Category: Cream of the Crop Nominees

All the Impossible Things

All the Impossible ThingsPublished by Roaring Brook Press on September 3rd 2019
ISBN: 1250202868
Pages: 384
Genres: Biography/Autobiography, Fantasy
Format: Board Book, Chapter Book Fiction
five-stars

Red (her real name is Ruby), is in foster care waiting for her mom, a drug addict, to get out of prison. Red is literally counting the days. Every foster home she has been in has not worked out and the anger she feels manifests it self in the wind, just like it does for her mom. She doesn’t want to get close to anyone, especially her new foster family because she wants to live with her mom, if she can just get her to change. But her new foster family seems different and she loves the animals there and begins to care for the them until things happen with her mom. Suddenly her wind begins to destroy things, and even threatens the new foster family she is beginning to love. This book is what I would describe as magic-realism. The wind piece adds so much to the story. The ending with her mom and the foster family, is so hopeful but still has many sad and real elements to it. And Tuck the tortoise on the farm, well, he is just a terrific character and readers will have him tugging at their heart strings just like he does to Red. Grades 5 and up. Cream

Mary Lehmer, Youth Services Librarin, Freeport Community Library, Freeport, ME

five-stars

Lion of the Sky: Haiku for All Seasons

Lion of the Sky: Haiku for All SeasonsLion of the Sky: Haiku for All Seasons by Laura Purdie Salas, Mercè López
Published by Millbrook Press (Tm) on April 2nd 2019
ISBN: 1512498092
Pages: 32
Goodreads
five-stars

Haiku, a form of poetry made up of three lines : five syllables in the first line, seven syllables in the second line and five syllables in the third line. Author Salas has taken this form as an invitation to the reader to explore the four seasons – but with a twist! These haiku poems are riddle-ku and mask poems.Something non human narrates the poem and asks the reader to guess what the narrator is- that is a mask poem  and instead of the well known haiku form that describes something, a riddle -ku invites the reader to guess what object the poem is. Each page offers a riddle with large illustrations that reflect the season where the object can be found. the illustrations may be a bright sand pail found in summer or a snow globe on a gray-blue page that feels like winter.

There are many books of poetry available but there are some that are unique, that make a  school or library collection richer- this is one of those books.

Use with any poetry unit , units on the seasons, or just a mystery read aloud. Good for grades k – 6.

Submitted by Kathy George, Gray Public Library, Gray Maine.

five-stars

Suffragette: The Battle for Equality

Suffragette: The Battle for EqualitySuffragette: The Battle for Equality by David Roberts
Published by Walker Books US on October 8th 2019
ISBN: 1536208418
Pages: 128
Goodreads
five-stars

A comprehensive, historical account of the women’s suffrage movement, from its beginnings in the mid- to late-1800s in both the United Kingdom and the United State. David Roberts brings to life the women and men behind the movement, with engaging, accessible text and lively illustrations that are at once playful, descriptive and captivating. His gentle and instructive voice tackles the hurdles many brave women and men overcame and their astounding courage and determination in pursuing the fight to the end. The sheer brilliance and grit of the suffragettes, who, again and again, found new ways to defy the government makes this hefty non-fiction book one that keeps you reading.  The illustrations serve as tempting bait to draw you in to each chapter.

This is would be a great addition to any school or public library, particularly as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment. Grades 2 and up.

Reviewed by Kelly Greenlee, Prince Memorial Library, Cumberland

five-stars

A Place to Land: Martin Luther King and the Speech that Inspired a Nation

A Place to Land: Martin Luther King and the Speech that Inspired a NationA Place to Land: Martin Luther King Jr. and the Speech That Inspired a Nation by Barry Wittenstein, Jerry Pinkney
Published by Neal Porter Books on August 27th 2019
ISBN: 0823443310
Pages: 48
Goodreads

Barry Wittenstein and Jerry Pinkney  has given the reader the story behind Martin Luther King’s  “I Have a Dream” speech in both a conversational  text and classic Pinkney illustrations of watercolor, color pencil and graphite. King was once asked what was the hardest part of writing a speech. His reply was “knowing where to end.” “It’s terrible to be circling up there without a place to land.”  The night before the 1963 March on Washington, King and men he looked to for guidance met to write what would become his greatest sermon ever. The reader meets his inner circle and is invited into that hotel room as these men strategized. Wittenstein’s text is more a conversation and the reader feels like part of the group. Pinkney’s illustrations are large and expressive and take the reader through the night and onto the National Mall. This is a must for all collections  as it gives insight into how one of the greatest speech’s for freedom was written. There is a note from the artist ,short biographies of the men involved nd her voices , who spoke at the March and sources used to write this book.This is not only a visually inspiring book but sheds light into a piece of the Civil Rights Movement. Use in units about the Civil Right movement, Martin Luther King, and American History. Best for grades 4 and up.

Submitted by Kathy George, Gray Public Library, Gray Maine.

Let Me Fix That for You

Let Me Fix That for YouLet Me Fix That for You by Janice Erlbaum
Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) on July 23rd 2019
ISBN: 0374308101
Pages: 304
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Gladys is a fixer. She spends her school lunch periods helping her peers come up with excuses and cover ups for their problems. But now Glad has a personal issue that needs her attention– putting her family back together. Between home and school, the situations become more complicated and Glad might just find that she needs some help herself.

Perfect for 5th-8th grade readers, this book shows the complications of middle school life and the difficulties of fitting in, making friends, and being yourself. The story is relatable and funny and moves along at a steady pace. Most importantly, it shows that consequences are not avoidable forever and the best thing you can usually do is own up to your mistakes and learn from them.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop

Reviewed by Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

four-stars

Saving the Tasmanian Devil: How Science is Helping the World’s Largest Marsupial Carnivore Survive

Saving the Tasmanian Devil: How Science is Helping the World’s Largest Marsupial Carnivore SurviveSaving the Tasmanian Devil: How Science Is Helping the World’s Largest Marsupial Carnivore Survive by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on August 20th 2019
ISBN: 0544991486
Pages: 80
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

When author Dorothy Patent caught up with college friend , Jenny Marshall Graves, she was shocked to hear that the symbol of Tasmania- the Tasmanian Devil is on the verge of extinction! Graves, a respected geneticist in her home country of Australia, told her she was part of a group of scientists, including a cancer researcher, ecologist, and a graduate student in genomics that are in a race against time to save this Australian symbol from a fatal disease known as Devil Facial Tumor Disease – DFTD.  Where did it come from, how is it transmitted, is it viral or bacterial She was invited to join the group in Australia to see first hand the what is being done to save these animals.

This new addition to the Scientists in the Field series introduces the reader to the plight of the Tasmanian Devil and the people, from the government down to volunteers in the field in their search for a cure or a vaccine that may save this species. In the meantime, scientists have captured healthy devils and put them into “insurance populations” where they will be monitored and hopefully kept safe until they can be reintroduced into the wild.

This addition has all of the qualities that has made this series a must for libraries. The material is presented in a manner that can be understood by the average reader with  photographs and information boxes to support the information. It is STEM at its best!

Reviewed by Kathy George, Gray Public Library, Gray Maine

five-stars

Piranhas Don’t Eat Bananas

Piranhas Don’t Eat BananasPiranhas Don't Eat Bananas by Aaron Blabey
Published by Scholastic Press on July 9th 2019
ISBN: 1338297139
Pages: 24
Goodreads
five-stars

Though the title will make you want to mispronounce piranha so that it rhymes, this story is a rollicking good time for toddlers.  The front of the book defines piranhas as South American meat-eating fish who will eat anything, even “little children who’ve actually been pretty good.”  Brian the piranha offers his friends a number of different fruits and vegetables to try, but they insist that they won’t, and instead share a part of the body that they love to eat that happens to rhyme with said fruit or veggies.  Peas vs. knees. Plums vs. bums. Brian won’t give up and finally convinces his friends to try some fruit. In the end, though, they still prefer their meat. This book has many chances for audience interaction and using fun voices.  Perfect for a toddler storytime. It would also work well for parents trying to get their kids to try something new. Recommended for ages 3-8.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman,  Maine State Library

five-stars

This Book Just Stole my Cat!

This Book Just Stole my Cat!This Book Just Stole My Cat! by Richard Byrne
Published by Oxford University Press on September 24th 2019
ISBN: 1250206677
Pages: 32
Goodreads
five-stars

Byrne is back with another hit.  This story finds Ben from “We’re in the Wrong Book!” back and having a similar experience to Bella in “This Book Just ate my Dog!”.  He’s taking his cat for a walk.  Suddenly the cat disappears! It has been swallowed up by the gutter of the book. Many people try to rescue the cat, but they all disappear too.  Finally, Ben receives a note from the void telling him that if he tickles the book, it will sneeze and let them all back out. The book encourages interaction by asking the children to tickle it in several places.  Ben finally gets his cat back, but there’s a surprise! Fantastic as a solo or group read-aloud. Combine with “Stuck” by Oliver Jeffers for a storytime about unexpected results. Recommended for ages 3-7.

five-stars

Hack Your Cupboard: Make Great Food with What You’ve Got

Hack Your Cupboard: Make Great Food with What You’ve GotHack Your Cupboard: Make Great Food with What You've Got by Alyssa Wiegand, Carla Delgadillo
Published by Zest Books (Tm) on October 1st 2019
ISBN: 1541578546
Pages: 168
Goodreads
five-stars

Recommending for cream consideration.  Perfect for high schoolers who will be living on their own either in the dorm or with a roommate.  The cookbook is divided into four sections:  First kitchen, Dorm Room Dining, First Apartment and first Solo Kitchen.  The table of contents clearly explains what to expect in each section.  The focus of the cookbook is providing helpful hints or “hacks” that any seasoned parent wants to convey to their teen about cooking, financial tricks and basic cooking skills.  Learn how to set up to cook in a dorm room (brownies in a mug), when to dispose of smelly dishes, roommate etiquette and transforming those magical staples….Ramen Noodles.  Simple popcorn flavors to more sophisticated cooking like Brie, Goat cheese Salad and Herb Braised Pork are included.  Most recipes and the knife kitchen skills presented for each section are accompanied with large, clear photos.  A conversion chart for measurements and temperatures are provided as well as an index.  Reviewed the sturdy, hardcover edition.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Springvale Public Library

five-stars

The Far Away Brothers: Two Teenage Immigrants Making a Life in America

The Far Away Brothers: Two Teenage Immigrants Making a Life in AmericaThe Far Away Brothers (Adapted for Young Adults): Two Teenage Immigrants Making a Life in America by Lauren Markham
Published by Delacorte Press on August 20th 2019
ISBN: 1984829777
Pages: 288
Goodreads
five-stars

In this young adult adaptation of the title by the same name, author Markham tells the tale of twin brothers, Ernesto and Raul Flores, who made the arduous and terrifying journey from El Salvador to the United States. Ending up on the wrong side of the infamous MS-13 gang, Ernesto’s life was in severe danger and the only way out was escaping to el Norte (United States). Getting as far as Mexico, Ernesto finds that Raul is to join him, as Ernesto’s identical twin he is now being mistaken for Ernesto so he is also in danger.

Markham is not only a journalist, but an English teacher at the Oakland (CA) International High School, where she met the boys and describes the legal process that they and many other undocumented youths have to go through not to be deported back to the hell and violence that they escaped from. Informational text at the end of the book discusses the historical context of immigration and provides thoughts and ideas about how this crisis might possibly be resolved.

Recommended for grades 8 and up and highly recommended for all book shelves.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor,  Biddeford High School, Biddeford.

five-stars