An Interview with Jennifer Burghard, Oak Forest High School's 2011 Salutatorian

Acorn Library shelver, Jennifer Burghard, is Oak Forest High School's 2011 Salutatorian! We are so proud of Jen, and thought it would be a great idea to interview her for our Youth Services blog to learn a bit more about her!

-How does it feel to the the 2011 Oak Forest High School Salutatorian?

Jen: It's an honor to be recognized for all the hard work I have put into my schoolwork for the past four years.

-What do you attribute your success to?

Jen: I think it has been really helpful for me to challenge myself and not hesitate to take more difficult classes. A lot of people advised me against taking so many difficult or AP classes, but I think taking these classes has really allowed me to get the most out of my high school education. It's also important to stay dedicated to school and schoolwork, especially when "senioritis" begins to kick in!

-Who inspires you?

Jen: It may seem cliché to say my parents, but they have truly set the best example for me in terms of staying dedicated and working toward a greater purpose. I have also has some amazing teachers who have gotten me interested in so many different subjects and have really influenced me in my desire to pursue a higher education.

-Besides excelling in school, and being a stellar library employee, what other activities are you involved in?

Jen: I have been on the tennis team for 4 years. I was editor of the yearbook for 3 years and editor-in-chief this year. I taught a 4th grade CCD class at St. Damian for 3 years. I have also been involved in NHS and Bengal tutors at school.

-Which college are you headed to and what do you plan on majoring in?

Jen: I am planning on attending Loyola University in the fall. I'm thinking about majoring in something in the field of education-I am not sure exactly what, but I enjoy working with kids.

-Where do you see yourself in 20 years?

Jen: I honestly have no picture of anything specific, I just hope that wherever I am, I am happy, and that I can use the education I plan to achieve to the benefit of others.

-What are your plans for the summer?

Jen: I plan of RELAXING and enjoying not having any homework! I also have to get organized and go shopping for everything I am going to need before I leave for school in the fall.

-If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Jen: I would LOVE to have the opportunity to travel-I'm actually hoping to participate in a study abroad program while I'm in college. I would especially love to see Europe, there's so much art and history there that I would love to learn about.

Cloaked in Red by Vivian Vande Velde

Cloaked in Red is a short story collection of 8 twisted fairy tale versions of Little Red Riding Hood. All stories are set in the time period of most fairy tales- no concrete clues as to when or where the tales are taking place. Some of the stories are creepy-creepier than the original-which Vande Velde notes in her prologue is "a strange and disturbing story that should probably not be shared with children." Some are pretty funny such as Deems the Wood Gatherer, the tale of a near-sighted and clueless woodcutter (time period: before glasses were invented, of course) who crosses paths with not only Little Red Riding Hood, but a large cast of fairy tale characters. This quick read is highly recommended for anyone who loves clever re-tellings of classic stories and fairy tale fans. Gr. 7-10

Three Quarters Dead by Richard Peck

Kerry is an invisible sophomore at an extremely prestigious public school on the East Coast. One day, miraculously, three of the most popular girls in school notice her, and ask her to sit with them at lunch. This begins a friendship that oftentimes leaves Kerry feeling somewhat awkward, but awed by her perfect and popular new friends. One day, the unthinkable happens and the three girls are killed in a car accident. Kerry is left feeling alone and misunderstood, until a few months later, she gets a text from her deceased friends telling her to meet them at her aunt's apartment in New York City. Kerry goes to meet them...
This is a great book for anyone who loves to read books about the supernatural, ghosts or even mysteries. It's a quick, scary read, by the extremely well-known and often-honored, Richard Peck. I am more familiar with Peck's historical and oftentimes hilarious novels intended for a younger audience, but this was a good departure.
Gr. 6-10

Book Review: Strings Attached by Judy Blundell

This is a fantastically noirish young adult novel that contains the perfect combination of historical fiction and suspense/thriller. The story begins with 17-year-old Kit Corrigan attempting to make her way in New York City as a Broadway actress. She left behind her brother, sister and father in Providence, RI after a fateful night involving her estranged boyfriend Billy. Billy's father is a lawyer associated with the mob, and makes Kit an offer-a new apartment and the chance to work in one of NYC's most famous nightclubs-as long as she keeps tabs on Billy. Soon Kit becomes caught up in a world she wants nothing to do with...

This book is somewhat similar to Blundell's What I Saw and How I Lied which was named an ALA Best Book for Young Adults, and winner of the 2008 National Book Award. Both of these books are among my favorites, so I looked up what other books she has written. Interestingly, she has been writing series fiction for nearly 20 years under the pen name Jude Watson, and most recently has written two books of the popular 39 Clues series.

-Jen

Upcoming Programs

Weekly Story Times continue this week! Feel free to drop in if you are looking for something fun to do Thursday morning! We offer Lapsit Story Time for very young children up to age 2 1/2 at 9:30 AM and again at 10 AM. 3-5 year-old Story Time is at 11 AM. If you stop in, you will get a chance to see how much the department has changed in the last couple of weeks! The new carpeting is in, and all the children's books are out of the Meeting Room and back in the department! Our new service desk is coming along, and you can see its permanent location as it is being constructed. When you visit, I am sure you will notice lots of other exciting changes!

Our Acorn Teen Corp is meeting Thursday evening in the Board Room upstairs at 7 PM. The group is open to all young adults, grades 6-12, interested in volunteering at the library, in their community and participating in fun group activities. This meeting, the group will work on some interesting and tricky brainteasers! As always, snacks will be provided.

Don't forget, our next Panera Story Time is next Wednesday, May 4. We read stories, participate in activity songs, and Panera generously provides a cookie and milk for each child. In April, we had a great turn out with 40 children and 20 adults attending! We'll be at the Panera Bread located at 15854 Harlem Ave. in Orland at 10 AM.

Young Adult Book Discussion Group

We had a great turn out at our last Young Adult Book Discussion Group of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Our next meeting will be on Friday, May 6 at 3:30 PM and we'll be discussing The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents by Terry Pratchett. Copies of the book are available at the Youth Services Desk. To learn a bit about our next selection, take a look at out book trailer below!

"Create Your Own Story @ Your Library" Bookmark Contest

The winners have been chosen! We received lots of creative entries and had a hard time choosing our winners. In addition to getting their winning designs made into bookmarks, which are currently available in the Youth Services Department, winners also received an art supply kit and a certificate of achievement. Please stop in to see the winning designs on display now at the Youth Services Desk!

3rd and 4th Grade Category: Peyton Nielsen

5th and 6th Grade Category: Cherish Recera

6th 7th Grade Category: Emily Cooper