Halloween Costumes from Books

This time of year is perfect for fantasy lovers! With Halloween around the corner, readers can easily transform into their favorite book character. For Harry Potter fans, it can be a tie, black gown and thick glasses. For Hunger Games followers, a bow and arrow in simple clothes may do (unless you can figure out a safe way to ignite a dress!). What about a little white powder and black eyeliner for a fashionable zombie? Maybe SewLolita’s Coraline doll (based on Neil Gaiman’s novel by the same name) will serve as inspiration. What other creative things could you do to turn a book character into a Halloween costume?

 

 

Bumper Crop of Fun!

Fall has begun with chilly nights and autumn leaves and of course, the North Carolina State Fair! One of my favorite books about fairs (beside Charlotte’s Web) is Squashed by Joan Bauer. A witty story set in rural Iowa, 16 year old Ellie has big plans: to grow the biggest pumpkin in the state (and lose 20 pounds). It’s part love story, part comedy with all sorts of fun characters mixed it. Pick it up for a relaxing read this fall.

And if you go to the fair, just be sure to check out who grew the largest  pumpkin at this year’s fair!

Little Red…

I love how many new interpretations of the fairy tales are around right now-from Grimm on television to Snow White and the Huntsman movie to BOOKS (!). These reinventions brings us back to childhood, but in a whole new gory/mind-bending way. I recently started reading Maria Tatar‘s history of the Grimm Brothers and found it fascinating. Here are some other books to explore (with links to the author’s websites):

Eva Perry Library Reads: Emma

*This blog post got Greta tickets in the prize drawing for our Teen Summer Contest. Click here to find out how to enter!*

Emma by Jane Austen

Although perhaps not Jane Austen’s most well-known book (Pride and Prejudice claims that spot), it was definitely one of her best. If you think of Jane Austen as being boring and old-fashioned, think again. Her books (including this one) are actually quite funny, once you get into them. It was interesting to get to know each of the colorful characters, and the story (which has a lot of twists and turns, romance, mystery and intrigue, etc.) has a good message, too. I highly recommend Emma as an exciting look into another time. (Sometimes the plot to these things can be a little tricky; try watching the 1995 movie starring Gwyneth Paltrow to help you sort things out.)

Teens’ Top Ten 2011: Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld

Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld is one of the Teens’ Top Ten nominations for 2011.

Reviewed by Cheenu T.

This book is a sequel in a trilogy and the first book is called Leviathan. For those who haven’t read the first book, the setting is a futuristic replication of WWI. The archduke of Ferdinand is assassinated, sparking a war between Austria-Hungary, Germany, Russia, France, and Great Britain. The factions (the Allies and the Axis powers) have different war weapons. The Allies (Great Britain, France, Russia, etc.) use genetically modified animals to the point of making whales into flying airships. The Axis powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, etc.) use steam-powered machines that vary in size, from small four-legged scout vehicles to enormous eight-legged fortresses.

Contest: Short Essay

Winning $100 for a hundred word essay sounds pretty awesome to me!   Respond to the question: “How does technology make the world a better place?” Check out the contest and rules on www.tweentribune.com

West Regional Library Reads: The Westing Game

*This blog post got Anna a ticket in the prize drawing for our Teen Summer Contest. Click here to find out how to enter!*

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

Heirs gather around to hear the reading of Sam Westing’s will. But the will is puzzling, in it there is a game and the only objective of the game is to win, but not only that. In it Sam Westing implies that he was murdered. In this game tensions are high and the stakes are higher, they play through blizzards, bombings and much more. This book by Ellen Raskin is highly inventive and unique. It is not only a mystery but a puzzle with many pieces. It is a fast paced book with no boring parts. In this I believe she mastered the changing point of view while still keeping the plot clear.

Iron Chef Challenge – Part 2

Here is another winning entry from the East Regional Library’s Iron Chef Challenge event. Try this amazing recipe for a special summer dessert. It’s sure to impress!

Best Presentation: Coconut Custard with Toasted Pineapple

Prepared by Catherine C., 17

Coconut Custard

Ingredients: 1 1/2 tsp vegetable oil; 6 tbs sweetened coconut flakes, plus 1/4 c for garnish, lightly toasted; 2 c heavy cream; 1/2 c milk; 1/2 c canned cream of coconut (such as Coco Lopez); 6 tbs sugar; 1/2 vanilla bean, split in 1/2 lengthwise; 3 egg yolks; 2 eggs; 1/2 tsp vanilla extract; 2 tsp confectioners’ sugar

Directions: Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Using your fingers, very lightly grease 6 (4-ounce) custard cups or ramekins with vegetable oil. Place 1 tbs of the toasted coconut in each ramekin. Place the ramekins inside a roasting pan and set aside.

In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup of the cream, the milk, cream of coconut, sugar, and vanilla bean halves and their seeds. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring to dissolve the sugar.

Iron Chef Challenge

Teens cooled off this week at the East Regional Library with delicious treats created for this summer’s Iron Chef Challenge. Over ten teens made a dish or drink using pineapple, the secret ingredient! Three awards and prizes were given for the Best Tasting, Most Creative and Best Presentation. All teens in attendance earned tickets for the Teen Summer Reading Contest!

Best Tasting: Tropical Slushy

Created by Daniel M. , 16

Ingredients:

1 cup Sunny D, 1 can crushed pineapple, 1 banana, 1 cup strawberries, 1 can mandarin oranges, 1 Hawaiian Punch Sugar Free Lemon Berry Squeeze Singles, Splenda, and ice.

Prepare: Pour ingredients into a blender. Add Splenda, Sunny D and ice to adjust to your taste and desired consistency. Serve immediately!

What kind of things have you been cooking up this summer to stay cool?

Eva Perry Regional Library Reads: Huck Finn

*This blog post got Greta tickets in the prize drawing for our Teen Summer Contest. Click here to find out how to enter!*

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

Too often, classic books are abandoned for newer, “flashier” novels. However, there is a reason why such books have been called classics. I recently finished The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, and it was amazing! The book takes the reader on a journey down the Mississippi River, artfully blended with a commentary of American culture. Huck Finn and Jim, a runaway slave,

Peak – A Real Climb to the Top of Mt. Everest

If you’ve read the book Peak by Roland Smith, you know about the boy whose dad wanted him to be the youngest person to climb Mount Everest (the highest mountain in all seven continents). It looks like that story has come to life.

According to the New York Times, Jordan Romero is attempting that mission! He left base camp with his father on Saturday. Read The New York Times article about this amazing story and let us know what you think about it!

Would you want to attempt it? What would your parents say? What would life be after? What challenges do you think he will face?

Little Pretty Liars on TV

Little Pretty Liars, the popular series by Sara Shepard, is premiering on TV on June 8 on ABC Family. I enjoyed reading the first book. One friend mysteriously disappears and is assumed to have died. When her friends start get messages (very specific messages) from her, everything gets shaken up. It’s a fun book – especially good for the beach this summer! I am wondering how the series will look on TV!

What are your ideas? Would it be like Desperate Housewives, where the dead character narrates the story? Have you seen the trailers and TV promos?

Teen Tech Week Winners!

One eligible teen from each branch won a $15 iTunes gift card! One teen won a fantastic new pair of Skullcandy headphones!  Congratulations to…

Website for Aspiring Writers

Are you in the midst of writing a great manuscript? Want some feedback? Want to read what other teens are writing? Check inkpop.com! It’s an online social networking site run by HarperCollins. They say ” inkpop members play a critical role in deciding who will land a publishing contract with HarperCollins. Whose work will you help rise to the top?” Sounds like a lot of fun…get your stuff out there and see what happens!

Customer Service Survey

Have you filled out the most recent customer service survey? If not, do it now! Let your voice be heard. It’s for anyone age 12 or older.  It will be accessible until Feb. 28!

Love Sharon Draper

I always find myself enthralled by Sharon Draper’s books. I can’t stop reading or listening to the stories she shares. Very cool thing is coming up – you can chat with her on Feb. 17 @ 9pm on the readergirlz.com.  The website has picked Copper Sun by Sharon Draper as their book of the month. Copper Sun is an amazing story of resilience. When Amari’s village in Ghana is destroyed, she is captured and sold as a slave in South Carolina.  She befriends Polly, an indentured servant on the same plantation.  Together they try to make their way to a slave sanctuary in Florida. Check out the book now and join the conversation on readergirlz.com.

Alex Rider Dream Gadget Contest

This sounds awesome!

Okay, so if you are an Alex Rider fan and love dreaming up all sorts of cool gadgets, here is your chance to shine. Note: James Bond’s Q better watch out!

How to Enter

To enter in the Alex Rider Dream Gadget Contest, click on the “Enter Here” link below. The contest is open to entrants ages 8-18. If you are under 14 years old, you will need to provide your parent/guardian’s email address so they can provide consent for you to enter the contest. The entry form will ask for a description of your dream gadget, as well as a Flickr URL that links to a schematic (diagram, drawing, photo, etc). As well as filling out the form, we ask you to post any schematic images to the Alex Rider Flickr Group

What are you waiting for, Enter Here!

Amazing Prizes!

Grand Prize (one winner):

• A signed collection of hardcover Alex Rider novels
• iPod nano with a personalized message from author Anthony Horowitz
• A backpack full of goodies and gadgets from the Maker Shed
• The opportunity to have the winner’s dream gadget produced in MAKE Labs and featured on Make: Online

Runner-Up Prize (two winners):

• A signed hardcover copy of Crocodile Tears
• An Alex Rider t-shirt

Review: Alt Ed (audio)

Did you ever see the movie The Breakfast Club? Alt Ed is a lot like the movie, but even better! Alt Ed is actually the last chance counseling class before getting kicked out of school. The six students who are forced to attend the class represent all of the cliques in school. The issues of social status, homophobia, ugly rumors, sexism, and intolerance create incredible tension. You will definitely be able to identify some people you know in this story. If you like realistic fiction and want something that takes place in a high school, this might be the book for you!

2009 Teens Top Ten

You voted and the results are in!

More than 11,000 teen voters chose Paper Towns as their favorite book in the 2009 Teens’ Top Ten! The online poll took place from Aug. 24 through Sept. 18, with the winners announced during Teen Read Week by WWE Divas Brie Bella and Nikki Bella, with a special appearance by John Green. See the video.

And the winners are…with links to the authors’ blogs for your reading pleasure!

• Paper Towns by John Green
• Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
• City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
• Identical by Ellen Hopkins
• The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
• Wake by Lisa McMann
• Untamed by P.C. and Kristin Cast (House of Night series)
• The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart
• Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Check out the cool stuff happening at readergirlz.com for Teen Read Week – live author chats with nominated authors and more!

Find out what the buzz is all about. Request a copy of the books now!

Review: Peak

After the recent mishaps of the boy in the silver balloon, you might want to give Peak a chance. Climbing tall buildings probably isn’t a good idea as 14 year old Peak quickly finds out. To keep him out of trouble, Peak ventures to Mount Everest with plans to be the youngest person to climb the top of the world.