Troy High / Shana Norris

TITLE: Troy High
AUTHOR: Shana Norris
OWNED BY CCLS? Replacement copy on order.

Cassie Prince lives in the shadows of her all-star athlete brothers; Perry and Hunter. She's a band geek with decent grades and the closest she gets to being involved in a sport is playing in the marching band at Troy High football games. Her best friend Greg is a student at Lacede High (a.k.a. Troy's archenemy/rival). Cassie and Greg's friendship is put to the test when friendly school rivalry turns into an all-out-war and Cassie is forced to choose between Greg and her brothers. Will Cassie choose to be loyal to her school and brothers and give up her one true friend? Or is Cassie willing to sacrifice her new found popularity for a BFF who could become something more?

M's Verdict: Good read. I enjoyed the plot line and characters and read through the story pretty quickly. Although I never read The Iliad in high school (or at any point in time, yet) I would recommend Troy High to anyone who did read it. Whether you loved or hated it, I would think that it would be pretty cool to be able to compare and contrast the two stories and characters. It's a modern twist that is sure to leave readers salivating. It's realistic and wraps the reader up in all the drama that is high school. There's something for everyone; cheerleaders, band kids, football players, misfits, and more. Drama abounds and the rivalry between the Spartans (students @ Lacede) and the Trojans (students @ Troy) is totally entertaining and intense. How can you not want to know what happens between Cassie and Greg?

For more info, check out author Shana Norris's Website .
These are some of the cool thinks @ SN's site:
*book trailer,

*comparison of characters in The Iliad to characters in Troy High
*Troy High character quiz--which character are you?
*Troy High soundtrack! (I love this kid of stuff!!)
*and more!

Love, or Something Like It--Valentine's Day Stories for the Teen-age

Happy Valentine's Day!

In the spirit of the holiday, I wanted to provide your brain with some oh-so-love-ly tales. All of the novels below are available at at least 1 library in the Cumberland County Library System. Some are tales of heartbreak, while others are tales of love conquering all.

[DISCLAIMER: I have not personally read every single title on this list and therefore am not explicitly endorsing them, however, from the descriptions in the catalog, they all sound just about right.]

An Abundance of Katherines / By John Green
Having been recently dumped for the nineteenth time by a girl named Katherine, recent high school graduate and former child prodigy Colin sets off on a road trip with his best friend to try to find some new direction in life while also trying to create a mathematical formula to explain his relationships.

Blushing: Expressions of Love in Poems and Letters / compiled by Paul B. Janecsko
A critically acclaimed poet and anthologist collects the most poignant and moving musings about love from a diverse group of classic poets and writers, such as Shakespeare, Walt Whitman, Maya Angelou, and Emily Dickinson.

Delirium / By Lauren Oliver
Lena looks forward to receiving the government-mandated cure that prevents the delirium of love and leads to a safe, predictable, and happy life, until ninety-five days before her eighteenth birthday and her treatment, when she falls in love.

Enthusiasm / by Polly Shulman
Julie and Ashleigh, high school sophomores and Jane Austen fans, seem to fall for the same Mr. Darcy-like boy and struggle to hide their true feelings from one another while rehearsing for a school musical.

Fallen in Love: A Fallen Novel in Stories / By Lauren Kate
A collection of four love stories featuring Shelby, Miles, and other characters from the Fallen series. (And if you're interested and haven't read them yet, read Fallen, Torment, and Passion before the final book in the series; Rapture, comes out this June.)

Hot Mess: Summer in the City / by Julie Kraut
To escape a bad breakup in Bridgefield, New York, almost-eighteen-year-old Emma takes a summer internship in New York City where she, her best friend, and their rich, sophisticated landlady face a series of dating disasters.

How They Met, and Other Stories / David Levithan
Eighteen stories all about love, all kinds of love. From the aching for the one you pine for, to standing up and speaking up for the one you love, to pure joy and happiness, these love stories run the gamut of that emotion that at some point has turned every one of us inside out and upside down.

Immortal: Love Stories with Bite / edited by P.C. Cast
Stories by popular young adult vampire and fantasy authors. Stories included are:
Haunted love / Cynthia Leitich Smith
Amber Smoke / Kristin Cast
Dead man stalking / Rachel Caine
Table manners / Tanith Lee
Blue moon / Richelle Mead
Changed / Nancy Holder
Binge / Rachel Vincent
Free / Claudia Gray.

Night Star / By Allyson Noel (Book #5 in the Immortals series)
Psychic teenagers Ever and Damen face down bitter rivals, jealous friends, and their own worst fears--all in hope of being together forever.

Son of the Mob / by Gordon Korman
Seventeen-year-old Vince's life is constantly complicated by the fact that he is the son of a powerful Mafia boss, a relationship that threatens to destroy his romance with the daughter of an FBI agent.

30 Days to Getting Over the Dork You Used to Call Your Boyfriend / by Clea Hantman
BEING DUMPED HURTS. But you know what? It happens to everyone. Even Gwyneth, even Cameron, even Madonna have been on the losing end of love. The part you might not believe is that no matter how brutally your heart’s been broken, those wounds will heal. But the longer you dwell on the dork, the longer your heart will remain cracked. Enter 30 Days to Getting Over the Dork You Used to Call Your Boyfriend. One day at a time, 30 days in a row. At the end, you’ll find you have the power to yank that dagger out of your chest, stand tall, walk proud, and move on. And along the way, you may just discover something marvelous and surprising about yourself.

Dead to You / Lisa McMann

TITLE: Dead to You
AUTHOR: Lisa McMann
OWNED BY CCLS? On Order.

Ethan DeWilde was seven years old when he was abducted. Nine years later he is reunited with his family. He tells Child Protective Services that he found his family by searching through the missing childrens' database online. When he came across his photo, he compared it to looking into a mirror. After all that he's been through, Ethan is ready to have a place to call "home" again. The transition from being abandoned in a orphanage to living on the streets and now living in a home with his new/old family would be a whole lot easier if he had any memories of his life from before his abduction. But he just can't seem to remember...

Get ready for a HUGE surprise. Who has the bigger secret? Ethan or his family?

M's Verdict: Don't judge a book by it's cover. The story almost doesn't so justice to the cover. Although it's a quick read and keeps you turning the pages waiting to figure out what could possibly happen next, I felt unfulfilled. I haven't read any of McMann's other novels, but this would probably prevent me from picking up another one. Don't get me wrong, this novel is based upon the pretty intense event of a child being abducted from his home, which keeps the reader glued, but it's just missing something... I do commend McMann for the WOW ending. I won't spooil it; check it out @ your library to see for yourself.

Ten Things We Did... / Sarah Mlynowski

TITLE: Ten Things We Did (And Probably Shouldn't Have)
AUTHOR: Sarah Mlynowski
OWNED by CCLS? On order.

Let me set the stage by providing some background...

April is your typical teen; sort of. She's a junior at a high school in Westport, Connecticut and like every other teen on the planet, it seems that her parents are out to ruin her life. Her mother's affair with another man is the catalyst that causes her parents to get a divorce. And before the ink has even dried on the divorce papers, her mother and father have both remarried. April moves in with her father and stepmother so as to avoid leaving Westport, her school, her friends, and her boyfriend Noah, and April's younger brother Matthew moves with their mother and stepfather to France.

Now let's get to the good stuff...

It's now halfway through April's junior year of high school and her father decides to take a job in Cleveland. April obviously will not let her father's new job title and salary cause her to leave behind all that she loves. So... April and her BFF Vi (a senior) manage to convince her father to let her live the rest of her junior year at Vi's house. April's father, under the assumption that Vi's mother will be present, agrees.

Picture this... you're a junior in high school living in a house on the beach with your best friend and fellow student; alone. Your parents are a few states away and you have the house to yourself for the next six months. What would you do?

Would you be the responsible one? The one who goes grocery shopping, does the laundry, and takes care of the house? OR... Would you be the "wild child?" The one who hosts the parties, has boys over and buys a hot tub?

Ten Things We Did (And Probably Shouldn't Have) chronicles three months in the life of April Berman. Everything that could possibly happen when two teenagers are living without adult supervision happens. This is a great story of what it takes to be a grown up; responsibility for your actions and your words. It's a true tale of teen angst, growing up, and forgiveness.

M's Verdict: If you're looking for a book with a hook, try this out. This is the first book I've read by Sarah Mlynowski and I was impressed. Great cover & title (which caused me to pick up the book) and a great storyline (which made me not want to put the book down).

I love that the book is so realistic, but not depressingly so. There is still plenty of comedy, but the reader is able to relate and connect to the characters without having that "Disney-feel". Mlynowski does a great job of making this story modern and believable. It involves underage drinking, sex, profanities, and plenty of totally irresponsible behaviors or minors, sp it's not for the more conservative crowd, but it's sure to hit close to home for many a teen.

Check it out... (coming soon to your library)

The Hunger Games Movie

In a winter slump? Need something to look forward to between now and Spring? Then it's time to begin your countdown.

If you enjoyed any of the Suzanne Collins Hunger Games books:

1. Hunger Games,
2. Catching Fire, or
3. Mockingjay,

you'll be excited to know (if you don't already) that the 1st of (hopefully) 3 installments will be in theatres March 23, 2012. Check out the trailer @ http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/lions_gate/thehungergames/ .

While you're at it, check out the new Hunger Games READ poster from ALA (American Library Association). For purchase information, click on the READ poster (to left).

If you haven't read the Hunger Games books yet, be sure to check them out @ your library today! The titles above are links to our catalog, so click on the one you want to read and go ahead and place a hold.

2012 ALA Award Winners

(this is going to be a long one...)

2012 Award Winning and Honor Books

Alex Awards
(ten books written for adults that have special appeal to young adults, ages 12 through 18)

Big Girl Small / Rachel DeWoskin
In Zanesville / Jo Ann Beard
The Lover’s Dictionary / David Levithan
The New Kids: Big Dreams and Brave Journeys at a High School for Immigrant Teens / Brooke Hauser
The Night Circus / Erin Morgenstern
Ready Player One / Ernest Cline
Robopocalypse: A Novel / Daniel H. Wilson
Salvage the Bones / Jesmyn Ward
The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt: A Novel in Pictures / Caroline Preston
The Talk-Funny Girl / Roland Merullo

Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults
Winner(s):

• The Notorious Benedict Arnold: A True Story of Adventure, Heroism & Treachery / Steven Sheinkin

Finalists:

• Bootleg: Murder, Moonshine, and the Lawless Years of Prohibition / Karen Blumenthal



• Music Was It: Young Leonard Bernstein / Susan Goldman Rubin—juvenile



• Sugar Changed the World: A Story of Magic, Spice, Slavery, Freedom and Science / Marc Aronson and Marina Budhos



• Wheels of Change: How Women Rode the Bicycle to Freedom (With a Few Flat Tires Along the Way / Sue Macy

Margaret A. Edwards Award
(honors an author, as well as a specific body of his or her work, that have been popular over a period of time. It recognizes an author's work in helping adolescents become aware of themselves and addressing questions about their role and importance in relationships, society, and in the world)

Winner: Susan Cooper
(click on her name--above--to see all of the books written by Cooper that are owned by the Cumberland County Library System)

Michael L. Printz Award
(award for a book that exemplifies literary excellence in young adult literature)

Winner:

• Where Things Come Back / John Corey Whaley

Honor(s):

• Jasper Jones / Craig Silvey


• The Returning / Christine Hinwood


• The Scorpio Races / Maggie Stiefvater


• Why We Broke Up / Daniel Handler

Odyssey Award for Excellence in Audiobook Production
(producer of the best audiobook produced for children and/or young adults, available in English in the United States)

Winner:

• Rotters / written by Daniel Kraus; narrated by Kirby Heyborne

Honor(s):

• Ghetto Cowboy / written by G. Neri; narrated by JD Jackson


• Okay for Now / written by Gary D. Schmidt; narrated by Lincoln Hoppe


• The Scorpio Races / written by Maggie Stiefvater; narrated by Steve West and Fiona Hardingham


• Young Fredle / written by Cynthia Voight; narrated by Wendy Carter

Schneider Family Book Award
(honor an author or illustrator for a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences)

Middle School Winner(s):

• Close to Famous / Joan Bauer


• Wonderstruck: A Novel in Words and Pictures / Brian Selznick

Teen Winner(s):

• The Running Dream / Wendelin Van Draanen

Stonewall Book Awards
(English language books that have exceptional merit relating to the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgendered experience)

Winner:

• Putting Makeup on the Fat Boy / Bil Wright

Honor(s):

• a + e 4ever / Ilike Merey


• Money Boy / Paul Yee


• Pink / Lili Wilkinson


• with or without you / Brian Farrey

William C. Morris Debut YA Award
(honors a debut book published by a first-time author writing for teens and celebrating impressive new voices in young adult literature)

Winner:

• Where Things Come Back / John Corey Whaley

Finalist(s):

• Between Shades of Gray / Ruta Sepetys


• Girl of Fire and Thorns / Rae Carson


• Paper Covers Rock / Jenny Hubbard


• Under the Mesquite / Guadalupe Garcia McCall

Best of the Best of 2011

ALA Award Winners

With the New Year comes new award winning books. In anticipation of the upcoming ALA award announcements (TBA on January 23rd, 2012--1 week away) let's check out some of the nominees...

Alex Awards
honors ten adult books with special appeal to teens
Nominees

Morris Award
honors the best book by a previously unpublished author writing for teens
Nominees

Nonfiction Award
honors the best nonfiction written for teens each year
Nominees

Edwards Award
honors an author and specific works by that author for lifetime contribution for writing to teens
Nominees [Unlisted]

Printz Award
honors the best book written for teens each year
Nominees [Unlisted]

Odyssey Award
honors the producer of the best audiobook produced for children and/or young adults, available in English in the United States
Nominees [Unlisted]

Carter Finally Gets It / Brent Crawford

TITLE: Carter Finally Gets It
AUTHOR: Brent Crawford
CCLS OWN? Yes--in print (book), electronic (e-book) and audio (CD)

This is not your average and oh-so-predictable coming of age tale of boy meets girl, boy falls in love with girl, and that's a wrap. Carter Finally Gets It is told from the perspective of high school freshman Will Carter (aka Carter), a guy just trying to figure it all out before the end of his freshman year; how to get the girl, the cool nickname, the varsity letter jacket, the spot on the football, swimming and baseball teams, and ... the part in the school play. Carter is such a realistic character that readers will be rooting for him while simultaneously laughing at the horribly awkward situations that he finds himself in.


Still not quite hooked? Check out some of these can't miss lines from the novel Carter Finally Gets It...

We look like a pair of escapees from a mental hospital, or an S&M sex convention. My shirt is all ripped up and my hands are bound behind my back. EJ has puke all over his shirt, buttless pants, and only one shoe.

We're having chili for dinner tonight. It's my favorite thing Mom cooks, because instead of vegetables or rice or something on the side of the main dish, we have cinnamon rolls. I don't know who told her you could swap broccoli for a cinnamon roll, but I like it...

She definitely had a nice butt; I can tell that at any speed.

"Fight nothin', Mom! Let's talk about how Lynn had a huge party when we were at Grandma's funeral, and how the house was so jacked up that she had to hire a cleaning crew and a contractor to put it back together!"

If her wiggly walk was a crime and I was asked to testify against it at trial, I could give you every detail.

I learned a valuable lesson. Teachers are people...underpaid, poorly dressed, lame car-driving people.

I'm going to the dance with the hottest girl in my class, yet her dad will kill me if I touch her, and she's been ambushed by some demented makeover show.

In this process of becoming an adult, I think some people have got to get hurt. We hurt ourselves, and we hurt others. Some deserve it, while others are just waiting in line to play Ms. Pac-Man.

M's Verdict: I LOVED IT! This is the first book that I completely read on my Kindle and somehow it made the experience even better. I was able to save notes to use for my review and it was just as hilarious as if the book was right in front of me! I highly recommend it to everyone!
I chose to read this particular book because I felt like the books that I had been reading lately were written predominantly by and intended for female readers. I wanted something written by a man and told from a teen boy's perspective. Crawford hit that nail right on the head! (In other words, this was exactly the book that I was looking for!) It's the perfect book--it's filled with non-stop comedy, action, drama, and more.

It's a great choice for anyone who has gone through that awkward transition from middle to high school. Regardless of whether you are a guy or a girl, you are sure to find the totally bizarre (but believable) situations that Will finds himself in absolutely laugh-out-loud hilarious! Whether it's when Will and his friends are running from the cops, driving on the wrong side of the road, practically draining themselves of blood while shaving, or totally striking out while trying to pick up the rival schools' hotties, this book is sure to keep you entertained while still giving that feel good message of... it gets better & everyone has a rough patch (or two). I promise that if you read this book, you will declare that it is of epic proportions;)

Did you know...

that you can check out Video Games @ your Library?
Check out some of these NEW Video Games!!

for Nintendo DS:
Kirby Mass Attack
Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-land Mayhem
Mario Kart

for Play Station 3:
Little Big Planet
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit
Ratchet and Clank: A Crack in Time
Uncharted 1
Uncharted 2

for Wii:
Kirby's Return to Dreamland

for XBOX 360:
Batman: Arkham City
Forza 4
Need for Speed: The Run
Split Second

Looking for a different video game?
Check out our catalog online:
www.cumberlandcountylibraries.org/catalog

For faster results...
Look up a specific title using the "FORMAT" search
(under advanced search options) and type your game title in the last search box on the page: Software Title begins with:

Upcoming Programs

Video Game Day: Mario Day!
Sunday, January 8 at 2 pm

Join us for a video game day of all games Mario - Mario Kart, Mario Party and Super Smash Brothers! We will have several systems set up around the room. No registration necessary. For grades 6 -12. Refreshments provided by the Friends of Fredricksen.

This Land is Your Land: Teen Writing Workshop
4 Part workshop- 4 Saturdays January 28th, February 4th, February 11th and February 18th 2 pm to 4 pm

In a world where analysis and left-brain thinking dominates, this creative writing workshop gently guides in the creation of a deeper, more imaginative universe. Where else can you create your own landscape and those who live in it? This workshop supports self-expression and enhances a new way of thinking in today’s hectic pace. As Tramp once said in “Lady and the Tramp:” There’s a big hunk of world down there with no fences around it…..And it’s all ours for the taking…..All ours.” This is exactly the spirit you will find in this fun-filled creative writing workshop presented by Real Simple Soul and Sherrie LeuVay.

Teen Movie: Call for title - PG-13 Sunday, January 29 at 2 pm

Escape the cold weather by joining us to watch a Steven Spielberg Production. After witnessing a mysterious train crash, a group of friends in the summer of 1979 begin noticing strange happenings going around in their small town, and begin to investigate into the creepy phenomenon. Refreshments provided by the Friends of Fredricksen. No registration necessary. For grades 6 -12. MPAA- Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence, language and some drug use.

Safe Sitter Workshop 2-part workshop, Saturdays, January 14 and 21 from 10 am – 4:30 pm

Holy Spirit Health System will be presenting this babysitter training program for ages 11-13. To register call Cheryl Sola at Holy Spirit Health Systems at 763-2427 and leave a message including your name, address, and phone number. A registration packet will be mailed to you. You must attend both sessions to receive a certificate of completion. There is a $25 fee which will include a manual, a backpack, and additional supplies. T-shirts and sweatshirts will also be available for purchase. Bring a bag lunch. (Snowdate - January 28)

Teen Craft: Valentine's Day Roses Sunday, February 12 at 2 pm

We will be combining the best parts of Valentine’s Day, roses and chocolate, to make Hershey Kiss roses. We will also be making roses from everyone's favorite material, duct tape! Great gifts for that special someone. For grades 6 – 12 with no registration necessary. Sponsored by Friends of Fredricksen.

Game Day- Unplugged! Sunday, February 26 at 2 pm

Join us for an afternoon of board games! Feel free to bring your favorite from home. For grades 6 – 12 with no registration necessary. Refreshments provided by the Friends of Fredricksen.

Program for All Ages
Birdie for Books! –Mini Golf @ Fredricksen Library Saturday, February 25 from 10 am to 6 pm

Save the Date! Our 3rd Annual Birdie for Books fundraiser is back again by popular demand! Don’t miss the chance to play 18 holes of miniature golf INSIDE the library and raise money for Fredricksen at the same time. Last year over 400 golfers came to Fredricksen to play our challenging course that meandered throughout both floors of the library, helping us to raise almost $10,000! The course includes sand traps, hazards, menacing greens, and other decorations designed by local high schools students. Our 19th Hole Café will once again be filled with wonderful treats, raffle prizes and food. Last year’s prizes included pool memberships, golf outings, toys, and gift baskets. Don’t miss this fun filled day for the whole family! Hole, Tee and Fairway Sponsorships are available for businesses, organizations and families to support Fredricksen. The library will be open for this unique Mini-Golf fundraiser, but closed for regular library business on Saturday, February 25th. For more information call the Development Office at (717) 761-3900 ext. 244.