I know my readers are few and far between since this is a new blog but if anyone does see this entry, I'm just curious.
Are any of your libraries participating in YA author Kay Cassidy's Great Scavenger Hunt?
I finally got my display up for it today. I don't know if any teens from my library will actually enter but I hope so. They could win a $50 gift card to Barnes and Noble which to me as a reader, no matter what age, is a pretty darn awesome prize!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Saturday, April 25, 2009
What I Saw and How I Lied by Judy Blundell
I just finished this book this morning and I wanted to share a few passages from it that I really enjoyed. If you haven't heard of this book here is the synopsis:
It is also the Winner of the 2008 National Book Award for Young People's Literature.
I didn't fly through this book but it took me awhile to finish it. I enjoyed it immensely but it wasn't a book I was glued to the pages.
It is set in the 1940s, following WWII. I will say this right away so you know my bias. I have a BA in History (and English, but that's besides the point) and WWII, the Holocaust, and the era immediately following WWII is my favorite historical era to read about, both fiction and nonfiction. So in some ways, I was predisposed to really enjoy this book.
What didn't quite work for me is the fact that I always seemed to be two steps ahead of the main character, Evie. She didn't figure out what was really going on while I had already unraveled the mystery and its implications for all the characters.
But what I loved, loved, LOVED most of all in this book was the writing. I felt it was first class top notch literary writing. I've read mixed reviews for this book on various blogs and review sites and I'm not here to argue. For me, this book, and the author's writing, worked for me all the way.
Here are some of my favorite passages:
To me, Blundell exactly encapsulates what it feels like to really notice a boy, the boy, for the first time as a man. To feel yourself as a woman even as you're still younger. This story is by far Evie's coming of age, and it is not all good as she finds out. But there are these rare beautiful moments that help us to move on to the next stage of lives, and this is certainly one of Evie's.
That moment when you realize your parents are human and make mistakes, sometimes awful, painful mistakes.
This is a book about the aftermath of the war, and the immediate aftermath of the decimation of millions of Jewish people. Evie has never really understood that until something happens at the hotel that makes her see more than even the war, with its Victory gardens and it's enduring things for the duration, ever could.
This book is not perfect, but what book is? All I know is I came away from this story with a heavy heart but with hope for Evie. I won't share one of my favorite passages from the book because it's right at the end, but suffice it to say, Evie grows up. Is she always going to be Miss Mature from now on? Of course not, but she has a story to tell now, and it is not all good.
When Evie's father returned home from World War II, the family fell back into its normal life pretty quickly. But Joe Spooner brought more back with him than just good war stories. When movie-star handsome Peter Coleridge, a young ex-GI who served in Joe's company in postwar Austria, shows up, Evie is suddenly caught in a complicated web of lies that she only slowly recognizes. She finds herself falling for Peter, ignoring the secrets that surround him . . . until a tragedy occurs that shatters her family and breaks her life in two.
As she begins to realize that almost everything she believed to be a truth was really a lie, Evie must get to the heart of the deceptions and choose between her loyalty to her parents and her feelings for the man she loves. Someone will have to be betrayed. The question is . . . who?
It is also the Winner of the 2008 National Book Award for Young People's Literature.
I didn't fly through this book but it took me awhile to finish it. I enjoyed it immensely but it wasn't a book I was glued to the pages.
It is set in the 1940s, following WWII. I will say this right away so you know my bias. I have a BA in History (and English, but that's besides the point) and WWII, the Holocaust, and the era immediately following WWII is my favorite historical era to read about, both fiction and nonfiction. So in some ways, I was predisposed to really enjoy this book.
What didn't quite work for me is the fact that I always seemed to be two steps ahead of the main character, Evie. She didn't figure out what was really going on while I had already unraveled the mystery and its implications for all the characters.
But what I loved, loved, LOVED most of all in this book was the writing. I felt it was first class top notch literary writing. I've read mixed reviews for this book on various blogs and review sites and I'm not here to argue. For me, this book, and the author's writing, worked for me all the way.
Here are some of my favorite passages:
Every so often, our ankles b rushed against each other, our toes. It felt like the most real thing that had ever happened to me. I was part of the hot, dark night. The night was all breath and air. I was all skin.
I had to remember every detail. His ankles. His fingers. The golden stubble on his cheek.
And then I forgot everything except the dance. I was able to dance for the first time in my life, really dance, and understand why it worked, one body against another body.
To me, Blundell exactly encapsulates what it feels like to really notice a boy, the boy, for the first time as a man. To feel yourself as a woman even as you're still younger. This story is by far Evie's coming of age, and it is not all good as she finds out. But there are these rare beautiful moments that help us to move on to the next stage of lives, and this is certainly one of Evie's.
That moment when you realize your parents are human and make mistakes, sometimes awful, painful mistakes.
She crawled over to me on the couch. She put her hands on my cheeks.
"You and me," she whispered.
I couldn't answer her.
"Stick like glue. Stick like glue, Evie!"
I couldn't finish it. I couldn't give her that. I couldn't go back to the place where we'd been.
This is a book about the aftermath of the war, and the immediate aftermath of the decimation of millions of Jewish people. Evie has never really understood that until something happens at the hotel that makes her see more than even the war, with its Victory gardens and it's enduring things for the duration, ever could.
A girl with my birthday died in the camps. A girl I didn't know. I could see her on the bed, swinging her feet to a tune on the radio. I couldn't see her taken away. I couldn't see what happened after that. I knew about the camps, but I hadn't really thought about them. I'd seen the articles, but we'd had so much of war. I hadn't wanted to think about it after it was over, after all the men were coming home. I hadn't wanted to listen to the whispers about Ruthie Kalman's cousins. I didn't want any more of the war. I was sick of the war. I had wanted to lsiten to Joe saying, It's over, over there, and here is where it's happening now.
This book is not perfect, but what book is? All I know is I came away from this story with a heavy heart but with hope for Evie. I won't share one of my favorite passages from the book because it's right at the end, but suffice it to say, Evie grows up. Is she always going to be Miss Mature from now on? Of course not, but she has a story to tell now, and it is not all good.
Friday, April 24, 2009
SYNOPSIS!
Libba Bray's upcoming book (and the book I'm probably most excited for this year) Going Bovine has a synopsis!
I cannot wait!! It sounds interesting to me and sad and brave and will probably be fantastic. (I'm pinning my hopes on this book Ms. Bray, so don't disappoint please!)
Can Cameron find what he’s looking for?
All 16-year-old Cameron wants is to get through high school—and life in general—with a minimum of effort. It’s not a lot to ask. But that’s before he’s given some bad news: he’s sick and he’s going to die. Which totally sucks. Hope arrives in the winged form of Dulcie, a loopy punk angel/possible hallucination with a bad sugar habit. She tells Cam there is a cure—if he’s willing to go in search of it. With the help of a death-obsessed, video-gaming dwarf and a yard gnome, Cam sets off on the mother of all road trips through a twisted America into the heart of what matters most.
I cannot wait!! It sounds interesting to me and sad and brave and will probably be fantastic. (I'm pinning my hopes on this book Ms. Bray, so don't disappoint please!)
Thursday, April 23, 2009
My first program at my new library
I started my job in February and since then I've been getting acquainted with the library system and the various duties of my job. This past Tuesday, I held my first "Teen Scene" as they are called at this library. It was a vampire theme program. Only eleven teens showed up, and most of those from the TAB, so I was kind of disappointed but I'm hoping once teen events become a regular part of the library monthly calendar again, I will get more teens.
First, I had a "vampire" make-over contest, having the teens make over each other to see who could use the make-up most creatively. I just bought various colors of grease paint and other cheap make-up from Party America for this. Unfortunately the guys were not at all interested in putting make-up on their faces. The girls seemed to have fun with it once they got past the initial weirdness which I think is how they saw it first. But oh well, they did have fun. Lots of laughter means fun in my book.
Then I had a vampire trivia competition focusing on various "vampires" from movies, books, TV, and everything in between. Using the Best Trivia Game Ever variety of trivia game (using chairs with high point values) the teens had a lot of fun. Most of them hadn't read anything beyond Twilight that had much to do with vampires, and the boys even less, but they liked having to decide how much to risk on each answer. I also took points away for the incorrect answer and I don't remember if that was an original part of the trivia event or not.
Then, there was the ice cream or "blood floats" as I was calling them. A couple red ice cream flavors, some red toppings, some red drinks if they wanted to make actual floats out of them, and yeah, the ice cream was a huge hit. But then, what food item isn't a hit with teens?
Anyway, despite the low turnout, I think fun was had and that's the main point of the events anyway. Next month I'm doing a recycling program and then June kicks off my library's eight weeks of teen summer programming. I still feel like I have so much work ahead of me even though I'm actually doing really well on making these programs come together.
If your library is doing a teen summer reading club, are you going with the "Express Yourself" theme or changing it slightly? My library actually changed ours slightly so we have done all the artwork and images in house and it's worked out well so far. Lots of work, but I think it's more creative than the rather generic "Express Yourself" and the really generic "Be Creative" children's theme.
First, I had a "vampire" make-over contest, having the teens make over each other to see who could use the make-up most creatively. I just bought various colors of grease paint and other cheap make-up from Party America for this. Unfortunately the guys were not at all interested in putting make-up on their faces. The girls seemed to have fun with it once they got past the initial weirdness which I think is how they saw it first. But oh well, they did have fun. Lots of laughter means fun in my book.
Then I had a vampire trivia competition focusing on various "vampires" from movies, books, TV, and everything in between. Using the Best Trivia Game Ever variety of trivia game (using chairs with high point values) the teens had a lot of fun. Most of them hadn't read anything beyond Twilight that had much to do with vampires, and the boys even less, but they liked having to decide how much to risk on each answer. I also took points away for the incorrect answer and I don't remember if that was an original part of the trivia event or not.
Then, there was the ice cream or "blood floats" as I was calling them. A couple red ice cream flavors, some red toppings, some red drinks if they wanted to make actual floats out of them, and yeah, the ice cream was a huge hit. But then, what food item isn't a hit with teens?
Anyway, despite the low turnout, I think fun was had and that's the main point of the events anyway. Next month I'm doing a recycling program and then June kicks off my library's eight weeks of teen summer programming. I still feel like I have so much work ahead of me even though I'm actually doing really well on making these programs come together.
If your library is doing a teen summer reading club, are you going with the "Express Yourself" theme or changing it slightly? My library actually changed ours slightly so we have done all the artwork and images in house and it's worked out well so far. Lots of work, but I think it's more creative than the rather generic "Express Yourself" and the really generic "Be Creative" children's theme.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Review: Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
I was really looking forward to this book so when my library finally got it I was so happy. I was able to grab it before anyone else and went home to read. I've been thinking about this book since I finished it and I just don't know what quite to say about it.
For me, it's not a matter of liking or disliking this book. It is an incredibly powerful story. Lia is a character with a whole host of problems, beyond her issues with food. But something about Lia did not connect with me. I felt very distanced from her story, even as I struggled and hated to see her go through this eating disorder. Every page in some ways was a struggle for me to read because LHA has a very powerful way of invoking anorexia and Lia's struggle with not only eating, but with her friend's death, with her parents divorce, with her mom, with her stepfamily. LHA articulates these problems with her usual stylized prose. The constant use of calorie counting, the self-doubts, the family disconnect. It all plays out very well in this story.
I don't think I can quite articulate, however, why this book really didn't connect with me. I felt bad for Lia, I felt terrible for her, just as I was repulsed and disturbed by her decisions. This is a book I probably will never re-read. I had a hard time with it, and maybe that related to me and my own struggles with food. This book hit very close to home and not because I have ever been anorexic or anything. I have my own issues with eating and so I think I felt too close to Lia at times, thus I had to distance myself by putting down the book, by skimming certain sections.
This book is going to garner many awards, much attention, and plenty of discussion. As a librarian, I'm not sure who I will suggest this book too. LHA has a built in audience who will want to read this book just because it's a LHA story. But, its content is so powerful and hurtful in many ways, this will not be an easy book to sell to teens, at least not in my library. Or perhaps I just have not yet met that teen this book is meant for.
I wanted to like this book and after reading it, I think being able to "like" this book is a very paltry reaction to this story. This is not a book one can like or dislike. There will be reactions and dialogue and feelings related to this story, but nothing as simple as like. But maybe that's the book power, its ability to get that reaction out of its audience, no matter the age.
It's been several days since I originally composed this post and even after reading various commentary on different blogs, all with strong opinions for this book, I still stand adamant that this is a title I will not read again. Much of this book seemed to me, more than anything else, just shock value. And I know that's a very negative opinion and I know I'm in the minority, but maybe I have had my rose-colored glasses on for too long but I did not come away from this book thinking Lia would make a full recovery, despite the ending. This is just one blogger's opinion and I highly encourage any and all to read this book. You will be left feeling something unusual.
For me, it's not a matter of liking or disliking this book. It is an incredibly powerful story. Lia is a character with a whole host of problems, beyond her issues with food. But something about Lia did not connect with me. I felt very distanced from her story, even as I struggled and hated to see her go through this eating disorder. Every page in some ways was a struggle for me to read because LHA has a very powerful way of invoking anorexia and Lia's struggle with not only eating, but with her friend's death, with her parents divorce, with her mom, with her stepfamily. LHA articulates these problems with her usual stylized prose. The constant use of calorie counting, the self-doubts, the family disconnect. It all plays out very well in this story.
I don't think I can quite articulate, however, why this book really didn't connect with me. I felt bad for Lia, I felt terrible for her, just as I was repulsed and disturbed by her decisions. This is a book I probably will never re-read. I had a hard time with it, and maybe that related to me and my own struggles with food. This book hit very close to home and not because I have ever been anorexic or anything. I have my own issues with eating and so I think I felt too close to Lia at times, thus I had to distance myself by putting down the book, by skimming certain sections.
This book is going to garner many awards, much attention, and plenty of discussion. As a librarian, I'm not sure who I will suggest this book too. LHA has a built in audience who will want to read this book just because it's a LHA story. But, its content is so powerful and hurtful in many ways, this will not be an easy book to sell to teens, at least not in my library. Or perhaps I just have not yet met that teen this book is meant for.
I wanted to like this book and after reading it, I think being able to "like" this book is a very paltry reaction to this story. This is not a book one can like or dislike. There will be reactions and dialogue and feelings related to this story, but nothing as simple as like. But maybe that's the book power, its ability to get that reaction out of its audience, no matter the age.
It's been several days since I originally composed this post and even after reading various commentary on different blogs, all with strong opinions for this book, I still stand adamant that this is a title I will not read again. Much of this book seemed to me, more than anything else, just shock value. And I know that's a very negative opinion and I know I'm in the minority, but maybe I have had my rose-colored glasses on for too long but I did not come away from this book thinking Lia would make a full recovery, despite the ending. This is just one blogger's opinion and I highly encourage any and all to read this book. You will be left feeling something unusual.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Recycled art anyone?
As part of the summer reading program this year, I, along with my fellow teen librarians in the district, will be hosting a recycled art event. I am totally on board with this idea, except I seem to have hit a snag. I cannot decide which materials will best suit teens. Do we go the tried and true milk jugs and egg cartons route, with some old CDs thrown in to mix things up, or try for something totally new with recycled art.
I realize I am totally overthinking this. After all, the point is creativity. Whatever supplies are on hand are the ones the teens will be forced to use and therefore, become creative with. As a new teen librarian, I think my biggest challenge is that I'm constantly trying to reinvent the wheel when this is totally not necessary! Cardboard, styrofoam, maybe some old jewelry or an old canvas or two will work just as well as anything else. This has been my biggest challenge when it comes to programming overall. I want to come up with something totally original when this either may just bomb or is in my case, really hard to come up with. Thankfully I have some great coworkers who help me with ideas, but for me personally, I have to get over the idea of wanting an original program month after month. When those moments of total originality strike, that's great, but otherwise, relying on the tried and true with a twist is not a bad thing.
And in something totally unrelated, I just started reading Wintergirls today on my lunchbreak and I just... well I am very creeped out and nervous for Lia. This is going to be a tough book to get through, even as I am fascinated with the story and LHA's characters. It's given me chills already.
I realize I am totally overthinking this. After all, the point is creativity. Whatever supplies are on hand are the ones the teens will be forced to use and therefore, become creative with. As a new teen librarian, I think my biggest challenge is that I'm constantly trying to reinvent the wheel when this is totally not necessary! Cardboard, styrofoam, maybe some old jewelry or an old canvas or two will work just as well as anything else. This has been my biggest challenge when it comes to programming overall. I want to come up with something totally original when this either may just bomb or is in my case, really hard to come up with. Thankfully I have some great coworkers who help me with ideas, but for me personally, I have to get over the idea of wanting an original program month after month. When those moments of total originality strike, that's great, but otherwise, relying on the tried and true with a twist is not a bad thing.
And in something totally unrelated, I just started reading Wintergirls today on my lunchbreak and I just... well I am very creeped out and nervous for Lia. This is going to be a tough book to get through, even as I am fascinated with the story and LHA's characters. It's given me chills already.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Displays
Well JUST finished putting up my "If You Liked Twilight..." display and half the books are picked through already. I'm happy about this, but the display is in conjunction with my Vampire program next week and at this rate, all the books will be gone. I shall have to scan the shelves to find more paranormal type books. Luckily there is a lot of the paranormal genre being published right now, so it should not be too difficult.
I'm a happy librarian today. Now if only I could get some better display space....
I'm a happy librarian today. Now if only I could get some better display space....
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Summer Reading Club: Hardwear program
Today I was working on some of the projects that are in Hardwear: Jewelry from a Toolbox and I created this lovely necklace. It wasn't hard to do and I just wanted to see how some of these projects would work out. I will have pretty colored twine on hand when I do the actual program but as long as the teens and tweens can create a knot, this necklace is a go. One of the facilities guys at the library was kind enough to let me into their workshop to find the nuts, bolts, and various other pieces of hardware I needed.
I also ended up creating a bracelet made out of rubber washer rings I believe. Very easy again. Also more guy friendly I think. I'm only going to offer about four of the projects from the book I think, so the teens can't go too crazy choosing their project, but I'm trying to find a few gender neutral, and easy projects since I can get teens at the program ranging from grade 6 all the way up to grade 12.
Otherwise, it was a rather slow Saturday at the library. I think tomorrow being Easter contributed.
I highly recommend this book as an activity though. The directions are very easy to follow (and I'm a total craft amateur so believe me when I say, anyone can follow these directions.) The pictures are clear and really helpful. My facilities guy was very impressed because it helped him get a better sense of what I needed. I think this will turn out to be a fun program. Of course, now I have about 7 other programs to tackle before the June 1st kick off. Everything is planned in theory, but I will see how it all goes.
Review: Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
Yep, I admit it, I'm a sucker for forbidden romance. I love Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story, bad boy/good girl relationships in general so I think given my biases, I was bound to like Perfect Chemistry. But there is actually a lot to enjoy in this story despite perhaps the rather generic label of opposites attracting.
And in fact, I can see myself recommending this book to boys! Just because Alex is... a guy. A realistic high school guy. Yes, he is from a poor background, but he loves working on cars, being with his friends, lusting after girls. He thinks about sex quite a bit. Yep, he is a guy. On the dark side of his character are the violence and guns that surround his life. Alex is a gangmember and though he tries to stay away from the dirtier side of life, it is hard, particularly when his father was killed right in front of his eyes.
So, when this Hispanic guy is paired with the stereotypical blond princess in chemistry class, there is instant dislike, and well, instant lust.
Brittany Ellis seems to have the perfect life. She is dating the most popular boy at school, she has wealthy parents, good clothes. It's perfect, right? Well there is a big catch that makes Brittany much more sympathetic. It is this imperfectness in her life that leads her to fall so quickly for Alex, much as she wants to deny it.
Like the title implies, these two have chemistry. And it's steamy, particularly for a YA book.
So what happens when a boy from the wrong side of the tracks falls for a good girl? It's not quite as stereotypical as you'd think, and it's a lot of fun to see unfold. I managed to read it in a matter of days just during my lunch breaks.
This book is definitely intended for upper level high school students, or if you know the teen, teens who can deal with more mature subject matters. There is sex, violence, drinking and drugs. Definitely NOT for middle school aged teens.
Also, the ending, or more appropriately, the epilogue was a bit too cutesy for me and knocked my grade down a bit. I would have been much happier if that had been left out and I could have imagined the "epilogue" in my own way.
Final grade 3.5/5
I love a good romance story and I think girls will fall hard for the romance in this story, while guys who may be willing to branch out with their reading will respond nicely to Alex and his friends and cohorts.
And in fact, I can see myself recommending this book to boys! Just because Alex is... a guy. A realistic high school guy. Yes, he is from a poor background, but he loves working on cars, being with his friends, lusting after girls. He thinks about sex quite a bit. Yep, he is a guy. On the dark side of his character are the violence and guns that surround his life. Alex is a gangmember and though he tries to stay away from the dirtier side of life, it is hard, particularly when his father was killed right in front of his eyes.
So, when this Hispanic guy is paired with the stereotypical blond princess in chemistry class, there is instant dislike, and well, instant lust.
Brittany Ellis seems to have the perfect life. She is dating the most popular boy at school, she has wealthy parents, good clothes. It's perfect, right? Well there is a big catch that makes Brittany much more sympathetic. It is this imperfectness in her life that leads her to fall so quickly for Alex, much as she wants to deny it.
Like the title implies, these two have chemistry. And it's steamy, particularly for a YA book.
So what happens when a boy from the wrong side of the tracks falls for a good girl? It's not quite as stereotypical as you'd think, and it's a lot of fun to see unfold. I managed to read it in a matter of days just during my lunch breaks.
This book is definitely intended for upper level high school students, or if you know the teen, teens who can deal with more mature subject matters. There is sex, violence, drinking and drugs. Definitely NOT for middle school aged teens.
Also, the ending, or more appropriately, the epilogue was a bit too cutesy for me and knocked my grade down a bit. I would have been much happier if that had been left out and I could have imagined the "epilogue" in my own way.
Final grade 3.5/5
I love a good romance story and I think girls will fall hard for the romance in this story, while guys who may be willing to branch out with their reading will respond nicely to Alex and his friends and cohorts.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Book review: Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie by David Lubar
I had the pleasure of being able to see David Lubar speak at the Colorado Teen Literature Conference this past weekend. I'll be totally honest. I had never read any of his books before finding out he was a guest speaker. Hadn't even heard of him truth be told. He turned out to be a funny guy though. His speech itself wasn't... the best I guess. He seemed to gear it more towards some of his younger books. But he did talk a lot about where his inspiration came from and that made his anecdotes both funny and useful.
Before the conference, I decided to read one his books and I randomly choose Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie and was most pleasantly surprised. This is the story of Scott Hudson, just about to enter his freshmen year of high school, along with his three best friends. They are all nervous and worried about how they are going to fit in. On top of that, Scott has another worry on his mind. His mother is pregnant! He's going to be a middle child. And oh yeah, he just happens to have a huge crush on a girl he has known since kindergarten, except he cannot work up the courage to talk to her. That crush however proves to be the impetus Scott needs to get involved in his new environment.
The newspaper, the school play, even student council... Scott will try anything to get Julia's attention, even though she is a dating a football player who just happens to be a total jerk. But Scott is finding his way in high school, even as he encounters bullies, new friendships, old friendships, and the chance to see himself shine.
Scott Hudson is a nice all around kid. He is approachable and nice, but he does not seem to have any special talent which will draw readers into his story. He is the every kid entering high school. Scared, excited, and wary. His story is interspersed with lists of high school do's and dont's he is writing for his new brother or sister and the observations are spot on and will definitely make you laugh. There is also a more serious subplot which I won't give away, but it is dealt with in a realistic manner for Scott's character.
There is perhaps nothing totally new about this book in terms of the high school genre, but Lubar's clever way with words, along with Scott's likability factor make this story fun and enjoyable.
Boys entering 9th grade will get a kick out this story but I think it is also acceptable for 7th and 8th graders. I don't think more mature teens will find it quite as exciting. This is a book you could hand to a middle school level boy and know he will enjoy it. Girls will also really like it (I know I did!).
Though picking this book was total happenstance, I'm glad I read it. In fact, I read it in one sitting! Chapters are short enough where more reluctant readers may still read it without getting too bogged down, even as it is a longer book at 288 pages.
Grade: 4 out of 5. This story, a tale as old as high school itself, is darn right appealing.
Before the conference, I decided to read one his books and I randomly choose Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie and was most pleasantly surprised. This is the story of Scott Hudson, just about to enter his freshmen year of high school, along with his three best friends. They are all nervous and worried about how they are going to fit in. On top of that, Scott has another worry on his mind. His mother is pregnant! He's going to be a middle child. And oh yeah, he just happens to have a huge crush on a girl he has known since kindergarten, except he cannot work up the courage to talk to her. That crush however proves to be the impetus Scott needs to get involved in his new environment.
The newspaper, the school play, even student council... Scott will try anything to get Julia's attention, even though she is a dating a football player who just happens to be a total jerk. But Scott is finding his way in high school, even as he encounters bullies, new friendships, old friendships, and the chance to see himself shine.
Scott Hudson is a nice all around kid. He is approachable and nice, but he does not seem to have any special talent which will draw readers into his story. He is the every kid entering high school. Scared, excited, and wary. His story is interspersed with lists of high school do's and dont's he is writing for his new brother or sister and the observations are spot on and will definitely make you laugh. There is also a more serious subplot which I won't give away, but it is dealt with in a realistic manner for Scott's character.
There is perhaps nothing totally new about this book in terms of the high school genre, but Lubar's clever way with words, along with Scott's likability factor make this story fun and enjoyable.
Boys entering 9th grade will get a kick out this story but I think it is also acceptable for 7th and 8th graders. I don't think more mature teens will find it quite as exciting. This is a book you could hand to a middle school level boy and know he will enjoy it. Girls will also really like it (I know I did!).
Though picking this book was total happenstance, I'm glad I read it. In fact, I read it in one sitting! Chapters are short enough where more reluctant readers may still read it without getting too bogged down, even as it is a longer book at 288 pages.
Grade: 4 out of 5. This story, a tale as old as high school itself, is darn right appealing.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Chronicling my career...
Or something like that. I love reading blogs, particularly librarian and/or book related blogs. I have finally decided to try my own hand at blogging. In February I was hired at a library in Colorado as the Teen Librarian. Needless to say, I was thrilled! I received my MLIS back in June 2008 and this is my first professional job. It's been a wonderful experience thus far.
As the Teen Librarian, right now I'm busy, busy, busy getting the Teen Summer Reading Club off and running. As I said, I'm new at this so this is my first time, in charge, running a summer reading program. Luckily my fellow colleagues have been great help. I also do storytimes, run a monthly teen program, supervise the teen advisory board, and just a whole miscellany of things in the library. It's been a great challenge and I'm really excited to see what happens next.
I'm also an avid reader (duh, right?). I love all things YA but some of my favorite YA titles include Feed by MT Anderson, Libba Bray's Gemma Doyle trilogy, and The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. I think YA authors are utterly fabulous and offer readers of all ages, but particularly teens, great stories, great characters, and challenging questions about life in general. It's hard to see that happening in adult fiction right now.
This blog is going to be a miscellany of things: ideas about programs I'm running, book reviews, general book chit chat, and hopefully getting to know the blogging community.
As the Teen Librarian, right now I'm busy, busy, busy getting the Teen Summer Reading Club off and running. As I said, I'm new at this so this is my first time, in charge, running a summer reading program. Luckily my fellow colleagues have been great help. I also do storytimes, run a monthly teen program, supervise the teen advisory board, and just a whole miscellany of things in the library. It's been a great challenge and I'm really excited to see what happens next.
I'm also an avid reader (duh, right?). I love all things YA but some of my favorite YA titles include Feed by MT Anderson, Libba Bray's Gemma Doyle trilogy, and The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. I think YA authors are utterly fabulous and offer readers of all ages, but particularly teens, great stories, great characters, and challenging questions about life in general. It's hard to see that happening in adult fiction right now.
This blog is going to be a miscellany of things: ideas about programs I'm running, book reviews, general book chit chat, and hopefully getting to know the blogging community.
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