Staff Picks
March 2021
Other Words for Home
by Jasmine Warga
Jude, our female main character, leaves her hometown in Syria with her mother to escape violence and moves to America. Navigating her new normal, she tries not to be ‘weird’ according to her cousin and worries about her brother and father who stayed behind. This book title 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
It’s Trevor Noah: Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood
by Trevor Noah
Comedian, Trevor Noah, describes his childhood in shocking detail. From having to distance himself from his white father to an abusive stepfather to the fierce love provided by his mother, Noah tells his story with both humor and pathos. This book is available in the library and on OverDrive as an ebook.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Youth Biographies
Thunderstruck
by Erik Larson
This compelling historical true crime read by Eric Larson weaves together the invention of radio and an almost perfect murder. The restlessly curious Guglielmo Marconi attempts to complete his trans-Atlantic radio station in the face of relentless skepticism; meanwhile the kindly-seeming Hawley Crippen commits murder and races against time as he attempts to vanish into the crowd. This title is available in the library and on OverDrive as an ebook.
Recommended by: Peter Tew, Adult Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Adult Nonfiction
Brother’s Keeper
by Julie Lee
This historical fiction book tells the story of Sora Pak and her family in North Korea in 1950. When war breaks out between North and South Korea, Sora’s family flees North Korea for South Korea. This harrowing story, based in part on the author’s mother’s life, takes place over approximately two years. This book is available in the library and on OverDrive as an ebook.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Youth Fiction
February 2021
Knitting Yarns: Writers on Knitting
by Ann Hood
Twenty-seven writers tell their stories about knitting and writing. From triumphs to disasters in both knitting and life, these essays will make you laugh and cry. There are also five patterns included.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Adult Nonfiction
Song in a Rainstorm: The Story of Musical Prodigy Thomas “Blind Tom” Wiggins
by Glenda Armand
When Thomas was born blind to slaves, his mother was not going to let that determine his fate. She and others soon found out that he had an affinity for music and could recreate the sounds of rainstorms or trains on the piano. He gave his first concert at six years old and was the first black person to play for a president. His abilities were amazing as he wowed crowds in America and Europe by playing any song, sometime even sitting backwards at the piano and using opposite hands to play the song.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian
Posted in: Youth Biographies
Forever Home
by Jenna Ayoub
A graphic novel about Willow, a young girl who has never had a place she can call home as both her parents are in the military and have been moved from place to place. That changes when they move to the historic Hadleigh House but then the ghosts appear. They do not want to share the house. So begins the clash between Willow, who does not want to move again and the ghosts, who do not want others there… but does it have to be one or the other?
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Fiction
One Step Further: My Story of Math, the Moon, and a Lifelong Mission
by Katherine Johnson
An empowering narrative about a young girl who counted everything, even her steps, as her lifelong love of mathematics led her to become part of the team that helped John Glenn circle the Earth and land men on the moon, one step for mankind. Her perseverance and abilities enabled her to overcome the prejudices of the 1960’s against African-Americans and women in the work force and be part of the civil rights movement for herself and her daughters.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Biographies
Kate’s light: Kate Walker at Robbins Reef Lighthouse
by Kate Kaird
A biography of one of the first women lighthouse keepers on the Eastern seaboard. Immigrating from Germany, Kate met and married a man who became the lighthouse keeper on Robbins Reef in New York Harbor. She became the assistant lighthouse keeper as she helped keep the light burning at night and rescuing people from floundering ships. After her husband’s death she convinced the Lighthouse Board that she could do the job alone, which she did for 34 years.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Biographies
If You Want a Friend in Washington: Wacky, Wild & Wonderful Presidential Pets
by Erin McGill
This is a funny and informative book about the variety of animals presidents have kept as pets at the White House. The animals range from the very small to huge, common and rare. A fun read with whimsical illustrations.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Nonfiction