Source: MSL Book Review

Diary of a Dying Girl

Diary of a Dying GirlDiary of a Dying Girl by Mallory Smith
ISBN: 0593647475
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“Diary of a Dying Girl” is a memoir taken from online journal entries written by Mallory Smith, following her life with cystic fibrosis. The book starts in her teens and goes through her death post-transplant as a young adult at age 25. The book is taken from her journal entries, which make it feel very personal. We get to see all of the sides of Mallory, not just her illness, including daily high school life, SATs, dating, family life, which makes the book hit that much harder when she passes. Her family write the journal entries at the very end when she takes a turn for the worst after her transplant.

There is an afterword by her boyfriend, as well as a “When I Die” entry that Mallory prepared in advance, and information about phage therapy, the experimental treatment Mallory was part of.

Recommended for YA collections where memoirs and biographies are popular.

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

four-stars

Made in Asian America: a History for Young People

Made in Asian America: a History for Young PeopleMade in Asian America: A History for Young People by Christina Soontornvat, Erika Lee
Published by Quill Tree Books/HarperCollins on 4/30/24
ISBN: 0063242931
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Made in Asian America is an essential addition to any YA nonfiction collection because it informs readers of important information about American history often left out of schools’ curriculum and textbooks.  This book outlines the history of Asian Americans in the United States, focusing on the racism each group experienced, as well their resiliency.  As the story of each immigrant group unfolds, the authors repeat one or more of the four racist justifications they introduced at the beginning of the book: Those people are inferior to us, Those people are dangerous, There are too many of them, This is for their own good.  This allows readers to see why racist acts were accepted and legal, and unfortunately, how they were repeated throughout history.  Asian Americans are obviously not the only minority group to experience racism in the United States, and this book shows the interconnectedness of the Asian American experience and other marginalized groups.  The authors not only show the similarities of the injustices each group faced, but also how they worked together at different points in history to work for social justice.

This book contains a lot of information, but the authors do a good job defining and explaining potentially new terms and ideas and include maps and graphs to help create context.  There are also a lot of photographs, both historical and contemporary, to help readers better understand the material.  This book does not shy away from the difficult topics of racism, war, and violence and how it affected Asian Americans, but they also include examples of people, past and present, who have been advocates for their culture, including many young people the same age as the young adult target audience.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

five-stars

Summer Vamp

Summer VampSummer Vamp: (A Graphic Novel) by Violet Chan Karim
on May 14, 2024
ISBN: 0593425235
Genres: Humor, Supernatural
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“Summer Vamp” is a middle grade graphic novel by Violet Chan Karim. Maya is hoping that summer will go better than this past school year, by attending a cooking camp. Unfortunately, she ends up accidentally going to a vampire camp. Luckily these vampires don’t attack humans. There is some tension as Maya tries to hide that she is human, as well as some bullying, but Maya eventually accepts who she is and that her differences and hobbies are something to be proud of. We also learn about not believing biases and judging before we know someone. The illustrations are big and bright and very humorous. Readers will enjoy following along as Maya learns to accept herself. A recommended purchase for middle grade graphic novel collections.

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

four-stars

The Unlucky Kid

The Unlucky KidThe Unlucky Kid by Bob Holt
Published by Kids Can Press on May 7, 2024
ISBN: 1525306596
Pages: 64
Genres: Humor
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars
Elementary readers will delight in this over-the-top graphic novel about Quin, the unluckiest kid alive. With plenty of action, bright illustrations and simple text bubbles, the book is separated into three, short episodes that start calm and normal and devolve into wackier and more ridiculous action. From a swarm of hungry seagulls to a brilliant(?) tooth-pulling plan to a not-so-simple fishing expedition, young readers will giggles at the unluckiness of Quin and the downright silliness of his predicaments. Older readers (adults) will have to suspend their disbelief or else they will find themselves wondering how Quin would have survived to the end of the book (and how his mother could allow such carelessness). This book is not an essential purchase, but it will find its audience and it will be enjoyed and appreciated by any Quin-like kid who stumbles into mishaps without trying.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Middle School

three-stars

Love, The Earth

Love, The EarthLove, the Earth by Frances Stickley, Tim Hopgood
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536234125
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry, Juvenile Fiction / Climate
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars
Love, The Earth is a beautiful rhyming story between the Earth and the young child reading it. Frances Stickley’s gentle words share how the Earth has taken care of humans and how all it asks in return is to be taken care in return. Through Tim Hopgood’s colorful illustrations,  the Earth presents its wonders. We see images of the Earth smiling benevolently upon the child in the book or appearing sad when it’s faced with trash and forest fires. The book focuses specifically on the relationship with the child, giving the book a heartwarming and intimate tone. The last page concludes with the Earth signing off, “With All My Love, the Earth.”

A great addition to any library collection, but especially for those who are sensitive to eco-anxiety. The message is less of a warning and more like an opportunity to connect with the planet we appreciate so much. For that reason, I recommend it for an Earth Day display or storytime.

Reviewed by Gia Pilgrim Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

The Misfits: A Royal Conundrum

The Misfits: A Royal ConundrumA Royal Conundrum (The Misfits #1) by Dan Santat, Lisa Yee
Series: The Misfits #1
Published by Random House ISBN: 1984830295
Pages: 276
Genres: Adventure, Humor, Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars
Olive Cobin-Zang has never felt like she’s belonged. But even worse than feeling invisible at school or being left alone by her constantly traveling parents, is the news that they are sending her to a boarding school called RASCH – a.k.a. the “Reforming Arts School,” set on an island off the California coast.

Despite initial misgivings, Olive quickly finds her place and wants above all to stay at RASCH. Odd students, quirky teachers and the strangest tests she’s ever taken (a conundrum! A Gymkhanasplore!) make this school different. And that’s before discovering that RASCH is actually a cover for an elite group of student-aged crimefighters – and they’re recruiting!

Olive joins a diverse group of like-minded misfits, all with special talents, to do what has eluded law enforcement for decades: take down the jewelry thief known as the Bling King and, by doing so, save their school. These five students don’t always get along, but they (eventually) learn to always have each other’s backs.

This fast-paced and hilarious series opener will be enthusiastically welcomed by fans of the Mysterious Benedict Society or Mrs. Smith’s Spy School for Girls. Black and white illustrations by Dan Santat throughout the book lend to the visual appeal.

5 stars

Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library

five-stars

Ten Little Rabbits

Ten Little RabbitsTen Little Rabbits by Maurice Sendak
Published by Harper ISBN: 006264467X
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars
Maurice Sendak’s delightful trademark illustrations decorate each page, telling the story of a young magician and his eponymous rabbits with minimal words and numbers. Young children will certainly giggle, and even count along, as he first makes rabbits appear from his top hat, one by one, and then, thoroughly overrun by rabbits and looking quite vexed, he makes them vanish, again one by one.

Fans of Sendak, and especially his Nutshell Library books, will find this familiar. Sure to be a favorite! Highly recommend.

Five stars/Cream

Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library

five-stars

The Last Zookeeper

The Last ZookeeperThe Last Zookeeper by Aaron Becker
Published by Candlewick Press on March 26, 2024
ISBN: 1536227684
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars
Aaron Beckler’s third picture book paints the story of a futuristic, flooded world, where NOA, a robot, cares for an assortment of zoo animals that have been abandoned to their fates.

Beckler’s signature is to tell his story through art, not words. The watercolor and pen and ink drawings do this beautifully. Initial pages show us a flooded but seemingly peaceful world, where large zoo animals are tended by a tall, humanoid robot. But then, as in the story of Noah’s Ark, the water rises to what’s-left-of-life-destroying levels. NOA builds an ark and bundles the animals on. They drift in a storm, are shipwrecked on a small island, and, eventually, saved by another robot flying by in a hot-air balloon.

Given our current climate crisis, this book feels both timely and disturbing. Unlike the ancient story of Noah’s Ark, which it is clearly based on, the not-so-futuristic rendering of this story feels like a warning. The illustrations are beautiful and there is a thread of tenderness and empathy running through as NOA cares for the animals; but for young children – or their parents – dealing with climate anxiety, this has the potential to exacerbate those feelings.

Three stars (beautiful illustrations but anxiety provoking story).

Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library

three-stars

Born Naughty

Born NaughtyBorn Naughty: My Childhood in China by Anisi Baigude, Jin Wang, Tony Johnston
Published by Anne Schwartz Books on 5/7/24
ISBN: 0593563611
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars
Born Naughty: My Childhood in China is the story of the childhood of a mischievous girl, Jin, who grew up in a remote village in Mongolia, China.  This short memoir truly provides a window and mirror experience for young readers.  Jin shares what it was like to be a poor child with no running water or electricity, living in a small house with mud floors. Jin also talks about other things many readers can relate to, like getting in trouble for breaking the rules and the love of family holiday celebrations.  Black and white drawings break up the text and enhance the meaning for readers, especially the characters’ emotions.  This book would be most appropriate for second or third grade readers. Most sentences are short, but there are some longer sentences and dialogue, so the text doesn’t feel choppy.  This book would be great for kids who are curious about children who live other places.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

three-stars

Aqua Boy

Aqua BoyAqua Boy (Wonder Kids) by Ken Wilson-Max
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536236640
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars
Aqua Boy is a beautiful and gentle story of a young boy named Aaron who lives by the sea with his mother, father, and sister. They are very conscious of their role in caring for the environment, referring to themselves as “ocean guardians”. Aaron dreams of one day feeling brave enough to put his head beneath the water, and he is encouraged and supported by his family, who reassure him that he will do so when the time is right.

One day the family is cleaning trash from the beach after a storm, and they find a stranded octopus. The father carefully coaxes the octopus onto a stick and brings it back into the water. Aaron is transfixed. He grabs his goggles, follows his father into the water, dips his head beneath, and shares a special moment of connection with the octopus before it swims away.

The illustrations in the book are gorgeous; they are simultaneously bold and calming and were created with acrylic paint. The characters all have a brown skin tone. Themes of environmentalism are woven throughout but are presented in a way that is not overwhelming to the reader. Brief informational pages at the end of the book detail facts about octopuses and share a resource to learn more about being an ocean guardian.

This book is highly recommended for libraries serving patrons ages 3-6.

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta

four-stars