the bookshelf BOOK REVIEWS FROM THE OWNERS & STAFF OF BRIDGTON BOOKS
PAM’S PICKS FOR KIDS & YOUNG ADULTS
The Belonging Tree By MaryAnn Cocca-Loffler, Ages 1+ Ma, Pa and Zeke Gray live happily in the center of an oak tree amongst other squirrels. Summer arrives and so does a family of loud and bossy blue jays. Their arrival infuriates Ma and Pa. Zeke, on the other hand, embraces the new neighbors. With every passing season, other families encroach on their piece of woods. No trespassing signs are posted, but eventually Ma and Pa have had enough and decide to move. Readers will discover an unexpected twist with a great message for unifying diverse communities. How to Read to a Grandma or Grandpa By Jean Reagan, Ages 2+ Grandparents have always loved sharing the joy of reading with their grandchildren. This book puts kids in charge of teaching grandparents how to read with them. The experience starts with knowing where to find books, then moves to using the perfect voice while reading. The fun doesn’t stop when the book ends so enjoy the journey with this great book. How to Find a Bird By Jennifer Ward Bird watching for kids has gained in popularity over the years. This delightful and beautifully illustrated book shows kids different ways to spot a variety of bird species found across the USA.
Wayside School Beneath the Cloud of Doom By Louis Sachar, Ages 8+ Wayside School reopens its doors and it is just as hilarious as previous books in this series. The builder apologizes for constructing the school thirty stories high with only a single classroom per floor. The school bell system is critical to learn so the kids can get to their classroom before the late bell. Todd reaches Mrs. Jewl’s 30th floor classroom one second late and “detention” is scribbled under his name on the board, and that is the start of his day. Scary Stories for Young Foxes By Christian McKay Heidicker, Ages 9+ Seven baby foxes beg their mother to tell a scary story before bedtime. The kits yawn as she retells boring stories. Mother fox warns them that deep in the woods lives an old storyteller who knows the most bone chilling stories, but the woods are dangerous and they should stay close to the den. Once mother is fast asleep, the kits quietly step into the deep dark woods in search of a terrifying story. The Girl and the Witch’s Garden By Erin Bowman, Ages 10+ From the outside, the majestic Mallory Estate with its manicured lawns is beautiful, but whispers of strange happenings have the neighborhood kids on high alert. Piper doesn’t fear the estate like the others, but she also doesn’t want to spend her summer vacation there with her mother. She wants to be with her sick dad. When Piper befriends a band of orphaned kids with magical talents who are determined to discover the secrets hidden within the estate’s neglected garden, she joins the search in hopes of discovering a cure for her father.
Sisters of Sword and Song By Rebecca Ross, Ages 13+ Reviewed by Sophia Berry Two magicless sisters in a world bursting with magic must find their way. One sister, Halcyon, is a soldier and the other sister, Evadne, tends the family’s olive grove. Their lives change when Halcyon is convicted of a murder she says she didn’t mean to commit. Sensing there is more to the story, Evadne takes the last five years of her sister’s sentence and quickly realizes that something is happening that could shake the foundation of her world. My favorite part of this novel is the masterful way Rebecca Ross switches between the perspective of the two sisters. Into the Clouds: The Race to Climb the World’s Most Dangerous Mountain By Tod Olson, Ages 13+ Although Mt. Everest stands at 27,988 feet, K2 is technically more difficult. Houston’s first attempt at K2 in the 1920s helped fuel his obsession to return and summit, fifteen years later he traveled back to basecamp to fulfill his dream. While there are lots of mountaineer books available, what I found interesting about this YA book is how ill prepared they were by today’s standards. Foolish Hearts By Emma Mills, Ages 14+ Trapped in a bathroom at a friend’s house party, Claudia accidentally overhears the school’s hottest couple, Iris & Paige, breaking up. Her cell phone chimes at the worst possible time as they discover their conversation exposed. Things go further south when Claudia is forced to try out the for the school play along with Iris. Iris’s dislike for Claudia is obvious, but they must work together as Iris deals with her break-up and Claudia falls for the lead character in the play. This story for teens has it all: a bromance, a romance and exposed vulnerability. Emma Mills doesn’t shy away from teenage struggles. A Breath Too Late By Rocky Callen, Ages 15+ Regret . . . it only takes one second, and then there is no turning back. Ella reflects on her pre-suicide life from an out-of-body state and questions how she got to this place and why she’s there. Ella’s mom repeatedly promised to escape her verbally and physically abusive husband, but each time he begs for forgiveness with a promise of change. People don’t change without help and Ella knows that. Even though this book left me speechless, Ella’s story of losing the fight must be told because there is help out there, and she found that out one second too late. The book ends with a list of domestic abuse hotline numbers.
22 lakelivingmaine .com
