Comedy Improv Performance

Last Thursday was the final meeting of the Comedy Improv class, and they put on a small performance for family and friends. We had 12 performers and almost 30 audience members. Vicky involved everyone in the games and ideas for improv situations, and it seemed like they all had a good time.

Vicky did a great job teaching the six-week class! Everyone learned a lot about how to think quickly and interact with others in an improv setting. Who knew being funny was such hard work?! Here are some pictures from the performance.

Improv ballet lesson

Vacation slides...the baby got sick out the car window!

Tough punk chicks!

Are you ready to rumble?

You think you can play our game?

After all that, our game was "Ring Around the Rosie!"

New This Week

We can't stop getting new books, and the room is getting ridiculously full. Come check out the newest:

• A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly
• Skin Hunger (A Resurrection of Magic) by Kathleen Duey
• All-In by Pete Hautman
• Godless by Pete Hautman
• Snakehead by Anthony Horowitz (Alex Rider series #7)
• Go Girl! Robots Gone Wild! by Trina Robbins and Anne Timmons (graphic novel)
• The Lion Hunter by Elizabeth E. Wein
• Parrotfish by Ellen Wittlinger

Marie Lamba Author Visit

Next time you're in the lobby, look at the display I did for our author visit on Sunday, December 2. Marie Lamba will be here from 2:00 to 4:00 to talk about her Young Adult book What I Meant..., answer your questions, and sign copies of her book. Find out more about the author and her book by checking out the display!

You can buy a copy of the book that day, but if you want to buy a copy before the program, just ask me! (Either way, the cost is $11 because we are giving you the library discount.) Thanks to the Teen Advisory Board for sponsoring this author visit. You are the coolest!

Special thanks to library employee Aparna Hindupur for loaning the sari and jewelry in the display!!

Book Review: Extras

Extras by Scott Westerfeld (Uglies series)

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

SUMMARY: It's a few years after rebel Tally Youngblood took down the uglies/pretties/specials regime. Without those strict roles and rules, the world is in a complete cultural renaissance. Tech-heads flaunt their latest gadgets, kickers spread gossip and trends, and surge monkeys are hooked on extreme plastic surgery. And it's all monitored on a bazillion different cameras. The world is like a gigantic game of American Idol. Whoever is getting the most buzz gets the most votes. Popularity rules. Aya Fuse's rank of 451,369 is so low, she's a total nobody. An extra. Then Aya meets a clique of girls who pull crazy tricks, yet are deeply secretive of it. Aya wants desperately to kick their story, to show everyone how intensely cool the Sly Girls are. But doing so would propel her out of extra-land and into the world of fame, celebrity...and extreme danger. A world she's not prepared for. (adapted from the inside flap)

OPINION: This book is a semi-sequel to the Uglies trilogy. The beginning of the story is very strong, with another richly imagined future society and a different cast of characters. The story is set in Japan, further separating it from the original three books. My favorite detail of this society was Westerfeld's inclusion of people who had surgery to look like their favorite manga characters! I was very disappointed when Tally and Shay entered the story in the middle and kind of took it over. I also thought the ending raised more questions than it answered. I think Westerfeld would have done better to make this an independent story in the same world as Tally's stories, and maybe expand it into another trilogy.

British Invasion Night

On Friday, 23 teens came to our celebration of all things British. Christina, a library employee and a total anglophile, planned all kinds of great activities. We did a British English spelling bee, competed in a pub quiz on various pop culture and historical topics, watched some media clips, matched British and American English words, wrote stories using Beatles song titles, and listened to the BBC live on the internet. We had crips and crumpets (potato chips and Tastycakes to you Americans) for a snack, along with a spot of tea. Christina used Halloween crackers and Cadbury chocolate as prizes, as well as some random items we rescued from the library yard sale. Jamine was less than thrilled with her potholder featuring historical sites of London, but we all got a good laugh! Everyone had a good time, and we all went home with a poster for the upcoming movie of The Golden Compass. Thanks, Christina!!!

A group writes down words they associate with the UK.

The lucky few who made it to the second round of the spelling bee!

Fresh Fiction

Here is new fiction that we got through processing this week. Some are from my shopping trip at Barnes & Noble, and others are new publications.

• Neon Genesis Evangelion 3: Angelic Days by Fumino Hayashi (graphic novel)
• Slam by Nick Hornby
• Hush by Donna Jo Napoli (signed copy!)
• Safe by Susan Shaw (signed copy!)
• One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies by Sonya Sones
• Nobody Does It Better by Cecily von Ziegesar (Gossip Girl series)
• The Rogues by Jane Yolen and Robert J. Harris

Book Review: First Boy

First Boy by Gary Schmidt

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

What starts as a gentle book about farm life in New Hampshire suddenly starts to read like a spy or action novel as rumors about 14-year-old Cooper Jewett's real parents hit the presidential campaign trail. Cooper thought that he lived with his grandparents on a dairy farm after his real parents died in a car accident, but events like barn burning and break-ins show him that there is definitely more to the story. With the help of two steadfast neighbors (one of whom discovers a penchant for speeding during the chase scenes), Cooper tries to elude this unwelcome attention. This is a unique story and is a great read as the US is already in the midst of the 2008 presidential race!

British Invasion Night

Don't forget that Friday, November 9, is our British Invasion night from 6:30 to 8:30. Christina has planned amazing things, including movie and TV clips, a British English spelling bee, and a competitive group quiz! She is also going to bring a lot of her pictures and items from when she lived in England. If you love The Office, The Beatles, food, or prizes, then this event is for you! If you haven't signed up yet, call the library and get on the list!!

November Book Grub Meeting

On Friday, 19 members of the high school book group (aka Book Grub) met to discuss The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl by Barry Lyga. Many members talked about Barry's visit to our library last year, and some of the insights he gave us into the book and the characters. We also spent a lot of time discussing whether Fanboy was an unreliable narrator and whether he had a victim complex. It started as a crazy meeting, but it ended up being a good discussion (much to my relief).

Next month, we will discuss A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly. It was a 2004 Printz honor book and is based on a real murder from the early 20th century. We haven't done a historical fiction choice for a while, so I think it will be good. Your copies should be ready for pick-up by the end of the week.

LOL Winners

I just did the drawing for the winners of our LOL IM contest! Every time people attended a teen event during the month of October, they could enter the contest by identifying what different chat abbreviations meant. This was in honor of the Teen Read Week theme, LOL @ Your Library. We had 66 entries during the month, and three winners: Maria, Jasmine B., and Genni. Congrats!!

Too Many Books

We get more and more books in our tiny teen room every week! This week, some stuff I bought at Barnes & Noble is ready to go, as well as a few things I rescued from the library book sale.

I finally was able to buy our area some manga, but we don't have that much money. So, Caitlin C. suggested that we buy the first book in several different series so that people could decide which ones they want to keep reading and get them on their own. We now have a mini manga collection that will hopefully expand in the future!

FICTION

• Peter and the Secret of Rundoon by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
• The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros*
• The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton*
• Eagle Strike by Anthony Horowitz*
• Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer (signed copy!)*
• New Moon by Stephenie Meyer (signed copy!)*
• Twilight by Stephenie Meyer (signed copy!)*
• ttfn by Lauren Myracle
• ttyl by Lauren Myracle
• Daja's Book by Tamora Pierce (Circle of Magic series #3)
• Sandry's Book by Tamora Pierce (Circle of Magic series #1)
• Tris's Book by Tamora Pierce (Circle of Magic series #2)
• The Fellowship of the Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien*
• The Return of the King by J. R. R. Tolkien*
• The Two Towers by J. R. R. Tolkien*

MANGA

• Tsubasa #1 by Clamp
• Cantarella #6 by You Higuri
• Naruto #1 by Masashi Kishimoto
• Bizenghast #1 by M. Alice LeGrow
• Death Note #1 by Tsugumi Ohba

* = additional copy already in the collection

Corpse Bride

Today, 12 teens came after school to watch Corpse Bride and eat candy. It was a great way to spend Halloween! Thanks for coming, and don't forget to sign up for all the November programs now!!

Final Totals from the Yard Sale

Thanks to Maria, Arwa, and Caitlin C., the TAB was able to staff the yard sale last Saturday. It was a yucky day, so thanks for coming to help! The yard sale raised $111, so the TAB gets $55.50 from your hard work.

Overall, we got $135.50 for teen programs and materials from two Saturdays' work at the yard sale. Huge thanks to everyone who worked and who purchased our stuff!

Anime Club

Yesterday, 12 members of the Anime Club met for our second-ever meeting. We made fake sushi, which was messy and fun. And it actually tasted good! Thanks to Kara, we watched a screener DVD of Last Exile, which is very cool Steampunk anime. Everyone agreed that it was a great show and we wished we had more of it! We also watched a clip of Battle Doll Angelic Layer thanks to Caitlin C.

If you want to join the Anime Club, sign up at the children's desk. There is plenty of room for new members!

Party Time! Excellent!

This afternoon, 9 teens came out to watch the crazy movie Wayne's World after school. It was one of our humorous events celebrating Teen Read Week, plus it was a totally excellent part of 90s pop culture. We ate food and laughed at the outrageous antics of Mike Myers and Dana Carvey!

Thanks for coming, and don't forget that we are showing Corpse Bride next Wednesday (Halloween) at the same time!

Book Review: London Calling

London Calling by Edward Bloor

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

SUMMARY: John Martin Conway feels out of place at his exclusive prep school, where he is constantly reminded that he is a scholarship kid. After a confrontation with Hank Lowery, the great-grandson of the school's founder, he requests to work at home on an independent study project. The World War II-era radio that his grandmother left him brings him into contact with Jimmy, a boy who lived during the war and who needs his help. He takes Martin back to the time of the London Blitz. In his own time, he focuses his research on the things Jimmy shows him and the people he encounters, discovering the truth about General Hank Lowery and his own grandfather and discovering how he can help put Jimmy's soul to rest. (adapted from the School Library Journal review)

OPINION: This time-travel mystery is full of suspense and tension, as Martin tries to solve both modern and historical problems. At first, the issues don't seem to be related: bullies at his prep school and a boy who lives during the London Blitz of 1940. But as Martin enters into the past, he realizes that Jimmy can show him the truth about his grandfather and his school's founder. History is usually told by the winners, but Martin separates truth from fiction just in time to stop the lies that have been going on for 60 years. It took me a little bit of time to get into this story, but once I got over the whole time travel thing I really enjoyed it. The author incorporates historical information without being obnoxious, which is a quality I admire. If you like a little history with your fantasy, or a little fantasy with your history, this book is for you.

WEBSITE: Check out Edward Bloor's website--http://www.edwardbloor.net/

LOL with Vicky Town

Last night, 25 teens came out to our LOL Storytelling event with Vicky Town. It was a lot of fun, with jokes, stories, improv, and even Mad-Libs! We also had silly food, including cheese with cheesy jokes, Laffy Taffy, cow pie cookies, and kitty litter cake. Even though Vicky was worried that no one would laugh, everyone seemed to enjoy the program. The staff said they could hear us laughing downstairs! It was a great way to end Teen Read Week!

Pimp My Bookcart

Members of the Teen Advisory Board are entering the Pimp My Bookcart contest with a project based on the Knight Bus from Harry Potter! Pimp My Bookcart is a contest run by the online library comic Unshelved. Here are some action shots as the TAB began work on the their entry earlier this month! We've got to get it done...pictures of the final product are due on October 31!

Making a list of supplies by the purple bookcart!

Designing a chandelier.

Fresh From Processing

Be the first to check out one of our new books!

FICTION

• November Blues by Sharon Draper
• Slam by Nick Hornby
• What I Meant by Marie Lamba

NONFICTION

• On the Rocks: Teens and Alcohol by David Aretha
• Strike a Pose: The Planet Girl Guide to Yoga by Karen Birkemoe
• Frequently Asked Questions about Online Romance by Ann Boger
• Frequently Asked Questions about Cyberbullying by Teri Breguet
• Snowball Launchers, Giant-Pumpkin Growers, and Other Cool Contraptions by Tom Fox
• Crafty Bags for Stylish Girls: Uniquely Chic Purses, Pouches, and Pocketbooks by Elizabeth Ingrid Hauser
• Frequently Asked Questions about Identity Theft by Michael R. Wilson

Book Review: Eulalia!

Eulalia! by Brian Jacques (Redwall series)

This book was just released on October 4. Click on the book to see which libraries already own it.

SUMMARY: Across the seas come Vizka Longtooth, with a scurrilous crew of Sea Raiders bound for plunder and conquest. Aboard, a young badger lies captive. The aged Badger Lord of Salamandastron sends forth a haremaid, questing for his successor. A young thief is exiled from Redwall. A Brownrat Chieftain, with his savage horde, ravages Mossflower Country. The fate of all these creatures, both good and evil, is caught up in this saga of war and destiny. Over the cold Northern Isles, across the heaving seas, sweeping through forest and plain, from the legendary badger mountain to the ancient stones of Redwall Abbey, the warcry thunders out...Eulaliiiiiiaaaaa! (from the inside flap)

OPINION: This is another solid entry in the Redwall series, which now numbers 19 books. I have read every single one of them! Many of the stories have dealt with attacks on Redwall Abbey, and this one follows that pattern. Some people might see this as being formulaic, but Brian Jacques has a gift for inventing engaging characters that make each story unique. Maudie the fighting Salamandastron haremaid and Rangval the rogue squirrel are my particular favorites from this book. And, of course, the food is legendary! Reading these books always makes me hungry. It has been two years since the last release, so enjoy your return to Redwall!

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://www.redwall.com/

MY FAVORITES: I particularly love The Legend of Luke, The Bellmaker, and Loamhedge from the Redwall series.

It's Teen Read Week!

October 14 to 20 is Teen Read Week, so come to the library and see what's new! This year's theme is LOL, and we have purchased a bunch of humorous teen books to celebrate. Look at them in the display case, and don't hesitate to ask us if you want to check one out! There are also more books and a complete LOL book list at the entrance to the teen area.

Book Review: The Crow

The Crow: The Third Book of Pellinor by Alison Croggon

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

SUMMARY: Hem is a weary orphan whose struggle for survival ends when he is reunited with his lost sister, Maerad. But Maerad has a destiny to fulfill, and Hem is sent to the golden city of Turbansk where he learns the ways of the Bards and befriends a mysterious white crow. When the forces of the Dark threaten, Hem flees with his protector, Saliman, and an orphan girl named Zelika to join the Light’s resistance forces. It is there that Hem has a vision and learns that he, too, has a part to play in Maerad’s quest to solve the Riddle of the Treesong. As The Crow continues the epic tale begun with The Naming and The Riddle, Alison Croggon creates a world of astounding beauty overshadowed by a terrifying darkness, a world where Maerad and Hem must prepare to wage their final battle for the Light. (adapted from the back cover)

OPINION: A lot of people at our library started reading this series because of Marissa, and now we're hooked! This book is different from the first two, in that it focuses on Maerad's brother rather than Maerad herself. Despite that, it is a heart-wrenching adventure story that will keep you engrossed until the end. Hem (aka Cai) finds out the strength of his bardic powers on an epic journey to find out exactly what the Dark is up to. As he joins the ranks of child soldiers directed by Hulls, Hem has to hide his powers and curb his attitude...two things that are very difficult for him! Find out how Hem infiltrates the Dark and tries to remain part of the Light, even as older Bards are losing their lives for the same deception.

WEBSITES: Check out the new Books of Pellinor website! It has an excerpt from the final book, The Singing, which is scheduled to be published next summer! Also, check out Alison Croggon's personal website for lots more info on the series.

Our Shelves Overfloweth

The shelves are seriously going to fall off the wall from the weight of all the new teen fiction we're getting. Please come check something out!!

• Gilda Joyce: The Ghost Sonata by Jennifer Allison (third in the Gilda Joyce series)
• The God of Mischief by Paul Bajoria
• Notes on a Near-Life Experience by Olivia Birdsall
• Bearwalker by Joseph Bruchac
• Prom Dates from Hell by Rosemary Clement-Moore
• M Is for Magic by Neil Gaiman
• Split Screen by Brent Hartinger (finally!)
• Silent Echoes by Carla Jablonski
• The Faerie Path by Frewin Jones
• Mississippi Jack by L. A. Meyer (fifth in the Bloody Jack series)
• Now You See Her by Jacquelyn Mitchard
• Kiki Strike: The Empress's Tomb by Kirsten Miller
• Pressing Hard by Stephanie Perry Moore (second in the Perry Skky series)
• At the Firefly Gate by Linda Newbery
• Hallway Diaries by Felicia Pride, Debbie Rigaud, and Karen Valentin
• Harmelss by Dand Reinhardt
• How to Get Suspended and Influence People by Adam Selzer
• Montmorency's Revenge by Eleanor Updale (fourth in the Montmorency series)
• It Had to Be You: The Gossip Girl Prequel by Cecily Von Ziegesar

Book Review: Keeping Corner

Keeping Corner by Kashmira Sheth
Review by Meg

This book will be released on October 30, 2007.

Occasionally, you come across a book that grabs you and transports you to another time and place. Keeping Corner is definately one of these books. The vivid detail and descriptions of India, including the scents, sights, and smells, make you feel like you're actually there. The plot is interesting, with enough twists and turns to keep your attention, but at the same time refreshingly simple in the way it twines one girl's quest for freedom from tradition with the story of Ghandi's rise to fame. Overall, a great book and one I would highly recommend!

Visit the author's blog: http://kashmirasheth.typepad.com/

Book Review: Project 17

Project 17 by Laurie Faria Stolarz
Review by Alexa

This book will be released on December 1, 2007.

From the author of Blue of for Nightmares comes an exciting new novel. Project 17 by Laurie Faria Stolarz is fresh and brilliant. I've never read anything like it. At first it may seem that there are just these six kids who want to break into Danvers State Hospital for the fun of getting spooked--because, face it, that what teenagers do. As you get deeper into the novel, though, you'll find out that you were deeply, deeply mistaken. For Derik, it's an opportunity to turn his future into something worthwhile. For Mimi, it's a way to conect her family's past to herself. Project 17 is full of nonstop action and love, where six people form bonds no one ever suspected. And it's anything but a project to read!

Visit the author's website: http://www.lauriestolarz.com/

LOL @ the Movies

On Friday night, 14 teens came out to watch the zany comedy Rat Race. This movie has a great ensemble cast that gets into all kinds of random situations in their pursuit of a $2 million prize. Everyone had a great time, and enjoyed snacks and soda (of course).

This was the first of two humorous movies we will be showing this month in celebration of Teen Read Week, whose theme is LOL @ Your Library. You can sign up now to see Wayne's World on October 24 after school!

Lots of Drama

Yesterday was the first meeting of our six-week comedy improv workshop with Vicky Town. It was great! Eleven teens came out to play theater games and work on their improv skills. We had so much fun playing games like "What Are You Doing?" and "Rumble"! I can't wait until next week.

There are still spaces available in this program. If you are in grades 6 to 12, sign up at the children's desk if you want to participate!

Avalon High...More Than Just Fluff

Book Grub, the library's high school book discussion group, is reading Avalon High by Meg Cabot for their meeting on Friday. I was preparing for that meeting this morning, and I ended up giving myself an English lesson! In Avalon High, all of the main characters have names that correspond to people in the Arthurian legends, but Elaine was one I was not familiar with. Apparently, Elaine had a relationship with Lancelot, although he was in love with Guinevere.

Every chapter of Avalon High opens with a related quote from The Lady of Shalott, a narrative poem about Elaine by Alfred Tennyson first published in 1832. Tennyson also wrote a 12-poem cycle later in his life about events at Camelot called The Idylls of the King. It includes a different story about Elaine in a poem called Lancelot and Elaine. If you want to read these poems, you can use LitFinder from the Access PA POWER Library. If you are at home, you will need to enter your library card number to do this. You could also look for the poems using a search engine.

Shiny and New

We have bunches of new fiction books cluttering up the shelves. Come get them out of here!!

• Beige by Cecil Castellucci
• Pop Princess by Rachel Cohn
• Shrimp by Rachel Cohn
• The Crow by Alison Croggon (Pellinor series)
• Deadline by Chris Crutcher
• The Problem with Paradise by Lesley Dahl
• Choices by Deborah Lynn Jacobs
• Eulalia! by Brian Jacques (Redwall series)
• Schooled by Gordon Korman
• The Last Girls of Pompeii by Kathryn Lasky
• Harlem Summer by Walter Dean Myers
• What They Found: Love on 145th Street by Walter Dean Myers
• Freaky Green Eyes by Joyce Carol Oates
• Tide of Terror by Justin Somper (Vampirates series)
• Extras by Scott Westerfeld (Uglies series)

Ahoy, Me Hearties!

Tonight, 27 teens came to our Pirate Party! Only 7 dressed up, but they looked great. We celebrated International Talk Like a Pirate Day (9/19) and Banned Books Week (9/29-10/6) in style! We did a lot of piratical stuff, including watching clips from movies and TV shows. We did acutally learn some things from pirate documentaries. But then we convulsed with the hilarity of "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything" song from Veggie Tales and Captain Feathersword on The Wiggles, and probably forgot it all.

We played Pirate Jailbreak, a new name for the classic game of tying a balloon to your ankle and trying to stomp on everyone else's while keeping yours intact. Genni won that game, despite Kara's pointy shoes! We also rewrote a section of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows using pirate language, which was really funny. Maria, Judy, Kara, Genni, and Kaitlin G. won for making the most changes, and Mohammed, Kenny, Deisy, and Cody got second prize for creativity. Later, in a drawing, Seneca and Alex won pirate posters. We ate excellent pirate snacks at the end of the evening, while watching the beginning of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.

Check out the pictures!

Getting ready to stomp!

Sisterly love.

Costume crew.

The food--everyone loved drinking rum, grog, and rotgut!

Photo op with Johnny!

He's so dreamy!

Bunny ears!

So cute!

Stuffed Shelves

We just got a bunch of humorous books in for Teen Read Week. Some are replacements and some are titles we've never had before, so check them out!

FICTION

• The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot
• Princess in Love by Meg Cabot
• Princess in Training by Meg Cabot
• Ready or Not: An All-American Girl Novel by Meg Cabot
• The Tough Guide to Fantasyland by Diana Wynne Jones
• No More Dead Dogs by Gordon Korman
• Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan
• Girl, Going on 17: Pants on Fire by Sue Limb
• The Curse of the Campfire Weenies and Other Warped and Creepy Tales by David Lubar
• Flip by David Lubar
• True Talents by David Lubar
• The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler
• King Dork by Frank Portman
• The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents by Terry Pratchett
• Vampire High by Douglas Rees
• Away Laughing on a Fast Camel by Louise Rennison
• Then He Ate My Boy Entrancers by Louise Rennison
• My Cup Runneth Over by Cherry Whytok
• How to Survive a Robot Uprising: Tips on Defending Yourself Against the Coming Rebellion by Daniel H. Wilson

NONFICTION

• Bat Boy Lives! The Weekly World News Guide to Politics, Culture, Celebrities, Alien Abductions, and the Mutant Freaks that Shape our World edited by Dave Perel

Book Review: Deadline

Deadline by Chris Crutcher

Reviews by Amy, Alexa, Arwa, and Gretchen

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

AMY SAYS: When Ben Wolf finds out he has a terminal illness, he decides to “ride it out”, to take no treatments, and to have the best and last year of his life. He joins the football team. He dates the girl he’s wanted for who knows how long. It was the best year. No doubt about that. I just have to say that once again Chris Crutcher has made another masterpiece. Despite the morbid theme of this book I couldn’t stop laughing. Over and over again Ben was cracking jokes and making sarcastic remarks. I couldn’t put this down. Although it was sad at the end, to see some one so young and full of potential, die, I could think of no better ending. As Ben said repeatedly through out the book, he never really thought he’d grow to be an old man. This was the end for him. It felt right. In conclusion, this is just one of those books that stay with you. Because of the valuable life lessons it has, and also... it’s just so funny and well written!

ALEXA SAYS: There are only two words that come to mind when trying to describe Deadline, author Chris Crutcher’s newest book, and they are absolutely breathtaking. The novel is about a high school senior named Ben Wolf and his last adventurous year of life. Making the football team, getting the girl he has only dreamed about forever, and dealing with his mother’s illness are just a few of the activities he engages in after he finds out that he has a rare blood disease...because, unfortunately, it is terminal. Chris Crutcher has been amazing me with his writing since I first picked up Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes and has definitely created a whole new level with Deadline. The characters were the most well-developed I have ever read and all the little extras, like Malcolm X and Coach’s prized truck, just made the story all the more catchy and believable. I would recommend this book to anyone who adores Chris Crutcher or people who are hooked on truly inspiring stories.

ARWA SAYS: Deadline, by Chris Crutcher, is a captivating story that reinforced the message of living each day as if it's your last. I never really thought about this until I read the book. It truly is heart-wrenching and it makes you feel like you have an impact on people; you have a legacy. If not, then, pray tell me, what is the point of living? It illuminates the idea that ordinary people can do extraordinary things, even with just a year to live.

GRETCHEN SAYS: What do you hope to do before you die? We all have dreams for the future, like going to college, getting married, or traveling the world. What if you only had one year, your senior year in high school, to get a lifetime of experience? Would you keep your illness a secret and proceed as normal? Would you opt for treatment? Or would you forgo treatment and school, and cram in as much life as possible? Ben chooses normalcy, and yet it becomes an extraordinary year. With nothing to lose, Ben enters sports, relationships, and even classroom discussions with courage that he's never had before. In doing so, however, Ben discovers everyone else's secrets while witholding his own. And he realizes through a series of conversations with Hey-Soos (not Jesus), that being normal means facing reality and truth, even when it's difficult. This book is classic Crutcher, and I am not ashamed to say that the conclusion made me cry. Check it out!

BEST FUNNY QUOTE: "There's not one part of Dallas Suzuki's face or body that is in any way Miss World, but you put it all together and I'd swim though five hundred yards of molten turds to listen to her fart into a paper sack over the telephone." (page 47)

BEST SERIOUS QUOTE: "Love turns to hate at the fringes of any belief system." ( page 141)

FURTHER READING: This story references several nonfiction books you might want to look for...

• Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team, and a Dream by H. G. Bissinger
• A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
• Lies My Teacher Told Me by James W. Loewen
• The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X

More New Fiction

We are seriously about to bust out a wall in the teen section. Here's the newest books:

• Such a Pretty Face: Short Stories about Beauty by Ann Angel
• Shark Girl by Kelly Bingham
• Enter Three Witches : A Story of Macbeth by Caroline B. Cooney
• Harlem Summer by Walter Dean Myers
• Forged in the Fire by Ann Turnbull
• No Shame, No Fear by Ann Turnbull
• Flora Segunda: The Magickal Mishaps of a Girl of Spirit , her Glass-Gazing Sidekick, Two Ominous Butlers (One Blue), a House with Eleven Thousand Rooms, and a Red Dog by Ysabeau S. Wilce

Book Review: Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List

Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

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

SUMMARY: Naomi and Ely are life-long best friends. Naomi loves and is in love with Ely, and Ely loves Naomi, but prefers to be in love with boys. So they create their "No Kiss List" of people neither of them is allowed to kiss. And this works ine - until Bruce. Bruce is Naomi's boyfriend, so there's no reason to put him on the List. But Ely kissed Bruce even though he is boring. The result: a rift of universal proportions and the potential end of "Naomi and Ely: the institution." Can these best friends come back together again?

OPINION: Growing up in neighboring apartments in NYC, Naomi and Ely have a history. Years of memories, secrets, and adventures have bonded them into an almost codependent friendship. But Ely is gay, and Naomi hasn't truely dealt with that, until the Bruce incident. Now Naomi has to face the fact that she really can't turn Ely straight, no matter how beautiful, funny, or needy she is. And Ely has to learn how to relate to people in mature ways instead of using them. This is a story of growing up and growing apart...or maybe not. Told from various points of view, not just those of Naomi and Ely, this novel explores complex relationship issues with depth, sensitivity, and just the right amount of humor.

Book Review: Neverwhere

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

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

SUMMARY: Richard Mayhew, learns the hard way that no good deed goes unpunished. He ceases to exist in the ordinary world of London Above, and joins a quest through the dark and dangerous London Below, a shadow city of lost and forgotten people, places, and times. His companions are Door, who is trying to find out who hired the assassins who murdered her family and why; the Marquis of Carabas, a trickster who trades services for very big favors; and Hunter, a mysterious lady who guards bodies and hunts only the biggest game. London Below is a wonderfully realized shadow world, and the story plunges through it like an express passing local stations, with plenty of action and a satisfying conclusion. (from the Amazon.com review)

OPINION: This was Book Grub's selection for our September meeting, recommended by Kara. And it was amazing! Everyone knows London's famous tube slogan "Mind the Gap," but Neil Gaiman infuses it with an entirely new meaning. After helping the mysterious Door, Richard Mayhew slips through a gap in space and time, entering the impossible underground world of London Below. Suddenly, what were just stops on a subway map become matters of life and death for Richard and Door. In London Below, Blackfriars Bridge houses combative friars and Islington is not just a borough, but an angel. It is really cool how Gaiman twists the real and the familiar into a strange, dark fantasy world. This book combines elements of Alice in Wonderland, legends, urban fantasy, Victoriana, and adventure into a cohesive whole that will keep you guessing until the very end.

WEBSITE: Just for fun, here's the official website of the London underground.

IF YOU LIKED NEVERWHERE: I made a list! Here are a few titles, and ask me for more.

• Valiant (and other books) by Holly Black
• Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophesies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett
• Stardust by Neil Gaiman
• Mortal Engines (and sequels) by Philip Reeve
• Montmorency: Thief, Liar, Gentleman? (and sequels) by Eleanor Updale
• The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray (and other books) by Chris Wooding

Newness

More new books are entering the collection every day. Here's the newest:

FICTION

• The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
• Broken Moon by Kim Antieau
• The Princetta by Anne-Laure Bondoux
• Double Identity by Margaret Peterson Haddix
• Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
• Stuck in Neutral by Terry Trueman

NONFICTION

• What Smart Teenagers Know...About Dating, Relationships, and Sex by Deborah Hatchell
• Paper Galaxy: Out-of-This-World Projects to Cut, Fold, and Paste by M. D. Prins
• Sex: It's Worth Waiting For by Greg Speck

Book Review: Guyaholic

Guyaholic by Carolyn Mackler
Reviews by Alexa and Maria

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

ALEXA SAYS: Guyaholic, Carolyn Mackler’s latest novel, is a short yet full story of a girl who is crazy about hot guys and physical relationships. At least that is what it seems at first. In truth, Mackler has written a complex novel that goes deeper than any other I’ve read. V, the main character, only knows how to fling, until she meets Sam Almond who tries to change her world. Sam wants commitment, but V won’t let the word love roll off her tongue, let alone the word boyfriend ! Does this have anything to do with V’s mom? Sadly, V doesn’t see her mom nearly enough to know. With fun twists and turns on both sides of the highway, Guyaholic is a quirky, lovable novel that you will sail through!

MARIA SAYS: The story is about a girl named V who attends a hocky game and gets a nasty injury to the head. A boy saves her by placing his sweatshirt around her injured head as she partly blacks out. She comes home to hear that someone is knocking on the door; Sam Almond is his name. The two fall in love with each other. As the relationship goes on, hardships, break-ups, and broken friendships happen. It is a good read. At least it burns off an awfully boring day. I recommend this to a wide range of audiences in the young adult group.

Book Review: Club Dread

Club Dread by Walter Sorrells

Click on the book cover to find out which libraries own it.

SUMMARY: This sequel to Fake ID finds 16-year-old Chastity and her mother hoping to make normal lives for themselves in San Francisco. They are still pursued by a powerful, menacing figure from the past who is determined to reclaim a tape recording that proves him guilty of murder. Chass is a talented singer who dreams of having her own band. She witnesses, and is implicated in, the drive-by shooting of a famous young musician. Soon she is drawn into the dark underworld of a secret society that might have something to do with the crime. Teens with an interest in music will especially enjoy this suspenseful, action-packed thriller. (from the School Library Journal review)

OPINION: I enjoyed Fake ID, and was eagerly awaiting this sequel to find out what happens to Chass. This book was not quite as believable as the first one, but the story is fast-paced and very mysterious. And I loved the band Chass put together, especially the bass player. (She has a killer attitude and drives like a maniac!) The activities of the creepy secret club in this book seem worse than any frat initiation, and the mind games they play are outrageous. You will be kept guessing until the very end, and entertained by pages of car chases, narrow escapes, and dangerous situations along the way. If page-turning thrillers are your genre, this is a book for you. But read Fake ID first, if you haven't already!

Exciting and New...

We continue to get new stuff, and we're running out of room! Come check things out!!

FICTION

• Love Sick by Jake Coburn (replacement copy)
• I'm Late: The Story of LaNeese and Moonlight and Alisha Who Didn't Have Anyone of Her Own by Mari Evans
• Now Starring Vivien Leigh Reid, Diva in Training by Yvonne Collins and Sandy Rideout
• Girls on Film (A-List series) by Zoey Dean
• Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
• Simply Alice by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

NONFICTION

• The Far Side Gallery by Gary Larson
• Knitgrrl 2 by Shannon Okey
• The Authoritative Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson
• Get Hooked: Simple Steps to Crochet Cool Stuff by Kim Werker

Book Review: Love Is a Many Trousered Thing

Love Is a Many Trousered Thing (Confessions of Georgia Nicolson series) by Louise Rennison

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

SUMMARY: Georgia thought her heartbreak troubles were over when Masimo announced that he wanted to be her one and only. But just as she hits Swoon City, Robbie, the original Sex God, shows up. How in the world has Georgia accidentally acquired two Sex Gods? Before Georgia can decide what to do next, she must figure out what Robbie's intentions are—and if his sudden re-appearance changes her mind about Masimo. And as much as she wants to turn to Dave the Laugh for help, he's another romantic thorn (and prospective snoggee) in her side. Will Georgia get off the rack of love once and for all?

OPINION: I have been a fan of this series from the beginning! The books always make me laugh because Georgia describes things in the funniest ways. She takes British English to a whole new level! Full of hilariosity, this eighth installment further describes the insanity of Georgia's love life. Georgia says, "After queuing up at the cakeshop of luuurve for ages, I have accidentally bought two cakes...I have been to the bakery of love and I have got an Italian cakey...But I might also have an eclair called Robbie, in case I'm peckish and the Italian cakey isn't filling enough." Erlack a pongoes! What's a girl to do?

WEBSITE: Check out the website for this series! Read Georgia's complete glossary, join the Ace Gang, and even enter Georgia's Groovathon contest!!!

Yu-Gi-Oh Tournament

Last night, 14 teens entered our summer Yu-Gi-Oh Tournament, and 3 of them were girls! Evan, Connor S., Bo, and Conor O. made it to the semi-final round and all won candy. I was hoping for a Connor vs. Conor final, but Bo and Connor ended up as our last pair. After 3 games, Connor was the winner and got a $10 gift card to K B Toys to buy some Yu-Gi-Oh cards. Thanks to everyone who participated!

Book Review: Boy Toy

Boy Toy by Barry Lyga
Reviews by Kara, Alexa, Caitlin C., and Gretchen

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

KARA SAYS: Boy Toy is the story of Josh Mendel, a teenage boy who had been sexually abused by a female teacher when he was twelve. He is insecure and feels that everyone around him knows and judges him about it. To add to the pressure is the fact that his abuser has been released from jail. The book starts with Josh as a senior in high school, hoping to get into top colleges and being a star baseball player. A reunion with Rachel, a girl he had “almost raped” when they were thirteen and hadn’t spoken to since brings up all new emotions for him. Josh tells Rachel about the details of his abuse and his abuser: his history teacher, Eve. Josh goes into extreme detail about his experience and the aftermath. The rest of the book is dedicated to Josh trying to deal with all the new problems that face him: having Rachel back in his life, prom, choosing colleges, important baseball games, the possibility of seeing Eve again, trying to survive the end of senior year, and attempting to live a relatively normal life.

I thought that Boy Toy was very well written. It was the first book I had ever read dealing with the subject of child sexual abuse. I was surprised by the extreme detail used in the description of the abuse, but it did make it seem realistic. Some changes should be made, such as when Josh told his whole story in one sitting. I think there should have been some breaks in the narration to build suspense and make it more realistic. I also think that Josh’s relationship with Rachel moved a bit too fast. I feel that Rachel should have taken her time reuniting with Josh considering the circumstances and the way Josh acted. I would recommend this book for mature readers only because of the subject manner and details describing it. Overall, it was a very interesting read and shows Barry Lyga’s versatility as a writer.

ALEXA SAYS: Boy Toy, Barry Lyga's newest book, is an incredibly well-written story about a graduating high school boy finally dealing with a very large issue that is presently becoming more and more popular in the United States. In 7th grade, Mrs. Sherman, Josh's history tracher, lured Josh to her apartment every day for months, disguising the visits with a fake grad class project, and ending them by molesting him. As the end of the novel unfolds, it is revealed that she even made Josh think he seduced her, but through flashbacks--and flickers--Josh learns the truth. With such a tragic past, Josh struggles with relationships--except for his best friend Zik, who is always there and never pushes for information about what happened. Rachel, who Josh almost raped because he knew no better, has been out of Josh's life and wants back in ... but is Josh ready?

I recommend Boy Toy to anyone who enjoys stories about love and difficult truths. Boy Toy has become one of my all-time favorite books. I like the set-up of the book, which is about 100 pages of the story in present-day, then 100 pages of flashback, 100 more pages of present-day, 100 pages of other flashback, and it finishes out with an ending in the present. The story incoropates a lot of issues that I am dealing with, like college choices, friends, and sports, so I can relate well to it.

CAITLIN C. SAYS: This book forces you to think about a dozen different issues. Not only do you read the thoughts of Josh the high-school senior, you also see what went through his twelve-year-old head when he was with Eve, along with all the other characters putting in their two bits about the experience. When you finally think you have an opinion about the scandal, you’re forced to rethink it because Josh changes his mind many times over throughout the course of the story. It’s not just the sex scandal that has you confused either. During and after, the reader will be asking him or herself, “What is love? What is maturity? How do you define being mature? Who was Cal Ripken anyway?” You’re taken for a ride as everything you thought you believed is chewed up and spit back onto a bubble gum wrapper, and you don’t mind one bit.

Suffice it to say, I enjoyed this book. People can be absorbed by a good book so that they can’t stop talking about it, but few have ever been haunted by a book. Boy Toy was my literary poltergeist for the past few days, and it refused to leave me alone until I sat down for a few hours and finally finished it. There didn’t seem to be any spelling errors and the language was fluid and clear, but it all could’ve been in pig Latin for all I would have noticed. I’m not sure when or even if I’ll be haunted by another book, but if it ever occurs again, I’ll instantly think of Boy Toy. After all, they say you never forget your first time.

GRETCHEN SAYS: Boy Toy is definitely a departure from Fanboy and Goth Girl, but high schoolers will appreciate Josh's authenticity as a character. He is realistically struggling with social and psychological issues, even as he gets on with his own life of sports, and school. Although Boy Toy tackles the very current subject of sexual abuse, it should not be relegated to the pile of teen problem novels. I think showing Josh as a senior in high school looking back on the events of his seventh grade year makes the story more realistic and less voyeuristic. The detail in the flashbacks is somewhat graphic, but I don't think it was gratuitous. Boy Toy is a very honest telling of how victims are affected by abuse over time. Josh is a believable character, and readers will forgive the length of his flashbacks to find out more about his current life, including his fledgling relationship with Rachel, his performance on the baseball diamond, and his feelings about the release of his abuser from jail.

New: Teen Graphic Novels!

As of today, we have a small teen GN collection. It is interfiled with the teen fiction, so look for the POW! sticker on the spine. At the moment, the collection is extremely random, and you can make it even more so...bring in some donations!!

• The Plain Janes by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg
• Graphic Classics: H. P. Lovecraft
• Graphic Classics: H. G. Wells
• Trigun by Yasuhiro Nightow
• Star Wars: Dark Empire by Tom Veitch and Cam Kennedy

Jerry Spinelli Author 411 Is Here!

The Author 411 page on Love, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli has been posted, and the high school book group (aka Book Grub) is on it. It looks like a lot of our questions, some in a modified format, made it on the list! Scroll down to the bottom to see our name in print!!!

Click on the book cover to find out which libraries have Love, Stargirl on the shelf. You can have a copy sent to our library...just click the "Request" icon, type in your name and library card number, select our library for pick up, and wait for a phone call!

Answers from Jerry!!

Back in June, Book Grub members had the opportunity to read an Advance Reading Copy (ARC) of Love, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli through Random House's Author 411 program. At our meeting, we discussed the book and wrote questions for Mr. Spinelli. Well, tomorrow, the Jerry Spinelli Author 411 page goes live, including our questions. So cool! Meanwhile, the publisher emailed me our group's answers today. So, from Jerry to Random House to me to you...

1. Stargirl ends with an epilogue 15 years in the future, yet Love, Stargirl starts right after she moves away. How did you try to reconcile the plot of Love, Stargirl with the ending you had already written? Did you have any difficulties? Do you have any plans to write a third book about Leo or Stargirl that would tie the two together?

Terrific question, as it zeros in on a writer’s issue. When I ended Stargirl I had no intention of ever doing a sequel. Five years later I had a problem. Having decided to portray Stargirl the following year, what do I do with Leo, who, as you say, apparently doesn’t see her for quite a few years after Stargirl ends? I would just say that I tried to turn this “problem” to my advantage and to tell the story in a way that’s not too predictable.

Though there probably won’t be another Stargirl book, for a hint to what lies in the future for them, I refer you to the last page of Stargirl. Obviously, if Leo receives a porcupine necktie in the mail, Stargirl knows where he lives. We can assume she’s got an eye on him and that they are about to meet again.

2. Stargirl is written as a narrative from Leo’s point of view, while Love, Stargirl is written as a diary from Stargirl’s point of view. The books are very different because of this. Which storytelling style do you like better for these characters? Or does the story work better when told from both points of view?

Since . . . I could not have Stargirl and Leo physically interact, I thought a letter/journal format would be the next best way to bring them “together.” I added imagined conversations between Stargirl and Leo to further promote a sense of real-time interaction. Of course, when you tell any story in first person, you’re limited to what your narrator knows and sees.

3. Stargirl is incredibly different than the average teen, and there isn’t anyone like her in other books for teens. How did you come up with the idea for a character like Stargirl? Do you know any real-life Stargirls?

[My wife] Eileen comes closest to being a model for the character. Some things that Stargirl does I lifted right from Eileen’s personal history.

Not only could Stargirl exist today—she does exist. She may not resemble Susan Caraway point by point, but across the country and the world, girls with her spirit and heart and humanity dance and laugh and love among us all. As for fitting in, maybe the question should be, Could a “normal” school fit in with Stargirl?

4. In Love, Stargirl, Stargirl collects a lot of unlikely and unusual friends. How did you manage to make these characters interesting without making them unrealistic?

Stargirl evolved over 30 years. Others may come overnight. It varies. I seldom try to transplant a whole, real person onto the page, but in one way or another, real people—often combinations of them—are always part of a character’s fabric. As for making them real, I simply report in detail the results of one of my favorite pastimes: people-watching.

Stargirl is not an age bigot. She’s attracted to all interesting people, not age levels. She appreciates humanity in any color, size, nationality, age, whatever. Remember Archie said: “She’s an earthling if there ever was one.”

5. At the beginning of Love, Stargirl, she says, “I love beginnings. If I were in charge of calendars, every day would be January 1.” If you were in charge, what day would you like to celebrate more often?

Fourth of July. I’d like to have it twice a year. I love fireworks and marching bands.

6. If you could talk to Stargirl, what would you ask her?

Are you ever bored? Do you wear your seatbelt? What scares you most? Do you think you’re pretty? Do you care? Do you think you’ll ever see Leo again?

7. Do you celebrate the Solstice or other natural events?

I love astronomy, and the Solstice is an astronomical event. Beyond that, when Eileen first suggested I write a little holiday gift-type book about Stargirl, an early thought was to focus it on Christmas. From there it was a short step to swing that focus to something less specifically religious and more broadly natural. Stargirl and Solstice felt like the right match.

8. What is your experience with homeschooling?

Our daughter-in-law, Marina, homeschools five of our grandchildren.

9. If you could change your name, what would you want to be called?

Congratulations! That’s the hardest question I’ve ever gotten. It took me 30 years to settle on the name for the main character in the book that finally came to be called Stargirl. So you’ll have to give me at least that long to come up with a name for myself. In the meantime, I’ll tell you that in college I tried to get my fraternity brothers to call me Weasel, but it didn’t stick. As I note in Maniac Magee, you can’t give yourself a nickname; it’s what the world wants to call you. Of course, “Stargirl” is not a mere nickname.

10. Are there any plans to make a movie of Stargirl or Love, Stargirl? Would you like to see her on the big screen?

Stargirl is already under option for film. Last month the announcement was on page one of Hollywood Reporter. And yes, I would like to see it happen, especially if it turns out to be good.

11. Do you have plans to write sequels to any other of your stand-alone books? What new projects are you working on?

No, I’m not planning any more sequels . . . Love, Stargirl will be in the bookstores in August. And it won’t be alone—also on the shelves will be a companion Stargirl Journal. In September, I’ll cross the country on a book tour for those two. In the spring, Smiles to Go will come out. And right now, I’m working on a nonfiction book co-authored with my wife and fellow writer, Eileen.

12. Are any of your book characters based on real people?

Eileen comes closest to being a model for the character. Some things that Stargirl does I lifted right from Eileen’s personal history. I would say I’m not Leo as much as Eileen is Stargirl, but there certainly is some of me in Leo.

13. Which of your books are you most proud of? Do your children or grandchildren have any favorites?

My personal favorite is my first published book: Space Station Seventh Grade. But “proud of” is a little different. For that I might say Maniac Magee. If the grandkids have particular favorites, they haven’t told me.

A Brush with Fame

On Friday night, 11 teens and 2 adults came by to meet local author Jeffry Johnston and hear about his YA book Fragments. Although he had a lot of experience with writing articles and short stories, it took him 25 years and 6 books to write a novel that actually sold! Patience and practice were his words of advice to aspiring writers. Interestingly, the people who attended asked him a lot of questions about his background in theater, which he was totally unprepared for. We sold 9 copies of the book and everyone enjoyed getting theirs signed. Jeff even offered to come back and talk to our book groups if we were ever reading his book for a meeting, which I thought was really cool. If you missed the event, you can always check Fragments out of the library!

My lobby display to promote the event.

Jeff talking to the group.

Storytime!

Jeff read the first chapter aloud to the group.

People wait in line to get their books signed.

Author Visit!!!

Tomorrow night is our visit from YA novelist Jeffry Johnston, author of Fragments. Hear him talk about his life as a writer and about his book, then buy a copy for $5 and get it signed!! It starts at 7pm, and will be held in the adult library. See you there!

Look for these New Books!

Here are the newest additions to the teen area shelves...

FICTION

• Confessions of a Teen Nanny 2: Rich Girls by Victoria Ashton
• The Problem with Paradise by Lesley Dahl
• Manstealing for Fat Girls by Michelle Embree
• The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• A Samurai Never Fears Death by Dorothy Hoobler and Thomas Hoobler
• Confessions of a Not It Girl by Melissa Kantor
• Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham
• Keturah and Lord Death by Martine Leavitt
• Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer
• Song of the Sparrow by Lisa Ann Sandell
• A Pickpocket's Tale by Karen Schwabach
• Amazing Grace by Megan Shull
• Peak by Roland Smith
• Love, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

NONFICTION

• We Beat the Street: How a Friendship Pact Led to Success by Sampson Davis, George Jenkins, Rameck Hunt, and Sharon Draper
• The Freedom Writers Diary: How a Teacher and 150 Teens Used Writing to Change Themselves and the World around Them by Freedom Writers and Erin Gruwell
• Stolen Sharpie Revolution by Alex Wrekk
• Sew Teen: Make Your Own Cool Clothes by Sheila Zent

Grease Is the Word

Today, 16 teens came out for our Grease Movie Sing-Along. We were nice and cool in the AC while it was roasting outside this afternoon! I definitely saw some other mouths moving, although I was the loudest singer. Some people did hand-jive along with me, though, so that made me happy. Everyone seemed to enjoy this classic teen movie. Look for another sing-along in the fall!

Eclipse Prom!

Tonight, 15 teens came to the Eclipse Prom to celebrate the upcoming release of the third book in Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series! We made souvenier picture frames, did a Mad-Lib of the time when Bella and Edward first met, had a contest to make Bella's prom shoe and walking cast, played Twlight baseball trivia, ate snacks with FORKS and drank ARIZONA tea, and took tons of pictures. Seriously, a bunch of people brought cameras and we spent a lot of time posing! Marissa won a prize for being best dressed. She did her hair beautifully, wore the prom dress she made herself, and even sported a walking cast! Other people won prizes for funny things like "most unexpectedly frilly" and "most colorful." Special thanks to Kara for making an atmospheric music CD for the party. It was great fun. I hope the book is as good as the party was!

Everyone who loves Edward got to hold the cake!

The silly group photo.

Working on creating a cast.

Beautiful dresses on some of my favorite readers!

One group decorating souvenier picture frames.

The lone male attendee put up with a lot!

Everyone shows off their group's entries in the Bella contest.

Complete picture frames and more pretty dresses!

A cute group photo.

Attacking the cake.