Staff Picks Youth
October 2020
I Always Wanted One
by Oliver Tallec
A touching story about a boy and his dog but with a wonderful twist. This funny story is told from the dog’s perspective. (Hint)
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Fiction
The One with the Scraggly Beard
by Elizabeth Withley
A beautifully illustrated and empathetically written story answering questions and concerns a mom’s young son has about a man who lives under the bridge. This is a story about homelessness, the path lives can take, and belonging. Be sure to read the Author’s Note at the end of the story.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Esperanza Rising
by Pam Muñoz Ryan
Esperanza Rising is a touching story that follows Esperanza , the daughter of a wealthy Mexican rancher, and her mother as they are forced to leave their home and country to find work on a California farm labor camp. Esperanza, who was raised in a home full of servants and beautiful clothes, will have to learn to accept her new home in order to help her family survive, but can she also learn to appreciate a simpler life? To help support themselves, Esperanza is forced to learn new skills and embrace a new world. She and her mother face daily hardships , but are drawn together by the love of family and the commitment of friends. This book won the 2002 Pura Belpré Award and is a moving and timely read. This title is also available on OverDrive.
Recommended by: Darnetta Bolton, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Talking is Not My Thing
by Rose Robbins
An autistic sister expresses herself to her brother and grandmother by using visuals such as flashcards or facial expressions and gestures. Throughout the day of play, meals, and then bedtime the love and support between family members are conveyed without needing words.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian 1
Posted in: Youth Fiction
The Little Blue Cottage
by Kelly Jordan
Similar to The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton, this is an updated version with multi-ethnic family members who come to the cottage year after year in the summer. Both the house and the little girl look forward to being together. The little girl enjoys the outside and her special nook. Years go by and the girl does not return even though the cottage keeps waiting and falls into ruin. When the little girl does return, she is grown up with her own family. The cottage is restored and more memories are created with the new little girl.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian 1
Posted in: Youth Fiction
September 2020
All in a Drop: how Antony van Leeuwenhoek discovered an invisible world
by Lori Alexander
This biography tells us about the life of Antony van Leeuwenhoek, a self-taught scientist who built a microscope to examine minute creatures. He was initially met with skepticism but eventually revered for the strides he made in discovering microbial life. This is a great book for all science enthusiasts. This title is also available on Hoopla.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Youth Biographies
Escape Goat
by Ann Patchett
An amusing picture book where the goat is the scapegoat, as every time he escapes from his enclosure, everyone in the family blames him for the things that they did wrong. Ranging from burning the pies to putting gum under the chair, the goat is blamed. Only Nicolette, Mr. Farmer’s daughter, tries to speak up for the goat as the fence for his enclosure goes up and up to try and keep him in.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Marie’s Ocean: Marie Tharp Maps the Mountains Under the Sea
by Josie James
A mixed-format picture book biography about Marie Tharp, who in the 1940s, began paving the way for women to be scientists as well as the first person to map the ocean floors. She discovered many trenches and mountains that then supported the idea of plate tectonics. She felt as if she was putting a jigsaw puzzle together. Being determined and capable, she became the most noted oceanographic cartographer of the 20th century. Since she was a woman, she struggled to get the credit she deserved for her discoveries and efforts. A good book for anyone to learn about the accomplishment of a brilliant woman in the area of STEAM.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Biographies
Stay Curious!: a Brief History of Stephen Hawking
by Kathleen Krull
A highly readable picture book biography written by Krull, author of other readable biographies such as How They Croaked or The Only Woman in the Photo. The title is a nod to the title of Hawking’s book, A Brief History of Time: From the Big Bang to Black Holes, a bestseller that explained the mystery of life in an understandable way. Even after being diagnosed with ALS in his twenties, Hawking stayed curious about the “why” of the universe and continued enjoying life and helping others understand the universe we share.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Biographies
The Forgotten Girl
by India Hill Brown
Iris and Daniel are best friends. After they discover a neglected grave in an unknown cemetery, weird things begin to happen. As they investigate further, they find out the grave is part of a segregated cemetery from back when White and Black people were buried separately. Make sure it’s not dark out when you read this eerie ghost story. Also available on Hoopla.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Youth Fiction