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

An Animal a Day: 365 Amazing Animals to Take you Through the Year

An Animal a Day: 365 Amazing Animals to Take you Through the YearAn Animal a Day: 365 Amazing Animals to Take You Through the Year by Miranda Smith
Published by Bright Matter Books on 11/05/24
ISBN: 0593903358
Genres: Animals, Non-Fiction
Format: Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

An Animal A Day is a great book for young animal lovers.  This book highlights a different animal for each day of the year.  Some of the animals are well known such as the great white shark and the giant panda, while others might be new for kids, like the gulper eel and fat-tailed dwarf lemur. This book would be more suitable for a public library rather than a school library.  The text for each animal is only a paragraph about some of the more interesting facts followed by a list that includes the diet, size, and status of the animal.  The information offered is important and interesting, but it is not in depth and won’t satisfy readers who want to learn a lot about these animals.  The strength of this nonfiction book are the beautiful illustrations.  The colors are generally muted to support the text without being overwhelming.  The end of the book does include a glossary and index, making the text more accessible for readers.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

three-stars

Mr. Santa

Mr. SantaMr. Santa by Jarvis
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 153623883X
Genres: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Holiday
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

In Jarvis’ newest holiday picture book, Mr. Santa, he writes a story comprised of only questions and exclamations. Written from the perspective of a curious little girl who catches Santa in the act of gifting presents in her bedroom, she asks all the questions a child might want to know. Santa only responds with gentle, non-verbal expressions which adds to the humor of the story. “Have you wiped your shoes?” “Want to meet my goldfish?” “Can we visit your house?” What ensues is a magical evening spent with Santa, reminiscent of The Polar Express or The Snowman by Raymond Briggs. Young readers will love wondering what the answers to these questions might be. When she wakes up in the morning, she wonders, “Was it really real?”

Illustrated with Jarvis’ soft, muted blue tones and use of stars and sparkles, it has a dreamlike quality that really evokes the Christmas magic that readers love to experience during the holidays. It’s digitally illustrated but has the look of colored pencils and sponge prints that gives it a unique look. Would recommend for any library’s holiday collection; for ages 3-7.

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

Legend of the White Snake

Legend of the White SnakeLegend of the White Snake by Sher Lee
Published by Quill Tree Books/HarperCollins on October 15, 2024
ISBN: 0063327198
Genres: Fantasy, Folklore, Romance
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Prince Xian’s mother is near death.  The cause of her slow demise is that of a snake bite she received many years before.  After searching for the elusive white pearl cure, Prince Xian had it in the palm of his hand, until Zhen, a white snake, consumed the pearl becoming a spirit snake, able to transform into a man.   Seven years later, an oracle has foreseen the white snake drawn near the kingdom and Prince Xian sets off on a quest to find it and the cure.  

On his quest, Xian encounters a charming young man named Zhen.  They are drawn together until each other’s pasts become clear; both have to battle some inner turmoil to hopefully find their “happily ever after.” 

This novel is a modern take on the Chinese folktale of the same name.  There is a nice mix of fantasy and romance.  Lee expertly portrays Chinese culture and LGBTQ characters.  Like many fairy tales, the characters fall in love at first sight and in this novel they do have a sexual relationship (not overly detailed) which not all young readers may be ready for.  Overall, it fits well within the YA folktale retelling formula that finds success.

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

four-stars

The Wild

The WildThe Wild by Yuval Zommer
ISBN: 0593708989
Genres: Animals, Folklore, Juvenile Fiction / Climate
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

One will be immediately intrigued upon first sight of the cover of The Wild by Yuval Zommer. The extraordinary shades of green and shimmery gold accents culminate together to form a large fox/dragon-like creature that represents the entirety of the Wild in this climate-themed fable.

In this story, people lived lightly in the Wild. They said, “The Wild is so huge and giving that there will always be enough for us.” But the people began to take more and more, and take care of it less and less. One day, a child noticed that the Wild was weak and turning yellow. He spoke up, and others spoke up with him. Together, they learned how to live in harmony—how to give as much as we take. The Wild would be vibrant and green once more. It is a simple message akin to The Lorax, but a powerful one where the illustrations tell much of the story.

Zommer’s work is a fantastic example of quality digital illustration. Every single page could be framed, and his line work and color choice is absolutely stunning. This climate story is a fable of what our world could look like, and it paints a cheerful picture of what that could be. This story might be too rose-colored for some adults, but it’s geared for children, so one can appreciate the hopeful message. Best for ages 3-7.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars

The Man Who Didn’t Like Animals

The Man Who Didn’t Like AnimalsThe Man Who Didn't Like Animals by Deborah Underwood, LeUyen Pham
ISBN: 0358567130
Genres: Animals, Folklore, Humor, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

How did Old MacDonald end up having his farm? Readers will be delighted to learn the humorous backstory in The Man Who Didn’t Like Animals by Deborah Underwood with pictures by LeUyen Pham. Our protagonist is a man alone in his tidy apartment with a strong distaste for animals. However, one day, a cat appears on his stoop with a “Meow!” The man tries to shoo the cat away, however, the cat stays. The cat joins the man in the sunny spot in his living room, and eats at precisely 6 p.m., just like the man enjoys.

The man allows the cat to stay with him. But then another cat appears, and then a dog appears, and another dog.  Neighbors watch warily as the man collects more and more animals, obviously enjoying the creatures’ company after such a lonesome time. But, then goats start to appear, and cows, and pigs; with a “Oink, Oink” here and a, “Moo, Moo,” there. The neighbors are visibly fed up with the noise in the apartment complex. “This is not a farm,” says the neighbor, “I thought you didn’t like animals,” says another. And so the man looks at the animals and sadly sends them out the door. As he looks at the empty food bowls in his apartment (with names that start with E’s and I’s and O’s) his heart cannot bear the idea of being without them. He runs to the animals and moves to the countryside to create… Old MacDonald’s Farm.

With darling illustrations, the perfect amount of words, and a mix of old-and-new storyline, this book easily earns a five-star rating. Readers will love finding the animals in the end pages and other Old MacDonald clues throughout the entire book. The protagonist has dark skin, which might be the first Black representation of Old MacDonald that I’ve seen in a picture book thus far. Best for ages 4-7.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars

They Built Me For Freedom: The Story of Juneteenth and Houston’s Emancipation Park

They Built Me For Freedom: The Story of Juneteenth and Houston’s Emancipation ParkThey Built Me for Freedom: The Story of Juneteenth and Houston's Emancipation Park by Jenin Mohammed, Tonya Duncan Ellis
Published by Balzer&Bray on May 14, 2024
ISBN: 006328605X
Pages: 32
Genres: Cultural / African American
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Tonya Duncan Ellis celebrates the oldest green space in Texas, Emancipation Park from the perspective of the park itself in this, her first picture book.The story shows the reader how and why the park was created and used over the years through sparse verse and bright, vivid illustrations. This book is in words, theme, and illustration a celebration.

The book includes backmatter explaining in more detail the creation of the park, its uses historically, its revitalization, and its current uses. The story and included backmatter provide a joyous look at the park and its endurance over time.

Ages 4-10

Reviewed by MaryAnn Lopes, Elementary Librarian. Lewiston Public Schools, Lewiston, Maine.

four-stars

Shermy and Shake, The Not-So-New Kid

Shermy and Shake, The Not-So-New KidShermy and Shake, the Not-So-New Kid by Kirby Larson, Shinji Fujioka
Published by Candlewick Press on June 25, 2024
ISBN: 1536219436
Pages: 99
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Shermy is extremely excited to be a second grader! He thrives on being helpful and engaged with all parts of school so when he is asked to be a buddy for the new kid he jumps at the chance. It turns out that the new kid is not really so new to Shermy, it’s Shake, his summer friend from out of town. 

Everyone is interested in the new kid, Shake, and now Shermy isn’t feeling so special and more than a little left out. Through the stories in this title we watch as these two summertime friends navigate the hurdles of a new school year, a new grade, and the transition from summer friends to all year long friends. The tales included are charming, funny, and very true to life.

 

Ages 6-9

Reviewed by MaryAnn Lopes, Elementary Librarian, Lewiston Public Schools, Lewiston.

four-stars