Category: Cream of the Crop Nominees

Best Frints at Skrool

Best Frints at SkroolBest Frints at Skrool by Antoinette Portis
Published by Roaring Brook Press on June 26th 2018
ISBN: 1626728712
Pages: 40
Genres: Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads

Best Frints at Skrool by Antoinette Portis is the sequel to her Best Frints in the Whole Universe. In this picture book two alien children on the planet Boborp are best frints/friends who act a lot like human kids. “On Boborp, sometimes frints use words in ways that aren’t so frintly.” The text often implies harmony but the illustrations and dialog may present a more lively view. The text is just simple enough for even the youngest listeners and the most tongue-tied readers to understand the aliens’ words through their context and through the illustrations.  For example, the best “frints” share their lunch food through a “spewd flight”, and some “stroodents” need to spend time by the Quiet Wall. The author/illustrator who gave us Not a Box and Not a Stick knows how to think outside the box and create a lot of fun with a little imagination. The book’s bold green, orange, pink, and purple artwork outlined in black against white backgrounds was created using pencil, charcoal, and a tablet. Without being didactic, this book reinforces the fact that best friends are not perfect, just like on planet Earth.  Children ages 5 through 8 will enjoy this funny look at school life and friendship.

Highly recommended by Margy Soule, Coffin Elementary School in Brunswick, Maine

The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein

The Dark Descent of Elizabeth FrankensteinThe Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White
Published by Delacorte Press on September 25th 2018
ISBN: 0525577947
Pages: 304
Genres: Horror
Goodreads
A retelling of Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” told from the point of view of Elizabeth Lavenza, who was taken in from a childhood of abuse to be the companion and eventual wife of Victor Frankenstein. Hers is a tale of gothic survival that will hold the reader in suspense.

Recommended for grades 9 and up. Fans of Mary Shelley and other gothic novelists will thoroughly enjoy this novel.

Created by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford HS, Biddeford, Maine

Other Wood

Other WoodOtherwood by Pete Hautman
Published by Candlewick Press on September 11th 2018
ISBN: 0763690716
Pages: 320
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
Stuey and Elly Rose were each other’s best friends. They spent a considerable amount of time together in the deadfall between their houses. Then one day, while Stuey was explaining to Elly why her mother was mad at his mom — she just disappeared. But, in Elly’s world — it was Stuey that disappeared.

Can reality just split in two? Can the lies and injustices of the past mend the future? A great book for 5th grade to 9th grade.

Created by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford HS, Biddeford, Maine

five-stars

Blacklisted! Hollywood, The Cold War, and The First Amendment

Blacklisted! Hollywood, The Cold War, and The First AmendmentBlacklisted!: Hollywood, the Cold War, and the First Amendment by Larry Dane Brimner
on January 1st 1970
ISBN: 1620916037
Genres: Non-Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
Years after World War II, the fear of communism was on the rise in the United States. In 1947, the House of Un-American Activities Committee was created by Congress and Hollywood was the target along with the jeopardy of the First Amendment.

Great resource for the Red Scare era of US History. Recommended for grade 7 and up.

Created by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford HS, Biddeford Maine

five-stars

The Serpent’s Secret

The Serpent’s SecretThe Serpent's Secret (Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond, #1) by Sayantani DasGupta
Published by Scholastic on February 27th 2018
ISBN: 1338185705
Pages: 351
Goodreads
five-stars
Kiranmala would be happy to be an ordinary middle school student in New Jersey. To her embarrassment and annoyance,  her parents have always insisted on telling her stories about her role as an Indian Princess of mythology and legend. Then on her twelfth birthday, the stories become reality as her parents disappear, a giant demon destroys her house, and she makes the acquaintance of two princely brothers who whisk her away to the world of underworld mythology where she learns that she is really the daughter of the Snake King and the Moon. Now she has only so much time to learn the history of her birth world, fight her jealous serpentine siblings, and save her beloved human parents. Lots of action, friendship and trust building, and a unwarranted amount of demon goo as Kiranmala accepts her place as a demonslayer. There is truly something for everyone. An author’s note further explains the folktale characters that appear in the story. Book Two is in production.

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

five-stars

The Cure for Cold Feet

The Cure for Cold FeetThe Cure for Cold Feet: A Novel in Small Moments by Beth Ain
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on May 8th 2018
ISBN: 0399550844
Pages: 224
Goodreads
five-stars
Izzy is a new 6th grader in a much bigger middle school which she is NOT enjoying.  Many times she retreats to the bathroom stalls where she reads the comments on the walls and bemoans her situation.  In a novel-in-verse format Beth Ain continues the story begun in Izzy Kline has Butterflies with a book that stands on its own in a stream-of-consciousness style that is perfect for the way the middle school brain works.  Izzy has friend problems, an older brother who is too involved with tequila, parents that are divorced and involved with other people, a boy who is NOT A FRIEND, and a crush on a foreign exchange student.  Middle school is not easy, but Izzy perseveres and readers are left with the certainty that she will make it.

This book is perfect for 5th-7th graders who are struggling with the angst of moving to a larger school with many teachers, unfamiliar classmates, and of having the girls who had been friends now being too “shiny” as everyone strives to be popular.

I believe that this book should be on the Cream of the Crop list for its sympathetic depiction of growing up, for its verse format, and for its universal appeal.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School, Rockland

five-stars

Vivid: Poems & Notes About Color

Vivid: Poems & Notes About ColorVivid: Poems & Notes about Color by Julie Paschkis
Published by Godwin Books/Henry Holt and Company on July 31st 2018
ISBN: 1250122295
Pages: 32
Goodreads
five-stars
Colors bounce, bloom and dive into a world made bright by a talented author/ illustrator.  Vivid is a total artistic experience, what you see is movement and action all over the two page format.   Brightly colored illustrations are teamed with both a poem and an information block combining to make a winning concept poetry book for primary grade students. Background space is not limited to white, adding variety and interest.  Indigo is the most striking illustration, readers will anticipate entering the cool water as the girl dives in.  Many of the facts offered go beyond the grade K-2 audience making the book a fun fast read for older students.

Purchase this book for public library collection and then decide where to shelf.  Should it be among poetry or concept books?   Art teachers would be thrilled to receive this book as a gift and primary school media specialist will want it available to language teachers and students.

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired youth services librarian in Scarborough, ME

five-stars

Mapping Sam

Mapping SamMapping Sam by Joyce Hesselberth
Published by Greenwillow Books on October 2nd 2018
ISBN: 0062741225
Pages: 40
Goodreads
five-stars
An endearing story about a nocturnal cat quickly becomes an educational opportunity in Mapping Sam.  Sam does more than go out for a nighttime walk as she tours the neighborhood sniffing flowers and star gazing.  Her exploration turns a picture book into 32 pages of STEM worthy scientific observations.  Readers will view and learn about the compass, maps, graphs, skeleton, the solar system and blueprints.

While the storyline is well done it is the illustrations that make this title a contender for Cream.  Sam herself is beyond huggable, each page shows her inquisitive and charming personality.  The use of multi shaded background colors add depth to the illustrations and make the movement flow.   Both the map of Sam and the graph measuring the depth of the pond are outstanding illustrations.

Add to all libraries that serve grade K – 3 students and gift to your favorite budding scientist.

Submitted by Jan Hamilton retired youth services librarian in Scarborough, ME

five-stars

To Be Honest

To Be HonestTo Be Honest by Maggie Ann Martin
Published by Swoon Reads on August 21st 2018
ISBN: 1250183154
Pages: 304
Goodreads
five-stars
Martin’s new book is so much more than the cover reveals.  Although the heroine is a teen who does not fit the stereotype size 6, she is a strong and confident individual who knows what is important.  The author had offered readers a character who is dealing with abandonment issues after her sister has left for college and her mother is experiencing a weight related crisis.  The storyline deals with several psychological issue that are not commonly addressed even in YA literature.  While the mom’s behavior is scary and a new boyfriend has emotional baggage, Martin’s character is able to identify her needs and addresses them head-on.

This is a book that goes deep into family dynamics and mental abuse.  Public libraries and high schools should have this title on their shelves.  To Be Honest  stands up to eating disorders as it offers a sweet romantic read.

Submitted by Jan Hamilton retired youth services librarian in Scarborough, ME

five-stars

We Love Dinosaurs

We Love DinosaursWe Love Dinosaurs by Lucy Volpin
Published by Nosy Crow on June 26th 2018
ISBN: 0763699594
Pages: 32
Goodreads
five-stars
Simple rhyming text and colorful dinosaur drawings will make this a big hit with very young children, especially those that like dinosaurs. The inside covers have drawings of dinosaurs with their official names but the text of the book does not go into that. Great way to read about dinosaurs for those that don’t know their dinosaurs but also info for those that do. The text itself gives a piece of info on each dinosaur in easy to understand sentences. The last page does bring up the word extinct which might be tricky for young ones, but the book is still terrific. Ages 2 and up.

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

five-stars