Youth Services Staff Picks
February 2019: Fall in love with one of these excellent titles!
Chelsea
My Life In Pink & Green by Oliver Jeffers – J SER PIN
For grades 4th – 6th; published 2009
Synopsis: When the family's drugstore is failing, seventh-grader Lucy uses her problem solving talents to come up with a solution that might resuscitate the business, along with helping the environment.
Chelsea says: This is a very sweet story about a young girl who works to save the family store. She’s good with makeup and hair and she’s very relatable for middle school girls. This is a very nice book to read.
Chelsea also suggests:
TBH, This is so Awkward by Lisa Greenwald – J F GRE
TBH, This may be TMI by Lisa Greenwald – J F GRE
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
Good Dog by Dan Gemeinhart– J F GEM
For grades 3rd – 5th , published 2018
Synopsis: The pleasures of Dog Heaven can’t stop Brodie returning to earth to save his boy.
Debbie says: Not even death can keep a good dog from protecting his best friend.
Debbie also suggests:
Love that Dog by Sharon Creech– J F CRE
Bowser & Birdie seriesby Spencer Quinn – J SER BOW
Kelsey
Joan Procter, Dragon Doctorby Patricia Valdez – J B PRO
For grades Pre-K – 3rd ; published 2018
Synopsis: A picture-book biography of the early 20th-century woman who became the Curator of Reptiles at the British Museum and went on to design the Reptile House at the London Zoo.
Kelsey says: As someone who is very fond of reptiles and isn’t at all scared of snakes, I LOVED this biography of Joan Procter. I had no idea she even existed until I picked it up! Children’s biographies are wonderful in that way. Anyway, my husband absolutely will not let me get a pet snake, so I guess instead I will have to daydream about being as fabulous as Joan Procter and holding tea parties with all my reptile friends.
Kelsey also suggests:
The Girl who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian’s Art Changed Science by Joyce Sidman – J B MER
Ada’s Ideas: The story of Ada Lovelace, The World’s First Computer Programmer by Fiona Robinson – J B LOV
Out of School and Into Nature: The Anna Comstock story by Suzanne Slade – J B COM
Ofilia
Sun! One in a Billion by Stacy McAnulty – J 523.7 MCA
For Grades K – 2nd; published 2018
Synopsis: Meet Sun: He's a star and not just any star--he's one in a billion. He lights up our solar system and makes life possible. With characteristic humor and charm, Stacy McAnulty channels the voice of Sun in this next celestial "autobiography." Rich with kid-friendly facts and beautifully illustrated, this is an equally charming and irresistible companion to Earth My First 4.54 Billion Years.
Ofilia says: Sure, you think you know the sun, but do you really know how truly amazing it is? Read this book to find out! McAnulty has written a very entertaining and informative book in the style of a tell-all biography. The illustrations are adorable and you end up learning so much you did not know!
Ofilia also suggests:
Earth!: My First 4.54 Billion Years by Stacy McAnulty – J 550 MCA
The Story of Space: a First Book about Our Universe by Catherine Barr – J 520 BAR
Roben
We’ve Got the Whole World in Our Hands by Rafael López –E LOP
For grades pre-K – 1st ; published 2018
Synopsis: Award-winning illustrator Rafael Lo�Âpez brings new life to the song "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands" in this adaptation. The rhythmic verse and repetitive emphasis on "we" and "our" encourages inclusive communities and the celebration of unity and diverse friendships all around the world.
Roben says: Read and sing along as you enjoy the beautiful illustrations in this delightful book.
Roben also suggests:
Drawn Together by Minh Le - E LE
Crash, Splash, or Moo by Bob Shea – E SHE
Stephanie
Between the Lines: How Ernie Barnes Went from the Football Field to the Art Gallery by Sandra Neil Wallace – J B BAR
For grades 5th – 6th; published 2018
Synopsis: Discover the true story of NFL star Ernie Barnes--a boy who followed his dreams and became one of the most influential artists of his generation.
Stephanie says: Ernie Barnes’ story will inspire you to never give up your true passion! This is such a cool story, and one I was not aware of. Ernie made others recognize his talent and out of thin air, he made the world make space for him in it.
Stephanie also suggests:
Ida B. Wells: Let the Truth be Told by Walter Dean Myers – J B WEL
The Vast Wonder of the World: Biologist Ernest Everett Just by M�Âlina Mangal – J B JUS
Whitney
Percy Jackson & the Olympians. 1, The Lightening Thief by Robert Venditti – J GN PER
For grades 5th – 9th; published 2010
Synopsis: After learning that he is the son of a mortal woman and Poseidon, god of the sea, twelve-year-old Percy is sent to a summer camp for demigods like himself, and joins his new friends on a quest to prevent a war between the gods.
Whitney says: True to the original series and providing excellent artwork, Venditti takes us that much deeper into the Percy Jackson universe. This is the perfect book to bring new readers into the graphic novel world!
Whitney also suggests:
Percy Jackson & the Olympians. 2, The Sea of Monsters
Percy Jackson & the Olympians. 3, The Titan’s Curse
Percy Jackson & the Olympians.
Yentl
Penguin & Tiny Shrimp DON’T DO BEDTIME! by Cate Berry – E BER
For Grades PreK – 3rd; Published 2018
Synopsis: Penguin and Tiny Shrimp do not have a bedtime story to share with you. There are no soft beds or cozy covers here. There are fireworks! And shark-infested waters!! This book will never make you sleepy! Not at all. Not even a little...
Yentl says: This book is so cute and funny. Penguin and Tiny Shrimp absolutely do not want to go to sleep. They prove they don’t need sleep by doing amazing things, including going to the Serengeti. Read it to find out whether or not they make it to the end without sleeping.
Yentl also suggests:
Penguin Problems by Jory John – E JOH
Little Penguins by Cynthia Rylant – E RYL