Man Made Monsters by Andrea Rogers

Man Made Monsters by Andrea Rogers

Man Made Monsters is an anthology with a unique twist – all of the stories follow the same Cherokee family between the mid 1800s and the 2030s. The narrator of each story is a teenager living in a particular time, whether it’s during World War II, the 70s, or even now. Each story has a paranormal or science fiction element, but most of the stories have different creatures in them. You’ll find werewolves, vampires, zombies, ghosts (including a ghost cat!), a creepy memory machine, and more.   I loved this book for a couple of reasons. First, it is full of

Elephants Remember: A True Story by Jennifer O’Connell

Elephants Remember: A True Story by Jennifer O’Connell

Animal lovers will enjoy this non-fiction tale about the growth of trust and friendship between man and beast. A true story from South Africa about a herd of wild elephants moved to Lawrence Anthony’s reserve in an effort to save them from poachers. Children in grades K-5th that love animals will enjoy this book, whether read or aloud or independently. The tale may bring a tear to your eye.  Bergen Daley, Youth Services Librarian

Paradise Sands by Levi Pinfold

Paradise Sands by Levi Pinfold

A mystical and somewhat creepy tale, this beautifully illustrated picture book is more appropriate for upper elementary and middle school readers. A family stops at the Paradise Sands hotel on the way to visit their mother and strange happenings occur.  A book for thinkers that do not mind a little fright once in a while. It’s not warm and fuzzy but it is hard to put down.   Bergen Daley, Youth Services Librarian

Invasion of the Unicorns by David Beirdrzycki

Invasion of the Unicorns by David Beirdrzycki

This new picture book made Miss Bergen laugh out loud!  Silly and sweet, this story will appeal to those who get a kick out of Ryan T. Higgins book, We Don’t Eat our Classmates, as the humor speaks to children and adults alike.  A secret agent unicorn goes undercover and recaps observations and discoveries about life on earth.  A heartwarming and clever tale you don’t want to miss! Bergen Daley, Youth Services Librarian

Sugaring Off by Gillian French

Sugaring Off by Gillian French

The gorgeous cover of this book pulls one in and, while it is slow to start, eventually it becomes difficult to put down. Set in rural New Hampshire, this coming of age story is a must-read for young adults that enjoy beautiful writing, a little bit of suspense, and an appreciation for the wonder and wildlife of New England. Gillian French weaves in realistic and present day themes including drug addiction, the foster care system, and the challenges of the hearing impaired. Recommended for ages 14-18.   Bergen Daley, Youth Services Librarian

The Hope Raisers: How a Group of Young Kenyans Fought to Transform Their Slum and Inspire a Community by Nihar Suthar

The Hope Raisers: How a Group of Young Kenyans Fought to Transform Their Slum and Inspire a Community by Nihar Suthar

For teens interested in learning about youth in other parts of the world, pick up The Hope Raisers by Nihar Suthar. The inspiring true story demonstrates that anyone, at any age, can generate hope and make change regardless of the obstacles. The young Kenyans who fought to transform their slum and improve the lives of their community serve as a reminder that creativity and grit can create life-changing results. Bergen recommends for ages 13 and up. 

Santa in the City by Tiffany D. Jackson

Santa in the City by Tiffany D. Jackson

Share this children’s picture-book with your family if you are looking for a new and heartwarming holiday story! Santa in the City tells the tale of Deja who worries that Santa might not be able to visit her since she is a city kid and doesn’t have a chimney for him to come down nor a parking spot to fit a sleigh. Restore your belief in Santa and introduce your child to routines and traditions in homes outside of Groveland neighborhoods. Bold, colorful illustrations capture the joy of the holidays, no matter where you live! Bergen Daley, Youth Services Librarian

Recipes for Love and Murder by Sally Andrew

Recipes for Love and Murder by Sally Andrew

 Looking for a new mystery series to read and/or watch? I highly recommend Sally Andrew’s Recipes for Love and Murder!Having a subscription to Acorn, I luckily stumbled onto this new Acorn original series! It is a quirky, amusing, interesting and twisting murder mystery set in South Africa, a nice change of pace from my usual Australian and British mystery settings. My curiosity got the better of me when I learned the series was based on a book so I had to get it (which I did) and read it. I’m so glad that I did!       Respectful Afrikaans address

The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson

The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson

This YA horror book is a retelling of Carrie. In The Weight of Blood, Maddy (Madison) Washington lives with a strict father, who forces her to keep a secret – that she is biracial. He forces her to claim that she is white. One day, an incident causes her classmates, who already bully her, to find out her secret. This sets off a chain of events that eventually causes a dangerous, disastrous, and bloody prom. I loved the extra elements that Tiffany D. Jackson added to this book! I love the original Carrie, but the inclusion of a focus on racism brought out

Due to the many illnesses currently going around, mask wearing at the library is encouraged and recommended!