Staff Picks
July 2022
White Smoke
by Tiffany D. Jackson
A great psychological horror novel. Mari and her family leave their old lives and problems behind to move into a free house on the other side of the country that her mother wins. When they arrive at the house it’s beautiful, but there’s nothing else on their street except empty run down abandoned homes. The people in the town don’t step foot on their street, and rumors are that Mari’s new home is haunted. Mari thinks that’s crazy until things start going missing, and her little step sister has an invisible friend. The house has secrets, but so does the new town. Will Mari be able to figure them out before someone gets hurt? Check out this 2023 Read For A Lifetime book today!
This book is available in the library and on OverDrvie and Hoopla as an ebook.
Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
An Arrow to the Moon
by Emily X.R. Pan
Hunter and Luna are special, they just don’t know why. Hunter has perfect aim with everything. His family life, however is terrible. Luna on the other hand, has great parents, but strange things keep happening around her. Fireflies follow her, even in the winter and during the day. When she’s near fish, they follow her too. While their families hate each other, the two teens realize that they were meant to be together. As things start to fall apart will fate be able to keep them together? This book is Chinese mythology meets Romeo and Juliet.
This book is available in the library and on OverDrive and Hoopla as an ebook.
Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
All Systems Red
by Martha Wells
Looking for a quick Science Fiction read? Pick up All Systems Red. It is about a Sec Unit who calls itself “Murderbot”. It is assigned to take care of a group of scientists on a mission to another planet, but all it really wants to do is ignore the humans as much as possible and figure out what it should to next. When the scientist loose contact with the group on the other side of the planet, and strange things start happening to all of their maps and data, it’s up to “Murderbot” to decide where their allegiance stands. Do they help the humans? Or leave them all to die? Check out this 2023 Read For A Lifetime book today!
This book is available in the library and on Hoopla as an e audiobook.
Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
by Judith Viorst
Who hasn’t ever felt that their day is going so bad, it would probably be best to move to Australia? This classic story just turned 50 and we can’t help but sympathize with Alexander, who just can’t catch a break. Ray Cruz’ black and white illustrations perfectly portray and match the moods for Alexander’s relatable situations. Alexander’s mother is right, some days are just like that and this timeless book is a good reminder we all have not-so-great days sometimes. This picture book has stood the test of time to become an ode to terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days.
Recommended by: Fanny Camargo, Youth Services Reference Librarian
Posted in: Youth Fiction
A Darkening of Dragons
by S. A. Patrick
Book One in the Songs of Magic trilogy introduces Patch Brightwater, a piper; Wren, a girl cursed to be a rat; and Barver, a dragon. Together they face challenge after challenge involving magic and intrigue as they try to save the world from the Pied Piper of Hamelyn’s scheme to rule or destroy everything. His piping to make the children disappear was just the beginning.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Fiction
The River Between Hearts
by Heather Mateus Sappenfield
Rill is missing her father horribly after he got ‘lost’ down river. She is positive he’ll come back someday. Meanwhile her cat leads her to the family tree fort where it seems a girl from Rill’s class is living. Rill embarks on an adventure that has her figuring out many different aspects of life including how to be a friend.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Youth Fiction
June 2022
Little Man
by Dionne Warwick
This inspirational tale is based on David Freeman Wooley’s childhood story of his love of drumming and his neighborhood. A young boy nicknamed Little Man embarks on a quest to find his passion and purpose in life. With his father’s guidance and a lot of determination, he finds success at mastering the drums and bringing joy to his community. His perseverance also pays off when he’s finally able to afford a new bike. The realistic illustrations are captivating and reflect the vibrant community of Little Man’s neighborhood. This read-along includes a CD delightfully narrated by Warwick, as well as a wonderful drumming demonstration by Wooley himself. A great pick for Audiobook month.
Recommended by: Fanny Camargo, Youth Services Reference Librarian
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Lifeling
by Kirsty Applebaum
Twelve-year-old Lonny, his younger brother Midge, and their father have lived in the forest away from the town of Farstoke all of his life. They do that to protect Lonny because he is a lifeling, one who has the power to save dying things. The price of being able to do that though takes years off his own life. Because of the need for food and money, the brothers venture into Farstoke where the townspeople act as if they treasure a lifeling. Is he willing to bet his or his brother’s life on that? A face paced fantasy story.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Little Blue Bunny
by Erin Guendelsberger
A beautiful, simply written story with the big theme of love and togetherness. A young boy and his favorite toy have many adventures together as the years go by. Unlike in the Velveteen Rabbit where the rabbit is disposed of, when this bunny gets old and tattered, the Mom patches him up and they are off for more adventures. In time, the blue bunny is excited to see a new baby arrive to continue the love and togetherness.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Fiction
The Woman in the Woods and Other North American Stories
by Kate Ashwin
Several indigenous authors and illustrators, who identify as trans, binary or other, have created a collection of stories based on folklore from Indigenous North American Nations, such as Navajo or Odawa. These short stories are in a graphic novel format with panels of black and white illustrations. This is the fifth book in the Cautionary Fables and Fairy Tales series.
Posted in: Youth Nonfiction