mer's blog

Sharpie tie dye is so easy and so much fun--come and try it on June 5th from 11-12:30.

Register here.

Please bring some white clothing to tie dye. We'll supply everything else!

Room by Emma Donoghue is on the Alex Awards (an award list featuring ten adult books teens will enjoy) from 2011.

Five-year old Jack and his mother live in a teeny, tiny room. His mother was abducted from her college campus by “Old Nick” years ago and has been kept in a tiny room for years. Jack was born a couple years later and is everything to his mother. He’s bright, curious, and imaginative despite the fact that he’s learned about the world through his mother’s stories and by watching television. For living his life in such cramped, confined quarters, Jack seems so well-adjusted.
When his mother decides it’s time to escape, the two begin hatching a plan. It will be entirely up to Jack to save them. But how can a boy who has never been out in the world carry out a complicated escape plan?

As narrator of this riveting, unusual novel, Jack’s voice brings a lightness and youthful energy to this tale, yet readers are clued into what is happening in their lives through conversations and things that occur in the background of Jack’s world. This is a book I listened to on audio—-it was fantastic! This is one you’ll want to share with a friend and discuss. If you’ve followed the true stories of Elizabeth Smart or Jaycee Dugard or if you like suspensful tales, try this book.

It's here!!!!!

Stop by the Readers' Advisory desk to sign up. The Teen Summer Reading program is open to anyone who is completing 6th grade this year, up through 12th grade.

Don't miss the fun!

If you need some reading suggestions or if you'd like to earn more Book Bucks, check out this page of reading lists.

Have you ever fallen in love with a book? Ever had that feeling that a book was written just for you? It happens every now and then for me, and once I find those books I want to linger in those worlds. Savor the story, the writing, the characters.

I'm having one of those experiences right now with Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore. It's the third book in the Seven Kingdoms trilogy--a fantasy trilogy that could also be considered a trio of companion novels set in the same world that follow different characters.

It's elegant, comsuming, romantic, spellbinding. The story follows Queen Bitterblue (who first appears in Graceling). Unlike many of the other characters in this world, Bitterblue does not have a Grace, or a special ability. Her life as queen is all about paperwork, stack and stacks of paperwork littering her desk, waiting for her signature. Curious about her kingdom, she wants the best for her people, but feels slighted, ingnored, misinformed by her royal aids. Bitterblue has an a ha! moment, dons a cloak and sneaks out into the night only to discover that danger awaits her and that her kingdom is not quite as she expected.

Here's hoping this glorious fantasy lasts and lasts and lasts. I can't wait to find out what happens, but I'm trying to read slowly...

Also try:
The first two books in the series, Graceling and Fire
The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima
Will of the Empress by Tamora Pierce

A few pics from our Teen Advisory Group Party last Friday night--soo much fun! (Click image to see the rest).