Staff Picks

Already a hit in its native Spain, The Mule made its American debut this February. It tells the story of unlikely hero Juan Castro Perez and his adventures in love and war. Castro is a muleteer who finds himself fighting for both sides during the Spanish Civil War. Like a Spanish Forrest Gump, this character will be sure to capture your heart at once.

I am smitten with Bobbie Faye. The book follows Bobbie Faye Sumrall, equally loved and dreaded “disaster magnet of the south” from Lake Charles, LA who starts her very (very, very, very) bad day in the wee hours of the morning with a very broken washing machine and a flooded trailer. From there, her day takes off (racing downhill at a spectacular speed and gaining momentum with every minute) after her she learns her good-for-nothing little brother, Roy, has been kidnapped by someone who wants something she should have, but that has been stolen—and she has to chase it down (which is really when all the fun starts). As a full-blooded (and proud of it) Texan, I especially appreciate how the author expertly portrays the true southern woman: tough as nails– yet feminine, smart, witty, and not afraid to kick the butt of anyone who messes with family. This book is laugh-out-loud funny. You’ll love it!

Slam tells the story of Sam, a teenager living in Great Britain, whose premature emergence from his comfortable adolescent world is brought about when his girlfriend becomes pregnant. Now facing a very real and very scary future, Sam must make the decisions, with some help from the great Tony Hawk, that will transition him from the boy he is to the man he will soon need to be. I appreciated the honesty I found in this book -- the characters were real people who had genuine reactions to difficult circumstances. This book should be considered required reading for all teenagers everywhere!