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Books, Raewyn, Reviews
Book Review
21.04.09 | Permalink | Comment?

A book review from Raewyn!

Atherton: The House of Power, by Patrick Carman.

Atherton is a made up world, Edgar. A place created by men at a time when almost every part of the known world was used up. This was the first part of the book that Samuel read to Edgar and the beginning of their fight to help the people of their separate worlds, as they gradually came together. Atherton is made up of three tiers. The Highlands is where the water comes from and is the domain of Lord Phineus who controls all. Tabletop is ruled over by the cruel Mr Ratikan (a pawn of Lord Phineus), hard taskmaster to the people who tend the fig trees, which feed the Highlanders. And far below are the Flatlands, where horrible creatures dwell. What will happen when all the tiers become one? First in this new series by the author of “The Land of Elyon”.
Competition, Grimm, Selector
Selector: the final countdown
21.04.09 | Permalink | Comment?

It’s Inside Girl versus Morganville Vampires! What to pick, what to pick?

Do Texan vampires have a show at defeating Flan Flood? Will the fangs come out, and if they do will the vampires cope?

So, readers, you get to choose which series the library will purchase: it’s the vampires whose peaceful towny existence is disrupted by the arrival of the evil Bishop versus a rich kid who used to attend an exclusive academy but decides to rub elbows with students at a typical high school (proper descriptions are here).

You’ve got until next Tuesday to decide: this is the final round, so get voting! One lucky voter will get the chance to be first in the queue for the winning literary treasure.

ps congratulations to Rachel for picking up the voucher for 2 free DVD rentals.

FormSpring – Online Form Creator
Movies, New, Simon
Tomorrow’s Twilight DVD
21.04.09 | Permalink | Comment?

Tomorrow the Twilight DVD will be released. Since DVDs and CDs don’t become available on the library catalogue until they’re actually in the building, you won’t be able to reserve it until they’re ready. Which will be tomorrow morning, hopefully. We – the Teen Blog – will update as soon as they’re ready! And you can reserve your copy! Before everyone else does!

So keep reading!
Reviews
Book Review: Twilight
21.04.09 | Permalink | 5 Comments

Twilight, by Stephenie Meyer

I liked the book Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, for three main reasons. One being the fact it was voyeuristic therefore making it personal and intimate, it makes you see the world through the characters’ eyes and relate your personal experiences and personality to them. Another reason is the way the characters are shown; the fact that they are enigmatic, which makes you want to know more, and realistic, which makes you think you’ve really met them. The last is the theme “love” which is shown in a modern, edgy way, that’s both original and old-school, it really makes you wonder. Overall, I think the books are well-written and different, no wonder they were a big success.

~ Natalia
Library Serf, Writing
Creative Writing Workshop
20.04.09 | Permalink | Comment?

If you’re into creative writing you might be interested in this:

There are two special school holiday creative writing workshops happening next Wednesday 22 April at Katherine Mansfield Birthplace (25 Tinakori Road, Thorndon).

Run by award-winning author Janice Marriott, the workshops are a great chance for secondary school students aged 13–15 to develop their skills and ideas in creative writing.

Workshop 1: 9.30–12.30am
Workshop 2 (repeat): 1.30–4.30pm
Cost: $25 per student

Spaces are limited so bookings are essential. To book, call 473 7268 or email kmbirthplace@xtra.co.nz.
Grimm
Post Easter Weekly Wrap
17.04.09 | Permalink | 1 Comment
This week at the teen blog:
- Round Two of Selector started. Make sure you vote for your favourite: there will be a two-series vote off to find the winner, and this round one lucky voter gets two free DVDs.
- We made a review form so you can tell us what you think of books you’ve read. Because we like giving things away (see above), we’re giving the first four reviewers a lovely poster of old Robert Pattinson (but only if you want one – you can write us a review and not get one if you’d prefer).
- Heaps of new books arrived.
- Hannah reviewed the Life As We Knew It/The Dead and the Gone duo by Susan Beth Pfeffer.
- Adrienne highlighted the annual Council Youth Forum, called ENGAGE (Friday 1 May 2009).
- Jack came back to a stack of CDs (no playlist yet because our work PCs don’t like IMEEM at the moment, much annoyance).
- Then Sam found two websites to watch.
- Next month Rapture Ruckus (as part of NZ Music Month) is going to be talking about being a musician et al – check out the when and where.
- Here are 10 sporty books. Great how you can sit on a couch and read a book about people being active.
Have a good weekend!

Also note: if you’re stuck for something to read we’ve updated a couple of our booklists here and here.
Grimm, Sport, Top 10
Top 10: pushing play
17.04.09 | Permalink | Comment?
This isn’t really a Top 10 list as such, since I know zero about sports fiction and have no idea what’s top and what’s not; this is more a selection of young adult fiction that has sporting themes of different sorts. See what you think anyway. Let me know if you’ve read a good sports book recently too (I refrained from putting my favourite book here, Life at these Speeds, but, oh no, there I go, I’ve mentioned it anyway (athletics)).
1. Amazing Grace, Megan Shull (tennis)
2. Ironman, Chris Crutcher (triathlon)
3. Hero, Perry Moore. This is sport but with superheroes. It’s good.
4. Rash, Pete Hautman. Reading Rants (which is a great review website, by the way) suggests this is futuristic, dystopian and involves football.
5. Soccer Chick Rules, Dawn Fitzgerald (football)
6. Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes, Chris Crutcher (swimming)
7. Ball Don’t Lie, Matt de la Pena (basketball)
8. How to Ditch Your Fairy, by Justine Larbalestier. When I first saw this book I thought “Nooooo!”. I mean, it seems very silly, but everyone actually likes it. Charlie is a freshman at a sports school and has the misfortune of having a personal parking fairy (as opposed to, for example, an “all the boys think you’re wonderful” type fairy) – you can see why I had doubts.
9. Dairy Queen, by Catherine Gilbert Murdock. This is football of the American variety, and the main character is female, which seems refreshing. People like this book (I haven’t read it yet), and its sequel The Off Season.
10. Alex, Tessa Duder. The great New Zealand literary swimming sensation.
Music, NZ Music Month, Simon, Wellington
NZ Music Month – Rapture Ruckus
17.04.09 | Permalink | Comment?

NZ Music Month is May (which is next month, like two weeks away), and as usual the library will hold NZ music-related events. On the 8th of May, Friday, at about 4.30pm, Wellington hip-hop artist Rapture Ruckus will be in to talk on ‘How to get somewhere as a muso’. Mark your calendars!

Check out a clip of him performing live:
Happenings, Internet, Sam
websites to watch
17.04.09 | Permalink | Comment?

Website 1: ‘ISSUES.co.nz’ – talking up ideas and issues

What’s on the hearts and minds of everyday New Zealanders? What gets their goat? Find out on New Zealand’s first purpose-built website for issues campaigns. A great website to watch if you need a speech topic, or if you’re politically inclined.

Website 2: The World Digital Library

Launching April 21, this The World Digital Library is going to be awesome! The project has major international backing and will bring – free of charge – significant primary materials from cultures around the world, including manuscripts, maps, rare books, musical scores, recordings, films, prints, photographs, architectural drawings, and other significant cultural materials. Make sure you check out the promo video.
Competition, Library Serf, Selector
Selector: round two: vote
17.04.09 | Permalink | Comment?

Here’s the line up for round two: don’t forget to vote (descriptions here). One lucky round two voter will win a voucher for two free DVDs (rental value of $8!!) – this should make the last days of holidays more interesting.

What’s Selector? Read this for more.