Keep the Light On

Banned Books Week (September 22-28) is a yearly event celebrating the freedom to read. It shines a spotlight on current and historical attempts to censor books in libraries and schools. The entire book community - librarians, publishers, journalists, teachers, booksellers, readers - is brought together in shared support of the right to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular.

Top 10 Frequently Challenged Books of 2018 (source: American Library Association) -

1. George by Alex Gino

Reasons: Believed to encourage children to clear browser history and change their bodies using hormones, for mentioning "dirty magazines," describing male anatomy, "creating confusion," and including a transgender character.

2. A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo by Jill Twiss

Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, political and religious viewpoints.

3. Captain Underpants (series) by Dav Pilkey

Reason: Perceived as encouraging disruptive behavior.

4. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Reasons: Deemed "anti-cop," and for profanity, drug use, sexual references.

5. Drama by Raina Telgemeier

Reasons: LGBTQIA+ characters and themes.

6. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Reason: Addresses teen suicide.

7. This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki

Reasons: Profanity, sexual references, certain illustrations.

8. Skippyjon Jones (series) by Judy Schachner

Reasons: Depicting stereotypes of Mexican culture.

9. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

Reasons: Sexual references, profanity, violence, gambling, underage drinking, and religious viewpoint.

10. This Day in June by Gayle E. Pitman

Reason: LGBTQIA+ content.

Getting to Know...Kaylee

Introducing another valuable member of our YA Volunteer Team, Kaylee Ann Richardson! A 17-year-old 12th grader, Kaylee has accumulated 5.5 hours to date.

Favorite Book Series: Junie B. Jones

Someone I Look Up To: My mom

Favorite TV Show: Two and a Half Men

Person I Would Want With Me On A Deserted Island: Shawn Mendes

An Invention That I Would Uninvent: School

Happy Place: My room

Spirit Animal: Goat

Something Interesting About Myself: I like to draw

Possible Career Path: Veterinarian

Favorite Quote: "It's everyday bro!" -- Jake Paul

Rock the Vote

Teens' Top Ten is a "teen choice" list where teens nominate and choose their favorite books of the previous year. Nominators are members of teen book groups in fifteen school and public libraries around the country.

Nominations are posted on the Thursday of National Library Week. Readers age 12 to 18 will vote online between August 15th and October 15th on the Teens' Top Ten site.

https://www.dogobooks.com/voting/2019-teens-top-reads

The winners will be announced the week after.

Make your vote count!

How many 2018 Teens' Top Ten have you read? Answers welcome in the comments section.

1. Turtles All the Way Down by John Green
2. One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus
3. Warcross by Marie Lu
4. Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo
5. Caraval by Stephanie Garber
6. Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds
7. I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sanchez
8. Paper Hearts by Ali Novak
9. Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
10. Once and For All by Sarah Dessen

Recently Added to the YA Bookshelf

Taking a look at some of the most recent additions gracing the shelves of our YA department:

How We Became Wicked by Alex Yates 

When an insect-borne plague begins to envelop the world, three sixteen-year-olds struggle to survive amongst the healthy "trues" and the infected "wickeds" in this gripping dystopian tale. 

"This vividly imagined and haunting landscape is not unlike the post-apocalypse world of The Walking Dead. Promptly hand this one to lovers of smart, tense fiction." -- Booklist, starred review

The Arrival of Someday by Jen Malone

After the liver disease she was born with flares up unexpectedly, roller derby star Amelia must come to terms with the brevity of life while hoping for an organ transplant. 

"Malone frankly traces the changes in [her character's] physical and psychological states in this meticulously researched, grimly realistic portrait of a teen living with terminal illness. Convincing, empathetic...touches of humor and hope." -- Publishers Weekly

Soul of Stars by Ashley Poston

Once Ana was an orphaned space outlaw. Then she was the Empress of the Iron Kingdom. Now, thought dead by most of the galaxy after she escaped from the dark AI program called the HIVE, Ana is desperate for a way to save Di from the HIVE's evil clutches and take back her kingdom. 

"A great choice for fans of Victoria Aveyard's Red Queen trilogy and for young readers looking for a hint of Game of Thrones." -- School Library Journal

Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim

Maia Tamarin dreams of becoming the greatest tailor in the land, but as a girl the best she can hope for is to marry well. When a royal messenger summons her ailing father, once a tailor of renown, Maia poses as a boy and takes his place. She knows her life is forfeit if her secret is discovered, but she'll take that risk to achieve her dream and save her family from ruin. There's just one catch: Maia is one of twelve tailors vying for the job. 

"With strong storytelling, characterization, and a pleasing romance, this will have broad appeal." -- Kirkus

The Traitor's Kingdom by Erin Beaty

Once a spy and counselor to the throne, Sage Fowler has secured victory for her kingdom at a terrible cost. Now an ambassador representing Demora, Sage is about to face her greatest challenge to avoid a war with a rival kingdom.

"Like a PG-13 Game of Thrones...a satisfying and suspenseful end to a solid political fantasy series." -- Kirkus Reviews

At The Movies

with Brianna Justice!

Movie: Midnight Sun
Starring: Bella Thorne and Patrick Schwarzenegger

Plot Summary

So Katie was diagnosed with a very rare disease. She wasn't able to go into the daylight without dying. She could only go out during the night. She only had one friend because everyone else called her things, like vampire. There was a guy named Charlie that passed her house on a skateboard every single day. He never knew who Katie was. But when she was out one night playing her guitar, Charlie happened to be there. She was shy and didn't know what to say. But Katie's friend found out a way to have them meet again since Katie blew the first time. She would always tell Charlie, "I'm busy during the day but I'm free at night." She never told him about her disease. She wanted to feel normal for once. Some tragic stuff happened then. They were hanging out all night and she got home a little too late. He didn't think it was a big deal because he didn't know about her disease. But he found out the hard way.

Thoughts

This movie was a love story. In this story, you don't know what's coming next. There are some sad parts, but overall this movie was very enjoyable and I'm glad i chose to watch it. It is unforgettable. The movie is not a true story, however it is a real disease that some people in the world suffer from. I think if you are into romance movies that can possibly make you cry, you should watch this one.

Quality of Story: 5
Pace: 5
Plot Development: 5
Characters: 5
Enjoyability: 5

Rating Total: 5 stars

Movie: Five Feet Apart
Starring: Cole Sprouse, Haley Lu Richardson

Plot Summary

There were three people in the hospital who had the disease Cystic Fibrosis: Stella, Will, and Poe. Poe was Stella's best friend. Will was someone who kept to himself. He didn't take his medicine for his disease until he met Stella. They hung out every day. They annoyed each other so much and things got risky. Stella and Will wanted to be able to do things that normal couples could do, but touching each other could risk death. So they invented the pool stick idea. They kept a pool stick between them that was five feet. Touching the end of the pool stick meant that they were holding hands. They didn't care who tried keeping them apart. In the end, all Will wanted for Stella was for her to stay safe.

Thoughts

There were teenagers who had to give up their life and live in a hospital for long periods of time. This disease got in the way of a lot of activities. Five Feet Apart is a love story. Two people who had CF wanted to be with each other. They were both very brave. I love how they both cared for one another but also cared a lot for their disease. Their love story was unforgettable. This movie was very good and I recommend watching it. You won't regret it!

Quality of Story: 5
Pace: 5
Plot Development: 5
Characters: 5
Enjoyability: 5

Rating Total: 5 stars

Recently Added to the YA Bookshelf

Taking a look at some of the most recent additions gracing the shelves of our YA department:

Your Brain Needs a Hug by Rae Earl

Rae Earl offers her personalized advice on the A to Zs of mental health, social media, family and friendship. 

"A validating, hopeful, and practical guide to mental health...heartfelt and honest...teens struggling with mental illness will find comfort and valuable information in this superlative guide." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig

In a manor by the sea, twelve sisters are cursed. Annaleigh lives a sheltered life at Highmoor with her sisters and their father and stepmother. Once there were twelve, but loneliness fills the grand halls now that four of the girls' lives have been cut short. Each death was more tragic than the last -- the plague, a plummeting fall, a drowning, a slippery plunge -- and there are whispers throughout the surrounding villages that the family is cursed by the gods. 

"Equal parts gothic fairy tale and romance...compulsively readable." -- School Library Journal

Vow of Thieves by Mary Pearson

Kazi and Jase have survived, stronger and more in love than ever. Their new life now lies before them -- the Ballengers will be outlaws no longer, Tor's Watch will be a kingdom, and Kazi and Jase will meet all challenges side by side, together at last. 

"This breathtaking sequel to Dance of Thieves delivers." -- Booklist, starred review

Be More Chill by Ned Vizzini

Jeremy Heere is your average high school dork. Day after day, he stares at beautiful Christine, the girl he can never have, and dryly notes the small humiliations that come his way. Until the day he learns about the "squip." A pill-sized supercomputer that you swallow, the squip is guaranteed to bring you whatever you most desire in life. 

2004 Today Show Book Club Pick
2004 Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books for Teens
2005 ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Readers
2005 New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age

Wilder Girls by Rory Power

Friends Hetty, Byatt, and Reece go to extremes trying to uncover the dark truth about the mysterious disease that has had them quarantined at their boarding school on a Maine island.

"Power's evocative, haunting, and occasionally gruesome debut will challenge readers to ignore its bewitching presence." -- Booklist, Starred Review

Maybe This Time by Kasie West

One year. Nine events. Nine chances to...fall in love? 

"A tender story about friendship and love." -- Kirkus Reviews 

We Walked the Sky by Lisa Fiedler 

Seventeen-year-old Victoria escapes an abusive father by joining the VanDrexel Family Circus in 1965, and fifty years later her writings guide her granddaughter, sixteen-year-old Callie, in facing the uncharted waters of public high school.

"A compelling story of identity and family that resonates most powerfully in its historical voice." -- Kirkus Reviews

Queen of Ruin by Tracy E. Banghart

Nomi Tessaro joins her sister, Serena, on the volcanic prison island of Mount Ruin for a fight to usher in a new age of freedom for all.

"The nonstop action of the second installment makes this novel very hard to put down. Each hard-won battle seems destined to fail." -- VOYA 

Return to Zero by Pittacus Lore

When the United Nations takes drastic measures against the Human Garde to keep them in check, the students at the Academy must go on the offensive while those who have defected face off against a new and equally dangerous threat.

The final book in the epic New York Times bestselling Lorien Legacies Reborn series 

Call It What You Want by Brigid Kemmerer

Once-popular Rob and overachiever Maegan, both dealing with serious family issues, quickly form a bond that is threatened when Rob confides plans to repair damage his father caused. 

"A heartfelt read." -- Booklist

Getting to Know...Abby

Introducing another valuable member of our YA Volunteer Team, Abby Byer! A 12-year-old 7th grader, Abby has accumulated 8.5 hours to date.

Favorite Book Genres: Comedy and Mysteries

Someone I Look Up To: Mom

Favorite TV Shows: Stuck in the Middle, Dog with a Blog

A Topic That I Can Talk About For An Hour: Baking

An Invention That I Would Uninvent: Electronics

Person I Would Want With Me On A Deserted Island: Paisley Welborn

My Happy Place: Back porch at home

My Spirit Animal: Fox

Something Interesting About Myself: I play the French Horn

Future Plans: Go to Notre Dame, become a doctor

Favorite Quote: "Believe you can and you're halfway there." - Theodore Roosevelt