Peter Abrahams' Mystery: REALITY CHECK

Take a summer plunge into mystery writer Peter Abrahams' Reality Check.  Meet 16 year olds: Cody; blue collar, high school quarterback, and Clea; wealthy, class president, assistant editor for the school paper, as they leap off a Colorado cliff into a river, re-emerging in Vermont.  It is the end of the school year and Cody and Clea are anticipating a summer spent together.  However, Clea's father, who is not pleased with their relationship, sends Clea off to Hong Kong for the summer, and then to a boarding school in Vermont.  A month after her arrival in Vermont, Clea goes missing.  Back in Colorado, Cody receives a letter from Clea sent the morning that Clea disappeared.  He immediately packs up his car and drives to Vermont to join the search to find Clea.  Though Cody is not much of a scholar (one wonders if maybe he might be dyslexic?), his instincts and intuition are sharp.  This suspenseful, love story won the 2010 Young Adult Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America.  My rating: 3 and a half stars

Bullet Point by Peter Abrahams is on order.  Look for it in the YA area's Fresh Fiction display in July, or request it through the Library's online catalog.




Peter Abrahams website

Holly Black's: The WHITE CAT

The White Cat is the first book in a new urban fantasy trilogy from Holly Black. No faerie world this time, but a 1920s mobster world where one out of a thousand people is a "curse worker" with a paranormal ability. One of the concepts in the story, that I liked, is that curse workers must contend with blow-back when they use their abilities.  Cassel, a boy from a con artist family where everyone has a paranormal ability, but him, is struggling against his dreams and memories that are forcing him into dangerous situations. When you are from a con artist family it is hard to know who to trust. There are enough twists to this cat's tale to be an enjoyable read.  I recommend it to those who like urban fantasy.  Rating: 3 and a half stars.

Holly Black's website   Library Thing reader reviews   Novelist database

New Books Reviewed

The Cardturner by Louis Sachar     A new book from the author of Holes.  17 year old Alton spends his summer between 11th and 12th grade as a chauffeur and card turner for his blind, very rich, bridge playing, great-uncle Lester. The Cardturner is realistic fiction with a twinkle of magic realism.  It made me want to learn how to play bridge or at least try the game sometime.  Loved this book!  My rating : 4 stars.

The Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell     A long story to get Carrie where she's going, which is New York City.  If you are a fan of the television series, Sex and the City, then you will probably want to read this book, however, if you are looking for a contemporary coming of age story about a girl in high school, there are better ones out there to spend time with than this book. There are many I could recommend, just ask.  My rating: 2.5 stars.

How to Say Goodbye in Robot by Natalie Standiford  A platonic love story with a midnight radio connection. Humorous and sometimes sad. About a girl coping with moving to a new town, a new school, and family relationships, and a boy coping with the loss of his twin, and his relationship with his father.  Recommend!  My rating: 4 stars.

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer   The SSL of Bree Tanner was a short breezy snack back into Meyer's Twilight series. Since it is from a newborn vampire's point of view it adds some depth to the series, particularly to Eclipse.  This novella does not have the same dreamlike quality, and romantic tension, of the other Twilight books that keeps you turning page after page into the night, but if you liked the Twilight series, you will enjoy this book. Now I want to know what happens with Fred - the only talented newborn who escapes from the pack.  My rating: 3 stars.  

Until July 5th you can read this book online.   Stephenie Meyer's website. 

Witch & Wizard by James Patterson   A dystopian fantasy. This is the worst book I have read in 2010 (61 books in 2010, so far).  A jumbled, bumpy - who cares ride.  Awful!  My rating: half a star. 

 

New Graphic Novels and possible Book Club

Would you like to have a Father-Son graphic novel book club for teens?  I am looking for a father who could lead a graphic book club for fathers and sons (ages 12 to 16) here at the Library.  Come talk to me if you are interested in getting this book club going.

Following are a selection of Graphic novels that were recently added to the Young Adult collection:

Kaspar by Diane Obomsawin

Mercury by Hope Larson

My name is Jason. Mine too : our story, our way / by Jason Reynolds and Jason Griffin.

Ocean by Warren Ellis

Omega: The Unknown by Jonathan Lethem

 

Pinocchio: Vampire Slayer  by Van Jensen

Prince of Persia : Before the Sandstorm  by Jordan Mechner

Stuffed by Glenn Eichler

Book Trailer for A Conspiracy of Kings, by Megan Whalen Turner

Another adventurous romp of political intrigue, betrayal, revenge, and romance through the three countries, the villas, and palaces of this historical fantasy world. A Conspiracy of Kings is the fourth book in the Queen's Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner.  My rating: 3 and a half stars
Reader reviews can be found on Library Thing.  Or Visit the Novelist database for journal reviews, and more information about all of the books in the Queen's Thief series.

Teen Summer Programs

Teen Summer Programs & Movies Brochure pdf

 JUNE 

Teen Think Tank Meeting 

Thursday, June 24   6:30pm  - 7:45pm

Join the Library’s teen advisory board to contribute your ideas, help plan new fun stuff for the teen area of the library, and talk about what you are reading.  Pizza & drinks provided. 

Please contact Kim Claire, Young Adult Librarian at 978-468-5577 x14, if you would like to join.

Astronomy Club Star Party

Tuesday, June 29 7:45pm - 10:00pm

The North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club will conduct a Star Party.  There will be a slide presentation and lecture inside, followed by observing session with telescopes outside.  
(Rain date is Thursday, July 1.)  Free and open to the public.

Register to attend by sending an email to Kim at kclaire@mvlc.org -or- call 978-468-5577 x14.

 JULY 

Art Workshop : Monet's Magic Garden, How to Pastel Paint as Impressionists

Thursday, July 29  6:00pm - 8:00pm 

Join award winning pastel artist Gregory Maichack for a hands-on inter-generational pastel workshop open to teens and adults.  Maichack will explain Monet’s methods, his use of broken color, and  pastel techniques.  Professional-grade pastels, paper, and materials will be provided.  No experience necessary.  For the workshop please bring an image to work from.  The workshop is free, except for a $5 non-refundable supply fee.

Space is limited to 30 participants. 

Pre-registration is required.  $5 supply fee due at registration.

The registration sign-up binder is located on 2nd floor at the Reference Desk

 AUGUST 

Pins & Pendants With A Past with Judith Klein

Thursday, August 26  3:00pm - 5:30pm

  Judith Klein hangs out at busy intersections and auto body shops, in breakdown lanes, and motorcycle graveyards, collecting small pieces of metal that have fallen off speeding cars.   These recycled materials are then turned into unique accessories.   
Create a pin or pendant at this workshop, bring your own found materials such as: vintage buttons, squished bottle caps, found pieces of metal, old jewelry, watch parts, beads, etc., or use what is here. 

Space is limited to 10 participants.  

Pre-registration is required.  

The sign-up sheet is located on 2nd floor at the Reference Desk, or call 978-468-5577 x14.

Teen Think Tank Meeting

Thursday, August 26   6:30pm  - 7:45pm

Join the Library’s teen advisory board to contribute your ideas, help plan new fun stuff for the teen area of the library, and talk about what you are reading.  Pizza & drinks provided. 

Please contact Kim Claire, Young Adult Librarian at 978-468-5577 x14, if you would like to join.