May 29, 2008
FOUND by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Thirteen years ago, an unauthorized plane mysteriously appeared on an airport runway. There was no pilot in the cockpit; there were no flight attendants on board; there were no adults at all. The only people on board were 36 babies, all strapped into their seats and left unaccompanied. The few people who witnessed the planes appearance were silenced by the FBI and the public never knew of the incident.
In the present day, Jonah Walsh is 13 years old and has always known that he was adopted. He leads a normal life until he starts receiving strange letters in the mail, the first of which reads “You are one of the missing.” Jonah soon learns that his best friend Chip, who is also adopted, has been receiving the same messages. After doing some research, they find out that they are two of the babies who were on that mysterious plane 13 years ago. Now, the two boys and the others who were on the plane must find out where they came from and who they really are.
Found is the first book in a new series by the author of Among the Hidden and it will keep you on the edge of your seat with every twist and turn.
I highly recommend this book for middle school students.
Paula Cea
Young Adult Librarian
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March 24, 2008
THE FINAL WARNING: A MAXIMUM RIDE NOVEL by James Patterson
ATTENTION ALL MAXIMUM RIDE FANS (AS WELL AS OTHERS ) !! Even if you have not read any of the previous books, as long as you like adventure, action, humor and romance all in one book you should catch up and read this book !! Not only is this book everything you would want and more out a maximum ride book but it discusses an extremely important issue. It talks about Global Warming and raising awareness and trying to save the world from this becomes the flocks new goal. You can see how James Patterson intelligently incorporated facts about Global Warming and how to prevent it from worsening and this book is good to read because it raises awareness to this important issue, and encourages us to do something about it. Although the whole book isn't about global warming it has the whole flock back Fang , Iggy, Max, Nudge, Gasman, Angel and of course the witty and loveable Total. You will see that the flock all get new abilities or according to Jeb "are mutating on their own". Maybe a new member is added to the flock! I guess you will just have to read to find out.
I RECOMMEND MAXIMUM RIDE: THE FINAL WARNING FOR EVERYONE.
Monisha Gera
Grade 10
East Meadow High School
(NOTE: This is the fourth book in the series, MAXIMUM RIDE. To see a review of the first three books, check out Bobby Mazziotti's review on April 18, 2007.)
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February 7, 2008
BREAKING NEWS ON BREAKING DAWN
TWILIGHT fans won't have to wait much longer for the next book in Stephenie Meyer's bestselling series. Little, Brown announced the official publication date of BREAKING DAWN will be 12:01AM on Saturday, August 2, 2008. The cover of the book will be revealed this summer. Only 6 months to go!
Don't forget to sign up for the Twilight book discussion taking place on February 19 at 2 pm.
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January 18, 2008
PAOLINI'S ANNOUNCES FINAL BOOK IN THE INHERITANCE CYCLE
Christopher Paolini has announced the last title in THE INHERITANCE CYCLE. It is BRISINGR.
Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers explains the title in their press release for the new book. "BRISINGR (BRIS-in-gr), an Old Norse word for fire, will be familiar to fans of the cycle as the first word in the ancient language that Eragon hears."
“BRISINGR is one of the first words I thought of for this title, and it’s always felt right to me,” said Christopher Paolini. “As the first ancient-language word that Eragon learns, it has held particular significance for his legacy as a Dragon Rider. In this new book, it will be revealed to be even more meaningful than even Eragon could have known.”
Originally slated for release on September 23, 2008, the book will now go on sale at
12:01 a.m. on Saturday, September 20, 2008.
IF YOU ARE NOT INTERESTED IN PURCHASING THE BOOK, THE YOUNG ADULT DEPARTMENT WILL PURCHASE SEVERAL COPIES. WE WILL START TAKING RESERVES IN JUNE, 2008.
If you have not read the first two books, ERAGON and ELDEST, they are available at the Library.
Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services
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November 9, 2007
The Inheritance Trilogy
Eragon fans will be happy to hear that Random House has announced that there will be a 4th book in Christopher Paolini's Inheritance Trilogy. The third book, which is still untitled, will be published on September 23, 2008.
In a news release, the author had this to say:
"I plotted out the Inheritance series as a trilogy nine years ago, when I was fifteen. At that time, I never imagined I'd write all three books, much less that they would be published. When I finally delved into Book Three, it soon became obvious that the remainder of the story was far too big to fit in one volume. Having spent so long thinking about the series as a trilogy, it was difficult for me to realize that, in order to be true to my characters and to address all of the plot points and unanswered questions Eragon and Eldest raised, I needed to split the series into two books."
Posted by fjacksonem at 10:43 AM | Comments (0)
October 29, 2007
TWILIGHT by Stephenie Meyer
One of the books nominated for the 3 Apples Book Award (see May 16th entry), is Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. Published in 2005, it has spawned 2 sequels so far (New Moon and Eclipse) with another one scheduled to be published next fall. I finally got around to reading Twilight this week and I absolutely loved it.
Just in case you’ve missed this great series, Twilight tells the story of Bella, a seventeen year old who moves from Arizona to a small town in Seattle to live with her father. Being the new girl in school is hard enough, but her life gets even more complicated when she meets and falls in love with Edward Cullen, an extremely handsome senior who also happens to be a vampire. Edward lives with a small clan of other vampires who refer to themselves as vegetarians, meaning they don’t kill humans. Seeing how much Edward loves Bella, the kindhearted Cullens welcome Bella into their lives, but soon find themselves fighting to save her life when a vampire from another clan arrives in town with intent to kill her.
If you like fantasy mixed with romance and suspense, you will love Twilight and its two sequels.
I highly recommend this series to girls in grades 9-12.
Paula Cea
Young Adult Librarian
Posted by fjacksonem at 10:09 AM | Comments (1)
August 6, 2007
HARRY POTTER BOOKS AND MOVIES
SO YOU HAVE READ IT, SEEN ALMOST ALL OF IT AND NOW IT IS TIME TO DISCUSS IT,
THE HARRY POTTER BOOKS DISCUSSION on Monday August 20, 2007 at 7 pm. From the Sorcerer's Stone to the Deathly Hallows here is your chance to discuss the series of the decade. Meet with other Potter fans and talk about the books, the movies and what you would like to see in the Harry Potter future.
There will be refreshments. Registration for young people in grades 6 to 12 begins today. Seating is limited.
Posted by fjacksonem at 7:25 PM | Comments (0)
July 25, 2007
STARDUST by Neil Gaiman
You may have seen the trailer for the new movie STARDUST scheduled to hit theaters on August 10. The movie, which stars Claire Danes, Robert Deniro, and Sienna Miller is based on STARDUST, a fantasy novel by Neil Gaiman. While it is not technically a young adult novel, I think it’s a great read for high school students who like fantasy and science fiction.
The book tells the story of Tristan Thorne, a young man who promises the girl he loves that he will bring her back a fallen star. He sets out into the mysterious land of Faerie but soon realizes that he is not the only one looking for this star. The three Witches of Lilim also desire the star to regain their youth, while the three Lords of Stronghold seek the star to claim their father’s throne. Facing grave danger from everyone involved in the search, Tristan must find a way to make it back home with the star to claim his true love.
I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK FOR TEENS ENTERING GRADE 9 AND UP.
READ IT BEFORE THE MOVIE COMES OUT!
Paula Cea
Reference Librarian
Posted by fjacksonem at 12:48 PM | Comments (1)
July 10, 2007
WILDWOOD DANCING by Juliet Marillier
In rural Transylvania, 5 sisters live quiet and happy lives in a beautiful old castle with their father. There’s Tati, the eldest, known for her beauty and charm; Jena, the responsible one who helps her father with the business; Julia, the flirt; Paula, the scholar; and Stela, the youngest who worships her older sisters.
Unbeknownst to their father, on the night of each full moon, the 5 sisters travel through a portal to an alternate world known as the Dancing Glade. In this world, the girls dance and chat with fairies, nymphs, dwarves, and magical creatures of all kinds.
During one full moon, Dancing Glade receives new guests referred to as Night People. While Jena is frightened of these mysterious creatures, Tati finds herself falling in love with one of them despite Jena’s warnings that they are dangerous.
Back home, their father falls ill and must leave home to seek a warmer climate. That leaves Jena and her sisters to fend for themselves, until their scheming and sexist cousin Cezar moves in and takes control of the household and the finances. A virtual prisoner in her own home, Jena must find a way to save her sister from the Night People and unravel an old family mystery.
An enchanting blend of mystery, romance and fantasy, WILDWOOD DANCING by Juliet Marillier is one of the best fantasy novels I’ve read in a while.
THIS BOOK IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR FANTASY LOVERS.
Paula Cea
Reference Librarian
East Meadow Public Library
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June 14, 2007
THE GOLDEN COMPASS by Philip Pullman
The trilogy known as HIS DARK MATERIALS was written by Philip Pullman and the first book is THE GOLDEN COMPASS. In this first book of the trilogy you meet Lyra, 11, an orphan living at Jordan College in Oxford, England. In Lyra's world, everyone has a personal dæmon, a lifelong animal familiar. This is a world in which science, theology and magic are closely intertwined.
Lyra spends her days with Roger, the kitchen boy, until she saves her uncle, Lord Asriel, from an assassination attempt. She also knows that children are disappearing and before long, Roger disappears. Her plans to find Roger are postponed, when Lyra is introduced to Mrs. Coulter, a beautiful and bewitching woman. Mrs. Coulter is a scholar and an explorer - seemingly everything that Lyra could ever hope to be.
With of gift from the Master of the Jordan College, an alethiometer, a rare and powerful instrument with the power to reveal the truth in all things Lyra begins her search for Roger and the missing children.
You may wonder why I selected a book more than ten years old. The trilogy has been completed by THE SUBTLE KNIFE and THE AMBER SPYGLASS. Ofcourse, it is a great story, but here is the news flash.
The production company who made LORD OF THE RINGS is releasing the film, THE GOLDEN COMPASS, on December 7, 2007. The teaser for the film is on YAHOO movies. Take a look, but don't forget to read the book first.
THIS IS RECOMMENDED FOR FANTASY LOVERS.
Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services
Posted by fjacksonem at 3:05 PM | Comments (0)
April 25, 2007
HARRY POTTER: WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Mrs. Steuer gave me the article, "Fans Debate Potter's Fate in Final Book" from USA TODAY (April 17, 2007) about what may happen in HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS. Three titles were listed, unfortunately only two are available, so I purchased several copies for the collection.
THE END OF HARRY POTTER?: An Unauthorized Guide to the Mysteries That Remain by David Langford, a Hugo Award winner is quite comprehensive and maybe a little scholarly. Spells, names, muggles, pure bloods, horcruxes, nothing escaped the author. What impressed me the most; the author referred to other books, authors, and even transcripts of Rowling's interviews. This is something like reading a book of criticism you need for a term paper.
My favorite parts of this book were Langford's interpretations of various character interactions. There was a Darth Vader aka Voldemort with Harry. The final scene of the Wizard Civil War has a girl with scarlet hair talking to Harry in Lord Voldemort has gone with the wind.
The second book is MUGGLENET.COM'S WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN HARRY POTTER 7 by Ben Schoen and Emerson Spartz. This is written by the fans from mugglenet.com. This is an unofficial Harry Potter site, but they say they are the number one source for everything Harry Potter. Mr. Spartz, founder of mugglenet.com, tells the reader there is no Top Secret information in this book, but it does try to guess the outcome.
Mugglenet.com believes Harry, Ron and Hermione will survive, but will be in the line of fire most of the battle. They give a good arguments for both sides of the Dumbledore's fate. Is he dead or alive? You really must consider a lot of what is written, since Mugglenet.com predicted Book 7 would be called Harry Potter and the Hallows of Hogwarts two months before the official announcement of the title. That is a pretty good guess. This book covers much more material and also refers to Jo Rowling comments at various interviews.
No matter which book you read or don't read, I must agree with David Langford, "J. K. Rowling is still going to surprise us all."
THIS IS RECOMMENDED FOR ALL HARRY POTTER FANS WAITING IMPATIENTLY FOR THE LAST HARRY POTTER TALE.
Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services
Posted by fjacksonem at 1:25 PM | Comments (0)
February 1, 2007
HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS by J K Rowling
The Hogwarts experience will conclude with this title. The scheduled date for release was announced on THE TODAY SHOW.
Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services
Posted by fjacksonem at 5:30 PM | Comments (0)
December 23, 2006
THE HARRY POTTER BOOK HAS A NAME
According to YAHOO News You can visit J.K. Rowling's Web site and play a little game of hangman. You will learn the title of the seventh and final Harry Potter book.
Rowling has set up a test for her Potter fans.
If you go to jkrowling.com, click on the eraser and you will be taken to a room — you'll see a window, a door and a mirror.
In the mirror, you'll see a hallway. Click on the farthest doorknob and look for the Christmas tree. They click on the center of
the door next to the mirror and a wreath appears. Then click on the top of the mirror and you'll see a garland.
Look for a cobweb next to the door. Click on it, and it will disappear. Now, look at the chimes in the window. Click on the
second chime to the right, and hold it down. The chime will turn into the key, which opens the door. Click on the wrapped gift
behind the door, then click on it again and figure out the title yourself by playing a game of hangman.
Or you can take Scholastic's word for it: HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS
Posted by fjacksonem at 11:39 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 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)
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)
September 19, 2006
FEED by M. T. Anderson
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
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September 15, 2006
EAST by Edith Pattou
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
Posted by fjacksonem at 3:10 PM | Comments (2)
August 9, 2006
THE HOUSE OF THE SCORPION BY Nancy Farmer
This tale begins in a Petri dsh; where some DNA was divided, placed in the womb of a cow, and eventually grew into a baby. That child is Matt, a clone of El Patron, the leader of Opium, a country somewhere near the USA. El Patron or Matteo Alacran is a ruthless leader who was born to extreme poverty but rose to great power.
Clones have been bred to keep El Patron alive for more than 140 years. Alacran has also bred field laborers with mindless bodies and computer chips in their brains to keep them submissive.
Most clones have their intelligence destroyed, but Matt has been spared this fate, so his organs can be harvested for El Patron. Matt belongs to El Patron and everyone must treat him like an equal, even though he is hated by El Patron's family.
As El Patron grows weaker, Matt's enemies grow bolder and greedier. Is Matt to be sacrificed for El Patron's next ten years of life or can Matt find a way to escape and make a better world for himself and others living under the tyranny of THE HOUSE OF THE SCORPION?
THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE AT THE EAST MEADOW PUBLIC LIBRARY and is RECOMMENDED FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN GRADES 7 TO 10. NANCY FARMER has also written A GIRL NAMED DISASTER, and the Newbery Award Winner, THE EYE, THE EAR AND THE ARM.
Submitted by Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services
Posted by fjacksonem at 9:32 AM | Comments (10)
August 8, 2006
AMONG THE HIDDEN by Margaret Peterson Haddix
IT IS THE FUTURE. The government says we have an overpopulation problem. Only two children per family are allowed and Luke is the third child. It is not a difficult life for Luke; his parents are farmers and they live away from most people. Young Luke can go outside, when no one else is around.
But now he is a teenager and the government is building an expensive housing development next to the family farm. Luke must stay indoors, alone, not making a sound for fear of being found out, until the day he sees the face of another hidden child in the new house across the way.
Luke chooses to sneak out to the other house and meets Jen, another hidden teen. Jen knows the government is lying about the overpopulation problem and communicates by computer to other hidden children. Jen's plan is for all hidden children to come out for rally on the President's lawn and force the President to change the law.
Coming out of hiding means possible death by the Population Police. Luke must now decide whether to go or stay hidden. What would you do?
THIS BOOK IS RECOMMENDED FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS and AVAILABLE AT THE EAST MEADOW PUBLIC LIBRARY. This title is the first in a series about Luke and the other shadow children.
The other titles are AMONG THE IMPOSTERS, AMONG THE BETRAYED, AMONG THE BARONS, AMONG THE BRAVE and AMONG THE ENEMY.
Submitted by Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services
Margaret Peterson Haddix has written the final installment of the Shadow Children. It is called AMONG THE FREE.
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