Book Review - Making Friends

📖Recommend for Grades 6 and up📖

Making Friends

by Kristen Gudsnuk

For Danielle being in sixth grade was easy. She had her friends in her class and knew what to expect. But that was last year. This is seventh grade and her friends are in a whole other group of classes than her, and she isn’t having an easy time making new friends in her school block. Then one day Danielle draws the head of one of her favorite comic book characters in her late Great Aunt’s sketchbook, and the head comes to life out of the book. She decides to use this to her advantage and draws herself a new best friend named Madison. At first, everything is great but then Madison discovers she is only a drawing and a rift occurs between them. It doesn’t help that the prince she originally drew turns out to be evil and really wants to keep Danielle and Madison apart. 

Making friends can be hard and keeping them isn’t always easy either. By reading this book, readers will enjoy a great story and learn about the evolution of friendship. Some readers may find themselves relating to Danielle because not having a friend in your class can feel like the end of the world.  

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

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Book Review - Everless

📖Recommended for Grades 7 and up📖

Everless

by Sara Holland
In the land of Sempera time is currency. Hours, days, and even years are extracted from one’s blood as giving payment and turned into coins for those receiving payment to ingest. Desperate to earn more time, Jules Ember returns to the Everless where she and her father were once servants, in order to help prepare for the royal wedding. Jules’ father isn’t happy about her plan to return to their former home, having taken a risk in leaving to begin with. The more time she spends in Everless, the more danger Jules discovers exists there; danger she has found herself a part of.
Fantasy fans should not miss this first book in a planned series. The story may feel like a slow start but picks up soon after Jules arrives in Everless. Readers will enjoy the world Sara Holland has created and all the twists and turns.

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

Book Review - The Eye of Minds

📖Recommended for Grades 7 and up📖

Book Review from the Bookster

Title: The Eye of Minds by James Dashner & Narrated by Erik Davies

Book Edition: Audiobook (Available on OverDrive)

Genres: LitRPG*

Warnings: Virtual terrorism, suicide, and suicidal thoughts are mentioned in the book.

Series: Yes. Book 1 of 3 of the Mortality Doctrine.

The Eye of Minds is an interesting mix of Sci-Fi gaming adventure where the characters are desperately searching for what is the Mortality Doctrine. They hope to stop a terrorist plot from further killing other users of the VR gaming system that is slowly becoming a death trap. The game’s technology and coding is more of a focus rather than world building or game statistics found in other LitRpg. The book itself is written as nice easy read for those who are not really interested in books yet but with a little more sophistication to the writing style compared to his other series, the Maze Runner Trilogy. The narrator has a clear voice and easily voices each character with defined voices, a good quality audibook that won’t have you repeating sections over and over to understand. This is a good book for reluctant readers and those who love video games or Sci-Fi.  

*The genre LitRPG is the combination of literature and Role Playing Games; books that would be listed under this genre focus on either a science fiction themed gamed or fantasy themed world. All LitRPG focus a lot on world building and tend to have game references such as the stats of their game characters and their accessories. A lot of the newer storylines use VR, Virtual Reality gaming system to make it seem more immersive for both the characters and the readers into the world of the game.   

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Book Review - Moxie

📖Recommended for Grades 9 and up📖

Moxie

by Jennifer Mathieu
Fed up with the actions of a group of boys in her small town Texas high school and the administration ignoring it, junior Vivian decides to take action. Inspired by her mom's Riot Grrrl days, Vivian creates an anonymous zine (similar to a magazine) called "Moxie" calling out everything she views as wrong in her school. While it has a slow start, more and more girls are suddenly taking action and embracing the Moxie name. 
Girl Power rings loud and proud in this story. Vivian is a great role model, showing that even that smallest effort can make a big impact. 

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

Epic Reads Presents the Book Shimmy Awards

It's that time of year again. Time for nominating your favorite 2018 YA books for Epic Read's Book Shimmy Awards. 

To find out more and submit your nominations CLICK HERE!
Then you can show this off on social media to all your friends.

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Book Review - The Prince and the Dressmaker

📖Recommend for Grades 6 and up📖

The Prince and the Dressmaker

by Jen Wang

Prince Sebastian has a secret. Sometimes this young prince likes to wear dresses and pretend he is the fabulous Lady Crystallia. Only two people know the Prince’s secret, his bodyguard, and Francis. Francis is a dressmaker whose designs catch Sebastian’s eye. While Francis wasn’t supposed to know Sebastian’s secret, she discovers it and the pair Based on the title, this comes across as a twist on The Prince and the Pauper but it’s not. Instead of Sebastian and Francis switching places, she helps him be true to himself and transform into Lady Crystallia. Their friendship is sweet and true, and it’s wonderful how Francis doesn’t care about Sebastian’s secret.

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

Read a peer review here

Teen Space and U.P.S.

Today Ms. Kendrick-Samuel and Miss. Amanda visited the 5th grade classes at one of Uniondale School District's elementary schools for R.I.F. distribution. R.I.F. stands for Reading is Fundamental and object is to share the love and importance of reading by allowing the students to select a book of interest to keep to add to or in some cases start their personal home libraries. While 5th grade is technically still apart of Children's the part of R.I.F. is to also get them hyped about making the transition into Teen Space next year. I'm sure teens reading this remember their R.I.F. distribution from when they were in 5th grade. 

For the first part of R.I.F. Ms. Kendrick-Samuel book talked the books the students could choose from. The titles ranged from an easier read for those who struggle or just learning English, to more challenging books.

 The selection of books included:

Frindle by Andrew Clements
The Mighty Miss. Malone by Christoper Paul Curtis
I Survived: The Great Chicago Fire, 1871 by Lauren Tarshis
Charlotte's Web by E.B. White

 


Then came the fun part. Each class came up one at a time and students were able to select the book they wanted to add to/build their personal library. Some of the 5th graders knew exactly what they wanted, while some just couldn't decide. 

All the 5th graders seemed to really love their first R.I.F. distribution. Do you remember yours? What book did you take home? Share them in the comments below. 

Book Review - I Hear the Sunspot

📖Recommended for Grades 10 and up📖

I Hear the Sunspot

by Yuki Fumino

Book Review from the Bookster

Book Titled: I Hear the Sunspot by Yuki Fumino

            Another version of this title in English: Theory of Happiness

Genres: School, Shounen Ai (Relationship between two males without adult themes), Slice of Life

Book Type: Manga

Series: Yes. Book 1 of 2. Series still continuing.

The two main protagonists, Kohei and Taichi, both struggle with finding their place in society. Kohei has rejected society as he feels he is unable to connect to others because everyone sees him for his disabilities and not him as a person. Taichi is the first person to connect with Kohei and look at him as a person. As the book continues you get to see their past struggles and their relationship developing. This is not a fast paced romance, it’s a slow burn and not the major focus of the storyline more of compliment as the reader gets learn more about the characters and understand the different struggles of people who do not fit with the “average.”   

Teen Space Program

Techno Star Hour

This month for techno star hour we decided to get low tech and not concentrate on the T in S.T.E.A.M. but the E instead. Each teen was given plastic straws and tape in order to build a bridge that was strong enough to hold one or more books.

First teens, decided what type of bridge they wanted to build. They all thought a Beam Bridge would be the best (and easiest) to make but all had their own may of putting it together.

The first test came by seeing if their bridge could hold a lightweight eraser. 

If there bridge didn't collapse under that weight, it was time to test the books. 

A couple teens even tried both the erasers and book.

The strongest bridge was able to hold all 6 books. Unfortunately, it collapse, when she decided to see what else it could hold. 

[📸Credit: Miss. Amanda & Alan]

Book Review - Misunderstood: Why the Humble Rat May Be Your Best Pet Ever

📖Recommended for Grades 6 and up📖

Misunderstood:

Why the Humble Rat May Be Your Best Pet Ever

by Robin Toor
When most people think of pets, they think of animals like dogs, cats, rabbits, and hamsters. For Robin Toor, it’s all about pet rats. Her pet rat Iris in particular. Robin shares stories about her experience with having Iris, and shares with readers that having a rat as a pet isn’t as bad as they may think.
While this story may or may not make readers desire a pet rat as their own, they will still enjoy Robin and Iris’s story. Rat fans will delight in a story about the misunderstood rodent, while those who wouldn’t take themselves for a fan, will become a fan of Iris. Pictures are included that one can’t help but adore. 

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

Teen Space Display

Did you know that November is National Scholarship Month?

Miss. Amanda created a display complete with a guide to scholarships and grants for you to check out and apply for.

Check out the info guide here as well. 

You can also find books and more information on scholarships and how to pay for college in our Career Resources collection, Reference around 378.34 and Non-Fiction around 616.85. 

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Book Review - Dear Martin

📖Recommended for Grades 9 and up📖

Dear Martin

by Nic Stone
The cop didn’t care that Justyce was a good kid and Ivy League bound. All he saw was the color of his skin, landing Justyce in handcuffs.  In order to deal with his struggles of race inequality today, Justyce turns to the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., writing letters to the late activist to look for answers and explain how the events happening in the world today, are shaping him.
Wonderful and relevant, this is a book not to be missed. Justyce is a character all readers will love, admire and feel for. The supporting characters are an intriguing bunch filled with both likable and unlikable characters. The unlikable characters are supposed to be such though, and an important aspect of this story. 

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

In Memoriam

Stan Lee

December 28, 1922 - November 12, 2018

Photo Credit

Mr. Lee was an American comic book writer, editor, and publisher. He was inducted into the comic book industry's Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame in 1994 and the Jack Kirby Hall of Fame in 1995. He received a National Medal of Arts in 2008.

Photo Credit

Here in Teen Space, many of the teens and staff are fans of the Marvel Universe and all of the wonderful Superheros that Stan Lee created. Without him we would not have Spider-man, Black Panther, Iron Man, Captain Marvel and many of the other character we love to watch and read about. Whenever we show a Marvel movie in Teen Space, teens are always quick to point out Mr. Lee's cameo. 

Photo Credit

He may be gone, but his legacy will continue to live on. 

Teen Book Discussion

Tutor.com

Book Trailer

Video from Epic Reads' Youtube Channel

Book Review - Far From the Tree

📖Recommended for Grades 8 and up📖

Far From the Tree

by Robin Benway
Grace was adopted as a baby and has now just given her own daughter up for adoption. This action inspired her to seek out her own birth mother but instead discovers that she isn’t an only child, but has two biological half-siblings.
Maya was adopted by wealthy parents who soon after (and to their surprise) provided her with a sister, their own biological child. She always knew that she was adopted and didn’t fit in with her redhead family. When she gets an email from Grace, saying they are sisters, Maya thinks she may have discovered where she fits in.
Joaquin was never adopted, instead of bouncing around foster cares until finding his current placement where he is finally happy. Never allowing himself to truly get close to people, Joaquin doesn’t know how he feels about his newfound little sisters.
When the three long lost siblings meet they not only learn about each other but more about themselves. They also find two people who understand their situation and people to lean on.
Told in alternating chapters between the three siblings, readers will enjoy hearing about the journey through each point of view. Grace, Maya, and Joaquin are all wonderful in their own way and their three different personalities blend together well. The speed in which Grace, Maya, and Joaquin bond may seem a little too fast, but readers shouldn’t let that small infraction stop them from reading this wonderful story. 
Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

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Book Review - The Other Side of Lost

📖Recommended for Grades 9 and up📖

The Other Side of Lost

by Jessi Kirby
Growing up cousins Mari and Bri were close and even shared the same birthday. As they grew older, the pair drifted apart; Mari obsessed with posting on Instagram, appearing to have a perfect life while Bri continued to enjoy the outdoors they both used to love. When Bri passes away before their 18th birthday, Mari doesn’t know how to deal. Her life is thrown for a loop when on her birthday she posts a confessional video about how all her posts were fake and quits social media. Then a box arrives from her aunt containing Bri’s supplies to hike the John Muir Trail, a hike the girls once planned to do together. Mari decides to honor her cousin and do the hike alone. On her journey, Mari makes new friends, discovers new things. and most importantly learns about herself.
Mari may bother readers in the beginning but over the course of the story, they will come to love her. The characters she meets along the trail add a wonderful addition to her story. Readers may be surprised just how this book will inspire them. A wonderful story of self-discovery and personal growth.
Just a side note, Miss. Amanda loved this so much she finished it in a day.

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

Book Trailer

Video from Epic Reads'  Youtube Channel

Book Review - The Cruel Prince

📖Recommended for Grades 9 and up📖

The Cruel Prince

by Holly Black

Seventeen year old Jude is a mortal living among the fey (faeries and other creatures), having been raised by the one who killed her parents a decade ago. She is desperate to fit in and wants nothing more than to be a knight. Many obstacles stand in her way such as her “father” not allowing her and Prince Carden who is cruel towards Jude and her twin sister. When treachery occurs in the High Court of Faery, Jude somehow finds herself in the middle of it all.

Just when readers will think they have it all figured out, something will change. The characters who fill this story are all intriguing in their own ways, some of which you will love, some hate and some love to hate. You’ll be itching for the sequel before you even finish the first. A captivating story set in wonderful world of fantasy.

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

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Teen Space Display

Did you know that November 1st is National Authors Day? Well in Teen Space we are celebrating YA Authors all November long. Stop in and discover the authors Miss. Aisha chose to highlight as well as many more amazing authors of books for teens. 

Below is a sneak peak of two of the authors highlighted in the display.