Book Finder

Art’s dad wakes up still feeling sluggish from his cold, so father and son go on a hunt to make a cold-fighting juice. With a bit of help from the community, a tasty, healthy juice starts dad’s recovery. Realistic illustrations complement the contemporary story which includes a juice recipe. Also available in Spanish: Jugo Fresco (opens in a new window), translated by Rita E. Urquijo-Ruiz. 

Rhythmic language and irresistible photographs depict young children and animals each consuming colorful, healthy foods. Additional fruits and veggies are identified on end pages.

Intended for young readers, adults will likely be as intrigued at the graphical presentation of information which can be consumed in large bites or small chunks.

A teen nicknamed Wrecker becomes involved with a fake Covid vaccination card smuggling ring to further confuse his already complicated his life. By turns humorous and tense, this fast-paced novel set in the Florida Keys is sure to engage readers.

The “ick” factor combines with humorous illustrations and solid information to present the plagues that have afflicted people for centuries. From the bubonic plague to scurvy, the informal narrative is edifying, engaging, and well-documented — offering young readers a unique look at the history of disease.  

Folk art and crisp language introduce the human heart to readers (along with some interesting tidbits about other creatures’ hearts). Accessibly written by a pediatric cardiologist, this handsome book can be read from cover to cover or dipped in and out of.

Alma, first introduced in Alma and How She Got Her Name, is back! She plays with her cousins, snuggles with her mother, and more as she names her relatives. In Alma Head to Toe / Alma de pies a cabeza, she introduces all of her from her head to her soft heart. Both engaging books are in Spanish and English, sure to charm even the youngest reader.

This is the story of Gracie, your everyday fun-loving kid who does everything that you do, but has trouble hearing. It’s as if her ears are sleeping! When her family searches for answers, she discovers the wonder of hearing aids and the sounds of the world. Gracie’s Ears introduces what hearing aids are to young children needing help to hear and to their friends who wonder — what are those things in their friend’s ears and what do they do?

What do you smell with? How can you see? What’s that you hear? Me and My Senses introduces children to the five senses and teaches the basics of how they work.

When yellow fever strikes 18th century Philadelphia, 16-year-old Matilda’s life is forever changed. Contemporary readers are likely to see themselves in Matilda while being transported back in time through striking smells and sights of an earlier time.

What do hands do? They greet, touch, hush, heal, and ever so much more. Simple black and while line illustrations use touches of color and single words in a cozy size for the very young, sure to grow with children and inspire myriad discussions.

Courage, resilience, and perseverance — follow the struggles of Nobel Prize scientist Tu Youyou as she works to find a cure to malaria. Working in the 1970s, Chinese scientist Tu Youyou reviewed the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) scrolls for ideas on where to start her research. She found 640 traditional treatments, and methodically started extracting compounds and testing them against malaria. Would any of them work?

A picture book that introduces the concept of gender identity to young readers. Some people are boys. Some people are girls. Some people are both, neither, or somewhere in between. This straightforward exploration of gender identity will give children a fuller understanding of themselves and others. With child-friendly language and vibrant art, this book provides young readers and parents alike with the vocabulary to discuss this topic with sensitivity.

Indian American middle schooler Reha navigates growth and loss in this 1980s coming-of-age novel in verse. Thirteen-year-old Reha deals with ordinary concerns; she tries to stay true to her Indian culture while growing up with in the United States, and she grapples with a crush on a classmate. When her mother suddenly gets sick with leukemia, Reha’s ordinary everyday concerns fade away and are replaced with the belief that if she is as virtuous as possible, she will save her mother’s life. 

Hudi’s dad is athletic, but Hudi is not. Hudi is funny and well, chunky. In this fictionalized memoir, Hudi confronts his family’s expectation, school bullies, and how to be true to his real interests. The graphic format captures the tone, tensions, and wit of the story.

Slightly irreverent and quite comical but informative, this lighthearted look at the human body and its systems provides accessible material sure to engage young readers. Based on a podcast, QR codes are included in extensive backmatter that provide additional resources, a glossary, and source notes.

Have you ever had one thought lead to another one that is seemingly unrelated? Open this unique book and readers will be able to follow trails from one thought to another, all playfully illustrated. Just right for browsing, the factoids contain nuggets to amaze and delight.

ZJ (short for Zachariah) turns to music and the support of friends and family when he begins to lose the father he knows and loves. A successful football career has resulted in his dad’s diagnosis of a chronic brain injury (CTE). Told in verse, this moving story remains realistic but hopeful.

The child of immigrants, Jonas Salk helped develop the first flu vaccine in response to the devastating 1918 flu epidemic and went on to do again with the polio vaccine. This timely look at one man’s impact provides a glimpse at his life and the science of vaccines.

Middle school is never easy but 7th grade becomes particularly tough for Ross when he’s diagnosed with a rare form of eye cancer. In spite of his best friend preparing to move and being bullied for the effect of the grueling cancer treatment, Ross finds power in music and friendship — and discovers something about his nemesis. This uplifting, often humorous novel is based on the author’s experience.

Can very different girls become best friends? Though both are Chinese-American, Moon and Christine are very different. Christine is cautious, serious, attends Chinese school, and follows rules. In spite of this, Christine and Moon become best friends. Christine wonders if she was a good enough friend when it is discovered that Moon’s celestial visions are caused by an all-too-real problem. Simple cartoon illustrations in full color are expressive and move this notable story to its gratifying conclusion. A note from the author/illustrator reveals the story’s genesis.

How do we know something that is invisible is really all around? With our noses! Human “noses can detect more than 400,000 different smells.” Animals use their noses for different reasons; dogs smell marked territory, great white sharks detect prey. Sometimes humorous illustrations and flaps that lift reveal a bundle of information sure to inspire further inquiry.

The science behind sound and vision is presented in accessible illustration and straightforward text. The language used includes sophisticated terms (e.g., cochlea, vibration) which will likely familiarize younger children and their adults with the science vocabulary. You may also enjoy Baby Loves the Five Senses: Sight (opens in a new window).

Catrina and her family are moving to the coast of Northern California because her little sister, Maya, is sick. Cat isn’t happy about leaving her friends for Bahía de la Luna, but Maya has cystic fibrosis and will benefit from the cool, salty air that blows in from the sea. As the girls explore their new home, a neighbor lets them in on a secret: There are ghosts in Bahía de la Luna. Maya is determined to meet one, but Cat wants nothing to do with them. As the time of year when ghosts reunite with their loved ones approaches, Cat must figure out how to put aside her fears for her sister’s sake – and her own.