The YA Book Log

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October 29, 2006

HOW TO SURVIVE IN ANTARCTICA by Lucy Jane Bledsoe

With the days getting shorter and temperature dropping I know that winter is on its way. I guess we are lucky to have only 13 weeks of possible snow and freezing temperatures, but imagine living, or I should say surviving in Antarctica. Lucy Jane Bledsoe, a photographer and writer, went on exploratory trips to Antarctica sponsored by the Antarctic Artists and Writers Program of the National Science Foundation, and learned how to survive.

Ms Bledsoe took three trips to Antarctica. She learned how to build a snow shelter, what to do if you fall into a cervass; and most important learning to listen to other people, it could save your life. The book also contains a complete guide to the wildlife of Antarctica, the weather code, the different kinds of ice and a history of the explorers who faced the hardships of this icy continent.

Antarctica is a place I have always wanted to visit, but since that is no longer possible Lucy Jane, guest author, gives the best travel guide I have ever read.

I would recommend this book for anyone going to Antarctica, but if you are really interested in builing snow shelter I think grades 6 to 8 would enjoy, HOW TO SURVIVE IN ANTARCTICA.

Submitted by Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services

Posted by fjacksonem at 1:23 PM | Comments (3)

October 24, 2006

A NEW FEATURE

As I learn about blogging and the features of the blog, I find I can offer you, the reader, an opportunity to find out the availability of the books I am writing about. In each review the title of the book will be highlighted in blue. This will be a hyperlink to our online catalog, specifically, the East Meadow portion. You will be able to see, if the book is available or not.

If the book is available, you can call the reference desk and ask them to hold it for you. It will be held under your name for three days at the circulation desk.

If the book is not available, you may choose to reserve it.
You can reserve it In person at the reference desk -or- call the library, 794-2570, ext. 550 -or-
Through the Online Catalog: from the search results, click the "Request" button. It will then ask you for your name, barcode and PIN -or- You can log into My Library Account first. Then perform your search by clicking on the 'Search Catalog' button on the right side. On your results list you will see a 'Request' link. Click on it, you will be asked when you need the material, click 'Submit' and you are done.

Submitted by Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services

Posted by fjacksonem at 4:29 PM | Comments (0)

October 22, 2006

THRILLS AND CHILLS FOR OCTOBER

9

The leaves are falling, the wind is blowing and Jack-O-Lanterns are sitting in windows. It is time for ghosts, goblins and vampires.

BLUE GIRL by Charles De Lint
New at her high school, Imogene enlists the help of her introverted friend Maxine and the ghost of a boy who haunts the school after receiving warnings through her dreams that soul-eaters are threatening her life.

THE BOY WHO COULDN'T DIE by William Sleator
When his best friend dies in a plane crash, sixteen-year-old Ken has a ritual performed that will make him invulnerable, but soon learns that he had good reason to be suspicious of the woman he paid to lock his soul away.

DEADLY GAME OF MAGIC by Joan Lowery Nixon
Lisa and her three friends find themselves unwilling players in a cat-and-mouse game with a murderous magician whose identity and motivation baffle them.

FREAKS by Annette Curtis Klause
After leaving home in search of adventure, romance, and riches, seventeen-year-old Abel, the "normal" son of freak show entertainers, is haunted by a mysterious spirit.

GHOST OF A HANGED MAN by Vivian Vande Velde
An outlaw condemned to be hanged threatens to wreak vengeance from the grave on those responsible for his death.

THE HAUNTING by Joan Lowery Nixon
When her mother inherits an old plantation house in the Louisiana countryside, fifteen-year-old Lia seeks to rid it of the evil spirit that haunts it.

HERE THERE BE GHOSTS by Jane Yolen
An illustrated collection of short stories and poems about ghosts.

MIDNIGHT PREDATOR by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
Turqoise Draka, a vampire hunter, is hired to kill the evil vampire Jeshikah. To enter his realm she must disguise herself as the human slave of Jaguar, a vampire and slave owner who is tormented by his own past. Will Jaguar release the humanity Turqoise long ago locked away?

NIGHT TERRORS by Jim Murphy
Gravedigger Digger Barnes shares chilling tales he's heard in his graveyard wanderings in the eastern states.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN
Submitted by Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services

Posted by fjacksonem at 1:13 PM | Comments (0)

October 19, 2006

TROLL BRIDGE: A ROCK 'N' ROLL FAIRY TALE by Jane Yolen and Adam Stemple

There have been many stories taken from fairy tales ELLA ENCHANTED by Gail Carson Levine (Cinderella), BEAST by Donna Jo Napoli (Sleeping Beauty) and I WAS A RAT by Philip Pullman (Cinderella). Now Jane Yolen, author of many books for teens, has written a book with Adam Stemple, a professional rock n' roll musician, called TROLL BRIDGE,which is on two fairy/folk tales, The Three Billy Goats Gruff and The Twelve Dancing Princesses.

Music prodigy, Moira, is on her way to a photo shoot for the Dairy Princess Event in Minnesota. As she and the other princesses pose on the Vanderby Bridge, they are taken into the world of Trollheim. At the same time a popular teen group, the Griffson Brothers, on a vacation from touring find themselves swept into the world of trolls. Moira, the only princess, not in a slumber enchantment meets an enchanted fox, while the Griffsons are hanging upside down waiting to become the dinner for the trolls. It is up to Moira and the freed Griffson, Jakob, to save the princesses, the other Griffson brothers and defeat the trolls before all is lost.

Between chapters there are lyrics to songs for this Rock 'N' Roll adventure. A fun read for younger teens in grades 6 and 7.

Submitted by Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services

Posted by fjacksonem at 11:46 AM | Comments (0)

October 16, 2006

PARENT SWAP by Terence Blacker

With Alex Rider's STORMBREAKER, the movie, opening this weekend (I have not seen it yet), I began to wonder what other Young Adult titles should be made into movies. I really did not have to go far the book I was reading would make a great movie.

Is your"... Mum and Dad driving your crazy? Call ParentSwap today!" that is exactly what Danny Bell, 13, is going to do. Danny's home life is not exactly ideal; his Dad, an ex-rocker, never leaves the house or the couch; his sister is always fighting with him; his younger brother spends all his time with video games; and his Mum, she has left home for a career in real estate.

ParentSwap is a secret London agency to help kids find the parents they deserve. Danny's life is transformed. Out are the misfits, In are the perfect parents or are they? There are cameras in all the rooms of his new home and ParentSwap know everything he is doing. Danny begins to wonder if there is something fishy about this whole service.

IF YOU ARE IN GRADES 6 TO 9, PICK UP PARENT SWAP.

Do you have any books that should be a movie?

Submitted by Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services

Posted by fjacksonem at 3:11 PM | Comments (0)

October 13, 2006

TEEN READ WEEK -- DON'T FORGET TO VOTE

When I began this BOOK LOG in August, 2006, I wrote an entry on TEENS TOP TEN suggesting you might want to read these titles. Well, it is almost time to vote.

The nominees are:

Bowen, Asta WOLF: THE JOURNEY HOME
Bray, Libba REBEL ANGELS
Brian, Kate MEGAN MEADE’S GUIDE TO THE MCGOWAN BOYS
Dowswell, Paul POWDER MONKEY: ADVENTURES OF A YOUNG SAILOR
Sally Gardner, Sally I, CORIANDER
Hart, J. V, CAPTAIN HOOK: THE ADVENTURES OF A NOTORIOUS YOUTH
Johnson, Maureen 13 LITTLE BLUE ENVELOPES Blog review dated August 18.
Jones, Patrick NAILED
Kantor, Melissa IF I HAVE A WICKED STEPMOTHER, WHERE’S MY PRINCE?
Krovatin, Christopher HEAVY METAL AND YOU
Meyer, Stephanie TWILIGHT
Noel, Alyson ART GEEKS AND PROM QUEENS
Oppel, Kenneth SKYBREAKER
Paolini, Christopher ELDEST
Peters, Julie Ann FAR FROM XANADU
Reiss, Kathryn BLACKTHORN WINTER
Rowling, J. K. HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE
Thal, Lilli MIMUS
Westerfeld, Scott PEEPS
Whitcomb, LauraA CERTAIN SLANT OF LIGHT
Wooding, Chris POISON
Zevin, Gabrielle ELSEWHERE

YOU CAN VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE BOOKS AT www.ala.org/teenread DURING TEEN READ WEEK OCOBER 15-21, 2006

Submited by Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services

Posted by fjacksonem at 3:16 PM | Comments (0)

October 12, 2006

DEFINE NORMAL by Julie Ann Peters

How do you define normal? Is having purple hair and pierced eyebrows normal? Or maybe being a member of the math team and wearing pleated skirts is more normal. The two main characters of Define Normal by Julie Anne Peters both consider themselves normal, despite the fact that they seem to be complete opposites.

Antonia is a straight A student who is eager to join the peer counseling program at her school, that is until she walks into her first session to find out she's been paired with Jasmine Luther. Jasmine, who goes by the name Jazz, has purple hair and is known throughout the school as a punk and a druggie. As the two girls get to know each other through their sessions, they find they have more in common than they thought. Antonia learns that Jazz has a rocky relationship with her parents while Jazz learns that Antonia's mother suffers from severe depression leaving Antonia with the responsibility of caring for her two younger brothers. When things get worse for Antonia and her family, Jazz shows what a true friend she is, and Antonia learns never again to judge a book by its cover.

Girls, ages 13 up should read DEFINE NORMAL.

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

Posted by fjacksonem at 2:36 PM | Comments (0)

October 8, 2006

GET ACTIVE @ YOUR LIBRARY

The Young Adult Library Services Association will celebrate its ninth annual TEEN READ WEEK during the week of October 15-21, 2006. Teens across the country voted online for their favorite theme and their choice, "GET ACTIVE." encompasses the wide variety of ways that teens can become more engaged intheir communities and in their own lives.

Boyers, Sara Jane TEEN POWER POLITICS: MAKE YOURSELF HEARD.
This inviting book introduces young people to their own political importance. Student cartoons and quotes by leaders and young people enhance the overview of the political system and the wealth of practical ideas. (YA 323.042 B) For young people in grades 9 to 12.

Halpin, Mikki IT'S YOUR WORLD--IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT CHANGE IT: ACTIVISM FOR TEENAGERS
Teens will learn how to get involved at home, at school and in their community. (YA 371.8 H) For young people in grades 8 to 11

Hoose, Phillip IT'S OUR WORLD, TOO! STORIES OF YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE
This title spotlights young activits including those who sopke out against violence, hunger and prejudice. (YA 302.14 H) For young people in grades 6 to 9.

Levine, Ellen FREEDOM'S CHILDREN: YOUNG CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVITISTS TELL THEIR OWN STORIES
Thirty African-Americans who were children and teenagers in the 1950s and 1960s talk about their involvement in the civil rights movement. (YA 973.0496 L) For young people in grades 7 to 10.

FOR FICTION LOVERS, TRY THESE...

Bruchac, Joseph CODE TALKER
While attending mission school, Ned Begay fought to preserve his Navajo language and customs, and as a teenager enlisted in the army, he became a Navajo code talker during World War II. A powerful novel about a young person who fought for the rights of his cultural heritage. (YA FIC BRUCHAC) For young people in Grades 6 to 9.

Fleischman, Paul SEEDFOLKS
A crowd of different voices narrates this moving novel of neighbors who find unexpected rewards when they work together to create a community garden. (YA FIC FLEISCHMAN) For young people in Grades 5 to 8.

Hiaasen, Carl HOOT
Middle-schooler Roy Eberhardt leads the efforts to preserve an endangered owl's nesting ground in this rollicking mystery-adventure. (YA FIC HIAASEN) For young people in Grades 5 to 8.

These selections come from the "Teen Read Week:Get Active!" booklist created by Judy Nelson and Gillian Engberg published in the September 15, 2006 issue of BOOKLIST.

Submitted by Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services

Posted by fjacksonem at 4:13 PM | Comments (0)

October 5, 2006

BIG SNACKS, LITTLE MEALS

As the days grow shorter and darker, you may be spending more time at home and that might mean more trips to the refrigerator for a snack.

A cookbook has just arrived in the library called BIG SNACKS, LITTLE MEALS: AFTER SCHOOL, DINNERTIME, ANYTIME by Rose Dunnington. This book tells you everything you need to know to make a sensational snack, from measuring ingredients to mastering basic cooking techniques. According to the author, "This is a book about real cooking, not some little kids' book about making PB & J sandwiches that look like bunnies."

If you are into salsas, burritos, trail mixes, pancakes, chowder and all other kinds of foods, there are 50 tasty recipes any teen would love.

Submitted by Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services

Posted by fjacksonem at 6:58 PM | Comments (0)