Book Review

Young Hoosiers are awesome---you need to read more! I just finished the book for the next Young Hoosier Book Club and must share it on here!

The False Princess by Eilis O'Neal

One day, the princess wakes up and speaks with her parents.  That day, she finds out she is in fact, NOT Princess Nalia.  She is Sinda, a lowly peasant girl that has been raised by the royal family to avoid a prophecy fortelling of the princesses death by age 16.  Now that both girls are 16, Sinda is shipped out of the castle to live with her aunt, while Princess Nalia leaves the convent she grew up in to take over her princess duties.  Sinda will never know her parents, her father, under a wizard’s spell, believed his daughter to be dead, and died himself years later.  Sinda had only one friend, Kieran, who she can no longer see because he is royalty and she is not.  When she meets Tyr in the village, she falls head over heels because he is so good looking and charming.  But Sinda’s aunt warns her that he is trouble—he thinks he is better than he really is.  When Sinda finds out the truth, magic bubbles inside her and she burns a few flowers and the grass around her.  Scared by this new development, she leaves her aunt to attend the Wizard’s College in the city.  When they fail to accept her (she is too poor now), she finds Philanthia, the crazy wizard to teach her.  Fortunately, she also makes contact with Kieran again! Unfortunately, the real princess has requested from Kieran that he introduce the two. When Sinda and the princess meet, followed by a strange man in a dark cloak, Sinda begins to wonder if what the world believes about the princess is true, or if there may be a vengeful wizard behind everything wrong with the story.  When Sinda and Kiernan find out the oracle gave a false prophecy, and is related to one of the wizards, the story begins to unfold and Sinda finds herself in danger.

This was not at all I thought this book would be like, and thank goodness! Because at first, I didn't want to read this book because I thought I would be reading about princesses waltzing around, kissing princes, and acting like a Disney movie.  What I GOT was sorcery, lies, deceit, oracles, prophecies, sacrifice, learning who you are as a person, and general awesomeness!  Boys, you will like this too, I do believe.

Sinda is a phenomenal character, and the ways O'Neal changes her throughout the story is a success.  Sinda starts out as a privileged "princess" but when the truth comes out, she is tossed out with next to nothing.  You see her overcome obstacles, fall for stupid men, but come out on top, because she herself is stronger than anyone gives her credit for.  She is not longer a princess living a plush life with everything.  She is a fierce, determined woman, and young girls around the world should be proud to call her a princess!

Book Review

I'm a reading machine! At first, this next book was requested by a TAB member...oh maybe a year ago.  I finally took the time to read it, and I was not disappointed!

Relic: The Books of Eva by Heather Terrell

 

Eamon is about ready for "The Trial," the test to find a relic from the 21st century in the icy wasteland that now covers Earth after major floods destroyed everything else.  Only, when Eamon is practicing his climbing, he falls to his death...was it accidental? or intentional?

Eva needs to take Eamon's place in the trials, and after mere weeks of training by the Boundary dweller, Lukas, she feels ready to compete.  What she finds encased in the ice is not quite what she thought.

In a world where "MasterCard" and "Apple" are gods the current citizens believe the past dwellers worshipped, Eva and her friend must find the truth in the past, present, and future.

When you begin reading this story, you don't think of it as a science fiction book.  You assume it's in a new world of the author's making.  However, Terrell finds ways to incorporate the past Earth into this new frozen one.  There are some slower parts to this story, but in the end, you need these parts to understand the whole--to understand why Eva's people feel the way they do about life on Earth before New North.  Terrell takes her time to explain, in detail, what the leaders of New North have taught their people and why.  She takes time to develop a land and characters that create a possible future Earth.  And in the end, she rewards you with a full circle explanation that leaves you breathless.

We all wonder what has happened in the past when we only have artifacts to guess, religion to lead, and governments who want the answers to be their own making.  What do we REALLY know about Pompeii, Atlantis, Ancient Greece? What we've gleaned from artifacts in the ground? In Relic, we read a new story, but with us as the "Ancients."

Book Review

Ann Aguirre is at it again! Mortal Danger is the first in her new series called "The Immortal Games."  I finished this one in 2 days!

Mortal Danger by Ann Aguirre

Edie Kramer is the butt of jokes, and ridicule of the school, and she's tired of it.  On a bridge ready to commit suicide, Edie is interrupted by Kian, a mysterious teenager that offers her a choice.  She can have 3 favors as long as when she receives all 3, she is at the mercy of the company to fulfill 3 favors for them.  Edie accepts this, and with the first "wish," she chooses to be beautiful.  Kian makes arrangements for Edie to go away for the summer at a Science camp to make the transformation believable.  When Edie returns, things go her way.  The Teflon group (the cool kids) immediately warm to her and want to be her friend.  Edie's plan for revenge is going perfectly.  Until some of the group start dying in horrific ways.  Edie never signed up for that, and now she must protect her friends and family from vying companies that both want her indebted to them for life.

Mortal Danger is unique.  It is original.  Ann Aguirre has such an incredible way of taking older story ideas and plot lines and changing them, morphing them into something so much better and intense.  We have seen the "3 wishes" before...people want fame, fortune, love, etc.  But Aguirre takes this need to be accepted at all costs and creates a scientific situation (time travel) and combines it with the supernatural, as we are used to in tales such as this. Because of this, you will not read anything in the story that you have read before.

Yes, the love story is a little much. Kian would do anything for Edie and vice versa.  This might be played up a bit in the story, but it is easy to accept when you realize why Kian acts the way he does, his history, and his current situation make him susceptible to weaknesses he may otherwise be strong enough to fight.

Pick this book up at the library, but don't expect to get any sleep tonight!

Book Review

It's time for another book review.  The high school book club requested we read Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie.  Instead of discussing the details and themes of the book, we decided to discuss the theories of Barrie's life surrounding Peter Pan and the children in his life.

Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie

   All children grow up. Except for one.  Peter Pan is a classic tale of pirates, Indians, lost boys, mermaids, and fairies.  Barrie wrote this classic in the early 20th century, and it continues to live on in all of us throughout the years.  However, I bet you didn't know the language of Victorian England was rampant through this tale!

Peter Pan is not quite the version Walt Disney put out when he made the cartoon 40 years ago, but it gets the general adventure across to the audience.  Younger children may struggle reading the original Peter Pan as it contains much language used in the early 1900s in England.  However, some versions offer explanations of outdated terms and phrases...you just have to find the right one.

Peter is the quintessential lost boy in a land where all kinds of creatures roam free.  We are left wondering if Peter is a version of his author, and if the children in the story represent those close to J.M. Barrie in real life.

Nonetheless, many adventures are to be had in this story, from the cutting of Hook's hand for the crocodile, the kite that blew Wendy to safety, and the ever disgusting medicine Wendy encourages the boys to take every night before bed.  However, there are many classic adventures we know that are only written in the story as mere sentences with no details and background.  This is disappointing, as we assume the whole entire story will be chock-full of incredible adventures and mishaps! However, I believe Barrie had a more metaphorical goal with this story--the idea of parents versus children, and what it means to be either.  Why children may not want to grow up, and the difference between reality and make-believe. 

Whether you know this story by heart from when you were a child or from the Disney movie, I suggest you go through this book and reread its passages in a new light!

TAB Meeting December 2014

Apparently, teenagers go on vacation when they don't have school, thus we have 6 teens tonight at TAB.  However, they enjoyed the cupcakes and sodas while they decided which books I should buy, which displays I should put up and which origami I should have at craft night.

Here, the teens are enjoying perusing Booklist book reviews to find perfect YA books for us!

 

And because the Christmas season is here, TAB wants to wish you a Merry Christmas!

 

Kaeley- Feliz Navidad



Emily- Merry Christmas and remember the reason for the season!!
Hannah: Enjoy your two weeks off! Read lots of books!
Ibrahim-Happy...Let it Go! Let it Go! I am one with the wind and skyyyyyy... Ibrahim did not type this Ibrahim is a boss and OP!
Omar: Happy Birthday- Frosty T. Snowman
Jacob; Remember the reason for Christmas, and stay safe during the break!
Regan- merry Christmas and a happy new year=)

December 3rd Friday

Well, the teens have done it again! We've broken our record number for craft night on 3rd Friday with a whopping 71 people coming in to make Holiday crafts! Thank you to the 8 teenagers that gave their time Friday night (and the first night of their winter break) to help at the library.  I know I had so much fun, and once again, I could NOT do all this without these teenagers!

Time for a Book Review!

Oh, there are so many books to choose from that I've read.  I think this time around, I will discuss the book, Liv, Forever by Amy Talkington.

Liv, Forever

Liv, Forever is a ghostly tale with betrayals, secret societies, love, mystery, and a need to find answers.  When Olivia (Liv) is accepted into a prestigious boarding school on scholarship for her artwork, she feels like her life is finally turning around for the better.  She even meets a friend or two and receives special attention from one of the most popular boys on campus...a boy with a secret.

Liv's friend Gabe tries to warn Liv to stay away from smoldering hot Malcolm and the secret group he is a part of, but before Liv can heed his warnings and make her personal stamp on campus, she is viciously murdered.

As a ghost, Liv sees other girls that have all been murdered in a grisly manner throughout the years...every 5 years to be exact.  They all have a similar story as to how they died...and it all surrounds the secret club on campus that Malcolm was a part of.  Did Malcolm kill Liv? Even though he tells her he loves her? Or a ghost? Or someone else in his club?

Liv, Forever is not generally the type of book I read, but I heard great reviews before the book was even published, so I figured I should give it a chance.  I was not disappointed.  Rather than your run of the mill ghost story, Liv, Forever makes use of historical schools that really existed and transforms them into a conspiracy that runs deeper than Liv ever really realizes.  

The love story is a little over the top for me -- I find it hard to believe that teenagers can fall in love in a matter of weeks, well, "true love" like they think they are.  But without that aspect, Malcolm would not be as determined to find out what happened to Liv, so I can respect the necessity of the love story.

I find the connection with Gabe more engaging and crucial to the story.  Gabe is able to see the other ghosts, but is so scared to approach them, a lot does not get done until the very end.  While the friendship between Gabe and Liv is strong and adorable, you would think that Gabe would try to talk to the ghosts earlier in the story to find out what happened in order to learn what happened to his friend, and avoid himself being arrested for Liv's murder.

In general, while there are some discrepancies and thin moments in the plot, the story overall is solid.  I'm a big fan of conspiracies, and historical societies not being everything they appear to be.  I would definitely suggest picking this book up at the library!

Book to Movie Review

Usually I review books...and I HAVE read a lot, so those will be coming later this week, but this past weekend, I watched two movies that were made from YA books and I have decided to review them compared to their books, here.

The first film I saw was The Giver, based on the book by Lois Lowry written decades ago.  

The Giver is a Newbery Award winner, and in my opinion, the catalyst for all Dystopian novels.  The Hunger Games...The Maze Runner... they would not be here if Lowry had not started this genre!

The Giver at IMDB

In a seemingly perfect community, without war, pain, suffering, differences or choice, a young boy is chosen to learn from an elderly man about the true pain and pleasure of the "real" world.

I will start out by saying at the end of the movie, I cried. I had big fat wet tears rolling down my face.  When the world changes for the better, it's hard not to.  I would highly suggest seeing this film.  There are quite a few differences and discrepancies when compared to book, but I think you will find that it adds to the story, rather than takes away.  Meryl Streep's character is nearly nonexistent in the book, but in the movie, she completely takes the cake.  I even heard rumor that once the movie was finished, Lois Lowry said she wished she HAD written Streep's character into the book.

You will NOT be disappointed in this movie--however, like every book to film situation, I suggest reading the book FIRST! 

The second movie I got to watch was the famous Maze Runner, based off of the novel by James Dashner. 

The Maze Runner at IMDB

Thomas is deposited in a community of boys after his memory is erased, soon learning they're all trapped in a maze that will require him to join forces with fellow "runners" for a shot at escape.

Now, I have told many people that the series by Dashner, is in my opinion, hands down better than The Hunger Game series.  I say this for a few reasons...I think the book is better written, with a solid plot and language among the characters.  I also appreciate the ideas behind the story--one of survival and teamwork, rather than bloodthirst and destruction. 

The movie stayed nearly side by side with the book until the last 30 minutes or so.  Chuck is definitely my favorite--he was in the book, he is in the film. The only difference I noticed (though it HAS been awhile since I read the book), was the location of the escape and its surroundings.  Also, the very end differs slightly with who is present in the WCKD facility.  I love the actors and actress the director got to portray the characters, and I feel very strongly that this movie brought the book to life in a way that would make James Dashner, the author, very proud.  There is action, struggles, great cinematic effects, panoramic views, and to my great pleasure, little to no "love story."  You MUST see this one. 

Fortunately, MCPL has both of these movies.  The Maze Runner is being cataloged this week, so we may have to wait a bit for it, but get your behinds in to the library to check them out!

It's the Most Wonderful Time!

Well, teens, I know you are getting busy helping your parents get ready for Christmas, buying presents, and psyching up for 2015.  Here is a lil booster of Christmas spirit for you all--

This is Cindy Miller...she helps with most of the teen stuff.  The great homecooked food you all eat--that's her.  The Christmas candy we made last week? Also her.   Cindy loves to get in the middle of things going on with teenagers.  She worked at Northridge High School from the '90s up until the high school moved to the new building.  Then she worked at the middle school for a good 8 years or so. She is now working part time at Orchard View Elementary in the cafeteria.  If you haven't met this lady, you need to.  She cares about all of you, and she LOVES helping out for programs and volunteer days.  She will always greet you with a smile, and will bring joy to your day!

I am fortunate enough to have this lady as my mother.  I may be biased, but I think the teens she's met will agree just what an incredible woman she is! I hope you come to some programs so you can meet her!

Young Hoosier Book Club

Well, we have 4 clubs down, 5 to go! I think I have outdone myself this year with programs :D Today we discussed Shadow on the Mountain by Margi Preus

Summary:
Shadow on the Mountain recounts the adventures of a 14-year-old Norwegian boy named Espen during World War II. After Nazi Germany invades and occupies Norway, Espen and his friends are swept up in the Norwegian resistance movement. Espen gets his start by delivering illegal newspapers.  When stopped by the Gestapo, he shows them his alibi—jam to take to his uncle. With the code name, Odin, Espen delivers much information and eventually graduates to the role of courier.  In his free time, Espen plays soccer, but when Stein, the soccer captain is replaced by Aksel, a new informant for the Nazis, nearly everyone walks out.  Some locals are pro-Nazi, but those in his town wear red stocking caps to promote solidarity and show their pride in their country (red is a huge part of the Norwegian flag).  His best friend Kjell seems to be a Nazi spy, but can Espen be sure? His sister Ingrid has been spying on him as well, but she thinks he just found a new girlfriend.  Which, he is working on.  While Espen has no problem performing illegal acts, he struggles to talk to Solveig. When Espen’s friends and confidants start disappearing and dying, will Espen maintain the courage to do the right thing? During five years under the Nazi regime, he gains—and loses—friends, falls in love, and makes one small mistake that threatens to catch up with him as he sets out to escape on skis over the mountains to Sweden.

6th Grade

 7th Grade

8th Grade

Christmas Candy

I am soooo happy we had almost double the amount of teens at Christmas Candy 2014 than at 2013! And a few of them came to it as their first library program.  Teens, I LOVE providing fun experiences for you.  Any feedback you ever have, please feel free to give me so I can make YOUR reading experience better.

In the meantime, enjoy these pictures:

 Oh Hannah...

The gang with Cindy, who orchestrated these shenanigans! (Also, my mommy!) :D