Grasshopper Jungle
By Andrew Smith
Austin Szerba narrates the end of humanity as he and his best friend Robby accidentally unleash an army of giant, unstoppable bugs and uncover the secrets of a decades‑old experiment gone terribly wrong.
Austin Szerba's feelings are complicated. He just realized he might love his best friend, Robby. His family just left town to see his brother, a soldier injured overseas. And, oh yeah, he and Robby just unleashed worldwide Armageddon, in the form of giant, unstoppable bugs. Saving himself and his best friend, easy. Admitting his feelings, complicated.
A different story about love and world ending events that goes from weird to heart stopping in sixty seconds. Ideal for older teens who like their Armageddon with a side of the ridiculous.
Recommended by Melinda
North Dade Regional Library
Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail
By Cheryl Strayed
A powerful, blazingly honest, inspiring memoir: the story of a 1,100 mile solo hike that broke down a young woman reeling from catastrophe and built her back up again.
"Wild" will take you on an inspirational and profound journey through California's Pacific Coast Trail.
Recommended by Maria
Main Library
Me Want Pet!
By Tammi Sauer; illustrated by Bob Shea
Cave Boy wants a pet more than anything. Can he find one that the whole family will agree on? Cave Boy has lots of things. Rocks. Sticks. A club. But no pet! Cave Boy decides he must have a pet, but his parents object. He brings home animal after animal in hopes of overcoming his parents' steadfast resistance, but his attempts are unsuccessful–until he finds a Dodo bird that is literally on the verge of extinction. And in a twist ending on a classic concept, Cave Boy and his family discover it's worthwhile to have animal friends around.
Very cute & clever book about a cave boy who wants the one thing he doesn't have–a pet. An enjoyable book for both children and parents!
Recommended by Edda
West Kendall Regional Library
I Ain’t Gonna Paint No More
By Karen Beaumont; illustrated by David Catrow
A dab of blue here, a splash of red there, a goopy smear of green… everywhere. To the tune of "It Ain't Gonna Rain No More," one creative kid floods his world with color, painting first the walls, then the ceiling, then HIMSELF! Before this feisty artist is through, he'll have painted his head, back, hands, legs, feet, and… Oh no–here comes Mama!
Recommended by Ana
West Kendall Regional Library
The Elite
By Keira Cass
Sixteen-year-old America Singer is one of only six girls still competing in the Selection–but before she can fight to win Prince Maxon and the Illean crown, she must decide where her own heart truly lies.
Fairy Tale vs. First True Love… What will it be?
Recommended by Miriam
Shenandoah Branch
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
By Bill Martin
Children see a variety of animals, each one a different color, and a teacher looking at them.
My daughter loves this book!
Recommended by Monica
Main Library
Nightmares
By Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller; illustrated by Karl Kwasny
Sleeping has never been so scary. And now waking up is even worse! Charlie Laird has several problems. 1. His dad married a woman he is sure moonlights as a witch. 2. He had to move into her purple mansion, which is NOT a place you want to find yourself after dark. 3. He can't remember the last time sleeping wasn't a nightmarish prospect. Like even a nap. What Charlie doesn't know is that his problems are about to get a whole lot more real. Nightmares can ruin a good night's sleep, but when they start slipping out of your dreams and into the waking world–that's a line that should never be crossed. And when your worst nightmares start to come true... well, that's something only Charlie can face. And he's going to need all the help he can get, or it might just be lights-out for Charlie Laird. For good.
This is an engaging and imaginative (and sometimes creepy) book about facing your fears. I really enjoyed it!
Recommended by Edda
West Kendall Regional Library
Jane Eyre
By Charlotte Bronte
Jane Eyre, a penniless orphan, is engaged as governess at Thornfield Hall by the mysterious Mr. Rochester. Her integrity and independence are tested to the limit as their love for each other grows, and the secrets of Mr. Rochester's past are revealed.
Jane's character is virtuous and self‑reliant… way ahead of her time!
Recommended by Maria
Main Library
Cinder
By Marissa Meyer
Cinder, a gifted mechanic and a cyborg with a mysterious past, is blamed by her stepmother for her stepsister's illness while a deadly plague decimates the population of New Beijing, but when Cinder's life gets intertwined with Prince Kai's, she finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle.
Cinder the cyborg, new sci‑fi rendition of the popular classic fairy tale Cinderella.
Recommended by Miriam
Shenandoah Branch Library