Barrington Area Library (IL) - Staff Favorites of 2021 So Far

Staff Favorites of 2021 So Far

Picture books
books
middle grade

Looking for an exciting new read? Look no further! Our staff in Youth Services have picked out their favorite books of the year so far.

Category Title

Starfish by Lisa Fipps

Ellie lives by the rules – the Fat Girl Rules. She has been working on these rules since her fifth birthday where her nickname, Splash, came about. But Ellie is tired of these rules, the bullying, and her mother’s obsession with her weight. She wants to be free of the “weight” that crushes her and instead be allowed to live as her fabulous self, just the way she is. Written in verse, this novel is not to be missed. Maybe have a tissue handy.

Too Small Tola by Atinuke, illustrated by Onyinye Iwu

Tola lives in the bustling city of Lagos, Nigeria, with her family. Her big brother is very fast. Her big sister is very smart. Her grandmommy is very… bossy. Tola is very small, it’s true, but that can’t be all she is! Find out the many ways Tola shines in this delightful early chapter book.

Allergic by Megan Wagner Lloyd and Michelle Mee Nutter

Maggie constantly feels left out of her family - her parents are expecting a new baby and her twin siblings always have each other. The answer to all of her troubles is...a puppy! But all goes wrong when she discovers she’s severely allergic to puppies, and all furry animals for that matter. Join Maggie in her quest to find the perfect pet, one that won’t make her break out in hives.

The Comeback by E.L. Shen

On the ice, Maxine exudes confidence, but off the ice, life is a little bit harder. She has been drifting apart from a friend who would rather spend time with a bully than defend her. Speaking of bullies, Maxine is dealing with one who won’t leave her alone about her Chinese heritage. Not to mention the new figure skater in town who seems perfect in every way. Will Maxine find a way to stand up to her bully, and push past her insecurities and maybe make a new friend?

Laxmi’s Mooch by Shelly Anand, illustrated by Nabi H. Ali

An affirming picture book about loving yourself, body hair included!

The Deepest Breath by Meg Grehan

Stevie is 11 years old and knows a lot of things. But there are still so many things she doesn’t know about, like the ocean and everything that lives there, knots, stars and constellations, and why she gets a fizzy feeling everytime she sees her friend Chloe. All of these things cause great anxiety in her life, and Stevie must gather the courage to confide in her mom and face all of these unknown things, together. Written in verse, this is a beautiful and hopeful coming-of-age story.

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Simon B. Rhymin' by Dwayne Reed

Simon, a.k.a. Notorious D.O.G., is a fifth grader who loves to rap, but he doesn’t really like to share his skills with the world. When his new teacher assigns an oral presentation about an issue that affects his community, he knows that this will require him to face his fears and speak in front of his classmates. Join Simon as he learns to believe in himself and his ability to speak up and make his community a better place.

The Raconteur’s Commonplace Book by Kate Milford

Twelve guests at the Blue Vein Tavern are trapped together during a terrible flood. To pass the time, they decide that each guest should tell a story. Each tale is different from fairy tales, to romance, and horror. As the stories continue, connections start to appear between the tales, revealing a larger mystery around each of the guests and why they are all together at the inn. Readers who love fantasy, mysteries and intricate plots will delight in this book.

The Tree in Me by Corinna Luyken

A gorgeous meditation on the strength that lives within us all.

The Knight of the Cape by Terry Catasús Jennings, illustrated by Fátima Anaya

Dominguita gets in trouble for reading too much, but all she wants is an adventure like in one of her favorite classics books. Her and her Abuela used to read classics together, until her Abuela moved away. While reading one of her favorite books, Don Quixote, Dominguita decides she wants to train to be a knight and help do good deeds in community around so she can share her adventures with her Abuela.

Milo Imagines the World by Matt de la Pena, illustrated by Christian Robinson

While Milo and his sister take the bus to visit their incarcerated mother, Milo imagines the lives of their fellow passengers, and finds that they all might be more connected than he originally thought.

Looking for more recommendations? Fill out our form to get a custom list of reads or a Book Bundle for pickup.

Youth Services Assistant Librarian Stefanie