Staff Book Pick of the Week: Feels Like Home

This week's pick is Feels Like Home by e.E. Charlton-Trujillo (YA CHARLTON-TRUJILLO).

Mickey has got her life under control - she's graduating from high school early, has her college all picked out, and she's going to get out of Three Rivers, Texas. But then Mickey's father dies and her older brother Danny reappears after six years of silence, six years that Mickey has spent forgetting about him and the connection they had with the book The Outsiders. Mickey wants nothing to do with Danny - he was the one who left after his best friend died in a mysterious accident, one that Mickey isn't sure she wants to remember (or even if she can). As Mickey spends more time with Danny, however, she realizes she is going to have to remember what happened that night, no matter how terrible the memory may be.

Staff Book Pick of the Week: First Daughter: Extreme American Makeover

This week's pick is First Daughter: Extreme American Makeover by Mitali Perkins (YA PERKINS).

Sameera Righton (a.k.a. Sparrow) is used to staying on the sidelines. Sure she blogs for her friends about various issues and enjoys hanging with her crew buddies while ordering them about in her position as coxswain. But that invisibility is about to end: Sparrow's dad is running for presidents, and his campaign staff has decided it's time Sparrow is by his side. Sparrow is sure she's ready - she knows politics, and she wants to be made over into a glamorous First Daughter. But when she reaches campaign headquarters, Sparrow soon discovers the kind of makeover her dad's campaign staff plans to provide might not be quite what she had in mind. In short, the staff wants to downplay the fact that Sameera was born in Pakistan and turn her into "Sammy" - an everyday teenager without an intelligent thought in her head. Sparrow knows she wants her dad to win, but will it be at the cost of the "real" Sparrow?

New Books!

Check out these new books on display in the Teens & Tweens Space:

Naomi & Ely's No Kiss List by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan (YA COHN)
What They Found: Love on 145th Street by Walter Dean Myers (YA MYERS)

New Young Adult Book Display: Drama!

Drama!: In the Movies, Onstage, & in Real Life

Cabot, Meg
Teen Idol: Jenny Greenley has figured out that the best way to survive high school is to keep out of trouble as much as possible. But when teen actor Luke Striker comes to town to research an upcoming role and Jen is assigned to show him what high school’s like, she realizes it’s time to do more than stay out of trouble—it’s time to figure out who the real Jenny is.
YA CABOT

Calonita, Jen
Secrets of My Hollywood Life: All Kaitlin Burke wanted was for life to be normal for a change. Too bad trying high school after Hollywood stardom was anything but.
YA CALONITA

Castellucci, Cecil
Boy Proof: Senior Victoria presents herself to the world as Egg, the name of her favorite female character in her favorite movie, Terminal Earth. Egg cares about two things—movies and being valedictorian of her class. But when new boy Max shows up in her AP English class, will Egg realize it’s time to be part of reality—and become Victoria again?
YA CASTELLUCCI

Douglas, Lola
True Confessions of a Hollywood Starlet: Morgan Carter has always been the center of attention—until an overdose nearly ends her life and threatens her stardom. Attempting to start over in a mid-sized Midwest town, she soon realizes the past has a way of catching up with you.
YA DOUGLAS

Hagerup, Klaus
Markus & Diana: In real life, 13-year old Markus is shy, awkward, and afraid of almost everything. But when he writes to soap opera star Diana Mortensen, he pretends he’s a 36-year old millionaire. What will Markus do when Diana wants to meet him?
YA HAGERUP

Lockhart, E.
Dramarama: All Sadye ever wanted was some glitter in her life - a chance to perform for real and for someone to notice. Enter Demi, a fellow outcast and musical theater fan. They keep each other entertained by watching musicals nonstop and performing along, bonded by their antipathy of small town life. Then a real chance comes along - a summer at the Wildewood Academy for the Performing Arts. Demi fits right in and gets leading roles, while Sadye is stuck with leftovers. Will Demi and Sadye's friendship survive?
YA LOCKHART

Roter, Jordan
Girl in Development: 18-year old Sam isn’t quite sure what’s happened to her life—one minute she’s a booklover heading to college in her hometown, and the next she’s an intern at a film development company. Which life does the real Sam want?
YA ROTER

Sones, Sonya
One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies: 15-year old Ruby is sent to live with a father she’s never met after her mother dies—famous film actor Whip Logan. With Cameron Diaz as a next-door neighbor and a high school full of Hollywood wannabes, will Ruby ever feel normal again?
YA SONES

Wemmlinger, Raymond
Booth’s Daughter: Edwina has never wanted to be an actress, despite the fact that her father is the famous Edwin Booth (and brother of John Wilkes Booth). All she wants is an everyday life—but will her father allow her to have one?
YA WEMMLINGER

New Books!

Check out these new books going out on the shelves today:

Bleach 4 (YA BLEACH)
Bleach 5 (YA BLEACH)
Bleach 6 (YA BLEACH)
Bleach 7 (YA BLEACH)
Bleach 8 (YA BLEACH)
Kare Kano 17 (YA KARE KANO)
Kare Kano 18 (YA KARE KANO)

Staff Book Pick of the Week: The Noah Confessions

This week's pick is The Noah Confessions by Barbara Hall (YA HALL).

Lynnie was expecting a car on her sixteenth birthday, but instead her father gives her two things - an old charm bracelet and a manuscript written by her mother, who died in a car accident eight years ago. The manuscript takes Lynnie to her mother's past, a past Lynnie was only dimly aware of: a life in Union Grade, Virginia, hemmed in by class, fear, and hate. Unfortunately, her mother's story brings up more questions than it answers. Will Lynnie's father provide the answers she needs to understand her family's past? Will Lynnie be able to learn from her mother's story and move on from her death? Find out in The Noah Confessions.

Reminder: Gingerbread Houses this Saturday @ 2:00 PM

Don't forget, Teens & Tweens is meeting this Saturday @ 2:00 PM. We'll be making & decorating mini gingerbread houses, so bring your creativity and holiday spirit!

Staff Book Pick of the Week: Fire From the Rock

This week's pick is Fire From the Rock by Sharon Draper (YA DRAPER).

15-year old Sylvia Faye Patterson is ready for high school - for basketball games, challenging classes, maybe even trying out for cheerleader. It looks like she might even have a boyfriend by the time the first day rolls around. But then Sylvia's teacher Miss Washington recommends that she be placed on the list of African-American students to attend Central High School, a segregated school that is to be integrated. While Sylvia believes that it is time for integration, she isn't so sure she wants to be in the forefront of change. At Central, not only would Sylvia not be allowed to join any extracurricular activities, she would also face racism and possibly bodily harm. Is Sylvia ready to stand up for civil rights in a way that could harm her own safety at worst, and likely make her life miserable at the very least? Find out what decision Sylvia makes in Fire From the Rock.

Reminder: Teens & Tweens Book Club this Thursday @ 7:00 PM

We'll be discussing Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer. Copies are available for you to pick up at the circulation desk. Come prepared to snack, chat, and have fun!

Staff Book Pick of the Week: The Off Season

This week's pick is The Off Season by Catherine Gilbert Murdock (YA MURDOCK).

Picking up where The Dairy Queen left off, this is the story of D.J. Schwenk, football star, family caretaker, and potential girlfriend of Brian Nelson (quarterback on neighboring town's high school team). D.J.'s junior year seems to be headed in the right direction - she's finally on Red Bend's football team, her family members appear to be taking care of themselves without too much help on her part, and Brian seems genuinely attracted to her. But before D.J. knows what's happening, things get turned around yet again. The football season's not actually going that well, and just when she thought things were really happening with Brian, he disappears. To top it all off, a tragedy no one expected comes along to tear the Schwenk family apart, and it's up to D.J. to repair the damage. Is she up to mending everyone's fences again? Is she going to figure out what's really going on with Brian? And most important of all, will she be able to find her own path in the midst of all the chaos? Find out in The Off Season.

Staff Book Pick of the Week: Red Moon at Sharpsburg

This week's pick is Red Moon at Sharpsburg by Rosemary Wells (YA WELLS).

It is July 1861, and the Civil War has just begun. 12-year old India Moody believes in two things: the Southern cause and the wonders of science. When her parents send her to be tutored by neighbor Emory Trimble, she learns about medicine, biology, and chemistry instead of handwriting and the Bible like her family expects. Although it is soon apparent that the South is not as victorious as the local newspaper would have everyone believe, India at first clings to the idea that the South will prevail. But then her father joins the cause and India realizes more and more that the society she lives in will not allow her to live her life the way she needs to. Will she understand that the South is no longer safe? Will she get the education she so desperately wants? Find out in Red Moon at Sharpsburg.

Staff Book Pick of the Week: The Decoding of Lana Morris

This week's pick is The Decoding of Lana Morris by Laura & Tom McNeal (YA MCNEAL).

16-year old Lana Morris has not had an easy life by any stretch of the imagination. Shuttled around various foster homes since her mom took off, Lana is currently living in a house with a foster dad whose caring concern goes a little too far, a foster mom who only cares about herself, and four foster siblings who all have special needs. At the same time she's trying to break into the crowd that her next door neighbor Chet hangs with, only they want nothing to do with her. One day on a drive with Chet and his friends (Lana has to ride in the trunk), she buys a drawing set at an antique store. Before she realizes what's happening, everything she draws on the paper from the set seems to come true. Determined to create a few happy outcomes in a household of mostly sad ones, Lana starts drawing with a purpose, only to discover that some wishes don't come out like you've planned. Will Lana be able to create a drawing that will makes things turn out okay? Will she come to understand who her real friends are? Find out in The Decoding of Lana Morris.

New Books!

Check out these new books on display in the Teens & Tweens Space:

Extras by Scott Westerfeld (YA WESTERFELD)
S.e.x.: the all-you-need-to-know progressive sexuality guide to get you through high school and college by Heather Corinna (613.951 COR)

Teens & Tweens This Saturday @ 2:00 PM

Don't forget Teens & Tweens this Saturday @ 2:00 PM. We're making Goth Sock Puppets - we'll be making puppets with piercings, tattoos, mullets … the weirder the better. See you there!

New Book Display: Oldies But Goodies #3

Check out this new book display in the Teens & Tweens Space:

Oldies But Goodies #3: Books You Might Have Missed

Cadnum, Michael
Forbidden Forest: The Story of Little John and Robinhood: How did Little John find his way to Sherwood Forest? When did he really meet Robin Hood? Find out in this retelling of a famous story.
YA CADNUM

Carter, Alden
Sheila's Dying: Jerry really likes Sheila, but knows it just isn't going to work out. But when he's about to break up with her, Sheila presents him with some startling news of her own.
YA CARTER

Chan, Gillian
Glory Days and Other Stories: Stories about family, life, and high school, each with a different perspective.
YA CHAN

Clark, Clara Gillow
Nellie Bishop: 13-year old Nellie Bishop knows she must get away - before her selfish mother sells her hand in marriage to the highest bidder. But how can she escape, and more importantly, how can she keep her younger brother Willie safe?
YA CLARK

Coville, Bruce
Fortune's Journey: 17-year old Fortune Plunkett has just inherited her father's acting troupe, and is determined to carry out his dying wish - take the troupe to San Francisco and establish a theater. But in 1853, such a proposition is anything but easy, and Fortune will have to use all the strength she possesses on the journey.
YA COVILLE

Cross, Gillian
Wolf: Cassy knows nothing about her father, but it's never really bothered her. Never until her grandmother sends her to stay with her mother and has her bring a mysterious package - a package that could endanger Cassy and everyone around her.
YA CROSS

Cusick, Richie
Overdue: One night when Kathleen is working at the library, five overdue books are returned - books about murder. And before she realizes what's happening, everyone around her is in danger. Is she next?
YA CUSICK

DeFelice, Cynthia
Nowhere to Call Home: 12-year old Frankie is left just about alone in the world when her father commits suicide due to the Depression. Instead of going to live with an aunt she barely knows, she decides to run away and ride the rails, joining the ranks of thousands of others.
YA DEFELICE

Guest, Elissa
Over the Moon: 16-year old Kate's sister Mattie ran away almost four years ago and no one knows where she is - until a package comes out of the blue. Kate knows she needs to visit Mattie, but can she let go of the pain of Mattie's betrayal?
YA GUEST

Hall, Lynn
A Killing Freeze: Clarie doesn't mind living in small-town Minnesota - she's got her dad and a life she likes. But when her next door neighbor is killed in what looks like a possible homicide, everything changes and Clarie's small town will never be the same.
YA HALL

Hathorn, Elizabeth
Thunderwith: Lara can barely remember her father, but when her mother dies she has no choice but to go live with him and his family in the Australian Outback. Lara has no idea if she'll make it - the Outback is so different, her stepmother is often unkind, and there's a bully at school who is constantly after her. Will things ever get better?
YA HATHORN

Hoban, Russell
The Trokeville Way: Nick is tired of being beat up by Harry Buncher, but never thought he could escape. But after this last fight Nick realizes things are different - and the line between reality and fantasy is not so clear anymore.
YA HOBAN

Staff Pick of the Week: Beyond the Billboard

This week's pick is Beyond the Billboard by Susan Gates (YA GATES).

Thirteen-year old twins Firebird and Ford Tucker have rarely questioned the life they lead with their father and grandmother in the swamp. Ford especially is happy with his life the way it is, trapping eels with his dad and staying away from the city that is plainly visible beyond the huge billboard at the edge of the swamp. Firebird wishes she could be content with the way things are (as apparently her long dead mother was), but finds herself wanting more, wanting to see what's beyond the billboard. And even though she knows she's not supposed to talk to strangers, she finds herself inexplicably drawn into a conversation with a woman from the city. And when she follows her grandmother out of the swamp for the first time one night, she soon understands her whole life as she has known it is about to change.

New Books!

Check out these new books on display in the Teens & Tweens Space:

Kiki Strike: The Empress's Tomb by Kirsten Miller (YA MILLER)
Pirates! by Celia Rees (YA-V REES PIR)

Come to the next Teens & Tweens Book Club!: Thursday, December 6th @ 7:00 PM

This month we're reading Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer (Accelerated Reader points: 14.0). Copies are available for you to pick up at the circulation desk. Come prepared to snack, discuss, and have fun!

What are your favorite books?

Is it a book you've read recently & have been telling all your friends about? Or one you read a long time ago & keep meaning to read again? Either way, let us know! Leave a comment here on the blog or send an e-mail to the teen librarian with the title, author (if you remember), and why it's one of your favorite books!

Staff Pick of the Week: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

This week's pick is The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie (YA ALEXIE).

Junior's life has never been easy - born with brain damage, he's always been the target for teasing due to his strange looks, stutter, and lisp. But Junior isn't stupid - he's actually very smart, and knows after the first day of high school that it's time to get off the rez - the Spokane Indian reservation he's lived on his whole life. When he decides to go to the all-white school in a nearby town the entire reservation (except for his family but including his best friend) turns on him, and the kids at his new school don't really like him either. Still, things are working out better than Junior expected and he starts to hope that he will make it in the outside world, until tragedy strikes - not once but several times. Will Junior be able to work through his pain and continue to keep hoping?

Reminder: Teens & Tweens Book Club this Thursday!

Don't forget: Teens & Tweens Book Club this Thursday, November 1st @ 7:00 PM! For this meeting we're reading two different books: When Zachary Beaver Came to Town by Kimberly Willis Holt & Say Yes by Audrey Couloumbis. Copies are available for you to pick up at the circulation desk. Choose which book you'd like to read and come prepared to snack, discuss, and have fun!

New Books!

Check out these new books & audiobooks in the Teens & Tweens Space:

Ask CosmoGirl! About Your Body (613.04243 ASK)
Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment by James Patterson (YA-V PATT MR)
Ranger's Apprentice Book Two: The Burning Bridge by John Flanagan (YA FLANAGAN)
Unforgettable: an It Girl Novel by Cecily Von Ziegesar (YA VON ZIEGESAR)
Upstate by Kalisha Buckhanon (YA-V BUCK UPS)

Check out these books recommended by the Teen Read Week challenge winners!

Here are some recommendations from the Teen Read Week challenge participants:

The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart (YA LOCKHART): "Ruby Oliver had a few panic attacks because of her terrible week at school. Her mom makes her see a shrink."

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling (J ROWLING): "One favorite part was when Norbert (the dragon baby) hatched."

Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse (YA HESSE): "Billie Jo Kelby suffers through the Dust Bowl."

Stay With Me by Garret Freymann-Weyr: "A girl searches for the answer to her sister's suicide."

Witch's Sister by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor: "It was terrifying."


Thanks to everyone who participated in the Teen Read Week challenge! If you submitted an entry, please stop by the Youth Services department to pick up your prize!

Staff Pick of the Week: The Whole Sky Full of Stars

This week's pick is The Whole Sky Full of Stars by Rene Saldana, Jr. (YA SALDANA).

When you're in trouble, who do you turn to? Your best friend, of course. Barry and Alby have been best friends for forever, so when Alby owes more than a little too much money to Ciro, the high school poker champ, he turns to Barry for help. But Barry has troubles of his own - his father died recently of cancer and his mom is having a hard time making ends meet. And Alby doesn't want to admit to Barry why he needs cash, so instead he tries to get to enter the Man O'Might competition with the promise of plenty of prize money for both of them. At first Barry isn't sure this is the right way to go, but the though of being able to help his mom takes precedence and he agrees to fight. But when the day of the competition arrives, will everything go as planned?

New Book Display: Fantasy Books!

Can't wait for the release of The Golden Compass movie? Check this selection of fantasy books out while you're waiting!

Black, Holly
Tithe: 16-year old Kay has always known her life is a bit different - she spends a lot of time looking after an alcoholic rock star mom and counts among her childhood friends several fairies. Things really become strange, however, when Kaye and her mother move to her grandmother's house in New Jersey to escape a murderous boyfriend.
YA BLACK

Dale, Anna
Whispering to Witches: Joe knows his Christmas is going to be anything but merry - his father has to go away and Joe has to spend the holidays with his mom, stepdad, and half sister Esme. On the way to meet his family, Joe somehow gets off at the wrong train station, and before he realizes what is happening lands himself in a witches' coven and is wrapped up in an otherworldly conspiracy.
YA DALE

Dunkle, Clare B.
By These Ten Bones: When the young wood carver first appears in Maddie's village with the old man, he refuses to speak to anyone. But Maddie finds out Paul can speak, and soon after she learns his terrible secret. Will Maddie be able to save Paul from himself?
YA DUNKLE

Gardner, Sally
I, Coriander: Coriander lives a life of happiness and wonder until the horrible day her mother is suddenly stricken ill. Pressured by well-meaning friends, her father marries a "good" Puritan woman, only to discover she is anything but. Will Coriander be able to find the magic locked inside her and save herself from both an evil fairy queen and an extremely wicked stepmother?
YA GARDNER

Marr, Melissa
Wicked Lovely: 17-year old Aislinn knows faeries are real - unlike the majority of teenagers, she sees them everywhere she goes. But until the Summer King notices her and decides she must be Queen, life has been somewhat normal. Now Aislinn must choose between "normal" and the end of the world as she knows it.
YA MARR

Pratchett, Terry
Wintersmith: Almost 13-year old Tiffany Aching is training to be a witch when she catches the eye (if he has one, that is) of the Wintersmith - the element that creates winter. Sonn the Wintersmith is convinced he is in love with Tiffany, and won't let winter end until she becomes his. What is a witch to do?
YA PRATCHETT

Pullman, Phillip
The Golden Compass: Lyra Belacqua lives in an alternate universe where all humans have daemons, animals who are extensions of their humans' personalities. Raised by the Scholars at Jordan College at Oxfrord, Lyra is not overly studious but is extremely curious. When her best friend disappears and her uncle Lord Asriel is imprisoned in the far north, Lyra decides to run away and discovers the horrible experiments that are being done on children in the arctic wasteland.
YA PULLMAN

Sherman, Delia
Changeling: Neef is a teenaged changeling living in New York Between with her fairy godmother Astris. Neef lives a fairly normal life (for a changeling), until the day she breaks a Fairy Law. In order to survive Neef must accomplish the tasks set for her by the Green Lady. Is Neef up to it?
YA SHERMAN

Thompson, Kate
The New Policeman: 15-year old J.J. Liddy knows that there's never enough time - time to practice his music, get his homework done, live his life. But when he discovers that time is actually being leached away from our world to that of the fairies, he realizes he must stop it and at the same time get to the bottom of his family's secrets.
YA THOMPSON

Wooding, Chris
Poison: When 16-year old Poison's sister is kidnapped by the phaeries and a changeling is put in her place, Poison takes matters into her own hands and leaves the marsh she's lived in her entire life to find her. Along the way she collects a band of followers and finds what her strengths truly are.
YA WOODING

Staff Pick of the Week: Dream Factory

This week's pick is Dream Factory by Brad Barkley & Heather Hepler (YA BARKLEY).

Disney World is supposedly the "happiest place on Earth," but as Luke and Ella soon find out, it is anything but. Hired for the summer to replace striking Disney cast members, Ella as Cinderella and Luke as Dale (as in Chip and Dale), the two teenagers grow tired of marrying Prince Charming every day (in Ella's case) and hanging out with Chip (in Luke's case). But Chip is played by Cassie, Luke's current girlfriend, and Prince Charming is Mark (or was it Matt?), a totally cute and completely forgettable Disney devotee. For the moment, it appears Luke and Ella are stuck in their respective roles. But management has devised a way to boost the summer replacement cast's increasingly sagging morale - a scavenger hunt of all things Disney. Cassie is determined to win and immediately choose Disney worshipper Mark to be her partner, which leaves Ella and Luke free to work with each other. Will Luke be able to see beyond Cassie's blonde and beautiful perfection? Will Ella be able to tell Luke what's really going on in her life? Find out in Dream Factory.

New Books!

Check out these new books on display in the Teens & Tweens Space:

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie (YA ALEXIE)
Chicken Soup for the Christian Teenage Soul (158.12 CHI)
Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul: The Real Deal (158.12 CHI)
Before I Die by Jenny Downham (YA DOWNHAM)
Bounce by Natasha Friend (YA FRIEND)
Beyond the Billboard by Susan Gates (YA GATES)
Hello, Groin by Beth Goobie (YA GOOBIE)
Mates, Dates, and Great Escapes by Cathy Hopkins (YA HOPKINS)
Mates, Dates, and Sizzling Summers by Cathy Hopkins (YA HOPKINS)
Nightrise: Book Three of the Gatekeepers by Anthony Horowitz (YA HOROWITZ)
Schooled by Gordon Korman (YA KORMAN)
Girl, Going on 17, Pants on Fire by Sue Limb (YA LIMB)
Boy Toy by Barry Lyga (YA LYGA)
The Decoding of Lana Morris by Laura & Tom McNeal (YA MCNEAL)
Frogs & French Kisses by Sarah Mylnowski (YA MYLNOWSKI)
The Queen Geek Social Club by Laura Preble (YA PREBLE)
Gluttony by Robin Wasserman (YA WASSERMAN)
Greed by Robin Wasserman (YA WASSERMAN)
Sloth by Robin Wasserman (YA WASSERMAN)
Wrath by Robin Wasserman (YA WASSERMAN)

Reminder: Teens & Tweens Halloween Party

Teens & Tweens Halloween Party!: Saturday, October 13th @ 2:00 PM

To celebrate Teen Read Week & Halloween, we're going to have a scavenger hunt & make cool Mardi Gras masks. See you there!

Staff Pick of the Week: Ophelia

This week's pick is Ophelia: a Novel by Lisa Klein (YA KLEIN).

For everyone who knows the story of Hamlet and Ophelia, here is a retelling that takes the story much farther than Shakespeare ever did. Born in 1585 to a fairly poor family, Ophelia spends much of her childhood chasing after her brother Laertes and playing the part of the tomboy. But when her father gains favor at court, Ophelia and Laertes are taken to live with him at Elsinore Castle, and it is there that Ophelia is noticed by Queen Gertrude. At first Ophelia is snubbed by the other ladies-in-waiting and feels stifled by the strict rules that govern women's behavior at court, but in time she becomes one of the queen's closest confidants. The queen respects her thirst for knowledge and supplies her with books and opportunities for learning. As Ophelia grows older she is also noticed by Prince Hamlet, but due to their differences in rank (he is royalty and she is the lowliest lady-in-waiting), they must meet in secret. She finds herself falling in love with Hamlet, and begins to dream of a life where they could be together. But then tragedy strikes - the king is murdered and Hamlet is not only thrown into the deepest grief, but becomes possessed with the desire for revenge. Ophelia finds herself drawn more and more into Hamlet's madness. Will she be able to save herself before Hamlet reaches his breaking point?

Teens & Tweens Book Club: Thursday, November 1st @ 7:00 PM

This month we're reading two different books: When Zachary Beaver Came to Town by Kimberly Willis Holt & Say Yes by Audrey Couloumbis. Copies are available for you to pick up at the circulation desk. Choose which book you'd like to read and come prepared to snack, discuss, and have fun!

Celebrate Teen Read Week!

Teen Read Week: October 14th - 20th, 2007

Join Franklin Park Teens & Tweens Teen Read Week challenge! Read a book before October 20th and drop off a form (available in the Teens & Tweens space) with the title and author, a short description of the book, your name, and phone number and/or e-mail address. Every person who submits a form will receive a prize, and all forms will be entered into a drawing for an additional prize! Forms may be dropped off in the box in the Teens & Tweens space or may also be submitted online - just click here. Please submit only one form per person. All forms are due by October 20th.

Nominations for the 2007 Teens' Top Ten Books

You can vote for your favorites during Teen Read Week: October 14th-20th, 2007

Abbott, Tony

Firegirl: 7th-grader Tom has always felt like an outsider at school and his only real friend is Jeff, who has become increasingly angry since his dad moved out. Then Tom meets Jessica, a girl who has been badly burned and moved to his town to seek treatment at a local hospital. Will Tom ignore Jessica like the rest of his classmates (including Jeff) or will he reach out to her?

J ABBOTT

Almond,David

Clay: When Davie agrees to befriend Stephen, the new boy in town, he has no idea their friendship will turn into something much more sinister as Stephen unleashes his power to bring inanimate objects to life.

YA ALMOND

Brooks, Kevin

The Road of the Dead: 14-year old Ruben senses his older sister Rachel's death the moment it happens. With his brother Cole, he travels to the small town where the murder occurred, determined to find the killer and bring Rachel's body home.

YA BROOKS

Calonita, Jen

Secrets of My Hollywood Life: All Kaitlin Burke wanted was for life to be normal for a change. Too bad trying high school after Hollywood stardom was anything but.

YA CALONITA

Cushman, Karen

The Loud Silence of Francine Green: Francine has always been content to stay out of trouble and follow her parents' lead when it comes to McCarthyism - be quiet. But then she meets Sophie and comes to realize being quiet also has its consequences.

YA CUSHMAN

Dessen, Sarah
Just Listen: Annabel never told anyone what happened at that party last year and she doesn't say a word about why she hates her life now. But her new friend Owen refuses to take silence for an answer.

YA DESSEN

Elkeles, Simone

How to Ruin a Summer Vacation: 16-year old Amy is convinced her estranged father wants to ruin her life when he insists on taking her to Israel for the summer. What she encounters while there, however, becomes one of the most amazing experiences of her life.

YA ELKELES

Ellsworth, Loretta

In Search of Mockingbird: Almost 16-year old Erin decides that it's time to get to know her deceased the mother the day her father announces his engagement to his girlfriend. Armed with only her mother's dairy and a tattered copy of To Kill a Mockingbird, Erin boards a bus to Alabama in hopes of meeting Harper Lee herself.

YA ELLSWORTH

Ferguson, Alane

The Christopher Killer: Cameryn wants more than anything to be a forensic pathologist and is ecstatic when her father, the county coroner, agrees to allow her to be his assistant. But when one of her first cases turns out to be the body of a friend, Cammie discovers she is in much deeper than she expected to be.

YA FERGUSON

Giles, Gail

What Happened to Cass McBride: After his younger brother's suicide, Kyle Kirby decides to avenge his death by kidnapping and burying alive the girl he holds responsible - 17-year old popular Cass McBride.

YA GILES

Goobie, Beth

Hello, Groin: Dylan is finding herself more attracted to girls than guys, but tries to hide her true feelings and warm up to her boyfriend Cam. Things come to a head when she kisses another girl at a school dance. Life isn't all smooth sailing afterwards, but Dylan realizes it's time to be true to herself.

Hale, Shannon

River Secrets: Razo is completely surprised when he is chosen to accompany a corps of soldiers from Bayern to Tira - he is weak and often bullied by the other soldiers. But it is Razo who discovers the first body on the soldiers' journey, and it is Razo who must get them out alive.

YA HALE

Henry, April

Shock Point: Cassie is kidnapped and take to a school for troubled teens when she finds out her stepfather has invested in a drug that causes teens to commit suicide. Somehow she must escape and warn others about the drug before it is too late.

YA HENRY

Jaffe, Michele

Bad Kitty: Jasmine has always wanted to be a detective, but unfortunately her father has other plans. Instead of spending the summer as a police intern, Jas is dragged to Las Vegas for the family's summer vacation. Luckily, there's plenty of crime in Vegas to be found, and Jas's sleuthing skills are soon put to the test.

YA JAFFE

Korman, Gordon

Born to Rock: When straight-laced Harvard-bound Leo Caraway loses his scholarship, he decides to join his rock star father on his summer tour in an effort to find a way to pay for school.

YA KORMAN

Meyer, Stephenie

New Moon: Bella is heartbroken when her vampire boyfriend Edward is forced to leave town after an incident at her birthday party. She soon finds solace in Jacob's friendship, but realizes his companionship comes at a very steep price.

YA MEYER

Miller, Kirsten

Kiki Strike: Inside the Shadow City: 12-year old Ananka Fishbein has lived a fairly ordinary existence with her lifelong academic parents in Manhattan. But one day she spies a sinkhole outside her apartment window and decides to check it out. That decision introduces her to the Shadow City as well as Kiki Strike, changing her life completely.

YA MILLER

Nelson, Blake

Prom Anonymous: Laura, Jace, and Chloe used to be best friends but went their separate ways in high school. Now it's spring of their junior year, and Laura is convinced they should go to the prom together. Forget the fact that Jace and Chloe don't (yet) have dates or dresses - Laura is certain all will go well.

YA NELSON

Pfeffer, Susan Beth
Life As We Knew It: Miranda is concentrating on her fairly ordinary life (middle sibling, parents divorced, dad remarried), and the report that there's a meteor about to hit the moon doesn't sound very important. But then the meteor hits and everything changes: Miranda's world becomes smaller and smaller as the moon wreaks havoc on everything she used to count on.
YA PFEFFER

Reich, Susanna

Penelope Bailey Takes the Stage: 11-year old Penelope is determined to act in her school's production of Romeo & Juliet, but her snobbish and conservative aunt forbids it. Can Penelope overcome the odds and become a star despite her aunt's disapproval?

J REICH

Vande Velde, Vivian

All Hallows Eve (13 Stories): Thirteen stories, all set on Halloween night.

YA VANDE VELDE

Vrettos, Adrienne Maria
Skin: The story opens as 14-year old Donnie tries to resuscitate his 16-year old sister Karen, who has died of anorexia. Donnie recalls the previous year as his parents’ marriage falls apart and Karen gets worse and worse. Will Donnie be able to move on from this horrible tragedy?
YA VRETTOS

Welsh,T.K.
The Unresolved: The day 15-year old Mallory receives her first kiss is also the day she dies—June 15, 1904, when the steamship called the General Slocum catches fire, killing over 1000 people. Mallory’s spirit remains as she tries to help those still living uncover the truth.
YA WELSH

Wilce, Ysabeau S.
Flora Segunda: Flora Segunda lives in Crackpot Hall, a falling-apart house with rooms upon rooms, a slightly mad father, and a mother who's almost always gone fighting wars. She's about to turn fourteen, at which point she'll be ready to go into the military and follow in her mother's footsteps. But Flora doesn't want to be a Commanding General like Mama - she wants to be a Ranger like her heroine Nini Mo. Flora's dream is to create magic and go on reconnaissance missions, not to be a soldier. Will she get her wish, or will she follow in Mamma’s footsteps?
YA WILCE

New Books!

Check out these new books on display in the Teens & Tweens Space:

Feels Like Home by e.E. Charlton-Trujillo (YA CHARLTON-TRUJILLO)
Salome by Beatrice Gormley (YA GORMLEY)
Everybody Hurts: An Essential Guide to Emo Culture by Leslie Simon and Trevor Kelley (781.66 SIM)
Alfred Knopp: The Seal of Solomon by Rick Yancey (YA YANCEY)

Reminder: Teens & Tweens Book Club!

Don't forget the Teens & Tweens Book Club tomorrow! We'll be discussing Hope Was Here by Joan Bauer - there are still copies available at the circulation desk for you to pick up. Come prepared to snack, discuss, and have fun!

Staff Pick of the Week: Miki Falls

This week's pick Miki Falls: Spring by Mark Crilley (YA MIKI FALLS).

Miki is about to start her senior year, and she's determined this year will be different. No more of the old Miki, eager to please and follow along with what everyone says. And she is not about to let her best friend Yumi fix her up with just anyone, despite Yumi's insistence that a girl without a boyfriend is "just ... sad." As luck would have it, there's a new guy in school - Hiro Sakurai. But Hiro isn't like other guys, and he has no wish to get to know Miki. Yet as she persists, eventually Hiro opens up a little, until Miki almost discovers his secret. Again Hiro turns away from her. Will Miki be able to uncover Hiro's secret? Can she get Hiro to trust her? Find out in Miki Falls: Spring.

New Books!

Check out these new books on display in the Teens & Tweens Space:

Beautiful Stranger: An A-List Novel by Zoey Dean (YA DEAN)
Blindspot by Kevin C. Pyle (YA BLINDSPOT)
Ready or Not? A Girl's Guide to Making Her Own Decisions About Dating, Love, and Sex by Tina Radziszewicz (613.955 RAD)
The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott (YA SCOTT)
Reckless: An It Girl Novel by Cecily Von Ziegesar (YA VON ZIEGESAR)

Staff Book Pick of the Week: Notes from the Midnight Driver

This week's pick is Notes From the Midnight Driver by Jordan Sonnenblick (YA SONNENBLICK).

Alex is in a bit of a predicament. Due to his frustration over his parents' divorce and his dad's lack of communication, he decides to have it out with him one night and ends up running over a garden gnome instead. Sentenced to hours and hours of community service, Alex is sent to the local nursing home to hang out with Solomon Lewis, easily the most irritable resident there. But will the judge let Alex hang out with someone a bit more reasonable? And will Alex's best friend Laurie ever notice he has a bit of a crush on her. As far as Alex can tell, absolutely not on both counts.

New Book Display: Oldies but Goodies

Check out this new book display in the Teens & Tweens Space:

Oldies but Goodies: Books You Might Have Missed

Cooper, Susan
King of Shadows: Nat Field is all of a sudden transported from the present day to 1599, where he is cast in one of Shakespeare’s plays and gets to know the man himself. But Nat has just one question—why is he there?
YA COOPER

Crutcher, Chris
Ironman: 17-year old Bo has plenty of anger—he and his father don’t get along, he often is suspended, he feels Larry King is the only adult who can understand (even though they’ve never met) - but when he’s sent to anger management classes, he just doesn’t get it. Are things really that messed up?
YA CRUTCHER

Cushman, Karen
The Ballad of Lucy Whipple: California Morning renames herself Lucy as a protest to her mother, who has dragged Lucy and her siblings out to California to participate in the Gold Rush. Lucy’s one desire is to stay home in Massachusetts, but she finds California to be more of a home than she ever expected.
YA CUSHMAN

DeClements, Barthe
How do You Lose Those Ninth Grade Blues?: Elsie’s finally in high school, but feels like no one cares—her mother still treats her like a child and she’s having a hard time believing that her boyfriend Craddoc actually cares about her.
YA DECLEMENTS

Finney, Jack
About Time: Twelve Short Stories: Have you ever wanted to travel back in time? Ever wondered what the future might hold? Finney’s twelve stories contemplate the meaning of time, and where it might lead us.
YA FINNEY

Fleischman, Paul
Saturnalia: Set in Boston in 1681, this is the story of William, a 14-year old Narranganset Native American boy who has been indentured to the Currie family for the past six years. While William is fairly contented with his life, he has not forgotten his past—nor how his present came about.
YA FLEISCHMAN

Garden, Nancy
Dove and Sword: a Novel of Joan of Arc: This is the fictional story of Gabrielle, a healer and friend of Joan of Arc. While Joan believes war is the only way to achieve a France free from English rule, Gabrielle comes to believe the opposite—that only by peace can they truly be free.
YA GARDEN

Miklowitz, Gloria
Love Story, Take Three: Valerie just wants a normal life—one where she can go to college and find out who she really is. But if her mother has her way, Valerie will stay in L.A. and star in a TV pilot.
YA MIKLOWITZ

Myers, Walter Dean
The Righteous Revenge of Artemis Bonner: After his uncle is killed by Catfish Grimes over some buried treasure, Artemis travels west, determined to avenge his uncle’s death. Little does he know that Catfish is waiting for him.
YA MYERS

Peck, Robert
Horse Thief: 17-year old Tullis has no family and no home—only the rodeo he’s worked for most of his life and the thirteen horses he takes care of. When the rodeo is sold and Tullis learns the horses will be made into pet food, Tullis enlists the help of the town doctor and her horse thieving father to get the horses to safety.
YA PECK

Plummer, Louise
The Unlikely Romance of Kate Bjorkman: Kate doesn’t believe in romance, especially the kind that occurs in the romance novels her best friend forces her to read. But then Richard enters her life, and she decides to a) give love a chance and b) write about it.
YA PLUMMER

More New Books!

Here are more new books that we put in the Teens & Tweens Space today:

Bearwalker by Joseph Bruchac (YA BRUCHAC)
Billie Standish Was Here by Nancy Crocker (YA CROCKER)
The Red Shoe by Ursula Dubosarsky (YA DUBOSARSKY)
The Noah Confessions by Barbara Hall (YA HALL)
Ophelia by Lisa Klein (YA KLEIN)
What My Girlfiend Doesn't Know by Sonya Sones (YA SONES)
Skin by Adrienne Maria Vrettos (YA VRETTOS)

New Books!

Check out these new books we put in the Teens & Tweens Space today:

Being by Kevin Brooks
Jinx by Meg Cabot
The Wizard Heir by Cinda Williams Chima
Black Tuesday by Susan Colebank
Fire From the Rock by Sharon Draper
The Land of the Silver Apples by Nancy Farmer
In the Name of God by Paula Jolin
Yellow Flag by Robert Lipsyte

Staff Book Pick of the Week: Dramarama

This week's pick is Dramarama by E. Lockhart (YA LOCKHART).

All Sadye ever wanted was some glitter in her life - a chance to perform for real and for someone to notice. But life in her small Ohio town is anything but glittery. Enter Demi, a fellow outcast and musical theater fan. They keep each other entertained by watching musicals nonstop and performing along, bonded by their antipathy of small town life. Then a real chance comes along - the Wildewood Academy for the Performing Arts is holding auditions for its summer session, and both Demi and Sadye get in. Sufficiently assured of their talent, they proceed joyously to Wildewood. But when they arrive, they find everyone is even more talented than they expected. Demi fits right in and gets leading roles, while Sadye is stuck with leftovers. Demi finds a boyfriend, and the boy of Sadye's dreams doesn't even seem to notice her. Will Demi and Sadye's friendship survive?

New Books!

Check out these new books we put in the Teens & Tweens space today:

Secrets of My Hollywood Life by Jen Calonita (YA CALONITA)

Mates, Dates, and Sole Survivors by Cathy Hopkins (YA HOPKINS)

Flight Volume 1 edited by Kazu Kibuishi (YA FLIGHT)

Lulu Dark and the Summer of the Fox by Bennett Madison (YA MADISON)

Prom Anonymous by Blake Nelson (YA NELSON)

Infernal Devices by Philip Reeve (YA REEVE)

The Other Sister by S.T. Underdahl (YA UNDERDAHL)

New Books!

Check out these new books in the Teens & Tweens Space:

Tasting the Sky: a Palestinian Childhood by Ibtisam Barakat (YA B BARAKAT)
Breaking Up by Aimee Friedman (YA FASHION HIGH)
The Whole Sky Full of Stars by Rene Saldana, Jr. (YA SALDANA)