Staff Picks - LibGuides at Boulder Public Library

Ellie recommends These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

07/10/2025

Boulder Library

fantasy, historical fiction, romance, .Guest Post, .Teen Picks, Ellie, 9th Grade

I absolutely LOVED These Violent Delights and it's sequel, Our Violent Ends. Based off of Romeo and Juliet (but with gangs), it's a great historical enemies-to-lovers romance set in 1920's Shanghai. I loved the strong female main character and engaging plot, as well as the political elements that are sprinkled throughout. It was incredibly well written, and still managed to have surprising plot twists, despite it being a retelling. I'll definitely be reading it again sometime soon.

Publisher's description:

In 1926 Shanghai, eighteen-year-old Juliette Cai, heir of the Scarlet Gang, and her first love-turned-rival Roma Montagov, leader of the White Flowers, must work together when mysterious deaths threaten their city.

Find These Violent Delights 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.

Izzy recommends Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

05/29/2025

Boulder Library

autobiography, humor, .Guest Post, Isabella, Teen Volunteer

Born a Crime is a hilarious and heartbreaking autobiography about Trevor Noah. It tells about Trevor’s childhood, mischief, and curiosity, woven with the challenges of apartheid. He struggles with fitting in with his classmates, as well as in his family, when his stepdad comes into the picture. His resilience keeps his relationship with his mom steady and respectful throughout his life. This book was very impactful and not just about surviving in a difficult world, but about finding humor, hope, and the strength to survive the worst-case scenario.

Publisher's Description:

One of the comedy world's fastest-rising stars tells his wild coming of age story during the twilight of apartheid in South Africa and the tumultuous days of freedom that followed.

Find Born a Crime 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.

Izzy recommends The Martian by Andy Weir

05/15/2025

Boulder Library

science fiction, thrillers, suspense, .Guest Post, Isabella, Teen Volunteer

The Martian, a survival story unlike any other, surprised me because of how entertaining the story could be, intertwined with so much technical and scientific detail. Mark Watney, a 42-year-old man, gets stranded on Mars in a novel set in the near future. His experience with botany and mechanical engineering was all he had to survive on a planet, completely alone. With his humor being his closest friend, he calculates what he needs to survive, which includes many, many days of only eating potatoes. Mark’s creativity and optimism make it possible for him to fight any challenges that Mars throws at him. But will this let him live long enough to be rescued? This sci-fi novel weaves together a story of resilience and humor that keeps you on the edge of your seat, both terrified and amused, rooting for Mark through his journey on Mars.

Publisher's Description:

Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars. Now, he's sure he'll be the first person to die there. After a dust storm nearly kills him and forces his crew to evacuate while thinking him dead, Mark finds himself stranded and completely alone with no way to even signal Earth that he's alive -- and even if he could get word out, his supplies would be gone long before a rescue could arrive. Chances are, though, he won't have time to starve to death. The damaged machinery, unforgiving environment, or plain-old 'human error' are much more likely to kill him first. But Mark isn't ready to give up yet. Drawing on his ingenuity, his engineering skills -- and a relentless, dogged refusal to quit -- he steadfastly confronts one seemingly insurmountable obstacle after the next. Will his resourcefulness be enough to overcome the impossible odds against him?

Find The Martian in our online catalog.

Izzy recommends The Girl from the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag

05/08/2025

Boulder Library

fantasy, teen, juvenile graphic novels, .Guest Post, LGBTQIA+, Isabella, Teen Volunteer

The Girl from the Sea is an inspiring bildungsroman about a 15-year-old girl, Morgan Kwon, who struggles with coming out to her family and close friends. During the summer, she unexpectedly meets another girl, and while Morgan falls in love, her plans seem to fall apart. She is learning more about herself while trying to keep her relationship a secret. The captivating pictures express strong emotions and help weave the story of this brilliant graphic novel. With exciting plot twists and conflicts, this book is hard to put down once you start reading it.

Publisher's Description:

Fifteen-year-old Morgan has a secret: She can't wait to escape the perfect little island where she lives. She's desperate to finish high school and escape her sad divorced mom, her volatile little brother, and worst of all, her great group of friends...who don't understand Morgan at all. Because really, Morgan's biggest secret is that she has a lot of secrets, including the one about wanting to kiss another girl. Then one night, Morgan is saved from drowning by a mysterious girl named Keltie. The two become friends and suddenly life on the island doesn't seem so stifling anymore. But Keltie has some secrets of her own. And as the girls start to fall in love, everything they're each trying to hide will find its way to the surface...whether Morgan is ready or not.

Find The Girl from the Sea in our online catalog.

Silver recommends Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

04/17/2025

Boulder Library

fantasy, thrillers, .Guest Post, .Teen Picks, .Silver

If you like found family, a touch (ok, more than a touch) of weapons, crime, and drama, this is the book for you. While it’s the first of a stunning duology, it has so much packed into it and has really interesting world building based loosely on the real world AND LANGUAGES!!! There’s also a show based on it and another series (same universe, the Grishaverse) that’s really cool and the fandom is very nice. I’ve still yet to find a series or book similar to this but OML, it’s so much fun -- I highly recommend reading it!!

Publisher's Description:

Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right pric©♭€”and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can't pull it off alone. . . . A convict with a thirst for revenge. A sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager. A runaway with a privileged past. A spy known as the Wraith. A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums. A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes. Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz's crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction--if they don't kill each other first.

Find Six of Crows in our online catalog.

Silver recommends Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

04/10/2025

Boulder Library

horror, .Guest Post, .Teen Picks, Latinx, LGBTQIA+, .Silver

Cemetery Boys is such an amazing read, this stand-alone book is queer and trans but also has magic and Latinx culture that combined into an incredible book. I’ve read it at least three times and every time it hits me hard and it isn’t even that sad. There’s cute pets, interesting culture and references, and a coming of age aspect that didn’t feel super cringy and awkward. I’d say They Both Die in the End is kind of similar but also not really, it’s such a unique book to me, however The Sunbearer Trials, also by Aiden Thomas is really good and is kind of a mix of Percy Jackson and The Hunger Games while also being trans and Latinx.

Publisher's Description:

Yadriel, a trans boy, summons the angry spirit of his high school's bad boy, and agrees to help him learn how he died, thereby proving himself a brujo, not a bruja, to his conservative family.

Find Cemetery Boys in our online catalog.