Staff Picks

Opening the Road: Victor Hugo Green and His Green Book

by Keila Dawson

In the late 1930s when segregation was legal and Black Americans couldn’t visit every establishment or travel everywhere they wanted to safely, a New Yorker named Victor Hugo Green decided to do something about it. Green wrote and published a guide that listed places where his fellow Black Americans could be safe in New York City. Soon customers started asking Green to make a guide to help them travel and vacation safely across the nation too.

Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian

Posted in: Youth Biographies

We Hunt the Flame

by Hafsah Faizal

Zafira is a girl disguising herself as a male Hunter in order to feed her people. Nasir is an assassin, known as the Prince of Death, who is sent to kill anyone who defies his Tyrant father, the Sultan. They are known as legends in Arawiya, but neither wanted to be one; they were forced due to duty and responsibility over the people and the Sultan. The Arz aren’t relenting and war is looming over the kingdom but an ancient lost artifact could change things for the kingdom. Both Zafira and Nasir are on the quest to find it but who will find it first? And will either be able to stop the Arz from engulfing the entire kingdom in shadow?

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

Recommended by: Ayla Franco, Youth Services Assistant

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

Tomorrow is a Brand-New Day

by Davina Bell

This is an uplifting and heartwarming picture book about growing up.  It shows children how to learn from their experiences both good and bad. From the bright and sunny illustrations to the hopeful message, it is filled with positivity! I also love the rhyming words and how it describes feelings.  This feel good book is just what kids need on a bad day!

Recommend by: Lenore Garoufalis, Youth Services Assistant

Posted in: Youth Fiction

Dark and Shallow Lies

by Ginny Myers Sain

Despite being the psychic capital of the world, no one in La Cachette, Louisiana knows what happened to Elora the night she went missing. When Grey comes home for the summer, she is determined to find out the events that led to the vanishing of her best friend. As she begins to uncover the story, she finds that everyone in the town is hiding something, even herself. Grey grapples with all the possibilities in Elora’s story, while grappling with the power that is beginning to show itself within her. Try to piece together the puzzle of what happened to Elora alongside Grey, and discover for yourself what dark and insidious secrets are hiding in this small swamp town.

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

Recommended by: Stephanie Visser-Rodriquez, Youth Services Assistant

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

Ask Mr. Bear

by Marjorie Flack

This children’s classic book was published in 1931.  I first discovered it when I was researching books for a preschool birthday storytime that I was presenting at my library.   

The gentle tale tells the story of Danny who is in search of the perfect birthday gift for his mother.  Through a series of meetings with some farm animals, Danny tell them of his dilemma and each offers a gift:  The Hen offers Danny a fresh egg; the Goose offers feathers so Danny can make a pillow for his mother; the Goat suggest his milk so they can have cheese.  Danny thanks them all but tells the animals that his mother has all of those things.  Finally, Danny and the animals come across a Cow who tells Danny that he should visit Mr. Bear who lives in the woods on the other side of the hill.  Danny heads off and reaches Mr. Bear, and asks Mr. Bear what he has for Danny to give to his mother for her birthday.  Mr. Bear tells Danny he doesn’t have anything for Danny’s mother’s birthday but he whispers something that Danny can give her himself. 

I don’t want to give away the ending, but to me this soothing story tells little ones and grown-ups too, that the best presents are the giving of yourself by showing love. 

 Recommended by: Mary G. Adamowski, Library Director

Posted in: Youth Fiction

A Man Called Ove

by Fredrik Backman

This novel was published in 2013 in English, and became quite popular with readers.  It took me until 2022 to pick up the novel, mainly because I do not like to read books at the same time as everyone else is.  I would rather wait until the excitement wears down to pick it up and enjoy it. 

Ove is perceived as a curmudgeon who doesn’t care for any one he meets in his daily life.  As the novel progresses, the reader learns that there is a profound sadness in Ove’s past that has impacted the way he interacts with others.  One day, a young family moves into the neighborhood right next to Ove.  As expected, the initial introduction does not go well, and Ove secretly hopes they leave him alone forever.  However, Parvenah and her family persist in showing kindness to Ove every single day, until the man’s cold heart slowly starts to melt. 

 This story resonated with me in that we never know everyone’s story and how their past can greatly affect the way they view the world and the people who they encounter.  My motto has always been “Be Kind!”  You never know when your compassionate actions can make a difference in your “Ove’s” world.

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

 Recommended by: Mary G. Adamowski, Library Director

Posted in: Adult Fiction

The Summer of Bitter and Sweet

by Jen Ferguson

Lou will be working in her family’s ice cream shack this summer with her best friend, former best friend and ex-boyfriend. That is the perfect recipe for drama. When she starts receiving letters from her biological dad (who has just gotten out of prison) things go from manageable to horrible. She knows that he’s dangerous and that she can’t meet him, no matter how much he asks. Will her friends be able to help protect her? Or will her father come after her and her loved ones? Check out this book and find out.

Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

Azar on Fire

by Olivia Abtahi

Azar loves music, especially writing songs. The only problem is that her voice has been damaged since she was a baby and she has trouble speaking. When an accident happens and she is forced to make a band to participate in the cities Battle of the Bands, her life changes forever. Can she learn to work with the band to create something amazing? Will they be able to win the Battle of the Bands? Pick up this book and find out.

Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

Mary’s Monster: Love, Madness, and How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein

by Lita Judge

Written in free-verse, this captivating biography is not only intriguing and moving, but also visually mesmerizing. The black and white watercolor illustrations complement the author’s narrative of Mary Shelley’s life as if it were told in her own voice. Full of passion and drive, this pregnant teen runaway created much more than just a horror story. Shelley was a pioneer of science fiction to be celebrated for her remarkable legacy. Judge delivers in her own work biographical poetry paired with such astounding art that truly evokes the essence of Mary and her legendary Monster.

Posted in: Young Adult Nonfiction

Grow Up, Tahlia Wilkins!

by Karina Evans

When puberty hits for Tahlia Wilkins, the hits just keep on coming! School’s out for the summer, she has the best friend a girl could ask for, and she has a foolproof plan to become popular this summer before eighth grade, so what could go wrong? Everything. Literally, everything that could go wrong is going wrong in this hilarious middle grade novel by Karina Evans. Tahlia and her best friend, Lily, spend days dealing with one disaster after another, until the biggest disaster of all threatens their friendship. If you’ve ever felt some serious growing pains, this book reminds you you’re not the only one. Fans of Funny Girl: Funniest. Stories. Ever. by Betsy Bird will find this story just as entertaining.

Recommended by: Erin Cady, Youth Services Reference Librarian

Posted in: Youth Fiction