Staff Picks
April 2021
Concrete Rose
by Angie Thomas
If you enjoyed reading about Starr Carter in The Hate U Give, you need to pick up Concrete Rose. In this prequel, we follow the life of Maverick Carter, Starr’s dad. Maverick’s got a lot on his plate. He’s trying to graduate high school while being a member of the King Lords gang and help out his mom since his dad has been in jail since Maverick was a kid. Maverick’s world is completely changed when he finds out that his one-night stand resulted in a son and the mother wants nothing else to do with the baby. Now he’s a single dad and providing for his son Seven is the most important thing in the world. But how can he graduate school, get a job, and stay involved in the gang? Thomas explores what it means to be there for family and what sacrifices should and shouldn’t be made. Set in the late 90s, Thomas references the style and music of the time for a short jump to the past.
This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook and e audiobook.
Recommended by: Brandi Smits, Youth Services Manager
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
Pete the Cat: Crayons Rock!
by Kimberly Dean and James Dean
Posted in: Youth Fiction
The Four Winds
by Kristin Hannah
Elsa feels unloved and unwanted by her family. Channeling her grandfather who told her to be brave, she buys red silk fabric and makes herself a dress. The events that follow show Elsa the importance of her grandfather’s advice. As she marries, has children and becomes a true farm wife, she also discovers the real meaning of family. When the Dust Bowl hits she must use every ounce of bravery she possesses to stay alive and protect her family.
This book is available in the library in regular and large print, as a Playaway, Book on CD and on OverDrive/Libby as an ebook and e audiobook.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Adult Fiction
A Place to Hang the Moon
by Kate Albus
It’s June 1940 and siblings William, Edmund and Anna have a big problem. Since their parents died they have lived with their grandmother but now she has died. On top of that they are being evacuated from London to escape the potential bombings taking place. Their grandmother’s solicitor has come up with a plan. Try to find a suitable family to adopt them when they’re away in the countryside. But the children end up with some unsavory individuals and wonder if they’ll ever find a home.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Delicates, Volume 2
by Brenna Thummler
Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Teen Librarian
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
Sheets
by Brenna Thummler
This is a touching Young Adult graphic novel. Marjorie lost her mom, and her dad is still in morning almost a year later. Because of this, Marjorie is in charge of her family laundry business, where she is just trying to keep her family afloat despite Mr. Saubertuck who is trying to destroy everything her family owns. Wendell is a ghost who isn’t happy in the ghost world and decides to visit the human world. When their two worlds collide, Marjorie is confronted by unexplainable disasters as Wendell transforms her laundry store into his midnight playground. Will the two be able to help each other and save what’s left of Marjorie’s family?
Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Teen Librarian
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
The Big Bad Wolf in My House
by Valerie Fontaine
An age-appropriate story for any young child who may have experienced domestic abuse or heard about it from others. Told from the point of view of the daughter, her efforts to protect herself physically and emotionally are by using the house building strategies of the three little pigs.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree
by Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani
This book is a fictionalized account of the kidnapping of 276 girls from a school in Nigeria in 2014. The author has done extensive research interviewing both the girls who escaped and their parents. This story tells of survival, betrayal and indoctrination by an extremist group.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
March 2021
Fadeaway
by E. B. Vickers
Jake, basketball star, friend, and brother disappears the night of winning the big game. Told in flashbacks and from various points of view by his friends and family, the police try to unravel who Jake really was and what is really going on now. He seemed to have it all together. He also had many secrets. As Jake’s secrets begin to come to light, so, to the surprise of many, do those of the people closest to him. A grab your interest from the first page and keep it to the end.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
Doggo and Pupper
by Katherine Applegate
A humorous chapter book about an older dog, who likes his routines, but then a puppy joins the household. Mayhem and off to obedience school ensue. Will that solve the problems for Doggo and Pupper?
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Fiction