Lightning Thief

by Rick Riordan
Grades 5+

Percy Jackson is a 12 year old diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia, who has been expelled from several schools. After a terrifying encounter with Mrs. Dodds, the math teacher who isn't human, Percy comes to realize that he is different. With his mother and best friend Grover, Percy is taken to a Camp Half Blood for other different kids--kids who are the children a Greek god and a mortal. Percy is a demi-god.

Days after discovering his parentage, Percy is challenged to go on a quest to discover who stole Zeus' lightning bolt. Percy and his friends must figure out the mystery before the summer equinox or risk the destruction of the world as we know it. Percy faces the wrath of the gods and of the mythical creatures we all thought didn't really exist.

This is the first book in a triology and has recently been made into a movie. Rick Riordan writes an action packed, mythological book with humor and friendship. If you liked this book then you should try Riordan's newest series The Red Pyramid or wait for the fall for the next generation of campers at Camp Half Blood.

At the Main Branch library on July 15th at 3:30pm there will be a Percy Jackson book discussion. Come and join others in their love for this adventure series! Call the Main to reserve your spot 782-4882 ext 215

Fairest

by Gail Carson Levine
Grades 6+

Larger than most humans in Ayortha, 15-year-old Aza feels like "an ugly ox . . . a blemish." However, in Ayortha people are devoted to song and music. Aza's voice is more beautiful and powerful than most; she can mimic any voice and throw the sound, a skill she calls elusing. After luckily getting to attend the king's wedding, Aza is blackmailed by the new queen, a poor singer, to sing for the queen sings in public, Aza secretly provides the sound. As the queen's treachery deepens, Aza is astonished when the handsome prince initiates a friendship.

While reading the story and readers may initially feel like foreign travelers who lack cultural context. But once you get into the book, you'll sink into the fairy-tale romance, the remarkable characters, and magical adventures. The themes of self-image and moral choices are at the core of the novel but are not preachy or irritating.

This is such an interesting book. The concept is original and thought provoking. You can experience the vicarious, heart-pounding thrill when Aza discovers love and confidence.

Peter and the Starcatchers

by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
Grades 5+

I've just finished listening to this book, read by the talented Jim Dale of Harry Potter reading fame.

In an evocative and fast-paced adventure on the high seas and on a faraway island an orphan boy named Peter and his mysterious new friend, Molly, overcome bands of pirates and thieves in their quest to keep a fantastical secret safe. Riveting adventure takes listeners on a journey from a harsh orphanage in old England to a treacherous sea in a decrepit old ship. Aboard the Never Land is a trunk that holds a magical substance with the power to change the fate of the world - just a sprinkle and wounds heal and just a dusting and people can fly.

Sound familar? Bestselling authors Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson have turned back the clock and revealed pre-quel to J. M. Barrie's beloved Peter Pan

The authors plait multiple story lines together in short, fast-moving chapters, with the growing friendship between Molly and Peter at the narrative's emotional center. Capitalizing on familiar material, this adventure is carefully crafted to set the stage for Peter's later exploits. This smoothly written page-turner just might send readers back to the original.

This is a great book for (not just 5th graders) anyone who hates evil pirates, loves adventures, and always wish s/he could fly! Highly, highly reccommended!

Vampire Forensics

Uncovering the Origins of an Enduring Legend
by Mark Collins Jenkins

In Vampire Forensics, Mark Jenkins probes vampire legend to tease out the historical truths enshrined in the tales of terror: sherds of Persian pottery depicting blood-sucking demons; the amazing recent discovery by National Geographic archaeologist Matteo Borrini of a 16th-century Venetian grave of a plague victim and suspected vampire; and the Transylvanian castle of "Vlad the Impaler," whose bloodthirsty cruelty remains unsurpassed.

Mark Jenkins’s engrossing history draws on the latest science, anthropological and archaeological research to explore the origins of vampire stories, providing gripping historic and folkloric context for the concept of immortal beings who defy death by feeding on the lifeblood of others. From the earliest whispers of eternal evil in ancient Mesopotamia, Greece, and Rome, vampire tales flourished through the centuries and around the globe, fueled by superstition, perversion, mystery, fear of disease and death, and the nagging anxiety that demons lurk everywhere.

Jenkins navigates centuries of lore and legend, weaving an irresistibly seductive blend of superstition, psychology, and science sure to engross everyone. Some parts were grotesque but I still couln't put it down. I was horrified and titilated.

13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Grades 9+

When Clay Jenson plays the cassette 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.

The text alternates, sometimes quickly, between Hannah's voice (italicized) and Clay's thoughts as he listens to her words, which illuminate betrayals and secrets that demonstrate the consequences of even small actions. Rumors, an unwarranted "bad girl" reputation, teasing and jeers, all lead to Hannah's decision to end her life. Hannah, herself, is not free from guilt but she reached out for help in small ways and in large ways. But in the end, she was ignored and not taken seriously--at one point she was accused of faking it. 

This is a devastating book. I kept on hoping that Hannah wasn't really dead. It seemed like little stuff but it was big to her. One small action snowballed and enveloped her whole life making her feel worthless and useless. Hannah was smart and pretty. She should have been the most popular girl in school. But that isn't how it worked out. It's really sad and makes the reader think about what his or her careless actions could have caused.

The message about how we treat one another, although sometimes heavy, makes for compelling reading.

Summer Stuff

Teens, what are your goals for summer?

My summer goals were always to have the best summer ever. Back in the old days, when I had summer vacation, I always had all kinds of plans and designs for how this summer would be the best summer. And most summers were pretty good. But the summers that were the best were the summers where I had definite plans about how the summer would be the best: I was going to hang out with my friends at least 3 times a week, I had saved money the whole year for fun activities, I did research on what the best books would be to read.

Now, I am a librarian so I am biased, about how great the library is, but fact of the matter is that we have done all the planning for you. There are summer activities at the library. We have provided the supplies and snacks for the activities.You can bring your friends and have fun. We have done the research and know what books you might like.  There is no planning required on your part (aside from transportation to and from the library).

I don't want to burst the fun bubble, but studies have shown that students participating in a summer reading program have an easier time when school starts up in the fall. Likewise, studies have shown that people who make plans and goals are more successful people and are more likely to follow through.

Summer Reading starts June 7th. Sign up for our programs. Come in and have fun.

Visit our website or call for more information:
Main 781-4882 ext 215
Kirby 782-0252
Graham 781-1441