My Life With the Walter Boys by Ali Novak

After her family is killed in a car accident, Jackie moves from New York City to rural Colorado to live with her mother's best friend and family.  It's complete culture shock made worse by the fact that there are 12 children in the Walter family -- all boys.


This is basically a love triangle story.  While there is a lot of grief over the loss of her family, most of Jackie's time is consumed with how to deal with the two brothers that want to date her. 

This was a novel written by a 15-year-old on Wattpad that eventually was published.

Best Books of 2018 - Picture Books

This week, I am sharing some of what we consider the best picture books of 2018.  Here are a few of my favorites from this past year . . .

The Wall in the Middle of the Book by Jon Agee
A knight who feels secure on his side of the wall that divides his book discovers that his side is not as safe as he thought, and the other side is not as threatening.

I'm Sad by Michael Ian Black
Flamingo learns that it is okay to be sad sometimes and that her friends, the little girl and Potato, will stand by her no matter how she feels.

Do You Believe in Unicorns? by Bethanie Murguia
Is it a unicorn or a horse in a hat? It's up to readers to decide!

Honey by David Ezra Stein
A young bear wakes from hibernation craving honey, but soon recalls the many things he can enjoy while waiting for his favorite food to be ready.


More Best Picture Books --
And There Was Evening and There Was Morning by Harriet Cohen Helfrand
Dog on a Digger by Kate Prendergast
Grow Up, David! by David Shannon
Hello Hello by Brendan Wenzel
How to Code a Sandcastle by Josh Funk
I Really Want to See You Grandma by Taro Gomi
Let the Children March by Monica Clark-Robinson
Love by Matt de la Pena
Misunderstood Shark by Ame Dyckman
Niblet and Ralph by Zacharia Ohora
Night Train, Night Train by Robert Burleigh
People Don't Bite People by Lisa Wheeler
Sloth at the Zoom by Helaine Becker
Twig by Aura Parker
The Visitor by Antje Damm
When Sophie Thinks She Can't . . . by Molly Bang

Winter Is Here by Kevin Henkes

Check these and more books out on display at the Arnold Branch through January 11, 2019.

Devils Within by S.F. Henson

Nate was 8 years old the first time he stabbed someone.  

He was 11 years old when he earned his red laces for spilling blood for his father's "cause".  

He was 14 years old when he murdered his father, the leader of the white supremacist group The Fort.  

Nearly two years later, he's being sent to live with his uncle who hates him in a town that ignores him.  

Then he meets Brandon, a person The Fort taught Nate to hate on sight.  

Brandon can never know Nate's past . . .

While this is a difficult book to read it is also a very well written book that draws you into the story and into caring for Nate.  This is a book that looks at hate and how it is indoctrinated into people without their even realizing it.  I would recommend this to teens looking for a realistic and gritty book that is also about redemption.