Category: Cream of the Crop Nominees

Dictionary for a Better World

Dictionary for a Better WorldDictionary for a Better World: Poems, Quotes, and Anecdotes from A to Z by Charles Waters, Irene Latham, Mehrdokht Amini
ISBN: 1541557751
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry
Goodreads
five-stars

Poets Latham and Waters have collaborated on their 2nd book of poetry (Can I Touch Your Hair: Poems of Race, Mistakes, and Friendship) that is perfect for 2020 and those exploring diversity, equity, and inclusiveness. From Compassion to Equality to Love to Laughter to Mindfulness, there is a poem for each word written in poetic forms from cinquain to free verse to haiku. The authors add personal stories for each word and include famous quotes and a suggested activity, e.g., try writing a gratitude list. Includes bibliographical references, recommended books, poetry resources, and an index to the poetic forms found in the book. This will be a wonderful addition to libraries and classrooms, especially for middle grades.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

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

five-stars

How To Catch a Keeper

How To Catch a KeeperHow to Catch a Keeper! by Connie Rand, Stephanie Mulligan
on March 19, 2019
ISBN: 1732302057
Genres: Adventure, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Going out on a lobster boat can be a grand experience no matter how many times you’ve done it before. Author Stephanie Mulligan shows us this in her book based on her own experience of working on a Maine lobster boat for 8 summers. Captain Tom and his ‘The Lucky Catch’ boat are real!

The excitement and anticipation are felt in her rhyming text as she describes fictional Lucy and Luke’s first trip on the boat with their dad. Captain Tom’s dialogue is presented in italics, helping the reader discern his words from the others.  The smells, sights and sounds of being out on a lobstering boat are woven into the story and illustrations.

A fine example of ‘write what you know.” This boat and Captain Tom are real and the basis for the story. She obviously respects the Captain and his work.

Maine nature artist Connie Rand did the illustrations, which follow and explain the text. She presents a variety of sizes: small, single images, and full-page spread. Her paintings reflect the experience of being out on the ocean where you can, in good weather, see for miles; yet sometimes your attention is brought up close to details, such as how to band the lobster’s claws. Her illustrations help the reader remember the smells and sounds of the ocean.

This reviewer was given a free copy in exchange for a review. Also included were the “Activity Book” and a little stuffed toy lobster. The activity book is a perfect addition: with terminolgy and fact mini-quizzes, a lobster diagram to label, coloring pages, and a graphic organizer for aspiring writers to try their own hand at composing a story. This book earned Silver in the Moonbeam Childrens’ Book Award. The hardcover edition is now available.

Next time you’re near Casco Bay, catch a ride with Captain Tom and see what the excitement is all about. If you can’t make it, listen to the author read aloud her book on Facebook. You’ll almost feel like you are there – you can even hear the seagulls crooning in the background.

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town

five-stars

Memoirs of a Turtoise

Memoirs of a TurtoiseMemoirs of a Tortoise by Devin Scillian, Tim Bowers
Published by Sleeping Bear Press on May 15, 2020
ISBN: 1534110194
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Add this to the other “Memoir…” books by this author, but more importantly, add it to your shelf on how to talk to children about the death of anyone, be it a pet or family or friend. 

Told in monthly installments from April to April, (which is Oliver’s favorite month) the reader shares the tortoise’s excitement and pleasure in his life with his pet, Ike (an elderly man) and then confusion and hurt when Ike suddenly disappears. Details about Ike and Oliver are gently distributed throughout the memoir, rather than dumped into the first few pages. Likewise, it takes a few pages and possibly some rereading to realize Ike has died. The reader struggles along with Oliver to understand loss and then develop gratitude for “…all those beautiful days we were lucky enough to have them (our pets) with us.” The sweet humor of the humans being the pets nicely balances the topic of death in a satisfying and compassionate manner.

This books joins the author’s collection illustrated by Tim Bowers:  Memoirs of a Goldfish (2010) …Hamster (2013) …Elf(2014) and …Parrot (2016: which was the 2018 Chickadee Award Winner),  

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

five-stars

Flight For Freedom: The Wetzel Family’s Daring Escape from East Germany

Flight For Freedom: The Wetzel Family’s Daring Escape from East GermanyFlight for Freedom: The Wetzel Family’s Daring Escape from East Germany by Kristen Fulton, Torben Kuhlmann
ISBN: 1452149607
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Quick. Make a list of all the ways someone might escape from East Germany during the Cold War… 

Did you have ‘balloon flight’ on your list? I didn’t either, until I read this incredible account of not only one, but two families who made their escape in a home-made hot-air balloon!

This event is made accessible to middle elementary readers as historical fiction with clear but informative sentences and limited text on each page. The reader is introduced to young Peter Wetzel and how he lives with the differences between life in the East and West. The events leading up to the final escape attempt and the escape are told through Peter’s eyes. Upper elementary readers would find this an easy to understand account of a dramatic true event.

Realistic photos, some double-pages spreads and some single, with dark, shadowed tones appropriate to the confinement and night time escape. A map of their route from East Germany to West appears on the end pages. Back matter includes information on how their balloon was made and functioned, author notes, photos of the actual balloon and landing site sign, and the Cold War and the Berlin Wall. 

Highly recommended for all post-WWII collections and historical fiction shelves. This could be used with middle to upper elementary readers as an introduction to the Cold War, personal narrative writing lessons, or historical fiction examples.

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

five-stars

The All-Together Quilt

The All-Together QuiltThe All-Together Quilt by Lizzy Rockwell
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers on October 27, 2020
ISBN: 0375822046
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Fiction based on real situations provides depth to the plot especially when factual information reinforces the text.  Rockwell offers a heartwarming story that crosses ethnic and age lines allowing a community to come together in the development of art.  Children and seniors are paired in the artistic creation of a quilt.  Their enthusiasm and joy are exhibited on each page of this colorful and informative picture book.  Illustrations emphasize the many happy faces and vibrant pieces of fabric selected for the quilt.  A complete construction lesson is taught as the storyline progresses from cutting, layering, painting, to machine and hand sewing the quilt.  Caution, young readers will want to put paint on their own hands in anticipation of an art session.

Rockwell has included back pages which include; the history of her Peace by Piece quilt project, classic quilt blocks, and a distinctive presentation of the origin of each fabric used in the quilt.  Both the hardcover illustration and end pages are eye catching.   This is a book that belongs in all public libraries and would be useful to art teachers in the primary grades.  Community center, youth organizations and  churches would also benefit from adding a copy of this book to their shelves of picture books.

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

five-stars

Punching the Air

Punching the AirPunching the Air by Ibi Zoboi, Yusef Salaam
Published by Balzer + Bray on September 1, 2020
ISBN: 0062996487
Pages: 400
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Punching the Air, written by American Street author Ibi Ziboi and Yusef Salaam, one of the Exonerated Five, belongs in all libraries serving young adults. The novel-in-verse is inspired by Salaam’s experience of being wrongly convicted and unjustly incarcerated. Like Walter Dean Myers’s Monster, Punching the Air covers both the court experience and time incarcerated of a black boy assumed to be guilty because of the color of his skin. The main character, Amal, is a student at a diverse art school where students seem to appreciate differences but he is still considered “disruptive” by his teachers, one of whom even testifies against him at his trial. Punching the Air will appeal to fans of Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Jason Reynolds, Jacqueline Woodson, and readers of Ziboi’s other work.  Put this book in the hands of any student interested in social justice or the power of art as self-expression and healing. Librarians be prepared to guide students to learn more about Yusef Salaam and the Exonerated Five after they read this book. Recommended for grades 8 and up.

Elizabeth Andersen, Librarian, Westbrook High School

five-stars

Cut Off

Cut OffCut Off by Adrianne Finlay
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on August 11, 2020
ISBN: 0358006457
Pages: 384
Genres: Horror, Science Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
This Sci-fi thriller for readers in grades 10-12 provides page turning suspense and thought provoking outcomes.  Recommending for Cream of the Crop consideration.   The newest entertainment is a 24-hour live streaming game show called “Cut Off” that takes the “Survivor” type reality show premise to an extreme level through a 3D Virtual Reality experience.  Four young adult contestants are left after an earthquake knocks out their communications with the producers of the show and they must work together to survive and try to be rescued.   At first it seems like the earthquake is the issue, but hour by hour they are faced with ever increasing life threatening situations that seem to come from within each contestant’s own worst fears.   Is it real or a hallucination?  Can they find their way back home or will they all die?  Finlay intersperses action chapters with producer’s files and contestant audition interviews that fuel the page turning suspense of the story.  There are many twists and surprise connections that send the ending to an unsuspecting conclusion.    There is action, suspense, danger, technology and a bit of romance in this suspenseful, Sci-fi/Horror mashup.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Youth Services Librarian, Springvale Public Library

five-stars

The Spirit of Springer

The Spirit of SpringerThe Spirit of Springer: The Real-Life Rescue of an Orphaned Orca by Amanda Abler, Levi Hastings
Published by Little Bigfoot on February 4, 2020
ISBN: 1632172127
Pages: 48
Genres: Animals
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

The Spirit of Springer might be exactly what I needed today. It’s a gentle and interesting reminder that there are good people everywhere, people that have dedicated their lives to helping others, human or otherwise.

When orphaned, two-year-old orca Springer is found 300 miles from her home it’s up to scientists to reunite her with her pod. It’s not easy; Springer is malnourished and lonely and is more interested in befriending boats than eating. Through perseverance they rebuild her strength and take her back to where she can find her family.

Straightforward and nicely illustrated, The Spirit of Springer would be great for reading aloud to a classroom learning about orcas, animal rehabilitation, or kindness. Or for a classroom (or family) just looking for an enjoyable book to read.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars

Astronauts: Women on the Final Frontier

Astronauts: Women on the Final FrontierAstronauts: Women on the Final Frontier by Jim Ottaviani, Maris Wicks
Published by First Second on February 4, 2020
ISBN: 1626728771
Pages: 176
Genres: Biography/Autobiography, Non-Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
five-stars
Narrated by former astronaut, Mary Cleaves, this graphic memoir celebrates the lives and many achievements of history’s famous female astronauts. Written with humor and frustration felt by many of these women going into a field that was designed and run by men.

Illustrations compliment the text and are easy to follow. Recommended for grades 6 and up and especially for those young women that think this is a possibility for them.

five-stars

The Golden Age: Book 1

The Golden Age: Book 1The Golden Age, Book 1 by Cyril Pedrosa, Roxanne Moreil
Published by First Second on February 11, 2020
ISBN: 1250237947
Pages: 224
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
five-stars
Princess Tilda, is on the run, as rightful heir to the throne. Her remaining allies are doing their best to keep her safe and alive, but are only one step ahead of the Princess’s usurper — her younger brother.

Translated from French, this is the first in a duology in this fantasy graphic series.  Illustrations are bold and compliment the text as the story moves on. Ends on a  cliff hanger, leaving the reader unsure and curious to what happens next.

Recommended for grades 7 and up, but would be enjoyed by anyone who enjoys Arthurian type stories.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.

 

five-stars