New YA Books!

I review books here, and the owner put together this LIST of HOT books for the upcoming months.  I found it useful for keeping tabs on what’s coming up and I’m hoping to order roughly 2/3rds of them.  There are some cross-over tween titles on the list too.  Hope y’all find it helpful!

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It’s set in a world where the government reminds the districts who attempted, but failed to overthrow the government, that they are in supreme control. They set up an elaborate game where two children from each district must travel to the Capital and fight for their survival while the whole worlds watches the Hunger Games. There is only one winner in these game, it’s either kill or be killed.
In an unlucky drawing, Katniss’s sister is chosen, but Katniss volunteers to take her place. The other chosen one from district 12 is a boy Katniss owes a debt. He once threw her some burnt bread, when she and her family were in desperate times. Now they’re training together. Katniss has been secretly hunting for years to feed her family, which gives her an edge when the talent judging begins.
These games are not just fatal – they’re also entertainment. The contestants have sponsors based on their rate for survival. The sponsors can get them anything they need during the games. Katniss and Peeta know this, and they’re starting to play a game to gain more favor points with the audience. But is the game turning into reality for one of them? And how will it help them in the long run, when they come face to face in the game? Who will be the ultimate winner?

I’d heard many people (mostly librarians) talking about this book – which prompted me to read it. And I’m ever so glad I did. It’s amazing, one of my favorite books all year. I simply can’t wait for the next one.

Has anyone had the author come speak at their library? I hear she’s from CT.

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Books with Bite bookmarks, Teen Read Week, and Breaking Dawn

For my Breaking Dawn party, I created 3 different bookmarks.

And then pasted a booklist onto the backs with other vampire novels.

I’m happy to share if anyone wants me to send them the files, just shoot me an email at mrdarcy3@yahoo.com

Does anyone have Teen Read Week Ideas?

I’ve got a couple rolling around in my head, but nothing firmly set except a Friday afternoon Brownie Bites where teens can create their own brownie snack (with hot fudge and other toppings)

I did come across this website here that has suggestions

Breaking Dawn:

Did anyone read this yet? I rushed through it over the weekend. I’m hearing all kinds of mixed reviews, mostly from adults though. Are your teens loving it?  I’m still curious about the meaning behind the cover. i have two theories.  I did hear the Meyer herself had input on it, which makes me think that I’m in the right direction.  We had a debate on the covers at the party and I heard: Forbidden Love for the Apple, Bella wilted away because Edward was gone for the Flower, and Bella torn between Edward and Jacob for the ribbon.

Jennifer R.

Vampire Booklists: The Vampire Library, Houston Library Vampire Fiction,

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This cover caught my eye, but Terri (the author) left me a comment on my myspace page. She wanted to tell me about and have me watch the book trailer on her page. It looks great. From the cover, you’d never know what the book was about. It’s about a girl who is deaf, but reads lips very well. The popular girls discover her secret…and use it their advantage, which is a surprising but clever one. Now that I’ve seen the trailer, it just makes me want to read the book more. And it just came out…

101 Sorority

I’ve been excited to read this new series (I got an ARC during the winter of the first title, they both came out at the same time) It’s written by Marley Gibson (Kate Harmon = pen name) and she’s part of the Books, Boys, and Buzz blog, which is home to several great authors.

This series is about 3 girls who start off freshman year of college and meet each other during the rush season. They deal with juggling classes, meeting cute guys, roommate issues, and of course rushing a sorority. They are quick and addicting reads, similar, but more realistic to Gossip Girl, and they’re perfect for high school readers (something I love and wish there were more of) and perhaps some college students as well.

The third book in the series comes out in October, called The Formal. No cover art displayed yet…

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Another Great Read:

Twins, Persephone (Persy) and Penelope (Pen), are getting ready for their season debut. There’s so much to learn and so much still to accomplish. Persy is extremely nervous about her debut, partically that she’ll have to hold conversations with strangers. Both girls will have to be careful about keeping their magical abilities quiet. Just as they arrive at their London house, they soon discover that their governess is missing. When they visit her family, the plot thickens and they begin to suspect foul play. What would someone want with their governess and why is she being held at Kensington Palace? Luckily, they receive an invitation to the palace for tea and have a small chance for snooping.

I loved the romance, the magic, and mystery of this charming novel. It reminded me both of:

and I confess that all I wanted to do was finish this book.

Just Read (and couldn’t put down)

Sameera’s dad is running for president. In these books she deals with makeover, the press asking a bunch of questions, finding her voice, and showing American her true self. The first book takes place during the election and the second covers the first few months in the White House. Sameers (aka Sparrow) writes a blog in the book and you can go there and see today’s coverage of the election race. The author also has a myspace and facebook page and she’s the newest member of the READERGIRLZ!

I’m hoping that Perkins will cover all four years and add more books to the series. It reminded me a little bit of this series (which is being updated and rereleased in the summer)

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher ()
From Asher to Claudette: If you have a book discussion group at your library, I’d love to help you to put together a unique event using my YA novel, Thirteen Reasons Why…even if I can’t be there in person. I’ve included a description of the book below, which, as you’ll see, provides opportunities to discuss many issues teens deal with.
Before your event, I’ll send you a package containing a hardcopy of the map seen on www. thirteenreasonswhy. com, and enough bookmarks and autographed bookplates for everyone in your group. To bring one of the storytelling elements from the book into your discussion, if you e-mail me reader-submitted questions prior to the event, I’ll send you an audiotape of me answering some of those questions. And if you don’t have access to a cassette player, maybe we can set up a conference call. A guest speaker (perhaps a crisis hotline worker, a school counselor, or a teen psychologist) would make for a very positive event.”

Summary:
The rules are pretty simple. There are only two. Rule number one: You listen. Number two: You pass it on. Hopefully, neither one will be easy for you.
(from Cassette 1: Side A)
Hannah Baker records the defining moments of the past few years of her life onto seven audiotapes. Thirteen stories involving several people at her school. She packs the tapes into a shoebox and mails them to the first person on the list. Then, she goes home to kill herself.
Two weeks later, Clay Jensen comes home from school to find a box with no return address leaning against his front door. Inside are seven audiotapes, their sides labeled 1 through 13 in blue nail polish. He has no idea what’s on the tapes, which is kind of exciting…until he presses play.
With Hannah’s voice as his narrator, Clay spends the rest of the night wandering through town, visiting places mentioned on the tapes, unearthing the thirteen reasons why Hannah chose to kill herself.
And one reason belongs to him.

Reviews:
Chris Crutcher: “Very clever premise, strong voice, perfect suspense. This one will keep you reading. Jay Asher is a fine storyteller.”
Kirkus (starred review): “A brilliant and mesmerizing debut from a gifted new author.”
Publishers Weekly: “This uncommonly polished debut opens on a riveting scenario… Asher expertly paces the narrative, splicing Hannah’s tale with Clay’s mounting anxiety and fear.”
School Library Journal: “The complex and soulful characters expose astoundingly rich and singularly teenage inner lives… The episodic structure is nicely suited to reluctant readers, but the breakneck pace and dizzying emotion are the true source of this novel’s irresistible readability at all levels.”

Awards & Lists:
Best Books for Young Adults
Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers
Selected Audiobooks for Young Adults
Barnes & Noble Top Ten Best for Teens
Borders Original Voices finalist
Chicago Public Library Best Books
Book Sense Pick – winter