I'm moving!

Blogger, we had a great time together. We really did. But I think it's time we saw other blogs and bloggers. It's not you, it's me. I wish you all the best.

And for those of you who have kept us company these past five years, I invite you to meet my shiny new blog over at WordPress. I'll race you over. ;)

Book review: Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris

For Janelle Tenner's life to change, first she had to die. She's certain that's what happened to her after being hit by a speeding truck that appeared literally out of nowhere. And she's absolutely sure that Ben, a boy who's been around for most of her life but to whom she's never spoken, has everything to do with why she's still kicking it with the living. But something else is going on too. What's behind the mysterious deaths her FBI father is investigating, where the victims appear to suffer from radiation burns so severe that their skin is literally melting off their bodies? After snooping in her father's files, Janelle also discovers evidence of a mysterious countdown--but a countdown to what? And why is it starting to seem like Ben has something to do with all of it?

In a solid debut, author Norris presents a tense, compelling tale that is part X Files, part Roswell, part Heroes (tagline "Stop the countdown, save the world" sounds VERY familiar) and part every other teen novel where romance is mixed with something way not normal. The countdown heading of every very short chapter moves the story along at a breakneck pace but not at the cost of character depth or solid dialogue. Norris also doesn't flinch from sacrifice. There may have been a miracle involved in saving Janelle, but it doesn't mean she's spared from devastating loss. The ending while satisfying to the story at hand is also frustrating enough that fans of the book will clamor for a sequel.

The major complaint I had with the advanced reader's edition that will hopefully be resolved with the published version is the very liberal use of the f-word. While I don't have a problem with its use in an organic nature (teens in a given situation who would actually talk that way in real life), with Unraveling, it seemed more like an agenda on the part of the author. And it seriously diminishes the resonance of the one instance of the story where the f-word would hold power and poignancy. Again, I'm hoping further edits have resolved that problem. Other than that, Unraveling's 400+ pages riveted this reader until the very last one, and I look forward to what Norris writes next.

Check out the book trailer!

Book review: Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

It isn’t easy being a woman in Born Wicked’s oppressive alternate version of 1890’s New England. The religious Brotherhood rules society with an iron fist. Women are expected to dress a certain way, behave according to a strict code, read only certain books. Even their futures are limited: marriage or the Sisterhood are essentially the only two options. Being a woman is a definite hardship. But it’s even worse if you’re a witch. The Cahill sisters have much to fear because this is exactly what they are.

Cate Cahill, the eldest of three sisters and still grieving over the death of her mother, struggles desperately to hide her and her sisters’ secret from those who would destroy what’s left of her family. Tess and Maura embrace the magic they possess and wish to hone their power, but Cate considers it a burden she would rather be rid of. There’s also the matter of her romantic future. A childhood friend has offered a proposal of marriage, which would shelter her from the disapproving eyes of the Brotherhood but also take her to New London and away from making sure her sisters stay out of danger. And what of her growing attraction to Finn, the scholarly gardener whose family owns a bookstore that dances on the edge of forbidden? A relationship with him would be completely inappropriate, but she finds him harder and harder to resist.

Jessica Spotswood’s debut novel, the first in the Cahill Witch Chronicles series, is a fine addition to the teen historical fantasy shelves. The female characters are well-drawn and alive on the page. The constant threat of the Brotherhood discovering the family secret maintains a tension-filled feeling of dread throughout the book. The mysterious prophecy that presages a trio of sisters (maybe the Cahills!) affecting the future of this world is tantalizingly introduced and sure to be developed in future volumes of the series. Cate’s romantic future is also uncertain with some unexpected twists at the cliffhanger ending. It’s an enjoyable debut, and teen fans will be eagerly awaiting the next installment.

Check out the book trailer!

Book review: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Hazel has no illusions about what's going to happen to her. She's going to die. And soon. Hanging on to borrowed time (she was supposed to die two years ago, but an experimental drug has temporarily extended her life), Hazel's simply marking time--taking college classes, going to cancer kids group sessions, watching her parents hover and trying to impact as few people as possible with her demise. The staring eyes of Augustus Waters, a new boy in her cancer support group, are a shock to her oxygen tank-hauling, fluid-filled lungs limbo. He's in remission; he's gorgeous; and, for some reason Hazel can't fathom, he's completely into her. So begins a last ditch grasp at life, a chance to cram as much living and loving into the time she has left.

John Green has never been one to condescend to the young audience for whom he writes, and The Fault in Our Stars continues this tradition. Hazel and Augustus are intelligent, thoughtful, layered characters who play well off one another. "Gus" isn't an Edward Cullen who places dying Hazel on a pedestal and spend the entire book merely adoring her. He's a three-dimensional, flawed human being who is desperate to leave a legacy that will endure. But he does, however, throw most of his energy into brightening Hazel's life, even going so far as to sacrifice his Make-a-Wish to satisfy Hazel's quest for answers from her favorite book's author. It works, though, in the context of this "seize the day" attitude they've both chosen in facing whatever few days are left to them. And after three stories told by men, it's a refreshing change of pace for Green to stretch his literary legs into a female protagonist voice this time out.

Book review: Ripper by Amy Carol Reeves

Coming in April to WPPL!

Running the streets of London chasing a pickpocketer is never the proper thing for a young woman living in Victorian London to do. That is precisely, however, what seventeen-year-old Abbie Sharp does. The thief, after all, took something that once belonged to Abbie's recently deceased mother. The chase also sets into motion Abbie's descent into Whitechapel, a seedier district of London that is forever linked to the grisly deeds of one Jack the Ripper. At the behest of her guardian grandmother, Abbie volunteers at Whitechapel Hospital, whose patients are destitute and downtrodden women and children. Some of these women are also prostitutes, a target of choice for the Ripper. Who is the mysterious Ripper? His grisly but precise butcherings of women lead the police to think that the murderer is also a medical professional. Is Jack the Ripper one of the doctors with whom Abbie works side by side at the hospital? Is her own life in danger? And how is it possible that Abbie all of a sudden has terrifying visions of the slayings before they've even occurred?

Amy Carol Reeves's debut novel is engaging and, at times, terrifying. There were certain points during Abbie's encounter with the Ripper either in visions or even in the flesh (!) where the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. Reeves's vision of who Jack the Ripper really was and why he goes on such a sudden and brutal rampage is quite creative and rather fascinating. It also sparked an interest in clarifying the true facts of the events. Her PhD in nineteenth century British literature serves her well in points of setting but falls short in characterization and dialogue. Abbie's words, and her gratuitous use of "alright," pull the reader out of nineteenth century London and into contemporary nuances of language. The rather anemic love triangle between Abbie, William and Simon is also too underdeveloped for this reader to really care whether or not she ends up with either of them. Setting aside dialogue issues and the lackluster romance, Ripper really is an interesting tale with enough of an open-ended conclusion to beg a sequel.

One final word of warning regarding the publisher-generated synopsis. I felt it gave away far too much. Had I read their full description before reading the story, I would have felt disappointed by the rather surprising plot twists that were in store for me. Tread more lightly next time, Flux!

Can John Green do no wrong?

The February book recommendations are up with some brand new(ish) books and a couple of oldies but goodies thrown in for good measure.

What book are you reading right now?

Top Ten Tuesday: Books That Would Make Great Book Club Picks

Caveat: I'm a YA Librarian. I made this list with teens in mind. That doesn't mean that every pick is technically a teen book. It simply means that I think a group of teens could have engaging and thought-provoking conversations about the books. Of course any group, regardless of age, could enjoy reading and have an excellent conversation about any of the ten books below. What's been your favorite book club book?



10. 1984 - George Orwell Terrifying. It seems like each day brings us a step closer to the kind of world in which Winston Smith lives.












9. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian - Sherman Alexie Funny and heartfelt, the story brings to light an existence that is not often explored in contemporary literature.












8. The Book Thief - Markus Zusak Am I right in thinking that every book club in the world has already discussed this book? If not, you're welcome.











7. Ender's Game - Orson Scott Card This thought-provoking science fiction story isn't for everyone, but it's an excellent read. It's also currently being made into a film. What better time to have a book club tackle it?











6. Life as We Knew it - Susan Beth Pfeffer The book suggests a truly frightening prospect. I expect the book club would spend a lot of time discussing "What if?"












5. Feed - M.T. Anderson You're probably starting to notice that many of the titles on this list are dystopian in nature. It's a sub-genre that by far has been the most successful with our Library's teen book group. They're the inheritors of what we've created, so it's only fitting they explore the possibilities of what's to come.











4. Wintergirls - Laurie Halse Anderson A fascinating and heartbreaking glimpse into the chaotic mind of a young girl struggling with an eating disorder.












3. American Born Chinese - Gene Luan Yang A graphic novel as a book club pick? Absolutely...especially a gem like this one. Three interrelated stories for the price of one.












2. Unwind - Neal Shusterman The teens not only found this one fascinating but exciting as well. Shusterman has that effect on people.












1. The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins It's phenomenally popular and sure to spark discussion not just about the world of Panem but our own.

Book review: The Edumacation of Jay Baker by Jay Clark

Jay Baker’s got trouble, right here in River City. Trouble with a capital T, and that rhymes with B, and that stands for—better luck next time? You got that pop culture reference, right Mr. Baker? After all, the ones you fling at your readers span decades beyond the referential zingers any typical high schooler would have in his arsenal of snark. They also, alas, get in the way of the story you’re trying to tell, making readers take time out of the narrative to figure out just exactly what you’re trying to say.

Having said that, The Edumacation of Jay Baker isn’t all bad. Amidst the overwhelming tide of female voices in teen literature today, it’s always refreshing to have a male protagonist—even if he is angsting over the women in his life in a voice that misses the mark of feeling authentic. His surprisingly strong bond with his older sister is a positive spot too. They snark at each other as most siblings are wont to do, but there’s still a deep love present, and it helps both of them deal with the situation of their parents’ marriage imploding.

The plot itself is nothing new, but nothing bad either. In more capable hands, the family drama and a shifting of affections from one girl to another while not groundbreaking, is not an unwelcome addition to the shelves. This particular book, however, is done in by a mismanagement of words.

Start off the new year with a good read.

The January book recommendations are up.

What book are you most looking forward to this year?

Best Teen Books of 2011

It seems like each year, the quality of teen literature gets better and better. And the number of awesome teen books gets larger and larger. It was really difficult to narrow my favorites down to ten, but the results are below. What was your favorite teen book this year?

10. The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross
Snappy steampunk fun.















9. Divergent by Veronica Roth
Thrilling story for Hunger Games fans.















8. Delirium by Lauren Oliver
Lauren Oliver's second appearance on The Librarian Chick's Best of the Year list.















7. Miss Peregrine's School for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs Creepy, quirky and one of a kind.















6. Hark! A Vagrant by Kate Beaton
Technically not a teen book, but teens can definitely appreciate its hilariousness.















5. Texas Gothic by Rosemary Clement-Moore
Another fun ride courtesy of the brain behind Maggie Quinn, who could be Amy's cousin.















4. Daybreak by Brian Ralph
Arty, cinematic entry into the zombie genre.















3. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
An imaginative and addictive start to proposed trilogy.















2. Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
Haunting yet beautifully written story that sheds light on a heartbreaking chapter in Lithuanian history.















1. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Etienne St. Clair effortlessly enters the pantheon of great YA heartthrobs. This book is a lovely sweet treat.

Book review: Lola and the Boy Next Door

With Lola and the Boy Next Door, Stephanie Perkins has further solidified her standing as a YA author to watch...and one whose books readers will eagerly anticipate. In this companion story to Anna and the French Kiss, readers get to know Lola Nolan, her two dads, her rocker boyfriend Max, and the boy next door whom she can't seem to get out of her head.

Lola is creative and quirky, flawed and unsure. Her interior monologue, relationship with her parents and conflicting emotions about the two boys in her life convey solid realism while her clothing aspirations and sense of flair add a fantastic touch of whimsy.

Perkins has a true knack for capturing what it feels like to fall in love with "the one," the boy (or girl) with whom you're meant to be. Pairing this with snappy dialogue and heart-fluttering moments, her stories are sweet confections for romantic souls. Anna and St. Clair, the pair that started it all, serve as substantial secondary characters in Lola. It's nice to see the two of them are so comfortably situated with one another and in it for the long haul.

The third book in this series Isla and the Happily Ever After, is due out in 2012, and readers who tore their way through the first two books will impatiently await its arrival. Until then, they can satisfy their hearts with repeated visits with Anna and Lola and the boys who love them.

The teens have spoken...

During August and September, nine thousand of them voted to decide what the Teens Top Ten books would be for this past year. Yesterday, YALSA kicked off Teen Read Week by announcing the winners. Some of them were destined to be there. Others are making me scratch my head. My favorite of the bunch? Definitely Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver, closely followed by Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare.


Here's the list:

1. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
2. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
3. Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick
4. I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore
5. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
6. Matched by Ally Condie
7. Angel: A Maximum Ride Novel by James Patterson
8. Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
9. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
10. Nightshade by Andrea Cremer


What do you think? Is there a book they forgot to mention? I think it's an absolute crime that Anna and the French Kiss (my favorite book so far this year!) by Stephanie Perkins, Hold Me Closer, Necromancer by Lish McBride and White Cat by Holly Black weren't part of the conversation.

Cash for Creativity

Is the world ready for what you have to say? The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers just might think so...and they'd be willing to put their money where your mouth is.

The 2012 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards competition is now open. Since 1923, The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers has brought "teenagers with exceptional artistic and literary talent...to a national audience." They're also the largest source of scholarships for teenagers of the creative persuasion in the United States.

And it's not just about poetry or essays. The award categories include such written works as dramatic script, science fiction/fantasy, novel writing (Hello, NANOWRIMO!), journalism and more. They ALSO want your artwork, be it sculpture, jewelry, video game, photography, fashion design...the list goes on and on.

In a nutshell, if you're at all creative and in grades 7-12, this is the program for you. "Deadlines for submitting work vary by region and generally range from December 15, 2011 through January 15, 2012." So get on it, get creative, and let the world know what you have to say.

Party rock is in the house tonight...

The teens and I been talking about it and wishing for it for several years now. Finally, we have a chance to start a music group at the Library, and it will be just for teens. We're inviting you to be a part of our first meeting, which is tonight at 7 p.m. We'll discuss what we want to get out of the club and the ways in which we'll share and discover songs. If you are a music lover and between the ages of 13-18, then this new group is for you.

Click here for all the info.

Hope to see you there!

Earn library volunteer hours at home!

Did you know that you can earn library volunteer hours by reviewing Young Adult books for our new Teen Review Site? You can go here for all the details, but a few highlights are below:

>Your book needs to come from the Young Adult department of the Winter Park Public Library.

>You submit your review online and if it's posted on the Teen Review Site, you'll get 2 volunteer hours!

>You can earn a maximum of 20 volunteer hours this way.

>You need to be between the ages of 12-18 to participate.

Happy reading!

Deadline approaching for the Harry Potter puppet theater contest

Time's ticking away on our Summer of Harry Potter, and so far it's been a blast! This is a reminder from your friendly librarian that the deadline for the Harry Potter Puppet Theater Contest is Friday, July 29 by 5 p.m.

As you're busy creating your own Harry Potter puppet masterpiece, I wanted to share with you a few more reminders:

1. The puppet show should be five minutes or less.

2. Winners will receive a Harry Potter prize pack and points for their Hogwarts House. If members of more than one house are teaming up to create a winning puppet show, those members will have to split the House points.

3. Your video file MUST be in one of the following digital formats: .avi, .mpg (or .mpeg), .wmv, or .mov and no larger than 700 MB.

4.Don't forget to burn your video file onto a blank CD-ROM and turn it in at the children's desk of the Library.

If you have any questions, give me a shout. Good luck!

Fan Fiction Contest Deadline is Tomorrow!

Want to earn some serious points for your house? Turn in your entry into the Harry Potter Fan Fiction contest. The deadline is 9 p.m. tomorrow evening (June 30). First place wins 15 points for their house! For all details, click here. Good luck!

You Said It... is live! Prizes up for grabs.

I've taken a bit of a hiatus from the Notes, sorry about that. Summertime at the Library is always insane, and this year is even crazier. Everyone is mad about Harry P., or so it would seem. Again, my apologies for being so lax.

The good news is that the "You Said It..." blog is up and running! This blog will be home to all of the reviews written by WPPL teens and tweens on the books they've read. I'm so excited to hear what they have to say.

If you are taking part in the Summer Reading Program for teens and tweens at WPPL, I invite you to submit your own review. It could win you a Grand Prize!

Tuesday Top Ten: Favorite Covers

In our Teen Lit Club, we talk about cover trends that occur in YA books: the torso trend, overused stock photos, girls looking over their shoulders. People say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but it happens everyday...especially in teen lit. The following covers definitely caught my eye.


10. Flush by Carl Hiaasen
It's simple, whimsical, yet perfectly captures the problem within the pages.













9. The Good, the Bad, and the Barbie by Tanya Lee Stone
Barbie is such an iconic figure, and this cover immediately catches a browser's eye. I like their choice of retro Barbie rather than a more contemporary version of the doll. That sly, slanted look in her eye and the sharp arch of her brows makes me think that Barbie knows something I don't.







8. Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
This one is so beautifully spare that it doesn't even need words. Lovely story too.










7. The Deep by Claire Nouvian
This cover is beautiful and alluring, merely hinting at the deep ocean wonders that lie within. It's a giant coffee-table sized book that's hard not to pick up.










6. Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork
Christopher Stengel designed not only this beautiful cover but also one for Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, another one of my favorite covers. This one is lovely with its sky full of stars that speak of possibilities and hope.







5. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
No matter where you stand on the series and its literary weight, there's no denying the powerful allure of the cover on the book that started it all. Its allusion to forbidden fruit has become so symbolic of Edward and Bella's saga that director Catherine Hardwicke made sure to include it in the film adaptation of Twilight.







4. The Maze Runner by James Dashner
It's a beautiful yet forbidding peek into the deadly maze that surrounds the relative safety of the Glade. The moss covered spikes of the gate speak strangely of both safety and danger. I like the complexity of this seemingly innocuous image.







3. Artichoke's Heart by Suzanne Supplee
Not only is it chocolate but it's gorgeous chocolate. What more does a cover need?












2. Abarat by Clive Barker
Not only did Clive Barker write this highly imaginative story about a world of islands that exist in each hour of the day, but he also hand-painted the fantastic illustrations that grace the cover and are sprinkled throughout the book. Perhaps that's why we've been waiting so long for book three, which is slated to be released later this year!







1. Life as We Knew it by Susan Beth Pfeffer
This is another one of those covers where beauty and menace exist in the same image, and its utterly compelling. I guess I have a thing for blue covers as well, since it's the fifth blue cover on the list. I find myself staring at this one whenever I come across it.






What are some of your favorite covers?

Tuesday Top Ten: Most Intimidating Books

Granted, the teen department is not rife with books that intimidate me. I love teen lit! There are a few, however, that give me the nervous sweats, for a variety of reasons, whenever I think I might read them. Have you read any of these? Do you have any words to share that would allay my intimidation?


10. The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation book two: the Kingdom on the Waves by M.T. Anderson
M.T. Anderson is not one to dumb down his stories simply because his audience may be in their formative years. The weighty title of this book alone would be enough to turn away a browser looking for a light read. Still, I read and thoroughly enjoyed book one, The Pox Party, and looked forward to tackling the second. I felt, though, like the second story was getting away from me--like I wasn't up to the task of appreciating the depth and intricacy of the tale. So I set it aside with the full intention of picking it up again one day. Alas, that day has not yet come.




9. Death Note by Tsugumi Oba
Or any manga for that matter. I'm intrigued by the manga phenomenon but can't seem to wrap my head around the notion of reading what I perceive to be backwards. I tried with a couple of different manga titles but couldn't get past the first few pages. I've seen the live action film versions of Death Note and was fascinated by their stories. I'm afraid, however, that style aversion will get in the way of enjoyment of the original manga series.




8. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
My friend Sarah, whose opinion I greatly respect, has recommended this book to me on numerous occasions. She hasn't been the only one. Many people adore not only this book but the author's other works as well. I'm afraid that when I finally get around to reading it that it won't be as special a book to me and that I will have let Sarah and others down. Silly, I know. But it's a bit of an intimidation.




7. Getting Away With Murder: the True Story of the Emmett Till Case by Chris Crowe
Man's inhumanity to man is a horrifying thing to witness. The images of Emmett Till from the very excellent Eyes on the Prize documentary still haunt me even though it's been over 20 years since I've seen it. The intimidation here lies in the reluctance to revisit such naked hatred and cruelty. People need to know Emmett's story, though, and this will probably be the first one on the list that I'll overcome my reluctance to read.




6. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
It's a requirement that everyone read this before dying, right? The thing is, I don't really like the way Dickens writes. And it seems like such a bloody long book (even though it really isn't). Perhaps audio book is the way to go here. Don't want to shirk my Dickensian duties forever.







5. An Incomplete Education by Judy Jones
This book taunts me from the shelves, reminding me how much there is that I still don't know and may never know. We don't stop learning new things until we die...maybe not even then, so I suppose I have plenty of time to take this book on. There is a patron who comes into the Library every day and is slowly working his way through the Encyclopedia Britannica. If he can do that, I can certainly pick up this one measly book.





4. Mein Kampf by Adolf Hitler
Written by one whom most people characterize as one of the worst villains in history, this book does have its place in historical scholarship. That doesn't mean I'm enthusiastic about reading it. Its weighty length notwithstanding, I don't know how eager I am to step into the mind of a man who was an architect of hatred and death.





3. This is All: the Pillow Book of Cordelia Kenn by Aidan Chambers
What sounds like a fascinating and lovely story has not been read by me simply because I'm intimidated by its large size. Sure, it contains letters, diary entries, poems and short stories which cut down on the actual page count aversion. It's still a big honking book though. Strange that would bother me considering I don't bat an eyelash at picking up and consuming Stephen King's behemoths Under the Dome, It, or The Stand. If you've read Chambers's book and loved it, please let me know!





2. The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien
Tolkien's Middle-Earth stories are wonderful, but his writing style is not really my cup of tea. I was doubly intimidated by this particular book after an ex-boyfriend of mine (who is literally a genius) told me that it was "a bit of a mental jog," with its archaic language and hard-to-remember character names. This is not a ringing endorsement. It actually makes my brain shrink back in fear at the thought of ever picking the book up and giving it a try. Perhaps it's for die-hard Tolkien fans only?





1. Finnegan's Wake by James Joyce
Curse you, James Joyce! You burned my brain with Ulysses, making me reluctant to see which of your books was next on the 20th Century Literature class's list. Seeing that it was this one, and peeping at the first page, I ran away screaming in terror to immediately drop the class. Did that make me a coward? Yep. Have I managed to retain a bit of my sanity by avoiding your fever dream of a book? Absolutely!




So there you have it. There are some books in the teen department which intimidate your friendly Librarian Chick. After all, I'm only human. What books intimidate you?