Staff Picks Youth Fiction
April 2024
Olivetti
by Allie Millington
Olivetti is a typewriter who has saved the words that make up the memories of the family. Ernest is a seventh grade boy who hides behind words from the dictionary so he won’t become close to anyone. Ever since the Everything that Happened happened, the family has coped, but not well. When the mom disappears and Ernest feels it is his fault, Olivetti must break the typewriter code and let him know that together they can find his mom and bring the family together again.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Fiction
New From Here
by Kelly Yang
New From Here by Kelly Yang is about ten year old Knox Wei-Evans and his family navigating the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. His parents decide that it’s best for his dad to stay in Hong Kong to work while he and his mom and siblings move to America, where the virus hasn’t spread yet. This means Knox and his siblings are faced with new schools, new peers, and new challenges. Can they get along and work together to make the best of a difficult situation? Readers will laugh, gasp, and gain perspective throughout the story. The book also lends itself well to important, thoughtful, discussion questions.
This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook and e audiobook.
Recommended by: Erin Cady, Youth Services Reference Librarian
Posted in: Youth Fiction
March 2024
Dogtown
by Katherine Applegate
Applegate, along with another popular author, Gennifer Choldenko have co-authored a fast- paced story about finding your forever home. Dogtown is a shelter where dogs, real and robot, are housed after their owners no longer want them. Chance, a real dog, is friends with a mouse as he shares his kibble to feed Mouse’s family. Then, much to Chance’s surprise, he becomes friends with a robot dog, who seems to have a real heart and not just wires inside of him. With the three friends working together to get robot dog back home, Chance again begins to hope that his family will come and find him. One problem to that is that they are looking for a four- legged dog, and Chance now only has three legs.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Ferris
by Kate DiCamillo
“It’s a DiCamillo!” is a quote from one of the reviews of the book and truly that sums it up. It is a must read. A heart-warming and heart-rending story of community, family, and love. During the summer before Ferris and her best friend Billy go into 5th grade, there is so much going on with those they love and those who love them, “but every story is a love story”. There is a ghost, an uncle living in the basement, illness, unrequited love, a little sister who wants to be an outlaw, bees, and raccoons. DiCamillo wraps all of that into a fantastic read that encompasses the support, caring and understanding of all the characters for each other. After finishing the book, I looked at the cover to find the sparrow…did not see it… so decided it was under the barcode label, so felt happy. Make you want to read it?
Posted in: Youth Fiction
What Was the Children’s Blizzard of 1888
by Steve Korte
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Bunny in the Middle
Bunny in the Middle by Anika Denise is a beautiful picture book story that reminds middle children how special they are. This sweet story touches on some of the trials and tribulations of being “stuck” in the middle and puts a positive spin on it. The lovely springtime illustrations, and adorable bunny siblings, make this a cozy, heartwarming read aloud. Caregivers and children will surely bond over this title. This is for all the middle children, young and old.
Recommended by: Erin Cady, Youth Services Reference Librarian
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Hannah and the Ramadan Gift
by Qasim Rashid
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Kind of Spark
by Elle McNicoll
Addie is autistic along with her sister, Keedie. They have a very strong bond. Unfortunately, Addie’s new teacher is not kind to her and treats her differently from the other students. When Addie learns at school that in the past women were accused of being witches and burned at the stake, she feels empathy for them. She wants to commemorate them and attempts to receive permission from the village board.
This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook and e audiobook.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Youth Fiction
February 2024
Connor Crowe Can’t Let Go
by Howard Pearlstein
Posted in: Youth Fiction
The Plot to Kill a Queen
by Deborah Hopkinson
Emilia Bassano is the narrator and heroine of this historical fiction story that is written in three acts. She is always “wondering” and thinking “why not?” which proves to be very useful as she investigates the plot to kill a queen and acts as a secret agent. Although she grew up in Queen Elizabeth’s castle, she is sent to Sheffield Castle, where Mary, Queen of Scots is being held captive. Intrigue and subterfuge are around every corner as secret messages and double dealings are rampant throughout the castles. The illustrations add to the understanding of what life was like in Elizabethan times. The side notes about the theater and terms used such as prologue and aside are informative.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Fiction