• Lists

    Middle Grade Gets Real – 25 Titles About Tough Topics

    There are arguments that kids shouldn’t read about tough topics – topics that include death, adoption/foster care, childhood illness, substance abuse, disability and more. But, how do kids learn about these topics if they don’t see them in their daily life? Or, how do kids feel less alone if they…

  • Lists

    Top Ten Tuesday: YA Romance

    Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell I love Rainbow Rowell’s writing style with this quirky couple. The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen My first Sarah Dessen read and the one I believe will always be my favorite! The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon I just finished…

  • Lists

    It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 2/13/17

    Last week started out pretty rough – and before I re-live it, I’m not going to go into all the gory detail. Just know that there were patron problems, a presentation issue, a pet turtle scare and much more! But, thankfully, that all happened Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday really…

  • Lists

    Bibliotherapy for Teens: 25 Title About Tough Topics

    The idea of bibliotherapy is one that has been around for over 50 years. It is the idea that “the use of selected reading materials as therapeutic adjuvants in medicine and psychiatry; also guidance in the solution of personal problems through directed reading.” (AHIL Quarterly, Summer 1966, p. 18.) There…

  • Lists

    It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? 8/1/16

    Eventually (I hope), my life will slow down just a little and I’ll be able to read more.  I don’t see that happening any time soon, but one can hope.  I didn’t get a lot of reading time this week as I had something happening after work every night this…

  • Lists

    LGBT Pride Month

    I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings Red: A Crayon Story by Michael Hall Worm Loves Worm by J. J. Austrian Jacob’s New Dress by Sarah Hoffman This Day in June by Gayle E. Pitman Stella Brings the Family by Miriam B. Schiffer Heather Has Two Mommies by Lesléa…

  • Lists

    It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 8/10/15

      I’m really proud of myself for getting so much reading done in the past few weeks and this week I was able to read four more books.  Project Alpha is reminsicent of The 39 Clues series – with a fairly fast-paced storyline and characters you’re rooting for.  This series will definitely…

  • Lifestyle

    Then & Now

    Last night I was watching Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist on television with my boyfriend.  After one particular scene, where two of the characters are talking about the Beatles’ song, “I Want to Hold Your Hand” (as they’re holding hands) a lesbian couple walks by holding hands as well and…

  • Reviews

    Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

    Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe written by Benjamin Alire Saenz is a coming-of-age story about an angry, young Mexican boy and how he learns the secrets to his own universe and learns about himself and his family.  Aristotle is essentially an only child, his twin sisters are much older…

  • Reviews

    See You At Harry’s

    See You At Harry’s written by Jo Knowles is a beautiful story filled with the complexities of middle school.  Fern feels invisible at the age of 12 when her older siblings are beginning to distance themselves from childish games and her younger brother will not stop bothering her.  Fern feels that…