DPL Teens

Keiko Tobe’s With the Light, set in modern day Japan, is a truly gorgeous story that will fill you with joy and compassion.  As you walk through the struggles, pain, laughter, triumphs, and unwavering love that a mother experiences while coming to grips with the realization that her first born child is autistic and see all that she has to go through raising him, you find yourself emotionally invested and always curious for more as the author manages to hook you into the world of Hikaru, the young autistic boy.  It is unequivocally awe-inspiring to see how Sachiko, the amazing mother, is able to provide the best for her son even in the face of such adverse situations and with, at times, little to no emotional support from those closest to her.

I’d highly recommend this read to anyone in 7th grade or higher, even adults…especially adults!   I say that because Tobe’s tale is a Japanese graphic novel (more commonly known as manga) and it is a perfect “gateway book” for those who are unfamiliar with graphic novels, yet still a bit curious about them.  Manga is a wildly popular genre right now and yields a highly favorable response from reluctant readers.  The novels are read from back to front and Tobe’s four volume set has great intros and tips on exactly how to best follow them, which is wonderful for those who are new to the genre.  With the Light also has lots of extra factual tid-bits strewn throughout the story about autism in general, where you can find support, as well as how it fits into certain aspects of modern Japanese culture.

So, if you’re an adult and don’t understand why the teen you know ALWAYS has their nose buried in a book that they seem to be reading backwards, then you need to investigate for yourself.  Check out a manga!  Not only will you be able to connect to your teen in a whole new fashion but you might find that you really appreciate the art form, too.  Or if you’re a manga-loving teen and find that your parents just don’t understand, give them a copy and see what happens.  You can’t go wrong if you choose With the Light.  Place your hold today!

-Christie

A hideous tale of four young souls living out an incredibly potent slice of squalor and degradation, 33 snowfish is a book so singular in tone and presentation that you will, without a doubt, never forget reading it.  This book is not, I repeat, NOT for everyone.   Although highly recommended, it’s definitely for the mature reader (9th grade up)-one who can handle heavy topics concerning abuse and violence (both physical and sexual) depicted in a very emotionally raw fashion.  As the story haphazardly spills itself out into a depressing mess, it’s shocking to realize that it offers only a mere glimpse of what the characters have actually survived in their short lives.  For most of the book, one can’t help but wonder where the hope is, where the relief might reside, and just what sort of journey the author is taking his audience on.  

All of the adolescent characters are running and with good reason-Boobie killed his parents, Curl is a teenage prostitute, and Custis managed to escape his pedophilic captor.  While things continually seem to get worse and worse for the troubled teens as they head out on the road to who knows where, it’s alarming to realize that they might be actually be experiencing some of the best parts of their lives together.  At least they are together.  At least there’s that, albeit momentary.  Oh, and did I mention they’re towing a baby along as well, and that they keep it safely tucked in a hollowed out TV?  Seriously.

While this tale breaks your heart and slowly hands the pieces back to you one at a time, you’ll quickly find yourself in the midst of an incredibly moving piece of work created by a terribly terrific writer.  The vivid tale ultimately reminds you to keep your eye fastened to the tiniest speck of hope, even when you can’t see it.  Rare.  Controversial.  Brilliant.

-Christie

The Davenport Public Libraries will be closed December 24-25th.  Both locations will reopen on Friday the 26th at 9:30 am.  And no matter how you celebrate the season…remember to enjoy yourself. 

-Christie

-Christie

Hey guys — looking for the absolute best sledding hill in the Quad Cities — any feedback on the best place to go??

The 14th Annual Teen Reading Challenge has begun!  Pick up your reading log today at either Davenport Public Library location.  The Teen Reading Challenge is an event sponsored by the Quad City Area Public Libraries.  This unique winter reading program asks teens to join their home library team and “compete” against other area public libraries to see who can read the most.  Come on DPL teens…let’s do this!

This year’s program runs from Dec. 14, 2008-Jan. 3, 2009.  The logs must be turned in by Jan. 6, 2009.  To participate visit your local library and pick up a log.  Just keep track of the number of minutes you read (books, magazines, newspapers, and even books for school!) on the provided log and turn it in when you’re done.  It’s really that easy! 

Oh, and did I mention a party?  Party.  Teens who read 250 minutes or more will be invited to the Teen Reading Challenge Party at the Moline Public Library on Friday, Jan. 9th.  And they get to bring a friend, as well!  There will be video games to play, scrapbooking activities, duct tape crafts, free food, drinks, and lots of prizes to give away.

One more thing…if the DPL teens win this Challenge, they get to have an overnight lock-in at the library.  Time to get your read on! 

-Christie

At this time of year all I can think about is cookies. Some people are thinking about presents, or skiing, or skating, or Santa — but me — cookies. My absolute favorite are sugar cookies. You know – the ones your grandma cuts into weird shapes like Christmas Trees or little tiny reindeer? But I can also eat my share of Peanut Butter Cookies and Oatmeal Cookies. Oh, and those little ones with the jelly in the center? Oh, yeah. Maybe I’m not being completely honest here. Sometimes I’m thinking about other things than cookies. Like fudge. Traditional chocolate fudge with walnuts. Peanut Butter Fudge. Maple Fudge. Oh — and the mixed varieties — with Peppermint or Raspberry mixed with White Chocolate. Mmmm.

Want to make your own? Here are a few books to get you started:

Happy Baking!!!

–angie

 …having a flashmob rave in your college library to relieve the stress of finals week.  Check it:

Okay, so some of them need to work on their dance moves a bit…but how super fun would a happening like that be!?!

-Christie

Tired of reading about vampires? I’m not but in case you are here’s something a little different but just as suspenseful. Revolution is not a Dinner Party is an incredible story about a young girl living through the cultural revolution. During this time China saw the rise of the powerful communist leader Mao Ze dong. The basis of Chariman Mao’s rule or revolution was to do away with anything western, wealthy or intellectual – he wanted to overthrow the old China and replace it with a new working class. The precocious main character, Ling struggles wth the blatant injustices during this time. Once caring neighbors turn on one another, food and other items become severely rationed. Good, hard working people are humiliated, beaten and taken to labor camps. Eventually Ling’s adoring father, a brilliant and caring surgeon, is also taken away. Ling’s story is absolutely captivating.

Ying Chang Compestine, the author of Revolution is Not a Dinner Party, writes this concise tale with simplicity. The events she describes are so compelling and detailed – perhaps since much of the story comes from her own childhood. Mrs. Compestine has written many picture books as well as several cookbooks. In September Rivermont Collegiate and the Bettendorf Library were so lucky to host Mrs. Compestine as a guest speaker. You won’t want to miss this fabulous book!

Rebecca

Today’s Wednesday and that means another installment of Get Your Game On will be taking place at the Fairmount St. Library.  If you like playing video games and hanging with other teens, then you should definitely come check it out.  Good times.  Good times.  And speaking of good, check out this pic that Mello, one of our dedicated teen patrons, drew of a few of the gaming crowd regulars.  What a super great pic!!  Thanks for sharing, Mello! 

Get Your Game On is every Wednesday from 3-5.  The library owns two PS2s and a Wii system.  Teens often bring in their own systems to play on, too.  Lately we’ve had four screens going at once.  And we play all sorts of games…Guitar Hero III, Rock Band, Super Smash Brothers Brawl, MarioKart, and Dance Dance Revolution Extreme 2 just to name a few.  So come on by sometime and Get Your Game On!!

 -Christie