Staff Picks Youth Fiction

Cuba in My Pocket

by Adrianna Cuevas

Cumba lives in Cuba in the year 1961. Fidel Castro has taken over and there is much unrest. When a soldier demands that Cumba reports to duty as a soldier even though he’s only 12, his parents make the decision to send him to the United States. Once there, Cumba not only needs to learn the language but he needs to acclimate himself to new surroundings, a new school and new living arrangements.  

Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager

Posted in: Youth Fiction

The Girl in the Lake

by India Hill Brown

If you are looking for a ghost story, The Girl in the Lake is for you. Celeste is not looking forward to spending the summer at her grandparents’ lake house. Her brother and cousins will be there, but all they will want to do is swim in the deep, dark lake. Celeste hates the water and to make things even worse, she failed her swimming class. It is particularly important to Celeste’s grandparents that all the grandchildren learn to swim. Especially because segregation did not allow her grandparents and their siblings the opportunity to safely learn to swim in a public pool. As Celeste is settling in to her stay, she sees a picture of her grandmother’s sister who died when she was right around Celeste’s age. At first Celeste thinks it is a photo of herself, that is how similar Celeste looks to her great aunt. The similarity creeps Celeste out. Unfortunately, the photo is just the start of creepy things that happen in her grandparents’ old house and at the lake. Dangerous pranks, lost time, and strange dreams all start to take over Celeste’s summer. Will Celeste lose her summer to fear? The Girl in the Lake is just scary enough to keep you reading.

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

Recommended by: Malorie Carpenter, Youth Services Assistant

Posted in: Youth Fiction

When the Sky Falls

by Phil Earle

Joseph is absolutely miserable when his grandmother sends him away to the country during World War II. His mother has left him, his father is off to fight, and his grandmother can no longer be bothered with him so Joseph is shipped off to a friend of his grandmother’s who owes her a favor. To make matters even worse, it turns out this friend is taking care of what’s left of the zoo and needs Joseph’s help mostly with clearing out the dung. Joseph meets a friend and becomes more comfortable in his new surroundings only to be confronted with bullies. This historical fiction novel is action packed and heart wrenching. 

Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager

Posted in: Youth Fiction

The Hideaway

by Pam Smy

If you are a fan of The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, you will love The Hideaway. Billy Mckenna refuses to live in his home for one more day. The abuse his mother must endure, living with his manipulative stepfather, is unbearable. Billy never knows when his stepfather’s mood will become violent. Therefore, his only choice is to run away. He knows the perfect place too, a remote, overgrown cemetery. While hiding away in the graveyard, Billy remembers happier times with his mother, before she met his stepfather. Billy and his mother used to be happy together in their cozy apartment. He knows he must do what it takes to get that happiness back. Billy’s mother is distraught over the disappearance of her son. She will do whatever it takes to get Billy back, even if that means putting herself in danger. While hiding away, Billy makes unexpected friends with the groundskeeper who is sympathetic to Billy’s situation and agrees to keep his stay a secret. But when Billy starts witnessing paranormal activity in the graveyard, he questions who the groundskeeper really is and why he is helping him. The Hideaway is a face paced read with black and white sketches throughout.

Recommended by: Malorie Carpenter, Youth Services Assistant

Posted in: Youth Fiction

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

by Judith Viorst

Who hasn’t ever felt that their day is going so bad, it would probably be best to move to Australia? This classic story just turned 50 and we can’t help but sympathize with Alexander, who just can’t catch a break. Ray Cruz’ black and white illustrations perfectly portray and match the moods for Alexander’s relatable situations. Alexander’s mother is right, some days are just like that and this timeless book is a good reminder we all have not-so-great days sometimes. This picture book has stood the test of time to become an ode to terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days.

Recommended by: Fanny Camargo, Youth Services Reference Librarian

Posted in: Youth Fiction

A Darkening of Dragons

by S. A. Patrick

Book One in the Songs of Magic trilogy introduces Patch Brightwater, a piper; Wren, a girl cursed to be a rat; and Barver, a dragon. Together they face challenge after challenge involving magic and intrigue as they try to save the world from the Pied Piper of Hamelyn’s scheme to rule or destroy everything. His piping to make the children disappear was just the beginning.

Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I

Posted in: Youth Fiction

The River Between Hearts

by Heather Mateus Sappenfield

Rill is missing her father horribly after he got ‘lost’ down river. She is positive he’ll come back someday. Meanwhile her cat leads her to the family tree fort where it seems a girl from Rill’s class is living. Rill embarks on an adventure that has her figuring out many different aspects of life including how to be a friend. 

Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager

Posted in: Youth Fiction

Little Man

by Dionne Warwick

This inspirational tale is based on David Freeman Wooley’s childhood story of his love of drumming and his neighborhood. A young boy nicknamed Little Man embarks on a quest to find his passion and purpose in life. With his father’s guidance and a lot of determination, he finds success at mastering the drums and bringing joy to his community. His perseverance also pays off when he’s finally able to afford a new bike. The realistic illustrations are captivating and reflect the vibrant community of Little Man’s neighborhood.  This read-along includes a CD delightfully narrated by Warwick, as well as a wonderful drumming demonstration by Wooley himself. A great pick for Audiobook month.

Recommended by: Fanny Camargo, Youth Services Reference Librarian

Posted in: Youth Fiction

Lifeling

by Kirsty Applebaum

Twelve-year-old Lonny, his younger brother Midge, and their father have lived in the forest away from the town of Farstoke all of his life. They do that to protect Lonny because he is a lifeling, one who has the power to save dying things. The price of being able to do that though takes years off his own life. Because of the need for food and money, the brothers venture into Farstoke where the townspeople act as if they treasure a lifeling. Is he willing to bet his or his brother’s life on that? A face paced fantasy story.

Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I

Posted in: Youth Fiction

Little Blue Bunny

by Erin Guendelsberger

A beautiful, simply written story with the big theme of love and togetherness. A young boy and his favorite toy have many adventures together as the years go by. Unlike in the Velveteen Rabbit where the rabbit is disposed of, when this bunny gets old and tattered, the Mom patches him up and they are off for more adventures. In time, the blue bunny is excited to see a new baby arrive to continue the love and togetherness.

Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I

Posted in: Youth Fiction