Escaping Mr. Rochester by L. L. McKinney

Escaping Mr. Rochester by L. L. McKinney.  HarperTeen, 2024. 9780062986269 

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

Format: Hardcover

Genre: Historical/ Romance/ Mystery/ LGBTQIA

What did you like about the book? Jane Eyre is a 19-year-old orphan living at Lowood school when she becomes governess to Adele, Edward Rochester’s ward, living at Thornfield Hall.  She develops an immediate rapport with the lonely Adele and with the cook, Emma.  Mr. Rochester is decidedly erratic, angry at one moment, ingratiating at another and mostly aloof, spending most of his time in his study.  Sometimes he appears to be courting her!  Once trust is gained, Adele takes Jane up to the attic where Rochester hid his wife, Bertha, away as soon as they arrived at Thornfield Hall a year previous.  Jane is appalled and angry, becoming determined to rescue Bertha from her imprisonment.  She learns of the plots Rochester has constructed to steal money from others in order to pay off his gambling debts.

The pace is quick and tense, particularly in the last quarter of the book.  It is impossible not to become immersed in the story though the time period is never stated.  Jane, Bertha and Adele are Black; others are not clearly defined as to color.

Anything you did not like about the book? No, however, I was perplexed as to what happened to Jane’s friend, Helen.

To whom would you recommend this book? Those who like re-tellings of classics such as Jane Eyre will decidedly appreciate this one. I think fans of Bridgerton might also enjoy the time period.

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? Yes.

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

Date of Review:  April 25, 2024

Behold the Hummingbird by Suzanne Slade, illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez

Behold the Hummingbird by Suzanne Slade,  illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez. Peachtree, 2024. 9781682636527

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

Format: Hardcover picture book

What did you like about the book?  Following up on their well-received 2023 Behold the Octopus, Slade and Gonzalez return with this beautiful book on hummingbirds. The lush, realistic illustrations done with pastel and colored pencils show the glowing jewel-tones of twelve individual species, with each two-page spread focusing on a specific characteristic. Slade’s text operates on two levels; descriptive free verse prose (often only one word per page) in a large font floats above a paragraph of information about each selected bird. For example, readers will meet the sword-billed hummingbird (Ensifera ensifera – all birds are identified with both their common and scientific names) and learn about how much food these little dynamos need and how they get it. The pages show the birds as much bigger than they actually are, the better to zoom in on their fantastic adaptations, including their acrobatic aerial skills, iridescent feathers, and tiny nests glued together with spiderwebs. Back matter includes tips for finding and helping hummingbirds, a bibliography, and further resources.

Anything you didn’t like about it? No. There really are a lot of hummingbird books, but you might think about finding room for this one. The artwork is quite dazzling and an improvement over photographs.

To whom would you recommend this book?  Hummingbirds are beautiful and endlessly fascinating so this book should be very popular among birders. On the east coast, we only see the ruby-throated hummingbird, so New England kids will be wowed by species living out west or in Central America. The magnified images means it could work for a group read aloud, if you stick to the large font prose.

Who should buy this book? Elementary schools and public libraries

Where would you shelve it? 598.764

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: April 17, 2024

You and the Universe by Stephen and Lucy Hawking, illustrated by Xin Li

You and the Universe by Stephen and Lucy Hawking, illustrated by Xin Li. Random House, 2024. 9780593432112 

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

Format: Hardcover picture book

What did you like about the book? This delightfully engaging text introduces readers to the universe and questions that the author has in relation to it.  The story discusses aspects of our universe as well as our responsibility toward it, reminding readers that we are tasked with taking care of the planet and each other. Utilizing acrylic paints, pencil and Photoshop, spirited illustrations are endearing and excellently mastered to complement the scientific text. Bold, brief sentences and colorful artwork easily convey the theme that we should care for each other and the world. Inspiring for young and old alike, this beautiful written story will have children asking for rereads. Back matter gives detailed answers to the initial questions posed in the book as well as information about Stephen Hawking, his life, and work. 

Anything you didn’t like about it? The explanations to the questions and vocabulary given at the end of the story may be over the heads of some of its intended audience.

To whom would you recommend this book? Readers, in grades Pre-k to 4, who enjoyed What Miss Mitchell Saw by Hayley Barrett,  The Stuff of Stars by Marion Dane Bauer, or books on astronomy would like this title.  

Who should buy this book? This would be a good purchase for elementary schools or public library read alouds that cannot get enough picture books with an astronomy theme.

Where would you shelve it? Picture books

Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? I feel that this title would reside at the top of the “to read” pile.

Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City and State: Elena Schuck, Dennis Yarmouth Intermediate School, South Yarmouth, Massachusetts

Date of review: April 22, 2024

The Sherlock Society by James Ponti

The Sherlock Society by James Ponti. Aladdin, 2024. 9781665932530 

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

Format: Paperback

Genre:  Mystery/Adventure

What did you like about the book? With the last name Sherlock, solving mysteries just seemed to be an inevitable summer job. Alex and Zoe Sherlock are looking to earn extra cash with Alex’s friends Yadi and Lina. Sure they are on a course to find hidden treasure, the mission takes a sudden turn and lands them in mortal danger. If Grandpa can keep their mom from pulling the plug, they may just survive and help save the Everglades. Set in Miami, Ponti does a wonderful job of setting the stage for this page-turning mystery. Believable characters, well developed and engaging, will keep readers’ attention until the last chapter. The central themes of friendship and being yourself are subtly reinforced throughout the text, yet not overwhelming. Community activism, another theme, is sure to spark interest among budding environmentalists. Humorous and suspenseful, this book will have readers eagerly awaiting the next title in the series.

Anything you didn’t like about it? No

To whom would you recommend this book? Readers in grades 3 to 9 who enjoyed Hiaasen’s novel Hoot or Ponti’s other series, City Spys would like this title.  

Who should buy this book? This would be a good purchase for intermediate and middle schools or public libraries that cannot get enough mysteries based on saving the environment.

Where would you shelve it? Fiction/Mystery

Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? I feel that this title would reside at the top of the “to read” pile.

Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City and State: Elena Schuck, Dennis Yarmouth Intermediate School, South Yarmouth, Massachusetts

Date of review: April 21, 2024

Black & Irish by Leon Diop and Brianna Fitzsimons, illustrated by Jessica Louis

Black & Irish: Legends, Trailblazers & Everyday Heroes by Leon Diop and Brianna Fitzsimons, illustrated by Jessica Louis. Little Island, 2024. 9781915071231 

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

Format: Paperback

Genre:  Collective biography

What did you like about the book? Filled with inspiring biographies of amazing people who impacted not only the British Isles but also the world, this title is sure to keep readers engaged. The biographical essays are well researched with sidebar clarification of vocabulary, extra information and historical facts. Each story covers the subject’s childhood and the events that helped to shape these trailblazers into amazing people despite obstacles such as prejudice. Vivid details and a wide variety of biographies are sure to please anyone looking to delve deeper into the lives of trendsetters who blend both Black and Irish heritage. The variety of people, professions, religions, and origins are sure to have readers wanting to read more.  Illustrations are colorful and dynamic, adding nicely to an already engaging text.

Anything you didn’t like about it? Not necessarily a negative, but within many of the biographies are short interesting bios of others in the same or similar field. For some readers, the placement of these may take away from the original subject. A bibliography would have been a nice touch to help those who may want to do further research.

To whom would you recommend this book? Readers in grades 6 and up who enjoy reading about trendsetters overcoming adversity would like this title.  

Who should buy this book? This would be a good purchase for middle, high school, or public libraries.

Where would you shelve it? 920

Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? I feel that this title would reside at the top of the “to read” pile.

Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City and State: Elena Schuck, Dennis Yarmouth Intermediate School, South Yarmouth, Massachusetts

Date of review: April 21, 2024

Bunny and Clyde by Megan McDonald, illustrated by Scott Nash

Bunny and Clyde by Megan McDonald, illustrated by Scott Nash. Candlewick Press, 2024. 9781536228731

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

Format: Hardcover early chapter book

Genre: Animal fiction

What did you like about the book?  “Bunny and Clyde were tired of being good.”  These two best friends – a rabbit and a chipmunk – always do the right thing: they follow the rules, use their manners, and help everyone in town.  So when they make the decision to be bad, it’s no surprise that they have no idea how to do it!  After finding inspiration in a pile of picture books such as Interrupting Chicken and Bad Kitty at the library, the pair trashes Bunny’s bedroom and steals her Maw-Maw’s secret stash of penny candy, but are quickly sentenced to clean-up duty.  They create a secret hideout in Bunny’s backyard shed, where they concoct a series of criminal schemes.  Each of their attempted bad acts becomes an unwitting good deed: they think they are destroying one neighbor’s daisy garden when they actually dig up all of his dandelions, and covering another neighbor’s rose bushes with toilet paper ends up protecting the plants from the season’s first frost.  And when they try to steal money from the town librarian’s piggy bank to replenish their candy hoard, she is so grateful to them for unjamming the coin slot that she rewards them … with a trip to the candy store.  The undaunted duo retreat to their hideout, to contemplate their next hijinks.

A new chapter book series from Judy Moody creator Megan McDonald is an appealing prospect for young readers.  Full of puns and wordplay, pop culture references, and very entertaining situations, Bunny and Clyde does not disappoint.  Kids will be drawn in right from the cover illustration of the two would-be criminals loaded down with rolls of toilet paper, and the laughter continues through mild pranks and misdemeanors like “un-alphabetizing” Bunny’s bookshelf and putting a fake spider in their friend Hamilton’s bike basket (Hamilton is a skunk; Bunny and Clyde realize that trying to frighten him might not be the smartest idea).  Ten quick chapters with large font and wide spacing are highlighted with detailed black and white illustrations, making the book accessible for independent readers in primary grades.  Humorous dialogue and whimsical secondary characters add to the fun, even for sharing with grown-ups, who will no doubt want to follow up with some conversation about right and wrong.

Anything you did not like about the book?  The book is funny and fast-paced, but somewhat light on character development; it’s hard to imagine what makes these two decide to embark on a crime spree with such little remorse or fear of repercussions.  Presumably that insight will be made clearer in future installments.  

To whom would you recommend this book? Readers in grades 1-3 who have enjoyed chapter book series like Kara LaReau’s Infamous Ratsos, Kate Messner’s  Fergus & Zeke, or Cynthia Lord’s Book Buddies.

Who should buy this book? Public and elementary school libraries

Where would you shelve it?  Chapter books

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

Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City:  Leigh Russell King, Lincoln Street School, Northborough, Massachusetts.

Date of review: April 20, 2024

Henry and the Something New by Jenn Bailey, illustrated by Mika Song

Henry and the Something New by Jenn Bailey, illustrated by Mika Song. Chronicle Books, 2024. 9781797213903

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

Format: Hardcover

Genre: Realistic fiction

What did you like about the book? Henry’s class is getting ready for their field trip, and Henry is apprehensive.  He briefly contemplates staying at school in the safe and comfortable library, but the prospect of seeing the dinosaur exhibit at the museum wins out.  The day presents many challenges for him; he has never ridden on a bus before, and he has a hard time expressing himself to his classmates and chaperone.  Still, he stays with his group, learns about rocks, bugs, and mummies, keeps his frustration (mostly) in check, and is ultimately rewarded by both dinosaurs and ice cream.

This sequel to the 2024 Schneider Family Award and Geisel Honor winner Henry Like Always is sure to be equally well-received.  Anxiety about the unknown is a universal theme that all children can relate to; it is easy to celebrate Henry’s small victories over everyday worries such as a noisy bus and the fear of getting lost.  Though not specifically named, Henry is on the autism spectrum and the gentle narration reflects his thought processes and strategies for dealing with the many variables presented to him by the field trip.  Readers who are already familiar with Henry will be happy for a cameo appearance by Katie, Henry’s first friend at school, and love the way he reacts when his group finally arrives at the Dinosaur Hall, by wrapping his arms around himself because “there was a lot of happy to hold inside.”  Five short chapters make for a good choice for reading aloud or independently, and the watercolor and ink illustrations, in black and white and soft green, bring life to Henry’s adventure.

Anything you did not like about the book?  No

To whom would you recommend this book? A good fit for readers in kindergarten through 2nd grade, especially those who have enjoyed the previous picture book and chapter book about Henry.

Who should buy this book? Public and elementary school libraries

Where would you shelve it?  Early chapter books

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

Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City:  Leigh Russell King, Lincoln Street School, Northborough, Massachusetts.

Date of review: April 20, 2024

Rise of the Cat by Judd Winick

Rise of the Cat (Hilo #10) by Judd Winick. Random House Kids, 2024. 9780593488126

Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 4.5

Format: Hardcover graphic novel

Genre:  Fantasy, science fiction, adventure

What did you like about the book? This is the tenth installment in the Hilo graphic novel series. Rise of the Cat focuses on Polly and Pip Korimako, magic-wielding cat siblings that take no guff from anyone. The story is set on the Planet of Oshun. The council of magic sends the siblings to Wombatton Academy as punishment for breaking rules. Polly proclaims: “I don’t run off willy-nilly and just do things. If there’s a problem, I try to fix it…And when people are in a bind, I help.” At Wombatton, they fight prejudice against robots and solve a mystery of missing students. 

In between magic fights and fart jokes, there are sweet emotional moments. The young protagonists are trying their best to support one another in extraordinary circumstances. While many adventure stories feature orphans or children with absentee parents, Polly and Pip have the entire Korimako family behind them. Be prepared to laugh, to groan, and to cheer on these cats as they fight injustice across the galaxy!

Anything you didn’t like about it? No

To whom would you recommend this book? Readers ages 8-12. This funny graphic novel adventure series is great for fans of Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke and Catstronauts by Drew Brockington.

Who should buy this book? Public libraries, elementary schools, middle schools

Where would you shelve it? Children’s graphic novels

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

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

Date of review: April 20, 2024

Meeselphe by Claude Ponti

Meeselphe by Claude Ponti. Elsewhere Editions, c2019, 2024. 9781953861764

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

Format: Hardcover picture book

What did you like about the book: Fans of Seussical nonsense or Sendak’s art style will find comfort in Claude Ponti’s whimsical fable-worlds. The gift is in their completeness. The action picks right up – Meeselphe decides to venture out of her treetop for an exploration. The strange inhabitants she meets seem to be either helpful, like a giant, bipedal Roving-Eye, or mean gatekeepers with villainous names, like Saccharose and Cal Trigulus. They keep calling Meeselphe names (“There you are Horrid-Hair!”) or baring her way with riddles. Our hero has plenty of pluck, though, and turns the tables on them to return home with a new friend.

Ponti was born in 1948 in Lunéville in northeastern France. He is a prolific author with works translated in over a dozen languages. This is a feat for him, but for his translators as well. Reimagining semiotic names (Bloboon, Mrs. Featherbrain, Tufted Rainbow Coykoi) or rich descriptions of landscapes (“mouthwatering malted meadow”) or action (“confusifiying”) would be difficult. The effect is magnificent, though! 

Ponti’s project feels informed by an era of post-war literature trying to imagine new possibilities in the wake of trauma. It’s a universal experience that will resonate with readers big and small.  The page spread is landscape format, and the pastel illustrations, which Ponti will sometimes digitally enhance, are presented in panels, like triptychs in a surrealist slideshow. Whether it is a dream or simply a symbolic representation of an incomprehensible world is moot– Meeselphe’s lessons of exploration and generosity explain that we are uniquely a part of this strange place.

Anything you didn’t like about it? Nothing.

To whom would you recommend this book? Young fantasy readers.

Who should buy this book? Librarians who are looking for books in translation.

Where would you shelve it? Picture books

Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? This is a prolific children’s book writer at the top of his game, and it’s worth it if you’re feeling nostalgic for a golden era art style. 

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

Date of review: April 19, 2024

Built to Last by Minh Le, illustrated by Dan Santat

Built to Last by Minh Le, illustrated by Dan Santat. Random House Children’s Books, 2024. 9780593569177

Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 3

Format: Hardcover picture book

What did you like about the book? This is a great picture book that is true to the partnership style of Santat and Le. Two boys have a playdate for the first time and work together to build wonderful creations. Together the boys work to create scenes from their imaginations, which inevitably end in disaster, leading to an argument. In one beautiful illustration, one of the boys reflects on the friendship and realizes giving up on the project is not an option. I enjoyed the author’s message about friendship and perseverance – both require work – which aligns with growth mindset lessons for young readers. The book includes wonderful visuals of sound words/onomatopoeia and some of the delightful illustrations will make readers laugh out loud. For example, in one illustration a giant cat tramples their creation. In another, a giant sea turtle swims by with a city on its back. The colors are consistently bright reds, greens and oranges. The main characters bear a strong and intentional resemblance to the author/illustrator duo, with beige skin and black hair,

Anything you didn’t like about it? This book’s idea is not original; others have covered the themes of friendship and argument resolution.  

To whom would you recommend this book?  Children ages 3-7, especially those who enjoyed Blur and Drawn Together. 

Who should buy this book? Public libraries, lower elementary school library

Where would you shelve it? Picture books

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

Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City and State: Nutan Mathew, Margaret A. Neary Elementary School, Southborough, MA

Date of review: April 18, 2024