Recommendation: Here Lies the Librarian

Here Lies the Librarian by Richard Peck
(Click here to find a library copy.)

Recommendation by Saranjeet
Should we keep it?  YES
Why?  I definitely think we should keep this book because it keeps the reader interested.  Also, this book has a good story and will probably attract those who love cars.

This book was part of the Last Call book display in the teen section during November and December. Thanks to everyone who participated! If you still have slips, no worries.  Just bring them in by the end of January.

Board Game Day

Today, 24 people showed up for our winter board game day! Groups played all kinds of games, including Life, Apples to Apples, chess, checkers, and Scattergories.  A group even tried out my new random game Quelf, with rave reviews. 

The deal was that if a group played a game by the rules to the end, the winner would get a box of movie candy.  (For games like chess and checkers, you could only get candy once, even if you played multiple times.)  I gave away 26 boxes of candy, plus we ate our way through four bags of potato chips, several pounds of other candy, and a bunch of soda and lemonade! 

The best moments of the day included Saranjeet needing two cars to carry her family in Life, Owen naming one of his Life children "Ke$ha," Kathy singing "Rawhide" while waving her scarf in the air like a lasso, and Janae thinking McCain was a U.S. President.  I also had fun teaching a group how to play Scattergories with the rules.  And, thanks to Jasmine for bringing in Tutti Frutti...dinging that bell was a lot of fun!

If you like board games, we'll have them out at the Random-A-Thon in February.  Be sure to sign up!

Cute Calendar Girl Papercraft

This is one papercraft that will last you all year!  Make this cute cube calendar girl, and give her a new face every month in 2011.

Recommendation: A Friend at Midnight

A Friend at Midnight by Caroline B. Cooney

(Click here to find a library copy.)

Recommendation by Eliza

Should we keep it?  YES

Why?  This is a very insightful book; probably one of the best I've read, and I read a lot of books.

This book was part of the Last Call display in the teen section.  Eliza checked it out, read it, and filled out the bookmark with her recommendation.  You can do the same...there are a lot more books that need a boost from readers like you!  Just make sure you get to the library before December 30 to participate.

Craft Closet Cleanout

Last Wednesday, 16 people dropped by for our end-of-the-year Craft Closet Cleanout. We made tons of stuff at the program, and I even let people take things home.  I have a lot of old projects hanging around, so it's good to move them on! 

Crafts people made:

• An adorable (and easy) Christmas papercraft
• Painted bottle vases
• Robot keychains
• Beaded candy cane ornaments
• Safety pin bracelets
• Soda tab bracelets

Crafts people took home:

• Necktie belt
• Dog chew toy
• Washer zipper pull
• Beaded flower hairpins

Sorry you missed it? Look for Craft Closet Cleanout at the Random-A-Thon in February, as well as on the spring schedule.

 Painted bottle vases are still around from this summer, and still popular!

 Making safety pin bracelets took FOREVER.

Judy's awesome robot keychain--I love the heart!

Review: Thirteen Reasons Why

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

(Click here to find a library copy.)

SUMMARY:  Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a strange package with his name on it lying on his porch.  Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker--his classmate and crush--who committed suicide two weeks earlier.  Hannah's voice explains that there are thirteen reasons she decided to end her life.  Clay is one of them.  If he listens, he'll find out why.  Clay spends the night crisscrossing his town with Hannah as his guide.  He becomes a first-hand witness to Hannah's pain, and learns the truth about himself--a truth he never wanted to face.  (from the inside flap)

OPINION:  This book has been on my to-read list for several years and I finally checked it out of the library. I like to read realistic fiction with a psychological edge and this book definitely fit the bill.  As secret after secret is revealed on the tapes in the book, the reader experiences it from the points of view of both Hannah and Clay.  The layers of tension kept me reading, even though I had much more sympathy for Clay than Hannah.  I thought the structure of the book was a bit false, the audio tapes acting a bit too overtly as a device to tell Hannah's side of the story after her death.  However, that same weakness is what gives the reader insight into some of life's big questions, like why people commit suicide and what responsibility we bear for our own actions.  Ultimately, I think this is a good read for those interested in puzzling out the "whys" behind people's personalities and actions.  

SIMILAR READS:

• Deadline by Chris Crutcher
• If I Stay by Gayle Forman
• Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
• The Body of Christopher Creed by Carol Plum-Ucci

New Books, Continued

Another pile of books just turned up in my office, so look for these on the teen shelves:

FICTION

• Jason and Kyra by Dana Davidson (replacement copy)
• Played by Dana Davidson (replacement copy)
• Hustlin' by L. Diving (Drama High series; replacement copy)
• Second Chance by L. Diving (Drama High series; replacement copy)
• Seven Paths to Death by Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler
• Promise Kept by Stephanie Perry Moore (Perry Skky Jr. series)
• Staying Pure by Stephanie Perry Moore (Peyton Skky series; replacement copy)
• Sweetest Gift by Stephanie Perry Moore (Peyton Skky series; replacement copy)
• Fast Forward by Celeste O. Norfleet (Kimani Tru)
• Homeboyz by Alan Lawrence Sitomer (replacement copy)
• Crashed by Robin Wasserman

GRAPHIC NOVELS

• Vampire Knight, volume 11, by Matsuri Hino
• Bleach, volume 33, by Tite Kubo

NONFICTION

• No Choirboy:  Murder, Violence, and Teenagers on Death Row by Susan Kuklin

New Books Are Still Arriving!

Another giant pile of new books is coming through processing, so check out the latest:

• Blessings in Disguise by ReShonda Tate Billingsley (Good Girlz series)
• Fair-Weather Friends by ReShonda Tate Billingsley (Good Girlz series)
• Nothing but Drama by ReShonda Tate Billingsley  (Good Girlz series)
• With Friends Like These by ReShonda Tate Billingsley (Good Girlz series)
• Holidaze by L. Divine (Drama High series; replacement copy)
• The Pact by Monica McKayhan (Kimani Tru)
• Hotlanta by Denene Millner and Mitzi Miller (replacement copy)
• Prayed Up by Stephanie Perry Moore (Perry Skky, Jr. series)
• She Said, She Said by Celeste O. Norfleet and Jennifer Norfleet (Kimani Tru)
• I Shall Wear Midnight by Terry Pratchett (Tiffany Aching series)
• A Boy Called Twister by Anne Schraff (Urban Underground series)
• To Be a Man by Anne Schraff (Urban Underground series)
• If I Were Your Boyfriend by Earl Sewell (Kimani Tru)
• The Pledge by Chandra Sparks Taylor (Kimani Tru)

Recommendation: Samurai Shortstop

Samurai Shortstop by Alan Gratz
(Click here to find a library copy.)

Recommendation by Kathy
Should we keep it?  YES
Why?  It's an interesting part of history, and I like how it teaches about samurai seniority.

This book was part of the Last Call display in the teen section.  Kathy checked it out, read it, and filled out the bookmark with her recommendation.  You can do the same...there are a lot more books that need a boost from readers like you!  Just make sure you get to the library before December 29 to participate.

Further New Books

More fiction came through processing, so the shelves are packed with shiny new things for you to read!

• Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson (sequel to Chains)
• The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor (replacement copy)
• Friends 'Til the End by ReShonda Tate Billingsley (Good Girlz series)
• Darkest Hour by Meg Cabot (Mediator series; replacement copy)
• Haunted by Meg Cabot (Mediator series; replacement copy)
• Shadowland by Meg Cabot (Mediator series; replacement copy)
• Hunted by P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast (House of Night series; replacement copy)
• First Semester by Cecil R. Cross II (Kimani Tru)
• Next Semester by Cecil R. Cross II (Kimani Tru)
• Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz (replacement copy)
• Culture Clash by L. Divine (Drama High series)
• Frenemies by L. Divine (Drama High series; replacement copy)
• My Little Phony by Lisi Harrison (Clique series; replacement copy)
• If You Really Loved Me by Anne Schraff (Urban Underground series)
• One of Us by Anne Schraff (Urban Underground series)
• Outrunning the Darkness by Anne Schraff (Urban Underground series)
• Shadows of Guilt by Anne Schraff (Urban Underground series)
• Teenage Love Affair by Ni-Ni Simone
• Blue Is for Nightmares by Laurie Faria Stolarz (replacement copy)

Recommendation: Kiki Strike

Kiki Strike:  Inside the Shadow City by Kirsten Miller
(Click here to find a library copy.)

Recommendation by Kathy
Should we keep it?  YES
Why?  It's a very thrilling read, full of twists and turns, with tips on how to be resourceful in different ways.

This book was part of the Last Call display in the teen section.  Kathy checked it out, read it, and filled out the bookmark with her recommendation.  You can do the same...there are a lot more books that need a boost from readers like you!  Just make sure you get to the library before December 29 to participate.

2011 Books to Movies for Teens

A new year means lots of books are coming to a theater near you! I included all books with teen interest, not just those that were published for young adults, so there is something for everyone. I can't vouch for their quality, but look for these movies through the year and make your own judgments:

March 11--Jane Eyre (book by Charlotte Bronte)
March 18--Beastly (book by Alex Flinn)
March 25--Roderick Rules (book by Jeff Kinney)
July 15--Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part II (book by J. K. Rowling)
October 14--The Three Musketeers (book by Alexander Dumas)
November 18--Breaking Dawn, Part I (book by Stephenie Meyer)
December 9--The Invention of Hugo Cabret (book by Brian Selznick)
December 21--The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (book by Steig Larsson)
December 28--The Adventures of Tintin:  Secrets of the Unicorn (book by Herge)

No specific dates:
The Giver (book by Lois Lowry)
The Witches (book by Roald Dahl)
Uglies (book by Scott Westerfeld)

What's New

This week's new books are an eclectic mix that includes African-American fiction, supernatural romance, gaming manuals, and books about ninjas.  Proof that we try to buy something to suit everyone!  Come in and be the first to check them out!

FICTION

• Drama Queens by ReShonda Tate Billingsley (Good Girlz series)
• Getting Even by ReShonda Tate Billingsley (Good Girlz series)
• The Frenzy by Francesca Lia Block
• The Selected by Patrick Cave
• Dirty Jersey by Phillip Thomas Duck (Kimani Tru)
• Dirty South by Phillip Thomas Duck (Kimani Tru)
• Blood Ninja by Nick Lake
• Blood Ninja II by Nick Lake
• Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev
• Step Up by Monica McKayhan (Kimani Tru)
• Trouble Follows by Monica McKayhan (Kimani Tru)
• Prime Choice by Stephaine Perry Moore (Perry Skyy series)
• Mostly Good Girls by Leila Sales
• Flawless by Sara Shepard (Pretty Little Liars series)
• Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard
• Perfect by Sara Shepard (Pretty Little Liars series)
• Unbelievable by Sara Shepard (Pretty Little Liars series)
• Wildwing by Emily Whitman

NONFICTON

• Quick Cash for Teens:  Be Your Own Boss and Make Big Bucks by Peter G. Bielagus
• When Ninjas Attack:  A Survival Guide for Defending Yourself Against the Silent Assassains by Sam Kaplan
• Ask a Ninja Presents The Ninja Handbook:  This Book Looks Forward to Killing You Soon by Douglas Sarine
• How to Build a Robot Army:  Tips on Defending Planet Earth Against Alien Invaders, Ninjas, and Zombies by Daniel H. Wilson
• Call of Duty: Black Ops (BradyGames Signature Series Guide)
• Dungeons and Dragons Essentials: Heroes of the Forgotten Kingdoms
• Halo: Reach (BradyGames Signature Series Guide)
• Pokedex: All 493 Pokemon and Post-Story Guide for Nintendo DS (Includes HeartGold and SoulSilver)
• Red Dead Redemption (BradyGames Signature Series Guide)

GRAPHIC NOVEL

• Hetalia:  Axis Powers, volume 1, by Hidekaz Himaruya

You Think Writing a Term Paper Is Hard?

Could you write an entire book without using the letter E?  What if you could only communicate words by blinking your left eye?  Would you ever try to write 843 poems in just 24 hours?  Some authors have done these things, and more!  Read all about them in Ten Works of Literature That Were Really Hard to Write.

Recommendation: So B. It

So B. It by Sarah Weeks
(Click here to find a library copy)

Recommendation by Saranjeet
Should we keep it?  YES
Why?  I strongly suggest that we we keep this book because it's really good and very well written.

This book was part of the Last Call display in the teen section.  Saranjeet checked it out, read it, and filled out the bookmark with her recommendation.  You can do the same...there are a lot more books that need a boost from readers like you!

Ninja Night

Last Friday, 29 teens showed up for Ninja Night.  (I only saw two of them!)  It was a great night, mostly thanks to Dan G., our "ninja."  We've never done anything like this before, but we definitely couldn't have done it without him.

First, Dan showed us how to make origami shuriken (throwing stars), and we practiced our ninja skills by throwing them at the library's cardboard cutout of Robert Pattinson.  For every round, people had to aim at a certain part of his head (ear, neck, eyes, etc.) and they got candy if they hit him accurately.  It was hard, and only a few people were ninja enough to handle the pressure.

We watched some random ninja videos online, with the laptop hooked up to the projector.  Then, Dan did a martial arts demonstration.  He talked about his intererst in martial arts, his school, and demonstrated some kicks, delivering an amazing, Chuck-Norris-style roundhouse to the jaw of Robert Pattinson (followed by a huge cheer!).  After that, Dan brought out a whole duffel bag of different martial arts weapons, talking about the history of each one and doing a short demonstration.  (Don't worry, it was very safe--Dan is a trained instructor and no one else handled the items.)  Then, he taught everyone a few self-defense moves.  It was really cool, no one got injured, and Dan was an excellent teacher. 

We finished the night by watching some of the original 1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie and having snacks.  What do ninjas eat?  Dark chocolate, of course, and ninja brownies (cut in circles with little icing eyes).  I guess they probably also try to eat quiet food, but we broke the rules with some potato chips. 

At the end, we had our costume contest.  We had all kinds of entries, and our winner was a panda ninja!  She got the Ninja Wisdom Deck, and the runners up each got candy and a fake moustache (ninjas need disguises, you know).  Congrats to Christine, Abby, Kaitlyn, Laurel, and Owen for having the best costumes!

Huge thanks again to Dan, and to the Delaware County Office of Behavioral Health for funding this program.

Origami shuriken pieces 

 A view of the origami lesson

 Everyone attempting to look more ninja...

 The beginning of the self-defense lesson

 A test of friendship...practicing self-defense moves on each other!

Having fun with self-defense

 How ninjas get brownies...?

Costume contest entries

Ninja Links

Here is lots of ninja randomness for your time-wasting pleasure:

Ninja Parade
A fake video news story from The Onion News Network about what happens when ninjas hold a parade.

Ninja Burger
You WILL experience the Ninja Burger® difference!  Guaranteed delivery in 30 minutes or less, or we commit Seppuku!

Ask A Ninja
It's not just a Q&A video series, it's a whole website!  However, here are the links to the two segments we watched:

• Ninja Hangouts
• Ninja Santa

The Ninja Glare
This video gets a little repetitive, but it's fun to try to master the ninja glare.  (Hint...they show it in slo-mo at the very end.)

Ninja Say What?!
This video made me crack up laughing...it's a whole new take on racism!  (FYI:  There are a few inappropriate words.)

How Stuff Works:  Ninja
Find out the history of the real ninja.  (Don't want to read?  Listen to the podcast.)

What We Got from the Bookfair

I had some money to spend at the Barnes and Noble bookfair on Saturday, so I tried to buy a variety of things.  TAB members Elena, Kaitlyn, and Christine picked out some new fiction for us, while I shopped for nonfiction and fiction replacements.  They will probably come through processing later this week or sometime next week, so come in and look for them or place a hold online!

 FICTION

• One Night that Changes Everything by Lauren Barnholdt
• The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor (replacement copy)
• Darkest Hour by Meg Cabot (Mediator series; replacement copy)
• Haunted by Meg Cabot (Mediator series; replacement copy)
• Shadowland by Meg Cabot (Mediator series; replacement copy)
• Burned by P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast (House of Night series; replacement copy)
• Hunted by P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast (House of Night series; replacement copy)
• Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz (replacement copy)
• My Little Phony by Lisi Harrison (Clique series; replacement copy)
• Blood Ninja by Nick Lake
• Blood Ninja II by Nick Lake
• Jane by April Lindner
• Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev
• Flawless by Sara Shepard (Pretty Little Liars series)
• Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard
• Perfect by Sara Shepard (Pretty Little Liars series)
• Unbelievable by Sara Shepard (Pretty Little Liars series)
• Blue Is for Nightmares by Laurie Faria Stolarz (replacement copy) 

GAMING MANUALS

• Call of Duty:  Black Ops (BradyGames Signature Series Guide)
• Dungeons and Dragons Essentials:  Heroes of the Forgotten Kingdoms
• Halo: Reach (BradyGames Signature Series Guide)
• Pokedex:  All 493 Pokemon and Post-Story Guide for Nintendo DS (Includes HeartGold and SoulSilver)
• Red Dead Redemption (BradyGames Signature Series Guide)

OTHER NONFICTION

• Quick Cash for Teens:  Be Your Own Boss and Make Big Bucks by Peter G. Bielagus

GRAPHIC NOVELS

• Hetalia:  Axis Powers, volume 1, by Hidekaz Himaruya

Barnes & Noble Bookfair Report

Saturday was our big bookfair day at the Barnes & Noble in Broomall, and it was a success!  Thanks to all of our library patrons who came to do their personal shopping, plus some shopping we did for the library, we are on track to make the most money ever!!  We are actually taking our fundraising dollars in books this year, so that will mean more new stuff for you in the coming weeks.

Thanks to TAB members Kaitlyn, Christine, and Elena who came by to help me select books to buy for the library's teen section.  Double thanks to Elena, who stuck around for three hours and helped the librarians at the gift wrapping table.

If you missed the day, don't worry.  You can shop in the store until December 10, and just tell them it's for the Upper Darby Libraries when you check out.  You can also shop online at http://www.bn.com/ through December 14, putting in our bookfair ID (10320109) when you check out.

Book Review: Jenna and Jonah's Fauxmance

Jenna and Jonah's Fauxmance by Emily Franklin and Brendan Halpin

Review by Arig
(This book will be released on February 1, 2011.)

SUMMARY:  Charlie and Fielding are teen idols, an on-set celebrity couple.   On TV, they are portrayed as two next-door neighbors, Jenna and Jonah, who are in love.  They can't stand each other, but have to act like a couple when they are out together in real life.  What could go wrong?  They're actors, they could fake anything.  Right?  Wrong.  Conflicts arise when a rumor gets around that the whole "love" thing is fake and Fielding is gay.  Charlie and Fielding, on a quest to hide from the paparazzi, escape together to Fielding's estate house.  As the days pass, they learn new things about each other and start to realize that they might have some feelings for each other after all.  What will happen to these two actors?  Will they survive the heat of the hidden paparazzi?  Will they just end up hurting each other?  This book is written in alternating chapters by Charlie and Fielding, so you can travel this journey of emotions through both of them.

OPINION:  I couldn’t love this book more. It’s just great. I began reading it one night and then kept on secretly finishing it instead of devoting my time fully to my studies. I did study, but I couldn’t put the book down. It’s truly a great book that keeps you jumping up and down wanting to know what happens next. I kept laughing and reading and one time I got tears. It came to the point where my older sister (like 5 years difference) stole the book to read it. She loved it! I would totally recommend to all students that are mature enough to handle some of the topics in here. It’s still awesome though. I’m sure many teens will love it!

Our Own Ninja

Some videos of Dan teaching about martial arts weapons:

Sorry this is sideways, but it's a cool demonstration:

Last-Minute Ninja Costume

Don't know what to wear tonight?  Grab a black t-shirt, watch, and learn: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Pobuw7Wk2k&NR=1

Recommendation: Acceleration

Acceleration by Graham McNamee
(Click here to find a library copy.)

Recommendation by Marissa
Should we keep it?  YES
Why?  It catches you.  It's intense, funny, and you can't put it down.  The ending is intense.

This book was part of the Last Call display in the teen section.  Marissa checked it out, read it, and filled out the bookmark with her recommendation.  You can do the same...there are a lot more books that need a boost from readers like you!

Book Review: Good Behavior

Good Behavior:  A Memoir by Nathan L. Henry

Review by Anas
(Click here to find a library copy.)

SUMMARY:  Nathan L. Henry brings his teenage self to life in the autobiography Good Behavior. Nate Henry was a 16-year-old kid who lived for drugs, sex, and violence, who was put on trial for armed robbery and sent to jail. All his life he acted like the cool kid in town, with the tough personality. Learning from his father's actions, Nate builds his characteristics the same way. However, even with those qualities, you can see it was a protective shell that he lived behind to gain the respect that he wanted. When looking beyond that cover and studying his character you can tell that he is not the bad kid that everyone sees him as. His time in jail brings out this civil quality and gives you a deeper look to whom he really is, making the reader understand him more. It changes him into the better man that he really is.

OPINION:  This book draws the reader into it, and gives you the thrill feeling that you are not only part of the book, but that you are the actual character. The best part about this is not the telling of what happened, but a reliving of the past to live in the future. The tendancies of this character toward drugs, violence, and sex make it more believable, to the point that as the reader I wish I can do something to help him out. I would rate this book a five out of five because this was a gripping book that I was not able to put down. Even though I was busy, I made time for it by reading it while going from class to class, lunch, and outside.

Book Review: My Unfair Godmother

My Unfair Godmother by Janette Rallison

Review by Saranjeet
(This book will be released on April 12, 2011)

My Unfair Godmother was a well-written sequel to My Fair Godmother, from my perspective.  It had humor, romance, and morals.  Many many morals.  The main character, Tansy, is a normal teenager who has strange ways of making things look better.  I think the way she faces her problems is very creative.  I like how her sidekick in this book was a boy.  The romance in this story made it more interesting and made me not want to put the book down.  My favorite character in the book was Chrissy, the teenage fairy godmother, because she added the humor and a bit of suspense to the story.  In the beginning, I loved how the story was set up as a term paper and that the conflict was how Chrissy would get into Fairy Godmother University.  I was concerned about the obstacles that Tansy faces in the book. I felt she solved the problem of Robin Hood and his Merry Men like anyone else would have, but I would have rather seen her overcome that obsacle in a different way.  Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and I felt like it lived up to my expectations after reading the first one.

Wimpy Kid's First Flight

I was lucky enough to be at Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade this year for the first flight of the Wimpy Kid balloon!



Bento Box Resources

Before Anime Club last Friday, we did a little bento box workshop and made some cute food!  Bento is a Japanese box lunch, and there are many different varities.  We did mostly oekakiben ("picture bento"), in which the food is arranged to look like people, animals, plants, etc.  If you want to try this at home, it is really easy.  Just grab a plastic container from the cabinet, use the food you have in the house, and apply your creativity!

You can get this book from the library:

• 501 Bento Box Lunches

You can buy books:

• Yum-Yum Bento Box:  Fresh Recipes for Adorable Lunches by Crystal Wantanabe and Maki Ogawa
• The Just Bento Cookbook: Everyday Lunches to Go by Makiko Itoh and Makiko Doi
• Kawaii Bento Boxes: Cute and Convenient Japanese Meals on the Go by Joie Staff

And there are tons of great websites:

• Just Bento
• Lunch in a Box
• Bento Box

There's even an iPad app called Bento Master!

Book Review: How They Croaked

How They Croaked:  The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous by Georgia Bragg

Review by Arig
(This book will be released on March 15, 2011.)

SUMMARY:  How did Cleopatra, a Queen of Ancient Egypt, die? Cleopatra allegedly died from a snake’s bite. Or did she? How They Croaked is a book that brings together famous historical figures and describes their deaths. It gives a brief background about the history of each person but then describes in gory detail the death of each one and their sicknesses. You’ll journey the life adventures and death beds of royals like King Tut and King Henry VIII and other famous people like Einstein or Dickinson. Details that you never hear of in school (that are true) are revealed and they keep you laughing, grossed out, and thanking God for the advanced technology we have today. For example, did you know that Columbus on one of his expeditions got diarrhea? Or that for the men to go to the bathroom on ship they had to hang their rear ends off of the plank of the ship and use a dangling piece of rope to wipe? Sometimes ‘the poop got on their hands and they ate and shook hands with others after’. Eww! Gross! Yet very very funny. There’s more between the book covers.

OPINION:  I’ve got to stay, don’t judge a book by its genre. Who would’ve ever thought that nonfiction would be sooo interesting and funny? It expanded my knowledge on all these famous yet ancient people. The book was hilarious, gross, and totally awesome. My siblings, friends, and classmates stole the book from me so they could get a piece of info on how Einstein died or how King Tut was robbed in his own grave. Not only did kids my age and younger enjoy it, but even most adults found it unavoidable. You will love it! You won’t be sorry you picked it up. I would recommend this book to all ages. Warning: Make sure your stomach won’t flip on some of the nasty facts discovered. Do NOT eat while reading this book.

Recommendation: Lulu Dark and the Summer of the Fox

Lulu Dark and the Summer of the Fox by Bennett Madison
(Click here to find a library copy.)

Recommendation by Arig
Should we keep it? YES
Why?  It was a great book.  The Lulu Dark books always keep you on edge and they are hilarious.

This book was part of the Last Call display in the teen section.  Arig checked it out, read it, and filled out the bookmark with her recommendation.  You can do the same...there are a lot more books that need a boost from readers like you!

Harry Potter Movie Marathon

Last Saturday, 29 intrepid teens showed up for our Harry Potter Movie Marathon, featuring back-to-back-to-back showings of movies four, five, and six!  We started at 9:30 and ended at 4:30.  It was kind of insane, but a lot of fun.  The idea was that it would prepare people to go see the new movie.  A few people had already seen it, and several others had plans for Sunday or later this week.  However, one fanatical group literally left the marathon and went off to the theater!

Back in the summer, Morgan approached me about doing this program.  He didn't just have ideas...he had three pages of notes, including snack ideas and a cost breakdown!  How could I say no!?  A few things changed, but his original idea stayed the same.  As people came in, the "sorting hat" assigned them to a Hogwarts House. 

Morgan asked trivia questions during the movies, which earned people candy for themselves and points for their houses.  At the end of the day, the team with the most points got a prize, even if some of their members came late or left early.  (Something I wanted to do but forgot:  put wizard cards in with the candy.)

OUR FINAL STANDINGS:
Slytherin -- 91
Hufflepuff -- 76
Ravenclaw --75
Gryffindor -- 57

During the second movie, I put out a golden snitch papercraft.  I thought it would be fun to do while watching because those little cuts and folds take patience.  Too much patience, apparently, because only a few people saw it through!  But, it's really cute, so try it yourself.  Also, check out this pattern to make a Ministry of Magic owl paper airplane.

Huge thanks to Morgan for making this possible!  And extra credit to Morgan, Kelliann, Edythe, Drew, Claude, Mike, Egypt, Owen, and Sahva who stayed all day!!

Wanted: Your Old Gift Cards!

Do you have partially used gift cards taking up room in your wallet?  Make space for all of the new ones you'll be getting by donating the old ones to the library!  From now until January 15, pick up an envelope in the children's or adult rooms.  Donations will be consolidated and used to purchase materials and prizes for the 2011 summer reading program.  Every little bit helps...last year, we raised over $100 from this project!

December Drop-Ins!

I added some drop-in programs on Wednesdays in December!  There's no registration, so just stop by after school and bring your friends.  (Yes, there will be snacks.)

Rock Band Drop-In
Wednesday, December 8, 3:00 to 5:00
Enjoy all of our Rock Band games at this laid-back event! We've got five editions: RB2, RB3, Lego, The Beatles, and Green Day.

Dance Dance Revolution Drop-In
Wednesday, December 15, 3:00 to 5:00
Show your moves at our Xbox DDR program! We will project the game onto the wall so four people can dance at once.  No permission slip required.

Craft Closet Cleanout Drop-In
Wednesday, December 22, 3:00 to 5:00
Make something you missed or make something totally new. You never know what we'll pull out of the attic!

Safe Dates Cancelled!

The four remaining sessions of Safe Dates have been cancelled due to lack of registration. There is no teen program today. However, I am planning some drop-in days for the Wednesdays in December, so stay tuned!

New Additions

Here are the newest books to look for in our teen section:

FICTION

• You by Charles Benoit
• The Demon's Covenant by Sarah Rees Brennan (Demon's Lexicon series)
• Wolves, Boys, and Other Things That Might Kill Me by Kristen Chandler
• Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly
• Deep and Dark and Dangerous by Mary Downing Hahn
• The Half-Life of Planets by Emily Franklin and Brendan Halpin
• Butterfly by Sonia Hartnett
• A Love Story Starring My Dead Best Friend by Emily Horner
• Queen of Secrets by Jenny Meyerhoff
• The Ghosts of Ashbury High by Jaclyn Moriarty
• Blood Prophecy by Stefan Petrucha
• Angus, Thongs, and Full Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison (Confessions of Georgia Nicolson series; additional copy)
• Linger by Maggie Stiefvater (Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy)
• Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater (Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy)
• Wired by Robin Wasserman (Skinned trilogy)

NONFICTION

• Zero Regrets:  Be Greater Than Yesterday by Apolo Ohno

GRAPHIC NOVEL

• Foiled by Jane Yolen

Recommendation: Lulu Dark Can See Through Walls

Lulu Dark Can See Through Walls by Bennett Madison

(Click here to find a library copy.)

Recommendation by Arig

Should we keep it?  YES

Why?  It was awesome!  I read it in exactly 1 and 1/2 hours. I literally couldn't put it down.  Just give it a chance and spread the word, and people will get it.  Five stars for the mystery.

This book was part of the Last Call display in the teen section.  Arig checked it out, read it, and filled out the bookmark with her recommendation.  You can do the same...there are a lot more books that need a boost from readers like you!

November Teen Scene Book Suggestions

This month's Teen Scene email newsletter has lots of great reading ideas.  On the list of suggested new books are several that we own, including Manifest by Artist C. Arthur (Kimani Tru) and Zombies vs. Unicorns edited by Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier.  The newsletter also contains two other theme lists, one called "Science and Ethics" and the other called "Sometimes Love Is Funny."  There is something for every kind of reader, so check out the list online or subscribe to get future emails!

New Hybrid Schedule

No, I'm not going green.  But I did just make a late fall schedule of teen events that also includes some winter event previews!  A lot of our fall events were already over, so I just filled up the space with things to look forward to in 2011.  Pick up a copy of the schedule next time you are in so you have the latest info.  I also included a page about the Last Call display currently in the teen section.  Read and rescue a book from now until the end of the year!

A Real-Life Downsiders Moment

Anyone who knows me well knows that I love abandoned places, so books and movies that take place in the forgotten layers of cities are right up my alley.  Recently, I read Downsiders by Neal Shusterman, which draws heavily on the real-life forgotten underground parts of New York City.  However, I didn't really do any actual research on the places he mentioned.  Then, a few days ago, Sara A. posted a really interesting link on Facebook about a spectacular abandoned subway station and I realized that it features prominently in Downsiders!

The station is the old City Hall Station, which was closed when they redesigned the train cars and stations in the 1940s because the curved exit platform caused a dangerous gap.  (Click on that link for a nice slideshow of pictures.)  In Downsiders, this location is called the "Hall of Action" and is used for large, important gatherings of the population.  The history of the City Hall Station is described quite nicely on pages 172-3 of the book. 

There are many abandoned stations all over New York City, and there are even some in Philly!

Book SOS!

It's getting close to the end of the year, and that means it's time for some housekeeping in the teen section.  The shelves are really crowded, so I have to look at all the books and see what is not getting checked out.  Stuff that has gone out fewer than three times in 2010 is in danger of getting taken off the shelves and sent to the book sale!

HOWEVER, I don't want to get rid of things people might actually like, so I made an opportunity for you.  Look for the Last Call display in the teen section from now until the end of the year.  It is located on top of the teen nonfiction section, and every book is yelling things like "Save Me!" and "Act Now!"  You can't miss it. 

Just check out a book, read it, and fill out the bookmark to tell me if you think it's worth keeping.  The display will rotate every few days, so there will always be new books to rescue.  And there will probably be a small reward for those who fill out and return the bookmarks!

Fall Nintendo Night

Last Friday, 32 people attended our fall Nintendo Night!  We tried something new this time:  one-on-one battles with a two-tier tournament system.  Instead of having one big tournament with first- and second-place winners, everyone who lost in the first round automatically moved into the lower tournament bracket and kept competing.  Of course we had our usualy technical difficulties (no power cord arrived with the projector I borrowed...really!?!?) and the tournament ran long, but I generally liked how this idea played out. 

In the main tournament, David J. emerged victorious over all and won a $50 gift card to GameStop.  He and the other semi-finalists, Ranier, John E., and Andrew C., all got candy.  (All of these last initials are important because we had lots of multiple names at this event!)  In the second tournament, Morgan beat out Evan for the $25 GameStop gift card.  Semi-finalistst Evan, Joseph, and Edgar, along with Morgan, all got candy as well.  I also gave out one bonus box of candy to Roy, who, as a 6th grader, was the only middle-schooler to make it into the third round of the main tournament.  Even though he was beaten out, he was proud to represent!

Thanks to a grant from the Delaware County Office of Behavioral Health for helping to make this event possible.  See you at our next tournament this winter!!

Hip-Hop Essentials

On October 22, over 30 teens showed up for Hip-Hop Essentials  Featuring The One Sun Lion Ra and DJ Ambush!  We were in the middle of the adult library, so there were a lot of other people who stopped by the program or listened while they were on the computers.  The program was a positive, interactive discussion of hip-hop history and culture.  Ra also did some rapping and beat-boxing, and got a few kids up on the mic at the end! 

This program was funded by a grant from the Delaware County Office of Behavioral Health.  Thanks for your support!  And thanks to DJ Ambush for filling in when DJ Brother Jamar couldn't make it.  It was great to have you.

 Ra talking to the group

Beat-boxing

 Another shot of Ra talking  :)

A few guys were brave enough to freestyle on the mic.  They did an amazing job, rapping about everyday stuff like school, fast food, and their families.

Bluford Cart Display

We have too many books to fit on the shelves in the teen section, so I have been creating cart displays on different themes for a while.  For the next few weeks, look for "Beyond Bluford" books on the cart in the teen room.  If you have read all of the Bluford High books, I have a lot of suggestions.  I included books with urban settings, books with African-American characters, and books with "drama," so there's something for everyone.  Check it out!

Conditioning with a Twist

Only five people showed up today for Conditioning with a Twist, but it was fun anyway!  We learned how to make exercise less boring by incorporating different props and making up our own games.  We did everything from backwards races with a ping pong ball on a spoon to jumping around cones in a silly game of follow-the-leader.  We also did some more structured activities using sponge balls, jump ropes, and exercise bands.  I learned a lot, and I hope the teens there did too.  Thanks to Pat from Ageless Exercise and the Verizon Fit for Life grant for making this possible!

Fresh Picks

We're always adding new stuff to the teen collection, so look for these next time you're in or place a hold from home!

FICTION

• The Karma Club by Jessica Brody
• Chasing Romeo by A. J. Byrd (Kimani Tru)
• Shrimp by Rachel Cohn (replacement copy; signed by the author!)
• Flash by Michael Cadnum
• You Know Where to Find Me by Rachel Cohn (signed by the author!)
• We Were Here by Matt de la Pena (signed by the author!)
• Jekel Loves Hyde by Beth Fantaskey (signed by the author!)
• Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey (replacement copy; signed by the author!)
• Secret Speakers and the Search for Selador's Gate by K. S. R. Kingworth
• How to Be Bad by E. Lockhart, Sarah Mlynowski, and Lauren Myracle (replacement copy; signed by two of the authors!)
• The Emerald Flame by Frewin Jones
• I Now Pronounce You Someone Else by Erin McCahan
• The Knife that Killed Me by Anthony McGowan
• Alice in Charge by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor (Alice series)
• Adios, Nirvana by Conrad Wesselhoeft

NONFICTION

• Shojo Fashion:  Manga Art School:  How to Draw Cool Looks and Characters by Irene Flores
• Girls Rock:  How to Get Your Group Together and Make Some Noise by Robyn Goodmark (replacement copy)

GRAPHIC NOVELS

• The Good Neighbors, volume 3, by Holly Black and Ted Naifeh
• Peace Maker, volume 2, by Nanae Chrono

YA Night of Awesome!

Last night, I went to the YA Night of Awesome at Children's Book World in Haverford.  Rachel Cohn, David Levithan, Matt de la Pena, E. Lockhart, and Sarah Mlynowski all read from their new books, answered questions, and signed books.  It was such a fun night!  They all drove down from New York together for the event, so they were like a bunch of teenagers on a road trip.  Random things I learned include that E. Lockhart also writes children's books under the name Emily Jenkins and that Matt de la Pena's book Ball Don't Lie is being made into a TV series.  We have books by all of them in our teen secton, so check them out.  (I got some of our library copies signed.)  I definitely recommend going to events at Children's Book World...they get some amazing people in there!! 

I also got some books signed for teen summer reading prizes next year:

• Gingerbread by Rachel Cohn
• Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan (2 copies)
• The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart

Book Review: Low Red Moon

Low Red Moon by Ivy Devlin
Review by Elena
(Click here to find a library copy.)

Low Red Moon is a story about a 15-year-old girl, Avery Hood, who has lived her whole life in the woods.  One night, her life is changed as she sees her parents being murdered in that very woods, but she somehow does not remember any of it.  The only detail she can recall is seeing a bright silver color all around her for about a second before it was gone.  With no parents, she goes to live with her grandmother, whom she doesn't like very much.

At school, Avery finds herself sad all of the time.  She notices a new boy, named Ben, who she has a crush on at first sight.  She later finds out that Ben is a werewolf of the woods but can never remember what happens to him when he transforms.  Through some sort of special connection these two are able to hear each other's thoughts and find out their feelings toward each other are mutual.

One night, Avery sees the same silver color from the night of her parents' murder, but it is only Ben. Then, the next day a man is found dead in the woods, almost the same kind of murder as her parents'.  This leads Avery to believe that Ben killed the man and her parents, although he denies it.  Avery later finds out the truth about her parents' murder through painful and unfortunate events that occur.  Low Red Moon is a captivating and enjoyable story that I suggest everyone should read!

What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?

If you are starting to think about college or careers, try the Future Jobs-O-Matic!  Using current economic information and projections for next 10 years, over 250 careers are analyzed.  Find out which fields are growing and shrinking, and which pay the most.  This is a pretty cute gadget that has great info for your future.

I was happy to see that, despite people's love of Google and Wikipedia, that the Future Jobs-O-Matic says the field of librarianship will see a small amount of growth in the next 10 years.  I'm not obsolete!!!

Scary Movie Before a Holiday

Today, 26 teens came to the library for our showing of The Nightmare Before Christmas!  Some even showed up in costume...we had three Sailor Scouts and one (male) Ke$ha.  Some people had seen the movie many times, but it was the first time for others.  We put on the subtitles to encourage singing along! 

While watching the movie, we made shrinky-dink charms of the characters.  People traced a design or drew their own, then I baked them in my toaster oven.  They looked great!  Only one didn't turn out well, and that person was able to do another one, so it all worked out.

If you want to buy the paper to do this at home, it is available at A. C. Moore.  Michael's and Jo-Ann do not carry it in their stores.  You can also find it online by looking for the term "shrink film."  It costs about $5.00 for a pack of six sheets, but you can get four to six projects out of a single sheet. 

 Some shrinky-dinks before baking.  Each was the size of 1/4 sheet of paper.

 Morgan drew this amazing Lock without a model, let alone something to trace!

 Some completed shrinky-dinks.  They are all about the size of a $.50 coin.  We put them on big safety pins to attach to bags and zippers.

Two Sailor Scouts!

Picks for Red Ribbon Week

October 23-30 is Red Ribbon Week, celebrating drug-free, healthy lifestyles.  Check out these books to learn from the mistakes of others and develop strategies for your own life! 

• Candy by Kevin Brooks
• Smack by Melvin Burgess
• True Confessions:  Real Stories about Drinking and Drugs by John DeConsiglio
• Crank by Ellen Hopkins
• Chasing the High:  A Firsthand Account of One Young Person's Experience with Substance Abuse by Kyle Keegan
• Dope Sick by Walter Dean Myers
• Wise Highs:  How to Thrill, Chill and Get Away from It All without Alcohol or Other Drugs by Alex Packer
• Big Book Unplugged:  A Young Person's Guide to Alcoholics Anonymous by John R.
• Street Pharm by Allison van Diepen
• Rooftop by Paul Volponi
• How I Made It to Eighteen:  A Mostly True Story by Tracy White (graphic novel)

Book Review: The Fool's Girl

The Fool's Girl by Celia Rees
Review by Arig
(Click here to find a library copy.)

SUMMARY:  After her uncle sells her to an ugly man who is hires and works with Jesuits, Violetta escapes to freedom. She reunites with her youth friend Feste and together they set out to England where they meet the famous Shakespeare. Will, walking home one day from a watching his play go wrong, stops and watches the two ‘men’ performing and capturing the crowd’s attention. He is fascinated and waits afterward to talk with the two men but only finds one guy and Violetta. He quickly tells them he’d buy them a drink and thus begins the journey of Duchessa Violetta.

Violetta, the daughter of Viola (known for her beauty and high spirits) is supposed to be the bearer of the cup that is the symbol of Illyria. Things go wrong when her friends Gudio, Feste, and Stephano all hear soldiers in the country murdering everyone in and out of their way. Violetta, although young, feels the devastation of the death of her mother. But her father isn’t that helpful. Many would say he has gone crazy or mad. In England, Feste takes the job offer from Will and becomes an actor, the clown needed in his play. Stephano and Gudio both ‘adopted’ became knights. Of course before leaving they gather the things Feste’s ‘mother’ had put aside for them. Violetta got the famous shew stone that everyone is dying to get their hands on.

Danger comes across Violetta and tags along with her when both Malvolio and Sir Andrew try to re-take her into their own custody and force her to marry someone she does not have feelings for or know. Stephano, her lover, Gudio, Feste, and Will all set out to help protect her and bring back the name of their beloved country. Traveling from place to place and almost getting caught many times, Violetta must hide and keep away from danger. Violetta must find a way to retrieve the cup of Illyria, do something with the shew stone, find who killed or kidnapped her mother, and get together with he admirer and heart’s desire. What will she do? How will she do it? And what are the risks she is willing to take to retrieve the cup? Is it worth it, even if it means her fate may be near?

OPINION:  5 stars. Great book, I loved it! It had great detail and the inclusion of William Shakespeare made me love it more because I’m not a big obsessive fan that understand his work.  :)  I think it was a great read. The story kept me on edge the whole time and I honestly didn’t put it down. I read it in one sitting.