Category: Cream of the Crop Nominees

Carrimebac, the Town That Walked

Carrimebac, the Town That WalkedCarrimebac, the Town That Walked by David Barclay Moore, John Holyfield
Published by Candlewick Press on March 8, 2022
ISBN: 1536213691
Pages: 40
Genres: Folklore, Historical Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

When old Rootilla Redgums and her 9-year-old grandson, Julius Jefferson arrive at the small town of Walkerton, Georgia, residents are suspicious and scared of the old lady because there are rumors that Rootilla is a witch who has magic and who is over 100 years old. Rootilla uses her magic to teach the residents how to weave rugs that never wear down. She also teaches them to create ceramic jugs that never empty, which help the town trade with surrounding towns. Rootilla’s kindness does not go unnoticed. Hate groups arrive in Walkerton and the town must decide what to do about the outsiders. Moore does a fantastic job showing how African Americans were treated after the Civil War, as well as adding a thin layer of folklore. The illustrations are acrylic and the facial features and expressions are beautifully painted. The intended audience is 1st through 4th graders (Ages 6 through 10). This book is useful when introducing youth to systematic racism during the 19th century after the Civil War. This picture book would be a great addition to any public/school library collection and any classroom library.

Reviewed by Brandon Dyer, Auburn Public Library

five-stars

Loyalty

LoyaltyLoyalty by Avi
Published by Clarion Books on February 1, 2022
ISBN: 0358248078
Pages: 352
Genres: Adventure, Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

In the year 1774, it was not advisable to pray for King George with the windows open. Loyalist pastor Solomon Cope did just that and it cost him his life. His family watched in horror as he was dragged outside his home, tarred, and feathered. That day, twelve-year-old Noah Cope became the head of the household. This is where our story begins. Newbery winning author, Avi, weaves historical moments of the American Revolution with the challenges of adolescence throughout Noah’s story. To care for his mother and sisters and to honor his father’s legacy, Noah becomes a spy for the British. The reader watches as everything that Noah ever thought about the meaning of loyalty is challenged. Especially as his friendship deepens with Jolla Freeman, his black supervisor at the Boston tavern where the Sons of Liberty meet. Filled with action, this moving novel encourages readers to think for themselves and learn that the strongest loyalty is in friendship. This book should be added to the middle-grade collections of both school and public libraries.

Reviewed by Liz Davis, Children’s Librarian, Waterville Public Library

five-stars

The Last Mapmaker

The Last MapmakerThe Last Mapmaker by Christina Soontornvat
Published by Candlewick Press on April 12, 2022
ISBN: 1536204951
Pages: 368
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Sai works for the famous mapmaker Paiyoon in the kingdom of Mangkon. Now that Mangkon has won a long-time war, the Queen wants to explore her newly conquered territory and arranges for boats to search for the never-seen continent in the Southern Hemisphere. Paiyoon signs on as mapmaker on a ship and arranges for Sai to travel with him. Sai jumps at the opportunity as she comes from a poor background and her father is a grifter. She’s worried that her apprenticeship will come to an end when she turns 13 and does not receive a lineal necklace from her family representing her ancestry. At its heart, this is a swashbuckling sea adventure with a strong female protagonist that features mutiny and sea creatures and readers will be hoping to read more of Sai’s adventures!

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

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

five-stars

Message Not Found

Message Not FoundMessage Not Found by Dante Medema
Published by Quill Tree Books on March 29, 2022
ISBN: 0062954431
Pages: 400
Genres: Mystery, Psychological thriller
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

When Bailey’s best friend Vanessa dies in a car accident Bailey struggles to make sense of the death. Bailey “borrows” an AI app from her mom and programs a virtual version of Vanessa she names V so they can continue to exchange text messages. Bailey becomes a little too obsessed – going so far as to mine personal data from communications Vanessa had with her boyfriend and others. Will Bailey discover why Vanesa was nowhere near her house the night of the accident? Will she uncover the secrets Vanessa kept from her? Written in a unique mix of text messages, notes, and brief chapters, readers will scarf down this YA thriller/mystery in one sitting.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

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

five-stars

Maizy Chen’s Last Chance

Maizy Chen’s Last ChanceMaizy Chen's Last Chance by Lisa Yee
Published by Random House on February 1, 2022
ISBN: 1984830252
Pages: 288
Genres: Historical Fiction, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Maizy and her mother spend the summer in Last Chance, Minnesota so they can help take care of her ailing grandfather. Maizy’s grandparents – who have been estranged from Maizy’s mom – own and run a Chinese restaurant and don’t understand Maizy’s mom’s career as a food stylist. Maizy can’t wait to get back to her life and friends in Los Angeles but she finds that she enjoys getting to know her grandparents and hanging out at their Golden Palace restaurant. Maizy’s grandfather shares the story of her great-grandfather Lucky who first ran the Golden Palace and how he got to Minnesota. She also learns how challenging it was to be a Chinese immigrant in the late 1800s/early 1900s when Lucky came to America. Maizy is curious about the photographs of young men in the restaurant office and learns about “paper sons” that came through Last Chance. The only pathway for citizenship for Chinese immigrants in the wake of the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act was to show proof that they were the children of US citizens of Chinese descent. It was fairly easy to purchase fake documents and thus become “paper sons” of US citizens. Maizy also experiences racism first hand  but unlike Lucky, she is able to confront it head on. Includes an author’s note with more historical information.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

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

five-stars

John’s Turn

John’s TurnJohn's Turn by Kate Berube, Mac Barnett
Published by Candlewick Press on March 1, 2022
ISBN: 1536203955
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Every Friday, a kid gets up and does something in front of the whole school. Today is John’s turn, and he’s going to dance. When the classical music begins, some kids laugh and wonder how you dance to that music. John is brave. He dances and dances and smiles with his whole being. His classmates cheer.

This is a wonderful book. John is dancing ballet in front of his entire (presumably) elementary school. The watercolor illustrations do a wonderful job of conveying John’s emotions as they range from nervous to fearful to elated. This book celebrates the underrepresented dancers and all who choose to do something outside the box.

Recommended for readers 3 and up and for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

five-stars

Anybody Here Seen Frenchie?

Anybody Here Seen Frenchie?Anybody Here Seen Frenchie? by Leslie Connor
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on February 15, 2022
ISBN: 0062999362
Pages: 336
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Aurora and Frenchie are best friends. Aurora has a lot to say, Frenchie has never spoken a word. When the two friends encounter a piebald deer, Aurora feels compelled to follow it, and she gets this compulsion every time she sees it. Both Frenchie and Aurora are creatures of habit, and when Frenchie doesn’t make it to first period at school one day, Aurora immediately knows something is up. The entire town helps to search, and it seem impossible that no one has seen him.

At it’s core, this is a story of friendship between two neurodiverse kids who experience the world in very different ways. It is a story of finding one’s voice in unexpected and tumultuous times. It is well written, and the character development leaves you rooting for both Frenchie and Aurora. Leslie Connor’s ability to give voice to the voiceless is unparalleled, and like with The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle, this story will not disappoint. Hand to fans of realistic fiction and those looking for a feel-good read.

Recommended for readers 3rd grade and up and for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

five-stars

Fossil Hunter: How Mary Anning Changed the Science of Prehistoric Life

Fossil Hunter: How Mary Anning Changed the Science of Prehistoric LifeFossil Hunter: How Mary Anning Changed the Science of Prehistoric Life by Cheryl Blackford
Published by Clarion Books on January 25, 2022
ISBN: 0358396050
Pages: 128
Genres: Biography/Autobiography, Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Raised in a poor community on the  southern shore of England, Mary Anning learned from her father how to hunt for fossils at low tide. After the passing of her father, Mary found herself in a precarious position. Her mother became unable to care for her and her brother, but someone had to support the family. So Mary took her fossil hunting very seriously. She could sell to collectors anything she found. And find fossils, she did. Mary found the first ever complete skeleton of an ichthyosaurus, the first complete plesiosaur fossil, the first British-found pterodactyl, and many other important discoveries. Many of her finds helped to create our current understanding of evolution. Sadly, Mary did not receive the recognition and credit that she deserved for this during her lifetime. This book helps to carry her legacy forward. Short chapters walk through Mary’s life and all the important discoveries she made. Beautiful drawings of the creatures she found are included, as well as primary sources such as Mary’s letters and prints of skeletons. Included materials are: an index, image and quote credits, a bibliography, a glossary, a timeline, and an author’s note. While this will be a hit with anyone interested in dinosaurs, fossils, or historical women, this is recommended for all nonfiction collections. Best for ages 9+.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Maine State Library

five-stars

The Lucky Ones

The Lucky OnesThe Lucky Ones by Linda Williams Jackson
Published by Candlewick Press on April 12, 2022
ISBN: 1536222550
Pages: 320
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

The Lucky Ones is an impressive historical fiction juvenile novel which depicts the Mississippi Delta. Eleven-year-old Ellis Earl is just one child in a large family held together by a mother in a very poor rural area of the USA during the 1960’s. Readers will be surprised by the degree of hunger, poverty and racism experienced by the many well portrayed characters. With the assistance of good teachers, church members, and parents Jackson provides her characters with hope, self-confidence, and a forward view of life. A visit to the area by Robert F. Kennedy reveals even more information about the time and life experiences of this young man and those around him.

Beyond being a well written and historically accurate book, The Lucky Ones is bound to become a classic of the Civil Rights Era. A necessary purchase for all middle and intermediate school media centers throughout the USA. Jackson’s newest novel belongs on the shelves of public libraries and would be appreciated as a gift to classroom literature teachers.

For grades 5-8

Suggested for Cream of the Crop

Reviewed by Jan Hamilton, Retired Youth Services Librarian

five-stars

Healer & Witch

Healer & WitchHealer and Witch by Nancy Werlin, Joris Hoefnagel
Published by Candlewick Press on March 22, 2022
ISBN: 1536219568
Pages: 304
Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Supernatural
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

In her first fantasy for middle readers, Werlin offers an enchanting story of a fifteen-year-old girl who comes from a family of healers. The time line of this historical fantasy represents the end of the Middle Ages in France. Sylvie is on a search for a teacher who can teach her how to use her gift for good, this search brings her face to face with danger. Readers will cheer for this powerful and insightful character as she develops relationships that will prove helpful to her mission and those who are dangerous. The storyline includes a budding romantic situation and a fondness for a young boy from her village who becomes her traveling companion.

Character development is well done especially the insertion of a possible teacher/witch. Sylvie’s character is strong, fearless and highly motivated to use her powers to help others. Readers may wonder about the intentions of a young man who becomes her mentor. The sexual tension contributes to the storyline and may lead to a second novel. This story is compelling, well written and full of surprises; it will be enjoyed by a wide spread of readers. Add Healer & Witch to all intermediate and middle school collections. Public librarians should include this title in their next book order. Readers of older age fantasy titles by Werlin will enjoy this title as well.

Suggested for Cream of the Crop

Reviewed by Jan Hamilton, Retired Youth Services Librarian

five-stars