Where the Wolves Don’t Die by Anton Treuer

Where the Wolves Don’t Die by Anton Treuer. Levine Querido, 2024. 9781646143818

Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 3.5

Format: Hardcover

Genre: Realistic/magic realism

What did you like about the book? Fifteen year old Ezra Cloud is tired of Matt Schroeder’s bullying. Matt is constantly making fun of Ezra’s and his friend Nora’s Ojibwe ancestry. Ezra snaps, and punches a locker, damaging the locker and his hand. At least he didn’t punch Matt, which is what he wanted to do. That night, Matt’s house burns down, killing Matt’s father and uncle. Can Ezra prove that he didn’t do it? Ezra’s father decides to send him up north to set traplines with Grandpa Liam. Ezra is relieved to be out of dirty Minneapolis, and to be away from his father. Ever since his mother died, Ezra has been angry at his father. Maybe this respite in the wilderness is just what he needs.

This novel is a great immersion into contemporary indigenous family life, especially the winter hunting and trapping practices of folks on the Minnesota/Canada border. While Ezra is with Grandpa Liam, he learns so much about his family, along with many folktales that form the beliefs of the Ojibwe. He also spends some time on introspection, thinking about his feelings about Nora and his father. I like that the author juxtaposes the belief system of Ezra and his family with their everyday life, showing them as well-read, thoughtful people who value education and community. Ezra also learns some painful history of his family concerning the mandate to send children to cruel boarding schools that stripped them of their identities. There is a bit of magic realism concerning the wolves of the region.

Anything you didn’t like about it? Ezra’s voice as a teen felt more like an adult impersonating a teen to me. Also, there are frequent awkward sentences about what people are wearing, including clothing brands, that don’t advance characterization.

To whom would you recommend this book? I’d hand this to teens who enjoy books about contemporary indigenous people, or who enjoy books that are centered around outdoor activities such as hunting.

Who should buy this book? High school and public libraries

Where would you shelve it? Teen fiction

Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? No

Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City and State: Stephanie Tournas, Robbins Library, Arlington, MA

Date of review: May 14, 2024

Speculation by Nisi Shawl

Speculation by Nisi Shawl. Tu Books, Lee & Low, 2023. 9781620149591

Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 4

Format: Hardcover

Genre: Historical fiction, magical realism

What did you like about the book?  Ten-year-old Winna and her baby sister Tupelo find themselves parked with their grandparents when their single mom lands in the hospital. Although the girls live in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Gramma and Grandpa Carl live in Paw Paw, a small rural town about an hour away. Right off the bat, Winna breaks her glasses and until a replacement can be procured, Grandpa offers up a magical pair that used to belong to Gramma’s sister Estelle (who died as a child). Through these spectacles, Winna can talk with ghosts and also see into the past, shades of Edward Eager, “who wrote about magic happening to regular, ordinary kids, just like her. Or almost just like her – they were white.” Through her conversations with Estelle’s spirit, Winna learns that a curse has been placed on her family by one of its matriarchs and that the burden can only be lifted if she can find that woman’s missing child, a baby named Key who would now be about 100. Together with her cousin Benny, Winna fixes her sights on locating Key and getting him to an upcoming family reunion, which she hopes will restore her mother’s health. Shawl has created a memorable narrator and family (a detailed genealogy at the back of the book takes up 5 pages) and her kid dialogue and relationships were authentic, sharp, and funny. I appreciated the effort Shawl put into developing Grandpa Carl and Miss Ross (a White social worker who helps with the investigation) as three-dimensional characters, giving Winna a realistic mooring among caring adults. Grandpa Carl especially comes alive as a conjure man and family historian, who occasionally gets several pages of stories in italics as he shares family history with Winna. Winna and her immediate family identify as Black while Miss Ross and several members of Winna’s extended family (initially) identify as White.

Anything you didn’t like about it? As you may have surmised from that last sentence, part of the family’s burden comes from the ghost matriarch’s decision to adopt out Key, who can pass as White, to a White family. This was a really interesting element that explored a realistic situation, but I wonder if elementary-aged readers will be able to figure out the whole backstory; sometimes the text was a bit cryptic or even awkward on the subject. Also confusing and never fully explained: Mom’s illness. I was initially unsure about when the book was set. For the first few chapters, I thought it was the present day, then maybe during the Vietnam war, and then finally learned the date (1962) from one of Willa’s letters.

To whom would you recommend this book?  Upper elementary readers interested in Black history or drawn to stories with magical realism elements. The very attractive cover art will make this book eye-catching on display. A good read alike for those who enjoyed When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller

Who should buy this book? Elementary and middle school libraries, public libraries

Where would you shelve it? Fiction

Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? No

Reviewer: Susan Harari, Keefe Library, Boston Latin School, Boston, MA

Date of review: May 12, 2024

Where Was Goodbye? by Janice Lynn Mather

Where Was Goodbye? by Janice Lynn Mather. Simon & Schuster, 2024. 9781665903950 

Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 3.75

Format: Hardcover

Genre: Realistic fiction

What did you like about the book? Karmen’s brother died by suicide six weeks ago in the summer.  The grief she and her parents are experiencing makes them nearly incapable of carrying on daily lives.  Her mother stays in bed all day. On Karmen’s second day of her senior year in high school, she bottoms out.  She cannot control her anger and her grief.  She is given a three week leave to work from home.  Karmen thought she and her brother, Julian, were really close so why did he not talk to her, why does she not know why he did it?  She begins at his college, interviewing students and teachers who knew him but she can’t seem to get anywhere. She begins using his skateboard and dressing in his clothes, trying to understand him. She alienates her best friend.  She seems unable to get anywhere unless she understands her brother’s motives.

This exploration of suicide and the ensuing grief felt by those left behind is tangible, along with the mystery of not knowing why, blaming one’s self.  The story takes place in the Bahamas; all characters present as Black.

Anything you did not like about the book? Not really.

To whom would you recommend this book? Francisco X. Stork’s The Memory of Light and Kim Turrisi’s Just a Normal Tuesday offer more insight into teen suicide.

Who should buy this book? Public and high school libraries

Where would you shelve it? YA fiction

Should we (librarians) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? No.

Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City: Katrina Yurenka, Retired Librarian, Contributor, Youth Services Book Review

Date of Review:  May 12, 2024

Turtle-Turtle and the Wide, Wide River by Jane and Will Hillenbrand

Turtle-Turtle and the Wide, Wide River by Jane and Will Hillenbrand. Holiday House, 2024. 9780823453979

Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 4

Format: Hardcover picture books

What did you like about the book? Many of the animals that live on the island in the wide river can see that a big storm is coming: But young Turtle-Turtle “was too new to know what to do.” As the rain pelts down, Heron, Frog, and Otter tell him to “Skeddadle!”, “Slip away!”,
“Swim!”, but the little turtle is too scared. When he is swept into the river in a great gust, Turtle-Turtle finds out that he can hold his breath and can swim, with a little help from his friends. Everyone cheers and a beautiful rainbow appears as if in celebration.

Simple, repetitive language with onomatopoeia, along with appealing digital art, make this a nice one for story time for the youngest listeners. There is action, danger, suspense and a quick, happy ending with friends all around. Turtle-Turtle is relatable for kids experiencing big things for the first time.

Anything you didn’t like about it? No

To whom would you recommend this book? Perfect for story times on friendship, weather and swimming, for ages 2-5.

Who should buy this book? Daycare centers and public libraries

Where would you shelve it? Picture books

Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? Near the top.

Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City and State: Stephanie Tournas, Robbins Library, Arlington, MA

Date of review: May 13, 2024

When a Brown Girl Flees by Aamna Qureshi

When a Brown Girl Flees by Aamna Qureshi. Tu Books, an imprint of Lee & Low, 2023. 9781643795058

Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 4

Format: Hardcover

Genre: Realistic fiction

What did you like about the book? Two days after her high school graduation, 18-yr old Zahra makes a split second decision and runs away. Although she has never traveled alone, she flies from San Francisco to New York and gets a hotel room on Long Island. We find out that she was overwhelmed by an ultimatum from her mother: choose marriage or medical school, and that she chose marriage. It’s clear that Zahra is suffering from depression, but she does seek solace in her Muslim roots by finding a nearby masjid (mosque) and participating in a youth group. There, she makes friends and seems to be on the road to recovery, but she has kept secrets from her new friends. She tells them that her parents died, and not that she fled impending marriage. When her secrets and lies are revealed, Zahra must find a way to make it good with her new community and figure out who she is.

It was fascinating to me to follow a contemporary, practicing hijabi, and to see how fundamental her religion is to her identity. Indeed, after the exciting, suspenseful departure from all she loves and knows, the main thrust of the novel is finding a way to accept herself within the parameters of Islam. It’s very much a religious journey, along with a psychological one, especially when we find out halfway through the reason for her mother’s ultimatum. The practical concerns of finding a place to live, a job and a place of worship happen pretty quickly and easily; it’s the inner journey that makes up the bulk of the story. Can Zahra accept her imperfections and still be loved by Allah? Readers interested in a rich Pakistani/Muslim coming of age story will enjoy the front row seat to contemporary worship practices and lots of luscious descriptions of food.

Anything you didn’t like about it? I didn’t expect the big change from suspenseful flight to deeply inner journey, but the elegant writing makes Zahra’s inner and religious journeys worth the read. Also, Islam forbids premarital sex; and the shame Zahra feels about a sexual experience is at odds with many teen novels which try to be sex-positive.

To whom would you recommend this book? Teen readers who enjoy emotionally intense novels, especially those which feature Muslim characters.

Who should buy this book? High school and public libraries

Where would you shelve it? Teen fiction

Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? No

Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City and State: Stephanie Tournas, Robbins Library, Arlington, MA

Date of review: May 13, 2024

Loch Ness Uncovered by Rebecca Siegel

Loch Ness Uncovered: Media, Misinformation, and the Greatest Monster Hoax of All Time by Rebecca Siegel. Astra Young Readers, 2024. 9781662620232

Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 5

Format: Hardcover

What did you like about the book?  Many trade series cover monsters and unearthly phenomenon with breathless storytelling that reads like clickbait. Rebecca Siegel takes a more measured approach in her examination of the Loch Ness Monster legend, framing the story as an early example of disinformation spread through news media. She opens with a bang; the famous pictures we’ve all seen of a tiny head and long neck emerging from a murky lake were absolutely fake and that fact had been out in the open for years. But Siegel doesn’t just take readers through the how and why of pioneering filmmaker Marmaduke Wetherell’s fraudulent stunt; she’s also interested in why everyone wanted to believe it. Succeeding chapters explore how Scotland’s dire economic state in the 1920s and 1930s, the period’s competitive newspaper landscape and emergent movie industry, confirmation bias, and doubts about science all contributed to escalating Nessie mania. Small and interesting black-and-white photographs, strategically placed throughout the book, will help readers get a handle on the hippopotamus-footed ashtray that Wetherell used to make fake footprints, the ground-breaking special effects of the 1933 movie King Kong, and the cumbersome equipment, vehicles, and clothing commandeered to aid in the monster hunt. A final chapter with tips for identifying sensationalism provides a solid framework that young readers can apply to current websites and news stories. Siegel provides extensive chapter notes that identify sources as well as a 10 page bibliography.

Anything you didn’t like about it? No. Kids who want lurid coverage won’t find it here, but if they stick around, they will learn some interesting and useful information. And there’s plenty of books covering cryptozoology in a more sensational fashion (see books on Bigfoot, the Jersey Devil, Area 51, unicorns, etc.)

To whom would you recommend this book?  Upper elementary and middle grade readers interested in mythbusting.

Who should buy this book? Middle schools and public libraries

Where would you shelve it?  001.944

Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? If sea monsters and misinformation strikes your fancy, then yes!

Reviewer: Susan Harari, Keefe Library, Boston Latin School, Boston, MA

Date of review: May 6, 2024

Find the Kind by Samantha Berger, illustrated by Marina Verola

Find the Kind: The Biggest Day in Kindness History by Samantha Berger, illustrated by Marina Verola. Highlights, 2024. 9781644724552 

Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 4

Format: Hardcover picture book

What did you like about the book? A quick, fun read full of creatures to find. Little ones will also enjoy spotting all the small acts of kindness throughout the pages. A few introductory pages tell who the characters are, with fun names like Otto the Sharing Otter, Dot the Donation Dalmation, Hildey the Helping Hippo, and more! We see all the kind ways the neighborhood welcomes the Gnuman family to Kindness County. The illustrations are colorful, fun, and full of great examples of ways to be kind that can be done easily and everyday. After the story, there are a couple extra pages of more look and finds to go back and search for those in need of extra challenges.

Anything you didn’t like about it? Some of the names are a bit complicated for little ones (Gnolan, Gneville, Gnoldfish, Joycellah) and the bearded dragon does not resemble one at all (the real animal does not have protruding ears, so the depiction is very odd). If used as a look-and-find, there is a lot of page turning to remember who to look for.

To whom would you recommend this book? Children ages 2-6

Who should buy this book? Day-cares and public libraries

Where would you shelve it? jFiction Berger

Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? Not really

Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City and State: Vicky Tandy, Athol Public Library, Athol, MA 01331

Date of review: May 9, 2024

Just Try It! by Phil and Lily Rosenthal, illustrated by Luke Flowers

Just Try It! by Phil and Lily Rosenthal, illustrated by Luke Flowers. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2024. 9781665942638 

Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 3.5

Format: Hardcover

What did you like about the book? Lil is reluctant to try new foods, “I know what I like, and I like what I like…”. Phil (her dad) likes to eat different things and has a rule that Lil has to “Just try it!” Phil brings Lil to a food truck festival. At each vendor, he tries something new and requests Lil “Just try it!” as well. Nervous and probably pretty hungry, Lil throws her arms up in frustration as she yells “NOOOOOOOOO!” and knocks Phil’s food off his plate, staining his shirt. As he leaves her alone to get cleaned up, she decides on her own to try the food she’s holding for him. She “didn’t just try it…I liked it!” She goes on to try and enjoy other new things as well. Bright, emotive illustrations liven up the pages. It feels like just desserts when Lil uses Phil’s just try it rule on him when he’s nervous about a rollercoaster and he turns green during the ride.

Anything you didn’t like about it? The father is persistent and blind to Lil’s increasing frustration until he pushes her to have a meltdown and he gets his own way. Not exactly a parenting role model.

To whom would you recommend this book?  Children ages 3-8 who may be reluctant to try new things.

Who should buy this book? Day-cares, elementary schools and libraries

Where would you shelve it? jFiction Rosenthal

Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? Not really

Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City and State: Vicky Tandy, Athol Public Library, Athol, MA

Date of review: May 9, 2024

Stones and Bones by Rob Wilshaw, illustrated by Sophie Williams

Stones and Bones: Fossils and the Stories They Tell by Rob Wilshaw, illustrated by Sophie Williams. Cicada Books, 2024. 9781800660427

Rating:  1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 4

Format: Oversize nonfiction; graphic nonfiction

What did you like about the book? Lusciously illustrated like a sheaf of field notes that tell a 4.5 billion year story, this large-format book opens with short biographies on people like Mary Anning, a fossil hunter who lived on England’s “Jurassic Coast,” and Georges Cuvier and William Smith, who discovered rock layers in China. Once we know how we know about fossils, Williams’ simple infographics take over. Presented in timelines, strata diagrams, scale-drawings, and shifting landscape portraits, it’s a marvel that all this information can be presented with such lightness. The written information is given ample white space, contained on note-style text boxes that look taped onto field notebooks or file folders from an archive. In other places, the pages are bursting with giant birds, huge whales, and teeming vegetation. The information is written conversationally with approachable depictions; it’s an approach for the curious reader, the well-versed refresher, or the interested browser.

Throughout, the book presents “Case Studies” that lead the reader through the different eras, after presenting landscape and context. We see terror birds, amniotic eggs, trilobites, maiasaura, and humans. To conclude, there’s information on ways to get involved doing some hunting of your own or visiting and supporting museums, but also about palenotology’s importance for sketching a picture of “the great tree of life” and understanding how we can care for it.

To whom would you recommend this book?  Researchers will find a cornucopia of infographics, all presented in accessible sketch-comics, a little more freewheeling than Maris Wicks’s Science Comics or Eyewitness books. Have fun darting around the chapters and pages to your favorite parts!

Who should buy this book? 10 – 13 year olds, 4th – 8th grade

Where would you shelve it? 560s

Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? It’s beautiful! Read it!

Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City and State: Luke Steere, Wilson Middle School, Natick, MA

Date of review: May 7, 2024

The Spaceman by Randy Cecil

The Spaceman by Randy Cecil. Candlewick Press, 2024. 9781536226164 

Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 5

Format: Hardcover picture book

What did you like about the book? A tiny little spaceman travels around collecting soil samples, one planet at a time and moving on. He is astounded when he lands on a planet that has beautiful flowers.  It also has a thief (large black bird) that steals his spaceship!  Oh no! He must find it. He sees still more beautiful specimens. But a hideous beast (dog) comes after him and away he runs. Slowly the dark is disappearing; strange beings appear, a butterfly, a snail, bugs. He grabs onto a butterfly, flying high to see more beings: birds, different colored butterflies and flying insects.  Falling from the butterfly into a pond, he is rescued by the terrible beast (dog). He likes it here! He spies his spaceship on the limb of a tree.  Should he go home?

This totally charming story is illustrated in oil.  The pictures are simple, sweet, funny and filled with kid appeal. Pretty irresistible.

Anything you did not like about the book? No.

To whom would you recommend this book? For those who like all Randy Cecil books, particularly Lucy and Douglas.

Who should buy this book? Public and K-1 libraries, day-care centers

Where would you shelve it? Picture books

Should we (librarians) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? If you love Randy Cecil books, yes.

Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City: Katrina Yurenka, Retired Librarian, Contributor, Youth Services Book Review

Date of Review:  May 8, 2024