2019 Summer Reading List for Teens

This week, I'm sharing some recommended books for teens to read this summer . . . .

Comics Will Break Your Heart by Faith Erin Hicks
In her debut novel, cartoonist Faith Erin Hicks pens a sensitive and funny Romeo and Juliet tale about modern romance, geek royalty, and what it takes to heal the long-festering scars of the past (Spoiler Alert: love).

White Rose by Kip Wilson
Tells the story of Sophie Scholl, a young German college student who challenges the Nazi regime during World War II as part of the White Rose, a non-violent resistance group.

The Last 8 by Laura Pohl
After an alien attack devastates the Earth, pilot and future astronaut Clover Martinez bands with seven other teens in a struggle to survive.

The Unfortunates by Kim Liggett
After getting away with murder, Grant Tavish plans his own form of justice, but before he can act upon it a cave system collapse traps him and four other teenagers miles below the surface, where they soon discover that they aren't alone.

Dig by A.S. King
Five white teenage cousins who are struggling with the failures and racial ignorance of their dysfunctional parents and their wealthy grandparents, reunite for Easter.


More Books --
And the Ocean Was Our Sky by Patrick Ness
The Book of Pearl by Timothee de Fombelle
Dive Smack by Demetra Brodsky
Girls on the Line by Jennie Liu
I, Claudia by Mary McCoy
Inventing Victoria by Tonya Bolden
Isle of Blood and Stone by Makila Lucier
Mapping the Bones by Jane Yolen
Neanderthal Opens the Door to the Universe by Preston Norton
Now You See Her by Lisa Leighton
Pride by Ibi Aanu Zoboi
Relative Strangers by Paula Garner
Soul Keepers by Devon Taylor
The Strange Fascinations of Noah Hypnotick by David Arnold
To Be Honest by Maggie Ann Martin
We Rule the Night by Claire Eliza Bartlett
When Light Left Us by Leah Thomas
White Rabbit by Caleb Roehrig
Your One & Only by Adrianne Finlay

Check these books out on display at the Arnold Branch through July 12, 2019.

The Red Scrolls of Magic by Cassandra Clare and Wesley Chu

Alec and Magnus are on a romantic European vacation when Magnus' past comes knocking.  It seems that at some point Magnus founded a cult and doesn't even remember it.  Now that cult is trying to raise a greater demon.  Alec and Magnus must stop them before the other Shadowhunters find out.

This is the first in a new Shadowhunter series by Cassandra Clare and Wesley Chu -- The Eldest Curses.  It focuses on the adventures of Alec Lightwood and Magnus Bane.  It was great to discover their romance as it developed.  It was also interesting to discover more of Magnus' past.  I would recommend this to anyone who enjoyed the previous Shadowhunter series.

Happy Father's Day (A Little Late)

Yesterday, we celebrated Father's Day.  Here are a few of my favorite chapter books featuring dads ....

Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman
While picking up milk for his children's cereal, a father is abducted by aliens and finds himself on a wild adventure through time and space.

The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher by Dana Alison Levy
Relates the adventures of a family with two fathers, four adopted boys, and a variety of pets as they make their way through a school year and deal with a grumpy new neighbor.

Ramona and Her Father by Beverly Cleray
The family routine is upset during Ramona's year in second grade when her father unexpectedly loses his job.

Road Trip by Gary Paulsen
A father and son embark on a road trip to a distant animal shelter to save a homeless border collie puppy.


More Books --
100 Days and 99 Nights by Alan Madison
Blind Mountain by Jane Resh Thomas
Diary of a Monster's Son by Ellen Conford
Knightley & Son by Rohan Gavin
Lexie by Audrey Couloumbis
Like Jake and Me by Mavis Jukes
The Most Important Thing: Stories About Sons, Fathers, and Grandfathers by Avi
The Penderwicks on Gardam Street by Jeanne Birdsall
Space Race by Evelyn Waugh
Squirm by Carl Hiaasen
Tracking Daddy Down by Marybeth Kelsey
Weekends With Max and His Dad by  Linda Urban
Younguncle Comes to Town by Vandana Singh


Check these books out on display at the Arnold Branch through July 12, 2019.

Nursery Rhymes: Old and New

This week, I'm sharing picture books featuring nursery rhymes.  Here are a few of my favorites . . . .

The Completed Hickory Dickory Dock by Jim Aylesworth
Completes the classic nursery rhyme about the mouse that ran up the clock.

This Little Piggy by Tim Harrington
Expands on the traditional counting rhyme, revealing exciting things the second set of toes does which inspire the first set to try more "fun stuff" too.

Old Mikamba Had a Farm by Rachel Isadora
The inhabitants of Old Makimba's farm in Africa, including a baboon, an elephant, and a lion, are described, verse by verse.

My Mother Goose by David McPhail
An illustrated collection of nursery rhymes and songs, interspersed with concept pages on such themes as "going places" and "colors and shapes".


More Nursery Rhyme Picture Books
The Adventures of the Dish and the Spoon by Mini Grey
The Cheese by Margie Palatini
Five Little Ducks by Denise Fleming
Five Little Monkeys Sitting in a Tree by Eileen Christelow
Good Night, Sleep Tight by Mem Fox
Hickory Dickory Dog by Alison Murray
The House That Zack Built by Alison Murray
The Itsy Bitsy Spider by Iza Trapani
Jack and Jill by Daniel Kirk
Jack B. Ninja by Tim McCanna
Just Itzy by Lana Krumwiede
Little Miss Muffet by Iza Trapani
Mary Had a Little Lamb by Mary Ann Hoberman
Moonstruck: The True Story of the Cow Who Jumped Over the Moon by Gennifer Choldenko
The Neat Line: Scribbling Through Mother Goose by Pamela Duncan Edwards
Old MacDonald Had a Farm by Gus Grimly
Old Mother Hubbard by Jane Cabrera
Over at the Castle by Boni Ashburn
The Owl and the Pussycat by Edward Lear
Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin
Rock-A-Bye Romp by Linda Ashman
Row, Row, Row Your Boat by Jane Cabrera
This Is the Nest That Robin Built by Denise Fleming
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Car by Kate Dopirak
Who Took the Cookies from the Cookie Jar? by Bonnie Lass
Who's Who? by Ken Geist

Check these and more nursery rhyme books out on display at the library through July 5, 2019.

Judy Moody and Stink: The Big Bad Blackout by Megan McDonald

Hurricane Elmer is coming!

The Moody family, including Judy, Stink, their parents, Grandma Lou, and several pets, are hunkering down as Hurricane Elmer approaches.  They've prepared for the coming storm, including stocking up on marshmallows, but what will they do when the electricity goes out?


This is a great story for kids -- whether they've read previous Judy Moody and Stink books before or not.  The creative ways they pass the time are fun to read about.  I would definitely recommend this book to kids.  You can also listen to it on audio.