April Recommendations

All the books listed here are available at the library. Stop in, give us a call, or use the online catalog to place a hold and check one out. 

Celebrate National Poetry Month with these young adult novels written in verse.

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
Me (moth) by Amber McBride
Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo: Growing up as an Afro-Latina girl in her Harlem neighborhood, Xiomara has a lot to say, but isn’t quite sure if there is anyone there to listen. She begins writing her frustrations and passions down and reciting them back to herself. With crushes, family pressures, and religious questions fueling her poetry, Xiomara can’t wait to let herself be heard. Available on Boundless (audio/e-book), Libby (audio), and Hoopla (audio/e-book)

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander: Josh and his twin brother Jordan have basketball in their blood. But Josh wants to do more than play basketball. As they come to grips with growing up, both on and off the court, they come to realize that breaking the rules can have terrible consequences. Available on Boundless (e-comic/e-book), Libby (audio/e-book), and Hoopla (audio/e-book)

Me (Moth) by Amber McBride: Moth feels alone and uprooted after losing her family and moving in with her aunt. Then she meets Sani, a boy searching for his roots like she is. They embark on a road trip, chasing ghosts and ancestors all the while moving forward in their own journeys to find themselves.  Available on Boundless (audio/e-book), Libby (e-book), and Hoopla (audio)

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds: After his brother is murdered, Will knows what he needs to do. Revenge. As he embarks on the long elevator ride out of his building he is confronted by people connected to his brother, giving him pieces to a bigger picture that he didn’t know before. Available on Boundless (audio/e-book) and Libby (audio)

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson: Jacueline Woodson shares her experience growing up as an African American in South Carolina and New York in the 1960s and 70s. She navigates the remnants of Jim Crow with a growing awareness of the Civil Rights movement as she is searching for her place in the world. Available on Boundless (audio/e-book) and Libby (audio/e-book)

Earth Day is April 22! Check out one of these eco-friendly titles to start making a change.

Gardening with Less Water by David Bainbridge
The Heat Will Kill You First by Jeff Goodell
Recycle and Play by Agnes Hsu
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
The Twenty-One by Elizabeth Rusch

Gardening with Less Water by David Bainbridge: Whether you’re in a drought or trying to conserve water for other reasons, there are simple, inexpensive, low-tech techniques for watering your garden more efficiently. Follow along with the illustrated step-by-step instructions to learn what you can do to use up to 90% less water. Available on Boundless (e-book) and Hoopla (e-book)

The Heat Will Kill You First by Jeff Goodell: As the temperature on Earth continues to rise, fault lines are showing up in our government, economy, and politics. Jeff Goodell is an award-winning journalist and he masterfully mixes the latest scientific insight with on-the-ground storytelling in this new book. Available on Boundless (audio/e-book)

Recycle and Play by Agnes Hsu: Have fun, create, and learn all while helping the planet! Transform recyclable materials into enriching activities to inspire hours of engaging play at home. With step-by-step instructions and materials lists, as well as tips for learning, you’re set to start creating! Available on Hoopla (e-book)

Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer: Bringing together her experience as a botanist and a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, Robin Wall Kimmerer shows the importance of ecological consciousness and our reciprocal relationship with nature.  Available on Boundless (audio/e-book), Libby (audio/e-book), and Hoopla (audio/e-book)

The Twenty-One by Elizabeth Rusch: Follow along with the story of the ongoing landmark federal climate change lawsuit Juliana vs the United States of America where 21 young plaintiffs claim that the government’s support of the fossil-fuel industry is contributing to climate change and that all citizens have the right to a stable climate. Available on Boundless (e-book) and Hoopla (audio/e-book)

Celebrate National Library Week by reading one of these titles with a librarian character!

What You Wish For by Katherine Center
Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey
The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn
Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
Secrets in Summer by Nancy Thayer

What You Wish For by Katherine Center: School librarian, Samantha, loves her job and brings passion to everything she does. New principal, Duncan, lives for rules and regulations, but he hasn’t always been that way. As the school spirals into chaos, Sam and Duncan begin to find who they really are and take a chance on each other. Available on Boundless (audio/e-book), Libby (audio), and Hoopla (audio)

Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey: The future American Southwest is full of bandits, fascists, and queer librarian spies on horseback trying to do the right thing. This short novella follows Esther through a story of poverty, toil, human terror, and revolution. Available on Hoopla (audio)

The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn: In the snow covered city of Kyiv in 1937, history student and library worker Mila is given a rifle and sent to join the fight, quickly becoming a lethal sniper nicknamed “Lady Death.” Based on the true story of a heroic mother who became a soldier and changed the course of history. Available on Boundless (audio/e-book), Libby (e-book), and Hoopla (audio/e-book)

Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor: Lazlo Strange, war orphan and junior librarian, has always been intrigued by the mythical lost city of Weep. When he crosses paths with a band of legendary warriors, he decides to seize his chance to figure out more about Weep. Available on Boundless (audio/e-book) and Libby (e-book)

Secrets in Summer by Nancy Thayer: Darcy is a year-round resident and librarian of the glamorous island of Nantucket. With seasonal visitors descending on the island for Memorial Day weekend, Darcy has to navigate seeing her ex-husband, a new romantic relationship, a charming old neighbor, and an at-risk teen. Available on Boundless (e-book) and Libby (e-book)