Second Annual Teen Talent Showcase

We're looking for Stars! Teens in 7th-12th grade are needed to perform in the second Savannah Library talent showcase on March 15th, at 5:30 pm. Rehearsals/tryouts will be held February 16th at 4:30. Run by the Rolling Hills Library at 514 West Main to pick up an application form and to receive more information. Entertainers of all sorts-- musicians, singers, dancers, public speakers, jugglers, magicians-- will shine the night of March 16th.

All I want for Christmas... are YA books!

What new or upcoming title are you most excited to read? Are you wishing to see a certain book under the Christmas tree? For me, I have to say the book at the top of my wish list is Cassandra Clare's "Clockwork Prince", the second title in the Infernal Devices series. I'm a fan of Clare's related series, The Mortal Instruments, but "Clockwork Angel" has been my favorite by far. Just released on December 6th, I haven't had a chance to get my hands on a copy yet, but hopefully Santa will take care of that!

Other books I hope to read over the holidays: 1) "Crossed" by Allie Condie 2) "Map of Time" by Felix Palma and 3) "Ashes" by Ilsa Bick. Post what you are reading right now and let us know if it's any good!

Book Review: "Lunch-Box Dream" by Tony Abbott

Review by: Tina Marriott, reference assistant and teen advisor

"Lunch-Box Dream" takes place during one week in the summer of 1959 and involves two families-- one white, one black-- and two troubled boys, Jacob and Bobby.

Bobby, who is white, is traveling south with his mother, grandmother, and older brother Ricky in his grandfather's old car. The family is going to a funeral, and south of Cleveland they stop to tour historic Civil War battlefields, President Lincoln's train and Indian grounds.

Jacob, who is black, is traveling north from Atlanta. He has a completely different life from Bobby. He is taking the bus from the city to the country where he will spend time with family members. An accident cuts short Bobby's and his family's trip, and they must return home on the bus, where they witness an incident that changes everything for the two boys. What Bobby's family doesn't know if the reason for Jacob's family's desperation to be on the bus.

Some of "Lunch-Box Dream" is based on actual accounts of Jim Crow laws in action, while other parts are fictional. It is a story of young boys, death and civil rights during the 1950s and 1960s. This book is an excellent story about segregation and racism in our country's history, and it will leave readers with a lot to think about when considering race relations.

Upcoming display at the Belt

Recommend your favorite graphic novel, sci-fi, or fantasy book so we can display them around the teen area in October. Either comment on this post, e-mail us, or tell us next time you stop by the library and we'll add your pick to the display!

Poll open: Teens' Top Ten!

We have a new poll up- vote on your favorite title to win the ALA's Teens' Top Ten for 2011! Take the poll over on the right and see what other teens from Rolling Hills choose! You can also go to the official Teens' Top Ten voting form and cast your vote with teens from across the country! The winners of the ALA vote (as well as our informal poll) will be announced October 16th during Teen Read Week!

Book Review: Matched

Review by: Kelly
Circulation Staff

Title: Matched
Author: Ally Condie

Like a modern-day "Giver", "Matched" is set in a futuristic society where all is not as great as it seems. Our culture was considered "too cluttered", so they kept the best 100 songs, 100 paintings and 100 poems. All else was destroyed. No one is allowed to create anymore. The Society controls all aspects of citizens' lives, from what they eat and what jobs they have to when they will die (exactly 80 years old). Cassia is happy with this arrangement until a mistake is made at her Matching Banquet and she gets a taste of the freedom of choice.

A bit slow at the start, "Matched" picked up the pace and left a lot of questions unanswered. It's one of the few dystopian novels I've read recently that I've felt strongly about- I LOVED it! I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

Read Anything Good?

Have you read anything good this summer and want to share it? Just write up a short post, maybe a few sentences summarizing the book and why you liked it, and post it as a comment! Keep it short and simple, and maybe you'll find a few more good books from others' recommendations.

Posting a book review also counts towards your summer reading log and prizes, so get writing!