Thunderstorms, some heavy during the morning hours, then skies turning partly cloudy during the afternoon. High around 85F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected..
Tonight
A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 68F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph.
Summertime at Manhattan Public Library is always busy and we are fortunate to have amazing teen volunteers help with summer reading. These awesome teens help by staffing the special desk where kids of all ages turn in their reading minutes for prizes. Teen volunteers also learn valuable skills helping with special events and — this week — writing for the Mercury.
Jan: Welcome back to Sugar Island and the Firekeeper family with Angeline Boulley’s second novel, “Warrior Girl Unearthed.” Perry Firekeeper-Birch is excited for her summer when all she has to do is fish and chill. After she wrecks her car, her auntie Daunis helps her pay for it though she then needs to work. Perry becomes involved with the local museum and learns about the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, the federal law that allows tribes to request the return of ancestral remains and sacred items. Perry and her friends repatriate sacred items and help solve two mysteries, of missing local girls and the missing remains of Anishinaabe ancestors. She learns the importance of family and of reclaiming her history.
Sayomi: “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald is an astounding summertime book for teens. It is a twentieth-century literary classic and tragic love story about a millionaire who tries to find the lover from his youth. The thing I love about this book is that it’s not just a good read, it also holds many lessons within its pages.
Olivia: My favorite book I read this summer was “Capsule” by Mel Torrefranca! I really love dystopian books and this one features a much smaller arena of what might be dystopian, rather than the whole world falling apart. Readers get to know people who weren’t good, and within one crazy day they grow and become so much better.
Ethan: One of my favorite summer reads is “Stormbreaker,” an adventurous teen spy thriller by Anthony Horowitz. It’s the first book in a series that follows Alex Rider, 14-year-old spy. He soon discovers that his uncle Ian Rider, who was mysteriously murdered, lived a secret life as a British spy. Alex must continue his uncle’s mission as a spy trained for MI6. I enjoy this book because it has an engaging plot and is a fun read for kids of all ages!
Eshal: “True Beauty” by Na-young Kim (Yaongyi) is a Korean graphic novel. It is wonderful read, especially for people who think that they are “ugly” because they don’t match the beauty standards of their society perfectly. I loved the vast range of personalities that differentiate the characters from each other. I love this book because it shows a glimpse of reality and romantic adventure. There are a lot of things this book has made me realize, but the biggest one is that there is love everywhere and that someone is thinking beautiful thoughts about you no matter where you are.
Wyatt: “This Will Be Funny Someday” by Katie Henry. Isabel is in a difficult relationship with her boyfriend and finds an unexpected gateway to a new world where she can be herself. Isabel’s story is about self-expression through performance. I highly recommend this book for high schoolers who just wish they could grow up and be themselves. 9/10!
Amy: The historical novel “Freewater,” authored by Amina Luquam Dawson, is an inspiring and captivating read. This narrative about courageous ex-slaves is woven with themes of bravery, wisdom and the power of love to overcome evil and injustice. The book is written from multiple perspectives and readers are encouraged to piece together the story from different viewpoints. “Freewater” will inspire, challenge and remind you of the power of selflessness in a selfish world.
Ella: “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” by Suzanne Collins is a brilliant prequel that adds depth to the “Hunger Games” trilogy by telling the tale of President Coriolanus Snow’s corruption. The characters are unique and cleverly written, drawing chilling parallels to the characters in the original trilogy. The book gives fascinating insight into the inner workings of young Snow’s mind and motives. It made me see the series from an entirely different perspective, which in my opinion, is what makes it a remarkable prequel.
Also, there’s still time to log summer reading hours.
Jan Johnson is the teen librarian at Manhattan Public Library.
