Teen Picks

John Flanagan's books are some of the most enthusiastically pursued titles at the Hoover Public Library. Many of our patrons (and one of our staff) haven't even been able to wait for the U.S. release dates. Instead, they order books from Mr. Flanagan's home country of Australia. Then they rub our faces in it when we have to wait. Well, the wait is over for the newest in The Brotherband Chronicles series. The third book, The Hunters, hits the shelves on Tuesday, October 30, 2012.

German brothers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm first published Grimms' Fairy Tales in 1812. That was 200 years ago! And yet, to this day, young and old alike are familiar with their beloved stories. I've had a lot of Grimm thoughts lately. Tonight, my sister and I are volunteering to be characters from Hansel & Gretel at a friend's "A Night Dark and Grimm" party. Tomorrow, I'm hosting a Girl Scout tour centered around the Sisters Grimm book series by Michael Buckley. And I'm currently reading a teen book that fractures "The Little Mermaid" fairytale (Yes, you're right--that one came from Hans Christian Andersen. Thanks for clearing that up.) Actually, I read more than my fair share of fractured fairytales.

Remember how I promised a monthly blog series called Reading Snapshot? Well, I keep my promises. Here's what we're currently reading.

Are you an otaku? Otaku is a Japanese term used to refer to people with obsessive interests, particularly anime, manga or Japanese video games. Does that sound like you? Are you interested in hanging out with other teens just as fascinated by Japanese entertainment? Of course you are. So come to the Anima Manga Club on Tuesday, October 2, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. Watch anime and talk manga with other 7th-12th graders. Further incentive required? Okay, there are also free snacks.

If you read and loved Alabama Moon, you know exactly who Watt Key is. He's an Alabama author who writes raw and riveting coming-of-age stories that appeal to both avid and reluctant readers. Alabama Moon won multiple awards, was translated into seven languages, and turned into a movie. The companion novel, Dirt Road Home, earned Mr. Key the ALLA's Author Award at the 2012 Alabama Library Association's convention here in Hoover. And his newest book, Fourmile, was released on Tuesday, September 18, 2012.

These catchy phrases will help you find new materials in the Kid Zone and Teen Spot. How? It's simple. They help you remember our color coding system. All new picture books, fiction books, and audiobooks in the Kid Zone have a pink sticker on the spine label, and new DVDs have a hot pink sticker on the top of the spine. All new teen fiction books and audiobooks have a red sticker. So "Think Pink" for new kids' stuff, and issue a "Code Red" when you want something new for teens.

P.S. This info is especially helpful for kids in Grades 4-6 who want to participate in This Just In! ,our newest book club.

We're trying something new this fall. It's called Library Skills 101, and it's geared for the many homeschool families who use the Hoover Public Library. Students in grades 3-8 (and their parents) are invited to come to the Kid Zone on Friday, September 14 at 10:30 a.m. They'll learn the ins and outs of our very large library by embarking on a fun scavenger hunt. There will also be a session on navigating our online catalog. Since the catalog covers all departments in forty libraries across Jefferson County, this can be a challenge even to the most tech savvy individual.

The Hoover Public Library dares teens, ages 12-18, to join us for our reaping and compete in our version of the Hunger Games. The Hunger Games Challenge will take place on Tuesday, July 3, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. Teens will endure Archery Practice, face the Cornucopia, and "wow" in the District Fashion Show. They will also craft a Mockingjay Pin and consume a culinary surprise. To be eligible to compete, stop by the Teen Spot desk or call 444-7826.

One of our lucky duck librarians is heading to New Orleans to attend the Final Four and National Championship games. That lucky duck is me. Rock Chalk Jayhawk! To say I have March Madness is a bit of an understatement. Basically, I've got basketball on the brain, and there is no cure in sight. Instead, I'm feeding the frenzy by devouring basketball books and movies. If you have a kid or teen with a mild to severe case of March Madness, I recommended dosing them with some of the following titles:

Banned Books Week = September 24 - October 1, 2011

Here are the top ten books that were challenged in 2010. Did one of your favorites make the list?
And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Crank by Ellen Hopkins
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Lush by Natasha Friend
What My Mother Doesn't Know by Sonya Sones
Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich
Revolutionary Voices edited by Amy Sonnie
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read and the importance of the First Amendment.

As students head back to school, the Hoover Public Library wants to make sure that all children and teens have the most important school supply of all -- a library card. Owning a library card provides students with the resources they need to compete academically. Public libraries provide students free access to databases of news articles, encyclopedias and test preparation materials, as well as homework help and resources. In addition, public libraries are the number one access point for free Internet, an important resource for families without access at home.

A library card is serious business, but it's also an opportunity for fun! Library card holders of all ages can get their hands on tons of fantastic books, movies, video games . . . the list goes on and on.

"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."

We were only expecting around 400, but we had even more than that waiting in line for us to open the doors at 7 p.m.! A whopping 610 fans came to our grand goodbye to the wizarding world of Harry Potter! Everyone received a special edition of The Quibbler from Luna Lovegood to guide them through the evening. The giant Marauder's Map and the Fat Lady Painting were also close at hand to help wizards and Muggles alike find their way. And Sir Cadogan was handing out bags to help carry all their forthcoming magical loot

I know, I know! You haven't been hearing a lot about Teen Summer Reading yet on the blog. I'm sorry, but there is a good reason. The programs are filling up so fast, I don't have time to advertise them! But, fear not, You Are Here is going strong. Here's what the rising 6th-12th graders have been up to this month.

Get Your Game On - Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at 6:30 p.m.
45 teens challenged each other to Super Smash Brothers on the Wii! Big winner Nathan earned a $25 gift card to Game Stop.