New Books for February (part 5)

Contemporary Fiction

 Jude and her twin brother, Noah, are incredibly close. At thirteen, isolated Noah draws constantly and is falling in love with the charismatic boy next door, while daredevil Jude cliff-dives and wears red-red lipstick and does the talking for both of them. But three years later, Jude and Noah are barely speaking. Something has happened to wreck the twins in different and dramatic ways . . . until Jude meets a cocky, broken, beautiful boy, as well as someone else; an even more unpredictable new force in her life. The early years are Noah's story to tell. The later years are Jude's. What the twins don't realize is that they each have only half the story, and if they could just find their way back to one another, they'd have a chance to remake their world. 

Action/Adventure 

Cassie Hobbes and the other members of the Naturals program of the FBI work to solve a string of serial murders carried out by a copycat killer.

Contemporary Fiction

Seventeen-year-old Kevin tries to reinvent himself when he runs away from home and the father he hates, but living with a mysterious uncle and befriending two homeless girls just adds more complications.

Historical Fiction

Inspired by a true story, this relates the tale of siblings Sosi, Shahen, and Mariam who survive the Armenian genocide of 1915 by escaping from Turkey alone over the mountains.

Nonfiction - Biography

When fifteen-year-old Malala Yousafzai spoke out against the Taliban's policy of forbidding education for girls, an attempt was made on her life. This is her story, which also includes information on other hardships faced by young women in Pakistan.

New Books for October ~ Part 2

Nontraditional, controversial, rebellious, and politically volatile, the Mexican artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera are remembered for their provocative paintings as well as for their deep love for each other. Their marriage was one of the most tumultuous and infamous in history--filled with passion, pain, betrayal, revolution, and, above all, art that helped define the twentieth century. Catherine Reef's inspiring and insightful dual biography features numerous archival photos and full-color reproductions of both artists' work.

The Garde, broken and divided, discover that the Mogadorians have commenced their ultimate invasion plans and will stop at nothing to thwart it.

Sherwood and Orson should never have gone into that cave. That day, a door was opened from our world into a dark and profane realm...and earth's destiny was changed forever. In this demented future, whatever life remains on earth is oppressed by the evil shadowsmen. Only a gang of ruthless and powerful children called the Wrenchies can hope to stand against them. When Hollis, a lonely boy from our world, is magically given access to the future world of the Wrenchies, he finally finds a place he belongs. But it is not an easy world to live in, and Hollis's quest is bigger than he ever dreamed of. 

Sixteen-year-old Prenna, an immigrant who moved to New York when she was twelve, came from another time and she and the other travelers must follow strict rules to avoid destroying the new life they have worked so hard to get, as well as the one person Prenna is desperate to protect.

Abducted at age fourteen and trained by the F.A.T.E. Center to become a Shadow, guardian of a future leader, Ren Sharpe, now eighteen, is assigned to protect college science student Gareth Young, but with help from her secret love and fellow Shadow, Junie, she learns that F.A.T.E. itself is behind an attack on Gareth.

New Books for October ~ Part 1

Born in 1857 and raised in oil country, Ida M. Tarbell was one of the first investigative journalists and probably the most influential in her time. Her series of articles on the Standard Oil Trust, a complicated business empire run by John D. Rockefeller, revealed to readers the underhanded, even illegal practices that had led to Rockefeller's success. Rejecting the term "muckraker" to describe her profession, she went on to achieve remarkable prominence for a woman of her generation as a writer and shaper of public opinion.

When the high school cheerleading team takes over a soda vending machine's funds, which were previously collected by the pep band, Gabe Johnson, an overweight "band geek" tired of being called names and looked down on, declares war.

In the aftermath of a tumultuous event that ripped their world apart, Sydney and her love Adrian need to make their way back to each other, but they must survive first.

When the widely disliked Honeywell Stingers football coach is found murdered, 17-year-old Millie is determined to investigate. She is chasing a lead for the school newspaper - and looking to clear her father, the assistant coach, and prime suspect. Millie's partner is gorgeous, smart--and keeping secrets Millie joins forces with her mysterious classmate Chase who seems to want to help her even while covering up secrets of his own. She's starting to get a reputation...without any of the benefits. Drama--and bodies--pile up around Millie and she chases clues, snuggles Baxter the so-ugly-he's-adorable bassett hound, and storms out of the world's most awkward school dance/memorial mash-up. At least she gets to eat a lot of pie. 

Sparks fly when sixteen-year-old Lucy Patterson and seventeen-year-old Owen Buckley meet on an elevator rendered useless by a New York City blackout. Soon after, the two teenagers leave the city, but as they travel farther away from each other geographically, they stay connected emotionally, in this story set over the course of one year.

First Books of Summer ~ June New Books part 6

This Star Won't Go Out: The Life & Words of Esther Grace Earl by Esther Earl

A memoir told through the journals, letters, and stories of young cancer patient Esther Earl.

Dreams of Gods & Monsters by Laini Taylor

From the streets of Rome to the caves of the Kirin and beyond, humans, chimaera, and seraphim will fight, strive, love, and die in an epic theater that transcends good and evil, right and wrong, friend and enemy.

Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson

Quiet Emily's sociable and daring best friend, Sloane, has disappeared leaving nothing but a random list of bizarre tasks for her to complete, but with unexpected help from popular classmate Frank Porter, Emily gives them a try.

 A Stranger Thing by Martin Leicht & Isla Neal

Pregnancy was pretty rough for sixteen-year-old Elvie Nara, what with the morning sickness, constant food cravings, and the alien race war she found herself in the middle of. But if she thought giving birth to an extraterrestrial’s baby would be the hard part, she was sorely mistaken.  After Elvie somehow has a baby girl, the always-male Almiri completely wig out. Suddenly Elvie’s supposed allies have shipped her—along with her father, her best friend, Ducky, and her maybe-boyfriend, boneheaded Almiri commando Cole Archer—off to a remote “retention facility” (aka alien jail) in Antarctica. Talk about cold. But things really get complicated when a new group of hybrid aliens arrive with information that sends Elvie’s world spinning. Before long, Elvie is trekking across the bottom of the Earth with a band of friends and frenemies to uncover the secrets of her own origin. Will Elvie ever be able to convince the Almiri that a conspiracy to conquer the planet is a greater threat than a sixteen-year-old girl and a newborn who won’t stop crying?

Teen Book Club ~ January ~ Steampunk!

The Teen Book Club met last night to discuss a short story collection, Steampunk! An Anthology of Fantastically Rich and Strange Stories by various authors.

Here are the discussion questions we used:

1.  How many of the stories did you read, and which ones?
2.  Which was your favorite?
3.  Least favorite?
5.  What about the graphic novel type stories?  Did you enjoy these?
6.  What common elements tie all of these stories together and make them "steampunk?"  Do you have a better understanding of what steampunk is now?
7.  We have novels by many of the authors who wrote the stories for this collection.  Did reading these stories make you more likely to check out novels by these authors?
8.  Did all of the stories have similar settings?
9.  What did you think of reading a short story collection instead of a novel?
10.  Ratings and final thoughts!


Melanie gave it an 8/10 and said ~ It was really cool that all these authors wrote stories to make a good steampunk book!
Catherine gave it an 8/10 and said ~ I had never read steampunk before, but now I know that I love it!
MissG gave it a 9/10 and said ~ A varied and imaginative collection of stories all with a really neat steampunk twist.  Makes me want to read more steampunk!

Our book for February is a biography/memoir...

Chinese Cinderella: The True Story of an Unwanted Daughter by Adeline Yen Mah

The daughter of a wealthy Hong Kong businessman describes her very difficult childhood and the psychological abuse she suffered at the hands of her stepmother.

Copies of the book are available at the front desk.  Our discussion will be Wednesday, February 26th 6:00-7:00pm.

New Books ~ June (Part 5)

Political Profiles: Joe Biden by Jeff C. Young

An introduction to the life and career of the current Vice President of the United States.

A Flight of Angels by Rebecca Guay

Deep in the woods outside of a magical kingdom, a strange group of faeries and forest creatures discover a nearly dead angel, bleeding and unconscious with a sword by his side. They call a tribunal to decide his fate, each telling stories that delve into different interpretations of these winged, celestial beings: tales of dangerous angels, all-powerful angels, guardian angels and death angels, that range from the mystical to the mysterious to the macabre.

Viola in the Spotlight by Adriana Trigiani

Back home in Brooklyn, fifteen-year-old Viola has big summer plans but with one best friend going to camp and the other not only working but experiencing her first crush, Viola is glad to be overworked as an unpaid lighting intern when her grandmother's play goes to Broadway.

The History of the World According to Facebook by Wylie Overstreet
Yup, pretty much exactly what it sounds like.

The Warrior's Heart: Becoming a Man of Compassion and Courage by Eric Greitens
Shares the author's adventures as a young man that led him to a life of service as both a humanitarian and a Navy SEAL.

 DIY Nail Art by Catherine Rodgers
The cure for the common mani! Black Lace. Summer Citrus. Hot Pink Zebra. Get ready for nails that will get you noticed!

April's new books are all vampire romances! (Part 3)

April Fools :)

Break My Heart 1000 Times by Daniel Waters

In the aftermath of the Event, which made seeing the dead a part of life, Veronica and her friend Kirk investigate why the ghosts seem to be gaining power and stumble upon the sinister plot of a teacher who is seeking a replacement for his dead daughter.

 One Came Home by Amy Timberlake

In 1871 Wisconsin, thirteen-year-old Georgia sets out to find her sister Agatha, presumed dead when remains are found wearing the dress she was last seen in, and before the end of the year gains fame as a sharpshooter and foiler of counterfeiters.

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

When seventeen-year-old orphaned shapechanger Tessa Gray is kidnapped by the villainous Mortmain in his final bid for power, the London Institute rallies to save her, but is beset by danger and betrayal at every turn.

Suzanne Collins: Words on Fire by Marcia Amidon Lusted

Sizanne Collins came up with the storyline for The Hunger Games one night while channel surfing. Images of televised news coverage of the U.S.-led war in Iraq blurred in her mind with scenes from a reality show and sparked an exciting idea. What about a story that focused on teens in a fight-to-the-death battle, televised live from start to finish?  Read more about this highly successful author in this USA Today Lifeline biography.

Bleach vol 4, 5, & 6 by Tite Kubo

Volumes 4-6 of the popular manga.

November's New Books (Part 1)

Welcome to another monthly installment of NEW BOOKS!  Here are the 2 dozen or so new books you can expect to see on the shelf  by the end of the week of so (I know, I'm a little early this month, but I was worried I would be so busy with Zombie Prom that they would end up going out late if I put it off)  Anyhoo, on to the books!

 

Cleopatra Confesses by Carolyn Meyer

Check the Catalog

Princess Cleopatra, the third (and favorite) daughter of King Ptolemy XII, comes of age in ancient Egypt, accumulating power and discovering love.

 

How to Make Friendship Bracelets by Veronique Follet

Check the Catalog

Here it is...everything you wanted to know about making friendship bracelets.  Learn basic knots and 22 different designs!

 Drawing from Memory by Allen Say

Check the Catalog

Allen Say's own story of his path to becoming the renowned artist he is today. Shunned by his father, who didn't understand his son's artistic leanings, Allen was embraced by Noro Shinpei, Japan's leading cartoonist and the man he came to love as his "spiritual father." As WWII raged, Allen was further inspired to consider questions of his own heritage and the motivations of those around him. He worked hard in rigorous drawing classes, studied, trained--and ultimately came to understand who he really is. Part memoir, part graphic novel, part narrative history, Drawing From Memory presents a complex look at the real-life relationship between a mentor and his student. With watercolor paintings, original cartoons, vintage photographs, and maps, Allen Say has created a book that will inspire the artist in all of us.

The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan

Check the Catalog

Demigod Percy Jackson, still with no memory, and his new friends from Camp Jupiter, Hazel and Frank, go on a quest to free Death, but their bigger task is to unite the Greek and Roman camps so that the Prophecy of Seven can be fulfilled.