Dani's Story

Dani's Story is a heartbreaking story of a little girl that went through enormous neglect to come full circle and triumph to a wonderful new family. When 6 year old Dani was removed from her birth mother's home in 2005 she was not toilet trained, could not speak and walked on her tip toes. With the love and patience and perseverence of Bernie and Diane Lierow. They adopted her in 2007 and transformed her once dark and small world to one filled with love, patience and Hello Kitty. I cried and cheered for every little milestone made in this child's life and thought that God does make an incredible change in people's lives. This book is a must read!

Dust & Decay

The second book to Rot& Ruin is just as amazing as the first. Dust & Decay by Jonathan Maberry picks up with the kids training for their road trip to follow the jet plane. Their trip gets off to a rocky start when they discover that their old friends, Brother Davis, Sister Sarah and Sister Shanti are missing. They also meet up with a new shady character by the name of Preacher Jack. There are also some weird happenings in the Ruin. Some zombies are moving quite a bit faster than usual and they are swarming. Animals are turning up long distances from where they should be and the strangest thing of all is that some people are not re-animating after death. They have also heard rumours that Gameland is back up and running. Again this is a fast paced wonderful book. I hope that you will take the time to read the first book Rot& Ruin. I can't wait for the conclusion. Please hurry Mr. Maberry!

Drummer Girl by Karen Bass

We all want to fit in, be part of the group, and be accepted for who we are. Sid is no exception to this: as an extraordinarily talented drummer, she lives her life doing what she loves. However, Sid yearns for the opportunity to be the drummer for a local band and when she is asked to change one small thing about herself to make that opportunity happen, she drops her reservations and tries.

In some books, when the plain girl gets a makeover, the whole world changes: boys suddenly notice that she is beautiful and want to be with her, the mean girls at school suddenly realize they were wrong to bully her and the job that rejected her suddenly cannot do enough to bring her into the fold. For Sid, when she makes herself over to better fit the image of what the hottest band in high school, The Fourth Down (TFD), wants, things do indeed change for her: a dear friend is lost, unwanted sexual attention is gained and disappointment is earned from one of her mentors.

I love YA fiction (and read it almost exclusively) because it leaps into difficult subjects without hesitation and challenges with the topic without a lot of flowery fuss. Sid deals with being thought of as being gay to being the object of sexual harassment and an assault and does so in a very realistic manner. Sid is an incredibly likable character, as are all the characters in this book. They have faults, they have feelings, they have misunderstandings and tragedies and throughout the entire book, I like them all from her workaholic father to her goofy love interest Brad as well as her friends and school guidance counsellor.

Ultimately, Sid learns a lesson or two and Karen Bass makes sure it happens without being preachy. It is evident that Bass knows and understands young people and I look forward to reading more of her books!

On order at the Stettler Public Library. Place a hold on it today!

The Salt Lake Loonie: and other stories every sports fan should know by Brett Matlock and Jesse Matlock

I love sports in all forms: I play, watch and follow sports whenever time will allow it. Sometimes my schedule works around when the next Oiler or Stampeder game is televised. Needless to say, sports are an obsession to me. So when I find a sports book that interests me and is entertaining, I must tell everyone about it. That is the case with The Salt Lake Loonie.

Written by brothers Brett and Jesse Matlock, this book tells readers about sporting stories throughout the ages. From the ancient Olympics in Greece to the loonie at centre ice at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, the Matlocks tell entertaining, inspiring and tragic sporting stories from all over the world. Did you know that there is no film footage of Wilt Chamberlain’s 100 point game on March 2, 1962 in one of the NBA’s highest scoring games? Or that Tony Hawk became a professional skateboarder at the tender age of 14?

Including stories about the woman who won the Boston Marathon by taking a shortcut, the tragic 1955 Le Mans endurance race that killed over 80 people when a pit stop went catastrophically wrong and Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope, there is something in this book for everyone to gasp at in awe or shake their collective heads over. The only downside to the book is that there are no pictures but the stories are short and entertaining and I would recommend this book to anyone especially teenage boys.

Stay tuned - this book will be in our catalogue soon!

Sold by Patricia McCormick

Lakshmi is a thirteen year old girl living with her small, poor family in Nepal. They struggle to survive, but Lakshmi enjoys her life, dreaming of the boy she is promised to, and going to school.

After a particularly devastating monsoon wipes out the family's crops, Lakshmi's stepfather insists that she leave home and work in the city to support the family. Instead of being taken to the city to work as a maid, Lakshmi is sold into prostitution in India.

Watch the book trailer.

Request the book now!

Teens, if you think you're too young to garden, please think again! Then go get this book!

Since reading The Secret Garden as a child, I have had a playful interest in gardening. Not once have I taken gardening seriously, never have I amended soil or checked its pH. I subscribe to the school of “let’s see what happens” and have often been quite pleased with the results.

I recognize that a lot of science has gone into gardening and those who use the science actually have beautiful gardens. But who can plod through testing the soil, having the latest gadget and learning the Latin names for plants? I cannot. Gardening to me is about having my hands in the soil, taking risks and hopefully ending up with some carrots at the end.

It is that attitude that I found in “No Guff Vegetable Gardening: Garden Coaches Chat”: the attitude of play, the attitude that this is not all serious, the attitude that there may be more than one right answer. Gardening coaches Donna Balzer and Steven Biggs bring you along for the ride as they expose the “guff” (the nonsense) and share gardening fun with the reader.

Between them, Balzer and Biggs have years of gardening experience but they don’t necessarily agree on everything. Dare I say there are gender differences in gardening? There are also differences in geography: Balzer gardens in Calgary and Biggs in Toronto but both have gardened across Canada.

No Guff Vegetable Gardening is such an appealing book: it is full of colour, illustrations, photographs and no end of humour. Every page is an expression of the excitement the authors obviously feel about gardening. When it arrived in the library, we were all immediately enthralled and even the non-gardeners among us wanted to read the book! And of course I recommend it to you, too. Yes, I realize it is nearing end of the season, but admit it: this is when you start planning for next year!

Request this book now.

Pilot & Huxley by Dan McGuiness

Pilot & Huxley are two boys whose adventures are chronicled in (so far) three hilarious graphic novels by Dan McGuiness. Huxley is the smart, uptight one. Pilot is the goofy, absent-minded one. Together they form a duo who can stop aliens from taking over the world, travel to other dimensions, and beat entire video games.

Just be prepared to laugh your butt off.

Check out these two cool dudes at their website by clicking here.

Unbearable Lightness: a story of loss and gain by Portia de Rossi

Although this is very much an adult story, weight conciousness is something that beings very young. This very frank account of her eating disorder that ruled her life for decades relates her years of anorexia, bulemia and overexercising, the trouble they caused her and how she is healing. Not healed, by any means. She quite openly admits that she's still struggling and dealing with issues.

Eating disorders aren't pretty. Portia de Rossi doesn't glamourise her years of struggle, but rather relates the horrors she lives from eating only a tablespoon of tuna to the fear experienced by her loved ones when they realize that she weighs only 82 pounds and is very likely to die.

I hope this book finds the hands of a young person who is struggling and helps them on their road to healing.

Request it now!

Noah Barleywater Runs Away by John Boyne

"Noah is running away from his problems when he takes the untrodden path through the forest. He comes across a very unusual toyshop and meets an unusual old man who is a toymaker. He's not sure what to expect. But the old man has a story to tell  full of adventure, wonder, and broken promises. Noah has stories to tell too and he learns life lessons from this peculiar old man."

 John Boyne has also written The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. So if you cried while reading that one, this one will more than likely do the same.

Withering Tights by Louise Rennison

If you laughed out loud at Louise Rennison's first series (which you obviously did):

You will love the first book of her NEW series as well:

Georgia's younger cousin Tallulah is just as hilarious, charming, and oblivious as Georgia herself. Just add a few more owls and sheep, a dash of the knobbly knees, and a goofy new version of the Ace Gang. Brillo-pads.

Memoirs of a teenage amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin.

Imagine waking up at age 16 and remembering nothing of your life after you turned 12. Meet Naomi, amnesiac (after a terrible fall), year book photographer, girlfriend to Ace, best friend of Will's. Or is she? She cannot remember any of it.

As Naomi struggles through daily life, she has the opportunity to explore life as a completely different person. Does she realy love Ace? Why is she on yearbook? Who really is James? What is Will hiding? Can she heal her relationship with her mother? Can she like her father's fiance?

As she regains her memory, Naomi meets her authentic self as she rebuilds her life from a blank slate.

Enjoy the book trailer.
Better yet, request the book!

Didsbury's teen page

We are not the only library blogging these days. Follow Didsbury's Teen Advisory page for more book suggestions and things happening in their library.

Rot & Ruin Pt.2

So I finished Rot & Ruin and I am here to tell you that this was an excellent read. It never really slowed down from start to finish and I am very happy to find out that there will be a sequel. It is a great coming of age novel and the main character,Benny Imura, realizes that his brother may not be the coward he always thought he was and the heroes that he worships are not what they appear to be. Lots of great twists and turns and plenty of action!

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Meet Charlie, 16 year old, sophomore and although not the least popular boy at school, he's not the most popular either. Shy and introspective, Charlie is a wallflower, not really participating in high school, but rather, observing it from the sidelines. Charlie speaks to the reader through a series of letters to an unknown person and through them we share in his experiences and insights into his life.

With the help of a teacher who recognizes his wisdom and intuition, and his two friends, seniors Samantha and Patrick, Charlie mostly manages to avoid the depression he feels creeping up like kudzu. When it all becomes too much, after a shocking realization about his beloved late Aunt Helen, Charlie retreats from reality for awhile. But he makes it back in due time, ready to face his sophomore year and all that it may bring. Charlie, sincerely searching for that feeling of "being infinite," is a kindred spirit to the generation that's been slapped with the label X.

Request the book here

Book trailer here.

And keep an eye out - it will be out as a movie soon!

Rot and Ruin

I am reading this amazing book called Rot and Ruin by Jonathan Maberry. So far, awesome!! It is a zombie/dystopic novel and I honestly thought that I would put the book down as soon as the first brain was eaten. Halfway through I have yet to see the typical movie zombie but I am really interested in the way that the main character and his brother see the "zoms", as someone's mother, brother, grandparent or aunt. So far this is an incredible book. I will let you know when I am finished!!

After being hit by a car, Jane is found almost picturesquely laid out in the midst of a rosebush, a battered and broken girl in a party dress eerily resembling the photographs she herself arranges for her Dead Princesses series. She awakens in a hospital room with only scattered memories of the events that culminated in her being struck and left for dead, and it soon becomes clear (to her anyway) that this was no accident, and that someone is eager to finish what he or she started.

Her image-conscious mother and her doctors, however, suspect that the trauma of the experience is making her paranoid, so it is up to her and a hot bad-boy hospital volunteer to figure out who among her apparently devoted friends wants her dead. Jane’s memory returns in flashes, deepening and twisting the mystery as suspects multiply such that even seasoned mystery buffs will have a hard time predicting the nail-biting conclusion. Unlike Jaffe’s previous books, this doesn’t have Scooby Doo–style antics and richly comic laugh lines; instead it meditates on the grotesqueries of high-school popularity games and the deep-seated unmet needs of those who play them. The mystery has plenty of intrigue and the overwrought high-school drama plenty of appeal, though, so Jaffe fans may enjoy the change of pace, and crime fiction buffs will relish Jane’s search for answers.

Review from BCCB Review

Click the book image to request this book now.

And the book trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erSz9qsAITE

Fever Crumb / Philip Reeve

Fever Crumb is a girl who has been adopted and raised by Dr. Crumb, a member of the Order of Engineers, where she serves as apprentice. Soon though, she must say good-bye to Dr. Crumb--nearly the only person she's ever known--to assist archeologist Kit Solent on a top-secret project.

As her work begins, Fever is plagued by memories that are not her own, and Kit seems to have a particular interest in finding out what they are. Fever has also been singled out by city dwellers, who declare that she is part Scriven. The Scriveners, not human, ruled the city some years ago but were hunted down and killed in a victorious uprising by the people. If there are any remaining Scriven, they are too be eliminated. All Fever knows is what she's been told: that she is an orphan. Is Fever a Scriven? Whose memories does she hold? Haunting, arresting, and astonishingly original, Fever Crumb will delight and surprise readers at every fast-paced, breathless turn. (review from Scholastic)

Request the book today!
Watch the book trailer.

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

We recently blogged about Lauren Oliver's new book Delirium, but her less-hyped first novel, Before I Fall, is also a real champion.

From the inside cover:
Samantha Kingston has it all: the world’s most crush-worthy boyfriend, three amazing best friends, and first pick of everything at Thomas Jefferson High—from the best table in the cafeteria to the choicest parking spot. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life.

Instead, it turns out to be her last. Then she gets a second chance. Seven chances, in fact. Reliving her last day during one miraculous week, she will untangle the mystery surrounding her death—and discover the true value of everything she is in danger of losing.

Click here to check out Lauren Oliver's website and learn more about the characters in Before I Fall.
Click HERE to watch a killer book trailer on it.

Happy Canada Day weekend!

Scribbling Women: True Tales from Astonishing Lives by Marthe Jocelyn

A male publisher in 1855 complained about the irritating fad of "scribbling women". Those women could have been writing journals, writing letters to friends, or were professionals. But those irritating scribbles are what helped document history.

Marthe has researched and filtered it down to some of her favourite women. Some are highly educated, some are barely literate. But in some way, all of these women have affected history with their journals, letters, or books. One was the first undercover detective. Another sailed the ocean as a whaler. One woman was a criminal. Another believed that from her travels, the European oppression in Africa was revolting. One women was a survivor of a disastrous scientific expedition. There are many other stories as well.

This book is just an example of how women have kicked butt throughout history.

You can request this book from the Stettler Public Library here.

Book trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaQpaHtuWS4

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

At first I was hesitant to read this book, but it surprised me. For some reason, I could not put this book down. It was creepy, memorable, fast-paced, and sexy. The rugged angel Patch is way better than a sparkling emotional vampire. He has scars, gets dirty, and kills. If you love a bad boy, you can request this book here.

Nora Grey is an independent high school girl. She's never been interested in guys, even if her best friend Vee tries to throw them onto her. Then she meets Patch in her biology class. His personality obnoxious; however mysterious, and Nora knows better than to become friends with him. But she finds herself strangely attracted to him. She becomes intrigued by him and wants to dig deeper into the mystery of Patch. But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora begins to second guess herself. Patch seems to be everywhere she is and somehow knows more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide if she should fall in love or run and hide. And when she beings to uncover some answers Nora finds an unsettling truth.

Check out the book trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1wdnz7wSKA&feature=player_embedded

Becca has written a sequel called Crescendo, and the final chapter of this series called Silence will be released in October 2011.

Mockingjay.net - your source for the Hunger Games

Yes, fellow Hunger Games Fans, you can now access the Hunger Games online! http://mockingjay.net/

No & Me by Delphine de Vigan

Delphine de Vigan has only ever written books in French, and this is her first one to be published in English. It's touching, but not cheesy; deep, but not unrelatable; it makes you think, but also lets you get lost in the story. Read it. Read it right now.

Lou is a bit of a genius and she gets moved up two grades in school, but she's painfully shy and can't ever seem to fit in with her classmates. At home, her parents have bigger problems on their hands than paying attention to Lou. Her mother is only half-present, spending most days in a haze of depression, staring off into space. Her father tries to hide his muffled crying from Lou, but she can hear him through the bathroom door. Then, Lou meets No - a homeless girl on the brink of giving up - and the two girls help each other. No might be just the key to patching up Lou's family, and Lou gives No hope that someone might care about her after all. But can they really ever break through the emotional and social boundaries that have been set for them?

We are just about to get this book in at the Stettler Public Library and it's on it's merry way to our shelves. If you want to request it (and I know you do!), click here.

Royal Tea

The Royal Tea, hosted by Lady Sean Higgins and Lady Bobbie Mappin will commence at 6:00 PM tonight. Please join us for cucumber sandwiches, dainties, tea, a jolly good game of croquet and yes, the opportunity to make your own fascinator.


YES! Even in the rain!

Success!! 85 people in attendance. Thank you all!

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Jay Asher's debut novel is not new anymore (published in 2007) but it is still one of those books everyone should read.

When Clay Jenson plays the casette tapes he received in a mysterious package, he's surprised to hear the voice of dead classmate Hannah Baker. He's one of 13 people who receive Hannah's story, which details the circumstances that led to her suicide. Clay spends the rest of the day and long into the night listening to Hannah's voice and going to the locations she wants him to visit.

You will be surprised at who Hannah blames for her suicide. This book reminds us of how important the little things we do and say are to other people in our lives. As my grade 5 teacher used to say: "Be careful in all things you do and say and we'll see you all on Monday morning."

Movie trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOlNzMncF3w

Book trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5eXthaeZpI

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Lauren Oliver's second novel fits right in with the dystopia craze happening at our library right now! The ending was such a shock. Lots of teen romance and twists and turns.


Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn't understand that once love--the deliria--blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold.

Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the government demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Haloway has always looked forward to the day when she'll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: she falls in love.

Book Trailer! --->    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNgqW3pPqog
(Review by Jill Higgins!)

Trapped by Michael Northrop

When the blizzard started, nobody knew it was going to be the storm of the century. Scotty and his friends are among the seven kids left in the school when they realize there is nobody coming for them. But really - what's a night in the school? There's food in the cafeteria, there are washrooms. It's almost as comfortable as home.

But those of us who know winter know that the heat can go out, that pipes can freeze and that snow can accumulate to the point that it does damage to buildings. Not everyone survives.

Of course there's a book trailer:
http://www.schooltube.com/video/8cf9d2a53701c1f553b1/Trapped-by-Michael-Northrop

Before I Wake by Robert J. Wiersema

'The greatest gifts have the highest cost...'

This was Robert J. Wiersema's first novel, out in 2006. The story is told in short spurts, switching from character to character, with miniature cliff-hangers at the end of each character's section. At first you're like 'Oh this seems like your average depressing grown-up piece of literature'. But then you're like 'Wait a minute...is this science fiction? What is this? It's awesome'.

On a beautiful spring day, three-year-old Sherry Barrett is injured in a hit-and-run accident. Her devastated parents, Simon and Karen, wait by her bedside, hoping for a miracle...one that doesn't come. Told that she will never recover, they agree to remove her from life support. And then the miracle occurs. Sherry doesn't die. But neither does she wake.

Definitely recommended for older teens, fantasy fiction fans, and mildly smart people.

Need reading ideas?

Here are a bunch of them. Click on the images for videos or links directly to the catalogue!

http://stettlerlibrary.glogster.com/debs-ya/

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Evie: She's normal...minus the fact she has an fairie as an ex-boyfriend, can see through paranormal's glamours, works for International Paranormal Containment Agency, carries a sparkly pink taser and iron knuckles with her at all times, has a mermaid as a best friend, and oh ya, is crushing majorly on this new shape shifter. She's a "paranormal fighter rockin' the peep-toe heels". But other than that, a normal teenager.

She may think that catching paranormals is boring, and would rather watch Easton Heights (yeah, she's kind of obsessed with real teenagers, she thinks they're fascinating, and gym lockers too). But things get weird when he ex shows up (talk about awkward) and starts talking about this silly fairie prophecy that she must fulfill. To make matters worse a crazy girl who's on fire starts killing all the paranormals and Evie has to try and figure out all these things while trying to catch the eye of the hottie shape shifter.

Book Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nkxqq04z8H4

Watch for the second book in the series too! Coming July 26

Hold Me Closer, Necromancer by Lish McBride

Book trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RjvpuWnfOw

When college drop out and fast food restaurant worker meets Douglas, his world changes. Douglas is the kind of person who thrives on power and doesn't like it when others have power. You'd think Sam would fly under his radar (come on, he's a college drop out and asks "would you like fries with that?" for a living) but instead, Douglas hijacks Sam's entire world.

Douglas is a necromancer. Turns out, so is Sam (which is way better than being a college-drop-out-fast-food-worker, right?)

Ramon, Frank and Brooke were Sam's normal friends, until Brooke became just a talking head (and we're not talking news broadcaster here). His new friends include a harbinger, a werewolf, a fey, witches... well, Douglas certainly did change Sam's world. Described as "scary funny or funny scary", it's full of laughs, wit, scary moments, evil, action and romance. I highly recommend you take advantage of it and enjoy!

Probably best for older teens. Unless you like nightmares, sacrificed animals, zombies, and the like!
Second title in series due out this September!

The Mealworm Diaries by Anna Kerz

Jeremy has a painful secret that makes it hard for him to fit in at his new school in Toronto. He has the same awful dream every night that has his mom worrying about him, and he's homesick for Nova Scotia. It doesn't help that his science project partner is a huge pain in the neck. But eventually Jeremy finds ways to make friends at his school, be nice to his hyperactive science partner, and deal with the nightmares from his past.


Anna Kerz is a storyteller from Toronto and this is her first novel. I would recommend it for ages 9 to 12, but it's a short, feel-good novel for almost anyone.

Dystopian Fiction

Are you a fan of:

• The Hunger Games
• The Compound
• The Knife of Never Letting Go
• The Giver
• Divergent
• Matched
• Brave New World
• 1984
• Fahrenheit 451
• The Handmaid's Tale

These are all dystopias. A dystopia is the opposite of a utopia. In a dystopian society, everything is controlled and repressive in an effort to keep its' people safe. Sadly, as a result of this control, the people have often lost things like the ability to make decisions, the ability to love and even colour.
What I love best about dystopias are the strong characters they tend to have. Those characters work to unravel the power that the governing bodies have over them and take control of their lives back.
We've mentioned many dystopias in this blog, but if you'd like to read more, try following the Dystopian Divas blog.

The False Princess by Eilis O'Neal

Shortly after Princess Nalia turns 16, her true identity is revealed to her. She is NOT a princess, but a common girl standing in for the real princess. She is turned out onto the streets, leaving her privileged life behind for a life of poverty. 

Soon, however, Nalia, who is now Sinda, discovers she has magic. She returns to the city to learn from one of the most talented Wizards, reconnects with the special boy from her childhood and reveals a secret that could change the royal family forever.

Zombies vs. Unicorns

"It's a question as old as time itself: which is better, the zombie or the unicorn? In this anthology, edited by Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier (unicorn and zombie, respectively), strong arguments are made for both sides in the form of short stories. Half of the stories portray the strengths—for good and evil—of unicorns and half show the good (and really, really bad-ass) side of zombies. Contributors include many bestselling teen authors, including Cassandra Clare, Libba Bray, Maureen Johnson, Meg Cabot, Scott Westerfeld, and Margo Lanagan. This anthology will have everyone asking: Team Zombie or Team Unicorn?"

 

Here's a link for a book trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gv7V1u0FBXo&feature=related

And the link to the book's homepage:

http://pages.simonandschuster.com/zombiesvsunicorns
 WHICH SIDE DO YOU CHOOSE?!

Girl, Stolen by April Henry

April Henry writes mysteries and thrillers for both teens and adults. She is a master of twists and turns. Girl, Stolen is based on a true story of a blind girl who was asleep in the back of her family car when a man jumps in and steals it, only to quickly realize that he's also stolen a girl. 


"Please let me go, I won't tell"


Sixteen-year-old Cheyenne Wilder is asleep in the back of her mom's car when it's stolen from the pharmacy parking lot. Cheyenne is not only sick with pneumonia—she's also blind. Griffin, the teenager who was stealing packages out of parked cars, hadn't meant to kidnap her; he just impulsively stole the car with her in it. But once Griffin's dad finds out that Cheyenne's father is the president of Nike, everything changes—now there's a reason to keep her. Will Cheyenne be able to survive this harrowing ordeal and escape? And if so, at what price?

The Boy by Betty Jane Hegerat

In Stettler in 1959, a man named Robert Raymond Cook was accused of killing his entire family. He was put on trial, found guilty and hung for the crime. Fifty-two years later, people still wonder if Robert Cook did indeed commit the crime.

Betty Jane Hegerat has written another book on the subject; this time part fiction, part non-fiction. Betty Jane will be at the Stettler Public Library on Tuesday, June 14th to share her new book, The Boy, with us. Swing by (6:00 PM) to listen to her speak and meet with her.

In the meantime, enjoy this blog entry where she talks about the book, the crime and more:

http://leekvern.com/blog/?p=319

Reading Buddies

Are you one of those teens who'd like to help a younger person learn to read or practice their reading? Join us this summer for Reading Buddies. Sign up to be partnered with a small friend and listen to them read and help them when they have trouble.

You will:

Enhance the reading interest of struggling readers

Provide a fun library experience

Make a new small friend!

If you are interested in becoming a reading buddy, call the Stettler Public Library 403.742.2292 for more information!

Royal Tea

You are cordially invited to attend a Royal Tea a the Stettler Public Library on Thursday, June 23 at 6:00 PM in honour of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's visit to Canada.

Please RSVP to Their Royal Highnesses of Programming: Lady Bobbie Mappin and Lady Sean Higgins in person at the library or email: spl@libs.prl.ab.ca or phone 403.742.2292

Dress: please come in your fanciest dress, gloves and hat. We will be making fascinators.

Cheesie Mack is not a genius or anything

Cheesie Mack is not a genius or anything, but when Cheesie and his friend Georgie Sinkoff find an envelope containing a coin and a necklace in Georgie's basement, well... thing happen involving a haunted toad and Abe Lincoln.

You can follow Cheesie on his website, too: http://cheesiemack.com/

Upcoming craft

The Stettler Public Library found this cool craft and will be doing it sometime this summer: http://www.oopsicraftmypants.com/2011/04/ruby-slippers-wicked-witch-of-east.html

Stay tuned for days and times!

Jeremy Bender vs the Cupcake Cadets by Eric Luper

Jeremy Bender has done major damage to his father's boat. Rather than be grounded for life, Jeremy and his friend Slater must come up with $470 to replace the boat's engine. The solution: entering the Windjammer Whirl. It seems a sure thing to race boats against a bunch of girls.

The catch: only girls can enter the Windjammer Whirl. Jeremy and Slater won't let that stand in their way as they infiltrate the troop dressed as girls. However, being a girl isn't as easy as it seems and Jeremy and Slater botch everything they touch.

Can they overcome their challenges and win the money? Or will they be grounded for life?

Watch an interview of author Eric Luper: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nn07xwFslY8

What We're Reading Right Now!

Hey, it's Sean and Bobbie at the Stettler Public Library - we're both reading really awesome books right now in our spare time and thought we would share them:

• Between a Rock and a Hard Place by Aron Ralston

 This autobiography recounts Ralston’s experience of being trapped in Blue Canyon in the Utah desert and how he had to amputate his own right arm with a dull knife in order to escape his entrapment by a boulder and survive.

There are a series of flashbacks where he reminisces about his past memories and how he became a man who left his office job for the love of the outdoors and adventure.

Aron is inspiring in his writing and his passion inspires readers to go out into the world and experience life to the fullest.

His book has now become an awesome, Oscar-nominated film, 127 Hours.

Watch the trailer for it here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvRQ-mt0DaU

• Free as a Bird by Gina McMurchy-Barber

 “Born with Down Syndrome, Ruby Jean Sharp comes from a time when being a developmentally disabled person could mean growing up behind locked doors and barred windows and being called names like "retard" and "moron." When Ruby Jean's caregiver and loving grandmother dies, her mother takes her to Woodlands School in New Westminster, British Columbia, and rarely visits.

As Ruby Jean herself says: "Can't say why they called it a school -- a school's a place you go for learnin an then after you get to go home. I never learnt much bout ledders and numbers, an I sure never got to go home."

It's here in an institution that opened in 1878 and was originally called the Provincial Lunatic Asylum that Ruby Jean learns to survive isolation, boredom, and every kind of abuse. Just when she can hardly remember if she's ever been happy, she learns a lesson about patience and perseverance from an old crow.”

This novel is written from Ruby Jean’s own perspective, in her broken yet meaningful language. When you read this book, you are almost able to forget that Ruby Jean has a mental disability and become wrapped up in her moving tale of frustration, mistreatment, and small triumphs.

What are you reading right now? Are you enjoying it, or are you ready to give up on it? Comment and let us know!

Dystopian Selection. See for yourself!!!

Divergent by Veronica Roth:

Beatrice Prior lives in a future Chicago, a Chicago where societies are divided into factions based on the virtues they hold most dear:

Candor – honesty
Abnegation – selflessness
Dauntless – bravery
Amity – peaceful
Erudite – intelligence

During a person’s 16th year, they must select the faction they will belong to for the rest of their lives. Beatrice is faced not only with making this choice which may tear her away from her family, but with a secret she must keep or it will destroy her.
If you liked The Hunger Games, you will love Divergent.


Book trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tu5Erw-posg
Author describing book: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSNoLKbHNeg&feature=related
Author’s website: http://veronicarothbooks.blogspot.com/

Read the book and let us know what virtue you hold most dear by commenting!! 

Book Selections and Summaries Especially For YOU!

Hey Everyone,

Here are some books that we thought you would be interested in. Both books will give you a thrill and are the first books in their series.

Enjoy and let us know what you think!

Selection 1: 

The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

 

  

Todd Hewitt is turning thirteen in a month, the age when a boy becomes a man. He’s the last boy in Prentisstown. Shortly after he was born, there was a war with Spackle, and at the end of the war, they released a virus that killed all the women. The virus is also responsible for the Noise: every one of the men in Prentisstown can hear everyone else’s thoughts. There is no silence. There are no secrets. 

One day, Todd and his dog are at the swamp just outside town when they come across a girl. Shouldn’t the virus have killed all the girls?

What else are adults lying about?

Patrick Ness follows Todd through three books: The Knife of Never Letting Go, The Ask and the Answer and Monsters of Men.

Selection 2:

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

 

  

Twenty-four are forced to enter. Only one survives.

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. Each year, the districts are forced by the Capitol to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the Hunger Games, a brutal and terrifying fight to the death - televised for all of Panem to see. 

Survival is second nature for sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who struggles to feed her mother and younger sister by secretly hunting and gathering beyond the fences of District 12. When Katniss steps in to take the place of her sister in the Hunger Games, she knows it may be her death sentence. If she is to survive, she must weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

If you like The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins was kind enough to write two more: Catching Fire and Mockingjay.

Welcome to our Blog for Teens

As all of you start to finish up with school and start enjoying your summer we thought we better give you a good excuse to go on the computer!

We hope that this blog can help all of you to explore books your reading and share your thoughts and experiences with one another.

The blog will be availiable to you all year round and we certainly look forward to helping each one of you in any way we can!!

Here you will find many things: teen events, book suggestions, book reviews, and many types of media that will entice you into our virtual world!!

So stay tuned by posting, commenting, and checking the blog.
Feel free to post any thoughts, ideas, and books for us!