Book Review: Runner

This summer, you can submit book reviews during our Summer Reading Program and earn an extra grand prize ticket.

Carl Deuker’s Runner may be on your school’s summer reading list.  Here’s a review by Maureen H.  Warning, some spoilers!

“This book was about Chance Taylor and how he and his father are living poorly in Seattle and Chance gets a job delivering packages.  He doesn’t know what’s in the packages, but he and his father find out they’re plastic explosives.  When he comes to legal authorities, they figure it is a terrorist attack and use him to stop it.  Chance loses his father, but saves many more.”

Maureen H. gives Runner 5 out of 5 stars.

Meeting of the minds in a book signing line

So in my continuing saga featuring the American Library Association conference, here’s the story of my most surreal experience…

I was in line to pick up an advance copy of Libba Bray’s new book Going Bovine and get her autograph.  FYI, Libba Bray is awesome, you guys.  They weren’t quite ready for her to start the book signing, so what did she do?  Started going down the line of fans, shaking hands and chatting with us. 

She’s standing RIGHT in front of me when who should show up?  Annette Curtis Klause!  Author of books like the awesome The Silver Kiss.  The two of them got to talking and the librarian behind me in line even took a pic of the two of them for Libba on Libba’s camera phone.   See, even authors get excited meeting authors!

And what’s happening to the two books Libba Bray signed for me, you ask?  They could soon be YOURS!  Look for an announcement soon in the YA corner for details of our Libba Bray #1 Fan Contest.

Geeking out just a little

So you may have noticed I haven’t posted in a few days.  Well, I’ve been busy at the American Library Association conference.  Which is NOT as boring as you probably think it is! 

Over the past few days I have been THISCLOSE to authors including Libba Bray, Annette Curtis Klause, Neil Gaiman, Dom Testa, and Holly Black!  So, yeah, it’s fun, and I admit to geeking out just a little. 

I also came back with loads of advance reader copies of soon-to-be-published books, so be on the lookout for ways you can get your hands on one.  I’ll be posting more about what happened, so come back tomorrow!

Katie

Book Review: Along for the Ride

This summer, you can submit book reviews during our Summer Reading Program and earn an extra grand prize ticket.

Stephanie L. just read the new Sarah Dessen book, Along for the Ride.

“A teenage girl headed for college in the fall chooses to spend the summer with her father and his new wife in a beach town.  During her stay, she learns to embrace life and childhood through new friends and a beau. This book is a definite summer favorite, if a bit predictable.”

Stephanie L. gave Along for the Ride 4 out of 5 stars.

Book Review: Eagle Strike

This summer, you can submit book reviews during our Summer Reading Program and earn an extra grand prize ticket.

Here’s Steven Z.’s review of Eagle Strike by Anthony Horowitz:

“This book was about a M-I6 spy agent who investigates a millionaire, Damian Cray, after he was suspected of killing/blowing up his friend’s dad.  I loved it because it ade me want to keep reading because it was full of suspense and jam packed with action.”

Steven Z. gave Eagle Strike 5 out of 5 stars.

Transformers

Last week’s “Transform Your T-Shirt” event was great!  Here are some of your creations…

The Comet’s Curse

If you believe the movies, the only reason to worry about a comet is when it’s on a trajectory to collide with Earth.  But in The Comet’s Curse by Dom Testa, it’s not the comet itself that is dangerous, it’s what it’s carrying: a plague.  Within nine months of Comet Bhaktul passing Earth, it seemed certain that anyone over the age of 18 would soon contract Bhaktul disease and die. 

There is no known cure for the disease, and only one solution: find a group of the smartest, most adaptable, most physically fit teens and train them for a five-year space travel mission to settle Eos, a planet which seems able to support human life.  Sound crazy?  Maybe it is, but it could be humanity’s only chance of survival.

I have to say, this book sucked me in!  As I was reading, I could completely envision this book as a TV series.  There are great characters, a mystery, and flashbacks to the crew members’ lives before joining the Galahad. 

If you’re smart but not a people person, you’ll feel for Bon, the 15-year-old Head of Agriculture, but if you’re the ultimate people person with a cheery disposition, you’ll like Channy, the Activities Director. Maybe you’re like Triana, the reserved 16-year-old Captain of the Galahad, who must shoulder the burdens of command.  Or Gap, the Head of Engineering, who must deal with the technical problems a 5 year space mission will encounter (not to mention a crush on another crew member).  And I can’t forget Roc, the ship’s computer, which was programmed with the personality of its creator.

The Comet’s Curse was a quick read and a satisfying story, but it left plenty of questions for sequels.  Can Roc really be trusted?  Will the entire crew make it to Eos, and what will the planet be like? What are the mystery items locked away in the Storage Section, and will the crew really be able to resist looking inside? Will those left behind on Earth ever find a cure for Bhaktul disease?

Check out The Comet’s Curse by Dom Testa, now available at the library, and try reading Triana’s journal, at the Club Galahad website.

Katie

Book Reviews

This summer, you can submit book reviews during our Summer Reading Program and earn an extra grand prize ticket.

Here’s a review of Tamora Pierce’s “The Will of the Empress” by Kayleigh P.

“This book is about Sandry, Briar, Daja, and Tris.  Four young mages who get trapped in Sandry’s cousin’s, who is an empress, country.  It is a very exciting sequel to a very exciting series.”

Kayleigh P. gave “The Will of the Empress” 4 out of 5 stars.

 

Maureen H. reviewed Gabrielle Zevin’s “Elsewhere.”

“It was about a 15 year old girl named Liz who died and is now living in the afterlife called Elsewhere.  She meets her deceased Grandmother who is about the same age as her mother now because of the aging backwards in Elsewhere.  At first, Liz is really upset that she died, but after falling in love and meeting new friends, she learns ‘a life lived in reverse is no different from a life lived forward.’”

Maureen H. gave “Elsewhere” 5 out of 5 stars.

Summer’s Blockbuster Books

Is the one you’re most looking forward to not listed? Comment me and I’ll let you know if the library has ordered it yet. 

Katie

Hoooooooot

If you’re sick of being at home this summer because of the weird weather, grab some friends and come to the library this Friday, June 17, at 2:00 p.m.

We’ll be showing Hoot, the movie based on the book by Carl Hiaasen, in which Roy and his friends must find a way to save a colony of owls that are under threat from a restaurant chain trying to build where the owls nest.

Could YOU Survive?

What would you do…

if you were lost in the wilderness?
if you encountered a wild animal?
if the temperature suddenly dropped?
if you ran out of water?
if you you were bleeding from an accident?

Could YOU survive?
Find out what to do tomorrow,
Tuesday, June 16 at 2:00 p.m.

Campers, hikers, and outdoor adventurers, don’t miss this event! Outdoor
expert Gib Egge will help you learn how to best deal with these and other
emergency wilderness situations.

This event required registration; however, you may still attend even if you missed the registration deadline. 

If you are going into grades 7 to 12, join us in the library’s meeting room at 2:00 p.m.  And don’t forget, attending a teen event earns you an extra summer reading grand prize ticket.

The Reformed Vampire Support Group

When I say vampires, what comes to mind?  Super strength, super speed, romance and glamour?  If only that were true!  Australian teen Nina Harrison knows all too well that being a vampire is not all it’s cracked up to be in the movies. 

Ever since 1973, when she was bitten at age 15, Nina’s been stuck living at home with her mom, relying on other vampires for rides (since she’ll never turn 16 and can’t get a driver’s license), and seeing the same old vampires week after week at her Tuesday night reformed vampire support group meeting. 

When one of the group members is discovered dead, with nothing but a pile of ash and a single silver bullet found in the coffin he sleeps in, Nina and the other reformed vamps know that they’ve all been put in danger.  His death means that someone found out he was a vampire, hunted him down, and killed him, leaving Nina and the others with no choice but to find the murderer and stop him. 

Will they find him?  I can tell you that they find criminals, kidnappers and werewolves along the way, but to see if they ever find that vampire hunter, you’ll have to read the book. 

If you like reading about vampires and don’t mind having everything you’ve heard about them turned upside down, you’ll enjoy this book.  Even if you don’t like vampire books you’ll enjoy the weirdness of some the characters.  The book has humor, sarcasm, suspense, and even a few pretty gross moments, so there’s something for everyone.    

What I liked most were the little details about life as a vampire.  Did you know that a guinea pig a day keeps that craving for human blood away?  Have you ever thought about how a vampire can take a road trip without being exposed to sunlight?  And why can’t vamps take cab rides? 

The Reformed Vampire Support Group is by Catherine Jinks, who also wrote Evil Genius and Genius Squad, so if you read and liked those, you should give this book a try. 

The Reformed Vampire Support Group is on the shelf now.

Katie

Beach Bag Pics

On Monday we made beach bags out of duct tape and tank tops.

Want to sign up for programs like this one? You can sign up for all teen events (grades 7-12) using our online events calendar. If it’s listed in green, it’s for teens, and if it’s underlined you must register.

Book Review: PrettyTough by Liz Tigelaar

This summer, you can submit book reviews during our Summer Reading Program and earn an extra grand prize ticket. 

 Here’s a review of Liz Tigelaar’s PrettyTough by Marisa A.

“This book was about two sisters that absolutely hated each other.  One was a soccer star in high school while the other had no friends and was a surfer.  When the new soccer coach recruits both sisters, rivalry takes over which they have to overcome to win the games. 

I loved this book because it grabbed you in and I have a twin brother, so there’s a lot of sibling rivalry in our house.”

Marisa A. gives PrettyTough 5 out of 5 stars.

Ice Cream Social Pics

Hope you could make it to Wednesday’s Ice Cream Social.  Here are a few pictures from the night…
 

FREE Events

Over the past few days, I’ve had a few people ask me how much library events cost.  The answer is…nothing!  Every library event is free. 

So what are you waiting for? Sign up now for out summer events for teens going into grades 7-12.  Monday is our first program, building beach bags from tank tops or duct tape. 

You can sign up for all teen events online using our events calendar.  If it’s listed in green, it’s for teens, and if it’s underlined you must register.  Hope to see you at one of our events soon.

Sign Up for Summer Reading Today!

When I say Summer Reading, what does that conjure up in your mind?  School lists and requirements?  Being forced to read when you’re sick of school? 

Well, Summer Reading at the library isn’t about any of that!  We’ve got tons of prizes, events just for teens, and did I mention prizes galore?  We’re all about rewarding you for doing what you’re doing anyway – reading! 

This summer, you’ll get a candy bar just for signing up, coupons for money off your fines for reading 5 hours, a new, free book for reading 10 hours and a $5 Borders gift card for reading 20 hours. 

That’s all in addition to our grand prizes!  For every hour you read between now and July 20, you’ll get a chance to win a gift card for iTunes, Target, Blick Art Materials, Graham Crackers Comics, GameStop and more.  Sign-up starts today, so be sure and drop by asap to start getting credit for what you’re reading.

This year’s theme is “Teens Going Green,” and there are plenty of events lined up for anyone going into grades 7-12.  I’ve planned movies, DIY projects and other special programs: the return of Manga Mania featuring Death Note the live action movie; an acting and improv class with acting teacher Amelia Barrett; a basic gardening workshop where you’ll pot a plant to take home; and a wilderness survival expert who’ll teach you how to handle the unexpected.  Most teen events require you to register, so don’t forget! 

If you already know what programs you want to go to, register now using the library’s online calendar of events.  Programs for teens are listed in green, and if the event requires registration, it will be underlined. 

More general Summer Reading info here.

Summer events for grades 7-12.

See you at the library this summer…
Katie

St. John’s

If you go to St. John’s be on the lookout tomorrow afternoon - Nuccia and I will be there talking about Summer Reading. But you can sign up today!

New Moon Movie Poster

Need I say more?

New books (This one’s for the guys)

Carter Finally Gets It  (YA FIC CRAWFORD)

“Here are five things you should know about Will Carter: 1. He has a stuttering problem, particularly around boobs and belly buttons. 2. He battles Attention Deficit Disorder every minute of every day. Unless he gets distracted. 3. He’s a virgin, mostly because he’s no good at talking to girls (see number 1) . 4. He’s about to start high school. 5. He’s totally not ready.”

 
The Devil’s Paintbox  (YA FIC MCKERNAN)

“In 1865, fifteen-year-old Aiden and his thirteen-year-old sister Maddy, penniless orphans, leave drought-stricken Kansas on a wagon train hoping for a better life in Seattle, but find there are still many hardships to be faced.” 

 Read the first chapter here. 

 

 Bloodline  (YA FIC MORAN)

“While traveling through early seventh-century Britain trying to stop an impending war, Essa, who bears the blood of native British tribes and of the invading Anglish, makes discoveries that divide his loyalties.” 

 Read an excerpt here.

 

 The Lab  (YA FIC HEATH)

“When Agent Six, a member of The Deck, a group fighting against their corrupt society, discovers that he is the product of an illegal experiment by the evil Lab, he takes dangerous steps to discover the truth about himself.” 
  

 

 The Guardian (YA FIC SWEENEY)

“When Hunter, struggling to deal with a harsh, money-grubbing foster mother, three foster sisters, and a school bully, returns to his childhood faith and prays to St. Gabriel, he becomes aware that he does, indeed, have a guardian.  But when he  learns the truth about his ‘angel,’ he’ll have to decide whether it’s the best thing that ever happened to him or the worst.” 

  

 Slathbog’s Gold by M.L. Forman

“When fifteen-year-old orphan Alex Taylor sees an odd sign in a shop window and goes inside to investigate, he is sent on a quest to defeat an evil dragon, and in the process he confronts his fears and learns about his future and his past. ”  

 

Reality Check  (YA FIC ABRAHAMS)

“After a knee injury destroys sixteen-year-old Cody’s college hopes, he drops out of high school and gets a job in his small Montana town, but when his ex-girlfriend disappears from her Vermont boarding school, Cody travels cross-country to join the search.”

Read an excerpt here.