Would you like a little Dystopia with that novel?

Why are novels with a Dystopian theme all the rage right now in Young Adult literature? Maybe it's because the future of human society is unknown, so writers are free to imagine all kinds of scenarios.

The term Dystopian comes from the French word Dystopia, which means "an imaginary place where people lead dehumanized and often fearful lives." (from the Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary) It is the opposite of Utopia, a word taken from the book Utopia written by Sir Thomas More in 1516. Utopia describes a place of ideal perfection.

A very popular Dystopian novel is The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

If you liked The Hunger Games, try:

Divergent by Veronica Roth. The story takes place in a future Chicago where sixteen-year-old Beatrice Prior must choose among five predetermined factions to define her identity for the rest of her life. Her decision is made more difficult when she discovers that she is an anomoly who does not fit into any one group, and that the society she lives in is not perfect after all.

Or Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi. It won the 2011 Printz Award. "In a futuristic world, teenaged Nailer scavenges copper wiring from grounded oil tankers for a living, but when he finds a beached clipper ship with a girl in the wreckage, he has to decide if he should strip the ship for its wealth or rescue the girl."


Another book that is quickly becoming popular is Matched by Ally Condie.
"All her life, Cassia has never had a choice. The Society dictates everything: when and how to play, where to work, where to live, what to eat and wear, when to die, and most importantly to Cassia as she turns 17, who to marry."

The sequel, Crossed, continues to story of Cassia as she sacrifices everything and heads to the Outer Provinces in search of Ky, where she is confronted with shocking revelations about Society and the promise of rebellion".

My personal, all-time favorite is The White Mountains by John Christopher. Written in 1967, this fast-paced, exciting story is the first in The Tripods trilogy. "Young Will Parker and his companions make a perilous journey toward an outpost of freedom where they hope to escape from the ruling Tripods, who capture mature human beings and make them docile, obedient servants."

Do you have a favorite Dystopian novel? Send me an email to kids@scarborough.lib.me.us
with your title(s).

Megan Turner

On Wednesday afternoon on October 26, the Scarborough Library Teen Book Group had a Skype visit with author, Megan Whalen Turner. It was so awesome. Megan was funny, insightful, and very, very interesting. We all had lots of questions that she graciously answered.

Our next book for discussion is Silent to the Bone by E.L. Konigsburg.
"When he is wrongly accused of gravely injuring his baby half-sister, thirteen-year-old Branwell loses his power of speech and only his friend Connor is able to reach him and uncover the truth about what really happened."


If you are in Grades 6 thru 8 and you are interested in joining the book group, please contact Mrs. C in the
Youth Services Department. 883-4723 ext. 6278

Want to join a book club?

The library has a teen book club. If you enjoy reading and talking about the books you've read then this is for you. We meet for one hour. Our next meeting is Wednesday, October 26 at 4 pm. We will be talking about the book, The Thief by Megan Turner.


BOOK SUMMARY: "The most powerful advisor to the King of Sounis is the magus. He's not a wizard, he's a scholar, an aging solider, not a thief. When he needs something stolen, he pulls a young thief from the King's prison to do the job for him.

Gen is a thief and proud of it. When his bragging lands him behind bars he has one chance to win his freedom-- journey to a neighboring kingdom with the magus, find a legendary stone called Hamiathes's Gift and steal it.

The magus has plans for his King and his country. Gen has plans of his own.

The Thief is the first book in the Queen's Thief series. Faced paced, the surprise ending will leave you breathless and reaching for the book two, The Queen of Attolia.

Watch the trailer for The Thief.

If you haven't read The Thief, that's okay. Come and talk about a book you've recently read and enjoyed.

For more information contact the Youth Services Department and ask for Mrs. C

883-4723 extention 6278

Have you read this book?

This Dark Endeavor: the apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein
by Kenneth Oppel

This dark and dramatic gothic tale is set in eighteenth century Geneva Republic. The young Victor Frankenstein, 16 years old, attempts to create the forbidden Elixir of Life that was described in an ancient text found in his family's secret Biblioteka Obscura.

For fans of The Monstrumologist : William James Henry by Richard Yancy or Frankenstein by Mary Shelley.

Early Release Day Party

Just a reminder that Friday is the day for some fun at the Library!

Hope to see you there.

Early Release Day Party!

Early Release Day Party!
Noon to 4 pm for grades 6 thru 8

If you find yourself waiting for a ride home, come over to the Library for some fun!
We'll have our gaming center up and running, along with board games and an arts and crafts table.

Record a sixty-second book talk we will post to this blog!

Bring your own snack and have fun!

If you are thinking about coming, please have your parents read over the Library's After School Use policy.

See you there!

Reading Assignments

School is back in session, and with that comes the reading assignments.
First up was Colonial Fiction.

We are left wondering what is next.

Just a reminder that we do have a wide range of genre specific titles for you to check out. Historical Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Suspense and Mystery, and Science Fiction/Fantasy. Call ahead to the Youth Services (883-4723, ext. 6277) and ask us to hold a few titles for you. Or send us a quick email with your request (mrsc@scarborough.lib.me.us) We will have several books waiting for you at the front desk. Easy-peasy.

So, what is the next reading assignment?