The Haunting of Henry Davis

The Haunting of Henry Davis 

By Katryn Siebel 

Published: July 2, 2019 

Pages: 240 

Ages : 8-12 

The Book 

It comes down to this: either you believe in ghosts or you don't. Twelve-year-old Barbara Anne was never a believer. That is until she met Henry. Henry is new in town, and on his first day of school, he sees his first ghost. One night during the school play piano stars to play itself and Barbra Anne and Henry can longer ignore the ghost's presence. Who is this ghost and why is he around? Barbara Anne and Henry team up with their classmates to find out the ghost's history in hopes to free him for good. 

Verdict 

This is NOT a scary book. I was a little nervous by the cover and I think some readers might be a little intimidated. Friendship is at the heart of this book. Tweens will relate to the daily school stories and will enjoy the adventure. The ghost Henry is very friendly (think Casper the Friendly Ghost).

Parents will enjoy that this story sneakily teaches a history lesson on WWI and the flu.

Readers of all ages will find something appealing.

  

Lovely War by Julie Berry

Confession, I am a sucker for historical fiction books. When I came across several reviews for the book Lovely War by Julie Berry, I knew I had to read it. As a teen librarian, I am always on the hunt for crossover and under books that would appeal to a wide audience and this one hit on all of my wants. I challenge you to put this book on your to-read pile! 

Below is a quick overview of the things that you need to know about this book. 

Lovely War By Julie Berry 

Release: March 5, 2019 

Grades: 7 and up 

Pages: 480 

About the Book 

In New York City on the eve of WWII, the Greek god Hephaestus catches his wife, Aphrodite, with his brother Ares. Hephaestus strings Aphrodite and Ares up in a golden net and puts them on trial. To save herself from the crime of adultery, Aphrodite tells the story of two couples in WWI. Weaving a story that alternates from the past and the present, the goddess's narrative centers on Aubrey, an African American musician; Colette, a Belgian singer; Hazel, a British pianist, and James an aspiring Britsh architect. 

The four are brought together by coincidence as they fall in love and discover in the background of war that love doesn't come easily.  

Noteworthy Things About This Book 

-This book is perfect for fans of Rick Riordan's work. I would especially recommend this book if customers enjoyed the romance between Percy and Annabeth. 

-The romance aspect is enough to keep readers of all ages interested, but it doesn't have intimate details to make any readers blush. (I would recommend grades 7+) 

-The backdrop of WWI is historically and vividly accurate. It helps raise awareness of racism and sexism in this time period. 

-Berry delivers an excellent balance between the romance and horrors of war-making this book appeal to a wide range of readers. 

Verdict 

Reminiscent of A Book Thief by Markus Zusak, Berry use of unorthodox narrators to offer something new to the WWI historical fiction genre. 

                                        This is a must-read for readers young and old. 

New Movies for Tweens

Summer reading prep can be even crazier than actual summer reading!

Between school visits, frantically getting ready for summer programming, and organizing summer reading pieces, and juggling current projects there is little time to do much else, but if your library is like mine, you must also begin to plan for fall and winter programming.

As we juggle these things, we also have to start to think about fall and winter programming.  

One thing to assist with this is to look at current movies with tween interest. 

Summer is full of blockbusters that will dominate future programming. 

Make sure to write down and plan passive or active programming that is themed with these popular summer movies like The Lion King, Aladdin, Pokemon: Detective Pikachu, Ugly Dolls, Toy Story 4, and even Spider-man: Far From Home.  

Fall and Winter 2019 movies do not lose any steam after summer!

 Here are even more movies that are releasing this fall & winter with tween interest: 

Artemis Fowl 

August 2019

Maleficent: Mistress of Evil 

October 2019 

Sonic the Hedgehog 
November 2019 

Star Wars IX
December 2019 

I hope this brings you some inspiration! Remember that tweens from their identity based on their interests. Be sure your programming features favorite fandom and pop culture elements in your tween program planning to get maximum tween participation.

Did I miss any?

Until next week!

-Pamela

Avengers Teen Movie Night

Marvel Movies have universally taken over pop culture. So when it comes to programming for tweens and teens, Marvel has become a fandom favorite. 

Recently, we did an Avengers: Infinity War interactive movie program for teens that attracted tweens, teens, and some adults. We ended up with triple the number of participants then we normally have, and all it took was a Marvel hook and some self-guided library activities. 

We popped some popcorn, provided some cookies, and set out a few fun activities. 

The main activities was trivia. My library is lucky enough to have several large projectors. While the movie was playing, I also have trivia going. Below is the trivia slides I used! Feel free to use them.



If teens did not want to play trivia to win an advanced reading copy of YA titles, we had other  activities that included : 

• Reading a large display of library comics 

• Making Wakanda bracelets with large wood beads and silver permeate markers we purchased from Amazon. (A Night Owl Blog has a wonderful tutorial on how to do this) 

• Voting station to share various theories they had about the new movie Avengers: End Game. 

• Superhero photobooth 

This program was low cost, fun, and an easy fandom program that libraries could easily plug into for an all age programming that showcases library materials. 

Have you done a Marvel program? 

Until next week, 

Pamela

Five New Books You must use for Storytime Spring 2019

When people ask me what a teen librarian does, I always have to laugh. We do a little bit of everything. One of my favorite things to do is toddler storytime.

 Lately, I feel like I am in a funk so I have been on a quest to find some new storytime books. Below is a list of some of my favorites from this year.


Without further ado, here are my top five for Spring 2019: 

Bloom Bloom! by April Pulley Sayre

April Pulley Sayre is known for her delightful nature picture books. Books like Raindrops Roll, Best in Snow, and Full of Fall are some of my favorite storytime books! Now, Sayre finally has a book dedicated to spring. The simple text and large vibrant photographs are perfect for a toddler or even preschool storytimes.

For more interaction, you can add in Sign Language for bloom or flower and have the audience do the sign each time "bloom bloom!" is said. 

How to Two by David Soman 

A quiet day at a playground quickly becomes busy when one boy slides down a slide and sees two kids on a see-saw, and three kids playing jump rope. Before long there are ten kids playing! 

How to Two by David Soman is a must own concept book that focuses on counting to ten and then reverse counting. Not only is the interactive counting concept a storytime winner, but this book also sneakily celebrates inclusive play, friendship, and community. 

Ten Rules of the Birthday Wish by Beth Ferry 

I don't know about you, but I love silly storytime books. In this book, readers find out ten rules you must follow in order for your birthday wish to come true. Like How to Two, this is an excellent concept counting book. There is also a lot of humor in too that would make it perfect for school-age outreach visits or preschool storytime. You could also easily plug this book into a birthday storytime or unbirthday program. 

There are No Bears in this Bakery by Julia Sarcone-Roach 

You might recognize Julie Sarcone-Roach's name from her Ezra Jack Keats Honor Book The Bear Ate Your Sandwich. 

This book takes on a similar plot as her previous work. It is about a bear that gets into a little trouble. 

Told from a cat named Muffy's perspective, Muffy hears a sound in the bakery and goes to investigate.  Muffy isn't sure what she will find, but she is not expecting to find a bear! 

Both entertaining and sweet this book is perfect for older preschool or school-age outreach visits. 

Everybunny Dream! by Ellie Sandall 

Author Ellie Sandall has been a Jbrary favorite for several years now. The newest book in the bunny series is no exception. Filled with repetition and beautiful illustrations, this book is begging to be used in a bedtime storytime!

Other titles 








What are some of your favorite 2019 picture books so far?

New Kid by Jerry Craft

Do your readers need more read alikes for Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Big Nate, Dork Diaries, and Smile? Behold the next big graphic novel, New Kid by Jerry Craft. 

I know saying that this is the next big thing is something we hear a lot, but what makes this book special is its diversity. This is a diverse version of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and a boy version of Dork Diaries. Interested? 

Let's chat with a quick overview of the book. 

Here are all of the important things you need to know about this book. 

New Kid 

by Jerry Craft 

Release Date : February 5, 2019 

Audience : Tweens 8-12 years old 

Pages : 256 

The Story 

Seventh-grader Jordan Banks loves nothing more than drawing cartoons about his life. But instead of sending him to the art school of his dreams, his parents enroll him in a prestigious private school known for its academics, where Jordan is one of the few kids of color in his entire grade.

As he makes the daily trip from his Washington Heights apartment to the upscale Riverdale Academy Day School, Jordan soon finds himself torn between two worlds—and not really fitting into either one. Can Jordan learn to navigate his new school culture while keeping his neighborhood friends and staying true to himself? 

* This description is provided by Goodreads* 

Verdict 

My library got this book a few weeks ago and my manager told everyone in the department that this book will be the new Raina Telgemeier.  As librarians, we often hear publishers pushing books by calling it the next big thing, and if you are like me, it lost its significance. 

Despite my feelings, I saw this book available on Overdrive and decided to skim through it. After reading just a few pages, I busted out laughing and knew that this book was a winner. The characters were well developed and authentic. 

Not only does this book tackle everyday middle school worries and woes, but it takes it to a deeper level by tackling issues like black identity and racism that open the door for further discussion. 

It a necessary addition to children's literature that we have needed for a long time. 

With that in mind, I am happily awarding this book the five-star rating! 

Run to your nearest library or book store and grab a copy. 

Enjoy it for yourself and then gift it to a classroom or tween in your life. 

Have you read it? What did you think? 

Best, 

Pamela

Operation Frog Effect Blog Tour

Today, I have the pleasure of being part of the book Operation Frog Effect's blog tour! 

When I received the offer to be apart of the tour, I was ecstatic. Random House Kids has a special place in my heart and this book has been on my radar for ages.

It is my great pleasure to share it with you!  


Operation Frog Effect by Sarah Scheerger 

Release Date : February 26, 2019 

Pages: 313 
For Grades: 3-5

About the Book 

Ms. Graham's fifth-grade class is a very special place. Her teaching methods are not conventional, but her students are each impacted individually by her and her assignments. 

Told in eight different perspectives this story follows students in the form of journal entries that Ms. Graham assigns them to write every day. 

The story follows:

• Emily who is coming to the terms with her parent's divorce and the loss of her two best friends, Aviva, and Kayley. 

• Kayley the meanest girl in class.

• Sharon writes all of her journal entries in poems and feels like an outsider. 

• Blake who faces being homeless and has trouble expressing himself, but finds comfort conveying his feelings in his art. 

•  Henry hopes to be a famous movie writer/director of comedies one day. 

• Kia comes from a big family but finds comfort in reading.

• Cecilia's mom is illegally in the U.S., and she worries that her mom will get caught. She also worries and misses her grandma who is in Mexico 

• Lastly, Aviva misses her best friend, Emily, but she has her reasons for dissing her and befriending Kayley. 

The class doesn't always get along, however, when one group assignment goes terribly wrong, they all must team together to save themselves and their beloved teacher. 


Verdict 

This book is a must for school and public libraries alike. Readers who enjoy books like Ms. Bixby's Last Day by John David Anderson, Wonder by R.J. Palacio, and A Whole New Ballgame by Phil Bildner will be the most excited for this title. 

Teachers and educators should also pay close attention to this book. It effortless tackles social issues in a kid-friendly way and it empowers kids to take action. 

There are many applicable uses educators could use this book for, but perhaps the best use is just an opportunity for a tween in your life to read it. 

Lucky for you, this book is now available your local book stores and libraries!

 Be sure to check it out. :) 

Have you read it yet? What did you think? 

Can You Survive? : A LARP Twist on Oregon Trail for Teens and Tweens

Last week you might have seen my post about using gaming to help transition tweens to teen services. If you haven't seen it, here is a link: https://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2019/02/play-it-big-helping-tweens-transition-to-teen-services-with-board-games/

Gaming is vital to youth development.

Another important developmental need in the realm of gaming is LARP (Live Action Role Play) programming.

Programs such as this allow teens and tweens to try out different roles and personalities that help them to form their own identity. These programs can be quite extensive though. As a result, I usually only offer one a year.

In 2018, I offered a LARP on Mars program for teens and tweens.

Last November, I was tasked to come up with a LARP program that would tie into our Big Read. Our book was Station 11 by Emily St. John Mandel.

After a quick brainstorm with my manager, we decided to do a live-action Oregon Trail game with an Apocalyptic twist.

The game could be played without the knowledge of the book, but with a survival element, it got the attention we were hoping for.

The program was an instant hit, and because it had an Oregon Trail tie, it was a tremendous success as an inter-generational program. It is one we know we could reuse for multiple age groups.

Sound good? How about if I added that his program was completely free!

It only required us to make colored copies and laminate construction paper. Laminate twelve 12 x 18 pieces of construction paper to act as the game spaces and print out the directions below for a ready to use program.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me. If you use the plans, leave a comment and let me know how it goes!


Until next time,


-Pamela

Staff Directions and Calamity Cards 



Signs, Supply cards, and Money Printable 




Directions for Players 
Each team received the packet below and money in a large manila envelope that had a laminated picture of a covered wagon on it. If the team had time, they could decorate their wagon. 

Play it Big : Helping Tweens Transition to Teen Services with Board Games

I am over at the ALSC blog today talking about how you can use board games to help tweens transition to teen services. 

- Pamela

A Hogwarts Reading List : Books for Teens in Ravenclaw

I am continuing my Hogwart Reading series for teens. This week I will be covering books every teen Ravenclaw should read. 

Ravenclaws are often categorized as the smartest house, but this doesn’t mean that people in other houses are less intelligent. Like all houses, there are a diverse group of people that make up the house. Perhaps the most distinguishing quality of Ravenclaw is their love of learning. This often makes Ravenclaws possess intelligence, creativity, individuality, and wit.

When it comes to reading, they often want to be challenged and learn something new. This results in Ravenclaws reading a wide range of literature. They especially love mystery or puzzle based books, thrillers, historical fiction, and reading about a character unlike themselves that they can learn from.

Here are a PDF of a few of my favorite teen books books for Ravenclaws. Feel free to print this out and use it for reader's advisory or for display purposes. 

Need More? Below are even more picks. 

For your convenience, they are linked to Goodreads 

Damsel by Elana Arnold 

Dream Country by Shannon Gibney

Alone by Cyn Balog 

#Murdertrending by Gretchen McNeil 

Mirage by Somaiya Daud

Sadie by Courtney Summers 

A Girl Like That by Tanaz Bhathena 

The Lying Wood by Ashley Elston 

As always, if you need any more suggestions or if you have any questions feel free to contact me. 

 If you would like to view the tween version of this, follow this link to the ALSC Blog.  

Until Next Time, 

-Pamela

A Hogwarts Reading List : Books for Teens in Hufflepuff

I am continuing my Hogwarts Reading series for teens. This week we are covering Hufflepuff!

Hufflepuffs are often overlooked as a house. When being sorted into houses, not many people jump up and down and wish they were a Hufflepuff, but they should! These houses possess some of the best characteristics of the other houses. They are brave, fair, kind, loyal, patient, hardworking, and tolerant. They are also very intelligent. Let us not forget Newton Scamander the Magizoologist and author of the book Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them was a Hufflepuff. Unlike other houses, Hufflepuffs are just very modest about their accomplishments.

When it comes to reading, Hufflepuffs prefer book characters with the same traits. Since they are so tolerant, they aren’t tied down to one genre and are open to trying new things. 

If you get them started on a series, they loyally finish it till the end and stand by its according fandom. Hufflepuffs will read just about anything but they are drawn to books about animals and books that spotlight kindness and empathy.

Here are a PDF of a few of my favorite teen books books for Hufflepuffs. Feel free to print this out and use it for reader's advisory or for display purposes. 

Need more? Check out these other titles!

 For your reading convince, each book is linked to Goodreads.

What if It's Us by Becky Albertalli & Adam Silvera  

The Pros of Cons by Alison Cherry 

Royals by Rachel Hawkins 

As You Wish by Chelsea Sedoti 

Words We Don't Say by K.J. Kelly 

DeadEndia : The Watcher's Rest by Hamish Steele 

From Twinkle, With Love by Sandhya Menon 

The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini

  

The Princess Bride by William Goldman 

If you would like to view the tween version of this of this series, follow this link to the ALSC Blog.  

Until next time, 

-Pamela

A Hogwarts Reading List : Books for Teens in Slytherin

I am continuing my Hogwart Reading series for teens. This week I will be covering books every teen Slytherin should read. 

People in this house are ambitious, cunning, strong leaders, and tend to form unbreakable bonds with their own. As a result, they tend to be brave, driven, and very intelligent. They will stop at nothing until they get what they are after. Teens in this house tend to appreciate plot-driven books with complex characters that possess these qualities. They also tend to like characters that get into a little mischief too (Can you blame them?) 

Here are a PDF of a few of my favorite teen books books for Slytherins. Feel free to print this out and use it for reader's advisory or for display purposes. 

Need more? Check out these other titles! 

                                For your reading convince, each book is linked to Goodreads. 


                                                    Fatal Throne by Candace Fleming 

Sky in Deep by Adrienne Young 

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black 

Warcross by Marie Lu 

Caraval by Stephanie Garber 

The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee 

Dry by Neal Shusterman 

The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton 

As always, if you need any more suggestions or if you have any questions feel free to contact me. 

 If you would like to view the tween version of this, follow this link to the ALSC Blog.  

Until Next Time, 

-Pamela

A Hogwarts Reading List : Books for Teens in Gryffindor

Last summer, I did a special series on the ALSC blog where I highlighted books tweens would like based off of their Harry Potter Hogwart's house. Harry Potter is such a special series because people of all ages can enjoy it. With that in mind, I wanted to share my teen version of this series! 

 Gryffindors have always had a great reputation. Harry, Hermione, and Ron are all in this house. Need I say more? Gryffindors are known to be courageous, honest, and brave. They are daring and tend to root for the underdog who bravely does what they need to do.

People in this house tend to enjoy reading books with characters who have the same qualities and usually enjoy plot-driven page-turners that center around the hero’s tale or survival stories. They tend to gravitate toward books that are a series so they can watch the character grow and develop from underdog to hero.

Here are a PDF of a few of my favorite teen books books for Gryffindors. Feel free to print this out and use it for reader's advisory or for display purposes. 

Need more? Check out these other titles!

 For your reading convince, each book is linked to Goodreads. 

The Other Side of Lost by Jessi Kirby 

 

Want by Cindy Pon 

Not If I Save You First by Ally Carter 

Speak: The Graphic Novel by Laurie Halse Anderson 

American Panda by Gloria Chao 

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi 

The Nowhere Girls by Amy Reed 

What the Night Sings by Vesper Stamper 

If you need more, please let me know! This has been such a fun reader's advisory tool and it opens the door for connections you can make with teen customers through conversation and Harry Potter!

Until Next Time, 

-Pamela 

P.S. If you would like to view the tween version of this, follow this link to the ALSC Blog.