"Beastly" by Alex Flynn. You know the story. Beauty's father picks a rose. The beast forces him to bring his daughter to the enchanted castle. Romance follows. Beast becomes prince once again.
But what if the Beast was a 15 year old high school sophomore? Who just happens to insult the wrong girl? And joins an internet chat group to discuss his problems? Meet Kyle Kingsbury, and join him in his quest to undo the curse he so richly deserves.
This tale is funny, poignant and enjoyable. It's just romantic enough, but not sappy. Kyle's narrative is light and quick, never dull. And the happy ending has just enough of a quirky twist to make you laugh. Enjoy!
Monday, November 24, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
New Books!
Graphic novel:
Savage Sword of Conan Vol. 1 by Robert E. Howard
Books:
Nation by Terry Pratchet -- Mau and Daphne, along with other refugees, set about rebuilding their community after it was destroyed by a tsunami
The Brothers Torres by Coert Voorhees -- Frankie finally finds the courage to as his friend Julianne to the Homecoming dance, setting off a showdown with a rich senior and Frankie's older brother and his gang member friends.
Double or Die by Charles Higson -- Young James Bond goes on a mission to find his kindapped professor whose escape is vital to world security.
The Storyteller by Edward Myers -- Jack, who has gone to the city to make his fortune, catches the attention of the grief-stricken king, his beautiful daughter, and his cruel son, and attempts to help them and the kingdom through his stories.
The Apprentice's Masterpiece by Melanie Little -- A family of conversos, jews who have converted to Christianity, living under the Spanish inquisition is torn apart when their secrets is discovered and two brothers reunited after one has been made a slave and another works for the Inquisition.
Pretty Face by Mary Hogan -- When an overweight high school student spends the summer in Italy, she learns to relish life and understand the true meaning of beauty.
Rogue's Home by Hilari Bell -- Sir Michael Sevenson and his squire Fisk tell of their journey to Ruesport, Fisk's home town, to investigate blackmail and a series of suspicious fires.
Big Splash by Jack Ferraiolo -- Matt Stevens uncovers a mystery while working for the "organization," a mafia-like group run by seventh grader Vincent "Mr. Biggs" Biggio, specializing in forging hall passes, test-copying, black market candy selling, and taking out hits with water guns.
Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott (RBH) -- A 15-year-old girl, who has spent most of her life being abused by her kidnapper and knows he killed his previous victim when she had begun to look more like an adult, hopes her own demise is approching, but her kidnpaper wants her to help him find a replacement for her and train the new victim to his tastes.
I Know It's Over by C. K. Kelly Martin (RBH) -- Still trying to come to terms with his parents' divorce, 17-year-old Nick experiences ups and down with his girlfriend, especially when, after beginning a trial separation, she announces that she's pregnant.
Savage Sword of Conan Vol. 1 by Robert E. Howard
Books:
Nation by Terry Pratchet -- Mau and Daphne, along with other refugees, set about rebuilding their community after it was destroyed by a tsunami
The Brothers Torres by Coert Voorhees -- Frankie finally finds the courage to as his friend Julianne to the Homecoming dance, setting off a showdown with a rich senior and Frankie's older brother and his gang member friends.
Double or Die by Charles Higson -- Young James Bond goes on a mission to find his kindapped professor whose escape is vital to world security.
The Storyteller by Edward Myers -- Jack, who has gone to the city to make his fortune, catches the attention of the grief-stricken king, his beautiful daughter, and his cruel son, and attempts to help them and the kingdom through his stories.
The Apprentice's Masterpiece by Melanie Little -- A family of conversos, jews who have converted to Christianity, living under the Spanish inquisition is torn apart when their secrets is discovered and two brothers reunited after one has been made a slave and another works for the Inquisition.
Pretty Face by Mary Hogan -- When an overweight high school student spends the summer in Italy, she learns to relish life and understand the true meaning of beauty.
Rogue's Home by Hilari Bell -- Sir Michael Sevenson and his squire Fisk tell of their journey to Ruesport, Fisk's home town, to investigate blackmail and a series of suspicious fires.
Big Splash by Jack Ferraiolo -- Matt Stevens uncovers a mystery while working for the "organization," a mafia-like group run by seventh grader Vincent "Mr. Biggs" Biggio, specializing in forging hall passes, test-copying, black market candy selling, and taking out hits with water guns.
Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott (RBH) -- A 15-year-old girl, who has spent most of her life being abused by her kidnapper and knows he killed his previous victim when she had begun to look more like an adult, hopes her own demise is approching, but her kidnpaper wants her to help him find a replacement for her and train the new victim to his tastes.
I Know It's Over by C. K. Kelly Martin (RBH) -- Still trying to come to terms with his parents' divorce, 17-year-old Nick experiences ups and down with his girlfriend, especially when, after beginning a trial separation, she announces that she's pregnant.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
book review
Little Brother by Corey Doctorow - I just finished reading this yesterday. It was VERY very good! Marcus is a smart aleck 17-year old computer nut. He can hack any system, and has, including his school's "unhackable" laptops. He and his friends are deep into playing an online/real-world scavenger hunt game. One day they ditch school to follow the latest clues, and get themselves into a mess of trouble - terrorists bomb the bridge across San Francisco Bay, and they are caught up in a mass of arrests following the action.
Marcus' smart mouth gets him into deep trouble, and the rest of the novel follows as he struggles with the repercussions of both his actions and the response of the Federal Government to the terrorists. It's a terrifyingly real scenario, with implications for many things that have happened in the real world over the past few years.
You'll be thrilled by Marcus, his bravery, the dangers he confronts, and the ultimate conclusion. Be prepared for a wild ride!
Marcus' smart mouth gets him into deep trouble, and the rest of the novel follows as he struggles with the repercussions of both his actions and the response of the Federal Government to the terrorists. It's a terrifyingly real scenario, with implications for many things that have happened in the real world over the past few years.
You'll be thrilled by Marcus, his bravery, the dangers he confronts, and the ultimate conclusion. Be prepared for a wild ride!
National Book Award Winner
For "Young People's Fiction" goes to Judy Blundell's "What I saw and How I lied"!
I haven't read this one yet. Have you? What did you think of it? Please, post a comment!
I haven't read this one yet. Have you? What did you think of it? Please, post a comment!
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Classic book review
"Scorpions" by Walter Dean Myers is a Newbery Honor book.
Jamal is 12. He lives in Harlem. He's being hassled by the principle at school. His mother is working all the time. His brother Randy just went to jail for murder. And now Jamal has been given the task of "running" the Scorpions, his brother's gang. As Jamal and his best friend Tito soon find out, all the good intentions in the world don't help when things go badly awry.
This classic novel portrays life on the street as it really is, for real boys growing into young men. It doesn't pull punches; it tells an exciting, honest story about how two boys "take what the street put down".
Jamal is 12. He lives in Harlem. He's being hassled by the principle at school. His mother is working all the time. His brother Randy just went to jail for murder. And now Jamal has been given the task of "running" the Scorpions, his brother's gang. As Jamal and his best friend Tito soon find out, all the good intentions in the world don't help when things go badly awry.
This classic novel portrays life on the street as it really is, for real boys growing into young men. It doesn't pull punches; it tells an exciting, honest story about how two boys "take what the street put down".
Thursday, November 13, 2008
New Book Review
"Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow" by Jessica Day George is a fantasy novel that I truly loved. "The Lass", unnamed by her mother, is the seventh child of a poor woodcutter, living in near-poverty in a frozen northern land. Winter comes early and harshly, but Lass is not afraid. When a white stag, reputed to be able to grant a wish to whoever shall catch it, is seen in their village, she sets out to do so. This begins a series of adventures that will change her life, and the lives of all her family.
Follow Lass as she seeks for a name, finds adventure and danger, and attempts to rescue her beloved eldest brother from a mysterious curse, all the while she struggles to remain true to herself.
Lass is a strong, believable heroine, who does what she thinks is right, whether or not it is easy. She endures, struggles for, and achieves, more than she believes is possible. You'll enjoy the rich language, evocative scenery, and folkloric nature of this romantic fantasy.
Follow Lass as she seeks for a name, finds adventure and danger, and attempts to rescue her beloved eldest brother from a mysterious curse, all the while she struggles to remain true to herself.
Lass is a strong, believable heroine, who does what she thinks is right, whether or not it is easy. She endures, struggles for, and achieves, more than she believes is possible. You'll enjoy the rich language, evocative scenery, and folkloric nature of this romantic fantasy.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
booksale week!
This week is Annual Library Booksale week. This means crazyness at the Library, as many of us put in volunteer hours at the sale. It also means great bargains for you - check here for all the details of when and where the sale is.
We will probably have over 100,000 books for sale this year - I helped set out the Sci Fi and Teen sections this year, and there are some really good things there, as well as TONS of general fiction, mysteries, history, literature, religion, politics, science and more... there's a book on EVERY subject under the sun.
See you there!
We will probably have over 100,000 books for sale this year - I helped set out the Sci Fi and Teen sections this year, and there are some really good things there, as well as TONS of general fiction, mysteries, history, literature, religion, politics, science and more... there's a book on EVERY subject under the sun.
See you there!
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