Sacred

Sacred by Elana K. Arnold

Publication Date: November 13, 2012

Teen, Ages 12+

ARC copy used for review.

Personal Ranking 3 out of 5

Scarlet has spent her whole life on Catalina, a small island with an even smaller population. After her brother dies unexpectedly, Scarlet's family falls so deep into their grief that it seems like they may never find their way out of it. Getting thinner and feeling more isolated, the only thing that brings her any joy is when she is riding her horse. But, one day, when a mysterious boy appears in her path her world begins to change. First by befriending Will, and then falling for him, Scarlet begins to allow herself to begin healing. But Will has a secret, and Scarlet feels that it will unravel them and herself along with it.

What is so beautiful about Sacred is that all of the main characters are so damaged, but each one manages to begin to find peace. Some by self discovery, others by shock, but all paths lead to acceptance. After the sudden death of her brother, Scarlet feels alone and then the further abandonment by her parents as they struggle with and lose themselves to their grief. Then Scarlet meets Will, a damaged boy with a tragic past and secrets of his own. It is only by letting Scarlet in that Will is able to open up to the new possibilities and finally embrace his unique gift.Scarlet has never felt a connection to anyone like the one she feels for Will. When she realizes that healing is a choice that she has to make in order to begin, she lets Will's love for her and his father's teachings guide her path.

Religion doesn't often play such a huge role in a story like this, but it is as much a part of Will's life as it becomes a path for Scarlet's healing. Will has a gift, and as he learns to accept it instead of view it as a curse, he realizes that he has a unique opportunity to help others. Splendor, the sequel is due out next summer, and I can't wait to see how Scarlet and Will grow and mature as they embrace life, and each other.

VLA: Day 2

Friday, 8:00-8:45am                   
My Year in Jail… providing library services to incarcerated teens by Wini Ashooh, CRRL

What I took away from this workshop: This was probably one of my favorite presentations. It inspires me to see if this is kind of partnership is possible anywhere in the City of Richmond.
 

Friday, 11:30 am-12:15 pm       
Pinterest: Sharing your Library with the Community by Michelle Chrzanowski, Newport News Public Library

What I took away from this workshop: I haven’t joined Pinterest yet, but my library does have its own page and I was curious for different ways we could use it. I am inspired to create my own account. I can link to my blog posts with my reviews and programs, What are you reading? create book lists, etc. It’s smart to use WorldCat to link to books instead of my local library.  

Friday, 2:15-3:00pm                   Presented Intellectual Freedom and Kids with Lisa Crisman
What I took away from this workshop: I learned a lot from doing this presentation. Especially notes and ideas for if there is a next time. There is always room for improvement:)

Friday, 3:15-4:00pm                  
Managing Library Social Media with HootSuite: a Case Study by Jennifer Nardine, VA Tech

What I took away from this workshop: HootSuite is a great tool to provide regular posts on Facebook, Twitter, etc (they have several Apps to use with many other Social Media sites). It is important to manage a social media presence and even more important to provide daily posts, but not over posts. Especially for managing an online presence, HootSuite looks like it will be a life saver. I am excited to start using it and to learn more about ways to maximize my usage. 

VLA: Day 1

I had such a great time at my very first Virginia Library Association conference!

If you click HERE you can access the archives for the session notes, so all I have decided to post is the sessions I attended, some useful links and what I took away from them.

Thursday, 1:15-2:00pm
Anime for the Rest of Us by Jes Fessler and Katie Walton, Chesapeake Public Library

-Links to useful resources:
                        - www.crunchyroll.com
                        - www.hulu.com
                        - www.graphicnovelreader.com

What I took away from this workshop: I am not sure that RPL would have the man power necessary to do a mini Anime Con (or a mini Con of any kind) like they do in Chesapeake, but it would be interesting to see if we had the interest. I would like to start by doing an Anime movie film fest at my library during the summer.

Thursday, 2:15-3:00pm             
Writing Effective Cover Letters for Library Positions by Susan Vandale, Hollins University

-Links to useful resources:
http://opencoverletters.com à has great, successful example cover letters for library positions
http://www.career.vt.edu/jobsearchguide/coverlettersamples.html --> Virginia Tech’s Career Center

Vincent, Clement. “The rejection letter I wish I could send.” Chronicle of Higher Education.

What I took away from this workshop: Even though this workshop will provide me great tips for any future jobs that I apply for, that isn’t why I took it.  Every day it seems like I am helping patrons with resumes and cover letters. We talked A LOT about resumes in the College of Business at JMU and we created new ones almost every class during my last three semesters. I took advantage of our career center with the mock interviews and resume critique services they provided. But, not once, do I ever remember talking about, creating, or even thinking about a Cover Letter. Now I feel like I have a basic foundation for both myself and to use when assisting patrons with their job searches.

Thursday, 4:00-4:45pm             
Tween Reader’s Advisory by Capital Choice by Bridget Harvey & Rebecca Purdy, CRRL

The 30 featured titles for Tweens (ages 10-14) from Capital Choices.

Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart by Candace Fleming
Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
Bluefish by Pat Schmatz
Bootleg: Murder, Moonshine, and the Lawless Years of Prohibition by Karen Blumenthal
Breaking Stalin’s Nose by Eugene Yelchin
Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos
Drama by Raina Telgemeier
Flesh and Blood So Cheap: The Triangle Fire and Its Legacy by Albert Marrin
George Bellows: Painter with a Punch! by Robert Burleigh
Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans by Kadir Nelson
How They Croaked: The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous by Georgia Bragg
Inside Out & Back Again by Thanha Lai
Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine
Lost & Found by Shaun Tan
Okay for Now by Gary Schmidt
One Year in Coal Harbor by Polly HorvathSilhouetted by the Blue by Traci L. Jones
Son by Lois Lowry
Splendors and Glooms by Laura Amy Schlitz
The Summer of the Gypsy Moths by Sara Pennypacker
Temple Grandin: How the Girl Who Loved Cows Embraced Autism and Changed the World by Sy  
              Montgomery
Ten Miles Past Normal by Frances O’Roark Dowell
Titanic: Voices from the Disaster by Deborah Hopkinson
A Web of Air by Philip Reeve
Wonder by R.J. Palacio

What I took away from this workshop: Even though I am a YA Librarian and I feel really confident with Reader’s Advisory, I think that Tween (10-14) is more of a gray area. I am excited to feel prepared with solid recommendations, especially when I have read a few of them. Also thought the Q&A was wonderful, especially the tip about what to do when parents are concerned about their children reading specific books. Listening to the audio book with the child sounds like a great solution, that way parents can address concerns in a timely manner and answer questions.