Category: Cream of the Crop Nominees

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

Girl, Unframed

Girl, UnframedGirl, Unframed by Deb Caletti
Published by Simon Pulse on June 23, 2020
ISBN: 1534426973
Pages: 357
Genres: Horror, Mystery, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

As if growing girls and teens do not face enough challenges Caletti has given readers a riveting story that goes unmatched.  Sidney returns to her mother’s house for the summer and finds that everything about herself, her environment and her mother has changed.  Mom is a Hollywood star who has a new somewhat shady boyfriend.  The character has left childhood behind and is struggling to find her way as a young woman; her internal desires and ultimate choices are not surprising.   This novel contains social and family problems that plague our world and may help some readers who suffer such situations.  The storyline is part mystery, part thriller and definitely a coming of age tale.  Family loyalty, abusive behavior, and sexual awareness are reoccurring issues that may not be totally resolved.

Relationships with Sidney’s best friend and a love interest add to this compelling story.  High School libraries and public library YA rooms need to have this book added to their shelves.  Fans of the author will be delighted with this novel.

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired youth services librarian in Scarborough, ME

five-stars

A Pinch of Magic

A Pinch of MagicA Pinch of Magic by Michelle Harrison
Series: Pinch of Magic #1
Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt on February 7, 2019 U.K. /U.S. August 2020
ISBN: 0358193319
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Mystery
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This is such a wonderful story. It is so well written from the beginning to the end. There are three sisters who live with their grandmother on the Isle of Crowstone. A family curse looms over them. They are not able to leave their island home. If they leave, they will die. Each sister is her own person with her own strengths and weaknesses. Betty is adventurous, Fliss, the oldest, is beautiful and flirtatious, and Charlie is full of energy and surprises. The grandmother is caring and intriguing. She makes frequent visits to the prison and has tried to protect her granddaughters. Betty is determined to get to the bottom of things. The three sisters make a great team on their quest to break their family curse. I highly recommend this fairy tale like story of full adventure, magic, and mystery. This is the first of three in The Pinch of Magic series originally published in the U.K.

Kris Zuidema, retired school librarian, Standish

five-stars

Gamayun Tales I

Gamayun Tales IGamayun Tales I by Alexander Utkin, Lada Morozova
Published by Nobrow on March 10, 2020
ISBN: 191062067X
Pages: 184
Genres: Folklore
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
five-stars

This book is fabulous. I tell everyone who asks about graphic novels to borrow this; I can’t stop gushing about this series. This collection holds three previously released graphic novels: The King of Birds; The Water Spirit and Tyna of the Lake. I can’t even begin to describe how beautifully it’s illustrated, and I would rate it five stars on the illustrations alone, but it also weaves three traditional Russian folktales together seamlessly. I would add a star if I could for the domovoy character, Fyodor. It’s accessible enough for fourth graders but sophisticated enough for high school so anyone looking to teach Slavic mythology should have this.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars

You Were Never Here

You Were Never HereYou Were Never Here by Kathleen Peacock
Published by HarperTeen on October 20, 2020
ISBN: 0063002515
Pages: 400
Genres: Mystery, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
Cat has been sent back to her tiny Canadian hometown for the summer by her dad following an as yet unknown to us event in NYC.  She hasn’t been there since she left after sharing a kiss with her best friend, Riley, and seeing his deepest fear.  Turns out  Cat can see people’s fears and desires when she touches anyone’s skin.  She discovers that Riley has been missing for 3 months, and his brother assumes he’s dead.  His brother knows  Cat’s secret and asks her to help him solve the mystery.  Peacock sets us up for a well-paced thriller with plenty of twists and turns and a surprising ending.  Not just a mystery, Cat takes us along with her as she learns self-acceptance and forgiveness.  Recommended for grades 7+.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman, Maine State Library

five-stars

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and YouStamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Ibram X. Kendi, Jason Reynolds
on March 10, 2020
ISBN: 0316453692
Pages: 294
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars
A history book on racism that claims to not be a history book but rather a book that “contains history.” Reynolds brings the history (not history) of racism alive in this accessible remix of Ibram X. Kendi’s Stamped From the Beginning. Clearly delineating assimilationists (cowards) from segragationists (haters) from antiracists (people who truly love), Reynolds leaves readers with a call to action — “Scrolling will never be enough. Reposting will never be enough. Hashtagging will never be enough… We have to be participants. Active.”

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Karen Sandlin Silverman, Mt. Ararat Middle School, Topsham

five-stars

When Stars are Scattered

When Stars are ScatteredGenres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Graphic Novel
five-stars
Omar and his nonverbal brother Hassan grow up in Dadaab, a refugee camp in Kenya, having fled war-torn Somalia after their father was killed. They spend their days looking for their mother, helping their neighbor/foster mother Fatuma, doing chores, and playing as best they can (they play soccer with balls made of plastic bags). When Omar is given an opportunity to attend school, he must decide if he should leave his brother during the day. Make sure you have a box of tissues handy — Omar and Hassan’s story and the stories of their friends and neighbors is heart-breaking and sadly all true. Omar tells the story with the help of talented graphic novelist Jamieson.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Karen Sandlin Silverman, Mt. Ararat Middle School, Topsham

five-stars

Chirp

ChirpChirp by Kate Messner
Published by Bloomsbury Children's Books on February 4, 2020
ISBN: 1547602813
Pages: 240
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
This mystery involving entomophagy, or eating insects, is a #metoo book for middle school readers. Mia must come to terms — with the help of strong female characters — with the trauma of surviving (not-graphic) sexual harassment. Mia and her family move back to Vermont to help her grandmother with her cricket farm. Mia’s parents think her grandmother should sell but Mia and her new friends are determined to save the farm. There is also a mystery surrounding Mia’s sudden loss of interest in gymnastics.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Karen Sandlin Silverman, Mt. Ararat Middle School, Topsham

five-stars

What Lane?

What Lane?Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
five-stars
A book to introduce Black Lives Matter to middle-grade readers. Stephen, who is bi-racial, enjoys hanging out with his best friend Dan, who is white. Stephen starts to notice how people treat them differently; they treat Stephen with suspicion even when Stephen and Dan are doing the exact same thing. Stephen wears a bracelet that says “What Lane?” and tries to figure out which lane he will take through life. This is a brief chapter book that would be great for a read-aloud and discussion.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Karen Sandlin Silverman, Mt. Ararat Middle School, Topsham

five-stars