CHANGE - it never seems easy, and for most of us it is associated with a negative connotation. This school year has begun with changes, some that have been time consuming and difficult, but other changes have been refreshing and more evidently beneficial.

Two books I've recently read involve characters confronted with changes: Cinder, by Marissa Meyer, and Flying the Dragon, by Natalie Dias Lorenzi. Both involve young people who are faced with big changes to their circumstances, and they don't like it! But as all who go through changes learn, with difficulty comes growth and opportunity to better oneself. (By the way, Cinder is a current Lone Star book and Flying the Dragon is on this year's Bluebonnet nominee list).

Changes sometimes involve the unknown, so maybe that's one reason we don't (or do) like change! The theme of this year's Teen Read Week is "Seek the Unknown at Your Library!" I'd like to challenge students to read a genre of book they've never read before, exploring something new, even though it may be a change for them.

CHANGE - it can be good! Sometimes I handle it well, sometimes not so well, but it's common ground in the human experience. As the unknown continues to come, I want it to be a growth for good and an opportunity for positive experiences. I hope that's the same for you. Seek the unknown and see what unexpected and amazing things can happen!