LSS - Staff Picks | Indian Prairie Public Library District

1) Frankenstein, or, The modern Prometheus

Author

Series

Notes

Becca's pick--In time for Halloween, Gothic classic literature--I enjoy how Shelley lets us view both the perspective of Victor and of his creation--how different points of view can tell a very different story

Formats:

Book, Audiobook CD, Graphic Novel

Description

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"A stunning new clothbound edition of Mary Shelley's infamous work of horror fiction, designed by the award-winning Coralie Bickford-Smith. These delectable and collectible Penguin editions are bound in high-quality colourful, tactile cloth with foil stamped into the design Obsessed by creating life itself, Victor Frankenstein plunders graveyards for the material to fashion a new being, which he shocks into life by electricity. But his botched creature,...

2) The corgi and the Queen

Author

Perry, Caroline L

Notes

Kristen's Pick - A great look at Queen Elizabeth II and her famous corgis.

Description

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Introduces young readers to Queen Elizabeth II and her four-legged canine companion Susan, a Pembroke Welsh corgi full of love and tail wags, showing how this pair forged an unbreakable bond from princess-hood to queendom.

3) Freestyle

Author

Galligan, Gale

Notes

Kristen's Pick - Fast-paced juvenile graphic novel about making new friends and hobbies (but keeping the old).

Formats:

eBook, Graphic Novel, Kindle

Description

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"While preparing for the last major dance competition before they graduate from eighth grade and go to separate high schools in NYC, Cory must balance the expectations of his parents, school, crew and his new friend as pressure mounts from all sides"--

4) Frizzy

Author

Ortega, Claribel A

Notes

Kristen's Pick - Sweet and honest juvenile graphic novel about being true to yourself and breaking traditions.

Formats:

eBook, Graphic Novel, Kindle

Description

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Marlene loves three things: books, Her cool Tía Ruby and hanging out with her best friend Camila. But according to her mother, Paola, the only thing she needs to focus on is school and "growing up." That means straightening her hair every weekend so she could have "presentable good hair." But Marlene hates being in the salon and doesn't understand why her curls are not considered pretty by those around her. With a few hiccups, a dash of embarrassment,...

5) Cat Kid Comic Club: 4,Collaborations

Author

Pilkey, Dav

Series

Cat Kid Comic Club volume 1

Notes

Kristen's Pick - It's an entertaining continuation of the Cat Kid Comic Club series.

Description

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"Excitement and imagination run wild as Naomi, Melvin, Poppy, Gilbert, Curly, and their siblings get back to making comics with originality and laughter. But wait--have they cleaned their rooms yet?! After their chores, the rambunctious group presents even more amazing mini-comics. By working together, the baby frogs discover that small things can have a huge impact."--

6) I want to be mad for a while!

Author

Saltzberg, Barney

Notes

Kristen's Pick - Short, sweet and to the point on why sometimes you just need to be mad for a while.

Description

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Sometimes it helps when we talk. Sometimes there's nothing to say. I just need a little alone time to make the mad go away. Discover a universally relatable story about one little cat who just wants to be MAD . . . at least for a little while.

7) The pigeon will ride the roller coaster!

Author

Willems, Mo

Series

Pigeon (Picture books) volume 8

Notes

Kristen's Pick - The always funny Mo Willems shares another Pigeon tale :)

Description

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Pigeon experiences an emotional loop-de-loop as he anticipates his turn to ride the roller coaster.

8) Cats can

Author

Thong, Roseanne

Notes

Kristen's Pick - Super cute book about all the things our furry friends get into!

Description

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This picture book shows that cats and kids are more alike than we think.

9) Pete the cat plays hide-and-seek

Author

Dean, Kim

Series

Pete the cat picture books (James Dean)

Notes

Kristen's Pick - Cute book about a fun game! Pete the Cat is always a great read!

Formats:

Book, Vox Book

Description

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Pete the Cat loves to play hide-and-seek! When his friends hide, Pete covers his eyes and counts to 10. He opens them and just knows he will find them soon. But finding his friends may be harder than Pete thought. Are they behind a tree or on a bus? Or will Pete give up? Find out how Pete learns to chill out in this cool story full of surprises at every peek!

10) Nothing more to tell

Author

McManus, Karen M

Series

Thorndike Press youth large print

Notes

Kristen's Pick - Another edge of your seat mystery from McManus!

Formats:

Book, eAudiobook, eBook, Kindle, Large Print, Pre-loaded Audio

Description

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"Four years ago, Brynn left Saint Ambrose School following the shocking murder of her favorite teacher--a story that made headlines after the teacher's body was found by three Saint Ambrose students in the woods behind their school. The case was never solved. Now that Brynn is moving home and starting her dream internship at a true-crime show, she's determined to find out what really happened. The kids who found Mr. Larkin are her way in, and her...

11) I'm glad my mom died

Author

McCurdy, Jennette

Notes

Kristen's Pick: An absolute page-turner! Felt really bad that this was her life, but she is working on becoming her own person!

Formats:

Book, Audiobook CD, eAudiobook, eBook, Kindle

Description

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"A heartbreaking and hilarious memoir by iCarly and Sam & Cat star Jennette McCurdy about her struggles as a former child actor--including eating disorders, addiction, and a complicated relationship with her overbearing mother--and how she retook control of her life. Jennette McCurdy was six years old when she had her first acting audition. Her mother's dream was for her only daughter to become a star, and Jennette would do anything to make her mother...

12) Wolves at our door

Notes

Becca's pick-I saw this amazing documentary from Jim Dutcher and his wife about the complex nature of wolves when I was in college and recently re watched it as it had captivated me in my college days. As it is difficult to capture wolf social behavior in the wild, these two filmmakers raised wolf pups (only to gain their trust, not as pets) and show the gentler, playful, social, and trusting nature of wolves we don't often see. This made me change how I viewed these magestic animals.

Description

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Filmmaker Jim Dutcher and his wife Jamie lived with gray wolves for three years to make this documentary, and their work reveals complex social behavior never before captured on film. You'll observe the dominance of the pack's alpha male and the submissiveness of the omega wolf. You'll see the pack initiate new members, and witness the critical moment when the alpha selects a mate. Perhaps most incredible is the bond developed between the wolves and...

13) Birds of California: a novel

Author

Cotugno, Katie

Notes

Kristen's Pick - It's a quick romantic read!

Formats:

Book, Audiobook CD, eAudiobook, eBook

Description

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"Former child actor Fiona St. James dropped out of the spotlight after a spectacularly public crash and burn. The tabloids called her crazy and self-destructive and said she'd lost her mind. Now in her late twenties, Fiona believes her humiliating past is firmly behind her. She's finally regained a modicum of privacy, and she won't let anything--or anyone--mess it up. Unlike Fiona, Sam Fox, who played her older brother on the popular television show...

14) This may end badly

Author

Markum, Samantha

Notes

Kristen's Pick - Great debut novel about a private school rivalry and a family rivalry as well.

Formats:

Book, eAudiobook

Description

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Seventeen-year-old pranking mastermind Doe Saltpeter abandons her plans to win a rivalry with the neighboring boys' school and instead joins forces with her enemies to protect a younger student from a teacher's inappropriate behavior.

15) The Office BFFs: tales of The Office from two best friends who were there

Author

Fischer, Jenna

Notes

Kristen's Pick: Sweet and funny recollections from two of the stars of the hit show "The Office" .

Formats:

Book, Audiobook CD, eAudiobook, eBook, Kindle

Description

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"An intimate, behind-the-scenes, richly illustrated celebration of beloved The Office co-stars Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey's friendship, and an insiders' view of Pam Beesly, Angela Martin, and the iconic TV show. Featuring many of their never-before-seen photos"-- "Despite portraying Dunder Mifflin frenemies Pam Beesly and Angela Martin on the hit television show The Office, Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey have been best friends for over eighteen...

16) Unmasked: my life solving America's cold cases

Author

Holes, Paul

Notes

Kristen's Pick: Interesting look into the world of solving cold cases from one of the best.

Formats:

Book, eAudiobook, eBook, Kindle

Description

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"From the detective who found The Golden State Killer, a memoir of investigating America's toughest cold cases and the rewards--and toll--of a life solving crime. I order another bourbon, neat. This is the drink that will flip the switch. I don't even know how I got here, to this place, to this point. Something is happening to me lately. I'm drinking too much. My sheets are soaking wet when I wake up from nightmares of decaying corpses. I order another...

17) Mexican gothic

Author

Moreno-Garcia, Silvia

Notes

Becca's pick-- A masterful gothic tale with thrills and suspense set in 1950's Mexico. The herione, Noemi, may be a socialite debutante but she is no frail flower and as she uncovers the horrors of High Place, her strong will and determination to escape (along with recusing her cousin Catalina) had me cheering her on.

Formats:

Book, eAudiobook, eBook, Kindle, Kit, Large Print

Description

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After receiving a frantic letter from her newly-wed cousin begging for someone to save her from a mysterious doom, Noemi Taboada heads to High Place, a distant house in the Mexican countryside. She's not sure what she will find--her cousin's husband, a handsome Englishman, is a stranger, and Noemi knows little about the region. Noemi is also an unlikely rescuer: She's a glamorous debutante, and her chic gowns and perfect red lipstick are more suited...

18) Anansi boys

Author

Gaiman, Neil

Series

Thorndike Press large print basic

Notes

Jes' Pick - This book is a super funny urban-fantasy-adjacent companion to American Gods. It's a breezy read and honestly totally worth experiencing as a stand-alone.

Formats:

Book, Audiobook CD, eAudiobook, eBook, Kindle, Large Print, Pre-loaded Audio

Description

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Charles Fat Charlie Nancy leads a normal, boring existence in London. However, when he calls the U.S. to invite his estranged father to his wedding, he learns that the man just died. After jetting off to Florida for the funeral, Charlie not only discovers a brother he didn't know he had, but also learns that his father was the West African trickster god, Anansi. Charlie's brother, who possesses his own magical powers, later visits him at home and...

19) XOXO

Author

Oh, Axie

Notes

Denise's Pick - If you love K-pop and K-dramas, this sweet young adult romance is for you!

Formats:

Book, Audiobook CD, eAudiobook, eBook

Description

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Cello prodigy Jenny's goal is to get into a prestigious music conservatory. When she meets Jaewoo in her uncle's Los Angeles karaoke bar, it's clear he is the kind of boy who would uproot her careful plans. In a moment of spontaneity she allows him to pull her out of her comfort zone for one unforgettable night of adventure-- before he disappears without a word. Three months later, when Jenny and her mother arrive in South Korea to take care of her...

20) People we meet on vacation

Author

Henry, Emily

Notes

Denise's Pick - A friends-to-lovers romance that delivers on the trope. Perfect beach read!

Formats:

Book, eAudiobook, eBook, Kindle, Large Print

Description

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"From the New York Times bestselling author of Beach Read, a sparkling new novel that will leave you with the warm, hazy afterglow usually reserved for the best vacations. Poppy and Alex. Alex and Poppy. They have nothing in common. She's a wild child; he wears khakis. She has insatiable wanderlust; he prefers to stay home with a book. And somehow, ever since a fateful car share home from college many years ago, they are the very best of friends....