Book Boxes

...made from discarded library books! I think that our favorite part was ripping the pages from the attached covers -- gasp! There's just something about destroying something sacred that feels so gratifying. :) This is what we started with:



And this was the result... Fun times!

Duct Tape

We had an awesome time with Duct tape at one of the Crafternoon programs as part of the Express Yourself! Teen Summer Reading Program at the library. There is so, so much you can do with Duct tape (pretty much anything, really!). Here are some pictures of Taylor making this totally functional, practical bag:



For some great ideas for Duct tape projects, try some of these links:
www.ducktapeclub.com (check out their Ductivities; also, you can purchase some great colors of tape from this site)
http://thecraftychica.blogspot.com (this is where we found directions for the bag that Taylor's putting together)
http://www.seanm.ca/duct-tape/wallet.html
Also, I can't get enough of Hardwear Jewlery where they also have directions from some jewelry you can create using Duct or electrical tape.

BOOK CLUB - NOV - The Absolutely True Story of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

Very often, I avoid books that get a lot of press. Very often when I do that, I'm missing out on some awesome books. (I found this out with Hunger Games and Harry Potter. It's a good thing I got into Twilight before anyone knew about it.) Sherman Alexie's YA title has gotten some rave reviews from day one, and it's a National Book Award winner, so naturally I just got around to reading it this week (because I had to). And I have to say, for a story that took me about an hour to read all the way through (maybe I'm exaggerating), I don't know what took me so long!

Fourteen-year-old Junior wants more from life than to epitomize the stereotypical life of a Native American on the Spokane Indian Reservation. He doesn't want to grow up to be a drunk like his dad or an ex-drunk like his mom. He's one of the smartest kids in his class, and with a little encouragement, he wants to believe that he can contribute to making the world a better place... so he tells his family that he wants to enroll at a (mostly white, middle- to upper-class suburban, prejudiced) school off the rez. The story follows Junior as he attempts to make his way through daily life as an outsider at his new school, and his struggles to play his role as a member of the rez. With touching authenticity, Junior finds hope in his dreams.

Recommended for all teen and adult readers. The illustrations add the best touches of humor to a story that absolutely, truly relates to those from all walks of life.
Call number: YA ALEXIE (Teen Room)

Reviewed by kate the librarian

Book Club - JULY 22 - The Gospel According To Larry

Josh Swensen is not your average 17-year-old. At the age of two, he was figuring out algebraic equations with colored magnetic numbers. He is a prodigy who only wants to make the world a better place. Josh's wish comes true when his virtual alter ego, Larry, becomes a huge media sensation. Larry has his own Web site where he posts sermons on anti-consumerism and has a large following of adults and teens. Meanwhile, Larry's identity is a mystery to everyone. While it seems as if the whole world is trying to figure out Larry's true identity, Josh feels trapped inside his own creation. What will happen to the world, and to Larry, if he is exposed?

Ø In his quest to be antimaterialistic, Josh has just seventy-five possessions, including shirts, shoes, keys, books, CDs, and underwear. If you had to limit the things you own to seventy-five items, what would they be?

Ø Josh states, "I've only wanted one thing in my life–to contribute, to help make the world a better place . . . not with technology, but with ideas." Is Josh true to his vision?

Ø Is the way Josh/Larry manipulates his followers any different from the way the media, big business, or politicians manipulate the public?

Ø Josh steals confidential documents from Peter's briefcase in order to attack the companies his stepfather represents. Is he right to do this? Does the end justify the means?

Ø Paint a picture of Josh's character. Why is it that he has only one friend? Discuss his relationship with Beth. Do you think he would have created the Larry Web site if he had told Beth how he felt about her?

Ø Discuss the ethics of spouting views on the Internet, or in any medium, under a false identity. Betagold claims that Larry is a coward for keeping his identity a secret. Do you agree? Or is Larry right to think that revealing who he is would detract from his message?

Ø Discuss Josh's motivation for creating the Larry Web site. Is he being honest or is he just playing a game? He is disturbed by the magnitude of the response to his Web site and by the hero he becomes, but he does not close down the web site. Why?
Josh is disillusioned by the reaction of the public once his identity is known. No one seems to be interested in his message–people are interested only in him as a celebrity. The producer of 20/20 tells him, "They want to know about you. You're the story, just you. People want gossip; people want sizzle." Ø What does this tell you about how the media views the public? What happens when the sizzle fizzles?

Ø Josh says that we feast on celebrities, caring for people who have no idea who we are. How do you feel about this? Should we care about the private lives of our favorite rock stars? If you were a celebrity, how would you handle fame?

Ø "No offense, Josh, but this idealism thing is a phase, like so many other things you've been through. . . . You don't have enough life experience. You don't know how the real world works yet." How much of what Peter says to Josh is true, or is it as Josh responds, "Adults always say that to keep kids quiet?"

Ø Some of Josh's actions might be considered unethical. Do you think anything Josh does is immoral? Is the writing of his story the solution for Josh, or is it just another way to avoid taking responsibility? How will Josh find peace? Is he on the right path?

Ø Josh's/Larry's sermons rail against exploitation of third-world countries, celebrity worship, and the way big business manipulates our lives, to name a few issues. What are the things about society that you and your friends hope to change?

**Summary and discussion questions were obtained from Random House and the Teen Reads blog (as prepared by Clifford Wohl, educational consultant).

And to eat? Mmm... apples with peanut butter...

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

I'm reading the second book of the Twilight series, New Moon. It's a great book and very entertaining. I highly recommend this series to all young adults.

Call number: YA Meyer (Teen Room)

Reviewed by Caroline, age 12

Lemonade Mouth by Mark Peter Hughes

This story is for the outcasts. The rebels. The loners. The activitsts, innovators, expressionists, and those who desire to be more - so much more - than how the world labels them. This story is for those who are who they are, and don't need to prove anything to anyone. This story is for those who don't even know who they are yet.

Naomi is Olivia's best friend and the self-recognized Scene Queen for Opequonsett High School's school paper. And she's now the "official biographer" who attempts to tell the full, complete story of the creation and development of the band, Lemonade Mouth. As a journalist, she collects pieces of the story from each of the key elements: Wen (trumpet) is looking forward to finding some new friends (any friends would be great, really) in 9th grade; Stella (ukalele) is the dumbest member of her scientist-activist family, is the new kid in town, and is like six feet tall; Charlie (drums times 10) is always getting teased about his weight and his frizzy hair, and he just wants a chance with Mo; Olivia (vocals) is a little overweight, super quiet, and kind of weird (maybe you would be too if your mom skipped out when you were little and your dad's in jail for armed robbery and manslaughter); and Mohini (bass) is totally struggling with her desire to make her Indian family proud and to live a normal American teenage life, complete with a boyfriend. Oh, and of course, there's Mrs. Reznik who used to be a bassist with the Newport Philharmonic, but now she's stuck in the basement in a high school where the music program has been eliminated.

Alternately hilarious and heartwarming, Lemonade Mouth's music touches lives -- especially their own -- in ways that each member would never have thought possible.

Recommended for readers and musicians of all ages.
Request this book through the BCCLS catalog or ask a librarian.

Reviewed by kate the librarian

Transformers II

Last week I saw the movie Transformers : Revenge of the Fallen with a few friends of mine. To me, it was an amazing movie full of action and adventure. I recommend this movie to anyone 10 years old and older, even though it is rated PG-13 (note: which just means you might need to see it with your mom or dad). The reason I recommend it to all ages is because it is so full of excitement that you'll walk out of the theater amazed at how great the movie was.

Reviewed by Caroline, age 12