Patch Picks: Good Reads for Kids and Adults

Last week, we asked our library officials to weigh in on good reads for National Read Across America Day, which was Wednesday – Dr. Seuss' birthday. The National Education Association initiated the program 13 years ago to encourage children and teens to expand their horizons by opening a book. 

Here are this week's Patch Picks results:

in Clawson recommends:

• The Sneetches by Dr. Seuss: A tale of two groups of sneetches who separate themselves by their bellies. The star-belly sneetches believe they are the best and get to enjoy life's finer things, while the sneetches without stars are considered social outcasts. In the end, both groups come together.
• Bliss Remembered by Frank Deford: A novel about a charming woman who falls into a deep love affair with a Nazi diplomat during the Berlin Olympics in 1936. Their relationship suddenly ends when political forces tear them apart. In the United States, Sydney Stringfellow is left with a broken heart, but marries an American man while still battling feelings for the man in Germany.

officials recommend:

• Beezus and Ramona by Beverly Cleary. Beezus Quimby learns to appreciate her little sister Ramona, despite the 4-year-old's capricious behavior.
• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J. K. Rowling. Harry Potter realizes he's a budding wizard after leaving his unloving aunt and uncle's care to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
• Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Young Laura and her family brave the challenges of life in a log cabin in the Wisconsin woods during the 1870s.
• Charlotte's Web by E. B. White. Wilbur, a sweet-natured pig, befriends Charlotte, a spider who lives in a web above his pen and works to save Wilbur from becoming bacon.

Royal Oak Public Library youth librarian Marie Newcomb recommends:

• Leonardo the Terrible Monster written and illustrated by Mo Willems: "He has a fabulous sense of humour," Newcomb said. The librarian said the best things about Willems' books is that he always teaches children a valuable lesson without them knowing it. Willems is also the author of the popular picture book, Knuffle Bunny.

Ferndale Public Library children's librarian Jillean McCommon recommends:

• Scat by Carl Hiaasen: Scat is a book for tweens, about fifth and sixth grades. McCommon said Hiaasen's books tend to revolve around the environment. In Scat, a boy and his best friend find themselves on a quest to find their biology teacher who has mysteriously disappeared. The teacher isn't their favorite, but in the end, well ... you'll have to read it. "It's a wonderful book," McCommon said.
• A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip Christian Stead and illustrated by Erin Stead: Amos McGee treats the sick animals at the zoo,  but one day he gets sick – and guess what? The animals come and treat him. The cool thing about this book, McCommon said, is that the author and illustrator are from Ann Arbor. The book won the 2011 Caldecott Medal given to the artist for the most distinguished picture book for children.

Next week's list: camps. Tell us about your favorite summer camps in the area.