Sunday, April 21, 2013

Tomorrow is Earth Day!

Here are some great books about going green for teens~

Hot Topics - 363.7 SIV
This book lays out the inside scoop on the biggest issues affecting our planet, such as global warming and overflowing landfills; offers dozens of tips on how to shop, dress, eat, and travel the green way; includes interviews with teens like you who are involved with fun, innovative green causes; shows that being environmentally conscious can be a natural part of your life -- and your generation's contribution to turning things around.

Nonfiction - 333.72 MCK
 Global warming, climate change, toxic waste, and more: it sometimes seems the environmental challenges we face are just too huge for individual actions to matter, but they're not-and here's the proof.True Greenis based on the practical experience of Clean Up the World, a grassroots environmental movement that has inspired more than 40 million volunteers in over 100 countries to take action since 1993. Whether you live in a city apartment, a suburban house, or a country farm, these simple, straightforward methods produce positive effects not just on our planet but on your pocketbook, too. For example, showering accounts for one-third of a typical home's water use, so making each shower slightly shorter results in real conservation over the long run. An average washing machine annually produces about 200 pounds of greenhouse gases, but a cold water wash can save about six pounds in emissions per cycle. Many electronic devices draw power even when "off," so actually unplugging them when not in use will save both money and electricity. Outdoors, mulching your garden can cut evaporation by as much as 70%, reducing the need to water often and conserving resources. True Greenexplores six key areas where small changes can make a big difference: In the Home; In the Garden; At Work; Shopping; Travel; and In the Community. Dozens of illustrated spreads provide positive, practical, simple-to-implement tips and a summary of their environmental contribution; in addition, a reference guide to useful websites offers access to priceless additional information, global and local alike.

Hot Topics - 363.7 SAV
  Today s teenagers are standing at the crossroads of environmental history. Global warming will fundamentally change the world as they know it within their lifetime. But how to keep their healthy environmental awareness from becoming environmental anxiety? The secret is to provide them with education and tools for positive action. Written in easily accessible language, The Green Teen combines simple and quick eco-friendly tips, interviews with green teens, ideas for organizing and communicating environmental change, and a host of resources in a handy grab-and-go format. Teens will learn: How the choices they make each day impact the environment How to fit eco-friendly decisions into their tight schedules and budgets How to effectively get today s decision makers involved in environmental stewardship Teens want to learn how to minimize their environmental impact at home, at school, and in their communities and get their concerns recognized by school officials, politicians, media, and even their own parents. The Green Teen is the book that will help them do it, and it is also a must-read for parents, grandparents, teachers, and school administrators who want to help the next generation make environmentally responsible choices. Jenn Savedge is the author of The Green Parent: A Kid-Friendly Guide to Earth-Friendly Living , an avid environmentalist, and a recognized authority and frequent speaker on reducing the environmental impact of the family. Her articles have appeared in national print and on-line media, www.thegreenparent.com.

How will you make the earth a better place this year?

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Murder in the library!

Who killed Kitty Bodell?

The library is hosting a murder mystery for ages 11-18 on Satruday April 27th from 2 to 4pm.  Examine, photograph, and collect evidence from the crime scene!  Study fingerprints, footprints, paper evidence, possible murder weapons and more!  Sign up by coming in to to the library or calling.


Monday, April 15, 2013

Teen Advisory Group - April Meeting notes

Hey YAs, The TAG met on Saturday.  Here's what we talked about!

The book sale is coming up on May 18th and volunteers are always helpful.  We passed around a sheet for
anyone who would like to volunteer to write their name on.  Also if you have books that you would like to donate, the cart is in the library's front hall for them.

Book tracking for summer reading this year will be done online and Miss G is looking for some people to test out the new program.  Anyone who is interested in being a tester should let Miss G know and she will email you the link when she is ready for people to start testing it out!

The upcoming programs for teens are:

Belly Dance Basics - Ages 16&up - Friday, April 19th 3:00-4:00 (please register)
CSI Murder Mystery in the Library - Saturday, April 27th 2:00-4:00 (please register)
Teen Book Club - Nobody's Princess by Esther Friesner - Tuesday, April 30th 6:30-7:30 (just drop in!)
Teen Cuisine: Chinese - Wednesday, May 8th 4:30-6:30 (please register)

Program Suggestions

  • Weaving/Spinning
  • Water balloons/obstacle course
  • Field day games
  • Acting workshops
Book Suggestions & Recommendations 


  • Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare (Jill)
  • Endangered by Eliot Schrefer (Clare)
  • Vampire Diares by L. J. Smith (Jill)
  • Eleanore & Park by Rainbow Rowell (Hannah)
  • Everyday by David Levithan (Hannah)
  • The Shining by Stephen King (Philip)
  • Romeo & Juliet by Shakespeare (Catherine)
  • To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (Melanie)
  • Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (Jill)


Movies & TV Recommendations

  • How I Met Your Mother (Jill)
  • Starsky & Hutch (Melanie)
  • The Katherine Tate Show (Melanie)
  • Big Bang Theory (Philip)
  • Robot & Frank (MissG)
  • Miss Potter (Melanie)
  • Gilmore Girls (Clare)
  • Sherlock (BBC) (Hannah)
  • August Rush (Catherine)
  • A-Team (Melanie)
  • Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (Catherine)
Music Recommendations

  • fun. (Jill)
  • Ellie Goulding (Clare)
  • Macklemore (MissG)
  • Justine Timberlake (Catherine)
  • Michael Buble (Melanie)
  • Selena Gomez (Clare)
  • Ed Sheeran (Clare)
  • Imagine Dragons (Clare)
  • Paramore (Clare) 
Video Games Recommendations

  • Tomb Raider (Clare)
  • Banjo & Kazooie (Clare)
  • Just Dance 4 (Clare)
  • NES Zelda (Philip)
  • Wii U games?
Website Recommendations

  • www.pinterest.com - Idea/image gathering and sharing (Catherine)
  • www.figment.com - A reading & writing community (Clare)
  • www.reddit.com - link, image sharing (Philip)
  • www.anasomnia.com - how to explain??? (Hannah)
  • www.metrolyrics.com - website for music lyrics (Melanie)
  • www.neopets.com - games and more (MissG)

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Happy birthday Anna~

Happy birthday Anna Godbersen!

In Manhattan in 1899, five teens of different social classes lead dangerously scandalous lives, despite the strict rules of society and the best-laid plans of parents and others.
As rumors continue about the untimely demise of Elizabeth Holland, an outwardly stricken Penelope Hayes determines to use any means necessary to claim her friend's pre-eminent place in 1899 Manhattan society and to get and keep the attentions of Elizabeth's former fiancé, the wealthy Henry Schoonmaker.

Manhattan's most envied residents appear of have everything they desire: wealth, beauty, happiness. But sometimes the most practiced smiles hide the most scandalous secrets.
In this dramatic conclusion to the bestselling Luxe series, old ties are broken, fresh bonds are formed, and every decision comes at a cost as Elizabeth uncovers a dangerous secret from her past; Diana has an opportunity to follow her heart--and claim her future; Lina discovers money can buy happiness ... for a time; and Penelope finds that life without Henry brings unexpected pleasures.
In the spring of 1929, eighteen-year-old Cordelia Grey and her stage-struck friend Letty Larkspur run away from their small Ohio town to seek their fortunes in New York City and soon find themselves drawn into situations and relationships, particularly with the dazzling Astrid Donal, that change their lives forever.
Scandal, intrigue, and romance follow three beautiful teenaged friends, Letty, Cordelia, and Astrid, as they each try to find love and fortune in glamorous Jazz Age New York.
~All in the Young Adult Historical Fiction section!~

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Belly Dancing Class next Friday!

Hey YAs, if you are at least 16 you're invited to the Belly Dance Basics class we're holding at the library next Friday from 3:00-4:00pm.  Sign up at the front desk!

Monday, April 8, 2013

It's your birthday Sara!

Sara Shepard at the Brooklyn Book Festival in 2010

Today is Sara Shepard's birthday.  Sara is from Pennsylvania and went to New York University and Brooklyn College.    She is probably most well known for her Pretty Little Liars series, both for the books and the popular TV show.  She also has another series called The Lying Game, which also has its own show.  Both shows play on ABC Family.  All of her books are available at the library, in the YA Mystery section.

Monday, April 1, 2013

April is...

Autism Awareness Month~

We have two YA novels that have autistic characters:

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
Despite his overwhelming fear of interacting with people, Christopher, a mathematically-gifted, autistic fifteen-year-old boy, decides to investigate the murder of a neighbor's dog and uncovers secret information about his mother.

Colin Fischer by Ashley Edward Miller & Zack Stentz
Colin Fischer cannot stand to be touched. He does not like the color blue. He needs index cards to recognize facial expressions. But when a gun is found in the school cafeteria, interrupting a female classmate's birthday celebration, Colin is the only for the investigation. It's up to him to prove that Wayne Connelly, the school bully and Colin's frequent tormenter, didn't bring the gun to school. After all, Wayne didn't have frosting on his hands, and there was white chocolate frosting found on the grip of the smoking gun...  


We also have several excellent nonfiction books if you would like to learn more about autism:

Autistic Spectrum Disorders: Understanding the Diagnosis & Getting Help by Mitzi Waltz
This second edition of the text (originally published in 1999 as Pervasive Development Disorders) is intended to provide all the basic information needed by parents of a child or adult newly-diagnosed with an autistic spectrum disorder, adults with these challenges desiring more insight and self-help skills, and professionals treating individuals with autism.

Making Sense of Autistic Spectrum Disorders by James Coplan, M.D.
In this authoritative and empowering book, one of the world's leading experts on early child development gives caregivers of children on the autistic spectrum the knowledge they need to navigate the complex maze of symptoms, diagnoses, tests, and treatment options that await them.  

Targeting Autism by Shirley Cohen
Targeting Autism reaches out to everyone who lives with, cares about, or is trying to understand and help a young child who has or may have autism. With special attention to recent advances in early identification and educational treatment, Shirley Cohen, a teacher of teachers, provides expert guidance for families, educators, students, therapeutic personnel, and all those interested in autistic spectrum disorders that may affect as many as one out of every 200 to 250 children. 


Feel free to stop in to the library and ask a librarian to help you find these books or more information if you are interested!

April's new books are all vampire romances! (Part 5)

April Fools :)

Undeadly by Michele Vail
The day I turned 16, my boyfriend-to-be died. I brought him back to life. Then things got a little weird…Molly Bartolucci wants to blend in, date hottie Rick and keep her zombie-raising abilities on the down-low. Then the god Anubis chooses her to become a reaper—and she accidentally undoes the work of another reaper, Rath. Within days, she's shipped off to the Nekyia Academy, an elite boarding school that trains the best necromancers in the world. And her personal reaping tutor? Rath.  Life at Nekyia has its pluses. Molly has her own personal ghoul, for one. Rick follows her there out of the blue, for another…except, there's something a little off about him. When students at the academy start to die and Rath disappears, Molly starts to wonder if anything is as it seems. Only one thing is certain—Molly's got an undeadly knack for finding trouble….
If We Survive by Andrew Klaven
They came on a mission of mercy, but now they’re in a fight for their lives.
High schooler Will Peterson and three friends journeyed to Central America to help rebuild a school. In a poor, secluded mountain village, they won the hearts of the local people with their energy and kindness.
But in one sudden moment, everything went horribly wrong. A revolution swept the country. Now, guns and terror are everywhere—and Americans are being targeted as the first to die.
Will and his friends have got to get out fast. But streets full of killers . . . hills patrolled by armies . . . and a jungle rife with danger stand between them and the border. Their one hope of escape lies with a veteran warrior who has lost his faith and may betray them at any moment. Their one dream is to reach freedom and safety and home.
If they can just survive.
 Vampire Knight vol 16 by Matsuri Hino
The Night Class is back in session, but Yuki finds herself quickly becoming second fiddle to Sara Shirabuki. With Kaname gone, Yuki is now desperate for blood, so Zero offers her his own. Will she break her promise to Kaname and drink from Zero?
iPhone Game Development for Teens by Clayton Crooks
 Learn how to create dynamic, published games for the iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch with iPhone Game Development for Teens. This project-based beginner’s game programming book guides new game developers through the complete process of developing a complete game. The book’s high-energy, step-by-step style presents proven consistent processes for creating exciting games and its highly readable style is perfect for teens or other beginners. The book begins by introducing critical gaming concepts before going into the details, sound effects, graphics, and more. While the book focuses on developing games specifically for the iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch, readers can use the author’s solid development process and the book’s open source engine to create effective games for virtually any platform.

April's new books are all vampire romances! (Part 4)

April Fools :)

Eternally Yours by Cate Tiernan
Book 3 in the Immortal Beloved series.  Ex-party-girl immortal Nastasya ends a 450-year-old feud and learns what "eternally yours" really means.

Quicksand: HIV/AIDS In our Lives by Anonymous
Weaving together her own story with straightforward questions and answers, the author explains the real ways that HIV/AIDS can be transmitted and explores the common experiences and emotions that might be encountered by friends and family members of someone who has the virus. She also discusses why HIV/AIDS is often still kept a secret and the importance of treating this condition like any other. With up-to-date medical information that has been thoroughly vetted by experts, this first-person narrative offers an invaluable look at what it is like to watch someone you know battle HIV/AIDS.

Dance of Shadows by Yelena Black
Fifteen-year-old Vanessa follows her sister Margaret to an elite Manhattan ballet school, not only gaining admission but also earning the lead in a production of the Firebird, while trying to uncover why and how Margaret and other lead dancers have disappeared.

17 & Gone by Nova Ren Suma
Seventeen-year-old Lauren has visions of girls her own age who are gone without a trace, but while she tries to understand why they are speaking to her and whether she is next, Lauren has a brush with death and a shocking truth emerges, changing everything.

The Assault by Brian Falkner
In the year 2030, six teens who have been modified to look like the aliens who are battling for control of Earth go behind enemy lines and discover a shocking, secret alien project.

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.

April's new books are all vampire romances! (Part 2)

April fools :)

All You Never Wanted by Adele Griffin
Wealthy teen Thea Parott's jealousy of her older, prettier, more popular sister Alex prompts a series of self-destructive acts that threaten their seemingly-idyllic lives.

 Sailor Moon vol 10 by Naoko Takeuchi
The threat of Dead Moon Circus is so great that the outer planet Guardians return to fight alongside their compatriots. But with Usagi now coughing up black blood as well, are they too late? And to make things worse, Queen Nehelenia’s servant Zirconia casts another curse upon Usagi and Mamoru, sending them both back into childhood. However, Helios whisks away their spirits to Elysion, where they manage to break free and return to their true forms. After they rejoin their companions, the final showdown against Queen Nehelenia herself begins! Will the Sailor Guardians and Tuxedo Mask manage to save Earth and Elysion before the Queen transforms them into eternal realms of nightmares?

 Athlete vs. Mathlete by W. C. Mack
Owen Evans lights up the scoreboards. His brother, Russell, rocks the school boards. These twin brothers couldn't be more different. They've long kept the peace by going their separate ways, but all that is about to change. The new basketball coach recruits Russell for the seventh grade team and a jealous Owen has to fight to stay in the game. When someone tries to steal Russell's spot as captain of the mathlete team, will the two be able to put aside their differences in order to save his position? Or will they be sidelined?

 The Little Woods by McCormick Templeman
Are the woods behind St. Bede's Academy really haunted, or does bad stuff just happen there? When Calista Wood, a new student, arrives midway through her junior year, St. Bede's feels like a normal school... until she discovers that a girl had disappeared a couple of months earlier. Some kids think she ran away, others think she was murdered, but it's only when Cally starts digging around that she finds the startling truth.

 ADHD in HD: Brains Gone Wild by Jonathan Chesner
ADHD in HD: Brains Gone Wild is a kinetic collection of frank personal stories of failure and success, hilarious anecdotes, wild ideas, and point-blank advice that will resonate with teens and young adults. More than 60 short essays, interesting topics, wacky illustrations--all stamped with Jonathan's irresistible humor. The book addresses the four main characteristics of ADHD: hyperactivity, impulsivity, inattention, and indecisiveness. It provides positive advice about school, family life, social life, dating, careers, medicine, and how to be like Mr. T--even if you don't have a Mohawk, lots of gold chains, or huge muscles. Inspiring, upbeat, and fun and gives the unique perspective that ADHD isn't all bad--it can actually be a blessing in disguise

April's new books are all vampire romances! (Part 1)

April Fools :)

The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde
As magic fades from the world, Jennifer Strange is having trouble keeping her magician employment agency business afloat, until she begins having visions that foretell the death of the last dragon and the coming of Big Magic.

Zom-B: Underground by Darren Shan
Waking up in a military complex, months after zombies attacked school, B has no memory of the last few months. Life in the UK has turned tough since the outbreak, and B is woven into life- and battle- in the new military regime quickly. But as B learns more about the zombies held in the complex and the scientists keeping them captive, unease settles in. Why exactly was B saved? And is there anyone left in the world to trust?

Fairy Tail vol 1 by Hiro Mashima
Cute girl wizard Lucy wants to join the Fairy Tail, a club for the most powerful wizards.  But instead, her ambitions land her in the clutches of a gang of unsavory pirates led by a devious magician.  Her only hope is Natsu, a strange boy she happens to meet on her travels.  Natsu's not your typical hero- he get motion sickness, eats like a pig, and his best friend is a talking cat.  With friends like this, is Lucy better off with her enemies?

Greta and the Goblin King by Chloe Jacobs
While trying to save her brother from the witch three years ago, Greta was thrown into the fire herself, falling through a portal to a dangerous world where humans are the enemy, and every ogre, goblin, and ghoul has a dark side that comes out with the full moon. To survive, 17-year-old Greta has hidden her humanity and taken the job of bounty hunter—and she’s good at what she does. So good, she’s caught the attention of Mylena’s young Goblin King, the darkly enticing Isaac, who invades her dreams and undermines her determination to escape. But Greta’s not the only one looking to get out of Mylena. The full moon is mere days away, and an ancient evil being knows she’s the key to opening the portal. If Greta fails, she and the boys she finds stranded in the woods will die. If she succeeds, no world will be safe from what follows her back . . .

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
Set over the course of one school year in 1986, this is the story of two star-crossed misfits--smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try.