Category: Cream of the Crop Nominees

Girls Who Green the World: Thirty-four Rebel Women Out to Save Our Planet

Girls Who Green the World: Thirty-four Rebel Women Out to Save Our PlanetGirls Who Green the World: Thirty-Four Rebel Women Out to Save Our Planet by Diana Kapp, Ana Jaren
Published by Delacorte Press on April 5, 2022
ISBN: 0593428056
Pages: 336
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This informative and encouraging book of thirty-four mini-biographies, each accompanied by a full-page, full-color illustration of the subject, tells the stories of women of various ages who are all doing something important to save the world. Each biography includes some background of the subject, but clearly focuses on the issues they are successfully tackling, ranging from stopping food waste, to farming kelp, to harvesting geothermal energy. Particularly of note is the fact that almost none of these women knew what they were embarking on when they started their journeys. They all learned along the way.

The book includes many fascinating and frightening facts, hints for ways to get involved, an explanation of “How we got here to begin with”, and culminates with a section called “What now”. One interesting statistic states that teenage girls are better advocates than teenage boys. Throughout, the author’s tone is one of encouragement, urging motivation and enforcing the idea that any one of us can make a positive difference in the world, regardless of our backgrounds.

Highly recommended.

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, University of Southern Maine, Gorham Campus Library

five-stars

Counting in Dog Years and Other Sassy Math Poems

Counting in Dog Years and Other Sassy Math PoemsCounting in Dog Years and Other Sassy Math Poems by Betsy Franco, Priscilla Tey
Published by Candlewick Press on October 11, 2022
Pages: 40
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Illustrated with whimsical, full-color artwork throughout, this book of fun and educational poems about math ranges from everyday topics, such as age and days of the week, to more advanced concepts, such as palindromes and tessellation. This very creative collection includes a poem for two voices and a poem that is a puzzle (with answers included at the end of the book). The illustrations are fanciful and inclusive, and follow the themes of the poetry well.

Overall, this fun collection introduces readers to many ways math touches our lives, oftentimes without our awareness. I think this book might be an excellent way to entice “math atheists” (to borrow a term from Calvin & Hobbes) to consider mathematical word problems an enjoyable challenge. It could also serve to show the more analytically minded child that wordplay can contribute to the joy of numbers. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, University of Southern Maine, Gorham Campus Library

five-stars

Expedition Backyard: Exploring Nature from Country to City

Expedition Backyard: Exploring Nature from Country to CityExpedition Backyard by Rosemary Mosco, Binglin Hu
Published by Random House Graphic on June 21, 2022
ISBN: 059312734X
Pages: 128
Genres: Adventure, Animals
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
five-stars

This elementary grade graphic novel with full-color, earth-tone illustrations throughout tells the story of Vole & Mole, two friends living in the country near a human house. They enjoy many adventures, including entering the house to watch nature shows on TV. One day, they find the house filled with boxes and while exploring they fall in, only to find themselves shipped to the city. There they have new adventures and make new friends: a house sparrow, an opossum, and a bumblebee. They learn to watch out for city owls (much like country owls) and discover that the city “lion” is a pet cat with a responsible owner.

This gentle book contains themes of friendship, nature, and adventure. There are several How-To’s at the end of the book, including How to Keep a Bird Journal, How to be a Responsible Cat Owner, etc. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, University of Southern Maine, Gorham Campus Library

five-stars

The Lights That Dance in the Night

The Lights That Dance in the NightThe Lights That Dance in the Night by Yuval Zommer
Published by Doubleday Books for Young Readers on November 1, 2022
ISBN: 0593563131
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals, Fiction in Verse/Poetry
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

A fanciful, poetical picture book about the northern lights. Rich, colorful illustrations that somehow feel cozy. Text is simple but with a pleasing cadence for read aloud. The pictures, though all themed by the northern lights, are each distinct and in perfect sync with the words on that page. This would be a delicious book to read aloud on a winter evening while curled up on the couch, and also perfect for a winter story time when there is snow outside. For very young children, it might be a fun introduction to a conversation about northern lights and exploring the night sky.

This has a place on library shelves; a beautiful display item that would go out frequently.

Reviewed by Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library

five-stars

The Epic Story of Every Living Thing

The Epic Story of Every Living ThingThe Epic Story of Every Living Thing by Deb Caletti
Published by Labyrinth Road on September 13, 2022
ISBN: 0593485505
Pages: 416
Genres: Adventure, Realistic Fiction, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

“The Epic Story of Every Living Thing” is a coming-of-age story wrapped in layers of self-doubt and the need to find personal identity. Raised by her mother, Harper is aware that her life started with the aid of a sperm donor. Her journey to learn about her donor starts when a half sibling makes contact. What began as a curiosity becomes an intense challenge fueled by emotion and parental disapproval. Readers travel with Harper and experience her feelings as she discovers more and more half siblings, and each of these characters brings something special to the book.

Beyond the search for identity, this story provides awareness of environmental groups, lost items at sea, and the plans of the US military. Caletti’s extensive research concerning sunken ships and the procedures to remove them is obvious in the crafting of the story and her strong writing brings to life the the book’s action so much so that during dive scenes, readers can almost feel the temperature of the water and see the underwater creatures and sunken treasure.

Highly recommended for high school and YA collections in public libraries.

Reviewed by Jan Hamilton, Retired Youth Services Librarian

five-stars

The Name She Gave Me

The Name She Gave MeThe Name She Gave Me by Betty Culley
Published by HarperCollins US on October 5, 2022
ISBN: 0063157837
Pages: 416
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

A coming of age YA novel told through the lens of a teenage girl who was adopted as a baby and who longs for a connection with her birth family despite pushback from her cold, distant adoptive mother.  All that Rynn has from her birth mother is a name given to her by that mother. She is not allowed to access her records until she is 18, but she is able to find an uncle and through him learn that she has a half sister, Ella, who lives close by with her foster mother. Rynn’s quest for knowledge drives a terrible wedge at home and ignites the abusive anger of her adoptive mother (this could be triggering for some readers) forcing Rynn to leave home and stay with her best friend’s family. Her adoptive father is gentle and supportive, but lacks the tools to support Rynn’s journey of self-discovery (at least directly).

The novel, told in verse, moves between Rynn and her newly-discovered sister, and gorgeously details the feelings of loss, the awkwardness of forging new family relationships, and the hope that comes with discovery. Culley had her own personal journey with an adoptive family and the feelings and experiences ring with authenticity. A powerful book, beautifully written, and recommended to any reader who enjoys realistic family stories and novels in verse.

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

five-stars

A Library

A LibraryA Library by Nikki Giovanni, Erin K Robinson
Published by Versify on September 27, 2022
ISBN: 0358387655
Pages: 40
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Many readers think of their local library as a wonderful building full of books, but for Giovanni’s character the library is much more. The character within these pages celebrates the existence of her special place to be free and to dream. Sparse lyrical sentences perfectly portray the emotion and imagination contained within a lovely picture book.

Several illustrations express the sense of space; behind the laundry, within the library, and on the street. The two-page spreads are especially significant as they reveal the loving relationship between the girl and her grandmother as well as the girl’s affection for the librarian. Colors range from pastel to bold shades of primary colors. Robinson wraps her character in a cherished colorful quilt that is sure to engage any reader. This book honors the author’s first librarian and acknowledges her importance. An author’s note reveals how the author views her own childhood summer library.

Media center librarians located in primary schools should purchase a copy of A Library. This book can be utilized in poetry units, displayed for Black History Month, and offered as a read-a-loud in primary classrooms.

Reviewed by Jan Hamilton, retired Youth Services Librarian

five-stars

Ghostlight

GhostlightGhostlight by Kenneth Oppel
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers on September 6, 2022
ISBN: 0593487931
Pages: 400
Genres: Fantasy, Supernatural
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Suspense, supernatural creatures, and a tight storyline make this newest novel by Oppel a winner. Gabe lands a summer job telling stories while taking tourist on tours of Toronto Island. This novel quickly reveals the underlying historical ghost tales of a long-dead lighthouse keeper and his daughter. Readers are introduced to two additional teen characters who add immensely to the storyline. Each have necessary talents which Gabe leans upon to solve the mysterious long-ago deaths . These three characters appear larger than life, and readers come to know their individual abilities and fears.

Oppel is one of a few authors who can portray ghosts as living creatures, giving them personality and emotion. While reading Ghostlight we come face to face with true evil and yet there is room for compassion. This story reveals the possibility of a human /ghost relationship that goes beyond our human experience.

A great, fast-moving ghost story that is a well-written, creative read. Add this to any middle school media centers or public library collection as librarians will delight in handing this book to middle grade readers.

Nominated for Cream of the Crop

Reviewed by Jan Hamilton, retired Youth Services Librarian

five-stars

Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School

Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic SchoolThe Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes
Published by Balzer & Bray/Harperteen on May 17, 2022
ISBN: 006306023X
Pages: 400
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Sixteen-year-old Mexican-American Yamilet is starting over at a new school, and not just any school: a wealthy, mostly white, Catholic school outside the city that could not be more different than the city school she’s left. At her old school, Yami was outed by her (now ex-) best friend, a secret she managed to keep from her Mami, who she is sure would kick her out if she knew. At the new school, she’s determined to act “straight” and stay away from romance, keep her brother out of trouble, and work as much as she can to save money (in case Mami does find out, and she needs to survive on her own.) But then she meets Bo, a queer girl who is unabashedly out, and despite trying hard to ignore her feelings as they become friends, falls hard.

Yami is a vulnerable and very relatable character with a deep commitment to her family. The Mexican-American community around her is loving and strong, and at the core of her cultural identity; but at the same time the more intolerant religious beliefs held by the people she loves threaten her safety if her secret comes out. These deeper storylines ground the budding romance between Yami and Bo into a complex, layered novel with moments of humor and a sense of purpose. Yamilet begins the year often doubting her place in her family and even the world; but new friends and allies – and sometimes her own sheer force of will – help her figure out who she is in the best way possible. This is a debut work that feels very close to the author’s heart.

Highly recommend this to libraries looking to diversity their YA shelves.

Five stars/Cream of the Crop nominee

Reviewed by Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library

five-stars

Tree hole homes:

Tree hole homes:Tree Hole Homes: And the Animals That Live in Them by Amy Hevron, Melissa Stewart
Published by Random House on September 1, 2022
ISBN: 0593373308
Genres: Animals, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

A raccoon peeks out invitingly at us from its tree hole home on the cover of this illustrated nonfiction picture book, making us eager to see and learn more.

Stewart has created a nonfiction book that elegantly works on two levels: each page contains simple text describing tree hole homes aligned with brief factual details about their denizens. “(A tree hole home can be) calm and quiet” in larger, colorful type accompanies “A fisher spends most of its life alone . . . “ in smaller, white type on a two-page spread of a fisher in its solitary home. The overall organization of the book juxtaposes the multiple personalities of tree hole homes: “A tree hole home can be big or small” with examples of each. Back matter contains selected sources, including other recommended books and tree hole dweller stats that include scientific names, size, habitat, etc.

Acrylic and charcoal illustrations on wood by Amy Hevron captivate the reader and beautifully enhance the text. This book is recommended for children in grades 2-3, according to the publisher. However, its clear, simple language and engaging illustrations make it a great read-aloud for children ages 4-8. Highly recommended for all collections.

Deanna Contrino, SLMS/MLIS
Young School Librarian, Saco

five-stars