Un-Valentine’s Day Party

Well, it looks like we might be getting slammed with snow tonight, so who knows what tomorrow will look like, but as of now we are still planning for our Un-Valentine’s Day party tomorrow night from 4 to 5:30 at the library!  Do you hate Valentine’s Day?  Are you tired of all the pink hearts and sickeningly sweet cards?  Then come on out and help us celebrate everything UN-Valentine’s Day!  Make your own un-valentines to give to friends, decorate broken heart cookies, knock the stuffing out of a heart pinata, and more.  Plus lots of candy (hey, we may hate Valentine’s Day, but we love the sugar)!

Looking for a good book?

For those looking for their next great read, but not sure where to start, I thought I’d post a reminder that we’ve got LOTS of lists of books for teens right here on the blog.  Just click on the “Books” tab at the top of this page and it’ll take you to a page with all kinds of options – fantasy, mysteries, historical fiction, nonfiction – we’ve got suggestions for any and all kinds of readers.  And for addicts of now-finished series (like Twilight or Harry Potter), we’ve got some great “Readalikes” suggestions for books with a similar feel.  You can also stop by the library and pick up one of our many brochures and bookmarks with more suggestions for teen reads.  And, as always, feel free to contact me if you’ve got a suggestion for a book you think I should add to the lists!

RIP J.D. Salinger

Everyone is reporting that J.D. Salinger, author of The Catcher in the Rye and creator of one of the most famous rebellious teenage characters in literature, died today at the age of 91.  He’d lived in almost total obscurity for almost 50 years, after publishing his last story in the New Yorker in 1965.  Whether you loved Holden Caulfield or not, Salinger’s creation had a huge effect on YA literature.  The Catcher in the Rye plays a huge role in one of my favorite recent YA novels, King Dork by Frank Portman.

If you loved his work, if you hated it, or even if you’ve never heard of this Salinger guy, it’s worth checking out his New York Times obituary.

New Fantasy

	The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima Times are hard in the mountain city of Fellsmarch. Reformed thief Han Alister will do almost anything to eke out a living for himself, his mother, and his sister Mari.  Meanwhile, Raisa ana’Marianna, Princess Heir of the Fells, has her own battles to fight.  She aspires to be like Hanalea – the legendary warrior queen who killed the Demon King and saved the world. But it seems like her mother has other plans for her – plans that include a suitor who goes against everything the Queendom stands for. The Seven Realms will tremble when the lives of Han and Raisa collide.
	The Splendor Falls by Rosemary Clement-Moore After a broken leg ruins her ballet career, and her father’s death and mother’s remarriage ruins her happiness, Sylvie finds herself uprooted from her Manhattan apartment and shipped to Alabama to live with her father’s cousin.  And that’s where things start to get shady. As it turns out, her family has a lot more history than Sylvie ever knew. More unnerving, though, are the two guys that she can’t stop thinking about. Shawn Maddox, the resident golden boy, seems to be perfect in every way. But Rhys – a handsome, mysterious foreign guest of her cousin’s – has a hold on her that she doesn’t quite understand.  Then she starts seeing things. Sylvie’s lost nearly everything – is she starting to lose her mind as well?
	Ice by Sarah Beth Durst When Cassie was a little girl, her grandmother told her a fairy tale about her mother, who made a deal with the Polar Bear King and was swept away to the ends of the earth. Now that Cassie is older, she knows the story was a nice way of saying her mother had died. Cassie lives with her father at an Arctic research station, is determined to become a scientist, and has no time for make-believe.  Then, on her eighteenth birthday, Cassie comes face-to-face with a polar bear who speaks to her. He tells her that her mother is alive, imprisoned at the ends of the earth. And he can bring her back — if Cassie will agree to be his bride.
	Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She’s never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along.  With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment.  But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora’s not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can’t decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.
	Blood Ninja by Nick Lake In the course of a day, Taro’s entire life changes: His father is murdered before his eyes, and Taro is taken by a mysterious ninja on a perilous journey toward safety. Someone wants Taro dead, but who — and why? With his best friend, Hiro, and their ninja guide Shusaku, Taro gets caught in the crossfire of a bitter conflict between rival lords for control of imperial Japan. As Taro trains to become a ninja himself, he’s less and less sure that he wants to be one. But when his real identity is revealed, it becomes impossible for Taro to turn his back on his fate.
	Devoured by Amanda Marrone Ever since the car accident nine years ago, life for 16-year-old Megan has never been the same. Her father lies in a coma at the nursing home; her twin sister, Remy, who died in the accident, continues to haunt her; and her mom only seems to care about winning dog competitions with their purebred Fergus. Events become even more complicated when Megan decides to take a job working at the Land of Enchantment in order to keep an eye on her boyfriend, Ryan, and his “best friend,” Samantha. There she meets Luke, who is psychic and, to Megan’s relief, can also see and communicate with Remy. Megan is concerned because Remy’s behavior is becoming violent. The natural attraction between Megan and Luke quickly becomes a problem for Ari Roy, whose family owns the Land of Enchantment. Ari feels that Luke is hers, and she will stop at nothing to get what she wants.

And the Printz Award goes to…

The Young Adult Library Association has announced the winners for the 2010 Michael L. Printz Award, given out to the book best exemplifying “literary excellence in young adult literature”. Here they are:
 
2010 Printz Winner: Going Bovine by Libba Bray

All 16-year-old Cameron wants is to get through high school—and life in general—with a minimum of effort. It’s not a lot to ask. But that’s before he’s given some bad news: he’s sick and he’s going to die. Which totally sucks. Hope arrives in the winged form of Dulcie, a loopy punk angel/possible hallucination with a bad sugar habit. She tells Cam there is a cure—if he’s willing to go in search of it. With the help of a death-obsessed, video-gaming dwarf and a yard gnome, Cam sets off on the mother of all road trips through a twisted America into the heart of what matters most.

Personally, I loved Going Bovine, and I’m pretty glad to see it win the big award, but it’s definitely a vastly different book from Bray’s previous books, the Great and Terrible Beauty series.  It’s alternately heartwarming, headscratching, and hilarious – but mostly hilarious.  I had no idea that Libba Bray was so stinkin’ funny.  If you doubt me, check out the bizarre “book trailer” she made for Going Bovine here.
 
2010 Printz Honor Winners:

Charles and Emma: The Darwins’ Leap of Faith by Deborah Heiligman

Charles Darwin published The Origin of Species, his revolutionary tract on evolution and the fundamental ideas involved, in 1859. Nearly 150 years later, the theory of evolution continues to create tension between the scientific and religious communities. Challenges about teaching the theory of evolution in schools occur annually all over the country. This same debate raged within Darwin himself, and played an important part in his marriage: his wife, Emma, was quite religious, and her faith gave Charles a lot to think about as he worked on a theory that continues to spark intense debates.  Deborah Heiligman’s new biography of Charles Darwin is a thought-provoking account of the man behind evolutionary theory: how his personal life affected his work and vice versa. The end result is an engaging exploration of history, science, and religion for young readers.
 
The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey

These are the secrets I have kept.  This is the trust I never betrayed.  But he is dead now and has been for more than forty years, the one who gave me his trust, the one for whom I kept these secrets.  The one who saved me…and the one who cursed me.

So begins the journal of Will Henry, orphaned assistant to Dr. Pellinore War throp, a man with a most unusual specialty: monstrumology, the study of monsters. In his time with the doctor, Will has met many a mysterious late-night visitor, and seen things he never imagined were real. But when a grave robber comes calling in the middle of the night with a gruesome find, he brings with him their most deadly case yet.
 
Punkzilla by Adam Rapp

For a runaway boy who goes by the name “Punkzilla,” kicking a meth habit and a life of petty crime in Portland, Oregon, is a prelude to a mission: reconnecting with his older brother, a gay man dying of cancer in Memphis. Against a backdrop of seedy motels, dicey bus stations, and hitched rides, the desperate fourteen-year-old meets a colorful, sometimes dangerous cast of characters. And in letters to his sibling, he catalogs them all — from an abusive stranger and a ghostly girl to a kind transsexual and an old woman with an oozing eye. The language is raw and revealing, crackling with visceral details and dark humor, yet with each interstate exit Punkzilla’s journey grows more urgent: will he make it to Tennessee in time?
 
 

Tales of the Madman Underground by John Barnes

Wednesday, September 5, 1973: The first day of Karl Shoemaker’s senior year in stifling Lightsburg, Ohio. For years, Karl’s been part of what he calls “the Madman Underground”—a group of kids forced (for no apparent reason) to attend group therapy during school hours. Karl has decided that senior year is going to be different. He is going to get out of the Madman Underground for good. He is going to act—and be—Normal. But Normal, of course, is relative. Karl has five after-school jobs, one dead father, one seriously unhinged drunk mother . . . and a huge attitude. Welcome to a gritty, uncensored rollercoaster ride, narrated by the singular Karl Shoemaker.
 
 
Sooo…what do you guys think?  Do you agree with the selection committee’s choices?  Is there a book from the past year that you think should’ve gotten the award?  Leave your thoughts in the comments!

Upcoming Library Events

Lots of great teen events happening at the library this week, so if you’re bored and in need of something to do, you should consider stopping by. Here’s what we’ve got coming:
 
 
Monday, Jan. 11 – Teen Writers’ Workshop

Our monthly writing group meets tomorrow from 4 – 5 pm here in the library board room.  If you like to create comics, stories, novels, poems, fan fiction, or are into any sort of creative writing endeavor, please come on out!  We’ll practice our skills with some writing warm-ups and challenges, share what we’re working on with each other, and make plans for a teen library zine to publish our work.  (Plus, there’s food).
 
 
Wednesday, Jan. 13 – Teen Game Day

Come on out to the library community room from 4 – 6 pm this Wednesday, where we’ll be getting out the Wii and PS2 for some fun with Rock Band and Dance Dance Revolution.  And if video gaming’s not your style, we’ve also got lots of fun board games like Apples to Apples, Balderdash, Scattergories, etc.  (And did I mention that there will be food?)
 
 
 
 
Thursday, Jan. 14 – Teen Advisory Council

The Normal Public Library Teen Advisory Council is a group that meets every second and fourth Thursday of the month from 4 – 5:30 pm for games, books, crafts, and discussion of teen library services.  If you want a say in all things teen at NPL, this is the place to be.  This Thursday, we’ll be discussing the book Watership Down by Richard Adams.  We’ll also be planning the schedule for our next several meetings, so don’t miss out!  (And yes, there will be food.)
 
 

Back in business

Sorry for the long stretch between posts, guys. Things got pretty busy for me during the holidays, but hopefully now I can get back on track with frequent updates. Hopefully everyone had a great break and is geared up and ready for 2010! We’ve got a lot of fun things planned for teens this year at the Normal Public Library, so keep an eye on this space for updates.

Also, don’t forget to come out to the library tomorrow afternoon for Manga Anime Club at 4:30. We’re showing another episode of Boys Over Flowers, as well as discussing the club’s plans for 2010, so everyone who wants a say in what we do this year should definitely be there. Hope to see you all there!

New Manga and Graphic Novels

Sand Chronicles 4 – 6 by Hinako Ashihara

Twelve-year-old Ann and her divorced mother move from Tokyo to her mother’s rural hometown. How will Ann survive her exile from civilization? Then, when her mother commits suicide, Ann has to grow up fast. As the years pass, Ann learns to trust and depend on her new friends – Daigo and aristocratic siblings Fuji and Shika. But when Ann moves back to Tokyo to be with her father, will she be able to maintain a long-distance relationship with Daigo? And do Fuji and Shika harbor romantic feelings of their own that might rip their childhood friendships apart…?
 
 
 
 
 
High School Debut 10 – 11 by Kazune Kawahara

Friendship and love are put to the test when Asaoka reveals to Yoh that he likes Haruna. To settle things once and for all, Yoh and Asaoka strike a deal – whoever loses the school sports meet will give up his feelings for her! Then, Haruna becomes worried when she sees Yoh hanging out with a classmate.  She has good reason for feeling uneasy – it looks like this girl really does want to sabotage their relationship!
 
 
 
 
 
 

Outlaw: The Legend of Robin Hood by Tony Lee, Sam Hart, and Artur Fujita

How did Robin of Loxley become Robin Hood? Why did he choose to fight injustice instead of robbing for his own gain? Expressive and gritty, this graphic novel whisks readers back to Crusades-era England, where the Sheriff of Nottingham rules with an iron fist, and in the haunted heart of Sherwood Forest, a defiant rogue — with the help of his men and the lovely Maid Marian — disguises himself to become an outlaw.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Runaways: Rock Zombies by Terry Moore

The spookiest Runaways tale ever! The Val Rhymin subplot has been brewing for a while and peaks here – Chase’s boss is not what he seems. Writer Terry Moore welcomes former Runaways artist Takeshi Miyazawa aboard for this creepy tale of magic and mayhem.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Bone: Rose by Jeff Smith

A prequel to the Bone saga, Rose takes place in the Valley years before the Bones arrived, when Gran’ma Ben was the spirited, beautiful Princess Rose. She and her cold, bitter sister, Briar, are called to defend the Valley from a vicious dragon that is possessed by the Lord of the Locusts. Rose is up to the task, but can Briar be trusted?
 
 
 
 
 

Book Review: Liar by Justine Larbalestier

Liar by Justine Larbalestier

Micah is a liar.  She has always lied.  It’s a family curse – she can’t help but lie to you.  But now, her classmate (and secret boyfriend) Zach has been killed under mysterious circumstances, and all of Micah’s carefully constructed lies are starting to crumble around her.  So Micah promises that this time she’s going to tell you the truth about what happened to Zach, and about her mysterious family history.  No lies, no omissions.  But can you really believe a word she says?

Whew.  I’m not sure how to describe this one without spoiling it for everyone.  I raced through it, desperate to find out what really happened to Micah and Zach, but even after finishing, I have no idea what the real truth is.  Micah is the queen of unreliable narrators, as she’ll tell you herself.  Throughout the book, she’s constantly revisiting things she’s told the reader are the absolute truth, only to confess that, well, maybe she’s still telling you a few tiny lies.  Over and over again this happens, until you’re not sure if you can trust that anything Micah’s telling you is the truth.  Add in a huge twist in the middle that takes the story in a completely unexpected direction, and an ending that does its best to avoid answering any questions, and you’ve got a suspenseful, page-turning read that doesn’t really fit in any genre category.

If you’ve read any of Labalestier’s other books (including the also wonderful Magic or Madness trilogy, and the fluffy but funny How to Ditch Your Fairy), be prepared for something completely different than anything else she’s done.  I can’t guarantee you’ll love it – it’s a frustrating read – but I think that anyone who’s into suspensful, creepy tales should give it a shot.  I thought it was great, and I’m adding it to my list of favorite books of 2009.

P.S. – If you’ve finished Liar and you’re looking for a good, spoilery place to discuss it with others, Larbalestier has provided a post to do so on her blog.  Actually, I’d highly recommend checking out her blog, period.  She’s hilarious and also provides some great tips for aspiring writers.

P.P.S – This has nothing to do with the rest of the thread, but did you know that Justine Larbalestier is married to Scott Westerfeld, writer of the Uglies and Midnighters trilogies, among others?  I love the idea of two great writers of young adult novels being together – wonder if they ever steal each other’s ideas?

Yet another Twilight-related post

Okay, I promise after this one I’ll stop.  But with New Moon making over 200 million so far at the box office, this is one phenomenon that isn’t going away anytime soon, whether you’re a fan of the Twilight saga or not.  If you’re not, or if you’re just ready to try something new after rereading the series five times, you might want to check out this post from the blog for the Young Adult Library Services Association, where they suggest some great reads for those suffering from Twilight exhaustion.