Book Review ~ Witch and Wizard

Cover Courtesy of Fantastic Fiction.

Witch and Wizard (Witch and Wizard, bk 1) by James Patterson

Published: December 2009
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Description from Fantastic Fiction:

The world is changing: the government has seized control of every aspect of society, and now, kids are disappearing. For 15-year-old Wisty and her older brother Whit, life turns upside down when they are torn from their parents one night and slammed into a secret prison for no reason they can comprehend. The New Order, as it is known, is clearly trying to suppress Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Being a Normal Teenager. But while trapped in this totalitarian nightmare, Wisty and Whit discover they have incredible powers they'd never dreamed of. Can this newly minted witch and wizard master their skills in time to save themselves, their parents--and maybe the world?

YA Staff Review:

This book combines elements of Harry Potter, Matched, and Hunger Games in an interesting way. The government controls everything. There is no creativity allowed because it cannot be controlled. Everyone is under the rule of “The One Who is the One. You either do as he says or you are vaporized by The One. Magic is strictly forbidden. This book reads quickly and alternates narration between Whit and Wisty. Sometimes it gets a bit confusing but well worth the read.

There are currently three books out in this series with a fourth projected to be out in 2013.

MAG Monday!!!

Snacks, Wii, laptops, and friends! 

Come hang out at the library, get a 

little loud and have fun at MAG Monday. 

Due to scheduling conflicts MAG will be 

October 15th and 29th at 3:15-4:45pm.

Book Review ~ A Great and Terrible Beauty

A Great and Terrible Beauty (Gemma Doyle, book 1) by Libba Bray
Published: Sept. 2007
Genre: Fantasy/Historical Fiction

Description:
A Victorian boarding school story, a Gothic mansion mystery, a gossipy romp about a clique of girlfriends, and a dark other-worldly fantasy--jumble them all together and you have this complicated and unusual first novel.

Gemma, 16, has had an unconventional upbringing in India, until the day she foresees her mother's death in a black, swirling vision that turns out to be true. Sent back to England, she is enrolled at Spence, a girls' academy with a mysterious burned-out East Wing. There Gemma is snubbed by powerful Felicity, beautiful Pippa, and even her own dumpy roommate Ann, until she blackmails herself and Ann into the treacherous clique. Gemma is distressed to find that she has been followed from India by Kartik, a beautiful young man who warns her to fight off the visions. Nevertheless, they continue, and one night she is led by a child-spirit to find a diary that reveals the secrets of a mystical Order. The clique soon finds a way to accompany Gemma to the other-world realms of her visions "for a bit of fun" and to taste the power they will never have as Victorian wives, but they discover that the delights of the realms are overwhelmed by a menace they cannot control. Gemma is left with the knowledge that her role as the link between worlds leaves her with a mission to seek out the "others" and rebuild the Order. A Great and Terrible Beauty is an impressive first book in what should prove to be a fascinating trilogy. (Ages 12 up) -Patty Campbell

YA Staff Review:
I really enjoyed this book. There are parts that make me think of Harry Potter (discovering you’re something more than you thought you were), Mean Girls (new girl dislikes the main clique of girls and the way they treat others but joins them to try), and Ghost Whisperer but is enough different to not be annoyingly copycat.

Book Review ~ Immortal Rules

Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden, book 1) by Julie Kagawa
Published: April 2012
Genre: Fantasy/Horror

Description:
My vampire creator told me this: "Sometime in your life, Allison Sekemoto, you will kill a human being. Accidentally or as a conscious, deliberate act, it is unavoidable. The question is not if it will happen, but when. Do you understand?"

I didn't then, not really.

I do now.

YA Staff Review:
Human’s have become cattle to the vampires and they know it. Registered humans are required to give blood to the vampires in exchange for food, shelter and protection from the rabids, mindless monsters that will attack and devour any living thing. The unregistered humans refuse to be the vampire’s cattle and must beg, trade and steal to survive. Allison hates all vampires for killing her mother. She is an unregistered human and she refuses to support the vampire prince of her territory. On a scavenging run finds her life turned upside down. She has only seconds to decide…Die as a human or live forever as the thing she most despises.

Book Review ~ Wicked Lovely

Cover Courtesy of
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

Published: December 2007
Genre: Urban Fantasy

Description from Fantastic Fiction:
The clash of ancient rules and modern expectations swirl together in this cool, urban 21st century faery tale. Rule #3: Don't stare at invisible faeries. Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in the mortal world, and would blind her if they knew of her Sight. Rule #2: Don't speak to invisible faeries. Now faeries are stalking her. One of them, Keenan, who is equal parts terrifying and alluring, is trying to talk to her, asking questions Aislinn is afraid to answer. Rule #1: Don't ever attract their attention. But it's too late. Keenan is the Summer King and has sought his queen for nine centuries. Without her, summer itself will perish. He is determined that Aislinn will become the Summer Queen at any cost! Suddenly none of the rules that have kept Aislinn safe are working any more, and everything is on the line: her freedom; her best friend, Seth; her life; everything.

YA Staff Review:
This isn’t your Tinkerbell fairytale. Based on Irish fairy lore this book explains some of the history of faery and one modern girls destiny to collide with it. Aislinn (Ash) is raised to dispise and fear the fae. Raised by her grandmother, Ash has learned important rules to keep her faery Sight unknown to the fae for her own protection. She has seen how faeries love to play tricks on humans whom can’t see them. If you like this book it is only the first in the series. Melissa Marr has finished this series so you don’t have to wait for the final book to be published to see how this series wraps up.

Series Order:

1. 1.       Wicked Lovely (2007)
2. 2.       Ink Exchange (2008)
3. 3.       Fragile Eternity (2009)
4. 4.       Radiant Shadows (2010)
5. 5.       Darkest Mercy (2011)

Book Review ~ My Boyfriend Is a Monster Series

My Boyfriend Is a Monster: I Love Him to Pieces by  Evonne Tsang

Cover Courtesy of
www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/

Published: April 2011
Genre: Graphic Novel/Fantasy

Description from Fantastic Fiction:

Can love survive the zombie apocalypse? Maybe Dicey's first chance at a real relationship was dead from the start. She's the star of her high school baseball team, and Jack's the star of the science program. Her idea of a study session includes sleeping in the sun, and his idea of a good game involves dungeons and dice. But opposites start attracting when they're assigned to be partners in a class project. Now an outbreak of a weird infection--it eats your brains and leaves you hungry for more--might not mean just the end of their first date. It might mean the end of everything. Will their relationship fall apart faster than zombies in the Florida sun, or can Dicey and Jack beat the odds and find a happy ending?

YA Staff Review:
This was a cute quick read. I liked how Dicey never gave up on Jack or their relationship. The first time you see Dicey talk to Jack is quite entertaining. I actually was shocked when I got to the last page. I thought the story could have continued for a while longer. If you are in the mood for a quick romance give this a try. No need for long descriptions of characters or locations with this fully illustrated graphic novel. I find this gives my brain a rest from imagining these things so I can concentrate more on the dialog and story line.

Book Review ~ Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side

Cover Art Courtesy of  http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/. 

Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey
Published: February 2009
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance

Description from Fantastic Fiction:

The undead can really screw up your senior year . . .

Marrying a vampire definitely doesn't fit into Jessica Packwood's senior year "get-a-life' plan. But then a bizarre (and incredibly hot) new exchange student named Lucius Vladescu shows up, claiming that Jessica is a Romanian vampire princess by birth--and he's her long-lost fiancé. Armed with newfound confidence and a copy of Growing Up Undead: A Teen Vampire's Guide to Dating, Health, and Emotions, Jessica makes a dramatic transition from average American teenager to glam European vampire princess. But when a devious cheerleader sets her sights on Lucius, Jess finds herself fighting to win back her wayward prince, stop a global vampire war--and save Lucius's soul from eternal destruction.

YA Staff Review:
Why do we fight the hardest when we are told we are required to do something? Our choices and free will taken away? To me this has a bit of a "Country Mouse; City Mouse" feel as Lucius grew up around strict decorum and Jessica is comparatively a country bumpkin. She learns to enjoy the regal things in life and Lucius finds denim and basketball quite enjoyable. I found if funny the letters Lucius writes describing his "Americanization."

Frankly, I don't know how I missed this book when it first came out? You shouldn't judge a book by it's publication date either, LOL! Currently there are just two books in this series along with an "online only" segue book filling you in on some things that happened between book 1 and 2. "Jessica 1.5" can be read on the author's site here.

National Zombie Lock-In for Teens!

Zombies are invading the library!!!

Friday, August 3rd 5:30p-10:30p. Lillie M. Evans Library teens will be part of the second National Zombie Lock-in!

Teens across the United States will be participating in their libraries on this nearly full moon evening of the undead.

There will be Bleach T’s, Zombified Barbies, Wii, a Zombie costume contest, and more.

Please show up dressed as the undead and be sure to include your t-shirt size on the permission form. Teens must turn in permission slip by July 30th to guarantee their spot. 

Space is limited, register ASAP!!! Must be entering 9th-12th grade during the 2012-2013 school year to participate.

Summer Reading Event 7/02/12 @ 3:30p

Summer Reading Event 6/18/12 @ 3:30p

Book Review ~ Hunger Games

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Published: September 2008
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Cover Art Courtesy of  http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/.

Description from Fantastic Fiction:

Katniss is a 16-year-old girl living with her mother and younger sister in the poorest district of Panem, the remains of what used be the United States. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games." The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed. When Kat's sister is chosen by lottery, Kat steps up to go in her place.

YA Staff Review:
Let me start by saying, this is a great series! I really like Katniss and how she was a believable character. She wasn't overly athletic or overly clumsy (like Bella) either. She wasn't too selfish or overly devoted to someone else (again, Bella). It is an interesting "What if" kind of future story.

The next book in the series is Catching Fire.

Book Review ~ Wintergirls

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
Published: February 2009
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Cover Art Courtesy of  http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/.

Description from Fantastic Fiction:
Lia and Cassie are best friends, wintergirls frozen in matchstick bodies, competitors in a deadly contest to see who can be the skinniest. But what comes after size zero and size double-zero? When Cassie succumbs to the demons within, Lia feels she is being haunted by her friend's restless spirit.

In her most emotionally wrenching, lyrically written book since the multiple-award-winning Speak, best-selling author Laurie Halse Anderson explores Lia's descent into the powerful vortex of anorexia, and her painful path toward recovery.

YA Staff Review:
Such a popular topic, especially for girls. How thin is too thin? When does the desire to be thin become a mental issue rather than a health issue? I really enjoyed this story. The writing style is different than  your normal story. It is disjointed and contains lots of "she things, but she says" throughout the book rather than standard chapters, paragraphs and pages full of text. I found it to be a quick read and enjoyed this different writing style.

If you liked Wintergirls you might also like:

• Wasted by Marya Hornbacher
• Looking for Alaska by John Green
• The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
• Monster by Walter Dean Myers

Winter Reading & Pass the Book!

4th - 8th Graders:

Only 4th-8th Graders in the state of Illinois get to vote the Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Book Award!!! Let your opinion be heard.

Print your 4th-8th "BINGO card" or stop by the library to pick one up.

It's EASY:

1. Read at least 3 of the 20 books on the list. NOTE: You don't have to get a "BINGO."
2. Attend booktalk sessions on February 2 & February 9 at 3:15-4:45pm (OPTIONAL).
   Printable Caudill Booktalk Handout
3. Turn in your BINGO card at the library before February 22nd after you have read at least 3 books.
4. Attend the Official Voting Day/Pizza Party on Thursday, February 23, 2012(Must have read at least 3 of the books and turn in completed BINGO sheet to vote and attend pizza party).

Pass the Book:

4th-8th graders may also pick up one of our specially marked copies of "Every Soul a Star" to read, register, and "pass the book" to a friend or family member. Every Soul a Star is a Rebecca Caudil book and counts towards the Voting/Pizza Party. Instructions are included inside each book.

9th - 12th Graders:

It's simple -

• Print out the 9th-12th Bingo Sheet or pick one up at the library.
• Complete one BINGO by reading the type of book or doing the action that is listed in each box.
• Turn in your completed BINGO sheet before 5:00 P.M. on February 24th for your choice of a book from a selection of current titles. Turn your card in early for the best selection!

If you want to complete more than one BINGO on the sheet, that's great! However, there are no additional prizes for completing more than one BINGO. HAVE FUN!!!

Book Brag!

We've been posting book reviews from our libraries staff members for a while. Now, we want to know what you are reading and your opinions! We are going to call patron submitted reviews Book Brags.

If you know a book or series that you would like to review submit it to the library in writing or online at kwill@lmelibrary.org and we may publish it here on our blog. For series books, instead of just reviewing each individual book you can review the whole series at once. Not everyone loves a story. We will accept both "liked & loathed" reviews. Who knows, you may save someone a headache from reading a bleh book or get them hooked on a new series they didn't know about!

Basic Rules:

1. We will not post the reviewer's full name, only their first or "gamer tag."
2. If you disliked the book or someone's review please refrain from insulting the author, readers, reviewer and people who may enjoy or dislike the book.
3. Please do not include any spoilers or note "Spoilers below" in your review.
4. Do not "steal" reviews from another website and claim them as your own.
5. Feel free to comment on reviews! Agree or disagree with someone else's review just remember to follow rule #2.
6. TeenSpace moderators reserve the right to modify or decline reviews for any reason.

Here are some suggestions of books we would like reviews for. If you would like to review something else that hasn't already been reviewed that is also fine.

Needing Reviewed:

• Hunger Games
• Eragon
• Ranger's Apprentice
• The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod
• Pretty Little Liars
• The Clique
• Angel Burn
• The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian
• Conspiracy 365