TAB Restarts!

I'm SUPER excited that

has begun! I changed a TON of stuff, so this functions more as a program rather than a meeting.  We still discuss things like:

What books do you want for teens?
What programs should I do?
What do you like about the library?
What would you change about the teen section?
How do we publicize teen stuff?
And more!

BUT--now we have GAMES! and great food! And last week, the teens help me put together the February display for the teen section, and I couldn't be happier with how things turned out.

Here is a video of the game, Steal the Bacon that I had the teens try out.  

Sherlock Chuckles

So, I'm super excited that the new season of Sherlock Holmes with Benedict Cumberbatch is out! I think this version is my favorite remake--forget Robert Downey Jr. and the new one on regular TV, I'll take Benedict and Martin any day!

At any rate, I found this on Pinterest and HAD to share it! Brush your teeth!

And if anyone would like to see the trailer for 

Sherlock's "The Abominable Bride":

Book Review: Noggin

When I first looked at this book and read the summary, I was intrigued, but also a little confused and put off. So, I didn't read it right away, but I'm glad I came back to it, because this book was hilarious and amazing!

Noggin

by John Corey Whaley

 

Travis Coates died.  Now he's alive--with a different body.  Travis was dying of cancer, while a teenager.  During his illness, he signed a form giving his body to science so that if they ever figured out a way to attach his head to a new body, and bring it back to life, he'd be one of the first.

It worked.

Five years later, Travis enters his world again, but to him, it seems mere weeks since he was last awake.  Travis struggles to deal with his two best friends aging 5 years, his best friend at college and his girlfriend now engaged to another guy.

Travis must muddle through his teenage life to determine what is worth fighting for, and where the new and improved Travis Coates fits in.

This book. AHHHHmazing! I was so confused when I looked at this book, because I thought that this book can't be what I think it is! But it is--very science fiction, but realistic as well.  Who knows, maybe in the future we WILL be able to attach heads to a new body, and Whaley really drives the point home of what happens if that is a possibility.  Who will the person be? What will have changed?

This book addresses more than just getting to live again--it deals with all the struggles of fitting in, letting go, and moving on.  Not to mention it's absolutely hysterical! Travis and his buddies crack me up all throughout the story.  John Corey Whaley is truly a literary genius! 

I Miss Alan Rickman So Much.

Many of you might have heard that Alan Rickman passed away a couple weeks ago. I'm kicking myself that I didn't do a special blog post for him then.  I shall do that now.  

First, you can definitely look him up on my fave movie database at: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000614/?ref_=nv_sr_1

Alan Rickman has long been one of my favorite actors, and I will admit he is the older English actor I had a crush on for about 10 years. That love will never die.

Alan Rickman is credited with TONS of movies--you probably know him best as Professor Snape from Harry Potter...

He is also known for:

  

  

I HIGHLY suggest watching these four for sure, but also, just about everything he is in HAS to be good because he's absolutely brilliant!

I love you, Alan Rickman, and you will be missed.

I'm a Cat Person

I felt like I needed to share some cat things with you, because everyone loves cats, right??

If I were to do this at my house, I'm fairly certain this would happen on a regular basis.  Currently, my cat, Draco, lays on the keyboard and types ".,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,................................................." to all my friends on Facebook.

 

and...can anyone try this with their cat and let me know how it works?!

TAB Restarts!

I am REALLY excited for this Thursday.  We are starting TAB back up after two months off. I did this for a couple of reasons.  The first, it was the holidays and I wanted all the teens to enjoy their time off of school without having to come to the library for a nerd meeting.

The second, and more important reason, is so I could revamp how TAB is run.  I spoke a little with the members, and we decided we need to make it more of a program, and less of a meeting--combine the two, and maybe we can get some more teens interested.

SO! Now we have a new agenda that involves:

Games

YouTube Videos

of course, talking/meeting, etc.

more games

powerpoint

Kahoot

and of course, food.

and anything else that anyone suggests to me! I hope you guys come down this Thursday from 4:30-5:30 to discuss teen stuff and really, just spend time with other teens.  This is for you guys, not for me!

Book Review: MacBeth

I'm not necessarily sure why, but I AM impressed, that the NHS Book Club group chose MacBeth by William Shakespeare as their next book.  Of course they chose a murderous plot for February...around Valentine's Day. Well played, girls.  Well played.

MacBeth

by William Shakespeare

MacBeth is a Shakespearean play/tragedy involving the King of Scotland and those closest to him.  The war with Norway is over and MacBeth returns victorious, and one of King Duncan's most loved generals.  With his success, he is given land and title--all things the "Weird Sisters" (witches) told hiim would happen.

The witches also said MacBeth would become king.  This prophecy, whether true or not, sticks inside MacBeth's head, and his wife when told of the witches, is even more determined to make sure MacBeth is king. And right now.  Together, they form a murderous plot, kill the king, and frame his servants.

But the nobles start meting out the real story, and it's only a matter of time for justice to come to MacBeth and his wife.

This play is MUCH easier to read now that I'm 28.  I read it for Mr. Lanctot's class senior year of high school, and I kind of got the plot and what was happening, despite the old English and poetic language.  This play is a struggle in that regard, but if you focus more on what is happening instead of the exact words that are being said and what they mean, you'll get the gist of the story, which is really incredible.

What I found out later is that this play is historical fiction.  There was a King Duncan of Scotland, and a King Duff.  Shakespeare took aspects of both of these kings, and the real MacBeth to form his play, and I think that makes the play that much more interesting!

Travel & the Seven Wonders

Mitchell and both want to travel a LOT, spend money, see the world, explore.  We have already marked on maps the places we want to see before we die.  Then I ran across this and realized we forgot a few more places! *Chuckles*

Hermione Granger: Empowering Girls Everywhere

Because once a week isn't enough of Harry Potter, I bring you Hermione Granger.  I love this character--even her hair, probably because I relate to that aspect.

If Hermione is your favorite character you definitely need to read this--even if you don't, you need to read this:

Book Review: Sasquatch in the Paint

Another Young Hoosier down! This one was written by a famous basketball player.  This is a great, quick read, for boys and girls who like sports, and even those who don't like sports, but like a little real-life mystery!

Sasquatch in the Paint

by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar & Raymond Obstfeld

Theo grew almost a foot in one summer--which means now he should be the greatest middle school basketball player at school, right?! Unfortunately for Theo, and his father, he is the worst player.  Theo would rather spend his time "nerding" it up with his best friend Brian on the Brain Team for the Aca-lympics.  But he decided to give basketball a shot.

Dubbed "Sasquatch" by the new girl, Rain, Theo struggles to deal with his athletic ability, the loss of his mother, his annoying cousin who happens to be a great musician, Aca-lympics, his dad's new dating life, his friends, and of course, Rain--who he thinks is just a LITTLE cute.

I wasn't sure about this book at first.  I'm not a huge sports fan, and I always wonder when famous people decide they want to write a book, but I was pleasantly surprised by this story.  There are quite a few layers and topics the authors touch on--maybe too many topics for such a short story, but it kept the pace going, and I can forgive all the stuff squashed into the story because it was well-written.

There is a lot going on not with Theo's basketball team, but the authors really touch on grief, and life after loss--he wants his dad to be happy, but he's scared about him dating again.  The story also touches on the Muslim religion and how it is easy to judge and accuse someone very easily due to a preconceived, and incorrect, view of what that religion means and what the followers of that religion really believe in, as a whole.

I think younger teens will get a lot out of this book, and lucky for them, it's a series! Check out the second one, which we also have available at the library:

What's Your Favorite Book?

A lot of people, when they hear that I'm a librarian ask me the same few questions:

So, do you just get to read a lot?

What is your favorite book?

To the first question--STOP ASKING! NO LIBRARIAN EVER GETS TO SIT AND READ ALL DAY!

Whew, now that I have yelled at you through a blog, here is the answer to the second question:

Daniel Radcliffe Does it Again

Harry Potter is quite witty when he is normal Daniel Radcliffe.  And I am pretty sure he just adores his fans, but at the same time, he feels quite comfortable having a little fun with them as well!

Well said, Harry. Well said.

Book Review: Inkheart

So, I was at my fiance's apartment and I had forgotten my book--this is a HUGE tragedy as a librarian.  Anyway, he said "Don't worry, I have lots of books" says the man who NEVER reads.  So he pulls out Inkheart by Cornelia Funke and tells me to try it out...WOW! How has this book been out for forever and I've NEVER read it! Get it now!

Inkheart

by Cornelia Funke

Meggie lives with and adores her father, Mo. After all, they only have each other after her mother's death when Meggie was very young.  The duo love the printed word and telling stories, but Mo doesn't ever read books out loud to Meggie.

When a mysterious stranger shows up  looking for a particular book, Meggie learns there's a reason Mo doesn't read aloud.  It's because of him that characters are literally leaping out of the pages. But Capricorn is not the sort of character you want in your own world.  Capricorn, determined to rule and be rich orders the abduction of Meggie, her father, and even her great Aunt Elinor in order to get more from the stories that are being read.

Meggie must band together with her father and aunt, and some unlikely companions to put the stories back in the books and bring her mother home.

I never really knew much about this book, other than a sub-par movie being made from it.  But when I was at my fiance's house, I had forgotten my book so I needed something to read.  He handed me Inkheart and I couldn't believe I'd missed out for so long!

Funke definitely idolizes J.R.R. Tolkein and C.S. Lewis, and you can see some similarities between this book and The Chronicles of Narnia, but she by no means copies anything from either author.  Capricorn is the epitome of a YA Villain--you absolutely hate everything about him and just can't wait for Meggie to outwit him and send him back into his own story.  

There is a lot going on in this book, and you'll want to make sure you're paying attention to avoid missing any clever detail or clue Funke has hidden in the text.  This is a lovable adventure story that will keep you guessing!

Stars Wars meets Dr. Seuss

Have you ever wondered what would have happened if George Lucas, creator of Star Wars and Dr. Seuss would have met? What incredible stories would they have come up with? Well, look no further!

 

I would read any one of these in a heartbeat!

Excited for the Future

I always wonder what will happen to libraries as technology takes over...will I still have a job in 20 years? Then I see things like this that gives me hope:

 

Apparently, I will be a superhero with a killer superhero suit!

And just some more information on how great librarians are:

Book Review: Here After

I listened to Shadowlands last summer while working, and I actually forgot about this series until the other week! I could have kicked myself.  So I got the 2nd book, in print, started it last Friday night.  I finished it last Saturday afternoon! I forgot there was a third book, so that is on my cart to buy next month!

Here After

by Kate Brian

Rory Miller thought her life was over when she was murdered by her teacher/serial killer, Stephen Nell.  But instead, Rory, her father, and her sister are in limbo on Juniper Landing, an island that the three originally thought to be a real place...a place from the Witness Protection Program.  Rory now knows better--she has become a Lifer, a dead person that helps newcomers to pass into the Light or the Shadowlands.  The only problem is that her father and sister don't know they are both dead--and Rory can't tell them lest she dooms them to the Shadowlands.

While Rory tries to come to terms with her new profession, a new threat awakens.  More and more people are being sent to the Shadowlands--people that don't deserve it.  Nadia is blaming Rory, Rory is blaming Nadia, and the whole group of Lifers is baffled.  Rory must find the culprit, work through her love life with Tristan, and keep her family safe.

I have to be honest, I wasn't too excited to start the second book of this series.  I thought I had moved on from afterlife-type books.  I was soooo wrong! I'm glad I didn't give up.  After the first fifty pages, I couldn't stop reading if I tried.  I put the book down to pee or sleep, but finished it within 12 hours.

Yes, there is a love story with Rory and Tristan that isn't super exciting to a 28 year old, crotchety librarian, but the story focuses more on Rory's new position and everything she does for her family.  This book has betrayal and conspiracy, and will leave the reader on edge.  You THINK you know who is behind the Shadowlands...but can you really be sure?

Odette Has a Secret---at NMS!

I think this month may have been my favorite Young Hoosier Book Club at the middle school--it was crazy, but not pull-my-hair-out crazy.  I had over 60 kids attend during their lunch periods! They paid attention, they answered questions, and they played Spin the Dreidel. 

We also got some homemade snacks--latkes! A delicious potato pancake in the Jewish fashion--though I'm sure these didn't taste quite as good as the reeeeal thing.

Odette is a little girl in France during the German Occupation during WWII.  She is sent to a small village to pretend to be Catholic--if anyone finds out she is a Jew, most likely, she will end up in a Nazi Concentration Camp.  Odette must keep this secret if she is to survive the war.

Here are some pictures from...

6th Grade:

 Spin the Dreidel

 

 My youngest, and most hyper group!

7th Grade:

 The final tournament round

My middle, and largest, group!

8th Grade:

 And my oldest, and most devoted group! I will miss them next year!

 

Book Review: Firefight

For the Young Hoosier Book Nominees for next year, Brandon Sanderson's Steelheart has been added to the list, and boy am I stoked! So, I already read and reviewed Steelheart, but now I've read Sanderson's sequel, Firefight, which continues right where Steelheart left off, and it's is phenomenal!

Firefight

by Brandon Sanderson

David has beaten and killed Steelheart, the dictator with superpowers that has ruled Newcago for years.  He has joined the Reckoners and their fight to destroy everyone in the country with superpowers--he does have a knack for finding their weaknesses.

But in Steelheart, David found out that the girl he was falling for, IS an Epic (with superpowers) AND Megan was also working for Steelheart.  After fleeing, David and the Reckoners are determined to find Megan--but for different reasons.  The Reckoners want her dead, but David believes that maybe it's possible some Epics can be the good guys.

All at the same time, the group heads to what used to be New York City, to take down Regalia and Obliteration, the two strongest Epics in the area.  David has to keep the trust of the Reckoners, but find Megan to stop the duo together.

I love this premise for a story, no matter how far-fetched some of the elements seem to be.  This is definitely Science Fiction gone wrong.  We now live with people with superpowers, but not ONE of them is good--no Batman or Superman here.  David is an ordinary teenager out to avenge his father, and he gets pulled in to one of the greatest battles of all time.

Megan, Firefight, is lucky enough to have this book titled after her, however, the book isn't just about Megan and her relationship with David.  Sanderson chooses this title because it deals directly with the main character, but he also knows he can't make a whole plot based on teenage love--instead he brings in two new supervillains that test the boundaries of love and trust.  We FINALLY get a glimpse at Calamity, and I am now on the edge of my seat to REALLY meet him in:

Book Page Flowers by Teenagers!

So, all of my stressing and fretting were for naught.  The teenagers came in last week to make flowers out of pages of books, and as usual, they blew me away.  I have such a creative, dedicated group, and am so blessed to have had such a successful night working on these flowers.

I found the idea for this on Pinterest, as usual, and at TAB, the teens decided this is one of the crafts they definitely wanted me to add to the roster for this year.

All you need:
hot glue gun
strong wire (you could probably even cut up an old hanger if you want)
a book you want to destroy
ribbon

If you'd like full instructions for this craft, look here:  https://www.pinterest.com/pin/405746247654621488/

And here are some pictures of the teens hard at work: