Category: Cream of the Crop Nominees

Invisible Son

Invisible SonInvisible Son by Kim Johnson
on June 27, 2023
ISBN: 0593482115
Genres: Suspense
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Set in the year 2020, against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic and social unrest, 17-year-old Andre Jackson returns to his grandparent’s house, after a two-month stint in juvenile detention for a crime he didn’t commit, with an ankle monitor and a question hanging over his head–where is his best friend Eric Whitaker? The Whitakers are a white family that lives next door, who adopted Eric and his sister Sierra (who also happens to be Andre’s longtime crush) as well as a Hispanic boy named Luis. While the Whitakers have been instrumental in helping Andre and his family through his incarceration, Andre can’t shake the feeling that there is more to their story that Eric simply “ran away.” This slow-burn thriller tackles gentrification, racism, privilege, the juvenile criminal justice system, and transracial adoption–dropping hard truths into readers’ laps and giving them plenty to chew on. Fans of Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, and Angie Thomas won’t want to miss this. Highly recommended for grades 9-12.

Nominated for Cream of the Crop. 

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

five-stars

What It’s Like to Be a Bird (Adapted for Young Readers): From Flying to Nesting, Eating to Singing–What Birds Are Doing and Why

What It’s Like to Be a Bird (Adapted for Young Readers): From Flying to Nesting, Eating to Singing–What Birds Are Doing and WhyWhat It's Like to Be a Bird (Adapted for Young Readers): From Flying to Nesting, Eating to Singing--What Birds Are Doing and Why by David Allen Sibley
Published by Delacorte Press on Oct. 3, 2023
ISBN: 9780593430187
Pages: 208
Genres: Animals, Non-Fiction
Format: Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

This gorgeous, fact-filled book opens with general information about wild birds, then goes into accounts of individual bird species. Most entries are two pages, but some specific topics receive more detailed illustrations and text (ex. the nesting cycle of Robins). This oversized edition includes one beautifully detailed, full-page illustration for each bird, with smaller illustrations included to depict other typical behaviors described in the text (ex. flight, variations in plumage, etc.). Text for each species lists common traits, but also includes information uniquely applicable to each bird. Based on Sibley’s adult version of the same title, this book contains entries for a wide range of North American birds, including woodpeckers, cardinals, eagles, turkeys, gulls, loons, and many more, all made easily accessible to younger readers.

While this book is suggested for readers 10-12 years of age, I think it holds appeal for bird-lovers of all ages. This book does for birds what National Geographic’s 2-volume Book of Mammals does for world mammals, providing hours of potential entertainment. What It’s Like to Be a Bird is an excellent resource for information on specific bird species, but is also a fascinating book for general browsing. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, Gorham Campus Library, University of Southern Maine

five-stars

What It’s Like to Be a Bird: From Flying to Nesting, Eating to Singing–What Birds Are Doing and Why

What It’s Like to Be a Bird: From Flying to Nesting, Eating to Singing–What Birds Are Doing and WhyWhat It's Like to Be a Bird (Adapted for Young Readers): From Flying to Nesting, Eating to Singing--What Birds Are Doing and Why by David Allen Sibley
Published by Delacorte Press on 10/3/23
ISBN: 0593430182
Pages: 171
Genres: Animals
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

The young reader’s edition of Sibley’s 2020 adult book What It’s Like to Be a Bird, this book is shorter and includes more facts about what birds do than how to identify birds. The book includes the most common or familiar in the continental US and Canada and can be read from cover to cover or browsed casually in any order. The book starts with an Introduction that includes generic bird information then jumps into the pages describing each bird. Sibley warns that the book is not complete; that it covers the topics that he has found most intriguing while researching birds over the years. Sibley’s illustrations are stunning and the detail for each bird is enaging and insightful. The one flaw in the book is that is does not include an index or a table of contents listing the included birds, but this seems intentional as Sibley does not intend for this to be a research book, but one to be flipped through and savored. Young bird enthusiasts, or those just foraying into the birding world will appreciate this beautiful book.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Middle School

 

five-stars

That Flag

That FlagThat Flag by Nikkolas Smith, Tameka Fryer Brown
Published by Harper on January 31, 2023
ISBN: 9780063093447
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Keira and Bianca, two best friends, live across the street from each other but are never allowed to visit each others’ homes due to the Confederate Flag flown by the white girl’s parents. The Black parents see the flag as a “symbol of violence and oppression” while the white parents claim it is a “celebration of courage and pride”. The girls maintain their friendship until their class takes a field trip to the Southern Legacy Museum where Keira finally starts to learn why her parents are so opposed to That Flag. Keira starts to avoid Bianca when the white girl completely fails to acknowledge the revelations of the museum. A tragic, racially motivated shooting in the community finally causes the white family to reconsider their beliefs enough to remove the Confederate Flag from their home.

The author admirably conveys the weight of the issues while avoiding a feeling of heavy-handedness. I particularly appreciate that instead of a “happily ever after” ending, there is a much more realistic attitude of cautious hope between the two girls. This book is highly recommended as a great conversation starter. Intended for ages 6-10.

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, Gorham Campus Library, University of Southern Maine

five-stars

Hidden Systems: Water, Electricity, the Internet, and the Secrets Behind the Systems We Use Every Day

Hidden Systems: Water, Electricity, the Internet, and the Secrets Behind the Systems We Use Every DayHidden Systems: Water, Electricity, the Internet, and the Secrets Behind the Systems We Use Every Day by Dan Nott
Published by Random House Graphic on March 14, 2023
ISBN: 9780593125366
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel, Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

“A hidden system is something we don’t notice until it breaks.” In a thoroughly understandable combination of text and graphics, Dan Nott does an amazing job of explaining exactly how some of the major infrastructures of our world work. Utilizing a 9-panel spread on most pages, with occasional full-page depictions of major ideas, the author covers the history, components, and possible futures of three major systems; internet, electricity, and water, in an engagingly accessible manner.  In the final section, Nott encourages the reader to understand these systems more deeply in order to reimagine them in a more environmentally and equitably balanced format. The book ends with Author’s Notes & Acknowledgments and a Selected Bibliography. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a simplified explanation of the hidden systems of our world.  (All ages)

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, Gorham Campus Library, University of Southern Maine

five-stars

A Very Cranky Book

A Very Cranky BookA Very Cranky Book by Angela DiTerlizzi, Tony DiTerlizzi
Published by HarperCollinsChildren’sBooks on September 19, 2023
ISBN: 9780063206670
Pages: 40
Genres: Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Multi-media illustrations and simple text repeatedly break the fourth wall when the titular Book converses directly with the reader about its dis-inclination to be read. When a group of other books gathers together to hold story time, the Cranky Book has a change of heart, but wants to be the only book there with the reader. The Book gets upset when the reader cannot stay, but the other books still invite it to join them. Ultimately, the Cranky Book pledges to try harder in the future… but no promises.

This title has the same kind of gentle irreverence found in Lane Smith’s It’s a Book (2010). I think kids would love the direct interaction with the Cranky Book, especially as a read-aloud. And who hasn’t experienced an occasional cranky day of their own that might be improved by friends?
Highly recommended.  Suggested for 4-8 year olds.

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, Gorham Campus Library, University of Southern Maine

five-stars

Just Lizzie

Just LizzieJust Lizzie by Karen Wilfrid
on November 14, 2023
ISBN: 0063290294
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Like Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speak or Alex Gino’s Melissa, Karen Wilfrid’s Just Lizzie reads like a modern classic and should be considered a touchstone novel for an often misunderstood group – asexual youth. Straddling middle grade and YA, Just Lizzie is the story of a 14 year old girl whose life is rapidly changing after a recent traumatic event. Family, friends, and teachers who she could once talk to are now distant and Lizzie’s resulting loneliness is the emotional core of the novel. Lizzie’s quiet, thoughtful narration and the slow, low stakes plot might not appeal to all middle grade readers, but Lizzie’s internal journey discovering her sexuality could be life changing for readers who need it the most. 

When Lizzie learns that some plants and animals can reproduce by themselves asexually, she digs deeper online and discovers that people can also identify as asexual. “Hasn’t my life always been about what I’m not? Not pretty, not athletic, not interested, not ready – but now here’s this word that tells me that what I am not is actually what I am. Something – I am something” pg 125. Understanding her asexuality brings her joy and peace, but Lizzie is let down by trusted adults who voice many of society’s concerns about asexuality (it’s not real, she’s too young to know, she’s just afraid to let people in, etc.) Despite this, Lizzie finds allies and learns that though she has no desire to partner-up, even solitary beings need companionship and community to grow. 

Karen Wilfrid’s Just Lizzie is beautiful, brave, and a necessary edition to middle grade or YA collections. Nominated for Cream of the Crop. 

Reviewed by Ivy Burns, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

five-stars

Creep, Leap, Crunch!: A Food Chain Story

Creep, Leap, Crunch!: A Food Chain StoryCreep, Leap, Crunch! A Food Chain Story by Christopher Silas Neal, Jody Jensen Shaffer
Published by Alfred A. Knopf on 2023
ISBN: 9780593565520
Genres: Animals, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Soft, full-color illustrations accompany fun, rhyming text that builds the steps of a temperate deciduous forest food chain in a style similar to “The House that Jack Built”, starting with the rising sun and leading all the way up to the black bear. Along the way, all the animals appear to succeed in their food acquisitions, but then the book takes a fun twist and turns the tables. All the food gets away! The book concludes with a glossary. This book would be excellent for story times, and makes for a simple, exciting introduction to natural food chains. It is recommended for 4-8 year olds.

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, Gorham Campus Library, University of Southern Maine

five-stars

Gather

GatherGather by Kenneth M. Cadow
Published by Candlewick Press on October 3, 2023
ISBN: 1536231118
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Ian is a resourceful, hardworking teenager who helps keep him and his mom afloat after she is injured at work.  Although their house is falling down around them, Ian is motivated to stay by a deep connection with their Vermont land.  Life at home for Ian is a roller coaster as his mom deals with addiction and poverty, but Ian has neighbors and people at school who rally around him and support him however they can.  Ian also has the love of his adopted dog Gather, his best friend and companion.  When life takes an unexpected turn, Ian and Gather must survive for a time on their own together.  The story is narrated by Ian and his voice is unique and compelling.  He uses foreshadowing in his storytelling, which helps the book maintain its pace.  Ian is such a likable character who readers can’t help but root for. He faces his hardships head on and his story is ultimately one of hope and the importance of a community gathering around people who need support.  Highly recommended for libraries with YA patrons.

 

reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library

five-stars

Kozo the Sparrow

Kozo the SparrowKozo the Sparrow by Allen Say
Published by HarperCollinsChildren’sBooks ISBN: 0063248468
Genres: Animals, Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Seventy-six years ago, Allen Say rescued a tiny sparrow he named Kozo and he recounts the story in this beautifully illustrated picture book. Children will respond to both the threat posed by a group of bullies and the care and love that goes into raising Kozo. The ending is lovely and just ambiguous enough to encourage further discussion. An excellent book about kindness and the bonds it can create; make sure to read the touching author’s note.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars