Category: Cream of the Crop Nominees

The Sea in Winter

The Sea in WinterThe Sea in Winter by Christine Day
Published by Heartdrum on January 5, 2021
ISBN: 0062872044
Pages: 250
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Maisie Cannon loves ballet — it’s what she loves doing most. When a knee injury stops her dancing, she feels hopeless and lost. She’s not at all looking forward to her family’s winter road trip up the coast near the Makah community where her mother grew up. She loves learning about her Native history, but she’s struggling to keep a strong face on when inside she’s full of turmoil and anxiety. A potential reinjury of her knee while hiking on their trip sets her over the edge, and all her emotions come spilling out. She reconnects with her family, and finds some wonderful coping strategies to help her through this difficult time.

This is a beautiful book about family, depression, anxiety, and finding oneself when what that looks like seems to be changing. Maisie has many of the same struggles that middle schoolers have, and kids will relate to that. The story is well written, engaging, and easy to follow and includes some education about Indigenous Cultures as well. Recommended for readers 4th grade and up and for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

five-stars

Sheepish (Wolf Under Cover)

Sheepish (Wolf Under Cover)Sheepish (Wolf Under Cover) by Helen Yoon
Published by Candlewick Press on January 12, 2021
ISBN: 1536207322
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

A wolf is hatching a plan—disguise himself as a sheep, get the sheep to trust him, and then….but wait. The sheep like him. He decides he can’t do it and retreats to his den where he studies alternative meat sources and even vegetarianism. When the sheep unexpectedly appear at his door dressed like wolves and telling him they miss him, the story comes full circle.

This sparsely worded book is adorable. The illustrations are high color, full of emotion and humor, and really help carry the story. Without the illustrations, the text isn’t enough. Some aspects may require explanation for the youngest readers, but overall this is an easy to follow story. Recommended for readers 3 and up and for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

five-stars

Poojo’s Got Wheels

Poojo’s Got WheelsPoojo's Got Wheels by Charrow
Published by Candlewick Press on March 16, 2021
ISBN: 1536210366
Pages: 32
Genres: Adventure, Animals
Goodreads
five-stars

An action filled romp yet a charming and sweet story, Poojo’s Got Wheels is sure to please.  Born with only front legs this adorable dog learns to use a specifically built wagon that minimizes his disability.  This story centers around the big-hearted and self-confident character who shows all readers how to maintain their smile and positive attitudes.    The illustrations are joyful and action packed surrounded by lots of white space.  The cast of characters includes all breeds of dogs and neighborhood wildlife. Certainly, young audiences will most appreciate the double page spread featuring the costume parade.

This is a delightful book in both storyline and illustration.  Public Librarians will want to add to their preschool collections and use for story programs.   School media specialist and social workers will find Poojo’s Got Wheels to be an excellent addition to collections dealing with disabilities.  This preschool to grade 1 book is nominated to the Cream of the Crop collection.

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

five-stars

Red, White, and Whole

Red, White, and WholeRed, White, and Whole by Gordon Korman, Rajani LaRocca
Published by Balzer + Bray, Quill Tree Books on February 2, 2021
ISBN: 006304742X
Pages: 224
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Reha is Indian American, and she feels torn between being true to her family and her heritage while fitting in with the other kids at school. When her mother becomes ill, Reha is determined to help heal her. As Reha struggles with her mother’s illness and dire prognosis, she realizes how she relies on her friends to help her.

This is a beautifully written own voices novel in verse. The text flows seamlessly through a difficult subject and plot line. Reha is relatable as she struggles with many issues typical of any middle schooler. She’s also deeply devoted to her family and her Indian heritage. Navigating these two identities is at the core of this book about family, friendship, loss, and finding oneself. Recommended for readers 4th grade and up and for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

five-stars

Over the Shop

Over the ShopOver the Shop by JonArno Lawson, Qin Leng
Published by Candlewick Press on January 5, 2021
ISBN: 1536201472
Pages: 48
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

A young girl and a curmudgeonly looking older woman live at and own a general store. The woman decides to attempt to rent the apartment over the shop, but the apartment has boarded-up windows and is in a general state of disrepair. They show the apartment to many potential tenants, and all quickly leave. Just when they’re about to give up, a young biracial couple asks to see the apartment and decides to move in right away. Able to look past the cracks and dirt, the couple sees the potential in the apartment and in the community. They fix it up, and their efforts begin to spread. They paint the outside of the general store, they add flower boxes, and suddenly the neighbor is seen painting his front door. Their generosity and kindness is spreading and helping to build community.

This wordless picture book is a wonderful story of taking chances, kindness, community, and believing in the good in the world. The ink and watercolor illustrations are beautifully rendered to show all the detail and emotion necessary to carry a story with no text. It is clear that potential tenants left quickly and that some of them left angry. The unending hope and belief in the possibility of something good the young girl shows is evident throughout. The shift from more muted and drab color to more bright colors toward the end makes clear the shift in the community spirit as they all work together to clean up and form bonds. Recommended for readers 4 and up and for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

five-stars

Amari and the Night Brothers

Amari and the Night BrothersAmari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston
Published by Balzer + Bray on January 19, 2021
ISBN: 0062975161
Pages: 416
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Amari Peters has always loved her older brother, Quinton, and when he mysteriously goes missing, she refuses to believe anything other than that he’s alive and still out there. Amari discovers a strange suitcase in her brother’s room, and it turns out he’s nominated her for a special summer camp he attended for years before his disappearance. What Amari discovers is that her brother was a part of the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs, and now she’s been nominated to join their ranks as well. Upon arrival at The Bureau, Amari learns her brother was among the most talented agents The Bureau has ever seen. She also discovers she has very strong magical powers that some people aren’t very excited about. Amari’s fate at The Bureau is inextricably linked to her brother, and along with some new friends, she embarks on a challenging quest to find and rescue him.

This book is so much more than a girl searching for her brother. Amari and her family live in subsidized housing, and she’s been bullied at school in the past. This book covers topics like racial and socioeconomic inequality, friendship, the Black experience, bullying, and it does so with grace and ease. It is a fast paced, action packed, character driven story that will keep readers engaged and waiting with great anticipation for the sequel. Recommended for readers 4th grade and up, hand this to Harry Potter fans. Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

five-stars

The Rock From The Sky

The Rock From The SkyThe Rock from the Sky by Jon Klassen
Published by Candlewick Press on April 13, 2021
ISBN: 1536215627
Pages: 96
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

I will never, ever get tired of deadpanning, hat-wearing, animals. I hope Klassen goes with this theme forever. In his newest book, which is broken down into small chapters, a turtle (in a bowler) has a favorite spot that is challenged by an armadillo (also in a bowler) and a snake (in a beret).  Basically, the animals just discuss spots they like to be in and then there’s a twist or two. His stories are so simple and funny and well written and his illustrations are so subtle and unique and also funny; I can’t gush about him enough. Recommended for everyone.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars

Milo Imagines the World

Milo Imagines the WorldMilo Imagines the World by Christian Robinson, Matt de la Pena
Published by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers on February 2, 2021
ISBN: 0399549080
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Young Milo and his sister ride the subway together in anticipation of something exciting. To pass the time Milo draws pictures of the other subway riders and what he imagines their lives are like. The lives vary; some are troubled, some are amazing. When they reach their stop Milo notices another subway rider going to the same destination he is and realizes that you never know what we might have in common with other people. This causes him to reevaluate the lives he has envisioned for the others.  This is an excellent book for not only kids but for all of us that need to be reminded that you never know what someone might be struggling with and that we might have more common ties than we realize to complete strangers. Illustrated as wonderfully as ever by Christian Robinson.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Curtis Memorial Library, Brunswick

five-stars

She Caught the Light: Williamina Stevens Fleming Astronomer

She Caught the Light: Williamina Stevens Fleming AstronomerShe Caught the Light: Williamina Stevens Fleming: Astronomer by Julianna Swaney, Kathryn Lasky
Published by HarperCollins on January 19, 2021
ISBN: 0062849301
Pages: 40
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads

Williamina Stevens  Fleming, a woman whose love of the stars and determination to study them is the focus of Kathryn Lasky’s latest book. Fleming , daughter of a Scottish photographer was fascinated by her father’s work and the stars. She worked in the household of Professor Edward  Pickering, director of the Harvard College Observatory, and became his student. With her background in photography, she was able to identify the chemical elements of each star that was photographed. She was  ultimately  able to create a map of the universe.  Pickering, so impressed, hired more women to compute the light of stars at a time when women were not even permitted to look through the lens of a telescope. In 1898, she was appointed curator of astronomical photographs , the first woman to be given an official title at Harvard University. Her work and that of her fellow “human computers” paved the way not only for women but for the advancement of astronomy.

Lasky introduces Williamina’s story  with text easily understandable and that text is supported by bright , inviting illustrations done in pencil and watercolor. She has also included a time line, author’s note and glossary.

Use this in units about astronomy, women in science and Women’s History Month

grades 3-6

submitted by Kathy George, Gray Public Library, Gray Maine

Consider for Cream

 

Kate in Waiting

Kate in WaitingKate in Waiting by Becky Albertalli
Published by Balzer + Bray on April 20, 2021
ISBN: 0062643835
Pages: 400
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

High school juniors, Kate and Anderson have been best friends forever. They do theater together, spend all their free time together, and crush on guys together. That usually bonds them together even more. Until Matt Olsson, their crush from theater camp enrolls in their school. When both Kate and Anderson start to develop real feelings for Matt, they find themselves drifting apart over jealousy of the other. Kate gets to act with Matt in the play, but Anderson seems to be spending a lot of free time with him. Which one does Matt actually like? And will Kate and Anderson’s friendship survive this last shared crush? Most characters assumed white but Anderson is black. Authentic emotions and dialogue as well as endearing charm are highlights.  Albertalli has again created characters that you’ll love and root for. This will be in demand for Albertalli fans, along with fans of Adam Silvera, Nicola Yoon, and Nina Lacour. Recommended for ages 13+.

Reviewed by  Kara Reiman, Maine State Library

five-stars