Read, Reread, or not to Read?

 James Patterson is the very definition of prolific. You can find stats about his 19 consecutive bestsellers, nearly 100 books over the past 4 decades, books in multiple categories, etc, etc. Why did he have to "steal" an idea from one of his own books? Or is he a marketing genius?

The only reason I care is because I read his adult book When the Wind Blows and the sequel The Lake House. Both are quick, easy, entertaining reads. Both are about kids genetically altered with wings and a character named Max. Although, the main characters were 2 adults investigating the situation. I was intrigued by the plot well enough to want to see what else may happen, then BAM!!! No more books in the series. Instead, a "new" YA series Maximum Ride about genetically altered kids with wings and a character named Max. Patterson himself says the second series is just inspired by the first and not a continuation or duplicate of the first. But come on...

Then, I discovered there is a third choice: a Maximum Ride graphic novel. It caught my attention while looking for Anime or Manga to read. So now my dilemma, will I be wasting my time or will it be an exciting adventure? For me, there are just too many other authors, genres, and themes to explore to reread a story, even one you like. However, being a fairly newbie to graphic novels, maybe a known story is a good bet? I've decided to give the graphic novel a try on my ongoing quest for better appreciation of the format. Okay, Mr. Patterson, you got me!

Once Upon a Cool Motorcycle Dude

AKA Girls vs. Boys

The cover really says it all. But I'll add a few words: cooperation, gender roles, clever, fun. This book was published in 2005, author Kevin O'Malley. The author brings some feminism into the book about a boy and girl who have to work together to come up with a fairy tale. The cover manages to appeal to both boys and girls by using both stereotypes. This was published 10 years ago! Not a lot has changed in the marketing of books to kids or what they're drawn to. Girls still like princesses and ponies and boys generally like "boy" stuff. Wish in 10 years there still wasn't such a divide. I recently had to convince a boy "Baby Mouse" wasn't just a "girls book" because of the pink cover. He thought other kids would make fun of him for reading it. I told him I didn't know what other kids would do, but that would be wrong and he should be able to read the books he wants to read. It seems much easier for girls to read books with boy protagonists than vice versa. It warms my heart when I see a little dude checking out a Junie B. Jones book and not even blink an eye. Stories are stories, some we like better than others, some we identify with more than others, but all have the possibility of being an awesome book for us whether the cover is pink or blue.

     

Recommend both books to boys and girls. 

Kids sometimes have to be told cover art is NOT the whole story.

SRP Minecraft Party

Okay, my first 2015 summer reading program was a success. I spent a lot of time on Pinterest and saved the ideas to check out later and possibly expand for the Fall.

Only glitch: I had a vision of the peaceful "Calm" video game music playing in the background while doing our activities, but that didn't happen. Instead a teen volunteer had his guitar and occasionally strummed away. (Music related theme...check, sort of.)

Activities:

Pin the tail on the pig...must wear "Steve Head" box. :) They loved this!

Minecraft in real life: Lego block building (some kids did this the entire time).

Pixel selfies: 100's of 1 in. square construction pieces cut and pasted to a grid for a Minecraft self portrait.

Crafting table: Construct a Creeper box (template), word search, maze. Coloring pages.

Recipe table: Make slime balls. (Plenty of paper towels on hand.)



Treat to take away: TNT Twizzlers.

A Monster Calls

Okay, this is a good book. It is emotional...sad. I would say, not a book for elementary students because of its intensity. There are discussion questions in the back, if needed for book groups.Well written, and engaging (pulled an all-nighter because I wanted to know what happens). I saw some reviews that said it was a darkly funny book. I did not see more than one possible humorous moment and I am pretty good at picking up sarcasm and irony. I would say it is a book about a boy struggling to deal with his mom's illness. He has nightmares, a grandma he doesn't connect with, bullying at school, and a dad in another country. It's a lot to handle, but then on top of everything else, the monster arrives.

Here's a cool book trailer for it: 

Summer Reading Kick-Off

Another Summer Reading Kick-Off is in the books. It is my third one and each was VERY hot and sunny. (Better than rainy and jammed inside the library.) There was a good turn out by the community, terrific job by staff and awesome help from our teen volunteers. We had registration for the reading program and mini-golf inside. Outside we had a mini-carnival, bake sale, bounce house, craft table, lip-syncing, video game truck (cool), and my assignment: face painting. What a great way to say summer is here, let's have some fun at the library!

Popular face painting image and happy atmosphere of the day!

Tech Tuesday or Tinkerlab?

Coming up with new programs is fun. A theme, the activities, the details. I think planning is exciting, because of the anticipation of the outcome. Seeing the final program, the kids enjoyment, light bulb moments, smiles, even hugs is the icing on the cake. Right now, I'm starting to gather the ingredients to make the cake of a new program.

STE(+a)M and STEM are important to our Youth area and that is why I'm developing a new STE(+a)M program for upper elementary kids. Wanted something casual, almost drop-in, open access style after school. Give kids exposure to different types of technology (3-D printer, snap circuits, littleBits, etc.) we have at the library, but not have it be like a class. I'd like it more experimental, playful, fun. Hopefully, the experience will pique their curiosity and they'll want more.

Next step, catchy name to promote concept. So far I like Tech Tuesday or Tinkerlab. Almost time to bake this cake!

Summer Reading For Grown-Ups!

The kids are out of school (and my school library position is on hiatus until Aug.) so it must be time for Summer Reading! Yay! Even as a grown-up, I've always felt summer was the time to catch up on all the books I want to read for fun. I'll make a list, check with my reading buddy (Hi Linda!), and participate in the library's adult reading program. There is no wheel of fortune genre pick at the library this year (Comedy 2 years in a row for me! Ug! Although, Hope: A Tragedy was a great dark comedy) , so just picking some books that look interesting. I'll probably still fit in a few juv fiction and/or picture books, but I can't wait to get started on some grown-up reading.