Spotlight on Nutmegs: See You At Harry's

“I breath in and out through my mouth to feel the quiet. In. Out. Over and over. Until I fall asleep.”

Starting middle school brings all the usual challenges — until the unthinkable happens, and Fern and her family must find a way to heal.

Twelve-year-old Fern feels invisible. It seems as though everyone in her family has better things to do than pay attention to her: Mom (when she’s not meditating) helps Dad run the family restaurant; Sarah is taking a gap year after high school; and Holden pretends that Mom and Dad and everyone else doesn’t know he’s gay, even as he fends off bullies at school. Then there’s Charlie: three years old, a "surprise" baby, the center of everyone’s world. He’s devoted to Fern, but he’s annoying, too, always getting his way, always dirty, always commanding attention. If it wasn’t for Ran, Fern’s calm and positive best friend, there’d be nowhere to turn. Ran’s mantra, "All will be well," is soothing in a way that nothing else seems to be. And when Ran says it, Fern can almost believe it’s true. But then tragedy strikes- and Fern feels not only more alone than ever, but also responsible for the accident that has wrenched her family apart. All will not be well. Or at least all will never be the same. (x)

Spotlight on Nutmegs: Never Fall Down

“Long time I been on my own, but now really I'm alone. I survive the killing, the starving, all the hate of the Khmer Rouge, but I think maybe now I will die of this, of broken heart.”

Based on the true story of Cambodian advocate Arn Chorn-Pond, and authentically told from his point of view as a young boy, this is an achingly raw and powerful historical novel about a child of war who becomes a man of peace. It includes an author's note and acknowledgments from Arn Chorn-Pond himself.

When soldiers arrive in his hometown, Arn is just a normal little boy. But after the soldiers march the entire population into the countryside, his life is changed forever. Arn is separated from his family and assigned to a labor camp: working in the rice paddies under a blazing sun, he sees the other children dying before his eyes. One day, the soldiers ask if any of the kids can play an instrument. Arn's never played a note in his life, but he volunteers. This decision will save his life, but it will pull him into the very center of what we know today as the Killing Fields. And just as the country is about to be liberated, Arn is handed a gun and forced to become a soldier. (x)

Booklist: How to Survive High School

It's that time of year again... back to school season! Check out this great booklist full of teens figuring out how to survive high school & the real world, and just maybe having some fun along the way, too!

This Week at the Library: August 17 - 23

Gaming Club
Tuesday, August 19
1:30 - 3:30 PM

Back to School Notebooks
Wednesday, August 20
3:00 - 4:00 PM

Movie Nights @ the Library: Divergent
Thursday, August 21
@ 5:00 PM

Summer Reading - Teen Reviews!

You guys wrote so many great reviews this past week, there was no way we could have fit them all on one page! Here are just a few of the books you liked best, and your reasons why. Don't forget to stop by the Teen Zone to ask for more recommendations - and ask your friends too, of course!

The Wolf of Wall Street by Jordan Belfort

""This was an intriguing, entertaining, engaging, insightful, hilarious novel that is an easy read." 

                                                                             - Callie

Jackaby by William Ritter

"When Abigail Rooks arrives in New England Looking for an adventure, the last thing she expects is becoming a book keeper for a detective. But she soon finds out that her young boss, R.F. Jackaby, deals in supernatural crimes. Before she knows it, she is sucked into a murder investigation that has the whole town in panic, and one that Jackaby claims involves a nonhuman murderer. Follow Abigail and Jackaby as they uncover the supernatural creatures that live among us while trying to save the town from the monsters that hide in plain sight."

                                                                      - Patrick

The Final Four by Paul Volponi

"I thought that this book was very suspenseful and exciting, because when the game in the book got into almost five overtime it was intense. I would recommend this book."

                                                                        - Cameron

I am the Mission by Allen Zadoff

"An interesting sequel to "I am the Weapon." It was an exciting book and left me wanting for more."

                                                                  - Chance

The Tombs by Clive Cussler

"A bit of a crazy story, with an even crazier ending! A little...ridiculous in places, but I guess Bako is so rich, he has no limits, and doesn't care."

                                                                 - David

Spotlight on Nutmegs: One for the Murphys

“Sometimes I wonder. On the pathetic scale, where would I land? I know other kids my age would go to the mall if they cut school, but I'm off to the library.”

Twelve-year-old Carley Connors can take a lot. Growing up in Las Vegas with her fun-loving mother, she's learned to be tough. But she never expected a betrayal that would land her in a foster care. When she's placed with the Murphys, a lively family with three boys, she's blindsided. Do happy families really exist? Carley knows she could never belong in their world, so she keeps her distance.

It's easy to stay suspicious of Daniel, the brother who is almost her age and is resentful she's there. But Mrs. Murphy makes her feel heard and seen for the first time, and the two younger boys seem determinded to work their way into her heart. Before she knows it, Carley is protected the boys from a neighbourhood bullly and even teaching Daniel how to play basketball. Then just when she's feeling like she could truly be one of the Murphys, news from her mother shakes her world. (x)

Spotlight on Nutmegs: Out of the Easy

“I leapt eagerly into books. The characters’ lives were so much more interesting than the lonely heartbeat of my own.”

It’s 1950, and as the French Quarter of New Orleans simmers with secrets, seventeen-year-old Josie Moraine is silently stirring a pot of her own. Known among locals as the daughter of a brothel prostitute, Josie wants more out of life than the Big Easy has to offer.

She devises a plan get out, but a mysterious death in the Quarter leaves Josie tangled in an investigation that will challenge her allegiance to her mother, her conscience, and Willie Woodley, the brusque madam on Conti Street. Josie is caught between the dream of an elite college and a clandestine underworld. New Orleans lures her in her quest for truth, dangling temptation at every turn, and escalating to the ultimate test.

With characters as captivating as those in her internationally bestselling novel Between Shades of Gray, Ruta Sepetys skillfully creates a rich story of secrets, lies, and the haunting reminder that decisions can shape our destiny. (x)

Steampunk Booklist

Stop by the library to check out any of these adventure-filled books set in Steampunk societies and filled with gadgets, fantasy, and intrigue! Stop by the teen zone for more recommendations, from Cyberpunk to Urbanpunk to Elfpunk!

This Week at the Library: August 10 - 16

Gaming Club
Tuesday, August 12 from 1:30 - 3:30 PM

Crafts in the Teen Zone: Steampunk Goggles
Wednesday, August 13 from 3:00 - 4:00 PM

Movie Nights @ the Library: Divergent
Thursday, August 14 at 5:00 PM

Anime Club: Steamboy
Friday, August 15 from 1:30 to 3:30 PM

Spotlight on Nutmegs: My Book of Life by Angel

the cinnamon bun smell
was Mom making them for me
and the clothing stores were my
walk-in closets
and the ice cream place was my freezer
and the bathroom was my bathroom

After her mother dies, a rudderless sixteen-year-old Angel hangs out at the mall, playing an unexpectedly poignant adolescent version of house. When Angel meets Call at the mall, he buys her meals and says he loves her, and he gives her some candy that makes her feel like she can fly. Pretty soon she's addicted to his candy, and she moves in with him. As a favor, he asks her to hook up with a couple of friends of his, and then a couple more. Now Angel is stuck working the streets at Hastings and Main, a notorious spot in Vancouver, Canada, where the girls turn tricks until they disappear without a trace, and the authorities don't care. But after her friend Serena disappears, and when Call brings home a girl who is even younger and more vulnerable than her to learn the trade, Angel knows that she and the new girl have got to find a way out. (x)

Spotlight on Nutmegs: Insignia

“Those are some of the most powerful people in the world, and you swamped them in sewage! If you had real friends, they'd have told you that you're an idiot for even thinking about doing that!"

Tom bristled, indignant. "My friends do tell me I'm an idiot. All the time!”

The earth is in the middle of WWIII in Insignia, the first entry in S. J. Kincaid's fast-paced sci-fi adventure trilogy perfect for fans of Ender's Game.
The planet's natural resources are almost gone, and war is being fought to control the assets of the solar system. The enemy is winning. The salvation may be Tom Raines. Tom doesn't seem like a hero. He's a short fourteen-year-old with bad skin. But he has the virtual-reality gaming skills that make him a phenom behind the controls of the battle drones.

As a new member of the Intrasolar Forces, Tom's life completely changes. Suddenly, he's someone important. He has new opportunities, friends, and a shot at having a girlfriend. But there's a price to pay... (x)

Physics Booklist

Check out this book list full of death defying stunts, with teens who are free-runners, masters of parkour - and, sometimes, can even fly! Not all of these heroes have actual superpowers, but all of them are normal kids just like you - with a couple unusual twists and turns thrown in for good measure.

This Week at the Library: July 27 - August 2

Gaming Club
Tuesday, July 29 from 1:30 - 3:30 PM

Science in Action: Exploding Compounds!
Wednesday, July 30 @ 3:00 PM

Science in Action: S'mores Solar Oven!
Thursday, July 31 @ 11:00 AM

Movie Nights at the Library : Armageddon
Thursday, July 31 @ 5:00 PM

Maker Mornings at the Library
Friday, August 1 from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM

Science in Action: Egg Drop Experiment!
Friday, August 1 @ 2:00 PM

Summer Reading - Teen Reviews!

Take a look at what your friends are reading - and then stop by the Teen Zone for new recommendations and interesting new books to read, today!

Mad Science Booklist

Our Mad Scientist Party is happening tomorrow - stop by at 5:00 p.m. for fun games, wacky science experiments, cool demonstrations, and food & dessert of course! In the meantime, here are some teen reads that focus on mad scientists, an evil genius or two, and everything creepy in-between!

This Week at the Library: July 20 - 26

Crafts in the Teen Zone - Melted Crayon Art
Tuesday, July 22 from11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Gaming Club
Tuesday, July 22 from 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM

MAD SCIENTIST PARTY
Wednesday, July 23 @ 5:00 PM

Creative Writing Group
 Thursday, July 24 from 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM










 
Movie Nights at the Library: Surprise Special Feature!
Thursday, July 24 @ 5:00 PM

Maker Mornings with the 3-D Printer
Friday, July 25 from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM





 







Anime Club: Candy Sushi
Friday, July 25 from 3:30 - 5:30 PM

Summer Reading - Teen Reviews!

Take a look at what your friends are reading - and then stop by the Teen Zone for new recommendations and interesting new books to read, today!

They've Got Chemistry!

This week at the library we're all about science and chemistry! Stop by the teen zone and check out one of these books about relationships and undeniable chemistry - between two people.

Summer Reading

Take a look at what your friends are reading - and then stop by the Teen Zone for new recommendations and interesting new books to read, today!

Spotlight on Nutmegs: The Last Dragonslayer

“Quarkbeasts, for all their fearsome looks, are obedient to a fault. They are nine-tenths velociraptor and kitchen blender and one-tenth Labrador. It was the Labrador tenth that I valued most.”

In the good old days, magic was indispensable—it could both save a kingdom and clear a clogged drain. But now magic is fading: drain cleaner is cheaper than a spell, and magic carpets are used for pizza delivery. Fifteen-year-old foundling Jennifer Strange runs Kazam, an employment agency for magicians—but it’s hard to stay in business when magic is drying up. And then the visions start, predicting the death of the world’s last dragon at the hands of an unnamed Dragonslayer. If the visions are true, everything will change for Kazam—and for Jennifer. Because something is coming. Something known as . . . Big Magic. (x)