New Blog!

You can now view our blog directly on the teen page of the Library website.

Check it out!
http://www.bernardslibrary.org/drupaldev/?q=teenservices

New in June!

• Z. Raptor- Steve Cole
  
• Dead Rules- Randy Russel
  
• Uncommon Criminals- Ally Carter
  
• Cruel Love- Kate Brian
  
• Passion- Lauren Kate
  
• Demon's Surrender- Sarah Rees Brennan

College Support for Students with Learning Differences or ADHD

Join Rana Slosberg of Slosberg College Solutions on June 14 from 7:00-8:00 for this free program for high school students and their parents, covering the following topics: College as compared to high school Should a student disclose LD or ADHD at college? Descriptions of support available at college How to learn what support a particular college offers Sign ups are required. Visit the program calendar at www.bernardslibrary.org or call us at 908-204-3031 ext. 5 to register!

After by Amy Efaw

I'm re-posting this review I did of After from 2009 because it was nominated for a Garden State Teen Book Award! It was one of my favorite books that year. Here's what I wrote:

After is the story of Devon, a straight-A student from a working class family who hides her pregnacy, gives birth alone and throws her baby in a dumpster. Following Devon through her hearing and first days in juvenial detention, the author explores how a teenager who had everything going for her got to this place and the denial and panic that led her to perform such a horrific act. It's interesting to hear about the attempted murder from the mother's side but be prepare- it's an addictive read and you might be up all night!

Soul Pancake

What is the biggest mistake you've ever made?
(Decca Records reject the Beatles in 1962 saying, "We don't like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out anyway.")

What does art have to do with the soul?
("Originality is undetected plagarism- W.R. Inge)

How do you determine truth?
("Intense feeling too often obscures the truth."- Harry Truman)

These are some of life's big questions posed by Rainn Wilson (you might know him as Dwight from The Office) in the new book Soul Pancake. Each question is accompanied by quotes, images and sub-questions that get you thinking about the question, speaking your mind and helping you "figure out what it means to be human".

In addition to the book, Rainn Wilson also created SoulPancake.com, a social networking site. In his own words, "SoulPancake is more of a mission than a Web site. It's a MOVEMENT to wrestle with and chew on LIFE'S BIG QUESTIONS. It's a way to EXPLORE why we believe the things that we believe. It's a place for you to TALK about your soul and the existence of God. It's a space to ENGAGE in art, philosophy, creativity, truth, and beauty. And ultimately, SoulPancake is a community of people who are digging DEEPER to figure out what it means to be human and to experience this rich, strange, difficult, and awesome journey called life." Check it out at www.soulpancake.com

The Big Crunch by Pete Hautman

Wes and June are high school juniors. June is new in town. Her father's job doesn't let her stay in one school for very long. After six schools in four years, June has finding friends and boyfriend down to a science- find smart, fun people to hang around but no one who is so unique that she'll actually miss them. Wes's best friend Jerry fits the bill perfectly. Geeky but not too geeky, fun but not too fun. But Wes and June keep finding themselves thrown together and they fall hard for each other despite the many obstacles in their way. Big Crunch tells a story that's both sweet and simple and it manages to stay away from a lot of "teenage love story" cliches. If you are looking for a realistic story of two nice kids in love than this one is definitely for you!

Garden State Teen Book Award 2012

The nominees for the 2012 Garden State Teen Book Awards are here! Each year, New Jersey teens vote for their favorite books in three categories.
The ballot lists twenty nominees for each category, based on teen appeal and quality of writing. Follow the links to see the nominees in each category and to place your vote (if you are ready!)

• Fiction- Grades 6-8
• Fiction- Grades 7-12
• Nonfiction- Grades 6-12
  

Voting will run through January 7, 2012 so you have plenty of time to read a few and vote for your favorite! Paper ballots can be picked up at the library and all the books will be on display until voting ends. I'll be featuring some of the nominated books here in the future using the tag "GSTBA" so check back later!