Casson family series by Hilary McKay

I’m not a big fan of the YA dysfunctional family genre, but I do like to read stories about family problems that can be settled with some compassion, cleverness, and common sense as if Beverly Cleary had written a Ramona Quimby, Age 16. I just read the last in my favorite heart-warming family saga. It is the four book series about the Casson family by Hilary McKay. Each book features one of the Casson kids -- Saffy’s Angel, Indigo’s Star, Permanent Rose, Caddy Ever After – and deals with everything from adoption, bullying, romance, friendship, sibling rivalry, divorce and much more. The entire family is artsy and eccentric (they are English) so there are many surprising solutions to their dilemmas.

Visit the Terry Pratchett site

If you are a fan of Terry Pratchett or just want to see what his Discworld is about you can visit www.terryprachettbooks.com. Click into the Discworld Travel Guide to get a glimpse of the characters, adventures, and magic. There’s a few games and stuff to print too.

If, like me, you prefer your fantasy a little wacky, try Terry Prachett’s “mini- series” about witches. (For now, it includes The Wee Free Men, A Hat Full of Sky, and Wintersmith. You may have heard of Prachett’s series Discworld; these books are a series inside that series.) Anyway, it’s a goofy fantasy world with no confusing battles between good and evil, no never-ending quests, and no hundreds of characters to sort out. Instead there are teenage witch-cliques, cranky witch instructors, and little blue men who like to fight and cuss. The adventures start when the heroine, Tiffany Aching, teams up with a clan of the six-inch blue men to rescue her baby brother and ward off a sinister invasion from Fairyland. I was hooked after the first book and couldn’t wait to follow Tiffany and the blue guys on further adventures.
BevM

Quaking by Kathryn Erskine

Another title plucked off the new books shelf... this one entirely different but soooooo good! Matt (short for Matilda) doesn't need anyone and lets no one get close to her. Moving from relative to relative, she ends up in Pennsylvania with Sam and Jessica, two peaceful Quakers. Smart and smart-mouthed, Matt trys to blend into the background until bullies (from the past and present) threaten her right to stand up for her belief in peace and those of her new family. Quaking is one of a few anti-war books written recently that makes you think about your own views about the war in the Middle East. It also has been nominated for the American Library Association's 2008 Best Books for Young Adults. I hope you give it a try.

Red Glass

I plucked this book off the new books shelf not knowing anything about it- and then read it in one day! One night Sophie, her mother, and stepfather are called to the hospital where a young Mexican boy is recovering from dehydration. He is the only survivor of a group of people crossing the border from Mexico into Arizona. No one knows who he is or where he comes from. This starts Sophie on an adventure filled with mystery, laughter, and sometimes sadness. I hope you'll give it a try... I also plan to read author Laura Resau's first book, What the Moon Saw. If it's anything like this one, I'm sure it'll be good!

Adam Canfield of the Slash

Hello fellow book bloggers: Did you ever dream of being a newspaper reporter? Adam and his co-writer, Jennifer, are living this dream through writing for their school newspaper, The Slash. I think everyone will be able to relate to this book because Adam always has an overworked schedule and sometimes get a little stressed and takes it out on people. Although the book is a little unrealistic at times, its humorous characters make up for it. If you are a fan of the book Hoot by Carl Hiaasen, you will probably like this book. They are both similar with unrealistic plots and humorous characters. Have any of you read Adam Canfield of the Slash and/or Hoot? Did you like/dislike them?

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

Hello fellow book bloggers: How many of you have seen the movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory with Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka? It is a little different from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory starring Johnny Depp. It's a good movie to see so you can compare the different plots lines. If you did see the movie, which one did you like more? Or, did you like the book better than either of the movies?

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Hi fellow book bloggers: Here is a cool website if you liked the movie or book: http://chocolatefactorymovie.warnerbros.com/

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Hi fellow book bloggers: If you liked the recent movie Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with Johnny Depp, you should try reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl.
It’s a humorous book about a poor boy who gets lucky and draws the winning ticket for a visit to Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, the most splendid chocolate factory there is!

Crooked River

If you liked reading To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, you might like Crooked River. Both books have to do with men who are falsely accused of different crimes. In Crooked River, a Native American in accused of murder and faces the wrath of an all white jury. Rebecca Carver, the 13-year-old girl who is scared of having an Indian in her home, has to decide who she thinks is right-the young Indian’s lawyer, Peter Kelley, or her father, who thinks that all Indians are savages.
If you haven’t read To Kill a Mockingbird, you should! It’s a classic…but besides that, it’s a really great book. In To Kill a Mockingbird, a African-American man is accused of a crime he didn’t commit. Scout, a young girl, has to deal with the prejudices of the other townspeople as they look down upon her father, Atticus Finch, who is defending this man.

The Invention of Huga Cabret

Okay, the first thing about this book is that it is 533 pages. I know. Way too big to read. Before you totally stop listening to me, though, there is something else you should know about his book. It is mostly pictures. I would say that at least 300 of those 533 pages are pictures. The pictures aren’t just illustrating what the words say. Mostly the pictures are there instead of words.
This is a great story. I won't say that I couldn't put it down, because at 533 pages you almost have to put it down. However, I did read big chunks at each sitting. This book follows Hugo, an 11 year old boy living in Paris in the 1920's. He lives inside the Paris train station, where he is in charge of the train station clocks. He is trying to fix a mechanical man that he is sure contains a last message from his dead father. At the same time, he is trying to make sure that no one finds out that he is living on his own, or he is sure they will put him out on the street.

Book Blog on Display

Check out our new display in the YA area, featuring books that have been mentioned right here on the Book Blog. This display can be found next to the YA magazines. And don't forget our regular display shelves, which currently feature books relating to our winter programs.

One Whole and Perfect Day by Judith Clarke

One Whole and Perfect Day is the story of Lily and her family. Lily a 10th grader in Australia, thinks her family is weird. Her grandfather is a racist, her grandmother has an invisible friend, her mother brings home stray senior citizens, and her brother can't seem to settle down and stick to anything. She herself does all of the housework and so has a bit of a Cinderella complex around her friends.

I wanted to like this book. I really did. But I found the main character, Lily, grating and her mother was too wishy-washy. The resolution was too easy, but not in an over-the-top funny way. I wanted more from the characters. They just felt too one-dimensional.

Life on the Refrigerator Door

This book, written by Alice Kuipers, is a collection of notes between a mother and daughter. The daughter is named Claire, while the mother is known as simply "Mom" throughout. Like most of us these days, they are super busy. Claire has school, homework, friends, babysitting, and boys. Her mom is a doctor working with cancer patients and has a very hectic schedule. As a result, they are always leaving notes on the fridge. As the story develops, we learn that Claire's mom is, herself, ill, and how Claire will deal with that.
This whole book really is just notes back and forth. I am a big fan of books written as letters and this was very similar. It was a quick read that I really couldn't put down.

In Search of Mockingbird

I think maybe I think I liked this book more than I really did. What I mean is that because this book is about To Kill a Mockingbird, which is a book I really do love, that I let that color my opinion. So, because I like TKaM, I think I like In Search of Mockingbird more than I really did. I think I just wanted more from this story. Everything was too quick and too easy. I am not really sure how else to describe this. It wasn't a bad book, just not as good as TKaM. And maybe that standard is too high.
Has anyone else read this? What did you think?

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

I really loved this book. It was quite a bit like Twilight, so if you are a fan of Twilight, definitely check it out. I would say that it is not quite as well written as Twilight, but is very satisfying in ways that Twilight is not. It moves much quicker and it reaches a definite resolution at the end. So, if you are looking for a good, quick read, I would check out this realistic fantasy book.
The story revolves around Aislinn, who would be a normal 17 year old, if not for the fact that she sees fairies. She has spent her whole life pretending not to see them, because if they found out, the best thing she could hope for is to be blinded. Imagine her surprise when the Summer King, one of the fey royalty, approaches her to be his Summer Queen. He needs her to fulfill a centuries old prophecy. Aislinn wants no part of fairy life. Plus, her friend Seth is beginning to hint that he would like to be more than just friends. And he's hot. What's a girl to do?

East

East has a lot to do with Nordic exploration, as Rose journeys the earth for the search for her true love. Did you know the Vikings were one of the first peoples to explore America? Here is a website on Leif Erikson, who discovered North America.
http://www.mnc.net/norway/LeifErikson.htm

East-original verision

This website contains the original version of East of the Sun and West of the Moon:
http://web.utk.edu/~gwhitney/tales/east/ftpgeast.htm

East by Edith Pattou

Hello fellow book bloggers:
In East, by Edith Pattou, a young girl woman Rose journeys the earth in search of her one true love, who is under the spell of a troll queen.
The book is based off of a saga called: "East of the Sun and West of the Moon." It is also a Rebecca Caudill 2008 nominee.

Mythology this week!!!

Earthly Knight by Janet McNaughton
If you like mythology, the Earthly Knight by Janet McNaughton is another good read.
Jenny is only sixteen years old, yet she is old enough to be married in the year 1162. Will Jenny find happiness being married to William de Warenne, the brother of the king of Scotland, or will she find happiness with Tam Lin a mysterious man who lives in the enchanted forest?
Read the book to find out!!!!

http://swan.sls.lib.il.us/search?/tearthly+knight/tearthly+knight/1%2C1%2C2%2CB/frameset&FF=tearthly+knight&1%2C%2C2

More Crutcher

As I mentioned in my previous post, I am now a huge Chris Crutcher fan. I recently read both Whale Talk and Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes in two days. Both were great. I will say that these aren't light, happy-go-lucky reads, but don't let that stop you from picking them up. Whale Talk is about a boys swim team made up of misfit kids getting together to prove a point about sports teams in high school. I was laughing out loud a lot! Staying Fat deals with friendship and loyalty. Crutcher has written about a dozen books- most with realistic teens in realistic situations. He isn't afraid of tackling sensitive issues, so don't look here for a "fluffy" read! But, if you like a quick read with some substance, these books are for you.

Deadline

This latest book by Chris Crutcher was the first I'd read by the author. Now, in just a few weeks, I've read almost everything he's written! Once I started Deadline, I couldn't put it down-and here's why... at a recent YA literature conference I actually saw Mr. Crutcher in person and heard him read aloud the first few pages. From just a few sentences, I was hooked. I immediately went out and bought the book! Deadline has a shocking beginning... high school senior Ben makes a huge decision and then proceeds to live his life in his own personal way. His character is intelligent, sarcastic, and very, very funny. I'm purposely being vague because I don't want to give anything away. I just hope you'll give this one a try... I guarantee that it will make you think and laugh out loud!

Skullduggery by Pete Hautman

Roni Delicata and Brian Bain are back in this exciting sequel to the novel Snatched to solve the mystery of a local archaelogy site that is going to become condominiums, unless they find a way to prove the Bloodwater family is up to no good.

Both Snatched and Skullduggery are both good books if you like short mystery reads.

To get more information on this series, visit this website and click on read about it:http://swan.sls.lib.il.us/search?/tskullduggery/tskullduggery/1%2C1%2C3%2CB/frameset&FF=tskullduggery&3%2C%2C3

Tennis

Hi fellow book bloggers: If you liked reading Vanishing Act, and/or tennis, here is a couple websites you might be interested in:

http://www.tennis.com/
http://www.usta.com/rules/
http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/index

Vanishing Act by John Feinstein

Hello fellow book bloggers: I just finished reading a great mystery-the sequel to The Last Shot-
Vanishing Act by John Feinstein. Stevie and Carol find them themselves involved in the middle of a kidnapping at the U.S. Open. Nadia Symanova is one of the world's best tennis players and has just been kidnapped in the middle of a tennis match. What will happen to her?
Stevie and Carol work great as a team solving the second mystery in a row. There is also a little surprise at the end of the novel that you won't want to miss......

Edgar Allan Poe

"True!-nervous-very,very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am mad? The disease has sharpened my senses-not destroyed-not dulled them. Above all was the sense of hearing acute. I heard all things in heaven and in the earth. I heard many things in hell. How, then, am I mad? Hearken! and observe how healthily-how calmly I can tell you the whole story."

This is an excerpt from the Tell-Tale Heart, which is one of Poe's most famous short stories.

If you have not read any Edgar Allan Poe stories, you really should!! There is a display at the young adult desk that contains some horror stories. One of the books over there is Tales of Edgar Allan Poe. It contains many of Poe's famous short horror stories.



If you want more information on Edgar Allan Poe, here is a link you can go to:http://www.poemuseum.org/

Clay by David Almond

Hi fellow book bloggers: Halloween is coming up shortly and if you're into supernatural/horror books, you should read Clay by David Almond. Although the book is a little strange at times, I do think the author does a good job of illustrating good vs. evil. The setting is a little different: it takes place in Britain where two altar boys, fourteen-year-old Davie and his best friend Geordie, befriend a boy named Stephen Rose. Davie finds out a little too late that Stephen is really up to no good....I don't want to ruin the rest of the story, so go check it out!

Unexplained by Judy Allen

Hi fellow book bloggers: Just wanted to let you know about a book called: Unexplained by Judy Allen. It looks like an awesome book....if you are interested in ghosts and other interesting unexplained phenomenon...
If you want more information about this intriguing title: visit this link and click on read about it.
http://swan.sls.lib.il.us/search?/tunexplained/tunexplained/1%2C6%2C14%2CB/frameset&FF=tunexplained+an+encyclopedia+of+curious+phenomena+strange+superstitions+and&1%2C1%2C

Gilda Joyce: Psychic Investigator

Hi fellow book bloggers: The theme of this year's Teen Read Week is humor: so check out this humorous mystery: Gilda Joyce:Psychic Investigator by Jennifer Allison. You'll really like it if you like a mixture of humor and mystery.
Gilda is a high-spirited teen who engages herself in a mystery surrounding her cousin's aunt who died many years ago. If you want more information about the book check out this link:
http://contentcafe2.btol.com/ContentCafeClient/ContentCafe.aspx?UserID=MLS90879&Password=CC83320&Display=AnnotationDetailByItemKey&ItemKey=0525473750&Options=Y
Warning: Although this book is pretty humorous, it does deal with serious issues including a relative's death and suicide.

The Mysterious Edge of the Heroic World

The Mysterious Edge of the Heroic World is the newest book by EL Konigsberg, who is one of the most brilliant writers ever, in my opinion. Reading From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs Basil E Frankweiler changed my life. The idea of living in a museum like that was just amazing. I was ready to run away. (I never did.) Then I read Up from Jericho Tel, a brilliant mystery about two trailer park kids and the ghost of Tallulah Bankhead. One of my favorite books of all time. This new book is the third in a series of loosely related books. The first was Silent to the Bone about a boy who refuses to speak after being accused of a horrible crime. The next was The Outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place, which deals with the indignities of sleepaway camp and also what exactly the definition of art is. The Mysterious Edge of the Heroic World also discusses art and who gets to decide what art is exactly. Does anybody have that right? Adoph Hitler thought he did. The book also talks about what ahppened to the art and artists that Hitler didn't care for. This book really isnt a mystery in the traditional sense. It is more of a mystery in the way that life is a mystery.

The Westing Game

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin is one of my all-time favorite reads and a great mystery. Several people are invited to live in a new apartment building. They move in and all is well. Soon, however, it becomes clear that they have all been brought together for a specific purpose. To figure out who killed Samuel Westing. So go. read it. now.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

If you go to Andrew High School, you have already heard quite a bit about The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon. This was a really good book, but I don't know if I would actually say that I enjoyed reading it. The main character has Asperger's Syndrome, which is a mild form of Austism (or so I gather from the book). As a result, he is unable to relate normally to other people. So as the book goes on it became very frustrating and uncomfortable to watch him deal with the others in the book. You could feel the tension building in the other characters, while the main character has no idea that they are upset or why they would be. Still, it was a good read and a pretty good mystery.

Speaking of mysteries, this post kicks off our month long salute to mystery fiction. So check in with us throughout October to get some recommendations for good mysteries!

Bonus: Cheesy prize to the first person who can tell me where The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time got its title.

2 more good reads!

Oh, one more thing... I just read two more books this week that you might like. Firegirl by Tony Abbott was really good...it's the story of a boy whose life changes when a new girl comes to his class. It's a very short book and an easy read. Also, my new favorite (for the week) is Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson. If you enjoyed the Little House Books by Laura Ingalls Wilder as a little kid, this is the more grown-up version and oh, so good! Hattie is a young 16 year-old girl who sets off to Montana to stake her claim on a farm- all on her own! I read this book in one sitting and wished there was more! If you try any of my suggestions this week, this is the one I would recommend the most!

Lines in the Sand

Hi. Once I finished reading The Falconer's Knot as mentioned in my last blog, I did a bit of research to find out more about Mary Hoffman. On her website ( www.maryhoffman.co.uk/)- she talks about another project she was involved in- the coordinating and editing of a book for young adults about war called, Lines in the Sand. Over 150 writers contributed stories, poems, and illustrations about war and peace. This collection is really interesting and eye-opening. I especially enjoyed the poem, "Counting", and the story, "The Butcher"- although not in a happy way- they really say a lot about war and it's toll. One positive thought to keep in mind is that all the profits from the publishing of this book, went to UNICEF( a world-wide children's relief organization) for the children of Iraq. Just something to think about.

The Falconer's Knot

Hi there! Having never posted to the book blog before, here goes... The Falconer's Knot by Mary Hoffman looked pretty promising for a book chosen right off the shelf. And after all, Mary Hoffman wrote the highly popular Stravaganza series, so how could I miss? This book is a mystery set in 14th century Italy during medievel times. It follows the lives of several characters, mostly a young nobleman accused of murder named Silvano and a young woman named Chiara. There is mystery, romance, and even art. I enjoyed the book and it was an easy read- maybe too easy and a bit silly. I had to finish it though- and find out whodunit! I hope you give it a try and let me know what you think. I will be posting more Mary Hoffman info later in the week, so stay tuned!

Famous Last Words

So Miles, the putz mentioned in my last post, actually had a pretty cool hobby, which was collecting the last words of famous people. For your enjoyment, I include a selection, hand-picked from the internet.

Pietro Aretine: Now I am oiled. Keep my from the rats.

Lady Astor: Am I dying or is this my birthday?

Alexander Graham Bell: No

Leonard Bernstein: What's this?

Johannes Brahms: Ah, that tastes nice. I thank you.

Luther Burbank: I don't feel good.

Lewis Carroll: Take away these pillows. I shall need them no more.

Anton Chekhov: It's been a long time since I've had champagne.

James Dean: That guy's got to stop. He'll see us.

Emily Dickinson: The fog is rising.

George Eastman: My work is done. Why wait?

Queen Elizabeth I: All my possessions for a moment of time.

Adolf Fischer: This is the happiest moment of my life.

Edmund Gwenn: Dying is easy. Comedy is difficult.

Oscar Wilde: Either that wallpaper goes or I do!

Pancho Villa: Don't let it end like this. Tell them I said something.

General John Sedgwick, Union Commander, Civil War: They couldn't hit an elephant at this dist...

FDR: I have a terrific headache

Karl Marx: Go on, get out. Last words are for fools who haven't said enough.

Richard Feynman: I'd hate to die twice. It's so boring.

Looking For Alaska

Looking for Alaska by John Green (of An Abundance of Katherines fame) is actually the author's debut novel and, to be honest, it shows. I mean, it's a good book, but it's not AS good. I really didn't like any of the characters. Even the main character. I think we were supposed to identify with him, but really, he was kind of a putz. He just goes along with the crowd and doesn't think for himself, which I find really obnoxious.
However, this is one of those times when I wonder if not being a teenager is working against me. Because sometimes you have to be a young adult to enjoy young adults fiction and I find, somewhat to my chagrin, that I am just a regular adult these days.
You should not take my word for it on this book, though. Check it out for yourself and see if maybe you disagree.

Cecil Castellucci is the coolest ever!!!

I am totally into the books of Cecil Castellucci right now. When I grow up, I want to be her, she is that freakin awesome! (Yes, her name is Cecil and she is a girl. I don't know why.) She has written three YA novels:
Boy Proof
The Queen of Cool
Beige
and one graphic novel:
The Plain Janes

If I had to pick a favorite, it would be very hard, but I would pick the first one, Boy Proof. Boy Proof is about a girl named Egg, who thinks she is boy proof (and pretty much friend-proof, too), until she meets Max. Max helps Egg see that maybe she doesn't see things very clearly. There are lots of fun Hollywood and nerdy SciFi/Fantasy references that I really appreciated (being a nerdy girl from CA.)
The Queen of Cool is about Libby, a very popular girl who ends up befriending a dwarf at the zoo. Seriously. How cool is that?
Beige is the story of Katie, sent to live with her father, a punk drummer known as The Rat, for a summer. Katie feels pretty beige compared to everyone in this ultra-loud, ultra-hip punk scene, but maybe she is selling herself a bit short. Think old school punk, like The Sex Pistols and Black Flag.
The Plain Janes is sort of a post 9-11 story. How to deal when you aren't the person you thought you were.

If you want to know more about Cecil Castellucci (and there is lots more to know!), please check out her website: www.misscecil.com. She is totally awesome!

The Off Season

Hi fellow book bloggers: This is the sequel to Dairy Queen. In this novel, D.J.'s year is going well until tradegy strikes. If you have read Dairy Queen, this is a must read to see what happens.
I won't give anymore away!
If you've already read The Off Season, did you like the ending? Why or why not? If you were going to write a different ending for The Off Season, what would it be?

Dairy Queen

Hi fellow book bloggers: This is another great book to check out if you like realistic fiction....D.J. Schwenk is a Wisconsin teenager who has to take on the physical work of the farm after her father has hip surgery. She trains Brian Nelson, a rival quarterback from the other town's football team. Through him, she learns that keeping your thoughts inside you isn't always the best medicine.
Visit this link to get more information on Dairy Queen:
http://swan.sls.lib.il.us/search?/tdairy+queen/tdairy+queen/1%2C2%2C2%2CB/frameset&FF=tdairy+queen+a+novel&1%2C1%2C

Bears Books

Hi fellow book bloggers: If you like sports....especially football, and the Chicago Bears...you should check out Bears Roar: Meet the Men who put the Swagger back into Chicago Football (Y/796.33264 Chicago Bears.)

Another book you should check out is Stadium Stories Chicago Bears: Great Moments in Team History by Law Freedman. You can check out great moments in Bears History!



Don't forget to watch the Bears second regular season game-Chicago Bears vs. Kansas City Chiefs on September 16th at 3:15 p.m. Here's a link for the rest of the season games: http://www.chicagobears.com/team/schedule.html

An Abundance of Katherines

Another fantastic book that I read this summer was An Abundance of Katherines by John Green. The description in our catalog reads: 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.
This book is so funny! And it is full of footnotes. I know that footnotes sound like something that belong in a book you read at school, not a book that is for fun, but the footnotes are what make this book amazing.
An Abundance of Katherines also involves the final resting place of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, whose assassination sparked World War I.
This book has some language that some might find objectionable. If you think your parents might object, then check with them first.
I know I am not doing this book justice at all with my description. But this really is a great book and totally worth your time. READ IT!

Summer Recap

Now that the summer season has come to its unofficial end, which coincides nicely with the start of the NEW book blog, I wanted to take a look back at all of the reading I did this summer. And also the things I didn't read. Do you ever notice that certain books just seem to be "winter" books. Books that are long and complicated, with lots of characters lend themselves more to curling up inside for a cozy reading session in a comfy chair. During the summer, I like books that are a bit more "fluffy". This is not to say that the books are somehow not as good. Just different.
In any case, my favorite books that I read this summer (besides Harry Potter, which we already devoted two months of the book blog to) were the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer. I would say this series is actually an all season read, but it is kind of girlie. I have been completely engrossed in these books all summer long. It was a good way to forget about the heat.
So, what did you all read this summer (besides Harry Potter)? Anything I should just drop everything for and start reading right now?

Check back in two weeks! The new and improved book blog will be up and running on Tuesday, September 4!

Question

So, now that you've all read Harry Potter and it's come to an end

What are you going to do now?

another book you may enjoy

If you like the combination of the fantasy and realistic in Harry Potter, you might enjoy the Gregor the Overlander series by Suzanne Collins. Gregor is doing the laundry in the basement of his New York apartment building one day when he and his baby sister, after falling down a hole in the wall, discover a whole world underground. This world is filled with giant cockroaches and bats that talk. I have read the first book and really loved it. The fifth book is due out later this year and I know lots of kids are looking forward to it.

Question

So originally, the movie was supposed to come out today and I was going to ask you all if you were going to run out and see it today, or if you would be waiting for a bit. However, the movie came out on Wed/Tues, so that pretty much ruins that.

SO...who has already seen the movie? What did you think? Too long? Too short? Was it faithful to the book? Do you care?

Discussion Question

If you went to Hogwarts, what house would you belong to?

Another book series you might enjoy:

The Lost Years of Merlin by TA Barron. These books follow a young Merlin, before he became the great wizard of legend.

Click here to visit the band Harry and the Potters, who writes music about guess who - Harry Potter!

Discussion Question

Question: Do you think you'll want to see the last 2 movies? What if book #7 ends badly? How do you think it will end? What will happen to Harry?

Another Book you might enjoy

Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander
From our catalog: Taran, Assistant Pig-Keeper to a famous oracular sow, sets out on a hazardous mission to save Prydain from the forces of evil.
It is the first in a series. Check it out!

Website

Verita Serum is a website run by HP fans, for HP fans. They are dedicated to getting out the most accurate news they can in a timely fashion. Check it out by clicking here!

Discussion Question

Is Snape what he seems to be?

Another Book

You might enjoy The Invention of Hugo Cabret, which combines traditional fiction with a graphic novel. Mrs. McFarland says it is wonderful!

Lego Fun!

Check out the lego fun by clicking here!

Fun website

Click here to join Dumbledore's Army.

Question

Which Harry Potter movie do you think is most like the book?

Another Book

Ender's Game is the first book in a series about a young boy, Ender, who turns out to be the battle genius needed to save his planet from invasion. The author is Orson Scott Card. You can check it out at the library today!

Fun Website!

Another fun website to check out is The Leaky Cauldron.

A great website

To visit a great website for Harry Potter news and gossip, click here.

QUESTION

Which Harry Potter character is your favorite?

Audio Books

So, by now you have probably read all of the Harry Potter books umpteen number of times. But have you listened to them? The TP library owns all 6 HP books on audio (either on cassette or an cd) and they are phenomenal! Jim Dale reads them all and he gives each character his or her own distinct voice. It will give you a new understanding and enjoyment of all of the books. Check one out today!

Another Book

If you enjoy the Harry Potter series (and who doesn't?), you might want to check out the Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer. Artemis is a 12 year old genius, who uses his talents for evil instead of good. His family has been wronged and he is out to get revenge at all costs. There is a fair amount of humour also present in these books, so even if you aren't a big fan of fantasy, you might want to check it out.

HP5

Find out the latest news on the next HP film by clicking here.

Author! Author!

Visit JK Rowling's home on the web by clicking here.

Let's start off with an easy question:

Which Harry Potter book is your favorite?

Welcome!

Welcome to our Harry Potter book blog, where you can discuss all facets of HP! We hope you have fun with us, as we all wait for July 21 to finally roll around!

Vampire Myths

Click here to check out some myths about vampires. Or are they fact?

Question

Are vampires necessarily evil? Because they feed on blood, does that make them bad?

Bran Stoker Awards

If you love to read horror stories, then check out the website for the Bram Stoker Awards.

From the Horror Writers Assocation website:

Each year, the Horror Writer's Association presents the Bram Stoker Awards for Superior Achievement, named in honor of Bram Stoker, author of the seminal horror work, Dracula. The Stoker Awards were instituted immediately after the organization's incorporation in 1987. While many members, including HWA's first President, Dean Koontz, had reservations about awards for writing -- since the point of HWA was for writers to cooperate for their mutual benefit, not to compete against one another -- the majority of members heavily favored presenting awards, both to recognize outstanding work in the horror field and to publicize HWA's activities.
To ameliorate the competitive nature of awards, the Stokers are given "for superior achievement," not for "best of the year," and the rules are deliberately designed to make ties fairly probable. The first awards were presented in 1988 (for works published in 1987), and they have been presented every year since. The award itself is an eight-inch replica of a fanciful haunted house, designed specifically for HWA by sculptor Steven Kirk. The door of the house opens to reveal a brass plaque engraved with the name of the winning work and its author.
The Stoker Awards, like the Oscars, are non-juried awards. Any work of Horror first published in the English language may be considered for a Stoker during the year of its publication. The HWA membership at large recommends worthy works for consideration. A preliminary ballot is compiled using a formula based on recommendations. Two rounds of voting by our Active members determine first the finalists, and then the winners. The winners are announced and the awards presented at a gala banquet held in conjunction with HWA's annual conference, usually in June.

Another Book

Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz
From School Library JournalGrade 9 Up–De la Cruz has revamped traditional vampire lore in this story featuring a group of attractive, privileged Manhattan teens who attend a prestigious private school. Schuyler Van Alen, 15, the last of the line in a distinguished family, is being raised by her distant and forbidding grandmother. Schuyler, her friend Oliver, and their new friend Dylan are treated like outsiders by the clique of popular, athletic, and beautiful teens made up of Mimi Force, her twin brother, and her best friend. What they have in common is the fact that they are all Blue Bloods, or vampires. They don't realize that they aren't normal until they reach age 15. Then the symptoms manifest themselves and they begin to crave raw meat, have nightmares about events in history, and get prominent blue veins in their arms. Their immortality and way of life are threatened after Blue Blood teens start getting murdered by a splinter group called the Silver Bloods. This novel constantly name-drops and is full of product placements, drinking, drugs, nonexplicit sex, and superficial characterizations, but the intriguing plot will keep teens reading. De la Cruz's explanation for the disappearance of the Colony of Roanoke is unique and the idea that models don't gain weight because they are Blue Bloods rather than anorexic is unusual.

Find out more about Darren Shan

Click here for more information about the author of the Cirque du Freak series or click here to visit his own website.

Read any good books?

Has anyone read any good books lately? Or any bad books, for that matter?

Next Month

Join us as we discuss Cirque du Freak by Darren Shan. Talk about just the first book, or have an in-depth discussion of the series as a whole!

How long until you die?

Find out at www.deathclock.com

Another Book

Another book you might enjoy:

Peeps by Scott Westerfeld
From School Library JournalStarred Review. Grade 9 Up–Nineteen-year-old Cal, a Texas transplant,became a parasite-positive, or peep–he prefers not to use the v-word (vampire)–when he first arrived in New York City. Now he works for the Night Watch, a secret branch of city government dedicated to tracking others of his kind. Unlike the rare natural carriers like Cal, who has acquired night vision, superhuman strength, and a craving for lots of protein, most peeps are insane cannibals lurking in darkness. But now the teen has found the young woman who infected him–and learns that something worse than peeps is threatening the city, and he is on the front lines. Cal's voice is genuine–he's a little geeky, as evidenced by the intermittent discussions on parasites, and he laces a dry humor through this immensely reasonable biological vampire story. The evocation of NYC is exactly right, so that even the most fantastic elements of the plot feel believable. Much of the story is concerned with Cal's detective work and growing relationship with Lace, his Major Revelation Incident (he tells her his secret); toward the end, the action picks up in a race to reveal the horrors to come.

Father of all Vampires

If you are really interested in Vampires, then you should definitely check out the original:
Dracula by Bram Stoker. To learn more about Dracula, click here. For more on Mr. Stoker, click here.

A Movie to Watch

If you like vampires and silliness, you should check out Buffy the Vampire Slayer (the movie, not the TV show of the same name). The idea is basically the same - a rich valley girl fighting off vampires - but the movie takes itself much less seriously than the TV show. Also watch for a *superb* death scene by Paul Reubens of Pee Wee Herman fame.

Another Book

If you are enjoying Carpe Jugulum, but wish you knew a bit more about discworld, please check out The Light Fantastic, the first book in the series. Terry Pratchett's website gives this description for the book:
In The Light Fantastic only one individual can save the world from a disastrous collision. Unfortunately, the hero happens to be the singularly inept wizard Rincewind, who was last seen falling off the edge of the world...

Terry Pratchett

For more information about Terry Pratchett and/or Discworld, visit his website: www.terrypratchettbooks.com

April Book

This month we will be discussing Carpe Jugulum by Terry Pratchett. This is just one of the many books in his very weird, very funny Discworld series. Carpe Jugulum deals mainly with a group of vampires who, invited to a wedding, refuse to leave. This book can actually be found in the adult fiction section at TPPL, so check it out!

Dr. Mengele

During the 1930's and 1940's, Dr. Mengele, a German scientist, began doing eugenics experiments on twins. This is mentioned briefly in the book. These experiments were part of the Hitler/Nazi regime and were really awful. If you would like to learn more about these, click here to read a wikipedia article. (Warning: If you are prone to queasiness or easily upset, this might not be for you.)

more twins!

Every year in Ohio, there is a festival known as Twin Day. Twins get together and celebrate their twin-dom. Click here to find out more.

Twins!

Click here to read an encyclopedia article about twins.

Imagine your twin

Twins figure heavily in The Love Curse of the Rumbaughs. I am an only child, but when I was growing up, I always wished for a twin brother. (Pretty stupid, when you think about it. What were the chances, really, that my family would just discover a twin we never knew about?) If you had a twin, what would he/she be like? Would you be identical? Share thoughts? Or maybe you would hate having a twin. Tell us what you think.

Hole In My Life

Hole In My Life is Jack Gantos' autobiography. It is a very interesting read. Mr. Gantos has not led the typical writer life. During college, to support himself financially, he became a drug smuggler, was eventually caught, and served time in jail. The book also deals with how he turned his life around and finally realized his dream of becoming a writer. Check it out!

More on taxidermy

For more on taxidermy, visit www.taxidermy.net

Query

Roy Rogers had his horse, Trigger, stuffed after he died. Would you have a pet stuffed to keep them with you? Or do you think this is pretty gross?

Taxidermy

Taxidermy plays a big role in The Love Curse of the Rumbaughs. Click here to learn a little bit more about this unusual hobby.

Jack Gantos

Many of you may know him as the author of the Joey Pigza books, but Jack Gantos has written lots of other things. If you enjoyed this months book (and if you actually try reading it, I promise that you will), you should check out Mr. Gantos' web site. It is really neat and you will like it.

Morbid piece of history

I came across a story today about America's first family of serial killers, The Benders, who lived in Kansas in the 1870's. Click here to find out mroe about them.

Website

If you are interested in pursuing a career in forensic science, you may want to check out the official website of the American Association of Forensic Science. http://www.aafs.org/

next month's book

Just a heads up, so you can get started on next month's book! We will be discussing The Love Curse of the Rumbaughs by Jack Gantos. I have to say that this is one of the creepiest books I have read. Not scary or suspenseful, but creepy. It really stayed with me after I read it. It isn't a long book and goes very quickly.

PS This book has a few things in common with the movie Psycho.

Another Book

If you are interested in criminal investigation, you may want to check out the book "COmplete Idiot's Guide to Criminal Investigation". The blurb on Amazon says, "Offers a perfect summary of the necessary steps involved in basic investigation. Perfect for anyone looking to form a working knowledge of Criminal Investigation." So, if you want an introduction to this field, this may be the book for you!

Decomposition

Click here to read the wikipedia article on decomposition.

another book you may enjoy

Solving Crimes: pioneers of forensic science

Read this review from School Library Journal:
Although there are numerous titles available that describe techniques used in modern forensic science, few do more than mention the significant pioneers in the field. Fridell documents the accomplishments of six men over the past century, from Parisian file clerk Alphonse Bertillon's system of measuring and recording the physical characteristics of criminals to British scientist Alec Jeffreys's development of "DNA fingerprinting." In the case of each individual, it is passion and persistence, often in the face of indifference or ridicule, that made the significant achievement possible. Technical terms, italicized in the text, are defined in a glossary. Most definitions are adequate when combined with contextual clues, but some are too minimal to be useful. For instance, "blood typing" is defined as "classifying a person's blood according to its blood type." Black-and-white photos, reproductions, and diagrams enhance the presentation and occasionally show some important aspects of the techniques under discussion. An annotated list of Internet addresses and the names and addresses of eight museums and exhibits in the United States offer opportunities for continued exploration of this fascinating field.

website to check out

click here to learn more about careers in forensic science!

Discussion Question

Is being a coroner (i.e. a doctor who looks at dead people) more or less creepy than other kinds of doctors?

Death Online

Click here to check out an online exhibit about death from the Australian Museum.

Warning: this website contains graphic images of dead bodies. If you are easily upset or think your parents would oppose, please check with them or skip this website.

Sequel

If you have been enjoying The Christopher Killers, you should check out the sequel Angel of Death.
Read this review from School Library Journal:

Cameryn Mahoney, the teenaged forensic detective from The Christopher Killer (Viking, 2006), continues her adventures as assistant to her father, the county coroner of Silverton, CO. Her latest case involves the death of a favorite teacher, whose body is found by her classmate Kyle. Brad Oakes has seemingly been burned, but there are no signs of fire in his bedroom. Cammie is also dealing with an upcoming visit from her mother, who left long ago. On top of that, she finds herself attracted to Kyle and Deputy Justin. As she gets closer and closer to discovering the killers identity, she puts her life in danger. The forensic details are intriguing and will definitely attract all of the CSI fans out there. The author doesnt shy away from the gorier details, and she seems to have done her homework about the ins and outs of being a county coroner. Reluctant readers looking for a mystery will enjoy the fast pace and page-turning suspense.–

CSI

Click here to check out the website for CSI, the hit drama on CBS about forensic scientists and crime scene investigators. (If you haven't seen the show before, you might want to check with your mom or dad first. It can get pretty gross.)

Forensic Science

To learn more about forensic science, click here to read an article from Wikipedia.

learn about the author

Alane Ferguson is the author of this month's book. She is the author of at least one other book in this series. Click here to learn more about her.

Next Month's Book

February starts tomorrow and with that comes a new book to the book blog. We will be discussing The Christopher Killer by Alane Ferguson. The Christopher Killer is a forensic mystery starring Cameryn Mahoney, a 17 year old coroner's assistant. It is the first in a series and makes for really interesting reading. If you would like to read this book, you can place a hold on it by calling the library or visiting our website (which you should all know by this time).

Sorry for the lack of posting

I seem to have misplaced my list of intended posts. I have spent the week frantically searching for this list, but to no avail. I promise to get back on track on Monday. In the meantime, what is everyone reading right now?

a website for you

check out this website for fun facts about the paranormal.

a movie you might enjoy

if you are interested in ghosts and/or enjoy the films of Tim Burton, be sure to check out Beetlejuice!

Reincarnation

click here for an article on reincarnation

Something to think about

If there were reincarnation, what would you want to come back as?

another book you might enjoy

Death's Acre by William Bass

Read this review, from Publisher's Weekly

In this memoir, Bass, a premier forensic anthropologist, recounts how a life spent studying dead bodies led to the creation of "The Anthropolgy Research Facility" (aka the Body Farm), a plot of land near the University of Tennessee Medical Center where Bass and his colleagues monitor the decomposition of human corpses in various environments. The book is structured around the 1981 creation of the Body Farm, and the early chapters focus on some of Bass's trickier cases to demonstrate his need for more information about the science of forensics. The later chapters take a closer look at how the scientific analysis of Body Farm corpses has helped Bass and other anthropologists solve some of the toughest and most bizarre cases of their distinguished careers. Though professional and conscientious when describing the medical facts of each case, Bass, writing with journalist Jefferson, proves to be a witty storyteller with a welcome sense of humor. He also does a nice job balancing accounts of death and decomposition with decidedly not-so-morbid tidbits from his personal life. Furthermore, the poignancy of how he reacts to the deaths of his first two wives reflects the compassion he feels for the dead and their surviving family members he encounters in his working life. Bass may deal with the dead, but he has a lust for life that comes across in his writing. While the grisly details may not make this a must-read for everyone, those who do pick it up might just be pleasantly surprised by how Bass brings death to life.

Scary Story

Click here for a spooky story about a prom dress.

Mediums

Click here for this wikipedia articles on mediums.

Something to think about

What do you think happens after death? Is there life? Reincarnation?

another book you may enjoy

Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach

A sort-of prequel to Spook, Stiff looks at what happens to your physical body after you are done with it. A very keen and thorough look at all of your options for the post-life, including some you've heard of (burial, cremation, etc.) and some less well-know options (get turned into plant mulch). Not quite as gory as it sounds, but still probably not for the faint of heart. This book was nominated for the Abraham Lincoln Award.

Cemetery Photos

Click here to visit the website of the Streatham Cemetery in England. The website features photos of the cemetery in all four seasons fo the year. The photos are really quite beautiful.

The Afterlife

Click here to read an interesting article from Wikipedia on the afterlife.

Video of Mary Roach

Click here to find a video of Mary Roach discussing the ideas in her book.

(If the link doesn't work, you can google research channel and Mary Roach. It should be the first website that comes up)

Welcome!

Welcome to our Book Blog! This month we will be discussing Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife by Mary Roach. As the title suggests, this book takes a look at what happens to us after we die. It is a very interesting book that investigates several ideas regarding what might happen (or not) in the great beyond.
If you are interested in reading this book, we have copies on shelf in the library (as of this writing) or we can always put a hold from another library.
Check back to the blog often. There will be new postings often. You may find something interesting even if you are not reading along.