ELUSIVE NEUTRINO
I've been looking at science books to purchase and found "The Library of Subatomic Particles" which includes a book called The Neutrino. Now, whether or not you know what a neutrino really is, doesn't it sound like a diet energy drink?
~emily - 7:39 PM~
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NAT'L LIBRARY WEEK
Don't forget to celebrate Nat' Library Week by stopping in for a visit, some books, some magazines, and some videos this week!

Let's see. I've been doing some reading, but not of anything we own - mostly of CrossGen comics - Ruse (2), Crux: Atlantis Rising; Negation: Bohica. I'll admit to liking Ruse the best, probably because of my early reading roots in Sherlock Holmes and fantasy, but Crux was also fun, and I'm looking forward to picking up another of those. Negation I'll probably hold off on. I'd like to get some more CrossGen for the library (there are so many to choose from!) - more Sojourn and Meridian (neither of which I have sampled yet); the biggest problem is that they fall apart so easily - the pages just kind of slide out of the book after a couple of readings. Hmmm...
~emily - 6:57 PM~
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HOVER CAR RACER
Fast, frantic, fun, free book online!
Aussie author Matthew Reilly wants to let readers experience his new novel Hover Car Racer online for free! In an interview with teenreads (link to side), he talks about the why and the how. The first two parts have been released already, with part 3 coming out in a week, and a total of 8 parts to make up the book. Reilly says: "One thing is for sure: you've never read anything faster than HOVER CAR RACER." It's a book for those "who just enjoy a fun, fast-paced adventure story." Enjoy!

NEW BOOKS
New today - a Buffy GN, Tellos: Reluctanct Heroes, Ashanti's book of poetry, Cowboy Bebop, and two of the Zoids books.

~emily - 10:36 AM~

BOOKENDS
Hopeless Savages by Jen Van Meter
Meet the Hopeless Savages - Mum & Dad were punk rockers; Arsenal, Twitch, and Skank Zero (their real names) are the kids taking after their folks; and Rat, aka Dave Sterling, the eldest son who disinherited his family to go "straight." Those are the players - most of them - until Mum & Dad are stolen one night right out from under Skank's sleeping nose. She's determined to find them, and from there it's a battle of the bands, a race with propriety, and the reinvention of fond memories to get the family back together. This one was great fun to read!
We don't own it yet, but be on the lookout for it in our new graphic novels - coming soon!
~emily - 10:14 AM~

REFERENCE SOURCE
The Handy Science Reference Book
REF Y500 Handy
For quick answers to questions like "Which plant has been investigated as a source of petroleum?" (p157) and "How many roller coasters are there in the United States and how many people ride them?" (p446) and "Which astronauts have walked on the moon?" (p62) and "What color car is the safest?" (p462) take a look at this reference source - it has a lot of great information!

OLD ETIQUETTE
Interesting site that one of my coworkers recommended to me - and it's hilarious! Full of tips from *old* etiquette books, Miss Abigail's site will teach you about the fine art of smiling (#191, 1895), the importance of breathing (#178, 1911), and how to distinguish death (#164, 1916) - plus much more. Just remember, this is strictly for fun and amusement - not to be taken too seriously!
~emily - 9:30 AM~
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BOOKENDS
Despite the lovely sunny weather this weekend (that seems to have gone the way of the wind), I had some great time to read some fantastic books.

Finder by Emma Bull
In Bordertown, where a hybrid community of elves, halflings, humans co-exist, a murderous plot has been hatched to induce humans into elf-like states and spreading virus through the elven community. Sunny Rico, cop, coerces Orient, a finder, to help her seek out the perpetrators behind the crimes. It's a dangerous and difficult task, and one that Orient has no desire to fulfill - until his best friend, Tick-Tick, an elf, contracts the virus and declines speedily towards death. This engrossing read is a crossover combining fantasy with mystery; the interesting characters, setting, and writing style make it even more satisfying. Good stuff.
Y PB B

Ruse: The Silent Partner by Waid, et al.
After reading the first Ruse (see below, Apr 23), I had to stop by the Watertown library to pick up the second volume. I enjoyed it as much as the first and am slightly distressed that I shall have to wait for the third to be published.
~emily - 9:17 AM~
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BIRTHDAY TIDINGS
And how could I forget to wish Mr. William Shakespeare a very joyous birthday. Granted, he's not around to enjoy it, but it's an interesting one to celebrate - break out the cake! (And lots of candles!) Read a play, watch a performance, read a poem...
(One of my lit professors in college was actually named William Shakespeare....)
~emily - 3:30 PM~

POETRY SLAM!
The Positive Teens 4th Annual Poetry Slam will be tomorrow! Details below:
When: April 24, 2004 @10am (doors open) or @12 (slam)
Where: Honan-Allston Library (Boston branch)
It's too late to participate with your own poetry, but if you want to be part of the audience and enjoy the slam, it's open to the public - and free!
~emily - 9:53 AM~
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BOOKENDS
Ruse, Enter the Detective by Mark Waid, et al.
This graphic novel is a mystery tinged with science fiction set in Victorian England. Detective Simon Archard and his assistant/partner Emma Bishop save the city (for the time being) from the wiles of Miranda Cross and her psychotic-drug laced tobacco, a daring murderer whom no one could suspect, and Simon's ex-partner, who is sure to seek revenge. Good for mystery lovers willing to experiment in graphic novels, this is a well-told, well-illustrated tale.
Y GRAPHIC NOV Waid

NEW BOOKS
The new Alex Rider adventure, Eagle Strike, has arrived!
~emily - 9:13 AM~

HERE THERE BE DRAGONS
Already read Eragon - the new dragon book that people are raving about? Just starting to get a taste for the fantastic winged creatures and need more fire? There are several more - Try The Hunting of the Last Dragon by Sherryl Jordan, Two Princesses of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine, Dealing with Dragons by Patricia Wrede, Dragon's Blood by Jane Yolen, or Dragon's Bait by Vivan Vande Velde. And of course, there are always Anne McCaffrey's Dragons of Pern series and Robin McKinley's Hero and the Crown and The Blue Sword.
For video fare, take a glimmer at Sleeping Beauty and Reign of Fire.
ps - movie rights for Eragon have been picked up, and the second installment of the trilogy is being worked on...
~emily - 7:59 PM~
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BOOK LOOK
So I was going through our "new" nonfiction books, pulling out things that are definitely not new anymore, and I came across these three gems. For quick picks and chuckles,

101 *un*useless Japaneses inventions by Kenji Kawakami
This delight outlines odd inventions - useful? Decide for yourself! Includes: full-body umbrella, telephone dumbbell, duster slippers for cats, hydrophobe's bath body suit, velcro home jogger, automatic chew counter, hay fever hat, and so much more!
Y609 Kawakami

What's That Smell? by Tucker Shaw
A full guide to 50 mortifying situations and how to deal with them covers everything from Family Nightmares to Hygeine Horrors and Social Crises. You'll learn how to get through any bungled, nerve-wracking, disappointing, stressful situation.
Y305.235 Shaw

Dear Mr. Mackin... by Richard Mackin
Once a Mass resident, Mackin began entertaining the underground zine culture with "consumer defense corporate poetry" - and then got into writing letters to companies about their products - his initial letter a question about what "m&m" stands for. In this book, you'll get to read what Mackin writes to McDonald's, Ramen, Keebler, Frito-Lay, and many more - and see how they responded!
Y817 Mackin

These books will be shelved upstairs with the adult nonfiction. Find & Enjoy!
~emily - 10:31 PM~
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WORST SONGS?
On the news today, there was a feature about Blender magazine's list of worst songs ever written. What do you think? Pop Culture Madness features the best and worst. Take a look and see how their lists stack up to yours!
~emily - 9:58 AM~
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BOOKENDS
The Dirt Eaters by Dennis Foon
The first of a trilogy, this is a book about a dystopic society and the times after wars have ravished the earth, leaving pocket communities to fend for themselves and survive according to their beliefs. Roan is one of only two survivors when his village is destroyed. He is rescued by warrior priests who train him and care for him - until he learns the terrible secret the rules their sect and he runs away.
The dystopic premise is always interesting, but the writing is a bit jagged, though it's hard to tell if this a literary element or actual writing style.
Y SCI FI Foon

Manners by Kate Spade
Manners - sounds like a bore, but this was a delightful book on etiquette by kate spade, New York designer. The book covers everything from museum visits to pets to communication to social spills, enhanced with fun illustrations, famous quotations, and interesting factual tidbits. I'm looking forward to reading the other two in the series.
[NEW] 395 Spade

Enjoy school vacation week - looks like some great weather and sun! Make sure to make a stop at the library to pick up some books and magazines to read while you're out enjoying!
~emily - 9:26 AM~

ON A SATURDAY AFTERNOON
So Thursday was the beginning of our beautiful days. I took the day off and went up to Vermont, where I had never been before. It was lovely to drive along in the sunshine. Stopped by a quaint little library in the small town of Strafford when I passed through. They have a reading room upstairs with bean bags and books - a nice place to sit and read.
In about half an hour, we have our book discussion. Today we're talking about Hoot. If you haven't read it, check it out sometime and give it a shot.

GOOD LUCK MARATHON RUNNERS!

Enjoy the beautiful weather this weekend. Pop into the library and grab a book or magazine to look at while you're out enjoying the sunshine!
~emily - 2:28 PM~
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NEW BOOKS
More volumes of Kodocha and the first of Fruits Basket; Marvel's The Ultimates, and some paperbacks. Come and see!
~emily - 10:31 AM~
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NEW BOOKS
A new collection of short stories, poetry, art, and photography put together by teens (Teen Ink: Written in the Dirt), Girls on Film (a new A-List novel by Zoey Dean), Ruse, Pokemon Colosseum, and more!

BIBLIONIX
Don't forget that Biblionix will meet tomorrow after school in the High School Library.

POETRY
I'm looking for some short poetry to blog through the rest of this month (Nat'l Poetry Month), so if you want to share, send it along my way!
~emily - 10:09 AM~
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POSTERS & BOOKMARKS
New posters and bookmarks in the YA area - yippee! Also, new words were added to the magnetic poetry board and pamphlets with "The Top 100 Books for Teens" are available on the counter beneath the bulletin board.

BOOKENDS
Geography Club by Brent Hartinger
Russel thinks he's the only gay kid at school, but when he goes into a gay chatroom online one evening and discovers another student from his school and they decide to meet, his whole life changes. Gradually, the two of them discover other students who are also gay or bisexual, and they decide the create a club a club so boring that no one else would ever want to join - but things backfire. This first-person narrative is a good read about dealing with differences, forgiveness, and standing up for oneself and others.
Y PB Hartinger
~emily - 6:05 PM~
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MONDAY MORN
I was actually planning on popping in during the weekend to write about the books I finished, but somehow didn't get around to it.... The weather was beautiful, I had to hit the laundromat (where I sat in the glorious sun), and there were a couple of surprise parties to attend, just to keep everything busy.

BOOKENDS
TITHE by Holly Black
Definitely one of my new favourites, this is an edgy moderne faerie tale about a changeling, now teenage girl, nomadic and independent and fierce, who gets caught up in an ancient battle between faerie kingdoms. Sparking with angst, tripping in dark fantastic, woven with love lines, this sharp story is fast-moving and involving. (Language and themes make it appropriate for older readers.) Fantastic!
Y FICTION Black

The Boy Who Couldn't Die by William Sleator
After his best friend dies in a plane crash, Ken seeks out a woman who claims she can make him invulnerable - and she does, but steals control of his soul in the process. Without his soul, Ken feels no pain and cannot die, but at night dreams about killing people. When he meets Sabine on vacation and she explains the makings and workings of zombies, Ken knows he has to get his soul back. An interesting premise, but not the best I've read of Sleator. Nevertheless, a decent enough story.
Y FICTION Sleator

BOOKWEB
Branching out from Tithe, try Perilous Gard for ancient faeries; meanwhile, Tithe's edginess reminds me of Francesca Lia Block's books. The ethereal-ness of Block's books (like Echo) makes me think of Guitar Highway Rose.
~emily - 9:22 AM~

MOVIES FROM BOOKS & MORE
So another movie based on a book is opening up - Ella Enchanted starts this evening - another princess tale with Anne Hathaway. I haven't seen any full previews, but I love the book.
Other movies from books? How to Deal, Walk to Remember, Lord of the Rings Trilogy, all those great superhero flicks (Spider-man, X-men, Superman, Batman - love the comics!), Black Hawk Down, Cheaper by the Dozen, and oh, so many more!
Watch a book, read a movie!

What a glorious day it is outside - lucky for you that school's out today! Makes me want to grab my book (currently reading Tithe - edgy & excellent modern faerie tale) and sit out on a deck or by a beach - just somewhere in this brilliant sun!
Had the chance to grab some brazilian food today - if you've never tried pao de queijo (cheese bread) or arroz doce (rice pudding) or mingau de milho verde (sweet corn porridge), I highly recommend them!
~emily - 1:51 PM~
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It's time for the Thursday night write-down again. What a glorious day! Sun and (almost) warmth permeating the out-of-doors....
I'm pleased to have received today Teenplots - a book about books - a book to help readers select books that suit their needs and interests. It covers all kinds of genres with lots of information. Good stuff.
I've just finished putting together a list of "literary" graphic novels. It needs some polishing before it's ready to go public, but it's a good start - GNs aren't all flash and costume (though there are definitely some fun ones that are)!
And now I'm ordering some books... fiction, reference, nonfiction, and graphic novels.... Happy evening!
Last minute notes - Judy Blume's Deenie is going to be produced by Disney.
~emily - 7:20 PM~
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CHANGES CHANGES
I've made a few changes to the YA Area - the magazines have been cleaned out and rearranged. Look for back issues (last 2 years) on the shelves to the left of the current editions.
On the shelf above the magazines (where the back issues used to be kept), I'm going to start some new smaller displays. "Watch a book, read a movie" titles are there now. Who knows what will happen next?!
Also, the newest graphic novels have now been moved left (everything is shifting left) to their own display rack. This will help keep them separated from the other GNs.
I just ordered some new posters for decor - renovations in the YA area!
~emily - 11:29 AM~
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NAT'L POETRY MONTH
National Poetry Month for 6 whole days now, and I haven't done anything about it yet. Oh, my! So to kick things off, I'll link you up to our online database for poetry and post a few lines from Daffodils by WW Gibson:
"He liked the daffodils. He liked to see
Them nodding in the hedgerows cheerily
Along the dusty lanes as he went by --
Nodding and laughing to a fellow -- Ay,
Nodding and laughing till you'd almost think
They, too, enjoyed the jest."

~emily - 4:28 PM~
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GET ON BOARD W/ TONY HAWK
Only two weeks left to submit a short entry about your favourite book - and win a meeting with Tony Hawk! This is a great opportunity for you!
There are guidelines in the YA area and also online - all you need to do is find a favourite book and put together an entry (written or creative) about it and submit it.
Hershey's people say - "Did you know that Americans go to libraries more than twice as often as they go to the movies? Really. And why not? You can do it all @ your library. Check out books and magazines. Borrow the latest videos and CDs. And surf the Web… with the assistance of the ultimate search engine - a librarian."
Twice as many visits to the library - wow!
~emily - 2:25 PM~
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TAG
We had a good Teen Advisory Group meeting on Saturday (with more than enough pizza!). We came up with a few ideas for summer programs, including improv skits, manga workshop, hemp necklaces & bead bracelets, and a summer swap (for CDs, books, comics, trading cards, etc). Let me know what you think!
A few TAG members mentioned some good books they're reading, including When Zachary Beaver Came to Town and The Poisonwood Bible. (You can see what I'm reading, listed below...)
We definitely welcome new members to our group!

BOOKENDS
(What I've been reading...)
Acceleration by Graham McNamee
If you found the diary of a serial killer, would you take it to the police? What if no one believed the diary was real, that you'd made it all up? Duncan is stuck in the pits of the subway lost & found, bored to death with his summer job, when he finds the diary of a would-be serial killer. With no help from the police and no confidence in them, he sets out to track the killer and avenge his own demons. This is a quick-paced book with television-show suspense. Good read.
Y FICTION McNamee

Fray by Joss Whedon
Joss Whedon is the creative mind behind Buffy and Angel, and now he's put together a great graphic novel about a future slayer who has no idea she is the chosen one. This is a superbly done story & art combination, whether you love Buffy or not!
Y GRAPHIC NOV Whedon
~emily - 9:16 AM~

TAG TODAY
Our Teen Advisory Group meeting is today at 1pm upstairs in the Trustees Room. Join us!
~emily - 9:22 AM~
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GOOGLE
...offers web search-based email! (Limited beta-test users at the moment, but coming soon....)
And what about a great job at Google's Copernicus Center ...?

VISITS!
As of today we have surpassed 1000 hits on the blog! Thanks for visiting!
~emily - 7:47 PM~
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HOLY REVIEWS, BATMAN!
One of our local library friends has set up a website reviewing graphic novels for teens. Visit No Flying No Tights here! Lots of good stuff--!

PEEPS, AGAIN
One more Peeps prank...
~emily - 1:14 PM~
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