Bullitt County Public Library

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.

Gracefully Grayson by Ami Polonsky

Tracy says:
Tender and gracefully told, this story of courage and individuality felt so very personal I couldn’t put it down! A triumph and a gift to anyone who feels out of place in the world.

The Land of Forgotten Girls by Erin Entrada Kelly

Marianne says:
Two brave girls make their way on their own, with only their imaginations to comfort them. I found this book heartbreaking and beautiful.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Tracy says:
A well-written, fast-paced read with substance! This is an important book that is also enjoyable to read, featuring a great, authentic voice and wonderful character development.

Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson

Tracy says:
Allegedly is a dark, gritty thriller that fearlessly delves into the gray areas of reality. Tight, unflinching prose; a deliciously authentic voice; and a compelling plot create a chilling portrait of a teen trapped by her environment and the secrets of her past.

The Hired Girl by Laura Amy Schlitz

Tracy says:
Told through a series of diary entries, this is a warm and thought-provoking story set in the early 1900s. Joan’s voice is fresh and hilariously candid, sure to appeal to readers who’ve enjoyed characters like Anne Shirley, Jo March, or Jane Eyre.

Steph S. says:
Joan flees her family farm and abusive father to work as a hired girl. It is here that Joan learns her place in the world and what her future holds.

A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir

Tracy says:
A worthy sequel to An Ember in the Ashes. Brimming with imaginative world-building, pulse-pounding danger, heart-wrenching drama, and wonderfully complex characters, this series has already become one of my favorite YA fantasy series ever. I can’t wait for book three!

The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey

Tracy says:
Dark, suspenseful, and unabashedly gory, this morbidly delicious Victorian tale is not for the faint of heart. It is filled with fully-fleshed, fascinating characters, from Will and the
single-minded doctor, to a mysterious monster hunter who may be as dangerous as the creatures he hunts.

The Crown’s Game by Evelyn Skye

Tracy says:
The Night Circus meets the Grishna trilogy meets Cinderella. This is a highly enjoyable story with strong central characters and a fascinating setting. Imagine Imperial Russia teeming with secret magical battles and forbidden romance!

American Street by Ibi Zoboi

Tracy says:
Magical and gritty and completely original. I usually move from one book to the next easily, but with this book, I was compelled to pause a bit to breathe it in and absorb the experience fully.

Chris says:
From the start, this book grips you in an emotional struggle and doesn’t let go.

The Inexplicable Logic of My Life by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Tracy says:

A profound and thoughtful portrayal of the complexities of “ordinary” life. The deceptively simple prose is both highly readable and intensely moving, pulsing with emotion and big ideas about life, death, family, friendship, love, loss, and connection.

Shadowshaper by Daniel Jose Older

Heather says:
Intriguing and all-consuming from the first line! The setting, the cast of characters, the fantastical world-building… This book had the perfect recipe to keep me reading late into the night.

Openly Straight by Bill Konigsberg

Heather says:
Funny and clever, with an adorable, quirky main character. An absolute must for fans of LGBTQ fiction.

Fire Color One by Jenny Valentine

Heather says:
Stunning wordplay and searing prose from page one. This book has a heap of tragedy, plus characters with strong wills and stubbornness, and an incredibly satisfying ending.

Dreamland Burning by Jennifer Latham

Heather says:
A well-written page turner set between two time periods—apt as an example of how little things have changed. I couldn’t put it down.

Looking for Alaska by John Green

Heather says:
A slow burn of a story that anybody can relate to as recovering awkward teenagers. Smart and angsty—my favorite from this author.

Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

Heather says:
Darkly intense and with a quirky sense of humor, this book is Buffy the Vampire Slayer for a new generation, written with finesse and beauty. Don’t pick this book up unless you plan to immerse yourself in it!

Ask Me by Bernard Waber

Tracy says:
Lee’s stunning colored-pencil illustrations combined with dialog from the late-great Bernard Waber create a heartfelt snapshot of the bond between a young girl and her father.

Nighttime Ninja by Barbara DaCosta

Tracy says:
Stealthily and oh-so-quietly, the ninja creeps through the house on a late-night mission. DaCosta’s spare, elegantly crafted text and Young’s expressive collage artwork bring to life a young boy’s (or girl’s) fantasy.

Penny and Her Marble by Kevin Henkes

Tracy says:
The Penny early reader series is at its best in this story of acquisitiveness and secret guilt. Henkes’s soft, pastel-hued illustrations of the winsome Penny are simple, but her expressions and movements perfectly capture her inner turmoil.

If You Give A Mouse an iPhone by Ann Droyd

Laura says:
This book is a parody of the book If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. It’s very funny and entertaining! Great for kids today, especially those who are obsessed with technology. A wonderful read for children of all ages.