Top Ten Tuesday: Covers/Titles with Things Found in Nature

Helena's picks

Top Ten Covers/Titles with Things Found in Nature: YA edition

Top Ten Tuesday: Bookish Powers I Wish I Had: YA Edition

Holly K. explores (and wishes) for character powers she found in books. Take a look!

1. Telekinesis - Castle, Unravel Me, Tahereh Mafi
2. Invisibility - Kenji Kishimoto, Unravel Me, Tahereh Mafi

3. Water manipulation - Sailor Mercury, Sailor Moon, Naoko Takeuchi
4. Electrokinesis - Sailor Jupiter, Sailor Moon, Naoko Takeuchi
5. Precognition - Sailor Uranus, Sailor Moon, Naoko Takeuchi 

6. Mind, spirit, and dream control - Inan, Children of Blood and Bone, Tomi Adeyemi
7. Control of the earth and iron - Children of Blood and Bone, Tomi Adeyemi
8. Guide of life and death - Zélie, Children of Blood and Bone, Tomi Adeyemi
9. Control of light and darkness -Children of Blood and Bone, Tomi Adeyemi
10. Power of healing - Zu, Children of Blood and Bone, Tomi Adeyemi

Epic Reading Challenge: January

Written by Grace H.

This year, the TBG will be participating in the Epic Reads Challenge 2024, where each month presents a different prompt to inspire our reading choices! We encourage the community to join in this challenge with us and participate in the prompt each month!

For January, the prompt was… the first book in a series

As one of my 2024 reading goals, I had aspired to read the entire Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas, and I’m thrilled to say that I completed that goal this month. 

So, to respond to the prompt for this month, I will be writing about the first book in the series, which is named the same as the series: Throne of Glass.

This high fantasy YA novel is centered around Celaena Sardothien, known as the most skilled assassin in all of Adarlan. For the past year, Celaena has been kept captive at a slave labor camp on the outskirts of the kingdom. The story follows her as she is removed from the camp to compete as the king’s assassin in a competition, where winning will guarantee her freedom. 

This story is fast-paced and high-stakes, which makes it a quick and entertaining read. While the plot may seem shallow and cliche at a first glance, reading the rest of the series reveals that the first novel in the series was a stepping stone that would set up complex plot points for the remaining seven books in the series. I found the story to be exciting and the characters to be well-written, even from this first installment. 

Reading an eight-book series (that totals around 5,000 pages) can certainly seem like a daunting task, but it is well worth it in the end, and this starting novel lays the perfect foundation for the rest of the series. 

What first book in a series did you choose to read in January? Let us know down below and join in the fun!

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Favorite Book Couples (and the books they're from)

 Grace H.'s list

In preparation for Valentine’s Day tomorrow, no topic could be more fitting than this:

Top Ten Favorite Book Couples (and the books they’re from)

1. Peeta and Katniss from The Hunger Games

2. Pip and Ravi from A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder

3. Chloe and Shara from I Kissed Shara Wheeler

4. Warner and Juliette from Shatter Me 

5. Liz and Wes from Better Than The Movies

6. Lily and Kathleen from Last Night at the Telegraph Club

7. June and Saul from A Million Junes

8. Lila and Orion from A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow

9. Nick and Charlie from Heartstopper

10. Rowan and Neil from Today Tonight Tomorrow

Happy Valentine’s Day, and the Teen Book Guild will see you soon for the next Top Ten Tuesday!

Book Review: I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys

Reviewed by Christopher K.
Grade 12

I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys is a riveting historical thriller that grabs readers from the very first page. The author weaves a tale of suspense and intrigue set against the backdrop of the tumultuous political landscape the Cold War. The story captivates and leaves readers eager to uncover the secrets hidden within the plot.

At the core of the novel is protagonist Christian’s moral dilemma. He grapples with choosing loyalty to someone close to him versus loyalty to his own morals. Sepetys expands on this idea through Christian’s psyche, which highlights the challenge of his decision. The narrative unfolds in a war-torn setting, with Christian navigating a treacherous path of betrayal and sacrifice. 

Another aspect of the book that enhances its depth is the incorporation of historical accuracy and modern storytelling seamlessly. Such is the case with a house Christian’s mother cleans, as he must spy on the homeowner which is told from through his unique lens but is a situation not uncommon to the Cold War landscape. This demonstrates how Sepetys blends real events with the fictional elements of the story, which not only enriches the narrative but also provides a deeper understanding of the characters' motivations and actions.

For me, the most captivating aspect of this book is the author's way of writing, which will leaves readers immersed in both the story and the characters. Her use of symbolism and foreshadowing adds layers of complexity to the plot and allows the tension to build steadily. This creates a sense of urgency within the reader that makes it difficult to put the book down. As the story unfolds, the reader is taken on a rollercoaster of emotions which is significantly improved by Sepetys’s voice.

As a whole, I Must Betray You is an excellent read that combines a compelling hook, engaging storytelling, and a rich web of plot details. Sepetys crafts a narrative that never fails to entertain and leave a lasting impact. For me, this book was a must read and for fans of historical fiction or mysteries in general, this is also a must read. 

BOOK VS FILM! The Summer I Turned Pretty series by Jenny Han

by Grace H.

Disclaimer: minor spoilers ahead.

The Summer I Turned Pretty series, written by Jenny Han, follows Belly, an energetic teenager. Each summer, Belly and her family visit the beach town of Cousins, staying with their lifelong friends, the Fishers. Jeremiah and Conrad, the family's two boys, are Belly's best friends. Throughout the series, Belly gets caught in a love triangle between the two brothers, and relationships among the family become complicated. It is a drama-filled series that draws in the viewer. The TV show adaptation, starring Lola Tung and Christopher Briney, can be found on Prime Video. With a few exceptions that we'll talk about later, the TV series and the books are pretty similar to one another. Which is done better, the film series or the book?

TV Series

In many ways, the TV show is more developed than the book series. First of all, the characters are more complex in the TV series. In addition to giving the key characters—like Belly and Conrad—more nuance, the TV series gives interesting subplots to the supporting characters, who were seldom mentioned in the book series. We see side-character romances between Taylor and Steven, as well as Laurel and Cleveland.

The TV show's usage of music is yet another benefit. Many of the scenes in the show are improved by their use of catchy, trending songs such as those by Taylor Swift. One drawback of the show is that watching all of the episodes takes dedication. Two seasons are currently available, and the third and final season should appear in the summer of 2024.

Book Series

Original covers!

The Summer I Turned Pretty trilogy debuted in 2009, many years before being adapted for the screen. The writing is only mediocre, and the plot lines are basic, but my main complaint is the characters. Belly, our protagonist, is constantly whining about something or another. It's quite tiring to read about her grumbling, and I quickly became disenchanted with her attitude.

The TV series tackles Belly's personality much better and is much more satisfying to watch. Despite these criticisms, the book series drew me in. They are quick and easy reads, not requiring much brain power to get through. The books will remain a staple on the bookshelves of teenage girls everywhere.

Verdict

After deliberation, I've found the TV series to be the best way to experience the drama. With its interesting subplots, appealing music, and sophisticated characterization, the TV show wins. I'm looking forward to the final season coming next summer!

via GIPHY

Book Review: The 21: the True Story of the Youth Who Sued the U.S. Government Over Climate Change by Elizabeth Rusch

Reviewed by Helena M.
Grade 8

The Twenty-One: The True Story of the Youth Who Sued the U.S. Government Over Climate Change by Elizabeth Rusch tells the story of Juliana vs the United States, the highly controversial case that sued the government over climate change. The account follows Julia Olson, a lawyer, and twenty-one youth of all ages. They all have one thing in common - a history of environmental activism and concern.

Julia, who trained as an environmental lawyer, begins to discover the harmful effects of climate change on youth. She hatches a plan with professors, scholars, and other lawyers to file legal action against the United States. They decide on the most unlikely plaintiffs - teens and children, ranging from as young as seven to late teens. They file cases in different states, but it doesn’t work. With their lack of success, they came up with ideas and decided on twenty-one youth plaintiffs to go to the federal courts. They had to face off against oil industry attorneys and federal government attorneys to get their case to trial.

The best part of this book is that it is a real story. Its primary audience is younger audiences, specifically younger teens. I thought that this book was very inspirational. It tells teens and children all around the world that they could do something, anything, to help their communities. This message is essential to make a change in this world and to become a better society.

Throughout the book, I found myself checking the Our Children’s Trust website for any updates on Julianna vs the United States. I always look forward to reading the latest news and updates.

The account felt unreal (in a good way). Elizabeth Rusch tells the story in a way that makes it feel like a novel or a movie. It has a mix of dialogue, a few pictures, information about how the court system works, and a few thoughts from the plaintiffs. With the many different types of writing, it felt like a scrapbook of the whole case, which makes it enjoyable for younger teens.

In conclusion, The Twenty-One: The True Story of the Youth Who Sued the U.S. Government Over Climate Change is an essential read. It was captivating, unique, and enthralling. I looked forward to reading The Twenty-One every night and telling my friends and family about what I learned. It was inspirational and motivated me to do something good for the world. I would recommend this book to anybody interested in environmental politics or even just activism.

 

Review: Everything I Learned About Racism I Learned in School by Tiffany Jewell

Reviewed by Helena M.
Grade 8 

In Everything I Learned about Racism I Learned in School, Tiffany Jewell attempts to expose the horrors of the education system with eye-opening accounts and strong evidence. It is an essential read because of its truthful information that can help young people understand another’s perspective.

Jewell, with the help of many other authors and notable figures, uses her own experiences to construct a powerful array of stories. In some sections, for example, it could be a poem, and in another, it could be Jewell narrating her own experience. The variety of resources presented in the book helps create a vision for the reader and helps them step into another’s shoes.

For the reader to understand what this book is about (it can be a bit confusing to explain), I would like to discuss a chapter of it: “What I Didn’t Learn in History Class.” This chapter is Jewell’s narration, reflecting on her history class. Throughout her years in school, she found a common pattern - purposely skipping important events. In one section, she observes that the history classes often focused on events long ago, not recent ones because they were “too difficult” to talk about. They would often make up excuses like they “didn’t have time” or it “wasn’t in the textbook.” I never really considered this before reading. I realized that, throughout my education, recent events were rarely discussed, like the Hamas and Israeli wars. Instead, we discussed long-ago wars that are not as relevant.

Although there is not much wrong with this book, I found it a bit too informal in some parts. For example, she often says “folks”, which does not, in my opinion, make the writing quality as good as it should be. I had high expectations for this book in writing style and quality, but it did not meet them. However, the main purpose of this book is not to enjoy the writing but to learn about the movement it represents.

I enjoyed Everything I Learned about Racism I Learned in School because of its variety of stories and their impact on readers. It had a friendly manner, which I believe will help contribute to its success come its release in February 2024. It has easy-to-read language in most sections and relatable experiences (like the Hatchet chapter, which is a story that many middle and elementary schools have read). With the relatable experience, it felt easier to comprehend the harder parts of the book. A lot of the sections could be upsetting, but Jewell added anecdotes and jokes to lighten the mood. The most important part of the book, however, is the theme. Jewell’s message is essential to hear, much like her other books. Everything I Learned about Racism I Learned in School is one large call to action.

Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about racism, even though it is aimed at young adults. I truly think that many people would benefit from hearing the other side of the story. I learned from this book that for many issues, not just racism, empathy is essential to solve problems.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Meant to Read in 2023 but Didn’t Get To

Holly K's list:

1.  

Whiteout by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk and Nicola Yoon

2. 

Loveless by Alice Oseman

3. 

I Hope You Get This Message by Farah Naz Rishi

4. 

Wicked Fox by Kat Cho

5. 

Miles Morales: Suspended by Jason Reynolds

6. 

Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi

7. 

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

8. 

The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar

9. 

Heartstopper series by Alice Oseman

10.

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

What's on your list?

Real Stories. Real Excellence.

Each year the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) awards a best young adult nonfiction book published that year. In December, five titles were named as nominees. 

Winter Park Library currently has four of these titles in our collection, and members of the Teen Book Guild read them and share our thoughts below. On Monday, January 22, the winner of the YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults will be announced as part of the Youth Media Awards given at the LibLearnX Conference in Baltimore. 

Accountable: The True Story of a Racist Social Media Account and the Teenagers Whose Lives It Changed by Dashka Slater

Dashka Slater’s book follows the lives of students in a small California town after an offensive private account on Instagram gets leaked. The account is filled with quotes from the real people who were affected and how their lives changed. It deserves to win since it shows the amount of damage just one decision can make. Cyberbullying is a huge problem since people don’t have to confront their target in person. Accountable shines a light on the issue and provides a real story to show the importance of thinking before you act. (BK)
 
America Redux: Visual Stories from Our Dynamic History by Ariel Aberg-Riger

This nonfiction work smoothly incorporates both text and images/illustrations to impart a large chunk of American history. But don’t be fooled into thinking it reads like a textbook. It is the most creative depiction of historical information I’ve ever seen, and it often looks like a scrapbook just teeming with tidbits of history. Everything on the page catches your eye at once and invites you to read more. It covers topics from the Civil War and abolitionist movement to women’s and LGBTQ+ rights.

This book is incredible in the way that it takes a subject that can so often be dreadfully boring and transforms it into a creative format that entices the reader while still getting the information across. Another highlight of this book was that it combines well-known knowledge with more obscure facts that would be new to most readers. Everyone who reads this stunning work will certainly learn something new. (GH)
 
Family Style: Memories of an American from Vietnam by Thien Pham

Family Style tells the story of the Pham family and their experiences through food. The family is originally from Vietnam and immigrated to California. The book is separated into chapters based on a certain food like Salisbury steak and croissants. Family Style does a great job showing the ups and downs of moving to another country in an interesting way. It is very important to learn about the struggles of immigrants to gain empathy and learn that everyone deserves to be treated well. This book deserves the award because it uses food to convey messages about the characters’ lives which is unique but the plot is still clear and to the point. (BK)  
 
Nearer My Freedom: The Interesting Life of Olaudah Equiano by Himself by Monica Edinger and Lesley Younge

 This historical work uses the autobiography of Olaudah Equiano as its primary source. Monica Edinger and Lesley Younge have compiled his accounts and added insight of their own to this book, which is written in verse. This poetic way of writing follows Equiano’s personal account of the transatlantic slave trade. Very few primary source materials from this journey have been found, which makes Equiano’s story even more important. You follow him as a young child in Africa to his life of slavery (and then freedom) in America. 

The prose and poetry of this work is beautiful, and I love the way that the verse form of Equiano’s account of his life is supplemented with additional information from Edinger and Younge. The secondary annotations are seamlessly woven into the bookl when needed and aid in the understanding of historical events. The verse form makes for a quick read, but every sentence is packed with meaning. Equiano’s story is must-read. (GH) 

*Librarian note: Our Library does not yet have From Here in our collection, but it's on its way!