Teen Read Week Review Results

This past October, during our celebration of Teen Read Week, we asked you to recommend a book to the library staff.  The idea behind this was that adults are always telling you what you should read, whether it's a school assignment, or for a library program, or just a book we think you'd love.  We recognize that there are books that you read that may not be on our adult radar.  So, we asked you: What do you think we should read?  We got 19 responses of very good titles!   So we put the list out to the whole library staff and asked people to choose a title.  In the next few months, as we finish reading our selections, we will be posting our thoughts on what we read.

Here are the first two book reactions:

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Recommended by Christine Phelan

Reaction by: Kristen Brewi, Librarian
Hunger Games, Hunger Games, Hunger Games... what can I say about a book that pits 24 teenagers against each other in a challenge to the death?  I found that I both liked and disliked this book.  I rooted for the 16-year-old main character, Katniss, and was never disappointed with her quick thinking that seemed to save her time and time again, but secretly I was rooting for Peeta to win it all!  I couldn't help but fall in love with Peeta!  His intentions weren't always clear but that just made him more mysterious... and more dangerous!  The twists and turns, and sometimes brutal violence of the book kept me turning the pages... always wondering what could possibly happen next!  And although I didn't love the book, I am intrigued enough to continue reading the series.  In fact, as soon as I finished the book, I already had the second book, "Catching Fire," on hold!

Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli

Recommended by: Jaclyn Kolsen

Reaction by: Andrew Salomon, Librarian
Milkweed was an excellent book.  Although the Holocaust is a very sad topic, Jerry Spinelli tells a tale of a young boy who lived through this very tough time and was able to help many people along the way.  Through his adventures sneaking out of the ghetto at night, Misha feeds many people who were otherwise starving for food.  Unfortunately, however, many of his loved ones pass away during the ordeal, along with many other Jewish people.  Misha learns an important lesson, however, that loved ones are always with us in our memories.  Ripe with many true details about the Holocaust, this historical fiction tale makes the reader feel as though they have a sneak peek into a very difficult but historically important time period.  I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in historical fiction, the Holocaust, or anyone looking to read a good book about a boy who grew up without many of the advantages most of us take for granted today.