Welcome to Aurora Public Library’s blog. A place where our library staff share their thoughts, insider knowledge and overall love of all things book and community.
Feel free to comment on posts, re-blog and enjoy. To ensure a civil and focused discussion, comments will be held for a brief period before being published.
Family Book Club: "Kazu Jones and the Denver Dognappers" by Shauna Holyoak
with Tess
Welcome to Family Book Club! This is an exciting club for families who love to read and is appropriate for ages 8-15. The books chosen are always within the third to sixth grade level but both younger and older kids will enjoy them! If your child is younger, I encourage the family to read the book aloud together or listen to the audiobook (if available)!
In February, we will be reading "Kazu Jones and the Denver Dognappers" by Shauna Holyoak. This is a fun mystery set in Denver, Colorado! Kazu Jones sets out on a mission to discover who is dognapping all the pooches of the city!
We will be having a special virtual event on March 1 at 5 p.m. to meet the author, Shauna Holyoak, on WebEx! Register here to receive the WebEx link.
This event is in collaboration with Jefferson County Public Library (JCPL) and their Young Reader's Book Club.
Copies of the book are available for checkout at Tallyn's Reach Library. If this is not your home branch, please put the book on hold via the catalog or give us a call at 303.627.3050. Copies are also available through JCPL and Prospector.
Discussion Questions for Chapters 11-21
1. The evidence March finds on Mr. Crowley's computer is suspicious. Do you think he's involved with the dognappings or just interested in the case?
2. Do you think Mr. Crowley knows what Kazu and March did?
3. Kazu has been lying and keeping secrets, which makes her tummy hurt. Has this ever happened to you?
4. Do you think doing wrong things (computer hacking, garbage looting) makes up for a good thing (potentially stopping the dognappings)?
5. Are you more or less convinced that Mr. Crowley is involved after their conversation at the bus?
Share your thoughts in the comments below and read chapters 22-32 for next week's discussion!
Mental Health Spotlight: Addiction
Resources listed are for informational purposes only and should not be used to diagnose or treat a condition without the guidance of a mental health professional. If you or someone you know is having a mental health emergency, please call 911 or Colorado Crisis Services at 1.844.493.TALK.
Hey teens! Interested in mental health?
Each month the Aurora Public Library focuses on a different topic related to mental health. Swing by the Aurora Central Library's teen area to browse YA novels and nonfiction related to the monthly topic. Whether you or someone you know is facing a mental health issue, or you are just interested in the topic, APL has information, resources and reading materials for you.
Remember, your mental health matters.
This month’s Mental Health Spotlight is on addiction.
ad·dic·tion: the fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance, thing or activity.
- When Does Something Become an Addiction
- Concerned you may be abusing substances? Take a self-assessment quiz to see how your habits and usage may be influencing your life.
Having an addiction does not make you a bad person.
- What does addiction feel like?
- Many people think of addiction in terms of substances, like drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. These substance addictions are severe and very common. This article breaks down the top 10 in this category.
- However, behavioral addictions, while often overlooked, can seriously impact a person’s life. Some examples include gambling, shopping, food, sex, internet/social media. Check out this article for more examples of behavioral addictions.
Recovery is possible.
- Are you struggling with an addiction? Support groups can be helpful. Learn about different types of support groups here.
- Find a support group meeting.
- Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in Aurora for teens & online Alcoholics Anonymous meetings
Is someone you know struggling with an addiction?
Parents, significant others, family members and friends who are battling an addiction can cause stress, anxiety, fear and isolation to those who love them. You are not alone. Al-Alon and Ala-Teen offer resources and support groups to those affected by someone who is addicted. Visit their website for more information.
Real teens share their stories of addiction
Meet Hailey
Meet Michael
Meet Savannah
Meet Tyelur
Substance use resources for teens
- 7 Things People in Addiction Recovery Wish You Knew
- 23 Recovering Addicts Share The One Thing They Wish People Understood About Their Addictions
- How to Talk About Addiction with a friend or loved one
- How to Help an Addicted Friend or Relative
Explore Young Adult novels that address addiction
For more resources for all ages, visit the nonfiction department at your local library and look for call number 362.292. Resources are also available at Aurora Mental Health.
Check back in March for our next Mental Health Spotlight!
Bookworms Nature Book Club
Aurora Public Library is happy to announce Bookworms Nature Book Club - a new book club, made possible through a partnership with the city of Aurora Parks, Recreation and Open Space Naturalist Team and the Sand Creek Regional Greenway Partnership.
Just like the pages of a book, our natural world is full of wonder! Join us each month as we share stories, explore natural phenomena and discuss our monthly book selection. This book club meets virtually once a month, with occasional, safe in-person gatherings - so we can discuss while enjoying the beauty of nature firsthand!
This month, Bookworms will be meeting on Saturday, Feb. 20 from 3 - 4:30 p.m. to discuss "The Soul of an Octopus" by Sy Montgomery. Click here for a reading guide.
Why read about octopus? While they don’t live in Sand Creek, they do open our understanding of the intelligence and capabilities of animals. It is a great read!
Bookworms is free to attend, but registration is required to receive the link to log on. Register here.
Looking for Romance? We can help you make a match!
From beautiful tragedy to a second-chance romance; from catching real feelings from a fake relationship to enemies turned lovers – there’s a Romance story for everyone! Check out some suggested reads and even more below!
Check out more from Hoopla Digital - available to borrow instantly with no wait for free with your library card!
eBOOKS MOVIES
KIDS' BOOKS
Need help finding a book you'll love? Try our Online Reader's Advisory!
Reader's Realm: Fantasy
with Lisa
The fantasy continues! Keep commenting or join in now.
A new discussion topic will be posted each week from now through February 24. Then on to a new genre/category.
Feel free to post as much as you like. Be sure to read others’ comments and respond to them. Let’s get to it!
Fantasy often takes place in another land or another time. This can let the author really get descriptive, which makes for some good reading. What is described really well in your book? If you don't have an example, maybe write a descriptive example of your own about something in your story. Please include the title and author of the book you’re reading in your post (some of us want to add to our reading list!)
In my story, "The Goblin’s Puzzle" by Andrew S. Chilton, the goblin actually turns out to be a pretty good guy! I was surprised. The goblin can grant three wishes or vows, but the boy doesn’t quite know how to ask. The goblin helps him. An ogre is introduced to the story, and he is described SO well: “He looked something like a man, but lumpy and misshapen, as if a child had made him out of clay...HIs mouth had a collection of teeth that looked as if they had been casually tossed in there” (70). I wonder if the ogre, who seems so brutal and mean, will turn out being helpful like the goblin? I guess I’ll find out.
What’s happening in your book?
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