Category: Cream of the Crop Nominees

Are You Listening?

Are You Listening?Are You Listening? by Tillie Walden
Published by First Second on September 10th 2019
ISBN: 1250207568
Pages: 320
Goodreads
five-stars

Bea is a runaway and happens to run into Lou, a friend of her mother’s, at a gas station in Texas. Both are running from truths in their lives that seem to be haunting them — grief and abuse. In their travels, Bea and Lou find a lost cat and  set intentions of returning it to its rightful home in a town that doesn’t seem to exist.

Detailed illustrations depict subtleties in the story along with adding an air of paranoia, friendship and healing. Colors are in dark hues and tones that change with the scenes. Well developed characters and plot with LGBTQIA diversity in the story line. Fans of Tillie Walden will thoroughly enjoy this latest edition.

Recommended for grades 9 and up.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.

five-stars

Sembrando historias: Pura Belpré: bibliotecaria y narradora de cuentos

Sembrando historias: Pura Belpré: bibliotecaria y narradora de cuentosSembrando historias: Pura Belpré: bibliotecaria y narradora de cuentos by Anika Aldamuy Denise
Published by HarperCollins Espanol on January 15th 2019
ISBN: 1400212642
Pages: 40
Goodreads
five-stars

This enchanting and beautiful Spanish language picture book tells the story of Pura Belpré, librarian, puppeteer, and storyteller. After emigrating from Puerto Rico to her new island home of Manhattan, Pura was hired as a bilingual library aid at her local public library. She loved story time, but realized she wanted to pass on the special Puerto Rican folktales her grandfather had told her with New York’s children. Initially, she simply told the stories orally. Then, she decided she would sew puppets to embellish story time. Of course, a pioneer like Pura was still not satisfied. She wanted to plant the seeds for these stories to live on beyond her time at the library. So Pura kept going until the stories were written down and published. This picture biography is poetically written, elucidating Pura’s captivating and industrious nature. Sembrando historias is a love letter to libraries and librarians everywhere who sew and nurture the seeds of storytelling, a love of reading, and carrying on tradition. Readers who love adventure or who appreciate elegant illustrations will love this book. Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Savannah Sessions, SAD 17 Elementary Librarian, Oxford Hills.

five-stars

Home Is a Window

Home Is a WindowHome Is a Window by Stephanie Ledyard, Chris Sasaki
Published by Neal Porter Books on April 23rd 2019
ISBN: 0823441563
Pages: 40
Goodreads
five-stars

A family learns what home really means, as they leave one beloved residence and make a new home in another.
Home can be many things—a window, a doorway, a rug…or a hug. At home, everything always feels the same: comfortable and safe.
But sometimes things change, and a home must be left behind.
Follow a family as they move out of their beloved, familiar house and learn that they can bring everything they love about their old home to the new one, because they still have each other. This heartfelt picture book by Stephanie Parsley Ledyard is richly illustrated by former Pixar animator Chris Sasaki.

An ode to home and the comfort and feelings of safety it produces, Home is a Window is beautiful in its simplicity. The patterned, warm illustrations are relaxing and the prose is sparse but kind. The first half of the book embraces home while the second half explores the emotions involved in moving to a new one. As someone who moved several times as a kid I appreciated how the book validates the sadness and anxiety about moving but then reassures the reader that home is, in fact, more about  where your loved ones are than a particular building. A good read aloud book for pre-k through second grade or anyone who might be facing either a move or a big family change.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars

Field Trip to the Moon

Field Trip to the MoonField Trip to the Moon by John L. Hare
Published by Margaret Ferguson Books on May 14th 2019
ISBN: 0823442535
Pages: 40
Goodreads
five-stars

A picture book that truly needs no words, Field Trip to the Moon provides young readers with the opportunity to make this their own story.   Nearly all the illustrations of the children and teacher share feeling and mood without facial expressions.  It is the emotional response registering on the faces of moon beings that makes this book outstanding.  And I love that a crayon box is the implement of friendship, our lost child returns home having left behind an appreciated gift.

Hare’s first picture book is clever, artistic and imaginative.   From the yellow spaceship to the craters of the moon young readers will be able to identify objects as they narrate the storyline.  Parents and grands will be attracted to the lone student who experiences the field trip in a unique way achieving the bonanza interaction.

Recommended for Cream

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

five-stars

No Room for a Pup

No Room for a PupNo Room for a Pup! by Elizabeth Suneby, Laurel Molk
Published by Kids Can Press on October 1st 2019
ISBN: 1525300296
Pages: 32
Goodreads
five-stars

A clever retelling of the Yiddish folktale, It Could Always Be Worse. Mia wants a dog but her mother says that there is NO ROOM for one in their small city apartment. So Grandma hatches a plan with Mia and comes to visit with her squawking parrot Roger, the class bunny, a neighbor’s cat, and even grandma’s book club accompanied by their pet pig. Mother is relieved when they all leave and decides there might be room for one little dog. The book has a consistent format throughout building up to the gratifying conclusion. I will use No Room for a Pup for a readaloud during preschool Story Time, inviting kids to join in when mom cries “NO ROOM.” The full-color illustrations of the animals are adorable and characters are fashionably dressed people of varying ages and races. The picture on the last page of only the “pint-sized” pup and Mia will surprise and delight readers of all ages. Primary students could compare and contrast this book with It Could Always Be Worse: A Yiddish Folk Tale by Margot Zemach.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library, Liberty

Reviews: Perfect for young ones yearning for a pet.―Kirkus Reviews; 4.8 out of 5 on Amazon

five-stars

The Bus to Everland

The Bus to EverlandLast Bus to Everland by Sophie Cameron
Published by Roaring Brook Press on June 18th 2019
ISBN: 1250149932
Pages: 336
Goodreads
five-stars

The storyline is both intense and intuitive as Brody attempts to navigate school and his family situation. Years of artistic interest have earned him the nickname “Fairy” making him wonder what his sexual orientation is.   Upon meeting Nico a new world opens up where Brody is accepted and free to be himself.  Is Everland a fantasy alternate world or just a safe place?  Readers will have to decide for themselves as they go on weekly visits to this lush and accepting environment.

Last Bus to Everland is different, it blends fantasy and real life in a unique manner that makes the reader want to visit Everland themselves.  Character development is good, offering just enough insight into the private thoughts of several teens.  Regardless of their individual struggle each character exposes some of their personal inner pain and challenges.   Add this to Middle School and High School media centers and do place on the shelves of public library YA shelves.    This is a book that teens will be talking about.

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired librarian in Scarborough, ME

five-stars

Light it Up

Light it UpLight It Up by Kekla Magoon
Published by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) on October 22nd 2019
ISBN: 1250128897
Pages: 368
Goodreads
five-stars

After police shoot and kill an unarmed 13-year-old girl, Shae Tatum, a whole community reels.  This excellent novel is told from a variety of perspectives, including the daughter of the officer who shot Shae, Shae’s best friend, community organizers, social media accounts, and others who grapple with injustice and unrest.  The novel leads readers through the days following Shae’s death, including a protest where an attempt to respond peacefully turns violent.

This book belongs on shelves in libraries and classrooms where readers are ready to grapple with upsetting scenes where justice comes into question.  Light It Up would appeal to readers who loved The Hate U Give, On The Come Up, All American Boys,  Long Way Down, and other recent novels that perfectly execute discussion of race and justice.

Reviewed by Noelle Gallant, Saco Middle School

five-stars

Girls On the Verge

Girls On the VergeGirls on the Verge by Sharon Biggs Waller
Published by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) on April 9th 2019
ISBN: 1250151694
Pages: 229
Goodreads
five-stars

The first thing readers will notice is the clear, strong, bold, brave voice of Camille. Camille is pregnant and has enlisted the help of her friends to terminate her pregnancy. Camille is not able to tell her family and the baby’s father about the pregnancy and after a failed visit to a “crisis clinic” in her home state of Texas, Camille realizes she needs to enlist some help. Camille begins her journey with Annabelle, the new friend with a strong feminist outlook and Bea, the life-long friend, who is more conservative and sheltered. To be clear, the author does have an agenda. In the Author’s Note, Waller states that she wants to “sound the alarm” on legislation that regulates women’s bodies and talks about how shame is used as a weapon against women and she does just that. This book is filled with information about women’s reproductive rights and the girls discuss the options in an informative, thoughtful manner, without any element of preachiness. However, this book is also a satisfying road trip story about friendship. Each girl has a secret and as the miles pass their truths are revealed. This book will satisfy readers with its story and it will inform readers on reproductive rights and options in the United States. It is an important addition to any YA collection serving grades 10 and up. Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Elizabeth Andersen, Librarian, Westbrook High School

five-stars

The Music of What Happens

The Music of What HappensThe Music of What Happens by Bill Konigsberg
Published by Arthur A. Levine Books on February 26th 2019
ISBN: 1338215507
Pages: 338
Goodreads
five-stars

This romantic novel is filled with poetry, food, and art, but it also tackles the serious issues of consent, grief, and gender conformity. Through happenstance, Max and Jordan end up in the hot, Arizona summer heat working on a derelict food truck, “Coq Au Vinny.” The food truck belonged to Jordan’s deceased father and Jordan desperately needs it to be successful. Max’s lives with his mother since his parents divorced and his plans for sleeping in, playing video games, and hanging out with his friends have been thwarted by his mother who is forcing him to work instead. Romance ensues as the boys spend time learning about each other and making the food truck successful. They take turns narrating the chapters and Konigsberg masterfully creates a unique voice for each boy. This most important feat of this novel is the insight it gives to the issue of young men and rape; it feels as powerful as Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speak. Recommended for grades 10 and up.  Recommended for Cream of the Crop. 

Elizabeth Andersen, Librarian, Westbrook High School

five-stars

The Great Santa Stakeout

The Great Santa StakeoutThe Great Santa Stakeout by Betsy Bird, Dan Santat
Published by Arthur A. Levine Books on September 3rd 2019
ISBN: 133816998X
Pages: 40
Goodreads
five-stars

A really good STEM book doesn’t look like a STEM book. In this one, all the planning concepts and engineering are hidden in an entertaining Santa story. Freddy is obsessed with Santa: Santa costumes at birthday parties and Valentine parties. He collects everything Santa: boot book ends, posters, and even underwear. Try reading that page with a straight face to a group of youngsters! He now wants a selfie with Santa, fresh out of the chimney. And he has a plan. Of course, Santa fools him, but Freddie is not discouraged; he simply makes another plan for next year. 

Don’t miss the endpages – they’re detailed plans of Freddy’s plans – this year’s in the front, and next year’s in the back, making good bookends to the story. And take a peak under the cover!

Full color illustrations, double spreads with close-ups of Freddie’s face with various expressions are visually entertaining.

I field-tested this with first and third grade classes. Seventeen third graders gave it 5 stars (two gave it 4, and one gave it 3). All first graders said keep it for the library, except one student who said I should NOT put it on our shelves because too many students would all want to borrow it and they would argue about who would get it first.

Quality and original Santa stories are hard to come by; this one fits the bill.

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Librarian, Old Town Elementary School

five-stars