New Books!

Oh yeah! The circulation in the teen section is way up, and that helps me plead the case for new books. And the money gods have answered with a selection of new titles:

FICTION:

• Best Foot Foreward by Joan Bauer
• I Was a Teenage Fairy by Francesca Lia Block
• Rush Hour, Volume 3: Face edited by Michael Cart
• Boy Proof by Cecil Castellucci
• Runner by Carl Deuker
• Burning City by Ariel and Joaquin Dorfman
• Romiette and Julio by Sharon Draper
• Invisible by Pete Hautman
• Conrad’s Fate by Diana Wynne Jones
• Black Juice by Margo Lanagan
• Figs and Fate: Stories about Growing Up in the Arab World Today by Elsa Marston
• The Last Book in the Universe by Rodman Philbrick
• Singer by Jean Thesman
• Millicent Min, Girl Genius by Lisa Yee

NONFICTION:

• Teen Ink: Love and Relationships edited by Stephanie H. Meyer and John Meyer
• A Maze Me: Poems for Girls by Naomi Shihab Nye
  

Book Review: The Revealers

The Revealers by Doug Wilhelm

SUMMARY: Parkland Middle School is called "Darkland" by the students because no one in it does much to stop the bullying and harassment of kids by other kids. Three new friends find themselves among the targets--until they find a way to make everyone in the school face up to what's really going on. Before long, Darkland is being turned inside out. But there are people in the school who don't like seeing their actions brought to light. Will the bullying stop...or just get worse? (adapted from the inside flap)

OPINION: I know that school bullying happens. I have been in middle school. I have been a teacher. I usually find books about bullying to be annoying because they are boring, stereotypical, or totally unrealistic. This book is not any of those. It is fast-paced and interesting, especially in that the students in the book really do find an innovative way to change the character of their school. This book would be a much better choice than The Boy Who Lost His Face by Louis Sachar for summer reading.

Book Review: The Seeing Stone

The Seeing Stone (Book 1 in the Arthur Trilogy) by Kevin Crossley-Holland (NEW!)

SUMMARY: The year is 1199 and on the borders of England and Wales young Arthur de Caldicot waits impatiently to grow up and become a knight. One day his father's friend Merlin gives Arthur a shining black stone--a seeing stone--that shows him visions of his namesake, King Arthur. At first, there seems to be no connection between Arthurs past and present. Manor life for Arthur de Calidicot is a complex struggle of terrible secrets and haunting jealousies. Nothing like the red and white dragons, or the sword in the stone. And yet...there is something binding the two Arthurs together. (excerpted from the inside flap)

OPINION: There are 100 short chapters in this novel, and all of them contribute to a total picture that encompasses not just the Arthurian legends, but also manor life in the 13th century. It is really cool how legends and reality intertwine to create one coherent story without being confusing. This book is the first in a trilogy, and I can't wait to read the other two: At the Crossing-Places and King of the Middle March. Look for all three books in our teen section!

Book Review: Stained

Stained by Jennifer Richard Jacobson

SUMMARY: Jocelyn has two boys in her life. And a priest. Gabe has shared fourteen years of growing up next door. He's "a golden boy, an all-star." Yet now, in the spring of 1975, he's missing. Benny has only been in New Hampshire since January, yet for Joss, he's the answer to a long-held prayer. She loves them both. Father Warren is a link between the three of them. Or a wedge. Or a threat. In a story shot with suspense, these four characters, and the lives of others they've touched in their small town, intermingle with unforgettable force. (adapted from the inside flap)

OPINION: I knew from the first page of this book that it involved priest sex abuse. I mean, it's a huge topic in the news, so any story with a priest is suspect. But this book is character-driven, not issue-driven. You will be instantly engaged in the story through the interactions of Joss, Gabe, and Benny. And Father Warren is truely twisted, though not in ways you might expect. This book moves back and forth between the past and the present, making its way to a stunning conclusion that sets Joss's "stained soul" straight once and for all. The writing in this book is beautiful; the last few pages are particularly amazing.

NEW! Joust Read Book List

This week, I made a new teen book list of titles that go along with our summer theme. It is called, of course, Joust Read!! It includes fantasy, contemporary and historical fiction, short stories, and series books. Pick up a copy of the list on the Teen Beat summer reading display and look for the books in our teen section!

Book Review: The Sledding Hill

The Sledding Hill by Chris Crutcher

SUMMARY: Fourteen-year-old Billy Bartholomew is dead. His best friend, Eddie Proffit, is not. Eddis has always had a mind that worked in odd ways. Odd and brilliant. Like now. He's on the sledding hill. Him and Billy. They're talking the way they always did. About school. About Jesus. About freedom. About banning books and fighting for books. Eddie knows it might make people think he's crazy, but talking to Billy helps him figure out exactly how to deal with the political issues happening in his community.(adapted from the back cover)

OPINION: I really wanted to like this book. I love Chris Crutcher. Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes is an amazing book that everyone should read. I usually appreciate the complexity of the characters and situations in his books. But this one didn't do much for me. Eddie is a great character, and one I was totally invested in finding out about, particularly as Billy makes contact with him. But many of the other characters came out as stereotypes in the book banning portion of the story, such as "the intolerant pastor," "the heroic librarian," "the political school board," and "the sanctimonious students." Sure, Crutcher is one of the most banned YA authors around today (probably second only to Judy Blume); if anyone should write this book, it's him. And it's totally cool how he writes himself into the story. Still, I just wish the second half of the book continued the character development rather than devolving into a series of speeches. Also, the title really doesn't have a whole lot to do with the story. Nevertheless, if you are a Crutcher fan or if you are into free speech issues, you should pick up this book.

BEST QUOTE: "Man, why do they want to control your head? Jesus would have finished that book. He would of taken Chris Crutcher out for a McWine and McBread lunch after he read it, too. He would of underlined all the good parts and read 'em to His friends out in some corner of the playground. Jesus was a tough guy. Didn't those guys READ those Bible lessons? Jesus wouldn't stop you from reading stuff; he'd talk to you after you did." (p.145-146)

Book Review: I Was a Teenage Fairy

I Was a Teenage Fairy by Francesca Lia Block (NEW!)

SUMMARY: This is the story of Barbie Marks, who dreams of being the one behind the camera, not some barely flesh-and-blood version of the plastic doll she was named after. It is the story of Griffin Tyler, whose androgynous beauty hides the dark pain within him. And finally, it is the story of Mab, a pinkie-sized, magenta-haired, straight-talking fairy who may or may not be real. (excerpted from the back cover)

OPINION: This postmodern fairy tale is told in a stream-of-consciousness style that will pique your interest as it dares you try to sort out whether Mab actually exists. I was hooked after the first page! This is not a teen issue book, but these teens have issues. And Mab is the one thing they need to correct the wrongs in their lives.

Second Sisterhood Event a Success!

Tonight, 15 more teens came to make butt pillows at the library to celebrate the new Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants movie. We had a great time, and everyone's pillow creations were wonderful. If you have not read the Sisterhood books, get in here and check them out!!

At the event, Kari won a Teen Ink book and cute kitten socks. Everyone from the Monday and Wednesday events also entered to win a signed copy of The Second Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares. The winner of the book was Marissa. Congratulations!!!

Here are our Ten Rules of the Pants Pillows:

1. No farting on the pillow.
2. No one else may use the pillow, except BFFs.
3. Boys may not touch the pillow. This includes dads and brothers.
4. No pillow fighting.
5. Do not wash the pillow.
6. The pillow must stay on your bed, except while it is traveling.
7. Cats may not use the pillow for a scratching post. Dogs may not use it for a chew toy. Generally, there must be no animal usage.
8. Do not put food in the pockets.
9. Do put money, notes from secret admirers, and other cool stuff in the pockets.
10. Love your butt, no matter what shape or size it is!

First Sisterhood Event

Tonight, we had our first Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Butt Pillow event. Twelve girls made really great pillows out of old jeans, decorating them with ribbon, beads, patches, and writing. Olivia won a pair of fabulously fluffy flip-flops, and everyone entered to win a signed copy of the second Sisterhood book by Ann Brashares. (The drawing for that will be on Wednesday evening.)

Learn more about the Sisterhood! Visit the Sisterhood Book Website or the Sisterhood Movie Website to do lots of fun online stuff.

Here are our Ten Rules of the Pants Pillows:

1. No pillow fighting.
2. Do not wash the pillow.
3. Do not stuff the pillow in your closet. Keep it on your bed.
4. You can sit on it, as long as it doesn't mess up the pillow.
5. No one else may use the pillow.
6. Do not put food in the pockets of the pillow.
7. Do use the pockets for nice notes, pictures, and lip gloss.
8. Boys are not allowed to unstuff the pillow.
9. Do take the pillow on vacation.
10. Use the pillow at least two times a week.

Melee on the Lawn!

Tonight, 30 teens and several other spectators enjoyed a presentation by two knights from the Society for Creative Anachronism. Darmon and Az donated their time for our Joust Read summer program kick-off event, and we are very glad that the rain went away so we could do this outdoors! Darmon and Az showed their armor, described fighting weapons and defenses, answered questions, and (of course) demonstrated some fighting. They also taught us some basic swordfighting moves with our excellent neon inflatable swords! It was really cool. At the end, Daniel and Gore won bobblehead knights donated by the PA Ren Faire.

If you missed the program or if you want more information, check out these weblinks:

East Kingdom (oversees Mid-Atlantic States, New England States, Eastern Canadian Provinces)
Shire of Hartshorn-Dale (servers Chester and Montgomery Counties)
The Barony of Bhakail (serves Philadelphia and Delaware Counties)
SCA Rules of the Lists (basic rules governing SCA combat)
SCA Weapons Standards
SCA Armor Requirements

Book Review: Alice MacLeod, Realist at Last

Alice MacLeod, Realist at Last by Susan Juby

SUMMARY: This book is the third one about Alice, intrepid fashionista and overall individualistic personality. With a jailed mother and a jobless father, Alice feels some reponsibility for her family. Not enough responsibility to motivate her to help around the house or give them her summer job money, but enough to write herself in as the heroine of her amazing screenplay. After all, she is only working until Quentin Tarantino buys the rights to it and makes her famous.

OPINION: These books are really quirky, but in a good way. Alice is hilariously unique, especially with her thrift-store chic ensembles. In this book, Alice even manages to put her own spin on the typical "summer romance," with three bizarre boy experiences that might put your personal boyfriend troubles to shame! Read the other two Alice books first, then pick this one up!

Book Review: The Order of the Poison Oak

The Order of the Poison Oak by Brent Hartinger

SUMMARY: 16-year-old Russel, tired of being the freak at school, tries to escape as a counselor in a rural summer camp with his two best friends. The camp kids are pre-teen survivors, scarred and disfigured, and Russel identifies with them. But Russel fights with his friends, especially after discovering that he and bisexual Min are attracted to the same gorgeous counselor guy. This is an honest, tender, funny, first-person narrative that brings close what it's like to have a crush and hate a friend.

OPINION: This book is a sequel to Geography Club. Although I liked that book and recommended it to our teen book group, I was somewhat disappointed in this sequel. The character development is really good, as Russell and his friends grow and change in new directions away from school. But, it seemed to me that the author was trying too hard to convey the message about coping with differences and finding hidden beauty. I am not given to exploring the subtleties of metaphor in authors' writing, but Hartinger really beat the reader over the head with the message. I hear that more books are planned about these characters, and I am still looking forward to them.

And There's Not Even a Crack in the Ceiling!

Last night, 22 teens jammed into the upstairs program room to play DDR. Some had never played before while others were experts, but all had fun! We were noisy, but at least the building is still intact after all that jumping. Sixteen teens competed in a single-elimination tournament during the program. Ashleigh made a strong showing, but Jamie won in the final round dancing to "Monkey Punk." Ashleigh and Jamie each won gift cards to GameStop! Look for another DDR night or two on the schedule this fall.

New Books!!

We have been getting bunches of new stuff recently. Some are new publications and others are for summer reading, but it is great to see our teen shelves filling up for any reason! Look for these titles:

FICTION
The Mediator: Haunted by Meg Cabot
The Mediator: Ninth Key by Meg Cabot
The Mediator: Reunion by Meg Cabot
The Mediator: Shadowland by Meg Cabot
The Mediator: Twilight by Meg Cabot
Children of the River by Linda Crew
LBD: Live and Fabulous! by Grace Dent
The Truth about Forever by Sarah Dessen
Under a War-Torn Sky by L. M. Elliott
Breaking Point by Alex Flinn
Quest for a Maid by Frances Mary Hendry
The Maze by Will Hobbs
Stained by Jennifer Richard Jacobson
The Stranger Next Door by Peg Kehret
Buddha Boy by Kathe Koja
Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers
Sexy by Joyce Carol Oates
What Happened to Lani Garver? by Carol Plum-Ucci
Midnight's Choice by Kate Thompson
Montmorency: Thief, Liar, Gentleman? by Eleanor Updale
Montmorency on the Rocks: Doctor, Aristocrat, Murderer? by Eleanor Updale
The Bar Code Tattoo by Suzanne Weyn
I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak

NONFICTION
Blogging for Teens by John W. Gosney
Teen Knitting Clubs: Chill Out and Knit by Jennifer Wenger, Carol Abrams, and Maureen Lasher

Book Review: Under the Jolly Roger

Under the Jolly Roger: Being an Account of the Further Nautical Adventures of Jacky Faber by L. A. Meyer
This book will be published in August 2005.

SUMMARY: When Jacky finishes her stint on a whaling boat, she expects to find her beloved Jaimy once and for all. But, when things don't go as planned, she is soon off on another wild sea adventure. She thwarts the lecherous advances of a crazy captain, rallies the sailors to her side, and ultimately gains command of a ship in His Majesty's Royal Navy. And that is only the beginning! (adapted from the back cover)

OPINION: This is the third book in a series that I have enjoyed very much. Fans will be happy to know that this book is left wide open for a continuation of the story. YESSSS! I could not put this book down. It is incredibly action-packed, yet the events are not repititions of those in the the previous books. What I love most about this series, besides the crafty Jacky, is the unique historical details woven into the narrative. As a girl struggling to do a man's job, Jacky endures her share of harassment. Yet, as the series progresses, she seems to be more able to enjoy and embrace her place in both worlds. Hurrah for Jacky! One tiny flaw: I did find the title somewhat misleading, but true enough in the end.

Prom!!!

Tonight is the prom at UD, so I created a short booklist of YA prom books in honor of the event. Look for these books at the library:

• Prom by Laurie Halse Anderson (realistic fiction)
• 24 Girls in 7 Days by Alex Bradley (humorous fiction)
• Princess in Pink by Meg Cabot (realistic fiction)
• Max & Jane by Elizabeth Craft (romance)
• Prom Date by Dianne Ho (thriller)
• Much Ado About Prom Night by William D. McCants (realistic fiction)
• A Really Nice Prom Mess by Brian Sloan (humorous fiction)
• A Night to Remember by various authors (short stories)

Book Review: Breaking Point

Breaking Point by Alex Flinn

SUMMARY: After a heartbreaking divorce, Paul goes from being homeschooled to attending a swanky private school where his mother gets a teaching job. Marked as an easy target for bullies, Paul struggles to fit in. That is, until he is befriended by Charlie, the school's golden boy. Soon, Paul is sucked into Charlie's psychologically screwed-up world, in which vandalism and violence are tokens of friendship. What will Paul do to be Charlie's friend?

OPINION: This book is on the BH summer reading list for incoming seventh graders, but it is not your typical school reading. This book is anything but a preachy cautionary tale against bullying. Instead, it really gets into the psychology of both the bully and the bullied, and tells a gripping story.

BEST QUOTE:
"Happy teen years are overrated," Binky announced.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Show me someone who's cool in high school, I'll show you the unemployed guy eating double his share of hors d'oeurves at the ten-year reunion." (p. 32)

Book Review: The Realm of Possibility

The Realm of Possibility by David Levithan

SUMMARY/OPINION: This novel in verse interweaves the stories of 20 high school students through a series of 20 poems written in different styles. The poems create a wonderful atmosphere of possiblity, just as the title suggests. Also, reading this book is rather like a mystery, as you fit pieces of information from the poems together to learn about each of the characters.

BEST QUOTES (I couldn't pick just one):

the town of North Orange is still recovering
from the day the students came to biology class
and found their teacher lying on a table,
his chest cut open, his body dripping with
formaldehyde. the window was open and all
the frog tanks were
empty. (p. 67)

once time is lit, it will burn
whether or not you are breathing it in.
even after the smoke becomes air
there is the memory of smoke. (p. 11)

the first time i kissed someone
my heart raced for hours
I didn't know if I'd ever recover
if it was already too late
I just lay in my room
and reveled in the newfound power
that a motion so small
could have the full force of fate (p. 40)

He carries a knapsack
Covered with buttons for bands whose names seem to come
From the Dictionary of Contentious Words. (p. 127)

Book Review: Bloody Jack

Bloody Jack: Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary "Jacky" Faber, Ship's Boy by L. A. Meyer

SUMMARY: Mary Faber, orphaned at age eight, roams the streets of London with a children's gang and spends a lot of time being hungry. When the gang's leader gets killed, Mary excapes by taking on a male identity and becoming a ship's boy for the British Royal Navy, where at least she is fed three times a day. Thus begins The Deception, a long and involved game of hiding her femine side at sea through many curious adventures, including fighting pirates, becoming a castaway,...and protecting herself from wayward sailors.

OPINION: There are a lot of teen books about girls going to sea, but this one is unique in that the heroine is so likeable! She is certainly not ruled by her circumstances. The irrepressible and saucy Jacky chooses her course and plans her moves to get what she wants! This was L. A. Meyer's first book. I actually read this book's sequel first (The Curse of the Blue Tattoo), and I liked it better. But, I recommend reading both and doing it soon because a third one is on the way in August!

Book Review: Millicent Min, Girl Genius

Millicent Min, Girl Genius by Lisa Yee

SUMMARY: Millicent Min, 11-year-old high schooler, is having a bad summer. In an effort to give Millicent a more "normal" childhood, her mom has not only signed her up for volleyball, she has also arranged for her to tutor Stanford Wong--jock, jerk, and Chinese-American slacker. When Millicent meets Emily, though, things start to look up. If Millicent can only ignore her grandmother's advice and keep her lies straight, she might actually make her first friend and live through the summer. (adapted from the back cover)

OPINION: Millicent is so smart, she doesn't even know how dumb she is. Not in the intellectual sense (she's going to be a senior in high school), but in the relationship sense. She has no idea how to relate to people her age, let alone how to make friends. It puts her in some really awkward-but-humorous situations, as she tries to hide her intelligence and even pretends that Stanford is tutoring her! This will be a fun, light summer read.

Book Review: Dustin Grubbs, One Man Show

Dustin Grubbs, One Man Show by John J. Bonk
This book will be released in September 2005.

SUMMARY: So maybe wanting to be an actor is an ambitious career goal for a guy in the sixth grade, but that doesn't stop Dustin Grubbs. He's about to make his theatrical debut in the school play, in spite of interruptions from ill-timed fire alarms, falling scenery, and child TV stars! Dustin is not defeated, and becomes determined to save the day and the play at any cost. (adapted from the back cover)

OPINION: This book has some great funny moments, as disasters strike one after the other and the action becomes increasingly absurd. I really liked Dustin's crazy family and the situations they caused, particulary the birthday party incident. Also, if you have even been in a school play, you will appreciate Dustin's struggles toward on-stage success! Look for this book, coming soon.

Book Review: The Singer of All Songs

The Singer of All Songs by Kate Constable

SUMMARY: Calwyn knows nothing about the world beyond the Wall, until the stranger Darrow shows up and speaks to her of discord in Tremaris and a powerful chanter who is trying to kill him. To help Darrow escape, Clawyn leaves the safety of the Wall for a dangerous adventure to see the world, and perhaps to save it. (adapted from the inside flap)

OPINION: Marissa recommended this book to me, and it was well worth reading. So, start reading now! The adventure story is gripping and the fantasy world is unique and convincing. There is a second book, The Waterless Sea, which I cannot wait to get! The third in this trilogy is coming this summer.

Book Review: The Boyfriend List

The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart

SUMMARY: Ruby Oliver has had a rough 10 days. Her boyfriend ditched her for her best friend, causing her to lose all of her friends and become the subject of bathroom-wall graffiti. In therapy, Ruby makes "The Boyfriend List" of all the boys she has ever liked, even if they weren't actual boyfriends (most of them weren't) and hilariously talks her way through the mess that is her current life.

OPINION: The title of this book sound raunchy, but it is actually a realistic portrayal of unrequited love, boyfriends, lack of boyfriends, friendships-gone-bad, and other high school angst. The writing style is a lot of fun, with a meandering voice that is very conversational and lots of asides put in as footnotes. Several parts of this book made me laugh out loud. If I had Ruby's life, I'd need therapy too!

BEST QUOTE: "I firmly believe that women should not get all cruel and petty with each other over men, because how on earth will we run companies and countries if we're preoccupied with someone else's big boobs in a pink sweater set?" (p. 83)

Book Review: You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah!

You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah! by Fiona Rosenbloom
This book will be released in September 2005.

SUMMARY: Stacy Friedman is getting ready for her bat mitzvah, and all she wants is the perfect dress, her friends by her side, and Andy Goldfarb to dance with her. But Stacy's plans start to fall apart, beginning with her stressed-out mother forcing her to buy a hideous sequined dress that makes her look like the bride of Frankenstein. Then, a betrayal by her best friend causes Stacy to utter the words that will wreak her social life..."You are so not invited to my bat mitzvah!" (adapted from the back cover)

OPINION: This book has all of the typical chick-lit elements: close friendships, cute boys, fabulous clothes, great parties, and, of course, a betrayal that (almost) wrecks everything! What makes it stand out is that it all centers around Stacy Friedman's bat mitzvah, a traditional Jewish coming-of-age ritual. This was a light, enjoyable read that managed to combine religion and humor pretty successfully. I really liked the chapter titles, including my personal favorite: "Avocado Schmear With a Side Order of Fried Frienship"!

Book Review: Sexy

Sexy by Joyce Carol Oates

SUMMARY: Sixteen-year-old Darren Flynn is a good-looking "guy's guy," a junior on the swim team, but he is uncomfortable with his maturing body and with girls. A seemingly innocent encounter with his English teacher, Mr. Tracy, troubles Darren. There are rumors Tracy is gay, and after the teacher flunks one of Darren's teammates, some boys retaliate, implicating Tracy in child porn. Tracy, who insists he is innocent, appeals to Darren for help. Will Darren stand up for his teacher?

OPINION: I am not particularly attached to this book, nor do I hate it. Teens deal with a lot of body image concerns, and it is good to see authors writing about boys' issues in this area. So, the premise was good, but, as the story unfolded, it just wasn't that interesting. This could have been a very psychological novel, but the plot devices just didn't unfold enough depth or motivation from the main characters.

Book Review: Geography Club

Geography Club by Brent Hartinger

SUMMARY: How can a diverse group of gay and lesbian students meet at school without drawing attention to themselves? Easy. They form a club that's so boring, no one will want to join: Geography Club. This club doesn't learn much geography, but they learn plenty about the treachery of high school and the danger of the human heart.

OPINION: This was Hartinger's first novel, and it now has a sequel called The Order of the Poison Oak. Hartinger has some street cred to deal with these issues. Not only is he gay, but he helped start a support group for gay and lesbian teens in his town. This book is fairly believable in its characterization of gay and straight (and bisexual) characters. It is sometimes funny, sometimes depressing, but always truthful in facing difficult issues head-on.

Book Review: Fresh Off the Boat

Fresh Off the Boat by Melissa de la Cruz

SUMMARY: Newly arrived from the Phillippines, 14-year-old Vicenza is a scholarship student at a snooty private girls' school in San Francisco. She dreams of love with Tobey Maguire, not having to shop at thrift stores, and being accepted by the wealthy, popular girls at school. Instead, she and her family work multiple jobs and squeeze every penny to pay for necessities. Can Vicenza find real friendship and love in America without any money? (adapted from the review by Booklist)

OPINION: This book is chic-lit with a twist: Vicenza, or "V", is a Filipina whose family has illegally immigrated to the US by overstaying their travel visas. V is a believable character who is struggling with issues familiar to many immigrant teens: traditional family expectations, poverty, and wanting to be a "typical American teenager." This book is not boring or heavy-handed--it is a genuinely fun read, carried by V's personality and some hilarious situations.

BEST QUOTE: "Books borrowed from the library were valued but ephemeral pleasures." (p. 129)

Book Review: Romiette and Julio

Romiette and Julio by Sharon M. Draper

SUMMARY: Romiette and her friend Destiny have been trying to find romance through the Scientific Soul Mate System dream program. However, Romiette keeps having horrible nightmares about fire and water. All this seems to change when she meets Julio, a new student at her school. It is love at first sight! However, a school gang violently opposes interracial dating and puts the lives of Romiette and Julio in jeopardy.

OPINION: I wanted to read this book because the title is humorous. And, as I expected, the story is a modern version of the Shakespeare classic. It is simultaneously romantic and suspenseful, although the author does tend to reference the Shakespeare stuff a bit too often. Everyone knows the story. However, the author is a high school teacher, and it is obvious that she writes from experience with students. I really liked the characters and thought the book was very clever.

Book Review: Sammy and Juliana in Hollywood

Sammy and Juliana in Hollywood by Benjamin Alire Saenz

SUMMARY: It's not the glitzy and glamorous Hollywood. Sammy and Juliana's Hollywood is a tough barrio at the edge of a small town in southern New Mexico. The year is 1969, and they face a world of racism, school dress codes, the war in Vietnam, and the everyday violence of their own neighborhood.

OPINION: This book is really unique in its writing style and in the voice of the main character. Hippies, the Vietnam War, and "The Summer of Love" look really different when viewed through the eyes of Hispanic teens trying to make it out of the ghetto.

BEST QUOTE: "It's funny, everyone had always told us love was another word for belonging. No one, no one had ever told me that love was another name for exile." (p. 171)

Book Review: LBD--Live and Fabulous

LBD--Live and Fabulous by Grace Dent

SUMMARY: The girls of the LBD are back! This time they are a year older and have convinced their parents to let them go to the coveted Astlebury Music Festival after rock god Spike Saunders sends them free passes. But can the LBD handle a weekend of loud music and gorgeous boys combined with mud and gross portaloos?

OPINION: This book is totally fluffy, but it is a fun read. If you have ever dreamed of attending a music festival, meeting rock stars, and saving the world, this is the book for you!

Book Review: Breathing Underwater

Breathing Underwater by Alex Flinn

SUMMARY: Nick is intelligent, poupular and wealthy. Everyone thinks his life is pretty easy. Except that Nick has never told anyone about his father's violent temper. When Nick meets Caitlin, he thinks that she is the answer to all of his problems. But then Nick has to face up to the fact that he has inherited more from his father than green eyes and money.

OPINION: In all of her books, Alex Flinn writes about difficult subjects in a unique way. In this book, she tackles the subject of dating violence from the point of view of the abuser. Nick honestly doesn't think he has a problem, and the book really focuses on how he comes to terms with his issues. This is a tough book to read, but very well-written and worthwhile.

Book Review: Comfort

Comfort by Carolee Dean

SUMMARY: Kenny Willson wants nothing more than to get out of Comfort, Texas--away from the clawlike grip of his workaholic mother, away from his alcoholic ex-con father. Forced to give up football and band in exchange for constant work in his mother's run-down cafe, Kenny is determined not to lose his dreams. And when he discovers a talent for poetry and words, he begins to plot the moment that has the power to change his life.

OPINION: How far you would you go to get what you want? Kenny defies the wishes of his mother by staying IN school and having dreams that stretch beyond the walls of the cafe. But when your dreams aren't enough, would you be willing to run away? Steal? Kill? What I liked best about this book was the stark intersection between dreams and reality, where the best plans don't always work out in expected ways.

Book Review: LBD--It's a Girl Thing

LBD--It's a Girl Thing by Grace Dent

SUMMARY: When Ronnie, Fleur, and Claude (aka LBD, or Les Bambinos Dangereuses), are banned from going to a local music festival by their fun-hating ogre parents, the girls come up with a fantastic solution: stage their own festival at their school! It sounds brilliant, but can they convince administrators, find talented teens, and scrape up some cash to get this thing off the ground?

OPINION: This book is classic fluffy British chic-lit. The music festival is the main story, but there are loads of laughs and goreous guys in the subplots. Take it on the bus, to the beach, or to bed...wherever you need a good book for relaxation. It is a fun, enjoyable, and quick read. And now there is a sequel called LBD: Live and Fabulous.

Book Review: Travel Team

Travel Team by Mike Lupica

SUMMARY: Danny Walker is the smallest kid on the basketball court, but no one plays with a bigger love of the game or with more knowledge about moves and style. So why is he cut from the local travel team for being too small? And how can he and the other kids left out of this team get back in the game?

OPINION: If you love basketball, this is a book for you! But even if you don't, you will enjoy rooting for these underdogs as they take on family issues, crazy sports parents, community pressure, and, of course, the big game. Who knew that seventh grade sports could be so exciting?

Book Review: A Girl Named Disaster

A Girl Named Disaster by Nancy Farmer

SUMMARY: Twelve-year-old Nahmo, fleeing an impending marriage to a cruel man with three wives, sets out for Zimbabwe on a leaky boat. Soon, strong currents sweep her entirely off track and she struggles to overcome drowning, starvation, and attacks by animals. Nhamo's journey brings her closer to the African spirit world as she struggles against lonliness and toward a new life.

OPINION: Although this book is set in Africa, it is not fantasy like Farmer's book The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm. It is historical fiction, set in the early 1980s, when Mozambique and Zimbabwe had recently won their independence from colonial Portugal and Britain. This book deals with the intersection of tribal traditions and modern lifestyles, and tells a gripping story as well!

Book Review: Saving Francesca

Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta

SUMMARY: Francesca (Frankie) is one of only 30 girls at the formerly-all-boys St. Sebastian's...and the only girls she knows from her old school are psycho. Throw in living with a depressed mother, being dissed by former friends, and being surrounded daily by lots of gross, sexist boys, and you can see why Francesca needs saving!

OPINION: This book nicely walks the fine line between fluffy chic-lit and serious drama. It deals with friends, boys, and romance...but also concerns a family falling apart from depression. It takes place in Australia, so there are a few obscure cultural references. But it is a great read, simultaneously humorous and serious. FYI--This book was on the BBYA 2005 Top Ten list.

Don't Ask Alice

Did you know that the famous diary Go Ask Alice is really just anti-drug propaganda written by adults, including Beatrice Sparks? Beatrice Sparks wrote several other fake diaries about issues like teen pregnancy, AIDS, and homelessness. To find out more, read some of the negative reviews on Amazon or visit the Snopes urban legend article about the book.

Book Review: Boy2Girl

Boy2Girl by Terence Blacker

SUMMARY: Matthew's American cousin, Sam, has come to London to live with the family. Matthew and his "mates" decide that Sam must undertake a challenge to prove that he will be a loyal friend: he must start the new school by year posing as a girl for an entire week!

OPINION: This book is really funny and upbeat. It is not an "issue" book and does not really address issues of gender or sexuality. The situation with Sam just escalates until it is way out of control, invoving a soccer riot, a smitten 12th-grade hunk, a dad who just got out of jail, and a school talent show gone bad!

New Books!

I just covered ten NEW books for the teen corner, so look for them next time you come in!

1. Boy2Girl by Terence Blacker
2. The Artemis Fowl Files by Eoin Colfer
3. Whale Talk by Chris Crutcher
4. LBD: It's A Girl Thing by Grace Dent
5. Coram Boy by Jamila Gavin
6. It's Your World--If You Don't Like It, Change It: Activism for Teenagers by Mikki Halpin
7. Talk by Kathe Koja
8. Brother Hood by Janet McDonald
9. The Search for Belle Prater by Ruth White
10. A Thief in the House of Memory by Tim Wynne-Jones

Book Review: Heaven

Heaven by Angela Johnson

SUMMARY: Marley has lived in Heaven since she was two years old, when her mother found a postcard postmarked HEAVEN, OH on a park bench and decided that was where she wanted to raise her family. And for twelve years, Marley's hometown has lived up to its name. Then one day a letter arrives from Alabama, and Marley's life is turned upside down. Marley doesn't even know who she is anymore--but where can she go for answers, when she's been deceived by the very people she should be able to trust the most?

OPINION: This book is short and beautiful. It includes unique and mysterious characters, and is a satisfying read. This book is a partner book to The First Part Last, which is about teen-aged Bobby and his daughter, Feather. Although this book is about Marley, Bobby and Feather are characters, and we get a glimpse of how he is managing.

Book Review: Hard Love

Hard Love by Ellen Wittlinger

SUMMARY: Since his parents' divorce, John's mother hasn't touched him, her new fiancé wants them to move away, and his father would rather be anywhere than at Friday night dinner with his son. It's no wonder John writes articles like "Interview with the Stepfather" and "Memoirs from Hell" for his zine, Bananafish. Hanging out at Tower Records, John finds other zines, like the amazing Escape Velocity by Marisol, a self-proclaimed "Puerto Rican Cuban Yankee Lesbian." When John meets Marisol, hard love is born.

OPINION: This book was not at all what I expected it to be. And I really liked it for that. The story is an intimate look at a not-so-intimate friendship. If you are a writer of any kind, you will appreciate the centrality of teens' writing to this story.

Book Review: Bad Boy

Bad Boy: A Memoir by Walter Dean Myers

BEST QUOTE: "My response to my problems was to immerse myself in literature. Books are often touted by librarians as vehicles to carry you far away. I most often saw them as a way of hiding one self inside the other. What I had to hide was the self who was a reader, who loved poetry." (page 126)

SUMMARY: As a boy, Walter Dean Myers was quick--tempered and physically strong, always ready for a fight. He also read voraciously--he would check out books from the library and carry them home, hidden in brown paper bags in order to avoid other boys' teasing. He aspired to be a writer. But growing up in a poor family in Harlem, he began to doubt himself and the values that he had always relied on, attending high school less and less, turning to the streets and his books for comfort. This autobiography is a interesting window into Harlem as it was the 1940s and 50s.

OPINION: Walter Dean Myers is one of the most famous YA writers, not even counting the fact that he is one of a few people writing convincingly about young black men. If you have not read his books, look for Monster, Shooter, Hoops, or Scorpions next time you are in the Teen Corner.

Book Review: The Winter Prince

The Winter Prince by Elizabeth E. Wein

SUMMARY: Medraut, illegitimate eldest son the high king of Britain, cannot be heir to the throne. Instead, his younger half-brother, Lleu, fragile and inexperienced, is chosen. Medraut cannot bear to be commanded and contradicted by this weakling brother who he feels has usurped both his birthright and his father's favor. Torn and bitter, he joins Morgause, the high king's treacherous sister, in a plot to force Artos to forfeit his power and kingdom in exchange for Lleu's life. But this plot soon proves to be much more--a battlefield on which Medraut is forced to decide, for good or evil, where his own allegiance truly lies.

OPINION: This book uses a unique storytelling style, which is cool but also hard to follow in the beginning. Nonetheless, it is a great story with plenty of treachery and betrayal to keep you interested. Plus, it draws inspiration from the Arthurian legend. This is the first book in a trilogy that also includes A Coalition of Lions (book 2) and The Sunbird (book 3).

Book Review: A Coalition of Lions

A Coalition of Lions by Elizabeth E. Wein

SUMMARY: After the death of virtually all of her family in the battle of Camlan, Goewin, Princess of Britain, makes a desperate journey to African Aksum to meet with Constantine, the British ambassador and her fiance. But Aksum is undergoing political turmoil, and Goewin's relationship with its ambassador to Britain makes her position more than precarious. Caught between two countries, with the power to transform or end lives, Goewin fights to find and claim her place in a world that has suddenly, irrevocably changed.

OPINION: This is the second book in the trilogy that also includes The Winter Prince (book 1) and The Sunbird (book 3). I liked this book very much, expecially because it has such a strong female character! It is also the only one that has an author's note at the end explaining the history behind the books. It was really interesting to learn about the real events and people that inspired the book!

Book Review: The Perks of Being a Wallflower

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

SUMMARY: Charlie is a freshman. And while's he's not the biggest geek in the school, he is by no means popular. He's a wallflower--shy and introspective, and intelligent beyond his years, if not very savvy in the social arts. We learn about Charlie through the letters he writes to someone who he hopes will be a good listener. Charlie encounters the same struggles that many kids face in high school--how to make friends, the intensity of a crush, family tensions, a first relationship--but he must also deal with his best friend's recent suicide.

OPINION: This was Chbosky's first novel, and it is amazing. Charlie is a unique character, yet his high school experiences are very realistic. Whether you love high school or hate it, whether you agree with his choices or not, you will feel infinite along with Charlie as you read this book. This is a classic coming-of-age novel with a striking perspective.

Book Review: Luna

Luna by Julie Anne Peters

SUMMARY: Peters tells two stories in this groundbreaking novel--one about Regan, and the other about Liam, Regan's transgender brother, who is the son his father expects by day but a young woman, Luna, by night. Fiercely protective of Liam/Luna, Regan has put her life on hold; she worries about her brother's female self being discovered and the family's reaction, and she fears that her brother may someday give in to despair. While Regan wonders if she will ever be able to have a life separate from the needs of her sibling, Liam seriously begins to consider a permanent change.

OPINION: I was not very impressed with this book. True, it is one of only a few teen books that deals with this issue, but it was not very believable. For example, the parents and other minor characters seemed two-dimensional and stereotypical. Then there was Liam/Luna, a high school genius who was independently wealthy from his computer business. If that wasn't enough of a stretch, then he leaves school and his business to run off to the West Coast to live with a transgender person he met on the internet. That is not a good way to deal with your personal issues, people!

Book Review: The Sunbird

The Sunbird by Elizabeth E. Wein

SUMMARY: Telemakos is a blend of royal lines from two different countries: Britain and Aksum. He is also an exceptional listener and tracker, resolute and inventive in his ability to discover and retain information. Now his aunt Goewin, the British ambassador to Aksum, needs his skill to thwart the plague that threatens Aksum through black-market salt trading. This challenge will take all of Telemakos’s skill, strength, and courage--because otherwise it will cost him his life.

OPINION: The book reminded me of The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner, as well as Trickster's Choice and Trickster's Queen by Tamora Pierce, because of the main character is a spy. This fantasy book takes some inspiration from The Odyssey, yet also draws on ancient African history. The story takes place Aksum, Africa, an area that is now Eritrea and Ethiopia. It is the third book the author has written featuring this kingdom, the first two being The Winter Prince and A Coalition of Lions.

Book Review: Please Don't Kill the Freshman

Please Don't Kill the Freshman: A Memoir by Zoe Trope

SUMMARY: Zoe Trope's caustic coming-of-age diary rants and raves through her increasingly irrelevant high school career. Zoe's entries chronicle her tortured search for truth in love and art, her faltering faith in the value of activism in the face of universal apathy, and her bottomless disdain for just about every figure and fixture in her high school life.

OPINION: The stream-of-consciousness style writing style makes it stand out from other YA books. Also, the characters are called things like "Techno Boy," "Sloppy Charcoal," "Plum Sweater," "Tupperware," "Vegan Grrl," etc. This actually tells you more about the characters than their real names ever could. And an interesting note: Zoe Trope (not her real name) wrote this book in high school.

Book Review: Whale Talk

Whale Talk by Chris Crutcher

SUMMARY: Life as a person of color is not easy in the Pacific Northwest, home of the Aryan Nation. A natural athlete, T.J. Jones sees racisim and hatred in his community every day. This is part of the reason he refuses to play organized sports. That is, until he finds diversity and challenges the religion of athletics by bringing together a swim team of school outcasts.

OPINION: Everyone has their personal demons, and the people in this book really struggle. The book is hopeful, though, with swim team success and family healing. The end made me cry. If you liked Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes, this book is similar in its writing style and treatment of issues.

Book Review: Devil in the White City

Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America by Erik Larson

SUMMARY: The glittering world of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair made Buffalo Bill's Wild West show and the Ferris wheel world famous. It also served as a cover for psychopaths and serial killers. Uncover the planning and execution of the fair...as well as the planning and execution of murder...

OPINION: This gripping book is nonfiction, but reads like a novel. It is long, but I couldn't put it down. There is a hometown connection, too: a Philadelphia detective solved the serial killer case! You can find this book in print, on tape, or on CD in the adult section of the library.

Book Review: Prom

Prom by Laurie Halse Anderson (NEW!)

Best quote from this book, when the main character is talking about her house:

"It was still spring, so the living room was a shrine to our baseball team, the Philadelphia Phillies. In the fall, Dad made it into a shrine to the Eagles (football). Winter was always a little weird. We'd get Flyers decorations (hockey), 76ers decorations (basketball), and Christmas decorations (baby Jesus, who was a Philly fan from way back)." --p.38

SUMMARY: Ashley doesn't care about the prom at all, but she is the exception in her urban Philadelphia high school. Everyone else is going crazy with prom plans...until their math teacher is arrested for stealing all the money from the prom account...

OPINION: This book is about average teens who are faced with an unreal situation. This story is part humor, part Cinderella, and part suspense! An interesting aside: In the author's notes, Laurie Halse Anderson gives props to Philadelphia's former modern rock station Y100 (*sigh*), which she listed to while writing the book!

Book Review: Margaux with an X

Margaux with an X by Ron Koertge (NEW!)

SUMMARY: Margaux is the dream catch of every teenage male within her radar. She has perfected the arts of beauty, popularity, and sarcasm to escape the world of her her money-addicted parents (Dad = professional gambler, Mom = professional shopper) and a long-hidden secret. But, strangely, Margaux feels more like herself with David Riley, a scrawny, weak-chinned, animal loving oddball who has some secrets of his own.

OPINION: This book is a short read, but not too easy. Margaux loves words and ideas, which leads her away from her shallow, popular crowd. I didn't even know all the words she did...I had to look some up!!! If you like this book, we have Stoner and Spaz by the same author.

Book Review: Curse of the Blue Tattoo

Curse of the Blue Tattoo : Being an Account of the Misadventures of Jacky Faber, Midshipman and Fine Lady by Louis A. Meyer

SUMMARY: After being exposed as a girl, Jacky Faber is forced to leave the Dolphin and attend the elite Lawson Peabody School for Young Girls in Boston. But growing up on the streets of London and fighting pirates never prepared Jacky for her toughest battle yet: learning how to be a lady. And whenever Jacky roams the city in search of adventure, trouble is never far behind.

OPINION: This is the second book about Jacky. I have not read the first one (Bloody Jack), but now I am going to! I seriously couldn't put this book down. Everything in my house got negelected while I laid on the couch and read away the afternoon. Doesn't that sound like fun?! The only bad thing about this book: there is a HORSE named GRETCHEN!!

Book Review: No Shame, No Fear

No Shame, No Fear by Ann Turnbull

SUMMARY: This is fast-paced historical drama set in England in 1662 amid the turmoil of the religious persecution of the Friends. Susanna Thorn, 15, is a Quaker with a strong and committed independent spirit. William Heywood, 17, is educated and comes from a wealthy, respectable family that adheres to the Church of England. They meet when she moves into town to work and develop a bond that cannot be broken by religion, law, or parents.

OPINION: This is an incredibly romantic piece of historical fiction that reads like a fluffy beach novel. I convinced our resident romance fan Ashley M. to read this book (against her will--she hates historical fiction) and she voluntarily told me she enjoyed it. She even recommended it to the book group members last week. So if that isn't a reason to read it, I don't know what is.

80s Forever!

Well, maybe not, but at least for one night. We rocked the house with our way cool 80s vibe last Friday!

We started with some video clips of Michael Jackson’s dance moves, including scenes from Thriller, Billie Jean, and Bad. We also checked out Weird Al’s Fat video for laughs. Then, Brad came by and taught us some of Michael Jackson’s moves for our dance contest. Later, we did 80s activities, including board games, puzzles, Nintendo, a Coke-Pepsi taste test, celebrity then-and-now photo matching, a find Gretchen in the 1986 class photo contest, and the wall of 80s slang. And who could forget the “Put Michael Jackson’s Faces in Order” game! We wrapped up with video clips from Labyrinth and a spread of 80s food, including the legendary candy salad bar.

Thanks to the TAB for all of their ideas and help with this event! Huge thanks to Giselle and her parents for their dedication to all things 80s.

If you missed 80s night, you can find out everything you want to know @ the library. Find killer fiction and non-fiction books along with awesome websites that are totally bodacious! And don’t forget to check out the kickin’ photos below (and a few really excellent ones in a lower post from last Friday).

READ POPULAR BOOKS OF THE 80s FOUND IN OUR TEEN CORNER (OR JUST LAUGH AT THE COVERS)...
• Remember Me to Herald Square by Paula Danziger
• The Ghosts of Departure Point by Eve Bunting
• B, My Name Is Bunny by Norma Fox Mazer
• Sweet Valley High series by Francine Pascal
• Wolf Rider: A Tale of Terror by Avi
• Strictly for Laughs by Ellen Conford
• Scorpions by Walter Dean Myers
• The Runner by Cynthia Voigt
• Mel by Liz Berry

READ NON-FICTION TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE 80s...
• The Eighties by Adrian Gilbert
• The 80s by Dan Epstein
• The 80s & 90s: Power Dressing to Sportswear by Clare Lomas
• 1980s by Jane Duden and Gail B. Stewart
• The 1980s: From Ronald Reagan to MTV by Stephen Feinstein
• The 1980s edited by James D. Torr
• 1980s Pop by Bob Brunning

LOOK ONLINE FOR TONS OF 80s STUFF!
• Everything in the 80s
• 80s Nostalgia
• Play some gnarly 80s games online
• Pure 80s Brit Pop Music Site
• 80s fashion styles and brands
• 80s TV Commercials and Slogans

CHECK THE TV OR VIDEO STORE FOR CLASSIC 80S MOVIES…
• Back to the Future (1985)
• E. T. (1982)
• Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)
• Flight of the Navigator (1986)
• Labrynth (1986)
• Pretty in Pink (1986)
• Say Anything (1989)
• Short Circuit (1986)
• War Games (1983)
• Weird Science (1985)

From the Pile Beside My Bed, I Recommend...

Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko (NEW!)
Living on Alcatraz Island in the 1930s does have its perks...

The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray by Chris Wooding (NEW!)
Serial killers, mystery, cults, adventure, and supernatural beings--this book has it all! This gothic-style story is set in London, where Thaniel and Cathaline are wych-hunters. While seeking out the creatures who lurk in the Old Quarter, they find Alaizabel, who is lovely, half-crazed, and possessed. And that is only the beginning! This thriller will keep you turning the pages.

Monsoon Summer by Mitali Perkins
Jazz, 15, and her best friend (and secret love), Steve, own a successful small business in Berkeley. But when her mother wins a grant to spend the summer in India, the whole family has to go. Once burned for following a do-gooder impulse, Jazz is initially afraid to befriend Danita, a talented 15-year-old orphan who dreams about starting her own business. Influenced by the magic of the monsoon season, the girls push one another to take chances rather than play it safe.

Waters Luninous & Deep: Shorter Fictions by Meredith Ann Pierce
The stories in this book of fantasy range from fragment to retold fairy tale to novella, each with a stong heroine, a tangibly imagined world, and unforgettable imagery.

What My Mother Doesn't Know and One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies by Sonya Sones
Sonya Sones writes novels in verse that address issues of family, friendship, and romance. Although these two books are not related in content, I gave you two titles because they are quick but fulfilling reads. Her command of free verse poetry is immaculate. (She even uses it on her website: http://sonyasones.com.)

Writers' Workshop Celebrates Valentine's Day

Yesterday, the workshop members practiced writing dialogue using only the phrases found on the Valentine's Day candy conversation hearts and M&Ms. It was tough, but the results were hilarious! After reading all of their dialogues out loud, the group voted Megan B.'s story with the ambiguous ending and Will's story of, um, "rejection" as the winners. Many of the dialogues are posted below, with some pictures of our writing process!

Check Out These Books!

I was really sick last week, so that's why you haven't seen me at the desk. I have been at home in bed. Of course, I read tons of stuff, so it wasn't a total waste. And I am back in business now, so see you all this week!

Feeling Sorry for Celia and The Year of Secret Assignments by Jaclyn Moriarty
When a private school english teacher hatches a plan to have his students become pen pals with the public school kids down the road, he has no idea what forces he is unleashing in the community! These companion novels follow the same letter-writing project, which inevitably leads to rude graffiti, hate mail, chance meetings, love letters, revenge plots, date plans...and much more!

Girl, 15, Charming But Insane by Sue Limb (NEW!)
"...seeks, well, seeks Ben Jones, but failing that, seeks large burka-type garment to cover her deformities." Jess Jordan's hilariously overactive imagination complicates her life, but it will keep you entertained!

So Yesterday by Scott Westerfeld
Did you ever wonder why certain things become trendy? Or who starts clothing and enteratinment fads? Or what would happen if marketing became sinister????

The Teacher's Funeral by Richard Peck (NEW!)
Russell Culver is fifteen and itching to leave his tiny town for adventures in the Dakotas. When the schoolteacher dies, Russell figures that the schoolhouse will bel shut down for good and he can get on with his life. No such luck, though: the new teachers is the stuff nightmares are made of!

I Met Ann Brashares!

Last night I went to a bookstore in Bucks County to see Ann Brashares, author of the Sisterhood books. It was the first night of her tour for the third book in the series, called Girls in Pants. It was so great! She told the story about how she became a writer--the first book was written on a sabbatical from work at a publishing company while she was pregnant with her THIRD child! She answered audience questions about her characters, the upcoming movie, the fourth book (there will be one more), and her other writing projects.

I read the new book yesterday before I went, and it was very enjoyable. So the best part of going to meet her was that she signed books. I got one for me, one for the library, and one for a prize for next summer. So, look for the autographed copy of Girls in Pants, which should be on the shelf soon! I also gave her two pictures of our sisterhood event from December, showing her the jeans we wrote on and the purses we made. She was really interested in what we had done!

Reed Moore Boocks

With all the snow, guess what I've been doing??!! That's right...reading through the giant stack o' YA novels by my bed...

Acceleration by Graham McNamee (NEW!)
This quote from the back of the cover says it all: "Me and you going after this guy," Vinny says, "it's like the Hardy Boys meet Hannibal Lechter."

how i live now by Meg Rosoff
In the not-so-distant future, enemy forces take over England while most of that country's solders are away fighting a war. This gripping book shares the survival experiences of a scattered group of cousins as they try to make their way home. I think that the most chilling part of this book is that this kind of hostile takeover could really happen in our world.

King of the Mild Frontier by Chris Crutcher
In this autobiography, Crutcher shares his memories of growing up as a "dateless, broken-toothed, scabbed-over, God-fearing dweeb." He wasn't good at much of anything back then (like athletics, boy scouts, or thinking), but he has turned all of his miserable experiences into great teen books!

Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve
In the distant future, many cities and towns are mobile and roam the great hunting ground that used to be Europe. They don't hunt animals...they hunt each other. Intrigue and betrayal fuel this dark story.

Vegan Virgin Valentine by Carolyn Mackler
Mara Valentine is a high-strung over-achieving control-freak high school senior...until her slutty, pot-smoking 16-year-old niece (yes, niece) comes to live with her family. Just imagine the chaos...

DDR Night Rocks!

Last night's DDR event was a total success...we didn't even make any plaster fall off the ceiling in the children's room below! Thirteens teens attended the event, representing grades 6-12. Sean was the master of DDR, giving a demo and helping keep the event running smoothly. Also, props to Jason (my husband) for coming over and hooking up the XBox to the wall projector and the speakers. Everyone had a great time! Wesley won the dance contest, and Ashleigh came in second. They won gift certificates to Game Stop. We may do this again in the future because it was so great!

Summer Reading Program

It's supposed to snow as much as 10 inches this weekend, and that is making me really look forward to this summer! I am thinking about all the events we can do with the theme Dragons, Dreams, and Daring Deeds (for kids) and Joust Read (for teens). Here are my ideas so far:

• Jester Workshop (learn juggling, jokes, gags, and other foolish tricks)


• Calligraphy or Illumination Workshop (Sarah will handle this!)


• Live Chess (kids and teens act out a game played by two community members)


• Swordfighting Demonstration and Workshop (invite members of the Society for Creative Anachronism to show their stuff and teach us some moves...with plastic swords...)

To add your ideas, comment on this post or tell me next time you're in the library!

Worthy Reads

It's cold outside! Stay in an read a book!!!

Alice, I Think and Miss Smithers by Susan Juby
Both of these books feature the quirky Alice, who has been homeschooled her whole life, until now. Between exploring thrift-store fashion, fearing for the adjustment of Death Lord Bob (her counselor), and dealing with aging hippies, Alice manages to enter the real world...on her own terms.

Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke
When humans threaten one of the last dragon habitats, one brave dragon sets out to find the mythical Rim of Heaven where all dragons can live in peace. With a brownie, a boy, and the help of some rats, Firedrake begins his journey...

Hole in My Life by Jack Gantos
Jack Gantos is a well-known author of children's books including the Rotten Ralph series and the Joey Pigza books. This autobiography covers the years before he began his writing career...when he was jailed for sailing a boat of heroin from St. Croix to NYC!

Nothing to Lose by Alex Flinn
Michael Daye has spent the last year hiding out with a traveling carnival under an assumed name. He returns to his hometown, Miami, just in time for the start of his mother's trial for the murder of his wealthy abusive stepfather. Was it self-defense?

The True Meaning of Cleavage by Mariah Fredericks
This is the other meaning of the word...the one that means "breaking apart." Starting high school brings conflict between Jess and Sari. Jess prefers sci-fi and art, while Sari starts secretly hanging out with an ultra-popular senior (who already has a girlfriend). This can only lead to trouble...

Recommended Reading

Happy New Year! I finally had time to catch up on my YA reading, so here are some recommendations:

Bucking the Sarge by Christopher Paul Curtis (NEW!)
Luther T. Farrell has it made...a fake ID, his own ride, and plenty of cash. That is, until his science fair project challenges the slum empire of his mother, the Sarge.

Double Helix by Nancy Werlin (NEW!)
What does they mysterious Dr. Wyatt have to do with Eli's past? And how far will Eli go to find out?

Half-Human compiled and edited by Bruce Coville
What if you had wings that didn't work? What if you had always felt a subtle pull to the sea? What if only one of your parents was human!? This book of short stories features work by fantasy writers like Nancy Springer, Tamora Pierce, Jane Yolen, and, of course, Bruce Coville.

Jude by Kate Morgenroth
Jude's father was a dealer...until he was killed in front of Jude. Jude's mother (a local district attorney) takes him in and sends him to a fancy prep school. But when one of the kids there dies from a drug overdose, Jude is suspected. The action in this book never stops!

Stoner and Spaz by Ron Koertge
What happens when a social reject with cerebral palsy becomes friends with the school druggie? Not what you'd expect.

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

Tonight we held an event to celebrate the upcoming January release of the third sisterhood book. We took the sacred vow of the sisterhood, found our sisterhood soulmates through an online quiz, ate sisterhood snacks, and wrote about our best friends on a pair of jeans for the teen corner. Then, we spent a long time making recycled denim purses! First we sewed the bottoms together. Then, we decorated the front with denim cut-outs, patches, and buttons. Finally, we braided strips of denim and safety-pinned them on for the handle. Giselle and Lisa each won a book of friendship quizzes and a pair of socks that looked like jeans. Everyone took home a handout of websites and a few friendship quizzes from Discovery Girls magazine, as well as their fabulous purses!

If you missed this event, don't worry! You can still participate in the sisterhood by reading the books by Ann Brashares:
*The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
*The Second Summer of the Sisterhood
*Girls in Pants: The Third Summer of the Sisterhood

You can also check out these websites:
http://www.randomhouse.com/teens/sisterhoodcentral/
The official publisher’s website has tons of stuff, including contests, an excerpt of the third book, and a quiz to find out which of the sisterhood girls you are most like!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0403508/
Find out about the sisterhood movie, which will be released in July 2005. The cast includes Amber Tamblyn (Joan of Arcadia), Alexis Bledel (Gilmore Girls), America Ferrera, and Blake Lively as the four friends of the Sisterhood.
http://www.funtrivia.com/dir/9964.html
At this site, you can take at least 10 different quizzes about the first two books that were created by other readers!
http://www.makingfriends.com/jean_crafts.htm
Find a list of great denim crafts on this site. Make purses, lunchbags, book covers, and more out of old jeans. Plus, find out how to decorate your newer jeans with embroidery, bleaching, and homemade patches!

Yu-Gi-Oh Tournament

Tonight we held our first major single-elimination Yu-Gi-Oh Tournament, with 24 participants and 3 judges. Everyone played well and enjoyed themselves. The competition heated up as we moved down through the brackets, leaving Jimmy, Tariq, and Christophre as the finalists. After several intense rounds, Tariq was victorious. All three of the top contenders won packs of cards from Thai and a copy of City of Light, City of Dark by Avi and Brian Floca. Additionally, Tariq won more cards and a copy of the Guiness Book of World Records 2005 for coming in first! Check out the photos below.

Writers' Workshop

Sign-ups for Writers' Workshop are going on now!! It will be held on Monday afternoons through the winter and spring from 3:30-5:00, beginning on January 24. Many of the teens who participated in the fall have been published in the News of Delaware County newspaper this month, and we hope to continue this trend! Also, we will be working on finishing pieces of writing to submit to other newspapers and magazines that accept teen writing submissions.

All kinds of writers are welcome...bring your own writing that you are working on or write short pieces during the workshop!

Dance Dance Revolution

Show your moves at our XBox DDR night! We are going to project the game onto the wall so that four people can dance at a time. Warm up and have fun, then enter our mini-tournament to see who is the best dancer. There is only room for 11 more participants at this event because sign ups are going on now! You need to return a signed permission slip to attend.

Book Group Notes

The YA Book Discussion Group met today to discuss Son of the Mob by Gordon Korman. Everyone thought the book was fun and recommended it to friends, and even teachers! First, we went to an online Mafia Name Generator to get appropriate names. We discussed the book's many humorous situations, how parents influence our lives, and whether you can be both honest and involved in organized crime. We also checked out Gordon Korman's website at http://www.gordonkorman.com!

The group voted to read Full Tilt by Neal Shusterman for our next meeting on January 13.

You can join the book group any time! Just let me know, and I will order you a book.

Yu-Gi-Oh Tournament

Prepare your decks...

Join members of the Yu-Gi-Oh Club for a tournament on Tuesday, December 28, from 6:30 to 8:30. All participants must be in grades 6 to 12. Sign-ups are going on now, and only 32 slots are available. You must sign up and return a permission slip to attend (even if you are a club member).

We will be playing by the official tournament rules, which can be read at http://www.upperdeckentertainment.com/yugioh/train.asp. Since we will be playing the advanced version of the game, the banned, limited, and semi-limited card rules will be enforced. Get this list at http://www.upperdeckentertainment.com/yugioh/forb_advanced.aspx.

Get more information and a permission slip at the desk in the children's library.

Winter Schedule Announced

I have been busy planning the winter teen events, with some help from the new Teen Advisory Board. Here is the current version of the schedule, but it is subject to change! Remember, these events are for people in grades 6 through 12.


WEEKLY TEEN CLUBS

Writers’ Workshop
Mondays, 3:30 to 5:00
Beginning January 24
Go beyond writing short stories, poems, and reports for school. Learn how to write in many new genres, hear guest speakers, and GET PUBLISHED!!
Registration begins December 27.

Knitting Club
Tuesdays, 3:45 to 4:45
January 18 through April 12
Except March 22
You may not be a Hollywood star, but you can learn to knit like one. Join this trendy club and make your own accessories.
Registration is ongoing, but club size is limited!

Cartooning Club
Wednesdays, 4:30 to 5:30
Beginning January 5
Drop in and work on your artistic skills, characters, and storylines with Sarah, the resident artist. Try the monthly art challenges and get your work displayed in the library.
No registration.

Trading Card Game (TCG) Club
Fridays 4:00 to 5:30
Beginning January 7
Do you play Yu-Gi-Oh? Magic the Gathering? Duel Masters? .Hack? MegaMan NT Warrior? Join the TCG club to meet new players, learn new strategies, and practice your gaming skills. Bring your own cards.
Registration is ongoing, but club size is limited!
Permission slip required.


MONTHLY TEEN EVENTS

YA Book Discussion Group
Second Thursdays, 3:30 to 5:00
January 13, February 10, March 10, April 14, May 12
Get free books and free food. What could be better!?
Registration is required one month before attending.

DDR Dance Party & Contest
Friday, January 21 from 7:00 to 8:30
Show your moves at our X-Box Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) night! We will project the game onto a screen so that four people can dance at a time. Warm up and have fun, then enter our mini-tournament to see who is the best dancer.
Registration begins December 20.
Permission slip required.

Time Warp Night
Friday, March 4 from 7:00 to 8:30
Go back to the 70s and 80s with games, trivia, movies, music, and more. Prizes will be awarded for the best clothes, so come dressed to impress!
Brought to you by the Teen Advisory Board.
Registration begins February 7.

The Pharaoh’s Curse Mystery Night
Friday, April 22 from 7:00 to 8:30
Shortly after being crowned “Queen of the Nile” at the senior prom, Amara Fahdi was found unconscious at the bottom of a staircase. Was it attempted murder, or just an innocent fall? Play the role of a suspect or a detective to try to solve this case.
Brought to you by the Teen Advisory Board.
Registration begins March 21.
Permission slip required.

Teen Advisory Board
The job of a Teen Advisory Board is to help choose materials for the Teen Corner, to assist in planning events, to help raise money for teen programs and projects, and generally have fun. Plus, it looks good on your college applications! We meet once per month, but the dates and times vary. Please email Gretchen Ipock at grrllibrarian@yahoo.com or call her at Sellers Library (610-789-4440) to join.

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

Celebrate the Sisterhood at our teen event on Wednesday, December 29! The third book in the Sisterhood series is coming out in January(http://www.randomhouse.com/teens/sisterhoodcentral/girlsinpants.html), and a movie of the first book is in the works (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0403508/). So we are planning an evening event (7:00-8:30) to make denim crafts, take friendship tests. amd decorate a pair of jeans for the teen corner. Sign up today, and bring your best friends!

Teen Advisory Board (TAB) Meets for First Time

On Sunday, November 21, the TAB had its first meeting. Eight teens attended to eat pizza and discuss how they can become involved in the library. As a group, the TAB will be involved in activities like planning teen programs, helping with teen book selection, and assisting with fundraisers.

Our big project for this meeting was to start planning the teen schedule for the winter. We are working on a 70s or 80s night, and a murder mystery night, among other things. The group also decided to continue Writer's Workshop as a weekly activity and change Yu-Gi-Oh Gaming Club into a general Trading Card Game Club.

If you would like to join the TAB, please see Gretchen ASAP! We will hold our next meeting on Sunday, December 19 from 1:30-2:30.

The new Teen Advisory Board! 

YA Book Group

The book group met on November 11 to talk about Chris Crutcher's book Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes. We had a heated discussion about many of the issues in the book, including the role of adult authority, religion, and other controversial topics in school. Chris Crutcher has written many other books what are equally as engrossing. Check out his website at http://www.chriscrutcher.com for more information about the author and his books.

The book group chose Son of the Mob by Gordon Korman for their December meeting. It is a humorous take on a mob family, told from the point of view of a teenage son who wants nothing to do with "the life." This book has been ordered and should be in soon. Our next meeting will be held on Thursday, December 9, from 3:30 to 5:00.

We Have A New President!

No, not that one. I mean the one from the Teen Corner "Elect to Read" display. Over the past 2 weeks, 79 teens voted for book characters for President. Some chose to use the pre-printed ballot, others nominated write-in candidates. Thanks to everyone who voted! Caitlin Cieri and Kolu Jarboi wrote the most persuasive reasons for their votes, and won copies of the movie Dave. Six other teens received honorable mention and won 15 eyeball gumballs each. Read all eight of the best entries hanging in the teen corner.

And the hew President is...HARRY POTTER, with 23 votes! Since FRODO BAGGINS got 14 votes, I made him the VP. Hermione Granger and Violet Baudelaire both did well at the polls, but neither one managed to beat out Frodo! The candidates received votes as follows:

23 Harry Potter from the Harry Potter series
14 Frodo Baggins from The Lord of the Rings trilogy
11 Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter series
9 Violet Baudelaire from A Series of Unfortunate Events
3 Cassie Logan from Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
3 Klaus Baudelaire from A Series of Unfortunate Events
2 Aragorn from The Lord of the Rings trilogy
1 Caveman from Holes
1 Garfield
1 Jing from the Jing: The King of Bandits series
1 Johnny from the Johnny the Homicidal Maniac series
1 Jonas from The Giver
1 Josh Swensen, aka Larry, from Vote for Larry
1 Judson Moon from The Kid Who Ran for President
1 Kia from the Broken Sky series
1 Merlin
1 Red from a Pokemon series
1 Snoopy
1 The Very Hungry Caterpillar
1 Wilma from The Wish
1 Winnie-the-Pooh

Finished Knitting Projects

Check it out! Some of our knitting club members have finished their first projects!

Writers' Workshop Is Happening Now

Last Tuesday, we had our first Writers' Workshop meeting, which was attended by seven teens. We are hoping to write publishable pieces over the next six weeks for the teen page of the News of Delaware County . Today, the Life editor from that newspaper, George Larmour, came to speak with us about news writing and getting published. There is still room for you to join! We meet every Tuesday from 3:30-5:00 through November 23. Just sign up in the children's room at Sellers Library.

Become a Yu-Gi-Oh! Club Member

Thai and I just decided to open up enrollment for Yu-Gi-Oh! Gaming Club again. We will take 10 new members. All you have to do is fill out the permission slip and get a parent/guardian to sign it. Check out the pictures below to see what our club has been doing this fall.

Elect to Read NOW!

Have you ever thought that Harry Potter would make a better President than George W. Bush? Have you ever wondered why no women have ever been President (or even Vice-President)? What if mice or "Hobbitses" could be elected President? Well this is your chance to act on those ideas!

Visit the Teen Corner at Sellers Library from October 18 through November 2 to elect a book character President of the USA! There are 9 characters on the ballot, plus you can write-in a candidate if you don't like the choices. Get an eyeball gumball just for filling out a ballot, plus great prizes for the best ballots!

It's Alive @ Your Library!

The theme of Teen Read Week this year is "It's Alive @ Your Library!" and we held a night of scary stories and gross food to celebrate on October 15. Twenty-five teens listened to Vicky Town's grotesque and chilling tales. I saw many teens sqirm, jump, and even scream as she spun tales about vampires, serial killers, and the walking dead. Everyone agreed that she was an incredible storyteller. The teens also enjoyed gross-but-good food such as Kitty Litter Cake, Grassy Green Cow Patties, Severed Witches' Fingers, Putrid Punch, and Booger Cookes. I don't have any pictures of Vicky actually telling the stories, but many of the funny pictures below were the results of her hilarious improv with the food and decorations.

New Books!

We just got several new books in the library that you might want to check out:

The Grim Grotto (Book the Eleventh in A Series of Unfortunate Events) by Lemony Snicket
***Learn all about the water cycle...and the most recent installment of tragic trauma in the lives of the Baudelaire orphans.***
The 3 NBs of Julian Drew by James M. Deem
***Julian's NBs tell a story, but only if you can read his secret code. Find out what "1M155U," "K1775" and even "NB" mean.***
Dunk by David Lubar
***Summer at the Jersey shore sounds ideal, but Chad doesn't think so...until he becomes a dunk tank clown making fun of the crowds.***
48 Shades of Brown by Nick Earls
***Dan moves in with his 22-year-old aunt so he can finish high school, not so he can fall in love with her roommate...***
Comfort by Carolee Dean
***Kevin gives up football to join his workaholic mother in the family business, but discovers a talent for poetry and words that has the power to change his life.***
Dante's Daughter by Kimberly Heuston
***Traveling with her father (a famous poet), Antonia struggles with the essential questions of life, wondering "Has my journey made me wise? Have my secret griefs made me strong?"***

Manga and Comic Workshop

This summer, Sarah Ryan is running three sessions of her Manga and Comic Workshop for teens at Sellers Library. Participants practice their drawing techniques and learn professional art skills by developing characters, storyboarding a plot, and finally creating their own comic book. This is a six-week program, but many teens spend hours at home coming up with ideas, practicing techniques in sketches, and drawing final copies. By the end of the sessions, participants are able to show off their comic books, complete with a binding by Sarah.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Club...Still Going

The Yu-Gi-Oh! Gaming Club has grown to nearly 50 members! Each week, about 30 guys show up to play the game and swap cards. We are holding an end-of-summer tournament for club members during our regular meetings on August 13 and 20. Then, the club will take a break and return on September 17. Current members will not need to submit a new permission slip. New members are welcome to join in September, so tell your friends to stop by and pick up a permission slip today!

Redwall Feast and Fun

On August 5, 15 teens attended the Redwall Feast and Fun event. We solved Redwall puzzles, build catapults, watched an episode of the Redwall cartoon, and ate a lot of food! The feast table included Otter Hotroot Stew, Onion Shrewbread with Bee Butter, Banana 'n' Raisin 'n' Chocolate Chip Loaf, Fruit with Meadowcream, Spiced Cupcakers, Chocolate Abbotcake, Spiced Leaf Cookies, Peachy Lemon Iced Tea, and Strawberry Cordial. Needless to say, that was the best part of the evening!

If you missed this fabulous feast, here are some links you can check out:
http://www.redwall.org
This is the official website of Redwall. Find out anything you want to know, including how to send fan mail to Brian Jacques!
http://www.terrouge.com/terr/
This is a webzine devoted to Redwall. Check out their stories, as well as their Fun and Games link.
http://www.rwclub.org/f/insult/index.php
Find a Redwallish insult at this site. Just choose the length and click!
http://www.geocities.com/dabdibbun/index.html
Dibbuns Against Bedtime (DAB) is a great Redwall site that you can join. Go into the Great Hall to test your knowledge or look at art, or just get recipes from the Kitchen.
http://www.kidsreads.com/authors/au-jacques-brian.asp
Read a biography of Brian Jacques, as well as an interview.

You also might be interested to read the books in chronological order:
Lord Brocktree
Martin the Warrior
Mossflower
The Legend of Luke
Outcast of Redwall
Mariel of Redwall
The Bellmaker
Salamandastron
Redwall
Mattimeo
The Pearls of Lutra
The Long Patrol
Marlfox
Taggerung
Triss
Loamhedge

Don't forget to check out this Redwall news flash:
A new Redwall book is coming out in September, called Rakkety Tam! The publisher writes: “The most captivating Redwall novel yet! There has never been a Redwall hero quite like Rakkety Tam, the roguish Highlander squirrel who sets off for Mossflower Wood on a mercenary errand and loses his heart to the charms of Redwall Abbey. And there’s never been a villain quite like Gulo the Savage: a vicious beast-eating wolverine who descends upon the Abbey in search of a relic called the Walking Stone. Readers will cheer at the return of the Long Patrol, the antics of a renegade vole thief, and the emergence of a new champion to wield the sword of Martin. As fans of Brian Jacques and the bestselling Redwall series know, the adventures just keep getting bigger and better.”

Redwall Recipes

Here are the Redwall recipes you requested:

OTTER HOTROOT SOUP
This recipe uses a crock pot. You can also make this on the stove in much less time.
Ingredients:
1 stick butter, 1 zucchini, 1 yellow squaush, 1 red pepper, 2 leeks, 2 cloves garlic, 1/2 onion, 4 scallions, 2 stalks celery, 4 potatoes, 2 large carrots, 2 cans chopped tomatoes, 2 cups water, 2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce, 2 tsp. salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp. cajun seasoning, 1/2 tsp. dried hot red pepper, 2 tsp. oregano, 2 cups salad shrimp
Directions:
1. Slice zucchini, squash, leeks, scallions, carrots, and celery. Dice onion, garlic, potatoes, and red pepper.
2. Melt butter in a large frying pan. Add all of the sliced and diced vegetables. Saute them in the butter until the leeks and onions look clear (5-10 minutes).
3. Pour all of the veggies and their juices in the crock pot. Add the water and tomatoes. Mix in all of the spices.
4. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
5. After a few hours, taste the broth. If it is not spicy enough, add more of the spices used earlier. Also, add more water if needed to create a broth while the soup is cooking.
6. Add the shrimp during the last hour.

STRAWBERRY CORDIAL
Ingredients:
1 package strawberry lemonade Kool-Aid mix, one cup sugar, 3 strawberries, water, 2 cans of lemon-lime soda or ginger ale
Directions:
1. Chop the strawberries in tiny pieces. Put them in a bowl and sprinkle them with some sugar. Let them sit for about 1/2 hour to get juicy.
2. Put the Kool-Aid mix in a pitcher. Add the rest of the sugar, and fill it 1/2 of the way full with water. Stir unti all of the sugar is dissolved.
3. Add the strawberry mixture and stir some more.
4. Stir in the soda.

BEE BUTTER
Ingredients:
1 stick of butter, 4 tbsp. honey
Directions:
1. Put butter in bowl. Let it sit out until soft. Do not use the microwave or stove to melt it. (You could sit it on top of a heated oven to soften it faster.)
2. Stir in the honey. Mix them together until smooth.
3. Refrigerate until solid.
4. Let soften before using.

CHOCOLATE ABBOTCAKE
Ingredients:
1 (8.5 oz.) package yellow cake mix, 1 (6 serving) package of instant chocolate pudding, 4 eggs, 2/3 cup vegetable oil, 2/3 cup white sugar, 1/3 cup water, 1 (8 oz.) container sour cream, 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips, small amount of powdered sugar
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a bundt pan.
2. Dump all ingredients in a bow and mix, adding sour cream and chocolate chips last (if using and electric mixer, stir in chocolate chips by hand).
3. Pour batter into greased and floured bundt pan.
4. Bake for 55 minutes. Allow to cool in pan for 10 minutes before inverting on to cooling rack.

Cowboy Poetry Night

Many people like poetry, but few have heard of cowboy poetry! It started with cowboys telling stories around the campfire. Sometimes they would make them rhyme or turn them into songs. Over time, cowboy poetry became an art form. Just like the sonnets of Shakespeare or Edgar Allan Poe's poetry, you can now check books of cowboy poetry out of the library.

On July 19, some teens enjoyed Cowboy Poetry Night. Only they were all female, so it was really Cowgirl Poetry Night! Anyway, we had a great time, especially Alexa who dubbed herself "Hootin' Tootin' Heidi" and used a fake western accent all night. The participants wrote four different kinds of poems at the stations: free verse, rhyming, six-line poems, and western Mad-Libs. Then we enjoyed trail snacks, including cow pie cookies, around the "campfire" while we read our poems. The teens voted for a poem of Ashley's to win the prize for best cowboy poem.

Country Line Dancing

On July 22, we had a family country line dancing event in the library. Lars and Lori Anderson of Country Kickers/City Slickers taught people of all ages several line dances. We practiced all the steps, then danced to the songs at slow speed to practice. Finally, we were able to do the dances at full speed. Many teens attended, some with their younger siblings. By the end of the evening, we were really tired. Country line dancing is harder than it looks!