Category: Cream of the Crop Nominees

Rise to the Sun

Rise to the SunRise to the Sun by Leah Johnson
Published by Scholastic Press on July 6, 2021
ISBN: 1338662236
Pages: 336
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Recommending for Cream of Crop consideration.  Romance and self-realization are the focus of this satisfying queer Black romance novel that takes place over three days at an open air music festival in Georgia.  Olivia and her best friend Imani are first time attendees with a promise to put their friendship first during the weekend.  Almost immediately, this promise is put in jeopardy when Olivia meets Toni and her best friend Peter, who are veterans to the festival and plan to win The Golden Apple contest so Toni can perform with the weekend headliner.  The romantic sparks fly between Olivia and Toni and the week end becomes a fun, musical adventure that dives deep into each character’s difficult life situations, reactions to each other and the heart realizations that transpire in the old and new relationships. Told in alternating chapters from Olivia and Toni’s point of view, their blossoming relationship will have romance fans swooning while issues of gun violence, nonconsensual image sharing and losing parents are interwoven in each other’s backstories in realistic ways.  A beautiful celebration of love and music.  Suggested for readers in grades 10-12.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Youth Services Librarian, Springvale Public Library

five-stars

Long Road to the Circus

Long Road to the CircusLong Road to the Circus by Betsy Bird, David Small
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers on October 5, 2021
ISBN: 0593303938
Pages: 256
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Long Road to the Circus

 

At twelve years old Suzy knows that she wants more to  life than her endless farm chores in 1920 Michigan.  One day she follows her uncle to find out why he is always appearing to be sneaking out to escape from farm work.  What Suzy finds is completely not what she expected.  Her famous neighbor, Madame Marantette, is a former circus performer who was able to escape small-town life, but then returned.

Not only does Suzy want answers, but there are ostriches, in Michigan!

Suzy begins to train a particularly ornery ostrich, Gaucho, to pull a surrey in unison with a horse, as Madame tries to break a world record and Suzy attempts to learn to ride Gaucho with a side-saddle.

This book is based on ancestors from the author’s family history, as readers learn in the final sections.

The illustrations are excellent and they tie into the text perfectly.  This book is heartedly recommended for middle graders and for Cream of the Crop.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

five-stars

The Last Loose Tooth

The Last Loose ToothThe Last Loose Tooth by Tyler Clark Burke
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on September 1, 2020
ISBN: 0593121449
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Where do baby teeth go once they fall out? Lou doesn’t know and he sure isn’t in a hurry to find out! One by one his friends fall out, until he’s the last baby tooth left with all of the “boring adults”. The teeth all have unique costumes and personalities, related to their type and position in the mouth. The Last Loose Tooth by Tyler Burke is whimsical and funny, with witty dialogue and lovely watercolor illustrations. 

This book would be perfect for younger kids who are apprehensive about losing their teeth, or change in general. The message that it will be okay is affirmed in the end when Lou joins all his old friends in the “Land of Teeth”, a sort of baby tooth nirvana, where everyone is happy to see him. Although narrated from Lou’s point of view, because multiple “characters” are speaking on each page in dialogue bubbles, it would be hard to do this as a read aloud for a large group. This book is better suited for a one on one.  A fun read for both kids and adults alike.

Recommended for ages 3-7

Lee Remick, York Middle School, York

five-stars

Amber & Clay

Amber & ClayAmber and Clay by Julia Iredale, Laura Amy Schlitz
Published by Candlewick Press on March 9, 2021
ISBN: 1536201227
Pages: 544
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Fiction in Verse/Poetry, Folklore
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Set in ancient Greece, “Amber and Clay” by Laura Amy Schlitz crafts an epic tale of two children from very different worlds. Rhaskos is born into slavery by his captive Thracian noble-born mother and has fire-red hair. Melisto, the child of a wealthy Athenian, is despised by her mother for her plain appearance, untamable spirit, and curiosity. In a twist of fate, Rhaskos’ slave mother is sold to a new owner and becomes Melisto’s personal slave. Now motherless, Rhaskos finds comfort in the stables. His time with the horses reveals he has a gift from the gods for art. Melisto is sent to serve the goddess Artemis. As the characters develop and grow, they face numerous challenges including abuse, neglect, and death.

As the story weaves back and forth, the stories of the children become intertwined in surprising ways. Throughout the book, there are historical facts about Greek artifacts, commentaries from the gods, and Rhaskos even develops a friendship with Sokrates.

“Amber and Clay” is thoroughly engaging and should be considered for Cream of the Crop.

Best suited for ages 10 and up.

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

five-stars

When We Say Black Lives Matter

When We Say Black Lives MatterWhen We Say Black Lives Matter by Maxine Beneba Clarke
Published by Candlewick Press on September 7, 2021
ISBN: 1536222380
Pages: 32
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Profound and beautiful in text and illustration this book stands out and will attract all readers.  Clarke tells a historic story which comprises many periods of protest highlighting the current Black Lives Matter Movement.  Through the view of one family, she shares the struggles, pain, and development of the movement.  As the child he/she learns to share in the respect of all Black people, to step out of the shadows, and to stand up for change.   While the text is powerful it is the illustrations that jump off the page and arose a deep emotional response.  Having been drawn in watercolor pencils the colors are vibrant and evoke deep emotion.  The binding is sewn in three sections, insuring its long life of usage by students and families.

This book belongs in all primary school media centers, public libraries,  art classrooms, and in homes all over the world. As the holidays approach this reader would like to note that When We Say Black Lives Matter would be an excellent holiday gift for families with children 6-8

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired youth services librarian in Scarborough, ME

Suggested for Cream of the Crop.

five-stars

Eyes that Kiss In the Corners

Eyes that Kiss In the CornersEyes that Kiss in the Corners by Dung Ho, Joanna Ho
Published by HarperCollins on January 5, 2021
ISBN: 9780062915627
Pages: 34
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

A young Asian girl realizes that her eyes are different than her classmates. Instead of having big eyes with long lashes, hers “kiss in the corners and glow like warm tea.” This story is not only a tale of self-acceptance, it also honors her heritage as she realizes she shares her eye shape with beloved women – her Mama, Amah, and little sister Mei-Mei. The lyrical text and expressive, illustrations ooze with familial love. It features lots of Chinese imagery and mythology, including references to Guanyin, the Monkey King, the Jade Rabbit, dragons, phoenixes, and flowers like peonies and lotuses. It encourages pride in your heritage and the ways that make you different.  Share this book with preschool and primary  age children and the things that make them different. (Interestingly, the only male in the book is a small boy in the background on the playground.)

five-stars

The Legend of Hobart

The Legend of HobartThe Legend of Hobart by Heather Mullaly
Published by Favored Oak Press on July 26, 2021
ISBN: 9781736477397
Pages: 92
Genres: Adventure
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Set in a mythical medieval fantasy world amid a backdrop of castles, dragons, and damsels in distress. Tired of being teased about his name and his stutter, twelve-year-old Hobart wants to do heroic deeds and earn a place in Knight School. He sets out on a most daring quest to kill a dragon. Along the way he meets several strange and endearing characters.  Hobart’s honesty and self-deprecation will have readers relating to his failures and disappointments. When he begins to sense the needs and desires of others, he becomes more compassionate and self-confident. His quest takes readers on a journey that is entertaining and inspiring. Good pacing and humor will keep readers engaged. Recommended for reluctant readers because it is only 90 pages and a it’s a rolicking good story.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

See the Dog: Three Stories About a Cat

See the Dog: Three Stories About a CatSee the Dog: Three Stories about a Cat by David LaRochelle
Published by Candlewick Press on September 14, 2021
ISBN: 9781536216295
Pages: 64
Genres: Humor
Format: Early Reader
Goodreads
five-stars

Sequel to See the Cat: Three Stories About a Dog,  winner of Theodor Seuss Geisel Award. This one may be even better! Beginning readers will enjoy the three vignettes of Cat subbing for Dog.  This is the perfect easy reader with simple, repetitive phrases, clever plot line, and humor. Mike Wohnoutka’s cartoonish illustrations are a fabulous contribution to the story. This book will appeal to Elephant and Piggie fans. (And who isn’t?!)

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

Pony

PonyPony by R. J. Palacio
Published by Random House Children's Books on September 28, 2021
ISBN: 9780553508116
Pages: 304
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Historical Fiction
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

A rip-roaring adventure, western, historical fiction with paranormal elements. Then there is the mystery about his beloved father’s dark past. Twelve-year-old Silas is awoken in the night by three menacing horsemen who take his father away. Silas is left alone except for the presence of his companion, Mittenwool, who happens to be a ghost. Then a pony shows up and Silas decides to go find his father. Good character development and a strong setting throughout. History, literature, and science of the day are essential to the story so probably best suited for middle school.  Also violence and gore are plentiful, with gunplay, hand-to-hand-combat, grievous wounds, and lost limbs. Multiple characters die. Palacio provides extensive references for further reading in the afterword. Atmospheric daguerreotypes front each chapter.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

Mambo Mucho Mambo! the Dance that crossed color lines

Mambo Mucho Mambo! the Dance that crossed color lines¡Mambo Mucho Mambo! the Dance That Crossed Color Lines by Dean Robbins, Eric Velásquez
Published by Candlewick Press on November 2, 2021
ISBN: 1536206083
Pages: 40
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Recommending for Cream of the Crop Consideration.  This non-fiction picture book hits all the right beats and rhythms for an introduction to the historical significance of the Mambo for young readers in grades 1-3.  Set in Spanish Harlem in the 1940’s, Robbins provides an overview of the birth of Latin Jazz and how dancing mambo at the Palladium Ballroom broke the race rules of the 40’s.  Millie loved to dance to jazz music in her Italian neighborhood and Pedro snapped and jiggled to the Latin songs in his Puerto Rican Neighborhood.  When they meet at the Palladium and dance to Machito and the Afro-Cuban’s in 1948, they find their future as the United States’ best Mambo dance team as a mixed-race couple.  Velasquez’s oil paint illustrations show movement, expression, energy and will inspire readers to yell “Mambo!”.  Robbins provides the minimal amount of text to explain the difficult race relations of that time period which marries well with the energy of the full page spreads.  An author’s note and resource list is provided in the back.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Youth Services Librarian, Springvale Public Library

 

five-stars