Book Lists

Superheroes are great and all, but there are some awesome graphic novels out there that don’t include them at all! For example, did you know you can read about history in a graphic novel? Realistic Fiction? Fairy tales? Check out some of our favorites below and open up your comic universe.

Do you love books like the Harry Potter series, where magic exists just beneath the surface of the rational world? Magical realism is a genre in art that blends fantastical elements with every day occurrences. It’s also a very popular genre in teen literature! Check out a few librarian picks below.

Just can’t wait for the end of the school year? Get into the summer spirit with these romantic YA reads.

Did you know that the library has all kinds of comics available for checkout? Take a look at the list below that highlights some of our favorite Marvel characters.

Looking to improve your communication skills? How about resolve conflicts with family effectively? Need ideas for activities to keep your children entertained during the long summer months?  Come to the interactive "We Love our Family: Fun Tips for Resolving Conflicts and Getting Along!" workshop.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Check out these fiction and nonfiction YA titles that depict people coping with mental illnesses, and help reduce the stigma associated with these health issues.

Looking for a magical story that's familiar, yet different? Check out these new takes on iconic fairy tales!

March is National Women's Herstory Month! Celebrate by checking out these powerful reads about powerful women!  

Here are some great graphic novels based on popular TV shows and movies!  From turtles to dinosaurs, from sky bison to UFOs, if you loved watching them on screen, you'll want to check out these graphic novels featuring the characters we know and love. These are graphic novels that you can check out and read from anywhere on a computer, tablet, or smart phone using our ComicsPlus database!  All you need is your Alvin Sherman Library Card!  

Periods of social unrest can be difficult to understand and especially to live through; still, they make up the fabric of our nation.  For generations, protest and social activism have taken on many shapes and forms and have helped to create the world we live in today.   This book list, which includes books for even the very young  (found toward the top of the list and proceeding in order toward books for teens) highlights some of the people and events, both well-known and obscure, that have brought about change in the world.

Sometimes it’s great to get a new take on an old classic!  If you liked these classic novels, check out the graphic novel adaptations and see how they compare to the originals! These are all graphic novels that you can check out and read from anywhere on a computer, tablet, or smart phone using our ComicsPlus database!  All you need is your Alvin Sherman Library Card!

The Bard may have written some of the most famous works of all time, but YA authors are not afraid to twist his stories for contemporary audiences!  Check out the books below that feature some fabulous Shakespearean elements.

According to Goodreads.com, a “YA Space Opera” is defined as a science-fiction based novel starring a young adult protagonist (age 12-17) on an extra-planetary or galactic scale which has a heavy emphasis on character development and (usually) beating overwhelming odds in addition to the world-building and science. Take a look at some of our favorite out-of-this-world picks below!

This book list, which includes picture books for young children (found toward the top of the list and proceeding in order toward books for teens), includes a selection of fiction and non-fiction books that deal with death, grief, and loss. For more books on these topics, please consider our bibliotherapy section, or ask to speak to a Youth Services Librarian for book recommendations.  

Read about the experiences, the clashes of culture, and the conflicts of assimilation that are faced by immigrants in today’s society. Check out the books below about teens finding their way in new surroundings!

Together, starting with an open book, let's revisit America's racial history, examine our take on the present and work together to create a future that is bright and full of equal promise for everyone. Talking about race can be hard.  This list, in order by age from toddlers to teens, offers suggested resources to help people of all ages start a conversation about race, equality and social justice in America, throughout our history and in today's climate of change and resistance to change.  

A man whose life ended too soon, Alexander Hamilton had a profound impact on the newly formed United States.  There has been renewed interest in his life and career.

Looking for a story that keeps you guessing until the very end? Check out these great YA mystery books!