Staff Picks

The Bellwoods Game

by Celia Krampien

Bailee’s school year is not going well. Most of her friends have turned against her as they believe she ratted them out. But soon the Bellwoods game will start and Bailee hopes to win. When a girl went missing from their town years ago, the rumor started that her ghost was haunting the woods. Now every year, the Bellwoods game has been held. 3 student volunteers must ring the bell in the woods before the ghost does in order to keep their town safe for another year. Who will win this year? 

Submitted by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Manager

Posted in: Youth Fiction

Under the Surface

by Diana Urban

This new realistic fiction novel keeps you on your toes! American teens travel to Paris for a school trip, and all they want to see is the catacombs underneath the city of Paris. When Ruby’s best friend Val seeks out to meet a French boy, their world turns upside down. They get to experience the catacombs in a way they couldn’t have imagined. They head down to the catacombs for a party but never make it because they get lost in the intricate web of tunnels. How will they make it out? This is a thriller book that is perfect for young adults or adults that want a mystery and adventure novel.

This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook.

Recommended by: Abigail Hooks, Youth Services Assistant

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

When the World Was Ours

by Liz Kessler

This is an incredible historical fiction novel that tells the story of three best friends growing up in Vienna together. Life is perfect, especially on Leo’s ninth birthday, celebrating with Elsa and Max riding Vienna’s Ferris Wheel, the Riesenrad. This moment is one they won’t forget. As Hitler comes to power in Germany and World War II is on the rise, the three friends are separated as safety becomes a concern for all. This story presents each chapter through the perspectives of the different children. They all hold onto this one memory of the Ferris Wheel in hopes that one day they can be back together. I recommend this story for readers of all ages; even though it is a Young Adult novel, any adult can enjoy this as well. With vivid imagery and compelling characters, you will not be disappointed.

Recommended by: Abigail Hooks, Youth Services Assistant

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

Who We Are in Real Life

by Victoria Koops

Having to move from a city to a small prairie town has been hard for Darcy. One of her mothers had gotten a great opportunity that she couldn’t refuse but things take a turn when they get there. They come to realize that this small town is very conservative and are horrified at how prominent the homophobia is. Thankfully Darcy can take solace in her friend Art’s D&D group. Will they be able to overcome the homophobia in their new town? And what will become of Darcy’s and Art’s romantic tension? Great for fans of D&D and Rainbow Rowell!

This book is available in the library and on Hoopla as an ebook.

Recommended by: Ayla Franco, Youth Services Assistant

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

Clown in a Cornfield

by Adam Cesare

The ultimate Teen slasher novel! Quinn and her dad move to a new town. All around town there’s an old clown mascot named Frendo painted on buildings and signs. He represents how prosperous the town once was. The adults of the town are desperate to make their town great again. The teens disrespect the old ways, especially Frendo and want things to change for the better. At the biggest teen party of the year, in a cornfield in the middle of nowhere, Frendo the clown will make his appearance. His goal…. to make sure that no one disrespects the old ways again, even if that means killing off every single Teen.

This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook and e audiobook.

Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

After Dark with Roxie Clark

by Brooke Lauren Davis

Roxie’s family is cursed. Everyone dies horribly. She however, takes the curse and uses those deaths in her famous historic ghost tour. The one death she stays away from on her tour is her sister’s boyfriend. He was found brutally murdered in a cornfield. Outside of the tours she tries to help her sister find closure in the murder by trying to solve it. As they get closer to the truth, will they find out that some secrets are better left uncovered?

This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook and e audiobook.

Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

Two Sides to Every Murder

by Danielle Valentine

Olivia was born at Camp Lost Lake during a famous murder spree. Reagan has spent her whole life on the run with her mom, the number one suspect in the murders of the Camp. Now teenagers, both girls will cross paths when they decide to venture to the newly reopened camp one last time to try to solve the famous murders. What will the killer think when they find out that there are new campers to prey on? Will anyone survive?

This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook and e audiobook.

Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

Minding the Gap

Rockford, Illinois creates a center for three young men growing up under familial struggle saved by skateboarding. Though Minding the Gap presents affecting moments ruminating on trauma, the documentary never loses the spirit of the skater community. Following the boys into adulthood, viewers consider the past’s influence, both the troubles that deepened us as well as the saving graces. This Oscar-nominated documentary amplifies an urgent and distinctly Midwest coming of age story.

Recommended by: Elle Lynch, Patron Services Clerk

Posted in: Documentary

An Honest Lie

by Tarryn Fisher

An Honest Lie by Tarryn Fisher is a must read suspense novel. The author dives deep into the main character, Rainy, by altering the timeline between the present and the past. Rainy has moved to remote mountain area to be with her boyfriend from New York City. As she entwines her life with his group of friends, Rainy hesitantly agrees to visit Las Vegas with the group of girls for a weekend getaway. During this trip, Rainy’s story unfolds as her past comes back to haunt her. The weekend takes on an unexpected and dramatic twist which puts both her life and the life of one of her new found friends at risk.

This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook and on Hoopla as an ebook and e audiobook.

Recommended by: Alice Grabowski, Administrative Clerk

Posted in: Adult Fiction

Rayne & Delilah’s Midnite Matinee

by Jeff Zentner

High School students Josie and Delia host a local cable show called Midnite Matinee dressed as the characters Rayne Ravenscroft and Delilah Darkwood. It’s been their life, and outlet throughout High School, but now things are changing. Josie is trying to make a decision about leaving everything behind in order to go to college with a big internship in TV. Delia is worried about getting left behind again. To deal with the abandonment fear, Delia hires a PI to find her father, who left her and her mom years ago. It turns out that he is in Florida, right near a horror convention where a possible opportunity for the girls to become famous TV horror hosts is taking place. With the help of Josie’s new boy friend Lawson, the girls go on an adventure that will change their lives forever, but will it be for the better or for the worst?

This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an e audiobook.

Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction