Teen Tech Week

March 10-16 is Teen Tech Week!

Join us on Tuesday, March 11 at 5 PM for FREE PIZZA, a short presentation on Facebook Privacy, an opportunity to use the library's tablets and eReaders, and a chance to participate in our Teen Tech Scavenger Hunt. 

You'll have Monday - Friday to complete the Teen Tech Scavenger Hunt. Forms will be entered into a raffle and the winners will receive Best Buy Gift Cards. 

Scavenger Hunt forms will be available at the YS Desk. 

Upcoming Carolyn Crimi Program, Some Fun Kids Books and a Great YA Book!

I am doing a "Celebration of Carolyn Crimi Party" February 23 for ages 4-7 in the youth services.  Crimi has some wonderful books!  She has a great sense of humor and fun story lines.  Often they have an autobiographical slant to them and a positive message behind them, too.

Here are a few of the titles that I want to recommend: 

Pugs in a Bug (her newest one)
Principal Fred Won't Go to Bed
Get Busy, Beaver!
Tessa's Tip-Tapping Toes
The Louds Move in!
Henry and the Buccaneer Bunnies
Henry and the Crazed Chicken Pirates
Don't Need Friends
Boris and Bella
Outside, Inside (her first book ever)

How will ever limit it to my favorite 5 for the book party?! 

-Janice, Youth Services

Dog's colorful day: A Messy Story About Colors and Counting by Emma Dodd
You and your child will enjoy this colorful story about a messy dog and his adventurous day. 
No worries though, you can count on a happy ending.


The Shadows (Book 1 in the series of The Books of Elsewhere)11 year-old Olive and her quirky parents move into a crumbling Victorian mansion full of strange antique paintings on the walls.  When Olive finds a pair of old spectacles she discovers the most peculiar thing yet: she can travel inside these paintings to a world that's strangely quiet and eerily like her own. Olive discovers that "Elsewhere" hides dark secrets and she is trapped in a plan darker and more dangerous than she could have imagined.  Can Olive save the house from the dark shadows before the lights go out for good?

-Regina, Youth Services

The Breakable Vow by Kathryn Ann Clarke

Eighteen-year-old Annie McGowan is your typical teenager. She is witty, charming and loves to have a good time. One night changes her life, and it begins to spiral out of control. She is in a violent relationship with her boyfriend Kevin and is facing an unexpected pregnancy. Realizing Kevin's behavior is getting worse, she finds the strength to fight back. This book about domestic violence is a real eye opener, especially for teens not knowing that there is help out there for them. 

-Becky, Youth Services

Trends in Children's and Young Adult Books for 2013

Anna of Youth Services/Tech Services came across this video a few weeks ago, and it is worth a listen! 

Of the trends named, I have to say I am most excited about #7-Tough Girls.  We're over the heroines who all about their paranormal boyfriends, and not much else.  Katniss definitely kicked off this trend back in 2008, but thankfully her influence is far and wide.  Some of my favorite tough girls we'll be seeing more of this year is Lena of Lauren Oliver's Delirium Series, Rhine of Lauren DeStefano's Chemical Garden Series, and Tris of  Veronica Roth's Divergent Series.  All of these series will be concluding this year with the release of the final books in each trilogy. 

Another great trend is #5-Kid Lit on the Screen.  Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia, Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card are due out this year,  and of course, Catching Fire is coming out in November.  Only 10 more months! 

Finally, a timeless trend is #1-Bullying.  As Allender states, every child will be exposed to bullying at some point in their life, and it can be one of childhood's biggest hurdles.  There is a fantastic wealth of materials available for all ages on the topic, and can be found here.

What trends in children's literature are you excited about? 

Best Young Adult Books of 2012

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Maybe the best-written young adult novel of 2012, John Green's The Fault in Our Stars is a humorous, heartbreaking take on terminal illness, friendship, and being alive. Known for his acute insight into the mind of teens, Green's newest novel is different from his other work, focusing instead on a female character whom he infuses with equal parts wit and charm. While the themes of the novel might be more suitable for older teens, those who like their books to have depth and more than a little gravity are sure to experience something achingly honest.

The Diviners by Libba Bray

Though Libba Bray's last couple books have focused more on social satire in the most hilarious way possible, her newest book is a return to the historical fantasy genre that got the Printz-Award winning author started. Featuring a cast of magical characters, the novel takes place in the roaring 20s and centers around a series of mysterious murders that lead back to a secret, powerful cult. While the book's length might be a deterrent to some readers, Bray always keeps the pace fast and the clues coming even faster.

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

Oliver's second installment of the Delirium trilogy picks up right where the first book left off. Now free of a society that "cures" its citizens from "deliria", a.k.a. love., Lena has to survive on her own without friends, food, or shelter. When she meets up with a derelict group on the outside, she's forced to make crucial decisions to ensure her survival. While I felt the book was not as gripping as its predecessor, I'm still eagerly looking forward to the series' finale in March.

Steve Jobs: The Man Who Thought Different by Karen Blumenthal

Essentially a condensed version of Walter Isaacson's epic biography, Steve Jobs: The Man Who Thought Different is a fast-paced sketch of the late Apple co-founder and CEO, Steve Jobs. Regardless of one's personal feelings on the Mac vs. PC debate, the book manages to capture the unique and curious mind behind one of the world's most well-known brands in short bursts of chapters that never feel long-winded or susceptible to hero-worship. Filled with photographs and quick fact boxes, it's great for reluctant readers and those that prefer non-fiction.

                                      Supergirl Mixtapes by Meagan Brothers

While the premise of this novels seems light-hearted at first glance -- Maria is sent to live with her estranged mother in New York City where she can finally spend her days roaming record stores -- the story actually delves into the complex issues of parenthood, individuality, dependence, and the inevitable trouble of keeping secrets. As in her previous novel, Debbie Harry Sings in French, Brothers gives her characters the freedom to make their own choices, inviting readers to experience the consequences of tough decisions and the difficult road to self-awareness.

-Written by Anna

This Week in Youth Services...

Tuesday is a busy day in Youth Services!  We have our After School Craft at 4 PM, open to children ages 6 and up.  Story Time Fun is at 6:30 PM in the Story Time Room, for children up to age 7, and there's still space available!  If you are interested, please call the Youth Services Desk to register at 708-687-3700.  Our awesome Teen Advisory Group is meeting at 7 PM on Thursday.  The group is open to kids in grade 6 and up.  On Saturday, we'll be treated to the fantastic Melikin Puppets presenting the Shoemaker and His Elves and The Night Before Christmas at 10:30 AM. And of course, this week the Reference and Youth Services Departments have joined forces to offer snacks to aid high school students as they prepare for their finals!  In addition to the snacks, the library has free wi-fi, study carrels, study rooms and of course lots of books and reference materials.  See you this week!

Book Recommendations from Youth Services

 What better way for children to learn about inappropriate behavior and positive behavior but to see dinosaurs acting poorly and also acting well?  I love Jane Yolen & Mark Teague's newest book which is wonderful for Christmas called How Do Dinosaurs say Merry Christmas?  The book is full of various dinosaurs (with their names listed somewhere on the page) causing havoc.  Kids can laugh at it, but hopefully that provides a teachable moment too for parents.  The last few pages are devoted to the well-mannered dinosaurs modeling kind, helpful behavior. 

 Christmas Parade by Sandra Boynton is a delightful book to read to young children with bright colorful pictures of various animals with their instruments in a Christmas parade.  It would be fun to make the musical sounds and motions of drums and trombones along with your child or make your own "Joy! Joy! Joy!" banner like the piggies. 

 Merry Christmas! 
-submitted with joy by Janice

Bluford High series is set in an inner-city high school in Los Angeles. Books are written to draw in reluctant readers in grades 6-10. Both male and female characters are featured and cover many topics that teens today are dealing with in their lives on a daily basis. The books are relatively short at about 200 pages and include elements from many literary genres. This series offers something that almost every reader can relate to and appeals to readers of all ages.

-submitted by Becky

This Week in Youth Services...

We have some fantastically festive programs coming up this week!  On Wednesday at 7 PM, Miss Joy is presenting Bedtime Story Time.  We're going to be reading some holiday stories, singing songs and making a craft! On Friday afternoon at 3:30 PM, Miss Anna's YA Book Discussion Group for ages 11 and up will be meeting to discuss The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman.  Copies of the book are still available at the Youth Services Desk.  To learn more about the selection, check out our book trailer by clicking the link below:
The Grimm Legacy
And last but not least, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be stopping by the library at on Saturday, December 8 at 10:30 AM!  Santa will be available to hear wish lists and photo ops!  Please bring your camera or phone to take pictures.