Staff Picks Youth

Northwind

by Gary Paulsen

Last book written by Gary Paulsen and continues his forte in writing about young men surviving and thriving in a hostile world… think back to Hatchet. Also think about what we have learned about him through his books… My Life in Dog Years… and interviews about his neglectful upbringing… “The Librarian Who Changed His Life”. Leif, an orphan, was pushed from the fishing camp in a cedar canoe after a brutal sickness killed any and all in the camp. He was told to head North and never look back. His survival depended on luck, ingenuity, and the natural world he finds himself alone in. Beauty and savagery abound throughout.

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

Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I

Posted in: Youth Fiction

The Space Between Before and After

by Sue Stauffacher

Thomas Moran’s mother has been struggling with depression for years. It seems to Thomas that his mother is physically with him, mentally somewhere else. Thomas says his mother always looks like she has clouds in her eyes. After his mom disappears, Thomas learns how to cope without her. With the help of neighbors and friends, the power of storytelling becomes his savior. It is through storytelling that his family learns to live again. The Space Between Before and After is a serious and very emotionally heavy book. But just like life, not all books are fun and happy.

Recommended by: Malorie Carpenter, Youth Services Assistant

Posted in: Youth Fiction

Anybody Here Seen Frenchie?

by Leslie Connor

Aurora is talkative, excitable and impulsive. Frenchie is non-verbal, calm and thoughtful. Aurora and Frenchie are best friends. When Frenchie goes missing one day, the entire town bonds together to search for him. Told from different viewpoints this story is realistic and poignant.

Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager

Posted in: Youth Fiction

Roll with It

by Jamie Sumner

Baking is a fun hobby, but to Ellie the main character in Roll with It by Jamie Sumner, it is a way to handle the stresses that come with being a middle-schooler. Navigating a middle school in a wheel chair has its own challenges, but moving across the country to help with her grandpa who has dementia is the real hurdle. Can Ellie make friends at a new school? Will Grandpa forget who she is? Can she win the local baking contest and show the town that she is indeed destined to be a great baker one day? In this funny and touching story Ellie proves that a slice of pie does make life a little sweeter.

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

Recommended by: Darnetta Bolton, Youth Services Reference Librarian I

Posted in: Youth Fiction

Bubblecat vs. Dragonbear!

by Sean Charmatz

How would you feel as a bubble creature navigating a world with all kinds of things that could suddenly make you pop! Adorable and super cautious little Bubblecat finds himself understandably worrying about his surroundings. He is super friendly and enjoys the outdoors. One day, however, he accidentally disturbs Dragonbear while he is working on his art. The spiky creature unleashes his rage. Fearing for his safety, Bubblecat realizes he may actually be stronger than he thought and by doing so, surprises Dragonbear with the ultimate weapon, kindness. This is a fun and quirky story featuring simple text and layered elements that combine photography backgrounds and nature objects along with cartoony digital art and imaginative characters. Texture is beautifully captured and tempts readers to take a closer look. Kids and grown-ups will enjoy this eye-catching and inspiring tale about confidence and identity.

Recommended by: Fanny Camargo, Youth Services Reference Librarian I

Posted in: Youth Fiction

Under the Ramadan Moon

by Sylvia Whitman

Very soon Muslims all around the world will celebrate the holy month of Ramadan.  “Under the Ramadan Moon” is a very good choice for little ones to understand what is Ramadan and how Muslim families spend this month in very simple words by repeating the phrase “under the moon”.

Recommended by: Ghada Rafati, Patron Services Clerk

Posted in: Youth Fiction

Still Mine

by Jayne Pillemer

A sweet book for young and old readers to remind us that those we love and have died can live in our hearts and memories. Showing special moments between diverse people, the book exemplifies how love and grief and the perspective of those moments can be healing.

Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I

Posted in: Youth Fiction

The Sister Who Ate Her Brothers and Other Gruesome Tales

by Jen Campbell

The author set out to have the princesses not be beautiful and some of the characters having disfigurements to offset the more common fairy tales. Being beautiful is replaced with being clever and brave. Also, the happy ever after is definitely gone. Fourteen fairy tales from around the world are retold with original grisliness and often deadly details. Middle grade readers who like scary stories will like this one. Not for the faint of heart in words or illustrations.

Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I

Posted in: Youth Fiction

Give Me Back My Book!

by Travis Foster

There’s an awesome book in this story and both Redd and Bloo want to claim it as their own. It is, in fact, a great book and is no wonder why these two hilarious characters would fight for it. Soon, they engage in a heated debate with arguments that true book lovers would understand. But you know the saying, you snooze, you lose. The cutest little bookworm seizes the opportunity and makes it her own. The two now have to come up with a plan to get the book back and they do so in a clever and adorable win-win for all. Simple, yet humorous text in dialogue format with large appealing and highly expressive illustrations.

Recommended by: Fanny Camargo, Youth Services Reference Librarian I

Posted in: Youth Fiction

On Account of the Gum

by Adam Rex

Posted in: Youth Fiction