Staff Picks

May 2023

Big Tree

by Brian Selznick

Selznick has once again created a book that soars in both text and illustrations. The text is sparse but the ideas conveyed are profound. The illustrations flow like watching a movie. Follow two sycamore seeds as they struggle to survive and understand their world. At the end of the story be sure to read the scientific explanations of topics raised in the book. Be prepared to be awed by the book and to keep thinking about it long after you have closed the book.

Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I

Posted in: Youth Fiction

April 2023

Mama Shamsi at the Bazaar

by Mojdeh Hassan

Samira the little girl goes out to the Grand Bazaar in Tahran/ Iran for the first time with her grandmother, Mama Shamsi. She is scared and nervous because it’s her first visit to the market and wants to hide under Mama Shamsi’s “chador”. This picture book contains rhymes words and wonderful illustration, it will teach young children other countries cultures in a very beautiful way. After reading this book, will you be able to know what “Chador” in Farsi is?

Recommended by: Ghada Rafati, Patron Services Clerk

Posted in: Youth Fiction

Swim Team

by Johnnie Christmas

Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas is a power packed graphic novel! It really has it all. Girl power, sports, history, bright, expressive illustrations, the list goes on and on! Bree is the new girl in school and she can’t swim, which wouldn’t be a big deal, except her new school is in Florida, and the only available elective is Swim 101. Luckily, she makes a few fast friends and her upstairs neighbor turns out to be a former professional swimmer. With the right training and intense determination, Bree is on her way to becoming a champion swimmer, but being a part of a team comes with its own challenges. Can Bree and the rest of the swim team at Enith Brigitha Middle School come together to make history? What other problems can be solved along the way? This inspiring, charming story is sure to capture the attention of a variety of readers.

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

Recommended by: Erin Cady, Youth Services Reference Librarian

Posted in: Youth Fiction

Chaos and Flame

by Tessa Gratton

The House of Dragon has captured the House of Kraken’s leader during battle and his adoptive daughter, Darling Seabreak, will not stop until he is saved like he once saved her long ago. Darling isn’t his direct descendant but rather was taken in as a child from the sewers after the entire House of Spinx was wiped out one night. Talon is just trying to protect what remains of his family after losing his mother and is currently losing his brother to madness. Being from the House of Dragon he will stop at nothing to keep his family from crumbling and captures Darling after an attempt to attack them. But something odd happens, his brother, Caspian the High Prince Regent, recognizes Darling from his madness and things take a different turn. Are they all a part of something bigger than this war? Will they be able able to change fate?

Recommended by: Ayla Franco, Youth Services Assistant

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

Odder

by Katherine Applegate

Once again Applegate has written a wonderful book that with its free verse flows like the waves Odder likes to play in. Set in three parts and loosely based on real events and otters, the reader learns facts about otters, care of otters, and learns the life story of Odder. Odder has an encounter with a shark, loses her mother and a friend, and loses part of herself as the story unfolds from her point of view. Throughout the book many emotions are felt, but especially love for Odder. The story and illustrations (see cover) are amazing.

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

Fasting for Ramadan: Notes from a Spiritual Practice

by Kazim Ali

This book is beautiful to read, not to know about the month of Ramadan as guidance, but as a person’s spiritual practice during this month day by day, as a daily journal and how fasting affects him and reflects his life in daily routine. It is a pleasure to journey with him through this holly month.

Recommended by: Ghada Rafati, Patron Services Clerk

Posted in: Adult Nonfiction

Let’s Do Nothing!

by Tony Fucile

Honestly, the title and the book cover attracted me. I loved this sweet funny book especially the look of Sal the smart little boy with his friend Frankie who does whatever Sal tells him to do. Sal came up with an idea ” Let’s Do Nothing” for a very short time, will that work? Parents be prepared to laugh while reading this book with your children.

Recommended by: Ghada Rafati, Patron Services Clerk

Posted in: Youth Fiction

Stone Blind

by Natalie Haynes

This retelling of the legend of the monstrous gorgon Medusa sheds new light on the young women she was before being unjustly punished by Athena for being assaulted by the sea god Poseidon. Following the many moving parts of the legend this novel just might prove to readers that Medusa was so much more than just the monster the legend has made her become.

Recommended by: April Balasa, Patron Services Clerk

Posted in: Adult Fiction

Spin

by Rebecca Caprara

This lush, feminist retelling of the myth of Arachne is sure to please fans of The Song of Achilles and Circe. Told in beautifully written verse sixteen-year-old Arachne sets the story straight. Telling her side of the myth of how she bested the goddess Athena in a weaving competition before getting turned into a spider. Arachne gives a voice to those who cannot be heard in this deeply moving story. I for one could not put it down.

Recommended by: April Balasa, Patron Services Clerk

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

Awkward

by Svetlana Chmakova

Penelope Torres has put herself in an awkward situation. In an attempt to survive her first day at a new middle school, Penelope snubbed Jaime, the school nerd. Afterwards, she’s wracked with guilt at her decision and wishes she could somehow undo what she’s done. Penelope tries to best to move past what happened and fit in at school with her Art Club friends. But everything changes when the Art Club goes head to head with the Science Club, of which Jaime is a member. Can Penelope and the Art Club prove that they’ve got what it takes? And more importantly, can Penelope fix this awkwardness between her and Jaime?

Recommended by: Stephanie Visser-Rodriguez, Youth Services Assistant

Posted in: Youth Fiction

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