Weekly Wednesday Quote

Book Review - The 57 Bus

📖Recommend for Grades 7 and up📖

The 57 Bus

by Dashka Slater

Sasha and Richard were just two teens whose paths along crossed when they would both be riding the 57 bus. Both their lives are forever changed when Richard decides to light Sasha's skirt on fire during one of those bus rides. With a look at class, race, gender and more comes an in-depth look leading up the event and during the trial. 

This is a true event that occurred in 2013. There are articles from that time that can be searched for but it is best to wait until after reading the book, if one would prefer to see what the trial verdict is. Readers will find themselves feeling for Sasha during the ordeal and maybe even for Richard a bit as well. 

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

Junior Friends' Tutoring and Homework Help

Here at UPL we offer more than just books and fun programs but academic help as well. On Thursday nights members of our Junior Friends' Program come and help students with their homework and subjects they are having difficulty in. This is a free service available to students in grades 6 through 12 who will work with the same tutor week after week.

One of our Junior Friends' helping a student with her E.L.A. Homework 

If anybody is in need of tutoring OR interested in becoming one please stop by the Teen Space to register. This session group is running now through December 13th (excluding November 22). 

Teen Space Program

with Miss. Amanda

Teens braved the rainy and windy day yesterday to come to the library for our Craft-rageous Saturday program. Each teen was given a wooden owl cutout to paint and they let their creativity fly.

Working hard on their creations.

Some of the finished Owl Creations.

One of our teens decided the craft didn't look like an owl but a cat. She got super creative and fancy with her craft.

Each teen who came to the program had a great time and made an adorable decoration to add to their room at home. 

[📷Credit: Miss. Amanda]

Miss. Amanda says:

I don't know about all of you but my TBR (which stands for To Be Read) pile is huge right now. I have a dozen books hanging out on my work desk (as of writing this post) alone. I don't even know how many I have at home. (My TBR list is even longer.) Just when I think I've got the stack down, a book I was waiting for is released, holds I placed come in, a book discussion is coming up, or I just find something I want to read. Yep, I've got some serious Book Nerd problems. 

Video Credit: Epic Reads Youtube page

Book Review - That's Not What Happened

📖Recommend for Grades 10 and up📖

That's Not What Happened

by Kody Keplinger

Three years ago, a student walked into Virgil County High School with a gun, killing seven students and two teachers. One of the students killed that day was Sarah McHale, the girl who died proclaiming her faith. Except, according to her best friend Lee who was with her, that isn’t exactly what happened that day in the bathroom, and now that her parents are publishing a book about her, Lee thinks it’s time to set the record straight.

While this story takes place three years after the massacre, the day is described from the perspective of the surviving witnesses of the event. This story is sadly relevant as to what is going on in today’s world. Readers may not agree with Lee’s desire to come out with the truth but may still understand it. The other survivors from the massacre add an intriguing look as to their thoughts and feelings, including their opinions on others from that time.

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

Teen Space Life

Teen Space can get pretty busy in the afternoons. Most days our tables are filled with students getting their homework done and catching up with friends. It's always great to see the Teens working hard and helping each other figure out tricky homework problems. When they can't Teen Space staff tries to help. When in doubt we recommenced Tutor.com to help.

Weekly Wednesday Quote

Tutor.com

Book Review - Girl in the Blue Coat

📖Recommend for Grades 7 and up📖

Girl in the Blue Coat

by Monica Hesse

Teenage Hanneke is a 'finder' of black market goods, a risky task in her city of Amsterdam. Her skills lead her to being asked by one of her customers to find a Jewish girl she's been hiding from the Nazis. The young girl seems to have just disappeared. Hanneke now finds herself on a journey she never expected.

An intriguing look at a side of World War II that doesn’t tend to be written about mixed with an aspect that most readers have read much about. This story is filled with well written characters and readers will find themselves flipping through the pages to discover what happened to the missing girl in the blue coat.  

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

Teen Space Display

Have you seen Miss. Roseann's display?

Stop by the Teen Space to see it in person

and also pick up a book to read.

Sunday Funday

Let's Have Some Fun!

Discover the title of your first YA book using this fun guide. Add your title to the comments below and see what other crazy titles have been made.

YALSA Teen Top 10

Did you vote in this years Teen Top Ten?

Check out the winners below.

You can also check out the annotated list here.

Teen Space Program

Behind the scenes photos from Techno Star Hour the other day. Check out the stop motion short films created in our earlier post here.

[📸Credit: Miss. Amanda]

Book Review - Love, Hate & Other Filters

📖Recommend for Grades 8 and up📖

Love, Hate & Other Filters

by Samira Ahmed

American born Maya is torn between two worlds. Her plan is to go to NYC and study film, but her traditional Indian parents want her to stay close to home and study something more realistic. Just when Maya thinks she may be winning her parents over a disaster occurs causing hate towards Maya and her parents just for being Muslim.

Maya’s story is an enjoyable and thought-provoking one that shouldn’t be missed. Teens may often find themselves frustrated by Maya’s parents’ right along with her. Whether or not readers are from immigrant families they may relate to Maya and her struggle between living her dream and meeting her parents’ expectations. 

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

Page to Screen

You've (hopefully) read the book.

Now the movie is here.

Video from 

20th Century Fox Youtube account

Teen Space Program

Click Here to view the library's calendar and register online

School Hacks 3 of 3

Do you remember Miss. Amanda's display from September?

It was filled with hacks for your school work.

Missed out or can't remember the hacks?

Check out part two below.

The student is in italics, while the School Hacks are left alone.

Writing a Paper:

• HELP! My teacher just informed the class of a huge essay we have to write. Have any tips to help?
• Mix up your sentence length. 
• Avoid filler words such as “just,” “very,” “really,” “even,” and “that.”
• If you can’t imagine dropping the mic after the final sentence, your conclusion needs to be stronger.
• Thanks so much! Now to get writing.

Research:

• What are your tips for researching on the web?
• Use Scholar.Google.com instead of Google.com. You will find more relevant information right away.
• Use Wikipedia to find sources, not answers. Wikipedia is editable by anybody, but the sources can be useful. 
• Use the databases your public library provides for free.
• Interesting. Guess I really should stop trying to cite Wikipedia.

After Writing a Paper:

• Thanks for your tips for writing my paper, they were a huge help. Any tips for proofing it?
• After writing a paper, copy and paste it on to Google Translate, and listen to it to find mistakes
• Submit your paper to Tutor.com for proof reading. It is a FREE service offered by your public library
• These sound great. Thanks for the tips!

Weekly Wednesday Quote

School Hacks 2 of 3

Do you remember Miss. Amanda's display from September?

It was filled with hacks for your school work.

Missed out or can't remember the hacks?

Check out part two below.

The student is in italics, while the School Hacks are left alone.

Studying:

• Big test next week. What are your best studying hacks?
• Writing something out is the equivalent to reading it 7 times
• Eating chocolate while studying will help the brain retain information easily
• Studying hard for 30-50 minutes at a time with 10 minute breaks in-between is the most effective way to study
• Awesome! Can’t wait to try these hacks.

• Any more tips to help with studying?
• You're 50% more likely to remember something if you speak it out loud instead of simply reading it over and over
• Pretend that you will have to teach the material. It helps you pay more attention.
• If you chew gum while when you study a subject and then chew the same flavor when you take the test it will help you remember.
• Thanks!

• Do you happen to have any more study tips?
• Study notes within one day of taking them. Retain rates are 60% higher.
• Study before you go to sleep but…
• Don’t Stay Up All Night Before an Exam.
• Hmm. I never thought to study my notes after taking them. I am often up late cramming the night before.

Teen Space Programs

Teens who came to Techno Star Hour today tried their hand at creating stop motion animation films. 

Watch their creative creations below.

"Lego friends feat. Groot and Bob"

"Bob leaves"

"Clumsy Olaf"

"Untitled"

School Hacks 1 of 3

Do you remember Miss. Amanda's display from September?

It was filled with hacks for your school work.

Missed out or can't remember the hacks?

Check out part one below.

The student is in italics, while the School Hacks are left alone.

Note Taking:

• Hey School Hacks! School starts tomorrow. Any tricks for better note taking?
• You’re more likely to remember something that you wrote in blue ink than in black ink
• Taking notes on the computer? Use a weird font. Studies have shown that the uniqueness will make you more likely to remember them.
• Thanks for the tips! I’ll be putting them into action.

Homework:

• Ugh. I’m having a hard time with my homework and it’s so overwhelming. Any tips to help?
• Find a quiet place to work without distractions
• Take short breaks in between homework tasks
• Your library provides FREE access to Tutor.com to work with a live 1-on-1 tutor.
• Thanks for the help! Better find my quite place and get down to work.

Concentration:

• I’m having trouble concentrating on my work, any tips?
• Peppermint stimulates the brain and helps with concentration
• The Hans Zimmer station on Pandora is great for listening to while studying. The music has no distracting lyrics and the scores are intended to motivate.
• Thanks! Hope I have some peppermint. 

Book Review - Spill Zone

📖Recommend for Grades 8 and up📖

Spill Zone (Spill Zone #1)

by Scott Westerfeld

Three years ago a mysterious spill destroyed Addie’s hometown killing many residents including her parents. Addie wasn’t there when the spill happened and thankfully her younger sister Lexa was on a bus of kids that managed to escape. Now Addy travels into the forbidden spill zone to take pictures that she sells to support Lexa and herself. She takes Lexa’s mysterious doll with her who needs to “recharge” and whom Lexa seems to communicate with. When a collector offers Addie a huge sum of money for a dangerous task in the Spill Zone, Addie must decide if she is willing to break her rules to help her and her sister.

It's bizarre, but a good bizarre. While this story may have a female protagonist, readers who prefer male protagonists should not let that stop them. The mystery of what happened to Addie’s hometown and the illustrations of what she sees will intrigue readers. 

Fans of The Walking Dead should give this YA Graphic series a try.

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

Teen Space Display

Stop by the Teen Space to check out Miss. Rakiya's display and choose a positive quote to take with you.

Have You Met LIBBY?

Meet Libby!

Thousands of e-books and audio books all available to download for FREE via Nassau Digital Doorway on Overdrive.

• Make sure you have a valid library card
• Download the Libby app on your smartphone or tablet via your devices app store
• Follow the steps in the app to set up your account.
• Make sure you have your library card number handy.
• You are looking for Nassau Digital Doorway but you can search Uniondale
• Search for thousands of e-books and audio books you can read and listen to through the Libby app.

Search books online HERE!

Learn more about Libby by clicking HERE!

You can always stop in and ask any questions you may have.

Stop in and discover what books are NEW in Teen Space.

Book Review - Well, That Was Awkward

📖Recommend for Grades 6 and up📖

Well, That Was Awkward

by Rachel Vail

When Gracie discovers that her crush AJ likes her best friend Sienna and that she kind of likes him back, she puts aside her own feelings to help Sienna out. Gracie helps Sienna pen witty text messages to send to AJ so he won’t think she is a loser. Signs point to AJ may be getting help himself. 

A fun story about middle school crushes and dating. Gracie is a sweet character and good friend though she does have some missteps along the way. 
Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

Teen Space Program

There are still some spots left in this month's Techno Star Hour.

Stop by the Teen Space to register or Click here to register online. 

Weekly Wednesday Quote

Teen Space Display

It's Teen Read Week. Stop by the Teen Space to check out Miss. Amanda's display. Find out books that your library staff love from when they were teens and from today.

Book Review - American Street

📖Recommend for Grades 9 and up📖

American Street

by Ibi Zoboi

Haitian teen Fabiola Toussaint is forced to continue the journey to Detroit, from Haiti alone after her mother is detained. Upon her arrival, she is greeted by a family who aren't as warm as the family she dreamed of. Now Fabiola must assimilate herself into a new school and culture, all without having her mother with her. To make matters worse Fabiola’s aunt and cousins all have secrets that may just end in disaster.

An intriguing story about immigrating to the United States. Fabiola’s journey is made easier by the fact that she was born in the United States. Readers will still feel what many people are going through today through her story. Not all of the characters are likable but those that aren’t shouldn’t really be liked to begin with.

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio