Lemon Aid

Have you ever found yourself wondering what it might be like to volunteer at the library? That’s not a rhetorical question. I can see that you’re a bit caught off guard, so I’ll go ahead and answer for you. “Most definitely, Mr. Scandling!”

Well, let me spread the good news. Bremen Public Library has a program specifically designed for students in grades 5-12. Launched in May 2016, the Young Adult Volunteers have contributed over 200 hours and are making a difference in the community. Individuals just like you! And with a new session about to begin (March through May), now is the perfect time to dip a toe in to the water and check out what’s happening behind the scenes.

So what type of opportunities exist? I have the answer to that, as well! Please bear with me as I rattle off just a few of the many activities you might find yourself a part of: helping with events, preparing crafts, writing book reviews, putting together videos, gathering materials for displays, shelf reading, dusting. Dusting?! Yes, even dusting!

The point is, we have a lot to offer, with incredible benefits. I can see your eyes lighting up now. Indeed, there are benefits. Earning community service hours, building up job experience, enhancing the good ol’ college application, helping others.

There’s more, much more, but the next step is yours. It’s as simple as filling out an application of interest. Then we’ll have a ‘sit down’ and talk about the details. Easy peasy lemon squeezy!

This musing brought to you by YA Librarian, Chris.

Book Review

Dream Factory by Brad Barkley and Heather Hepler

Ella and Luke are hired as character actors in the Magic Kingdom while there’s a strike. Ella fits the shoe (she plays Cinderella), while Luke can barely make the Dale (the chipmunk) head stay on. From the beginning, somewhere deep in their minds, there was a spark. They just didn’t fully realize it. Life, as it were, kept conspiring against them. Ella wasn’t ready to move on with her life after a loss, coupled with her parents moving. Luke wasn’t ready to grow up and work for the family behind a desk. Through these circumstances, they took refuge in the others company. But coming together wouldn’t be simple. A character named Foulfellow, some keys, and a double date, all play a role in this unexpected journey. Will the tale end in happily ever after?

This was probably one of my favorite books. I loved how it had two points of view in the same situation. It was an easy read and very interesting.

Rating: 4.8 out of 5

This review is brought to you courtesy of YA volunteer, Keely.

Click here to see if this book is currently available for check-out. 

Bullwinkle

You may be asking yourself, “Who is that moose in the YA department?” That would be Bullwinkle. Bullwinkle is sort of the unofficial mascot who serves as the greeter outside of my office. He’s rather new at the position, having only recently displaced Captain America (of the cardboard variety). It was time for a changing of the guard, so to speak, and I really liked the moxie displayed during our interview process. You didn’t think he got the job without an interview, did you?

Bullwinkle at his greeter post.

In any case, I’d like to officially welcome Bullwinkle on board and invite my young adult friends to stop by and visit him. While here, poke your head in and give me a holler. Perhaps we haven’t had the opportunity to chat before, and I thoroughly enjoy making new friends. YA programs and services are built on feedback and community input. Let me know what books you’d like to see in our collection, the types of events your friends have been clamoring for, or perhaps you’ve been mulling over volunteer participation. Even if it’s just to say “hey,” don’t be shy!

Oh, and if Bullwinkle happens to be absent, try not to be alarmed. These days he has a penchant for roaming the building. My assumption is that this is being done on his lunch hour. Otherwise, an open call for mascot interviews will soon be underway.

This musing brought to you by YA Librarian, Chris.

Getting to Know ... Araceli

Say hello to Araceli Jimenez! She has been a member of our YA Volunteer Team since August and has completed 12 volunteer hours to date.

A 17-year-old junior, Araceli is hoping to attend Ohio State to become a dermatologist. She says one topic she could talk about for an hour is skin care. She shared an interesting fact: "I love watching make-up tutorial videos, but hate doing my make-up."

FAVORITE BOOK GENRES:  Non-fiction, realistic fiction, autobiographies
FAVORITE TV SHOWS:  Friends, Superstore, New Girl
AN INVENTION SHE WOULD UNINVENT:  Porta-Potty
ROLE MODEL: Michelle Obama
HAPPY PLACE: Her bed
SPIRIT ANIMAL: Emma Stone
DESERTED ISLAND COMPANION:  Best friend Maisy
FAVORITE QUOTE:  "You are a perishable item. Live accordingly."

Pokémon Go

On the doorstep of the seven-month anniversary of Pokémon Go, I’m moved to ask, “Are you still playing?” I loyally was, you see, until the middle of December. That’s when an update began causing the app to immediately crash. Seeking help through online forums was only met with dismay. The remedy, if it can even be labeled as such, delete and reinstall the game.

Thanks, but no thanks. Not that I hadn’t experienced moments of intrigue during the long treks to hunt for Psyduck and Growlithe. It was the thought of having to duplicate all that hard work amassed as one season changed to the next. Too many miles had been logged to simply revert back to Level 1. Too many Pidgey. Too many Weedle. Too many Caterpie.

Holding out hope that the next update would magically fix the ‘bug’ and revert the system to normal, I waited and waited some more. When the day arrived, fingers were crossed and a lucky rabbit’s foot might’ve even been rubbed. It was not meant to be, however. And so, I now live on vicariously through a coworker, Ms. Terrie Bickel, who continues collecting Pikachu for the rest of us. She was kind enough to share some of her story.

Approximately how long have you been playing?

Since August of 2016.

What prompted the decision to download Pokémon Go?

I was on a trip to Turkey Run State Park with family and two of my nephews were playing the game. Once my son saw how much fun they were having he asked to put the app on my phone. These days, I do the walking and he hatches the eggs.

About how much time do you invest in the game per week?

Approximately 1.5 hours.

What level are you currently on?

Level 21.

Do you have a favorite Pokémon?

Charmander, Squirtle, and Butterfree.

Which of your Pokémon has the highest CP?

Rhydon at 1745.

What’s the reason you continue to play?

It gets me walking!

Have a Pokémon Go story to pass along? Share it with us here at the Bremen Public Library!

This musing is brought to you courtesy of YA Librarian, Chris.

Book Review

Fallout by Todd Strasser

“Sparky touched the spaghetti with his fork, then stared at the TV. I felt my insides tighten anxiously. Dad had a gun. Mom was letting us eat in the den. Could there be any clearer signs that the end of the world was approaching.”

The year is 1962 and the United States is on the brink of a nuclear war. Tensions are high, with citizens being advised to take the precautionary step of building bomb shelters. In Scott Porter’s neighborhood, however, his family is the only one to follow through on how gravely serious the situation is. When the unthinkable comes to fruition, a mad dash ensues for the Porter’s safe haven. A dwelling designed to sustain four people becomes a community’s last hope for survival. Fighting tooth and nail, the Porter clan, and six others must adapt to existing underground.

“There’s down here and up there. The ones who feel like they’re buried are alive, while the ones who aren’t buried probably aren’t alive. Everything’s upside down.”

Due to radiation fallout, these ten individuals must remain below the surface for two weeks. How will they do so, while facing questions of shortage. Living space, food, water, air become moment to moment elements of survival. How many will make it out, if at all?

‘Fallout’ is a high-tension, fast-paced, read. Examining the Cuban Missile Crisis from a different perspective, Americans are faced with the harrowing question, “What if the bomb had actually been dropped?”

You don’t have to be a fan of apocalyptic tales to enjoy Strasser’s thriller. Chapters are brief and alternate between life prior to, and after, Russia dropping the ill-fated bomb. Characters are well-developed with unique backstories. The author balances the book in remarkable fashion, finding ways to interject lighthearted touches while dealing with a very serious subject.

Overall Rating: 4.8 out of 5

This review is brought to you courtesy of YA Librarian, Chris.

Click here to see if this book is currently available for check-out.

Book Review

Safekeeping by Karen Hesse

Safekeeping is about a girl, Radley, who comes back from a mission trip to Haiti to discover that America has been taken over by a political party that causes the country to enter into an almost apocalyptic state. Finding that her parents have gone missing, she must hitchhike across the east coast to look for them and to run from the Party. Although the story is dystopian, it is told very personally and with themes of peace and finding yourself in difficult times.

The author used her own photographs to tell the story, which gives it more depth in a simple way, and makes the reader feel they are also on a journey with Radley. Through the novel, Hesse also displays the idea that compassion and help for those who are in need can be found in our own hardships.

Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5

This review is brought to you courtesy of YA volunteer, Ellen.

Click here to see if this book is currently available for check-out.