Do you read or write poetry?

Have you tried concrete poems?

Concrete poems are also called shape poems because the arrangement of the words conveys the subject or mood. A popular poet is John Grandits.
His book, Technically, It's Not My Fault was my first introduction to this style of poetry.

Another collection of Concrete Poems is A Poke in the I, selected by Maine poet, Paul Janeczko.



Do you have a poem to share to post on the blog? Send it to MrsC@scarborough.lib.me.us

CALLING ALL TEENS!

Mrs C needs readers! I need readers to help me evaluate new books, both fiction and nonfiction.

This year, I am a member of YALSA's Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers. This list is aimed at teens who dislike to read for whatever reason. The list is for ages 12-18. All books are for recreational reading. To find out more about YALSA and this list, visit their web site.

HERE’s THE SCOOP:
To participate, you have to be willing to read at least one book and fill out a simple evaluation form. Come in to the Youth Services Room and talk to me, Mrs. C. Once you will fill out a registration card (very easy) and then you can select from a variety of new books.
For all those who participate, you will be rewarded. There will be a celebration in December. (Yes, this goes thru December)

Call (883-4723 option 3) or email: mrsc@scarborough.lib.me.us if you have questions.

If you liked Mercy, the Last Vampire...

You might also enjoy...

Kit's Wilderness by David Almond
"Thirteen-year-old Kit goes to live with his grandfather in the decaying coal mining town of Stoneygate, England, and finds both the old man and the town haunted by ghosts of the past."

A Curse as Dark as Gold by Elizabeth Bunce
"Upon the death of her father, seventeen-year-old Charlotte struggles to keep the family's woolen mill running in the face of an overwhelming mortgage and what the local villagers believe is a curse, but when a man capable of spinning straw into gold appears on the scene she must decide if his help is worth the price."

Texas Goth by Rosemary Clement-Moore
"Seventeen-year-old Amy Goodnight has long been the one who makes her family of witches seem somewhat normal to others, but while spending a summer with her sister caring for their aunt's farm, Amy becomes the center of weirdness when she becomes tied to a powerful ghost."

My Swordhand is Singing by Marcus Sedgwick
"In the dangerous dark of winter in an Eastern European village during the early seventeenth century, Peter learns from a gypsy girl that the Shadow Queen is behind the recent murders and reanimations, and his father's secret past may hold the key to stopping her."

Watch the book trailer for Mercy, the Last Vampire.

Across the Universe by Beth Revis

Click on the link to enjoy Lauren's book talk on this popular science fiction title.

NEW FAVORITES

New books!

The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler.

“It's 1996, and less than half of all American high school students have ever used the Internet. Emma just got her first computer and Josh is her best friend. They power up and log on--and discover themselves on Facebook, fifteen years in the future. Everybody wonders what their Destiny will be. Josh and Emma are about to find out.”

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

“Thirteen-year-old Conor awakens one night to find a monster outside his bedroom window, but not the one from the recurring nightmare that began when his mother became ill--an ancient, wild creature that wants him to face truth and loss.”

Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma

“Two years after sixteen-year-old Chloe discovered classmate London's dead body floating in a Hudson Valley reservoir, she returns home to be with her devoted older sister Ruby, a town favorite, and finds that London is alive and well, and that Ruby may somehow have brought her back to life and persuaded everyone that nothing is amiss.”

The Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder

“Having spent several years in and out of hospitals for a life-threatening illness, pragmatic sixteen-year-old Cam is relocated by her miracle-seeking mother to a town in Maine known for its mystical healing qualities.”

How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr

"Told from their own viewpoints, seventeen-year-old Jill, in grief over the loss of her father, and Mandy, nearly nineteen, are thrown together when Jill's mother agrees to adopt Mandy's unborn child but nothing turns out as they had anticipated."

What have YOU been reading?

A review by Kara, Grade 6

A review by Kara, Grade 6
The Hunger Games By Suzanne Collins
(5 Stars)

This book takes place in the future. North America as we know it is no more. Instead, there are twelve districts centered around a placed call the Capitol. The main character, Katniss Everdeen, is 16 years old. She lives in District 12, which is the coal mining district. She lives with her mother and sister Prim. Years ago, the districts tried to revolt against the Capital. One district, District 13, was even destroyed completely. As a reminder to the districts not to revolt again, each year the Capitol forces two children, a male and a female from each district, ages 12 -18, to participate in the Hunger Games. When it comes time for what they call the reaping, Prim is chosen! Katniss knows her fragile sister couldn’t survive the harsh games, so she immediately volunteers to take her place. Peeta, a baker’s son is also chosen from District 12 and off to the games they go. The Hunger Games takes place in an arena full of difficult obstacles. But there can only be one winner. Can Katniss survive? If so, will she have to kill Peeta?

Find out in Suzanne Collins’s The Hunger Games series.

I greatly enjoyed this book. I suggest it, but it can be gory and romantically disturbing at times. It is a thriller.

The library is always looking for guest reviewers. Drop your review to Mrs. C in the Youth Services Department.

January 27 Early Release Day Party

Students in middle school are invited to join us this Friday (January 27) for another Early Release Day Party from Noon to 3 pm. This time we will be making Artist Trading Cards and Duct Tape Crowns. We'll also set up some board games and the Wii.

What are Artist Trading Cards (ATC)? Check here, and here.

Bring your snack.
See you there.