Find Out About Animal ToolsFind Out About Animal Tools by Jane McGuinness, Martin Jenkins
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536234044
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Martin and McGuinness have teamed up to make a lovely series of illustrated books about animals. This title teaches readers about some of the ways different animals use tools as adaptations.

Cleverly, there are two levels of text on each page. For example: “This one spits water at bugs – it’s got great aim.” is followed by a brief paragraph detailing how archerfish shoot jets of water at their insect prey. This allows the story to be read and enjoyed readers of different ages and abilities.

Illustrations are gentle and charming. The otters that grace the cover are sure to be a favorite with readers. This book is recommended for libraries needing to bulk up nature-themed books in their picture book section.

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta

three-stars

The Café at the Edge of the Woods

The Café at the Edge of the WoodsThe Café at the Edge of the Woods by Mikey Please
on October 1, 2024
ISBN: 0063345498
Genres: Fantasy, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

I have been holding off on writing a review about this one. If I could, I would give it 4 ½ stars. If you like the humor in Jon Klassen books, you will likely enjoy this one, too. Rene opens a café beside an enchanted forest and hires Glumfoot, a gnomish-like creature, as a waiter. Nobody shows up to sample her fine cuisine so Glumfoot goes out into the forest to solicit a customer. An ogre comes to the café and orders pickled bats, slugs, and battered mice! Rene cooks a bowl of rice but Glumfoot transforms it into a maggot fondue. The ogre loves it and returns with his friends. Rene  and Glumfoot make a great team and the café is a success. The cartoon-like illustrations are colorful and appealing. Not surprising since Mikey Please is an award winning animator. The plot is taut and the rhyming solid. Some may be disturbed by the disgusting dishes and  “A bag of bats! That smells like fart!” Others will be enchanted and find it hilarious. Choose your audience.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Go Well, Anna Hibiscus

Go Well, Anna HibiscusGo Well, Anna Hibiscus! by Atinuke, Lauren Tobia
Published by Candlewick Press on April 3, 2014,2024
ISBN: 1536238112
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Early Reader
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

The 6th book in the reissued Anna Hibiscus series, a beginning chapter book with numerous black-and-white drawings throughout. As in the other books in the series, Anna lives in Africa in the country Nigeria in a city called Lagos. In this installment, Anna is going with her family and grandfather on a trip to the village where her grandparents used to live. This involves a ride on a packed, sweaty bus through the rainforest and scrubland, and through fields of bananas and oranges and sugarcane. It is still  a long walk away through the bush from where the bus dropped them off. Anna has never been to the bush before and there is no road, no running water, and no electricity. Anna is a spirited little girl who likes to learn new things. There are few books  that depict an adventurous girl with a white mom and a Black father, growing up in Africa. This series exposes children to life in Nigeria – both city and bush – and can expand a study of Africa beyond the amazing animals that live there. Approximately a 2nd-grade independent reading level but can be enjoyed as a readaloud with much younger children. (A 5-year-old at my library loves this series!)

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Thank You

Thank YouThank You by Jarvis
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536235865
Genres: Emotions & Feelings
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

A simple, sweet book about all the things the young boy is thankful for – “the moon for the nighttime” to “tyrannosaurus for being the longest word I know.” Incredibly creative collage illustrations accompanying the single thing he lists that he is thankful for on each page.  The boy presents as white but some of the other children are other ethnicities. However, you will always recognize the boy by the red hat he wears. The end pages are covered with words for “thank you” in different languages . This book could be used at Thanksgiving (or anytime) to enlighten kids about some of the unusual things that enrich their lives followed by a discussion about what for which they are grateful.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Sir Callie and the Witches War (Book 3)

Sir Callie and the Witches War (Book 3)Sir Callie and the Witch's War by Esme Symes-Smith
Published by Penguin Random House ISBN: 0593711084
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

This third installment in the engaging and diverse Sir Callie series is another winner for middle grade fantasy lovers looking for queer and nonbinary main character representation. Symes-Smith grapples with very difficult topics, including discrimination, trauma, complicated families and more, in a way that is very real and appropriate for middle grade readers, neither shying away from these things, but also not including them just to drive a plot point home. A book that will circulate with current fans easily and a must-have for any library that owns the first two in the series.

Reviewed by: Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library, Augusta

five-stars

Near Misses and Cowboy Kisses

Near Misses and Cowboy KissesNear Misses & Cowboy Kisses by Katrina Emmel
on July 23, 2024
ISBN: 0593708148
Genres: Romance
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

“Near Misses and Cowboy Kisses” is a YA romance by Katrina Emmel. Riley Thomas is 17 and dealing with moving from California to Nebraska due to her parents’ jobs. Beyond that, she also has to go on an Oregon Trail-themed family vacation (yes, involving wagons). While there, she meets Colton Walker, an 18-year-old cowboy working for the Oregon Trail Adventure. He is quiet and she is angry. Their awkwardness turns into friendship and then more. This is a slow-moving cowboy romance that at times is frustrating due to the main character’s miscommunication and assumptions. A suggested purchase where YA romances are popular.

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

three-stars

A Queen’s Game

A Queen’s GameA Queen's Game by Katharine McGee
on November 12, 2024
ISBN: 0593710703
Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

“A Queen’s Game” is the first in a new YA historical romance series by author Katharine McGee. The three main characters are all based on actual historical women from 19th-century Europe. Alix of Hesse is expected to marry Prince Edward, but she has fallen in love with Russian prince Nicholas. Former French princess Helene d’Orleans meanwhile meets up with Prince Edward and falls for him. And lastly, May of Teck wants to marry royalty to get away from her family.

There is a lot of drama, political twist, and romantic scenes, so readers who enjoy a twisty historical romance will like this one. It reads a bit like a Victorian Gossip Girl at times. It unfortunately ends on a cliffhanger, so readers will have to wait for the sequel. This is a suggested purchase where YA historical romances are popular.

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

three-stars

Blame My Virgo Moon

Blame My Virgo MoonBlame My Virgo Moon (Never Trust a Gemini, #2) by Freja Nicole Woolf
on May 2, 2024
ISBN: 153623530X
Genres: Humor, Realistic Fiction, Romance
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

“Blame My Virgo Moon” is the second book in the “Never Trust a Gemini” YA series by Freja Nicole Woolf. Cat is 15 years old and very into astrology. She is an Aquarius. Since the end of the last book, she has a girlfriend, Morgan, who is a Gemini. Cat is having trouble integrating Morgan into her friend group. Cat also ends up in the school play as a lead, so she has to deal with stress there as well.

A funny high school novel that seems a bit foolish at times (I don’t know if teens actually exclaim “gooseberries” all that often) and has a lot of rom-com tropes, this is an additional purchase for YA collections where astrology books are popular.

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

three-stars