Book review by Chance Norton

Epic

by Conor Kostick

***Stars

This book is an easy, quick read even if you don’t particularly enjoy the subject, like I didn’t. The book is based around a young man named Eric and his friends in a world that is completely pacifist with the exception of an in depth video game that doubles as this world’s form of government. If any act of violence, even as simple as a slap, the offender could be banished from their society. The people must use the game as a form of bringing their debates before the government for review. They also need the game because the currency for the entire world is based on the currency in the game, for example 1000 dollars in the game can be used to buy a tractor for real life. All in all this is a book that is completely unbelievable from almost every standpoint. EVERY citizen uses their extra time on this game, even if they could be in their gardens making more food, which is most often scarce, they get on the game. Adults, Grandfathers, and everyone else down to around 12 years old plays this game.

The society is NOT workable and I couldn’t stand to read about a situation like that. The reason I gave the book three stars is because it was short and easy so I could be a book project overnight, because the themes are easy to pick out, and because the life in the game (without people controlling the characters) would have been an okay story by itself. Overall this is a book written by someone who makes video games and is addicted to games like World of Warcraft. So maybe its just not my thing.

What I Saw and How I Lied by Judy Blundell

**** stars

Dangerous liaisons, blackmail and murder.....

This coming-of-age story is set in the time period post WWII. With her stepfather Joe Spooner recently returned from the war, Evie and her beautiful mother, Beverly, set off with him on a grand vacation trip to a nearly deserted Palm Beach, Florida. The hotel is sparsely occupied and the family meets others who are staying there during this time. One of the other guests is a man named Peter; an old military buddy of Joe's who seems to have followed the family to this beach town. There seems to be some issue between the two of them, setting up the tension and conflict.

Peter is handsome, young and charming -- and both of the Spooner women are apparently entranced by him. Evie, age 15, has a huge crush on him and is eager to grow up and experience true love. Peter takes the two on drives and to the movies, spending time with them while Joe is working on putting together a business deal with another hotel occupant he met. Relationships between the hotel guests develop, but there are secrets and hidden agendas among them.

One day, Beverly, Joe and Peter set off on a fishing trip that turns deadly - only two of them return in the aftermath of a hurricane. Soon it becomes obvious to Evie that she has been lied to, repeatedly and completely by those she has loved.

Who is telling the lies and why? Who can she trust? I liked this book although I have reservations because of the way it ended.

Denise Crawford

My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison....

**** stars -- This one is more than "fair"......

I really enjoyed this lighthearted tale of a mixed up high school girl who isn't quite sure of what she wants in a boyfriend although she's dating the really hot senior, Hunter. Savannah's also not quite sure of who she is and what is important in life. When her smart sister Jane steals her boyfriend, and she's really down in the dumps, an inept "fair" godmother named Chrissy appears to grant Savannah three wishes. Unfortunately, Chrissy hasn't done so well in fairy school and is using this as an extra credit project. Mistakenly sent back to the Middle Ages, Savannah endures trials and tribulations, first becoming Cinderella and then Snow White, as she attempts to find her prince -- and a prom date.

This book is funny and sweet. I think teen girls will really enjoy it. There are spells galore, dragons and royalty, balls and feasts. Just as in a fairy tale and as predictable, there's no sex, alcohol or drug use, etc. (other than potions and poisons) and has a great ending!

Dead is a State of Mind by Marlene Perez (#2 in series)

*** stars

Bailey School Kids for the teen.......

The minute I opened this book I was transported back to the days when I first was reading The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids (Volume 1) which probably has about 50 titles in the series right now. Those books were about kids living in a town where all sorts of characters were imagined to be anything from werewolves to vampires to other various ghosts, goblins and creatures. This book is very much like that series, but for the pre-teen or early teen girl.

This is the second book in the series, and while I admit I haven't read the first, I think I got the concept in this one. It's a cute story about 3 sisters living in a town with their widowed mother. The sisters have powers that range from psychic abilities to telekinesis, and the mother works with the police chief. Without giving spoilers, most of the characters in the book have some sort of paranormal ability or are shifters or vampires or werewolves, etc. This story of a murder and a strange boy in town should appeal to any teens who enjoy a mystery based on a presumption that being in a "dead state of mind" is normal! The kids go to high school, have prom, and engaged in all sorts of typical teen behavior.

Nothing remarkable. Quick read.
Titles in series:
#1 Dead is the New Black Dead Is the New Black (Dead)
#2 Dead is a State of Mind (this book) Dead Is a State of Mind (Dead Is)
#3 Dead is so Last Year Dead Is So Last Year

New Holocaust fiction just in...

Do you like to read books about the Holocaust? This book, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, by John Boyne is gripping and powerful. The ending will rip your heart out!
Did you know it's also a currently showing movie?
http://www.film.com/movies/the-boy-in-striped-pajamas/15481268

Check it out today!

Book Review by Chance Norton

**** stars

This book by Anne Rice, Interview with the Vampire: a novel, is an engaging read that makes the reader truly care for what happens to the main characters. Yet because it is a book about vampires whose lives so transcend that of the everyday man, there are few real characters in this book, few that survive for more than a chapter.

The four characters that Anna Rice focuses on throughout this novel are Louis from colonial New Orleans, Lestat whose origins are undefined, Armand the wise and ancient leader, and Claudia the child vampire. The story weaves the tale of their lives through several hundred years of betrayals, infighting, death, and above all, a unique perspective on human life as only someone detached from it can see. The story gives an eerie look at what a vampire must do to survive as the world around him grows different from the colonial time that they knew to the time of automobiles and electricity. The most interesting thing to me though was the examination of what a vampire would have to do to simply go unnoticed in the world. Things we do everyday and never think about, things like traveling or eating. This book answers how a vampire would travel by boat from the Americas to the European continent and how they would make people think that they do normal things such as drink and eat in human company.

Overall this book is a great read especially when accompanied by the movie with Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Antonio Banderas and Kirsten Dunst.

And still more new books!

These just in for your reading enjoyment...

Nation by Terry Pratchett
"When much is taken, something is returned." Do you like Lord of the Flies? This book should interest you.
Refugess on an island confront the aftermath of catastrophe. As they struggle to survive, they "defy ancestral spirits, challenge death, and uncover a long-hidden secret that literally turns the world upside down."

Do you enjoy a good autobiography/memoir? This one will blow you away!
A Long Way Gone - Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah
The author tells his story -- at the age of 12, he fled rebels and by age 13 was picked up by the government army and pumped full of drugs, trained to kill and to survive in Sierra Leone.

Here's one for fans of fables, fairy tales and myths -- it's a retelling of the Rumplestiltskin story but set in a woolen mill on the cusp of the Industrial Revolution. Charlotte Miller has a chance to save her family's woolen mill after the death of her father. But at what cost? She strikes a bargain with the mysterious Jack Spinner.....a debut novel by Elizabeth Bunce: A Curse Dark as Gold.

Want a quick, easy read? 145th Street -- a collection of short stories by popular author Walter Dean Meyers might be just what you're looking for. "One street. One block. Ten unforgettable tales."

4 stars

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

This book might change the way you deal with friends and classmates.....

Have you ever found an unexpected package on your doorstep? How exciting to get a surprise, right? Well, for Clay Jensen, this package isn't what he hoped it would be. When he opens it, he finds cassette tapes and a note. The really scary thing is that these tapes have been left for him by a dead girl, Hannah, who committed suicide just a few weeks ago. Pills, they said. But why did she kill herself? She explains who is responsible for what she has done -- in her own words on the tapes, she gives 13 reasons why -- and they all have names. Despite being horrified at what he might hear about himself and the others on the tapes, he forces himself to listen to them. Along the way, following the map included with the recordings, he finds himself both excused and also held accountable. What Clay hears that night changes him forever. Recommended!

New Books!!

These just in at your O'Hara High School Library....

The Host by Stephenie Meyer. This is not part of the Twilight series but I think you'll like it. Look for a review coming soon.

Check this out -- a graphic novel for those who like comic books. This one is named by TIME Magazine as one of the best 100 novels. Watchmen by Alan Moore. Be the first to review this one.

A new one by an award winning author: Impossible by Nancy Werlin. "Lucy has nine months to break an ancient curse in order to save both herself and her unborn daughter.
Inspired by the ballad “Scarborough Fair,” this riveting novel combines suspense, fantasy, and romance for an intensely page-turning and masterfully original tale."

What a beautiful book!

4 stars........Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork

I had picked this book up a couple of times in the last 2 weeks but always set it aside to read something else. Finally I opened it and began - then I could not put it down! I immediately fell in love with the main character, Marcelo, who has some type of cognitive disorder in the autism/Asperger’s spectrum. But this book is NOT about the neurobiological condition, but about the HUMAN condition.
Marcelo, age 17, is going to be a senior in high school. He has lived a somewhat coddled and sheltered life – living in a tree house next to the family home and going to a special school for children with disabilities. His father asks that he work the summer at his law firm in order to learn more about the “real world” and about the skills and abilities Marcelo will need for his future. Marcelo hesitantly agrees, knowing that the deal was that if he should do well, he will be permitted to return to his special school versus having to attend the public high school in the fall. Marcelo starts his job, meets his boss Jasmine and learns to make small talk, work and interact with the other employees in the firm, including the son of his father’s partner – a playboy with a bad attitude and poor ethics.
In the course of the story, Marcelo learns some secrets about himself, his father, and about a lawsuit in progress that show him that all people are not completely good and that the world is not black and white. His special obsession is religion and there is a lot of spiritual discussion in the book which at times went on a little long, but Marcelo does learn how to differentiate within shades of gray to make a very momentous decision that will change his outlook and his life. Recommend: BUY IT!

Persistence of Memory by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

3 stars: There's a vampire in my head...........
I'm a bit surprised by all the negative reviews. I found the book rather interesting and unusual. At least with this story, you know right away it's fantasy - not like with some teen books that are supposed to be realistic and yet are not. I don't read much in the way of vampire and shape-shifter lore, so I was trying to figure out what different types of powers the various characters had and to discern what was going on from the beginning. The changes in time, characters, and place were at times a bit confusing.
Erin, aged 16, has spent most of her years in and out of mental hospitals and diagnosed with schizophrenia and dangerous behavior. She has recently had a flash of memories of being in another person's body in another place and time. The concept of severe schizophrenia being due to something otherworldly was a unique one. The characters were a bit flat, and unlike other reviewers, I wanted to know more about the life and times of the vampire and her consort rather than about modern day Erin and Sassy. The one thing I would want included or added to make this book better would be MORE INFORMATION. It seemed to end rather rapidly with all the history and detail not fully explained. Although this book will probably not be gobbled up like the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer or Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz, I would think about buying this one for the school library.
The Twilight Collection (Twilight);
Blue Bloods (Blue Bloods Novel)
Masquerade (A Blue Bloods Novel) (Blue Bloods Novel)
Blue Bloods 3: Revelations;

Don't fall for an illusion......

3 Stars for Paper Towns by John Green

Once again, I seem to have a minority opinion about a book. The plot: male teen (Quentin) obsessed (infatuated) with next door neighbor (Margo Roth Spiegelman) goes through incredible lengths to find her after she disappears. He believes he finds clues that she has left for HIM so that he alone will be able to track her down and “rescue” her. He enlists the help of his friends in this search; all the while worried about this girl he has never had a relationship with beyond a grade school friendship.

Although the teens in the story did, at times, act like typical high school seniors, exhibit teen humor and antics -- the entire scenario was implausible and did not reflect the emotions, activities, and obsessions typical of any 17 year old boy I've ever seen. I checked out my thoughts on this with Chance -- a fairly typical 17 year old soccer player who also found it difficult to believe the male character's actions and motivations. This book did not ring true on the most fundamental levels - it was pretty unrealistic and sort of pathetic that this boy fancies himself on a noble quest and sees himself as a hero, ultimately, hopefully to her. Unrequited teen infatuation, angst, drama, a car trip -- all of it hard to swallow.

The novel started off to be entertaining but then it seemed to dwindle into tediousness. The overly long focus on the words and analysis of Leaves of Grass, and the plodding and painstaking descriptions of all the search attempts left me bored and impatient. Many times I just wanted it all to be over with and was tempted to just read the ending. I kept going hoping that the conclusion would be so astounding as to redeem the rest of the filler. It didn't. The last few chapters were just ……..completely unbelievable. I did learn something very interesting that I did not know, and that was the definition and explanation of the term “Paper Town.”

The morals of this story: Stop imagining positive qualities and characteristics of people you don't really know. They aren't worth it. Get to know the real person and see people how they really are, not the way you want them to be. Do not fall for an illusion.

Recommendation: Borrow, don't buy.

The Lovely Bones Movie

Here's a link to cast list for upcoming movie of The Lovely Bones. Great discussion on Friday at the meeting! Can't wait to see this movie.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0380510/

Review by MaKayla Quinn

Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer
The Twilight series books were the most fantastic books I have ever read. They were so full of detail, plot twists, and action that I had to read each chapter at least twice before I could understand it! All of the characters were so detailed and full of emotion. It literally felt like the characters were there with me or like I was part of the story. The entire Twilight Series should be in every teenager's bookshelf. I didn't know what I was getting myself into when I first picked up Twilight. After reading it I was dying to get New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn. Now after finishing Breaking Dawn last month, I can finally put my appreciation for Stephenie Meyer's magnificent creations into words. In my personal favorite authors, including J.K. Rowling, Darren Shan, Sue Monk Kidd, and Richard Bachmen, Stephenie Meyer is at the top of the list. The Twilight Series is now one of my top favorite book series next to Harry Potter. All in all, the Twilight Series gets 5 out of 5 stars from me. If they mess up the movie, I will go Volturi on Warner Bro. They shouldn't because the Harry Potter movies have been great so far.

Chance Norton

Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment by James Patterson

3 out of 5 Stars
This book by James Patterson has an interesting plot, and also an interesting idea behind it but was written in a childish way. The emotions of the characters, their motivations are simple; nothing is complex in their thought process or actions. The book is also written in James Patterson’s unique style, with a new chapter every three or four pages which can be refreshing but can also be a little annoying if you are not used to it.
This book's saving grace is the fact that the children in this book, the flock, have a very cool ability. They can fly. Throughout the entire book I was thinking of how cool it would be to be able to do the things that the flock does. Another plus is a plot twist regarding their beginnings (which was sort of skipped over in this book) that I cannot tell you because it would ruin the best part of the book. On the other side, a negative is the enemies of the flock. Erasers. Man-Wolf creatures. This is an example of the childishness of the novel. There are more inspiring names for enemies as potentially frightening as these than something you wipe up chalk with.
All in all this is a book which has potential to be good but needs a lot of work. Giving the characters more depth, making the book as a whole less predictable, and writing it at your audience’s reading level would help Patterson immensely. I would recommend reading this book but only because being able to fly would be really cool.

3 Stars for this one.......Yawn.....

The School for Dangerous Girls by Eliot Schrefer

The plot: a bad girl (who really isn't all that bad) is sent to a reform school by remote, tired, and stoic parents sick of the misbehavior of their offspring. The story reminded me a bit of Lord of the Flies - kids on their own without adult supervision and protection. The setting, however, was not a deserted island where children were alone and left to run amok, but was a boarding school managed by unscrupulous administrators and psychologists, etc. The girls are allowed to treat each other according to whim at the behest of their therapists and other school mates. Those in charge punish the girls for infractions by various methods including locking one girl in a freezer or putting them in solitary confinement in a basement.

The story breaks down when, after misbehavior, Angela is taken from her place as golden thread and abandoned in the realm of the purple thread girls - the ones that can't be rehabilitated. These abandoned girls are housed in a hidden gymnasium where they are left to their own devices. After Angela joins them, they become "organized" and have some turf wars, attempt to get evidence of wrongdoings, experience some additional page wasting antics, and then, as you might expect, have a nicely wrapped up, but not completely pulled together, happy ending. Recommendation: Yawn............

Just fantastic!

The Woman in White (Barnes & Noble Classics)
by Wilkie Collins

Let me say this -- I LOVED this book. I devoured it over a couple of days and have reread pages and passages since. I don't often choose to read victorian gothic, but the characters and the plot devices really hooked me. Setting: England, circa 1800s. Lush countryside estates. Characters: Two half sisters, bound through maternal line -- one rich, one poor -- one pretty, one not so much -- one very clever, the other, well -- is a tool to be abused. And get this -- an obese count to play the part of villain along with a dastardly baronet to wed an orphan girl.....you'll love it. And also -- get the Andrew Lloyd Webber CD of the musical with the same name AND watch the masterpiece theater version as well. Three ways to enjoy this splendid tale. I would rate it higher than 5 stars if I could!

October Book Club

Attention – would you like to join the October Book Club? We are reading The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. We have 7 copies of the book available in the library. Stop by if you are interested. All students are welcome to join. Our meeting will be held in the library on Friday, October 31 at 7:40 am. Bring your breakfast and join in the great discussion of a hugely popular book.

Review by Chance Norton

Brisingr by Christopher Paolini 3/5 Stars

Brisingr is an engaging book and a decent addition to this popular series but is not of quite the same quality as the first two. While having plenty of action, elements of the romance seen in the first two book, and also new pieces to the plot, the book has a feel of being a setup for the final book, and not a stand alone interesting read. In other words, this is a book that will never be the favorite of the series for anyone who reads it.
All in all I would give this book a 3 of 5 stars, for its interesting plot fillers but also its unnecessary dragging out of the story. This series could have been completed in three books like was originally planned but was possibly drawn out to produce more money.

New books!

Three new titles just in for your reading pleasure:

Basketball, anyone?
On the Devil's Court by Carl Deuker
"After reading Doctor Faustus, Joe considers the merits of selling his soul to the devil. Suddenly, he finds himself changing from a lousy basketball player and a C student to the star athlete he always dreamed he could be. Even though he isn't sure if he actually made a deal with the devil, he can't help but enjoy the benefits that come with his new found abilities. But is achieving his dreams worth what he may have given up?"
An ALA Best of the Best Books for Young Adults and Reluctant Readers

A little romance?
Bloom by Elizabeth Scott
"Lauren has a good life: decent grades, great friends, and a boyfriend every girl wants. So why is she so unhappy? It takes the arrival of a new boy for Lauren to figure out the answer. She needs to make a choice, before one is made for her."

Life-changing?
Such a Pretty Girl by Laura Wiess
"They promised Meredith nine years of safety, but only gave her three. Her father was supposed to be locked up until Meredith turned eighteen. She thought she had time to grow up, get out, and start a new life. But Meredith is only 15, and today her father is coming home from prison. Today her time has run out."

Check them out in your school library.
Mrs. C.

Teen Read Week 2008

"October 12th-18th is Teen Read Week. Join thousands of teens across the country who will be reading for the fun of it as schools, libraries and bookstores celebrate this year's theme, "Books with Bite @ your library.”

If you would like to receive a monthly copy of the online Teenreads.com newsletter, go to the website and sign up using your email address.

Books into Movies.....

From Teenreads.com Newsletter:

"NICK & NORAH’S INFINITE PLAYLIST actually began when author Rachel Cohn mentioned to her friend, fellow writer David Levithan, her idea for a novel. Two New Jersey teenagers would meet at a music club in Manhattan and have an all-night series of adventures as they keep searching for where the next great band is playing. Levithan loved the idea so much that he asked if he could write Nick’s part, and Cohn agreed. A few months later, he sent her Nick’s opening chapter, and they began emailing each other back and forth for the rest of the summer. Without any planning, the book --- which Levithan has called “a truly kick-... love story” --- thus emerged and has now been adapted into a major motion picture. Starring Michael Cera of Superbad and Juno fame, and releasing on October 3rd, this is one movie you won’t want to miss."

We have a copy of this book in our library. Check it out or place it on hold now!

More new books!

The newest titles added to our library collection are the conclusions to two trilogies that many of you may have been reading.

Brisingr -- Book Three of the Inheritance series (Eragon, Eldest) by Christopher Paolini is the last in this wildly popular tale of warriors, magic, and dragons.
oaths sworn..loyalties tested..forces collide."

Inkdeath -- the third book in the Inheart series (Inheart, Inkspell) by Cornelia Funke is the "stunning conclusion to the bestselling triology." The movie based on the first book will be coming out January 9, 2009.
http://www.themovieinsider.com/m2077/inkheart/

Look for these or place a hold now!

Mrs. C.

Wherever Nina Lies by Lynn Weingarten

I had to read and review this book for amazon.com -- maybe some of you will see it on the shelves at the local bookstore -- here is my review -- but please, if you do read it, feel free to write to disagree:

2 stars -- this one should go back to the drawing board

... I’m always looking for new YA authors and new books to add to our school shelves. This novel won’t be one that I purchase. I wanted to like it – the ingredients seemed to be there – the premise: an older sister, Nina, has vanished without a trace and has been missing for 2 years. The sister is portrayed as being a bit wild, sneaking out at night, etc. The younger sister, Ellie, finds a clue (that happens to be a drawing) and sets off to find her in what I thought would be a suspenseful and mysterious search. Unfortunately, this story just never got off the ground. The rest of the plot was thin, contrived, and unrealistic as it evolved. The character of Ellie was the only one that was somewhat developed; the supporting cast was totally stereotypical -- from the absent, completely clueless mother to the gay boss at the coffee shop. The cross country trek Ellie takes with a stranger, a “hot guy” named Sean, was intrinsically unbelievable and relied on some assumptions about the ability of teenagers to rent hotel rooms at their age and have access to that kind of time away from home, school, jobs and also the amount of money needed. I don’t mind a stretch of credulity in a teen novel now and again, but this was way too much from start to finish. The story fell apart for me as Sean and Ellie start on their harebrained journey in his car, meeting up with random people following a band – the clues or whatever these drawings are just made no sense. There was never any mention of the family enlisting detectives or police to look for this missing girl, the mother’s lack of interest in the whereabouts of her daughter, the denouement and revelation of the reason for the disappearance and the lack of contact – well it just didn’t work. I had to force myself to finish. There was no suspense in the book and the “bad guy” really wasn’t very menacing, Ellie was immature with very poor judgment, her friendship with Amanda didn’t feel realistic, and the way the book ended all added up to a forgettable read by a debut author. Recommendation: Skip it.

Mrs. C.

New Books!

The following new books are now available for checkout from the library......

Ghostgirl by Tonya Hurley -- "sometimes high school really is a matter of life or death....Charlotte Usher feels practically invisible at school, and then one day she really is. Even worse: she's dead. And all because of a guy and a gummy bear."

Kitty, Kitty by Michel Jaffe -- this is the sequel to Bad Kitty. "Jasmine had everything a girl could want. It wasn't her idea to move to Venice......but it's not so bad until her cousin and best friend arrive. Faster than you can say "gelato," Jasmine is caught up in a catastrophic caper...."

The Sorcerer King by Frewin Jones -- this is book three in the Faerie Path series. "Tania is a princess of the Faerie Court, but the Court now lies in ruins. Tania and her love must travel to find and rescue the King who is their only hope for defeating the evil Sorcerer King."

Generation Dead by Daniel Waters -- "Phoebe is just your typical goth girl with a crush. He's strong and silent...and dead. All over the country, a strange phenomenon is occurring. Some teenagers who die aren't staying dead. They are coming back to life, but they are no longer the same." Funny!!!

Strays by Ron Koertge -- "Ted's parents just died in a fiery car crash, and now he's stuck with a set of semi-psycho foster parents, two foster brothers and a high school full of delinquents sure to eat him alive. He's having pretty much the worst year of his miserable life. Or so he thinks."

Enjoy!

Mrs. C.

Review by Chance Norton

The Hunger Games
By Suzanne Collins

Four out of Five stars: Excellent Book

This is a book that has everything a reader could want, action mixed with romance, violence mixed with sensitivity. Set in the future, in a place that was once North America, this novel tells the tale of a country dominated by the oppressive “Capitol” which is the ruling city of Panem. Panem is composed of twelve districts; each named so for one of the rebellions that was crushed by the armies of the Capitol. As a reminder of their complete domination of the districts, the Capitol takes one boy and one girl from each district every year to compete in their “Hunger Games.”
These gladiatorial style games are a source of entertainment for the richer districts and the Capitol, and a source of dread for the poor, lower class, who are literally forced into the life and death competitions. This novel is the first in a series by Suzanne Collins, following the life of two teenagers from District Twelve, made to leave their homes and compete with the best from every other district… as well as each other.

Twilight/New Moon Student Review by MaKayla Quinn

These two books, Twilight and New Moon by Stephenie Meyer, are the most amazing I've ever read. The twists in the plot, the characters, and the descriptiveness will keep readers turning the pages faster than Edward can say "No." I love these books and can't wait to read Eclipse.

New Books!!

The following new books have just arrived. Come by and check these out.

Vibes by Amy Ryan -- "It isn't easy being able to read minds..." (previously reviewed, see below)

Hot new series:

The Alchemyst -- the secrets of the immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott
This name should be familiar to all you Harry Potter fans!
"An ancient book is lost. The modern world could be ripped apart at the seams."
From summary -- "While working at pleasant but mundane summer jobs in San Francisco, 15 year-old twins, Sophie and Josh, suddenly find themselves caught up in the deadly, centuries-old struggle between rival alchemists... over the possession of an ancient and powerful book holding the secret formulas for alchemy and everlasting life."

The Magician -- the sequel to the NY Times Bestselling book The Alchemyst -- continues the secrets of the immortal Nicholas Flamel

All We Know of Heaven by Jacquelyn Mitchard
"Two best friends, a horrific accident. One survives, but which one?" This book is based on a true story of mistaken identity.

The Midnight Twins by Jacquelyn Mitchard
" Each twin has visions -- but is that a blessing or a curse? One twin has the power to see into the future, one to see deep into the past. Only they can put a stop to the threat that looms over their small town. That is, if their powers don't tear them apart first."

3.5 Stars -- Review by Chance Norton

Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code by Eoin Colfer

How many people have wished they were smarter? Or that maybe, just this once they could pull off a heist? Maybe have a butler that is more than just a butler?

In this third volume of Artemis’ adventures with the People (fairies of course), Artemis does all this and more with his friends. This book has everything a YA reader could want, plot twists, horrible bad guys, loveable good guys and not so loveable antiheros.
Artemis’ plan is of course to collect even more money in this novel and he sets out to get it by NOT selling his C-Cube, which is a futuristic part fairy portable technology. DVD player, VHS player, security slicer, MP3 player, ect. There is nothing this thing cannot do. And the man he wants to NOT sell this wonderful piece of technology for is a man named John Spiro, industry leader in the very things the C-Cube will take over. Needless to say he is not pleased by this revelation and sets out to make the C-Cube his… No matter what happens to Artemis and his friends.
I recommend this book for all fans of the series and everyone who likes a good weekend read with plenty of humor, plenty of action, and of course, fairies.

Book Club for September

We are reading My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult for this month's OHS book club.
I have 5 copies of it available for check out so stop by and pick up yours. If you prefer, you may obtain the book from a local public library. Our meeting will be held on Friday, September 26 at 7:40 am in the library. All interested students who read the book are welcome to join us. Bring your breakfast!

Mrs. C.

Need a good book?

We have 750 YA books in the library -- stop by!

The Hunger Games -- now arrived!

Recent new books:

Identical by Ellen Hopkins -- this is a new one by the queen of free verse. If you liked her other books, you might want to check this one out as well. It's about twins who seem to have it all, but there are horrible secrets behind the door to their home.

The Adoration of Jenna Fox -- How far would you go to save someone you love?

Artemis Fowl -- #6 in the series The Time Paradox by Eoin Colfer -- After disappearing for three years, he's returned to a life much different than the one he had.

The Fourth Book of Ember -- The Diamond of Darkhold by Jeanne DuPrau -- A darkness different from Ember's, but just as frightening. The first book in this series is slated for motion picture release in Fall 2008.

And...if you haven't yet read the first one in the popular series about vampires, Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, you'll want to do that before the movie comes out
Twilight the Movie
Release date: November 21, 2008
http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/twilight_movie.html

Come on in and check out a good book for the weekend.

Mrs. C.

It's "Hairspray" with a psychic bent..............,

Coming soon.......

Vibes by Amy Kathleen Ryan

Teen girls will like this book. It reminded me of the musical, "Hairspray" because the heroine is quirky and heavyset -- but has a hidden ability. In this case, she is capable of reading other peoples' thoughts -- or so she thinks. Despite being predictable as far as the outcome of the main story line, there are some surprising poignant moments as various teens and adults interact with the main character. I particularly liked the evolution of the mother-daughter relationship. Kristi attends an unusual school, Journeys, run by an exhippie. Classes include morning meeting, contemplation, afternoon personal time, culinary arts, exploration of nature and processing. During one assignment, Kristi is paired with the boy she has had a crush on since her preteen years, Gusty. After a series of ups and downs, Kristi discovers that perhaps her psychic abilities are both good and bad and figures out her true motivations. I liked the character because she was not a brilliant, beautiful, athletic, talented girl. She was flawed, and in this, will be endearing to teenagers who are struggling with their own self image. Various social topics of interest to teens are included such as anorexia, homosexuality, adultery, smoking and other typical teen concerns such as acne, popularity and social status. There is no sex or violence in this book.
Mrs. C.

New book coming to OHS library soon!

Futuristic, postapocalyptic "The Lottery" meets "The Most Dangerous Game"

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

This book for young adults has it all -- adventure, intrigue, drama, violence and yes, even romance. The reader cannot help but make comparisons as the book opens with talk of "the reaping" which brings overtones of "The Lottery" to mind. In section 12, as in all other 11 districts in a futuristic, post apocalyptic United States, children aged 12-18 must appear at a gathering where the name of a boy and a girl will be selected at random from a large ball. Upon selection, these children will be the district's tribute to the Capitol as a type of repayment for infractions and rebellion at a previous point in time. The children from each sector are taken to the Capitol and then released into an arena where they compete to the death in The Hunger Games.

Sixteen year old Katniss, a skilled hunter for her district, volunteers to take the place of her younger sister and is transported to the training center at the Capitol in luxury with a baker's son, Peeta. Both teens, along with pairs from the other 11 districts, are gathered for a week of activities that sound much like a team arrival at the Olympic Games or like young women at a Miss America beauty pageant. The events scheduled for the week preceding the games involve marketing of the game players, stylists, trainers and eliciting sponsors. Finally the week is over and Katniss and Peeta are released into the arena. What follows is the game of kill or be killed. The teenagers need food, water and shelter to survive. Only one victor is allowed; everyone else must be vanquished.
The story of Katniss' time in the arena, reminiscent of "The Most Dangerous Game" (where man is prey, hunted by other man) and sounds like scenes from "The Gladiator" is harsh and filled with terror and pain. Can she survive when it means that she must kill humans to live? Who will emerge as the winner when it means that humanity will be lost?

Fast paced and filled with suspense, this is the first book in what appears to be a new series by this author. Despite some descriptive gore and violence, this reader highly recommends THE HUNGER GAMES for high school age teens and young adults.

Book #2 Catching Fire (The Second Book of the Hunger Games) by Suzanne Collins comes out on September 1, 2009.

Mrs. C.

Welcome Back!

Welcome back to school for the 2008-2009 year. Hope you all enjoyed some good books over the summer and I'd love for you to stop by and tell me about them. I've been busy reading and acquiring some new titles for your reading pleasure in the Young Adult/Teen fiction section. There are some great new releases and new books in your favorite series as well.
Bring your student ID and come by and check us out!

New books this week:

Breaking Dawn (The Twilight Saga, Book 4) by Stephenie Meyer

Gone by Michael Grant

Streams of Babel by Carol Plum-Ucci

Stop in the Name of Pants! (Confessions of Georgia Nicolson) by Louise Rennison

Princess Ben by Catherine Murdock

the dead and the gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Cathy's Key: If Found 650-266-8202 by Sean Stewart and Jordan Weisman

Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen

Saga by Conor Kostick

The Sky Inside by Clare B. Dunkle

Pretty Little Liars #4: Unbelievable (Pretty Little Liars) by Sara Shepard

Bewitching Season by Marissa Doyle

Secrets of My Hollywood Life: Family Affairs (Secrets of My Hollywood Life) by Jen Calonita

Airhead by Meg Cabot

Rumors: A Luxe Novel (The Luxe) by Anna Godbersen

More new ones on the way!! Email me any suggestions!

Mrs. C.

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