Teen Space Program

with Miss. Antoinette

(guest poster)

 

DIY Sharpie Glass Mugs are very popular among the teens. They are great because you can add your personal touch to them and they make great gifts for birthdays or holidays. 

The Teens at UPL had an amazing time customizing and personalizing their own special mugs. The teens decided what they wanted to draw on the glass mug. Then some of the teens used pre-printed coloring pages provided to create their own cute graphic to decorate the mug using Sharpie Oil Based markers.

Then the Teens carefully painted inside the design on the glass mug. 

[📷Credit: Miss. Antoinette]

Peer Book Review - Shutter Island

📖Recommended for Grade 12 ONLY 📖

Shutter Island

by Dennis Lehane

Reviewed by High School Senior Danielle P.

A man named Teddy Daniel goes to the mysterious Shutter Island for the criminally insane to find a missing patient named Rachel Solando.

This is an amazing book. The plot keeps you at the edge of your seat. You'll never know what to expect. 

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

Weekly Wednesday Quote

Book Review - The Poet X

📖Recommended for Grades 9 and up📖

The Poet X

by Elizabeth Acevedo

            All Xiomara Barista wants to do is express herself through her poetry. Unfortunately, her strict Catholic mother causes her to be unable to share it with her family, Xiomara keeps them to herself. Xiomara is struggling with living the life she wants and uses her poetry to deal with the struggles she is facing with her family, her religion, and herself.

            A story written beautifully in verse. While the book is written mainly in English, there are some parts written in Spanish. Some readers will find themselves relating to Xiomara, while others may find themselves grateful for the ways that they don’t.

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

Miss. Amanda says

2018 saw the release of some awesome books and 2019 does not look like it's going to disappoint.

Here are 16 books coming out next year that I am super excited to read. 

All titles link to Goodreads where you can learn more on the books.

 The Wicked King

(The Folk of the Air #2)

by Holly Black

Expected Release Date: January 8th

This sequel to The Cruel Prince (which also happens to be January's selection for Yakkity Snackity) is one I have been waiting for since before I finished the first book. I can't wait to discover what comes next in The High Court of Faery.

Black Enough: Stories of Being Young & Black in America

edited by Ibi Zoboi 

Expected Release Date: January 8th

This timely novel has truly peeked my interest. It includes submissions from several authors including Jason Reynolds, Nic Stone and it's editor Ibi Zoboi.

Two Can Keep a Secret

by Karen M. McManus

Expected Release Date: January 8th

As a huge fan of One of Us if Lying, I am excited to read this equally interesting sophomore novel by McManus.

On the Come Up

by Angie Thomas

Expected Release Date: February 5th

Originally due out this year, this sophomore novel by the author of The Hate U Give is sure to be one not to miss.

Fame, Fate, and the First Kiss

by Kasie West

Expected Release Date: February 5th

Basically I will read any and all of Kasie West's contemporary romances but this one in particular definitely seems worth a read.

Comics Will Break Your Heart

by Faith Erin Hicks

Expected Release Date: February 12th

Honestly, I'm not sure what in the description of this book hooked me, but it did.

Watch Us Rise

by Renée Watson,  Ellen Hagan

Expected Release Date: February 12th

I'm pretty sure it is my background in Women's Studies that got me intrigued by this story.

You Asked for Perfect

by Laura Silverman

Expected Release Date: March 5th

I first learned of this book when I attended Book Buzz (it's a Nassau Library thing) and I have to say it got me intrigued.

Shout

by Laurie Halse Anderson

Expected Release Date: March 12th

The author of Speak (which was re-released as a graphic novel this year) now brings us her poetic memoir of her own experience with sexual assault. As a reader who loved Speak, I can't imagine not reading Shout.

Defy Me

(Shatter Me #5)

by Tahereh Mafi

Expected Release Date: April 2nd

Originally a trilogy that I loved, I was beyond excited to learn that the author planned three more books. I loved #4 and can't wait for #5 (and #6).

With the Fire on High

by Elizabeth Acevedo

Expected Release Date: May 7th

While I didn't love The Poet X, I did enjoy it more than I thought I would making Acevedo's upcoming novel one I am curious about. Plus, I know we shouldn't judge books by their covers but this one is truly eye catching.

Other Words for Home
by Jasmine Warga
Warga's debut novel My Heart and Other Black Holes had be hooked from the beautiful quote on the first page. It is a book I truly love despite the difficult topic it covers. I can't wait to read her third novel.

There's Something About Sweetie

by Sandhya Menon

Expected Release Date: May 14th

I remember liking Menon's writing in When Dimple Met Rishi, so I am excited to read this novel which also sounds like something I will enjoy.

Girl Gone Viral

by Arvin Ahmadi 

Expected Release Date: May 21st

I found the author's first book (Down & Across) was different than other books I've read so I am very curious to read his second novel. Also, when I reached out and asked him a question about his first book, he was super sweet by responding.

The Rest of the Story

by Sarah Dessen

Expected Release Date: June 4th

What can I say other than I have been reading this author since I was a teen and will read her new books as long as she writes them.

Maybe This Time

by Kasie West

Expected Release Date: July 9th

Somehow Kasie West has two books coming out in 2019, and I am equally excited for this one as I am the first. 

Bonus Honorable Mention:

Brief Chronicle of Another Stupid Heartbreak

by Adi Alsaid 

Expected Release Date: April 30th

This book receives an honorable mention because while not out until April, I am currently reading an Advanced Readers Copy of it. Look out for a copy as a prize.

Look forward to reviews of these titles in the new year.

Any of these books sound intriguing to you? Read and write a review yourself to appear here on the blog. 

Book Review - The Way to Bea

📖Recommended for Grades 6 and up📖

The Way to Bea

by Kat Yeh

For Bea, seventh grade isn’t starting off well. She stands out for all the wrong reasons, no longer has any friends, and is going from being an only child to being a big sister. Bea finds solace in writing Haiku on scraps of paper in invisible ink, which she also hides in a crack on an old wall. To Bea’s surprise one day somebody writes her back and she wants to know who. Can it be her former best friend, the editor of the school paper, or the boy obsessed with labyrinths who may also be her new friend?

A wonderful story filled with wonderful characters. Readers will enjoy Bea’s story as well as the Haikus and other poems she shares throughout. Anybody who is dealing with the changes that middle school brings, especially to friendships, may find themselves relating to this story. 
Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

Did You Hear?

Did you hear the news?

Yes, that's right. They are making the To All the Boys I've Loved Before squeal into a movie!

That means more of...

And we get to be officially introduced to...

If you haven't seen the first one, you should as soon as you can.

It's available on Netflix only right, now if you don't have your own account, ask a friend.

Until then you can check out the trailer.

Of course you can always (and should) read the complete trilogy.

Library Catalog

Library Catalog

Library Catalog

Or click here to check availability of e-books and downloadable audio for this trilogy and all of Jenny Han's books.

Epic Reads presents the Book Shimmy Awards

The Finals of The 2018 Book Shimmy Awards are here!

Head on over to Epic Reads by clicking here to vote for your favorites.

When you are done, head on over to your social media account to show off that you voted to all your friends and encourage them to do the same.

Weekly Wednesday Quote

Book Review - The Other Boy

📖Recommend for Grades 6 and up📖

The Other Boy

by M.G. Hennessey

Shane is just your average twelve-year-old who loves baseball, writing his comic, and hanging with his friends. Sure his parents are divorced, but that’s pretty common these days. What makes Shane different from his peers is a secret he’s been keeping, a secret that one of his classmates learns and threatens to share. Shane wants to keep his secret a secret and doesn’t want to discover what others will say and do if they find out he is transgender.
A great book on a topic that some readers may be uncomfortable with. The topic of being transgender is handle in a nice and gentle read for tweens, but also a great read for teens. Shane is a wonderful character and his mom is great support for him.
Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio