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.

Fred Stays with Me! by Nancy Coffelt

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A young girl shuttles back and forth between divorced parents…different homes, different routines. The one constant is her dog Fred who, though not perfect, is always there. When Fred disrupts Mom and Dad’s respective lives, their daughter reminds them in no uncertain terms that Fred Stays with Me! They see the wisdom in this, and make the necessary adjustments. This book is a positive and relatable picture book choice that reinforces the life-skills of communication … Read more

Season of Gifts – book review

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A Season of Gifts by Richard Peck Historical Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Richard Peck is an author of several award-winning historical fiction books for kids. In A Season for Gifts, he has written another exceptional story. Set in the 1950’s, this is the story of 12-year-old Bob, his family and his experiences as the new kid in town. This novel is filled with remarkable characters, including the older teenage sister who begins … Read more

Curious Garden – book review

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The Curious Garden by Peter Brown Picture book * * * * Stars (Great!) When Liam is out exploring (he seems to be the only one in his city that enjoys being outside) he discovers some plants struggling to grow between the rails of an abandoned elevated railway. He starts tending these plants, even though he doesn’t have much experience with gardening, and he gradually learns how to care for them. The plants flourish and … Read more

How to Clean a Hippopotamus – book review

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How to Clean a Hippopotamus: A Look at Unusual Animal Partnerships by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page Juvenile Nonfiction (Grades 4-7) Intricate and colorful torn paper collages illustrate the fascinating symbiotic (mutualistic) relationships between various animals and organisms. Their stories are told in comic book/graphic novel-like panels, describing the nature of the relationship and how it benefits each animal. Even if you know something about symbiosis, this book really brings it to life – from … Read more

How to Scratch a Wombat – book review

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How to Scratch a Wombat by Jackie French Juvenile Nonfiction (Grades 4-6) * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Jackie French has been living among wombats in the near-wilds of Australia for over 30 years. She’s made friends with her neighborhood wombats and has cared for orphaned and injured wombats. Wombats are curious creatures, marsupials, which like to dig. They experience the world primarily through their large nostrils and have a highly evolved sense of … Read more

Ghost in the Tokaido Inn – book review

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The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn by Thomas and Dorothy Hoobler Historical Fiction Juvenile Fiction Mystery * * * * Stars (Great!) Seikei is the son of a merchant in ancient Japan, but he longs to escape his current station and become a noble samurai – one of the knights of Japan. He gets his chance when he notices a mysterious figure in the dark while he and his father are staying at an inn. … Read more

Savvy – book review

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Savvy by Ingrid Law Fantasy * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) In the Beaumont family, when your 13th birthday rolls around you discover what your “savvy” is. Having a savvy is a lot like having a special skill or talent, except that there’s no way to tell what your savvy is going to be until it shows itself. Like Mibs’ brother Fish, who found that his savvy can make storms and hurricanes blow up … Read more

Crossing the Wire – Read It and Rate It

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Crossing the Wire by Will Hobbs Adventure Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * Stars (Pretty good) This book is about Victor and his adventure to cross the wire into the United States of America to help his family. The main character is Victor. Other characters are Rico, Miguel, Julio, Rico’s parents, Victor’s parents. I liked this book because it’s full with adventure and suspense. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a good … Read more

Vampire High – Read It and Rate It

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Vampire High by Douglas Rees Supernatural Review #1 * * Stars (Just ok) This book is about a boy named Cody Elliot, who ends up being sent to a school of vampire kids. There wasn’t really a plot. The characters, however, were really unique. Cody befriends two vampire kids that have to explain to him the way of the jenti (vampire) and the way of the jodje (human). All at the same time, Cody feels … Read more

CLOSING NOTICE: We will be closed Monday, September 2, 2024 in observance of the Labor Day holiday. The exterior book drop will close the night before, September 1st, at 5 p.m. We will reopen Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024.