June Staff Picks

Lectura de verano is in full swing at Crawfordsville District Public Library, and our staff have plenty of book recommendations for all ages to help you meet your reading goals!

For our chapter book readers, our Children’s Librarian Karen recommends “Restart” (j FIC Kor) by bestselling author Gordon Korman. This is a great book on bullying and friendship with Korman’s wonderful humor threaded throughout. For kids who love fairy tales and fantasy adventures, Lenae recommends “The School for Good and Evil” by Soman Chainani (j FIC Cha v.1). This is the first in a popular fantasy series and is now also a major Netflix movie. Lenae also recommends “The Green Ember” by S.D. Smith (j FIC Smi v.1), a lovely adventure story about sword-bearing rabbits, quests, and finding your courage. Great for animal lovers age 7 and up.

For a nonfiction children’s book, Karen recommends “All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team” by Christina Soontornvat (j 796.525 Soontornvat). This award-winning book covers this true story in a way that is suspenseful, but also includes the scientific and engineering rescue details.

For teens, Lenae recommends “Between the Lines” by bestselling author Jodi Picoult and her daughter Samantha Van Leer (YA FIC Pic). In this charming and clever story, a reader gets to meet her favorite story’s Prince Charming. Lenae also highly recommends the do-not-miss fantasy “Throne of Glass” by Sarah J. Maas (YA FIC Maa), first book in the Throne of Glass series. For teens who love a good YA thriller, Hannah says to check out “The Cheerleaders” by Kara Thomas (YA FIC Tho): YA thriller. Search for it on Libby or pick it up at the library!

For adults, Ashlyn recommends “The Auction” by Sadie Kincaid (FIC Kincaid Wages v.1). This spicy dark romance is perfect for readers who love H.D. Carlton and Sable Sorensen. For a more classic fantasy, Chris recommends “Beyond” by Mercedes Lackey (FIC Lackey Foundling v.1), and says it is a “great prequel to an amazing series.”

If you love science fiction, you can’t miss Hugo and Nebula-winning author Martha Wells. Susanna loved reading “Platform Decay” (FIC Wells Murderbot v.8): “This is the newest entry in Well’s hit series, The Murderbot Diaries. Our reluctant hero must undertake yet another rescue mission, struggling against ruthless pirates, many forms of transportation, and of course, its own emotions.” If you haven’t started the series yet, begin with “All Systems Red” (FIC Wells Murderbot v.1).

You can find these titles and more on display on the second floor of the library this month. We also have several other books on display on the first and second floor. If you haven’t signed up for a Summer Reading Challenge yet, there is still plenty of time! Challenges for all ages continue through July 7. Track your reading this summer to earn prizes. Kids & Teens can visit the Youth Services desk to pick up a paper copy of the Buggy About Books reading challenge or visit cdpl.beanstack.com to complete the challenge online. There are also other fun activities in our Children’s Area all summer. Adults can visit the second floor to pick up a paper copy of the Unearth a Story reading challenge or visit cdpl.beanstack.com to complete the challenge online.

The Library is now open again on Fridays. Our hours this summer are Monday-Thursday 10am-8pm and Friday-Saturday 10am-5pm, with Sundays closed. Stop by to explore the numerous events we have going on this summer, discover some great books, and get the whole family reading this summer!