Children’s Reads

By Tamra Headrick, Library Assistant, Youth Services

Healthy Food for Dylan

By Sarah, Duchess of York

If Dylan had his way, he’d have French fries for every meal, every day –and that makes his mom unhappy. Then his cousin Abby visits and shows Dylan a clever new way to prepare food that’s good for you … and fun to eat, too! (Ages 5+)

Adult Reads

Otis and the Tornado

By Loren Long

Otis and his farm friends are enjoying a summer’s day playing their favorite game. Suddenly, the day turns frightening: It’s a tornado! Otis rouses a game of follow-the-leader to get all of the farm animals safe and sound in the dried-up riverbanks of Mud Creek. (Ages 3+)

The Incredible Pop-Up Body Book

By Richard Walker

Discover the body and its functions, from brains and blood vessels to skin and skeleton. When kids are done reading all about the human body and its functions, they can continue to study it with a four-foot, fold-out human body model. (Ages 10+)

By Mary Biscuso, Library Assistant, Adult Services

Trapped: How the World Rescued 33 Miners from 2,000 Feet Below the Chilean Desert

By Marc Aronson

In August 2010, a mine collapsed in Chile and 33 miners were trapped 2,000 feet below the surface. After 69 days they were finally rescued, and the world watched and rejoiced in the amazing spirit and determination of the miners. (Ages 10+)

Inside Out and Back Again

By Thanhha Lai

Written in poetry, this 2011 National Book Award winner chronicles the story of Ha’ and her family as they flee South Vietnam during the fall of Saigon. As refugees, they struggle to learn a new language and adapt to life in Alabama. (Ages 8+)

In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto

By Michael Pollan

In this fascinating treatise on food and eating, Pollan distills the whole what-should-Ieat dilemma into seven words of wisdom: “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.”

Food Matters: A Guide to Conscious Eating

By Mark Bittman

If asked, most of us would agree that we want to shrink our carbon footprint, eat more healthfully and buy local. Celebrity chef Bittman tells us how to accomplish the above, and includes 77 tasty recipes that will appeal to a variety of taste buds.

Once Upon a River

By Bonnie Jo Campbell

Margo Crane is a teenager who shows a steely determination when she finds herself fighting for survival in rural Michigan. After the untimely death of her father, Margo must fend for herself along the aptly-named Stark River, with only her grandfather’s boat, a rifle and a copy of her favorite childhood book, a biography of her heroine, Annie Oakley.

Missed Connections: Love, Lost & Found

By Sophie Blackall

Blackall has illustrated her favorite entries from the well-known Craigslist New York postings. Some favorites: “We shared a bear costume at an apartment party last Saturday” and “Hot Toll Collector.” Best known as the illustrator for the popular children’s series Ivy and Bean, Blackall’s illustrations showcase her talents for grown-ups.

I Thought You Would Be Funnier

By Shannon Wheeler

Eisner-winner Wheeler, a frequent contributor to The New Yorker magazine, has compiled a short collection of comics that ended up on the cutting room floor. But don’t assume that these funnies are in any way inferior – they may be just too funny for the New Yorker crowd.

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