Dreamland / Sarah Dessen

Title: Dreamland (see above images for different bk covers available--the one I read was the first one)

Author: Sarah Dessen
Owned by CCLS? Yes

On Caitlin's sixteenth birthday she wakes up to find her older (and only) sister Cassi gone; and so begins a tumultuous year. Caitlin attempts to find her own way in the world--traveling a different road than her sister may have taken, perhaps one less perfect. However, when Caitlin makes the cheerleading squad, she wonders how different a path she has actually chosen. It is after a cheerleading event that Caitlin meets Rogerson Biscoe, a handsome boy with wild hair, money, and a car. Caitlin and Rogerson quickly becomes a couple and although Caitlin falls hard for him, the reader quickly realizes that their relationship is far from perfect when Rogerson hits Caitlin, first once and then regularly. Caitlin loves Rogerson so much that she does not tell anyone about the abuse. Will Caitlin come to her senses and break things off with her abusive boyfriend or will someone else have to intervene on her behalf before it is to late?

M's Verdict... Popular YA author Sarah Dessen always weaves a great three-dimensional tale that keeps readers hooked. I loved This Lullaby and was planning on reading What Happened to Goodbye, but they were all checked out. So I chose Dreamland. It's a great read on a story that's not often told. What happens when you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship? There seem to be enough headlines and Lifetime movies about husbands or jealous boyfriends who kill their wives or girlfriends, so it seems appropriate to use this storyline in a fiction novel for a teen audiences. Having said this, I do wish that this story had wrapped up a little differently. [Without spoiling the ending] I don't wish that the ending was more Disney-esque, but I would have been more impressed with an ending kind of like in By the Time You Read This I'll be Dead by Julie Anne Peters; where there were additional resources at the end of the book that provided the reader with information and help regarding the tough subject of the book (in the case of Julie Anne Peters's book: teen suicide/bullycide). Dessen's book was the perfect medium for discussing abusive teen relationships, but past finding some solace in the fictional story, it would have been nice to provide readers with some additional resources. Overall...good dramatic story with realistic issues that provide the opportunity for great educational discussions that could help bring about awareness regarding abusive relationships.

Stick / Andrew Smith

Title: Stick
Author: Andrew Smith
Owned by CCLS? Yes

Stick, the boy born with only one ear, and his older brother Bosten live in Washington state with their parents. Due to his lack of an ear, Stick gets made fun of and is constantly harassed by his classmates at school. Fortunately, Bosten is usually there to put the bullies in their place; unfortunately, when the boys get home, they are usually faced with even bigger, more serious issues. Their parents enforce strict rules in the house that include only weekly showers, a strict dress code, hair length requirements, and regular beatings and visits to St. Fillan's room.

When it is revealed to the boys's father that Bosten is gay, Bosten suffers through one final beating before he decides to run away. Having no one left he can count on, Stick also finds himself on the run, in search of Bosten. Along the way, both brothers experience additional tragedies and events that test their strength and ability to hope for a better life. In the end...will things get better and will Stick find Bosten?


M's Verdict... Intense read! I chose to read this particular novel because I wanted a story that was written by a male author and featured guys as the main characters. Ater reading Stick, I would certainly read another of Smith's books. The story was believable and so terrible that I couldn't stop reading--I had to know how it ended! Despite Bosten and Stick's terrible home, once Bosten runs away and Stick takes off after him, the road to finding his brother and perhaps a better life, takes both boys through terrible encounters that may just be worse than what they left. It's a great story of survival, hope, and taking a stand for yourself, no matter what. I recommend this book to older teens, both guys and girls looking for something different to read.

Lost in the River of Grass / Ginny Rorby

TITLE: Lost in the River of Grass
AUTHOR: Ginny Rorby
OWNED BY CCLS? Yes

Picture this... you are a great swimmer who attends a private school in Florida on a swimming scholarship and it's abundantly clear that everyone at school despises you. Somehow, despite the lack of camaraderie that you feel, you find yourself going on an overnight class field trip to the Everglades.

When a cute boy invites you on an airboat tour, what do you do? Do you throw away the chance of a personal tour of the Glades in order to spend another minute with your snobby classmates, or would you take the cute boy up on his offer? What's the worst that could happen, right?

A real adventure of two teens who end up stranded in the Everglades with one Gatorade bottle, a can of Spam, and a duckling named Teapot. Will they make it out alive?

M's Verdict: Talk about an adventure! After I read Rorby's novel I found out that it was based on a true story, which made the story even more horrifying. I cannot imagine being left stranded in the Everglades, with little to no food and water, and being surrounded by gators, snakes and wild hogs--NO THANKS! Definitely don't pick this book up if you're planning on traveling to Florida anytime soon, but do pick this book up if you're looking for a book that keeps you hooked until the end. It was intense, terrifying, and I couldn't wait to know whether Sarah and Andy would ever make it out of the Glades alive!

By the Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead / Julie Anne Peters

TITLE: By the Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead
AUTHOR: Julie Anne Peters
OWNED BY CCLS? Yes.

High school student Daelyn has been bullied her entire life; for being fat, for being there; really just because she's an easy target. Due to her various past traumatic experiences, Daelyn has attempted suicide multiple times. She is fed up with the bullying and is determined to end it once and for all. After "Through the Light.com," which is a forum for those who want to end their lives, Daelyn makes a "Date of Determination" and begins counting down the days. Will Daelyn go through with her final suicide attempt and end her life? Or will Daelyn begin to feel less depressed, become less of a target and learn to trust others again and live?   

M's Verdict: Going into this book and having liked all of the other Julie Anne Peters books that I had previously read, I was a bit surprised at how much more intense and dark this novel was. I kept tensing up for the very depressing and terrible ending that seemed to be inevitable! I couldn't stop reading! By the time I was done reading, I can truthfully say that I was mentally and physically exhausted. This story is not for the faint of heart and it's definitely not a fun or light read. This story, although rather depressing is quite relevant to today's generation of teenagers and does provide some uplifting moments and great resources at the end of the book. This is definitely a great book for discussions on bullying and bullycide and if anyone reads the book and wants to talk about it, I'd love to be a part of the conversation.

Sure it’s not summer yet, but let’s admit it… we’re counting down the days until school lets out. Until then, let’s spend some time picking out some summer reads. Try one of these if you want to get ready to read by the ocean, lay by the pool, or just chillax with a great book!

SERIES:

Jenny Han’s Summer series

• The Summer I Turned Pretty
• Belly spends the summer she turns sixteen at the beach just like every other summer of her life, but this time things are very different.
   
• It’s Not Summer Without You
• Teenaged Isobel "Belly" Conklin, whose life revolves around spending the summer at her mother's best friend's beach house, reflects on the tragic events of the past year that changed her life forever.
   
• We’ll Always Have Summer
• The summer after her first year of college, Isobel "Belly" Conklin is faced with a choice between Jeremiah and Conrad Fisher, brothers she has always loved, when Jeremiah proposes marriage and Conrad confesses that he still loves her.

Hailey Abbott’s Summer Boys series

Summer Boys

Cousins Ella, Beth, and Jamie are at their family's beach house for the summer and first kisses, last dances, new loves, and old flames all add up to one unforgettable summer

Next Summer

On vacation again together, three cousins share their family's beach house and find a whole new selection of boys--and the problems that go along with dating them.

After Summer

As summer draws to a close, friends Beth, Ella, and Kelsi wonder if their summer romances will last through the school year.

Last Summer

The Tuttle girls make the most of their last summer at Pebble Beach before heading off to college.

Hailey Abbott’s Summer Girls series

Summer Girls
Cousins Jessica, Lara, and Greer, aged fifteen to sixteen, approach their family summer at a Maine beach cottage with very different attitudes, but all look forward to meeting new boys and having some fun.

Girls in Love
Jessica, Lara, and Greer spend their summer in Maine flirting with and hooking up with boys and soaking up the sun.

Lisi Harrison’s Clique Summer Collection

Massie

When Massie is kicked out of her exclusive riding camp and her parents insist that she get a summer job, she becomes the highest-selling Be Pretty Cosmetics girl ever by ignoring the company's philosophy.

Dylan
Joining her mother on a business trip to Hawaii, Dylan plans to work on her self-esteem and getting her mother's attention, but instead finds herself pursuing a rich, attractive boy who only has eyes for a bad-girl tennis star.

Alicia

Alicia travels back to Spain for her summer vacation, and when she learns that the newest pop sensation is in town searching for someone to star in his new video, Alicia vows to get cast, but in order to land the job, she will have to beat out her beautiful cousins.

Kristen
As the only member of the Pretty Committee clique not going on an exotic summer vacation, middle-schooler Kristen might just find romance sticking around to tutor math and attend a secret summer school for gifted students.

Claire
Back in Orlando for the summer, twelve-year-old Claire has difficulty connecting with her former best friends, but decides to prove her loyalty by entering Kissimmee's Miss Kiss beauty pageant.

Kim Harrington’s Clarity Books

Clarity
Sixteen-year-old Clare Fern, a member of a family of psychics, helps the mayor and a skeptical detective solve a murder in a Cape Cod town during the height of tourist season--with her brother a prime suspect.

Perception

Trying to decide between her old boyfriend, who betrayed her but wants her back, and the new boy with whom there are definite sparks, Cape Cod high school junior and psychic Clare is puzzled by a secret admirer even as she tries to solve the mystery of a classmate who has suddenly disappeared.

STAND ALONE TITLES:

Don Calame’s Swim the Fly

Fifteen-year-old Matt Gratton and his two best friends, Coop and Sean, always set themselves a summertime goal. This year's goal is to see a real-live naked girl for the first time. Given that none of the guys has the nerve to even ask a girl out on a date this is quite a challenge. But catching a girl in the buff starts to look easy compared to Matt's other summertime aspiration: to swim the 100-yard butterfly as a way to impress Kelly West, the sizzling new star of the swim team.

Brent Crawford’s Carter’s Big Break

Fourteen-year-old Will Carter's summer gets off to a bad start when his girlfriend leaves him, but then he is cast opposite a major star, Hilary Idaho, in a small movie being filmed in his town and things start looking up.

Black, White, Other... / Joan Steinau Lester

 

TITLE: Black, White, Other: In Search of Nina Armstrong
AUTHOR:  Joan Steinau Lester
OWNED by CCLS? Yes.

Nina's mother is white, her father is black, and her younger brother Jimi is a spitting image of their father. Where does that leave her? Is she black, white or other?

When Nina enters ninth grade, things start to change. Race riots take place nearby and racial tensions arise at her school and among her friends. It all prompts Nina to think about where she fits in. Does it really matter what color her skin is and if it does matter, why is she just noticing it now?

Learning about an ancestor on her father's side who was a slave helps Nina find perspective. But will Nina be able to determine who she is, keep the peace with her family, and keep her BFF? In order for Nina to find peace, she must take a journey (both figuratively and literally) to figure out who she truly is, black, white, other...

M's Verdict: Good read! The story was a relevant coming of age tale that not many books address so well. Perhaps the story may have been more authentic coming from someone who was biracial and was able to give the story a more personal touch, however I did enjoy it. Nina is a believable chigh school student with a typical HS friend whose your BFF one day and then the friend of your enemy. I liked how Nina's father's book about their slave ancestry gave the reader a historical look into the past and compared situations in Nina's realistic and present world to the world of a slave. This book would be a great transition into historical fiction and would provide any teen with a great story on figuring out who you are and how your family stories help to shape who you become.

Currently Reading...

• Matt de la Pena's I Will Save You 

Recommended (by VOYA) & Owned by FRE

Check out some of these Brand Spankin' NEW and recommended (by Voice of Youth Advocates--a great resource that I use to decide what to buy & read) books.
All of these books are available @ FRE--get 'em while they're hot!

The Disenchantments / Nina La Cour
Colby's post-high school plans have long been that he and his best friend Beth would tour with her band, then spend a year in Europe, but when she announces that she will start college just after the tour, Colby struggles to understand why she changed her mind and what losing her means for his future.

What Boys Really Want / Pete Hautman
The crumbling friendship between writer Lita and entrepreneurial Adam is compromised by unexpected jealousies over each other's romantic entanglements, stolen blog posts and a premature offer to sell a new self-help book.


Sudden Flash Youth: 65 Short-Short Stories / edited by Christine Perkins-Hazuka, Toma Hazuka, and Mark Budman
Presents a collection of shorts stories about significant moments which marked a turning point in the lives of young protagonists by such authors as Anne Mazer, Alan Stewart Carl, Dave Eggers, and Peter Bacho.

Define Normal / Julie Anne Peters

Title: Define Normal
Author: Julie Anne Peters
Author Website
Owned by CCLS? Yes.

The ultimate tale of "appearances can be deceiving," so "don't judge a book by its cover."

Antonia and Jazz, who appear to be complete opposites, are paired up by the school counselor Dr. Dileo as peer counselors. Antonia is an A student who dresses, well, like an A student. Her style is nondescript and simple. On the other hand, Jazz is a rebel rouser. She has piercings, tattoos, wears leather jackets, black lipstick and her hair changes color like the weather. Jazz is the epitome of punk rock and Antonia is more of a, well, nerd. Antonia seems like she's the stable one of the group and even thinks she's there just to try and help the mess that is Jazz, but perhaps two people who appear to be so different can not only help each other, but may also have similar problems.

M's Verdict: I love Julie Anne Peters! If you've never read any of her books, you don't know what you're missing! I highly recommend starting with Luna or Between Mom and Jo.

Who can't relate to being judged based solely on your appearance? What you look like is one of the first things someone notices the first time you meet, that's why people dress up for interviews; to make a good impression. Even though the setting is a middle school, as I read, I definitely pictured that the characters were in high school. It's a story for all ages and at 196 pages, this is the perfect quick read.

Although I loved the believable characters, the great plot, and the drama, there was one thing that just didn't gel. As Antonia and Jazz go through the peer counseling process and begin to learn a few things abut one another, the reader quickly learns that Antonia's mother is suffering from debilitating depression. The depression is so bad that Antonia is essentially running the house and caring for herself and her two younger brothers. Without spoiling the ending, let me just say that I feel that the way that Antonia's story wraps up is just a bit too tidy for me. I'll leave you with this, read it and see what you think...

Curveball: The Year I Lost My Grip / Jordan Sonnenblick

Title: Curveball: The Year I Lost My Grip
Author: Jordan Sonnenblick
Author Website
Owned by CCLS? On order.

You're an all-star pitcher who loves playing baseball with your best friend. Playing gets you status, makes people take notice, and it's what you're really good at. Then during the league championship game, right before you're about to begin your freshman year of high school, you blow out your elbow. Your baseball career is over. You're in denial and find yourself unable to tell your best friend that you will never be able to play ball again (or any other sport for that matter). On top of all of that, your grandfather, who you're extremely close to and who came out to every single one of your games, is starting to show signs of Alzheimer's. Just like you with your injury, your grandfather is in denial and won't let you tell your parents that there's a problem. What would you do? (Oh yeah, and since it's high school, don't forget to add in a little boy-girl drama too.) How would you or how have you handled a similar situation? Read Curveball to find out whether or not freshman Pete Friedman was able to play ball again, save his grandfather, keep his best friend, and get the girl...

M's Verdict: Good read! Recommended to guys & girls and sports lovers or not. It's a relatable story of tragedy, disappointment, and being able to roll with the crazy punches that life sends your way, inevitably all at once. It's about being able to define yourself by your actions not by what sports you play or used to play; it's about the bigger picture. Great morals, a believable storyline, and likable characters make this a story you'll breeze through. If you read any of Sonnenblick's other stories and liked them, you'll love this one just as much if not more!

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!

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)

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;)

Playground / Fifty Cent

TITLE: Playground
AUTHOR: Fifty Cent
OWNED BY CCLS? Yes.

Playground is the story of thirteen year old Butterball; a modern day bully. Butterball is a teen growing up in suburban Long Island who finds himself meeting with a therapist twice a week after viciously attacking a fellow classmate with a sock filled with batteries. Maurice (the boy who he attacked) is so traumatized that he transfers out of Watkins (the school that both boys attend) and out of Butterball's life. Will Butterball take his therapy seriously and open up about why he did what he did? Or will Butterball resists therapy and continue down the same destructive path?

M's Verdict: Want to know what made me pick up this book? Similar to Hilary Duff's Elixir, I wanted to see if 50 Cent (a.k.a. Curtis James Jackson III) could actually write a book that would appeal to teens and be worth reading. In my opinion, it's good. I don't know how much 50 Cent wrote and how much co-writer Laura Moser wrote, but the tale is believably harsh, realistic, and honest.

Author (and rapper) 50 Cent created an authentic story of a teenager growing up in a dysfunctional family in a less than stellar neighborhood. Supposedly semi-autobiographical, Playground tells the story of a teen bully (similar to the author) who made some terrible choices and had to live with his consequences and decide whether or not he wanted to change. Although there may be a connection between the author and main character in regards to being a bully in school, which opens itself up to both a great novel and a great lesson for teenagers, there are many differences between the author and main character of Playround.

Here's what the real 50 Cent story includes but Playground did not:

• In the story...


• Butterball lived with his mother who spent all of her time working and going back to nursing school
  


• In real-life...


• 50 Cent's mother was a crack dealer who was murdered when he was only eight years old


• 50 Cent was raised by his grandmother
  


• In the story...


• Butterball's father lived the bachelor life in NYC
  


• In real-life...


• 50 Cent's father abandoned him shortly after his mother died

For Additional Information:
http://allmusic.com/artist/50-cent-p372609/biography
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/50-cent/biography

Racing in the Rain / Garth Stein

TITLE: Racing in the Rain: My Life as a Dog
AUTHOR: Garth Stein

OWNED BY CCLS? Yes.

(Adapted from Stein's adult novel The Art of Racing in the Rain).

Racing cars is similar to life in that it is not just about the speed; there are many other factors that come into play and can change the outcome. Enzo, a wise and wonderful canine, is one such "person" that has come to understand this in his many years as a dog.

On his deathbed, Enzo (named after Enzo Ferrari) explains to the reader how he has come to become a knowledgeable soul (by watching television and listening and observing his owner--race car driver Denny Swift) and how all of his acts as a dog will hopefully allow him to become a human in his next life (he believes in karma).

Enzo tells of the many events that have impacted his life and the life of his owner. From the time Denny picked Enzo out of his litter, to when Denny first brought home Eve (his future wife), to when Denny and Eve's daughter Zoe was born, to the nasty custody battle between Denny and his in-laws.

Reminiscent of John Grogan's Marley and Me, Racing in the Rain offers dog lovers a new inspirational story. Enzo's perspective is refreshing and the storyline is both unpredictable and an emotional roller coaster (so have the tissues nearby).

M's Verdict... If you are a dog lover, like to read fictional dog tales or enjoyed John Grogan's Marley and Me, you'll love Racing in the Rain! I couldn't put it down and am looking into some of Stein's other books. After reading Racing in the Rain, you will likely look at your dog(s) a little differently than you did before. Because if, like Enzo, they really do understand everything that is going on and are simply unable to verbalize their happiness, disgust or frustration with us, perhaps we'd better listen a little more carefully!

a MUST read! check it out @ your library!

It's Not Summer Without You / Jenny Han

Okay, I'm not quite ready to write another book review, but I just had to post this:

Last week I read Jenny Han's The Summer I Turned Pretty.

This week I finished the second book in her Summer series, It's Not Summer Without You. I am not much for series, but I couldn't help myself! I breezed through both books and enjoyed every minute! You know you're reading a good book when you look forward to reading it and make a point of taking reading breaks throughout the day or at least once a day (because sometimes there just isn't enough time in the day).

There's one last book in Han's Summer series called We'll Always Have Summer and I am going to try to wait until next summer to read it. I feel that it's only appropriate that I save the finale for actual summer-time. It'll be a definite good read that I can look forward to.

For now here are the books that are in my possibly next pile:

An Abundance of Katherines / John Green
Batman: R.I.P. / Grant Morrison
New Ultimates: Thor Reborn / Jeph Loeb
Wolverine, Weapon X Vol. 2, Insane in the Brain / Jason Aaron

The Summer I Turned Pretty / Jenny Han

TITLE: The Summer I Turned Pretty
AUTHOR: Jenny Han
OWNED BY CCLS? Yes.

Belly, her older brother Steven, and her mother have been spending their summers at Cousins Beach ever since she can remember. They stay at Susannah's house (her mother's best friend) along with Susannah's two sons Conrad and Jeremiah. Every summer the boys go out and do fun things while Belly is often left at the house to hang out by herself. As Belly gets older she vies for Conrad's attention and is miffed when he not only does not give it to her, but goes out of his way to ignore her. The Summer I Turned Pretty is a great summer read about unrequited love, summer romance, and everything that a teen (or adult) could want in a summer. This book is sure to keep you counting down 'til summer break and looking forward to Belly & Conrad & Jeremiah's next summer @ Cousins Beach.

M's Verdict: Great read! If you're looking for something to read by the beach (or in the fall while pretending it's still summer) this is a great book for you. If you like Sarah Dessen and need something new--try out Jenny--it's well worth it and I guarantee that if you read this book, you'll go on to read book #2 and 3 in the series (#2--It's Not Summer Without You, #3--We'll Always Have Summer).

For biographical information or to stay posted on Jenny Han's upcoming books, check out her website:

http://www.dearjennyhan.com/

Emiko Superstar / Mariko Tamaki

TITLE: Emiko Superstar
AUTHOR: Mariko Tamaki
OWNED by CCLS? Yes.
FORMAT: Graphic Novel

Emiko is a geek. With summer right around the corner, rather than head off to finance camp with her friends, Emiko decides she needs to figure out who she is. Her mother does not think this is going to happen while Emiko lays around watching TV, so Emiko gets a job babysitting.

It is through her babysitting job that Emiko finds a secret journal that gives her the inspiration that she needs to shine at a local underground "freak club." Will the change in friends and atmosphere be what Emiko needs to find herself or will she realize that being a geek isn't actually that bad?

M's Verdict: Emiko Superstar is a quick read. Although not particularly inspiring or thought provoking, it does provide homage to Andy Warhol and '60s culture. Perhaps readers new to graphic novels would be better served reading Cecil Castellucci's Plain Janes and Janes in Love, which were GREAT, had a bit more of a story line and certainly seemed to have a bit more depth to them.

Latest & Greatest...

So...I haven't been posting much to the blog lately. We were deciding whether or not to keep the blog going and although we've created a new FB page (Teen Scene at Fredricksen Library) apparently not all teens actually use FB (or so they tell us). I've also heard that some of you actually look at the blog, which means....I will continue adding to the blog in hopes that either more teens start looking at it or in hopes of completely converting you all to FB.

3 weeks since Teen Summer Reading Program registration began, 2 weeks of programming already over! Time is flying, so be sure to get into Fredricksen to either register for this AWESOME program or stop in for a FREE program. Here's the schedule for next week:

MONDAY 06/27 @ 1PM--AUTHOR VISIT

Local young adult author Neil Connelly joins us to share his new novel, The Miracle Stealer, which has earned a starred review from Booklist. He will do a reading, a question and answer session and a mini-workshop for budding writers. Copies of The Miracle Stealer will be given out as door prizes. No registration required. For teens entering grades 7 – 12.

TUESDAY 06/28 @ 1PM--YOGA
Join us for an hour of yoga with an instructor from Yoga-Scripts. Yoga strengthens the body, increases flexibility and helps relieve anxiety and stress. Suitable for all physical abilities or fitness levels. If you've never attended a yoga class, come give it a try, you'll stretch and strengthen your body and mind. Bring a mat or beach towel. No registration required. For teens entering grades 7 – 12.

WEDNESDAY 06/29 @ 1PM--VIDEO GAME DAY

Call of Duty 2 on the 10' screen! 3 Game systems set up; 1 on the BIG screen. Open play, no tournament. Snacks & drinks provided. Board games available. No registration required. For teens entering grades 7-12.

THURSDAY 06/30 @ 1PM--MOVIE

For movie information, please call the Fredricksen Library Reference Desk at 717-761-3900 x225. For teens entering grades 7-12.

Alright, that pretty much wraps it up until next week. Have a nice weekend, and if you're interested, here are the books/graphic novels in my "think about reading" pile:

> Elixir / Hilary Duff (fantasy fiction)

> Flink / Doug TenNapel (graphic novel)

> Emiko Superstar / Tamaki Mariko (graphic novel)

> Creature Tech / Doug TenNapel (graphic novel)

> Pretend You Love Me / Julie Anne Peterse (realistic fiction)

> What Happened to Goodbye / Sarah Dessen (audiobook)

> Confessions of a Blabbermouth / Mike Carey (graphic novel)

Clarity / Kim Harrington

TITLE: Clarity

AUTHOR: Kim Harrington

OWNED by CCLS? YES!

Clarity by debut author Kim Harrington is not a book that you're going to want to miss! I read this book a month or so ago and have been waiting for the opportune time to showcase it on the blog. I cannot say enough good things about this novel! Anyhow, just because I love it, doesn't mean you're going to, so read the description below to see if it's something you might like. (May I suggest it for your first summer reading book!! It would be a great beach read!)

Clare Fern, who belongs to a family of psychics, is sixteen and lives in the tourist town of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Unbeknownst to her, she and her family are about to have the summer of their lives. When Clare's brother becomes a suspect in a murder of a teen girl in a local motel, Clare must work with the police detective, her cheating ex-boyfriend, and the new detective's quite hot son to prove that her brother is innocent. Will her gift, which is sometimes unpredictable, be able to help clear her brother's name and keep her safe from the lurking murderer? Check Clarity out if you're looking for a suspenseful novel filled with plenty of twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat and guessing.

M's Verdict: Obviously it's AWESOME! (If you cannot remember why, read above:p) I will definitely be eagerly awaiting Kim Harrington's upcoming novels, including Perception (the sequel to Clarity and expected to be released in March 2012).