Staff Picks
January 2024
The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen
by Isaac Blum
Hoodie’s entire Orthodox Jewish community has moved to the non-Jewish town of Tregaron. The people of Tregaron aren’t happy that so many Orthodox Jews are moving in at once. When Hoodie falls for the non Jewish daughter of the mayor who is trying to kick Hoodie’s community out of town, life gets rough. Things get even worse when the town is hit by anti-Semitic crimes that escalate into a deadly shooting. Should Hoodie abandon his community for his first love, or should he stick by them through the good and bad? This book will open your eyes to things that some in the Jewish community (and many other groups as well) are experiencing today.
Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian
Posted in: Youth Fiction
All These Bodies
by Kendare Blake
In 1958 a serial killer is leaving bodies throughout the Midwest. All of them completely drained of blood. The final murders happen in a small Minnesota farmhouse. The only difference between the first murders and the last is that there is a 15 year old female survivor covered head to toe in blood at the final scene. The son of the sheriff is tasked to talk to this girl in order to figure out what part she played in the murders. The big questions are: Where did all the blood go? What really happened? And how did a girl end up in the middle of all of it? Pick up this thriller to find out!
This book is available in the library and on OverDrive as an ebook and e audiobook
Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
Shelter
by Christie Matheson
Posted in: Youth Fiction
The Dragons Club
by Cyn Bermudez
Faith, a gifted violinist teen, is a recipient of a scholarship at a prestigious private art school. The turmoil in her home life makes school focus and attendance a constant struggle. Her beloved sister’s drug addiction has impacted her mentally and emotionally to great extent and her last chance to maintain her scholarship comes with one condition. She’s required to join a freshly created youth support group. Although hesitant at first, the Dragons Club becomes an outlet, an oasis, and a life-changing experience. Bermudez’s portrayal of substance abuse and its impact is presented in a very compelling and touching way in this tale. Written in verse, this beautiful and realistic short novel brings us a hopeful tale about coping with anxiety while pursuing connection, strength, and self preservation.
Recommended by: Fanny Camargo, Youth Services Librarian
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
The Cardboard Kingdom: Snow and Sorcery
by Chad Sell
The Cardboard Kingdom: Snow and Sorcery by Chad Sell is the third installment of the graphic novel series. The Cardboard Kingdom is a neighborhood group of kids with big imaginations who like having adventures together. In this book, some kids from across town want to join the kingdom, but no one can seem to get along. A battle is brewing to settle things once and for all, unless they can find a way to live together in harmony. With slimy snowball attacks, elaborate costumes, and a whodunit mystery, this story has all the excitement to make you keep reading!
Recommended by: Erin Cady, Youth Services Reference Librarian
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Babble: And How Punctuation Saved It
by Caroline Adderson
A humorously written story about the town of Babble. No one could understand each other and they all talked all the time in monotone, but never listening. The first few pages are one long run on sentence because there is no punctuation. Luckily, a young girl comes along and begins to share strange objects with all the town people. With the period they can stop talking and listen. With the question mark they can have a discussion. Other punctuation marks are given out such as commas, quotation marks, apostrophes, and very importantly exclamation marks. A very fun way to emphasize the importance of using punctuation but also the importance of communication in understanding each other.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Different: A Story of the Spanish Civil War
by Monica Montanes
With Francisco Franco in charge in Spain anyone who was different was in danger. Anyone who had fought for freedom had to flee the country. Different is told through the voices of seven-year-old Socorro and nine-year-old Paco who are siblings. Because their father had to escape Spain because of his political beliefs, the family must hide the truth and keep secrets in order to survive. They can’t ask for more food or better treatment because someone might find out why their father isn’t home anymore. After 8 years a letter finally arrives from the father reuniting them in Venezuela. Different is based on the author’s family history.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Buzzing
by Samuel Sattin
Thoughts can overtake us sometimes but for Isaac his thoughts and worries never leave. He is constantly at war with his “buzzing” thoughts. Being diagnosed with OCD at such an early age has left him feeling very lonely, especially with his mom monitoring his every move. One day he is approached by a group of kids inviting him to be a part of their ”Swamps & Sorcery” group. And he’s felt so much better now that the bees aren’t bothering him so much but does his mom approve of his new friends and hobbies?
Recommended by: Ayla Franco, Youth Services Assistant
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
Not My Problem
by Ciara Smyth
Not My Problem by Ciara Smyth is about high school student, Aideen, solving everyone else’s problems instead of her own. She has problems at home, problems at school, problems with friends, but when her best friend’s arch nemesis, Meabh Kowalski, propositions her with an unconventional way to help others, she can’t resist. Aideen means well, and she’s hilarious, but her business model could use some fine tuning. Through a series of mishaps and close calls, Aideen starts to make real friends, try at school, and even develops a crush. Fans of Becky Albertalli and Alice Oseman will be sure to love this one!
This book is available in the library and on Hoopla as an ebook.
Recommended by: Erin Cady, Youth Services Reference Librarian
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
A Year of Good News
by Martin Smatana
Posted in: Youth Nonfiction