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Serendipity's Footsteps
Serendipity's Footsteps
Reviewed by: Laurel T Parker - Windham Public Library, Windham, Southern Maine Library District
Review Date: December 9, 2015
Review
In this novel, which spans 1938-2013, three main characters find their place in life in unexpected ways. Dayla, a Holocaust survivor, takes time and space to put her shattered life together with the help of a chosen few who are supportive and understanding. Ray, whose immediate family is gone, decides to break from the life she knows in Jaynis, Texas, to seek a new start in music. Her get away is not a clean break for Pinny, who lives at the same home and has Downs Syndrome, follows suit and leaves with unsuspecting Ray. As they journey toward New York City good and bad characters all play a part. Along the way Ray tries to ditch Pinny but learns that she cannot. As they reach their goal, a shoe tree, they meet Dayla and an unexpected life for them both, all thanks to the shoes that Pinny wears, made by Dayla 70 years ago.
Nelson does a masterful job of weaving together interesting characters, bringing people together who relate to others journeys, showing the tenacious spirit of the human heart, and letting folks share their story when the time is right. Insight into the Holocaust setting, struggles of high school youth, and the conflict faced by someone with Downs Syndrome are well crafted.
Overall Book Score: excellent
About the Book
Author:
Nelson, Suzanne
Illustrator: ,
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
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: 9780385392129
Price: 17.99
Yard War
Yard War
Reviewed by: Laurel T Parker - Windham Public Library, Windham, Southern Maine Library District
Review Date: December 9, 2015
Review
Life, as he knows it, is about to change for 12 year old Trip Westbrook when he invites the Negro maid's son to play football on the front lawn. Living in Mississippi in 1964, generations of families have differing views on segregation. Trip learns that adults disagree on how people of different colors should interact and his simple gesture to be inclusive creates tension on many levels. Kitchings does a good job of placing the reader in the times intended. The family stresses between parents, grandparents, and young Trip are well drawn. With a hopeful conclusion to a better future, the struggles of the times shine a light on how the younger generation can help the older one stand up for what they believe is right.
Overall Book Score: good
About the Book
Author:
Kitchings, Taylor
Illustrator: ,
Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books
Book Type: chapter book fiction
Genre: historical fiction
Audience: grades 4-6
Binding Type: trade edition
Binding Quality: good
ISBN: 9780553507539
Price: 16.99
Selkie Bay
Selkie Bay
Reviewed by: Laurel T Parker - Windham Public Library, Windham, Southern Maine Library District
Review Date: December 9, 2015
Review
Codie, the oldest of 3 sisters, is faced with keeping the family together when Mum disappears and Da is busy working. Their seaside town of Selkie Bay survives on the mystery and lure of selkies, shape shifters from seal to human form. As time moves on, Cordie gives hope to Ione by telling her that their Mum is a selki who cannot be with them and their baby sister Neevy. The world of lies that Cordie weaves finally brings their father to share their Mum's story after the lives of the family are endangered. The folklore of selkies, the lure of the sea, mysterious islands, and an afterward about the plight of seals pulls the story together. This works as an introduction to selkies and their story.
Overall Book Score: good
About the Book
Author:
Thomas, Shelly Moore
Illustrator: ,
Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux
Book Type: chapter book fiction
Genre: realistic fiction
Audience: grades 4-6
Binding Type: trade edition
Binding Quality: good
ISBN: 9780374367497
Price: 15.99
Whole New Ballgame
Whole New Ballgame
Reviewed by: Laurel T Parker - Windham Public Library, Windham, Southern Maine Library District
Review Date: February 10, 2016
Review
Rip and Red are fifth graders sure of what they will encounter as they begin school in the fall. As soon as they enter the classroom they realize things have changed. A new teacher greets them at the door and as the new basketball coach Mr. Acevedo brings even more change into Mason Irving's (Rip) and Blake Daniel's (Red) lives. Best friends, new friends, and how to deal with change for all is well portrayed through this diverse cast of characters. For a class assignment, one student, Avery, shares her perspective on gross things by enumerating the items her wheelchair wheels have picked up. The stress of standardized "teaching to the test" and parental involvement is well handled. Compromise is needed for both adults and children and well presented. This would be a solid read for anyone who enjoys school related stories.
Overall Book Score: good
About the Book
Author:
Bildner, Phil
Illustrator: Probert, Tim
Illustration Quality: very good
Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux
Book Type: chapter book fiction
Genre: realistic fiction
Audience: grades 4-6
Binding Type: reinforced trade binding
Binding Quality: good
ISBN: 9780374301309
Price: 15.99
Lost Track of Time
Lost Track of Time
Reviewed by: Laurel T Parker - Windham Public Library, Windham, Southern Maine Library District
Review Date: February 10, 2016
Review
Penelope enjoys imagining and writing but struggles to find time to pursue her interests. Her mother schedules every minute of every day with little free time allowed. When a day appears with no commitments Penelope races to a friendly neighbor who warns her about getting lost in time. By staring at the blank page Penelope is drawn into an alternative world where all that matters is time. Reminiscent of The Phantom Tollbooth, Penelope finds a friend in Dill and together they seek out the Great Moodler and break the spell of time being completely bound up. This is a fully imagined world, easy to get caught up in, and entertaining illustrations to support the narrative. Of particular note is the back cover which shares many common expressions used to describe the different types of time with which we all deal.
Overall Book Score: good
About the Book
Author:
Britt, Paige
Illustrator: White, Lee
Illustration Quality: good
Publisher: Schoilastic
Book Type: chapter book fiction
Genre: fantasy
Audience: grades 4-6
Binding Type: trade edition
Binding Quality: good
ISBN: 9780545538121
Price: 17.99
Untwine
Untwine
Reviewed by: Laurel T Parker - Windham Public Library, Windham, Southern Maine Library District
Review Date: February 10, 2016
Review
Giselle and Isabelle, twins who were born with their fingers entwined, are 16, beginning to seek their own paths, and dealing with their parents exploration of possible divorce as the family is sideswiped in a major car accident. One twin is killed, the other in a deep coma. As Giselle struggles to deal with her medical issues, doctors, family members, and the pain, she realizes that everyone thinks she died and her twin survived. Trying to speak is impossible. Eventually the error is discovered. The emotional journey that Giselle travels is well imagined and portrayed. It covers her childhood, her desire to keep hold of her sister, and the importance of family and roots. The Haitian background of this family provides a glimpse into how important two places can be to hold families together.
Overall Book Score: very good
About the Book
Author:
Danticat, Edwidge
Illustrator: ,
Publisher: Scholastic
Book Type: chapter book fiction
Genre: realistic fiction
Audience: grades 10-12
Binding Type: Choose Binding Type
Binding Quality: good
ISBN: 9780545423038
Price: 16.99
Thirteen
Thirteen
Reviewed by: Laurel T Parker - Windham Public Library, Windham, Southern Maine Library District
Review Date: March 9, 2016
Review
Coron, cult leader of The People, knows that Adam, the last living of 13 boys born to single mothers at the turn of the century, must be killed before he becomes a man on January 1, 2014 for he threatens the Coron's domination as supreme leader. Adam has been raised by loving parents, has positive relationships with school and life, and finds his crumbling world a nightmare as he is hunted. Real danger, narrow escapes, wild accusations, and the constant support of a friend unfold though the fast pace journey. Cult following and mind control play a very real part and a short list of actual cults is included to demonstrate their failing. Gruesome scenes, bloody violence, arson, and sadistic minds place this beyond the reach of the faint-hearted.
Overall Book Score: good
About the Book
Author:
Hoyle, Tom
Illustrator: ,
Publisher: Holiday House
Book Type: chapter book fiction
Genre: adventure,horror
Audience: grades 7-9,grades 10-12
Binding Type: trade edition
Binding Quality: fair
ISBN: 9780823432943
Price: 16.95
Slacker
Slacker
Reviewed by: Laurel T Parker - Windham Public Library, Windham, Southern Maine Library District
Review Date: December 14, 2016
Review
Video gamer Cameron Boxer seeks to make amends with his parents after a household disaster. In short chapters of alternating voices (his, his best friends, the school guidance counselor, other students) the story of a club that doesn't exist is revealed and takes on a power of its own. The fight to help save their town brings factions together as no one had dreamed possible. With lots of middle school drama and the jealousy of a few high schoolers, this rollicking good read develops characters that are fully realized, explores how friendships wax and wane, and how things can take on a life of their own, totally unexpected by those who create them. The gamer aspect is well drawn and realistic.
Overall Book Score: very good
About the Book
Author:
Korman, Gordon
Illustrator: ,
Publisher: Scholastic
Book Type: chapter book fiction
Genre: realistic fiction
Audience: grades 4-6,grades 7-9
Binding Type: trade edition
Binding Quality: good
ISBN: 9780545823159
Price: 16.99
