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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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.