A Magic Square

Howdy everybody :)

QR codes are huge right now. If you aren't familiar with QR codes, they are basically a 3D barcode that can be scanned by cameras in smart phones. The image to the right is an example of one (it actually works by the way):

If you have a smart phone (and it has a camera), you should be able to download a QR Code reader. Once you have the reader, you just point it at a QR code, and whatever is contained in the QR code (web address, video, telephone number, location, etc.) will show up directly on your phone.

QR codes have caught on because they are so convenient and once you know what they are, you'll probably notice them lots of places.

Now that you know a little bit about QR codes, you might be wondering how you can make one. There are plenty of websites and smart phone apps to do so. This week I'll just mention qrstuff.com. It was suggested in a conference that I attended, and its pretty cool.

It gives you different options for what you can put into your QR code, and also lets you change the color, for free! The reason its free is because they have products you can purchase if you so choose. But, it isn't difficult to use the free tool, the ads aren't obnoxious, and it works really well. Also, the site talks about where QR codes came from, and how they are created.

What was I doing this morning?

Can't resist a little ridiculousness every once in a while :)

All Your Social Media in One Place

As some might have noticed, as busyness goes up, the number of blog posts go down. So, this is another concentrated effort to keep up on posting :)

During the month of October, I presented at the Idaho Library Association conference. I talked about how I use social media, and one of the things that kept coming up was Hootsuite. So, I figured I'd mention it to you guys as well. 

Hootsuite is what many people call a dashboard. Basically that means you can sign your different social media networks (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) into the dashboard (Hootsuite), and then control all of them from the one dashboard. So instead of signing into a million different places, you can just sign into one. 

You can write up a single post and send it out to multiple networks, you can schedule when you want a certain post to go out (like write it beforehand and tell Hootsuite when to post it), and you can also see what is happeneing on your networks from inside Hootsuite. 

The only downside I've found is that some networks, like Blogger, aren't recognized. But, for the many that it does recognize, it can be super helpful and time saving.

Read Shakespeare? On Purpose?

The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt

Why did I read it?

Take a wild guess? My children's literature Master's class? You're good!

What happened?

Holling Hoodhood (yep that is the name of the character) is in the seventh grade, and is convinced his teacher, Mrs. Baker, has it out for him. On Wednesday afternoons, half of his class goes to Hebrew School, and the other half go to Catholic Catechism. Holling is the only kid in the class who attends a Presbyterian church, and so he has nowhere to go on Wednesdays. So, he gets to hang out with Mrs. Baker for the entire afternoon!

If she isn't having him bang the dust off of erasers or feed her oversized rats (that even she is afraid to get near), she has him read Shakespeare. As things move along, Holling realizes that Shakespeare might not be that bad (the curses he gives his characters are particularly juicy), and Mrs. Baker might not hate him as much as he thinks.

What did I like or not like about it?

Set in 1967, the Vietnam War comes up as a background theme throughout the novel. The two sides to that war are contrasted nicely by Holling's sister and his father. In addition to the historical perspective, Holling's perspective on things are often hilarious and very insightful. Ultimately, Holling starting to make choices about what and who he will be when he grows up is a fantastic story.

Zombie Storytime

Every Swan, Every Song, Every Sound

The Dreamer by Pam Munoz Ryan and Illustrated by Peter Sis.

Why did I read it?

This is another title from my Master's class that I probably wouldn't have read otherwise, but that I really enjoyed. Interestingly, the illustrator is the same guy who authored and illustrated The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain.

What happened?

Neftali is a young boy growing up in Temuco, Chile. Fascinated by the world around him, there was always something interesting to investigate on the way to school, or a fantastic word in a book he was reading. He couldn't help but daydream and imagine new places and adventures. While his mother appreciated his curiosity and fascination, his father did not. In his opinion, the reading, writing, and curiosity kept Neftali small, timid, and would never guarantee the kind of job that would support his family someday.

What did I like or not like?

Unbeknownst to me, this book is based on the childhood experiences of world renowned poet Pablo Neruda (the pen name for Neftali Ricardo Reyes Basoalto). Once I figured that out, the slightly different style of the book began to make sense. There is a blending of the text with poetry, images, and questions, and I think the book did a great job portraying the creative mindset, and seeing how a poet might have gotten to where he was.

High School Photo Contest

Just Lasso the Nearest Tree

Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon and Dean Hale, and illustrated by Nathan Hale.

What happened?
Rapunzel has always been curious about life outside her walled castle, where she lives with her mother Gothel. So on her twelfth birthday, she sneaks out for a look. Turns out that Gothel kidnapped her from her birth parents because they stole some measly leaves, and Gothel is also a sorceress wrecking the farming of anyone who doesn't pay her taxes.

Confronting her "mother" with this, Rapunzel is quickly thrown into a lonely tower. For four years Rapunzel can only wonder if she will ever get out, until her hair grows long enough to lasso around the nearest tree. Having escaped from the tower, Rapunzel vows to find her real mom, and hopefully take Gothel down in the process.

What did I like or not like?

The Wild West setting was a visually interesting place to tell the story, and having Rapunzel's hair work like twenty feet of rope (or whips depending on the situation) was also a fun idea. Adding some action to this story, Rapunzel and her partner, Jack, fight off bandits, giant sea serpants, and eventually take the fight to Gothel herself. Along the way, Rapunzel deals with selfishness, doing what's right, and sticking up for the little guy. This graphic novel had plenty of the elements of the classic tale, but told them with an interesting new twist.

E-Books: Here we Go!

Hey everybody :)
Amazingly, I'm posting a Techno Tuesday kind of post on a Tuesday. Oh ya!
This time around, I wanted to let you know that the Community Library Network at Hayden now has e-books available. That's right! The Cooperative Information Network, 23 public, school, and medical libraries that share information (the Hayden Library is a part of the network), are making e-books available to anyone with a CIN library card (for those scratching their heads, any Hayden Library card is a CIN library card).
So if you have a Kindle, Nook, iPAD, Android, Windows Phone, Blackberry, or any other number of e-book readers, you can check out your e-books today!
Go to communitylibrary.net and click on "CIN Digital Downloads" on the left hand column,
or click here.

A Chicken Walked into the Conference...

Well when all is said and done...I couldn't resist sharing this joke that I heard at the conference :)
Thanks for the joke, Gregory Taylor.

ILA11 Day 1

Can't resist making videos sometimes :)

A Wall Across Your Mind

The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain by Peter Sis

Why did I read it?

I read this book for pretty much the same reason that I read The Invention of Hugo Cabret. Basically, its a book that once again had caught my eye, and I finally picked it up as part of my Master's class. Even though I didn't enjoy it as much as Hugo, it was still an interesting find.

What happened?

As you may have noticed, most of the books I've reviewed have been YA fiction. Alternately, this title is more of a non-fiction title. But, the artist (Peter Sis) is writing an autobiography of his own childhood through childlike pictures, so it is something of a story anyways. Through pictures and pretty simple text, Peter tells us about his childhood during the Cold War. He grew up on the Soviet side of the Iron Curtain in Czechoslavokia and was told what to think, what to do, and what to draw. Even though he lived behind the Iron Curtain, Peter's parents allowed him to draw anything he wanted to at home. This freedom kept him interested in what the government wouldn't let him see, think, or do. He couldn't draw enough, his hair could never be long enough (even though they would make him cut it), and he couldn't wait for something else. When things like "blue jeans" and "The Beatles" started to slowly slip through the Iron Curtain, Peter knew what kind of freedom he really wanted.

What did I like or not like?

Even though this isn't a book I would normally read, it was really cool. The pictures are reminiscent of childhood, but have a very muted color pallot which seems to symbolize the kind of childhood he led. The story itself is also interesting and informative. In a very short book, Peter gives us an excellent idea of what growing up behind the Iron Curtain would have been like.

Picture Book, Movie, or Novel?

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

Why did I read it?

This is a book that has caught my eye for a couple years now. I heard it was a combination of text and pictures to tell the story, but I never found the time to read it. So, when one of my Master's classes required me to read all the Caldecott Medal winners from 1990-2009, I got to read it (it won the medal in 2008).

What happened?

Hugo works on the clocks at a Paris train station, without anyone realizing it is him. Technically, it is his drunken uncle who is supposed to be keeping the clocks ticking, but his uncle disappeared a while back. So, now its just Hugo, and the automaton that belonged to his father. Several years before, Hugo's father died in an accidental museum fire, and Hugo believes his father has left him a message in the automaton. Striving to get the automaton working again, Hugo steals from an old toy maker, who eventually catches him and takes the notebook that he was using to rebuild the automaton. Why did the old man want the notebook? Is there more to this old toy maker than Hugo knows?

What did I like or not like?

This was a fascinating book to read. In addition to mixing text and pictures, it also had elements of a graphic novel, picture book, novel, and a black and white movie. Apart from the interesting way it is written, the story itself is an interesting examination of dreams, purpose, film, magic, and family. I really enjoyed it!

Ever Find Yourself Listening to Music Online?

Anybody use Pandora or Grooveshark when they need to hear a song or fill the room with tunes? Well, as I checked my email yesterday (seems my email is full of useful info) I came across Turntable, and I thought it was an interesting idea.
In essence, its a social media format built around listening to music. You can create a "room" or join a room where DJ avatars are mixing music. You can vote the song that is playing up or down, and you can also join the action by taking your turn as a digital DJ. While you listen, you can also chat with the other listeners in the room via a chat box.
Most of the time I don't quite have the time to listen to music online. But, I thought this idea would be super fun with a group of friends, or to connect with people that you normally wouldn't be able to listen to music with.
If you want more information on Turntable, check out this NPR article.

My Dad...The Rat

Beige by Cecil Castellucci

Why did I read it?

I'm a sucker for an interesting cover. I've wondered by this book many times on the shelves, so I figured I'd read it and see what it was about.

What happened?

Katy and her mom are a tight team. Her dad lives in Los Angeles, and hasn't been in the picture since she was a little girl. But, Katy is in for a bummer of a two weeks when her mom goes to Machu Picchu and sends her to spend the time with her dad. As if it isn't bad enough that her mom went to an archeological dig without her, Katy and her dad have absolutely nothing in common. He's a loud, ex-drug addict who is trying to make another go at being a drummer with his band Suck, and she is quiet, loves silence, and can't stand his brand of music. To add insult to injury, The Rat (her dad) has bribed an aspiring musician to "hang out" with her for the two weeks, and she and Lake (the bribee) have absolutely nothing in common either.

What did I like or not like?

As music plays a huge part in the story, each chapter has the title of a different rock song, which is pretty cool. The story and motivations also seem very realistic. The point of the book is finding your own personal voice and story, and it takes her polar-opposite dad to break that to Katy. Even though the story is not a feel-good type of story, I enjoyed it. P.S. For those who would like to know, there are some cuss words in here.

Does Beta Mean Under Construction?

Howdy everyone.
So a resource that I haven't mentioned yet is our new Community Library Network website. We launched the website last month, and we're still working on it. Part of that process is figuring out what you think about it.
Do you like the way it is set up? Can you find what you are looking for? Do you like the colors?
This new website has all of the features from our previous website, just a little reorganized and repackaged. We have a list of databases you can access for free under On-Line Resources, a list of our network's social media under Social Networking, and book lists and information under Good Reads. There is information on each library's programs and events, and you can access your account and our catalog as well.
Take a look at it and let me know what you think :)

Hacking, Running, Treasure Seeking

Hacking Timbuktu by Stephen Davies

Why did I read it?

I quickly read the synopsis, and found out that the lead character does parkour. I was pretty excited about reading it after that point.

What happened?

Akonio Dolo is a student in Timbuktu in the 14^th century. Turns out that studying isn’t near as exciting as robbing the gold below the temple, which is exactly what Akonio does until he is caught in the act. Before committing suicide, Akonio leaves a clue to where he hid his gold stockpile. Fast forward to the modern day where Danny and Omar are also going to school (not in Timbuktu). Danny and Omar deeply enjoy a freedom of movement called parkour, and Danny equates this kind of thinking to his computer hacking skills as well. Unbeknownst to Danny, a map that explains Akonio’s clue has been discovered, and it will take a hacker to get at it. Enter some interested guys who are forcibly enlisting the help of known hackers, and Danny and Omar get swept up into finding the gold. But, what exactly have they gotten themselves into?

What did I like or not like?


The book is really easy to read, and imaging Danny and Omar racing through the streets is really cool. But, the storyline is pretty predictable, and there isn’t very much character development. But, if you are looking for an enjoyable and fast read, this one is for you.

Ever wanted to be a talking head?

Howdy everyone!
How was your August? Sorry about not posting for a while. August is always a crazy month for me :)
I wasn't going to start posting again until tomorrow, but something caught my eye today that I had to share. Its called Voki, and it can be found at www.voki.com.
I stumbled across this tool while I was checking my email this morning. Basically, Voki allows you to customize an avatar, give it a voice by typing what you want it to say or recording, and then publishing it to your website or blog. Its a free tool, and it does require registration (name, email, and such) but I thought it was pretty cool. Check it out!

The Artist the Biker can't Ignore

Mars Vol. 1 by Fayumi Soryo
Why did I read it?
As I've mentioned before, I like to vary what I read, and there is nothing more varied than Manga, which reads from right to left instead of from left to right :) I went to a program today, and some kids were asking what I was reading. They thought it was pretty cool that the book read backwards. Mission accomplished! Mars is a graphic novel that is 15 volumes long, but I like the way it begins.
What happened?
Rei is a rebellious bike racer with no fear. Every hot girl waits their turn to be with him, and then he moves on. Kira is a terribly quiet girl who no one is brave enough to talk to. But, something draws them together and them, nor anyone they know, can ignore the connection they have. Rei begins to appreciate Kira's skill as an artist, and Kira starts to realize that Rei is more than just an arrogant, confident punk. Rei protects Kira from a jealous classmate and an advancing teacher, but their friendship becomes even more special and complicated.
What did I like or not like?
I think it's cool that star-crossed lovers and forbidden love cross cultures and languages. This is a story that has been told countless times before. But, reading a Manga version that was originally written in another language is pretty cool.
P.S. There is a teacher who comes onto Kira, and there is some brief discussion of Rei's sleeping with other girls.

Robots are Invading :)

Hey everybody :)
Since last Fall, we've had a Ka-Boom: Science Experiments program going on at the library. For the past two summers, we've invited Greg Braileanu to do a special program on LEGO NXT robots. We just had the last robot program yesterday, so I figured I'd talk a little about cool things to do with these robots.
Greg has a blog that he just started http://www.legomyrobo.com/, and he is planning on filling the blog with resources and cool things to do with robots.
There are a couple schools and clubs that have formed around building these robots, so if you are interested, there are places to get involved.
Obviously, this is a LEGO product, so LEGO has set up a page that has videos, a funzone, and information on the robots at
http://mindstorms.lego.com/en-US/default.aspx?icmp=COFranchiseUSMINDSTORMS
There are also summer camps that the Discovery Institue offers that deal with robots and engineering. You can catch the Discover Technology folks at many of the city days in the area and at the North Idaho Fair & Rodeo. This is a link to a calendar of events. http://discovertechnology.org/calendar.html
Just to let you know, these robots are super cool, so if you haven't played with one, figure out some way to get one :)

The Retweeted

Is Escape Possible?

Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
Why did I read it?
Its funny how I pick books sometimes. Basically, the sequel to Incarceron came out recently, showed up on my shelf and it sounded really interesting. But, I don't like to jump into the middle of the series, so I decided to read the first installment.
What happened?
Finn lives in Incarceron, a living prison that constantly watches, controls, and intimidates its inmates. As there is safety in numbers, Finn is part of a Scum band that raids other prisoners. But, Finn doesn't think of himself as a prisoner or as a member of the band. He has a special tattoo on his wrist and visions of "Outside." He assumes that he was born outside and cast into Incarceron, even though everyone thinks he's crazy. Armed with his visions and a Key, Finn seeks Escape.
Claudia is the daughter of the Warden of Incarceron. There are two things she knows; her father is the only man alive who knows the location of Incarceron, and she will be married to the heir to the throne, a long-held tradition. But, Claudia doesn't want to marry the current heir to the throne. He's an arrogant, self-righteous jerk and she can't stand him. Marrying the heir wasn't going to be too bad when it was Giles, but he mysteriously died several years earlier. Even though she is told it was an accident, she can't help but wonder if their is something darker going on at court.
What did I like or not like?
This is just a well-written book. The two complimenting storylines keeps things moving quickly, and the idea of a living prison is a scary and fascinating idea. I haven't quite finished the book yet, but I can't wait to see how it ends.

Minecraft: What do you think?

Howdy everyone :)
So, technology also includes the fun stuff like online gaming. A couple weeks ago, I went over to Ramsey Elementary for their SummerPlus program. One of the guys was talking to me about games, and he said that Minecraft is incredibly fun. From what I've seen, Minecraft allows you to mine things from your surrounding, and then use them to build structures. Why? I haven't seen it yet, but supposedly there are monsters that show up at night, and shelters help you defeat them. If you're into interacting with your game's world, this one sounds like fun. Their is a beta version that you can purchase, but there is also an older version that is free to play.
Check it out and let me know what you think.
http://www.minecraft.net/

I got Accepted!

BeastNYC in the Subway

Beastly by Alex Flinn
Why did I read it?
There is a buzz around this book right now because of the movie that just came out. But, I actually started going for Cloaked which is another modern fairy tale that Alex Flinn just finished. I wasn't quite sure which fairy tale Cloaked was based on, so I figured I'd enjoy it more than Beauty and the Beast which I've heard a million times. But, I was wrong. Beastly was awesome!
What happened?
Kyle Kingsbury has it all. He has a gorgeous girlfriend, as much money as he could possibly need, and a famous father. Born into all this awesomeness, Kyle doesn't even notice all the people that he hurts with his selfishness. That is, until he ticks off a witch and gets turned into beast. Thats right! An honest-to-goodness beast, complete with a permanent fur coat, fangs, and razor-sharp claws. Kendra, the witch, gives Kyle two years to find someone who he can truly love, and can truly love him in return. Exiled to a modern castle by his father (who is interested more in appearances than his son), Kyle looses hope of a normal life. Until a thief stumbles into his greenhouse and gives Kyle a chance with his daughter!
What did I like or not like?
Even though this is "a tale as old as time" this modern retelling is really good! Alex does a great job keeping all the plot elements there while still giving them a fresh perspective. I think the theme of loving someone for who they are instead of how they look still strikes true and I enjoyed every minute of it.
P.S. I just watched the movie last night and really enjoyed that too. But, it has very little to do with the book. Its kind of like a modern retelling of a modern retelling lol.

Novelist Plus!

Jambo (Hello in Swahili. Can you tell our Summer Reading theme is multi-cultural?)
In addition to cool websites that I use for fun, I figure I'll also use Techno Tuesdays to let you guys know about cool databases that the library makes available, free of charge. One database I use a lot is Novelist Plus. Novelist includes recommended reads, author read-alikes, book discussion guides, book lists, award winners, 150,000 fiction titles, and 50,000 nonfiction titles. If someone asks for a book that I'm not quite familiar with, I often turn to Novelist because its search feature is very innovative. Another time I use it is when someone wants a book on a certain topic or subject. Novelist finds books on a specific topic very easily, and then I can search for it in our local catalog.
Another cool feature that I haven't used quite as much as I want to is the author read-alikes and recommended reads. I like it when someone does the dirty work for me hehe. In all seriousness though, having a database that has so many titles categorized and easy to find makes selecting a good book that much easier.
If you go to the Online Research Room on our page, you'll find a link to Novelist Plus. It requires a user ID and password to use, so contact me if you'd like to get in. Its super cool :)
http://ksalibraries.org/researchroom/room.htm

Rock the Stacks!

A Criminal Mastermind Full of Bad Luck

A Book Blurt on Calamity Jack, written by Shannon and Dean Hale and illustrated by Nathan Hale.

Why did I read it?

I try to diversify Book Blurt by reading graphic novels, fantasy, sci-fi, chick flicks, and realistic fiction. A graphic novel that is getting a lot of attention right now is Rapunzel’s Revenge, and this is a graphic novel written by the same people (and this one was on the shelf at my library hehe).

What happened?

Jack considers himself a criminal mastermind, with too much bad luck. He does some small gigs and makes a little bit of money, but each one has unexpected side effects. Just before Jack walks away from criminality for good, his mother is threatened by Blunderboar, a literal giant of a crime boss. Trying to help his mom out, Jack plans on stealing from Blunderboar, but once again the unexpected side effects show up again, and Jack is running for his life. Away from his home, Jack runs into Rapunzel (which I think might have something to do with Rapunzel’s Revenge), and he decides to return home. While Jack was away, Blunderboar has taken control of the entire city, and giant ants demolish buildings and kill citizens. Jack and Rapunzel try to find a way to save the city, and Jack’s mom from the fist of Blunderboar.

What did I like or not like?

This retelling of Jack and the beanstalk is a lot of fun, and very imaginative. The illustrations are fantastic, and the make-believe world of giants, pixies, and jabberwoks is brought to life beautifully. Throw in a criminal mastermind who can’t quite decide if he wants to be a criminal, and you have an entertaining book to read.

Editing a Movie?

Hey everybody!

So here we are on our first Techno Tuesday. Basically, on Tuesdays I'm going to share some cool technology and resources that I use and have found out about. I figured I'd start with some movie making software because I make a lot of movies :)
Personally, I'm used Jaycut and Windows Movie Maker the most.
Jaycut- I first heard about Jaycut from ICfL's Teens and Technology 2011. Jaycut is a great online editing application that has a lot of transitions, green screen capability, the fun of drawing on videos, and is absolutely free. But, Jaycut is FREE and ONLINE. Therefore, there aren't as many features as other things, and unless you have great bandwidth, you could be waiting for a very long time to finish even a simple movie project. The website is: http://jaycut.com.
Windows Movie Maker-I'm a Windows fella, and the latest version of WMM is very easy to use, and has some very cool transitions and special effects. But, the problem is that it is almost too easy! The editor can be annoying for someone who wants more control of each individual clip. But, it is a great program for Windows users. If it didn't come pre-loaded on your computer, you can get the software here: http://explore.live.com/windows-live-movie-maker?os=other&wa=wsignin1.0
Others- I'm found another blog post that has great info on 3 other free editing softwares I wasn't aware of. Check it out here: http://www.desktop-video-guide.com/top-5-free-video-editing-software-review.html

Thanks for reading :)

Direct from Boise (a little late)

Next-Gen 2.0

Warrior or Tattoo?

Dragon and Thief by Timothy Zahn, the first book in the Dragonback series.

Why did I read it?

I’ve signed up for a listserv from YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association), where librarians and educators discuss books and ask questions. Recently, the Dragonback series showed up on the radar, and I remembered seeing the books as I shelved as a page, and as I keep the YA section looking spiffy.

What happened?

Just before the book opens, Jack Morgan, nephew of a thief, did a smuggling gig that went south; one of the containers had something in it when he took off, but was completely empty when he landed. Obviously, the people he was delivering to weren’t too happy about that. Hiding on a deserted planet, Jack witnesses a huge space battle ending in a damaged cruiser smashing into the planet below. When he goes to check out the wreckage, he is amazed to find a symbiotic alien, Draycos, who needs him as a host to survive. Draycos exists in a three-dimensional form, but can become two-dimensional when needed; basically becoming a living tattoo, that can then spring into a powerful warrior lizard. The damaged ship was the first in a refugee fleet. Draycos and Jack have to team up to clear Jack’s name and figure out how to warn Draycos’s people of the terrible enemy that was somehow aware that they were coming.

What did I like or not like?

I really enjoyed the idea of an alien that is very powerful and can become two-dimensional, but needs a fourteen year old kid to survive. The difference in ethics between a warrior and a kid raised as a thief also raises some interesting questions.

Time-Crossed Lovers

A Book Blurt on Timeless by Alexandra Monir.

Why did I read it?

I get the chance to sneak a peak at many of the new YA books added to our collection before they hit the shelves, and this one caught my eye. The tagline read, “What if the person you’re meant to be with lives in another time?” It sounded interesting.

What happened?

Michele Windsor is the daughter of an exiled heiress. When her mother was young, she fell in love with a man who was wonderfully old-fashioned and traditionally romantic, and ran away with him, cutting herself off from her wealthy parents. But, after a short time together, he disappeared, and the only thing that made it bearable was her baby daughter. As the book opens, Michele’s mother is taken in a tragic car accident, and Michele is sent to live with her grandparents who probably ruined her parent’s relationship. Her cold grandparents and high-class classmates don’t make the loss of her mother any easier. But then, Michele is accidently sent back in time through a key her father owned, and she sees him, Philip Walker, the man of her dreams. Even though he is the only one that can see her, she has to find a way to be near him, because he is the only thing worth living for.

What did I like or not like?

I loved the historical detail and twists and turns through time. In an effort to get back to Philip, Michele visits the Gilded age, the Roaring Twenties, and the World War II years. Each time the story gets more interesting, more layered, and reveals more about Michele’s mysterious father and past. The love story itself is sweet, and hoping that the time-crossed lovers will eventually end up together keeps you reading.

A SuperHeroVillain

Enjoyed reading The Rise of Renegade X by Chelsea M. Campbell this week.

Why did I read it?

In short, because I’m a sucker for super heroes. I watched Thor in the opening weekend, and I’m looking forward to Green Lantern, X-Men: First Class, and Captain America: The First Avenger. I saw Renegade X in a magazine of new and upcoming titles and when it showed up in our stacks, I had to grab it.

What happened?

Golden City is known for being a tourist town, but not for large skyscrapers or history; no, this town is a tourist trap because of the high concentration of super heroes and super villains. Damien Locke has been raised as a super villain, and he can’t wait for his 16th birthday when his thumbprint will transform into a V signifying his evil (this happens to all children of heroes and villains on their 16th birthday. Heroes get an H, Villains get a V). But, instead of turning into a V, Damien gets the unpleasant surprise of receiving an X, which is the worst thing he can imagine. That means his mother is super villain, but his dad was a hero. This could seriously ruin his plans to enter Vilmore, the super villain academy. Especially when his tight-wearing superhero father forces Damien to live with him for six weeks in an effort to turn his X into an H instead of a V.

What did I like or didn’t like?

I loved the tongue-in-cheek feel of this book. It is laugh out loud hilarious in some parts, and the idea of super heroes and super villains being commonplace is awesome. There is a cool theme of whether a hero is born that way, or whether they choose it. But, there is quite a bit of making out, feeling up, and the thoughts, feelings, and conversations that go with it. Fun read though.

The Things We Take for Granted...

This week I read This World We Live In by Susan Beth Pfeffer. It is the third book in a post-apocalyptic series. The two main characters from the first two books (Miranda Evans from Life as We Knew It, and Alex Morale from The Dead & The Gone) come together in this final installment.

Why did I read it?

Sometimes I try to be clever and come up with books that are popular on the YA scene and are well-written. Other times, other people are clever for me. My boss, Karen, read this book a few months back, and she said it was really good. So, I decided to check it out.

What happened?

This book opens with Miranda going through the day to day existence in a world where there is no sun, no flowers, and rarely electricity or food. (A year before the book opens, an asteroid had struck the moon and brought it closer to earth causing world-wide changes and destruction.) She writes in a diary to keep herself sane, and hopes that her father and her stepmom, Lisa had their baby and are still alive. In the meantime, Miranda deals with the survival of her mother and two brothers. About half-way through the book, Miranda’s dad returns with his wife, their alive and healthy baby named Gabriel, and three strangers who traveled with them. Alex is one of the strangers, who is obsessed with protecting his younger sister Julie, no matter the cost. (After reading a synopsis of The Dead & The Gone, I can see why). Miranda and Alex seem to be at odds with each other, but they quickly realize might they want more than anything else is to be with each other.

What did I like or didn’t like?

This book is gripping and normal all at the same time. Most of the book is just the day to day routine of characters, but then something monumental happens that shows who they really are. After reading this book, you are left with a feeling of hope in times of trouble. But, you are also left with a sinking feeling of so much death and bad things happening. The ideas of what is right when the world is turned on its head and how you can hope in tomorrow when tomorrow might be just as bad are some themes that run throughout the book. I’m not sure I can say I liked it as it is rather depressing. But, I can say it is a good read the keeps you wanting to figure out what is going to happen.

Never Hurts to Ask

So I was sitting down to write a blog post, and I was thinking that I didn’t have too much to write about. But, then I took a look at my calendar, and I realized I had done a whole bunch this week.

Ka-Boom was this Monday, and it was encouraging to get a full group again. Last month, we only had 4 kiddos, which kind of scared me. Do they not like the program? Did I not let people know? But, having 10 people again this month told me that last month was a fluke instead of the rule, and I like that.

We also did a slightly different set-up this time. Instead of doing a bunch of experiments, I just had some things set out, and the kids could experiment with them as they wanted to. There were some books to search through, a potato and a hammer to experiment with balance, and a microscope. Kids still seemed to enjoy it, and mixing things up is always fun.

On Wednesday I went to a workshop. The Inland Northwest Council of Libraries does an annual workshop, and this year it was on creating customer experiences. David Lee King, the Digital Branch & Services Manager at the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library (kind of a mouth full), was the presenter. He had some great ideas on using your website and your building to create a better experience for our customers; you. In addition to his great ideas, David encouraged us to think about the material being covered, so my mind was stewing on how I could take his suggestions and make them work for my library.

Another aspect of my week was promoting our summer reading programs. Last week, I sent out an email to some of my contacts at the schools, and several of them have gotten back to me on ideas to promote summer reading. I guess it never hurts to ask, because you might actually get what you ask for.

One idea was creating video spots for video announcements at the schools. For one school, I’m creating the spot, but for another school, the video production class is going to create the spot. So, to give them the idea, I got to discuss my programs with some middle school video makers on Thursday. It was exciting to be in the schools, and to know that a whole bunch of kids are going to be hearing about the programs through the announcements.

That’s about all for this week, so I’ll catch you later.

The Means of Education

So a momentous occasion has occurred…I graduated last Sunday with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts! So it might not be a momentous occasion, but I think it’s pretty cool lol

Interestingly I’ve been working on a college education for a fifth of my entire life (funny to think about isn’t it? I’ve only been living for 21 years, and I’ve been in college for 4. Weird…) and it’s kind of weird that this stage is over. I’m probably going into a program to get my Masters in Information and Library Science (so I can keep being a Young Adult Librarian), but I’ll never be an undergrad student again. As I look back its kind of an “already?” and “finally!” all at the same time.

But, also as I look back, I think about what I have learned and what I have accomplished. I think back on all the classes I have taken and I ask myself, what do I remember from them? Answer: not too much. If I looked back over the course work, I’m sure I would remember a whole bunch of stuff, and the next time certain topics are brought up, I’ll already have some basic knowledge on them. But, did I spend the last four years learning stuff I’m just going to forget?

My answer is yes on one hand; but on the other, my college education has taught me things that I would never have learned anywhere else. First, it has let me meet people I never would have met before. I got to hang with awesome teachers, passionate classmates, and interesting people that have very different stories and lives.

Another great thing about my education is that I’ve learned to put forth effort to get something accomplished. I’ve had to learn to be more organized, to procrastinate less (even thought I still struggle with that lol), and keep going even when it is hard. Having goals and projects to work toward has taught me a whole bunch about how I work and how I can work better.

College education is also important because it opens doors to so many opportunities. Think about it. I’m working as the young adult librarian for the Community Library Network at Hayden. I’m sure one of the reasons they’ve kept me around is because I have continued my education. It takes a certain kind of person and attitude to keep going in education, and employers appreciate that.

Finally, even though I’ve forgotten many of the facts that I learned in college, I will never forget how I learned those facts. I will never forget how to research, how to study, how to force myself to absorb something. This is something I will keep for the rest of my life. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “The things taught in schools and colleges are not an education, but the means of education.”

For those who are looking into college, I would highly recommend it. Not only because it opens doors, but because it will continue to teach you to learn.

Electric Revolution

How dost thou?

Sorry, there were characters in the book this week that spoke older English. For the past couple of weeks I’ve looked for another graphic novel to read, and The Sons of Liberty caught my eye. Apparently it caught the eye of some of you as well, because it was checked out for a while before I could get my hands on it. Of course, that probably means I’m actually reading books that you enjoy, which can’t be a bad thing.

Anyways, the book is a graphic novel created and written by Alexander and Joseph Lagos, drawn by Steve Walker, and colored by Oren Kramek. The novel opens just before the Revolutionary War. Slavery was still very prominent, and runaway slaves were hunted down and mistreated. Two such runaways are Graham and Brody who find shelter with a kind-hearted man named Ben Franklin. But, Franklin’s son, William, isn’t so kind-hearted. William uses Graham and Brody for an experiment. Using quick jolts of electricity, Graham and Brody are able to leap rivers and split trees with their fists. How this “gift” will affect their lives is uncertain, as this is the first installment in a series of graphic novels.

As historical fiction, this graphic novel is very interesting. You definitely get a feel for slavery during those times and how it affects Graham and Brody. The novel also gives an interesting take on William Franklin, who is painted as far from an upright character (he will probably become a serious bad guy in future installments). The idea of super heroes in revolutionary times is a very interesting idea, and I wouldn’t mind reading future installments. But, the drawing style itself and the subject matter of the book is dark, and has some violence.

Ultimately, the feeling I got was similar to my feelings for Wild Wild West starring Will Smith. The movie was good, but the mix of technology with an older time period leaves you feeling a little gross. But, the novel does make revolutionary times fresh and interesting, and you get interested in Graham and Brody’s future.

P.S. My high school aged brother picked up the book and devoured it. He thought super heroes in the revolutionay war was pretty sweet.

It was a Success, It was a Failure

So, it’s not Friday. But, I missed posting on Friday because I had our Poetry Slam event last night, and I wanted to post after the event so I could tell you about it.

The event was a success and the event was a failure. The event was simple and the event was complex. The event taught me things and the event told me things I already knew. I’m starting to sound kind of poetic…maybe?

Anyways, there were things that we did well, and some things that didn’t work so well. Things that went well was the fact that young adults got a chance to share their poetry when they normally can’t, I decorated the room to give it a fun feel instead of just leaving bare walls, and we had some lemonade, chips, and candy to top it all off. But, the best thing was that young adults had a positive experience with their library.

At Teens and Technology 2011, I got the chance to speak with librarians who also work with young adults. It was really encouraging to see that I wasn’t the only one trying to get teen programs off of the ground. I found that they had similar struggles and successes. One of the things that we all found was that it’s hard to get the number of young adults that you want. A program with only 2 participants seems kind of sad (which is what happened at our Poetry Slam).

But, that is when we have to remind ourselves and others that young adult programming is an entirely different beast than serving other populations, and that if 1 young adult has a positive experience with their library, they might become library patrons and supporters for their entire lives. That means they will have more chances to be enlightened, supported, and aware of the information that is available to them. Even though higher participation is something to strive for, we can’t ignore the fact that our program was successful to the young adults that did come.

Although that is true, that doesn’t mean that we won’t try to do better. If a program is successful for 2 people, let’s try to get 10, and then 15, and then have some big events where we might get 45 or 50, or maybe even 100 people. The saying goes that insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Even though small events are very often successful (and I will strive to make every library experience a positive one), I will also be looking for ways to have even more young adults experience and enjoy our events. If you have any ideas that would help, I am a listening ear, and if you want more babbling from my experience, I’m glad to share.

Hope you have a great Easter Weekend, and thanks for reading.

Its a Brother Thing...

Hows it going everybody?

So once again, this week has been crazy busy with work, school, and still trying to have some R&R, but I was able to read The Things a Brother Knows by Dana Reinhardt. This book is on YALSA’s 2011 Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults, and I can see why. I got a chance to read it thanks to the Idaho Commission for Libraries. They awarded participants of Teens and Technology 2011 with the Top Ten Books, or with a digital photo frame. I had the photo frame from a previous workshop, so I got the books!

Anyways, Levi is a seventeen year old who has always lived under his brother’s shadow. Boaz (the older brother) was popular, athletic, and a brainiac. He could have chosen any college in the country. But, instead of going to college, Boaz went to war as a marine, and Levi still can’t understand that decision. Now, several years later, Boaz is returning from his tour of duty. Levi is excited about his return, but he can’t help but realize that not everything is fine and dandy. Boaz spends all of his time in his room, away from his family, and is constantly pouring over different routes toward Washington, D.C. So, when Boaz tells his parents that he’s going to hike the Appalachian Trail, Levi knows there’s something else really going on, and he’s going to be there for his brother whether Boaz wants him or not.

Although the plot sounds simple, this is a very powerful story. As Levi and Boaz begin to trust each other and built a relationship again, we are reminded that a man who has seen war will never be the same again. The characters talk about the pieces that have to be put back together after a soldier returns home. This book takes an honest look at one way a soldier and his family start to pick the pieces back up.

p.s. There are a few cuss words peppered throughout the story, including the f-word, and there is a half-page explanation of an encounter that goes a little beyond kissing. Even though that didn’t wreck the book for me, I thought you might want to know. I figure its best to be honest when it comes to what content is in a book.

Have a great week!

Whats in a Year?

How’s it going?

Apart from Ka-Boom on Monday, this week has basically been planning for future events. I had a weather theme for Ka-Boom this month, which meant we talked about rain, clouds, and made it snow in the library using Steve Spangler’s Insta-snow (the stuff it really cool by the way!).

But, the rest of the week was spent figuring out what my summer programs are going to look like. We’re going to be having a monthly teen program, and two weekly programs for Tweens. One will be Ka-Boom, and the other will be Tween summer reading where we will do games and crafts each week. We’ll get more into summer reading as we get closer.

As I think about our upcoming programs, I can’t help but think about the things I’ve been doing over the last year. About this time last April, I was just starting my YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, and Blogger pages. Since then, a lot of things have happened.

On YouTube, I’ve posted 13 videos ranging from a booktrailer on Rash to a Teen Read Week PSA, and 945 people have looked at my uploads! I was super excited when I looked at that number.

On Twitter, I’m following 215 profiles, ranging from libraries to marketing gurus, have tweeted 270 times, and have 103 people following my tweets.

On Facebook, I have 24 people who have liked my Next-Gen Adults of the Community Library Network page, and I have 173 people who have friended my work FB account.

Finally on Blogger, I have 70 posts, which are made up of Book Blurts and Weekly Updates, and 1,163 people have looked at my blog! And not only in this country either. I’ve had people from Russia, Germany, Brazil, Netherlands, Burundi, France, Canada, Malta, and Argentina take a look at what this young adult librarian from Hayden, Idaho babbles about.

If you are reading this, you are one of the numbers above who has been supporting my efforts as I build Next-Gen programming at the Community Library Network at Hayden, and I want to thank you over and over again for taking an interest in what I’m doing.

Well, I’ll be back again next week for more fun, and thank you again for connecting with me!

Three 7th Graders from the 7th Floor

Well, back in February, I was trying to find books that dealt with Valentine’s Day. There was a new book that had just gone by my desk called Sweet Treats & Secret Crushes by Lisa Greenwald, and it was exactly what I was looking for!

But, someone checked it out just as I wanted to get it. So, I waited for the book to come back and checked it out, but for the last two weeks, I’ve been busy with my senior research project for school. I’ve been tabulating the data I collected and figuring out how I’m going to present it to the Northwest Communication Association conference tomorrow, and needless to say, I haven’t had time to sit down and read it. But, over the last few nights, I’ve set aside some time to finish it up, and so here is my Book Blurt on it.

Olivia, Georgia, and Kate have been best friends for years. They are all thirteen-year old seventh graders who live on the seventh floor of the same New York apartment building. They all have plans for Valentine’s Day, until a freak snow storm puts the breaks on any and all plans. Now, most people would think a snow day would be awesome! But, these three girls had plans for how they would connect with their crushes on the most romantic day of the year, and now their plans are crushed. But, the three girls decide to use their snow day to friendly up their apartment building by passing out Chen’s famous fortune cookies to people in their building. The people they meet and the things they experience make for an interesting look at what love and friendship really looks like.

Through their day, Olivia, Georgia, and Kate deal with what it means to have a crush, what it means to be in love, and what the true power of a fortune can be. They also wrestle with what it means to be friends, and why you should keep the friends you have. The chapters rotate between each of the three girl’s telling the story from their own perspective, which keeps the storytelling fresh and interesting as we get different takes on similar events. The writing style can be pretty simple, but the story is very sweet, and I would think a perfect read for next Valentine’s Day.

In My Boss's Absence...

Happy Friday everyone! This week is one of the reasons I like to live in North Idaho. We had snow yesterday and a fifty-degree-sunny-day today. It’s kind of ridiculous, but it keeps things interesting. 

So Miss Karen is in Arizona at a Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) meeting, so I got to do some storytimes that I don’t normally get to do this week.

On Tuesday, I went down to Kootenai HeadStart, and read rain and wind stories to the kids. There are four classrooms that Karen visits, two in the morning and two in the afternoon, so I went to school in-between and did some stories on the ends.

Today was also the monthly visit from Noah’s Ark Learning Center, so I got to read some rain and wind stories again. But, this time, Miss Cassie shared some of her favorite weather books with me, and I read some awesome books based on her suggestions. My coworkers are amazing!

Also today, I sat in on the monthly Branch Managers meeting. Karen (her absence seems to be a theme this week hehe) is obviously the coordinator of Youth Services, and so she normally attends the meeting. But, when she’s away and there is still stuff to present from Youth Services, Miss Cassie and I have stepped up to the plate. I went this time because I also had a video idea to pitch to the managers. Be looking for a video similar to “Librarians on Vacation” coming out as we get closer to summer.

As far as upcoming programs go, we are having our Next-Gen Poetry Slam on April 22 at 6pm. If you aren’t familiar with Slam poetry, check out these two videos: The Most Amazing Slam Poet and Push. We are going to have three local judges, two categories (middle school, 6-8 grade, and high school, 9-12 grade), and cash prizes! Even if you don’t enjoy normal poetry, slam poetry is its own beast and shouldn’t be missed. Instead of just reading poetry, its about how you present it and getting the audience involved in your story. If you don’t want to perform a poem, at least join us for the evening. It will be a good time.

That’s about all I’ve got this week, so have a great weekend, and I’ll see you on Wednesday. 

P.S. There was a lack of Book Blurt because I’m getting toward the end of my senior research project, and tabulated a bunch of data takes a while. Sorry about not getting it out.

Airplanes killed the Web Log Post

Hello everyone!

So, it’s been a while since I’ve posted a weekly update. My Facebook page has been busy with links to blog posts and articles, but I haven’t actually written down what I’ve been doing because it’s been so busy. So, here we go.

The last two weeks began with a meeting with the Secondary School Librarians. It’s always great to find out what they are doing, and to inform them about our upcoming programs. School librarians are awesome!

In addition to meeting with the School Librarians, I also went into the schools to finish up the Atlas After School Academy. After creating slideshows on their partners, I had the guys split into two groups and create commercials. One group decided to do it on Beyblades (dueling tops basically) and the other group decided to do a comical commercial on Toxic Water and Toxic Band-Aids. I had a great time with the guys, and they seemed to have a great time as well. Getting the chance to be creative is always fun!

The end of that week caught me flying to Boise for the culmination of Teens and Technology 2011. It was my first time in an airplane, and it was my first time traveling for business. I thought that flying to Boise was a great way to break myself into traveling because it’s a short and easy flight. I find that I really enjoy flying (feels like a roller coaster), and the hotel was plenty nice.

The Idaho Commission for Libraries held regional workshops in February, and after we submitted our booktrailers and held our Teen Tech Week programs, we wanted to get together and discuss what worked and what didn’t work. In addition to brainstorming and discussing, there were also presentations from librarians. I presented on our Teen Film Festival and how we promoted it, another librarian spoke on adding videos to a card catalog, and another spoke on using a digital photo frame for promotion. The workshop was a lot of fun, and I find that I like business trips!

One of the reasons I didn’t put up a weekly update last week was because I had written a blog post for the Special Project Library Action Team. You can access it here. This was exciting because anyone can start their own blog, but it’s pretty cool to write for a collaboration blog read by people across the state.

After all my work with the ICfL, they wanted to feature me in their Youth Services newsletter, “The Scoop.” They had me fill out a profile and send in some pictures, and they wrote a cool article about me. You can read it here.

Sorry this is a little long, but it takes a while to write about two weeks. Hehe

Have a great week!

Smoke Signals meets A Christmas Carol and Quantum Leap

How is this Wednesday finding everyone? It’s a little rainy out in my direction, but I’m thinking spring might have finally arrived.

For the past two and a half years, I’ve been driving to Lewiston for my orthodontia work (it worked best with insurance). So every six weeks or so, I drive two and a half hours down and back for the sake of straight teeth and a correct bite (which I have found is totally worth it). This trip, I decided to try out a Book on CD, and I enjoyed it. Having a story play out while you drive definitely helps the time pass. It was also refreshing to enjoy the benefits of reading a novel without actually having to read a novel. You still get to enjoy the symbolism, plot twists, and imagery, without having to exert the effort to read words. I don’t think I’d take this as my only mode of reading, but it is nice for car rides!

So I listened to a Book on CD called Flight by Sherman Alexie, which was performed by Adam Beach. Alexie is a Native American who grew up on the Spokane Indian Reservation, and attended Gonzaga University as well as Washington State University, where he graduated with a BA in American Studies. He has won several awards for his poetry, short stories, novels, and performance. Flight is one of his novels for young adults. Adam Beach is a Golden Globe nominated actor, who is also of Native American descent.

Flight tells the tale of Zits, who is a fifteen year old Native American who has some problems. His father abandoned his mother and him when he was born, his mother died of breast cancer, and his aunt and uncle abused him. After crashing through twenty-some half-way houses and foster homes, Zits just doesn’t care anymore. He is consumed by loneliness and anger, bounces in and out of jail, and drunkenness, and doesn’t have any reason to change. That is until Justice, a pretty white boy, teaches him how to use a gun on other people. Zits walks into a bank with a loaded pistol, but then finds himself being launched through time and space and lands in someone else’s body (think Quantum Leap meets The Christmas Carol meets Smoke Signals).

Zits bounces between several bodies reaching across many years and places, and experiences things that change his entire outlook on life and violence. He learns about the effects of war, violence, anger, loneliness, betrayal, and love.

Like so many other award-winning authors, Alexie’s work definitely has some content. F-bombs fly like crazy, there is plenty of innuendo and frank discussions of human anatomy, and the book also deals with some very violent scenarios. But, Alexie is writing from the perspective of a down-in-the-gutter teenager, and this is how he and those around him would talk. Even though it’s hard to get through all of these experiences, Alexie has written an interesting piece of literature that explores how a teenager who has never been loved finds hope and belonging.

Dangerous Pie

Happy almost noon everybody! How has your week been?

Mine’s going to be and has been crazy busy with all of the stuff going on. But I’ve had a chance the last few nights to read After Ever After by Jordan Sonnenblick, and I’m really glad I did.

Even though I didn’t know this when I started reading the book, this novel is a sequel/companion novel to another novel by Jordan called Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie. Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie concerned Steven Alper, an eighth grader whose younger brother, Jeffrey, is struggling through cancer. This book deals with Jeffrey Alper when he gets to eighth grade. I probably wouldn’t have gotten the connection other then Jeffrey’s email address involving dangerous pie, and the title of the first book involving dangerous pie. I’m going to have to add that book to my reading list because this one was amazing, and it would be cool to see how the story began.

After surviving cancer, and it not returning for five years, Jeffrey is pretty much in the clear for the whole cancer thing. But, that doesn’t mean things are easy. People still treat him differently because he had cancer, his brother decides to go off the deep end and beat some drums in Africa to “find himself,” and there is this really hot girl that Jeffrey has a huge crush on. That isn’t to mention the statewide math test that Jeffrey has to pass in order to graduate. That wouldn’t be a big deal if Jeffrey was normal. But, chemotherapy does funky things to cancer survivors sometimes, and Jeffrey is no exception. His brain has a very difficult time with math, so Jeffrey is pretty well convinced that he won’t graduate with the rest of his class. That is until Tad, his best friend who is also a cancer survivor, comes up with a plan to make sure he gets to walk across the stage.

Although this book deals with the heart-wrenching topic of cancer, it is heart-warming and hilarious. The very down-to-earth, realistic friendship of Jeffrey and Tad is very funny, and Jeffrey has a great outlook on some tough situations. Just like Jeffrey learns, the book reminds us to never take a day for granted and to move on even through hard times.

It Ebbs and Flows

Morning everybody! How are you doing?

Library programs ebb and flow. Last week, I didn’t even have a chance to sit at my computer. This week, I had one program, one meeting, and a chance to organize some things for the upcoming month.

The program this week was a continuation of Atlas After-School Academy. Last week, we started making movies using Animoto. I put the guys in groups of two, and had each of the guys interview their partner. What is your favorite color? What is your favorite video game? What is a cool place you’ve been to? They were then tasked with finding a picture that corresponded with their question and organize the pictures into a slideshow movie on Animoto. The guys had a great time doing this. They were in control of making a movie about their partner, and they were also thrilled when their partner made a cool movie about them. I thought it worked out pretty well. Still trying to see what our assignments are going to be the next two weeks. Hmm….

My meeting this week was with the Friends of the Community Library Network at Hayden. Our Friends group sells used books and actively fund-raises to collect funds for library programs. When we have a special program coming up, we submit a grant, and the Friends vote on whether or not to fund it. The Friends are a fantastic group, and they are very supportive of the programs that happen at the library. Our recent Teen Film Festival was made possible by this group, the Friends of the Community Library Network at Post Falls, and the Friends of the Coeur d’ Alene Public Library. These groups are awesome!

Anyways, my meeting was basically showing them the results of our Teen Film Festival. They were really impressed with the quality of film that came out of the festival.

I wanted to take a minute and list the winners in our competition:

Short Film Category:

1st Place: “Je Te Vois” by Daniel Troxell, David Brands, Amy Ellithorpe, Joshua Brands, and Gerry Koep.

2nd Place: “You Are Here” by Joshua Brands, David Brands, Allie Brands, and Catherine Brands.

3rd Place: “Clayman” by Shane Tyler

Public Service Announcement Category:

1st place: “You Are Here” by Stephen Byrum

2nd Place: “Be Yourself” by Danny Schramm, Kelsey Kraak, Morgan Jett, and Rylee Mindt

3rd Place: “The World is at Your Feet” by Arielle Johnson, Colby Acuff, and Jackson Miller

I also wanted to take a minute and thank our local filmmaking experts who donated their time to judge our entries. A huge thank you to Brian Loper and Ryan Anstett!

Congratulations again to all of our filmmakers and have a great week!

Choosing to Love

Hello everyone! How is your week going?

Today, I have a Book Blurt that deals with a very sad and well-written book; Annexed by Sharon Dogar. The front cover reads, “The powerful story of the boy who loved Anne Frank.” That is exactly what it is; powerful. There is so much literature about the holocaust, and yet, every time I read another book or another story of that time, I can’t help but feel it. How could we do that to each other?

Sharon wrote this book largely based on Anne Frank’s autobiography. But, instead of telling Anne’s story which has been told and read the world over, Sharon chose to write about Peter. What did he feel while he was in hiding? What did he struggle with? What did his love for Anne look like? What was it like living with Anne Frank? These are questions that Sharon speculates on and writes very believably and convincingly. This book is a well-crafted story based on Anne’s diary, and on documentation from the death camps.

Unlike Anne, who was just writing her thoughts, Sharon has written a complete novel. We hear the story from Peter’s point of view while the events happen. But, we also get short commentaries from the Peter at the death camps. His italicized words hurt as you read them. Peter will be talking about hope and liberation and what he is going to do when the war is over. But then, we read a quick page from the Peter in the death camps, which reminds us that Peter didn’t make it. As Anne’s diary is so human, Sharon has done an excellent job writing a very real and human character in Peter who has his own take on the story.

While reading Holocaust literature it is so difficult not to feel anger. Why couldn’t Peter have made it? Why did so many innocents have to die? How could human beings do those things to someone? I was reading the epilogue that describes how the families died, and I felt angry. But, then I remembered Corrie ten Boom, who lived through the same time period and was able to forgive her captors. I think that is the point. This book is important, and actual Holocaust accounts are important, because they will hopefully help us to never make those mistakes again. But, it is also important that we don’t take on the hate that is shown in these pages, but rather choose to love like Corrie ten Boom.

Have Books, Will Travel

Hello everyone!

Well here we are on a Monday morning, and I am three days late on my weekly update. I apologize.

As I alluded to last week, this week was crazy busy with programs! I work 19 and a half hours a week, and this week I was basically in programs for the full 19 and a half hours. hehe

The week started with the Men and Kids program at Mountain States Early Head Start. We had several dads and their kids join us and had fun frosting our own cookies. For the past few times, we have been trying to read a book with the kids, and this time they really enjoyed the story.

Tuesday involved my first week at Atlas After School Academy. Last year, I did science experiments for this program, and because the kids had such a great time, we decided to start Ka-Boom: Science Experiments at the library. This year, I am teaching the kids how to make movies using the free websites, animoto and jaycut. Got a talented and excited group of guys and we’ll be having fun for the next three weeks. Should be awesome!

Wednesday was Dr. Seuss’s birthday, so I read his stories at Miss Irma’s storytime (I filled in for her because her husband had a procedure being done) and then I bounced around the Kinder Center reading his stories wearing a ‘Cat in the Hat’ hat. Good stuff!

Speaking of the Kinder Center, my monthly outreach always happens on the first Friday, so I was there on Wednesday and Friday this past week. On Friday, we read frog stories (frogs are green, and we always wear green on St. Patrick’s day hehe), and had a great time singing a song that Miss Cassie suggested to me.

On Friday (and Thursday as I think about it) Karen and I went down to help with Skyway’s Geography Club again. We had to take a break because of the bad snow last week, but we again had fun learning about continents, states, and physical geography.

My last event this week was our Red Carpet Event for our Teen Film Festival, which happened on Saturday night. We had five entries in each category, and enjoyed watching the movies and awarding prizes. Our festival has grown since last year, and we’re hoping that it will continue to grow next year. If you want to check out the movies, they are all posted on our Library Film Fest YouTube Channel here. Enjoy!

Well, that was my crazy week and I hope yours was also fantastic!