Staff Picks

Pushing the Limits

by Katie McGarry

Noah and Echo both have secrets. One is an outsider, who can’t remember what happened that night. The other is a dark and handsome loner, with a hidden life. When they meet, sparks fly. Can two people who have lost everything fall in love and find a happily ever after? Or are they doomed from the start?

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

The Luminaries

by Susan Dennard

Winnie lives in a town full of supernatural hunters called the Luminaries. Her and her family have been kicked out of the hunters group because her dad was a traitor. To become full Luminaries again, Winnie must find a way to pass all of the hunters tests with no training, and figure out how to stop a strange monster that only she seems to see. What mysteries are the other hunters trying to hide? And will Winnie be able to survive them?

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

Suck it in and Smile

by LAURENCE BEAUDOIN-MASSE

Being an influencer seems like a dream job to most, but it requires a lot of work. Ellie became viral over night from her handle @ellie_quinoa_forever one day and never looked back. Constantly worrying about being on the edge of falling into internet doom, Ellie posts her perfect lifestyle on her socials. But not everything is sunshine and rainbows. Her manager worries that her audience isn’t aging with her and how that can negatively affect her follower numbers. Between the paid brand sponsorships and healthy dieting will Ellie’s popularity rise if she relies on her musician boyfriend? Or be forgotten like many other influencers?

Recommended by: Ayla Franco, Youth Services Assistant

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

Secret Schools True Stories of the Determination to Lear

by Heather Camlot

Can you imagine not being able to go to school?  What if you had to keep it a secret and it meant hiding, sneaking out late at night or risk going to prision!! This book explores hidden classrooms all over the world. These true stories of courage introduce readers to the important person who played a role in each secret school. It shows the power of education and throughout history how far some have had to go to access it. Great lesson for middle school readers.

Recommended by: Lenore Garoufalis, Youth Services Assistant

Posted in: Youth Nonfiction

Inuunira: My Story of Survival

by Brian Koonoo

In the wilderness of northern Canada, a member of an Inuit community embarks on a challenging hunting expedition that will strengthen his connection with elders, his ancestors, and their traditional ways of life and survival. Even when equipped with modern gear and essentials, the knowledge of traditional survival skills proves to be fundamental when navigating the arctic tundra. Inuunira, an Inuktitut term meaning “how I’m alive”, couldn’t be more appropriate for the title of Brian Koonoo’s short autobiographical account of his endurance journey. The combination of photographs and the crisp illustrations by Ben Shannon add special imagery to Koonoo’s narrative, delivering a gripping story with an encouraging message of Indigenous heritage pride, community, and overall hope.

Recommended by: Fanny Camargo, Youth Services Reference Librarian I

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

Family Style: Memories of an American from Vietnam

by Thien Pham

Jump aboard this world wind auto–biographical graphic novel by Thien Pham. Travel with him from Vietnam to Thailand and as a refugee on his way to the United States through some of his favorite meals. You can find the origin of his memories of sweet rice, salty fish, and the newness of an American school lunch. It’s a very real and raw depiction of how hard the journey was to get here that isn’t just the voice of one person but of many that can be connected to a single story. 

Recommended by: Ayla Franco, Youth Services Assistant

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

Where You’ve Got to Be

Where You’ve Got to Be by Caroline Gertler is a newer middle grade title with all the traditional growing pains and life lessons that come with entering the sixth grade. Nolie struggles with a fading friendship, choosing right from wrong, and finding her place, all while in the shadow of her “perfect” older sister. Everyone around her seems to know their purpose and passion in life, but she’s got nothing, which also means she’s often overlooked. Of course it turns out that not everything is what it seems, and she has a lot to learn. Luckily, Nolie has a loving family to help her find her way. Fans of Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly will really enjoy this one as well!

Recommended by: Erin Cady, Youth Services Reference Librarian

Posted in: Youth Fiction

A Man Called Horse: John Horse and the Black Seminole Underground Railroad

by Glenette Tilley Turner

In this intriguing biography covering the little-known subject of the history of Black Seminoles, children’s author, historian, and educator Glenette Tilley Turner presents an inspiring account of the remarkable life of chief John Horse. Also known as Juan Cavallo, Horse was a Black Seminole of African and Native descent. His leadership played a significant role in the political and military efforts that drove the relentless pursuit of freedom for his people. From Florida, to Texas and Mexico, John Horse dedicated most of his life during the mid 1800s to serve as a warrior, diplomat, and protector on a daring mission for survival. Supported with archival photographs, maps, and illustrations, Turner’s research findings offer an introduction to an unfamiliar aspect of the Underground Railroad and unsung heroes of American history. 

This biography was one of the 6 selected titles for the Grades 9-12 category of the 2023 Illinois Reads, a yearly statewide project that highlights the work of Illinois authors and promotes reading for all Illinois citizens.  

Recommended by: Fanny Camargo, Youth Services Reference Librarian I

Posted in: Youth Biographies

The Haunting

by Natasha Preston

Just as Penny decides to reach out to her ex-boyfriend, Nash, a year after his father stabbed four of their friends on Halloween, the murders resume. Is it a copycat? Has the prisoner somehow reached out from his prison cell? Soon the death toll is up to twelve. A group of Penny’s friends, including Nash and his sister Grace, feel that it is up to them to discover what is behind the killings, but who do you trust? Full of suspense, intrigue and teen-age angst, this book is a page-turner up to the final page.

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

Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

Squire and Knight

by Scott Chantler

A fast-paced graphic novel that has adventure, magic and a dragon. There is also a knight, Sir Kelton, who is not very good at his job but always makes fun of his bookish Squire, who is good at his job. Going off to slay the dragon, Sir Kelton leaves the Squire behind. He promptly begins to delve into why the village has been cursed. At the end of the story the author gives interesting information about what all goes into the process of creating a graphic novel. It’s a behind the scenes look of how-to.

Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I

Posted in: Youth Fiction