Category: Cream of the Crop Nominees

Mañanaland

MañanalandMañanaland by Pam Muñoz Ryan
Published by Scholastic Press on March 3, 2020
ISBN: 1338157868
Pages: 247
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

A complex and compelling story that packs a lot of punch in 250 pages. Aimed at a middle grade audience, the book centers around three generations of a family living in a small village in what could be a Mexican or South American country. The men in the family are bridgebuilders and keepers of the stories of the guardians who help those seeking out a better life. Max dreams of being a fútbol star and playing on the national team like his Buelo, but when the matter of a missing birth certificate threatens his dream, his Papa sets out to the big city to see if he can find the important document. Max ends up caught up in the family legacy of moving “Hidden Ones” to safety and learns that his own mother, who left when he was a toddler, was once fleeing a dangerous life. She made the decision to leave Max in the hands of his father and grandfather and went off to seek Mañanaland, in the hope of securing the promise of a better, safer tomorrow for all of them. The growth and awareness that Max experiences is beautiful in Ryan’s capable hands and readers may not even realize the universality and timeliness of the story as our current news stories are still filled with people seeking their own Mañanaland where they can be safe from political persecution or terror from an aggressor. The adoration felt between the males in the Córdoba family and the loving way that they protect and then support Max is fantastic. Highly recommend.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

five-stars

Wondrous Rex

Wondrous RexWondrous Rex by Emilia Dziubak, Patricia MacLachlan
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on March 17, 2020
ISBN: 0062940988
Pages: 88
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Grace spends a lot of time with her Aunt Lily as her parents are both doctors and busy much of the time. Grace’s Aunt Lily is a writer and has taught her the words a writer experiences as she writes her stories. Grace loves her aunt’s writing world, the words, the stories, the writing group her aunt is part of – she loves EVERYTHING about writing but doesn’t consider herself a writer even though her teacher sees the writer in her.

When Aunt Lily faces writers block, she puts an ad in the paper- “Writer of books needs an assistant, a coach, a helper, for inspiration and some magic!”

The  next day Rex, the dog, appears at the door ready to take on the job. He is  a magician’s  assistant who is bored and sad, in need of a new  assignment. He has come to stay. He has come to help both Lily and grace. He has brought some magic!

Maclachlan has, in this slim, simple volume, created a story with words of wisdom and a bit of magic. The reader will come away with a smile and the message that words are important and magical and are there for anyone to use and enjoy.

consider for Cream

Submitted by Kathy George, Gray Public library, Gray, Maine

Grades 3-6

five-stars

Crossings :Extraordinary Structures for Extraordinary Animals

Crossings :Extraordinary Structures for Extraordinary AnimalsCrossings: Extraordinary Structures for Extraordinary Animals by Katy S. Duffield, Mike Orodan
Published by Beach Lane Books on October 13, 2020
ISBN: 1534465790
Pages: 48
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

With more and more interactions between animals and humans due to urban sprawl, animals are losing ways to migrate safely, be it across a road or a country. Author Duffield, upon reading an article about an underpass built specifically to aid and protect the endangered Florida panther, began to research other ways of safely delivering all sorts of animals from one area to another. World wide, crossings have been built – be they tunnels, bridges, and  overpasses to aid and protect many kinds of animals . Duffield has partnered with illustrator Mike Orodan to bring this story to young readers and future engineers and animal activists.

Simple text with side bars for those wanting more information are found on  facing pages of large vivid illustrations done with  graphite pencils and adobe photoshop that draw the reader in. They  are there watching elephants going through tunnels  in Kenya, and Fairy penguins using tunnels in New Zealand, bridges for millions of red crabs to cross safely in Australia, and tight rope bridges for the Titi monkey in Costa Rica. Because of dedicated activists urging these crossings to be built, countless animals have been saved. Younger readers can “read” the information through these large  vibrant , detailed illustrations.

This non fiction offering is both beautiful to look at and relevant and inspiring. It is a book  much needed if humans and animals are to co-exist on this planet.

Pair it with Faraway Fox by Jolene Thompson and Wild Bridges and Buildings  by Etta Kanter that explains how humans have borrowed various  forms of architecture from animals to make life better and safer.

all ages can benefit from this book

Submitted by Kathy George, Gray Public Library, Gray Maine

consider for Cream

five-stars

Summer We Found the Baby

Summer We Found the BabyThe Summer We Found the Baby by Amy Hest
Published by Candlewick Press on August 4, 2020
ISBN: 0763660078
Pages: 192
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Known for her picture books: the Baby Duck series, the Reader and  its companion books: When Grandpa Met Charlie and Charlie’s First Night , Amy Hest has written family stories that are heartwarming and tug on the emotions of the reader. This chapter book is no exception. The setting: Belle Beach, Long Island during World War ll. The characters: summer residents, Julie and her younger sister Martha with their widowed author father, year round residents:  Bruno Ben-Ellis, his parents and his brother Benjamin Ben- Eli fighting in the war, an abandoned baby and Eleanor Roosevelt.

On the day of the library party, Julie and Martha want to be the first ones there, hoping to get their picture taken for the local newspaper. As they approach the library steps, they find a basket with a baby  in it! Julie, without hesitation , picks up the basket and heads down the beach. Told in the voices of the 3 main characters, the reader is given their backgrounds and how this baby influences the choices they make as the story continues.

This slim, simple story is rich in the feelings, thoughts and emotions of both the characters and the time period the story is set in.  It is a book to be shared with readers who enjoy books with these attributes.

grades 3-6                                                                Consider for Cream

Submitted by Kathy George, Gray Public library , Gray Maine

five-stars

You Call This Democracy?: How to Fix Our Government and Deliver Power to the People

You Call This Democracy?: How to Fix Our Government and Deliver Power to the PeopleYou Call This Democracy?: How to Fix Our Government and Deliver Power to the People by Elizabeth Rusch
on March 31, 2020
ISBN: 0358176921
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

You Call This Democracy? is an accessible examination of America’s government. Rusch tackles this topic in a measured  yet impassioned voice and makes clear that while we do enjoy many important freedoms in the United States, our democracy is broken and we have the power to change it.

Twelve chapters cover issues such as gerrymandering, money in politics, voter disenfranchisement, and more. Examples of these issues are representative of both sides of the aisle giving balance to otherwise polarizing topics. Graphics help to break up the text and provide strong visualization of heavy information. Each chapter ends by telling teens what they can do to take action, allowing this book to not just teach, but to inspire our young citizens to get involved and make real change. Sections for further reading and source information are included.

Recommended for grades 6 and up.

Nominated for Cream of the Crop.

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

five-stars

Measuring Up

Measuring UpMeasuring Up by Ann Xu, Lily LaMotte
Published by HarperAlley on October 27, 2020
ISBN: 006297386X
Pages: 208
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
Cici and her parents have left Taiwan to move to the U.S. for a chance to give Cici a “better life”. But Cici has left her beloved grandmother, A-ma, behind, and is feeling sad and disconnected. She does make a few good friends in America, but she misses much about her old life, her grandmother most of all. When a multi-week cooking contest offers a cash prize, Cici hopes to turn her love of and skill at cooking into the money to bring her grandmother to the U.S. for a visit. Cici is partnered with an American-born girl whose father owns an Italian restaurant. The two find great success and advance far into the contest. When they are separated, Cici has to trust her own cooking instincts and flair for spice. A heartwarming story that offers a character who is unsure of herself, but who finds her feet and earns her well-deserved hug from A-ma. LaMotte deftly weaves many of the microaggressions felt by Asians into regular school day interactions. The illustrations could have been a little sharper, particularly those depicting food ingredients, but the colors are vibrant and complement the story well. For readers in grades 4 and up.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

I Hope You’re Listening

I Hope You’re ListeningI Hope You're Listening by Tom Ryan
Published by Aw Teen on October 6, 2020
ISBN: 0807535087
Pages: 368
Genres: Mystery, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
At the age of seven, Dee and Sibby go into the woods to play.  Only Dee comes back out.  Ten years later, Dee is haunted by what she can’t remember.  To cope, Dee has started a podcast that shares stories of missing people, hoping that she can make a difference in someone else’s case.  The podcast has gained a large following and has actually been able to bring some people home.  Dee doesn’t talk about Sibby.  Until another young child goes missing from the same house that Dee used to live in.  People recall Sibby’s case and try to find a link between the two.  Finally, Dee has to deal with Sibby’s case and her past.  This is a fast-paced thriller that will keep you turning the pages and constantly keeps you guessing about the truth.  Give to fans of true crime podcasts and mysteries.  Recommended for ages 13+.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Maine State Library

five-stars

See the Cat: Three Stories About a Dog

See the Cat: Three Stories About a DogSee the Cat: Three Stories About a Dog by David LaRochelle, Mike Wohnoutka
Published by Candlewick Press on September 8, 2020
ISBN: 9781536204278
Pages: 64
Genres: Animals, Fantasy
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
Controlled vocabulary and repetitive text makes this book an ideal first easy reader. The sharp humor and the cartoon-style illustrations that expertly support the text makes it an exceptional one. Recommend this clever book to fans of Mo Willems. Giggles will abound!

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

Nominee for Cream of the Crop

Winner of the 2021 Theodor Seuss Geisel Award

five-stars

The League of Super Feminists

The League of Super FeministsThe League of Super Feminists by Mirion Malle
Published by Drawn and Quarterly on October 13, 2020
ISBN: 1770464026
Pages: 60
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
five-stars
Translated from French, The League of Super Feminists tackles high level topics like consent, beauty standards, and privilege by creating short comics addressing each one.  Malle somehow boils these incredibly complicated topics into simple, conversational short comics that perfectly explain what they mean. While geared toward tweens and teens, this is a great book to put into anyone’s hands and does really well at dispelling some of the myths of feminism. Recommended for ages 10+.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Maine State Library

five-stars

If You Want to Visit a Sea Garden

If You Want to Visit a Sea GardenIf You Want to Visit a Sea Garden by Kay Weisman, Roy Henry Vickers
Published by Groundwood Books on September 1, 2020
ISBN: 1554989701
Pages: 32
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars
Come for the art, stay for the text! Sea gardens, also known as clam gardens, are best appreciated early in the morning during low tide. This book refers to those gardens in the Pacific Northwest, and the beautiful, silhouette art in deep, pure, rich colors by local Roy Henry Vickers subtly depicts his Indigenous people of the area. The backmatter explains the science; the text lures the reader to come, explore, and appreciate these man-made walls that protect and provide a nourishing environment for clams and other edible sea life to flourish. 

Great introduction to the Pacific Northwest Peoples, or man-made attempts at sea life preservation, ecosystems, or for an art lesson with middle elementary ages.

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

five-stars