Mahomet Public Library Teen Scene

Blood Red Road

2012-01-05T11:16:00.002-06:00

Have you ever heard of the Costa Awards? They're given each year to recognize some of the most enjoyable books of the year by writers based in the UK and Ireland. This year's winner for Children's Book is actually a young adult book called Blood Red Road, by Moira Young.

Here's how the publisher described it: "Saba has spent her whole life in Silverlake, a dried-up wasteland ravaged by constant sandstorms. The Wrecker civilization has long been destroyed, leaving only landfills for Saba and her family to scavenge from. That's fine by her, as long as her beloved twin brother Lugh is around. But when a monster sandstorm arrives, along with four cloaked horsemen, Saba's world is shattered. Lugh is captured, and Saba embarks on an epic quest to get him back."

It's a book about a dark, post-apocalyptic future. If you liked Suzanne Collins's Hunger Games trilogy or Patrick Ness's Chaos Walking trilogy, this book might be worth a try.

Best Non-Fiction for Teens

2011-12-15T10:24:00.000-06:00

Winter is the season for book awards, and nominees are starting to be announced. The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) has announced the nominees for the YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults. (Whew! That's a mouthful!) The Mahomet Public Library owns copies of all five nominees:

Sugar Changed the World: A Story of Magic, Spice, Slavery, Freedom and Science, by Marc Aronson and Marina Budhos. YA/664/ARO
Bootleg: Murder, Moonshine, and the Lawless Years of Prohibition, by Karen Blumenthal. YA/363.4/BLU
Wheels of Change: How Women Rode the Bicycle to Freedom (With a Few Flat Tires Along the Way),by Sue Macy. J/796.6082/MAC
Music Was It: Young Leonard Bernstein, by Susan Goldman Rubin. JB/BER
The Notorious Benedict Arnold: A True Story of Adventure, Heroism, & Treachery, by Steve Sheinkin. J/973.3/SHE

These were all written not just to be a resource for writing reports, but to be interesting reads for fun. What do you think? Have you read any of the titles? Do you read any non-fiction for fun?

Vote for the 2011 Teen's Top Ten

2011-08-23T10:08:00.002-05:00

Nominations for the 2011 Teens' Top Ten are here! The Teens' Top Ten is a readers' choice award sponsored by YALSA, the Young Adult Library Services Association. Readers ages twevle to eighteen can read the nominees and vote online anytime until September 16. Check out the list of nominees, most of which are available from the Mahomet Public Library. When you're ready, you can vote online.

Calling all Teen SRP participants!

2011-07-26T15:13:00.001-05:00

If you participated in the Teen Summer Reading Program by turning in at least one entry form, you have a participation prize waiting for you! Stop by the library's circulation desk any time to pick up your prize.

Teen Review: My Sister's Keeper

2011-07-13T09:17:00.001-05:00

My Sister's Keeper, by Jodi Picoult

Reviewed by Rachel R.

"The book My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult is a great book about a 13-year-old named Anna and her 16-year-old sister named Kate. Kate has leukemia. Anna is Kate's donor and gives Kate platelets, bone marrow, and now a kidney. But Anna doesn't want to keep giving Kate all of these organs and bone marrow. So she goes to Campbell, an attorney. She convinces him to be her attorney and now that her parents know, she is going to court. Will she win her kidney back, or what will happen? Read My Sister's Keeper to find out!"

You can find My Sister's Keeper in the Adult Fiction section of the library with the call number PIC.

Want to have a review published? Pick up a Summer Reading Review Form at the library, or email a review to rachel@mahometpubliclibrary.org. For each review, you'll get an extra entry in the Summer Reading Prize Drawing!

Teen Review: Ranger's Apprentice: The Ruins of Gorlan

2011-06-23T12:44:00.002-05:00

Ranger's Apprentice: The Ruins of Gorlan, by John Flanagan

Reviewed by Toby F.

"Ranger's Apprentice is about a ward named Will. Will's life is hard till he is chosen to be a ranger's apprentice. He becomes friends with his teacher, Halt, and a battle school apprentice, Horace. I loved it."

You can find Ranger's Apprentice: The Ruins of Gorlan at the library with the call number J/FLA or J/PBK/FLA/.

Want to have a review published? Pick up a Summer Reading Review Form at the library, or email a review to rachel@mahometpubliclibrary.org. For each review, you'll get an extra entry in the Summer Reading Prize Drawing!

Teen Review: Holes

2011-06-23T12:36:00.000-05:00

Holes, by Louis Sachar

Reviewed by Toby F.

"Holes is a good book and keeps you on your toes. I like it because even in hard times there is friendship. It's also about the two friends surviving and teaching each other."

You can find Holes at the library with the call number J/SAC.

Want to have a review published? Pick up a Summer Reading Review Form at the library, or email a review to rachel@mahometpubliclibrary.org. You'll get an extra entry in the Summer Reading Prize Drawing!

Teen Review: The Death-Defying Pepper Roux

2011-06-21T11:28:00.001-05:00

The Death-Defying Pepper Roux, by Geraldine McCaughrean

Reviewed by Matthew C.

"I enjoyed The Death-Defying Pepper Roux because of its quick pace and funny plot. The story develops very well and the author puts many twists into the story along the line. It also describes many of the good and horrible things in the world."

You can find The Death-Defying Pepper Roux at the library with the call number J/MCC.

Want to have a review published? Pick up a Summer Reading Review Form at the library, or email a review to rachel@mahometpubliclibrary.org. You'll get an extra entry in the Summer Reading Prize Drawing!

Teen Summer Reading Program

2011-06-01T16:11:00.000-05:00

Forms are now available for the Teen Summer Reading Program. The program runs from Monday, June 6 to Friday, July 22 and is for teens entering grades 6-12 next year.

Here's how it works:

Read whatever you like: books, comics, magazines, newspapers. For every 15 minutes that you read, cross off a box on your Reading Form. When you cross off the 12th box, you'll have read for 3 hours. Bring your form to the library to enter the Grand Prize Drawing, and grab another form to start all over again!

Get extra entries by writing a book review for this blog! Your review will be published here with your first name and last initial. Write your review on a review form from the library, or email it to rachel@mahometpubliclibrary.org. You can review any book, as long as it is owned by the Mahomet Public Library. Reviews should be at least 3 sentences long and should say what you did or didn't like about the book.

5 winners will receive $10 gift cards for area businesses and restaurants. Everyone who reads for at least 3 hours will also receive a participation prize.

Remember, the program doesn't start until Monday, but you can pick up an entry form whenever you visit the library.

Mahomet Library Teen Scene on Shelfari

2011-06-01T13:13:00.000-05:00

If you want to see some of the new and upcoming books in the Mahomet Public Library's Young Adult collection, you can now follow us on Shelfari! Our user name is mahometlibraryteenscene.

As we order new items, we'll add them to our Shelfari shelf. It's another place where you can let us know what you thought of a book, or tell us if there's something you think we're missing.

Teen Scene blog is back!

2011-05-26T10:27:00.000-05:00

After a long hiatus, the Mahomet Public Library is bringing back the Teen Scene blog! Watch this space for book reviews, information about the Teen Summer Reading Program, and whatever else we find in town or on the web that might interest teens in Mahomet.

We want you to tell us what you want to see, so if you have any suggestions, leave a comment here or send an email to rachel@mahometpubliclibrary.org

Graphic Novels

2010-09-08T15:36:00.000-05:00

The people have spoken! You asked us to make it easier to find graphic novels in the YA section. We've added red stickers to the spines of the graphic novels in our collection. Now you can see at a glance where the graphic novels are!

Vote for the Teens' Top Ten

2010-08-24T18:04:00.000-05:00

A few months ago we posted the list of nominees for this year's Teens' Top Ten. Now voting has begun! If you are 12-18 years old, you can vote for your favorites at this site: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/teenstopten2010%20Voting Vote any time from now until September 17.

Teens' Top Ten is a "teen choice" list, where teens nominate and choose their favorite books of the previous year. The winners will be announced in a webcast featuring WWE Superstars and Divas during Teen Read Week.

Help shape the teen department

2010-08-12T10:58:00.000-05:00

Now that we are settled into the new building, we have a problem that we've never had before: what to do with all that shelf space in the young adult collection!

Of course we'll still order the newest books as they come out, but we would also like to know what you think we're missing. Are there are any authors whose books you think we should have? Any series that you're dying to read but can't find here?

Several teens have already told us that they think there should be a separate Graphic Novel collection (rather than having graphic novels mixed in with the other books). Do you agree? What graphic novel series are we missing?

You can leave a comment here with suggestions, fill in a purchase suggestion form at our website, or just tell a library employee the next time you visit. We really want to hear from you!

Teen Summer Reading Program

2010-07-07T14:43:00.000-05:00

"Scare up a Good Book" at the Mahomet Public Library Teen Summer Reading Program (for teens entering grades 6-12)

July 25-Aug. 28, 2010

Read the library books, magazines, and newspapers you enjoy (or listen to a book on CD/cassette), and for every 3 hours of reading, enter a grand prize drawing for one of five $10 bookstore gift cards.

Every time you read 15 minutes, mark a box off on your entry form. When you’ve read 3 hours, bring your entry form with your name and phone number to the Mahomet Public Library to be entered into our grand prize drawing. Then pick up another form, and read your way towards another entry! All entries must be turned in to the library by August 28.

Entry forms available in the library, or print one from the library web page (www.mahometpubliclibrary.org). For more information, contact the Mahomet Public Library at 586-2611.

New Teen Area!

2010-07-07T14:40:00.001-05:00

Take a look at the new teen area! In addition to nice furnishings, there are many new fiction and nonfiction books to enjoy.

Plan to join us at the opening of the new library, tentatively set for Sunday, July 25, and check it out for yourself!

Opening date for new building

2010-07-07T10:39:00.001-05:00

The tentative opening date for the new Mahomet Public Library building at 1702 E. Oak Street is Sunday, July 25.

The Main Street location is now closed, but will be open from 5:00-7:30 p.m. on
Wednesday, July 7
Monday, July 12
Wednesday, July 14
for patrons to pick up books that have arrived through interlibrary loan
(no other services will be available).

Interlibrary loan pickup will resume at the new location the week of July 25.

You may return books to the outdoor book drops at the new location beginning July 15. The book return drop box at the Main Street location will be closed as of July 14.

Library Closing Dates for Move

2010-06-10T19:58:00.000-05:00

The Mahomet Public Library will be closed beginning July 4
as we move to our new location at 1702 E. Oak St.!

The Main St. location will be open from 5:00-7:30 p.m. on
Wednesday, July 7
Monday, July 12
Wednesday, July 14
for patrons to pick up books that have arrived through interlibrary loan
(no other services will be available).

Interlibrary loan pickup will resume at the new location the week of July 18.

You may return books to the outdoor book drops at the new location beginning July 15. The book return drop box at the Main Street location will be closed as of July 14.

New in the YA Department

2010-05-27T14:42:00.000-05:00

Fiction:
• The Clearing by Heather Davis
• Mercury by Hope Larson
• The Private Thoughts of Amelia E. Rye by Bonnie Shimko
• Fang: a Maximum Ride novel by James Patterson
• Witch and Wizard by James Patterson
• Burned: A House of Night novel by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
• As Easy as Falling Off the Face of the Earth by Lynne Rae Perkins
• Three Rivers Rising: a Novel of the Johnstown Flood by Jame Richards

Books on CD:
• The Killer’s Cousin by Nancy Werlin
• Carter Finally Gets It by Brent Crawford
• The Hunchback Assignments by Arthur Slade
• Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr
• The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey

Sneak Peek Book Event

2010-05-27T13:50:00.000-05:00

Friday, June 18, 5-7 p.m.
Saturday, June 19, 1-5 p.m.

Get a “Sneak Peek” inside the new Mahomet Public Library Building, 1702 E. Oak St., and help us fill the new shelves at our “Buy it and Leave it” event on Friday, June 18 from 5-7 p.m., and Saturday, June 19 from 1-5 p.m. Browse a selection of new books and audiovisual materials that are ready to be added to the shelves priced from $5-$25. For example, you can donate a paperback for $5, or a new hardcover fiction or nonfiction book for $20. When you find an item you’d like to purchase as a donation to the library, we’ll add a bookplate with your name or the name of someone you’d like to honor, and the book will be added to the library’s shelves.

You don’t have to purchase an item to get a “Sneak Peek” of the new building-be one of the first to see inside before opening day! For more information, visit the website at www.mahometpubliclibrary.org.

2010 Teen's Top 10 Nominations

2010-05-13T14:15:00.000-05:00

Teens' Top Ten is a "teen choice" list, where teens nominate and choose their favorite books of the previous year! Nominators are members of teen book groups in fifteen school and public libraries around the country. Nominations are posted on Support Teen Literature Day during National Library Week, and teens across the country vote on their favorite titles each year. Readers ages twelve to eighteen will vote online between Aug. 23 and Sept. 17 at the Teen's Top 10 Website: http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/teenreading/teenstopten/teenstopten.cfm; the winners will be announced in a webcast featuring WWE Superstars and Divas during Teen Read Week. The nominees for this year are:

Watersmeet by Ellen Jensen Abbott
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
Hate List by Jennifer Brown
Heist Society by Ally Carter
Fire by Kristin Cashore
City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
The Roar by Emma Clayton
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen
Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
hush, hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
If I Stay by Gayle Forman
Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Geektastic: Stories from the Nerd Herd Ed. by Holly Black and Cecil Castellucci
Dragonfly by Julia Golding
The Reformed Vampire Support Group by Catherine Jinks
I Am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to Be Your Class President by Josh Lieb
Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler
Witch and Wizard by James Patterson
By the Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead by Julie Anne Peters
Bloodhound by Tamora Pierce
Strange Angels by Lili St. Crow
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya by Nagaru Taniagawa
Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
City of Fire by Laurence Yep

Look at all the new books!

2010-04-12T14:43:00.000-05:00

A lot of new books have been added to the YA department over the past month:

Fiction:
• The Life of Glass by Jillian Cantor
• Finally by Wendy Mass
• Shakespeare Makes the Playoffs by Ron Koertge
• The Carbon Diaries 2017 by Saci Lloyd
• Hourglass by Claudia Gray
• Riding Invisible by Sandra Alonzo
• Katy’s New World by Kim Vogel Sawyer
• Fever Crumb by Philip Reeve
• After by Amy Efaw
• The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams
• The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan
• The Demon’s Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan
• The Dragons of Darkness by Antonia Michaelis
• Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta
• How to Say Goodbye in Robot by Natalie Standiford
• Into the Wild Nerd Yonder by Julie Halpern
• Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
• Light Beneath Ferns by Anne Spollen
• Lips Touch: Three Times by Laini Taylor
• Love You Hate You Miss You by Elizabeth Scott
• An Off Year by Claire Zulkey
• The Reformed Vampire Support Group by Catherine Jinks
• The Rock and the River by Kekla Magoon
• We Were Here by Matt de la Pena
• Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Nonfiction:
• More Than the Blues? Understanding and Dealing With Depression by Eileen Lucas
• Losing Someone You Love: Dealing With Death and Dying by Tracy A. Phillips
• The Vampire Book by Sally Regan
• Teen Cyberbullying Investigated: Where Do Your Rights End and Consequences Begin? by Tom Jacobs
• Frequently Asked Questions about Teen Fatherhood by Richard Worth

Books on CD:
• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
• After Tupac and D Foster: a novel by Jacqueline Woodson
• Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork
• Graceling by Kristen Cashore

New YA books!

2010-03-18T09:49:00.000-05:00

Here's the list of the newest additions to the YA collection:

Fiction:
• The Secret Year by Jennifer R. Hubbard
• The Other Side of Blue by Valerie O. Patterson
• Pendragon: The Soldiers of Halla by D.J. MacHale
• The Espressologist by Kristina Springer
• Fearless FBI: Naked Eye by Francine Pascal
• Lockdown by Walter Dean Myers
• The Dark Divine by Bree Despain
• After Ever After by Jordan Sonnenblick
• Gone by Lisa McMann
• Nothing by Janne Teller
• Ashes by Kathryn Lasky
• Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney
• Fallen by Lauren Kate
• These Boots are Made for Stalking: A Clique Novel by Lisi Harrison
• Fang: A Maximum Ride Novel by James Patterson

Nonfiction:
• Teen Girl’s Gotta-Have-It Guide to Money: getting smart about making it, saving it and spending it by Jessica Blatt
• Eating Disorders by Lauri S. Friedman
• Outsourcing by David M. Haugen, Susan Musser, & Kacy Lovelace, eds.
• The Spies of Mississippi: the true story of the spy agency that tried to destroy the civil rights movement by Rick Bowers

Teen Tech Week

2010-02-25T10:37:00.000-06:00

Teen Tech Week is March 7-13, and to help us celebrate, Rosen Publishing is offering a free trial to their Teen Health and Wellness database! Access is available now through April 15, 2010. Login at www.teenhealthandwellness.com using the following:

username: teentech
password: teentech

New YA Books!

2010-02-18T15:07:00.001-06:00

Here are some of the new books available in the YA section:

Fiction:
• All Unquiet Things by Anna Jarzab
• Boys, Girls, and Other Hazardous Materials by Rosalind Wiseman
• Fallen by Lauren Kate
• The Mark by Jen Nadol
• Shadow of the Leopard by Henning Menkell
• A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
• Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork
• Whatever Happened to Janie by Caroline B. Cooney
• Witch and Wizard by James Patterson
• Woods Runner by Gary Paulsen
• The Eternal Smile: three stories by Gene Luen Yang
• Punkzilla by Adam Rapp

Nonfiction:
• First Apartment Smarts by Ann Byers
• Everyday Life in the Roman Empire by Kathryn Hinds
• Charles and Emma: The Darwins’ Leap of Faith by Deborah Heiligman

Literary Award Winners

2010-01-18T13:12:00.001-06:00

The American Library Association today announced the top books, audiobooks, and video for children and young adults. Here are the 2010 literary award winners in young adult categories:

Michael L. Printz Award winner: "Going Bovine" by Libba Bray

Michael L. Printz Honor Books:
1. Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith by Deborah Heiligman
2. The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey
3. Punkzilla by Adam Rapp
4. Tales of the Madman Underground: An Historical Romance, 1973 by John Barnes

Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement awarded to Walter Dean Myers

Schneider Family Book Award for books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience, teen award winner: Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork.

William C. Morris Award honoring a book written by a first-time author for young adults: Flash Burnout by L.K. Madigan

Margaret A. Edwards Award for lifetime achievement in writing for young adults: Jim Murphy

YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award: Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith by Deborah Heiligman

Mildred L. Batchelder Award for an outstanding children's book translated from a foreign language, honor book: Moribito II: Guardian of the Darkness by Nahoko Uehashi

Alex Awards for the 10 best adult books that appeal to teen audiences:
1. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer
2. The Bride's Farewell by Meg Rosoff
3. Everything Matters! by Ron Currie, Jr.
4. The Good Soldiers by David Finkel
5. The Kids are All Right: A Memoir by Diana Welch, Liz Welch, Amanda Welch and Dan Welch
6. The Magicians by Lev Grossman
7. My Abandonment by Peter Rock
8. Soulless: An Alexia Tarabotti Novel by Gail Carriger
9. Stitches: a Memoir by David Small
10. Tunneling to the Center of the Earth by Kevin Wilson

New YA books!!

2010-01-18T09:40:00.001-06:00

Here's a list of new YA titles in the library. Check them out:

Fiction:

• Raven Summer by David Almond
• The Brothers Story by Katherine Sturtevant
• Little Black Lies by Tish Cohen
• Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl by Barry Lyga
• Goth Girl Rising by Barry Lyga
• Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
• Betrayed: A House of Night Novel by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast
• Chosen: A House of Night Novel by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast
• Hunted: A House of Night Novel by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast
• Marked: A House of Night Novel by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast
• Tempted: A House of Night Novel by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast
• Children of the Sea. 1 by Daisuke Igarashi
• Girl in the Arena: a novel containing intense prolonged sequences of disaster and peril by Lise Haines
• The Middle of Everywhere by Monique Polak
• The Summer I Got a Life by Mark Fink
• Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore

Nonfiction:

• My Anxious Mind: A Teens Guide to Managing Anxiety and Panic by Michael A. Tompkins & Katherine A. Martinez
• The Omnivore’s Dilemma: the Secrets Behind What You Eat by Michael Pollan
• Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 The Authorized Adaptation by Tim Hamilton

Teen/Adult Winter Reading program

2009-12-17T16:03:00.001-06:00

Starting January 4th, reading books could win you a prize! Participate in the teen/adult winter reading program from January 4 through February 21, and for every three books you read, you can enter a drawing for great prizes! Entry forms will be available in the library and on the website by December 22. For more information, contact the Mahomet Public Library at 586-2611 or visit www.mahometpubliclibrary.org.

New for YA's at the Mahomet Public Library

2009-11-23T09:51:00.000-06:00

This month's list is LONG...there's something for everyone in our new books list!

Fiction:
• Invisible i by Melissa Kantor
• Ash by Malinda Lo
• Fat Cat by Robin Brande
• Hold Still by Nina LaCour
• When the Snow Fell by Henning Mankell
• Angry Management: three novellas by Chris Crutcher
• Betraying Season by Marissa Doyle
• Breathless by Jessica Warman
• A Brief History of Montmaray by Michelle Cooper
• Eternal Kiss: 13 Vampire Tales of Blood and Desire edited by Tricia Telep
• A Family Secret by Eric Heuvel
• Flash Burnout: a novel by L.K. Madigan
• Gorgeous by Rachel Vail
• Homestretch by Paul Volponi
• The Hunchback Assignments by Arthur Slade
• Muchacho: a novel by LouAnne Johnson
• North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley
• Rapture of the Deep: Being an account of the further adventures of Jacky Faber, soldier, sailor, mermaid, spy by L.A. Meyer
• Riot by Walter Dean Myers
• Rosie and Skate by Beth Ann Bauman
• Ruined: a novel by Paula Morris
• Shooting Star by Fredrick McKissack, Jr.
• Solace of the Road by Siobhan Dowd
• Sphinx’s Princess by Esther Friesner
• Timelock by David Klass
• Age 14 by Geert Spillebeen
• Andromeda Klein by Frank Portman
• Front and Center by Catherine G. Murdock
• Hate List by Jennifer Brown
• In the Woods by Robin Stevenson
• Lady MacBeth’s Daughter by Lisa Klein
• The Monstrumologist: William James Henry by Rick Yancey
• Crossing Stones by Helen Frost
• The Doom Machine: a novel by Mark Teague
• Outlaw: the Legend of Robin Hood: a graphic novel by Tony Lee
• Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
• I Like it Like That: a Gossip Girl novel by Cecily Von Ziegesar
• Identical by Ellen Hopkins
• The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
• Untamed: A House of Night Novel by P.C. Cast
• Crocodile Tears: An Alex Rider Adventure by Anthony Horowitz
• Rage: A Love Story by Julie Anne Peters
• So Punk Rock (and other ways to disappoint your mother): a novel by Micol Ostow
• Wolverine: Worst Day Ever by Barry Lyga

Nonfiction:
• Eat Fresh Food: Awesome Recipes for Teen Chefs by Rozanne Gold
• Alive in the Killing Fields: surviving the Khmer Rouge genocide by Nawuth Keat
• Health Care Reform by Lillian E. Forman
• The Keys to American History: Understanding our most important historic documents by Richard Panchyk

Books on CD:
• Bog Child by Siobhan Dowd
• The Boxer and the Spy by Robert B. Parker
• Devil’s Breath by David Gilman
• Would You by Marthe Jocelyn
• Fat Cat by Robin Brande

Twilight Program cancelled

2009-11-15T21:32:00.000-06:00

The Twilight Program has been cancelled due to lack of preregistered participants.

2009 Quick Picks for Reluctant YA Readers

2009-11-09T14:20:00.000-06:00

Along with the full Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers list (available at http://ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/booklistsawards/quickpicks/09qp.cfm), the committee selected the following titles as the Top Ten Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers:

Abel, Jessica, and Soria, Gabriel. Life Sucks.
Franzini, Michael. One Hundred Young Americans.
Fulbeck, Kip. Permanence.
Kuklin, Susan. No Choirboy: Murder, Violence and Teenagers on Death Row.
McMann, Lisa. Wake.
Redd, Nancy Amanda. Body Drama.
Scalin, Noah. Skulls.
Shiraz, Yasmin. Retaliation.
Smits, Kim and Maat, Matthijs. Custom Kicks.
Willin, Melvyn. Ghosts: Caught on Film.

The full list will also be posted on the YA bulletin board.

Scrapbook of Thanks

2009-11-05T09:11:00.000-06:00

On Monday, November 23 from 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. students in grades 3-8 are invited to join Meg Loven of Stampin’ Up! for a Thanksgiving crafting program. Use your creativity and the provided crafting supplies to make a Scrapbook of Thanks. Registration is required. Please call the library at 586-2611 to preregister.

An example of the scrapbook is in the library display case. It's a cute paper bag scrapbook. Since it's made from paper bags, you have pages for attaching pictures or writing thoughts, and some pages have pockets for inserting pics or information on tabs (which you can see in the example!)

This would even make a great gift to give to that person you're thankful for!

Twilight Jeopardy Time Change!

2009-11-02T09:34:00.000-06:00

Please note that the Twilight Jeopardy program will now be held from 3:30-4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 17th.

Twilight Jeopardy

2009-10-29T09:53:00.001-05:00

Gear up for the release of the movie New Moon by testing your knowledge of the the four books in the Twilight series at the Mahomet Public Library on Tuesday, November 17 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. After "Jeopardy", see if you can "Drive Like a Cullen" or make a Twilight key chain. Snacks will be provided, and a prize drawing will be held. Please contact the library at 586-2611 to preregister.

Teen's Top 10 for 2009

2009-10-29T09:45:00.000-05:00

More than 11,000 teen voters chose Paper Towns as their favorite book in the 2009 Teens' Top Ten! Here is a list of the Top 10 chosen by voters:

1. Paper Towns by John Green
2. Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
3. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
4. City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
5. Identical by Ellen Hopkins
6. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
7. Wake by Lisa McMann
8. Untamed by P.C. and Kristin Cast
9. The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart
10.Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Let us know what you thought of these books!

New YA Books @ the Mahomet Public Library

2009-10-26T09:38:00.001-05:00

Here are some of the new titles in the YA collection:

- The Goldsmith’s Daughter by Tanya Landman
- IraqiGirl: Diary of a Teenage Girl in Iraq ed. by Elizabeth Wrigley-Field
- Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr
- It Had to Be You: The Gossip Girl Prequel by Cecily von Ziegesar
- Fire by Kristin Cashore
- The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness

An order for YA books was just placed last week, so be watching the shelves for those "NEW" book stickers! Next month's list should be a lengthy one...

Teen Read Week Drawing

2009-10-26T08:46:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to Lisa R., winner of a $10 book store gift card in our Teen Read Week Drawing! Here are some of the titles that teens chose as their favorite books of all time:
- Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick
- Football Hero by Tim Green
- Little House on the Prairie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder
- The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
- Ida B. by Katherine Hannigan
- The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
- Whales

Take a look at some of these suggestions when you're stumped on what to read next, and let us know what you think!

Happy Teen Read Week!

2009-10-19T14:01:00.000-05:00

I hope to see you tomorrow to play a few board games, snack on Chewy Chips Ahoy cookies and popcorn, and check out some new YA books!

Help choose the theme for the 2010 Teen Read Week. The 2010 choices are Books with Beat @ your library, Deal with It @ your library, and Find an Alibi @ your library. Go to the survey to cast your vote.

Later this week: watch for the announcement of the "Teen's Top 10" winners!

And don't forget to enter the drawing for a $10 Book Store gift card, this week only!

Read Beyond Reality @ Your Library!

2009-10-05T13:05:00.000-05:00

“Read Beyond Reality” at the Mahomet Public Library during Teen Read Week October 18-24, 2009. Drop in anytime between 3:30 and 4:30 on Tuesday, October 20 to play board games and enjoy snacks! All week, teens in grades 6-12 can enter a drawing to win a $10 bookstore gift card. Just tell us your favorite book of all time! Results will be posted right here on the Mahomet Public Library teen blog.

So stop in Tuesday, October 20, and challenge me to your favorite board game :)

Banned Books Week - Sept. 26-Oct. 3

2009-09-28T08:42:00.000-05:00

Banned Books Week is recognized this year the week of September 26 - October 3, 2009. Below is a list of ALA's Top Ten Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2008-

1. And Tango Makes Three, by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
2. His Dark Materials trilogy, by Philip Pullman
3. TTYL; TTFN; L8R, G8R (series), by Lauren Myracle
4. Scary Stories (series), by Alvin Schwartz
5. Bless Me, Ultima, by Rudolfo Anaya
6. The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky
7. Gossip Girl (series), by Cecily von Ziegesar
8. Uncle Bobby's Wedding, by Sarah S. Brannen
9. The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini
10. Flashcards of My Life, by Charise Mericle Harper

Have you read any of the books on the challenged list? How did you feel about the book? What age group do you think it is best suited for?

New YA Books!

2009-09-21T09:55:00.000-05:00

Check out one of our new YA books today!

Fiction:
• Exclusively Chloe by J.A. Yang
• Jumping Off Swings by Jo Knowles
• After the Moment by Garret Freymann-Weyr
• The Carbon Diaries 2015 by Saci Lloyd
• Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
• Orange Houses by Paul Griffin
• Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink
• Riley Park by Diane Tullson
• Same Difference by Siobhan Vivian
• Surf Mules by G. Neri
• The Unknowns: a mystery by Benedict Carey
• Vast Fields of Ordinary by Nick Burd
• 20 Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler
• Miles Between by Mary E. Pearson
• Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer (Large Print)
• Love the One You’re With by Cecily Von Ziegesar (Gossip Girls-The Carlyles)

Nonfiction:
• Split in 2: Keeping it together when your parents live apart by Karen Buscemi

Not seeing the titles or types of books you like to read? Post a comment to let us know what you'd like to see in the YA collection!

New in the YA department

2009-08-24T09:26:00.001-05:00

It's a short list this month, but there are a few items in the process of being cataloged, and I have some more orders to place! Watch next month's list for more new books!

Fiction:
• Daniel X: Watch the Skies by James Patterson & Ned Rust
• Almost Alice by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Audiobooks:
• New Moon by Stephenie Meyer
• If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Wanted: Book Reviewers!

2009-08-10T15:21:00.001-05:00

I have one copy of the not-yet-published book "Everwild" by Neal Shusterman, and am looking for someone who would be interested in reading and reviewing this book for the blog. "Everwild" is Book 2 of the "Skinjacker Trilogy", with the first book being "Everlost". The copy I have is an Advance Reviewer Copy (ARC), not a final copy...it's an uncorrected proof of the book. I would like to share any reviews you write on the blog, as well as with the publisher of the book. E-mail amy.webb@mchsi.com if you are interested in reviewing this book, due to be released Nov. 2009, and I will contact you when a copy is available at the library for you to pick up.

Word of the Day

2009-08-10T10:19:00.000-05:00

Why settle for a word a week, when you can learn a new word each DAY! See the side bar for a new word each day from Merriam-Webster Online!

Word of the Week

2009-08-03T11:54:00.000-05:00

QUASAR (noun)- An extremely distant, and thus old, celestial object whose power output is several thousand times that of the entire Milky Way galaxy. Some quasars are more than ten billion light years away from earth.

(from "100 Words Every High School Graduate Should Know" from the editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries)

I would love to have...

2009-07-29T13:54:00.000-05:00

What would you like to see in the teen department of the new library building? Share your ideas on decorating, furniture, materials, and anything else you’d love to see in your new area by posting your comments on the blog!

Word of the Week

2009-07-27T11:27:00.000-05:00

EVANESCENT (adjective) - vanishing or likely to vanish like vapor

(from "100 Words Every High School Graduate Should Know" from the editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries

Used in a sentence:

from The Return of the Native - By Thomas Hardy, John William Cunliffe

"...All was unstable; quivering as leaves, evanescent as lightning ...."
(from www.brainyflix.com)

Word of the Week

2009-07-20T11:15:00.000-05:00

I had so much fun looking for words to define for our weekly trivia, I've decided to add a word and definition each week to the blog. Each word comes from "100 Words Every High School Graduate Should Know" from the editors of the American Heritage Dictonaries. Feel free to comment with the word correctly used in a sentence!

Today's word is...

CIRCUMLOCUTION (noun) - 1. The use of unnecessarily wordy and indirect language. 2. Evasiveness in speech or writing. 3. A roundabout expression.

Teen Summer Reading Program Winners!

2009-07-20T11:02:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to the Grand Prize winners in the teen summer reading program!

Kaleb S.
Lisa R.
Nicole N.
Meaghan M.
Hanna A.

Prizes were also awarded to:

Seth W.
Ryan H.
Christopher A.

All participants in the teen summer reading program may pick up their participation prizes starting Wednesday, July 22nd.

Thanks to the 44 teens that participated!

New YA Books & Audiobooks

2009-07-20T11:01:00.000-05:00

Fiction
• The Wild Girls by Pat Murphy
• It’s Not You, It’s Me by Kerry Cohen Hoffmann
• Boys R Us: A Clique Novel by Lisi Harrison

Nonfiction
• Skateboarding: Legendary Tricks by Steve Badillo

Audiobooks:
• Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
• The Compound by S.A. Bodeen
• The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
• Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

Transworld Skateboarding Magazine

2009-06-26T10:36:00.000-05:00

Transworld Skateboarding Magazine is available at the Mahomet Public Library! According to Magazines USA, "TransWorld Skateboarding Magazine is one of the most progressive skateboard magazines in the world. Each monthly issue gives you ground breaking photography covering street, vert, pool and park skating. Other features include in depth buyer’s guides, pro spotlights, trick tips and access to the top pros."

I browsed a few copies, and found lots of interviews and frame-by-frame pictures of skateboarding stunts, as well as advertising for a variety of boards, shoes and clothes. Our most current issue is available to browse in the library, but all past issues may be checked out.

New YA books at the library

2009-06-23T10:59:00.000-05:00

Here's a list of items recently added to the Mahomet Public Library YA collection:

Fiction

• I Stay Near You:One Story in Three by M.E. Kerr
• Arthas: the Rise of the Lich King by Christie Golden
• Stop in the Name of Pants! (Confessions of Georgia Nicholson) by
Louise Rennison
• Take a Chance on Me (Gossip Girls) by Cecily Von Ziegesar
• Attica by Garry Kilworth
• Almost Alice by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
• Just One Wish by Janette Rallison

Audiobooks
• Night by Elie Wiesel
• How to Build A House by Dana Reinhardt
• Story of a Girl by Sara Zarr
• Madapple by Christina Meldrum

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyers

2009-06-15T12:29:00.000-05:00

I finished the series in record time for me. As I've said before, this series was impossible to put down, and the fourth book, Breaking Dawn, didn't let me down. The final novel is divided into three books, the first and third ones from Bella's perspective, and the second book from Jacob's perspective. We follow Bella through her wedding, honeymoon, pregnancy, and transformation. An impending visit from the Volturi adds tension to the story, as the Cullens prepare to defend themselves against the Volturi, who are determined to acquire the gifted vampires to work for them, or destroy them. Rather than give everything away, feel free to comment on the story, and we can discuss it from there.

I'm looking forward to the release of the movie New Moon, scheduled for November 20, 2009!

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

2009-06-12T13:59:00.001-05:00

I finished Eclipse a few days ago. I've heard a few people say they didn't enjoy this book as much as the others, but I still found it pretty good. There were some slow parts, but I felt the book reinforced Jacob's feelings for Bella, and helps us see how she feels about Jacob.

I've started Breaking Dawn (about 300 pages into it), and this one is a little more difficult to grasp for me (As if a world with vampires and werewolves should be easy to grasp in the first place!). I'm also undecided yet on how I feel about the shifting "books" within the book. First we have Bella's viewpoint, now we've shifted to Jacobs...I guess I'll withhold judgement until I finish the book (which shouldn't take long!)

Federal Student Aid resources

2009-06-08T13:13:00.000-05:00

Thinking about whether to attend college, and how you'll pay for it? Then download a PDF of the brochure "My Future, My Way: How to Go, How to Pay-A Workbook for Students in Middle and Junior High Schools" . This workbook helps you answer questions such as "Why think about college now?", "What can a college education do for me?", and "How will I pay for college?". This and other Federal Student Aid publications can be downloaded at Student Aid on the Web.

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

2009-06-05T10:47:00.001-05:00

Yesterday I finished New Moon, the second book in the Twilight series. While I didn't find it as exciting as the first book, I still couldn't put it down. Bella spirals into depression when Edward and his family leave Forks, for Bella's own protection. After a few months of withdrawing from life, Bella starts hanging out with Jacob Black, an old friend from her childhood. Bella loves Jacob as a friend, and his friendship helps Bella feel alive again. But conflict arises when Bella sees changes in Jacob that draw him away from her. What is going on with the boys at the reservation? Why has Jacob become so distant? And what brings Alice Cullen back into Bella's life? Read New Moon to find out more...I don't want to spoil it for anyone!

What Should I Read Next?

2009-06-01T14:57:00.000-05:00

Not sure what book you should dive into next? Do you have a favorite book, and you'd love to find others like it? Try the website "What Should I Read Next?". Enter the title and author of a favorite book, a database of reader's favorite books is searched, and a list of suggestions is returned. I entered "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer, and a list of 10 suggestions was returned. Take a look, and see if this resource can find books to match your reading interests! In fact, send us a comment to let us know how it worked for you!

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

2009-06-01T10:06:00.000-05:00

Yes, I'm a little late in reading most popular books. Harry Potter was the same way. But once I started reading this book, I couldn't put it down! Unfortunately I had seen the movie first...I wish I had read the book first, so my mind could have created the characters that I read about, rather than the movie dictating the characters for me. Regardless, I LOVED the movie, and I LOVED the book! Edward and Bella's story is very romantic, but very tragic. Bella moves from sunny Phoenix to dreary Forks, Washington to live with her father. She worries that she won't fit in at the new school, but the other students are very friendly. Except for Edward Cullen, who along with his adopted brothers and sisters, keep to themselves. Bella is fascinated by Edward, but confused by his mood changes. What ensues is a complicated romance between a human, Bella, and a vampire, Edward. The back of the book sums up the complexity: "About three things I was absolutely positive. First, Edward was a vampire. Second, there was a part of him-and I didn't know how dominant that part might be-that thirsted for my blood. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him."

I finished Twilight last night, took a short break, and thought, "I'll just read one chapter of New Moon...which suddenly became three chapters! So far it's as addicting as the first book.

Weekly Trivia topics

2009-05-28T10:26:00.000-05:00

If you read this blog, you have insider information as to the topics of our teen summer reading program weekly trivia questions! And they are:
June 1-7: Name the Author - Caudill nominees
June 8-14: Twilight Trivia
June 15-21: Percy Jackson Trivia
June 22-28: Name the Author - Abraham Lincoln HS Award nominees
June 29-July 5: Fourth of July Trivia
July 6-12: Define It!
July 13-17: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Trivia

Stop in each week to answer our trivia questions. If you get all the answers correct, we'll add your entry to our grand prize drawing. And while you're in, check out a book, pick up a reading program entry log, and earn more chances to win the grand prize!

Read on the Wild Side!

2009-05-27T09:59:00.000-05:00

If you're entering 6th through 12th grade next fall, have you picked up your reading log for the teen summer reading program??? You should! They're now available in the library, and will soon be available online at the library web site. For every three hours you read, you can enter our grand prize drawing! What can you win? Five people will win either a $10 gift card to the location of their choice, or a 4 GB flash drive...you choose!

You can also enter our weekly trivia contest for a chance to have another entry in the grand prize drawing. Check back soon for a sneak peek at what each week's trivia questions will focus on. This information will only be posted on the Mahomet Public Library teen blog!

Read on the Wild Side!

2009-05-18T09:11:00.000-05:00

Mahomet Public Library will host a teen summer reading program (for teens entering grades 6-12) from June 1-July 17, 2009. Read the books, magazines, and newspapers you enjoy (or listen to a book on CD/cassette), and for every 3 hours of reading, enter a grand prize drawing. Entry forms can be picked up at the Mahomet Public Library, or printed from the Mahomet Public Library web site starting May 26, 2009.

Every time you read 15 minutes, mark a box off on your entry form. When you’ve read 3 hours, bring your entry form with your name and phone number to the Mahomet Public Library to be entered into our grand prize drawing. Then pick up another form, and read your way towards another entry!

We will also have weekly trivia contests so you can earn more entries into the grand prize drawing!

Participation prizes will be awarded to all participants who read at least 3 hours! Additionally, if your entry is one of 5 drawn on July 17, you can choose a $10 gift card from the location of your choice in Mahomet or Champaign/Urbana (for example, Borders or Barnes and Noble Bookstores, Subway, Dairy Queen, Monical’s Pizza, McDonald’s, Play it Again Video, or another location of your choice), or a 4 GB flash drive – You choose!

Entry forms available in the library starting May 26, or print one from the library web page (www.mahometpubliclibrary.org). For more information, contact the Mahomet Public Library at 586-2611.

2010 Abraham Lincoln H.S. Book Award

2009-05-11T12:16:00.000-05:00

Take a look at the 2010 nominees for the Abraham Lincoln Illinois High School Book Award. The Abraham Lincoln Award is awarded annually to the author of the book voted as most outstanding by participating students in grades nine through twelve in Illinois. The award is named for Abraham Lincoln, one of Illinois' most famous residents and himself an avid reader and noted author. The nominees for 2010 are:

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green
Aftershock by Kelly Easton
Avalon High by Meg Cabot
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
The Christopher Killer: A Forensic Mystery by Alane Ferguson
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
Does My Head Look Big in This? by Randa Abdel-Fattah
The Good Guy by Dean Koontz
Gym Candy by Carl Deuker
The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray by Chris Wooding
I’d Tell You I Love You, But Then I’d Have to Kill You by Ally Carter
Inexcusable by Chris Lynch
Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles
Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer
A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah
Look Me in the Eye: My Life With Asperger’s by John Elder Robison
The Luxe by Anna Godbersen
Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult
Pride of Baghdad by Brian Vaughan
Rooftop by Paul Volponi
Rules of Survival by Nancy Werlin
Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

New YA Books at the MPL

2009-05-06T10:03:00.001-05:00

Here is a list of new YA books at the Mahomet Public Library, as of the end of April:
• Chasing Boys by Karen Tayleur
• Crank by Ellen Hopkins
• Girls against Girls: Why We Are Mean to Each Other and How We Can Change by Bonnie Burton
• Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
• Maximum Ride 1 by James Patterson
• 3 Willows: the Sisterhood Grows by Ann Brashares
• Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
• If I Stay by Gayle Forman
• Wolverine: Prodigal Son story by Anthony Johnston
• Amaranth Enchantment by Julie Berry
• Dragon Ball, Vol. 3 story and art by Akira Toriyama
• Dragon Ball, Vol. 4 story and art by Akira Toriyama
• Dragon Ball Z, Vol. 1 story and art by Akira Toriyama
• Dragon Ball Z, Vol. 3 story and art by Akira Toriyama

Teen's Top 10 Nominations

2009-04-17T14:26:00.000-05:00

See the 2009 Teens' Top Ten nominations! (PDF). There are 25 nominations and 25 weeks until Teen Read Week, so if you read one nominated book a week, you'll be ready to make an informed decision as to which book is your favorite when it's time to vote the week of October 18-24.

About the Teens' Top Ten
Teens' Top Ten is a "teen choice" list, where teens nominate and choose their favorite books of the previous year! Nominators are members of teen book groups in fifteen school and public libraries around the country. Nominations are posted in April during National Library Week, and teens across the country vote on their favorite titles each year during Teen Read Week. Readers aged twelve to eighteen can vote online anytime that week.

"Shift" by Jennifer Bradbury

2009-04-13T12:14:00.000-05:00

"Shift" by Jennifer Bradbury is a great read for boys or girls. The story's chapters alternate between present and past as we learn about Chris and Win, two boys that embark on a cross-country bike trip after their high school graduation. The problem is, only one of them returns. When Win leaves Chris as he stops to change a flat tire shortly before the end of their journey, Chris angrily figures Win went on to his uncle's house in Seattle. Chris returns home and heads off for college, only to find that Win hasn't returned, and has no uncle in Seattle. Win's rich, controlling father has an FBI agent putting pressure on Chris to find out where Win is, making Chris's start to college difficult. As the chapters alternate, you see the mystery unfold, and can start to see what's happened to Win. Read this book! You're left wondering until the very end how things will be resolved.

Save the Date!

2009-04-08T09:47:00.000-05:00

Join us for the GROUNDBREAKING EVENT for the new Mahomet Public Library at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 30th. Everyone is welcome...bring your shovel and help us get started! Groundbreaking events will be held at the new library site, east of Sandy Ridge Subdivision on Highway 150. I'll post more details as they become available.

April is National Poetry Month!

2009-04-01T08:27:00.000-05:00

In honor of National Poetry Month, check out "Gregory's 30 Poets/30 Days" at the GottaBook blog. Each day in April you'll see a new previously unpublished poem by a different children's poet. See the blog at

http://gottabook.blogspot.com/2009/03/announcing-30-poets30-days.html.

for an alphabetical list of participating authors, as well as links to other blogs celebrating National Poetry Month. And don't be turned off by the fact that it's "children's poetry"...poems can be humorous or uplifting, no matter what age they are created for.

National Library Week

2009-03-27T12:22:00.000-05:00

Celebrate National Library Week at the Mahomet Public Library April 12-18! We will be holding daily prize drawings Monday, April 13 through Saturday, April 18. Check out a book, enter a prize drawing, and find out about all the exciting things going on at the Mahomet Public Library!

Photographers of all ages are invited to submit photos of buildings and locations in Mahomet, which will be displayed in the library and compiled on CD as part of the library’s historical collection. Visit the library web site or stop in the library for submission requirements. Photos will be accepted through Friday, April 17.

Children in grades K-5 can stop in the library anytime between 3:00-4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15 for crafts, games and snacks! Make and take a magnetic bookmark, then play some games of skill. No registration required.

The Friends of the Mahomet Public Library will wrap up National Library Week with their Spring Book Sale. The sale starts Thursday, April 16 from 5-8 p.m. with a preview night for Friends members (Join for $5 at the door!). The sale is open to the public on Friday, April 17 from 9 am-5:30 pm and Saturday, April 18 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

For more information, visit www.mahometpubliclibrary.org or call the library at 586-2611.

"Crank" by Ellen Hopkins

2009-03-25T12:32:00.000-05:00

"Crank" is the Abraham Lincoln High School Book Award winner for 2009, so I just had to read it. I didn't realize beforehand that "Crank" is a story told in poems. I found this book very interesting. It tells the story of Kristina, your typical good girl, and her downfall after becoming addicted to meth. Kristina visits her father, who she hasn't seen in many years, to try to reconnect with him. On this visit, Kristina meets Adam, a gorgeous guy who introduces her to meth. During this visit to her dad's, Kristina becomes "Bree", a more daring person than Kristina ever could be. The story continues to describe Kristina's addiction and how it affects her life. The book is depressing at times, but it was a real eye-opener. Hopkins states in an author's note that the book is loosely based on the experiences her own daughter went through. I found that many poems in this book needed to be read two ways; not only left to right, but sometimes single words off to the side read top to bottom gave even more insight into Kristina's thoughts and feelings. This book was easy to read, with the poem format, and I had a hard time putting it down. I look forward to reading the sequel, "Glass".

"What I Saw and How I Lied" by Judy Blundell

2009-03-25T12:17:00.000-05:00

Recently, I finished the book "What I Saw and How I Lied" by Judy Blundell after hearing about it from other librarians that couldn't put it down. The story starts out post-World War II, and Evie's father has just returned from serving in the war. Her father starts a successful business, but not long after his return home, he is getting phone calls from a fellow soldier. A spur of the moment vacation to Florida leads to new friends they meet at their hotel, new opportunities for the family, and a new romance for Evie. As the story progresses, a mystery unfolds involving Evie's dad, her mom, and a soldier that Evie's dad met during the war. The mystery keeps you reading to the very end to uncover secrets, lies, and murder. I enjoyed the mystery of this book, and liked how the details unfolded.

2009 Abraham Lincoln Winner

2009-03-13T09:14:00.001-05:00

The 2009 Abraham Lincoln Book Award Winner is "Crank" by Ellen Hopkins. Have you read this book? Here's a summary from LINC:

"Kristina Georgia Snow is the perfect daughter, gifted high school junior, quiet, never any trouble. But on a trip to visit her absentee father, Kristina disappears and Bree takes her place. Bree is the exact opposite of Kristina. Through a boy, Bree meets the monster: crank. And what begins as a wild ecstatic ride turns into a struggle through hell for her mind, her soul--her life."

I've requested this book, so once I've read it, I'll comment back...I'm looking forward to hearing your comments, too.

"Feathered" by Laura Kasischke

2009-03-13T09:06:00.000-05:00

Three high school seniors, Anne, Michelle, and Terri, are off to Cancun for their spring break. The girls are armed with sunblock and advice from their parents about how to stay safe thousands of miles from home. Will they follow that advice, or throw caution to the wind? This story is told in alternating chapters from Anne and Michelle's point of view. Tell me what you think of this story!

Teen Tech Week Survey

2009-03-06T13:18:00.000-06:00

Visit www.ala.org/teentechweek to participate in the Teen Tech Week survey. Give your thoughts on what next year's theme should be, and let librarians know about how you use technology. Visit March 8-March 14!

Teen Health and Wellness Free Trial

2009-03-06T13:17:00.000-06:00

Rosen Publishing, proud sponsor of Teen Tech Week, is pleased to offer you a FREE trial to its award-winning, critically acclaimed Teen Health & Wellness database.Get started right away at www.teenhealthandwellness.com!

Username: teentech Password: teentech

Your trial begins on 02/18/09 and ends on 03/27/09.

New Library!!

2009-02-27T08:58:00.001-06:00

Have you seen the pictures and floor plan for the new Mahomet Public Library? It's gonna' be great! And there is more space for teens in the new building! What would you like that space to look like? What would you like to see in the new teen area? And I'm talking furnishings, theme of the area, materials you'd like to see...anything!!! What kinds of technology do you think the new library should have?? Give us your suggestions! Either post to the blog, or e-mail amy.webb@mchsi.com. Would you be interested in becoming a member of a teen advisory group that helps give input on what teens would like to see in the new library? Then contact Amy at the library, on this blog, or at the e-mail above. Now is your chance to shape the look and feel of the teen area...don't let this chance pass you by!!

Photography Project

2009-02-27T08:55:00.000-06:00

Capture Your Community in Pictures!
Photography Project - Mahomet Public Library

Teen Tech Week is March 8-14! To celebrate, teens in grades 6-12 or equivalent are invited to submit photographs of the buildings and locations in Mahomet. Photos will be displayed in the library, on the website, and compiled into a CD that will become part of the library’s historical collection. Photos can be prints, saved to a CD, or e-mailed submissions. To enter a photo, visit www.mahometpubliclibrary.org or stop by the library for complete guidelines and entry forms. Entries must be turned into the Mahomet Public Library between Sunday, March 8 and Thursday, March 12, 2009.

All photographers will be entered in a random drawing for one of three $10 Dominoes gift cards.

Start capturing the pictures that define Mahomet today, so they can be a record of our community in the future!

New for YA's

2009-02-19T10:55:00.000-06:00

Here's what's new on the YA bookshelves:
Julius Caesar (text adaptor, Richard Appignanesi; illustrated by Mustashrik
Learning to Fly by Paul Yee
Forever Princess by Meg Cabot
Sky Inside by Clare B. Dunkle
Parties and Potions by Sarah Mlynowski
It Had to Be You by Cecily Von Ziegesar
Ransom My Heart by Meg Cabot
Into the Volcano by Don A. Wood
10 Things I Hate About Me by Randa Abdel-Fattah
Secret Circle-Initiation and the Captive by L.J. Smith
Secret Circle-The Captive Part II and the Power by L.J. Smith
Blood Blade by Marcus Pelegrimas
Walls of the Universe by Paul Melko
PS I Loathe You by Lisi Harrison
Fade by Lisa McMann
Crossing the Wire by Will Hobbs
Dope Stick by Walter Dean Myers
Elephant Run by Roland Smith

And new Books on CD:

Brisingr by Christopher Paolini

Teen & Adult Winter Reading Program

2008-11-24T11:38:00.000-06:00

The Mahomet Public Library encourages teens and adults to relax with a good book this winter! Participate in the teen/adult winter reading program from December 15 through January 31, and for every three books you read, you can enter a drawing for great prizes! Entry forms will be available in the library and on the website by December 8th. For more information, contact the Mahomet Public Library at 586-2611 or visit www.mahometpubliclibrary.org.

Teen Read Week 2008!

2008-09-23T09:31:00.000-05:00

The Mahomet Public Library has plenty of activities planned for Teen Read Week, October 12-18, 2008. This year's theme is "Books with Bite @ Your Library". Teen Read Week events are open to all junior high and high school students. Here's what we have planned for the week:

Ø Enter a drawing to win a paperback copy of “Twilight” or “New Moon” by Stephenie Meyer.

Ø How many vampire candies are in the jar? Guess correctly (or even close!) during Teen Read Week, and you could win them all!

Ø Decorate your own Monster Cookie in our drop-in program on Tuesday, October 14 from 4-5 p.m. Preregister by October 9 so we have enough supplies for everyone! Contact the library at 586-2611 to register.

And of course, keep visiting our blog to give your ideas of programs you'd like to see in the library!

Flowers for Algernon

2008-09-23T09:20:00.001-05:00

Since Banned Book Week is coming up next week, I recently read "Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes, since this book has been challenged repeatedly due to references to sex and drinking, as well as inapropriate language. These weren't the things that jumped out at me, though. I've read books with worse! But I found the story interesting. Charlie feels so alone when he has a low IQ, and so looks forward to being "smart". When an operation gives him the opportunity to become more intelligent, Charlie probably feels like his problems will be solved. Instead, he still feels alone, but this time because his intelligence has so greatly surpassed the people around him. There were parts of the story that I didn't fully understand, mostly when Charlie was talking about the downward spiral he expected in his intelligence, based on the studies of others, but I got the idea, and don't feel I lost much by not understanding all the scientific principles. In general, I enjoyed this book.

Summer Reading Program WINNERS!

2008-07-20T23:31:00.001-05:00

Congratulations to the following grand prize winners in the Teen Summer Reading Program! Each winner received a $10 gift card to the store of their choice!
-Ashley P.
-Todd M.
-Ana B.
-Ryan H.
-Matthew C.

Also, congrats to our weekly prize drawing winners:
-Jennifer M.
-Ryan H.
-Elizabeth B.
-Matthew C.
-James M.
-Courtney H.

Paint a Patriotic T-shirt

2008-05-22T22:11:00.000-05:00

Paint a Patriotic T-Shirt, Wednesday, June 25, 2:30-4 p.m.

We’ll provide the red, white and blue fabric paint and some stamps, you provide the t-shirt (or socks, bandanna, etc.). Stamp your shirt, then let it dry for a few minutes while you check out some fun books or movies. Open to all ages!

Teen Summer Reading Program

2008-05-22T22:10:00.000-05:00

“Be a Winner…Read!” Teen Summer Reading Program, June 2-July 18:

All teens in grades 6-12 or equivalent are invited to participate in the teen summer reading program. Read 3 books (one We the People “Created Equal” book, one Caudill or Lincoln winner or 2009 nominee, and one book of your choice). Rate the book (1-5 stars), and enter a drawing for one of five $10 gift cards to the location of your choice. We will also hold weekly drawings where you can win a small prize. Entry forms will be available the last week of May. What books have you read for the program? How would you rate them?

Teen Tech Week 2008!

2008-02-11T21:55:00.000-06:00

Celebrate Teen Tech Week at the Mahomet Public Library March 2-8, 2008! We will have 2 programs during the week. If you're in grades 6-12, please join us in the following activities:

***“Numbered Chairs” Music Trivia contest,Thursday, March 6, 6:00-7:00 p.m. Race against other teams to correctly answer 20 music trivia questions. For more information, read the "Numbered Chairs" entry also on this blog. Minimum of 8 people needed to register by Monday, March 3rd to hold this program.

* **Complete 3 of the “25 Ways to Celebrate Teen Tech Week” from March 2-8, and you will be entered in a drawing to win fun prizes! Pick up the "25 Ways to Celebrate" sheet from the library, or print one from the library web page at www.mahometpubliclibrary.org.

Numbered Chairs Music Trivia

2008-02-11T21:47:00.000-06:00

Join us as we play "Numbered Chairs" on Thursday, March 6 from 6-7 p.m. at the Mahomet Public Library. How do you play numbered chairs? I will have a list of 20 music trivia questions. Each team will have 20 strips of paper, each with an answer to one of my trivia questions. I will read a question, and each team will look through the answers for a correct one. The runner from each team will run to a chair in the front of the room when their answer is found. Each chair will have a different point value, so the first person with an answer will sit in the chair with the highest point value. If your answer is correct, you get the points assigned to your chair. If your answer is wrong, you LOSE the points assigned to your chair. Team with the most points after the 20 questions have been asked is the winner!

Snacks will be provided, and feel free to invite friends to watch the fun, even if they don't want to particpate. We will need a minimum of 8 people registered by Monday, March 3rd to hold this program.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

2007-12-14T22:15:00.001-06:00

Well, I finally finished the last Harry Potter book right before Thanksgiving. It took me a long time to get through it...I wasn't one of the people who can read it all overnight. The book was fine, it ended as I expected, with some unexpected information coming out about Snape and Dumbledore, but I thought Rowling could have wrapped it up in fewer pages. I found the first half of the book hard to get through, then found it more interesting in the final chapters. What did you think?

Review books for this blog!

2007-10-24T00:44:00.001-05:00

Would you like to introduce books you've read and get a discussion started? Leave your name and e-mail address at the Mahomet Public Library for Amy, and I'll send an invitation your way! Items posted on this blog will be reviewed, and may be removed if not deemed appropriate for the blog.

"A Wrinkle in Time" by Madeleine L'Engle

2007-10-24T00:41:00.001-05:00

I just recently read this book for the first time. What did you think of the book?

Library Programs for Teens

2007-10-24T00:39:00.000-05:00

What kind of program would you like to see at the Mahomet Public Library for teens? Book Discussion Groups? Information on specific topics? Games? Give us some ideas!

Welcome!

2005-11-03T23:36:00.000-06:00

Welcome to the Mahomet Public Library Teen Advisory Group Blog! Use this area to post book reviews, talk about program ideas, and share information related to the library!