Category: Cream of the Crop Nominees

A Long Road on a Short Day

A Long Road on a Short DayA Long Road on a Short Day by Elizabeth Stickney, Eugene Yelchin, Gary D. Schmidt
Published by Clarion Books on November 10, 2020
ISBN: 0544888367
Pages: 64
Genres: Adventure, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

After Mama’s expresses the need for a milk cow for their baby, Papa takes Samuel on a trading expedition. Starting with his hunting knife, they visitsone person after another, making trade after trade until he secures a milk cow. Papa treats Samuel as a partner, discussing various decisions they need to make along the way.

The phrase “Long road on a short day” is repeated by Papa and Samuel as they trod through the thickening snow and impending winter darkness.  At just 59 pages of widely-spaced lines, this is a great read aloud for elementary students to discuss and an independent read for transitional readers. Occasional full-color illustrations add to the mood and tone.

Trading up emphasizes the importance of starting small if you’re thinking big, and how different people assign different values to various objects. 

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

five-stars

Snow Birds

Snow BirdsSnow Birds by Jenni Desmond, Kirsten Hall
Published by Harry N. Abrams on November 3, 2020
ISBN: 1419742035
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals, Fiction in Verse/Poetry
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Carefully crafted poems and illustrations so real you can almost feel the cold, they work together to make this book a seasonal top pick. 

These short poems flow off the tongue and are written in a variety of formats, with one double-page spread per bird. Each page also has that bird’s unique vocal sound written across the page. “Meet the Birds” section in the back gives a brief look at each bird and describes how they have adapted to survival in cold habitats. 

Add this to your units on migration to show that not all birds migrate. It could also be used for adaptation, seasonal, poetry forms, bird identification, or just the joy of reading aloud to early and middle elementary youngsters – and adults may find themselves also enjoying the sights and sounds of these hardy birds.

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

five-stars

Black Bear’s Adventure: An Appalachian Trail Journey

Black Bear’s Adventure: An Appalachian Trail JourneyGenres: Adventure, Biography/Autobiography, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
five-stars

“Black Bear” is a Maine fitness enthusiast and former physical education teacher who invites readers to accompany her on her first through hike of the Appalachian Trail. This book describes in narrative form all the excitement, fears, challenges and success she experiences along the way. She is currently preparing for her third AT trip, and her experience on and off the trail are an inspiration to not only attempt a challenge, but to properly prepare oneself for such an endeavor  . 

The author encourages youngsters through her story, and direct words, “You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.” The title and cover invite readers to pick up this book, and the writing will have them feel they are stepping right along with the author, whose trail name is “Black Bear.”

Mixed media, full color collage illustrations capture the emotions and key concepts and common hiking scenes.

The possible uses for this book are limited only by a teacher’s imagination. Use for anchor text of first-person narrative studies, Maine studies, an inspiration to stay healthy, and to follow your dreams, just to name a few!

Consider purchasing “Black Bear’s Adventure Companion Book” for individual use or classroom ideas for journaling and dreaming and recording your own adventures!

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

five-stars

Be Not Far from Me

Be Not Far from MeBe Not Far from Me by Mindy McGinnis
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on March 3, 2020
ISBN: 0062561626
Pages: 240
Genres: Adventure, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Living near the Smoky Mountains has created a love of the forest for 17-year-old Ashley.  She’s even taken survival training, which gets tested when she becomes lost, injured, and disoriented in the woods.  She’s attending a camping party with her friends one night when she finds her boyfriend cheating on her with his ex.  Ashley takes off running in the dark and ends up falling down a ravine and crushes her foot beneath a rock.  Completely disoriented and majorly hurt, Ashley begins trekking through the forest, at first in hopes of finding her friends, but then in hopes of finding any sign of humanity.  Trusting her survival skills, including plant identification and direction finding, she works her way through the dense forest, reevaluating her life along the way.  This is a harrowing and dark tale, but ultimately hopeful as Ashley proves what you can accomplish if you never give up.  This is a page-turner and a must read for fans of Hatchet and Lost on a Mountain in Maine.  Recommended for ages 14+.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Maine State Library

five-stars

Go with the Flow

Go with the FlowGo with the Flow by Karen Schneemann, Lily Williams
Published by First Second on January 14, 2020
ISBN: 1250305721
Pages: 336
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
five-stars

When new student Sasha has the blood from her period soak through her white pants at school, three friends come to her rescue. As they enter the girls’ bathroom, they come to find that the menstrual product dispenser is empty (again). This event spurs the four high school friends become advocates for equality and access to female health products. The main characters are inclusive and diverse, representing different skin colors, sexual orientations, body types, and personalities, and allow just about any reader to see a glimpse of themselves in at least one of the characters. The monochromatic red illustrations are eye catching and engaging. Author’s note and informative pages about menstruation and activism are provided at the end of the book. Go with the Flow is an empowering book that aims to destigmatize menstruation. Highly recommended for all, regardless of one’s identified gender. Recommended for ages 10+.

Reviewed by Jennifer Benham, Prince Memorial Library, Cumberland

five-stars

Outside in

Outside inOutside In by Deborah Underwood; Cindy Derby
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on April 14, 2020
ISBN: 1328866823
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Recommending for cream consideration.  In an ode to nature and being outside, Underwood weaves descriptions of how the Outside influences us in everyday ways enhanced and nuanced with the beautiful watercolor wash illustrations by Derby.  Following a dark haired girl from the car into the house, The Outside beckons  her (and us) with flashes through the window, “tap-taps on the roof” and smells.  It feeds us, clothes us, provides a natural clock and steals inside with the help of spiders, bugs and snails.  The illustrations demand more than one reading to see the changes in space, details and the emotion within each scene.  Underwood uses the simple amount of text to entice readers to think about how the outside calls to us and the girl goes outside to nature in the end.  Satisfying, thought- provoking and art inspiring.  Suitable for readers in prek-3.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Youth Services, Springvale Public Library

 

five-stars

The List of Things That Will Not Change

The List of Things That Will Not ChangeThe List of Things That Will Not Change by Rebecca Stead
Published by Wendy Lamb Books on April 7, 2020
ISBN: 1101938099
Pages: 224
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

10 year old Bea splits her time between her mom and her dad who lives with his boyfriend.  She has acclimated well to the split and gets along well with her new family members.  However, she seems to have some anger issues that she’s seeing a therapist for.  Her therapist helps her to accept her faults and learn that good people can do bad things, and that doesn’t make them bad.  Between dealing with her eczema, her anxieties and the changes in her life, she sets a good example for how to make it through the tween years.  Stead’s characters are incredibly authentic, and even the secondary characters are pretty well developed.  Recommended for ages 8-12.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Maine State Library

five-stars

Dragon Hoops

Dragon HoopsDragon Hoops by Gene Luen Yang
Published by First Second on March 17, 2020
ISBN: 1626720797
Pages: 446
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
five-stars

Dragon Hoops is the new graphic novel illustrated and written by Gene Luen Yang. Hoops is an interesting blend of memoir, sports history, and journalism. Yang reflects on his journey as a writer, he illustrates the beginnings of basketball and weaves the story of the Dragons’ basketball team and its players at the high school where he works in Oakland, CA. In less adept hands, these three threads could be confusing, but Yang is an expert and uses it to build suspense. Readers will be on the edge of their seats waiting to follow the Dragons’ battle for the state basketball title. The extra Notes section at the back of the book is a great addition. Yang adds even more information about the Dragons’ players and team; it should not be overlooked by the reader. The Bibliography is also a great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the history of basketball. Recommended for Grades 7 and up for fans of basketball or of Yang’s previous work. 

Recommended for Cream of the Crop

Elizabeth Andersen, Librarian, Westbrook High School

five-stars

Call Me American: The Extraordinary True Story of a Young Somali Immigrant

Call Me American: The Extraordinary True Story of a Young Somali ImmigrantCall Me American: The Extraordinary True Story of a Young Somali Immigrant by Abdi Nor Iftin, Max Alexander
Published by Delacorte Press on 2020
ISBN: 198489711X
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This is the adapted edition of Iftin’s adult memoir, Call Me American. Iftin’s story is one of perseverance and hope. It is the search for a better life, defined in whatever terms one can. Iftin thought that living in America was the best possible thing for him, so he worked and planned and, with a little luck thrown in, made it happen. And Iftin loves America and appreciates the opportunities and education and freedom found here, but America was not as magical as Iftin had built it up in his head (with some help from American action movies). His book is honest and his insights resonate. He is a gifted storyteller who draws the reader in and never lets go. There are a few intense moments in the book, but on the whole this one could be handed to a middle school reader on up. Highly recommend.

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

five-stars

Lucky Caller

Lucky CallerLucky Caller by Emma Mills
Published by Henry Holt & Company on January 14, 2020
ISBN: 1250179653
Pages: 336
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

High school senior Nina is taking a radio broadcast class purported to be the most fun elective to finish off her high school career. While her dad is a deejay in another state, Nina knows nothing of the radio business. As it turns out, a childhood friend is also taking the class. The problem is that we discover early on that something has caused friction in Nina and Jamie’s relationship.  As luck would have it, they end up in the same group.  Through working together on the show, Nina comes to terms with her past poor behavior. The group has struggles but eventually gets themselves an unlikely public following–fans of a 90s metal band. They get themselves into a bind but it ties itself up nicely by the end, through very little effort on the part of the characters.

Nina’s family is also dealing with an absentee father and an incoming step-father. Interpersonal strife is abundant. By the end, Nina is in a much better place with most of them. While all the major characters are high school seniors, the tone of the book feels much younger.  Recommended for ages 13+.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Maine State Library

five-stars