More About Fanboy and Goth Girl

The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl by Barry Lyga (release date: 10/2/06)

So, a few days ago, I did a post saying that I know nothing about this book but that I liked the title. Then, today I get this email:

Hi, Gretchen.
I hope it's not too weird for me to contact you like this out of the blue, but when I was looking at some web stats on the site tonight, your blog showed up as a link, and I was curious, so I clicked, and well...I wanted to thank you personally for your kind words. I feel bad that you only have the title to go on, though! I have a spare copy of the ARC for the book, and I'd be happy to send it to you, if you like. Just let me know.
Best,Barry

Woohoo! How cool is that?? So a copy of the book will be arriving sometime soon to give me an actual informed opinion. I promise to loan it out to interested people, too! I really do love the title, and the cover art is fantastic!

Fall Schedule...the Blog Version!

We have tons of cool stuff going on this fall!! Program brochures are available now at the library. Here is the list of events if you want a sneak peek:

WEEKLY PROGRAMS

Comic Book/Graphic Novel Discussion Group
Tuesdays, September 26 to October 31
4:00 to 6:00 pm
Get free comic books and graphic novels, and talk about them with other fans! This group will be lead by a local comic book store owner.
Participants must attend all six sessions.
Space is limited to 20 participants.
Registration begins September 5.

Trading Card Game Club
Every Monday, except holidays
3:30 to 5:00 pm
Do you play any TCGs, especially Yu-Gi-Oh? This club has been going strong for two years, and they always welcome new members.
Players provide their own gaming materials.
Permission slip required.
Registration is ongoing.

Knitting Club
Tuesdays, November 14 to December 19
3:45 to 4:45 pm
You may not be a Hollywood star, but you can learn to knit like one. Join this trendy club and make your own accessories. Beginning and experienced knitters are welcome.
All materials provided.
For students in grades 7 to 12 only.
Registration begins October 9.


SPECIAL PROGRAMS

SP Night
Friday, September 29, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Bring your GameBoy Advance or GameBoy Advance SP, your cords to link up, games, and game books. There will be a single-elimination Pokemon tournament during the event, with the finalists dueling on the big screen.
Permission slip required.
Registration begins September 5.

Teen Read Week Book Swap and Read-In
Saturday, October 21, from 12:30 to 4:30 pm
The Teen Advisory Board invites you to Get Active @ Your Library during Teen Read Week! Join us to swap books, read, listen to music, win prizes, and, of course, eat good food.
Registration begins September 25.

Dracula Party
Friday, October 27, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Since the release of Twlight by Stephenie Meyer, vampire-mania has reigned at our library! Join the TAB to celebrate these mythical creatures of the night with games, music, movie clips, and more. Prizes will be awarded for best vampire costume.
Registration begins September 25.

Word Game Night
Friday, November 10, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Are you a reader? A writer? A quick thinker? Test your brain at our competitive word game event.
Registration begins October 9.

DIY Bead Jewelry
Friday, December 1, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Get in touch with your creative side. Come make gifts for friends and family members...or yourself!
Registration begins October 30.

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Party and Craft
Wednesday, December 27, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm
The final book will be released on January 7, 2007, so we have to celebrate the Sisterhood. We will make jean-leg pillows and have lots of fun! Love the pants!
All materials provided.
Registration begins November 27.

Yu-Gi-Oh Tournament
Friday, December 29, from 6:00 to 8:30 pm
Prepare your deck for our winter Yu-Gi-Oh Tournament! Compete in a single-elimination tournament to win prizes.
Players provide their own gaming materials.
Only 32 slots available.
Permission slip required.
Registration begins November 27.


BOOK DISCUSSION GROUPS

Free books and free food. What could be better!? Each month, the group votes on a book, the library buys them each a copy, and we get together to discuss it over some snacks.

Middle School (Grades 7 & 8)
Every third Friday from 3:30 to 5:00 pm
Fall Meetings: September 15, October 20, November 17, and December 15
Participants must register one month before attending.

High School (Grades 9 to 12)
Every first Friday from 3:30 to 5:00 pm
Fall Meetings: September 1, October 6, November 3, and December 1.
Participants must register one month before attending.


TEEN ADVISORY BOARD

The TAB is a group of students in grades 8 to 12 who help choose teen books, assist in planning and presenting events, help raise money for teen programs and projects, and generally have a lot of fun! The TAB meets two Sunday afternoons a month from 2:00 to 4:00 pm, and other days as needed for specific projects. This group is accepting a limited number of new members. If you want to be an active part of what happens at the library, pick up an application for the TAB at the children’s circulation desk!

Teen Beat Prizes for Everyone!

The Teen Beat participation prizes are ready to be picked up at the summer reading table in the Children's Library. Each bag contains 1 silly rubber duckie, 1 random animal keychain, a blog flyer, a bookmark, and the fall schedule. Come in and get yours now for the best selection!!

Fanboy and Goth Girl

The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl is an upcoming release (October 2, 2006) by Barry Lyga. I love the title enough that I am telling you to read this book even though I don't know much about it! Basically, it answers the question, "What happens when a 15-year-old comic book geek meets the girl of his nightmares?" If you want to know more, check out this VidLit video, read an excerpt, or look at an interview with the author.

Book Review: A Fast and Brutal Wing

A Fast and Brutal Wing by Kathleen Jeffrie Johnson

SUMMARY: Niki, her brother Emmet, and their friend Doug narrate the somewhat fantastical story via journal entries, e-mails, and newspaper clippings. What REALLY happened on Halloween night in the woods when all three teens awakened to find themselves naked and bloody? As the plot disjointedly unfolds, readers gradually learn that the siblings' father left the family two years earlier, supposedly with his mistress. When their mother begins dating the famous, secretive, and somewhat sinister author Nicholas Slanger, he disappears as well. Puzzle pieces begin to fall into place as readers realize that Emmet has since been institutionalized and Niki claims that she is able to transform into a cat, while her brother can turn into a hawk. (excerpted from the SLJ review)

OPINION: This story is very open-ended and subject to the interpretation of the reader, which makes it a very engaging read. It is told from multiple points of view, each with their own position about the truth of what happened that Halloween night. Whom should the reader believe? Is anyone telling the truth? Or are they all misguided, or even crazy? This creepy, mysterious, disturbing book will keep you guessing until the very end.

COMPARISON: The vagueness of the storytelling reminded me somewhat of The Body of Christopher Creed by Carol Plum-Ucci.

Book Review: Happy Kid!

Happy Kid! by Gail Gauthier

SUMMARY: To Kyle, Bert P. Trotts Middle School is "the gateway to hell.'' All he wants is to get through seventh grade unnoticed. Since he's infamous for an incident with a screwdriver on the bus in sixth grade that was blown way out of proportion by the administration, and he has been placed in accelerated classes, he has lost all of his friends. On the night before school starts, his mother gives him a book to help him counteract his negativity, claiming that Happy Kid: A Young Person's Guide to Satisfying Relationships and a Happy and Meaning-filled Life just screamed his name when she saw it. But the book seems to have a plan of its own, falling open to the parts that are pertinent to the zany situations that Kyle finds himself in, although sometimes offering advice that makes his life more complicated. (excerpted from the SLJ review)

OPINION: Middle school is a time when most people are focused on themselves, while at the same time attaching supreme importance to socializing. People are selfish, yet clique-ish. Basically everyone wants relationships, but few people are mature enought to have really good ones! This book does a great job of reflecting this reality of middle school in a humorous way. It is not a depressing teen issue book. Kyle attaches a mystical power to the revelations from the Happy Kid! book and actually tries to do what is says. But only if it will get Chelsea to like him...

RANDOM INFORMATION: This book has one of the best character names ever: "Moo" Kowsz.