Category: Cream of the Crop Nominees

The Field Guide to the North American Teenager

The Field Guide to the North American TeenagerThe Field Guide to the North American Teenager by Ben Philippe
Published by Balzer + Bray on January 8th 2019
ISBN: 0062824112
Pages: 372
Goodreads
five-stars

In steps Norris Kaplan straight off the plane into the Austin, TX  air. Not that a boy from Canada would complain much about the heat and humidity that is by the way — not to be found in the land of the North. Norris’s mother got a professorship at the University of Texas and as far as the eye can see  — it Longhorn country!

Norris is cynical and way to smart for his own good. Many times he has been warned about what comes out his mouth and sure as shootin’ the first day of his new high school is well — against him. Norris has a way of cataloguing everyone that he meets as a way to amuse himself. Things do change though when his mother posts a “friendship” flyer on UT’s campus and in walks Liam who helps steer Norris into a better place.

A great guy read. Witty and quite humorous. Each chapter is set up as you would see it in a field guide with  identifying characteristics, habitat, mating habitat, etc. Recommended for grades 7 and up.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford, ME.

five-stars

On the Come Up

On the Come UpOn the Come Up by Angie Thomas
Published by Balzer + Bray on February 5th 2019
ISBN: 0062498568
Pages: 447
Goodreads
five-stars

Set in the same neighborhood where readers met Starr from The Hate U Give, On the Come Up tells the story of Bri – an aspiring rapper waiting for her chance.  Bri’s father was a rising star when he was fatally shot in a gang-related incident when Bri was a toddler, leaving Bri along with a mother who struggles to make ends meet and a brother who is determined to end up anywhere else but in a gang.  After a rap battle victory in “The Ring,” Bri feels like this is her chance, not only to help her mother pay the bills, but also to make it as the star her father never became.

Angie Thomas masterfully shares Bri’s inner thinking, especially scenes in which Bri brainstorms, crafts, and raps off the cuff, and readers will delight in the audiobook version of this text to hear the lyricality of Bri’s music. On the Come Up is a story of overcoming obstacles, and fighting for what’s right, persevering, with a creative ending that will leave readers turning the page and imagining with Bri.  Recommended for grades 8-12.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop

Review by Noelle Gallant, Saco Middle School

five-stars

We Are Here to Stay: Voices of Undocumented Young Adults

We Are Here to Stay: Voices of Undocumented Young AdultsWe Are Here to Stay: Voices of Undocumented Young Adults by Susan Kuklin
Published by Candlewick Press on January 8th 2019
ISBN: 0763678848
Pages: 192
Goodreads
five-stars

Originally scheduled to be published in 2017 with full-color portraits of the 9 young adults that were interviewed; the publication was held back do to the executive actions of our government regarding DACA. These actions had many DACA recipients concerned for their lives, making it too risky for the participants of this book to have their pictures posted for all to see. So now in its new publication format the areas where there should be photographs of the interviewees were left to just  white space with captions.

Kuklin had these 9 immigrants from countries such as Colombia, Ghana and South Korea share their experiences  they had coming to the United States and how they are living and surviving as undocumented immigrants. This is powerful and personal, not political. Well written with a realistic portrayal of what life is like for these immigrants. Recommended for grades 7 and up.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford, ME

five-stars

What is Poetry?: The Essential Guide to Reading & Writing Poems

What is Poetry?: The Essential Guide to Reading & Writing PoemsWhat Is Poetry?: The Essential Guide to Reading and Writing Poems by Michael Rosen, Jill Calder
Published by Candlewick Press on January 8th 2019
ISBN: 1536201596
Pages: 208
Goodreads
five-stars

What is Poetry? was written to help guide reluctant poetry lovers to better understand poetry , whether it being the reading and interpretation or the flow of words to create. Recommended for middle school, but could even helpful on the shelves of high school libraries.

Rosen offers technical tips and information on how to write poetry, but also how to read and understand the meaning of the poem in a way that is easy to follow and frequently humorous. Would be useful for students (adults, too!) to better understand the realm of poetry.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford, ME

five-stars

The Great Rhino Rescue

The Great Rhino RescueThe Great Rhino Rescue: Saving the Southern White Rhinos by Sandra Markle
Published by Millbrook Press on August 1st 2018
ISBN: 1512444367
Pages: 48
Goodreads
five-stars

This book looks at the Southern white rhino and what is being done to save it. It discusses why they are in danger and includes amazing facts about the rhino. One that stuck in my mind is that baby rhinos weigh @150 pounds at birth! The photos in the book are beautiful and give the reader a solid feel for what rhinos look like as well as what happens when they are attacked by poachers. The back of the book has a nice glossary and includes websites where readers can go to to find out more about rhinos (including a video of the sounds they make). Fascinating book that would be a great addition to any library.

 

Ages: 8 and up. Cream. Mary Lehmer, Librarian, Freeport Community Library, Freeport, ME

five-stars

The Great Rhino Rescue

The Great Rhino RescueThe Great Rhino Rescue: Saving the Southern White Rhinos by Sandra Markle
Published by Millbrook Press on August 1st 2018
ISBN: 1512444367
Pages: 48
Goodreads
five-stars

This book tells the heartbreaking reasons behind the near extinction of the Southern white rhino. The text is straightforward and is enhanced with incredible pictures. Along with the reasons for their near extinction, are amazing facts about rhinos. Did you know that rhinos can weigh over 5000 pounds? Or that their babies can weigh 150 pounds when they are born? And these are just a few of the things you will learn about rhinos when you read this book. The back of the book has a glossary explaining terms and a page offering websites for more information (including one for a YouTube video about rhino sounds). The only flaw is that the reserves where the rhinos are now living aren’t specifically shown on the provided map. Still, this is a terrific book for anyone wanting to learn about the rhinos.

Ages: 8 and up. Cream.  Mary Lehmer, Librarian, Freeport Community Library, Freeport, ME

five-stars

Click

ClickClick by Kayla Miller
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on January 8th 2019
ISBN: 1328911128
Pages: 192
Goodreads
five-stars

Olive has lots of groups of friends in her 5th grade class and she likes to do things with all of them. But when the class variety show is announced, all of Olive’s friends find an act to perform and no one asks her to join them or be in their group. Poor Olive, she is really bummed and hurt and isn’t sure what to do. This is a such a good story and the problem Olive faces is one many children will relate to- feeling left out and wanting to be included but not wanting to ask to be included. Olive is a good character that needs the help of family and friends to figure things out. This will be the 1st graphic novel in the series.

Ages: 7 and up. Cream. Mary Lehmer, Librarian, Freeport Community Library

five-stars

Attucks!

Attucks!Attucks!: Oscar Robertson and the Basketball Team That Awakened a City by Phillip Hoose
on October 23rd 2018
ISBN: 0374306125
Pages: 224
Goodreads
five-stars

Using newspaper articles, photographs, and personal interviews, Hoose tells a compelling story of race, sport, and triumph in the face of adversity. The book revolves around the high school basketball scene in Indiana in the 1940s and 50s. With no professional sports teams in Indiana, communities in Indiana were mad for basketball and the high school basketball scene was fiercely competitive. It was also fiercely white. With school segregation in its heyday in Indiana, there were schools and then there were all-black schools and teams from the two spheres rarely met on the same field or court. Hoose centers his story at Crispus Attucks High School, an all-black school in Indianapolis that built a powerful, championship-caliber team that eventually helped force the integration of the basketball scene because if you were the best in your league (read: white school) but you had not played the best team in the state (read: Attucks Tigers) were you truly the best? This book will appeal to fans of narrative nonfiction and to those who appreciate reading about a group of people whose mantra became “Respect all, but back down from no one.” Highly recommend for high school and adult collections.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

five-stars

My Beijing: Four Stories of Everyday Wonder

My Beijing: Four Stories of Everyday WonderMy Beijing: Four Stories of Everyday Wonder by Nie Jun
Published by Graphic Universe (TM) on August 1st 2018
ISBN: 1512445908
Pages: 128
Goodreads
five-stars

This graphic novel filled with little vignettes of Yu’er and her grandpa illustrates the magic of daily life and is beautiful, both in content and in presentation. Just flipping through the pages, one feels the warmth of the watercolor illustrations and the devotion of Grandpa to his little granddaughter. Set in a hutong neighborhood in Beijing, Yu’er has a disability that prevents her from walking and Grandfather cares for her, showing her that she should not be limited by her disability and telling her stories that connect her to her family and her culture. With touches of magical realism, this GN offers a window into another place that will delight elementary and middle grade readers.

Note about publication: First published in China in 2016,  this book has been translated by Edward Gauvin and brought to American audiences by Graphic Universe, a division of Lerner Publishing.  Lerner offers a library binding and a paperback version, which is much less money.  If you have the funds, purchase the library binding as the book paper is thick and the book heavy; a paperback binding will not last for many circulations.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth

five-stars

Douglas, You’re a Genius!

Douglas, You’re a Genius!Douglas, You're a Genius! by Ged Adamson
Published by Schwartz & Wade Books on September 11th 2018
ISBN: 1524765309
Pages: 40
Goodreads
five-stars

Ingenuity, determination, and friendship highlight this fun picture book that brings together a Spanish-speaking boy, an English-speaking girl and their pet dogs. Through cleverness and perseverance, they overcome the barriers of a fence and language in their backyard. This is a fine example of a true picture book because the illustrations take the text to another level with a punch at the end when the reader discovers that both youngsters have been trying to figure out how to find out who was on the other side.

Is the term ‘tom-boy’ outdated? I hope not, as girls who like to ‘get their hands dirty’ will appreciate the main character here.

This is a follow-up to the 2016 “Douglas, You Need Glasses” that received very good reviews.

Full-color, cartoonish illustrations done in pen and watercolor show a variety of perspectives, sometimes up close, some from far away to show the expansiveness of the backyard where the action takes place. Text includes occasional speech bubbles and lots of handwritten notes and diagrams of plans. A Spanish glossary is provided on the verso page. Endpapers show a hand drawing of the train (which facilitated the first communication between the potential friends) on graph paper, with realistic smudges of a project in the works.

Preschoolers will enjoy the humor and friendship. Older readers will go deeper to explore the parallel story, finding ways to communicate, and thinking outside the box.

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town.

five-stars