Category: Cream of the Crop Nominees

Lizzie Flying Solo

Lizzie Flying SoloLizzie Flying Solo by Nanci Turner Steveson
Published by HarperCollins on April 16th 2019
ISBN: 0062673181
Pages: 336
Goodreads
five-stars

Lizzie and her Mom move to a homeless shelter (Good Hope: A Home for Families in Transition) after her father is arrested for embezzlement. Lizzie is embarrassed and not sure if her father is guilty or not and is sad to leave her home behind. At her new school, she avoids making new friends for fear they might not like her because of her family situation — even convincing her teacher to let her work alone on a group project. Despite Lizzie’s reluctance to make connections, she ends up working at the stable, making friends at the stable, helping her friends, and devoting herself to working with a troubled young pony who she dreams of owning. Lizzie eventually does come to understand that she has no reason to feel shame for what her father may have done and the importance of sharing with friends. Author Nanci Turner Steveson discusses homeslessness in America and her own brush at almost-homelessness in the author’s note.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop

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

five-stars

The Magnificent Migration: On Safari with Africa’s Last Great Herds

The Magnificent Migration: On Safari with Africa’s Last Great HerdsThe Magnificent Migration: On Safari with Africa’s Last Great Herds by Sy Montgomery
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on June 11th 2019
ISBN: 0544761138
Pages: 176
Goodreads
five-stars

Sibert medalist, Sy Montgomery takes the reader to the plains of Africa to join a prestigious team of scientists, guides, and photographers on her greatest quest yet- follow the herds of wildebeests that migrate with the rains. Led by her friend and the world’s foremost expert on wildebeests, Dr. Richard Estes, they will follow the wildebeest which according to Montgomery “drive the ecology and evolution of the largest savanna ecosystem in the world.” She goes on to say that wildebeest migration defines wild Africa. Montgomery always excites her readers with an abundance of  facts, supported by  extraordinary photographs, on this trip those of father rand son team Roger and Logan Wood.  Montgomery details her trip as they follow the migration of a quarter of a million beasts along with hundreds of thousands of zebra and gazelles in the largest movement of animals on land. This is a book that takes time to read and reread. Not only does the reader gain information on the herds but there are stories of other animals- lions that climb trees to escape biting insects, Arctic terns that fly from Antarctica to Africa, then to South America and on to the Arctic, hyenas, red crabs, and hippos cover just some of those in the book. This is Montgomery at her best! A must for every library ! Use in grades 5 and up.

Reviewed by Kathy George, Gray Public Library, Gray

five-stars

Looking for Yesterday

Looking for YesterdayLooking for Yesterday by Alison Jay
Published by Candlewick Press on August 20th 2019
ISBN: 1536204218
Pages: 32
Goodreads
five-stars

A young boy is nostalgic for yesterday.  How could he go back in time and do it all again, he wonders.  So he decides to try  – by gazing at stars whose light is from a million yesterdays,  by imagining what might go faster than the speed of light,   to  building a supersonic rocket, and to even  considering that a wormhole just might do the trick. Eventually he decides to ask  his Granddad who asks him “why” he wants to go back to yesterday. Granddad then reminisces about some of his own very best yesterdays.  He then tells the young boy that “everyday brings the chance of a new adventure. Why go looking  for yesterday when you can be happy here . . .TODAY!”

This  picture book  tackles a big and thought provoking question.  In turn, this question has the potential of  leading  to interesting discussions with as may answers as their are children discussing it!   The scope of this book is wide and deep and scientific,  yet whimsical in it’s telling and illustration.  And by including Granddad in the “equation,” the topic is made  personal for children.  After all, doesn’t Granddad, with all his knowledge and experience, know the answer to everything?

The illustrations  by this author-illustrator are captivating, colorful and expressive and nicely enhance the thoughts and ideas  presented  throughout the text.   Could be used at any time,  during a science class or for stimulating the minds of the young and curious.

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

five-stars

Death Eaters: Meet Nature’s Scavengers

Death Eaters: Meet Nature’s ScavengersDeath Eaters: Nature's Decomposers and Scavengers by Kelly Milner Halls
Published by Millbrook Press on August 1st 2018
ISBN: 1512482005
Goodreads
five-stars

There has been life on earth for over 4 billion years- so where are all the bodies? Kelly Milner Halls has given the reader the answer in this non- fiction picture book filled with fact and photographs .The answer is “recycling.” When something or someone dies it is consumed by the “death-eaters”, scavengers and decomposers – the “clean-up crew.” It is in this selection the reader gets to meet them and though it may seem gross to us- it is amazing and fascinating as to how the earth cleans itself. Ms Halls takes the reader through the five stages of death, explaining each one and introducing the bodily function,  insect or animal that is responsible for addressing each stage. In the first stage for instance, an animal freshly dead, the body begins to shut down and self digest. After about three days, animals such as wolves or hyenas eat or store the somewhat fresh corpse. Then  the, birds from crows to seagulls, insects of all sorts take their turn until nothing is left but bones. Now it is the job of the bone eating worms and finally the bacteria and fungi to leave no trace of the dead. With lots of photographs  and a text easy to understand, this is the completion of any book about insects, birds or animals as to what happens to them after they die. Use with units on nature, animals and recycling.

reviewed by Kathy George, Gray Public Library, Gray

five-stars

For Black Girls Like Me

For Black Girls Like MeFor Black Girls Like Me by Mariama J. Lockington
on July 30th 2019
ISBN: 0374308047
Pages: 336
Goodreads
five-stars

Eleven year-old Keda’s world changes drastically when her family moves from Baltimore to New Mexico. Keda is African American and has white adoptive parents and a white sister. In her new school, Keda is subjected to the silent treatment, ridicule, microaggressions, and overt racism from her new middle school classmates and teachers. When Keda’s mother decides to homeschool Keda and her older sister, Keda feels isolated from her peers. Keda and her sister also struggle to help their mother who has untreated bipolar disorder. Told in first person narrative, this coming-of-age story explores themes of race, identity, family and friendship. Keda’s story unfolds through a series of journal entries and email messages to her best friend in Baltimore as well as song lyrics Keda writes about her experiences. Highly recommended for middle school and high school libraries. (Recommended for grades 6 and up).  Cathy Potter, Falmouth Middle School Library, Falmouth
Recommended for Cream of the Crop

five-stars

Searching for Lottie

Searching for LottieSearching for Lottie by Susan Ross
Published by Holiday House on February 26th 2019
ISBN: 0823441660
Pages: 176
Goodreads
five-stars

Charlie (Charlotte) is a twelve-year-old girl researching her namesake, Lottie (Charlotte) for a school project.  Both share not only a name, but also the love of violin. When Lottie went missing during WWII, all assumed she perished since she was Jewish in a Nazi dominated society.  Charlie follows the trail discovering clues such as an old necklace and relying on researching primary sources to find her missing great aunt. Themes of family, perseverance, facing adversity, aging, and hope flow through this well written novel.  Searching for Lottie is an intergenerational mystery based on true events which explains the history of this time period in an age appropriate manner.  Readers 8-12 will enjoy the suspense while they follow Charlie through her day to day life auditioning, developing a crush, relating to her brother, and visiting elderly family members while learning about a difficult time in history.  Teachers and parents will find this book an enjoyable read aloud with a variety of topics to discuss. Both may also enjoy knowing that the author grew up in Lewiston-Auburn and continues to spend part of her time in Maine.

Reviewed by Heather Hale, Easton School District, Easton

Recommended for Cream of the Crop

five-stars

Women in the Military: From Drill Sergeants to Fighter Pilots

Women in the Military: From Drill Sergeants to Fighter PilotsWomen in the Military: From Drill Sergeants to Fighter Pilots by Connie Goldsmith
Published by Twenty-First Century Books (Tm) on January 1st 2019
ISBN: 1541528123
Pages: 120
Goodreads
five-stars

This book gives a thoughtful look to the women in all branches of the United States Military, ranging from a brief overlook of their history in the military to powerful changes that have taken place. Even though women are still the minority in the military, their numbers are growing and providing them opportunities that hadn’t been available in the past. Inside are mini-biographies of various women that share their outlook from just entering boot camp to well seasoned veterans.

Recommended for grades 7 and up. There is a TOC, timeline of Historical Advances for Women, sources notes, bibliography, further information and an index. The context, photographs, and graphs are well organized an compliment the text with information easily located.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.

five-stars

Old Souls

Old SoulsOld Souls by Brian McDonald, Les McClaine
Published by First Second on June 25th 2019
ISBN: 1626727325
Pages: 256
Goodreads
five-stars

Chris buys lunch everyday for a homeless man and is uncertain to why he feels obligated to do so. Eventually he understands the connection between he and the homeless man and it is unnerving. With his discovery, Chris enters into a world that leads him to his previous lives that maybe he should not have revisited. There is a previous life that needs closure in order for him to live in the present, can he do it or will his present life crash? This paranormal tale makes the reader think about how reincarnation may play within one’s life

Illustration are mainly black and white with minimal coloring. Easy to follow and a little  unsettling to read. Recommended for grades 9 and up.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford.

five-stars

Pumpkinheads

PumpkinheadsPumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell, Faith Erin Hicks
Published by First Second on August 27th 2019
ISBN: 1626721629
Pages: 224
Goodreads
five-stars

Pumpkinheads might be a romance, but there is quite a bit more to this graphic novel. It is about 2 friends, Josie and Deja, and their friendship. They decide, or more like Deja decides for the two of them, that they are going to try silly and fun things on their last night at their summer job before they head off to college. Yea, it’s high schoolers, but there is nothing in here that a 5th grader couldn’t read. And the sweet romance piece at the end is just right for 5th graders starting to want a book with a bit of romance in it but not too much for others. Love that the characters are not exactly what you’d expect. Great addition to all graphic novel collections.

Cream. Reviewed by Mary Lehmer, Freeport Community Library, Freeport, ME

five-stars

Music for Mister Moon

Music for Mister MoonMusic for Mister Moon by Philip C. Stead, Erin E. Stead
Published by Neal Porter Books on March 26th 2019
ISBN: 0823441601
Pages: 40
Goodreads
five-stars

Recommending for cream of the crop consideration.  This picture book for young listeners from PreK to grade 2 has a gentle, ethereal feel that matches the off beat imagination of Harriet Henry, “Hank”, as she works through her performance anxiety of playing the cello.  Hank’s parents want her to perform one day and she only wants to play for herself.  In her mind she changes her parents into penguins and then goes to her room to practice.  She is distracted by an owl that leads her outside and into a relationship with Mister Moon, who is stuck in her chimney.  As they venture out to get Mister Moon a hat, a ride in a boat and eventually back into the sky with the help of the owls, Hank plays only for Mister Moon.   Repeat readings revealed details in the delicately placed illustrations.  The clear, matter of fact text matched with the whimsical faint colors of green and yellow hues bring Hank’s imagination to a perfect crescendo for practicing her cello.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Springvale Public Library

five-stars