Essential Reads

Recently we posed the question to our staff of experts: "What is the one book that every young person should read?" Much deliberation ensued. I am generally an honest man, so I will not lie: the discussion was heated, some words were said, and some food may or may not have been thrown. However, when the dust settled we were left with this magnificent list of quality reading material. Ignore it at your peril. *Thanks for bearing with us as the list continues to grow!*   

If I Stay By Gayle Forman Cover Image
$11.99
ISBN: 9780142415436
Availability: Not Currently On Our Shelves. Usually Ships in 1-5 Days.
Published: Speak - April 6th, 2010

A beautifully written story of a girl deciding whether or not to stay in the world of the living after a terrible accident changes her entire life.  Can the love of a boy and a passion for music make her choose life?


The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian (National Book Award Winner) By Sherman Alexie Cover Image
$16.99
ISBN: 9780316013697
Availability: Not Currently On Our Shelves. Usually Ships in 1-5 Days.
Published: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers - April 1st, 2009

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda (Origami Yoda #1) By Tom Angleberger Cover Image
$13.95
ISBN: 9780810984257
Availability: Not Currently On Our Shelves. Usually Ships in 1-5 Days.
Published: Amulet Books - March 1st, 2010

A hilarious Diary of a Wimpy Kid-esque story of a sixth grade class- complete with journal entries, doodles, and some of those awkward moments you'll never forget, but wish you could! Also includes instructions on folding your own Origami Yoda!


Annie's Adventures (The Sisters Eight #1) By Lauren Baratz-Logsted Cover Image
$6.99
ISBN: 9780547053387
Availability: Not Currently On Our Shelves. Usually Ships in 1-5 Days.
Published: Clarion Books - December 29th, 2008

The Sister's Eight is a fantastic series recounting the story of octuplets Annie, Durinda, Georgia, Jackie, Marcia, Petal, Rebecca, and Zinnia. The sisters must find their missing parents! Luckily in each book of the series, one of the sisters discovers a special power that will help her and her siblings reach that goal! This is a great
series for kids aged 7 and up!


The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy By Jeanne Birdsall Cover Image
$8.99
ISBN: 9780440420477
Availability: Not Currently On Our Shelves. Usually Ships in 1-5 Days.
Published: Yearling - March 13th, 2007

National Book Award winning The Penderwicks is one of the most charming stories you'll
ever read! With the classic feel of Frances Hodges Burnett (A Little Princess, The Secret Garden) author Jeanne Birdsall shares the story of four sisters on vacation with
their lovable dad and goofy dog. They each have very distinct personalities, and with love for each other they experience all of the adventures and misadventures a vacation
can bring!


Eon By Alison Goodman Cover Image
$14.99
ISBN: 9780142417119
Availability: Not Currently On Our Shelves. Usually Ships in 1-5 Days.
Published: Firebird - August 31st, 2010

Anna and the French Kiss By Stephanie Perkins Cover Image
$18.99
This book is currently on backorder. Please call or email for availability.
ISBN: 9780525423270
Published: Dutton Books for Young Readers - December 2nd, 2010

Anna and the French Kiss is a sweet romance that takes place in the city of lights-Paris. Against her will, Anna Oliphant is sent away to high school in France. There she
must meet friends and adjust to life in a foreign country. With incredibly well crafted prose, Stephanie Perkins puts you right there in beautiful Paris- and in the ups and
downs of teen life and love!


Will Grayson, Will Grayson By John Green, David Levithan Cover Image
$12.99
ISBN: 9780142418475
Availability: Not Currently On Our Shelves. Usually Ships in 1-5 Days.
Published: Speak - April 5th, 2011

Will Grayson, Will Grayson is the TOTALLY AWESOME collaboration between two of the best YA authors around- John Green and David Levithan. With alternating chapters, each author gives voice to two characters named Will Grayson. One of these young men is a Will who spends his life frustrated in the shadow of his larger than life friend Tiny, while the other Will enjoys the shadow- and struggles coming out...it's a make you laugh, make you
cry kinda book the way that only John Green and David Levithan can!


A Wrinkle in Time: (Newbery Medal Winner) (A Wrinkle in Time Quintet #1) By Madeleine L'Engle Cover Image
$8.99
ISBN: 9780312367541
Availability: Not Currently On Our Shelves. Usually Ships in 1-5 Days.
Published: Square Fish - May 1st, 2007

L'Engle's first book to feature the Murray and O'Keefe families this is one of my favorite books of all time. Meg Murray is a bit of misfit and her family is full of oddblls and science geeks but she loves them all. Her devotion to her father (who has gone missing while working on a secret government project) sends her, her brother, and her neighbor, Calvin O'Keefe, on a wild quest to find him. Meg's adventures with tesseracts (wrinkles in time) make the science wonderful and fascinating for the reader. -Recommended by Lauren for ages 10 (good reader) -14


Harold and the Purple Crayon By Crockett Johnson, Crockett Johnson (Illustrator) Cover Image
$11.99
ISBN: 9780064430227
Availability: Not Currently On Our Shelves. Usually Ships in 1-5 Days.
Published: HarperCollins - September 29th, 2015

This magical book inspires young readers to create a world from their imagination, to be as uninhibited and daring as Harold as they follow along on his crayoned adventure and watch his careful navigation of fantasy. -Recommended by Linda for ages 3-6


Staff Pick Badge
The Graveyard Book By Neil Gaiman, Dave McKean (Illustrator), Margaret Atwood (Foreword by) Cover Image
By Neil Gaiman, Dave McKean (Illustrator), Margaret Atwood (Foreword by)
$19.99
ISBN: 9780060530921
Availability: Not Currently On Our Shelves. Usually Ships in 1-5 Days.
Published: HarperCollins - September 30th, 2008

This is, without question, one of the best books I've ever read. It's a bit scary-as the title implies-but the scary bits aren't the ghosts or the vampires (the denizens of the graveyard in question are actually quite nice). The question that this delightfully macabre Newbery Prize winning novel poses is this: If you were raised in a graveyard by ghosts and dead people, would you be afraid of death? What would you be afraid of? Inspired by Rudyard Kipling's classic 'The Jungle Book,' Neil Gaiman shines light in the dark places and shows us that love and courage can conquer fear. -Recommended by Gina for ages 12 & up


Stellaluna By Janell Cannon Cover Image
ISBN: 9780152802172
Availability: Out of Print
Published: HMH Books for Young Readers - April 30th, 1993

This gorgeously illustrated book will change your feeling about bats forever! In this delightful story Cannon teaches young readers a little about the nature of bats and birds and a little about human nature as well, as she reminds us that it's ok to be different and still be friends. A valuable lesson for young readers in today's world. -Recommended by Laura for ages 4-8


The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy By Jeanne Birdsall Cover Image
$8.99
ISBN: 9780440420477
Availability: Not Currently On Our Shelves. Usually Ships in 1-5 Days.
Published: Yearling - March 13th, 2007

The Penderwicks is a delightful book- perfect for reading aloud. Jeanne Birdsall has managed to recreate the magic we all felt as children when we read The Secret Garden and A Little Princess by Frances Hodges Burnett, without feeling stodgy or old-fashioned. The Penderwick sisters- each with a distinct personality and personality quirks- are lovable and fiercely devoted to each other. This book won the National Book Award, deservedly! -Recommended by Caroline for ages 6 (read aloud)-12


The Dog Who Wouldn't Be By Farley Mowat Cover Image
$7.99
This book is currently on backorder. Please call or email for availability.
ISBN: 9780553279283
Published: Starfire - June 1st, 1984

An absolutely brilliant account of growing up on the Canadian prairie with nature and all of its inhabitants as your constant companions. Mowat captures the bond between a boy and his dog with humor and style, and Mutt's adventures and quirky personality can still make me laugh.-John, recommended for ages 9-12


Zane's Trace By Allan Wolf Cover Image
$7.99
This book is currently on backorder. Please call or email for availability.
ISBN: 9780763643782
Published: Candlewick - February 9th, 2010

Zane's Trace is a novel written in verse by Asheville's own Allan Wolf. It's the story of Zane Guesswind- a troubled teen road-tripping to his mother's grave in Zanesville, Ohio from Baltimore, Maryland. Along the way, Zane encounters his ancestors- a runaway slave, a Native American warrior, and others- who each tell him their stories. These stories weave together to create a map to Zane. It's a beautifully crafted journey-tale of someone coming into themselves with the love and support of people he's never knew he had before. Recommended by Caroline for ages 14 & up


The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian (National Book Award Winner) By Sherman Alexie Cover Image
$16.99
ISBN: 9780316013697
Availability: Not Currently On Our Shelves. Usually Ships in 1-5 Days.
Published: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers - April 1st, 2009

The winner of the 2007 National Book Award for Young People's Literature, this is a beautiful, funny, heartbreaking, but ultimately hopeful tale of a young boy growing up on "the Rez" and daring to envision a better life for himself. Ellen Forney's illustration bring this novel vividly to life. -Christine, recommended for ages 12-14


Staff Pick Badge
The Story of Ferdinand By Munro Leaf, Robert Lawson (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Munro Leaf, Robert Lawson (Illustrator)
$7.99
ISBN: 9780140502343
Availability: Not Currently On Our Shelves. Usually Ships in 1-5 Days.
Published: Puffin Books - June 30th, 1977

Ferdinand was a bull who refused to fight. A pacifist bull, he preferred to smell the flowers. Good for him. -Gary, recommended for kids of all ages.


Staff Pick Badge
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making By Catherynne M. Valente, Ana Juan (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Catherynne M. Valente, Ana Juan (Illustrator)
$9.99
ISBN: 9781250010193
Availability: Not Currently On Our Shelves. Usually Ships in 1-5 Days.
Published: Square Fish - May 8th, 2012