Staff Picks
October 2023
Where You’ve Got to Be
Where You’ve Got to Be by Caroline Gertler is a newer middle grade title with all the traditional growing pains and life lessons that come with entering the sixth grade. Nolie struggles with a fading friendship, choosing right from wrong, and finding her place, all while in the shadow of her “perfect” older sister. Everyone around her seems to know their purpose and passion in life, but she’s got nothing, which also means she’s often overlooked. Of course it turns out that not everything is what it seems, and she has a lot to learn. Luckily, Nolie has a loving family to help her find her way. Fans of Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly will really enjoy this one as well!
Recommended by: Erin Cady, Youth Services Reference Librarian
Posted in: Youth Fiction
A Man Called Horse: John Horse and the Black Seminole Underground Railroad
by Glenette Tilley Turner
In this intriguing biography covering the little-known subject of the history of Black Seminoles, children’s author, historian, and educator Glenette Tilley Turner presents an inspiring account of the remarkable life of chief John Horse. Also known as Juan Cavallo, Horse was a Black Seminole of African and Native descent. His leadership played a significant role in the political and military efforts that drove the relentless pursuit of freedom for his people. From Florida, to Texas and Mexico, John Horse dedicated most of his life during the mid 1800s to serve as a warrior, diplomat, and protector on a daring mission for survival. Supported with archival photographs, maps, and illustrations, Turner’s research findings offer an introduction to an unfamiliar aspect of the Underground Railroad and unsung heroes of American history.
This biography was one of the 6 selected titles for the Grades 9-12 category of the 2023 Illinois Reads, a yearly statewide project that highlights the work of Illinois authors and promotes reading for all Illinois citizens.
Recommended by: Fanny Camargo, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Biographies
The Haunting
by Natasha Preston
Just as Penny decides to reach out to her ex-boyfriend, Nash, a year after his father stabbed four of their friends on Halloween, the murders resume. Is it a copycat? Has the prisoner somehow reached out from his prison cell? Soon the death toll is up to twelve. A group of Penny’s friends, including Nash and his sister Grace, feel that it is up to them to discover what is behind the killings, but who do you trust? Full of suspense, intrigue and teen-age angst, this book is a page-turner up to the final page.
This book is available in the library and on OverDrive as an ebook.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
Squire and Knight
by Scott Chantler
A fast-paced graphic novel that has adventure, magic and a dragon. There is also a knight, Sir Kelton, who is not very good at his job but always makes fun of his bookish Squire, who is good at his job. Going off to slay the dragon, Sir Kelton leaves the Squire behind. He promptly begins to delve into why the village has been cursed. At the end of the story the author gives interesting information about what all goes into the process of creating a graphic novel. It’s a behind the scenes look of how-to.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Fiction
The Lost Library
by Rebecca Stead
With Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass being the authors, this book is a sure winner. When a Little Free Library guarded by a large orange cat, Mortimer, appears overnight, eleven-year-old Evan is the first person to take two books. Surprisingly the books were from the Martinville Library that had burned down 20 years ago. The story is told by Mortimer, Evan, and Al, a librarian. The connection of the town to one of the books, which has Evan’s dad’s name on the check-out card, will change lives in the future as a discovery is made to an event in the past. An entertaining puzzle read.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Fiction
September 2023
Dinosaur Club – Saving the Stegosaurus
by Rex Stone
Great time travel fiction book packed with lots of adventure! Although this book is fiction it’s filled with lots of dinosaur facts. In the back of the book, it goes through the dinosaur timeline, incorporates a comprehension quiz with answers and a glossary. Lots of information to keep a dino loving young reader interested!
Recommended by: Lenore Garoufalis, Youth Services Assistant
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Lasagna Means I Love You
by Kate O’Shaughnessy
Maureen, who goes by Mo, is in the foster care system since her grandmother passed away. This entire book is written in letter form as Mo writes to her grandmother (in heaven) explaining what’s currently happening in her life. Unfortunately, Mo doesn’t have much family. When she becomes super interested in cooking, she decides to create a blog with much loved family recipes. The problem is getting the recipes. As she meets people with recipes to share, Mo begins to discover a new definition for family. Enjoy the ups and downs of Mo’s journey as you read this book.
Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Tales to Keep You Up at Night
by Dan Poblocki
You know how sometimes it is a good idea to follow the advice of a handwritten note such as one telling you to “not read this book”? Especially when the book is found in a dark corner of an attic? Well, Amelia reads and ignores the note and soon finds herself caught up in the book as her life takes on the events in the book. There are thirteen short stories to thrill and chill the reader and Amelia, too.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Fiction
The Lighthouse Cat
by Sue Stainton
An intriguing story with excellent illustrations inspired by the real lighthouse at Plymouth, England. The lighthouse was lit by a 24-candle lantern that had have its wicks trimmed every half hour. The lone lighthouse keeper finds a cat in the supplies whose coloring reminds him of a Mackerel. Together they run up and down the stairs keeping the boats safe from the jagged rocks. Until one night in a terrible storm, the candles were all blown out. What is a cat to do?
Recommended by Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Fiction
The Hearts Invisible Furies
by John Boyne
We follow Cyril’s life told in 7 year spans from 1945 through 2015. Cyril is a wonderful character who makes some shocking mistakes along the way but does good things too. I loved his sense of humor, especially in the face of the ignorance and stupidity he had to put up with. We journey with him as he deals with his peculiar adoptive parents, sexuality, unrequited love, indecision, shame, tragedy, identity, and redemption.
This book is available in the library and on OverDrive/Libby as an e audiobook
Recommended by: Chris Schultz, Graphic Information Clerk
Posted in: Adult Fiction