June 2010

For a limited time only at the ALA Online Store, if you buy a copy of YALSA’s Cool Teen Programs for under $100, edited by Jenine Lillian, or Excellence in Library Services to Young Adults, 5th edition, edited by Amy Alessio, you’ll receive a free copy of Excellence in Library Services to Young Adults, 4th edition, edited by Renee Vaillancourt McGrath.

All three books offer the examples of high-quality programming, submitted by YALSA members and YA librarians and public and school libraries across the country. Both editions of Excellence were sponsored by the Margaret A. Edwards Trust and honored the best 25 programs for teens across the country. Cool Teen Programs highlights high-quality programs for libraries that cost less than $100, with tips for adjusting the programs to your budget needs (categories include no money, some money, and lots of money). Cool Teen Programs also includes helpful chapters on budgeting and marketing for youth librarians.

This offer is only available at the ALA Online Store (you won’t be able to take advantage of it at the ALA Store in DC), so be sure to order your copy of Excellence 5 or Cool Teen Programs today!

Info from the YALSA Blog

This is a biography of Charlie Chaplin. It is marketed as a children’s book, but when I was reading, it felt more like a mature teen biography than a children’s biography due to the language (“histrionically”, “decommissioned” “[filtered word]” and “pretensions” are just some of the words found in the first 35 pages). Chaplin’s life was interesting and Fleischman’s writing kept the story moving along.

Why I picked it up: I’m not a big biography reader, but I like reading about film stars.

Why I finished it: Because of the photographs. There’s a picture of FDR standing next to Charlie, a photo with Einstein and Charlie, and numerous stills from Chaplin’s movies.

I would recommend it to: Fans of Chaplin’s work, teens who have to write a report, or adults looking for a quick biography.

Mercy Kaplan has high hopes for her life – she doesn’t want to be saddled with kids and endless housework. All she knows is that she wants to strike out on her own, away from her family. When the Kaplans fall on hard times, Mercy gets just that – a chance to make it on her own. But the Spanish Influenza is sweeping the nation, and when tragedy strikes, Mercy must dig deep to find courage she never knew she had as she moves along from place to place. When she finally finds a family to love, will the mysteries surrounding them cause Mercy to lose more than just her job?

Why I picked it up: Honestly, if it hadn’t been sent to me, I can’t say I would have picked it up. A small Texas town in the early 1900s isn’t really my favorite time period to read about.

Why I finished it: Mercy is such a strong character. She manages to get up, time and time again, after horrible things happen to her. Also, the small town where everyone tries to take care of everyone else was really nice.

I would recommend it to: Teens who like reading about strong characters, fans of historical fiction, and those who don’t mind reading a little deeper to really enjoy a story.

The Pasco County Library System is serving summer fun for Pasco's youths: The Friends of the Pasco County Library System sponsor the Summer Reading Club.

Four different programs are offered. They include:

Read to Me Club is designed for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers who are not old enough to read on their own. Children who complete the program will be invited to celebrations and earn prizes.

Make A Splash @ Your Library invites elementary school children to read at least six books this summer. Those who complete six books will be invited to family celebrations and earn prizes. Each week, Summer Reading Club members are invited to programs, including Tentacle Time, Life's a Beach, Go Fish, Underwater Oddities, High Sea Adventures, Masters of the Deep and Pool Party.

Age 14

by Geert Spillebeen

ISBN 978-0-547-05342-4

Review by Nicole Morales

Franklin T DeGroodt Memorial Library Teen Advisory Group Member

Aunt Etta, Aunt Coral, and Aunt Myrtle have lived on their own island, caring for mermaids, selkies, and other sea life, for many years.  But now they need help caring for all the creatures.  They decide to "kidnap" a couple of children, so they can teach them how to take care of the island properly.  The kids, once they see what the island is all about, are perfectly content to stay with the aunts, learning all there is to learn.  But when the parents of the kidnapped children raise the alarm, it can only be a matter of time before their peaceful life on the island is disturbed.

Why I picked it up: I adored Ibbotson's other books Which Witch? and The Secret of Platform 13

Why I finished it: I wanted to see how the parents would mess up the rescue mission, and how the children would outsmart the authority figures.

I would recommend it to: Those who loved the Chronicles of Narnia - there are a lot of the same elements in this one (magical journey to a magical place, children helping the inhabitants of the hidden world, an all-powerful, loving being who will set things right, etc).