Category: Cream of the Crop Nominees

The Probability of Everything

The Probability of EverythingThe Probability of Everything by Sarah Everett
Published by Clarion Books on June 27, 2023
ISBN: 006325655X
Pages: 326
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

What starts out as an apocalyptic science-fiction middle grade novel about an asteroid hitting the Earth in four-days time turns into a deep study of place, family, and the unimaginable toll that loss takes on a young person. Kemi Carter relates to the world through scientific facts, particularly probability. The book begins with a letter from Kemi about how the world has possibly ended due to an approaching asteroid. As the space rock hurtles toward the Earth, Kemi is alarmed by the lack of urgency and concern displayed by those in her new town. She decides to create a time capsule in the event of a total annihilation of the human race. She endeavors to capture the essence of each person in her beloved family and as the book progresses, the reader realizes how close Kemi is to her father and how special he is to her. She struggles to figure out what she can add to a time capsule that can fully represent all that he is and all that he means to her.

But the story of the asteroid and the time capsule are masking the true story of Kemi’s life and the twist that comes with the revelation that there is no asteroid will be a gut-punch to the reader. From that point onward, the book becomes a story of race relations and crushing loss and Kemi coming to terms with both of those. Give to those in grades 5-8 who enjoy a major plot twist and those who don’t mind a sad ending.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Middle School

five-stars

Simon and the Better Bone

Simon and the Better BoneSimon and the Better Bone by Tabor, Corey
Published by Balzer + Bray on May 9, 2023
ISBN: 9780063275553
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals, Folklore
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

A reimagining of the Aesop tale  “The Dog and His Reflection.” One day looking down into the pond, Simon sees another dog just like him. And that dog has a bone just like his, only better! Simon offers a trade for the bone and a challenge, but when nothing works he pounces into the pond, losing his bone.  There happens to be another bone close by, so a dripping-wet Simon decides to toss the bone to his new friend. Preschoolers will giggle at the silly puppy’s antics. The book opens vertically, allowing viewers to see both the furry hero and his reflection, which is genius implementation of the story. The smudgy illustrations work well to also depict the reflections in the water. Recommended read for Story Times.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

Mine!

Mine!Mine! by Candace Fleming, Eric Rohmann
ISBN: 0593181662
Genres: Animals, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

“Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!” by Candace Fleming is one of my favorite books to read-aloud. “Mine!” may be a close second. This rhythmic read and the repetition has the makings of a storytime classic. Greedy animals have their eyes on a single red apple that hangs at the “tip-tippy top” of a tree, poised to fall at any moment. The mouse, rabbit, fox, deer, and bear all declare the apple to be “MINE!” when it falls. This is followed immediately by different descriptions of how each animal hides. Clever phrases, such as Mouse “zippety-eeked” beneath a leaf to wait, Hare “hoppety-boinged,” and fox “waggety-dashed,” along with Rohmann’s colorful, uncluttered art make this an ideal read-aloud for preschoolers. In the end, none of the greedy animals end up with the apple. It lands with an opossum who is not unhappy that the apple has a worm in it!

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

We Still Belong

We Still BelongWe Still Belong by Christine Day
Published by Heartdrum on August 1, 2023
ISBN: 0063064561
Pages: 256
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Day does the admirable job of writing a middle grade book about a regular girl, living her middle school life, who is also a part of an Indigenous community and who is struggling to figure out where she fits in there. Wesley Wilder has a big day planned. She has had a poem printed in the school newspaper giving voice to her feelings about being Indigenous, and she anticipates being asked to read it out loud in English class; and the dance is coming up and she has the perfect plan to ask her crush, Ryan. Of course nothing goes as planned; her teacher criticizes the poem for not taking a stand against Columbus Day and for not having a thesis statement, and Ryan is asked to the dance by someone else while Wesley is offering emotional support to a new friend.

Readers will feel for Wesley as she navigates the ups and downs of her day.  All middle school readers will recognize the quest for identity while also trying to quietly fit in. When Wesley ends her day at an intertribal powwow, things get better: her poem is praised and she is asked to share it, and she and Ryan connect. The message is clear from Day that Wesley does belong, both in her Upper Skagit Indian Tribe and at Shorelands Middle School. Through her engaging prose and relatable character, she has done a fantastic job offering a mirror to any middle school reader, and a window into the life of an Indigenous teen. Highly recommend to realistic fiction readers in grades 5-7.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Middle School

five-stars

Something Like Home

Something Like HomeSomething Like Home by Andrea Beatriz Arango
on September 12, 2023
ISBN: 0593566181
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This poignant novel in verse tells the story of Laura and how she comes to be living with her Aunt Silvia who she barely knows. Laura worries that she should not have called 911 when she found her parents because then things would be the same – she’d be home in her cozy trailer, attending her old school, and hanging out with her friends. Instead she is placed in kinship care, living with a relative she’s never known who doesn’t quite know what to do with Laura. One day Laura rescues an abandoned dog and her aunt allows her to keep the dog. When Laura learns about therapy dogs, she decides to train her dog so she’ll be able to visit her parents in rehab with her therapy dog. Along the way, she makes a new friend and starts to see that other people have challenges in their lives too.  A realistic and age-appropriate look at how addiction hurts families and how children are impacted. A powerful and important book for middle grade readers.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

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

five-stars

Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass

Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your AssYaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass: The Graphic Novel by Meg Medina, Mel Valentine Vargas
Published by Candlewick Press on September 5, 2023
ISBN: 1536234737
Pages: 288
Genres: Mental Health, Realistic Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Goodreads
five-stars

It’s hard enough to move away from your best friend and start a new high school, but Piddy Sanchez also has to deal with an invisible bully who allegedly hates her guts and would like to physically harm her. Piddy has no idea why; she doesn’t even know who Yaqui Delgado is. As the bullying inflicted by Delgado and her group escalates, Piddy withdraws emotionally which distresses her mother and others who love her.

This book is a graphic novel adaptation by Mel Valentine Vargas of Meg Medina’s 2013 novel and it belongs in every school library. Those who have been bullied or who have loved ones who have been bullied will recognize the despair and helplessness that it causes in teens and their families. It’s an honest look at the ripple effect of trauma that bullying causes and refuses to shy away from the frustration that can be felt when dealing with seemingly uncooperative school administrations. But it also highlights the support and love of family and friends; Piddy has some strong, consistent support even when she is unable to see it. Vargas’ illustrations are done in blue and grey tones which work well to carry the story’s emotions.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars

This Is Not a Unicorn

This Is Not a UnicornThis is NOT a Unicorn! by Barry Timms, Ged Adamson
Published by Nosy Crow on Jun 6, 2023
Pages: 32
Genres: Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

This large picture book will grab readers from the start with its bright cover and promise of silliness. Using a lively authorial voice, Timms invites the reader to observe all of the ways that the creature in the book, who might *look* like a unicorn, is not. Ridiculous, but clever, rhymes are illustrated to perfection by Ged Adamson as the “not” unicorn demonstrates its other talents. Like the child in the book, listeners will be awed, entertained, and delighted by the surprising things the animal IS. Publisher Nosy Crow also offers a QR code on the back cover that can be scanned by a smartphone and provides a free audio reading of the book. Highly recommend for public library and pre-K and elementary school programs.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Middle School

five-stars

Hoops

HoopsHoops: A Graphic Novel by Matt Tavares
Published by Candlewick Press on March 14, 2023
ISBN: 1536231959
Pages: 224
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Inspired by a true story, this graphic novel dramatizes the historic struggle for gender equality in high school sports. A resourceful art teacher moonlights as the girls’ basketball coach and takes this high school girls basketball team to the 1976 Indiana state championships. They have to practice at the elementary school and the girls put their numbers on white t shirts with electrical tape. They play to empty bleachers. Both the art and the plot are spare but highly effective. The depiction of the challenges the girls faced was perfect as was the artist’s use of skin tone and hair texture to suggest racial diversity. This book will appeal to upper elementary and middle school students, especially girls but boys should be encouraged to read it, too.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

One World: 24 Hours on Planet Earth

One World: 24 Hours on Planet EarthOne World: 24 Hours on Planet Earth by Nicola Davies, Jenni Desmond
Published by Candlewick Press on March 14, 2023
Pages: 40
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

An ideal book to put on display for Earth Day, this gorgeous over-sized picture book uses the device of children traveling around the world to see what is happening at the exact same moment. At one minute to midnight on April 21 (the minute before it changes to April 22, the day that Earth Day is celebrated), two sisters from London, Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) 11:59PM, witness that same minute across the globe. Focusing on natural scenes like turtles in India and pollinators in California, Davies’ clear prose highlights the flora and fauna at each location. Jenni Desmond’s beautiful, mixed-media illustrations fill each page and readers will delight in finding the sisters as they interact with the scene. Notes at the end of the book offer further insight into the book’s concept and defines climate change as well as suggesting actions readers can take to help preserve all of the wondrous sites and vulnerable plants and animals mentioned in the text. A well-crafted, thoughtful, and beautiful book.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Middle School

five-stars

The Many Fortunes of Maya

The Many Fortunes of MayaThe Many Fortunes of Maya by Nicole D. Collier
ISBN: 0358434645
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

12-year-old Maya Jenkins is determined to get recruited to the Chargers soccer team–the elite team her dad was a part of during his youth.  She also is secretly still practicing her flute because while she loves it, she doesn’t believe she can focus fully on soccer if she gives her music the attention she’d like to. Add in her parent’s separation, her now strained relationship with her best friend and swimming lessons, and this summer is not turning out the way Maya was hoping.  Using her wheel of fortunes as a compass, Maya tries to navigate the muddy waters of being true to herself under the weight of others’ dreams.

Maya’s struggle to remain loyal to her parents while trying to decide where her true interests lie will be relatable to many middle-grade readers. Surely grappling with parents on the brink of divorce will be familiar territory as well. Her emotional turmoil is honest and each problem is resolved realistically even if predictably. Each chapter is tagged with one of Maya’s collected fortunes which adds an interesting plot device as the story moves along. 

Recommended for Cream of the Crop

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

 

four-stars