State of Hawaii
08/28/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 08/28/2026 21:18
Staff Picks – Books for When You Need a Boost
Posted on: August 28, 2026 | Category: Spotlight
For these staff picks, we reached out to our library teams across the state to find out which books they love to turn to when they need a little boost. Our list is as diverse as our staff-from heartfelt stories and hilarious picture books to inspiring memoirs of people overcoming incredible odds. We hope you'll find something here that brightens your day!
Kids' Picture Books
Kids' Chapter Books
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Peter & the Starcatchers by Dave Barry Swashbuckling, funny prequel adventure |
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Donutella Hamachi and the Library Avengers By Kim Chi Donut-themed superhero silliness |
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Matilda By Roald Dahl Clever kid outsmarts a monstrous villain - dark comic triumph |
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Misfit Mansion By Key Davault Whimsical monster found-family, belonging |
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The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread By Kate DiCamillo Charming, whimsical fairy-tale adventure |
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A True Home: Heartwood Hotel By Kallie George Cozy woodland hospitality and safety |
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The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom By Christopher Healy Fairy-tale parody, bumbling "Prince Charmings" team up |
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The Phantom Tollbooth By Norton Juster Witty wordplay fantasy, curiosity cure for boredom |
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A Wrinkle in Time By Madeleine L'Engle Courage-and-family sci-fi, more serious/inspiring |
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Sideways Stories from Wayside School By Louis Sachar Absurdist, episodic school comedy |
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Pea, Bee, & Jay Stuck Together by Brian "Smitty" Smith Odd-trio comic-strip style comedy |
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The Mysterious Benedict Society By Trenton Lee Stewart Clever puzzle-solving kid squad, witty |
Young Adult Books
Adult Books
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Legends & Lattes: A Novel of High Fantasy and Low Stakes By Travis Baldree Cozy fantasy - orc retires to open a coffee shop |
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Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things that Happened By Allie Brosh Comedic illustrated essays, candid about depression |
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A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail By Bill Bryson Classic laugh-out-loud comedic travel writing |
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The Comfort Book by Matt Haig Aphoristic hope and encouragement, bite-sized |
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We'll Prescribe You a Cat By Syou Ishida Whimsical healing stories from a Kyoto "cat clinic" |
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The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson Absurd, farcical caper adventure |
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The Kamogawa Food Detectives By Hisashi Kashiwai Comforting foodie mystery, nostalgic meals |
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The House in the Cerulean Sea By TJ Klune Cozy fantasy, found family, gentle humor |
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The Far Side By Gary Larson Surreal single-panel comic collection |
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Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver by Mary Oliver Contemplative nature poetry |
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The Best of Me By David Sedaris Sharp-witted comedic essay collection |
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Just One Damned Thing After Another by Jodi Taylor Witty time-travel adventure series opener |
State of Hawaii published this content on August 28, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on August 29, 2026 at 03:18 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]