Our library shelves are full of hidden gems just waiting to be discovered. This virtual shelf features some favorites of our Youth Services staff. You can browse around, or search by category, tag or staff person. We’re so happy to help you find your next favorite book, here or in person.
FEATURED TITLE
Swashby and the Sea by Beth Ferry
Swashby’s seaside peace is interrupted when a young girl and her grandmother come to stay in the house next door, but he won’t stay grumpy about it for long.
RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE YOUTH SERVICES TEAM
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SEARCH SELECTIONS FROM OUR STAFF SHELF
| Book | Audience | Creator(s) | Staff | Genre | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | All the Beating Hearts When we realize that we are all just hearts inside of a fleshy shell, we can start to see what truly matters and what is simply insignificant. (Sad, Feel-good) | Early | Julie Fogliano; Cátia Chien | Sarah | picture book | |
 | A First Time for Everything Sometimes middle school stinks. Dan knows firsthand what it feels like to be on the outs. When his mom signs him up for a school trip to Europe with the same kids who made middle school miserable, Dan can’t believe his bad luck. Full of heart, laughter, and extremely embarrassing moments, this true tale isn’t one to miss. (Friends, Coming-of-Age, True Story) | Teen | Dan Santat | Jim | graphic novel | |
 | Wolf by Wolf The page-turning action and overall themes of identity that define this alternate WWII make it a knockout of a story, with characters and scenes that I still can vividly recall. | Teen | Ryan Graudin | Hana | fiction | |
 | Wildoak A misunderstood girl and a neglected snow leopard cub find solace and strength in one another’s caring. (Magical, Action-packed, Friends) | Kid | C.C. Harrington | Thom | fiction | |
 | Sanctuary This thrilling page-turner kept me hooked until the end as Vali tries to get her and her brother to sanctuary in a not-so-distant 2032 USA. (Suspenseful, Survival, Thought-provoking) | Teen | Paola Mendoza | Angelina | fiction | |
 | The Bear and the Wildcat Such a simple, breathtaking look at grief and healing. I started crying by page 3. | Early | Kazumi Yumoto | Sarah | picture book | |
 | Warcross Dystopian VR video games, eccentric billionaires, and lots of hacking. What’s not to love? This YA novel from Marie Lu is fast-paced and fun. (Sci-Fi, Mystery) | Teen | Marie Lu | Jim | fiction | |
 | Louder Than Hunger "When will you give yourself permission to take up space?" This book, based on the authors life, offers light at the end of the tunnel. (Realistic) | Teen | John Schu | Evie | fiction | |
 | Miss Quinces When Sue’s mom surprises her with a quinceañera, Sue just about loses it. Dresses? Speeches? The dreaded color pink? How could this be happening? Sue isn’t quite so sure that she’s going to let it happen. I love this book because it balances the need to be an individual while simultaneously living with and loving an imperfect family. | Kid | Kat Fajardo | Jim | graphic novel | |
 | The Floating Field What do you do when you want to form a soccer team but your practice field is a sandbar that is only revealed twice a month with the tides? (True story, Inspiring, Friends) | Early | Scott Riley; Nguyen Quang; Kim Lien | Angelina | nonfiction | |
 | Little Shrew A comforting and quiet series of stories about Little Shrew's daily life and friendships. (Animals, Friends) | Kid | Akiko Miyakoshi | Tess | picture book | |
 | Maya and the Rising Dark What are were-hyenas and what are they doing in Maya’s neighborhood? Root for Maya as she finds out in this fast-paced adventure. | Kid | Rena Barron | Angelina | fiction | |
 | Bubbles When Kangaroo’s attempts at befriending Koala are rebuffed, she thinks Koala isn’t interested. But perhaps Koala just likes to say hello in a different way. A sweet and touching exploration of friendship. (Animals, Feel-good, Friends, Inspiring) | Early | Kit Chase | Hana | picture book | |
 | Brownstone When Almudena meets her father for the first time at age fourteen, it's a little awkward. Especially, because Almudena only speaks English and her father only speaks Spanish! This graphic novel is great for anyone who has ever wondered who they are and what it means to be family. (Family, Coming-of-Age, Realistic) | Teen | Samuel Teer | Jim | graphic novel | |
 | Gaston I adore Gaston and his poodle family. An incredibly sweet story about how you don’t have to look alike to be a family. (Animals, Family, Feel-good, Silly) | Early | Kelly DiPucchio; Christian Robinson | Hana | picture book | |
 | The Dark Maidens After the president of the literature club at the prestigious St. Mary's Academy for Girls dies on campus, the remaining club members meet and try to figure out how she died, and who killed her. Told in multiple perspectives, this murder mystery will have you questioning which, if any, of the narrators are trustworthy. (Mystery) | Teen | Rikako Akiyoshi | Ollie | graphic novel | |
 | Wildoak Maggie escapes the harshness of school and her unsympathetic father taking long walks alone in the Wildoak forest. What she discovers there, and the danger that follows, creates an engrossing, almost-magical tale where healing and help can be found in the unlikeliest places. Perfect for fans of Pax and the One and Only Ivan. (Nature, Family, Suspenseful) | Kid | C.C. Harrington | Tamar | fiction | |
 | What Stalks Among Us A thriller about two best friends trapped in an impossibly giant corn maze, filled with corpses that look just like them. They quickly learn that they have explored - and died in - this maze many times before. If they can't figure out what - or who - is hunting them, they might be trapped... permanently. (Mystery, Horror, Suspenseful) | Teen | Sarah Hollowell | Ollie | fiction | |
 | Snapdragon A graphic novel about finding friends, family, and magic in unexpected places. (Magical, LGBTQ) | Teen | Kat Leyh | Angelina | graphic novel | |
 | The Rabbit Listened Sometimes all you need when you’re upset is to be heard. (Animals, Feel-Good, Inspiring, Sad, Thought-provoking) | Early | Cori Doerrfeld | Hana | picture book | |
 | Thornhill Told in the formats of both full-page pictures and diary entries, Thornhill tells a story of friendship between two girls split into two time periods. This book is both eerie and beautiful. (Sad, Suspenseful) | Teen | Pam Smy | Ollie | fiction | |
 | A Song Below Water Explore a world a lot like ours (with the usual high school drama, family secrets and unrequited crushes) and add in mythological creatures that live, work and go to school with everyone else. (Fantasy, Family) | Teen | Bethany C. Morrow | Angelina | fiction | |
 | Wings, Waves & Webs Clear text and appealing imagery illuminate a variety of natural patterns, from spots and stripes to mirror and radial symmetry, in a slim volume packed with wonder. | Kid | Robin Mitchell Cranfield | Thom | nonfiction | |
 | The Dog Who Lost His Bark Life can be hard when you're small. This book explores what it means to face sadness and find the courage to bark again. (Sad, Realistic, Animals) | Kid | Eoin Colfer; Lynch, Patrick James | Jim | picture book | |
 | Building Our House This warm outing follows a family as they undertake to build a home for themselves. | Early | Jonathan Bean | Thom | picture book | |
 | Skip and Loafer Skip and Loafer is about a country bumpkin moving to Tokyo for high school. She has lofty goals and aspirations, but soon learns that she is unprepared for the social life of a big city high schooler. (Silly, Romance, Funny, Friends, Family) | Teen | Misaki Takamatsu | Ollie | graphic novel | |
 | America Redux Intellectually invigorating and graphically arresting, this “new way of seeing history” challenges our understandings with carefully curated, scrupulously detailed information that provokes and fascinates in equal measure. | Teen | Ariel Aberg-Riger | Thom | nonfiction | |
 | Saving Sunshine When two siblings who are always at odds find a sick turtle, they must overcome their differences if they want any change at saving their new friend. (Family, Nature, Coming-of-Age) | Kid | Saadia Faruqi; Shazleen Khan | Jim | graphic novel | |
 | The Swifts Shenanigan Swift attends the 10-year family reunion believing she’ll be hunting for treasure. She ends up searching for a murderer. Along the way readers will uncover their own truths about the importance of names (or not) and what it means to be yourself. | Kid | Beth Lincoln | Thom | fiction | |
 | Amazon River Come for the detailed examination of the great river’s ecosystems, history, and intersections with humanity; stay for the ridiculously gorgeous imagery. | Kid | Sangma Francis; Rômolo D'Hipólito | Thom | nonfiction | |
 | Color the Sky A joyful exploration of the wonders of color. (Feel-good, Inspiring) | Early | David Elliott; Evan Turk | Hana | picture book | |
 | The Deep Dark Each night Mags sneaks down to the basement to fed a monster her blood. It's painful and exhausting, but if she doesn't feed the monster nightly she fears it will wreck havoc on her loved ones. This book is great for teen who like dark mysteries and exploring identity. (Coming-of-Age, LGBTQ+, Sad, Inspiring, Scary) | Teen | Molly Knox Ostertag | Jim | graphic novel | |
 | Swashby and the Sea Swashby’s seaside peace is interrupted when a young girl and her grandmother come to stay in the house next door, but he won’t stay grumpy about it for long. (Feel-good, Friends, Realistic) | Early | Beth Ferry; Juana Martinez-Neal | Hana | picture book | |
 | A Better Best Friend Delightful, expressive, and whimsical, this book is a great representation of friendship and the conundrums that come with finding a Best Friend (Funny, Feel-good, Friends Nature, Thought-provoking). | Early | Olivier Tallec | Tess | picture book | |
 | We All Play Beautifully illustrated children and animals mirror each other in this celebration of play, which also includes words in Cree and a glossary of their meanings. (Animals, Nature, Realistic) | Early | Julie Flett | Hana | picture book | |
 | Skyward Spensa wants nothing more than to be a star pilot and fight to protect the remains of humanity. The problem? Her father is the most famous traitor in humanity's history and no one wants the daughter of a traitor piloting starships. (Sci-Fi, Action-Packed) | Teen | Brandon Sanderson | Jim | fiction | |
 | Witches of Brooklyn Vol. 01Witches of Brooklyn Why is Effie’s favorite pop star in their living room? And why are Effie’s fingertips glowing? Find out in this magical graphic novel. (Magical, Family) | Kid | Sophie Escabasse | Angelina | graphic novel | |
 | You and I Are Polar Opposites Miyu is a bright and bubbly teen who has a crush on a stoic and quiet classmate. This is her journey of overcoming her anxieties and attempting to ask him out! (Romance, Funny, Friends) | Teen | Kocha Agasawa | Ollie | graphic novel | |
 | Ways to Make Sunshine 4th grader Ryan doesn’t let anything keep her from racing her big brother on bikes, experimenting in the kitchen or solving the mystery of the tin she found in her new closet. (Realistic, Family) | Kid | Renee Watson | Angelina | fiction | |
 | The Sky Is Not the Limit The Voyager 2 spacecraft shares its history, trajectory, and golden record in a first-person poem originally published in France. Utterly unique and compelling. | Kid | Jérémie Decalf | Thom | nonfiction | |
 | Green Eyes and Ham Ham struggles with the transition from homeschool to traditional seventh grade, but when a charismatic older boy shows him some attention, things get complicated in ways he can’t fully understand. Compelling and heartfelt. | Kid | Mary Penney | Thom | fiction | |
 | Anya's Ghost Anya struggles to fit in at school and rarely feels at home in her body. When she successfully makes a new friend and a series of unfortunate events unfold, Anya wonders if her new friend really has her best interests in mind. A great spooky read for teens. (Scary, Coming-of-Age, Body Image) | Teen | Vera Brosgol | Jim | graphic novel | |
 | Lolo Weaver Swims Upstream How do you mend a broken heart? Start by repairing someone else’s. | Kid | Polly Farquhar | Thom | fiction | |
 | Carry on This is a ghost story, love story, and a mystery, filled with monsters and chaos. Carry On is one of my favorite books - I've read it 3 times so far, and plan on many more rereads in the future! (Mystery, Fantasy, LGBTQ) | Teen | Rainbow Rowell | Ollie | fiction | |
 | Plain Jane and the Mermaid This book reads like a beloved classic! It's full of twists, turns, magical creatures, evil plots, and a whole lot of heart. Perfect for teens who like fantasy graphic novels. (Fantasy, Fast-paced) | Teen | Vera Brosgol | Jim | graphic novel | |
 | Wayward Son The second book in the Simon Snow series, our favorite duo (plus Penny) go on an American road trip filled with mishap and mayhem. (Mystery, Fantasy, LGBTQ) | Teen | Rainbow Rowell | Ollie | fiction | |
 | The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn Maudie lives with her mom and step-dad during the school year and her dad during the summer. She is autistic and her parents approach her support needs in different ways. Maudies' nickname is Mouse, but in this story we watch as Maudie takes charge and learns to advocate for herself and her needs. (Realistic) | Teen | Sally J. Pla | Evie | fiction | |
 | Any Way the Wind Blows The last book in the Simon Snow trilogy, Simon struggles to find his place in the world, especially when a new "chosen one" appears. (Mystery, Fantasy, LGBTQ) | Teen | Rainbow Rowell | Ollie | fiction | |
 | Crossings Do you love animals? This nonfiction book shows many structures built for animals to help them safely navigate the human world. (Animals, Inspiring) | Early | Katy Duffield | Angelina | nonfiction | |
 | All Thirteen Amazing photos and maps bring to life the true story of 13 boys stuck in a flooding cave for 18 days before they were all rescued. (Survival, Suspenseful, Feel-good) | Kid | Christina Soontornvat | Angelina | nonfiction | |
 | Berry Song A grandmother teaches her granddaughter the practice of berry picking and to appreciate and respect their connection to the earth and its gifts. Stunning illustrations coupled with the rhythmic text (including some Tlingit words) bring the PNW to life. (Family, Feel-good, Inspiring, Nature, Realistic) | Kid | Michaela Goade | Hana | picture book | |
 | Some Girls Do In this young adult romance novel, an openly gay track star falls for a closeted bisexual beauty queen with a hobby of fixing up old cars. Can they still be together despite being on different paths? (LGBTQ) | Teen | Jennifer Dugan | Ollie | fiction | |
 | All the Beating Hearts This contemplative reflection on what it means to be is full of quiet poetry, sweeping imagery, and eye-opening wonder. | Early | Julie Fogliano; Cátia Chien | Thom | picture book | |
| Snapdragon Looks can be decieving in this fun graphic novel! Full of witches, roadkill, and interesting characters, Snapdragon is a great book for teens who love creepy reads. (Mystery, Fantasy, Friends) | Kid | Kat Leyh | Jim | graphic novel | |
 | Dear Yesteryear Archival photography, lyrical language, and historical research combine in a heartfelt celebration of African American ancestry and heritage. | Early | Kimberly Annece Henderson | Thom | nonfiction | |
 | Tell Me A Picture Explore the National Art Gallery in London with a group of art lovers who have fascinating thoughts and questions about what they see and how they see it. | Kid | Quentin Blake | Thom | nonfiction | |
 | Leo and the Octopus | Early | Isabelle Marinov | Evie | picture book | |
 | How to Make A Memory | Early | Elaine Vickers | Evie | picture book | |
 | Calculated A modern, fast-paced thriller about a math genius and the evil forces that want to control her for their own economic gain. Characters with real depth and complex plot twists propel this book into the next in the series. Set in Shanghai and Seattle. (Sci-fi, Action-packed, Suspenseful) | Teen | Nova McBee | Tamar | fiction | |
 | I Must Betray You Romania, 1989. 17 year old Cristian is blackmailed into informing on his friends and family. Rather than give in, he joins an underground movement led by young people to overthrow the tyrannical regime. But will he pay the ultimate price as the cost to fight for freedom? A gripping, historical thriller. (Historical, Sad, Suspenseful) | Teen | Ruta Sepetys | Tamar | fiction | |
 | Osmo Unknown and the Eightpenny Woods A magical world of the dead, fantastic creatures, rigged carnival games! Osmo Unknown and the Eightpenny Woods is an oddball of a book, but a delightful one. Parents and children alike will love adventuring with Osmo into lands unknown. (Action-packed, Mystery, Fantasy) | Kid | Catherynne M. Valente | Jim | fiction | |
 | Bomb Learning to split the atom was just the beginning. This graphic novel explains the intelligence operations that pitted county vs country, scientist vs scientist, and spy vs spy as they raced to build the world's biggest weapon. (True Story, Historical, Action-packed) | Teen | Steve Sheinkin; Nick Bertozzi | Tamar | graphic novel | |
 | No Accident 7 teens survive a plane crash and wash up on a deserted island. This survival tale morphs into a thriller as it seems like someone is out to get them. But that's not all. The party the night before the crash has followed them to the island and might be what divides them even further. (Mystery, Action-Packed, Suspenseful, Friends) | Teen | Laura Bates | Tamar | fiction | |
 | Beneath | Early | Cori Doerrfeld | Evie | picture book | |
 | Compound Fracture Compound Fracture is not for the faint of heart but is a riveting story about a trans teen living in Appalachia in a tense political climate. (Scary, Horror, Suspenseful, LGBTQ) | Teen | Andrew Joseph White | Ollie | fiction | |
 | The Night Box | Early | Louise Greig | Evie | picture book | |
 | Becoming Naomi León ¡Me encanta este libro! Las relaciones entre la familia de Naomi León y las descripciones de Oaxaca son hermosas. ¡Espero que este libro les guste tanto como a mí! I love this book so much! The relationships between Naomi León’s family and the descriptions of Oaxaca are beautiful. I hope you like this book as much as I do! (Realistic, Feel-good) | Kid | Pam Muñoz Ryan | Tess | fiction | |
 | The Dead and the Dark Snakebite, Oregon was a quite rural town until teens started to go missing and some even showed up dead. TV's most popular ghost-hunters moved to town at the same time that the first teen went missing. Coincidence? Maybe. Then again, maybe not... (Sci-fi, Mystery, LGBTQ) | Teen | Courtney Gould | Tamar | fiction | |
 | Half Moon Summer When tweens Drew and Mia are reunited in Half Moon Bay, California after spending their childhoods apart, a fast friendship forms. With Drew's dad facing a mysterious diagnosis and Mia's housing security at risk, the two start running. First as a way to deal with stress, but soon their casual running has them signing up for the Half Moon Bay Half Marathon - 13.1 miles of open pavement. The road will test their strength, friendship, and tenacity. I loved this book! (Realistic, Inspiring, Novel-in-Verse) | Teen | Elaine Vickers | Jim | fiction | |
 | Akata Witch Sunny just moved from the U.S. to Nigeria, and she is having a hard time adjusting. When Sunny makes new friends, they introduce her to the world of the Leopard People--a world of magic. Soon, Sunny and her friends must stop a dangerous Leopard who kidnaps children. The vibrant descriptions of magic have stayed with me for years! (Fantasy, Action-packed) | Teen | Nnedi Okorafor | Tess | fiction | |
 | Snowmen at Night What are those snowmen up to when we're not looking? This book is silly and enchanting. A great wintertime read! (Silly, Feel-good, Magical) | Early | Caralyn Buehner; Mark Buehner | Tess | picture book | |
 | At Our House When you count all of the different elements of a single family (how many fingers? how many freckles?) you learn that the most important number is one. | Early | Isabel Minhos Martins; Madalena Matoso | Thom | picture book | |
 | The Grace of Wild Things Grace is headstrong and beyond that, she KNOWS she has magic in her blood. Unfortunately, she has no idea how to use that magic for practical things. There is someone who might be able to teach her though. An old witch living deep in the woods. A witch who is rumored to eat children that happen to stray into her gardens. Is learning magic worth the risk? (Magic, Funny, Coming-of-Age) | Kid | Heather Fawcett | Jim | fiction | |
 | Found Look carefully at the illustrations to fully appreciate the emotional weight of this bittersweet story about a lost dog finding its home and a lost girl finding her way. | Early | Jeff Newman; Larry Day | Thom | picture book | |
 | You Bring the Distant Near One of my favorites as three generations of women explore their place in their family and in their world. (Historical, Realistic) | Teen | Mital Perkins | Evie | fiction | |
 | The Lost House What can you find in the technicolor chaos of lost objects and maximalist abandon? I found a pile of fun. | Early | B.B. Cronin | Thom | picture book | |
 | The Summer Hikaru Died Hikaru went missing for a whole week in the woods over the summer yet somehow returned safe and sound. Or did he? (Horror, Scary, Mystery) | Teen | Mokumokuren | Ollie | graphic novel | |
 | Olu & Greta No matter how far apart you feel from the people you love, there are always opportunities for connection. Just ask Olu and Greta. | Early | Diana Ejaita | Thom | picture book | |
 | Klara and the Sun Klara is an artificial friend full of hope and waiting in the toy store window to be adopted. But what happens when the one who loves the most is the one who is deemed to be outdated? A perfect book for our changing times and ethics and questions we will confront. (Sci-Fi, Family) | Teen | Kazuo Ishiguro | Tamar | fiction | |
 | Monster Hands Milo should not have read that story about monsters before bedtime. Now he is scared and he turns to his friend Mel to help him scare the monsters more than they scare him. (Friends, Scary) | Early | Karen Kane; Jonaz McMillan; Dion MBD | Angelina | picture book | |
 | Mirror Girls Bi-racial twin sisters are separated shortly after their birth. One is raised as a white child and the other as a black child. When they reconnect as teens, they must uncover the truth about their parents' murder and their futures. (Historical, Family, Magical) | Teen | Kelly McWilliams | Tamar | fiction | |
 | Over the Ocean Originally published in Japan more than forty years ago, this visual spectacle is an ode to curiosity. | Early | Tarō Gomi | Thom | picture book | |
 | Mr. Watson's Chickens After adopting three chickens, Mr. Watson's home quickly fills up with more. Three hundred chickens later, the house is getting a bit full. There's feathers in the sink and eggs on his pillow! but Mr. Watson loves his chickens. (Silly, Funny) | Kid | Jarrett Dapier; Andrea Tsurumi | Jim | picture book | |
 | Silli's Sheep Silli has lots of big ideas. They're not always good ideas, but they're a whole bunch of fun. | Early | Tiffany Stone; Louis Thomas | Thom | picture book | |
 | Why Not? Beautiful pictures and a very encouraging message. (Feel good) | Early | Kobi Yamada | Evie | picture book | |
 | The Story of Ferdinand This timeless classic touches on what it means to be exactly who you are with humor, spirit, and deep understanding. | Early | Munro Leaf; Robert Lawson | Thom | picture book | |
 | Sylvester and the Magic Pebble Remember when picture books had lots of words? I do. Those were some good picture books. | Early | William Steig | Thom | picture book | |
 | Mama Built A Little Nest Birds make all kinds of interesting nests! This short book introduces readers to floating nests, hanging nests, and stolen nests. Quick Nonfiction Read. (Nonfiction, True Story, Animal, Bird) | Early | Jennifer Ward; Steven Jenkins | Jim | picture book | |
 | Sadie and Ratz This is the perfect evocation of the trials, confusions, and joys of siblinghood. | Kid | Sonya Hartnett | Thom | fiction | |
 | A Corner of the Universe This was my favorite book when I was about 10 or 11 years old. Realistic family story about shame, acceptance, and finding yourself along the way. (Realistic, Mystery) | Kid | Ann M. Martin | Sarah | fiction | |
 | The Truth About Max A strange and bold cat named Max may be more than he seems... (Animals, Silly) | Early | Alice Provensen | Sarah | picture book | |
 | Gather Ian loves where he grew up; he hikes for miles in the forests with his newly adopted, huge oaf of a dog, Gather, and tries to keep up his family's run-down home heated and functional. But with his mom addicted to painkillers and a father who left them high and dry, Ian is going to have to do something drastic to keep his family afloat. (Realistic, Family, Coming of Age, Nature) | Teen | Kenneth M. Cadow | Tamar | fiction | |
 | Hat Cat The story of an old man and his cat. The sweetest of friendships! (Animals, Feel-good) | Early | Troy Wilson | Sarah | picture book | |
 | Nature's Best Hope This book gives practical and realistic ideas to implement in your own life to help animals, plants, and our world! (Animals, True Story) | Teen | Doug Tallamy; Sarah L. Thomson | Sarah | nonfiction | |
 | Dress-up Day This book has one of my favorite lines in it, "Be sad no more, little rabbit--your carrot is here!" Hugo the carrot really is a mensch. (Friends, Feel-good, Funny) | Early | Blanca Gómez | Theresa | picture book | |
 | The Blood Years A wrenching tale of a family's love and loss during the dark, dark days of Holocaust in Romania. This book has won so many awards, and for good reason. It's not just another Holocaust book; it's a powerful read based on the author's own grandmother's life and one that you won't soon forget. (Historical, Inspiring, Family, Sad) | Teen | Elana K. Arnold | Tamar | fiction | |
 | Charlie & Mouse Are Magic I love all of the Charlie and Mouse beginning readers. In this one, like in the others, Charlie and Mouse find magic in the simple things--like being together, using their imaginations, and appreciating the natural world. (Family, Feel-good) | Kid | Laurel Snyder; Emily Hughes | Theresa | fiction | |
 | The Dark Are you afraid of the dark? Have you ever considered that the dark might be afraid of you? (Suspenseful) | Early | Lemony Snicket; Jon Klassen | Jim | picture book | |
 | Lily and the Night Creatures When mysterious, malignant phantasms of her parents overtake her home, and her life, Lily fights back with the aid of a ragtag band of sentient, indelible, and occasionally hapless neighborhood animals. | Kid | Nick Lake | Thom | fiction | |
 | The 57 Bus The true story about an agender teen who was set on fire by another teen on a public bus. This book is details what led up to the event and afterwards. This book changed so much of how I understand gender identity, race and class divisions, the limits of the justice system, and most of all, the capacity for human cruelty and forgiveness. 10/10 (True-story, LGBTQ, Thought-Provoking) | Teen | Dashka Slater | Tamar | nonfiction | |
 | A Tulip in Winter Folk artist Maud Lewis filled her tiny world with outsized color and cheer. Her indelible, uncontainable spirit lives on in her delightful, irrepressible paintings. | Kid | Kathy Stinson; Lauren Soloy | Thom | nonfiction | |
 | More Than This After drowning, Seth wakes up at the doorstep of his childhood home, a place he hadn't been to for years. Unsure if he is alive or dead, confounded by the silenced of the abandoned town, he decides to explore. A surreal story that questions everything about reality. (Sci-Fi, Scary) | Teen | Patrick Ness | Tamar | fiction | |
 | Niño Wrestles the World A sweet family story with all of the energy and drama of a Lucha Libre match. (Family, Action-packed, Funny, Suspenseful) | Early | Yuyi Morales | Theresa | picture book | |
 | Orphan Island 9 children on an idyllic island that provides everything they need to live. Each year, the oldest is taken away and a new child is delivered. Where does that older child get taken to and where is the younger one coming from? You'll either love this story or hate it. Tell me what you think! (Sci-Fi, Friends, Mystery) | Kid | Laurel Snyder | Tamar | fiction | |
 | The Enigma Girls Learn about the brave teenagers who wanted to help with the war effort and went to Bletchley Park to break the Enigma Code. This nonfiction includes lots of amazing photos of the time. (Historical, Inspiring, Coming-of-Age) | Teen | Candace Fleming | Angelina | nonfiction | |
 | The Wind and the Trees A beautiful and heartbreaking story about the life cycle of a tree. A gentle reminder that nothing is permanent, except for change. (Sad, Feel-good) | Kid | Todd Stewart | Sarah | picture book | |
 | Trees: a Rooted History This gorgeous book celebrates trees for their beauty, utility, and awe-inspiring history of making earth and life on it better in countless ways! (Nature) | Kid | Piotr Socha | Theresa | picture book | |
 | Six-dinner Sid A sneaky housecat makes his rounds through the neighborhood, tricking everyone along the way. (Animals, Silly) | Early | Inga Moore | Sarah | picture book | |
 | Cajas de cartón Una autobiografía muy bonita. El autor cuenta sobre la vida de su familia como trabajadores agrícolas inmigrantes indocumentados en los EEUU. Si quieres leerlo en inglés, se publica como "The Circuit". A great autobiography. The author tells the story of his family living as undocumented migrant farmworkers in the U.S.. If you'd like to read it in English, it's published as "The Circuit". (Historical, True Story) | Kid | Francisco Jiménez | Tess | nonfiction | |
 | I Am La Chiva! Beautiful pictures tell the story of farmers who take La Chiva to carry them and their products to market. The sense of community and joy jumps off the pages of this book. (Feel good) | Early | Karol Hernández | Evie | picture book | |
 | Howl's Moving Castle A fun fantasy read with great character development, quirky personalities, and a curmudgeonly fire demon. (Fantasy, Funny, Feel-good) | Teen | Diana Wynne Jones | Tess | fiction | |
 | Where the Mountain Meets the Moon This book weaves together stories within stories. As the main characters travel along their journey, they hear and tell stories that build on to the central plot. It's a great read for lovers of storytelling, fairytales, and mythology. (Fantasy, Historical. Feel-good) | Kid | Grace Lin | Tess | fiction | |
 | Wolf Hollow Annabelle is one of my favorite characters ever. She sees injustice in her small town and she sets out to right some wrongs. Unfortunately, she's only twelve years old, and the world is more complicated and sinister than it should be. (Coming of Age, Character-Driven, Suspenseful, Historical) | Kid | Lauren Wolk | Theresa | fiction | |
 | Be Kind Acts of Kindness that you can practice every single day. Not just for kids! (True Story, Feel-good) | Kid | Naomi Shulman; Pan Hsinping | Sarah | nonfiction | |
 | The Secret of Nightingale Wood With her father away, her mother confined to her bed, and her little sister too young to play with, Hen spends most of her day alone, traipsing through the woods near her new home, Hope House. When she spots a flicker of light in the woods, she decides to investigate. What she discovers will change her forever. (Family, Suspenseful, Sci-fi) | Kid | Lucy Strange | Tamar | fiction | |
 | Nala's World The ultimate adventure cat story! Nala will steal your heart! (Animals, Feel-good, True Story) | Teen | Dean Nicholson; Garry Jennkins | Sarah | nonfiction | |
 | The Anthropocene Reviewed Short essays about life from the brilliant, quirky mind of John Green. You'll never think of Diet Dr. Pepper and the human capacity for wonder the same way ever again. (True-story, Feel-good, Funny) | Teen | John Green | Tamar | nonfiction | |
 | Never Coming Home Ten of the world's most popular influencers are invited to a remote, luxury resort with white sand beaches, turquoise waters and no cell reception. Each of them has a secret to hide and when one of them ends up dead, the vacation of their dreams turns into a vacation to die for... (Action-packed, Mystery, Suspenseful) | Teen | Kate Williams | Tamar | fiction | |
 | The Bear's Song Part hunt and find, part urbane adventure, Little Bear is off after a bee (and some honey) while his Papa Bear is off after the cub. Cue the hilarity, and one surprise song. | Early | Benjamin Chaud | Thom | picture book | |
 | Don't Look Back As a very young child, Achut Deng walked alone across deserts and survived drought, refugee camps and violence brought on by war. Through it all the dream of reuniting with her family and loved ones kept her alive. This is her story. (True-story, Sad, Family) | Teen | Achut Deng | Tamar | nonfiction | |
 | The Snow Goose The sweetest and shortest story about two lost souls and the magic of a wild goose. This one will stick with you forever. (Animals, Feel-good, Realistic) | Kid | Paul Gallico | Sarah | fiction | |
 | Where the World Ends On a rocky outcrop in the Scottish Isles, a small group of boys and a few adults spend their summer gathering sea fowl and eggs. When no one picks them up on their scheduled date, the fabric of their bonds wears thin and their once peaceful existence soon dissolves into a brutish anarchy. (Suspenseful, Coming of Age, Historical) | Teen | Geraldine McCaughrean | Tamar | fiction | |
 | Aviva Vs. the Dybbuk Only Aviva can see the ghost-like creature that causes mishaps and mischief that she gets blamed for. On top of that, Aviva has lost so much in her short life, including her father. This is a story about grief, loss and healing, but also shows an inner strength in Aviva that offers up the dash of hope we all need to keep going. (Family, Sad) | Teen | Mari Lowe | Tamar | fiction | |
 | Loveless Georgia has never been in love, or even had a crush, but is hoping she'll change that when she goes to university with her two best friends. Her romance plan wreaks havoc amongst her friend group, and she becomes more uncertain about her feelings than ever before. Has she been looking for the wrong thing all along? (Realistic, LGBTQ, Coming-of-Age) | Teen | Alice Oseman | Ollie | fiction | |
 | Seen and Unseen This fascinating account of three photographers’ images of the Manzanar Concentration Camp examines America’s troubled history of Japanese American incarceration and asks important questions about historical documentation. | Kid | Elizabeth Partridge | Thom | nonfiction | |
 | Be Not Far From Me Ashley is hiking in the Smokies with her friends for a night of partying, when she catches her boyfriend with another girl. After running off in the night in a drunken rage, she has a nasty fall in a ravine, and realizes that she is alone, injured, and far from the trail. This is a survival thriller that is sure to make your skin crawl. (Suspenseful, Action-Packed, Fast-paced, Nature, Survival, Thriller) | Teen | Mindy McGinnis | Ollie | fiction | |
 | Fox Has A Problem Fox has a problem, and all of his solutions just create more problems! Read with Fox and friends as they try to figure it out together. (Funny, Animals, Friends) | Early | Corey R. Tabor | Angelina | fiction | |
 | All the Bad Apples Deena's mysterious sister Mandy disappears, and everyone assumes she is dead - except Deena. After the funeral, Deena starts receiving letters from Mandy, instructing her to investigate the curse of bad luck that generations of women in their family have suffered from. (Mystery, LGBTQ, Sad) | Teen | Moïra Fowley-Doyle | Ollie | fiction | |
 | The Boy With Flowers in His Hair | Early | Jarvis | Thom | picture book | |
 | I Won't Give up My Rubber Band By turns bombastic and quiet, a child proclaims the utility of her rubber band until it breaks, and her attentions migrate. Sweet, silly, and surprisingly deep. | Early | Shinsuke Yoshitake | Thom | picture book | |
 | House of Hollow Three sisters are went missing as children and were returned to their home - changed. Years later, when the youngest is about to graduate high school, the oldest goes missing again, leaving the other two to find her. (Scary, Mystery) | Teen | Krystal Sutherland | Ollie | fiction | |
 | Gold Mountain Working on the construction of the transcontinental railroad in the 1860's was dangerous business, but it also meant getting enough money to get her dad out of prison. Tam Ling Fan disguises herself as a boy and travels to from China to California to try her luck, and hope that it doesn't run out before it's too late. (Historical, Action-packed) | Teen | Betty G. Yee | Tamar | fiction | |
 | A Story Is to Share Ruth Krauss wrote some of the most beloved and enduring books for children, and this effervescent biography gets right to the heart of her imaginative spirit. | Kid | Carter Higgins; Isabelle Arsenault | Thom | nonfiction | |
 | The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen Hoodie is funny. He's also an Orthodox Jew living in a town that isn't thrilled that he and his community have recently relocated there. An accidental friendship with a cool girl he meets who happens to be the mayor's daughter starts to ramp up just as tempers and tensions in the town start to unravel. (Funny, Realistic, Friends) | Teen | Isaac Blum | Tamar | fiction | |
 | Abuela, Don't Forget Me Though he lived with lots of violence and dysfunction in his family, Rex always had his abuela who for comfort, support and most of all, unconditional love. A true story about how Rex survived high school and how it only takes one person to help transform another's life. (Family, Coming of Age, Sad) | Teen | Rex Ogle | Tamar | nonfiction | |
 | Rez Dogs If you like realistic fiction that connects past to present and has a great dog you will enjoy this great book. | Kid | Joseph Bruchac | Evie | fiction | |
 | Gone to the Woods: Surviving A Lost Childhood I came away from this book in awe of the hard things this amazing author experienced in his young life and how he used them to fuel a career that provided some tremendous books for kids who loved survival stories. | Kid | Gary Paulsen | Evie | nonfiction | |
 | The One Memory of Flora Banks A mystery-thriller with an unreliable main character is my favorite kind of read. As the suspense grows, so will your suspicions of Flora, her memory, and most of all, her motives. (Mystery, Suspense, Romance) | Teen | Emily Barr | Tamar | fiction | |
 | The House of One Thousand Eyes In 1980's East Germany spies are everywhere and Lena is doing her best to survive. Not a word is wasted in this gripping psychological thriller. (Historical, Mystery, Suspenseful) | Teen | Michelle Barker | Tamar | fiction | |
 | The Call of the Wild After being kidnapped, the dog Buck faces many hardships and brutal challenges as a sled dog in Alaska. This story is intense and beautiful, showing many different sides to the quest to survive. (Historical, Realistic, Sad, Animals). | Teen | Jack London | Tess | fiction | |
 | A Heart in A Body in the World Why Annabelle is running across the country from her Seattle home to D.C. is slowly revealed in this multi-layered tale about friendship, healing, and hope. Be forewarned, you might start craving Dick's Drive-In fries! (Sad, Realistic) | Teen | Deb Caletti | Tamar | fiction | |
 | Heidi This book has stayed with me because of its description of the Alps and the people who live there. I fell in love with Heidi and her grandfather, their herd of goats, the trees, and the mountains. (Realistic, Historical, Feel-good) | Kid | Johanna Spyri | Tess | fiction | |
 | Maybe... Three delightfully expressive and mischievous monkeys ignore their elders and common sense to eat some mangos. Watch out carefully for tigers. (Silly, Funny, Animals) | Early | Chris Haughton | Tess | picture book | |
 | The Journey of Little Charlie This story has it all: action, adventure, an incredibly likable main character, and a whole lot to think about on big social issues that still resonate today. (Historical, Action-packed, Coming-of-age, Suspenseful, Sad, Inspiring) | Kid | Christopher Paul Curtis | Theresa | fiction | |
 | Jules Vs. the Ocean You can almost smell the suntan lotion in this relatable family story about trial, failure, persistence and the power of partnership. (Family, Inspiring) | Early | Jessie Sima | Theresa | picture book | |
 | Spindle and Dagger Living among the very warband of men who slaughtered her family, Elen survives on her wits, determination, and new alliances. A story set in 12th century Wales that is as modern and gripping as any story told today. (Historical, Action-packed) | Teen | J. Anderson Coats | Tamar | fiction | |
 | Remedy Something has to explain Cara’s mysterious illness, but the more questions she asks, the less she understands. A chilling, ripped from the headlines thriller that won’t let you put it down. (Mystery, Romance, Suspenseful) | Teen | Eireann Corrigan | Tamar | fiction | |
 | Catherine, Called Birdy Catherine must thwart her way out of an arranged marriage! This book is written as a series of journal entries over a year and filled with humor and oddities from medieval England. (Historical, Funny) | Kid | Karen Cushman | Tess | fiction | |
 | I Love You, Baby Burrito A loving ode to the new bebé in la familia. ¡muy dulce! (Family, Feel-good) | Early | Angela Dominguez | Theresa | picture book | |
 | The Complete Persepolis This first graphic novel documents the author's coming of age in Iran during the Islamic Revolution and her high school years and early adulthood abroad. Filled with history, political and family insights, humor, and heartbreak. (True Story, Sad, Historical) | Teen | Marjane Satrapi | Tess | graphic novel | |
 | The Woman All Spies Fear Elizebeth Smith Friedman was one of America's best at making and breaking codes during WWI and WWII. Brilliant and daring, fans of Hidden Figures will love her story. (True Story, Historical, Inspiring) | Teen | Amy Butler Greenfield | Tamar | nonfiction | |
 | All My Rage Powerful storytelling set in the CA desert. Two Pakistani-American teens with a loving but strained relationship are struggling through some agonizing experiences during their senior year of high school. The witty dialog and music references perk this sad story up just when you need it. (Sad, Family, Friends, Coming-of-Age) | Teen | Sabaa Tahir | Theresa | fiction | |
 | Impossible Creatures A middle grade fantasy destined to become a classic in Children's Literature. Get lost in the world of the Archipelago with these lovable characters! (Fantasy, Action-packed) | Kid | Katherine Rundell | Sarah | fiction | |
 | The Story of Us A story to warm the heart--Hedgehog begrudgingly leaves his idyllic island home after a bad storm and discovers a rich world full of diverse friends and experiences. (Fantasy, Feel-good, Animals, Friends) | Kid | Lauren Castillo | Theresa | fiction | |
 | Blink! An up-close look at the amazing eyes of many creatures. Beautiful illustrations and fascinating information. (Animals) | Kid | Doe Boyle | Theresa | nonfiction | |
 | This One Summer Raw, surly, electric, and still, this observant graphic novel exposes a particular place in childhood with unflinching insight. | Teen | Mariko Tamaki | Thom | graphic novel | |
 | The Provensen Book of Fairy Tales Once upon a time, a husband-and-wife team decorated a collection of literary fairy tales with their unmistakably mod sketches, and dozens of years later we get to read them. | Kid | Alice Provensen; Martin Provensen | Thom | nonfiction | |
 | The Girls I've Been Nora and her two friends are taken hostage during a bank heist, only the robbers have no idea that Nora is much more than your average high school student. A really fun, twisty psychological thriller! (Action-packed, LGBTQ, Suspenseful) | Teen | Tess Sharpe | Tamar | fiction | |
 | Crookedstar's Promise My favorite Warriors "Super Edition". Discover the secrets and struggles of Riverclan in this exciting and action-packed book. (Animals, Fantasy, Action-packed, Suspenseful) | Kid | Erin Hunter | Sarah | fiction | |
 | The Agathas Two teens who couldn't be more different team up to figure out how their once BFF, Brooke Donovan, died. A fast-paced mystery with high stakes and a whodunit to the very end. (Mystery, Friends) | Teen | Kathleen Glasgow | Tamar | fiction | |
 | Lovely War The Greek Gods meddle in the lives and loves of humans entrenched in the chaos of war, only this time they're wreaking their havoc and sowing their romance in WWI Europe. | Teen | Julie Berry | Thom | fiction | |
 | The Trolls Family stories full of danger and intrigue are revealed when the Anderson children are left home with their witty and unconventional aunt. (Family, Funny, Suspenseful) | Kid | Polly Horvath | Theresa | fiction | |
 | Thank You A sweet meditation on gratitude with whimsical illustrations, evoking a feeling of nostalgia and curiosity. (Feel-good) | Early | Jarvis | Sarah | picture book | |
 | A Gift for Nana A special relationship between a young rabbit and his grandmother inspires a compelling and challenging quest for the perfect gift. (Fantasy, Suspenseful, Animals, Feel-good, Family) | Early | Lane Smith | Theresa | picture book | |
 | Not Perfect Dot has a homework assignment and she becomes frustrated trying to complete it when it isn't exactly what she wants. (Feel good) | Kid | Maya Myers | Evie | picture book | |
 | Butt or Face? Hilarious book where each page asks the same question: Am I looking at a butt or a face? Check this out and see if you know the answer. (Funny, Animals) | Early | Kari Lavelle | Angelina | nonfiction | |
 | The Season of Styx Malone Remarkable storytelling takes us straight into the pivotal summer of two brothers and the mysterious and exciting new teenager who enters their lives in small-town Indiana. (Family, Coming-of-Age, Thought-provoking, Suspenseful) | Kid | Kekla Magoon | Theresa | fiction | |
 | Puppy Truck A resourceful toddler finds a way to get the pet he always wanted. This delightful book bubbles with energy, adventure, and positivity. (Silly, Feel-good, Inspiring) | Early | Brian J. Pinkney | Theresa | picture book | |
 | Friday Night Wrestlefest It's Friday Night and time to WRESTLE! Who will win - the Tag Team Twins or Dangerous Dad-O? Be forewarned: This book might make Wrestlefest a weekly event in your home. Proceed with caution! (Silly, Funny) | Early | Jennifer Fox | Jim | picture book | |
 | Book of Questions Epic, confounding, and deeply curious, these questions make your mind, and your world, extra big. | Kid | Pablo Neruda | Thom | nonfiction | |
 | My Heart What happens when you let Light flow into your heart? Will love pour out? A beautifully illustrated and warm picture book. Pairs perfectly with a rainy day and a hot drink. | Early | Corinna Luyken | Jim | picture book | |
 | Gaga Mistake Day A wonderful peek into a family where Grandma (Gaga) spends every Saturday day with her 4 year old granddaughter and it is a magical day. (Funny, silly, feel good) | Kid | Emma Straub | Evie | picture book | |
 | More Than Words Not everyone uses words to communicate. Meet some new friends and learn how they might say "Hello" or "I love you" or "I think you're pretty neat." After you read, you could think of a few different ways to tell someone how much you love them. (Realistic) | Early | Roz MacLean | Jim | picture book | |
 | Night Lunch A horse-drawn lunch cart rolls into a starlit street to provide welcome and sustenance to a passel of nocturnal animals. Atmospheric, evocative, and shining with everyday magic, this fanciful exploration of the wee hours thrums with warmth and comfort. | Early | Eric Fan | Thom | picture book | |
 | Throwback Sam has never gotten along with her picture-perfect, demanding mother. After a huge fight, Sam finds herself thrown back, way, way back to the 1990s, and is shocked to find herself in high school, with her mom as a teen. Time travel plus romance makes for a story full of heart, humor and how to fix things to make it right. (Family, Funny, Sci-Fi) | Teen | Maurene Goo | Tamar | fiction | |
 | Skating Wild on An Inland Sea When you open this book, you'll find yourself on the frozen shores of Lake Superior. You'll feel the ice beneath your skates, the cold touch your nose, and the immense sense of freedom that comes from quietly gliding over an expansive inland sea. Are you ready to lace up your skates? (Feel-good, Realistic) | Early | Jean Pendziwol; Todd Stewart | Jim | picture book | |
 | Hell Followed With Us Benji escapes the cult he was raised in after they released a deadly bio-weapon, and he must learn who he can trust - if anyone at all. (Suspenseful, Horror, Magical, LGBTQ) | Teen | Andrew Joseph White | Ollie | fiction | |
 | Dragons Love Tacos How many tacos do you think a dragon could eat? Probably more than 2, but somewhat less than 10 million? There's one way to find out! (Funny, Silly, Fantasy) | Early | Adam Rubin | Jim | picture book | |
 | Ode to A Nobody 8th grader Quinn sucks at everything: school, skateboarding, making friends. She knows she'll never live up to her older brother, his perfect grades and college life. She knows she's the reason why her parents fight non-stop. When a tornado rips apart her home and town, it uproots her whole life, including how Quinn thinks of herself. A really relatable and powerful story told with so much heart. (Family, Friends, Coming of Age, Realistic) | Teen | Caroline Brooks DuBois | Tamar | fiction | |
 | We Are in A Book! The Elephant and Piggie series is near and dear to my heart. This book in particular is one of my favorites. When Elephant and Piggie realize that they can make the reader say anything the silly meter jumps to ten. Visit me at Blaine Storytime to see my Elephant and Piggie sweater! (Funny, Silly) | Early | Mo Willems | Jim | picture book | |
 | A Walk Through the Rain Forest Incredibly detailed photorealistic drawings illuminate the remarkable variety of activity that takes place in a dense and humming rainforest. Captivating. | Early | Martin Jenkins; Vicky White | Thom | picture book | |
 | The Moth Keeper Kit is learning to be a Moth Keeper, with the joys and challenges that come with it, in this beautiful graphic novel. (Fantasy, Friends, Coming-of-Age) | Kid | K. O'Neill | Angelina | graphic novel | |
 | Don't Worry, Bee Happy The Bumble and Bee series is a stand-out among graded readers. Colorful, simple, and fun. Budding readers will want to read it again and again. (Funny, Silly, Friends) | Kid | Ross Burach | Jim | fiction | |
 | Tomorrow's Lily A beautiful picture book introducing young children to the concept of impermanence in our world. It is never too early to talk about grief. (Sad, Feel-good) | Early | Christopher Raschka | Sarah | picture book | |
 | My Heart Is Laughing Things don't always go Dani's way, but even as she experiences setbacks she learns more about choosing thoughts that lift her up instead of breaking her down. (Friends, Sad, Realistic) | Kid | Rose Lagercrantz | Jim | fiction | |
 | The Cardboard Kingdom There is a place for everyone in the Cardboard Kingdom! Sixteen unique characters come together in this neighborhood story to discover their true strength. Bring your imagination and aspirations! In the Cardboard Kingdom you can be anything you want to be. (Friends, LGBTQ+) | Kid | Chad Sell | Jim | graphic novel | |
 | The Spirit Bares Its Teeth Violet-eyed mediums, called "Speakers" are a rare bunch in this magical version of 1883 London. Silas would rather rip out his violet eyes than become an obedient Speaker Wife, but in his pursuit of freedom he is caught and sent to Braxton's Sanitorium and Finishing school. When the ghosts of missing students start to beg for his help, he decides to expose the misdeeds of those in charge. (Historical, Suspenseful, Horror, Magical, LGBTQ) | Teen | Andrew Joseph White | Ollie | fiction | |
 | The Quiltmaker's Gift A book about greed, generosity and changing the hearts of others. Beautiful illustrations. (Feel-good) | Kid | Jeff Brumbeau; Gail De Marcken | Tess | picture book | |
 | The Hospital Book From the onset of symptoms to the post-recovery return home, one girl’s bout with appendicitis illuminates the inner-workings of a hospital and the wonderful people who care for us. | Early | Lisa Brown | Thom | picture book | |
 | When the Angels Left the Old Country Uriel the angel and Little Ash the demon have been study partners in their shtetl for centuries, but when one of their villagers goes missing, the two set off to America to find her. This book quietly explores questions about identity, companionship, love, and change. The story is infused with Jewish mythology and has a fairytale-like quality. (Historical, Feel-good, Sad) | Teen | Sacha Lamb | Tess | fiction | |
 | Super Swifts: Small Birds With Amazing Powers Swifts are incredible creatures, flying for 10 months at a time without landing! Learn about these remarkable birds and their daring journey from South Africa to the UK every year. (Animals, True Story) | Early | Justin Anderson | Sarah | picture book | |
 | Alanna: The First Adventure This book started off my life-long love of fantasy and adventure! At age 10, twins Alanna and Thom decide to switch places. Thom will train as a sorcerer and Alanna disguises herself as a boy to train to become a knight. At the palace, Alanna meets honorable thieves, villainous nobles, and many challenges she is determined to overcome. (Fantasy, Action-packed) | Kid | Tamora Pierce | Tess | fiction | |
 | Letters From Bear When Bird flies south Bear is blue and takes off after his friend. IN a series of letters to Bird, Bear details his fantastical journey and disappointing arrival, all the while illuminating the deep bond they share. | Early | Gauthier David | Thom | picture book | |
 | Cinder An action-packed sci-fi retelling of Cinderella. Cinder is a highly skilled mechanic. But she's also a cyborg, and most of society views her as less-than. When a plague breaks out, Cinder's world is turned upside down and she's forced to leave behind everything she knows. (Sci-fi, Action-packed) | Teen | Marissa Meyer | Tess | fiction | |
 | Snowglobe The enclosed dome of Snowglobe is the last warm place on Earth; it's where TV and movie stars live in luxury, streaming their lives as endless entertainment for the rest of citizens who eek out their existence in the frozen wasteland. This book is a mega-hit in Korea and now taking the US by storm. A total page turner! (Sci-Fi, Suspenseful, Mystery) | Teen | Soyoung Park | Tamar | fiction | |
 | First Test Kel wants to be a knight! But much to her frustration, Kel is put on probation until she can prove that she can keep up with the boy pages. In this first book of the series, Kel faces bullies, makes friends, and gets a lot of pets who have a surprising amount of skill in battle. (Fantasy, Fast-paced) | Kid | Tamora Pierce | Tess | fiction | |
 | Fry Bread A beautiful celebration of heritage and passing traditions on to the next generation. Also includes a recipe for fry bread! (Family, Feel-good, Realistic) | Early | Kevin Noble Maillard; Juana Martinez-Neal | Hana | picture book | |
 | Summer of Salt The island of By-the-Sea has a famous guest every summer - an (allegedly) three-hundred-year-old bird that comes to roost every year. The magical Fernweh family owns the Inn on the island, hosting birdwatching fanatics from around the world. Tragedy strikes on the island the year that Georgina and her twin sister, Mary, are about to turn 18, changing the lives of those on the island forever. (Fantasy, Magical, Coming-of-Age, LGBTQ) | Teen | Katrina Leno | Ollie | teen | |
 | The Whale Who Swam Through Time Follow a bowhead whale over the course of her 200-year lifespan in the Arctic. Striking illustrations carry you through the whale’s world and the changes that happen around her. (Animals, Historical, Nature, True Story) | Early | Nick Pyenson; Alex Boersma | Hana | picture book | |
 | Daddy, Tell Me A Story Daddy tells the best stories, but he needs a little help from his daughter Sophie to make them even better. (Family, Funny, Feel-good) | Early | Kathleen Long Bostrom | Angelina | picture book | |
 | Louis Undercover Though his father's drinking is pulling the family apart, Louis finds strength in his care for his little brother, a stray raccoon, and a bewitching girl on a bicycle. | Kid | Fanny Britt | Thom | graphic novel | |
 | Small in the City It can be scary to be out on your own--small in the city--but never fear. Someone is looking out for you. | Early | Sydney Smith | Thom | picture book | |
 | Hurdles in the Dark This is the true story of Elvira Gonzales's teen years. At 14 she rescued her mom from a Mexican drug cartel, survived life in poverty and being sent to juvie, to becoming one of the best track athletes in the US. She reads the audiobook. She's amazing. You'll love hearing how she did it. (True Story, Sad, Family, Inspiring) | Teen | Elvira K. Gonzalez | Tamar | nonfiction | |
 | The Killer's Tears What begins as a story of hardscrabble struggle and emotional trauma ends in love, peace, and extraordinary redemption. | Kid | Anne-Laure Bondoux | Thom | fiction | |
 | Some Writer! The Story of E. B. White This biography of E.B. White, the beloved author of Charlotte’s Web, is uniquely laid-out and just a pleasure to read. (Historical, True Story) | Kid | Melissa Sweet | Hana | picture book | |
 | The Line Tender The sort of heart wrenching, introspective story I love. (Character-driven, Hopeful, Realistic, Sad) | Kid | Kate Allen | Hana | fiction | |
 | Lions & Liars Laugh out loud scenarios, quirky characters, and underdog triumphs make this a fun story with plenty of suspense. | Kid | Kate Beasley | Theresa | fiction | |
 | In the Key of Us An achingly real story of self-discovery and first love set at a prestigious music camp. (Character-driven, Coming-of-age, Hopeful, LGBTQ, Realistic) | Kid | Mariama J. Lockington | Hana | fiction | |
 | Toasty Toasty, a piece of toast who longs to be a dog, realizes that he might not be kindly welcomed by the dogs at the dog park - maybe there is someone else out there who can appreciate the kind of dog he can be? (Silly) | Early | Sarah Hwang | Ollie | picture book | |
 | The Nest Haunting and creepy, you will never look at a wasp’s nest the same way again. (Horror, Scary, Suspenseful) | Kid | Kenneth Oppel | Hana | fiction | |
 | The Blackthorn Key The perfect blend of adventure, humor, puzzles and ciphers, the occasional alchemical explosion, and an enormous amount of heart. (Action-packed, Fantasy, Historical, Suspenseful) | Kid | Kevin Sands | Hana | fiction | |
 | How to Make Friends With A Ghost Have you ever wanted a ghost to be your best bud? Here's a helpful and whimsical how-to guide! (Silly, Magical) | Early | Rebecca Green | Ollie | picture book | |
 | Big Tree Alternating between text and illustrations, follow Louise and her brother, Merwin, on their epic quest to finding their place in the world. They may just end up saving it in the process. Oh, and Louise and Merwin happen to be sycamore seeds. (Hopeful, Nature, Realistic, Thought-provoking) | Kid | Brian Selznick | Hana | fiction | |
 | The Next Great Paulie Fink The uninformed narrator and the structure of a reality-TV-type competition add lots of intrigue to this story full of strong characters who know each other too well to see what's really going on in their small town. (Realistic, Funny, Character-Driven, Thought-provoking) | Kid | Ali Benjamin | Theresa | fiction | |
 | Ancestor Approved An anthology highlighting Native voices, featuring 17 authors! The short stories all come together in a compelling, satisfying way to showcase one powwow seen through different eyes. (Inspiring, Realistic) | Kid | Cynthia Leitich Smith | Hana | fiction | |
 | Ariel Crashes A Train A dazzling, layered story of a young, queer teen with OCD. Ariel set up a series of rituals to keep her family and friends safe, but she feels if she messes up, the "scaly, green crocodile" in her thoughts will crawl out and hurt someone. (Realistic, Family, Friends, LGBTQ) | Teen | Olivia A. Cole | Tamar | fiction | |
 | Parachute Kids An engrossing graphic novel about Feng-Li, who is thrilled to be visiting California with her family. After an amazing vacation, she and her siblings are told they will be staying in L.A. while their parents return to Taiwan without them. Can she and her siblings keep each other afloat until their parents are able to join them again? (Character-driven, Coming-of-age, Family, Realistic) | Kid | Betty C. Tang | Hana | graphic novel | |
 | Pass the Monster Meat, Milady! | Teen | Chika Mizube | Ollie | graphic novel | |
 | The Girl Who Sailed the Stars A high seas adventure, a seafaring cat, sea creatures who can soar through the skies, and how to find your own inner strength. Stunning. (Fantasy, Hopeful, Magical) | Kid | Matilda Woods | Hana | fiction | |
 | City of Dragons. Vol. 01, The Awakening Storm A gorgeously illustrated graphic novel fantasy about a girl and her newly-hatched dragon. Action, fun, and sinister plots await! (Action-packed, Fantasy, Fast-paced, Magical) | Kid | Jaimal Yogis | Hana | graphic novel | |
 | A Thousand Steps Into Night A dark fantasy about a demon-cursed girl who must decide whether to save her soul, or to embrace the freedom that comes with her new demonic self. (Fantasy, Suspenseful) | Teen | Traci Chee | Hana | fiction | |
 | Belle Prater's Boy I felt like I traveled back in time and to the hills of Appalachia while I read about the sweet friendship of two cousins with more than their fair share of trouble and sadness but also great senses of humor and observation. (Historical, Family, Thought-provoking, Sad) | Kid | Ruth White | Theresa | fiction | |
 | Bright in the Night There are so many things that glow in the dark! You are sure to discover some new ones while learning about how they get their glow on in this nonfiction book. (Nature) | Early | Lena Sjoberg | Angelina | nonfiction | |
 | We Are All So Good at Smiling Whimsy and Faerry meet at an in-treatment hospital and discover they have much more than depression in common. Together they unbury memories of what it was like to be the only Black kids in their neighborhood and journey back to the magical, haunted forests of their childhoods. Dark but beautiful, this novel-in-verse reads like a modern-day fairy tale. (Coming of Age, Fantasy, Sad) | Teen | Amber McBride | Tamar | fiction | |
 | All Alone in the Universe This is a story about the excruciating experience of breaking up with your best friend. Debbie's descriptions and insights made her so loveable I wanted to be her new BFF. (Coming-of-age, Realistic, Character-driven, Thought-provoking) | Kid | Lynne Rae Perkins | Theresa | fiction | |
 | A Kid's Guide to Fandom Want to learn how to get your idea off the ground? Whether you are into podcasts, webcomics, or fanfic, this book has it all, including interviews with people in the business. (Thought-provoking, Inspiring) | Kid | Amy Ratcliffe | Angelina | nonfiction | |
| Never Coming Home Ten of the world's most popular influencers are invited to a remote, luxury resort with white sand beaches, turquoise waters and no cell reception. Each of them has a secret to hide and when one of them ends up dead, the vacation of their dreams turns into a vacation to die for... | Teen | Kate Williams | Tamar | fiction | |
" class="alignnone size-medium" /> | The Words We Keep (Character-Driven, Inspiring, Friends, Family, Sad, Realistic) | Teen | Erin Stewart | Ollie | fiction | |
 | Grains of Sand Gorgeous, evocative pictures in black, white and yellow capture those bittersweet final days of summer where all that's left of a trip is a few grains of sand and some imaginings about what will come next. (Thought-provoking) | Early | Sibylle Delacroix | Theresa | picture book | |
 | The Brightwood Code A gripping mystery about a young woman who was part of the US spy service during WWI, who translated secret codes over phone lines in both French and English. She returns to the US traumatized from her experience, only to get a mysterious phone call late one night that brings her right back to the battlefields of the war. A total stand-out historical thriller. (Historical, Mystery, Suspenseful) | Teen | Monica Hesse | Tamar | fiction | |
 | Healer of the Water Monster Fans of action and mythology will love this story set on the Navajo reservation. (Magical, Action-packed) | Kid | Brian Young | Angelina | fiction | |
 | She Is a Haunting Jade is spending five weeks with her estranged father in Vietnam, helping him restore a French Colonial house. If she can pretend to be happy for five weeks, she'll make it out with the college money he promised. The house has other plans however, as she starts receiving cryptic warnings from ghosts. (LGBTQ, Scary, Horror, Family) | Teen | Trang Thanh Tran | Ollie | fiction | |
 | Willodeen Meet some animals you’ve never seen before, from the cutest (hummingbears) to the ugliest (screechers), and solve the mystery of what is happening to them. (Fantasy, Animals, Thought-provoking) | Kid | Katherine Applegate | Angelina | fiction | |
 | The Eyes & the Impossible Love a book with a dog in it? This one is purrfection! Meet Johannes, a free dog, and the many animals he helps protect. This one is a rare, all ages sort of book and kids through adults will love it. A great classroom read-aloud or for a family road trip. Bonus: the audiobook is read by Ethan Hawke. (Animals, Friends, Funny, Mystery) | Kid | Dave Eggers | Tamar | fiction | |
 | Cemetery Boys The brujos! The ghosts! The magic! The romance! So much fun and culture in this story about a gay trans teen. (Magical, LGBTQ, Romance) | Teen | Aiden Thomas | Angelina | fiction | |
 | Jabari Jumps Such great suspense is built as Jabari waits and frets about his big jump. Can he do it? (Inspiring, Realistic) | Early | Gaia Cornwall | Theresa | picture book | |
 | Your Place in the Universe How big is the universe compared to you? This book helps you visualize it page by page. (Nature, Thought-provoking) | Early | Jason Chin | Angelina | nonfiction | |
 | Old Pearl A wonderful story about the strength of love, even in the face of death. (Animals, Sad, Feel-good, Realistic) | Early | Wendy Wahman | Sarah | picture book | |
 | We Became Jaguars I love the imagery in this book. Play along with a boy and his grandmother as they jaguar on. Yes, it's a verb. (Fantasy, Family) | Early | Dave Eggers | Theresa | picture book | |
 | Firekeeper's Daughter 18-year-old Daunis has her feet in multiple worlds in this action-packed crime thriller set in Ojibwe country. (Thriller, Action-packed, Realistic) | Teen | Angeline Boulley | Angelina | fiction | |
 | Frieren: Beyond Journey's End. Vol. 01 Frieren is a nonchalant and sometimes aloof elf, who helped take down the Demon King and bring peace to the land. Decades after victory, the funeral of one of her party members confronts her with her near immortality, and what that means for her in a world full of shorter-lived species. (Magical, Fantasy, Hopeful, Inspiring) | Teen | Kanehito Yamada | Ollie | graphic novel | |
 | The Case of Windy Lake Four cousins from the Windy Lake First Nation solve mysteries from their secret fort in an old school bus! (Mystery, Family) | Kid | Michael Hutchinson | Angelina | fiction | |
 | Mouse Tales So many fun stories about mice from the author/illustrator of Frog and Toad. The stories really get the imagination going while being sweet and accessible even for very young children. (Funny, Thought-provoking, Animals) | Kid | Arnold Lobel | Theresa | fiction | |
 | Brave Baby Hummingbird Hummingbirds are unfathomably strong souls! Get lost in these gorgeous illustrations and incredible facts. (Animals, True Story) | Early | Sy Montgomery | Sarah | picture book | |
 | The Incredible Journey Three pets journey 300 miles across the Canadian wilderness in search of their family. They face many obstacles but they have each other to rely on. I love stories about animals and their cleverness and this one is particularly special because it's based on a true story! (Realistic, Animals, Feel-good) | Kid | Sheila Every Burnford | Tess | fiction | |
 | Magilumiere Magical Girls Inc In this whimsical world, being a Magical Girl is a highly paid job, with over 500 companies in operation! Kana is motivated, organized, and has a fantastic memory - a great candidate for the newest magical girl at Magilumiere Magical Girls Inc.! (Magical, Feel-good, Funny) | Teen | Sekka Iwata | Ollie | graphic novel | |
 | Antes de ser libres Ambientado en 1960 en la República Dominicana, este libro sigue a Anita, de 12 años, mientras navega por políticas complicadas y a veces aterradoras, los cambios de la adolescencia y la lucha por la libertad, tanto la suya como la de los demás. Set in 1960 in the Dominican Republic, this book follows 12-year-old Anita as she navigates complicated and sometimes terrifying politics, the changes of adolescence, and the struggle for freedom--both her own and others. (Realistic, Historical, Sad) | Teen | Julia Alvarez | Tess | fiction | |
| The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn Maudie loves spending summers with her father in his Northern California cabin in the woods. But this summer, she shelters an ugly secret. When wildfire forces them to evacuate to a seaside town, Maudie has to decide whom she can trust. (Realistic, Family, Inspiring) | Teen | Sally J. Pla | Tamar | fiction | |
 | The Guardian Test Plum discovers she's been accepted at Guardian Academy to learn how to use magic to protect the natural world. If you like this, there are more to read in this series. (Magical, Nature, Animals, Friends) | Kid | Christina Soontornvat; Kevin Hong | Angelina | fiction | |
 | Strega Nona Big Anthony does not follow Strega Nona's instructions and chaos ensues! (Silly) | Early | Tomi DePaola | Tess | picture book | |
 | The Apothecary Diaries This is a wonderful mystery manga through a historical lens. (Mystery, Historical) | Teen | Natsu Hyūga | Ollie | graphic novel | |
 | Snuggle Puppy A singsong rhyming book with sweet puppy snuggles and kisses. I love everything by Sandra Boynton. (Silly, Animals) | Early | Sandra Boynton | Tess | picture book | |
 | The Mysterious Howling Maryrose Wood takes the best parts of Jane Eyre, the Jungle Book, and Sherlock Holmes and adds a whopping dose of slapstick comedy to create a series that feels wholly original and delightful. (Funny, Historical, Suspenseful, Mystery) | Kid | Maryrose Wood | Theresa | fiction | |
 | Stellaluna When Stellaluna is separated from her mother, she falls into a nest of birds. Sure, their food tastes weird. And they don't know how to hang upside down... but they take in Stellaluna when she feels all alone in the world. This book is a sweet, silly story of friendship and finding home. (Animals, Feel-good) | Early | Janell Cannon | Tess | picture book | |
 | I Touched the Sun A strange and beautiful book about a boy who meets the sun and discovers the sun that has always been inside of his own chest, guiding him every step of the way. (Fantasy, Feel-good) | Early | Leah Hayes | Sarah | picture book | |
 | The Rez Doctor A wonderful graphic novel about a young indigenous teen who overcomes obstacles, including his own self-confidence, to fulfil his dream of becoming a doctor. (Realistic, Feel-good, Inspiring) | Teen | Gitz Crazyboy | Tamar | graphic novel | |
 | Maisy's Big Book of Kindness Learn from Maisy how to be your kindest, most wonderful self! (Feel-good, Animals) | Early | Lucy Cousins | Sarah | picture book | |
 | The Faint of Heart In a world where heart removal surgery is commonplace, a young teen steps up and speaks out against this practice by refusing to have her own heart removed. Powerful and unique. (Mystery, Sci-fi, Suspenseful) | Teen | Kerilynn Wilson | Sarah | graphic novel | |
 | Some Kind of Happiness I’m so glad this book exists. For kids grappling with anxiety and depression, Finley’s journey in learning the importance of putting herself first is an amazing chance to feel seen. (Character-driven, Hopeful, Magical, Realistic, Sad, Thought-provoking) | Kid | Claire Legrand | Hana | fiction | |
 | Where Have You Been, Little Cat? See what adventures a little cat gets up to in this simple yet thoughtful picture book. (Animals, Feel-good, Silly) | Early | Richard Jones | Sarah | picture book | |
 | Furthermore Written like a love letter to your favorite childhood classics, this story is a gorgeous, atmospheric, magical piece of work that burrowed into my soul and hasn’t left since. (Fantasy, Feel-good, Magical) | Kid | Tahereh Mafi | Hana | fiction | |
 | The Astonishing Color of After When Leigh's mother died, she turned into a bird. At least this is what Leigh believes. But is it true? And how can she get everyone to believe her? This is a beautiful book about grief, loss, and healing. (Mystery, Realistic, Sad) | Teen | Emily X. R. Pan | Sarah | fiction | |
| Brownstone 2025 Printz Award winner, Brownstone is a beautifully drawn graphic novel focusing on clashing cultures and confusing family relationships. (Realistic) | Teen | Samuel Teer | Ollie | graphic novel | |
 | Speak Something "bad" happened to Melinda at a party last summer. Starting highschool, the other kids stare at her with judgment and disgust. How will she ever talk about this and heal from it? A classic for every teenager. (Realistic, Sad) | Teen | Laurie Halse Anderson | Sarah | fiction | |
 | The Candymakers The Candymakers was probably inspired by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but it is a much more modern story with four fascinating 12-year-old protagonists vying for the chance to create a chocolate company's next great candy. The plot unfolds slowly as we learn one surprise after the next about our candymakers and their connections. (Suspenseful, Funny, Friends, Thought -provoking) | Kid | Wendy Mass | Theresa | fiction | |
 | The White Darkness Sym loves Antarctica more than anything. When her Uncle surprises her with a trip there, she can't believe it. But, things turn sinister when she realizes this is not a vacation, but a kidnapping... Get ready to be terrified! (Realistic, Scary, Suspenseful, Mystery, Action-packed) | Teen | Geraldine McCaughrean | Sarah | fiction | |
 | Dogtown Dogtown is a shelter for both canine and robot dogs. Chance, a three-legged dog that has a friend named Mouse, meet a robot dog named Metal Head and an escape adventure begins! (Friends, Animals, Action-packed) | Kid | Katherine Applegate; Gennifer Choldenko; Wallace West | Angelina | fiction | |
 | Wild Bird Wren is sent to a wilderness rehab program in the middle of the desert after she is caught using drugs and alcohol. Watch her make a complete transition back to her old self again in this unforgettable book. (Realistic, Action-packed) | Teen | Wendelin Van Draanen | Sarah | fiction | |
 | A Crown for Corina I want to walk through Abulea's beautiful garden and make a crown that tells my story for my brithday, what a wonderful tradition! | Early | Laekan Zea Kemp; Elisa Chavarri | Evie | picture book | |
 | The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea Mina sacrifices herself to the Sea God her village worships - and fears - to save her brother and his beloved, Shim Cheong. Finding herself in the Spirit Realm, Mina sets out on a quest to awaken the sleeping Sea God and put an end to the sacrifices, once and for all. (Fantasy, Historical, Romance) | Teen | Axie Oh | Ollie | fiction | |
 | Smick! Simple, powerful pleasure is achieved with 14 words, some basic line drawings/collage, and a charming meet cute. (Silly, Friends, Animals) | Early | Doreen Cronin | Theresa | picture book | |
 | Sheets Marjorie is a practical and responsible 13-year-old who is in charge of her family laundry business after her mother dies. Her day-to-day life consists of angry customers, unbearable classes, and a threatening businessman - until she meets Wendell, a ghost who has escaped the afterlife. (Sad, Fantasy, Hopeful) | Teen | Brenna Thummler | Ollie | graphic novel | |
 | Ada's Violin This inspiring true story, filled with resilience and hope, takes place in a large garbage dump in Paraguay where a girl with a love for music is given the opportunity to use garbage to create an instrument that, when she learns to play it, will take her around the world. | Kid | Susan Hood; Sally Wern Comport | Evie | nonfiction | |
| The Rabbit Listened This is a book I need to read often to remind me how to be the best kind of friend. | Early | Cori Doerrfeld | Evie | picture book | |
 | I Walk With Vanessa A wordless book about a girl who sees someone being bullied and inspires her community to surround and support the girl while they stand up to the bully together. | Early | Kerascoet | Evie | picture book | |
 | The Lost Girl I adore all of Ursu’s books, but this one about two sisters having to find themselves and each other is a full-on home run. (Character-driven, Coming-of-age, Fantasy, Hopeful, Inspiring, Suspenseful) | Kid | Anne Ursu | Hana | fiction | |
 | The Prince and the Pee If your family doesn't mind a little potty humor this is a fun story of a Prince who sets out to save a castle, but they don't get far before he asks, "Are we there yet?" Unfortunately for Prince Freddie, every time they stop he encounters a problem and has to hold it just a little longer which sets the story up for a surprise ending. | Early | Greg Gormley; Chris Mould | Evie | picture book | |
 | Have You Ever Seen A Flower? This book makes me feel more alive. It helps me feel young and hopeful and powerfully observant and insightful. (Thought-provoking) | Early | Shawn Harris | Theresa | picture book | |
 | It Began With A Page Such an inspiring true story of a woman artist that begin in Gyo's home where "anything seemed possible" even though it didn't feel that way in the rest of her world. Gyo was determined and persevered through hardship to become a woman who did amazing things and changed our world through her art and vision. | Kid | Kyo Maclear; Julie Morstad | Evie | nonfiction | |
 | The Bitter Side of Sweet While this book is fictional, the setting is child labor and slavery in the chocolate industry. | Teen | Tara Sullivan | Evie | fiction | |
 | Speak Up! An autistic middle schooler is quiet when at school, but at home secretly becomes a viral music star in this graphic novel. (Realistic, Friends, LGBTQ) | Kid | Rebecca Burgess | Angelina | graphic novel | |
 | I'm Trying to Love Rocks We love rocks, but if you don't this fun and informative book might be the perfect thing to change your mind. | Kid | Bethany Barton | Evie | nonfiction | |
 | A Seed Grows A science book for toddlers explains a remarkable transformation in accessible language and bright, bold pictures. (True Story, Nature) | Early | Antoinette Portis | Theresa | nonfiction | |
 | Peaceful Like A Panda Great, easy to practice, ways to manage your body. | Kid | Kira Willey; Anni Betts | Evie | nonfiction | |
 | There's A Dragon in your Book I love reading interactive books, and this is another fun one. | Early | Tom Fletcher; Greg Abbott | Evie | picture book | |
 | Lights This is the third book in the Sheets trilogy, and is it a beautiful and satisfying end to a wonderful story. (Sad, Fantasy, Hopeful) | Teen | Brenna Thummler | Ollie | graphic novel | |
 | Blood Water Paint Historical novel based on true events. It wasn't an easy read, but it was riveting. | Teen | Joy McCullough | Evie | fiction | |
 | I Really Want to See You Grandma Yumi and Grandma really want to see each other, so they set out at the same time with great determination. Their paths seem star crossed, but they won't be sidetracked from their mission to reunite. (Silly, Family, Funny, Feel-good) | Early | Tarō Gomi | Theresa | picture book | |
 | Efrén Divided A great opportunity to read about a family whose life is touched by the immigration issue. | Kid | Ernesto Cisneros | Evie | fiction | |
 | Maple & Rosemary The story of life through the eyes of a tree, Maple, and a friend, Rosemary. | Early | Alison James; Jennifer K. Mann | Evie | picture book | |
 | Elvis Is King! Photographs of clay puppets and scenery capture the magic of the Elvis story in a surprisingly visceral way. (True Story, Historical, Sad, Inspiring) | Kid | Jonah Winter | Theresa | nonfiction | |
 | Don't Eat Bees If you are a dog lover, this book will make you laugh! | Early | Dev Petty; Mike Boldt | Evie | picture book | |
 | The Tailor of Gloucester A tired tailor's projects are mysteriously finished during the night. Turns out, a little pack of mice are his secret helpers! The cat is less happy about this than the tailor. One of my favorite Beatrix Potter stories! | Early | Beatrix Potter | Tess | picture book | |
 | The Glass Sentence The unique premise sucked me in but I stayed adventure, the relationships, and the many, many types of maps. (Action-packed, Fantasy, Suspenseful) | Teen | S. E. Grove | Hana | fiction | |
 | Mog the Forgetful Cat A silly cat and a cute book. It's very relatable if you've ever had a pet that can't seem to remember that you've already fed them dinner. One night, Mog's forgetfulness come's in handy when someone breaks into the house! (Animals, Silly) | Early | Judith Kerr | Tess | picture book | |
 | Just Breathe: Meditation, Mindfulness, Movement, and More The world can be a busy place. When it feels like everything is rushing by, sometimes I need to find a quiet place to take a few breaths. If you ever get overwhelmed, scared, or feel like you've lost touch with yourself, I would recommend this book as a gentle reminder that it is okay to be kind to yourself. (Realistic, Feel-good, True Story) | Kid | Mallika Chopra; Brenna Vaughan | Jim | nonfiction | |
 | Six of Crows Criminals with hearts of (tarnished) gold go on a heist! Great world building, fast-paced plot, and many interesting and well-crafted friendships. (Fantasy, Action-packed) | Teen | Leigh Bardugo | Tess | fiction | |
 | Girls Made of Snow and Glass This is my favorite take on the "Snow White" story, with the princess and the queen fighting to be there for each other in a kingdom trying to keep them at odds. (Character-driven, Fantasy, LGBTQ, Magical) | Teen | Melissa Bashardoust | Hana | fiction | |
 | The Wee Free Men Tiffany Aching, a 9-year-old future witch, protects the region where she grew up and her little brother with the help of the wily, thieving, six-inch-tall Wee Free Men. This book is hilarious, bizarre, sweet, and exciting all at once. A fantasy book filled with humor. Or maybe a comedy filled with magic. (Fantasy, Funny) | Teen | Terry Prachett | Tess | fiction | |
 | Ruby Lost and Found Set primarily in a senior center in San Francisco's Chinatown, this is the story of how 13 year-old Ruby, her grandmother, and their friends navigate big changes and losses. You'll want to settle in with a cup of tea, an egg tart and an adventurous spirit as they revisit the delightful and insightful scavenger hunts created by Ruby's grandfather. (Sad, Feel-good, Thought-provoking) | Kid | Christina Li | Theresa | fiction | |
 | Flotsam This picture book has no words but is filled with beautiful pictures that move the reader forward through the ocean and onto the beach with objects that end up floating around in the marine world. (Feel-good) | Early | David Wiesner | Tess | picture book | |
 | What Goes on Inside A Beaver Pond? Learn about the hidden inner workings of a beaver lodge, how one gets built, the special abilities of beavers, and much more in this large format nonfiction book. (Animals, Nature) | Kid | Becky Cushing Gop; Carrie Shryock | Angelina | picture book | |
 | Fairest I love fairytales! Based on Snow White, this book follows Aza, a plain innkeeper's daughter with the ability to make her voice sound like it's coming from somewhere else. When her singing attracts the interests of some of the most powerful people in Ayortha, Aza gets pulled into a dangerous situation! (Fantasy, Fast-paced)) | Kid | Gail Carson Levine | Tess | fiction | |
 | The Goose Girl A retelling of the Grimm fairytale. A great read if you like books with secret identities, magic, strong friendships, and people who can talk to animals. (Fantasy) | Kid | Shannon Hale | Tess | fiction | |
 | The Wild River and the Great Dam A fascinating investigation of the creation of the Hoover Dam. Oral testimonies of dam workers and historical photographs offer a rich depth, while the author weaves in political and social contexts like the Great Depression. (True Story, Historical) | Teen | Simon Boughton | Tess | nonfiction | |
 | The Phantom Tollbooth Milo is SO bored. but when a strange package arrives with a tollbooth inside, Milo decides to drive through and ends up in the Lands Beyond. There, Milo finds a world both hilarious and bizarre. Join Milo as he jumps to Conclusions (the island) and searches for Rhyme and Reason (the princesses). (Silly, Fantasy, Funny, Fast-paced). | Kid | Norton Juster | Tess | fiction | |
 | A Semi-definitive List of Worst Nightmares Ever since Esther's grandpa met Death, her entire family has been cursed to suffer from one great fear that will eventually lead them to their deaths. Esther has managed to avoid the curse, because she avoids anything that could become a phobia - until she encounters her childhood crush Jonah, who strives to rid her of her fears. (Sad, Hopeful, Inspiring) | Teen | Krystal Sutherland | Ollie | fiction | |
 | Wolf by Wolf The page-turning action and overall themes of identity that define this alternate WWII make it a knockout of a story, with characters and scenes that I still can vividly recall. (Action-packed, Character-driven, Fast-paced, Historical, Suspenseful) | Teen | Ryan Graudin | Hana | fiction | |
 | Delicates In this sequel to Sheets, Marjorie has been accepted by the popular kids - at a cost. She must keep Wendell and their friendship hidden, to avoid being labeled as a freak. As Wendell grows upset by their deteriorating friendship, and another student named Eliza is bullied by Marjorie's new friends, Marjorie must reevaluate her priorities. (Sad, Fantasy, Hopeful) | Teen | Brenna Thummler | Ollie | graphic novel | |
 | A Lot Like Batman Batman has never been so relatable. Confidence boosts and smiles are all but guaranteed with Keith Negley's latest heartfelt offering. (Feel-good, Funny, Friends) | Early | Keith Negley | Theresa | picture book | |
 | The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich A funny and heartfelt romance about finding love, and grilled cheese sandwiches, where you least expect to. (LGBTQ, Silly, Romance) | Teen | Deya Muniz | Ollie | graphic novel | |
 | Tell Me What Really Happened Five teens go on a weekend camping trip to Salvation Creek. Four teens return. Each has a VERY different story to tell about what happened. Told through first-person interviews with the police, their stories seem to change as the questions keep coming, but what about that teen who is missing? (Mystery, Friends) | Teen | Chelsea Sedoti | Tamar | fiction | |
 | Unfamiliar A whimsical and endearing graphic novel filled with magical mayhem as well as the power of friendship and found family. (Magical, Friends, Silly) | Teen | Haley Newsome | Ollie | graphic novel | |
 | Hidden Systems: Water, Electricity, the Internet, and the Secrets We Use Every Day We use these things every day, but how much do we really know about how and why they work? This nonfiction graphic novel delves into these systems and gives great info through words and drawings. (Thought-provoking, Historical) | Kid | Dan Nott | Angelina | graphic novel | |
 | Call the Name of the Night Mira, a girl with an affliction that calls forth the night, and Rei, a kindly doctor searching for a cure, reside peacefully deep within a forest. (Hopeful, Magical) | Teen | Tama Mitsuboshi | Ollie | graphic novel | |
 | Insomniacs After School Two insomniacs form an unlikely bond when they both find that the school observatory, long abandoned after the astronomy club lost all its members, is the perfect place for a nap. (Realistic, Funny) | Teen | Makoto Ojiro | Ollie | graphic novel | |
 | Ayashimon Vol. 01, I'll Play With You, Punk Maruo has trained his entire life to become as strong as his favorite manga heroes - an endeavor that seems to have been a waste, until he meets the daughter of the recently deceased chairman of the largest criminal organization for supernatural beings. (Magical, Fantasy, Mystery) | Teen | Yuji Kaku | Ollie | graphic novel | |
 | The Book of TurtlesBye Land, Bye Sea Because of the shell, everyone recognizes a turtle, but did you know that there are more than 300 different kinds? You'll be blown away by the storytelling in this fascinating book full of gorgeous illustrations and amazing facts. (Animals, True Story) | Early | Sy Montgomery ; Matt Patterson | Theresa | picture book | |
 | In the Clear Moonlit Dusk Yoi is constantly being mistaken as a guy, due to her deep voice and handsome face. She's had the nickname "Prince" for as long as she can remember and has given up on living as a normal high school girl - that is, until Ichimura, another "Prince", is the first person to see her for who she truly is. (Realistic, Romance) | Teen | Mika Yamamori | Ollie | graphic novel | |
 | Noragami, Stray God Omnibus Yato, a stray god, doesn't even have a shrine, let alone worshippers. He accepts all kinds of jobs, trying to raise money for the lavish temple he dreams of. Ranging from lost kittens to dealing with bullies, Yato finds himself surrounded by an interesting and charming cast of characters. (Magical, Fantasy, Sad, Hopeful) | Teen | Adachitoka | Ollie | graphic novel | |
 | Mine! Which forest animal will get the last apple left on the tree? Read as each animal imagines tasting that delicious apple in this rhyming picture book. (Animals, Nature) | Early | Candace Fleming; Eric Rohmann | Angelina | picture book | |
 | Goodbye, Eri uta's mother is suffering from a terminal illness and asks him to record as much of her life as possible to keep her memory alive. After she passes, he makes the footage into a movie, but is criticized by his classmates for disrespecting his mother. Devastated and wanting to end his life, he is stopped by Eri, the only fan of his movie. She proposes a partnership - she wants him to make a second movie, with her as the star. (Sad, Friends) | Teen | Tatsuki Fujimoto | Ollie | graphic novel | |
 | Invisible When forced together for mandatory community service a group of five teens struggles to find anything in common. Despite their different interests, lifestyles, and social circles, they'll have to find a way to work together. (Friends, Realistic, Sad) | Teen | Christina Diaz Gonzalez | Jim | graphic novel | |
 | Bye Land, Bye Sea Can two children lost at sea work together even though they speak different languages? A bilingual (Spanish and English) tale of suspense and adventure. (Survival, suspenseful, Action-packed) | Early | Renè Spencer; Rodolfo Montalvo | Theresa | picture book | |
 | The Cookie CrumblesThe Great British Baking Show meets a cozy mystery! Laila loves to bake, and Lucy loves journalism. Laila enters a baking contest to win a scholarship to an academy they both want to attend next year. When a celebrity chef falls ill after tasting one of Laila's cookies, it is up to the best friends to clear Laila's name. (Mystery, Friends, Realistic) | Kid | Tracy Badua and Alechia Dow | Angelina | fiction | |
 | Barb the Last Berzerker Action-packed, snack-packed, and friends who've got your back. This book is hands down FUN! (Silly, Funny, Fantasy, Action-Packed, Fast-Paced) | Kid | Dan Abdo | Jim | graphic novel | |
 | Brown Girl Dreaming Jacqueline Woodson's own account of finding her place in the world. Emotional, accessible, and heartfelt. Told in verse, each word is powerful and authentic. (Realistic, Historical, Sad, Inspiring) | Teen | Jacqueline Woodson | Jim | nonfiction | |
 | Nimona With witty banter and epic fight scenes, this book digs into how people are painted as villains or heroes and what it means to belong. It's a beautiful graphic novel, but the audiobook is also a great option, with a full cast of voice actors! (Fantasy, sci-fi, action-packed, fast-paced, friends, hopeful, LGBTQ+) | Kid | N.D. Stevenson | Tess | graphic novel | |
 | This Was Our Pact An epic quest filled with tough decisions, complicated friendships, and lots of heart. I found it hard to put this book down. Every year on the night of the Autumn Equinox Festival, the town gathers to release lanterns into the river. Legend says the lanterns travel so far they eventually alight to the sky and turn into stars. This year a group of kids is determined to find out what really happens to the lanterns. Will you join them on their quest to the stars? (Friends, Coming-of-Age, Fantasy, Fast-Paced) | Teen | Ryan Andrews | Jim | graphic novel | |
 | I'll Give You the Sun Anyone who has siblings knows that even while you love them CRAZY, sometimes they drive you CRAZY! This book explores sibling rivalry from both perspectives and asks hard questions about how we interact with the ones we love. (Family, Realistic, Sad, Coming-of-Age, LGBTQ+) | Teen | Jandy Nelson | Jim | fiction | |
| Blood Water Paint This story based on a real-life Renaissance painter left a considerable imprint on me. Thinking back on Artemisia’s story, told in stunning verse and alternating with depictions of Biblical women full of rage, still makes me catch my breath. (Character-driven, Historical, Thought-provoking) | Teen | Joy McCullough | Hana | fiction | |
 | Pumpkinheads While Josiah struggles to say goodbye to a place he loves, Deja tries to encourage him to enjoy the present moment. While especially sweet in the fall, this story is one I enjoy all year round. (Romance, Friends, Feel-good) | Teen | Rainbow Rowell | Jim | graphic novel | |
 | The Elements of Pop-up Have you ever read a pop-up book and wondered how it was created? The Elements of Pop-Up gives concise instructions on paper engineering that allow you to make your own pop-up art! Perfect for hands-on teenage artists who are looking for something new. (True Story) | Teen | David A. Carter; James Diaz | Jim | nonfiction | |
 | The One and Only Ivan It's rare that a book breaks my heart as much as this one did. The One and Only Ivan is phenomenal. All around worthwhile. (Sad, Realistic, Inspiring) | Kid | Katherine Applegate | Jim | fiction | |
 | Don't Worry, Little Crab Little Carb overcomes their fears to visit the ocean--and finds a magical world. The art's expressiveness, the charming characters, and beautiful colors make this book such a fun read. (Animals, Feel-good) | Early | Chris Haughton | Tess | picture book | |
 | Hike Grab your gear! It's time to get outside. A near-wordless picture book, Hike provides an excellent opportunity to start telling the story yourself. Where will you hike next? (Nature, Realistic) | Early | Pete Oswald | Jim | picture book | |
 | Waiting for Goliath A lonely bear practices patience and trust as he awaits the return of his long-lost friend. And the happy resolution is worth the wait. | Early | Antje Damm | Thom | picture book | |
 | Let's Go! A Harvest Story | Early | Hannah Lindoff ; Michaela Goade | Theresa | picture book | |
 | The Sea-ringed World This collection of traditional indigenous stories from across the Americas spans thousands of years, thousands of miles, and the huge range of human emotion.. | Kid | María García Esperón | Thom | fiction | |
 | Out of the Shadows A pioneer of stop motion animation brings her beloved folk tales to the screen, and now her story is available to us in this wonderful book inspired by, and styled after, early cinema. | Kid | Fiona Robinson | Thom | nonfiction | |
 | The First Cat in Space Bk. 01, The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza What do you get when you mix a space cat, a moon queen, and a toe-nail clipping robot? The epic adventures of . . . THE FIRST CAT IN SPACE ATE PIZZA. Wildly entertaining. (Funny, Silly, Action-packed, Fast-paced) | Kid | Mac Barnett | Jim | graphic novel | |
 | A Place to Call Home Hedgehog and the rest of the forest friends build a fort and meet a new creature that looks just like Hedgehog in this sweet, illustrated chapter book for younger readers. (Animals, Friends, Feel-good) | Early | Lauren Castillo | Angelina | fiction | |
 | Like So Sweet, short, and simple. Will leave you feeling as warm and loved as a home-made cup of soup. (Feel-good) | Early | Ruth Forman; Raissa Figueroa | Jim | picture book | |
 | The Thickety Her mother was killed for being a witch, but now she is showing symptoms herself. Can she keep her powers hidden? But how can she do that when the dark forest is calling her name... This book is terrifying in the best way! | Kid | J.A. White | Sarah | fiction | |
| The Deep Dark The Deep Dark is a wonderfully illustrated graphic novel about old friends, demons in the cellar, and trying to keep a family together. (LGBTQ, Suspenseful) | Teen | Molly Knox Ostertag | Ollie | graphic novel | |
 | The Arsonist Three main characters, one big mystery, and plot-twists that will keep you up all night. This book has everything and then some. | Teen | Stephanie Oakes | Sarah | fiction | |
 | Stone Soup A story about the magic of community and soup! When three weary travelers arrive at a village, no one wants to help them. But when they start making soup from stones, the villagers are curious enough to start offering a few ingredients. (Feel-good, Historical) | Early | Jon J. Muth | Tess | picture book | |
 | Jennie If you like cats, read this book! | Kid | Paul Gallico | Sarah | fiction | |
 | Ferris It's the summer after 5th grade and many of Ferris's family members are struggling. Some have bad haircuts and missing teeth, and some can't seem to get out of bed or the basement. Ferris is determined to help them regain their sparkle and shine by reminding them of the power of love. After all, her favorite person always says, "Every good story is a love story." (Family, Funny, Character-Driven) | Kid | Kate DiCamillo | Theresa | fiction | |
 | Juniper The prequel to Wise Child. Set in a fantastical countryside long ago, discover magic and adventure! (Fantasy, Feel-good, Historical) | Kid | Monica Furlong | Sarah | fiction | |
 | A Darker Shade of Magic Four parallel Londons exist stacked on top of each other, with no way to travel between them. Except for Antari, a rare kind of magician. Kell, one of only two existing Antari, acts as a Royal ambassador, but secretly, he smuggles items between worlds. When a deal goes wrong, Kel meets Delilah Bard--thief, orphan, and troublemaker--and the two must work together to stop the terrible forces Kell unleashed. (Fantasy, Action-packed, Fast-paced) | Teen | Victoria Schwab | Tess | fiction | |
 | Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World Ivy likes to draw pictures of girls holding hands. But when her sketchbook is misplaced, her secret is no longer just hers. This is a wonderful LGBTQIA+ book about a girl discovering her sexuality in our complex world. (LGBTQ, Realistic, Feel-good) | Kid | Ashley Herring Blake | Sarah | fiction | |
 | Raybearer A beautifully detailed fantasy with epic world-building and in-depth characters. (Fantasy, Mystery, Action-packed) | Teen | Jordan Ifueko | Sarah | fiction | |
 | Beneath the Wide Silk Sky All Samantha Sakamoto wants to do is learn about photography and, encouraged by her white boyfriend, Beau, she secretly enters her work in a statewide contest with the hopes of winning the prize money to help her family. But with federal agents scouring the island and white townsfolk turning on their Japanese-American neighbors, Sam may not be able to save her family. A fabulous debut that confronts racism and discrimination faced by Japanese-Americans in an America on the brink of war in the 1940's. Perfect for fans of Ruta Sepetys. | Teen | Emily Inouye Huey | Tamar | fiction | |
 | The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue Monty travels Europe with his best friend, Percy, as a last hurrah before they're separated by adulthood. Monty is desperate to escape his parents--and to stay close to Percy. When Monty steals something unexpected, they must travel the continent in search of answers and safety. Pirates, crushes, magic, and mayhem. (Fantasy, Historical, Action-packed, Romance, LGBTQ) | Teen | Mackenzi Lee | Tess | fiction | |
 | As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow Impossible choices - that's what 17 year-old Salama Kassab has to make if she is to find safe passage on a refugee boat for her and her best friend. A powerful novel set during the Syrian Revolution that will have you wondering what you would do if you had to pick between saving one life and moving to safety or saving many lives and living in a war zone. (Historical, Friends, Inspiring) | Teen | Zoulfa Katouh | Tamar | fiction | |
 | The Flicker After the flicker, a solar flare that scorched the earth, stepsiblings Millie and Rose must leave their underground bunker when their supplies run low. Together with their dog and 9-month-old brother Sammy, they try to navigate a post-apocalyptic world in this page turner. (Sci-fi, Survival, Fast-paced) | Kid | H.E. Edgmon | Angelina | fiction | |
 | Sugaring Off A tension-filled mystery/thriller about partially deaf teen, Owl, whose quiet refuge on her aunt and uncle's maple syrup farm is unmoored with the arrival of Cody. Cody's dark secrets slowly unravel as Owl grows closer to him, putting Owl into the crosshairs of dangerous people. (Mystery, Romance) | Teen | Gillian French | Tamar | fiction | |
 | Fangirl Cath and her twin Wren have just started college, but it's been a tricky transition. Reserved Cath tries to balance making friends, meeting boys, family relationships, and finding a place for the stories that means so much to her. (Realistic, Romance, Feel-good) | Teen | Rainbow Rowell | Tess | fiction | |
 | Anatomy Women in 1817 Scotland were barred from becoming surgeons, but that doesn't stop Hazel Sinnett from training in secret. Dive into this utterly compelling page turner filled with mystery, romance and the occasional cadaver. (Mystery, Historical, Romance) | Teen | Dana Schwartz | Tamar | fiction | |
 | When You Find the Right Rock If you don't have a rock collection maybe it's time you start? There's nothing quite like finding the PERFECT rock. (Nature) | Kid | Mary Lyn Ray; Felicita Sala | Jim | picture book | |
 | Maybe Tomorrow? An excellent portrayal of grief. Maybe Tomorrow beautifully illustrates how to support someone who's hurting. (Sad, Inspiring, Friends, Animals) | Early | Charlotte Agell | Jim | picture book | |
 | A Complicated Love Story Set in Space A love story/mystery/thriller set in space with lots of action, unexpected plot twists and hijinks. If you had one book to bring on a journey to space, this might be it. (Sci-fi, Mystery, Romance) | Teen | Shaun David Hutchinson | Tamar | fiction | |
 | I Had That Same Dream Again This is a beautiful story with dark themes presented with a hopeful and optimistic lens, complete with a surprise twist. (Hopeful) | Teen | Yoru Sumino | Ollie | graphic novel | |
 | Slay A fast-paced mystery set in a secret, multiplayer online game. Even as a non-gamer, I was hooked! | Teen | Brittney Morris | Tamar | fiction | |
 | Creepy Carrots! Perfectly creepy with just the right amount of suspense for young readers. (Silly, Action-Packed) | Early | Aaron Reynolds; Peter Brown | Jim | picture book | |
 | Thirteen Doorways, Wolves Behind Them All Set in Chicago during the Depression, this is the story of two orphaned sisters, one ghost, and the many "wolves" who haunt their lives. (Historical, Scary, Family) | Teen | Laura Ruby | Tamar | fiction | |
 | My Thoughts Have Wings When a young girl’s worries and fears get away from her in the dark, her mother helps her guide the runaway thoughts to a more peaceful place in her mind. (Hopeful, Realistic) | Early | Maggie Smith | Hana | picture book | |
 | Storybooth Real stories told anonymously by teens to Storybooth who illustrates each tale. From first kisses to deepest, darkest secrets, this is the kind of book that proves that no matter what is happening in your life, you are not alone. (True Story, Coming of Age, Funny) | Teen | Tamar | nonfiction | ||
 | Rock by Rock The extraordinary story of a man whose homesick heart inspired him to secretly, and illegally, build a garden of huge rock structures that is now one of India’s most beloved sites. Written by our Skagit County neighbor, Jennifer Bradbury. (True Story, Nature) | Early | Jennifer Bradbury; Sam Boughton | Tamar | nonfiction | |
 | An Absolutely Remarkable Thing A weird, exhilarating sci-fi mystery about aliens, fame, and friendship. (Sci-fi, Action-packed) | Teen | Hank Green | Tess | fiction | |
 | Crushing Follow two lonely-hearts through the city in this wordless graphic novel that explores being "crushed" - by isolation or by love. Brilliant. (Romance, Feel-good) | Teen | Sophie Burrows | Tamar | graphic novel | |
 | In the Dark A creative, dual-perspective story about making connections (in fun and surprising ways) and challenging our own assumptions. (Hopeful, Realistic, Thought-provoking) | Early | Kate Hoefler | Hana | picture book | |
 | How to Say Hello to A Worm Answers the title question and many others, including how to know when a strawberry is ripe, in this sweet introduction to gardening. (Nature) | Early | Kari Percival | Angelina | picture book | |
 | The Secret Horses of Briar Hill A young girl with tubercuosous gets sent to a hospital during WWII. Everyone thinks she is losing her mind when she claims to see big horses with wings around the hospital. Are the horses real? Or just her imagination? This book is very special and dear to my heart. | Kid | Megan Shepherd | Sarah | fiction | |
 | The Prince and the Dressmaker A shy seamstress gets hired to work for the prince. This becomes an exciting job when she learns the prince's secret; he likes to wear woman's dresses! They form a close bond over this secret, but the prince's parents can not find out... This book is so fun and heartfelt! (LGBTQ, Feel-good) | Teen | Jen Wang | Sarah | graphic novel | |
 | Chicken Soup With Rice Count the months with this rhyming book! | Early | Maurice Sendak | Tess | picture book | |
 | Monster Trouble See how Winifred solves her monster problem in this silly, rhyming story. (Silly, Funny) | Early | Lane Fredrickson | Angelina | picture book | |
 | Lalani of the Distant Sea Lyrical writing and the enchanting fable-like quality (inspired by Filipino folklore) swept me away and has stuck with me ever since. (Character-driven, Fantasy, Hopeful, Magical) | Kid | Erin Entrada Kelly | Hana | fiction | |
 | Sisters of the Neversea A reimagining of Peter Pan with indigenous kids at the center of the action! (Magical, Family) | Kid | Cynthia Leitich Smith | Angelina | fiction | |
 | Mel Fell Have fun turning the book sideways to read about little bird Mel as she decides she is ready to try flying for the first time! (Funny, Animals) | Early | Corey R. Tabor | Angelina | picture book | |
 | Fireborne Dragons! Munda’s fantasy world is full to the brim with dragon riding, romantic angst, and political intrigue. I inhaled this whole trilogy. (Action-packed, Character-driven, Fantasy, Fast-paced) | Teen | Rosaria Munda | Hana | fiction | |
| The Deep Dark Mags has a dark secret that isolates her from the rest of her town. When Nessa, a childhood friend, comes back to town with some secrets of her own, Mags has to decide if she's going to confront what she's been hiding for so long or keep it--and herself--hidden in the dark forever. (Fantasy, Scary, Romance) | Teen | Molly Knox Ostertag | Tess | graphic novel | |
 | Give Me A Snickle! This board book encourages you to snuggle, tickle, hug and giggle, and it gives you silly new words to describe the experience. The adorable photos are pure joy (Silly, Feel-good) | Early | Alisha Sevigny | Theresa | picture book | |
 | SeafireTeen I am hardcore in love with Caledonia Styx and her all-girl crew aboard the ship the Mors Navis. Determined to take down the vicious warlord responsible for the destruction of their families and homes, Cal’s crew takes on the patriarchy in a vicious storm of strength and sisterhood. (Action-packed, Fantasy, Fast-pased) | Teen | Natalie C. Parker | Hana | fiction | |
 | Jackaby An addicting combination of Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Who, paranormal detective R.F. Jackaby and his steadfast assistant, Abigail Rook, take New England by storm in this story that is part mystery, part fantasy. (Action-packed, Character-driven, Fantasy, Mystery, Suspenseful) | Teen | William Ritter | Hana | fiction | |
 | I Really Want to See You, Grandma Yumi and Grandma go to great lengths to see each other! (Feel-good, silly) | Early | Tarō Gomi | Tess | picture book | |
 | October, October A girl who is raised in the wilderness by her father is suddenly expected to live in the "real-world" with a mother she has never met before. If you love nature, animals, and the woods, then you will love this book. | Kid | Katya Balen | Sarah | fiction | |
 | Mi papá es un agrícola/My father, the farmworker Este libro bilingüe tiene ilustraciones hermosas y un mensaje de amor y gratitud. Con frases sencillas y sinceros, un hijo orgulloso describe la importante y duro labor de su papá. This bilingual book has beautiful illustrations and a message of love and appreciation. With simple and sincere sentences, a proud son describes his dad’s hard but important work. (True Story, Feel-good) | Early | J. Roman Pérez Varela; José Ramírez | Tess | picture book | |
| Maybe Tomorrow? This story hits hard in the best way. The soft illustrations partner beautifully with a gentle and touching exploration of grief. (Friends, Hopeful, Sad) | Early | Charlotte Agell | Hana | picture book | |
 | Free Lunch Rex Ogle's memoir about being the "free lunch" kid in middle school. Gutted me but somehow a story still full of hope and love. | Teen | Rex Ogle | Tamar | nonfiction | |
 | The Scarecrow A beautiful celebration of family and love in which two very different souls unexpectedly find their hearts connected. Words and illustrations work together in perfect sync and bring me to tears every time. (Animals, Family, Feel-good, Hopeful) | Early | Beth Ferry; Fan Brothers | Hana | picture book | |
 | Little Thieves Cursed by her greed and a witch's proclamation, a princess's maid will turn into the very jewels desires unless she can change her ways. A delightful, sharply written twist on a fairytale. (Fantasy, Mystery) | Teen | Margaret Owen | Tamar | fiction | |
 | The Thief Lord A group of rogue orphans are on the run from a nasty detective. An action-packed adventure story with a huge mystery! (Mystery, Suspenseful, Action-packed) | Teen | Cornelia Funke | Sarah | fiction | |
 | Animus Kids are disappearing and the Kyoto police are stumped. Could the ghost-boy at the local park be able to help? A graphic novel, a mystery, and a perfectly creepy tale. | Teen | Antoine J. D. Revoy | Tamar | graphic novel | |
 | Out of A Jar This visualization of what happens when you try to shove your feelings into a box (or in this case, a jar) is so skillfully done, you can't help but feel the relief of letting them out right along with our rabbit friend, Llewellyn. (Feel-good, Hopeful, Thought-provoking) | Early | Deborah Marcero | Hana | picture book | |
 | Orca Rescue! From first sighting, to rescue, to reunion, this fascinating, true story of a young Orca is the hopeful, compulsively readable story that we have all been waiting for. | Kid | Donna Sandstrom | Tamar | nonfiction | |
 | Beautiful In a world that is constantly telling us to look a certain way, this book is like an affirming hug that celebrates the glorious beauty in everyone and everything. (Feel-good, Realistic, Thought-provoking) | Early | Stacy McAnulty; Joanne Lew-Vriethoff | Hana | picture book | |
 | Everybody Has A Body The most enjoyable book about body neutrality every created. The text is fun to read and the pictures feel like a jubilant celebration of variety! | Early | Molli Jackson Ehlert | Theresa | picture book | |
 | Dreamers This stunning illustration of the author’s own journey to the U.S. is a moving love letter to books and the power of the written word. Emotionally exhausting and inspiring all at once. (Family, Hopeful, Inspiring, Realistic) | Early | Yuyi Morales | Hana | picture book | |
 | Anna and the Swallow Man 7 year-old Anna travels through the Polish countryside with a mysterious man who speaks multiple languages, can talk to birds, and teaches Anna through fables. A WWII story like no other you will ever read. | Teen | Gavriel Savit | Tamar | fiction | |
 | The Word Collector It’s a thrill to delight in the sounds of certain words right along Jerome: Infinitesimal. Harmony. Orchestra. And the different ways you can put them all together? Magic. (Feel-good, Realistic) | Early | Peter H. Reynolds | Hana | picture book | |
 | Not Quite Narwhal Kelp the unicorn always makes me smile. Does he belong with the land narwhals or the sea unicorns? There's no need to decide! (Animals, Feel-good, Funny, Inspiring, Thought-provoking) | Early | Jessie Sima | Hana | picture book | |
 | Dragons and Marshmallows This series is too cute! Who wouldn’t love to help magical creatures with the help of a feline sidekick? (Animals, Fantasy, Fast-paced, Funny, Magical) | Kid | Asia Citro; Lindsay Marion | Hana | fiction | |
 | Meet Yasmin! Yasmin has an insane confidence and go-getter attitude that I wish to emulate even as an adult. (Fast-paced, Funny, Realistic) | Kid | Saadia Faruqi; Hatem Aly | Hana | fiction | |
 | Mia Mayhem Is A Superhero! Have you ever wanted to wake up one day and learn you have superpowers? Living vicariously through Mia is a joy. (Fantasy, Fast-paced) | Kid | Kara West; Leeza Hernandez | Hana | fiction | |
 | The Story of Diva and Flea The illustrations are so imprinted into my memory, I can’t help but have a warm feeling when I think about this book. A cat and a dog open up each other’s world in delightfully unexpected ways and a friendship is born. (Animals, Feel-Good, Inspiring) | Kid | Mo Willems; Tony DiTerlizzi | Hana | fiction | |
 | Sing A Song of Seasons Each page in this poetry collection is unique and just sings. Plus it’s fun to find your birthday poem! (Feel-good, Nature) | Kid | Fiona Waters; Frann Preston-Gannon | Hana | nonfiction | |
 | The Sea in Winter Maisie’s journey to heal, in both the physical and emotional sense, had me rooting hard for the young ballerina in this beautifully emotional story. Day is also a Skagit local! (Character-driven, Coming-of-age, Hopeful, Realistic, Sad) | Kid | Christine Day | Hana | fiction | |
 | Shadow Magic The son of an outlaw, a giant bat, and an honest-to-goodness nice princess of darkness? Sign me up! It’s a little dark, a little creepy, and completely magical. (Action-packed, Fantasy, Fast-paced, Scary, Suspenseful) | Kid | Joshua Khan | Hana | fiction | |
 | Other Ever Afters This is a compilation of queer fairy tales, drawn and colored by hand by the author with colored pencils, giving it a unique feel. (Fantasy, Magical, Romance) | Teen | Melanie Gillman | Ollie | graphic novel | |
 | Undefeated Anything written by Steve Sheinkin goes right to the top of my reading pile. He writes non-fiction that reads like a thriller and this one about Jim Thorpe is no exception. (True Story, Inspiring) | Teen | Steve Sheinkin | Tamar | nonfiction | |
 | The Magnificent Book of Birds The gorgeous, detailed illustrations in this oversize book are enough to recommend it alone, but the information shared is also intriguing. They chose the most fascinating facts about some really spectacular birds. (Animals, True Story) | Kid | Tom Jackson | Theresa | nonfiction | |
 | The Well This book captured my interest immediately with the beautiful art, and the plot had me on edge (and shedding tears). I would definitely recommend this to readers looking for an adventure with emotion. (Action-packed, Sad, Magical) | Teen | Jake Wyatt | Ollie | graphic novel | |
 | The Beatryce Prophecy Kate DiCamillo does it again! You will fall in love with Beatryce along with the whole cast of misfit characters. (Fantasy, Mystery, Action-packed, Historical) | Kid | Kate DiCamillo | Sarah | fiction | |
 | M is for Monster A mad scientist attempts to resurrect her younger sister, but instead a new soul takes over the body. This is a Frankenstein-inspired graphic novel about identity, family, and ghosts. (Magical, Family, Sci-fi) | Teen | Talia Dutton | Ollie | graphic novel | |
 | Today Tonight Tomorrow A city-wide scavenger hunt, the Aurora Bridge Troll, and two seniors racing against the clock...and towards each other. A sweet, romantic jaunt through Seattle. (Realistic, Romance) | Teen | Rachel Lynn Solomon | Tamar | fiction | |
 | Cheer Up! This graphic novel focuses on antisocial Annie, who is pressured into joining the cheerleading squad to make friends. Her former friend BeeBee is on the squad as well, and is a huge people pleaser, forced to keep her parents happy with her high grades and positive social life in order for them to keep supporting her transition. The two girls rekindle their friendship while dealing with the rigors of training and increased social pressure. (Friends, Character-Driven, LGBTQ) | Teen | Crystal Frasier | Ollie | graphic novel | |
 | The Big Bath House A beautiful story about a family tradition and inter-generational love. I love this picture book! (Feel-good) | Early | Kyo Maclear; Gracey Zhang | Sarah | picture book | |
 | Belle of the Ball A graphic novel about a high school wallflower who ends up in an unexpected love triangle after tutoring the girlfriend of her crush. (Silly, Friends, LGBTQ) | Teen | Mari Costa | Ollie | graphic novel | |
 | Snail Crossing I love a picture book that is as engaging for an adult as it is for a kid and this one knocks it out of the the park. Well, actually, just across a road at a snail's pace. So funny! (Funny, Animals) | Early | Corey R. Tabor | Tamar | picture book | |
 | Bathe the Cat Probably the silliest, funniest story about doing chores ever written. You'll love the cat! (Silly, Family, Funny) | Early | Alice B. McGinty | Theresa | picture book | |
 | A Sitting in St. James The family fortune is buried deep, as deep as the family's secrets. A struggling Southern sugar cane plantation needs money but that may not be enough to save it from it's wretched past. (Historical, LGBTQ, Family) | Teen | Rita Williams-Garcia | Tamar | fiction | |
 | What Love Looks Like It’s bedtime, and Afia asks a question: What does love look like? Her papa will help her on the journey to figuring out this deceptively simple question. (Family, Feel-good, Realistic, Thought-provoking) | Early | Laura Obuobi | Hana | picture book | |
 | I Hear the Sunspot Taichi needs a well-paid part-time job. Kohei needs a note taker, as he has experienced hearing loss since middle school. What starts out as a business-like friendship evolves into something more, that neither of them expected. (LGBTQ, Realistic) | Teen | Yuki Fumino | Ollie | graphic novel | |
 | A Tropical Fish Yearns for Snow Two students in the aquarium club form an instant bond that starts to blossom into something more than friends. (Friends, LGBTQ) | Teen | Makoto Hagino | Ollie | graphic novel | |
 | The Alchemist Who Survived Now Dreams of A Quiet City Life Mariela is the last alchemist alive after waking up from a 200-year sleep. As the only alchemist in town, she can make exorbitant amounts of money making and selling potions - but all she wants is to relax and live at her own pace. (Magical, Fantasy, Hopeful) | Teen | Usata Nonohara | Ollie | graphic novel | |
 | The Panda Problem So much fun and laugh-out-loud funny! | Early | Deborah Underwood; Hannah Marks | Evie | picture book | |
 | The Bakery Dragon I loved this cozy picture book about a tiny dragon who finds something glorious to love other than the gold other dragons hoard. (Fantasy, Feel-good, Magical) | Early | Devin Elle Kurtz | Hana | picture book | |
| Wolf Hollow A book that makes you think about compassion, justice, dignity, and how the words you say matter deeply. | Kid | Lauren Wolk | Evie | fiction | |
 | Rabbit, Duck, and Big Bear A book that invites you to slow down, take a deep breath, and smell the forest. I could just smell that big tree and I'll bet you can too! | Early | Nadine Brun-Cosme; Olivier Tallec | Evie | picture book | |
 | Maud and Grand-Maud What could be better than a book about a sleepover at Grandma's house? This book was just perfect! | Early | Sara O'Leary; Kenard Pak | Evie | picture book | |
 | A True Home A place where creatures of the forest come together and practice kindness and compassion make this a sweet beginning chapter book with a little bit of tension as they have to work together to find safety from the dangers of of each others quirks as well as from outside forces. | Kid | Kallie George | Evie | fiction | |
 | A Place to Hang the Moon A "preposterous plan", a closely guarded secret, and 3 book loving children make this story, set in 1940 England amidst the wartime evacuation of children from London, a compelling read you won't want to miss. | Kid | Kate Albus | Evie | fiction | |
 | Pay Attention, Carter Jones Mr Bowles-Fitzpatrick is the cricket-loving, English butler that Carter Jones never knew he needed. Although he often seems stodgy and out of place, his skills with metaphors and sticky wickets arrive at the perfect time. (Family, Funny, Realistic, Coming-of-Age) | Kid | Gary D Schmidt | Theresa | fiction | |
 | Too Much Stuff! I'm not sure what's more fun in this book, the pictures, the rhymes, or the story itself of a pair of birds so excited about their new family that they keep adding more stuff to the nest until they add so much stuff it comes crashing down right on their eggs! Did the eggs survive? You'll want to read this silly book and find out. | Early | Emily Gravett | Evie | picture book | |
 | Wally & Freya "There is always much more to people than we can see. Beautiful things happen when we practice empathy." is the last line of this book and how the author shows us that truth makes this book a gem. | Early | Lindsey Pointer; Stella Mongodi | Evie | picture book | |
 | Where I Belong I loved reading about Millie and seeing the world through her eyes as she balanced responsibility to her family, her passion for the sea, her growing interest in a boy. and her growing awareness of the role she could play in others lives if she was willing to be vulnerable and open to sharing her story. | Teen | Marcia Argueta Mickelson | Evie | fiction | |
 | Corner A quiet, calm story that wonders about the nature of home and how to create one. (Creative, Friends) | Early | Zo-O | Jim | picture book | |
 | Not Quite A Ghost A haunting story about a girl combatting a maybe-ghost and dealing with chronic illness at the same time. (Character-driven, Horror, Scary) | Kid | Anne Ursu | Hana | fiction | |
 | The North Wind & the Sun A cozy folktale that speaks to perseverance and kindness. (Fantasy) | Early | Philip Stead | Jim | picture book | |
 | The Day the Crayons Quit A story told in letters from the writing tools themselves! The Crayons are NOT happy with their jobs and they want some changes to be made around here! Like, can't Black do more than just outlining? And Blue is wiped out from coloring all that water. So funny and cute. (Funny, Silly) | Early | Drew Daywalt | Tess | picture book | |
| The Line Tender Lucy may have lost her mom, but she still has her deep fascination with sharks. So, when dead (and alive) sharks start cropping up off the coast of Maine, Lucy knows this must be a sign from her mom. Emotional, contemplative, and addictive. (Mystery, Realistic) | Kid | Kate Allen | Sarah | fiction | |
 | The Chosen A beautiful book about friendship, religion, and family. I learned so much from this book and absolutely fell in love with the two main characters and their friendship. (Realistic, Historical, Sad, Feel-good) | Teen | Chaim Potok | Tess | fiction | |
 | Olivetti When Ernest’s mother goes missing, he gains an unexpected ally in Olivetti the typewriter. Told in alternating perspectives between the two, Ernest and Olivetti join together to find her in this emotional and heartfelt story. (Character-driven, Hopeful, Realistic, Sad) | Kid | Allie Millington | Hana | fiction | |
 | Dear Mr. G Follow the letters back and forth between a young boy and his neighbor. Simple, loving, and tugs on your heart strings. (Sad, Feel-good) | Early | Christine Evans | Tess | picture book | |
 | Outside in I often forget that everything in our homes and schools comes from the natural world and is intrinsically connected to it. I loved this book because it always reminds me that while we spend most of our lives indoors, the natural world outside is just as much a part of us, as we are of it. (Nature, Outdoors, Reflective) | Early | Deborah Underwood | Jim | picture book | |
 | Hazel Bly and the Deep Blue Sea Hazel must find the courage to overcome her fear of the ocean, accept a new family member, and deal with PTSD from a previous accident. Ashley Herring Blake has never disappointed me. (LGBTQ, Mystery, Realistic) | Kid | Ashley Herring Blake | Sarah | fiction | |
 | Fighting Words Two sisters are in protective custody after their abusive step-father does something "really bad". This book will shatter you and then put the pieces back together. (Realistic, Sad) | Kid | Kimberly Brubaker Bradley | Sarah | fiction | |
 | If You Come to EarthIf you come to Earth there's a few things you might find - different kinds of people, places, food, jobs, and animals! This book has so much detail and variety, I could spend hours reading and rereading this wonderful book. (Realistic) | Early | Sophie Blackall | Jim | picture book | |
 | The Wrong Way Home When Fern and her mother escape the dangerous, isolated community they have been living in, Fern unwillingly exists in the outside world while wanting nothing more than to go back. But as she gets to know the world more, she grudgingly begins to question the place she thought of as home. (Character-driven, Coming-of-age, Hopeful, Realistic) | Kid | Kate O'Shaugnessy | Hana | fiction | |
 | Very Good Hats This whimsical ode to hats delighted and surprised me. It's a sure winner for playful readers. (Silly, Funny) | Early | Emma Straub; Blanca Gomez | Jim | picture book | |
 | Slow Down: 50 Mindful Moments in Nature Magic is found everywhere in the natural world! This book invites you to take a moment to appreciate the natural wonders that surround us. (Nature, True Story) | Kid | Rachel Williams | Jim | nonfiction | |
 | Stuck After Floyd's kite gets stuck in a tree, he has a few brilliant ideas about how to get it back. A colorful and surprising story, the first time I read it, I was positively guffawing. (Silly, Funny) | Early | Oliver Jeffers | Jim | picture book | |
 | The North Star I read this book frequently when I lose sight of what's important. It always brings me back to a place of quiet reflection and wonder. It is quite a special little story. (Inspiring, Friends) | Early | Peter H. Reynolds | Jim | picture book | |
 | Finnikin of the Rock Torn between responsibility and personal desire, Finnikin must choose what's really important to him. Outcasts, curses, and a land divided come together to weave an epic tale of personal struggle and triumph. This series was among my favorites in high school. If you read it, let me know what you think! (Fantasy, Action-Packed) | Teen | Melina Marchetta | Jim | fiction | |
 | When Stars Are Scattered The true story of Omar Mohamed and his life growing up in a Kenyan refugee camp. I laughed and cried more than once while reading this book. It was powerful, exploratory, and moving. (Historical, Sad, Inspiring) | Kid | Victoria Jamieson; Omar Mohamed | Jim | nonfiction | |
 | Hippos Go Berserk! Count up as the hippos gather and then down as they disperse! Highly addictive. Growing up, I made my dad read this one so many times that I can still recite most of it today. Next time you see me in the library I just might recite it for you. (Silly) | Early | Sandra Boynton | Jim | picture book | |
 | The Last Apprentice This series is downright spooky and extremely bingeable. I first read it in middle school and instantly loved it. As the seventh son of a seventh son, Tom Ward has the opportunity to become a Spook and learn how to cast out boggarts, demons, and other evils lurking in the dark. But Spooking takes a lifetime to master and Tom's not so sure he'll live that long. (Scary, Fast-Paced) | Teen | Joseph Delaney | Jim | fiction | |
 | Squished This family-friendly story about finding your own space will tug at your heartstrings. Especially if you have loveable boogers for siblings (I'm lucky enough to have five loveable boogers.) (Family, Friends, Coming-of-age) | Kid | Megan Wagner Lloyd; Michelle Mee Nutter | Jim | graphic novel | |
 | Anzu and the Realm of Darkness A delightfully dark and exciting journey to the underworld of Japanese legend in which Anzu must find her way out before her spirit is trapped forever. (Action-packed, Fantasy, Magical, Scary) | Kid | Mai K. Nguyen | Hana | graphic novel | |
 | Beetle & the Hollowbones Wonderful illustrations, fun characters, and lots of magic! It's a perfect storm. (LGBTQ+, Coming-of-Age) | Kid | Aliza Layne | Jim | graphic novel | |
 | Stargirl When a new girl comes to town and shakes things up, no one knows what to think. She is bold, unique, and unapologeticly herself. This will encourage you to let your own light shine! | Teen | Jerry Spinelli | Sarah | fiction | |
| Wolf Hollow Annabelle and her family confront local bullies and the trauma of war in this masterfully crafted story that will haunt you long after you read it. | Kid | Lauren Wolk | Tamar | fiction | |
 | Because of Winn-Dixie A lonely girl, an abandoned dog, a beautiful friendship. This is one of those books that everyone should read in their lifetime. (Animals, Realistic, Feel-good) | Kid | Kate DiCamillo | Sarah | fiction | |
| Impossible Creatures This fantasy epic blew me away. Fall in love just as I did with Mal, Christopher, and the hidden realm called the Archipelago that protects the magical creatures living there. (Fantasy, Hopeful, Magical) | Kid | Katherine Rundell | Hana | fiction | |
 | From the Desk of Zoe Washington Zoe has never met her father because he has been in jail since before she was born. But, when she receives a letter from him, everything changes. Suddenly she wants to know him AND she wants to prove his innocence. A riveting story full of mystery and action! (Realistic, Mystery) | Kid | Janae Marks | Sarah | fiction | |
 | Maisy Gets A Pet An adorable story about getting your first pet kitten. Maisy learns about taking care of a little creature with care. Lovely book! (Animals, Feel-good) | Early | Lucy Cousins | Sarah | picture book | |
 | A Good Place A perfect story for summertime with wonderful illustrations and cute characters! (Animals, Feel-good) | Early | Lucy Cousins | Sarah | picture book | |
 | Extasia Capturing female rage so effectively, this marvelous horror is so disturbing and made me feel all kinds of squirmy. (Character-driven, Horror, LGBTQ, Scary, Suspenseful) | Teen | Claire Legrand | Hana | fiction | |
 | The Bear and the Wildcat Such a simple, breathtaking look at grief and healing. I started crying by page 3. (Animals, Sad) | Early | Kazumi Yumoto | Sarah | picture book | |
 | Emmett and Jez Written by a woman who rescues cats and kittens for a living! Such a fun read! (Animals, True Story) | Kid | Hannah Shaw; Beverly Johnson | Sarah | fiction | |
 | Catwings Strange and magical winged-cats? What more could you hope for in a children's book? (Fantasy, Animals) | Kid | Ursula K. Le Guin; S.D. Schindler | Sarah | fiction | |
 | My Baba's Garden A beautiful picture book about a boy and his Baba. The love they share with one another is unbreakable and unending. (Sad, Feel-good) | Early | Jordan Scott; Sydney Smith | Sarah | picture book | |
 | Cat Heaven My favorite book for honoring all the wonderful cats that have passed on. Cherish every moment you have with them on earth, and then know that Cat Heaven will be good to them. (Animals, Sad) | Early | Cynthia Rylant | Sarah | picture book | |
 | The World and Everything in It Kevin Henkes does it again! His delightful illustrations are what make this book so wonderful. (Feel-good) | Early | Kevin Henkes | Sarah | picture book | |
 | The Skull Otilla has escaped from terrible danger and stumbled upon a lonely house in a dark forest, quickly making friends with the fearful resident of the home. (Fast-paced, Magical) | Early | Jon Klassen | Ollie | picture book | |
 | What's Sweeter Simple, sweet illustrations with a dash of story. A perfectly lovely picture book for all ages. (Feel-good) | Early | June Tate | Sarah | picture book | |
 | House of Salt and Sorrows A retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses, I loved the atmosphere and worldbuilding of this gothic fairy tale. (Character-driven, Fantasy, Suspenseful) | Teen | Erin A. Craig | Hana | fiction | |
| Wildoak A young girl is ridiculed for her stutter. A young snow leopard is illegally sold and released into a forest where he cannot survive. Their paths cross in remarkable ways in this moving, exciting novel. (Realistic, Mystery) | Kid | C.C. Harrington | Sarah | fiction | |
 | Brave Irene Intrepid Irene is a hero of mine. When I find myself dreading a task or a avoiding my fears, I try to remember the incredibly satisfying end of this story. I'm smiling just thinking about it. I want to be like Irene! (Feel-good, Inspiring) | Kid | William Steig | Theresa | picture book | |
 | Big Cat, Little Cat One day, a new baby kitten comes home. The big cat teaches the kitten all about how to be a cat. As the big cat gets older, the kitten grows into a big cat too. Get ready to shed some tears and feel some big feelings. (Animals, Sad) | Early | Elisha Cooper | Sarah | picture book | |
 | If These Wings Could Fly A brave teenage girl has to protect her younger sisters from their abusive father in this raw and brutal YA fiction novel. (Mystery, Realistic, Sad) | Teen | Kyrie McCauley | Sarah | fiction | |
 | Lighter Than My Shadow Katie recounts her childhood with an eating disorder and the trauma of recovering from sexual assault. Blunt, beautiful, and life-changing. (True Story, Sad, Realistic) | Teen | Katie Green | Sarah | graphic novel | |
 | Eva Evergreen, Semi-magical Witch Eva still hasn't gotten her magical powers, which at the age of 12 is unheard of. Will she get them in time to prove she is a real witch? Magical, exciting, and positively uplifting. (Fantasy, Mystery, Feel-good) | Kid | Julie Abe | Sarah | fiction | |
| Throwback A fun take on time travel in which modern day teen Sam goes back to the ‘90s and meets her high school-age mother. To figure out how to get back to her own time, Sam must come to understand her mom in ways she never has before. (Coming-of-age, Family, Realistic, Sci-Fi) | Teen | Maurene Goo | Hana | fiction | |
 | Gustavo, the Shy Ghost As a shy person, I related strongly to Gustavo. I also loved poring over the clever details in the illustrations by Mexican artist, Flavia Drago. (Friends, Inspiring) | Early | Flavia Z. Drago | Theresa | picture book | |
 | Where the Red Fern Grows This is the book that turned me into a reader. | Kid | Wilson Rawls | Thom | fiction | |
 | Egg Henkes is a master of simplicity. Using only __ words and four colors, he creates sweet characters, anticipation, surprise, and sheer delight. (Friends, Animals, Silly, Feel-good) | Early | Kevin Henkes | Theresa | picture book | |
 | Sabriel Sabriel is a necromancer who must uphold the great work of her father and save the Old Kingdom. Reminiscent of J.R.R. Tolkien's work, this book is an incredible, action-packed adventure. (Fantasy, Mystery, Action-packed) | Teen | Garth Nix | Sarah | fiction | |
 | The Brilliant Deep You'll feel like you dove straight into a glimmering underwater paradise that needs to be saved. (Nature) | Kid | Kate Messner | Theresa | nonfiction | |
 | Tumtum & Nutmeg Charming, old-fashioned adventures involving a wealthy, mouse couple and the human children they try to keep safe. A great read aloud for all ages. (Fantasy, Animals, Feel-good, Action-packed) | Kid | Emily Bearn | Theresa | fiction | |
 | A Journey Under the Sea An amazing non-fiction book with beautiful photos of the Great African Sea Forest. My favorite part is how many different ways an octopus can change shape and color. (Animals, Nature) | Kid | Craig Foster; Ross Frylinck | Angelina | nonfiction | |
 | Enter the Body A uniquely crafted story in which women from Shakespeare’s plays take back the narrative and tell their stories with the endings they wish they had gotten. (Historical, Thought-provoking) | Teen | Joy McCullough | Hana | fiction | |
 | Marshmallow & Jordan Gorgeous illustrations add to this delightful story set in Indonesia about a girl in middle school and a mysterious white elephant and how they help each other.(Fantasy, Friends, Animals) | Kid | Alina Chau | Angelina | graphic novel | |
 | The Search for Sasquatch A journalist seeks the truth using the scientific method to discover if Sasquatch are real. Read this non-fiction book to find out the answer! (Thought-provoking) | Kid | Laura Krantz | Angelina | nonfiction | |
 | The Littlest Yak Even the littlest yak can do big things in this sweet, rhyming picture book. (Feel-good, Animals) | Early | Lu Fraser; Kate Hindley | Angelina | picture book | |
 | Flubby Will Not Go to Sleep Will anything help Flubby go to sleep? A pillow, a blanket, a song or a snack? Read and find out in this beginning reader in the Flubby series. (Animals, Funny) | Kid | J. E. Morris | Angelina | fiction | |
 | Dragons in A Bag 9-year-old Jax didn't realize how easy it would be to break the 2 rules of caring for newborn dragons: 1. Don't let them out of the bag. 2. Don't feed them anything sweet. Read to find out what happens next! (Fantasy, Magical, Family) | Kid | Zetta Elliott | Angelina | fiction | |
 | Strange the Dreamer A stunning tale of a mythical city, the gods who live hidden above it, and the dreamer who wants to learn about it all. (Character-driven, Fantasy, Magical) | Teen | Laini Taylor | Hana | fiction | |
 | Lucy in the Sky 7th grader Lucy is struggling with some family issues and feels her friends are drifting away. She discovers some of her parent's old Beatles albums, gets a drum set, and decides to start a girl band. Can she keep the band together? (Realistic, Friends, Family) | Kid | Kiara Brinkman; Sean Chiki | Angelina | graphic novel | |
 | Roll for Initiative 12-year-old Riley is learning to survive middle school without her older brother's help. As she makes friends, she realizes that she can run the D&D games she used to play with her brother. When he comes home from college early, she has to prove her independence. (Realistic, Friends, Family) | Kid | Jaime Formato | Angelina | fiction | |
 | The Last Cuentista 12-year-old Petra is among the chosen few to board a spaceship for another planet when Earth is going to be destroyed by a comet. Hundreds of years later she awakes to discover she is the only one aboard who still remembers Earth or any of its stories. An amazing combination of sci-fi and Mexican-American storytelling. (Sci-fi, Suspenseful) | Teen | Donna Barba Higuera | Angelina | fiction | |
 | The Greatest Thing Various types of teen relationships, mental health, making art and disordered eating are all part of this graphic novel about a group of friends in high school. (Realistic, Friends) | Teen | Sarah Winifred Searle | Angelina | graphic novel | |
 | The Marvellers It is hard to be the first Conjuror allowed in a school of magic, especially when everyone is suspicious of Conjurors and see them as different from Marvellers. 11-year-old Ella finally makes some friends and bands with them to find her missing teacher. (Magical, Friends, Mystery) | Kid | Dhonielle Clayton | Angelina | fiction | |
 | Millie Fleur's Poison Garden Millie’s wonderfully spiky plants bring much-needed variety to the uniformity of her prim and proper new neighborhood. When her neighbors raise a fuss about the strangeness of the plants, Millie shares how much there is to love about her unique garden. (Friends, Inspiring, Nature, Realistic) | Kid | Christy Mandin | Hana | picture book | |
| The 57 Bus Two teens converge on a city bus in a moment of thoughtless violence, and both of their lives are changed forever. Reading and understanding this true story changed my life, too. | Teen | Dashka Slater | Thom | nonfiction | |
| Where the World Ends Based on an actual event from 1727, this tale of a group of men and boys stranded on a remote rock in the North Atlantic is austere, brutal, and suffused with hope. | Teen | Geraldine McCaughrean | Thom | fiction | |
 | Grumpy Monkey Jim Panzee is having a tough day and he is grumpy (even if he doesn't think he is). Having a friend who hangs in there with him and helps him see that he will probably feel better soon is such a good reminder of how we can be a good friend. | Early | Suzanne Lang | Evie | picture book | |
 | The Phone Booth in Mr. Hirota's Garden This book, inspired by a true story, is filled with emotions. It was so sad, but I loved it. | Early | Heather Smith | Evie | picture book | |
 | Mermaid Scales and the Town of Sand Everyone besides Tokiko denies the existence of merpeople, yet there is a secret annual festival in the small coastal town to honor them anyway. (Magical) | Kid | Yoko Komori | Ollie | graphic novel | |
 | King and the Dragonflies King is struggling to hold his family together after his older brother's unexpected death. How much does he have left to look after his missing, tortured friend? | Kid | Kacen Callender | Thom | fiction | |
 | Hooky Vol. 01 When Dani and Dorian miss the bus to magic school, a series of mishaps gets them labeled as traitors to their own kind. They befriend a troublemaker, a princess, and a teacher who can see the future - can this ragtag group of misfits repair their broken kingdom? (Magical, Family, Friends) | Kid | Miriam Bonastre Tur | Ollie | graphic novel | |
 | Wintergirls Lia's life has been overtaken by her eating disorder and she finds herself in a life or death situation. She will need to muster all the strength she has in order to recover. Powerful, accurate, and honest. (Realistic, Sad) | Teen | Laurie Halse Anderson | Sarah | fiction | |
 | My Aunt Is A Monster Safia thought the being blind meant she could only experience adventures in the form of audiobooks - until her reclusive Aunt Whimsy takes her on the adventure of a lifetime. (Magical, Family, Inspiring) | Kid | Reimena Yee | Ollie | graphic novel | |
 | Garlic & the Vampire Garlic & the Vampire is a humorous and heartwarming graphic novel about Garlic's journey to confront a bloodthirsty vampire. (Silly, Magical) | Kid | Bree Paulsen | Ollie | graphic novel | |
 | Séance Tea Party A warm and welcoming graphic novel about a 12-year-old who is afraid to grow up, and the ghost that has been haunting her house for generations. (Magical, Family) | Kid | Reimena Yee | Ollie | graphic novel | |
 | Stepping Stones Jen is experiencing a lot of change: she has to move from the city to the country when her mom gets a new boyfriend, as well as gaining two new "sisters", and having to learn new chores on Peapod Farm. Can Jen learn to deal with her insecurities about her new family, and how she fits into the equation? (Realistic, Family) | Kid | Lucy Knisley | Ollie | graphic novel | |
 | Swan Lake: Quest for the Kingdoms What do you get when you put two princesses from feuding kingdoms, magical curses, and ancient lands together? A fun and whimsical graphic novel that focuses on the importance of honest and supportive friendship! (Silly, Fast-Paced, Fantasy, Magical) | Kid | Rey Terciero; Megan Kearny; Meagan Carter | Ollie | graphic novel | |
 | Ten Beautiful Things Finding beautiful things when you feel sad and scared is so hard. I loved this Grandma and how she helped her granddaughter through a hard time by being present, but also offering some positive things to think about in the midst of something hard. | Early | Molly Beth Griffin; Maribel Lechuga | Evie | picture book | |
 | Hooky Vol. 02 Dani and Dorian - and their group - have been through a lot together. They have to find their lost allies to continue their journey, but are constantly being thwarted by family and strangers. (Magical, Family, Friends) | Kid | Miriam Bonastre Tur | Ollie | graphic novel | |
 | The Wisdom of Trees Did you know trees communicate via the wood-wide web? Learn how trees share information and nutrients to help each other survive in this non-fiction book. (Nature, Thought-provoking) | Kid | Lita Judge | Angelina | nonfiction | |
 | Hooky Vol. 3 A time skip, a war, and a curse - can there be a happy ending for Dani, Dorian, and their friends? (Magical, Family, Friends) | Kid | Miriam Bonastre Tur | Ollie | graphic novel | |
 | Wise Child A nostalgic journey of an orphaned girl finding a witch in the woods. You will want nothing more than to step into this story and stay there forever. (Fantasy, Historical, Feel-good) | Kid | Monica Furlong | Sarah | fiction | |
 | My Life With the Liars Zylynn has lived her whole life in the compound, following the light. That is until she is taken out at the age of 12 by a stranger who claims to be her father. Intense, mysterious, and contemplative. (Scary, Suspenseful, Mystery, Realistic) | Kid | Caela Carter | Sarah | fiction | |
 | Everlost Eerie and peculiar, Everlost scratches that itch for a story that's riveting and simultaneously a bit unsettling. Not quite dead, but not quite alive the Everlost is a place of in-betweens. (Scary, Action-Packed, Fantasy) | Teen | Neal Shusterman | Jim | fiction | |
 | The Button Book If you like to laugh and have fun reading an interactive book together this is a great choice! | Early | Sally Nicholls | Evie | picture book | |
 | The How & the Why An adoption story told from a teen mother's letters and her daughter's journal. Has humor, heart, and OK, maybe I shed a few tears. Perfect for fans of Robin Benway's Far From the Tree. | Teen | Cynthia Hand | Tamar | fiction | |
 | Fat Chance, Charlie Vega I loved Charlie's story! She was smart, talented, kind, and fat. At times she was insecure, other times brave and bold. It felt real and opened my eyes to challenges of being plus sized in our world. | Teen | Crystal Maldonado | Evie | fiction | |
 | Kid | Dawn Quigley; Tara Audibert | Angelina | fiction | ||
 | Spindle This is the story of Sleeping Beauty, but it is set in the Industrial Age and filled with insights on what it was like to be a young woman during that time. | Teen | Shonna Slayton | Evie | fiction | |
 | The Things She's Seen The unraveling of an unsolved arson of a children's home in remote Australia is the setting for this tenderly-crafted, dark tale about loss and healing. Written by a brother and sister! | Teen | Ambelin Kwaymullina | Tamar | fiction | |
 | Being Frog The photography in this book is wonderful. | Early | April Pulley Sayre | Evie | nonfiction | |
 | Pet An eerie story about friendship and monsters. How can you protect the world from monsters if no one will admit that they're real? I loved the main character and her best friend Redemption. (Mystery, Scary, Suspenseful, Sci-fi). | Teen | Akwaeke Emezi | Tess | fiction | |
 | The World Needs More Purple People What is a purple person, you might ask. Well, if you don't know you should read this book because we need more of them! | Early | Kristen Bell; Benjamin Hart; Daniel Wiseman | Evie | picture book | |
 | Jenny Mei Is Sad Such a lovely book that encourages us to be friends who listen and support one another even when our friends are sad. | Early | Tracy Subisak | Evie | picture book | |
 | Alice's Farm Alice is the best kind of spunky and smart, young, female protagonist. She's also an adorable rabbit with a knack for farming. I love all of the human and animal characters in this funny tale that feels like it could be set right here in Whatcom County. (Fantasy, Animals, Feel-good, Suspenseful, Thought-provoking) | Kid | Maryrose Wood | Theresa | fiction | |
 | The Lock-eater Come for the intricate world-building and compelling adventure, stay for the personal evolution and sparkling prose. | Kid | Zack Loran Clark | Thom | fiction | |
 | The Problem With Problems The friendliest, most positive problem book out there. It makes even the biggest, hairiest, peskiest problem seem manageable. (Funny, Thought-provoking, Hopeful) | Early | Rachel Rooney | Theresa | picture book | |
 | Just You and Me See animals help each other in all kinds of interesting and surprising ways in this non-fiction picture book. (Animals, Nature, Thought-provoking) | Early | Jennifer Ward | Angelina | picture book | |
 | Children of the Forest Siblings explore how to survive the wilds of their backyard in this imaginative and funny story. (Funny, Nature, Family) | Early | Matthew Myers | Angelina | picture book | |
 | Remember Lush and gorgeous illustrations are on every page of this picture book adaptation of a poem by Joy Harjo that reminds us to look to the universe and the interconnectedness of all things. (Nature, Thought-provoking) | Early | Joy Harjo | Angelina | picture book | |
 | The Magical Yet I love this rhyming book that reminds of that the world is full of things we can't do...yet. | Early | Angela DiTerlizzi; Lorena Alvarez | Evie | picture book | |
 | The Young Elites At what point does someone become irredeemable? Can one bad decision define who we are and how we see ourselves? (Fantasy) | Teen | Marie Lu | Jim | fiction | |
 | Book of A Thousand Days I loved this fairytale retelling told through a series of diary entries. It left me with quotes that I will be thinking about for a long time. | Teen | Shannon Hale | Evie | fiction | |
 | Rain Before Rainbows The pictures are so beautiful and the message is one I need to be reminded of often. | Early | Smriti Prasadam-Halls; David Litchfield | Evie | picture book | |
 | Pathfinder Fans of Ender's Game will love Pathfinder! (Sci-Fi, Action-Packed) | Teen | Orson Scott Card | Jim | fiction | |
 | My Two Blankets I love this beautiful story and was so inspired by a little girl willing to see someone who didn't fit and reach out, not letting the language barrier stop her from making a stranger feel welcome. | Early | Irena Kobald; Freya Blackwood | Evie | picture book | |
 | The Three Billy Goats Buenos This picture book has been a fun addition to our bilingual storytime. It has a glossary of Spanish words used with pronunciation that helps me feel confident reading this silly version out loud. | Early | Susan Middleton Elya | Evie | picture book | |
 | This Is MY Fort! I laugh out loud at Monkey and Cake as they grapple with real life issues. | Kid | Drew Daywalt; Oliver Tallec | Evie | fiction | |
 | Facts Vs. Opinions Vs. Robots It's my opinion that the purple robot is the prettiest, but it's a fact that the orange robot has four arms. We can have a different opinion about how fun this book is, but it is a fact that I borrowed it from the library! (Funny, Thought-provoking) | Early | Michael Rex | Theresa | picture book | |
 | The Secret Fawn This is a real treasure--full of gorgeous art and a well-told, relatable story. You'll feel the dew on your feet and the wonder in your heart. (Suspenseful, Nature, Animals, Family) | Early | K. George; Elly MacKay | Theresa | picture book | |
 | Allergic Just when it seems Maggie is about to bring home her forever friend she discovers something terrible. She's allergic to just about every pet you'd ever want! (Animals, Coming-of-Age, Realistic) | Kid | Michelle Mee Nutter; Megan Wagner Lloyd | Jim | graphic novel | |
 | I Voted Funny, cartoon illustrations and easily relatable examples make this a great introduction to the voting process. (Funny, Thought-provoking) | Early | Mark Shulman | Theresa | nonfiction | |
 | Alex Wise Vs. the End of the World This book is action-packed, fun, and real. If you enjoyed series like Percy Jackson and Harry Potter, it's time to meet Alex Wise. (Action-packed, Friends, Coming-of-Age) | Teen | Terry J. Benton-Walker | Jim | fiction | |
 | Pouch! A fun look at a toddler and mother exploring the thrills of autonomy. (Family, Coming-of-age, Funny) | Early | David Ezra Stein | Theresa | picture book | |
 | Our Favorite Day Simple sentences and cut paper illustrations convey a great deal of warmth and joy as a grandfather and granddaughter spend a typical Thursday together sharing their favorite food, a simple craft, and most importantly, each other's company. (Family, Feel-good) | Early | Joowon Oh | Theresa | picture book | |
 | We Don't Eat Our Classmates! Lessons about delayed gratification can be tough, but funny dinosaurs and a change in perspective make this a real treat! Bon appetit! (Silly, Funny, Thought-provoking) | Early | Ryan T. Higgins | Theresa | picture book | |
 | My Heart Fills With Happiness My heart fills with happiness every time I read this book and I'm reminded how much I appreciate the simple, beautiful things in this world--especially when I'm with people I love. (Family, Feel-good) | Early | Monique Gray Smith; Julie Flett | Theresa | picture book | |
 | When Aidan Became A Brother I have a little brother like Aidan, and I wish I'd read this book when I was a kid. Aidan uses his own experience to show how to be the best, most loving and accepting big sibling. (LGBTQ, Family, Thought-provoking) | Early | Kyle Lukoff; Kaylani Juanita | Theresa | picture book | |
 | The Important Thing About Margaret Wise Brown An irreverent biography about the fun, free-spirited author of Goodnight Moon and so many other classic picture books. (True Story, Inspiring) | Early | Mac Barnett; Sarah Jacoby | Theresa | nonfiction | |
 | Milo's Hat Trick Possibly my all-time-favorite funny read aloud. Silly fun with great timing. (Funny, Silly) | Early | Jon Agee | Theresa | picture book | |
 | There Are No Bears in This Bakery With a hard-boiled tabby cat detective and a bakery full of drool-worthy confections, this book will delight grown ups and children equally. (Funny, Suspenseful) | Early | Julia Sarcone-Roach | Theresa | picture book | |
| Juniper Juniper is a princess living in medieval Cornwall. When she gets the chance, Juniper leaves to study magic, but when she returns after her studies are over, she discovers that a sorceress is trying to take over the throne. Will Juniper be able to use her newly learned magic to stop disaster? (Fantasy, Historical) | Kid | Monica Furlong | Tess | fiction | |
 | Miss Quinces When Sue's mom surprises her with a quinceañera, Sue just about loses it. Dresses? Speeches? The dreaded color pink? How could this be happening? Sue isn't quite so sure that she's going to let it happen. I love this book because it balances the need to be an individual while simultaneously living with and loving an imperfect family. (Coming-of-Age, Funny) | Kid | Kat Fajardo | Jim | graphic novel | |
 | Du Iz Tak? A picture book written in a made-up language shared by bugs. As the insects watch a growing sprout, new friends join the scene, forts are built, and unexpected shocks disrupt the party! It is so fun to follow the beautiful illustrations and interpret the nearly-translatable language of bugs. (Animals, Silly) | Early | Carson Ellis | Tess | picture book | |
 | The Clown of God Little Giovanni earned fame for his beautiful juggling of rainbow balls. But as he gets older, he falls into poverty. One Christmas Eve, Giovanni picks up his rainbow balls again, and he witnesses something miraculous. (Historical, Sad, Feel-good) | Early | Tomie DePaola | Tess | picture book | |
 | Too Many Tamales When Maria thinks she's lost her mom's diamond ring in a batch of tamales, her cousins try to help her eat through the tamales to find it. A cozy and funny Christmas Eve tale. (Funny, Realistic) | Kid | Gary Soto | Tess | picture book | |
 | Click, Clack, Moo The cows have learned to type and they have a lot of notes and suggestions for the farmer. (Funny, Silly, Animals) | Kid | Doreen Cronin | Tess | picture book | |
 | The Quiltmaker's Journey I loved this book as a child! Beautiful illustrations and story about empathy and learning to see the world through new eyes. A prequel to The Quiltmaker's Gift. (Feel-good, Animals) | Early | Jeff Brumbeau | Tess | picture book | |
 | Mama, Do You Love Me? A beautiful dialogue between mother and child about the boundlessness of parental love. (Feel-good) | Early | Barbara M. Joosse | Tess | picture book | |
 | The House in the Cerulean Sea Linus is a caseworker for the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth. When Linus is sent to an orphanage housing the antichrist, he sets out, quite afraid. But he is surprised by what he finds there. Especially by Arthur Parnassus, the orphanage's caregiver. This is a sweet story about found family and looking beyond the accepted story. (Fantasy, Feel-good, LGBTQ) | Teen | TJ Klune | Tess | fiction | |
 | The Mysterious Benedict Society Four children are brought together by the eccentric Mr. Benedict. Reynie is an expert problem-solver, Sticky can remember anything, Kate will bravely tackle any physical challenge, and Constance is very, very stubborn. Together, they infiltrate an elite institute, facing daring challenges and mystifying puzzles. (Funny, Action-packed, Fast-paced). | Kid | Trenton Lee Stewart | Tess | fiction | |
 | When We Were Very Young A delightful and funny introduction to poetry, this book is filled with goofy poems for children. (Silly, Feel-good) | Early | A.A. Milne | Tess | nonfiction | |
 | All Creatures Great and Small A series of short stories recounting James Herriot's time as a country veterinarian in 1940s England. Fall in love with the animals and people of Darrowby and in fascination with the veterinarian practices of the time and place. (Realistic, Historical, Feel-good, Animals) | Kid | James Herriot | Tess | fiction | |
| My Life With the Liars One night, Zylynn is taken by a stranger into the Darkness. She must do everything she can to resist it and the Liars who live there until she can return to the Light before her thirteenth birthday. But the longer Zylynn stays in the Darkness, the more she begins to question the only life she's ever known. (Scary, Suspenseful, Mystery, Realistic) | Kid | Caela Carter | Tess | fiction | |
 | The Trumpet of the Swan Louis the swan is mute. To help him communicate with other swans, Louis' dad steals a trumpet so he can make the calls of the trumpeter swan. Louis becomes a successful musician, leading to many adventures with his instrument. (Silly, Feel-good) | Kid | E. B. White | Tess | fiction | |
 | Switch It's been June 23, 2020 for over a year. What will javelin-throwing prodigy Truda do about it? Twilight Zone meets Black Mirror meets the genius of A. S. King. (Sci-fi, Mystery) | Teen | A.S. King | Tamar | fiction | |
 | A Face Like Glass Set in an underground city that creates magical crafts and, most curiously of all, lives a girl whose face can do something that horrifies others...smile. (Fantasy, Fast-paced, Mystery) | Teen | Frances Hardinge | Tamar | fiction | |
 | Measuring up New to Seattle from Taiwan, Cici enters a cooking competition for a chance to win enough money to bring her grandmother for a visit. A sweet graphic novel with all the right ingredients. | Kid | Lily LaMotte | Tamar | graphic novel | |
 | Butterfly Yellow A Vietnamese refugee newly arrived in Texas in search of her younger brother befriends a wanna-be rodeo cowboy. Will their guilt-ridden secrets hold them back from finding happiness? (Historical, Romance) | Teen | Thanhha Lai | Tamar | fiction | |
 | Genuine Fraud Enamored with her best friend's world of privilege and glamour, Jules's interest turns obsessive in this action-packed thriller. Meet the most unreliable narrator since the Talented Mr. Ripley. Unputdownable. (Mystery, Suspenseful, Action-packed) | Teen | E. Lockhart | Tamar | fiction | |
 | What I Carry A foster-care “lifer” Muir knows how to not get attached to things or people, that is until she meets Francine. A "feel good about the world" read. | Teen | Jennifer Longo | Tamar | fiction | |
 | Everything Sad Is Untrue How does 12 year-old Khosrou, newly immigrated from Iran, survive middle school in Oklahoma? By telling sprawling stories that he hopes will distract his classmates long enough to let him figure life in America, and himself, out. (Historical, Funny, Inspiring) | Teen | Daniel Nayeri | Tamar | fiction | |
 | A Spoonful of Frogs A silly picture book about a cooking show called Bewitching Kitchen and the antics of the chef attempting to teach the audience how to make frog soup, but the frogs aren't cooperating. (Silly, Funny) | Early | Casey Lyall | Angelina | picture book | |
 | Ultimate Book of the Future Personal droids, the history and future of cell phones, planets with the possibility of life, how to make music with your brain, and a new way to fight wildfires... These are just a few of the surprises in this non-fiction book. (Thought-provoking, Inspiring) | Kid | Stephanie Warren Drimmer | Angelina | nonfiction | |
 | Still This Love Goes on Beautiful illustrations accompany this adaptation of the song by Buffy Sainte-Marie about seasons, nature and community. Includes sheet music so that readers can play along. (Nature, Hopeful) | Early | Buffy Sainte-Marie | Angelina | picture book | |
 | The Rescuer of Tiny Creatures Roberta wants to rescue all of the tiny creatures and her classmates don't understand why. Her extensive knowledge comes in handy when baby spiders hatch in the classroom and all work together to solve the problem. (Nature, Animals, Friends) | Early | Curtis Manley | Angelina | picture book | |
 | You Should See Me in A Crown What do you do when you don't get the final scholarship you need to fulfill your college dreams? Pivot and go for the big prize for Prom Queen, of course! (Realistic, Friends, Family, LGBTQ) | Teen | Leah Johnson | Angelina | fiction | |
| Invisible Graphic novel told in flashback about 5 middle schoolers who are grouped together because they all speak some Spanish, but they are all quite different. While working together they start to get to know each other, and they discover a family who has a secret and needs help. (Realistic, Friends) | Teen | Christina Diaz Gonzalez; Gabriela Epstein | Angelina | graphic novel | |
| Bomb A non-fiction graphic novel set in WWII that reads like an international spy thriller. Learn about the genius and scientific discovery needed in the development of the atomic bomb in the midst of back-alley secret deals and wartime sabotage. (Historical, Thriller, Fast-paced) | Teen | Steve Sheinkin; Nick Bertozzi | Angelina | graphic novel | |
 | Healer and Witch 15-year-old Sylvie has the healing gifts that run in her family but doesn't know how to use them. After she tries to help her mother and makes a giant mistake instead, she sets off on a journey seeking a mentor, while avoiding those who would attack or exploit her in this blend of historical fiction and fantasy set in France in 1531. (Historical, Magical, Coming-of-Age) | Teen | Nancy Werlin | Angelina | fiction | |
 | Rain! I love the joy this little boy brings with his boots and raincoat that infects those around him. | Early | Linda Ashman | Evie | picture book | |
 | Split! Splat! I love the rhyming text of this book and the joy of playing in the rain that it captures. | Early | Amy Gibson; Steve Bjorkman | Evie | picture book | |
 | Wedgie & Gizmo This was such a fun read aloud. We laughed all the way through. | Kid | Suzanne Selfors; Barbara Fisinger Skorjanc | Evie | fiction | |
 | With the Fire on High Rather than a story that ends when a young women gets pregnant this story begins with that and tells the inspiring story of a young women, working with her family and friends, to follow her dreams. A very inspiring story. | Teen | Elizabeth Acevedo | Evie | fiction | |
 | You Bring the Distant Near A story that spans three generations with a little romance and humor. I loved how connected the generations were as each character struggled to balance the responsibility they felt to their family with the desire to find their own path, it was so authentic. | Teen | Mitali Perkins | Evie | fiction | |
 | When We Were Lost A plane crash in the jungle with animals, reptiles, insects and heat set the stage for this survival story. A realistic adventure that was a fast and compelling read. | Teen | Kevin Wignall | Evie | fiction | |
 | Poppy This animal centered story has bullies, heroes, and enough excitement to keep the story moving. A classic read-aloud. | Kid | Avi | Evie | fiction | |
 | Me (Moth) I loved this audiobook, read by the author, told in verse. This is a book with a surprise so big you will want to go back and re-read it after you finish it just so you can read it knowing what you find out in the end. | Teen | Amber McBride | Evie | fiction | |
 | Holding up the Universe I love books that challenge us to "see" the people around us and remind us that the words we speak matter. This book did that for me and I think it will do it for you too. | Teen | Jennifer Niven | Evie | fiction | |
 | It's So Difficult I wish everyone would read this book. The story of a nonverbal child and all the words that are trapped inside him as he goes through his day. He wants to speak, but just can't make those words come out. A heartbreakingly beautiful book. | Early | Raúl Nieto Guridi; Lawrence Schimel | Evie | picture book | |
 | Raymie Nightingale While trying to get her father back in the family, Raymie makes some lifetime friends and unforgettable memories. A heartwarming story of friendship, growing up, and finding your courage. (Realistic, Mystery, Feel-good) | Kid | Kate DiCamillo | Sarah | fiction | |
 | Girl Made of Stars After Mara's twin brother, Owen is accused of rape, Mara doesn't know where to turn. A tough story of family, forgiveness, and healing from our deepest traumas. (Realistic, Sad) | Teen | Ashley Herring Blake | Sarah | fiction | |
 | Gregor the Overlander Gregor finds a hole in the wall that leads down to the Underworld. Suddenly Gregor is involved in an ancient prophecy of danger, mystery, and adventure. (Fantasy, Mystery, Action-packed) | Kid | Suzanne Collins | Sarah | fiction | |
 | The Golden Compass Lyra, a young orphan girl, learns of a mysterious substance called "Dust" that exists in the far North and holds the secrets to the universe(s). An amazing work of fantasy for all ages. (Fantasy, Mystery, Action-packed) | Teen | Philip Pullman | Sarah | fiction | |
 | Every Falling Star Sungju Lee's true account of how he escaped North Korea during one of the most turbulent times. Exciting, intense, and unforgettable. | Teen | Sungju Lee | Sarah | nonfiction | |
 | Sadie After Sadie's sister is found dead, Sadie is convinced she knows who the killer is. She sets off on a thrilling journey across the country to find him and seek revenge. A terrifying book! (Scary, Suspenseful, Mystery, Realistic) | Teen | Courtney Summers | Sarah | fiction | |
 | Little Witch Hazel All I want is to curl up inside Phoebe Wahl's world of adorable creatures and nostalgic illustrations. (Feel-good) | Early | Phoebe Wahl | Sarah | picture book | |
 | Stella's Starliner Stella feels sad that her family lives in a motorhome. That is until she pretends it is a spaceship instead. This is a heartwarming story for every age. (Sad, Feel-good) | Early | Rosemary Wells | Sarah | picture book | |
 | Chrysanthemum Chrysanthemum hates her name. It's too long and nobody can spell it or say it correctly. But when she meets an inspiring music teacher, everything changes. One of my all time favorites. (Feel-good) | Early | Kevin Henkes | Sarah | picture book | |
 | A Kind of Spark Addie is autistic, which makes her brain work differently. After learning about the witch trials in school, Addie sets out to make a difference for these women who died because of their "differences". So powerful! (Realistic, Historical, Feel-good) | Kid | Elle McNicoll | Sarah | fiction | |
 | The Mighty Heart of Sunny St. James Sunny just received a new heart during open heart surgery and she is ready to be a new, better version of herself. But, when Quinn moves in next door, Sunny starts feeling things she's never felt before. Best LGBTQIA+ book I have ever read! (LGBTQ, Realistic, Mystery) | Kid | Ashley Herring Blake | Sarah | fiction | |
 | The Velveteen Rabbit "Once you are Real you can't become unreal, it lasts for always". My favorite story of all time. This will change your life in the most wonderful way. (Sad, Feel-good) | Early | Margery Williams Bianco | Sarah | picture book | |
 | The Cat I Never Named A calico cat can change everything. Even if the whole world is falling apart around you. (Animals, Historical, True Story, Suspenseful) | Teen | Amra Sabic-El-Rayess | Sarah | nonfiction | |
 | My Jasper June Leah is just trying to disappear. But when a new girl named Jasper comes to town, Leah's plan falls apart. Two girls, two big secrets, and one unforgettable summer of growth and friendship. | Kid | Laurel Snyder | Sarah | fiction | |
 | Stargazing A story about two friends, two cultures, and one unbelievable secret that will change everything. (Realistic, Mystery) | Kid | Jen Wang | Sarah | graphic novel | |
 | Checked A triumphant story about an elite hockey player and his love for his sick dog is elevated by Kadohata's typically transparent and transportive prose. | Kid | Cynthia Kadohata | Thom | fiction | |
 | The Enigma Game Three intersecting stories vibrate with intrigue, suspense, and complex human emotion in this historical thriller set in 1940's Scotland. | Teen | Elizabeth Wein | Thom | fiction | |
 | The Hundred Dresses Originally published in 1944, this story still has lots to tell us about kindness and respect and seeing people for who they are. | Kid | Eleanor Estes | Thom | fiction |
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