Category: Cream of the Crop Nominees

Camp Sylvania

Camp SylvaniaCamp Sylvania by Julie Murphy
Published by Balzer + Bray on June 6, 2023
ISBN: 006311402X
Genres: Horror, Humor, Supernatural
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Middle schooler Maggie can’t wait to go to summer camp with her best friend and is devastated when her parents let her know, last minute, that they’re sending her to a fat camp instead.  Camp Sylvania turns out not to be so bad, especially since Maggie immediately makes some new friends, but what’s up with the suggested blood donations, the creepy counselor who only comes out at night, and the all-red “revolutionary wellness diet” the campers are being fed?

This book is a delight. The vampires will satisfy horror fans (though it’s gentle enough to work for non-horror fans) and it’s funny and charming enough for adults and teens. The comparison of predatory wellness influencers to vampires is not only clever, but a great way to get kids thinking critically about social media messages. Julie Murphy deftly deals with the theme of weight, and the kids are inherently body-positive, even though their parents and the counselors have different ideas.  Weight can be a difficult topic to address but the size of the kids and Maggie’s weight-stressed relationship with her mother are carried out with nuance and respect. Other than the vampires and their familiars, who really are horrible, the characters are relatable and likable; even the ghost of a camper has a sense of humor. An excellent choice for summer reading!

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars

A Bit of Earth

A Bit of EarthA Bit of Earth by Karuna Riazi
Published by Greenwillow Books on March 14, 2023
ISBN: 0063098660
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

In this contemporary retelling of The Secret Garden, Maria finds herself moving from house to house after the death of her parents. She finally lands on Long Island, far away from Bangladesh where she was born. Prickly all her life, Maria is cautious and distant, not wanting to become too attached before being inevitably sent away again. Things start to change for Maria when she feels drawn to a neglected garden and works to restore it with the help of some neighborhood children. Maria doesn’t realize that she is breaking her own rules by letting herself get close to others, becoming friends with her neighbors and a role model for the people she is living with. This middle grade novel is mostly prose, but readers will enjoy the many chapters that start with a segment of novel in verse. Maria, despite being guarded, is fiercely independent and is a character readers will cheer for. She hangs onto her Muslim roots and Bangladeshi/Pakistani culture which are present throughout the book, and shows readers the importance of having a safe space to plant roots to grow and bloom.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

five-stars

Imposter Syndrome and other Confessions of Alejandra Kim

Imposter Syndrome and other Confessions of Alejandra KimImposter Syndrome and Other Confessions of Alejandra Kim by Patricia Park
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on 02/21/2023
ISBN: 0593563379
Pages: 295
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Alejandra Kim isn’t sure who she is or where she fits in. She is the daughter of Korean Argentinian immigrants, with a Latina first name and a Korean last name and face. She’s a poor kid from Queens with a New York attitude whose father has just died, and a highly intelligent scholarship student at a super exclusive prep school in Manhattan. Things are tense at home with her mom, and all she wants to do is keep her head down and graduate, and move on to attend an elite, quintessential New England liberal arts college far away in Maine. But after a microaggression from a teacher at school, and an eye opening elective class she takes, Ale must decide once and for all who she really is and what she wants to stand for. Ale is a thoroughly entertaining character and this book is a fun read despite the serious topics addressed such as self esteem, code switching, passing, privilege, and inclusivity. The book also delves into the psychological ramifications that immigrants often face after leaving their home countries and cultures. A must have for every YA shelf.

Recommended for grades 8-12.
Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Lee Remick, York Middle School, York

five-stars

Leeva at Last

Leeva at LastLeeva At Last by Sara Pennypacker, Matthew Cordell
Published by Balzer + Bray on March 7, 2023
ISBN: 9780063114425
Genres: Humor, Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Pennypacker brings her signature Clementine wit to the story of Leeva, a winsome child of two terrible, selfish parents. Readers will immediately be put in mind of Roald Dahl’s Matilda and Lois Lowry’s Willoughbys, but while this book reflects the dreadful parents and enterprising, intelligent children in both stories, Leeva’s tale is all her own. Her parents, in the roles of Town Mayor and Town Treasurer, respectively, have overtaxed the residents and embezzled the revenue. Everyone in town hates them and when Leeva, long kept indoors as a sort of servant, ventures outside, she is afraid they will hate her by extension. However, she makes many friends and eventually figures out a plan to return all the money, send her parents packing off into the sunset, and have a happy ending.

The humor, quirky characters, short chapters, engaging writing and well-known author combine to make this an easy book to put in patron hands. Charming black and white illustrations by Matthew Cordell appear throughout the book and add a playfulness reminiscent of Norton Juster.

Reviewed by:  Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library, Augusta

five-stars

Thunderboom

ThunderboomThunderBoom by Jack Briglio, Claudia Davila
on May 2, 2023
ISBN: 1525304968
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
five-stars

Eleven year old Logan has a lot on his plate. He is scared of dogs, clowns and masks, and being lonely. On top of that, he is nonverbal and uses sign language to communicate with his family. When he loses his parents and sister at a parade, Logan must conjure up his alter-ego Thunderboom to help him navigate a perfect storm of fear and anxiety.

Based on the author’s son, who has Angelman syndrome, Logan gives us a glimpse into the world and family dynamics of people who are nonverbal. We see the strategies used by the family, the loving stress they can experience, and the support involved (especially in his very chill big sister who has unwavering faith in Logan and refuses to stress about him; she’s great).  The illustrations are bright and charming and move seamlessly from Logan’s world to Thunderboom’s world.

This is a terrific book with a much-needed protagonist and would be valuable in elementary or middle school libraries.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars

Different for Boys

Different for BoysDifferent for Boys by Patrick Ness, Tea Bendix
Published by Walker Books US on March 14, 2023
Pages: 104
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Patrick Ness’ “Different For Boys” is short, but it manages to hit its points hard and leave you thinking about it long after you’ve finished reading. Anthony Stevenson, “Ant,” has been sexually exploring with his male classmate Charlie, but they’re not gay, right? When Charlie and Ant are paired together in class with Jack, a gay classmate. This forces Ant to examine his relationship with Charlie and do some heavy introspection. A book that manages to express the angst and confusion of high school boys navigating relationships, with limited (and often stylistically censored) text and scratchy pencil and line art, “Different For Boys” is not to be missed. A must-buy for young adult collections everywhere.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME.

five-stars

Eb & Flow

Eb & FlowEb & Flow by Kelly J. Baptist
ISBN: 0593429133
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Eb (short for Ebony) and Flow (nickname for De’Kari) find themselves suspended for 10 days after an altercation in the cafeteria. Eb accidentally tripped (she says) over Flow’s new sneakers and scuffed them. Flow did not react well and when Eb’s friends egged her on to pretend to spill bar-b-q sauce on Flow’s sneakers, things quickly de-escalated when she accidentally (she says) spilled the sauce on his sneakers. He reacted and shoved (not hit) her (he says) and she may have shoved him back. This novel-in-verse takes place during the 10-day suspension in a series of back-and-forth poems in the voices of Eb and Flow. Interestingly, the reader learns that Eb and Flow have a lot more in common than they realize – including the fact that both have absent fathers and that their families are worried that they are both very close to expulsion and possibly derailing their future plans. The last day of suspension is an In-School-Suspension where Eb & Flow are given an opportunity for reflection. An authentic middle grade story of family, school, and the challenges kids face from peer-pressure to viral videos to absent parents.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Karen Sandlin Silverman, Mt. Ararat Middle School, Topsham

five-stars

Harboring Hope: The True Story of How Henny Sinding Helped Denmark’s Jews Escape the Nazis

Harboring Hope: The True Story of How Henny Sinding Helped Denmark’s Jews Escape the NazisHarboring Hope: The True Story of How Henny Sinding Helped Denmark's Jews Escape the Nazis by Susan Hood
on March 21, 2023
ISBN: 0063214482
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry, Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

While not quite as action-packed as Lifeboat 12 or Alias Anna, this is another historical story of an unsung hero facing off against the evils of Hitler and the Nazis. Henny Sinding – just 22 years old – couldn’t sit by and watch Germany invade her beloved Denmark. She helped over 300 Jewish people escape Denmark by hiding them in the hold of her boat and ferrying them to Sweden. She worked with the Danish resistance movement until she too had to escape to Sweden. She was able to return to Denmark after the war and resumed her life of helping others and sailing. This novel in verse is told mostly through free verse. Hood also incorporates other poetic styles throughout the book and she includes a note about the poetry and the different styles she chose (ode, concrete, cinquain, triolet, etc.). Includes extensive notes and photographs.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Karen Sandlin Silverman, Mt. Ararat Middle School, Topsham

five-stars

Calling the Moon: 16 Period Stories from BIPOC Authors

Calling the Moon: 16 Period Stories from BIPOC AuthorsCalling the Moon: 16 Period Stories from BIPOC Authors by Aida Salazar, Christina Soontornvat, Elise McMullen-Ciotti, Emma Otheguy, Erin Entrada Kelly, Guadalupe Garcia McCall, Hilda Eunice Burgos, Ibi Zoboi, Leah Henderson, Mason J., Nikki Grimes, Padma Venkatraman, Saadia Faruqi, Susan Muaddi Darraj, Veeda Bybee, Yamile Saied Méndez
Published by Candlewick Press on March 28, 2023
Pages: 368
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Short Stories
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Calling the Moon is an expansive collection of coming of age short stories written by BIPOC authors all focusing on girls getting their first period. The authors effectively capture the anxiety/excitement/embarrassment that girls often experience at this time in their lives, as well as the physical pain and mood swings. These short stories also explore the various complex relationships between mothers and daughters and include one story where the mother had died and the father is now the one to buy pads at the grocery store. Many of these stories focus on the cultural or religious traditions surrounding a girl getting her first period- from shame and secrecy to beautiful celebrations and ceremonies and are written by authors readers might already be familiar with. This book would be perfect for middle grade girls going through puberty or who are preparing to. The openness of the authors in writing authentically and directly about these experiences and the sheer number of stories in this collection (16) will help break down barriers that prevent this topic from being discussed and/or written about. Young readers will undoubtedly connect with these characters in profound ways as they see their questions and experiences reflected in girls from cultures all around the world.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

five-stars

Queer Ducks (and Other Animals): The Natural World of Animal Sexuality

Queer Ducks (and Other Animals): The Natural World of Animal SexualityQueer Ducks (and Other Animals): The Natural World of Animal Sexuality by Eliot Schrefer
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on May 24, 2022
ISBN: 0063069490
Pages: 240
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Using solid scientific data and humorous writing that will grab teens’ attention, Schrefer details the diversity of sexual behavior in the animal world proving that humans are not the only creatures who are queer. Interspersing his prose with the comics of Jules Zuckerberg, Schrefer provides examples from history, science, anthropology, and sociology to illustrate how animals from the albatross to doodlebugs to bonobos exhibit queer behavior and practice same-sex relationships.  This book opens the readers eyes to the ways in which we have viewed animal behavior through a lens of personal bias and Victorian values. Like humans, animal motivation is complex and this book removes some of the filters through which we have come to understand the natural world. A solid addition to YA and high school collections.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Baxter Memorial Library, Gorham

five-stars