Angie

I would recommend listening to this wonderfully detailed, young adult, historical fiction novel. Edoardo Ballerini does an excellent job narrating the story and conveying the language and pronunciations. At the end is an enlightening afterword from the author., which I always appreciate getting more information about the writing of a story that deals with history. Sepetys shows us all about a little known, taught or remembered part of communism in Romania in 1989 and the fall of the regimen. All of this and more through the eyes of teenage Cristian, in historical accuracy. Cristian's story is intense, beautiful, tragic, and heartbreaking and Sepetys brings his life and fight and those during this time in Romania, out in the open. -Angie

New middle grade graphic novel alert! Bea Wolf is a modern middle-grade graphic novel retelling of Beowulf. I would have loved to have read Bea's story in school instead of of Beo's. Even still this amazingly creative retelling also mimics the original's language by using alliteration throughout. Kids will enjoy this retelling, and not realize they’re also learning about a great classic! Plus, it was laugh out loud funny in many parts; a true delight! -Angie

Give me a mystery any day, but one that pays homage to Agatha Christie and has total Veronica Mars and Nancy Drew vibes, say no more! Great whodunit storyline, that was well paced and kept you along for all the twists and turns. I was hooked and can't wait for the sequel to come out this summer. -Angie

I found myself really enjoying this story. It was fast paced and I found myself really wanting to know more about the characters lives. Elizabeth Zott is an absolute legend of a character, I was rooting for her throughout the whole story. It had me pondering many points on more than one occasion what it must have been like to be a woman in the 50's and 60's and navigating the world; I’m so glad that women like Elizabeth Zott make it possible for me to have the life and freedom that I have today. Overall, it did not bore! -Angie

Celebrate the Lunar New Year on January 22 with this sweet story appropriate for the whole family! -Angie

Fast paced and engaging, with a satisfying ending! -Angie

Beautifully illustrated sweet graphic novel that almost anyone can relate to. The realness of the subject matter made this a quick and enjoyable read. I can't wait for my hold on the second book in the series comes in! -Angie

A great read together story that is reassuring to kids whose families may not fit gender norms or who might be navigating their own feelings about gender identity and affirmation. There is plenty of sparkle and fun to engage all ages throughout the story. The author note at the end is in inclusive language, talkable and presented in an approachable way to learn more about gender and drag queens. -Angie

I checked the audiobook out for a long car ride from the Bookmobile. My teenage son and I really enjoyed the actors reading of the book and the storyline had plenty of twists and mystery to keep us entertained the whole trip. In fact we were at the last chapter when we pulled back into our driveway that we sat in the car to finish the story! We just had to know how it ended and even though we were tried from the 7 hour drive, we sat a bit longer. It was easy enough to follow along even if you haven't read the other books in the King and Maxwell series, so we appreciated that as well. Read (or listen!) this book if you are a fan of fast paced mystery series full of action and suspense! -Angie

Otto: A Palindrama is HILARIOUS! The entire thing is created out of palindromes and is set up as a story within a story. So if you love word play, check out this new graphic novel. It will tickle your funny bone and give you some new ammunition for those Palindrome contests. -Angie

For fans of Hidden Figures and Radium Girls comes the remarkable story of three Victorian women who broke down barriers in the medical field to become the first women doctors, revolutionizing the way women receive health care. With gripping storytelling based on extensive research and access to archival documents, Women in White Coats tells the courageous history these women made by becoming doctors, detailing the boundaries they broke of gender and science to reshape how we receive medical care today. -Angie

Nature’s Treasures takes you on a tour of our planet through incredible objects made by nature itself. Objects are shown with truly stunning photography and colorful illustrations to help explain the science behind them. The lively descriptions explore the remarkable tales of each item, and all are packed with fascinating information. It’s the perfect first book about nature for inquisitive children ages 7 and up who love to spot things when exploring outside and want to know more about nature. -Angie

I loved Tom Sullivan's first graphic novel, Escape at 10,000 feet: D.B. Cooper and the missing money, so much that I knew I was going to enjoy his latest historical graphic retelling of a true event! These books are a great read for those reluctant readers in your life or for anyone looking for a good unsolved mystery. -Angie

Beautifully illustrated and wonderful, powerful writing makes this a very touching picture book to share. 2022 winner of the Caldecott Medal. -Angie

Rabbit and Bear books are great for beginning readers; the simple stories, laugh out loud humor and great illustrations mean that they are the perfect transition from picture books to chapter books. Plus they are a great and fun read aloud to younger kids. Look for the other four books in this hilarious series! -Angie

The World Played Chess is is a hauntingly beautiful story of growing from boy to man. Well written and a moving story line makes this a great read. -Angie

Cherokee author Traci Sorell and Métis illustrator Natasha Donovan trace Ross’s journey from being the only girl in a high school math class to becoming a teacher to pursuing an engineering degree, joining the top-secret Skunk Works division of Lockheed, and being a mentor for Native Americans and young women interested in engineering. In addition, the narrative highlights Cherokee values including education, working cooperatively, remaining humble, and helping ensure equal opportunity and education for all. Mary Golda Ross designed classified airplanes and spacecraft as Lockheed Aircraft Corporation’s first female engineer. Find out how her passion for math and the Cherokee values she was raised with shaped her life and work. -Angie

I recently took this kids cookbook home for my daughter and I to bake something together. We loved the pictures of each recipe, the tips and random facts. The spiral bound book made it easy for us to flip through to find all the delicious bake goods! -Angie

From the very first line, I was hooked. I felt like I was on the Cape, walking in the woods, taking a swim in the pond. Heartbreaking and heartwarming, all at the same time. It was exactly the right book at exactly the right time. -Angie

Added by Angie

Netflix recently released this book as a film adaptation. As in most cases, the book was far better than the movie! Read it first before you watch! -Angie

This isn’t just a historic romance, it’s a multi-generational mystery, set in the Ritz Paris, and spanning World War I, World War II, and the late 1960s. At the center of the story are three women: Aurelie, the young demoiselles de Courcelles surviving World War I; Daisy, a quiet housewife married to an odious Nazi sympathizer; and Babs, a recent widow who receives an interesting letter in the mail about a famous French spy. At first glance, these women don’t seem at all connected, but they are brought together by a talisman and the iconic Ritz Paris. Charming characters, amazing settings, and so much culture make this a great read! -Angie

In this moving middle-grade novel drawing upon Umpqua author Charlene Willing McManis's own tribal history, Regina must find out: Who is Regina Petit? Is she Indian, American, or both? And will she and her family ever be okay? -Angie

This is a great, fast-paced, funny story about five robots trying to run from the sinister and evil uniMIND. Fans of the Wild Robot by Peter Brown will love this book! -Angie

A cancer survivor himself, author Rob Harrell brings both honesty and humor to this comics-illustrated book. If you liked Cece Bell’s El Deafo -- like Cece, Ross imagines a superhero alter-ego to help him through the frustrating ups and downs of friendship. -Angie

This is the beginning of a new page-turning adventure that examines assumptions about identity, family, and home, from the master of middle grade suspense. -Angie

This brand new picture book by a new favorite author, Ame Dyckman and illustrated by Cori Doerrfeld asks, Where will life take you? After Life literally knocks on their door, one kid discovers that Life is truly what you make it. It's weird and may not always cooperate, but Life's beauty becomes apparent when it's embraced for all of its quirks. This is a new twist on showing kids what life is all about. -Angie

Funny, deep, warm, and nuanced, Wishtree is Newbery Medalist and New York Times–bestselling author Katherine Applegate at her very best—writing from the heart, and from a completely unexpected point of view. -Angie

What if George Washington had accepted a crown instead of the Presidency? And then, what would that monarchy look like in the modern day? The book covers the adventures of four women: Beatrice, the first to-be-queen to reign America on her own; Samantha, her spunky younger sister; Nina, Sam’s loyal best friend; and Daphne, ambitious ex-girlfriend of Sam’s twin brother, Jeff. It does bop between their differing POVs, but it isn’t confusing or jarring. This was a fun YA read with many things that I love - royalty, romance, really well-written female characters. My expectations were high, and they were definitely met! -Angie

Try not to wet your pants as you make your way through this hilarious take on a common childhood mishap. Reuben the bear has a problem. His pants are wet. In, you know, the front and center zone. Reuben is seemingly dumbfounded. Who wet his pants? Let the wild accusations begin. Reuben throws everyone under the bus before coming to terms with the true identity of the culprit. Who Wet My Pants? is a book for us all. It’s sure to be one of the funniest of 2019. -Angie

Fans of the acclaimed first Dactyl Hill chapter book will rejoice for the thrilling second book in the series! Background notes elaborate on the story’s elements. Intelligent, rousing, and abundantly diverse, this is every bit as satisfying as the first installment. Ages 8–12. -Angie

As the sequel to The Witch Boy continue so does Aster’s difficulty in breaking out of his gender role so he can train to be a witch, previously a girl’s only role. His willingness to work hard pays off in his ability to help others, making him likable and ambitious. It is a perfect time to read the sequel as the third book in this series comes out in Nov. 2019. -Angie

Lois Lowry's classic novel smoothly makes its transition to comics, and fans of and newcomers to the book will be captivated by the visual storytelling. -Angie

This meta–early reader begins (between the end pages and the title page) with the famous duo Elephant and Piggie expressing excitement about reading a book about a pig and an elephant who happen to be best friends, just like them. Piggie holds a copy of Harold & Hog Pretend for Real!—which is identical to the book readers are holding, leading them to believe that the characters are reading the same book. Piggie and elephant Gerald then open the cover of the book just as elephant Harold and Hog push it open from the inside, and the story seamlessly shifts to the latter pair’s perspective. Harold and Hog—illustrated with depth and fairly realistically, compared to the cartoonlike Piggie and Gerald—are excited to see the famous duo, and Harold suggests they pretend to be them. Harold then produces round, wire-rimmed glasses for himself and a cartoon pig’s snout for Hog so that they can pretend “for real.” Unfortunately, Hog is “too CAREFUL to be Piggie,” and Harold is “too CAREFREE to be Gerald!” The question then arises: Can Harold and Hog’s friendship survive this game? Building on the popular Elephant and Piggie books and with the frame story contributed by Mo Willems, Santat creates yet another early reader that is at once playful, self-aware, and perceptive in its exploration of the differences of personalities and the complications (or simplicities) of friendship. A hoot for readers who already know Elephant and Piggie. -Kirkus Reviews -Angie

This is a favorite memory of mine! My grandma always had interesting items in her purse and Grandma Mimi in this story is no different! -Angie

Grandmothers go by many different names, but they are all glamorous and special in their own way, so they are all Glam-mas--especially to the children that they love, and who love them. I love to see all the different and unique names grandma's choose! -Angie