Staff Picks Youth Fiction
September 2021
Bud Not Buddy
by Christopher Paul Curtis
Some stories we read because we have to and find out we are continuing to read because we want to. Bud Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis is one of those books. Commonly read for school assignments, Bud Not Buddy is an excellent read for its Depression Era story told from the perspective of 10-year-old Bud. After escaping his foster family , Bud decides that he’d much rather search for his missing father instead of being sent back to the orphanage. He embarks on a heroic journey and discovers truths about his family that he never expected to find all while learning that family extends further than a person’s bloodline.
This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook and e audiobook.
Recommended by: Darnetta Bolton, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Jude Banks, Superhero
by Ann Hood
From the cover of the book, a young boy in his red cape on a swing with bowed head towards an empty swing through to the Prologue, the reader is immediately caught up in the sadness of losing a well-loved sister. Katie dies unexpectedly at age 11, and Jude lives with the guilt that it was his fault—to the point of even going to the police station to have himself arrested for murder. This poignant book, follows the path of a brother as he comes to grips with the reality of his sister’s death and the impact on him and his family.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Dear Sweet Pea
by Julie Murphy
Thirteen year old Patricia, aka Sweet Pea, is dealing with her parents’ recent divorce. On top of that she’s having friend issues. When her neighbor, who writes an advice column, asks for Sweet Pea’s help when she’s out of town, the plot thickens.
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
August 2021
Lupe Wong Won’t Dance
by Donna Barba Higuera
Guadalupe (Lupe) loves baseball and is a pitcher on her school team. She REALLY wants to meet her favorite pitcher who is Chinacan/Mexinese just like her but the deal is she needs to get all A’s in order to do that. She’s pretty confident until she finds out that the next unit in Physical Education class is square dancing. She tries to talk the school principal into rescinding the requirement. That idea fails, but Lupe doesn’t lose her can-do attitude.
This book is available in the library and on Hoopla as an ebook.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Little Bat in Night School
by Brian Lies
An adorable book from Caldecott winner, Brian Lies. Little Bat is going to night school for the first time and he is ready. When he gets there he meets all kinds of animals and makes a special friend with a opossum… they both hang upside down. He experiences many new things but also learns the importance of trying, kindness, and acceptance. A great read for little ones going to school for the first time or for preschool and kindergarten teachers to read to the class.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Curse of the Night Witch
by Alex Aster
This fast-paced fantasy is inspired by Colombian mythology. Tor Luna lives on Emblem Island where an emblem shows up on your arm to dictate how you will spend your life. When Tor wishes for a different emblem and a new one appears, it sets him off on an adventure along with his friends, Engle and Melda.
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
Let’s Go Swimming!
by Norm Feuti
Hedgehog has all he needs for a fun day swimming at the pond until he remembers he needs his friend Harry to go along. Unfortunately Harry is afraid to go underwater. Another book in the series Hello, Hedgehog to help young ones learn to read using bright graphics and basic words.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Fiction
A Pizza with Everything on It
by Kyle Scheele
What toppings do you like on your pizza? Pepperoni? Mushrooms? Penguins? A particle accelerator? When a child tasks his pizza shop owning father to make them a pizza with everything on it, they mean EVERYTHING. As father and child pile on a doghouse, regular house, even the White House, the pizza crust magically expands to accommodate all the not so traditional toppings. What happens when the pizza crust can’t hold anymore toppings? The answer is out of this world! A fun and quirky read.
This book is available in the library and on Hoopla as an ebook.
Recommended by: Stephanie Thomas, Youth Services Preschool Services Coordinator
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Pay Attention, Carter Jones
by Gary D. Schmidt
Right when Carter Jones is starting sixth grade, a butler from England appears at their door and stays. Carter’s father is deployed in Afghanistan so they can use the help but the butler has some different ideas including a love of the game of cricket. Carter’s family, including his three sisters, adjusts as the butler insists on manners and always remembering ‘who you are’.
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
Walking Toward Peace: The True Story of a Brave Woman Called Peace Pilgrim
by Kathleen Krull
This is the true story of a woman who gave up everything she owned, including her name, to walk over twenty-five thousand miles, spreading peace. With her new name, “Peace Pilgrim” starts on an amazing journey, walking through all fifty states. She spread the message of, “a golden age of peace, a world with no fighting between people or nations.” Over twenty-eight purposeful years, she walked many different pilgrimages, crossing the country seven times. Peace Pilgrim was an amazing woman, who proved one person can inspire many.
“Overcome evil with good, falsehood with truth, and hatred with love.” – Peace Pilgrim
Recommended by: Malorie Carpenter, Youth Services Assistant
Posted in: Youth Fiction