“If you are a parent, read it (you will probably feel better about yourself afterward). If you never want to become a parent, read it (it will reaffirm your decision to not have children). If you were ever an infant, read it (you will realize how much you changed your parent’s life).” – Kelly, Kids Room

Funny yet emotionally raw confessions about being a new parent.

“Every kid desperately wants to fit in. It’s even harder when your parents make you move! In this graphic novel, Cici, a 12-year-old who has recently moved to Seattle from Taiwan, has so much going for her: a family who cares, a cooking hobby that she’s really great at, even new BFFs who will stand up for her at the drop of a hat. By sidestepping the usual kid-who-moved storylines, author Lily LaMotte presents to us a much more delicious story: a cooking competition! And to spice it up even more, illustrator Ann Xu draws all the dishes for us to see- and wish that we could taste.” – DG Library Staff

Cici, who has recently moved to Seattle from Taiwan, deeply misses her grandmother back home. She enters a cooking competition hoping to win enough money to invite A-ma over for a birthday visit! Torn between being true to her heritage and trying to fit in (and also obeying her parents and learning to stand up for herself), will she be able to find her place and win against her new friend/archenemy Miranda- whose family OWNS a restaurant?

“This book didn’t go anywhere I thought it would! I love all things superhero, and reading something so different was a great ride. It’s full of twists and turns and people you start out liking and end up hating and people you start out hating and end up liking. Vicious (and the sequel, Vengeful) is one I try to get everyone to read so I have more people to scream about it with.” – Erin, Kids Room 

Eli and Victor, college roommates and friends, discover a relationship between near-death experiences and superpowers. When they both get what they think they want, their friendship is destroyed. One becomes a villain and one becomes a hero…but which one?

“I loved this sweet, tenderhearted, well-written book with its cast of perfectly imperfect characters who reminded me of the immense love and beauty of ordinary life in an ordinary town. Toward the end of the book, I started reading more slowly simply because I did not want to say goodbye to the cast of wonderful, quirky characters!” – Nancy, Adult & Teen Services

Jane, the novel’s protagonist, moves to Boyne City, Michigan to take a job teaching second grade at the local elementary school and almost immediately falls for Duncan, a handsome, warm, kind-hearted local woodworker who happens to have slept with most of the women in town. Jane and Duncan build a life together that includes a cast of quirky characters, including Aggie, Duncan’s ex-wife; Jimmy, a local man in need of a family; Frieda, Jane’s mandolin playing best friend; and Jane’s prickly mother.

“As a longtime fan of The Muppets and the movie, I thought Illustrator Luke Flowers did an amazing job of capturing all the charm and cheer of the original Muppet adaptation of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” The book is a great way to get into the holiday spirit no matter how many sleeps ’til Christmas!” – Grace, Public Relations

The classic holiday film “The Muppet Christmas Carol” comes to life in this illustrated storybook for kids. Narrated by The Great Gonzo as Charles Dickens, with help from his pal Rizzo the Rat, this fully illustrated children’s book retells the classic story of the beloved original film starring Michael Caine as Scrooge, Kermit the Frog as Bob Cratchit, and Miss Piggy as Mrs. Cratchit.

“The text in this book is simple: the song lyrics. The pictures woven around them are lovingly filled with 143s (Rogers’ quiet way of saying “I love you”), a diverse cast of different neighbors, even someone dressed like the modern-day Daniel Tiger! We really enjoy reading it as a quick, feel-good, snuggle together book- the toddler insists that it must be sung, and will always finish singing along with the final, sweet, “it’s you I like” ” – DG Library Staff 

A thoughtfully illustrated board book version of the classic Mister Rogers song.

“It was interesting to read this as they talk about what happened in Russia during WWII from two Russian children’s perspectives.” – Sandy R., Kids Room

Historical Fiction set in WWII, from two Russian children’s perspectives (B/G twins written as a diary entry). We are reading along with a Russian Officer (as he is making notes in the diary) who is deciding if the kids are innocent or guilty of war crimes.

“Is there anything Dolly Parton can’t do? I listened to the audiobook and was just in awe of her positivity and her work ethic. My favorite part was hearing her talk about her favorite song (hint, it’s all of them).” – Erin, Kids Room 

Country music legend Dolly Parton shares a behind-the-scenes look at 175 of her songs. From hits everyone hums along to, to lesser-known ballads, Parton has a story about them all.

“For 24 years I’ve walked past the Gilgamesh mural in the DG Library. I know very little about Gilgamesh other than it was one of the first written tales, and it was a fun way to learn about Gilgamesh’s feats and the mythology of Iraq. The threat of a plague shutting down a city felt very current. Also, warrior cats.” Sharon, Kids Room 

Sik Aziz is helping in the family deli when the Mesopotamian plague god Nergal crashes into the deli and demands the treasure Sik’s brother stole from him or he’ll unleash a plague in New York City. Ishtar, the goddess of War, her daughter Belek, and demi-god Gilgamesh help Sik in his quest to save his parents and the city from a terrible plague in this Rick Riordan Presents novel.

“Boulley tackles so many large ideas including grief and balancing two cultures and identities, but with grace and intrigue as she weaves them with a drug investigation and mystery. I just couldn’t put this book down. The characters are wonderful and there are so many twists to keep you on the edge of your seat. Grab some snacks and hot cocoa and prepare to spend your whole night reading this book!” – Amanda, Adult & Teen Services

Daunis, who is part Ojibwe, defers attending the University of Michigan to care for her mother and reluctantly becomes involved in the investigation of a series of drug-related deaths.

“Looking at this early chapter book, you know it’s probably going to be about a kid playing hockey. But it’s really about the attitude and perseverance of Kitoo, an orphan in Kenya, and the loving support he has from all the people in his life. His struggles are presented with acceptance and a calm tone and softened with his trademark positive thinking. A heartwarming read!” – DG Library Staff

Kitoo and Nigosi, two friends living in a Kenyan orphanage, discover ice hockey and totally love it. Well, love reading about it. Kitoo is pretty sure that it’s too hot for there to be any ice. One day, while helping out the adults who care for them, Kitoo finds a busted old pair of rollerblades. This surprise opens up a new world, and he starts working towards something he thought would have been impossible.

“Mr. Shaara’s main interest is in the people involved in the battle and the effect it has on their lives. His cast of characters includes the general officers commanding, a common soldier, a female resident of Vicksburg, and a former journalist – now government employee – sent to check on rumors of Grant’s drinking. He crafts a story from multiple view points which is broad enough in scope to attract and hold the attention of the casual, curious reader who knows little about the Civil War while at the same time presenting a story robust enough to hold the interest of readers who are Civil War buffs.” – Karen, Circulation

A Chain of Thunder is the second in a series of four standalone books on battles in the Western Theater written for the sesquicentennial of the American Civil War by Jeff Shaara, a three-time W. Y. Boyd Award winner for excellence in military historical fiction. The Vicksburg campaign ran through the spring and summer of 1863 as Union general Ulysses S. Grant sought the surrender of Vicksburg, Mississippi, the last major Confederate fortress on the Mississippi River. A siege was not Grant’s first choice but became necessary as various other stratagems, including digging a ditch to change the course of the river, went awry. Following weeks of the city’s garrison and civilians living on starvation rations in holes dug in the bluffs due to constant shelling of the town by Union gunboats, Confederate General John Pemberton surrendered the city on July 4, 1863, just one day after the massive battle of Gettysburg back East in Pennsylvania. Being further from the national capital in Washington, D.C., the union victory at Vicksburg has always been overshadowed by Gettysburg even though it could be argued that the fall of Vicksburg had a greater effect on the outcome of the war.

“Very well written and researched, non-judgmental” – Kelly P., Kids Room

The Donner Party like you’ve never heard about it before, told from multiple points of view, including Hunger and the oxen, in addition to the people who suffered through the trip.

“I love a good Gothic tale, especially when it involves a haunted house, and this book has it all. It reminds me of Netflix’s version of The Haunting of Hill House, but with its own spin. I could not put it down!” – Katelyn, Administration. 

Maggie returns to her childhood home made famous by her father’s horror memoir. She is determined to find out what really happened the night her family fled the house for good and she resolves to bring to light the secrets, or evil, that is hiding in the house.

“Half romance, half relationship fiction, Paris is Always a Good Idea made me smile. Chelsea’s journey took her to some memorable locations. The romantic twists were great to read. This was an excellent romance.” – Sharon, Kids Room 

Seven years after her mother’s death, Chelsea Martin doesn’t respond very well to the news her father is remarrying. When her father suggests she doesn’t remember how to laugh, Chelsea seeks to find the person she was before she learned her mother was ill. This takes her on an adventure through Europe and the three loves of her summer abroad.