New Shelf!

In an effort to better organize the teen materials, we have a new shelf! It is located against the doors in the teen corner. I had to move the beanbags upstairs, but I think the sacrifice was totally worth it. The new shelf now has all of the teen magazines, comic books, and nonfiction on it. I even have space on top for a display, and, just for you juniors, I put up books on vocabulary building, college essays, and career advice. The cart that was in the room is now gone, which is very helpful when you are trying to actually enter the area. Come check out the new look!

Book Review: Hero-Type

Hero-Type by Barry Lyga

(Click on the cover to see which libraries own it.)

SUMMARY: Everyone is treating Kevin as a hero because he was in the right place at the right time and saved a girl from being murdered. Only Kevin knows the real reason why he was there to save her. Things get even more complicated when Kevin is seen removing two patriotic “Support the Troops” ribbons from his car bumper. Now the town that lauded him as a hero turns on him, calling him unpatriotic. Kevin, who hadn't thought much about it up to then, becomes politcially engaged, suddenly questioning what exactly supporting the troops or even saying the pledge of allegiance every day means. Looking for the depth behind the hype, Kevin wrestles with what it really means to be a hero.

OPINION: This book takes place in the same town as Lyga's other books (Fanboy and Goth Girl; Boy Toy), and a few the characters from those stories make an cameo in this one, which I enjoyed. What I always appreciate about Barry Lyga's writing is the complexity of his characters. Kevin cannot be easily categorized as a hero, or a nerd, or an unpatriotic American, even though he gets labeled as such throughout the story. The reasons for Kevin's behavior are a believable combination of personal, family, and social issues. Kevin's group of friends, the Fools, add some humor to the story with their escapades as the self-appointed town jesters, but their Foolishness also sharpens Kevin's resolve to get to the heart of the issues. If you are already a fan of Barry Lyga, then look for this book at the library. And if you like stories that tackle social issues like Deadline by Chris Crutcher and the Larry books by Janet Tashijan, give this one a try!

Newest of the New

The books continue to flow out of processing and onto our shelves. Come check something out!

FICTION

• The Road of the Dead by Kevin Brooks
• Princess Forever by Met Cabot (Princess Diaries series)
• Princess Mia by Meg Cabot (Princess Diaries series)
• Repossessed by A. M. Jenkins
• The Missing Girl by Norma Fox Mazer
• The Magician by Michael Scott (Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series)
• The Beduins' Gazelle by Frances Temple
• The Boy in the Burning House by Tim Wynne-Jones
• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (replacement copy)

Book Review: Babylonne

Babylonne by Catherine Jinks

Review by Kaitlyn

Click on the book cover to see which libraries own it.

Babylonne was an amazing book! Catherine Jinks’ unique writing style made it so interesting to read. Jinks wrote in such a way that allows the reader to experience not only what the main character, Babylonne, is doing, but also thinking at that precise moment. It is written as though it is coming straight from Babylonne’s mind! Medieval lovers will love this book because it is set in the Middle Ages, during the time when those of the Cathar faith were persecuted by Catholics. Historical fiction lovers will especially love this book because it isn’t just based on a time period in history; Jinks actually incorporates some real historical figures into her story. The dangerous time period mixed with Babylonne’s own adventures and struggles with her own beliefs in what is right and wrong makes Babylonne an ideal book for adventure and historical fiction lovers alike. I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in these types of books, or anyone else who just needs a good book to read!

Book Swap & 80s Movies

Today, 13 teens came through our book swap and many stayed to watch UHF and Teen Wolf. A total of 36 books were swapped and a lot of food was eaten! Everyone seemed happy with their book selections, so happy reading! We will probably do this again in the spring.

One surprise was that Marissa stopped by to swap books and chat with me about her ideas for summer programs. The summer theme for 2009 is Express Yourself @ the Library, and it focuses on the arts. Marissa didn't know that, but her suggestions are perfect. She suggested jewelry making and fashion drawing already, and I'm sure she will come up with many other ideas before summer!

Princesses Forever!

Tonight, 16 teens came out to the TAB's Princess Party! We were technically celebrating the release of the final Princess Diaries book, but it was really just all about getting touch with your inner princess. We decorated cute cupcakes, watched the original Princess Diaries movie, ate sugary snacks (including hot tea in teacups), got our faces painted, and made funky beaded tiaras. It was pretty laid back. Laura won the costume contest and got a copy of Forever Princess, and Denise won the drawing for a tiara. Huge thanks to Mrs. H. for doing gorgeous face painting, to Katie for displaying her dolls, and to the Teen Advisory Board members for sponsoring the event!

Princesses kick @$$

All of Katie's crocheted princesses.

We had a variety of princesses at the party!

Princess practicing their royal waves.

What cute dolls!

Nice tiaras!

A cute picture, and check out the face painting!

Tiaras Fit for a Princess

On January 6, the last Princess Diaries book, Forever Princess, was published. To commemorate this event and raise money for the New York Public Library System, Meg Cabot planned a tiara auction! A variety of people contributed tiaras, including authors Judy Blume and Chris Van Allsburg, TV personality Mo Rocca, and even one by an actual princess. And they're not all traditional...check out Bobbi Brown's makeup tiara! Hurry up and place your bid because the auction ends on January 31.

If you can't afford them, try making your own:
Crystal Tiara
Beaded Tiara
Flowered Tiara