Book Review- Forbidden by Eve Bunting

In early-nineteenth century Scotland, sixteen-year-old Josie, an orphan, is sent to live with an aunt and uncle on the rocky, stormy northwest coast. Everything and everyone in her new surroundings, including her relatives, is sinister, threatening, and mysterious. She's told that Eli, the young man she's attracted to, is forbidden to her, but not why. Spirited, curious, and determined, Josie sets out to learn the village's secrets and discovers evil, fueled by heartless greed, as well as a ghostly presence eager for revenge. 

This is a quick, easy read perfect for a long winter evening.  Be sure to check out the author's notes at the end of the story for some historical context.  

Book Review- Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Book Review- Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

When I brought this book home, a teenager immediately noticed it.  The distinctive cover art and black edged pages make the book stand out.  I gave it to him to read since technically, it is a YA book, and I figured he could tell me if it was any good.  Then he passed it on to his sister.  They both liked it, so I thought it must be worth reading!  

A group of six teenagers plot to break a prisoner out of an impossible jail.  There is Kaz, the ruthless leader who whispers rumors to make sure that no one really knows him.  Inej is an acrobat turned spy.  A sharpshooter with too much nervous energy and a gambling problem is called Jesper.  Nina is from a country of people with special powers, considered witches by some.  Matthias is a soldier who will betray his country.  Wylan is the youngest, and the son of a wealthy merchant who is learning explosives.  These six must work together to earn a huge amount of money.  They take turns narrating the chapters, picking up where the last one left off.  You get to know each one bit by bit.  It’s a gritty and sometimes brutal book of teens living in a hardscrabble world.

Reviewed by Fiona Swift

Happy Holidays from the Staff of the Public Libraries of Saginaw

All branches of the Public Libraries of Saginaw are closed for Christmas on December 24th and December 25th and for the New Year Holiday December 31st and January 1st. 

Holiday Reads for Teens

The December break is a great time to catch up on  reading.  Who cares if there's no snow?  These books are sure to put you in a festive mood.
Goodreads Holiday YA Novels

Happy Horror Week!

In celebration of National Horror Week, here is a list of some of the best horror books for teens.  You can find most of them in our collections at the Public Libraries of Saginaw.
Best Horror Books for Young Adults and Teens

2014 Goodreads Choice Award Winner

A beautiful and distinguished family.

A private island.

A brilliant, damaged girl; a passionate, political boy.

A group of four friends—the Liars—whose friendship turns destructive.

A revolution. An accident. A secret.

Lies upon lies.

True love.

The truth.

We Were Liars is a modern, sophisticated suspense novel from National Book Award finalist and Printz Award honoree E. Lockhart. 

Read it.

And if anyone asks you how it ends, just LIE.

For other Goodreads Choice Award Winners in YA Fiction, click here.

TEEN READ WEEK - GET AWAY

In honor of this year’s Teen Read Week theme, Get Away, we are bringing in a certified Yoga instructor so that you can relax your mind and body and get away from all of the stress in your life.

This program, limited to the first 10 tweens and teens to register, will provide a relaxing, gentle introduction to Vinyasa Yoga.  Please bring a beach towel or Yoga mat with you and a bottle of water.  To register for both sessions simply call 989-799-2771 or visit the Adult Reference Desk at Zauel Memorial Library.

Attention Writers!

Saginaw Community Writing Center

On the second Tuesday of each month, the Saginaw Community Writing Center (SCWC) will offer FREE walk-in tutoring for writers of all ages and on any writing project as well as writing workshops addressing writers’ specific needs. Some of these workshops include creative writing, resume writing, and personal/letter writing. Walk-in tutoring hours and workshops are staffed by SVSU Writing Center tutors. Workshop begins at 6pm with one on one tutoring available from 4-6pm. For more information you may contact Maria Vos at 989-964-2829.

Program dates and topics

Creative Writing for Middle School Children

Tuesday, October 13 - 6:00 p.m.

Butman-Fish Library

Buzzfeed's 37 Best YA Books of All Time

Check out the selections!  How many have you read? What is your favorite YA book?

The Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
ISBN 9780062310637

The Reds are impoverished human commoners ruled by the Silvers, elite warriors with god-like powers.  Mare Barrow, a 17-year-old Red girl from The Stilts, is powerless to change any of that until she meets the underground resistance known as the Scarlet Guard. She soon finds herself working in the Silver Palace, where she quickly discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own -one that threatens to destroy Silver control. The struggle for power is a dangerous game.  And in this world divided by blood, who will win? 

Did you know?

You can get FREE ebooks, audiobooks, comics and zines online at The MeLReadingZone! Check it out today! Don't forget this valuable resource when you have a book to read for school at the last minute.  Many full text classics are available right here.

Book Review- No Such Person by Caroline Cooney

Miranda and Lander Allerdon are sisters. Miranda is younger, a dreamer, and floating her way through life. Lander is older, focused, and determined to succeed. As the girls and their parents begin another summer at their cottage on the Connecticut River, Miranda and Lander’s sibling rivalry is in high gear. Lander plans to start medical school in the fall, and Miranda feels cast in her shadow.

When the Allerdons become entangled in an unimaginable tragedy, the playing field is suddenly leveled. As facts are revealed, the significance of what has happened weighs heavily on all. How can the family prepare for what the future may hold? 

Learn the Meditative Art of Zentangle

Learn to Zentangle on Monday, September 21 at 4:30 pm at the Hoyt Library. 

The Zentangle Method is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun art form.  Almost anyone can use it to create beautiful images. As you practice the Zentangle Method, you discover that not only can you create beautiful art, you also can increase your focus and create a different mood and state of mind.

In this introductory class, you will learn more about the Zentangle method and create your own beautiful tiles to take home.    We will provide you with the materials you need. The program is FREE and open to teens and young adults ages 13-20. 

The last day to sign up for the Summer Reading Program and get a chance to earn you t-shirt is This Saturday, July 18th! 

Are you getting bored being at home with nothing to do?  Talk to your parents about checking out one of the many interesting, educational, and exciting offers throughout Michigan using the Michigan Activity Pass!

You can also find plenty of things to do right here in the Saginaw Community by visiting the library's Saginaw Events Calendar.

We're halfway through the summer reading program!  Haven't signed up yet?  No problem There is still plenty of time to register.  Visit any branch or click the registration link on the library home page at www.saginawlibrary.org to register by July 18th then read and log your hours to claim your free Every Hero Has a Story T-shirt.

Book Review: Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen

Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen

Sydney has always felt invisible. She’s used to her brother, Peyton, being the focus of attention.  Now, after a drunk-driving accident that crippled a boy, handsome and charismatic Peyton is serving some serious jail time, and Sydney is on her own while her father retreats to his work and her mother obsesses over making Peyton’s jail time more like a summer camp than lock-up. 

When Sydney meets the Chatham family after transferring to a new school, she experiences unquestioning acceptance for the first time, finally feeling like someone can see her.

Saint Anything is Sarah Dessen’s deepest and most psychologically probing novel yet, telling an engrossing story of a girl discovering friendship, love, and herself.

Registration begins June 8, 2015!

American Library Association Announces Printz Award for Young Adult Literature for 2015

The Michael L. Printz Award is an award for a book that exemplifies literary excellence in young adult literature. It is named for a Topeka, Kansas school librarian who was a long-time active member of the Young Adult Library Services Association.

This year's winner is I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson. Check out the Printz Honor Books and past years' winners at http://www.ala.org/yalsa/printz-award.

Copies are available at the Library.