Teen SRC Wrap-Up Party!

On Friday, October 9th from 4-6 p.m. we are having the teen summer reading wrap-up party! Come play library mini golf, create your own book journal, eat pizza and win fantastic prizes! We're also giving away goodie bags filled with treats, book marks, buttons, and a $10 off library fines gift card! Registration required. Open to teens in grade 7-12. Call 705-325-2338 ext 212 to register.

TEEN BOOK REVIEW: Spirit's Key by Edith Cohn

Amazon Summary:

By now, twelve-year-old Spirit Holden should have inherited the family gift: the ability to see the future. But when she holds a house key in her hand like her dad does to read its owner's destiny, she can't see anything. Maybe it's because she can't get over the loss of her beloved dog, Sky, who died mysteriously. 

Sky was Spirit's loyal companion, one of the wild dogs that the local islanders believe possess dangerous spirits. As more dogs start dying and people become sick, too, almost everyone is convinced that these dogs and their spirits are to blame--except for Spirit. 

Then Sky's ghost appears, and Spirit is shaken. But his help may be the key to unlocking her new power and finding the cause of the mysterious illness before it's too late. Spirit's Key is Edith Cohn's debut novel.

Book Review:

Spirit's Key by Edith Cohn is filled with mystery, passion, bravery and love. Spirit, the main character in the book, is a brave, caring and a understanding teenager who goes out of her way to find a way to discover the future that lies in keys. 

Spirit lives on a low populated island called Bald Island. The local towns people are afraid of Spirit's dog and what hides in its body: some people call it an evil spirit, as well locals think the same about the  "baldies" that  are  hidden in the woods. 

As the story enfolds, you will learn more about the history of Bald Island and what all the towns people are afraid of. The author does a great job with expressing all feelings in each character as well each" Baldie". 

One of my favorite parts of  the book is when Spirit rides down  a dirt road to the beach with Sky and a friend named Nector. She is riding her bike so fast she feels like she is flying. But Nector doesn't see Sky like Spirit does or see Sky at all. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a little romance, happiness and a thirst for mystery.  This book is about  Spirit's Past and everyone's Future and it all lies in the hands of Spirit!

Jillian W. (Teen Reviewer)

TEEN BOOK REVIEW: Beware of the Wild by Natalie C. Parker

Amazon Summary:

There's something about the swamp in Sticks, Louisiana. Something different, something haunting . . . something alive. Everyone knows this, and everyone avoids going near it. And even the Mardi Gras-bead-decorated fence that surrounds it keeps people away.

Until one morning when Sterling Saucier's older brother, Phineas, runs into the swamp . . .

And doesn't return.

Instead, a girl named Lenora May climbs out in his place, and all of a sudden, no one in Sticks remembers Phin at all. They treat Lenora May as if she's been Sterling's sister forever.

Sterling needs to figure out what the swamp's done with her beloved brother and how Lenora May is connected to his disappearance-but first she's got to find someone who believes her.

Heath Durham might be that someone. A loner shrouded behind rumors of drug addiction, Heath has had his own strange experience with the swamp. He and Sterling will have to piece together enough bits of memory and ancient swamp lore to get to the truth. But as the wild swamp encroaches on their town, Sterling and Heath may find a lot more than they expected . . . and Phin may be lost to them forever.

Book Review:

Beware the Wild by Natalie C. Parker was surprisingly fantastic, especially considering it's her first novel. Parker puts together love, humour, friendship, loyalty and action into this book, who's title reveals its true nature. 

Beware the Wild takes place in a small town in Louisiana named Sticks. Like most towns near this part of the U.S., Sticks holds its own myths and secrets, regarding the swamp that everyone is deadly afraid of. The swamp is said to hold unimaginable terrors, such as monsters, witches, and the like. One day, Sterling Saucier's brother, Phin, goes missing, and she becomes involved with the swamp in the worst way possible. Her brother is replaced by a girl from the swamp named Lenora May. Everyone but Sterling forgets about Phin, as if he never existed. Lenora May takes over his life and no one seems to notice she shouldn't be there. Then, Sterling meets a boy named Heath, who not only believes her story, but has one of his own. 

Sterling and Heath must struggle to face the swamp's mysteries in order to get their loved ones back. In an action packed, nail biting, edge of your seat tale, Parker teaches her readers that taking risks can lead to so much more than a good outcome, as long as you're willing to go all in.

I strongly recommend this novel to readers who enjoy fantasy, a bit of thrill and mild humor. You will not regret reading it. Parker's novel will open your eyes, and show you not to take things for advantage because you never know when they might disappear. I give this book a nine out of ten for Parker's intriguing way of exploring this type of genre, and the messages it leaves behind.

"Secrets are never so dangerous as when they've been forgotten"- Sterling

Enjoy, 
Tamara (Teen Book Reviewer) 

TEEN BOOK REVIEW: Extraordinary Means by Robyn Schneider

Amazon Summary:

John Green's The Fault in Our Stars meets Rainbow Rowell's Eleanor & Park in this darkly funny novel from the critically acclaimed author of The Beginning of Everything.

Up until his diagnosis, Lane lived a fairly predictable life. But when he finds himself at a tuberculosis sanatorium called Latham House, he discovers an insular world with paradoxical rules, med sensors, and an eccentric yet utterly compelling confidante named Sadie—and life as Lane knows it will never be the same.

Robyn Schneider's Extraordinary Means is a heart-wrenching yet ultimately hopeful story about the miracles of first love and second chances.

Book Review:

Hands down, my favourite book of the summer. This endearing tale of two thriving tuberculosis teens definitely puts the “awwww” in astounding. In this story, Teen Latham House (a tuberculosis sanatorium) patients Sadie and Lane explore the wonders of taking a path less travelled. This book had my undivided attention all the way through and overall was wonderfully written; Chapters not too long, not too short, characters of all personalities, and a plotline that will warm your heart. 

No doubt, I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good novel to read the night away. Robyn Schneider did a fantastic job at fully capturing the heart and soul feelings of these two very strong characters. Overall, I would rate this book a 4 out of 5 stars because I did really enjoy the story but would have loved to known a bit more background on Sadie… but despite that I really loved reading this book; and kudos to Robyn on a written masterpiece. Wonderful job! “Life goes on, until it doesn’t.”~ Robyn Schneider, Extraordinary Means~ 2015

Jenna (Teen Reviewer)

TEEN BOOK REVIEW: Daughter of Deep Silence by Carrie Ryan

Amazon Summary:

In the wake of the devastating destruction of the luxury yacht Persephone, just three souls remain to tell its story—and two of them are lying. Only Frances Mace knows the terrifying truth, and she’ll stop at nothing to avenge the murders of everyone she held dear. Even if it means taking down the boy she loves and possibly losing herself in the process.

Sharp and incisive, Daughter of Deep Silence by bestselling author Carrie Ryan is a deliciously smart revenge thriller that examines perceptions of identity, love, and the lengths to which one girl is willing to go when she thinks she has nothing to lose

Book Review:

Daughter of Deep Silence is an intriguing, breathtaking and rather mysterious read. For those who applaud the Horror and Suspense genre, this book is calling your name and demands to be read! I find it incredibly hard to compare this book to any other I have ever read. Its originality has rendered me speechless, which is saying a lot. Sure, there are many books featuring shipwrecks and all that is left in its wake, but this book strays from the others with its powerful story that kept me on edge. Carrie Ryan strayed from the standard Horror and Suspense novels and left me thoroughly satisfied with my new choice in genre.

When Frances and her best friend Libby are the only living beings left in the wake of the “deadly devastation” of the Persephone, it’s a climb for life on the slope of death. Though this book may be hard to relate to on a literal sense, we can see ourselves faced with many of the same problems that Frances is faced with and are empathetic of her situation.

We never know what lengths Frances will go to, to avenge the deaths of her loved ones and everyone else aboard the Persephone, including her best friend Libby. I cannot stress the extent of this book’s suspense; the best way to understand would be to indulge in the novel, which is exactly what I would recommend. 

Rachel S (Teen Reviewer)