Staff Picks Youth

Chirp

by Kate Messner

Mia is moving, convalescing from a broken arm, hiding a secret and trying to make new friends all at the same time. Then her grandmother suspects that someone is sabotaging her cricket farm. Mia and her new friends attempt to solve that mystery while simultaneously working on a marketing plan for her grandmother’s business. 

Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager

Posted in: Youth Fiction

The Grand Escape: The Greatest Prison Breakout of the 20th Century

by Neil Bascomb

This book gives the reader a gripping description of the greatest prison breakout of the 20th century. 29 prisoners tunnel their way out of Holzminden prison in Germany during World War I. It’s replete with photographs, letters and maps. 

 Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager

Posted in: Youth Nonfiction

Clean Getaway

by Nic Stone

William “Scoob” Lamar is on a remarkably interesting and confusing RV trip with his grandmother. Between talking in her sleep, taking him to unusual places and telling him things she never had before, Scoob is confused and sometimes frightened but is ultimately enlightened. 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

Just Like That

by Gary D. Schmidt

Set in the 1960s just as earlier books such as The Wednesday Wars and Okay for Now, Schmidt has written another gem of a book with compassion and humor. Meryl Lee Kowalski and Matt Coffin meet at a Maine boarding school run by Mrs. Nora MacKnockater. Both are working through life events that have caused them unhappiness. As they work their way to growth and change, they find that they need help from each other and others to overcome the past.

Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Reference Librarian I

Posted in: Youth Fiction

To Night Owl From Dogfish

by Holly Goldberg Sloan

Avery and Bet are being sent to camp together by their fathers who want to take a motorcycle trip to China. They agree NOT to become friends or see each other at all in person. As the plot moves forward they, of course, become friends and that dynamic creates quite a bit of drama. Written entirely through email and letter exchanges, this book is highly entertaining. 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

Ahimsa

by Supriya Kelkar

Based on the author’s great grandmother’s experiences in India, this historical fiction book deals with prejudice and the fight for independence. The main character, Anjali, is unhappy when her mother tells her she is joining Gandhi’s peaceful rebellion. As her mother makes adjustments to help improve her country, Anjali slowly comes around to her mother’s way of thinking. 

Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager

Posted in: Youth Fiction

The Canyon’s Edge

by Dusty Bowling

A novel in verse by the author of Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus. Nora and her father go hiking in a slot canyon on the anniversary of Nora’ mother’s death in a restaurant shooting. A flash flood separates them and leaves Nora with no supplies. As she struggles to survive the desert, Nora must also survive the Beast who has haunted her dreams for the past year. This is a page turning book full of action and emotion as Nora struggles to survive her inner and outer demons. 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 I

Posted in: Youth Fiction

They Threw Us Away (The Teddies Saga #1)

by Daniel Kraus

First in a trilogy for middle grades, this is the story of Buddy, a teddy bear, who finds himself in a garbage dump and releases other bears that he finds still in their boxes. How did they get there?   Why were they dumped? The teddies only want to be hugged by a child so they can have their Forever Sleep.

To do so, the teddies must band together to try and survive the many perils awaiting them as they try to find a home. This book reads like a cross between a fairy tale and Toy Story. It is a great read and leaves the reader anxious for the sequel.

Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I

Posted in: Youth Fiction

Words on Fire

by Jennifer Nielsen

Audra, a young Lithuanian girl, escapes her farm house when both of her parents are arrested. Her mother gives her a package, tells her the recipient’s name and town and tells her to give it only to that person. Although Audra is frightened and confused, she does her best amidst many difficulties to fulfill her mother’s wish. This title is also available on Hoopla.

Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager

Posted in: Youth Fiction

Infinite Hope: A Black Artist’s Journey from World War II to Peace

by Ashley Bryan

Ashley Bryan, an artist, storyteller and writer, tells the story of his service in World War II. This autobiography includes many of his letters home and much of his art produced during those years. 

Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager

Posted in: Youth Biographies