Staff Picks
April 2020
Street Gang: The Complete History of Sesame Street
by Michael Davis
I was delighted to find that Carol Spinney (Big Bird & Oscar) read the audio version of this book, what a treat! Michael Davis brings us through Sesame Street’s history from the idea stage to the present day. I loved that every aspect of its conception was covered. It was interesting to hear the thought & decision-making process behind the characters, both human and muppet. Sesame Street did more than teach letters, colors & numbers ~ they also taught kindness & acceptance and for that I thank them.
Recommended by: Theresa Hildebrand, Patron Services Manager
Posted in: Adult Nonfiction
Iggy Peck Architect
by Andrea Beaty
Iggy Peck is an architect, it’s easy for his family and friends to see. His teacher does not support him going on his building spree. One day tragedy strikes causing his class to be trapped without escape. Will Iggy build something amazing or forever take off his building cape? A great read for all our young STEAM fans.
Available on Hoopla and Overdrive.
Recommended by: Vanessa Fernandez, Youth Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Grades 3-5, Youth Fiction
March 2020
Show Me a Sign
by Ann Clare Lezotte
Mary Lambert has always felt normal in her small community on Martha’s Vineyard. It doesn’t matter that she’s deaf- nearly 1 in 4 people in her community are deaf, and the hearing population speaks sign language, too. But it’s 1805, and when a young, ambitious scientist from Boston hears about Mary’s community, he is determined to figure out the cause of her community’s widespread deafness. Mary soon suspects this stranger is not what he seems and her suspicions are confirmed with he takes Mary captive as a “live specimen”. Suddenly, Mary finds herself in a strange city unable to communicate her desperate situation to the hearing population around her. Show Me a Sign reframes how we think of disabilities, abilities, and notions of what is “normal”. A great, fast-paced read for lovers of historical fiction.
Recommended by: Stephanie Thomas, Preschool Services Coordinator
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Darius the Great is Not Okay
by Adib Khorram
Darius is not the most confident of kids. When his Iranian grandfather is terminally diagnosed, his family makes a trip to Iran. Darius is not comfortable at first due to not understanding the language, Farsi, and being unfamiliar with some of the customs. This book not only takes you on a trip to Iran but on Darius’ trip working through his many issues.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
Words in Deep Blue
by Cath Crowley
This book is a romance book lover’s dream. There are multiple love stories overlapping over multiple years with many taking the form of letters left between the pages of books. It starts with a typical love triangle and becomes much more. Have your hankie nearby.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
Jelly
by Jo Cotterill
Angelica, Jelly for short, is in her 6th grade year at school. Every year, the school hosts a talent show and every year, Jelly comes in 3rd place. This year, she’s decided to take her talent of impressions and go big. However, her knack for comedy is really a protective shield–if people are laughing with you, they aren’t laughing at you. Jelly’s true talent is writing poetry, but no-one has ever seen her poems. It’s not until her mom’s new boyfriend gives Jelly the courage to share her poetry that Jelly really shines. Delightful characters and a quick-paced plot, this book will have you racing to the end. Perfect for fans of stories about growing up.
Recommended by: Kara DeCarlo, School Liaison
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice
Recommended by: Michelle Przekwas, Adult Services Shelver
Posted in: Documentary
Baristas
This movie follows four baristas as they practice and then travel to South Korea for an intense coffee competition. It is not all about your basic cup of coffee in this film as competitors race against a clock during presentations while also trying to inform judges about a new style of coffee that they have personally tried to develop. If you have any interest in what baristas do, or just love your coffee, then this is the film for you.
Recommended by: Michelle Przekwas, Adult Services Shelver
Posted in: Documentary
Coo
by Kaela Noel
Abandoned as a baby and rescued by a flock of pigeons, Coo has never left the protection of the roof she and her flock call home. After an attack by a hawk leaves one of Coo’s flock terribly wounded, Coo works up the courage to seek out help from a woman the pigeons call, “the Healer”. The Healer not only decides to help the wounded bird, but also decides to take Coo under her wing. Trying to navigate through the human world has it’s benefits (like fresh donuts!) but Coo is torn between her new world and the comfort and familiarity of her rooftop flock. When pigeons in the city start getting mysteriously sick and dying, Coo fears for the well being of her flock community. Can Coo and her new group of human friends help her pigeon family? Will Coo decide to stay in the human world, or will she return to her flock? A thoughtful read for fans of animal stories and the power of friendship.
Recommended by: Stephanie Thomas, Preschool Services Coordinator
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Louisiana’s Way Home
by Kate DiCamillo
This book starts with Louisiana, the brave and resourceful protagonist of the book, being woken by her grandmother at 3 am. As her grandmother is a force to be reckoned with, Louisiana packs her suitcase and leaves to who knows where with her grandmother. If you read this book you’ll be taking the journey with Louisiana and it won’t be one you forget.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Youth Fiction