TEEN Book Review: The Mind Readers series

Elisa joins us to write a book review for a teen book series I had never even heard of!

The Mind Readers

by Lori Brighton

Goodreads Summary:

Cameron Winters is a freak. Fortunately, no one but her family knows the truth... that Cameron can read minds. For years Cameron has hidden behind a facade of normalcy, warned that there are those who would do her harm. When gorgeous and mysterious Lewis Douglas arrives he destroys everything Cameron has ever believed and tempts her with possibilities of freedom. Determined to embrace her hidden talents, Cameron heads to a secret haven with Lewis; a place where she meets others like her, Mind Readers.

But as Cameron soon finds out some things are too good to be true. When the Mind Readers realize the extent of Cameron’s abilities, they want to use her powers for their own needs. Cameron suddenly finds herself involved in a war in which her idea of what is right and wrong is greatly tested. In the end she’ll be forced to make a choice that will not only threaten her relationship with Lewis, but her very life.

The author intrigues you from the beginning with the concept of reading minds.  This book has an interesting love story along with the feelings from the girl, and then she listens to other thoughts, yet she keeps everything to herself.  

The threat of moving away, then of the government, keeps you on your toes.  The end is sad and confusing, so it makes you think and want to read the second book in the series!

4 STARS!

--Elisa P., Age 14

What's The First Thing You Think When You Hear The Word, "Librarian"?

What IS the first think you think of when you hear the word, "Librarian"? That we are grumpy, wear tight buns in our hair and shush everyone who talks above a whisper?

I may, often times, wear my hair in a tight bun, and I have librarian glasses...and yes, I am grumpy occasionally.  But I do NOT shush everyone that walks in the door!

Here are some other misconceptions about librarians:

http://www.buzzfeed.com/ariannarebolini/things-everyone-gets-wrong-about-librarians?utm_term=.fgO7v7Z1K#.mnWjmjKQ7

LIBRARIAN MISCONCEPTIONS

1. That your job is stress-free.

Flickr: pleeker / Creative Commons

“I hate when people say, ‘It’s so quiet in here. Your job must be so relaxing.’ Or they assume you have three hours at work to just read whatever books you want.” —Jackie DeStefano, Facebook

“Especially during the summer reading program!” —Maria Slytherinn Hill, Facebook

2. That technology has made your job redundant.

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“[People assume] that librarians and libraries are obsolete because ‘you can find everything on Google.’ There’s so much information (electronic or otherwise) that can’t be accessed through Google, and we know how to find it.” —AnnaBanana617

3. That you spend your days reading.

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“People have told me they would love to be a librarian because it would be so nice to work with books all day. Nope. That’s not what I do all day. I work with PEOPLE all day — reference, teaching programming. Sometimes that involves helping them find books, but if it weren’t for people, there’d be no librarians.” —Emily Lauren Mross, Facebook

4. That you either look like this…

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“[People assume] that you have to look a certain way! I have purple hair, tattoos, and a nose piercing.” —Maria Slytherinn Hill, Facebook

5. Or like this:

google.com

“The whole ‘sexy librarian’ trope is really obnoxious.” —saraf45be50781

6. That if your focus is children’s books, it’s all playtime.

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“I hate the assumption that those of us in children’s services (or school media) are glorified babysitters that only do story time. I’m responsible for way more, including technology and study skills!” —Jessica Vining Prutting, Facebook

7. That you only work in libraries or public schools.

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“The library profession is really wide-ranging. We work in corporations, law firms, research institutes and laboratories, the government and military, special libraries. We don’t just check out and re-shelve books. We are researchers, computer specialists, collection developers, archivists, subject experts, meta data experts (you know, make everything findable off and online) and a lot more.” —AnnaBanana617

8. That you don’t need an advanced degree.

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“People always get so shocked when I tell them that I am getting my Masters to be a librarian. I think they just assume that librarians only need to know the Dewey Decimal system, and maybe know how to use the computer once in a while.” —Chelsea Phillips, Facebook

9. That the job is easy.

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“I’m an elementary school librarian, and it’s enormously frustrating to hear, ‘Your job must be so easy! You just read to them all day!’ Yes. And teach research skills, communication skills, and public speaking, among others. Not to mention standard classroom management, ordering, processing, assisting teachers… It is certainly not as easy as I try to make it look!” —brittanyo4910df152

10. That you’re technology averse.

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“Most people don’t realize we have to take pretty intense computer classes to get our library degree. Many of us know database design, HTML, C++, and other coding!” —laureno404824e16

11. That you have to be of a certain age.

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“I’ve heard this one a number of times: ‘But you’re so young!’ (I’m an anomaly. Most librarians are hatched in their sixties and only get older from there.)” —katrinalewine

12. That you’re a bunch of prudes.

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“The biggest misconception that I faced, is that all librarians are prudes. I love sex! Just not when I have to witness it/break it up/clean up after it. I worked in a library for about nine years and during those times, I used to catch people having sex and watching porn on the computer ALL. THE. TIME. Don’t even get me started on all of the USED condoms I would find hiding in between the books. *shudders*” —deejuju

13. That you’re an introverted loner.

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“[People think] that you would want to be a librarian because you want to sit alone and read; librarians have to always be on and interacting with everyone from whiny kids, to tired dads and moms, to homeless people looking to keep warm in the winter and cool in the summer, to technophobic elderly people. Not everyone is good at it, just like with any profession, but those who go in thinking they get to sit behind a desk and read all day are few and far between!” —sarahc130

14. That libraries are basically an endangered species.

Flickr: drocpsu

“[Libraries] aren’t dying — they’re changing.” —Sara Frye, Facebook

Book Review: The Summer I Wasn't Me

This book was REALLY difficult to read, not because it was bad or false, but because it's SO true.

The Summer I Wasn't Me

by Jessica Verdi

Lexi has a secret.  Unfortunately, her mother found her sketch book in her closet--it's the same girl, drawn over and over again.  Faced with the recent illness and death of her father, Lexi's mother encourages her to go to a summer camp to "de-gayify" herself, and Lexi, heartbroken over her father, agrees.  She just wants to fit in and make her mother happy again.

But at the camp, Lexi sees and experiences things that borders on mental and physical abuse, and she is left wondering how wrong it is to feel what she feels.  When her new friend Matthew, is caught up in an altercation with the owner of the camp, Lexi must stand up and do the right thing, and figure out just who she is and what her plan is for when she leaves the camp.

This book--just so you know, this story is REALLY difficult to read.  Not because I agree or disagree with Lexi's situation, but the camp is a horrible place. And I know stuff like that really does happen at real life camps--I've heard from people who have actually been to one.

The camp is cult-like, and the staff doesn't seem to really care about the teens and their well-being, more for their agenda and money.  They don't seem to live what they preach, and the reader starts to understand a little more the thoughts and feelings behind those individuals who have come out as LGBTQ.

I understand that there is probably a lot of argument over the publication of this book and it's presence in the library, but there is no way to just ignore that these camps exist, and that people identify as LGBTQ.  There is no reason for us to hate them--rather, let's try to understand them--and I think this book helps those who don't know a lot realize a little more.

Dr. Who + Harry Potter = Mind Blown

I was just minding my own business, wandering around the world wide web when I stumble across this:

WHAT THE HECK?! Now I have to go back and watch ALL of Tennant's Dr. Who seasons AND Harry Potter AND read all the books!  J.K. Rowling for the win!

TEEN Book Review: The Madman's Daughter

Thank you to Helen for writing a book review for you all!

The Madman's Daughter

by Megan Sheperd

Goodreads Summary:
Sixteen-year-old Juliet Moreau has built a life for herself in London—working as a maid, attending church on Sundays, and trying not to think about the scandal that ruined her life. After all, no one ever proved the rumors about her father's gruesome experiments. But when she learns he is alive and continuing his work on a remote tropical island, she is determined to find out if the accusations are true.

Accompanied by her father's handsome young assistant, Montgomery, and an enigmatic castaway, Edward—both of whom she is deeply drawn to—Juliet travels to the island, only to discover the depths of her father's madness: He has experimented on animals so that they resemble, speak, and behave as humans. And worse, one of the creatures has turned violent and is killing the island's inhabitants. Torn between horror and scientific curiosity, Juliet knows she must end her father's dangerous experiments and escape her jungle prison before it's too late. Yet as the island falls into chaos, she discovers the extent of her father's genius—and madness—in her own blood.

Inspired by H. G. Wells's classic The Island of Dr. Moreau, The Madman's Daughter is a dark and breathless Gothic thriller about the secrets we'll do anything to know and the truths we'll go to any lengths to protect.

The author's use of suspense pulled me into getting through the beginning of the book.  The reason was, I didn't like how the beginning dragged on.  I loved how it was a little chilling when the story was nera the middle.  The ending surprised me when he revealed where the main character would go (with or without a certain person).  The ending made me angry, because I didn't like how the antagonist ended up.

4 STARS!

--Helen D., Age 15

Books Are Powerful

When I read, it's not because I have to.  It's because it makes me feel feelings.  Generally, I don't have a lot of those in real life!  I want to live in a hobbit hole in the shire or fight dragons or walk through a wardrobe or even fight Voldemort.  I just want to be a part of it, and I hope there are some of you who read this blog that agree!

Teen Read Week Ends :-(

Well, I have to say that I'm REALLY happy I decided to do something for Teen Read Week this year.  I really hope to build this program up and make it more successful each year.  Thank you, teens, who showed up either for the Read-In, Book Speed Dating, Big Huge Labs, games, or just to say Hi.

I would not have this job if I didn't have all of you coming all the time.  When I first started this position, I had 2 or 3 teens coming to a program.  With a TON of hard work and a TON of dedication from the teens, I now average 12!!! Holy cow! I love my job!

Here are some photos to recap the week! Thanks again, and I hope you guys stay in touch!

All of these memes and such can be made at https://bighugelabs.com/

MOST for FREE!

This new trivia game might have to be repeated at another teen program--maybe for the summer reading program??

October 3rd Friday

3rd Friday in Middlebury was actually LAST week, but I wanted to prioritize Teen Read Week this past week.

So, our theme this month was Halloween crafts and we were lucky enough to have the high school art club! These kids are SO talented! Here are some pictures from the night:

 Elisa's Witch craft

NHS Art Club: Pumpkin Painting! 

 Tricia's Bat Painting...glows in the black light!

 Helen bowling with a patron

More Art Club

Chris's Puppet Station

Witch Hat Ring Toss

 Emily's Black Cat Craft

 Hannah's Ghost Craft

 Taryn's Spider Craft

Hanging Bat Craft

Taryn may have blown this balloon up so much it exploded in her face...

Thank you all who participated this month! We had a ton of fun and can't wait to see you NEXT month, November 20 for Thanksgiving crafts!

AFTER--Book Speed Dating & Game Night

I had a BLAST last night with the teens!  I hope everyone was able to find a book that matched their taste and personality! I'm a big fan of games, so I'm always excited when I can get together with a big group and all play the same game together.

Here are some pictures of an awesome evening at the library!

Book Speed Dating: 1 minute per book, 15 books

Will they find their next favorite book?

Book Trivia: The running version