Staff Picks
July 2021
Starfish
by Lisa Fipps
A middle grade novel written in verse, Starfish shines a light on the effects of relentless bullying, while highlighting how stereotypical judgments shape a person’s view of themselves. Ellie, a middle schooler, living by her own set of “fat girl rules” has been bullied about her weight ever since making a huge splash while wearing a whale swimsuit. Ellie is ridiculed about her weight everywhere she goes. She’s not safe at school, the mall, or restaurants. Sadly, she’s not even safe from judgement in her own home. When her best friend moves away, Ellie has never felt more alone. Luckily, an accepting family moves in next door. Ellie’s resilience and wit are admirable and as a reader you’ll truly understand how ignorance affects us all.
This book is available at the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook and e audiobook.
Recommended by: Malorie Carpenter, Youth Services Assistant
Posted in: Youth Fiction
June 2021
Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry
by Joya Goffney
High School is hard enough, but it becomes a nightmare when Quinn’s personal journal comes up missing. This journal contains detailed lists of all the things she hopes to accomplish, the boys she likes and dislikes, and the deep secrets she’s never shared with anyone. The only way to get her beloved journal back will require her to put her trust in an unlikely set of new friends. On this journey back to her journal Quinn realizes that she is much stronger than she ever expected she could be. There are laugh out loud moments and tear-jerking moments in this YA novel that you are sure to love.
This book is available in the library and on OverDrive as an ebook.
Recommended by: Darnetta Bolton, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
Bear’s Bicycle
by Laura Renauld
Bear wants to participate in the Summer Scoot for bicycles but will he be ready in time? He gets a book from the library, Learn to Ride in Five Easy Steps, and thinks he’s ready to go. After a number of falls he realizes the most important step is PRACTICE!
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Youth Fiction
G My Name Is Girl: A Song of Celebration from Argentina to Zambia
by Dawn Masi
Embark in an alphabetical journey around the world with this wonderful picture book that highlights not only the ABCs, but the beauty of female relationships, countries, as well as names and ways of life in different cultures. Masi’s soft-toned and friendly illustrations invite young readers, for a brief instance, to imagine what it is like to live in other parts of the world. Kids will enjoy finding the countries on the map at the back of the book. The relationships featured on each page are very relatable and celebrate positive and uplifting experiences that reflect diverse ethnicities, abilities and circumstances. Empowering and inspiring for all ages.
Recommended by: Fanny Camargo, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Burt the Beetle Doesn’t Bite!
by Ashley Spires
Burt is a June Beetle who shares his backyard home with thousands of other awesome insects with all kinds of special abilities. Some bite, some stink, some are super strong! And Burt? Beyond flailing his legs in the air when trapped on his back, or falling in love with lightbulbs, Burt can’t seem to find his special ability. When he happens upon his talented friends trapped in a spider web, can Burt free them with nothing more than his own ability and love of hugs? A cute, funny, and sweet early reader graphic novel.
Recommended by: Stephanie Thomas, Youth Services Preschool Services Coordinator
Posted in: Youth Fiction
I’m a Gluten-Sniffing Service Dog
by Michal Babay
Chewie, an energetic poodle, is in training to become a gluten-sniffing service dog. It’s really important that he focus and graduate training school so he can protect his person, Alice, from gluten that can cause her to get very sick because she has Celiac disease. Chewie is working hard, but he can’t help but get distracted by bugs! Squirrels! Pizza! Can Chewie push past his distractions to become the best service dog for Alice? A cute and informative read about the many ways service dogs can help their humans.
Recommended by: Stephanie Thomas, Youth Services Preschool Services Coordinator
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Out of School and Into Nature: The Anna Comstock Story
by Suzanne Slade
This is a beautiful picture book biography about Anna Comstock. Not many people have heard of her but she was a nature lover, scientist, artist, educational reformer, and author who produced amazing works of art. She revolutionized how students learn about nature insisting on students going outside and having hands on experience. She was also Cornell University’s first female professor. She did her work during a time period when women weren’t taken seriously, but through hard work and determination she took major steps in advancing women’s rights and careers. This picture book is perfect for little nature lovers and their parents.
Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian
Posted in: Youth Biographies
Flamer
by Mike Curato
I keep seeing the quote “This book will save lives” associated with this book, and it’s true. This graphic novel set in 1995 tells the story of Aiden during one summer at Scout camp and how it changes his life. It is a shout out to queer kids struggling with their identity in systems like a church, scout troops or school that leaves them alone and confused and full of unwarranted shame. It is a shout out to say, you are loved just keep your flame burning. You are enough. This book is beautiful, devastating, and hopeful. It’s a great read for Teens and Adults alike.
Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
Natural Curiosity: Educating and Nurturing Our Children at Home
by Lisa Carne
If you are thinking about homeschooling your child or are trying to bring more nature into your child’s education then this book is for you. It is a reflection on how the author, her husband, and her children found the right form of “unschooling” for them through nature and self-learning. There are many interesting points on why one would pull their children from a public school and create a nature based home school for them. She describes many ups and downs and worries that the family experience along their journey. This book isn’t a how to manual. There aren’t lesson plans or rules for games inside. It’s more of an experience story on what this family did and how it all worked out for them. This is a great read for someone who is going through the same experience or for someone who is thinking that this might be the route that they’d like to take with their children.
Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian
Posted in: Adult Nonfiction
The Gravity Tree: the True Story of a Tree That Inspired the World
by Anna Crowley Redding
A fascinating read about the tree that grew from a small seed into a tree that dropped the apple with Sir Isaac Newton sitting under it. And that is only the beginning. The tree has influenced other thinkers as well as ordinary people to potentially change the world. Seedlings have been transported all over the world and out of this world to the International Space Station. Over three hundred years later the tree still lives as do the inspired ideas brought on by it.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Nonfiction