Lions and Liars

Reviewed by: Kerrie Lattari - York Middle School, York, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: August 1, 2018

Review

After being deemed a flea on the social food chain and missing out on his yearly family cruise vacation because of an impending hurricane, a fed up Frederick Frederickson hops into his friend's dad's boat and accidentally floats away. He washes up at Camp Omigoshee, a disciplinary camp for boys meant to build character. Frederick assumes the identity of the notorious Dash, a camper who has yet to arrive as scheduled and has a reputation for outlandish behavior. A series of mishaps and the brewing storm lead Frederick to discover the meaning of friendship, loyalty, and courage. This is a read for an upper-elementary audience, and children in that age group will appreciate the bits of humor sprinkled throughout the story as Frederick struggles to fit in with these "troubled" boys. Overall though. I found the characters to be a bit flat and some of the situations to be too implausible. And in contrast to the lovely cover art, the illustrations were bland and did not add anything to the story. This book would be suited for children not yet ready for the complexity of Louis Sachar's "Holes."

Overall Book Score: fair

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About the Book

Author:

Beasley, Kate

Illustrator: Santat, Dan

Illustration Quality: fair

Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux

Book Type: chapter book fiction

Genre: realistic fiction

Audience: grades 4-6

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: good

ISBN: 9780374302634

Price: 16.99

P.S. I Miss You

Reviewed by: Kerrie Lattari - York Middle School, York, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: August 2, 2018

Review

This novel is a series of letters written by eleven-year-old Evie to her older sister, Cilla, who has gotten pregnant and sent away to live with their aunt. Evie's strict Catholic parents refuse to talk about what happened or allow any communication between her and Cilla. So Evie writes to her sister in secret, sharing her feelings, her confusion and lonlieness, and eventually her relationship with the new girl in town, June, who is becoming more than a friend. Evie wrestles with her identity and her Catholic faith all the while wondering why Cilla won't write her back. Heartbreaking and hopeful, this middle grade read reflects the struggles of growing up, questioning the world around you, and being true to yourself. A great addition to the growing body of LGBTQ lit.

Overall Book Score: very good

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About the Book

Author:

Petro-Roy, Jen

Illustrator: ,

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends

Book Type: chapter book fiction

Genre: realistic fiction

Audience: grades 4-6,grades 7-9

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: good

ISBN: 9781250123480

Price: 16.99

A Side of Sabotage

Reviewed by: Kerrie Lattari - York Middle School, York, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: August 2, 2018

Review

This is the third installment of the Quinnie Boyd Mysteries. We are brought back to the small coastal town of Maiden Rock, Maine where summer is about to swing into action but nothing is going smoothly. Quinnie's best friend Zoe is back from Scotland but she is having a hard time adjusting to life in the states, her budding romance with Dominic is on shaky ground as he and his family prepare to move, and a fancy new restaurant has popped up in town giving the locals and tourists a taste of fine cuisine and Gusty's some stiff competition. When things start going awry at Gusty's left and right, Quinnie is sure someone is purposefully sabotaging her family's business. She and her friends set out to catch the culprit and as usual, the answer is never what you expect. Surrisi did a decent job aging her characters who have come a long way from the more exaggerated and silly theories they posited in the previous stories. Fans of the first two books will enjoy this fun return to Maiden Rock.

Overall Book Score: good

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About the Book

Author:

Surrisi, C.M.

Illustrator: ,

Publisher: Carolhoda Books

Book Type: chapter book fiction

Genre: mystery

Audience: grades 4-6,grades 7-9

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: good

ISBN: 9781512448368

Price: 16.99

This Book's Maine Connection: Maine setting

Takedown

Reviewed by: Kerrie Lattari - York Middle School, York, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: August 4, 2018

Review

This middle grade novel is told in alternating voices between 6th graders Mickey and Lev, who are both vying for a state wrestling title. Mickey comes from a family of wrestlers and is bound and determined to join the same travel team her brother's were a part of. When the coach refuses to let her join the all male team, she finds a place on another--the Gladiators. There, Mickey is partnered with Lev and she struggles to find her place among the boys. Lev on the other hand has his own problems including his mixed feelings about continuing with wrestling. Family, friendship, and identity are all explored in a way that middle schoolers will find relatable. It is refreshing to see a novel about wrestling, with a strong female lead no less, in a world of sports fiction that tends to be dominated by more mainstream sports.

Overall Book Score: very good

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About the Book

Author:

Shovan, Laura

Illustrator: ,

Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books/Random House Children's Books

Book Type: chapter book fiction

Genre: realistic fiction

Audience: grades 4-6

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: good

ISBN: 9780553521412

Price: 16.99

My Year in the Middle

Reviewed by: Kerrie Lattari - York Middle School, York, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date:

Review

Lu Olivera is a 6th grader growing up in Alabama in 1970. Racial tensions abound in her community and her school which, though integrated, still has a stark division between black and white. Lu, whose parents are Argentinian immigrants, floats in between these two groups and she develops a friendship with a black girl named Belinda after they bond over their talent for running. The state race for Governor, with former Governor George Wallace running on a segregationist platform, creates even more unrest in Red Grove and Lu must decide if she should remain neutral or if she can muster the courage to stand up for what's right. Finding your voice, being true to yourself, and taking a stand will resonate with readers in this take on post-civil rights issues.

Overall Book Score: very good

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About the Book

Author:

Weaver , Lila Quintero

Illustrator: ,

Publisher: Candlewick

Book Type: chapter book fiction

Genre: historical fiction

Audience: grades 4-6

Binding Type: Choose Binding Type

Binding Quality: good

ISBN: 9780763692315

Price: 15.99

Like Vanessa

Reviewed by: Kerrie Lattari - York Middle School, York, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: August 7, 2018

Review

8th grader Vanessa Martin is growing up in impoverished Newark, New Jersey with her disconnected father and the mystery of her mother's whereabouts lingering in her mind. She dreams of being Miss America, something that, even with her darker skin, seems a little more possible with the crowning of Vanessa Williams in 1983. When her music teacher announces a school beauty pageant, Vanessa is hesitant to participate. But with a push from her teacher, her grandfather Pop Pop, and her cousin TJ she agrees to compete. In the face of adversity, Vanessa finds the self-confidence and determination to believe in herself and make her dreams come true. Equal parts heartbreaking and uplifting, this is a lovely debut novel. Highly recommended.

Overall Book Score: excellent

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About the Book

Author:

Charles, Tami

Illustrator: ,

Publisher: Charlesbridge

Book Type: Choose Book Type

Genre: historical fiction

Audience: grades 4-6,grades 7-9

Binding Type: trade edition

Binding Quality: good

ISBN: 9781580897778

Price: 16.99

The Confidence Code for Girls

Reviewed by: Kerrie Lattari - York Middle School, York, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: August 7, 2018

Review

This junior version of "The Confidence Code" helps girls develop and maintain their self-confidence during some of the most tumultuous years of growing up: middle school. Topics include how to build confidence through taking smart risks and how to get into your growth zone, being critical of the world around you and how it affects your confidence level, what your brain has to do with it, how to put everything into action, and most importantly, the reminder that failure is inevitable but survivable. Sprinkles of comic panels, examples of real stories from girls their age, quizzes and breakdowns, and a whole list of resources provide a full toolbox for any girl who picks up this book. No doubt, many young teens will find this to be the guide they didn't know they needed but are so relieved to have.

Overall Book Score: very good

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About the Book

Author:

Kay and Shipman, Claire, Katty

Illustrator: Lawson, Nan

Illustration Quality: fair

Publisher: Harper

Book Type: chapter book nonfiction

Genre:

Audience: grades 4-6

Binding Type: library binding

Binding Quality: good

ISBN: 9780062796981

Price: 14.99