Teen Review: K-Drama - Doctors

Review by Tasmia, member of the Cedarbrae Youth Advisory Group

This K-Drama really intrigued me because of its unique plot. Here's a short summer to start it off. Doctors is the story of Yoo Hye-Jung (Park Shin-Hye), a young high school student who has a tough life. It revolves around her difficult family situation as Yoo Hye-Jung was left with her grandmother because her parents did not want to deal with her. Her life became even tougher as her grandmother dies, because a doctor purposely killed her. Yoo Hye-Jung then vowed to avenge her grandmother’s death and studied very hard to become a doctor as well. She then started to work in the same hospital as the man who killed her grandmother in order to slowly get revenge and that is when the adventure starts, with of course a huge love triangle, which causes more feuds.

Staff Picks: Spill Zone

   Scott Westerfeld is famous for his Uglies and Pretties series. In his new book he ventures into unknown territory with his first graphic novel, words by Westerfeld and art by Alex Puvilland and illustrations by Hilary Sycamore. 

This graphic novels finds us in Poughkeepsie N.Y., where three years prior to the action an event took place that has forever altered this little town. Strange manifestations and things out of the ordinary are what await anyone in what is now known as the "spill zone". Addison's parents were claimed by the spill leaving her in charge of her younger sister who was a witness and has not spoken a word since. And even though the area is dangerous Addison keeps sneaking back in with her camera in order to gather information as what is happening there is not normal.

Cats that can talk, strange zombie like creatures, and humans who just levitate in the air. The military won't talk about what the problem is, but Addison wants to uncover the truth. Was it aliens? A chemical attack? What?

You can borrow this book here. Or from overdrive with an appropriate e-book read

Teen Review: The House of the Scorpion

Review by Prayash, member of the Dawes Road Youth Advisory Group

The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer is an extremely thought-provoking story. It is about an individual who faces many challenges in his life, including the sense of marginalization and his own identity being viciously judged by others. The main character, Matteo Alacrán, is a clone. He was brought to life by scientists who made him only to use his organs for transplanting them into his original “owner", who also happened to be a powerful drug lord in Mexico. Matteo's life story wasn't supposed to be a long one. He lived in a dark abandoned shed, never to have seen daylight. He had never experienced a life outside of his own area, and was far from understanding basic human characteristics. After all, there wasn't really a point. He was only made to be used.

Teen Review: The Shining

Review by Fahim, member of the Dawes Road Youth Advisory Group

The Shining is one of the greatest horror novels of all time. It is written by Stephen King who has written many other horror novels. This is a fiction novel based on a real life event. Stephen King once spent a night at the Stanley hotel in Estes Colorado. While sleeping he had nightmares which inspired him to write this story.

This book is especially scary because Stephen King used the mind of Danny, a kid, instead of using the mind of Jack or Wendy, who are the adults. Tony, who is Danny’s imaginary friend, shows him horrific visions of dead people and provides gory details. Stephen King could have chosen Tony, Jack’s imaginary friend or Wendy’s imaginary friend but he chose Danny instead.

Teen Review - Chasing Coral

Review by Shree, member of the Cedarbrae Youth Advisory Group

Going into the theatre, I did not know what to expect. I was thinking this was going to be just like any other documentary, except about coral – a topic that does not really come up very often in everyday conversation. Minutes before the screening started, I was sitting among at least 2,000-3,000 other high school students under the dim lights of the humongous theatre hall, trying to relate to global warming, and climate change with beautiful and colourful coral that I had only known were found in Australia in the Great Barrier Reef until then – it was not until the movie ended that I became a bit more knowledgeable about coral.

Teen Review: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

Review by Sharoon, member of the Cedarbrae Youth Advisory Group

The movie Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 was released in May of 2017. This movie is the sequel to the very successful first movie that was released in 2014. This movie follows this group known as the Guardians of the Galaxy travelling around the universe as they try to help Peter Quill learn about the mysteries about his parents.

The real story begins as the Guardians get on the nerves of this race known as the Sovereign, after Rocket Raccoon steals batteries from them. This leads to the Sovereign going after them, but luckily they are saved by Ego. Peter learns the truth about his family as he figures out that he has Celestial powers.

Summer Volunteer Opportunity for Teens: Reading Buddies

Summer Volunteer Opportunity for Teens!

Do you need to get your 40 hours?
Are you between the ages of 13 and 19?
Do you enjoy reading and would like to work with children to help them develop a love of books and stories?
Volunteer with Reading Buddies!

To join you must be available for these dates and times:
Fridays August 4, 11, 18 and 25, 2-3:30 pm

Pick up your Registration Package at Don Mills Branch or call 416-395-5710 for more information.

Space is limited so sign up soon!

Teen Review: The Good Is Still Alive

 

Review by Asifa, member of the Cedarbrae Youth Advisory Group

A "nasheed" could be translated into “an Islamic song”. However the difference between nasheeds and songs is that while songs have musical instruments playing, nasheeds are vocals only. Also, nasheeds focuses on Islamic beliefs, etiquettes character etc. The particular nasheed I have chosen makes a person feel comforted and happier since it talks about (as the title suggests) how the good in the world is still out there. It also encourages a person to look at the goodness in the world, stating that the world cannot put you down so stand up to look at the world's beauty. The message is also to be an example that is noble and affects people positively. Personally this is a nasheed I like to listen to (on repeat) often when I’m doing my work or just sitting around since it’s a short but sweet message for everyone. 

Teen Review: Scott Pilgrim

Review by Matthew, member of the Cedarbrae Youth Advisory Group

In the mysterious land of Toronto, Canada, Scott Pilgrim is just living his precious little life. He’s in a rock band, “between jobs”, and dating a cute high school girl. Everything is fantastic until he comes across the girl of his dreams (literally), Ramona Flowers. He wants Ramona, but the path to her isn’t covered in rose petals. She has seven evil ex-boyfriends, and they will challenge Scott one by one for the right to date her. Can Scott beat the bad guys and get the girl without having to turn his precious little life upside down?

Teen Review: Beauty and the Beast

Review by Naomi, member of the Cedarbrae Youth Advisory Group

We’ve all heard the story of Beauty and the Beast. It’s a Disney classic and loved by many children around the world. The story tells of a charming prince who was turned into a huge beast and falls in love with a sweet village girl, which reverses his curse and turns him back into his original form.

Just recently, this wonderful Disney tale was made into a blockbuster movie that received a lot of love. Emma Watson, one of my favourite actors, starred in the movie. I took the time to go watch it with my family; I had very high expectations. However I felt that the movie wasn’t so great.