Book Review from Teen Book Swap

Book Title: Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie

Author: David Lubar

Book Review Written by: Kristopher H.

Book review: This story follows in the first-person view of a new highschooler, Scott Hudson. It goes through the awkwardness and the grasp for independence that every teen goes through. I think this book is very well written, especially the way the author slowly developed Scott's character throughout the story. Scott goes from being a people pleaser and being judgmental about who he's friends with to slowly accepting the fact that it's a blessing to have those friendships. Around the beginning of the book, Scott believes his middle school friend group would stay together and be pals forever. However, since everyone is changing at this age, it was natural that they all went their separate ways. Scott sees all his friends find their own paths while he's being left on the backburner.

The turning point in this story is when Scott's last friend, Kyle ends up leaving him for a new group of friends. Scott is at his lowest and starts trying out new activities and talking to new people whom he deemed to be weird before. One of them happens to be a girl named Lee. On the outside, Lee sticks out like a sore thumb compared to other girls. She has green hair and has sort of a punk rocker style with pins on her face and obnoxious saying on her shirt. Despite all of this, Scott and Lee form a bond over their love for reading cleverly written quotes and dialogue, Scott doesn't realize it until around the end,

but he really cares for Lee. Even though she might have some strange quirks, she's still his friend and that means something to him.

He also has a few other friends with weird quirks like "Mouth", whom people criticize and judge for talking too much and being annoying. In this case, Scott also never fully acknowledges and realizes that they're friends until the end of the story. Another prominent character throughout this story is Wesley, a guy who is known for being tough and unbearable but is really a genuine person on the inside. Scott synergizes with all these kids who are considered very different and have unique personality traits that are seen as weird by others.

I really like how this book is written showing the main character's insecurities and awkwardness. At times, Scott questions what is manly and a good look on him and asks people in his life for advice like his brother and his dad. He has interest in this girl and tries to slyly find ways to talk to her such as joining school newspaper team, joining student council, and even theater. 

Ironically, every time he joins one of those, she happened to not get in. This forces him to stay with his choice of joining even though he won't be able to sneak in interactions with her. He slowly but surely develops his connections and interests from there. He goes from being a shy and awkward teen following the norms of society and toxic masculinity to actually being comfortable in his own skin and being compassionate and caring towards the people he surrounds himself with. 

What's also unique about this story is that there isn't only one antagonist. Although one of them is Scott's bully, there is also other antagonist sources such as Scott himself. He fights against his internal thoughts and his own self-consciousness. If you want a main character who isn't annoying and is actually realistic and down to earth, this book is a good read. Overall, I would give this book a solid 4 stars out of 5.

Crazy New Year's Resolutions (English)

1. I will draw five pictures.

2. I plan to play fire works.

3. I want to learn swimming.

4. Bounce ball faster.

5. Eat a bucket of popcorn alone.

6. Drink a gallon of milk.

7. Tear a ream of paper.

8. Plan a party for the school.

9. Drink a bottle of ketchup.

10. Binge watch videos for 1 day.

11. I will be nicer.

12. I will be more social.

13. I will get more stylish.

14. I will get better grades.

15. Save up money. 

16. Spend more time with family.

17. Try to win something.

18. Get new shoes.

19. Get a lot of sleep.

20. Know new stuff.

21. New deck for my board.

22. To wake up more early.

23. To sleep more.

24. To eat healthy.

25. To stop procrastinating.

26. To exercise more.

27. Learn 50 new dad jokes.

28. Write a funny song.

29. Learn to bake.

30. Read 30 books.

31. Finish my perler beads.

32. Going the soft ball team.

33. Not play in Beacon.

34. Waking up early.

35. Sleeping earlier.

36. Buying less Cheez-Its.

37. Not being a Bullying.

38. Keep on getting A's and B's.

39. Finish my scratch project.

40. Build strong relationships. 

41. Earn straight A's in school and learn everyday.

42. Learn something every day (doesn't have to be academic).

43. Increase public speech skills.

44. Be more confident.

45. To work out more to be better at self-defense.

46. Get my art style for my career.

47. To learn French completely.

48. Start a small business.

49. Become the ultimate gardener.

50. Find new friends.  

51. Get money.

52. Read a little more.

53. Try my best.

54. Love myself.

55. Do hard math.

56. Get in shape.

57. Get better at V-ball.

58. Draw more detailed.

59. Get smarter.

60. Do more computer science. 

61. Do more math.

62. Do more social studies.

63. Do more homework.

Crazy New Year's Resolutions (Non-English)

1. 吃很多东西 

 2. 内卷

 3. 找一个适合我的游戏

 4. 敲木鱼一万下

 5. 给Zhiyin一个好吃的

 6. 读二十本书

 7. 给我弟一本书

1. aprender ingles

2. terminar la escuela 

3. tener amigos 

4. ser feliz

5. se un buen estudiante

6. tener buenas amigas 

Book Review from Free Teen Book Swap

Title: Days of Infamy: How a Century of Bigotry Led to Japanese American Internment 

Author: Lawrence Goldstone

Book review written by: Richard C.

School: Galileo High School

Grade: 12th Grade

Book Review: 

    In his nonfiction book, Days of Infamy, Goldstone, with an expertise in the American Constitution, shines light on the countless abuses and bigotry Asian Americans and Asian immigrants faced throughout American history. The lost stories of the Asian descent are excellently displayed through old documents and visuals. Goldstone presents the reader with the history of Asian immigrants integrating with American society while simultaneously dealing with oppression by White supremacists. As an Asian American myself, Goldstone opened my eyes to the racist American history that was vaguely covered in history class. Through historical events, he analyzes the flaws in the American justice system and the language the laws were written to discriminate against Asians.

    Throughout the book, he emphasizes how the false narrative of the Japanese trying to invade the United States fueled the hate and fear toward Asians. With the growth of Asian immigrants migrating to the United States, White supremacists campaigned for restrictions on immigration, citizenship, and land ownership. Starting with the cases which defined the prerequisite of naturalization and becoming a citizen, he thoroughly explains the ambiguous interpretation of the term "white", a foundation to dispel Asian immigrants away. He lays out the events such as the Gold Rush and the immigration to the U.S. in chronological order to illustrate the fuel that ultimately led to the internment of the Japanese Americans. Goldstone dives deep into the prominent Asians such as Min Yasui and Ah Yup who challenged the exclusion of citizenship and land ownership, a step towards progression in the country. Such significant figures were epitome of persistence by bringing the cases all the way to the Supreme Court.  Although the anti-Asian sentiment was blatantly present within the country and Supreme Court, Asians did not accept defeat. Asians subjected to discrimination and racism hired legal scholars to contest the laws that heavily opposed the assimilation of Japanese and Chinese Americans.

    Not only did Goldstone cover the White supremacists' hate towards those of Asian descent, but also the culture and influence Asians brought to the United States. Japanese art and design were flourishing in the country, with Americans being fascinated with the artifacts from Japan's past. Popularity of Japanese fashions, arts, and philosophy began to bloom and created an economic relation between the two countries. Despite all the bigotry and hate, Goldstone alludes to the positive impact Japanese Americans had on the United Sates's economy, ranging from agriculture labor to boosting the market. With the success of Japanese immigrants, Goldstone explores the fake news of Asians trying to "overpower the Whites" and to "take over" the United States. As a result, politicians like James D. Phelan pushed for discriminatory laws and exclusion of Asian immigrants. He explains how the language of the laws were softened to not only offend the Japanese, but also to indirectly affect their immigration status. The tension is at an all-time high, and Goldstone weaves together the existing hate towards the Asian descent with the mass relocation of the Japanese into concentration camps after the attack at Pearl Harbor. Even though the two events had no correlation, the United States government was quick to persecute the innocents solely based on their birthplace.

    The writing is a bit heavy for those in middle school but succinctly written with an in-depth analysis on the racism against Asian Americans. A reader might feel disconnected with the content of the book if history is not one of their favorite subjects. Days of Infamy traces back to the mid-1800s, and Goldstone repaints the historical events that led to the Japanese internment. It was fascinating to revisit the past of the United States, and everyone can benefit from this reading. Learning about these historical events is a way to avoid repeating the past and to question the current state of the society.

Photo: Japanese Americans at Manzanar and Tule Lake

Summary: People of all ages wait in a line in front of a building at midday. Title transcribed from Ansel Adams' caption on verso of print. 

Original neg. no.: LC-A35-6-M-22.

Gift: Ansel Adams; 1965-1968.

Forms part of: Manzanar War Relocation Center photographs.

 Free Teen Book Swap

免費青少年圖書交換

Write a Book Review to Get a Freebie

寫書評獲得獎品

Browse a selection of books for one that you would like to keep, then swap back a review of the book. Frist come, first served.

瀏覽若干青少年的書籍,選擇一本喜愛的書可保存.並交換給我們你寫的書評.先到者先得.

You could get a freebie from the librarian (in limited supply only).

你可得到圖書館員準備的獎品(僅限量供應).

Your book review will be posted on the Chinatown Teen'Zine Blog on the Chinatown Public Library's webpages.

你的書評將會刊登於華埠青少年網誌(Chinatown Teen'Zine Blog) 在華埠圖書館網頁上.

For teens, ages 10-18. Questions? Please contact Jewel Chen at Chinatown Public Library.

歡迎十歲至十八歲青少年參加. 疑問查詢請聯絡華埠圖書館館員Jewel Chen.

* What is the Freebie? It's a crocheted mini cupcake keychain.

* 免費獎品是何物?是個鉤織小杯子蛋糕鑰匙鏈.

List of free books for teens:

免費青少年圖書清單:

1. Unpregnant by Jenni Hendriks & Ted Caplan

2. Rainbow in the Dark by Sean Mcginty

3. Private Label by Kelly Yang

4. Otherlife by Jason Segel & Kirsten Miller (The thrilling sequel to Otherworld & Otherearth)

5. The Book of Living Secrets by Madeleine Roux

6. The gifts that Bind Us by Caroline O'Donoghue

7. Tiny Dancer by Siena Cherson Siegel & Mark Siegel (graphic novel)

8. Beyond the End of the World by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner (Sequel to The Other Side of Sky)

9. Red Skies Falling by Alex London (The Skybound Saga, Book II)

Banned Books Week, September 18-24, 2022

禁書週, 9月18日至24日, 2022

Write a Book Review to Get a Freebie

寫書評獲得獎品

Banned Books Week is the annual celebration of the freedom to read and draw attention to the harms of censorship.

禁書週是每年慶祝閱讀自由的活動, 藉此引起人們關注審查制度的危害.

Let's read a banned book and write a book review to express your opinions to the book.

閱讀一本禁書寫下你的感想評論,表達你對這本書的看法.

Your book review will be posted on the Chinatown Teen'Zine Blog on the Chinatown Public Library's webpages.

你的書評會刊登於華埠青少年網誌 (Chinatown Teen'Zine Blog) 在華埠圖書館網頁上.

Your will get a freebie from the librarian (in limited supply only).

你可得到圖書館員準備的獎品(僅限量供應).

For teens, ages 10-18. Questions? please contact Jewel Chen at Chinatown Public Library. 

歡迎十歲至十八歲青少年參加. 如有疑問,查詢請聯絡華埠圖書館館員Jewel Chen.

Top banned and challenged books:

曾經被禁讀及質疑的書單:

1. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

2. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

3. 1984 by George Orwell

4. Animal Farm by George Orwell

5. All Boys Aren't Blue by George M Johnson

6. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

7. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie

8. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews

9. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

10. This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson

YELL (Youth Engaged in Library Leadership) 三藩市公立圖書館青少年暑期計劃

 

 

 

 

$500 Scholarship awarded to all successful participants!

$500 元獎學金授予所有成功的參加者!

YELL is a summer leadership program for teens entering 10th, 11th or 12th grade. In YELL, teens will develop 21st century skills like teamwork, problem solving and creativity; gain essential workforce development and project planning experience; and work on a project that will benefit the library, local youth and the community.
YELL 是一個專為年齡較大的青少年而設之暑期計劃.叁加者必須是明年(2020年9月)後就讀十年級,十一年級和十二年級的高中生. 叁加了本計劃的學生,可充實二十一世紀的領袖才能; 包括團隊合作, 解決問題的能力和創造力, 並獲得必要的工作發展能力及統籌計劃方案的經驗, 最後集體實行一個讓叁與圖書館, 本地青少年,和社區人士均受惠的圖書館活動計劃.

To participant:
1. Be in the grades 10-12 next school year
2. Attend weekly meetings: Tuesdays, 3-5 pm (6/9/2020-8/11/2020)
3. Design and deliver a library event for youth
4. Learn and lead STEM programs for youth
叁加者需完成:
1.必須於明年進入十至十二年級
2.叁加每週會議: 週二下午3-5 pm (6/9/2020-8/11/2020)
3.設計並推行一個青少年活動
4.學習並帶領青少年STEM計劃 (Science科學, Technology技術, Engineering工程, Math 數學)

Questions? Please contact Jewel at Chinatown Branch Library, Tel: (415)355-2888 or jewel.chen@sfpl.org
Deadline of application: Thursday, April 30 in 2020
YELL program date: from June 1st - August 16 in 2020
活動申請請洽詢華埠圖書館館員Jewel, Tel: (415)355-2888 or jewel.chen@sfpl.org
YELL申請截止日期: 2020年4月30日
YELL參加者活動日期: 從2020年6月1日開始至2020年8月16日為止

Day of the Dead Skeleton Craft/ Día de los Muertos Esqueleto Craft

Wednesday, October 30, 3:30 pm-5 pm

"Day of the Dead" is a celebration of life and death. 
Let's make a Day of the Dead skeleton by paper. Materials provided. 
For teens & tweens, ages 9 and older. For information, 
please contact Jewel at Chinatown Branch Library, Tel: (415)355-2888.

墨西哥亡靈節紙骷髏

10 月30日, 星期三下午, 3:30 pm - 5 pm 

“墨西哥亡靈節”是一個慶祝生與死的節日. 

我們會用紙製作一個亡靈節的活動骷髏.  

提供所有材料. 適合九歲以上青少年參加. 詳情請聯絡Jewel.  

華埠圖書館電話: (415)355-2888.

Snack making with teens: grilled Japanese small rice balls

Tuesday, October 1, 4 pm - 5:30 pm

We will make Japanese grilled small rice balls without filling, topped with mayonnaise and Ajishima rice seasoning. Please let library staff know for any concerns of food allergies. Space is limited, pre-registration is recommended. For teens, ages 10 and older. For registration, please call the reference desk at Chinatown Public Library, Tel: (415)355-2888. For information, please contact Jewel at Chinatown Public library: jewel.chen@sfpl.org.