44444 Teens

2012-01-12T10:20:00.001-08:00

Tegami Bachi: Letter Bee, Volume 1 by Hiroyuki Asada

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In this new fantasy world, Letter Bee's (basically postman) must travel long distances in wild places and defend themselves against deadly monsters. And letters can sometimes be people, strange lost children, about whom only the destination on their shipping label is known. A great start to what I hope will be an interesting series. The art is just my taste as well, very pretty.

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2011-12-30T06:16:00.001-08:00

I Love Him to Pieces by Evonne Tsang

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dicey Bell is used to being one of the guys on the baseball team, but when she starts hanging out with Jack Chen, she thinks things might start to change. Maybe she has a chance to have a real relationship, were it not for that nasty zombie invasion.

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2011-12-13T12:59:00.001-08:00

Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard by David Petersen

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I can't say enough about how I love mouse guard. David Petersen has taken everything I love about the Redwall Series and added stunning art. The series is just as dense as Brian Jacques work, including the guard's long lineage and a variety of legends upon which to build future books. This volume collects the work of many authors and illustrators, all with a new Mouse Guard Story to tell.

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2011-12-06T09:18:00.001-08:00

The Boy Who Dared by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An excellent fictional account of a real event. The narrative kept my interest well, but there wasn't a whole lot of story arc. Still a moving story

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2011-11-18T07:54:00.001-08:00

Children of the Sea, Volume 1 by Daisuke Igarashi

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Incredible art and an original story. Can't wait to continue with this one.

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2011-11-05T09:22:00.000-07:00

Annexed by Sharon Dogar

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Most of us have read The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank. It is an amazing portrait of a teenage girl facing evil and tragedy that will eventually claim her and most of her family. But how many of us have thought about what the ohttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifther residents of the hidden annex felt through the two years they hid from the Nazis? This is an amazing fictionalized story of how a teenage boy may have dealt with his self imposed imprisonment and the deportation that followed. The fact that I knew how it would end, didn't detract from the drama and heartbreak of Peter's story.

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Click here to reserve this book today.

The Hunger Games Party, October 20

2011-10-07T12:04:00.000-07:00

The Hunger Games | CLEVNET Library Cooperation | BiblioCommons Celebrate Teen Read Week with a Hunger Games Party. If you haven't read this suspenseful series, reserve your copy today. Join us on October 20 at 6:30 PM and compete in our version of Panem's deadly game (without the "to the death" component of course). Show your fashion prowess by designing outfits from the recycled materials provided, or join in a Who's Who game to guess who is playing or should play your favorite characters in the upcoming movie.

2011-09-16T07:58:00.000-07:00

How I Stole Johnny Depp's Alien Girlfriend by Gary Ghislain

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I wish the story stood up to the expectations I had because of the title. There was a lot of action, a convoluted plot whose twists and turns keep you wondering for at least a few chapters if Zelda is crazy or not, but I was looking for a bit more development for characters and story. Everything moves really quickly, and the book reads pretty fast as well, but I felt like something was missing. Maybe I should give it a slower read, and things will fall into place, but overall, this book didn't live up to a truly awesome title.

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2011-08-23T15:21:00.001-07:00

Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

While post-apocalyptic settings are generally my least favorite, it's hard to find anything bad to say about this book. I enjoyed the way the desperate global situation was conveyed easily through the character's daily lives, rather than breaking up the narrative with explanations. It's also clear throughout the story that the author's focus is firmly on his characters, their emotions and actions than on the exotic new world they live in. While the world of Bright Sands Beach is clearly drawn, it's descriptions don't intrude on the story which can often happen in stories with such foreign locations. I also appreciated the way each characters actions, especially Sloth and Lucky Strike, play into Nailer's thought process as he tries to navigate his own way through life. He has something to learn from all of them, even his father. This is a very well written book, with realistic characters and a well rounded plot. A well deserved Printz Winner.

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We Need You!

2011-08-05T12:43:00.000-07:00

Silent Library is coming again. We will host the wild and crazy game show during Teen Read Week in October, and we need your suggestions on silly, gross or just plain nutty challenges. Post your ideas here as comments.

Teen Summer Reading Program

2011-06-03T08:35:00.000-07:00

Teen Summer Reading Program

Ways to Win:
1. Get a scratch-off ticket for each book you check out (limit 5 per week). You could win instantly or your tickets will be put in a drawing for a grand prize.
2. Play our "You Are Here" photo game and guess where the photographer was standing when they took each picture. (Located on the teen bulletin board)

Programs:
Taste of the World
Help prepare and taste dishes from countries and cultures around the world. Dates include June 14 & 28 and July 12, at 2:00 PM. Register now.

Silent Library
Bring your friends and challenge other teams to complete crazy tasks while staying silent. July 26 at 2:00 PM. Register now.

Volunteer Opportunities:
We need teen volunteers to support our children's programming through the months of June and July. Contact the library and ask for Chrissy to volunteer.

2011-05-06T10:16:00.001-07:00

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've read quite a few accounts of survival during deportation to Siberia, both non-fiction and novelizations, but this one added to my understanding with both details I've never heard and incredible depth of emotion. Lina is a wonderful character, both relatable and believable, her mother is determined and intelligent, and the fellow prisoners who create a community around them are a believable mix of strength, weakness, defiance and defeat. I was heartbroken when the story ended that I didn't get to witness Lina's eventual release and how she was reunited with those she loved. But in a way, the questions left by the novel mirror the questions left by the disappearance of so many people into the Soviet gulag system. For every story we hear, there are many many more that were never told, because so many people didn't survive. This is a great first novel, and handles a difficult topic with talent and grace.

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2011-05-05T08:42:00.001-07:00

Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Ruby was sure she could make it the last few months of her senior year without anyone finding out her mother was gone. Why should she be sent off to stay with someone else when she was doing just fine on her own. Sure they'd turned off the gas, and the electricity, but she wasn't starving, and she could make it on her own. Here sister, Cora doesn't agree, and Ruby goes to live in Cora's perfect neighborhood, with her perfect husband and perfect house. Ruby figures this is no place for her, and the minute they take their eyes off of her, she's going over the fence. But it turns out life isn't so perfect for Cora either, and if Ruby decides to stay, she won't have a perfect life, but she might have a real family.

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2011-04-26T09:27:00.001-07:00

The Luxe by Anna Godbersen

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Long before the ladies of Gossip Girl were flouting the rules of society in New York, there were the ladies of Luxe. Elizabeth is engaged to Henry, but she's in love with the stable boy. Her sister is looking for adventure, and Henry might be in love with her instead. And Penelope will do anything to have Henry for herself. Filled with elaborate turn-of-the-century fashion and social rules, The Luxe will take you back to a different age, but it's the same old story of love, lies and loss.

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2011-01-30T06:05:00.001-08:00

Bloody Jack: Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary "Jacky" Faber, Ship's Boy by L.A. Meyer

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Mary Faber has had enough of the squalor and begging on London's streets, so she sheds her past and her name and becomes Bloody Jack, a cabin boy on one of Her Majesty's ships. The food is good, and there are friends and a great many things to learn, but there are also too many chances for discovery and danger.

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2011-01-29T11:00:00.001-08:00

Little Brother by Cory Doctorow

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

There's been another terrorist attack on America soil, this time in San Francisco, and the Department of Homeland Security has moved in to ensure the safety of the public. But are they taking things too far? After an unfair and terrifying brush with the DHS, Marcus decides to put his considerable hacking skills to use in subverting their unconstitutional scrutiny. Can a bunch of underage computer geeks beat the best the DHS has to offer, and are they in the right to fight for their freedoms, or are they becoming terrorists themselves? Smart from start to finish, Doctorow has written a great book. Don't miss it.

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2011-01-09T10:44:00.000-08:00

Oh. My. Gods. by Tera Lynn Childs

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Phoebe's mother has announced that she is remarrying, and they are moving from LA to Greece. What could be worse. Perhaps the fact that everyone at her new school is a descendant of a Greek God, powers and all. Everyone except Phoebe.

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2010-10-22T07:37:00.001-07:00

Woods Runner by Gary Paulsen

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I liked this book. Paulsen removes some of the hero-worship and whitewash we usually get in depictions of our Revolution, and adds a good bit of gritty realism. Granted all the bad deeds are done by the British and rather pointedly, the Hessians, so it's still pretty one-sided, but it's a more realistic view of the war than some others I've read. I'm undecided about the little non-fiction explanations sprinkled through the book. On one hand they are informative, but on the other, a writer as skilled as Paulsen should be able to fold that information into the story without breaking into it with textbook excerpts. The plot was very spare, covering only a few days, so perhaps he didn't want to clutter it up too much with those details. Still, the author shows considerable skill by making the characters like-able and well rounded in the limited time of the story.

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2010-09-29T12:27:00.000-07:00

Amulet, Book 2: The Stonekeeper's Curse by Kazu Kibuishi

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm really enjoying this series. While most of the main points are a bit predictable (young hero with secret power advised by wise old warrior) the bits about elves and curses and walking houses are pretty cool.

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Silent Library

2010-07-30T13:37:00.000-07:00

8 teens took on the challenge of Silent Library and competed against each other at tasks like eating brussel sprouts, stacking cups and putting together puzzles with no pictures, all as quietly as possible.

Everyone had a great time. Look for more events like this in the fall.

Chrissy's Pick of the Week

2010-06-22T12:29:00.001-07:00

Calamity Jack by Shannon Hale

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Rapunzel's side kick from Rapunzel's Revenge gets to tell his side of the story (particularly how he appeared carrying a goose and in a dress in the first book.) Punzie is as game for adventures as ever, and the pair are coming in from the wild west to the big city for some big mischief.

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Summer Booklist-Pirates and Vampires

2010-06-02T08:12:00.000-07:00

Pirates:
Larklight by Philip Reeve
Bloody Jack Series by L.A. Meyer
Redwall Series by Brian Jacques
Peter and the Starcatchers Series by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi
Capt. Hook, the Adventures of a Notorious Youth by J. V. Hart

Vampires:
Chronicles of Vladimir Tod by Heather Brewer
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
The Reformed Vampire Support Group by Catherine Jinks
Night Road by Sarwat Chadda
House of Night Series by P.C. and Kristin Cast
Blue Bloods Series by Melissa De La Cruz

Both:
Vampirates Series by Justin Somper

Chrissy's Pick of the Week

2010-04-22T08:49:00.001-07:00

Mouse Guard: Winter 1152 by David Petersen

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This series is shaping up to be great. The characters have enough depth that I'm beginning to care about what happens to them, and the plot has some good twists and even a little romance. I'm looking forward to Spring and summer.

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Chrissy's Pick of the Week

2010-04-14T07:56:00.000-07:00

Mouse Guard Volume One: Fall 1152 by David Petersen

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Three intrepid guards head into the wild in search of a lost merchant and stumble upon a treacherous plot that threatens everything they know. With a few twists, and some swift action, I didn't even care that I was reading about mice.

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Chrissy's Pick of the Week

2010-04-02T08:28:00.001-07:00

Amulet: The StoneKeeper, Book 1 by Kazu Kibuishi

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Emily has lost her father to a car accident, her mother has moved the family to a creepy old house in the middle of nowhere, and now Mom's been eaten by a tentacled monster. Good thing she's got her grandfather's amulet. Between that and a smart pink bunny, Emily should be able to save the day.

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My Team Fantasy Baseball

2010-03-10T11:50:00.000-08:00

Pick your own team of all star players and get your scores all summer long. The Newton Falls Public Library will be offering fantasy baseball again this year. Patrons of all ages are welcome to participate. There is no draft, so choose any players you like. Challenge your friends or work as a team. Adults and kids can work together. Scores will be posted weekly in the library and online. This program is for your enjoyment only. No prizes will be awarded. To request a packet, contact me at chrissybraun@newtonfalls.org. Teams must be registered by March 31st.

Chrissy's Pick of the Week

2010-01-28T07:41:00.001-08:00

Years of Dust by Albert Marrin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
It's hard to imagine dust, something that is mildly annoying on your furniture, destroying whole communities and causing one of the biggest population shifts in US history, but that's exactly what happened during the Years of Dust. Read this informative and interesting account of the Dust Bowl. What makes this book great are the incredible pictures on nearly every page.

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Chrissy's Pick of the Week

2010-01-19T08:04:00.000-08:00

Demons of the Ocean by Justin Somper

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Connor and Grace Tempest refuse to accept their fate as orphans after their father dies. Instead they choose to risk their lives at sea. After a violent storm separates them, Connor falls in with a good-natured crew of pirates, but Grace is rescued by a much darker vessel crewed by Vampirates. Connor must learn his craft quickly, and depend on his new friends if he is to reach Grace before she meets an unhappy end at the hands of the Demons of the Ocean. I love the setting, the characters, and the ongoing tension on both vessel. This should be a great series.

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Chrissy's Pick of the Week

2010-01-13T10:06:00.000-08:00

Welcome to a New Year here at the Newton Falls Public Library, and a new service here on the Teen Blog: Chrissy's Pick of the Week. Each week, I (Chrissy the Teen Librarian) will tell you about a new book in our teen section that you won't want to miss. This week I offer:
In the Woods by Robin Stevenson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Cameron is used to the way things are. He's the screw up and his sister Katie is the perfect one. Then something happens that upsets everything Cameron is used to. He finds a baby abandoned in the woods, and saves its life. Cam is a hero, but he hasn't told the whole truth. Katie told him where to go to find the baby. How did she know it would be there? This quick read from Orca Soundings is a pretty gripping read. Will Cameron choose to save the day, or take the easy road and ignore what he knows.

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Check back next week for another pick of the week.

2009-11-18T06:34:00.001-08:00

In My Hands: Memories of a Holocaust Rescuer by Irene Opdyke

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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2009-11-12T08:39:00.001-08:00

The Great and Only Barnum: The Tremendous, Stupendous Life of Showman P. T. Barnum by Candace Fleming

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Come one, come all, and read about the greatest showman on earth. P.T. Barnum's life was as interesting as his shows. From the creation of his reputation for tricking his audience to his genius for drawing a crowd, from the complete destruction of his famous museum by fire to the financial ruin that nearly ended his career before he even began a circus, there's never a dull moment in this story.

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Weekly Clue

2009-10-23T11:56:00.001-07:00

•MI6 report confirms suspect dispatched by secret agent and woman in a bikini.
•Librarians confirm use of candles around books is frowned upon. No candlesticks in the library.
•Foyer was occupied at the time of the crime.

2009-10-13T08:10:00.000-07:00

•Suspects alibi confirmed by three very frightened pigs.
•Lead testing eliminates pipe as a murder weapon
•Teen area occupied by members of the Anime Club during the crime. They seem trustworthy.

2009-10-06T07:40:00.000-07:00

•Evidence of ticking clocks in the library suggests suspect would not enter the crime scene for fear of the tick-tock
•Local History room was locked at the time of the crime
•No evidence of poison was found.

Week Four Clues:

2009-10-01T08:26:00.000-07:00

•Research indicates suspect is currently living a long life alone with his cowardice, and could not have committed the crime.
•Extension Cord not consistent with crime as a murder weapon.
•Lack of dirt and plant matter around body indicates garden not the scene of the crime.

Week Three Clues:

2009-09-22T07:30:00.000-07:00

•Hospital records reveal suspect was busy terrorizing patients at the time of the crime.
•Crime took place less than ten minutes before the library closed, and circulation desk was therefore closed.
•Building maintenance reports all wrenches are accounted for.

Week Two Clues

2009-09-17T08:38:00.000-07:00

•Evaluation of past crimes suggests petty library murder is beneath the greatest criminal mind on earth.
•Surveillance Tape review confirms that no one was in the staff room during the crime.
•Victim’s wounds not consistent with the use of letter opener as a weapon.

Week One Clues:

2009-09-17T08:36:00.000-07:00

•Wicked Witch of the West has a solid alibi. Excavation of rubble reveals witch under house at the time of the crime.
•Library inventory confirms all scissors are accounted for during the time of the crime.
•Garage area was locked during the crime, and suspects did not have access to the keys.

The Librarian Checks Out

2009-09-17T08:26:00.000-07:00

The old librarian has shushed her last patron, and a character from one of our books is the murderer. Collect weekly clues, here or in the library and help us solve this crime. If you solve the crime, bring your solution to the library on or before October 27th and you could win a prize.

We are investigating these suspects:
The Wicked Witch of the West
Lord Voldemort
Dexter
The Big Bad Wolf
Lex Luthor
Dr. No
Nurse Ratched
Captain Hook
Prince Humperdinck

This is our list of possible murder weapons:
Scissors
Candlestick
Poison
Letter Opener
Lamp
Extension Cord
Hemingway's Head (stone statue)
Lead Pipe
Wrench

The crime could have taken place in one of these locations:
Foyer
Staff Room
Local History
Stair Well
Garage
Teen Area
Garden
Circulation
Elevator

Can You Solve the crime?

Summer Photo Contest

2009-09-17T08:21:00.000-07:00

These four photos received votes in our summer photo contest:

2009-08-18T07:32:00.000-07:00

A Brief Chapter in My Impossible Life by Dana Reinhardt

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Far more interesting than your everyday teen high school drama.

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2009-08-15T08:37:00.001-07:00

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Very good story, not as painful to read as I expected. I never doubted what Mia would choose. I think the real story is about her parents, the ideals and character they gave Mia, so the reader never wonders whether or not she will stay.

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2009-08-14T07:35:00.001-07:00

Gankutsuou 1: The Count of Monte Cristo by Mahiro Maeda

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Fantastic artwork, and an interesting setting for Dumas's work. Story is a bit convoluted for the format, but if you already know the plot it doesn't seem to be a problem.

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Flickr Photo Contest

2009-07-22T17:55:00.000-07:00

Express Yourself through digital photography this summer by entering our Flickr Photo Contest. If you are already a member of Flickr, simply post your photos to the group pool at Flickr. If you are not a member of Flickr, you can e-mail your photos to me at chrissy.braun@newtonfalls.org. Then check out this blog all summer to vote for your favorite.

Contest Entries-Vote to the right.

2009-06-04T15:47:00.001-07:00

Entry #1

Entry #2

Entry #3

Entry #4

Entry #5

Entry #6

#7

#8

#9

#10

#11

#12

2009-05-28T10:13:00.001-07:00

44444 Teens

The Hunger Games Party, October 20

We Need You!

Teen Summer Reading Program

Silent Library

Chrissy's Pick of the Week

Summer Booklist-Pirates and Vampires

Chrissy's Pick of the Week

Chrissy's Pick of the Week

Chrissy's Pick of the Week

My Team Fantasy Baseball

Chrissy's Pick of the Week

Chrissy's Pick of the Week

Chrissy's Pick of the Week

Weekly Clue

Week Four Clues:

Week Three Clues:

Week Two Clues

Week One Clues:

The Librarian Checks Out

Summer Photo Contest

Flickr Photo Contest

Contest Entries-Vote to the right.

My review

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knit and stitch help

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Vote for Your Favorite

Time is Running Out!

New Project for Knit and Stitch

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You Choose!

New Titles

A hat for everyone

My review

Read a Winner....

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Knit and Stitch Help

My review

We have a Wii!

My review

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Poll Results

My review

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Knitting Club

Teens Top Ten

Poll Results

Anime Knits

My review

Knit and Stitch is Coming!

Anime Club

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Drop Your Pants @ The Library

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My review