The Dollmaker of Krakow

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: November 6, 2017

Review

R. M. Romero's The Dollmaker of Karakow is a juvenile novel with an interesting premise that falls a bit flat. The story begins with Karolina, a doll in the Land of Dolls. The kingdom is attacked by rats and falls into their control. Karolina wakes up as a doll in Poland during World War II. She soon discovers that the Dollmaker who created her has a magic that even he did not know about. What follows is a complexly woven tale as Romero pairs the stories of war and discrimination in The Land of Dolls and in Poland in the real world.

This might be the right book for some reader, but it would not likely appeal to a broad selection. Romero creates a picture of the horrors of Jewish families and those who aided them during this time that is stark, accurate, and compelling. However, it is mixed with the magic of the dolls and the Dollmaker in such a way that it may cause readers to think the historical aspects are as imagined as the magical ones. Karolina is meant to be the voice of the story, and her particular way of speaking is sometimes alienating for the reader.

Though, there are moments of pure emotion and excellent historical accuracy, they are overshadowed by a confusing blend of fanciful magic and factual horror and a stilted narrator.

Overall Book Score: fair

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About the Book

Author:

Romero, R.M.

Illustrator: ,

Illustration Quality: very good

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Book Type: chapter book fiction

Genre: fantasy,historical fiction

Audience: grades 4-6,grades 7-9

Binding Type: library binding

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9781524715397

Price: 16.99

LGBTQ+Athletes Claim the Field: Striving for Equality

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: November 6, 2017

Review

LGBTQ+ Athletes Claim the Field: Striving for Equality is a respectful and clear explanation of some of struggles and triumphs that queer athletes have experienced both in the past and today. Kristin Cronn-Mills has complied the stories of many athletes across many sports and draws connections between them to create a complete picture of the stories of this varied crowd.

Cronn-Mills does an excellent job explaining about the discrimination that gay male athletes face and the perceptions of others that lead to this discrimination without disrespecting the athletes or validating the idea that gay people deserve this kind of treatment. Transgender and intersex athletes are also given attention, with respectful descriptions of what it means like to be a trans athlete and an introduction by a trans man describing his relationship with sports throughout the years. The struggles of gay female athletes are given less attention than their male counterparts, and bisexuality is not really mentioned. However, despite these shortcomings, Cronn-Mills does a commendable job presenting this subject. The author also includes positive representation of organizations and athletes who have done well by the LGBTQ+ members of their sports.

This book would be an excellent addition to most schools and libraries.

Overall Book Score: very good

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About the Book

Author:

Cronn-Mills, Kristin

Illustrator: ,

Illustration Quality: very good

Publisher: Twenty-First Century Books

Book Type: chapter book nonfiction

Genre: biography / autobiography

Audience: grades 4-6,grades 7-9,grades 10-12

Binding Type: library binding

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9781467780124

Price: 34.65

Cinnamon

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: November 6, 2017

Review

Cinnamon is an engaging and magnificent picture book that feels both classic and modern. Neil Gaiman weaves a story of a young princess in India who was born blind and does not speak. The Rajah and the Rani offer a great reward to anyone who can teach the girl to speak, but no one can until a giant man-eating tiger comes to the palace.

Gaiman's prose is lively and echoes the oral tradition in a way that will draw readers young and old into the story. Divya Srinivasan's use of bright color and complex patterns balanced with large areas of simplicity are the perfect accompaniment for the text and make this a book that will perform for a large story time and a one-on-one reading equally well. Some readers may be dissatisfied with the ending, which is left fairly open. Even so, Cinnamon well deserves a position in most libraries and classrooms.

Overall Book Score: very good

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About the Book

Author:

Gaiman, Neil

Illustrator: Srinivasan, Divya

Illustration Quality: very good

Publisher: HarperCollins

Book Type: picture book fiction

Genre: fantasy,folklore

Audience: preschool,grades k-3

Binding Type: library binding

Binding Quality: good

ISBN: 9780062399618

Price: 17.99

The Bad Seed

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: December 12, 2017

Review

The Bad Seed is a sweet picture book that tells the story of a sunflower seed who does bad things because he was nearly eaten. By the end of the story, he decides to change his ways and try to be good. Overall, Jory John created an engaging story that looks at a bad character striving to be good. However, there were moments where the story didn't seem to know where it wanted to go. It wasn't quite funny enough to be a strictly humorous book, but there wasn't much of a storyline for it to be that kind of book. Pete Oswald's illustrations are the highlight of the book, depicting all kinds of nuts and seeds in various situations. This book is recommended for large libraries or as an additional purchase

Overall Book Score: good

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About the Book

Author:

John, Jory

Illustrator: Oswald, Pete

Illustration Quality: excellent

Publisher: Har

Book Type: picture book fiction

Genre:

Audience: preschool,grades k-3

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9780062467768

Price: 17.99

Shelter

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: December 12, 2017

Review

Shelter by Celine Claire was originally published in French. Accompanied by soft watercolor and ink illustrations by Qin Leng, the book tells the story of a forest of animals preparing for a storm, when two strangers emerge from the fog to ask for shelter, but no one seems to want to provide it. In the end, one of the other families need help, and the strangers are willing to give it. This is a lovely and simple tale of kindness, even in the face of unkindness by others. Leng's illustrations a loosely rendered and wonderfully colored to give the reader a sense of the cold outside and the warm glow of the various shelters of the animals. This book is recommended for most collections and great for sharing one-on-one or in storytimes.

Overall Book Score: very good

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About the Book

Author:

Claire, Celine

Illustrator: Leng, Qin

Illustration Quality: excellent

Publisher: Kids Can Press

Book Type: picture book fiction

Genre:

Audience: preschool,grades k-3

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 978177138973

Price: 17.99

Trudy's Big Swim: How Getrude Ederle Swam the English Channel and Took the World by Storm

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: December 12, 2017

Review

Trudy's Big Swim: How Gertrude Ederle Swam the English Channel and Took the World by Storm is a picture book biography of the first woman to swim the English Channel. Macy begins the story while Ederle is in the water swimming, weaving historical context and background information into the text. The book follows the long swim across the channel and gives a brief description of Ederle's experiences after her success. An afterword, sources, notes, and a timeline of 1920's sports highlights make this a valuable resource for young students interested in swimming, female athletes, or great triumphs of sport. Collins' illustrations are detailed and realistic, though not especially colorful, which may appeal to older elementary students. Overall, a solid picture book biography of an often overlooked figure.

Overall Book Score: very good

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About the Book

Author:

Macy, Sue

Illustrator: Collins, Matt

Illustration Quality: very good

Publisher: Holiday House

Book Type: picture book nonfiction

Genre: biography / autobiography

Audience: grades k-3,grades 4-6

Binding Type: library binding

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9780823436651

Price: 16.95

Wonder Woman: Warbringer

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: December 12, 2017

Review

Wonder Woman: Warbringer is a title in the DC Icons series, billed as "Super Hero Icons Meet Megastar Authors." Authors of bestselling teen series write novelizations of various superhero icons. Leigh Bardugo, author of Six of Crows, tackles Wonder Woman. The novel tells Wonder Woman's origin story, back when she was just Diana, Princess of Themyscira. Diana rescues a girl named Alia, whom she learns is the latest in the bloodline of the Warbringers, descended from Helen of Troy and destined to leave strife and bloodshed in her wake. Diana learns that they can break Alia's curse if she bathes in the river where Helen rests by the next stage of the moon, causing a race through the present day. Bardugo masterfully updates Wonder Woman's origin story for today's audiences and pairs her with Alia, a biracial girl who has never felt like she really belongs anywhere. A cast of diverse, well rounded secondary characters set off on a fast paced and exciting adventure to get Alia to the river in Greece in time. With levity and complex emotions in turn, Bardugo keeps readers engaged to the last page. Wonder Woman: Warbringer is a book for far more than just comic book fans.

Overall Book Score: very good

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About the Book

Author:

Bardugo, Leigh

Illustrator: ,

Publisher: Random House Children's Books

Book Type: chapter book fiction

Genre: adventure,fantasy

Audience: grades 7-9,grades 10-12

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9780399549731

Price: 18.99

The Princess Imposter

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: January 6, 2018

Review

Vande Velde's The Princess Imposter is a sweet fantasy novel for middle grade readers. The perspective of the novel shifts between Phleg, a fairy who uses magic to switch place with a princess, and Gabriella, a princess who finds herself in a fairy's home. Neither girl understand the customs or ways of the other's world. Gabriella and Phleg come to have a greater understanding of who they are and the importance of family and being true to yourself. The characters are sweet and silly in this book with just enough rudeness to keep kids engaged through the good lessons. Vande Velde is well known for creating rich stories, and she delivers here. The only true trip up comes from the cover, the explosion of pink and purple and the two very cartoonish girls depicted are a far cry from the characters that appear within, which could repel many readers who would otherwise enjoy the story.

Overall Book Score: very good

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About the Book

Author:

Vande Velde, Vivian

Illustrator: ,

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Book Type: chapter book fiction

Genre: fantasy

Audience: grades 4-6

Binding Type: library binding

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9781338121476

Price: 16.99

Have Sword, Will Travel

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: January 6, 2018

Review

Have Sword, Will Travel is a collaboration between Garth Nix and Sean Williams who tell the story of Odo and Eleanor, village children who are eel-fishing in a river that is running dry when they stumble across a magical, taking sword. The sword instantly knights Odo, to the disappointment of heroically-minded Eleanor, and sends the pair on a quest to find the source of the river's blockage, rumored to be a giant dragon. Along the way, Odo and Eleanor encounter adventures and twists that require them to use every bit of their skills.

Nix and Williams have created a wonderful story. Odo and Eleanor are perfectly balanced and the authors do a great job subverting tropes throughout the book. There are as many women in positions of power as there are men, and it is Eleanor, not Odo, who longs to be knight. Eleanor's dexterity and wit are given equal importance as Odo's strength and kindness. Several twists keep the reader engaged and guessing to the end. The only flaw of the novel is that the talking sword, Biter, is shown in a medieval style font which is sometimes difficult to read. However, this magnificent book will appeal to a broad cross-section of readers and have them clambering for more.

Overall Book Score: excellent

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About the Book

Author:

Nix/Williams, Garth/Sean

Illustrator: ,

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Book Type: chapter book fiction

Genre: adventure,fantasy

Audience: grades 4-6,grades 7-9

Binding Type: library binding

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9780545259026

Price: 17.99

Dress Codes for Small Towns

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: January 6, 2018

Review

Dress Codes for Small Towns tells the story of Billie McCaffery, the preacher's daughter in a small town in Kentucky. She and her five best friends, called the Hexagon, struggle with reconciling their teenage feelings, beliefs, and behaviors with the expectations of their town and their religion. Stevens writes with an authentic voice as Billie struggles with feelings for two or three of her best friends, relationships with her parents, and trying to be different in a town that seems to value being the same. Some readers may be frustrated with Billie's choices and the fact that Stevens chooses not to reveal who, if anyone, Billie ends up with. The novel also takes a while to get started, the first half of the book moved slowly, but the second half flew. However, there are precious few books that explore sexuality and gender expression in a small, Southern town, especially not with such respect and sensitivity. Despite some shortcomings, Dress Codes for Small Towns is a valuable choice for teen collections.

Overall Book Score: very good

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About the Book

Author:

Stevens, Courtney

Illustrator: ,

Publisher: HarperTeen

Book Type: chapter book fiction

Genre: romance,realistic fiction

Audience: grades 7-9,grades 10-12

Binding Type: Choose Binding Type

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9780062398512

Price: 17.99

His Royal Highness King Baby: a Terrible True Story

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: January 6, 2018

Review

His Royal Highness King Baby: A Terrible True Story is a picture book told from the perspective of a little girl who has just been joined by a little brother. The girl is unimpressed and spends the majority of the book complaining about how she is soooo mistreated and has to make her own breakfast (though illustrations show her mother handing her a plate of food). In the end, the baby brother begins to cry at his first birthday and the girl is the one who soothes him. Though this book begins from a cute concept that will seem familiar to many older brothers and sisters, the turn at the end towards liking the brother is too abrupt. The girl goes from despising her brother for a full year to loving him in a single instant with no reason given about why that happens. The illustrations by David Roberts are wonderful. Roberts draws illustrations as the young girl at the center of the story as well as illustrations that depict what is actually happening. There is plenty of difference between the two to make the distinction clear, and beautiful and complex patterns are paired with broad white space. The result is balanced illustrations that create connection and humor for the viewer.

This book is recommended as an additional purchase.

Overall Book Score: good

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About the Book

Author:

Lloyd-Jones, Sally

Illustrator: Roberts, David

Illustration Quality: excellent

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Book Type: picture book fiction

Genre: realistic fiction

Audience: preschool,grades k-3

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: good

ISBN: 9780763697938

Price: 16.99

Goodnight, Hockey Fans

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: January 9, 2018

Review

Goodnight, Hockey Fans is an adorable story about a little hockey fan who wants to stay up to watch the game. His parents insist he go to bed, but he worries that he will not be able to fall asleep. He ends up dreaming he is in the game and scores the winning shot. Bright watercolor illustrations by Jacqui Lee highlight the boy in his yellow jersey, while the background is nicely muted in shades of teal and blue. There is also welcome diversity in both the boy, his father, and some of his imaginary teammates with various shades of brown skin. This book would be a winner for any little hockey fans and is recommended where there are many.

Overall Book Score: good

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About the Book

Author:

Larsen, Andrew

Illustrator: Lee, Jacqui

Illustration Quality: good

Publisher: Kids Can Press

Book Type: picture book fiction

Genre:

Audience: preschool,grades k-3

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9781771381055

Price: 16.99

Lines, Bars and Circles: How William Playfair Invented Graphs

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: January 9, 2018

Review

Lines, Bars and Circles: How William Playfair Invented Graphs is a picture book biography of William Playfair. Helaine Becker draws the reader through Playfair's early life, his education and professional life, as well as how he thought up the first graphs. Unfortunately, graphs were not respected by mathematicians and scientists of the time, though they are vitally important today. Becker also includes small information boxes that lend contextual information, as well as an afterword that gives more detail and has actual pictures of Playfair's graphs. Marie-Eve Tremblay's illustrations are comic and exaggerated which may appeal to some readers and offput others. Overall a solid biography, particularly for a school library for use during graphing units.

Overall Book Score: good

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About the Book

Author:

Becker , Helaine

Illustrator: Tremblay, Marie-Eve

Illustration Quality: good

Publisher: Kids Can Press

Book Type: picture book nonfiction

Genre: biography / autobiography

Audience: grades k-3

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: good

ISBN: 9781771385701

Price: 17.95

It's Not Like It's a Secret

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: January 9, 2018

Review

It's Not Like It's a Secret tells the story of Sana Kiyohara, a sixteen year old girl hiding a lot of secrets, like the fact that her dad is probably having an affair and that she has a giant crush on her best friend. Suddenly, Sana's family decides to move from the Midwest to California, and, for the first time, Sana finds herself surrounded by diversity. Sana falls hard for the beautiful, smart Jamie Ramirez and begins to wonder if it's time for some of her secrets to become public. Sugiura has crafted an essential story that examines the conflict between traditional and modern values, how racism and prejudices affect different groups of people, and the price of secrecy and silence. This novel is recommended for every collection.

Overall Book Score: excellent

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About the Book

Author:

Sugiura, Misa

Illustrator: ,

Publisher: HarperTeen

Book Type: chapter book fiction

Genre: realistic fiction

Audience: grades 7-9,grades 10-12

Binding Type: library binding

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9780062473417

Price: 17.99

Snickerdoodle Takes the Cake

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: January 9, 2018

Review

Snickerdoodle Takes the Cake is a humorous story about a little chinchilla named Snickerdoodle who wakes up one morning to find that his mom has made her famous lemon poppy seed cake for his Nana's birthday, and he desperately wants to eat some. His mother tells him not to touch, but he can't help himself and he, and his siblings, dig in. Snickerdoodle comes up with the solution of making a new cake, which is nowhere as beautiful as the original cake, but just as tasty. Written sound effects and silly pictures will make kids laugh out loud, though some parents may be dismayed at the lack of consequences for Snickerdoodle's actions. A fun book to read with kids.

Overall Book Score: good

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About the Book

Author:

Long, Ethan

Illustrator: Long, Ethan

Illustration Quality: very good

Publisher: Holiday House

Book Type: picture book fiction

Genre:

Audience: preschool,grades k-3

Binding Type: reinforced trade binding

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9780823437849

Price: 16.95

A World of Information

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: January 9, 2018

Review

A World of Information is a collection of two page spreads about various informational topics. One side shows an in depth, two color illustration explaining the concept, while the other has basic information, fun facts, or history about the subject in question. The different topics covered include everything from musical notation to the flight of airplanes. The information provided is just enough to satisfy a few basic questions on the subject and perhaps pique a unique interest. The size of the book, however, may be a detriment. As a very large picture book, it may have a difficult time appealing to the upper elementary/lower middle school grades that the text is written for. Still, a valiant and interesting effort by Brown and Platt.

Overall Book Score: good

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About the Book

Author:

Platt, Richard

Illustrator: Brown, James

Illustration Quality: very good

Publisher: Candlewick Studio

Book Type: picture book nonfiction

Genre:

Audience: grades 4-6

Binding Type: reinforced trade binding

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9780763693480

Price: 25

Labyrinth

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: February 10, 2018

Review

Labyrinth is part of a loosely connected series of technology themed stories, titled the Level Up series. In Labyrinth, two teens have signed up to be testers for a brand new computer game. They are referred to only by their screennames and must make it through the increasingly difficult maze of obstacles before time runs out or they forfeit their lives. There is no explanation given for why the choice is "succeed or die", so it exists as little more than an obvious mechanic for tension. Even the book's protagonist has a flimsy excuse for signing up for the game (she feels she's too safe and predictable in her real life). The story is filled with romantic cliches and predictable tropes, ending in an expected and unsatisfying happy ending. The characterization is barely present. Not recommended, even as a hook for reluctant tech obsessed readers.

Overall Book Score: poor

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About the Book

Author:

Keats, Israel

Illustrator: ,

Publisher: darbycreek

Book Type: chapter book fiction

Genre: adventure,science fiction

Audience: grades 7-9

Binding Type: library binding

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9781512439878

Price: 26.65

Timeless: Diego and the Rangers of the Vastlantic

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: February 10, 2018

Review

Timeless: Diego and the Rangers of the Vastlantic is a story created by Armand Baltazar, who has worked as an artist and art director for DreamWorks Studios, Walt Disney, and Pixar Animation. The artwork is beautifully displayed throughout the book, which is filled with gorgeous, full color illustrations that serve as part of the narrative. However, the world building of the story is full of holes and the writing leaves much to be desired. Timeless feels like a movie in a book format, which does not feel like the right medium for this story. It is not recommended.

Overall Book Score: good

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About the Book

Author:

Baltazar, Armand

Illustrator: Baltazar, Armand

Illustration Quality: excellent

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Book Type: chapter book fiction

Genre: adventure,science fiction

Audience: grades 4-6

Binding Type: reinforced trade binding

Binding Quality: good

ISBN: 9780062402363

Price: 19.99

No Room for Baby

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: February 13, 2018

Review

In this sweet and simple story, Leon's baby brother, Marcel, has just been born. Leon is worried about where the little baby will fit. There's no room for him in Leon's room, he's too small for Mommy's arms (that's where Leon fits). In the end, Leon is delighted to discover that Marcel fits perfectly in his own arms. Emile Jadoul accompanies his uncomplicated text with flat images of penguins and simple backgrounds drawn with a loose, sketchy style. Overall, No Room for Baby is a gentle story of a big brother accepting his younger brother. Recommended as an additional purchase.

Overall Book Score: good

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About the Book

Author:

Jadoul, Emile

Illustrator: Jadoul, Emile

Illustration Quality: good

Publisher: Kids Can Press

Book Type: picture book fiction

Genre:

Audience: preschool

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9781771388412

Price: 16.99

Niko Draws a Feeling

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: February 13, 2018

Review

Niko Draws a Feeling is an innovative book by Bob Raczka about a boy who draws abstractly--what he is feeling rather than what he is seeing. No one seems to understand his drawings until a little girl moves in next door. Iris sees his pictures and understand the emotion behind them. This book presents many valuable ideas about ways to express emotions, respecting and understanding feelings, and the joy of finding a person who understands you. Because of that, this book could be used in both preschool and lower elementary grades. The illustrations are beautiful, as Simone Shin combines flat, colorful illustrations with a twining abstract style of crayon work for Niko's art. Both the story and the art will be inspirational to anyone who picks this text up.

Overall Book Score: very good

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About the Book

Author:

Raczka, Bob

Illustrator: Shin, Simone

Illustration Quality: excellent

Publisher: Carolrhoda Books

Book Type: picture book fiction

Genre:

Audience: preschool,grades k-3

Binding Type: reinforced trade binding

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9781467798432

Price: 17.99

Secrets Unlocked

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: February 13, 2018

Review

Secrets Unlocked is a chapter book adapted from the television series Tangled the Series, based on the 2010 film Tangled. It continues the adventures of Rapunzel after the film has ended, following the princess and her lady-in-waiting/guard, Cassandra, as they try to figure out why Rapunzel's hair has grown back. The nature of these stories, as well as their low level, means that they are best suited for a library where there are many reluctant readers looking for familiar characters to engage them in stories.

Overall Book Score: good

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About the Book

Author:

McCullough, Kathy

Illustrator: , The Disney Storybook Art Team

Illustration Quality: very good

Publisher: Random House New York

Book Type: chapter book fiction

Genre: adventure,fantasy

Audience: grades k-3,grades 4-6

Binding Type: paperback

Binding Quality: good

ISBN: 9780736438261

Price: 5.99

Julia Defiant

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: February 13, 2018

Review

Julia Defiant is the second in the Witch's Child trilogy by Catherine Egan. It continues the story of Julia, a girl who lives in an alternate historical time where witches are real, but are not accepted in her country. As a result, her mother was drowned as a witch when Julia was young. She has always gotten by with her power to vanish in plain sight, though Julia found that there was more to that power than she realized. Wrapped up in a war between demi-god like creatures, Julia would do anything to save the life of the little boy she once kidnapped, Theo, even if that means putting herself at risk. That singular focus has taken her to Yongguo with a band of magic users and misfits. There, Julia learns more about herself than she realized there was to learn and fights desperately to save Theo. Egan has crafted a complex mystery led by an intensely engaging protagonist. As the mythology of Julia's world unravels around her, readers will find themselves pulled into the story, wanting more. Strongly recommended where fantasy novels are popular.

Overall Book Score: very good

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About the Book

Author:

Egan, Catherine

Illustrator: ,

Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf

Book Type: chapter book fiction

Genre: adventure,fantasy

Audience: grades 7-9,grades 10-12

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9780553533354

Price: 17.99

All the Way to Havana

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: March 15, 2018

Review

Engle uses uncomplicated, slightly poetic language to tell the story of a young boy and his family making a trip across their homeland of Cuba to see a brand-new baby cousin. All the Way to Havana focuses on the cars of the island--their noises and appearances and the relationship that they create between the people of the island. The illustrations by Mike Curato are the standout aspect of this book. Pleasantly realistic and full of soft, pastel colors, Curato's illustration recall real life images of the island in an engaging and accessible way. A recommended purchase.

Overall Book Score: very good

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About the Book

Author:

Engle, Margarita

Illustrator: Curato, Mike

Illustration Quality: excellent

Publisher: Godwin Books

Book Type: picture book fiction

Genre: realistic fiction

Audience: preschool,grades k-3

Binding Type: reinforced trade binding

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9781627796422

Price: 17.99

Goldenlocks and the Three Pirates

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: March 15, 2018

Review

This retelling of Goldilocks and the Three Bears cleverly finds a new angle. Prince chooses a pirate ship and has Goldenlocks fix or improve all of the things she tries--the gruel, the chair, and the hammock. In the end, Goldenlocks is invited to join the crew. Though the "pirate lingo" can occasionally feel overplayed, the fun energy and bright, dynamic illustrations will hold a reader's attention anyway. Older readers and teachers will find a great adaptation for a fairy tell retelling unit, while younger readers will simply enjoy the fun.

Overall Book Score: very good

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About the Book

Author:

Prince, April Jones

Illustrator: Salerno, Steven

Illustration Quality: very good

Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux

Book Type: picture book fiction

Genre: adventure

Audience: preschool,grades k-3

Binding Type: reinforced trade binding

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9780347300746

Price: 16.99

What This Story Needs Is a Bang and a Clang

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: March 15, 2018

Review

Another entry into Virján's A Pig in a Wig series. Pig is putting together a stage and a band. The band is interrupted when a mouse joins, but manages to come back together for the performance. The majority of the book is structured following the "what this story needs" prompt from the title and filling in various sounds relating to the instruments that are being added to the band. The strange combination of sounds and letters ("ping", "tootle", "brup", and "tish" all make appearances) may frustrate some readers who feel as though they should be able to read this book with only a few words per page, while readers who are at that level may be looking for books with more words and story. However, sweet and simple illustrations and a catchy rhythm makes this book appealing to some. Recommended as an additional purchase.

Overall Book Score: good

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About the Book

Author:

Virján, Emma J.

Illustrator: Virján, Emma J.

Illustration Quality: good

Publisher: Harper

Book Type: picture book fiction

Genre:

Audience: preschool,grades k-3

Binding Type: reinforced trade binding

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9780062415301

Price: 9.99

Welcome to Super Hero High!

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: March 15, 2018

Review

Welcome to Super Hero High is the first book in a series of early readers created based on the tv cartoon DC SuperHero Girls, which is based on DC's cast of comic book heroes, focusing primarily on their female heroes and villains. The illustrations in the book are largely based on the style and images in the tv show and are, therefore, one of the best things in the book. The text is quite simplistic and runs through an introduction to the school. Readers who are unfamiliar with the series may not glean the same excitement. Overall, this title is great for reluctant readers who already have a love for the series or the characters. It is not recommended as a purchase for a school or public library collection.

Overall Book Score: fair

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About the Book

Author:

Carbone, Courtney

Illustrator: Brizuela, Dario

Illustration Quality: good

Publisher: Random House New York

Book Type: picture book fiction

Genre: adventure

Audience: grades k-3

Binding Type: paperback

Binding Quality: fair

ISBN: 9781524766115

Price: 4.99

How Not to Run for Class President

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: March 15, 2018

Review

Hapka and Titlebaum have paired up to write the story of brothers Will and Steve. Will is a third grader, and Steve is a kindergartner. Throughout the story, Will is unlike-ably fed up with the presence of his little brother. Many readers may be turned off by the venomous way that Will dismisses Steve. Never phased, Steve decides that his brother should run for class president. He pulls increasingly wild stunts and makes crazy promises on Will's behalf. In the end, Will says that he will not follow through with Steve's campaign promises and ultimately loses the election to his relief. It seemed as though there were some good messages and storytelling buried underneath, but unlikable characters and unfocused plotlines did a serious disservice to the book. Palen's illustrations were a bright spot--funny and a little zany.

Overall Book Score: good

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About the Book

Author:

Hapka / Titlebaum, Cathy / Ellen

Illustrator: Palen, Debbie

Illustration Quality: good

Publisher: Random House

Book Type: picture book fiction

Genre: realistic fiction

Audience: grades k-3

Binding Type: paperback

Binding Quality: fair

ISBN: 9781101933626

Price: 3.99

Deadliest! Twenty Dangerous Animals

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: March 15, 2018

Review

Steven Jenkins returns with a series of books aimed at young readers. Despite having Jenkins' signature vivid illustrations and many interesting facts, this book is not recommended. Readers are designed to have specific features to meet the needs and support the learning of those just beginning to read. Deadliest! reads like a book that was simply shrunk down to fit a reader size. The text is small, and the language is difficult. Highlighted words in reader books often lead to a glossary or special definition. Though there is a glossary, Jenkins seems to choose some words at near random instead of meaningfully supporting the text. The features are not well laid out for a book of this dimension. Overall, Deadliest feels like an attempt to shoehorn a technique that worked with full sized books into a new market.

Overall Book Score: fair

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About the Book

Author:

Jenkins, Steve

Illustrator: Jenkins, Steve

Illustration Quality: very good

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Book Type: picture book nonfiction

Genre:

Audience: grades k-3

Binding Type: paperback

Binding Quality: good

ISBN: 9781328841704

Price: 5.99

The Berenstain Bears' Big Machines

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: March 15, 2018

Review

The Berenstain Bears' Big Machines is a good choice for early reader collections. Simple sentences with many familiar site words build confidence for young readers, and great picture support paired with familiar characters and, as promised, plenty of big machines will make this a winner for very early readers. Mike Berenstain carries on his parents' legacy with skill.

Overall Book Score: good

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About the Book

Author:

Berenstain, Mike

Illustrator: Berenstain, Mike

Illustration Quality: very good

Publisher: HarperCollins

Book Type: picture book fiction

Genre:

Audience: preschool,grades k-3

Binding Type: reinforced trade binding

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9780062350398

Price: 16.00

Goldie Blox and the Three Dares

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: March 20, 2018

Review

Goldie Blox is a chapter book based on the game of the same name. Goldie and her friends make up the Gearheads, a group of kids who use science and technology to calculate, engineer, construct, and test inventions. In this novel, Goldie finds the diary left by her late grandmother who wanted to accomplish all 100 dares by her 77th birthday, a date that is only 3 days away. Through a series of adventures and misadventures, Goldie and her friends succeed at the dares just in time. It is refreshing to see a book many female characters interested in STEM subjects. Besides the titular Goldie, two of the other three Gearheads are girls. The Goldie Blox series also pursues diversity with the Gearheads being composed of Goldie, a white, blonde girl; Li, an unspecific Asian boy; Val, a Latina girl; and Ruby, a black girl. The concept and design of the book are both excellent, however the writing and characterization of the stories feels stilted. Goldie isn't particularly likable, as she often goes too far in the pursuit of her inventions and has underwhelming consequences. Additionally, Goldie's inventions are beyond the scope of readers and glossed over in a way that makes them feel more like magic than science. Turn to Ellie Engineer for a better STEM themed chapter book starring girls.

Overall Book Score: good

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About the Book

Author:

McAnulty, Stacy

Illustrator: ,

Illustration Quality: good

Publisher: Random House New York

Book Type: chapter book fiction

Genre: adventure

Audience: grades k-3,grades 4-6

Binding Type: paperback

Binding Quality: good

ISBN: 9780399556364

Price: 6.99

Floaty

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: May 31, 2018

Review

Floaty is the tale of the curmudgeonly Mr. Raisin whose only joy in life is sewing. One day, he finds a basket on his doorstep that contains a dog who constantly floats. At first, he grumps as much about the dog as he does everything else, but eventually, the levitating pup grows on him, and Mr. Raisin names him Floaty. On a walk soon after, the leash snaps and the dog floats away. Mr. Raisin is heartbroken and eventually sews a hot air balloon to get his dog back.

This book is sweet and a little bit funny. The illustrations are digitally create and simple with thick outlines, but they're evocative. Kids will be happy to share this book one-on-one, in story times, or even by themselves.

Overall Book Score: very good

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About the Book

Author:

Himmelman, John

Illustrator: Himmelman, John

Illustration Quality: very good

Publisher: Henry Holt and Company

Book Type: picture book fiction

Genre:

Audience: preschool,grades k-3

Binding Type: reinforced trade binding

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9781250128058

Price: 17.99

Tempests and Slaughter

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: June 12, 2018

Review

Another great addition to Pierce's Tortall universe. Pierce has explored many avenues in her world and the adventures of Numair lead off from where previous books have ventured. Tempests and Slaughter serves as a prequel to some of the other stories in the world of Tortall and primarily takes places across the ocean in Carthak. Pierce has grown as a writer in the years since she first began writing in Tortall and this fast paced adventure is sure to pull readers in. It may be a difficult sell for some because there are eighteen other book in this universe, but Tempests and Slaughter can stand alone. Fans, both new and old, of this world will devour this new book.

Overall Book Score: good

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About the Book

Author:

Pierce, Tamora

Illustrator: ,

Publisher: Random House New York

Book Type: chapter book fiction

Genre: adventure,fantasy

Audience: grades 7-9,grades 10-12

Binding Type: library binding

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9780375847110

Price: 18.99

This Zoo is Not for You

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: June 12, 2018

Review

This Zoo is Not for You is a story of some zoo animals who are conducting interviews for a position at the zoo. A platypus comes and is rejected by each member of the zoo for not having characteristics similar to them. He leaves, dropping the envelope he was carrying as he does so. Then, the animals realize he just wanted to invite them to a party. Luckily, he is still willing to accept them.

The illustrations are the star of this book. Expressive and clean, they bring the characters to life. Unfortunately, the premise doesn't make sense even for the many stretches of the imagination that we give to picture book fiction. Additionally, the rhymes are clunky. Still, the magic of the illustration lifts an otherwise poor book. Recommended only as an additional purchase.

Overall Book Score: fair

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About the Book

Author:

Collins, Ross

Illustrator: Collins, Ross

Illustration Quality: very good

Publisher: Nosy Crow

Book Type: picture book fiction

Genre:

Audience: preschool,grades k-3

Binding Type: reinforced trade binding

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9781536200157

Price: 1699

Natalie's Hair Was Wild

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: June 12, 2018

Review

Natalie's Hair Was Wild stars Natalie, a young black girl with wild hair. She can't keep it contained and so she lets larger and larger animals come to live in her hair from birds and butterflies right up to tigers and giraffes. All the while the text assures that Natalie doesn't care. Finally, she can't sleep or think because of all the loud noise and so she calls the zoo and fire department to help her tame her wild hair--for a little while at least. There is a historically tricky precedence of calling the hair of black people wild. Though author/illustrator Laura Freeman based this book on her own experiences, it's still a tall order for a simple book to reclaim the word wild and Natalie's Hair was Wild! is not up to the task. The illustrations are adorable and full of life. This book might be useful in a more grown up discussion, but a note of caution should certainly be applied about where and when this book should be shared.

Overall Book Score: fair

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About the Book

Author:

Freeman, Laura

Illustrator: Freeman, Laura

Illustration Quality: very good

Publisher: Clarion Books

Book Type: picture book fiction

Genre:

Audience: preschool,grades k-3

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: good

ISBN: 9781328661951

Price: 16.99

The City on the Other Side

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: June 12, 2018

Review

The City on the Other Sides joins a growing number of fantasy graphic novels for middle grade and middle school readers which weave exciting stories with engaging illustrations to suck them in. Isabel is a sheltered girl in high society. She is sent to visit her father in San Francisco. While there, she accidentally slips into another world where war rages between two Courts: the Seelie and the Unseelie. Isabel becomes entangled in the adventure and danger of the war that she must try to stop before it ends their world and hers. Robison's pictures bring the character and magic to life. A good first purchase where fantastic graphic novels are popular and an additional purchase elsewhere.

Overall Book Score: good

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About the Book

Author:

Scott, Mairghread

Illustrator: Robinson, Robin

Illustration Quality: very good

Publisher: First Second

Book Type: chapter book fiction

Genre: adventure,fantasy,folklore,graphic novel

Audience: grades 4-6,grades 7-9

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9781250152558

Price: 23.99

Leah on the Offbeat

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: July 3, 2018

Review

Albertalli continues her reign with Leah on the Offbeat, a semi-sequel to her previous Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda (winner of the William C. Morris YA Debut Award), which was recently turned into a movie under the title Love, Simon. Leah on the Offbeat picks up near where Simon left off, with Leah and her friends on the verge of senior year. Leah struggles with her confidence as her friend group shifts around her. Though she projects a sarcastic and self-assured nature--Slytherin to the bone--Leah feels unsure and unworthy of everything. She doesn't know how to share she's bisexual, even to her best friend, Simon, who is gay. She doesn't think her art is any good, doesn't know how to handle potential crushes that she may have. Albertalli renders Leah beautifully--her fears will speak to many teen readers as she and her peers navigate the space between being high schoolers and college students. Leah on the Offbeat feels worthy of the mantle left by Simon, a perfect story for any teen and a necessary story for queer ones. Leah finds hope, strength, joy, and surety; the reader will, too.

Overall Book Score: excellent

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About the Book

Author:

Albertalli, Becky

Illustrator: ,

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Book Type: chapter book fiction

Genre: romance,realistic fiction

Audience: grades 7-9,grades 10-12

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9780062643803

Price: 17.99

Chaotic Good

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: July 3, 2018

Review

The summer before her senior year, Cameron is prepping for her portfolio presentation so she can get into a great school for costume design and dealing with the fact that her family has recently moved from Portland, Oregon to the much slower paced Eugene. Still, Cameron receives the same message that's been haunting her since she won a costume contest the year before: women don't belong in nerdy spaces. With hate still pouring in online and a sexist clerk working the local comic store, Cameron sets out in disguise as a boy to prove the unfairness of the assumption. However, it's not the jerk from before, but a different guy who is working the counter, and he invites the disguised Cameron to join his Dungeons and Dragons group. Before Cameron knows what has happened, she finds herself over her head--hate bombarding her from one direction, pressure from her portfolio from another, and (to top it all off) feelings for the DM of her game. Everything crescendos until Cameron is struggling to even get by.

Gardner weaves the perfect tale of what it means to be a young girl in today's nerd spaces: combating those who think that women don't belong, those that misunderstand--willfully or otherwise--how hard it is, the liability that comes from not knowing every piece of trivia or liking the "wrong" thing too much. With the resurgence of D&D in teen communities and comics still reigning supreme for many teens, this book will surely be a hit. Gardner's easy command of Cameron's voice lives up to the hype of the subject matter.

Overall Book Score: very good

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About the Book

Author:

Gardner, Whitney

Illustrator: ,

Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf

Book Type: chapter book fiction

Genre: romance,realistic fiction

Audience: grades 7-9,grades 10-12

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9781524720803

Price: 17.99

I Want to Be a Police Officer

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: July 5, 2018

Review

I Want to Be a Police Officer is an early reader book in a series aimed at introducing more information about various community helpers. This book is about Eva, a white girl with long red pigtails, who wants to be a police officer. She is knows Officer Green, a black female police officer whom she sees around town often. Eva meets four other police officers throughout the book who have different police jobs such as K-9 Officer, Detective, and Game Warden. Two of the five police officers are women, and four appear to be people of color. The names of the officers suggest a variety of ethnicity. The text is well supported by pictures, though some readers may need support with unfamiliar words (emergency, for example). The illustrations are cute and playful while being clear. An excellent addition to any reader collection.

Overall Book Score: very good

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About the Book

Author:

Driscoll, Laura

Illustrator: Echeverri, Catalina

Illustration Quality: very good

Publisher: HarperCollins

Book Type: picture book fiction

Genre: realistic fiction

Audience: preschool,grades k-3

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9780062432452

Price: 16.99

I Want to Be a Doctor

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: July 6, 2018

Review

I Want to Be a Doctor is another book in Laura Driscoll's series of easy readers about community helpers. An unnamed black girl with puffy afro pigtails is at the hospital with her family and little brother, Jack. Jack jumped off a bunk bed and hurt his foot. The little girl is taken through the hospital over the course of her brother's treatment and meets lots of different types of doctors. The doctors are a mix of genders and ethnicities (as cued by skin color, hair texture, and occasionally last name). The text is clear and well supported by the pictures. The illustrations are playful and lively, drawing the reader into the book. A glossary at the back of the book gives the true names for each of the doctors that are otherwise identified in simpler terms (i.e. baby doctor instead of neonatologist). This diverse and joyful reader will make any child want to be a doctor--and feel as though they can.

Overall Book Score: very good

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About the Book

Author:

Driscoll, Laura

Illustrator: Echeverri, Catalina

Illustration Quality: very good

Publisher: HarperCollins

Book Type: picture book fiction

Genre: realistic fiction

Audience: preschool,grades k-3

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9780062432414

Price: 16.99

Peg + Cat: The Big Dog Problem

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: July 6, 2018

Review

Peg + Cat: The Big Dog Problem is an early reader book that is part of a series based on the PBS kids series of the same name. Peg + Cat features a young girl (Peg) and her dark blue cat (Cat) who use math to solve various problems that occur in and around their diverse neighborhood populated with other humans and animals. This book would be most effective for a child who was already familiar with the series, as many of the conventions of the show appear in the book (Peg's propensity for "TOTALLY FREAKING OUT", the problem solved song, Peg using the graph paper background to make plans). Translating from the tv show to a book means that, unfortunately, some of the text loses picture support. The font choice, too, may be difficult for some early readers. However, the book and pictures are sweet, and Peg exudes a joy and an enthusiasm for math that can be hard to find in books for young children.

Overall Book Score: good

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About the Book

Author:

Oxley // Aronson, Jennifer // Billy

Illustrator: ,

Illustration Quality: very good

Publisher: Candlewick Entertainment

Book Type: picture book fiction

Genre: realistic fiction

Audience: preschool,grades k-3

Binding Type: reinforced trade binding

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9780763697877

Price: 14.99

Brazen: Rebel Ladies Who Rocked the World

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: July 7, 2018

Review

Brazen: Rebel Ladies Who Rocked the World is an anthology of graphic biographies of twenty-nine extraordinary women throughout history. Bagieu has selected women from all over the globe and all throughout time and highlighted their lives. Each of the women who was selected did something extraordinary, though many of them have been forgotten or had their accomplishments diminished in favor of their beauty or some other quality.

Each mini-biography begins with the name and a description of the woman--their profession or some other title of some kind. A portrait begins the comic strip of the biography. In sharp, clear, and often hilarious terms that persist, though translated from the original French, Bagieu leads the reader through the woman's life. The accompanying illustration are created with black outlines and three or four colors in a flat style, but they are often the source of humor and emotion in each biography, showcasing the bravery, stubbornness, joy, and sometimes pain of each woman with startling clarity foe such a small drawing. The biographies all end with a wordless two page spread that leaves the readers at peace with the subject.

Bagieu has selected many women who are rarely shown in other similar collective biographies. It's impossible to come away from this book without feeling inspired or angry that so many of these women are never discussed anywhere else. A gem of a book, for all readers.

Overall Book Score: excellent

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About the Book

Author:

Bagieu, Pénélope

Illustrator: ,

Illustration Quality: excellent

Publisher: First Second

Book Type: chapter book nonfiction

Genre: biography / autobiography,graphic novel

Audience: grades 7-9,grades 10-12

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9781626728684

Price: 24.99

The Prince and the Dressmaker

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: July 7, 2018

Review

The Prince and the Dressmaker is a graphic novel by Jen Wang. In Paris, in a vaguely ambiguous historical time, Prince Sebastian's parents are searching for a bride for their son. Sebastian, however, isn't interested, because he's more occupied with keeping his secrets. The first is Frances, his seamstress, whose brilliant and inventive creations caught his eye. The second is what she makes: not suits, but dresses. Sebastian loves to wear dresses, make up, and a wig, taking on his alter ego, Lady Crystallia. For a while, everything is wonderful. But as the pressure increases on Sebastian to find a bride and prepare to be king, and as the weight of keeping her own gifts a secret presses on Frances, the deep and vital relationship between the two of them fractures.

Wang tells a powerful story about the fear of being different, about how expressing yourself is not only freeing, but vital to the soul, and how the proud acceptance and love--or absence thereof--of the people that matter to you can make or break a life. The words are wonderful, but they are sparse, because it is the illustrations that tell the story. Wang draws with a beautiful fluidity that captures the elegance of Frances' creations and the emotion and power of every scene. The Prince and the Dressmaker is a masterpiece.

Overall Book Score: excellent

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About the Book

Author:

Wang, Jen

Illustrator: Wang, Jen

Illustration Quality: excellent

Publisher: First Second

Book Type: chapter book fiction

Genre: graphic novel

Audience: grades 7-9,grades 10-12

Binding Type: paperback

Binding Quality: fair

ISBN: 9781626723634

Price: 16.99

Miles Away From You

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: July 10, 2018

Review

Miles Away From You is the debut novel by A.B. Rutledge. About eighteen months ago, Miles' girlfriend, a transgender teen named Vivian, attempted suicide. She's been on life support since and Miles and his moms have been fighting a legal battle with Vivian's parents--unsupportive and transphobic. Miles has just turned eighteen, and he is exhausted by the battle and how he hasn't dealt with what happened. His moms decide to send him to Iceland for a trip for the summer. There, Miles begins to process what happened and to grapple with his history with Vivian. He photographs her boots, one of the only things he has left of her, all over Iceland, in a project that begins to heal him.

This book has been touted as a book about transgender characters. While it is true that Vivian, her struggle with her family, and her thoughts and feelings about being trans are a centerpoint of Miles' focus, she is already long gone when the book begins. Her voice is not a part of the story and, therefore, there are much better choices for someone who looking for a book about a transgender character. However the treatment of Vivian as a character is sensitive and nuanced. Rutledge takes pains to ensure that Vivian is never referred to by male pronouns or by her dead name, even when Miles is angry with her (a rarity in published fiction). Miles' pansexuality is often discussed, and he has romantic encounters with male and female character throughout the story. At its heart, it's a story of discovering one's identity after a seismic shock--Vivian was the center of Miles' identity for a long time and now she's gone.

The inexperience of the author occasionally shines through in improbable circumstances and the occasional grating of particular characters. Still, Miles paints a vivid picture for the reader in his messages to Vivian, and readers will be hooked. Violence, drugs, alcohol, frequent thematic mentions of suicide, and sexual situations makes this book recommended for high school students and above.

Overall Book Score: good

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About the Book

Author:

Rutledge , A.B.

Illustrator: ,

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Book Type: chapter book fiction

Genre: romance,realistic fiction

Audience: grades 10-12

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9781328852335

Price: 17.99

Be Prepared

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: August 7, 2018

Review

Be Prepared is a great tale of friendship, growing up, and culture. Vera is the daughter of a Russian immigrant who wants desperately to go away to camp like all of the other kids in her school. She finally finds a Russian summer camp that her mother will agree to and happily heads off with her little brother in tow. Unfortunately, Vera's birthday is just over the line, putting her in the camp with the older girls, who all act as though they are too mature to hang out with Vera. To make matters worse, her brother seems to be having the time of his life. Vera navigates the social scene of this summer camp, eventually finding joy at camp. Brosgol's semi-autobiographical look at summer camp will be a winner for any kid who's ever had a rough time with a social situation. This book also serves as a wonderful introduction to "big kid" social situations for middle grade readers just starting to make that transition.

Overall Book Score: very good

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About the Book

Author:

Brosgol, Vera

Illustrator: Brosgol, Vera

Illustration Quality: very good

Publisher: First Second

Book Type: chapter book fiction

Genre: realistic fiction,graphic novel

Audience: grades 4-6,grades 7-9

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: good

ISBN: 9781626724440

Price: 22.99

This Makes Me Silly

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: August 7, 2018

Review

This Makes Me Silly is a title from author Courtney Carbone's series Dealing with Feelings an unnamed narrator with tan skin and dark hair tells about her family's trip to the zoo, describe the animals and the silly things she and her brother do to imitate the animals. Carbone also describes the feelings associated with the emotion ("My insides feel wiggly like their trunks!" p. 7) and how to take deep breaths and calm down after getting too silly. The story ends with the narrator posing the question to the reader of what makes them feel silly. Kushnir's sweet, simplistic, and diverse digital illustrations bring the fun to life. Parents will value the language on how to describe emotion and how to deal with it. Recommended where readers are popular.

Overall Book Score: very good

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About the Book

Author:

Carbone, Courtney

Illustrator: Kushnir, Hilli

Illustration Quality: very good

Publisher: Rodale Kids

Book Type: picture book fiction

Genre: realistic fiction

Audience: preschool,grades k-3

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9781635650754

Price: 13.99

Girl Made of Stars

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: August 7, 2018

Review

Girl Made of Stars is a timely look at sexual assault in our culture today. Blake writes from the perspective of Mara, a high school student who is juggling with a break up with her girlfriend, Charlie, (to avoid one that will hurt worse when they go to college next year), the start of her senior year of high school, and normal high school politics. However, after her twin brother, Owen is accused of raping Hannah, a friend, at a party, Mara is lost in a whirlwind of confusion. Her brother would never do something like that. Would he? A secret she’d kept since middle school adds to the turmoil Mara feels as she struggles with wanting to believe in the brother that has always felt like the other half of her soul and the sinking suspicion that Hannah is telling the truth. Blake expertly navigates topics such as sexual assault, victim blaming, consent, punishment, and truth. An important book that packs a real punch.

Overall Book Score: excellent

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About the Book

Author:

Blake, Ashley Herring

Illustrator: ,

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Book Type: chapter book fiction

Genre: realistic fiction

Audience: grades 7-9,grades 10-12

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: good

ISBN: 9781328778239

Price: 17.99

Peg + Cat The Eid al-Adha Adventure

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: August 7, 2018

Review

Peg + Cat: The Eid al-Adha Adventure is a book in the series based on the PBS Kids show created by Jennifer Oxley and Billy Aronson. Each book is based on an episode of the show and highlights math concepts. In the Eid al-Adha Adventure, Peg and Cat are learning about the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha from their friends, Amir and Yasmina. The concepts of more and less, as well as thirds are discussed. The visuals are quirky, fun, and illustrative of the concepts, though the form as a whole suffers some by the change in format. Song and moving descriptions help describe math concepts better than the still image and slimmed down content of the picture book. Additionally, this is not a good resource for someone who wants to learn about the holiday of Eid al-Adha. Though Peg and Cat receive some basic explanation from Amir and Yasmina, much is left out to make room for math concepts. Despite the shortcomings, this book and the rest of the Peg + Cat series exude a joy for math rarely found and much needed in children’s literature and media. Recommended as an additional purchase.

Overall Book Score: fair

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About the Book

Author:

Oxley // Aronson, Jennifer // Billy

Illustrator: ,

Illustration Quality: very good

Publisher: Candlewick Entertainment

Book Type: picture book fiction

Genre:

Audience: grades k-3

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: good

ISBN: 9780763699321

Price: 12.99

I Walk with Vanessa: A Story About a Simple Act of Kindness

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: August 7, 2018

Review

Beautiful ink and watercolor illustration form this wordless picture book by husband and wife team Sébastian Cosset and Marie Pommepuy, known collectively as Kerascoët. Vanessa, a girl with brown skin and dark curly hair, is new at school. During her first day, she is isolated from the class and, at the end of the day, a brash boy with blond hair teases her. She goes home sad. The exchanged is observed by another girl with tan skin and straight dark hair wearing a yellow dress. The girl in the yellow dress shares what she saw with her group of friends, but no one quite knows what to do, so she goes home, her melancholy mood persisting until the morning. Then, she has an idea. The girl in the yellow dress greets Vanessa when she comes out of her house and walks with her to school. Different kids join in as they make their way there until a huge group of happy diverse children arrive at the front door of school--no bully in sight. Kerascoët bring this story to life with charming simplistic drawings of each of the children, backed by a gorgeous watercolor scene that fades to monochromatic blue with the characters' moods and brightens back up to cheerful colors as the solution is found. The book ends with a note to children about what they can do for a child who is being bullied and a note to adults about helpful language to use to discuss the problem. A recommended purchase for all libraries.

Overall Book Score: excellent

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About the Book

Author:

(no last name), Kerascoët

Illustrator: ,

Illustration Quality: excellent

Publisher: Schwartz & Wade

Book Type: picture book fiction

Genre: realistic fiction

Audience: preschool,grades k-3

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: good

ISBN: 9781524769567

Price: 17.99

Claiming My Place: Coming of Age in the Shadow of the Holocaust

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: August 7, 2018

Review

Claiming My Place is a historical novel that tells a first person story of Barbara Reichmann, a Jewish woman who was born Gucia Gomolinska in the 1920s. To avoid being forced into a ghetto and suffer the same fate as the people she saw around her, Reichmann changed her name and got falsified papers that declared her to be a gentile. Price writes Reichmann's story from the first person, tracing the rise in antisemitism and Nazi occupation in Poland, as well as the tale of her eventual escape. Barbara Reichmann’s daughter, Helen Reichman West, concludes the tale with some of her mother’s experiences throughout the remainder of her life, a note that explains what happened to each of the family members described, and a glossary. Claiming My Place tells an important and often missed story about some of the experiences of Jewish people in the Holocaust. However, Price claims to have taken some liberties with the stories in order to make it read better, but neglects to give any indication what is taken directly from Reichmann’s stories and what is a product of the author. A great tale of bravery in the face of great evil, but shelve it with the fiction.

Overall Book Score: good

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About the Book

Author:

Price, Planaria

Illustrator: ,

Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux

Book Type: chapter book fiction

Genre: realistic fiction,historical fiction

Audience: grades 7-9,grades 10-12

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: good

ISBN: 9780374305291

Price: 17.99

Do Not Lick This Book!

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: February 13, 2018

Review

Do not lick this book! Right from the start, this mouthwatering book draws audiences in with a bright yellow cover and a directive that is the enemy of many of the library's youngest of patrons. Inside lies a smorgasbord of germ-y friends (adorable cartoons drawn by Julian Frost over real scanning electron microscope photos by Linnea Rundgren). Ben-Barak treats readers to a tour of some of the germ-filled places on their bodies in terms even the most microscopic listener will understand. The last page contains further information about each of the four microbes depicted, in case the prior pages didn't sate readers' appetites. Best shared one-on-one where kids can get their hands (and germs) into this book, but librarians will struggle to keep it on preschool and elementary shelves. Delicious.

Overall Book Score: very good

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About the Book

Author:

Ben-Barak, Idan

Illustrator: Frost, Julian

Illustration Quality: very good

Publisher: Roaring Brook Press

Book Type: picture book nonfiction

Genre:

Audience: preschool,grades k-3

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: good

ISBN: 9781760293055

Price: 16.99

The Bagel King

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: September 15, 2018

Review

The Bagel King is a sweet story about a little boy who always has bagels with his grandfather every Sunday. Unfortunately, one day, his granddad falls down and gets hurt. There are no bagels for Eli, for his grandfather, or for his grandfather's friends. The next Sunday, Eli goes himself to get the bagels. The illustrations are the best part of this story--sensitive and bright, they engage readers and draw them into the story. Nichols use of bold lines and soft acrylic colors brings emotion to the illustration. The story by Larsen is cute and fairly simple. The addition of Yiddish words can feel a bit forced at times, but doesn't interfere with the simplicity or sweetness of this story.

Overall Book Score: very good

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About the Book

Author:

Larsen, Andrew

Illustrator: Nichols, Sandy

Illustration Quality: excellent

Publisher: Kids Can Press

Book Type: picture book fiction

Genre: realistic fiction

Audience: preschool,grades k-3

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9781771385749

Price: 16.99

Don't Tell

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: September 15, 2018

Review

Don't Tell! is the follow up to Booth's first book, Don't Blink. A young white girl and her animals friends all question the reader to find out who told them about their super secret book. In the end, they find out it was the elephant who has been telling everyone because he likes to share secrets. His friends agree that it can be fun to share secrets sometimes. The concept lacks the charm of Booth's first book and other fourth-wall-breaking fare. Though the animals are speaking directly to the kid who is reading the book, they don't provide a lot of opportunity to actually speak back. The text also feels very repetitive. Additionally, the concept of secrets is one maybe too difficult for a book as simplistic as this one. Though both includes an author's note at the beginning reminding adults that they should speak to the kids in their life about what secrets to keep or not keep, the story doesn't do a lot to support either perspective. Booth's illustrations, however, are the winner of this book. The expression on each animal (and their human companion) is compelling and draws the reader in far more strongly than the actual text. On top of that, Booth's mixture of traditional and digital mediums creates fluid illustrations with a lot of interesting texture and color. Recommended as an addition purchase.

Overall Book Score: good

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About the Book

Author:

Booth, Tom

Illustrator: Booth, Tom

Illustration Quality: very good

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends

Book Type: picture book fiction

Genre:

Audience: preschool,grades k-3

Binding Type: reinforced trade binding

Binding Quality: good

ISBN: 9781250117373

Price: 17.99

The Radical Element: 12 Stories of Daredevils, Debutantes, and Other Dauntless Girls

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: September 18, 2018

Review

Jessica Spotswood has collected twelve stories from various YA authors exploring American culture from bold female perspectives. Settings range all across the country and the timeline from Savannah, Georgia in 1838 to Boston, Massachusetts in 1984. In Dahlia Adler's Daughter of the Book, an Orthodox Jewish girl desperately wants to study the Torah, despite her family and culture's insistence that it was only for men. Marieke Nijkamp writes the story of Carrie, a girl who is coded as autistic though (in keeping with the time the story was set) this is not explicitly stated in the text of the story. Carrie is observing the arguments of the Supreme Court as they debate the forced sterilization of so-called feeble minded people. Sara Frizan tells of Sohelia, sent to the US by her parents to avoid the war in Iran, who finds strength and passion in music and singing for a punk band. Each of the twelve stories highlights a culture, perspective, or circumstance that has not been given much attention in previous historical works. A solid collection that will show many people a mirror of themselves in history, while also giving them a view of someone else.

Overall Book Score: very good

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About the Book

Author:

Spotswood, Jessica (editor)

Illustrator: ,

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Book Type: chapter book fiction

Genre: realistic fiction,historical fiction

Audience: grades 7-9,grades 10-12

Binding Type: reinforced trade binding

Binding Quality: good

ISBN: 9780763694258

Price: 17.99

A Girl Named Hillary: The True Story of Hillary Clinton

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: September 18, 2018

Review

A Girl Named Hillary is a solid biography of Hillary Clinton for young readers. Like many biographies for readers of this age, Paley focuses on Clinton's hard work, even in the face of defeat. Manwill's sweet illustrations show scenes from Clinton's life in an appealing and engaging way. Each stage of Clinton's life is given only a few pages, with slightly more focus on her childhood and school years. The book also includes a glossary, timeline, and photographs of Clinton in the back. Though there are more complete biographies out there, this is an inspiring first look at an inspiring woman.

Overall Book Score: good

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About the Book

Author:

Paley, Rebecca

Illustrator: Manwill, Melissa

Illustration Quality: very good

Publisher: Scholastic

Book Type: chapter book nonfiction

Genre: biography / autobiography

Audience: grades k-3,grades 4-6

Binding Type: paperback

Binding Quality: good

ISBN: 9781338193022

Price: 4.99

Thisby Thestoop and the Black Mountain

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: September 18, 2018

Review

Thisby Thestoop and the Black Mountain is the first in a new series by Zac Gorman. Thisby is the twelve-year-old gamekeeper for the Castle Grimstone, a destination for anyone who fancies themselves an adventurer in the Land of Nth. Thibsy takes care of dungeon after dungeon of dangerous beasts, monsters, and creatures with her careful notes and a lot of very hard work. Until, that is, Princess Iphigenia and her younger twin brother come to visit. Ingo is kidnapped, which leaves the princess and the gamekeeper to rescue the prince and find their way out before they fall prey to some kind of danger. As complete opposites and with magic, monsters, and mayhem behind every corner, that might be harder than it sounds.

Gorman weaves a quirky and entertaining adventure story for those readers who have tired of the usual fare. By calling on classic fantasy critters of a less known variety (kobolds, trasques, etc.), and subverting some tropes of the genre, Thisby's adventure will be a breath of fresh air to many readers. Those new to the genre might miss some of the more tongue and cheek moments, but any reader would enjoy Thisby, Iphigenia, and the dungeons of Castle Grimstone.

Overall Book Score: very good

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About the Book

Author:

Gorman, Zac

Illustrator: Bosma, Sam

Illustration Quality: very good

Publisher: HarperCollins Childrens

Book Type: chapter book fiction

Genre: adventure,fantasy

Audience: grades 4-6

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: good

ISBN: 9780062495679

Price: 16.99

The Orca Scientists

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: October 9, 2018

Review

The Orca Scientists gives readers a thorough examination into the scientists that study the orca pods of the Pacific Northwest including details about how scientists collect data, the type of data they collect, what they are looking to find in the data, and how it all got started. Readers can also find ideas for ways to help, glossary, index, photo credit, bibliography, and an author's note at the end of the book. The writing clear and engaging, paired with many photographs of whale, scientists at work, and aerial shots of the areas. Most readers will walk away from this book with more knowledge when they started. However, Valice expects some understanding from readers about orca whales. Paired with the depth of knowledge, the complexity of the vocabulary, and the topic, this book is probably best suited to upper elementary students and may fair better in a school library setting, where complex picture books are more likely to be read.

Overall Book Score: very good

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About the Book

Author:

Valice, Kim Perez

Illustrator: ,

Illustration Quality: excellent

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Book Type: picture book nonfiction

Genre:

Audience: grades k-3,grades 4-6

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: good

ISBN: 9780544898264

Price: 18.99

Not One Damsel in Distress

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: October 9, 2018

Review

Not One Damsel in Distress: Heroic Girls from World Folklore is a collection of folk and fairy tales retold by Jane Yolen. The selected tales span the globe including Greece, Niger, Argentina, China, White River Sioux, Poland/Jewish, France, and Azerbaijan, among others. Each tale is accompanied by an illustration and features a girl whose cleverness, strength, bravery, courage, or kindness (often more than one) all help her solve the problem and save the day. Yolen includes notes about the origin of each story, as well as the research she did to find and retell it. The illustrations by Susan Guevara fall flat in presentation. They appear washed out, like color illustrations that have been copied in black and white, and do little to carry the inspiring words of Yolen. The print size and length of each tale skew towards a younger audience, while the vocabulary indicates a slightly older audience. All the same, many young readers will enjoy this collection.

Overall Book Score: good

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About the Book

Author:

Yolen, Jane

Illustrator: Guevara, Susan

Illustration Quality: fair

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Book Type: chapter book nonfiction

Genre: folklore

Audience: grades k-3,grades 4-6

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: good

ISBN: 9781328900203

Price: 15.99

My Teacher's Not Here!

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: October 9, 2018

Review

My Teacher's Not Here is a gentle title that will help young and nervous kids plan for the strangeness of having a substitute teacher. This is a worry that affects many young ones, and the shy and fearful Kitty learns that, yes, the day is different but things will still be okay. Battuz's simple, bright illustration convey the anxiety that Kitty is experiencing, as well as her growing comfort and joy as everything is okay. This text can be used to prepare and individual child or a whole class when a beloved teacher might be absent for the first time.

Overall Book Score: very good

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About the Book

Author:

Button, Lana

Illustrator: Battuz, Christine

Illustration Quality: very good

Publisher: Kids Can Press

Book Type: picture book fiction

Genre: realistic fiction

Audience: preschool,grades k-3

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: good

ISBN: 9781771383561

Price: 16.99

Escape the Underdark

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: October 9, 2018

Review

In a new series of choose-your-own-adventure-style books, Matt Forbeck writes the Endless Quest books that take middle school readers through actual Dungeons & Dragons content in an adventure filled quest. Escape the Underdark puts the reader as a fighter (one of the twelve standard classes in D&D games), trapped in an Underdark prison. By choosing who to align with, when to fight, and where to go, readers can get themselves out of our into trouble. There are many twists and turns that lead to success or failure. This series of books is particularly good for kids who are already hooked on D&D, kids who love this style of book, or both. It may be an excellent way to introduce kids to Dungeons & Dragons if they haven't heard of it before, or to get kids who are into D&D reading more books. Purchase wherever either is popular.

Overall Book Score: good

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About the Book

Author:

Forbeck, Matt

Illustrator: ,

Illustration Quality: very good

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Book Type: chapter book fiction

Genre: adventure,fantasy

Audience: grades 7-9

Binding Type: paperback

Binding Quality: good

ISBN: 9781536200652

Price: 8.99

To Catch a Thief

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: October 9, 2018

Review

In a new series of choose-your-own-adventure-style books, Matt Forbeck writes the Endless Quest books that take middle school readers through actual Dungeons & Dragons content in an adventure filled quest. To Catch a Thief puts the reader in the place of a halfling rogue (one of the many options for players in the actual Dungeons & Dragon game). After trying to steal from a noble looking woman, the reader is tasked with stealing a baby griffon. On their way, the adventurer may find more than they bargained for. There are many twists and turns that lead to success or failure. This series of books is particularly good for kids who are already hooked on D&D, kids who love this style of book, or both. It may be an excellent way to introduce kids to Dungeons & Dragons if they haven't heard of it before, or to get kids who are into D&D reading more books. Purchase wherever either is popular.

Overall Book Score: good

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About the Book

Author:

Forbeck, Matt

Illustrator: ,

Illustration Quality: very good

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Book Type: chapter book fiction

Genre: adventure,fantasy

Audience: grades 7-9

Binding Type: paperback

Binding Quality: good

ISBN: 9781536200669

Price: 8.99

Hullmetal Girls

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: October 9, 2018

Review

Hullmetal Girls is Emily Skrutskie's third novel, a thrilling sci-fi tale that focuses on the first person perspectives of Aisha and Key, two girls who have just been transformed into Scela--mechanically enhanced soldiers that share a body and mind with a super computer exoskeleton to help keep order and safety in the Fleet, the group of ships orbiting through space without a planet to anchor themselves to. Aisha agreed to become part of the program for the salary that would provide medical care for her little brother. Key doesn't remember why she signed up, a fact that is distressing to her despite the assurances from the medical team that it occasionally happens. As Aisha, Key, and their teammates face their first threats in the form of a Fractionist protest, a movement unhappy with the inequity between the seven Districts of the Fleet, questions begin to form about the dark forces that are secretly at work. Aisha and Key both find themselves lost and wondering who they might really be working for.

Skrutskie is a master of the science fiction genre and bringing her unique biological, visceral twist to the narrative. The result are characters that grab the reader and yank them through the sharp turns of the story. Hullmetal Girls is not gripping because of its suspenseful moments (of which there are many) nor its unique take on common sci-fi tropes (which feels fresh and inventive). Instead, it is the heart of the characters, their compelling emotions, and diverse experiences that makes the reader immediately care about what will happen next. Strongly recommended.

Overall Book Score: excellent

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About the Book

Author:

Skrutskie, Emily

Illustrator: ,

Publisher: Delacourte Press

Book Type: chapter book fiction

Genre: adventure,science fiction

Audience: grades 7-9,grades 10-12

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: very good

ISBN: 9781524770198

Price: 17.99

Let's Talk About Love

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: October 9, 2018

Review

Alice already knows she's biromantic (able to fall in love with people who have the same gender as her or who don't). And she's known for a really long time that she's asexual (someone who doesn't experience sexual attraction). But she hasn't been able to share that last bit with anyone but her best friend. After another rough break up thanks to her lack of sexual interest, Alice feels about ready to swear off dating altogether, until Takumi shows up at her work. He's so cute that he exceeds the Cutie Code she's always used to define her aesthetic crushes in the past. But Alice worries that Takumi, like everyone else, won't understand. Add on top of that parents pressuring her towards a career choice she doesn't think she can stand, and a huge fight brewing with her best friend, and Alice isn't sure she'll make it through the summer.

Kann's Alice is a lively character with a charm and spunk. She leaps off the page as a fluffy, sometimes spoiled character, with a huge heart and a lot of endearing qualities. Both in text and on the front cover, Alice is portrayed as a dark-skinned black girl. Takumi is Japanese and other characters, in explicit text and contextual clues, are suggested to be several other ethnicities and religions.

Most important is the example that is set with Alice's asexuality. Though she experiences misunderstanding and outright aphobia from friends and partners, Alice never doubts her asexuality or right to feel that way. Additionally, Kann explores the many ways that asexual people can and do show their partner that they are cared for and loved. Vital for all YA and NA collections.

Overall Book Score: excellent

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About the Book

Author:

Kann, Claire

Illustrator: ,

Publisher: Swoon Reads

Book Type: chapter book fiction

Genre: romance,realistic fiction

Audience: grades 10-12

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: good

ISBN: 9781250136121

Price: 16.99

Catwoman: Soulstealer

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: October 9, 2018

Review

Sarah J. Maas is the latest author to take on one of the DC characters in their series DC Icons. Catwoman: Soulstealer is the origin story of Selina Kyle, who begins as a seventeen year old girl illegally fighting in an underground ring for the money to take care of her sick little sister. When social workers begin to ask questions, Selina panics and tries to fight the police officers, which leads to her arrest. Rather than go to jail and have her little sister sent to a dirty foster home, Selina agrees to let a mysterious benefactor put Maggie in a good foster home and take Selina to Italy where she will train.

Three years later, she comes back as Holly Vanderhees, an heiress that's the cover for the Catwoman persona she puts on to steal from wealthy citizens in Gotham. Eventually, she teams up with Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy, both aligned with her mission to steal from the rich. Meanwhile, Luke Fox, watching over the city as Batwing while Batman is away, tries to stop the three women.

As with the other titles in this series, Catwoman: Soulstealer will be very popular with DC fans and fans of Maas' other books. However, without any major movie production to push less dedicated fans her way, Catwoman may not enjoy the same rise in popularity. Maas handles the action well and Selina's grey antihero morality. However, there are times when the writing seems to become repetitive or needlessly dramatic. Still, many readers will enjoy this book. Recommended as an additional purchase unless the rest of the series is popular.

Overall Book Score: good

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About the Book

Author:

Maas, Sarah J.

Illustrator: ,

Publisher: Random House

Book Type: chapter book fiction

Genre: adventure,fantasy,science fiction

Audience: grades 7-9,grades 10-12

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: good

ISBN: 9780399549694

Price: 18.99