Staff Picks
May 2021
The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance during the Blitz
by Eric Larson
Eric Larson tackles Winston Churchill grappling with war and with family in this excellent history. Spanning Churchill’s first year as Prime Minister, The Splendid and the Vile charts his family and political life during the course of the Battle of Britain and the Blitz. Larson takes us into Churchill’s inner circle of family, friends, and advisors as they guide Britain through the bleakest moments of the war with determination and fortitude.
This title is available in print and on OverDrive as an ebook.
Recommended by: Peter Tew, Adult Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Adult Nonfiction
Animals!: Here We Grow
by Shelley Rotner
An engaging look at the beauty of transformation in nature for preschoolers and emerging readers. On this visual introduction to life cycles, children will learn the different stages of growth of diverse species. Up-close photographs are presented in large panels to depict animal development. The large and simple text introduces the concepts with appropriate terminology. Whether your child is an independent reader or you enjoy reading together, this one is a great pick for nature lovers and inquisitive minds.
Recommended by: Fanny Camargo, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Nonfiction
The Dragon Egg Princess
by Ellen Oh
Koko, unbeknownst to her, is the last of the dragons. Given at birth to the king and queen to raise, she has no idea of her true identity. She goes missing while still a young girl but is then discovered alive and well and living in a magical forest. An evil plot is hatched to deprive Koko of both her power and her throne. Many magical and non-magical creatures and humans come together to fight for good.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Once We Were Here
by Christopher Cosmos
Posted in: Adult Fiction
Amari and the Night Brothers
by B. B. Alston
Amari’s older brother, who was working in a top-secret job, has been missing for 6 months. When Amari receives an unusual message from him, she realizes there may be more opportunities for her in the world than she originally thought. She’s given an invitation to join a summer camp run by the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs. Should she accept it? This is, after all, the same place where her brother works and he’s missing!
This book is available at the library and on OverDrvice/Libby as an ebook and e audiobook.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Youth Fiction
The Storyteller’s Secret
by Sejal Badani
Jaya has just suffered her third miscarriage. Her devastation is made more intense when her marriage starts deteriorating. She makes the decision to go to India to see her dying grandfather, who she has never met, in order to better understand her past. Told in two time periods, modern day and the 30’s and 40’s, this book brings you into another culture and time period with gripping results.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Adult Fiction
The Thursday Murder Club
by Richard Osman
Posted in: Adult Fiction
The Woman of Troublesome Creek
by Kim Michelle Richardson
Posted in: Adult Fiction
The Book of Lost Names
by Kristin Harmel
Eva, in her eighties, sees a photograph in a newspaper of a book that she hasn’t seen in over 60 years. The article says researchers are looking to reunite books stolen by the Nazis in World War II to their rightful owners. This particular book has a special code in it that they are eager to crack. Eva has the answers but is she willing to revisit all those past memories?
This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook and an audiobook on CD.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Adult Fiction
Today Tonight Tomorrow
by Rachel Lynn Solomon
Rowan Roth and Neil McNair are both high school seniors vying for valedictorian. In fact, they have vied for every single thing for their entire high school careers. To say they are each other’s archnemesis is an understatement. During Howl, a senior specific game, they find out most of the senior class is ganging up on them. Rowan and Neil decide to team up with very interesting results.
This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook and e audio book.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction