Staff Picks Youth
May 2020
Wedgie and Gizmo
by Suzanne Selfors
First in a series of the hilarious adventures of Gizmo, a guinea pig, who wants to be an evil genius and Wedgie, a fun loving corgi. Told from their alternating points of view, life in this blended household is one laugh after another. From Gizmo’s fear that the grandmother is going to cook him to Wedgie’s belief that his magical powers of turning in circles can open doors, this delightful read will have you reaching for the rest of the series. Also available on OverDrive.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Otis and Will discover the deep: the record setting dive of the Bathysphere
by Barb Rosenstock
A little known true story about an engineer and an explorer who built a hollow metal ball, a bathysphere, to dive deep into the ocean. Not only does the text make this story suspenseful, but the watercolor drawings make this a mesmerizing book. As the two men went deeper and deeper into the ocean, not only the risks of something going wrong grew, but also the rewards in the sights they were the first to see. Read this book to follow them down into the deep. Also available on OverDrive.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Nonfiction
Strongheart: Wonder Dog of the Silver Screen
by Candace Flemming
Based on a real life dog (be sure to read the author’s note at end of book), this is an enthralling story that literally reads like a Hollywood movie. This dog’s life has it all—action, suspense, mystery and romance. As a puppy he was taken to be trained to be a ferocious guard dog. Rescued after WWI by a Hollywood producer looking for a canine star, through love and patience this puppy lived up to his stage name of Strongheart. Look on Youtube for a video of scenes from his movies. Also available on OverDrive.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Inkling
by Kenneth Oppel
When the family dog sees an inkblot come to life the stage is set for a riotous good time in Inkling. Ethan, the main character, is struggling on the art portion of a class project because his dad is a somewhat famous illustrator but Ethan is not that great at drawing. When Inkling the inkblot is ‘born’ it turns out he can not only talk and read but he can DRAW! Ethan thinks this is the end of all his troubles, but is it? Also available on OverDrive.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Some Places More Than Others
by Renee Watson
Amara’s birthday is coming up and all she wants is the opportunity to go to New York with her father. Unfortunately, her mother thinks she’s too young (she’s almost 12!) and her father’s not too keen on the idea either. Amara gets to the bottom of things as she’s very persistent and both good and bad come out of it. This realistic fiction will both soothe and invigorate those who read it.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack , Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Aru Shah and the End of Time
by Roshani Chokshi
Chokshi integrates Indian mythology into this adventurous book. Aru is an only child living in a museum and feeling unloved by her mother. When she releases a demon from a lamp in the museum the guilt Aru feels weighs heavily on her. She rises to the occasion and fights to save the world. Also available on OverDrive.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Ghost Squad
by Claribel Ortega
Set in Saint Augustine, Florida a few weeks before Halloween this story of ghosts, malicious spirits, magical animals, and witches has all the right ingredients for a spooky read. Lucely Luna lives in a house with her dad and the ghosts of all her dead relatives. Mornings are spent around the breakfast table, piled high with food for the living and the dead. But when her ghostly relatives start disappearing, Lucely knows somethings wrong and she’s determined to fix it. With the help of her best friend, Syd, Lucely tracks down an old spellbook and recites a spell that accidentally releases malicious spirits into the world. Now the girls have to rely on help from Syd’s witch grandmother, Babette, and the rest of Lucely’s ghostly relatives. They have to put things right before the full moon on Halloween, or the town will be forever changed. Grab yourself a blanket and some snacks–you won’t want to go anywhere until this story is over!
Recommended by: Kara DeCarlo, Youth Services School Liaison
Posted in: Youth Fiction
The Usual Suspects
by Maurice Broaddus
A special education classroom, bullies, and the discovery of a gun near school make for a compelling read. The main character, Thelonious, who frequently creates disruptions in class, is an immediate suspect. This angers him so he, along with his bestie, Nehemiah, attempts to discover the identity of who brought in the gun. He encounters resistance alternating with support from his mother, his special ed classmates, and his teachers in this edgy middle school setting.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Caravan to the North: Misael’s Long Walk
by Jorge Argueta
This quick but powerful read centers on the decision of the Martinez family to leave their native El Salvador to travel to the United States. Written in verse, the reader feels both the cruelties and kindnesses experienced by the people in the caravan. This semi-autobiographical account achingly recounts the risks taken by people fleeing their home countries.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assitant Manager
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Sheets
by Brenna Thummler
Posted in: Youth Fiction