Teens

Whatever ones you want!  Funny picture books, time-traveling early chapter books, action-packed graphic novels, or post-apocalyptic teen dramas -- the Hoover Public Library has so many to choose from!  We have traditional books plus audiobooks (on CD, Playaway, and downloadable) and ebooks (downloadable or check out a Nook).  Actually, it can be a bit overwhelming.  That's why I've compiled some lists to help you narrow down your choices.  Here's a quick breakdown.

Transport yourself to beloved book realms at the Hoover Public Library's after-hours summer reading kick-off -- Booklandia on Friday, May 17, 2013, 7:00-9:00p.m.  If you came to 2011's Party with Potter and/or 2012's GeekFest, you already have a general idea of what to expect.  Like those events, Booklandia will spread throughout the library.  There will be around 50 costumed characters hosting the party, and you are welcome to dress up as your favorite book character.  If you would feel more comfortable in your everyday wear, that's great too.  There will be a "book" to help you tour Oz, Narnia, Wonka's Chocolate Factory, the City of Bones, and more.  It will also remind you to take advantage of early-bird summer reading registration.  Here's a sneak peek of all the fun.
Library Theatre = Land of Oz = Crafts with Scarecrow, Tinman, and Cowardly Lion.  Audience with the Great and Powerful Oz.  Game against the Wicked Witch of the West.  Meet and greet with Dorothy, Toto, and Glinda the Good.
Circulation = Picture Yourself in a Book = Photo op from The Lorax and The Hobbit
The Plaza = Narnia = Snow-filled adventure with the White Witch and Mr. Tumnus
Teen Spot = City of Bones = Steles, bloodstone necklaces, and rune tattoos (grades 6-up)
Youth Program Room = Wonka's Chocolate Factory = Sweet treats with Willy Wonka and Violet Beauregard
Picture Books = Where the Wild Things Are = Crowns and Dewayne Reynolds's balloon-animal Wild Things
Kid Zone = Series Roundup = games based on Frog & Toad, Geronimo Stilton, Junie B. Jones, Magic Tree House, Mercy Watson, Warriors
Roamers = Mary Poppins, Sherlock Holmes, Where's Waldo?

P.S. Booklandia also celebrates Children's Book Week!
 

That's Eoin Colfer and Rick Yancey, two of my favorite authors. Both are known for fantastical adventure series and had a new book come out yesterday, May 7, 2013.  Both books are starts to new fantastical adventure series.  Yesterday was a good day.
W.A.R.P.: The Reluctant Assassin by Eoin Colfer
Riley has been pulled into the FBI's covert W.A.R.P. operation (Witness Anonymous Relocation Program). He and young FBI Agent Chevie Savano are forced to flee terrifying assassin-for-hire Albert Garrick, who pursues Riley through time and will not stop until he has hunted him down. Barely staying one step ahead, Riley and Chevie must stay alive and stop Garrick returning to his own time with knowledge and power that could change the world forever.
The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey
After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.  Now, it's the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth's last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie's only hope for rescuing her brother—or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.

Mayday, mayday!  Desperately in need of book recommendations!  Can anybody help us?  Mayday, mayday!
HPL staff to the rescue!  Here's what we've been reading lately.
MAY 2013
Kids
Beholding Bee by Kimberly Newton Fusco
Dead City by James Ponti
The Dogs of Winter by Bobbie Pyron
Freakling by Lana Krumwiede

So, you think you can dance?  Congratulations!  I hope you realize how lucky you are.  You could have been blessed with two left feet (like me) and been forced to merely watch dance movies with envy (also like me).  Actually, my inability to dance doesn't keep me from doing it.  That's the great thing about dance.  It's not so much how it looks, but how it makes you feel.  If you want to shake it, you shake it.  Especially this week, April 26-May 4, 2013.  It's National Dance Week.  So pull out your best dance moves, even if it's the Running Man or the Sprinkler.  And grab one of these dance-related teen fiction books.
Another Way to Dance by Martha Southgate
Aria of the Sea by Dia Calhoun
Audition by S. Ward
Bunheads by Sophie Flack

I am not a teenager, but I love teen books.  Does this make me a weirdo?  NO!  Young adult literature is a vibrant, growing genre.  The stories focus on friendship, family dynamics, difficult choices, true love -- universal themes that resonate with both teens and adults.  That's why April 18, 2013 has been declared Teen Literature Day.  If you're an adult who has never picked up a teen fiction book, this is a great day to change that.  If you're a teenager, hooray!  This is a holiday made just for readers like you!  Let's all head to the Teen Spot, grab a book, and get this party started.

National Library Week is just around the corner, April 14-20, 2013.  This year's theme is Communities Matter -- which is so true!  Check out Hoover Public Library's official mission: The overall purpose of the Hoover Public Library is to serve all the citizens of Hoover by offering the services, resources, and facilities to fulfill their informational, educational, cultural, and recreational needs and interests. The term "citizens" encompasses individuals and groups of every age, education, philosophy, occupation, economic level, ethnic origin, and human condition.  In other words, you matter!  Stop by the library and let us show you how much!
Other NLW "stuff" you probably want to know:
* Use this coupon to make a payment on your overdue fines during National Library Week.
* 2013 is the Hoover Public Library's 30th anniversary.
 

Mangaka is the Japanese word for a comic artist or cartoonist.  Are you an aspiring mangaka?  Bring your best manga art to the end-of-the-school-year Manga Club on Tuesday, April 16, 2013 at 6:30 p.m.  You and fellow anime enthusiasts will "ooh" and "aah" over the showcase of art while you consume pizza.  After the party, grab a drawing book to help you hone your manga skills.
YA  741.5  CAM  Art of Drawing Manga by Sergi Cámara
741.51  HAR  Basic Anatomy for the Manga Artist by Christopher Hart
J  741  HAR  Big Book of Everything Manga by Christopher Hart

I am an Army brat, born and raised in West Germany.  Which means, from a very young age, I was very informed about the Holocaust.  I traveled to the concentration camps.  I toured the Annex where Anne Frank hid.  These experiences had a profound effect on me as a child and have stayed with me as an adult.  If you haven't had the opportunity to travel to Europe, you can still absorb Holocaust history.  Visit the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.  This establishment has been demonstrating The Power of Truth for 20 years.  You can also commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day fro

Light, the sixth and final installment in Michael Grant's bestselling GONE series, was released today, April 2, 2013.  Can't reveal any details without spoiling the series for newcomers, but here's a general synopsis of the overall story arc.  And, remember, you can find all six GONE titles in the Teen Spot at Hoover Public Library.
It happened in the proverbial blink.  Everyone in Perdido Beach, California over the age of fourteen disappeared.  Gone.  Those that remain must face countless battles against hunger, lies, plague.  Epic battles of good against evil.  Will they ultimately save themselves or perish in their struggles for power?

Get Ready for Prom in the Teen Spot on Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at 6:30 p.m.  The talented staff at Aveda will be on hand with pro hair tips for the big night.  Register online or call 444-7826.  Looking for some prom drama (as long as it's in the pages of a book)?  Try one of these on for size.  There's something for everyone, from the realistic to the fantastic to the unconventional.
21 Proms edited by David Levithan & Daniel Ehrenhaft
The Anti-Prom by Abby McDonald

I am one of them.  One of the readers who has been eagerly awaiting the release of book 3 in The Infernal Devices series by Cassandra Clare.  My wait is over today, March 19, 2013.  Clockwork Princess is officially released, and I am #1 on the waiting list.  Don't be jealous!  And don't forget to add your name to the list.  Maybe you can re-read the other two titles while you wait.
1. Clockwork Angel
2. Clockwork Prince

The Teen Spot's Manga Club is meeting again on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at 6:30 p.m.  This month's twist?  A cosplay contest.  This means you should come dressed as your favorite anime, manga, or comic character.  Keep it simple, or go all out!  It's all about expressing yourself and your love of this Japanese art form.  Take a look at some of our past contestants in our Teen Photo Gallery.

Teen Tech Week is March 10-16, 2013.  This year's theme is Check In @ Your Library.  What does that mean? Well, the official description provided by YALSA states "This year's theme encourages libraries to throw open their physical and virtual doors to teens and showcase the outstanding technology they offer."  I've interpreted that to mean "Make sure you blog about the Hoover Public Library app, Overdrive, the Alabama Virtual Library, LearningExpress Library, Mango Languages, and Homework Alabama.  Throw in the YALSA app and the YALSA app of the week for good measure."  So here I go!