Book Review - Five Feet Apart

📖Recommend for Grades 8 and up📖

Five Feet Apart

by Rachael Lippincott
with Mikki Daughtry and Tobias Iaconis

            Stella and Will have two things in common, they are both current patients at Saint Grace’s Hospital, and the reason for them being there is their Cystic Fibrosis. In and out of the hospital for ten years, Stella is as in control as she can be of her out of control lungs. With his eighteenth birthday right around the corner, Will is looking forward to his mother no longer being in control of his medical needs. When the pair meet during their current hospital stay, they find the other altering their course even though they can’t be closer than six feet.

            I know what you’re thinking. Why is the book called Five Feet Apart when they have to be six feet apart? I had the same thought and the book answers that question. This story will give you all the feels and be hard to put down. Stella and Will are two characters whose story is thought-provoking and not to be missed.

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Book Review - The Astonishing Color of After

📖Recommend for Grades 9 and up📖

The Astonishing Color of After

by Emily X.R. Pan

            After her mother’s suicide, Leigh receives a mysterious package in the mail with notes and photographs of her mother as a young girl. This, paired with seeing a beautiful red bird she believes is her mother, leads Leigh to ask her father if they can travel to Taiwan for her to finally meet her maternal grandparents. There, she travels to her mother’s favorite places and digs through her family’s past to discover just what it is her mother wants her to know.

A beautifully written story with wonderful aspects of magical realism. Leigh’s story of dealing with her mother’s suicide and the grief she faces is both touching and captivating. In addition to the present time, there are parts of Leigh’s past including memories shown through magical aspects. 

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Weekly Wednesday Quote

Book Review - Hey, Kiddo

📖Recommend for Grades 9 and up📖

Hey, Kiddo

by Jarret Krosoczka

Author and illustrator Jarret Krosoczka (Lunch Lady series) shares the story of his unconventional childhood in graphic novel format. Krosoczka was raised by a single mother until her heroin addiction caused his grandparents to take him in. Despite his mother coming and going from his life, not knowing who his father was, and his strict grandparents who were well past their child-rearing days, Krosoczka was still supported by an extended family and friends.

Krosoczka’s story is an intriguing one filled with wonderful illustrations. This story is raw and portrays some material that readers may be sensitive to. Readers don’t need to be familiar with his fictional work to appreciate his memoir. 

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Teen Space Program

with Mr. Travis

Teens are loving getting to play different games twice a month with their friends as well as other teens they may not normally play video games with. There is lots of friendly banter to be had.

"I like playing the games and find I am getting better at them." - C

"It's pretty entertaining. I enjoy the video games they bring." - H

Games played the first week were:

 

Games played the second week were:

 

Dragon Ball FighterZ, Super Smash Bros Ultimate, and NBA2K19 are the only games currently available to borrow from the library. Click the title of each game to see if it is currently available.

Want to try one of the games that aren't available for circulation? We can see about getting it for you.

Don't miss out on the fun!

Sign up for March's meeting today.

Have younger siblings that want to play?

Ask in Children's about Game On!

[🎥 credit for week 1: Anonymous]

[🎥&📸 credit for week 2: Alan]

Book Review - All We Have Left

📖Recommend for Grades 7 and up📖

All We Have Left

by Wendy Mills

            Two girls, one event, each with their own story. All Muslim Alia was doing was visiting her father at work; she never thought she would find herself in the midst of a terrorist attack. Jesse doesn't remember her brother Travis, but her life has been shaped by her families’ response to his death on September 11, 2001.

            A truly compelling story with dual narration set 15 year apart. Readers will find themselves hooked waiting to see what happens to Alia as a result of 9/11. When it comes to Jesse, readers will empathize with her and the way her life is after the attacks. This story is as much about healing and understand as it is Alia and Jesse. A wonderful and touching story about somebody at the Twin Towers that day and the life of somebody who wasn’t, but whose life has been shaped by it.  

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Did You Know?

Weekly Wednesday Quote

Book Review - Lucky in Love

📖Recommend for Grades 8 and up📖

Lucky in Love

by Kasie West

            A random decision to buy a lottery ticket after her 18th birthday turns Maddie into a lotto winner - and the center of attention. Now everybody is treating her differently and asking for money. Only Maddie's co-worker, Seth, seems to be oblivious to her new wealth and treats her normally. While Maddie feels she should share this news with Seth, she fears that telling him would ruin their budding relationship.

            Though a little out there this is a fun and enjoyable quick read. At times Maddie may come across as annoying but some of it is excusable. Part of the fun in this story deciding whether you agree or disagree with Maddie every time she spends some of her winnings. Readers who find themselves wishing they were in Maddie’s shoes, may feel differently in the end. 

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

Book Review - Down & Across

📖Recommend for Grades 8 and up📖

Down & Across

by Arvin Ahmadi

            Saaket "Scott" Ferdowsi was supposed to be spending his summer at an internship his parents arranged for him. Instead, he takes advantage of their trip back to Iran to head to D.C. in search of a professor and author to discuss her book about grit. This trip also leads him to crossword-obsessed Fiora, who gets Scott to break-out of his comfort zone and becomes a part of his eye-opening trip.

            While Scott and Fiora’s relationship is an important factor in this story, this is not a romance and simply about Scott growing up and changing his ways. Scott’s obsession with grit and Fiora’s obsession with crosswords may be confusing to some readers but one does not need to really understand it to enjoy this book.

            A crossword is included in the back of the book for readers to solve but please make a copy and DO NOT write in the book. 

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

Book Review - They Both Die at the End

📖Recommend for Grades 9 and up📖

They Both Die at the End

by Adam Silvera

In a near-future people get a phone call from Death-Cast on the day they are going to die, informing them that it will be their last day. Mateo and Rufus both get these phone calls on the same night. Having nobody they can or want to spend their last day with, the pair meet via an app called Last Friend. Together they tackle the challenge of living a lifetime in a day.

An intriguing story with the refreshing aspect of knowing that both of the main characters will die come to the end of the book. Mateo and Rufus aren’t the most likable characters but their story is enjoyable, though sad, one. Fans of Adam Silvera should not miss this one. 

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

Teen Space Program

with Miss. Amanda

In this month's Techno Star Hour, we created circuits using littleBits.

"littleBits is a system of electronic building blocks that snap together to turn ideas into inventions." (Source)

After playing around and getting to know the pieces, teens were tasked with creating spinning device.

While snapping the pieces into the board was a bit of a challenge, success did come in creating the circuit and the spinning device.

It's amazing what you can create with littleBits.

[📷Credit: Alan]

Weekly Wednesday Quote

Book Review - Heartless

📖Recommend for Grades 9 and up📖

Heartless

by Marissa Meyer

Cath would rather be a baker and marry somebody she loves than marry the King of Hearts and be Wonderland's Queen. At the ball where she is supposed to accept the King's marriage proposal she meets Jest, whom she finds herself attracted to. The two begin a secret romance but in a land of magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans.

            While Cath is an intriguing character and the story is filled with a lot going on, this may not be a hit with everyone. If you are a fan of Alice in Wonderland though, this prequel is highly recommended. Fans of classic retellings and prequels are also most likely to enjoy this tale. 

LibraryCatalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

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Book Review - I Have Lost My Way

📖Recommend for Grades 9 and up📖

I Have Lost My Way

by Gayle Forman

Harmun was just walking through Central Park when he sees Freya accidentally fall off a pedestrian bridge and onto Nathaniel. This chance encounter leads these teens, who all feel lost in their own life, on an adventurous trip throughout NYC.

This whole story takes place in less than 24 hours. Harmun, Freya, and Nathaniel are three very different characters but their stories (told in alternating narration) come together beautifully. 

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

Weekly Wednesday Quote

Book Review - The Great American Whatever

📖Recommend for Grades 10 and up📖 

The Great American Whatever

by Tim Federline

            After the death of his sister Annabelle, aspiring screenwriter Quinn stopped going to school and rarely even leaves his room. Now, with the encouragement of his friend Geoff, Quinn not only leaves his room, but he re-enters society, where things seem to look up. He meets a cute guy who may actually like him back, but there are other secrets that could bring him down again. As hard as he tries, Quinn's life may be one screenplay he can't write the way he wants.

            In a lot of ways Quinn seems old for his age, but also young and vulnerable at the same time as a result of his sister’s sudden death. Quinn’s grief is only one layer of this though. His budding romance, friendship with Geoff, screenwriting dreams, along with his grief, all tell his story. Throughout the book, Quinn makes numerous film references but one does not need to be a movie buff to enjoy them. 

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

Book Review - The Dangerous Art of Blending In

📖Recommend for Grades 10 and up📖

The Dangerous Art of Blending In

by Angelo Surmelis

            Life is hard for Evan Peters. His Greek immigrant mother is overly strict and sees him as a disappointment. His father is more understanding, but he tries hard to avoid conflict, especially between Evan and his mother. Then there is his best friend Henry, who has gotten very attractive over the summer and may see Evan the same way.

            This book is not for the light of heart. Evan is a first-generation American of an abusive immigrant mother and readers who are uncomfortable with reading a story about abuse should avoid this book. Those who do decide to give this book a try will likely find themselves intrigued with a story of dealing with one's sexuality that is different from many others out in the world today. 

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

Teen Space Program

with Mr. Travis

LVL 100 Gamers met twice last month.

At the first meeting, teens played:

 

At the second meeting, teens played:

 

 

Rayman Legends, Super Smash Bros Ultimate, and NBA2K19 are the only games currently available to borrow from the library. Click the title of each game to see if it is currently available.

Want to try one of the games that aren't available for circulation? We can see about getting it for you.

Don't miss out on the fun!

Sign up for March's meeting today.

Have younger siblings that want to play?

Ask in Children's about Game On!

[📷Credit: Alan for one week. Somebody who wishes to remain a secret for week two]

Book Review - Goodbye Stranger

📖Recommend for Grades 6 and up📖

Goodbye Stranger

by Rebecca Stead

Years ago, Bridge was almost killed in a car accident and she has no idea how, or why, she survived. Her two best friends are Emily, who has got new curves and a sort-of boyfriend, and Tabitha, the crusader. Then there is Sherm, a new friend whose life changes as he gets to know Bridge. Seventh grade is about friendship and finding meaning for these four.

There are multiple narrators for this enjoyable story. Readers will likely find themselves relating to the characters in some ways as their seventh-grade experience is not that far from normal. One of the narrators is unknown and readers will enjoy guessing who they could be.

LibraryCatalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio