Parsippany Teen Advisory Board
A World of Ideas
May Newsletter
Chief Editors
Members of TAB: Who are We?
Upcoming Events at the Public Library (Hyperlink)
Book review: The Book Thief
Book review: To All The Boys I've Loved Before
DIY: Clay Jewelry Dish
Movie review: The Jungle Book
Author preview: James Patterson
Cooking: Oreo Truffles
IF YOU LIKED...
Current Events: The Presidential Race
DIY Clay Jewelry Dish
Supplies
-White, black, and colored oven bake clay (a few ounces of colored clay and the 1.75 pound white clay will make you several dishes!)-X-Acto knife or plastic clay knife
-Small bowl or baking ramekin that is oven safe
-Rolling pin or large round jar
-Large can or jar to trace around
-Glaze to seal dish (optional)
By Shrina P.
Oreo Truffle: Recipe
- 1 package of Oreo Sandwich Cookies
- 1 package Philadelphia Cream Cheese
- 2 packages of Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips (Melted)
Directions
1. Crush 9 of the cookies into fine crumbs in food processor; reserve for later use. (Cookies can also be finely crushed in a resealable plastic bag using a rolling pin.)
2. Crush remaining 36 cookies into fine crumbs; place in medium bowl. Add cream cheese; mix until well blended.
3. Roll cookie mixture into 42 balls, about 1-inch in diameter.
4. Dip balls in chocolate; place on wax paper-covered baking sheet. (Any leftover chocolate can be stored at room temperature for another use.)
5. Sprinkle with reserved cookie crumbs.
6. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. Store leftover truffles, covered, in refrigerator.
By Shrina P.
The Jungle Book Movie Review
Parents need to know that The Jungle Book is a live-action/CGI update of Rudyard Kipling's classic book of short stories that has many scenes that can be scary for little kids. This movie was inspired by Disney's 1967 animated musical and has an all-star voice cast that includes Idris Elba, Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley, Christopher Walken, and Scarlett Johansson. The movie tells the story of young Mowgli (Neel Sethi), an orphaned "man cub" raised as a wolf who is hated by the jungles most vicious predator and feared tiger, Shere Khan. There are several jump-worthy, intense moments that are very likely to scare younger viewers, as already mentioned (especially when seen in 3-D). Kids who are familiar with the old story and know the animals they're seeing aren't real will be fine, but preschoolers and younger elementary-aged kids who have trouble recognizing fantasy from reality may not be able to handle Mowgli's frequent peril. All of that said, on the definite upside, the movie is amazing, and it covers the importance of having a strong family. It proves that being courageous and helping other is always the right thing to do.
By Dhvani P.
To all of the boys i've loved before
Jenny Han, the author of The Summer I Turned Pretty, has written this emotional piece about a high school girl experiencing drama and love. The main character is named Lara Jean and she keeps love letters about her former crushes in a teal hat box. One day, her letters get sent out by her little sister, Kitty. Lara Jean has loved five boys before. One of her letters is sent to Peter Kavinsky, the popular boy in school that everyone loves. Peter Kavinsky is the person who Lara Jean ends up dating in the story. On a school skiing field trip, Lara Jean and Peter Kavinsky are found kissing in the hot tub. At the end of the story, a rumor about the couple spreads around like wildfire.
In my opinion, I honestly love this book. It was a cute romantic book that any girl would enjoy. I liked how Jenny Han writes very visually to help the reader create an image in their mind. At times, I had mixed emotions about the book; I would be mad, sad, happy, proud, etc. As a T.A.B member, I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a soft romance book.
By Cindy L.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
The Book Thief, a devastatingly powerful book is really just a small story about:
*A girl
*Some words
*An accordionist
*Some fanatical Germans
*A Jewish fist fighter
* And quite a lot of thievery…
In the late 1930s at the start of WWII, a young girl named Liesel Meminger goes to live with the Hubermanns, a foster family on Himmel (Heaven) Street in Molching, Germany. She arrives with few possessions, but the most valued thing she owns is The Grave Digger's Handbook, which is symbolic to her as it reminds her of the last time she saw her biological mother and brother. During the years that Liesel lives with the Hubermanns, Hitler rises to power and life on Himmel Street becomes tense. Liesel becomes a book thief to escape the sadness within her. She steals books from the Nazi book-burnings and sneaks in the library of the mayor to steal some more. Liesel is thirsty for knowledge, but illiterate when she steals The Grave Digger’s Handbook. With the help of her foster father, Hans, Liesel learns how to own and make the words hers. Hitler was the one destroying people with words, and Liesel is the one stealing them back, realizing the power of words.
This is a brilliant story of hope, courage, love, survival, death, and overcoming grief. This is Liesel’s life on Himmel Street, told from Death’s point of view. Death tells the story of the book thief: Liesel Meminger, a little girl overcoming big challenges to prove to herself that humans are actually worth it. This historical-fiction masterpiece is an exceptional book that pulls the reader in with its phenomenal and unforgettable characters. The Book Thief suits anyone who takes pleasure in drama, irony and satire, love and tragedy. The reason you should read this book: it is an influential, moving, and beautiful story that will make you thankful and truly value everything you have in your life.
By Emila D.
If You Enjoyed...
If you thought The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey was ADVENTUROUS, ROMANTIC, or DARING, you would enjoy:
The SYLO Chronicles by D.J. MacHale
How To Lead A Life Of Crime by Kirsten Miller
Icons by Margaret Stohl
If you thought Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell was ROMANTIC, HEART WARMING, or INTENSE, you would enjoy:
Far Far Away by Tom McNeal
Dr. Bird’s Advice For Sad Poets by Evan Roskos
Just One Day by Gayle Forman
If you thought The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky was FUNNY, INSIGHTFUL, or QUIRKY, you would enjoy:
Struck By Lightning: The Carson Phillips Journal by Chris Colfer
Whale Talk by Chris Crutcher
Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn
If you thought The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins was THRILLING, ADVENTUROUS, or TOUCHING, you would enjoy:
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
Walden and Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau
Delirium by Lauren Oliver
by Anjali R.
Current Events: The Presidential Race
The first week of May came as a shock to Republicans. Why? Ted Cruz and John Kasich suspended their campaigns, giving frontrunner Donald Trump a clear path to the Republican nomination. Although they are now represented by one candidate, many Republicans are quick to criticize him. Paul Ryan, the Speaker of the House, says Trump needs to do more to “unify this party” before he can earn Ryan’s endorsement. As for the Democratic Party, it is still split between 2 candidates: Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. Clinton has 94% of the 2,383 delegates she needs to be her party’s nominee. While many are sure that she will win the nomination, Sanders is not showing any sign of letting up soon. New Jersey’s democratic primary is on June 7, 2016.
By Janelle P.
Sources:
Berman, Russell. "Paul Ryan Won't Endorse Trump-Yet." The Atlantic. The Atlantic Monthly Group, 5 May 2016. Web. 9 May 2016.
"Clinton Wins Guam Democratic Primary." Fox News. Fox News Network, 7 May
2016. Web. 9 May 2016.
James Patterson
Without a doubt, James Patterson is one of the best authors of our time. With heart racing novels like the Alex Cross series to his humorous novels like the I Funny and How To Survive Middle School series, it’s hard not to be touched by his work. His hard work has surely paid off. Since this year, he has sold over 350 million books across the globe and holds the Guinness World Record for the most #1 New York Times bestsellers. James Patterson grew up in New York and has been writing since he was nineteen years old. In 1969, he graduated from Manhattan College and was planning on going to graduate school at Vanderbilt University, but later dropped out. He then worked for J. Walter Thompson (an advertising agency). While he was working for J. Walter Thompson in 1976, James Patterson published The Thomas Berryman Number, his first novel that also received the Edgar Award for Best First Novel. The novel was also his first New York Times bestseller. Besides writing, James Patterson has shared his earnings to help others. He has donated over $1 million books to students, $1.75 million to public school libraries, $1 million to independent bookstores, over $26 million to the colleges/universities that he and his wife attended, donated more than 650,000 books overseas, and has created more than 400 Teacher Education Scholarships at certain colleges/universities. He is still donating!
Source:
"About James: Biography | The Official James Patterson Website." About James: Biography | The Official James Patterson Website. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 May 2016.
James Patterson has written a variety of books that are for all age groups, but these are just some of my book recommendations:
Pre-Teens:
Jackie Ha-Ha
Public School Superhero
House of Robots Series
Treasure Hunters Series
I Funny Series
Middle School Series
Young Adult and Other
Maximum Ride Series/Manga
Confessions Series
Witch and Wizard Series
Daniel X Series
Alex Cross Series
Women’s Murder Club
Michael Bennett Series
NYPD Red Series
Private Series
By Alison C.