Book Reviews – Kids

You Go First By Erin Estrada Kelly 2018

September 10, 2018

Another great book by this year’s Newbury winner that I couldn’t resist reading. She seems to find odd little bits of middle school trauma /culture and personalize them into lovable characters who survive by making creative . . . read more »

Big Machines The Story of Virginia Lee Burton by Sherri Duskey Rinker 2017

September 10, 2018

A very brief but lovely bio of Virginia Lee Burton which explains how her books began with drawings of big machines for her two sons.  8-22-18 Must order Reviewed by Susan Plimpton

The Year of Billy Miller By Kevin Henkes 2013

September 10, 2018

What a sweet book! It’s Billy Miller’s second grade year and he worries that he isn’t smart enough; that’s only one among many worries. He must win over his teacher, sit next to a girl . . . read more »

Grace for Gus By Harry Bliss 2018

September 10, 2018

A graphic picture book wordlessly tells the story of Grace who lives in NYC and sneaks out at night to play her violin in the subway and otherwise entertain people in order to make money . . . read more »

Patina By Jason Reynolds 2017

September 10, 2018

Another great read from Jason Reynolds. This is the sequel to Ghost, where we are introduced to a track team of middle schoolers who all face adult sized problems but somehow keep it together and . . . read more »

Ghost by Jason Reynolds 2016

September 10, 2018

I’ve been wanting to read this for a few years… it was worth the wait. It’s a great story about a 7th grader turning his life around when recruited for the track team by a . . . read more »

Mad Wolf’s Daughter By Diane Magras 2018

September 10, 2018

It’s fun to read a book by a Maine author who grew up on MDI! There’s nonstop action, danger, adventure and a bit of historical fiction. The characters are compelling with girl power and colorful . . . read more »

The Wild Robot Escapes By Peter Brown 2018

September 10, 2018

Well, if you liked The Wild Robot you will have to read this! It’s full of good heart and adventure wrapped in a sci fi world where robots work for humans and can basically do . . . read more »

Champion The Comeback Tale of the American Chestnut Tree By Sally M. Walker 2018

September 10, 2018

I must confess that my interest in Chestnut trees is all because of Barbara Kingsolver’s adult novel Prodigal Summer; that I have loved for years. This non fic explains all about the chestnut blight that basically . . . read more »

Coco Chanel Pearls, Perfume, and the Little Black Dress By Susan Goldman Rubin 2018

September 10, 2018

I was really interested in this iconic woman who I knew little about. I do remember when Chanel # 5 was the perfume to wear! I found the book to be a nice accessible mix . . . read more »