The YA Book Log

« October 2006 | Main | December 2006 »

November 30, 2006

FANS OF THE SISTERHOOD BOOKS

In my email this morning was the news of a contest for fans of Ann Barshares and her SISTERHOOD BOOKS.

ENTER the SISTERHOOD AND THE CITY CONTEST.

One grand-prize winner will win a trip to New York City to meet Ann Brashares!

The Sisterhood has undergone countless changes since the fateful day when the girls first found the Pants. Now, in Forever in Blue, the girls have finished their freshman year in college and are ready for a summer that will change them forever. One thing remains the same: no matter what happens, Carmen, Lena, Bridget, and Tibby will always have each other to lean on.

How will your group of friends remain close even as everyone faces her own experiences? In 250 words or less, tell us and you and your friends could start packing your pants!

All entries must be received by March 12, 2007

For those young girls who have never heard of the SISTERHOOD, it is a series of books written by Ann Barshares about four friends, Tibby, Bridget, Carmen and Lena and the magical jeans that makes life a little more bearable. href="http://sun.nls.lib.ny.us/search/tsisterhood+of+the+traveling+pants/tsisterhood+of+the+traveling+pants/1%2C3%2C8%2CB/exact&FF=tsisterhood+of+the+traveling+pants&1%2C6%2C/indexsort=-">THE SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS, THE SECOND SUMMER OF THE SISTERHOOD, and GIRLS IN PANTS:THE THIRD SUMMER OF THE SISTERHOOD.

Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services

Posted by fjacksonem at 10:43 AM | Comments (0)

November 20, 2006

AMERICAN BORN CHINESE by Gene Luen Yang

I have posted entries on Printz Award winners and honor books in the past, so it would be appropriate to mention those titles the Young Adult Librarians of Nassau and Suffolk Counties consider possible 2007 Printz contenders.

My first read is a graphic novel by Gene Luen Yang called AMERICAN BORN CHINESE. The book includes three tales which appear to be unrelated while reading. They include the story of a young boy who discovers he is the only Chinese American student in his school, the Chinese fable, the Monkey King, and the All-American boy who must submit to the shame inflicted on him by a visiting Chinese cousin with stereotypes once attached to Chinese-Americans.

At the conclusion all the tales come together, but I must admit the last story made me feel uncomfortable with the stereotypes. Do you think stereotypes belong in today's literature for young people?

This graphic novel is truly a unique choice for a Printz nominee and WILL BE BEST UNDERSTOOD BY TEENS IN GRADE 9 AND UP.
Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services

Posted by fjacksonem at 6:49 PM | Comments (0)

November 17, 2006

TEENS TOP TEN WINNERS FOR 2006

The entry for August 22, 2006 listed all the nominated titles for the TEENS TOP TEN FOR 2006. Here are the results.

Teen readers across the country voted "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” by J.K. Rowling as their favorite book to take the #1 spot on the annual Teens’ Top Ten (TTT), sponsored by The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), the fastest growing division of the American Library Association (ALA). The vote took place during Teen Read Week, October 15-21, 2006, and gave teens an opportunity to voice their choice of the best new young adult books.

1. HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE by J.K. Rowling
Book Six offers old friends, dark secrets, new twists and new reasons to keep reading. RECOMMENDED FOR GRADES 5 AND UP.

2. TWILIGHT by Stephanie Meyer
This is a new version on star-crossed lovers. Bella didn't want to move to Washington, until she met Edward, one of the best looking boys in High School, although initially he seemed not to like her. She never dreamed it was becuase he has a hard time controlling the blood-lust she arouses in him, since he is a vampire. RECOMMENDED FOR GRADES 9 TO 12.

3. ELDEST by Christopher Paolini
Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, are sent for training at the elven city but while they are away their home comes under attack. Older brother, Roran, leads the people of Carvahall away and eventually Eragon learns a stunning secret about his heritage. RECOMMENDED FOR GRADES 8 TO 11.(Second book in the INHERITANCE TRILOGY and the winner of the 2006 QUILL AWARD for Teen Books.)

4. REBEL ANGELS by Libba Bray Gemma
Doyle is left to find the fable temple beyond her Victorian world and bind the magic she released in Volume One, A GREAT AND TERRIBLE BEAUTY. RECOMMENDED FOR GRADES 9 TO 12.

5. PEEPS by Scott Westerfeld
Cal Thompson is a carrier of a parasite that causes vampirism, and must hunt down all of the girlfriends he has unknowingly infected. RECOMMENDED FOR GRADES 9 AND UP.

6. 13 LITTLE BLUE ENVELOPES by Maureen Johnson
Ginny takes aon a whirlwind tour of Europe guided by leters from a recently deceased and beloved aunt. RECOMMENDED FOR GRADES 8 TO 11. (See entry Augusrt 18, 2006)

7. POISON by Chris Wooding
Sixteen-year-old Poison has never been out of the Marshes. When her little sister is kidnapped, Poison set off for the Realm of Phaerie to rescue her. RECOMMENDED FOR GRADE 7 TO 10.

8. CAPTAIN HOOK: THE ADVENTURES OF A NOTORIOUS YOUTH by J.V. Hart
With his long black curls, a shadowy family tree, and an affinity for pet spiders, James Matthew bears little resemblance to his starched-collar, blue-blooded peers at Eton. Dubbed King Jas, he stops at nothing to become the most notorious underclassman in the prestigious school's history. For James, sword fighting, falling in love with an Ottoman Sultana, and challenging the Queen of England are all in a day's skullduggery. But when he sets sail on a ship with a mysterious mission, King Jas' dream of discovering a magical island quickly turns into an unimaginable nightmare. RECOMMENDED FOR GRADES 6 AND UP.

9. IF I HAVE A WICKED STEPMOTHER, WHERE'S MY PRINCE? by Melissa Kantor
When the father of high school sophomore, Lucy Norton, remarries, Lucy finds herself tormented by two bratty stepsisters and a wicked stepmother. This is a modern-day Cinderella story. RECOMMENDED FOR GRADES 7 TO 10.

10. ELSEWHERE by Gabrielle Zevin
After fifteen-year-old Liz Hall is hit by a taxi and killed, she finds herself in a place that is both like and unlike Earth, where she must adjust to her new status and figure out how to "live." RECOMMENDED FOR GRADES 6 TO 9.

Submitted by Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services

Posted by fjacksonem at 11:10 AM | Comments (0)

November 13, 2006

ERAGON by Christopher Paolini

I know many seventh grade students in the East Meadow School District may have chosen to read ERAGON by Christopher Paolini for their summer reading, but with the ERAGON Movie premiering this December I feel it should be listed. I have just finished this first book in the INHERITANCE Trilogy and really enjoyed it. For me there were elements of Star Wars and if the movie trailer is correct, the battle scenes may resemble the Lord of the Rings.

Eragon is a teenage boy of unknown lineage living in a remote area of the country, Alagaesia, which is ruled by an evil king. On a hunting trip Eragon finds a strange gem-like rock and the adventure begins. The rock is a dragon egg and dragons are only things of folktales, until it hatches; the local storyteller is a man of mystery who joins Eragon on his escape from dark forces with lessons in sword play and magic; then the ancient world of the Dragon Riders comes alive again with dwarfs, elves and assorted evil beings.

IS ERAGON THE LAST OF THE DRAGON RIDERS?
COULD THE FATE OF THE EMPIRE REST IN HIS HANDS?

Anyone who enjoys a good fantasy will enjoy ERAGON, but remember, this is the first book in the INHERITANCE Trilogy. Book two, ELDEST, is available at the library. According to Answers.com the final title may be called EMPIRE and is due to be published in late 2007 or early 2008.

Submitted by Mrs.Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services

Just arrived THE ULTIMATE UNAUTHORIZED ERAGON GUIDE. It is"... an interactive book book that looks deep inside the complex world of Alagaesia to reveal facts behind the magical people, places, and creatures that fill the INHERITANCE series." (From the back cover of the book)

Posted by fjacksonem at 1:11 PM | Comments (0)

November 12, 2006

COMMUNITY SERVICE CREDIT FROM THE YA BOOK LOG

It has just come to my attention there is a presidential award that seventh grade students may get through their schools. One of the requirements is volunteering in the community. Our YA BOOK LOG is a community of individuals who read. Anyone interested in obtaining some community service credit might consider writing a review.

Should you want to recommend a book for discussion, please send your review to the young adult librarian at fjacksonem@nassaulibrary.org and it will be entered on the blog. The requirements for community services are:
1. The book must be found in the East Meadow Public Library's young adult or adult collection and has not previously been reviewed on the site.
2. The review must be 125 to 150 words long. It should include a summary of the book and who you think should read this book.
3. Please write the review using appropriate language and grammar.
4. Only one title per month will be accepted for community service.

All reviews will be credited with your name, grade and school. Each review will receive one hour of community service.

Submitted by Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services

Posted by fjacksonem at 2:37 PM | Comments (0)

November 9, 2006

THE PRINTZ AWARD 2001

Back in September I wrote about revisiting the Printz Award winners and honor books. Well, I am up to year 2 or 2001. That year the announcement was made on January 15, 2001 and the winner was KIT'S WILDERNESS by David Almond. If you check the first Printz winner, you will see David Almond's SKELLIG was a honor book. "Kit's Wilderness," tells the tale of Kit Watson who returns with his family to the Northern English coal mining town where generations of his family have worked and died. One wonders, if this book reflects on childhood memories, since David Almond grew up in a mining community in northeastern England. This title is recommended for both middle and high school students.

FOUR HONOR BOOKS WERE NAMED FOR 2001.

MANY STONES, by Carolyn Coman, follows Berry's travels with her estranged father to South Africa, where her sister was murdered while volunteering. Berry learns emotional acceptance of Laura's death from a people whose own journey to reconciliation is painful, yet ultimately healing.

When high school outcast Chris Creed disappears, in THE BODY OF CHRISTOPHER CREED, by Carol Plum-Ucci, his popular classmate Victor "Torey" Adams embarks on a mission to decipher Creed's last cryptic email message and to learn the truth about both Chris and himself.

ANGUS THONGS AND FULL FRONTAL SNOGGLING by Louise Rennison is the "fabbity fab fab" journal of British 14-year-old Georgia Nicolson who is struggling through the embarrassments of her family, the misadventures of her friends, and her spirited efforts to claim the attentions of "Gorgey Hunk" Robbie.

In STUCK IN NEUTRAL, by Terry Trueman the good news is that despite his severe cerebral palsy, Shawn's life is rich and filled with the joys of BBQ potato chips, television, and incredible dreams. The bad news? His father may be trying to kill him. Through the voice of Shawn, Trueman takes the reader to a new place: inside the mind of a joyful spirit trapped in an uncontrollable body.

These honor titles are recommended for grades 8 and up.

Submitted by Mrs. Jackson
Head of Adult Services

Posted by fjacksonem at 3:31 PM | Comments (0)

November 6, 2006

THE 2006-07 NATIONAL DIRECTORY OF COLLEGE ATHLETICS

Occasionally a book comes into the Young Adult reference collection that needs to be seen by many teens and the following title is one every student athlete may need to look at.

Planning to play sports in college, you might want to look at the reference book commonly known as THE YELLOW PAGES OF COLLEGE SPORTS or THE 2006-07 NATIONAL DIRECTORY OF COLLEGE ATHLETICS, the Men's Edition. This spiral bound directory lists 2090 junior and senior colleges that compete in intercollegiate athletics.

Each entry lists the name, address and telephone of the college, affliliation to the NCAA, conference, enrollment, colors, nicknames, college president,stadium and arena. The important facts come next. Athletic Director list name, telephone number and email address. Each sport is listed alphabetically with the coach's name and telephone number. If the sport is really big at the college you might find the assistant coaches listed.

When I checked out my alma mater, the University at Albany, I discovered the university had a Director of events management and operations, a media relations individual and a football team. I did graduate in the last century, before it became known as the University at.

There is one interesting advertisement. The Hilton family of hotels lists hotels by state, city and approximate mileage to different colleges from a particular hotel.

This title is held at the Young Adult Services desk and will require a library card.

Submitted by Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services

Posted by fjacksonem at 2:10 PM | Comments (0)

November 3, 2006

TEENS COOK DESSERT by Megan and Jill Carle

With their Mom, a cookbook editor, and their Dad, a true lover of desserts, two teen sisters created a dessert cookbook for teens. It is a step-by-step guide to baking covering cookies, cakes, pies, puddings and other stuff, from quick and fun to more involved and dazzling.

There are more than 75 recipes including 120 photos showing step-by-step procedures and finished desserts. All the recipes are real teen favorites like peanut butter and jelly cookies and banana splits. There is a wonderful section called Things you should know about ingredients. It is things they don't say in the recipes like wash all fruit before using them. Simple, yes, but some people don't know this.

My favorite section is the Holiday Stuff, because some of the recipes could make really terrific holiday gifts. How about some Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread or Snowflake Cookies wrapped in a box with a fabulous bow or what about Gingersnaps with Pumpkin Dip for Thanksgiving. According to the Carle sisters, "This is a required snack in our house on Thanksgiving. I think everyone wants a little pumpkin fix without waiting until after dinner for the pie."

Anyone who love to cook should check out TEENS COOK DESSERT.

Submitted by Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services

Posted by fjacksonem at 10:16 AM | Comments (0)

November 2, 2006

FAIREST by Gail Carson Levine

Another great tale by Gail Carson Levine is loosely based on a elements from the fairy tale, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. You may remember Lucinda from ELLA ENCHANTED, well in FAIREST, Lucinda's magic mirror is creating havoc in the Kingdom of Ayortha; where singing and beauty are prized above all. There is a girl, Aza,with the most beautiful singing voice who wants nothing more than to be pretty, and there is the new queen of Ayortha who is beautiful but can not sing. When their paths cross, all things good and bad happen.

This is a terrific tale for girls in grades 6 to 9 or anyone who is a Gail Carson Levine fan.

Submitted by Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services

Posted by fjacksonem at 1:20 PM | Comments (6)