Youth Services Staff Picks
March 2019
Anna
Once Upon a Cool Motorcycle Dude by Kevin O’Malley – E OMA
For grades 3rd – 5th ; published 2005
Synopsis: Cooperatively writing a fairy tale for school, a girl imagines a beautiful princess whose beloved ponies are being stolen by a giant, and a boy conjures up the muscular biker who will guard the last pony in exchange for gold.
Anna says: Great story for everyone! It’s so funny and smart!
Anna also suggests:
Once Upon a Royal Superbaby by Kevin O’Malley – E OMA
Seriously, Cinderella is so Annoying!: The story of Cinderella as told by the Wicked Stepmother by Trisha Speed Shaskan – E SHA
Chelsea
Castle in the Stars: The Space Race of 1989 by Alex Alice– J SER PIN
For grades 4th – 6th; published 2017
Synopsis: In search of the mysterious element known as aether, Claire Dulac flew her hot air balloon toward the edge of the stratosphere and never returned. One year later, her husband Archibald and their son Seraphin are summoned to a Bavarian castle, where an ambitious young king dreams of flying the skies. But danger lurks inside the castle.
Chelsea says: I absolutely love this story. The artwork in this graphic novel is stunning - I took so many pictures with my phone just so I could remember it! Seraphin’s adventure to Bavaria, and then on to space to find his mother is captivating, and I didn’t want to put the book down. I can’t wait for book three!
Chelsea also suggests:
Castle in the Stars: The Moon King by Alex Alice - J GN CAS
Four Points: Compass South by Hope Larson - J GN FOU
Four Points: Knife’s Edge by Hope Larson - J GN FOU
Crystal
Please, Baby, Please by Spike & Tanya Lewis Lee – E LEE
For grades Pre-K – K; published 2007
Synopsis: A toddler's antics keep his mother busy as she tries to feed him, watch him on the playground, give him a bath, and put him to bed.
Crystal Says: This book makes for a great bedtime story and the illustrations truly bring the story to life.
Crystal also suggests:
Please, Puppy, Please by Spike & Tanya Lewis Lee – E LEE
Blue Sky, White Stars by Sarvinder Naberhaus – E NAB
Debbie
A Horse Named Steve by Kelly Collier– E COL
For grades Pre-K – 3rd , published 2017
Synopsis: When Steve loses the golden horn he found he fears he will no longer be special.
Debbie says: Maybe Steve is already special just as he is?
Debbie also suggests:
Horse Meets Dog by Elliot Kalan– E KAL
Tony by Ed Galing – J SER BOW
Kelsey
Say Hello to Zorro!by Carter Goodrich – E GO
For grades Pre-K – 3rd ; published 2011
Synopsis: Mister Bud, the family dog, has a satisfying routine to his life, but when another dog joins the family and disrupts his schedule, Mister Bud must learn to adapt.
Kelsey says: I have always been a cat person, but I love the way dogs are portrayed in children’s books. And Carter Goodrich does an excellent job of making Mister Bud and Zorro’s personalities stand off the page. Say Hello to Zorro is laugh-out-loud funny, and will make you want to go home and snuggle your own furry friend.
Kelsey also suggests:
Mister Bud Wears the Cone by Carter Goodrich E GOO
Dog in Charge by K.L. Going E GOI
Hondo & Fabian by Peter McCarty E MCC
Ofilia
I Hate My Cats (A Love Story) by Davide Cali – E HIG
For Grades K – 2nd; Published 2018
Synopsis: Ginger and Fred, a pair of cats, can be picky, messy, and troublesome, and although they frustrate the author, in the end their presence is comforting--and essential.
Ofilia says: Anyone who has a beloved pet can relate to this story. Ginger and Fred are precious and the author’s facial expression in the final illustration is priceless! A fun tongue-in-cheek tale that is a great way to introduce light sarcasm.
Ofilia also suggests:
The Amazing Hamweenie by Patty Bowman – E BOW
Interrupting Chicken and the Elephant of Surprise by David Ezra Stein – E STE
Roben
The Length of a String by Elissa Brent Weissman –J F WEI
For grades 5th – 9th ; published 2018
Synopsis: Imani loves her adoptive family but she also (understandably) has questions about her birth parents. Then her great-grandmother Anna dies and leaves Imani a surprise – a diary filled with little known information about her own journey to America at the age of 12 to escape Luxembourg during World War 2. Reading Anna’s diary helps Imani see her own adoption in a new way.
Roben says: Celebrate Adoption!
Roben also suggests:
Soar by Joan Bauer – J F BAU
Wolfie the Bunny by Amy Dyckman – E DYC
A Most Unusual Day by Sydra Maeery – E MAL
Stephanie
Silent Days, Silent Dreams by Allan Say – J F SAY
For grades: 3rd – 7th; published 2018
Synopsis: A fictional biography of James Castle, a deaf, autistic artist whose drawings hang in major museums throughout the world.
Stephanie says: James Castle’s family disputes Allen Say’s biography of James Castle. That is why it is considered fictional. What isn’t fiction is how amazingly talented and resourceful James was. This is a wonderful, but sad book about passion and determination.
Stephanie also suggests:
The Amazing Collection of Joey Cornell by Candace Fleming – J B COR
Ruth Asawa: a sculpting life by Joan Schoettler – J B ASA
Whitney
The Collector by K.R. Alexander – J F ALE (Spooky/Scary)
For grades 4th – 7th; published 2018
Synopsis: Josie must discover the connection between a strange house in the woods, her grandmother's stories, and missing children, or risk losing her sister to dark magic.
Whitney says: For fans of the creepy and those brave enough to dive into this book, I wish you luck.Afterwards you’ll make sure any dolls always face the wall, all windows are shut and watch out for Beryl.
Whitney also suggests:
Gods and Heroes: Mythology Around the World by Korwin Briggs – J 201.3 BRI
The Dollhouse Murders by Betty Ren Wright – J F WRI (Scary/Spooky)
Yentl
Poppy & Sam and the Leaf Thief by Cathon – E CAT\
For Grades K – 2nd; Published 2018
Synopsis: As the cold winter approaches, the grumpy hedgehog refuses to share his hedge with the garden animals looking for shelter, but he's about to learn a valuable lesson about helping others.
Yentl says: There's trouble in the garden and Poppy & Sam are on the case! Their friend Basil wakes to find out someone munched on her leaves and she is very upset. Poppy & Sam figure out a clever way to catch the culprit and they discover who it was. This book was very cute and I really liked the illustrations.
Yentl also suggests:
The Magic Garden by Lemniscates – E LEM
Hedge Hog! by Ashlym Anstee – E ANS