NYTimes Best Books of 2019

December 11, 2019

The 10 Best Books of 2019 The editors of The Times Book Review choose the best fiction and nonfiction titles this year. Published Nov. 22, 2019 Updated Nov. 25, 2019 Disappearing Earth By Julia Phillips In the . . . read more »

Category: Book Reviews

Stargazing by Jen Wang 2019

November 6, 2019

I enjoyed this book very much and especially appreciate the way the friendship developed. I hope it will encourage kids to give each other a second chance and help them accept differences. I remember the . . . read more »

Category: Book Reviews - Kids, Reviews Graphic Novels, Reviews Juvenile Books

Maine Readers’ High Demand List

October 3, 2019

Maine Readers’: High Demand Hold Digest from the MINERVA catalog October 2019   Print Books 1)      A Better Man (Penny) – 412 holds on 90 items 2)      The Dutch House (Patchett) – 197 holds on 33 items . . . read more »

Category: Book Reviews

Booker Prize Shortlist

September 4, 2019

Margaret Atwood (Canada), The Testaments (Vintage, Chatto & Windus) Lucy Ellmann (USA/UK), Ducks, Newburyport (Galley Beggar Press) Bernardine Evaristo (UK), Girl, Woman, Other (Hamish Hamilton) Chigozie Obioma (Nigeria), An Orchestra of Minorities (Little Brown) Salman Rushdie (UK/India), Quichotte (Jonathan Cape) Elif Shafak (UK/Turkey), 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World (Viking)

Category: Book Reviews

Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi 2018

August 29, 2019

I struggled hard with this book! Thrills a minute, Indian mythology, Gods, Goddesses, monsters, adventure, coming of age, middle school humor and pathos. Too much! I really respect and admire Rick Riordan’s concepts and achievements. . . . read more »

Category: Book Reviews - Kids, Reviews Juvenile Books

Pulp by Robin Talley 2018

August 29, 2019

A confusing book at first with every other chapter being 60 years apart, many characters, and a story within a story or two. But a great perspective on basic human rights for all. We’ve come . . . read more »

Category: Book Reviews - Kids, Reviews Young Adult Books

Sweeping Up the Heart by Kevin Henkes 2019

August 29, 2019

Words that strike me about this book are crystalline, integrity, essential. It reminded me of standing in my grandmothers farm house and thinking it was the truest place I’d ever felt. Same with Emily Dickinson’s . . . read more »

Category: Book Reviews - Kids, Reviews Juvenile Books

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi 2018

August 28, 2019

Whew! Quite a story. If you love fantasy and don’t mind bloody battles this is great. I have to admit I hate bloody battles and violence at every turn but I did like this book . . . read more »

Category: Book Reviews - Kids, Reviews Young Adult Books

PAX by Sarah Pennypacker 2016

August 28, 2019

I’m undone by this story. It’s beautiful writing and strong characters gripped me hard. It’s tough to let go. Simply, a boy and his pet fox are separated and will not rest till they find . . . read more »

Category: Book Reviews - Kids, Reviews Juvenile Books

Two Crafty Criminals! And how they were captured by the Daring Detectives of the New Cut Gang by Philip Pullman (1994 & 1995)

August 28, 2019

Two short stories about a gang of kids in London who solve crimes. It’s a riotous mix of slapstick comedy and clever plot twists. I loved his Ruby in the Smoke series  and His Dark Materials . . . read more »

Category: Book Reviews - Kids, Reviews Juvenile Books