Youth – What We’re Reading

Browse Youth reading recommendations.

The silhouettes of two children are seen as they peer into a mysterious cave.

Wish Monster

Wish Monster
Published January 23, 2025

Violet is inconsolable when her beloved dog passes away from old age. But Hudson, a young man who goes to the same school as Violet, is the only one in town who remembers the event even happening–because Violet’s dog is actually still alive and well. It turns out that there is a wish monster living […]

A young lady stands on a rise looking out over a town. She is surrounded by a colorful aura.

True Colors

True Colors
Published January 23, 2025

In True Colors, Mackenzie Werner is a young lady who is different—in more than one way. First, she is rare in that she is a person who has what is known as a haze. It’s like a colorful aura that’s always visible, and it gives away any emotion that she is feeling at the time. […]

Black witch hat silhouette next to the words "If your child loved the movie Wicked try these!" Pictured below are the covers of Cress, Watercress by Gregory Maguire, Conjure Island by Eden Royce, The Witches of Willow Cove by Josh Roberts, The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill, The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, The Mystwick School of Musicraft by Jessica Khoury, A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz, and The Chance to Fly by Ali Stroker & Stacy Davidowitz.

While the book that inspired the musical Wicked was written for adults, children who are fans of either the movie or the musical are sure to love these titles for younger readers!

Image of a rat standing on a bear’s back, both looking at one another, while the weather storms.

This beautifully illustrated picture book tells the story of Rat, who is having a hard time but finds it difficult to talk to her friend, Jackdaw, about how she’s feeling. Instead, Rat sets out into a storm. While running out in the rainy air helps Rat feel better, danger is also waiting. Rat avoids peril […]

Image of a brown mole and a green lizard standing in grass, facing opposite directions and smiling.

Monti the Mole loves living in Pocketville – stopping by the bakery for fresh bread from Mrs. Sheep, visiting Carl at the library to get good books, and enjoying his bread and books while sitting on his favorite rock by the river. When a new animal comes to town who likes the same things, Monti […]