Staff Picks
March 2024
Dogtown
by Katherine Applegate
Applegate, along with another popular author, Gennifer Choldenko have co-authored a fast- paced story about finding your forever home. Dogtown is a shelter where dogs, real and robot, are housed after their owners no longer want them. Chance, a real dog, is friends with a mouse as he shares his kibble to feed Mouse’s family. Then, much to Chance’s surprise, he becomes friends with a robot dog, who seems to have a real heart and not just wires inside of him. With the three friends working together to get robot dog back home, Chance again begins to hope that his family will come and find him. One problem to that is that they are looking for a four- legged dog, and Chance now only has three legs.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian
Posted in: Youth Fiction
You Are a Star, Jane Goodall
by Dean Robbins
Did you know that Jane Goodall didn’t have any scientific training or college? She got the opportunity to live among chimps and study them, which had never been done by anyone before her! This book shares information about her life in a fun and sometimes humorous way about the work she did with chimps while also educating others to take care of our planet. Young readers will be inspired reading facts and details about the life of Jane Goodall and will also enjoy the beautiful illustrations. Great for ages 5-8.
Recommended by: Stacie Pendleton, Youth Services Assistant
Posted in: Youth Biographies
Ferris
by Kate DiCamillo
“It’s a DiCamillo!” is a quote from one of the reviews of the book and truly that sums it up. It is a must read. A heart-warming and heart-rending story of community, family, and love. During the summer before Ferris and her best friend Billy go into 5th grade, there is so much going on with those they love and those who love them, “but every story is a love story”. There is a ghost, an uncle living in the basement, illness, unrequited love, a little sister who wants to be an outlaw, bees, and raccoons. DiCamillo wraps all of that into a fantastic read that encompasses the support, caring and understanding of all the characters for each other. After finishing the book, I looked at the cover to find the sparrow…did not see it… so decided it was under the barcode label, so felt happy. Make you want to read it?
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Lunar New Year Love Story
by Gene Luen Yang
Valentina is being raised by her single father. She has a best friend, Bernice, and soon she has a boyfriend as well. He seems perfect at first: handsome, from a wealthy family and full of compliments. However, Valentina is haunted by the idea that her family is unlucky in love. When she becomes a lion dancer, she learns much more than just dancing. After a very surprising climax, Valentina finally listens to her heart.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
Dr. No
Special Agent 007 is sent to Jamaica when two British government agents disappear. James Bond soon finds Dr. No, a scientific genius, building a machine that could destroy the U.S. space launch. This first in the James Bond films is sorely lacking in gadgets but not in car chases, beautiful women or beautiful scenery. It’s a great beginning yet so very tame compared to the modern-day James Bond films. It remains a classic in a great series of 007 films who have seen many actors play James Bond. Sean Connery is featured in this film as the first James Bond.
Recommended by: Michelle Przekwas, Library Clerk
Posted in: Movies/TV
Gojira
Superstitious villagers of Odo Island fear the ancient legend of ‘Godzilla.’ The monster becomes awakened by an H-bomb test and soon begins to terrorize Odo Island and also Tokyo. It’s great to revisit this classic film as ‘Godzilla Minus One’ and ‘Godzilla x King Kong’ are finding new audiences in theaters. I enjoyed this film with my family of many generations.
Recommended by: Michelle Przekwas, Library Clerk
Posted in: Movies/TV
Hope Ablaze
by SARAH MUGHAL Rana
Nida is the niece of famous Poet Mamou Abdul-Hafeedh. Just like her uncle she shares a passion for writing poetry but she’s very afraid of the insurgence of Islamophobia due to 9/11 that landed her uncle in federal prison for being “radical” with his poetry. When she falls victim to illegal frisking at a Democratic Senatorial candidate’s political rally, she takes all the feelings of injustice and anger and makes a poem that might attract more attention than she expected.
Recommended by: Ayla Franco, Youth Services Assistant
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
What Was the Children’s Blizzard of 1888
by Steve Korte
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Bunny in the Middle
Bunny in the Middle by Anika Denise is a beautiful picture book story that reminds middle children how special they are. This sweet story touches on some of the trials and tribulations of being “stuck” in the middle and puts a positive spin on it. The lovely springtime illustrations, and adorable bunny siblings, make this a cozy, heartwarming read aloud. Caregivers and children will surely bond over this title. This is for all the middle children, young and old.
Recommended by: Erin Cady, Youth Services Reference Librarian
Posted in: Youth Fiction
The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich
by Deya Muniz
Lady Camembert disguises herself as Count Camembert in order to inherit her late Father’s money. Women after all, aren’t allowed to inherit that type of thing. She moves to the capital so that she can hide amongst the crowds. Keeping the disguise up is hard though, especially when she falls for the Princess who just happens to become one of her best friends. As the two grow closer, what will happen when the Princess discovers Camembert’s secret? Will the lie destroy the friendship? Or will love be in the air?
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