It's All About Perspective--Jumped Book Review

Three girls, three voices, three perspectives.

Dominique is an all-ball girl who's been benched because her grades are too low; she doesn't like anyone getting in her space and everyone knows not to mess with her. Trina is a peppy artist who loves to flaunt her stuff. All it takes is one word, "hey," to send Dominique over the edge. Leticia is stuck attending zero-hour classes to make up for the subjects she failed last term. She overhears Dominuqe's plan to jump Trina at the end of the day--only she questions whether she really understood what she overheard.

Sometimes, what you don't do has more of an impact than what you do. With very little interaction among them at first, Dominique, Leticia, and Trina's lives will change forever as their paths intersect. For these girls, intent is not everything.

Jumped by Rita Williams-Garcia is a fast-paced, gripping novel told from the perspective of three distinct and realistic voices. Your eyes will be glued to the page as you read about how decisions, actions, and words can change a person's life.

The Hunger Games Movie

There's good news and there's bad news. The good news is, according to an article on Entertainment Weekly's website, Suzanne Collins has written the first draft to the screenplay for Hunger Games motion picture. I love the idea of the author writing the screenplay since she'll have a clearer idea of what can be edited and adjusted for the big screen. The bad news is, the movie won't be out until 2012, which seems so far away! For more info read the article here.

Girl in Translation Book Review

The Statue of Liberty, bright lights, and skyscrapers--these are quintessential landmarks of New York City. This is what 11-year-old ah-Kim (aka Kimberly) Chang is looking forward to when she and her mother emigrate from Hong Kong to the U.S. Instead, she finds herself living in a broken down area of Brooklyn in a small apartment with no heat in the freezing winters and no air to cool them from the sweltering heat. The apartment also has many nightly visitors, such as giant roaches and rats. Despite her harsh living conditions, Kimberly has to balance school, which luckily, she has a great talent for, and helping her mother at the sweatshop in Chinatown. Faced with endless struggles, Kimberly continues to shape her own destiny and fights to create a better life for her and her mother.

Kwok’s debut coming-of-age novel about the life of a Chinese-American immigrant girl from adolescence to adulthood is engaging, thought-provoking, and heartwarming; it provides a glimpse into the lives and repressed hardships many immigrants faced, while expressing the universal struggle of holding onto your own identity while striving to fit in.

Rosebush Book Review

Someone tried to murder Jane. And it seems like they aren't going to stop until she is good and dead. In Michele Jaffe's pyschological thriller, Rosebush, popular girl Jane wakes up in a hospital bed paralyzed. Jane learns that she's been the victim of a vicious hit and run accident - only this was no accident. As Jane is layed up in bed, she begins to discover that it may have been one of her friends who tried to murder her. Is it her best friend Kate, beautiful and perfect but whose feelings for Jane may not be what they seem? Or is it Ollie, her boyfriend's best friend who has never hid his dislike for Jane and has been known to secretly video tape people? Or could it even be David, Jane's "perfect" boyfriend who was caught in a compromising position with another girl at a party on the night of the attack? Could it be her "secret admirer" who keeps sending creepy gifts to Jane? Or could this all just be Jane's heavily medicated mind playing tricks on her? As Jane's memories of the evening slowly come in to focus the suspense mounts and the killer just may be lurking in the shadows.

Nominate Your Favorite Steampunk Book

Steampunk is a fascinating subgenre that takes place (mostly, but not always) in the Victorian era. Yet, characters in this alternate time line have advanced technology, mostly made of steam. Steampunk is reflected in fiction and has also made its way into fashion. For anyone who enjoys Steampunk, visit this website to nominate your favorite Steampunk novel for "Steampunk.com's Best Book of 2010 Award." New to Steampunk? Not a problem! This website also provides great information about what it is, what some classic titles are, etc.

http://www.steampunk.com/pick-the-steampunk-book-of-the-year/

'The Person Just for Me'--Review of Girl Parts

Girl Parts by John Cusick begins with a young girl overdosing in front of her computer; the webcam has its eyes on her and hundreds of viewers are glued to their screens, watching her die. After being confronted for watching the suicide by his computer-tycoon father, seventeen-year-old David Sun is diagnosed with “dissociative disorder”… and he’s not the only one. What’s the cure? For David, the cure for his disorder is to pick out his perfect ‘companion’ from the well-known Japanese Company Sokora Solutions who specializes in creating custom made fem-bots to help males around the world.

Beautiful, red-headed Rose is everything David could ever want in a woman. Yet, David needs to learn to keep control, seeing as her intimacy clock is specifically designed to keep David in line and train him to form proper connections with females. This is done by sending him mild electric shocks to try and condition his behavior. And when the time finally does come for them to be completely intimate, David and Rose find out that despite Rose’s life-like looks and attitude, she’s still not a human girl. David and his lonely classmate Charlie both become emotionally involved with this unique girl, while Rose slowly learns what it’s like to truly be human.

From the very first page, to its disconcerting ending, Girl Parts addresses our growing reliance on technology and the importance of feeling connected to others. The book explores themes of humanity, artificial intelligence, and the role of the Internet in our lives. The concept is intriguing, combining science fiction with the real world. While it takes place in the present, technology is more advanced than it is today: students sit in front of computers all day for ‘school,’ and research in artificial intelligence is thriving. Though the story takes a while to build up and tends to drag in certain places, Girl Parts is a fun, quick read.

Fans of anime and manga will recognize these themes from numerous popular series, particularly Chobits, by Clamp. It was for Girl Parts’ striking resemblance to Chobits that I was attracted to this book. Artificial intelligence creatures desiring to be human and questioning their role in society is not a new concept, but Girl Parts does a good job at setting itself from the mainstream in an interesting and unique way.

The Replacement Book Review

Welcome to the town Gentry, where there is great fortune and prosperity, the direct result of an ancient pact made between two worlds. But deep down, there's a dark secret that no one will admit to: every seven years a human baby is taken as a sacrifice and replaced with a baby from the underworld. Most of the time the Changling dies, unloved by the family it tore apart--all except Macky Doyle. Macky just wanted to fit in; instead, his coloring is a little too pale, his eyes darker than normal, and he gets sick anytime he's overexposed to anything with iron in it. Macky wants to go on dates and kiss the girl of his dreams, even though she has a metal tongue ring that would poison him. He lives his life knowing it isn't his, knowing he isn't the real Macky Doyle, despite the ongoing love and support from his sister. But, when Macky's friend's sister gets Taken, he must return to where he came from and decide where his loyalties lie.

The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff is a unique take on the popular topic of faeries in YA fiction. Yovanoff's engaging characters, beautiful language, and haunting tone alongside an eerie backdrop make her first novel a must read. For fans of Tim Burton, Irish and Norse mythology, faeries, horror, and unlikely heroes, this book is for you.

The Last Good Place of Lily Odilon Book Review

I always love a good mystery and The Last Good Place of Lily Odilon by Sara Beitia is just that. Albert Morales sneaks into his girlfriend's house to spend the night, only to wake up later and find her gone. Since Lily has been known to be a bit on the wild side, Albert tries not to worry too much. But when the police show up at school, Albert becomes a prime suspect in Lily's disappearance. With the help of Lily's sister, Olivia, Albert uncovers a shocking secret and sets out on foot to find Lily. The chapters alternate between real time and Albert's memories of meeting Lily and their relationship as it progresses. Albert is a regular high school guy, with difficult parents who don't understand him or his relationship with Lily. With a despicable villain, a sketchy jock and building suspense, this is a satisfying mystery.

One Crazy Summer Book Review

It's 1968 and Delphine and her two youngers sisters are flying from Brooklyn to Oakland, California to spend a month with their mother, Cecile, who abandoned them years ago. Until now, all Delphine has known of her mother is the brief flashes she remembers and the negative things her grandmother and uncle have told her. Nothing can prepare Delphine for what she encounters when she arrives in California. Cecile's dislike and disinterest for her children is shocking to the girls. Instead of a summer at Disneyland and meeting glamorous movie stars, Delphine and her sisters are forced to spend their days out of Cecile's house and at a community center run by the Black Panthers. The summer turns out to be memorable and eye opening for both Delphine and the reader. A must-read!

Dash and Lily's Book of Dares Book Review

Rachel Cohn and David Levithan have teamed up again with their latest title: Dash and Lily's Book of Dares. It's Christmastime in New York and Lily is looking for someone worthy of sharing her first kiss. When Lily's brother Langston gives her the clever idea to leave a red notebook with a list of literary clues in The Strand (Lily's most favorite book store), she's hopeful she'll attract the boy she's been waiting for. Enter Dash (short for Dashiell), a bit of a grinch and certainly "snarly", who happens to be celebrating Christmas alone. Full of New York City landmarks, Christmas cheer, and memorable and quirky characters, this is the perfect read for the month of December. Fans of Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist will find this to be more innocent and less edgy, but a fun read in its own right.

(Lily and Dash are named after a famous couple Dashiell Hammett and Lillian Hellman, both American writers.)

If I Stay Movie

Rumor has it Dakota Fanning is in talks to play Mia in the film adaptation of If I Stay based on the book by Gayle Forman. Personally, I'm not a fan of Dakota Fanning, so I'd rather the role go to someone else. A follow up to the book, Where She Went, will be published in April 2011.

Book Trailers

We love book trailers here at the library. It's a great way to promote a book and they look like a lot of fun to put together. Check out this blog that has book trailers of the past Printz award winners and honor books. It was put together by a professor and her students from a Texas college. What books would you like to see trailers for?

Looking for a Scary Read?

Autumn always gets me in the mood for scary books and movies. If you are in the mood for a creepy read, here is a list of some scary books I've read recently:

Wicked Girls by Stephanie Hemphill

Historical fiction about the Salem Witch Trials. Told from each of the accusser's point of view, it's not scary in the traditional sense, but it's fitting for this time of year.

Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn

Ok, I know this is a book for a younger audience, but it scared me to death when I was in 4th grade...and when I read it again recently.

The Prince of Mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

During WWII, a family moves to the seaside to escape the bombings occuring in London. Little do they know their new house is haunted by an evil magician. Creepy stone statues in the garden add to the atmosphere.

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

Part realistic fiction, part historical fiction (taking place during the gruesome French Revolution), add a supernatural twist and you've got a good read.

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

After opening a door in her new home, Coraline finds herself in a mysterious world where she must overcome a scary entity to save her family.

A Curse Dark As Gold by Elizabeth Bunce

A retelling of the Rumplestiltskin tale. A little man spinning staw into gold, trying to take the first born--definitely creepy.

Teens Top Ten Results

The results of the YALSA Teens' Top Ten were announced today. And the winners are:

1. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
2.City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
3.Heist Society by Ally Carter
4.Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
5.Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
6.Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
7.Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen
8.If I Stay by Gayle Forman
9.Fire by Kristin Cashore
10.Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

Good choices!

What young adult novel should Hollywood adapt next?

EW.com recently had a good article called What young adult novel should Hollywood adapt next? It's a good question. With the success that Twilight had and the buzz that the possible Hunger Games film is getting, as well as all of the other books that are being made into movies that I've blogged about, it seems that teen books are perfect material for movies. So, what book would you pick to be made into a movie?

Book Review: You by Charles Benoit

Told in the second person, You could just as easily been called "If Only." Narrated by Kyle, a high school sophomore and a member of "the hoodies", Kyle's school is like every other - clique ridden. The hoodies wear black hooded sweatshirts, they drink beer in the park, they slack off and they pretty much stick to themselves. But when Kyle garners the hatred of the king of the jocks, even his fellow hoodies don't help him. Kyle scuffles through life, seemingly dead on the outside, until Zack an eccentric transfer student kicked out of a prestigious prep school befriends him. But by this point, Kyle's earlier choices may have already sealed his fate. From the start of Kyle's narration, the reader knows that things may not turn out well for Kyle. His decisions through out high school culminate in the final harrowing conclusion.

The Kyle that the world sees is very different from the Kyle that the reader knows. His feelings and thoughts are realistic. He acts tough, uninterested, and bored. Only the reader sees Kyle's hurt when he hears his mother telling his younger sister not to be like Kyle. Like Kyle, the reader will be left thinking, if only.

Voice Your Choice

Got a favorite book? Then let your voice be heard and take part in YALSA'S Teens' Top Ten 2010. Here's the deal, click on this link and vote for up to 3 of your favorite titles. The winners will be announced September 17 (and posted here).

Just to recap, last year's winners were:

10. Graceling by Kristin Cashore, 9. The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau Banks by E. Lockhart, 8. Untamed by PC and Kristin Cast, 7. Wake by Lisa McMann, 6. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, 5. Identical by Ellen Hopkins 4. City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare 3. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins 2. Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer, 1. Paper Towns by John Green.

Flipped

Last week, yet another teen book was made into a feature film. Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen, and a popular book around these parts, caught the attention of famous director Rob Reiner when his son had to read the book in middle school. (In case you don't know, Rob Reiner is kind of a big deal, who starred in a TV show called All In the Family in the '70s and then directed some pretty amazing movies like Stand By Me, The Princess Bride (!!), When Harry Met Sally and more. So it's cool that he's behind this movie.) It sounds like the movie will stay pretty close to the book with the exception that it now takes place in the 1950s. For an interview with Reiner about the film click here.

And if you haven't read Flipped, basically it's a romance between two teens (a guy and a girl) who tell about themselves and their feelings for each other in alternating chapters.

Hunger Games Apparel

One of the librarians (thanks Jen!) just told me that Hot Topic sells Hunger Games shirts! They even sell a different style shirts. This would be the perfect thing to wear while reading Mockingjay in 12 days (yes, we are counting!)

The Scorch Trials

If you haven't read The Maze Runner by James Dashner you have about 59 days until book 2 comes out. The Scorch Trials will pick up where The Maze Runner left off -- let's just say Thomas was in a very harrowing situation and we are dying to find out what will happen. If you're a fan of The Hunger Games and The Adoration of Jenna Fox, then this book is for you.

The Countdown Begins...

Mockingjay comes out August 24!

It's Kind of a Funny Story

Another YA book is set to become a movie. Check out the trailer for It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini. If you haven't read the book yet, it's definitely worth a read. The movie will be in theaters September 24.

Cool Kicks

Percy Jackson would love these new sneakers coming out from Adidas this summer!

YAY!! New Harry Potter Trailer

Another New Rick Riordan Book

If you loved The Percy Jackson and the Olympians series and you've already flown through Riordan's latest book, The Red Pyramid, then you'll be happy to hear that Riordan will another new book out this fall. Most fans will be especially excited to learn that the newest book, The Lost Hero, will be about the Percy Jackson heroes as well as some new characters from Camp Half Blood. The book will be out October 12--can't wait!

Life According to Seventeen Magazine

What would happen if you lived your life the way magazines tell you to? You know, followed all the trends and the quirky suggestions that they give? Well, if you did that then you'd be alot like 18 year-old Jamie, who has created the Seventeen Magazine Project -- an attempt to spend one month living according to Seventeen magazine. Follow Jamie's hilarious blog here. Trust me, it's good.

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner

Just a reminder, the latest Stephanie Meyer book The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner is available to read for FREE online until July 5. Find it here. It's a companion to Twilight, from the point of view of one of the newborn vampires. And while you can't read it free online forever, you can always get a copy here at the Library for free!

The Perks of Being a Librarian

Last Tuesday and Wednesday I had the opportunity to attend BookExpo America (BEA) in the city. Basically the two days consisted of hearing about upcoming books, getting a TON of free books (and I mean a suitcase full!) and getting to have the authors autograph books. It's heaven!

Here are a few books that I got my hands on that I'm excited to read:
For the Win by Doctorow--The author's last book Little Brother is a favorite of mine.
I Am Number Four by Lore--A new sci fi series. The film version is already optioned with some involvement by Steven Spielberg.
Monsters of Men by Ness--The 3rd and final book in the Chaos Walking trilogy!
The Agency: A Spy in the House by Lee--A female detective in Victorian England.
Revolution by Donnelly--The author of A Northern Light returns with a tale of two girls living two centuries apart.

I also had the chance to attend a party at Scholastic for Mockingjay the 3rd and final book of the Hunger Games Trilogy. Hearing Suzanne Collins read from the final book was definitely the highlight of my week. (see picture above--taken by Jen Marino)