Lisa recommends Ahoy!

https://secure.syndetics.com/index.aspx?isbn=9780593429396/mc.gif&upc=&client=clintmacpl&type=unbound

Sophie Blackall’s newest book is a celebration of the world of make believe.  While a parent is just trying to vacuum their rug, a child is emphatic that the rug is the ocean and they are captains of a ship.  Join this pair in a celebration in a celebration of imaginative play (and maybe recreate in your family room too!).

Justine Recommends Family Style by Thien Pham

Family Style by Thien Pham is a young adult graphic memoir about a Vietnamese boy's search for belonging in America.  What's interesting about the author's approach is his usage of food to remember certain points in his life.  For example, potato chips become an indulgence, strawberries signify struggle, and meat and potatoes signifies becoming Americanized.  It's a heartfelt approach that makes the reader emphasize with the author's childhood challenges as a refugee.  It will also make you hungry and crave Vietnamese food, but that's a different issue.

This book has already received a lot of praise, including being a 2023 YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Finalist and included in 2023 Best Book of the Year lists from NPR, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, School Library Journal, and Shelf Awareness.  There's a good chance it's going to rack up many awards during the book awards season as well.  Check it out before you can't due to patron demand!

Uma recommends "I Did a New Thing"

 

"I Did a New Thing" by Tabitha Brown is a heartwarming and inspiring book that encourages readers to embrace change and step out of their comfort zones. Brown's positivity and encouragement shine through in this book, motivating readers to pursue their dreams and explore new experiences.

With her enthusiasm, Brown reminds us that it's never too late to make a change and discover new possibilities in life. Overall, "I Did a New Thing" is a wonderful read that will leave us feeling empowered and ready to embrace new challenges.

Adult

Meghan recommends "Watership Down"

 

"Every rabbit that stays behind is in great danger. We will welcome any rabbit who joins us."

Watership Down by Richard Adams is the story of a small band of rabbits who leave their home after one of them has a vision of a terrible fate coming for their warren. They set off into the unknown, escaping the coming danger, but going towards new threats such as predators, inhospitable landscapes and even other rabbits. Hazel becomes their leader, and by valuing the different strengths of those in his party and drawing lessons from rabbit mythology, he guides the band through much peril, before facing a final menace which requires all their wits and teamwork to try to overcome.

Watership Down is generally thought of as a children’s book, though I wouldn’t give it to many children today. It was originally published in 1972 in Britain, and I think most children would find the style of language difficult. However, a graphic novel adaptation was recently released, fairly faithful to the novel, and my nine-year-old enjoyed that version.

If you enjoy adventure stories and are looking for something different (or maybe to revisit something familiar) try reading Watership Down.  

Kara recommends "Good Different"

 

This is a fantastic novel-in-verse about a seventh-grade girl, Selah, who is neurodivergent and discovers poetry as a way to find her authentic voice. Along her journey of self-discovery, she figures out what makes her different, and learns to accept and celebrate those differences. 

This book is best for readers in grades 3-7.

Justine recommends "Superman Smashes the Klan" by Gene Luen Yang

Superman Smashes the Klan by Gene Luen Yang is a self-contained graphic novel, meaning you can pick up this book and there's no connection to other Superman or DC Comics. The story is about two children named Roberta and Tommy who have just moved from Chinatown to Downtown Metropolis in the year 1946.  However, the Klu Klux Klan has their own agenda, and they're not fans of this recent move. With the help of Superman, Lois Lane, and Jimmy Olsen, Roberta and Tommy must fight the Klan's terror and drive it out of Metropolis.

This comic is actually based off a series of episodes from a radio broadcast called Adventures of Superman. The 16-part serial "Clan of the Fiery Cross" aired between June and July 1946, and in it, Superman exposed the US to the bigotry of the 1940's KKK. However, one nice part about the comic is that it's updated for a young modern audience, explaining difficult concepts a middle schooler might not pick up on. I'd recommend this to anyone in 6th grade and up, including adults. It shows how superheroes can also tackle tough topics!

Catherine recommends "Escargot and the Search for Spring"

Do the grey days of winter have you feeling blah? Are you tired of cozy sweaters and bored with making snow angels? What you need is to spend some time with a charming snail who is determined to shake off his winter ennui by going outside to search for spring. Whether or not you have already met him in his earlier books (Escargot; A Book for Escargot; Love, Escargot) Escargot will charm you from the very start of this spring themed picture book. One caveat: Escargot would like you to know that despite the frequent interference of a very fluffy bunny, this is NOT a bunny book. It is a book that welcomes sunshine, bird song, and flowers in a completely charming celebration of spring. Well, maybe a new bunny friend is okay too.

Recommended for children, preschool and up.