Tackle Twelve -- Spotlight on Inspirational Fiction

As part of BPL’s Tackle Twelve promotion, 16 reading challenges have been issued. This week’s blog takes a closer look at ‘Read an Inspirational Fiction Book’ and offers up recommendations.

Secrets of Sloane House by Shelley Gray

In order to find her sister who went missing while working as a maid for a prominent family in 1893 Chicago, Rosalind Perry hires on as the new housemaid for the same family.

Touching the Clouds by Bonnie Leon

Set in the 1930s, Kate Evans is a pilot who wants nothing more than to fly the Alaskan skies. She finally succeeds in landing a mail delivery job, where she meets the mysterious Paul Anderson. Circumstances throw the two together, and it’s discovered that they each have a significant secret they’re hiding from each other and the world.

Paper Roses by Amanda Cabot

The future stretches out in front of Sarah Dobbs like the pure blue Texas sky. Leaving the past behind in Philadelphia, mail-order bride Sarah arrives in San Antonio ready to greet her groom, a man she has never met but whose letters have won her heart from afar. But there is one problem, he has died.

Cold Shot by Dani Pettrey

Three friends reunite and join with a beautiful forensic anthropologist to identify skeletal remains uncovered near Little Round Top in Gettysburg National Military Park. There, they become targets themselves.

House of Living Stones by Katie Schuermann

In the small Illinois town of Bradbury, change doesn’t come often, and it certainly doesn’t come easily. So when Pastor Fletcher hires Emily Duke as the new choir director at Zion Lutheran Church, he unknowingly sets in motion a chain of events that turns the life of his congregation upside down.

Blowing on Dandelions by Miralee Ferrell

Do dandelion wishes actually come true? Katherine Galloway knew this moment of calm wouldn’t last, blown away like the dandelion seeds she scattered as a girl. In 1880, three years after her husband’s death, she struggles to run an Oregon boardinghouse and raise two girls alone.

A Perfect Ambition by Dr. Kevin Leman & Jeff Nesbit

The firstborn son of the powerful Worthington family has been groomed for political power since his first breath. Will family secrets keep him from getting there?

Thorn in My Heart by Liz Curtis Higgs

In 1788, amid the moors and glens of the Scottish Lowlands, two brothers and two sisters embark on a painful journey of discovery. Jamie and Evan McKie both want their father Alec’s flocks and lands, yet only one brother will inherit Glentrool. Leana and Rose McBride both yearn to catch the eye of the same handsome lad, yet only one sister will be his bride.

The Forgiven by Marta Perry

When three women are given the task of sorting through the treasures of several generations of their Amish family, they each discover a story from the past that provides inspiration for their own lives.

No Safe Harbor by Elizabeth Ludwig

Desperate to locate her only family, Cara Hamilton leaves Ireland for American and finds herself at the mercy of dangerous revolutionaries, and Rourke, the man she thought she knew and loved.

This readers advisory brought to you by YA Librarian, Chris.

Movie Review

Pitch Perfect 3

Featured Actors

Anna Kendrick (Beca)

Rebel Wilson (Fat Amy)

Hailee Steinfeld (Emily)

Ruby Rose (Calamity)

After winning the world championships, the Barden Bellas split apart to find their careers. However, they find that their dream jobs aren’t as perfect as they thought. This is mentioned again when the Bellas are brought together for a reunion to watch the new Bellas of Barden University sing. When Aubrey gets word of an overseas USO tour, the group gets the chance to reunite and sing once more! No one is told, though, about the competition to perform as a warm-up for DJ Khaled. Along with the other bands, the Bellas will compete for the chance to be seen by millions!

I enjoyed how the movie revolves around different locations in the Mediterranean because they are on tour. I also liked the way this movie deals with family. It shows us that relationships developed by choice are stronger than those formed by blood. It’s a great message that helps the Bellas stay together, knowing they can go their separate ways and still never be alone.

The main reason for my score is that Pitch Perfect 3 is rated PG-13, but I think it’s more mature than that.

Rating: 3.8 out of 5

This review brought to you courtesy of YA volunteer, Johanna.

Recently Added to the YA Bookshelf

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

Mirror, Mirror by Cara Delevingne

Sixteen-year-old friends Red, Leo, Rose and Naomi are misfits; still figuring out who they are and who they want to be. Life isn’t perfect, but music unites them, and they’re excited about what the future holds for their band, Mirror, Mirror. That is, until Naomi vanishes before being pulled unconscious out of the river. She’s left fighting for her life in a coma. The police claim it was a failed suicide attempt, but her friends aren’t convinced. Will Naomi ever wake? What, or perhaps who, led her to that hospital bed?

If There’s No Tomorrow by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Lena is always looking forward to tomorrow, especially at the start of her senior year. She’s ready to pack in as much friend time as possible, to finish college applications and to maybe let her childhood best friend Sebastian know how she really feels about him. For Lena, the upcoming year is going to be epic, one of opportunities and chances. Until one choice, one moment, destroys everything.

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

Jude was seven years old when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. However, many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King. To win a place at the Court, she must defy him and face the consequences.

Thunderhead (Arc of a Scythe #2) by Neal Shusterman

A year has passed since Rowan has gone off grid. Since then he has become an urban legend, a vigilante snuffing out corrupt scythes in a trial by fire. His story is told in whispers across the continent. As Scythe Anastasia, Citra gleans with compassion and openly challenges the ideals of the “new order.” But when her life is threatened and her methods questioned, it becomes clear that not everyone is open to the change.

The Glass Spare by Lauren DeStefano

After discovering that she has the ability to turn people into gemstones, Wilhemina seeks redemption by putting herself in the path of a cursed prince.
Foolish Hearts by Emma Mills
When Claudia accidentally eavesdrops on the epic breakup of Paige and Iris, the “it couple” at her school, she finds herself in hot water with prickly, difficult Iris. Thrown together against their will in the class production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Iris and Claudia are in for an eye-opening senior year.

Eight Days on Planet Earth by Cat Jordan

To the universe, eight days is a mere blip. To Matty Jones, however, it may be just enough time to change his life. On the hot summer day Matty’s dad leaves for good, a strange girl suddenly appears in the empty field next to the Jones farm. The very field where a spaceship supposedly landed fifty years ago.

Together at Midnight by Jennifer Castle

Teens Kendall and Max witness a tragic accident during the holidays and, racked with guilt, accept a dare to perform seven random acts of kindness to strangers by New Year’s Eve.

Gunslinger Girl by Lyndsay Ely

Seventeen-year-old Serendipity Jones inherited two things from her mother: a pair of six shooters and perfect aim. Those won’t get her far on the farming commune, but in the decadent, dangerous city of Cessation, a fast draw will buy her freedom. So Serendipity heads west, where lawlessness is a way of life for those on the losing side of the Civil War.

Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson

When Stevie Bell begins her first year at a famous private school in Vermont, she plans to solve the cold case involving the kidnapping of the founder’s wife and daughter shortly after the school opened in 1936.

Getting to Know ... Diana

Introducing another valuable member of our YA Volunteer Team, Diana Diaz-Gutierrez! A 14-year-old eighth grader, Johanna has accumulated 9 volunteer hours since April. 

FAVORITE BOOK GENRES:  Romance
FAVORITE TV SHOWS:  Pretty Little Liars
A TOPIC SHE COULD DISCUSS FOR AN HOUR:  Her family
AN INVENTION SHE WOULD UNINVENT:  Graduation
ROLE MODEL: Her mom
HAPPY PLACE: The beach
SPIRIT ANIMAL: Giraffe
INTERESTING FACT:  She can get really loud
DESERTED ISLAND FRIEND:  Her mom
FUTURE CAREER: Human rights lawyer
FAVORITE QUOTE: "We were born to be real not to be perfect."

Tackle Twelve

Are you participating in the Tackle Twelve Reading Challenge that’s taking place right here at Bremen Public Library? If you haven’t yet joined in the competition, don’t fret! The promotion has only recently begun and spans all of 2018. So what exactly is Tackle Twelve? Let’s dive in to the specifics.

The mission, should you care to accept, is to complete at least 12 of the following 16 challenges by December 31^:

-        Read a Book of True Crime

-        Read a Celebrity Memoir

-        Read a Book With an Ugly Cover

-        Read a Self-Improvement Book

-        Read a Tome (500 Pages or More)

-        Read an Oprah Book Club Selection

-        Read an Inspirational Fiction Book

-        Read a Paperback

-        Read a Western

-        Read a One-Sitting Book (100 Pages or Less)

-        Read a Caldecott or Newbery Medal Winner

-        Read a Graphic Novel

-        Read a Mystery

-        Read a Young Adult Novel

-        Read a Science Fiction Book

-        Read a Banned Book

For individuals completing 12 of the 16 challenges, a BPL mug will be awarded. For those eager souls who are extra ambitious and complete all 16, we are including a one-year membership to Friends of Bremen Public Library. Benefits of membership:

Free Deluxe Tote Bag
Extended 3-Week Loan Period for Books, Audiobooks, CDs and Magazines
Right to Vote at the Annual Meeting
VIP Invitations to Book Sales and Other Friends Events

Ready to get started? Stop by the library and pick up a Tackle Twelve scorecard. Then, each time a challenge is completed, bring in your card for marking purposes. Be sure to post or tweet about your progress on social media using the hashtag #TackleTwelve for even more chances to win random prizes throughout the year.

Finally, make it a point to regularly stop by our Tackle Twelve display at BPL for featured books on all 16 categories.

Happy Reading!

This event highlight brought to you by YA Librarian, Chris.

Amazing Audiobooks

Did you know that your library card gives you access to more than 2,500 digital audiobooks through a partnership with OverDrive and Hoopla? This is an incredible 24/7 resource, especially considering The Hub has recently released their 2018 Amazing Audiobooks Nominees. Not familiar with The Hub? The Hub is a teen collections blog for YALSA, the Young Adult Library Services Association.

The mission of The Hub is to “provide timely information about emerging and new practices for evaluating, selecting and curating materials; raise awareness about appropriate YALSA tools to facilitate innovation in teen collections; and provide resources for members and the library community to support their efforts to continuously improve their teen collection and content curation.”

Here are some of the nominees:

Solo by Kwame Alexander with Mary Rand Hess

Kwame Alexander’s and Mary Rand Hess’s YA novel in verse comes alive in this audio edition of Solo, narrated by Kwame Alexander, which also contains five original songs performed by musician Randy Preston. Seventeen-year-old Blade endeavors to resolve painful issues from his past and navigate the challenges of his former rockstar father’s addictions, scathing tabloid rumors, and a protected secret that threatens his own identity.

Kill All Happies by Rachel Cohn

This is it. Graduation. Vic is going to throw the most epic party this town has ever seen. She’s going to give her friends and everyone’s favorite restaurant, Happies, a proper send-off. All she needs to do is keep it all a secret so that Miss Thrope, the town’s nightmare councilwoman and high school economics teacher, doesn’t ruin it.

The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

Henry “Monty” Montague doesn’t care that his roguish passions are far from suitable for the gentleman he was born to be. However, as Monty embarks upon his Grand Tour of Europe, his quests for vice are in danger of coming to an end. Not only does his father expect him to take over the family’s estate upon his return, but Monty is also nursing an impossible crush on his best friend and traveling companion, Percy.

Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth

Living on a violent planet where everyone develops a unique power meant to shape the future, Akos and Cyra, youths from enemy nations, resent gifts that render them vulnerable to others’ control before they become unlikely survival partners.

The Inexplicable Logic of My Life by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Everything is about to change. Until this moment, Sal has always been certain of his place with his adoptive father and their loving Mexican-American family. But now his own history unexpectedly haunts him, and life-altering events force him and his best friend, Samantha, to confront issues of faith, loss, and grief.

Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor

The dream chooses the dreamer, not the other way around – and Lazlo Strange, war orphan and junior librarian, has always feared that his dream chose poorly. Since he was five years old he’s been obsessed with the mythic lost city of Weep, but it would take someone bolder than he to cross half the world in search of it. Then a stunning opportunity presents itself and he has to seize the chance or lose his dream forever.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

After witnessing her friend’s death at the hands of a police officer, Starr Carter’s life is complicated when the police and a local drug lord try to intimidate her in an effort to learn what happened the night Kahlil died.

The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon

Natasha, whose family is hours away from being deported, and Daniel, a first generation Korean American who strives to live up to his parents’ expectations, unexpectedly fall in love and must determine which path they will choose in order to be together.

Frankenstein

Bremen Public Library has been awarded a Community Read grant of $1,000 from Indiana Humanities to participate in a statewide read of the classic novel “Frankenstein.” More than 60 other communities will be reading the book as part of One State / One Story: Frankenstein.

BPL will host at least three community programs tied to the book during 2018, including a book discussion. It will also receive up to 50 books and assorted collateral (bookmarks, posters, etc.) to promote the programs. The $1,000 project funds can be used for a variety of purposes, including to book speakers through a special “Frankenstein” speakers bureau.

Written by teenage Mary Shelley in 1818, “Frankenstein” tells the story of a young scientist who created a grotesque living creature through a scientific experiment and was horrified by what he had made.

“'Frankenstein’ is a powerful book that raises big questions about right and wrong, how we treat other people and the relationship between science and society,” said Keira Amstutz, president and CEO of Indiana Humanities. “That’s what makes it such an important book to read as a community and as a state. We want to catalyze those serious conversations, but we want Hoosiers to have a little fun with the book, too.”

One State / One Story: Frankenstein is an initiative designed by Indiana Humanities, in partnership with the Indiana State Library and Indiana Center for the Book, to encourage Hoosiers to read the classic novel as it turns 200 in 2018. More than a dozen programs – including a digital gaming workshop, a sci-fi and horror writing festival for teens, community reads and read-a-thons, and college and university partnerships – will bring Frankenstein to life all over the state. One State / One Story: Frankenstein has been made possible in part by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

I'm thrilled to take part in One State / One Story as it provides an additional venue by which to connect with patrons and potential patrons alike. In a time when some debate the need for our institutions, we must continue to evolve and show relevancy.

The libraries of my youth were the whisper-quiet, shush and not be heard, variety. Today, libraries are vibrant community centers. Yes, we are still books. However, we are books and so much more! From movies to music, computer classes, hangout spaces, and programs. My goodness, the programs are essential.

Through programming personally conducted, I've come across people who had not stepped through our doors once. Not a single time. By offering something of interest, though, they adjusted their calendar and stepped beyond our four walls. In doing so, it enabled us to share the wealth of resources that exist at Bremen Public Library. To show them what they've been missing out on.

That part to me is special. Especially when they return time and again. A program did that! The goal for One State / One Story is for thousands of Hoosiers across the state to have the opportunity to participate in engaging, meaningful discussions. Our mission statement may seem rather simple, yet it's critical:  "We link our community to the world: past, present and future."

It is imperative that libraries continue to be a part of, to serve as a cornerstone of, each and every neighborhood.

Learn more at: www.IndianaHumanities.org/Frankenstein

This event highlight brought to you by Chris Scandling, YA Librarian.