Book Review: The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez

Thank you to NetGalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Nestor Lopez is not your typical sixth-grader. His dad is in the military so he and his mom move around a lot. He is a fantastic artist. Oh, and he can talk to animals. Nestor and his mother are now staying with his paternal abuela in New Haven, Texas, where nothing ever happens. Except recently, animals have gone missing – livestock, pets, and wild animals. Turns out there’s a witch hanging out in the woods around town. The neighbors think that Nestor’s abuela is somehow involved in the mysterious disappearances of the animals. Can Nestor clear his grandmother without the whole town finding out his secret?

This is a fantastic middle grade book – a great mix of folklore and contemporary realistic fiction. It is the type of book you don’t want to put down! I would definitely recommend for fifth grade and up.

#TheTotalEclipseOfNestorLopez #NetGalley

This title will be available July 21, 2020.

Library Update

Although public libraries are permitted to open as of June 17, the Lucy Robbins Welles Library, along with most other local libraries, cannot yet safely welcome library users back in person, therefore the library building remains closed to the public. The decision to open will be based on evaluation by our local health district, and Town administration, the physical characteristics of our building and our own staffing levels, as well as state-level plans for returning to normal. We appreciate your patience as we work toward this goal and hope that in the meantime you are able to enjoy our collections and available services that include borrowing of library materials through our curbside service, access to our book drops 24 hours per day, information assistance by phone and/or email, reading suggestions, 24/7 access to the library’s website; the online catalog and the library’s digital collection, virtual programming for adults, teens and children and summer reading programs for adults, teens and children.

Curbside Pick-Up Hours are: M-R 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., Friday 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Please call the library to make arrangements.

Library hours to assist patrons by phone and email are:  Monday – Thursday- 10:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m. &  Friday – 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Phone numbers: General 860-665-8700  Children: 860-665-8720  Administration: 860-665-8730   Access the library’s website at www.newingtonct.gov/library.

Book Review: The Challenger

Thank you to NetGalley and McMillan Children’s Publishing Group for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I was sooo excited to see this sequel pop up on NetGalley! I really enjoyed the first book. The Challenger picks up shortly after the events of The Chosen. Cade and his friends have just survived their battle when Abaddon, their keeper, informs them that there is more to come. It is a competition among the immortal beings using the intelligent life forms from various planets to battle each other and move up the leaderboard, like a lethal form of soccer or tennis. To prepare, Cade, Scott, Quintus, Amber, and Grace go into the jungle looking for useful remnants, like armor. They are soon captured by slavers and taken to New Rome and trained as gladiators, fighting other “moderns” to the death. The winners get their freedom.

As I mentioned before, I was super excited to read this and Matharu did not disappoint. The slow spots were quickly transformed by the action and the ending, of course, will leave you hanging as this is a trilogy. I would definitely recommend this for readers grade 7 and up.

#TheChallenger #NetGalley

This book will be available August 11, 2020.

Book Review: All He Knew

I received this e-ARC from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Written in verse, this story is based on true events from the author’s family. The story begins just before World War II. Henry, age 5, loses his hearing after suffering from a very high fever. His parents don’t have much money and the school for the deaf refuses to take Henry, claiming he was unteachable. Henry is sent to Riverview, and institution for the “feebleminded.” Most of the boys there had various disabilities, not necessarily intellectual disabilities. The attendants are unkind and would punish the children for the slightest perceived infraction. The story progresses over the years and the U.S. has entered WWII. Victor, a conscientious objector, is sent to work at the institution. He is kind had helps the boys where he can. Victor realizes that most of the children at Riverview don’t need to be there and as the school befomes overcrowded, Victor works to get these boys home.

Writing in verse makes for a quick read. Looking through the lens of history, young readers may be confused and appalled by the treatment of those in institutions. The author’s notes at the end help explain what people were going through and what those “schools” were really like. I would recommend this book for those who enjoy reading historical fiction in grades 4 and up.

#AllHeKnew #Edelweiss

This title will be available August 11, 2020.

Book Review: Every Missing Piece

Maddy, age 12, lives in North Carolina with her mom and stepfather. Her father died several years ago and Maddy is still dealing with the trauma. She is hyper-vigilant about safety, going through weekly safety checks at home and has called the police when she thinks there is a problem. The sheriff told her she is like the “boy who cried wolf” and basically said not to call them anymore. Six months earlier, a boy named Billy had gone missing, ratcheting up Maddy’s anxiety levels. Now she sees a boy living in a trailer on her former friend’s property who reminds her of the missing boy. Maddy and her best friend Cress do some snooping without involving the adults because of Maddy’s past run-ins. Maddy discovers information that will change everything. What will she do with it?

I really enjoyed reading this book. The characters are very realistic and you feel for Maddy and her issues. Maddy learns that she can move on and have a relationship with her stepfather while still loving her late father. Her hyper-vigilance comes into play later in the story, which I will not spoil here. This would be a great addition for middle grade realistic fiction.

#EveryMissingPiece

Sewing with Miss Sarah

Join Miss Sarah for a virtual sewing class perfect for beginners and budding young tailors. Together you’ll go through all the steps to create your own hand sewn creations. This time we’ll learn how to make spring felt flowers.

Click here for the video link and pattern PDF. https://www.newingtonct.gov/1384/Kids-Events

Book Review: Paola Santiago and the River of Tears

Thank you to NetGalley and Rick Riordan Presents for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Paola Santiago lives with her mother in a small apartment not far from the Gila river in Arizona. Pao is very smart and obsessed with science in contrast to her mother who warns her to stay away from the river out of fear of the ghost La Llorona. Along with her two best friends, Dante and Emma, the trio frequently go down to the river to hang out or just stargaze. That is, until Emma goes missing like several other children in that area. Pao and Dante are determined to do whatever they can to help. Pao’s nightmares have returned along with other odd occurrences, including one very odd event with Dante’s abuela which starts them on their journey. But, time is limited as they must find Emma before the summer solstice in a few days.

This is another great addition to middle grade folklore/fantasy. It is realistic in its telling, especially as scientific Pao tries to rationalize what is happening. It also addresses the prejudice many Latinx face, particularly when dealing with the authorities. It is fairly quick-paced, slowing down a bit before the climax, before picking up again. I would definitely recommend this for readers in grades 4 and up.

#PaolaSantiagoAndTheRiverOfTears #NetGalley

This title will be available August 4, 2020.