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...

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wait for it....

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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.