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Instagram: @kelseasbooked

Twitter: @kelsearowan

Email: kelsearowan@gmail.com or kelsea.rowan@rutgers.edu

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This was a great interactive display for both patrons and the teen volunteers. I had the volunteers come up with the examples to start the display and then invited patrons to create their own!

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This would be a fun display to have-maybe have the kids submit what they think their favorite characters would say!

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My supervisors loved these so much when my teens made them that they laminated them and still have them up!

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Love this! Other ideas: zuckeman's farm, sodor, avonlea, toyland,  From (mostly pixar) movies: paradise falls, radiator springs, Andy's room, andalasia, the drop-off, monstropolis, metroville, game central station

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I had my teens test out this craft for an upcoming Harry Potter drop-in craft hour.

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DIY Harry Potter wands: hot glue, pencils, and paint!

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Trying to find a way to get your signs to stand up with limited resources?

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Trying to find a way to get your signs to stand up with limited resources?

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Binder clips!

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Clever way to make signs stand up! Teachers... we have billions of these clips! One of those simple solutions ... why didn't I figure this out?

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I love using Pinterest each summer to pin ideas for different book displays and programming ideas to my "Librarian Things" board. I enjoy watching my teens bring these ideas to life each year - here are a few I've actually used.

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This comment about young people's power to use what critics often see as negative (their ability to swiftly communicate and harness the power of the internet) is exactly what I hope to promote throughout my career as I empower young people and rally others around them.

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Using my favorite quote! You don't know what you don't know! Take the journey with your teens.

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An infographic!

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How can we better help students? By listening to them.

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They also have a website, with amazing resources for students and educators. They release a podcast three times a month, which you can access on soundcloud or itunes!

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Student Voice: Equipping Students to Take Action

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A nationwide student-led nonprofit organization that works to equip students to advocate for solutions to educational inequity.

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"We strengthen the #StuVoice movement by empowering students to take action on issues that most impact their education"

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also: #StuVoiceChat

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As I suspected my twitter Klout is quite small, at only 15 but I'm getting into the explore feature to hopefully increase it!

I liked that Social Rank was able to tell me that my most frequent hashtag is #trust, probably because of my conversation with Kristin Fontichiaro about building trust with students while teaching them to critically engage with their environment and question everything!

Social Rank also gave me insight on my followers, listing their top 3 bio words as school, blogger, and librarian, and the most popular hashtags as #RU515, #tlchat, and #booksnaps (I'm sure we can attribute that last one to Jasmine!).

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Happiness! I love my future profession and empowering teens, this blog really peaks my interest. I love all of the book recommendations and know this will continue to me my go-to as I support teens in my library!

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Neil recommends a great article from School Library Journal.

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Bridging the gap between TED talks, writers, and libraries!

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What's trending in the minds of librarians! What a more up to date way to see what our community is thinking about than browsing through the questions they're asking their peers?

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New ideas on using technology to share your book reviews and musings!

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To building LGBTQ collections for teens!

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To building LGBTQ collections for teens!

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by Amanda MacGregor

Check out these articles and websites for great suggestions on books to add to your collections and how to support GLBTQ youth.

"LGTBQ and You: How to Support Your Students" by Lauren Barack at School Library Journal. From the article:

"With 82 percent of LGBTQ students reporting verbal harassment, among other forms of bullying, according to the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network's (GLSEN) 2011 School Climate Report, finding a space to feel safe may be particularly crucial for these students. So is finding materials in which LGBTQ students can see themselves-resources that reflect the stories of their lives and the themes that mirror their own questions and concerns. School librarians provide support through their very presence as well as through the services they can provide."

I'm Here. I'm Queer. What the Hell do I read? From the blog, "I think [the blog] is for teens (queer or not), for librarians, for teachers, for booksellers, for people with teens in their lives and for anyone interested in YA books with GLBTQ characters and themes. What books are already out there? What's new? Your answers are here."
The Lesbrary. Bisexual Books tumblr. Queer Book Club tumblr.
Trans titles for young adults. Book list with brief annotations. (From Young Adult Library Services. By Talya Sokoll.)

Serving Trans Teens. Suggestions for ways libraries can reach out and serve trans teens beyond just stocking books. (From Young Adult Library Services. By Talya Sokoll.)

Rainbow Reads: GLBTQIA Books for Teens: A reader's guide to books across the spectrum. This is an amazing resource. This extremely thorough website lists books by many categories, including: lesbian contemporary fiction; lesbian secondary characters; anthologies; cross-dressing; asexual teen fiction; trans fantasy, scifi, and historical fiction; and so much. It looks like the site is in the process of being redone and updated. The site breaks the books down by age group, too. There's a glossary of terms, important dates to know, and tips for how to build a good GLBTQIA collection.

Queer YA: Fiction for LGBTQ Teens is another great site. Excellent, thorough book reviews. Can search by genre, pub date, author, and a super duper character search that features terms like genderqueer, surprise queer character, unreliable narrator, and more. The site is on an indefinite hiatus, but there's a lot of great stuff already on here.

Stonewall Book Awards. List of winners and honors from 1971 to 2014.

Gay YA: LGBTQIA characters in YA fiction & LGBTQIA YA Authors. Book reviews, forums, guest blog posts, reading lists broken down by various themes, online resources, teen voices, and more.

More Than Just Magic. Go to "recommended reading" and click on YA lit, which will bring you to a spreadsheet with tons of information.

Malinda Lo's blog index to LGBT YA posts

41 Transgender-friendly Books for Young Kids at Bitch magazine. This list includes main or secondary characters who identify as transgender, genderqueer characters, characters who express gender ambiguity, or deal with gender in a nontraditional way.

It's a few years old, but I absolutely love this great It Gets Better video done by children's authors and illustrators.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYRYpYyHMos?rel=0]
Rainbow Books. GLBTQ Books for Children and Teens. LGBT YA Reviews

F Yeah, Queer Teen Lit tumblr. "Finding queer teen books can be difficult; this blog aims to make it less so."

DiversifYA. "In your YA, diversifying your stories." Click on DiversiThemes and then QUILTBAG
Diversity in YA LGBTQ resources: BEYOND BOOKS On these sites, you will find resources for teens, parents, people who work with/care about teens, and more.
The Trevor Project -A 24-hour toll free confidential hotline for gay and questioning youth. 844-4-U-TREVOR

The It Gets Better Project -Suicide prevention video project and website to give hope to LGBTQ teens that high school and its bullies will not last forever, that it DOES get better.

GLSEN -Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network
HRC-Human Rights Campaign Stopbullying.gov GSA Network
GLBT Near Me. The GLBT National Help Center has this awesome site where you just plug in your zip code and can find a variety of resources near you. Their national youth talkline is toll-free 1-800-246-PRIDE (1-800-246-7743)

The Nine Line For Homeless/Runaway Teens
1-800-999-9999

Advocates for Youth. Extensive links for resources for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth. Organizations, websites, videos.

The American Civil Liberties Union has a section on LGBT Youth & Schools Resources and Links.
Know of a great resource I missed? Leave it in the comments or come tell me on Twitter @CiteSomething.

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GLBTQ YA resources for building a collection and supporting teens

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by Amanda MacGregor Check out these articles and websites for great suggestions on books to add to your collections and how to support GLBTQ youth. "LGTBQ and You: How to Support Your Students" by Lauren Barack at School Library Journal .

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Critically examining the representation of bigger bodied people in Everyday by David Levithan

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No one spoke out loud about my father's strange behavior, but I knew something wasn't quite right with him. My question would be answered with either silence or in a lowered voice, "We don't discuss that."

There were days he'd be like a helium balloon, filled with so much air and energy that I swear he'd be floating. When Dad drank? He was that funny drunk. He'd tell these hilarious stories that would have me and my sisters laughing. Dad could be very charming. He was very impulsive. He loved animals and Grandma Baccellia once shared how he brought home an injured bird, asking her to help it.
Then there was the other side. The nights he'd scream for the demons to leave him alone while he'd slam his fist into the drywall. Our walls resembled Swiss cheese. He'd stay in his darkened room for days. My older half-sister told me that she remembered him taking his rifle and shooting out the windows of their house. Police were called but nothing much came out of it. When he was down? He'd put his .57 Magnum to his head and threatened to kill himself. Even now I can hear that click of his gun.
Other times he'd sleep forever. There were more than a few times, he wouldn't pick Mom and us up at the supermarket. We'd walk home with the grocery cart loaded with groceries. When we got home? Dad would be asleep on the couch.

I was embarrassed and didn't invite anyone over to visit. You never knew when he'd go off on someone. Even going to church came with conditions. Dad didn't like us going to the local Mormon church. Since Mom refused to drive, we walked everywhere and that included to church. I still remember him following us in his truck, threatening to shoot and kill the bishop if we continued to the church. Mom rounded us up and we went back home.

Fear ruled our lives. It became a way of life and became my master. I was on hyper alert 24/7 as I never knew what would set Dad off on one of those moods. It was best to stay out of his way.
I also remember how isolated I felt. Who could I talk to about what was going on in our home? I was told that if we said anything? Social services would come and take us away. Or we'd end up on the street. To this day homelessness is still my biggest fear.
What makes this all so tragic is Dad refused help. I remember him saying, "I'm not crazy." The times that he did self-medicate with alcohol did help but even that was frowned on. Yes, as a teen I purchased his favorite Yukon Jack whiskey. That was until a bishop told me, "Good Mormon girls don't buy alcohol."

When I confided in a close friend? The next day at the middle school I attended, she informed me that her father said, "No good Mormon girl said such terrible things about her own father." She wasn't to hang with me anymore. To make matters worse? She introduced me to her new best friend. Yes, I was that girl who ate in the bathroom stall.

Once again I was the 'bad' one for trying to help make an unbearable situation lighter.

After Dad's death, I asked my mother if he was bipolar. I took an abnormal psychology class in college that nailed what I'd witnessed in my father's behavior growing up. She told me that yes, he was. With that information, I went to my doctor and read up on this mental illness. Knowledge is power. I even attended a mental illness symposium that was held during BYU's Education Week. They ended up having to turn people away. Listening to the speaker, I was propelled to share my own story. Afterwards, more than a few people came up to me and said, "I was your father. That was me."
Now I believe it's important to speak out and not to be afraid. That's the only way the stigma against mental illness will lessen. It'll also help others to go get help and not end up like my father.
I need to make a disclaimer that not all of those who have bipolar disorder have similar situations. Each experience is different. One thing I do want to stress is that bipolar people aren't all violent. In my family case though, Dad experienced violence growing up. Uncle Bud, who also was bipolar, was very violent. One family member shared that my uncle would throw hammers whenever he was angry. So chances are good that others who witnessed similar violence in their lives might also respond the same way. An example is my older half-brother who shot out the windows of his mother's house which was very similar to what Dad did.
I wished that Dad had gotten help or that someone had stepped up and admitted him to the hospital. At that time though, the prevalent thinking was it was best to stay out of other's lives as that was their 'business.' We did try to get him help but I learned that you can't help someone unless they admit they need that help.
At the end of his life, Dad probably suffered another psychotic break. He refused to bathe as he felt the government poisoned the water. Mom told me he said that he was so angry at everything. They found him dead in front of a restaurant in his Blazer truck with his Boxer dog.
How I wished that there had books for teens that addressed this mental issue. Maybe then I wouldn't have felt so alone and to blame.
I've been researching more on bipolar disorder and looking for YA books that handle this subject. Here's a list of ten books that I felt were authentic and resonated with me.

When We Collided by Emory Lord

I could totally relate with the descriptions of Vivi's mania as my older half-brother Ricky used similar descriptions. Lord nails the ups and downs of manic depression.

Crazy by Amy Reed

A very realistic portrayal of a teen with bipolar disorder and a relationship that is at times loving and destructive.

Impulse by Ellen Hopkins

Ellen Hopkins isn't afraid to tackle sensitive subjects. One reason why I love her writing so much. In Impulse, readers visit a psych ward where one of the teens battles her bipolar disorder.

This is How I Find Her by Sara Polsky

What I love about this novel is how Polsky nails the emotional struggles of a teen with her bipolar mother. A lot of these emotions I could totally relate with.

Mind Race by Patrick E. Jamieson

This is more of a memoir of a teen's experience dealing with bipolar disorder. A must read for those who want to educate themselves on this mental issue.

The Unquiet by Jeannie Garsee

A must read for paranormal fans that shows bipolar disorder in a realistic light.

The Perks of being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Loved this coming of age story where bipolar disorder isn't shown in the usual stereotypical matter.

Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves

Love how Reeves shows a strong bipolar protagonist in this paranormal thriller.

The Rules of Survival by Nancy Werlin

This one really stuck a nerve as my father was also that violent, abusive bipolar. You never knew what to expect in our house. But once again, I have to stress that my experience might not be someone else's.

The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson

This book isn't about bipolar disorder but shows a very realistic view of a teen that struggles with her father that suffers from PTSD. Many times I wondered if Dad also had this going on too especially after I found he'd been abused as a child. Haunting and powerful, it resonated with me.

Meet Kim Baccellia

I'm a YA author, Staff reviewer for YA Books Central, and a homeschooling mom. I've been a part of the Cybils-Children's and Young Adult Blogger's Literary Awards and I'm very passionate about diversity in YA/children literature. I graduated from BYU with a degree in elementary education and also attended CSU Fullerton grad program in bilingual/bicultural education. I love parrots, yoga, poetry, Jaime from the Outlander series, and anything Parisian. I'm a total bookaholic. A good place to find me is either at the local Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf with a nommy iced tea latte or a Barnes & Noble where I'll be perusing the YA section.

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Search Results is fat - @TLT16 Teen Librarian Toolbox

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No one spoke out loud about my father's strange behavior, but I knew something wasn't quite right with him. My question would be answered with either silence or in a lowered voice, "We don't discuss that." There were days he'd be like a helium balloon, filled with so much air and energy that I swear he'd be floating.

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As I began my 2013 reading, I kept noticing an interesting trend: really rich kids dominating teen fiction. The reason it stood out to me was because it doesn't seem to reflect the reality of our current economic situation. The news keeps discussing how more and more people are sliding out of the middle class and inching towards poverty. Adults being laid off, being hired only part time, how pay rates haven't kept pace with inflation, and more. The rate of children going to bed hungry is increasing at alarming rates with the newest numbers indicating that 1 out of 5 are going to be hungry. But what does a life of poverty really look and feel like? Sadly, too many of our tweens and teens can tell us. You can find their stories in some of the following books.

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
Hands down this is one of the most stunning and spot on depictions of poverty I have ever read. It is also a beautiful love story and a heart shattering story of abuse. There is a scene where Eleanor talks about how her bra is being held together by safety pins and after reading it you will never be the same. It is set in the 80s, but this type of poverty transcends time and the depiction of the struggle and feelings is so spot on that it will always ring true.

Scowler and Rotters by Daniel Kraus
These are two separate and totally unrelated books. But underneath all the horror in the books is another very real presence and character: the horror of poverty. Kraus is an excellent, and disturbing, storyteller. His stories are disturbing (and I mean that as a compliment), not Kraus himself. Well, he could be, I don't really know. But most disturbing of all is his very accurate and moving depiction of how poverty affects these boys lives. There is a prolonged scene in Rotters where Joey is just tormented by a raging hunger. Stephen King fans will like Daniel Kraus, and they may be surprised by what the learn about poverty while reading these terrifying tales. In Rotters by Daniel Kraus, there is this long scene where the main character, Joey, is so hungry (he hasn't eaten in like 3 days) that he just Can. Not. Focus. at all on anything else but the PURE PAIN in his belly caused by hunger. It is one of the most amazing things I have read. Hungry kids can't learn. Hungry kids can't think about doing anything but finding a way to stop being hungry.
For mature readers.

Ketchup Clouds by Annabel Pitcher
Zoe writes letter to a man imprisoned in America revealing her darkest secret: she too is responsible for someone's death. The who and how are what is slowly revealed in the letter as Zoe wrestles with guilt. But in the background, Zoe's father has just been laid off and the family is struggling to make ends meet. Coming out later in the fall, it is one of the few titles I have read recently that shows a teen facing what many families have been coping with these past few years: a laid off parent.

If I Ever Get Out of Here by Eric L Gansworth
When Lewis "Shoe" Blake makes friends with the new kids in school, he goes out of his way to keep George from seeing his house. Lewis lives on the reservation in extreme poverty. This title comes out next month I believe and it is a gut wrenching read. The lengths that Lewis and his friends go through to hide where they live, to try and buy reduced lunch without anyone seeing and more - made me weep. This book takes place in the 70s but so much of it still rings true today. Great for MG readers.

Tap Out by Eric Devine
Seventeen-year-old Tony Antioch lives in Pleasant Meadows, a trailer park. When he is sucked into a friend's Mixed Martial Arts class, he just might have found something he loves. But with a constant stream of guys coming in and beating up his mom and a local gang wanting to recruit him to sell drugs, can Tony find a way out? Gritty and very realistic, like Tony this book pulls no punches. Definitely for mature readers, but too many of our kids are living this life.

Ashes on the Waves by Mary Lindsey
Based on Edgar Allan Poe's Annabel Lee, Lindsey creates a haunting gothic read that takes place on an island that has many secrets. Liam is the poorest of poor boys, living in a shack and outcast because of an injury that makes people believe he is evil. Annabel is a rich girl sent back to her childhood home to keep her out of the limelight because she has been getting some less than stellar press. The two were childhood friends that now have nothing in common. But can the bonds of true love ever be severed? A very interesting look at a love that goes "across the tracks" with some paranormal twists.

Cherry Money Baby by John M. Cusick
Cherry lives with her dad and younger brother and is proud of her work, rolling burritos, even if it's not thrilling. Her dad also has tremendous pride in worksmanship and ownership as a mechanic and small business owner. Cherry has a brush with the rich and famous, where she vacillates between feeling totally out of place and enjoying her role as a trusted "real world" ally, but ultimately her family loses everything but the clothes on their back in one fateful evening. Though the focus of the book is not specifically on the plight of the "working poor" this story illustrates clearly the fine line between "doing just fine" and "destitute" that so many families tread. The accident and resulting poverty and financial instability then drive some very interesting choices that could change Cherry's life forever.

Hold Fast by Blue Baillett
A young girl falls into the foster system and tries to solve the mystery of her father's disappearance. I have not read this title yet, but I saw Baillett speak earlier this year at TXLA and she talked a lot about how seeing the poverty around her led her to write this book and tell their story.

Almost Home by Joan Bauer
Often homeless and always struggling, Sugar and her mom move from Missouri to Chicago, which doesn't turn out to be the quick fix to their problems that they thought they would be. This is a touching story about homelessness and poverty by a masterful storyteller. My tween read it because there was a dog on the cover, but we cried and cheered together for Sugar. Great for MG readers.

Hooked by Liz Fichera
When Native American Fredricka 'Fred' Oday is invited to become the only girl on the school's golf team, she can't say no. This is an opportunity to shine, win a scholarship and go to university, something no one in her family has done. Christie reviewed this title earlier and really liked it.

Tyrell by Coe Booth
Tyrell is living in a homeless shelter and trying to make ends meet. He knows he needs to get his hands on some money, but how? Christie recommends this book.

Starters by Lissa Price
In a desolate future, the Spore Wars has claimed the lives of most adults ages 20 to 60. Callie and her brothers are living on the streets, stealing food, and trying to survive. There are renegades that would kill them for a cookie. Callie's last choice is to rent out her body to an Ender, a woman who wants one last time to experience youth by living in Callie's body. Science fiction excels when it makes us think of current world problems by placing us in parallel situations and making us think about the issues in creative ways. The companion book, Enders, comes out later this year.

Have more to add to the list? Please tell us about your recommendations in the comments.

Additonal Resources:
Project Hope Virginia Booklist

More TLT Posts on Poverty:
Sunday Reflections: This is what losing everything looks like
Sunday Reflections: Going to be hungry
Sunday Reflections: A tale of two libraries
Can we all just stop saying the Internet is free now please?

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Rich Teen, Poor Teen: Books that depict teens living in poverty

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As I began my 2013 reading, I kept noticing an interesting trend: really rich kids dominating teen fiction. The reason it stood out to me was because it doesn't seem to reflect the reality of our current economic situation. The news keeps discussing how more and more people are sliding out of the middle class and inching towards poverty.

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This was a stellar collection, especially for the demographic it's targeting! These "byte-size" reviews are perfect for Generation Z who have shorter attention spans but are great at multi-tasking, preferring their information comes in "bytes" (the rising popularity of the list article ...) like the mini-reviews on these post-its!

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Now that I work in an elementary library, I'm reading a lot more titles for younger readers. Rather than review all of them like I usually do, I'm stealing Karen's Post-it note review idea and sharing the titles with you that way. It's been super interesting to me to see what the students (grades K-5) check out. I've spent so long completely in the world of YA and am glad for an opportunity to work with younger readers and to read all of the great picture books, chapter books, and middle grade books I've missed out on!

All descriptions from the publishers.
Wishtree by Katherine Applegate The New York Times-bestselling story of kindness, friendship, and hope. Trees can't tell jokes, but they can certainly tell stories. . . .
Red is an oak tree who is many rings old. Red is the neighborhood "wishtree"-people write their wishes on pieces of cloth and tie them to Red's branches. Along with a crow named Bongo and other animals who seek refuge in Red's hollows, this wishtree watches over the neighborhood.

You might say Red has seen it all.

Until a new family moves in. Not everyone is welcoming, and Red's experience as a wishtree is more important than ever.

Funny, deep, warm, and nuanced, this is Katherine Applegate at her very best-writing from the heart, and from a completely unexpected point of view.
Mega Princess by Kelly Thompson, Brianne Drouhard
Max has the powers of every princess ever . . . too bad she just wants to be a detective.

Budding detective or princess in training? These are just a few of the questions Princess Maxine Titan must ask herself on her tenth birthday. See, turning ten is the very important day when every princess meets her very own fairy godmother and receives a special gift. When Max is bestowed with the powers of every princess in the known universe she longs to reject this clichéd royal convention and follow in the footsteps of her greatest heroes: Philip Marlowe! Sherlock Holmes! Miss Marple! Poor Max fears her detective career may end before it starts, that is, until her baby brother is kidnapped...

Written by Kelly Thompson ( Jem and the Holograms) and illustrated by Brianne Drouhard ( Harpy Gee), Mega Princess follows Max and her trusted steed Justine (aka "jerk pony"), as they navigate strange new powers, wonderous lands, and their own conflicted friendship in an journey to find out who took Prince Bobs and what greater forces are at play in the kingdom.
Rebound by Kwame Alexander
From the New York Times bestselling author Kwame Alexander comes Rebound, a dynamic novel in verse and companion to his Newbery Award-winner, The Crossover, illustrated with striking graphic novel panels.

Before Josh and Jordan Bell were streaking up and down the court, their father was learning his own moves. In this prequel to Newbery Medal winner The Crossover, Chuck Bell takes center stage, as readers get a glimpse of his childhood and how he became the jazz music worshiping, basketball star his sons look up to.

A novel in verse with all the impact and rhythm readers have come to expect from Kwame Alexander, Rebound will go back in time to visit the childhood of Chuck "Da Man" Bell during one pivotal summer when young Charlie is sent to stay with his grandparents where he discovers basketball and learns more about his family's past.
Class Action by Steven B. Frank
NO. MORE. HOMEWORK.

That's what sixth grader Sam Warren tells his teacher while standing on top of his desk. He's fed up with doing endless tasks from the time he gets home to the time he goes to sleep. Suspended for his protest, Sam decides to fight back. He recruits his elderly neighbor/retired attorney Mr. Kalman to help him file a class action lawsuit on behalf of all students in Los Angeles. Their argument? Homework is unconstitutional.

With a ragtag team-aspiring masterchef Alistair, numbers gal Catalina, sports whiz Jaesang, rebel big sister Sadie and her tech-savvy boyfriend Sean-Sam takes his case to federal court. He learns about the justice system, kids' rights, and constitutional law. And he learns that no matter how many times you get knocked down, there's always an appeal...until the nine justices have the last say.

Will Sam's quest end in an epic fail, or will he be the hero who saves childhood for all time?
Until Tomorrow, Mr. Marsworth by Sheila O'Connor Set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, one young girl is determined to save her brother from the draft-and gets help from an unlikely source-in this middle-grade tale, perfect for fans of The Wednesday Wars
When eleven-year-old Reenie Kelly's mother passes away, she and her brothers are shipped off to live with their grandmother. Adjusting to life in her parents' Midwestern hometown isn't easy, but once Reenie takes up a paper route with her older brother Dare, she has something she can look forward to. As they introduce themselves to every home on their route, Reenie's stumped by just one-the house belonging to Mr. Marsworth, the town recluse. When he doesn't answer his doorbell, Reenie begins to leave him letters. Slowly, the two become pen pals, striking up the most unlikely of friendships.

Through their letters, Reenie tells of her older brother Billy, who might enlist to fight in the Vietnam War. Reenie is desperate to stop him, and when Mr. Marsworth hears this, he knows he can't stand idly by. As a staunch pacifist, Mr. Marsworth offers to help Reenie. Together, they concoct a plan to keep Billy home, though Reenie doesn't know Mr. Marsworth's dedication to her cause goes far beyond his antiwar beliefs.

In this heartwarming piece of historical fiction, critically acclaimed author Sheila O'Connor delivers a tale of devotion, sacrifice, and family.

Front Desk by Kelly Yang Mia Tang has a lot of secrets. Number 1: She lives in a motel, not a big house. Every day, while her immigrant parents clean the rooms, ten-year-old Mia manages the front desk of the Calivista Motel and tends to its guests.

Number 2: Her parents hide immigrants. And if the mean motel owner, Mr. Yao, finds out they've been letting them stay in the empty rooms for free, the Tangs will be doomed.

Number 3: She wants to be a writer. But how can she when her mom thinks she should stick to math because English is not her first language?
The Dumbest Idea Ever! by Jimmy Gownley
It will take all of Mia's courage, kindness, and hard work to get through this year. Will she be able to hold on to her job, help the immigrants and guests, escape Mr. Yao, and go for her dreams?

What if the dumbest idea ever turned your life upside down?

At thirteen, Jimmy was popular, at the top of his class, and the leading scorer on his basketball team. But all that changed when chicken pox forced him to miss the championship game. Things went from bad to worse when he got pneumonia and missed even more school. Before Jimmy knew it, his grades were sinking and nothing seemed to be going right.

How did Jimmy turn things around, get back on top at school, and land a date with the cutest girl in class?

Renowned comics creator Jimmy Gownley shares his adventures as he grows from an eager-to-please boy into a teenage comic book artist. This is the real-life story of how the DUMBEST idea ever became the BEST thing that ever happened to him.

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Post-it Note Reviews of Elementary and Middle Grade Books

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Now that I work in an elementary library, I'm reading a lot more titles for younger readers. Rather than review all of them like I usually do, I'm stealing Karen's Post-it note review idea and sharing the titles with you that way. It's been super interesting to me to see what the students (grades K-5) check out.

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This blog and Karen Jensen's twitter have been my favorite finds during the PLN journey! I love all the content curated specifically for teen librarians and the sensitive topics they're not afraid to approach!

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And advice on some unique #librarianproblems

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And advice on some unique #librarianproblems

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No seriously, these librarians are everywhere!

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No seriously, these librarians are everywhere!

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Network, network, network.

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Creating Polls about Social Media use in Libraries!

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Creating Polls about Social Media use in Libraries!

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My first foray into PLN's was before I even knew what they were and one of my supervisors for my library summer position recommended I join the ALA Think Tank group, which has since been renamed the Library Think Tank. This is an amazing online community of different librarians and aspiring librarians from around the world! This group truly is a think tank and you never know what you're going to find on any given day. From librarian jokes to polls and advice to newbies, this group is a gold mine!

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One of my most consistent contirbutions to my network has always been quotes, Goodreads used to email subscribers everyday the "Goodreads Quote of the Day" which I would always make a point to share. After they ended this, I began to slack on my contributions but always enjoy sharing my posts from years back. So here's a collection of past posts and a few current ones.

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#3: Charming work stories and daily musings

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#3: Charming work stories and daily musings

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“Do you understand how amazing it is to hear that from an adult? Do you know how amazing it is to hear that from anybody? It's one of the simplest sentences in the world, just four words, but they're the four hugest words in the world when they're put together.

You can do it.” -Sherman Alexie

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Jasmine comments and retweets about some topics very important to me (closed captioning, the importance of the right book at the right time!). Here's one of my faves she's retweeted, it reminds me of my favorite passage from the Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

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#1: We rejoiced about the Eagles Superbowl win!

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#1: We rejoiced about the Eagles Superbowl win!

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I don't know how she does it, but she does!

Jasmine is the active book champion on the internet we all aspire to be.

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Know all those library quotes you love? He said them.

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Honorary Chair of National Library Week in 2010

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Honorary Chair of National Library Week in 2010

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Librarians are the thin red line between civilization and barbarism.

Free books are

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Neil Gaiman is a fierce library, written word, and independent book store advocate (among various other worthy causes) and prominent author of great children's books, graphic novels, and films - a perfect library crush!

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Slambook Creator. 24 year old Rutgers Master of Information Student with an affinity for coffee, books, and music. I'm an LGBTQ advocate and future Teen Services Librarian currently working at a county community college, doing what I love: helping students!

I've spent the last four years running a teen volunteer program each summer for my local library, where I grew up and found my love for libraries. My ultimate goal in my profession is to give back what has been gifted to me: empowerment and mentorship.

An internet lurker working on the art of participating.