Staff Library

Everything for a Dog
Ann. M. Martin
heartwarming, emotional, insightful
Sharing the story of a dog and a young boy dealing with loss, this novel illustrates the healing nature of the human-animal bond. Ages 9 to 12.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems
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The Penderwicks
Jeanne Birdsall
wholesome, charming, adventurous
This book tells the story of the adventures and mishaps which occur during a family’s summer away. Ages 8 to 12.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems

Mr. Putter & Tabby Series
Cynthia Rylant
heartwarming, gentle, delightful
This series features the elderly Mr. Putter and his cat, Tabby, as they embark on heartwarming adventures in their cozy neighborhood. Ages 6 and up.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems

The Chronicles of Narnia Series
C.S. Lewis
enchanting, adventure-filled, timeless
This series follows two brothers and two sisters as they discover the magical land of Narnia, where they encounter enchanting creatures, fulfill prophecies, and fight epic battles of good versus evil. Ages 8 to 12.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems

Wherever You Are My Love Will Find You
Nancy Tillman
tender, heartfelt, reassuring
Through lyrical prose and whimsical illustrations, this book conveys the message that no matter where a child goes or what they do, they will always be loved and cherished. All ages.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems

The Unwanteds Series
Lisa McMann
imaginative, dystopian, adventurous
After discovering a hidden realm celebrating imagination, Alex Stowe and friends challenge norms, uncover secrets, and fight for empowerment and freedom in a society which stifles creativity. Ages 8 to 12.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems

Barn Dance
Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault
playful, energetic, musical
This lively picture book captures the excitement of a the farm. Through lyrical text and beautiful illustration, the readers are invited to join the animals as they gather for a rambunctious celebration filled with music, dancing, and fun! Ages 3 to 7.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems
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Travels with Charley
John Steinbeck
reflective, insightful, wanderlust
This book tells the story of the author’s road trip across the US with his poodle, Charley. With contemplative prose, it captures his observations of and insights into the human condition and the heart of American culture. Age 18 and up.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems

The Grumpus Under the Rug
Ellen Jackson
playful, mysterious, quirky
This delightful picture book tells the story of a mischievous creature causing chaos in the house. When things start disappearing, a young boy sets out to uncover the culprit, discovering a friendly surprise under the rug. Ages 4 to 9.
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Available through
Adams County Library System

Little House on the Prairie Series
Laura Ingalls Wilder
heartfelt, nostalgia, adventure
This series follows the pioneering Ingalls family's struggles and triumphs as they settle in the American frontier. Through hardship and adventure, they forge a new life, embracing the simplicity and beauty of the prairie landscape while confronting the challenges of nature and pioneer life. Ages 8 to 12.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems

Bridge to Terabithia
Katherine Paterson
adventure, whimsical, emotional
Themes of friendship, loss, and creativity drive this heartfelt tale of two kids in a small town. The novel follows Jesse and Leslie, who find their own lives transforming as they pretend to be King and Queen of the mystical land of Terabithia. Ages 10 and up.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems

Rules
Cynthia Lord
genuine, heartfelt, insightful
This book follows Catherine, a young girl navigating life with her autistic brother, David. As she learns to help David, she discovers the importance of understanding and compassion in her own life. Through this experience, she learns, too, about the complexities of acceptance and friendship. Ages 8 and up.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Judith Viorst
silly, clever, relatable
This book tells the tale of Alexander’s very bad day, From gum in his hair when he awakes to lima beans at dinner, everything just goes wrong. Ultimately, Alexander learns that we all have bad days, and learning to cope with them is the best we can do. Ages 5 to 9.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems

Amelia Bedelia Series​
Peggy Parish
playful, quirky, endearing
This series tells of the silly antics of Amelia Bedelia, the housekeeper who does exactly what she’s told. Taking on many roles, teacher, politician, doctor, and more, Amelia teaches readers about the tricky nature of the English language. Ages 6 and up.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems

The Story of Ferdinand​
Munro Leaf
heartwarming, peaceful, classic
This book tells the sweet story of Ferdinand, the bull who would rather relax among the flowers than compete in bullfights. But, his size and strength nevertheless leads him into the bullring, where Ferdinand learns the importance of being true to oneself. All ages.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems

Tacky the Penguin
Helen Lester
goofy, endearing, lighthearted
Tacky is quite an odd bird; the other penguins find his cannonballs and boisterous greetings quite off putting. But, when three hunters come to the iceberg, Tacky’s wackiness is just the thing to save the day. Ages 4 to 7.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems

Red: A Crayon's Story
Michael Hall
heartwarming, silly, encouraging
Red may have a red wrapper, but he can only color in blue! His friends and family help him try to be red, but along the way, he learns that he was exactly how he should be all along. Ages 3 to 7.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems

Love You Forever
Robert Munsch
heartfelt, simple, charming
This book tells the sweet story of a mother and her baby as they both grow up. Through troubles and triumphs, each night, the mother sings her child the same refrain: “I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for always, as long as I am living, my baby you’ll be.” All ages.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems

Wonder
R. J. Palacio
powerful, coming-of-age, emotional
August Pullman has been homeschooled all his life, but he is about to start the fifth grade at a private school. In this new environment, he finds new friends, but also is bullied for his facial differences. Ultimately, August and his classmates learn the importance of compassion, and standing up for yourself and others. Ages 8 to 12.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems

The BFG
Roald Dahl
delightful, fantasy, quirky
When taken by the Big Friendly Giant (BFG), Sophie finds herself in a world she had no idea existed. Together, the new found friends discover new ways for the BFG to live and defend against the not-so-friendly giants. Ages 7 to 10.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems

Where's My Teddy
Jez Alborough
silly, adorable, simple
When Eddie’s missing teddy bear is found to have suddenly grown too large to cuddle, he embarks on an adventure to figure out what happened to him. Along the way, he meets a bear who may hold the answer in his paws. Ages 2 to 4.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems

Heidi
Johanna Spyri
heartwarming, optimistic, charming
When a little girl is sent to live with her grandfather in the Alps, she learns an appreciation for nature, as well as the importance of friendships and spreading kindness. Ages 7 to 12.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems

Blueberries for Sal
Robert McCloskey
lovely, sweet, classic
This beautifully illustrated story tells the tale of Blueberry Hill on a summer’s day. Little Sal and Little Bear both are picking blueberries with their mothers, when all of a sudden, they find themselves following the wrong one. Ages 2 to 5.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
Lewis Carroll
whimsical, classic, fantasy
When Alice follows the white rabbit and falls down the rabbit hole, she lands in a world she had no idea existed. Alice travels her way through Wonderland, all the while finding herself among new friends and foes. Ages 5 and up.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems

Momotaro and the Island of Ogres
Stephanie Wada
adventure, folklore, lively
One day, an elderly couple find a peach drifting down the river. To their surprise, this magical peach brings them a son: Momotaro. As he grows, he becomes incredibly strong, courageous, and wise, and sets off to defeat the ogres which terrorize his village. Ages 8 to 11.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems

Because of Winn-Dixie
Kate DiCamillo
coming-of-age, bittersweet, heartwarming
As she adjusts to life in her new town, Opal befriends a stray dog, whom she names Winn-Dixie. Together, they learn how to build a community, even in a place which seems so lonely. Ages 8 to 11.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems

The Little Prince
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
classic, imaginative, enchanting
When the narrator finds himself stranded in the Sahara desert, he meets a young boy: “the little prince.” The boy shares his stories of his travels from planet to planet, and what he has learned along the way about friendship, love, and loss. All ages.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems

Where the Wild Things Are
Maurice Sendak
imaginative, dynamic, classic
When Max is sent to bed, his bedroom mysteriously transforms into a brand new world: the home of the Wild Things. Through his experience among these creatures, Max learns about anger, courage, and family. All ages.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems

Minnie and Moo Series
Denys Cazet
delightful, silly, adorable
This series follows Minnie and Moo, two bovine best friends who find themselves mixed up in the farm hijinks. Their adventures take them dancing, to a haunted barn, and even the Moon! Ages 4 to 8.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems

When Sophie Gets Angry-- Really, Really Angry
Molly Bang
bright, thoughtful, read-aloud
Everybody gets angry, and we all feel and manage it differently. This picture book tells the story of Sophie: how she experiences and copes with her anger. Ages 5 to 7.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems

Nosotros Means Us
Paloma Valdivia
sweet, bilingual, simple
This picture book shares the sweet sentiment that, no matter how life changes you, the love between a parent and child remains steadfast. Ages 3 to 5.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems

Alma and How She Got Her Name
Juana Martinez-Neal
wholesome, individuality, heartfelt
Alma believes she has far too many names, but when her father explains the story behind them, her perspective begins to shift. Ages 4 to 8.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems

Room on the Broom
Julia Donaldson
whimiscal, charming, lyrical
One night, a witch and her cat are taking a relaxing flight, when things begin to go awry. But, when the witch falls into harms way, her friends step in to save the day. Ages 3 and up.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems

Gustavo the Shy Ghost
Flavia Z. Drago
wholesome, relatable, lovely
Gustavo worries about making friends with the other monsters. Follow along as he takes a risk and invites them all to attend his Día de los Muertos violin performance. Ages 3 to 7.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems

My Monster Mama Loves Me So
Laura Leuck
silly, sweet, simple
In this sweet story, a little monster shares all the ways he feels the love of his monster mama. Ages 3 to 8.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems

A to Z Mysteries Series
Ron Roy
clever, funny, mystery
In this series, three best friends, Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose, work together to solve all kinds of mysteries in their small Connecticut town: Green Lawn. Ages 6 to 9.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems

Last Stop on Market Street
Matt de la Peña
sweet, bright, reflective
CJ and his Nana take their usual bus ride through the city. Along the way, CJ learns to appreciate all of the beauty that is around him. Ages 2 to 6.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems

Magic Tree House Series
Mary Pope Osborne
adventure, curious, magical
When Jack and Annie stumble across a mysterious tree house full of books, they find it can send them back in time. The sibling pair return time and time again to set off on extraordinary adventures. Ages 6 and up.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems

Harvest Days
Kate DePalma
lyrical, educational, vibrant
Through rhyming text, this book teaches about different harvest traditions from across the globe, such as in South Korea, Poland, and Bolivia. Ages 4 to 10.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems

Gracias/Thanks
Pat Mora
grateful, relaxing, lovely
A little boy shares all of the little things and moments he is thankful for throughout his day. Ages 5 to 9.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems

Noticing
Kobi Yamada
relaxing, thoughtful, imaginative
When a young girl befriends a mysterious painter, she teaches her how to appreciate the world around her. Ages 6 and up.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems

Got to Get to Bear's
Brian Lies
whimsical, lively, silly
When a little chipmunk finds herself stuck in the snow, her friends step in to help her cross the forest. Ages 4 and up.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems

Where the Sidewalk Ends
Shel Silverstein
thought provoking, playful, quirky
This book teaches life lessons through poetry and whimsical drawings. Ages 4 to 8.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems

Too Many Tamales
Gary Soto
holiday, silly, lovely
When Maria accidentally loses her mother’s ring while preparing for a holiday party, her and her cousins set out to find it in an unusual place. Ages 3 to 8.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems

Over and Under the Snow
Kate Messner
non-fiction, whimsical, calm
With beautiful illustrations of the forest, this book teaches about the world that exists beneath the winter snow. Ages 4 to 8.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems

Guess How Much I Love You
Sam McBratney
heartfelt, calm, lovely
This short and sweet picture book follows a parent and child as they share just how much they love each other. All ages.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems

The Snowy Day
Ezra Jack Keats
relaxing, cozy, fun
When he wakes to find snow outside his window, Peter goes out to explore the winter wonderland of his neighborhood. Ages 2 and up.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems

Walk Two Moons
Shanon Creech
heartwarming, coming-of-age, emotional
While they search for her missing mother, Salamanca, “Sal,” tells her grandparents the story of her friend, Phoebe. Through her storytelling and experiences, Sal learns about identity, loss, and healing. Ages 9 to 12.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems

The Mitten
Jan Brett
folklore, silly, adorable
Nikki’s Baba has made him a brand new pair of snow white mittens. When he loses one while playing in the forest, the animals all begin to take interest in the new cozy spot. Ages 4 to 8.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems
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Ruby Finds a Worry
Tom Percival
sweet, emotional, bright
One day, Ruby stumbles across a worry, and it begins to follow her around. It grows and grows, but ultimately, Ruby discovers how to cope with a worry when she finds a friend who has one too. Ages 3 to 6.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems
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The Crossover
Kwame Alexander
coming-of-age, lyrical, heartfelt
Josh and his brother, Jordan, are stars on the basketball court. But, with the big game coming up, tensions between the boys begins to rise at home. Ages 9 to 14.
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Available through
Adams and York County Library Systems
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heartwarming, coming-of-age, emotional