How To Disappear, by Sharon Huss Roat

 

Vicky's having a bad year: Her one and only friend in the world just moved away and her excruciating shyness is keeping her from even saying "hello" to the girl who has the locker next to her. It doesn't help her super social mom is pressuring her to get out there and make friends. But the tipping point comes when she accidently overhears someone she thought she trusted gossiping about her. So Vicky does what any socially awkward teen would do: She uses her superior photoshopping skills and a bag of discount Halloween costume props to create a fake online secret identity where she can be anything, anyone. She can be who she's afraid to be in real life.

Vicky's Instagram persona, Vicurious, is an overnight sensation and soon she has all sorts of followers. But she's never felt more alone. Can Vicky find the courage to stop hiding and be herslf?

How To Disappear by Sharon Huss Roat was a quick and entertaining read that broke me out of my reading slump. It's predictable to a fault. And there are some truly over-the-top moments that'll have you saying, "Really?!?!?". But sometimes you need a book that's not going to require too much mental effort from you, and this is it.

Recommended.

- AJB

Juniper: The Happiest Fox, by Jessika Coker

 

I love a Happy Story with a Happy Ending! Don't you?

And Juniper the Happiest Fox is just what I needed today. The photos alone make this book pure awesomeness, but the accompanying story is not one to be missed.

Author Jessika Coker works with rescued exotic animals that, for whatever reason, cannot live in the wild. And Juniper, an American Red Fox, is perhaps her greatest triumph. Or at least the most famous. Born with a birth defect of the jaw that gives her a permanent snaggletooth grin, Juniper has become an Instagram sensation (go ahead, look her up). Not only for her adorable happy face, but also for the pictures she paints with her paws. Juniper the Happiest Fox is the story of how Jessica came to "adopt" Juniper. Not only is it filled with adorable anecdotes and photos, but there's lots of information about the American Red Fox and Jessika's rescue work. 

Juniper The Happiest Fox is currently on display in the Teen Department, but is available for checkout (as are ALL our display books). If you seek a cute animal story that's totally feel-good, this is the book for you!

--AJB

Willow (dvd)

 

Not only is winter fast approaching, but it's still pretty weird out there. it IS 2020, after all... For me, the best way to escape impending cold weather, pandemic worries, and ongoing election drama is to completely detach from reality (in a healthy way). Grab some snacks, cozy up in a blanket, and get lost in a fantasy movie.

Willow, one of the lesser-known films of the genre, is a great choice for an evening of escapism: The land is being ruled by an evil sorceress and no one has been able to overthrow her terrible reign. Until now. It is rumored that a child has been born and this baby will grow to be the one who finally defeats the witch and brings about an era of peace. Hoping to prevent this, the witch orders all babies be destroyed. But one survives. This baby is discovered by Willow, a Hobbit-like creature, who brings the child to his village. But when the village is invaded by the queen's soldiers, Willow knows he must take the child somewhere safe. He teams up with rouge swordsman Madmardigan and two mischievous pixies. It's the ultimate battle of good vs evil as this motley bunch protects the child and fights to destroy the queen and save the land.

Willow has lots of action and a great ending where the good guys win (of course they do!). The special effects might be dated and even a little cheesy by today's standards, but the story is solid and makes for an enjoyable watch. If you liked films like Princess Bride and Lord of the Rings, you'll like Willow. 

--AJB

Fun Friday: Winter Programming

 

Happy Friday everyone! Do you need something fun to do? 

Well look no further than our latest newsletter!

We've got all kinds of things planned, from crafts to contests to sweet treats. And we'll be even bringing back one of our pre-pandemic programs!

Tell you more, you say? Absolutely!

This month, we're celebrating National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) by hosting a Six Word Story Contest. All you have to do is stop by and write a story using only six words. It's harder - or easier - than you think, depending on your perspective. Don't worry. If you're stumped, we'll have some examples out to show you how it's done. And the prize is pretty amazing. Just sayin'

And if you want more contests, December is Photo Scavenger Hunt, January is Winter Reading, and February is Book Crush. For more info, ask a Friendly Teen Librarian.

The Third Wednesdays in January& February is Perler Beads. However, we'll be running this a little differently than before to account for Social Distancing. We're looking forward to bringing back this program, but we want to do it safely. And space will be limited, so we will require you to pre-register.  

We'll continue our Take & Make Crafts the Last Saturday of each month. December will be Ornaments, January Snowglobes, February Color-Change Hearts. As before, supplies will be limited, so one craft pack per person. 

And MORE! Pick up a Winter 2021 Newsletter for more detailed programming information.

Throwback Thursday: Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure

 

Yesterday I happily blogged about the latest Bill & Ted adventure, Face the Music. 

Today, for Throwback Thursday, I'm taking it back to where this most NON-heinous saga all began with Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure.

Imagine, if you will, the late 1980s. The Internet, Siri/Alexa, and Smart Phones were still stuff of cheesy Sci-Fi. Nowdays, if you have a research project to do for school, you probably start by Googling the topic (amiright?), but back then... Well, you headed over to your local library and hoped they had the book or books you needed in-house. And you wanted to get there early, lest your more ambitious classmates check out That One Book ahead of you.

Of course there are still the procrastinators who goof off all semester and wait until the night before to do their project.

This is the situation in which we find our unlikely heroes, Bill and Ted. They're faced with the dilemma with cranking out an Ace presentation for their world history class. And they have to score top marks on this project. Otherwise they both flunk out of school and Ted's hardcore cop father ships him off to a military academy in Alaska. If that happens, the guys' band, Wyld Stallyns, is over before it starts. And trust me when I say that is a A Very Bad Thing. Because the fate of  this seeming mediocre garage band is tied to Life, The Multi-verse, and Everything as we know it. We're talking Worse Case Apocalypse here. That's a lot to ask of two lovable, but clueless doofuses. 

Maybe too much.

Enter Rufus, a time-traveling savior who is sent from the future to stage an intervention. He has one goal: Ensure B & T pass their class so they can remain together and carry on with their band.

And thus the adventure most excellent (and occasionally bogus) begins! With a time machine at their disposal, there's no way our heroes can fail...right? 

Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure is probably one of my favorite classic movies. Right up there with The Goonies and The Princess Bride. Sure, it's goofy, but you can't help but love it. Bottom line: It's just a lot of fun! Watch it again or see it for the first time (it's available for checkout in the Teen Area).

--AJB

Bill & Ted Face the Music (dvd)

 

Sometimes life surprises you.

Like with Bill & Ted Face the Music, the third and final installment of the Bill & Ted saga. Released more than 30 years after the first film, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, Face the Music ties up the loose ends from the previous films and brings things full circle.

The film opens with the famous duo facing a crisis: They have yet to write the song that will unite humanity through space and time and, thus, save the world. Their once famous band, Wyld Stallyns, split after several albums failed to produce hits. And now the two are resigned to playing wedding gigs. For family. (the only ones who will have them)

But a visitor from the future arrives and tells them they have but hours to write that song. Otherwise, all of time will collapse and the universe will implode. Pretty much worst case scenario on all counts. So they do what anyone with access to a time machine would do: Travel into the future and steal the song from themselves. Meanwhile, their daughters, Billie and Thea, are on an (excellent), time-traveling adventure of their own to help their dads. Oh... and a murderous robot is stalking them. 

In the end, Bill and Ted DO get the magical song and Wyld Stallyns music DOES save life, the universe, and everything...but not how you'd expect. And everything is... Well, everything is excellent!

When I first heard this movie was really happening (and no longer just rumor), I definitely had my reservations about it. I'd witnessed too many long after the fact sequels ruin a good thing, and I really didn't want that to happen with Bill & Ted, a film I've loved since I first saw it in the theater. Plus, the plot synopsis (two washed-up, middle-aged rockers going on a quest to write the greatest song in the world) sounded a little tooo much like Tenacious D and the Pick of Destiny. Been there, seen it. But when the chance to watch the movie at the Drive In arose, I couldn't say no. So I put aside any expectations, good or bad, and just went with it.  

I love it when I'm wrong about stuff like this!

Face The Music was probably one of the best new-release films I've seen in a while. It brought back all the fun and feel-good and familiarity of Excellent Adventure, wasn't overly lengthy, didn't expect too much from the audience, and was loaded with Easter Eggs from the first two films. Bottom line: It made me happy. Definitely one of the positive things to come out of the Year of Weirdness that is 2020.

Face the Music was released on DVD yesterday (Nov 10) and is available for checkout through OPL. And if you haven't seen the first two films, you can check those out too. In fact, I recommend you at least see Excellent Adventure. Otherwise this one won't be as meaningful.

Definitely recommended for a Most Excellent viewing experience!

--AJB

Snapdragon, by Kat Leyh

 

Looking for a cute story with great characters, a family mystery (curse?), magic, surprising plot twists, and a happy ending? Look no further than Kat Leyh's graphic novel, Snapdragon.

Snap lives with her mother and dog, Good Boy. And she's just fine with that. She doesn't need anyone else. But when Good Boy disappears, she's pretty sure she knows who took her beloved dog: The town witch, who reportedly kidnaps pets (and other creatures) and eats them. But Snap isn't the type to cower in the face of potentially scary things that go bump in the night. Rather, she rides her bike through the woods to the witch's cabin to confront the old woman and get her best friend back.

That's the plan, at least.

Turns out Jacks IS, indeed, a witch...or at least has a magical gift they use in good, if somewhat macabre, ways. But Jacks is nothing like the rumors say. And when Snap discovers a nest of abandoned opossum babies, she can't think of anyone better than Jacks to care for them until they can survive on their own. Jacks agrees to help...if Snap will help them with their "work". 

Neither Snaps or Jacks expected to make a new friend out of the deal.

Neither expected to learn they share a connection that's beyond the work they do together. A connection that goes back decades.

And Snap discovers the biggest surprise of all within herself.

While Snapdragon is sort of a Halloween-ish book (the whole Witch and Magic bit), but it's not so overly so it can't be enjoyed any time of year. Personally, I loved this story. I loved the characters, loved the feels, loved the artwork. Loved how everything came together in the end. Just like a good story should.

Stop by the Teen Area and ask for Snapdragon, which is currently featured on our Magical Realism Stories display.

--AJB

I'll Be The One, by Lyla Lee

 

At this point, we're ALL likely tired of the drama and toxic vibes surrounding the recent election. On top of that, we're dealing with Daylight Savings and all the repercussions that go with it. Yikes! November isn't off to a very good start, is it?

That said, I've decided to focus on upbeat and fun books (and movies) this month. Because we ALL need an escape. Starting with I'll Be The One, by Lyla Lee. 

So, K-Pop is the trending thing right now. And let's be honest, with it's colorful cast, upbeat tunes, and sweet dance moves, it's hard NOT to like this genre. Even if you don't willingly admit it, it's probably one of those Guilty Pleasure things you enjoy when you think no one's looking. Let's be honest. You know it's true.

I'll Be The One is adorable and radiates so much positivity! Just look at that cover! You can totally judge this book by it! The story focuses on Sky Shin, a singer and dancer who dreams of being the next K-Pop sensation. Sky has a lot working against her. After all, she's a Bi, plus-sized lady trying to gain entry into a world populated by size 0's. But she's got talent. Lots of it! And she nails her audition. Sky is soon swept into the world of long rehearsals, harsh critics, and band drama. Being a K-Pop star is harder than Sky imagined, but there's also new friendships and maybe even a new romance! I'll Be The One radiates positivity! The story is fun, if a little predictable, and the characters are ones you can root for. You'll totally be happy you read this!

I'll Be The One is currently on our Happy Books display. Stop by OPL and check it out today!

--AJB

Throwback...Monday: Poltergeist

 

There's nothing like watching a good Haunted House movie to help you kick back and relax after a long day (or scare you so you can't sleep). And Poltergeist is just this! Even more spooky: The movie comes with its own curse, as several cast and crew members were visited by bad luck (and untimely demises) during and after the filming of the movie. Go ahead and Google "Poltergeist Curse"...

And it's directed by Stephen Spielberg, so you know it's going to be good...if a little dated. Ok, a lot dated (it was filmed in the early 80s). Still... a classic. 

The story centers on the typically middle-class Freeling family, who just moved into a picturesque new house in a picturesque new housing development. A place where there's trees to climb and bikes to ride and the biggest drama is the neighbor's TV remote operates on the same frequency as yours (remember...this is the 80s). Then strange things start to happen. It's innocent stuff at first, like things moving around on their own, but then the phenomenon takes a sinister and terrifying turn, cumulating in the Freeling's youngest child getting sucked into a void that opened in her closet. The paranormal investigators and exorcists are called in to help, and that's when things get really weird! Turns out the housing development was built over land that used to be a graveyard, and the dead are restless...and they want revenge for having their graves disturbed!

Poltergeist might be dated (cheesy, even) and the special effects not up to today's standards, but it's still got all the elements that make up a good scary movie: From jump scares to possessed electronics to creepy kids. If you're looking for a classic scary movie that's not too gory, Poltergeist is the way to go! And, if you like it, be sure to check out the sequels! Part 3 is especially scary!!

--AJB

Coraline, Neil Gaiman

 

Welcome to Halloween Week! The closer we get to that magical, mystical holiday, the more I want to read booooks and watch movies that feature all things creepy and crawly and go BUMP! in the night. Stuff that's to hide under your bed (or in your closet, if you'd rather) and give your nightmares. 

And perhaps one of the most unsettling books I've read to date is Neil Gaiman's Coraline. The scare factor of this one came as a surprise to me. I did not foresee a book written for a younger audience making me cringe like this did, but that made it even better!

The story centers around tweenage Coraline. Having just moved with her family to a creepy old house in the country, Coraline finds herself bored out of her mind. Her parents are too busy doing things parents do to spend time with her, and the only close neighbors are an elderly pair of sisters and a strange man with a horde of trained rats. So Coraline decides to explore the house and grounds and comes upon a strange door. The door leads to an alternate reality where everything seems better, from the food to the toys. Even her "Other Mother" is different, loving and attentive rather than distracted and dismissive. But things soon take a sinister turn. Because the Other Mother is not who she seems to be, and she wants Coraline to stay with her....FOREVER! And she'll do whatever it takes to keep her newfound "daughter" from getting back home.

Coraline was a delightful horrific story! There's a lot of scare packed into this slim, quick read! And if you liked the book, there's a movie adaption too.

I highly recommend both! (But read the book first. There's things in there that are TOO SCARY for film).

--AJB

Becoming Brianna, by Terri Libenson

 

I love Terri Libenson's Emmie & Friends series! Let's get that on the table right now. Just so you'll know I'm kind of biased here. 

Each story in this series focuses on a different teen from the same middle school (so if you pay close attention in each book, you'll catch glimpses of the stars of other books in the series. Sometimes they play supporting roles and other times they're just in the background. This makes the series extra fun!). Each story deals with a new, but relatable, drama, be it parent drama, friend drama, mean girls, identity, crushes, end of the world embarrassment…pretty much anything crisis a teen would face. All stories are age appropriate for tweens  and all stories are absolutely adorable! Basically, if you love Raina Telgemeier's books, you love these too. 

In Becoming Brianna, we revisit Bri, one of the stars of Positively Izzy. Shy Bri, as we previously learned, attempted to conquer her stage fright when her drama teacher mother basically guilted her into performing in the school's talent show. She did all right and felt good about herself afterward, but swore to never set foot on stage again. But obviously lessons learned were forgotten, because this book finds Bri back in the literal spotlight when she is (again) guilted into having a Bat Mitzvah party for her 13th birthday. This means she'll be the center of attention for the day AND she'll have to give a public speech...in front of friends and family...in another language! 

Can Bri survive a second round of Spotlight Jitters, being the subject of school rumors, and the knowledge of a horrible Temple legend that once, a girl got so nervous while giving speech, she actually threw up while on stage? You'll have to read Becoming Brianna to find out!

--AJB

The Witches (dvd)

 

Rumor has it there's to be a remake of The Witches, which was adapted from Roald Dahl's novel of the same name. But you truly can't go wrong with the original movie, which stars Angelica Huston as the Grand High Witch. I saw The Witches when I was young, and I'd have to say it was one of the creepiest kid's movies ever. Right up there with Coraline! 

To sum up: The story tells the tail (yes, tail) of young Luke, who, despite warnings from his witch hunter grandmother, has a run-in with some very nasty witches. A whole roomfull of them! Including the most powerful witch of all, the Grand High Witch. They use their dark magic to transform Luke and another child into mice...and the story takes off from there.

Now Luke must stop the witches' diabolical plot to transform ALL the world's children in the same way. But what can one little mouse do? 

The Witches is a perfect Halloween movie for all ages. Having recently re-watched it as an adult, I still found it creepy! It's got the right amount of scare factor without branching off into true horror. Check it out today...if you dare!

--AJB

Lumberjanes True Colors, various authors & artists

 

I'm a fan of the Lumberjanes series. These books are all about friendship (to the max!!!), self acceptance, adventure, monsters, and magic. I mean, who doesn't love that combo?! But lately the main series seems to be struggling a bit for ideas to keep things fresh. I get it. Even the best series have slumps. Especially long series. 

So I've been branching out to the Lumberjanes Originals, which feature mini-adventures that spinoff the main storyline. And the latest, True Colors, is a true gem! 

True Colors opens with Barney and Jen implying that resident Quirky Girl, Ripley, would be better off (for herself and for everyone else) if she just "blended in." Hurt, Ripley dashes blindly into the woods...and ends up in a magical mushroom forest populated by Zebracorns. Rip befriends the skateboard-riding Zee, who uses his Zebracorn magic to transform her into a normal girl. So normal, in fact, that she's practically invisible. Even her friends back at camp forget her. 

But nothing is well back at Miss Qiunzella's. Mythical Counselor Dana is there to evaluate Jen's performance...and there's something odd about that girl. Something VERY odd indeed! With Rosie out of town on a mystery mission, there's no one to help out when things go very wrong. In fact, the only one with the power to put out this particular fire is Ripley...and she's not herself lately. 

It's going to take A LOT of friendship power (and maybe a little magic) to save the day (and the camp) this time, but will the girls find (and recognize) Ripley in time? The only way to find out is to read this book!

--AJB

William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Clueless, by Ian Doescher

 

Normally I would cringe at the idea of a book adaption of a movie. This opinion is 40% bookish snobbery, because who does that? I mean, really? I ask you... And 60% experience, because, in my youthful ignorance, I've read some truly awful novelizations that near ruined beloved films. But we won't talk about those... 

That said, I typically avoid movie-to-book situations. But I always, always make an exception for Ian Doescher, because his adaptions are not simply glorified movie scripts where a ghost writer takes all the credit. Rather, these are entertaining, quirky, and literary. Yes, guys, literary! That's because Doescher takes popular movies and spins them into Shakespearean masterpieces. And let me tell you: I've never had so much fun reading Shakespeare! Or... something written in the style of Shakespeare.

I first became a fan of Doescher's writing because of his William Shakespeare's Star Wars saga. But lately he's been branching out to put the Bard's spin on such cult classics as Back to the Future, Mean Girls, and Clueless. OMG, you guys... Clueless! As if I would miss that one!! And The Taming of the Clueless has got to be Doescher's best yet! All the comedic drama of this story's plot lends itself perfectly to the Shakespearean treatment and I thoroughly enjoyed re-experiencing Cher's misadventures in matchmaking and makeovers as filtered through iambic pentameter. So much that I promptly had to rent the movie (which is also available through Oxford Public Library).

Fun Fact: For those unaware, Clueless is actually a modern-day adaption of Jane Austen's Emma. So that would make The Taming of the Clueless an adaption a movie that was an adaption of a book. So technically I guess the book came first and this is really NOT a movie to book adaption after all.

I highly recommend BOTH the book and the movie on which it is based.

-- AJB

Solutions and Other Problems, by Allie Brosh

 It's here, you guys! It's finally here!!

I'll get this on the table right now: I have waited seven years to be able to read this book and write this review. Seven years! There were moments when I believed this book would never actually be published (things got weird for a while there). But here it is and here we are. So let's do this!

Unlike many books that have generated THIS degree of hype and this level anticipation and excitement, Solutions and Other Problems is as good as I hoped. Better even. So much better!

(we won't talk about the Other Hyped Books that were a disappointment)

I was first introduced to Allie Brosh in 2013 when her first book, Hyperbole and a Half, hit the shelves. I picked it up on whim, thinking it looked quirky and fun, but unremarkable. Something to pass the time, enjoy, and move on from. But I was unprepared for my reaction to it.

In Hyperbole, Brosh spun funny true stories about childhood, living with dogs, dental work, the world's greatest cake... But she also talked about her personal struggle with depression. And not in a detached way either. She talked about herself, her life, her struggles like she was talking with a close and trusted friend (as opposed to millions of readers). Her humor and her storytelling approach resonated with me on a level I was unprepared for. It made me legit Ugly Cry and laugh so hard there was snot involved. It was so personal I felt I knew the author personally. And that's why Hyperbole became one of my favorite books, one I would keep going back to when I needed a pick-up or even when I needed entertainment. The book truly had something for every situation.

Then came news about a sequel soon to be published. And then it wasn't going to be published. And then it was. Wasn't Was. Finally...was. An official release date. And it couldn't have come at a better time. I mean, it's 2020. Things are weird out there. We need Good Things to balance out the bad. And we take what we can get and appreciate it all the more.

I think this was the plan all along.

Solutions and Other Problems is even better than Hyperbole and a Half. It has the classic mix of Humor and straight-up Serious REALness that Brosh is known for. But both author and longtime fans have grown and had more life experience in those seven years between books, and Solutions (and my reaction to it) reflects that. But I have no doubt this book will help capture new fans as well. Because how can it not. There's something in there for everyone. 

Neither Hyperbole and a Half or Solutions and Other Problems can be accurately described in a short review. As Inigo said to Westley in The Princess Bride, "Let me explain...No, there is too much," these are books that must be experienced in order to be understood. So ask your Friendly Librarian to get these books for you. You'll be glad you did!

--AJB

Cursed Films (dvd)

Ah, October... What better time of year than to turn off all the lights in the house, kick back, and watch a scary movie or two? And what's even better than a regular scary movie? A scary movie that comes with a real-life curse, of course! No, I'm not talking about the sort of cursed movie that brings certain doom to anyone who would dare watch it (this isn't The Ring, after all),  although some of these WILL scare you. Maybe not to literal death, but scare you. No... I'm talking those where, for whatever reason, an unusual amount of bad luck visited the actors and crew who worked on these films. And thus urban legends are born.

Cursed Films is a five-part documentary that takes an in-depth look at The Poltergeist Curse, deadly tragedies on the set of The Crow and The Twilight Zone, and whether the script of The Omen may (or may not) have angered evil and vengeful entities. Each episode focuses on a different cursed film and features interviews with crew members, actors, and "experts" in the field. 

Cursed Films was definitely interesting and worth watching. Plus it made me want to revisit movies I haven't seen since I was a teen (like the Poltergeist trilogy) so I can watch them with a new perspective. Because a real-life curse definitely adds a scare factor to an already creepy film!

--AJB

Delish Insane Sweets

 

Picked Delish Insane Sweets up from our New Book Shelf so I'd have something to browse during break, and I totally need to go home and make something yummy. Like NOW!! 

This book has everything to satisfy even the most refined sweet tooth! Cookies, Cupcakes, brownies... You're craving it, it's in here! Guaranteed! While some treats are borderline obnoxious (the cupcakes filled with sprinkles seem a bit much for anyone over age 6), the majority sound fantastic.

My one and only complaint is many of the cake recipes call for pre-packaged cake mix. I feel that's a little lame. For treats as beautiful and elaborate as these, shouldn't one bake a cake from scratch? I mean, if you're going to go to the trouble... 

Maybe that's just me being nit-picky, but making a scratch cake isn't hard. I'm no baker by any stretch of the imagination, and I can still bake a cake using all scratch ingredients. I can even bake you a yummy vegan version, if that's what you want.

Overall: I definitely plan to try some of these cookies! But I'm going to make my own cakes. I promise the end result will be better than anything you can get from a box.

 

--AJB

The Accident Season, Moria Fowley-Doyle

 

October is almost here, so I thought it was the perfect time of year to blog about The Accident Season, by Moria Fowley-Doyle...which, as (very bad) luck would have it, takes place in October.

Let me explain. About the bad luck bit.

Most people love October. There's the fall colors, the cider and donuts, the cooler (but not cold) weather, all the best fallish fun, and, of course Halloween, which is pretty much the best holiday of all. I know I love October. But the same can't be said for Cara and her family. That's because her family is cursed to be plagued by the worst luck as soon as the calendar flips from September. And we're not just talking unfortunate situations. We're talking serious injuries, broken bones, sometimes death. The last week of the month is always the worst. And no one is safe until November arrives. 

But this year things are different. This year is a really bad year, true, but this is also the year Cara and her siblings (and step-siblings) finally get to the bottom of why they might be cursed. Trust me when I say none of them saw the truth coming.

Gotta admit it: Getting into The Accident Season was a bit difficult. The narrative style is odd and it almost felt like the author began writing in the middle of the story. Upon beginning, I felt like I was missing something I should already know. But once the story got going I couldn't "put it down" (I use that phrase loosely as I  treated myself to the audio format so I could experience the story while on my lengthy daily commute).

The Accident Season is a quirky, almost Gothic mystery. Perfect for this time of year. I recommend it.

--AJB

Strange Planet, by Nathan Pyle

 

If you are a Being who has experienced multiple revolutions around the Star and who has even the most remote access to the Internet, it is likely you are familiar with the most humorous artistic renderings of Nathan Pyle. 

Strange Planet collects the most noteworthy of Pyle's works into a single volume and introduces the reader to the curious Alien Beings and their literal observations of life on Earth. Experience anew emotions, food & drink, creatures friendly & sharp, nature, and life as seen through the eyes of these Strange Beings. And maybe discover it is WE who are the strange ones.

I've been a fan of Strange Planet since Day One, so was joyful to discover these comics had been collected into a single volume. And if it is more entertainment you require, be on the lookout for Stranger Planet (the sequel), which should be hitting our New Book Shelf very soon.

--AJB

Tea Dragons (series), by Katie O'Neill

 

If you're looking for a fun and adorable and feel-good fantasy, look no further than Katie O'Neill's Tea Dragon series. 

The adventure begins in The Tea Dragon Society, when Gretta, a lonely young blacksmith apprentice, rescues a strange creature from the Marketplace. This creature turns out to be a lost Tea Dragon belonging to the local tea shop owner. Soon Gretta befriends HeseKiel, Eric, and Minnette and becomes absorbed in the ancient and magical world of Tea Dragons. 

The second book, The Tea Dragon Festival, departs from Gretta's adventures and introduces Rinn, Erik's niece. Rinn is familiar with Tea Dragons, but is surprised to discover a full-sized dragon asleep in the woods one day. This dragon was supposed to protect the village, but dozed off...

The third book, The Tea Dragon Tapestry, is set a year after the first book. It's due to be released in October. I loved the previous two Tea Dragon books (especially the first) and am excited for the third! These books are adorable! I'm hoping it will tie the two stories together somehow. Only time will tell.

The Tea Dragon Society and Tea Dragon Festival can be found in our Graphic Novel section. Both come highly recommended.

--AJB

Non-Fiction Novel Biographies (new display)

 

Think non-fiction is boring? Think again! The ever-popular Smile by Raina Telgemeier is a completely true story and one of the books featured on our new display of Non-Fiction Graphic Novels. So stop by the Teen Section and check out Smile (if you haven't done so already) and all the other great non-fiction Graphics on this display. 

--AJB

Misfit City, by Kiwi Smith

When I was a kid, I was absolutely enchanted by the movie The Goonies...and it's still one of my favorites of all time (definitely Top Five material). Because nostalgia and because who wouldn't want to go on a high-stakes treasure hunt with your best friends and (a few years older) crush? It's pretty obvious author Kiwi Smith felt a similar kinship with this classic film when she drew inspiration for her graphic novel series Misfit City. 

Wilder and her friends live in a small coastal town that was the setting for a (now) cult classic, Goonies-esque film. Any kid not from Cannon Cove would be thrilled to live there, but for someone born and raised and having to deal with tourists and the constant mention of the movie that put the town on the map... And then there's the legend of the supposed real-life pirate Black Mary upon whose story the movie was based (there's even a museum devoted to her). Well...it can wear on a person. In fact, Wilder can't wait to get out of Cannon Cove and move somewhere else. Anywhere else. Even if it means leaving her best friends behind.

But then an actual treasure map turns up. And actual bad guys after the map (and the treasure to which it leads). And when Wilder and her friends get caught up in the drama, they discover that some legends just might be true.

Misfit City is awesome and the perfect thing to read on a gloomy early-fall afternoon. It's part Goonies, part Scooby-Doo, and all awesome! 

--AJB

His Dark Materials (season 1)/ The Golden Compass

I've been a fan of Philip Pullman's epic fantasy trilogy The Golden Compass  (a.k.a. His Dark Materials) since the first time I read it. I adored everything about it and, to this day, it remains my Number One Choice for Favorite Series. More than Harry Potter. More than Lord of the Rings. Even more than Books of Pellinor (which is a very close second - and which I highly recommend). 

When I first learned that BBC and HBO were parterning to adapt the trilogy into a television miniseries, I was over the top excited (We shall not speak of the disastrous abomination that was the 2007 movie attempt. In fact, I pretend it didn't even happen. Forget I brought it up). And when I got my hands on Season One, which covers the first book in the trilogy, I only regretted I had to get through an entire work day and a drive home before I could begin watching. I only hoped the source material would be treated respectfully and done the justice it so rightfully deserves. Considering the past, I had a right to be concerned. But I shouldn't have worried. This newest adaption met and even exceeded any and all expectations I had. True, some artistic liberties were taken (as is done with all book-to-movie adaptions), but I understand why that was done. Said liberties even enhanced the story in unexpected ways. I won't say more, though. To say more would mean spoilers.

So what IS The Golden Compass, you ask? For those who have not yet read the books, The Golden Compass (or His Dark Materials, if we're speaking officially) is the story of Lyra, a tween girl from an alternate universe who stumbles into the Ultimate War between Good and Evil. The villains are worse than Voldemort and Emperor Palpatine put together. The heroes are characters you can really root for. The battles are legendary. The world-building is most phenomenal. There is a great prophecy. There is epic excitement... Basically, the trilogy has everything a reader seeking adventure could want and more.  And the TV adaption is definitely worthy

The Golden Compass is the first book. If you haven't read it yet, why not? You absolutely should!

If you haven't read it yet...what are you waiting for? Go check it out today!!

--AJB

The Village (dvd)

We're getting into that time of year when suddenly a suspenseful movie sounds awesome. Maybe not a scary movie yet (that's for next month), but something with a creepy vibe that'll keep you guessing.

For this, I recommend The Village. It's older (2004) and maybe not as well known as some of the director's other movies, so maybe you haven't seen it. But it's definitely worth it. The plot centers on Ivy, a young blind woman who lives in a small, frontier-type village in the 1800s. The residents here are plagued by terrible, bloodthirsty monsters who live in the surrounding woods. A.k.a. "Those We Don't Speak Of"...but we're not talking Voldemort here. We're talking something that's, when you think about it, something far more sinister and disturbing. Entering the woods is forbidden, per the village Elders, lest they incur the wrath of Those We Don't Speak Of. But when her fiancee is wounded, Ivy is sent on a dangerous mission to the town on the other side of the woods to get medical help. But it's not just monsters awaiting her in the woods, but something far more dangerous. And when she finally arrives in town, what she learns...is shocking!!

I first saw The Village in the theater, but didn't remember much about it except that it had a creepy tension to it that built and built throughout the movie until the Big Reveal at the end. Perfect for this soon-to-be Fall time of year. So I decided to revisit it. Although I remembered the Twist almost as soon as I started watching, I still enjoyed the film. That creepy tension was still there and, knowing what I knew, I was able to pick up on certain subtle cues a first-time viewer would probably miss. Also, there were some great "jump" moments! The scenes, the acting, the way everything about it was just slightly (and intentionally?) off... Overall, I thought the film was well-done and I enjoyed the second viewing.

p.s. Is it just me, or are the monsters reminiscent of something you'd see on The Dark Crystal or Labyrinth?

And if you enjoyed The Village, I recommend Margaret Peterson Haddix's novel Running Out of Time, another suspenseful story about a girl who must save her town.

--AJB

Ready Player One (dvd)

In just 25 years, society has all but collapsed and we are all living in a MMORPG-type world. Presumably to escape the harsh reality of the real world. Much like living in The Matrix...except voluntarily. And, I suppose, happily (Seeing how things are in 2020, I can absolutely see the appeal of taking my mask-less avatar on an adventurous romp through a pandemic-free world...). At least this is according to the setup of Ready Player One, a film based on the 2011 sci-fi novel by Ernest Cline.

The film opens with the death of James Halliday, the inventor of OASIS, the  epic virtual reality universe that pretty much every single person on the planet practically lives in 24-7. Halliday has decided to leave his entire fortune to the one player who discovers the Easter Egg that's been (very well) hidden somewhere within the massive the OASIS world. Among those searching is underdog Wade Watts, a nice kid from a poor neighborhood who just happens to excel at OASIS. Of course there are some truly nasty bad dudes hunting for the Easer Egg too. And they'll stop at nothing to find it...and they'll take down anyone who gets in their way. 

Ready Player One is that rare film that just might be better than the source material. It is fast-paced, exciting, and will keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time. And the CG effects are phenomenal! And I love all the callbacks to classic 80s movies. Basically the whole movie is epic. But I would expect nothing less from legendary director Stephen Spielberg!

Of course it's predictable too. I mean, of course the good guys are going to win! It's that sort of story. But it's such a fun ride getting to that point that you won't care how predictable it is. You'll just enjoy every second.

Ready Player One can be found in the Teen DVD section. And if you want to read the book, we've totally got that too!

--AJB

Space Boy (series), by Stephen McCrane

Have you ever moved do a different city or state? Where you had to leave your friends and everything about life as you knew it behind? Where, suddenly, you were the New Kid among people who had grown up together? Was it awkward? I'm guessing it was. That's how it is for Amy, the main character in Stephen McCrane's awesome graphic novel series Space Boy. Except Amy's situation is a little more hardcore than a move from, say...Michigan to Ohio (just for example). Amy was forced to move when her dad got a new job, but she didn't just move to a new town. She moved to a new time!

Amy grew up on a mining colony in Deep Space, a 30 year journey away from Earth. But then her dad lost his job and her family had to move back to their home planet, a place Amy had never set foot on. When she woke, she hadn't aged a day (although her best friends back home were now adults with teenage children of their own). Having missed 30 years of, well, everything, it's easy to say that Amy has a lot of catching up to do. Imagine that adjustment! Space Boy is Amy's story of adjusting to life on a strange planet after having traveled 30 years into the future. Oh yeah...and there's a mysterious boy named Oliver Amy just can't stay away from...even if her friends warn her he's dangerous.

I won't say too much more about Space Boy except that it's an awesome series that's definitely worth reading! Find it in our Graphic Novel section today!

--AJB

Wrinkle In Time: Book vs Movie

 

I was around 7 or 8 when I first encountered Madeleine L'Engle's scifi/adventure epic A Wrinkle In Time through a classroom read-aloud situation. At that age, my brain wasn't quite ready to grasp the abstract concept of high-speed inter-dimensional travel... although not long afterward my cousins and I would become obsessed with Star Wars which, as you know, utilizes a concept similar to Tessering so the heroes and bad guys can chase each other from one end of the universe to the other in a matter of moments...just with ships, not people (although pretty sure Yoda could've managed, if he wasn't so busy being a hermit). All that said, I wasn't really too into the book. Nor were many of my classmates.

When the Disney movie came out a few years ago, I decided to revisit the book so I could watch the film adaption...which looked pretty visually stunning (at least from the trailer). So I reread the book and ended up kind of liking it. Unfortunately, life got in the way of seeing the movie. Until this past weekend when I remembered I wanted to see it and rented it from Oxford Public Library's Teen Collection.

And I wish I hadn't.

Yes, the film adaption was as visually beautiful...almost to the point of overkill. But the rest if it was awful. Scenes central the plot were cut while other scenes that didn't further the story in the least were added for no other reason that to create unneeded drama (or just to dump in more CG effects). Not even one of the actors were right for the parts they played and the characters themselves were written all wrong. For example, the three Mrs. W's were not at all like they were in the book. And the overall tone was wrong. The book is actually pretty dark, but the movie was a brightly-colored, candy-coated bit of fluff that was so different from the source material I felt it was disrespectful. I told my husband that Tim Burton or The Duffer Brothers would have been a much better choice to direct this movie adaption.

So... I would absolutely recommend the BOOK A Wrinkle In Time. But do yourself a favor and skip the movie.

--AJB

p.s. That disturbing creature that's part Sting Ray, part cabbage will haunt my nightmares for the rest of my life.

Looking for Alaska (dvd)

Ever since I first learned John Green's novel Looking for Alaska might be made into a movie (this was some 10 or so years ago), I was excited to see how the story would play out on screen. I was curious to see who would be cast as Miles a.k.a. "Pudge" (back then I pictured Michael Cera), The Colonel, Takumi, and, of course Alaska. I wondered what Culver Creek would look like. I was curious how the whole sad saga could be made to fit into 90 or so minutes, what scenes would be cut, if I would even like the film version or if I would be sorry I watched it.

Well...I found out.

After several misfires and even more delays, it was finally decided to make the book into a TV Miniseries. I gotta say, this was absolutely the right decision! The story didn't suffer from essential scenes being cut, as it most definitely would had it been adapted for the Big Screen. What's more, it allowed for better character development...and not only that of main characters. Side characters that only briefly appear in the novel are brought into the spotlight and given their chance to shine (I especially loved Dr. Hyde's story arc. And the Eagle leading a school-wide Macarena was priceless!). Other bits are added too, but I'll let you discover those for yourself. Was everything and everyone like I pictured when I read the book? No. It was better! Infinitely better! I highly recommend it!

A personal observation: Watching the story unfold onscreen, I was Big Time reminded of My So Called Life, a made-for-TV High School drama I loved as a teen that aired for one season (and sadly only one season) back in the mid-90s. And I couldn't help but wonder if Mr. Green was influenced by this show (directly or subconsciously) when he penned Looking For Alaska. 

--AJB

Throwback Thursday #2: Spirited Away (dvd)

In need of a great movie to watch over the weekend, I asked around... And was given Spirited Away. I've seen some of the films to come out of Studio Ghibli (I especially loved When Marnie Was There), but this, perhaps the studio's most well-known, somehow eluded me.

Until now.

Spirited Away is about a young girl who, along with her parents, gets trapped in the Spirit Realm. Chichiro is upset about having to move away from her friends and us reluctant to follow her parents when they stop to explore a seemingly-abandoned village. Good thing she does, though, because her parents are transformed into pigs when they stop to eat at a mysterious, but also deserted, restaurant. The whole family is trapped when the sun sets and the village comes alive (?) with ghosts and spirits. Chichiro learns the only way to rescue her parents and escape is to outwit the evil sorceress who oversees the village. Something that is much harder than it seems.

Spirited Away ranks right up there with the Strangest Movies I've Ever Seen... and I've seen some odd ones! (The most bizarre being Stalker, a Russian-language film I watched at a friend's house because her BF liked to show guests odd movies...just to mess with them. I'm told Stalker actually inspired the Jeff VanderMeer book Annihilation. Having read this book and watched the movie, I can definitely see the influence) Overall, I'm not sure if I liked Spirited Away or not. I'm sure much was lost in the translation, being that this is not originally an English-language movie, and several cultural differences added another level of foreign-ness to the experience. But I can see how the film is as popular as it is...especially among Anime fans. If nothing else, it was certainly entertaining and kept me guessing right to the end.

So thank you to the kid who recommended Spirited Away (you know who you are). Now I can say I've seen it. 

--AJB

Throwback Thursday: Ten Miles Past Normal, by Frances O'Roark Dowell

Sometimes it's fun to re-read books you read when they were new and see how they stack up. Sometimes these books are still great. Sometimes.... Well, sometimes they lose something in the re-read, whether they're no longer timely or they're just not as good as you thought they were.

Fortunately, Ten Miles Past Normal, by Frances O'Roark Dowell (originally published 2011) is pretty much just as great as the first time I read it.

Ten Miles Past Normal stars high school freshman Janie Gorman, a former suburban kid whose parents moved to the country to try their hand at goat farming (it's a long story). Janie wants nothing more than to blend in with the rest of her classmates. Not be Miss Popularity. Just... blend in. Something that's hard to do when you sometimes come to school with goat poop on your shoe or hay in your hair (OK, so these things don't happen every day, but their single occurrences live in infamy in the hallowed high school halls).  To complicate things, Janie's friend group got split up and she and her BFF Sara have been growing apart. 

Ten Miles Past Normal begins with Janie acting very uptight and restrictive about all things that could cause her to stand out any more than she already does: Refusing to try new things, not wanting to associate with people who could be considered "weird" or "different"... that sort of thing. She's absolutely humiliated by her family. In particular, her mother, who has a popular blog about life down on the farm. Actually, Janie is a bit of a brat when we, the reader, first meet her.  And I really didn't like her much. 

Gradually, though, Janie begins to loosen up. She makes friends with Verbena and Monster, two students who are just the sort of people she would have avoided at first. She joins the school's Jam Band as the sole female bass player. She even starts to be OK with farm life. And when the story finishes, Janie has become a really awesome character.

No more spoilers, though. 

I first read Ten Miles Past Normal when it was first published. It was a book I checked out solely based on the awesome cover and ended up loving. And I was so happy to discover the book was just as great the second go-around...almost 10 years later. The plot development and the character growth are handled so well. It's a great coming-of-age story. There were a couple bits that gave me pause (the "Just Say No" moment felt really random and forced and After School Special, and it didn't at all fit with the story), but otherwise it was pretty much the perfect book.

--AJB