YA Librarian

Art After Dark: Koi Pond Painting Art Gallery (August 2026)

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These koi pond acrylic paintings were so much fun to make! We created an underwater background on our round cardboard canvases (recycle pizza or cake decorating rounds) using different blues, purples, and greens, then added lily pads by dipping balloons in paint and pressing them onto the background (this created a texture much like a lily pad leaf!). We made the koi fish by painting the sides of one hand, making a loose fist, and … Read more

Herbology Photo Gallery (July 2026)

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We were all obsessed with these clay mandrakes and did not get photos of all the OTHER activities happening at our Herbology event (miniature plant/flower paintings, floral picture frames, mix your own tea, and several herbology quizzes). Please enjoy the mandrakes the teens made:

Henna Art Photo Gallery (June 2026)

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Teens got the opportunity to make their own, temporary, henna body art AND received a design from artist, Rebecca Huston (Heathen Ink Tattoo). Henna paste is used to stain the skin and designs last a few days to a few weeks. Enjoy some of Rebecca’s and their artwork:

Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity – Read It and Rate It

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The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity manga series by Saka Mikami Manga Realistic Fiction Romance Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) It opens up with introducing us to a very intimidating-looking but kindhearted boy by the name of Rintaro Tsumugi. He attends Chidori High – a school for good-for-nothing boys. Next to that school is the Kikyo Girls High, which is a prestigeous school for talented ladies. There, a very kind and open-minded … Read more

Breaking the Dark – Read It and Rate It

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Breaking the Dark Marvel Crime series #1 by Lisa Jewell Adventure Mystery Suspense Thriller Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) If you like a great detective novel with many twists and turns, I would recommend Breaking the Dark by Lisa Jewell. The book revolves around a detective and her struggles with her personal and professional life. The antagonist in this story is a woman who is power-hungry and craves to remain in power … Read more

Schooled – Read It and Rate It

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Schooled by Gordon Korman Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * Stars (Just ok) “Schooled” by Gordon Korman follows Capricorn Anderson, a 13-year-old boy raised on a secluded hippie farm by his grandmother, Rain. When Rain is injured and hospitalized after a tree-climbing accident, Cap is forced to leave their isolated community and attend a public middle school for the first time. He is placed in a foster home with the Donnelly family, where he struggles … Read more

Fablehaven: Keys to the Demon Prison – Read It and Rate It

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Keys to the Demon Prison Fablehaven, bk#5 by Brandon Mull Adventure Fantasy Suspense Thriller Review #1 * * * Stars (Pretty good) This book is about how Fablehaven and the things that live there are in danger because a demon named Graulas is going to open a demon prison. Kendra and her friends and family are trapped but her brother Seth has to save their world and get them out to stop the demons. Will … Read more

Need – Read It and Rate It

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Need by Joelle Sharbonneau Mystery Suspense Thriller Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) In “Need” by Joelle Charbonneau, the students of Nottawa High School are invited to join a new social networking site that promises to fulfill their every wish. As each student requests something they desire, they are given simple tasks to complete in return. However, these tasks quickly escalate in severity and danger, leading to dire consequences. The story follows Kaylee … Read more