Middle Grade &Young Adult Staff Picks (Ages 8+)
Aria has fled to San Francisco for the summer, she stays with her grandma and helps run the family boba cafe. However, business isn't going well and Aria needs to come up with some creative ways to get more customers, before they lose the cafe. Aria soon discovers there is an even bigger problem, and the consequences will be catastrophic.
— Victoria PZ.
It’s been 18 years, and I still remember Stanley and Zero, The Warden, Green Lake, the desert, the peach jars, the lizards, “sploosh.” It’s maybe the most impactful book I ever read when I was younger, and it carries a magic I still look for when I read today.
— Greg N.
An old family curse. Hilarious narrative voice. Age-appropriate critique of the criminal justice system. Friendships generations in the making. Need I say more?
— Samantha M.
Fanny lets us into her world, a wonderful childhood of cooking and eating at the famed Chez Panisse. This is a perfectly charming introduction to the ecosystem of food and all the joys of partaking in it. Complete with easy & delicious recipes, this is great for chefs of all ages.
— Julianne DV.
A smart, snarky and heart wrenching coming-of-age story following a close friendship between two adolescent boys as it struggles to keep up with the pace at which they're growing up. Set on the tough (and tuff) streets of S. E. Hinton's gritty and youthfully melancholy 1960s Tulsa. Great for fans of stripped-down greaser style, those with a soft side, and everything in between.
— Kate P.
If you've been to Pixie Hollow, I don't need to convince you to pick this up. If you HAVEN'T! This is a romance book for the ages. It's sweet, it's tragic, it's whimsical, and it has fairies! And yeah, it will break your heart, but you'll also believe in love again, so I think it's worth it.
— Cass M.
To be read by candlelight, perhaps paired with Erik Satie's Gnossiennes. There is a wickedness afoot in quaint Willoughby Chase and Bonnie & Sylvia must do everything in their might to survive its clutches. I began to turn the pages and I could not stop. Wintery prose, thrilling escapades, gothic whimsy - I dare say this is perfect children’s literature.
— Julianne DV.
Anyone who has experienced grief will feel this story as a gut punch and a loving hug. This beautifully written novel in verse examines the complicated feelings that come after losing someone you love. A moving read for kids and adults alike.
— Gaby MM.
The origin story of the Nancy Drew series is extremely fascinating. I read these books as a kid and never knew how wholesome the books were. If Nany Drew was a big part of your life growing up, I suggest you read this and if you've never read Nancy Drew, this is a great place to start.
— Samantha M.
This is one of the few books I wish I could read for the first time again. A dual timeline puzzle box of a plot follows twins Noah and Jude as they navigate first loves and a family in crisis. Jandy Nelson is one of my favorite authors writing YA today, and this is her at her best.
— Bailyn H.
Murders to avenge, mysterious goo, and mechanical dragons to slay- What more could you want in a fantastical silk punk YA adventure??? Maybe some plot twists? Check. A light enemies to lovers romance? Yup. Rich cultural backdrop? Absolutely. The only thing wrong with it is that the second isn't out yet and I NEED MORE.
— Nina P.
Young Hag has spent most of her life ignoring the magical wisdom of her grandmother, Ancient Crone. But when the two stumble upon a fairy changeling in the woods, they set off on a noble quest to bring magic back to Britain. Sharp, funny, and expertly drawn, Young Hag is a great entry point for Arthurian mythology and an absolute delight to read.
— Bailyn H.
Some books you read as a child stay with you for the rest of your life. This is one of those books. The Goose Girl is a beautiful, big-hearted fairytale expertly told. I have reread this every year since I was nine years old and it remains just as magical now as it was then.
— Bailyn H.
A down-and-out, shy boy with internalized trauma meets confident, spunky girl with externalizing trauma, AND a caged tiger allegory? C'mon now. I wish I had written it. Reads like a timeless parable with so many deep truths. I think we can all see ourselves in Rob and Sistine---kid or full-grown anxious adult (me).
— Marion B.
Like every building in New York City, 777 Garden Avenue is filled with an entertaining set of characters. This charming collection of short stories include a doorman who is terrible at talking sports, a matchmaking elevator, and a mouse training to become the boxing champion of the world. If you haven't yet, this book will make you want to get to know your neighbors—human and non-human alike!
— Shalemar C.
It's Kiki! The loveable, fiesty, curious witch must find a town and live there for a year, helping neighbors with her magic. Her cat is sassy! She loves to fly! It's possibly the perfect book for any witch at any age.
— Maeve A.
Before I even got halfway through this, I declared it as one of the best books I've ever read. It reeks of humanity as it reminded me how universal life is, and unfortunately how universal pain is too. I didn’t expect a book from twenty-five years ago with a fifteen year old protagonist to tell me what I needed to hear, but it felt right.
— Zoe J.
Frenemy drama -> new friendships. Adventures of a lifetime. EDGAR ALLEN TOAD. My kids blew through the series with such enthusiasm I came in on my day off to grab the third installment because they just *couldn't* wait!
— Genay J.
What could go wrong on a summer family vacation? Well, everything! Especially when you are vacationing with Greg's family, it's like what his dad says, "you can pick your nose, but you can't pick your family." Hopefully, this family can get along for Gramma and not make such a hot mess!
— Nicole MB.