Welcome to another installment in our series of blog posts featuring children’s books we’re currently loving! This month we have some guest bloggers! Each of our library branches has been lucky to have an intern working with us this summer learning all the ropes of working in a library. They have been focusing on early literacy and finding out what it is like to work in the children’s department. As a special treat, we have their book recommendations for you for the month of August! Thank you to all our interns!
Jocelyn recommends: Blood Like Magic by Liselle Sambury (Ages 14 and up)
In Blood Like Magic, a mesmerizing blend of Afrofuturism and classic fantasy elements, the main character faces an impossible dilemma that will resonate deeply with anyone grappling with life-changing decisions. Sixteen-year-old Trinidadian protagonist, Voya, finally receives her ancestral Calling, only to falter—a failure that jeopardizes her family’s magical heritage and her sister’s very life, which depends on magic. Given a rare second chance, Voya is tasked with a heart-wrenching ultimatum: she must destroy the one she loves the most to save her family’s powers. Never having been in love, Voya relies on an AI genetic matchmaking program to find her ideal match before the Carnival deadline. As pressure increases and doubts wear at her self-confidence, Voya navigates a journey of self-discovery and romantic feelings amidst the weight of her responsibilities. Set two decades into the future, Blood Like Magic expertly intertwines mystical forces with technological realities, crafting themes of sacrifice, the importance of identity, and the fierce determination to protect those we hold dear. This page-turner is something you will not be able to put down!
Charlie recommends: The Compound by Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen (Ages 13 and up)
My book recommendation is a mind-boggling story with a thrilling plot twist that will have you hooked! The Compound takes place in the USA when a supposed nuclear war strikes on American turf. This ground shaking event uproots a well-off family forcing them to relocate to a compound designed by their billionaire father. After spending 6 years in the compound, the son, Eli, notices some ARTIFICIAL things taking place. After uncovering some hidden information, Eli’s curiosity and his dreadful routine while living in the compound leads him to question if he would rather live underground or test his chances aboveground. Should Eli and his family be escaping deep solitude or the post-apocalypse disaster aboveground?
Sophie recommends: Duck on a Bike by David Shannon (Ages 4-8)
This book is about a duck who decides to go on an adventure on a bike, and along the way he meets a few farm animal friends. This story is perfect to read to a child who might be starting to learn how to ride a bike. It is also a great book for teaching younger readers about the different farm animals. I enjoyed the illustrations in the book as well because of how colorful and detailed they were. This book would be a great solo read or read aloud. Great read for the summertime!
Mia recommends: To Make by Danielle Davis (ages 4-8)
When it comes to opening your child’s mind to creativity, the book I recommend is To Make by Danielle Davis. This story represents the process of gathering, making, and waiting for the creations to flow so that your child can tap into their creative talents. One thing I love about this book is that, once your child gathers all their ideas together, they will be able to showcase what they do best to the world, but most importantly, their family and friends. The illustrations by Mags DeRoma allow the audience to see different ways a child can express themselves, such as through art, cooking, planting, music, writing, building, and dancing. It is never too early for your child to find their purpose in life.
Keshra recommends: The Bear Ate Your Sandwich by Julia Sarcone-Roach (Ages 3-7 )
A charming bear finds himself lost in a new city, where he eventually comes across an unattended sandwich. The sandwich looks too good to leave, so the bear is the one to eat it all up… right? With a narrator who may be unreliable, young readers (and their adults) will be entertained as they travel through this “newfound forest” alongside the bear and discover the truth behind what truly happened to the delicious sandwich. The expressive characters and beautiful scenery are what pulled me in, and this has now become my new favorite picture book to flip through!
Tanesha recommends: All The Lovely Bad Ones by Mary Downing Hahn (ages 9-12)
My book recommendation for this month is All the Lovely Bad Ones by Mary Downing Hahn. Hahn is one of the authors I found myself drawn to as a child due to how well she writes scary stories for children. The story starts off with Travis and his sister Corey being sent to their grandmother’s supposed haunted inn in Vermont for the summer. But they soon realize that all their fun ghost pranks to attract more tourists to the inn awaken the actual ghosts that live there. Hahn writes the sibling dynamic between Travis and Corey as well as the dialogue between all characters in a way that it feels realistic and flows well together. If you prefer graphic novels, there is a graphic novel version of this book illustrated by Naomi Franquiz, Brittany Peer, and Joamette Gil.
Brianna recommends: Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightening Thief (ages 10 and up)
If you enjoy novels that tell intriguing and imaginative stories about Greek mythology and current adventure. I recommend Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief. Twelve-year-old Percy Jackson realizes that he is a demigod and the son of Poseidon. His life changes dramatically when he discovers his true heritage and the existence of a hidden planet in Greek mythology. When Zeus’ lightning bolt gets stolen, Percy is accused of theft and begins a risky journey to recover the bolt and clear his innocence. Percy tackles hazardous monsters and difficult tasks alongside Annabeth Chase, Athena’s daughter, and Grover, a satyr. The trek tests his courage while revealing deeper realities about his family and destiny.
Tee recommends: Basketball, (or Something Like It) by Nora Raleigh Baskin (ages 8-12)
I recommend Basketball, (or Something Like it) by Nora Raleigh Baskin. This book is about a group of middle school kids who come from different backgrounds. The kids are from the same town, but everyone brings a different skill to the team. Basketball made the students close in their friendships. Throughout the book, basketball helped the students forget about the adversity they faced, on the court or at home. Eventually the students moved on to high school but stayed close in friendship and became successful both in playing basketball and outside of it. I chose this book because I have a long history of playing basketball; I have played since I was 5 years old. This book inspired me because it is very relatable to my life and the friends that I made due to the basketball community. I totally recommend this book to children who play any sport, not just basketball, because not only does it teach you the loyalty of friendships within sports but, it also teaches you that no matter the hardships of the sport you play, or things you go through outside of your sport, at the end of the day you still have your friends and teammates.
Wesley recommends: Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin (ages 2-5)
My recommendation for this month is a Pete The Cat book written by Eric Litwin and illustrated by James Dean. It is a book that you can sing! The story follows Pete throughout his day as his shoes change colors and he sings his song. The story is a valuable lesson about how no matter what happens to you, keep going!
Well, readers, that’s a wrap! Check back again next month for some more fabulous reading recommendations. Until then, happy reading!
