Staff Picks
September 2024
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
Straight On Till Morning: A Twisted Tale Graphic Novel
by Liz Braswell
What if Peter Pan never returned for his shadow? What if instead, Wendy made a deal with Captain Hook in order to make it to Neverland? What if Wendy and Tinker Bell become friends? Pick up this graphic novel and read this unique version of the Peter Pan story.
This book is available in the library, on Hoopla as an ebook and on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook and e audiobook.
Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
The Secret Library
by Kekla Magoon
Dally is being raised to take over the family business even though she hates numbers and would rather use words and her imagination. Her grandfather understood the importance of having fun, but her mom, who is running the company, has her make an appointment to discuss joining a club. After her grandfather dies, Dally realizes that a map he left for her leads to a special treasure… a library where the books are portals that take her back in time to experience family events and meet ancestors. This story covers issues of race, class, and gender in a fantasy adventure. Readers will enjoy time-traveling with Dally, learning her family secrets, and discovering her role in life.
This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook and e audiobook.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Faker
by Gordon Korman
Trey and his sister have grown up with the life provided by their grifter father. Their mother left years back after deciding that the cons the father is always running are not for her. As the kids have grown they become involved in setting up the families to fleece and then flee with the money before getting caught. Then Trey starts at a school where he meets a girl, finds a best friend, and takes an ethics class that makes him start to question his lifestyle in terms of right and wrong, responsibility and consequences of actions.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Not Nothing
by Gayle Forman
Twelve year old Alex has to work as a volunteer at a facility for older people as a result of acting out in anger and doing “a terrible thing”. He is not happy with the situation until he meets 107 year-old Holocaust survivor, Josey. As Josey shares his experiences meeting a girl named Olka and surviving WW II, Alex begins to learn not to judge people by their age or infirmaries but to learn from their memories and stories. Both storylines share misunderstandings, awfulness, hate, and biases, but also love and bravery. There is heartbreak as well as hope. Perhaps one may not be judged by one’s worst deed but be allowed to rise above it.
This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an e audiobook.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Washed Ashore: Making Art from Ocean Plastic
by Kelly Crull
Posted in: Young Adult Nonfiction
That’s My Team! The History, Science, and Fun behind Sports Teams’ Names
by Paul Volponi
A quick and easy read about the origin of many sports teams’ names is a very fun choice for any athlete in the family! Volponi splits up the collection into easily digestible chapters focused on team names in broad categories (animals, literature, music) and further provides a concise history lesson on the team history as well as the inspiration for the team’s name choice. Packed into each briefing are little fun facts about the science of animals, the history of cities or geographical information about the world that led to the adoption of a team name. While many of the segments are entertaining glimpses into the world of sports, Volponi also challenges readers to use critical thinking skills to address concerns regarding controversial team names, designing their own team names as well as other math/science/writing challenges. A great lesson on the history of sports that gets its readers involved and wanting more!
Recommended by: Alexander Pappas, Youth Services Reference Librarian
Posted in: Young Adult Nonfiction
Maya Plays the Part
by Calyssa Erb
Maya loves musical theater and her parents are finally letting her participate in the local theater’s summer camp. She has big plans to wow her favorite director and star in this year’s production, but it turns out she has a lot to learn about teamwork, friendship, and herself. Although Maya’s autism has previously made her feel as though she needs to always play the part of “Maya in Public,” she learns she can succeed by just being herself. Middle grade readers will gain perspective through Maya’s thought processes and walk away with admiration for her genuine personality and perseverance. Maya Plays the Part by Calyssa Erb will leave readers cheering for all the characters and looking up tickets to see a musical!
Recommended by: Erin Cady, Youth Services Reference Librarian
Posted in: Youth Fiction