Staff Picks
April 2020
Spirit Hunters
by Ellen Oh
First in a series, this is a chilling ghost story about a haunted house and the new family living in it. Harper has lost memories and a long-lost Grandma, and she begins to understand that the two may be connected. As strange and scary events continue to occur in the house, Harper begins to realize that she holds the key for not only saving her brother, Michael but also saving their house. She is a strong protagonist who not only finds herself but also the secrets of the house. Also available on OverDrive.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Fiction
The Only Road
by Alexandra Diaz
A Pura Belpre honor that is straight from real-life events. Jaime is a teenage boy who needs to flee Guatemala before he is forced to become part of a drug trafficking gang. Along with his cousin Angela, they begin the arduous journey to escape to the United States. Who can they trust? Who is trying to use them? What will happen if they reach the U.S. border? Also available on OverDrive.
Recommended by: Joan Stoiber, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Fiction
The One and Only Ivan
by Katherine Applegate
This emotional story is great for readers of all ages, though sensitive readers may find some parts more difficult to read. Ivan’s character is a simple one, accustomed to his life and happy to have friends, Stella the Elephant and Bob the Dog in the Big Top Mall. One day, a new baby elephant, Ruby, comes to join their family. Together, Ivan and Stella promise to do all they can to ensure Ruby has a better life than they had in captivity. This book is a fictional story based on Ivan the Silverback, who lived out the end of his life in Zoo Atlanta after a similar life in a mall. Also available on OverDrive.
Recommend by: Alejandra Menendez, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Fiction
Daughter of Smoke and Bone (Daughter of Smoke & Bone Series: Book 1)
by Laini Taylor
Karou lives two lives. The first life consists of a tattooed, blue-haired painter who lives in Prague and attends an art school with her best friend, Zuzana. The second life is a little more unusual. Karou sneaks off into the shadowy alleyways of Prague to a door that, when distinctively knocked, opens an entrance to the world of Chimaera, creatures composed of a number of human and animal features. Karou runs bizarre errands for the Chimaera like collecting human and animal teeth. When she encounters a warrior angel named Akiva, answers to the lifelong questions of her existence are finally revealed. This first book in a trilogy grips you tightly and won’t let go until to finish all three. Also available on Overdrive.
Recommended by: Brandi Smits, Youth Services Manager
Posted in: Young Adult Fiction
The Food That Built America: Season 1
Many foods that we take for granted today, such as breakfast cereal, ketchup, milk chocolate, and Coke did not exist a little over one hundred years ago. This show tells the fascinating stories of the people like Henry Heinz, Milton Hershey, John & Will Kellogg, Clarence Birdseye, and the McDonald brothers, who created the foods that we know and love today. It documents their imagination, drive, risks, trials & errors, and hard work – changing the American diet (for better & worse), while building cities, developing new technologies, fostering social & cultural change, and creating multimillion-dollar empires along the way. Available on Hoopla.
Recommended by: Dawn Gowgiel, Adult Services Shelver
Posted in: Documentary
The Very Best of Prince
If you’re a fan of Prince, you are sure to love this CD. This greatest hits album contains a terrific selection of Prince’s absolute biggest hits with Warner Bros. Records. It features 17 songs, from his early years in 1979, “I Wanna Be Your Lover” to 1991’s “Money Don’t Matter 2 Night.” In between are many other favorites, such as “1999,” “Little Red Corvette,” “Purple Rain” and many more. Also available on Hoopla.
Recommended by: Dawn Gowgiel, Adult Services Shelver
Posted in: Music
80s Mixtape
The 80s Mixtape is perfect for anyone who enjoys music from that era. It is 25 popular songs from the 80s. There are a good variety of artist represented. I listened to it while getting things done around the house. It definitely makes you want to sing along. Available on Hoopla.
Recommended by: Julie Kwiatt – Adult Services Shelver
Posted in: Music
This Earl is Mine
by K. C. Bateman
Will a false marriage lead to true and lasting love? In the first book of the Bow Street Bachelors– men who work undercover for London’s first official police force-and the women they serve to protect…and wed? When shipping heiress Georgiana Caversteed hatches a madcap scheme to marry a man before he is executed so she can become a widow. Who would have thought she would pick the wrong man? After his supposed execution Benedict runs into his widow weeks later at a society gathering and now will do anything to win her heart for he already has her hand.
Recommended by: April Balasa, Patron Services Clerk
Posted in: Adult Fiction
Death of a Gigolo
by Laura Levine
Jaine’s life is finally coming up roses. She is back with her ex, she gets a fabulous job co-writing with a famous romance writer. Life is good, until the much younger man the romance writer is seeing end up dead. Now Jaine must find the killer. What could go wrong? Also available on Hoopla.
Recommended by: Holly Balasa, Youth Services Shelver
Posted in: Adult Fiction
Hello Universe
by Erin Entrada Kelly
Virgil cannot work up the courage to talk to his longtime crush Valencia. On his way to his psychic friend Kaori’s house, he is pranked by the school bully Chet causing Virgil to become trapped in a well. Virgil is accompanied by nothing but his pet gerbil Gulliver and the stories his Nona has told him through the years. Valencia and Kaori must follow their instincts and clues to help lead them to find Virgil. The Universe intertwines the lives of these four characters on an adventure that leads to new friendships. Also available on Hoopla and OverDrive.
Recommended by: Vanessa Fernandez, Youth Services Reference Librarian I
Posted in: Youth Fiction