Playful Craft Ideas for Teens

It's January and you know what that means? It means that the end of the school year is approaching faster than we think. You know once spring hits there's an edgy and spirited feeling in the air for teens, but really, they can't get too distracted because they still have class assignments, backpacks full of textbooks, and their teachers keep loading them up with homework!

Speaking of being playful, I saw this article “How to Bring Playfulness to High School Students” that really inspired me to think about how we can introduce more fun and playfulness since teens have to deal with so much stress in school. The article talks about the pressure that teens are experiencing with school and how teens need to find time to be creative and have fun in spirte of their daily pressures.

I was lucky enough to see this awesome quote "Never lose your sense of wonder" and I feel like I can identify with this quote so much. If we lose our sense of wonder then we are going to be losing out on having fun and all of the amazing possibilities out there in the world. With the ideas of bringing out playfulness and keeping the wonder in teens lives here are a few ideas for some activities that could bring a bit of playfulness in either a library or after school club for teens.

DIY Embellished Animal Ears - Make these adorable animal ear combs and all you will be all set to look super cute in them!

Eye Magnets - These eye magnets will be an awesome addition to any area in your house or even your locker at school. The eyes have it on this fun craft.

Ultimate Guide to Sharpie Mugs - This guide will help you to make a super cool Sharpie mug! We just made these over the holidays and it was so much fun to draw your own characters and add in your own sayings. You don't need to be an artist, just have fun with it.

7 Layer Sculpey Cake - This darling seven layer cake is so much fun to make. You can make a rainbow colored cake, or choose your own favorite colors of Sculpey polymer clay.

Here are two of my Pinterest boards that have tons of great craft ideas for teens:

Crafty & Fun

Cheap Crafts for Teens

Tune in next time for more great teen programming and activity ideas!

Mrs. Librarian Lady

Happy New Year 2016!

I have been so busy with my Programming Librarian blog and contributing to the YALSA Hub twice a month, I haven't had much time to work on my own blog, so I have decided to try something new this year! I've been thinking about what I really like to do and the idea of pairing books with crafts and program ideas is one of my most favorite things to do. I usually create a Pinterest board to go with my book pairing ideas so I would love to add a link to my boards when I add book pairings. To start the new year and kick off January, I was thinking of starting with recipes that can be found in YA books. The idea of exploring fantasy worlds through their food has been talked about for a long time, sharing recipes taken from the pages of our favorite teen books is truly a fun experience. If you know where to look, you can find instructions for making butterbeer, Dauntless Chocolate Cake, and even Selection Tarts. Fans of Harry Potter have ventured into the world of magic to create recipes for a multitude of treats that are mentioned in the 7 book series. If you are devoted to fictional feasting, you are in luck because major efforts have been made to bring cooking, community, and literature together in one place. Check out a few recipes and fictional recipe lovers websites I have listed below. Here is my Pinterest board :) Tasty YA Book/Films Recipes

"The Selection" by Keira Cass: "May, don't these strawberry tarts just make you want to cry?" America's Strawberry Nutella Tart

"Divergent" by Veronica Roth: "I only came for cake." Tobias Eaton - Dauntless Cake recipe

"Saint Anything" by Sarah Dessen: "Layla's crazy fry eating ritual will leave you wanting to test out the mystery blend method after completing your own french fry gathering trifecta." Layla - Homemade French Fry Seasoning Blend


Epic Reads YA Inspired Recipes This is a great article from Epic Reads that has some really fun YA book recipes.


Harry Potter Recipes You will find so many cool recipes from the Harry Potter series here!

Fictional Food has a ton of foods and recipes from Hunger Games, Twilight, Willy Wonka, and Game of Thrones


Food in Literature has recipes from Narnia, Alice in Wonderland, and Sherlock Holmes!

THE DARKEST PART OF THE FOREST by Holly Black

She Was Forged From Iron - Holly Black's The Darkest Part of the Forest

The Darkest Part of the Forest

Children can have a cruel, absolute sense of justice. Children can kill a monster and feel quite proud of themselves. A girl can look at her brother and believe they’re destined to be a knight and a bard who battle evil. She can believe she’s found the thing she’s been made for.

Hazel lives with her brother, Ben, in the strange town of Fairfold where humans and fae exist side by side. The faeries’ seemingly harmless magic attracts tourists, but Hazel knows how dangerous they can be, and she knows how to stop them. Or she did, once.

At the center of it all, there is a glass coffin in the woods. It rests right on the ground and in it sleeps a boy with horns on his head and ears as pointy as knives. Hazel and Ben were both in love with him as children. The boy has slept there for generations, never waking.

Until one day, he does…

As the world turns upside down and a hero is needed to save them all, Hazel tries to remember her years spent pretending to be a knight. But swept up in new love, shifting loyalties, and the fresh sting of betrayal, will it be enough?

A new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Holly Black. Start reading now at http://DarkestPartoftheForest.com


I love Holly Black and am a total fan of faeries. This is why I read everything that Black writes! The Darkest Part of the Forest was an interesting read for me because it is centered in the town of Fairfold, which is a place full of magic and horror. I have studied faeries almost my whole life and am ever so intrigued by the history and fanfare around them. While faeries have been known to humans as the fair ones, it seems that the magical inhabitants that live near Fairfold are not all sweet and adorable like the ones we see in the movies. These faeries are the bad boys of magic and there seems to be some kind of faerie family feud going on that no one can stop. I love the magic and the mystery of the book. Way out there in the middle of the forest lies a beautiful boy and he's in a glass coffin that no one can break. He's mysterious and obviously very hot because everyone is in love with him, boys, girls, moms, basically whoever gazes upon him. I like Ben because he has the magic of music inside him and that comes out when he most needs it for survival. I like Hazel because she's tough and can wield a sword like a medieval warrior. Severin is an interesting character because he's in the glass coffin for most of the book, but when he gets out he's got Hazel and Ben on his side to look out for him. Black weaves in what I would call her magic, which is her expertise in the land of the faerie and her clever way of mixing it in with the human world, which I always love. I had a feeling that The Darkest Part of the Forest might become a series, but it seems like it had a pretty good solid ending. I won't tell you if it was a happily ever after one or not, you have to read it for yourself!

Happy Reading to you!

Mrs. Librarian Lady

The False Prince not to be confused with Fresh Prince

"THE FALSE PRINCE is the thrilling first book in a brand-new trilogy filled with danger and deceit and hidden identities that will have readers rushing breathlessly to the end.

In a discontent kingdom, civil war is brewing. To unify the divided people, Conner, a nobleman of the court, devises a cunning plan to find an impersonator of the king’s long-lost son and install him as a puppet prince. Four orphans are recruited to compete for the role, including a defiant boy named Sage. Sage knows that Conner’s motives are more than questionable, yet his life balances on a sword’s point — he must be chosen to play the prince or he will certainly be killed. But Sage’s rivals have their own agendas as well.

As Sage moves from a rundown orphanage to Conner’s sumptuous palace, layer upon layer of treachery and deceit unfold, until finally, a truth is revealed that, in the end, may very well prove more dangerous than all of the lies taken together.

An extraordinary adventure filled with danger and action, lies and deadly truths that will have readers clinging to the edge of their seats."

I finally read this book after hearing about for so so long. It was one of the Teens' Top Ten nominees and I really loved the cover so I finally got to reading it. I was quite surprised at how good this book is! Right from the start there is action and intrigue. There are orphans who are being rounded up and taken to a secluded castle for who knows what reason? Secrets and a long history of regents trying to scratch their way up to the throne will have you truly spellbound. Ah and it wouldn't be a YA novel without a little bit of true love and romance right? I'm sure you want to know what happens to Sage and his so called orphan buddies right? Well, you will soon find out if you read The False Prince!

My favorite quotes from The False Prince:



"If I had to do it all over again, I would not have chosen this life. Then again, I’m not sure I ever had a choice. Sage

These were my thoughts as I raced away from the market, with a stolen roast tucked under my arm. I’d never attempted roast thievery before, and I was already regretting it. It happens to be very difficult to hold a chunk of raw meat while running. More slippery than I’d anticipated. If the butcher didn’t catch me with his cleaver first, and literally cut off my future plans, I vowed to remember to get the meat wrapped next time. Then steal it. Sage

He was only a few paces behind now, chasing me at a better speed than I’d have expected for a man of his girth. He yelled very loudly in his native language, one I didn’t recognize.

He was originally from one of the far western countries. Undoubtedly a country where killing a meat thief was allowed. Sage about Connor Bevin

It was this sort of thought that encouraged me to run faster. I rounded a corner just as the cleaver suddenly cut into a wood post behind me. Even though he was aiming for me, I couldn’t help but admire his throwing accuracy. If I hadn’t turned when I did, the cleaver would’ve found its target. Sage


And I might have made it, if not for the bald man sitting outside the tavern, who stretched out his foot in time to trip me. Luckily, I managed to keep hold of the roast, although it did no favors to my right shoulder as I fell onto the hard dirt road. Sage

The butcher leaned over me and laughed. “ ’Bout time you get what’s comin’ to you, filthy beggar.” Sage

As a point of fact, I hadn’t begged for anything. It was beneath me. Sage

Warning Creepy Notebooks May Be Dangerous

Gone Too Far
Natalie D. Richards
Release date: January 6th 2015
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Keeping secrets ruined her life. But the truth might just kill her.

Piper Woods can't wait for the purgatory of senior year to end. She skirts the fringes of high school like a pro until the morning she finds a notebook with mutilated photographs and a list of student sins. She's sure the book is too gruesome to be true, until pretty, popular Stella dies after a sex-tape goes viral. Everyone's sure it's suicide, but Piper remembers Stella's name from the book and begins to suspect something much worse.

Drowning in secrets she doesn't want to keep, Piper's fears are confirmed when she receives an anonymous text message daring her to make things right. All she needs to do is choose a name, the name of someone who deserves to be punished...

Gone Too Far is a really good book. I found it to be thrilling and a real page turner. Piper Woods was a very compelling character and I felt like I knew her really well by the end of the book. While Piper grappled with many issues that teens usually do, this novel touches on the deeper ways that teens can bully each other. Piper doesn't realize that if you don't stick up for those that are being bullied, terrible things can happen. When she finds a creepy notebook with strange code names for her fellow classmates she has no idea what she has stumbled upon. After looking through the notebook, she realizes that one of her classmates has transcribed tons of horrible transactions between her classmates. She even finds herself in the notebook, not wanting to believe that someone could be watching everyone at the school so closely. Things heat up when a tragic accident occurs and Piper thinks that she should avenge the girl that has died. This is where the tables start to turn and things get pretty crazy. I didn't want to believe that there was someone out there terrorizing their very own classmates, but in this story that is exactly what is going on. What I did believe about Piper and her character is that she really did care what happened to others and that maybe she didn't really know the people that she was closest to after all and that includes her own parents. I wanted to keep reading this book and never put it down. I read it in one day and found the author to be a very compelling writer. I just couldn't stop reading chapter after chapter. I would recommend this book to all teens and think that it could possibly open up their eyes to what might be going on right in front of their eyes. And, also to never fall for a blackmailer's tricks ever!

Happy Reading to You!

Mrs. Librarian Lady

Sophomore Year Is Greek to Me by Meredith Zeitlin - Fun, Fun, Fun

A laugh-out-loud high school adventure set in Greece, perfect for fans of Meg Cabot

High school sophomore Zona Lowell has lived in New York City her whole life, and plans to follow in the footsteps of her renowned-journalist father. But when he announces they’re moving to Athens for six months so he can work on an important new story, she's devastated— he must have an ulterior motive. See, when Zona's mother married an American, her huge Greek family cut off contact. But Zona never knew her mom, and now she’s supposed to uproot her entire life and meet possibly hostile relatives on their turf? Thanks... but no thanks.

In the vein of Anna and the French Kiss, Zona navigates a series of hilarious escapades, eye-opening revelations, and unexpected reunions in a foreign country—all while documenting the trip through one-of-a-kind commentary.

I loved this book! It is very funny, the characters are really charming and it made me really really want to travel to Greece it sounds like such a beautiful place! I am also a big fan of realistic fiction and this book has all of the best impression of the how real relationships work. I loved how the main character Zone goes on a journey to basically find herself and how she realizes just like many others do, that life is not perfect, but if you can trust in yourself and live life to the fullest things will always turn out to be just fine. Just like many teens, Zona finds out that life itself is a work in progress. I am a huge fan of authors like Meg Cabot, Sarah Dessen, and Jenny Han and Meredith Zeitlin is right up there with the best with this novel! I love her writing and can't wait to see if there will be more novels with Zona to come. I recommend Sophomore Year Is Greek To Me to anyone that loves a sweet coming of age story in a lovely setting. Very much like when Lena was in Greece in the Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants.

Happy Reading!

Mrs. Librarian Lady

Apocalyptic Dream Awakens an Awesome Idea!

Last night I dreamed that I was watching the night sky filled with massive amounts of shooting stars. In my dream, the entire sky was lit up with lights and I believed that it was an apocalyptic event. Somewhere toward the end of this dream, I was half awake and still half dreaming I remember an idea came to me. I should start a Walking Dead book club at the library! I think three things would bring in teens to join this club. One is they love anything related to zombies, two they think anything apocalyptic is cool, and three we can play the new Walking Dead Monopoly game! I absolutely adore any YA book that features an apocalyptic world gone mad. I have read a lot of dystopic YA novels and one that I think was my first love was Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card. I also remember fancying The Giver by Lois Lowry, but not really understanding the impact that this book would have me on much later fostering my love for the dystopic. Most recently, one of the best apocalyptic books I have read is Pure by Julianna Baggot. This book was totally awesome and freaky too. For when then world was ending an explosion occurred and anything that was near a person fused to their body. That meant that people were walking around with doll parts, other people, and bird cages fused somewhere on their persons. Yikes that is freaky! Funny enough, I have never been a big fan of zombies. They kind of scare me and I would hate to be chased by one. I postponed watching the Walking Dead television show on AMC for exactly that reason. After a long period of coaxing, my kids finally talked me into watching the first season and after me walking out of the room a few times during gruesome hoards of zombies feeding I was totally hooked on the show. I power watched to get caught up to the 4th season and now have been following the show and the after show the Talking Dead. After my dream and idea of starting a Walking Dead book club, I realized I should probably try to read the Walking Dead graphic novels by Robert Kirkman. I think it would be a great way to segue into the book club and find out if the new members have them already or plan to read for the club. I will keep you posted on the progress of the Walking Dead book club!

Happy Reading to you!

Mrs. Librarian Lady

Insurgent Feeds My Soul

I was so excited to see Insurgent in 3D this last weekend! The movie was totally amazing and I was surprised because it was even better than Divergent. It seems like the first movie had a lot of setting up to do and there was like this secret romance going on between Tris and Four. But... in Insurgent the cat was out of the bag and the romance was full on baby! They fought some too and that was cool, but their love shines through all the way. I think Tris and Four are my favorite fictional couple, which is why I am so not looking forward to the next movie Allegiant. I am sorry I won't give anything away, but it is going to be a super cry fest for me for sure. Here is one of my favorite pictures I've seen around on the net that shows the awesome dynamic duo Tris and Four!!!

Lois D. Brown talks about what it's like to write a book

This week Mrs. Librarian Lady will feature author a blog piece by Lois D. Brown. Lois' new book "Robbed of Soul" will be releasing this week and she has some great advice on How to write a book in two months!

So you want to write a

book. I have a little advice. (Writers always do.)

Two years ago it took me

almost twelve months to write a middle grade book that was 30,000 words long.

This past fall I wrote an 85,000 word adult mystery called Robbed of Soul in two months. What made the

difference?

Point #1: Like

your book





First off, let me say

that to write a book, and to write it fast, you need to like your idea. I

wasn't so jazzed about writing the middle grade book. I thought it had a good

premise and was marketable.

However, I was completely

passionate about Robbed of

Soul. It’s set in a real town, Kanab, Utah, which I love to visit. It included

legends about Montezuma’s gold and historical tales from treasure hunters

in the 1920s. And the protagonist is a woman who survived eight months in

solitary confinement in Tehran. All of these are things that fascinate me. So much

so that I've actually appeared on a television show about

Montezuma's treasure. 

Point #2: Make it a competition.





 I contacted a friend

of mine who was about to start to write her second book. (If you don’t know someone

personally, there are tons of online author support site that would work too.)

My friend and I made

writing our books into a competition. It made all the difference. Every few

days we would check up with each other. We’d send a quick text

asking how many words the other had written that day. It was fun. First she was

ahead. Then I was ahead. Then she was ahead. Yes, she finished the book

before me, but it didn't matter. We both finished writing rather large novels in

less than ten weeks.

Point 3: Get rid of distractions 





I

created an atmosphere that was conducive to writing. Our

family’s main computer is in the kitchen. I like it there because I can see

what my kids are doing on it. But, it really makes it difficult to focus. The fridge is about six feet

from my computer chair. It whispers to me all the time. I knew I had to change where I

wrote Robbed of

Soul. I set up a desk in the corner of my house the furthest away from my

kitchen as possible.  I also put my cell

phone in a different spot than where I wrote.

Point 4: Write while you do chores





There is a free app for an iphone called Dragon Diction. It's easy to download and it's simple use. While it's not

perfect, it does a good job of transcribing everything I say. I use it for

outlining. I write dialog with it. I'm even using it to write this blog. I

speak into my cell phone while I'm riding in the car, when my hands are tired of typing, even

while I walk around the house picking up messes.





Point 5: Stay awake!

Caffeine does a number on me. I really

don't like consuming large quantities of it. However, I found Crio

Bru to drink. It has a great natural stimulant in

it, it tastes good, and I feel like legit writer with my steaming mug of brown

liquid at my side. Another natural stimulant I use is an orange essential

oil. I like the brand doTerra. I keep a small bottle of this essential oil

right next to my computer. When I started to feel drowsy, I open the lid, pour

a drop on my hands, and rub them together. I then breathe in deeply and have an

immediate pick me up. And it makes my keyboard smell good. (No, I don't own stock in either of the

companies)

Do you

like books? Do you like Zions National Park? Join the ROBBED OF SOUL book launch giveaway and you may win

3 nights in a vacation townhome in Kanab, Utah.

(Thirty minutes from Zions.) A $450 value! (Or a $100 Amazon gift card

if preferred.) 

a

Rafflecopter giveaway

Rescued but psychologically damaged from a failed mission, ex-CIA officer Maria Branson takes

the job of police chief in the quiet town of Kanab, Utah. Rest and relaxation are the doctor’s orders. She

gets neither. Instead, a missing mayor, the spirit of a dead Aztec warrior, and the over-confident-yet-

attractive head of Search and Rescue await her in a town whose past has almost as many secrets as her

own. As Maria investigates a modern-day murder, she disturbs a world of ancient legends and deadly

curses. Yet most lethal of all is Maria’s fear someone will discover just how empty her soul really

is.

Available at Amazon, Smashwords, and Google Play.

Look Out All You Fairy Tale Drop Outs!

This week Mrs. Librarian Lady is featuring the new release of Flunked: Fairy Tale Reform School by Jen Calonita!


WOULD YOU SEND A VILLAIN TO DO A HERO'S JOB?

Gilly wouldn't call herself wicked, exactly... but when you have five little brothers and sisters and live in a run-down boot, you have to get creative to make ends meet. Gilly's a pretty good thief(if she does say so herself).

Until she gets caught.

Gilly is sentenced to three months at Fairy Tale Reform School - where all of the teachers are former (super-scary) villains like the Big Bad Wolf, the Evil Queen, and Cinderella's Wicked Stepmother. Harsh. But when she meets fellow students Jax and Kayla, she learns there's more to this school than its heroic mission.

There's a battle brewing and Gilly has to wonder just how good these bad guys are.

Ok, so I bet you are pumped up now to find out about how this awesome twisted mash up of fairy tales plays out. I can tell you that Flunked is clever, cute and adventurous all in one! When Gilly gets busted for stealing a fancy hair clip her whole life goes haywire. She is sent to the Fairy Tale Reform School(FTRS, which seems to have a good mission, but as we get further into the story we find that maybe this reform school might have some major flaws. "Our mission: To turn wicked delinquents and former villains into future heroes." And then we meet Flora, the infamous and so called "formerly wicked stepmother" of Cinderella. Calonita's description of Flora is hilarious. She calls her "stepmonster" which sounds pretty scary to me! Although she does admit that she doesn't have "devil's horns poking out of her head," but rather that she is thin, pointy nosed, with two-tone colored hair.

You'll also love the Happily Ever After Scrolls that frequent the pages of this book. One of my favorites is "Why We Fear Apples: Meet FRTRS's Psychologist, Professor Harlow" which features Harlow the (formerly) evil queen from Snow White and how she has changed and oh yes how she loves fashion and "doesn't terrorize people" anymore. You might also like to know that she like being pretty and extremely dislikes rudeness. And LOL she doesn't have a love life because she is too busy looking at herself in the mirror. Seriously, this is some funny stuff!

I love Gilly because she is such a spirited character and it's so much fun to follow her on her journey in a school of fairy tale misfits. FTRS shows how strong bonds can become when friendships are made, and how sometimes a band of misfits can result in a team working together for the greater good. Enough said, I don't want to give away the ending, which you will never guess who ends up being the most notorious delinquent of all.

Happy reading! I hope you enjoy Flunked by Jen Calonita!

Librarians Getting Ready to Read with the Rhythm » Public Libraries Online

Librarians Getting Ready to Read with the Rhythm » Public Libraries Online

Mixed Feelings & Lost Love - Almost Perfect by Brian Katcher

I checked out "Almost Perfect" by Brian Katcher almost by accident last week. I saw the book sitting on a cart and thought hmmmm this looks interesting. And it was interesting to say the least. My initial reaction after finishing the book was WOW! It was really amazing and very intense relationship wise. Here's a little tidbit to get you interested in this book. Logan is bummed that his girlfriend of three years cheated on him until he meets a new girl at school. Sage is fun, zany, and cute, but she has a very big secret. Sage finally tells Logan her secret, which is... that she is transgender, a boy transitioning to a girl. It may tear apart their budding romance, but it also may tear apart their true friendship forever unless Logan can overcome his guilt and fear. This is a really good book to read, but has a kind of sad ending. I won't give it away to you because I want you to read it for yourself! Go to your library and check out "Almost Perfect" and see for yourself.

Happy reading to you!

Mrs. Librarian Lady

Take a Chance - Read Between the Lines - Samantha van Leer

February Book of the Month!


Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult and Samantha van Leer

In this delightful companion novel to Off the Page, #1 New York Times bestselling authors Jodi Picoult and her daughter and cowriter, Samantha van Leer, present the YA novel that started it all! Filled with romance, adventure, and humor, the magic jumps off the page (literally) in a story you’ll never forget.

What happens when happily ever after…isn’t?

Delilah is a bit of a loner who prefers spending her time in the school library with her head in a book—one book in particular. Between the Lines may be a fairy tale, but it feels real. Prince Oliver is brave, adventurous, and loving. He really speaks to Delilah.

And then one day Oliver actually speaks to her. Turns out, Oliver is more than a one-dimensional storybook prince. He’s a restless teen who feels trapped by his literary existence and hates that his entire life is predetermined. He’s sure there’s more for him out there in the real world, and Delilah might just be his key to freedom.

A romantic and charming story, this companion novel to Off the Page will make every reader believe in the fantastical power of fairy tales. Book-lovers have been escaping into a good book for ever and ever. Have you ever wondered if when you closed the cover of a book that the characters you loved might stop acting out their designated roles like they were in a play?

Between the Lines will have you guessing to the very end and devouring each page at great speed. With gorgeous illustrations dotted around the pages, it is the kind of book you can escape into, just like Delilah. A delight!

Happy reading to you!!
Mrs. Librarian Lady

If You Are A John Green Fan You Will Love These Books!

If You Are A John Green Fan You Will Love These Books!

Augustus Waters might be one of a kind, but there are other books besides your tearstained copy of The Fault in Our Stars that you will love. Whether it is heartbreaking teen sagas or charismatic verse-quoting sweethearts that have you turning page after page, these five books will satisfy your yearning until the movie comes out on June 6th. Just try not to cry too hard.

If I Stay by Gayle Forman
For fans of: Crying your eyes out
Mia has the coolest parents and an adorable little brother. She’s an amazing cellist, her best friend always has her back and her boyfriend loves to rock. She has no idea her life is about to change and there is nothing she can do to stop it. After a life shattering accident Mia must decide whether there is anything left in her life to make her wake up. If you're looking for a really good cry, this is the book for you. Awesome news! Chloë Grace Moretz stars in the film adaptation that is coming out this August!

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
For fans of: Honest first love
If Augustus and Hazel taught us anything in The Fault In Our Stars, it's that falling in love can be crazy and heartbreaking at the same time—but for some reason it’s all worth it. Eleanor and Park share a similarly star-crossed fate as two misfit teenagers who love comic books, punk rock, and each other after a meet-cute on the school bus in 1986. This novel, which will make you see magic in music and proves that even handholding can be a revolutionary act of love, has garnered praise from John Green himself.

Every Day by David Levithan
For fans of: Universal love affairs
The only thing consistent about A's days is that he always wakes up in a new body and a new life. This makes forming any lasting bonds or commitments seemingly impossible—until he meets Rhiannon, who changes everything. He falls so head over heels that he'll do anything to stay with her, even if it means that he can't continue to be himself. With this novel, David Levithan, a guru of over the top narratives like Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist and Will Grayson, Will Grayson (which he co-wrote with John Green), has pushed romance in a wild and out direction that makes you think that maybe just maybe this could really happen.

Paper Towns by John Green
For fans of: The One & Only John Green
I couldn't end this list without recommending another novel from the amazing John Green. He's the head honcho of pairing up introverted teens with outlandish friends prone to having grandious personalities. In Paper Towns, enter Margo Roth Spiegelman, an infamous prankster. She ropes in her quiet neighbor Quentin (who'll be played by Nat Wolff in the upcoming film adaptation!) to commit her last ultimate prank and then she suddenly disappears into thin air. Quentin has the clues to find Margo, but will he find her in time? The amazing process that he goes through to find his one and only true love and partner in crime is worth every turn of the page.

Happy Holiday Reading!

I See Dead People - Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

Name of the Star: Shades of London series by Maureen Johnson

The day Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London marks a memorable occasion. For Rory, it's the start of a new life at a London boarding school. But for many, this will be remembered as the day a series of brutal murders broke out across the city, gruesome crimes mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper events of more than a century ago.

Soon “Rippermania” takes hold of modern-day London, and the police are left with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. Rory spotted the man police believe to be the prime suspect. But she is the only one who saw him. Even her roommate, who was walking with her at the time, didn't notice the mysterious man. So why can only Rory see him? And more urgently, why has Rory become his next target? In this edge-of-your-seat thriller, full of suspense, humor, and romance, Rory will learn the truth about the secret ghost police of London and discover her own shocking abilities.

Ok, so I’ve been hanging out in London lately, well not really in London, but in my mind London for a whole entire month while reading the Shades of London series by Maureen Johnson. I am completely hooked on this series and I feel like Rory Deveaux is a character that I could totally be friends with. She's very brave, is funny in her own right of mind, she talks a lot and has great stories that I could just hear over and over and she has good values and can tell what is right and what is wrong.

Rory's life is by far anything but normal, she moved to London to attend an elite school called Wexford and upon chance ends up having to deal with a new found gift called “the sight” that allows her to see other beings that most people can’t see. If you like ghosts and secret ghost hunting societies that form a special bond with each other you will love Name of the Star. I first decided to read this book because it totally name drops Jack the Ripper in the summary, but after getting into the story I found that there is much more going on here than on a reality t.v. show!! Rory becomes friends with Stephen, Callum and Boo a dynamic trio with special ghost hunting operational forces. Facing new missions and mysteries around all kinds of ghosts, the four grow together and form an unbeatable team. I love this kind of teamwork especially since it deals with the paranormal and the dark and dangerous streets of London.

This is more than just a ghostly read, this is definitely an intriguing mystery that taps into the paranormal and beyond. The dialogue is perfect, the scenery described wonderfully, and the plot captivating. The ending is just enough of a tease that you'll immediately want to read the second book in the series The Madness Underneath (which is exactly what I did!). But... If you love this series as much as I do, I’m sorry to say that you’ll have to wait patiently for the third book The Shadow Cabinet to come out in February 2015!

"Fear can't hurt you. When it washes over you, give it no power. It's a snake with no venom. Remember that. That knowledge can save you." Jo ~World War II ghost lady

Happy Holidays & Happy Reading!

Not Your Average History Lesson - A Look at Historical Fiction

I’ve always been a fan of historical fiction – When I was a kid I loved reading about people that really excited in faraway times and places. My favorite book in high school was none other than Gone with the Wind which was set in the Civil War (go figure??) I think this love followed me to college because I went on to study Humanities in college and learned about the history of art, music, philosophy, religion, language, and how people experience all of these things. Nowadays, I love reading for fun and I love coming-of-age stories combined with fascinating periods of history around the world. If you are tired of the same old boring history lessons you’ve seen and want a great Historical Fiction read then this is place for you! Tune in each month as Mrs. Librarian Lady starts from zero and goes all the way up to the 1990’s. You will be amazed at how many great stories are based on real life people in history!


Here’s a little Historical Fiction kick starter for you!

Wicked Girls: A Novel of the Salem Witch Trials by Stephanie Hemphill - I have always been entranced with the Salem Witch Trials, so I am so glad that I found this terrific book! This story written in verse is based on the epic historical event that took place in Salem, Massachusetts throughout the year of 1692. Wicked Girls is very engaging and brings a stunning reality to the actual girls that accused many people of being witches in Salem during the 1600’s. This is a fictional account of what it might have been like for the girls that started the vicious lies and rumors about their friends and neighbors. The historical information on this subject is very easy to find in any history book or in the Salem museum. However, Hemphill gives a more personal look at how a handful of Puritan girls took hold of a town and used this fortune to their own advantage. I found this book to be a truly amazing account of how that year in 1692 unfolded in the town of Salem. This book also gives the reader insight on how difficult it must have been to live in the rural area of Salem and how strict and narrow minded the Puritan townspeople were.

Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys – Set in New Orleans, in 1950, the city is getting back to regular life with the war over. But for Josie Moraine, there’s no such thing as a normal life. Her mother is a brothel prostitute and Josie only wants to get out of New Orleans and attend college where she can make a life for herself without her mother’s reputation always tainting her attempts to make something of herself. But then someone dies in a pretty suspect way and Josie’s involvement in the investigation might keep her from ever being able to escape the Big Easy.

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein– All I can say is that reading this book takes you back in time to World War II and it is an emotional and intense ride from the start. You get to read the story through written pages and notes. One side of the story is of Queenie the British spy who has been captured by the Nazi's in Nazi occupied France in 1943. She made the crucial mistake of looking the wrong way while crossing a busy street in the town of Ormaie, France. The Gestapo orders Queenie to unravel the tale of how she met her best friend Maddie and how they went down in the plane that Maddie was flying over France. Queenie manages to stay alive in prison as long as she's writing what the Gestapo approves of. Otherwise, she is horribly tortured. The second half is the story of Maddie and how she has to hide and survive in France after crashing the plane. The two stories woven together are totally compelling and the courage that these two young women possessed was amazing. I felt as if I was reading their personal diaries as it really happened all those year ago.This book is definitely a tribute to women and has resounding themes of friendship and courage throughout the book.

Tune in next month for more YA Historical Fiction recommendations!

Mrs. Librarian Lady ♥

Reality Scoop - I love Realistic Fiction!

Reality Scoop by Kimberli Buckley

I love Realistic Fiction!
This month I want to take a look at something totally different. Think about this… YA books can actually save lives! Yes, this is an ode to Realistic Fiction that shows us teen tragedy and hard luck circumstances. Whether or not you are someone with excellent grades and no drug record, chances are you know of someone who has struggled in school, struggled with friends and grades, probably smoked, maybe they experimented, maybe they even took risks. And if you didn’t know someone in real life, you knew a fictional character that experienced all of that, and it opened your eyes to hardships in life. That’s right, YA books teach us a lot and they say to us “You’re not alone,” you could also say that YA books mirror reality. And it’s because of this terrifyingly perfect, realistic depiction of teen tragedy that some of the best realistic YA books have been banned.

Realistic Fiction is not only for escapism, but also a place of comfort, a home for those who feel they have nowhere to turn, that no one understands. Many YA authors are successful because their readers respond to realistic depictions of teen issues, such as death, sickness, abuse, or drugs. These kinds of stories aren’t a one-size-fits-all teens, but it can provide a powerful presence for the teens that have experienced some of life’s more difficult events.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 48% of teen deaths are caused by unintentional injuries, and 73% of those injuries were from vehicle accidents. 11% of deaths are from suicide, and 6% are from cancer. Through realistic fiction, YA literature allows readers to sympathize with the girl or boy in the back of the classroom, silent and misunderstood, holing up their problems and blaming themselves for sad events that have happened to them. If we can learn about hardship and suffering through a book, then maybe we can begin to understand what it’s like for those that have difficult lives.

Here are a few YA books that respect the intelligence of the reader, move the reader, and accurately portray teen tragedy.

Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira - When Laurel starts writing letters to dead people for a school assignment she begins to spill about her sister's mysterious death, her mother's departure.

Looking for Alaska by John Green - Sixteen-year-old Miles' first year at a private school in Alabama is defined by the search for answers about life and death after a fatal car crash.

The Tragedy Paper by Elizabeth LaBan - Duncan gets wrapped up in the tragic tale of Tim Macbeth, a former student who had a clandestine relationship with the wrong girl, and his own ill-fated romance with Daisy.

Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley - Cullen's summer is marked by his cousin's death by overdose and his younger brother's sudden disappearance.

Stolen by Lucy Christopher - Sixteen-year-old Gemma is abducted while on vacation with her parents and taken to the Australian outback, where she soon realizes that escape attempts are futile.

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher - high school student Clay Jenkins receives thirteen cassette tapes recorded from his friend Hannah, who committed suicide, he spends a bewildering and heartbreaking night recounting the events leading up to her death.

Waiting for Normal by Leslie Connor - Twelve-year-old Addie tries to cope with her mother's erratic behavior when she and her mother go to live in a small trailer by the railroad tracks

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson - A traumatic event near the end of the summer has a devastating effect on Melinda's freshman year in high school.

I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak - Ed Kennedy begins receiving mysterious messages that direct him to addresses where people need help, and he begins getting over his lifelong feeling of worthlessness.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chobosky - A tale of adolescence whose hero is Charlie, a high school freshman in Pennsylvania. The novel follows Charlie as he is introduced to love, literature and friendships.

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton - The struggle of three brothers to stay together after their parent's death and their quest for identity among the conflicting values of their adolescent society.

Happy to Reading to You!

Tall, Dark & Mysterious Dudes: Hexed by Michelle Krys

This week’s featured book is Hexed by Michelle Krys. This book is a perfect blend of action, romance, and humor that kept me glued to the pages. I happen to love books about witches and witchcraft like James Patterson’s Witch & Wizard, so this book was already on my favorites list when I read that the main character Indigo was a witch who didn’t even know she was a witch. Aha clever right? Well, see for yourself.

A cheerleader at a Fairfield High in a position of popularity, Indigo’s life takes a turn when someone steals an important book from her mother’s occult store, ‘The Black Cat.’ Turns out the recessive genes for being a witch run in Indigo’s family, but until her 200th full moon, Indigo won’t know if she has inherited the powers herself. The stolen book is The Witch Hunter’s Bible, and if it falls into the wrong hands many witches will die. Thrust into the action of a war between witches and sorcerers with a high personal cost, Indigo finds herself under the tutelage of Bishop, an eighteen year-old Warlock who is determined to help her develop her powers. As the secret magical world starts to unfurl for Indigo, she realizes all is not as it seems and forms a plan to reclaim the book.
This is the first book in a new series called The Witch Hunter. Hexed focuses on the main character Indigo, who for the most part is a normal high school girl. Indigo is has a fun feisty spirit, a great sense of independence, and a spunky voice as she navigates her way through the magical world. She’s convinced her occult-believing mother was crazy, but feels that she must investigate some supernatural happenings just to be on the safe side. After meeting Bishop, Indigo adjusts remarkably well to her new life, shedding her cheerleader persona and clique friends without much difficulty because they weren’t real friends anyway.
Instead, Indigo finds a true friend in Paige who is loyal to her from the start. Bishop enters the scene as a mysterious stranger who Indigo just can’t figure out. Is he for real? Or is he something otherworldly altogether? After Indigo, Paige, and Bishop go out on the town, that’s when things really start to heat up in this story. There will be some heartbreak, challenges, and a few laughs along the way. Will Indigo learn the truth about her heritage and take on her chosen destiny? The world of witches is complicated and this book had several twists and turns in plot woven within a battle between witches and witch hunters that made me definitely want to keep reading this series. Hexed is an action-packed read and I am looking forward to the sequel!
Some of my favorite quotes-
“And I just know that this memory will be forever burned into my brain, because this kind of magic – the kind that can’t be conjured with a spell, where everything is just right, and all your problems vanish for three perfect minutes – doesn’t happen everyday.” Indigo Blackwood

” So you’re telling me that on the next full moon, I’m going to turn into a witch.”
” yes.” he nods solemnly. ” You’ll grow a hooknose within a hairy mole at the end, and your hair will turn gray and frizzy– or more frizzy, rather—and your back will grow a hump any camel would envy, and– "Be serious for once.” Indigo & Bishop

Mrs. Librarian Lady is a cool cat who loves to read YA books!

I want to meet Simon & Baz - Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

FANGIRL by Rainbow Rowell
A coming-of-age tale of the joys and sorrows of fanfiction as well as the intriguing relationship between twins.

Cath is a Simon Snow fan. Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan . . . For Cath, being a fan is her life—and she’s really good at it. She and her twin sister, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it’s what got them through their mother leaving. Reading. Rereading the series. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fan fiction, and dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere that’s all she has ever known until now. Now she and her Wren have moved away to college and Cath’s sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can’t let go. She doesn’t want to let go.

Before they left for college, Wren told Cath she didn’t want to be roommates. This leaves Cath to fend for herself in a new school with new people, which is completely outside of her comfort zone. She gets paired with Reagan a loud and vivacious roommate and her charming, always-around boyfriend, she has a fiction-writing professor who thinks fan fiction is a horrid crime to literature writing, she meets handsome classmate who only wants to steal her words . . . And she can’t stop worrying about her dad, who has always had erratic behavior and has never really been alone.

For Cath, the questions are: Can she make it in college, Will she ever make any friends, and does she need Wren, or is it really the other way around? Another huge question is can Wren let go of Simon Snow? And, is she capable of letting other human beings into her life or will the walls that she has built since her mom left stay up forever?

It’s up to Cath to navigate this scary new world on her own. She maintains her sanity by writing her Simon Snow series called Carry On as she struggles to find out what it really means to be a good student, writer, and daughter all at the same time. And through all of this she tries to figure out just where on earth the cafeteria is. Through sheer panic and fear of new situations she decides it might just be easier to stock up on protein bars and lose herself in the world of fan fiction.

Rainbow Rowell is amazing. She writes so well, every word reaches out to you and pulls you further into the story. She captures the world of college and fanfiction writing head on and keeps you wanting more. I completely recommend this book it is very imaginative and brings to light the joys and sorrows of growing up and letting go of the past and moving forward and being open to new dreams.

Happy Reading to you all!
Mrs. Librarian Lady