Staff Picks Youth
August 2023
Something Wild
by Molly Ruttan
Posted in: Youth Fiction
One last shot : the story of wartime photographer Gerda Taro
by Kip Wilson
This novel told in verse covers the short life of Gerda Taro, a German photojournalist and the first woman photojournalist killed in combat. Told in the first person point of view, Taro’s activism to expose fascism is connected with her relationship with photographer André Friedmann (later known as Robert Capa).Their photographs were in great demand and they found themselves covering the Spanish Civil War up close at the front of the fighting. Taro was forgotten until 2007 when a “Mexican Suitcase” (3 boxes) collection of 4500 Spanish Civil War negatives was discovered. The boxes had been in storage in Mexico City for decades. A Doodle commemorating her birthday led the author to write this book.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian 1
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Underground Fire: Hope, Sacrifice, and Courage in the Cherry Mine Disaster
by Sally M. Walker
The town of Cherry, Illinois still exists and is the setting for the latest non-fiction book written by Sally M. Walker. On Saturday November 13, 1909 a fire began in part of the mine that eventually killed hundreds of men. The rescue efforts continued for eight days until the mine was sealed. Walker’s account relates the tragedy from the miners’ efforts to survive as well as the rescuers’ efforts to save them. The Cherry Mine Disaster remains one of the worst coal mining disasters in United States. The disaster led to changes in mining and labor regulations.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian 1
Posted in: Youth Nonfiction
Small Spaces
by Katherine Arden
Lately, Ollie’s only comfort is in books. After a fiasco at school that involves a thrown rock and her classmate’s injured head, Ollie just wants to get to her favorite spot by the creek and read. What she finds when she arrives at the creek both shocks and unnerves her. A woman, crying uncontrollably, is trying to throw a little black book into the creek. Ollie just can’t let that happen. She steals the woman’s book and runs away, with just one warning from this mysterious woman: “Keep to small spaces at night.” After staying up late reading this new find, she discovers the story tells of a someone known as the Smiling Man. But morning soon arrives, and Ollie has a field trip to attend. When the bus breaks down on the ride home, suddenly Ollie’s watch reads just one word: “Run.” Ollie listens, and only two of her friends join her. They run into the woods, unable to shake the feeling that all the scarecrows they pass are watching them. As the three of them run, keeping to small spaces at night, Ollie realizes that this little black book might be able to explain whatever evil is taking place in her town, and how to stop it. If you are looking for something creepy and hair-raising, Small Spaces should be your next read.
This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook and e sudiobook.
Recommended by: Stephanie Visser, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Monsters in the Mist
by Juliana Brandt
A creepy ghost story that takes place at a lighthouse overlooking Lake Superior, “the lake, it is said, never gives up her dead when the skies of November turn gloomy”. Glennon McCue finds himself with his Mom and sister on an island that seemingly doesn’t exist on any map yet there are inhabitants who may or may not be real. To try to save his mother and sister before the Waning, the family must confront the emotional and physical abuse the father exerted on the family for years and haunts them. Monsters can be living and dead.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Violets are Blue
by Barbara Dee
Renata, called Ren, is having a hard time dealing with a bully at school at the same time that her parents seem to be arguing a lot. When her parents announce their divorce, Ren is not surprised but is having difficulty adjusting to her dad living in New York while she remains with her mom in Chicago. When her mom decides to move to a neighboring town to give both Ren and herself a new start, Ren is initially hesitant, but ends up fitting in and finding her niche. When her mom installs a lock on her bedroom door and begins to keep odd work hours, Ren excuses it as normal since her mom is a nurse. As things begin to spiral downwards Ren is forced to confront the truth.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Youth Fiction
The Red Tin Box
by Matthew Burgess
A picture book, which in beautiful words and illustrations, tells the story of a special box and the special relationship between a grandmother and her granddaughter. The special treasures in the box leads to stories to share between the two from memories of which they remind the grandmother. A book to share with generations and maybe be inspired to do something similar.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Sarah Rising
by Ty Chapman
Sarah, the little girl who loves the nature and enjoys her morning everyday before going to school, one morning her dad decided to teach Sarah how to stand up for her rights by taking her to a protest. I love this book because it teaches kids how to explore justice and how to react peacefully when they experience it in their community to get their rights.
Recommended by: Ghada Rafati, Patron Service Clerk
Posted in: Youth Fiction
July 2023
Who’s the Bendiest?
by Emilie Dufresne
This Animal vs Animal nonfiction book series by Emilie Dufresne is sure to capture the attention of readers who love Jerry Pallotta’s Who Would Win? series or Kieran Downs’ Animal Battles series. Who’s the Bendiest? explores six “contenders,” the rat, cat, ferret, octopus, hagfish, and California Sea Lion. They are paired off in rounds where facts and pictures are shared with readers to determine who is the bendiest and why. At the end of the book, there is a “Hall of Fame” of honorable mentions, a quiz, an activity suggestion, and a glossary. Each book in the series is structured this way to make for a super fun reading experience! Grab a copy of Who’s the Bendiest? today to find out which animals can twist, squeeze, and squish the most to win the title!
Recommended by: Erin Cady, Youth Services References Librarian
Posted in: Youth Nonfiction
Are you there God? It’s me, Margaret
by Judy Blume
Posted in: Youth Fiction