Welcome to another installment in our series of blog posts featuring children’s books we’re currently loving! “Book Chat with the Youth Services Team” features one book recommendation from each of our Youth Services team members. We cover a variety of books from fiction to non-fiction, picture books to chapter books, graphic novels and more! We hope that this month’s reading recommendations get you excited about some awesome new books we’ve added to our collection as well as some oldies but goodies. Enjoy!
Lisa recommends: The Lions’ Run by Sara Pennypacker (ages 8 to 12)
The Lion’s Run is a historical fiction thriller that I could not stop reading until I finished it. It has a well-written storyline that flows nicely and does not disappoint the reader. Lucas is a 13-year-old orphan in German-occupied France living in an abbey run by the Catholic church during WW2. The boys at the orphanage give him the nickname of “pétit éclair”, because he is not very brave and is bullied by the older, bigger boys. The novel shows through the characters and setting the hardships and challenges that the French went through during the war. Lucas shows himself to be a thoughtful and honorable young man through his actions. He puts himself in danger multiple times by trying to help and protect those around him.The suggested age range is 8-12, but I would recommend it for middle schoolers due to some of the German wartime atrocities brought up in the book.
Adriane recommends: The Princess and the Grain of Rice by Tina Cho (ages 4 to 8)
Author Tina Cho never saw any movies depicting Korean princesses. So she decided to reimagine her favorite fairy tale (The Princess and the Pea) with a Korean twist. What transpires is a story about a Korean girl who is competing to become the princess. Cho intersperses Korean words, history, and culture into the fairy tale story. The book is beautifully illustrated by Honee Jang and draws you into the story. This is like reading a new story and a classic all in one!
Lauren recommends: The Amelia Six by Kristin L. Gray (ages 8 to 12)
Six girls win a contest to spend the night in the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum. While the night starts fun, things quickly fall apart as a scavenger hunt turns into a real hunt for missing goggles worth a substantial amount of money. Millie, who is a self-proclaimed “Rubik’s Cube, rule-following, dork,” must abandon some of her fears to solve this mystery before the robber gets away. Full of hijinks, girl power, and a ton of Amelia Earhart facts, this book was a mystery that kept me turning pages!
Mirissa recommends: Rainbow: A First Book of Pride by Michael Genhart (ages 2 to 5)
This time of year, rainbows are usually paired with pots of gold and leprechauns. But have you ever wondered what the colors of the rainbow Pride flag represent? This simple picture book will tell you, from red’s life to violet’s spirit. There’re not a lot of text and the words are simple, which makes it a great fit for younger readers. Along the way, you’ll see families around the world sharing the most important thing—love! And if you still need a little something shiny to go with your rainbow, don’t stress; pick up a physical copy and enjoy the glitter-encrusted title on the front cover.
Genevievre recommends: Stacey’s Remarkable Books by Stacey Abrams (ages 4 to 8)
Stacey’s Remarkable Books is a semi-autobiographical picture book loosely based on Stacey
Abram’s childhood love of books and how reading brought her together with friends, including
her childhood friend Julie Do, a Vietnamese immigrant. Since Julie is still learning English, they
overcome cultural and language differences through a mutual love of reading. Soon, other
students from numerous cultural backgrounds such as Gambia, South Korea, Indonesia, India,
and more join them as they celebrate the value of friendship and the importance of inclusion,
while embracing a love of reading as a means of navigating differences and connecting to
others through words. The brightly colored illustrations are inviting and almost glow with warmth
as they help emphasize both connection and the magic of books/reading.
Katie recommends: How to Hatch: A Gosling’s Guide to Breaking Free by Sara Holly Ackerman (ages 4 to 8)
How to Hatch takes the reader through the journey of a gosling hatching out of its shell. On each page there is a description of what is happening, plus a sidebar that includes more in-depth information. There are also plenty of fun sounds to make throughout the book with your child such as “tap” “peck” and “ka-pow!” How to Hatch is a great introduction to non-fiction for older preschoolers.
Madison recommends: Frog and Toad: Two Together by Arnold Lobel (ages 0 to 4)
Frog and Toad are back with a new adventure, and this time it’s about the number two. The pair are two-gether, doing what best friends do best: everything! This charming board book features raised images of the iconic duo, making it perfect for little hands to explore while they count along. With a playful focus on the number two, the book offers great practice for little ones who are learning to point, count, and notice numbers in the world around them. Celebrate the arrival of spring with this adorable and interactive board book!
Summer recommends: We all Love/ Kisâkihitonaw by Julie Flett (ages 0 to 7)
This picture book by Cree-Metis author and illustrator Julie Flett is a simple yet beautiful work which highlights the bonds shared by all living beings – the bonds of love. Flett’s sweet illustrations evoke the quiet beauty of the natural world, as well as the care a mother otter shows for her pup, or a squirrel sharing berries with a bird. The text features the Cree translation for “we all love,” “kisâkihitonaw,” and the end of the book has an English and Cree list of names for the animals within the book. Indigenous children will see their families and experiences reflected in these pages, and all children will benefit from learning about the Cree. The cadence and rhythm of the text also make this book worth returning to again and again.
Rachel recommends: The Princess Swap: Cinderella and the Beast; Beauty and the Glass Slipper by Kim Bussing (ages 8 to 12)
Once upon a time, there was a girl forced into servitude by a cruel stepfamily, and a girl who took a father’s place as a prisoner of a terrible beast. You might think you know these stories, but after a slight mishap with a magical spyglass swaps Belle (Beauty) and Ella (Cinderella) into each other’s places…these tales take a bit of a turn.
Belle needs to win the Revel, a magical competition held by the royal family, to save her father’s trading business after a long run of bad luck. Waking up in a random cellar and having her mother’s magic pendant stolen from her is a bit of a setback, but she’s sure she can turn things around. Ella finds herself in the home of another girl whose father is certain has been taken by the Beast of the Dreamwood. Probably because he stole a magic clock from the beast’s castle. Ella snatches it from him and frames herself as the thief so that he’s free to find is missing daughter. These two stories are bound together by a third: a young prince desperate to find his twin sister. Cinderella and the Beast or Beauty and the Glass Slipper is sure to please middle grade fans of fairytales, fractured and otherwise.
Richard recommends: Nancy Drew: The Secret of Shadow Ranch by Carolyn Keene (ages 8 to 12)
Another Nancy Drew classic from our shelves, The Secret of Shadow Ranch. This time Nancy and her friends find themselves in Arizona for a fun-filled vacation. However, wherever Nancy goes, mystery quickly follows. In this case the ranch is haunted by a ghostly animal and a legendary curse. Something strange is happening, and the friends quickly find themselves in grave danger, trapped in a cabin by a rockslide. Will Nancy and her friends escape and solve the mystery? Read and find out!
Joan recommends: Owl Babies by Martin Waddell (ages 3 to 6)
When three baby owls wake up one night to find Mommy gone, they wait together, wishing for her return. Although they know that she has probably just gone out hunting, they can’t help but worry until she returns. When their mother does return, she gently reminds them that she always comes back. The plot is short and simple, but the story is still effective. The baby owls perfectly reflect the inner monologues of little ones who “know” that their parents will return but still need that reassurance. Each of the three owl siblings has a distinct voice. Sarah provides the most reassurance, Percy adds to her comments, and Bill repeatedly follows up with “I want my Mommy!” I love the illustrations in this book. The detailed drawings are very realistic, yet extremely relatable human emotions grace the faces of the owls. I recommend sharing Owl Babies with your toddler or preschooler at bedtime, naptime, or any cozy time.
Well, readers, that’s a wrap! Check back again next month for some more fabulous reading recommendations or check out our past March Book Chats. Until then, happy reading!
March Book Chat: 2025
March Book Chat: 2024
March Book Chat: 2023
March Book Chat: 2022
