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.

Back to School

The library is now open.