Staff Picks
September 2022
The Chance to Fly
by Ali Stroker
Natalie is concerned for a few reasons. For one, she has just moved across the country so is the new kid in class. Secondly, she really wants to try out for a musical but isn’t sure about getting a part. Her parents seem to want her to stick with wheelchair racing instead so she has to get to tryouts on her own. Things start working out when she makes new friends but then drama strikes!
This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook and e audiobook.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Youth Fiction
How to Survive Your Murder
by Danielle Valentine
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
Self-Made Boys: A Great Gatsby Remix
by Anna-Marie McLemore
The author, who identified self as transgender, mixed race, read The Great Gatsby and immediately thought of this remix. Traveling to New York City in 1922, Nicolás Caraveo, a 17-year-old Latinx transgender boy from Wisconsin, hoped to make enough money on Wall Street to send money back to parents for their support. He rented a house in West Egg from his 18-year-old cousin, Daisy Fabrega, and found out that his cousin went by Daisy Fay and passed as white. Nick’s neighbor in West Egg was a mysterious young man named Jay Gatsby, who threw wild, dazzling parties. Nick tried to overcome prejudice and decadence, as he found himself falling for Jay, even though he knew Jay loved Daisy. Many aspects of the original story such as Nick, Myrtle, the gas station, and swimming pool are incorporated into the remix with all new orientations of the characters.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Librarian
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
Alone
by Megan Freeman
In this novel in verse, Maddie wakes up to realize that her entire town is deserted except for her. She is unable to determine exactly what happened but must now seek to provide for herself. She forges ahead with a Rottweiler named George and LOTS of library books. As time goes by, she encounters many different scenarios that test her resourcefulness and ingenuity in order to stay as safe and healthy as possible.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
The Legend of Auntie Po
by Shing Yin Khor
Mei lives in a logging camp with her cook father who is from China. She makes the best pies ever. Her best friend, Bee, is the camp foreman’s father. When racial tumult enters the scene, Mei tries to navigate her new world. She receives comfort through her retelling of stories of the Chinese matriarch, Auntie Po, and her giant blue water buffalo, Pei Pei.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Youth Fiction
The Pigeon Will Ride the Roll Coaster!
by Mo Willems
This brand-new picture book was recommended to me by friend and coworker. It did not disappoint. We all love our friend Pigeon! Pigeon is witty, adorable and loves hot dogs. In this book Pigeon mentally prepares himself to ride a roller coaster. He knows he’ll have to wait in line and need a ticket. Pigeon is very excited for how awesome the ride will be. Will the roller coaster be as thrilling as Pigeon envisions? You’ll have to read to find out!
Recommended by: Malorie Carpenter, Youth Services Assistant
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Defend the Dawn
by Brigid Kemmerer
Book two of the Defy the Night series picks up right where book one ended. Tessa and Corrick are attempting to make peace between the rebels and the royals, but the consuls who control the Moonflower are interfering. When an unlikely ally from another kingdom shows up Tessa and Corrick must take a journey to gain alliances and mend their own fractured relationship. Meanwhile King Harristan is attempting to keep the kingdom running on his own. Beware of cliffhangers with this death defying read.
Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
Poison Ivy: Thorns
by Kody Keplinger
This is the reimagined origin story or DC antihero Poison Ivy. Pamela Isley is an odd loner Teenager who would rather be in the greenhouse than hanging out with friends. She doesn’t trust other people especially men. When Pamela accidently makes a friend with a goth girl named Alice, deadly secrets about Pamela’s home life come to light. Will Pamela find love, or will revenge take over? Find out in this DC comic book found in our YA collection.
This book is available in the library and on Hoopla as an ebook.
Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
Clementine: Book One
by Tillie Walden
Walking Dead fans, pick up Clementine today. Clementine is a young survivor who we learn about in the Walking Dead video games. She now has her own comic series. Book one starts out with her back on the road attempting to put her past behind her. She runs into an Amish teenage who isn’t fully aware of the dangers outside of his settlement. Together they travel to an abandoned ski resort where they meet up with other teenagers attempting to build a walker free settlement. Friendships happen, but a harsh winter reveals that the biggest threat out there might be each other.
This book is available in the library and on Hoopla as an ebook.
Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
The Sea Knows My Name
by Laura Brooke Robson
Thea survived having her home destroyed by ash and lava only to become a pirate like her vicious Pirate Captain mother. Her mother pushes her to be ruthless, strong and invulnerable in a man’s world, but none of it sticks with Thea. She is just one big disappointment. She longs to escape her mother’s world. When the chance comes to escape and Thea is on her own, her first love leads to betrayal. Thea must learn that there’s more than one way to be strong.
Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction