Summer Reading Is Almost Over...

Next week is the last week of Teen Summer Reading here at FPL, and it has been a great summer. We had so much fun at our lock-in to get Teen SRP kicked off and it only got better from there. We made cool subway art T-shirts, trained spies with our obstacle course, I Spy challenge and interrogation station. We also relaxed with some calming yoga and fun facials, made some new creations from old jewelry, watched some movies and yeah, we ate A LOT!

Next week we have 2 final programs, Bleach Pen T-shirts on Thursday, August 1 from 1-3pm and a party to end it all on Friday, August 2nd after the library closes. Our Mad Hatter Masquerade will wrap up the awesome summer we have had here at FPL and the winners of our Teen Summer Reading Club will be chosen.  I hope to see you all there!  Call the library to register for the Masquerade today. And as John Green says, "Don't Forget to be Awesome" @ your library!

Miss Keri

Book Review: Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

Eleanor and Park is a heartrendingly gorgeous novel about two teens who are uncomfortable in their own skin coming together to make themselves whole and beautiful.

Park has always been on okay terms with the cool kids; they kind of know he's there, but don't bother him much...until the day Eleanor steps on the bus.  That changes everything. Having a whole seat to himself, Park unwillingly lets her sit next to him, knowing, by the looks of her, this will incite the cool kids to ridicule.

Eleanor's clothes come from thrift shops and her bra is held together with safety pins.  Her crazy red curly hair cannot be tamed.  She knows how she looks to these kids as she steps on the bus and holds her head high. She searches for a seat and can only find one next to this stupid Asian kid.  Oh well.

Although Eleanor and Park do not immediately fall in love at first sight, their love story is one that will tear you apart (yep - Joy Division reference). Eleanor and Park's bus rides become central to their burgeoning friendship and eventual need for each other to feel complete. Park gives Eleanor a taste of a life she could not even dream of (happy family, music - oh god! the music, comics and acceptance for who she is).Eleanor gives Park something he never really had before, someone who can see who he is inside, doesn't think he is a wimp or isn't good enough.  He is perfect to her and she is perfect to him.

This is one of the best love stories I have read since Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist. Check Eleanor and Park out from your library at NOW!!!!

Miss Keri