Where's the Chick? by Ingela P. Arrhenius 
A very sweet, simple board book for very young children. Felt panels cover answers to simple questions with a mirror surprise at the end these panels have lasted better that paper flaps. Standard board book for the very young.
For ages 6 months to 4.
Reviewed by Ginni Nichols, Gardiner Public Library, Gardiner
I Spy Spooky Night: A Book of Picture Riddles by Jean Marzollo, Walter Wick 
A really fun I Spy book that takes you through a haunted house. I always loved reading I Spy books to my students and interacting with them as we tried to solve all the riddles. Unfortunately children have to be able to read to know what to find. Lovely photos and a bonus challenge at the end of the book!
For ages 4 to 8
Reviewed by Ginni Nichols, Gardiner Public Library, Gardiner
16 Words: William Carlos Williams and "The Red Wheelbarrow" by Chuck Groenink, Lisa Jean Rogers 
Absolutely fabulous book about a true to life person who was a physician and a poet. This book is a fictionalized (somewhat) version of how the doctor wrote his most famous poem. Wonderful illustrations and wonderful story that children are sure to enjoy.
Recommended for ages 5 to 10
Reviewed by Ginni Nichols, Gardiner Public Library, Gardiner
Saturday by Oge Mora Mother’s only day off from work is Saturday and she and her daughter, Ava, have a wonderful day planned. When all their plans go awry, Ava is annoyed but her mother has a meltdown because of the disappointments. Ava steps up and reassures her mom that the day was special because they spent it with each other. The book is illustrated with simple cut paper collage and the girl and her mother have brown skin and dark hair. This is an important book to share with children during this pandemic when many of their special plans are canceled.
Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library
Based on the classic story, “The Secret Garden,” by Frances Hodgson Burnett, this adapted version by Calista Brill is overflowing with lush, colorful illustrations, by Adelina LIrius, depicting well the time and setting of this story. Written in a direct and straightforward manor, the telling conveys the plot well: in such a manner that young children (ages 4-8) are able to understand the storyline as well as the characters” motivations and feelings.
A young girl, Mary Lennox, moves into Misselthwaithe Manor in the North of England where she is unhappy, lonely. and “cranky!” Upon discovery of a key, she unlocks a gate which leads to an ancient and abandoned garden. Along with DIckon’s assistance (the maid Martha’s brother ) Mary works hard to bring the garden back to life. One day, Upon hearing crying coming from one of Misselthwaite’s bedrooms, Mary goes exploring and discovers a sad and sequestered young boy, Colin, who is the Master of Misselthwaite’s son. Seeing that he is pale and sickly Mary tells him: “What you need, is some fresh Spring air.” Mary brings him outside and into the garden where he begins to recover his health and thrive. Mary, herself, changes as she has finds purpose and contentment resurrecting the long forgotten garden along with her newfound friends.
Good to use when introducing young children to the “classic” stories.
Reviewed by Connie M. Smith, Breakwater School, Portland, ME
You'd Be Home Now by Kathleen Glasgow Main character Emory, a high school junior has always felt invisible, and so acted out in private ways by stealing small things and engaging in sexual behavior. But everything gets flipped on its head when she’s a passenger in a car accident that kills a classmate. Her overdosed brother (Joey) was also in the car driven by his friend and dealer. Joey is sent to rehab out of state while Emory has to deal with her healing injuries and the loathing of the community for the death of her classmate. Emory withdraws even more into herself as her parents expect her to be Joey’s keeper upon his return and keep him from relapsing. This novel tackles so many important issues, from self-esteem to diversity issues in English class assignments, to how addiction affects whole families and whole communities. While the story is deeply troubling, it’s an honest look at what many teens and many families go through. And since Emory’s family has a lot of money, it’s a good reminder that money truly cannot buy happiness. The author doesn’t shy away from showcasing the truth about addiction, drug use, teen sex, suicide, etc. It’s a stark look at the truth of all too many families. Recommended for all high school collections. Best for ages 14+.
Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Maine State Library
Fifty-Four Things Wrong with Gwendolyn Rogers by Caela Carter Fifty-Four Things Wrong With Gwendolyn Rogers
Gwendolyn Rogers wants to be good; she really does. But, because of the way her brain is wired, and the fact that she isn’t neurotypical, and the way no one can determine what she has and what “initials” go with her, she is in a tough situation. She has a single mother who loves Gwen but struggles and is forever being called, either by the school or the after-school program concerning Gwendolyn. In 3rd-4th grade she was evaluated as part of an IEP, but it was inconclusive. Unfortunately, Gwen saw it and has taken the comments to heart; hence the Fifty-Four things.
Gwen has a brother by a different mother who has many of the same manifestations. But, the love between them is real. She also has a group of loyal friends, one of whom identifies as Non-Binary.
Caela Carter takes the readers into the mind and heart of a child that so many of us see in our schools every day. How many times have we told them to behave, be good, or try harder when, because of their conditions, they aren’t able to?
This book is set in the world of 5th grade, on the edge of middle school. I believe this should be a Cream of the Crop contender in the upper reaches of the children’s age group. It is excellent.
Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland
A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicoll A Kind of Spark
Addie is an eleven-year-old girl who is on the autism spectrum and has always felt that she should change in order to make other people more comfortable. She has a horrible teacher who never tries to understand Addie and bullies her. Her best friend has deserted her for another girl. But Addie has a great relationship with the school librarian and one of her sisters and she loves studying sharks. However, when a field trip ignites Addie’s concern for the women in her community who were killed because they were different and believed to be witches, Addie fights for a memorial for them.
There is so much information on autism and what people should know to better treat those who are on the spectrum. This is an excellent book to educate upper elementary and middle school students and Addie is such a sympathetic character. I believe it should be considered for Cream of the Crop.
Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland
Everybody in the Red Brick Building by Anne Wynter, Donna Bray, Oge Mora Falling asleep can be tough! This picture book depicts an apartment building full of families of different ethnicities finding their way to sleep. Unfortunately, this sleepy building’s nighttime routine is interrupted by baby Izzie waking up, setting off a chain reaction of other kids in the building (along with some pets) finding reasons to stay awake as well, until the parents one by one manage to help their kids (and pets) back to bed and the building is finally able to fall asleep.
This is a cumulative tale, adding and repeating dialogue and sound effects as the pages go on, which is a highly effective narrative device to help children’s language development. The text in this picture book is unique and evocative: using onomatopoeia and repetition of distinctive sound effects as we follow the reader through a whimsical tour of each apartment.
Illustration-wise, Oge Mora’s multimedia pictures are bright, bold, and textured in a way that keeps the eye engaged throughout the story without sacrificing complexity. The detailed choices for each set piece on each page is gorgeous and colorful. The illustrations complement and elevate the text, tying the story together effortlessly.
The book would be an excellent choice for ages 0-5, for story times or lap sits. There is so much to spot with each illustration and both reader and listener will get a kick out of the cumulative dialogue of child and pet alike.
Reviewed by Mary Randall, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth
Fade Into the Bright by Alyssa Schwartz, Jessica Koosed Etting High school senior Abby has her future all figured out, including playing college volleyball and rooming with her best friend. Then she and her sister receive a letter from their father who suddenly abandoned them years earlier, telling them that he has Huntington’s disease, a genetic disease that they each have a fifty-fifty chance of inheriting. Shell shocked after receiving her test results, Abby takes off for the summer to stay with her aunt on Catalina Island.
The premise and plot are fairly straightforward – Abby needs to do some soul searching to figure out what her future holds now that everything in her life is turned upside down. She also has an opportunity to get to know her aunt (her estranged father’s sister) and manages to meet a cute boy, make friends on the island and have some summer fun as well. While the author does delve into Abby’s thoughts and feelings on what the future holds (questions every older teen struggles with) there isn’t a lot of exploration or insight into the subplots – her feelings of abandonment surrounding her father, her eventual meeting with him, the loss she must feel giving up her beloved sport, or her thoughts on the disease’s impact on her family going forward. The author does wrap the story up neatly, but somehow the reader feels as though there were too many threads just left hanging.
This book is recommended for grades 7 and up and is a fine secondary addition to any YA collection.
Lee Remick, York Middle School