The New Teen Room is finished!

It took about six months or so, but the library has finally finished updating and renovating the former meeting room in the lower level into a fully-functioning (and quite attractive) Teen Room. The Teen Advisory Board and Youth Services librarians did an amazing job decorating and designing it, don't you think?  Now teens will have their own space in the library for computers, materials and even gaming.  The entire space now has a cafe feel, with a really cool color scheme and brand new furniture. The grand opening party was yesterday and I hear it turned out great. Although this project was underway and pretty much complete long before I got a job here, I can't wait to get involved in getting it running!

To-Read: Tales From The Crypt Series

So, I have my mixed emotions about spooky reads.  Sometimes they can be pretty lame attempts at actual horror.  This series, however, has gotten some pretty good reviews from what I've seen.  I haven't tried any of them yet, but I plan to take a look at them this week and see what all the fuss is about.
What is attracting me to it right now, is number #8, Diary of a Stinky Dead Kid which is a parody of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, and number #9 Wickeder which is a parody of the book/play Wicked.  I hope these tales are chilling enough to make me like the whole series.

YA Graphic Review: Dolltopia by Abby Denson

Dolltopia by Abby Denson

I loved this book.

I'm not sure why it was in my library's Adult Graphic Novels and not just general gn's because the message was truly appropriate for YA. The idea of being an individual, and not conforming to the cookie-cutter life that seems predestined for us, is one that I think all of us may need to read.

Kitty Ballerina wants to know the meaning of it all. She wants to understand the purpose behind her cutesy ponytail and tutu. She has no interest in her predetermined beau Scotty or their fashionable Dream Home. In an attempt to discover the life outside of "perfect", she sets out on her own. After meeting up with an "Army Jim" doll, the two of them set out to become part of Dolltopia, where dolls go to be free of humans.

I loved everything about this book actually, from the minimalistic pink, black and white illustrations, to the outstanding afterword provided at the end to tie it all to the "real world".

This was my first title by Abby Denson, but I'm sure now that it won't be my last.



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YA Review: This Book Isn't Fat, It's Fabulous

Read this book in two hours! It was THAT good. So many times I found myself literally laughing out loud. Ms. Beck is either a plus-sized fabulous diva herself, or she surely knows how to get into our heads because Miss Riley Swain was awesome-sauce.

A classic tale of misdirected young love, slipped effortlessly into the frenemy drama we've all grown accustomed to. What I loved about the sub-plot of this book, was that Riley was content and happy with her body. Even while being at "fat camp", she never once let on that she hated her body, and actually spoke more of being quite aware of her shape and size. Her being aware never came off as being ashamed, just aware.

There were some deliciously vile portions where the girls were positively vicious to one-another, but the author found a way to tie up all these ends in a style that wasn't forced or phony. Each person in this fairly quick novel had some variance of personality and depth, and some hidden redeeming quality. While the male characters were few, and somewhat clueless, they were also generally likeable. If there was one thing that I did NOT like, it was the ease with which the author allowed Riley to become "okay" with the idea of mile Myspace and Internet stalking. Not sure that's the right message for girls in this intended age audience.

Other than that, this book was hilarious and sweet, in that "You're my best frenemy and I want your boyfriend", kind of way. ;)

I'm also PSYCHED to see that there is a spin-off featuring the characters in this book with a focus on one of Riley's friends, Samantha. Can't wait

YA Review: The Vast Fields of Ordinary

I appreciated that it was not the usual "this is what "gay teens" do", book. It was just a love story. Had it's moments of WTF?, but overall a great story to show that where love is concerned, teens are teens. Gay or straight, love will knock you on your ass if you let it.

YA Review: After Tupac and D Foster by Jacqueline Woodson

The Summer of D Foster, and how it intertwined with the loss of Tupac Shakur, is the focus of this summer tale by Jaqueline Woodson.

While exploring the not so nearby neighborhood of her newest foster mother, D Foster claims Neeka and the unnamed narrator as her new friends.  A strange, but effective friendship ensues as the three 11 year-old girls live through the ups and downs of life in Queens, NY.  D is that friend we all have had.  The one who is unafraid and "cool".  The fearless one who brings adventure and wonder into our lives.

Along with the story of D, we are also introduced to the relationship between Neeka and the narrator as they learn more about themselves and where they stand on life's issues.  One such issue being Neeka's older brother Tash who is in jail for making a bad choice. Feelings on his homosexuality are also explored through the narrator's thoughts.