Searching For a Good Book? We Asked the Expert

In honor of National Read Across America Day, which was Wednesday and also doubles as the great Dr. Seuss' birthday, we tweaked our usual search for Patch Picks.

This week, we wanted to know, what are some of the best books out there? So, we asked Antonette K. D'Orazio, head of youth services for the of the Somerset County Library System, for her favorites. So, without further adieu, here they are.

Patch Picks—Antonette K. D'Orazio's top reads, with comments.

Best for those under age 3

• "1,2, Buckle My Shoe" illustrated by Anna Grossnickle Hines.
  "The well-known nursery rhyme is illustrated with beautiful quilt patches."

Best for ages 3-5

• "I’m Big" by Kate and Jim McMullan.
  "A young Sauropod encounters adventures when he goes looking for his packmates, who left him when he overslept."

Best for younger elementary (grades K-3)

• "Little Pink Pig" by Johanna Kerby.
  "A dashchund adopts the runt of a large pig litter in this true story."

Best for middle elementary (grades 4-5)

• "How to Grow Up and Rule the World" by Scott Seegert, illustrated by John Martin
  "Supervillain Vordak the Incomprehensible, shares his wisdom and advice on how YOU can rule the world."

Middle school (grades 6-8)

• "The Defense of Thaddeus A. Ledbetter" by John Gosselink
  "Wimpy Kid for middle grade/middle school crowd."

Teens (high school)

• "Matched" by Ally Condie
• "Incarceron" by Catherine Fisher
  "Both fill the void left by 'The Hunger Games.' "