Category: Cream of the Crop Nominees

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

The Rhythm of the Rain

The Rhythm of the RainThe Rhythm of the Rain by Grahame Baker-Smith
Published by Templar Books on August 20th 2019
ISBN: 1536205753
Pages: 40
Goodreads
five-stars

The water cycle has never been so gorgeously depicted as within the pages of The Rhythm of the Rain. The text follows a jarful of water that Isaac pours into the mountainside pool near where he plays. Traveling down the mountainside, over a waterfall, past animals drinking by the water’s edge, its journey continues through a riverside city and is eventually washed out to the ocean, where it is swallowed by a whale, blown out through its blowhole, turned over in a great wave, evaporated in the heat of the sun and rained down in a torrent upon a mountainside.

The text is light; the pictures are stunning. Full-bleed illustrations depict life all over the world, all dependent upon water. Beautiful. A great addition to any school or public library. Grades PreK and up.

Reviewed by Kelly Greenlee, Prince Memorial Library, Cumberland

 

five-stars

Sweety

SweetySweety by Andrea Zuill
Published by Schwartz & Wade Books on March 26th 2019
ISBN: 052558000X
Pages: 32
Goodreads
five-stars

Sweety is awkward, even for a naked mole rat with thick glasses and a head gear. She doesn’t always fit in, but with encouragement from her eccentric aunt combined with her own self confidence, she finds that being true to herself is the best way to be and the way to find true friendship. Sweety is a lovable, nerdy mole rat who will resonate with inquisitive, unique kids everywhere. Zuill’s illustrations are easy to follow and include small details that children may not catch but that adults will find humorous and endearing. This book is best for one-on-one sharing or for sharing with a small group. The overarching message of embracing individuality and being true to oneself paired with creative, funny characters and witty text make this a great book to share with a wide age range of readers. A recommended purchase for all public libraries and should be considered for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta

five-stars

Shadow Scent

Shadow ScentShadowscent (Shadowscent #1) by P.M. Freestone
Published by Scholastic Press on November 5th 2019
ISBN: 1338335448
Pages: 368
Goodreads
five-stars

Shadow Scent

 

In a world governed by scent and perfumery live Rakel and Ash who, in alternating chapters, tell of intrigue, torture, murder, and giant chrysalises.  Rakel’s father is plagued with “The Rot” in his leg and is dying.  Ash is the “Shield” for the soon-to-be-ruler, Nisai, who has been poisoned.  Rakel and Ash join together on a quest to all of the provinces, not trusting each other at first, but needing to procure the ingredients to replicate the poison and then to cure it, and then save Rakel’s father.  Their journey is plagued by giant chrysalises, living bones, and engravings on a locket.  The world-building is impressive in this fantasy world.  There are many characters and, at first, it is hard to keep track.  But, during the quest, it becomes much easier.  The story ends on a cliff-hanger which will keep readers wanting to know what happens.  This story feels intelligent and having it based on scent is unique.  This book is recommended for grades 7-12 and for consideration for Cream of the Crop.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

five-stars

The Miracle and Tragedy of the Dionne Quintuplets

The Miracle and Tragedy of the Dionne QuintupletsThe Miracle and Tragedy of the Dionne Quintuplets by Sarah Miller
Published by Schwartz & Wade on August 27th 2019
ISBN: 1524713813
Pages: 320
Goodreads
five-stars

In May of 1934, in a small Canadian town, 5 baby girls were born into a family with 5 older siblings and became a global sensation as their lives and of their family are thrown into the spotlight. Their total birth weight was 13 pounds. Yvonne, Cecile, Emilie, Annette and Marie are subsequently removed from their home and basically raised by the government of Ontario across the street in a custom-built hospital — all of this to protect the girls from showmen and exploitation.

Respectfully written and sometimes heart wrenching story of the world’s most famous babies in a time when miracles were meant to be. Recommended for grades 10 and up. TOC, notes and indexes are available.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.

five-stars

Small in the City

Small in the CitySmall in the City by Sydney Smith
Published by Neal Porter Books on September 3rd 2019
ISBN: 0823442616
Pages: 40
Goodreads
five-stars

The reader meets a small boy who is familiar with moving about the city. As he navigates the various areas, he explains that although one is small, one can survive the big city. The boy gives advice about what parts of the city one should avoid, dark alleys, yards with dogs that chase and bite,  and what places are safe, under a  mulberry bush, under a dryer vent to take a nap, and where to find food.  What the reader has to figure out is, who is the little boy giving advice to. The author slowly lets the reader know as the story continues. The illustrations compliment the text and are somewhat graphic in nature. Some of them are bright and defined and then there are those that are darker and muted. They evoke a strong sense of emotion as the boy travels through the city. This is a unique picture book that should not be missed.

Submitted by Kathy George, Gray Public Library

consider for Cream

five-stars

How Do You Care For a Bear?

How Do You Care For a Bear?How Do You Care for a Very Sick Bear? by Rosie Butcher, Vanessa Bayer
Published by Feiwel & Friends on June 4th 2019
ISBN: 1250298431
Pages: 32
Genres: Animals, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

“How Do You Care For a Bear?” is Vanessa Bayer’s debut book. When young, she was diagnosed and treated for childhood leukemia.  This book, in an upbeat and joyous way, gives suggestions as to how one might help and “be there” for a friend who is experiencing illness.   Written and illustrated in such a way that is both reassuring and instructive, this adorable little picture book shows children how they might bring joy and happiness into the lives of others.  During times when one might  feel helpless and unneeded,  this book shows and reassures children  that  they  can make a difference.  And sometimes it’s enough to just “be there” and to be a friend.

I think this is an excellent book that gently provides  young children with several suggestions  of what they might do to bring happiness to a sick friend.  By doing so, a child may feel  a sense e of empowerment as opposed to feeling helpless and unneeded.

The illustrations are joyful and appealing.  I would recommend this book for children ages 3-8. Could be read anytime but especially when a child is concerned about another’s health.

Reviewed By Connie M. Smith, Breakwater School, Portland, ME

five-stars

Queen of the Sea

Queen of the SeaQueen of the Sea by Dylan Meconis
Published by Walker Books US on June 25th 2019
ISBN: 1536204986
Pages: 400
Goodreads
five-stars

Dylan Meconis has created a historical fiction graphic novel that will wow readers. Clearly inspired by the Tudors, especially Queen Mary I and Queen Elizabeth I, Queen of the Sea tells the story of Margaret, a little girl who was found by the nuns living on a small island in the middle of the sea. Margaret occasionally chafes against the rules of the Elysian sisters, especially when political prisoners, William and his mother, Lady Cameron, are exiled to the island. Eventually, they are also joined by Eleanor, the former queen, banished there by her half-sister, who is now sitting on her throne.

Though Margaret and Eleanor don’t get along at first, they grow to depend on each other as mysteries begin to unravel for Margaret about who she really is and what purpose the island actually serves.

Filled with a story pulsing with the drama of history and stylized illustrations that adapt to the story, Queen of the Sea is recommended for all collections serving kids between third and seventh grade.

Reviewed by Sarah Cropley, Scarborough Public Library.

 

five-stars

Snow Leopard: Ghost of the Mountains

Snow Leopard: Ghost of the MountainsSnow Leopard: Ghost of the Mountains by Justin Anderson, Patrick Benson
Published by Candlewick Press (MA) on October 8th 2019
ISBN: 1536205400
Pages: 32
Goodreads
five-stars

Justin Anderson is a zoologist and filmmaker who spent months in India tracking and filming the very rare and very illusive Snow Leopard. He has offered his findings in this picture book for young zoologists. These  cats live very high in the Himalayas where oxygen is half of what it is at sea level, they have the longest tail of all the cats, their eyes are blue at birth and turn green or gray as they age- all other cats have gold or yellow eyes , they are extremely well  camouflaged, and they are in danger, with less than 4,000 in the wild. Anderson invites the reader along with him as he tracks this rarest of wild cats. Patrick Benson adds illustrations to this journey that are large, quiet and done in shades of browns. The author has included facts about the leopard at the bottom of each page , an authors note, an index, and websites to visit for more information. Add to collections on endangered species. This book is worth reading to readers who will one day be responsible for the fate of this beautiful and mysterious cat.

submitted by Kathy George, Gray Public Library

consider for Cream

five-stars