Steph S. says:
An enjoyable way to learn about fowl. This nonfiction picture book combines humor and facts to tell a story and inform the reader about all aspects of the chicken.
Recommendation
The Whisper by Pamela Zagarenski
Steph S. says:
The Whisper is about the power of imagination and the magic of storytelling. When a little girl borrows a book without words, a whisper tells her to imagine the stories. Remarkable illustrations bring the stories to life.
Gilded Cage by Vic James
Heather says:
A fresh world, and a new twist on dystopian (with magic!). I devoured this book in a single day. Must-read for fans of The Hunger Games and Divergent.
Blackbirds by Chuck Wendig
Heather says:
If you can’t handle irreverent debauchery, don’t read this book. Miriam Black will make you laugh out loud, cringe, and wonder what on EARTH you just read. Magnificently bawdy!
Asylum by Jeannette De Beauvoir
Kirsten says:
An interesting look into the realms of unwanteds in a political and scientific society. . . Is there such a thing as altruism?
I Could Pee on This by Francesco Marciuliano
Kirsten says:
Absolute humor for the feline admirer. Just make sure your litter box is scooped!
Lilli De Jong by Janet Benton
Steph S. says:
Beautifully written historical fiction. Lilli is an unwed mother who chooses ostracism over giving up her baby. Benton’s research and prose hook the reader from the start, and never lets go. A fantastic read!
Don’t Call Them Ghosts by Kathleen McConnell
Kirsten says:
A heartwarming paranormal mystery that sheds light on our own neighborhood.
Bossypants by Tina Fey
Steph S. says:
Tina Fey is phenomenal. This book is funny, thoughtful, and insightful. Enthralling from the first paragraph, her comedic voice will have you laughing out loud. Seriously . . . Do not read this book in public.
Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman
Steph S. says:
Full of magic, tragedy, and love (both familial and romantic), Hoffman’s lyrical prose will haunt you long after the last page is read.
Heather says:
Reality and fantasy blurs in this quirky tale of two magical sisters who are cursed to watch any man they fall in love with die. When they accidentally poison an abusive ex-lover, they find themselves in a battle to save their lives, save their family, and possibly break the curse.
Queen of the Air by Dean M. Jensen
Steph S. says:
Sometimes a true story is better than fiction. Leitzel will fly into your heart with the greatest of ease, just as she did mine. I loved this book, and it has stuck with me for years.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
Debbie says:
A nonfiction selection. Part science, part day-time television, thoroughly entertaining!
The Only Child by Andrew Pyper
Debbie says:
A gothic thriller: demons, murder, and terror. Learn who inspired the stories of Frankenstein, Dracula, and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (at least in this author’s mind).
Vendetta by Lisa Harris
Cindy P. says:
This action-packed book draws you in right away. Fast-paced with very likable characters!
Goodbye Stranger by Rebecca Stead
Tracy says:
The pains and dramas of middle school—from flirty texts and family betrayals to questions about the purpose of life—are captured perfectly in this wonderful book about friendship, identity, betrayal, privacy, and sexism. Perfect for older tweens.
Ghetto Cowboy by G. Neri
Tracy says:
A unique setting—cowboys and stables in the inner city?!—and believable characters make this fast read a truly memorable one. Plus, the pencil and ink illustrations throughout add a little something extra. It all adds up to an awesome book about family, working together, and the “Cowboy Way.”
Lumberjanes: Beware the Kitten Holy by Noelle Stevenson
Tracy says:
Spooky adventures and wonderfully expressive art are just two of the things I love about this graphic-novel series about five friends at summer camp. Funny, inventive, and wonderfully smart, this a great Girl Power read!
Speed of Life by Carol Weston
Heather says:
Perfect for readers navigating the murky waters of grief, family, and those weird years between being a kid and being a teen.
The Swallow by Charis Cotter
Heather says:
A delightfully spooky ghost story with a twist you’ll never see coming.
The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
Heather says:
This story races forward with the sheer, exhilarating abandon of a child’s imagination. The pages practically come alive with magic, and it culminates in an absolutely perfect ending.
The Goldfish Boy by Lisa Thompson
Heather says:
I adore this book! How can you possibly go wrong with a mystery AND a happy ending? Thompson is a talented writer who has crafted a loony character and a fun setting that stuck with me.
A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd
Heather says:
Downhome southern innocence meets magic in a girl who sees words the way other people see colors. If you love the fantastical as much as you love words and writing, you HAVE to read this book!
Tracy says:
Overflowing with lovable, eccentric characters and a folksy tone reminiscent of Ingrid Law’s Savvy, A Snicker of Magic is an exuberant, heartwarming novel that is magical indeed.
Forever, or a Long, Long Time by Caela Carter
Heather says:
The melting pot of this family and this life is SO real, especially for people who have experienced adoption and the foster system. A strong, vibrant voice and an effortlessly beautiful story. I devoured it in a matter of hours.
Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
Heather says:
A timeless story of family, love, grief, and this beautifully strange journey called life.
Hello, I’m Johnny Cash by G. Neri
Tracy says:
The life story of Johnny Cash as Johnny himself might tell it. That is, if Johnny Cash were to speak in vivid, powerful free verse with gorgeously rendered illustrations. Truly something special.