Staff Picks

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

Dogtown

by Katherine Applegate

Applegate, along with another popular author, Gennifer Choldenko have co-authored a fast- paced story about finding your forever home. Dogtown is a shelter where dogs, real and robot, are housed after their owners no longer want them. Chance, a real dog, is friends with a mouse as he shares his kibble to feed Mouse’s family. Then, much to Chance’s surprise, he becomes friends with a robot dog, who seems to have a real heart and not just wires inside of him. With the three friends working together to get robot dog back home, Chance again begins to hope that his family will come and find him. One problem to that is that they are looking for a four- legged dog, and Chance now only has three legs.

Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian

Posted in: Youth Fiction

You Are a Star, Jane Goodall

by Dean Robbins

Did you know that Jane Goodall didn’t have any scientific training or college? She got the opportunity to live among chimps and study them, which had never been done by anyone before her! This book shares information about her life in a fun and sometimes humorous way about the work she did with chimps while also educating others to take care of our planet. Young readers will be inspired reading facts and details about the life of Jane Goodall and will also enjoy the beautiful illustrations. Great for ages 5-8.

Recommended by: Stacie Pendleton, Youth Services Assistant

Posted in: Youth Biographies

Ferris

by Kate DiCamillo

“It’s a DiCamillo!” is a quote from one of the reviews of the book and truly that sums it up. It is a must read. A heart-warming and heart-rending story of community, family, and love. During the summer before Ferris and her best friend Billy go into 5th grade, there is so much going on with those they love and those who love them, “but every story is a love story”. There is a ghost, an uncle living in the basement, illness, unrequited love, a little sister who wants to be an outlaw, bees, and raccoons. DiCamillo wraps all of that into a fantastic read that encompasses the support, caring and understanding of all the characters for each other. After finishing the book, I looked at the cover to find the sparrow…did not see it… so decided it was under the barcode label, so felt happy. Make you want to read it?

Posted in: Youth Fiction

Lunar New Year Love Story

by Gene Luen Yang

Valentina is being raised by her single father. She has a best friend, Bernice, and soon she has a boyfriend as well. He seems perfect at first: handsome, from a wealthy family and full of compliments. However, Valentina is haunted by the idea that her family is unlucky in love. When she becomes a lion dancer, she learns much more than just dancing. After a very surprising climax, Valentina finally listens to her heart. 

Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction