Category: Cream of the Crop Nominees

My Family Divided

My Family DividedMy Family Divided: One Girl's Journey of Home, Loss, and Hope by Diane Guerrero
Published by Henry Holt & Company on July 17th 2018
ISBN: 1250134862
Pages: 256
Goodreads
five-stars

With all that is happening with immigration in the United States today, Diane Guerrero’s autobiography about her experiences as the daughter of undocumented immigrants is sad, angering and leaves the reader asking questions. This book is the YA version of  In the Country We Love: My Family Divided . The photographs  are of her family and are placed throughout various chapters.

Her personal account is filled with happy family moments, celebrations, love of family, community and country along with the determination of not only her family , but others like theirs, to be hard working and lawful members of the country they hoped to be citizens of.

At the back of the book there are sources listed where the reader can learn more about the immigration reform debate being held in the United States and how the reader can get involved, if interested. Recommended for grades 7-12.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School

five-stars

Assassination of Brangwain Spurge

Assassination of Brangwain SpurgeThe Assassination of Brangwain Spurge by M.T. Anderson, Eugene Yelchin
Published by Candlewick Press on September 25th 2018
ISBN: 0763698229
Pages: 544
Goodreads
five-stars

This character-driven and wonderfully funny book is centered on two main characters — Spurge, the Elfin historian, who is sent to the Goblin kingdom, by his childhood nemesis to give the Goblin overlord, what Spurge thinks is a peace offering. Meanwhile the goblin historian, Werfel, is to host Spurge like his life is at stake, until the evil overlord is ready to meet Spurge. Needless to say things don’t turn out as either Spurge or Werfel expect! A quote from Kirkus Review (7/1/18) describes this book perfectly, “Monty Python teams up with Maxwell Smart for a wrestling match with Tolkien”.

The illustrations are done in pen and ink then assembled digitally. Most of the chapters that pertain to Spurge are illustrated, telling his thoughts and journeys; then they are unfolded with Werfel’s viewpoint in the next chapter.  Recommended for grades 5- 8, but anyone who likes a good fantasy will enjoy this book.

Highly recommended!

five-stars

RA the Mighty Cat Detective

RA the Mighty Cat DetectiveRa the Mighty: Cat Detective by Amy Butler Greenfield, Sarah Horne
Published by Holiday House on September 18th 2018
ISBN: 0823440273
Pages: 224
Goodreads
five-stars

Ra is the Pharoah’s cat and does nothing but sleep and eat. But when young Tedimut, a servant, gets accused of stealing jewelry from the Pharaoh, Ra decides to help solve the mystery of who did it with the help of a dung beetle friend Khepri. Ra is basically a lazy cat that does end up helping solve the mystery but only because his sidekick, Khepri, figures out what to do. Humor (definitely some dung rolling in this story), illustrations, big font and fast paced action make this a perfect fit for young readers. In addition, some really cool  bits of Egyptian daily life and history are sprinkled thoughout the story.  Recommended for ages 7 and up.

Mary Lehmer, Freeport Community Library, Freeport, ME

five-stars

Skyward

SkywardSkyward by Brandon Sanderson
Published by Delacorte Press on November 6th 2018
ISBN: 0399555773
Pages: 528
Goodreads
five-stars

Spensa, the main character, lives on a planet that is being constantly attacked by aliens. The planet’s only defense against the aliens is to send up their own pilots to shoot them down. Spenca wants to become one of those pilots, just like her dad was. Unfortunately he died a coward and many people feel she will follow in his foot steps if she becomes a pilot. But Spenca has other ideas and she is going to prove all of them wrong, including the admiral that does anything she can to stop Spenca from achieving her dream. This is a FANTASTIC sci-fi story. Spenca is such a great character; strong in mind and body, definitely has a few flaws and carries a ton of baggage. Great battle scenes and strategies. The humorous parts in the book dealing with the AI (artificial intelligence) known as M-Bot, are just terrific.  Sci-fi is becoming very popular with teen readers and this one nails it in every way. Recommended for ages 12 and up.

Mary Lehmer, Freeport Community Library, Freeport, ME

five-stars

The Christmasaurus

The ChristmasaurusThe Christmasaurus by Tom Fletcher, Shane Devries
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on October 23rd 2018
ISBN: 1524773301
Pages: 384
Goodreads
five-stars

William wants a dinosaur for Christmas so he writes a letter to Santa asking for one. But when his wish comes true he realizes that dinosaurs might be trickier than he thought to raise. Lots of humor in this story along with great black and white drawings that capture the characters and situation really well. The bad guys in here aren’t nice and readers will want them to get caught or change their ways. An interesting twist on Santa and the elves was fun and added quite a bit of silliness to the story. This would make a great read-a-loud.

Mary Lehmer, Freeport Community Library, Freeport, ME

five-stars

Strays Like Us

Strays Like UsStrays Like Us by Cecilia Galante
Published by Scholastic Press on June 26th 2018
ISBN: 1338043005
Pages: 320
Goodreads
five-stars

Fred, the main character, has to go to foster care because her mother is in trouble. While at her new foster home, she meets the next door neighbor’s dog Toby that is neglected and connects with him. The two become friends and she decides she will find a way to save him, even if his owner forbids it. A lovely story with just the right amount of heartbreak but with a feel good ending. Fred’s mom’s drug addiction is done well and will be the right fit for the 4-6 grade crowd. The relationship between Toby and Fred is wonderful and one that animal lovers will understand and route for.

Mary Lehmer, Freeport Community Library, Freeport, ME

five-stars

Stegothesaurus

StegothesaurusStegothesaurus by Bridget Heos, T.L. McBeth
Published by Henry Holt & Company on June 12th 2018
ISBN: 1250134889
Pages: 40
Goodreads
five-stars

“Stegothesaurus,” by Bridget Heos and illustrated by T. L. McBeth, follows three stegosaurus brothers as they go about their lives. But one brother is not a simple stegosaur. He is a stegothesaurus! Whenever his brothers use one word, Stegothesaurus uses three different words to say the same thing. When an allosaurus jumps out to attack them, his brothers run away, but Stegothesaurus is frozen, thinking of different ways to describe the allosaur’s pointy and terrifying teeth!

McBeth’s illustrations are simple and colorful and very humorous! Kids will repeat the words that Stegothesaurus uses to describe things (don’t be surprised if the next time it’s hot out, your child says it is “blazing, blistering, broiling!”) Heos takes an idea that has been done in the past (“Thesaurus Rex” comes to mind) and makes it original and very funny. This book is a must-buy for a library’s picture book collection, or for kids who enjoy funny read-aloud books. With the hilarious plot, quotable dialogue, and simple and silly illustrations, I can see this book becoming a favorite for many children.

Reviewed by Kate Radke, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook

five-stars

Skyward

SkywardSkyward by Brandon Sanderson
Published by Delacorte Press on November 6th 2018
ISBN: 0399555773
Pages: 528
Goodreads
five-stars

This is an incredible Sci-Fi story. Teenager Spensa lives on a planet that is being constantly attacked by Krell (aliens). The planet’s only defense against them is to send up their own pilots to shoot them down. Spenca wants to become a pilot but her dad, a former pilot, left his squad and died a coward which is what the many people feel she will do if she becomes a pilot. She is determined to prove them wrong.Spenca is such a terrific, feisty character. She is  strong, flawed, creative, aggressive and carries a ton of baggage thanks to her dad; actions. Great battle scenes and strategies and revelations through out the book. Loved the humorous parts, especial from the AI named M-Bot. Definitely has sad parts and violence but well done and fits the situations. Sci-Fi is becoming very popular with my library with older readers and this one nails it. Fantastic read. Grades 6 and up.

Reviewed by Mary Lehmer, Freeport Community Library, Freeport.

five-stars

Howard and the Mummy: Howard Carter and the Search for King Tut’s Tomb

Howard and the Mummy: Howard Carter and the Search for King Tut’s TombHoward and the Mummy: Howard Carter and the Search for King Tut's Tomb by Tracey E. Fern, Boris Kulikov
Published by Farrar Straus Giroux on August 7th 2018
ISBN: 0374303053
Pages: 40
Goodreads
five-stars

This is an excellent account of Howard Carter’s determination to find a royal mummy. Since he was a boy he worked toward this achievement. The author’s occasional use of light humor brings Howard Carter to life. He wasn’t always easy to be with because of his hot temper and terrible habit of neatness. He was also stubborn. The numerous colorful illustrations enhance this fascinating story. The illustrations are in perfect sync with the well written text. I highly recommend this non-fiction book for younger readers interested in mummies, archeology, and a captivating story of someone following their dream. There is an author’s note and list of sources.

Reviewed by Kris Zuidema, retired school librarian, Standish

five-stars

Nowhere Boy

Nowhere BoyNowhere Boy by Katherine Marsh
Published by Roaring Brook Press on August 7th 2018
ISBN: 1250307570
Pages: 368
Goodreads
five-stars

This realistic fiction novel for upper middle school/YA readers pairs well with Alan Gratz’s Refugee and rivals it in terms of power. The parallel story of two boys who have found themselves in uncomfortable, life-changing situations in Brussels, Belgium: American, Max, and Syrian, Ahmed. Max  has been moved to Brussels in an attempt to give him a change of scenery after a series of misdeeds at school. Max is frustrated, angry, and sure that his parents are ruining his life. School is in another language, a group of boys have targeted him for this “otherness”, and he is convinced that life cannot get much worse. Ahmed is a Syrian refugee who has fled his homeland after a bomb wrecked his home and killed his mother, sisters, and grandfather. He has made the perilous journey to Brussels where he lost his father along the way and was swindled out of his money and phone by an unscrupulous man. Out of options, exhausted, sad, frightened, and wet, Ahmed pushes on the back door of a townhouse. When it opens, he stumbles in to discover an unused wine cellar where he can hide until he can figure out what to do. The stark contrast between one boy’s definition of “the worst it can get” and one boy’s struggle for survival under the weight of excruciating loss will not be lost on readers. And the twining in of the story of another boy, Albert Jonnart, who hid a Jewish boy during WWII 73-years prior to Max and Ahmed’s situation adds depth to the significance of what is happening in Syria and depth to the conversation, “what is our responsibility to those in need?”  Marsh has crafted a beautiful novel that should be put into the hands of as many young people as possible.

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

five-stars