Staff Picks Youth
December 2019
Hey, Kiddo
by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
An excellent graphic memoir about author Jarrett Krosoczka’s less than ideal upbringing with an absent father, a heroin addicted mother and the, at times, volatile grandparents who raised him.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Twelve Days in May: Freedom Ride 1961
by Larry Dane Brimner
A non-fiction book explaining the freedom ride in 1961. It also includes the landmark events that occurred before then. Vivid photographs illustrate the abuse the riders received from Klansmen.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Youth Nonfiction
Rhythm Ride : A Road Trip Through the Motown Sound
by Andrea Davis Pinkney
An engaging history of Motown told in first person by ‘The Groove’. It includes all the stars that got their start at Motown. It takes the reader from Berry Gordy’s original idea through to the apex of his career.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Youth Nonfiction
October 2019
A Dash of Trouble
by Anna Meriano
Leonora loves her big family and their family bakery. Every year, her family takes pride in crafting beautiful pastries for the town’s annual Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead celebration and certainly this year Leonora will be invited to help out in the kitchen. After a frustrating day at school and being told by her mother that she’s still too little to help, Leonora decides to borrow the old family cookbook from the bakery. She’s determined to show everyone how great she is in the kitchen, but it turns out the cookbook is not just a cookbook. It’s a book of magic spells! This story of families, holidays, and magic is a real treat. If you want a story with magic, but find the world of Harry Potter a bit too much, this book is a great choice.
Recommended by: Kara DeCarlo, School Liaison
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Tumble and Blue
by Cassie Beasley
For generations, members of the Montgomery family have received supernatural gifts, some lucky others not so lucky. There’s only one day in a century when a Montgomery can change their luck, under the blood moon deep in the Okefenokee swamp. Only one member of the family knows how to get to the island where luck can be changed. The one person is Granny Eve, who is grandmother and sole caretaker of our hero, Blue. Blue knows that his gift is pure bad luck, and he’s determined to be the one who gets the location out of Granny. But he has to contend with countless other cousins, Aunts, and Uncles who have arrived with the same goal in mind. One afternoon, he slinks out of the house, looking for some peace and meets his new neighbor, Tumble Wilson. Always ready for adventure, Tumble promises to help Blue explore the swamp and reverse his luck. This book is great for fans of adventure, spooky stories, and weird tales.
Recommended by: Kara DeCarlo, School Liaison
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Bone’s Gift
by Angie Smibert
One part historical fiction, one part mystery, one part supernatural tale: this book adds up to a real page-turner. Set in a coal mining town in West Virginia just as the United States is entering World War II, you may think our main character has enough to deal with. 12 year-old Bone Phillips comes from a family with peculiar gifts; an Uncle who can heal animals, a Grandmother who speaks to plants. Bone can see the stories in everyday objects, just by picking them up. One day Bone finds a note that says her mother died as a result of using her own gift. Bone is determined to solve the mystery of her mother’s death and bring her father home from training to go to the front lines. A beautifully written tale that draws you into a world where ghosts may be real and there’s no problem that can’t be solved with a little help from some friends.
Recommended by: Kara DeCarlo, School Liaison
Posted in: Youth Fiction
August 2019
The Pet Project: Cute and Cuddly Vicious Verses
by Lisa Wheeler
What is the perfect pet for me: pony, tiger, bear, monkey? A girl takes a serious, research-based approach to finding the ideal pet for her and her family. Each poems shows the struggles of owning each type of different pet in amusing ways as our young scientist learns about each type of animal. Told in poetic verse, each report and its rhyme scheme has a great flow to present the girl’s humorous findings on each potential pet. Wheeler’s verses will often teach some small lessons about animals to get kids enthused about certain pets to do more research. Illustrator Zachariah OHora’s adorable illustrations on each animal will make this a favorite for before-bed storytime. Perhaps along the way, the girl in this book will inspire budding scientists to conduct their own animal research!
Recommended by: Alex Pappas, Reference Librarian
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Rabbit and Robot: The Sleepover
by Cece Bell
Rabbit has a sleepover planned for his best friend Robot in this adorable easy reader. Rabbit wants this to be the best sleepover ever for Robot and him so he plans in advance how every minute of the day is spent and how to maximize their time together. Sadly, despite Rabbit’s good intentions, life is quick to change and Rabbit has to learn to adapt his plan to save the sleepover! Cece Bell is renowned for her hit graphic novel El Deafo and Rabbit and Robot shares similar adorable illustrations that can simultaneously show the warmth of Rabbit and Robot’s friendship and Rabbit’s stress as he tries to be the best sleepover host he can be for his best friend. Rabbit and Robot share a sweet story and provide a valuable lesson in responsibility and adapting to changes for young learners.
Recommended by: Alex Pappas, Reference Librarian
Posted in: Youth Fiction
My Pet Human
by Yasmine Surovec
A perfect transitional book for those hopping between easy readers into beginning chapter book, My Pet Human is told from the other side of the tail as a grumpy needy cat leaves the life of a stray to join a human household. Unfortunately, humans are tough to train: they have short attention spans, require lots of care, can be stuck in their emotions, and just don’t understand what “MEOW!” means. Yasmine Surovec’s charming pencil drawing illustrations accompany the amusing story of our unnamed stray cat adjusting to living with a human family. As our cat and humans get closer together, we also watch as the freshly moved in family adjust to their new community and grow to make new friends: animal and human alike which gives the book a sweet, fulfilling vibe.
Recommended by: Alex Pappas, Reference Librarian
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Be Prepared
by Vera Brosgol
A memoir about the author herself, Be Prepared is a great selection for graphic novel fans, specifically fans of Raina Telgemeier. Vera seems split into two different worlds: those of her traditional Russian family and her American school. Sadly, Vera’s inability to fit into either have her feeling lonely and unwelcome so Vera’s mother tries something new for Vera and her brother: Russian summer camp! Vera isn’t exactly cut out for summer camp as she is also in the awkward age where she has slightly aged out of the program for younger kids and as a middle schooler is a bit too young for the high school crowd. Vera’s struggles to find her place amongst strangers is a relatable experience for every middle schooler who has the same doubts. Her humorous take on the camp around her and character growth throughout our story are inspiring even amidst the not so great outdoors.
Recommended by: Alex Pappas, Reference Librarian
Posted in: Youth Fiction