The YA Book Log

Mrs Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services

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February 21, 2008

TAKEN by Edward Bloor

It is 2035 and a most profitable industry is kidnapping, because there are people with money and people without. Children of the rich and famous are the easy targets. Communities of wealthy families have sprung up; with security for the community and security for each family includes at least a butler/body guard and cook/maid. The children are always accompanied by security and most of their schooling is accomplished by satellite connections, however, Charity Meyer, our victim, is TAKEN in the Edward Bloor book.

Charity Meyer, 13, lives in secure community. She has been schooled in the rules of kidnapping including how to avoid stress. The rules are simple: the child is taken, the parents pay up within the 24 hour time period: the child is released and the victim stays cool by thinking of the good times.

Charity follows these rules. By staying cool we learn about who she is, her parents, her friends, and the servants through flashbacks. But this is not a normal kidnapping, one of the kidnapping is a young man, who life is very different from Charity. Through conversations between Charity and Dessi's life unfolds. Two teenagers with two different backgrounds meet during one kidnapping.

Once again, this is not an ordinary kidnapping. There are twists and turns that will keep the reader reading this thriller to the very end.

I RECOMMEND TAKEN FOR GUYS AND GIRLS IN GRADES 7 AND UP.

Mrs Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services

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February 13, 2008

THE WHITE DARKNESS by Geraldine McCaughrean

Imagine being in a dry desert with water everywhere but nothing to drink, because you are in Antarctica fighting for your life. This is the story of the 2008 Printz Award winner, THE WHITE DARKNESS by Geraldine McCaughren.

Antarctica was a passion for fourteen-year-old British, Symone. While her girlfriends concerned themselves with boys and dating, she reads everything about the South Pole. Her passion is so real, she had conversations with Titus Oates. Titus Oates, better known as Captain Lawrence Oates, was a member of Captain Robert Falcon Scott's expedition to be the first to plant a flag at the South Pole. The only problem with these conversations Titus and the entire expeditiion has been dead since 1911.

Sym's Uncle Victor is also obsessed with Antarctica and for Sym he is the only person who loves her. Victor believes Antarctica has an access hole to other worlds within the earth, and he has waited years to prove his theory. Victor, simply, misrepresents a weekend trip in Paris, and Sym gets to go on her dream trip to Antarctica.

This trip offers Sym the oppportunity to meet people unlike she has ever known, some rich Americans, a Norwegian filmmaker and the filmmaker's son. It is an adventure, until everyone gets sick and the trip is cancelled, but there is no way off the continent for her. Uncle Victor's obsession is about to become a life or death experience. Setting off in stolen vehicles Sym, Uncle Victor, the filmmaker and his son look for a way into the center of the earth.

You get to experience the cold and harsh life traveling across this barren ice continent. Each page uncovers the mad man in Uncle Victor, while Symone must accept the truth about him and the real people who love her.

This is a terrific adventure story of survival and deception. I RECOMMEND THE WHITE DARKNESS FOR ANYONE IN GRADES 8 AND UP.

Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services

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January 16, 2008

YA CLASSICS REVISITED

Our favorite classic novels are getting a new and updated look. Bloomsbury Classics has published a series of the old classics with bright new covers and introductions by current popular YA authors.

Did you know that Meg Cabot, author of the Princess Diaries loves PRIDE AND PREJUDICE by Jane Austen?

And who would have guessed that Darren Shan, author of the scary Cirque de Freak series would be a huge fan of Robert Louis Stevenson's TREASURE ISLAND?

Each of the classics begins with an introductory essay, "Why You Should Read This..." by a popular YA author where they explain why they love the book and why YOU should read it. You might find they agree with your English teacher.

Other titles in the collection are:
David Copperfield
Jane Eyre
Frankenstein
Wuthering Heights

Paula Cea
Young Adult Librarian

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January 11, 2008

THE KINGDOM KEEPERS by Ridley Pearson

Visiting Disney World is one of the best places to have fun at in the whole world, but when you read THE KINGDOM KEEPERS by Ridley Pearson, you may never look at Disney World the same way.

Middle school student Finn Whitman has been chosen as one of five young teens to become “hologram hosts” at Disney’s Magic Kingdom in Florida. Finn will be on the cutting edge of technogy which is cool. It also means money for college is no longer a problem and his family has lifetime free admission to Disney World, but for Finn it means only entering the Park with permission from the company and meeting Wayne, an original Imagineer, who asks Finn and the other hologram hosts to stop the evil forces from taking over the Park.

Finn and the other hosts meet with Wayne as holograms during the teen's real time sleep. Wayne explains these forces are called the Overtakers, Disney creations including the Pirates of the Carribean and Maleficent, the evil witch from Snow White. So far these characters have terrorized the Park but could they reach out into the real world community?

Oh what fun it is to read about Disney rides that bear the clues to answer Walt Disney’s last puzzle and how dangerous these rides can be. Through the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and the underground passages below Disney World our hologram teens and sometimes their human selves run for their lives.

THIS BOOK IS RECOMMENDED FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLS GIRLS AND BOYS WHO LOVE DISNEY WORLD AND ADVENTURES STORIES. JUST REMEMBER TO WATCH OUT FOR PIRATES AND SMALL DOLLS.

Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services

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January 8, 2008

THE WEDNESDAY WARS by Gary D. Schmidt

I like this book, I really like this book because it reminds me of being in school, it has got an unbelievable great adult character, it set on Long Island and it is a good story. This is THE WEDNESDAY WARS by Gary D. Schmidt.

Holling Hoodhood, yes that is his name not a spelling error is the only Presbyterian in his class. Now this is 1967 and on Wednesday afternoons all the Catholics go to catechism and all the Jews go to Hebrew class, which leave very few students in their regular classrooms. (By the way when I went to school that is exactly what happened.) In Holling’s class the only one left is Holling, who stays in school with Mrs. Baker. Holling is certain Mrs. Baker hates him.

After a few Wednesdays of house cleaning, the chalk boards, erasers, and the coat room, Mrs. Baker decides to introduce Holling to the plays of Shakespeare. Of course Holling views this extra work as a punishment, but as the school progresses he learns a lot from the plays about himself, his family, his friends and the world around him. Holling even learns to curse in old English.

Since it is set in 1967 there are historical references including the Vietnam War, and the assassination of Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy, and there is a lot of baseball, the Yankees and Mickey Mantle.

Holling is a seventh grader, but I RECOMMEND THIS TITLE FOR BOYS AND GIRLS IN ALL THE MIDDLE SCHOOL GRADES AND IF YOU WOULD LIKE A GOOD LAUGH ANYONE WHO LOVES SHAKESPEARE.

Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services

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January 2, 2008

THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN by Sherman Alexie

Anyone who has ever felt like they don’t fit in will relate to Arnold Spirit, the main character in Sherman Alexie’s The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.

Arnold is a Native American teenager living on a reservation with his extremely poor family. Though he suffers from physical limitations, such as feet that are too big and very bad eyesight, he is the smartest kid at the reservation school. When a teacher encourages him to enroll in a public school off of the reservation, Arnold decides to go for it. He transfers to the rich white school where he is the only Indian besides the school mascot. Not only is he bullied at the new school, but he is bullied at home on the reservation by those who feel that he has betrayed them by leaving. As the year goes on, Arnold must try to find his place in between two completely different worlds.

A National Book Award Winner, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian will have you laughing one minute and crying the next.

I recommend this book to teens in grades 9-12.

Paula Cea
Young Adult Librarian

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December 14, 2007

LIFE AS WE KNEW IT by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Can you imagine a catastrophic disaster, meteors, tsunamis, earthquakes, disease, here on Planet Earth? Well, Susan Beth Pfeffer has thought about the possibility and written the book LIFE AS WE KNEW IT.

Life was pretty uneventful for Miranda, high school sophomore; she has her friends, the prom and looking forward to her driver's license. Then the newscasts begin, a meteor is going to hit the moon. How can that affect her life, until the meteor throws the moon off its axis hurling the orb closer to Earth.

Miranda's diary reflects all the changes in her life, like her Mom going into survival mode by buying everything available, her older brother, Matt, taking on adult responsibiltiy for survival, her younger brother, Jonny, losing his childhood, neighbors keeping to themselves, and law and order appears to have disappeared. The planet is changing too, hugh tidal waves, volcanic eruptions and a killer flu. Miranda sees her life slipping away and her only purpose becomes to survive. As the summer days turn to winter, will the world survive?

This is a really powerful book, and definitely in my top five to recommend. You will be thinking about the story long after you finish the book. You might even find yourself buying a few extra things just in case.

I RECOMMEND THIS TITLE FOR GRADES 7 TO 10.

Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services

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November 20, 2007

BLUE HERON by Avi

What is magic really for? Avi will tell you in BLUE HERON.

As Maggie approaches her thirteenth birthday, she wants to believe that some kind of magic can stop all the changes in her life. She is going to visit her father and his new family at a lakeside cabin in Providence, Rhode Island. During the trip, Maggie fears that her father would love his new daughter more than herself. When Maggie comes to visit him, she finds him troubled and withdrawn. But his father says that nothing is wrong with him, which makes Maggie worry even more. Alone with her secret thoughts, Maggie secretly finds comfort from a beautiful blue heron that constantly comes to the lakeside in the mornings. With each visit Maggie grows more attached to this bird, but has a sense of feeling that someone out there is plotting to harm this lovely creature. In her determination to protect the blue heron, Maggie understands the magic of change in her own life and the changes going on around her.

Stephanie Zhang
Grade 8
WT Clarke Middle School

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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."

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October 16, 2007

REPOSSESSED by A.M. Jenkins

Imagine you were a worker in Hell. Yes, a fallen angel, who wants a vacation. What better place to go than a teenage boy's body to experience all the pleasures of being human. A. M. Jenkins has conceived such a vision in his book, REPOSSESSED.

Our angel, Kiriel, has chosen Shaun Simpson, 17, who is about to walk in front of a moving cement mixer. Shaun, a typical teen, ignores his younger brother, lives in a messy room, and could find better things to do than sit in school. Kriel begins his time in Shaun's body experiencing the sensual pleasures, but things take a turn for the best. Kiriel likes Shaun's brother, Jason, so he hopes to make a positive change in this young boy's life, and he stands up to the school bully, when no one else will.

As his time on earth goes from one day to two, Kiriel receives an instant message from his employers about this time off, and the future of his vacation changes. IF YOU WANT A GOOD LAUGH, TRY REPOSSESSED by A.M. Jenkins.

RECOMMENDED FOR BOYS IN GRADES 8 TO 11.

Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services

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September 24, 2007

MIRACLE WIMP by Eric A. Kraft

Tom wanted a cool nickname, but his last name was Mayo, so he was called MIRACLE WIMP. Tom wanted the computer animation class in high school, but the school's computer gave him wood shop with all the bullying Donkeys and Mr Bontz. He also wanted a girl friend but could that ever happen!

Through short blog-like chapters with illustrations, remember Tom wanted an animation class, follow Mayo through one very long year of high school. Meet his friends and enemies; learn how awkward first dates can be; and find out teachers are not as bad as they seem.

Erik P. Kraft has written a very funny book on the trials and tribulations of not being popular teenage boy. I RECOMMEND THIS TITLE FOR BOYS IN GRADES 7 TO 9, OF COURSE, GIRLS CAN READ IT TOO.

Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services

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September 14, 2007

NOTES FROM THE MIDNIGHT DRIVER by Jordan Sonnenblick

Upset about his parents divorce, fifteen year old Alex decides to get drunk and take his mother’s car out for a spin. When he drives onto his neighbor’s lawn and decapitates her lawn gnome, he finds himself in jail for driving under the influence and driving without a license. The judge lets him off easy by assigning him to 100 hours of community service to be done at a local nursing home.

Alex is assigned to a cranky old man named Sol who is known for being the most difficult resident of the home. Sol lives up to his reputation by teasing and mocking Alex at every opportunity and generally making his life miserable. Alex and Sol finally discover they have something in common when Alex brings his guitar to the home and plays for Sol. When Sol reveals his own musical past, the two develop an unlikely friendship that will change both of their lives.

NOTES FROM THE MIDNIGHT DRIVER is a hilarious and touching novel that deals with friendship, forgiveness, and learning to take responsibility for ones actions

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES 8-12.

Paula Cea
Young Adult Librarian

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September 6, 2007

BILLIE STANDISH WAS HERE by Nancy Crocker

All of us have friends. Most of them are about the same age as ourselves, but sometimes you meet someone wonderful, a person with a zest for life and has the wisdom of the ages. Lydia Jenkins was that kind of individual, and William "aka Billie" Marie Standish was lucky to find her in the novel, BILLIE STANDISH WAS HERE.

With the possibility of flooding, most of the town of Cumberland moved out leaving a few brave souls behind. Two of the houses still occupied were the Standishes and the Jenkins. Billie, eleven, was forced to entertain herself, because she had no friends. The two girls in her grade ignored her; her parents were too busy working to save the levee and wished Billie was a boy; and the rest of the community was gone. A chance walk through the empty town and this unique friendship would begin.

Mrs. Jenkins did not live alone; her adult son, Curtis, lives with her. Billie is uncertain about Curtis, and her feelings are not wrong. Curtis attacks Billie, so Miss Lydia and Billie share a secret that bonds them for life.

Miss Lydia is Billie's teacher on home economics, world events, life and love. It is a beautiful relationship between a child and a woman and then two women. I wish everyone could have a friend, a confidant, and teacher, like Miss Lydia.

I STRONGLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, GRADE 9 AND UP.

Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services

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August 16, 2007

DREAM FACTORY by Brad Barkley and Heather Hepler

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be Cinderella? When the character actors at Disney World go on strike, seventeen year old Ella gets a chance to find out. Hired as the replacement Cinderella simply because the costume fit, Ella spends the summer hosting tea parties for little girls and marrying Prince Charming every day at noon. Yet despite being in the happiest place on earth, Ella finds it hard to believe in the magic of Disney and is consumed with grief over her brother’s recent death.

Also among the cast of characters is Luke who plays Dale (of Chip and Dale). Luke has the perfect girlfriend, Cassie who plays Chip, and a lucrative job in the family business waiting for him back home, but he too is struggling to decide what he really wants out of life.

When a Disney Scavenger hunt is planned to promote teamwork among the actors, Ella and Luke team up to compete for the prize. While they compete against the other teams, they learn about each other and about themselves, and they find out that real magic cannot be packaged and labeled by Disney.

Disney fans will enjoy the behind the scenes look that DREAM FACTORY provides.

I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK FOR TEENS 13-17.

Paula Cea
Reference Librarian

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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.

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July 19, 2007

IN SEARCH OF MOCKINGBIRD by Loretta Ellsworth

In April I listed the nominations of the 2007 Teen Top Ten. You can vote on your favorites during Teen Read Week in October. One title, IN SEARCH OF MOCKINGBIRD by Loretta Ellsworth, sounded interesting, so I immediately ordered it for the Young Adult collection. It arrived a few weeks ago, and I read it last night and was not disappointed in its selection.

The day before her sixteenth birthday, Erin gets her mother's diary from her Dad. Erin's Mom died, when she was an infant, and for many years Erin has read and reread her mother's copy of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. In the diary Erin discovers her mother had written to Harper Lee, Mockingbird's author about being an author, so Erin decides to begin a pilgrimage to Monroeville, Alabama, home of Harper Lee.

In the two and one-half day time frame Erin learns more from the trip to Alabama than her arrival in Monroeville. Erin explores her relationships with her dead mother, her father, his fiancee and the fabulous people she meets along the way.

I RECOMMEND THIS TITLE FOR ANY TEEN ENTERING NINTH GRADE UP. IT WAS SUCH A WONDERFUL READ.

Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services

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July 6, 2007

SEQUELS

I usually only read the first of many series, but the two books reviewed here were kind of special. Jen Calonita is a local writer and I must admit I wondered what happened to STARGIRL. Just to let you know LOVE, STARGIRL will not be published until August, so it is not available at this writing.

Kaitlin Burke is back in SECRETS OF MY HOLLYWOOD LIFE:ON LOCATION by Jen Caloita. In the first book readers experienced how a Hollywood teen star tried to attend public high school.

Now Kaitlin is on vacation from school and her popular TV show, but vacation means making a movie with her all-time favorite director. It also means juggling --

Austin, her current boyfriend who is not in show business and she adores;
Drew, her exboyfriend who is her co-star and love interest in the movie and wants Kaitlin back;
Sky, her co-star from her hit TV series and currently her nemesis in the movie, who is jealous of Kaitlin's success and will do anything to destroy Kaitlyn;
Liz, her best friend, needs a job, because her Dad said so, but wants to hang out with Kaitlyn;
And all the adults in her life, Mom, Dad, her publicist, her assistant, the Director, and the studio publicist, who want to control Kaitlyn's life.

Chaos can and will happen, and you, the reader, will laugh and cry with Kaitlyn through the entire movie experience. Kaitlyn also give readers insight into the Hollywood movie making experience with 19 Hollywood secrets.

IF YOU ARE FAN OF KAITLYN,YOU WILL LOVE THIS BOOK. FOR ANY GIRL IN GRADE 7 AND UP TRY IT, YOU'LL LIKE IT.

In 2000 Jerry Spinelli wrote STARGIRL. It was Leo's story about the most unusual student ever to attend Mica High School. He loved her, but did not understand her, so he lost her. At the end of STARGIRL Leo wonders what happened to her.

It is a year later and Stargirl begins a letter to Leo. This is her story, LOVE STARGIRL.

She tells him where she is, Pennsylvania, and how much she still cares about him and wonders does he still care about her. Along the way she describes how she is home schooled and all the interesting people in her small town. There is Dootsie, 5 years old and a human bean (I think she is the next generation Stargirl.), Old Charlie who sits in the cemetery, Alvina who sweeps up at the donut shop, and Perry, the boy who just might steal Stargirl's heart from Leo.

She studies time as she explore her new surroundings and learns of people in this new town. She also goes through the healing process of loss (Leo) and hopefully will come out whole once again.

At first I was disappointed in the story, but I continued on. I am glad I did, because Stargirl voice was a beautiful song to listen to.

I RECOMMEND IT FOR ANYONE, AGE 12 AND UP, INTERESTED IN WHAT HAPPENED TO STARGIRL. IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE FIRST BOOK, DO READ IT FIRST. IT WILL HELP YOU UNDERSTAND HER PAIN.

Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services

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June 25, 2007

EDENVILLE OWLS by Robert B. Parker

Robert B. Parker is an award winning New York Times bestselling author, who has just written his first young adult novel, EDENVILLE OWLS. Set immediately after World War II we meet Bobby Murphy, a fourteen-year-old eighth grader. The school year has just begun and Bobby and his friends, Russell, Manny, Billy and Nick, have formed a basketball team. Their dream is to play in the Massachusetts Junior Varsity State Basketball Tournament. With only five players, no coach and only an outdoor court to practice on is it the impossible dream?

Besides basketball Bobby, a budding writing, finds himself in a 1940's kind of detention. Looking out of the window he notices his teacher, Miss Delaney, being pushed around by a strange man. Could she be in real danger, Bobby thinks so.

Finally Bobby is looking at Joanie, a friend from grade school. She is dating his friend, Nick, but for Bobby it just doesn't seem right.

Basketball, teachers in trouble and first love make up an interesting coming of age novel. I also wonder if it isn't autobiographical.

RECOMMENDED FOR TEEN IN GRADES 8 TO 11.

Mrs Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services

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June 6, 2007

CONFESSIONS FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S CHAIR by Anna Myers

If you ever thought running a school would be fun, read Anna Myers' CONFESSIONS FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S CHAIR. It is the story of Robin (a.k.a. Bird) Miller.

Bird, standing 67 inches tall and wearing a navy suit, is mistaken for the new interim school principal, when she goes to register at her new middle school. She is attending a new school, because she and her clique played a cruel prank against a less popular girl in her previous school. Bird's mom would not tolerate such behavior and has moved both of them to Prairie Dog, Oklahoma.

Prairie Dog is a remote town, nothing like Denver, Colorado and Bird is furious, so furious only revenge keeps her going. Her life in Prairie Dog begins with her mother being arrested for kidnapping, when the local sheriff finds a notepad on the ground next to the Miller's car.

The opportunity to be the middle school principal what could not be better; this is real payback, and Bird is determined to make her mark on the school. This will be some prank, but life in the principal's chair is more than even she expected.

RECOMMENDED FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL READERS.

Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services

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May 22, 2007

THE INVENTION OF HUGO CABRET: A NOVEL IN WORDS AND PICTURES

In THE INVENTION OF HUGO CABRET by Brian Selznick Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station. He is an orphan, clock keeper, and thief. In the train station his survival depends on secrets and anonymity. The old man who runs the toy booth and a young girl who loves books enters Hugo's life, and everything is at risk including Hugo's most precious secret. The secret includes a notebook, a mechanical man, and a hidden message from Hugo's dead father. This is a mystery you can not put down. Although the book appears very big, 526 pages big; wonderful illustrations replace words to move the story along.

I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK FOR YOUNG TEENS IN GRADES 6 TO 8.

Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services

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May 15, 2007

SEMIPRECIOUS

SEMIPRECIOUS by D. Anne Love was a very touching book. In the book, Garnet’s mother decides to pursue her dream of becoming famous, but ends up dumping her two children, Opal and Garnet, with her sister. At first, the sister’s are very upset about leaving Mirabeau, Texas, and going to Willow Flat’s, Texas. Their mother’s sister is poor, and the lifestyle is very different then they are used to. Garnet’s sister instantly becomes popular, but it’s harder for Garnet. During her time in Willow Flats, she discovers that her mother isn’t really cut out for being a mother, and that she can find family in the most unexpected places. By the end of the book, Garnet and Opal are going to return with their father to Mirabeau, and Garnet is finally accepting on who she is, and who has made her that way.

I RECOMMEND IT FOR ANYONE IN GRADES 6 TO 8.

Alison Verderber
Grade 8
Kellenberg Memorial Latin School

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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

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April 18, 2007

MAXIMUM RIDE 3: SAVING THE WORLD AND OTHER EXTREME SPORTS

This is the 3rd book in the very awesome series, MAXIMUM RIDE, written by James Patterson , who has just become my favorite author. After reading this book I finally figured out why Patterson has become the #1 selling adult author. The series is about a “family” of human avians AKA birdkids. The flock, which includes Max, Fang, Gasman, Iggy, Nudge, Angel, and her trusty companion Total (who is a talking dog) Throughout the series Max and the rest of the flock must fight Erasers (which are wolf + human mutants) daily, avoid being captured the scientist who created them, and save the world, all while trying to find their real parents. Sounds like fun doesn’t it ! Even though I thought that the 3rd book was the best I suggest you read the books in order because the second book reveals things about the first and the third about both of the first 2. Also Patterson promised that if 1 million kids went on the maximum ride website he would write a 4th book to the series . so go to MAXIMUM RIDE and click on the “million clicks for Max” button and help keep these books coming.

I RECOMMEND THESE BOOKS TO EVERYONE WHO ENJOYS A GOOD ADVENTURE STORY.

Bobby Mazziotti
7th Grade
Bro. Joseph Fox Latin School

NOTE FROM MRS. JACKSON: MAXIMUM RIDE 3: SAVING THE WORLD AND OTHER EXTREME SPORTS has not been published at this blogging. Bobby read the book as an Advanced Reader's Copy, because he loves the series. Take Bobby's suggestion read MAXIMUM RIDE: THE ANGEL EXPERIMENT first and then MAXIMUM RIDE: SCHOOL'S OUT--FOREVER.

If you are interested in reviewing books, please email Mrs. Jackson at fjackson@eastmeadow.info.

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April 11, 2007

HOW TO GET SUSPENDED AND INFLUENCE PEOPLE

They say never judge a book by its cover, but how about by its title. HOW TO GET SUSPENDED AND INFLUENCE PEOPLE really made me think of all those things in junior high I would have loved to do but didn't.

Leon, 14 and entering eighth grade, begins the school year in the "gifted and talented" class. The first assignment is to make a educational video for sixth and seventh grade students. The list of topics include things like smoking, but it also includes sex education. Sex education sets Leon's creative side spinning. He will make an avant garde film and he will tell kids it is okay to masturbate. Using photographs of great works of art, a CPR dummy and poems written by a friend, he makes his movie, but an innocent preview of the unfinished work gets Leon suspended. Before long people are taking sides and this homework assignment is now a censorship issue.

The author, Adam Selzer, is making fun of censorship and prudish people with his very funny book, but censorship is a serious topic. It is a good book to discuss with others. This is Selzer's first novel, so more information on him, check out his webpage at www.adamselzer.com

RECOMMENDED FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS IN GRADES 6 TO 8.

Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services

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March 19, 2007

LAUGH TILL YOU CRY by Joan Lowery Nixon

Do you have a class clown in your class? Or at least someone in your class that can make you laugh a lot. LAUGH TILL YOU CRY is the story of a boy named Cody who likes to make jokes. Cody moves next-door to his cousin to help his sick grandmother. When his cousin and his cousin’s friends decide to pick on Cody. Cody’s life turns into a living nightmare. But one day after running away from his cousin and his friends he runs into a police officer who doesn’t mind his jokes and is willing to pay money for them.

His life begins to brighten up. But things begin to turn ugly when Cody is blamed and framed for a prank call about a bomb to his school. Fellow classmates begin to look at him suspiciously. After he is framed with another call to the school. Life keeps getting worse. I mean how couldn’t it. He has a report on Shakespeare’s Hamlet due when he can barely understand it and people look at him like he’s a troublemaker when he’s really not. And to top it off he has to deal with his cousin and his friends. Who’s been setting him up? And why does his cousin have baking flour in his closet? Find out by reading LAUGH TILL YOU CRY by Joan Lowery Nixon.

I WOULD RECOMMEND THE BOOK TO ANYONE IN 6TH GRADE AND UP AND ANYONE WHO HAS READ ANY OF JOAN LOWERY NIXON'S OTHER BOOKS.

Camille Deytiquez
Grade 7
W. T. Clarke Middle School

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March 8, 2007

GAMES: A TALE OF TWO BULLIES by Carol Gorman

Have you ever had a problem with a bully? GAMES is a story about Mick and Boot, two eighth graders who are rivals in every way. Mick likes reading, hopes to be a writer, dreams of Tabitha Slater and teases Boot Quinn. Boot plays the guitar, wants to be in a band, dreams of Tabitha Slater and punches Mick Sullivan. They have been fighting for as long as anyone can remember.

It is the first week of school and they have already had two fights. Waiting for their punishment they meet the new principal, Mr. Maddox. Maddox is unusual; the punishment he gives Mick and Boot is to play games every day for one period and lunch. The game room has no adult supervision. Anything can happen!

To complicate their lives Tabitha, the girl of their dreams, eggs them on to continue the rivalry.
At home both boys find no comfort, because their fathers don't know how to be fathers.

The story alternates between the boys, so you can hear both sides of the story. Are they really fighting one another or are the other people in their lives the problem?

Join in the GAMES by Carol Gorman. RECOMMENDED FOR BOYS IN GRADES 6 TO 9.

Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services

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March 1, 2007

GETTING TO FIRST BASE WITH DANALDA CHASE by Matt Beam

Darcy Spillman loves baseball and knows everything you want to know about it, but upon entering seventh grade he is confused, when his friends talk about getting to first base with girls. For help in boy-girl relationships he speaks with his Grandfather Joe, who tells Darcy that baseball is the reason he met Grandma Rose, so Darcy decides there are similiarites between boy-girl relationships and baseball.

The object of Darcy's affections is Danalda Chase, one of the popular crowd and a fabulous softball player. To get to first base with Danalda, Darcy decides he must make the junior high school baseball team and the quest begins. Along the way he gets help from some unlikely people, and in the end learns a lot about himself.

This is a very very funny book with an especially funny scene at a girl-boy party and spin the bottle. If you want to laugh, pick up GETTING TO FIRST BASE WITH DANALDA CHASE by Matt Beam. RECOMMENDED FOR GRADES 6 TO 8.

For more information about Matt Beam visit him online at www.mattbeam.com.

Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services

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January 31, 2007

WEIRD STUFF by Richard Tulloch

Weird stuff happens like asking for a $25 gift certificate for the summer reading raffle and getting $3000 for young adult programming; or reserving a copy of the latest Harry Potter book and then getting two free copies. Weird stuff like that is fun and makes you happy, but there is other kinds of weird stuff. Middle-schooler, Brian Hobble in WEIRD STUFF by Richard Tulloch has some good and not so good stuff happen.

It all starts with the soccer game. Brian isn't a great player; he may not even be a good player, but when the opportunity arises for a penalty kick that could win the game, it is Brian who must kick it. Win the game and Garunga District School is in the playoffs. Somehow with the best goalie defending the goal Brian makes the goal.

His success in soccer is deflated, when in English Brian is face-to-face with his all-time favorite author, Lancelot Cummins. Mr. Cummins has come to the school to teach creative writing. Writing is impossible for Brian, until he borrows a pen from a classmate and then the words keep coming. For a thirteen year old boy a romance between a postman and a woman on his postal route seems a little absurb, but Brian has written it. Now he must accept the fame and the ridicule. How can he handle it and where are these words coming from?

This is funny book about a boy who learns nothing is impossible. I RECOMMEND WEIRD STUFF by Richard Tulloch FOR BOYS IN GRADES SIX AND SEVEN.

Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services

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January 22, 2007

2007 PRINTZ AWARD

Just eleven days ago I wrote the winners of the Nassau/Suffolk Young Adult Librarians choice for the 2007 Printz Award. Well, they were not even close. The winner is AMERICAN BORN CHINESE by Gene Luen Yang. This is the first graphic novel to honor. I reviewed this title for the YA BOOK LOG on November 11, 2006. (You might want to check it out.)

Yang's publisher, FirstSecond, tells about the author on their webpage. Gene Yang began drawing comic books in the fifth grade. In 1997, he received the Xeric Grant, a prestigious comics industry grant, for Gordon Yamamoto and the King of the Geeks, his first comics work as an adult. He has since written and drawn a number of titles, including Duncan’s Kingdom (with art by Derek Kirk Kim) and The Rosary Comic Book.
He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his lovely wife, Theresa, and son, Kolbe, and teaches computer science at a Roman Catholic high school.

Four more books were honored in the 2007 selection.
THE ASTONISHING LIFE OF OCTAVIAN NOTHING, TRAITOR TO THE NATION; v.1: The Pox Party by M.T. Anderson. With 18th century language this book tells the story of Octavian, the subject of a horritying Enlightenment experiment, who escapes slavery and fights in the American Revolution.

AN ABUNDANCE OF KATHERINES by John Green, last year's Printz winner. A road trip to the town of Gutshot, Tennessee, offers Colin Singleton, a child prodigy and compulsive boyfriend of girls named Katherine, the opportunity to face his past and find his future.

SURRENDER by Sonya Hartnett. This is a psychological thriller. A troubled young man relives the horrifying events that land him on his deathbed.

THE BOOK THIEF by Marcus Zusak This was the local librarians favorite. Death recounts the journey of Liesel Meminger, a young girl who witnesses the destructive and healing power of words in Nazi Germany.

Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services

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January 11, 2007

LONG ISLAND YOUNG ADULT LIBRARIANS PICK THEIR FAVORITE FOR THE PRINTZ AWARD

On January 4, 2007 the Nassau and Suffolk County Young Adult Librarians met and selected their favorites to win the Printz Award for 2007.The Michael L. Printz Award is an award for a book that exemplifies literary excellence in young adult literature.

This year's selection is THE BOOK THIEF by Marcus Zusak. In this story Death tries to make sense of the horrors of World War II. Death relates the story of Liesel--a young German girl whose book-stealing and story-telling talents help sustain her family and the Jewish man they are hiding, as well as their neighbors. Hazel Rochman of the publication, BOOKLIST(January 1, 2006), wrote " More than the overt message about the power of words, it's Liesl's confrontation with horrifying cruelty and her discovery of kindness in unexpected places that tell the heartbreaking truth."
Not an easy book to get into it is a powerful story and recommended for HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN GRADES 10 TO 12.

The librarians selected two Honor Books for this year's Printz.
SOLD by Patricia McCormick and RULES OF SURVIVAL by Nancy Werlin.

SOLD was prevously review on the YA BOOK LOG on December 21, 2006 and was recommended for TEENS IN GRADES 10 TO 12.

RULES OF SURVIVAL by Nancy Werlin tells the story of seventeen-year-old Matthew and his attempts to free himself and his sisters from the grip of their emotionally and physically abusive mother. This book is recommended for TEENS IN GRADES 7 TO 10.

Within the next two weeks we will know, if these selections turn out to be the winners. I will keep you posted.

Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services

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December 14, 2006

NICK AND NORAH'S INFINITE PLAYLIST by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

Another possible PRINTZ contender is NICK AND NORAH'S INFINITE PLAYLIST by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan. Cohn and Levithan write alternating chapters, so the readers hears both Norah's and Nick's wise and witty views of this new relationship. It starts off simple enough; Nick, the straight member of a gay band, is trying to avoid his ex-girlfriend, so he asks Norah, who happens to go to school with the ex-girlfriend, to be his new girlfriend for just five minutes. Norah, in need of a ride back to New Jersey, agrees to the five minutes romance, and thus, begins the courtship during a single night in Manhattan.

Not trying to sound prudish, I should warn readers there are a lot of four letter words. In this book they're necessary, since the tale begins in a punk rock night club. This heart tingling and kind of sexy romance is recommended for teens in grades 10 to 12.

Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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September 11, 2006

LONG ISLAND SPORTS

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

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September 8, 2006

ALEX RIDER, THE GADGETS by Anthony Horowitz

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

JUST A REMINDER
THE ALEX RIDER MOVIE, STORMBREAKER, IS COMING ON FRIDAY OCTOBER 6, 2006.
ON TUESDAY OCTOBER 3, 2006 FROM 4 TO 7 PM
THE YOUNG ADULT DEPARTMENT WILL BE HOSTING A STORMBREAKER EVENT

Practice spy activities, writing in invisible ink, creating a spy disguise, and pick up a free movie poster.

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September 5, 2006

BLOOD FEVER by Charles Higson

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

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August 15, 2006

KING OF THE CREEPS by Steven Banks

Tom is short, frizzy hair, big glasses and a bigger nose, no girl will look at him, a real creep, or so Tom thinks.Tom wants to jump off the George Washington Bridge, but it is 1963 and big noses and frizzy hair are in because of folksinger, Bob Dylan. All the girls in his New Jersey high school are crazy for folksingers, so Tom decides to visit Greenwich Village, buy a guitar and become a folksinger. He learns one chord, meets Angelina and his whole world turns upside down.

A poem, the Ed Sullivan Show and a creep can change the world.

This is a funny story for boys in MIDDLE SCHOOL who need a book report about friendships with girls. It was written by the head writer of SPONGEBOB SQUARE PANTS.

Submitted by Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services

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August 9, 2006

STORMBREAKER by Anthony Horowitz

Meet the world's most successful 14-year-old spy, Alex Rider. After the death of his guardian, his uncle, Alex is coerced to continue his uncle's work. It is working for MI6, the British Intelligence Agency. This time Alex must infiltrate Herod Sayle's compound. this is the man who invented the amazing Stormbreaker computer. But what's hiding in the software…

Move over James Bond, there is a new spy in town.

YOU CAN FIND THIS ALEX RIDER book, along with his other adventures, POINT BLANK, SKELETON KEY, EAGLE STRIKES, SCORPIA and
ARK ANGEL at the East Meadow Public Library. They are RECOMMENDED FOR GRADES 6 TO 10.

Submitted by Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services

HURRY UP AND READ THIS BOOK
THE MOVIE IS COMING ON FRIDAY OCTOBER 6, 2006.
ON TUESDAY OCTOBER 3, 2006 FROM 4 TO 7 PM
THE YOUNG ADULT DEPARTMENT WILL BE HOSTING A STORMBREAKER EVENT

Practice spy activities, writing in invisible ink, creating a spy disguise, and pick up a free movie poster.

Posted by fjacksonem at 11:38 AM | Comments (0)