Relaunch

For the last little bit of time, this blog has focused on books and reviews with an occasional video. (In order to meet requirements for a certain degree I am pursuing) As the ultimate Queen (Not this one --->) (or this one ----->) and ruler of this page, I am expanding the content of this space. It will now cover many exciting, new, and informative topics involved in internet literacy and aforementioned topics' relevance to library services. Let this proclamation serve as good notice for all spambots that read this page. Proceed with caution.

Smart, strong girls keep the world turning

Click here to read a great post about some awesome fiction from the past. Pre YA, when books were just books and teens had to shuffle through a lot of adult boring stuff to find the goods.

YA rut

There is a lot of great Young Adult fiction out there. Stories of heroism, caring, pathos, changed lives, epic fantasy, and simple characters are some of my favorite elements. But for now, as a library science student, I am reading the gritty, one voice books of the downtrodden, physically ill formed and financially bereft unheard teen male. A girl can only take so much! There is a reason why boys don't verbally communicate if these books are an accurate picture. Apparently teen boys, poor/rich, healthy/sick, smart/slow all think of about two things 90% of the time. And no one wants to hear about that! The books are well written and expose a voice that is often hard to hear; I give them their due. I just wonder why these are the books on the booklist for the YA course. There are some great ones on that list, too. My prof knows her stuff, no doubt. I just yearn for the day when I can read what I want instead of what I must. I am not gaining knowledge or empathy or even a happy get away from reality in these hours between the pages.

So, if you want to read about life from a boy's point of view, according to an author, feel free to check out:

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian
Going Bovine
Tyrell
Stuck in Neutral
Monster

But be ready for frank talk, kids in adult situations, drug use, and a view of parts of society that many don't want to look too closely at.

THE CLOCKWORK SCARAB: A Stoker & Holmes Novel by Colleen Gleason -- Trailer

The Bone Season trailer - a novel by Samantha Shannon

NOT A DROP TO DRINK by Mindy McGinnis -- Book Trailer

Hereville

Graphic novel + Jewish girl + troll + witch+ meteorite = this book

I am reading ahead for my Young Adult (YA) lit class this semester. Graphic novels are  an important format in this area, so I have several  ahead of me. This one was a surprise.

Mirka is a Jewish girl with a stepmother. No, it's not like Cinderella at all. This is actually the second novel of this series. Mirka is plagued by a  meteorite that was changed into a doppelganger by a witch. It is fantasy in the modern time. While Mirka struggles with this new "her" that is taking over her life, she keeps it a secret from her stepmother and father. With help from her sisters and a friend, she is able to overcome a really hard situation. The story is peppered with Yiddish terms that are explained at the bottom of the page for those who don't know what they mean. The illustrations are very "Avatar the Last Air Bender" in style. Mirka's Judaism is central to her character and her actions. The importance of faith practices, family, and reverence is clearly illustrated in a respectful manner. It is a great point of view that is underrepresented in children's literature.

This quick read for an adult would be a nice little sit down read for any young reader. It is perfectly appropriate for readers of any age who understand the importance of honesty and being yourself. If I'm being stereotypical, girls will most likely gravitate to the emotion of being replaced. and boys will enjoy the fighting and sarcasm.

Overall, it's a fun story with memorable characters.