The library is nice and warm and decorated for the holiday season. The weather outside is cold and dreary, and you know what that means – it’s story time. This week we’d like to recommend some amazing young adult literature for your upcoming staycation. If you haven’t had the privilege to read these amazing books, then stop by the library and check them out!

“The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian,” by Sherman Alexie

Sherman Alexie’s somewhat-autobiographical book is about Junior, a dorky, resilient and witty Native American teen who lives on the Spokane Native American Reservation and struggles to fit in anywhere. After throwing his math book at his geometry teacher, Junior is advised to switch high schools so he’s able to get out of the reservation and pursue his dreams. This YA novel shines a light on the often-overlooked lives of marginalized groups living in the U.S. and how hard it is to create your own destiny when so many factors stand in your way. It is rumored to be in production for a movie directed by Hugh Jackman. Fingers crossed!

“Brown Girl Dreaming,” by Jacqueline Woodson

Raised in South Carolina and New York, Woodson always felt halfway home in each place. In vivid poems, she shares what it was like to grow up as an African American in the 1960s and 1970s, living with the remnants of Jim Crow and her growing awareness of the Civil Rights movement. Touching and powerful, each poem is both accessible and emotionally charged, each line a glimpse into a child’s soul as she searches for her place in the world. Woodson’s eloquent poetry also reflects the joy of finding her voice through writing stories, despite the fact that she struggled with reading as a child. Her love of stories inspired her and stayed with her, creating the first sparks of the gifted writer she was to become. Jacqueline Woodson won the National Book Award Winner for Young People’s Literature, the Coretta Scott King Award, a Newbery Honor Award, the NAACP Image Award and the Sibert Honor Award for her work.

“Looking for Alaska,” by John Green

Miles Halter is fascinated by famous last words – and tired of his safe life at home. He leaves for boarding school to seek what the dying poet Francois Rabelais called the “Great Perhaps.” Much awaits Miles at Culver Creek, including Alaska Young. Clever, funny and a little messed up, Alaska will pull Miles into her labyrinth and catapult him into the Great Perhaps. Green was awarded the 2006 Michael L. Printz Award for “Looking for Alaska”. It is taught in many high school and college curricula, has been published in more than 30 languages and just recently was cast for its screen adaption to premier on HULU.

I’ll have two more suggestions for you next week, so don’t miss them!

The Russellville Public Library is located at 110 E. Lawrence St., in downtown Russellville. Don’t forget to check www.russellvillepubliclibrary.com and social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat for up-to-date library information. Thanks for reading.

Russellville Reads is written by Ashley Cummins.