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