Houston, We're Headed to NASA!

Sometimes I apply for things I don't believe I have any real chance of getting, because you only live once, right? And sometimes I'm pleasantly surprised when I open a "Congratulations!" email informing me that I indeed am a chosen one (but...how??). Recently, one of those things was a VIP opportunity to go to NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, AL and document the experience on social media while representing STEM education in libraries. Ya'll...NASA knows my name!!

I, along with 24 other people across the US, have been selected to attend this year's "State of NASA" event where we'll take a tour of our assigned facility, see current advancing technology being worked on to send humans into space, observe our ever-changing world, and also improve air travel. We'll get to meet scientists, engineers, and managers of NASA's facilities and meet other enthusiasts and members of NASA's social media team. Through Twitter, Instagram, and FB you'll be getting a peek inside NASA's lead center for spacecraft propulsion as I share with my followers. To say I'm jumping-out-of-my-seat ecstatic is an understatement!

If you don't already, be sure to follow me on my social media accounts so you can get real-time updates on February 12th:

Twitter: @LibrarianLisAnn or @TheIndigoQuill
Instagram: @IndigoQuill 
Facebook: SBCPL or The Indigo Quill

Also, be sure to tune into NASATV that day as we will be doing a live simulcast with Administrator Robert Lightfoot as he talks about NASA's continuing progress on their exploration initiative that makes them the leading agency in space.

But I won't be stopping there! Next year's Summer Reading theme is Outer Space, and I will be involved in the CSLP planning process (I got a little excited at one of the state meetings and apparently it didn't go unnoticed), so I will be taking what I learn to the state and continue working to spread the awesomeness of science and space exploration to libraries across the map. In the near future, our library will be utilizing YouTube to share what we are learning and doing as a way to connect with other educators and exchange ideas. Opportunities such as this one are a great way to learn together and connect education to our progressive world and the next generation that will inherit it.

I hope you join me virtually as I hang out with NASA’s MSFC team on February 12th!

Review: Suicide Notes from Beautiful Girls by Lynn Weingarten

Title: Suicide Noted from Beautiful Girls

Author: Lynn Weingarten

Publication Date: July 7th, 2015

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Genre: YA

Pages: 320

ISBN: 148141853X

Source: Library

Rating: 

Synopsis (from Publisher):

They say Delia burned herself to death in her stepfather’s shed. They say it was suicide.

But June doesn’t believe it.

June and Delia used to be closer than anything. Best friends in that way that comes before everyone else—before guys, before family. It was like being in love, but more. They had a billion secrets, tying them together like thin silk cords.

But one night a year ago, everything changed. June, Delia, and June’s boyfriend, Ryan, were just having a little fun. Their good time got out of hand. And in the cold blue light of morning, June knew only this—things would never be the same again.

Now Delia is dead. June is certain she was murdered. And she owes it to her to find out the truth…which is far more complicated than she ever could have imagined.

Sexy, dark, and atmospheric, Suicide Notes from Beautiful Girls will keep you guessing until the very last page.

Amazon | Goodreads

Lynn Weingarten is an editor and New York Times bestselling author living in Brooklyn. Her fourth young adult novel, Suicide From Beautiful Girls, was published by SimonPulse in the US and Egmont/Electric Monkey in the UK. It was on The New York Times bestseller list for five weeks, is a YALSA Teens’ Top Ten book for 2016, was on Vanity Fair’s list of Best Books for July, Paste Magazine’s list 10 of the Best New YA Books For July, The Guardian’s list of 5 of the Best in Young Adult Fiction, Amazon UK’s list Best Books of The Month: Young Adult. It has been/will be translated into Spanish German, Russian, Turkish and Portuguese.

Her previous books include Wherever Nina Lies (an ALA Top Ten Popular Paperback for Young Adults, a New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age, a YALSA Teen’s Top Ten Nominee and a Sequoyah Book Award Nominee) and The Secret Sisterhood of Heartbreakers (One of Kirkus Reviews’ Best Teen Books of 2011).

In the past, Lynn edited books and developed ideas for Alloy Entertainment. She is currently Creative Director of Dovetail Fiction, the YA arm of Working Partners.

Website | Goodreads | Twitter

So...what exactly just happened?

I'm still processing how I feel about this book. And it's difficult to write a review without giving any spoilers because so. many. things. happened.

June's (ex) best friend committed suicide by fire. Or was she murdered? June is determined to find out what really happened to Delia on New Year's Eve with a little help from Delia's boyfriend...until he proves to be a little cray cray. Delia had left June a voicemail just before the deed was done to tell her something important, but June didn't pick up and now she's living with the guilt. However, there's a voice yelling in the background who doesn't want June to know whatever it is Delia is trying to tell her, and the questions just keep snowballing. In a Young Adult version of "whodunnit," Suicide Notes from Beautiful Girls will definitely keep you on your toes and spinning in a million circles a minute.

I loved the pace of this novel. Lynn Weingarten did a great job of keeping the pages turning. Once you felt like you finally had answers, you'd be thrown with a plot twist sandwiched between more plot twists. I had a difficult time knowing who exactly I could trust right along with June throughout the novel. It's another one told in two different timelines between the past and the present so we learn about June and Delia's relationship as we go along, and what ended their friendship to begin with.

There were some inconsistencies that made the storyline unbelievable, like the fact that June investigated Delia's death more than the police did, or that Delia some how magically knew she was pregnant by a guy she had met the week before. The character development was also sub-par. Delia was pretty messed up, and I wasn't a huge fan of how much of that was romanticized. I was waiting for a message somewhere offering some light at the end of the darkness, but instead it all just ended up being glorified. June didn't have a whole lot of depth to her, other than her aspirations to Nancy Drew her way into finding answers. And their relationship was extremely toxic.

The ending. I won't give it away, but what the what? I mean really. What?

Although this is a Young Adult novel, I will warn the reader if you're concerned about having clean language and themes in your books, this is definitely not for you. There are several mature elements from the language to drug use to (light) sexual content.

Suicide Notes from Beautiful Girls was a light, breezy read that can be finished within a day. If you're looking for an easy book to fly through, this could be a good choice if you can overlook the toxicity of the content and language. I would say, go ahead and give it a chance. It wasn't horrible, but it definitely wasn't my favorite. 

Review: Anything You Want by Geoff Herbach

Title: Anything You Want

Author: Geoff Herbach

Publication Date: May 3rd, 2016

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Genre: Young Adult

Pages: 320

ISBN: 1402291442

Source: ARC from Publisher

Rating: 

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Expect a bundle of joy—er, trouble—in this hilarious, heartwarming story from the award-winning author of Stupid Fast Geoff Herbach

Taco's mom always said, "Today is the best day of your life, and tomorrow will be even better." That was hard to believe the day she died of cancer and when Taco's dad had to move up north for work, but he sure did believe it when Maggie Corrigan agreed to go with him to junior prom. Taco loves Maggie- even more than the tacos that earned him his nickname. And she loves him right back.

Except all that love? It gets Maggie pregnant. Everyone else may be freaking out, but Taco can't wait to have a real family again. He just has to figure out what it means to be a dad and how to pass calculus. And then there's getting Maggie's parents to like him. Because it would be so much easier for them to be together if he didn't have to climb the side of the Corrigans' house to see her...

Amazon | Goodreads

I am the author of the YA title, Stupid Fast (June 2011 from Sourcebooks Fire). I also wrote The Miracle Letters of T. Rimberg, a Novel from Three Rivers Press. When I'm not writing books, I'm writing for Radio Happy Hour or developing ridiculous musical bits.

When I'm not writing, I'm teaching writing at Minnesota State, Mankato, which means I write a lot of comments about writing on student writing. 

Writing a lot of writing and reading about writing and writing on reading.

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter

Where do I even begin with this book? It was crazy, nonsensical, hilarious, and reminiscent of "that one guy" from high school. The cover is a bit misleading because you expect this book to be another young adult love story you can take to the beach and daydream about your literary boyfriend. But a dude named Taco, yes you read that right, who sneaks into your window at night, ends most of his sentences with "dingus," and really doesn't understand where babies come from probably isn't your ideal summer literary fling.

Anything You Want is about a guy named Taco who is a big hot mess and probably still has to wear velcro shoes. Only a Freshman in High School, Taco gets his girlfriend, Maggie, pregnant without having any thought of birth control or consequences (not for simply neglecting it...he seriously thought you had to be intentional about it). Maggie's parents are furious and forbid them from being together. While Taco is excited to have a family again, because his mother passed away and his father is never there, he struggles to grasp the reality of the situation. His older brother is left trying to convince him of how big the mess truly is.

For those who DNF this book, there were times it was a struggle. Mostly because I was torn between enjoying the positive stupidity of Taco and wanting to bang my head against a wall because, really, how can someone be that dumb? But then there was an aspect of this entire scenario that reached a little deeper, and made me sympathize with Taco's positivity. He didn't have parents around to educate him, and his alcoholic brother, the only other person he had, was an even bigger mess than he was. There was a hint of beauty woven into this reckless and silly story that made me want to finish it: the dynamic of coping with life.

I think Taco's character was taken just a little too far, and that is what annoyed so many readers of this book. It was really exhausting at times, when it could've been taken down a notch to make it more comical. I'm also confused about the part where Taco says he calculated when Maggie got pregnant and they were still virgins at the time, so their baby was some kind of miracle. Did he miscalculate? Was it even his baby? This part confused me.

More than halfway through, our story shifts and becomes much better. I expected more of Maggie, but she ended up being a minor character...another reason why the cover is misleading. I liked the ending, but I wish we could've gotten there a little differently. Taco is a bit of a trip and a handful to the point of being unable to relate to and an unrealistic character. You can only face-palm through a book so many times before your head and your hand begin to hurt. And all the lines that end with "dingus" just make you laugh because it stops making sense after a while!

For what this book is meant to be, it is light hearted and funny. It will drive you crazy in some of the best ways. It will also give you the insatiable urge to reach into the book and knock some sense into Taco. And in a strange way, it will also make you want tacos. Dingus.

Review: Priscilla McDoodleNut Doodle McMae Asks, "Why?" by Janet Mary Sinke

Title: Priscilla McDoodleNut Doodle McMae Asks, "Why?"

Author: Janet Mary Sinke
Illustrator: Craig Pennington

Publication Date: October 1st, 2007

Publisher: My Grandma and Me Publishers

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 48

ISBN: 0974273287

Source: The Library

Rating: 

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Janet Mary Sinke has written in wonderful storybook rhyme a delightful take rich in meaning and simple symbolism. Through the courage of one little girl, the inhabitants of one tiny moon are forever changed when Priscilla dares to ask why.

Embrace diversity. Celebrate difference.

Respect all people. Dare to ask, Why?

For each of us has the power to make a difference.

Amazon | B&N | Goodreads

I am generally known by many as Grandma Janet Mary, author of the Grandma Janet Mary Series.  In eight years the company has sold over 50,000 books.  Several of my books have taken national awards.  I have spoken to thousands of school children.  My message is simple, “Make your memories today for in the end, it’s all we really have.”

Now, a new and different story emerges. It is titled: Priscilla McDoodleNutDoodleMcMae Asks “Why.”  It is a delightful story with a wonderful message and although I love my grandma and grandpa books, this story is, in many ways, is my best work.  (Go to the Priscilla web page and take a peek)

My goal now is to make the Priscilla story into an animated film.  I feel strongly about the message of this story and that message is this:  embrace diversity, celebrate difference, respect all people for we are, each of us blessed with our own individual gifts. These gifts when recognized can empower us to work  together to make the world a better place.

I have often been asked, "If you could give one piece of advice, what advice would you share."  

So here it is in a nut shell.

" Look for blessngs not only in brilliant rays of summer sun but also in clouds of storm.  Recognize your own individual worth, share your own unique gifts and put to use the power that lies within your own individual soul.  That way in your own moment of final surrender when the eyes are closing and the heart is stilled, your spirit will look back and say,' WHAT A GREAT LIFE!'"

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Why in this book

are some pictures all gray? 

Why does Priscilla seem fearful today?

Why does she cover the hair on her head?

Why you may ask does King Norman love red?

And...

 Why does King Wynthor like hair that is blue?

Why does he think he’s much better than you?

Why should the fate of this one, tiny moon

Depend on Priscilla and one blue baboon?

Now enter the story.  The answers are there.

Just open your minds to all colors of hair.

Then learn in the end how one moon in the sky

Discovers the answer to one simple Why.

Have you heard of this book?! I love it! The last library I worked at had this book and I fell in love. I've been searching for a copy to add to my current library, but I believe it just went out of publishing.  This would be a great read for National Poetry Month or teaching diversity!

With the message of equality, Priscilla McDoodleNut Doodle McMae Asks, "Why?" takes place on a far away moon where there is a conflict between two Kings as to which hair color is acceptable. As a line is drawn in the sand, the people are divided between red and blue. However, Priscilla McDoodleNut Doodle McMae uncovers her head to reveal that she has purple hair, sending the two Kings into an uproar. But Priscilla's courage (thanks to a blue baboon) and open heart just might make a real difference.

The book is written in rhyme and at times a bit of a tongue twister. But it is a lot of fun to read, and children will enjoy the liveliness of the rhythm. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous. Craig Pennington brought the story to life with his flawless use of grayscale and pops of color. The contrast and the exaggerated character features really tied the silly, but powerful, lyrics into unity in such a way, that all the many elements of this story mixed together are what make it strong. 

I sincerely hope that this book goes back into print, because it is a great piece to have in any type of library. The message of acceptance and courage brings to light some very real and relevant issues the world faces today. One of the wonderful things is it isn't pushy or preachy or even condescending. It's pure, light hearted, and in a way, curious. It shows that opening a heart to accepting differences, even when those around you are not, and finding courage within yourself to stand for what you believe in can truly make the world a better place...and it only take one voice.

Love love love this book!

Review: Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate

Title: Crenshaw

Author: Katherine Applegate

Publication Date: September 22nd, 2015

Publisher: Feiwal & Friends

Genre: Middle Grade

Pages: 256

ISBN: 1250043239

Source: ARC from Publisher

Rating: 

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

In her first novel since The One and Only Ivan, winner of the Newbery Medal, Katherine Applegate delivers an unforgettable and magical story about family, friendship, and resilience.

Jackson and his family have fallen on hard times. There's no more money for rent. And not much for food, either. His parents, his little sister, and their dog may have to live in their minivan. Again.

Crenshaw is a cat. He's large, he's outspoken, and he's imaginary. He has come back into Jackson's life to help him. But is an imaginary friend enough to save this family from losing everything?

Beloved author Katherine Applegate proves in unexpected ways that friends matter, whether real or imaginary.

Amazon | Goodreads

Applegate was born in Michigan in 1956. Since then she has lived in Texas, Florida, California, Minnesota, Illinois, North Carolina, and after living in Pelago, Italy for a year, she has moved back to Southern California. She has an eleven year old son named Jake Mates, although she says the Animorph leader is not named after him. In 2003 she and her husband, Michael Grant, her co-author on many projects including Animorphs, adopted their daughter, Julia, in China.

Following the end of Animorphs, Applegate took three years off. She is back at work and has written a picture book called "The Buffalo Storm," a middle reader novel called "Home of the Brave," and an early chapters series "Roscoe Riley Rules" with Harper Collins. Her book "Home of the Brave" has won the SCBWI Golden Kite Award, the Bank Street 2008 Josette Frank Award, and is a Judy Lopez Memorial Award honor book.

Applegate is also the author of the 2013 Newbery Award Winner, "The One and Only Ivan."

Website | Twitter

Crenshaw was a story with more depth than I expected. This book deals with issues of homelessness and financial hardship from the perspective of a child. It's beautiful and heartbreaking.

Jackson likes facts. He loves science because he finds it tangible and exact. To him, everything has an explanation to some degree, regardless of how impossible it may seem. But then his imaginary friend from his childhood shows up, a very large cat named Crenshaw. Somehow, Jackson can't explain his reappearance.

Crenshaw reminded me very much of the Chesire Cat from Alice in Wonderland. He's large, mischievous, and clearly up to something. But that's what makes this story about so much more than just poverty. It takes the struggle of losing one's innocence to life's troubles and turns it into dealing with those troubles in a childlike way. Although Jackson tried to reason through things at his young age, somehow the wonderment of his childhood was still planted somewhere in his imagination. Whether because it was his fear of his family having to live in their van again, or because Crenshaw was an actual creature that existed, it added a sweetness to the sadness of the story.

I loved how this was a gentle version of dealing with poverty. It gives an introduction to such topics for early readers without getting too heavy to the point of controversy. That doesn't mean it lacks in content, though. I especially enjoyed where Applegate integrated the library as a source of comfort.

The only thing I would complain about is that I actually expected more of Crenshaw. I was a little disappointed when I realized there was less of him than I was expecting. Perhaps if I read it again knowing what exactly the book is about that'll change, but I expected his part in the story to be a little bigger.

This is a wonderful book to add to your collection. I've already ordered it at work and even put together a book club kit for it. I look forward to seeing what my kids have to say about it! Highly recommended.

Review & GIVEAWAY: Ninja & Bunny's Great Adventure by Kara S Tyler

Title: Ninja & Bunny's Great Adventure

Author: Kara S Tyler
Illustrator: Sarah Pacetti

Publication Date: December 15th, 2015
Publisher: Evolved Publishing

Genre: Children's
Pages: 48
ISBN: 1622532856

Source: ARC from Publisher

Rating: 

Synopsis (from Publisher):

A children’s tale of imagination and play, of love and loyalty, and of courage and determination.

Marian loves playing make-believe, but what if her big sister Ruthie’s fairies have been real all along? What if Princess Isla is truly in trouble and needs their help?

Marian and Ruthie must visit Fairyland and transform into Ninja and Bunny! Will they be able to save the princess?

Find out in this tale of love, loyalty, and imagination.

A | Gr

Kara S Tyler is the real world name of author Pavarti K Tyler.  As Pav, her books have spanned genres and won many awards, however, they are geared toward an adult audience. Now that she’s writing children’s books, Kara has decided to use her real name.

The Adventures of Ninja and Bunny first came about because of a fabulous conversation overheard between Kara’s two children during a very long car ride.  The two young girls spent over two hours debating various aspects of Fae politics and social structure.  Without realizing it, the girls were building a world so real, Ray Bradbury would be proud.

Kara lives in Baltimore with her husband, two children and two terrible dogs.  She is a full-time author and mother.

Website | Facebook

What a fun little book! I always love a children's book that has fairies, secret worlds, and transforms the imagination into reality. Ninja & Bunny's Great Adventure is exactly that, a great adventure!

Marian is six years old and enjoys playing make-believe. One of her favorite toys is her Isla fairy doll. One day, her older sister, Ruthie, charges outside proclaiming that Isla needs help. Marian takes no time at all to jump into their chest of costumes and prepare to fight a mysterious intruder in Fairyland. However, Marian is unaware that Fairyland is a real place.

Ninja & Bunny's Great Adventure is a book that kids can love and relate to. It's every child's dream for their imagination to come to life. With elements such as fairies, a bunny, a ninja, and a forest, readers will surely be lured into Tyler's magical world. There is a lot of action and depth put in to such a short book, so it moves at a very fast and exciting pace. Educationally, there is a good balance of simple and more complex words to help the developing reader learn new terms without going too far over their head.

The illustrations are vivid and rich with movement. I read this on my kindle, so I would read a page, and then "flip" it to see the image for a given passage. There were moments I'd flip to the illustration and was wowed by the depth in the imagery. I was very impressed, and would love to see more! I also loved Bunny's costume...it's like Card Captor Sakura goes to Greece!

At first I wondered how on earth this story was going to fit into only 48 pages. The way it was written seemed like there should be more to the story. I loved the book regardless, but I think it would be even better as an early chapter book (think "Magic Attic Club" size or "Oliver and the Seawigs" with the illustrations). Since it was so short, the plot had to move quickly and I was left wanting more because it seemed to move too fast. However, being picture book sized makes me want to read it for storytime!

A fun book full of adventure and excitement, Ninja & Bunny's Great Adventure is sure to please the young reader.

About the Prizes

The Tour has some fantastic prizes! You can win a $20 Amazon Gift Card, a Fairyland book, Temporary Ninja Tattoos or a Stuffed Ninja Bunny. 

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