Hello Friends,
Did you grow up in a family with brothers and sisters? If so, was it all holding hands and group hugs and singing "Kumbaya?" Probably not. Sure, there was so many great times. But along the way, you likely experienced conflicts and competing desires and hurt feelings. As hard as some of those conflicts were, you also probably arrived at adulthood relatively unscathed. But parents of multiple children still want to see their children get along and resolve those conflicts smoothly and quickly. Find some timely assistance on this subject in our feature article this month, "Sibling Rivalry - What's a Parent To Do?"
There are two ways to enjoy nature. First there's the "air chair" method, by pouring through photos, paintings, and books. The second option, of course, is by getting out in the weather and stomping around in the real world. However you like to get your full share of Mother Nature, we've got an inspiring bonus article for you this month, "Amazing Butterflies of New Jersey." Will you head for the park to spot as many winged specimens as you can, or simply enjoy the photos? Either way, enjoy!
Whatever your educational needs, Foundation for Learning is ready to assist you with caring, one-on-one, individualized tutoring, and ISEE/SSAT test prep.
Don't hesitate to give us a call at 973-425-1774 or send an email to betty.foundationforlearning@gmail.com for a free consultation.
Best regards,
Betty
May 2018 Test Schedule
Mark your calendar for the latest test dates.
Sibling Rivalry - What's a Parent To Do?
Sibling rivalry…ugh! Every family with more than one child will have to deal with the arguing, name-calling, teasing, and shouting at some point. If the family has a child with chronic health issues or other special needs, the problem may be even more intense. What’s a parent to do?
Be aware that resentments can form if a parent is having to spend more time with a sibling with special needs, the time spent at appointments, the time dealing with public incidents, the extra time spent helping with school work, etc. There can also be bad feelings if the typically developing child has to take on extra duties around the house or feels the pressure to achieve to compensate for his sibling’s challenges.
Does this apply only to families with a child having learning, health or other issues? No! In every family there will be special dynamics that form when one child performs at a higher level in sports, music, academics or in other areas. Resentment and rivalry flourish in those situations and it’s completely normal.
Here are some suggestions for you:
Talk it out
Talk to each child individually. Share age-appropriate information and point out the strengths of their sibling. Be open to questions and do not judge when they express their feelings. Allowing your child to talk freely and to ask questions will help them to feel empowered, and to help them to feel positively about their sibling.
Take advantage of those special, teachable moments
Pay attention and notice when challenging instances pop up. These are opportunities to communicate, teach, and model good behavior. This is how family members learn to support each other and to be tolerant of each other’s differences. Notice too the good times, the good behavior, the moments when the siblings are doing something especially generous for each other. Praise those good moments and there will be good feelings all around.
Consistency matters
It’s important to have set expectations for all family members when it comes to rules, responsibilities, expected behaviors, and consequences. Don’t make exceptions too often. Stick with the house rules as routinely as possible.
Carve out one-on-one time
Spend time each week with each child individually. Engage in some activity that your child particularly enjoys, go to a movie, grab a bite at a favorite diner, take a hike together – whatever allows you two to connect. These moments will be prime times for conversations that allow for the release of pent-up feelings, for the casual sharing of information, and most importantly, for connecting and showing your child that he is worth of your time and attention. This special parent/child time will help to reduce any jealousy about time you need to devote to their siblings, whether they have special needs or not.
But what if you try all of these things and you find that your child is still struggling, emotions are heightening or becoming more frequent? You might want to consider getting extra help from a school counselor, your child’s teacher, your child’s doctor, a sibling support group, your church’s youth minister or a therapist. All of those resources can help your child to explore their feelings and to develop healthy coping strategies.
Above all, remember that family dynamics can be a complicated thing, but that sibling rivalry is completely normal and every family deals with it at some point. I hope I’ve given you a few things to consider. Good luck!
Amazing Butterflies of New Jersey
There are 134 species of butterflies and moths in New Jersey. 134! The spring and summer months are the perfect time to get outside and take a butterfly ID hike. Bring your camera!
Here’s an interesting fact: the monarch is the only butterfly known to make a two-way migration as birds do. Unlike other butterflies that can overwinter as larvae, pupae, or even as adults in some species, monarchs cannot survive the cold winters of northern climates. Some fly as far as 3,000 miles to reach their winter home in Mexico.
Here are some really beautiful butterflies you should search for:
American Copper
Canadian Tiger Swallowtail
Least Skipper
Luna Moth
Monarch
Northern Metalmark
Northern Pearly Eye Satyr
Red Spotted Purple Admiral
Silver Bordered Fritillary
Silvery Blue
Zebra Swallowtail
Letter from Betty for April 2018
Hello Friends,
As we eagerly turn the pages in the thrilling story of another school year, we can see that it will soon draw to its conclusion. So before the final weeks are right on top of us, this is the time to pause and think about how to reduce the stress of this event-filled season. Below find stress relief in our April feature article for, "Teaching Your Children Coping Strategies for Stressful Times."
The time we share as families is naturally centered around meal times. What better time than a family meal time to bond with conversation and fun word games. Get the laughter flowing and the fast flying word wizardry going in our bonus article for this month, "Family Dinner Table Games."
Whatever your educational needs, Foundation for Learning is ready to assist you with caring, one-on-one, individualized tutoring, and ISEE/SSAT test prep.
Don't hesitate to give us a call at 973-425-1774 or send an email to betty.foundationforlearning@gmail.com for a free consultation.
Best regards,
Betty
April 2018 Test Schedule
Mark your calendar for the latest test dates.
Teaching Your Children Coping Strategies for Stressful Times
We look forward to the end of the school year, with the expectations of summertime freedom, the lazy days, camp, and the change of daily routines. However, before we reach those treasured days, there are projects to be turned in, sports tournaments to compete in, standardized testing to take, and much more. High school seniors have even more tasks and activities to squeeze into the calendar. It can be overwhelming for both parents and students. Expect to see heightened anxiety and even the occasional meltdown before that final bell rings.
It’s important that children learn that life can be stressful from time to time and that it’s completely normal. Feeling anxious, overwhelmed, pressured and exhausted are all normal reactions and it’s alright to feel that way. As parents, it’s important to give your children the tools and coping strategies they’ll need to get them through these times; the hard "stuff" that life inevitably throws at us. No matter what the age, children are going to face stress, and at some point, they’ll be out on their own in the world and will need to have these skills. Arm them with techniques to make these times more manageable.
Teach them to Practice Good Self-Care
When life gets too busy, when the to-do list gets too long and the obligations and assignments become overwhelming, it’s tempting to take care of your obligations rather than yourself. The best thing you can do when you become too frazzled is to stop, take a breath, and refocus on your own well-being. The result is you’ll find yourself less stressed and thus, more productive. When your kids feel this way, encourage them to get off of social media and walk the dog, get outside and do something physical - take a shower or a long bath, call a friend, read something – just for fun, get up and stretch, listen to music. Also, it’s helpful to conduct a quick health check to make sure your children are getting enough sleep and down time, drinking enough water, and eating healthy food. It’s a good idea to nudge your children towards these healthy habits when times get tough and especially when their stress levels are on the rise.
Help them to Beat Back their Worries and Avoid Anxious Thoughts
It’s too easy to fall into a self-defeating cycle of stress – being overwhelmed – avoidance or procrastination – stress – being overwhelmed – avoidance or procrastination, and on and on. It’s truly a cycle that’s hard to break when you’re deep into its grasp. When your children go through this, help them learn the art of productive self-talk. We’ve all experienced the phenomenon of worrying about something and automatically jumping to the worst possible conclusion or outcome. We also know that the reality is that the worst possible outcome rarely comes to fruition. Talk to your children, help them to think logically about this worst-case scenario, have them listen to their inner-voice and talk back to it. You can also have them dive into that worst-case outcome and talk about how they can move forward or what their next steps can be should “the worst” really come about. But assure them that in all likelihood, things won’t work out the way they fear. You’re helping them to talk their way out of that vicious cycle, so they can get onto the business at hand in a rational and calm way.
Make a list!
You’ve heard this before, but list making is an effective tool to use in many situations. When your children are over-scheduled and overwhelmed, making a list helps them to organize and plan. It’s a great visual cue and it’s a great way to alleviate the worry that something will be forgotten, because they’ve written in down and can check their list as needed. It clears a bit of important head space. So, make a list with the tasks to be done on one side of the paper, followed by the amount of time it will take to get done, the due date (or where the event lands on the calendar), or some other way to prioritize that makes sense to their particular situation. After each item is completed, have your child cross through it. This is important because it’s a visual way of letting them see their progress, their way through this stressful time. This seems like one more addition to the to-do list, but the effort will be well worth it.
Check your own Focus and Check your Words
Effort, work ethic, attitude: the qualities that your children have control over. Grades, test scores, placement: not so much. As parents, instead of focusing intently on grades, scores, and wins, praise your children for working hard, practicing hard, and taking responsibility. That way, instead of feeling like they’ve failed if they struggle, they’ll know that they can work on the process and the effort, the areas they can change. If your children have always been told they’re smart, or super athletes, brilliant musicians, etc., and then they start to struggle (which inevitably will happen in life), they’re likely to feel like something is wrong with them and maybe even feel ashamed. Let’s praise the effort instead.
Check Yourself!
Are you modeling reasonable behavior and good stress coping skills? Your children will learn from you in many areas of their life and that includes how you yourself handle stressful situations or deal with a full daily schedule. If you lose your cool, take a breath, calm down and begin again. Do you groan about the overwhelming day ahead? Let your children see you prioritizing your time and working out a realistic schedule of activities. Let them also see you decompress. Be a model of good stress management and they’ll take their cue from your good example.
Everyone seems to be stressed these days. Figuring out and working a successful coping plan is important, so work the plan. Your whole family will be better off for your efforts.
Family Dinner Table Games
Fun dinner table games you can play with your family will help to reduce some of the stress you might be feeling this time of year. No need to rush off after the meal is finished, encourage your family to stick around a while longer, relax, and have some fun!
* Build a Story
The first person comes up with one sentence to start off the tale. Going around in turn, each person adds another sentence until someone wants to end the story by saying “The End.” This game is guaranteed to bring hilarious results.
* Say What?
This game starts with someone at the table asking “What happened today that made you say….” and the question ends with a word of their choosing, such as “say what?”, “wow!”, “that’s awesome!”, “gross!”, or whatever other word inspires. This is a great way to share what’s gone on in each other’s day and can lead to discussions and laughs too.
* Crazy ABC’s
Someone picks a category and then says a related word (for example, the category chosen is “animals” and the first word tossed out to the table is “camel”). The next person has to come up with a word that starts with the last letter of that word. (in the above example, the next word would have to start with the letter “l” so the next person could say “llama” or another “l” animal). To make this even more of a challenge, set a timer to go off within a specified time and the table races to name as many animals as possible before the timer goes off.
There are loads of other table-appropriate games that can be played, but these three are a great way to kick off your new after-dinner family time. You’ll be making memories as well as creating much-needed brain-space in everyone’s day. Have fun!
Letter from Betty for March 2018
Hello Friends,
To quote a song: "This time around, you can be anything!" It turns out that a complete change of scenery, a new set of friends, and the freedom to make independent choices are all the necessary ingredients for reinvention in a young person's life, as well as the conditions found at summer camp. Find out about the unique benefits of camp in our feature article this month: "Why You Should Consider Sleep-Away Camp For Your Children This Summer."
March is packed with notable calendar days. Find new and familiar meaning in the days of this month thanks to The Old Farmer's Almanac in our bonus article: "From Blue Moons to Green Clovers: Fun Facts for March."
Whatever your educational needs, Foundation for Learning is ready to assist you with caring, one-on-one, individualized tutoring, and ISEE/SSAT test prep.
Don't hesitate to give us a call at 973-425-1774 or send an email to betty.foundationforlearning@gmail.com for a free consultation.
Best regards,
Betty
March 2018 Test Schedule
Mark your calendar for the latest test dates.
Why You Should Consider Sleep-Away Camp For Your Children This Summer
Parents, have you been planning and preparing your child’s summer activities? It’s not too early to get a jump on that task and to start looking into summer camp options.
Did you know that approximately six million children go to sleep-away camp each summer? Are you wondering if overnight camp makes sense in what has become an intensely competitive, resume-building world? The answer is YES! Children develop in profoundly different ways when they leave home and join a camp community. Learning to sleep away from home is a critical step towards independence and not something parents can help kids do without creating the opportunity. You’re also giving them a unique chance to develop self-esteem and confidence, to realize how strong they are, and how competent they are in this new and challenging space. When a child is at camp on his own, the experience, the accomplishments and the satisfaction is his alone.
If you attended summer camp, you already understand the benefits of experiencing camp life and the positive effects that you carry with you as an adult. If you didn’t go to sleep-away camp as a child, you may not fully grasp the important reasons to give your own children this opportunity. Below find some of the important benefits of the camping experience.
At camp:
1. Children spend their time staying physically fit and active while running, swimming, hiking, climbing, boating, horseback riding, and playing sports!
2. They experience success, become more confident, and increase self-esteem in a way that removes the social competitiveness they experience in school. There are opportunities for encouragement and accomplishment every day.
3. The encouragement the children receive at camp makes it easy and comfortable for them to to try new things, to endure setbacks and try again, and to conquer fears.
4. Camp gives your children a chance to rediscover their creativity and engage one-on-one with real people, activities, and emotions – the real world - because they are taking an extended break from TV, cell phones, the internet and other technology distractions.
5. children will learn important social skills while living in the close-knit camp community where everyone must cooperate, respect each other, share chores, use strategies to find resolutions when there are disagreements, experience teamwork, and learn how to communicate with each other.
6. Your children will play! There are great benefits to living a life, even for just a little while, where your children can be free from the overly structured and scheduled routines that they experience during the school year.
7. Camp provides instruction, equipment and space for children to build on their artistic interests, sports abilities and adventuring skills. It allows them to discover what they like to do and develop life-long skills through the variety of activities offered.
8. Camp provides the opportunity to reconnect with nature and get away from the modern indoor life they experience during the rest of the year. There is so much to learn about the natural world, the environment and the creatures who live there!
9. There’s the opportunity to make good friends, free from the social pressures children face at school. At camp, they can relax and enjoy the experiences that draw everyone together.
10. Camp is a perfect place to practice decision making for children because they are away from parents and teachers who are guiding their moves and managing their choices. This gives the children the freedom to strike out in new directions, explore new ideas and to find out who they really are.
Camp experience will also help them on the college path or future employment. College admissions officers often report that former campers are more likely to succeed in college because they experienced success on their own away from home. They are also impressed by high-schoolers who have been camp counselors because they have had responsibility for younger campers and built leadership skills.
Consider the camp experience for your children as it builds confidence, success, skills, and more!
From Blue Moons to Green Clovers: Fun Facts For March
Below find fun facts about March 2018 from The Old Farmer's Almanac:
- March has two full Moons this year! The first full Moon, the Full Worm Moon, occurs on the 1st at 7:51 P.M. EST. The second, the Full Sap Moon (also a Blue Moon), occurs on the 31st at 8:37 A.M. EDT. Click here to learn more about March’s Full Moons.
- International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8!
- Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 11, at 2:00 A.M. Don’t forget to set your clocks forward! See more details about Daylight Saving Time.
- The Ides of March falls on March 15, and has long been considered an ill-fated day. Beware the Ides of March!
- The vernal equinox, also called the Spring Equinox, marking the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, occurs on Tuesday, March 20 at 12:15 P.M. EDT. On this day, the Sun rises due east and sets due west. In the Southern Hemisphere, this date marks the Autumnal Equinox. Read more about the First Day of Spring!
- According to lore, the last three days of March have a reputation for being stormy. Read about the Borrowing Days.
- St. Patrick’s Day is March 17. It falls on a Saturday this year. Read more about St. Patrick’s Day.
Letter from Betty for February 2018
Hello Friends,
Growing up starts slowly at first, then appears to accelerate. Your small child walking into her first day of kindergarten—seemingly just last week—is now progressing swiftly through her senior year of high school. But don't panic. Relax, breathe deeply, and for good advice read our February feature article: "Thoughts on Preparing to Launch Your Teen" .
As winter weather stretches on, we have more great ideas for making plans for the season in our bonus article: "Here I Am, Stuck In the Winter With You - 2." Before you know it, sunshine and warmth will return!
As always, please remember that whatever your educational needs, Foundation for Learning is ready to assist you with caring, one-on-one, individualized tutoring, and ISEE/SSAT test prep.
Don't hesitate to give us a call at 973-425-1774 or send an email to betty.foundationforlearning@gmail.com for a free consultation.
Best regards,
Betty
February 2018 Test Schedule
Mark your calendar for the latest test dates.
Thoughts on Preparing to Launch Your Teen
One would think that with the end of senior year in sight, fun end-of-year activities being planned, and the excitement about going off to college becoming more of a reality, life with your teen would be relaxing and fun! However, what is likely happening in your household is that conversations are becoming harder, emotions are running high, small behavior changes are occurring, your teen is more sullen and is pulling away from both parents and siblings. She may not want to spend time with you or participate in family activities. Don’t despair. This is completely natural and an important phase. This emotional separation allows her to be better prepared to leave home, head to college, and become a well-adjusted adult. Know that deep down she still loves her family, and that she is excited about heading off on her own, but she may also be feeling anxious about leaving home and the journey ahead. By pulling away a bit now while she still has home as a safety net, it becomes easier for her to leave when the time comes. The hardest thing for you to do right now, aside from not losing your cool, is to not take it personally.
Here are some thoughts that might make your life a little easier over the coming months:
1. Remember that you are still the parent. Be a welcoming, compassionate role model and mentor. It’s not your job to be her friend, she needs a family leader she can turn to.
2. Listen more and talk less. You have so much you want to teach her and tell her before she leave the nest, but it’s really important that your teen knows that you will listen, that you are safe and that you are available. By listening without interrupting, you’ll gain a chance to really hear what is on her mind and will have a window into what her fears, strengths and weaknesses are. Then you’ll be in a good position to help her and more importantly, she’ll know that she can turn to you when she needs to, even when she's away from home.
3. Remain calm. The times they are a’changing and if you’re too stressed to deal with whatever the current crisis is, then you won’t be able to respond rationally.
4. Let her make mistakes. This is often a challenge, but at this age your teen needs more privacy and autonomy. She needs to make mistakes so she can learn from them. That’s an important key to learning and to using good judgment.
5. Be a good role model. Hopefully you’ve been doing this all along. Don’t stop now. Your teen is watching you so set a good example. And be real! Let her see that you don’t always know best, that you make mistakes, that you get confused and that you apologize when you are wrong. It’s important to let her see that you’re not perfect and that she doesn’t have to be either. We’re all just works in progress.
6. Schedule family time. Whether it’s a meal out, a day-trip, a hike, whatever it is that your family normally enjoys, make it so. Relaxing time together is precious and will go a long way towards keeping everyone connected. Oh, and no screens!
7. Talk to your teen about risks and give her a game plan. Again, you’ve hopefully been doing this all along but now is a good time to reinforce these subjects. Have the talks about drugs, and drinking and driving. Your teen needs to be prepared for the big wide world and you need to express your expectations as well as helping her to come up with options to deal with these situations. Brainstorm with her. One of the best times to talk is when you’re alone in the car together. Somehow, sitting next to each other but looking straight ahead while taking in the passing scene, is one of the easiest ways to have these conversations, with none of the usual distractions you face at home. Rest assured that even if your teen isn’t the most responsive, she’s still listening.
Tuck these ideas in your head, jot them in your diary, update your to-do list and get them done over the next few months, but above all – relax! You’ve got a lot of exciting times ahead so enjoy this precious time with your teen!
Here I Am, Stuck In the Winter With You - 2
The following is a continuation of last month's bonus article. Still wondering what to do when you're stuck inside this winter? Here are more great ideas to get you unstuck.
Enjoy the ultimate comfort meal
Why, it’s grilled cheese and tomato soup, of course!
Organize a video game marathon
Video game Olympics – family style! Players and observers alike will have the best time. Just make sure to include everyone in the fun.
Bake something
Warm chocolate chip cookies – need I say more?
Popcorn and movie night
Just pop up those kernels (maybe search the web for great flavorings to add to your treat) and get comfy with your family and enjoy your favorite movies – or catch up on some you’ve missed in the theater
Exercise that brain
Sudoku, crosswords, jigsaw puzzles, so many ways to relax while giving your brain a good workout.
Board games
Break out the Monopoly, chess, Scrabble, Settlers of Catan or any of the other fun board games you have on hand. Clear off the kitchen table and game day begins!
Try yoga
There are plenty of beginner yoga sites online to get you started. It’ll feel so great to stretch out those muscles.
Letter from Betty for January 2018
Hello Friends,
The end-of-year lists are in! Many outlets put together “best of” lists to offer up suggested reading. This month we are featuring some of those books in the Young Adult category in our article: "Best Young Adult Books of 2017."
Sometimes the best thing to do when the winter winds are whipping and the world is iced over is to settle down in front of a roaring fire and dream up big plans for the warmer months. In this month's bonus article we've got you covered. Find inspiration in "Here I Am, Stuck In the Winter With You." Enjoy!
As always, please remember that whatever your educational needs, Foundation for Learning is ready to assist you with caring, one-on-one, individualized tutoring, ISEE/SSAT test prep, and educational evaluations.
Don't hesitate to give us a call at 973-425-1774 or send an email to betty.foundationforlearning@gmail.com for a free consultation.
Best regards,
Betty
January 2018 Test Schedule
Mark your calendar for the latest test dates.
Best Young Adult Books of 2017
Below find some of the best books for young adults published in 2017. You’ll note familiar names and some much anticipated returns. With a long winter on our doorstep, these are books that you might want to gather up to get you and your teen through the season’s inevitable cabin fever.
The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage by Philip Pullman
Philip Pullman returns to the parallel world of his groundbreaking novel The Golden Compass to expand on the story of Lyra, "one of fantasy's most indelible characters." (The New York Times Magazine)
Malcolm Polstead is the kind of boy who noticed everything, but he himself was not noticed. And so perhaps it was inevitable that he would become a spy….
Malcolm's parents run an inn called Trout, on the banks of the river Thames, and all of Oxford passes through its doors. Malcolm and his daemon, Asta, routinely overhear news and gossip, and the occasional scandal, but during a winter of unceasing rain, Malcolm catches wind of something new: intrigue.
He finds a secret message inquiring about a dangerous substance called Dust—and the spy it was intended for finds him.
When she asks Malcolm to keep his eyes open, he sees suspicious characters everywhere: the explorer Lord Asriel, clearly on the run; enforcement agents from the Magisterium; a gyptian named Coram with warnings just for Malcolm; and a beautiful woman with an evil monkey for a daemon. All are asking about the same thing: a girl—just a baby—named Lyra.
Lyra is the kind of person who draws people in like magnets. Malcolm will brave any danger and make shocking sacrifices to bring her safely through the storm.
The Backstagers by James Tynion
When Jory transfers to an all-boys' private high school, he’s taken in by the only ones who don’t treat him like a new kid, the lowly stage crew known as the Backstagers. Not only does he gain great, lifetime friends, he is also introduced to an entire magical world that lives beyond the curtain. With the unpredictable twists and turns of the underground world, the Backstagers venture into the unknown, determined to put together the best play their high school has ever seen.
Akata Warrior by Nnedi Okorafor
A year ago, Sunny Nwazue, an American-born girl Nigerian girl, was inducted into the secret Leopard Society. As she began to develop her magical powers, Sunny learned that she had been chosen to lead a dangerous mission to avert an apocalypse, brought about by the terrifying masquerade, Ekwensu. Now, stronger, feistier, and a bit older, Sunny is studying with her mentor Sugar Cream and struggling to unlock the secrets in her strange Nsibidi book.
Eventually, Sunny knows she must confront her destiny. With the support of her Leopard Society friends, Orlu, Chichi, and Sasha, and of her spirit face, Anyanwu, she will travel through worlds both visible and invisible to the mysteries town of Osisi, where she will fight a climactic battle to save humanity.
Far From the Tree by Robin Benway
Being the middle child has its ups and downs. But for Grace, an only child who was adopted at birth, discovering that she is a middle child is a different ride altogether. After putting her own baby up for adoption, she goes looking for her biological family including-
Maya, her loudmouthed younger biological sister, who has a lot to say about their newfound family ties. Having grown up the snarky brunette in a house full of chipper redheads, she’s quick to search for traces of herself among these not-quite-strangers. And when her adopted family’s long-buried problems begin to explode to the surface, Maya can’t help but wonder where exactly it is that she belongs.
Joaquin, their stoic older biological brother, who has no interest in bonding over their shared biological mother. After seventeen years in the foster care system, he’s learned that there are no heroes, and secrets and fears are best kept close to the vest, where they can’t hurt anyone but him.
A Face Like Glass by Frances Hardinge
In the underground city of Caverna, the world’s most skilled craftsmen toil in the darkness to create delicacies beyond compare—wines that remove memories, cheeses that make you hallucinate, and perfumes that convince you to trust the wearer, even as they slit your throat. On the surface, the people of Caverna seem ordinary, except for one thing: their faces are as blank as untouched snow. Expressions must be learned, and only the famous Facesmiths can teach a person to express (or fake) joy, despair, or fear—at a steep price. Into this dark and distrustful world comes Neverfell, a girl with no memory of her past and a face so terrifying to those around her that she must wear a mask at all times. Neverfell's expressions are as varied and dynamic as those of the most skilled Facesmiths, except hers are entirely genuine. And that makes her very dangerous indeed.
Turtles All the Way Down by John Green
Sixteen-year-old Aza never intended to pursue the mystery of fugitive billionaire Russell Pickett, but there’s a hundred-thousand-dollar reward at stake and her Best and Most Fearless Friend, Daisy, is eager to investigate. Together, they navigate the short distance and broad divides that separate them from Russell Pickett’s son, Davis.
Aza is trying. She is trying to be a good daughter, a good friend, a good student, and maybe even a good detective, while also living within the ever-tightening spiral of her own thoughts.
The Pearl Thief by Elizabeth Wein
When fifteen-year-old Julia Beaufort-Stuart wakes up in the hospital, she knows the lazy summer break she'd imagined won't be exactly what she anticipated. And once she returns to her grandfather's estate, a bit banged up but alive, she begins to realize that her injury might not have been an accident. One of her family's employees is missing, and coincidentally he disappeared on the very same day she landed in the hospital.
Desperate to figure out what happened, she befriends Euan McEwen, the Scottish Traveller boy who found her when she was injured, and his standoffish sister, Ellen. As Julie grows closer to this family, she witnesses firsthand some of the prejudices they've grown used to-a stark contrast to her own upbringing-and finds herself exploring thrilling new experiences that have nothing to do with a missing-person investigation.
Her memory of that day returns to her in pieces, and when a body is discovered, her new friends are caught in the crosshairs of long-held biases about Travelers. Julie must get to the bottom of the mystery in order to keep them from being framed for the crime.
Here I Am, Stuck In the Winter With You
Wondering what to do when you're stuck inside this winter? Here are 10 great ideas to get you unstuck.
Plan your Summer Vacation
This is the perfect time to daydream, surf the net, start making those plans!
Make Candy
There are many easy recipes online and videos to guide you, if needed. Pick an afternoon and create sweet treats along with sweet memories.
PJ Day
Put on your most comfy pjs, gather your cozy blankets, pick up that book you’ve been wanting to get to, or the stack of magazines just waiting for your free time. Do some serious lounging for a day!
Go all out and make an awesome breakfast
French toast, cocoa, omelets, pancakes, treat yourself to a special meal to start your day.
Build a Fort
Gather together a few chairs, pillows, plenty of blankets or quilts and transform your living room into a fun fort!
Catch up with out-of-town friends and family
Skype, Facetime and other connection apps make it easy to stay in touch. Set aside some time and reconnect!
Redecorate
Rearrange the furniture, hang your pictures and posters in different places, make new curtains. It’s fun and will give you a fresh new space without having to spend a lot of money.
Build an Indoor Obstacle Course
Use pillows, furniture, toys and burn off some of that pent-up energy.
Have a Dance Party
Enjoy those albums and playlists you’ve collected. Turn it up loud and dance away!
Get Creative and Make Something
Paper crafts, jewelry making, sewing and painting instructions can be found online to suit most any whim. You can also check out Joann’s, Michael’s, Hobby Lobby, or other craft stores for great ideas.
