Staff Picks for Juvenile Fiction

Why is it a pick?

The first book in the Shadow Children series by Margaret Haddix is amazing! Mystery, adventure, and thought provoking heroism keep you hooked from page 1.

Collection

Juvenile Fiction

Picked by

Macey

Why is it a pick?

A suspenseful, challenging and thought provoking fiction story about a society under totalitarian rule and how two children have different perspectives of their situations. A serious fiction story suitable for older youth.

Collection

Juvenile Fiction

Picked by

Hope

Why is it a pick?

Have you seen the Disney movie? Well, this is the book that inspired the movie and it is magical!

Collection

Juvenile Fiction

Picked by

Kendra

Why is it a pick?

Ever since she can remember, Bird McGill has dreamed about becoming a P-40 fighter pilot. And the fact that she is a girl growing up in the 1940s isn’t going to stop her. This book has everything—action, adventure, a girl heroine, family relationships and a feel for the WWII period. I loved this book. It should be a movie!

Collection

Juvenile Fiction

Picked by

Kendra

Why is it a pick?

Can an American youth and a Maasai youth become friends when they spend their precious time on the ham radio arguing? Their fast paced parallel stories suggest not. But, they have more in common then they know.

Collection

Juvenile Fiction

Picked by

Cathy

Why is it a pick?

Willow is a shy young girl living in Alaska. What she wants most in the world is to mush her dogs all the way to her grandparents house by herself. But when her favorite dog gets hurt Willow must learn to live with the consequences and make things right.

Collection

Juvenile Fiction

Picked by

Amanda

Why is it a pick?

Middle school kids love this enormously funny book. Greg Heffley recounts his adventurous school year including figuring out how to be popular and avoiding the dreaded "cheese touch". A great choice for reluctant readers.

Collection

Juvenile Fiction

Picked by

Amanda

Why is it a pick?

In this novel based on Cinderella, Ella of Frell struggles against the childhood curse of obedience given to her at birth. Ella’s quest to break the curse is both funny and poignant.

Collection

Juvenile Fiction

Picked by

Kendra

Why is it a pick?

"The Five Little Peppers" are Ben, Polly, Joel, Davie, and Phronsie. After their father dies, they live alone with their mother who struggles to support the family. Despite their poverty, they are a loving family, full of spirit and adventure. I first read this book when I was in the 5th grade, and it has become a classic that I must re-visit each year.

Collection

Juvenile Fiction

Picked by

Macey

Why is it a pick?

A delightful story about a boy who decides to get even with his grouchy grandma by giving her a new taste of medicine. George walks through his house putting everything he can find in grandma’s new medicine. But will he finish before it’s too late? And what will happen to Grandma if she tastes this marvelous concoction?

Collection

Juvenile Fiction

Picked by

Lacey

Why is it a pick?

This story about an inner-city garden and the unlikely friends who tend it is sure to find a spot in your imagination and heart.

Collection

Juvenile Fiction

Picked by

Jessica

Why is it a pick?

An ordinary summer turns magical for four siblings when they find an ancient coin. They discover that the coin will grant them half a wish. To get a complete wish, they must ask for twice as much as they want.

Collection

Juvenile Fiction

Picked by

Kendra

Why is it a pick?

One page scary stories for youngsters interested in reading stuff to make them cringe.

Collection

Juvenile Fiction

Picked by

Cathy

Why is it a pick?

Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle has a cure for anything: the one-more-TV show cure, the won’t-brush-your-teeth cure and the picky-eater cure to name a few.

Collection

Juvenile Fiction

Picked by

Kendra

Why is it a pick?

Georgina doesn’t like living in the car with her mom and little brother. Her brilliant plan to steal a dog for the reward money is sure to fix everything… until everything goes wrong.

Collection

Juvenile Fiction

Picked by

Jessica

Why is it a pick?

The first book in an adventure series where cats fight to survive against disasters, Two Legs and each other.

Collection

Juvenile Fiction

Picked by

Dylan

Why is it a pick?

A survival tale that features a girl! This Newbery Medal book is one that I have read again and again.

Collection

Juvenile Fiction

Picked by

Kendra

Why is it a pick?

Fifteen year old Jason and his dog face moose, bears, and terrors of the subarctic winter to climb to the goldfields of the Klondike.

Collection

Juvenile Fiction

Picked by

Cathy

Why is it a pick?

In the summer of 1899 change is coming to Amen’s home. It also comes to Mr. Tominsky, keeper of the doves.

Collection

Juvenile Fiction

Picked by

Cathy

Why is it a pick?

Kenny Rabbit has a big problem because his new friend has a big problem. How is it possible to change folks minds about his new friend? That is what Kenny must do.

Collection

Juvenile Fiction

Picked by

Cathy

Why is it a pick?

Do you like shipwreck and survival tales? Michael is swept off of his family’s yacht and washes up on a deserted island. But is it really deserted?

Collection

Juvenile Fiction

Picked by

Kendra

Why is it a pick?

This book had me laughing out loud! This quick read (88 pages) is a hilarious and awesome introduction to making money and financial planning for kids! Gary Paulsen never fails to disappoint!

Collection

Juvenile Fiction

Picked by

Erin H

Why is it a pick?

Dragged deep underground by a swift river current near his home, eleven-yr-old Tom finds himself trapped in a world of labyrinthine tunnels, freezing subterranean rapids and endless night. In this survival tale, Tom discovers new friends, the ruins of an ancient civilization and answers to the mysterious plane crash that killed his father years ago, all right under the ground he used to walk on.

Collection

Juvenile Fiction

Picked by

Erin A

Why is it a pick?

Charlie’s brilliant scientist parents have been kidnapped and it is up to him to rescue them. Charlie has the special ability to speak cat which aids him in his search for his parents. This first book of a trilogy is exciting and adventurous.

Collection

Juvenile Fiction

Picked by

Kendra

Why is it a pick?

Audrey has many troubles including whiny little sisters, school yard bullies and even just getting enough to eat. This touching story of a young girl growing up in coal camp in 1940’s Virginia is tenderly written.

Collection

Juvenile Fiction

Picked by

Amanda