"Ghosted" by Leslie Margolis

Leslie Margolis did a fantastic job with her book "Ghosted." This modern twist on Dickens, A Christmas Carol is sure to have middle school readers entertained and turning pages. Thirteen year old Ellie Charles, the main character seems to have her "mean-girl" persona up to par until she falls in the middle school gym right before her big winter dance. She travels back in time, explores the present and gets a peek of the future while being accompanied by a familiar yet unknown ghost. Will Ellie be able to change her awful self in time to change the future ? A must read for middle schoolers and fans of Meangirls everywhere.

DIY Gingerbread Display

Happy holidays everyone! I currently created a holiday book display with foam board gingerbread men and candy created with paper plates and cellophane. My lovely page Ariel created the gingerbread men with paint, foam board, and small paper bowls that she painted along with rope.
We displayed Christmas books from our holiday children's collection so that patrons can check out our collection. Inbox or comment here if you have any questions about the display!

"Front Desk" by Yang

This book for older elementary students was a great read. If follows the life of Mia, a young Chinese immigrant who moves to the U.S with her parents in hopes of gaining the American Dream; to be successful and free. Mia's parents work at a hotel in Anaheim, California and speak very little English. This leaves Mia to run the front desk and deal with crazy customers, a mean and stingy boss, and a boy her age named Jason, the hotel owner's son who loves to make life miserable for Mia and her parents. As we read along with her journey, we soon learn that Mia's perseverance helps her gain insight and help those around her.
This was a great easy read, however I did find that the ending seemed a bit unrealistic and rushed.
I think older elementary students will still enjoy it and it will help them be more understanding of people who are less like them.

Unicorns Dragons and Books Program

Today at the East Los Angeles Library, I hosted a Unicorn and Dragon themed storytime. The following books were read aloud:
Thelma the Unicorn by Aaron Blabey
Not Quite Narwhal by Jessica Sima
Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin
On display:
Dragon Nibblesome Knight by Woollard
Dragons Love Tacos 2 by Rubin
Creatures of Fantasy: Unicorns by Hinds

The plan:
Introduce unicorns to the crowd and explain where the mythological stories came from and how other creatures like narwhals have horns too.
I also printed out pictures of famous unicorns like, "The Last Unicorn," and the unicorn depicted in the Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone movie.

I also did a felt board: Unicorn, unicorn what do you see?
- I simply glued a yellow horn to my horse felt puppet and added in the other Brown Bear, brown bear animals.

We created two different art activities... a paper bag unicorn with colored paper and a streamer rainbow tail, and a green paper dragon with simple paper and crayons.

"Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass" by Meg Medina

Yes, that is a curse word in the title. Yes, someone wants/does kick someone's behind in this book. Yes, this book is about bullying... and Yes! this book is important.
At her new school Piddy, is dealing with a Yaqui Delgado who is out to get her and she has no idea why at first. Piddy must learn to stand up for herself and also evolve into the person she is striving to be. She makes mistakes and sacrifices along the way, yet readers will cheer her on and enjoy the realism of this book. This is a must read for middle schoolers, teachers and parents. This book is real because so many young people experience it everyday. Photo credit: Candlewick Press

Thirteen by Lauren Myracle

Loved, loved, loved... this book! Lauren Myracle, one of my favorite teen authors does it again in her 4th book of the Winnie series. Even though this is not a new book, it is one that young teens don't want to miss. Winnie is entering year thirteen and along comes with it a new boyfriend who has moved on to high school. She keeps it real and learns how to navigate her insecurities and growing friendships. I can't wait to read thirteen plus one and wish that the author would continue the story with one of the other characters as a spinoff. What do you think?
Happy reading and happy October!

Summer at Tiffany by Marjorie Hart

Hello happy readers!
Can you believe that summer is almost over? I'm already seeing pumpkins and fall leaves in the local craft stores! I'm not sure if I'm ready for that, but I am already over this thick overcast that takes over my mornings here in southern Cali.
This month, I grabbed a non-fiction book titled " Summer at Tiffany," by Hart. This is a uniquely told story of two college women who take a summer job in 1945 at Tiffany and Co. in New York. The author tells colorful stories of the beauty and prestige it took to run, work, and live during this era. Weaved into the novel is Marjorie's ( our main character's) telling of how she fell in love that summer and discovered new options for her future. Her and her gal pal Marty get into some fun times while trying to make rent and still look stylish.  Readers will also love the historical aspect of this book.
Any older teens who loveTiffany and stories of old New York will enjoy this fun and easy read.

My summer reading 2018

This month I decided to freshen up on my reader's advisory for the age group that I actually work with and read some upper elementary reads that I've had on my list for a very long time. If you have been keeping up with my blog, you would know that I'm currently reading Lauren Myracle's Winnie Years, "Ten," "Eleven", "Twelve," etc... and they have been a blast to read.

Hopefully, I can also tackle some of these summer themed love stories... especially the one by Sarah Dessen...

and lastly, similar to Gilda Joyce Psychic Investigator... I'm dying to read Clara Voyant by Delaney, which just arrived at our library a few weeks ago. Happy Reading! Don't forget to drop a comment and tell me what you're reading this summer. 

Summer Reads- My old time favs

 Read up this summer with some of my old favorites!
Mother Daughter Bookclub is a fun read for girls. I would recommended it for grades 5 - 7th grade. Four girls are asked to join a book club with the mothers... boring right? Wrong! With multiple personalities, programs, school challenges, and family dynamics this is one you won't want to miss.







Nantucket Blue is definitely a teen book for grades 9-12. Its fun! Its summer! Its teen romance and Nantucket all tucked into one!

YOLO by Myracle follows the girls from TTYL as they embark onto college! This one involves some serious young adult topics so grades 9-12 are best for this one.

Awww Gidge! Who doesn't love the original Gidget television series starring Sally Fields. This is a great beach read and if you loved the episodes, it is many of them all rolled into one. Follow Gidget, her dad and moon doggie as she enjoys her summers at the beach. Great for teens and adults who loved the TV series. It may be hard to find, but you can order it from your local library.

Ten by Lauren Myracle

Lauren Myracle has been one of my favorite authors for a very long time. I delved into this "tween" or upper elementary book with great enthusiasm, and was not disappointed. Winnie, the main character is a spunky gal who reminds me of a softer Ramona Quimby from the Beverly Cleary series. She takes us on her school adventures, bickers with her loving sister, and goes through what most girls go through in grade 5. I'm looking into reading the next book in this series very soon. Although the titles have been out for quite some time, its a good read for any child who loves realistic fiction. Winnie is also not too much of a "girly girl," so children with different interests may enjoy it as well.
Recommended grades 4-6th.

Did I Mention I Love You by Estelle Maskame

I fell in love with this "hard to put down" teen book based on its setting and characters. Eden goes to live in Santa Monica for the summer with her dad after her parents divorce. She is not looking forward to being away this summer with a parent who abandoned her and her mother three years back. Not to mention, he has remarried and has three stepsons who live with him as well.
Eden soon finds herself mixing with the Santa Monica crowd of teen partiers and spending time on the pier, 3rd St. promenade, and her reckless stepbrother Tyler. However, Eden starts to fall for her stepbrother in a romantic way and they begin a secret relationship that this young author tells in a very entertaining and detailed way. Not only is Tyler her stepsibling, but he also has a very vindictive, popular girlfriend who would cause havoc if anyone gets between her and her beau.
What a great summer read! I was impressed with the characters and strong emotions in this book for such a young writer. Can't wait to read the rest of the series!

Recommended for grades 9-12