Staff Picks

Great Graphic Novels You May Have Missed: Kids Edition   

The library has graphic novels appropriate for all ages, from pre-reader to adult. Today's graphic novels are much more than comic books. Graphic novels can be a great motivator for a reluctant reader, challenge all readers with a new storytelling format, and help kids improve their reading level by combining graphic clues with difficult vocabulary and concepts. Here’s a shortlist of excellent graphic novels younger readers shouldn’t miss!

Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke
A laugh-out-loud adventure about a girl who is transported to another galaxy. Joined by her new alien allies, she sets off to rescue her friend from evil space creatures and stop an asteroid from destroying the planet. Ages 8 and up.

The Secret of the Stone Frog by David Nytra
With echoes of Alice in Wonderland, this fun fantasy adventure is beautifully drawn in black and white with exquisite detail. When two children mysteriously find themselves in another world, they rely on the cryptic stone frogs to guide them through a strange and sometimes dangerous landscape. Ages 7 and up.

Stinky: A Toon Book by Eleanor Davis
Stinky is a smelly monster who lives in a foul swamp with his not-so-clean pet toad. But when a disgusting, CLEAN human moves in, it’s up to Stinky to see he doesn't stay long. The Toon Book series is perfect for newly independent readers ages 5 and up.

Meanwhile by Jason Shiga
With 3,856 possible storylines, this “choose your own adventure” style graphic novel is ideal for a rainy day. Once you make your first choice (between chocolate and vanilla ice cream, of course), readers will spend hours delving into each possible outcome! Ages 8 and up.

Graphic Library
Did you know the library has tons of nonfiction graphic novels to peak kids' interests? Learn about history, science, famous historical figures, and more! Great for all ages.

Cleo Slaughter
Youth Services Supervisor

Post Road Library Grand Opening Celebration

The brand new Post Road library will be opening on Saturday, August 24th and we're throwing a huge celebration!

Join us for events for all ages happening all day.

The Post Road Library features a brand new collection, tablets you can check out and use throughout the library, a separate and enclosed teen space, reservable study rooms, and an automated machine handling system which checks books in automatically! Post Road is also a LEED certified building full of exciting, environmentally friendly features and building materials.

To learn more about the new Post Road Library, check out the recent article in the Forsyth County News.

Staff Picks

The last year has seen an explosion of popular YA novels being made into films. The next big thing (at least until Catching Fire is released in November) is sure to be Mortal Instruments: City of Bones based on the bestselling series of the same name by Cassandra Clare. In the first novel, City of Bones, good girl Clary Fray meets handsome and mysterious stranger Jace and soon finds herself drawn into a dark, supernatural world of demons, vampires, werewolves, and more. With plenty of action, mystery, and romance, the Mortal Instruments series is sure to attract numerous new fans with the release of the first film.

Check out these other YA titles if you want more of what you loved in City of Bones.

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

The Demon Catchers of Milan by Kat Beyer

Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs

Hold Me Closer, Necromancer by Lish McBride

A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

Embrace Jessica Shirvington

Cleo Slaughter
Youth Services Supervisor

Staff Picks

Beginning Chapter Books for Early Readers –
These books feature large, easy to read print with controlled vocabulary.  Humor and mystery, as well as pictures featuring main characters of the reader’s age group, make these books enjoyable to read.  The below featured books are each part of a series, so children who enjoy them will have an ample supply of future choices.

The Yellow Yacht by Ron Roy
This book is part of the A to Z Mysteries featuring Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose.  The kids travel to the fictitious country of Costra where their friend Sammi is a prince.  When the local bank is robbed and gold bars belonging to Sammi’s father are stolen, the kids use their ingenuity to solve the mystery.

Mrs. Roopy is Loopy by Dan Gutman
The reluctant learner A.J. doesn’t like school, but he has to admit that the new school librarian, Mrs. Roopy, is providing a wealth of entertainment.  While her methods may be bizarre, she incorporates learning into her escapades which make this fun book educational.  Part of the My Weird School series.

Buddy by Ellen Miles
Buddy is an all-around feel good story.  The Peterson family fosters dogs from the animal shelter until the dogs are placed in their forever homes.  Their current dog comes with extra baggage:  three precious puppies!  Lizzie has a plan to find homes for all four dogs, and with the help of the new bookstore owner, a happy ending is achieved for all.  Part of The Puppy Place series.

Julie Boyd
Information Specialist – Youth Services

Go Fish Family Pass

One of our trips this summer took us through Perry, Georgia, home of the Go Fish Education Center.   It’s a great museum with many fish related activities. Patrons of FCPL can check out a pass for up to six family members to visit the center.

The interactive fishing boat and shooting simulators were the highlight of the museum for the kids while I enjoyed the freshwater aquariums, live habitats and alligators on display.  There’s even a stocked pond behind the center with poles provided.  

Perry, Georgia is a two and a half hour drive from the southern end of Forsyth County.  The museum is open from 9:00-5:00 on Friday and Saturday and Sunday from 1:00-5:00.  The Go Fish Education Center family pass can be reserved and checked out for a week at a time from any Forsyth County Library.    

Alicia Cavitt

Information Specialist

Staff Picks

The Society of Others by William Nicholson

An unnamed narrator’s journey through an unnamed and hostile, post-modern European country is Kafkaesque in setting, style, and theme, right down to the culture of paranoia, omnipresent government intrusions, unanswered questions and mysterious castle.  

If you enjoy literary fiction and stories that raise more questions than they answer check out The Society of Others by William Nicholson.

Alicia Cavitt
Information Specialist

Staff Picks

Did you know there are new genres and subgenres of literature constantly being invented? We’ve all heard of comedy, horror, adventure, romance, and historical fiction, but have you ever heard of postcyberpunk, a planetary romance, wuxia, or a fantasy of manners?

One of my favorite new genres that’s been picking up a lot of steam (pun intended) lately is Steampunk. Part alternate history, part science fiction, this genre usually takes place in an alternative version of the 19th or early 20th century where crazy technology reigns and giant steam powered machines and inventions roam the pages. Here are a couple Steampunk suggestions to whet your appetite if this new genre sounds intriguing:

Goblin Secrets by William Alexander
Part fantasy, part steampunk, this novel takes place in a world where magic is real, horses are powered by coal made of human hearts, and police are aided by steam powered, clockwork eyes.

On the run from Graba, a Baba Yaga figure with gear-worked chicken legs, Rownie is taken on a whirlwind adventure through the crowded and fantastical streets of Zombay when he teams up with an acting troop of goblins.

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
Set in an alternative version of World War I, German clankers (fantastical steam powered steel machines) and Allied Darwinists (giant genetically modified animals) clash. Deryn, a girl disguising herself as a boy to serve in the military, and Alek, an Austrian prince on the run from the Germans, find themselves an unlikely team when Deryn’s ship crash lands outside Alek’s castle. The title character is an airship built from a genetically modified, flying whale!

Steampunk! An Anthology of Fantastically Rich and Strange Stories
A collection of steampunk inspired stories by some of your favorite YA authors. A great introduction to this genre.

Visit your library to discover a new (or new to you) genre today!


Cleo Slaughter
Youth Services Supervisor

Georgia Peach Awards for Teens

Hey teens! Read a great book this summer? Voting for the Georgia Peach Awards is now open! The Peach Award is given to the best books in teen literature as chosen by YOU, Georgia teens. Voting goes through March 2014, so if you haven't read any of the titles on this year's list, check them out at FCPL today.

Vote for your favorite titles today!

Staff Picks

The Tiger’s Curse 
by Colleen Houck
If you enjoyed the Twilight series, then you will love The Tiger’s Curse! Kelsey gets a summer job helping out behind the scenes at the Circus. When she discovers the white tiger is actually an Indian Prince named Ren whom was cursed over 300 years ago, Kelsey vows to set him free and break the curse on his family. Follow Kelsey and Ren through a series of tasks to break the tiger’s curse. This series is fast-paced and full of Indian mythology sure to please fans of Rick Riordan.

 Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging
By Louise Rennison
Georgia Nicholson is a 14-year-old girl with a cute, but wacky, 4-year-old little sister and a cat named Angus who is part Scottish Wildcat. Rennison captures the angst and humor of the average life of a normal girl – striking the balance between life at home and at school and just growing up. This series is written as a set of diary entries describing Georgia’s life and adventures with her best friends, the Ace Gang. Although Georgia lives in England, there is a slang glossary at the end of each book, and her trials and tribulations translates well to American teenaged life. If you enjoy funny books, this series is for you! The books are suitable for teens --even adults!

Meredith Bowermeister
Information Services Supervisor