Patch Picks: Port Jeff Librarians Share New and Notable Book Suggestions

Every year around Dr. Seuss’ birthday on March 2 the National Education Association promotes its National Read Across America campaign with activities and events to promote reading.

This year, First Lady Michele Obama and NEA President Dennis Van Roekel hosted about 400 schoolchildren and a star-studden line up of readers to the Library of Congress to kickoff Read Across America.

Closer to home, Patch asked librarians from to give us a few suggestions off of their reading lists for children, teens and adults. See below for the list of what to read when you’re ready to cozy up with a good book.

Of Thee I Sing by Barack Obama

This beautifully illustrated book takes the form of a letter to President Obama’s two daughters. Each page starts with a statement of affirmation (“Did I ever tell you that you are …?”) followed by a description of an American that embodies the stated virtue.  For example, “…you are creative” is accompanied by an illustration and brief description of Georgia O’Keefe.

Quietly tender and supportive, this book begs to be shared by parents and their children who need to know that greatness lies within us all.

Justin Fisher Declares War! by James Preller

Justin Fisher became the class clown after he turned a potentially embarrassing event as a new student into a joke.  All goes well until the beginning of fifth grade, when he begins to notice that his constant kidding and snide comments are wearing thin with his teacher, principal, and most importantly, his classmates.  The story of how he changes his attitude and actions is fast paced and funny – ideal for an 8 – 10 year-old boy looking for a good read.

The Adventures of Ook and Gluk: Kung-Fu Cavemen From the Future by Dav Pilkey

In the year 500,001 BC in the small town of Caveland, Ohio, Ook and Gluck discover that an evil, Goppernopper corporation from the future is going to Ook and Cluck’s time to steal things! They will not stand for such wrongdoing! So they use a time portal and set out on an adventure to end the Goppernoppers! Along the way they master Kung-Fu, and make some new friends. This book has everything, “Action, Laughs and Flip-O-Rama!” Captain Underpants fans, this is the book for you!

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

In a future North America, where the rulers of Panem maintain control through an annual televised survival competition pitting young people from each of the twelve districts against one another, sixteen-year-old Katniss's skills are put to the test when she voluntarily takes her younger sister's place.

Wake by Lisa McMann

Ever since she was eight years old, high school student Janie Hannagan has been uncontrollably drawn into other people's dreams, but it is not until she befriends an elderly nursing home patient and becomes involved with an enigmatic fellow-student that she discovers her true power.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

Arnold Spirit is a goofy-looking dork with a decent jump shot. He spends his time lamenting his life on Spokane Indian reservation. As a budding cartoonist Junior leaves his troubled school on the Spokane Indian Reservation to attend an all-white farm town school where the only other Indian is the school mascot.

Tick Tock (Book 4 in the Michael Bennet Mysteries series) by James Patterson and Neil McMahon

From the author’s website: NYC's #1 detective, Michael Bennett, has a huge problem—the Son of Sam, the Werewolf of Wisteria and the Mad Bomber are all back. The city has never been more terrified!

Minding Frankie by Maeve Binchy

From the author’s website: Baby Frankie is born into an unusual family. Her mother is desperate to find someone to take care of her child and she doesn’t have much time. Noel doesn’t seem to be the most promising of fathers but despite everything, he could well be Frankie’s best hope. As for Lisa, she is prepared to give up everything for the man she loves; surely he’s going to love her back? And Moira is having none of it. She knows what’s right, and has the power to change the course of Frankie’s life . . . but Moira is hiding secrets of her own.

Minding Frankie is a story about unconventional families, relationships, which aren’t quite what they seem, and the child at the heart of everyone’s lives.

Decision Points by George W. Bush

From the publisher’s website: Decision Points is the extraordinary account of America's 43rd president. Shattering the conventions of political autobiography, George W. Bush offers a strikingly candid journey through the defining decisions of his life.

In gripping, never-before-heard detail, President Bush brings readers inside the Texas Governor's Mansion on the night of the hotly contested 2000 election; aboard Air Force One on 9/11, in the hours after America's most devastating attack since Pearl Harbor; at the head of the table in the Situation Room in the moments before launching the war in Iraq; and behind the Oval Office desk for his historic and controversial decisions on the financial crisis, Hurricane Katrina, Afghanistan, Iran, and other issues that have shaped the first decade of the twenty-first century.