Book Review

Eve (Eve Trilogy #1)
by Anna Carey

I am completely in love with dystopian fiction, as dark and dreary as it may be. And although this story may be similar to other recently released titles (Wither by Lauren Destefano and Dark Parties by Sara Grant), I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! This story takes place in the future with America torn apart by plague, and as a result, a bad goverment rises to power. Eve has been sheltered from the harsh reality through propoganda and being raised in an all-girls government, boarding school. After graduation, she has high hopes of being an artist in the city, but on the night before commencement, Eve uncovers the dark truth... girls are being imprisoned and used for breeding. Upon learning this, she immediately flees the school. This takes place during the first part of the book, so the real meat of the story is Eve's journey, which includes romance, mystery, and action (definitely heavy on the romance). While this book is not destined to win any big awards, teens will definitely be drawn to the story, very tragic.

Look for this book on the shelf in October!

Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Teen Programming...

There are a few programs that are "regulars" for teens at the library. For the newbies, I thought I would briefly describe a couple of them.

Bistro Book Club: This book club meets weekly at the Central Library on Wednesdays from 4-5pm. Teens are encouraged to read new books on the shelves and share their review. Additionally, teens will have the opportunity to read pre-released titles, which is definitely a perk of attending!

Teen Tech Tuesdays: During the school year, teens have the opportunity to use the library laptops and eReaders on Tuesdays from 3:30-4:30pm. It is an open house style program, so stop by at anytime.

Teen Video Gaming: On the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month, there are video gaming sessions in the Central Programming Room from 3-5pm. It's the perfect opportunity to GET LOUD in the library!

There will be special programming in October and November, so stay tuned for updates!

Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Teen Advisory Group (T.A.G.)- Updates!

For those unaware, the Teen Advisory Group (T.A.G.) meets on the 3rd Friday of every month at 4pm, Central Teen Center. The group talks about teen programming, the collection, and the website/blog. It is a small group of 5 teens, but they would love to have 1-4 more members for the upcoming year. The perks of being involved in T.A.G. are recommendation letters, the social aspect/new friendships, giveaways (such as bags, books, t-shirts), and community involvement.

Discussion items from the August T.A.G. meeting:

-Successful events from Summer 2011- Author Laura Resau Visit, Henna Workshops, Red Cross Class, Teen Summer Reading Program, Teen Band Kick-Off Party, Artist Laurel Shelley-Reuss Visit

-Teen web presence- new website in development, friend "Teen Librarian" on facebook, new poll posted on the blog

-Potential Fall events- Halloween Party, Christmas Party, Skype Interview, Teen Read Week Contests, movies, ACT Prep Session

-Other thoughts: What are other library teen advisory groups doing in Colorado?

Please contact me if you would like to get involved, ssmith@mcpld.org or 683-2411.

Thanks!
Shanna
~Teen Librarian

New Books on the Shelves...

For the teen who loves the supernatural genre, read:

-Abandon by Meg Cabot (April 2011)

-Die For Me by Amy Plum (May 2011)

-Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake (coming soon, August 2011)



If you liked the Hunger Games, check out these new dystopian titles:

-Blood Red Road by Moira Young (June 2011)

-Dark Parties by Sara Grant (August 2011)

-Ashes by Ilsa Bick (coming soon, September 2011)



For fantasy lovers, you should read:

-Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor (coming soon, September 2011)

-Starcrossed and Liar's Moon by Elizabeth Bunce (Liar's Moon coming soon, November 2011)

-Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson (coming soon, September 2011)


Other great books coming out soon:

-Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan (coming soon, September 2011)

-Legend by Maria Lu (coming soon, November 2011)

-Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler (coming soon, November 2011)


Remember, you can read these titles early by coming to the Teen Book Club on Wednesdays at 4pm, Central Library!

Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Summer Reading Program Winners...

The Summer Reading Program winners were drawn this last Friday, August 5th in the Central Library Youth Center. We had a lot of prizes this year, so there were many winners. Thank you for participating and congrats to all of the teen winners!!! (Prize camera pictured on the right)


Central Library Winners:

-Sara (Camera)
-Jasmine (Camera)
-Anthony (Hot Topic Gift Card)
-Ashley (Hot Topic Gift Card)
-Morgan (Juice Stop Smoothie)
-Rebekah (Gamerz Planet Gift Card)
-Victoria (Gamerz Planet Gift Card)
-Billy (Roasted Coffee Shop-Free Item)
-Devon (Gelato Junction- Free Ice Cream or Gelato)
-Dylan (Gelato Junction- Free Ice Cream or Gelato)


Clifton Library Winners:

-Angelina (Juice Stop Smoothie)
-Kristiana (Juice Stop Smoothie)
-Brandon (Gamerz Planet Gift Card)
-Emad (Gamerz Planet Gift Card)
-Nicolas (Roasted Coffee Shop- Free Item)
-Mikayla (Gelato Junction- Free Ice Cream or Gelato)


Collbran Library Winners:

-Gaby (Juice Stop Smoothie)
-Breanna (Gamerz Planet Gift Card)
-Abigail (Roasted Coffee Shop- Free Item)
-Ashley (Gelato Junction- Free Ice Cream or Gelato)


De Beque Library Winners:

-Michael (Juice Stop Smoothie)
-Amanda (Gamerz Planet Gift Card)
-Shyanne (Roasted Coffee Shop- Free Item)
-Kallista (Gelato Junction- Free Ice Cream or Gelato)


Fruita Library Winners:

-Laura (Camera)
-Kendra (Juice Stop Smoothie)
-Shanae (Gamerz Planet Gift Card)
-Wyatt (Gamerz Planet Gift Card)
-Pamela (Roasted Coffee Shop- Free Item)
-Joy (Gelato Junction- Free Ice Cream or Gelato)


Orchard Mesa Library Winners:

-Cassandra (Juice Stop Smoothie)
-Sidney (Gamerz Planet Gift Card)
-Patrick (Roasted Coffee Shop- Free Item)
-Roger (Gelato Junction- Free Ice Cream or Gelato)


Palisade Library Winners:

-Celia (Juice Stop Smoothie)
-Leah (Gamerz Planet Gift Card)
-Quinn (Roasted Coffee Shop- Free Item)
-Corey (Gelato Junction- Free Ice Cream or Gelato)

I would like to thank all of the local businesses that contributed prizes to the Teen SRP Program!








Hot Topic, Grand Junction, CO Juice Stop, Grand Junction, CO
Gamerz Planet, Grand Junction, CO
Roasted Coffee Shop, Grand Junction, CO
Gelato Junction, Grand Junction, CO


Shanna
~Teen Librarian

I am a published reviewer!!!

I want to share with everyone that my first published review was released in the August edition of VOYA, Voice of Youth Advocates. I had the pleasure of reviewing Sign Language by Amy Ackley, which is a fantastic contemporary YA novel. Many of you may not be familiar with the VOYA Journal, but I find it to be a reliable resource for young adult literature. I chose to apply as a reviewer for this journal primarily because they promote librarians partnering with teens for reviews. Teens interested in partnering with me and writing a review for publication, please send me an email!

Check out the review for Sign Language on page 50...http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/launch.aspx?referral=other&refresh=E1r903KjWp40&PBID=ec089b39-ceea-45d5-845d-c16b50f72843&skip=

Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Artist/Author Laurel Shelley-Reuss visits this Friday!!!

Come to the Central Library this Friday, August 5th from 3:30-5:30pm for a session with Author and Artist Laurel Shelley-Reuss. Her most current graphic novel is Olive Peril, which is available for check-out from the Mesa County Libraries. Hope to see you here!

*The new Graphic Novel Club flier art is done by Shelby, a local teen. We have amazing talent here in the library!

Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Books Reviews...

You Against Me
by Jenny Downham
I absolutely loved this book, but I anticipate having a hard time describing it without totally confusing everyone. However, I will try... Mikey wants revenge on Tom, the boy who allegedly assaulted his younger sister Karyn. Tom has been in prison awaiting trial, but on the day he is released on bail, Mikey decides to pay a visit to his house. On the doorstep of Tom's house, Mikey meets Ellie, Tom's sister. Sparks fly between Mikey and Ellie, and loyalties are questioned. This story was a good forbidden romance and offered a bit of mystery, like what did happen on the night of Karyn's attack?


The Scorpio Races
by Maggie Stiefvater
I really enjoyed reading this book, although it had a slow start. I struggled with two things... what time period is this book set in? I couldn't pin down a definite date or period from the references (cars are mentioned, but not tvs). Does this mean it is the 19_s? I didn't realize how important the setting, in regards to time period, was until I had trouble picturing the scenes. Secondly, I found myself confused by the character names being both masculine and alternating chapters. It might have been easier if the name Kate was used throughout the whole book, as apposed to Puck. In the first 50 pages, I had to reread parts because I didn't realize the point-of-view changed.

Despite some of the minor issues, I would definitely recommend this story to teens. Teens who are fans of killer unicorns (Peterfreund) will love and appreciate the killer horses!!!

These books will be on the library shelves this fall, but join us at book club for a chance to read the advance copies!

Shanna
~Teen Librarian