Bullitt County Public Library

Beatrice Zinker, Upside Down Thinker by Shelley Johannes

Tracy says:
A chapter book win! Beatrice Zinker is a wonderful new character in children’s literature, an imaginative, one-of-a-kind girl with a huge heart. I can’t wait to read about more of Beatrice’s upside-down thinking.

Far from the Tree by Robin Benway

Tracy says:
An angsty, delicious novel full of drama and fully imagined characters. This is a book that can easily move you from tears to laughter and back again from one page to the next.

Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley

Tracy says:
A love letter to words, to the treasures found in secondhand bookshops, and to finding your way after losing someone or something important. In between wanting to smack Henry upside the head (seriously, dude!), I reveled in the beautiful words and emotions that vibrate from every page.

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Jessica says:
This is a good series for all dystopian society fans. It’s about a young girl who struggles with growing up in a society that has labels on how you look.

Ally-Saurus & the First Day of School by Rich Torrey

Steph S. says:
Ally LOVES dinosaurs and hopes she will find friends at school who do, too. Ally soon learns that everyone has their own likes and that’s okay. A great story about imagination and being true to yourself while accepting others.

Elmore by Holly Hobbie

Steph S. says:
I absolutely LOVE this book about a porcupine’s ingenuity in making friends.

Alexander Hamilton by Monica Kulling

Brandy T. says:
This is very similar to the popular musical Hamilton, but written so the kiddos can enjoy it. A trendy history lesson!

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.

The Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller

Steph S. says:
Francesca must make a decision: Leave her family for the only true love she’s ever known or be a dutiful wife. Heartbreaking and hopeful, this is a love story to cherish again and again!

Even If It Kills Her by Kate White

Mona says:
This book has a lot of twist and turns, with an unexpected ending. You will be surprised!!

All’s Faire in Middle School by Victoria Jamieson

Heather says:
I adored this graphic novel! The illustrations are fun and bright, bringing to life the Renaissance Faire and its characters. The story really captures the innocence of being a tween, and how middle school and the real world can test a girl.

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.

You Bring the Distant Near by Mitali Perkins

Steph S. says:
Strong characters and a great story.

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!

Life by Cynthia Rylant

Brandy T. says:
An encouraging book for older children attempting to understand and navigate the murkier waters of life.

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.

Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil DeGrasse Tyson

Heather says:
This short, quickly moving book packs a wild punch. Mind-blowing nuggets of info given in such a way to understand. Tyson makes you feel so very small yet completely infinite all at once.

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.

Weekends with Max and His Dad by Linda Urban

Tracy says:
Laced with humor and the adventures to be found in everyday situations, this is a wonderful portrait of a loving and deepening relationship between a father and son.

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!

Matilda’s Cat by Emily Gravett

Beth says:
All cat lovers will love Matilda and her orange cat!! Super cute illustrations!

Dinosaurs Love Underpants by Claire Freedman

Beth says:
DINOSAURS! UNDERPANTS!! This book has it all!!! The REAL reason dinosaurs are extinct!

At the Edge of the Universe by Shaun David Hutchinson

Tracy says:
Gripping from the first page, this mind-bending sci-fi gem delivers a little of everything, from complex, dynamic characters and stunning writing to a visceral, almost claustrophobic level of suspense.

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.