YTS Staff Picks 2021 – Our Favorite Books of the year

Check out some of our Youth & Teen Services staff favorites, all published in 2021. These books represent a wide variety of formats and intended audiences. We hope you will find something of interest in these selections.

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Little Turtle Tries by Michael Dahl

It’s time to get dressed, which is no easy task for Little Turtle! But Little Turtle will not give up. This book shows your toddler that new tasks can be difficult, but with patience and encouragement, they can learn to do new things.

Available formats: Book, Ebook (Hoopla)

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Courage Is by Jason Kander

Courage is about being scared – but doing the scary things anyway. Whether it’s going to the dentist, trying a strange new food, asking for help, or going to sleep all by yourself, this book addresses the many surprising ways that little ones can develop courage and character. Illustrations depict a diverse range of both famous heroes and children showing courage in everyday life.

Available formats: Book

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Fish and Sun by Sergio Ruzzier

One day, a bored little fish journeys up to the surface of the ocean, where it meets the sun. A wonderful friendship blooms… Only, right in the middle of their fun, the sun starts to set! Fish and Sun is a powerful story about newfound friendship.

Fish and Sun is a Level One I Can Read Comic, a simple story for shared reading, familiarizing children with the style of graphic novels and encouraging visual literacy.

Available formats: Book

 

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I’m on It! by Andrea Tsurumi

Goat likes to lead. Goat also likes Frog to follow. When Goat jumps on it, Frog does too. Soon Goat and Frog are on it, along it, above it, inside it, beside it, around it, and under it. This Elephant and Piggie-like Reading book is not only fun and playful, but also reinforces directional and positional vocabulary. Perfect for a new reader or for reading aloud.

Available formats: Book

Itty-Bitty Kitty-Corn by Shannon Hale

Kitty, who looks like a kitten yet feels she is actually a unicorn, begins to doubt herself as others ridicule her, until she meets a unicorn that helps her discover and embrace who she is.

Available Formats: Book, Ebook (Overdrive, Hoopla)

No Pants! by Jacob Grant

This hilarious and heartwarming picture book celebrates the relationship between father and son. Pablo and his dad are ready for a great day. It’s party day! A cookout with the whole family. All they need to do to get ready is: eat breakfast, brush their teeth and put on pants. However, Pablo has another idea: No Pants!  Colorful illustrations enhance witty dialogue as this father and son battle over the best way to wear or not wear pants.

Available Formats: Book

Outside, Inside by LeUyen Pham

Something strange happened on an unremarkable day just before the season changed. Everybody who was outside . . . . . . went inside. Outside, it was quieter, wilder, and different. Inside, we laughed, we cried, and we grew. We remembered to protect the ones we love and love the ones who protect us. While the world changed outside, we became stronger on the inside and believed that someday soon spring would come again. From Caldecott honoree LeUyen Pham, Outside, Inside is a moving picture book celebrating essential workers and the community coming together to face the challenges of the global COVID-19 pandemic.  – from the publisher.

Available formats: Book, Ebook (Overdrive Media on Demand), Eaudiobook (Hoopla)

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What Happened to You by James Catchpole

Every time Joe goes out, the questions are the same… what happened to his leg? But is this even a question Joe has to answer? A ground-breaking, funny story that helps children understand what it might feel like to be seen as different.

Available formats: Book

Available formats: Book

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Odd Bods: the world’s unusual animals by Julie Murphy

Long snouts, bright-red lips, pointy heads . . . the animal kingdom is full of critters with unique features. Learn about the incredible adaptations that help these creatures–and their odd bods–survive and thrive all around the globe!

Available formats: Book, Ebook (Hoopla)

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Available formats: Book, Ebook (Hoopla)

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Monster Friends by Kaeti Vandorn 

Despite their differences, monster neighbors Reggie and Emily make the perfect pair of explorers, and with a map to make, a beach party to plan, and a sea monster to find, Reggie will have to learn to talk about his feelings and let new friends in. A colorful graphic novel full of friendship and encouragement.

Available formats: Book, Ecomic (Overdrive Media on Demand)

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Pony by R. J. Palacio

The bestselling author of Wonder returns with an enthralling adventure about a boy on a quest to rescue his father, with only a ghost as his companion and a mysterious pony as his guide.

Available formats: Book, Ebook (Overdrive Media on Demand, cloudLibrary), eAudiobook (Overdrive Media on Demand, cloudLibrary)

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Last night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo

Seventeen-year-old Lily Hu can’t remember exactly when the feeling took root—it definitely bloomed the moment she and Kathleen Miller walked under the flashing neon sign of a lesbian bar called the Telegraph Club. But America in 1954 is not a safe place for two girls to fall in love, especially not in Chinatown. Lily and Kath risk everything to let their love see the light of day. This YA historical LGBTQ romance has vivid characters, perfect pacing, and incredible descriptions.

Available formats: Book, Ebook (Overdrive Media on Demand), Eaudiobook (Overdrive Media on Demand)

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Wings of Ebony by J. Elle

Rue’s taken from her neighborhood by the father she never knew, forced to leave her little sister behind, and whisked away to Ghizon–a hidden island of magic wielders. Rue is the only half-god, half-human there, where leaders protect their magical powers at all costs and thrive on human suffering. Rue must embrace her true identity and wield the full magnitude of her ancestors’ power to save her neighborhood before the gods burn it to the ground. A riveting and emotional fantasy debut.

Available formats: Book, Ecomic (Overdrive Media on Demand)

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The Girl from the Sea by Molly Ostertag

Morgan has a secret: She can’t wait to escape the perfect little island where she lives. She’s desperate to finish high school and escape her divorced mom, her volatile little brother, and her great group of friends. Then one night, Morgan is saved from drowning by a mysterious girl named Keltie. The two become friends and suddenly life on the island doesn’t seem so stifling anymore. But Keltie has some secrets of her own, and everything they’re each trying to hide will find its way to the surface. A graphic novel about first love, family, and finding your way.

Available formats: Book, Ecomic (Overdrive Media on Demand), Eaudiobook (Hoopla)