Staff Picks

Forest School Adventure: Outdoor Skills and Play for Children

by Naomi Walmsley

This book is great for those looking to get their kids (of any age) outside exploring nature. It is based on the Forest School concept, but the activities can very easily be used by parents, teachers, scout masters, or anyone really. This book is full of wilderness skills, nature crafts, activities, and team building games. It has everything you need to begin the adventure of teaching kids to fall in love with the forest.

Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Teen Librarian

Posted in: Adult Nonfiction

The Curie Society

by Heather Einhorn

An action packed Young Adult graphic novel revolving around new recruits Simone, Maja, and Taj. When they become roommates at Edmond University, they think they are there as regular students. Almost immediately they are caught up in puzzles that lead them to become members of a secret society, the Curie Society. Their abilities at being brilliant with science have them on a mission to save the world! Scientific terms used in the book are explained in a glossary at the end of the book. An adventuresome way to learn STEM.

Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

Cinders and Sparks Magic at Midnight

by Lindsey Kelk

A retelling of the story of Cinderella where Cinders, as she is called, discovers that she has magical powers thanks to her sparkly fingers. Then she discovers that her dog Sparks can also talk. But where is her fairy godmother, Brian, to help her go to the ball? Brian is very unreliable and so are Cinder’s magical abilities which leads to laugh out loud silliness. This is the first book in the trilogy, Cinders and Sparks.

Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I

Posted in: Youth Fiction

Mother May I

by Joshilyn Jackson

You won’t have to wait long for the action to begin in this fast-paced page turner. Bree Cabbat has it all, the handsome husband, three kids, beautiful home. Her world comes crashing in as she is forced to decide what truly matters to her. What is she willing to do to keep them all safe ? Well-developed storyline that will keep you guessing until the end.

This book is available in the library and on OverDrive as an ebook.

Recommended by: Theresa Hildebrand, Patron Services Manager

Posted in: Adult Fiction

I Do Not Like Yolanda

by Zoey Abbott

Bianca loves writing and sending letters. She takes her time to make sure her letters are interesting, well crafted and addressed. She also loves and collects stamps….. but she does not like Yolanda. After finishing five lovely letters to be sent to friends and family, she gathers her courage to visit the post office. She’s terrified of Yolanda and hopes to not end up in her line. Luck is not on her side. However, to her surprise, things change once she makes a brave effort to interact and an unexpected connection and friendship is born. A great pick for little writers, stamp and correspondence enthusiasts, as well as those little ones who experience social anxiety once in a while. With captivating illustrations, this funny and intriguing story will sure have you and your kids wondering about mysterious Yolanda too.

Recommended by: Fanny Camargo, Youth Services Reference Librarian I

If I Was Your Girl

by Meredith Russo

Amanda Hardy is starting over in a new town at a new school. Amanda has a secret that she’s reluctant to share with anyone least of all her new friends. As her life accelerates and she not only meets great new girlfriends but has a boyfriend as well, she decides to trust a certain someone with her secret.

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: Young Adult Fiction

Celebrating Ramadan

by Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith

Posted in: Youth Nonfiction

The Mary Shelley Club

by Goldy Moldavsky

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction

Overcooked! 2

One of the wackiest party games out there, Overcooked! 2 puts you and up to three other players in the role of managing a chaotic kitchen and making orders for customers. Teamwork is essential as you make various recipes and travel to various kitchens. You’ll be delivering fries across a frozen tundra, making salads in space and baking pizzas through portals! With easy-to-learn controls for new players and immense replay value for veteran chefs, Overcooked! 2 will keep the whole party wanting seconds! The library owns Overcooked! and Overcooked! 2 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. The original Overcooked! and Overcooked! 2 are combined with new features in Overcooked!: All You Can Eat! For PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. All Overcooked! games are rated “E for Everyone” and are perfect for the entire family.

Recommended by: Alexander Pappas, Youth Services Reference Librarian I

Posted in: Video Games

Red, White and Whole

by Rajani LaRocca

Reha is torn between two worlds: her life with her Indian parents and relatives and her life at school where she’s the only Indian American student. She tries to fit in at each place but then her mother becomes sick and her life is turned upside down. Written in verse by an Indian American author, this book gives you a glimpse into the struggle of living in two different cultures. 

Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager

Posted in: Youth Fiction