Recommendation

Rabbit Cake by Annie Hartnett

Heather says:
A wildly fun romp through a little girl’s messed up world. This is an innocent but funny look at grief through the comprehension of a young girl navigating it. It’s like a middle-grade novel on steroids.

Tiffany says:
Rabbit Cake has a dark sense of humor, which was entirely welcome given the subject matter. Elvis reminded me of Scout from To Kill a Mockingbird, and I was sad to leave her behind at the end of the novel.

Posted by John David Anderson

Heather says:
Kids fight back against a strict no-cell-phones rule by using Post-It notes instead. What happens next tests friendships and exposes bullies in a completely satisfying way. The characters are so real and funny! My favorite read of 2017.

The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires

Heather says:
Great for vocab with an emphasis on active verbs. A sweet tale of a girl with a creative mind and a drive to be great. Plus fun illustrations and a cute dog!

Steph S. says:
Being a perfectionist is hard work. Can a regular girl create the most magnificent thing? You’ll have to read it to find out!

 

 

Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty

Heather says:
The rhyming beat gives the text a whimsical kind of fun. Ada Twist reminds kids that being curious isn’t a crime. The world is a big place, and it’s okay to ask questions!

 

From Here to Eternity by Caitlin Doughty

Heather says:
A fascinatingly macabre but beautiful exploration of what it means to die and grieve in societies around the world. Very well-written and entertaining. A must for anyone who adores the cultural unusual.

 

The Clairvoyants by Karen Brown

Heather says:
Beautiful poetic writing and unreliable characters combine to create an enjoyable read about a reluctant psychic haunted by her visions. Full of thick tension and
gasp-out-loud moments, plus a satisfying ending.

 

Be a Friend by Salina Yoon

Tracy says:
I love this one! It has a wonderful simplicity but has some stunningly effective nuances in the illustrations. The mostly red, black, and white pencil drawings with their sepia background are charming and elegant. The text and the illustrations work together perfectly to tell a story encouraging individuality, empathy, and imagination. Pre-readers could even enjoy the story through the pictures alone. A new favorite.

Brandy T. says:
This is a super-cute book about friendship.  It has great illustrations and is just a book you want to hug when you finish.

See What I Have Done by Sarah Schmidt

Heather says:
An intense, visceral opening and incredible attention to detail. The unreliable narrative flows into madness, until Lizzie is real and you bounce back and forth, wondering if she’s the culprit. This one is gonna stick with me. What a ride!

Beth says:
Wonderfully told (fictional) version of the Lizzie Borden case. Very well done and super creepy.

Lola Levine Is Not Mean! by Monica Brown

Tracy says:
Lola Levine is fast becoming one of my favorite children’s book characters! Bursting with energy and personality, it’s hard not to root for this soccer ace—even when her competitiveness gets a little out of hand.

I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh

Trish says:
The reason I loved this book is because just when you think you have the story all figured out, you will find yourself reeling and not able to put the book down!

Mona says:
Suspenseful, with a surprising ending!

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

Tracy says:
This gorgeously written memoir in poems left me in awe. It’s a captivating tale of family, self-discovery, and the path to becoming a writer that speaks to experiences both universal and personal.

 

At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon

Pam says:
I recently read this book for the second time. It is the first book in a series. There are times I found myself laughing. It is a fun read about the people living in a small town. I definitely fell for the folks in Mitford!

Tony by Ed Galing

Beth says:
This beautifully illustrated book about Tony the Milk-Cart Horse and a boy who is his friend is full of charm and love.