Staff Picks


April 2020

Thirteen Doorways, Wolves Behind Them All

by Laura Ruby

Interweaving stories of Frankie, an orphan, and Pearl, a ghost, this book is told in flashbacks from the present to 1940s Chicago. Besides the stories of these two girls, there are stories told as they open doors in an effort to find their way. How many doors would you open knowing behind it could be a wolf? A fantastic read! Also available on OverDrive.

Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Young Adult Reference Librarian I

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction


Orphan Island

by Laurel Synder

Every year a young child is brought by boat to the island and the oldest child leaves. There can only be 9 children at a time on the island. Jinny will be the oldest now and responsible for the latest arrival, a little girl. There is so much unknown about how the island or the boat works. Even more importantly, what will happen to the children if Jinny decides not to leave in a year, and now there are 10? This magical book will make the reader think and leave the reader with questions. This book is along the lines of The Giver by Lois Lowery. Also available on OverDrive.

Recommended by: Joan StoiberYoung Adult Reference Librarian I

Posted in: Youth Fiction


My Jasper June

by Laurel Snyder

Leah has been unhappy and feeling alone for a year since one event changed things for her. She has no one to talk to . . . no friends or helpful parents. Then she meets Jasper, a girl who is fun and adventurous and has secrets too. An uplifting book covering serious topics of abuse, homelessness, and death. Also available on OverDrive.

Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Young Adult Reference Librarian I

Posted in: Youth Fiction


Stargirl (Stargirl Series: Book 1)

by Jerry Spinelli

Read the book, watch the movie! Stargirl is one of a kind. She’s new at school and after some time, people get used to her and start loving her uniqueness. All of that love changes one day and she becomes the outcast. Her boyfriend Leo suggests that she try to change and act normal. Will changing be the solution to all of her problems? Or will it just make things worse? Also available on Libby.
Recommended by: Erin Faxel, Youth Services Teen Librarian

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction


What Can a Citizen Do

by Dave Eggers and Shawn Harris

This delightful picture book with beautiful art shows children the importance of being a citizen. A citizen is not who you are, but what you do. Citizens stand up for what is right, and let their voices be heard. A citizen helps friends in need and make them feel welcomed. This is a great introduction to present children with the idea of civic duty and how everyone is a citizen even though everyone is different. Also available on Hoopla.

Recommended by: Vanessa Fernandez, Youth Reference Librarian I

Posted in: Youth Fiction


Wayside School Beneath the Cloud of Doom

by Louis Sachar

Released 40 years after the original book Sideways Stories from Wayside SchoolWayside School Beneath the Cloud of Doom throws us back into the wacky ways of Wayside School. On the 30th floor of Wayside School Mrs. Jewls teaches her class of 28 strangely unique students. Ms. Jewls tasks her class by collecting 1 million on one thing. Of course, the class lands on collecting fingers and toenails. During all the short stories, there is a cloud of doom looming over Wayside School that makes the already wacky school even more out of whack. Will the students survive the cloud of doom or continue to blame all of their trouble on the cloud? Can all the students keep track of their ONE paperclip? Will Ms. Jewls’ class successfully collect 1 million toenails? Get ready for a fit of giggles in this silly read.

Recommended by: Vanessa Fernandez, Youth Reference Librarian I

Posted in: Youth Fiction


Frozen Charlotte

by Alex Bell

Sophie goes to stay with her uncle and her three cousins, while her parents are away. It’s been years since she last saw them. They now live on the remote isle of Skye, in a house that was once a school for girls. Until strange things happened and the school closed. Sophie finds her relatives have changed too. When Sophie starts to experience strange voices and happenings she must find out the truth before it’s too late.

Recommend by: Holly Balasa, Youth Services Shelver

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction


Ten

by Gretchen McNeil

Ten teens. Three days. One killer. Best friends Meg and Minnie are more than excited to spend President’s Day weekend at an exclusive house party on Henry Island. But the fun turns twisted after they discover a DVD with a sinister message: Vengeance is mine. Taking a page from Agatha Christie’s novel Then There Where None, the teens must find which one of them is the killer before no one is left on the island.

Recommended by: April Balasa, Patron Services Clerk

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction


Tweet Cute

by Emma Lord

Pepper is a busy high school student, balancing her grades, college applications, swim team, and her mom’s fast-food Twitter account. When Big League Burger accidentally starts a feud with a small local business, all of Twitter sits back to enjoy the show. As Pepper tries to navigate her Twitter fight, she finds herself spending more time with Jack, a guy she’s known for years but never paid much attention to, meanwhile also talking to Wolf, a guy she’s never met on an app developed for her school. Will her Twitter feud accidentally lead to a meet-up with the perfect guy? Or has she already met him? Also available on OverDrive.

Recommended by: Alejandra Menendez, Youth Services Reference Librarian I

Posted in: Young Adult Fiction


Ordinary Hazards: A Memoir

by Nikki Grimes

This novel in verse takes us through the author’s formative years of life. Since her mother is a paranoid schizophrenic and her father is unable to care for her, Nikki and her sister land in the foster care system. When her mother remarries Nikki is brought back to live with her but her older sister is not. Nikki misses her sister and her biological father who encourages her artistic side. While difficult to read at times, this book is ultimately uplifting and celebrates perseverance and fortitude. 

Recommended by: Becky McCormack, Youth Services Assistant Manager

Posted in: Young Adult Nonfiction


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