New books for October ~ Part 5

Keepers of the Labyrinth by Erin Moulton

Action/Adventure 

Lil Bennett goes to Crete to find answers about the circumstances of her mother's death, and there finds herself entangled in an adventure of mythical proportions that leads her and her friends through the very labyrinth in which the real Minotaur was imprisoned.

The Last Leaves Falling by Sarah Benwell

Contemporary Fiction 

A teen grapples with ALS and his decision to die in this devastatingly beautiful debut novel infused with the haunting grace of samurai death poetry and the noble importance of friendship. Abe Sora is going to die, and he's only seventeen years old. Diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), he's already lost the use of his legs, which means he can no longer attend school. Seeking a sense of normality, Sora visits teen chat rooms online and finally finds what he's been longing for: friendship without pity. As much as he loves his new friends, he can't ignore what's ahead. He's beginning to lose the function of his hands, and soon he'll become even more of a burden to his mother. Inspired by the death poems of the legendary Japanese warriors known as samurai, Sora makes the decision to leave life on his own terms. And he needs his friends to help him.

Library of Souls by Ranson Riggs

Paranormal 

Time is running out for the Peculiar Children. With a dangerous madman on the loose and their beloved Miss Peregrine still in danger, Jacob Portman and Emma Bloom are forced to stage the most daring of rescue missions. They'll travel through a war-torn landscape, meet new allies, and face greater dangers than ever. Will Jacob come into his own as the hero his fellow Peculiars know him to be? (Features more than 50 all-new Peculiar photographs.)

Lizard Radio by Pat Schmatz

Science Fiction 

Fifteen-year-old bender Kivali has had a rough time in a gender-rigid culture. Abandoned as a baby and raised by Sheila, an ardent nonconformist, Kivali has always been surrounded by uncertainty. Where did she come from? Is it true what Sheila says, that she was deposited on Earth by the mysterious saurians? What are you? people ask, and Kivali isn't sure. Boy/girl? Human/lizard? Both/neither? Now she's in CropCamp, with all of its schedules and regs, and the first real friends she's ever had. Strange occurrences and complicated relationships raise questions Kivali has never before had to consider. But she has a gift--the power to enter a trancelike state to harness the "knowings" inside her. She has Lizard Radio. Will it be enough to save her?

Lock & Mori by Heather Petty

Mystery 

In modern-day London, two brilliant high school students-one Sherlock Holmes and a Miss James "Mori" Moriarty-meet. A murder will bring them together. The truth very well might drive them apart. Before they were mortal enemies, they were much more... FACT: Someone has been murdered in London's Regent's Park. The police have no leads. FACT: Miss James "Mori" Moriarty and Sherlock "Lock" Holmes should be hitting the books on a school night. Instead, they are out crashing a crime scene. FACT: Lock has challenged Mori to solve the case before he does. Challenge accepted. FACT: Despite agreeing to Lock's one rule-they must share every clue with each other-Mori is keeping secrets. OBSERVATION: Sometimes you can't trust the people closest to you with matters of the heart. And after this case, Mori may never trust Lock again.

Teen Book Club - November

So, due to weather, our Teen Book Club meeting for November actually happened in December.  Oh well!

Our book for November was

When high school student Clay Jenkins receives a box in the mail containing thirteen cassette tapes recorded by his classmate Hannah, who committed suicide, he spends a bewildering and heartbreaking night crisscrossing their town, listening to Hannah's voice recounting the events leading up to her death.

Here are the discussion questions we used:

1.  First impressions.  What did you think of the book?
2.  This book has dual narrative, in that it has 2 narrators, Hannah & Clay.  Did you enjoy this kind of writing of the story?  How would it be different if it was just Hannah?  Just Clay?  Someone else entirely?
3.  Are each of Hannah’s 13 reasons equally important?  Why specifically did Hannah commit suicide?  Who is responsible for Hannah’s death?
4.  Did you have a book with a copy of the Map in it?  Did that enhance your experience of the story?
5.  Why did Clay leave the room after kissing Hannah?  Do you think he had to?  What else could he have done?  Why did Hannah put him on her list of the 13 reasons why she killed herself?
6.  What role do adults play in what happened to  Hannah?  Do you think any adult could have done something to help her?
7.   How do you think Clay is changed by listening to the tapes?
8.  Why do you think this book is popular?
9.  Selena Gomez is set to star in the movie adaptation of the book.  Logan Lerman (Percy Jackson) is rumored to be playing Clay. Like/dislike?  Who else would you cast?
10.  Ratings and final thoughts?

Librarian Karyn - 10/10 - This book is AMAZING on audiobook, I didn't want to stop once I started this addicting, heart-wrenching story.
Catherine - 10/10 - Honest, raw, and spoke to the real issues.
Melanie - 10/10 - Great book to raise more awareness of teen suicide & written beautifully.

~~~

If you enjoyed this book, you may also enjoy:

Another book by the same author – The Future of Us - It's 1996, and less than half of all American high school students have ever used the Internet. Emma just got her first computer and Josh is her best friend. They power up and log on--and discover themselves on Facebook, fifteen years in the future. Everybody wonders what their Destiny will be. Josh and Emma are about to find out.

More books that deal with suicide

• By the Time You Read This, I’ll Be Dead by Julie Anne Peters - High school student Daelyn Rice, who has been bullied throughout her school career and has more than once attempted suicide, again makes plans to kill herself, in spite of the persistent attempts of an unusual boy to draw her out.

• Glimpse by Carol Lynch Williams - Living with their mother who earns money as a prostitute, two sisters take care of each other and when the older one attempts suicide, the younger one tries to uncover the reason.

• Hold Still by Nina LaCour - As Caitlin struggles to cope with her best friend Ingrid's suicide, she turns inward and quiet, but finding Ingrid's hidden journal, a new classmate, and new projects help Caitlin find a way to reach out again.

• Impulse by Ellen Hopkins - Three teens who meet at Reno, Nevada's Aspen Springs mental hospital after each has attempted suicide connect with each other in a way they never have with their parents or anyone else in their lives.


For December we are reading

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs -  As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow--impossible though it seems--they may still be alive.

Discussion on Tuesday, December 30th 6:00-7:00pm

Fabulous February New Books ~ Part 4

All The Truth That's In Me by Julie Berry

YA MYS BER

Four years ago, Judith and her best friend disappeared from their small town of Roswell Station. Two years ago, only Judith returned, permanently mutilated, reviled and ignored by those who were once her friends and family. Unable to speak, Judith lives like a ghost in her own home, silently pouring out her thoughts to the boy whos owned her heart as long as she can remember--even if he doesnt know it--her childhood friend, Lucas. But when Roswell Station is attacked, long-buried secrets come to light, and Judith is forced to choose: continue to live in silence, or recover her voice, even if it means changing her world, and the lives around her, forever. 

Palace of Spies by Sarah Zettel

YA HIS ZET

In 1716 London, an orphaned sixteen-year-old girl from a good family impersonates a lady-in-waiting only to discover that the real girl was murdered, the court harbors a nest of spies, and the handsome young artist who is helping her solve the mystery might be a spy himself.

Reality Boy by A. S. King

YA FIC KIN

Gerald Faust started feeling angry even before his mother invited a reality TV crew into his five-year-old life. Twelve years later, he's still haunted by his rage-filled youth--which the entire world got to watch from every imaginable angle--and his anger issues have resulted in violent outbursts, zero friends, and clueless adults dumping him in the special education room at school. No one cares that Gerald has tried to learn to control himself; they're all just waiting for him to snap. And he's starting to feel dangerously close to doing just that...until he chooses to create possibilities for himself that he never knew he deserved.

The Rule of Three by Eric Walters

YA ACT WAL

One shocking afternoon, computers around the globe shut down in a viral catastrophe. At sixteen-year-old Adam Daley's high school, the problem first seems to be a typical electrical outage, until students discover that cell phones are down, municipal utilities are failing, and a few computer-free cars like Adam's are the only vehicles that function. Driving home, Adam encounters a storm tide of anger and fear as the region becomes paralyzed. Soon--as resources dwindle, crises mount, and chaos descends--he will see his suburban neighborhood band together for protection. And Adam will understand that having a police captain for a mother and a retired government spy living next door are not just the facts of his life but the keys to his survival.

Hollow City by Ransom Riggs

YA PAR RIG

Having escaped Miss Peregrines island by the skin of their teeth, Jacob and his new friends must journey to London, the peculiar capital of the world. Along the way, they encounter new allies, a menagerie of peculiar animals, and other unexpected surprises. Complete with dozens of newly discovered (and thoroughly mesmerizing) vintage photographs, this new adventure will delight readers of all ages.

Movie Monday: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Happy Monday YAs!

The Book:

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. A strange collection of very curious photographs. It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children , an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow-impossible though it seems-they may still be alive. A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows.

I haven't read this one, but it sounds pretty awesome.  Creepy tale plus kids in in vintage (think: old black and white) photographs?  Awesome.

What we know about the Movie:

20th Century Fox owns the movie rights and Tim Burton (omg!) is attached to direct.  TIM BURTON, PEOPLE!  That's awesome!  This is perfect for him!  I wonder if it'll be animated, stop motion, or live?  That's about all the news we have on this one so far.  Will fill ya in when I find out more!  In the mean time...read it!

Teen Book Reivew - Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

This review is from Michael, age 13.  Michael says that this book is science fiction.  He gave it a 9/10. (nice!) His favorite character was Jake.  Michael said "I liked it because he combined unrelated historic photos into a complex story."  About the cover of the book Michael had this to say, "It was somewhat weird and creepy." (for sure!) He said that he would probably would read more from this author and his last words were "If you read this try to solve the mystery." 


Michael received an extra raffle ticket in this week's Teen Summer Reading Raffle.  If you would like to get an extra ticket this week too, come by and fill out a book review form!