Casey loves the start of a new season for many reasons, but new fall releases tops the list. Here are some of the new books for children and teens she's excited to check out:
Here and Now by Julia Denos and illustrated by E.B. Goodale is part exploration of mindfulness and part meditation on presence. Everything about this book is designed to bring the reader(s) into this moment, sharing this book, together.
Birdsong by Julie Flett is a reflection on intergenerational friendships, and the power of shared interests to create new relationships. Katherena has moved to a new place and strikes up a friendship with an elderly woman who lives next door, and fellow artist, Agnes.
Thanhha Lai’s Butterfly Yellow follows a young woman on a quest to reunite with her younger brother. Hằng’s brother Linh was taken from her by Operation Babylift at the end of the Việt Nam war. Six years later, Hằng is desperately trying to find and reconnect with her younger brother now that she has immigrated to the United States.
Jen Wang’s newest middle grade graphic novel, Stargazing. A story of friendship, magic, overcoming hardship, and growing up. Stargazing is built on some of Wang’s childhood experiences.
It's scary movie time -- if you're brave enough!
Do you like watching horror movies? If so, Jacy has recommendations for you!
Oculus: It's been ten years since the lives of siblings Tim and Kaylie Russell were shattered and Tim was convicted of murdering their parents. Now released from a mental institution, Tim wants to move on, but his sister has other plans. Kaylie blames their childhood nightmare on the Lasser Glass, an antique mirror with a grisly history, which she intends to destroy by any means possible. Jacy isn't a fan of jump scares, but says, "... the constant perspective shifts were so interesting in this movie that I tried not to cover my eyes as often. I highly recommend this to any fans of movies that make you think."
The Cabin in the Woods: A rambunctious group of five college friends steal away for a weekend of debauchery in an isolated country cabin, only to be attacked by horrific supernatural creatures in a night of endless terror and bloodshed. As the teens begin to exhibit standard horror movie behavior, a group of technicians in a control room are scrutinizing and sometimes even controlling every move the terrified kids make. Do they have any chance of escape?
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark: Sally Hurst is going to Rhode Island to live with her father Alex and his new girlfriend Kim in the nineteenth-century mansion they are restoring. While exploring the estate, Sally finds a hidden basement and accidentally lets loose a race of ancient, dark-dwelling creatures who conspire to drag her down into the mysterious house's bottomless depths. Before the evil lurking in the dark consumes them all, Sally must convince Alex and Kim that it's not a fantasy. "Normally, when I watch a truly scary horror movie, it’s a one and done deal. This one, I’ve gone back to watch a few extra times despite the jump scare moments," Jacy says. "I love how the characters grow and develop, the story behind the strange happenings, and pretty much everything about this movie."
Find more scary movie recommendations from Jacy here.
November is National Novel Writing Month
November 1, also known as Day One of National Novel Writing Month, is a week away. Will you try to write a 50,000-word novel in 30 days?
It's a daunting task, but it can be done! Several books in our collection got their start as NaNoWriMo projects, including Erin Morgenstern's The Night Circus and Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen.
If you're too busy writing to read these titles for inspiration, we've got you covered there, too. Our creative writing books are shelved on the Library's second floor, in the 808 section.
We also have a class in our Digital Media Lab that might get your creative juices going: Make Your NaNoWriMo Book Cover Image. Join us from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28, to learn how!
