September 2006 Archives

Reading a book is only part of the experience; sharing the book or the ideas completes it. Sometimes the experience one gets from reading a book needs to be shared with the writer, but many young people do not know how to start. Today I learned about LETTERS ABOUT LITERATURE, a contest which asks you to read, be inspired and write back. It is sponsored by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, the State Center for the Book Affiliates, and Target.

There are three levels of competition: Level I -- Grades 4 to 6; Level II -- Grades 7 and 8; Level III -- Grades 9 to 12.

THEIR RULES STATE: " LAL welcomes entries from all readers — reluctant as well as enthusiastic book travelers! How can you enter? Select a book that took you on a surprising or inspiring journey. It might be a recent journey or one you remember from your childhood. Then write a personal letter to the author, explaining how his or her work somehow changed your view of the world or yourself.

Do not summarize the book’s plot. After all, the author wrote the book and already knows what happened. What the author doesn’t know is how the book affected you. Write honestly and in your own voice, as if you were having a conversation with the author. Those are the best letters to read and the most fun to write! "

Each state will award prizes to first place winners on each level and the sponsors of the event will select two winners in each competitive level to be national winners. The six national winners and their parents/guardians will be flown to Washington DC to attend the National Book Festival in fall 2007.

All letters must be submitted by December 8, 2006. For how to enter, ideas on how to begin and a copy of the 2007 Entry Coupon visit the Letters About Literature web page.

Ofcourse, if this contest seems overwhelming, you can always commit on any book found on this Book Log or you can write a short review of your favorite book and send it to fjacksonem@nassaulibrary.org.

Submitted by Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services

The celebration of the Freedom to Read is observed during the last week of September each year. Observed since 1982, the annual event reminds Americans not to take this precious democratic freedom for granted. BANNED BOOKS WEEK will be celebrated September 23-30, 2006.

In 2005 some very popular young adult titles were challenged for various themes, they included

“Forever” by Judy Blume for sexual content and offensive language;
Two high school seniors believe their love to be so strong that it will last forever.

“The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger for sexual content, offensive language and being unsuited to age group;
A young man, Holden Caulfield, is in a mental institution where he is recovering from a recent mental breakdown.

“The Chocolate War” by Robert Cormier for sexual content and offensive language;
A high school freshman discovers the devastating consequences of refusing to join in the school's annual fund raising drive and arousing the wrath of the school bullies.

“Whale Talk” by Chris Crutcher for racism and offensive language;
Intellectually and athletically gifted, TJ, a multiracial, adopted teenager, shuns organized sports and the gung-ho athletes at his high school until he agrees to form a swimming team and recruits some of the school's less popular students.

“What My Mother Doesn't Know” by Sonya Sones for sexual content and being unsuited to age group;
Sophie describes her relationships with a series of boys as she searches for Mr. Right.

“Crazy Lady!” by Jane Leslie Conly for offensive language;
As he tries to come to terms with his mother's death, Vernon finds solace in his growing relationship with the neighborhood outcasts, an alcoholic and her retarded son.

THIS TITLES ARE RECOMMENDED FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. Check the online catalog for title availability.

You can pick up your BANNED BOOK WEEK BOOKMARK and while supplies last the BANNED BOOK WEEK BUTTONS. The bookmark and button can be found at the YOUNG ADULT SERVICES DESK.

Submitted by Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services

I was watching Emmitt Smith, former NFL running back for the Dallas Cowboys, promote a new NFL service to your cell phone. Up to the minute news on current football games, how you are doing in a fantasy football league, who, what and where about players... You will never be out of touch and then I remembered the book, FEED, by M. T. Anderson.

It is the future and everyone is tapped into the Feed, bits of information about music, what to buy, who's in and who's out, by way of computer implants in the brain. Actually the corporations have controlled the teen environment. Titus, a typical teen, begins to questions the need for all the processed information, when he meets Violet, a home schooled teen. Violet cares deeply about the state of the environment and the damage the Feed does to her generation. Her caring and the destructive nature of the Feed eventually causes Violet serious trouble.

What do you think about someone giving you all the information they think you need all of the time? If you want a glimpse of that future, read FEED.

THIS IS A GREAT READ FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. There is also another title well-known for its feed of good feeling to the general public, FAHRENHEIT 451 by Ray Bradbury.

Submitted by Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services

Rose, the youngest of seven children, was different from the day she was born. The strange circumstances of her birth are kept secret by her superstitious mother, who hopes to keep her daughter from leaving home, and fulfilling her destiny to explore and seek adventure.

Years later, when the family has fallen on hard times, and Rose's sister has fallen ill, a mysterious white bear appears at the family home promising them health and prosperity if Rose will accompany him to his castle. Against her family's wishes, Rose accepts the invitation, and travels the long distance atop the bear's back to an empty castle in the side of a mountain. She grows accustomed to life in the castle except for the nightly visits she gets from a quiet, mysterious stranger. When Rose's curiousity gets the best of her, she discovers the stranger's identity and realizes that her journey has only just begun. She must travel to a hidden land located east of the sun and west of the moon to rescue the white bear and fulfill her destiny.

Told from the view point of several characters, East is the retelling of the classic tale, "East of the Sun and West of the Moon", with similarities to "Beauty and the Beast" and the Greek myth "Cupid and Psyche". FANTASY READERS OF ALL AGES will not be able to put the book down until Rose.s journery is complete.

Submitted by Paula Cea
Librarian Trainee, Reference Department
East Meadow Public Library

Once again something wonderful crossed my desk; it is from Meg Cabot. For years I have been on Meg Cabot's mailing list and today I received a wonderful opportunity for all Meg Cabot fans extraordinaire.

Ms. Cabot has the Meg-A-Reader program. You could become an official member of the exclusive Meg-A-Reader program. Those fans selected can get advance copies of her new books and special e-mails from Meg. Visit the Meg Cabot web page and click on Meg-A-Reader.

Just fill out the registration form(Name, Date of Birth, E-Mail Address and Mailing Address) and in 50 words tell us “Why I Would Be a Fabulous Meg-A-Reader”! Only one entry per person will be allowed. All multiple entries will be rejected. All entries must be received by October 31, 2006. GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE IN THE EAST MEADOW COMMUNITY and should you become a Meg-A-Reader. let me know by e-mail.

Submitted by Mrs Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services

When I thought about a blog, I thought about books, however, teens read more than books. So when Newsday wrote me about publishing their high school sports pages on the web (we distribute NEWSDAY HI FIVE in the Library), I thought you might be interested. On the web version find up to the minute information about high school sports on Long Island; see the best feats of the week; check out the photo archives; and Look at the HI FIVE HONOR ROLL of Awards, History, Records and All-Stars.

So for all you sports fans add this to your favorites websites, high school sports.

Submitted by Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services

This book just came into the library and I could not wait to pick it up. Alex Rider, the fourteen-year-old spy for the British, has had five missions for British Intelligence's CE Special Operations M16 Unit and Smithers of the Covert Weapons Sections has created several gadgets for those missions. In ALEX RIDER, THE GADGETS Alan Blunt, head of M16, request a breakdown of all the devices Alex has used in his missions. Smithers answers this request with "If you are going to produce a book of some sort, I would suggest we build in a simple device that will cause it to burst into flames when it is opened."

Remember open this book at your own risk and if you choose to do so, you will marvel at the most exciting teen gadgets: the Cannondale Bad Boy Bike with its handlebar missle system, the Pizza Delivery Assassin Kit and many others.

TO ALL TEENAGE SPIES THIS BOOK IS A MUST.

Submitted by Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services

Before James Bond was 007, he was a boy of thirteen. Following his adventures in the Scottish Highlands, young James Bond is back at Eton, up to his usual mischief with his Danger Society cohorts, and looking forward to the school trip to Sardinia. There he'll be able to visit his uncle and spend some time vacationing on the beautiful Italian island. But all is not as it appears, James soon discovers that there have been mysterious disappearances on the island -- and important pieces of artwork have been stolen. As a young girl's life hangs in the balance, it's up to James to uncover an intricate conspiracy that will take him head-to-head with enemies more ruthless than he could have ever imagined.

This is an action packed adventure for boys in GRADES 6 TO 9 The first book in the series is SILVER FIN.

Recommended by Kim Archer
Teen Coordinator
THE STERLING MUNICIPAL LIBRARY
BAYTOWN, TEXAS

I thought it might be interesting to revisit some of the books awarded the Printz Award. This award was created to honor excellence in literature for young adults. It is named for Michael Printz, a school librarian, who was known for discovering and promoting quality books for teens.

On January 17, 2000 the first Printz Awards were announced at the American Library Association Midwinter Convention. The winner was MONSTER by Walter Dean Myers. This is a suspenseful and emotionally charged story about a boy in serious trouble. While on trial as an accomplice to a murder, sixteen-year-old Steve Harmon records his experiences in prison and in the courtroom in the form of a film script as he tries to come to terms with the course his life has taken. Is he guilty? You be the judge. This is a great story for high school students.

The 2000 PRINTZ AWARDS also honored three other titles.
SKELLIG by David Almond
Unhappy about his baby sister's illness and the chaos of moving into a dilapidated old house, Michael retreats to the garage and finds a mysterious stranger who is something like a bird and something like an angel. What or who is it? I would recommend this title for teens in grades 6 to 9.

SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson
A traumatic event at anend of summer party has a devastating effect of Melinda's freshman year in high school. This title is on my personal best list. Every high school girl should read this book and their moms too. Recently this book was made into a TV movie. The book is better.

HARD LOVE by Ellen Wittlinger
After starting to publish a zine in which he writes his secret feelings about his lonely life and his parents' divorce, sixteen-year-old John meets an unusual girl and begins to develop a healthier personality. You should be prepared to laugh and weep, when you read this meaningful story. Highly recommended for high school readers.

ALL OF THE TITLES MENTIONED ABOVE ARE AVAILABLE AT THE EAST MEADOW PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Submitted by Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services