Youth Advisory Council Recommendation: White House Clubhouse

White House Clubhouse by Sean O’Brien

“In this book, Marissa and Clara live in the White House. Ever since their mom got elected, they have had Secret Service agents following them around. When they finally get a break, they find a secret room that helps them travel in time. Join their adventures. 9/10. Fun to read!” — Allison H., age 13

Marissa and Clara’s mom is the newly elected president of the United States, and they haven’t experienced much freedom lately. While exploring the White House they discover a hidden tunnel that leads to an underground clubhouse full of antique curiosities, doors heading in all directions—and a mysterious invitation to join the ranks of White House kids. So they sign the pledge.

Suddenly, the lights go out, and Marissa and Clara find themselves at the White House in 1903. There they meet Quentin, Ethel, Archie, and Alice, the irrepressible children of President Theodore Roosevelt. To get back home, Marissa and Clara must team up with the Roosevelt kids “to help the president” and “to make a difference.”

Youth Advisory Council Recommendation: Spy School Goes North

Spy School Goes North by Stuart Gibbs

“This is the 11th book in the Spy School series. In this book, Ben Ripley and his friends are training in the Alaskan wilderness. Cyrus Hale gets kidnapped by his old Russian nemesis and Ben and his friends need to develop a plan to save him. I rate this book at 9/10. It is an amazing story because of the action. For 10- to 12-year-olds.” — James C., age 11

In the eleventh book in the New York Times bestselling Spy School series, Ben Ripley goes on a rescue mission when one of his own is abducted from a remote Alaskan training facility.

Ben Ripley and his friends are training in Alaska when Cyrus Hale is kidnapped by his old Russian nemesis. Ben, Erica, and the others mount a rescue mission, but events quickly spiral out of control in a plot involving the secret history of US-Russian relations, a young KGB agent with skills to rival Erica’s—and lots and lots of bears.

Youth Advisory Council Recommendation: The Evers: Forever Twelve

The Evers: Forever Twelve by Stacy McAnulty

“This is an amazing fantasy-ish book. The Evers are a group of four kids who are twelve -- forever. 70 years ago, one of them vanished. Now, in the present day, a girl shows up to the school they go to, and she looks exactly like the missing Ever. What will happen? Ages 10-12.” — George G., age 11

At the elite West Archer Academy, all the students are gifted, but four are exceptional. Though the Evers look twelve, they're actually centuries old, possessing knowledge and talents that make them extraordinary. And boarding school is the perfect cover for their brilliance -- and their secret. 

It's supposed to be a typical year in the anything-but-typical lives of these "kids" . . . until Ivy Stewart shows up. She resembles an Ever who went missing more than seventy years ago. And Ivy could be the key to unlocking their curse. 

But ambitious Ivy is at West Archer to achieve her own extraordinary goals, and nothing will distract her. Or so she thinks! With the desperate Evers determined to find answers, and her former classmate -- and laid-back cool guy -- Ronan determined to protect her, Ivy soon finds herself swept up in a mystery ony she can solve. 

Will her life be changed forever . . . and ever?

Youth Advisory Council Recommendation: The Stupendous Switcheroo

The Stupendous Switcheroo by Mary Winn Heider and Chad Sell

“A boy who loves this one superhero, Vin Valor! One day, the boy wakes up to his slippers floating. But it wasn’t his slippers controlling it, it was him! I recommend this book for kids who like adventure. I think 7-8 years old would suit this book.” — Lyle V., age 8

The morning of his mom's business trip, Switcheroo wakes up to discover he has telekinesis. Which is super convenient when he has to give his babysitter-robot the slip to fight crime all day. But it's less convenient when he's recruited to fight crime again the next day, only to realize he can no longer move objects with his mind. Instead, he can talk to cats! Fun, but not nearly as useful. A new superpower every day should be exciting, right? What could possibly go wrong?

Youth Advisory Council Recommendation: The Bravest Warrior in Nefaria

The Bravest Warrior in Nefaria by Adi Alsaid

“There once was a boy named Bobert who lived in a kingdom named Nefaria. There he had two friends named Stanbert and Candelabra. When he gets stuck in a gumball machine, Candelabra and Stanbert try to rescue him. Will they get out or be stuck forever?” — Jack E., age 9

Welcome to Nefaria, where nearly every day the kingdom faces another evil scheme.

Most are harmless, though, so the citizens of Nefaria simply learn to live with the latest hijinks and go on with their lives. This includes Bobert Bougainvillea, who is much more concerned with the fact that he seems to be invisible. From the teachers in his school to his classmates, almost no one notices Bobert, no matter how visible he tries to be. Then everything changes when Bobert follows his classmates to a cursed gumball machine.

Before he knows it, Bobert is sucked into one of Nefaria’s most villainous evil schemes, a plot that has been a long time in the making—too long, in the evil wizard Matt’s opinion. And retreating into invisibility this time won’t do, not when Bobert is the only one with the drive, knowledge, and—if his newfound courage doesn’t fail him—bravery to foil Matt’s plan.