Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Trailer Tuesday: The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt

One of this year's Alex Award winners, The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt by Caroline Preston is recommended by teen librarian Kathleen at Mukilteo.



Here's the publisher description:

"For her graduation from high school in 1920, Frankie Pratt receives a scrapbook and her father's old Corona typewriter. Despite Frankie's dreams of becoming a writer, she must forgo a college scholarship to help her widowed mother. But when a mysterious Captain James sweeps her off her feet, her mother finds a way to protect Frankie from the less-than-noble intentions of her unsuitable beau. Through a kaleidoscopic array of vintage postcards, letters, magazine ads, ticket stubs, catalog pages, fabric swatches, candy wrappers, fashion spreads, menus, and more, we meet and follow Frankie on her journey in search of success and love."

Monday, January 30, 2012

Midweek Book Give-Away: Switched

Holy cow! I forgot to post the book give-away for the weekend.  Ok...so this one goes through Friday.  Switched by Amanda Hocking just came out and hasn't hit our shelves yet, but already has 13 people waiting for it.  Looks like another sweet mixed up romantic fantasy book, right?  Think again:

When Wendy Everly was six years old her mother was convinced she was a monster and tried to kill her, and eleven years later Wendy learns that her mother was right and that she is actually a changeling troll, who, at the age of seventeen, must be returned to her rightful home.  

I don't know about you, but I'm tired of vampires, zombies, angels, and fairies.  So, do you think trolls are the new thing then?  Tell me why you think reading a book about a troll might be interesting, for your chance to win an ARC of this new book!

Winner will be selected by my buddy Random Number Generator on Friday February 3, 2012. Be sure to leave a name with your entry, and check back to see if you won. To win you must be a teen (6th-12th grade, or 12-18) who uses a Sno-Isle Library. 

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Teen Book Brunch with Heather Davis and Liz Gallagher

Do you like donuts and free books?  If you answered yes, you'll want to stop by the University Book Store in Mill Creek Town Center for the Teen Book Brunch at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 28th.


Come meet local teen authors Heather Davis, author of "The Clearing" and "Wherever You Go." and Liz Gallagher, author of "Opposite of Invisible" and "My Not-So-Still-Life."  They will talk about inspiration, writing, and their favorite books.

Like all Teen Book Brunches there will be opportunity to share what you've been reading and get recommendations from other book lovers over Top Pot donuts.Stay for the galley (copies of soon to be released books) grab!

Mark your calendars for March 17th at 11 a.m. for the next Teen Book Brunch when Marissa Meyer, author of "Cinder," and Lissa Price, author of "Starters," will join us to talk about their new books.

Have you read any of these yet? What did you think?

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Trailer Tuesday: Legend

I think they could have done much better with Legend by Marie Lu, seeing as how the movie rights to it have already sold:



Read it. I thought it was okay. But others are absolutely rabid over it. So don't trust MY ambivalence. If you've read it, what did you think? If you haven't, does this trailer make you want to read it?

Monday, January 23, 2012

And the winner is...

Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley

This book was awarded the Michael L. Printz award "for a book that exemplifies literary excellence in young adult literature."

It was also awarded the William C. Morris YA Debut award, which "honors a debut book published by a first-time author writing for teens and celebrating impressive new voices in young adult literature."

In the remarkable, bizarre, and heart-wrenching summer before Cullen Witter’s senior year of high school, everything he thinks he understands about his small and painfully dull Arkansas town vanishes. His cousin overdoses; his town becomes absurdly obsessed with the alleged reappearance of an extinct woodpecker; and most troubling of all, his sensitive, gifted fifteen-year-old brother, Gabriel, suddenly and inexplicably disappears. As Cullen navigates a summer of finding and losing love, holding his fragile family together, and muddling his way into adulthood, a young, disillusioned missionary in Africa searches for meaning wherever he can find it. Through masterful plotting, these two stories are brought face-to-face in a surprising and harrowing climax that is tinged with melancholy and regret, comedy and absurdity, and above all, hope.

Congratulations for the double honors!

Learn more about these and other ALA awards, and see complete lists of winners and honor books.

2012 ALA Youth Media Awards

Have you read it?  Do you plan to read it?  Let us know what you think!

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Author Jeyn Roberts this Wednesday at Alderwood B&N

From the Alderwood Barnes & Noble:

Join us next Wednesday, Jan. 25th, at 7:00 PM for an free reading/signing with author Jeyn Roberts for her new book Dark Inside.

Dark Inside looks to be pretty exciting:

After tremendous earthquakes destroy the Earth's major cities, an ancient evil emerges, turning ordinary people into hunters, killers, and insane monsters but a small group of teens comes together in a fight for survival and safety.  

You can also check it out from Sno-Isle...we have 5 copies, and only 2 people are waiting!

Friday, January 20, 2012

Weekend Book Give-Away: Melody Burning

This week's Weekend Book Give-Away is Melody Burning by Whitley Strieber.  Strieber has written a bunch of adult books, and this is his first book for teens:

Beresford doesn’t remember much about his past or how he came to live in the chutes and crawl spaces of the posh high-rise that shares his name. But when rock star and teen sensation Melody McGrath moves to an apartment on the fiftieth floor, he knows he has to be near her. Although she doesn’t realize it, Melody is threatened by more dangerous forces than her manipulative stage mom and the pressures of life in the spotlight. The owner of the glamorous building has been hiding a fatal secret within its walls, and Beresford puts all his plans at risk. Will Beresford and Melody be able to escape?

Sounds both suspenseful and intriguing.  To enter the drawing for this book, tell me this:  if you had to secretly live in a famous building, which one would it be, and why?  How do you imagine secretly living there?  Most creative answer will be chosen on Tuesday January 23, 2012 to win!

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Harry Potter Actors Keep Booking

I know you are probably feeling bummed that there won't be any more Harry Potter movies. They had an excellent run, and will live forever in our hearts (and homes as DVDs).  But here is some exciting news:  some of your favorite actors from the movies are continuing the careers bringing MORE great books to the big screen!


Emma Watson is staring in a production of one of my all-time favorite teen books:  The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chobosky.

And Daniel Radcliffe is staring in The Woman in Black (written by Susan Hill), which looks to be super spooky!



Who else would you like to see in your favorite books?

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Great New Resource for You: Teen Health & Wellness

I just got word that we have subscribed to an truly awesome award winning health database just for teens (I've been hoping we would pick up for ages).

From our reference services blog:


Teen Health & Wellness: Real Life, Real Answers—the award-winning, critically acclaimed online resource—provides middle and high school students with nonjudgmental, straightforward, standards-aligned, curricular and self-help support. Topics include diseases, drugs, alcohol, nutrition, mental health, suicide, bullying, green living, financial literacy, and more. Developed for teens, with their unique concerns and perspectives.

Because this is a database, when you click on the link above it is going to ask you to log into your library account.  That is because this is not just some free website with random information we are linking to...this is researched, accurate information organized in a way that is optimized to help teens, and we pay a subscription to access it...so you know it is going to be good.

A great place to learn about issues that affect your health...both physically and emotionally.  Please share this one with your friends...because it is so important for teens to have access to good solid honest health information!

Take a look and tell me which part you like best!


Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Trailer Tuesday: The Fault in Our Stars

The Fault in Our Stars is the newest novel by nerdfighter king John Green. People seem to be falling all over themselves to praise it. I haven't read it. Have you? What do you think?

Here's the trailer. It doesn't really seem to tell us anything about the plot, but it is a pretty song.



I think there's maybe cancer in it. The cover screams Nick Hornby to me, which is unusual.

Related, unlike that last sentence, Green will be appearing at Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park on January 30. Tickets are required. Click here for more.

Friday, January 13, 2012

Weekend Book Give-Away: Same Difference

We don't talk a ton about graphic novels on this blog, but I really do love them.  A few years ago I became particularly smitten with a collection called Same Difference and Other Stories by Derek Kirk Kim.  I don't recall anything about the other stories, but Same Difference has stayed with me as honest and funny, and in some moments, simply beautiful. 

Apparently the folks at First Second Books felt the same way as me, because now they have taken Same Difference and republished it with an awesome new cover.

Want to win your own copy?  Tell me about your favorite graphic novels, that have stayed with you over time.

Winner will be selected by my buddy Random Number Generator on Tuesday January 17, 2012. Be sure to leave a name with your entry, and check back to see if you won. To win you must be a teen (6th-12th grade, or 12-18) who uses a Sno-Isle Library.  


Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Author John Green Coming to Third Place Books

If you are a fan of teen books, you know who John Green is, and that he has some fans. And by fans, I mean Nerdfighters. Nerdfighters are just any fans...they are SUPERfans, who not only read all his books, but also follow the wonderful vlogbrothers he shares with his brother Hank.

John's new book The Fault in Our Stars came out this week, and he is embarking on a big tour...and he is bringing his brother Hank!  This tour has sold out in many places, but you can still get tickets (for the price of the book) for their Seattle area event.  It will be taking place on Monday, January 30 at 7pm at Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park.  You can buy a book/ticket and get more info here.

I wish I had a copy to give away, but alas, I do not.  :(  But I have seen John and Hank live before, and I can tell you it is quite a treat, and worth the drive!  Just note, it is one ticket per book, so if your friends want to go with you, or your mom is driving you and wants to attend too...they will need to buy books.  (Not my rules!)  If you go, have fun and report back here to let me know how it goes :D


Saturday, January 7, 2012

Author Marissa Meyer - tomorrow @ B&N in Lynnwood!

Just heard from Barnes & Noble in Lynnwood...they have an exciting author visit this weekend!  Marissa Meyer will be reading and signing of her debut YA novel, Cinder:

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . . Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

Sounds awesome, doesn't it?

Sunday, Jan. 8th, 2:00 PM - Alderwood Barnes & Noble

Friday, January 6, 2012

Weekend Book Give-Away: Unison Spark

This week's book give away is for all you science fiction lovers out there.  Unison Spark is author Andy Marino's first teen book.  From the publisher's page:

Everyone is obsessed with Unison, the social network that knows you better than you know yourself. Everyone who can afford it, that is. Living beneath the vast ceiling that separates Eastern Seaboard City into rich topside and poor sub-canopy zones, fifteen-year-old Mistletoe can only dream of logging in and has to make do with technological hand-me-downs. 

Worlds collide when Ambrose Truax, the privileged heir to the Unison empire, wanders into the dangerous sub-canopy streets and Mistletoe saves him from suspicious, uniformed men. They soon discover that they share eerily similar dreams, hinting at a significant past. 

Together, Ambrose and Mistletoe begin to unravel the mystery of their identities and learn that they’re pawns in a bigger game: the Unison 3.0 upgrade, a whole new kind of Friendship. 

To enter to win this fine brand new hardcover, all you have to do tell me what you think would make an awesome improvement to today's social networks.  What would be a cool 3.0 improvement for you? (The ability to smell online? Actually poke your friends? ???)
 
Winner will be selected by my buddy Random Number Generator on Tuesday January 10, 2012. Be sure to leave a name with your entry, and check back to see if you won. To win you must be a teen (6th-12th grade, or 12-18) who uses a Sno-Isle Library. 

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Geek Out: Book Recommendation and Tech Tip

Right now I'm listening to a really fun book called Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. If you like video games, 80s culture, sci-fi and/or quest books, you are going to LOVE this.

It is about a bazillionaire game designer who creates an amazing virtual universe that humanity basically plays/hides in while Earth falls to pieces. When he dies, his will reveals that he is going to give away all his wealth to whoever can solve the game he has been creating in anticipation of this event. You get the story from one of the teens competing for this prize, and along the way learn the story of the genius programmer.

I'm always super impressed with folks who teach themselves how to code.  I seriously never gave it much thought, only doing a little bit of basic html when I was in school.  But now, it is so much apart of our world, and so many jobs use it...I feel like I'm carrying around some major ignorance on this subject.  Which is why when I heard about Code Year, I got pretty excited.

Basically, this new website Codecademy is offering FREE weekly online lesson on coding:

Make your New Year's resolution learning to code. 
Sign up on Code Year to get a new interactive programming lesson sent to you each week and you'll be building apps and web sites before you know it. 

The first lesson goes out next week, so why not give it a try?  Maybe it will send your life in a whole new (awesome) direction!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Teens review books for publishers--and you!



The members of the Teen Advisory Board at the Mukilteo Library work hard planning and putting on library programs, but that wasn't enough for them. They were eager to take on even more work reviewing books for publishers and were chosen by the American Library Association to be a Galley Group. Publishers send copies of books to the teens and the teens send reviews to the publishers. Win win!

The Mukilteo Beacon, our local newspaper, heard about the program and asked one of the teens to explain it to their readers. Zoe Jovanovich's article was published today and it's great! This is a great example of how teens can contribute to their library and their community.



So, what new books are we seeing? 2012 will bring fallen angels, cute demons, Cinderella as a cyborg and much, much more--and our teens will review it all!

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Trailer Tuesday: Dark Eden



Patrick Carmen's last book, Thirteen Days Until Midnight, gave me the heebie jeebies, so I'm both excited and apprehensive about Dark Eden. They've also got an app for this that I'm curious to try out. Have any of you read this, or seen the app? What did you think?

2012 YALSA Non-Fiction Award Finalists Announced

Last month YALSA announced five books as finalists for the 2012 YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults, which honors the best nonfiction books written for young adults between Nov. 1, 2010 and Oct. 31, 2011. YALSA will name the 2012 award winner at the Youth Media Awards on Jan. 23, during the American Library Association’s Midwinter Meeting in Dallas.

What is YALSA, you ask? YALSA stand for the Young Adult Library Services Association; it can be thought of as the teen 'branch' of the American Library Association, or ALA. YALSA's mission is to expand and strengthen library services for teens, aged 12-18.

The 5 books selected were:






















Click on each book cover to learn more about the title or to place a reserve at your local Sno-Isle Library!