Staff Picks

Killer Style: How Fashion Has Injured, Maimed, & Murdered Through History

by Serah-Marie McMahon

This account of stories of unfortunate fashion victims will leave readers considering the price of beauty and style throughout history. McMahon and Matthews David offer intriguing information about questionable ingredients and practices in the fashion industry when it comes to making and wearing clothing, make-up, and accessories. From mercury infused hats, lead make-up, constricting corsets, and distressed denim, the standards used in the long and recent past have affected the health and safety aspects of everyday fashion. Each entry is presented in a two-page spread with a clean magazine-like layout. Includes eye-catching graphics and supportive historical photographs that illustrate the topics, as well as engaging sidenotes such as the myth of the mad hatter or the Kardashians “waist training” trend. A book for curious minds that is indeed “equal parts fab and frightening” as it claims. 

Recommended by: Fanny Camargo, Youth Services Reference Librarian I

Posted in: Young Adult Nonfiction

Yusuf Azeem is Not a Hero

by Saadia Faruqi

Yusuf is excited to be starting middle school until he gets a mean note in his locker. Was it an accident or does someone really hate him? As he acclimates himself to his new school and begins making new friends, he puts the note behind him. When the incidents of bullying increase, Yusuf wonders if he should look the other way or confront the bullies? 

Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager

Posted in: Youth Fiction

They Went Left

by Monica Hesse

World War II is over, but the search for family members is just beginning for some. Zofia and her family were sent to the concentration camps. Only her brother and she survived long enough to see the end of the war. They were separated though, and sent to different camps. This is the story of Zofia’s search for her one last connection to her old life and possibly her sanity. She will travel alone to other countries and will let nothing stand in her way of finding her brother. But will it be enough? An interesting take on the aftermath of World War II.

This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook and eaudiobook.

Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian

You Know I’m No Good

by Jessie Ann Foley

Mia gets into trouble one to many times when she punches her stepmom, and is sent to Red Oak Academy for “Troubled Girls”. It’s supposed to be a place for healing and self-discovery. Will Mia finally have the opportunity to figure out if she really is “bad” or if there is something behind all of her actions? A fantastic realistic read that you won’t be able to put down.

This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook and eaudiobook.

Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian

The Quiltmakers Gift

by Jeff Brumbeau

At this time of year, it is especially important to teach our youth about the joy of giving. The illustrations in this picture book are stunning! Even more beautiful is the message about generosity and happiness. Additionally, there are games online that go with the story which brings it to another level of enjoyment!

Recommended by: Lenore Garoufalis, Youth Services Assistant

Posted in: Youth Fiction

Ophie’s Ghosts

by Justina Ireland

Ophelia, known as Ophie, ‘sees’ her father but he has just been killed. This is how Ophie finds out she has the ability to see and talk to ghosts. Her father’s ghost saves both her and her mother’s lives. When they are forced to move in with relatives when their house is burned down, Ophie has to leave school and work for a rich family. When Ophie is at her new job, she sees ghost everywhere. Ophie asks questions of both the staff and family in order to determine how she can help the ghosts find closure. 

Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager

Posted in: Youth Fiction

Glass Slippers

by Leah Cypess

Did you know Cinderella had a third wicked stepsister? Tirza was only a little girl when the prince discovered Cinderella, so when she became queen, Ella didn’t hold her family’s evil ways against her. She took Tirza under her wing and let her live in the castle, so she never thought Tirza would betray her. Then, just before the annual ball to celebrate the magic of the glass slippers, they go missing, and Tirza is immediately accused as the thief. Tirza knows she didn’t steal the slippers, so who did? This story is one cliff hanger after another! Action packed with magic, suspense, betrayal, and rivalry, you don’t want to miss this one! Glass Slippers is the second book in the Sisters Ever After series by Leah Cypess.

This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook and eaudiobook.

Recommended by: Erin Cady, Youth Services Reference Librarian

Posted in: Youth Fiction

The Holloway Girls

by SUSAN BISHOP CRISPELL

What do you do you when you’re a Holloway girl and instead of giving good luck with a kiss you instead curse someone and almost kill them in the process? That’s right you seal your lips never to kiss anyone again after that traumatic event but Remy finds herself attracted to Tobin. It’s hard to keep her promise of not kissing a single soul with a boy so sweet like Tobin coming into her life. With her falling everyday harder and harder she hopes to break the curse before she’s shunned from the town and even from Tobin’s heart.

This book is available in the library and on Hoopla as an ebook.

Recommended by: Ayla Franco, Youth Services Assistant

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

With a Dog and a Cat, Every Day is Fun. Vol. 1

by Hidekichi Matsumoto

Are you a cat or a dog person? It’s not a secret you can be both, especially when furry friends have their own unique, sometimes cute and sometimes frightening personalities. This is definitely the case in Matsumoto’s dog and cat manga. Whether you have pets or not, this fun and quick read will have you smiling and laughing out loud. The black and white illustrations capture relatable expressions that reflect situations almost straight out of a meme. It is a great pick for those looking to explore the manga genre for the first time. 

Recommended by: Fanny Camargo, Youth Services Reference Librarian

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

Consider the Octopus

by Nora Raleigh Baskin

Twelve-year-old Dr. Sidney Miller is not actually a doctor. She’s a girl with a goldfish longing for adventure since her best friend moved away. And twelve-year-old Jeremy “JB” Barnes makes a few mistakes that connect the two in some major scheming! JB’s mom is a scientist aboard a research ship desperately trying to clean up the Pacific Ocean. In a last ditch effort to help their mission, her team organizes an Emergency Global Summit and puts JB in charge of invitations. How long will it be before everyone realizes JB invited the wrong Sidney Miller? Can the two new friends make an impact before then? STEM enthusiasts, ocean lovers, environmentalists and tweens alike will all find something to love in this endearing middle grade novel full of mix-ups!

Recommended by: Erin Cady, Youth Services Reference Librarian

Posted in: Youth Fiction