Category: Cream of the Crop Nominees

Where the Heart Should Be

Where the Heart Should BeWhere the Heart Should Be by Sarah Crossan
on 2025
ISBN: 0063384914
Genres: Fiction in Verse/Poetry, Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

“It is hard to tell a love story

and also the story of a people

being torn apart.

 

But this is what was happening in 1846:

I was falling in love

when everything 

around me was 

falling

down.”

 

The opening of Crossan’s historical fiction novel in verse has the whole novel’s theme quite beautifully laid out.  Young Nell and her family are living in Ireland at the height of the potato famine.  Nell is lucky enough to get work in the landlord’s kitchen, a job that provides barely enough money for her family to survive.  Her father appreciates his daughter’s contribution, but is also deeply upset that he is unable to provide for his family.  The truly maddening way that the English “haves” blatantly refuse to assist the Irish “have nots” leads to actions that have unjust consequences.  Amongst all this, Nell falls in love with the English landlord’s heir, Johnny.  A relationship that must be kept secret due to its forbidden nature.

Crossan has written a YA, historical fiction, novel in verse.  The verse not only makes this a quick read, it also adds so much to the mood and tone of the novel in a very powerful way.  The relationships between Nell and her family are so well written and readers pull for them all.  Johnny is a perfectly placed character to have Nell try to educate on the ruthless behavior her community experienced at the hands of the landlords.  This is a devastating yet beautiful story perfect for readers 13+.

Reviewed by Heidi Kopishke, Camden Hills Regional High School, Rockport, ME.

five-stars

Two Birthdays

Two BirthdaysTwo Birthdays (Cedric and Boo Books) by Tim Hopgood
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536238902
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Cedric (a crocodile) and Boo (an elephant) are the best of friends. The story opens on Boo’s “best birthday ever”, according to him. Cedric presents Boo with a superlative card and handknit scarf. Boo and Cedric share ice cream and thoroughly enjoy celebrating Boo’s birthday. A few weeks later, Cedric’s birthday arrives but without any of the fanfare or celebration. There is no acknowledgement from Boo, and no Boo. Cedric eats cake alone and the ”day did not feel special at all.”

Birthdays and fairness are two themes young readers consistently take an interest in, and no doubt many will take umbrage at the turn of events. The next day, Boo realizes he forgot and apologizes but there is still discomfort on both sides: Cedric because his feelings are still hurt and Boo because  he is aware he has caused his friend pain. This awareness allows Boo to come up with a plan to make amends. The resolution is a chance for redemption and forgiveness. A simple story that shows that friendships can survive mistakes and hurt feelings. The book ends with “Cedric and Boo, Friends Forever: A Song”, further extolling the pair’s affection. 

Highly recommended for school and public libraries.

Deanna Contrino, K-2 School Resource Librarian, Scarborough

five-stars

A voice in the storm

A voice in the stormA Voice in the Storm by Karl James Mountford
ISBN: 1536238880
Genres: Emotions & Feelings
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads

The story begins, “The air had been heavy all day . . . . “ and sets up the foreboding that Rat, the main character, carries with her. Rat runs from the concern of her friend, Jackdaw, and her own feelings, into the danger of the growing storm.  There are more perils than just the storm, however, and Rat’s feelings of helplessness and hopelessness make her vulnerable. In the middle of the storm, she runs into Bear (literally), and Bear gently encourages Rat to seek shelter and understand that letting someone help takes worlds of courage. 

Rat’s pain is visceral and Bear’s soothing presence is a balm. The illustrations are visual expressions of the crushing weight of Rat’s sorrow, and as she is able to set down that burden, the palette and the cloud cover lighten. 

This is a powerful story to share with anyone, but especially children struggling with expressing deep sadness, and those needing guidance in how to help them. Highly recommended for school and public libraries.

Deanna Contrino, K-2 School Resource Librarian, Scarborough

Box of Dreams

Box of DreamsBox of Dreams by Christine Almeda, Faith Kazmi
on May 7, 2024
ISBN: 0063251361
Genres: Family, Immigrants
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

The title refers to a balikbayan box, and the young Filipino-American girl narrating the story learns from her mother that balikbayan means “return to home”. Through the gifts and practical items (school supplies, jeans, swim goggles) packed in the large cardboard box, the narrator learns more about her relatives’ way of life in the Philippines. The prose is simple; Filipino words are used in context to connect the reader with the narrator and her story of immigration and connection to Filipino culture.

The colorful illustrations connect the young girl to her family in the Philippines and the reader to the main character through everyday objects (slippers, baby photos displayed on the wall) and happenings.

This story culminates in a trip to the Philippines with the accompanying balikbayan box, and family reunion is beautifully expressed through the illustration. Box of Dreams offers the Filipino perspective on the immigration story, and the family that remains in the Philippines. This story could be used as a springboard to discuss what readers would put in a box for a family far away and lead to finding similarities to other immigration stories about leaving one’s homeland for opportunity, and sharing with those who stayed behind. 

The author’s note explains reasons for Filipino emigration to escape economic hardship, as well as her own family’s emigration story. Meant as a read-aloud for children ages 4-8. Highly recommended for school and public libraries.

Deanna Contrino, K-2 School Resource Librarian, Scarborough

five-stars

Outspoken Paul Robeson Ahead of His Time: A One-Man Show by Carole Boston Weatherford & Eric Velasquez

Outspoken Paul Robeson Ahead of His Time: A One-Man Show by Carole Boston Weatherford & Eric VelasquezOutspoken: Paul Robeson, Ahead of His Time: A One-Man Show by Carole Boston Weatherford, Eric Velásquez
Published by Candlewick Press on 2024
ISBN: 1536212970
Genres: Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

In this first person narration, biographical, picture book in verse, Newbery Honor Winner Carole Boston Weatherford steps into the shoes of the multitalented Paul Robeson.  Those talents expand to All-American Football, baseball, and basketball player, valedictorian of Rutger class of 1919, Columbian Law Degree recipient, actor, singer, and activist.  His impact reached far and wide as he traveled around the world, using his amazing voice and strong influence to, “…speak out against the injustices against the Negro people of this land… fighting for the rights of my people, who are still second-class sitizens in this United States.”  There are so many things to say about this remarkable man, but you just have to read the book to learn more.  

While this is a “picture book,” it is written for a middle grade and older audience.  The verse is layered with lyrics from spirituals and folk songs.  The illustrations by Eric Valasquez are exquisite and add a lot to understanding the wonderful and tragic events of Robeson’s life.  The back of the book contains a timeline of Robeson’s life as well as a bibliography for further reading.

Reviewed by Heidi Kopishke, Camden Hills Regional High School, Rockport, ME.

five-stars

A Pinecone!

A Pinecone!A Pinecone! by Helen Yoon
Published by Candlewick Press on 2024
ISBN: 1536226262
Genres: Adventure, Family, Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

In this picture book, Yoon brings back the parent-child relationship from her book Off-Limits.  In this story, the father and daughter go out for a walk.  The father is very distracted as his daughter becomes gripped with the exciting task of collecting pinecones.  Her great enthusiasm is portrayed mostly through the comedic artwork and few words.  The text is bold and easy to read as well as cleverly placed on the page to create whimsey.  The father’s response is to encourage his daughter’s imagination and not lose his temper.  This book is a perfect read aloud to young children, yet entertaining for readers of all ages.    

Reviewed by Heidi Kopishke, Camden Hills Regional High School, Rockport, ME.

five-stars

True Life in Uncanny Valley

True Life in Uncanny ValleyTrue Life in Uncanny Valley by Deb Caletti
Published by Labyrinth Road on March 18, 2025
ISBN: 059370861X
Pages: 401
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Sixteen-year-old Eleanor and her older sister Ros were raised by a single mom. Their father, billionaire tech genius Hugo Harrison, lives in the same city but a world apart, and they have no contact with him. Despite this, or maybe because of it, Eleanor finds herself drawn to his glittery, famous, wealthy world. Accidentally (sort of) she bumps into Aurora, the young, gorgeous social media influencer stepmother she’s never met – and finds herself being offered the position of live-in nanny for her two-year-old half-brother. Eleanor provides a false last name and finds herself catapulted into a summer of secrets: not telling her mother or sister who she’s really working for, and not telling her father’s family who she really is.

As the weeks progress, one thing becomes clear: nothing in this family is as it seems from outside. The idyllic life portrayed on social media and followed by millions isn’t real. As Eleanor digs deeper into the secret of what Hugo Harrison is developing – his next huge, world changing tech reveal – she is horrified to discover both what it is, and how her young half-brother has been being used in the development of it. The titular “Uncanny Valley” is a reference to the instinctual revulsion that humans feel when faced with lifelike AI beings that are undefinably “off” – and ultimately it’s that confrontation that that will define Eleanor’s summer, by challenging the very idea of how humans connect to one another, and what the role of family – most especially parents – really is.

This is a great novel on many levels; Eleanor is a realistic and sympathetic character trying to find her place in a confusing world as a teenager, navigating family drama, a budding romance, and a (one sided) experience of trying to connect with father’s family. It is also a searing look at tech, social media, and AI – both the good, and the bad. Caletti looks hard at tech: both the way new advances are touted publicly, but also the impact on a personal level, and she does this in a highly readable, hard-to-put-down way. Secondary characters are thought out and three dimensional, adding substance and grounded reality to the story.

Highly recommend! Widespread appeal given multiple themes of tech, family dynamics, teenage coming-of-age themes and light romance.

5 stars/cream

Reviewed by Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library, Augusta

five-stars

Innovative Octopuses, Half-Brained Birds, and more Animals with Magnificent Minds

Innovative Octopuses, Half-Brained Birds, and more Animals with Magnificent MindsInnovative Octopuses, Half-Brained Birds, and More Animals with Magnificent Minds (Extraordinary Animals) by Christina Couch, Daniel Duncan
Series: Extraordinary Animlas #3
Published by MIT Kids Press on January 14, 2025
ISBN: 1536229725
Pages: 160
Genres: Animals
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars
Part of the “Extraordinary Animals” series, this title uses animals to relate to and explain different neurological systems in the body. Octopuses have stellar brains and Couch ties that to neuroscience both in the animal and in the human brain, showing how neurons and reflexes give the octopus the ability to innovate. Parrots used in therapy for soldiers living with PTSD are tied to the way that the human brain reacts to and processes fear. In five sections, all separated by colored borders and illustrated with photographs and illustrations by Daniel Duncan, Couch offers an exploration of the similarities between species and the ways in which we can better understand the human brain by studying the animal world. Each section concludes with an interactive experiment so readers can see the brain process in action. Includes extensive back matter. Young readers who love science and animals will find a wealth of information in this book. 

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Elementary School

five-stars

The Strongest Heart

The Strongest HeartThe Strongest Heart by Saadia Faruqi
Published by Quill Tree Books on March 4, 2025
ISBN: 0063115859
Pages: 384
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars
The story of a Pakistani-American family that is living with the fallout of a mentally unstable parent. Mo’s dad has moods that shake the house; his mother has had enough and takes a job in another country, leaving Mo to navigate his father. The two move to Houston to live with Mo’s aunt and cousin. This heartfelt story, taken from Faruqi’s personal experiences in childhood, explores what it’s like to cope with a parent’s mental illness while trying to find your place in the world. Mo finds escape in desi folktales, boxing, school, and newfound family relationships. A heartbreaking, but ultimately heartwarming novel that does not shy away from the hard truths some young people live with. It will appeal to readers in upper elementary and middle school. 

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Falmouth Elementary School

five-stars

Impossible Creatures

Impossible CreaturesImpossible Creatures (Impossible Creatures #1) by Katherine Rundell
Published by Penguin Random House on September 14, 2023
ISBN: 0593809866
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Magical Realism
Format: Middle Grade Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

This magical adventure story follows Christopher, a Scottish boy who discovers he is destined to be a Guardian of the last remaining bit of magic on earth, and Mal, a girl who lives in that hidden land and is determined to save it at whatever cost. Reminiscent of C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia – particularly Voyage of the Dawn Treader – and Angie Sage’s Septimus Heap series, characters are varied and well developed, and the story is simultaneously simple and multi-layered, giving it appeal to a wide range of readers. Though it is Christopher’s story first, he and Mal share the main character role in many ways, and the balance makes for a positive reading experience. This is the type of story so many of us read when young but still remember when we are adults; it is the secret land found in the back of the wardrobe or through the looking glass. There is love, risk, fear and terrible loss, but also success in the face of vanishingly small odds. It’s a gem, and gorgeously packaged with a vibrant cover hinting at the dragons within. Highly recommend for every library; an easy book to put in the hands of readers from early middle grade on up.

5 Stars/Cream

Reviewed by: Jenny Martinez Nocito, Maine State Library

five-stars