By Carole Howard and the Library Staff

Nothing succeeds like success – especially when students are involved.

That adage is being proven again, this time in an area called Meagan’s Place to the immediate right of the front door in the library. Meagan’s Place, a special space created two years ago, is devoted entirely to books and games of interest to early teens in the sixth through ninth grades.

At its inception, materials in Meagan’s Place were chosen primarily by a sixth grade committee of students. Their input was so useful that those sixth graders have continued to serve as advisers as they moved forward into higher grades, and now there are committees representing the seventh, eighth and ninth grades.

This year’s new sixth grade committee is made up of Devyn Doctor, 12, daughter of Veronica and Anthony Doctor, and Colton Polczynski, 11, son of Evette and Eric Polczynski. Both are avid readers. They each have created lists of their personal favorites – books they have enjoyed and think would be good for other kids as well.

If any books that Devyn and Colton recommend are not currently available at Meagan’s Place, they will be purchased through a special grant from an anonymous benefactor. He created this space at the library to be a living memorial to 12-year-old Meagan, his granddaughter, who died tragically in Ohio almost four years ago. Also, if a book on Devyn’s or Colton’s list is so well-read or old that it is in bad condition, a new copy will be purchased.

“Our library is a safe haven and valuable learning center for Pagosa’s youth after school,” said Jackie Welch, Sisson Library director. “Children’s programs at the library are a foundation for literacy, an issue that becomes even more important as schools’ budgets are strained.”

Meagan’s Place is gaining popularity among the Pagosa youth for whom it was created. It is not uncommon on an after-school afternoon to see the area being enjoyed by readers, kids playing games or chatting quietly in the corner – or all three. A major advantage to Meagan’s Place is that all books appropriate for this age group are easily accessible in one area of the library.

The furniture in Meagan’s Place undoubtedly adds to the attraction. The area has a homey atmosphere because it is furnished with comfortable chairs and a couch, plus tables more reminiscent of a living room than a study area.

“One the best things about Meagan’s Place is the input from the student committees,” Jackie said. “Their involvement ensures the books are relevant to their lives and interesting enough to attract more teens to take advantage of the treasures in our library.”

New fiction for youth

Recent additions to the library’s collection for seventh graders and older include “Extras” and “Specials” by Scott Westerfeld, both books in the bestselling “Uglies” series. “The Daring Book for Girls” by Andrea J. Buchanan and Miriam Peskowitz, aimed at third through seventh grade, is billed as “a no-boys-allowed book for every girl with an independent spirit.”

Help for those in abusive relationships

“In Love and in Danger” by Barrie Levy is a teen’s guide to breaking free of abusive relationships – and helpful for parents of teens as well. It is also available in Spanish as “Jovenes, Enamorados y en Peligro.” A bilingual book written especially for Latinas involved in physically or emotionally abusive relationships is “Major Sola Que Mal Accompanada” by Myrna M. Zambrano.

Non-fiction: history and health

“American Creation: Triumphs and Tragedies at the Founding of the Republic” by Pulitzer Prize winner Joseph J. Ellis takes us through the decisive issues of America’s founding and illuminates the lives of leaders including Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Hamilton and Adams. “Staying Young: The Owner’s Manual for Extending Your Warranty” by Doctors Michael F. Roizen and Mehmet C. Oz is about aging gracefully, another in the bestselling “You” series. “Pain Control: Understanding and Managing Cancer Pain” is a revised edition of this helpful guide by the American Cancer Society.

Christian fiction

“Home to Holly Springs” by Jan Karon is the first of the Father Tim novels.

Books making headlines

“Fair Game: My Life as a Spy, My Betrayal by the White House” is Valerie Plame Wilson’s story of being outed as a CIA officer in the case that convicted Vice President Cheney’s chief aide. “Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy” tells of the remarkable response by the Amish community to the horrific shooting of 10 Pennsylvania schoolgirls by Donald B. Kraybill, Steven M. Nolt and David L. Weaver-Zercher.

Large-print westerns

Two large-print western full-length novels are “Betrayal of the Mountain Man” by William W. Johnstone and “Pecos Crossing” by Elmer Kelton. Trios of shorter western novels are contained in “Hawks and Eagles” and “Treasure Well,” both by Max Brand. “The Brass and the Blue” is a frontier story by Will Cook. These westerns plus 19 more have just arrived at the library as a result of an incredible bargain buy by library director Jackie Welch, who knows well how many of our patrons – especially male seniors – enjoy reading large-print westerns.

Latest from bestselling authors

“The Bancroft Strategy” is the latest thriller by Robert Ludlam. “Amazing Grace” by Danielle Steel is about the lives of four young women in the aftermath of the San Francisco earthquake. “Creation in Death” features Lt. Eve Dallas in this new crime story by Nora Roberts, writing as J. D. Robb. It also is available as a large-print book.

Thanks to our donors

For contributions to The Giving Tree, we thank Anne Allison, Sally Hanson, Susan McAdams and anonymous donors. Special thanks also to Lenore Bright for her gift in memory of Elaine Heitkamp, to the Mountain View Homemakers Club for the purchase of children’s books, to Pam Spitler for a one-year gift subscription to Trail Rider Magazine, and to Peter Welch for the donation of a Nintendo Wii console, controllers and games.

For books and materials this week we thank Caroleen Arbuthrot, Susan Baker, Linda Commons, Joyce Ryan, Susan Smith and Newell Wright.

Quotable quote

“Show me a kid who loves to read – I don’t care of it’s a comic book, a science fiction novel, or a book about the history of dinosaurs – and I’ll show you a kid who’s going to do well in life.” -- Auto executive Lee Iacocca in his autobiography.

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