Staff Picks
March 2022
Bubblecat vs. Dragonbear!
by Sean Charmatz
How would you feel as a bubble creature navigating a world with all kinds of things that could suddenly make you pop! Adorable and super cautious little Bubblecat finds himself understandably worrying about his surroundings. He is super friendly and enjoys the outdoors. One day, however, he accidentally disturbs Dragonbear while he is working on his art. The spiky creature unleashes his rage. Fearing for his safety, Bubblecat realizes he may actually be stronger than he thought and by doing so, surprises Dragonbear with the ultimate weapon, kindness. This is a fun and quirky story featuring simple text and layered elements that combine photography backgrounds and nature objects along with cartoony digital art and imaginative characters. Texture is beautifully captured and tempts readers to take a closer look. Kids and grown-ups will enjoy this eye-catching and inspiring tale about confidence and identity.
Recommended by: Fanny Camargo, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Under the Ramadan Moon
by Sylvia Whitman
Very soon Muslims all around the world will celebrate the holy month of Ramadan. “Under the Ramadan Moon” is a very good choice for little ones to understand what is Ramadan and how Muslim families spend this month in very simple words by repeating the phrase “under the moon”.
Recommended by: Ghada Rafati, Patron Services Clerk
Posted in: Youth Fiction
The Hate U Give
by Angie Thomas
In this young adult novel, Starr Carter is a Fresh Prince loving, Jordans obsessed, typical sixteen-year-old girl. Except for the fact that she has seen enough violent tragedy for three lifetimes. Starr’s grown up in Garden Heights, a poor black neighborhood but attends Williamson High School in a rich white neighborhood. Because of this, she has become two different people. After murder rocks her world, once again, her conflicting lifestyles have never been more exposed. Starr must find her voice and who she really is, all in the face of police brutality, gang violence, racism, and ignorance. The Hate U Give is a novel but is so relevant it could be a biography. The insight into Starr’s family life, her friends in Garden Heights, her friends at Williamson, it all reads so honestly. You will fall in love with Starr’s courage as she finds the power of her unique voice.
This book is available in the library and on OverDrive as an ebook and e audiobook.
Recommended by: Malorie Carpenter, Youth Services Assistant
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
150+ Screen-Free Activities for Kids: The Very Best and Easiest Playtime Activities
by Asia Citro
Looking for something to do with your kids? Then check this book out! It is packed with science based ideas and play recipes that will keep you and your little ones active all year long. There’s slimes, doughs, sensory bins and more!
Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian
Posted in: Adult Nonfiction
Vitamin N: The Essential Guide to a Nature-Rich Life
by Richard Louv
Looking for a way to connect to nature? Then this book is for you! It has over 500 activities for adults and children to get you out and about in the natural world. This book will help boost your mental acuity and creativity, promote wellness, and overall help you have a great time outside.
Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian
Posted in: Adult Nonfiction
How It All Blew Up
by Arvin Ahmadi
Amir knew that coming out to his Muslim family would be hard. So when a bully blackmails him and threatens to tell his parents that he is gay, he decides that easiest thing to do is run away to Italy. This leads to months of self-discovery that ends in an airport interrogation room. Will things work out for Amir? And what will happen between him and his parents after it all blows up?
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
Check, Please! Book 1, #Hockey!
by Ngozi Ukazu
A graphic novel featuring hockey, vlogging, baking, friendships, and a touch of romance! It’s a cute story about a figure skater turned hockey player’s first year of college and all the ups and downs that come with it. This is a quick LGBTQ+ read that will get you excited for book 2 in the series.
Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
Still Mine
by Jayne Pillemer
A sweet book for young and old readers to remind us that those we love and have died can live in our hearts and memories. Showing special moments between diverse people, the book exemplifies how love and grief and the perspective of those moments can be healing.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Fiction
The Sister Who Ate Her Brothers and Other Gruesome Tales
by Jen Campbell
The author set out to have the princesses not be beautiful and some of the characters having disfigurements to offset the more common fairy tales. Being beautiful is replaced with being clever and brave. Also, the happy ever after is definitely gone. Fourteen fairy tales from around the world are retold with original grisliness and often deadly details. Middle grade readers who like scary stories will like this one. Not for the faint of heart in words or illustrations.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Fiction
February 2022
Give Me Back My Book!
by Travis Foster
There’s an awesome book in this story and both Redd and Bloo want to claim it as their own. It is, in fact, a great book and is no wonder why these two hilarious characters would fight for it. Soon, they engage in a heated debate with arguments that true book lovers would understand. But you know the saying, you snooze, you lose. The cutest little bookworm seizes the opportunity and makes it her own. The two now have to come up with a plan to get the book back and they do so in a clever and adorable win-win for all. Simple, yet humorous text in dialogue format with large appealing and highly expressive illustrations.
Recommended by: Fanny Camargo, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Fiction