- Wide array of play modes including single player, local multiplayer versus and online co-op and multiplayer
- Seventh installment of the Call of Duty series, based on the live fire conflicts of the Cold War era
- Diverse variety of play setting ranging from urban air and ground combat in SE Asia, to snow combat in Soviet region and jungle combat
- Blending of traditional COD, and new first-person character scenarios designed to both retain the essence of the COD gaming experience
- New arsenal of weapons and vehicles tied to the Cold War era, including the SR-71 Blackbird and sited explosive-tipped crossbows
- And ensure constantly flowing and varied action
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Call of Duty Black Ops for Playstation 3
New Wii Games!
Mario & Sonic London 2012 Olympic Games
- Take on the team of Dr. Eggman and Bowser in an all new exciting adventure
- Play as the full cast of characters in a fully immersive single player Story Mode.
- Take the fun of the Olympic Games to the streets of London as the city becomes the ultimate playground!
- Take part in a huge number of mini-games around a variety of famous landmarks with all your favorite characters in the London Party mode
- Play as the full cast of characters in a fully immersive single player Story Mode
- Multiplayer fun in a wide range of events including all-new real-world Summer Olympic events and Arcade style Dream Games
- Take the fun of the Olympic Games to the streets of London as the city becomes the ultimate playground
Just Dance: Summer Party
- Just Dance: Summer Party features easy-to-pick-up on-screen silhouette direction
- Just Dance to over 20 all-new tracks from the 80's, 90's, and today
- Stay motivated with a mix of high energy dance beats, smooth R&B, salsa, and more to create the perfect summer workout
- More ways to play, including Dance Battles, Dance Party and the Just Sweat mode which is a workout in disguise
- The game includes local four-player support, including co-op and versus options
New Video Games!
XBOX 360
Call of Duty MW3
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is a direct sequel to the previous game in the series, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. In the game's single player campaign Russian Ultranationalist Vladimir Makarov continues his manipulation of Russian Federation forces in their invasion of the United States and Europe. In their way stands characters like Task Force 141 Captain John "Soap" MacTavish, former SAS Captain John Price as well as new playable characters from Delta Force and the British SAS. Engage enemy forces in New York, Paris, Berlin and other attack sites across the globe. The world stands on the brink, and Makarov is intent on bringing civilization to its knees. In this darkest hour, are you willing to do what is necessary
Gears of War 3
Need for Speed: The Run
Be the first to cross the finish line as you speed across the country from San Francisco to New York in an illicit, high-stakes race
- Race as Jack, a marked man who must make it to New York City ahead of the competition, the police and the men who want him dead
Madden NFL 12
- The new system uses a player's momentum and over 100 new tackle animations, including 40 gang tackles.
- Players in zone and man coverage will properly recognize and react to plays, resulting in a defensive team that truly works together.
- It allows you to build the ultimate game plan by creating your own offensive or defensive plays from 75 different playbooks.
- Experience NFL Sundays including 32 team specific run outs, over 500 dynamic broadcast cameras and a network broadcast graphics package.
- Visual improvements including new player equipment, helmet stickers, pylon and ball physics.
- Player degradation system that affects uniforms and helmets based on weather and field surface, 3D grass, and new player specific animations.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Can’t Wait for the Hunger Games Movie?
Try reading some of these other great post-apocalyptic books!
The House of the Scorpion Farmer
- Gone Grant
- Hunger Grant
- Turnabout Haddix
- Hole in the Sky Hautman
- The cure Levitin
- Tomorrow, When the War Began Marsden
- The Host Meyer
- Shade’s Children Nix
- Z for Zachariah O'Brien
- The Transall Saga Paulsen
- Life as We Knew It Pfeffer
- The Dead and the Gone Pfeffer
- The Last Book in the Universe Philbrick
- Nation Pratchett
- How I Live Now Rosoff
- Bones of Faerie Simner
- Welcome to the Ark Tolan
- The Uglies Trilogy Westerfeld
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
2012 Alex Awards Announced!
The Alex Awards are given to ten books written for adults that have special appeal to young adults, ages 12 through 18. The winning titles are selected from the previous year's publishing.
- Big Girl Small, by Rachel DeWoskin
- In Zanesville, by Jo Ann Beard
- The Lover’s Dictionary, by David Levithan
- The New Kids: Big Dreams and Brave Journeys at a High School for Immigrant Teens, by Brooke Hauser
- The Night Circus, by Erin Morgenstern
- Ready Player One, by Ernest Cline
- Robopocalypse: A Novel, by Daniel H. Wilson
- Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward
- The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt: A Novel in Pictures, by Caroline Preston
- The Talk-Funny Girl, by Roland Merullo
2012 Printz Award Winners Announced!
Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley
Witty, sardonic Cullen Witter agonizes over the disappearance of his beloved brother, Gabriel, while everyone else in his stiflingly dull Arkansas town thrills to the apparent return of a long-extinct woodpecker. Kidnapping, bromance, arcane religious texts, and ornithology collide in this ground-breaking coming-of-age tale.
2012 Honor Books
Why We Broke Up written by Daniel Handler, art by Maira Kalman
In this beautiful piece of bookmaking, heartbroken movie obsessive Min Green dumps a box of relationship ephemera on ex-love Ed Slaterton’s porch, each item attached to a raging, loving, insecure and regretful letter explaining how each memento contributed to their breakup.
The Returning written by Christine Hinwood
A large cast of characters from two fictional kingdoms recover from a drawn-out, brutal war in a portrait both sweeping and specific as it explores the ramifications of the conflict on Cam, the only one who lives to return to his village.
Jasper Jones written by Craig Silvey
Spurred by the mysterious death of a schoolmate, Charlie confronts racism and his fears as he learns about family, friendship and love in the oppressive heat of small-town 1960s Australia. Silvey weaves themes of freedom and loyalty with moments of humor in this wrenching novel.
The Scorpio Races written by Maggie Stiefvater
A bloody, intoxicating horse race on the Island of Thisby is the backdrop for this atmospheric novel. The heart-pounding story pits two teens against death – to win is to survive.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Science Fiction Love Stories
No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal, but The Reestablishment has plans for her. Plans to use her as a weapon. But Juliette has plans on her own. After a lifetime without freedom, she's finally discovering a strength to fight back for the very first time—and to find a future with the one boy she thought she'd lost forever.
Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.
Steampunk?
Just out: A Web of Air by Philip Reeve, the sequel to Fever Crumb
Two years ago, Fever Crumb escaped the war-torn city of London in a traveling theater. Now, she arrives in the extraordinary city of Mayda, where buildings ascend the cliffs on funicular rails, and a mysterious recluse is building a machine that can fly. Fever is the engineer he needs - but ruthless enemies will kill to possess their secrets.
High Fantasy
Like to read high fantasy? Here are a couple of sequels in fantasy series just out.
Zoey is finally home where she belongs, safe with her Guardian Warrior, Stark, by her side, and preparing to face off against Neferet – which would be a whole lot easier if the High Counsel saw the ex-High Priestess for what she really is. Kalona has released his hold on Rephaim, and, through Nyx's gift of a human form, Rephaim and Stevie Rae are finally able to be together – if he can truly walk the path of the Goddess and stay free of his father's shadow…But there are new forces at work at the House of Night. An influx of humans, including Lenobia’s handsome horse whisperer, threatens their precarious stability. And then there’s the mysterious Aurox, a jaw-droppingly gorgeous teen boy who is actually more – or possibly less – than human. Only Neferet knows he was created to be her greatest weapon. But Zoey can sense the part of his soul that remains human, the compassion that wars with his Dark calling. And there’s something strangely familiar about him… Will Neferet’s true nature be revealed before she succeeds in silencing them all? And will Zoey be able to touch Aurox’s humanity in time to protect him – and everyone – from his own fate?
The thrilling finale of the Goblin trilogy: Tobin has finally crossed back from the Otherworld, where he was trapped in mortal peril for months—only to be captured by the dreaded, bloodthirsty barbarians the moment he enters his own Realm. Meanwhile, the pretty hedgewitch Makenna and her legion of goblins are still trying to find a way out of the Otherworld before it fatally drains their magic and life force. To escape, they will need help from the spirits that live there—but that aid will not come freely. Now the barbarians are out to take over the Realm, and only Makenna, Tobin, and his younger brother, Jeriah, know what is needed to stop them. They’ll need to work together—and with the goblins—to formulate a plan. The answer lies with the Otherworld spirits and also with the blood amulets that give infinite power to the barbarians. The question is: Can they band together and save the Realm in time?
Science Fiction Fairy Tale Retelling
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Modelland by Tyra Banks
Every week, millions of would-be-runway walkers and inveterate model watchers in 170 countries tune into Tyra Banks' America's Next Top Model for tips on the trade and human drama. The 17th cycle begins on September 14th (As if you'd didn't know!) Certainly no one can dispute the credentials of the show's creator and host to preside over this modeling boot-camp: During a career that began in the 11th grade, Banks starred in countless catwalks and graced covers of Vogue, Cosmo, and Elle. In her first novel, a trilogy launch, Tyra draws on her real-life experiences to flesh out the story of an insecure teenage girl who wants to achieve fame as a model. --Barnes & Noble
New Fantasy Books!
The Fox Inheritance
by Mary E. PearsonOnce there were three. Three friends who loved each other—Jenna, Locke, and Kara. And after a terrible accident destroyed their bodies, their three minds were kept alive, spinning in a digital netherworld. Even in that disembodied nightmare, they were still together. At least at first. When Jenna disappeared, Locke and Kara had to go on without her. Decades passed, and then centuries. Two-hundred-and-sixty years later, they have been released at last. Given new, perfect bodies, Locke and Kara awaken to a world they know nothing about, where everyone they once knew and loved is long dead. Everyone except Jenna Fox.
A Monster Calls: Inspired by an Idea from Siobhan Dowd by Patrick Ness
An unflinching, darkly funny, and deeply moving story of a boy, his seriously ill mother, and an unexpected monstrous visitor. At seven minutes past midnight, thirteen-year-old Conor wakes to find a monster outside his bedroom window. But it isn’t the monster Conor’s been expecting— he’s been expecting the one from his nightmare, the nightmare he’s had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments. The monster in his backyard is different. It’s ancient. And wild. And it wants something from Conor. Something terrible and dangerous. It wants the truth. From the final idea of award-winning author Siobhan Dowd— whose premature death from cancer prevented her from writing it herself— Patrick Ness has spun a haunting and darkly funny novel of mischief, loss, and monsters both real and imagined.
Wolfsbane (Nightshade Series #2) by Andrea Cremer
When Calla Tor wakes up in the lair of the Searchers, her sworn enemies, she's certain her days are numbered. But then the Searchers make her an offer, one that gives her the chance to destroy her former masters and save the pack - and the man - she left behind. Is Ren worth the price of her freedom? And will Shay stand by her side no matter what? Now in control of her own destiny, Calla must decide which battles are worth fighting and how many trials true love can endure and still survive.
This Dark Endeavor: The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein by Kenneth Oppel
Victor and Konrad are the twin brothers Frankenstein. They are nearly inseparable. Growing up, their lives are filled with imaginary adventures...until the day their adventures turn all too real. They stumble upon The Dark Library, and secret books of alchemy and ancient remedies are discovered. Father forbids that they ever enter the room again, but this only peaks Victor's curiosity more. When Konrad falls gravely ill, Victor is not be satisfied with the various doctors his parents have called in to help. He is drawn back to The Dark Library where he uncovers an ancient formula for the Elixir of Life. Elizabeth, Henry, and Victor immediately set out to find assistance in a man who was once known for his alchemical works to help create the formula. Determination and the unthinkable outcome of losing his brother spur Victor on in the quest for the three ingredients that will save Konrads life. After scaling the highest trees in the Strumwald, diving into the deepest lake caves, and sacrificing one’s own body part, the three fearless friends risk their lives to save another.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
New Books I Can’t Wait to Read
Putting Makeup on the Fat Boy
by Bil Wright
Carlos Duarte knows that he’s fabulous. He’s got a better sense of style than half the fashionistas in New York City, and he can definitely apply makeup like nobody’s business. He may only be in high school, but when he lands the job of his dreams—makeup artist at the FeatureFace counter in Macy’s—he’s sure that he’s finally on his way to great things. But the makeup artist world is competitive and cutthroat, and for Carlos to acheive his stardom, he’ll have to believe in himself more than ever….
Now Playing: Stoner and Spaz II
by Ron Koertge
Beautiful but troubled Colleen Minou is the only girl who ever looked at Ben Bancroft as more than a spaz— more than just that kid with cerebral palsy. Yet the more time Ben spends with her, the more glaring their differences appear. Is what Ben feels for Colleen actual affection, or more like gratitude? Then there’s Amy (aka A.J.), who is everything Colleen isn’t, and everything Ben’s grandma wants for him: clean-cut and upper-class, academically driven, just as obsessed with filmmaking as Ben is. But what does A.J. see when she looks at Ben? CP? Or the person behind the twisted body? In Ron Koertge’s sharp, darkly humorous follow-up to the award-winning Stoner & Spaz, Ben tries to come to terms with his confused feelings toward A.J. and his inimitable connection to Colleen, who is sometimes out of it, sometimes into him, and always exhilarating.
Pregnant Pause
by Han Nolan
Nobody gets away with telling Eleanor Crowe what to do. But as a pregnant sixteenyear-old, her options are limited: move to Kenya with her missionary parents or marry the baby’s father and work at his family’s summer camp for overweight kids. Despite her initial reluctance to help out, Elly is surprised that she actually enjoys working with the campers. But a tragedy on the very day her baby is born starts a series of events that overwhelms Elly with unexpected emotions and difficult choices. Somehow, she must turn her usual obstinance in a direction that can ensure a future for herself—and for the new life she has created.
Viola in the Spotlight
by Adriana TrigianiViola is finally where she belongs—back home in Brooklyn, where there are no khakis or sherbet-colored sweaters and people actually think her yellow flats are cool. With two whole months of nothing to do but hang with her two best friends, Andrew and Caitlin, this is going to be the best break ever! But her BFFAA, Andrew, has started acting weird around her, and a new boyfriend has her friend Caitlin ditching her every chance she gets. When Viola's roommates from Prefect Academy show up for a visit, she starts to wonder—is Brooklyn where she wants to stay? When a tragic event shakes everyone's world, Viola realizes it's not where she belongs that matters—it's who she's with that really counts. In this heartwarming follow-up to bestselling author Adriana Trigiani's teen debut, Viola in Reel Life, Viola just may be ready to get out from behind her trusty video camera and take the starring role in her own life.
New Graphic Novels!
Bad Island
by Doug TenNapel 
Something on this island is up to no good . . .When Reese is forced to go on a boating trip with his family, the last thing he expects is to be shipwrecked on an island-especially one teeming with weird plants and animals. But what starts out as simply a bad vacation turns into a terrible one, as the castaways must find a way to escape while dodging the island's dangerous inhabitants. With few resources and a mysterious entity on the hunt, each secret unlocked could save them . . . or spell their doom. One thing Reese knows for sure: This is one Bad Island.
Thor: The Mighty Avenger, Vol. 1: The God Who Fell to Earth
Roger Langridge (Author), Chris Samnee (Illustrator), Matthew Wilson (Illustrator) 
Thor: The Mighty Avenger, Volume 2
by Roger Langridge , Chris Samnee (Illustrator) 
He's banished, he's mad, and he wants to fight. ROGER LANGRIDGE (Muppet Show, Eisner and Harvey Award nominee) and CHRIS SAMNEE (SIEGE: EMBEDDED, The Mighty) re-imagine the God of Thunder in THOR THE MIGHTY AVENGER! THRILL as he battles robots the size of cities! GASP as he tames the mightiest sea creatures! SWOON as he rescues damsels from the vilest villains!
Morning Glories, Volume 1 by Joe Eisma , Nick Spencer
Morning Glory Academy is one of the most prestigious prep schools in the country... but something sinister and deadly lurks behind its walls. When six gifted, but troubled, students arrive, they find themselves trapped and fighting for their lives as the secrets of the academy reveal themselves! Everything to date of the series from issues #1-12, plus many behind-the-scenes bonuses and other features.
James Patterson's Witch and Wizard, Volume 2: Operation Zero by Victor Santos (Artist) , Dara Naraghi
Whit and Wisty get the shock of their lives when a member of the New Order's inner circle, The One Who Bans Books, contacts them with a clandestine proposal: he wants their help in removing The One Who Is The One from power! He confesses to having grown disgusted with the N.O., and reveals that he's aware of an ancient book of the occult that holds a spell for stripping an individual of all their magic. Unfortunately, the book is in a heavily-guarded N.O. bunker that's shielded against magic portals from Shadowland. But more importantly, can the Allgood siblings even trust this man who is willing to commit treason, or is his offer just an elaborate trap?
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
New Fantasy Titles!
Chime
by Franny Billingsley 
Before Briony's stepmother died, she made sure Briony blamed herself for all the family's hardships. Now Briony has worn her guilt for so long it's become a second skin. She often escapes to the swamp, where she tells stories to the Old Ones, the spirits who haunt the marshes. But only witches can see the Old Ones, and in her village, witches are sentenced to death. Briony lives in fear her secret will be found out, even as she believes she deserves the worst kind of punishment. Then Eldric comes along with his golden lion eyes and mane of tawny hair. He's as natural as the sun, and treats her as if she's extraordinary. And everything starts to change. As many secrets as Briony has been holding, there are secrets even she doesn't know.
There are many things that Annah would like to forget: the look on her sister's face before Annah left her behind in the Forest of Hands and Teeth, her first glimpse of the Horde as they swarmed the Dark City, the sear of the barbed wire that would scar her for life. But most of all, Annah would like to forget the morning Elias left her for the Recruiters.
Annah's world stopped that day, and she's been waiting for Elias to come home ever since. Somehow, without him, her life doesn't feel much different than the dead that roam the wasted city around her. Until she meets Catcher, and everything feels alive again. But Catcher has his own secrets. Dark, terrifying truths that link him to a past Annah has longed to forget, and to a future too deadly to consider. And now it's up to Annah: can she continue to live in a world covered in the blood of the living? Or is death the only escape from the Return's destruction?
Ironside (Modern Tale of Faerie Series #3)
by Holly Black 
in the realm of faerie...the time has come for Roiben's coronation. Uneasy in the midst of the malevolent Unseelie Court, pixie Kaye is sure of only one thing her love for Roiben. But when Kaye drunkenly declares herself to Roiben, he sends her on a seemingly impossible quest to find a faerie who can tell a lie. Miserable and convinced she belongs nowhere, Kaye decides to tell her mother the truth that she is a changeling left in place of the human daughter stolen long ago. Her mother's shock and horror sends Kaye back to the world of Faerie to find her human counterpart and return her to Ironside. But when Kaye returns to the faerie courts, a battle of wits and weapons is being waged over Roiben's throne, and she soon finds herself at the center of it all.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
…More Reviews
Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life
by Rachel Renee Russell , Rachel Renee Russell 
The reason I chose this book was because this is an energetic and funny book for girls. The author Rachel Renee Russell catches your eye and brings you into a high schooler’s life. Nikki is the main character and she brings the story to life. She is a normal high schooler trying to enjoy her year at school. Every school, though, has a popular girl. Mackenzie is that girl and she is part of the ccp group (cute, cool, popular). She is the meanest girl in school, yet that’s an understatement for Nikki. Nikki meets some friendly girls, Chloe and Zoey, who become her great friends. While they are signing up for library shelving jobs they have an idea for the library trip to the New York library. Along the way, though, Nikki feels like Chloe and Zoey are ganging up on her. Will she be able to save her friendships? I feel this would be a good book for young readers. This shows how to get through a problem with your friend and make friends along the way. I enjoyed this book a lot and I hope you will too. Review by Hadassah
And..More Summer Reading Book Reviews
Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief
by Wendelin Van Draanen 
One day when Sammy gets home from school her Grandmother tells her that the woman who lives one floor below them in the apartment building received a threatening note. Sammy’s grandmother is angry at Sammy because this woman thinks that Sammy put the threatening note on her door. Sammy realizes then that the thief put the note on the door and that, in fact, it was meant for Sammy. The thief just made a mistake when he/she missed the correct apartment by one floor. This threatening note was Sammy’s first clue. I didn’t like this book because it was off topic too much like on page 129, “The minute I got to school I could tell Heather’d been doing a lot of talking.” This is a mystery book. Why the book got into Heather’s faked broken nose (injured by Sammy – but not broken!) is beyond me. I felt it was a waste of time reading about what Sammy has going on in her life beyond the mystery that she was trying to solve. I don’t care to know Sammy’s character behind the scene – I just like to listen to the clues and solve the mystery. Another reason I didn’t like the book was because the case wasn’t really exact – especially in how it was solved. I felt the clues didn’t connect cleanly. I like mysteries where the reader has the chance to solve the case before the author gives the final answer. I felt how Sammy came to the resolution to this case was a little unclear. For example, I like it when I can look back in the book and say, “Oh!” and realize that he/she or it did it. The only reason I like the book is because during the last pages/chapter there was a huge chase scene. It had a lot of suspense which was the main reason it was my favorite part of the book. Review by Chris
One Day You'll Know (Heartland Series #6)
by Lauren Brooke 
Times are anything but smooth sailing for Amy, her family, and their healing horse farm. Things are rough because Amy’s mother has died in an act of service to a horse that needed rescuing. She had the magic power to give the horses the treatment they needed. Now that she’s gone the healing power seems to fade from Heartland, despite the challenges Grandpa Jack, Amy, Lou (her sister), Ben and Ty (stable hands), and the horse doctor Scott try to keep the farm running. In every book Amy cures a troubled horse. In this book she cured Melodies, a foal. Amy’s sister Lou moved back to Heartland to help them overcome the loss of Mother. As the book progresses, though, the family issues get bigger and everything goes wrong. The last chapters of the book, though, are full of happy surprises. I gave this book 5 stars, 1,000,000 hearts, and 1,000 thumbs up! I appreciated how the author added suspense and surprises in places where you least expected them. I also like how she kept the problems real, instead of that they died because of an alien attack. The book was well-written and full of details. It was also full of horse facts, which was nice because I love horses. This book was great and I think that you should definitely read the Heartland series. Have fun and enjoy these awesome books! Review by Lauren
The Boy Next Door (Candy Apple Series #2)
by Laura Dower 
This book, by Laura Dower, involves neighbors Taryn and Jeff who have been friends since they were little and do most things together. Once they reach middle school they have more fights and even crushes. Jeff is always teasing Taryn in a nice way, but one day he takes it too far. They promise each other that they will never do it again. Jeff stands her up one night, though, and she becomes furious with him, even starting to ignore him. Will Jeff do the right thing and apologize? This book is great for 5th graders and middle schoolers. I would also recommend “The Accidental Cheerleader” by Mimi McCoy, “Miss Popularity” by Francesco Sedita, and “How to Be a Girly Girl in Just Ten Days” by Lisa Papademetriou. Review by Ellin
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
William Sleator
I regret to announce that YA author William Sleator died suddenly in Thailand, at age 66. Bill was one of the handful of writers who solidified the newly-created YA field in the early 1970s. His writing career lasted 41 years, and his 1974 book, HOUSE OF STAIRS, was named one of the 100 Best Books of the 20th Century by the New York Times, His last book, THE PHANTOM LIMB, will be published this fall. Bill made kids--boys especially--want to read. Early in his career, Bill supported himself as a rehearsal pianist for the Boston Ballet. He was able to give up that job in 1986 and write full time. Bill loved meeting with his audience and was a frequent presenter at libraries and schools. Bill traveled extensively and divided his time between Boston, Massachusetts and rural Thailand.
--Stephen Weiner, Director, Maynard Public Library
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
More Summer Reading Book Reviews
Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief
by Wendelin Van DraanenSammy Keyes is a seventh grader who is in the wrong place at the wrong time. She is in her Grandmother’s apartment, which she is not allowed in because it is for senior citizens always, when she sees a burglary take place with her binoculars. The only problem is she thinks the burglar saw her. To make matters worse she waved at him! Later that day she sees a bunch of police cars outside the scene of the crime, The Heavenly Hotel, and stops inside. She tells the police what she knows, but they don’t believe her. They ask for her address, but since she is not allowed to live where she does, she gives the address of her rich friend, Marissa. Throughout the book Sammy, with the help of Marissa, tracks down clues. By the end of the book they’ve found the thief and are able to help the police catch him. Review by Daniel
Death by Bikini
by Linda Gerber 
This book is told through the eyes of a young teenage girl named Aphra Connolly. Aphra lives with her father at a quiet island resort. The location of the island makes the resort attractive to a lot of fake-namers (people hiding secrets, celebrities, you name it) so Aphra doesn’t find it strange when a family comes to the resort. What she does find strange is when her father doesn’t tell her the family’s name so she can check them into the hotel or search information on them. She also finds it weird that her father is putting them up in room 40 even though it is under construction. Aphra just assumes it’s just a famous family that is going to a lot of trouble to act like they’re not there, to be invisible. They are until Adam Smith, the only child of the mysterious family, saves Aphra from a tidal wave. Since there aren’t any other kids her age, Aphra befriends the boy. He seems sweet and kind and is good-looking – nothing out of the ordinary. Or so she thinks until the body of a young woman staying at the resort is found dead at the beach. Her bikini straps are tied tightly around her neck. Everyone thinks it was the water that did it, just an innocent drowning accident. Aphra, on the other hand, has other ideas. Does the murder (as Aphra presumes) have something to do with the Smith family? If so, does that mean the killer is still lurking around the resort? Since her father will not tell her anything about the Smiths Aphra decides it is up to her to discover the truth about the Smiths and the murder. She can tell no one of her plan. As she sets out for the truth, Aphra learns that when it comes to murder, you can trust no one. Review by Olivia
The Emperor of Nihon-Ja (Ranger's Apprentice Series #10)
by John Flanagan 
The Emperor of Nihon-ja is the final book in the Ranger’s Apprentice series. The story begins when the characters Will, Halt, and Alyss are in the land of Toscana negotiating a peace treaty between Toscana and Arrida. They decide, though, to depart for Nihon-ja to find their friend Horace who went there in the previous book. They set out on the journey on their friend’s new ship, Wolfwill. When the friends get there, they find out that a clan has rebelled against the Emperor of Nihon-ja Shigeru. They also learn that Horace has stayed to help the Emperor and is currently in Ran-koshi, a fortress. With some help, Will and his friends go and find him. They learn that Horace and Emperor Shigeru have enlisted the help of Kikori, which are timber workmen. With the snows protecting them, they have some time to train the Kikori against the rebelling warriors, but will it be enough? I would recommend this book to anyone who has read books 1 through 9 mostly because it is the final book. Overall I think this is not the best book in the series because the main characters are not in much danger. The majority of the book is planning a war and that, at times, can be rather boring. At the end of the planning phase, though, there is a battle, and that is quite interesting to read. In addition, it has a very nice and romantic ending. I think the series wraps up very nicely in the final chapter. Review by Derek
Friday, August 12, 2011
More Summer Reading Book Reviews!
This is the first book in the 39 Clues series. Dan and Amy Cahill must go to extremes to find the 39 clues and be the most powerful, influential human beings on the planet. With nasty relatives, though, and many betrayals, they don’t know what to do. This story will make you want to learn more about history. I would recommend this story to anyone who likes history and mystery. This was a very interesting book. Review by Sylvia
This book is exciting, especially the way Claudia surprises her brother with a trip. She asked her brother to run away with her to the Museum of Fine Arts in New York City. She found that home was “unfair” and that “nobody loved her.” At the museum they solved the mysteries of the exciting new sculpture Angel that everyone wants to see. Before that’s solved, though, Claudia wants to learn everything there is to learn. How will her brother manage? Review by Hallie
The Best School Year Ever by Barbara Robinson
Beth is a fifth grader at Woodrow Wilson Elementary. Her teacher assigns her class a project to come up with compliments for all their classmates. They also have to come up with extra compliments for one person and lucky Beth picks Imogine Herdman. Imogine is one of six Herdmans at the Woodrow Wilson School. They claw, spit, bite, steal, and do just about every bad thing you can name. They even stole Beth’s best friend’s little brother, scribbled on his bald head, and charged people to look at him. The Herdmans do many other insane things, but also do a few unnoticed good deeds. Imogine gets a boy named Eugene’s head out when it is stuck in the bike rack. She also gives baby Howard her old blanket when he loses his. This helps Beth come up with couple of nice compliments for Imogine and it makes Imogine very happy. Review by Daniel
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