Cedar Mill Library Podcasts

Our teen council talks about what makes a good book to movie adaptation.  In the age of streaming, is it better to adapt a book into a tv show?  Which teen books  need to get adapted next? Books and movies that get talked about are: Percy Jackson Harry Potter Hunger Games Throne of Glass Project Hail Mary This discussion was recorded on May 19, 2025

Deep into the school year, our teen council is immersed in school competitions for Model UN and their a capella group among other things. There is loads of homework as well. Listen to our crew discuss what they've been working on and how they do their best studying.  Do they listen to music?  Does it matter where they sit? And what to do about the distraction that is the phone.  Listen to the discussion about these topics and more.  Our teen council recorded the latest edition of Chowder Chat on April 14, 2025.

The teen council discusses the new Hunger Games book, Sunrise on the Reaping. Learn what they are looking forward to in the new book, which book is their favorite in the series and how far each of them think they would go in the Hunger Games.  Hint, most of them think hiding is a good idea.  Recorded on March 10, 2025.

The teen council kicks off their book club by reading and discussion Cinder by Marissa Meyer.  Is it a dystopian novel or a unique mix of scifi and fantasy? Does the familiarity of the Cinderella story make it more engaging or take away from the story? Should you read the sequals? Listen to this discussion to see what we thought. Other titles discussed are: Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini No No Boy by John Okada Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare Renegades by Marissa Meyer

The Teen Library Council chatted with members of the Youthline organization about their work with teens in crisis on January 13th, 2025. Genevieve and Monica explain what a peer to peer crisis line for teens is like, what their goals are, and how teens can volunteer with them if interested. You can find more info about Youthline at https://www.theyouthline.org/  Some of the other resources mentioned are below. 988 - https://988lifeline.org/ The Trevor Project - https://www.thetrevorproject.org/ Trans Lifeline - https://translifeline.org/ Black Line - https://www.callblackline.com/  

The Teen Council discusses their top reads of the year, what they are reading currently and what they are thankful for. Books discussed are: Cinder Daughter of the Deep 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Throne of Glass Court of Thorns and Roses (for older teens and adults) Amulet graphic novel Orphan X by Gregg Hurwitz (for older teens and adults) Slaughterhouse 5 (for older teens and adults) One House Left by Vincent Ralph Dune (for older teens and adults) Great Gatsby (for older teens and adults)

Our new season of Chowder Chat kicks off with a discussion of our teen council's favorite creepy books, movies and TV shows.  They also talk about library events, favorite Halloween memories and what they are currently reading. Some books mentioned are for older teens or adults. Books discussed are: Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson It by Stephen King Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz Severance by Ling Ma Roald Dahl's Book of Ghost Stories Goosebumps Westfallen by Ann Brashares The Watch That Ends the Night by Allan Wolf Babel by RF Kuang Dune by Frank Herbert

Three recent college graduates talked about their college experiences on June 6th, 2024.  They answered questions and shared their thoughts on how to handle homework, managing your own schedule, how to make friends, what to bring and what to leave at home among other things.

The Teen Council discusses what they have planned for the summer along with books they think are good summer reads and books that they are looking forward to reading. Don't forget to participate in our summer reading challenge too! https://librarycedarmill.beanstack.com/  Books mentioned in this episode. Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood Piecing Me Together by Renée Watson Squire by Sara Alfageeh Ander and Santi Were Here by Jonny Garza Villa When the Ground is Hard by Malla Nunn 14 Ways to Die by Vincent Ralph Nanny Wanted by Lizzie Barber Dead of Night by Simon Scarrow Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz This Book Kills  Dry by Neil Shusterman Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days Wool series Scythe by Neal Shusterman

The teen council discusses the book, We Are Not From Here by Jenny Torres Sanchez, which is one of the books in our Mark Oshiro reading challenge this month. Hear their reactions to this intense story about young Guatamalan immigrants in this recording. Other books discussed were: Lessons in Chemistry Lord of the Flies The Cost of Knowing Macbeth

The teen council met on March 11th to talk about what they've been reading and watching lately. Find out what they recommend this month and get ready for the Mark Oshiro reading challenge next month. News: Teen Art Contest ends on March 30th The Mark Oshiro Reading Challenge starts on April 1st Recommended reads: House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal Shift by Hugh Howey Recommended TV shows: Lupin on Netflix (rated for adults) Friends Community Next month's read: We Are Not From Here by Jenny Sanchez Torres  

The teen council met in February 2024 to discuss their favorite recent reads by Black authors.  Books discussed are: Legendborn by Tracy Deonn Piecing Me Together by Renée Watson Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds Dangerous Ones by Lauren Blackwood (publishes in May 2024) Cameron Battle and the Hidden Kingdoms by Jamar Perry Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

On January 8, 2024, the Teen Library Council interviewed the student writing group, Ad Meliora. They talk about what writing contests they have and the workshops they teach.  They also share some of their favorite reads. Ad Meliora website Books discussed: Babel Minor Feelings Pachinko Homegoing Anne of Green Gables Lie Tree Eragon and Murtaugh One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Grace of Kings Poppy War

The Cedar Mill & Bethany Teen Council discusses some of their favorite winter reads and holiday movies as they prepare for Winter Break 2023.  Join our Winter Reading Challenge Books discussed are: Monster Orphan Spy by Matt Killeen Night Circus by Erin Morgensten (book for adults) Love in Winter Wonderland by A Bello Wool by Hugh Howey (book for adults) A Dance with Dragons by George RR Martin (book for adults) Mistletoe Promise by Richard Paul Evans (made for adults) Movies discussed are: Anastasia Home Alone How the Grinch Stole Christmas Horton Hears a Who California Christmas Christmas Chronicles  

Teen council dives into all things Hunger Games: Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes as we eagerly await the movie to come out.  We also discuss books with many narrators and how these can be somewhat confusing unless handled well.  There are many things we are thankful for this year, which we discuss as well. Don't miss our tips for students studying for AP and IB tests (Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate). Books and websites discussed: Winter Reading Poet X - Elizabeth Acevedo RevisionDojo IB (help with IB testing) Guest List - Lucy Foley A Game of Thrones - George Martin Shadow and Bone - Leigh Bardugo Kahn Academy  Dry - Neil Shusterman Long Way Down - Jason Reynolds Infernal Devices - Cassandra Clare Cat Farris presentation Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes - Suzanne Collins

Find out more about your child’s literacy development and their progress towards becoming an independent reader. Learn how the Science of Reading can help you support your child’s literacy development in Kindergarten through 3rd grade. Presented by Rachell Keys. Rachell Keys is a School Psychologist currently working for the Northwest Regional Education Service District. Over the past twenty years she has worked to improve literacy outcomes in Oregon and nationally. She has pursued her passion to help all kids become successful readers in a variety of ways. Rachell taught courses on reading instruction at Portland State University, worked as the Literacy Coordinator for the Tigard-Tualatin School District, supported schools in Oregon as part of the Reading First initiative and tutored individual students during the pandemic.  This recording is part of our 2023 Parent Information Series. Slides of the presentation are available on our website.

Chowder Chat is back with an episode about some favorite spooky shows along with a few books. We'll cover Stranger Things, Locke & Key, Sawkill Girls, Percy Jackson and more.  Hear about some upcoming events and some of our favorite things to do in October.

The teen council discusses books for Pride, what they are looking forward to this summer, and what they've been reading lately.  This is the last episode for this school year. Titles and events discussed: In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé Across the Spiderverse and the soundtrack Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Oppenheimer Guardians of the Galaxy 3 Song: Best Day of My Life by American Authors Singer Lizzie McAlpine Her song Ceilings Freedom Festival in Portland Kesha Ajose Fisher Kim Johnson What we're reading: Verify by Joelle Charbonneau Fahrenheit 541 by Ray Bradbury Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi    

This month, we talk about study tips and mental health, two closely related subjects for many teens, particularly this time of year (Spring). We also talk about our recent reads. Books discussed are: Legendborn by Tracy Deonn Animal Farm by George Orwell Educated by Tara Westover The Likeness by Tana French Farrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

New York Times bestselling Young Adult author Ellie Marney joins the Teen Council via Zoom from Australia to discuss her books and the writing process. This interview took place on April 10, 2023. Ellie Marney is a crime writer and author of None Shall Sleep, The Killing Code, and many other series and standalones. Her newest book, the second installment of the None Shall Sleep series– Some Shall Break– will be released in June 2023. Marney has lived in many places around the world including Indonesia, India and Singapore– but now she lives in Australia with her family. To promote Australian women authors, she helped create the LoveOzYAbookclub and advocates for others to help them find their voice. You can find her at elliemarney.com or @elliemarney on Instagram and Twitter!   Authors and books mentioned in this podcast: Steig Larrson Lee Childs Susan Hill Nightbirds by Kate Armstrong