Teens

Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature

About the Michael L. Printz Award:

The Michael L. Printz Award is an award for a book that exemplifies literary excellence in young adult literature. It is named for a Topeka, Kansas school librarian who was a long-time active member of the Young Adult Library Services Association.  The award is sponsored by Booklist, a publication of the American Library Association.                         (from the ALA Website)

Printz Award Winner:  Where Things Come Back, by John Corey Whaley

For more information about the winner of the Printz Award and Honor books, see below: www.ala.org/yalsa/printz

William C. Morris YA Debut Award

About the William C. Morris YA Debut Award:

The William C. Morris YA Debut Award, first awarded in 2009, honors a debut book published by a first-time author writing for teens and celebrating impressive new voices in young adult literature.                                                                                                  (from the ALA Website)

William C. Morris YA Debut Award:  Where Things Come Back, John Corey Whaley

For more information about the winner of the William C. Morris YA Debut Award and Honor books, see below:  http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/booklistsawards/morris/morrisaward.cfm

YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults

About the YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults:

Beginning in 2010, YALSA will name an annual winner of the YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults.

The YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction honors the best nonfiction book published for young adults (ages 12-18) during a November 1 – October 31 publishing year. The award winner will be announced annually at the ALA Midwinter Meeting Youth Media Awards, with a shortlist of up to five titles named the first week of December. The award will be presented at ALA Annual Conference.                          (from the ALA Website)

YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults Winner:  The Notorious Benedict Arnold:  A True Story of Adventure, Heroism, and Treachery by Steve Schneikin

For more information about the winner of the YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults and finalists, see below:  http://www.ala.org/yalsa/nonfiction

What is a TAG?  I am sure you are asking yourself.  TAG is a Teen Advisory Group where you can make a difference at YOUR library.  By joining a TAG, you will have the chance to meet and socialize with friends, old and new, suggest teen programs to have at the library and play Wii and other games.  Oh, and talk about books, movies and music!  So if you are interested in being involved in YOUR library, just ask about the TAG group at your branch.  You can make a difference.

•   November 3, 1906- On this date the Second International Radio Telegraphic Conference in Berlin, Germany, proposed a new wireless distress signal: S.O.S.  After its use during the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, SOS became the standard distress signal at sea. 
•  November 18, 1963- Push-button telephones  went into service as an alternative to rotary-dial phones.  Touch-tone service, available as an option at an extra charge was only available in two Pennsylvania cities. 
• November is National American Indian Heritage Month.  It is also Peanut Butter Lovers Month.
• November 29, 1890- Army played Navy for the first time in football, and Navy won, 24-0.
• Among the many birthdays celebrated this month, the following famous people are also celebrating:   Laura Bush (former First Lady), Rio Ferninand (soccer player), Neil Gaiman (author) and Anne Hathaway If you are celebrating a November birthday, all of us here at the library wish you a very, very HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 

~Source:  Chase’s Calendar of Events, 2011

Learn quick tips and ideas for cooking and creating snacks for parties, get-togethers, plus guy-food.  Please call the Havre de Grace branch to register.  Saturday, November 19^th @ 3:00 p.m. 

The Whiteford branch is hosting the I’M WITH THE BAND program on Friday, November 18^th from

6:00-8:00 p.m.   Think you can rock it?  Test your skills against your fellow bandmates on Guitar Heroes World Tour on the Wii.  Please call the Whiteford Branch to register. 

On April 14, 1912, the RMS Titanic hit an iceberg and sank. The tragedy of the “unsinkable” ship still fascinates nearly a century after it occurred. Drawing on primary and secondary sources, Wolf has recreated the story of the Titanic in verse form from the viewpoints of two dozen characters—from passengers of all classes and crew to the undertaker from Halifax, the iceberg, and a rat—and covers the time from the design and building of the ship through the aftermath of the sinking. The poems are no longer than two pages, and telegraph messages are interspersed throughout. Some of the most fascinating are those by the businessman who decided that the first-class passengers would rather have an unimpeded view than more lifeboats; Molly Brown, whose grit and determination helped save those in her lifeboat; and the undertaker who deals with the aftermath. Included in a notes section at the end are character notes on the people who tell the story, a list of passengers mentioned who were both lost and saved, Morse Code messages used in the narrative, miscellany, and an impressive bibliography including Internet sources and societies. That section alone should guarantee its inclusion in any collection, especially high school (where the resources could be used for research and the verse for English, history, or drama class presentations) and public libraries. Reviewer: Suanne Roush- VOYA Magazine

The Queen of Water by Laura Resau

Based on a true story this novel brings to life the indigenous culture of poorest Ecuador. Here Maria Virginia lives with her family who farm a small piece of land.  One day when she is about seven or eight her parents give her away to a wealthier family who promise to pay her for looking after their young son. Virginia finds herself in a strange house where she will remain for many years as a virtual slave who has no rights, or money or education. The wife beats her. Yet despite these obstacles she teaches herself to read and finally escapes with her sister’s help. This is a beautiful novel about having heart and hope and of overcoming obstacles. It is even better to read knowing that the real life Virginia found success and happiness in her life. Recommended for anyone who likes a good story, is interested in other cultures and places, and for teens and adults too.

Want to learn more about the book?  Visit Laura Resau’s site!

Sign up for the Summer Reading Program!!  After you read three books return the completed book log between July 5 and August 20, and you will receive a Barnes and Noble gift card.*  The Summer Reading theme is… You Are Here!!

* While supplies last.

Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi

This intense, action-packed adventure takes place in a future society near Orleans. The city once known as New Orleans is under water & all along the gulf coast beached oil tankers are providing work for the ship breakers. These are groups of workers who swear oaths of loyalty to their crews. They aid & support one another & provide protection from the often violent world they live in. Nailer is on light crew, traveling through the ships’ ductwork looking for old wiring to scavenge. His life seems to be set on a course of hardship & poverty, but it is changed forever when he & his friend Pima, rescue a swank – a rich girl – from her shipwrecked clipper. Nita has enemies & she & Nailer go on the run looking for men loyal to her father. They are pursued not only by vicious thugs, but also by Nailer’s abusive, drug-raddled father. The tension builds throughout the book & explodes in a pounding storm-tossed sea battle. This is a great read & will not disappoint. The characters are real people caught up in a broken world.

Ship Breaker won the following award for 2011.

Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature

Crossing the Tracks by Barbara Stuber.

 After her mother dies, 15 year old Iris is sent by her father to work as the companion to an elderly lady who lives on a farm with her doctor son. Iris’s father is distant & cold & caught up in starting a business in Kansas City, where he will eventually move with his new fiancée. Iris must leave her only friend, Leroy, & begin a new chapter in her life. She is filled with despair & confusion as she feels ignored and unwanted by her father. She has no place in life, no home. She is like a hobo. Tragedy & fear, sadness & loss ripple through this book but there may be some hope for Iris as the doctor & his mother show her compassion & kindness.

This book was a finalist for the 2011 William C. Morris Young Adult Debut Award.

The Freak Observer by Blythe Woolston

This very unusual novel (where each chapter begins with a physics question or observation) follows the story of Loa Lindgren revealed through flashbacks. Loa’s younger sister has died of a genetic disorder & suddenly Loa is in freefall. Her sister was the sun & Loa & her family were the planets circling around & looking after her. Now the center of their universe has gone & the family seems to be adrift. Even as Loa tries to recover from the loss of her sister she will face more tragedy, & nightmares about The Bony Guy – death himself. Loa is a tough character however, & eventually self-realization, as well as her friendship with Jack, will give her hope. The style of writing of this novel is interesting & edgy & will appeal to the older teen. Loa is a believable, yet original character.