Book Review

Ancient, Strange and Lovely by Susan Fletcher - This is a really wonderful story, about a young woman who finds a strange object in her missing mother's belongings, and is led into a marvelous adventure. If you enjoy dragons in "real world" settings, you'll love this story. Bryn is a strong and believable heroine, who loves her little sister, her parents, and even her difficult Aunt. The story opens with her feeling lost and alone, burdened with secrets she wishes she didn't have to keep, and rapidly moves into her discovery of what can only be an egg - which, to her amazement, hatches into a strange, lizardlike creature with wings! Bryn's struggles to keep her find secret, to take proper care of it, and to discover how it connects to the fact that her scientist mother has vanished in the Arctic wilderness, are all very well written. The villains are also believable, acting from their own needs and desires. All in all, it's a good story for anyone who loves fantasy in the real world, dragons, and adventure! And it is subtly connected to her other dragon fantasy books, as an added bonus.

New YA Fiction

Fiction:

Far, Far Away by Tom McNeal -- When Jeremy Johnson Johnson's strange ability to speak to the ghost of Jacob Grimm draws the interest of his classmate Ginger Boltinghouse, the two find themselves at the center of a series of disappearances in their hometown.







Real Boy by Anne Ursu -- On an island on the edge of an immense sea, there is a city, a forest, and a boy. The city is called Asteri, a perfect city that was saved by the magic woven into its walls from a devastating plague that swept through the world over a hundred years before. The forest is called the Barrow, a vast wood of ancient trees that encircles the city and feeds the earth with magic. And the boy is called Oscar, a shop boy for the most powerful magician in the Barrow. Oscar spends his days in a small room in the dark cellar of his master's shop, grinding herbs and dreaming of the wizards who once lived on the island generations ago. Oscar's world is small, but he likes it that way. The real world is vast, strange, and unpredictable. And Oscar does not quite fit in it. But it's been a long time since anyone who could call himself a wizard walked the world, and now that world is changing. Children in the city are falling ill, and something sinister lurks in the forest. Oscar has long been content to stay in his small room in the cellar, comforted in the knowledge that the magic that flows from the trees will keep his island safe. Now, even magic may not be enough to save it.

Pretenders by Lisi Harrison -- Five high school freshmen -- the Phoenix Five -- reveal their friendships, crushes, school and family dramas, and big secrets, as told in their unique voices through journal entries.

Living with Jackie Chan by Johanna Knowles -- This isn't how Josh expected to spend senior year. He thought he'd be hanging out with his best friends, Dave and Caleb, driving around, partying, just like always. But here he is, miles from home -- going to a new school, living with his Jackie Chan-obsessed uncle, Larry. Trying to forget. But, Josh can't forget. So many things bring back memories of last year and the night that changed everything. He thinks about it every day. The pain, the shame, the just not knowing are never far from his thoughts. Why is he such a loser? How could he have done what he did? There are moments of peace, like when he's practicing karate paired with Stella, the girl upstairs and his one true friend. When they move together through the katas, Josh feels connected in a way he has never felt before. He wonders if they could be more than friends, but Stella's jealous boyfriend will make sure that doesn't happen. Maybe it doesn't matter. If Stella knew the truth, would she still think he was a true karate man?

Not a Drop to Drink by Mindy McGinnis -- Sixteen-year-old Lynn will do anything to protect her valuable water source, but the arrival of new neighbors forces her to reconsider her attitudes.








Killer of Enemies by Joseph Bruchac -- In a world that has barely survived an apocalypse that leaves it with pre-twentieth century technology, Lozen is a monster hunter for four tyrants who are holding her family hostage.




Red by Alison Cherry -- Felicity St. John has it all: loyal best friends, a hot guy, and artistic talent. And she's right on track to win the Miss Scarlet pageant. Her perfect life is possible because of just one thing: her long, wavy, coppery red hair. Having red hair is all that matters in Scarletville. Redheads hold all the power--and everybody knows it. That's why Felicity is scared down to her roots when she receives an anonymous note: "I know your secret. " Because Felicity is a big fake. Her hair color comes straight out of a bottle. And if anyone discovered the truth, she'd be a social outcast faster than she could say strawberry blond. Her mother would disown her, her friends would shun her, and her boyfriend would dump her. And forget about winning that pageant crown and the prize money that comes with it--money that would allow her to fulfill her dream of going to art school. Felicity isn't about to let someone blackmail her life away. But just how far is she willing to go to protect her red cred?

Blackout by Robison Wells -- A mysterious virus is spreading through America, infecting teenagers with incredible powers -- and a group of four teens are about to find their lives intertwined in a web of danger and catastrophic destruction.






Jumped In by Patrick Flores-Scott -- In the two years since his mother left him with his grandparents in Des Moines, Washington, Sam has avoided making friends and perfected the art of being a slacker, but being paired with a frightening new student for a slam poetry unit transforms his life.

Shadowhunter’s Codex by Cassandra Clare -- Delve into the details of all things Shadowhunter with this special collector's edition of the illustrated guide to the knowledge and lore of the Shadowhunter world. Since the thirteenth century, the Shadowhunter's Codex has been the" "one and only manual for Shadowhunters looking to brush up on their demon languages, learn proper stele use, and discover just what exactly a pyxis is. Featured in both The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices, this guide is a necessity for any young Nephilim on their journey to becoming a Shadowhunter. Beautifully illustrated, the Codex contains images of the famous Shadowhunter homeland of Idris, as well as depictions of demons and other Downworlders. But this isn't just any copy of "The Shadowhunter's Codex." It's Clary's copy, and as an artist herself, she's sketched pictures of her friends and family in the book, and scrawled helpful advice in the margins.

Clockwork Scarab by Gleason -- Stoker and Holmes #1 - In 1889 London young women are turning up dead, and Evaline Stoker, relative of Bram, and Mina Holmes, niece of Sherlock, are summoned to investigate the clue of the not-so-ancient Egyptian scarabs -- but where does a time traveler fit in?

New YA Books

Graphic Novels: 

Transformers. Dark Prelude -- Collects six tales that fill in the background stories of such characters as Thundercracker, Bumblebee, and Trailcutter.

Thor. The Dark World Prelude -- collecting the official adaptation of Marvel's Thor and an all-new adventure leading you directly into the upcoming Marvel Studios blockbuster Thor: the Dark World ! First, get introduced to the world of Asgard and witness the origin of Marvel's mightiest hero! Then, find out what happened to your favorite Asgardians between the events of Thor and Marvel's the Avengers.





X-Men. Storm -- Long ago, Storm won leadership of the underground mutant community known as the Morlocks. But, her reign was a distant one, and Storm's neglected subjects grew increasingly embittered. Ultimately, the mad Mikhail Rasputin swept the Morlocks away into another dimension -- a harsh dimension where time ran much faster than normal. There, the next generation of Morlock children came of age, hard and cold and bitter. They returned as a terrorist unit called Gene Nation, and Storm nearly had to slay their leader to defeat them. Disturbed by her actions, haunted by the guilt of failing the Morlocks, Storm seeks a new balance in her life. But when she is abducted to Mikhail's brutal dimension, can Storm prevail against the living reminders of her failure? Or will the sins of her past drag her down?

Wonder Woman Chronicles Vol. 3 -- Wonder Woman battles German spies, the mysterious Mole Men, Dr. Psycho, with the help of Army Major Steve Trevor, as well as Etta Candy and the Holliday Girls.

Maximum Ride [the manga] Vol. 7 -- Fang's blog highlights ITEX and their research, causing them to shut down, while Max goes to Antarctica to study the effects of global warming.








Witch and Wizard the manga Vol. 3 -- Although Whit and Wisty's magic and their control over it have matured, they still find themselves helpless to prevent the one who is the one from destroying everyone and everything they hold dear. But there's a reckoning on the horizon, and the siblings have no choice but to devise a strategy to topple with one decisive blow the tyrant who has devastated their world before he becomes truly all-powerful.

Boxers by Gene Yang -- In China in 1898 bands of foreign missionaries and soldiers roam the countryside, bullying and robbing Chinese peasants. Little Bao has had enough: harnessing the powers of ancient Chinese gods, he recruits an army of Boxers -- commoners trained in kung fu who fight to free China from "foreign devils."

Saints by Gene Yang -- China, 1898. An unwanted and unwelcome fourth daughter, Four-Girl isn't even given a proper name by her family when she's born. She finally finds friendship -- and a name, Vibiana -- in the most unlikely of places: Christianity. But China is a dangerous place for Christians. The Boxer Rebellion is in full swing, and bands of young men roam the countryside, murdering Westerners and Chinese Christians alike. Torn between her nation and her Christian friends, Vibiana will have to decide where her true loyalties lie -- and whether she is willing to die for her faith.

Book Review

I just read a really really moving short story/novella entitled "The Snow Goose" by Paul Gallico.

We have a beautifully illustrated copy of it in YA here at Central:

It looks like a "picture book" for younger readers, but it is, rather, a very literate and beautifully told story about a reclusive artist, the birds that he watches over, a young girl who seeks him out despite his reputation, and, of course, the titular snow goose. It isn't a happy story; if you want a good 2 or 3 hankie read, this is it. It's also one that will stay with you for a long time. So give it a try!

New Books and BOOKSALE

Don't forget the 51st Annual Friends of the Library Booksale, starting tomorrow at the Fairgrounds.

And now, to some more new books:

45 Pounds (more or less) by K.A. Barson -- Ann Galardi is 16Nand a size 16. She's always struggled with her weight, and her perfect size 6 mother. This summer, it's worse: Aunt Jackie's getting married in August, and Ann's her bridesmaid. She decides she's losing 45 pounds in two monthsNor else. Thus begins a rollicking odyssey in this thoughtful debut.






Phoenix: A Black City Novel by Elizabeth Richards -- Engaged to be married, Ash and Natalie are just starting to build a life together when things in the United Sentry States go from bad to worse. Ash and Natalie find themselves at the center of turmoil when dictator Purian Rose threatens Natalie's life unless Ash votes in favor of Rose's Law - a law that will send Darklings and other dissenters to a deadly concentration camp known as the Tenth.







Battle of the Ampere - Michael Vey #3 by Richard Paul Evans -- To stop Hatch from using the Elgen fleet to gain world power, Michael and the rest of the Electroclan must destroy the lead ship, but divisions within the Electroclan threaten the success of their operation.

From Norvelt to Nowhere by Jack Gantos -- After an explosion, a new crime by an old murderer, and the sad passing of the founder of Norvelt, Pennsylvania, twelve-year-old Jack accompanies his slightly mental elderly mentor, Miss Volker, on a cross-country run as she pursues the oddest of outlaws.






Once We Were by Kat Zhang - Hybrid Chronicles #2 -- In the sequel to What's Left of Me, fifteen-year-old Addie and Eva struggle to share their body as they are drawn deeper into the fight for hybrid freedom from the government's oppression.

Princess of Cortova by Diane Stanley -- Silver Bowl #3 - With tensions rising between the kingdoms of Westria and Austlind, Molly and Tobias accompany King Alaric to Cortova, where he hopes to form an alliance with the powerful King Gonzalo--an alliance that would be sealed by Alaric's marriage to Gonzalo's daughter, the beautiful princess Elizabetta.

New Graphic Novels

Graphic Novels:

Superior Spider-Man. Vol. 2, A Troubled Mind -- Will the Avengers kick Spidey off the team in light of his recent violent actions? The ghostly revenant of Peter Parker fights to regain control of his body, his mind, and his destiny! Is this the beginning of the end for Otto Octavius? Who will emerge as the one, true Spider-Man? Then, the Spider-Slayer is scheduled for execution, and Mayor J. Jonah Jameson has called in the one man he can trust to oversee everything: the Superior Spider-Man!





Justice League [2011], Vol. 2, The Villain’s Journey -- Now that the team's origin story is complete, we shift to the present-day Justice League! What has changed? Who has joined the team since? And why does Green Arrow want to join those ranks so badly? Plus, someone is out to get the Justice League, and he is determined to show the world how mortal these godlike beings really are!

Wolverine and the X-Men [2011]. Vol. 6 -- Wolverine and the students go to the Savage Land! But, Wolverine's half-brother Dog Logan is back -- and Wolverine is in for a world of hurt. Which means that the students are on their own in the Savage Land with no supervision. Uh-oh. And after Dog defeats Wolverine and takes charge of the students, which one won't be coming home?

Natsume’s Book of Friends Vol. 13 & 14 by Midorikawa -- Intrigues abound in the world of professional exorcism, and Natsume wants nothing to do with it. But he has no choice when Matoba, head of a prominent exorcist clan, blackmails him into coming to an exorcist meeting. Is Natsume's fate sealed when one of his special talents is exposed in front of Matoba?







Sakura Hime Vol. 11 by Tanemura -- Kohaku follows Hayate into the woods and finds him there with Rurijo. Enju also witnesses the clandestine meeting and confronts Rurijo about her betrayal. Rurijo, now abandoned by Enju, vows to kill Princess Sakura.


Naruto Vol. 62 by Kishimoto -- With the Edotensei warriors returning to the afterlife, Itachi must soon join them.

Oz. Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz by Shanower -- L. Frank Baum's magical worlds come to life again as Dorothy Gale takes yet another unexpected trip. This time, Dorothy and her cousin Zeb tumble deep into the ground after an earthquake! They'll encounter the strange Mangaboos and invisible bears. They'll tussle with fierce wooden gargoyles and hungry 66-year-old baby dragons! But Dorothy will have an old friend at her side: the wonderful Wizard of Oz! Can the Wizard's guile save Dorothy and Zeb? And what is the Wizard's master plan he's been hiding?

Teen Top Ten 2013

YALSA has announced the Teen Top Ten 2013 Winners:

1. Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein (Disney/Hyperion)
   
2. The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen (Scholastic/Scholastic Press)
   
3. Insurgent by Veronica Roth (Harper Collins/Katherine Tegen Books)
   
4. Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry (Harlequin Teen)
   
5. Poison Princess by Kresley Cole (Simon & Schuster)
   
6. The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater (Scholastic/Scholastic Press)
   
7. Crewel by Gennifer Albin (Macmillan/Farrar Straus Giroux)
   
8. Every Day by David Levithan (Random House/Alfred A. Knopf)
   
9. Kill Me Softly by Sarah Cross (Egmont)
   
10. Butter by Erin Jade Lange (Bloomsbury)
    
    
    Or watch this Video:
    
    Remember, these are the ten books Teens across the US voted for as their favorites. They're all great and the Library owns every one of them! So go forth and read!
    

New YA Books

Nonfiction:

Awesome Inner Workings of Video Games By Kaplan -- Ever wondered what's inside the plastic of your video game console but don't want to crack it open to find out? Crack open this book instead! You'll learn what computer code looks like, how a game console's "brain" makes decisions, and how its memory allows you to return to play each day without starting from scratch.

 

 

Fiction:

Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein -- When young American pilot Rose Justice is captured by Nazis and sent to Ravensbrück, the notorious women's concentration camp, she finds hope in the impossible through the loyalty, bravery, and friendship of her fellow prisoners.






Book of Lost Things by Cynthia Voigt -- When Max's parents disappear, he must rely on his wits to get by, and before long he is running his own -- rather unusual -- business.



Sweet Legacy by Tera Lynn Childs -- Now united, the three descendants of Medusa must find the gate between the human and monster world to achieve their destiny.





Love in the Time of Global Warming by Francesca Lia Block -- After a devastating earthquake destroys the West Coast, causing seventeen-year-old Penelope to lose her home, her parents, and her ten-year-old brother, she navigates a dark world, holding hope and love in her hands and refusing to be defeated. Adapted from the Odyssey by Homer.











Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan -- Tells the based-on-true-events story of Harry and Craig, two 17-year-olds who are about to take part in a 32-hour marathon of kissing to set a new Guinness World Record -- all of which is narrated by a Greek Chorus of the generation of gay men lost to AIDS. While the two increasingly dehydrated and sleep-deprived boys are locking lips, they become a focal point in the lives of other teen boys dealing with languishing long-term relationships, coming out, navigating gender identity, and falling deeper into the digital rabbit hole of gay hookup sites -- all while the kissing former couple tries to figure out their own feelings for each other.

New Fiction

Fiction:

A Really Awesome Mess by Trish Cook -- Justin and Emmy arrive at Heartland Academy, a reform school that will force them to deal with their issues, damaged souls with little patience for authority. But along the way they will find a ragtag group of teens who are just as broken, stubborn, and full of sarcasm as themselves. In the end, they might even call each other friends. A funny, sad, and remarkable story, A Really Awesome Mess is a journey of friendship and self-discovery.




Zenn Scarlett by Christian Schoon --  Zenn just wants to be an exobiologist, but when things at her school start going wrong, she must solve the mystery of who wants to destroy the school and kill the alien creatures she's come to love.

The Goddess Inheritance by Aimee Carter -- During nine months of captivity, Kate Winters has survived a jealous goddess, a vengeful Titan and a pregnancy she never asked for. Now, the Queen of the Gods wants her unborn child, and Kate can't stop her -- until the King of the Titans offers a deal. In exchange for her loyalty and devotion, the King of the Titans will spare humanity and let Kate keep her child. Yet even if Kate agrees, he'll destroy Henry, her mother and the rest of council. And if she refuses, the King of the Titans will tear the world apart until every last god and mortal is dead.




Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by April Tucholke --

Violet is in love with River, a mysterious seventeen-year-old stranger renting the guest house behind the rotting seaside mansion where Violet lives, but when eerie, grim events begin to happen, Violet recalls her grandmother's frequent warnings about the devil and wonders if River is evil.

Fire with Fire by Jenny Han -- Burn for Burn #2 -  Lillia, Kat, and Mary had the perfect plan. Work

together in secret to take down the people who wronged them. But things didn't exactly go the way they'd hoped at the Homecoming Dance. Not even close. For now, it looks like they got away with it. All they have to do is move on and pick up the pieces, forget there ever was a pact. But it's not easy, not when Reeve is still a total jerk and Rennie's meaner than she ever was before. And then there's sweet little Mary...she knows there's something seriously wrong with her. If she can't control her anger, she's sure that someone will get hurt even worse than Reeve was. Mary understands now that it's not just that Reeve bullied her--it's that he made her love him. Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, burn for a burn. A broken heart for a broken heart. The girls are up to the task. They'll make Reeve fall in love with Lillia and then they will crush him. It's the only way he'll learn. It seems once a fire is lit, the only thing you can do is let it burn...

New Books

Graphic Novels:

Hulk Smash the Avengers -- A five-part punch-fest that explores the ever-evolving relationship between the Gamma Goliath and Earth's Mightiest Heroes! Hulk vs. the Avengers: Captain America, Iron Man, Giant-Man, Wasp and Thor!







X-Treme X-Men 2012 Vol. 2 and 3 -- On the search for the evil interdimensional Charles Xaviers, the team lands in Kurt Waggoner's dimension, where they find themselves in a war against the Brood.
X-Men. X-Termination -- Joining together the teams from Astonishing X-Men, Age of Apocalypse and X-Treme X-Men, and spinning out of the pages of Uncanny X-Force comes the X-Event of the year! AOA Nightcrawler just wants to get home, and he'll do whatever it takes to get there. With the fabric of reality at stake, Wolverine calls in a team to confront the doppelganger of their dead friend. But, are they ready to do what's necessary?

Batman. Arkham Unhinged -- In these stories originally available only online and tying into the bestselling videogame "Batman: Arkham City," Dr. Hugo Strange has gained control of Arkham Asylum and is determined to keep the city's criminal element behind bars.

Nonfiction:

Guilty of Being Weird: the story of Guy Paul Moran by Cynthia Faryon -- At twenty-four, Guy Paul Morin still lived at home, drove his parents' car, kept bees in the backyard, and grew flowers to encourage the hives. In the small Ontario town where he lived, this meant Guy Paul stood out. So when the nine-year-old girl next door went missing, the police were convinced that Morin was responsible for the little girl's murder. It took ten years and the just-developed science of DNA testing to finally clear his name. Learn how the justice system not only failed to help an innocent young man, but conspired to convict him.

Sentenced to Life at Seventeen by Cynthia Faryon -- David Milgaard was a troubled kid, and he got into lots of trouble. Unfortunately, that made it easy for the Saskatoon police to brand him as a murderer. At seventeen, David Milgaard was arrested, jailed, and convicted for the rape and murder of a young nursing assistant, Gail Miller. He was sent to adult prison for life. Throughout his twenty-three years in prison, David maintained that he was innocent and refused to admit to the crime, even though it meant he was never granted parole. Finally, through the incredible determination of his mother and new lawyers who believed in him, David was released and proven not guilty.

Book Review

This past weekend I spent some time re-reading an old favorite novel, waiting for her newest book to come out.

The book I'm waiting for is Pegasus II by Robin McKinley, and the book I was re-reading was "The Hero and the Crown". If you've never read McKinley, I strongly suggest you RUN, not walk, down here to the Library and give her a try!

The Hero and the Crown is the tale of Aerin, a Princess  (First Sola) of Damar. She's never really fit in to her role of King's only daughter, because her mother was a Northern witch, and she has failed to exhibit the Royal Gift. Everyone knows she's an oddity, and she longs to find a place for herself. When dragons begin to appear on the edges of the Kingdom, she girds herself up for combat, and makes herself useful fighting this little, annoying scourge. But of course, dragons are not just little, annoying scourges - and soon she'll find herself battling far more than she bargains for!

Aerin is a wonderful heroine - strong and self-willed, but not unflawed, she does what she does because she needs to find her destiny. And the writing is lyrical, complex, and intense. You'll really enjoy this one!

Teen Book Club

Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013
Central Library Teenzone
4:00 - 5:00

for ages 11 - 17
Join us at the Central Library for a book discussion group.

Theme: New Beginnings
Also, Help us select a Name for the Club
How it works: Each month, a theme will be announced for the NEXT MEETING, during the Club session. A list of 5-7 suggested book titles will be included. You do NOT have to read one of the suggested books, but they are examples of the theme, and are all books the library owns at least one copy of.

On the day of the club meeting, join us to discuss the book you read, and how it relates to the theme for the month. You'll meet other teens who love great books, learn about the books they've enjoyed, and have a great time discussing your favorite book with other readers.

Recommendations for the first month:
Book of the Maidservant by Rebecca Barnhouse
My Lost and Found Life by Melodie Bowsher
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen by Susin Nielsen
Life as we Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

New Fiction

High School High by Shannon Freeman -- Port City High #1 Brandi is smart and outgoing, but sometimes insecure and gullible. Marisa is graceful and articulate, but often too driven. Shane is a natural leader with a lot of spirit, but rebellious and headstrong. The girls have been inseparable since middle school. But now, they are playing in the big leagues, and it's time to grow up and start thinking about the future. And Port City, Texas, is not all that. High school drama has a way of solidifying or destroying friendships. Will they stay tight or get swallowed up by Port City High? Or will they go from freshman to senior year and beyond remaining the best of friends?

 
Way Too Much Drama by Earl Sewell -- Keysha and Friends #7 - The toughest lessons aren't always taught in the classroom. Maya is ready to put the fabulous back into her life -- and that means getting her manipulative cousin, Viviana, out of it. Bad enough that Viviana is living under the same roof and tried to claim Maya's boyfriend, Misalo, for herself. Now she's going to Maya's high school and she's part of the quiz team competing on a TV show ... alongside Maya, Keysha and Misalo.




Butter by Erin Jade Lange -- Unable to control his binge eating, a morbidly obese teenager nicknamed Butter decides to make live webcast of his last meal as he attempts to eat himself to death.

Tilt by Ellen Hopkins -- Three teens, connected by their parents' bad choices, tell in their own voices of their lives and loves as Shane finds his first boyfriend, Mikayla discovers that love can be pushed too far, and Harley loses herself in her quest for new experiences.








Girl of His Dreams by Amir Abrams -- The rules are simple: Play or get played. And never, ever, catch feelings. That's the motto 17-year-old heartthrob Antonio Lopez lives by. Since his mother walked out, Antonio's father has taught him everything he needs to know about women: they can't be trusted, and a real man has more than one. So once Antonio gets what he wants from a girl, he moves on. But, McPherson High's hot new beauty is turning out to be Antonio's first real challenge. Miesha Wilson has a motto of her own: The thrill of the chase is not getting caught. Game knows game, and Miesha is so not interested. She's dumped her share of playboys, and she's determined to stay clear of the likes of Antonio Lopez -- until his crazy jealous ex aggravates her. But when she decides to play some games of her own, Miesha and Antonio find themselves wondering if love is real after all....



Seven Minutes in Heaven by Sara Shepard -- Lying Game #6 - Lying Game #6 - Sutton Mercer had the perfect life, great friends, and a gorgeous boyfriend...until someone murdered her. Then the killer forced Sutton's long-lost twin sister, Emma, to pretend to be her. Now Sutton can only watch from beyond the grave as Emma frantically tries to figure out who killed her sister, and why. But when Sutton's body is discovered, Emma's time is up--and she becomes the number-one suspect herself.





Mortal Fire by Elizabeth Knox -- When sixteen-year-old Canny of the Pacific island, Southland, sets out on a trip with her stepbrother and his girlfriend, she finds herself drawn into enchanting Zarene Valley where the mysterious but dark seventeen-year-old Ghislain helps her to figure out her origins.

New YA fiction

All Graphic Novels today!

Monster on the Hill by Rob Harrell -- In a fantastical 1860s England, every quiet little township is terrorized by a ferocious monster -- much to the townsfolk's delight! Each town's unique monster is a source of local pride, not to mention tourism. Each town, that is, except for one. Unfortunately for the people of Stoker-on-Avon, their monster isn't quite as impressive. In fact, he's a little down in the dumps. Can the morose Rayburn get a monstrous makeover and become a proper horror? It's up to the eccentric Dr. Charles Wilkie and plucky street urchin Timothy to get him up to snuff before a greater threat turns the whole town to kindling.

Teen Titans [2011]. Vol. 1, Its’ Our Right to Fight -- The Teen Titans investigate the mysterious
Mighty Thor/Journey into Mystery. Everything burns --    
The gods will be turned to ash! The World Tree burns as the forces of Surtur, Lord of Muspelheim, scorch the Nine Realms with the irrepressible blaze of war. Loyalty to blood stands above loyalty to realm as the warriors of Asgardia and Vanaheim battle one another while the ever-hungry flames of rebellion feast on the destruction. And in the heart of conflict stands a boy named Loki.








Green Lantern. New Guardians. Vol. 1, The Ring Bearer -- Green Lantern Kyle Rayner finds himself at odds with the Guardians of the Universe when rings from all the separate Lantern Corps come to claim him. But, the other Corps aren't too keen on the Green Lanterns "stealing" their rings! A new chapter in the Green Lantern mythos with a team of renegade Lanterns consisting of members from each Corps!

Batman Illustrated by Neal Adams Vol. 3 -- The final volume collecting Neal Adams's Batman covers and stories, featuring Two-Face, The Joker, and more! Plus, stories created for Peter Pan records and a section showcasing advertising and custom comics work!









Justice League Dark. Vol. 1, In the Dark -- The witch known as The Enchantress has gone mad, unleashing a wave of chaos that not even the combined powers of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and Cyborg can stop. Shade the Changing Man, Madame Xanadu, Deadman, Zatanna, Mindwarp and John Constantine may be our only hope - but how can we put our trust in beings whose very presence makes ordinary people break out in a cold sweat?
organization N.O.W.H.E.R.E., who are capturing young metahumans and either corrupting or destroying them.

PikaPals of Waco Teen Anime Club Meeting

Our next Teen Anime Club meeting is coming up fast!

We'll be meeting on Thursday, Sept 12, 2013 at West Waco Library, in the Storytime Room, from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. We'll be watching a great classic Anime Film. Next month, on October 10th, we'll be making polymer clay chibi/critters!

Our Pizza winner this time is Victor! Congratulations.

We have just two more Pizza Winners to draw, so get your reading review cards in soon!

And come in to collect your T-shirts and coupons any time up til August 10th. All reviews turned in by then will be entered to win an iPod Shuffle!

Pizza Winner for 2nd week in July is Sara L! Congrats to Sara.

Get your review cards turned in for your chance to win! And remember, you can start turning in Reading Logs on July 16, up til August 10th. Collect your great prizes, including the T-shirt.

2nd week Pizza Winner

Our Second pizza winner of the Summer is Hanna C. Congratulations Hanna!

If you have not been turning in your book review cards each week, you haven't had a chance to win.

And remember, if you turn in your review cards before the end of summer, each card is an entry in the contest to win an iPod Shuffle.

Pizza Winner!

We've had our first winner of a free Pizza this summer:

Michele C was drawn from all the book club review cards and can pick up her free Pizza any time! Congrats, Michele!

Everyone else who has signed up for the Beneath The Surface SRC can enter to win by turning in review cards at any of the 4 library locations. Pick up additional review cards at the Library and keep reading!

New YA Fiction

Fiction:
Trinkets by Kirsten Smith -- When three Lake Oswego High School girls from different social groups, good-girl Elodie, popular Tabitha, and tough Moe, meet in a rehabilitation group, they discover they have much more in common than shoplifting.








Unbreakable by Elizabeth Norris -- Sequel to Unraveling - Four months after Ben returned to his home universe, Janelle learns that he is the prime suspect in a human trafficking ring, and she and Interverse Agent Barclay have five days to find the real culprit or the missing people may be lost forever.


Lure of the Dead by Joseph Delaney -- Last apprentice #10 - As creatures of the dark hunt for the witch assassin Grimalkin, who carries the captured Fiend's head, Spook's apprentice Tom tries to find a way to finish this terrifying evil once and for all.

The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen -- During her last summer at home before leaving for college, Emaline begins a whirlwind romance with Theo, an assistant documentary filmmaker who is in town to make a movie.








Fragments by Dan Wells -- Partials sequence, #2 -Kira Walker has found the cure for RM, but the battle for the survival of humans and Partials is just beginning. Kira has left East Meadow in a desperate search for clues to who she is. That the Partials themselves hold the cure for RM in their blood cannot be a coincidence -- it must be part of a larger plan, a plan that involves Kira, a plan that could save both races. Her companions are Afa Demoux, an unhinged drifter and former employee of ParaGen, and Samm and Heron, the Partials who betrayed her and saved her life, the only ones who know her secret. But can she trust them? Meanwhile, back on Long Island, what's left of humanity is gearing up for war with the Partials, and Marcus knows his only hope is to delay them until Kira returns. But, Kira's journey will take her deep into the overgrown wasteland of postapocalyptic America, and Kira and Marcus both will discover that their greatest enemy may be one they didn't even know existed.

Recruit by Robert Muchamore -- CHERUB agents are highly trained, extremely talented--and all under the age of seventeen. For official purposes, these agents do not exist. They are sent out on missions to spy on terrorists, hack into crucial documents, and gather intel on global threats—all without gadgets or weapons. It is an exceptionally dangerous job, but these agents have one crucial advantage: adults never suspect that teens are spying on them.

James is the latest CHERUB recruit. He’s a bit of a troublemaker, but he’s also brilliant. And CHERUB needs him. James has no idea what to expect, but he’s out of options. Before he can start in the field he must first survive one hundred grueling days of basic training, where even the toughest recruits don’t make it to the end....

End Games by Michael Martin -- In the rural mountains of West Virginia, seventeen-year-old Michael Faris tries to protect his fragile younger brother from the horrors of the zombie apocalypse.









My Brother is a Big Fat Liar by James Patterson -- Middle school #3 - Georgia Khatchadorian plans

to excel at Hills Village Middle School in all the places her troublemaking brother failed.

Vote to bring Veronica Roth, author of the Divergent trilogy, to Texas!