Staff Picks


September 2024

Straight On Till Morning: A Twisted Tale Graphic Novel

by Liz Braswell

What if Peter Pan never returned for his shadow? What if instead, Wendy made a deal with Captain Hook in order to make it to Neverland? What if Wendy and Tinker Bell become friends? Pick up this graphic novel and read this unique version of the Peter Pan story.

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

Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction


The Secret Library

by Kekla Magoon

Dally is being raised to take over the family business even though she hates numbers and would rather use words and her imagination. Her grandfather understood the importance of having fun, but her mom, who is running the company, has her make an appointment to discuss joining a club. After her grandfather dies, Dally realizes that a map he left for her leads to a special treasure… a library where the books are portals that take her back in time to experience family events and meet ancestors. This story covers issues of race, class, and gender in a fantasy adventure. Readers will enjoy time-traveling with Dally, learning her family secrets, and discovering her role in life.

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


Faker

by Gordon Korman

Trey and his sister have grown up with the life provided by their grifter father. Their mother left years back after deciding that the cons the father is always running are not for her. As the kids have grown they become involved in setting up the families to fleece and then flee with the money before getting caught. Then Trey starts at a school where he meets a girl, finds a best friend, and takes an ethics class that makes him start to question his lifestyle in terms of right and wrong, responsibility and consequences of actions.

Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian

Posted in: Youth Fiction


Not Nothing

by Gayle Forman

Twelve year old Alex has to work as a volunteer at a facility for older people as a result of acting out in anger and doing “a terrible thing”. He is not happy with the situation until he meets 107 year-old Holocaust survivor, Josey. As Josey shares his experiences meeting a girl named Olka and surviving WW II, Alex begins to learn not to judge people by their age or infirmaries but to learn from their memories and stories. Both storylines share misunderstandings, awfulness, hate, and biases, but also love and bravery. There is heartbreak as well as hope. Perhaps one may not be judged by one’s worst deed but be allowed to rise above it.

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

Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian

Posted in: Youth Fiction


Washed Ashore: Making Art from Ocean Plastic

by Kelly Crull

Artist Angela Haseltine Pozzi lives on the coast in Oregon. She noticed a lot of plastic washing up on the shore and decided to do something about it. She started collecting the plastic with the help of others in her town and towns nearby. Then, she decided to make giant sculptures of marine animals that are at risk because of the plastic that is found in oceans. The book (author and photographer Kelly Crull) highlights fourteen different sculptures created by the plastic they found. The sculptures are beautiful, but tragic at the same time. The reader of the book will be educated about different marine animals that are in danger because of plastic pollution. The author educates and gives tips as to what the reader can do to help. Each page has several pictures that the user can search for in the sculpture.
The author created an organization called Washed Ashore. The sculptures travel around the United States and Canada to educate people about this problem with the hopes of causing change. You will be amazed at the sculptures in this book! She emphasizes that we all can make a difference with our choices.
Recommended by: Stacie Pendleton, Youth Services Assistant

Posted in: Young Adult Nonfiction


That’s My Team! The History, Science, and Fun behind Sports Teams’ Names

by Paul Volponi

A quick and easy read about the origin of many sports teams’ names is a very fun choice for any athlete in the family! Volponi splits up the collection into easily digestible chapters focused on team names in broad categories (animals, literature, music) and further provides a concise history lesson on the team history as well as the inspiration for the team’s name choice. Packed into each briefing are little fun facts about the science of animals, the history of cities or geographical information about the world that led to the adoption of a team name. While many of the segments are entertaining glimpses into the world of sports, Volponi also challenges readers to use critical thinking skills to address concerns regarding controversial team names, designing their own team names as well as other math/science/writing challenges. A great lesson on the history of sports that gets its readers involved and wanting more!

Recommended by: Alexander Pappas, Youth Services Reference Librarian

Posted in: Young Adult Nonfiction


Maya Plays the Part

by Calyssa Erb

Maya loves musical theater and her parents are finally letting her participate in the local theater’s summer camp. She has big plans to wow her favorite director and star in this year’s production, but it turns out she has a lot to learn about teamwork, friendship, and herself. Although Maya’s autism has previously made her feel as though she needs to always play the part of “Maya in Public,” she learns she can succeed by just being herself. Middle grade readers will gain perspective through Maya’s thought processes and walk away with admiration for her genuine personality and perseverance. Maya Plays the Part by Calyssa Erb will leave readers cheering for all the characters and looking up tickets to see a musical!

Recommended by: Erin Cady, Youth Services Reference Librarian

Posted in: Youth Fiction


Houses with a story : a dragon’s den, a ghostly mansion, a library of lost books, and 30 more amazing places to explore

by Seiji Yoshida

A must read for all aspiring writers and artists. This book contains a collection of wonderfully illustrated houses and buildings with descriptions of locations and characters that would belong to them. The viewpoints of each building are aerials with layout into the lives of each character which are great guide and reference for artists of any kind. While the descriptions give great ideas for writers looking for some world and character-building inspiration.

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

Recommended by: Ayla Franco, Youth Services Assistant

Posted in: Young Adult Nonfiction


A Walk in the Words

by Hudson Talbott

A fabulous story for all, parents, teachers and students. It will inspire everyone that it’s okay for a student to be a slow reader. It’s okay to be lost in words. This picture book talks about a little boy who is struggling to read but is very good at drawing. I encourage every teacher to read this book for his/her students, especially for kindergarten and first grade. I’m sharing one of the little boy’s words from the story     “Words had always scared me, but once I felt free to read at my own speed, they became my friends”
Recommended by: Ghada Rafati, Patron Services Clerk

Posted in: Youth Fiction


The Long Game

It’s 1957 in southwest Texas.  Five young Mexican American caddies are formed into a high school golf team.  This true story tells of the many obstacles and discrimination these young men and their coach had to work through to train and compete as a team.  You want these young men to succeed and be confident in who they are. It’s an inspirational story, complete with follow-up on the real-life people portrayed in the film.

Recommended by: Barbara Kandel, Patron Services Clerk

Posted in: Movies/TV


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