Book Review ~ The Iron King

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa; Book #1 in the Iron Fey series Published: February 2010
Genre: Teen Fantasy & Paranormal Romances
Next Book: The Iron DaughterCover Art Courtesy of http://www.novelist.com/.

Description From NoveList:
When her half-brother is kidnapped, Meghan Chase, who has recently learned that she is the daughter of the summer faery king, must journey into a strange world she never imagined to face an unknown enemy and save those she loves.

YA Staff Review:
These aren't "Tinkerbell" type faeries. This is a good story of a strong female heroin pushing on against all odds, dispite her own fear for herself, to save her little half-brother. She becomes a pawn in a centuries old battle of the fey kingdoms and must learn the ways of faerie law. Meghan must learn how to make deals and trade favors with faeries. One wrong word or ill phrasing can prove disasterous. The Fey are fair but always prey upon those who don't guard against loopholes. Some of the characters referenced are from the classic A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespear.

Fun Extras Related to this series:
Wikipedia is a good place to get infomation on all the references to A Midsummer Night's Dream.



If you liked the Iron King you might also like:
Paranormalcy by White, Kiersten
City of fallen angels by Clare, Cassandra
Blood and chocolate by Klause, Annette Curtis
Sabriel by Nix, Garth
Dealing with dragons by Wrede, Patricia C., 1953-
Summerland by Chabon, Michael
Abhorsen by Nix, Garth
The goose girl by Hale, Shannon

Book Review ~ Evermore

Evermore by Alyson Noel; Book #1 in the Immortals series.
Published: February 2009
Genre: Teen Paranormal Romances
Next Book: Blue MoonCover Art Courtesy of NoveList

Description From NoveList:
Since the car accident that claimed the lives of her family, sixteen-year-old Ever can see auras and hear people's thoughts, and she goes out of her way to hide from other people until she meets Damen, another psychic teenager who is hiding even more mysteries.

YA Staff Review:
I L-O-V-E paranomal romances and this one doesn't disapoint! Damen is not "Edward Cullen" but still really sweet and mystiously secretive. I think it would be really neat, at first, to see the colors of peoples auras. You'd know if you friends were in a bad mood, about to unload some new drama on you or if they just got really good news! I'd also come in handy with your parents too.

I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series "Blue Moon." Currently, there are 6 books in this series.

Fun Extras Related to this series:
Here is a quick explaination of aura colors from http://www.crystalsbay.net/aura-colors.html.
If you have a favorite flower, you can research the meaning behind giving/receiving it here.

Evermore Book Trailor Video:



If you liked Evermore, you might like:
Stork trilogy by Delsol, Wendy
Poison diaries trilogy by Wood, Maryrose
Unearthly trilogy by Hand, Cynthia
Revenants by Plum, Amy
Starcrossed trilogy by Angelini, Josephine
Meridian saga (Amber Kizer) by Kizer, Amber
Haunting Emma novels by Nichols, Lee
Siren trilogy by Rayburn, Tricia
Mediator books by Cabot, Meg

Book Review ~ Matched

Matched by Ally Condie, book 1 in the Matched Trilogy
Published: November 2010
Genre: Teen Science Fiction
Next Book: Crossed
Cover Art Courtesy of NoveList

From Matched-book.com:

In the Society, Officials decide. Who you love. Where you work. When you die. Cassia has always trusted their choices. It’s hardly any price to pay for a long life, the perfect job, the ideal mate. So when her best friend appears on the Matching screen, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is the one… until she sees another face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. Now Cassia is faced with impossible choices: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she’s known and a path no one else has ever dared follow — between perfection and passion.



YA Staff Review:
This is a great science fiction "what if?" story. In the future, after we have almost destroyed the earth and ourselves, the Society has risen to power. The Society has cured almost all disease. Meals are specially prepared for each person taking into account their personal dietary needs and fitness is scheduled for everyone. Life is "simple," everyone wears the same clothes, listens to the same 100 songs, reads the same 100 poems, watches the same 100 movies, everyone's spouse is chosen for them. There isn't any creativity or spontinaity. And yet everyone seems perfectly happy with it, or are they?

Cassia has done exactly what the Society has told her since she was born. Then after her 17th birthday and matching ceremony things drastically change for her. Does she go back to living the life Society has planned for her or will she embrace the words of the poem, "Do not go gentle into that good night, rage, rage against the dying of the light."

This story is unique and mildly suspenseful. It is the first in the Matched Trilogy. Crossed is next and just came out in November 2011. When you go to Matched-Book.com you can even see who the Society would match you with!

If you liked Matched Try:

• Avatar Chronicles by Kostick, Conor





• Hunger Games by North, Pearl





• Libyrinth trilogy by Collins, Suzanne





• Uglies by Westerfeld, Scott





• The Knife of Never Letting Go by Ness, Patrick





• Chemical Garden Trilogy by DeStefano, Lauren

BAA October 2011

This month we will be discussing Elixir by Hilary Duff. This is the debut novel of the famous actress/popstar.

Come discuss this novel and enjoy refreshments with us on Wednesday, October 26th @ 5:15 pm.

BAA is open to all high school teens. Stop by the library to request your copy today. All book club books are loaned to members free of charge so long as they are returned on time.

High School Cafe

Throughout the school year the library hosts High School Cafe. Tuesdays & Fridays after school at 3:15 pm all high school age teens are invited into the meeting room. Teens are allowed to have drinks and snacks, listen to music, play video games, do homework (yeah right) and get louder than they can in the rest of the library.

There are gaming quality laptops available for use by teens (with signed computer contract) as well. With the free library Wi-Fi, teens can access the internet through their own wireless devices such as iPod Touch, laptops or handheld gaming systems.

Starting Tuesday, September 6th we will be reopening HS Cafe.

This fall HS Cafe will be held every Tuesday and Friday from 3:15-5pm.

HS Cafe can be a great place to hang out before the Friday night football games!

High school teens can use laptops, listen to music, play Wii

or do homework (yeah right! lol).

On opening day we will have popcorn and

drinks available to teens who participate.

Book Travels: P.T.B. Update ~ August 15, 2011

Sorry we haven't been keeping our book travels as up-to-date as we'd like. It's been really busy at the library. To date, we have recorded 8 passes. We had three new registrations this week. Book # 2 has now been logged three times! Even if you don't read the book please log that it was passed to you and then pass it on to a friend or relative to keep the book moving.


We've also added a new town to where are books have been.

• Edelstein, IL (#2)

See where your book has been and where others have traveled. If you haven't gotten your Pass the Book copy of "Every Soul a Star" stop by the Library to pick one up, while supplies last. You may also join the waiting list should a copy be returned to the Library. Check back again for more news of book travels!

Book Review ~ The House of Night

We are going to start a new "feature" on our TeenSpace Blog. Periodically we will be writing reviews of books we've read. These will be books that are intended for young adult readers.

This review is actually on a series. I read all 8 books that are currently out in the House of Night series by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast. They are teen fantasy fiction books about vampires. This series isn't gruesome like Dracula nor is it a vampire romance like Twilight. Like Twilight however, the Casts change some typical vampire lore (no, their vamps don't sparkle!).


It's an intriguing story that starts out centered around the newly Marked fledgling, Zoey and her struggles through the change and adjusting to life at a new school. Zoey finds she more than just your average fledgling and must learn to handle being different when all she wants to do is blend in and survive the change. Will Zoey find true friends and inner strength when darkenss falls on the House of Night.

The 9th book is scheduled to be released in November 2011 and I know I will definitely be on the waiting list to read it!

~ Kate

Find out the series order and a brief synopsis of what each book is about by clicking here...I highly reccomend that you do not read this series out of order.

Summer YA Days - FINAL PARTY!

Monday, July 11th will be the Final Party for our Summer YA Days. Stop by for gaming, food and the GRAND PRIZE GIVEAWAY!!! It's not too late to get yourself into the drawing...By coming to the Final Party you will earn an entry!


The Grand Prize includes:

• Los Jimadores II gift certicicates


• Dinner for 2 at Arby's


• A free haircut at Raylene's


• The tote bag from Economy Builders


• 2 Consession Passes for Willow Knolls 14


• A Casey's gift certificate


• Snacks, Drinks and Candy


• Popcorn & Popcorn Bowl


• Silly String


• Glow Sticks

HS Lock-in: Creatures of the Night

It's time for another Night at the Library!

Dress up as your favorite vampire or werewolf and join us for a night of games, snacks, and movies as we embrace our fascination with the creatures of the night. There will be also contests, including "Best Dressed," with prizes to win!

Space is limited to 12 high school age teens. Please call the library at 309-385-4540 for more information. Permission forms will be accepted starting the week of July 11. Click here to printable form. Permission forms must be signed by a parent and turned in by Friday, September 9th at 5:00 PM. Fangs provided at the door!

Book Travels: P.T.B. Update ~ June 27, 2011

We've been passing our books for a month now and have recorded 7 passes.

We had three new registrations this week. Book # 7 has now been logged twice! Books #3 and an unknown #'d book were registered for the first time.

• Bradford, IL (#3)


• Brimfield, IL (#7)

See where your book has been and where others have traveled. If you haven't gotten your Pass the Book copy of "Every Soul a Star" stop by the Library to pick one up, while supplies last. You may also join the waiting list should a copy be returned to the Library.

Check back next week for more news of book travels!

Book Travels: P.T.B. Update ~ June 13, 2011

Todays Pass the Book update has lots more to report! Book # 2 has been registered and passed for a 2nd time and is hopefully off to it's 3rd reader.

We had two new registrations this week. Book #7 was registered for the first time in Bartonville, IL and #4 had it's first registustration rural in Princeville, IL.

Keep reading, registering and passing!














See where your book has been and where others have traveled. If you haven't gotten your Pass the Book copy of "Every Soul a Star" stop by the Library to pick one up, while supplies last. You may also join the waiting list should a copy be returned to the Library.
Check back next week for more news of book travels!

Get Your Sweet Tooth Ready!

Monday, June 6th @ 3pm

come to the library to create fun, edible, Junk Food Sculptures!

All 6th - 12th graders are welcome to join us to make "midieval themed" sculptures with candy and junk food.

Each person will receive a tray on which to build their sculpture. You can choose from a variety or candies including: M&Ms, Twizzlers, Pretzel Rods, marshmallows, graham crackers, gummy bears and more! Chocolate frosting and marshmallow fluff will act as glue for the sculptures.

NOTE: Each participant will receive an entry into the Summer YA Days grand prize drawing.

Come back to this page later for photos of our participants creations.

Ask Matt!

This is our first "Ask Matt" videocast! Matt will discuss our Summer YA Days and how you can enter to win the grand prize, incuding:

• A free cut at Raylene's


• Gift certificates from Los Jimadores II


• Pool passes from the Village of Princeville


• Popcorn


• Movie Theatre Snacks


• Soda, Chips


• and more!

BAA Update

Book Addicts Anonymous has been bitten!

Join us as we read Stephenie Meyer's Twilight Saga, watch movies, play games, and eat Twilight themed snacks.

Discussion dates (all @ 10am):

• June 10th.............................Twilight


• June 24th.............................New Moon


• July 8th................................Eclipse


• July 22nd.............................Breaking Dawn


• August 12th.........................The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner

For more information or to get a book, stop by the Lillie M. Evans Library, call 309-385-4540 or email your request to lill@lmelibrary.org.

Summer YA Days!

This summer the LME Library will be hosting "Summer YA Days" every Monday from June 6th - July 11th. Anyone in 6th-12th grade is welcome to join us (based on grade just finished). We will be continuing MAG Mondays and have a few new programs with a medieval theme for teens to participate in.

NO REGISTRATION, JUST FUN!

There are 3 parts. Do 1, do 2 or all 3!
The more you do the better your chances. . .

1. "Pass the Book" = 1 entry
2. "Ask Matt!" = 1 entry per question submitted (5 entries max)
3. Scheduled Programs = 1 entry per program attended
• Junk Food Sculptures: Medieval Edition (June 6th @ 3PM)
• MAG Mondays (June 13 & 27th @ 3PM)
• Calligraphy (June 20th - Walk-in classes ~ approx. 20 min.)
• FINAL PARTY (July 11 @ 3PM - Gaming, pizza, refreshments & drawing.)

. . . AND THERE IS A GRAND PRIZE!!!

A gift basket with items from various sponsors. Details on basket contents coming soon. The drawing will be on Monday July 11th @ 4:30PM during the FINAL PARTY!

Graphic Novels & YA Books

We are always open to your suggestions and comments. If there is a book or graphic novel series you would really like to see in our collection just let us know. Do you enjoy lock-ins, crafts, book club, food related programs, gaming, karaoke, poetry slam, reality shows or other stuff? We would love to create programs and tailored to what interests you.

Feel free to post a comment, just be sure to follow the TeenSpace blog rules.

Anti-Valentines Party

If you weren't at our "Cupid's Stupid: Anti-Valentine's Day Party" February 8th, you missed out on lots of fun! We ate broken heart cookies which teens wrote bittersweet phrases on with frosting like, "Love Burns" and "Ugly."

Teens also made "bittersweet conversation heart pencil toppers." They loved coming up with funny saying to put on them. A few were, "Love Stinks," "Stupid Cupid" and "Not Cool!" Some even made jagged cuts in their hearts to make them look broken or drew stitches on them.

During craft time we listened to anti-love songs including: "Love Stinks," "Bad Medicine," "According to You," "You Give Love a Bad Name," "Before He Cheats" and more. It was a fun mix of new and old songs for those "in and out of love."

After that, teens watched "Shrek Forever After: The Final Chapter." Everyone had so much fun we may consider doing it again next year.

LOTS to Report!

There has been lots going on for teens at the library recently...

The "Night at the Library II" was well attended and enjoyed. There were 11 teens in attendance for a fun night of gaming, snacking, dancing, singing and balloon popping! Check out our Facebook page to see photos from the event.

Starting January 3rd, 6-8th graders and 9-12th graders can "Read to BINGO!" with the library's Winter Reading Program. You can get more information and print your own bingo card off the library's website, www.lmelibrary.org. If you complete a bingo by January 28th you will receive a prize...(6-8th can win a ticket to a Peoria Chiefs game; 9-12th can choose a new book or Playaway from our prize shelf)

We are still doing MAG Mondays now thru May. 6th-12th graders are invited to watch an anime movie the 2nd Monday of the month and participate in gaming day the 4th Monday of the month. We will be posting what movie will be shown here on the TeenSpace blog. For more information about MAG Mondays click here.

Book Addicts Anonymous (BAA) will be discussing "Howl's Moving Castle by Dianna Wynne Jones at 5:15 January 24th. There will be a movie shown before the disscussion.