Picture Book

For ages 3-7

This picture book takes you to a neighborhood where everyone is a stranger. Sure, there are houses, but the people inside haven’t met each other. They just make assumptions about one another. When the Internet goes out one day, the neighborhood comes together and proves that looks can be deceiving. The moral of this story—get to know your neighbors. Turns out, community is a lovely thing.

—Suggested by Miss Nicole

Beginning Reader Book

For ages 5-7

Worm and Caterpillar share an inseparable friendship, the kind that makes them feel as if they’re two peas in a pod. While Worm appreciates their similarities, Caterpillar harbors a premonition of an impending transformation. Suddenly, Caterpillar vanishes for a period, only to return as a graceful Butterfly. The question looms: Will Butterfly and Worm’s cherished friendship endure despite this profound change?

—Suggested by Miss Carrie

Chapter Book

For children in grades 4-8

Could the sinister characters described in a handwritten tome actually inhabit Hollow-in-the-Marsh? Does “The Curse of the Six Daughters” have reality behind it? Can Willa Fernbsy summon her courage, strength, and smarts to put the pieces together and rescue her sisters from frightening fates? Sisters of the Lost Marsh is a finely fashioned rural gothic folktale that will chill readers to the bone and inspire them to seek their own adventures and truths no matter what society and life may throw their way.

—Suggested by Miss Amber

Graphic Novel

For ages 10 and up

In A First Time for Everything, Dan Santat recounts in this graphic novel memoir a trip he took to Europe as a middle schooler. From navigating friendships, German punk rockers, French table manners, and first love, Santat fondly remembers the awkwardness of the middle school years with warmth and humor. This graphic novel is recommended for all readers in the throes of middle school and all lovers of good graphic novels.

—Suggested by Miss Amanda

Nonfiction Book

For ages 4-8

This is a book about spiders being recommended by me, a person absolutely terrified of spiders—need I say more? The story of Jumper, a cute little backyard jumping spider, takes us through a day in the life of a spider. The author weaves together facts about Jumper while also making sure the reader is completely interested in what Jumper will do next. With illustrations that offer views of the world from Jumper’s eyes, this is a book that you will find yourself picking up again and again. It may even make the spider hater in your life absolutely adore at least one spider.

—Suggested by Miss Crystal