Star Wars Sunday

In Star Wars: The Force Awakens, when Kylo Ren has nearly killed Rey, he tells her something...

"I can show you the force." 

in an attempt to convince her to join him in the Dark Side and, more than likely, use her power.

Unfortunately for the writers, fans took this to the next level...

Enjoy your Star Wars Sunday!

Book Review: Evidence of Things Not Seen

Parallel Universes?! Yes, please!

Evidence of Things Not Seen

by Lindsey Lane

Summary from Goodreads:

When high school junior Tommy Smythe goes missing, everyone has a theory about what happened to him. Tommy was adopted, so maybe he ran away to find his birth parents. He was an odd kid, often deeply involved in his own thoughts about particle physics, so maybe he just got distracted and wandered off. He was last seen at a pull-out off the highway, so maybe someone drove up and snatched him. Or maybe he slipped into a parallel universe. Tommy believes that everything is possible, and that until something can be proven false, it is possibly true. So as long as Tommy’s whereabouts are undetermined, he could literally be anywhere.

Told in a series of first-person narratives from people who knew Tommy and third-person chapters about people who find the things Tommy left behind—his red motorbike, his driving goggles, pages from his notebook—Particles explores themes of loneliness, connectedness, and the role we play in creating our own realities.

What a wild ride! Not only does this story deal with a missing person (Tommy), but parallel universes, and Tommy's explanation of them in his notebook.  I love that this book is all over the place, because when you think about it...parallel universes are so vast and abstract and all over the place that it fits perfectly.

You get to meet all the people that knew Tommy, and their self-awareness as to their purpose on Earth, and the choices they make.  This book is definitely A+ and I highly suggest you get it ASAP.

There ARE some sexual situations and language, to keep in mind.

Book Review: Daughters Unto Devils

A spooky story...I really shouldn't have been reading this book right before bed!

Daughters Unto Devils

by Amy Lukavics

16 year old Amanda Verner lives on top of the mountain with her family. But when her father decides to move the family down to the prairie, Amanda is more than willing to leave behind the past---her mother's sickness, the little sister she wishes had never been born, and the secret boy that she has been meeting in the forest and is now with child.

But things are eerie down on the prairie, and when they arrive at their new cabin, they find the walls and floor covered in blood.  Determined to make their new home work, Amanda's father fixes up the cabin, and the Verners attempt to live in their seemingly haunted cabin. But when evil signs keep turning up, Amanda and her family wonder if they will all make it out alive.

I knew this would be a scary story from the start, but I didn't realize how subtle it would be--it seeps into your subconscious as you're reading and by the climax, you have no idea how you got there without noticing!

Lukavics is a natural horror author, and this story will scare the heck out of you!

Book Review: After the Red Rain

Barry Lyga, author of the I Hunt Killers series has teamed up with 2 other guys (like Peter Facinelli from the Twilight movies!) to make this great post-apocalyptic story...

After the Red Rain

by Barry Lyga, Peter Facinelli, and Rob DeFranco

Years ago, the population was cut in half from 100 billion down to 50 billion. In a run down territory, Deedra ekes out a mundane existence building parts to a mysterious machine and scavenging in the ruins in her free time.  But during one scavenging expedition, she has a serendipitous meeting with Rose, a strange boy with a strange name and strange abilities, and the connection is undeniable.

But just as the two form a bond, they are ripped apart following the murder of the Magistrate's son and Deedra's boss.  Fighting for their lives, and the truth, the pair work together to uncover the truth.

As a Teen Librarian, I read a LOT of post-apocalyptic books, and after awhile, they just don't seem so original anymore.  However, this one takes the cake.  Not only have billions of people been killed, but they have been killed in the most inhumane way (that I won't share, due to spoilers).  And the introduction of Rose, who is very plantlike, creates a whole new element that I think I've read in maybe one book ever before this one.

The two fall in love, as is the case in all teen books, but it's chaste, respectful, and honestly too crazy for anything to happen with the Magistrate chasing them down.  I'm assuming this book WILL have a sequel, but perhaps it doesn't need one.  While left open-ended at the end, the reader sees hope, and perhaps that's the point...YOU make your own ending!

BEST DAY EVER!

Do you know why today is the best day ever?! Because your favorite librarian was born on this day 29 years ago! Whoop Whoop! And because you need to see awesome pictures of me...

Today, I will be celebrating with a fancy dinner at Eddie Merlot's....

And I will be stuffing myself silly with steak, buttery potatoes, and desserts that are so beautiful you don't want to destroy! Happy Birthday to me!

Scary Stories Around the Campfire

I'm sure all of you, or most of you have, at one time, told or heard a scary story around a campfire...sometimes about ghosts, maybe Big Foot, or some other made-up creature.  Flashlights are usually involved to create creepy shadows on the face of the narrator, but the fire roars, roasting your marshmallows for your S'Mores.

While this is all well and good, I have the SCARIEST Campfire story for you...in regular Librarian fashion...

I know I'D be screaming and scared stiff!

Book Review: A Whole New World

If you loved Aladdin, and dystopian literature, this book is for you!

A Whole New World

by Liz Braswell

What would have happened if Aladdin never got the lamp? Rather, Jafar got his hands on the genie? That is what this story is about--Aladdin and Jasmine still meet, and Abu is still that rowdy monkey, but the tables have turned.

Jafar is bribing people with food and gold, because now as the most powerful sorcerer, he can conjure almost anything.  He is also working on breaking the magic laws, so he can create an army of the undead.

Jasmine and Aladdin, along with the help of the other thieves and street rats must outwit Jafar and stop him before he takes over the world!

This story definitely is a "twisted tale!" The first eighty pages, though, follow the Disney version of Aladdin, exactly. I don't know if I like that because it's familiar, or it grows weary because it's the same story for eighty pages.  Regardless, once Jafar gets the lamp, everything turns, and the reader is left wondering how a lowly street rat could possibly stop someone who is omniscient and omnipotent.

Jasmine struggles with the burden of what it means to be Sultana, and I love that Braswell really discusses this.  Jasmine realizes her father acted like a child, and even played with toys instead of taking care of his people.  So while this is a generic dystopian style with an Aladdin twist, readers will really root for Jasmine and her future ruling Agrabah!

Star Wars Sunday

Darth Vader is priceless. Whoever came up with this is a genius:

Especially in Middlebury does this photo hit home!

Book Review: The Heartbreakers

So, I'm not into chick lit....but I REALLY liked this book!

The Heartbreakers

by Ali Novak

Stella, one of the triplets, will do anything she can for her sister, Cara who was diagnosed with cancer years ago--even if it means standing in line for hours to get Cara's CD autographed by the famous boy band, The Heartbreakers...whose music Stella loathes.

But what Stella does not expect is to meet the lead singer Oliver Perry in a Starbucks that same morning--only Stella has no idea who he is. And even when Stella calls his music crap, he STILL gives her his number.

Swept up in a romance that she can't help but feel guilty for, because her sister is in the hospital, Stella struggles to find the balance between her family, her dreams, and Oliver Perry.

Alright, is this book incredible cheesy? Yes. Is it pretty darn predictable? Yes. But I LOVED it! I read this book in two days, because it was just so adorable I couldn't put it down.  Everything in this book screams Hollywood Teen romance, but it's almost because the characters are exactly as you'd expect that I loved the book.  Stella is a great girl that struggles with her loyalty to her sister, but wants to be a famous photographer and gets the chance with the Heartbreakers.  So not only do you have the gushy romance between Stella and Oliver, you do have some substance to the book.  I wouldn't suggest reading this book if you want some deep philosophical problem to solve, but this is a rainy day read, to enjoy while cozied up in a blanket with some hot chocolate!

Thank you Ali Novak for making me like chick lit!

Teens' Galaxies in Bottles

Wow! What an evening! I had a whopping 17 teenagers at Craft Night last night and they were so efficient. So much so, that we got done in 20 minutes and I had to scramble to fill the last 40 minutes.

It was a good thing I was prepared for a big group, because I got one! 

What Teen Craft Night would be complete without snacks as well?!

 Omar, Regan, and Taryn working hard

Leanna, Dustin, and Mary

High School girls

 These gals are all perfectionists, so you can imagine how theirs turned out!

 My wonderful teenagers! How I love my job!

 High School Galaxies in Bottles

 And the middle schoolers:

We had some extra time, so we decided to pull out the cards and play Spoons!

Aaaaaand Giants, Wizards, Elves!

What a wacky day! Thank you to all the new people I got to meet, and of course my loyal teens that I see every time!

Teen Craft Night TOMORROW!

Tomorrow is one of the best Teen Craft Nights, in my opinion. It's super easy, but looks BEAUTIFUL!

We will be making "Galaxies in a Bottle" or "Bottled Nebula"--whichever name you prefer! All materials are free...this one's gonna be messy!

I will have free snacks, as always! Meet me in Room 3 from 4:30-5:30 and get in touch with me if you have any questions!

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!

It's official! Mitch and I are moving to Colorado in June! I got a job at Arapahoe Library District (http://arapahoelibraries.org/) where I will be the Youth Librarian.  I am SUPER excited to get to work with even MORE kids and teens!

But it goes without saying that I will miss all my teens at MCPL terribly.  I hope you all come see me downtown before I head out May 20. 

I have loved every minute working with the teens, working on programs, buying you new books and getting to know what you love.

I wish you all the best!

NMS YHBC: Sure Signs of Crazy

I had a great time, as usual, at the middle school for the Young Hoosier Book Club! I know it's hard to remember to come down for book club when it's the FIRST day after Spring Break, which is why I'm especially appreciative of those of you who remembered!

Today, we did some trivia and games for Sure Signs of Crazy by Karen Harrington: 

We ate some Funyuns, played some trivia for candy and had an overall blast.  Our main game was "Suck It."  Middle schoolers had to use a straw to transport M&Ms from one bowl to another!

6th grade:

7th grade:

7th grade had a little extra time, so we were able to do a SECOND activity! Everyone had to draw a mockingbird on their plate...while the plate is on top of their head! I was actually pretty impressed with some of them!

8th grade:

 I only took this picture because Reina HATES to be photographed--still a little fuzzy...

Thank you all for participating! Next month will be the LAST Young Hoosier Book Club of the year...and it's for The Lost Kingdom by Matthew Kirby...