Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Book Review

Hold Me Closer Necromancer by Lish McBride

Sam’s a college dropout who leads a pretty uneventful life as a fry-cook at the local burger joint. One day after work he and his friends are playing potato hockey in the parking lot, and he sends a potato into the taillight of a Mercedes, that shouldn’t have even been parked there. When the owner of the car, Douglas Montgomery, shows up at the restaurant, Sam’s life changes forever. Douglas is a necromancer, and interrogates Sam as to why he hasn’t registered with the council. Apparently Sam is a necromancer too, and one with huge potential However, one thing Douglas doesn’t like is competition. How will Sam cope with his new not-so-uneventful life as a person who can raise the dead? This is a great-quick read with lots of humor along with the supernatural elements, which you won’t want to put down.

–Recommended for Grades 7 and up

Monday, May 9, 2011

Check these Out!

Okay for Now by Gary Schmidt
As a fourteen-year-old who just moved to a new town, with no friends, an abusive father, and a louse for an older brother, Doug Swieteck has all the stats stacked against him until he finds an ally in Lil Spicer--a fiery young lady. Together, they find a safe haven in the local library, inspiration in learning about the plates of John James Audubon's birds, and a hilarious adventure on a Broadway stage.

Rosebush by Michele Jaffe
The morning after an epic Memorial Day party on the Jersey shore, Jane Freeman wakes up paralyzed, lying in a rosebush after a hit-and-run. Everyone believes it was an accident, but as friends come to visit in the hospital Jane's memories begin to surface, not just from the party but from deeper in her past, including the night her best friend Bonnie died.


The Betrayal of Maggie Blair by Elizabeth Laird
In seventeenth-century Scotland, sixteen-year-old Maggie Blair is sentenced to be hanged as a witch but escapes to the home of her uncle, placing him and his family in great danger as she risks her life to save them all from the King's men.



Rival by Sara Bennett Wealer
Two high school rivals compete in a prestigious singing competition while reflecting on the events that turned them from close friends to enemies the year before.




Lost and Found by Shaun Tan
Three stories explore how we lose and find what matters most to us, as a girl finds a bright spot in a dark world, a boy leads a strange, lost being home, and a group of peaceful creatures loses its home to cruel invaders.



Ancient Werewolves and Vampires: the Roots of the Teeth by Adelaide Bennett
Explores the earliest tales and folklore about werewolves and vampires.




Teen Cyberbullying Investigated: Where Do Your Rights End and Consequences Begin by Judge Tom Jacobs
How do teens know when they might be "one click away from the clink"? In Teen Cyberbullying Investigated, Judge Tom Jacobs presents a powerful collection of landmark court cases involving teens and charges of cyberbullying, which includes: sending insulting or threatening emails, text, or instant messages directly to someone; spreading hateful comments about someone through emails, blogs, or chat rooms; stealing passwords and sending out threatening messages using a false identity; and building a Web site to target specific people. Each chapter features the seminal case and resulting decision, asks readers whether they agree with the decision, and urges them to think about how the decision affects their lives. Chapters also include related cases, important facts and statistics, and suggestions for further reading. With an ever-increasing number of serious cases of cyberbullying and school violence, this book is needed more urgently than ever.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

This video was created and submitted by teen Lucas Ruderman to be entered into the “You Are Here” Teen Video Challenge 2011. It was chosen as the winner for New York State and you can see other winners here: http://www.summerreadingnys.org/index.php/Teens/menu/category/video_challenge_winners/