Lighthearted reads for your quarantining feeds

Hello all! I hope everyone has been staying safe and inside. Libraries and reading are still so vital to many of us. As teens work on homework indoors and online, why not give them some fun reading material? Most libraries have ceased their holds but e-books are still available and most Barnes and Noble locations are doing curbside pickups. That's awesome.
I've been reading some fun light-hearted books (Wish Series and Jenn Bennett stories) and catching up on Netflix movies. Right now I'm hooked on All-American! It's like an up-to-date Los Angeles version of the OC in case you are interested.
Oh! On to the book I'm reading...
Here are a few of my picks of the month. They are not all light hearted topics, but they are fun none the less.

Donut Go Breaking My Heart by Suzanne Nelson

With the Fire On High by Elizabeth Acevedo

Ask My Mood Ring How I Feel by Diana Lopez

Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett

Starry Eyes is the third book I have read from my new favorite author Jenn Bennett.
Zorie, a stargazing teen finds herself glamping with her ex-crush and family enemy Lennon. Before she leaves for the trip she learns that her father has cheated on her mother and may have done so multiple times. With no one but each other to hash out the camping trip from hell, the two star-crossed exes/ frenemies  turn to eachother and fight through the rugged Northern California terrain. Can their feelings survive the outdoors and real life when they return home? Read em and weep!


Photo from: https://rantsandravesofabibliophile.wordpress.com/2018/03/30/starry-eyes/

#teenreads
#jennbennett

Dr. Seuss Day Crafts

While most of my reviews are for teen books... I thought I would share the events from our Dr. Seuss Day at the library. This program was geared towards ages 4-12 years so we did have a few tweens present. We read aloud from Horton Hears a Who and There's a Wocket in My Pocket. The latter was a fun favorite.
We also hosted a tossing game... it was really simple with two baskets. One would gain the participant a free book and the other would earn them a free bookmark. We marked off one of our aisles in the stacks and held it there with a a teen volunteer.

Two craft stations were featured. One with a mini Cat in the Hat hat and another with a super cute Lorax windchime I created.

We had over 90 participants and my lead also made green eggs and ham inspired candy with frosted pretzels and green M & Ms.

This was one of our larger programs, so teen volunteers were a must. If you have teens looking for volunteer hours this is the perfect way to incorporate them in your programs. They earn extra hours and you get a quality program!


HOORAY FOR DR. SEUSS DAY!
#readacrossamerica #drseussday #loraxcrafts

Materials Used:
Googly eyes
Cut out mustache and eyebrows from yellow card stock
Wind chimes from "Colorations"
Comment below if you have any questions

Author Jenn Bennett review

I absolutely love Jenn Bennett as a teen author. I find that her books start off with a soft pace yet by the middle of the book you can't put it down. She builds up to something great and lyrical.

 

(photo from booksandwafflesblog.blogspot.com)
I just finished Serious Moonlight, which stars a girl with a sleeping disorder in the dreamy town of Seattle. Throw in a whirlwind romance that gets Birdy out of her shell and a sub-plotted mystery and you've got a great book!

Teen Reads for February... Romance is in the air

I'm truly a sucker for great teen romances. Check out these fun titles hot off the press! 

Well, at least hot and new to me!
I love the feel of these bright and honest female characters who hold their own against society. The stories are not deep, but deeply involving. Serious Moonlight is my currently reading pick for the month and it tells of a beautiful gal named Birdie who enjoys a good mystery in  her moody city of Seattle. 

Enjoy! 

#newteenbooks

#EmilyWibberly #NinaMoreno

#JennBennett

Hello, Sunshine by Leila Howland

What an amazing book! I thought this was going to be your typical, " I came to Hollywood to be a star," book and it surprised me to the end. I loved how Howland gave the readers many ups and downs about being a young adult in L.A with a twist of humor. Her characters were vivid and danced right off the pages.
The story:
Becca Harrington moves to L.A expecting everything to fall into place but she fumbles in many ways and must learn to stand on her own two feet. Her mother insists she apply to college before the fall term, yet it all seems too far from reach. Teen readers will cheer Becca on as she runs from her freaky neighbor, gets dissed and dismissed by a bunch of L.A agents, and tries to mend her broken heart.

Young adults and older teens will adore this book. While high school teens may find it a good read, I feel that teens that are on their own will find more content to connect with on this title.
I love Leila Howland. Her style is fresh, fun and vibrant!

#LeilaHowland
#LAteenreads

Alex, Approximately by Jenn Bennett

"Mink," as her father affectionately calls her moves to a new town near Big Sur to live with her dad on a beautiful restored home that has a Redwood right through the roof.
Before her drastic change, she had an online love interest named Alex who lives in the same town. They plan to meet at the ocean side film festival in his home town, although Mink never admits to him that she is moving near him.
As she transitions into her new life and new job at "The Cave Museum" she finds herself falling for her co-worker, the handsome surfer guy Porter. He annoys and tears at her heartstrings for most of the book. Mink has to learn to keep her emotions in tact and hide this love interest for her father who doesn't seem to approve. 
Everything catches up with her in the end and she has to figure out who she wants to be with, but first she must find out who Alex is before it's too late.

My Favorite Authors of 2019

I did a lot of reading this year with a total of 23 books read. The goal was to read 30, but with my new writing class, crafting a YA draft, and a busy schedule... time slipped away. I did come across and revisit two authors who not only do I enjoy their books, but I love reading their blogs and tips about writing as well.

Rachel Hollis: 
Teens and young adults will really get a kick out of this stellar lady. She writes fiction, but more importantly her website thechicsite.com is bomb!!! A great place for older teens to get some inspiration.

Melissa De La Cruz, is just as awesome. Her wild success with The Descendants series is only the tip of he iceberg. She writes about being, becoming, and thriving as an author and she tells a great story to boot...

Happy New Year's Eve everyone!!!
Here's to a new, fabulous decade!!!! 2020 ***********************************

Carols and Crushes Book Review

Carols and Crushes by Blitt

If you have a young teen or are a young teen  reader.. why not try The Wish Series books published by Scholastic?

 I just finished Carols and Crushes by Natalie Blitt and adored it!
Charlie Dickens loves Christmas, holidays, and singing in her school's choir. This winter she has to save the holiday concert from being cancelled; juggle family and friends; and learn to navigate her feelings on her crush as he seems to be interested in her bestie.
Can she make it through the holiday and align her heart in harmony?

If you love cute holiday scenes, sledding, caroling and the like... you will enjoy this fun read!


More Wish Titles to read:
Deep Down Popular by Phoebe Stone
Sealed with a Secret by Lisa Schroeder
Allie, First at Last by Angela Cervantes

Holiday Books and Ideas

This week I started a great teen read Kiss Me in New York by Catherine Rider. It chronicles a young adult who gets her heart broken by a new beau during her time as a foreign exchange student in New York. She gets caught up at the airport and flights are cancelled. She decides to befriend a young man, Anthony who is in the same boat. They explore New York City together for a day and see where the city takes them. The story is promising and humorous... More to come.

We also created these super cute stockings at the library with children of all ages. The tweens loved them as well. Comment below if you would like the template and instructions.

Holiday Crafts and Chapter Books for Tweens and Upper Elementary

Hi all!
Try some of these great reads for the holidays. The grade level of the books are listed below. Also, here's a fun and easy popsicle stick craft to create that I have tried in years past.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Robinson. 

The Herdman children, who love to terrorize the other children, decide to take part in the Sunday School Christmas Pageant and learn some lessons along the way. The book is humorous and fun. 

Interest Level - Upper Elementary and Middle School

A.R Level 5.1
 What Light by Jay Asher 

Sierra and Caleb meet on her family's tree farm, as she splits her time between California and Oregon. Caleb is seeking forgiveness from those in town while Sierra is learning all about him and teaching him how to trust along the way. A delightful read for the winter season filled with young romance, friendship and paving your own path. 

A.R Level 4.5

Interest Level: Middle School +