Teen Review: Chopsticks by Anthony & Corral
Just in case it wasn’t obvious enough from the cover, Chopsticks is a love story between piano prodigy, Glory Flemming, and the boy next door, Frank. The book grabs the reader by starting in the present with Gloria’s disappearance and then reverts back to the events leading up to her disappearance. Growing up, Gloria has more than a child could ever want, including loving parents and a musical talent that many would kill for. One tragic day, Glory’s mother dies, and Glory retreats into her music. Depressed and lonely, Glory is immediately drawn to her new neighbor Frank. With every one of Frank’s mix CDs and their late-night IM conversations, Glory becomes more invested in their relationship and less in the sold-out shows she plays in Carnegie Hall and around the world. Eventually, the only song she is able to play is Chopsticks.
Personally, I loved this book and would recommend it to anybody… or any girl that is (maybe a few boys). The use of pictures to tell the story is what sets this book apart and is probably the main reason why this book really stuck with me. the pictures are used effectively and do an excellent job of developing the plot and the characters. LThey also offer a unique perspective, a surprising does of emotion and mystery, with lots of room for interpretation. A phrase from the trailer of the book that aptly summarizes it is: “Is Chopsticks a dream or a nightmare? I’d say a little of both, intriguingly so.” So, do you agree? Read the book and decide for yourself. Ages 13 and up.
Anvita
Listen to our YA book review roundup for January
Several teens from our Teen Library Council read recently published YA books as well as a few that are about to be published. They met on January 9th to discuss these books and share their thoughts with everyone. Listen to the recording at the link below if you’re looking for a new YA book. There are some great suggestions for what to read and what to avoid from our teens.
The books discussed are:
- My Rotten Life by David Lubar
- Eona by Alison Goodman
- The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg
- The Waking: Spirits of the Noh by Thomas Randall
- Girls of No Return by Erin Saldin
- Dragonswood by Janet Lee Carey
- Truth by Julia Karr
- Chopsticks by Jessica Anthony
- Awkward by Marnie Bates
- Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer
- Trafficked by Kim Purcell
- Ditched: a love story by Robin Mellom
The audio can be found here:
“Own the Night” 2012 Teen Summer Reading Art Contest
This is your chance to see your original artwork featured on Washington county’s promotional materials for the summer of 2012. This year’s theme is “Own the Night” and your artwork needs to represent this theme (though you don’t need to include the words of the theme in your artwork). Grand prize is one $150 Powell’s gift card and the runner ups get gift cards to Blick (formerly Art Media). Check the Washington County website for more details. The deadline is February 29th.
Teen Review: Dragonswood
Dragonswood is the story of a teenage girl named Tess. Her world is in near chaos after the death of their king, and everything she knows is about to change. A bloodthirsty witch hunter with concealed intentions accuses Tess of witchcraft, and she is forced to flee her village, the only place she has ever known. She must journey into the wilderness of Wilde Island, a place most people are terrified of. Little does she know, an ancienct prophecy is about to be fulfilled in a way no one could have predicted. Dragonswood is an exciting tale for any and all lovers of fantasy.
Lucy, middle school
New Teen Comics: Wolverine, the X-men & more
The character of Wolverine seems to be in every graphic novel these days. Here are a few of the places he’s been popping up along with a list of some of our other new superhero books in the teen section.
Uncanny X-Force - Rick Remender
Wolverine & Archangel lead a secret team of X-men aimed at taking out threats permanently. Things don’t go according to plan.
Wolverine: vs. the X-men - Jason Aaron
Jason Aaron literally takes Wolverine to hell and allows a demon to possess his body. Craziness ensues in his popular run on the ongoing Wolverine series.
X-men: Second Coming – Mike Carey
Birth of Generation Hope - Matt Fraction
Generation Hope: The Future’s a Four-Letter Word - Kieron Gillen
Who is the girl from the future and can she be the mutant world’s last hope? Wolverine wants to know too. Hope gets her own series too in which she deals with the fallout from her appearance.
X-men: Curse of the Mutants
It’s X-men vs. the vampire hordes as the heroes attempt to thwart Dracula’s son. But if Wolverine becomes a vampire, who can stop him?
X-men: With Great Power
Guest staring Spider-man!!!
Uncanny X-men: Breaking Point - Kieron Gillen
Kitty Pryde is back, but her powers are malfunctioning. Who can help her?
Astonishing Spider-man & Wolverine - Jason Aaron
What if Wolverine and Spider-man were thrown back in time together and had to live a lifetime in the blink of an eye before getting back to their real world? Jason Aaron tells the strange tale.
Magneto Testament
Amazing artwork and stark storytelling mark this book about Magneto’s origin.
Mystique – Brian K. Vaughan
Learn more about the X-men villain Mystique in this collection.
FF - Jonathan Hickman
With one member of the Fantastic Four gone, the remaining members reform as the Future Foundation. They even allow Spider-man to join! Yet they soon find they need to enlist the help of Dr. Doom and the other villains to stop a rogue Reed Richards from destroying their world.
Batman: the Black Mirror - Scott Snyder
Dick Grayson, the original Robin, is now Batman. He must solve a mysterious murder by a new foe, but the real threat lies closer than anyone can imagine in this moody, superhero thriller.
Recent realistic & historical teen fiction at the Cedar Mill Library
Take a look at these recent arrivals in the YA section that may have slipped under the radar. These books focus on realism or historical fiction.
Now is the Time for Running by Michael Williams
Deo and his disabled brother escape attacking soldiers in Zimbabwe with not much more than a soccer ball. But it’s what’s in the soccer ball that sets them apart.
Dreams of Significant Girls by Cristina Garcia
Three very different girls from multicultural backgrounds attend summer school in Switzerland in the 70s.
Bestest Ramadan Ever by Medeia Sharif
15 year old Almira struggles with her strict upbringing and her desire to be a “normal” teenage girl in America.
Cleopatra’s Moon by Vicky Shecter
Cleopatra Selene is the only living daughter of Marc Antony and Cleopatra. She recalls her tumultuous life in this historical fiction work.
Stupid Fast by Geoff Herbach
Felton develops a new outlook on high school life after a giant growth spurt allows him to become a powerful athlete instead of a scrawny, picked on loser.
The Rites and Wrongs of Janice Wills by Joanna Pearson
Janice endeavors to apply her budding Anthropology skills to use as she analyzes high school life in North Carolina.
Sign Language by Amy Ackley
Teenaged life is hard enough, but when Abby’s Dad is diagnosed with cancer, things get even more difficult.
Shut Out by Kody Keplinger
Lissa and the other athlete’s girlfriends develop a plan to deal with the increasing rivalry between the football and soccer teams.
You Have Seven Messages by Stewart Lewis
Lisa tries to make sense of her mother’s death and the seven unheard messages from her on her missing cell phone.
Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick by Joe Schreiber
Perri gets more than he bargained for when his parents force him to take their Lithuanian exchange student, Gobi, to prom. Much more!
Teen Book Review: The Future of Us
I thought that Jay Asher & Carolyn Mackler had a very good idea for their new book, A Future of Us. The book is set in 1996. Emma has just gotten her first computer and she puts a free America Online disk into her computer with her best friend Josh watching. When they load it, they find themselves on Facebook from 2011. The book is about how their relationship changes as they look at their futures.
I think many people will like this book, but after reading it, there was something missing for me. The beginning and middle had a slow pace and there wasn’t anything else in the plot to capture my attention. I was expecting a sci-fi novel, but it was closer to realistic fiction. The ending was expected and even though there was an element of science fiction, the book was basically a story about a boy and a girl who like each other and are too shy to admit it. But like I said, I expect many people will like this.
-Rebecca, 8th grade
To hear a discussion of A Future of Us and several other recent teen books by our Teen Library Council, check out this audio.
Teens – Make some gifts Saturday the 10th at 2 PM !!!
Having trouble figuring out what to get Mom or Dad? Not sure what to do for a friend or teacher? Come to our Do It Yourself Teen Gift Making Event on Saturday Dec. 10th at 2 PM. We will have several stations set up with members of our Teen Library Council available to help you create that individual gift that will be remembered long after the last tie or pair of socks is forgotten. There will be stations related to ornaments, string dolls, redesigning t-shirts, picture frames, and earrings. We will also have a gift wrapping station. We will have an instant photo camera ready to take pictures for the frames or the ornaments. So if you need some ideas this holiday season for gifts, come by our Do It Yourself program on Saturday.
Learn about Academic Success 3:30 PM Wednesday Dec. 7th
School tests got you stressed? Chris Tobias, author of 101 Secrets to Passing Any Test, will be at the Cedar Mill Library Wednesday, December 7th at 3:30 PM to show teens some unique methods to improve your grades and perform better at school. Join us for this fun, informative session suitable for middle school, high school or college age students.
Teen Book Reviews
So B. It: a novel by Sarah Weeks
So B. It is an inspirational journey about a simple girl who has a debilitated mom. The girl goes on a journey, traveling across the country by herself to find her father. Along the way she meets countless numbers of generous people who help her along the way. In the end, an unexpected turn of events happen, which finally lead her to find her father. You will have to read this book to find out what happens! -Aish, 11th grade
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
The book Hatchet is an extraordinary story about a boy named Brian and his adventure through the unknown. Food, water, and shelter all become very scarce but most of all survival! Read this book if you want a bit of mystery, excitement and suspense! -Aastha, 10th grade
13 little blue envelopes by Maureen Johnson
This book is about a lost teenager who does not believe in herself. When her dead aunt’s package and letters finally get to her, she embarks on an amazing adventure through Europe meeting artists and other amazing people to discover herself. On the way, she meets Keith, her first boyfriend who helps her through all her predicaments. This is an amazing quest of self-discovery and love. -Amanda, 8th grade
