Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Staff Pick: Life As We Knew It

Life As We Knew It

Susan Beth Pfeffer

(YA PFEFFER - CAUDILL)

Like most fifteen-year-olds Miranda is preoccupied with school and her social life. So, when scientists start making a big deal about an asteroid about to collide with the Moon she pays little attention and is more annoyed than anything because the once in a lifetime event only means more homework, or so she thinks. However, the world drastically changes after the asteroid’s impact, because it knocks the Moon out of its orbit and closer to Earth. This event has catastrophic consequences, including tsunamis, earthquakes, widespread famine and disease epidemics. Miranda chronicles the events that follow the collision and her struggle for survival in journal format in this gripping novel.

Monday, June 16, 2008

Registration starts today!

Don't forget to register for our Summer Reading Program:
Get in the Game:READ!

Stop by the Youth Services department any time this week (6/16-6/22) to sign up for our Teens and Tweens programs and to pick up a reading log and other goodies!

We are also still looking for volunteers to work with the younger children on Mondays (book buddies), Tuesdays (crafts) or every other Saturday (chess). If you're interested ask one of the Youth Services Librarians for more information.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Summer is almost here!

Be an X-TREME READER this summer!

Join us for fun, food and prizes every

Thursday at 3 pm.

Keep track of the books you read in your book log for a weekly chance to win book bucks.

Registration begins Monday, June 16

Teens & Tweens programs run from:

June 26th - Aug. 7



Thursday, May 15, 2008

Staff Pick: An Abundance of Katherines


(YA GREEN)

Seventeen-year-old, Colin Singleton, has dated 19 girls named Katherine and number 19 just dumped him! She was “the one”, or so he thought, and now she’s gone and he’s miserable. In order to cheer him up, his best friend Hassan decides to take him on a road trip. However, while Hassan tries to have fun, Colin tries to figure out what went wrong with K-19 and how he can get her back; which drives Hassan crazy and puts a strain on their friendship. The boys’ trip and lives change drastically, though, when they meet a girl named Lindsey in Tennessee. With her help they get tangled up in a series of hilarious adventures, meet new and interesting people and learn valuable lessons about love, friendship and life.

For extra laughs be sure to read the footnotes!



Monday, May 12, 2008

We're back!

Hi all,

We're back in business with a few minor changes. We won't be posting a weekly staff pick until the fall, but in the meantime we will be posting one every two weeks. We'll also be posting updates on the latest Teens and Tweens programs, as well as new books as we get them.

Stay tuned!

Saturday, March 8, 2008

See you soon!

The Franklin Park Teens & Tweens blog will be taking a break for the next few weeks, but never fear: we'll be back, with info on upcoming programs, new books, and more!

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Staff Book Pick of the Week: Kissing the Bee


This week's pick is Kissing the Bee by Kathe Koja (YA KOJA).

Dana's pretty sure she's got life figured out - she's going to finish her final biology project (about bees), graduate from high school, go to college, and watch her best friend Avra take off to somewhere else. The only problem is, Avra plans on taking her boyfriend Emil along with her - and Dana isn't too clear on what she feels about that. Ever since Emil arrived in Avra and Dana's life, Dana has felt a connection with Emil that she never expected, and knows she should try to avoid. Plus, Emil is Avra's - or is he?

Sunday, March 2, 2008

Reminder: Teens & Tweens Book Club this Tuesday!

Don't forget - this Tuesday, March 4th, @ 7:00 PM is the Teens & Tweens Book Club. This month we're reading Defining Dulcie by Paul Acampora. Come prepared to snack, discuss, and have fun!

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Staff Book Pick of the Week: Peaches


This week's pick is Peaches: A Novel by Jodi Lynn Anderson (YA ANDERSON).

Murphy McGowen, Birdie Darlington, and Leeda Cawley-Smith could hardly be more different. Murphy firmly marches to the beat of her own drummer, Leeda realizes (again) she will never match up to her sister Danay and is tired of trying, and Birdie is just hoping to hold her family's peach orchard together. But when Murphy is sentenced to community service and Leeda decides peach-picking is preferable to helping plan her sister's wedding, all three girls end up together at the Darlington Peach Orchard for a summer they never expected.

Monday, February 25, 2008

New Book Display: Celebrate Teen Tech Week!

Celebrate Teen Tech Week 2008 (March 2nd-8th) with these reads about music & technology!

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, and as Annabel gets to know Owen (and his music), she wonders if she can trust him with her secret.
YA DESSEN

Going, K.L.
Fat Kid Rules the World: In a chance encounter at a subway stop, Troy Billings (a.k.a. Fat Kid) meets Curt MacCrae, infamous homeless kid and guitar talent from Troy's high school. All of a sudden, life starts to be different.
YA GOING

Howell, Simmone
Notes from the Teenage Underground: Gem and her two best friends Lo and Mira are working on their underground film when their friendship (or lack thereof) gets in the way. Will Gem be able to carry on and make the film alone when Lo and Mira are nowhere to be seen?
YA HOWELL

Hughes, Mark Peter
Lemonade Mouth: Only the music teacher Mrs. Reznik thought they had a shot at anything more than making idiots out of themselves. Find out how Wen, Mo, Stella, Charlie, and Olivia morphed into the band Lemonade Mouth.
YA HUGHES

Krovatin, Christopher
Heavy Metal and You: Narrator Sam is obsessed with heavy metal music until he meets Melissa, who wants him to stop listening to his music, stop cutting class, and start being more of a preppy-type guy. He's not sure he can and stay true to himself at the same time.
YA KROVATIN

McDonald, Janet
Harlem Hustle: 17-year old Eric Samson, a.k.a. Hustle, is certain rap stardom is on its way. When the wake-up call hits him, will he realize it?
YA MCDONALD

Myracle, Lauren
Ttyl: Three friends spend their sophomore year figuring out life, school, love, and each other, all while IM'ing.
YA MYRACLE

Perkins, Mitali
First Daughter: Extreme American Makeover: Sameera Righton (childhood nickname of Sparrow) is used to staying on the sidelines. Sure, she blogs about various issues at sparrowblog.com and has a loyal group of friends who read it. But that invisibility is about to end: Sparrow's dad is running for president, and his campaign staff have decided it's time Sparrow is by his side. Is Sparrow's blogging career at an end?
YA PERKINS

Simons, Leslie
Everyboy Hurts: An Essential Guide to Emo Culture: What is emo? What are its roots? Find out in this guide to emo everything.
781.66 SIM

Vega, Denise
Click Here (To Find Out How I Survived Seventh Grade): When Erin's blog accidentally gets posted on the school's intranet, her previous problems involving her best friend and boys pale in comparison.
YA VEGA

New Books!

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

The Black Sheep by Yvonne Collins and Sandy Rideout (YA COLLINS)
Bleach 12 (YA BLEACH)
Bleach 13 (YA BLEACH)
Bleach 14 (YA BLEACH)
Bleach 15 (YA BLEACH)
Bleach 16 (YA BLEACH)
Bleach 17 (YA BLEACH)
Bleach 18 (YA BLEACH)
Bleach 19 (YA BLEACH)
Bleach 20 (YA BLEACH)
Bleach 21 (YA BLEACH)
Click: One Novel, Ten Authors (YA PARK)
Cupid by Julius Lester (YA LESTER)
Fly on the Wall: How One Girl Saw Everything by E. Lockhart (YA LOCKHART)
Kare Kano 19 (YA KARE KANO)
Kare Kano 20 (YA KARE KANO)
Kare Kano 21 (YA KARE KANO)
Kissing the Bee by Kathe Koja (YA KOJA)
Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin (YA ZEVIN)
Naruto 19 (YA NARUTO)
Naruto 20 (YA NARUTO)
Naruto 21 (YA NARUTO)
November Blues by Sharon Draper (YA DRAPER)
Now You See Her by Jacquelyn Mitchard (YA MITCHARD)
Poison Ivy by Amy Goldman Kloss (YA KLOSS)
Scandalosa!: A Honey Blonde Chica Novel by Michele Serros (YA SERROS)
Secrets of My Hollywood Life: on Location by Jen Calonita (YA CALONITA)
Seeing Redd by Frank Beddor (YA BEDDOR)
The Shadow Speaker by Nnedi Okorafor-Mbachu (YA OKORAFOR-MBUCHU)
Sight by Adrienne Maria Vrettos (YA VRETTOS)
Slam by Nick Hornby (YA HORNBY)
Standing Against the Wind by Traci L. Jones (YA JONES)
Sweet 16 by Kate Brian (YA BRIAN)

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Staff Book Pick of the Week: Estrella's Quinceanera


This week's pick is Estrella's Quinceañera by Malín Alegría (YA ALEGRIA).

All Estrella wants for her fifteenth birthday is a simple party with her friends from her new private school, but her family (especially her mother) has an entirely different idea. Estrella's mother wants her to have a real quinceañera. With a puffy orange dress, gaudy decor, and a mariachi band looming in her near future, Estrella is wondering how she can possibly avoid the whole thing - and keep her new friends from finding out about its existence. That soon proves difficult, as does juggling the rest of her life - her old friends who have been roped into helping with the quince (and are not too pleased with how Estrella has more or less dropped them), her demanding schoolwork, and Speedy, the boy from the neighborhood Estrella has been secretly seeing. Will Estrella be able to handle it all without everything toppling down around her?

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

New Books!

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

The God Box by Alex Sanchez (YA SANCHEZ)
Honk If You Hate Me by Deborah Halverson (YA HALVERSON)
Little (Grrl) Lost by Charles De Lint (YA DE LINT)
My Mother the Cheerleader by Robert Sharenow (YA SHARENOW)
1,000 Reasons Never to Kiss a Boy by Martha Freeman (YA FREEMAN)
Parrotfish by Ellen Wittlinger (YA WITTLINGER)

Staff Book Pick of the Week: Billie Standish Was Here


This week's pick is Billie Standish Was Here by Nancy Crocker (YA CROCKER).

11-year old Billie Standish is used to being on her own. As an only child of parents who had wished for a son and the girl at school none of the other girls want to be friends with, Billie knows how to be invisible. During the summer of 1968 Billie's small town of Cumberland looks like it might be engulfed by a flood and to Billie it seems the only people who haven't fled are her parents and herself. Then on a trip to get the mail Billie runs into her elderly neighbor Miss Lydia, and soon the two are close friends. But when something unimaginable befalls Billie, will she and Miss Lydia be able to move on and make peace with what happened? Will Miss Lydia's friendship save Billie from her invisibility? Find out in Billie Standish Was Here.

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Staff Book Pick of the Week: Freak by Marcella Pixley


This week's pick is Freak by Marcella Pixley (YA PIXLEY).

Until seventh grade, Miriam doesn't mind her social status of creative outcast. Her older sister Deborah has always been her closest ally and confidant, but then Deborah enters high school and is all of a sudden beautiful and popular. To make matters worse, family friend Artie Rosenberg is coming to live at Miriam's house during his senior year, and while Miriam thinks Artie's her soulmate, he seems to think Deborah is his. Add to the mix a set of parents not fully grounded in reality and a group of classmates intent on making Miriam's life miserable, and you have the makings for a horrible seventh grade year. And when Miriam reaches her limit, will she be able to change things for the better? Find out in Freak by Marcella Pixley.

Reminder: Teens & Tweens Program This Saturday

Don't forget: Teens & Tweens is meeting this Saturday, February 9th @ 2:00 PM. This month we're making photo cubes: Made out of discarded CD cases & your photos, these photo cubes will have you busting out your creative side. Just make sure to bring the photos you want to use, and we'll provide the rest!

New Books!

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

Book of Shadows by Cate Tiernan (YA TIERNAN)
Chicken Soup for the Teen Soul: Real-Life Stories by Real Teens (158.12 CHI)
The Coven by Cate Tiernan (YA TIERNAN)
Don't Call Me Ishmael by Michael Gerard Bauer (YA BAUER)
Don't Get It Twisted: A Del Rio Bay Clique Novel by Paula Chase (YA CHASE)
Estrella's Quinceanera by Malin Alegria (YA ALEGRIA)
The Icebound Land by John Flanagan (YA FLANAGAN)
Lucky: An It Girl Novel by Cecily Von Ziegesar
The Miner's Daughter by Gretchen Moran Laskas (YA LASKAS)
Porcupine by Meg Tilly (YA TILLY)
Powers by Ursula K. Le Guin (YA LE GUIN)
Princess Mia by Meg Cabot (YA CABOT)
Right Behind You by Gail Giles (YA GILES)
Wilderness by Roddy Doyle (YA DOYLE)

Monday, February 4, 2008

New Books!

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

Because I'm Worth It
by Cecily Von Ziegesar (YA VON ZIEGESAR)
Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale (YA HALE)
The Boy Book by E. Lockhart (YA LOCKHART)
Carpe Diem by Autumn Cornwell (YA CORNWELL)
Choices by Deborah Lynn Jacobs (YA JACOBS)
Gossip Girl: a Novel by Cecily Von ZIEGESAR (YA ZIEGESAR)
Hit and Run by Lurlene McDaniel (YA MCDANIEL)
Hush: an Irish Princess' Tale by Donna Jo Napoli (YA NAPOLI)
I Like It Like That by Cecily Von Ziegesar (YA ZIEGESAR)
Nobody Does It Better by Cecily Von Ziegesar (YA VON ZIEGESAR)
The Number Devil: a Mathematical Adventure by Hans Magnus Enzensberger (YA ENZENSBERGER)
Peaches by Jodi Lynn Anderson (YA ANDERSON)
Race: a History Beyond Black and White by Marc Aronson (305.8 ARO)
Snakehead by Anthony Horowitz (YA HOROWITZ)
You Know You Love Me by Cecily Von Ziegesar (YA VON ZIEGESAR)
You're the One that I Want by Cecily Von Ziegesar (YA VON ZIEGESAR)

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Staff Book Pick of the Week: Cover-up: Mystery at the Super Bowl


This week's pick is Cover-up: Mystery at the Super Bowl by John Feinstein (YA FEINSTEIN).

14-year olds Steve Thomas and Susan Carol Anderson have already covered two major sports scandals and are on their way to becoming famous as the reporters for Kid-Sports, a national cable television show. But when the Kid-Sports producer tells Steve he's been replaced on the show, he's convinced his career as a reporter just might be over. Luckily the Washington Herald newspaper sends Steve to cover the Super Bowl, and things start looking up. And Susan Carol is there as well - with her new co-host, an irritatingly handsome boy band member. Will Steve and Susan Carol still be friends? Will they land themselves in yet another mystery? Find out in Cover-up.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

New Book Display: Celebrate African-American History Month

Check out this new display celebrating African-American History Month in the Teens & Tweens Space:

Curtis, Christopher Paul
Bucking the Sarge: 15-year old Luther Farrell has lived his entire life under the thumb of his manipulative and money-hungry mother, the "Sarge." Forced to work countless hours at one of the Sarge's group homes in exchange for a college fund, Luther dreams of winning the science fair, living his own life, and convincing classmate Shayla to fall in love with him. When Luther realizes how vicious the Sarge can truly be, will he be able to cut his losses and get out?
YA CURTIS

Draper, Sharon
Copper Sun: 15-year old Amari's life changes forever the day white men enter her village. Forced on a slave ship and sold to a vicious master upon reaching America, Amari's last possession is hope. When she learns about Fort Mose, a Spanish settlement where slaves are freed, she is determined to make the journey there and gain her freedom.
YA DRAPER

Draper, Sharon
Fire From the Rock: 15-year old Sylvia is ready for high school - for new classes, hanging out with her friends, and maybe even a boyfriend. But then her teacher recommends she be placed on the list of African-American students to attend Central High, a segregated school that is to be integrated. Is Sylvia ready for such a difficult challenge?
YA DRAPER

Flake, Sharon
Begging for Change: 14-year old Raspberry Hill's mother has just been beat up and Raspberry has had it. But will stealing from her best friend make things right?
YA FLAKE

Grimes, Nikki
Bronx Masquerade: When their English teacher decides to start hosting open-mike Fridays, Mr. Ward's class at first isn't quite sure what to think. But then they decide to start sharing their writing, and everything changes.
YA GRIMES

Johnson, Angela
The First Part Last: 16-year old Bobby is left to raise his baby daughter Feather on his own, with little help from anyone. Through flashbacks and Bobby's narration, readers will discover how Bobby and Feather came to be where they are.
YA JOHNSON

Lester, Julius
Day of Tears: Slaveowner Pierce Butler has promised Emma's parents he will not sell her in his slave auction, the biggest in U.S. history. But when he decides not to keep that promise, Emma's life is irrevocably and heart-wrenchingly changed.
YA LESTER

Moore, Yvette
Freedom Songs: 14-year old Sheryl loves visiting her family in the South, but the visit her family makes in the spring of 1963 makes her see things differently. Her uncle Pete has decided to join the Freedom Riders, and Sheryl is determined to help him.
YA MOORE

Myers, Walter Dean
Harlem Summer: It's 1925 in Harlem, and 16-year old Mark Purvis cares about only two things - getting to play his sax with Fats Waller and staying alive until the end of the summer. While trying to convince the legendary piano player to listen to him play, Mark finds himself on the bad side of local gangster Dutch Schultz. What will he do next?
YA MYERS

A New Spot for Young Adult Nonfiction!

Ever wondered where to find young adult nonfiction? The next time you're looking for stuff about health, life, poetry, etc., look no further than the Teens & Tweens Space! Now the majority of young adult nonfiction will be shelved here for your convenience!

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Staff Pick of the Week: Cures for Heartbreak


This week's pick is Cures for Heartbreak by Margo Rabb (YA RABB).


High school freshman Mia Pearlman doesn't see how she can go on when her mother dies of cancer after being diagnosed just twelve days before. Before she knows what is happening, her father has a heart attack and acquires new girlfriend, and her sister Alex becomes even more unbearable than before their mother died. But somehow life is still there to be lived, and Mia realizes she's not completely immune to living it, though the thought of her mother will always be with her.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Staff Book Pick of the Week: La Linea


This week's pick is La Línea by Ann Jaramillo (YA JARAMILLO).

15-year old Miguel has always known he would make the journey north from his small town in Mexico and join his parents in California. Assuming Papá would have sent for him much sooner had there been enough money, Miguel is shocked to discover when Don Clemente, the man his father tells him to go to for help, tells Miguel he would have gotten him cross the border long ago had Papá's pride not interfered. Despite his anger at his father, Miguel is still determined to go and soon leaves the place he's called home his entire life to travel to California. But all of Miguel's plans begin to fall apart when he discovers his 13-year old sister Elena has secretly followed him, and soon the two are in grave danger. Will Miguel and Elena ever make it across the border? Will they survive the treacherous trek across the desert? Find out in La Línea.

New Books!

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

The Angel of Death by Alane Ferguson (YA FERGUSON)
Cool Girls Quilt: More Than 15 Fresh, Fun, and Funky Projects by Linda Lum DeBono (746.46 LUM)

Monday, January 14, 2008

Michael L. Printz Award!

The 2008 Michael L. Printz Award was announced by the American Library Association (ALA) today. The winner is The White Darkness by Geraldine McCaughrean, and the honor books are:

Dreamquake: Book Two of the Dreamhunter Duet by Elizabeth Knox
One Whole and Perfect Day by Judith Clarke
Repossessed by A.M. Jenkins
Your Own, Sylvia: A Verse Portrait of Sylvia Plath by Stephanie Hemphill

Reserve your copies today!

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Teens & Tweens Program this Saturday @ 2:00 PM

Marble Magnets!: Looking for something to help hang up pics in your locker? A cheap birthday present for your sister? Come make marble magnets this Saturday @ 2:00 PM!

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Staff Book Pick of the Week: The Poker Diaries


This week's pick is The Poker Diaries by Liza Conrad (YA CONRAD).

Lulu lives two separate lives: most of the time she's with her mom in Manhattan, living the life a private school society girl, but the rest of the time she's hanging out with her dad, playing poker and learning about what New York has to offer outside of Manhattan. Lulu likes both of her lives, although she definitely feels more of an affinity for her dad's way of doing things. But when her uptown friend Dack gets himself in a bit of trouble and finds himself owing money to the wrong people, Lulu knows she needs to use her downtown skills to help him out. However, things don't work out quite as planned, and now Lulu has a few problems of her own to contend with: her mom finding out, her mom's boyfriend finding out (who also happens to be the mayor of New York), and Lulu's own potential love interest getting in trouble because of her. What will Lulu's next move be?

New Books!

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

Good Witch of the West Vol. 3 by Noriko Ogiwara (YA GOOD WITCH OF THE WEST)
Pearl Pink Vol. 3 by Meca Tanaka (YA PEARL PINK)
Your Own, Sylvia: A Verse Portrait of Sylvia Plath by Stephanie Hemphill (811 HEM)

Monday, January 7, 2008

New Book Display: Love Stinks

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

Love Stinks ... or is confusing, at the very least

Barkley, Brad & Hepley, Heather
Dream Factory: 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 the Disney fantasy and find themselves connecting with each other. But Chip is played by Cassie, Luke's current girlfriend, and Prince Charming is Mark, a cute and forgettable Disney devotee. 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?
YA BARKLEY

Cabot, Meg
Princess in Love: Now that Mia has pretty much got the Princess of Genovia thing figured out (or so she thinks), she now must deal with her current boyfriend crisis. Kenny's a great guy, fun to talk to, etc., but there's one catch - Mia doesn't like him. In fact, she's very much in love with someone else. What's a princess to do?
YA CABOT

Cohn, Rachel & Levithan, David
Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist: Nick and Norah share their first kiss when Nick asks Norah to be his girlfriend for a few minutes in order to back at his ex, Tris. What follows is a night of conversation, music, and perhaps two people falling in love.
YA COHN

Hughes, Mark Peter
I Am the Wallpaper: 13-year old Floey is certain things will finally change once her beautiful and talented older sister Lilian is out of the house. And change they do - but will it be for the better? And will they guy she's been crushing on for ages finally notice?
YA HUGHES

Johnson, Maureen
Girl at Sea: 17-year old Clio just knows she's going to have the best summer of her life - she just got a job at the local art supply store, where her crush also happens to work. But then her mother sends her to live with her dad over the summer on his boat in the Mediterranean, which is the absolute last thing Clio wants to do. When Clio arrives her fears appear to come true - her dad is as obnoxious as ever, and the rest of her crewmates aren't much better. Especially Aidan, her father's girlfriend's research assistant. But could there be more to Aidan than his initial arrogance?
YA JOHNSON

Lockhart, E.
The Boyfriend List: 15-year old Ruby Oliver has not had a very easy past couple of weeks - her boyfriend broke up with her and started dating her best friend, her other friends have all dropped her, and now she's having panic attacks. When her new psychiatrist suggests she make a boyfriend list, is Ruby up to the task?
YA LOCKHART

Myers, Walter Dean
Street Love: Damien has everything ahead of him, while Junice is doing everything she can just to keep up with the present. Can two people with such different lives actually fall in love?
YA MYERS

Rennison, Louise
Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging: Confessions of Georgia Nicolson: 14-year old Georgia has enough to deal with - a cat who has it in for the neighbor's poodle, a dad who's taken off to New Zealand to find work, and a family who's just annoying in general. But when 17-year old Robbie enters the scene, everything changes.
YA RENNISON

Soto, Gary
Accidental Love: 14-year old Marisa couldn't care less about school, grades, or getting ahead. But one day she picks up the wrong cell phone and meets Rene, a boy completely unlike herself, and nothing will be ever be the same again.
YA SOTO

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Staff Book Pick of the Week: Strays


This week's pick is Strays by Ron Koertge (YA KOERTGE).

16-year old Ted's life is not going well. His parents just died in a car crash and he's stuck with scary foster parents and a couple of foster brothers - one seems okay but the other one could beat him up in about five seconds. Add those difficulties to the fact that Ted's never really gotten along with other people (he prefers to communicate with animals), it's kind of up in the air how things are going to work out. But as time goes by, Ted realizes that while he misses his parents and some aspects of the life he lived with them, he's not all that sure it was the right life for him. Will he be able to make peace with his parents' death? Will he realize that he is able to connect with others after all? Find out in Strays.

New Books!

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

Boot Camp by Todd Strasser (YA STRASSER)
A Samurai Never Fears Death by Dorothy & Thomas Hoobler (YA HOOBLER)
Uprising by Margaret Peterson Haddix (YA HADDIX)