Tag: booklists

Forget Witches, Ghouls and Ghosts. Bats Are Where It’s At.

October 23, 2019

If you were to visit the city of Austin, TX sometime between the months of March and October, you would be privy to a rather remarkable sight. Every evening, roundabout twenty minutes before sundown, 1.5 MILLION bats will emerge from beneath the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge. That’s a lot of bats. It’s also a significant tourist attraction for the city itself.  Alas, Evanston has no significantly sized bat population to match Austin’s, but what we lack in numbers we make up for in chutzpah. Our local bats are wonders in their own right. And now that the weather has taken a turn for the autumnal, what better time to celebrate them?

At Evanston Public Library, we have all kinds of books to meet your bat-loving needs. Here’s just a smattering of some of the battier titles on offer:

The Secret Lives of Bats : My Adventures with the World’s Most Misunderstood Mammals by Merlin Tuttle

It’s not every book out there written by someone with a doctorate in bat biology. Tuttle explains not only the sheer necessity of bats to our ecosystems but also interesting facts like that certain bats are comparable to elephants in their ability to maintain complex social relationships. Kirkus called this “A page-turning memoir” and PW, “subtle humor and contagious, unsubtle passion.”

Bats : Learning to Fly by Falynn Koch

Do you prefer your bat information in a graphic novel format? Over a dozen bat species are covered alongside bat behavior in this highly engaging title. Sure, it was written for 10-year-olds, but you’re going to get a lot out of it.

Owls Aren’t Wise and Bats Aren’t Blind : A Naturalist Debunks Our Favorite Fallacies About Wildlife by Warner Shedd 

Sorry, but it’s true. Turns out bats have fantastic vision. The director of the New Hampshire Wildlife Federation gives you the scoop on 27 different animals, debunking myths wherever he goes. A must for any nature lover.

The Case of the Vanishing Little Brown Bats : A Scientific Mystery by Sandra Markle

If you know me then you’ll know that I love books for kids. Particularly when those books cover subject areas inadequately covered by adult titles. No doubt you’ve heard of the Pd fungi that is currently wiping out large swaths of the bat population. Markle dives deep into the mystery of the fungus, its origins, and why it is as deadly to bats as it is.

Flying Blind : One Man’s Adventures Battling Buckthorn, Making Peace with Authority, and Creating a Home for Endangered Bats by Don Mitchell

Middlebury writing professor Don Mitchell did not want to track bats on his 150-acre farm in Vermont. Nope. He pretty much figured bats were just flying rats and thought he’d leave it at that. But when a  biologist with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department contacted him about the project, he figured he’d look into it. Now Mitchell’s a bat convert and his personal and environmental story is as engaging as it is informative.

 

 

 

Poetry: Not Just for April Anymore

September 25, 2019

Publishing runs in cycles, and libraries consciously and unconsciously follow those cycles. Because April is considered National Poetry Month, there is a temptation to just read all the poetry you like then, and forget about it for the rest of the year. Happily, that is not how Evanston operates. But while ours is a poetry loving burg, even I sometimes forget that we can talk about the wonderful collections on our shelves any day of the year and not just in the Spring. Here then are four recent poetry publications that you may have missed, but shouldn’t miss out on.

Instruments of the True Measure: Poems by Laura ‘Da

Shawnee poet ‘Da writes in a way that Publishers Weekly described as, “a metaphoric system that binds arithmetic, cartography, Indian removal, and personal legacy”. What does that look like? Narrative poems and short essays for the most part, with lines that jump out at you, “like a tongue/ poking around// in the shrill vacancy/ of a shattered tooth.”

You Darling Thing by Monica Ferrell

“Every sixteen-year-old girl likes// A murderer for an admirer.” This book has collected multiple stars from a wide array of different professional journals, and why not? This dangerous little collection is full of magnificent bites of sound. “Somewhere a mutiny is tearing loose from/ Its tree like ripe fruit”. One review called it striking. I can’t think of a better word.

Bullets Into Bells: Poets and Citizens Respond to Gun Violence

Timely. Would that it were not so. If you’ve an interest in reading the poetry of Billy Collins, Patricia Smith, Natalie Diaz, Ocean Vuong, Danez Smith, Brenda Hillman, Natasha Threthewey, Robert Hass, Naomi Shihab Nye, Juan Felipe Herrera, Mark Doty, Rita Dove, and Yusef Komunyakaa as they discuss gun violence, this book is for you. Poems, prose, and an ongoing discussion.

No Secret Where Elephants Walk: Poetry & Images, Africa by Carol and Arnie Kanter

No list is complete with the inclusion of our own local Evanstonian poets. Poetry and photography mix and meld for readers that are interested in wildlife, travel, and the fragile, vanishing places.

Don’t Let Ariel Go It Alone: The Black Mermaid Booklist of EPL

July 18, 2019

You may have seen the recent announcement surrounding the latest live action Disney movie, The Little Mermaid. In a surprisingly refreshing move, the studio cast Halle Bailey, an African-American actress, as the new Ariel. The response was universally supportive.

Yeah. I wish.

No, as you might expect, the racists came out of the woodwork in droves and got all kinds of nasty online.

But you know who wasn’t surprised by the presence of black mermaids in the world? Children’s librarians. Children’s books have sported black mermaids for years. In fact, one of my earliest memories of being read a picture book in first or second grade. The school librarian announced that she would be reading us the book Sukey and the Mermaid by Robert D. San Souci, illustrated by Brian Pinkney. At the time, it was the only mermaid-related picture book I had ever seen. Pinkney’s scratch art burned the images of the book deep into my gray matter, leaving permanent marks. Years later, when I became a children’s librarian, if a child came up asking for a mermaid picture book, that was the first one I handed to them

So for those of you interested in getting your kids up to speed on some truly cool mermaids (with ties to Caribbean folklore and oral legends, West Africa’s Mami Wata, the mermaids of South Africa’s Khoi-san people, and in Mali the half-fish, half-people creatures from the Dogon) here are the titles you can find at Evanston Public Library

Sukey and the Mermaid by Robert D. San Souci, ill. Brian Pinkney

While there may have been other mermaid picture books around when I was a kid, how many were award winners? Zippo. This story was based on a folktale from the Sea Islands of South Carolina with Caribbean and West African sources.

Mermaid Dreams by Kate Pugsley

A brand spanking new 2019 title, Pugsley’s book shows a wide array of mermaids inside, but I like that the heroine is brown-skinned Maya, shown here on the cover.

Mermaid Tales by Debbie Dadey

Look for the ones starring Shelly in the series. This is an older set of early chapter books (2012) trust me when I say they’re still in wide demand.

Her Stories: African American Folktales, Fairy Tales, and True Tales by Virginia Hamilton

It would be a real shame if I forgot to include this story “Mary Belle and the Mermaid” from Hamilton’s Her Stories. Just look at that gorgeous Dillon art. Now those guys knew how to draw a shining tail.

The Mermaid’s Twin Sister: More Stories From Trinidad by Lynn Joseph

There is a reason that a lot of librarians hold onto the books in their fairytale and folktale sections protectively. And where better than Trinidad to find something mysterious in the water?

Rise of the Jumbies by Tracey Baptiste

This is one of the rare middle grade novel mermaids on this list. It may be a sequel, but not every sequel out there ends up on an NPR / School Library Journal / Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year lists.

Julian Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love

This book is not without some critical discussions, mind, and it can be very informative to read the back and forth on the topic. For my part, when I look for black boy mermaids out there (or, heck, ANY boy mermaids at all in children’s literature) I find nothing but Julián. Winner of the 2019 Stonewall Book Award, this story is much beloved of the Drag Queen Story Hours nationwide.

Enjoy!

Announcing Evanston Public Library’s 101 Great Books for Kids (2018)!!

November 20, 2018

It’s that time of year again!! The time when the librarians, clerks, and other staff members of Evanston Public Library that have been reading all year long, finally reveal their 101 favorite children’s books. When I moved to Evanston from New York City, I took with me New York Public Library’s idea for an annual accounting of the state of kids books today. NYPL has created this same list for 117 years. EPL has created it for two. But whatta two it’s been!

If you’d like to get a physical copy of the list (pdf copy here!), they are available at the Main location (with copies available at the branches as well). All books are available in the library system and all of our local bookstores should be able to get you whatever titles strike your fancy. There’s something for everyone here, so enjoy!

101 Great Books for Kids (2018)

 

Picture Books

Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal

Call Number: JPicture Marti.J

Alma feels burdened by her extraordinarily long name. That is, until her father explains all the relatives it honors and what their stories were.

 

Blue by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

Call Number: JPicture Seege.L

Die-cuts and a single color revealed through a multitude of hues help tell the story of a boy and his dog.

 

Can I Be Your Dog? by Troy Cummings

Call Number: JPicture Cummi.T

A sunny pup with a heart full of hope tries to acquire a loving owner, only to find them in the least expected place.

 

The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson, ill. Rafael López

Call Number: JPicture Woods.J

Everyone feels different sometimes. A book that celebrates the strength it takes to be yourself and tell your own story.

 

Ducks Away! by Mem Fox, ill. Judy Horacek

Call Number: JPicture Fox.M

A marvelous read aloud and peppy counting book for the youngest of readers.

 

The Field by Baptiste Paul, ill. Jacqueline Alcántara

Call Number: JPicture Paul.B

The ultimate Caribbean futbol mud match, complete with excitement, Creole phrases, and the occasional gooooooooal!

 

First Laugh, Welcome, Baby! by Rose Ann Tahe and Nancy Bo Flood, ill. Jonathan Nelson

Call Number: JPicture Tahe.R

Members of a Navajo family compete to be the first to make the new baby giggle, kicking off the child’s First Laugh Ceremony.

 

The Funeral by Matt James

Call Number: JPicture James.M

Two cousins at a funeral while away the hours, acting like total kids.

 

Hello Hello by Brendan Wenzel

Call Number: JPicture Wenze.B

Disparate animals can still have a lot in common, as this eye-poppingly colorful romp in the animal kingdom shows.

 

The Honeybee by Kirsten Hall, ill. Isabelle Arsenault

Call Number: JPicture Hall.K

This little bee book goes way beyond the waggle dance to tell kids more than they ever thought they could know about insects, honey, and more.

 

A House That Once Was by Julie Fogliano, ill. Lane Smith

Call Number: JPicture Fogli.J

What becomes of a house forgotten, and what kinds of people lived there before?

 

I Am a Cat by Galia Bernstein

Call Number: JPicture Berns.G

It might be roly-poly, cuddly, and cute, but don’t doubt that this little housecat has more in common with its fierce relatives than meets the eye.

 

Imagine! by Raúl Colón

Call Number: JPicture Colon.R

Smell the sugared nuts, hear the horns of the taxis, and join a boy and some surprising friends as they take in the sights of NYC.

 

Jerome by Heart by Thomas Scotto, ill. Olivier Tallec, translated by Claudia Zoe Bedrick and Karin Snelson

Call Number: JPicture Scott.T

A remarkably sweet tale of two boys that love each other, and how just holding hands can sometimes feel like an act of resistance.

 

Julián Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love

Call Number: JPicture Love.J

Julián dreams of elegant mermaids, but what will his abuela think when he tries to become one himself?

 

Love by Matt de la Peña, ill. Loren Long

Call Number: JPicture Delap.M

A celebration of love, with all its complications, highs, lows, tears, and joy.

 

My Hair Is a Garden by Cozbi A. Cabrera

Call Number: JPicture Cabre.C

The kids at school make fun of Mackenzie’s unkempt hair. Fortunately she has her neighbor Miss Tillie to show her that every strand can be tended like a garden. From an Evanston author!

 

Ocean Meets Sky by Terry Fan and Eric Fan

Call Number: JPicture Fan.T

A dreamlike voyage takes a boy to a fantastical place where at long last he can commune with the grandfather he misses so much.

 

A Parade of Elephants by Kevin Henkes

Call Number: JPicture Henke.K

It’s a counting book! It’s a bedtime book! It’s a perfect book for the youngest of readers to snuggle up to and enjoy.

 

The Patchwork Bike by Maxine Beneba Clarke, ill. Van Thanh Rudd

Call Number: JPicture Clark.M

Wind, speed, brothers, and fun. When your bike’s made by your own two hands there’s nothing you can’t do!

 

The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerfeld

Call Number: JPicture Doerr.C

When something bad happens to someone else what should you do? The rabbit just stays and listens. A remarkable tale of compassion for younger readers.

 

The Stuff of Stars by Marion Dane Bauer, ill. Ekua Holmes

Call Number: JPicture Bauer.M

Handmade paper art that swirls like the cosmos itself evokes the chaos of creation that gave birth to us all.

 

Teddy’s Favorite Toy by Christian Trimmer, ill. Madeline Valentine

Call Number: JPicture Trimm.C

A boy and his doll are not easily parted, but when the mighty Bren-Da accidentally ends up in the trash it’s up to mom to save the day!

 

This Is My Eye by Neela Vaswani

Call Number: JPicture Vaswa.N

Hand a kid a camera and see the world through their eyes. You might be surprised at everything you could have missed.

 

We Don’t Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins

Call Number: JPicture Higgi.R

It’s not easy to make new friends on your first day of school. Especially when they’re just so darn tasty.

 

 

 

Folktales and Fairy Tales

 

The Dragon Slayer: Folktales from Latin America by Jaime Hernandez, ill. F. Isabel Campoy

Call Number: JGraphic Herna.J

Three classic Latinx stories get a whole new look in this fresh and funny melding of comics and fables.

 

The Frog Prince by The Brothers Grimm, ill. Sybille Schenker

Call Number: x398.20943 Grimm.J

Luscious die-cuts, gold and gilt, and transparent pages render this classic fairytale in truly magnificent splendor.

 

The King of Birds (Gamayun Tales) by Alexander Utkin

Call Number: JGraphic Utkin.A

A poor woodsman saves The King of the Birds, only to be drawn into an epic adventure in the sky.

 

The Little Red Fort by Brenda Maier, ill. Sonia Sánchez

Call Number: JPicture Maier.B

The tale of the Little Red Hen gets fully modernized in this story of a girl with architectural dreams and the lazy boys who won’t lift a finger to help.

 

Never Satisfied: The Story of the Stonecutter by Dave Horowitz

Call Number: x398.20951 Horow.D

What goes around comes around. A stonecutter unhappy with his lot continually upgrades his life, until he reaches a funny conclusion.

 

Ramayana: An Illustrated Retelling by Arshia Sattar, ill. Sonali Zohra

Call Number: x398.6 Satta.A

In this epic tale, Prince Rama’s story is brought to bold, brilliantly illustrated life. Ten-headed demons, magical monkeys, betrayal, love, death, and more!

 

The Tiger Prince by Chen Jiang Hong

A king offers his own child to a vicious foe, but love and affection save the boy’s life. A keenly told folktale rendered in deep, velvety colors.

 

 

Easy Books and Early Chapter Books

 

Baby Monkey, Private Eye by Brian Selznick and David Serlin

Call Number: JEasy Selzn.B

No crime is too big for this tiny detective. Missing jewels? Pizza? Spaceships? Baby Monkey is on the case!

 

Houndsley and Catina and Cousin Wagster by James Howe, ill. Marie-Louise Gay

Call Number: JEasy Howe.J

When Houndsley’s fabulous and outgoing cousin Wagster comes for a visit, the simple hound worries that his best friend Catina won’t like him as much anymore.

 

Kick It, Mo! by David A. Adler, ill. Sam Ricks

Call Number: JEasy Adler.D

Sport-loving Mo loves to kick balls high into the sky, but that’s not a good idea in a soccer game. Can he learn to be a team player?

 

Min Makes a Machine by Emily Arnold McCully

Call Number: JBegin Mccul.E

A young pachyderm with an engineering streak finds a clever solution to a thirsty problem in this one-of-a-kind easy book.

 

The Party and Other Stories by Sergio Ruzzier

Call Number: JEasy Ruzzi.S

Fox may find Chick a little exasperating at times, but these pals definitely stick together in a collection of three bite-sized stories.

 

Power Forward by Hena Khan

Call Number: JChapter Khan.H

You know what Zayd loves? Basketball. You know what his parents give him? Violin lessons. What’s a kid who just wants to play gotta do to get what he wants?

 

They Didn’t Teach THIS In Worm School!: One Worm’s Tale of Survival by Simone Lia

Call Number: J Lia.M

It may not be easy to be friends with someone who wants to eat you, but it is by no means impossible!

 

 

Poetry

 

Can I Touch Your Hair? Poems of Race, Mistakes, and Friendship by Irene Latham and Charles Waters

Call Number: x811 Latha.I

Two classmates navigate the waters of race and friendship in this thoughtful consideration of how we treat one another.

 

In the Past: From Trilobites to Dinosaurs to Mammoths in More than 500 Million Years by David Elliott, ill. Matthew Trueman

Call Number: x811 Ellio.D

Funny poetry filled to brimming with wit, weirdness, and facts about the ancient denizens of the Earth.

 

Sakura’s Cherry Blossoms by Robert Paul Weston, ill. Misa Saburi

Call Number: JPicture Westo.R

Tanka poems tell the tale of a little girl who moves to America from Japan and misses her grandmother terribly.

 

Seeing Into Tomorrow: Haiku by Richard Wright, ill. Nina Crews

Call Number: x811 Wrigh.R

Overlapping photographs reimagine a dozen of Richard Wright’s haikus, showing black boys as they investigate and observe the natural world around them.

 

Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Black Boy by Tony Medina & 13 Artists

Call Number: x811 Medin.T

Stylistically diverse artists accompany tanka poems dedicated to showing the family, spirituality, self-confidence, and stresses of black and brown kids today.

 

Vivid: Poems & Notes About Color by Julie Paschkis

Call Number: x811 Pasch.J

A quirky colorfest that celebrates the art and the science of every hue in the rainbow.

 

 

Fiction

 

Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi

Call Number: J Choks.R

Witty sisterly repartee, cosmic battles, and Hindu Mythology combine when Aru Shah discovers she’s the daughter of a god with a quest of mammoth proportions.

 

The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge by M.T. Anderson, ill. Eugene Yelchin

Call Number: J Ander.M

Just your average Middle Earth, Cold War, buddy comedy with an unreliable but brilliant visual narrator.

 

The Book of Boy by Catherine Gilbert, ill. Ian Schoenherr

Call Number: J Murdo.C

A relic thief and a misfit boy who can talk to animals team up in this extraordinary story of a Medieval pilgrimage to Rome.

 

The Button War by Avi

Call Number: J Avi

WWI Poland sets the scene for this dark tale of a button collecting contest gone horribly, tragically wrong.

 

Dear Sister by Alison McGhee, ill. Joe Bluhm

Call Number: J Mcghe.A

An epistolary novel between an older brother and the younger sister he hates/tolerates/loves over the course of seven years.

 

Front Desk by Kelly Yang

Call Number: J Yang.K

While her parents secretly shelter new immigrants in the motel where they work, Mia Tang reflects on immigration, racism, and her own belief that “sometimes you have to … be creative to get what you want.”

 

Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Call Number: J Rhode.J

Jerome has been shot and killed by a white police officer. Now a ghost stuck on earth, Jerome must find out what to do so he can move on. But first he needs to understand why he can talk with the daughter of his killer and why the ghost of Emmett Till keeps appearing to him. A powerful call to action.

 

Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson

Call Number: J Woods.J

Six misfits join together, listen to one another, and help when one of them confesses his father has been deported from the country.

 

Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World by Ashley Herring

Call Number: J Blake.A

It isn’t enough that Ivy’s house was hit by a tornado. Now she’s not speaking to her beloved older sister, mysterious notes appear in her locker, and she’s terrified to confess her crush on another girl. What’s going on?

 

The Jamie Drake Equation by Christopher Edge

Call Number: J Edge.C

When there’s an alien on your cellphone and your parents are splitting up, things are far from normal. Outlandish science fiction at its finest.

 

The Journey of Little Charlie by Christopher Paul Curtis

Call Number: J Curti.C

Coerced into helping the despicable overseer Cap’n Buck travel North to track down some stolen property, Little Charlie is horrified to discover the “property” is people.

 

Louisiana’s Way Home by Kate DiCamillo

Call Number: J Dicam.K

Believing that she and her Granny are cursed, Louisiana Elephante finds herself abandoned at a motel in the middle of nowhere. A stunning tale of forgiveness and small delights.

 

The Mad Wolf’s Daughter by Diane Magras

Call Number: J Magra.D

Young Drest watches as her whole family is captured by the king’s soldiers. Now it’s up to her to cut a swath through medieval Europe and get them back!

 

Marcus Vega Doesn’t Speak Spanish by Pablo Cartaya

Call Number: J Carta.P

Marcus is six feet tall, 180 pounds, and in the eighth grade. Now he, his mom, and his brother Charlie, who has Down syndrome, are travelling to Puerto Rico to find the family he never met, but deserves.

 

Merci Suárez Changes Gears by Meg Medina

Call Number: J Medin.M

Cuban-American Merci is more than just a scholarship kid in a private school. She wants to save up for a bike, but before she can she’ll have to mentor a new kid, deal with a bully, and face the fact that her beloved Grandfather is acting less and less like himself.

 

The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl by Stacy McAnulty

Call Number: J Mcanu.S

After being struck by lightning at age six, Lucy Callahan became a math genius. Now for the first time, her grandmother is forcing her to attend public school. Math can solve a lot of problems, but this is one Lucy will have to work out herself.

 

My Year in the Middle by Lila Quintero Weaver

Call Number: J Weave.L

Set in 1970s Alabama, Argentinian immigrant Lu Olivera just wants to be a runner. But in a time when white and black kids are kept separate, where do kids in the middle, like Lu, belong?

 

The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson

Call Number: J Johns.V

The Westing Game meets Holes in this twisty mystery involving a town’s bleak racial past, a hidden treasure, and two kids determined to uncover secrets everyone thought were buried for good.

 

Rebound by Kwame Alexander

Call Number: J Alexa.K

It’s 1988 and Charlie Bell is floundering in grief over the recent death of his father. When he’s sent to spend the summer with his grandparents, he’s sure it’s going to be the worst time ever. Is he right or is he wrong?

 

The Season of Styx Malone by Kekla Magoon

Call Number: J Magoo.K

Rule-breaking, laugh-out-loud humor, and nail-biting adventure combine when two brothers meet the incredible Styx Malone. Their summer will never be the same.

 

Small Spaces by Katherine Arden

Call Number: J Arden.K

Are you afraid of scarecrows? After reading this book, you will be.

 

The Stone Girl’s Story by Sarah Beth Durst

Call Number: J Durst.S

A girl carved entirely of stone sets off on a quest to save herself and her friends in this deeply thought out fantasy novel full of danger and an incredible, inventive world.

 

 

Comics and Graphic Novels

 

Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol

Call Number: JGraphic Brosg.V

High on the misery scale, and even higher on the humor, this semi-autobiographical tale follows young Vera as she navigates a Russian-American camp experience that’s nothing like she’d expected.

 

Cardboard Kingdom by Chad Sell and Various

Call Number: JGraphic Sell. C

What do you want to be? A mad scientist? An evil queen? A monster? In this neighborhood all it takes is some cardboard and imagination to live your dreams.

 

Illegal by Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin, ill. Giovanni Rigano

Call Number: JGraphic Colfe.E

Two brothers take a harrowing journey from Ghana to Europe in this deftly illustrated, agonizing tale for older readers. Beautifully wrought.

 

Lowriders: Blast From the Past by Cathy Camper, ill. Raúl the Third

Call Number: JGraphic Campe.C

Three children with big dreams have to face down the nasty Las Matamoscas who are trying to prevent both women and kids from entering the big car show. Humor, Spanish words, and low-riders combine in a fabuloso tale.

 

Monster Mayhem by Christopher Eliopoulos

Call Number: JGraphic Eliop.C

Science genius Zoe is convinced that friends are more trouble than they’re worth. But when she’s befriended by a gigantic sea creature straight out of her favorite kaiju movies, she discovers it’s not so bad having your pals at your side.

 

The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang

Call Number: JGraphic Wang.J

With the help of talented dressmaker Frances, Prince Sebastian transforms nightly into the magnificent Lady Crystallia, but is terrified someone might learn his secret. A lushly illustrated, gorgeous tale of gowns, secrets, and love.

 

Sanity & Tallulah by Molly Brooks

Call Number: JGraphic Brooks.M

Smart science girls in space! When Sanity’s three-headed kitten escapes into the walls of her space station, she and best friend Tallulah must find it and convince everyone that it’s not responsible for the mysterious power outages.

 

Sci-Fu: Book 1: Kick it Off by Yehudi Mercado

Call Number: JGraphic Merca.Y

In this 1980s tale, all Wax wants is to be the greatest DJ in Brooklyn. When he and his friends and family are abducted by evil space robots, he’ll find it’s those same DJ skills (and a new robotic hand) that are needed to save the day.

 

Small Things by Mel Tregonning

Call Number: JGraphic Trego.M

In this silent black-and-white tale, a boy is eaten up both literally and figuratively by anxiety. A quiet, evocative story with unique art and a smart message.

 

 

Nonfiction

 

Between the Lines: How Ernie Barnes Went from the Football Field to the Art Gallery by Sandra Neil Wallace, ill. Bryan Collier

Call Number: xBiog Barne.E Walla.S

Ernie Barnes always loved art, but thanks to his sports skills ended up a professional footballer player instead. Determined to follow his dreams, Barnes committed to his passion, eventually becoming the American Football League’s official artist.

 

The Confidence Code for Girls: Taking Risks, Messing Up, and Becoming Your Amazingly Imperfect, Totally Powerful Self by Katty Kay, Claire Shipman, JillEllyn Riley, ill. Nan Lawson

Call Number: x305.235 Kay.K

Written for all those kids that identify as girls, this book builds a strong foundation of self-awareness, knowledge, and resilience. A title where girls can feel at home.

 

Do Not Lick This Book by Idan Ben-Barak, ill. Julian Frost, photography by Linnea Rundgren

Call Number: x579 Benba.I

Combining the tone of an interactive book with high resolution microscopic photography, this book lets kids see firsthand that germs and microbes are everywhere (and how easy it is to move them around). Gross, goofy fun for everyone.

 

Dreamers by Yuyi Morales

Call Number: xBiog Moral.Y Moral.Y

Yuyi Morales recounts her journey from Mexico to America and how it was libraries and books that opened new worlds for her and her son. A tribute to reading and a beautifully illustrated personal tale.

 

Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years by Stacy McAnulty, Ill by David Litchfield

Call Number: x550 Mcanu.S

A quick but comprehensive look at Earth’s life, likes, and pet peeves over the last few millennia. Quirky, cute, and fun.

 

The Eye That Never Sleeps: How Detective Pinkerton Saved President Lincoln by Marissa Moss, ill. Jeremy Holmes

This behind-the-scenes look at America’s first private eye and his role in protecting Abraham Lincoln from early assassination attempts offers mysterious illustrations in an always interesting presentation.

 

The Faithful Spy: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Plot to Kill Hitler by John Hendrix

Call Number: xBiog Bonho.D Hendr.J

If you believe murder is a sin, is it wrong to kill Hitler? A mature graphic-hybrid novel tells the life and dark times of a good man caught in a world gone mad.

 

Frenemies in the Family: Famous Brothers and Sisters Who Butted Heads and Had Each Other’s Backs by Kathleen Krull, ill. Maple Lam

Call Number: x306.875 Krull.K

You’re stuck with the family you have. Covering everyone from Queen Elizabeth and Bloody Mary to the Jacksons and beyond, the good, the bad, and the downright dirty lives of historical siblings are presented, warts and all.

 

The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian’s Art Changed Science by Joyce Sidman

Call Number: xBiog Meria.M Sidma.J

Meet the 17th century naturalist that inspired Linnaeus, Darwin, and many other scientists to come. Poetry, art, and engaging writing bring Maria to life once more.

 

The Girl With a Mind for Math: The Story of Raye Montague by Julia Finley Mosca, ill. Daniel Rieley

Call Number: xBiog Monta.R Mosca.J

Imagine designing a battleship and then not being allowed to attend its opening because you’re black!  Meet a heroine every kid should know.

 

Irving Berlin: The Immigrant Boy Who Made America Sing by Nancy Churnin, ill. James Rey Sanchez

Call Number: xBiog Berli.I Churn.N

A refugee from Tsarist Russia, Berlin, his humble beginnings, and rise to fame are chronicled alongside handsomely stylized graphics and pops of intense color.

 

Joan Procter, Dragon Doctor: The Woman Who Loved Reptiles by Patricia Valdez, ill. Felicita Sala

Call Number: xBiog Proct.J Valde.P

Could you love a komodo dragon so much you’d walk him around like a dog? The world wasn’t made for Joan Proctor to succeed as a naturalist, so she paved her own way and taught everyone else around her in the process.

 

Lovely Beasts: The Surprising Truth by Kate Gardner, ill. Heidi Smith

Call Number: x590 Gardn.K

Think you know the animal kingdom? This little book upsets expectations, showing how kind, fierce, and clever animals can sometimes can be.

 

Mallko and Dad by Gusti

Sometimes in our quest for perfection we fail to appreciate the truly wonderful. The true story in an eclectic presentation of an artist father and his son with Down syndrome.

 

Marley Dias Gets It Done (And So Can You) by Marley Dias

Call Number: x305.2308 Dias.M

When Marley Dias started her #1000blackgirlbooks campaign she never could have dreamed it would take off like it did. Now she’s here to give tips to kids on reading, style, activism, and being your best self.

 

Mary Who Wrote Frankenstein by Linda Bailey, ill. Júlia Sardà

Call Number: xBiog Shell.M Baile.L

How did an 18-year-old girl come to write one of the greatest horror stories of all time? Told with dark, gothic illustrations and a keen knowledge of Mary’s early years and influences. Kids will see how creation can be born out of darkness.

 

The Mushroom Fan Club by Elise Gravel

Call Number: x579.6 Grave.E

Hilarious and informative by turns, Gravel shares her deep and abiding love for mushrooms of all shapes and sizes. Just try and not be charmed.

 

My Family Divided: One Girl’s Journey of Home, Loss, and Hope by Diane Guerrero

Call Number: xBiog Guerr.D Guerr.D

Imagine coming home from school one day to find your whole family has been deported by ICE. Actress Guerrero tells her story while shining a light on the plight of so many other kids facing the same problems today.

 

Not My Idea: A Book About Whiteness by Anastasia Higginbotham

Call Number: x305.8 Higgi.A

Collage and candor combine in this dissection of white privilege. Provides a solid foundation for critical discussions of white people and racism for young readers everywhere.

 

Nothing Stopped Sophie: The Story of Unshakable Mathematician Sophie Germain by Cheryl Bardoe, ill. Barbara McClintock

Call Number: xBiog Germa.S Bardo.C

Neither sexism nor the French Revolution could stop Sophie Germain from embracing her love of math and solving the riddle behind the vibrations that surround us. The most engaging book on mathematics you may ever encounter.

 

Otis and Will Discover the Deep: The Record-Setting Dive of the Bathysphere by Barb Rosenstock, ill. Katherine Roy

Call Number: x551.46 Rosen.B

Imagine diving to 803 feet in a homemade device. Engaging and accurate art as well as a riveting text tell the story of the two men who plunged deep into the sea to see what they could see. Warning: Do not read if prone to claustrophobia.

 

Spooked! How a Radio Broadcast and The War of the Worlds Sparked the 1938 Invasion of America by Gail Jarrow

Call Number: x791.4472 Jarro.G

What would you do if aliens attacked? Jarrow offers a blow-by-blow account of the day Orson Wells put fear into the hearts of Americans everywhere.

 

Thirty Minutes Over Oregon: A Japanese Pilot’s World War II Story by Marc Tyler Nobleman, ill. Melissa Iwai

Call Number: x940.5428 Noble.M

Nobleman highlights a WWII Japanese attack on Oregon, following how the bomber and the people of Oregon came to terms with one another, forging a friendship that stands as an example for us today.

 

This Is the Nest That Robin Built by Denise Fleming

Call Number: JPicture Flemi.D

Utilizing a classic cumulative format, this book introduces kids to robins’ nest-building methods and the ways that animals “help” with the process.

The Truth About Bears by Maxwell Eaton III

Call Number: x599.78 Eaton.M

The Truth About Dolphins by Maxwell Eaton III

Call Number: x599.532 Eaton.M

The Truth About Hippos by Maxwell Eaton III

Call Number: x599.635 Eaton.M

In these three thoroughly engaging books, Eaton uses his signature cartoony style to talk about facts with abundant humor and a lot of laughs.

New Year’s Resolutions – So Far So Good

January 3, 2018

The life of a librarian is a seasonal affair. Spring means books about gardening, planting, and planning vacations. Summer means lots of books for kids out of school. In fall the cookbooks start flying off the shelves (to say nothing of the knitting titles). And winter? Well, that depends on what time of year you’re talking. If you mean November and December then the books are festive and jolly. But around the time January 1st rears it’s ugly head, there’s only one book I can count on to fly off of the shelves.

Say hello to fitness, wellness, and healthy eating!

Yes, you’ve downed more pies, cakes, chocolates, nuts, and what have you than a bear preparing for hibernation. But who cares? It’s January, baby. Time to break out those New Year’s resolutions. And, if you’re like me, you’re already downloading fitness apps and reconsidering your daily intake of calories.

In light of your newfound strength, how about some new books to bolster you along the way? Here are some of the latest fitness and healthy eating titles, sure to cure what ails you (if, “what ails you” is a l’il bit of extra tummy).

Fitter Faster: The Smart Way to Get in Shape in Just Minutes a Day by Robert J. Davis
A science-backed guide to fitness provides information on how to adopt a healthy lifestyle, covering everything from stretching and workout routines to proper equipment, dietary supplements, and post-workout protein shakes. Publishers Weekly called it, “an important read for exercise hopefuls and aficionados alike”.
Jessamyn Stanley, a yogi who breaks all the stereotypes, has built a life as an internationally recognized yoga teacher and award-winning Instagram star by combining a deep understanding for yoga with a willingness to share her personal struggles in a way that touches everyone who comes to know her.
An obesity and neuroscience researcher explores how food choices are often influenced by brain circuits that control survival instincts and draws on cutting-edge neuroscience to offer guidelines for eating well and maintaining a healthy weight.
Meet your new fitness instructor . . . Walt Whitman! No lie. In the fall of 1858, a thirteen-part essay series appeared in the New York Atlas, under the title Manly Health and Training. This nearly 47,000-word journalistic effort, written by Walt Whitman under his pen name “Mose Velsor,” was lost for more than 150 years, buried in just a handful of library archives, until its recent unexpected discovery. Now we can consult it and darned if the guy doesn’t have some pretty good advice.
In this book you’ll find 140 delicious power bowl recipes created to deliver specific nutrients that provide fourteen different health benefits, including bowls for: Pre- and Post-Workout Weight Loss Cleanses and Detox Better Immunity A Healthy Heart Reduced Inflammation Better Digestion Anti-Aging And More! With detailed nutrition information and a gorgeous photo for every recipe.

Announcing the Debut of Evanston Public Library’s 101 Great Books for Kids List (2017)

November 17, 2017

Welcome to the 2017 edition of Evanston Public Library’s 101 Great Books for Kids! Just in time for the holiday season this list provides books of mystery, science, poetry, hilarity, sorrow, and more. There’s bound to be something perfect for the child in your life. This year’s list contains books chosen by our librarians from the thousands published in 2017.

In its very first year, this list reflects the diversity and beauty of Evanston’s readership. You’ll escape the destruction of Mars, get a ride to Havana in a classic car, snap photos of the brightest stars of the Harlem Renaissance, and discover once and for all which is more treacherous: dragons or middle school. There are books for kids who are always looking for the newest comics, stories of facts and history for nonfiction loving children, gorgeous picture books for the youngest ages, and hilarity found in works of poetry, early readers, fairy tales and more.

All of these books are available through Evanston Public Library. Be sure to reserve your copies or, if you’re interested in purchasing them, download the PDF of the Children’s Books 2017 Booklet for a nice printed version to share with family and friends.

Special thanks to the committee members that spent countless hours all year reading, considering, discussing, rejecting, and ultimately selecting the best books that you will find on this list. They are Laura Antolin, Betsy Bird, Hilda Gonzalez, Jessica Iverson, Leigh Kennelly, Kerry Littel, Renee Neumeier, Paula Shapiro, Ranea Surbrook, Bridget Sweeney, Jennifer Wasilewski, and Brian Wilson.

Enjoy!

Categories:

  • Picture Books (for Children Ages 2-7)
  • Folktales and Fairy Tales
  • Easy Books (for Children Ages 4-6)
  • Early Chapter Books (for Children Ages 6-9)
  • Middle Grade Fiction (for Children Ages 9-12)
  • Poetry (for Children Ages 7-12)
  • Comics (for Children Ages 7-12)
  • Nonfiction (for All Ages)

 

Picture Books

For Children Ages 2-7

Accident! by Andrea Tsurumi

Lola the armadillo has just caused a magnificent accident. But is running away to live in the library forever really the best solution to her problem?

After the Fall: How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again by Dan Santat

We all know the story of how Humpty Dumpty fell down. But did anyone ever tell you about how he climbed his way out of his fears afterwards?

All the Way to Havana by Margarita Engle, ill. Mike Curato

Cuban-American award winning author Margarita Engle tells the story of a boy, a classic car, and a family trip into the heart of Havana.

The Antlered Ship by Dashka Slater, ill. The Fan Brothers

When a fox with too many question joins a seaworthy crew of deer and pigeons, be prepared for a lush, eye-popping adventure like none you’ve ever seen before.

Be Quiet by Ryan T. Higgins

Ruper the mouse wants to star in a wordless picture book (they’re more artistic that way) but his plans are upended when his friends just won’t. stop. TALKING!!!

Big Cat, Little Cat by Elisha Cooper

A quiet, contemplative, lovely little book about an old cat, a new cat, and what happens when one cat has to leave the other.

The Blue Hour by Isabelle Simler

Take a trip to the magic hour between sunset and nighttime, when all the world is awash in radiant, breathtaking blue.

Boo! by Ben Newman

The perfect hilarious read aloud story for large crowds or one-on-one lap reads. Each animal that struts onto the page thinks that IT is the bravest. Can you prove them wrong?

Claymates by Dev Petty, ill. Lauren Eldridge

Told entirely in the medium of clay, this rollicking tale of two best friends is the very definition of wacky, kooky fun.

Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes, ill. Gordon C. James

This magnificent book from Evanston publisher Agate Press is getting on ALL the Best of the Year lists, and for good reason. Let this young man’s strut, pizzaz, and pride show you what happens when you get a truly great haircut.

Double Take: A New Look at Opposites by Susan Hood, ill. Jay Fleck

 

Far more than your usual opposite book. When it comes to opposites, there’s a lot to be said about perspective and point of view. A simple story, but a necessary one.

Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth by Oliver Jeffers

This introduction to earth by the author to his son has all the gentle humor, poignancy, and customary wit we’ve come to expect in an Oliver Jeffers book.

Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall

We see lots of stories about overcoming your fears, but few are as sweet, real, and honest as this charmer of a picture book.

The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors by Drew Daywalt, ill by Adam Rex

An epic tale forged in the heat of battle. LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!!

Lucía the Luchadora by Cynthia Leonor Garza, ill. Alyssa Bermudez

Who says girls can’t be superheroes? With the aid of her abuela’s luchadora costume, Lucía is transformed into the hero of the playground. But with great power comes great responsibility.

On a Magical Do-Nothing Day by Beatrice Alemagna, translated by Jill Davis

What parent hasn’t quailed in terror of those two most horrid words emanating from a kid’s mouth, “I’m boooored!” In this tale a rainy day proves to be far more exciting than anything screen time can conjure up.

Professional Crocodile by Giovanna Zoboli, ill. Mariachiara Di Giorgio

An utter charmer. In this wordless tale a crocodile prepares for the day and his regular commute to work. Elegant in its simplicity.

The Ring Bearer by Floyd Cooper

Blended families and nervous jitters come together in this utterly sweet tale. When Jackson finds a way to save new stepsister Sophie at Mama’s wedding, he ends up saving the day (and forgetting his worries too).

The Rooster Who Would Not Be Quiet! by Carmen Agra Deedy, ill. Eugene Yelchin

A message of non-violent resistance in the face of oppressors lies at the heart of this clever fable about a rooster and the dictatorial mayor that seeks to shut him up.

Spunky Little Monkey by Bill Martin Jr. and Michael Sampson, ill. Brian Won

Get out your dancing shoes cause this little monkey is ready to shine. A perfect read aloud for large groups, we dare you not to bop along to the wake-up instructions highlighted in this book by the author of Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.

Town is By the Sea by Joanne Schwartz, ill. Sydney Smith

Thoughtful, haunting, moving and marvelous is this glimpse of a day in the life of a boy and his father in a maritime mining town.

The Way Home in the Night by Akiko Miyakoshi

Snuggled tight on mama’s shoulder, a child peeks in the windows of her neighbors and wonders what their lives are really like.

What’s My Superpower? by Aviaq Johnston, ill. Tim Mack

Convinced that all her other friends already have superpowers, Nalvana tries to figure out what it is that makes her special.

Where’s Rodney? by Carmen Bogan, ill. Floyd Cooper

Bottled up, brimming with energy, and always on the move, it isn’t until he goes on a class trip to the great outdoors that Rodney finally finds a place where he can truly be himself.

Wolf in the Snow by Matthew Cordell

A marvelous near-wordless tale of a girl, a wolf cub, and the ways in which we can transcend our own little bubbles and reach out to those that are different from us.

Folktales and Fairy Tales

The Crane Girl adapted by Curtis Manley, ill. Lin Wang

Based on a classic Japanese folktale, Manley weaves the tale of a boy who aids an injured crane, and the beautiful girl that rewards him tenfold.

The Little Red Wolf by Amelie Flechais

A sweet little wolf in a red cape sets off through the woods but is warned to watch out for sneaky little girls with murder on their minds. Sound familiar?

Norse Myths: Tales of Odin, Thor, and Loki by Kevin Crossley-Holland, ill. Jeffrey Alan Love

Fans of Thor, rejoice! This gorgeous compendium of Norse myths is rife with all the best tales, and is accompanied by lavish illustrations that complement the storytelling perfectly.

Pattan’s Pumpkin : A Traditional Flood Story From Southern India by Chitra Soundar, ill. by Frane Lessac

Flood stories around the world abound, and this tale of a great big pumpkin that saves a man, his family, and all their animals from certain destruction is one to remember.

La Princesa and the Pea by Susan Middleton Elya, ill. Juana Martinez-Neal

The Hans Christian Andersen classic is recast in Peru where a lonely prince finds his princess in an unexpected manner. Filled with Spanish words and bright colors, this is a fresh reimagining of a classic.

Easy Books

For Children Ages 4-6

Charlie & Mouse by Laurel Snyder, ill. Emily Hughes

Small, slight, delightful little adventures of two brothers abound in this book. Comparisons to Frog and Toad would not be surprising.

King and Kayla (The Case of the Missing Dog Treats, The Case of the Mysterious Mouse, The Case of the Secret Code) by Dori Hillestad Butler, ill. Nancy Meyers

Get a dog’s eye view of how to solve mysteries with King, Kayla’s pet and a very good detective (if he does say so himself).

Meet Woof & Quack by Jamie A. Swenson, ill. by Ryan Sias

Woof and Quack want to play a game of fetch but not in the way you might expect. Warning: Watch out for flying cake!

Snail and Worm Again by Tina Kugler

These two best friends may not have a backbone between them, but when it comes to wings, mirrors, and good old-fashioned envy, they’re there for one another.

There’s a Pest in the Garden! by Jan Thomas

Sometimes the simplest words are the funniest. Hold onto you turnips. It’s gonna be a bumpy ride.

Early Chapter Books

For Children Ages 6-9

Coyote Tales, by Thomas King, ill. Byron Eggenschwile

Everyone’s favorite trickster is back, and this time he’s stealing everybody’s fur and insulting the moon while he’s at it.

Jasmine Toguchi:  Mochi Queen, by Debbi Michiko Florence, ill. Elizabet Vukovic

Everyone says Jasmine is too small to pound mochi, but she’ll show them! The power of determination in a somewhat small package.

The New Kid by Karen English, ill. Laura Freeman

Third-grader Gavin is 100% convinced that new kid Khufu was the thief who stole his new bike. But what happens when you let your assumptions run away with you?

Princess Cora and the Crocodile by Laura Amy Schlitz, ill by Brian Floca

Overscheduled Princess Cora just wants a little time to herself and maybe a dog. What she gets is a naughty crocodile with a penchant for cream puffs and nipping royal ankles.

Stinkbomb and Ketchup-Face and the Badness of Badgers by John Dougherty

It’s Monty Python for the third grader set. Two siblings set off to save the kingdom from a pack of malicious badgers with the help of a shopping cart named Eric, a cat, and a king who often poses as his own butler.

You’re Amazing, Anna Hibiscus! by Atinuke

This latest tale in the amazing Anna Hibiscus series takes a serious turn when Anna’s beloved grandfather dies and she and her siblings process their grief in both good and bad ways.

Middle Grade Fiction

For Children Ages 9-12

Ashes to Asheville by Sarah Dooley

Road trip time! Two sisters set off in a car headed to Asheville, NC to spread their mama’s ashes (even though they’re really not supposed to have the ashes or the car or even each other anymore).

Beyond the Bright Sea by Lauren Wolk

All the people in town are nice to Crow but they refuse to touch her and seem downright scared of her. Why? And what does it have to do with that mysterious man on the nearby island digging lots of holes?

A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Arnold

When Bat’s mother brings home a baby skunk that needs care she warns her son not to get attached. Uh-huh. Guess what. He gets attached.

Bronze and Sunflower by Wenxuan Cao, ill. Helen Wang, translated by Helen Wang

A marvelous sweeping tale set in China during the Cultural Revolution. When Sunflower is suddenly orphaned in the middle of the country, a boy named Bronze and his family come to her aid and the two kids become a true brother and sister.

The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart by Stephanie Burgis, ill. Freya Hartas

A chocolate-loving dragon transforms into a human girl with one clear desire: to become an apprentice in a chocolate house. How hard could it be?

Felix Yz by Lisa Bunker

What’s worse than having an alien welded to your DNA? Having to navigate middle school, the boy you like, and an upcoming surgery to remove the (rather sweet) alien from your body, that’s what.

The First Rule of Punk by Celia C. Perez

Chicago-native Perez introduces readers to Malú, a punk-loving Mexican-American kid forced to move with her mom to Chicago. Will she find like-minded friends in this great big city? Will she find her voice?

Funny Girl: Funniest. Stories. Ever, edited by Betsy Bird

Evanston librarian Betsy Bird wanted an anthology of some of the funniest women writing for kids today, so she made one herself. Contains such luminaries as Rita Williams-Garcia, Raina Telgemeier, Shannon Hale, Carmen Agra Deedy, Libba Bray, and more!

Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling

Born without arms, thirteen-year-old Aven finds that when she moves with her family to a dying western theme park there’s a mystery to be solved, and she’s just the gal to solve it.

Jake the Fake Keeps It Real by Craig Robinson and Adam Mansbach, ill. by Keith Knight

Like Diary of a Wimpy Kid? Meet Jake. He’s just faked his way into a prestigious Music and Art Academy and he’s pretty sure the jig is up . . . or gonna be soon.

Last Day on Mars by Kevin Emerson

Here’s some advice. When the Earth is slated to be destroyed by a sun that’s collapsing way too soon, be careful when uncovering alien conspiracies. Those things will kill ya.

Lucky Broken Girl by Ruth Behar

Fitted out in the full-body cast, Cuban-Jewish Ruthie doesn’t feel particularly lucky, until she realizes how her friends, neighbors, and love of the arts can help her through this.

Mango Delight by Fracaswell Hyman

From bad best friend to singing YouTube sensation, Mango Delight Fuller’s life is one wild ride where nothing is as simple as it seems.

The Matchstick Castle by Keir Graff

Boring, Illinois doesn’t live up its name when eleven-year-old Brian discovers a kooky family and their one-of-a-kind home in the woods. Hijinks ensue in this book by Chicago-native, Graff.

Orphan Island by Laurel Snyder

On an island without adults, the children come and the children go. If they don’t go, the rhyme they chant says “the sky will fall.” You guessed it. Someone stays. A book that worms its way into your brain and makes you think and think.

The Pants Project by Cat Clarke

Getting your school dress code to allow girls to wear pants? Hard. Telling your parents you’re transgender and were meant to be a boy all along? Harder.

Patina by Jason Reynolds

Young Patina’s lost a lot of things in her life but she’s never lost a race . . . until now. She’s always been a loner, but all that’s about to change and she’d better be ready.

Posted by John David Anderson

When a public school bans all cell phone activity, the students start leaving old-fashioned Post-It notes as a way of communicating. But what happens when something so simple spirals out of control?

The Purloining of Prince Oleomargarine by Mark Twain and Philip Stead, ill. Erin Stead

Based on the unfinished notes of Mark Twain, the Steads spin a delightful fable about a book, a chicken, a prince, his parents, and a very very hungry tiger.

The Real McCoys by Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr

Moxie McCoy (possibly the best named character in the whole of children’s literature) is on the search for a best friend, a missing mascot, and a suspect (not necessarily in that order) with the help of her little brother.

Stef Soto, Taco Queen by Jennifer Torres

You think your dad’s embarrassing? Imagine if you got picked up every day by a taco truck. A touching, funny tale of friends and family.

This Is Just a Test by Wendy Wan-Long Shang and Madelyn Rosenberg

If David Da-Wei Horowitz has any more to deal with (his bar mitzvah is coming soon,  his teammates for the upcoming trivia contest do not like each other, etc.) he’s just gonna dig a fallout shelter and never come out again.

York: The Shadow Cipher by Laura Ruby

For fans of tricky puzzles like those in The Westing Game. In an alternate Manhattan where ancient mechanics infuse everyday life, three kids try to crack the puzzles that will save their home and maybe the city itself.

Poetry

For Children Ages 7-12

Family Poems for Every Day of the Week / Poemas Familiares Para Cada Dia de la Semana by Francisco X. Alarcon, ill. Maya Christina Gonzalez

This great posthumous work by great Chicano poet Alarcon (who died in 2016) ties together our days our lives our families and our sense of community with vibrant, eye-popping art on every page.

I’m Just No Good at Rhyming and Other Nonsense for Mischievous Kids and Immature Grown-Ups by Chris Harris, ill. Lane Smith

Is Chris Harris funnier than Shel Silverstein? Only one way to find out. Let’s just say he gives old Shel a run for his money.

Let’s Clap, Jump, Sing & Shout, Dance, Spin & Turn It Out!: Games, Songs, and Stories from an African American Childhood by Patricia McKissack, ill. Brian Pinkney

A seminal collection of Black poems, games, rhymes, parables, prayers, and more. As an extra added bonus, Brian Pinkney’s art whirls and swirls on the page beautifully.

One Last Word: Wisdom from the Harlem Renaissance by Nikki Grimes  

Grimes takes classic poems from the Harlem Renaissance and then integrates the words into her own, creating something new and vibrant with distinct ties to the past.

Out of Wonder: Poems Celebrating Poets by Kwame Alexander, Chris Colderley and Marjory Wentworth, ill. Ekua Holmes

Features twenty poems honoring twenty different poets in twenty new and entirely distinct ways. Come for the poetry, stay for the gloriously colored art.

Comics

For Children Ages 7-12

All’s Faire in Middle School by Victoria Jamieson

Eleven-year-old Imogene has been homeschooled her whole life by her Renaissance Faire employed parents. Now she has to attend middle school for the first time, all the while proving herself as a squire at the faire. Penned by the creator of Roller Girl.

The Big Bad Fox by Benjamin Renner

A fox with aspirations of evil attempts to raise baby chickens for the slaughter but finds himself too darn attached to the little blood-thirsty brood that call him “mama”.

Bolivar by Sean Rubin

In New York City, no one knows if you’re a dinosaur. A sweet creature from the Cretaceous is discovered by his next door neighbor, and with her help comes to terms with people paying attention to him for the first time.

The Dam Keeper by Robert Kondo, ill. Dice Tsutsumi

Behind the dam walls the world is safe and cozy. Outside the walls lies a black fog that means certain death. But when Pig, the dam keeper, leaves his safety for adventure he’ll need to question everything he took for granted before.

One Trick Pony by Nathan Hale

Fury Road meets Misty of Chincoteague in this gripping tale of aliens, ruthless road warriors, and a girl’s love for her pony.

Real Friends: A True Story about Cool Kids and Crybabies by Shannon Hale, ill. LeUyen Pham

Making friends is never easy, particular when those friends have a tendency to be cruel. A fun but awfully realistic look at what it takes to make and keep a friend.

Nonfiction

For All Ages

Before She Was Harriet by Lesa Cline-Ransome, ill. James E. Ransome

Spy. Nurse. Activist. Conductor. Told backwards, this incredibly simple text at Harriet Tubman’s life examines her through the lens of all the jobs she held before.

Chef Roy Choi and the Street Food Remix by Jacqueline Briggs Martin and June Jo Lee, ill. Man One

Killer art accompanies the true to life picture book biography of Roy Choi, the man who brought high end cuisine and street food together so that everybody could have an equal chance to eat. Special Bonus: Ramen endpapers.

Danza! Amalia Hernández and El Ballet Folklorico de Mexico by Duncan Tonatiuh

Tonatiuh does it again! This time he zeroes in on the founder of the Mexican Folkloric Ballet, Amalia Hernández, and what it took for her to beat the odds and create something utterly timeless.

Dazzle Ships: World War I and the Art of Confusion by Chris Barton, ill. Victo Ngai

One of the craziest war stories of all time comes to life with colors so bright they’ll knock your socks off. Can you believe there was a time when ships looked like Dali paintings to escape killer submarines. Believe it. Read it.

Germs:  Fact and Fiction, Friends and Foes by Lesa Cline- Ransome, ill. James Ransome

Good and bad bacteria duke it out for ultimate supremacy in this fun and funky battle for a body’s ultimate health.

Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code by Laurie Wallmark, ill. Katy Wu

Like your laptop? Then thank Grace Hopper, an early coder, who taught computers to “speak English” and had a keen sense of humor as well.

Her Right Foot by Dave Eggers, ill. Shawn Harris

Writing luminary Eggers takes some time away from his adult novels to zero in on Lady Liberty and a very striking fact about her. Did you ever notice that she’s walking? The question is, where is she going?

The Hidden Life of a Toad by Doug Wechsler

Intimate and intricate photographs zero in on something that should be ordinary but, because of the closeness of the camera, becomes extraordinary. Simple enough for young ages, fascinating enough for all ages.

How Many Guinea Pigs Can Fit On a Plane? Answers to Your Most Clever Math Questions by Laura Overdeck

Math kids, rejoice! There’s a hilarious and hopping book for you too. Math guru Overdeck poses ridiculous questions (if you put a cup out in the rain, how many drops would it take to fill it up?) with serious answers.

How to Be an Elephant: Growing Up in the African Wild by Katherine Roy

It’s hard not to like elephants, but were you aware of how meticulously they’re designed? Roy goes beyond the usual elephant tropes to examines the scientific connections behind how their bodies work and why they’re as amazing as they are.

If Sharks Disappeared by Lily Williams

Think you hate sharks? Think again. Williams perfectly delineates why these killers of the deep are an integral part of the greater ecosystem and why we should do everything we can to keep them safe.

Isaac the Alchemist: Secrets of Isaac Newton Reveal’d by Mary Losure

Imagine the magic of Harry Potter combined with the science of the ancient past. Issac Newton loved alchemy, but what he’s remembered for today are his scientific theorems. A fascinating biography for older readers.

Jack London and the Klondike Gold Rush by Peter Lourie, ill Wendell Minor

Sure, Jack London’s stories are exciting but the crazy thing? His life was even more exciting. It’s Gold Rush of 1897 like you’ve never seen it before. Recommended for older readers.

Keith Haring:  The Boy Who Just Kept Drawing by Kay. A Haring, ill. Robert Neubecker

A sensitive picture book tribute to the artist that brought happiness to the world and was gone all too soon.

The Legendary Miss Lena Horne  by Carole Boston Weatherford, ill.by Elizabeth Zunon

Think you know the story of Lena Horne? Think again. More than just an actress, Weatherford zeroes in on Horne’s civil right activism and bravery at a time when many would have hid their heads in the sand.

Martina & Chrissie: The Greatest Rivalry in the History of Sports by Phil Bildner, ill. Brett Helquist

There have been lots of sports rivalries over the years, but few can compare with the showdowns between tennis stars Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert. Competitors and friends, this book follows them from beginning to end.

Maya Lin: Artist-Architect of Light and Lines, Designer of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial by Jeanne Walker Harvey, ill. Dow Phumiruk

Lin was just a college student when she submitted the winning entry selected for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. This gentle picture book biography looks at a woman who was as much an artist as an architect.

Meet Cindy Sherman: Artist, Photographer, Chameleon by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan

What do you want to be when you grow up? Cindy wanted to be a photographer. Her best subject? Herself! The perfect book for older readers in the selfie generation.

Not So Different: What You Really Want to Ask About Being Disabled by Shane Burcaw, ill. Matt Carr

When you’re disabled you have to deal with all kinds of questions on a daily basis. Shane Burcaw shows with his customary wit and wacky humor that you don’t have to pity him. He lives a pretty awesome life. Here are the questions you might have for him.

Older Than Dirt: A Kinda-Sorta Biography of Earth by Don Brown & Dr. M. Perfit

The entire history of the earth done in a comic format, hosted by a worm and a groundhog? Hope you like epic stories because this one’s a doozy!

The Playbook: 52 Rules to Aim, Shoot, and Score in the Game Called Life by Kwame Alexander

Inspirational quotes from famous sport figures are coupled with Newbery winner Kwame Alexander’s true stories of his own attempts to find the right sport in his life.

Take a Picture of Me, James VanDerZee! by Andrea J. Loney, ill. Keith Mallett

If you lived during the Harlem Renaissance, odds are you would have had your studio portrait taken by James VanDerZee. A fun glimpse into the past through art.

Up Up Up Skyscraper by Anastasia Suen, ill. Ryan O’Rourke

How do actually make a skyscraper? Why don’t they just fall to the ground all the time? Written for the youngest readers, this clever picture book goes through all the step you’ll need to go up up up.

What Makes a Monster? Discovering the World’s Scariest Creatures by Jess Keating, ill. David DeGrand

One kid’s monster is another kid’s delight.

Writing Radar: Using Your Journal to Snoop Out and Craft Great Stories by Jack Gantos

The king of the kooky shows kids how your everyday life gives you all the material you need to be the best writer you can be.

The Youngest Marcher: The Story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, a Young Civil Rights Activist by Cynthia Levinson, ill. Vanessa Brantley Newton

She was just a kid when she was arrested, but Audrey Faye Hendricks showed guts and bravery at a time when such feelings could be scarce. A great picture book biography.

And that’s all she wrote, folks!  There’s something here for everyone.

NaNoWriMo – National Novel Writing Month

November 8, 2017

It only comes but once a year. Every November people all around the world buckle down and take to heart that sage advice from author Jane Yolen on how to write. Put simply: “Butt + chair.” Yes, November is National Novel Writing Month or, for short, NaNoWriMo (which, let us be perfectly frank, is far more fun to say). Admit it. There’s been a novel roiling around inside of you for quite some time. Why not let it out and introduce it to the world?

To help you jump into the fray (so to speak) why not consider some of the useful writing guides the library has to offer? If nothing else, they’ll inspire you to get started at long last. What do you have to lose?

Stellar Writing Advice Guides

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott – I know we all have our favorite writing guides, but is there anything out there that quite compares to Lamott’s 1994 classic? I dare you to read two chapters of this and not then run screaming to your computer to get your thoughts down on a Word document, stat.

The Magic Words: Writing Great Books for Children and Young Adults by Cheryl Klein – What if the book you want to write isn’t for adults at all, but is for children? Editor Cheryl Klein is one of the sharpest brains in the kidlit biz, and with this guide she’ll lead you around all the pitfalls you might trip into as you make your book for the youngest of readers.

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King – I’ll be the first to admit that it sounds funny to get writing advice from a guy best known for putting clowns in sewers and blood on elevators. Yet of all the guides out there, King’s often comes across as the most readable (and possibly enjoyable). Plus as crazy as it sounds, he has really good advice! Fun Fact: The man can write.

The Secrets of Story by Matt Bird – Full disclosure, I’m kind of married to this guy. That said, Matt’s book is full of sage advice for anyone writing a novel, a screenplay, a television pilot, or a play. I like to describe it as Save the Cat meets Joseph Campbell.  Rather than tell you what you should or should not do, Matt explains how you can connect with your audience as a writer (something a lot of other guides tend to forget).

The Story Cure: A Book Doctor’s Pain-Free Guide to Finishing Your Novel or Memoir by Dinty Moore – Maybe you’ve been writing your book for a while but now you feel completely stuck. Moore to the rescue! Consider this an authoritative guide to curing the issues that truly plague writers at all levels.

Who Reads? Illinois Reads! (2017)

April 18, 2017

Confession time.

Libraries have this nasty habit that they indulge in constantly without so much as a by-your-leave from the public.  Now that I’ve mentioned it you’ll be noticing it all the time so proceed to read what I write with care.  You ready?

We like to bug people to read more.

I know, I know!  Crazy, right?  But it’s just sort of what we do.  Plus we have this constant stream of people coming in our doors asking for good book recommendations.  What’s a librarian to do?

Illinois Read to the rescue.  Now excuse me while I drop some knowledge on your noggin.

Reading Facts About Illinois You May Not Have Known

  1. There is an Illinois Reading Council.
  2. There is an Illinois State Library.
  3. There is an Illinois State Librarian named Jesse White that works in the aforementioned State Library.
  4. Altogether these three elements have combined to create what we call Illinois Reads.  And what is that?  Basically it’s a yearly statewide project focused on this reading list that features the titles of 36 books in six separate age groupings.

I think you can see where I’m going with this.

What’s that you say? You’d like me to tell you what these recommended books by Illinois authors actually are?  Well hold your horses, little dogies!  I’ll get to it!  But first, I just want to let you know that you can see all the books in all the age categories on this website on the sidebar.  For our purposes here today I’ll just post the adult recommended titles here today.  And yes indeed, you can get each and every one of these books at the Evanston Public Library (but you knew that already, didn’t you?).

by Lin-Manuel Miranda & Jeremy McCarter     jeremymccarter.com

Hamilton: The Musical has taken the US by storm and moved the musical theater world to new levels of interest and popularity. With sold-out shows running in three US cities, securing tickets to the show is a victory as sweet as our young nation’s victory at Yorktown! Hamilton: The Revolution, by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeremy McCarter captures the essence of what has made Hamilton: The Musical the cultural sensation that it has become. Old college classmates Miranda and McCarter, were, of course, involved with Hamilton from the beginning, so who best to trace the history of this cultural phenomenon. Apart from the play, the book stands in its own right as a work of art. It is stunning visually, and offers as much upon second and subsequent reads as its first perusal. The book alternates non-fiction, critical and analytical essays by McCarter with transcriptions of the show’s scene-by-scene dialogue and lyrics as written by Miranda. As an added bonus, Miranda comments on his lyrics with humorous notes that play with the reader as both theater goer and student of history. In the first few essays, McCarter comments on the original ideas for the musical, and on the initial development of artistic relationships between the play’s creator, Miranda, and many of his collaborators. He then explores bringing the production to life, the challenges of staging a modern musical, and the artistic choices that make Hamilton the ground breaking musical that it is, and the relevance of Hamilton’s ideas and themes to modern American society. Do you have a question about the musical? Well, if so, odds are one of the essays addresses your interest. Interspersed between these essays is the artistic beauty that is Hamilton. Not only do you have the full libretto (useful when singing along with the recently released Hamilton Mix-tapes), but the photography and artwork from the stage production enhance the entire artistic experience. Original dramatist notes and design sketches and outlines add to a fuller experience of what a monumental effort Hamilton is/was. If you have seen Hamilton: The Musical, then Hamilton: The Revolution is a wonderful way to relive that experience. If you’re still waiting to secure a seat to the show, then Hamilton: The Revolution will allow you to heighten your theater experience by gaining a deeper appreciation before the curtain rises (if there was a curtain!).

The Bollywood Bride

by Sonali Dev                  sonalidev.com

Ria Parkar is a Bollywood star nicknamed The Ice Princess for guarding herself from the public. Ria receives a phone call from her cousin in Chicago begging Ria to come home for his wedding. After being gone for ten years, the invitation threatens to undo Ria and expose her buried secrets. Ria chose a film career, but mental illness, a fatal fire, sexual favors, and a forbidden love for her childhood friend, Vikram, cause Ria to reexamine her life. Offering a glimpse into Indian-American wedding traditions, will love and happiness prevail? 

The Book of Unknown Americans

by Cristina Henriquez            www.cristinahenriquez.com

This novel shares the stories of several families, all of Latin American heritage, that share an apartment building in Delaware. Told in alternating chapters by the various characters, we learn their stories, their hopes and dreams, their backgrounds, and how they are treated by others. Their stories are intertwined and bring us into their world of discrimination and suspicion based solely on skin color. While they hail from many countries in Latin America, both as recent immigrants and as American citizens, they share the same dreams as most of us—wanting a better life for their families. Their stories are well told and will sweep you into their joys and sorrows, triumphs and tragedies.
by Mary Kubica            www.marykubica.com

In downtown Chicago, a young woman named Esther Vaughan disappears from her apartment without a trace. A haunting letter addressed to My Dearest is found among her possessions, leaving her friend and roommate Quinn Collins to wonder where Esther is and whether or not she’s the person Quinn thought she knew. Meanwhile, in a small Michigan harbor town an hour outside Chicago, a mysterious woman appears in the quiet coffee shop where eighteen-year-old Alex Gallo works as a dishwasher. He is immediately drawn to her charm and beauty, but what starts as an innocent crush quickly spirals into something far more dark and sinister than he ever expected. As Quinn searches for answers about Esther, and Alex is drawn further under the stranger’s spell, master of suspense Mary Kubica takes readers on a taut and twisted thrill ride that builds to a stunning conclusion and shows that no matter how fast and far we run, the past always catches up with us in the end.
by Jen Lancaster               www.jenlancaster.com

Just when a divorced empty-nester is on the verge of trading in her Victorian Glencoe home for a classy Chicago condo and accepting a promotion she has worked years to achieve, she finds her nest replenished! Meet Penny Sinclair, an actuary who has found living life by the numbers easier than figuring out people, yet she puts her own yearnings aside in order to host her pampered younger daughter’s expensive wedding, resulting in pricey changes to her home, her difficult parents becoming long-term house guests, and her prickly over-indulged older daughter’s critiques ringing in her ears. Oh, and she consents to letting her ex move into the den while he recuperates from an accident he suffered while vacationing with his young girlfriend! Penny made me laugh out loud; I wanted to join her and friends Patrick, Michael, and Karin for drinks and dinner. And though I sometimes shook my head at the choices she made, I understood Penny’s parental fears when she lamented, “Our parents, with their three-martini lunches, smoking while we were in utero, not making us wear seat belts or bike helmets, and telling us to go play outside and not come home until dark did a better job than we did.” It was delightful to find a protagonist who shared personality traits with younger characters like Bridget Jones and Rebecca Bloomwood, but who grew up in the USA in 60’s and 70’s like I did. An extra bonus for an Illinois reader: visualizing the Illinois towns, streets, and landmarks that intersect Penny’s account.
by Alison Flowers          alisonflowers.com

The story of the struggles of four individuals, Kristine, Jacques, James, and Antione, who were wrongly convicted and unjustly imprisoned for decades, is a grim reminder of the disadvantage an individual has in the American justice system. The state has tremendous monetary resources at its disposal to apply to the criminal justices system. The courthouses, jails, and prisons are owned by the State. Judges, bailiffs, police offices and prosecutors are all paid by the State. In spite of all these advantages, the convictions of these four people were based on debunked junk science, false witness identification, and the testimony of an individual who was offered his own plea deal in exchange for his testimony. Perhaps the most troubling was the conviction based on a confession that was beaten out of the defendant by the Chicago police. This disturbing book also examines the difficult lives these four individuals have as they attempt to reintegrate into society and is a reminder to us all of how fragile our personal freedom can be if we are on the wrong side of the criminal justice system.
Special thanks goes to Jan Dundon, Cathy Askeland, Kathleen March, Terry McHugh, Leslie Forsman, Patti Tylka, Kim McKenna, and Neal McKenna for their help in writing the book descriptions for the 2017 books.

A Little Bit of Hope: A Booklist for Our Times

February 9, 2017

It’s no secret that there are a fair number of folks out there that are depressed.  The year is turning out to be fairly contentious right from the get go and it’s only (checks watch) February.  Oog. We look out the windows and spring seems an awful long ways away, both literally and metaphorically.  Fortunately the library’s got your back.  Here’s a booklist to pluck up spirits and make you feel, if not cheery, then at least engaged.

Hope in the Dark: Untold Histories. Wild Possibilities. by Rebecca Solnit

Do our actions always have immediate positive results?  Nope. And what better way to grasp this than with a book that, “traces the rise of a sophisticated, supple, nonviolent new movement that unites all the diverse and fragmentary issues of the eighties and nineties in our new century.”

Says Solnit of the book, “Coming back to the text more than a dozen tumultuous years later, I believe its premises hold up. Progressive, populist and grassroots constituencies have had many victories. Popular power has continued to be a profound force for change. And the changes we have undergone, both wonderful and terrible, are astonishing.”

Freedom is a Constant Struggle : Ferguson, Palestine, and the Foundations of a Movement by Angela Y. Davis

In these newly collected essays, interviews, and speeches, world-renowned activist and scholar Angela Y. Davis illuminates the connections between struggles against state violence and oppression throughout history and around the world. Reflecting on the importance of black feminism, intersectionality, and prison abolitionism for today’s struggles, Davis discusses the legacies of previous liberation struggles, from the Black Freedom Movement to the South African anti-Apartheid movement. She highlights connections and analyzes today’s struggles against state terror, from Ferguson to Palestine. Facing a world of outrageous injustice, Davis challenges us to imagine and build the movement for human liberation. And in doing so, she reminds us that “Freedom is a constant struggle.”

Splinterlands by John Feffer

A dystopian novel with something to say.  Author John Feffer is the director of Foreign Policy in Focus at the Institute for Policy Studies.  In this novel the European Union no longer exists, the United States is barely scraping by, and Russia and China have lost their influence.  Intrigued?

From #BlackLivesMatter to Black Liberation by Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor

Activist and scholar Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor surveys the historical and contemporary ravages of racism and persistence of structural inequality such as mass incarceration and Black unemployment. In this context, she argues that this new struggle against police violence holds the potential to reignite a broader push for Black liberation.

Howard Zinn Speaks : Collected Speeches, 1963-2009

Howard Zinn has illuminated American history like none other. Before and during his tenure as a political science professor at Boston University, he wrote more than 20 books, including A People’s History of the United States. He was also a known anti-war and civil rights activist. Now, for the first time ever, Howard Zinn’s speeches have been collected in book form. The book includes speeches on protest movements, racism, war and American democracy. It will be an invaluable resource for a new generation of students discovering his work, as well as those Zinn moved during his lifetime.

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