Staff Picks - LibGuides at Boulder Public Library

Rocco recommends When the World was Ours by Liz Kessler

07/03/2025

Boulder Library

historical fiction, friendship, juvenile fiction, .Teen Picks, Rocco, 12th Grade

Beautiful book, but most definitely not for the faint of heart, it describes the struggles of the Jewish children living in Vienna in 1936 when Nazi influence was on the rise. When the World was Ours is a great way to get an in depth perspective on each child’s experience. Absolutely love this book, it was my favorite for quite a while, but I wouldn’t recommend it to younger people, or anyone with sensitivities towards violence and child abuse. This book is pretty dark and has some heavy subjects like death and Nazis, but I do feel it’s important that youths read it.

Publisher's description:

Vienna. 1936. Three young friends—Leo, Elsa, and Max—spend a perfect day together, unaware that around them Europe is descending into a growing darkness and that they will soon be cruelly ripped apart from one another. With their lives taking them across Europe—to Germany, England, Prague, and Poland—will they ever find their way back to one another? Will they want to?

Find When the World was Ours in our online catalog.

Corey recommends The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin

06/26/2025

Boulder Library

friendship, juvenile fiction, .Guest Post, grief, .Corey, Teen Volunteer

The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin is a beautifully written and emotionally powerful novel that captures the complexity of grief, friendship, and growing up through the eyes of a thoughtful young girl named Suzy. After the sudden death of her best friend, Suzy becomes convinced that a rare jellyfish sting might be the cause, and her journey to prove it is both scientific and deeply personal. Benjamin’s writing is lyrical and full of heart, blending fascinating facts about marine biology with a moving exploration of loss and healing. Suzy’s voice is honest, intelligent, and quietly brave, making her an unforgettable narrator. This book is a celebration of curiosity, resilience, and the quiet magic of the natural world—it’s the kind of story that stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page.

Publisher's description:

Twelve-year-old Suzy Swanson wades through her intense grief over the loss of her best friend by investigating the rare jellyfish she is convinced was responsible for her friend's death.

Find The Thing About Jellyfish in our online catalog.

Corey recommends Unraveled by Shannon Messenger

06/12/2025

Boulder Library

fantasy, juvenile fiction, .Guest Post, .Corey, Teen Volunteer

Unraveled by Shannon Messenger is an absolutely breathtaking addition to the Keeper of the Lost Cities series, and it’s easily one of the most intense, emotional, and gripping entries yet. The story dives deeper into Sophie’s struggles than ever before, blending high-stakes action with powerful character growth and jaw-dropping twists that will leave readers reeling. The emotional depth is unmatched—filled with heartbreak, fierce loyalty, and just the right amount of romantic tension to keep your heart racing. Messenger’s writing shines with sharp dialogue, vivid worldbuilding, and a sense of urgency that never lets up. As the characters face impossible decisions and dark secrets come to light, you can feel the series maturing alongside its readers. Whether you’ve been a fan from the start or are catching up, Unraveled proves that this story still has so much more to give—and it’s more magical, intense, and unforgettable than ever.

Publisher's description:

Please be careful. Please be happy. And PLEASE forget all about me. It'll be better for everyone that way. Those were the last words Keefe Sencen wrote to Sophie Foster before he ran away to the Forbidden Cities. He didn't want to leave, but it was the only way to keep his friends safe while he figured out how to control his scary new powers and searched for answers about his past. What he found was so much more than adventures in Humanland. Where did he go? What did he do? And who did he meet while the rest of his friends worked to solve the mystery of Stellarlune? The answers go far beyond anything anyone could have ever imagined and give Keefe the power to change his destiny.

Find Unraveled in our online catalog.

Corey recommends Counting By 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan

06/05/2025

Boulder Library

juvenile fiction, .Guest Post, .Corey, Teen Volunteer

Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan is an extraordinary and heartwarming novel that masterfully blends intelligence, emotion, and resilience into a story that captivates readers of all ages. With its unforgettable protagonist, Willow Chance—a brilliantly gifted and quirky twelve-year-old—this book explores themes of loss, healing, and the power of human connection in a way that feels both deeply personal and universally inspiring. Sloan’s storytelling is beautifully nuanced, weaving together moments of profound sadness and uplifting hope with humor and compassion. Every page invites readers to see the world through Willow’s unique perspective, reminding us of the extraordinary strength found in kindness, understanding, and perseverance. Counting by 7s is not just a book—it’s an unforgettable journey that leaves a lasting impact on your heart and mind, making it a must-read for anyone who loves stories that celebrate the triumph of the human spirit.

Publisher's description:

Willow Chance is a twelve-year-old genius, obsessed with nature and diagnosing medical conditions, who finds it comforting to count by 7s. It has never been easy for her to connect with anyone other than her adoptive parents, but that hasn’t kept her from leading a quietly happy life . . . until now. Suddenly Willow’s world is tragically changed when her parents both die in a car crash, leaving her alone in a baffling world. The triumph of this book is that it is not a tragedy. This extraordinarily odd, but extraordinarily endearing, girl manages to push through her grief. Her journey to find a fascinatingly diverse and fully believable surrogate family is a joy and a revelation to read.

Find Counting by 7s in our online catalog.

A. recommends Darkstalker by Tui Sutherland

05/27/2025

Boulder Library

children's, fantasy, staff family pick, juvenile fiction

I loved this book! It's the story of an ambitious dragon who might be destined for evil. It seems like it's for older kids than the Wings of Fire: Original Series.

Publisher's description:

Long before the SandWing and the Dragonet Prophecy, Darkstalker, half NightWing and half IceWing, is hatched under the three moons--born into a divided heritage, he is destined to become the most powerful and dangerous dragon Pyrrhia will ever know, and it will take the combined efforts of a SeaWing named Fatham and a NightWing seer named Clearsight to come up with a way to save all the kingdoms from his anger.

Find Darkstalker in our online catalog.

Izzy recommends Th1rteen R3asons Why by Jay Asher

05/22/2025

Boulder Library

juvenile fiction, .Guest Post, Isabella, Teen Volunteer

Th1rteen R3asons Why is an emotional and tragic book. It portrays Clay, a sophomore in high school, who receives a box of tapes with a shocking story. When Hanna Baker’s voice pierces his heart through the tapes, he realizes that there are many reasons behind her passing, and he may be one of them. The novel doesn’t offer easy answers, which is what makes it so impactful. It is a difficult story because it brings awareness to how you should treat people. You never know what they’re going through, which is easy to forget. This book was heartbreaking, but very engaging as you follow Clay while he listens to the thirteen tapes of a girl who used to go to his school.

Publisher's Description:

When high school student Clay Jenkins receives a box in the mail containing thirteen cassette tapes recorded by his classmate Hannah, who committed suicide, he spends a bewildering and heartbreaking night crisscrossing their town, listening to Hannah's voice recounting the events leading up to her death.

Find Th1rteen R3asons Why in our online catalog.

Carrie recommends The Girl and the Robot by Oz Rodriguez and Claribel Ortega

04/28/2025

Boulder Library

children's, science fiction, juvenile fiction, Latinx, .Carrie's reviews

Four Brooklyn middle schoolers race against time to save a baby robot after it crash-lands from outer space. Funny and action-packed, the story centers on Mimi Perez, a 12-year-old coping with the recent loss of her Papi to deportation. Mimi has always loved tinkering thanks to Papi's electronics repair shop, and she and her friends must use all their tech and street smarts to outwit government agents and reunite the little robot with its parental units. From hidden-robot hijinks to hilarious money-making schemes, the scrappy friend group is impossible not to root for, while a supporting cast of caring adults adds warmth and humor. This book will appeal greatly to both striving and precocious readers around 8-12 years old, and would make a terrific follow-up for fans of The Wild Robot.

Publisher's description:

E.T. meets cult classic The Iron Giant in this middle grade light sci-fi from Emmy Award-winner Oz Rodriguez and New York Times best-selling author Claribel A. Ortega, perfect for fans of Witchlings.

Find The Girl and the Robot in our online catalog.

Terzah recommends Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell

03/24/2025

Carrie Wolfson

children's, fantasy, juvenile fiction

This is a great read for kids in upper elementary and middle school who love fantasy. Beasts of legend and fast-moving adventures grab you, and the end is genuinely moving. The author's scholarly cred comes through, but not in an over-the-top way. Hoping for a sequel!

Publisher description:

The day that Christopher saved a drowning baby griffin from a hidden lake would change his life forever. It’s the day he learned about the Archipelago—a cluster of unmapped islands where magical creatures of every kind have thrived for thousands of years, until now. And it’s the day he met Mal—a girl on the run, in desperate need of his help. Mal and Christopher embark on a wild adventure, racing from island to island, searching for someone who can explain why the magic is fading and why magical creatures are suddenly dying. They consult sphinxes, battle kraken, and negotiate with dragons. But the closer they get to the dark truth of what’s happening, the clearer it becomes: no one else can fix this. If the Archipelago is to be saved, Mal and Christopher will have to do it themselves.

Find Impossible Creatures in our online catalog

Bridger recommends Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

02/25/2025

Boulder Library

children's, juvenile fiction, ability diverse, .Bridger's reviews

This book is so stinking cute. I can't recommend it enough to young readers and parents alike. Mr. Daniels is an excellent model for unconditional support, and Ally's perseverance is inspiring! This book is a great reminder that we are all capable of accomplishing difficult things, even if they don't come easily.

Publisher's description:

Ally has been smart enough to fool a lot of smart people. Every time she lands in a new school, she is able to hide her inability to read by creating clever yet disruptive distractions. She is afraid to ask for help; after all, how can you cure dumb? However, her newest teacher Mr. Daniels sees the bright, creative kid underneath the troublemaker. With his help, Ally learns not to be so hard on herself and that dyslexia is nothing to be ashamed of. As her confidence grows, Ally feels free to be herself and the world starts opening up with possibilities. She discovers that there’s a lot more to her—and to everyone—than a label, and that great minds don’t always think alike.

Find Fish in a Tree in our online catalog.

Corey recommends Top Story by Kelly Yang

01/23/2025

Boulder Library

family life, immigrants, juvenile fiction, .Guest Post, .Teen Picks

Oh, Top Story from the Front Desk series by Kelly Yang is so good! It's like the perfect mix of funny, heartwarming, and dealing with real stuff. If you loved Front Desk, you'll totally love this one, too. The main character, Mia Tang, is super relatable and inspiring. She’s super smart and works so hard, and she always stands up for what’s right, even when it’s hard. What makes Top Story even cooler is how it talks about big things like racism, fighting for justice, and learning how to speak up for yourself, but it still feels like an adventure. You really root for Mia the whole time!

Publisher's description:

Mia Tang is at the top of her game. She's spending winter break with Mom, Lupe, Jason, and Hank in San Francisco's Chinatown! Rich with history and hilarious aunties and uncles, it's the place to find a great story--one she hopes to publish while attending journalism camp at the Tribune. But this trip has as many bumps as the hills of San Francisco . . .

Find Top Story in our online catalog.