Book Review

The library has compiled a large variety of Book Reviews from staff and through programs such as Read It & Rate It. These reviews are available to you to help you make an educated decision on titles you’d like to read.

You may search reviews by title using the search function, browse via genre using the category list provided or look for random reviews in the list below that are sorted by newest to oldest.

Would you like to submit a review? Use the Read It & Rate It form on the right side of the page.

Monsters Love Colors – book review

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Monsters Love Colors by Mike Austin Picture Book * * * Stars (Pretty good) Monsters love colors AND really busy pages with scribbles and onomatopoeia! Starting out with the three primary colors (red, yellow, and blue) the monsters enthusiastically mix their favorite colors to make new ones (orange, green, purple, and RAINBOW), giving the new colors to smaller, gray monsters who don’t have any of their own. Rainbow deviates a bit from the formula, since … Read more

Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom – book review

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The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by Christopher Healy Fantasy Tween * * * * Stars (Great!) Four Princes Charming team up to save Cinderella from the clutches of the evil witch, Zaubera in this funny fairytale mashup. Zaubera has also kidnapped all of the kingdom’s bards as a publicity stunt (she wants people to know her NAME), and they must also be rescued. Unfortunately, all of the princes (except Liam) are pretty inept … Read more

Z is for Moose – book review

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Z Is for Moose by Kelly Bingham Illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky Picture Book * * * * Stars (Great!) The zebra has directed the production of this book, and after consulting his list, he decides and orchestrates who or what is to appear on each page. This seems to be working out until his friend the moose gets overexcited and can’t wait his turn. “Now?” he asks, “now?” appearing on every page, much to … Read more

Ungifted – book review

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Ungifted Ungifted #1 by Gordon Korman Funny Realistic Fiction * * * Stars (Pretty good) Donovan Curtis is sent to the Academy of Scholastic Distinction by mistake after he’s caught by the Superintendent for destroying school property. While Donovan is not gifted, he’s smart enough to know that he’d better hide out there as long as he can or he’s going to be in huge trouble with both his family AND the Superintendent. For awhile, … Read more

Awakening – Read It and Rate It

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The Awakening by Kate Chopin Classic Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) Edna Pontellier falls in love with Robert even though she’s married with 2 kids. She fails to find liberation from society and commits suicide. I liked this because it was very realistic. Chopin beautifully captured the progress of Edna’s emotions up until her death.

This Moose Belongs to Me – book review

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This Moose Belongs to Me by Oliver Jeffers Picture Book * * * Stars (Pretty good) When a moose enters Wilfred’s life, he just knows “that it was meant to be his.” He names his moose Marcel, and gives him some rules to follow in order to be a good pet. Marcel isn’t particularly invested in these rules and does whatever it is that he’s decided to do – regardless. You might say that he’s … Read more

Christmas Wombat – book review

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Christmas Wombat by Jackie French illustrated by Bruce Whatley Picture book * * * Stars (Pretty good) Following the format of “Diary of a Wombat,” “Christmas Wombat” details the activities of a wombat as it goes about its day – resting, scratching, eating, and discovering…CARROTS!  After a delicious snack, the wombat curls up for a nap in Santa’s sleigh and then finds itself making the rounds on Christmas Eve as packages are delivered to homes … Read more

Lester’s Dreadful Sweaters – book review

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Lester’s Dreadful Sweaters by K.G. Campbell Picture book * * * Stars (Pretty good) Lester lives a very orderly, meticulous life until the arrival of Cousin Clara (whose “cottage was consumed by a crocodile).  She installs herself in his family’s home and begins knitting sweaters – each one more horrific than the last.  Lester manages to destroy every single one of them almost as quickly as Clara churns them out, but his reputation is beginning … Read more

Bon Appétit! – book review

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Bon Appétit! The Delicious Life of Julia Child by Jessie Hartland Biography Juvenile Nonfiction Picture book * * * * Stars (Great!) Julia Child and her husband spent many years living abroad in France and other places, traveling when necessary to accommodate Paul’s employer.  While they were living in France, Julia took cooking classes and met two other women – Simca and Louisette – who were trying to create a book of French recipes for … Read more

Homer (Cooper) – book review

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Homer by Elisha Cooper Picture book * * * * Stars (Great!) Homer is an older, laid-back family dog (he looks to be a golden retriever or yellow lab). He spends a day on the porch while the other members of his family (other dogs and people, too) come and go about their business. Everyone checks in with him – inviting him along on their adventures and activities – but Homer is happy where he … Read more