Geek out at your library for Teen Tech Week, March 10 through 16! Libraries are chock-full of tech toys like CDs, DVDs and video games, and they’re a great place to get connected to online homework help, research resources, gaming, music, the web and more. Stop by the Davenport Public Library or visit our web site during Teen Tech Week today.
For more information about Teen Tech Week, visit teentechweek.ning.com. Sponsored by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA).
The American Library Association announced the winners of the Youth Media Awards this week. Here are some of the top YA picks. If you haven’t picked them up yet, place a reserve today!
Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in literature written for young adults: In Darkness by Nick Lake
Schneider Family Book Award for books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience: Somebody, Please Tell Me Who I Am by Harry Mazer and Peter Lerangis
YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults: Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon written by Steve Sheinkin
William C. Morris Award for a debut book published by a first-time author writing for teens: Seraphina written by Rachel Hartman
Odyssey Award for best audiobook produced for children and/or young adults: The Fault in Our Stars produced by Brilliance Audio, the book is written by John Green and narrated by Kate Rudd.
Ciao Readers! Guess what? 2013 is full of book to film adaptations, and I really want to be able to wear that obnoxiously smug I-already-know-the-ending-haha smile while trolling through the theater looking for my seat. Nothing revs up a library book’s reserve list like an upcoming movie, so I’m putting my holds on now so I will have plenty of time to develop my negative opinions of the film’s casting. Here are the movies that I’m super curious about:
Beautiful Creatures
by Margaret Stohl and Kami Garcia
In theaters Feb. 2013
I have always drooled a bit over this Young Adult series’ beautifully lettered covers, but the Sixteen year old Southern supernatural psychic story never really sparked for me. Until I met the author, Margaret Stohl, over the summer and she was absolutely spectacular. (And yes, I am wearing my obnoxiously smug I-have-met-the-author-haha smile right now…)
Mortal Instruments: City of Bones
by Cassandra Clare
In theaters Aug. 2013
This series is a must-read for all fans of supernatural romances. Demons? Check. Demon-Hunters? Check. Girl who can see Demons, but who is not a Demon-hunter and therefore the Demon-hunters are kinda freaked out by her and one of the them acts like he hates her, but really likes her? Check. Why would I not read this book?
Ender’s Game
by Orson Scott Card
In theaters Nov. 2013
Ok, promise to stay with me: this is a classic science fiction story about a six-year-old genius who is drafted by the government to play some anti-gravity games and then trained to lead the earth’s military in destroying aliens that look like giant bugs and by the way there is absolutely zero romance. AND I LOVE IT.
We want you to tell us your favorite YA reads of 2012. So, what is your most favorite YA book of the year? Why is it your favorite? Have you read other books by the author? Who would you cast in the movie version? What would you change about the book? Or if that doesn’t work for you tell us about the worst YA book you read in 2012 and why it was such a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad book. Ready, set, comment!…
My top YA pick for 2012 is Aristotle & Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz. Check out the book’s description courtesy of the publisher:
A lyrical novel about family and friendship from critically acclaimed author Benjamin Alire Sáenz. — Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison. Dante is a know-it-all who has an unusual way of looking at the world. When the two meet at the swimming pool, they seem to have nothing in common. But as the loners start spending time together, they discover that they share a special friendship—the kind that changes lives and lasts a lifetime. And it is through this friendship that Ari and Dante will learn the most important truths about themselves and the kind of people they want to be.And here’s what a few others had to say about the oh-so-terrifical read:
“Benjamin Alire Saenz is a writer with a sidewinder punch. Spare sentences connect resonant moments, and then he knocks you down with emotional truth. The story of Ari and Dante’s friendship widens and twists like a river, revealing truths about how hard love is, how family supports us, and how painfully deep you have to go to uncover an authentic self.”–Judy Blundell, National Book Award-winning author of What I Saw and How I Lied
“This book took my breath away. What gorgeous writing, and what a story! I loved both these boys. And their parents! Don’t we all wish we had parents like theirs? The ending – and the way it unfolded – was so satisfying. I could go on and on…suffice it to say I will be highly recommending it to one and all. I’m sure I’ll reread it myself at some point. I hated having it end.” –James Howe, Author of Addie on the Inside
“I’m absolutely blown away. This is Saenz’s best work by far…It’s a beautiful story, so beautifully told and so psychologically acute! Both Ari and Dante are simply great characters who will live on in my memory. Everything about the book is absolutely pitch perfect…It’s already my favorite book of the year!”–Michael Cart, Booklist columnist and YALSA past president
Oh, and is it too late to tell you my favorite book of 2011?? Probably. But I’m going to anyways because, coincidentally, if you like Aristotle & Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe then you will love, love, love I’ll Be There by Holly Goldberg Sloan as well. Trust me on this one.
Don’t forget to comment and tell us your faves of the year!
If you’re looking for more ways to help out in your community check out the Davenport Volunteer Connection’s super helpful website. Volunteers of all ages can sign up and browse different opportunities and register for the ones they’d like to help out with. It’s that easy. You can also do more specific searches based on info such as your age, your interests, and your availability. Don’t forget to visit their facebook page, too!
And remember, our next Teen Volunteer Council meeting is Tuesday, 12/11 at 5:30 at the Fairmount St. Library. Don’t miss it!!! Seriously. Don’t.
Saturday’s Anime Fest info:
Come celebrate the 5th annual “Teen Anime Fest” on Saturday, October 13 from 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. at the Figge Art Museum (225 W 2nd Street.) The Davenport Public Library, Muscatine Public Library, QC Anime-zing, and the Figge Art Museum have teamed up to offer an afternoon of anime and manga in various formats to provide a day of fun and inspiration for area teens. Come dressed as your favorite character and participate in the cosplay contest, attend a Japanese language class, or learn how to draw some of your own manga art! Artists are also encouraged to bring their own artwork to the event so that it can be on display during the festivities. There is a $5 admission fee which includes snacks and drinks.
Saturday’s Quidditch info:
Don’t forget to grab a broomstick and compete with other teens in the Quidditch World Cup at the Davenport Public Library. Saturday, October 13th at 6:00 p.m. at the Eastern Avenue Branch (6000 Eastern Avenue), participating teens (ages 11-18) will be sorted into houses and challenge one another in tournament style matches. This is a once in a lifetime chance to try your hand at the sport made famous in the popular Harry Potter series. Not 11-18 years old? Not a problem; you are invited to join as a spectator.
Harry Potter-themed snacks and beverages will be provided and there will be a costume contest for best hero, villain, and creature. Quidditch play will be held outdoors except in the event of lightning. Equipment and rules will be provided prior to play.
This is event is FREE and all those attending (players and spectators) must register. To register or for more information, call 563-326-7832
This year Banned Books Week runs September 30th through October 6th. Celebrate your freedom to read by checking out a banned or challenged YA book during this next week! DPL has plenty of titles to choose from at each of its three locations. For more info on Banned Books Week, including listings of some of the most challenged or banned books of all time, check out the ALA website.
One of the best ways to celebrate this year might be to check out and read Stephen Chbosky’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower and then go see it on the big screen opening night on October 5th. Don’t forget to read it first! In the meantime, enjoy the preview:
Sharon | 
03 13th, 2013| 
