Looking for a show to watch? Check out Gilmore Girls!

Check out this review of Gilmore Girls by one of our Teen Volunteers.  Are you looking for your next show to binge watch? This might be the one!

Gilmore Girls Review

I have watched many shows in the duration of my life, but one trumps them all. This show is called Gilmore Girls. The director of this show is a woman by the name of Amy Sherman-Palladino. She was inspired by a visit to a small town in Washington, Connecticut. She stayed in a beautiful small Inn located in a vibrant town with amazing people. The local dinner allowed people to walk behind the counter which goes to show how connected the people in the town are. She said that within 24 hours, she had a general plot and main characters. The two main characters, that the story revolves around. are Rory and Lorelai. The actors that play these characters are Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel. The show debuted on October 5, 2000, and ran for seven seasons, ending on May 15,2007. The show later debuted an offshoot of the show with the main characters years later on November 25,2016. This second series is called “A Year in a Life”. 

The show is based on the life of a mother and daughter. The mother, Lorelai was raised in a strict rich home, with the parents being Emily and Richard Gilmore. Lorelai became pregnant at sixteen years old and moved out of her parents home. She was supported by working as a maid in the town of StarsHollow at the Independence Inn. Over time, she became the person who ran the Inn. She raised Rory to be a smart girl with aspirations of going to Harvard, which Lorelai was unable to do. Lorelai raised Rory alone, and the show walks through their life and how throughout the stress and pain in their lives, they always have each other. The town they live in has always supported them and the people in the town are very close knit. StarsHollow is known for their festivals and events. The show walks through their lives; through boyfriends, college, and the mandatory Friday night dinners. All of the actors in the show are amazing. The directors storyline and the execution of the show make it one of my favorites. I have watched the show, as a whole, multiple times with my family, and have never gotten sick of it.

Gilmore Girls is a show that I believe everyone should watch. It’s warmhearted and the relationship between the mother and daughter is incredible. It shows that all you need in your life is one person who is always there for you. How throughout life, there is always that one person that is with you to experience it. Both Lorelai and Rory support each other through both the bad and good times. This show to me, and my mom and sister, has always been one that we watch over and over. To us, it is a show that will always be our favorite. I hope that you watch an episode and see why we enjoy it. All seasons are available on Netflix.  

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Don't have Netflix? The mini series, Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life is available on DVD to check out at Victor Farmington Library. Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life

If you are a fan you may also like this book by Lauren Graham, one of the stars of Gilmore Girls, also available to check out at the library: 

Talking as fast as I can : from Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls, (and everything in between)

Have you watched Gilmore Girls? What do you think?

What is your favorite series to watch? Let us know in the comments.

😍

Summer Take & Make Craft - ORIGAMI BOXES

 

This week: Origami Boxes!
Week of 8/17/20

Our teen craft of the week is Origami Boxes!  Pick up a Take & Make Craft Kit at the library with instructions and enough origami paper to make a few boxes.  Kits available until supplies run out.

In the video tutorial below I demonstrate how easy it is to make these boxes out of origami paper (though any paper will work). 

Enjoy! If you tried making a box, let us know in the comments how it turned out.  

Have you heard about Anna's Fanart contest? Create a piece of fanart to enter to win prizes! Check out all the details here: FANART CONTEST

Check in next week for our next teen craft of the week!

😍Dori

Teen Book Reviews: Kids Of Appetite and Little White Lies

Check out these two book reviews by one of our teen volunteers, Sarah B.

Kids Of Appetite by David Arnold   

Review by Sarah B.

         The world is full of hidden mysteries. As you get involved in these unsolved dilemmas, the more problems can occur. The Kids Of Appetite by David Arnold was a storyline that involved the importance of friendship when dealing with adversity; but also the idea of acceptance, disregarding the past but understanding times in need of help when one might feel all alone.

         This novel takes place through many areas in New Jersey, following the adventures of the KOA; Victor, Mads, Baz, Nzuzi, and Coco. It follows the different points of view, alternating between Vic and Mads. Ultimately it begins with the questioning of Vic and Mads in interrogation rooms trying to solve a crime. Victor has some troubles at home, and meets this group of people who take him in and help him complete his mission revolving around his deceased father. They take on many destinations that circle around these two endless lovers. From the “Flower Duet” on repeat to red lights coming together to Coco’s love of ice cream and to understanding that each person views the same sunset even from different areas, patience and endurance are vital factors in completing this quest. All of these characters grow and learn from each other through each of their pasts which assists their goal. You might wonder why the book started in interrogation rooms with police, but that is a mystery that you have to solve.

         Quite honestly, I thoroughly enjoyed taking on this book. Arnold utilizes many similes and metaphors to compare the group's adventures or struggles to lessons that are remote to unusual things that Vic’s father taught him. He also displays many short sentences to highlight times of confusion, fear, and annoyance; resulting in emphasizing the emotion felt by the characters in certain situations. There were many shocking points near the end but that is what makes a book so great. I definitely connected with the characters' pasts, so much so that there were points in the plot where my emotions got the best of me and I did end up shedding some tears! One of my favorite characters would have to be Coco. For someone who is so young, she truly understands what it is like to lose things you love but how to overcome that barrier and understand what the other side of the world is like. She has a big voice but she would not let others tear her loved ones down and is definitely not afraid to protect them against that. I personally enjoyed how Arnold ended off the book, the fulfillment and satisfaction with the ending made it likable and he avoided leaving it unclear. I did some research and if you like the books, Astray by Emma Donoghue or Meet the Sky by McCall Hoyle then I would recommend the Kids Of Appetite!

(Kids Of Appetite is available to borrow as an ebook on owwl2go.owwl.org or using the Libby app)

Little White Lies by Philippa East

Review by Sarah B.

 

        It can be a scary world outside the walls that make you feel the most safe. One stupid mistake can lead to years of trauma and misery. This vulnerability can be dangerous and impact one’s life in unimaginable ways. Little White Lies by Philippa East is a novel about adjustment to life after experiencing pain and trauma. It follows the journey of Abigail White, who is dealing with this burden of confusion when she is found and returns home. She has to endure building relationships all over again, and allowing people to come back in her life that she is unsure whether to truly trust or not. 

         The novel is spoken mainly through Anne, Abigail’s mother, and Jess, Abigail’s cousin as they have to adjust to the fragile Abigail after not seeing her for seven years. Left with pain and guilt from the day of the disappearance, Anne has to reconnect with her daughter and build a relationship that has broken, even though trying to be perfect can be worse than not trying it at all. Jess, on the other hand, has always been close to Abigail, as she thinks of her as her other half. Adjusting to her new surroundings, indulging in past memories, Abigail struggles with understanding how everything happened and trusting her loved ones. To a new routine, escaping the dark and experiencing a teenage life, unexpected birthdays and activities, and the trial, this novel follows the White and Brady family as they take on this scary but glorious chapter of introducing Abigail back into their happy family. The question is, why doesn’t Abigail seem as happy to be home after all these years without her family? That is something that keeps Anne up at night as she and Jesse unravel secrets and lies that were attempted to be buried but soon escape into reality.

         This book was one of a kind. Truly I have never quite read something like this before but I very much recommend it. Just being able to understand how easily mistakes can lead to the most unimaginable consequences can just open your eyes on how careful you need to be. It is hard to trust someone after being brainwashed, and seeing the rebuild of Anne and her daughter Abigail is just another chapter in all the other issues they have to face with reestablishing her mental health. The ending with the trial just leaves you on the edge of your seat as secrets from the most unexpected people unfold leaving you questioning who you can trust in the world. It gave me chills thinking about how people can just put on a mask to get what they want. Jess was by far one of my favorite characters. She is always thinking of the positive with Abigail and does not think of her any differently from the last time she saw her. She broadens Abigail’s horizons on everything she has missed. Obviously she makes mistakes along the way, sometimes forgetting the delicacy that has to be taken when introducing Abigail to new things but betters herself from that and does not let others' opinions get to her otherwise. I believe I would recommend this book for teens the age of 14 or 15 and over but seriously such a great novel. East truly connected you with understanding Anne’s anger, Jesse’s empathy, and her family’s disappointment. But of course the hardest one to connect with is Abigail as she is lost like a fish at sea just trying to accept what happened and how to go from there. Little Friends by Donna Tartt which is about a girl trying to figure out the mystery about her brother’s death as she uncovers family secrets is a book that I would relate to Little White Lies. Both are suspenseful and mysterious books at its finest. Overall, such an intriguing book as hardships turn into lessons and acceptance to trust.

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Have you read anything lately you want to share with others? We want to hear about it!

Summer Take & Make Craft - PAINTED ROCK CACTUS

 Each week this summer we have a different teen craft kit available. They are only available until supplies run out, so stop in early to pick up your kit. Warning, they are going fast this week!

This week: Painted Rock Cactus!
Week of 8/10/20

You can find the written instructions here: Painted Rock Cactus Instructions

In the video tutorial below, I show you how easy it is to make these cute rock cacti! 

If you make a painted rock cactus, I'd love to see it. Take a picture and email it to me.

FYI: Join us this Thursday, 8/13/20, for Teen Thursday Online.  This week we are doing MORE Jackbox Games!  We bought some additional Jackbox games and are looking forward to trying them out. You do have to sign up in advance so we can send you the link.  Register here: TEEN THURSDAY ONLINE - MORE JACKBOX GAMES

Have you heard about Anna's Fanart contest? Create a piece of fanart to enter to win prizes! Check out all the details here: FANART CONTEST

Check in next week for our next teen craft of the week!

😍Dori

Anna's Writing Nook: SUMMER PROMPTS

Hi guys! Welcome, welcome to this week's Writer's Nook! I decided to take a little break from rambling at y'all (thank God, right?), so today I've got some prompts for you! And they're summer themed! Yay!

I tried to make them vague enough to leave plenty of room for your imagination to take em and run with em, but also specific enough that they hopefully spark some ideas in your brilliant minds! Have fun!

☀️ Summer Prompts ☀️

Imagine a character who loves the beach, and another who HATES the beach. Now send them to the beach together.


Write about a family vacation that was planned perfectly with absolutely everything in order... and then everything goes wrong (but NOT because of a virus lol).


Write two characters going bathing suit shopping; Character A is a shopaholic, and Character B would rather be literally anywhere else.


Choose one of your favorite summer activities and write a story about it.


We all got together for a cookout, but none of us actually knows how to work a grill. Surely nothing could possibly go wrong!


Road trip!... with a side of car trouble.


Waterpark/amusement park adventure!


Character A hates rollercoasters/is afraid of heights... Character B drags them to the state fair, which is known for... wait for it... its rollercoasters and massive ferris wheel.


Write a stargazing scene! Trying to spot shooting stars, satellites, or even Comet Neowise.


Write a story about camping, hiking, kayaking, or a trip to the lake.


Write a story involving campfires, s'mores, and sparklers.


Write a story about a state fair, a 4th of July festival, or an evening at the drive-in.


Write a scene of a group of friends playing hide and seek at night (or manhunt, as we called it, idk if y'all still call it manhunt lol).


Describe your usual summer adventures and traditions! What is something you look forward to every summer?


If you could go anywhere in the world for the whole summer (without worrying about money or covid), write about where you'd go and who you'd bring and what you'd do there.


Write a summer-themed poem (and no, it doesn't have to rhyme!)

I hope y'all like the prompts! Have fun! Write some great stories! Enter the fanart contest! And comment your ideas, complaints, et cetera :)

Until next week!

😎✌🏻 Anna

First Fanart Contest Entry!!

Hey everyone! I'm so excited to show y'all our very first entry to the fanart contest!

(if you're like "What fanart contest?" you can find all the info about it right here!!

Our first entry is artwork of Kvothe from the Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss, drawn by Katie M.! She says, "The smaller figure is him, the larger is his reputation."

I'm not familiar with these books, but I'm intrigued! We love magic, we love heroic protagonists! And we love beautiful art! Thanks so much for your entry, Katie!

I can't wait to see more lovely drawings from you all!

~ Anna

Summer Take & Make Craft - PARACORD BRACELET

Each week this summer we have a different Teen craft kit available. They are only available until supplies run out, so stop in early to pick up your kit.

This week: Paracord Bracelets!
Week of 8/3/20

This week's kit includes enough paracord to make a bracelet, along with instructions.  

A copy of the written instructions can also be found here: Paracord Bracelet Instructions. A warning however: the written instructions can be confusing!  I strongly recommend you watch the video tutorial linked below.

In this video, I demonstrate how to make a paracord bracelet using the cobra weave pattern.  It may look complicated at first, but it's actually pretty easy once you get the hang of tying the knots. 👍

I had fun making these bracelets. I hope you do too! 

If you make a bracelet, I'd love to see it. Take a picture and email it to me.

FYI: Join us this Thursday, 8/6/20, for Teen Thursday Online.  This week we are doing a Digital Escape Room!  You do have to sign up in advance so we can send you the link.  Register here: TEEN THURSDAY ONLINE - DIGITAL ESCAPE ROOM

Have you heard about Anna's Fanart contest? Create a piece of fanart to enter to win prizes! Check out all the details here: FANART CONTEST

Check in next week for our next teen craft of the week!

😍Dori