Category: Cream of the Crop Nominees

Flying Over Water

Flying Over WaterFlying Over Water by N.H. Senzai, Shannon Hitchcock
Published by Scholastic Press on October 20, 2020
ISBN: 1338617664
Pages: 272
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

What if you were a refugee who finally arrived safely in Tampa, Florida, but your best friend drowned during her trip? What if you’re a champion swimmer who suddenly panics during a meet? What if these two middle school girls’ lives connect and they help each other be brave? Then you’d have a successful book about friendship and courage like “Flying Over Water”.

This chapter book, told in alternate voices of the two girls, intertwines refugee history, current events (such as the 2017 mosque arson in Tampa) and challenges in a sensitive but not too political manner.  Author notes are as interesting as the book for background info, which may invite readers to find out more about any of the possible threads that hold this fictional account together. The ending acknowledges that there will always be challenges, but hope and determination, especially among friends, will help one deal with whatever tomorrow or next week or next year will bring.

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

five-stars

Lightfall: The Girl and the Galdurian

Lightfall: The Girl and the GaldurianThe Girl & the Galdurian (Lightfall, #1) by Tim Probert
Published by HarperAlley on September 1, 2020
ISBN: 0062990470
Pages: 247
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
five-stars

The set-up graphic novel to what promises to be a dazzling graphic novel series. While in the forest, Bea meets Cad, a Galdurian in search of help from the Pig Wizard. Turns out, Bea is his granddaughter so she brings Cad to Salty Pig’s Tonics and Tinctures to meet the Pig Wizard. Unfortunately, her grandfather has remembered that the Seal of the Restless Sleeper needs to be checked and it’s his job to do it. In the note to Bea, her grandfather explains that he doesn’t seem to know exactly where the Seal is. Bea and Cad decide to set out and find him as Bea is sure that he will surely need help. This is the setup for the perfect quest graphic novel. In crisply drawn panels with a palette of rusts and teals, the two reluctant adventurers face strange creatures and precarious situations. This first volume ends on a mighty cliffhanger that promises more adventures, and these will be eagerly snapped up by readers. Recommend for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Merrill Library, Yarmouth

five-stars

Can You See Me?

Can You See Me?Can You See Me? by Libby Scott, Rebecca Westcott
Published by Scholastic Press on March 3, 2020
ISBN: 1338608916
Pages: 362
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Tally is an autistic 6th grader, and she’s dreading many things about starting school—scratchy uniforms, changing schedules, being without her friends in all her classes. Until now, Tally has never been ashamed of being autistic. It’s part of what makes her the person she is. When she starts 6th grade, though, she’s the brunt of a fair amount of bullying, and it makes her keenly aware of her differences. Suddenly, she feels as if she needs to fit into a mold that doesn’t feel quite right.

This is a wonderful #OwnVoices book co-written by a young autistic girl, Libby Scott. The way Tally expresses her autism and what it means for her really brings to light some of the often misunderstood aspects of autism. The story is relatable, well paced, and easy to read. Recommended for readers 4th grade and up and for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

five-stars

The Boy and the Gorilla

The Boy and the GorillaThe Boy and the Gorilla by Cindy Derby, Jackie Azúa Kramer
Published by Candlewick Press on October 13, 2020
ISBN: 0763698326
Pages: 48
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

A young boy is mourning the death of his mother. He begins a relationship with an imaginary gorilla who helps him process his emotions and who answers many questions young kids have about death in general. The gorilla helps the boy to know it’s ok to be sad, and that the things the boy once enjoyed with his mother will eventually feel less sad and instead a way to remember the good times he had with his mom.

The text is simple and clear. The gorilla’s text is italicized so it’s clear who is talking. the mixed media illustrations are simply gorgeous and carry the heavy emotion of the book with ease. The gorilla exudes kindness and empathy while simultaneously being strong. This is a wonderful book on a very difficult topic. Recommended for wide purchase, for Cream of the Crop, and for readers of all ages dealing with grief.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

five-stars

Taking Up Space

Taking Up SpaceTaking Up Space by Alyson Gerber
Published by Scholastic Inc. on May 18, 2021
ISBN: 1338186000
Pages: 272
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Taking Up Space by Alyson Gerber

 

Sarah is a 12-year-old 7th grader who isn’t getting enough to eat, even though her family makes plenty of money.  Sarah loves basketball but she is also maturing and growing and her body isn’t the same.  Her mother has issues of her own with food and these have spilled over to Sarah having disordered eating.  Besides her eating problems, Sarah has a best friend with whom she is having issues over a boy, two girls on the basketball team who dislike her, and a cooking contest that may change Sarah’s life; if she can stand the stress.

Sarah finally is seen by her Guidance Counselor who gives excellent advice and encourages Sarah and her whole family to see therapists.  This was one of my favorite parts where therapy was seen as such a positive way to learn to accept yourself.

Sarah and her teammates and friends were so authentically middle schoolers with their concerns and thoughts.  This book is recommended for Cream of the Crop and for students in grades 4-7.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

five-stars

Good Girl, Bad Blood

Good Girl, Bad BloodGood Girl, Bad Blood (A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, #2) by Holly Jackson
Published by Delacorte Press on March 2, 2021
ISBN: 1984896407
Pages: 416
Genres: Mystery, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Pippa Fitz-Amobi is back with more mystery in the sequel to A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder. We join Pippa about 6 months after the end of GGGM. After the last case took over and threatened her life, she has sworn off investigating. But her friend Connor has begged her to help find his missing brother, Jamie. After the police do nothing, Pip has no choice but to dive in. This new mystery includes a lot of familiar characters and introduces us to a few new community members. During the investigation, Pip finds herself ruminating on what makes a person good or bad and how to figure out who you truly are. During this case, her audience starts to turn on her, claiming she’s faking the missing person to get sponsorships for her true crime podcast. Alas, it’s all too real and Jackson takes us to a surprising and dark ending. Recommended for all teen collections. Best for ages 14+.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Maine State Library

five-stars

Breaking the Ice: The True Story of the First Woman to Play in the National Hockey League

Breaking the Ice: The True Story of the First Woman to Play in the National Hockey LeagueBreaking the Ice: The True Story of the First Woman to Play in the National Hockey League by Angie Bullaro, C.F. Payne
Published by Simon Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books on October 20, 2020
ISBN: 1534425578
Pages: 40
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Score another goal for the girls! Inspiring story of following one’s dreams with determination even when they say, “It can’t be done.” Canadian Manon Rheaume becomes the only female to play in the National Hockey League, or any of the four major North American leagues.

Pane’s slightly caricature style is here on large, double-page spreads with text carefully placed. Afterword, Time Line, and Fun Facts round out the details of Manon’s life and dreams fulfilled.

Great to use with elementary students and excellent addition to any female studies or sports section.

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

five-stars

Happy Birthday, Maisy!

Happy Birthday, Maisy!Happy Birthday, Maisy: Mini Edition (Maisy) by Lucy Cousins
Published by Candlewick on January 26, 2004
ISBN: 0763624543
Pages: 14
Genres: Animals, Fantasy
Format: Board Book
Goodreads
five-stars

Can you believe that Maisy is 30?? This mini-edition, lift-the-flap and pull-tab book for little hands celebrates her birthday in typical Maisy style. If you’re a Maisy fan, what’s not to love?

Purchase for all your little ones!!!

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

five-stars

R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul

R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of SoulR-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul by Carole Boston Weatherford, Frank Morrison
Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers on August 25, 2020
ISBN: 1534452281
Pages: 48
Genres: Biography/Autobiography, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Whether you’re a music lover or civil-rights defender, you’ll find this inspirational overview of Aretha Franklin’s life a meaningful and inspirational read.

Narrative poetry is always a challenge, but here it works as smoothly and rhythmically as Franklin’s voice itself. Using the spelling out of words method, each two-line stanza is headed with an important word: B-L-E-S-S-E-D, G-I-F-T-E-D, V-O-I-C-E, etc.  This book could only be improved with it’s own soundtrack and a few photos.

Illustrations (Frank Morrison) are big and bold, reflecting the big and bold influence of Aretha Franklin in real life.

Another book to add to your women, Black history, or music shelves for middle and upper elementary levels!

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

five-stars

Non Stop

Non StopNonstop by Tomi Ungerer
Published by Phaidon Press on September 16, 2020
ISBN: 183866159X
Pages: 48
Genres: Adventure
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

It isn’t often that I see a picture book that reads like a dystopian nightmare but here we are. Ungerer is wonderful in that you never really know what you’re going to get when you open one of his books and in Non Stop you have no idea what you’re going to get page to page. A man named Vasco is apparently a straggler after what might have been a cataclysmic event that forced people to move to the moon. He is repeatedly rescued by his own shadow from tragedy. After he adopts a young creature named Poco, they both evade disaster and end up living in a cake. I absolutely love this book. It’s somewhat alarming with its references to climate change, isolation and pollution but it will present multiple opportunities to discuss these things that might be weighing on young children. The end is reassuring and even if no discussion arises, it’s a provocative story with striking illustrations.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars