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Those familiar with my previous posts know about my proclivity for a particular time and genre when selecting an album to review. Well it's finally time to break the mold, expand my horizons, and take my reviews to new and exciting heights by reviewing something different. METAL! Actually, a progressive thrash metal album with death and black metal influences. If that sounded like categorical soup that encompasses a lot of different styles, that’s because it is. While Vektor incorporates these influences in varying degrees it’s hard to place them on a single branch of the great lineage that is metal. In short, it’s fast, heavy, intense, operatic, and technically magnificent. So if you’re ready to hit the pit and head bang until your brain leaks out your nose check these guys out through the Caldwell Public Library’s music streaming source, Freegal! As always, if you haven’t heard about Freegal or would like to view some of my other reviews, you can find them here. With a logo this badass you know this band rips. A four piece from Arizona, Vektor dropped Outer Isolation in 2011 through Heavy Artillery Records and re-released the album a year later through Earache Records. This is Vektor’s second release, following their highly acclaimed 2009 album, “Black Future''. Heavily influenced and themed around sci-fi, futurism, and space, Outer Isolation feels like the soundtrack to a beautiful but uncaring cosmos expanding infinitely before you. This album can be summarized in one word, HUGE! Filled with dissonant guitar work, haunting vocals, and blast beats, Outer Isolation is consistently bleak, brutal, and immense. Vektor is able to seamlessly transition heavier sections of their songs with softer, more reserved interludes adding depth and layers to their thrash metal foundations. Rather than thundering ahead tack after track, the band introduces multiple dynamic changes throughout a single song, taking the listener from a gentle spacey melody and thrusting them into the chaos of a black hole moments later. Some of the guitar melodies are down right awe inspiring with layered lines creating out of this world harmonies that will make you feel insignificant compared to the vastness of Vektor’s epic soundscape. It’s no surprise that the musicianship and technical skill displayed on this release is top notch. The blistering lead guitar lines can make your fingers bleed just by listening too intently. However, one point of contention for other critics is lead singer David DeSanto’s occasional shrieking falsetto. While typically delivering lines in a sort of death metal growl, DeSanto will accentuate or lead off lines with a ghastly pitch that will either send shivers down your spine or make you involuntarily plug your ears. While I’m of the opinion that these vocal exercises add to the overall effect of Vektor’s sonic structure, some find the vocal flair odd and unpleasant. In summary, listen to Vektor. If you’re even a casual fan of metal, Vektor's monstrous sonic presence will take your breath away faster than a leak in the ship’s airlock. If you’ve listened to this album, let me know what you think. If you enjoyed this album, check out Vektor’s third release, “Terminal Redux”, a personal favorite of mine.

Ghost stories predate the written word. We have evidence of ghost stories in ancient times through the oral traditions and folklore of many different cultures. Knowing this, I think it's safe to say that ghost stories are an integral part of human history. But why? I'd venture to say that the belief in a human soul, separate from the human body, is the primary reason for the popularity of ghost stories. But could something else be a major contributing factor? I find it interesting, as well, that ghost stories can be so different - there are so many different ways ghosts have been represented in stories and sightings over many, many years. Poltergeists, formless energy, white spots, fully formed shadows, residuals, demons, etc. So what do you think? Could ghost stories be real? Or are they just a product of the vast human imagination? Either way, I think you'll enjoy the following five ghost stories, and not only for the ghostly bits, but the genuinely good stories as well. Book recommendations courtesy of Ellie Epperson. Prelude for Lost Souls by Helene Dunbar (Prelude for Lost Souls Series #1) Trigger Warning: death of a loved one, drug use St. Hilaire is a ghost town - of sorts. While many towns may boast manufacturing or farming as their primary industry, St. Hilaire's claim to fame is its abundance of mediums - ghost talkers. The protagonist, high-schooler Dec Hampton, is a born and bred St. Hilaire medium, but after the death of his parents, he wants nothing more than to hit the road out of town. Leaving town, however, isn't so easy. The Guild oversees everything that happens in St. Hilaire, and their intentions aren't always pure. Dec's bestie, Russ, is also a medium, but he relocated to St. Hilaire to be better understood by his peers. Russ has fought hard for his status and desperately tries to join the Guild - much to Dec's dismay. As Dec prepares to leave St. Hilaire, the artist that has given him so much musical comfort experiences a train mishap right outside of town, Dec's future becomes more uncertain. Watch Over Me by Nina Lacour Trigger Warning: emotional abuse When Mila, fresh out of high school, is offered a teaching job in a picturesque, remote location, she has no reservations about it. The folks who own the farm Mila is relocating to have fostered many children over the years. As a former foster child, she is used to being alone, but she has hopes that this private teaching position in a foster home will allow her the opportunity to be part of a real family. But the family never mentioned their resident ghosts, and as Mila tries to help her student confront their own traumas, she must decide if she can face her own. The Way Back by Gavriel Savit Trigger Warning: death This book is recommended for more advanced readers. A tale based on Jewish folklore and set in 1800s Eastern Europe (modern-day Russia), The Way Back tells the story of two young folks, Yehuda Leib and Bluma, who must embark on a dangerous journey after they are visited by Death. The journey requires them to visit the land of the unliving, a land ruled by demons called the Far Country. It's a necessary risk to save a treasured soul, someone near and dear to Bluma's heart. Will they be able to save him? And even if they don't, will they find their way back home? This book is meant to be savored and reflected upon - one chapter at a time - not binged in its entirety in one sitting. Readers of Neil Gaiman and Philip Pullman will enjoy this fantastical ghost story. Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas Trigger Warning: death of a loved one, talk of loss of a parent, misgendering, mention of parental abuse, mention of transphobic parents, deportation, racism Yadriel comes from a magical but traditional Latinx family. So when he comes out as a trans, gay male at age 16, his family has mixed reactions. While they claim to accept him, they make off-handed comments that sting deeply. Determined to prove himself a true brujo, he performs a ritual that his family had denied him and subsequently unleashes his magical powers. Not long after, his cousin passes away unexpectedly, and his spirit cannot be located. Yadriel is vexed by this mystery and is committed to setting his cousin's spirit free to join the afterlife. However, in doing so, he unwittingly summons Julian, a former bad boy whose death is also mysterious. Julian will not go quietly back into death, so Yadriel must help him tie up loose ends before he can continue with his quest to free his cousin's spirit. But as time goes on, Yadriel becomes more fond of Julian and may have a hard time letting him return to the afterlife. Mystery ties Yadriel and Julian together, but what will they have left when the mystery is solved? The Whitsun Daughters by Carrie Mesrobian Trigger Warning: abortion, pregnancy, cheating, death, incest, rape Recommended for mature readers. Although not a ghost story in the traditional sense, The Whitsun Daughters has been described as atmospheric and mesmerizing (and it does have a ghost!).The storyline alternates between the ghost of a woman from the 1800s and her descendants, Poppy, Lilah, and Daisy, three teenage cousins in the modern world. The ghost, Irish immigrant Jane, watches the girls as they move through the banalities of everyday life and observes them as they go through the heartache that accompanies growing up sheltered. Jane's story is told in the first person, while the girls' story is told in the third person, as though they are being watched and narrated by Jane herself. The girls struggle to understand boys, sex, menstruation, and growing up. In both timelines, there are secrets, some of them dark, some of them slightly disturbing, but they are all reflective of scenarios that many teen girls face as they navigate what it means to be a woman. Did you like this list? Stay tuned for more teen lists, or call the library to get more book recommendations!

Sometimes our computers, phones, or tablets start to malfunction and we don't always know why, but we do know that we want to fix it as soon as possible. Fortunately, there are some basic troubleshooting techniques you can use to help figure out what the problem might be. When patrons come into the library and ask for assistance with their devices, this is usually the series of steps that I take to see if the issue can be resolved without a major IT investment. Check the Wires and Plug-Ins Sometimes, we move items around, and when we do, the item becomes unplugged or loose. This can happen a lot with monitors, the mouse, keyboards, headphones, and chargers. Other times the wire or the power brick stops working. Sometimes even the headset or mice stop working. When this happens, check each one to see if it is plugged in and if it appears to be working still. If you have a spare charger or set of headphones, compare that with the item you are trying to work with and see if that solves the problem. Why it Works It may seem like the easiest and most basic solution, but you would be surprised how often this is the reason why something won't work. Especially with shared or public computers, so many people use the same items over and over again and often move things around, that they don't always put things back in the right order. It happens all the time to us at the library! Making Sure it has all its updates Is your device running on the latest updates? If not, this could be why your computer is running slowly or not working as well as it had before. Did you know that it is actually dangerous for your device and your online accounts to not have the latest updates installed? Keep this in mind next time you are prompted to update your device! Why it Works So, why is it a good idea to update your device as regularly as possible? Every time updates are installed, it helps protect your computer or device from harmful security risks. This article from Norton has a few more reasons why it is important to keep up to date! Looking at the Application Help Pages Did you know that a lot of popular Apps have an official website and that on that website, they usually have a section just for FAQs or, Frequently Asked Questions. For example, when I help patrons with their devices and installing or troubleshooting our popular e-resource Overdrive or Libby for Overdrive, I often reference their Troubleshooting page for assistance. Why it Helps Usually, a company website has the latest information on the common problems and solutions to issues that have been reported. Other times, a trusty forum will have a conversation already going on the topic you want assistance with, and then if you're lucky, some genius user will have solved the problem and shared their results with the group! Clear out App Space and Files/Downloads Is your device running really slow or overheating? Sometimes it's because you are running out of storage and making it harder for the device to keep up! Why it Helps Clearing out space allows the device room to do tasks, install updates, or download/transfer files faster. Whether you are looking for room for your i-phone or i-pad, android device, PC or MAC, or tablets such as a Kindle Fire, there are plenty of help guides available to assist you. I always recommend starting with the company website first to see what assistance they offer, and then move on to trusted, helpful websites or articles after that! Turning it On and Off (Restart or Hard Restart) What if something is just still not working? Maybe the home screen keeps locking up, or the browser refuses to refresh, or your phone somehow loses audio in the middle of switching from Bluetooth to speaker (not that any of these things happened to me just as I was writing this blog....) When in doubt, restarting your device can clear up a surprising amount of issues. Why it Works Restarting your computer or device is pretty much like taking out the trash. It just clears up things that are broken, things that are open or running that are not even being used by you and completes things like updates that require restarts. There are a lot of really helpful articles on why this helps, but we have all had the IT support who always suggests restarting the program as a step of troubleshooting. Now you know why. Library Assistance Hopefully, some of these troubleshooting techniques will help you manage your devices better. Drop by the library to use computers, our scanner, or copier, and you can even ask assistance for library apps or some guidance on how to print on our computers. And, as always, keep learning and exploring!

Guess who’s back, back again….with another author highlight! This time I will be taking an author and recommending a couple of others that are similar to help you with the “I’ve read all this author has written” blues. The author for this blog post will be Rick Riordan, who is another personal favorite of mine. I first read his Percy Jackson series when I was younger and was hooked pretty fast. I then read The Heroes of Olympus, Magnus Chase, and The Apollo Trials series. His books have become pretty popular and I think what really draws people in is his books have a good balance of humor, action, adventure, and mythology that gives fantasy lovers a different element. It can be tough finding another author to read after him that fills that void..but that is why I am here to help! This recommendation is actually not going to focus on one specific author, but rather a group of authors that are publishing their works under a special branch of Disney-Hyperion Publishing, the ones responsible for publishing Rick Riordan’s books. “Rick Riordan Presents” is a branch of Disney-Hyperion Publishing that aims to publish works that appeal to kids in a way similar to how Rick Riordan’s books appeal to them. The books are not written by Rick Riordan, nor do the authors ghostwrite for him, but Rick Riordan does help promote them and offer advice when needed. Otherwise, these authors are completely independent from him. The aim is to allow these authors to write novels that highlight other mythologies, especially ones from their own cultures. Some of these authors include Roshani Chokshi, author of Aru Shah and the End of Time; Yoon Ha Lee, author of Dragon Pearl, and Kwame Mbali, author of Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky. There are many more authors that are publishing under this imprint. You can check them out here, and also get some more information on the imprint. Peter Lerangis is another author I would like to recommend. He has also delved into the world of Greek Mythology in his series Seven Wonders. In his series, the main character Jack has to find the lost orbs in the seven wonders of the ancient world and fulfill a prophecy. The characters are the same age as the ones in Percy Jackson, so children of that age will be able to relate to the characters in a similar way. He has also written books for The 39 Clues series and a trilogy called Max Tilt, an adventure trilogy where the main character, Max Tilt, finds his grandfather’s manuscript that sends him on an adventure. Lerangis has also written books for teens and adults so there are a variety of different books to appeal to people of all ages. If you have any authors you would like to recommend or have us cover, let us know! Make sure to come back for more author highlights and recommendations.

You may not know it by looking at me, but I’m not much of an athlete. People assume I’m good at basketball due to my height, but there is no correlation between distance from the ground and actual athleticism. However, there are some sporty pastimes that I do enjoy with friends and family. And, now that the weather has taken a turn for the better, I’m looking forward to some fun in the sun! Since my brain is floating on a summer breeze, I’d like to share what the Caldwell Public Library has to offer for those seeking some recreation. Our wide range of outdoor kits feature your standard sporting gear such as a football, basketball, and volleyball, but the fun doesn’t end there. We also offer fishing gear, horseshoes and other casual yard games for those seeking a more laid-back outing. Here are a few of my favorite outdoor activities, all of which are available from the Caldwell Public Library for free with your library card. Pickleball: I love pickleball. All the fun of tennis, half the running! If you’ve never heard of this game the best way I can describe it is as a hybrid of tennis and ping pong. Played with what appears to be an oversized ping pong paddle and a plastic ball, pickleball can be played singles or doubles. Many of the Tennis courts in the area have markings for Pickleball play and Midway Park just outside of town, has dedicated courts. The sound of the ball making contact is intensely satisfying and sure to provide hours of entertainment to young and old alike. Disc Golf: Go for a walk, throw a disc. Simple and fun. The real challenge is your throwing technique. But don’t be discouraged if it takes you a few more throws than you have fingers to make it to the hole, who’s keeping score anyway? Our kit includes the three most common types of discs, a driver, mid range, and putter in a handy carrying bag. While Caldwell may only boast of one disc golf course at Mallard park, there are several more located right next door in Nampa. I would recommend the course at West park, but all of them offer a different and exciting challenge. Croquet: The predecessor to many billiards games such as pool. Fantastic opportunities to infuriate your opponents and annoy your friends! While the concept of hitting a ball around on the grass through little metal goals may seem simple, it requires quite a bit of control and technique. A fantastic game that no one will be good at the first time they try. Best played on well maintained grass, so pack a lunch and hit the park. Kickball: Kick, run, take a break. The best version of baseball for those that couldn’t hit the air with a bat or catch anything smaller than a cantaloupe. A classic game that anyone can jump right into, kickball is a staple of summertime fun. Great for keeping everyone at a large family gathering busy! Badminton: A timeless racquet sport guaranteed to keep you on your toes. Badminton is a super fun and quick game for two to four. Play can be as intense or as casual as players see fit. I keep losing because the sun gets in my eyes, but I’m sure you’ve got some shades. So why clutter your garage with games you’ll only play once a year when your local library has everything you need to keep the kids occupied and force the adults to get some exercise. Make your next BBQ, trip to the park, or family get together a blast with outdoor gear and games from your library! Let us know what your favorite summertime game is, or if you’ve tried something new from one of the kits we provide.

I have been exploring the world of new hobbies for at least six months now. There is something about not being able to travel that really got me exploring my more creative side. While there are still a ton of things I would like to explore, just knowing that there are numerous benefits to learning new things - as well as allowing myself time to play and explore - has helped me keep my sanity while cooped up at home. Why New Hobbies? So, why pick up a new hobby? Why not just continue perfecting old hobbies or perhaps just spend time watching TV or relaxing? What about adapting old hobbies? While I did spend some time working on hobbies that I was already invested in - for instance, I had a ton of hand-painted cards that needed to be mailed out around the world and they had gotten pushed aside due to my busy work schedule - I found that NOT challenging my mind to learn something new was really adding in a layer of extra depression. So then I decided that I would pick up playing my flute again, surely my neighbors would enjoy some endless practice runs. But then I realized that what I wanted to do was learn something entirely new. So, I began learning how to play the ukulele by using self-teaching techniques. The fantastic thing about learning a new instrument is that it really requires so many layers of absorbing new information. For instance, I needed to learn basics, like which tools I needed to utilize and what techniques I needed to learn. Then I needed to make sure I had the right supportive equipment. Then I had to figure out what songs I would like, and what styles of strum and finger-picking I would like. There was also the process of keeping up a good practice schedule. The entire process was not only fun and entertaining, but challenging and all-absorbing. The gloominess I was experiencing had really started to lift and I was able to feel like I was experiencing a fresh view on life again. Benefits of Lifelong Learning Starting up a new hobby has so many benefits and is useful for everyone no matter what age they are. The process of learning something new requires time and effort, patience and risk-taking. The great thing about hobbies, though, is that they are structured around your obligations. The pace is more leisurely than something you would learn for a career path, and often times is encouraging: stress relief, joy, determination, and/or exercise. When you begin to train yourself to learn a new process or series of processes, your mind ignites with creative thought. Your problem-solving skills work harder, you begin to carve out familiar paths as you practice your craft or activity. If your hobby includes physical activity, your body is benefitting from the new ways that it is being challenged. Your coordination, metabolism, and strength/flexibility may all be boosted from these new process it's learning. For more information on the benefits of lifelong learning, check out this blog I referenced. Benefits of Play Taking some time to explore and be a part of new experiences - without any real agenda - is something that can be incorporated into your new hobby. Maybe you have decided to learn how to paint. Sometimes you may want to learn really specific techniques or learn how to make a complete painting. Other times you may just want to explore how complimentary colors go together or you want to try out a new brush. Even though not everything you work on will be a cohesive thought, the incomplete, practice attempts, or just the pieces that you used to play with colors or new tools, are all part of the process and bring life to your new hobby. There are so many other benefits to allowing yourself to play, and sometimes these benefits can also make your work life easier or more successful, too! Some Fun, Creative Hobbies Our library has many books and kits that you can check out to support your growing interests. There may even be some programs or program kits available, too, that will spark your interest. For instance, did you know that Tai Chi is back? Join this fun outdoor program every Friday morning at 10 am! Learning how to paint is featured in a lot of our library collection and can be learned in a variety of forms - reading/written instruction, DVD, electronic book and electronic magazine! You can also learn how to draw, or learn how to sew! If you wanted to play with equipment, but you didn't want to make an investment in it, or you were not wanting to pay for a class just yet, try out one of our take-home kits. There are so many different types of kits and some libraries have different ways to check them out, so feel free to ask a staff member more questions about them if you are interested. I personally think a crochet starter kit would be a lot of fun! Happy hobbying!

As a staff member who works at the front desk, a common thing I hear from patrons when I’m checking out their items is that they are trying to find a new author. Either they have read all the books their current author has written, or they are simply trying to find someone new to read. How they decide who they are going to try reading next comes in a variety of ways. Either they look up an author, ask for a recommendation, or simply grab some books off the shelf that look interesting to see if they like them. After hearing about this for a couple of years I decided to start up an Author Highlight for our library’s blog. In these posts, I will either be focusing on a single author that I want to highlight, or I will find an author and recommend a couple of others that are similar, ie. “If you like James Patterson you may like these two authors”. For the first author highlight, I’m going to focus on a personal favorite that I discovered last year, Katie O’Neill. I discovered Katie when I was making a list of recommended graphic novels for our children’s librarian to add to the youth collection. I came across her book, The Tea Dragon Society, which also happens to be the first book in that trilogy, and instantly fell in love with her work. She does both the illustrations and the writing for her graphic novels and the second I finished reading the book I couldn’t stop talking about it to my co-workers. I may have literally talked their ears off about that book, and continue to do so. I then read her book, Aquicorn Cove, and loved it just as much as I loved her other book. So what makes her work so special? Well first off the artwork is absolutely adorable. It’s always so light and bright and just brings a smile to my face whenever I look at it. Even the art in the more serious moments of the story manages to effectively reflect that seriousness without losing the brightness. While the art is definitely aimed more toward kids, I think that it’s something that anyone can appreciate, especially if they need a touch of joy in their life. It’s not just the artwork that is appealing though. Her stories send out messages of positivity and they try to be as inclusive as possible. Her books, The Tea Dragon Society and Princess Princess Ever After include an LGBTQIA+ couple while The Tea Dragon Festival, the second book in The Tea Dragon Society trilogy, includes a deaf character who uses sign language. She also isn’t afraid to shy away from more serious topics. Aquicorn Cove deals with both mental health and pollution when a young girl has to make peace with the aquicorns and find ways for the village to reduce the pollution they make while they fish. She does all this while also dealing with grief from losing her mother before the events in the book. The book appropriately displays moments of grief and depression Lana feels, while also showing how she deals with it and rises above it in a way that can make sense for children. Some lighter topics for younger children are also handled in Dewdrop, a picture book about a character named Dewdrop who encourages their friends to embrace their talents and realize that being themselves is more than enough. Overall, Katie’s artwork and willingness to touch on topics and introduce kids to a variety of different characters has made her a personal favorite of mine. Her books are something that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and I look forward to seeing what she comes out with in the future. If you have an author you would like to see highlighted please let us know! See you in the next Author Highlight!

Enjoy April's craft kit from Ellie and Michael at the Caldwell Public Library! This month we wanted to give you supplies to create a luminescent jar with a few easy steps. We will be walking through the process with pictures but, as always, it's your craft, feel free to personalize and make anything you'd like! The Silhouette Jar Kit contains: 1 glass jar with a screw-top lid 3 strands of colorful ribbon various colored pieces of tissue paper glue vinyl stickers 1 no-flame tea candle You'll need a paintbrush (on the smaller side) and something to cover the surface you are working on - this craft has the potential to get messy! Step One: Lay out your supplies and set up a work area Before you start gluing, make sure you have a plan of action for your jar. We are going to be gluing the tissue paper to the inside while the vinyl stickers will go on the outside. We've given you a variety of paper colors, you can layer them any way you'd like - just be aware that if your tissue is too thick anywhere, your light might not shine through the glass. Step Two: Add Tissue Paper to the inside of Jar Use your paintbrush to add a little glue to the inside of the jar - glue can dry fast so only use a little at a time instead of coating the entire jar. As you add glue, take pieces of tissue paper and carefully press them into the glue. If you want to make sure it really sticks, add some glue on top of the tissue paper as well. Repeat this process with colors and patterns you want - just remember, too much tissue paper in one place might keep the light from shining through. Once you are all finished, your jar should look similar to our example jar (your colors might be different). Step Three: Add vinyl stickers In your kit, there is a set of vinyl stickers for you to put on the outside of your jar. These will block the light from the candle in your jar - be sure to stick them wherever you'd like! Keep in mind that stickers on the glass threads of the jar will be covered by the lid. Step Four: Add ribbon and lid (optional) We've included the jar top and some ribbon to decorate the top if you'd like. You can leave the jar open, the light should still shine through the jar. In the end, you'll have an amazing jar to show off in the light and in the dark! Enjoy your craft! We'll see you next month for another great activity! -Ellie and Michael

Rainbows, butterflies, bunnies, flowers, and ladybugs are starting to pop up everywhere. If you’re looking forward to spring, this might be a great time to pick up some inexpensive supplies and enjoy a family craft project. Here are some ideas to get you started. When is the last time your kids tried printing? All it takes is some paint, a shallow paint container like a paper plate, and various items you find around the house. These cute Gift Bow Flowers are super easy: just dip the bow (sticker side up) in paint and press it on your paper. Add a green stem and you have a bouquet! Other things that are fun to print: celery (believe it or not, if you cut a bunch straight across, it makes a “flower-like” shape), the ever-popular fingerprints or handprints, and even random items from the junk drawer! Here’s where you can find the Gift Bow Flower craft. Also in this article: handprint bees, dot marker butterflies, and fingerprint flowers. Tissue paper can be used in many ways for kids’ crafts. You can tear it, cut it, crumple it, fold it or make it into little balls. Layer different colors. Turn squares of tissue into fluffy artwork ! How? Squash a square of tissue paper over the eraser end of a pencil, then dip the paper (still on the pencil) in school glue. Press the gluey paper onto a shape: maybe a paper plate, or some construction paper. Now do it again and again. It will take patience and lots of little squares, but you’ll have a fluffy, colorful picture when you’re done! Here’s another idea: suncatchers are easy to make with tissue shapes. Cut a shape from waxed paper or clear “Contact” paper and attach tissue scraps. Cover with another clear sheet and hang it in the window! Here are some more spring-themed ideas, several using tissue. Yarn can be the start of lots of craft projects. Here’s one that will develop kids’ small motor skills AND make a pretty decoration. Yarn Wrapped Tulips only require three items: brightly colored yarn, cardboard for the shape you’d like to wrap, and popsicle sticks for flower stems. A couple of useful tools would be scissors and glue. A parent will probably need to cut the cardboard shape and make a small slit or two to anchor the yarn. Then hand it to the kids and let them wrap – up and down, side to side, diagonal, or every which way. If you don’t like the color of the cardboard showing through, you can have the kids color the flower shape before adding the yarn. When they’re done, glue the popsicle stick stem to add a final pretty touch and show them off in a vase! And then there are coffee filters, those lovely lightweight crinkled papers that allow kids to create interesting colors by mixing watery or diluted paint and using gravity to let it seep through the paper. Coffee filters can be used to make pretty butterflies, but they can also be used in lots of other ways: suncatchers, flowers, “dancers,” and much more! Here is an article that will give you ideas for various seasons of the year. Enjoy springtime!

Howdy! My name is Todd. I am a Circulation Assistant here at the Caldwell Public Library, and I’m here to connect you with the books, movies, and other items that you are looking for. Whether it’s getting you a library card or tracking down that elusive book that you’ve heard so much about, that’s what I’m here for. While I am one of the newer additions to the staff here at CPL, I have been working in libraries for some time. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Boise State University, where I began my library career at the Albertsons Library and completed my internship in the Special Collections department. Prior to joining CPL, I also worked for the Boise Public Library and the Meridian Library District, including the unBound Technology Library. Assisting folks at the library is extremely rewarding, and I am proud to be able to do so. Some of my interests that you can find here at the library are Stephen King books, X-Men graphic novels, and PlayStation video games. Outside of the library, I love camping and hiking with my wife Lindsay and our boxsky(boxer-husky mix, google it-- it’s a thing) pup Nala, and watching sports at home with my bearded dragon Smaug. Next time you’re in, feel free to chat me up about who’s going to the Super Bowl next year, or the correct reading order for Stephen King’s universe of books (I have spreadsheets and charts, really). See you soon!

“Fiction gives us empathy: it puts us inside the minds of other people, gives us the gifts of seeing the world through their eyes. Fiction is a lie that tells us true things, over and over." - Neil Gaiman It's been over a year since the coronavirus changed our lives. Over the past year, we've seen the beautiful as well as the ugly qualities in each other - we've laughed, we've cried, we've shouted, we've lived. I've done my fair share of all of these. But what I've really tried to do is empathize with other people - to take the time to better understand myself and others. I've faltered many times in this endeavor, but I can say with absolute certainty, fiction has been a major part of my empathy process. During a time when social interactions were discouraged, I turned to fiction to connect. This past year has been even more difficult for teens - navigating the difficult coming of age years while dealing with schools opening and closing, and so much uncertainty. And that doesn't even include the soul-searching teens have to do to discover who they truly are. LGBTQIA+ teens need support and empathy, but far too often they receive hate. You'll see the struggles LGBTQIA+ teens face in each of the following stories. Teens, as well as adults, must learn how to develop empathy. But teens especially need to feel like they are heard and that they are valid. The characters in the following books are all discovering who they are - part of the LGBTQIA+ community - and we can learn empathy by reading their stories - we can understand and connect with their struggles and their triumphs. Book recommendations courtesy of Ellie Epperson. Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender Trigger Warning: transphobia and homophobia, mentions of past emotional abuse, online harassment/bullying, and underage drinking and drug use This moving novel tells the story of Felix Love, a transgender teenage boy desperate for love, but deeply afraid he will never find it. But romantic love isn't the only issue Felix's life. Unfortunately, he finds himself the target of hateful, transphobic messages from another, anonymous student - a student who posts Felix's dead name alongside old photos of Felix, before his transition, for the whole campus to see. Understandably, Felix is livid and begins secretly plotting his revenge. But things don't go as planned, and Felix finds himself in a complicated love triangle that forces him to examine his feelings, especially the way he feels about himself. Felix Ever After not only explores identity, it explores race, coming of age, and what it means to truly love yourself. Kacen Callender is an award-winning children's and YA author from the U.S. Virgin Islands. Sasha Masha by Agnes Borinsky Trigger Warning: homophobic and transphobic slurs/comments The only complaint I could find about Sasha Masha is that it wasn't long enough. This book explores gender identity through the eyes of Alex, who doesn't feel quite comfortable in his skin. Something is just... off. He has some feelings for Tracy, a female classmate who adores him, but he also feels a connection with Andre, a gay boy who has fully embraced who he is. As the novel progresses, Alex experiments with makeup and dresses in the quiet of his room. To further explore his identity, he joins an LGBTQ+ group and comes to realize, perhaps he isn't a boy after all, perhaps he is "Sasha Masha." This is American author, Agnes Borinsky's first novel. Ruinsong by Julia Ember Trigger Warning: torture, death, child abuse Ruinsong is a young adult fantasy novel that was released in late November 2020. Cadence, the protagonist, lives in a world of magic, but not everything is magical. She is forced to commit unspeakable acts of torture at the orders of her queen. The queen is, unsurprisingly, not well-loved, and the seeds of rebellion are being planted throughout the city. Before long, Cadence comes into contact with an old friend who is now involved with the resistance. Will Cadence join her in the fight to end the tyrant queen's oppression, or will she continue down her current path, following in the queen's footsteps? Does love really trump all? All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson Trigger Warning: racism, homophobia, sexual assault, violence, death of a loved one George Johnson has written a moving memoir in this book of essays. Johnson explores the years from his childhood through his college days - the good and the terrible. Johnson was bullied at the tender age of 5, and he shares the story in one of his essays. As George grows through the essays, he explores his own sexual identity through sexual experiences and reflection. He examines toxic masculinity and marginalization and, ultimately, discovers what it means for him to be both black and queer. This book will resonate with teens and young adults who want to be allies, as well as those searching for someone to identify with. His next book, "We Are Not Broken," hits the shelves in September 2021. Legendborn by Tracy Deonn (Legendborn Series #1) Trigger warning: the death of a parent; generational trauma (depictions of slavery, abuse, rape); gore; possession; demons; racism and micro-aggressions Legendborn is the first book in a planned series of young adult fantasy novels. The protagonist, Bree, is just 16-years-old when her mother dies tragically. In order to escape the memories throughout her childhood home, Bree accepts a seat in a residential high school program through the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. But before she can fully settle in, Bree witnesses something magical and fearsome - a flying demon who feeds on human energies. And that's not all - she also discovers a secret society on campus, called the Legendborn. Determined to keep the magical world a secret, a local teenage "mage" tries to wipe Bree's memory of the night but fails and, instead, unlocks Bree's hidden magical powers. With her newly discovered powers, Bree has access to memories she had buried - memories of her mother's death that weren't in the police report. But if she wants to find the truth about what happened to her mother, she will have to decide whether she should join the Legendborn or destroy them. Keep your eyes out for Legendborn #2 - coming sometime in 2021! Did you like this list? Stay tuned for more young adult lists or call the library to get more book recommendations!

Women’s History Month began as Women’s History Week at the start of March 1982 with the important goal of celebrating the contributions and specific achievements women have made over the course of American history. It’s hard to believe that just over 100 years ago women won the right to vote with the ratification of the 19th amendment. We can find prominent women in society breaking down boundaries, finding new opportunities, and excelling in their field where ever we look. However, there are still many challenges and obstacles that must be faced by women. The struggle for equality didn’t end with equal political representation, and, even in our current age, women continue the fight, ever striving to find equal footing in traditionally male-dominated institutions. So, in celebration of Women’s History Month, I would like to present five fantastic resources for young readers. Each of these books features a number of women in a given time or field. Representation matters, especially to a young developing mind. So a number of these resources feature or focus on women from different cultures and women of color. Hopefully, this selection will inspire, excite, and encourage your little ones to learn more about many of the influential women highlighted in these collections. Women of the American West Highlighting the struggles of women at the dawn of the American west, this book offers a great historical overview with primary resources like journal entries, providing important historical context with a wide range of perspectives. White settlers, former slaves, and Native American peoples are all represented here. Women of the American West also takes time to tell the stories of specific women like the first female lawyer of the west coast, Clara Shortridge. Galaxy Girls: 50 Amazing Stories of Women in Space To infinity, and beyond! Galaxy Girls features 50 prominent women in the study and exploration of space. With full-page biographies and beautifully illustrated portraits of each woman featured, Galaxy Girls is a very engaging read. The arrangement of the various biographies is chronological which provides a nice timeline of the developments in space exploration. A great read for any aspiring explorer. Changing the Equation: 50+ US Black Women in STEM Slightly more advanced than the other books featured on this list, this might be best reserved for older children or those with strong independent reading skills. Changing the Equation is also the most focused collection, choosing to highlight more than fifty women of color in US STEM fields like Astronomer and Astrobiologist, Aomawa Shields. Filled with historical and technical context, Tonya Bolden’s book is a wonderful gathering of exceptional women. Little Dreamers: Visionary Women Around the World This adorably illustrated volume features trailblazing scientists like Marie Curie, musicians like Violeta Parra, and many other women at the front of a variety of fields. Filled with beautiful full-page illustrations to accompany the brief biographies of each woman, Little Dreamers is an excellent resource for young learners to find a starting point for research on a number of visionary women. Women in Sports: 50 Fearless Athletes Who Played to Win Another more targeted collection, Women in Sports covers a huge range of athletics and women athletes from the turn of the 20th century until now. Packed with quirky illustrations and facts, this colorful volume is a must for any young sports enthusiast looking for inspiring female representation. What are your thoughts? Did you recognize any of the featured women or did you discover some new favorites? What stories inspired or excited you? Please let us know in the comments below.