Category: Cream of the Crop Nominees

They Call Me Teach: Lessons in Freedom

They Call Me Teach: Lessons in FreedomThey Call Me Teach: Lessons in Freedom by James E. Ransome, Lesa Cline-Ransome
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 0763681555
Genres: Cultural / African American, Historical Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

A young slave that goes by “Teach” was fortunate to become educated by studying with his Master’s son. Before she died, his mother reminded him that every day is a chance to make something of yourself. This moving story showcases a week in the life of Teach: teaching reading to other slaves, stealing glances at his Master’s newspaper, forging a pass to freedom, and reading from the bible “Let my people go.” A poetic tale of the bravery and resistance during slavery, and the importance of and right to education. Illustrations are beautiful, soft, sketchy, and full of emotion. This would be an excellent addition to any picture book collection or as part of a larger classroom lesson plan. Recommended for ages 6-9 (1st to 3rd Grade). Cream of the Crop nominee.

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

five-stars

Clever Crow

Clever CrowClever Crow by Chris Butterworth, Olivia Lomenech Gill
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536235423
Genres: Animals, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

A tribute to the habits and smarts of crows and crow cousins. Gill’s mixed-media illustrations feature individual and group portraits of numerous birds in fine detail. Butterworth’s observations, delivered in multiple sizes of type, are likewise reputable. She writes “Crows are clever birds. Very clever birds.” Then she goes on to describe their intelligence. Children will be interested in the beautiful pictures and to learn more about these birds that are common everywhere. Bird lovers of all ages will enjoy this book!

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

Nominated for Cream of the Crop

five-stars

Songlight

SonglightSonglight (The Torch Trilogy, #1) by Moira Buffini
on September 3, 2024
ISBN: 0063358212
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Elsa lives each day with a life altering secret.  She possesses the power of songlight.  The ability to connect telepathically with others holding the gift.  Unfortunately, in the dictatorship of Brightland, those with the gift are ruled “Unhuman” and people are rewarded for turning in torches, those with songlight.  Once discovered, torches are marked for a procedure rendering them into a thoughtless state of servitude.  The only other person to know of Elsa’s secret is Rye, who shares the same gift and also a blossoming relationship.  

Everything falls apart when Rye is betrayed, sparking a chain of events in Elsa’s life that puts not only her life on a dangerous path, but the entire path of societal authority.  In her state of grief, Elsa cries out with her songlight only to “harmonize” with Nightingale, a girl hundreds of miles away.  Both girls benefit from the dangerous connection, but Nightingale also has a secret.  Her father is the head of a government group in charge of rooting out Unhumans, and he doesn’t know about his own daughter’s gifts.  

Buffini’s first book in what will be a trilogy introduces great notes of fantasy, dystopian society, star crossed lovers, danger at every corner, adventure, human rights, and so much more. There are diverse characters and multiple viewpoints.  The book does contain sexual assault, adult relationships, and is heavy on the cursing, making it more appropriate for a mature YA audience.   

Reviewed by Heidi Kopishke, Camden Hills Regional High School, Rockport, ME.

five-stars

Pau: The Last Song of the Kaua’i ‘O’O

Pau: The Last Song of the Kaua’i ‘O’OPau: The Last Song of the Kaua’i ‘o’o by Mackenzie Joy, Tony Piedra
Published by Candlewick Press on September 17, 2024
ISBN: 1536219495
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Pau is an ecological history of the Hawaiian island of Kaua’i focusing on its now extinct songbird, the ‘O’O. We follow through the book with sparse and lyrical text over the course of 5.1 million years. Gorgeous illustrations carry the reader as we discover how the island was created and then became inhabited by animals, including the ‘O’O, and plants over time. As changes came to the island so did effects on the population of the ‘O’O. Scientists studied the bird until there was only one and then none.

Each page is listed with the time period it covers and there is extensive back matter providing information on other animals and how they came to the island. While simple in text this book gives a thorough and beautiful look at a serious topic in a poignant manner.

Reviewed by MaryAnn Lopes, Elementary Librarian, Lewiston, Maine.

five-stars

The Last Boyfriends Rules for Revenge

The Last Boyfriends Rules for RevengeThe Last Boyfriends Rules for Revenge by Matthew Hubbard
on April 30, 2024
ISBN: 0593707176
Format: Young Adult
Goodreads
four-stars

Ezra’s self-esteem has been ripped to shreds through his secret relationship with closeted football player, Presley. After Presley cheats on him and Ezra’s best friends Lucas and Finley also find themselves breaking up with their boyfriends, they each devise a plan to get revenge on their exes. Through the use of an anonymous TikTok account, Ezra sets his plan into motion. Soon enough though, the social media presence takes on a much larger purpose–exposing their Alabama school district’s “Watch What You Say” policy that seeks to silence queer voices. 

One of the most endearing elements of this story is Ezra’s relationship with his Dad, who is delightfully supportive and encouraging. His Dad’s determination to get him to love himself as he is gives the story an extra injection of heart. This book will appeal to teens not just because of its LGBTQ+ themes and its dash of romance, but because it reminds them that they have the power to make significant change no matter who or where they are. The way that Ezra and his friends use civil disobedience to fight back against an administration that continually gaslights them by claiming they are on their side, threatens them, and uses the tired argument that the district’s mission is to protect family values is inspiring. There are consistent reminders to queer students throughout the book that they are enough and that they must continue to fight for visibility no matter who is trying to push them back into the closet. A call to action in our present times indeed. 

Grades 9-12

Recommended for Cream of the Crop

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

four-stars

A Place for Vanishing

A Place for VanishingA Place for Vanishing by Ann Fraistat
on January 16, 2024
ISBN: 0593382234
Genres: Horror
Format: Young Adult
Goodreads
five-stars

After a stint in the hospital following her attempted suicide and a new bipolar III diagnosis, sixteen-year-old Libby has moved into her mother’s childhood home along with her family. Known as Madame Clery’s House of Masks, this long abandoned house known for its seances has a storied past including a long history of disappearances, most notably that of her mother’s parents back when she was a young child. Libby tries to make the best of this adjustment, knowing that voicing her concerns about the house will only drive a deeper wedge between her, her mother, and her thirteen-year-old sister, Vivi. But the bug infestations, mysterious masks, odd decor, strange noises, and unsettling blue roses adorning the property are too much to ignore. Noticing the hold the house seems to have over her mother and a change in her behavior that gets creepier by the day, Libby works to uncover the house’s secrets before it’s too late. It will take all the strength she can muster, including asking for help from her infuriatingly cute neighbor, Flynn, to save her family and herself from the same fate suffered by so many before them. 

A Place for Vanishing is a deeply atmospheric tale with mental health at its core. Libby’s inner turmoil of fighting her triggers and searching to find the strength within to keep herself from falling into the despair that makes her wish she could disappear is a direct link to Madame Clery’s masks and her belief in human metamorphosis. While obvious, the weaving of the supernatural with Libby’s struggle is very well done. This page-turner offers plenty of spine-tingling, disquieting, and flat-out frightening moments, body horror, and a tiny bit of romance. Fans of gothic horror will undoubtedly gobble this one up but those with a fear of insects will want to stay far away!

Grade 8 and Up

Recommended for Cream of the Crop

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

five-stars

When We Gather: (Ostadahlisiha): A Cherokee Tribal Feast

When We Gather: (Ostadahlisiha): A Cherokee Tribal FeastWhen We Gather (Ostadahlisiha): A Cherokee Tribal Feast by Andrea L. Rogers, Madelyn Goodnight
ISBN: 0063076799
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars
This beautiful book covers so many desirable picture book categories: Indigenous knowledge and traditions, community, sustainability, family, food, caring for our elders, and so much more.

At the start of the story, a Cherokee girl welcomes the onset of spring. Details of tasks being done by different family members help set the tone, and readers will enjoy the family adventure to gather wild onions. The tale continues as everyone makes their way to the community center to help prepare a meal. Various traditional dishes are described and recipes are included in the back of the book.

In addition to the recipes, back matter includes a glossary of native words, a note to the reader, and a longer and more detailed author’s note. When We Gather was published in association with We Need Diverse Books. This selection is recommended for all libraries with picture book collections.

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta

five-stars

Work: Interviews with People Doing Jobs They Love

Work: Interviews with People Doing Jobs They LoveWork: Interviews with People Doing Jobs They Love by Julia Rothman, Shaina Feinberg
Published by Candlewick Press on December 3, 2024
ISBN: 1536232661
Pages: 64
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Work takes an inclusive and global look at a varied grouping of jobs people are doing in today’s world. The book interviews real people following their passions and doing the jobs they love. Readers will get insight into jobs such as toy shop owner, surfer,street food vendor, vegan butcher, candlestick maker, and prosthetics maker.

Each worker’s story includes information about themselves, the job they do, and why this job is important to them. Work takes a look at the day to day jobs that make the world run and shows how following your passion can lead to work that is fulfilling and rewarding as well as inspiring to others.

Ages: 6-9 years

Reviewed by MaryAnn Lopes, Elementary Librarian, Lewiston Public Schools

five-stars

Narwhal: Unicorn of the Arctic

Narwhal: Unicorn of the ArcticNarwhal: Unicorn of the Arctic by Candace Fleming, Deena So'Oteh
ISBN: 0593377788
Genres: Animals
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars
At first the second person narrative seems a bit jarring, but the reader soon settles into what life as a narwhale might be like. Rich in facts making the book both lyrical and informative. So’Oteh’s spectacular artwork seems to jump off the page, complimenting the immersing text. This book will be popular with animal lovers or as a companion book to the Narwhale & Jelly series. This book not only informs but takes you on an adventure!

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library
Nominated for Cream of the Crop

five-stars

Mr. Fox’s Game of “NO!”

Mr. Fox’s Game of “NO!”Mr. Fox's Game of No! by David LaRochelle, Mike Wohnoutka
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536229679
Genres: Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars
A hilarious interactive picture book by Geisel winner David LaRochelle, who challenges kids to answer every question with “NO”. The rules are simple: every time he asks a question, you must respond with “NO.” If you accidentally say “YES,” then it’s back to the beginning of the book for you, where you must start all over again. Some of these questions are tricky: Are you ready? (Oops!) Do you live on planet Earth?  Are you wearing any underwear? What does Y-E-S spell? Kids will giggle as they try to avoid Mr. Fox’s clever traps to the very last engineered question: “Have you ever read a funnier, better written, more beautifully illustrated book than this one?” The illustrations are comically wonderful, especially Stinkpot the water buffalo, and this will be a big hit at Story Time.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library
Nominated for Cream of the Crop

five-stars