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Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero

Isaiah Dunn is 10 years old, and it has not been an easy year for him.  His father passed away unexpectedly, and his mother is struggling at the bottom of Read more...

Posted by on October 17, 2024

The Grace of Wild Things by Heather Fawcett

Join Grace, a 12-year-old witch, on her journey from the orphanage to a new life full of magic and adventure. Escaping the dreary orphanage, Grace meets Miss Puddlestone, a witch Read more...

Posted by on May 2, 2024

The Area 51 Files

12-year-old orphan Sky Patel-Baum has lived with her grandmother as far back as she can remember. When her grandmother moves to a retirement home, Sky and her pet hedgehog Spike Read more...

Posted by on September 7, 2023

Barb The Last Berzerker

An endless war has been waged between humans and monsters, and only the bravest among them—The Berzerkers—can defeat the monsters and save the world of Bailiwick once and for all! Read more...

Megabat

Megabat is a charming page turner about a boy who moves to a new town and a new house that just might be haunted…. Or is it? Daniel Misumi finds Read more...

Posted by on April 6, 2023

Poverty & Hunger: A Reading List for Grade School

Living in poverty means that people are often going without basic needs such as food, clothing, and adequate shelter. We hope these selections serve to educate and encourage a dialogue Read more...

Posted by on January 6, 2023

Indigenous Voices & Experiences: A Reading List for Grade School

We hope these selections serve to educate, celebrate, and encourage dialogue on the diverse nations, cultures, and experiences of Native peoples throughout North America. Celebrate Native American Heritage Month—and continue Read more...

Posted by on November 4, 2022

Essential Amphibians

Amphibians include animals like frogs, salamanders and caecilians.  The book starts with an overview of all amphibians and then goes into 22 unique amphibian species.  Two species are even found Read more...

Posted by on October 20, 2022

Right to Read: A Reading List for Children and Families

We hope these selections serve to celebrate not only the joy, importance, and impact of reading but also advocate for the essential right to read, emphasizing the value of knowledge Read more...

Posted by on September 2, 2022

Social Justice in Poetry and Verse: A Reading List for Children and Families

We hope these selections of poetry and books in verse serve to educate and encourage a dialogue on topics of social justice.

Posted by on April 2, 2022

Black Voices & Experiences: A Reading List for Children and Families

Celebrate Black History Month with books by Black authors and writing focusing on Black voices, characters, history, and culture. We hope these selections serve to educate and encourage a dialogue Read more...

Posted by on February 4, 2022

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 Read more...

Posted by on November 22, 2021

Worker Rights: A Reading List for Children and Families

We hope these selections serve to educate and encourage a dialogue around worker’s rights and the labor movement both here in the United States and around the world.

Posted by on October 2, 2021

Advocacy & Activists: A Reading List for Children and Families

We hope these selections serve to educate and encourage a dialogue around advocacy, activism and allyship in relation to social justice issues. Sometimes People March by Tessa Allen This informational picture Read more...

Posted by on August 6, 2021

A Century of Reading: The 1980s

It was rad to be a kid in the 80s! Take a trip down memory lane with some books, movies, and music from the 1980s. Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Read more...

Posted by on July 12, 2021

Environmental Justice: A Reading List for Children and Families

We hope these selections serve to educate and encourage a dialogue on topics of environmental justice, including access to a clean and healthy environment for all people, the disproportionate impact Read more...

Posted by on April 22, 2021

Asian and Pacific Islander Voices: A Reading List for Grade School

We hope these selections serve to spotlight #ownvoices stories by authors of Asian and Pacific Islander heritage, introduce readers to diverse writers and perspectives, and educate and encourage a dialogue Read more...

Posted by on April 2, 2021

Women’s History Month: A Reading List for Grade School

In honor of Women's History Month, we've selected titles focusing on the lives of women and girls throughout the past and into the present day. We hope these selections serve Read more...

Posted by on March 8, 2021

Black History Month: A Reading list for Grade School

Celebrate Black History Month with books by Black authors and writing focusing on Black characters, history, and culture. We hope these selections serve to educate and encourage a dialogue on Read more...

Hobbies for the Holidays

Time off, whether it's for school breaks, shutdowns, or much needed R&R, is a great time to explore your interests or pick up something new. With this list of instructional Read more...

Posted by on December 22, 2020

Disability & Neurodiversity: A Reading List for Grade School

We hope these selections serve to educate, entertain, amplify disabled voices, and encourage a dialogue on topics of disability and neurodiversity.

One Community, Many Voices: A Grade School Reading List

This list is a great way to start your Westmont Reads experience. WPL librarians have selected titles for all ages by authors from a wide range of communities, backgrounds, experiences, Read more...

Native Nations: A Reading List for Grade School

We hope these selections serve to educate, celebrate, and encourage dialogue on the diverse nations, cultures, and experiences of Native peoples throughout North America. Celebrate Native American Heritage Month—and continue Read more...

Voting and Elections: A Reading List for Children and Families

We hope these selections serve to educate and encourage a dialogue on topics of voting in the US, from ongoing fights for equal voting rights and fair elections to the Read more...

Mass Incarceration: A Reading List for Children and Families

We hope these selections serve to educate and encourage a dialogue on topics of incarceration and the impact of mass incarceration on individuals, families, and communities.

Immigrant and Refugee Experiences: A Reading List for Grade School

We hope these selections serve to educate, and encourage a dialogue on topics of immigration and displacement, as well as spotlight immigrant and refugee experiences from a variety of places, Read more...

Posted by on August 2, 2020

What’s Cooking? A Cookbook List for Kids

Check out these staff-tested cookbooks for kids, and find inspiration to create something wonderful in the kitchen!

Posted by on July 20, 2020

Own Voices: A Reading List for Grade School

The #ownvoices hashtag was created by author Corinne Duyvis to spotlight books about characters with marginalized identities created by authors who share the same marginalized identity (or identities). The character Read more...

Race, Racism, and Black Lives: A Reading List for Children & Families

We hope these selections serve to educate and encourage a dialogue on topics of racial justice, especially centering Black lives, voices, and communities.

Posted by on June 9, 2020

The One and Only Ivan

“With enough time, you can get used to almost anything.” This book is a fictional story based on Ivan the Silverback, who lived out the end of his life in Read more...

Posted by on April 13, 2020

City of Ghosts

Cassidy is a 12 year old girl who, after a near death experience, is able to walk the thin line between the living and the dead. Her best friend and Read more...

Posted by on November 27, 2019

Mary, Who Wrote Frankenstein

Bailey captures Mary’s unique spirit as she answers the question, “How does a story begin?” The gothic-style illustrations that Sardà creates sets a wonderful tone for the story, without appearing Read more...

Posted by on September 5, 2019

Song for a Whale

Twelve-year-old Iris understands the loneliness and frustration that come from the inability to communicate. Not only is she the only deaf child in her school, but her own father is Read more...

Posted by on July 1, 2019

First Generation: 36 Trailblazing Immigrants and Refugees Who Make America Great

For over a century, immigrants and refugees from around the world have made important contributions to the United States in areas such as politics, sports, entertainment, art, and science. From Read more...

Posted by on February 7, 2019

Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History

Throughout history, black women – from virtual unknowns to luminaries – have been leading the way in medicine, law, the arts, sports and more, but they have not always been Read more...

Posted by on January 19, 2019

Mac B., Kid Spy: Mac Undercover

Mac B. may be a kid, but he’s also the Queen of England’s newest secret agent. This wacky, almost-autobiographical adventure follows young, international best-selling author Mac Barnett on his search Read more...

Posted by on November 25, 2018

The Cardboard Kingdom

The Cardboard Kingdom shows that every kid not only belongs in an adventure, but also deserves to have a hand in creating it.

Posted by on October 5, 2018

Coco

In this riveting, comedic and touching Hispanic rooted story, the main character, Miguel, becomes trapped in the land of the dead during the Day of the Dead, or Día de Read more...

Posted by on September 18, 2018

Dream Jumper: Nightmare Escape

Ben spends a lot of time in other people’s dreams. Literally. When Ben falls asleep, he gains the ability to “jump” into people’s heads, navigating the dream world and more-than-occasionally Read more...

Posted by on June 20, 2018

Dory Fantasmagory

More than anything, Dory’s family tells her, “Don’t.” Don’t make up stories, or friends, or adventures. Don’t get in the way. Don’t cause trouble. But Dory can’t help but do Read more...

Posted by on May 18, 2018

The Magic Misfits

Runaway Carter always thought magic was only used to trick or steal, so when he arrives in a small New England town, he is surprised by illusionist Dante Vernon, who Read more...

Posted by on April 1, 2018

Hermes: Tales of the Trickster

The Greek god of thieves, language, and travel comes to life in this vibrant addition to George O’Connor’s Olympians graphic novel series.

Posted by on March 22, 2018

Recess Warriors: Hero is a Four-Letter Word

When an outbreak of cooties threatens to turn the student body into a herd of zombies, Scrap and his friend Yoshi must act fast to save everyone. This action-packed adventure Read more...

Posted by on January 6, 2018

Harper and the Scarlet Umbrella

The day Harper finds out she owns a secret magical umbrella, is the same day her cat Midnight goes missing. With her friends in toe, some new and some old, Read more...

Posted by on December 15, 2017

Clara Barton: Angel of the Battlefield

When their parents go through a divorce, 12 year old twins Maisie and Felix Robbins are forced to move from NYC to Rhode Island, and their lives feel bleak. To Read more...

Posted by on November 14, 2017

Phoebe and Her Unicorn

While out skipping rocks on the water, fourth grader Phoebe happens upon a unicorn: Marigold Heavenly Nostrils. Grateful to be freed from the imprisonment of her own magnificence and spellbinding Read more...

Posted by on October 12, 2017

The Know-Nonsense Guide to Grammar

Need help understanding adverbs? Curious about what anthropomorphism means? The Know-Nonsense Guide to Grammar may be just what you’re looking for!

Posted by on August 25, 2017

The Last Kids on Earth

The monster apocalypse has begun in 13-year old Jack Sullivan’s town, and he is holed up in his tricked-out treehouse, protected by a moat and catapults. He’s resourceful and has Read more...

Posted by on July 13, 2017

Mission To Pluto

This insider’s peek into NASA has a little suspense, a lot of excitement, and shows what is possible with a lot of hard work and big dreams. The only question Read more...

Posted by on July 7, 2017

A History of Civilization in 50 Disasters

Whether you want to stock up on fun facts or get a head start on that history or social studies report, A History of Civilization in 50 Disasters could be Read more...

Posted by on June 2, 2017

Motor Girls

Should horseless carriages be powered by electricity, steam engines, or gasoline? An odd question today, but at the dawn of the 20th century it was a very real debate. Even Read more...

Posted by on May 4, 2017

Flashback Four #1: The Lincoln Project

Part history lesson, and part time-travel adventure story, this book could appeal to Dan Gutman fans and also to children who loved the Magic Tree House books, but are ready Read more...

Posted by on April 27, 2017

Moo

Reena must turn the most ornery cow in all of Maine into a showable farm animal. The task seems impossible at first. The 800lb cow won’t budge an inch, except Read more...

Posted by on December 17, 2016

Gone Fishing

Sam is eager to set off with his dad on their big fishing trip, but his plans veer off course when his obnoxious little sister Lucy decides at the last Read more...

Posted by on November 10, 2016

School of the Dead

School of the Dead starts off strong with its gripping opener: “The first time Uncle Charlie came to live with us he was alive. The second time he came, he Read more...

Posted by on November 7, 2016

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