Month: November 2021

We Can Be Heroes

We Can Be HeroesWe Can Be Heroes by Kyrie McCauley
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on September 7, 2021
ISBN: 0062885057
Pages: 368
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

We Can Be Heroes is a beautifully written book that successfully tackles multiple tough topics. The town of Bell reels after Cassie Queen is shot and killed at school by Nico Bell, her ex boyfriend and heir to Bell Firearms. The story of the aftermath is told from four different points of view, alternating between Cassie’s best friends Beck and Vivian (who was wounded in the shooting), activist podcaster Merit Logan, who is covering the shooting on her show, and Cassie herself, narrating in verse. 

 

This book addresses so many timely topics – domestic violence, gun violence, grief, trauma, friendship, misogyny – all laid bare for the reader to absorb.  Mature themes, diverse characters on a quest for vengeance and justice, stunning realism – this book will appeal to all teens and should be a staple in every library in Maine.

 

Recommended for grades 10 and up.

Lee Remick, York Middle School

five-stars

Christina Koch: Astronaut and Engineer

Christina Koch: Astronaut and EngineerChristina Koch: Astronaut and Engineer by Rachel Rose
Published by Bearport Publishing on January 1, 2021
ISBN: 1647477166
Pages: 24
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Christina Koch:  Astronaut and Engineer

 

In the Bearport Biographies series are beginning reader books that combine amazing photographs and drawings with basic facts that will draw in readers looking to find out more.  Christina Koch wasn’t just a famous, brave astronaut, but she spent a winter studying at the South Pole.  Other books in the series cover the range from Michael Jordan to John Lewis.  At the end are an Index, Glossary, Timeline, and Resources to Find Out More in websites and books.  This series will be a fine introduction to nonfiction for young readers, but it’s not a Cream contender.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

three-stars

Split Up a Sandwich

Split Up a SandwichSplit Up a Sandwich by Shalini Vallepur
Published by Fusion Books on January 1, 2021
ISBN: 1647475260
Pages: 24
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Split Up a Sandwich

 

In the Deconstructed Diets series is Split Up a Sandwich by Shalini Vallepur.  This is a nonfiction picture book which gives some of the history of where the sandwich comes from as well as what is in it and what ingredients to watch out for, such as an abundance of salt.  The various ingredients are described as well as what makes up mayonnaise and mustard.  There are an abundance of photographs and drawings which add to the appeal.  Sandwiches from around the world are described and there is an instructive glossary.  Other books in this series cover everything from Pizza to Sushi.  This book provides an appealing introduction to nonfiction for the youngest readers, but it isn’t a Cream of the Crop choice.

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

three-stars

The Thing Lenny Loves Most About Baseball

The Thing Lenny Loves Most About BaseballThe Thing Lenny Loves Most About Baseball by Andrew Larsen, Milan Pavlovi?, Milan Pavlović
Published by Kids Can Press on October 5, 2021
ISBN: 1771389168
Pages: 32
Genres: Sports
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Lenny is obsessed with baseball and dreams of becoming a baseball great like the ones he constantly reads about. The problem is Lenny is not a natural baseball great. He’s discouraged with the trouble he’s having catching the ball but thanks to a good attitude and a laid-back, supportive father, Lenny decides the game is worth some extra work. Predictably, after lots of practice Lenny gets better. Not as predictably, Lenny comes to accept that he might not end up being a baseball hero but loving the game is good enough.

We all know kids who have the inclination to give up when they’re not immediately good at something and this would be a great book to help them recognize that practice is so important with anything you want to be good at. And sometimes it’s enough to set aside notions of greatness and just love what you’re doing.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

Maisy’s Surprise Birthday Party

Maisy’s Surprise Birthday PartyMaisy's Surprise Birthday Party by Lucy Cousins
Published by Candlewick Press on July 20, 2021
ISBN: 1536216631
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

“Maisy’s Surprise Birthday Party” by Lucy Cousins is part of the “Maisy First Experiences” book series. It seems like an odd entry into the series, which prepares kids for the first time they experience something, like going camping, having a sleepover, learning to swim, since surprise parties don’t seem that common.

Premise aside, the book is still fun and bright, like all Maisy books, and kids will get a kick out of watching Maisy get surprised and have a fun birthday party. Aimed at children age 2 through 4, this book is an additional purchase for your Maisy collection.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook.

three-stars

Even and Odd

Even and OddEven and Odd by Sarah Beth Durst
Published by Clarion Books on June 15, 2021
ISBN: 0358350387
Pages: 288
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
two-stars

“Even and Odd” is a middle grade fantasy written by Sarah Beth Durst. The story focuses on two sisters, Emma and Olivia (nicknamed “Even” and “Odd”) who have magic on alternating days. Even has magic on even days of the calendar and Odd has magic on odd days. This is unheard of in their magical world, but they’ve gotten used to it. Their parents own a “border shop” which sells magical and non-magical items. The shop is at the edge of the non-magical world, near a gateway to the magical world, Firoth. One day magic stops working, Even is stuck as a skunk, and the gateway shuts. Nobody knows why. When the gateway opens again, Even and Odd go into Firoth to figure out what is happening.

A funny and predictable fantasy book with themes of accepting yourself and thinking of others, this book is not a must-buy. The novel is short, humorous, and has plenty of magic and yes, unicorns, and will probably be enjoyed by 8 to 12 year olds who like fantasy with laughs. An additional purchase for middle grade fantasy collections.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook.

two-stars

Call and Response the Story of Black Lives Matter

Call and Response the Story of Black Lives MatterCall and Response: The Story of Black Lives Matter by Veronica Chambers
Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Versify on August 17, 2021
ISBN: 0358573416
Pages: 152
Format: Nonfiction
Goodreads

A timely resource of the history of Black Lives Matter. Featuring in-depth reporting,  a wide range of powerful photographs, insightful quotes from a wide range of people,  timelines and engaging graphics, this book is an important book for young readers and adults today. It provides the background stories of the activists and organizers and how they are working to build momentum to make meaningful, much needed changes in the world.

The back pages include  an “In their own words” section that highlights  interesting conversations with black lives matter leaders in a Q& A format. Also included are  a resource section for further reading,  acknowledgements, photo credits, a selected bibliography and a comprehensive index.

This book is an excellent resource to get solid, well researched information that includes topics such how a hashtag became a worldwide movement, after years of effort by ordinary people.  Readers can explore timelines of Civil rights, black power and black lives matter for a deeper perspective to see the movement is part of a long legacy of protest.  And , they can read solid, well-researched Information that is presented in straightforward text that digs deeper than the surface of complex situations.

The authors noted there was no easy way to end the book. That the violence continues and the story is far from over. Readers may be inspired to try and find their own way to make a difference and find a path to activism in this movement and perhaps create a more positive story in the future.

Four stars

An important book for both public and school libraries. Reviewed by Terri Bauld, Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library, Kennebunkport, ME

Chunky

ChunkyChunky by Yehudi Mercado
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on June 22, 2021
ISBN: 0062972790
Pages: 208
Genres: Humor
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
four-stars

A wonderful addition to the growing autobiographical graphic memoir list for upper elementary and middle grade readers, this one from a Mexican, Jewish, fat-positive perspective. Mercado, fictionalizes his struggle with weight due to a health issue. His protagonist, Hudi, visits a doctor who recommends that he exercise in an effort to get in shape, so his parents, particularly his athletic father, encourage him to try sports. Hudi is better at comedy than at catching a ball, or throwing a ball, or stopping a ball, or basically at anything sports related, but Hudi has a winning attitude and a willingness to try. After a few moments of sadness that he has to trade in his dreams of theater for a uniform, Hudi picks himself up and resolves to try. This is when his imaginary mascot, not imaginary friend, imaginary mascot, shows up. Chunky is there to cheer Hudi on in all of his athletic endeavors. He is also there to remind him that it’s okay to be funny and to want to pursue a dream of bright lights and easy laughs. Hudi has an indominable spirit and his lack of athletic prowess and injury-prone experiences never get him down. But when he finds a sport that he is actually good at but which compromises who he is, he alienates his biggest fan and finally understands that he has to find activities that make him happy and feed his heart even if they don’t help shrink his belly. Wonderful, bright illustrations and a funny bit about the changing posters in Hudi’s room depending on which sport he is attempting to play will engage readers and leave them chuckling. Give to fans of El Deafo, Short & Skinny, Smile, or New Kid. Cream of the Crop nominee.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

four-stars

Sunny-Side Up

Sunny-Side UpSunny-Side Up by Fiona Woodcock, Jacky Davis
Published by Greenwillow Books on February 9, 2021
ISBN: 0062573071
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Rainy days are no fun, or are they? Waking up to a rainy day can be disappointing, especially if you want to go out to play. This delightful, colorful book follows one little girl throughout her day of staying inside.  Everything from the tantrum she has over the rain, to playing in her room building an imaginary bird’s nest with pillows and tall buildings with wood blocks.  By using her imagination, she creates fun inside and makes the best out of a rainy day.  This book portrays a realistic day by showing the various moods that arise during a day with a small child. The disappointments, happiness, frustration, and various meal making. Breakfasts of eggs and toast and lunches of tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. The caregiver is Dad, who helps his daughter calm herself down by telling her to ‘’use words” and hugging and holding her to give comfort.  After fighting to nap which she finally does by listening to the falling rain, she awakens to painting and reading books.  When Mom comes home from work, the rain has stopped, and she goes outside with her to walk and talk and play. The day ends with a spaghetti dinner with a treat at the end. This book is enjoyable to look at, the illustrations are detailed and there are so many good lessons taught in the story.  As Mom tells her “‘rain clouds always pass”.  This book is appropriate for children 4-8. A good read for a rainy-day story time or a day stuck in the house. It leaves you feeling warm and happy.

 

Reviewed by Amy Tobalske, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook

four-stars

Where’s Brian’s Bottom?

Where’s Brian’s Bottom?Where's Brian's Bottom? by Rob Jones
Published by Pavilion Childrens GB on February 3, 2021
ISBN: 1843654660
Pages: 12
Genres: Animals, Humor, Realistic Fiction
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
four-stars

As the cover of this board book says, it’s a veeeeerrrry long fold-out book, and kids will love it. Brian, the wiener dog, has been stretched out over several rooms and amongst many other pets. One side of the accordion is wordless and the reader can just follow Brian’s long, red body; the other side has simple repetitive text and animal names and sounds. Either way, the reader is encouraged to go through each space and interact with each animal in an effort to find Brian’s rear end. Bright and colorful with a palette of primary colors, little readers will be delighted by this book that feels like you’re let in on a secret, first because of the surprising length once opened, and again by the discovery of the location of Brian’s bottom (still in bed). A fun addition to a collection, but one that might not make it through too many circulations.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

four-stars