Source: MSL Book Review

With Twice the Love, Dessie Mei

With Twice the Love, Dessie MeiWith Twice the Love, Dessie Mei by Justina Chen
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on 5/7/24
ISBN: 0063306522
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Dessie Mei is not thrilled to be starting middle school for a second time, after her parents move from central Washington to Seattle mid-year in order to take care of Dessie’s ailing grandmother.  When Dessie arrives at her class, she is shocked to meet a girl who looks exactly like her, with the same taste in music, who can converse with her using no words.  Like Dessie, Donna was born on the same day in China and comes from the same orphanage. They secretly soon learn they are identical twins!  Eventually the truth comes out and Dessie and Donna and their families experience ups and downs as they navigate their new reality.  Dessie and Donna also face typical middle school challenges with friendships and bullies, especially in their class that is learning what it means to be part of a community. Themes of family, racism, and identity are woven throughout this middle grade novel.  This book addresses topics pertinent to today’s readers without being overwhelming and would be a great addition to any school or public library.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

four-stars

Moonstorm

MoonstormMoonstorm (Lancers, #1) by Yoon Ha Lee
on June 4, 2024
ISBN: 0593488334
Genres: Science Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

In this thrilling first entry in the Lancers series, Hwa Young dreams of becoming a Lancer pilot after being rescued by one of the giant mech-suited soldiers as a child during the destruction of her home world. Now Hwa Young is a citizen of the very empire her family fought against. Hwa Young vows that she will become a Lancer pilot in order to never feel as powerless as she did the day her home was destroyed. After a devastating attack on her new home planet, Hwa Young is swept into the complex and violent world of interplanetary warfare even as she finally realizes her dream of becoming a Lancer pilot. As Hwa Young and her squadron of fellow pilots adjust to their new roles, they discover that all is not as it seems in the empire. They must make a devastating decision between betraying their values or betraying the empire. 

The world building and character development in this book are intriguing and give the author lots to play with in future entries in the series. The main character, Hwa Young, is complex and her sense of duty to the empire and longing for a true family shine, giving heart to what otherwise would be considered an action-forward novel. 

This book is a must read for young adults who enjoy sci-fi, especially the Star Wars universe. Readers who enjoyed the sci-fi elements of The Lunar Chronicles series by Marissa Meyer will also enjoy this unique space opera.

Reviewed by Rebecca Duquette, Pittston Randolph Consolidated School, Pittston 

four-stars

The Notes

The NotesThe Notes by Catherine Con Morse
on April 30, 2024
ISBN: 0593711386
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

“The Notes” is a young adult novel by Catherine Con Morse. Claire Wu is a Chinese American piano student at a prestigious music boarding school. When a renowned piano teacher, Dr. Tina Li, joins the faculty, Claire wants to impress her. Things seem to be going well when Claire begins to receive mysterious notes telling her to be careful of Dr. Li and not to fall under her spell. The book does a good job of accurately portraying the pressures of high school and the difficulties that Claire feels about not being “Asian enough” and falling below her high expectations of herself. Some plot points don’t seem to get resolved, but readers will still enjoy Claire’s growth. A recommended additional purchase for YA collections where realistic fiction and mysteries are popular.

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

three-stars

What’s Eating Jackie Oh?

What’s Eating Jackie Oh?What's Eating Jackie Oh? by Patricia Park
on April 30, 2024
ISBN: 0593563417
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“What’s Eating Jackie Oh?” is a young adult realistic fiction novel by Patricia Park. Jackie is a 3rd generation Korean American high schooler living in NYC. She attends a science school and her parents are pressuring her to be perfect and get good grades so that she can go to an IVY League college, but Jackie actually enjoys cooking. While helping out at her grandparents’ deli, she is scouted for a teen cooking show. Jackie is able to find her own way and learns who she wants to be as the book goes on.Serious topics like hate crimes, undocumented immigrants, and food insecurity are handled briefly, but really well. Jackie is a likeable and smart character and readers will enjoy following her journey. Recommended for YA fiction collections.

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

four-stars

What’s a Germ, Joseph Lister? The Medical Mystery That Forever Changed the Way We Heal

What’s a Germ, Joseph Lister? The Medical Mystery That Forever Changed the Way We HealWhat's a Germ, Joseph Lister?: The Medical Mystery That Forever Changed the Way We Heal by Daniel Duncan, Lori Alexander
Published by Clarion Books on 2023
ISBN: 0358538173
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

This is an intriguing look at the life of Joseph Lister, born near London in 1827, and his dedicated work to discover germs and implement practices that ultimately saved countless lives throughout the world. By integrating a fascinating, sometimes gruesome history of doctors, surgeons, and hospitals of the time, the author gives a lively account of Lister’s childhood education and his decision to become a surgeon. Upon starting work at a hospital, he became obsessed with the alarming death rate of his patients (nearly 50%!) in spite of fully successful operations and started researching the problem on his own. Eventually, by combining his own experiments guided by the scientific method, and utilizing information gleaned from other contemporary medical publications, he came to the conclusion that germs were causing infections in the patients who were dying. His recommendations for sanitizing surgeries, including simple activities that we take for granted today such as handwashing and instrument cleaning, took a long time to become widely accepted. Lister’s tenacity should serve as an inspiration to budding scientists and doctors.

This book is recommended for 8-12 year-olds and includes a timeline, glossary, notes, bibliography, index, and color illustrations throughout. It is a biography I would suggest to readers interested in medicine, the scientific method, and the history of 19th Century medical practices.

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, University of Southern Maine, Gorham Campus Library

four-stars

The Wishkeeper’s Apprentice

The Wishkeeper’s ApprenticeThe Wishkeeper's Apprentice by Rachel Chivers Khoo, Rachel Sanson
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536231207
Pages: 227
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Humor
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Ten-year-old Felix Jones’s biggest problem at the moment is loneliness. His best (and only) friend has just moved away, and his big sister, who is seven years older, finds him annoying. Then he spots the strange little man fishing pennies out of the wishing fountain in the square. The man explains that he is the town Wishkeeper, and that he is collecting wishes. More importantly, he is invisible! He cannot explain why Felix can see him, but he does offer Felix a job as his apprentice.

In fact, Rupus Beewinkle is a Wishkeeper with a problem, and in desperate need of the help an apprentice could provide. His wishes are hitting snags at an unprecedented rate, and he can hardly keep up with the fixes. Some are going up in flames (literally!) He is afraid there is only one explanation: a Wishsnatcher, thought to be extinct, has moved into town. Wishsnatchers feed on hope, and if it catches Rupus, it will reverse all of Rupus’s granted wishes. That will spell the end of all that is good in the town of Whittlestone.

Things heat up for Felix when he accidentally discovers that Rupus broke a law of magic a decade ago and granted a wish that never should have been allowed. Seven-year-old Rebecca Jones had wished for a little brother, which means that Felix himself…is a wish. Suddenly, defeating the Wishsnatcher is more than just helping Rupus – it becomes a fight for Felix’s very survival!

A gently suspenseful transitional chapter book that will appeal to younger readers who enjoy magical tales and are ready for a longer text and more complex plot, without being overwhelmed. Grayscale pencil/digital illustrations enliven the text and round out the storyline.

4 Stars. A great addition to library shelves. Easy to offer to eager readers transitioning to middle grade books.

– Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library, Augusta

four-stars

The Big Cheese

Published by HarperCollins Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
four-stars

Classic Jory John, “The Big Cheese” is the newest in The Food Group series. Big Cheese is a big deal. No seriously, a BIG deal. Haven’t you heard of him? Big Cheese’s reputation precedes him: he’s the best at everything! The best speller, the best soccer player, the coolest guy in any room, and the center of every conversation. Oh yeah, and also the most humble! Until of course, Wedge Wedgeman moves to town. At first Wedge keeps to himself, but on the day of the annual Cheese-cathalon (a VERY big deal), Wedge smokes the Big Cheese in every single event in front of the whole town! After 6 years in a row of winning, the Big Cheese is shocked to his gooey center, going through every stage of grief until he realizes it felt kind of … good … to lose? To not have to live up to his own impossible standards. The weight falls off his shoulders as he comes to realize the world won’t end if he doesn’t win everything. The Big Cheese wraps up neatly as the title character befriends Wedge & has his very first conversation NOT all about him, thus leading our hero to gain humility, become a team player, and cheer on those around him. Great for ages 4-8 & a good storytime book to boot.

 

Reviewed by Paiten Price – Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth  ME

four-stars

A Best Friend for Bear

A Best Friend for BearA Best Friend for Bear by Petr Horáček
Published by Walker Books on April 7, 2022
ISBN: 1406397547
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

First US edition 2024. Published in UK in 2022. This book is sublime in its simplicity. Black Bear decides to look for a friend. He meets Brown Bear who is also looking for a friend so the bears decide to search for a friend together. They search everywhere, but a friend is nowhere to be found. Meanwhile they help each other and play hide-and-seek much like friends would do, and leave the woods laughing and holding hands on the final page. The simple, colorful artwork featuring either the black bear or brown bear is joyful and the text is heart-warming. Highly recommended for preschool storytimes.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

I Was: the Stories of Animal Skulls

I Was: the Stories of Animal SkullsI Was: The Stories of Animal Skulls by Katherine Hocker, Natasha Donovan
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536223131
Genres: Animals, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

First of all, GREAT cover! The book is about what animal skulls can reveal about their previous users’ senses and behaviors. The writing is first person (first animal?) and poetic. The backmatter gives more expansive descriptions of what the size and placement of these skulls’ might suggest about the eyes, noses, and diets of the six once-living creatures. (Seven if you count the human skull.) I’d give the writing and the information conveyed a starred review. I do not care for the dark, blue renditions of the skulls. I found it difficult to recognize what the text was conveying. I wished the illustrations were more distinct and colorful like the rest of the book. Nevertheless, I highly recommend it for the lesson in deductive reasoning for ages 7-10.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars

Found

FoundFound by Sam Usher
Series: Nature Quartet #4
Published by Templar on May 28, 2024
ISBN: 153623494X
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

The fourth title in a quartet of imaginative picture books in which a boy and his beloved granddad discover the wonder of the natural world. In this one, the grandfather and grandchild  enjoy a summer day at the beach. Narrated by the child with fanciful ink-and-watercolor illustrations. While the story generally is realistic, things eventually turn a bit fantastic when they rescue a baby seal caught in some netting and return it by sail boat to its family. Both granddad and child are white. An affectionate intergenerational story that would work well for preschool -1st grade story time with a beach or grandparent theme, especially its large 9″ x 12″ size and bright, clear illustrations.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

four-stars