The Librarian Writer

If you've been following my blog, I'd be stunned. There's a huge gap between my last post and now. Because life. So I'm doing a rethink of what I want this blog to be. What I have to say that's worth my time and yours. If you have any ideas, I'd love to hear them. Until next time, Monica

Title: The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B Author: Teresa Toten Publisher: Delacorte Press Publication Date: March 10, 2015 ISBN-13: 978-0553507867 304 pp. ARC provided by publisher If this gem of a book slipped your notice when it first came out, go ahead and put it on your TBR pile. It's one of those sad, funny, honest, and ultimately optimistic contemporary YA novels that remind you why you love YA. Adam starts group therapy for his OCD and is instantly captivated by fellow OCD sufferer, Robyn. As the group bonds over superheroes as a way to express themselves, Adam becomes Batman to Robyn's Robin (I see what you've done there) . But as much as Adam wants to get better - for the group, for his mom, for his little brother, for himself, and especially for Robyn - he's not. He's getting worse and there's no way he can save Robyn when he can't even save himself. You can tell that Teresa Toten loves her characters and has done the res...

Now that the shitstorm that was 2016 is over, it's time to greet the New Year with some hope. I have sorely neglected this blog, but I hope to do better this year. In fact, that's pretty much my resolution for the year. To do better. Not perfect. But better. Better will do. 2016 isn't something to put behind me, but something to learn from. So here's a bit of optimism for 2017:

Title: Eden West  Author: Pete Hautman Publisher: Candlewick Publication Date: April 14, 2015 ISBN-13: 978-0763674182  320 pp. ARC provided by publisher This is a book that could be confused for dystopia at first glance. Jacob lives in the community of Nodd, home to the people known as the Grace. Their prophet, who has a penchant for young wives, says that the Grace will be spared when the rest of the world is destroyed. The fences and guns are there to protect the Grace from the impending evil outside. But Jacob actually lives on a ranch in Montana and life within a cult is the only life he remembers. When Tobias and his family join the Grace, very much against Tobias' will, Jacob begins to question their strict rules and the punishments that follow if they're broken. Jacob also meets Lynna, a Worldly girl who lives on the ranch nearby. Lynna wants to know about Jacob and the Grace and Jacob finds her simple questions more and more difficult to answer....

Hey everyone! Summertime is the perfect opportunity to catch up on the Teens' Top Ten nominees. Check out the video below for the 2016 nominees. Happy reading!

Title: Secret Coders Author: Gene Luen Yang Illustrator: Mike Holmes Publisher: First Second Publication Date: September 29, 2015 ISBN-13: 978-1626720756 96 pp. ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley Secret Coders is exactly the kind of book I love to booktalk, especially when promoting Summer Reading Club. It has a mystery, it has a diverse cast, it has basketball, it has a friendship theme, and it has STEM. And best of all, it's a graphic novel. Graphic novels are my go-to booktalk because they appeal to kids who say they don't like to read. These kids may have reading difficulties, they may be English learners, or maybe they just haven't found the right book yet. But a graphic novel, especially one like Secret Coders , has the visual appeal to grab their interest and keep them turning pages. Mike Holmes delivers a lively and cartoony style. His artwork during the coding explanations are clear and accessible. Secret Coders is the first in a se...