Youth Services Staff Picks

Andrea
Frankie & Bug by Gayle Forman — J F FOR (Way Back When)
For Grades: 3 — 7; Published: 2021
Synopsis: It's the summer of 1987, and all ten-year-old Bug wants to do is go to the beach with her older brother and hang out with the locals on the boardwalk. But Danny wants to be with his own friends, and Bug's mom is too busy, so Bug is stuck with their neighbor Philip's nephew, Frankie. Bug's not too excited about hanging out with a kid she's never met, but they soon find some common ground. And as the summer unfolds, they find themselves learning some important lessons about each other, and the world. Like what it means to be your true self and how to be a good ally for others. That family can be the people you're related to, but also the people you choose to have around you. And that even though life isn't always fair, we can all do our part to make it more just.
Andrea says:  I love how the author tackles tough subjects like discrimination through the perspective of a 10 year old who doesn’t understand why people can’t accept each other for who they are.
Andrea also suggests:
Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo — J F DIC  
Henry and Beezus  by Bevery Cleary — J F CLE

Debbie
Cat Dog Dog the story of a blended family by Nelly Buchet — E BUC
For Grades: K — 2nd; Published 2020
Synopsis: Cat and Dog live with their human in a suburban house with a big backyard. Sure, they fight like.... well, cats and dogs, but they're used to one another. Dog-- a different dog-- lives a happy only child life in the city with his dad. He has the bed to himself, he never has to share his toys, and that's the way he likes it. So what happens when the Dog's dad and Cat and Dog's mom move in together? Well, it's chaotic.
Debbie says: Trying to get along with new roommates can be a challenge. But it's a challenge worth taking.
Debbie also suggests:
Max and Bird by Ed Vere — E VER
A Home for Bird by Philip Christian Stead — E STE

Hannah
The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place by Maryrose Wood — CD J F WOO 
For grades: 5 — 8; 2010-2018
Synopsis: Found running wild in the forest of Ashton Place, the Incorrigibles are no ordinary children: Alexander, age ten or thereabouts, keeps his siblings in line with gentle nips; Cassiopeia, perhaps four or five, has a bark that is (usually) worse than her bite; and Beowulf, age somewhere-in-the-middle, is alarmingly adept at chasing squirrels. Luckily, Miss Penelope Lumley is no ordinary governess. Only fifteen years old and a recent graduate of the Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females, Penelope embraces the challenge of her new position. Though she is eager to instruct the children in Latin verbs and the proper use of globes, first she must help them overcome their canine tendencies. But mysteries abound at Ashton Place: Who are these three wild creatures, and how did they come to live in the vast forests of the estate? Why does Old Timothy, the coachman, lurk around every corner? Will Penelope be able to teach the Incorrigibles table manners and socially useful phrases in time for Lady Constance's holiday ball? And what on earth is a schottische?
Hannah says: AWOOOOOOOOO.
Hannah also suggests:
Premeditated Myrtle by Elizabeth C. Bunce —  J F BUN (Mystery)
How To Get Away With Myrtle by Elizabeth C. Bunce —  J F BUN (Mystery)

Kelsey
Frog and Toad Are Friends  by Arnold Lobe l— R LOB (Green)
For Grades:Pre-K — 3rd; Published 2003
Synopsis: From writing letters to going swimming, telling stories to finding lost buttons, Frog and Toad are always there for each other—just as best friends should be.
Kelsey says: I didn’t read a lot of Frog and Toad growing up, but as an adult I feel like I have finally discovered how awesome they are. Lobel has a very quiet sense of humor and the illustrations feel so cozy. I’ve become a huge Frog and Toad fan!
Kelsey also suggests: 
Frog and Toad All Year by Arnold Lobel — R LOB
Days with Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel — R LOB

Priscilla
May I Bring a Friend? by Beatrice Schenk De Regniers  — J CALD DER 
For Grades: Pre-K — 3rd; Published 1989
Synopsis: A well-mannered little boy has permission to bring his animal friends to visit the king and queen.
Priscilla says:  This is a cute book that is also a Caldecott Award winner.  It is written in a poetry style so it is upbeat and has a lot of rhyming in it.  The little boy in the story is very generous so there are some good lessons to be learned in it as well.
Priscilla also suggests:
Louisa: the Life of Louisa May Alcott by Yona Zeldis McDonough —  J B ALC
My Sister, Alicia May by Nancy Tupper Ling — J 616.928 TUP

Stephanie
Ablaze with Color: a story of painter Alma Thomas by Jeanne Walker Harvery— J B THO
For Grades:: Pre-K — 3rd grade; Published: 2022
Synopsis:  Celebrate the life-changing power of art in this inspiring and stunningly illustrated picture book biography of American artist Alma Thomas.
Stephanie Says: Art is such an important foundation for childhood. Learn about and celebrate these amazing artists!
Stephanie also suggests:
Art from Her Heart: folk artist Clementine Hunter by Kathy Whitehead — J B HUN
Jake Makes a World: Jacob Lawrence, a young artist in  Harlem by Sharifa Rhodes-Pitts — J B LAW
Yayoi Kasama: from here to infinity by Sarah Suzuki — J B KUS
Keith Haring: the boy who just kept drawing by Kay Harring — J B HAR
Cloth Lullaby: the woven life of Louise Bourgeois by Amy Novesky — J B BOU 

Veronica
Loteria by Karla Valenti — J F VAL (Fantasy)
For Grades: 3rd — 6th ; Published 2021
Synopsis: In Oaxaca City, Mexico, ancient friends Life and Death discuss free will while engaged in a game of chance, with eleven-year-old Clara as the protagonist of their theories and a pawn in their game, moving inevitably towards her ultimate fate. Includes author's notes and reader's guide.
Veronica says: I loved this book and the idea that fate controls your density and that you have no say which is something that has been debated throughout centuries. So, what do you think is fate or did Clara always have a choice?.  
 Veronica also suggests: 
Mexico by Jessica Rudolph—J NF 972 RUD
Danza! : Amalia Hernández and el Ballet Folklórico de Mexico by Duncan Tonatiuh— J B HER
Land of the cranes  by Aida Salazar — J F SAL

Yentl
There’s No Ham in Hamburgers: Facts and Folklore about Our Favorite Foods by Kim Zachman - J 641.3 ZAC
For Grades: 4th-8th Grades; Published 2022S
Synopsis: Why is there no ham in hamburgers? How did we make ice cream before we could make ice? How did hot dogs get their name? From the origins of pizza (which got a big boost from Clarence Birdseye, of all people) to the Cornell professor who invented chicken fingers, this book has all the ingredients for an entertaining and educational middle-grade read.
Yentl says: This book was filled with fun facts about the food we eat. I learned so many cool things! I really like the history of popular food items like hot dogs, ice cream, fries and more. If you like history and food then you’ll like this!
Yentl also suggests:
Waffles + Mochi: Get Cooking  - J 641.815 WAF
My Very First Cookbook: Joyful Recipes to Make Together by Danielle Kartes - J 641.5 KAR
Kid in the Kitchen: 100 Recipes and Tips for Young Home Cooks by Melissa Clark - J 641.512 CLA
Delish Kids (Super-Awesome, Crazy-Fun, Best Ever) Cookbook by Joanna Saltz - J 641.512 SAL My First Cookbook: Fun Recipes to Cook Together…with as Much Mixing, Rolling, Scrunching, and Squishing as Possible! - J 641.5 MYF