Fever Crumb by Philip Reeve - this is a thought provoking and adventurous tale. Set in the same "world" as his Hungry City Chronicles but in an earlier time, this book has a distinctive steampunk-noir feel, while plainly being in our own world's far future. Fever is an orphan, raised by the Engineers to be emotionless and logical. When she leaves the engineers to begin an apprenticeship, she has no idea that she is about to embark on an adventure that will change her life, and the fate of her whole world.
Well-written and smoothly paced, this story presents Fever as a very believable character. Her world is complex and original, a future England with failing technology and a little understood past, struggling to build a new future. If you like adventure, mystery and steampunk tales, you'll enjoy this one!
Friday, July 30, 2010
Final Game Night Report!
Last night was the Summer Championship Game!
We first ran the standard "Weekly Tournament" on Supersmash Brothers - and the winner was Joseph! What a surprise!
Then Joseph, Elijah, and Money - the three weekly winners who were present (Reggie was not here :( ) - competed on the "Mystery Game" for the Grand Championship. The Mystery Game turned out to be "Sports Party 2".
I originally intended that they should play Hoops, but the contestants all panned that, and convinced me to let them play Darts instead...
So they played one Three-Way Darts game, 5 rounds long. In the end, Money was the clear winner, with a score of over 250 points.
The Grand Prize was a very nice Nikon point-and-shoot camera, with a SIM card.
We first ran the standard "Weekly Tournament" on Supersmash Brothers - and the winner was Joseph! What a surprise!
Then Joseph, Elijah, and Money - the three weekly winners who were present (Reggie was not here :( ) - competed on the "Mystery Game" for the Grand Championship. The Mystery Game turned out to be "Sports Party 2".
I originally intended that they should play Hoops, but the contestants all panned that, and convinced me to let them play Darts instead...
So they played one Three-Way Darts game, 5 rounds long. In the end, Money was the clear winner, with a score of over 250 points.
The Grand Prize was a very nice Nikon point-and-shoot camera, with a SIM card.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Game Night Update
Thursday was our next-to-last Game Night! We had 13 competitors in the Mario Kart tournament. Our winner was "Money"! He outraced Shai and all the others to a clear victory...
Next week, we will have a standard tournament to pick a weekly winner, and then all the weekly winners (there will be 5 of them) will compete for the title of Grand Champion of the Year! Our current weekly winners are Joseph, Reggie, Elijah, and Money. They will play a mystery game in the final tournament to narrow the championship down to two, and will then compete Head-to-Head in SSB on the Wii.
The Grand Prize this year is a nice little digital camera. So come on in, join the fun, and see if you can be the Champ!
Next week, we will have a standard tournament to pick a weekly winner, and then all the weekly winners (there will be 5 of them) will compete for the title of Grand Champion of the Year! Our current weekly winners are Joseph, Reggie, Elijah, and Money. They will play a mystery game in the final tournament to narrow the championship down to two, and will then compete Head-to-Head in SSB on the Wii.
The Grand Prize this year is a nice little digital camera. So come on in, join the fun, and see if you can be the Champ!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
New Books
Novels
Freak Magnet by Andrew Auseon - At first glance, this novel seems like a straightforward if unconventional love story: boy sees girl, boy chases after girl screaming that she's beautiful, girl tells boy to get lost. But through the alternating points of view of Charlie and Gloria, Auseon layers this romance with much more-Charlie's pain over his mother's terminal illness as well as Gloria's grief over her brother's death in Afghanistan and her frustration with a mother who is attentive to everything but her daughters.
Graphic Novels:
Spider-Man. The Secret Wars - How do ten heroes end up buried alive beneath one hundred and fifty billion tons of rock? And is the Hulk mad enough to do anything about it? What were the events that led up to this catastrophe? What are the heroes thinking? And with the weight of an entire mountain range above them, how do they go about their desperate fight for survival? All the answers are in the first issue of the series that takes you deeper into the classic events of the Secret Wars, and pulls the lid off stories that were left untold!
Amazing Spider-Man Presents. Jackpot - The last Jackpot died in combat alongside Spider-Man - so who is the new Jackpot putting fear into the hearts of street criminals? Why has Boomerang targeted her for death? And how is The Rose involved?
Freak Magnet by Andrew Auseon - At first glance, this novel seems like a straightforward if unconventional love story: boy sees girl, boy chases after girl screaming that she's beautiful, girl tells boy to get lost. But through the alternating points of view of Charlie and Gloria, Auseon layers this romance with much more-Charlie's pain over his mother's terminal illness as well as Gloria's grief over her brother's death in Afghanistan and her frustration with a mother who is attentive to everything but her daughters.
Graphic Novels:
Spider-Man. The Secret Wars - How do ten heroes end up buried alive beneath one hundred and fifty billion tons of rock? And is the Hulk mad enough to do anything about it? What were the events that led up to this catastrophe? What are the heroes thinking? And with the weight of an entire mountain range above them, how do they go about their desperate fight for survival? All the answers are in the first issue of the series that takes you deeper into the classic events of the Secret Wars, and pulls the lid off stories that were left untold!
Amazing Spider-Man Presents. Jackpot - The last Jackpot died in combat alongside Spider-Man - so who is the new Jackpot putting fear into the hearts of street criminals? Why has Boomerang targeted her for death? And how is The Rose involved?
Monday, July 19, 2010
New Books
Books:
Keys to the Repository by Melissa De la Cruz -- Bluebloods #5 -- Short stories, journal entries, family records, and letters maintained by the Repository of History, the center of the Blue Blood's power, reveal secrets of Manhattan's vampire elite dating to the dawn of history.
Bruiser by Neal Shusterman -- Inexplicable events start to occur when sixteen-year-old twins Tennyson and Brontë befriend a troubled and misunderstood outcast, aptly nicknamed Bruiser, and his little brother, Cody.
Lovesick by Tonya Hurly -- Ghostgirl #3 -- Charlotte has been given her first assignment after graduating from Dead Ed, the alternative high school for dead teens. She is to go back and help out a student from her previous life.
Graphic Novels:
X-Men. S.W.O.R.D. No Time to Breathe
Hulk. Son of Banner
Hulk vs. X-Force
Eureka SeveN vol. 3
InuYasha vol. 49
Keys to the Repository by Melissa De la Cruz -- Bluebloods #5 -- Short stories, journal entries, family records, and letters maintained by the Repository of History, the center of the Blue Blood's power, reveal secrets of Manhattan's vampire elite dating to the dawn of history.
Bruiser by Neal Shusterman -- Inexplicable events start to occur when sixteen-year-old twins Tennyson and Brontë befriend a troubled and misunderstood outcast, aptly nicknamed Bruiser, and his little brother, Cody.
Lovesick by Tonya Hurly -- Ghostgirl #3 -- Charlotte has been given her first assignment after graduating from Dead Ed, the alternative high school for dead teens. She is to go back and help out a student from her previous life.
Graphic Novels:
X-Men. S.W.O.R.D. No Time to Breathe
Hulk. Son of Banner
Hulk vs. X-Force
Eureka SeveN vol. 3
InuYasha vol. 49
Friday, July 16, 2010
Game Night Update
Last night we had another great game night. We played SuperSmash Brothers Melee on the Wii, and had 10 contestants. Instead of the usual 4 person matches, we did head to heads, and had a really good time!
The final matchup was Reggie vs Justin - and Reggie pulled off the win!
Next week is our last regular session, and we'll be playing Mario Kart on the Gamecube. Then on the 29th, anyone who has not won a weekly session will have one final chance to win a spot in the finals; that will be SSB-Wii; then Joseph, Elijah, Reggie and the final two winners will all compete against each other for the GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP! The game will consist of an initial round of Mario Kart, and then a mystery game for the final rounds...
So come join in the fun!
The final matchup was Reggie vs Justin - and Reggie pulled off the win!
Next week is our last regular session, and we'll be playing Mario Kart on the Gamecube. Then on the 29th, anyone who has not won a weekly session will have one final chance to win a spot in the finals; that will be SSB-Wii; then Joseph, Elijah, Reggie and the final two winners will all compete against each other for the GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP! The game will consist of an initial round of Mario Kart, and then a mystery game for the final rounds...
So come join in the fun!
Monday, July 12, 2010
Book Review
The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp by Richard Yancey. Being the first in the Alfred Kropp adventure series, this book is a very exciting and adventurous story. Orphaned Alfred (6'+ tall at age 16) lives with his uncle, who works as a security guard. When his uncle gets involved in a plan to steal a sword from his employer, Alfred knows he shouldn't agree; but he can't tell his uncle "No". Everything goes wrong, and Alfred realizes that everything he did was wrong; now he has to make the right decisions, rescue the sword, make the knight Bennacio proud of him, and save the world from destruction. All without any help, nor any idea how to do it!
Alfred's adventures are fast-paced, exciting and fascinating. He's a bumbler, always managing to do things just a little wrong, and without any clear ideals. When he understands what's right, he's willing to do it, but things aren't always clear or obvious. When he meets Bennacio, he hopes the knight will tell him what to do, but even then, the ultimate decision comes down to him. Can he save the world, or will he die trying? Find out for yourself!
Alfred's adventures are fast-paced, exciting and fascinating. He's a bumbler, always managing to do things just a little wrong, and without any clear ideals. When he understands what's right, he's willing to do it, but things aren't always clear or obvious. When he meets Bennacio, he hopes the knight will tell him what to do, but even then, the ultimate decision comes down to him. Can he save the world, or will he die trying? Find out for yourself!
Friday, July 9, 2010
Game Night Report and New Books
Last night in the Mario Kart tournament, we had a new weekly winner! Elijah pulled off a last-second victory over Ulysses in the Dino Dino Jungle! It was a very exciting race...
New Books:
Conspiracy 365 book 7: July by Gabrielle Lord. How can Cal find out more about Piers Ormond's will if he is stuck on a fishing boat after becoming indebted to the captain. If he can find his great-aunt Millicent, he may have a better chance of finding the will. But, should he expose another relative to danger?
Glimpse by Carol Lynch Williams. This novel in verse is told from the perspective of 12 year old Hope. Living with their mother who earns money as a prostitute, Hope and 14 year old Lizzie take care of each other. When Lizzie attempts suicide, Hope tries to uncover the reason.
Trinity Blood. Rage against the moons. Vol. 1: From the Empire by Sunao Yoshida.900 yeas after an apocalyptic war, political turmoil, terrorist plots, and the relentless desire for personal revenge threaten to escalate the conflict between humans and vampires.
Dark Flame by Alyson Noel -- #4 of the Immortals series. Ever works to help her best friend Haven adapt to her new life as an immortal while also working to gain control over Roman and obtain the antidote to the spell he placed over her and her beloved Damen. However, when her counter-spell backfires and binds her to Roman, Ever turns to Jude and black magick for help.
Graphic Novels:
Naruto vol. 48
Spider-Man: Return of the Black Cat
New Books:
Conspiracy 365 book 7: July by Gabrielle Lord. How can Cal find out more about Piers Ormond's will if he is stuck on a fishing boat after becoming indebted to the captain. If he can find his great-aunt Millicent, he may have a better chance of finding the will. But, should he expose another relative to danger?
Glimpse by Carol Lynch Williams. This novel in verse is told from the perspective of 12 year old Hope. Living with their mother who earns money as a prostitute, Hope and 14 year old Lizzie take care of each other. When Lizzie attempts suicide, Hope tries to uncover the reason.
Trinity Blood. Rage against the moons. Vol. 1: From the Empire by Sunao Yoshida.900 yeas after an apocalyptic war, political turmoil, terrorist plots, and the relentless desire for personal revenge threaten to escalate the conflict between humans and vampires.
Dark Flame by Alyson Noel -- #4 of the Immortals series. Ever works to help her best friend Haven adapt to her new life as an immortal while also working to gain control over Roman and obtain the antidote to the spell he placed over her and her beloved Damen. However, when her counter-spell backfires and binds her to Roman, Ever turns to Jude and black magick for help.
Graphic Novels:
Naruto vol. 48
Spider-Man: Return of the Black Cat
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Novels with a theatric theme
In Honor of the Teen Library Crew who are working so hard with Stacey to put on their annual teen play and puppet show this summer, I've come up with a list of books that take place in or around a theater or stage performance. Enjoy!
Will Grayson/Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan - two boys, both named Will Grayson, discover each other and this leads to changes in both their lives. One of the Wills begins dating the best friend of the other Will, while Tiny writes and produces the most hilarious high-school musical ever!
Eyes like Stars by Lisa Mantchev - Bertie strives to save the Theater Illuminata, but Ariel and the other spirits trapped there are willing to destroy her only home in their struggle to be free.
Wicked Will by Bailey MacDonald - disguised as a boy in 1675, a girl called Viola and a boy named Will Shakespeare perform with her uncle's strolling players in Stratford-on-Avon. But when Farmer Speight turns up dead, Uncle Matt is blamed, and the young players must solve the mystery before he is tried and convicted.
Diamond of Drury Lane by Julia Golding - Cat has grown up at the Drury Lane Theater, an orphan raised by all the stage crew. But when she overhears that a Diamond has been hidden there, she sets out to solve the mystery - and make surprising new friends.
Saving Juliet by Suzanne Selfors - Mimi is the granddaughter of a famous actress, but her stage fright (and teen heartthrob Troy) makes her life miserable. When, by some mysterious magic, she and her leading man end up going back in time to Shakespeare's Verona, Mimi decides that her new role is to be Juliet's savior.
The Sweet, Terrible, Glorious Year I Truly, Completely Lost It by Lisa Shanahan -
Will Grayson/Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan - two boys, both named Will Grayson, discover each other and this leads to changes in both their lives. One of the Wills begins dating the best friend of the other Will, while Tiny writes and produces the most hilarious high-school musical ever!
Eyes like Stars by Lisa Mantchev - Bertie strives to save the Theater Illuminata, but Ariel and the other spirits trapped there are willing to destroy her only home in their struggle to be free.
Wicked Will by Bailey MacDonald - disguised as a boy in 1675, a girl called Viola and a boy named Will Shakespeare perform with her uncle's strolling players in Stratford-on-Avon. But when Farmer Speight turns up dead, Uncle Matt is blamed, and the young players must solve the mystery before he is tried and convicted.
Diamond of Drury Lane by Julia Golding - Cat has grown up at the Drury Lane Theater, an orphan raised by all the stage crew. But when she overhears that a Diamond has been hidden there, she sets out to solve the mystery - and make surprising new friends.
Saving Juliet by Suzanne Selfors - Mimi is the granddaughter of a famous actress, but her stage fright (and teen heartthrob Troy) makes her life miserable. When, by some mysterious magic, she and her leading man end up going back in time to Shakespeare's Verona, Mimi decides that her new role is to be Juliet's savior.
The Sweet, Terrible, Glorious Year I Truly, Completely Lost It by Lisa Shanahan -
Friday, July 2, 2010
Game Night Update
Game Night last night was a whole lotta fun!
We had 11 competitors in the tournament, playing Supersmash Brothers Brawl on the Wii. It was a very close competition, coming down to Reggie and Joseph brawling it out in a very exciting match. But, to no one's surprise, once again Joseph managed to triumph! He is now a 4 time weekly winner!!!! You can come in and join the fun on Thursday nights at 6:30 here at Central Library (Teens only!).
We also had almost 40 people at this week's movie, Percy Jackson and the Olympians.
Join us for next week's movie, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, on July 7 at 2:00.
We had 11 competitors in the tournament, playing Supersmash Brothers Brawl on the Wii. It was a very close competition, coming down to Reggie and Joseph brawling it out in a very exciting match. But, to no one's surprise, once again Joseph managed to triumph! He is now a 4 time weekly winner!!!! You can come in and join the fun on Thursday nights at 6:30 here at Central Library (Teens only!).
We also had almost 40 people at this week's movie, Percy Jackson and the Olympians.
Join us for next week's movie, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, on July 7 at 2:00.
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