After three years and hundreds of books reviews, it is time for me to bring to a close Cool Books For Teens. It's been fun, and I've enjoyed sharing new teen books and library events with you. But there are new and more popular ways now for teens to share information, news & chat, and it's time for our library to explore them! Thank you for being a faithful reader. And keep an eye out for new teen resources the Greensboro Public Library will be unveiling in the months to come. Have a great summer!

Robbie:-)

Teen Events in July at the Greensboro Public Library

Teen Events in July at the Greensboro Public Library

Teen Art Studio: Summer Volunteers - Help prepare art projects for younger children every Tuesday evening from 6:30 - 8 pm. Training and registration required: 373-2925. Hemphill Branch Library
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 - Rated PG 13, 119 minutes. Tue., July 5 from 3 - 5:30 pm. Benjamin Branch Library
Gathering of Old Men - Rated PG, 94 minutes. Wed., July 6 from 3 - 5 pm. Hemphill Branch Library
Raiders of the Lost Ark - Join Indiana Jones on his daring adventures around the world. Rated PG, 115 minutes. Thu., July 7 from 7 - 8:55 pm. Vance Chavis Branch
Movie: Sounder - Fri., July 8 from 3 - 5:30 pm. McGirt Horton Branch
Movie: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn - Mon., July 11 from 6:30 - 8:30 pm. McGirt Horton Branch
Movie: Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull - PG 13, 122 minutes. Tue., July 12 from 3 - 5:05 pm. Benjamin Branch
Movie: Jane Eyre - Rated PG, 116 minutes. Wed., July 13 from 3 - 5 pm. Hemphill Branch
Junior Herpetologist - See a variety of amphibians and reptiles and learn how to protect their habitats. Register: 373-2923. Thu., July 14 from 10 am - noon. Kathleen Clay Edwards Branch
Flower Power - Join us for brunch and planting flowers and vegetables in the Community Garden. Plus, take a planting home. Register: 373-2925. Sat., July 16 from 10 - 11:30 am. Hemphill Branch
Movie: Glory - Mon., July 18 from 6:30 - 8:30 pm. McGirt Horton Branch
Movie: George Orwell’s 1984 - Unrated, 113 minutes. Thu., July 21 from 3 - 5 pm. Hemphill Branch
Movie: Indiana Jones & the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - Rated PG-13, 124 minutes. Thu., July 21 from 6:30 - 8:35 pm. Vance Chavis Branch
Movie: Their Eyes Were Watching God - Rated TV-14, 113 minutes. Thu., July 28 from 3 - 5 pm. Hemphill Branch.

Teen programs in June at the Greensboro Public Library!

You Are Here Game Days! - Video game free play on XBOX 360. Wed., June 15 from 3:30 - 6 pm. McGirt Horton Branch
Teen Poetry Exchange - Create poetry and exchange creations with local senior citizens. Call 373-5838 to register. Wed., June 8 from 7 - 8:30 pm. Vance Chavis Branch
Teen Game Night - Play board and card games. Thu., June 2 from 7 - 8:30 pm. Vance Chavis Branch
Flower Power - Plant flowers and vegetables in our garden and take a planting home. Register: 373-2925. Sat., June 4 from 10 - 11:30 am. Hemphill Branch
Teen Art Studio: Summer Volunteers - Help prepare art projects for younger children every Tuesday evening from 6:30 - 8 pm. Training and registration required: 373-2925. Hemphill Branch
Teen Poetry Exchange - Intergenerational project in which teens and seniors exchange poetic creations. Wed., June 8 at 7 pm. Vance Chavis Branch
Teen Movie Night: I am Number Four - Rated PG-13. Thu., June 9 at 7 pm. Vance Chavis Branch
XBOX Fever! - 10 am - noon, Madden; noon - 2 pm, NBA 2K10; 2 - 4 pm, Fight Night Round 4; 4 - 5:30 pm, Def Jam Rapstar. Sat., June 11 from 10 am - 5:30 pm. McGirt Horton Branch
You Are Here, Can You Make It Through Life’s Maze? - Three week chat session will focus on helping teens identify and deal with obstacles that could keep them from being a success. Mon., June 13, June 20 and June 27 from 6:30 - 8 pm. McGirt Horton Branch
Summer Reading Films: The Lord of the Flies – From 1963, unrated. Thu., June 16 from 3 - 5 pm. Hemphill Branch
You Are Here Game Days! - Dominos, Pictureka, Checkers, and UNO Tournaments! Fri., June 17 from 10 am - 1:30 pm. McGirt Horton Branch
You Are Here Game Days! - Fight Night Round 4 on XBOX 360. Wed., June 22 from 10 am - 1:30 pm. McGirt Horton Branch
Walking Across Egypt - PG-13. Thu., June 23 from 3 - 5 pm. Hemphill Branch
Junior Ornithologist - Learn bird identification and more. For rising 5th - 9th grade. Thu., June 23 from 10 am - noon. Kathleen Clay Edwards Branch
Teen Game Night - Enjoy PlayStation, board games, and refreshments! Thu., June 23 at 7 pm. Vance Chavis Branch
You Are Here Games Day! - Operation and Monopoly! Fri., June 24 from 10 am - 1:30 pm. McGirt Horton Branch
The Money Race Competition - Leadership skills, team building, community service and much more. Winning team will be eligible to win a Netbook! Mon., June 27 from 9 am - 5 pm. Central Library
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants - Rated PG. Tue., June 28 from 3 - 5:30 pm. Benjamin Branch Library
Animal Farm - Rated PG. Thu., June 30 from 3 - 5 pm. Hemphill Branch
Junior Lepidopterist - Rising 5th - 9th graders learn to identify and attract butterflies. Thu., June 30 from 10 am - noon. Kathleen Clay Edwards Branch

Hold Me Closer, Necromancer, by Lish McBride.

Samhain LaCroix, better known as Sam by his friends, is an easy going college dropout trying to make a living working as a fry cook at Plumpys, a local restaurant. That is until the day a stranger dress in expensive suit and an ice cold stare confronts him because Sam hadn't asked permission of the "Council" to move. Sam doesn't know what the heck he's talking about! Shortly after that Sam is confronted by a big muscular guy in Plumpy's parking lot who starts tosses Sam around and beating the hell out of him. Only quick action by his friends manages to save him. Bruised, with his back torn up, Sam makes his way home and collapses. When he wakes in the morning he discovers a big brown bag on his front doorstep containing his friend Brooke's severed head! For a moment there was silence in the room, then she says "Ow, cut it out, you guys!"

And thus begins the magical adventure of Sam as he races to figure out why the mysterious man is out to get him, why one of his best friends was killed (yet somehow is still alive!), and why his mother (who turns out to be a sort of modern-day witch!) has been hiding a secret about his true powers! You see Sam, as it turns out, is a bit of a necromancer, powerful magical people who can raise the dead. Problem is, he can't seem to get his powers to work!

I liked Hold Me Closer, Necromancer from the very first page. Sam's a likable guy, his friends are true & real, and the female werewolf he gets caged with is both appealing AND scary. This is a good quirky romp that collides the modern world with one of magic. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! ~ Robbie

FYI: Cool library programs coming up in May:

• Young Leaders Forum - Six young leaders from Croatia, Denmark, Germany, Romania and the Slovak Republic are coming to Greensboro for a candid, informal discussion about life and politics in the European Union and U.S. They are participants in the Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program. Mon., May 9 from 7 - 8:30 pm. Central Library



• Teen Game Night - Enjoy your favorite games! Thu., May 5 from 7 - 8:30 pm. Vance Chavis Branch



• Etiquette 101 - Celebrate National Etiquette Week and learn some easy tips to become more courteous, civil, and respectful to others. Tue., May 10 from 6 - 7 pm. McGirt Horton Branch



• Teen Poetry Exchange - Create poetry and exchange creations with local senior citizens. Call 373-5838 to register. Wed., May 11 and May 25 from 7 - 8:30 pm. Vance Chavis Branch



• Teen Movie Night: Howl’s Moving Castle - Rated PG. Thu., May 12 from 6:45 - 8:45 pm. Vance Chavis Branch



• Teen Workshop on Summer Jobs & Volunteering - Sat., May 14 from 1 - 3 pm. Central Library



• Teen Gaming - Join the fun and beat the heat playing cool video, card and board games plus light refreshments. Sat., May 14 from 2 –5 pm. McGirt Horton Branch



• Teen Game Night - Join us for your favorite games! Thu., May 19 from 7 - 8:30 pm. Vance Chavis Branch



• Mellow Monday - Open mic program for teens interested in sharing their poetry, rhymes, songs and stories. Mon., May 23 from 5:30 - 7 pm. McGirt Horton Branch

Infinite Days, by Rebecca Maizel

Tired of endless, cold nights searching for human prey, 592 year old queen vampire Lenah Beaudonte desires only to become human once again. Her lover, Rhode, after many years of search, finally uncovers ancient rituals that will bring her back into the world of the living. But these rituals have a price to be paid - Rhode's life.

Lenah awakes from a 100 year hibernation lying naked on old oak wood floor, bathed in sunlight, her lover Rhodes standing by to welcome her back into the world of the living. He informs her that to live in modern times she needs to prepare herself - and that means a good education. He has enrolled Lenah, who is now once again 16, into Wickham Boarding School in New England. In the short time before the sun casts the first light of morning they spend their last precious moments together. Then Rhode turns to dust, payment for delivering Lenah back into the world of the living.

As if going back to school, getting a new boyfriend, socializing and learning to how to drive a car isn’t hard enough, Lenah has a bigger worry - she has to keep her eyes out her old coven of vampires, who she knows will eventually figure out her deception and come hunting for her!

This story is rich with good characters, a decent plot, and vividly described scenes. It is the first novel by Rebecca Maizel, a teacher at a community college in Rhode Island.

A Boy Called Twister, by Anne Schraff

Kevin's new to Tubman High School, having just moved to California from Texas after his mother died. But he quickly starts to make friends, especially when he joins the track team and everyone realizing he can really runs fast! Plus it certainly doesn't hurt that Kevin's a genuinely nice, friendly, good-looking.

But along with the new friends he's making, Kevin also makes a new enemy - Marco, the school bully. Now Kevin has to be on guard to watch out for him and his gang. Kevin's not shy - he can stand up for himself just fine - but he has to watch his temper. Back in Texas he had gotten into a bad fight with the school bully, and ended up almost choking the boy to death!

This cautionary tale of friendship, family, school and bullying will speak to everyone. And it's a quick read too! The plot's fairly predicatable, but it doesn't hurt the strength of the story ~ Robbie:-)

Don't miss these exciting teen programs coming up in March!

• Teen Art Studio - Photographer Charles Moore will share his skills in a two part workshop. Tue., March 1 and Tue., March 15 from 6:30 - 8 pm. [Hemphill Branch Library]
• Teen Game Night - Play some of your favorite games. Wed., March 2 from 7 - 8:30 pm. [Vance Chavis Branch Library]
• Teen Tech Week: Robo Xplosion - See robot teams compete in a field provided by NC A&T University’s FTC Team. Some spectators will join the fun by steering a robot through the obstacles. Sun., March 6 from 2:30 - 4:30 pm. [Central Library]
• Teen Tech Week: Digital Scrapbook Making - Bring your camera or cell phone and download images to make a cool online scrapbook. Tue., March 8 from 6:30 - 8 pm. [McGirt-Horton Branch Library]
• Teen Poetry Exchange - Work together to create poetry and then exchange your creations with local senior citizens as “pen pals.” Register: 373-5838. Wed., March 9 from 7 - 8:30 pm. Also Wed., March 23 from 7 - 8:30 pm. [Vance Chavis Branch Library]
• Teen Tech Week: Rebuild! Recycle! Reboot! - Ever wondered what’s inside a computer? Ever tried to upgrade, repair, or build your own? Register: 373-5838 by March 4. Bring a Phillips head screwdriver. Wed., March 9 from 4 - 6 pm. [Vance Chavis Branch Library]
• Teen Tech Week: eBook Demonstration - Thousands of eBooks are available for free when you have a Greensboro Public Library card. Thu., March 10 from 4 - 6 pm. [Hemphill Branch Library]
• Mad Science Adventure - Hands-on demonstration of science and technology. The folks from Mad Science will bring a space workshop. Thu., March 10 from 4 - 5:30 pm. [Kathleen Clay Edwards]
• Teen Tech Fair - Demonstrations of emerging technology including several hands-on experiences like a flight simulator, gaming and graphics programs, science experiments, robotics and more! Fri., March 11 from 4 - 7 pm. [Central Library]
• Movie: Easy A - PG-13. Wed., March 16 from 7 - 8:35 pm. [Vance Chavis Branch Library]
• GTCC Careers: Nursing - Learn about a career in nursing and the curriculum at GTCC. Wed., March 16 from 6 - 7 pm. [McGirt Horton Branch Library]
• National Nutrition Month: Hope Project - Learn simple steps to help you lose pounds or maintain a healthy weight. Thu., March 17 from 6:30 - 8:30 pm. [McGirt Horton Branch Library]
• Mellow Mondays - Open mic program for teens who are interested in sharing their poetry, rhymes, songs, and stories. Mon., March 28 from 5:30 - 7 pm. [McGirt Horton Branch Library]

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

I ask you to run, not walk, to your library and check out The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. The author was inspired to write this book first out of a childhood love for Greek myths, especially Theseus and the Minotaur, and second after spending some time channel surfing between Survivor, The Amazing Race and news coverage of the war. From these dramatic and fatalistic inspirations comes a trilogy that you CAN NOT STOP READING.

Katniss Everdeen (our hero) lives in an America way in the future that has been divided into 12 different oppressed Districts that all serve the wealthy elite living in the Capitol. There used to be 13 Districts, but the 13th was supposedly crushed and devastated in a failed attempt by the Districts to overthrow the Capitol.

Now, to celebrate the Districts’ defeat and remind them of what they have to lose by rebelling, every year there is a “Reaping” in each district and one girl and one boy between the ages of 12 and 18 are drawn by lottery to participate in the Hunger Games. These games are a true contest of survival, televised for the amusement of the Capitol and the horror of the kids’ home districts, in which all the chosen ones must battle to the death. Each year there is only one survivor.

Katniss is NOT chosen to participate in these games, but….her beloved younger sister is. Katniss takes her place and is off to the Capitol for training and wardrobe fittings and interviews and soon, probable death.

Because in the Hunger Games she faces 23 other kids fighting to survive, some who may be potential allies, including the boy from her District who claims to be in love with her. But can she trust him? After all, there will only be ONE survivor, so any potential ally will inevitably become your enemy…

Katniss is unlike any other character I’ve read – she annoyed me with her stubbornness and surprised me with her strength of character. And Peeta, the guy who says he’s in love with her, is a true mystery – surely NO guy is that good a person! But they are characters you can’t stop wanting to read about, and I hated finishing the book and saying good-bye to them…luckily, The Hunger Games is just book one in a three book series (and it's being made into a movie)!

--Brandon

Bonechiller, by Graham McNamee

In the dead of winter in the isolated small Canadian town of Harvest Cove, something inhuman is hunting teenagers. Newcomer Danny and his friends Ash and Howie are in a race against time as the beast turns it's attentions to them. The hunt is on! Bonechiller is a fast-paced novel, that will keep you on the edge of your seat! ~ Robbie

Banned Book Week

Sept. 25 - Oct 2, 2010

What do the books To Kill A Mockingbird, Animal Farm, and Clockwork Orange have in common? Each has had attempts made to ban it from school and public libraries in the United States. Surprised? It happens more often than you think! To bring awareness to the ever present danger of having books removed from the shelves of local libraries to protect young readers from their "scandelous" content, the American Library Association annual celebrates Banned Book Week. This year it runs from September 25th - October 2nd. To find out what classic books have been most frequently challenged, check out this ALA webpage!

Efrain's Secret, by Sofia Quintero

Efrain Rodriguez is a high school student with a burning desire to make life better for himself. He's taking honors course at his South Bronx high school, and working as a peer tutor to help raise money for his dream of going to a true Ivy League college. He just scored his school's highest SAT score ever, though he wants to take it again so he can do better. But his father walked out on the family many years ago, and his family simply doesn't have the money to make his dreams come true. So in a heart-breaking decision, Efrain decides to start selling drugs to get the money he needs!

Yeah! It's Back to Shcool Time!

In case you miss the evening news, Southern Guilford High School was recently treated to a misspelled word on Drake Road in front of their school. The road was being repaved, and a subcontractor was in charge of writing the message that accompanied that section of the road. Yikes!

I hope you have a fun school year!

Robbie

How to Ruin Your Boyfriend’s Reputation, by Simone Elkeles

In this sequel to How to Ruin a Summer Vacation and How to Ruin my Teenage Life, 17 year old American Amy Nelson-Barak finds herself lonely because her boyfriend Avi is off serving his mandatory military training time in Israel. So she packs up her bags and makeup kit, and along with her friends Jessica, Miranda and Nathan fly to Israel to sign up for a summer of training with the Israel Defense Force!

Amy didn’t count on the lousy bed springs, bad indoor plumbing, and mediocre food. But she’s even more surprised with Avi doesn’t seem happy to see her! What’s the problem???

This is a fun novel, and it gives us a glimpse into the mandatory military training in Israel. It’s a light read – perfect for the summer months! And don't miss this fun YouTube trailer for the book!

Robbie

Looking for a good book to read? Check out NoveList, the library's special online service that recommends terrific books to read! It's fun and easy to use. Grab your library card and surf to the Greensboro Public Library's homepage. Cick on DATABASES at the top of the screen. On the next webpage, skim down to find the link for NoveList. Remember, you'll neeed your library card number to get in.

Once inside, enjoy NoveList's simple search features. Type in a few key words to describe the type of book you'd like to read, click the "Teens" option, and search to find a great assortment of terrific young adult books. Each comes with a detailed plot description and a link to our catalog so you can put it on hold!

Gossip Girl, by Cecily Von Ziegesar

"This book is a very good read for anyone who likes, or spreads, gossip. Gossip Girl, as she calls herself, is spreading vicious rumors about Selena, all of them are untrue, but noboby wants to doubt a gossip. In this book, Selena is back from boarding school in France, and not everybody is fond of her being back at Constance High. Blair, Selena's former best friend, is especially angry. When Selena left, she was the most popular girl. But will that change? Read the book and find out." ~ Mandie, 8th grade, Columbia Middle School

Have

a

Fun,

Safe

July 4th!

Modern British Poetry: "The world is never the same,” edited by Michelle Houle

I must make a confession: I am not a great lover of poetry. Rhyming couplets, dramatic monologues, blank verse, stanzas and quatrains??? It's mostly just blah blah blah to me. So I was a little surprised with I picked up a copy of Modern British Poetry: “The world is never the same,” part of the Poetry Rocks series, and found myself liking what I found! The author, Michelle Houle, has done a nice job pulling together interesting information about eleven British writers from the 19th and 20th century, showing the reader one our two of their more famous poems, and then helping the reader understand what the key messages are in the poems being showcased. It even comes with its own small glossary of terms often used to describe poetry.

Sure, some of the authors I had previously heard of, like Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Alfred Lord Tennyson and W. B. Yeats. But others were unknown to me. For example, I happened to find a small chapter devoted to Wilfred Owen, who enlisted in the army and served in the front trenches in France during World War I. His poem Dulce et Decorum Est (Latin for "It is sweet and right to die for one's country") poignantly brought out the horror of watching a fellow soldier die during a gas attack in World War I. Of course, once you've read one interesting section, you want to press on to see what's cool about the next writer. I hope you’ll give this little book a chance!

Darklight, by Lesley Livingston

If you’re a fan of Lesley Livingston’s earlier work Wondrous Strange (published in 2009), then you’ll love her sequel, Darklight. Kelley Winslow has returned to New York City to pursue her acting career, but she ends up right back in the Otherworld. She reunites with her true love Sonny, a member of the elite Ganus Guard, to again take on the forces of evil. But will Kelley’s powers, passed on to her by her mother the Faire Queen, be enough?

This is a good sequel to read if you like fantasy, and enjoy the mix of a magical world meeting our own!

11 birthdays, by Wendy Mass

"11 birthdays was a great book. If we had to rate stars it would be 5 stars immediately! It is about a girl who shares her birthday with her neighbor and best friend (who's a boy!) and one day they have a fight and switch places. It is a fun and exciting book. Hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did." An wonderful review by an anonymous reader!