Staff Picks Youth
March 2024
You Are a Star, Jane Goodall
by Dean Robbins
Did you know that Jane Goodall didn’t have any scientific training or college? She got the opportunity to live among chimps and study them, which had never been done by anyone before her! This book shares information about her life in a fun and sometimes humorous way about the work she did with chimps while also educating others to take care of our planet. Young readers will be inspired reading facts and details about the life of Jane Goodall and will also enjoy the beautiful illustrations. Great for ages 5-8.
Recommended by: Stacie Pendleton, Youth Services Assistant
Posted in: Youth Biographies
Ferris
by Kate DiCamillo
“It’s a DiCamillo!” is a quote from one of the reviews of the book and truly that sums it up. It is a must read. A heart-warming and heart-rending story of community, family, and love. During the summer before Ferris and her best friend Billy go into 5th grade, there is so much going on with those they love and those who love them, “but every story is a love story”. There is a ghost, an uncle living in the basement, illness, unrequited love, a little sister who wants to be an outlaw, bees, and raccoons. DiCamillo wraps all of that into a fantastic read that encompasses the support, caring and understanding of all the characters for each other. After finishing the book, I looked at the cover to find the sparrow…did not see it… so decided it was under the barcode label, so felt happy. Make you want to read it?
Posted in: Youth Fiction
What Was the Children’s Blizzard of 1888
by Steve Korte
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Bunny in the Middle
Bunny in the Middle by Anika Denise is a beautiful picture book story that reminds middle children how special they are. This sweet story touches on some of the trials and tribulations of being “stuck” in the middle and puts a positive spin on it. The lovely springtime illustrations, and adorable bunny siblings, make this a cozy, heartwarming read aloud. Caregivers and children will surely bond over this title. This is for all the middle children, young and old.
Recommended by: Erin Cady, Youth Services Reference Librarian
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Hannah and the Ramadan Gift
by Qasim Rashid
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Kind of Spark
by Elle McNicoll
Addie is autistic along with her sister, Keedie. They have a very strong bond. Unfortunately, Addie’s new teacher is not kind to her and treats her differently from the other students. When Addie learns at school that in the past women were accused of being witches and burned at the stake, she feels empathy for them. She wants to commemorate them and attempts to receive permission from the village board.
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
February 2024
Connor Crowe Can’t Let Go
by Howard Pearlstein
Posted in: Youth Fiction
The Plot to Kill a Queen
by Deborah Hopkinson
Emilia Bassano is the narrator and heroine of this historical fiction story that is written in three acts. She is always “wondering” and thinking “why not?” which proves to be very useful as she investigates the plot to kill a queen and acts as a secret agent. Although she grew up in Queen Elizabeth’s castle, she is sent to Sheffield Castle, where Mary, Queen of Scots is being held captive. Intrigue and subterfuge are around every corner as secret messages and double dealings are rampant throughout the castles. The illustrations add to the understanding of what life was like in Elizabethan times. The side notes about the theater and terms used such as prologue and aside are informative.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Fiction
The Gray
by Chris Baron
Whenever Sasha feels overwhelmed by all that he sees, hears and feels, he goes to a place he calls the Gray, where it is hard to distinguish reality from fantasy. His therapist and parents feel it would be helpful for him to go stay with his aunt and get back to nature. That also means getting away from all the screen time that Sasha has been doing as the area has no wi-fi. Things don’t go smoothly as Sasha has trouble with a bully, an unfriendly boy, and falls off a horse. All of this helps him to grow and change but does it help him enough when the going gets really rough?
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Fiction
January 2024
The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen
by Isaac Blum
Hoodie’s entire Orthodox Jewish community has moved to the non-Jewish town of Tregaron. The people of Tregaron aren’t happy that so many Orthodox Jews are moving in at once. When Hoodie falls for the non Jewish daughter of the mayor who is trying to kick Hoodie’s community out of town, life gets rough. Things get even worse when the town is hit by anti-Semitic crimes that escalate into a deadly shooting. Should Hoodie abandon his community for his first love, or should he stick by them through the good and bad? This book will open your eyes to things that some in the Jewish community (and many other groups as well) are experiencing today.
Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian
Posted in: Youth Fiction