Staff Picks
April 2024
The Unchartered Flight of Olivia West
by Sara Ackerman
This riveting novel is inspired by real life events and tells the story of a female aviator who defied the odds and entered a daring race across the Pacific in 1927. Being a woman, she is unable to enter the race as a pilot and is forced to enter as a navigator for a male pilot where she quickly proves her worth. The novel then crosses over to 1987 where clues to this piece of aviation history are found in a dilapidated barn by a young woman determined to find out what really happened all those years ago. Fast paced and exciting to the very end!
This book is available in the library and on Hoopla as an e audiobook.
Recommended by: Denise Mitchel, Patron Services Clerk
Posted in: Adult Fiction
Let’s Read Animal Words
by Ji Lee
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Legends and Lattes
by Travis Baldree
Viv is ready to put her adventuring days behind her. After her last quest to retrieve a mythical stone, she’s ready to take on a new adventure….the food and beverage industry. But what does an orc barbarian know about running a coffee shop? Viv makes friends and discovers her softer side while slinging lattes and pastries to the citizens of her new home. Baldree has created a story for a super niche genre reader which combines the fantasy elements of a Dungeons and Dragons campaign with a cozy relationship story.
This book is available in the library, on OverDrive/Libby as an e audiobook, and on Hoopla as an e audiobook.
Recommended by: Brandi Smits, Youth Services Manager
Posted in: Adult Fiction
Who Was Harry Houdini
by Tui T. Sutherland
The “Who Was” series is a wonderful series which is perfect for 3rd graders. The story of Harry Houdini is very captivating and will keep readers interested from beginning to end. I love all he did to support American soldiers and their families during and after WWI. Kids will love to read about the most famous magician who ever lived!
This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook.
Recommended by: Lenore Garoufalis, Youth Services Assistant
Posted in: Youth Biographies
Survive the Dome
by Kosoko Jackson
Jamal only wanted to go to Baltimore to photograph a protest. He ended up becoming trapped in militarized dome instead. He meets Marco and Catherine, who both have special skills, and are more than they seem. Together they need to fight to survive and show the world what is really happening inside the dome.
This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook.
Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
Catching Jordan
by Miranda Kenneally
Jordan leads her High School Tennessee football team as their quarterback. She has big dreams of making it to a high ranked college team, and even being the first female pro player. She is one of the best players in Tennessee…. That is until a new boy shows up wanting to take her spot. Not only is Ty an amazing quarterback who wants to play on her team, but he’s also hot. He’s the first guy Jordan really likes. Will she be able to keep her head in the game and get on her number one pick college team? Or will she follow her heart?
This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook.
Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
Olivetti
by Allie Millington
Olivetti is a typewriter who has saved the words that make up the memories of the family. Ernest is a seventh grade boy who hides behind words from the dictionary so he won’t become close to anyone. Ever since the Everything that Happened happened, the family has coped, but not well. When the mom disappears and Ernest feels it is his fault, Olivetti must break the typewriter code and let him know that together they can find his mom and bring the family together again.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Fiction
We Are All So Good At Smiling
by Amber McBride
We all smile. We smile when we’re happy, but we can also smile when we want to hide our true feelings. As if wearing a mask. For Whimsy and Faerry smiling has been a way to conceal their feelings to the world. They find each other and bond through trauma that changed their lives as they embark on a journey through the magical dark forest at the edge of their town.
This book is in the library, on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook and e audiobook, and Hoopla as an e audiobook.
Recommended by: Ayla Franco, Youth Services Youth Services Assistant
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
The Playbook: 52 Rules To Aim, Shoot, And Score In This Game Called Life
by Kwame Alexander
The Playbook: 52 Rules To Aim, Shoot, And Score In This Game Called Life by Kwame Alexander – Kwame Alexander, author of The Crossover and other prolific poetry and sports books, brings an approachable self-help book excellent for reluctant readers. Featuring lovely illustrations and using the game of basketball as a model for real life, Alexander gives kids guidance on several of the tough questions they will face or have already. Alexander’s short, rhythmic poetry and rhymes flow with such ease that the book will fly by and the lessons he brings truly shine. With motivational quotes from prolific athletes such as LeBron James and public figures such as Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, this quick read will give your readers that little push they need to step up to the free throw line and keep pushing whether their shot is a swish or short.
Posted in: Youth Nonfiction
New From Here
by Kelly Yang
New From Here by Kelly Yang is about ten year old Knox Wei-Evans and his family navigating the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. His parents decide that it’s best for his dad to stay in Hong Kong to work while he and his mom and siblings move to America, where the virus hasn’t spread yet. This means Knox and his siblings are faced with new schools, new peers, and new challenges. Can they get along and work together to make the best of a difficult situation? Readers will laugh, gasp, and gain perspective throughout the story. The book also lends itself well to important, thoughtful, discussion questions.
This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook and e audiobook.
Recommended by: Erin Cady, Youth Services Reference Librarian
Posted in: Youth Fiction