Staff Picks

The Lion of Mars

by Jennifer L. Holm

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live on Mars? Jennifer L. Holm imagines a version in her book, The Lion of Mars. Eleven year-old Bell and his friends in the US colony on Mars have never known anything different. Bell can’t understand certain things about life on Earth, like growing grass outside only to keep cutting it, or how a giraffe stands without tipping over. Although some things about life on Mars are vastly different from Earth, teenagers are still weird, grown-ups still have secrets, and cats are still a favorite pet. In an unprecedented turn of events, the adults get sick, so the kids get desperate and have to break a few rules. This leads to friendships, reunions, Ping-Pong, and answered questions. You won’t want to miss this science fiction gem!

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

Recommended by: Erin Cady, Youth Services Reference Librarian

Posted in: Youth Fiction

Daughter of the Deep

by Rick Riordan

In this book inspired by 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Ana is excited about a ‘field trip’ final exam at the end of her freshman year. However, when her class hears a loud explosion things quickly take a sinister turn. Their teacher /chaperone suddenly takes ill and Ana is now in charge not only of managing and leading her classmates but fending off their enemies.

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

Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager

Out There: Into the Queer New Yonder

by Saundra Mitchell

An anthology of stories of queer love that will take readers into alternate realities, far away places, and distant futures. Seventeen YA authors wrote a short story based on what they felt they needed to have been able to read as a teen. The diversity of these authors is reflected in the characters in the short stories and offers a mirror for queer young readers.

Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

Here to Stay

by Sara Fariza

Bijan becomes a basketball star over night when he gets moved up to varsity and helps them win a big game. Not everyone is happy with his stardom though, and they will make his life miserable to bring him down. First step is to send a picture of Bijan looking like a terrorist to the whole school. It’s not easy to move on from a hit like that, and it’s not always easy to tell your enemies from your friends. Will Bijan be able to overcome the racism of other people and get his head back into the game? The team winning the tournament is counting on him. Despite some heavy topics, this book has many funny parts. You also don’t need to know a ton about basketball to enjoy it. You can find this read in the YA department.

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

Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

The Agathas

by Kathleen Glasgow

Last year Alice disappeared for 5 days, but returned without a scratch. This year her ex-best friend is the one to go missing. Alice had her reasons for going missing, but they don’t match up to what happened to the other girl. She teams up with her tutor, Iris, and some friends to solve the missing person case that turns out to actually be murder. Will they figure out what happened before another “friend” ends up dead? Pick up this mystery today to find out!

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

Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

Spells For Lost Things

by Jenna Evans Welch

Willow feels like the only way to find herself is to travel. So when her mom presents an opportunity for her to go deal with mysterious family matters in Salem Massachusetts, she jumps at the chance. Turns out there are witches in Willows family tree, and the Aunt she never knew she had left her mysterious clues to help her discover who she really is. Throw in a cute boy with a missing mom for a second mystery (and a bit of romance), and that is this book in a nut shell. Pick this one up if you’re looking for a cute, mysterious, witchy read.

Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

We Disagree

by Bethanie Deeney Murguia

A mouse and a squirrel both they disagree about many things but at the end they remain friends, I totally recommend this book if you want to teach your kids disagreeing doesn’t mean the end of a friendship. I loved the illustration of this book. This book made me laugh, it’s kind of funny.

Recommended by: Ghada Rafati, Patron Services Clerk

Posted in: Youth Fiction

Killer Style: How Fashion Has Injured, Maimed, & Murdered Through History

by Serah-Marie McMahon

This account of stories of unfortunate fashion victims will leave readers considering the price of beauty and style throughout history. McMahon and Matthews David offer intriguing information about questionable ingredients and practices in the fashion industry when it comes to making and wearing clothing, make-up, and accessories. From mercury infused hats, lead make-up, constricting corsets, and distressed denim, the standards used in the long and recent past have affected the health and safety aspects of everyday fashion. Each entry is presented in a two-page spread with a clean magazine-like layout. Includes eye-catching graphics and supportive historical photographs that illustrate the topics, as well as engaging sidenotes such as the myth of the mad hatter or the Kardashians “waist training” trend. A book for curious minds that is indeed “equal parts fab and frightening” as it claims. 

Recommended by: Fanny Camargo, Youth Services Reference Librarian I

Posted in: Young Adult Nonfiction

Yusuf Azeem is Not a Hero

by Saadia Faruqi

Yusuf is excited to be starting middle school until he gets a mean note in his locker. Was it an accident or does someone really hate him? As he acclimates himself to his new school and begins making new friends, he puts the note behind him. When the incidents of bullying increase, Yusuf wonders if he should look the other way or confront the bullies? 

Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager

Posted in: Youth Fiction

They Went Left

by Monica Hesse

World War II is over, but the search for family members is just beginning for some. Zofia and her family were sent to the concentration camps. Only her brother and she survived long enough to see the end of the war. They were separated though, and sent to different camps. This is the story of Zofia’s search for her one last connection to her old life and possibly her sanity. She will travel alone to other countries and will let nothing stand in her way of finding her brother. But will it be enough? An interesting take on the aftermath of World War II.

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

Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian