Category: Cream of the Crop Nominees

Scarlet Morning

Scarlet MorningScarlet Morning (Scarlet Morning, #1) by N.D. Stevenson
Published by Quill Tree on September 23, 2025
ISBN: 0063210347
Pages: 427
Genres: Adventure, Juvenile Fiction / Social Themes / Friendship
Format: Middle Grade Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

ND Stevenson’s first installment of a duology, and his first prose novel, is an exciting swashbuckling adventure set upon calamitously salty seas.

Fifteen years ago, the dreaded pirate Scarlet Morning murdered the beloved queen Hail Meridian. In response, pirates were hunted and killed. This precipitated a chain of events that destroyed the land and water, leaving Dickerson’s Sea a wasteland of glacier-like salt blocks and islands drifted with constantly blowing, toxic salt. Survival was difficult at best, particularly for Viola and Wilmur, who raised themselves from a very young age upon one of the most isolated islands of all.

Until one day, a ship appears, plowing through the nearly impassible salt blocks, and someone breaks down their door. It is the terrifying captain of the ship, Cadence Chase. She has come seeking a book that is in their possession; in exchange, they demand passage off the island.

Viola and Wilmur find that while everyone knows pirates were eradicated, the ragtag bunch crewing the ship are awfully…pirate like. When the ship is attacked and they are suddenly separated, the two friends must survive without each other for the first time in their lives. But finding their way back to one another is not their only goal, for as Viola comes to realize, they are also the best hope for saving the enigma that is Scarlet Morning, and in turn, Dickerson’s Sea itself.

This book is truly fantastic. It will appeal to so many readers – both fans of ND Stevenson’s previous work, and also new readers who love adventure, pirate stories, mysterious characters and the drama of long-held secrets. Stevenson has somehow captured the multitudes we all contain, giving so many readers the chance to see themselves reflected. It is a tale that will appeal to those exploring the limits of who they are, and their place in the world, found family, loving friendship, and universal acceptance; but then again, it’s also a layered, rollicking good pirate story with unique, beautifully executed world building. That’s a tall order for a middle grade book, but Scarlet Morning delivers. Partial and full page black and white illustrations, also by Stevenson, add to the drama. The end is a cliffhanger that leaves readers ready for the next installment as soon as possible.

Highly recommend; 5 stars, cream.

-Jenny Martinez, Maine State Library

five-stars

Safe at Last

Safe at LastFormat: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
five-stars

A young boy, James, with fair skin, bright blue eyes and dark brown bangs sweeping to the side of his bright red hooded jacket, lives alone on an island in harmony with his animal friends. His daily routine is idyllic. Under blue skies, James cycles around the small island with his cat in the bicycle basket, visiting birds, bears, otters, etc.  at their woodland homes, all of whom wave back. “Every day was the same. Every day was wonderful.”

Jones’ text and mixed-media illustrations work together to create an atmosphere that lets the reader feels what James experiences as he traverses the island — his contentment and happiness with his life and his friends and as the weather changes for the worse, his fear and concern for the animals as a raging storm blows across the island that evening. James is safe and cozy in his house, but as he looks outside at the dark, howling storm, he worries about his friends, and asks, “Should I go out and make sure they are safe?” There is no one else to respond, so James does: “Yes, I must!”.

He goes into the storm with his bright red coat and lantern, to check on the animals. Though the storm makes everything frightening and “different”, with only his lantern to stave off the dark, James call out at every animal’s home,  “Are you home? Are you safe?” No one responds. No one is home.

After looking everywhere, and locating no one, he acknowledges his uncertainty, fear, and loneliness. “It’s too scary. I want to go home.”The light of his lantern guides him home, only to see shapes in the window. Living alone has not prepared James for anyone else being in his home and he is frightened. Readers will most likely guess (correctly) that his friends are inside waiting for him, wanting to make sure he was safe. The next morning, with the storm gone, they all watch the sun rise together.

A story that lets readers know that they can be brave and scared at the same time, and be someone else’s bright, shining light in the process. Highly recommended for all picture book collections.

Deanna Contrino, SLMS
K-2 Resource Librarian, Scarborough Schools

five-stars

An Immense World: How Animals Sense Earth’s Amazing Secrets (Young Readers Edition)

An Immense World: How Animals Sense Earth’s Amazing Secrets (Young Readers Edition)An Immense World (Young Readers Edition): How Animals Sense Earth's Amazing Secrets by Ed Yong
Published by Random House Children's Books on May 13, 2025
ISBN: 0593810880
Genres: Animals, Non-Fiction
Format: Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Did you know that a manatee has an oral disk between its upper lip and nostrils that is covered in about 2000 whiskers, that can feel and grab things?  An Immense World: How Animals Sense Earth’s Amazing Secrets (Young Readers Edition) is chockablock with information about animals’ extraordinary senses (such as the manatee’s ability to manipulate and feel things with its oral disk, referred to as “oripulation”) and their umwelt (“the part of the animal’s surrounding that it can sense and experience”) that will compel curious middle-grade readers to share their newfound knowledge with everyone around them.

Yong, a prize-winning science writer, is interested in more than just assembling interesting animal facts. He shares scientists’ experience of learning more about these senses and raises questions about how human actions and interactions can affect animals’ environments, and therefore, their experience of the world, through conversational and immersive writing.

The organization and quality of the writing makes this  nonfiction chapter book a rich experience, with seamless transitions between each color-coded chapter. The chapters are broken into sections with insets, pull-outs,  captioned illustrations, “Ed’s Field Notes”, and highlighted words that are defined in a glossary at the end of each chapter. The illustrations are colorful (some are black and white) and engaging, keeping the reader in the experience of the book.

This copy of An Immense World has minor printing errors, such as misspelling oripulation in the index. Highly recommended for public and school libraries.

Deanna Contrino, SLMS
K-2 Resource Librarian, Scarborough Schools

five-stars

Book Comes Home: A Banned Book’s Journey

Book Comes Home: A Banned Book’s JourneyBook Comes Home: A Banned Book's Journey by Micah Player, Rob Sanders
Published by Random House Children's Books on 2025
ISBN: 0593813685
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Book Comes Home : A Banned Book’s Journey helps grown-ups explain book banning and organized activism to young readers using simple, direct language. Other picture books prompt discussion about the concept of banned books in school and public libraries, but this is the only one (I know of) telling the story from the book’s perspective.

Book is an approachable looking children’s book with a lovely lilac cover, shiny gold medal and a friendly smile, living her best life in a school library, well-loved and popular. Illustrations of children of different skin tones and sizes bringing Book home, enjoying, reading and discussing the story will resonate with many readers and the people who support their reading habits. Then one day, Book is removed from the shelves. Librarians and other adults will predict the next part of the story as Book is placed in a closet in the back of the library, with other books that have been challenged.

Inside the closet, the illustrations are dark and gloomy. Sanders, whose picture book, Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag, has been challenged and banned, shares the experiences of other books in the closet, placed there for being “scary”,  or for “mak(ing) people think”.  Inside the closet, Book questions whether these are bad things, and if she is bad. Outside the closet, a double-page spread illustration shows determined and impassioned readers  opposing the book banning; creating protest signs and phoning the school board.

Player makes good use of posters as messaging: readers create posters that say things like “Let Me Be. Let Me Read.” and outside the library,  quotes about reading, such as “Don’t be afraid to go in your library and read every book.” (Dwight D. Eisenhower).

Readers and librarians will appreciate the happy ending as Book and the other books are saved from the Banned Book Closet, and brought back into the light where the images are bright, colorful, and dynamic. Readers are reunited with the books they love and all is well.

Sanders includes a thoughtful author’s message that puts book banning in historic context and encourages  reading books that challenge us.  Also included in the back matter is a glossary and resources listing online websites for people interested in learning more about censorship from  the American Libraries Association and PEN America.  The end pages include words from the ALA’s Statement on book censorship. Highly recommended for school and public libraries.

Deanna Contrino, SLMS
K-2 Resource Librarian, Scarborough Schools

five-stars

Wash Day Love

Wash Day LoveWash Day Love by Raissa Figueroa, Tanisia Moore
ISBN: 1338897322
Genres: Cultural / African American, Family, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Tasha does not like Saturdays. On Saturdays the kitchen turns into a salon for wash day. Reluctantly, Tasha sits on the stool, water dripping over her head in the sink, while her mama scrubs and hums, her sister squeezes her hand, and her granny sings to the music. Together they get through wash day, crowns emerging fresh, hair laid, and edges smooth. This intergenerational story is a much-needed window or mirror into a regular tradition for Black families and showcases the beauty of natural hair. Illustrations are stunning and full of bright colors, textures, and varying scales – perfectly depicting the movement and emotions in the story. While this story is specifically about wash day, it is also very relatable for children with sensory sensitivities. Recommended for ages 4 to 8 (Pre-K to 3rd grade). Cream of the crop nominee.

Reviewed by: Jenn Mead, Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library, Lovell

five-stars

Trans History: From Ancient Times to the Present Day

Trans History: From Ancient Times to the Present DayTrans History: A Graphic Novel: From Ancient Times to the Present Day by Alex L. Combs, Andrew Eakett
ISBN: 1536219231
Format: Graphic Novel, Nonfiction, Young Adult
Goodreads
five-stars

Combs and Eakett provide a deep dive into the history of trans and otherwise gender nonconforming people, including the acceptance of gender expression, scientific developments, medical care, and activism across cultures and over time.

Thoroughly researched and packed with information, the graphic novel format is easy to follow and digest. Each section includes profiles of historical figures as well as contemporary scholars, advocates, and artists. The authors make it clear that artifacts and records left behind from ancient cultures leave room for interpretation and speculation, but evidence pieced together from archaeologists and historians can still make a case for the existence of trans-similar individuals and experiences. At the end of every chapter, readers are encouraged to consider questions for further exploration and analysis. Source notes provided.

Affirming for trans individuals and essential reading for all. 

Grade 9 and up.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

five-stars

The Life I’m In

The Life I’m InThe Family I'm In by Sharon G. Flake
ISBN: 1338573209
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

John-John is into nerdy things like archery and Star Wars, and he is desperate to see his crush on Ashley turn into something more. His father, Big John, wants to see his son be more like him- a ladies’ man with a successful business and a big reputation. John feels like he will never be able to live up to his father’s expectations and struggles to connect with his dad’s new wife. Meanwhile, his best friend Caleb is struggling too. Ever since his father, Mr. P, suffered a brain aneurysm, Caleb has been working nonstop to help support his family. As various stressors intensify and the obligations stack up, both boys must reconcile with who they want to be and what it means to be a man. 

An excellent coming-of-age story with an intense examination of the relationship between black fathers and their sons. The chapters are short and the characters and their challenges are relatable, making this both an accessible and rewarding read for teens. Readers who have yet to pick up Flake’s companion novels, The Skin I’m In and The Life I’m In, will be sure to seek them out to dig deeper into the backgrounds of Maleeka and Char, who play significant roles in this story as well. 

Grades 7 & up

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

four-stars

How to Say Goodbye in Cuban

How to Say Goodbye in CubanHow to Say Goodbye in Cuban by Daniel Miyares
Published by Anne Schwartz Books on September 30. 2025
ISBN: 059356829X
Genres: Immigrants
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Carlos and his family live in the Cuban countryside in 1958. They are hardworking, loving, and happy together. One day his Papi wins the lottery and they are able to build a new home and woodshop in the city. They leave their beloved countryside and grandparents behind, much to Carlos’ dismay.
This all happens in the midst of the Revolution when Fidel Castro overthrows the government and creates an alliance with communist Russia. Carlos’ family life is thrown into chaos. Tempers are short and Papi is often away from home. Carlos and his siblings don’t know where he goes or what he is doing but they are scared and unsure.
This heartfelt story is in graphic novel format with chapters of Carlos’ family life separated by brief non-fiction historical material. With the illustrations we are drawn into this story which is not only that of a young boy and his family but an excellent introduction to this point in Cuban history.

Ages 8-12
Reviewed by MaryAnn Lopes, Elementary Librarian. Lewiston Public Schools, Lewiston, Maine.

five-stars

The Dysfunctional Family’s Guide to Murder

The Dysfunctional Family’s Guide to MurderThe Dysfunctional Family's Guide to Murder by Kate Emery
Published by Alfred A. Knopf on October 21, 2025 (USA)
Genres: Family, Humor, Mystery, Realistic Fiction
Format: Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

When Ruth’s step-grandmother is found dead – murdered! – on the very morning that everyone is meant to head home after a long weekend at the remote family ranch, she knows it’s time to turn all her crime-reading hours into crime-solving expertise.

Teaming up with her too-cute-for-comfort and newly sort-of cousin Dylan as the Hastings to her Poirot, Ruth begins her investigation. Of course, the fact that the likely murderer is someone in the house – and therefore family (or family adjacent) is less than ideal. But Ruth doesn’t let that stop her. The real problem, she explains to the reader, is that there will be a second body before the end.

This younger YA/older middle grade Agatha Christie-esque whodunnit set in Western Australia is a lot of fun, and perfect for middle grade readers who enjoy a twisty mystery with an engaging, tell-it-like-it-is heroine. While there are two dead bodies, it avoids any goriness that might put some readers off and (spoiler alert!) in the end it transpires that neither death was actually murder – both were accidental. However, that plot point cleverly unfolds in a way that allows for a happy resolution, without disappointing the reader or feeling anticlimactic.

Highly recommend; an excellent addition to library shelves. 5 stars.

– Jenny Martinez, Maine State Library

five-stars

Where Shadows Bloom

Where Shadows BloomWhere Shadows Bloom by Catherine Bakewell
Published by Harper on February 11, 2025
ISBN: 0063359081
Genres: Fantasy, LGBTQ+, Romance
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Shadows – deadly monsters that move silently in the night – keep Ofelia little more than a prisoner in her well-guarded home. One of those guards is Lope, who has trained her entire life to be a knight defending Ofelia. Over the years, as their friendship has grown strong, other feelings have grown between them as well, though the difference in their stations prevents Lope from acting on those feelings, and Ofelia from understanding them.

Only the king’s palace offers a safe refuge from the Shadows. Driven by the increasing danger, Ofelia’s mother agrees to go there to ask for shelter for herself and Ofelia. But when she doesn’t return, Ofelia and Lope set out after her. When they arrive, they find her mother has mysteriously disappeared. Revelations unfold; Ofelia learns she is the daughter of the king himself, and he lays claim to her affection while promising her mother is safe. At first she believes him, but Lope, left to her own devices, begins to uncover strange inconsistencies in the king’s highly controlled and madly festive court. The Shadows, she realizes, originate from the palace itself. The king is not the protector of the land, chosen by the will of beneficent gods; he rules because of a deal struck with the Lord of the Underworld and is, in fact, the villain.

Now Lope is trying to protect Ofelia from herself, and the power-hungry king, as well as from the Shadows. Ofelia refuses to believe Lope’s assertion that the king is behind the world’s evil, causing a rift between them. Finally – though now apart – both realize the deadly truth behind the king’s illusions, and that the only way forward is into the underworld, where they might be able to save the other, if not themselves. But a whole new adventure awaits them there, and it is soon clear that sacrificing their lives is not what will change the world above.

Bakewell’s magical, atmospheric novel builds in intensity as the protagonists begin to more deeply understand both the world they exist in, and the depth of their feelings for one another. Unexpected twists allow the reader to get lost in the sometimes dreamy, fairy-tale quality of the story as well as to appreciate the thoughtful world-building and hopeful resolution. Will appeal to readers of sapphic romance, dark-ish fantasy, and satisfying endings.

– Jenny Martinez, Maine State Library

five-stars