What do you do when your dad has gone missing, you’ve moved from a nice neighborhood to a tiny apartment, and almost all your friends have abandoned you?  These are just some of the things Missy Thomas explores when she and her only friend, gorgeous Ian McCall, get sent to stay for the summer with her Aunt who lives in a creepy lighthouse near Seattle.  Not only do her explorations lead her to discover a secret that could reveal where her father might be, but also how changing her negative attitude with Ian’s help, gets her through the roughest time in her life.

Juli works right here at the library!  Here she is to tell you a little about being an author:  

Writing is something I’ve done since I was a teen…no better way to express yourself.  It allows for what you are feeling at the time, and it gives you perspective on what you can become in the future.

Writing is easy…getting published is HARD!!  Keep reading – is my advice…read all sorts of books to get a feel for what the public likes…not to mention that it’s great to read!

I love mysteries, and love to solve them even more.  It’s great fun to write them too!  Working on my second one!

Want something that is full of adventure and history to read this summer? Copper Sun by Sharon Draper is a riveting and intense first-hand account of slavery and indentured servitude in early America. You can tell the author did extensive research to tell the stories of Amari, an African slave and Polly, a white indentured servant.

Poverty and the brutal slave trade changed the lives of these two young women. They both are orphans that have to fight for their will to live. Amari is purchased as a birthday present for the master’s son and Polly is repaying her deceased parents debt. They dream of an escape from the world of servitude, but will their dream come to fruition or are they destined to live their lives in misery? Pick up a copy at your library branch.

Advance Comment: This is one of the best books I’ve read! You are going to need tissues when you read this book! — Nicole

When you hear the word Giant do you think of the Green Giant (the vegetable guy) or the Incredible Hulk (the green man)?  But did you know that you can be a Giant by reading to young kids (5th grade and younger)?

The 2 kinds of Reading Giants that Indianapolis Marion County Public Library has are Junior (Jr.) Reading Giants for Grades 6-8 and Reading Giants for Grades 9-12.  Jr. Reading Giants can earn up to 200 points for 1 hour of volunteer time while Reading Giants can earn up to 400 points for 2 hours of volunteer time.

After each participant completes their points they will need to fill out an application and write an essay due on Saturday August 8th.  Jr. Reading Giants write a 50 word essay with a chance to be one of the 175 lucky winners of a $25 gift card while the Reading Giants write a 100 word essay with a chance to be one of the 75 lucky winners of $ 45 gift card.

Please visit your local Branch to find out more information or to register.

2009 Summer Reading Program       News about the 2008 Summer Reading Program

I was absolutely captivated by this whimsical novel of love, family and life. After a car accident claims her whole family, sixteen year old Ever is gifted with psychic abilities, that she mistakes as a punishment. She can read other’s minds, tap into their auras, and see wandering souls. Her dead little sister, Riley visits her often. But, suddenly Ever’s world turns upside down, when Damen Auguste enrolls at Bay View High School. She feels a hint of faint recognition, and as she’s drawn into Damen’s too perfect world, she realizes it may not be as perfect as it seems. Ever is sucked into his world of secrets and intrigue. She then realizes, she’s fallen irrevocably in love with him….

I truly loved this novel, not one second did I bore, and I ate up the pages hungry for more. The novel portrays the struggles of being a teen while finding yourself and meeting the love of your life all in one. I think a lot of teens can relate to Ever’s thoughts of hopefulness and emptiness, but the gift of life was given to enjoy. Through it all, Ever manages to work through her obstacles and move on with her life. Read Evermore if you enjoy suspenseful, romantic and enticing novels.
The sequel to Evermore is New Moon, coming in july ‘09.

–Nata

Mark your calendars NOW!!!  Saturday, June 13th is the 5th annual Teen Arts and Music Festival.  Local teen bands perform live from 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM at Broad Ripple Park .  Look over teen art works on display and for sale. Food!  Fun!  Inspiration!  For more information check out the Teen Arts and Music Festival Website or the Festival’s MySpace page. See you on June 13th.