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.
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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 3rd-6th grade level but both younger and older kids have enjoyed them! If your child is younger, I encourage the family to read the book aloud together or listen to the audiobook (if available)!
This month we are reading "The Dragon With a Chocolate Heart" by Stephanie Burgis. Aventurine is restless inside her family’s cave and one day decides to explore the world outside. She meets a sorcerer and cannot say no to his enchanted hot chocolate which turns her into a human. Yet, now she has a new passion - chocolate! Genre: FANTASY.
Chapters 7 – 12
1. What is your favorite kind of chocolate?
2. Would you like to learn how to make chocolate-y treats?
3. Marina has Aventurine try “chili chocolate”. Have you ever had Mexican Hot Chocolate? It was probably very similar to that, although maybe a bit spicier!
4. Why do you think the lord mayor wants to shut down The Chocolate Heart?
5. Aventurine’s family is looking for her and Aventurine knows the humans do not like dragons. Do you think this could bring trouble to the town?
This week read chapters 13-18!
We will be having a special virtual event on Saturday, August 28 at 1 p.m. to meet the author! Please register here.
Copies of the book are available for checkout at the Tallyn's Reach Library. Please call 303.627.3050 if you'd like to put one on hold to be picked up at a different branch. Unlimited eAudiobooks are available via HooplaDigital, free with your library card!
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 3rd-6th grade level but both younger and older kids have enjoyed them! If your child is younger, I encourage the family to read the book aloud together or listen to the audiobook (if available)!
This month we are reading "The Dragon With a Chocolate Heart" by Stephanie Burgis. Aventurine is restless inside her family’s cave and one day decides to explore the world outside. She meets a sorcerer and cannot say no to his enchanted hot chocolate which turns her into a human. Yet, now she has a new passion - chocolate! Genre: FANTASY.
Chapters 1 – 6
1. Would you trust a stranger even if they had delicious-smelling chocolate?
2. If you had to find a livelihood, what would you want to do?
3. Do you think Aventurine will be able to get hired as an apprentice at one of the three chocolate houses?
This week read chapters 7-12.
We will be having a special virtual event on Saturday, August 28 at 1 p.m. to meet the author! Please register here.
Copies of the book are available for checkout at the Tallyn's Reach Library. Please call 303.627.3050 if you'd like to put one on hold to be picked up at a different branch. Unlimited eAudiobooks are available via HooplaDigital, free with your library card!
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 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD.
About PTSD:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health issue that some people may develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. A traumatic event varies from person to person, some examples include:
- physical, verbal, or sexual abuse
- mass shootings
- natural disasters
- violent crime
- serious injury or illness
- military combat
- car accidents
Many people associate PTSD with soldiers returning home from war. However, this stereotype can be damaging to those who have lived through a trauma and are suffering from PTSD-- but may feel that what they experienced was “not bad enough” to seek help. This is not true. Your trauma is valid, whatever that may be and you deserve to receive support and treatment.
Read more from Mayo Clinic about PTSD here.
This infographic breaks down the basics of PTSD:
Additional informative articles specifically related to youth:
Polaris Teen
Kids Health
Did you know that there are two types of PTSD?
PTSD is typically reserved for a single event. An example could be a serious car accident or witnessing a friend’s suicide. However, Complex PTSD often referred to as C-PTSD is a repeated trauma that can last months to years. An example could be ongoing physical, verbal, or sexual abuse.
Read more about C-PTSD here.
If you are wondering if you may have PTSD, take this self-assessment.
Coping with Suicidal Thoughts:
Suicidal thoughts can accompany those with PTSD.
Asking for help can be really difficult, but it’s vital you reach out to someone you trust—a friend, family member, or teacher, etc. If you don’t feel that you have anyone to talk to, or think that talking to a stranger might be easier, call the suicide helpline at 1-800-273-8255.
Remember:
• Whatever your situation, it takes real courage to face death and step back from the brink.
• Having thoughts of hurting yourself or others does not make you a bad person.
• If your feelings are uncontrollable, tell yourself to wait 24 hours before you take any action.
• If you’re afraid you might do something, make sure you are never alone. Even if you can’t verbalize your feelings, just stay in public places, hang out with friends or family members.
Read more on suicidal thoughts here.
Find Community:
Check out The Mighty, a website dedicated to providing community and support online. No matter what health situation you're going through. The Mighty breaks down what health is really like.
Join a PTSD Support Community - more information here.
Read through these relatable articles regarding PTSD and how it can affect your life.
- 31 Small Ways To Make Living With PTSD A Little Easier
- 41 Truths People With PTSD Wish Others Understood
- 5 Ways People With PTSD Love Differently In Relationships
- Grounding Exercises For PTSD
- 9 Surprising Facts About Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- 76 Healing C-PTSD Quotes and Affirmations
- 16 Lies People With PTSD Tell
- TED Talks on Trauma and PTSD
- 23 'Embarrassing' Symptoms of PTSD We Don't Talk About
Explore Young Adult novels & nonfiction that address PTSD:
For more resources for all ages, visit the nonfiction department at your local library and look for call number 616.85. Resources are also available at Aurora Mental Health.
Check back in September for our next Mental Health Spotlight!
 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 3rd-6th grade level but both younger and older kids have enjoyed them! If your child is younger, I encourage the family to read the book aloud together or listen to the audiobook (if available)!
This month we are reading "The Dragon With a Chocolate Heart" by Stephanie Burgis. Aventurine is restless inside her family’s cave and one day decides to explore the world outside. She meets a sorcerer and cannot say no to his enchanted hot chocolate which turns her into a human. Yet, now she has a new passion - chocolate! Genre: FANTASY.
Suggested reading schedule:
Monday, Aug 2 – Sunday, Aug 8: Chapters 1-6
Monday, Aug 9 – Sunday, Aug 15: Chapters 7-12
Monday, Aug 16 – Sunday, Aug 22: Chapters 13-18
Monday, Aug 23 – Friday, Aug 27: Chapters 19-24
We will be having a special virtual event on Saturday, August 28 at 1 p.m. to meet the author! Please register here.
Copies of the book are available for checkout at the Tallyn's Reach Library. Please call 303.627.3050 if you'd like to put one on hold to be picked up at a different branch. Unlimited eAudiobooks are available via HooplaDigital, free with your library card!
Votes have been counted and it's time for this month's Three on a Theme recommendations!
This month's options were MOUNTAINS vs. BEACH and the winner was...MOUNTAINS! Check out our staff’s recommendations below!
Have book recommendation that we missed? Tell us about it in the comments!
ADULTS:
“The Bear” by Andrew Krivak
In an Edenic future, a girl and her father live close to the land in the shadow of a lone mountain. They possess a few remnants of civilization: some books, a pane of glass, a set of flint and steel, a comb. The father teaches the girl how to fish and hunt, the secrets of the seasons and the stars. He is preparing her for an adulthood in harmony with nature, for they are the last two left. But when the girl suddenly finds herself alone in an unknown landscape, it is a bear that will lead her back home through a vast wilderness, which offers the greatest lessons of all, if she can only learn to listen. A cautionary tale of human fragility, of love and loss, “The Bear” is a stunning tribute to the beauty of nature's dominion.
TEENS:
“Hatchet” by Gary Paulsen
After a plane crash, thirteen-year-old Brian spends fifty-four days in the wilderness, learning to survive with only the aid of a hatchet given him by his mother, and learning also to survive his parents' divorce.
CHILDREN (J2):
“My Side of the Mountain” by Jean Craighead George
A young boy relates his adventures during the year he spends living alone in the Catskill Mountains including his struggle for survival, his dependence on nature, his animal friends, and his ultimate realization that he needs human companionship.
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