Friday, April 25, 2014

Suicide Prevention: YA Books


In our town, we're going through a massive educational training on the prevention of Suicide. Connecticut has a hotline for the state, where you can find help or just someone to listen 
by calling 211 and then pressing 1.


I created a brochure for teens about suicide - with warning signs, websites, phone numbers, and of course books. Here are a few books found on that brochure and in the library.

Thirteen Reasons WhyThe 39 Deaths of Adam StrandBy The Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead  

Crash into MeEight Stories Up: An Adolescent Chooses Hope over SuicideForgive Me, Leonard Peacock  

Keep Holding OnThe S-WordThis Song Will Save Your Life

Friday, April 11, 2014

YA Books about Siblings


Yesterday was National Sibling Day - so today we have a booklist of some of my favorites.

Sure Fire (Rich and Jade Series #1)The Maze of Bones (The 39 Clues Series #1)The Alchemyst (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel #1)Clarity (Clarity Series #1) 
Ex-mas The Hunger Games (Hunger Games Series #1)Bras and Broomsticks (Magic in Manhattan Series)Kat, Incorrigible
Sweet Venom (Sweet Venom Series #1)Trading Faces

I couldn't leave off these three childhood favorites:

Double Love (Sweet Valley High, #1)Tales of a Fourth Grade NothingBetsy's Little Star

Do you have a favorite siblings book? Share it in the comments!

Friday, April 4, 2014

Novels in Verse: a few favorites



Happy National Poetry Month! 

2006 Poster

As a young YA Librarian, I remember thinking I wouldn't like novels in verse. The concept seemed strange to me. I wasn't big on poetry. I loved Shel Silverstein as a kid, but English classes took the joy out of poetry. So I wasn't sure what to expect, but I didn't expect to love it.
 
What My Mother Doesn't Know
 What My Mother Doesn't Know - this book opened me up to a new genre of books. 

From here, I read more of her books. 
What My Girlfriend Doesn't KnowOne of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother DiesTo Be Perfectly Honest: A Novel Based on an Untrue Story

Then I moved on to Lisa Schroeder's amazing books. 
 I Heart You, You Haunt MeChasing BrooklynFar from YouThe Day Before

I read some darker books
Crank (Crank Series #1)Sold 

I've read some other novels in verse too, but these have all stuck in my mind. I love the format. I love how perfect they are for reluctant readers. I've given these books out so many times over the years.

Do you have a favorite novel in verse?