Category: Cream of the Crop Nominees

The Library of Unusual Treasures

The Library of Unruly Treasures by Jeanne Birdsall
Published by Alfred A. Knopf on 8/5/25
ISBN: 9780525579045
Genres: Magical Realism
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Gwen is forced by her terrible parents to spend her summer outside of Boston with her Uncle Matthew, whom she has never met, and his unusual dog Pumpkin.  She quickly realizes her uncle is nothing like her parents- he loves her and cares what she thinks and feels.  Gwen knows this is going to be a great summer.  Things get even better (and weirder!) when she starts hearing and seeing fairy-like creatures called Lahdukan at the library nearby. The Lahdukan are tiny and usually can only be seen by young children, but Gwen learns she is special and will take on the important role of protecting the Lahdukan, if she can only be brave enough to overcome her fears. She is faced with a big challenge she must complete by herself- without getting caught.

Elementary students will love this book. Gwen is a relatable and likeable character who readers will be pulling for.  The elements of magical realism are fun and not overwhelming. It’s perfect for kids who like realistic fiction.  There is enough danger and action to keep the pace of the novel moving and enough magic to keep it fun.  There are black and white drawings throughout the book that add to its whimsy.  This book is highly recommended for any elementary school or public library.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

five-stars

Amelia, if Only

Amelia, if OnlyAmelia, If Only by Becky Albertalli
Published by Harper on June 10, 2025
ISBN: 0063045923
Pages: 295
Genres: Humor, LGBTQ+, Realistic Fiction, Romance
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Amelia might have a parasocial crush on Walter Holland, the somewhat famous bisexual teenage star of his own YouTube channel, whose coming out video made her feel seen properly for the first time. But really, her friends don’t have to make such a big deal of it, right? After all, it’s not like he took her up on her singing Instagram post inviting him to prom (cringe!)

But then Walter announces he’s going to be doing a live meet-and-greet at nearby(ish) Blackwell College, and Amelia rallies her three best friends – twins Mark and Natalie, and Zora – to take a pre-graduation long weekend road trip. Because surely, if she could just meet him for real, it would be obvious how perfect they’d be together.

Except…Walter might not actually be the person causing the butterflies in Amelia’s stomach. It is possible he has been a fun distraction for her real feelings for Natalie. And now that Nat’s on-again-off-again girlfriend is out of the picture, Amelia might just be facing those feelings head on.

Albertalli’s fans will not be disappointed in her latest rom-com starring a group of queer teens. Four of the five primary characters identify as bisexual, one as lesbian, and a minor character is nonbinary; Amelia and the twins are Jewish, Zora is Black. Amelia describes herself as “medium fat” but in a way that indicates overall feelings of body positivity. Social media plays a large role in the teens’ lives, and there is ample discussion about both the positives and negatives of that; time is spent looking at the big picture of online fandom, and how impactful it can be for both influencers and followers.

Those who enjoyed Imogen, Obviously will recognize the setting of Blackwell College and a few familiar characters who make a cameo. Amelia is an endearing protagonist coming to terms with her feelings for her best friend, and secondary characters are well rounded. An easy book to recommend for teens looking for a charming and fun read relevant to the times.

5 stars, cream nominee

– Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library

five-stars

Hilwa’s Gifts

Hilwa’s GiftsHilwa's Gifts by Anait Semirdzhyan, Safa Suleiman
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536229423
Genres: Cultural / African American, Family, Gardening, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
Ali is visiting his family in Palestine – his first ever visit during the olive harvest. Above all, Ali is so excited to see Hilwa, his most beloved olive tree, immediately running to climb on her branches and sit in her shade. Ali is surprised to learn how olives are harvested by whacking the branches, and reluctantly learns to accept the technique after trying to pick Hilwa’s olives by hand (one by one). The whole family pitches in with the harvest – singing, clapping, and dancing along the way. The olives from the tree bring many gifts – from oil to soap, and everyone comes together to celebrate the harvest with a delicious picnic. Best of all, Ali comes home with a cutting to grow his own olive tree. Complete with an Arabic glossary and author’s note, this story is a joyous celebration of Palestinian culture, and is recommended for any picture book collection. The sketchy/watercolor illustrations create depth on each page and are full of life. Recommended for ages 6 to 7 (Grades 1 to 2). Cream of the crop nominee.

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

five-stars

Willow and the Wildflowers

Willow and the WildflowersWillow and the Wildflowers by Matthew Schufman
ISBN: 0593648307
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Emotions & Feelings
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
Willow is afraid of everything. She gets invitations to go to cool things like pool parties and dances, but declines because of her many fears (like water and the dark). Until one day she gets an invitation for something she simply can’t refuse – wild flower fields blooming for one week only. Willow loves flowers so much that she decides to embark on the long journey to see them. Throughout her journey, she encounters many of her fears. However, she also meets new friends who reassure her at each step of the way. A lovely story for any reader, but especially helpful for kids suffering from fears or anxiety. The illustrations are incredibly fun and vibrant. Recommended for ages 5 to 7 (Kindergarten to 2nd Grade).

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

five-stars

Let Them Stare

Let Them StareLet Them Stare by Jonathan Van Ness, Julie Murphy
Published by Harper Collins / STORYTIDE ISBN: 0063346249
Genres: Romance, Supernatural
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars
Sully, a gender non-conforming recent high school grad, is more than ready to leave their small town behind for a big-city internship where they/them pronouns aren’t a constant explanation (not to mention a constant source of social friction). Leaving their loving and supportive mom and two best friends will be hard, but saying goodbye to a town that doesn’t understand gender beyond the binary is a freedom worth the sacrifice.

Having sold their car to Brad, the town’s only other out gay kid (a boy who managed to fit in with the bro boys despite being gay, so has never been a particular friend), given up their cool thrift school job and said goodbye to friends and family at their farewell party, Sully wakes up the next morning to find their internship with a social media fashion influencer has been cancelled.

Sully is suddenly stuck in Hearst, Pennsylvania with no car, no cash, and no job. They head to the thrift store to find that their position has already been filled. But as they are leaving, they find a gorgeous vintage bag in the back room – something recently donated. Something not yet assessed. Something….fabulous. Suspecting that they’ve found a genuine treasure, Sully buys the bag, determined to get it valued, sold, and bankrolling their move to NYC.

And that’s when things…take a turn. Once home and in their bedroom, Sully opens the bag and out floats an absurdly handsome…ghost. Rufus is the ghost of a drag performer from the 1950’s who can’t remember how he died and who also seems to be the one, er, being who can really understand what Sully is going through right now. What follows is a madcap romp through the ridiculous (a suave “female impersonator” is living in Sully’s purse with opinions for every occasion), the sweet (so, Brad is kinda cute, and awfully sweet the way he’ll drive Sully around everywhere, even if he won’t sell the car back), and the sobering (turns out the small town of Hearst does have a significant queer history after all, and it’s not only impactful for Sully’s future, but very tied up in Rufus’ past, and death).

While the premise of this book places it a bit outside realistic fiction, the story itself is very, very grounded in the reality of what it means to be seen for who you are, and to live your best and happiest life. Also, less happily, what it can cost to be your truest self in a world that does not want to see it. Sully is an absolute star; supporting characters are well defined and three dimensional, readers will believe in and root for Rufus. Tears might be shed. A fabulous addition to library shelves on many levels – pure fun, but also for the queer history and representation; while we’ve seen an increase in books with gay, lesbian and bi characters in recent years, there’s not as many with nonbinary representation. Authors Jonathan Van Ness and Julie Murphy have created something truly wonderful. Also a shout-out for the fabulous cover – you’ll have to read the book to find out about the dinosaur, however…

Five stars & cream nominee

– Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library

five-stars

At Last She Stood: How Joey Guerrero Spied, Survived, and Fought For Freedom

At Last She Stood: How Joey Guerrero Spied, Survived, and Fought For FreedomAt Last She Stood: How Joey Guerrero Spied, Survived, and Fought for Freedom by Erin Entrada Kelly
Published by Greenwillow Books on 5/6/25
ISBN: 0063218909
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars
At Last She Stood tells the story of Josefina “Joey” Guerrero, a diminutive and devout  Filipina woman who exemplified bravery her entire life.   She was diagnosed with Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease right before the start of World War II.  Thinking she was going to die, she became a guerrilla fighter in Manila to help the Allies defeat the Japanese Army who had taken over the island.  Her bravery and determination saved many lives, including those at internment camps.  After the war, Joey was forced to go to a leper colony where she faced inhumane conditions.  Never one to give up, Joey advocated for better conditions and worked to make the lives of the people at the colony better.  Eventually Joey was able to get special permission to travel to Carville, a facility in Louisiana that treated Hansen’s disease, where she spent almost ten years.

This nonfiction book is part biography of a faithful, inspirational woman and part history book.  There is a lot of background information presented that puts Joey’s life in context, so readers will learn about big concepts like World War II and leprosy as well as other relevant topics like propaganda and colonialism.  Original maps and photographs are included throughout the book, making Joey’s story more real for readers.  This book would be a great addition to any library serving 5th-8th graders.  It not only tells the story of an amazing woman people should know about, but also presents readers with historical information they might not learn about in the classroom.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

five-stars

Natterjack Toad Makes a Mighty Crunch

Natterjack Toad Makes a Mighty CrunchGenres: Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
five-stars
Natterjack Toad, dressed in a yellow shirt, red and yellow-striped shorts, and carrying a picnic basket, only wants to find the perfect place to eat his favorite snack: “CHOCOLATE-CHUNK CRUNCHY-MUNCH COOKIES.” However, their loud crunch will alert his whereabouts to predators so he has to keep moving to a different location from the pond, to the meadow, to the forest. When he ignores the warning and makes a mighty crunch that alerts the wild hog, he saves himself (and the mole and the vole) by giving up his package of cookies. There is a happy ending, but I won’t spoil it for you.

This humorous book is a delightful readaloud. The illustrations are large and bold and add to the silliness of the story. Three insect pals (a firefly, a dragonfly, and a beret-wearing worm) are fun to spot on the pages

I never heard the word “natterjack” before (Isn’t it delightful?!) so I looked it up. A natterjack toad is a small European toad which has a bright yellow stripe down its back. The author lives in England.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

Nominated for Cream of the Crop

five-stars

Something Good

Something Goodby Kenneth Kraegel
Published by Candlewick Genres: Fantasy, Humor, Mental Health
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
five-stars
Reminiscent of Alexander, this unnamed girl is having a very bad day and wishes for things to turn around. They do when she finds a found gift of magic socks. It gets even better when a friend joins in on the fun, and then, after a while, they pass the socks along to another child, “someone who needed the socks more than we did.”

I loved the quirky humor from the first sentence – “This morning I woke up with a chicken on my head.” – to the found gift of magic socks which enables her to fly!  Simple text complimented by simple illustrations in colored pencil, gouache, and ink. This will be a big hit at Story Time.  A subtle lesson that even bad days can get better.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

Nominated for Cream of the Crop

five-stars

Chick, Chick, Chick, Chick, Chicken!

Chick, Chick, Chick, Chick, Chicken!Chick, Chick, Chick, Chick, Chicken! by Nanette Regan, Vivian French
ISBN: 1536239054
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars
This title is eggs-cellent and met all my ex-peck-tations for a story about chickens. Okay, I’ll stop now. Vivian French has created a picture book that deftly combines a simple narrative about Juliet and her younger brother Bob visiting their grandfather at his suburban oasis with concise facts about chickens that will have readers clucking with joy. Sorry, can’t stop.

Juliet is a young girl, about seven-years old, who is familiar with her grandfather’s chickens. As they stroll about the yard, much information about chickens is conveyed in the dialogue between the characters, in a conversational tone that never appears artificial.

Each page contains text, charming mixed media illustrations by Nanette Regan, and a factoid related to the narrative. The facts are in boldface capital letters and a very different typeface from the narrative, so the reader can easily discern the story from the information. The layout and design of the pages allows the story to flow. 

This is an ideal book for audiences between ages 4-8. It works well as a read-aloud for younger children and readers will enjoy gaining knowledge about chickens. Try it in September for National Poultry Month or anytime an eggs-traordinarily good read-aloud is needed. Stopping now.  

 Highly recommended for school and public libraries.

 Deanna Contrino, SLMS/MILS
K-2 School Resource Librarian, Scarborough Schools

five-stars

Fairy Walk

Fairy WalkFairy Walk by Gaia Cornwall
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536230715
Genres: Adventure, Nature
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars
At the start of this delightful romp, three children of different ages, genders, and skin tones, are pulling on rain boots, packing provisions and preparing for a day in the woods that includes snacks, binoculars, and a magnifying glass. There will be some frisson as readers realize that the adults are staying home and this trio of friends (and the family dog) are taking a rainy-day outing, unaccompanied by grown-ups, to look for fairies in the woods.

Cornwall employs active, rhythmic, onomatopoeic prose  that engages all the senses (“Wriggle, tickle quick! Slip.”) as the characters explore the woods. They look high and low, noticing many of the gifts of nature (salamanders under logs, rolypoly bugs under moss) as they search without luck, for the illusive fairies. Their visible frustration at not finding the fairies will provide entertainment for readers who have been spotting fairies hiding in plain sight (in a robin’s nest, under a mushroom . . . . ), all along and all around the children. Although the children never spot the fairies, the real treasure becomes all the wonders they do notice (wildflowers, butterflies, babbling brooks) on their excursion.

Cornwall’s illustrations are colorful, clever and cunningly sweet without being cloying. She has used colored pencil, watercolor and collage to create a nature motif that follows the characters from inside (floral wallpaper print) to the outside. The outdoors is rendered in gentle pastels while the children are wearing vibrant (mostly primary) colors. 

The narrative is geared toward younger children but anyone enchanted with the idea of fairies will enjoy this playful story that celebrates the wonders of being outside. It would be an excellent read-aloud for any kind of fairy programming, especially a fairy walk, or fairy house building. 

Highly recommended for school and public libraries.

 Deanna Contrino, SLMS/MILS
K-2 School Resource Librarian, Scarborough Schools

five-stars