by Tim Weng
“Yours Sincerely, Giraffe” Megumi Iwasa
This 2018 United States Board on Books for Young People Outstanding International Book early chapter book recounts the long-distance friendship which is sparked between a bored giraffe and a penguin through the exchange of letters.
“Restart” Gordon Korman
Chase, suffers from amnesia after a fall and finds, as he recovers his memory, that he’s not sure he likes the person he was. The book, by prolific juvenile author Korman, is an engaging examination of bullying and redemption told from multiple perspectives.
“Hello, Universe” Erin Entrada Kelly
Similar themes of bullying are explored in this Newbery Award winning novel. Virgil and his guinea pig find themselves trapped at the bottom of a well as the result of a prank by bully, Chet. Three friends set out to save them in this epic neighborhood adventure.
Young Adult
“Long Way Down” Jason Reynolds
Fifteen-year-old Will encounters seven ghosts on an elevator ride as he sets out to exact revenge for his brother’s murder. The book is an examination of the cycle of gang violence in narrative verse. The audiobook read by the author is also highly recommended.
“Turtles All the Way Down” John Green
A Teen Top Reads Nominee by the author of “The Fault in Our Stars” and “Paper Towns,” this book follows obsessive compulsive Aza, who is beset by intrusive thoughts, as she tracks down a missing billionaire and reconnects with a childhood friend along the way.
“Reaper at the Gates” Sabaa Tahir
For fans of fantasy, this third installment of Tahir’s Ember Quartet – due out in June – continues the stories of Helene, Laia and Elias as they navigate increasing dangers facing themselves and the Martial Empire.
Graphic Novels
“All’s Faire in Middle School” Victoria Jamieson
Imogene (Impy), whose family travels with a renaissance faire, navigates the quest of transitioning from homeschooling to public middle school, which proves a challenge.
“Umbrella Academy” and “The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys” Gerard Way
In keeping with the summer reading program theme, Library’s Rock, these are two graphic novel titles from the former lead singer of the band My Chemical Romance in which music plays a key role. “Umbrella Academy” is of note as it is being made into a series on Netflix scheduled to be released this Fall.
Weng is the youth services librarian at the Lewiston City Library.
