Whispers of War- Diary

This book is about the difficultites Susannah Merrit and her family go through during the war in 1812. Both her father who has a high ranking and the militarym and her brother a going to fight, mening that they wouldnt see eachother very often. During this time her eldest sister gets a baby, her second eldest sister is betrothed, her friend's father is convicted of not participating in the war and is fined $200. That was alot of money in their time!! She met some very special people and learned many new things about life, frinedship and war.

Book Club Idea

The book club seems like a cool idea.
Suggestion :- Get more people to sign up by sending e-vites to the people on the blog list.

Ice Drift

This book was about the exciting adventure of two young inuit brothers. While seal hunting, Alika and his brother Sulu's floe (a piece of large ice like land) breaks off fromland and they began to drift away. They are on their journey for six months, and during that time they get attacked by a polar bear, their food supply is eaten by animals and Sulu falls in the water causing him a near death experience due to the freezing arctic waters. Little do they know, their mother is desperately searching for them. Though she failed, after a dark winter with no light, they finally reach land and board a ship which would take them back home.

Teen Book Club

I noticed in an earlier post that one blogger was commenting on the lack of a teen book club/discussion group - this came hot on the heels of a discussion I had with my teen advisory group, where a couple of the members also expressed interest in such a programme. I tried for four consecutive seasons last year to get a book club started, but each time I had too few/no people sign-up. I would love to get one started and will do so if I can generate enough interest, so I was hoping to ask you all if you had any advice about getting the book club off the ground.
Each time I've tried to start the book club, I promoted it in the library, as well as in the Town of Markham's Recreation Guide, which is mailed to all homes in Markham, so in theory publicity shouldn't be the problem. I will admit however, that in my advertising I was (deliberately) quite vague with the details - I had posted the dates, but I didn't include any information about the books that would be discussed. My original vision for the group was as a "readers' salon" where members would be able to discuss issues and opinions as well as discuss books read in common, and I thought it would be more engaging for members if the reading wasn't prescribed. Now I'm wondering if this turned people off - maybe people were reluctant to commit to something so nebulous. I think what I would ideally like is to have a group that meets once a month or every six weeks for a couple of hours to discuss books and chill - maybe even have some kind of activity to tie in with the book, like if we read a book set in India, we could apply Mendhi tattoos during the meeting.
So basically I'm looking for the following feedback:
1. Do you think a Teen Book Club is a good idea? Do you think it would appeal to teens in Markham?
2. What kind of format would you suggest - open discussion, required reading lists, etc. ?
3. What's a reasonable time commitment for busy teens - once a month for two hours?
4. If you would NOT attend, why not?
5. Do you have any tips for publicizing the group or recruiting members?
I appreciate your help and look forward to any input you could provide. Andrea.

Ready or Not *another book by Meg Cabot*!!!

Here's another book by Meg Cabot!!!(lolz, hope u guys aren't getting tired of her). This is a sequel to All- American Girl. We find Samantha with a whole lot of problems to deal with again. To name a few; she finds out that "life drawing" in art class actually means "naked people", her boyfriend asking her to spend thanksgiving at Camp David (which she interprets as him wanting to take their relationship to the next level)...just generally stuff she's not ready for. I think the plot is for a more mature audience compared to the first book. An interesting feature is that the author included some vocab used in the SAT test, but always with the definition in brackets. So not only did i enjoyed reading the book, i also enjoyed the new words i learned!

s.t.e.p.h.i.e.

Darkest Hour - Jenny Carroll (Meg Cabot)

I just finished reading this book, and i loved it!! While i had to skip from the first book in this mediator series to the fourth, because the library ran out of copies, it still made total sense, and was just as good as the first, if not better. Suze has a babysitting job at a fancy hotel, and she meets a fellow mediator along the way. When Jessie's murderers attempt to kill Suze and take away her love, she gets angry, but little does she know, they are sneakier than she gives them credit for. Her crazy summer adventure is definately one to remember.

Rating: * * * * */5!!!

Double Spell-Janet Lunn

ANOTHER fabulous book by Janet Lunn!

This book is about twelve year old twins Elizabeth and Jane who find a doll in an antique shop, and its as if the doll is calling to them. They take it, and since then, strange things start happening. Elizabeth, the one with the imagination, is convinced that it is because the doll is trying to speak to them. At first, Jane thinks she is crazy, but as more and more things start happening, its harder for Jane to disbelieve. They start having the same dreams, and visions into the 1800's. The doll leads them on a journey through family history, as well as freeing their new home of mysterious happenings.

This book is amazingly intriguing and i woke up at four in the morning to finish it! The best part is that it is set in downtown Toronto, making it even easier to believe. As usual, Janet Lunn can make even the most absurd things seem realistic-ladies and gentlemen, she has done it again! Written a hit that is a sure-fire with all audiences, of any age-but watch out, some parts are tres creepy!!

Emily

24 Girls In 7 Days-Alex Bradley

I realllyyy loved this book. On the surface point of view, it's just a loner who has trouble getting girls having his friends post an ad for a prom date on the internet-and having "127" responses to it (you will find out if you read it!). It's about all the girls he dates, and finding out who he is, who his friends are, and how his future is shaping out.

On another layer, it is very much him discovering himself, and what love means to him. I especially enjoyed the depth of his mysterious "FancyPants" online. This really is a good book, and for once-its from a guys point of view! And he isnt just proven to be the average jock with one thing on his mind...as you read later, he forms many friendships through this experience, as well as proves himself to many more people.


Read It! Its Not Just Another Teen Novel (heehee funny joke!)

Emily

Dragon Night

hello every body i read a book about a boy named Dyvan who had new vision.He gave up his life and friends to save his family. This dreaded dragon kight had kept his family presoner. He had to save them and make it back live in to the real world. The dragon knight had kept his family presoners because Dyvan had this special aid kit witch was the dragon kights.

DID YOU KNOW?

Today I came across some very interesting information that i thought i would share with everybody here at the blog. Alot of people have been posting about books by Meg Cabot, but did you know that her real name is actually Jenny Carroll? So if you are ever looking for a book by her, you should check under both names, because some books, like the Mediator series, have two sets of copies, one under each name. Confusing, i know.

Beauty Returns

Hey!
I read a book called Beauty Returns, by Sylvia McNicoll. A dog guide trainer(Elizabeth) is in love with a boy she trained a dog for. She adopts a dog called Magic and her sister's husband is a her worst enemy. Her nephew Teal is a pain. Her blind lover (Kyle) is in the last year of high. Too old! But does that stop Elizabeth? Or her dog fever?
Read it!

-Shummer!

Twins

Hey dudes and dudets
I read a book called Twins, by Caroline B. Cooney. It talks about a pair of identical twins called Madrigal and Mary Lee. Mary Lee gets shipped to boarding school while Madrigal stays. Mary Lee and Madrigal Goes skiing and Mary Lee dressed like Madrigal, while Madrigal dresses like Mary Lee. Madrigal (Mary Lee) dies in a ski accident, which leaves Mary Lee, whom everybody thinks is Madrigal. Now Mary is living Madrigal's life and find out shocking secrets of her school, friends and her evil boyfriend..........
-Shummer!

Sorry bloggers - computers down at work

Sorry, guys. The computers were down at work, tonight. I am not so sure if they will work tomorrow.

Yesterday, I was off but I worked on the challenges for next week and this week.

I will try and catch up on your posting, in the next few days.

Catherine

Favourite Childhood Picture Books

I was going through my brother's bookshelf the other day and was reunited with many of my much-loved favourites from my younger years. These include the classics, and many personal favourites. Somehow i doubt there'll be many parents on this blog, but if you're an older sister or brother who likes to read to your siblings, here's my personal favourite list:

1) Beryl's Box by Lisa Taylor

2) Madeline by Ludwig Bemelans

3) No More Jumping On The Bed! by Tedd Arnold

4) Penguin Small by Mick Inkpen

5) Nothing (also by Mick Inkpen)

6) The Paperbag Princess by Robert Munsch

One thing i really enjoy about these books are the characters in it, who have an amazing amount of patience and understanding. Many people will claim that this is unrealistic, but i doubt it. It takes something special to foster true knowledge in a child, and nothing is better than a story and someone to read it with.

If you have any you'd like to add to the list, just leave a comment and i'll put them in.

Miss Anne Thropic
Isabelle

Fanfiction! *squeals*

I'm wondering how many bloggers out there are fanfiction! writers. I used to be a regular writer, but haven't been able to keep a fic going over the last two years. For those who don't know about fanfic at all, it's fiction written based on the characters or plot of an already written media (books, movies, tv shows)...sorta like create your own sequel kind of thing. I found that the reviews i got as a writer really helped me improve my writing skills. Lately I've been attending an Ancient History class (for my own interests) and revived my love for greek/roman mythology. I do remember reading a "top ten Greek myths" book once which is simplified and humourous for some light reading. If you have an interest in mythology (and if you're younger than....14?) this book is probably best for you.

Miss Anne Thropic

Ready to Run

This book is about Remy's reluctance to run for Cross Country and her friends problems with internet safety. Both of these conflicts get intertwined when her friend becomes in serious danger, and nobody else can help. Remy's only choice is to run to her friend's aid, with her recent running practices, she is able to sprint to the location of danger and save her friend from a horrible fate caused by an internet chatline. Remy is afraid that she might now be in danger as well, but because she informed the police at the right ime, though it was a little late, they managed to catch her friend's fake internet pal before he could cause any more damage or attempt to hurt any more children. This book was really interesting, and i would rate it 9/10

redwall

abbey called redwall
cluny the scouge attacks
redwall drives off invaders
the end

College Life 101 Kim: The Party

Hello!
This book is by Wendy Corsi Staub. this book talks about a girl called Kim. She's in college trying not fail history. She meets Joe and dies for him. She goes to parties, gets drunk, slept with Jake (a jerk) and goes broke. This book is okay because she smokes and drinks. Pressure for drug use pulls her, but.......................

Find out yourself!

-Shummer!

One more question: TV Series - purchasing

Andrea needs to know what tv shows you like because she buys series, all the time.

Please tell us your favourites and she will try and buy them.

We have some Gilmore Girls, Inuysha.

Thanks.

Catherine

P.S. Don't forget every posting counts towards the big draw, at the end.

Next week's challenge: TV Trivia

This week, we are challenging you on books, next week, t.v. and the following week: music.

Get ready because the tough questions are coming.

Catherine and Andrea

You ain't seen nothing yet.

Teen Vogue - August 2006

Okay, so I know that this isn't a book, but it still makes for a very good read. Kate Bosworth is on the cover, and although she isn't my favourite actress, they had a good article to back up her cover. This particular issue deals alot about Back to School, which is kinda wierd to read about in July, but will make more sense in August. This one features some really cool articles, like FEEDING FRENZY, which outlines eating out in relation to diabetes, and FIGHT CLUB, which takes a look at bullying among teenage girls, which is on the rise. I personally love the set up of the magazine, because they always spotlight up-and-coming talent, with this issue featuring a model who was born here in Canada. Not only does it give great fashion tips, it also gives great ideas about new books and music. This is a great magazine to subscribe to, or pick up from the library.

This week's challenge

Answer as many questions as you can by Tuesday, July 25th.

Please email answers to: teens@markham.library.on.ca thanks

All answers are in the MPL catalogue, Chapters.ca, google or the blog, itself.

Gossip Girls:

1. What is the name of the school, where the book takes place?

2. On what Edith Wharton novel did the writer loosely base her book?

3. What television show would be like this book?

4. What famous person would fit in well with this crowd?

No More Dead Dogs by Gordon Korman

5. What is unusual about the main character's name?

6. What is his theory about dogs?

7. What happens to Old Shep?

The Room on Lorelei Street by Mary Pearson.

8. What happens to Zoe's little brother?

9. What is Zoe's landlady's name?

10. Where is the story set?

Kerosene by Chris Wooding

11. What is the theme of this novel?

12. How old is the author and what award did he win for his writing?

I was going to ask a question about the end but you would have to have read the book.
Next week, I will tell you why the end blew me away.

The next two sets of questions are give aways. I will tell you why next week.

Hanging on to Max

13. What is the relationship between Sam and Max?

14. What does Sam's girlfriend do?

Again, without reading the end of the book, you would not know the ending which also surprised me. Next week, with the answers, I will tell you what happens.

All Loves Excelling

15. What is the title based on?

16. Amanda and her mother have one goal. What is their goal?

Again, another one with an upsetting ending.

Driver's Ed

Again, this is a giveaway.

17. What do they steal?

18. What happens as a result?

I will tell you these answers next week. What were the three things they stole exactly and why? What was the other act of vandalism the kids were committing?

The Lottery

19. What group controls the school?

20. Who is the winner and what does she do?

21. Name another book on the blog by this author.

22. What is notable about this author and where the book is set?

Tricky question:

23. What is the rest of the title of the book: How to hold on to a _________? Check the MPL catalogue.

24. On the front cover what is the mystery character sitting in and why would you not want to see him in your's at home?

25. Name one other skill that this book can teach you.

Good luck!

Bring a friend to blog!!!

Have you considered bringing your friend to our blog?

The more, the merrier.

Catherine

Reposting: SOS - CDS AND DVDS - Help!

Andrea is presently putting together an order of new cds and dvds. She needs your help.

We have been asking our volunteers and tag committee for their selections.

Now we need yours!

Let us know!

Time is running out.

Catherine

P.S. your comments further down the blog have also been noted and count.

The Gravesavers

A story of a young girl, who is sent to stay with her grandma for the summer because of the recent death of her younger sibiling. There she explores her grandma's secret collection of skulls and goes out to see for herself. One night, without her grandma knowing she and a boy go out to the remains of the shipwreck. She soon finds herself being chased by the spirit of the 19th century shipwreck, and faints. A man found her fainted and took her to the hospital. As she opened her eyes she saw her mother, father and grandma all staring at her, crying and frightened.

Teen Idol

Story about Jenny Greenly, girl who's good at solving relationship problems, so good that she's also the mysterious advice lady from her school newspaper. But when teen actor shows up at her school, trouble is in the air (cuz girls go wild at sight of him). Can Jenny handle this new problem? ..read to find out. Another good book for girls. esp if you are a big fan of Meg Cabot!

s.t.e.p.h.i.e

Megan Meade's my hero

Read Megan Meades guide to the McGowan Boys. It is so good. Terrificness in a hardcover. lol. I loove Evan. He is so hot, from what she describes. It is definitely a chick book, but guys might get a kick out of it, if their patient. This book is a 10/10, without a doubt. READ IT READ IT READ IT!!!!!

Kirsti..xo

All American Girl

This novel from Meg Cabot tells the story of the life of an ordinary teenage girl (Samantha Madison) in D.C Washington and how her life changed after she saved the president from being asassinated. After that, her lifestyle was caught into a whirlpool of change. Everybody on the street reconizes her, suddenly all of them wants to be her bestfriend, she was known as the girl who saved the president's life (everybody's favourite hero). Apart from all that, she was now UN Teen Ambassador ( a job given to her by the president in appreciation of saving his life), she has to attend art lessons (which she doesn't even need), she is in love with her sister's (the most popular girl at school) boyfriend, and the president's son just might be in love with her. This story is from Samantha's point of view and shows how she deal with all these problems. Teen girls would love this book. Rating= 8/10.

MEDIATORRRRR

I just read the Mediator series by Meg Cabot. There is no way to descibe its amazingness :P It is absolutely awesome, with mystery, love, intrigue, drama, and humour. All 6 books are absolutely terrific. They're fairly quick reads, but you will never want to finish the series!
It is absolutely necessary that everyone in their right mind reads it, or they will suffer from lack of reading the most perfect books....

Love, Kirstenn<3>

Literary Magazines!

Over the last little while, I've taken particular interest in the works of Jane Austen and Lewis Carroll. I'm seriously considering joining JASNA (the Jane Austen Society of North America) or the LCSNA (Lewis Carroll Society of North America) if only for their journals (i think they're relieased monthly). For JASNA, they have Persuasions, a collection of different articles and essays I would really like to see. I know it's a long shot- but is anyone on this blog a member of either society? I'd like to know what the content is like before subscribing (or purchasing the e-journal format).

Miss Anne Thropic
Isabelle

Stephen Hawkings, Unlocking the Universe

Hey!
I read a book called Stephn Hawking, by Sheridan Simon. Will the world end in black holes? Stephen Hawkings believes so! Do you?Confined in his wheelchair for about 40 years, suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,(ALS) he lives.His amazing brain is put to work on black holes and the amazing universe. Read it! Discover his life before and after ALS.
Shummer!

Artemis Fowl :-The Opal Deception

This book is about the adventure of the youngest and most powerful devious mastermind in both human and fairy world; Artemis Fowl. His confrontation with LEP officer Holly Short (a Pixie) leads him into a tight situation where he looses his memory and is being hunted by rutheless trolls and an arch enemy he cannot even recall. As he begins to remember his past knowledge and memories, he realizes that his prevoius heartless character was good for his role as a criminal doing both good and evil, but bad for the friendships he never had. Despite he and his comrades being accused for first degree and assisted murder, felony and theft of governmental battle transportation, and being attacked by cannibalistic trolls, they finally manage to save both fairy and human world colliding into eachother by the work of Opal Coboi.

Camp Confidential

This book was about the reunion of a group of camp bunkmates. Each had their own insecurities about how to act or what to say, and felt unsure about whether they would still like eachother. Natalie, the daughter of famous actor Tad Maxwell learnds that a simple footlong hot dog is enough to make her friends happy, rather than pampering them like queens. Alex feels that her diabities is coming in the way of her confidence and prohibiting her from speaking up and having fun. Though she has to cut down slightly on her activities, she learns that her friends like her nomatter what, and that she shouldn't be afraid to confront them in fear of losing their friendship. They all end up happy and content with who they are, on top of that, Jenna ends the reunion with one of her famous pranks.

The Mrs. Marridge Project---Pauline Fisk

This book, about a 14-year old Elin, trying decide what she wants to make of her life. When she decides it is MARRIAGE she wants, there is nothing that can stop her in her quest for knowledge, preperation, and a husband (*cough, cough victim*) by the time she reaches 16, of a legal age to marry.
Even when her straight-A grades start to slip, she stops hanging out with her friends, her parents start worrying about her, and she gets dumped ON THEIR FIRST DATE as a result of this project, she will stop at nothing to reach her goal of successful marriage at 16.

But when Elin meets "her perfect man" on the internet, and runs off with him, what happens on their journey catches Elin by surprise. But will Elin make it back, or will the mysterious man have his way?

A very interesting, but at times slow read, I really enjoyed it. Some of the vocabulary was a little bit confusing, as the book is set in Whales. I can't say I would reccomend this book to many people unless they are looking for a boring book with an interesting last quarter.

Rating: 4/10

All I Want Is Everything-Gossip Girl #3---Cecily Von Ziegesar

This is the third book in the Gossip Girls series, a series I personally love, although it is a bit too dramatic to be realistic to the Markham crowd, but who doesn't love some drama in a novel?

This book takes place before, during and after midterms in the main characters' senior year of highschool in the prestegious all-girls and all-boy schools in New York. Blair has just broken up with longtime boyfriend, Nate, and chooses to spend all of her time instead with best friend Serena. Serena is being serenaded by a famous rockstar that she chooses to party with one night and who takes it as something "more".

When in St. Barts for the winter break, Blair almost loses her virginity to her step-brother's best friend, but decides that he isn't the one, and runs out when her step-brother (who is in love with her) walks in on them!

Dan, who used to be in love with Serena, but instead hooked up with best friend of three years, Vanessa, is experiencing writers-block, and is convinced that it is because he hasn't had sex, so he can't properly write about love, his favourite poetic topic.

When Vanessa gets amazing footage of an anonymous couple going all the way on a frozen pond, she has no idea what she is in for. When the mysterious couple shows up all over the INTERNET, it is she who gets in trouble. Along with Nate, and Dan's little sister, Jenny.

As usual, Cecily doesn't dissapoint, and I can't wait to get my hands on the next book. Although not a very intellectually fulfilling read, it is sure to satisfy any gossip-or just anyone looking for some drama that isn't found in Markham!

Read it!

-Emily

Speak

The book is really full of suspense, because at sometimes in the book Melinda gives out some clues of what the inciddent was that changed her perfect style of life into somewhere she thinks she is an outcast. I liked the way how the author organized the book. She didn't give a lot of hints of what happened at the party. Laurie the author really creates suspense in the story which makes the reader to not to put the book down. This book sometimes makes the reader to lose patience because of the limited hints the author gives away.

I will definately reccomend this book to mystery readers.

Speak

The story is about a teen named Melinda entering high skool. who can't speak to anyone about something that turned her life upside down and she can't even reveal the secret to the reader. The incident that occured to her mad her lose her Best friend. The rest of what i have read so far in the book talks about Melinda's everyday life such as her humilations which are a lot, her ahppiness which are a few, a new friend she makes named Heather, and other problems faced by an ordinary teen.

Lamb To The SLaughter

This is a short story by Roald Dahl. It is an interesting and a fascinating story about six months pregnant Mary Maloney who killed her husband Patrick with a lamb's leg because he was cheating on her. Mary demolished the weapon that she used to kill Patrick by cooking the lamb's leg and giving it to the cops to eat it. This story has some pretty creative things in it such as what kind of weapon she used and how she destroyed the evidence.

Touch of the Clown - Glen Huser

Barbara and her sister Livvy have a very bad time at home, based on their grandma's and father's drinking problem. Barbara, while only in grade 8, is practically the adult in the family, and must take care of her younger sister constantly, even though she is very difficult due to her 'disability'. When they meet a clown named Cosmo, they see a world that was never possible for them, and he changes their lives forever. This book is good, but it was a little sad - their terrible situation at home really made me think how good I really have it, and how underprivileged some kids are.

Rating: * * */5