Staff Picks Youth Fiction

The Derby Daredevils: Kenzie Kickstarts a Team

by Kit Rosewater

Kenzie is passionate about roller skating and, especially, roller derby. When she, along with her best friend, Shelly, find out about the new junior derby league tryouts, they are super excited. But when they learn they need to try out as a team if they want to be on the same team, they are stuck. They don’t know anyone else who roller skates. Will they be able to form a five person team in time for tryouts? 

Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager

Posted in: Youth Fiction

The Last Bear

by Hannah Gold

April knows there are no polar bears left on Bear Island. Her father, an environmental scientist, has told her so. But when she looks out her bedroom window on their first night living in the Arctic Circle, April swears she sees a polar bear. There’s a polar bear–one who is hungry, injured, and maybe, if April is lucky, lonely enough to become a friend. As April works her way into Bear’s heart, can she figure out how he became the last polar on Bear Island? More importantly, does she have what it takes to rescue him and reunite him with the other polar bears in the Arctic Circle?

Recommended by: Stephanie Visser-Rodriquez, Youth Services Assistant

Posted in: Youth Fiction

Big Tree

by Brian Selznick

Selznick has once again created a book that soars in both text and illustrations. The text is sparse but the ideas conveyed are profound. The illustrations flow like watching a movie. Follow two sycamore seeds as they struggle to survive and understand their world.  At the end of the story be sure to read the scientific explanations of topics raised in the book. Be prepared to be awed by the book and to keep thinking about it long after you have closed the book.

Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I

Posted in: Youth Fiction

Mama Shamsi at the Bazaar

by Mojdeh Hassan

Samira the little girl goes out to the Grand Bazaar in Tahran/ Iran for the first time with her grandmother, Mama Shamsi.  She is scared and nervous because it’s her first visit to the market and wants to hide under Mama Shamsi’s “chador”. This picture book contains rhymes words and wonderful illustration, it will teach young children other countries cultures in a very beautiful way. After reading this book, will you be able to know what “Chador” in Farsi is?

Recommended by: Ghada Rafati, Patron Services Clerk

Posted in: Youth Fiction

Swim Team

by Johnnie Christmas

Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas is a power packed graphic novel! It really has it all. Girl power, sports, history, bright, expressive illustrations, the list goes on and on! Bree is the new girl in school and she can’t swim, which wouldn’t be a big deal, except her new school is in Florida, and the only available elective is Swim 101. Luckily, she makes a few fast friends and her upstairs neighbor turns out to be a former professional swimmer. With the right training and intense determination, Bree is on her way to becoming a champion swimmer, but being a part of a team comes with its own challenges. Can Bree and the rest of the swim team at Enith Brigitha Middle School come together to make history? What other problems can be solved along the way? This inspiring, charming story is sure to capture the attention of a variety of readers.

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

Recommended by: Erin Cady, Youth Services Reference Librarian

Posted in: Youth Fiction

Odder

by Katherine Applegate

Once again Applegate has written a wonderful book that with its free verse flows like the waves Odder likes to play in. Set in three parts and loosely based on real events and otters, the reader learns facts about otters, care of otters, and learns the life story of Odder. Odder has an encounter with a shark, loses her mother and a friend, and loses part of herself as the story unfolds from her point of view. Throughout the book many emotions are felt, but especially love for Odder. The story and illustrations (see cover) are amazing.

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

Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian 

Posted in: Youth Fiction

Let’s Do Nothing!

by Tony Fucile

Posted in: Youth Fiction

Awkward

by Svetlana Chmakova

Penelope Torres has put herself in an awkward situation. In an attempt to survive her first day at a new middle school, Penelope snubbed Jaime, the school nerd. Afterwards, she’s wracked with guilt at her decision and wishes she could somehow undo what she’s done. Penelope tries to best to move past what happened and fit in at school with her Art Club friends. But everything changes when the Art Club goes head to head with the Science Club, of which Jaime is a member. Can Penelope and the Art Club prove that they’ve got what it takes? And more importantly, can Penelope fix this awkwardness between her and Jaime?

Recommended by: Stephanie Visser-Rodriguez, Youth Services Assistant

Posted in: Youth Fiction

Morning Sun in Wuhan

by Ying Chang Compestine

Morning Sun in Wuhan by Ying Chang Compestine describes thirteen-year-old Mei’s experience as the Coronavirus pandemic starts in China in January 2020. Her mother just passed away, unrelated to COVID-19, and her father is already very busy as the director of Yangtze Hospital’s respiratory care department, so the virus outbreak means he’s even less available to Mei. Working through her grief she starts out feeling pretty lost, but she figures out a way to help her community, and even makes some unlikely friends. Her passion is cooking, so recipes and kitchen tips are sprinkled throughout the story. This book leaves readers hungry and hopeful that working together is not only possible, but also prosperous.

Recommended by: Erin Cady, Youth Services Reference Librarian

Posted in: Youth Fiction

Tomorrow is a Brand-New Day

by Davina Bell

This is an uplifting and heartwarming picture book about growing up.  It shows children how to learn from their experiences both good and bad. From the bright and sunny illustrations to the hopeful message, it is filled with positivity! I also love the rhyming words and how it describes feelings.  This feel good book is just what kids need on a bad day!

Recommend by: Lenore Garoufalis, Youth Services Assistant

Posted in: Youth Fiction