Home → Book Reviews

Dark Shimmer

Dark Shimmer

Reviewed by: Katherine L Radke - Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: March 2, 2016

Review

"Dark Shimmer" by Donna Jo Napoli is a retelling of Snow White from the point of view of the "wicked queen" in the original, named Dolce in the book. It's not just a change in the point of view, but also in the setting (set in medieval Venice) and in the reason why the Dolce tries to kill Snow White (Bianca).

Raised on an island of little people, Dolce feels like a monster being taller than everyone. She becomes an apprentice to the island's mirrormaker (this is important later), but after her mother dies she flees the island and runs into Bianca and her father, Marin, on another island. Bianca's father falls for Dolce and they marry. Dolce continues to make small mirrors for ladies to gain favor, but the mercury poisoning makes her hear voices and do terrible things (like try to kill Bianca).

The history provided in the book is interesting, and based on the bibliography at the back, the author clearly did her research. Unfortunately, I didn't find the story all that interesting and felt that it dragged. Not a must buy.

Overall Book Score: good

About the Book

Author:

Napoli, Donna Jo

Illustrator: ,

Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books

Book Type: chapter book fiction

Genre: fantasy

Audience: grades 7-9,grades 10-12

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: excellent

ISBN: 9780385746557

Price: 16.99

Transgender Lives: Complex Stories, Complex Voices

Transgender Lives: Complex Stories, Complex Voices

Reviewed by: Katherine L Radke - Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: March 2, 2016

Review

"Transgender Lives: Complex Stories, Complex Voices" by Kirstin Cronn-Mills is definitely "Cream of the Crop" material. While it is short, it manages to pack in a lot of personal stories from people in the trans* community, as well as explain differences in trans* perspectives, the history of trans* and gender-fluid individuals, and a who's who of trans*-Americans in Arts, Politics, Sports, and History. I consider myself to be fairly knowledgeable about LGBTQ issues (as knowledgeable as a cis-gender, heterosexual can be), but the book was very interesting and would be very helpful for anyone looking to learn about the trans* community and experience. The book also provides a decent list of book and website suggestions for further reading at the end. I consider this a must-buy and a great add to any YA non-fic collection.

Overall Book Score: excellent

About the Book

Author:

Cronn-Mills, Kirstin

Illustrator: ,

Publisher: Twenty-First Century Books

Book Type: chapter book nonfiction

Genre: biography / autobiography

Audience: grades 10-12,all ages

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: excellent

ISBN: 9780761390220

Price: 34.65

Tinyrannosaurus and the Bigfootosaurus

Tinyrannosaurus and the Bigfootosaurus

Reviewed by: Katherine L Radke - Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: March 11, 2016

Review

"Tinyrannosaurus and the Bigfootosaurus!" is the third picture book featuring Tinyrannosaurus (a kid tyrannosaurus rex) by writer and illustrator Nick Ward. This story is set in the winter with Tiny and his friends building a "bigfootosaurus" snowman (an abominable snowman type creature) and the chaos that happens when a real bigfootosaurus shows up. The illustrations are great and the story is fun. Kids will enjoy the action and humor, especially if they are fans of dinosaurs and playing in the snow.

Overall Book Score: good

About the Book

Author:

Ward, Nick

Illustrator: Ward, Nick

Illustration Quality: excellent

Publisher: Kuperard Publishers and Distributors

Book Type: picture book fiction

Genre: adventure

Audience: preschool

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: excellent

ISBN: 9781857337358

Price: 19.99

Second Banana

Second Banana

Reviewed by: Katherine L Radke - Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: March 11, 2016

Review

"Second Banana" by Keith Graves is a funny picture book about a monkey and an ape who run a circus show. The monkey, Bubbles, is the star of the show and the ape, Oop, is the help. Oop helps Bubbles with all of his set-up and stunts, but wants to star in the show too. Bubbles says that he is Top Banana, so he is the star, and Oop is Second Banana, so it is her job to help. Bubbles injures himself before the show and can't go on, so Oop takes his place with disastrous results, but it all turns out well in the end. A cute and funny story, kids will enjoy all the action and humorous illustrations.

Overall Book Score: very good