The summer programming for teens just keeps getting better and better. Hope that your teens are enjoying all the terrific programs planned for this summer.  Suffolk public libraries are second to none in reaching out to teens.

Thanks for sharing your success stories with us.

I'm looking forward to seeing you at the Battle of the Books in August. It will be so much fun!

Barbara

 

 

This month I'm sharing thoughts on two  books written by European authors: one British and one Spanish.

 

Laika by Nick Abadzis is the story of the dog the Russians sent into space. But it is also a revealing glimpse into the pressures of the "space race" of the 1950's. Beginning with the opening panels of a man slowly advancing through the snow repeating to himself, "I am a man of destiny. I will not die", readers understand the motivations behind the fateful decisions that were made.  Because these are not "cardboard characters", it is easy to empathize with their situations.  I also loved the images, especially the dreams of the dog dancing through space.  The language is powerful: "Every day, every moment is a frontier to a country that, once crossed, can never be returned to." What an incredible book!

 

 

Grimpow: The Invisible Road by Rafael Abalos and translated from original Spanish by Noel Baca Castex is set in France in 1313. The story involves  a young man who discovers part of a secret that relates to the Knights Templar. It really isn't a Da Vinci Code book, although there are some puzzles to solve and one pretty intense description of a dead body. There is plenty of action. It almost felt like reading Indiana Jones.  Magic and mystical elements are  low-key.  I did like the theme of Grimpow, a simple boy, being asked to perform a task similar to Frodo in Lord of the Rings.  Although his friends assist at times,  he comes to realize  that he alone must carry a "burden" and complete the task. This usually isn't my type of book, but I really liked this one.