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Dungeon Critters

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Dungeon Critters by Natalie Riess & Sara Goetter
Format: Graphic Novel
Who is it for: Kids, Teens

Dungeon Critters follows a group of four young animal adventures on their quest to prove themselves and save their kingdom. This book is absolutely charming.

After exposing a sinister plot involving a foul, necromantic plant, Chirp, Goro, June, and Rose must face the perils of dungeons, the rigors of high-society balls, and the literal trials of Bear Court! But adventuring is not all danger—there is ample room for young love.

What I really enjoyed about this book was the art style. The artists put a lot of effort into making each and every character unique and expressive. What starts off as a cute little fantasy romp, really ramps up into a dramatic and beautiful tale, with genuinely compelling characters.

The children and teens collection have always been filled to the brim with fantasy titles, so it is traditionally difficult for new works to stand out. However, Dungeon Critters has not problem captivating its audience; with diverse characters and vibrate art, I cannot recommend this book enough.

Find it in our catalog!

The Invention of Hugo Cabret By Brian Selznick

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The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

Format: Book, audiobook, DVD

Who’s it for: Kids, Teens, Adults

The Invention of Hugo Cabret is an enticing and atmospheric work of children’s literature with a cast of characters cloaked with mystery and charm. This hybrid work, a mix of prose and full-page graphics, engulfs the reader in the wonder and magic of 1930s Paris. Orphaned Hugo Cabret has skills beyond his years as he keeps the train station’s clocks operating and attempts to rebuild a peculiar invention left by his father in hopes of uncovering a secret message.

Find The Invention of Hugo Cabret here. If this artistic hybrid novel/graphic novel format appeals to you, check out Brian Selznick’s other books, Wonderstruck and The Marvels.

Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes and The Last Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson

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Title: Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes and The Last Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson
Format: ebook and book
Who’s It For: Teens and Adults

Aunt Peg was dead. Ginny Blackstone hadn’t seen her aunt in a few years. Aunt Peg had spontaneously gone off on an adventure in Europe. However, Ginny received a bundle in the mail from her aunt containing thirteen blue envelopes. Aunt Peg had prearranged a trip for Ginny to Europe. Yet, Ginny had to follow her aunt’s rules as laid out in the first blue envelope. No phones, no emails. Aunt Peg provided a bank card, the funds for Ginny’s summer adventure.

In Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes, Ginny followed her aunt’s itinerary as explained per envelope.  She could only progress on the next leg of her journey when she completed the assigned task of the previous one.  So, throughout the summer, Ginny met a host of people, including an eccentric artist, a kindly manager at Harrods, zealous tourists, and welcoming hostel travellers.  She experienced London, Paris, Italy, and Amsterdam.  Along the way, Gin met Keith, a budding actor and college student.  Lanky and quirky, Keith became interested in Ginny and her unusual quest.  By the end of the summer, they weren’t boyfriend/girlfriend but, as Keith said, “something in-between.”

In The Last Little Blue Envelope, Ginny returned to England.  Although her backpack with the letters had been stolen, a tall brooding young man named Oliver had recovered them.  Gin was reunited with Keith, and she met Oliver and a friendly young woman named Ellis.  They journeyed together to complete the quest of the thirteenth envelope.  On the way, Ginny discovered more about love, friendship, family, and herself.

If you’re looking for a lighthearted tale with a personal journey, this duet could be the ticket.

Find Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes here.

And The Last Little Blue Envelope is here.

The Blacksmith Queen

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The Blacksmith Queen by G.A. Aiken
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Adults 

Keeley Smith loves her life. She has the best family. She gets to work at her beloved blacksmith forge every day. She is strong (very strong) and she gets to spend her days doing what she loves with the people she loves. So when a prophecy suggests that Keeley’s extremely smart, though odd sister, Beatrix, is destined to be the next queen, Keeley knows she will do whatever she needs to do to protect her sister. But as it often happens in games of political intrigue and the making of kings and queens, nothing is what it seems. Keeley will have to fight for her life and that of her family while also fighting to save the kingdom she calls home. 

G.A. Aiken creates a world filled with magic, battles, betrayal, true love, and a heroine you will want to cheer on at every turn. Keeley Smith is not entirely sure she is destined for greatness, but as you read the story, you will have no doubt that she is. The Blacksmith Queen is the first book in a new series by G.A. Aiken. Find it in the catalog. 

Scooby Apocalypse

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Scooby Apocalypse Vol. 1 by Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis, and Howard Porter
Format: eBook
Who it’s for: Adults, Teens

It’s everyone’s favorite meddling kids, re-imagined for a new generation. Meet:

Daphne Blake, host of a low rated cable TV show investigating supernatural phenomenon.

Fred Jones, Daphne’s loyal camera man, who has carried a torch for her for years.

Norville “Shaggy” Rogers, dog trainer for a mysterious science lab called The Complex.

Scoobert “Scooby” Doo, prototype of a Complex experiment to create intelligent dogs to serve in the military.

And Dr. Velma Dinkley, top scientist at The Complex, and maybe the world’s only hope at stopping an experiment gone wrong that’s turning the human race into monsters.

This unlikely gang traverse the land in a literal Mystery Machine (What is the actual purpose of this armored van they escaped The Complex in?) trying to survive… The Scooby Apocalypse.

This dark reboot of the Scooby-Doo franchise is fun for new and legacy fans alike. It’s the end of the world as they know it, but you’ll feel fine, when you check out Scooby Apocalypse on Hoopla right now!

Six of Crows

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Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Format: Book, eBook, Audiobook
Who it’s for: Teens, Adults

In Ketterdam, a center of international trade, Kaz Brekker and his crew fight to survive in the underworld of the city. At its core, Six of Crows is a heist story. A wealthy merchant offers an obscene amount of money if Kaz and the others can travel to a nearby nation, break into the Ice Court, and free a scientist being held prisoner. Complicating matters is disagreement among the crew about what should be done with the prisoner when (if) they get him out.

The crew is Jesper, Matthias, Wylan, Nina, Inej, and Kaz: “a gambler, a convict, a wayward son, a lost Grisha, a Suli girl who had become a killer, a boy from the Barrel who had become something worse.” The story is told in alternating viewpoints and you really get to know these characters and their backgrounds. Six of Crows takes place in the Grishaverse, the same fantasy world featured in Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone trilogy, and some of the characters will be familiar to those who’ve read her other works.

Six of Crows is the first book in a duology. It ends in a cliffhanger – be ready to immediately dig in to Crooked Kingdom! Netflix is creating a series based on Bardugo’s Grishaverse, so these characters will soon be making their way to our television screens as well.

Find Six of Crows in the catalog.