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.