Teen Stuff @ Mesa County Libraries

Top Ten Books for 2012

2011-12-16T11:09:00.011-07:00

As 2011 winds down, I begin to think of 2012 and all of the awesome books that will be published. I have decided to list the top ten books that I am looking forward to in 2012. This is all just speculation, of course, based primarily on cover, summary, and author reputation.

1. Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore- May 2012 (this was on my list last year, but it is being released in May. What a wait!)
2. The Selection by Kiera Cass- April 2012 (amazing cover, with a plot similar to Matched)
3. The Diviners by Libba Bray- November 2012 (I love this author, but I am slightly worried that the book won't actually come out in 2012)
4. The Traitor and the Tunnel by Y.S. Lee- February 2012 (loved books 1 and 2)
5. Chemical Garden #2: Fever by Lauren Destefano- February 2012
6. Drowned Cities by Paolo Bacigalupi- May 2012 (fantastic Colorado author!)
7. Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken- December 2012 (the release date seems so far away...)
8. Partials by Dan Wells- February 2012 (author of I Am Not a Serial Killer, should be good)
9. Dustlands #2: Rebel Heart by Moira Young- 2012 (author of Blood Red Road)
10. Letting Go by Tabitha Suzuma- August 2012 (my favorite book of 2011 was Forbidden, by this author)

What do you think?

Shanna
~Teen Librarian

New Website/Blog Coming Soon!!!

2011-12-08T11:01:00.000-07:00

I wanted to mention changes on the near horizon. The Mesa County Libraries are getting a new website, which includes new teen pages and blog. The migration to the new site will take place in the new year (most likely January some time). We are super excited about having an updated web presence. I am posting a screen shot of the new teen site to get you revved up too!

Shanna
~Teen Librarian

New Book Trailer...

2011-12-02T13:57:00.001-07:00

I read this book a few months back and just came across the book trailer. Definitely check the video and the book out!!!

You Against Me by Jenny Downham

Shanna
Teen Librarian

i ♥ Neal Shusterman's books!

2011-11-25T08:29:00.002-07:00

I have NEVER BEEN DISAPPOINTED by Neal Shusterman's books. They are always entertaining, sufficiently creepy, and well written. Definitely check out his website at www.storyman.com to read about his books and other projects. You will find that some of his books are being made into movies, which I am super excited about!

For people unaware of this talented author, my top three Shusterman book recommendations are as follows:

1. Unwind (2007)- Completely amazing and by far my favorite Shusterman book. It is about a future world where children between the ages of 13-18 can be unwound, which is the process of harvesting every organ in the body. This decision to unwind is made by parents or guardians, and needless to say, teens try their hardest to behave. This story follows three teens from different backgrounds with lives that intersect due to the prospect of the unwinding. I actually listened to the audio version of this book, and I found myself sitting on the edge of my seat. The second book in this trilogy should be released in late 2012. Also, I was going to post a book trailer, but there are a million of them out there! So go to this page to check some of them out...http://unwindmovie.com/UNWINDMOVIE/Trailer.html

2. Bruiser (2010)- I am not sure what I expected, but I imagined this book involved sports. Perhaps it was the title? Anyway, it did not, which made me happy. Instead, the book deals with one boy's ability to take on other people's pain (often bruises). In order to shut out the pain, Brewster shuts people out. Until one day he meets Bronte... I think this would be classified as a "teen romance," but I feel like it is so much more.

3. Everlost (2006)- I read this book a few years ago, but it it such a unique story that I still remember it very well. The main characters, Allie and Nick, are involved in a fatal car crash at the beginning of the book. Although Allie and Nick are killed together in the crash, it is only in death that they officially meet. They are introduced to each other in Everlost, an afterlife that is only populated by children and teens. Initially this world seems magical and wonderful, but they realize that things are not as they seem. Allie and Nick must search for a way out of this limbo before it is too late. Together they encounter danger, magic, and unusual circumstances. It is a quick read that everyone will enjoy!

Shanna
Teen Librarian

An Amazing Book...

2011-11-22T15:55:00.005-07:00

Allegiance
by Cayla Kluver

After a recent Skype Interview with Cayla (the author), I was lucky enough to receive an advanced reading copy of her next book Allegiance, which comes out in March of 2012. This book arrived in the mail and I began reading it right away, finishing it just short of two days. I could not put the book down! I was amazed that this book was equally good, if not better than the first. If possible, there seemed to be more action, romance, magic and intrigue. In a nutshell, this series has a fantastic love triangle set in a medieval kingdom on the verge of war with all sorts of twists and turns to the plot (I don't want to give too much away because her first book, Legacy, is so important to the sequel). Anyway, I am now super bummed that I have to wait so long to read the conclusion to the trilogy!

Check this author out!

Shanna
Teen Librarian

Hunger Games Movie Trailer...

2011-11-17T14:29:00.003-07:00

The latest Hunger Games movie trailer was released on Monday, November 14th. I am so excited for this movie, but bummed that March is so far away (opening date March 23rd).

Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Another Book Review!

2011-11-10T16:46:00.005-07:00

The Gathering Storm
by Robin Bridges

I absolutely loved this historical fantasy by Robin Bridges! Balls, boarding schools, and bling are my most favorite things in the world. This story takes place in 1888 Russia with the main character being a descendant of royalty. Katerina is not only a Duchess and grandchild of a former Tsar, but she is also a necromancer with the power to raise the dead. Although, her power is unknown to many people in their elite circle, a neighboring country has learned of her ability and wants to secure a marriage. However, Katerina has also formed an attachment to George, the second son of the Tsar. Which path will she choose? You should definitely read this book to find out because the romance and magic will take your breath away!

Shanna
Teen Librarian

Book Review...

2011-11-07T10:26:00.006-07:00

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
by Ransom Riggs

Book sale numbers do not always indicate a book's greatness, but in this case it was spot on. After coming across this title for multiple weeks on the New York Times Best-Seller List for Children, I finally was able to get my hands on a copy of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. I cracked the book open on Saturday and was finished by noon on Sunday. The book is fantastical, amazing, and bizarrely good. Initially, I thought the story might be slightly juvenile (it does contain pictures), but it is definitely teen and I actually found myself looking forward to the photos, which were black and white lending an air of creepiness and mystery. The story is about a teen, Jacob, whose grandfather dies in a mysterious accident in the woods. Not only is the cause of death questionable, but the boy realizes that his grandfather's whole life was somewhat mysterious. To piece together his grandfather's past, Jacob and his father travel to an isolated village in Wales, the location of the grandfather's childhood. Secrets that were buried for years are finally uncovered by Jacob, but will he survive to tell them? CHECK OUT THIS BOOK!!!

The author has a Youtube site with all sorts of cool videos- Ransriggs. I am posting the book trailer below...

Shanna
~Teen Librarian

National Novel Writing Month Starts Tomorrow!!!

2011-10-31T16:48:00.007-06:00

November is National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). To celebrate and inspire, Author Cayla Kluver will Skype with teens at the Central Library on Wednesday, November 2nd at 3:30pm. Cayla wrote and published her first book in the Legacy Series (pictured left) as a teen only a few years ago. Take this opportunity to chat with Cayla about her struggles as a young writer. Also, remember to sign-up for NaNoWriMo at http://ywp.nanowrimo.org! Good luck future novelists:)

Go to this summer 2011 post for my book review of Legacy: http://mcpldteens.blogspot.com/2011/07/summer-reads.html

Shanna
Teen Librarian

Teen Photo Contest Winners!

2011-10-20T12:31:00.002-06:00

I would like to thank everyone who entered the Teen Photo Contest! I have chosen three winners. Check them out below...

Carly B.- Its a Girl Thing (Grand Prize)

Jasmine C.- Love in Everyday Teen Life (Runner-up)

Joshua A.- A Day in the Life of Thousands (Runner-up)
*Photo coming soon

Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Come to Bistro Book Club for this book!

2011-10-18T12:41:00.001-06:00

Teen Bistro Book Club meets each Wednesday at 4pm (Central Branch). A nice perk of this book club is having the opportunity to read advanced copies of books. Patrick Carman's newest book, Dark Eden, is currently available on the book club shelves (set to publish in November). Please come and check this club out!

Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Random thoughts about recent reads...

2011-10-12T19:26:00.000-06:00

I should have read this months ago (or years): Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi, which was completely awesome! I knew it would be because I have met Paolo and he is such a cool guy. Also, it DID win the Printz Award (its the big one for teen lit). Please check it out!

Skip the audio version: Delirium by Lauren Oliver. The story was entertaining, but the person who read the book (an actress from Grey's Anatomy) made the main character sound completely whiney. Pick the actual book up!

Who chose this book cover?: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi. I really loved this book (dystopian romance), but the book cover does not do it justice. Is the girl on the cover wearing a wedding dress? In my opinion, the cover should have reflected the bleakness of the world...dark, dank prison cell perhaps? Look for this book on the shelves in November.

Shanna
~Teen Librarian

ACT Prep Session October 8th!!!

2011-09-21T12:37:00.003-06:00

Come to the Central Library's ACT Prep Session on Saturday, October 8th from 1-4:30pm. Test tips and tricks will be reviewed, in addition to a timed, written practice test. No pre-registration is required, but it is first come, first serve. This is a great opportunity for you to prepare for the ACT, which is key to college admission, so I hope to see you here!
Feel free to contact me if you have questions.
Shanna
~Teen Librarian
ssmith@mcpld.org

Book Review...

2011-09-14T14:02:00.000-06:00

All the Things I've Done
by Gabrielle Zevin

I don't often break down and buy books, but I saw this book and wanted to read it right away (although our library should have it on the shelves soon). I am not sure if it was the organized crime or dystopian theme, or maybe even both that attracted me. Anyway, this story is set in a future where chocolate and caffeine are illegal. Teens turn to speakeasies (underground establishments) to get their fix. Anya is not an ordinary teen at the speakeasies. She is the daughter of a powerful mob boss that deals chocolate. However, he is now dead, so Anya is in charge of keeping the family together. This is difficult due to a murder charge, sick grandmother, and a forbidden romance with the district attorney's son. What more could you ask for in a book? I definitely suggest you check it out!!!

Shanna

~Teen Librarian

Teen Photo Contest!!!

2011-09-09T09:38:00.009-06:00

To celebrate Teen Read Week, October 17th-22nd, there will be a Teen Photo Contest titled, "A Day in the Life of a Teen," at the Mesa County Library. All teens ages 12-18 (or grades 6-12) are invited to participate for the chance to win Mesa Mall gift cards, 1st place is a 100 dollar card and two runners-up will receive 50 dollar cards.

Submissions are due October 12th at any library location. Checkout the link below for more details...

Teen Photo Contest Rules and Entry Form

If you have any questions, please contact Shanna Smith, Teen Librarian, ssmith@mcpld.org or 970-683-2411.

Book Review

2011-08-29T15:01:00.005-06:00

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...

2011-08-25T14:42:00.000-06:00

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!

2011-08-23T10:56:00.002-06:00

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...

2011-08-15T10:24:00.003-06:00

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...

2011-08-08T09:36:00.014-06:00

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 Juncti on, CO
Roasted Coffee Shop, Grand Junction, CO
Gelato Junction, Grand Junction, CO

Shanna
~Teen Librarian

I am a published reviewer!!!

2011-08-03T15:32:00.003-06:00

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!!!

2011-08-03T15:21:00.002-06:00

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...

2011-08-03T09:18:00.006-06:00

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

The Hunger Games- Movie Info...

2011-07-28T11:23:00.005-06:00

I know many of you are die-hard fans of The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins. Most likely, you are also aware of the movie series being made as we speak! Below I have listed some sites that offer movie buzz. Check them out!

Entertainment Weekly has a great photo slide show of the cast... http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20419951_20479641,00.html. Definitely worth checking out!!!

Also, the International Movie Database is one of my favorite sites for movie info. The Hunger Gamers page is at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1392170/.

This last site is fan built, but it seems very up-to-date with images and information, so I thought I would share... http://mockingjay.net/.

The anticipation is definitely building. I can hardly wait for this movie to hit theaters!!!

Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Teen Book Trailers...

2011-07-22T14:25:00.003-06:00

In early July, I hosted a small group of teens from the Mesa County Parks and Recreation Program at the library. I showed them how to create book trailers using Windows Movie Maker, Creative Commons, and Picnik (a free online photo editor). Below are their projects:

I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the teens from Parks and Rec!
Thank you for coming to the library:)

Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Thank you Laura Resau!

2011-07-14T21:42:00.013-06:00

I wanted to mention that Author Laura Resau just wrapped up her Mesa County visit today. She is the author of numerous teen and tween books, which include: What the Moon Saw, Star in the Forest, Red Glass, The Indigo Notebook, The Ruby Notebook, and Queen of Water. Additionally, she has numerous starred reviews and awards (there are too many awards and reviews to even mention!!!) While Laura was in town, she offered writers workshops to all ages (adult, teen, and children). I feel so lucky to have hosted Laura in our community.

Thanks again Laura:)
Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Summer Reads...

2011-07-14T21:04:00.007-06:00

Well, it has been a while since I have posted on this blog. Two reasons... it is way easier to post events on my teen facebook page and I have been sooooooooooo busy doing programming at the library. Still these are not good excuses, especially when it comes to book reviews because my reading hasn't slowed down with summer. To catch everyone up on my reading, I thought I would mention a couple of my favorites:

-Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez- I just read this book, which comes out in October. It is a contemporary story dealing with a teen musician's pressure to succeed. As a result of this stress, Carmen begins to take anti-anxiety prescription medications and before she knows it, an addiction has formed. Despite the heavy theme, there is a new romance for Carmen that provides a silver-lining to the situation. Well worth the read!!!

-Legacy by Cayla Kluver- This book is medival fantasy with romance, which has been a current favorite of mine. Princess Alera has her life laid out for her, including a suitor who will be the future king. However, the arival of a foreign slave boy will change everything. I loved this book so much, I even went to Google Tranlator to read a German review of the next book in the series, Allegiance.

Remember, when I mention books that are advance copies, you must come to the Wednesday book club to get your hands on them:)

More reviews to come...

Shanna

~Teen Librarian

Teen Henna Sessions...

2011-06-13T13:59:00.003-06:00

Probably not a shocker that I am doing henna again this summer, especially with the travel and culture theme. For those of you unfamiliar with henna, it is a natural dye from the Middle East, Africa, and India, which temporarily stains the skin. This art of painting designs on the hands and feet can be found throughout these region's histories.

The program times are listed below:

Central Branch: Tuesday, June 14th at 2pm
Clifton Branch: Wednesday, June 15th at 2:30pm
Collbran Branch: Tuesday, June 21st at 3pm
Orchard Mesa Branch: Tuesday, July 5th at 3pm
DeBeque Branch: Friday, July 15th at 11:30pm
Fruita Branch: Wednesday, July 20th at 2pm

Hope to see you at one of the times above!!!
Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Teen Kickoff Party!!!

2011-06-02T20:50:00.002-06:00

The Teen Kickoff Party is this Saturday, June 4th at 2pm on Central's front lawn. I am pretty sure it is going to be super cool (not talking about the weather). There will be tie-dying and batiking with local teen bands playing music. The bands are listed below...
-Confuzzled
-Acid Rain
-Darcy Dackonish
-Anti-Gravity
-Seattle Weather
-Morgan Krouse
-Autumn Leaves
-After the Riot
Hope to see you here!
Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Summer Reading Program 2011

2011-05-13T12:05:00.002-06:00

Teen Summer Reading Program Theme: You Are Here!!!

The Teen SRP Program will begin with a kick-off party on Saturday, June 4th at 2pm. The program will feature teen bands for Hill Street Music Studio outside the Central Branch. Additionally, teens will have the opportunity to batik and dye fabrics. Some items will be available for dying, but feel free to bring your own (t-shirts, pillow cases, totes).

Other programs this summer will include:
-Henna at all of the branches, so check your branch calendar
-Peace Corps Presentations
-Writing Workshop with Author Laura Resau at Central and Fruita
-Graphic Novel Artist Visit
-And many more!!!

Check the teen blog at http://mcpldteens.blogspot.com and friend me on Facebook for more information!

Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Teen Art Contest Winners Announced!

2011-04-29T19:59:00.009-06:00

Congrats to Alexis G., winner of the Teen Art Contest: Trash into Treasure. Alexis will receive a 50 dollar gift card to Micheals. Additionally, Candice W. and Kaylee W. were runner ups and they will receive 25 dollar gift cards. All of the art is displayed in the Central Teen Center for the month of May. Check out the art below!

Alexis G. created a mother earth mask...

Candice W. created a robot out of recycled materials...

Kaylee W. created a tree out of wire...

Thank you for all of the art!

Shanna

~Teen Librarian

Teen Tech Tuesday!!!

2011-04-13T15:29:00.000-06:00

Many of you are not aware, but on Tuesdays, from 3:30-4:30, I host Teen Tech Tuesdays. This program allows teens to use eReaders and laptops in the Central Teen Center. You do not need your library card to participate, and it is first-come-first served. This program only lasts during the school year, so you should check it out soon.

*The eReaders have advanced copies of teen books available to read.

Have a great day!
Shanna
~Teen Librarian

New Teen Book Trailers!!!

2011-04-05T14:48:00.002-06:00

Abandon
by Meg Cabot

Wither (Chemical Garden Trilogy)
by Lauren Destefano

Enjoy!
Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Book Review

2011-03-20T13:23:00.000-06:00

Die for Me
by Amy Plum

This book was a welcome addition to my lazy weekend. It was a fast read and it allowed me to travel to Paris vicariously through the main character, Kate. While the story take place in one of the most romantic cities in the world, it begins with Kate suffering the tragic loss of both of her parents in a car accident. As a result, Kate is sent with her older sister to live with her grandparents in France. Initially, Kate is drowning in her sorrow, but a chance meeting with a young stranger soon remedies her melancholy. However, Vincent is hiding a dark secret that hits too close to home for Kate. Teens who are in the mood for a dark romance, please look for this book on the shelves May 10th, 2011!

Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Rockband Tournament this Friday, March 11th at 3pm!!!

2011-03-08T10:26:00.000-07:00

Teens,
Remember the Rockband Tournament is this Friday, March 11th at 3pm at the Central Library Programming Room. This year, you will form bands and compete against librarians. The winning band members will each receive a dollar gift card to Gamerz Planet. There will also be free pizza and prizes for all who attend. You must form 2-4 member bands, but don't worry if you are lacking band mates because I am sure there will be spare players available. For more information call Shanna at 970-683-2411.
Hope to see you there!
Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Dystopian Book Reviews...

2011-03-03T10:21:00.005-07:00

You may be asking "what is a dystopian novel?" Well... Dictionary.com defines a dystopia as a "society characterized by human misery, squalor, oppression, disease, and overcrowding." As you may have noticed, this theme is huge in teen fiction currently. For some reason teens like to read about societies that have fallen apart, and if I am truthful, I like to read them too!

Blood Red Road
by Moira Young

Fantastic! Amazing! Stupendous (meaning extraordinary)! After all of my praise, I will admit that I struggled momentarily to start this book. The dialog in the story uses, what I would call, a backwoods dialect. For example, for=fer and afraid=afeared. However, once I found my rhythm, it surprised me how much I truly enjoyed it. It is hard to sum up the story into a few brief sentences, but I will try. Saba and her twin Lugh are as close as twins could be, until one day, he is taken away from her. The book then becomes about Saba's journey to reunite with her brother. What makes this book so entertaining is that it is set in a world that is rugged and primitive (also known as dystopian). Despite this harsh setting and her cruel circumstances, Saba manages to form relationships with great characters along the way. You will definitely want to check out this book. It comes out in hardback this summer on June 7th, but you can get your hands on an advanced copy at Bistro Book Club, which meets every Wednesday from 4-5pm at the Central Library.

Dark Parties
by Sara Grant

I would like to first say that the cover of this book does not do it justice. I almost didn't pick the book up because it looked like a teen book about winter and partying (contemporary teen fiction). Instead, this book was about a world where everyone is created to look the same by altering genetics. To really express their individuality, teens have dark parties where they meet each other based on personality and not on looks, which would be hard because everyone is the same. At one of these dark parties, the teens decided to organize and rebel against the tyrannical government. However, when people rebel they usually go missing. This story follows Neva as she uncovers secrets that the government has been trying to hide, which means she may go missing next... Definitely look for this book on the shelves in August, or, as previously mentioned, come to the Bistro Book Club!!!

Here are some other teen titles that I have read and been labeled "dystopian fiction:"
-Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins
-Wither by Lauren Destefano
-Grace by Elizabeth Scott
-Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
-Maze Runner by James Dashner
-Winter's End by Jean-Claude Mourlevat
-Forest of Hands and Teeth Series by Carrie Ryan
-The Uglies Series by Scott Westfeld
-Unwind by Neal Shusterman

There are many more titles, but the ones above are the only ones that I have read.

Enjoy!
Shanna
~Teen Librarian

New Books on the Shelf!

2011-02-15T08:32:00.000-07:00

Check out some of these book trailers for new teen fiction below...

Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting (Sequel to The Body Finder)

Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann (looks totally creepy!)

Across the Universe by Beth Revis

Enjoy!
Shanna
~Teen Librarian

My Top Ten!

2011-02-04T15:29:00.012-07:00

Out of all of the wonderful teen books coming out in 2011, these are the top ten books that I am looking forward to reading...

1. Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare (sequel to Clockwork Angel)- August 30th, 2011
2. Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore (companion novel to Graceling and Fire)- September 15th, 2011
3. Divergent by Veronica Roth- May 3rd, 2011
4. Ingenue by Jillian Larkin (sequel to Vixen)- August 9th, 2011
5. Dark Souls by Paula Morris-August 2011
6. Beauty Queens by Libba Bray- May 24th, 2011
7. Steel by Carrie Vaughn- March 15th, 2011
8. Between the Sea and Sky by Jaclyn Dolamore- June 7th, 2011
9. Forgiven by Janet Fox (Sequel to Faithful)- June 2nd, 2011
10. Chain Reaction by Simone Elkeles (3rd book in Perfect Chemistry Trilogy)- May 24th, 2011

To find more teen novels that are coming out in 2011, go to this link... http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3812.YA_Novels_of_2011#8428195

Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Book Reviews...

2011-02-03T18:39:00.016-07:00

Well, I have done it again... I read so many good books lately, but I haven't taken the time to review them for you. In order to catch myself up, I am writing more 5 word reviews. The books I am going to review are not published yet, but come to our teen book club on Wednesdays to read an advance copy or wait until they hit the library shelves down the road.

Haunting Violet
by Alyxandra Harvey

Murder * Fraud * Secrets * Love * Satisfying

Entwined
by Heather Dixon

Magical * Dancing * Mourning * Princesses * Enchanting

Sweetly
by Jackson Pearce

Fear * Loyalty * Supernatural * Sweets * Engrossing

Strings Attached
by Judy Blundell

Crime * Family * War * Loss * Hopeful

Wither (Chemical Garden #1)
by Lauren DeStafano

Slavery * Futuristic * Marriage * Death * Fantastical!

Vespertine
by Saundra Mitchell

Victorian * Society * Visions * Tragedy * (a) Favorite

Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Book Review...

2011-01-31T12:27:00.004-07:00

Sophie Crumb: Evolution of a Crazy Artist (non-fiction)
by Sophie Crumb and edited by A. & R. Crumb

Renowned comic book artist Robert (R.) Crumb not only married a fellow comic book artist (Aline Crumb) but their daughter Sophie is one as well. As Sophie grew up, all of her drawings were saved by her parents. This book is a fascinating document of her development as an artist. The drawings are sequenced in chronological order from the age of 26 months to 28 years. Before I sat down and really delved into the book, I enjoyed just flipping through it quickly to see her progression from a crayon scribbler to a genuinely talented, creative adult. Many of the pages function as much as a diary as they do a sketchbook, with many of Sophie Crumb's daily thoughts and feelings written around the drawings. Quite a few pages are full of teen angst, some drawing are sexually explicit (although mostly in a silly, cartoon-ish manner) and may not be appropriate for every reader. This is a unique book that should interest most fans of graphic novels, comic books, or art in general.

Trevor
~Youth Services

Reviews...

2010-12-21T08:24:00.005-07:00

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (DVD, 2010)

Two words...crazy awesome! This movie is based on the graphic novel series by Bryan O'Malley, and from what I hear, the movie follows the GN really well, so fans of the series won't be disappointed. The story (both movie and GN) is about an aimless 22 year old, Scott Pilgrim, who plays the bass in a band, dates a high schooler (which I believe is illegal), and is currently unemployed. Everything changes for Scott when he meets the girl of his dreams, Ramona Flowers (although, not the jobless part). There is a catch to this relationship, he must defeat her seven evil exes before they can be together. This movie has action, comedy, and romance. Definitely look Scott Pilgrim on the teen shelves.

Gothic Beauty (Magazine)

Recently this magazine came to my attention, being new to the shelf, and it is wicked cool. I don't even think you need to be gothic to enjoy it. Some of the articles found in the most recent issue deal with steam-punk fashion, insane assylms, timeless trends, DYI (do-it-yourself) coffin purses, and heritage museums. I really like how it mixes history with fashion. Of course, Gothic Beauty also contains music, book, and product reviews that are related to gothic culture. Look for issues of this magazine in the teen section at the Central Branch.

Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Graphic Novel Review

2010-12-17T10:14:00.003-07:00

Wormwood: Gentleman Corpse Vol. 1
Birds, Bees, Beer & Blood

by Ben Templesmith

Smart-aleck jokes, grotesque dismemberment, a sentient worm living inside a corpse's eye socket, male alien pregnancy, strippers, and beer - these are just a few of the wonderful things you will find in this beautifully illustrated graphic novel. Some readers will be very attracted to it, and some will be utterly disgusted. Created, written, drawn, and designed by Ben Templesmith, who is best-known for 30 Days of Night, this is the best graphic novel I have read in months. It is very funny, almost silly at times, yet it is about saving the world from a demon. The humor is really just a bonus to the great characters, fascinating story, and incredibly visceral drawings. I was really bummed when it ended. I hope Volume 2 comes out soon!

Trevor
~Youth Services

Book Reviews...Finally!

2010-12-10T11:46:00.005-07:00

Bright Young Things
by Anna Godbersen

I love Anna Godbersen. She never fails to write a book that I enjoy. Her most recent book, Bright Young Things, begins a series set in the flapper era. The story follows three young women as they navigate New York City in the 1920s. Letty and Cordelia are both transplants to New York. Although they are childhood friends, almost immediately they separate and find their own, very different, path in the city. Additionally, this book focuses on Astrid, who is a struggling NY socialite. All three girls struggle with love, life, and changes of fortune. This book is a fast read for those who enjoy historical fiction. Check it out!

Also, if you like books set in the flapper era, check out Vixen by Jillian Larkin.

Picture the Dead
by Adele Griffin and Lisa Brown

As if you didn't know already, I love historic fiction. This story takes place immediately after the Civil War in the North. While many lives were lost, Jennie feels especially alone because both her twin brother and fiance were killed in the war. In order to reconnect with her loved ones, she turns to a photographer, who claims he can picture the dead through his photos. These images haunt Jennie and she begins to feel that the dead are trying to tell her something. The authors also include illustrations of old letters and photographs to help you solve this mystery. This book is available for checkout today!

Shanna
~Teen Librarian

It has been a while...

2010-11-10T19:17:00.009-07:00

I am sorry that it has been so long since I last blogged. October was a crazy, busy month! Though, I am happy to report that it was a successful month as well. I visited all of the branches and held Skype interviews with four different authors (see blog below). Honestly, I will never stop being star struck by teen authors! In addition, I visited two schools in Collbran as library outreach. These were the highlights of my month. Thank you Collbran teens for being so awesome!
On a personal note. I have also been run ragged in October by my new puppy. Check her out below. She is quite the reader:)

Shanna
~Teen Librarian
P.S. I will post some more book reviews soon!

Celebrate Teen Read Week!

2010-10-19T14:02:00.002-06:00

Remember to celebrate Teen Read Week October 17th-23rd. You can do this by attending one or all of the teen events this week at the Central Branch. Check them out below...
-Tuesday, October 19th at 3:30pm- Teen Afternoon Movie, School of Rock (PG-13)
-Wednesday, October 20th at 3:15pm- Skype Interview with Carrie Ryan, author of The Forest of Hands and Teeth Triology
-Wednesday, October 20th at 4pm- Bistro Book Club
-Friday, October 22nd from 3-5pm- Teen Video Gaming in the Programming Room

For a taste of Carrie Ryan's work, view the trailer and review below...

Let me know if you have any questions!
Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Book Trailers...

2010-10-15T10:17:00.005-06:00

Book Trailer for Hush, Hush/Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick...

Book Trailer for Fat Vampire by Adam Rex...

Book Trailer for White Cat by Holly Black...

Book Trailer for The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff...

Book Trailer for Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare...

Book Trailer for The Maze Runner/The Scorch Trials by James Dashner...

Book Ttailer for Leviathan/Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld...

Book Trailer for Halo by Alexandra Adornetto...

Actual Movie Trailer for I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore a.k.a. James Frey...

Book Reviews...

2010-10-07T17:21:00.009-06:00

Fall for Anything
Courtney Summers

I took this book home on a whim, and was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed it. The story is about Eddie, a girl who is struggling with the suicide of her father. Full of grief, Eddie continually goes to the old warehouse, which is the site of his death, hoping for answers. One day she accidentally runs into his former student and assistant at the warehouse. Together they discover a trail left by her father that may lead to answers about his death. This book has an imaginative storyline and the author created real characters with real emotions. Just fantastic! Come to Bistro Book Club on Wednesdays to get your hands on this pre-published copy so you may solve the mystery!
Take a peak at the trailer below...

Rampant
Diana Peterfreund

Lions, tigers, and unicorns! Oh my! Unicorns definitely need to be followed up by an "oh my" because in this story they are venomous killers. Killer unicorns, sounds corny doesn't it, but believe me, it was a enthralling read. It begins like many teen books, the daughter, Astrid, thinks her mom is crazy and she is struggling to move past this and be popular. One night she invites her boyfriend over to hang out while she babysits. To Astrid's horror, the boyfriend is gored by a unicorn in the yard, which means her mom isn't loony after all! Almost immediately, Astrid's mom sends her to Rome to train to be a unicorn hunter. Apparently, their family comes from a long line of unicorn hunters, and she is destined to be one of the most skilled. Definitely read this book if you enjoy fantasy and a little blood! The second book in this series, Ascendant, was just released, so look for it as well on the shelves.
Watch the author describe her inspirations below...

Shanna
~Teen Librarian

AUTHORS EVERYWHERE!

2010-09-30T14:55:00.013-06:00

During the month of October take advantage of the Skype Interviews at the branch libraries (check out the dates and authors below). Skype is a free, downloadable program, which allows us to video chat with authors from across the United States. Hopefully, these authors will inspire you to write a novel of your own in November, which is National Novel Writing Month. Join me for the National Novel Month challenge by signing-up at http://ywp.nanowrimo.org/. As a young writier you may set your own word count, but I will be aiming for the 50,000 mark (yikes!).

-October 1st, 4pm at the De Beque Branch- Carrie Ryan, author of The Forest of Hands and Teeth and Dead-Tossed Waves

-October 8th, 4pm at the Palisade Branch- Saundra Mitchell, author of Shadowed Summer and Vespertine (not yet published)

-October 12th, 3pm at the Clifton Branch- Jackson Pearce, author of Sisters Red and As You Wish

-October 14th, 3pm at the Fruita Branch- Carrie Ryan, author of The Forest of Hands and Teeth and Dead-Tossed Waves

-October 20th, 3:15pm at the Central Branch- Carrie Ryan, author of The Forest of Hands and Teeth and Dead-Tossed Waves

-October 26th, 4pm at the Orchard Mesa Branch- Jennifer Brown, author of The Hate List

What a list! These interviews are great for fans and teens interested in writing. I hope to see you at one of these interviews:)

Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Start Thinking About College!

2010-09-21T16:58:00.001-06:00

Come to the library's ACT Prep Day on Saturday, September 25th from 1-4:15pm. Test tips and tricks will be reviewed, in addition to a timed, written practice test. This is a great opportunity for you to prepare for the ACT, which is key to college admission, so I hope to see you here!
Feel free to contact me if you have questions.
~Shanna
Teen Librarian
ssmith@mcpld.org

I now have Facebook...Friend me!

2010-09-20T13:57:00.002-06:00

Hello everyone!
I now have a "teen librarian" persona page on Facebook. On this page, I will post updates of books, events, and activities for teens at the library. Be sure to friend me in order to stay informed. The easiest way to find me on FB is by my email address: ssmith@mcpld.org.
I look forward to your friendship!
Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Author Visit on Wednesday, September 15th!

2010-09-10T14:21:00.003-06:00

Come meet Author Sherry Ficklin on Wednesday, September 15th at 3pm in the Teen Center at Central! Sherry just had her first book published, Gods of Fate: Foresight, so she will be presenting a session called "From the Pen to the Shelf: A Guide to Getting Published." Writers and teens who aspire to write should attend this session to learn about the publishing process. Hope to see you there!
Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Teen Movie this Saturday!

2010-09-07T09:25:00.003-06:00

Come to the library this Saturday, September 11th at 2pm for the new release of the Clash of the Titans (PG-13). I guarantee this movie will have lots of action, so I hope to see you here!

Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Book Review

2010-08-31T17:31:00.006-06:00

Wildwing
by Emily Whitman

Do you believe in time travel? Addy couldn't even fathom the thought before she was accidentally swept away in a mysterious time machine to medieval England. She wasn't necessarily sad about the change in scenery because back home, in the 1940s, Addy was a servant. However in medieval England, Addy has been mistaken for the Lady Matilda. She quickly embraces the new name, time period, and lifestyle. Despite the comforts of her station, Addy realizes that even this life isn't completely perfect. This forces her to make a hard decision...stay and enjoy her life as a lady or follow her heart and go home. Definitely check this book out if you enjoy fantasy and romance!

Book trailer below:

Shanna
~Teen Librarian

So Many Good Books...

2010-08-27T14:59:00.001-06:00

I have read so many good books lately that I have decided to describe each book in only five words:

Mockingjay

by Suzanne Collins

War * Love * Loss * Best * Ever

Two Moon Princess
by Carmen Ferreiro-Esteban

Travel * Castles * Fantasy * Medieval * Engrossing

Clockwork Angel
by C assandra Clare

Fantastic * Victorian * Supernatural * Passion * Prequel

Crave
by Laur a Burns and Melinda Metz

Illness * Blood * Danger * Duplicity * Cliffhanger

Dead Beautiful
by Yv o nne Woon

Tradition * Superstition * Burial * Romance * Unforgettable

The Remarkable Life and Times of Eliza Rose
by Mary Ho op er

Adventure * Independence * Legacy * Orphan * Historic

Leaving Paradise
by Simone Elkeles

Scarred * Imprisoned * Anger * Forgiveness * Attraction

Fire
by Kristin Cashore

Monsters * Beauty * Allegiances * Family * Magical

Incarceron
by Cathe ri ne Fisher

Dark * Destiny * Corruption * Loyalty * Hope

Also check out these Youtube videos related to the books above...

This video features the song from Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins:

Book trailer for Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare:

Book trailer for Fire by Kristin Cashore:

Book trailer for Incarceron by Catherine Fisher:

Enjoy!
Shanna
~Teen Librarian

The Winner is...

2010-08-13T14:50:00.000-06:00

Congrats to Ashley (Grand Juction), Nathan (Fruita), and Hanna (Collbran). They were the winners of the Summer Library Program's IPods. Thank you everyone for reading and participating!

Come to Bistro Book Club or wait for these books to hit the shelves (like normal people)....

2010-08-10T12:45:00.001-06:00

Jane
April Lindner

It seems like the current book fad is to put a twist on the classic. In this case, April Lindner has taken Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte and modernized the tale. This modern story takes place on the East coast of the United States. Jane has just lost both of her parents in a tragic car accident. Lacking any sort of income, she drops out of college and applies to be a nanny through an agency. Jane is immediately placed with a family, but not just any family... Nico Rathburn's family. Nico is a legendary Rockstar, who has been living a hard-partying lifestyle for many years. Now he leads a hermit-like existence while working to revive his music career with a new album. Needless to say, a romance develops between Jane and her employer. I absolutely loved this story! I think fans of the original Jane Eyre, and teens who enjoy a good romance will love this book too.

Personal Demons
by Lisa Desrochers

I like dark fantasy, also known as vampires, werewolves, dark angels, and fae-ness. I am not ashamed to admit it. This being said, I gravitated towards the new book by Lisa Desrochers. The story centers on Frannie, an average high school student that happens to come from a very devout Catholic family. Unlike the rest of her family, Frannie has a wild streak, which has earned her a ticket to public school. There she meets Luce and Gabe, two very beautiful boys. Frannie doesn't realize that their beauty is not from this world; Gabe being an angel and Luce a demon. While the boys care for Frannie, they have alterior motives for being near her. She is special, and both heaven and hell want her soul! Yikes! This is a great quick read for teens who enjoy the paranormal. Stay tuned for more from Lisa Desrochers because this is the first book in a trilogy.

~Shanna
Teen Librarian

Rockband Tournament Next Friday from 3-5pm!!!

2010-08-05T14:55:00.002-06:00

Teens,
Remember the Rockband Tournament is next Friday, August 13th at 3pm. You will form bands and compete against the Grand Junction Fire Department. The winning band members will each receive a 40 dollar gift card to Gamerz Planet. There will also be snacks and prizes for all who attend. You must form 2-4 member bands, but don't worry if you are lacking band mates because I am sure there will be spare players available. For more information call Shanna at 970-683-2411.
Hope to see you there!
Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Book Reviews!

2010-08-04T10:47:00.003-06:00

Stolen
by Lucy Christopher

I am not sure how to describe this book. It was definitely good, but it was one of those scary realistic novels. The book begins with Gemma traveling with her parents through the Bangkok airport. While there, she meets a handsome man named Ty. In the course of their conversation, he pulls her away, drugs her, and kidnaps her to the outback of Australia. It is a strange situation and relationship between Ty and Gemma. She hates him for taking away the life she has known, but also she feels something else for him. What really makes this story eerie is that it is told in first person; Gemma is writing a letter to Ty. Although, the kidnapping and abduction are a large part of the story, I felt the relationship between Ty and Gemma is the primary focus. Basically, if you enjoy contemporary, gritty novels (Ellen Hopkins, Carol Lynch Williams, Jo Knowles, Elizabeth Scott), than this book has your name on it. If you are interested in reading this book check it out from our library's shelf.
Book Trailers for Stolen below...

Faithful
by Janet Fox

I know I have said it before, but I am a sucker for historical fiction! I flew through this book in only a day (a sign of a great book). I was definitely in the mood for a good historical romance. The main character, Maggie, is a society girl in Newport, Rhode Island. Despite the recent disappearance of her mother, Maggie is busily preparing for her entrance into society. Only a few month's before her debutant ball, Maggie's dad announces an unexpected trip to Yellow Stone National Park. He claims that her mother may have run away to this area. However, once in Yellow Stone, Maggie learns that her father's fortune has been lost and the trip was really about a job opportunity. Maggie is forced to make some hard decisions...can she go against her father? How important is love and money? Does she want her old life back or is she brave enough to gamble on an unknown future? You will have read this book to find out! We will have a copy of this book on the shelf by next week, so look for it at the library.
Book trailer below...

Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Book Review by a MCPLD Teen!

2010-07-29T18:49:00.002-06:00

The Overlook
by Michael Connelly

There was a dead body found on the overlook above Mulholland dam in Los Angeles. The name of the guy was Stanley Kent. He was shot twice at around 8 p.m. Nobody in the houses near the overlook heard the shots because there was a homemade silencer on the .22 caliber gun.

The FBI and Homeland Security were involved in the investigation of this horrible crime. They believed that terrorists were involved because Stanley Kent worked with radioactive materials that in the wrong hands could be used to make an improved explosive device (a bomb).

The killers wanted celsium. Celsium is a mixture of uranium and plutonium and it's used in hospitals to kill cancer cells (it gives off gamma rays).

The killers e-mailed Stanley Kent from Kent's computer at their house. The e-mail said that if he didn't get them all of the celsium, then they were going to hurt his wife. Mr. Kent received the e-mail on his Blackberry phone and, of course, rushed to get the celsium. In the hospital, there's a form that people taking the stuff have to fill out. On the form, he put that he took 1 tube of celsium, but he really took all 32 tubes.

He gave them the celsium, but they still ended up killing him.

In the end, you find out the truth of who really was involved in it and that it had nothing to do with terrorism, it was just made to look that way.

Review by Angelica O. (age 17)

Thank you Angelica for writing and submitting this review! It is great to see teens reading adult fiction.
Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Skype service at library to give access to author | GJSentinel.com

2010-07-23T12:19:00.001-06:00

Check this out...
Skype service at library to give access to author | GJSentinel.com

Thank you Jo Knowles and the Mesa County Teens who attended this Skype session. I feel this program was a great success. Teens were able to connect with the author in a conversation format for about an hour, and every teen who attended asked at least one question (very awesome). At the end of the interview, attendees were treated to a piece of flourless chocolate cake, which is the author's favorite recipe. I hope to have more sessions like this in the future. If you would like to nominate an author for a future Skype session, post a comment!

Possible authors are located on this page...http://skypeanauthor.wetpaint.com/

Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Just a Reminder!!!

2010-07-19T12:17:00.010-06:00

This Wednesday, July 21st at 3pm is the Skype interview with Jo Knowles, author of Lessons from a Dead Girl and Jumping Off Swings (both of these books are AMAZING). Come chat with Jo and discuss her books via Skype. Don't be afraid to attend if you haven't read her books yet because I will have them available for checkout after the session.
You will definitely want to attend this program. Not only will you have an opportunity to speak with an author, but I also have prizes (see previous blog) to give away and a special treat!

Additionally, this Friday, July 23rd is teen gaming in the programming room. We have two new games to play, Trauma Team and Rockband: Green Day. Take advantage of this time to practice your Rockband skills for the Tournament on August 13th.
Checkout a trailer for the Trauma Team game below...

Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Book Reviews...

2010-07-08T12:17:00.006-06:00

The Beautiful Between
by Alyssa Sheinmel
I absolutely loved this book. I sort of expected something romantic and fluffy, but instead it surprised me by being really sweet and heartfelt (not that I dislike the fluffy stuff). The main character, Connelly, is quiet and keeps to herself for the most part. Until one day, Jeremy, the most popular boy at school approaches her. They strike up an unlikely friendship for reasons unknown to Connelly. Be forwarned, this is not a retelling of She's All That (girl transformation story), it is about two teens coming to terms with similar tragedies in their lives. Sorry if I am being cryptic, but I don't want to give too much away. Just check this book out!

Pretty Little Liars
by Sara Shepard

I thought it might be an opportune moment to review Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard, since the latest in this series, Wanted, hit the shelf last month and a new show based on the series started this summer. This book series reminds me a little of Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, except meaner and with murder. The story focuses on five childhood friends: Emily, Aria, Hanna, Spencer, and Ali. They have not spoken to each other for a whole year, and their lives have all gone in different directions. On the one year anniversary of Ali's disappearance and the death of their friendships, the teens start receiving text messages from Ali. The messages are not nice and slightly cryptic. The girls all begin to question what happened the year that Ali left, and will Ali keep all of their secrets safe? You must read this series to find out what happened to Ali and what sorts of secrets young teen girls would possess. A word of caution...the first episode of the tv show depicted the entire first book, so don't watch if you are wanting to read the book series first. Check out the trailer for the tv series below...

Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Hello Everyone...I have returned!

2010-07-01T14:47:00.013-06:00

From where? Well, I was lucky enough to attend the American Library Association Conference last week in our capital city. While some of the library details might bore you, I wanted to share that I was fortunate enough to get a few teen books signed. These books will be raffled off at the Skype author visit with Jo Knowles, which is takes place on Wednesday, July 21st at 3pm in the Central Library.

The books are:
Return to Paradise by Simone Elkeles (it's a pre-published copy!)
Still Sucks to Be Me by Kimberly Pauley
Grace by Elizabeth Scott (author of Living Dead Girl, and it's pre-pub)
Scars by C.A. Rainfield

And just because I think it is totally awesome, below is a picture of me and John Grisham. He just released his first tween/teen novel called Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer.

Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Be sure to read Jo Knowles this summer!

2010-06-17T12:24:00.015-06:00

Ever had the opportunity to chat with an author? Well, here is your big chance... we will interview Jo Knowles via Skype on July 21st from 3-4pm at the Central Branch (right before Bistro Book Club). Skype is a free online video software that allows us to chat with authors from a distance. Technology, isn't it great?

In preparation for this interview, teens should try to read one of Jo's two books, Lessons from a Dead Girl and/or Jumping Off Swings. I recently finished Lessons from a Dead Girl and it was absolutely amazing. It is a gritty novel that deals with an abusive friendship between two girls. The story begins with one friend's death, and the surviving friend must examine the past and their relationship. What went wrong that made this relationship spiral out of control? You must read to find out!

I haven't read her newest book yet, Jumping Off Swings, but I will be sure check it out before the interview. From the reviews that I have read, this book deals with teen pregnancy from multiple view points. I am really looking forward to diving into this story!

If you have any questions, let me know!
Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Book review...

2010-06-14T16:47:00.008-06:00

The Ghost and the Goth
(6/29/10 on shelves)
by Stacey Kade

I love to give positive reviews to great books! Before I started reading this book I was dragging through a not-so-great book, so when I had the opportunity to read The Goth and the Ghost I jumped at the chance. When you find a good book it is easy to breeze through them, which I did. This book offered a little bit of mystery, romance, and some good old fashion high school drama. Alona Dare has just been killed by a bus, and for some reason she finds herself still among the living, but not of the living herself. One of the first places she seeks out is her old high school, where she was formerly one of the most popular girls (but definitely not the nicest). All of her former friends seem to have moved on from her death rather quickly, leaving Alone slightly distraught. Then she notices the resident "goth kid" smirk at her. Will, a.k.a. the class loser/loner, can see her! Alona seeks his help, but Will is not very eager to assist the girl that made so many lives miserable. Despite this and their initial dislike for each other, Alona and Will start to trust each other and form a bond. You must check out this book to learn if Alona finally passes to the other side, and what becomes of this unlikely pair!

Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Teen Review!

2010-06-14T09:47:00.004-06:00

Twilight Saga
by Stephenie Meyer

Twilight is written perfectly. Every single page paints a clear picture in your mind. This book is a love and death story. Who does she choose to spend the rest of her life with? Jacob or Edward? You will never know unless you read the Twilight Saga. And as you read on in the saga, secrets build up, friendships are getting harder to keep, safety is getting harder to have, family gets another member, and etc. Twilight shows that mortal or not, life is hard and it gets harder along the way. It also shows that anybody can be loved, even if you are a monster. Love and hate spreads. Jacob keeps trying to get Bella to understand that if she stays with Edward, she will never be safe again, and that she could never ever have a normal life again. No matter how much he tries, Bella loves Edward. She loves Jake too, just not that way. And if they dated it could ruin their whole relationship. Bella made her choice, which made Jacob really upset because he knew that she was making the wrong choice. Bella knew how she felt about Edward. She knew that she was making the right choice. She also knew how many people she would hurt. But right now none of that matters. If two people were supposed to be so made for each other, let it be. The story continues as their lives continue into marriage and a family of their own...

Review by Taylor L.
Grade 6th

If you are interested in vampire fiction, check out these other great series as well...
-The Vampire Diaries by L.J. Smith
-Cirque du Freak by Darren Shan
-House of Night by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
-Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
-Vampire Kisses by Ellen Schrieber
-Morganville Vampires by Rachel Caine
-Bloody Kiss (Manga) by Kazuko Furumiya
-Chibi Vampire (Manga) by Yuna Kagesaki
-Vampire Knight (Manga) by Matsuri Hino
-Rosario + Vampire (Manga) by Akihisa Ikeda
-Vampire High by Douglas Rees
-Thirst by Christopher Pike
-Hearts at Stake by Alyxandra Harvey
-Chronicles of Vladimir Tod by Heather Brewer
-Evernight by Claudia Gray
-Good Ghouls by Julie Kenner
-Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz
-Vamped by Lucienne Diver
-Vamps by Nancy Collins

*Like Taylor, teens are invited to submit book reviews for an extra chance to win the Summer Library Program's Teen Grand Prize!

Hawaiian Henna this Summer!!!

2010-06-04T13:00:00.003-06:00

Teens,
There will be Hawaiian Henna at the Central Library on Tuesday, June 8th from 3-5pm. For those of you new to henna, it is a skin dye (or temporary tattoo) that is drawn on the skin. It will dye the skin for a few weeks a reddish brown. The art of henna or mehndi comes from the Middle East and India. It is a fun way to express yourself this summer!

This program will also be available at the branches. Check out the additional times below.

Clifton Branch- 2:30pm, June 16th

Collbran Branch- 4pm, June 29th

DeBeque Branch- 11am, July 16th

Fruita Branch- 4pm, July 28th

Orchard Mesa- 4pm, July 7th

Palisade Branch- 4pm, June 11th

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.
Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Teen Summer Library Program Kick Off Party!!!!

2010-05-18T10:17:00.005-06:00

This year teens will have a kick off party for the summer library program. It will be on Saturday, June 5th from 12-3pm at the Central Library. There will be live music performed by local teen bands, so it will be outside in the library grass. Also, there will be refreshments and t-shirt dyeing. Basically, its going to be AWESOME!

Hope to see you there!

Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Books Reviews for Prepublished books...

2010-05-18T09:10:00.001-06:00

Eternal Ones
by Kirsten Miller

I absolutely loved this book! It had everything a good teen book needs, like mystery, romance, history, and crime. Haven, the main character, lives a simple life in Tennessee, but she has memories of New York in a different era. Her memories are actually part of her past life as Constance. Haven's grandmother calls her crazy and tries to stifle her remembering until one day she comes across the picture of a movie star that she can't ignore. The movie star, Ian, is actually the love of her previous life. Haven decides to run away to New York and confront Ian and her past. Things get much more complicated when Haven starts meeting other reincarnated people from the past, and she is not sure who to trust. Definitely read this book, which will hit the library shelves in August!

Glimpse
Carol Lynch Williams

When I saw this book on the bistro cart I quickly grabbed it up. The Chosen One was absolutely fabulous, so I was super excited to read her most recent book, Glimpse. These two books were very different, but if I had to describe one similar characteristic it would be that I read both of these books in one day (a very good sign). What makes this book really special is that it is written in free verse form (like Ellen Hopkins). Some people are turned away by this format, but I do not mind it as long as it still reads like a story in my head. This deals with the relationship between sisters, and mothers and daughters. The story begins when Hope's sister Lizzie attempts suicide and is put in a mental hospital. Hope is shocked by this turn of events, so she begins to search for answers. Hope find the answers right in front of her, and the answers aren't pretty (I am not giving away anything by saying so). For teens who enjoy dark and sometimes gritty stories, this book is for you!

Remember Bistro Book Club meets on Wednesday's 4-5pm at the Central Library, Teen Center!

Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Summer Library Program...

2010-05-13T16:06:00.000-06:00

It's that time again for the Summer Library Program (SLP). The theme this year is water, so we have some sort of weird goat man icon, who lacks an iris and a pupil. Anyway, I am not responsible for the goat art. What I am responsible for is ordering some awesome prizes. The first prize is a waterproof wallet, the second prize is a book (options include teen bestsellers and manga), and the final prizes are chances to win one of three donated IPods.

In addition to prizes, there will be new programming this summer for the SLP. Check out some of the dates and events below:
-Saturday, June 5th from 12-3pm- Teen SLP Kick Off Party with the teen bands: The Problem, Darcy D., Last One Standing, and New Revolution. There will also be refreshments and shirt dyeing.
-Tuesday, June 8th from 3-5pm- Hawaiian Henna with the teen movie, Gidget (which is totally a classic beach movie).
-Wednesday, July 21st from 3-4pm- We will do a Skype interview with author Jo Knowles. She has written Lessons from a Dead Girl and Jumping Off Swings.
-Friday, August 13th at 3pm- Celebrate the end of the summer and SLP by participating in a Rockband Tournament!

Check out the SLP video created by the Mesa County Library Teen Advisory Board!

Also, follow the link below to view a video by Mrs. Middlemas from the Fruita School Libraries!

Summer Reading Movie for Teens!

Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Book Reviews...

2010-05-11T10:05:00.016-06:00

A Spy in the House
by Y.S. Lee

There's a theme with these reviews... mystery! A Spy in the House was fantastic, although I may be biased because I love stories set during the Victorian Era. Anyway, this book begins with Mary Quinn, age 12, being sentenced to death for stealing. Before she meets the gallows, Mary is whisked away and put into a boarding school. Thankful for her rescue, she agrees to an education. Years later, Mary begins to teach at the school, but she is neither content nor happy. Much to her amazement, Mary is approached by the headmistress and offered a job as a spy. The school is actually a front for a female spy agency, so in this book Mary tackles her first espionage job, in which she plays a lady's companion in order to gain knowledge of the families shady business dealings. Be prepared for history, action, and romance! This book is the first in a series, and I can hardly wait for the next one, Body at the Tower, which comes out in the beginning of August 2010.

Walk of the Spirits and Shadow Mirror
by Richie Cusick

I read both of these books in the span of 2 days! They were fantastic mysteries. In fact, I finished the first one late at night, then turned around and started the second. These books are about Miranda, a teen that has the ability to see and hear spirits, a.k.a. dead people. After being uprooted from her Florida home by a hurricane, she moves to St. Yvette, Louisiana to live with her grandfather and aunt. It is here, in an old southern town, that Miranda's abilities become more apparent. Despite the move Miranda does not face the spirits alone, she quickly makes friends with some of the local teens, who are able to help. In the first book, Miranda and her friends solve the mystery of a confederate soldier ghost. Then in the second book they tackle the ghosts of an old plantation house. Almost makes me want to move to the south!

If you are fans of a good historical mystery, check all of these out!

Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Teen Movie...

2010-04-27T11:16:00.002-06:00

Join us this Saturday, May 1st at 2pm for a showing of Mean Girls (PG-13). It is one of my favorite Lyndsay Lohan movies, but I am not sure if that is saying much. Anyway, come enjoy this movie at the library, and be sure to bring your friends!

Shanna
~Teen Librarian

And the winner is...

2010-04-24T13:52:00.000-06:00

We had almost 30 entries into the Teen Art Contest this month. Items included photography, painting, drawing, and shoe art. The grand prize winner received a 50 dollar gift card to Michaels and the runners up were rewarded with books. Congratulations and thank you to all of the participants. The art work will be displayed in the Teen Center at the Central Branch for the month of May. Check out the winners and art below...

Grand Prize Winner- Hannah M.

Runner Up- Rachel C.

Runner Up- Shelby L.

Runner Up- Rebekah B.

And still more book reviews...

2010-04-23T14:08:00.008-06:00

You Are So Undead to Me
by Stacy Jay

You may notice that I review more zombie books this year than may be usual for a teen librarian. Well, this year I am honored to be on the YALSA Popular Paperbacks book committee, one of my themes being...zombies, werewolves, and things with wings. So surprise, surprise, I read You Are So Undead to Me this week. I really enjoyed it, but I didn't get through it as fast as some of my other zombie reads (not saying it was bad, just slower). Anyway, this story takes place primarily in a present day high school. Megan is your average teen that dreams of popularity and pom poms. On the night of her hot date with the school stud, Megan answers the door to find a zombie. Apparently, Megan is a "settler," which means she can help the dead rest in peace. Despite the initial shock, she is fine with this until some of the dead are rising unaturally and with dark intent. Check this book out, and the sequel Undead Much, at the library!

The Keeper's Tattoo (May 1st, 2010)
by Gill Arbuthnott

This is a fantastic fantasy/historic read! It is set during the dark ages, and I kept imagining Ireland and England as the place. The story is centered around Nyssa, initially just a cook in a pub. When soldiers (a.k.a. Shadowmen) come to her village, Nyssa is forced to flee because of her family's checkered history, which she knows nothing about. Nyssa is the descendant of a clan of people, known as the Keepers. Her people have always been educated and shared their knowledge. Well, the dark lord, Alaric, has made it his mission to destroy her people, and he is especially after her. She must travel across new lands to reveal her past and save her people's future. Although this book is not yet published, you must come to the Bistro Book club, which meets every Wednesday from 4-5, to get your hands on it early!

Shanna
~Teen Librarian

The library has new movies?

2010-04-21T23:01:00.006-06:00

YES!

You may not be aware of this, but the library gets all of the hot new movies. Sometimes people don't realize this because the really great movies are on hold. If there is a new movie coming out that you are interested in...place a hold! Just go to our catalog, which you can find online at http://www.millennium.marmot.org/search~S14.

Also, the teen center has started its own movie collection that you should check out. I have been ordering recent releases, and beefing up the teen classics, tv shows, and anime.
In fact, tonight I watched Teenage Dirtbag (follow this link to IMDB; a great movie resource), which is one of our new teen releases. It is about a handsome, troubled teen boy that falls hard for a cheerleader. Its told from the point of view of the girl, who is taking a look back at their relationship. It was fantastic! It didn't reach the theaters, but it is still worth watching. Fans of the books Perfect Chemistry and Rules of Attraction by Simone Eckeles may especially enjoy it. Below is a song from the movie soundtrack (my new favorite song). I have already listened to it 5 times today!

Enjoy:)
Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Casey Frazier- Elysian Fields

Colorado Teen Literature Conference 2010!

2010-04-16T13:00:00.013-06:00

Last weekend I was lucky enough to attend the 2010 Colorado Teen Literature Conference in Denver. I admit to getting star stuck with all of the authors in attendance. There definitely was a slew of authors present. The keynotes authors were Matt de la Pena and Ellen Hopkins. First off, I would like to say that Matt de la Pena was hilarious. He was such a fantastic speaker. Matt spoke about his books, but gave the audience stories that provided their background. Then Ellen Hopkins spoke, and while she may not be quite as humorous, she was equally enjoyable. Not to brag, I now am the proud owner of signed copies of their books!

A couple of things to mention:
*Ellen Hopkins has a new book, Fallout, coming out 9/14/2010. This book is the last in the Crank trilogy. I am super excited!
*Becca Fitzpatrick has a new book, Crescendo, coming out 11/16/2010. This is the sequel to Hush, Hush. Check out the cover art that has just been released!
*Matt de la Pena's book Ball Don't Lie is now being made into a movie. In fact, I think it comes out this summer, June-ish. Check out the trailer below.

Book Reviews...

2010-04-08T14:47:00.006-06:00

The Maze Runner
by James Dashner

Fans of the Hunger Games and Winter's End will really enjoy this story. Like its predecessors, The Maze Runner hooks readers with a good mystery and a bad government. It begins with Thomas, a newbie, arriving in the glade with no memory. This is not strange in the glade; each month, like clockwork, teenage boys are delivered to the glade only knowing their name. Even weirder, surrounding the glade is a maze, which no one has been able to solve because every night the maze closes and walls move. Life is hard in the glade, but the teen boys manage to survive. However, the arrival of Thomas and a lone girl lead to great change (often it gets scary!). Read this book, which is the first in a trilogy, to find out if they survive all of the change in the glade!
*This book is also available in audio cd format.

Beautiful Dead: Jonas
by Eden Maguire

What a fantastic book! Perhaps it will not win any great literary awards, but I really enjoyed it. The story is about a town that has lost 4 of its teens to tragic accidents. Darina, the girlfriend of boy who most recently died, is having trouble getting over his death. Only by accident, Darina stumbles across an old farm that is inhabited with the 4 dead teenagers. Initially, she thinks that the teens are miraculously alive, but instead they are... zombies (though I thought of them more as angels, I mean the cover art sort of misleads you). In order to be close to her zombie boyfriend, she must help him and the other teens get closure with their accidents so that they can leave the "zombie limbo." Obviously, this book is about Darina helping Jonas (hence the title), who died in a motorcyle crash. The fourth and last book in this series will be about her boyfriend and solving his murder. Check this book out if you like a good mystery and a bit of the supernatural!

Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Teen Movie Matinee!!!

2010-04-01T13:50:00.002-06:00

We will be showing Sherlock Holmes (PG-13), which just came out on video this very week. Come enjoy popcorn and a movie with friends!
Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Graphic Novel Club this Friday, April 2nd at 4pm!!!

2010-03-30T14:04:00.010-06:00

This week the Graphic Novel Club will be viewing two new, library-owned anime series. Time permitting, the club will view one episode from
Ghosthunt and XXXHolic. Anime is a very popular part of the graphic genre, and it is something that has not been discussed or viewed yet. The viewing will take place at the April meeting, then in May the club can hold an anime discussion.
I hope to see you there!
Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Thinking about college?

2010-03-23T10:51:00.002-06:00

Come to the library's SAT/ACT Prep Day on Saturday, March 27th from 1-4pm. There will be practice tests (both online and print versions), prep books, and snacks available in the programming room. Teens, this is a great opportunity for you to study in the quiet and comfort of the library!
Feel free to contact me if you have questions.
~Shanna
Teen Librarian
ssmith@mcpld.org

Calling all artsy-fartsy types!

2010-03-17T15:27:00.014-06:00

Teens,
There are two events next month that link art and the library. Check them out below...

Inspired by Books: Custom Kicks!

This program is being hosted by all of the branch libraries (no official Central date). It is a program about customizing your footwear. It is important to mention that you will not be painting your own shoes. I am not interested in getting anyone in trouble:). Instead, I have a bunch of donated shoes, which you will paint and customize potentially with beads, feathers, and/or pom poms. The teen center at Central does not have a lot of room to display art on the walls, but this is not a problem with the shoes because I will be hanging them from the ceiling. If you are interested in this program, check out the teen calendar or events calendar at the library.

In addition to the Custom Kicks program, there will be a teen art contest hosted by the library in April. Whether you are into drawing, painting, photography, or sculpture, this contest is for you! The theme is "Inspired by Books," which means that I am asking you to tie your creation to a recent or favorite read. The submission deadline is April 17th, and there will be a small show and reception the following week, April 24th at 1pm, to announce the winner. The grand prize winner will receive a 50 dollar gift certificate to Michaels, which will buy you more art supplies. Other winners will receive art related books. Remember, by participating in the Custom Kicks program you are eligible for the art contest (Custom Kicks is actually a book, so you can use that as your "inspiration").

Entry forms are located in the teen center. Submit your art to Shanna Smith, Teen Librarian, in the Youth Department at the Central Branch. Please call 970-683-2411 with questions.

Teen Rockband Tournament!!!

2010-03-08T13:45:00.005-07:00

Teens,
Remember the Rockband Tournament is this Saturday, March 13th at 1pm. You will form bands and compete against the Grand Junction Police. The winning band members will each receive a 40 dollar gift card to Gamerz Planet. There will also be free pizza and prizes for all who attend. You must form 2-4 member bands, but don't worry if you are lacking band mates because I am sure there will be spare players available. For more information call Shanna at 970-683-2411.
Hope to see you there!
Shanna
~Teen Librarian

More Book Reviews...

2010-03-03T12:46:00.009-07:00

Magic Under Glass
by Jaclyn Dolamore

If there was such a genre as "historical fantasy," this book would fall into that category. I don't remember the story ever defining a clear time period, but I feel like this tale takes place during the mid-1800s. Nimira is a young dance hall girl singing and barely getting by, when a wealthy sorcerer approaches her with an offer of employment. The sorcerer is the owner of a unique piano-playing automaton, which is basically a machine man/toy that can be wound up to play tunes on the piano. The sorcerer wants Nimira to perform with the automaton for his influential guests. Initially, she is ecstatic about her good fortune, but Nimira begins to suspect that there is more to the automaton than machine. Is there something alive within? Read this book to discover the magic that surrounds Nimira and the automaton!

Tricks
by Ellen Hopkins

Fans of Ellen Hopkins will not be disappointed by her latest book, Tricks. Per usual for this author, the book delves into a deep dark world that many of us fear to tread, let alone mention. In fact, I hesitated reviewing this book because of the sensitive topic, but perhaps by exposing the subject of prostitution it will prevent people from succumbing to the same fate. The book tells the story of 5 different teens, and despite their various upbringings and circumstances, they all end up in similar situations. This book is told in poetry verse and reads very fast (something positive!). I enjoyed the book, but teens, you must sens0r yourselves when it comes to reading, so if this sounds like it is too dark for you, choose something else. However, fans of Hopkins other novels will know what to expect and eat this new novel up.

Heist Society
by Ally Carter

On the lighter side of things, this book is a fast enjoyable read for teens of all ages. This story revolves around the life of Katarina Bishop, a regular teen girl. Well, regular is what she is hoping to achieve. In an effort for normalcy, Katarina enrolls in a boarding school and tries to run under the radar. However, her past will not leave her alone. Long story short, Katarina is kicked out of school and right back into her family of criminal masterminds. In fact, she must embrace and utilize her criminal knowledge in order to save her father. Check this book out to discover if Katarina can pull off the con of a lifetime and live to tell the tale!

Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Graphic Novel Club...

2010-03-01T17:17:00.002-07:00

Join us this Friday, March 5th at 4pm for the Teen Graphic Novel Club. The guest host will be a member of the Mesa County Libraries staff. Sheila has a special interest in manga, especially the Korean form called Manhwa. Come learn about Manhwa and share your own GN interests!
~Shanna
Teen Librarian

Book Reviews...

2010-02-10T09:22:00.008-07:00

Wicked History: Grigory Rasputin, Holy Man or Mad Monk?
by Enid A. Goldberg and Norman Itzkowitz

The teen section at the library has recently acquired a set of biographies called Wicked History. They are really short and fun to read. I chose to read about Grigory Rasputin, who was a holy man in Russia during the late 1800's and early 1900's. He was known for being friends and advising the royal family, but not always in a positive manner. His reputation in history is that of a power hungry con artist. This book is great because it gives you a timeline, pictures, maps, and a chart of his relationships. I think this series is really great for teens who just need a basic understanding of these historic characters. Check out this biography and the others in the Wicked History Collection.
Other Bigraphies include:
-Napoleon I: Emperor and Conquerer
-Alexander the Great: Master of the Ancient World
-Vlad the Impaler: the Real Count Dracula
-Attila the Hun: Leader of Barbarian Hordes
-Francisco Pizarro: Destroyer of the Inca Empire
-Ivan the Terrible: Tsar of Death
-Henry VIII: Royal Beheader
-Hannibal: Rome's Worst Nightmare
-Cixi: Evil Empress of China?
-Leopold II: Butcher of the Congo
-Ghengis Khan: 13th Century Mongolian Tyrant

The Dust of 100 Dogs
by A. S. King

I loved this book! I am not even sure I can adequately describe its greatness, but I will try. It is about a teen girl, Emer, who leads a life of piracy during the 1700s. Just when she is reunited with the love of her life, Emer is killed and cursed by an old enemy. The curse is that she will live the lives of a hundred dogs - a.k.a. the dust of a 100 dogs. After living years and years as a dog, she is reborn (present day) as a girl named Saffron, but with the memory of all her past lives. Basically, Saffron's parents think she is a genius because of her world knowledge. While Saffron pretends to be a normal teen girl for the benefit of her new family, she is really plotting how to get her treasure back that she lost on the day of her curse. If you're worried I gave anything away, don't worry because this is all basic setup for the story. I hope you check this book out and enjoy the adventure!

The Band Name Book
by Noel Hudson

Calling all music freaks! This is the book for you. It is one of those books that you don't even have to read fully or straight through. Instead, it is a great book to just randomly flip through and pick and choose what to read. This book primarily offers information about bands, especially names. Each section has a theme related to band names, and then the section discusses how different bands chose the names and what names that are still up for grabs (Example: The Human Body/The Shins/name of a fictional family in the musical "The Music Man"/ a name up for grabs is Brain Vein 3000). You can find this book in the new non-fiction at Mesa County Libraries!

Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Valentine's Day Events...

2010-02-01T18:13:00.010-07:00

It's the holiday that you either love or hate, depending on your dating status. Well, you can enjoy the holiday either way at the library! The library is hosting a teen movie afternoon on Saturday, February 6th at 2pm. The movie is "Ten Things I Hate About You," which is a classic 90's, teen romance flick. If that doesn't peak your interest, then come to the Un-Valentine's Day Party the next week on Friday, February 12th from 3:30-5:30. At this party there will be food (in the form of a yummy cake!), gothic crafts, and video games. I encourage all teens to attend these events because both promise to be fun. Don't miss out!

Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Graphic Novel Club Meeting!

2010-02-01T18:04:00.004-07:00

Join us this Friday, February 5th at 4pm for the monthly meeting of the Teen Graphic Novel Club. The special host this month is the owner of Top 5 Comics, a bookstore here in Grand Junction. Check out the store's website at http://www.top5comicshop.com/ for more information. Hope to see you there!

Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Still going strong...

2010-01-13T18:10:00.008-07:00

Just a reminder that the Bistro Book Club and Teen Gaming are still going strong. Bistro Book Club meets every Wednesday from 4-5pm. It still is the place for teens to get their hands on hot new teen book titles. Teen Gaming takes place every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month. We even periodically have new games, due to our partnership with Gamestop. It is a great way to spend your Friday afternoon with friends. I know the cold weather makes you want to hibernate at home (like bears), but come to the library and be social!

~Shanna
Teen Librarian

Book Reviews...

2010-01-13T13:35:00.014-07:00

Secret Society
by Tom Dolby

The title of this book sort of gives away the storyline, but it was still a great read. So, like the title implies, this book is about a secret society based in New York City. Teens invited into the society are promised wealth and success. What teens, Nick and Phoebe, do not realize is that success comes with a price. It takes a dead body in Central Park to determine how high of a price. You must read this book to figure out how far people will go for fame and fortune, and are Nick and Phoebe willing to accept this bargain? It's a quick read that you will enjoy!

Fallen
by Lauren Kate

Vampires seems to have been a trend for the last couple of years, but recently it seems to have shifted towards tales of dark angels. While the angel angle is not mentioned early on in the story, I found it to be pretty apparent from the start. This story begins when the main character, Luce, being sent to a strict reform school. Once there, she is basically cut off from the world she has known. The school offers few friendships because the other students are so tough and stand-offish. Although, one student named Daniel seems to inexplicably attract Luce. To learn more about the link between Luce and Daniel, you must read the whole book!

Custom Kicks: Personalized Footwear
by Kim Smits

This book is a new item on the teen nonfiction shelf. The book is so awesome. It has picture after picture of shoes that have been customized with art (with mostly paint). It is a fun art book to leisurely flip through. After reading it I am totally inspired to buy some plain white Converse and start painting. Be on the look out for me rockin some awesome new shoes!

Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Stay Warm this Winter....

2010-01-05T11:22:00.001-07:00

Learn to Knit and Crochet!
Spend Tuesday, January 12th at the library learning how to knit and crochet. The program will start at 3:30pm and last about an hour and a half. Feel free to bring your own yarn, needles, or crochet hooks, although basic materials will be provided. Guys don't be shy, this is an activity for you too!
Hope to see you there:)
Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Afternoon Teen Movie...

2009-12-31T11:19:00.002-07:00

Come to the library this Saturday, January 2nd at 2pm and enjoy the movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Relax and hang out with your friends, while watching this classic teen movie with popcorn.
Hope to see you there!
Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-21T18:00:00.002-07:00

Teens,
I hope you all have a wonderful and safe holiday break. I will be out of town December 22-29, but I look forward to seeing you all soon, possibly in 2010!
Shanna
~Teen Librarian

Upcoming events...

2009-12-15T14:15:00.000-07:00

Friday, December 18th from 3-5pm
Its an extra Friday of teen gaming! Most of you will be on your winter vacation starting at 3pm that day, so what better way to celebrate than with your friends at the library.

Monday, December 21st from 3-5pm
Come to the library for a teen holiday party! It is hosted by the Teen Advisory Board, who will be bringing goodies to share with everyone. We will also watch the movie Elf, while making Christmas cards for a local nursing home. So come have some fun and give back to the community.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at ssmith@mcpld.org.
~Shanna
Teen Librarian

Teen Movie Trailers...

2009-12-15T13:21:00.007-07:00

These book trailers were initially premiered during Teen Read Week. However, it is now my pleasure to introduce them again through the teen blog. The first two trailers were made by teens here at the library (sadly we are still missing one for Twilight), and the third one is the example I made using library employees. Enjoy the trailers!

Book Reviews

2009-12-15T11:34:00.004-07:00

Winters End
by Jean-Claude Mourlevat

I believe fans of the Hunger Games with really enjoy this book. It was originally written in French, but now the translated version is on library and bookstore shelves. While it has not reached the popularity of Suzanne Collin's book, it is definitely a great read. The book begins with four teens, 2 girls and 2 boys, all attending the same prison-like boarding school. The teens are also orphans due to the tyrannical government murdering their parents. After years of hardship, they attempt to escape and find the resistance movement. With the government hunting them down and winter upon them, will the make it to safety? You will just have to read the book to find out!

Beautiful Creatures
by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Everyone who has read this book has raved about it. Finally, I was able to get my hands on a copy, and I agree with them. What is so unique about this book is that it is a love story told primarily through the eyes of a teen boy. The main character, Ethan Wate, is a good ole southern boy from small town America. Life does not hold many surprises for him until a new girl, Lena, moves to town. Lena is mysterious and dark, and she has an intriguing history tied to the town. Despite the general opinion that he should stay away from her, Ethan is drawn to her. Enjoy the romance, but also be swept up in the mystery of the South when you read Beautiful Creatures!

Graphic Novel Club!!!!

2009-12-02T19:04:00.003-07:00

The Graphic Novel Club this Friday, December 4th from 4-6pm will feature a professional artist named Laurel Shelley-Reuss. She has been traveling around Colorado and Wyoming for the last five years teaching comic art classes. This meeting will be hands on, so prepare to inspired. Remember, all teens are welcome!

~Shanna
Teen Librarian

Remember to Vote for the Blue Spruce Award!

2009-11-27T10:09:00.005-07:00

Teens,
The voting ballets are now available at the public library for the Blue Spruce Award. Only teens in Colorado determine the Blue Spruce winners. To vote you must read at least 3 of the nominated titles. Voting ends on January 8th, so make sure to vote soon!

This years nominees are...

Artemis Fowl: The Lost Colony by Eoin Colfer (MS)
Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan (MS)
Burned by Ellen Hopkins (HS)
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare (MS)
Cross my Heart and Hope to Spy by Ally Carter (MS)
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Greg Heffley’s journal by Jeff Kinney (MS)
Fablehaven by Brandon Mull (MS)
Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (HS)
Inkdeath by Cornelia Funke (MS)
Life as we Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer (HS)
Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen (HS)
Marked by PC and Kristin Cast (HS)
Marley and Me by John Grogan (MS)
Maximum Ride: The Final Warning by James Patterson (MS)
Queste by Angie Sage (MS)
Raven Rise by DJ MacHale (MS)
Snakehead by Anthony Horowitz (MS)
Specials by Scott Westerfeld (HS)
Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray (HS)
Unwind by Neil Shusterman (MS)

(MS) - Middle School
(HS) - High School

~Shanna
Teen Librarian

Teen Movie Night!

2009-11-19T11:26:00.002-07:00

Join us for Confessions of a Shopaholic this Tuesday, November 24th from 5-7pm. Popcorn will be provided. Also, I will have duct tape available if you are interested in getting a jump on your holiday presents (wallets, purses, totes, etc...) for friends and family.

~Shanna
Teen Librarian

Book Reviews...

2009-11-19T11:00:00.003-07:00

Hush, Hush
by Becca Fitzpatrick

This book was a really great and fast read. It is the author's first book and I feel like it is definitely a winner. Like many teen books recently, this book deals with darkness and the supernatural. Nora, who is a normal high school girl, is partnered in class with the new mysterious boy named Patch (against her will, of course). Despite her gut feeling that tells her to stay away, Nora is drawn to Patch. Read this book to find out Patch's dark secret, and whether Nora's gut feeling is for real!

On Viney's Mountain
by Joan Donaldson

I admit, once again, to having an affection for historic fiction. This book intrigued me because it is set in the Smokey Mountains, which is a beautiful area full of its own mountain culture (very different from Colorado). The story takes place in the 1800s. Viney, short for Lavinia, is a sixteen year old girl who has enjoyed a quiet peaceful life in the mountains. This all changes when a group of Englishmen buy up land and build a settlement near her home. She is against the development, yet is drawn to some of the interesting new people. Check out this book if you enjoy a good historical fiction read!

Splendor
by Anna Godbersen

I love the Luxe Series. Seriously, I had to go out and buy Splendor at the bookstore because the library wait was too long (although we now have it on the shelf). Just look at the beautiful covers, simply amazing. If you have never read the Luxe Series, I would compare it to Gossip Girl meets the Victorian Era. The story, like Gossip Girl, focuses on the rich society families of New York, but at the turn of the 20th century. The main characters are sisters, Diana and Elizabeth Holland. Although they are part of the in-crowd, the sisters suffer a turn of fortune and are forced to seek alternative methods to maintain their wealthy lifestyles. You cannot help but be drawn into the series. Each Luxe book has nail biting drama and passionate romance. If you are a fan of the series check out the last and newest book in the series, Splendor. If you haven't read any of this series, you can find the first book, Luxe, on the library shelves!

~Shanna
Teen Librarian

Its National Novel Writing Month!

2009-11-05T10:17:00.004-07:00

This program challenges writers of all ages to write an entire novel in just 30 days. Don't despair teens! The adult word count is 50,000, but teens are able to sign up and set their own word goal. The library would like to support you in your writing, so in the month of November we will have 4 sessions (listed below) in the programming room with coffee and laptops to encourage the writing process.

Writing sessions:
Thursday, November 5th, 10am-1pm
Sunday, November 8th, 1-5pm
Tuesday, November 17th, 5-8pm
Monday, November 30th, 3-7pm

*Go to the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) website to register and track your progress!