Review: If I Lie by Corrine Jackson (YA)

If I Lie by Corrine Jackson

Quinn and Carey live in a military town, and the two have been like Barbie and Ken since they started dating.  However, their relationship has been comfortable and chaste; more like best friends than lovers.  Quinn won’t admit that sparks fly instead with Carey’s best friend, Blake.  When Carey enlists in the Marines during his senior year, he confesses to Quinn that he’s gay (don’t worry, this isn’t a spoiler.  This happens on page 24.).  They break up, and that night, Quinn goes to Blake’s house.  They share a night together.  The next morning, Carey calls Quinn and begs her to meet him.  She finds Carey bloody and battered, after he kissed the boy he liked and was caught.  Carey begs Quinn to pretend they’re still dating, promising that someday he’ll come out to his family and friends.  Just not now.  Blake is infuriated; feeling like Quinn lied to him and tricked him into sleeping with her. 

When Carey leaves for Afghanistan, an incriminating photo of Quinn and Blake surface, where only Quinn’s face can be seen.  Everyone turns against Quinn and calls her a host of names: traitor, slut, whore, b*tch.  They can’t believe she cheated on her boyfriend—a Marine and hero.  When Carey goes MIA, she is again in the spotlight.  She is teased and harassed.  She is ignored and abused.  Even her parents turn against her.  Will she keep Carey’s secret, even if it costs her everything?

I really enjoyed this book.  It was intense, emotional and touching.  It showed how judgmental and cruel people can be.  How difficult forgiveness can be.  How hopeless life can seem when feeling alone and unloved.  How much work it takes to transform oneself.  

The military aspects of this book were also interesting.  There is a lot of information about what its like to live in a Marine family, how people cope (or not) when coming back from the war, the experience of being gay in the military, and the Veteran’s History Project.  Quinn’s relationship with George, an old man at the VA hospital, was amazing.  Be warned.  By the end of this book, I bawled my head off.  Quinn’s inner strength and perseverance are commendable, but at times it makes for an excruciating read. Still, it’s a worthy read and I recommend this book.

Frugal reading and library sharing

My budget was cut this year, so I really need to ensure my purchasing choices are as solid as possible.  It was already tough to buy board books, picture books, beginning chapter books, nonfiction books, juvenile fiction and teen fiction on my skinny budget.  Now it's excruciating. 

I depend on a few publications for reviews on the new releases, but lately, they haven't been accurate (as far as Im concerned).  I realize that publishers are trying to sell their books, but I can't afford to buy a book that sits on the shelf ignored, even if the critics loved it.  (For example, Guantanamo Boy or What You Wish For: Stories and Poems for Darfur.)  Or worse, one that totally sucks.  I can rattle off several books that I feel guilty buying because they were a complete waste of money.

My wish list is loooooooooooooong, and at times I get overwhelmed at all of the books that sounds good.  I needed a way to narrow it down.  Since the only way to truly judge a book fairly is to read it, I found a way to do that. 

With a huge thanks to Galesburg Public Library, Ive been whittling down my choices by reading the books on my wish list that they already own.  Its been especially helpful with picture books.  Sadly, it's easy to write a lousy children's book.  I'm trying to weed out the ones we already own.  If I finish the book and I'm lukewarm about it, it's off the list.  The teen choices are a bit more complicated.  There are some that are fabulous, but I know will never circulate here. 

Here's what Ive been reading lately.
Awesome Picture Books (will buy soon)
How Do You Get a Mouse to Smile by Grubman (cute storytime book, easy rhymes)
Hugless Douglass by Melling (another good storytime book and very adorable)
If All the Animals Came Inside by Pinder (funny with good illustrations)

Good Picture Books
Home for Bird by Stead (very cute story about the search for a wooden bird's home)
Chloe Instead by Player (story about having a little sister who is not what she expected)
Blue Chicken by Freedman (a chicken spills paint and turns the drawing of the farm different colors)
Building with Dad by Nevius (great for fathers and sons, plus construction equipment!)
Monsters Eat Whiny Children by Kaplan (a bit long for storytime, but cute)
Say Hello to Zorro by Goodrich (a dog's routine is upset when a pug named Zorro shows up in the house)
Scrambled States of American by Keller (good for slightly older kids, with lots of facts about the states)
Neville by Juster (sweet story about a boy who moves to a new neighborhood and has to make friends)

Not Buying These Picture Books
Mississippi Morning by VanderZee (a book about the KKK.  This book, and the next one, fall into the no man's land of picture books--the ones with 3-6 paragraphs on each page.  They're way too long and complicated for anyone younger than 5, but too short and little kid-like for those in early grade school.  Plus, I'm not sure that I believe the story in this one.) 
Buffalo Are Back by George (about the buffalo's resurgence after near extinction.  Great story, too long.)

Good Young Adult
Dragonswood by Carey (Fantasy about a girl who is part dragon.  Decent)
Team Human by Larbalestier (I wasn't thrilled with this one.  Would have been popular right when the Twilight craze hit, but now it feels dated and too juvenile to me.)
Bunheads by Flack (describes the physically and emotionally grueling life of a ballerina)
A Monster Calls by Ness (dark, compelling story about a boy dealing with his mother's cancer)

Not Buying These Teen Books
Tender Morsels by Lanagan (couldnt even get through the first ten pages and it doesnt help that the book started with two people having sex in a hayloft)
Boy on Cinnamon Street by Stone (too stylized, boring)

YA Movie News

The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex will be released by DreamWorks Animation in late 2014.  The movie, now titled, Happy Smekday!, will star Jim Parsons and Rhianna.  

The Alchymest: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel #1 by Michael Scott will start filming in Februrary 2013. 

The movie version of Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass is now available on DVD.

There are also rumors that a new Sesame Street movie will be filming soon!

Book reviews

I'm behind on my book reviews!  Here's a condensed version of some of the books that I've read recently and enjoyed.

Easy picture books (E)

If Rocks Could Sing by Leslie McGuirk

McGuirk spent over a decade searching for rocks in the shapes of the letters of the alphabet.  Adorable and amazing.

My Dad is Big and Strong, But…A Bedtime Story by Coralie Saudo

Every night a little boy has to send his reluctant father to bed, but he begs for stories and fights going to sleep.  Funny for both parents and kids.

Don’t Forget, God Bless Our Troops by Jill Biden

Those in the military make a huge sacrifice, leaving their families behind as they defend the United States.  Five-year-old Natalie misses her dad who is off to war.  She sends him her artwork, packages of treats, and prays for him.

Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett, illustrations by Jon Klassen

In a cold, colorless town, Annabelle finds a box filled with yarn of every color. She knits sweaters or hats for everyone and everything and still doesn’t  run out of yarn. When the archduke tries to buy Annabelle's box of yarn, he learns that taking away her happiness--and her yarn--isn't so easy.  Cute, plus it has a cameo by the characters of I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen.

Young adult (YA)

City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare (#5 in the Mortal Instruments series)

When Jace vanishes with Sebastian, Clary and the Shadowhunters struggle to piece together their shattered world and Clary infiltrates the group planning the world's destruction.  So intense I couldn’t put this book down.  This series is phenomenal. 

Insurgent by Veronica Roth (#2 in Divergent series)

For those of you who have read The Hunger Games and are craving another addictive series, I highly recommend this one from Roth.  When teens turn 16, they must choose one of four factions to join for the rest of their lives.  Roth keeps the action moving in this second installment, as the factions move toward war.

 Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne

With the recent tsunamis, the nuclear meltdown in Japan and earthquakes, this book capitalizes on the question of how to survive in the face of catastrophic disasters.  Giant hail drives fourteen kids and teens into a superstore, where they take refuge while the world outside gets torn apart by a series of escalating disasters.  Great characterizes, surprisingly plausible.  A very good read.

Dreamland by Sarah Dessen

Ever since Caitlin started dating Rogerson Briscoe, she seems to have fallen into a semiconscious dreamland where nothing is quite real. Rogerson is different than anyone Caitlin has ever known. He's magnetic. He's dangerous. Being with him makes Caitlin forget about her life--her missing sister, her withdrawn mother, her boring life. But when Rogerson becomes abusive, Caitlin's dreamlike haze keeps her numb as their relationship spirals out of control.

Sarah Dessen excels at writing books with characters that seem to live and breathe off the page. She captures the secrecy and shame of abusive relationships. Rogerson chips away at Caitlin’s self esteem--her entire sense of self--and it will take drastic action to keep her from drowning. Sad, powerful, and very real.

Hero by Perry Moore

Thom, the teenage son of a fallen superhero who seems to be linked to his mother's disappearance, joins the League and finds himself dealing with confusing sexual feelings for the hero Uberman while learning to use his powers and moving toward the truth about his mother's disappearance.  An interesting twist on the superhero genre, with a sympathetic lead character.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

Budding cartoonist Junior leaves his troubled school on the Spokane Indian Reservation to attend an all-white farm town school where the only other Native American is the school mascot.  This book made me laugh, cry and cheer for Junior.

The List by Siobhan Vivian

Eight high school girls struggle with the way they see themselves and the way others see them after a list ranking the prettiest and ugliest girls is posted.  Heart-breaking and compelling.

Summer Reading Program is in full swing!

Tuesday June 26th: 2 pm:  Movie at 2 pm: Ratatouille (sponsored by the Friends of the Library).  

Thursday June 28th: Storytime at 10 am.  Theme: Desserts! 

Thursday June 28th: 2 pm: Baking demonstration by Amy Thompson, followed by a fill-your-own-cream-puff event

Saturday June 30th: 2 pm: Make your own playdoh.  All ages welcome.

Tuesday July 3rd: Movie at 2 pm: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (sponsored by the Friends of the Library). 

Thursday July 5^th: Storytime at 10 am.  Theme: Fruits! 

Thursday July 5^th:  2 pm: Nutrition presentation by Jamie Weyant, Dietary Director at OSF Hospital, followed by a Fruits & Veggies tasting event. Sponsored by a grant from the Walmart Foundation.

Saturday July 7^th:  2 pm: Furry Friends Petting Zoo

Tuesday July 10^th: Movie at 2 pm: How to Eat Fried Worms (sponsored by the Friends of the Library). 

Thursday July 12^th:  Storytime at 10 am.  Theme: Vegetables! 

Thursday July 12^th:  2 pm: Birdseed crafts.  All ages welcome.  Sponsored by a donation from the National Honor Society of the Monmouth Roseville High School in honor of Ms. Doty

Friday July 13^th:  2 pm: Magician Jesus Rios

Saturday July 14^th: Coloring contest entry sheets due at the library.  Winners announced July 28^th.  Judged by Susan Twomey from the Buchanan Center for the Arts.

Tuesday July 17^th: Movie at 2 pm: Spongebob Squarepants (sponsored by the Friends of the Library). 

Wednesday July 18^th: 2 pm: Teen chocolate tasting event

Thursday July 19^th:  Storytime at 10 am.  Theme: Breakfast! 

Thursday July 19^th:  2 pm: Make your own refrigerator magnets

Saturday July 21^st: Game day at 2 pm!  Food bingo and food-themed board games PLUS Teen Scavenger hunt

Tuesday July 24^th : Movie at 2 pm: Wallace & Gromit in the Curse of the Wererabbit (sponsored by the Friends of the Library). 

Thursday July 26^th:  Storytime at 10 am.  Theme: Picnics! 

Thursday July 26^th:  2 pm: Jugglers Dean Franzen & Doug Sawyer

Saturday July 28^th: Noon: Teen pizza party for those who signed up for the summer reading program

Saturday July 28^th: 2 pm: Closing carnival with the Shrine Clowns, a raffle, games and more.  Sponsored by a donation from the National Honor Society of the Monmouth Roseville High School in honor of Ms. Doty

Summer reading program is coming soon!

If you've seen the library's website lately, you may have noticed the countdown clock to this year's Reading is So Delicious summer reading program.  I am so excited about this year's activities and I hope that you will be too.

The rules are similar to those of the past, with just a few changes.  Starting on Saturday June 2^nd, children and teens can come to the library to sign up.  They will receive a free pizza bookmark, a reading log and if they want, their name and photo on our giant wall ice cream cone. 

Every week, participants should keep track of the title and author of each book they read, and also write down how many minutes it took to finish it (rounded up to the nearest 15 minutes).  When kids visit they library, they should bring in their reading logs.  For children younger than five years old, for each hour of reading, they win a prize.  For children six years and older, two hours of reading will win a prize.  Participants can win up to two prizes a week.  Any reading above and beyond this amount will earn participants a pizza topping to decorate our giant wall pizza.   

Children are not required to read library books.  They can read books from home, e-books, magazines, comic books, chapter books, non-fiction—basically any format.  We just want participants to have fun and keep reading throughout the summer.  If children are too young to read on their own, even if they are older than five years old, parents can read aloud to them and it still counts for the program.

Prizes include stickers, pencils, fake tattoos, toys, puzzles, books, coupons for area restaurants, tickets to three local baseball teams, t-shirts, tote bags, iTunes gift cards and more.  Kids that complete at least half of the program will be eligible for a raffle at our closing carnival.  The grand prize will be an MP3 player, so sign up for the reading program for a chance to win!

Our kickoff event begins at 2 pm on June 2^nd, where kids can decorate their own aprons and chef hats. 

In subsequent posts I will list of all of our summer activities as well as our sponsors.  Stay tuned for more information!

If you would like to volunteer for any part of the summer reading program, please contact me at childrens@wcplibrary.org or 734-3166.

Three upcoming events at the library in March

Learn how to tie knots with Tim Tibbetts, Biology Professor from Monmouth College and Eagle Scout,. on Saturday, March 10th at 10 am. Free!




















Mitch Peterson and his service dog, London, will be doing a presentation on Saturday, March 24th at 10:30 am in the storytime room.





Puppet show on Saturday, March 31st at 10:30 am! Alpha Psi Omega will be performing "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" with puppet crafts to follow. Free!