Monthly Archives: September 2023

Stop Cop City

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Recently UN Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield claimed that the US would again be focusing on ‘conflict-induced famine and food insecurity’ during its presidency over the UNSC this month because she believes it is a national security, economic, and moral issue.

Atlanta citizens have been grappling with the issue of Cop City for quite some time now, and numerous riots have risen due to the severe environmental destruction and financial impacts it would have. Cop City, an unfinished establishment, is meant to serve as a Public Safety Training Center that would allow and nurture specialized training within law enforcement and those working in fire-departments. The building of the establishment first started in the spring of 2023 on an 85-acre plot of land near the South-River Forest. The 90 million dollars going into construction completely goes against what Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield and the US are trying to focus on.

People have been wrongfully shot, imprisoned, and even killed as a result of these protests, and although I don’t personally condone the use of violence in order to make a change, I am very strongly against the construction of Cop City.

I believe that these 90 million dollars going into this project can be used to make a bigger difference within smaller communities in Atlanta; it is more than enough money to be able to provide poorer households with clean water/food, housing, better education, and so many other amenities and basic necessities. 

I have a friend who lives in Atlanta, and she attended a public commentary forum/rally in early June to advocate against Cop City. She told me that the event lasted for about 15 hours in city hall, and what really was disheartening for the both of us was that the council members weren’t even listening to the citizens that were pouring their hearts out by telling extremely personal stories about how this project has affected them. My friend also claimed that most of the council members seemed to be on their phones the entire time, and didn’t even really look up at the citizens on stand.

I feel that a deal or a system can be approached between states regarding a shared training facility, or some other existing space within Atlanta can be utilized. The ensured safety of people is important, but it shouldn’t be at the cost of mass deforestation and death. I think that a state can only be successful if it listens to its citizens, and takes the well-being and opinions of everyone into mind whilst making life-changing decisions.

If you know anyone who lives in Atlanta, Georgia, please spread awareness and say no to Cop City at https://www.copcityvote.com/. 

UC Admissions College Planning Seminar- Tonight!

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We are hosting another great seminar with Collegewise tonight at the library.

Find out all about UC admissions from a former UC admissions counselor! Ask questions, get answers, and feel more confident about your application.

Meet us in the Storytime Room at 6 pm.

See you there!

Gift Ideas for Book Lovers

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Whether it be for a birthday, a get-together, or a special holiday, deciding on the ideal gift for a person can leave many of us stumped. However, when it comes to finding the perfect present for your book-loving friend, I have a few suggestions to help you overcome your gift-giving challenges.

School Stationery Images - Free Download on Freepik

1. Stationery Galore!
Interests in reading and writing come hand-in-hand more often than not, so your book-loving friend will undoubtedly appreciate a new supply of stationery. Be it notebooks, pencils, bookmarks, or highlighters, a gift bag full of stationery will put a smile on any reader/writer’s face.

2. The Obvious Choice: Books!
Be it the newest edition of a loved series, or an exciting recommendation of your own, you can never go wrong with a heartfelt gift-given book. It doesn’t stop there, however, as a book-related gift can include a gift card for a bookstore, or even a subscription for an audiobook app!

32,925 Book Gift Stock Photos - Free & Royalty-Free Stock Photos from Dreamstime
How To Style A Reading Nook - Emily Henderson

3. Reading Nook Essentials!
Readers know better than anyone that a comfortable reading area can turn a good book into an immersive adventure, which is why a few comfy essentials can make for the perfect gift! These can range from candles to cushions, and lamps to bookends. Enhancing your book-loving friend’s reading environment can show that you care for their passion.

Although a gift given with love is sure to please anyone, showing someone you care for their interests through a thoughtful gift says volumes about your dedication. For this reason, I hope these suggestions can come in handy when searching for the perfect bookish gift!

BOOK REVIEW – Are you there, God? It’s me, Margaret by Judy Blume

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(NO SPOILERS)

I read this book on a car ride to a drive in theater to watch the new Indiana Jones (Dial of Destiny). I hated the book. The movie was good.

The book, Are you There, God? It’s me, Margaret by Judy Blume is a coming of age story about Margaret, a pre-teen girl trying to fit in when her family moves from New York City to New Jersey. She struggles with finding her religion and growing up as a girl. 

I didn’t have to commit many hours to reading — I finished in about two. 

There’s themes of religion and social relationships and menstruation, but overall, it was an enjoyable read!! I don’t think I’d read it ever again, though, because I don’t particularly tend to enjoy Judy Blume. However, it felt real in terms of familial relationships.

In short, I struggle in finding my identity in many areas, such as sexuality, gender, and religion. I’m told what I am by many people, including my parents, but sometimes it doesn’t feel right. Margaret struggles with the same thing — her family argues about what religion she would convert to. I related to it, but again, Judy Blume is not my favorite author. And this was not my favorite book.

Anyways, this book apparently has been banned in a few places due to its take on religions including Christianity and Jewishism. I’m Catholic, a branch of Christianity, but even then, many characters in this book made me feel super angry. The parents discussed religion in poor ways, and basically, I disliked the parents. I disliked the family.

HOWEVER. There were many weird moments in the book that made me throw it across the room. There were practices that the main group of girls went through in order to appear more feminine. AND they were ecstatic about receiving their first periods. I. I cannot. I couldn’t; I literally skipped over every instance they hung out. There was also a girl they disliked because of a rumor that she used her beauty and big breasts to “go behind the school to kiss two boys.” WHAT.

Additionally, these girls had a teacher. A male teacher. A first-time, perverted teacher. There were phrases and instances where I felt like the teacher held their gaze too long on these tiny tweens, he made Margaret uncomfortable, and his eyes always went back to the girl who was early developed. Overall, ew. Overall, please stop, I don’t want kids to reflect on these themes in a positive way. 

I rate this book ½ a star. But hey, at least Indiana Jones was kind of good. 

Are you there, God? It’s me, Margaret by Judy Blume is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

My Visit to San Diego Comic-Con 2023

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In July, I had the pleasure of attending Comic-Con at the San Diego Convention Center. For those who don’t know, the event, which is officially listed as Comic-Con International: San Diego on its website, is an annual convention that was first established in 1970 and is held for comic book fans (and really fans of anything in pop culture) to come together to share their interests.

This year, it was held July 20-23, and to get into the convention center, participants must either purchase a badge in advance through the group’s website (https://ww.comic-con.org/cci) months in advance or apply for the free badges that are set aside for professionals who work in the comic book or other related industries.

Since the badges that are available to the general public usually sell out, it can be challenging to get into Comic-Con, but if you’re lucky enough to get in, there is a lot to see and do, including hundreds of informative panel discussions, industry parties (although these are usually only available by advance reservation or special invitation), and sneak-peek showing of upcoming movies, shows, games, and toys.

One of the most popular features is the massive exhibitor area where companies like Disney, Blizzard, and Funko host booths where they showcase their latest offerings. There are also a large number of smaller companies and individuals who come to display their handmade art, fandom apparel, and other related merchandise.

Personally, I enjoyed the panels I attended. I went to one about makeup artistry, where Brenda O’Brien, a veteran makeup artist who has worked on the Lion King musical on Broadway, Saturday Night Live, and many other shows, demonstrated how she creates characters and explained how she had to adapt her skills to work in incredibly fast-paced backstage environments.

I also attended the “How to Make a Minicomic from One Sheet of Paper” with veteran comic book creator Zander Cannon, and another panel that celebrated the 35th anniversary of the Studio Ghibli movie My Neighbor Totoro, which was led by the movie’s original production coordinator, Hirokatsu Kihara, and his interpreter. He presented the original drawing Hayao Miyazaki made of the character that became Totoro, as well as many original, hand-painted animation cels used to create the iconic movie. It was amazing to learn from him that the studio considered these cels to be trash once they were used to make the film. Each one was so beautiful, it was stunning to think that anyone could have considered them rubbish.

In addition to the panels, I also got to see many cool booths, such as the Studio Ghibli booth, where my family and I took our photo in a re-created Cat Bus, which is a character from My Neighbor Totoro, the Marvel booth, where we saw costumes worn by the actors in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, and an animatronics company’s booth that featured an animatronic Baby Yoda.

Another highlight on the exhibitor floor was an entire area dedicated to books. There were authors showcasing their own books, and booksellers selling all sorts of science fiction and fantasy. I even spotted a Little Golden Book biography of Taylor Swift, which I personally thought was pretty funny.

I also heard there was going to be a cosplay wrestling match, where people who dressed up as various characters from pop culture would wrestle another cosplayer in an actual ring. I’m a little sad that I didn’t get to see that because it sounded super funny.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to buy any books while I was at Comic-Con, but there were many graphic novels and such that caught my eye and I’m hoping to get some or all of them eventually.

If you can, I definitely recommend going to Comic-Con at least once if you are a fan of comics or anything nerdy. There are so many things to do, things to see, and people to meet. It was a wonderful experience, and I hope I’ll be able to go back

The Shining by Stephen King

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In the 1977 horror novel The Shining, Jack Torrance is hired as the winter caretaker of the Overlook Hotel, and was invited to stay there with his family during the rough season. Seen as how Jack was battling against a past drinking addiction that put him and his wife in conflict, this was a perfect chance for the family to get closer. However, his five year old son, Danny Torrance, has a psychic ability called “the shining,” which allowed him to sense that the Overlook Hotel is a place of danger. Despite this, the Torrances, needing the money, continued with their plan to go there, leading to a journey of insanity, demonic possessions, and a dark, gruesome look at the Overlook’s past.

One of the best aspects of King’s writing would have to be his extremely detailed imagery. The extent to which he describes each event allows the readers to better picture the struggles and terrors each character goes through, which is an important aspect of any horror novel. The complexity in the characters, especially in Jack, also added a sense of realism to the story. King shows how Jack wasn’t “perfect,” and that his abusive past ultimately impacted the person he grew to be. Yet, he still felt shame towards his actions at the same time, causing readers to feel confusion as they develop their feelings towards him.

Overall, I found The Shining to be extremely engaging and definitely one of the best horror novels I’ve ever read. While still suspenseful and thrilling, I didn’t find the story to be extremely scary, making it more accessible to a wide audience. I do admit that some chapters felt very long and dragged on, but the build up to the end ultimately made these dull moments worth it. Despite any flaws, the characterization, imagery, and impressive writing displayed throughout the novel makes it truly deserving of the title of one of King’s best works.

-Aysha H.

The Shining by Stephen King is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell By Chris Colfer

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I read a lot when I was younger and remember many great literary classics. But the book I remember most fondly is The Land of Stories by Chris Colfer.

The series consists of six books and follows the adventures of Alex and Conner Bailey, who find themselves teleported to a magical world through a strange storybook. It was always my favorite book to escape from when I needed a break from reality.

The plot of The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell is fun and engaging! Colfer created a wonderful world of magic and wonders with many compelling characters. The characters are well-developed, with distinct personalities and motivations. The story keeps readers hooked with twists and turns, making it difficult to put the book down.

The book revolves around themes of friendship and the power of imagination. Through the characters’ experiences, the novel promotes the values of kindness, courage, and perseverance. For instance, Alex and Conner’s journey to find the Wishing Spell is not only a physical one but a mental one. They learn to trust their instincts and rely on each other, which ultimately helps them succeed in their quest. Their bond as siblings also grows, shown throughout a couple of books.

While The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell is entertaining, it can sometimes be predictable. Some story elements may need to be more complex for older readers. Still, it may have been intentional since the series is aimed at younger readers. The book relies heavily on familiar fairy tale characters and settings, which may appeal to only some readers. It is generally intended for younger readers from fourth to seventh grade. It may not be for everyone, and that’s okay!

Finally, The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell is a well-written and engaging novel exploring family, friendship, and imagination themes. The characters are well-developed, and the plot is full of surprises that will keep the reader wanting more. While the book may be predictable at times and may not appeal to all readers, it is an excellent choice for young readers who enjoy fantasy and fairy tales! The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell is a fantastic read. I highly recommend it!

Happy Reading!
Bella H.

The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Where the Red Fern Grows: A Spoiler-Free Review

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Sometimes the summary of a book doesn’t quite tell you enough about the book. You want something more detailed, to tell you if this book is truly for YOU. (Cause not every book is, and that’s okay!) So here is my spoiler-free review of the book. Is it for you? Let’s find out!

Where the Red Fern Grows is a story of a young boy named Billy growing up in the Ozarks with his family. His parents want to move out of the country and to a town so their boys can get education, but they are poor and money is few and far between. Billy, on the other hand, has no dreams of that. He wants, above all else, two beautiful coonhounds (hunting dogs).

Unfortunately, the dogs are far too expensive for them. Despite this, Billy thinks that with hard work and determination, he will be able to reach his dreams.

First, the basics!

This book is historical fiction, and stands at 304 pages, or 76,000 words. Not too long, for any worried about it! In comparison, its about the same length as the first book in the Harry Potter series.

A picture from the 1974 movie

You saw the cover with dogs, you knew it was coming-

This is a tragic story. It might be one of the things this book is most well-known for.

But…sometimes the most heartbreaking tales are the most powerful. I think that applies to this book. It’s heartwarming, heartbreaking, and wonderfully touching. Don’t let the sorrowful part of it stop you!

The book just makes you love these two dogs, Ann and Dan. Their bond is frankly inspiring, their empathy for each other unmatched.

(Personally, my dog could never do what they do. She’d give up in the first few minutes of hunting…)

I hope something in this post inspired you to read Where the Red Fern Grows, because it was definitely a hit for me. Thanks for reading!

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Back to School: Tips for Productivity

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The school year has just started, and like most high school students, I’m slowly getting used to having homework every night again. Often, I allow myself to get distracted or put off my homework until the last minute. This year, I’m determined to have a successful academic year and a mostly stress-free school life by staying focused and productive. So, for everyone like me out there, here are some of my tips to be productive in school and at home for this coming school year.

1. Work in a distraction-free environment. I prefer to work in a quiet area and put my phone in a different room or on “Do Not Disturb” so that I’m not tempted to check it every time a notification pops up. It’s easy to get distracted and lose track of time when you’re on your phone, so make sure it’s not a distraction when you’re trying to get work done.

2. Keep track of assignments, tests, and deadlines. I recommend having a planner/calendar and writing down your assignments and due dates so you can plan accordingly. This helps me to make progress on my assignments every day instead of letting them pile up. Daily to-do lists also work well for me, and the satisfaction of crossing out tasks after completing them is always great.

3. Get work done at school. To minimize homework, use your study hall/tutorial period as well as class work time wisely, and get as much work done as you can. That way, it won’t become homework and you will have more free time or time to complete other assignments.

4. Take periodic breaks. Working can get tiring after a while, so it’s healthy to take a step back from your assignment and stretch, get a drink of water, and/or have a snack to fuel your study session. Be sure to get back to work afterward!

5. Tackle the most difficult tasks first. Completing your harder assignments first helps you get into the zone and complete your other assignments more efficiently. Personally, completing these assignments gives me a sense of accomplishment that motivates me to continue working.

6. Create a plan for your study sessions. Decide beforehand a window of time to work during (based on what time you feel most productive or when you are free) and which assignments you plan to spend time on. Creating a plan helps you stay organized when working and not wait until the evening to do all your work.

All in all, don’t get sidetracked, and stay organized and focused when you are working. Hopefully, you found these tips helpful and can apply them to your study sessions. Good luck in the upcoming school year!

-Lam T.

The Golden Slipper by Valia Lind

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After being abused by her stepmother and stepsisters for years, Mira finally has a chance to escape to the human world and open her own flower shop after her best friend provides her an opportunity to work at the palace. However, with the threat of Baba Yaga looming overhead and her secret romance with the prince, Mira’s plans may yet be delayed.

The Golden Slipper is truly a fantastical wonder piece that beautifully retells Cinderella’s story. It’s filled with magic, wonder, and a budding romance between two people who come from completely different worlds. After each subsequent encounter with each other, the two begin to literally fall for each other as they prove that with the power of true love, they can overcome any spell, whether it be from a wicked witch or a fairy godmother.

Although their relationship has its ups and downs, as the two attempt to navigate through arranged marriages and a wicked stepmother, they only continue to grow closer and closer to one another. However, as the two dance with each other night after night at the masquerade ball, completely unaware of each other’s identity, feelings, and dark past, the two prove that anything is possible.

The Golden Slipper is a great read and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who’s looking for a little magic in their life!