Thanks for the New Books! ~ November New Books Part 5

Go Teen Writers by Stephanie Morrill & Jill Williamson

The question we hear most from new writers is, "How do I get published?" And the answer is:

 Respect your dream 

Every writer's journey is different, yet as we've reflected on our experiences and those of the writers around us, we've seen time and time again that those who are successful are the ones who had the patience and endurance to stick with this writing thing. They didn't look for shortcuts (at least, not for long), nor did they quit after five, ten, or one hundred rejections. We can't make the process easy for you, but it's our hope that this book will be a tool you can turn to time and time again when you're thinking, "Okay ... what's next?" 

Includes tips for: -Getting published -Finding the right agent -Book surgery -Thicker plots -Deeper characters -Richer settings -Weaving in theme -Dealing with people who don't get your writing

Grace & the Guiltless by Erin Johnson

When Grace's parents and siblings are murdered by the Guiltless Gang for their Arizona horse ranch outside Tombstone, she vows to devote her life to revenge--but the Chiricahua she finds sanctuary with try to teach her a better way.

Graduation Day by Joelle Charbonneau

The United Commonwealth wants to eliminate the rebel alliance fighting to destroy The Testing for good. Cia is ready to lead the charge, but will her lethal classmates follow her into battle?

The Green Teen Cookbook by Laurane Marchive & Pam McElroy

A cookbook for beginners and for all those interested in pursuing an eco-friendly lifestyle, includes one hundred favorite recipes and tips for eating on a budget in a healthy and environmentally friendly way.

H2O by Virginia Bergin

.27 is a number Ruby hates.  It's a number that marks the percentage of the population that has survived. It's a number that means she's one of the "lucky" few still standing. And it's a number that says her father is probably dead.  Against all odds, Ruby has survived the catastrophic onset of the killer rain. Two weeks after the radio started broadcasting the warning, "It's in the rain. It's fatal and there's no cure," the drinkable water is running out. Ruby's left with two options: persevere on her own, or embark on a treacherous journey across the country to find her father-if he's even still alive.

MAY I have some New Books Please? (Part 4)

Danny Blackgoat, a sixteen-year-old Navajo, is labeled a troublemaker during the Long Walk of 1864 and sent to a prisoner outpost in Texas, where fellow captive Jim Davis saves him from a bully and starts him on the road to literacy--and freedom.

Wonder Woman must travel to Hell to rescue her friend Zola from Hades, a vengeful god who wants more from Wonder Woman than just her soul.

When 100 juvenile delinquents are sent on a mission to recolonize Earth, they get a second chance at freedom, friendship, and love, as they fight to survive in a dangerous new world.

 Seventeen-year-old Harper Price's charmed life is turned upside down when she discovers she's been given magical powers in order to protect her school nemesis David Stark, who's an Oracle

When the Spanish influenza epidemic reaches Portland, Oregon, in 1918, seventeen-year-old Cleo leaves behind the comfort of her boarding school to work for the Red Cross.

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 September - The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Last night we had our September meeting of the Teen Book Club and we discussed The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie.  This week also happens to be Banned Books Week and TATDoaPTI was the 2nd most challenged book of 2012!

Sherman Alexie tells the story of Junior, a budding cartoonist growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Determined to take his future into his own hands, Junior leaves his troubled school on the rez to attend an all-white farm town high school where the only other Indian is the school mascot. Heartbreaking, funny, and beautifully written, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, which is based on the author's own experiences, coupled with poignant drawings that reflect the character's art, chronicles the contemporary adolescence of one Native American boy as he attempts to break away from the life he thought he was destined to live.

Here are the questions we used for discussion:

1. What did you think of the book in general? 
2. Who were your favorite characters in the book and why?
3. Did you have a favorite scene or part in the book?  Why did it stand out for you?
4. What does it mean for Junior to be a "part-time" Indian?
5. Would you have left the reservation if you were Junior, or another person living on the reservation in similar circumstances at him?
6. Why do you think fighting was such a big part of the culture on the rez?  (refer back to the rules of fighting on page 61)
7. What did Junior's drawings add to the book?  What did they say that the words did not?  How do Junior's drawings of himself change throughout the book?
8. Junior makes a list of all the tribes he belongs to, (page 217) what tribes would you say that you belong to?
9. This week is Banned Books Week!  This book was the 2nd most challenged book of 2012 for the following reasons: offensive language, racism, sexually explicit, and unsuited for age group.  What do you think about challenging/banning books?  With that in mind, how would you recommend this book to others?
10. Ratings and final thoughts!

Here are our ratings: (avg 7.8)

Clare - 6.5/10 - It was not my personal preference for a book, but it would be suited for the 10-16 year old age group.
Catherine - 9.5/10 - Perfect book for teens because its an easy read, not patronizing, funny, and honest!
Melanie - 7.5/10 - I liked how the writing fit the main character's personality.

Our book for October is a zombie book!  We will be reading Zom-B by Darren Shan.  Copies are available at the front desk and we will be meeting to discuss the book on Wednesday, October 30th from 5:30-6:30pm.  Snacks will served and we will get to preview November's new books before anyone else!

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.

New School Year...New Books for September! (part 2)

Natural Born Angel by Scott Speer

Half-angel Maddy Montgomery is offered the chance to become a Guardian at a time when the Angels' relationship with humans is heading for war.

Indelible by Dawn Metcalf

Some things are permanent. Indelible. And they cannot be changed back. Joy Malone learns this the night she sees a stranger with all-black eyes across a crowded room—right before the mystery boy tries to cut out her eye. Instead, the wound accidentally marks her as property of Indelible Ink, and this dangerous mistake thrusts Joy into an incomprehensible world—a world of monsters at the window, glowing girls on the doorstep and a life that will never be the same.  Now, Joy must pretend to be Ink's chosen one—his helper, his love, his something for the foreseeable future…and failure to be convincing means a painful death for them both.  Swept into a world of monsters, illusion, immortal honor and revenge, Joy discovers that sometimes, there are no mistakes. 

Boy Nobody by Allen Zadoff

Sixteen-year-old Boy Nobody, an assassin controlled by a shadowy government organization, The Program, considers sabotaging his latest mission because his target reminds him of the normal life he craves.

 Fat No More: A Teenager's Victory Over Obesity by Alberto Hidalgo-Robert

The first grandchild born into his family in El Salvador, Alberto was showered with attention. Soon, though, he became known as "El Gordito," the little fat boy. By the age of seven, he weighed 120 pounds and his pediatrician had started him on a diet. By age nine he had tried ten different diets. His life became a vicious cycle of eating to excess, sneaking food and lying to himself and his parents; teased by peers and strangers, he ultimately turned into a recluse, addicted to food and television. From this low point, Hidalgo-Robert chronicles how he was able to take hold of his life, reinvent himself and become a model for other teenagers who are battling weight issues. This book offers a roadmap for living a healthy life and regaining self-respect and social acceptance. Each chapter contains "battling" tools, examples of good and bad behavior and typical self-deceptions in the war to conquer oneself and live a healthier life.

 If I Ever Get Out of Here by Eric Gansworth

Seventh-grader Lewis "Shoe" Blake from the Tuscarora Reservation has a new friend, George Haddonfield from the local Air Force base, but in 1975 upstate New York there is a lot of tension and hatred between Native Americans and Whites--and Lewis is not sure that he can rely on friendship.

New Books ~ June (Part 2)

Unnatural Creatures edited by Neil Gaiman

A collection of sixteen stories introduces a host of strange, wondrous beings that have never existed anywhere but in the imagination, with stories from Neil Gaiman, Diana Wynne Jones, and E. Nesbit.

The Caged Graves by Dianne K. Salerni

Returning to her hometown of Catawissa, Pennsylvania, in 1867 to marry a man she has never met, seventeen-year-old Verity Boone gets caught up in the a mystery surrounding the graves of her mother and aunt and a dangerous hunt for Revolutionary-era gold.

How My Summer Went Up in Flames by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski

Placed under a temporary retstraining order for torching her former boyfriend's car, seventeen-year-old Rosie embarks on a cross-country car trip from New Jersey to Arizona while waiting for her court appearance.

 All I Need by Susane Colasanti

When Skye, a hopeless romantic, meets Seth, hurt by a recent break-up, at an end-of-summer party they connect instantly, but their love is tested when she returns high school and he begins to work his way through an Ivy-League college.

Everything You Wanted to Know about Indians But Were Afraid to Ask by Anton Treuer

What have you always wanted to know about Indians? Do you think you should already know the answers--or suspect that your questions may be offensive? In matterof-fact responses to over 120 questions, both thoughtful and outrageous, modern and historical, Ojibwe scholar and cultural preservationist Anton Treuer gives a frank, funny, and sometimes personal tour of what's up with Indians, anyway.