The people in your "Neighbor"-hood...

TITLE: The Good Neighbors series (Kin, Kith, and Kind)

AUTHOR: Holly Black ; illustrated by Ted Naifeh.

REVIEWED BY: JPL TeenLink

BRIEF SUMMARY: Rue is your typical sixteen year old. Except her mother's disappeared. And her father is accused of murdering one of his students. And oh yeah, she sees things that may or may not actually be there. She's starting to see faeries, and what's more, she has reason to believe that her maternal grandfather -- whom she's never met -- might actually be one. Something big is about to happen that could threaten her friends, her father, and her town -- but can she do anything to stop it?

WHY I PICKED IT UP: It was new to the library. It looked interesting to me while I was cataloging it.

WHY I FINISHED IT: Although the Faerie-fantasy books have never really interested me, the story kept me going for the most part. A bit of confusion set in during the second book, and it could have used more explanation.

WHO I'D GIVE IT TO: Young adult (and adult) readers who like the Faerie-fantasy genre.

ADDITIONAL NOTES: This is a graphic novel, so if you don't like those, you'll want to stay away. The art work alternates between stunning and confusing. Distinct character design should easily differentiate the faeries from the humans, but to tell the truth, many of the humans looked "faerie"-like and vice versa. Still, if you like this sort of thing, you will easily look past that.

All in all, I can't help but feel that this one might have worked better as a regular novel first, then a graphic novel adaptation later. The second book got kind of confusing with so many characters and plot lines going simultaneously, but I was able to keep up by going back every once in a while to remind myself who was who and what was going on. Two or three characters appear out of nowhere and are immediately appropriated as important plot points, but you have no idea who they are when they first appear. Again, it would definitely have benefited from more plot and character development if space had allowed.

See you at the library!

Get recruited into the Academy...

TITLE: The Candidates (Book One of the Delacroix Academy series)

AUTHOR: Inara Scott

REVIEWED BY: Miss Jo

BRIEF SUMMARY: Dancia is a young, average girl going to high school in a small town who lives with her grandmother. Why is the elite, private school in her area trying to recruit her to attend? Something is not right with this school. Everyone is above average, why would they want her? Could it be because of her powers? But they couldn't know about her powers -- could they?

WHY I PICKED IT UP: It was new to the library. The cover drew me in.

WHY I FINISHED IT: It kept me wanting more.

WHO I'D GIVE IT TO: Any young adult reader.

Miss Jo adds: "Pick up this book and you won't be disappointed. Great cast of characters. The author is working on a second book -- stay tuned for the continuing story!"

See you at the library!

A "Super"-exciting, action-packed read...

Today, we have a guest review from reader Brittany Nicole. Thanks, Brittany!


TITLE: Super Human

AUTHOR: Michael Carroll

REVIEWED BY: Brittany Nicole

BRIEF SUMMARY: Super Human is about a group of teens fighting to save the world with their powers from an evil superhuman, who was taken from the past and put here to rule the world.

WHY I PICKED IT UP: I like action books and the cover looked really good.

WHY I FINISHED IT: Because every page was filled with more action and I couldn't put it down

WHO I'D GIVE IT TO: My friends.


Sounds like a great read!

Don't forget: if you're interested in reviewing a book for the blog, pick up a review form in the Young Adult section, fill it out, and return it to the library when you're finished. We want your help to keep people informed of the great books we have in our library.

See you at the library!

Two-fer Tuesday...

We have two reviews for you today: one from friend of the library and new blog contributor, Princess Ladybug; former blog editor Christina Lister also returns to offers up another review for your consideration. Thanks to both of them for contributing!


TITLE: City of Bones

AUTHOR: Cassandra Clare

REVIEWED BY: Princess Ladybug

BRIEF SUMMARY: Fifteen-year-old Clary Fray & her best friend, Simon, are hanging out at the Pandemonium Club when Clary discovers strange people that Simon can't see. After her mother disappears and Clary herself is almost killed by a monster, she is suddenly drawn into their bizarre world of demons and the Shadowhunters who are dedicated to returning them to their own dimension.

WHY I PICKED IT UP: I'm always on the lookout for something new to read. When a friend said he'd heard good things about it, I rushed right down to the library to check it out.

WHY I FINISHED IT: I couldn't wait to see what happened next. Lots of action moves the plot along nicely as Clary learns to deal with the new world she's found herself in. Each character she meets is more interesting than the last one on her quest to find and rescue her mother.

WHO I'D GIVE IT TO: My niece or anyone who likes books that turn the universe upside down.

CONTENT WARNING: Due to some mature content and language, this book is actually in our adult section. We recommend that you check with your parents before reading this book.




TITLE: The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate

AUTHOR: Jacqueline Kelly

REVIEWED BY: Christina Lister

BRIEF SUMMARY: Callie is living in the Hill Country of Texas at the turn of the century, 1899. She is also at a turn in her own life -- one from being a girl to being a woman, which she doesn't particularly care for. She'd rather be a scientist like her Granddaddy, but her mom has other plans for her.

WHY I PICKED IT UP: I love historical fiction.

WHY I FINISHED IT: Callie and I share a similar childhood.

WHO I'D GIVE IT TO: Any girl who loves living in the country and likes science.

SIMILAR SERIES: The Penderwicks, Little House on the Prairie


Don't forget that you can be part of this blog, too. Just pick up a review form from the YA section when you pick out your book. When you're finished, just return the completed form to Miss Jo or to any staff member at the Circulation Desk.

See you at the Library!

The "Wonder" of it all...

This time, we have a special treat for you -- a guest book review by former blog contributor Christina Lister. Thanks, Lister!

TITLE: The Cabinet of Wonders

AUTHOR: Marie Rutkoski

REVIEWED BY: Christina Lister

BRIEF SUMMARY: Petra is on a mission to avenge her father. Her father created a clock tower for the Prince; but after doing his job, the Prince gouged out his eyes to make sure he'd not make something so beautiful again. So Petra runs to Prague to get her father's eyes back and discovers a lot more to complete her mission, with help from some unlikely people!

WHY I PICKED IT UP: Interesting cover, the word "KRONOS" (a fan of Greek mythology and the Percy Jackson series)

WHY I FINISHED IT: Petra is one adventurous girl and the author writes a juicy story, making it hard to put down!

WHO I'D GIVE IT TO: Anyone who likes fantasy series and historical fiction or adventure.

See you at the Library!

"Angels" among us...

TITLE: Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment

AUTHOR: James Patterson

REVIEWED BY: JPL TeenLink

BRIEF SUMMARY: Max is the 14-year-old leader of a band of misfits. She, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gazzy, and Angel are unique -- they were genetically altered in a lab and are no longer completely human; in fact, they are 2% bird. Since their escape, they are on the run, hunted by a pack of mutant half-wolf humans called Erasers whose sole purpose is to either recover the children and return to them to the lab, or simply get rid of them. When little Angel is captured, the others must join together to rescue her -- even if it means returning to the School, where they were created and kept prisoner, and confront their pasts, their present, and their destinies.

WHY I PICKED IT UP: Sheer boredom and curiosity. I really wanted something new to read, and I was curious as to why James Patterson is such a popular author.

WHY I FINISHED IT: This one starts of with a bang, and then I really got involved. Max is such an appealing narrator that you can't help but continue reading, waiting to see what happens next. I do have to say that the constantly changing viewpoint took some getting used to -- Max narrates a chapter or two in first-person, then we switch over to a third-person narrator to see what the other characters are up to. Initially, this was annoying, but eventually I got used to it. Still, the characters kept you interested, and short chapters kept a constant barrage of action coming.

WHO I'D GIVE IT TO: My nephew, and anyone who likes adventure books with a bit of fantasy.

See you at the Library!

A chilling tale of adventure and romance...

NOTE: We've asked our young adult readers to help us out by contributing book reviews to our blog. This is the first of (we hope) many to come.

TITLE: Shiver

AUTHOR: Maggie Stiefvater

REVIEWED BY: Shyia Magan (13 years old)

BRIEF SUMMARY: Grace and Sam have loved each other from first sight. Since then their love was kept at a distance. Sam never had enough nerve to speak to Grace, until that fateful day. Sam, a werewolf, must fight to stay human so he can stay with his love, but Grace must suffer through the pain.

WHY I PICKED IT UP: The first thing that drew me in was the cover. After reading the summary, I was hooked. Adventure and romance.

WHY I FINISHED IT: Shiver was amazing from start to finish! It is a story you can never put down.

WHO I'D GIVE IT TO: I would give it to any of my peers, whom are Team Jacob. Werewolfs are the best!

Thanks, Shyia!

If you're interested in reviewing a book for the blog, pick up a review form in the Young Adult section, fill it out, and return it to the library when you're finished. We want your help to keep people informed of the great books we have in our library.

See you at the library!

A tangled web of "Mist"-ery...

The Prince of Mist was actually Carlos Ruiz Zafón's first book, originally published in Spain in 1993. Now, seventeen years later, it is finally available in an English translation by Lucia Graves, and it was well worth the wait. I've loved all of his adult fiction books, and this book has the same haunting quality that they did, possibly due to the fact that Graves translated those as well. Or perhaps it's just because Carlos is such a good writer.

Now, don't let the fact that was originally published in another language put you off. So were the Inkheart books. The Prince of Mist is a wonderful, riveting tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.

In 1943, with Spain in the midst of World War II, watchmaker Maximilian Carver moves his family from the capital to a seaside village where he has recently bought a home. From the minute they arrive, strange and otherwordly things begin occurring. Soon, the Carvers -- especially 13-year-old Max and his 15-year-old sister Alicia -- find themselves caught up in a dangerous battle with the Prince of Mist, a supernatural entity who has been bargaining for souls for decades, and who just might be the Devil himself.

As the story unfolds, Max and Alicia must uncover the secret of the former inhabitants of their home, the truth about their new friend Roland and his grandfather, and find out just what happened to the Orpheus, a ship that sank in the harbor during a terrible storm a quarter-century ago -- and how it all ties together and ultimately leads back to the mysterious Prince.

Part mystery, part romance, part fantasy, and part gothic horror tale, I cannot recommend The Prince of Mist highly enough. Ruiz Zafón is a masterful storyteller, putting you right into the action, and creating characters that you will come to love and care about. Although the book contains mild language and mature themes, it is certainly suitable for anyone age 12 and up.

NOTE: The Prince of Mist is the first book in Ruiz Zafón's Mist trilogy. Book two, September Lights, is due out in May 2011.

See you at the library!

He's "unspeakable", all right...

It's hard to review a book where you didn't like the main character. That's the problem I'm faced with now that I've finished I Am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to Be Your Class President by Josh Lieb.

Oliver Watson, true to the title, is a genius of unspeakable evil. And yes, he does want to be class president. Oliver is twelve years old, overweight, and has fooled his parents, classmates, and teachers into believing that he is a slow-witted simpleton, when in reality he is the third-richest person in the world, an evil mastermind, and head of a secret empire well on his way to global domination.

The problem is that Oliver is also tedious, annoying, self-centered, and so bent on revenge against his father that I could not warm up to him. Everytime he took revenge against a classmate, secretly blackmailed or humiliated a teacher, or otherwise manipulated the system to get his own way, I was more appalled by his actions than amused.

I know, I know. This is fiction. This is supposed to be fun. This is the ultimate revenge fantasy for all those kids out there who are picked on.

But you know what? If this book had come out when I was in school -- when I would have been, in fact, the prime audience for a revenge fantasy like this -- I'd like to think I would still have been more appalled than amused.

While Oliver is a sarcastic genius of the highest order, he is also just plain mean. Perhaps if he'd had a shred of humanity in him, I might have liked him more. As it stands, I can only feel that he didn't get what he deserved in the end, and the path getting there wasn't worth the time I spent on it.

Still, maybe you'll like it better. Give us some feedback; let us know what you think.

See you at the library!

Movie Review: Bandslam

Will Burton knows about music. A LOT about music. Will doesn't just know the Top 40 chart -- if fact, he doesn't really care much about the current Top 40. He cares about where the current Top 40 music came from; the original artists who took Reggae music and created Ska so Gwen Stefani and No Doubt can have their moment in the sun today.

But Will's a loner -- a bullied kid who spends his days writing e-mails to David Bowie. When Will's mother gets a new job in another state, it gives him the opportunity for a new beginning, a chance to become the person he's always dreamed of being but never had the chance.

At his new school, he hears about something called "Bandslam" -- a local music competition that was almost won the previous year by school band "Glory Dogs". How big is it? "Texas high school football big," says Sa5m, the girl he's been paired with for a class project (the "5", she tells him, is silent). "The winner gets a recording contract." Sa5m is also a loner, but together they form a bond of friendship that slowly brings them both out of their shells and leads to something more.

Will is also befriended by Charlotte, the former head cheerleader who is starting a band to rival the Glory Dogs. Charlotte gives Will a chance to put his vast musical knowledge into practice, offering him the chance to manage her band. Will takes to the challenge, bringing in extra musicians, changing the group's sound, focus, and even their name; giving the group a good chance at not just beating Glory Dogs, but winning the whole thing.

Just as things seem to be going perfectly, problems surface: by spending so much time on the band, Will may have ruined his burgeoning relationship with Sa5m. His past begins to catch up with him. Charlotte, too, has her own problems to deal with, and it all comes to a head at the Bandslam competition.

This is a wonderful film, filled with great music, drama, comedy, romance, and enough plot twists to keep you interested. More importantly, for me, it shows a real respect for music. You'll be heading online to Allmusic.com to find out about the groups and people mentioned by Will that you might not have heard of, but who were essential for bringing music to where it is today, and where it will head in the future.

Starring Gaelen Connell, Vanessa Ann Hudgens, Alyson Michalka, Lisa Kudrow, and Scott Porter. Rated PG for thematic elements, but certainly not a problem for most teenagers.

This movie is not currently available from the library, but is available for rental from most video stores.

EDIT: This movie is now available to check out from the library Circulation Desk. Please remember that you have to be 18 or older to check out items from the video collection.

TeenLink Returns...

Happy New YeAr!

Well, what can we say? If you ever needed proof that New Year's Resolutions are hard to keep, the past year for this blog has been a good example. Still, we are nothing if not stubborn, so we are trying again this year. We're taking a different approach, and we've asked some of our friends to contribute with book reviews and such, so hopefully we'll be able to keep this thing active.

This year has seen several Young Adult books/series get made into successful films (including New Moon, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and Whip It! -- based on Shauna Cross's Derby Girl, reviewed by Miss Jo back in January of last year). The teen vampire craze has continued with the TV series The Vampire Diaries (which we don't have, but we could get for you on Interlibrary Loan if you want to read them).

Teens are continuing to break down the barriers in the music business as well, with the Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez and the Scene, Mitchel Musso and Emily Osment all releasing breakout CDs this past year. This year we can expect debut CDs by Nick Jonas and the Administration, Jennette McCurdy, Miranda Cosgrove, and possible follow-up albums from past favorites.

We have added a good number series to our Young Adult section in the past year. They've been pretty popular, so you might want to get on the waiting list now for anything that looks interesting. We'll highlight a few of them here:

• Carter House Girls by Melody Carlson.
  
  What's it about? Mix six teenage girls and one ‘60’s fashion icon (retired, of course) in an old Victorian-era boarding home. Add boys and dating, a little high school angst, throw in a Kate Spade bag or two…and you’ve got the Carter House Girls!
  
  
• The Gallagher Girls by Ally Carter.
  
  What's it about? The Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women is a fairly typical all-girls school -- that is, it would be if every school taught advanced martial arts in PE and the latest in chemical warfare in science, and students received extra credit for breaking CIA codes in computer class. The Gallagher Academy might claim to be a school for geniuses, but it’s really a school for spies.
  
  
• House of Night by P.C. and Kristin Cast.
  
  What's it about? HOUSE OF NIGHT is a thrilling, New York Times bestselling book series that follows 16-year-old Zoey Redbird as she is “Marked” by a vampyre tracker and begins to undergo the “Change” into an actual vampyre. She has to leave her family in Broken Arrow, OK, and move into the House of Night, a boarding school for other fledgling vampyres like her.
  
  It’s tough to begin a new life, away from her parents and friends, and on top of that, Zoey finds she is no average fledgling. She has been Marked as special by the vampyre Goddess, Nyx. Although Zoey has awesome new powers, it’s hard to fit in when everyone knows you’re “special.” As Zoey tries to make new friends and maybe find a hot boyfriend (or two), she comes up against all kinds of evil, from the perfect-looking, super-popular girl with not-so-faultless plans, to the mysterious deaths happening at the House of Night and all over Tulsa. Things at the House of Night are not always what they seem. Can Zoey find the courage deep within herself to find the truth and embrace her destiny?
  
  
• Maximum Ride by James Patterson.
  
  What's it about? Max, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, the Gasman, and Angel. Six kids who are pretty normal in most ways -— except that they're 98 percent human, 2 percent bird. They grew up in a lab, living like rats in cages, but now they're free. Aside, of course, from the fact that they're prime prey for Erasers -- wicked wolflike creatures with a taste for flying humans.
  
  
• Cirque du Freak (The Saga of Darren Shan) by Darren Shan.
  
  What's it about? Darren Shan's an ordinary schoolboy, until he and his best friend Steve get tickets to the Cirque Du Freak, a bizarre freak show featuring such arcane performers as Hans Hands, Gertha Teeth, the Wolf Man and Rhamus Twobellies. In the midst of the ghoulish excitement, true terror raises its head when Steve recognises that one of the performers -- Mr. Crepsley -- is in fact a vampire!
  
  
• Obernewtyn Chronicles by Isobelle Carmody.
  
  What's it about? In a world struggling back from the brink of apocalypse, life is harsh. But for Elspeth Gordie, born with enhanced mental abilities that would see her sterilised or burned if discovered, it is also dangerous. There is only survival by secrecy, and so she determines never to use her forbidden Talent. But it is as if they have their own imperative, and their use inevitably brings her to the attention of the totalitarian Council that rules the Land. Sent to the remote mountain institution of Obernewtyn where escape is impossible, she must throw off her cloak of concealment and pit herself against those who would resurrect the terrible forces of the apocalypse. Only then will she learn most truly who and what she is...
  
  
• The Companion Quartet by Julia Golding.
  
  What's it about? When Connie is sent to live with her aunt by the sea, she’s not expecting anything much -- not to make friends with Col, the coolest boy in town, and certainly not to discover that mythical creatures still exist, that an ancient society has protected them for centuries and that a dark and powerful force is now trying to destroy it. Above all, she doesn’t expect to discover that she has a special talent -- greater even than her secret ability to talk to animals -- which with Col’s help, could give her unimaginable power...
  
  (NOTE: This series is actually in our Juvenile Fiction section.)
  

Of course, we've added the newest additions to some older series, finished up a few others, and added some great stand-alone novels, too. We're sure you'll find something you'd enjoy -- just come by and take a look!

You can also download a list of some of our great Young Adult series to research before you come visit us! Click here to download the list.

See you at the library!