More new books!

Well, I ran out of time last time to post all the new book reviews I wanted to post, so I'm back! I told you we've gotten tons of new books in recently!

Surrender by Lee Nichols - Third and final book in the Haunting Emma trilogy - Emma and Bennett try to defeat the wraithmaster Neos once and for all.

The Unofficial Heroes of Olympus Companion by Richard Marcus, Natalie Buczynsky, and Jonathan Shelnutt - Fan-written guide that looks back at the Percy Jackson series and makes predictions for Jason, Piper and Leo.

Ruthless by Sara Shepard - Book 10 in the Pretty Little Liars series brings more scandal and danger than ever.

First Day on Earth by Cecil Castellucci - High school misfit Mal meets a boy who seems like a kindred spirit until Hooper claims he is from another planet.

The Crazy Things Girls Do for Love by Dyan Sheldon - Two very different girls will go to any lengths to impress a new, environmentally conscious boy in school.

Caleb's Wars by David Dudley - A coming-of-age book about growing up black in a world before the civil rights movement, when the country was at war.

Without Tess by Marcella Pixley - Two sisters share a secret world when they are young girls, but trouble comes when one sister has trouble growing up.

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare - This sequel to Clockwork Angel delves more deeply into the pasts of both the Magister and of Tessa herself. Danger, betrayal, and love are all in store for Tessa.

Legend by Marie Lu - Dystopian novel that brings two people from very different worlds together to uncover the sinister secrets being kept by their government.

The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler - Two teens log onto AOL for the first time and discover a site called Facebook - even though it hasn't been invented yet. Through time they discover that their actions in the present have consequences for the future.

Ok, you get the idea. We have lots and lots of great new books in the YA department. :) So come look through them - I'm sure you'll find something you like!

Sarah

New books!

Just recently put in a big order of new books! So here's the latest edition of reviews, complete with links to Amazon for more info!

Don't Expect Magic by Kathy McCullough - A girl with a not so "happily ever after" life discovers that her father is a fairy godmother, and that she may be too!

How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr - Adoption of a baby from two perspectives: the birth mother, and the teenage daughter of the woman doing the adopting.

Witch and Wizard: The Fire by James Patterson and Jill Dembowski - This third installment in the Witch and Wizard series brings Wisty face to face with The One Who Is the One.

Bad Taste in Boys by Carrie Harris - Think regular steroids are bad? The steroids this football team are taking are turning them into zombies! This book also has a cool/creepy cover.

Dumb Luck by Lesley Choyce - Brandon survives a terrible fall, and decides to test his lucky streak by playing the lottery. He wins $3 million, but things go downhill from there.

There You'll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones - Finley travels to Ireland to try to deal with her grief over her brother's death. While there, she meets Beckett, a teen Hollywood star.

The Secret of Ka by Christopher Pike - New book by the popular author goes in a little bit of a different direction for him. Sara finds a magic carpet that takes her to an island inhabited by djinn, and things get a little out of control.

That's all for now, but we have lots more great new books available! I'll post more reviews later, but in the meantime, come check them out for yourself!

Sarah

December events

I know, I know - I'm shamefully behind on posting here. But I'm here now, and that's what counts, right? :) Ok, so here's what's coming up in December!

• Teen Gaming - Thursday, 12/1, 6-7:30 p.m. As always, snacks are provided, and you must have a permission slip signed by a parent/guardian. There's a possibility of Christmas snacks...don't miss out!
• Teen Advisory Board - Monday, 12/12, 6 p.m. We'd love to hear your opinions about programs for teens that you'd like to see at the library! Come on out and let your voice be heard!
• Teen Gaming - Thursday, 12/15, 6-7:30 p.m. Our second gaming for the month might be even cooler, because we might have some extra games! (Dance Dance Revolution, Wii Party, Karaoke Revolution, etc.) I'll post updates once I know for sure!

Starting in January, we're going to be changing our gaming Thursdays a little bit. One Thursday will be regular video gaming that is still just for teens. But the other Thursday will be a family game night that all ages are welcome to (including teens!). On these nights we'll have board games available to play - a different one at each station. I hope you'll come out for these nights - it's going to be a lot of fun. You may even see librarians playing along!

We've had a lot of new books come in recently. I'll post another edition of book reviews soon, but for now, come by and look at the new book display in the teen section! There's something for everyone!

Sarah

New Book Reviews!!!

We've been getting a ton of new books in lately, so it's time for some reviews! The titles are also linked to their Amazon pages, so you can see them for yourself.

Chain Reaction by Simone Elkeles - Tells the story of Luis Fuentes, younger brother of Alex and Carlos. This is the third book in a series that began with Perfect Chemistry and Rules of Attraction. Luis wants to be an astronaut, but life gets complicated when he falls for the wrong girl.

Babysitter Murders by Janet Ruth Young - 17 year old Dani has mean, even violent thoughts that she can't control. But when she daydreams one day about killing the little boy she babysits, she's too frightened to keep it to herself, so she reveals the daydream. This sets off a chain reaction throughout the community that Dani never saw coming.

The Limping Man by Maurice Gee - This is the final volume in the trilogy that began with Salt and Gool. In it, Hana escapes her city and flees into the forest, but when she is pursued even there, she realizes she must return to the city and face the terrible powers that be head on.

Reaching Through Time by Lurlene McDaniel - This collection contains three short novels about three very different characters, but each is surrounded by mystery and romance. You get amnesia, a mysterious illness, and a girl with a secrets in her past, all in one collection!

Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier - Gwyneth wasn't prepared to travel through time. That was supposed to be her cousin. But when she suddenly finds herself in 18th century London, she must quickly adjust and figure out why she has jumped, with the help of a somewhat annoying fellow time-traveler named Gideon.

Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter - In this second book in the Heist Society series, Katarina Bishop is asked to steal the infamous Cleopatra Emerald. No big deal for a pro, right? But unfortunately, the emerald is cursed. Kat will have to rely on her crew and her own wits to escape the curse that's been around for centuries.

Those That Wake by Jesse Karp - Not just another dystopian novel, this book is an intense, scary, mind-bending story of a consumerist society that is extremely out of control.

She Loves You, She Loves You Not by Julie Anne Peters - Alyssa's life isn't terrible, but it's definitely not perfect. She dreams of a day when she won't have to hide her relationship with her girlfriend, Sarah. But when her secret comes out, she is disowned by her father and forced to move far away to live with the mother she barely knows, where she must try to rebuild her life.

Queen of Hearts by Martha Brooks - Set during WW2, this book tells the story of three siblings who contract tuberculosis, and are forced to live in a sanatorium with other TB exiles. While she adjusts to this new life, she also desperately tries to find a cure and get back to the outside world.

Fear: 13 Stories of Suspense and Horror by R.L. Stine - Halloween is getting closer, and what better to get you in the mood than this anthology? Written by several great young adult authors, this book has something for everyone looking for a scare.

This just scratches the surface of the new books we've gotten in recently, so come check out the new book display in the teen section! I guarantee you'll find something cool!

Sarah

Back to School!

So I have been terribly remiss this summer in posting on here. Sorry! My only defense is that summer reading program was going on, which was of course crazy busy! But now that's over, and I'm going to try to be better.

So, upcoming teen events:

• Teen Advisory Board meeting on Monday, 8/15, 6 p.m. If you've never been before, now is a great time to start! Come be a part of what happens for teens at the library. We want your input!!
• Teen Gaming on Thursday, 8/18, 6-7:30 p.m. This is the only gaming night in August, since we have no youth programs during the first two weeks. So come take advantage of it - free food, awesome games, and good company!
• Teen Duct Tape Marvels on Monday, 8/22, 6 p.m. What exactly we'll be making out of duct tape is a surprise, but it'll be marvelous! (Hehe...get it?? Duct Tape Marvels will be marvelous??)

August also means (insert ominous music here).....BACK TO SCHOOL!!! For those of you who are excited about school, good for you!! But I know, some of you look forward to that about as much as you look forward to going to the dentist. But I can help! I've got a display of books up in the YA section right now filled with books related to school. How does that help, you might ask? Well, some of the characters in these books have to deal with rather unusual situations at school, and sometimes rather awful situations. Maybe reading these books will make you feel relieved that you just have to deal with classes and regular teachers! That makes sense, right? :) Also, make sure to check back at this display periodically. I'm going to be changing the theme on it regularly, sometimes coinciding with holidays, sometimes just coinciding with whatever I feel like putting up! But they'll all be fun/interesting!

That's all for now! Stay tuned in the near future for the next edition of....NEW BOOK REVIEWS!!

Sarah

Summer Reading Program is here!!!!!!!!

That's right, folks, our favorite time of the year has arrived! This year's SRP is packed full of cool events for teens. There is something almost every Monday night throughout June and July:

• June 20 - Teen Sizzlin' Shakespeare - If any of you came to this last year, you know how totally awesome it was! Well, they're back this year, to teach Shakespearean staging and fighting. So cool - come prepared to move around!
• June 27 - Teen Painting - We'll provide the materials, as well as an instructor to give you some tips, you just provide yourself and your artistic abilities! Even if you don't think you have artistic abilities - come anyway!
• July 11 - Teen Photography - Lexington photographer Amber Schmidt will be here to give a workshop that will have you taking pictures like a professional!
• July 25 - Teen Scrapbooking - One of our own librarians, Wendy O'Connor, will be helping you create a beautiful book to record your memories in!

All Monday night programs begin at 6 p.m. Also on the first and third Thursdays of each month, from 6-7:30, we have our regular Teen Gaming program. Remember, you must have a signed permission slip to participate! Pick one up at the children's desk, or by the bulletin board in the teen section!

We also have something new this year. In cooperation with Lexington Public Library, we will be having three Fright & Write writing workshops. These are all on Thursdays in June: June 16, 23 and 30 at 1 p.m. A writing instructor will be here to help you create scary stories. IMPORTANT: You must sign up in advance for these workshops. The sign up sheet is at the children's desk.

Finally, remember to sign up for SRP at the front desk and get your bag with the reading cards in it. These are what you can turn in for free books, and enter them in drawings to win even bigger prizes! You must fill out an entire packet (5 cards) before you bring it in during our store hours (on your calendar). We have some awesome prizes this year - the more you read, the more chances you have to win things like an Xbox 360 Kinect, a digital camera, a $50 Walmart gift card, or a UK gift basket, just to name a few! Any questions, ask a youth librarian!

Woohoo!!!!!! SRP rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sarah

Better late than never....

Eeek! I just realized how long it's been since I posted anything on here! So sorry! But I've got some good news - there's still some great stuff going on for teens at the library this month!

First of all, for those of you reading Cirque du Freak for the book club, the meeting to discuss the book is on Monday, 4/18 at 6 p.m. The following Monday, 4/25 at 6 p.m., we'll be watching the Cirque du Freak movie!

Also, there's one more chance for gaming in April: Thursday, 4/21 from 6-7:30 p.m. Don't forget - if you are someone or know someone coming for the first time, you must have a permission slip signed by a parent or guardian!

Ok, finally, we've been getting TONS of new YA books lately, so here's my latest installment of Amazon links! Click on titles to get descriptions!

Wither by Lauren DeStefano

Invincible: The Chronicles of Nick by Sherrilyn Kenyon

The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan (Forest of Hands and Teeth series)

Afterlife by Claudia Gray (Evernight series)

Angry Young Man by Chris Lynch

Kick by Walter Dean Myers and Ross Workman

Midnight by L.J. Smith (Vampire Diaries: The Return)

Father of Lies by Ann Turner

Losing Faith by Denise Jaden

Ten Miles Past Normal by Frances O'Roark Dowell

City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare (Mortal Instruments series)

Plague by Michael Grant (Gone series)

Red Glove by Holly Black (Curse Workers series)

Mad Love by Suzanne Selfors

Recovery Road by Blake Nelson

Bright Young Things by Anna Godbersen

Deadly by Julie Chibbaro

Freaks and Revelations by Davida Wills Hurwin

No Safe Place by Deborah Ellis

Okay for Now by Gary Schmidt

Empty by Suzanne Weyn

The Water Wars by Cameron Stracher


And that's just SOME of what we've gotten in recently! There's something here for everyone, so come check out the new books display and find your next favorite book!

Sarah

Coming in March...

There's a lot going on for teens this month at the library! First of all, Teen Tech Week is March 6-12. We've got a few different things planned, all involving technology, all awesome! Here's what's on the list:

• Monday, 3/7 - Teen JibJab Yourself, 6 p.m. - Put your face into a video! We'll be using the JibJab website to incorporate your pictures into video clips of celebrities, from movies, etc. All you need is to make sure you have a picture of yourself posted on the internet somewhere where we can get to it.
• Tuesday, 3/8 - Teen Text/Facebook Scavenger Hunt, 6 p.m. - We'll be having a scavenger hunt throughout the library using texting and Facebook. Details will be explained when you get here, but you need to either have texting capability on your phone, or come with someone who does. If you can't do either of those things, don't worry - we still want you to come! We'll just pair you with a texter when you get here!
• Thursday, 3/10 - Teen Gaming, 6-7:30 p.m. - Extra gaming this month! Teen Tech Week doesn't fall on one of our regular gaming weeks, so we're adding an extra one! You know you want to come - but make sure you have a signed permission slip if you're coming for the first time!

Ok, that's it for Teen Tech Week, but there's other teen stuff during the month:

• Monday, 3/14 - Teen Advisory Board meeting, 6 p.m. - Come be a part of what's happening for teens at the library! Suggestions are always welcome!
• Monday, 3/28 - Teen Pizza Making, 6 p.m. - Since our pizza making night in January got canceled because of weather, we're going to try it again. It's make your own pizzas, so come prepared to be a little messy!
• Thursdays, 3/3, 3/10, 3/17 - Teen Gaming, 6-7:30 p.m. - In addition to the one during TTW, we'll also be having our regular first and third Thursday gaming nights. Snacks and drinks provided, as always!

So, all in all, it's a pretty packed month! Be sure to grab a calendar the next time you're in the library, or download one from our website: www.clarkbooks.org!

Sarah

Teen Tech Week

Ok, guys, Teen Tech Week is coming up in March, and we are in the process of planning events for it. The idea of Teen Tech Week is to promote using technology in the library. And we'd really like some input from you all in the planning stages. So all you tech-savvy teens out there, is there something you'd like to see the library do during this event? Things we have done in the past: creating this blog, hosting a screening of your favorite YouTube videos, etc. Post ideas in the comments here, or email them to teens.clarkbooks@gmail.com.

Just got some new books in this week, so here's my latest installment of Amazon links:

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand - Interesting take on paranormal romance. Clara is a quarter-angel who moves from California to Wyoming to fulfill her "purpose" as an angel, which seems to involve saving people from a forest fire. It also sounds like there might be a love triangle in the works. This is the first book in a planned trilogy.

Trickster's Girl by Hilari Bell - This book seems to have a little bit of everything. Set in the future, it brings in fantasy, Native American mythology, environmentalism, and yes, of course, romance. Raven is the trickster of the title, and he enlists the help of a human girl named Kelsa to save the earth from the damage humans have inflicted upon it, using her newly discovered magical powers. This is also the first in a series.

The Dark Game: True Spy Stories by Paul Janeczko - Profiles of different spies throughout different periods in history, as well as the evolution of spy techniques. You may recognize some of the names (Benedict Arnold, anyone?), but there are lesser known spies included as well, including some women. Quite a range of topics covered, from code-breaking to dentistry (I know, I'm curious too!), and photos are included.

The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney - When Alex, a student at a New England boarding school, realizes she has been the victim of date rape, she doesn't go to the school authorities. She goes to the Mockingbirds, an underground justice system run by other students at Themis. The emotional process of accusation and trial by the Mockingbirds makes for an intense but interesting story as Alex deals with the aftermath of what has happened to her.

That's all for today guys, but we've got lots of other new books, so come by and check them out! And don't forget about submitting ideas for Teen Tech Week!

Sarah

Happy New Year!

Well, I hope everyone had a fantastic holiday! Nice to have a couple of weeks to relax a little, huh? But we're back now, so here's what's coming up for the first month of the new year:

• Teen Gaming is, as always, the first and third Thursday of the month. Jan. 6th and 20th from 6-7:30 p.m. Remember, if Clark Co. schools are closed, our programs are cancelled.
• Teen Advisory Board meets on Monday, Jan. 10th at 6 p.m. Come be a part of what's going on at your library. We'd love to hear from you about what we could do to improve services for teens! And if you can't make it to the meeting, you can always email ideas/suggestions to teens.clarkbooks@gmail.com.
• Teen Pizza and Hot Cocoa Night is Monday, Jan. 24th at 6 p.m. What a perfect way to spend an evening in the middle of winter! Hanging out with friends, free food, hot cocoa...doesn't get much better that that!

As always, come check out our new book display if you need ideas on what to read next! Posted around the teen department, we've also got several book lists by genre if you're looking for a particular type of book. So come in, take a look, and get involved!

Sarah

P.S. Any interesting New Year's resolutions out there you'd like to share??