THE MIDDLE FILES
the e-newsletter for middle schoolers


Diary of a Middle School Kid

Megan is a 6th grader at Hadley Junior High School who would love to spend some time talking to various animals about whether they enjoy wearing the dinosaur-print clothes she made for them. Be careful, Megan, forcing sharks to wear even fashionable dinosaur prints might make them feel misunderstood!

When she is not busy organizing the bacon growing in her back yard into perfect rows, you can find her watching Elf and knitting. If you pass Megan on the street, brighten her day with a smile, and celebrate her favorite " Give everyone you see a high five" day with, obviously, a high five.

Middle School Events

Looking for something to do? The library has some great programs designed just for you.  Check out the entire fall schedule on our calendar. Here are some highlights:


The Middle Squad
Wednesdays: October 17 and 24 | 4-5:30 pm
Help library staff prepare for programs, pull books, and perform other duties as needed. Fill out an application. Questions? Contact Tom Malinowski, Middle School Librarian, at tmalinowski@gepl.org or 630-790-6738. 

Spooky Storytelling with Blackout Poetry
Tuesday, October 30 | 4-5:30 pm
Watch videos on how to craft a spectacularly spooky story and then create your own using blackout poetry. Find out more.

New Book Spotlight

Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Twelve-year-old Jerome is shot by a police officer who mistakes his toy gun for a real threat. As a ghost, he observes the devastation that's been unleashed on his family and community in the wake of what they see as an unjust and brutal killing. 

Emmett Till, another ghost from a very different time, but similar circumstances, helps Jerome process what has happened and helps him recognize how historical racism may have led to the events that ended his life. Jerome also meets Sarah, the daughter of the police officer who shot him, who is trying to come to terms with her father's actions.

Mid-Lit: Peer Book Reviews
I'm Angel and I am a 7th grader at Hadley Junior High School.  I'll be reviewing The Lego Movie video game. 

The Lego Movie Videogame is fun to play, and I played it with my brother. You get to choose your player, and it is also multiplayer, so your friends can play with you. The game has great music in the background, and you are playing the movie that you just watched!


THE WAITING GAME
 by Tom Malinowski, Middle School Librarian

When I recommend a book, people commonly ask "Is this a stand-alone book, or is it  part of a series?" To clinch the deal on the recommendation, I'll say "It's part of a series, and the series is complete - there is no waiting."

Whew! Who likes to wait? The agony of reading the last page, especially if it's a cliffhanger, is all too real. When is the next part coming out? Will I remember enough to be prepared for the next installment? 

Here are two series that I recommend that are complete.
    
The Last Apprentice by Joseph Delaney
Thomas Ward is the seventh son of a seventh son. If you're in the mood for creepy adventures, this 13-part series is it. Just in time, with Halloween approaching! 

The Alchemyst
by Michael Scott
Teenage twins Sophie and Josh Newman are about to find themselves in the middle of the greatest legend of all time. If you enjoy Rick Riordan's books, this series encompasses mythologies from many cultures all over the world.
Glen Ellyn Public Library | 400 Duane Street | Middle School Web Page
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