Jenn's Picks!

The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman -- If you haven't read this one yet, be sure to check it out before the movie comes out the first week in December. Don't be fooled by the fact that the main characters are kind of young, or that the animals talk. This is a complicated world, and a dark story overall. The other two books in the trilogy are The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass.
Peeps by Scott Westerfeld -- Another delightfully weird Scott Westerfeld novel. Vampirism as a parasitic disease, great SW characters, and wacky, witty dialog. Sure, I'll read the next one. These are fun.
Zigzag by Ellen Wittlinger -- I had picked this one up when it caught my eye on the teen shelves. A book about a road trip! What's not to love? I read this pretty much in one sitting. At first I thought it would be a slog, since the main character was such a wimp - But she straightened right up, 60 or so pages into the story. I liked the way this one ended. A good read.

Music and More -Tuesday, December 11, 3-5pm

Hear what he sounds like at www.benjaminwinter.com

Week of November 25, 2007

The Very Ordered Existence of Merilee Marvelous by Susan Crowley tells the story of a teenager with Asperger’s syndrome. She befriends a boy who’s a product of fetal alcohol syndrome – The dynamics of their relationship is the focus of this story.

Elsewhere, by Gabrielle Zevin is about the afterlife of teenager Liz Hall. It's basically a story of love, separation and letting go.
I listened to the audio book.

Forest of the Pygmies by Isabel Allende is the third book featuring Alexander Cold and Nadia Santos, teenage adventurers. Allende combines fact, folklore, magic and fantasy for a spirited romp in Central Africa.

The library currently has only the audio book.

Week of November 18, 2007

What if you could start fresh - having forgotten temporarily the past?
Naomi doesn't remember friend or enemy.
That's the premise of this story, Memoirs of a teenage amnesiac by Gabrielle Zavin

Another story about seeing things differently because of a situation is
Tending to grace by Kimberly Newton Fusco.
Cornelia, embarrassed by her voice, discovers that others have their own unique hangups.
With this knowledge she begins forays into communicating with others.

After School Library Program

An upcoming event at the library featuring world traveled acoustic guitarist,
Benjamin Winter - www.benjaminwinter.com
He'll be performing in the Teen Section of the Los Gatos Public library for your entertainment
on Tuesday, December 11th from 3-5pm. He will also be featured November 21st on KFOG'S morning show (104.5 FM).

Week of November 11, 2007

Listened with rapt attention to Bloody Jack: being an account of the curious adventures of Mary “Jacky” Faber, ship’s boy by L.A. Meyer. This sea adventure is about a girl posing as a boy to escape a life of begging in nineteenth century London.

We currently have the first three books:

• Bloody Jack: being an account of the curious adventures of Mary “Jacky” Faber, ship’s boy
  

• Curse of the Blue Tattoo: being an account of the misadventures of Jacky Faber, midshipman and fine lady

• Under the Jolly Roger: being an account of the further nautical adventures of Jacky Faber

Pirates!: the true and remarkable adventures of Minerva Sharpe and Nancy Kington, female pirates by Celia Rees

Sound recording

This is a sea adventure on the slave trade and piracy. It takes place about a hundred years before the Bloody Jack series. Instead of a poor street urchin improving her lot, Nancy is from a wealthy Bristol family, the setting is Jamaica.

Another book I’ve been enjoying is Memoirs of a teenage amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin – Falling down some steps, Naomi saves an expensive camera but hits her head, awakening to discover that she has no recollection of classmates, friends or enemies.

Week of November 4, 2007

Just finished listening to The Day My Mother Left by James Prosek. This thought-provoking story centered on life changing situations and
how different family members met the challenges.

New titles we have received include:

• Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith in audio cd/mp3 format;

• Matisse stories by A.S. Byatt in audio format – Three stories influenced by artist’s paintings

• The Sweet Terrible Glorious Year I Truly Lost It by Lisa Shanahan - Shifting emotions; a wedding, a play, and a boy.

• Evolution, Me, & Other Freaks of Nature by Robin Brande – Student stands up for teacher with opposing viewpoint on evolution

• Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer - Family struggles to survive aftermath of meteor impacting moon

• The Very Ordered Existence of Merilee Marvelous by Suzanne Carlisle Crowley - Teenager copes with Asperger’s Syndrome