Staff Picks Youth

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

The Floating Field: How a Group of Thai Boys Built Their own Soccer Field

by Scott Riley

Young Prasit Hemmin and his friends loved soccer but because their small island home of Koh Panyee, off the coast in Thailand had so little land there was no room for even a small field. The boys played on sandbars at low tide, but as soon as the tide came in, the game was over. Set in 1986, this inspiring true story of determination and teamwork tells of Prasit and his friends’ wild plan to use scrap lumber to build a floating soccer field.

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

Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian

Posted in: Youth Nonfiction

The Elephants Come Home: A True Story of Seven Elephants, Two People, and One Extraordinary Friendship

by Kim Tomsic

This touching true story portrays conservationist Lawrence Anthony’s relationship with a frightened, hunted elephant herd that found a home at his reserve in South Africa, Thula Thula. Anthony and his wife, Françoise, had a no-hunting rule at Thula Thula, but still the uneasy rescued elephants broke out of their enclosure. When they came back, a gentle Anthony carefully reassured the animals that they were safe, and they came to love their new home and him.

Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian

Posted in: Youth Nonfiction

Opening the Road: Victor Hugo Green and His Green Book

by Keila Dawson

In the late 1930s when segregation was legal and Black Americans couldn’t visit every establishment or travel everywhere they wanted to safely, a New Yorker named Victor Hugo Green decided to do something about it. Green wrote and published a guide that listed places where his fellow Black Americans could be safe in New York City. Soon customers started asking Green to make a guide to help them travel and vacation safely across the nation too.

Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian

Posted in: Youth Biographies

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

Ask Mr. Bear

by Marjorie Flack

This children’s classic book was published in 1931.  I first discovered it when I was researching books for a preschool birthday storytime that I was presenting at my library.   

The gentle tale tells the story of Danny who is in search of the perfect birthday gift for his mother.  Through a series of meetings with some farm animals, Danny tell them of his dilemma and each offers a gift:  The Hen offers Danny a fresh egg; the Goose offers feathers so Danny can make a pillow for his mother; the Goat suggest his milk so they can have cheese.  Danny thanks them all but tells the animals that his mother has all of those things.  Finally, Danny and the animals come across a Cow who tells Danny that he should visit Mr. Bear who lives in the woods on the other side of the hill.  Danny heads off and reaches Mr. Bear, and asks Mr. Bear what he has for Danny to give to his mother for her birthday.  Mr. Bear tells Danny he doesn’t have anything for Danny’s mother’s birthday but he whispers something that Danny can give her himself. 

I don’t want to give away the ending, but to me this soothing story tells little ones and grown-ups too, that the best presents are the giving of yourself by showing love. 

 Recommended by: Mary G. Adamowski, Library Director

Posted in: Youth Fiction

Grow Up, Tahlia Wilkins!

by Karina Evans

When puberty hits for Tahlia Wilkins, the hits just keep on coming! School’s out for the summer, she has the best friend a girl could ask for, and she has a foolproof plan to become popular this summer before eighth grade, so what could go wrong? Everything. Literally, everything that could go wrong is going wrong in this hilarious middle grade novel by Karina Evans. Tahlia and her best friend, Lily, spend days dealing with one disaster after another, until the biggest disaster of all threatens their friendship. If you’ve ever felt some serious growing pains, this book reminds you you’re not the only one. Fans of Funny Girl: Funniest. Stories. Ever. by Betsy Bird will find this story just as entertaining.

Recommended by: Erin Cady, Youth Services Reference Librarian

Posted in: Youth Fiction