Friday Book Review: Warriors by Erin Hunter

Hi!

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving! In-between leftovers and holiday shopping, feel free to read another good book review by Nikki, who is one of our staff reviewers! Here is her review:

"First of all, there are 32 Main books (and counting) so you can read from the beginning or start on any book in the middle of the series. I highly recommend reading the whole series.  The books also come with super edition bonus stories and journeys that covers the past lives and happens between the arcs.

There are bonus guidebooks and manga adventures! There is so much consistency, detail, lore, and love put into this series. Once you are hooked, there's no turning back!

I personally have grown up, known, and loved some of the characters almost to the point where I would call them my friends. I have lived through battles, death, disaster, and life with these characters as you may after reading this series!"


Here is also a website to learn more about the Warriors universe: http://www.warriorcats.com/meet-the-warriors

Book Review Wednesday: 100 Days

Hello! Here is a YA novel that I stayed up too late last night to finish. It's a good one, and be sure to have tissues handy. 

In her book, Nicole McInnes spins a tale of three high-school sophomores: Agnes, Moira, and Boone.  To her credit, she warns the readers that Agnes has Progeria, which is a progressive disease that causes sufferers to age quickly, and that she has 100 Days to live.  The story of their lives takes place in those 100 Days, and all three characters have problems to overcome.

McInnes also provides information about Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome: progeriaresearch.org. 

Pokemon of the Week: Pidgey

Hi!

I can't believe Thanksgiving is this week! We've had some exciting events recently with an Indiana Library Federation conference, Mini-Golf @ the Library, and Book Club at Northridge Middle School, so I'm playing catch-up here.

Yes, I am perhaps one of the last diehards still excited about catching Pokemon and visiting Pokestops in search of free Pokeballs. The highest level one can reach is Level 40. I'm holding strong at Level 24.

Fortunately, Niantic is making efforts to keep "Pokenerds" like us engaged in the game. There was a Halloween Pokemon theme where players caught scary Pokemon and received more XP and Stardust for catching them. I found out that Niantic is having a 'Pokemon Go' Thanksgiving event. It will be similar to Halloween with more XP and Stardust awarded to players between November 23-November 30.  Here is the link to the website if you would like to read more:

 http://heavy.com/games/2016/11/pokemon-go-thanksgiving-event-special-week-start-end-announcement-announced-by-niantic-double-xp-stardust/


Oh, yes--I almost forgot--the Pokemon of the Week is Pidgey. (It is the closest Pokemon to a turkey that I could find.)  Pidgey is a nostalgic if not one of the most common Pokemon in the game. As you can see, Pidgey is small, and uses aerial ace and tackle to fight other Pokemon. Eventually, Pidgey evolves into Pigeotto and Pidgeot.

(Image Courtesy of Pokego.org)

Have a great week!

Book Review Friday: Poem Runs: Baseball Poems and Paintings

Hello!

I visited the Boys & Girls Club of Middlebury today, and in honor of the Cubs winning the World  Series, I read a baseball poetry book to them.

I love Douglas Florian, and his poems are perfect! The kids wanted me to read them again. This book is available to check out at MCPL, and would also make a great holiday gift for the baseball fan in your life. ;)

Happy November, Pokemon GO Changes and Pokemon of the Week: Gastly

Hello! Happy November!

If you played Pokemon GO since last Wednesday, you may have noticed a few changes on the game. When I opened up the application, I noted this screen.

(Source: Forbes.com)

In addition, there were extra scary Halloween-type of Pokemon such as Gastly, Gengar, Haunter, and Meowth. It would only make sense that Gastly is the Pokemon of the week, since I caught many Gastly Pokemon since last week.

Also, there was additional candy scored for catching Pokemon GO characters like Gastly. As a result of the Halloween-style Pokemon GO, Forbes.com states that "analytics firm Sensor Tower is reporting a huge 133% increase in revenue from the event, tracked over at least the first five days."

I think we will be seeing more (and welcome) changes to keep Pokemon GO exciting and interesting!