Self-Defense for Teens Gallery (February 2024)

Lindsey Daehnke from Strictly Self Defense held a teen self-defense workshop at the library in February. Participants learned a variety of techniques to keep themselves safe in various situations., and left class feeling empowered! Check out some photos from the class below:

Moongarden – book review

Moongarden Plotting the Stars #1 by Michelle A. Barry Fantasy Science Fiction * * * Stars (Pretty good) In the future, on the Moon, where humans were forced to flee when the Earth’s plants turned against them, Myra Hodger is attending boarding school. Everyone expects her to follow in the footsteps of her Number Whisperer parents, but her talents lie elsewhere. If she doesn’t discover her particular brand of magic soon (she hasn’t shown any … Read more

Well, That Was Unexpected – book review

Well, That Was Unexpected by Jesse Q. Sutanto Funny Realistic Fiction Romance Rom-Com * * * * Stars (Great!) Sharlot and George find themselves at the center of a teenage rom-com entirely fabricated by their well-meaning parents, after each is discovered in an embarrassing sexual situation. To get some distance from her boyfriend, Sharlot is whisked off to Indonesia where her mother creates an online dating profile for her and starts exchanging messages with “George.” … Read more

Their Vicious Games – book review

Their Vicious Games by Joelle Wellington Suspense Thriller * * * Stars (Pretty good) Adina Walker had her whole future revoked when she got in a fight with her former best friend. The scandal got out and her acceptances to Yale and all her other college options were recinded. Now, the only option left to her is to somehow get herself into “The Finish,” a competition sponsored by the founders (the Remingtons) of her very … Read more

Kid’s Guide to the Chinese Zodiac – book review

A Kid’s Guide to the Chinese Zodiac written by Aaron Hwang, illustrated by Qu Lan Nonfiction * * * * Stars (Great!) The Chinese Zodiac is much more complicated than I’d thought. Previously, I’d only ever looked up my “animal” using my birth year, and since I’m born in January, before the Chinese calendar/New Year officially starts, it’s actually a different animal than I’d thought. In addition, predictions and horoscopes can be plotted out depending … Read more

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: No Brainer – book review

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: No Brainer Wimpy Kid series, #18 By Jeff Kinney Funny Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars Great! Greg Heffley’s middle school is in trouble. There have been a lot of budget cuts and the state is threatening to close the school if they don’t bring up their test scores. Greg relays – in hilarious detail – all of the ways the school administration has attempted to cut expenses as … Read more

Barbie Boogie Gallery (February 2024)

Participants tried out some choreography from the Barbie movie – broken down for us step by step – by dance instructor, Melanie Andersen. The last part was particularly challenging, featuring some jumps, kicks, and spins! Check out some photos from the event below.

Complications – book review

Complications: A Surgeon’s Notes on an Imperfect Science By Atul Gawande Nonfiction * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) In 2006 when he published this, Atul Gawande was a general surgeon at the Brigham and Women’s hospital in Boston as well as an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School (in addition to being a writer for The New Yorker). Here, he collects some patient/doctor stories that give insight into the training of doctors (surgeons in … Read more

Alcohol Ink Dyed Scarves Gallery (January 2024)

So many beautiful scarves were created during this class. Participants experimented with different folding and rubberbanding techniques, and colorful dyes to make these unique masterpieces. Lots of fun on a very chilly afternoon! We are all looking forward to doing this again in the future.