Battle of the Books!

The Youth Services staff and TAB, the Teen Advisory Board, have put together a Battle of the Books!  Between November  25th and March 22, 2014, read either six dystopian novels or six anime books (or read all 12, if you want!). 

The six dystopian novels selected to do battle are:

Hunger Games

Among the Hidden

Divergent

City of Ember

Matched

The Giver

 
The six anime books selected to do battle are:

Full Metal Art

Black Butler

Blood Relatives

Fruits Basket

Naruto

Bleach

As you read, think about these things:

                                       Did you like the main character?

                                             Did you like the plot?

                                           Did you like the cover?

                            Would you recommend this book to a friend?

                          Was it one of the best books you’ve ever read?


There will be a ballot box in the Youth Services Room for you to vote for your favorite dystopian novel and your favorite anime book.    

Let the games begin!!

Happy reading,
Connie

Maze Runner: another post-apocalyptic book series becomes a movie

       Maze Runner, the dystopian novel by James Dasher, is headed for the big screen with a movie opening on February 14th.  Maze Runner is the first book in a series (of course; every book seems to be part of a series now!) and is followed by The Scorch Trials, The Death Cure, and  a prequel, The Kill Order.
   

       When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by 60 boys who welcome him to the Glade—a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls. Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. Some have been there two years. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they’ve closed tight. And every 30 days a new boy has been delivered in the lift. Thomas was expected. But the next day, a comatose girl is sent up—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the stange message she delivers. Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind. They're all trapped in a maze that will require Thomas to join forces with fellow "runners" for a shot at escape. There are lots of fast-paced action scenes, particularly those involving the nightmarish Grievers who plague the boys.

Read the book (or even the series) before the movie comes out!  

Even though I love to go to movies, I think books are always better than their movies.  With books I can use my own imagination! Do you agree or disagree?

Maze Runner is the book that the library's middle school book club, Bookworms, is currently reading.  We read great books and have lots of fun.  Join us!  Just fill out a short form found at the Youth Services desk.  I hope to see you soon.

Happy reading,
Connie

Chance to win a free book!

Have you wondered about this display in the Youth Services Room?

  

It’s Writer’s Corner!  Every month, a different collage of pictures is posted on the wall.  Think about what is happening in the pictures.  Can you see a story in them?  There is no right answer!  Let your imagination take off.  Describe the story you create from the pictures. Write down your story on the paper provided.


The author of the most imaginative story wins a free book !  Each month there is a new group of pictures and a new chance to win.

Good luck!  And congratulation's to the first winner: Jenny! Enjoy your free book.
Connie

The Teen Lockdown was a blast!

We had such a great time last Friday night!  Over 40 teens took over the library.  Many wore fabulous costumes.  

There was karaoke, Wii, board games, and Twister.  

Kids enjoyed a scavenger hunt, with a scary spider surprise at the end.  

Crafts were popular, with many kids making rubber band bracelets, origami bats, and bookmarks. 

We had a big book domino through the adult book stacks.

And, of course, we had snacks.

The Youth Services staff wants to thank everyone who attended for their great behavior and enthusiasm.  YOU all made the night so special.

The members of the Teen Advisory Board planned the event and helped with set up and running the activities. A BIG thank you to them! 



Is Dracula missing his fangs??

I will post pictures of the winners of the costume contest in a blog post soon, so stay tuned!

Happy Reading,
Connie

October is National Bullying Prevention Month

The message this year is: The End of Bullying Begins with Me.

Reading about bullying is a great way not only to learn about bullying but also to empathize with victims through their sad stories.  Here are four suggestions of books on bullying that you can find in the Youth Services Room of the Scarborough Public Library.

Bystander by James Preller.

Eric is the new kid in seventh grade, and  Griffin wants to be his friend. When you’re new in town, it’s hard to know who to hang out with—and who to avoid. Griffin seems cool but something isn’t right about Griffin. He's always in the middle of trouble. And if Griffin doesn't like you, he can be really mean. Eric begins to see the truth about Griffin: He’s a liar, a bully, a thief. Eric wants to break away. But in one shocking moment, he goes from being a bystander to being the bully’s next victim.

Cornered: 14 Stories of Bulllying and Defiance by Rhoda Belleza

Written by some great young adult authors, these fourteen stories delve into the experience of being bullied: socially, emotionally, physically, and psychologically. With today’s rapid-fire social media, bullying has lost all limits and moved far beyond the school halls and walking home. I liked Elizabeth Miles' "Defense Mechanisms" and Jennifer Brown's "But Not Forgotten."  All fourteen short stories are really good!

How I Survived Bullies, Broccoli, and Snake Hill by James Patterson

The fourth book in the very popular Middle School series is about the series' hero, Rafe Khatchadorian, who is ready for a fun summer at camp--until he finds out it's a summer school camp!  Rafe easily makes friends with his troublemaking cabin mates and bunkmate, a boy nicknamed Booger-Eater, who puts up with endless teasing from the other kids. Rafe soon realizes there's more to a person than a nickname, though.

We Want You to Know: Kids Talk About Bullying by Deborah Ellis

This non-fiction book contains touching interviews with students who have been bullied.  They describe their experiences with peers, parents, teachers, and school administrators, along with advice on the best methods that can be used to stop bullying behavior.





Remember the message: The End of Bullying Begins with Me!



Happy reading,
Connie

Book Trailers!

         I love to look at book trailers on YouTube.  I look for trailers of books that I have read and loved  or trailers for books that I am thinking about whether or not to read.

          Here’s a book trailer for John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars, a book I read and loved.  This trailer was made by the publishing company, so is much more professional than some of the kid-made trailers you will find on YouTube. 

           And here’s a trailer of Maggie Stiefvater’s The Raven Boys, the first in a series.  Does it make you want to read the book?

         Try searching YouTube for book trailers.  They can help you choose a book or just enjoy a book more!

Happy Reading,
Connie

It's time for another Teen "Lock Down"

The next Teen “Lock Down” will take place at the library on Friday, October 18th from 6:00-8:30 p.m.!!  Lock Downs have been really popular with middle school kids.  After the library closes for regular hours, we re-open just for middle school students in grades 6-8.  


We’ll have snacks, a scavenger hunt, book dominoes,

 duct tape crafts, 

karaoke, 

wii games,  

and, since it s getting close to Halloween, a costume contest for those who want to come in costume.  (You don’t have to wear a costume.)

Do you think we can beat this world record book domino?

 

You do have to pre-register to attend. So call the Youth Services Room (883-4723 option 3). We have to have a minimum of 25 kids to have the Lock Down, so grab your friends and pre-register soon!

See you there,
Connie