We've Moved!

We've moved the blog! All the same great posts are available HERE. Don't miss the most recent content.

Don't be afraid of BANNED BOOKS (In honor of banned books week!)

 

Happy Banned Books Week to you! More importantly, CONGRATULATIONS on your ability to read freely! Know what this all means? Let's let the American Library Association explain shall we? Banned Books Week is an opportunity to bring attention to "the value of free and open access to information and celebrates the freedom to seek, to publish, to read, and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular. By focusing on efforts across the country to remove or restrict access to books, Banned Books Week draws national attention to the harms of censorship".

The photos below show some of the great products of our "fREADom" YA Banned Books Week event. We hope you stop by to check out our Banned Books Week Display to discover what popular YA novels we have that were challenged or banned across the US recently.

 

Also, here is a great article (and video) about one anonymous donor's effort to challenge the censorship of a popular YA novel in South Carolina.

Literary Playlist: To All the Boys I've Loved Before

According to author Jenny Han, developing a literary playlist for her books is a tool she uses repeatedly to envelop her in the story and thoughts of her protagonist as she is writing:
"For every book I write, I create a playlist that I go back to again and again to help transport me into the story and into the main character's mindset. The To All the Boys playlist is a blend of songs that Lara Jean would listen to, songs that remind me of her, and songs that score certain scenes in my head."

Jenny Han was kind enough to share the playlist she developed for her light-hearted teen romance, To All the Boys I've Loved Before!




You can find the playlist and book review at this Amazon link or see the youtube playlist below. Enjoy!

Hello and Hey from your new YA! ... Librarian

I know, I know. You are looking at this post and thinking, well this is definitely going to be a sad excuse for a literary playlist. I am also a day late. Oops! Don't fret! 1) This isn't a literary playlist at all and 2) we'll get back to those lyrical and literary wonder-posts next month!

We have a transition to note, first! We can't let the YA blog history pass without recognizing the great librarians that write all the goofy stuff on this site.

This month we had to say goodbye (and did so in a depressed and very reluctant fashion) to the wonderful Half-Crazed Librarian (the first) who started this blog. She has since moved on to other great opportunities including going to school for her very own MASTERS in Library Sciences! We didn't want to see her go, but that is one darn good reason to have to. I have no doubt she is blazing new trails and getting all As on her future reports and essays. We love you and wish you well!

This is where I come in. Someone had to step up to the plate and attempt to do justice to the great work that they Half-Crazed Librarian (the first) has done for the teen scene at Massanutten Regional Library. And here I am. I am new to YA programming but I am not new to being a teen (I was one about a decade ago... or so). I love YA literature and am a particular fan of any and all books of the magical realism genre and any and all books featuring a POC (person of color) protagonist. Combine the two and I am one happy reader! I have a lot to learn in this position, am very excited to try new things, and am looking for any and all advice, enthusiasm, and recommendations from YOU (that is if you are a teen and/or are interested in YA literature and programming).

I am going to call myself... yes, get ready...

....


wait for it....

....


The half-crazed librarian! The second. 

Ok, ok, ok. It isn't original BUT I have my reasons (technological, computer-y-type reasons to be more specific). I'll likely continue with the themed-post you saw our former half-crazed librarian but hope to put some new posts up for you to read as well.

So keep an eye out for the classics like YA book club and those beloved literary playlists but, who knows, maybe you'll see something different arise on this feed in the near future as well.

Till next post, adieu!

August Book Club Post!

Title: The Young Elites

Author: Marie Lu

Copyright: 2014

Call Number: YA Fiction LU

Adelina Amouteru has been treated poorly most of her life. After the plague left her deformed, her father abused her but worshiped her sister. Adelina escapes her hometown, but not before a terrible accident leaves her wanted for murder. She runs into The Young Elites, a group of plague survivors who also have inexplicable powers.

As Adelina discovers strength she didn't know she had, she finds herself intertwined in the complicated lives of the people around her. The other Young Elites have varied histories and powers. Adelina and other malfettos--children scarred by the plague--are treated as subhuman in the city. As if her life wasn't complicated enough already, Adelina is approached by the leader of The Dagger Society, a group of government soldiers dedicated to destroying all malfettos. What can he offer her if she betrays the Young Elites?

The characters are complex, the stakes high, and the missions dangerous. Adelina becomes the antihero you didn't know you needed. Fans of The Orphan Queen, A Game of Thrones, and Midnight Thief will love the world Lu creates. The next book in the series, The Rose Society, is due in October. A sneak peek is available from Penguin Teen. (They also made the amazing chart below.)

via Penguin Teen

The Young Elites is one of our 2015 Teens' Top Ten books. See a full list of books here.

Literary Playlist: After Tupac & D Foster

I could give my own review of Jacqueline Woodson's After Tupac & D Foster, but this book trailer says it all:

[Do you have your own book trailer or an idea for one? Send it to us!]

Now hit play on this After Tupac & D Foster literary playlist to see what the girls were talking about.
[NOTE: This is a playlist of songs the author mentioned in the book. MRL is not responsible for nor does it endorse the content of non-MRL websites. Users should use critical judgment in relying on information found in these websites and determine what information is appropriate to their needs.]

Teens' Top Ten Books!!!

You guys may remember that we received some books last year to try out. We have more this year! There are seriously hardly any on the shelf, which means that you guys love them!

1. Check out these books.
2. Read/enjoy/love them.
3. When TTT voting comes around, vote for your favorites.

That's it!

Here are the books:

• Let's Get Lost by Adi Alsaid
• As Leila struggles to come to terms with her new life, she grasps for the only thing she knows is real, the northern lights. On her cross-country trip to see them, she meets four people that not only change her, but change because of her. She helps them in ways they didn't know they needed, and they help her more than she realizes.
• Don't Look Back by Jennifer L. Armentrout
• Samantha's mind is a blank slate after she disappeared with her best frienemy, Cassie. However, when Cassie's dead body turns up, Samantha's memories are the only clue to what happened that night. Unfortunately, Sam not having any memories may be the only thing keeping her alive. 
• Midnight Thief by Livia Blackburne
• Kyra is a thief. A talented one at that. When the leader of the mysterious Assassin's Guild offers her a job, she isn't sure. Tristam of Brancel is a Palace knight. When his best friend is murdered by the Demon Riders, a clan of fierce warriors who ride on bloodthirsty wildcats, he vows to take them down. Each time, he is thwarted by a talented thief, one who can easily slip past the Palaces defenses. When they are thrown together on a raid, they realize that their best-if only chance at survival is to join together. Loyalties are tested and a surprising secret is learned about Kyra's past-one that threatens to reshape their lives. 
• Mortal Gods by Kendare Blake
• For the first time ever, Cassandra and Athena have a mutual goal: to kill the remaining gods and goddesses that have taken refuge on Mount Olympus. If they could just figure out how to work together, they might be able to accomplish it. 
• The Bane Chronicles by Cassandra Clare
• Magnus Bane, the mysterious High Warlock of New York, has been alive for a long time and has a mysterious past unknown to most of his companions. In this thrilling novel, secrets and stories are revealed, of lovers, of adventures, and of friendships. 
• The Inventor's Secret by Andrea Cremer
• In a steampunk world, after the British Empire won the Revolutionary War, a young Patriot named Charlotte finds a boy in the woods, running from British war machines. When he claims he cannot remember anything, she and the other rebels with her decide to find his true origin by going to the heart of the Empire: New York.
• Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira
• After the death of her older sister, Laurel tries to cope with her feelings of guilt and anger with what starts out as an English assignment: write a letter to a dead person. As Laurel adjusts to high school and makes new friends, she continues writing letters to her idols. They become more detailed and thoughtful as she tries to grieve over her sister and works up the courage to finally be able to talk about the secret of her death. 
• Into the Dark: The Shadow Prince by Bree Despain
• Haden, the disgraced son of Ren Hades, King of the Underworld, has been chosen to go to the surface and bring back Daphne Vince, his boon. Daphne's alcoholic rock star father is giving her the chance she has dreamed of to further her music career, but in California, further away from home than she's ever been. Their fates are entwined, and they're about to meet for the first time. 
• To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
• Lara Jean has a teal hatbox under her bed filled with all her precious things, old feelings, and memories that should be buried forever. In that box, there are letters Lara has written to all the boys she has ever loved with no intention of ever sending them. One day, the hat box goes missing, marking the beginning of a series of confrontations she never thought she’d have to face. 
• Unhinged by A.G. Howard
• Finally back in the “real world” all Alyssa has left is to ignore her darker side and enjoy the normality of high school and her life with Jeb. But does Wonderland leave her alone? Can the Red Queen let Alyssa get away with what she has done? Everything would be easier if Morpheus didn’t show up for school one day to tempt her with another dangerous quest.
• The Young Elites by Marie Lu
• Adelina Amounteru is a survivor of the plague, a Malfetto, a freak to the rest of society. The treatment of abuse over the years has caused a darkness to brew inside her. She believes there is hope for her yet as there is a group of other Malfettos, called the Young Elites. The Young Elites have not only survived the plague, but have developed unexplainable abilities. Is refuge with these people what Adelina always wanted, or are they just going to end up using her like everyone else?
• Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas
• Celaena, the King’s Champion, has faced many challenges throughout her life, but none compare to what she must now face. As the King of Adarlan seeks to destroy all that she cares about, Celaena must learn to control her powers while deciding who should fight back: Celaena the assassin or Aelin the Fae princess. 
• Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson
• Emily and Sloane are the bestest friends having an amazing summer, until one day Sloane disappears. Sloane leaves behind a to-do list of 13 tasks Emily would normally never try without Sloane by her side. With the help of Frank Porter, and a few other friends, will Emily finish the list?
• The Shadow Throne by Jennifer A. Nielsen
• War is on the horizon in Carthya, and Jaron needs to protect his country. However, the ruler of Avenia has also captured Jaron’s best friend and love, Imogen. Jaron needs to save both his friend and his country, but everything that possibly could go wrong, does go wrong. 
• My Life with the Walter Boys by Ali Novak
• As the perfect girl who had everything scheduled, always looked nice and studied hard, Jackie couldn't predict her parents’ accident. She also didn't see her future consisting of moving from New York to Colorado and living with twelve boys. How can she cope with her parents’ death, a dramatic change in lifestyle while still being the perfect girl she was? 
• The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson
• As Lia tries to run from her bounty hunters, she begins uncovering one of her kingdoms deceptive secrets, hidden by the years passed. Meanwhile, she begins falling in love with two men who are not who they seem to be... 
• The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski
• Kestrel is a noble of the vast empire Valoria. She only has two choices for her future: to become a military officer or get married. What she really wants is to be a musician. Her choice for her future becomes more complicated when she buys a slave named Arin who is in on a plot to free his people from enslavement. 
• Fire & Flood by Victoria Scott
• Tella Holloway thought her life was bad. When she gets an invitation to save her brother Cody’s life, she learns what bad really is. Tella fights for not only Cody, but herself, her Pandora, and her growing love of a contender. It’s a fight for life, but will Tella die trying? 
• I Become Shadow by Joe Shine
• Ren Sharpe was abducted at fourteen, chosen by the mysterious F.A.T.E. Center to become a Shadow: an unstoppable guardian of a future leader/world changer. After four years of training, she is assigned to protect Gareth Young, one of these future beings, an easy assignment, until a team of trained and armed professionals attempt to abduct him in broad daylight. With nowhere else to turn, Ren breaks F.A.T.E. rules and tracks down the only person she can trust; a fellow Shadow named Junie Miller, and decides that her kidnappers may be able to see the future, but they are unprepared for the killing machines they've created.
• Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith
• Grasshopper Jungle is a coming of age story revolving around three teenagers, told in layers, exploring the pitfalls and wisdom of history, complex issues of friendship and sexual confusion, and, of course, the story of how six-foot-tall man-eating praying mantises from Iowa, brought on the end of the world.
• The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith
• Lucy and Owen get stuck in an elevator in a New York City blackout. When they finally get out of the elevator, they spend the night looking at the stars. Soon after the blackout, Lucy moves away to Scotland while Owen heads out west. With that night in-grained into their minds, they try to stay in touch with each other while trying to figure out what that night truly meant for both of them. 
• Boys Like You by Juliana Stone
• Monroe and Nathan are alike in so many ways. Their "one mistake" has hurt both of them and the ones they love. Can Monroe accept herself and help Nathan to do the same? 
• We Should Hang Out Sometimes by Josh Sundquist
• Josh is a boy who's good with math, but not with girls. He has the best pickup line- We should hang out sometime- but he never really gets a relationship out of it. Now, after many girlfriendless years, he tries to figure out why.
• Lies We Tell Ourselves by Robin Talley
• As if being one of the first black students to attend Jefferson High School wasn't enough, Sarah Dunbar has to worry about keeping her secret. Linda Hairston, is the daughter of one of Davisburg's most vocal opponents to integration in schools. She too has a secret. When these two very different girls are forced to work together on a school project, both are forced to confront the harsh truths about race, power and love.

And here are some pictures of teens enjoying them:

2nd Annual Harry Potter Party!!!

Whoa, guys. You should be soooo stoked for the Harry Potter party on July 31 (check out the deets at the bottom). To get in the mood, here are some cool HP links to check out:

• Daniel Radcliffe said he can't wait to see Fantastic Beasts, but will he be in the movie? He says no, but of course people are speculating that he will.
• Speaking of Fantastic Beasts, you could be the newest star! Producers are holding a casting call in London on July 18 to find an actress for the role of Modesty. Luna Lovegood herself is signal boosting the call!
• How much would it cost to go to Hogwarts? Research has been done, and the result is staggering. Reports say that with Galleon-to-Dollar conversion, Hogwarts tuition would be around $43,031 a year. WHOA. Makes you appreciate Ron's parents even more.
• Fandoms collide! Here is a selfie of cast members for Game of Thrones, Doctor Who, and Harry Potter. [If you don't know what a fandom is, check out The Fangirl's Guide to the Galaxy: A Handbook for Geek Girls by Sam Maggs (YA 302.23 M).]

I think this photo is gonna make the world implode..... Last night was really great #sdcc2015

A photo posted by @maisie_williams on Jul 12, 2015 at 11:01am PDT

• 100 Things You Didn't Know About Harry Potter
• Test Your Knowledge of Spells
• What's in Hermione Granger's inbox?
• 23 Times Harry Potter Characters Made Deeply Questionable Choices
• What Job Would You Have in the 'Harry Potter' Wizarding World?
• Can You Guess The "Harry Potter" Character By These Emojis?
• Can You Guess Which "Harry Potter" Book These Chapter Illustrations Are From?
• Fans of Rainbow Rowell's Fangirl know about HP-style fanfic. Here is one HP fanfic that has been gaining attention lately, even though it was published in 2001. What do you prefer: Harry Potter fanfic or "Carry On" by Fangirl's protagonist, Cath?
• There is mass hysteria surrounding Harper Lee's Go Set a Watchman. Some bookstores are preparing for Harry Potter-like crowds. But this article from Quartz claims that the excitement surrounding the books is J.K. Rowling's fault. What?! Do you blame Queen Jo for fervent children's book fans?
• This fan-made Marauders prequel is everything.

Happy Birthday, Harry Potter! @ Main Library

7/31/2015

July 31 is Harry's birthday, and it marks when he first gets his Hogwarts letter. Come out to the Library and celebrate this super wizard's birthday with crafts, games & snacks! Don't forget to dress as your favorite character!

Location:
Main Library - downtown Harrisonburg




UPDATE: 
The director of some of the HP movies wants to make more!! Yes, please!!!

Bonus Post: New Mockingjay Part 2 Stuff!!!

Via Forbes.com

Via moviepilot.com

Book Parody Songs!!

This is a different kind of literary playlist. Here are all kinds of book/library parody songs. Hit play and you'll be LOL'ing all the way to the library! (Yes, there are a lot of "All About Them Books" songs. Just go with it.)

July Book Club Post!

Title: Vivian Apple at the End of the World

Author: Katie Coyle

Copyright: 2015

Call Number: YA Fiction COY (at North River)

When Vivian Apple goes home the morning after the supposed apocalypse, she finds two holes in the ceiling of her parents' bedroom. In fact, a lot of people turn up missing. Most of them were devout believers in the Church of America. Vivian and her best friend, Harp, never believed, and now they've been left behind.

In this first book in a series (Vivian Apple Needs a Miracle is due out Fall 2015), Vivian sets out across the country to find the truth. Where did her parents go? Was Beaton Frick, founder of the Church of America, right about the Rapture? What should she do next?
What she discovers may be more than she can handle.

Katie Coyle does an amazing job with Vivian Apple at the End of the World. It's everything you want from a book: major character progression, complex themes relevant to today's society, nice mix of comedy and action. There also ISN'T a love triangle! How rare! Coyle also offers some extras to complete your VAatEofW (that's way too long, never mind)-reading experience. She posted a road trip playlist and excerpt of the book here, and here is the official book trailer:

Bonus Post: July Events at MRL!!!

You guys, we have tons of stuff to do this month!!

1. Free Fridays:
   Every Friday you can visit a new place for free! All you need is your Free Friday wristband (you should have gotten it when you signed up for summer reading). This month:
   July 3 - Valley Lanes, 1-7 PM
   July 10 - Mulligan's Golf Center, 9 AM - 9 PM
   July 17 - Putter A Round, 11 AM - 5 PM
   July 24 - Pump It Up, 9 AM - 10 PM (register online)
   July 31 - White Oak Lavender Farm, 10 AM - 5 PM
2. Family Flicks:
   We're showing 4 more movies in our Family Flicks series! Visit our website for dates and times.
3. Super Screenings:
   We're also showing movies for adults! These are PG & PG-13. Ask a parent if you can come to these showings.
4. (Amazingly Awesome and Fantastic) Teen Events:
   Superhero Survival Skills: Managing Money - Wednesday, July 8, 7 PM
   Superhero Survival Skills: Cooking (without a stove) - Wednesday, July 22, 7 PM
   Happy Birthday, Harry Potter! - Friday, July 31, 12:30 PM

Be sure to visit our website for more information! See you at the library!

BREAKING NEWS: Harry Potter the Play!!!!

too excited. can't talk. can't capitalize. just read:

From BBC.com:

JK Rowling has announced her Harry Potter stage play will open in London's West End next year. 

Called Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, it will tell the "untold part" of the boy wizard's story, including the story of the lives of his murdered parents. 

However, the author said on Twitter the play was "not a prequel". 

It will run at the Palace Theatre in the summer of 2016, with tickets on sale this autumn. 

Rowling said she chose to make the announcement on Friday because it was "a very special day" - the 18th anniversary of when her debut book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, was first published in the UK. 

But she was tight-lipped about the plot of the play, saying she did not "want to say too much more, because I don't want to spoil what I know will be a real treat for fans". 

She added: "To answer one inevitable (and reasonable!) question - why isn't Cursed Child a new novel? I am confident that when audiences see the play they will agree that it was the only proper medium for the story." 

The play was first announced in December 2013, after the author said she had "received countless approaches" over the years "about turning Harry Potter into a theatrical production". 

Although the new story has not been written by Rowling, it is a collaboration between herself and writer Jack Thorne - who previously adapted Let The Right One In for the stage and won a Bafta for his work on Channel 4's This is England '88 - and John Tiffany, who will also direct the play. 

It will be produced by Sonia Friedman and Colin Callender, and British singer Imogen Heap will provide the music.

The plot details might still be hazy, but there's little doubt Harry Potter and the Cursed Child will have a magical effect at the West End box office. 

It will be at the 1,400-seat Palace Theatre, which was home to theatrical blockbuster Les Miserables for a record 19 years. 

JK Rowling's success needs no introduction, but the new Harry Potter play reunites the creative dream team behind the stage adaptation of supernatural love story Let The Right One In. 

When it comes to West End hits, producer Sonia Friedman has a golden touch. Her biggest successes include Book of Mormon and Sunny Afternoon, while her musical Bend It Like Beckham kicked off to rave reviews this week. 

When it opens in summer 2016 the play is likely to spark the kind of Potter-mania that surrounded the release of the books and films. 

And it won't end there. The stage show will be closely followed by the Potter film spin-off Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them in November 2016. 

Eddie Redmayne will star in a movie adaptation of Rowling's Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them 

"Jack, John and Sonia Friedman are a dream team," Rowling said. 

"It has been a huge pleasure to share with them (and soon, with you!) this untold part of Harry's story." 

Producers originally said the play would explore "the previously untold story of Harry's early years as an orphan and outcast". 

"Featuring some of our favourite characters from the Harry Potter books, this new work will offer a unique insight into the heart and mind of the now legendary young wizard," they said. 

The Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye claimed The Cursed Child would "delve into what happened to Harry's parents before they were killed by Lord Voldemort, forcing an infant Harry to be raised in miserable circumstances by his mother's sister, Petunia, her horrid husband Vernon and their spoiled son Dudley". 

Rowling's seven Harry Potter best-sellers were adapted into eight blockbuster films starring Daniel Radcliffe as the boy wizard. 

The author is making her screenwriting debut on Potter spin-off film Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, starring Eddie Redmayne, due in cinemas next November.

Literary Playlist: Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist

With a title like Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist, you have to know the music references are going to be solid.

I could list alllll the songs mentioned in the book, or I could give you a playlist that the authors picked themselves. We'll go with the latter.

Here are Rachel Cohn's & David Levithan's acknowledgements (special thanks to people who helped with the book) in playlist form.
[NOTE: This is a playlist of songs the author mentioned in the book. MRL is not responsible for nor does it endorse the content of non-MRL websites. Users should use critical judgment in relying on information found in these websites and determine what information is appropriate to their needs.]

Song-Novel Adaptations, Please!!

Okay, this is totally something I would write, but I didn't! This article from The Booklist Reader takes three songs that would be perfect as YA novels, talks about how the lyrics would match the plot, and then gives some actual YA suggestions for you to read! Love it! 

What do you think? Are there any songs you can imagine as YA novels? What about YA books that seem like albums? (Look at our literary playlists for inspiration!) 

Comment with your suggestions and picks!

Cool Online Articles!!!

There have been TONS of book articles I've been saving up for you guys. Here they are!

• According to this article from CBC News, a girl in Canada was forbidden from reading while riding the bus! 
• Have you ever read a contemporary YA book and thought the story just wasn't realistic? This article from Mic.com wonders what YA book plots would be like if they accurately reflected teens' real lives. 
• Remember how great it was to get a brand-new coloring book? The whole book was like a fresh canvas, and you felt like da Vinci, van Gogh, or Pollock, depending on your mood. Well now you can get that same feeling again, without buying a Shrek 3 coloring book that you secretly hid from your college roommate (or was that just me?). There are now coloring books for adults (or teens)! This article from the Washington Post explains why adult coloring books are so popular.
• Are there too many books in the world?? This article from The New York Review of Books wonders if we have too many literary options available to us.
• This article from Barron's calms our fears about eBooks vs. printed books. (It's okay! Books are still getting printed!) Apparently eBooks aren't getting more popular, and printed books aren't getting obsolete! 
• Speaking of eBooks and printed books, which do you think is the greener option? According to this Q&A on Grist.com, the best way to help the environment by reading is by visiting the library! Check out books from the library and share the literary love!
• For anyone who was severely underwhelmed by the Insurgent movie adaptation, check out this article from Buzzfeed. Maybe we should have been underwhelmed by the book itself?
• Neil Gaiman waxing poetic about Douglas Adams? Yes, please!
• This article from Buzzfeed shows some awesome book-themed infographics and charts. They range from what book to read next, to how long it would take you to read a certain book, to how being a reader is good for your health! Seriously, can we get these as posters??
• Need bookshelf suggestions? This article (another one from Buzzfeed; I have a problem) shows you 27 new ways to display your books!

MRL is not responsible for nor does it endorse the content of non-MRL websites. Users should use critical judgment in relying on information found in these websites and determine what information is appropriate to their needs.

Bonus Post: Movie Adaptation News!!!

via TheCapitol.pn

THE NEW MOCKINGJAY PART 2 POSTER IS AMAZING AND SO IS THE WEBSITE WHO ELSE IS WAY TOO EXCITED?!???!

And also this screencap posted by Jennifer Lawrence????!!!

Also also Academy Award winner Eddie Redmayne (from Les Miserables, The Theory of Everything) is going to play Newt Scamander in Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them!

Also also also two other popular YA books are getting turned into movies!!! One of the writers for the show The Blacklist will be adapting The Selection, and the producers of The Hunger Games will tackle Blackbird!!!

Also also also also here's the new Paper Towns trailer!!!

UPDATE: 

THE FEELS.

UPDATE 2: 
J.K. Rowling recently announced that in the upcoming film Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Newt Scamander will meet people from the U.S. VERSION OF HOGWARTS!!! We read in the FBaWtFT book (a special released for Comic Relief, which we just so happen to have copies in the library system) that wizarding schools are all over the world, including one in Salem, Massachusetts. Which leads us to wonder...

What do you think American wizarding schools are like? How are they different from or the same as Hogwarts? Comment with your ideas!

June Book Club!!!

One of our L.O.L. volunteers received an Advanced Reader Copy of Kindle the Flame by Tamara Shoemaker. (Kindle the Flame was just released yesterday! There is a Goodreads giveaway here, if you want to enter to win!)

Our volunteer posted her thoughts on her Goodreads account. Here is her review!

via Goodreads

Sarah Deloney's review
5 of 5 stars 

Recommended to Sarah by: Anne Tjaden
Recommended for: YA Fantasy fans
Read in May, 2015, read count: 1
This book is about two countries, of magical creatures and their trainers, on the brink of war. A power-thirsty king, named Sebastian, rules over one of the countries, building an army of unwilling people and mythical beasts. Every person is assigned to a clan and given a tattoo to signify what type of dimn (trainer) they are. The king is merciless towards uprising rebels like Ayden the dragon dimn, Kinna the pixie dimn, and Cedric the mysterious boy raised by a centaur. Ayden holds a grudge against the king for the despicable curse he first bore years ago. Kinna's tattoo will not not stay and her pixie persistently loathes her, so she rides away on horseback to unveil her murky past. Cedric seeks other humans to answer questions about his centaur mother and her crime against the others.
My favorite character is an orange haired pixie called Lincoln. He is Kinna's proclaimed protector and skilled at catching fish, normal pixie tricks, and provoking giggles when Kinna needs them. I can relate to Lincoln because he wants to help his friends and cheer them up when smiles are scarce. I also felt strong pity for Ayden when I discovered his deadly curse. Consequently, my favorite part had to be when Ayden was preparing revenge on the savage king Sebastian.
I immensely enjoyed this book because it has a twisting plot and is told by four contrasting perspectives. Little do the characters know how their destinies will intertwine. When these characters met for the first time I was on the edge of my seat, waiting for reactions, realizations, and revenge. Clashing viewpoints between the trio of rebels and the dastardly upperhand make the story exciting. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends. Anyone who searches for memorable fantasy romance has found what they need! Kindle the Flame

MRL is not responsible for nor does it endorse the content of non-MRL websites. Users should use critical judgment in relying on information found in these websites and determine what information is appropriate to their needs.

2015 Summer Reading Games!!!

It's here, everyone!!! You can now officially enter the Summer Reading Games!!! Sign up at any of the MRL branches (Main, North River, Grottoes, Village, Elkton, Page, or Shenandoah). You'll get a...

1. Gameboard
   Keep track of your reading! Every two hours, you'll get a Hero Prize. At ten hours, you'll receive a Superhero Prize Pack. For every hour after that, you can enter the drawing for one of our awesome prizes. All prizes have been graciously donated by these fantastic sponsors.
2. Super Pool Pass
   Get into a local pool for free next week (June 7-13). Participating pools are listed here.
3. Free Friday Wristband
   You can visit a new place every Friday for free! All you need is your Free Friday Wristband! Here is the Free Friday schedule this year. 

We also have some exciting programs planned. Here's what's coming up this summer: 

Every Hero Has a Story (ages 0-10)

• Dome Theater @ YOUR Library
• Fancy Nancy: The Musical @ YOUR Library
• Stories from Aunt Nelly's Mountain Home @ YOUR Library
• Family Flicks @ Main Library
• Join us for a family friendly movie in the Community Youth Center in the Youth Services Department!
• Films and dates are listed here.
• Summer STEM: Heroes of Design @ North River Library
• On Saturday, June 6, and Saturday, June 11, drop in to the North River Library between 10:30 AM and 12 noon to celebrate a well known hero who has created designs that better lifestyles for humankind and complete a creative design challenge of your own!
• Mission Rescue: Dogs in Need of Forever Homes @ North River Library
• Come to North River Library Thursday, June 11 @ 2 PM to hear from Laura Burchfield, a local teen whose family has made it their mission to rescue stray dogs and foster them until they find a forever home.
• Everyday Heroes @ Main Library
• Kids Like You! Saturday, June 6 @ 1 PM - stories from local kids who we think are real heroes!
• Harrisonburg Police Department, Saturday, June 13 @ 1 PM - Police vehicle display including a cruiser, the DARE Mustang, a motorcycle, a bicycle, and possibly a command post truck! Plus more fun activities inside.
• Fire Department, Saturday, July 11 @ 1 PM - A fire truck to check out as well as other interaction with real-life firefighters!
• Job of a Firefighter @ North River Library
• Local firefighters will share their stories of why they decided on their job, how they became firefighters, and what it takes to continue in their job on Thursday, June 18 @ 2 PM.
• Read to the Rhythm with the Handley Puppeteers @ Village Library
• Stop by the Village Library Thursday, July 16 @ 2 PM and welcome the teen puppeteer troupe from Handley Library! They will present a puppet show set to music with zany antics and designed to promote reading.
• Read with... @ YOUR Library
• Andy the Armadillo, the Chick-fil-A Cow, Police Officer John, the Turks, and a Firefighter are coming for storytime! Dates and locations are listed here.
• Storytimes @ YOUR Library (storytime schedule is here)
• Hero Construction @ YOUR Library
• Kids in grades K-5, dig into craft conundrums and tunnel through intriguing books @ YOUR Library's Hero Construction craft time June 8-July 31. Dates and times are listed here.
• Lego Club @ YOUR Library
• Let your imagination go WILD! Create and build with Legos. Bigger blocks for smaller hands also available. Dates and times are listed here.
• Dogs 2 Read 2 @ YOUR Library
• Grab a book, get comfy & read to YOUR library's very own registered therapy dog. All reading levels are encouraged.
• North River: 4th Tuesdays @ 4 PM
• Main: Thursdays @ 2:30 PM

Unmask! (ages 11-17)

• Incredible Afternoon Movie @ Main Library
• Come out Saturday, June 20 @ 1 PM, watch a great movie, and grab a snack from our popcorn bar, courtesy of DuPont Community Credit Union
• Superhero Survival Skills @ Main Library
• Who doesn't need some great survival skills?
• June 10 @ 7 PM - First Aid
• June 24 @ 7 PM - Car Maintenance
• July 8 @ 7 PM - Managing Money
• July 22 @ 7 PM - Cooking (without a stove)
• Happy Birthday, Harry Potter! @ Main Library
• Celebrate this super wizard's birthday, Friday, July 31 @ 12:30 PM! We'll have potions, fortune telling, prizes, snacks and more! Don't forget to dress as your favorite character!
• After Hours Teen Lock-In @ Main Library
• Have you ever wanted to know what the library is like when it's empty? Saturday, August 15 @ 3:30-7 PM is your chance! We'll play the Awesome Library Race, decorate bookends, kind-bomb the library, eat pizza, and more! You'll even walk out of here with a free book. How cool is that?? Must register by August 8.

Escape the Ordinary (18+)

• Escape... @ Main Library
• Monday, June 1 @ 7 PM - Escape the Ordinary: In Search of the Paranormal 
• Monday, June 8 @ 1 PM - Escape the Ordinary with Local Hero & Founder of Our Community Place Ron Copeland
• Thursday, June 18 @ 7 PM - Escape Your Diet: The Gluten Lie
• Monday, June 29 @ 1 PM - Escape the Funny Pages with Cartoonist John Rose
• Monday, July 13 @ 1 PM - Escape the Ordinary Garden - Hobby Hydroponics: The Weedless Garden
• Thursday, July 23 @ 7 PM - Escape the Planet: Why Do We Explore Mars?
• Monday, July 27 @ 7 PM - Escape the City with Local Nature Photographers Ann & Rob Simpson
• Super Screenings @ Main Library
• Select Saturdays and Mondays in June and July, you can visit the Main branch of MRL for an awesome superhero movie! Look here for more info.

Whoa. That's a lot. Make sure you sign up for Summer Reading at any of the MRL branches to get started!

And finally, here are the hilarious videos the L.O.L. group made to promote the SRG. Hope you enjoy!

Literary Playlist: Audrey, Wait!

"Audrey, wait!"

That's the last thing Audrey's ex Evan says to her after she breaks up with him. Later that night, she shows up to one of his gigs, and he sings an admittedly awesome break-up song--about her! Evan's band blows up, with her song--and her life--getting caught in the middle of it. Audrey becomes an overnight sensation, with reporters calling to ask about her love life after dumping Evan. But Audrey just wants a normal life. She wants to start a relationship with someone new, but how can she, with the paparazzi following her every move?

Every chapter in Audrey, Wait! begins with a lyric from an awesome song. Click play below and get inside Audrey's head as her life gets crazy.

[NOTE: This is a playlist of songs the author mentioned in the book. MRL is not responsible for nor does it endorse the content of non-MRL websites. Users should use critical judgment in relying on information found in these websites and determine what information is appropriate to their needs.]

Fun YA Quizzes!!!

Admit it: You've spent waaaayy too much time doing online quizzes when you could have been doing homework. So we decided to make it a little easier for you. Here are some of our favorite book quizzes we've found online.


Which Teen Book Character Are You?
via quibblo.com

Camp Half Blood Parentage Test (Mostly Accurate)
via quotev.com

How Many Of These Young Adult Books Have You Read?
So little time, so much to read.
via buzzfeed.com

The Harry Potter Night Sorting Hat quiz
Ever wonder which house you'd be in if you went to Hogwarts? We're celebrating Harry Potter Book Night with this sorting-hat quiz, which will answer this forever!
via theguardian.com

Are You More Harry Potter or Draco Malfoy?
Take this magical quiz to find out!
via buzzfeed.com

Are You More Ron Weasley Or Hermione Granger?
Either way, you'll be BFFs with the Chosen One.
via buzzfeed.com

Can You Guess The "Harry Potter" Character By These Emojis?
Do You-Know-Who? Warning: spoilers.
via buzzfeed.com

Which "Harry Potter" Core Subject Would You Get An Outstanding In?
Remember, swish and flick!
via buzzfeed.com

Who Is Your YA Boyfriend?
via popsugar.com

Who is your YA book boyfriend? [Yes, another quiz about YA boyfriends!]
via gotoquiz.com

Book lovers: What's your reading personality?
via bookbrowse.com

Which of the March sisters from Little Women are you? 
Let's face it, no one can read Louisa May Alcott's novel without identifying with one of the four March sisters. Find out which one you really are!
via theguardian.com

Insurgent by Veronica Roth - quiz
To celebrate the release of Insurgent, the second film in Veronica Roth's Divergent trilogy, we have created a quiz to see how big a fan you are!
via theguardian.com

The Alice in Wonderland quiz
The Imagine Festival is celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland! We have lots of events that you can come to during the festival. Do you know why a raven is like a writing desk? How well will you do in our Alice quiz?
via theguardian.com

Which classic book would be perfect for me? 
Is your new year's resolution to read some classic books? Take our classics match quiz to find your ideal classics read!
via theguardian.com

LGBT characters in teen fiction - quiz
LGBT characters and storylines are becoming more and more common in YA fiction. But can you tell your LGBT from your YMCA? Take our quiz and find out just how out and proud about your reading you should be!
via theguardian.com

What YA Book Should You Read Next?
Wondering what to bump up on your TBR? Let us help you narrow your choices...
via uppercasebox.com

And aaaalll of these quizzes from Sporcle.com



Comment with your results!

MRL is not responsible for nor does it endorse the content of non-MRL websites. Users should use critical judgment in relying on information found in these websites and determine what information is appropriate to their needs.

May Book Club Post!

Title: The Ghosts of Heaven

Author: Marcus Sedgwick

Copyright: 2015

Call Number: YA Fiction SED (at North River)

You'll notice the patterns appear in Marcus Sedgwick's The Ghosts of Heaven. The story is told in four parts, the characters strewn throughout Earth's history, but the stories are strikingly similar. 

First there is the Girl, who dreams of drawing on the cave walls like the Storyteller. Next there is Anna, whose village believes she is a witch. Then we meet Charles Dexter, a once-successful poet who now resides in a mental institution in the 1920's. Finally, we experience the life of Keir Bowman, an astronaut who wakes every 10 years to maintain the massive spaceship on which he resides, travelling to form a new habitat for the 510 Earthlings on board.

There are mixed reactions about this book. Many readers appreciate the beautiful way in which it is written. Each story is unique in its own way. They are all told from different perspectives, with different narration styles. The characters are dynamic but lonely. There is an appealing mix of introspection, madness, and danger in each of them. But the stories can be a lot to get through. This article (SPOILER ALERT!!!) defines the book as "ambitious, intriguing and frustrating." If you don't think the stories sound interesting, at least read The Ghosts of Heaven to be a part of the discussion.

Why Do You Read YA?

This article says that YA experiences are universal and timeless; people will be writing and reading YA books for a long time.

What do you think? Will you continue to read YA after you're out of the age group? Or is it dependent on the book, not the genre?

And for that matter, why do you read YA? Is it about the characters or the subject? Take the poll below!

Why do you read YA?

To relate to a teen character

Because I'm 16-25 years old

It's all about the author

I'm into a genre where the books are mainly YA

I'm an adult but I like to go back to those times

I'm just reading today's popular books

I'm a parent, and I want to read what my kids read

I read everything

pollcode.com free polls

Literary Playlist: Beautiful Music for Ugly Children

At the start of Beautiful Music for Ugly Children, Gabe's neighbor hooked him up with the gig of a lifetime: his own radio show. Gabe's going through his own stuff right now--transitioning, fighting off feelings for his best friend, trying to finish high school in one piece, dealing with his not-so-supportive family--but the radio show is his favorite part of the week. And it leads to new things for Gabe. Some of them aren't so great, and most of them scare the heck out of him, but Gabe's hopeful they'll lead to a new life for him.

Gabe is the new Elvis because he's ready to start his real life.

Read Beautiful Music for Ugly Children and listen to his Elvis-filled playlist.
[NOTE: This is a playlist of songs the author mentioned in the book. MRL is not responsible for nor does it endorse the content of non-MRL websites. Users should use critical judgment in relying on information found in these websites and determine what information is appropriate to their needs.]

Earth Day + Recycled DIY Crafts Event!!!!

On Earth Day (April 22), we'll be making super-awesome DIY crafts using discarded trash! That's right, trash!! Here are the deets:

Recycled DIY Crafts

4/22/2015

Celebrate Earth Day by creating cool crafts with recycled products, Wednesday, April 22, from 6-7 PM! Make a duct tape wallet, soda box pencil case, book safe, and more! Enjoy snacks and book paper origami, too.

Location: 

Main Library - downtown Harrisonburg

And while you're here at the library, be sure to turn in your essay and/or artwork for the Honored Teachers Contest!

Honored Teacher Essays/Artwork Due

4/22/2015

All students, K-12th grade, are eligible to enter the Robert B. and Gladys Hopkins Strickler Honored Teachers Writing and Art Contest. Essays/artwork are due today.

Location: 

Main Library - downtown Harrisonburg

And finally, how perfect is this compilation of 2014's greatest hits using household items? We are so going to watch this on repeat during the Recycled DIY Crafts event.

Prim Dances!

If you're a THG fan who watches Dancing With the Stars, you may have gotten a treat. In this week's challenge, contestants had to commemorate their most memorable year in dance. Willow Shields, who plays Prim in The Hunger Games movie series, themed hers around THG!!! Check it out below:

MRL YA March Mayhem Book Bracket WINNER!!!

...And the winner is... The Giver! 

(Wow, you guys must like the classics! The Giver was the earliest-published book on the bracket and it took the cake!)

Thanks to everyone who voted!

April Book Club Post!

Title: The Boy in the Black Suit

Author: Jason Reynolds

Copyright: 2015

Call Number: YA Fiction REYNO

It's the beginning of senior year, and Matt has already missed the first few weeks. His mom was sick--cancer--and passed away. And now Matt has to go back to school. Classes aren't bothering him--he's done well in high school, so he only has to go half a day--it's the other kids. They're looking at him like he's broken or different. And he is different; he's had to grow up fast, and now he's changed, probably for forever. His boy Chris is still trying to treat him normal, but his dad is getting lost in a bottle. Matt doesn't even want to cook anymore, since that was something his mom did with him.

To fill his time, Matt decides to get a part-time job. He expected to walk out of the Cluck Bucket with a job on the fryer, but he ends up leaving with an offer to work at Mr. Ray's funeral home. He's always known Mr. Ray as the guy who survived cancer twice and is now trying to inform others of the disease. Now Mr. Ray is looking out for him: paying him to help set up for funerals, picking him up from school, and helping when Matt's dad goes off the deep end. 

The one thing Matt loves about his new job is going to funerals. He wants to see someone go through what he went through with his mom. It makes him feel better, as strange as it sounds. One of those people is Lovey. She'll be the first one to roll her eyes at any joke you have about her name. She just lost her grandma--Matt was at her funeral--and as they help each other through that pain, they realize they have more in common than they thought.

Literary Playlist: I'm Glad I Did

The year is 1963. JJ Green is only 16 years old, but she already graduated from high school. She's going to college in the fall, but for the summer, she gets a job at Good Music, in the same building in which her "music industry no-goodnik" Uncle Bernie works. Her mother cuts her a deal: If JJ can get the label to buy a song of hers in three weeks, she'll allow her to continue working toward her songwriting dream. If not, she has to become a lawyer.

JJ loves her new job at Good Music. She can be close to professional songwriters--and hopefully their talent will inspire her own songwriting. She's working on a song when she meets a music icon: Sweet Dulcie Brown, who happens to be working there as a custodian. She and Dulcie spend nights working on JJ's song. She also gets surprising help from an aspiring lyricist, Luke Silver, son of the recently departed George Silver, music producer extraordinaire. They eventually cut a demo of "I'm Glad I Did," which will hopefully

JJ gets tied up in the lives of those she meets: Dulcie, Luke, music producer Bobby Goodman, elevator operator Nick, her estranged Uncle Bernie, and his young wife, Marla. When one of her new friends turns up dead, she doesn't believe it was a suicide. JJ has no choice but to find the killer--and unravel the lies behind the music industry.

Hit play to set the mood for I'm Glad I Did by Cynthia Weil.
[NOTE: This is a playlist of songs the author mentioned in the book. MRL is not responsible for nor does it endorse the content of non-MRL websites. Users should use critical judgment in relying on information found in these websites and determine what information is appropriate to their needs.]