October Tween Read Scene: Ghoulish Graphic Novels

It’s that time of year again, the leaves are falling, the nights are chilly, and everyone is looking for a spooky read to cuddle up with! While there are many great scary novels available, gruesome graphic novels really turn up the fear-factor with their visual displays of frightening fun.

You’ll be sleeping with the lights on after indulging in one of these ghoulish graphic novels!

Sheets by Brenna ThummlerJ GN THUAges 9 & Up
AR: 3
Lexile: 400L
Fake Blood by Whitney GardnerJ GN GARAges 10 & Up
AR: 2.5
Lexile: 150L
The Sleepover by Michael ReginaJ GN REGAges 8-12
Apocalypse Taco by Nathan HaleJ GN HALAges 8-12
AR: 2.5
Lexile: 150L
This Was Our Pact by Ryan AndrewsJ GN ANDAges 10-14
AR: 3
Lexile: 350L
The Witches of Brooklyn by 
Sophie Escabasse
J GN ESCAges 8-12
AR: 2.9
Be Wary of the Silent Woods by Svetlana ChmakovaJ GN CHMAges 8-12
AR: 2.7
Paranorthern and the Chaos Bunny A-Hop-Calypse by Stephanie CookeJ GN COOAges 8-12
Garlic and the Vampire by Bree PaulsenJ GN PAUAges 8-12
Nightlights by Lorena AlvarezJ GN ALVAges 8-12

UPCOMING TWEEN EVENTS

October 1-31
TinkerCAD Challenge: Create a Stencil Board
Best for 4th Grade & Up
Registration begins October 1

October 3-31
Ghost Hunting Scavenger Hunt | All day
All Ages
Registration not required

October 5
Art Attack: Mini Cauldrons | 6-6:45 pm
4th-8th Grade
Registration begins September 21

October 15
Goofy Ghouls | 10-11:30 am
Spooky games, crafts & treats
All Ages
Registration not required

October 21
Wild Explorers: Leaves! | 4:30-5:15 pm
4th-8th Grade
Registration begins October 7

October 25
Geek Out! Graphic Novel Club | 6-6:45pm
The Okay Witch by Emma steinkellner
4th-8th Grade
Registration begins September 27

May your Halloween be safe, spooky, and spectacular! Come back next month for more great reads!

Youth Services Fall Staff Picks 2022

Calling all Fall Readers! Youth Services has collected their favorite reads for Fall 2022 and we are ready to share them with you! Come check out our Staff Picks display located near the Youth Services Main desk anytime now through the end of November and take home a great read! If you prefer to chose your books digitally, just click on one of the covers below and use our catalog to put the title on hold. Happy Fall Reading, Y’all!

Picture Books & Easy Readers

Chapter Books & Graphic Novels

Non-Fiction

Audio-Visual

What’s Your Next Great Read? Book Reviews with Ms. Cecily

Are you looking for great adventure in far off lands or just looking for your first great chapter book?  Or somewhere in between. The library has something waiting for you!

Breaking Through the Clouds by Sandra Nickel Ages 6-9 Grades 1-3
(J B SIM)

Every wonder about who predicts the weather?  Joanne Simpson (1923-2010) was fascinated by clouds and studied them constantly.  When World War II started the Air Force asked her to teach their pilots about the clouds and the weather changing winds. After the war she stayed at the University of Chicago to study Meteorology even though the professors said a woman could not earn a Doctorate in Meteorology!  Read about this amazing pioneering woman scientist! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Luna Howls at the Moon by Kristin Tubbs Ages 8-12 Grades 3-7 (J TUB, Audio Libby)

This is the dogs story and a cat to tell. Luna is a Labrador therapy puppy and she  helps children with the holes in their lives. She’s a whisker away from reaching her fifty-visit pin that will make her an official therapy dog. But when her “clients”—the children who visit her—are put into a therapy group, Luna’s routine is upended. There are so many feelings to deal with! Like the moon, Luna shows different faces at different times. And her clients each have different needs—Beatrice is tangled in knots of anger, Caleb rushes like a waterfall, Amelia carries fear heavy like a shadow, and Hector is quiet as a rock. To comfort the kids, Luna can be what they need her to be, but can she be everything to them all at once? When Hector doesn’t show up to a session the kids set off to find him. Luna joins to keep them safe and learn the truth. Five wagging tails!

Daughter of the Deep by Rick Riordan Libby Audio Ages 10-13 Grades 4-7 (J RIO)

This is a Girl Power book! Our protagonist, Ana Dakkar, takes control of the Nautilus that has been lying on the bottom of the  Pacific Ocean under a volcano for 150 years.  She is the last living relative of Captain Nemo (you might want to read  Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea)! She is the only one who can unlock  the Nautilus and all it’s power! The first AI machine with many scientific marvels that is keyed to her DNA.  Fun, fast paced and a true girls adventure book.  Take charge you will love this book.  ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate
Ages 8-12
Grades 3-7
(J APP)

Do you have an imaginary friend? They can be helpful  to get you through hard times. A dog, a frog, a cat… they can be there for you when you feel alone like Jackson.  His family has fallen on hard times. The rent isn’t paid. There’s never enough to eat and his family may have to live in their minivan – AGAIN! It is a magical story about family, friendship, resilience and a very large cat named Crenshaw. ❤️❤️❤️

Absolutely Truly by Heather Vogel Frederick Ages 8-12 Grades 3-7 (J FRE)

Absolutely Truly has just moved from Texas to a small town in New Hampshire. With two older brothers and two younger sisters clamoring for attention, her mother back in school, and everyone up to their eyebrows trying to keep Lovejoy’s Books afloat, Truly feels more overlooked than usual. With her best friend in Texas and having to make new friends in January at a new school in record COLD New Hampshire winter and having to be tutored in PreAlgebra by her father what else could go wrong?  

So she pours herself into uncovering the mystery of an undelivered letter she finds stuck in a valuable autographed first edition of Charlotte’s Web she found at the bookstore that lead Truly and her new Pumpkin Falls friends on a madcap treasure hunt around town, chasing clues that could spell danger.  A good set up for the follow-up books in the series. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Cress Watercress by Gregory Maguire Ages 8-12 Grades 2-6 (Libby Audio)

The Author of  Wicked turns his attention to Junior Fiction written in the vein of E.B. White or Thorton Burgess’ Old Mother West Wind.  In this animal adventure about growing up, moving on, and finding community. When Papa bunny doesn’t return Cress holds out hope, but her mother assumes the worst. Mama moves what’s left of the Watercress family to the basement unit of the Broken Arms, a run-down apartment oak with a suspect owl landlord, a nosy mouse super, a rowdy family of squirrels, and a pair of songbirds who broadcast everyone’s business. In the timeless spirit of E. B. White this read-aloud and read-alone for animal lovers of all ages features an unforgettable cast that leaps off the page in glowing illustrations by David Litchfield. It invites us to flourish wherever we find ourselves. A delightful tale with well developed characters! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Boris on the Move by Andrew Joyner
Ages 5-7 Grades K-2 (J JOY)

The perfect early chapter book with an unexpected adventure.  Boris lives with his mom and dad in a van that once traveled all over the world. Now it never moves… BUT when it does move, Boris is in for an adventure! Bright lively pictures help move the story along for the emerging reader who wants to move up to chapter books. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Back to School, Mallory by Laurie Friedman Ages 7-10 Grades 2-4 (J FRI & Audio Libby)

Mallory has to go back to school but it’s a new school and the new music teacher is HER MOM! And then there is a play for music class and she is an eggplant! This is the second of the series and a fun read that is full of 3rd grade angst! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Lilly and Finn: A Mermaids Tale by Cornelia Funke
Ages 8-11 Grades 2-4th (J FUN)

When Mr. and Mrs. Snorkel decide to add a mermaid to their private zoo it spells trouble for Lilly and Fin, two merkids. In this story they learn that the 2 leggeds are mean and that the giant Kraken is actually a loveable sea monster. This beautifully illustrated adventure is sure to capture all two-legged chapter-book readers!  ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Masterminds by Gordon Korman
Ages 8-12 Grades 4-8 (Libby, Hoopla Audio, J KOR)

Another great page turner from Gordon Korman. You live in the perfect town, in a perfect house, with perfect parents, but you have never left  the town. One day you discover that you can’t… Perfect may not be so perfect any more! When you realize that your crime-free community is connected  to some of  the greatest criminal masterminds of all time! What if you found out that you were the clone of a master criminal?  ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Masterminds: Criminal Destiny by Gordon Korman Ages 8-12 Grades 4-8 (J KOR, Libby Audio)

The second book in the action-packed series from author Gordon Korman. The clones of Project Osiris are free—but are being hunted. After their narrow escape from their “perfect” hometown, Eli, Tori, Amber, and Malik are finally in the real world and determined to expose the leaders of Serenity. And Project  Osiris. They evade capture by breaking laws and sneaking into houses, hotels, buses, and cars—are they becoming the criminals they were destined to be?

What they discover will change everything. What they are looking for is any evidence that will convince the outside world to believe the truth. Eli, Tori, Amber, and Malik will stop at nothing to take down Project Osiris! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Caterpillar Summer by Gilliam McDunn Grade 3-5 Ages 10-12
(J MCD (Bluestem) Libby Audio)

Wonderfully written flawed characters who when things don’t go as planned might fall apart but instead find family and friendship and start to fix some of their flaws. Heart warming story of Family, forgiveness, and growing up. This book started a little slow but  I was sorry when the book ended.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Becoming Muhammad Ali by James Patterson and Kwane Alexander
Age 9-12 Grades 3-7 (J PAT (2023 BLUESTEM ))

In this biographical novel we learn about Casscius Clay a young fighter from Louisville Kentucky. Then we learn why he decided to become become Muhammad Ali. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

September Tween Read Scene: Super Sports Stories!

With the start of a new school year, sports seasons are upon us. Whether you are a player, spectator, or avid fan, sports stories can be enjoyed by all. Offering lessons in perseverance, teamwork, and respect, sports stories give us GOALS to aspire to in our every day lives. KICK OFF the new sports season with one of these HOME RUN titles!

Takedown by Laura ShovanJ SHOAges 9-12
AR: 4.1
Lexile: 610L
Wrestling
Checked by Cynthia KadohataJ KADAges 10-14
AR: 4.9
Lexile: 760L
Hockey
Ten Thousand Tries by Amy MakechnieJ MAKAges 8-12
AR: 3.9
Lexile: 590L
Soccer
The Underdogs by Mike LupicaJ LUPAges 10 & Up
AR: 5.2
Lexile: 840L
Football
Ghost by Jason ReynoldsJ REY

AUDIO CD J F REY
Ages 10 & Up
AR: 4.6
Lexile: 730L
Track and Field
Kenzie Kickstarts a Team by Kit RosewaterJ ROSAges 8-12
AR: 3.8
Roller Derby
Lupe Wong Won’t Dance by Donna Barbara HigueraJ HIGAges 8-12
AR: 4.7
Baseball
Up for Air by Laurie MorrisonPLAYAWAY J F MORAges 10-14
AR: 5.7
Lexile: 900L
Swimming
A High Five for Glenn Burke by Phil BildnerJ BILAges 10-13
AR: 4.1
Lexile: 690L
Baseball
The Fifth Quarter by Mike DawsonJ GN DAWAges 8-12
AR: 2.2
Basketball

UPCOMING TWEEN EVENTS

September 1-31
TinkerCAD Challenge: Use Codeblocks to Create a Gyro Keychain

Best for 4th Grade & Up
Registration begins September 1

September 6
Geek Out! Graphic Novel Club | 6-6:45pm

Allergic by Megan Wagner Lloyd
4th-8th Grade
Registration begins August 9

September 12, 19, & 26
Let’s Go Fishin’ | 5-6 pm

Ages 6-12
Registration begins August 29

September 14
Art Attack!: Ceramic Apples | 6-6:45 pm

4th-8th Grade
Registration begins August 31

September 16
Wild Explorers: Soil! Get Your Hands Dirty | 4:30-5:15 pm

4th-8th Grade
Registration begins September 2

September 19
Soapy Roads: Make Your Own Soap | 5:15-7:15 pm

Ages 8-13
Registration begins September 5