“In order to be really good as a librarian, everything counts towards your work, every play you go see, every concert you hear, every trip you take, everything you read, everything you know. I don’t know of another occupation like that. The more you know, the better you’re going to be.” ― Allen Smith I… Read More Librarians and “Experience Advisory”
Last week I started a new blog series to practice my annotation skills by writing glowing recommendations for the things I am in the midst of loving. So here is Week #2 of what I read, watched, clicked, cooked, and sipped. What I Read Rather than join the lengthy Hold waitlist for MaddAddam (or buy it for $33… Read More What I Loved This Week #2: Sarcastic Graphic Novels, Game of Thrones, Haruki Music, Eggplant, and Coffee Beans
It’s true: librarians are always on the look out for a new book to love. But I’ve found, as a group, we’re also pretty savvy when it comes to other forms of entertainment as well. Never have I met a group so well read, listened, and watched as my fellow MLIS students. So, as sort… Read More What I Loved This Week: Margaret Atwood, Bob’s Burgers, of Montreal, and fancy cheese.
I created a “Gateway Graphic Novels” display that will guide new teen graphic novel readers towards highly engaging items, and will likely spark a further interest in the genre. The target audience of my display is teens aged 15-19, however, many younger teens and adults will also benefit from it. Graphic novel collections are becoming… Read More Gateway Graphic Novels for Teens – The Creation of a Virtual Display
*This book review contains spoilers* In fast-paced gripping prose that will keep readers turning pages, Jo Knowles tells the story of an unplanned pregnancy from the alternating perspectives of 4 high school students. All Ellie wants is to be loved. All Josh wants is to lose his virginity. Their miscommunication introduces the novel, and results… Read More Book Review of Jumping Off Swings by Jo Knowles: Not Your Average Problem Novel
“We always underestimated our own participation in magic. That is, we thought of magic as something that existed with or without us. But that’s not true.” How does one create a story about queer love that will appeal to readers of all sexualities, without coming off as defensive, offensive, or pushy? Write about magic. David… Read More Gay Literature with Universal Appeal!? Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan
Welcome to suburban Seattle in the 70s: where a mutation based sexually transmitted disease is transforming teenagers into monsters. Although sometimes housed in the adult graphic novel section, Black Hole by Charles Burns is certainly a story for teens sixteen and up. Through the perspective of several high school students, the reader witnesses a sweeping… Read More YA Book Review: Black Hole by Charles Burns: a fast-paced sci-fi horror hybrid for the masses
Let’s just admit it: not everyone thinks poetry is as great as we do. Is poetry in danger of dying out? Not a chance. Poetry has stood the test of time, and remains one of the most powerful, evocative forms of communication. Poetry challenges the social norm, and helps people feel like they’re part of something… Read More 10 Poems That Teenagers Might Actually Love
Now presenting: my first ever book trailer! Above you will find my book trailer, recommending Jeff Smith’s Out From Boneville for teen audiences. It features stop motion animation, as well as watercolour and ink artwork based closely on images from Jeff Smith’s Bone series. During the weeks preceding its due date, my trailer script went… Read More YA Lit Book Trailer: Out From Boneville by Jeff Smith
Former Degrassi script writer, Susin Nielson, creates vivid and engaging characters in The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen. While older teens may be reluctant to read a story that focuses on a thirteen-year-old trying to restart his life after a tragedy, older children and younger teens (aged 11-14) will appreciate the depth of emotion… Read More Young teens with a soft spot for sarcasm will love The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen.
Ontarian Librarian 