Category: Cream of the Crop Nominees

Pavlo Gets the Grumps

Pavlo Gets the GrumpsPavlo Gets the Grumps by Natalia Shaloshvili
Published by Candlewick Press on 2024
ISBN: 1536235547
Genres: Animals, Emotions & Feelings
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

A kitten named Pavlo wakes up in a bit of a mood. He doesn’t want to to the park, nor go swimming, nor go to see a movie. His mother observes that he must have the grumps. Mama cat suggests that they go out anyway and Pavlo’s friends at the park gently bring him out of his funk.

With a universally applicable theme and soft, fuzzy-looking images created with acrylics and watercolors, Ukrainian-born author Natalia Shaloshvili has created a fun read-aloud gem. It would be an excellent pair with Laura Dockrill’s Gray, another recent picture book that puts a positive spin on less-than-positive emotions.

Highly recommended!   Suggested reading level: 3-7 year-olds.

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, Gorham Campus Library, University of Southern Maine

five-stars

Olivette Is You

Olivette Is YouOlivette Is You by Nico Tortorella
Published by Random House on 2024
ISBN: 059338153X
Genres: Emotions & Feelings
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Simple rhyming text and effervescently cheerful illustrations introduce us to Olivette, a kid who can do, and be, anything. The message of the book is not only that Olivette is “all of it”, but so is everyone else.  One memorable two-page illustration shows a diverse row of children, and even Olivette’s dog, lined up at a table with their own nesting dolls showing the many different aspects of their individual personalities, from artists and athlete to doctors and scholars.
All the illustrations, done with Adobe Photoshop, are exceptionally inclusive.

An example of one of the most representative rhymes is:
“No matter where we come from,
What we look like,
How we speak,
We aren’t that different, after all.
We are equally unique!”

This book would make for an extremely cheerful, positive read-aloud for 4-8 year-olds.

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, Gorham Campus Library, University of Southern Maine

five-stars

The Last Stand

The Last StandThe Last Stand by Antwan Eady, Jarrett Pumphrey, Jerome Pumphrey
Published by Alfred A. Knopf on 2024
ISBN: 0593480570
Genres: Farm Life, Cultural / African American
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

An unnamed young teen boy helps his grandfather harvest and sell fresh produce at the last remaining farm stand in their all-Black neighborhood. Poignantly, their’s is the last stand open in what was once a thriving five-stall location. When the grandfather becomes ill, his grandson works hard to continue business as usual by loading up a wagon and peddling it to the farm stand with his bicycle. The grateful neighbors bring gifts of jams and baked goods to wish his grandfather well. The grandfather does recover and the last pages show that the grandson takes over the stand as an adult. Significantly, one of the other stands has also reopened by then, showing some signs of recovery for Black farmers, as well.

The author’s note at the end of the book explains the reality of the plight of small-scale Black farmers. He hopes this book will help to bring this issue to light. The illustrations are done with handmade stamps and digitally edited.

Highly recommended as an engaging way to introduce 3-7 year olds to important social issues.

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, Gorham Campus Library, University of Southern Maine

five-stars

Up, Up, Ever, Up! Junko Tabei: a Life in the Mountains

Up, Up, Ever, Up! Junko Tabei: a Life in the MountainsUp, Up, Ever Up! Junko Tabei: A Life in the Mountains by Anita Yasuda, Yuko Shimizu
Published by Clarion ISBN: 0063242419
Genres: Adventure, Biography/Autobiography
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
five-stars

This is an exhilarating look at the life of Junko Tabei, the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest.  Starting with her early life in Japan, the book profiles a life dedicated to climbing,  and, eventually,  to the care and maintenance  of mountains necessitated by so many people determined to reach the top.  After Junko climbed Everest she continued climbing and achieved all seven major summits of the world.

The illustrations are as colorful as the story, and work in perfect harmony to create a fitting tribute to a trailblazing climber, feminist, and humanitarian. Highly recommended!

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

five-stars

The Magic Callaloo

The Magic CallalooThe Magic Callaloo by Sophie Bass, Trish Cooke
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536235571
Genres: Cultural / African American, Fairy Tale
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Once upon a time, there was a tiny village that had a special gift – a Callaloo plant that granted wishes. The people of the village cared greatly for the plant, helping it to thrive and sharing the magic. One day, a very selfish man wanted the Callaloo all for himself so that he could have endless wishes. He became so lazy that he failed to care for the plant, which had withered away with the exception of one leaf. Meanwhile, a married couple back in the village longed for a child so much, that when an old wise woman told them where the plant had been taken to, they traveled in search of the plant, battling snakes and dragons, in hopes of getting one last wish fulfilled. With the last of the remaining Callaloo magic their wish was granted, and they named their daughter Lou. Lou was beautiful, with luscious Afro hair reminiscent of the Callaloo plant. The selfish man captures Lou and forces her into a life of slavery. Until one day, the wise old woman visits Lou, and gives her a roadmap home by braiding her hair. This story is a cultural and moving re-telling of the classic “Rapunzel”, with bright, colorful, vibrant illustrations, and it would be an excellent addition to any picture book collection. Recommended for ages 7-9 (2nd to 3rd Grade). Cream of the Crop nominee.

Reviewed by: Jenn Mead, Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library, Lovell

five-stars

They Call Me Teach: Lessons in Freedom

They Call Me Teach: Lessons in FreedomThey Call Me Teach: Lessons in Freedom by James E. Ransome, Lesa Cline-Ransome
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 0763681555
Genres: Cultural / African American, Historical Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

A young slave that goes by “Teach” was fortunate to become educated by studying with his Master’s son. Before she died, his mother reminded him that every day is a chance to make something of yourself. This moving story showcases a week in the life of Teach: teaching reading to other slaves, stealing glances at his Master’s newspaper, forging a pass to freedom, and reading from the bible “Let my people go.” A poetic tale of the bravery and resistance during slavery, and the importance of and right to education. Illustrations are beautiful, soft, sketchy, and full of emotion. This would be an excellent addition to any picture book collection or as part of a larger classroom lesson plan. Recommended for ages 6-9 (1st to 3rd Grade). Cream of the Crop nominee.

Reviewed by: Jenn Mead, Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library, Lovell

five-stars

Clever Crow

Clever CrowClever Crow by Chris Butterworth, Olivia Lomenech Gill
Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 1536235423
Genres: Animals, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

A tribute to the habits and smarts of crows and crow cousins. Gill’s mixed-media illustrations feature individual and group portraits of numerous birds in fine detail. Butterworth’s observations, delivered in multiple sizes of type, are likewise reputable. She writes “Crows are clever birds. Very clever birds.” Then she goes on to describe their intelligence. Children will be interested in the beautiful pictures and to learn more about these birds that are common everywhere. Bird lovers of all ages will enjoy this book!

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

Nominated for Cream of the Crop

five-stars

Songlight

SonglightSonglight (The Torch Trilogy, #1) by Moira Buffini
on September 3, 2024
ISBN: 0063358212
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Elsa lives each day with a life altering secret.  She possesses the power of songlight.  The ability to connect telepathically with others holding the gift.  Unfortunately, in the dictatorship of Brightland, those with the gift are ruled “Unhuman” and people are rewarded for turning in torches, those with songlight.  Once discovered, torches are marked for a procedure rendering them into a thoughtless state of servitude.  The only other person to know of Elsa’s secret is Rye, who shares the same gift and also a blossoming relationship.  

Everything falls apart when Rye is betrayed, sparking a chain of events in Elsa’s life that puts not only her life on a dangerous path, but the entire path of societal authority.  In her state of grief, Elsa cries out with her songlight only to “harmonize” with Nightingale, a girl hundreds of miles away.  Both girls benefit from the dangerous connection, but Nightingale also has a secret.  Her father is the head of a government group in charge of rooting out Unhumans, and he doesn’t know about his own daughter’s gifts.  

Buffini’s first book in what will be a trilogy introduces great notes of fantasy, dystopian society, star crossed lovers, danger at every corner, adventure, human rights, and so much more. There are diverse characters and multiple viewpoints.  The book does contain sexual assault, adult relationships, and is heavy on the cursing, making it more appropriate for a mature YA audience.   

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

five-stars

Pau: The Last Song of the Kaua’i ‘O’O

Pau: The Last Song of the Kaua’i ‘O’OPau: The Last Song of the Kaua’i ‘o’o by Mackenzie Joy, Tony Piedra
Published by Candlewick Press on September 17, 2024
ISBN: 1536219495
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

Pau is an ecological history of the Hawaiian island of Kaua’i focusing on its now extinct songbird, the ‘O’O. We follow through the book with sparse and lyrical text over the course of 5.1 million years. Gorgeous illustrations carry the reader as we discover how the island was created and then became inhabited by animals, including the ‘O’O, and plants over time. As changes came to the island so did effects on the population of the ‘O’O. Scientists studied the bird until there was only one and then none.

Each page is listed with the time period it covers and there is extensive back matter providing information on other animals and how they came to the island. While simple in text this book gives a thorough and beautiful look at a serious topic in a poignant manner.

Reviewed by MaryAnn Lopes, Elementary Librarian, Lewiston, Maine.

five-stars

The Last Boyfriends Rules for Revenge

The Last Boyfriends Rules for RevengeThe Last Boyfriends Rules for Revenge by Matthew Hubbard
on April 30, 2024
ISBN: 0593707176
Format: Young Adult
Goodreads
four-stars

Ezra’s self-esteem has been ripped to shreds through his secret relationship with closeted football player, Presley. After Presley cheats on him and Ezra’s best friends Lucas and Finley also find themselves breaking up with their boyfriends, they each devise a plan to get revenge on their exes. Through the use of an anonymous TikTok account, Ezra sets his plan into motion. Soon enough though, the social media presence takes on a much larger purpose–exposing their Alabama school district’s “Watch What You Say” policy that seeks to silence queer voices. 

One of the most endearing elements of this story is Ezra’s relationship with his Dad, who is delightfully supportive and encouraging. His Dad’s determination to get him to love himself as he is gives the story an extra injection of heart. This book will appeal to teens not just because of its LGBTQ+ themes and its dash of romance, but because it reminds them that they have the power to make significant change no matter who or where they are. The way that Ezra and his friends use civil disobedience to fight back against an administration that continually gaslights them by claiming they are on their side, threatens them, and uses the tired argument that the district’s mission is to protect family values is inspiring. There are consistent reminders to queer students throughout the book that they are enough and that they must continue to fight for visibility no matter who is trying to push them back into the closet. A call to action in our present times indeed. 

Grades 9-12

Recommended for Cream of the Crop

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

four-stars