Source: MSL Book Review

Club Kick Out: Into the Ring

Club Kick Out: Into the RingClub Kick Out!: Into the Ring (Club Kick Out, 1) by Stephanie Mided
ISBN: 0063116464
Genres: Humor
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“Club Kick Out!: Into the Ring” is the first in a new series of graphic novels written and illustrated by Steph Mided. Sasha is nervous and excited to start seventh grade. She might even try to become the president of the gaming club! Unfortunately the new principal declares that there will be no more extracurricular clubs besides sports due to budget problems. After getting randomly placed into a group of students for an English class project, Sasha and her new friends end up trying to start a Pro Wrestling Club since it would count as a sport. Sasha and friends deal with bullying, anxiety, friendship troubles, and overparenting and come out as champs in the end. Bright and colorful illustrations and overall humor and kindness make this a fun and enjoyable read. Aimed at ages 8 to 12, this is a recommended purchase for any middle grade graphic novel collection.

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

four-stars

Biology’s Beginnings

Biology’s BeginningsDiscovering Life’s Story: Biology’s Beginnings by Joy Hakim
Series: Discovering Life's Story
Published by Penguin Random House on September 12, 2023
ISBN: 1536222933
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Volume one of author Joy Hakim’s Discovering Life’s Story series, designed to explore human discovery as it applies to our own existence, as it was understood though the ages. For readers familiar with the format of her previous series’, they will find it similar and comfortable; chock full of colorful, relevant illustrations, sidebars that range from detailed and informative to irreverent (but still informative!) Hakim’s narrative style is conversational and always engaging. Chapters, and the sub-sections with them, are short enough to hold the interest of the reader, but long enough to give a satisfying amount of information. Source notes, bibliography, and a list of resources for further reading are all included.

Written for older middle grade readers and teens, this is an excellent and highly recommended addition to a library collection.

5 stars/cream

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

five-stars

A Study in Drowning

A Study in DrowningA Study in Drowning by Ava Reid
Published by HarperTeen on September 19, 2023
ISBN: 0063211505
Pages: 378
Genres: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Folklore, Magical Realism
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Ava Reid’s YA debut is an atmospheric, dreamy fantasy that dances the line between what is real and what is believed to be real.

Effy Sayre is one of the highest scoring students ever to enter the Llyrian University, but, as a woman, she is not allowed to study literature, so she ends up in the Architecture college instead. Lonely and unhappy, she seeks solace in her well-worn pages of Angharad, Emrys Myrddin’s epic masterpiece about the love between a mortal girl and the bewitching – but malicious – fairy king. When Myrddin dies, a contest is announced to redesign his estate. A contest which Effy, a first-year architecture student, inexplicably wins. She travels far south, to the most distant reaches of the land, where she finds herself isolated by geography, superstition, and land-swallowing storms. Her host is the son of Myrddin, and it is clear he is harboring a dark secret. Effy’s only ally is a fellow student from the university, there with his own secret mission, of proving Myrddin a fraud. Together they peel back layer upon layer of the mystery behind Angharad, and, in turn, Effy herself, who it turns out had her own brush with the Fairy King as a child, and has been stalked by him ever since.

Drowning is in turns creepy, desolate, disturbing, deeply magical, and fascinating. Two threads to be aware of: there is an oft-referred to incident of abuse at the hands of a professor that happened just before the beginning of the story. Also, Effy’s mother believes she is mentally unstable and forces her to take meds to control her visions and anxieties – both of which she ultimately discovers to be real, and the result of her lifelong entanglement with the Fairy King.

Perfect for fans of fantasy that draws on dark magical themes while having one foot in a recognizable world, such as Melissa Albert’s Hazel Wood. A great addition to library shelves.

5 stars

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

five-stars

Three Tasks for a Dragon

Three Tasks for a DragonThree Tasks for a Dragon by Eoin Colfer, P.J. Lynch
Published by Candlewick ISBN: 1536229997
Genres: Fairy Tale
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Upon his father’s death, Prince Lir’s evil-villain of a step-brother Delbayne neatly tricks him into undertaking a dangerous quest, sure that Prince Lir will perish in the process, and the kingdom will be his. The studious and caring young prince has been tasked with – he believes – saving a hapless maiden from a fearsome dragon. In truth, Delbayne has sent the maiden to the dragon’s island as bait, and magicked the dragon into compliance.

But things do not go as planned – the maiden is no helpless girl, nor is she discontented with her lot on the dragon’s island. And the dragon, while truly fearsome, has resisted full enchantment by Delbayne. Prince Lir invokes his right, as a Questor, to perform three tasks for the dragon to win the maiden, rather than fighting to the death, and the dragon, intrigued, agrees.

The three tasks are done; the dragon is pleased; Lir and the girl, Cethlenn, have become friends. Delbayne hears that his plan has failed and launches a second attack, which is foiled by the three allies, at considerable cost. But all does not end there; dark years pass before the poignant and beautiful ending of this tale.

A gorgeously illustrated, wholly original fairy tale with a subtle but pleasing feminist slant. Language and storyline are middle grade; this book might need some hand selling due to it presenting like a (very thick) picture book at first, but the author’s fame will help to promote it.

Highly recommend. 5 stars, cream.

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

five-stars

Frank and Bean: The Stinky Feet Monster

Frank and Bean: The Stinky Feet MonsterFrank and Bean: The Stinky Feet Monster by Bob Kolar, Jamie Michalak
Series: Frank and Bean
Published by Candlewick Press on 09/23/24
ISBN: 1536225460
Genres: Humor
Format: Early Reader
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars

Frank and Bean are back in this funny early reader/early chapter book.  Frank is on the hunt for the Stinky Feet Monster, which Bean doesn’t believe is real.  They follow Frank’s map through the woods and into a cave, singing a song to try to attract the monster.  Instead they find a friendly family of monsters who run a cheese shop.  Young readers will enjoy the last chapter when they learn that Bean is actually the Stinky Monster!  The colorful and fun illustrations enhance the humor of the story and help move the plot forward.  There are other books in this series, but this book definitely works as a stand alone and would be a fun addition to any collection.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

three-stars

The Queens of New York

The Queens of New YorkThe Queens of New York by E.L. Shen
on June 6, 2023
ISBN: 0063237954
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“The Queens of New York” is a young adult novel by author E. L. Shen. The book follows three Asian-American best friends going off and doing different things for the summer. Chapters change between Jia, Ariel, and Everett as each experience the summer in New York City, San Francisco, and Ohio. Shen believably portrays the teens and themes of friendship and personal growth. The three teens face pressure, racism, and grief, but their friendship helps them persevere. A recommended purchase for library Teen/YA collections where realistic fiction is popular.

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

four-stars

AlphaBot

AlphaBotAlphaBot by Vicky Fang
Published by MIT Kids Press ISBN: 153622653X
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

AlphaBot is a fun and interactive  book comprised of 26 separate flaps, one for each letter of the alphabet. Readers can mix and match to create 729 possible robots. This book is inviting with playful and bright illustrations and interesting sounding robotic terminology on each flap. It’s also a great vocabulary builder with terms such as LED, yaw and tread. Each term has a simplified definition that’s easy to understand for both children and adults. Sturdily constructed with reinforced carboard and a spiral binding this book is sure to get a lot of use. It would be a great STEM themed addition to a library or classroom for children ages 3-7.

Reviewed by Emily Stowers, Maine State Library, Augusta

four-stars

How to Babysit Your Grown-Up

How to Babysit Your Grown-UpHow to Babysit Your Grown-Up: Activities to Do Together (How To Series) by JaNay Brown-Wood, Jean Reagan, Lee Wildish
Published by Alfred A. Knopf ISBN: 0593479238
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

If you’re looking for creative and engaging ideas on what to do with kids, then this book is a great resource to have! Although the title includes the words, “how to babysit your grown-up” this book is for both kids and adults to use the next time somebody says, “I’m bored!”

This book contains a spread of 44 activities complete with supply lists and a step-by-step guide as well as charming, kid-friendly illustrations of adults and kids interacting with each other and of the activity.

There is a good mix of crafts, STEM projects, snack recipes, outdoor activities and games. All the activities require a short list of common household supplies that take minutes to gather and set up. Additionally, there is a checklist on the last page of all the activities so you can keep track of which ones you have or have not completed. This book seems to be written for families with young kids or for a grandparent or babysitter charged with entertaining a child, but many of the activities are easily transferrable to a classroom setting or a library program. This book is excellent for ages 4-8.

Reviewed by Emily Stowers, Maine State Library, Augusta 

four-stars

The Improbable Tales of Baskerville Hall

The Improbable Tales of Baskerville HallThe Improbable Tales of Baskerville Hall by Ali Standish
ISBN: 0063275570
Pages: 310
Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

“Arthur hadn’t known what he had set in motion the afternoon back in Edinburgh… One never knew where one’s choices might lead.  All one could do was make the right choice in the moment.”  A chance encounter between a young Arthur Conan Doyle and a mysterious man begins this adventure tale of mystery, secret societies, science fiction, and a little fantasy.  Arthur is whisked off to a secret school for brilliant young minds called Baskerville Hall.  Together with a familiar crew of friends (and enemies) he must follow the clues to keep the truth from falling into the wrong hands.

This novel is one that keeps readers guessing right up to the end.  Those familiar with the Sherlock Holmes series and characters will truly appreciate the creativity that went into weaving this tale, while those not acquainted with the world of Holmes could become lost.  Standish has partnered with the Conan Doyle estate for the creation of this series.  Fans of Harry Potter and The Mysterious Benedict Society will enjoy this multilayered historical mystery filled with intricate details and nods to Doyle’s real life childhood.  Recommended for readers aged nine to fourteen.

Reviewed by Heidi Kopishke, Camden Hills Regional High School (ESVM Library), Rockport, ME.

four-stars

Peep and Ducky: It’s Snowing!

Peep and Ducky: It’s Snowing!Peep and Ducky It's Snowing! by David Martin, David Walker
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536233285
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Board Book
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
one-star

Peep and Ducky are excited to play in the snow. They go sledding and build a snowman together, but things don’t always go as planned. They begin kicking snow at one another and yelling in anger, until their parents arrive to give them hot chocolate and cookies. 

While there was a great opportunity in this board book to teach about positive conflict resolution, it unfortunately fell short and was a bit problematic. This book is not recommended as a good model for young children. 

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta

one-star