Monday, 30 December 2013

Teen Review: The Burning Sky by Sherry Thomas


The Burning Sky

by: Sherry Thomas

 

Summary:
 
It all began with a ruined elixir and a bolt of lightning.

Iolanthe Seabourne is the greatest elemental mage of her generation-or so she's been told. The one prophesied for years to be the savior of the Realm. It is her duty and destiny to face and defeat the Bane, the most powerful tyrant and mage the world has ever known. This would be a suicide task for anyone, let alone a reluctant sixteen-year-old girl with no training.

Guided by his mother's visions and committed to avenging his family, Prince Titus has sworn to protect Iolanthe even as he prepares her for their battle with the Bane. But he makes the terrifying mistake of falling in love with the girl who should have been only a means to an end. Now, with the servants of the tyrant closing in, Titus must choose between his mission-and her life.

The Burning Sky-the first book in the Elemental Trilogy-is an electrifying and unforgettable novel of intrigue and adventure.
 

 
Review:

The Burning Sky is a book filled with mystery an magic.  It all began with a lighting bolt and a failed light elixir that will lead Iolanthe on a journey of a life time, with Prince Titus, destined for death at a young age, at her side.  Against all odds Iolanthe must master her elemental power and over throw the Bane, an evil ruler an master of all, even Titus.  I guess it helps to have a little lightening at your finger tips.

Ms. Sherry Thomas writes a magnificent story of love, adventure, and magic.  Ms. Thomas does an amazing job of making me feel like I’m there and I can often tell when the story is either from Titus’ perspective or Iolanthe’s.  I didn’t like however that the end battle scene is very short, and the fact that their targets deaths weren’t very significant.  Also the fact that the Bane’s resurrection was not a major component of the end of the story.  I do like however that he’s their target for the next book, but will he die every time? 

Not the best book that I’ve read, but certainly close.  The book deserves 3 and half stars out of 5. 

Saturday, 28 December 2013

Book Quotes and Fan Art!

Over the past couple of months we have covered the table in the teen section with large sheets of blank paper. A few months ago we asked teens to write or draw something about their favourite book! The paper quickly filled up with awesome book quotes and drawings.  We have run out of paper but I can't wait to get more so we can keep sharing our love of books!

 
TFIOS!
 
 
BAZ!!!! Love, Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell!




Friday, 27 December 2013

Get Your Craft On!

Christmas Gift Making

 
 
Just in time for Christmas the OPL held a teen Christmas Gift Making program! For two hours everyone got to hang out, drink hot chocolate with marshmallows and create multiple gifts for family and friends!
 
Below are pictures from the event as well as a tutorial on how to make the most popular gift of the night!  
 
 Michelle creating gifts for her best friend Kyle.
 
 
Lots of Doctor Who, Sherlock, and Supernatural designs for button 
and magnet making!
 
 
Lots of felt for ornaments.

 
Abby creating wicked magnets!

 
My favorite ornaments of the night made by Michelle!
 
 
 
Lots of craft examples for inspiration!
 
Konnor creating buttons (the most popular thing at any event). 

 
 
More button making by Kassandra!
 


Some "How To" Tutorials

 Glass Magnets 

 
 
The glass magnets were the most popular craft at our event. They are super simple, the materials are inexpensive (everything but the modge podge was from the dollar store) and best of all there are limitless possibilities with what you can create! Click here for a tutorial.
 
 
 
 
 



Tuesday, 5 November 2013

Teen Fanclub!

Yesterday we had our first ever Orillia Public Library Teen Fanclub meeting! Teens were invited to create yummy candy sushi, make fandom buttons and assemble cube craft figures from their favorite fandoms.

Teens were also asked to list their favorite fandoms on a large piece of paper as shown below. I can't wait to learn more about Attack on Titan which appears to be a popular fandom in addition to Doctor Who, Supernatural, and Sherlock.

Fanclub is a monthly meeting for teens in grades 9-12.  Future events include anime drawing, fandom trivia, fandom related art and more.

Taylor and Michelle have volunteered to help make Fanclub awesome by running mini groups with a specific fandom focus! I can't wait to see what they come up with.

For more information about Fanclub please email me at ltoutant@orilliapubliclibrary.ca!




Thursday, 31 October 2013

Wholock Lock In Invitation

By now many of you know that we are hosting a Wholock Lock in on Friday November 22nd in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Doctor Who and in honour of Matt Smith ending his reign as Doctor.  We were so excited about hosting the event that we decided to create a special video invitation.  We hope you enjoy and have a good laugh!
 
To register for this program please create a team of 3-5 people and contact Lindsey at ltoutant@orilliapubliclibrary.ca. Arrive on Friday November 22nd before 6pm (the doors will lock at 6pm).  You must pre-register for this program.
 
 
 

Wednesday, 30 October 2013


I promised I would get the Battle of the Books list done early this year and I am excited to announce that the list is finished! While there are a few changes to the categories we are still going forward with a list of 80 books!

High school students in Orillia are invited to put together teams of between two and eight students and collectively read all the books on the list.  In the spring of 2014 you will be invited to the library to compete against other local high school students by answering trivia questions based on the books (and yes before you ask there will be at least one question from each book). In addition to getting a day away from school, you will have the opportunity to win fantastic prizes!

After last years battle we had the author Kelley Armstrong give a talk about her upcoming works and answer all the students questions about the writing process, how to get published, and creativity. Hopefully this year we will have another exciting author come to the event.

If you have any questions about the program please email me (Lindsey) at ltoutant@orilliapubliclibrary.ca or call 705-325-2338 ext. 212.

Click here for the High School Battle of the Books 2014 list.

High School Battle of the Books 2014

 
  1. Classics
 
1. Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
2. A Study In Scarlet (Sherlock Holmes #1) by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
3. A Prayer For Owen Meany by John Irving
4. The Princess Bride by William Goldman
5. Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
6. The Wars by Timothy Findley
7. All Quiet On the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
8. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon
9. Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom
10. A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J Gaines


2. Books With Impact
 
1. October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepherd by Leslea Newman
2. Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
3. The Silent Summer of Kyle McGinley by Jan Andrews
4. Home Ice Advantage by Tom Earl (Local Author)
5. It’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini
6. Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi
7. Gravity Journal by Gail Sidonie Sobat
8. Forbidden City by William Bell (Local Author)
9. The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay
10. Cut by Patricia McCormick

3. Award Winning

1. Aristotle & Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Saenz
2. How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff
3. Every Day by David Levithan
4. Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
5. An Abundance of Katherine's by John Green
6. All Good Children by Catherine Austen
7. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
8. Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones
9. Lullabies for Little Criminals by Heather O’Neil
10.  The Good Thief by Hannah Tinti

4. Books With a Female Protagonist

1. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
2. Graceling by Kristin Cashore
3. Just One Day by Gayle Forman
4. Spellcaster by Claudia Gray
5. Tiger Eyes by Judy Blume
6. How It Ends by Laura Wiess
7. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
8. A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett
9. Alice I think by Susan Juby
10.   Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan
 
5. Books With a Male Protagonist

1. Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion
2. Loki’s Wolves by K.L. Armstrong & M.A. Marr
3. Anna Dressed In Blood by Kendare Blake
4. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
5. Infinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon
6. Scrawl by Mark Shulman
7. The Perk of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
8. Three Day Road by Joseph Boyden
9. Rats Saw God by Rob Thomas
10.  Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
 
6. Science Fiction
1. The 100 by Kass Morgan
2. The 5th Wave by Rick Yancy
3. End of Days by Eric Walters
4. Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
5. Ashes by Ilsa Bick
6. Cinder by Marissa Mayer
7. Unwind by Neil Shusterman
8. Wither by Lauren DeStefano
9. Neuromancer by William Gibson
10. The Host by Stephenie Meyer
 
7. Fantasy
1. The Coldest Girl In Coldtown by Holly Black
2. The Madman’s Daughter by Megan Shepherd
3. Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr
4. The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnston
5. In the Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters
6. Hero by Perry Moore
7. Delirium by Lauren Oliver
8. The Walking Dead: Volume One by Robert Kirkman
9. Stardust by Neil Gaiman
10. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
8. Wild Card
1. Starling by Lesley Livingston
2. The Diviners by Libba Bray
3. The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl by Barry Lyga
4. Virals by Kathy Reichs
5. And the Mountains Echoed by Khalid Hosseini
6. Burned by Ellen Hopkins
7. Burning Bright by Tracy Chevalier
8. Forgotten by Catherine McKenzie
9. Keeping You a Secret by Julie Ann Peters
10. The Lottery by Beth Goobie

Friday, 25 October 2013

TFIOS Movie News!

June seems soooooooooooooo far away right now. Below is the Vlogbrothers video, below that is a close approximation to how excited I am about knowing that my favorite YA novel (except for HP1-8) has been made into a movie!





emma-stone-excited

B.E.T/T.A.B Meeting Minutes


B.E.T Minutes for October 24th 2013

Attendance

1.       Abby
2.       Alex
3.       Mavis
4.       Ashley
5.       Konnor
6.       Michelle
7.       Betty
8.       Julia
9.       Janessa
10.   Sadie
11.  Cassie
      12.   Kiersten (CYW Student)
      13.   Lindsey (Acting Teen Programmer)

Future Meetings

·       During future meetings we will start to have a show and tell type of sharing circle. Lindsey presented the spoken word poem video, “To This Day” by Shayne Koyzan.  We have a talented group of teens and I would love to see your art or hear your songs or poetry or watch a video that inspires you.
Upcoming Programs
Fanclub
·         Fanclub starts Monday November 4th from 4-5:15pm.
·         Anime, Manga, Doctor Who, Supernatural, cosplayers, etc.
·         Anyone who is part of any fandom is welcome to come.
·         Candy Sushi and a craft at the first meeting.
·         We will be listing our favorite fandoms.
·         Registration is encouraged.
·         Bring a friend or two!
Makerspace
·         Creative space to engage in arts and crafts such as dream catchers, painting, drawing, melted crayon art, etc.
·         Registration is encouraged.
·         Bring a friend.
·         Volunteers to help set up and take down (Michelle, Cassie, Sadie, Julia (Maybe), Bronwyn (Maybe).
Wholock Lock In:
·         November 22nd from 6-8pm
·         Be early as the doors will lock at 6pm.
·         Registration is a must in groups of 3-5.
He Said-She Said
·         Coming back as of October 28th from 4-5:15pm.
·         All reading a book from within the same genre.
·         Occasionally reading the same book.
·         Meeting in the teen section.
·         Snacks provided.
Follow For Fines
·         The program is in celebration of Ontario Library Week.
·         For every OPL Teen Scene social media site you follow you can get $5 off library overdue fines.
·         Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest and OPL Teen Scene Blog.
Get Your Game On
·         The program is in celebration of Ontario Library Week.
·         Teen section from 3:30pm to 6pm.
·         Three teens have signed up to volunteer (Cassie, Julia and Sadie).
·         Giant Banana Grams, Jenga, Chess, Guess Who and More.
Battle of the Books!!!!!!!
·         The list is almost finalized.
·         Will be released in the next two weeks.
·         80 books to read.
·         Teams of 2-8.
·         Looking at hosting the program in the children’s department (moving all the books).
Community Volunteer Opportunities
·         We are looking at helping out at a holiday Party for the elderly at a retirement home.
·         Coat drive for those in need of warm winter clothing.
·         Harry Potter Yule Ball/Food Drive *OD Semi same day same theme?
Other
Coat Drive Committee
1.       Julia
2.       Abby
3.       Betty
Retirement Home Committee
1.       Konnor
2.       Betty
3.       Mavis
4.       Michelle?
5.       Julia?
6.       Cassie?
7.       Mavis?