Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson

This novel opens up with a quote from Death Cab for Cutie: Love is watching someone die. But while you should probably prepare yourself for a tearjerker, there are also a number of layers to this story that might surprise you.

Taylor Edwards and her family used to always spend summers at the lake in Pennsylvania, at least until after the summer she was twelve. The summer of the botched romance, the fallout with her best friend, and the inability to confront any of her fears. But this year, they are going back to spend one last season all together at their summerhouse. With the news of late stage cancer, this will likely be her dad's last summer ever.

There are certainly a lot of "issues" packed into this thick novel, but the story manages to be touching and frustrating at all the right times, and even if it doesn't resonate with every reader, there is value in the message that lives are meant to be lived, not avoided. Morgan Matson also wrote the beloved Amy & Roger's Epic Detour.

Reviewed by kate the librarian.

What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

When you move around a lot and don't really want anyone to ask you questions about your life "before," or get to know you too well before you up and leave again, it could be a challenge or an opportunity. Mclean Sweet is determined to take advantage of her semi-nomadic life with her dad and create new opportunities in every down, including new names, new wardrobes, and new personalities along with new schools and new friends.

But in Lakeview, it all starts when Mclean just won't stay hidden. Usually she easily transforms into Beth or Eliza Sweet, but this time she's Mclean. And then there are these friends that are basically finding her, rather than the other way around. And Dave, with whom she discovers she can actually have honest conversations -- and maybe even an honest relationship?

Also, try Dessen's Along for the Ride for your cravings of not-quite-fluffy chick lit.

Announcing Teen Summer Reading winners!

Congratulations to the winners of the 2010 Teen Summer Reading Program Grand Prize Winners! Fifty-eight Franklin Lakes teens signed up to be part of the Teen Summer Reading Program this year for a chance to complete checklists, attend programs, make crafts, participate in contest, and submit their name for chance to win one of three fabulous grand prizes: a Sony Reader Touch Edition, an iPod touch, or a Flip UltraHD Camcorder! Over 60 checklists were completed and contest entries submitted, and over 1360 books were logged! Thank you to all participating families who made this summer both successful and fun!

Congratulations are in order to all participants, especially the following:

Caroline won a Flip UltraHD Camcorder ~
Neha won an iPod touch ~
Katherine won a Sony Reader Touch Edition ~

A very special prize is awarded to Alon for submitting the greatest number of checklists this summer! Twenty-six in all!

Margaux is the winner of the Make Waves Creative Writing Contest for teens ~
Grant is the winner of the Book Cover Re-Design Contest ~
Matthew and Michael each received special runners-up prizes for their superb Book Cover Designs ~

Margaux's writing can be found in the previous post, and you can check out the Book Cover Re-Designs in the Teen Room!

Congrats to our Summer Reading Creative Writing Contest winner!

The Make Waves Creative Writing Contest challenge was to submit an original piece of writing that somehow, someway tied into the overall theme of water or the Teen Summer Reading Program slogan "Make Waves." Margaux was chosen as the library's winner. Congrats Margaux!


As I sit on the Hilton Head Island beach in South Carolina, I stare out into the ocean and look as far as I can see. It goes on for miles and miles, but all I see are waves crashing onto the smooth sand.

The rough waves break onto the surface. But once the impact is over, the ocean releases the salty water and it gently glides across the shore. The sea quickly pulls the water back in as if nothing happened. I continue to gaze at the shoreline and this action continues to happen. Each wave rocks back and forth from the massive waters to the soggy grounds.

The waves sound like airplanes flying by on a clear day. It also sounds like leaves rustling against one another in a heavy wind. The noise makes for a soothing crash that can put me to sleep instantly.