New Books Coming UP!

Highway to Hell by Rosemary Clement-Moore - On their way to spend spring break on a Texas beach, college freshmen Maggie Quinn and D&D Lisa are stranded in a town where some believe a chupacabra is killing animals, and as the girls investigate they get help from diverse and unexpected sources.
Eternal by Cynthia Smith - When Miranda's guardian angel makes a serious mistake, she becomes a vampire, and he's left trying to fix the problem he created with his impulsive action.
City of Glass by Cassandra Clare - Mortal Instruments Book 3 - Clary's quest for a cure for her mother leads her to the forbidden land of Idris, where she eventually discovers family secrets that will help not only her mother but others as well.
Last Thing I Remember by Andrew Klavan - When Charlie awakens alone and bloody in a bunker he realizes he has lost a year of his life. Can he discover why terrorists are chasing him and whether he really killed his best friend?
The Center of the Universe...yep, that would be me by Anita Liberty - This is a book about being a Teenager. Being a Teenager sucks! Enjoy the Book!
No More Us for You by David Hernandez - Isabel and Carlos, both 17, find themselves growing closer, after an accident forces them to recognize both the harshness and beauty of life.
Lay-ups and Long Shots by various authors - Sports, boys, action, and more sports. Short stories!
Lab by Jack Heath - Agent Six is a member of the Deck, a group that fights his corrupt government, until he makes a shocking discovery - he's the product of an evil Laboratory experiment.
Possession by Chris Humphreys - Sky and Kristin travel to the seventeenth century to learn secrets from their ancestor, the witch Meg, then to the Battle of Hastings to use that knowledge to prevent their evil grandfather Sigurd from ever possessing another person
Twilight Prisoner by Katherine Marsh - In an effort to impress a female classmate, high school sophomore Jack Perdu endangers both of their lives by taking her to New York City's Underworld, where those who died in New York reside until they are ready to move on.
Soldier's Secret: the story of Deborah Sampson by Sheila Klass - a young woman disguises herself as a man to fight in the Civil War, but when she is wounded her secret is discovered. Based on a true story.
King of the Screwups by K. A. Going - After getting in trouble yet again, popular high school senior Liam, who never seems to live up to his wealthy father's expectations, is sent to live in a trailer park with his gay "glam-rocker" uncle.
Thirteenth Child by Patricia Wrede - Eighteen-year-old Eff must finally get over believing she is bad luck and accept that her special training in Aphrikan magic, and being the twin of the seventh son of a seventh son, give her extraordinary power to combat magical creatures that threaten settlements on the western frontier.
Warrior Princess by Frewin Jones - After a deadly attack on her home, fifteen-year-old Princess Branwen meets a mystical woman in white, who prophesies that Branwen will save her homeland from falling to the Saxons.

Graphic Novels:
Naruto by Ksihimoto vols. 38-41, 43 Naruto finds that his new jutsu is harder to handle than he thought. Meanwhile, Sasuke seems to be falling even more under Orochimaru's spell. Despite all Naruto's efforts, he may have finally lost his best friend forever. But he'll use all his skills as a ninja to keep that from happening!
Fruits Basket by Takaya vol. 21-22 Kyo disappeared because he felt guilty about his role in Tohru's mother's death. How will he now react when Tohru tells him how she really feels about him?!
Rebound by Nishiyama vol. 1 The continuing adventures of Nate Torres, a teenager who always thought of himself as a quitter - until he entered the world of street basketball.
Slam Dunk by Inoue vols. 2-3 He may be a pain in the butt, but Hanamichi's athletic prowess and monstrous strength have not gone unnoticed by the captain of Shohoku's judo team.
Star Trek: the Next Generation the Manga vol. 1 by various authors Changeling / $r story by David Gerrold ; art by E.J. Su -- $t Sensation / $r story by Diane Duane ; art by Chrissy Delk -- $t The Picardian knot / $r story by Christine Boylan ; art by Don Hudson -- $t Loyalty / $r story by F.J. DeSanto ; art by Bettina Kurkoski.
Star Trek the manga, the Ulitimate Edition by various authors Side effects, prologue / Chris Dows, Makoto Nakatsuka -- Forward by David Gerrold -- Side effects, continued / Chris Dows, Makoto Nakatsuka -- Forging alliances / Paul Benjamin, Steven Cummings -- Art of war / Wil Wheaton, E.J. Su -- Orphans / Rob Tokar, E.J. Su -- Communications breakdown / Christine Boylan, Bettina Kurkoski -- The humanitarian / Luis Reyes, Nate Watson -- Til death / Mike W. Barr, Jeong Mo Yang -- Bandi / David Gerrold, Don Hudson
Hatter M by Beddor - In a morphed Wonderland, the Queen's bodyguard, Hatter Madigan, undertakes an unscheduled journey through this sinister dystopia to rescue Alyss, the lost princess of Wonderland.
Marvel Masterworks Presents the Amazing Spider-Man vol. 1 - Experience the tales of Spider-Man from the very beginning, stories of spectacular web-slinging adventure from Spidey's very start, including the tragic origin that started it all, the first appearances of the Daily Bugle, J. Jonah Jameson, Doctor Octopus, the Sandman, the Vulture, Electro, and guest-star nods by the Fantastic Four and Human Torch.
Secret Invasion: X-Men - It's aliens vs. mutants as the Skrull Invasion hits the West Coast!
Secret Ivasion: the Amazing Spider-Man - he shape-shifting alien race known as the Skrulls has secretly infiltrated every super-powered organization on Earth with one goal -- full-scale invasion! New York is full of Skrulls, and Spider-Man... Where the heck is Spider-Man, anyway?
Marvel Masterworks Presents the X-Men - Experience the tales of the world's most-famous super heroes from the very beginning! Born with extraordinary talents and abilities, five teenage mutants gathered together under Professor Xavier to protect a world that fears and hates them.
X-Men Legacy vol. 2 Sins of the Father - Since having his faculties restored following a near-fatal gunshot wound to the head, the founder of the X-Men, Professor Xavier, has embarked on a quest to fill in the blanks and unravel the remaining mysteries of his life.
Classic X-Men vol. 3 Prepare yourself for the introduction of mutant mainstay Havok, the vampiric villain Sauron, the Mutates, and X-Man-to-be Sunfire!
X-Men First Class vol. 2 The Wonder Years -In this volume, the enigmatic Mysterio; an encounter with Machine Man; a battle with murderously unstable androids; the mysterious Medusa; and Ice Man and the Human Torch team-up!
Showcase presents: Justice League of America vol. 4 - he Justice League is framed by their greatest foes, The Red Tornado and Black Canary both join the team, Green Arrow is charged with murder, and the teams has their annual adventure with the Justice Society of America
Tales of the Green Latern Corps - Hal Jordan of Earth is the greatest hero of the Green Lantern Corps, the intergalactic force that keeps the peace throughout the cosmos, but there are thousands of other Green Lanterns, most of whom are not even human. This new graphic novel gathers some of their stories in one volume for the first time
Wonder Woman. Who is Wonder Woman? - In this volume, the Amazon warrior Diana has gone missing, leaving Donna Troy to take up the mantle of Wonder Woman!
Diana Prince Wonder Woman vol. 4 (final volume) - In this final DIANA PRINCE volume, detective Jonny Double is kidnapped - and Wonder Woman must rush to his rescue before she battles Catwoman. Then, Diana and her mentor, I-Ching, are transported to a mysterious dimension where barbarians rule.
Batman. Haunted Gotham - haunting graphic novel that pits an all-too-human Dark Knight against supernatural villains who are blends of classic horror characters and Batman's familiar gallery of foes.
Showcase Presents The Brave and The Bold vol. 3: Batman Team-ups - Batman joins forces with the DC Universe's greatest heroes including The Flash, Green Lantern, Green Arrow, Wonder Woman, and others.
Batman and the Outsiders vol. 2 The Snare - Led by the Dark Knight, DC's reborn black ops team continues its proactive war on crime across the globe by seeking out the worst of the worst threats to humanity.
Batman. The Man Who Laughs (Joker) - A mysterious homicidal maniac is murdering prominent citizens of Gotham City, each time leaving a ghastly grin on the victims' lifeless faces. Batman soon tracks down the killer: The Joker!This volume gives readers new insight into the early encounters between Batman and The Joker that led the Clown Prince of Crime down the path to insanity
Superman. Camelot Falls vol. 2
Superman. Past and Future
Superman Chronicles vol. 6
Showcase Presents Superman Family vol. 3

A Twilight Essay Contest

Do you love Twilight? Wanna win some money? Here's a contest for you!

It's really pretty cool. Take the eight "vocabulary words", and write a 1000 word essay (or fanfic) and use every one of them, accurately. Submit your entry, and see if you win. There are three age categories, so everyone has a chance. The prize is $500. Not bad!

Summer Reading Club

Well, sign up for Summer Reading Club will be starting May 31 (Sunday). You can come in, sign up, get some nice "sign up prizes" including a treat coupon and a few othere doodads, and start keeping track of your summer reading.

We have a great roster of programs planned all summer long. The schedule looks something like this:

Every Wednesday in June and July - 2:00 - 4:00 pm - Time Twisting Movie Matinee - popular movies on the big screen, with free munchies.

Every Thursday in June and July - 6:30 - 8:30 pm - R U Game? Play Wii and Gamecube Games, plus Rock Band II on the Playstation. Compete in the Supersmash Brothers Melee Tournament on the Wii.

Saturday Programs in June:
June 6 at 2:00 - Writing for Publication - How to Hook your Reader! With published author Terry Spears

June 13 at 2:00 - Altered Book Scrapbooking -turn an old book into a work of art by painting, pasting, stamping, gluing, drilling, cutting, and adding adornments... with Artist David Leifeste

June 20 at 2:00 - Travel thru Space and Time - to Mars - play a Race to Mars game, find out what living on Mars would be like, and explore the planet. With Science Instructor Robert Bardin and Librarian Gillian Wiseman (me!).



And our big Summer Finale!

Saturday, August 1 at 2:00 - Sci-Fi Costume Party!!!

Dress as your favorite character or bring your neatest prop and compete to win a prize...

Reservations are requested for the Saturday programs.

It's gonna be a fun, active, creative summer!

Classic Book reviews

The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper - this is the 2nd volume in the "Dark is Rising" series. However, while it is nice to have read the first volume, Over Sea, Under Stone, it isn't necessary. DiR follows young Will Stanton over Midwinter Day, his 11th birthday. As the day progresses, he discovers that he has a special gift - as a seventh son and as the youngest born Old One - and it is his fate to join the eternal battle to defeat "The Dark". Will is plunged first into a quest to find the six signs, and then to battle over the twelve days of Christmas as The Dark seeks to claim the world as its own.

Will is a fabulous character. He's a believable 11 year old, but he's also a wise soul with a nearly ageless way of looking at the world. He faces the developments of the story with awe, delight, terror and determination. Like anyone, he has moments of doubt, and makes good resolutions only to nearly fail at critical moments. This story interweaves Celtic mythology, modern life, and even some Arthurian legends into a great story.

Later volumes in the series (Greenwitch, The Grey King, Silver on the Tree) tie the characters from the first book (Over Sea, Under Stone) in to this tale and raise the stakes as Will, Merriman Lyon, Simon, Jane and Barney, and Bran Davies all join forces against the Dark. This is a series I LOVED as a teen, as much for the beautiful poetry and the use of myth and folklore as for the characters. Read and enjoy!

Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - one of the finest Conan Doyle novels, and one of only 4 novels about the famed Sherlock Holmes.

I've always loved this story. It is clever, spooky, very readable, and believable. Sherlock is his usual arrogant self, but Watson gets to play a major role, and even the semi-competent Lestrade is entertaining. The villain is a true villain, and yet believable, too.

The story revolves around the death of Sir Charles Baskerville, who died under mysterious circumstances on the moor near his home. His heir, Sir Henry, soon arrives, and the local doctor, Dr. Mortimer, is convinced that Henry's life is in danger. He appeals to Sherlock Holmes for aid, citing the mysterious footprints of a large hound that he saw near the body as a point of interest. He also brings up the legend that the family is cursed by the actions of their evil ancestor, Sir Hugo Baskerville.

I won't go into the rest of the plot, but suffice to say that Sherlock and Watson have a hard time and must follow many twisting clues and red herrings before discovering who the true villain is, and why Sir Charles has been killed.

Read On!

Recent Returns

In the Hand of the Goddess - Tamora Pierce - Volume 2 of the "Song of the Lioness" series.
In this marvelous fantasy, Alanna, still disguised as a boy, becomes a squire to Prince Jonathan. When his life is threatened by a mysterious sorcerer, it will take all her wits to save him without revealing herself. We have about 8 copies of this in the system - it has checked out over a hundred times, and there's also an audio CD at Central with 6 checkouts.

Chosen - Ted Dekker - Vol 1 in the "Books of History Chronicles". Four teens are chosen to search for the Lost books of History in hopes of finding a way to fight the Horde that is invading the Forest Realms. This book has just come off "new" status, and has already checked out 9 times.

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson - this sad, almost too-real account of a young woman deals with death, loss, anorexia, and survivor's guilt. It is by the NYT best-selling author of "Speak". It has barely arrived in the library, but has already been out once. Be the next to read it!

Sugar Princess: Skating to Win - Vol 1 by Hisaya Nakajo - Maya discovers almost by accident that she both loves - and is very good at - ice skating. Can she turn her natural talent into a winning edge? 17 circs promise that this manga is a good one.

The Teen Top Ten books are trickling in!

Teens' Top Ten is a "teen choice" list, where teens nominate and choose their favorite books of the previous year! Nominators are members of teen book groups in fifteen school and public libraries around the country. Nominations are posted on Support Teen Literature Day during National Library Week, and teens across the country vote on their favorite titles each year. Readers ages twelve to eighteen can vote online, anytime between Aug. 25 and Sept. 18; the winners will be announced in a webcast featuring WWE Superstars and Divas during Teen Read Week.

The link to the site where voting will occur will be posted here, by me, but right now, if you want to participate, you need to start reading the books. You can find them here, in our library catalog. We don't (yet) own every book on the list, but we will, fairly soon. At Central, we will have a sticker on each and every book, so they're easy to identify. Just make sure you're getting this year's books, not previous ones.

So start reading now, and be prepared to vote in August!

What I did today

Well, today, in preparation for Saturday's program, I mixed up SIX GALLONS of bubble solution. Three of them are a solution that is supposed to be excellent for giant bubbles - and I have a giant bubble wand... so I'm looking forward to making some 20' long tube bubbles, after a bit of practice.

I also mixed up a lighter, more bouyant formula with glycerin instead of corn starch - it should make nice floaty bubbles that the wind can carry away!

If you love bubbles, I plan to have at least 5 different types of bubble-blowing "equipment" at hand (the aforementioned giant tool, paper towel tubes, paper cones, standard and giant wands, straw-and-yarn contraptions, and a wire hanger loop are in my plans). So come on out and watch to see what happens!

I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that the rain holds off...