The Juvie Three by Gordon Korman - one of my favorite "guy writers", Korman is always funny, real, and enjoyable. This story follows three guys who just always seem to do the wrong thing - they've ended up in Juvie, but for once luck is breaking their way. They get put into a halfway house, and things are doing pretty good, until Mr. Healy gets knocked out, and the boys panic... Their attempts to make good are both painful and funny. Find out if Arjay, Gecko and Terence can manage to succeed... just once! (only 2 circs, but it has only been in the library 5 months).
Warriors: a Dangerous Path by Erin Hunter - book 5 of the original Warriors series - Fireheart fears that the rise of Tigerstar and the terrible dreams that haunt his nights are related. Will he discover the danger before it means the end of Shadowclan? A marvelous continuation of a very popular series (56 circs at Central alone!).
Vampire Mountain: Cirque du Freak #4 by Darren Shan - Darren and Mr. Crepsley embark on a trek to the very heart of the Vampire World. Will a meeting with the Vampire Princes restore Darren's humanity, or send him plunging over the edge into the dark? (58 circs!!!)
Gothic Classics: Graphic Classics #14 by assorted authors - some cool horror stories by famous authors, including Poe, Le Fanu, and Radcliffe. Spooky! (9 circs)
Eyeshield 21 volume 4 by Riichiro Inagaki - The Devil Bats face off a gainst a team of ruthless delinquents - the Chameleons - but Sena may be able to show them a thing or two about intimidation... (27 circs).
Friday, August 28, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Popular Playaways
The five most popular Young Adult Playaways at the Library:
Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - what would you do if you were told your little sister was going to have to represent your town - in a game that would end only when every other contestant was dead? And if she wins, the town will win, too, with better food, medicine and other benefits? Would you have the courage to take her place, to use your hard-won skills, risk death, just for the people who have always shunned and resented you? (8 circs in less than 0ne year)
Shadow of the North by Phillip Pullman. Sally Lockhart has struggled for personal freedom and success all her life. Now that she's got her own business, can she survive? And what's up with Northstar, Inc? (7 circs)
Science Fair by Dave Barry. Comedy is golden in this spy-adventure -science-experiment-gone-wrong tale. When Toby sets out to win the science fair, the last thing he expects to do is save the U.S. government from terrorists... (5 circs)
One False Note by Gordon Korman. Book 2 of 39 Clues. Amy and Dan Cahill continue their quest to solve the mystery of their wide-ranging and powerful extended family (a tree that branches from Mozart to Picasso to Snoop Dogg). The siblings’ bickering increases as they hunt down the next clue, but so do their successes as they manage to be always one step ahead of their various cutthroat cousins. (5 circs)
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson. Lia is trying to come to terms with both her own eating disorder, and the death of her "best friend" Cassie, who had her own eating problems. Lia narrates a chilling tale of denial, depression and suicidal delusion; this isn't for the faint of heart, nor for the immature reader, but it is a superb representation of the teen age.
Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - what would you do if you were told your little sister was going to have to represent your town - in a game that would end only when every other contestant was dead? And if she wins, the town will win, too, with better food, medicine and other benefits? Would you have the courage to take her place, to use your hard-won skills, risk death, just for the people who have always shunned and resented you? (8 circs in less than 0ne year)
Shadow of the North by Phillip Pullman. Sally Lockhart has struggled for personal freedom and success all her life. Now that she's got her own business, can she survive? And what's up with Northstar, Inc? (7 circs)
Science Fair by Dave Barry. Comedy is golden in this spy-adventure -science-experiment-gone-wrong tale. When Toby sets out to win the science fair, the last thing he expects to do is save the U.S. government from terrorists... (5 circs)
One False Note by Gordon Korman. Book 2 of 39 Clues. Amy and Dan Cahill continue their quest to solve the mystery of their wide-ranging and powerful extended family (a tree that branches from Mozart to Picasso to Snoop Dogg). The siblings’ bickering increases as they hunt down the next clue, but so do their successes as they manage to be always one step ahead of their various cutthroat cousins. (5 circs)
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson. Lia is trying to come to terms with both her own eating disorder, and the death of her "best friend" Cassie, who had her own eating problems. Lia narrates a chilling tale of denial, depression and suicidal delusion; this isn't for the faint of heart, nor for the immature reader, but it is a superb representation of the teen age.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Vote!
It is time to Vote for your TEEN TOP TEN favorite books!
Select your favorite three titles from the list, answer a few brief survey questions, and you're done! You even have a chance to win a free book...
Recent Returns
Some books that have recently come back to the Library:
Turnabout by Margaret Peterson Haddix - Melly and Anny Beth were 100 when they received shots that reversed the aging process; now they're only teens, again. The problem is that the second shot, to stop the aging process, instead kills the recipeints. So Melly and Anny Beth are looking for someone whom they can trust, to care for them backwards into infancy. Can they find anyone except The Agency? Can they trust anyone, even The Agency? 22 circs just here at Central. One of my favorite authors!
Kiki Strike Inside the Shadow City by Kirsten Miller. Ananka Fishbein didn't realize that looking out the window and paying attention could lead to a life-changing event. But when she discovers a sinkhole near her New York City apartment, and ventures to explore, she meets Kiki Strike, and adventures abound! Very exciting, and there is a sequel. 29 circs
Cardcaptor Sakura: Master of the Clow by CLAMP. Unfortunately, we only have volume 5 remaining in our collection, but it is still a great adventure. 57 circs!
Laika by Nick Abadzis. Laika was an abandoned puppy who was fated to become Earth's first space traveler. An exciting true story with a heartbreaking ending. 4 circs for this graphic novel. Only 4 circs.
The Mammoth Book of Best New Manga 2, edited by ILYA. 23 self-contained new color and black and white manga in all genres by many authors; a great way to find a new favorite! 25 circs.
Turnabout by Margaret Peterson Haddix - Melly and Anny Beth were 100 when they received shots that reversed the aging process; now they're only teens, again. The problem is that the second shot, to stop the aging process, instead kills the recipeints. So Melly and Anny Beth are looking for someone whom they can trust, to care for them backwards into infancy. Can they find anyone except The Agency? Can they trust anyone, even The Agency? 22 circs just here at Central. One of my favorite authors!
Kiki Strike Inside the Shadow City by Kirsten Miller. Ananka Fishbein didn't realize that looking out the window and paying attention could lead to a life-changing event. But when she discovers a sinkhole near her New York City apartment, and ventures to explore, she meets Kiki Strike, and adventures abound! Very exciting, and there is a sequel. 29 circs
Cardcaptor Sakura: Master of the Clow by CLAMP. Unfortunately, we only have volume 5 remaining in our collection, but it is still a great adventure. 57 circs!
Laika by Nick Abadzis. Laika was an abandoned puppy who was fated to become Earth's first space traveler. An exciting true story with a heartbreaking ending. 4 circs for this graphic novel. Only 4 circs.
The Mammoth Book of Best New Manga 2, edited by ILYA. 23 self-contained new color and black and white manga in all genres by many authors; a great way to find a new favorite! 25 circs.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Classic Book Reviews
Today, I'm going to discuss three books, all fantasy novels, about 3 young women. Each is a favorite of mine, and is also a classic - either it has won an award, or great praise, or has simply stood the test of time. Each of these three books is similar in some ways, yet each is an individual and distinctive story that can and should be read for itself.
Beauty - by Robin McKinley - winner of the 1998 Phoenix Award Honor book. A retelling of the story of Beauty and the Beast, it was her first published novel. The eponymous main character is the youngest of three sisters who find themselves forced to leave their home in the city and move to a small cottage in a village on the edge of a mysterious forest. Follow Beauty's story as she learns to cope with change, fear, loss and eventually love. Romantic yet realistic, this story captures the essence of a fairy tale, and yet you will forget you know the ending as you wonder what Beauty will discover next.
Dragonsong - by Anne McCaffrey - recipient of the 1999 Margaret A. Edwards award - Menolly is the lonely, misunderstood, music-loving daughter of parents who are too worried about their own lives to take time for their youngest child. When a tragic accident and a wonderful discovery force Menolly to take responsibility for her own life and future, marvelous things happen. But not without risk, luck and talent... Menolly's life is one that every teen will feel a kinship with; and who wouldn't like their own fire lizard, or nine...
Howl's Moving Castle - by Diana Wynne Jones - an ALA Notable Book, and winner of the Boston Globe-Horn Award - you may have seen the wonderful anime based on this book, but do yourself a favor - meet Sophie, Howl and Calcifer in their original setting. Funny, serious, sad, delightful; this book is all that and more. Growing old never happened so easily! And Sophie handles it with style, if not with pleasure...
Share a few hours with Beauty, Sophie and Menolly - you won't regret it.
Beauty - by Robin McKinley - winner of the 1998 Phoenix Award Honor book. A retelling of the story of Beauty and the Beast, it was her first published novel. The eponymous main character is the youngest of three sisters who find themselves forced to leave their home in the city and move to a small cottage in a village on the edge of a mysterious forest. Follow Beauty's story as she learns to cope with change, fear, loss and eventually love. Romantic yet realistic, this story captures the essence of a fairy tale, and yet you will forget you know the ending as you wonder what Beauty will discover next.
Dragonsong - by Anne McCaffrey - recipient of the 1999 Margaret A. Edwards award - Menolly is the lonely, misunderstood, music-loving daughter of parents who are too worried about their own lives to take time for their youngest child. When a tragic accident and a wonderful discovery force Menolly to take responsibility for her own life and future, marvelous things happen. But not without risk, luck and talent... Menolly's life is one that every teen will feel a kinship with; and who wouldn't like their own fire lizard, or nine...
Howl's Moving Castle - by Diana Wynne Jones - an ALA Notable Book, and winner of the Boston Globe-Horn Award - you may have seen the wonderful anime based on this book, but do yourself a favor - meet Sophie, Howl and Calcifer in their original setting. Funny, serious, sad, delightful; this book is all that and more. Growing old never happened so easily! And Sophie handles it with style, if not with pleasure...
Share a few hours with Beauty, Sophie and Menolly - you won't regret it.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Recent Returns
These three titles are ones that readers have recently returned.
Babylonne by Catherine Jinks - Pagan's daughter runs away in this final book of a medieval series. Disguised as a boy, the orphan 16 year old is fleeing an arranged marriage. Pursued by a mysterious and possibly dangerous Catholic priest, she sets out on a quest to discover what happened to her father. An action-packed and very realistic medieval adventure. It has 7 checkouts.
Box Out by John Coy - Sophomore Liam endangers his position on the Basketball Team when he decides to take a stand against the coach, who is leading prayers before games, and enforcing teamwide participation. Will he be able to stand up for his beliefs, or will he knuckle under for a chance to play? Great basketball action and real-life questions make this a quick, engrossing read. 3 checkouts is all this book has! Give it a try...
The Key to the Golden Firebird by Maureen Johnson - Mayzie, Brooks and Palmer are the Gold sisters - each different but closely linked. Then their lives are shattered by their father's death; a year passes, and nothing is the same. Can May find a way to pick up the pieces, bring her sisters back together, and find a new life? With the key to her father's beloved Pontiac Firebird, perhaps she can...61 circs for 3 copies. A great book about growing up, growing apart and growing together.
Babylonne by Catherine Jinks - Pagan's daughter runs away in this final book of a medieval series. Disguised as a boy, the orphan 16 year old is fleeing an arranged marriage. Pursued by a mysterious and possibly dangerous Catholic priest, she sets out on a quest to discover what happened to her father. An action-packed and very realistic medieval adventure. It has 7 checkouts.
Box Out by John Coy - Sophomore Liam endangers his position on the Basketball Team when he decides to take a stand against the coach, who is leading prayers before games, and enforcing teamwide participation. Will he be able to stand up for his beliefs, or will he knuckle under for a chance to play? Great basketball action and real-life questions make this a quick, engrossing read. 3 checkouts is all this book has! Give it a try...
The Key to the Golden Firebird by Maureen Johnson - Mayzie, Brooks and Palmer are the Gold sisters - each different but closely linked. Then their lives are shattered by their father's death; a year passes, and nothing is the same. Can May find a way to pick up the pieces, bring her sisters back together, and find a new life? With the key to her father's beloved Pontiac Firebird, perhaps she can...61 circs for 3 copies. A great book about growing up, growing apart and growing together.
Monday, August 17, 2009
It's Almost Time to Vote!
For your favorite TEEN TOP TEN books!
Voting will begin August 24 and end Sept 18. Read all about it here.
Winners will be announced during Teen Read Week, Sept 18-24.
Voting will begin August 24 and end Sept 18. Read all about it here.
Winners will be announced during Teen Read Week, Sept 18-24.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Last Chance to Claim your Prizes!
SATURDAY
AUGUST 15TH
turn in your reading logs for great coupons from Pizza Hut, Chick-Fil-A, Subway and more.
Best of all your choice of your very own brand new book. Lots of good choices left!
AUGUST 15TH
turn in your reading logs for great coupons from Pizza Hut, Chick-Fil-A, Subway and more.
Best of all your choice of your very own brand new book. Lots of good choices left!
Exciting News!
Hope you all saw the flyers for The Great Scavenger Hunt Contest at the Library. Teens and Tweens could read books from a list, answer a ten question quiz, turn in it at the library, get 8 or more right and get a chance to win a $50.00 gift certificate to Barnes & Noble.
Huge congrats go to this month's national winner: ** Tirzah R. ** from Waco, TX!
The Library got to choose 5 teen books for the library!
Check out the web site or come by and get a list of books that the library owns and try your hand at the "Great Scavenger Hunt Contest"
Sponsored by Kay Cassidy
Author of Energizing Fiction for Teens
Saturday, August 8, 2009
GET YOUR PRIZES NOW
This is the final week that Summer Reading Club Prizes can be collected! August 15 is the deadline...
Bring your reading log in and select your FREE BOOK prize. The books are just absolutely fabulous. Choose from these titles, among others:
Templar’s Apprentice by Kat Black
Step to This by Nikki Carter
Gym Candy by Carl Deuker
Sorcerer of the North (Ranger’s Apprentice book 5) by John Flanagan
Slam Dunk, vol 4 by Takehiko Inoue
There are still over 20 titles to choose from, but get here early if you want something particular, as they're gonna go fast...
Bring your reading log in and select your FREE BOOK prize. The books are just absolutely fabulous. Choose from these titles, among others:
Templar’s Apprentice by Kat Black
Step to This by Nikki Carter
Gym Candy by Carl Deuker
Sorcerer of the North (Ranger’s Apprentice book 5) by John Flanagan
Slam Dunk, vol 4 by Takehiko Inoue
There are still over 20 titles to choose from, but get here early if you want something particular, as they're gonna go fast...
Thursday, August 6, 2009
We Won!
The Waco Library and Tirzah R. have both won! Tirzah is the Lucky Winner of a $50 Barnes and Noble Gift Card, and the Library wins a "Tote Bag of Books"
Why? Because Tirzah's name was drawn in the Monthly "Great Scavenger Hunt Trivia Quiz" Contest. You can enter to win, too. Just look at the booklists on the right, read a book, answer the quiz, and bring it in to the Library. If you get at least 8 answers correct, you'll be entered in the monthly drawing... it's that easy!
Maybe we can both win, again!
Why? Because Tirzah's name was drawn in the Monthly "Great Scavenger Hunt Trivia Quiz" Contest. You can enter to win, too. Just look at the booklists on the right, read a book, answer the quiz, and bring it in to the Library. If you get at least 8 answers correct, you'll be entered in the monthly drawing... it's that easy!
Maybe we can both win, again!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Recent Returns
The Terrorist by Caroline Cooney -- Laura, an American teen, has had a lot of trouble adapting to life in London; she and her brother attend an international school, filled with students from around the world. At first, Laura doesn't care about politics. But then a horrible fate overtakes her little brother, ending his life. And Laura finds herself obsessed; by politics, by terrorists, and by revenge... At 70 checkouts, this title remains quite popular.
Dracula by Bram Stoker -- the classic vampire novel that has fueled over 100 years of imaginations. Van Helsing, the vampire hunter; Harker, the young solicitor who travels to Transylvania, and Wilhelmina, his young and beautiful fiancee, are no match for the cunning, powerful Count Vlad Dracula. Or are they? We own many copies, so circulation is hard to judge, but at least 50 checkouts...
+Anima by Natsumi Mukai -- four outcasts with animal-like characteristics set out to find others of their kind in this long-running manga series. Each of the ten volumes has checked out between 10 and 12 times.
Then He Ate My Boy Entrancers by Louise Rennison -- more mad, marvy confessions of Georgia Nicolson, in hot pursuit of Masimo, the Italian dreamboat, in Hamburger-a-go-go-land (aka the US of A). Hilariously fun, slang-filled, and giddily delightful. A great beach read! 2 copies, 27 circs...
The Dark Knight: featuring production art and full shooting script by Craig Burne -- nonfiction - reveals the full plot, art, and direction of this fabulous sequel to "Batman Begins". A beautiful movie-art book. 4 circs.
Dracula by Bram Stoker -- the classic vampire novel that has fueled over 100 years of imaginations. Van Helsing, the vampire hunter; Harker, the young solicitor who travels to Transylvania, and Wilhelmina, his young and beautiful fiancee, are no match for the cunning, powerful Count Vlad Dracula. Or are they? We own many copies, so circulation is hard to judge, but at least 50 checkouts...
+Anima by Natsumi Mukai -- four outcasts with animal-like characteristics set out to find others of their kind in this long-running manga series. Each of the ten volumes has checked out between 10 and 12 times.
Then He Ate My Boy Entrancers by Louise Rennison -- more mad, marvy confessions of Georgia Nicolson, in hot pursuit of Masimo, the Italian dreamboat, in Hamburger-a-go-go-land (aka the US of A). Hilariously fun, slang-filled, and giddily delightful. A great beach read! 2 copies, 27 circs...
The Dark Knight: featuring production art and full shooting script by Craig Burne -- nonfiction - reveals the full plot, art, and direction of this fabulous sequel to "Batman Begins". A beautiful movie-art book. 4 circs.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Summer is winding down...
Well, it is getting close to being time for (don't look) SCHOOL to start again...
But if you're still looking for that one last great summer read, I have a few things to suggest. I just finished reading a fantasy by Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory called "Phoenix Unchained". It's in the adult Sci-fi section, but it really could be a YA novel. Tiercel and Harrier set out on a blind journey to find someone who can help Tiercel master his newly-discovered and uncontrolled High Magery. Unfortunately, High Magic vanished from the world over 2000 years ago, so their only hope is to reach the almost mythical elven lands far to the north. Their quest leads them further than they ever imagined, and deep into danger.
One of the most fun things about this novel was seeing the changes that have come over the world Tiercel lives in since the previous series of novels (the Obsidian Trilogy), set 2000 years earlier. But even if you have not read those, Harrier and Tiercel are really great characters, whose story will interest and excite you.
I also just finished reading "Switch" by Anthony Horowitz. A much shorter story, it involves Tad and Bob, boys who wake up to discover that they have swapped places. Tad finds himself torn from the embrace of his loving, and very wealthy family, only to discover that life is not what he thinks it is... this is a fast-paced but very fun adventure. You'll like it!
But if you're still looking for that one last great summer read, I have a few things to suggest. I just finished reading a fantasy by Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory called "Phoenix Unchained". It's in the adult Sci-fi section, but it really could be a YA novel. Tiercel and Harrier set out on a blind journey to find someone who can help Tiercel master his newly-discovered and uncontrolled High Magery. Unfortunately, High Magic vanished from the world over 2000 years ago, so their only hope is to reach the almost mythical elven lands far to the north. Their quest leads them further than they ever imagined, and deep into danger.
One of the most fun things about this novel was seeing the changes that have come over the world Tiercel lives in since the previous series of novels (the Obsidian Trilogy), set 2000 years earlier. But even if you have not read those, Harrier and Tiercel are really great characters, whose story will interest and excite you.
I also just finished reading "Switch" by Anthony Horowitz. A much shorter story, it involves Tad and Bob, boys who wake up to discover that they have swapped places. Tad finds himself torn from the embrace of his loving, and very wealthy family, only to discover that life is not what he thinks it is... this is a fast-paced but very fun adventure. You'll like it!
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