Teen Book Club December Meeting and Year in Review!

Hey YAs, yesterday the TBC met to discuss this month's book, Stardust by Neil Gaiman and to watch the movie to compare!

Here are the discussion questions we used:

Pre-Movie

1.  What did you think of the book in general?
2.  Did you have a favorite character or scene?
3.  What do you think of Victoria Forester?  Is she worthy of Tristran's love?  Does Tristran love her?
4.  Have you seen the movie before?  What parts of the book are you most excited to see in the movie?
5.  Rating and final thought for the book.

Post-Movie

1.  What did you think of the movie in general?
2.  What are some of the changes between the book and the movie?  Which did you like, dislike?  Why do you think these changes were made?
3.  Were the characters how you imagined them?  Better, worse?
4.  This story is available in many forms; book, movie, audiobook, and graphic novel.  How does the format change the story?
5.  Rating and thought about the movie compared to the book?

Melanie: 10!  I love the writing and found it amazing how he could fit such a wonderful adventure story into as little as roughly 200 pages.
Miss G: 9  I listened to this on the audiobook version and loved it, but not quite as much as I love the movie.  They're almost two different stories, because of some major changes in the movie.

For January we are reading...

Steampunk! An Anthology of Fantastically Rich and Strange Stories by various

A collection of fourteen fantasy stories by well-known authors, set in the age of steam engines and featuring automatons, clockworks, calculating machines, and other marvels that never existed.

Meeting, discussion, and snack on Wednesday, January 29th 5:30-6:30pm

Now...for the year in review.  A reminder, here is what the book club read in 2013~

Everyone voted on their favorites, so, here are the overall rankings~

1.  Seraphina

2.  The Year of the Gadfly

3.  Stardust

4.  Delirium

5.  Code Talker

6.  Life as we Knew it

7.  The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian

8.  Nobody’s Princess

9.  Bloody Jack

10.  Zom-B

11.  Skinned

12.  Trapped

Individual favorites were...

Melanie

1.  Code Talker

2.  Stardust

3.  Seraphina

Catherine

1. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian

2. Seraphina

3.  The Year of the Gadfly

Clare

1.  Seraphina

2.  The Year of the Gadfly

3.  Delirium

MissG

1.  Seraphina

2.  Delirium

3.  Stardust

Now on to the new year!

Teen Book Club November: Code Talker

This month the TBC read Code Talker by Joseph Bruchac.

Here are the discussion questions we used:

1.  What did you think of the book?  General impressions?
2.  Did you have a favorite character?  A favorite scene or part?
3.  What was Ned's life like at the boarding school?  How was it different from his home life?  How did he cope?
4.  Why does Ned want to join up?
5.  What is the warfare method the Americans call "banzai" that the Japanese use?  Why do they use it?
6.  What does the pouch of corn pollen mean to Ned?
7.  Why were the Code Talkers important?  Had you heard of them before reading this book?
8.  The story is told as if Ned is telling the story to his grandchildren.  How do you think they feel about their grandfather's time as a Code Talker?  What do you think are the most important lessons they learn?
9.  How was this book similar to or different from the book we read in September, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian?  Which did you prefer?
10.  Ratings and final thoughts!

Melanie gave the book a perfect 10!  She said she loved how the author put the history in a book that made her want to learn more about the Code Talkers and World War II.

Miss Gardiner gives this book a 9/10.  She thought this was a page turner that showcased a little known part of history.


For December we are reading...

  Stardust by Neil Gaiman

In the sleepy English countryside at the dawn of the Victorian Era, life moves at a leisurely pace in the tiny town of Wall--a secluded hamlet so named for an imposing stone barrier that surrounds a fertile grassland. Armed sentries guard the sole gap in the bulwark to keep the inquisitive from wandering through, relaxing their vigil only once every nine years, when a market fair unlike any other in the world of men comes to the meadow. Here in Wall, young Tristran Thorn has lost his heart to beautiful Victoria Forester. But Victoria is cold and distant--as distant, in fact, as the star she and Tristran see fall from the sky on a crisp October evening. For the coveted prize of Victoria's hand, Tristran vows to retrieve the fallen star and deliver it to his beloved. It is an oath that sends the lovelorn swain over the ancient wall, and propels him into a world that is strange beyond imagining. But Tristran is not the only one seeking the heavenly jewel. There are those for whom it promises youth and beauty, the key to a kingdom, and the rejuvenation of dark, dormant magics. And a lad compelled by love will have to keep his wits about him to succeed and survive in this secret place where fallen stars come in many guises--and where quests have a way of branching off in unexpected directions, even turning back upon themselves in space and in time. 

 At our meeting on Friday, Dec. 27th we will not only be discussing the book, but we will be watching the movie too!  And ordering pizza!  So read the book and join us from 2 to 4:30 on the 27th.

At our meeting this month we also decided the books we would be reading for the next several months...

January - Steampunk - Steampunk! by various authors (short stories)

February - Biography/Memoir - Chinese Cinderella by Adeline Yen Mah

March - Manga (Japanese graphic novels) - Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind by Hayao Miyazaki

April - Fairies - Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

May - Roadtrip - An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

See you next time!

Teen Book Club - October - ZOM-B

Heya YAs.

Last night the Teen Book Club met to discuss Zom-B by Darren Shan.

When the news starts reporting a zombie outbreak in Ireland, B's father thinks it's a hoax-but even if it isn't, the two of them joke, it's only the Irish, right? That is, until zombies actually attack the school. B is forced on a mad dash through the serpentine corridors of high school, making allegiances with anyone with enough gall to fight off their pursuers. But when they come face-to-face with the ravenous, oozing corpses, all bets are off. There are no friends. No allies. Just whatever it takes to survive.

Here are our discussion questions:(trying not to give away any spoilers for those who have not read yet, so some sentences may read a little weird!)

1.  What did you think of the book?  General impressions?

2. Did you know before the end of the book whether B was a boy or a girl?  What clues did you read?  Were there any false clues, that made you think the opposite?

3. What did you think of B as a character?  How is B shaped by B's father's beliefs?

4. What was the first sign of zombies for B?

5. What did you think of B's friends?

6. Do you think the illustrations added to the story?  Did you enjoy them?

7. Do you think B deserved what happened?

8. Did you have a favorite scene or character in the book?

9. What do you think will happen in the 2nd book?

10. Ratings and final thoughts!

Melanie gave it a 6/10 and said "It would be a good read for kids who want to start improving their reading."

MissG gave it a 6.5/10 and said "Quick action read that would be very appealing to boys ages 10-14, lots of questions unaswered, drawing you to the next book!"

If you liked Zom-B you may like…

The rest of the series

1. Zom-B

2.  Zom-B: Underground

3. Zom-B: City

4. Zom-B: Angels

5. Zom-B: Baby

6. Zom-B: Gladiator

Other zombie books:

Dead Reckoning by Mercedes Lackey: In 1867 Texas, Jett, a girl passing as a boy while seeking her long-lost twin brother, joins forces with Honoraria Gibbons, an inventor, and White Fox, a young Army scout, to investigate a zombie army that is terrorizing the West. YA PAR LAC

The Enemy by Charles Higson: After a disease turns everyone over sixteen into brainless, decomposing, flesh-eating creatures, a group of teenagers leave their shelter and set out of a harrowing journey across London to the safe haven of Buckingham Palace. YA PAR HIG

Generation Dead by Dan Waters: When dead teenagers who have come back to life start showing up at her high school, Phoebe, a goth girl, becomes interested in the phenomenon, and when she starts dating a "living impaired" boy, they encounter prejudice, fear, and hatred. YA PAR WAT

Infinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon:   Streetwise, tough, and savvy, Nick and his quick sarcasm are the stuff of legend... until the night when his best friends try to kill him. Saved by a mysterious warrior, Nick is sucked into the realm of the Dark-Hunters: immortal vampire slayers who risk everything to save humanity. With his fellow students turning into flesh-eating zombies, how can he stop them... without getting grounded by his mom? YA PAR KEN

Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry: In a post-apocalyptic world where fences and border patrols guard the few people left from the zombies that have overtaken civilization, fifteen-year-old Benny Imura is finally convinced that he must follow in his older brother's footsteps and become a bounty hunter. YA SFF MAB

Unforsaken by Sophie Littfield: Having learned that she has powers both to heal people and to create zombies, sixteen-year-old Hailey is trying to lead a fairly normal life with her brother and aunt in Milwaukee, but when she attempts to contact her boyfriend, she brings dangerous villains--both alive and undead--to her doorstep. YA PAR LIT

Zombies vs. Unicorns by various: Twelve short stories by a variety of authors seek to answer the question of whether zombies are better than unicorns. YA SFF ZOM

for November...

Code Talker by Joseph Bruchac

Throughout World War II, in the conflict fought against Japan, Navajo code talkers were a crucial part of the U.S. effort, sending messages back and forth in an unbreakable code that used their native language. They braved some of the heaviest fighting of the war, and with their code, they saved countless American lives. Yet their story remained classified for more than twenty years. But now Joseph Bruchac brings their stories to life for young adults through the riveting fictional tale of Ned Begay, a sixteen-year-old Navajo boy who becomes a code talker. His grueling journey is eye-opening and inspiring. This deeply affecting novel honors all of those young men, like Ned, who dared to serve, and it honors the culture and language of the Navajo Indians.

Teen Book Club July - The Year of the Gadfly

We had an excellent Teen Book Club meeting last night!  We started out discussing the book.  Here are the discussion questions we used~

1. What did you think of the book, general impressions?
2. In the beginning of the book the author uses phrases like "The seat belt held me like a straitjack" (pg5) and "The place screamed asylum more than school." (pg8)  She also describes the houses in Nye as "in various stages of decay and abandonment." (pg5)  What kind of mood did these images create for the opening scenes?  How did this influence your reading experience?
3. In addition to speaking to the specter of Edward Murrow, Iris spends time imagining the lives of Lily and Dalia.  What do you think this focus tells us about her worldview?  What does it tell you about Iris as a character and her development over the course of the book?
4. Mr. Kaplan wants to teach students to be "extremophiles."  What inspiration does Iris find in her teacher?  What does it mean to be an extremophile?  Do you think any of the characters could be described as extemophiles?
5. Hazel talks with Iris about Socrates and his role as a gadfly (pg90).  Iris considers herself a gadfly, but what does she mean by this?  Do you think Hazel had motivations to bring it up?  How do you think it relates to the title of the book?
6. When Iris is kidnapped by the four students in pig masks, one tells her "Just because something looks sinister doesn't mean it is." (pg137)  Was Prisom's Party sinister?  Does the phrase relate to any other events in the book?
7. At one point Edward Murrow says to Iris "There is no Edward R. Murrow.  There is only the myth of him." (pg285)  What does he mean by this?  What does this change Iris?  Why do you think Iris was imagining ERM in the first place?
8. There are a number of twists, turns, and surprises in the climax of the book.  Was there one that shocked you of effected you the most?  Why?
9. The author uses different points of view and time periods in the novel.  Did you like one more than the other?  Do you think this technique added to your experience of the book or took away from it?
10. Final thoughts and ratings!

We then had an awesome Skype chat with the author, Jennifer Miller!  We spoke to her for nearly 40 minutes (more than we were supposed to!) and the book club members had lots of really great questions for her.  Such a fabulous experience I don't even know how to write about it here.  She was great!

We then sat back down and did our ratings and final thoughts.

Clare - 7.5/10 - A little slow moving but on the whole it had a very interesting storyline and impressive vocabulary.
Catherine - 8/10 - I was really pulled in by the writing style.  Although at times slow it was worth it because it was slow for a reason.
Melanie - 8/10 - Liked the mystery aspect and the words really flowed together.
MissG - 8/10 - Had trouble getting into it at first but really glad I stuck with it because when everything came together and was revealed I loved it.

THEN (yes we had a really long meeting this month!)  We voted on the books for the next several months.  Here's what we decided:

September - The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
October - Zom-B by Darren Shan
November - Code Talker by Joseph Bruchac
December - Stardust by Neil Gaiman (we're going to read the book, then watch the movie at our TBC meeting, then discuss both!)

Our book for August is...

Reduced to begging and thievery in the streets of London, a thirteen-year-old orphan disguises herself as a boy and connives her way onto a British warship set for high sea adventure in search of pirates. Life as a ship's boy aboard HMS Dolphin is a dream come true for Jacky Faber. Gone are the days of scavenging for food and fighting for survival on the streets of eighteenth-century London. Instead, Jacky is becoming a skilled and respected sailor as the crew pursues pirates on the high seas. There's only one problem: Jacky is a girl. And she must use every bit of her spirit, wit, and courage to keep the crew from discovering her secret.

We will be meeting to discuss Bloody Jack on Tuesday, August 27th at 6:30.  Copies of the book are available at the front desk.

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

70 years ago today a horrific attack was launched on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.  Remember those we've lost by watching the movie, or reading one of these books about World War II.

Fiction Books  (all in the young adult section)

Heroes Don't Run by Harry Mazer
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Eyes of the Emperor by Graham Salisbury
The Whirlwind by Carol Matas
House of the Red Fish by Graham Salisbury
Code Talker by Joseph Bruchac
Saving Zasha by Randi Barrow
A Boy at War by Harry Mazer
Under the Blood Red Sun by Graham Salisbury

Civil War Sesquicentennial (civil war whaaat?)

Sesquicentennial.  Seriously.  I will high five any teen that knows what that is without looking it up.  Anyway, I'll just tell you.  It is the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War and we are celebrating it at DPL with books, displays, and programs.  I have 13 Civil War novels for teens to share with you, and I'm going to let you know what kind of programs I will be running too.

Young Adult Civil War fiction

 

Belle Boy by Anne Fuller

YA FUL

When her brother, Johnny, is missing in action after the battle of Gettysburg, Samantha Ann, who grew up tagging along with him and doing things most girls did not, disguises herself as a man and joins the Confederate Army to search for him.

Coal Black Horse by Robert Olmstead

YA OLM

When Robey Childs's mother has a premonition about her husband, a Civil War soldier, she does the unthinkable. She instructs her only child to retrieve his father and bring him home.  Just 14, Robey sets off wearing the coat his mother sewed to ensure his safety: blue on one side, gray on the other.

Come Juneteenth by Ann Rinaldi

YA RIN

Fourteen-year-old Luli and her family face tragedy after failing to tell their slaves that President Lincoln's Emanicipation Proclamation made them free.

Juliet's Moon by Ann Rinaldi

YA RIN

In Missouri in 1863, twelve-year-old Juliet Bradshaw learns to rely on herself and her brother, a captain with Quantrill's Raiders, as she sees her family home burned, is imprisoned by Yankees, and then kidnapped by a blood-crazed Confederate soldier.

The Last Full Measure by Ann Rinaldi

YA RIN

In 1863 Pennsylvania, fourteen-year-old Tacy faces the horrors of the Battle of Gettysburg while trying to stay out of the way of her brother David, who is in charge while their father serves as a doctor in the Union army, and to keep her friend Marvelous, a free black, safe from rebel soldiers.

March Toward the Thunder by Joseph Bruchac

YA BRU

Louis Nollette, a fifteen-year-old Abenaki Indian, joins the Irish Brigade in 1864 to fight for the Union in the Civil War.

My Vicksburg by Ann Rinaldi

YA RIN

During the siege of Vicksburg, thirteen-year-old Claire Louise struggles with difficult choices when family and friends join opposing sides of the war.

Red Moon at Sharpsburg by Rosemary Wells

YA WEL

As the Civil War breaks out, India, a young Southern girl, summons her sharp intelligence and the courage she didn't know she had to survive the war that threatens to destroy her family, her Virginia home, and the only life she has ever known.

Rifles for Watie by Harold Keith

YA KEI

With fighting erupting around his Kansas farm, 16-year-old Jefferson Davis Bussey can hardly wait to join the Union forces. When he infiltrates Colonel Watie's Confederate camp as a spy, he discovers the enemy is much like himself -- only fighting for a different cause.

Riot by Walter Dean Myers

YA MYE

In 1863, Claire, the daughter of an Irish mother and a black father, faces ugly truths and great danger when Irish immigrants, enraged by the Civil War and the draft, lash out against blacks and wealthy "swells" of New York City.

The River Between Us by Richard Peck

YA PEC

During the early days of the Civil War, the Pruitt family takes in two mysterious young ladies who have fled New Orleans to come north to Illinois.

The Slopes of War by N.A. Perez

YA PER

Buck Summerhill, a young soldier from West Virginia, faces the horrors of the Battle of Gettysburg knowing that his two cousins, Curtis and Mason, may be fighting against him in the Army of Northern Virginia.

Two Girls of Gettysburg by Lisa Klein

YA KLE

 When the Civil War breaks out, two cousins, Lizzie and Rosanna, find themselves on opposite sides of the conflict until the war reunites them in the town of Gettysburg.

 DPL Young Adult Civil War Programs

(registration starts September 21st)

Teen Cuisine: Civil War

Wednesday, October 19th

4:30-6:30pm

Sharpen your cooking skills and make some food that Civil War soldiers would have eaten!  Hard tack, fish chowder, and apple pie!

Please register

Knit a Civil War Soldier Scarf

3 Sessions

Wenesdays, October 26, November 2nd, and 9th

7:00-8:00pm

Checkers Tournament

Saturday, November 12th

1:00-3:00pm

Checkers was a popular pastime for soldiers, join us for a friendly tournament to see who is the best checkers player in Durham!

Teen Book Club November Book

discussion Tuesday, November 29th

7:00-8:00pm

In honor of the Civil War Sesquicentennial celebrations, the TBC will be reading Rifles for Watie