HHS Reads

Gift Bag Goodies and More!

2009-04-02T08:03:00.003-05:00

Thanks to the 2009 Debutantes, a group of YA and MG authors whose first novels will be published in 2009, our library has won a gift bag full of goodies, including bookmarks and postcards, advanced release copies of several books, and signed first editions! Be sure to stop by to take a look.

National Library Week is coming, and events will include a book swap/sale, and our annual Live READ event. Watch for your favorite teachers reading in the Circle of Life!

Our books to round out the year will be The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins -- one of the hottest novels of the past year -- and Big Fish by Daniel Foster Wallace. We are planning on an end-of-the-year celebration in which we'll watch the movie and do other fun activities.

From Teenreads.com :

2009-01-14T08:25:00.002-06:00

Nominate Your Favorite Books of 2008 for the Teen Choice Book Award!

In association with the Children’s Book Council (CBC), Teenreads.com is giving you a very special opportunity to let your voices be heard by telling us your five favorite books of 2008. The five titles that receive the most “votes” will serve as the finalists for the CBC’s 2009 Teen Choice Book Award. Later we will tell you where you can go vote for them once the five finalists have been announced. The winner will be announced in May 2009.

All you have to do is fill out the form found here between now and January 31, 2009. Your top five selections may come from the list provided here, or you can vote for titles not on the list.

Important Note: Please be sure that the book(s) was released for the first time in 2008; this means that paperbacks originally published as hardcovers will not be accepted. If you’re uncertain about a book’s release date, we suggest you search for that title on Amazon.com.

A book nobody really checks out but SHOULD

2009-01-13T15:54:00.003-06:00

Check out Repossessed by a chick who's last name is Jenkins.
At a thin 217 pages, 24 chapters, it's a quick read, and you'll find yourself turning the pages to take on the next chapter at the end of each chapter, trying to find out what the heck is going on.
It's fun. It's about this demon who possesses this dude's body. What more do you need to know? That's what I thought.
GO CHECK IT OUT. NOW.

-Rissa

It's here! TWILIGHT!

2008-11-17T13:17:00.002-06:00

Don't forget! HHS Reads Twilight by Stephenie Meyer this Thursday, Nov. 20th -- and we will be having a private showing for only HHS students this Saturday, November 22nd at Valley Square Cinema! Please turn in your permission forms ASAP if you will be attending. We will meet at 9am at the high school, with the showing at 10am, and will return after noon on Saturday.

Miscellaneous BITES!

2008-10-17T09:49:00.002-05:00

I'll be putting up a Teen Read Week retrospective of all we did for 'Books with Bite', but before I put up pictures and summarize the past week, I'd like to call attention to a few neat opportunities that are available now, or coming up!

First off, author Lauren Myracle (ttyl, ttfn, l8r g8r) has sent us some BLISS-ful goodies -- just in time to highlight her as this month's Author Spotlight to go along with the release of her spooky new book BLISS. More information will be forthcoming soon -- we'll be doing a special BLISS event in the library, and displaying Lauren as the October author.

We've decided to host a regular board-card-roleplaying-game night afterschool in the library. You're welcome to bring the games you'd play at lunch and join us -- watch for advertisements on dates and times. Thanks to those who came to the Teen Read Week gaming events!

Author Alan Gratz has decided to promote his new sequel, Something Wicked: A Horatio Wilkes Mystery by releasing his FIRST Horatio book, Something Rotten, for free on his website. Find it here and be sure to check out the sequel when Junior Library Guild sends it to us later this fall.

Be sure to pick up your copy of our next book club book, the graphic novel The Plain Janes by Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg, that's now available in our library. Next month: TWILIGHT! We'll be putting out a sign-up to see the movie in the theater very soon!

Contests, Links, Fun!

2008-09-30T14:00:00.003-05:00

Just a reminder -- for those who love entering contests for the best free book-type stuff, not only does your own library hold a monthly drawing with our reading incentive program, but we provide you with links to other contests you can sign up for! Last year, our very own Haley won a signed advanced release copy from Carrie Jones. A good first contest to try is at TeensReadToo -- it's simple, free, and their swag is the very best.

Another great new site to be aware of is What Should I Read Next?, a book swap and recommendation site that helps people find new reads based on the last book they enjoyed. So far, I've gotten some great suggestions from playing with this search engine!

First Meetings!

2008-09-10T11:16:00.002-05:00

Per the sidebar to the right -- please join us for our first HHS Reads meeting on Thursday, September 11, and for our second meeting to discuss our first book, Whale Talk by Chris Crutcher!

On September 11, we're meeting to eat some of Mrs. Bennett's delicious Better'n Anything cake, discuss the Teen Top Ten nominees and how teen award nominating processes work, and activities throughout the year. Come to hear more about book club through the year! Freshmen are welcome!

On October 2nd, HHS Reads discusses Whale Talk for Banned Books Week. Chris Crutcher has the interesting honor of being one of the ten teen authors most targeted by banning and censorship efforts, and Whale Talk in particular is one of the top challenged books of the last five years. This book is the story of The Tao 'T.J.' Jones, a terrific biracial athlete who doesn't like team sports, and is so a constant source of frustration to his championship-sports-obsessed school, its coaches, and certain redneck elements within the school booster organization. When T.J. is badgered into helping a teacher create a swim team, a different incident inspires him to recruit a team of misfits in an effort to thwart the school's ridiculously strict policies on lettering in sports.

Much like last year's ...Part Time Indian, this is a book that's about much more than its summary, touching on family dynamics, past mistakes, race and class issues, violence, forgiveness, and the emphasis on sports over academics in schools. It's funny and unexpected, and we hope to see you come to discuss it with us!

This summer

2008-09-10T10:38:00.002-05:00

I did not do a whole lot of reading this past summer. I read a few books for A.P. Lit and that was about it. I read Lord of the Flies and of Mice and Men. Both were really good, and somewhat sad. I re-read the Time Travelers Wife. My biggest dissapointment was Breaking Dawn. But even though it was not every thing that i thought it would be i still really enjoyed it and am very upset about the leaking of Midnight Sun.

Good Books

2008-09-10T10:35:00.001-05:00

Has anyone read good books. I have not been reading many books aside from the teen top ten ones. But the ones that i have read other than them seem to be very interesting. I really enjoyed Chosen. I can hardly wait to read the next books in the series.

Teen Top Ten

2008-09-10T10:33:00.002-05:00

I have read a lot of the books so far and most of them seem like they are really good. Sun, Moon, Ice and Snow reminded me a lot of the book East, and I have to say that I thought East was a lot better. I still have not read Harry Potter i guess i will have to get aroud it.

Release Party

2008-07-08T14:43:00.002-05:00

On August 2 at 12:00 A.M. Barnes and Noble will be having a release party for Breaking Dawn.

Breaking Dawn Trip

2008-06-10T12:52:00.006-05:00

It seems that Stephenie Meyer will not be going on a big tour for Breaking Dawn. She is only doing a few events.
· 8/1 - New York City @ Nokia Theatre at Times Square
· 8/5 - Chicago @ Harris Theater
· 8/7 - Los Angeles @ Royce Hall
· 8/12 - Seattle @ Benaroya Hall
I still really want to go and see her and hope that we could make a trip of it.
http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1589042/story.jhtml has more information about the tour.

A Harry Potter Commencement: JK Rowling speaks at Harvard

2008-06-09T12:41:00.003-05:00

You might find it interesting to go here to Harvard Magazine, and read or listen to J.K. Rowling's commencement address to Harvard's graduating class of 2008, in which she talks about her struggles before publishing the books she wanted to write, and discusses the value of personal failure and of imagination. It's a neat look at what Rowling finds important, and a little window on the hurdles to become a writer.

Summer Reading Opportunities at Public Library!

2008-06-04T13:16:00.003-05:00

You may want to check out La Crosse County Library's Summer Reading Program literature, found in this link -- they're hosting movie nights this summer, and prize giveaways for books read.

More Breaking Dawn!

2008-06-03T10:35:00.005-05:00

Here's a screenshot of the cover:

Talk about ominous! This looks to me like two chess queens in opposition, which should mean the conflict will be ratcheted up to the limit.

2008-06-03T10:12:00.002-05:00

What are you reading now that we're heading into summer?

I'm working on a re-read of Jay Asher's Thirteen Reasons Why, recently acquired by the library in the new-books pile. This was one of the YA books I read off the shelf and had to buy for myself; I think its premise (a girl who commits suicide sends a collection of audio tapes in lieu of a note to the thirteen people she thinks could have made a difference) is a real original, and it's both familiar and unforgettable. This was one of my must-reads this year, and you should check it out.

I just finished The Market by J.M. Steele, and despite a few bumpy moments -- there were a few instances of sloppy writing habits that made me want to play editor -- it's a really fascinating look at popularity through the lens of a mock-internet stock market of girls at a particular school. The twists were both well foreshadowed and really surprising, and the viewpoint character is incredibly engaging, even as she succumbs to less-than-perfect behavior.

I tried the new Meg Cabot, Airhead -- and despite glowing reviews around, I was less than enthused. I LOVE the premise -- it's one of the best don't-spoil-this twists in awhile -- and yet...

There was just something missing there. I think it's the part where we don't get to really get a good handle on the character the narrator is crushing on, so her crush on him is virtually the only reason we care. There's also no real resolution, as Cabot is looking to make a series of these books. That's all well and good, but I expect more from the mistress of serial fiction that way.

PERCY JACKSON 4.

It's hard to type out squealing noises. Book 5 can't come fast enough. This was the book that finally decided it for me: I DO love the Percy Jackson books more than Harry Potter. Battle for the Labyrinth was yet another stellar entry into this series. I was thrilled to see Tyson's return, and the dimensions revealed behind other familiar faces - from Annabelle to Clarisse to Nico to, of all people, the briefly mentioned Rachel Elizabeth Dare, here a fascinating new force in the Olympian world even as a mortal girl. There's a ton of subtle foreshadowing for the climax to come - ranging from the progress of BFF Grover's quest to find the great god Pan to discussions of the nature of the combat between the Olympian gods and their older counterparts the Titans, and who takes which sides in that conflict and their reasons for so doing. Percy's mom remains one of the coolest parents in literature, and it's nice to see Riordan's great handling of the mortal sides of Percy's relationships. I laughed! I cried! I want book 5.

I've recently finished Barry Lyga's Cybil-winning Boy Toy, and I hardly know where to begin with this book. It's a difficult topic; it examines the emotions of an eighteen-year-old male high school baseball star who, at age thirteen, was molested by his female teacher, and whose life was turned upside-down for years to come by the subsequent trial and reputation thus acquired. This is, as you probably can guess, NOT an easy read, and not for everybody, but it's unquestionably well done. I don't know if I've read many more powerful books this year, and Lyga handles character like almost nobody else. If you like difficult realistic fiction, this is worth a look.

That's my recent reading list (ie, just this last week). What are you reading as summer winds down?

PS: Little Brother fanatics -- I know where Cory Doctorow stores his how-to-be-an-awesome-hacker instruction starters!

Breaking Dawn

2008-05-30T19:44:00.002-05:00

While browsing Stephenie Meyer's website I found this link. It is a sneak peak at chapter one of Breaking Dawn. The full chapter will come out in the Eclipse Special Edition. So make sure to check it out.

Feedback!

2008-05-29T11:32:00.003-05:00

Hi guys,

Anyone who attended the event with Tiffany Trent, either in your classes or at the lunchtime meet-and-greet -- do you have any suggestions or feedback? Tiffany's interested in how people responded to her presentations and what you might like to see in the future. As Tiffany's in this area yearly (or maybe more often!), if you'd like to see her come back and do other things (such as talk about the haunted steamship she researched for Book 2 of Hallowmere, or give a reading), please give some feedback here or in the library so we can pass it along!

NEW BOOKS!!!!!!!!!!

2008-05-20T21:52:00.001-05:00

It is so exciting that the LMTC has bought a ton of new books. So many of them look really good. I will even try some of the graphic novels for you Martha, if they are on the list. Hopefully, we will get the chance to check them out during this school year. I can hardly wait to start reading.

2

NOT A LOCK IN

2008-05-18T13:56:00.002-05:00

thank you for having the not a lock in this past saturday. I had a great time and hope that we could maybe do a lock in next year. I really love the shirts, the color is great and the saying is catchy and i don't mind wearing it. Hopefully next year we can be a bigger group so that there can be more discussion. A craft would have also been fun, but maybe we can plan a little more so that we are not scrambling for ideas at the last minute. The movie was fantastic, I had already seen it, but even though it deviates from the book it was not an awful way to have made the book into a movie. So thank you for hosting this event again.

Twilight Trailer

2008-05-17T14:54:00.003-05:00

it is great. i look forward to it. i highly recommend watching it. I hope that the link works. if you go to her website you can find it on the movie page. http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/
so go look at it and tell me what you think i think that it will be a great movie.

Visiting Author - Tiffany Trent

2008-05-12T09:58:00.002-05:00

I'm really happy to have the opportunity to introduce author Tiffany Trent to Holmen High School in person on May 20th. Tiffany's third book, Between Golden Jaws, a part of her fantasy series Hallowmere, was recently released under the Mirrorstone imprint, following the first two titles. Tiffany has written nonfiction about environmental issues, worked as a technical writer, and currently teaches creative writing at Virginia Tech. She also really cares about literacy and teen issues, and was featured this past Teen Read Week -- a visit from Tiffany was one of the prizes offered by the ALA in 2007. As Tiffany has family in this area, and was planning appearances in Wisconsin in May this year, she jumped at the chance to add an appearance here to her itinerary.

Tiffany writes historical fantasy very much in the Libba Bray vein. Hallowmere takes place in the antebellum and Victorian period to follow, in which the orphaned Corrine is plagued by visions of dark faeries and ominous warnings, and as a result of heeding these things, her strict uncle sends her to a girl's reformatory school called Falston. (Reform school in these times = bad news! Definitely a lot more like prison than Gemma Doyle's Spence.) At Falston, Corrine makes a discovery of some old and hidden letters from a medieval monk who talks about forbidden romance -- and vampiric faeries that resemble those stalking Corrine.

And that's just where the fun starts!

Tiffany will be spending time with classes, except for during Lunch period. During that time, book club members are welcome to come hang out with her and the librarians for a more casual event. Bring your lunch in and be ready to socialize!

The Host Booksigning

2008-05-08T15:23:00.003-05:00

I went to the booksigning for Stephenie Meyer's The Host on Tuesday, and Pel, one of the admin from the Twilight Lexicon, asked me to do a write up on it. I figured since people here are fans of the novel as well, I may as well post it here too:

I arrived at the Mall of America at about 1:30PM. They had started selling books at 8AM, and I was told that a handful of people had arrived even earlier than that--as early as 5AM. This is what the line looked like when I first got there:

I bought my copies of The Host. At the start of the line there was a box for submitting questions for Stephenie, which a man walked through the line later on with in case anyone came up with questions as they read The Host.

I sat down to read while I waited for 6PM to come. A note for anyone else who goes so early to wait in line: if possible, bring chairs like the smart people in the photograph! Standing for 4.5 hours or sitting on the floor for that long is not fun!

A glimpse of the room that was slowly but surely filling up with people.

By 3:30PM, that empty half of the room was full of people, and we were asked to get up and squish together to make room for more people. We did so and then all sat back down to wait. Once or twice the Community Relations Manager at the Barnes & Noble at the Mall of America came out to talk to us:

About 15 minutes before Stephenie was due to arrive, he came back out to introduce her. She arrived, and much screaming followed. She told us that she had a presentation planned out, and was going to do a reading, but after finding out that we all would be standing for the entire evening decided against that. Instead, she answered probably 10 or so of the questions from the box.

I caught a few of the questions (and Stephenie's answers!) on camera:
- What inspired The Host?
(video)
- What music was fitting for The Host?
- Why are there blank pages in The Host?
- Will there be sequels for The Host?
(video of the previous 3 questions)
- Do you ever take your kids on tour with you?
(video)
- What characters in The Host did you really enjoy writing?
(video)

Two of the questions were cut off, so here are paraphrased answers:

What inspired The Host?
This answer can be found in a number of articles and I wanted to save space for other questions! One place to find it is at the official The Host website, on the Q&A page.

Will there be sequels for The Host?
Stephenie said that she has outlines for one sequel, and plans for two to make it a trilogy, but doesn't know if she'll write them anytime soon. She mentioned that one reason in particular is that she's grown fond of the characters, and in order for the sequels to be written, characters would need to die and she doesn't want them to.

Another fun thing I'll point out since it's sort of hard to hear in the videos is the 3 songs that Stephenie mentioned are on her The Host playlist:
- Futurism by Muse
- Original of the Species by U2
- My Name is Love by Rob Dickinson

The rest of the playlist will be available on her website once she finishes this leg of the tour and e-mails it to her brother/webmaster.

After the Q&A came the actual book signing, which went very smooth.

I had my books signed by 7:30-8PM or so, and this is what the line looked like after I was finished:

This wasn't even the entire line--it still stretched out down one of the hallways!

I came back for one last peek about quarter to 9 to see how many people were left, and that large central area was still about half full! It was a long night for the workers, fans, and Stephenie!

ETA: I just found a few more videos of the Q&A from the book signing (ones that I didn't film but are on youtube already):
- Did you know you wanted to be an author when you were a child?
- How involved with the Twilight movie were you?

The Host

2008-05-08T15:14:00.003-05:00

I just got home and was so sad when I saw that The Host had not yet arrived. Thankfully UPS came through for me and about 8 minutes ago the wonderful brown truck arrived carrying my wonderful treat. I can hardly wait to start reading it, but I have to finish reading my other book first because I am really enjoying it. So thank you Martha for letting me check it out even though you were planning on reading it.

Little Brother, YA Triumphant, and Good Lit

2008-05-07T14:34:00.004-05:00

Avid websurfers with an interest in YA literature and good sci-fi might have noticed that on pop-culture web outlet BoingBoing, as well as on diverse blogs from literary luminaries such as Neil Gaiman, John Scalzi, and perennial YA favorite Scott Westerfeld, the new book Little Brother by science fiction sensation Cory Doctorow is causing a minor net-wave about the topics of young adult crossover appeal and where one can find quality science fiction.

It's interesting to me that there is a quiet move within the industry among science-fiction and fantasy authors to pitch to teen readers. The market for young adult books lets these writers be more flexible in what topics they write about, get better covers and more shelf space, and actually helps them sell more books. As several people pointed out, Scott Westerfeld is the biggest name in science fiction who never gets the recognition he deserves simply because the awards in the genre haven't caught up with the new reality of YA's significance. It's also shocking to me how many people - even after Harry Potter - have missed the groundswell of truly great books emerging in the teen section of their bookstore. These discussions also highlight just how cutting-edge the books available to teenagers have become; there's a second thread on Scalzi's blog that highlights the problems that adult science-fiction faces by comparison. It suggests a lot of interesting things to be aware of -- both that this genre may have its best books already on the YA shelves, but that there may be just as many excellent 'adult' sci-fi and fantasy genre books on the standard sf/f shelves that might have gotten much more attention if only they had been marketed or written 'younger'.

But to circle back again, it's also worth noting that Doctorow, who brought up the topic of the undiscovered country of great YA on the BoingBoing article, is savvy enough to put this awesome book up for download. That's right -- his critically acclaimed sci-fi tale of one teenager against a Homeland Security run amok, Big-Brother-versus-Little-Brother in a good old fashioned showdown, can be read for free download through Creative Commons license. I advise you take a look -- this is highly touted as one of the most important books this year in genre fiction, YA or not, and its buzz is inching towards Twilight-and-Potter huge.

THE HOST

2008-05-06T15:03:00.002-05:00

Stephenie Meyer was in the area today. Did we go. NOOOOOO it is so sad that we were not able to go. I am depressed I am hoping to buy the book soon. It seems like it will be good even though it is not going to be like Twilight.

I have won

2008-04-28T18:27:00.003-05:00

I really have no clue what contest that I had the luck of winning. I ended up getting LOVE (AND OTHER USES FOR DUCT TAPE) in the mail today with a note from Carrie Jones congratulating me on my win.

The ironic thing about me getting this book is that i was in the library earlier today looking at it and ended up taking the copy of Jump the Cracks instead, i was planning on getting this one later on in the week and what a coincidence.

Literary Controversy: The Twilight Movie -- good or bad?

2008-04-25T12:30:00.002-05:00

As we hit the end of the school year, one interesting question dominates most of our readers:

Just how bad - or good - will the Twilight m0vie adaptation be?

Thus far, the controversy rages, in part because Twilight is a fan phenomenon that has missed a large part of the mainstream even yet. That is to say, the big fans are already nitpicking 'getting it right', when those who've never heard of it are so far behind that they don't even know there is something to get wrong. Witness articles like this, after all.

There's a lot of casting controversy; now that some of the 'that's not my Bella and Edward!' has died down, the latest source of scream is 'that's not my Jacob Black!', as Taylor Lautner (Shark Boy from Shark Boy and Lava Girl, natch) has been cast as Jacob. Personally, I can't get over Peter Facinelli as Carlisle Cullen -- I keep thinking, 'The guy from Fastlane, that failed series on Fox, is the family patriarch? Really?'. But I'm old.

So weigh in: how bad is it gonna get?

Sara Zarr is Really Awesome, Part 2: The Interview

2008-04-23T10:29:00.004-05:00

I knew Sara was going to be a lot of fun to work with and promote at our library from the very first time I peeked at her blog and websites after reading Sweethearts. The questions that follow come from book club members, students who wrote in during National Library Week, and library staff -- bet you can't guess which question comes from me. Thank you SO MUCH, Sara -- you've gone above and beyond for our library and our students!

The question you probably hear the most comes first: What inspires you to write?
There's a quote that I think comes from Flannery O'Connor, and it's something like, "The only adequate response to a work of art is another work of art." I'm inspired by great music, books, movies, paintings, dance... Engaging with something artistic gets me itching to create something of my own. In terms of actual story ideas inspiring me enough to do the work, I've found that the best way for my brain to come up with ideas is if it's sort of blank for awhile---the kind of blank you get on a long drive, or staring out a bus window, or sitting on the porch doing nothing.

What's the most challenging part of writing books? Do you find it a challenge in general, or have you found ways of making it easy?
It's never easy. When I finished my first book, I thought it would get easier after that. It doesn't. Every book requires something different and I always feel like I don't know what I'm doing. I think one of the most challenging parts is having the discpline to do what I describe in my answer to #1. It's weird that doing nothing would require discipline, but with so much technology available all the time it actually takes a lot for me to say, okay, now I'm going to stare into space for awhile and not check my email or look at my cell phone or text my husband or see what's on my DVR. I think I've developed ADD over the past 10 years because of all the technology, and now I have to force myself to daydream, which is something that used to come so naturally.

The SPOILER QUESTION: Those of us who read Sweethearts really want to know – why did things have to almost come full circle again for Jenna and Cameron, specifically their separation at the end?
I got a fanmail the other day from a reader who had loved the book, but wondered by Jenna and Cameron had to end up being miserable instead of happy. Here's my answer: I don't see them or their ending as miserable at all. They came back together in high school, and resolved what they could resolve, and were strengthened by their re-connection - strengthened to do what they each needed to do in their individual lives. And this time, even if it's a little delayed, Cameron says goodbye and we're assured that Jenna will always know how to find him. I'm convinced they'll always be important in one another's lives, and will always be there for each other when they need to. I just couldn't see, given who they each are and their histories, any way to make it realistic for them to end up together in the traditional way we think of love. But that's one of the things I wanted to explore in the book---the different kinds of love we can have for people, and the complicated, difficult, important relationships that we start to form as we move into adulthood

How do you find the discipline and patience for the process of writing-and-rewriting? What helps you revise what's already finished?
I wish I knew! Every time I finish a book and all the revising is done, I kind of look at it and go, Wow, how'd I do that? It's a little bit of a miracle every time. My editor is a huge help, of course, because when I'm satisfied with something the way it is she pushes me to do better. She's like a coach who has seen my potential and will never let me come in under the bar. Deadlines help a lot. The fact that I've been paid and I have to get this book done or else give back the money helps. Knowing that even though when I'm on mile 17 of the marathon it's really painful and I want to quit (hey, 17 miles is darn good!), ultimately I'll be happier if I go all the way helps. Before I sold a book, my competitive spirit and desire to be published was what drove me.

You've said before that you had some difficulty with your early efforts to get published. What changes did you make that made the biggest difference between your early efforts and the successes of your two books to follow?
Part of it was just time and patience and practice. When you do something for ten years and seek out advice and criticism and help, you naturally get better. When I wrote the first draft of what became Story of a Girl, I knew that it would be the book I'd never give up on. I'd written three books before that and didn't stick with them the way I did with Story. My passion for that story and those characters helped push me across the divide between unpublished and published. One of the best things I did while writing that book was join a writers group. Everyone in the group was a better writer than me, and I learned a ton and also felt like I had something to prove---that I belonged there. My writing improved by leaps and bounds during that time.

If you weren't a writer, what job would you most love to have?
It would still have to be some form of storytelling, so I'd love to either be a singer/songwriter or a writer/director.

Have you ever considered writing a series? On that note – what are you thinking of writing about next after Sweethearts? (The series idea is only sort of a hint, we swear.)
I had an idea for a series once, about kids in a high school drama department. But a series is a big commitment. What if you get sick of the characters? Maybe someday. Right now I'm working on my third book for Little, Brown and it's a bit different in style and tone from my first two, but still realistic fiction.

What books meant the most to you as a teenager? What are your favorite books now?
Young adult fiction was sort of in a golden age when I was a teen in the eighties. There wasn't nearly as much of it as there is now, but what was there was new and innovative and really, really good. I loved Robert Cormier and M.E. Kerr, particularly. I still read a ton of YA, and realistic fiction is still my favorite. I also try to read poetry (it helps keep my brain in shape for thinking about language in different ways), and I like adult fiction that is realistic and not too overwrought with useless description. In other words, I like adult fiction that's like YA fiction, but with adult characters! Tom Perrotta or Anne Tyler, for example.

The OTHER SPOILER QUESTION: So much of your first two books are all about teenagers who have new identities they either build or have thrust upon them, and how those images may be only part of the truth. Why do these questions of identity appeal to you as writing topics/as good YA topics of interest?
Identity is the fundamental issue we grapple with our whole lives, I think. We're born into a family and get our identity from that family. Then somewhere along the way---usually in adolescence---we struggle with and against that identity. That continues at least through college, and for me through my twenties and into my early thirties. I might be finally figuring some things out now, but then when I get to my forties will I have a midlife identity crisis? And then beyond that, in my sixties and seventies when I start thinking about the end of life, will I have another identity change? Who we are, who we believe ourselves to be, the way others see us, what we project vs. what we feel inside...all of those things contain so much drama. In adolescence, the drama is really compressed and exacerbated by physical change and all the decisions you have to start making that you never made before, and that's just a simmering cauldron of dramatic potential!

Finally: If you could tell your teenaged self some things about your life as a writer now, what would you say?
Don't be afraid. Not of failure, not of success, not of trying new things. You really can't fail at this---the only failure would be not trying at all. Also: watch less TV and stare into space more.

That's it! Thanks again, so much!
Thank you!

ARC Madness!

2008-04-23T08:15:00.002-05:00

The wonderful folks at Flux, including up-and-coming author Maggie Stiefvater, who deserves much credit for her help -- have sent us a whole bunch of advance release copies of new YA books. This includes Maggie's book (which is so brand-spanking-new that the galleys I have aren't even really in book form), and a half-dozen other really great titles that will be hitting the shelves someday -- but not yet. That's right -- ever wanted to get a sneak peek at books so new that nobody else can read them, and maybe give feedback to their publisher? Because they'd like you to!

Flux was also kind enough to send some swag -- there's bookmarks! -- and offer to see what they might do about an event at our library in the future. THANKS, GUYS -- most especially Maggie and her editor Andrew! You're aces in our book.

Stop by my desk for more information on the goodies!

Sara Zarr is Really Awesome, Part One

2008-04-15T07:59:00.003-05:00

Hi guys!

Some of you have seen the little pink-hearted invitations I've been prepping for National Library Week -- and some of you have even seen the little boxes of candy that go with them. We've got somebody very important to thank for that -- the author of one of the most popular new books in the library, Sara Zarr. Sara was nice enough to send us a whole lot of boxes of the promotional Sweethearts candy that were made to promote Sweethearts, her latest novel. You can find out more about Sara in the display in the library.

Sara's first book, Story of a Girl, was widely praised and was nominated for a National Book Award for 2007; Sweethearts is meeting with just as much praise. Of the new books we purchased lately that I've read, this one is the standout and not to be missed. (Yes, Steffi -- there is a hot guy in it.)

But it doesn't stop with candy and great reading. Next week, Sara's agreed to answer Q&A for us on this blog! This is a great opportunity to connect with a real up-and-coming author and learn more about the writing life, and her books. Please brainstorm questions here, or in person in the library, and encourage others to participate!

April Showers Bring A Bunch of Contests

2008-04-08T13:44:00.003-05:00

YA Books Central just put up its list of April giveaways and contests, including the extremely well-reviewed The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by popular author E. Lockhart of The Boyfriend Book and Dramarama fame. This is said to be her best book yet, so don't miss out.

Also of interest: Meg Cabot's journal has a contest to win the British editions of several of her books, including the new Pants on Fire. These have different and unique covers from the usual books you'll find in stores, and a few have very different titles. Check it out and email her to win if you're a Cabot fan!

Prestige Plus...Pizza!

2008-04-07T12:49:00.002-05:00

On Thursday, April 17th, we will be showing the movie The Prestige for Read It 1st. Because it is also National Library Week, as well as the last Read it 1st event of the year, we've decided to do something special.

Sign up in the library and bring us $2 to cover costs, and we'll buy pizza from Pizza Corral or T-Joe's to share during the movie, in addition to our regular snacks! The movie shows at 4pm, so it's not long after school. Newcomers welcome!

Want Lock and Key?

2008-04-07T12:27:00.005-05:00

We've already received our copy of Sarah Dessen's Lock and Key here at HHS, but if you're interested in getting your own copy of her latest book, Sarah is holding her first-ever contest! Follow the directions here on her website to be entered to win. Sign up before April 20th to meet the contest deadline!

What I am Reading

2008-04-03T14:56:00.002-05:00

Well with all of the wonderful new books that we got at the library, I have been doing a lot of reading. Since Martha wants people to blog I thought that I would tell you about all the wonderful books that I have been reading.
The first book that I read was The Red Queen's Daughter. I really enjoyed this book. It was an easy read and the one character is so hot that it makes up for any thing that the book is lacking.
The next one that I read was Wicked Lovely. This book is the first book in a series and I am now looking forward to reading the next book in the series. I wasn't sure if I would like it, but I really loved it and am glad that I took a chance on it.
At this time I am reading Change of Heart. It seems to be good so far and I hope to have it finished soon. I have a lot of other books that I checked out and they look interesting and I hope to have finished them within the next 2 weeks.

The Library's Got New Books!

2008-03-17T12:42:00.004-05:00

Thanks so much to Nathan and Anthony for helping me when doing some end-of-the-year purchasing at Barnes and Noble last week! We've got about eighty new titles that should be on the shelves just before Spring Break.

Here's a few you might want to try:

The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray: This book ends the series begun in A Great and Terrible Beauty, the story of Victorian heroine Gemma Doyle and her growth to leadership and mastery in the secret and magic realm that is her birthright. While I haven't read this book yet, it's not for lack of pressure -- everyone who's read it wants everyone else to finish as soon as possible so they can discuss it.

How NOT to be Popular by Jennifer Ziegler: Sugar Magnolia - or Maggie, as she prefers - used to love her parents' rootless hippie lifestyle, and their habit of moving across the country from year to year. But as the new school year begins, she's leaving behind a best friend, a social life, even a boyfriend she was really serious about back in Portland. Brokenhearted, Maggie Dempsey decides that in Austin, her family's new destination, rather than open herself up to further pain by connecting with people, she is going to do everything she can NOT to be popular. Whatever it takes, even if that means wearing flowered plastic swim caps and Star Trek uniforms, hanging out with do-gooding losers, and turning down the hot guy who just won't leave her alone. So begins this book's comedy-movie premise, and it's a winner. Many of you were not fans of Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli. Maggie shares some of Stargirl's tactics for not fitting in, but I found it a lot easier to cheer for her than the somewhat preachy Stargirl. The reader is given plenty of reason to empathize with Maggie, and her reasons for her weirdness are much clearer and less idealized. Funny stuff, and for our male readers who might hesitate -- it's more comic than girly.

American Gods by Neil Gaiman: Gaiman may be best known to readers of this blog as 'the fella who wrote Stardust', or for the more savvy, 'the mind behind the Sandman comics'. This is perhaps his best-received book, the story of a drifter hired by a man who may or may not be Odin to participate in a war brewing between all the gods of the old world who migrated to America with their believers. It's a story that's sort of like the big brother to the Percy Jackson books, and easily one of the best fantasy novels of the last ten years. Gaiman is almost always worth a look if fantasy's your pick.

Speaking of graphic novels, both Flight and Fables are great places to start if you haven't read much in comics but would like to start. We now have both of the starting volumes of Fables, Bill Willingham's fantasy comic of displaced fairy tales living in America as refugees after a faceless Adversary drove them from the Homelands they remember. A tough (and divorced) Snow White leads Fabletown with the assistance of one Bigby Wolf (get it?), but her ex-husband Prince Charming, troublemaker Jack, and her bitter younger sister Rose Red all pose problems within the Fable community hidden just out of sight of 'Mundy' eyes. It's a story that's more Grimm Brothers than Disney - the second volume has plenty of violence, and takes its name from Orwell, after all. Flight, on the other hand, is a multi-story volume from some of the hottest new names in comics, all about different kinds of flight - from planes to rockets to kites in the sky, to the funny story of a girl who wakes up one day with wings. I've got a personal commission from one of the artists, Bill Mudron, and let me tell you - he's one of the many huge talents in this book, which is worth it just for the beautiful art alone.

Take a look!

Stephenie Meyer TOUR!

2008-03-13T11:35:00.003-05:00

Stephenie Meyer is touring for her new science fiction book The Host -- and she's coming to our area!

Her tour begins at none other than the Mall of America starting on Tuesday, May 6th. Logistics for attending are a bit difficult -- see Stephenie's website for details for wristbands for the signing -- but for those of you who are wild about her work, the information on how to attend can be found there.

Another contest!

2008-03-07T13:49:00.002-06:00

Author S. A. Harazin, whose debut novel Blood Brothers has received a great deal of attention and acclaim - including, most recently, an Edgar nomination for best YA mystery fiction of 2007 - gives an interview on Jessica Burkhart's blog. Those who comment to the blog will be entered in a contest to win copies of this book!

Ms. Harazin's a neat lady, and I've talked with her before about doing a blog-interview of our own for HHS Reads. In point of fact, there's at least four to six different authors who would be willing to do Q&A here on our very own book blog, whose books you will be seeing more of this spring and next fall in the library. Is there interest in an event like this? Would you all be interested in reading the work of various authors and getting to do more author-contact and questions?

Blog For Books, Win Fabulous Prizes--

2008-03-06T11:41:00.002-06:00

Hi everybody,

Since we'd like to see you use the blog more often, both for book club and for your own use relating to discussion of books you enjoy and would recommend to others, we're going to try out a new promotion here on the HHS Reads blog.

Many of you already participate in our monthly Reading Incentive drawing for the prizes found in our back room, including Barnes and Noble gift certificates, books, t-shirts, and other swag. For every three posts and/or comments you make to the HHS Reads blog, you will receive a stamp to your card, the same as if you had read 100 pages. A little regular participation in talking about the same books you read could net you twice as many opportunities to win in the drawing!

Speaking of neat prizes, consider taking a look at the TeenReadsToo Contests Page for March -- they're giving away over 100 different prizes this month! Included in this giveaway are fifteen (!) copies of Sarah Dessen's newest, Lock and Key, as well as other great authors such as Carrie Jones and Edward Bloor. To enter, send ONE email to their contest email address found on their webpage, and be entered in their drawings for ALL their prizes -- how easy is that?

As proof that contests online for books can get you some amazing opportunities, I present the contest for Jim C. Hines's Goblin Quest Trilogy held by the author and DAW Fantasy Books recently -- my entry on behalf of Holmen High was selected, and Jim is sending us a signed set of his trilogy for the library!

Jodi Picoult Appearances!

2008-03-06T11:34:00.002-06:00

Popular author Jodi Picoult (late of our HHS Reads selection The Tenth Circle fame) is appearing in Wisconsin and Minnesota next week to promote her latest book, Change of Heart!

Jodi is appearing:

Thursday March 13 MADISON, WI 7 PM at Borders Books, 3750
University Avenue, 630-574-0800

Friday March 14 EDINA, MN 7:30 PM at Barnes & Noble, 3225
W 69th Street, 952-920-0633

Library Events for March

2008-02-25T11:59:00.004-06:00

Just a few notes and updates from the library --

March 3-7 is Teen Tech Week! To celebrate, watch for our display to go up in the Circle of Life this week, and please consider attending our event on Tuesday, March 4 -- the blogstravaganza, our afterschool exploration of blogs and their uses. This will be held by Ms. Foster in the 129 Lab.

Also the first week in March, Read it 1st is watching and reading The Five People You Meet in Heaven. The movie will be shown at 4pm on Thursday, March 6th, and discussion will take place during all three lunches on March 7th. You can find the reading guide here.

Our next HHS Reads book is Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin. Teenage Liz is hit by a car and passes on, only to discover that being dead is all about getting a life. You can find the reading guide for Elsewhere here.

Pick up your copy of either of these books in the LMC today!

Breaking Dawn - Breaking News!

2008-02-07T07:46:00.000-06:00

Via Stephenie Meyer's website, the release date for Breaking Dawn, the anticipated fourth book in the Twilight series, will be August 2, 2008 - only six more months to wait! The newest book is available for pre-order via Amazon or Barnes and Noble as of today.

Bits and Bites - Blog Giveaways, Contests, and More

2008-02-05T09:41:00.000-06:00

A number of bloggers are having great book giveaways and contests this month!

Cynsations, the blog of author and reviewer Cynthia Leitich Smith, is giving away copies of the book Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead this week.

The Page Flipper is starting a new monthly prize-pack giveaway of six hot titles.

The Book Burger is giving away five sets of the newest titles in series such as The A-List, The Clique, and the new Gossip Girl prequel.

Teens Read Too's February drawing information may be found here on their website - enter for the possibility of winning one of almost a dozen books.

Harper Teen has an updated sweepstakes and contest page, including the chance to win a thousand dollar shopping spree, gift certificates, prize packages and signed books.

The Class of 2K8, a community of authors publishing their first novels in 2008, is hosting an online scavenger hunt and book giveaway - see this link for more details.

If you ever thought you had it in you to write your own novel, Scholastic PUSH's Novel Writing Contest 2008 is now open to submissions for publication.

The Best Reviews has a monthly giveaway of Amazon/B&N $25 gift certificates.

Teen Bloggers Wanted by YALSA!

2008-01-16T09:35:00.000-06:00

Do you like to write? Do you know a lot about the media that interests you and your friends? This position might be for you.

This Monday, the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) Board of Directors voted to invite and include teen bloggers to be incorporated into their roster of librarians and other youth library services advocates. The YALSA blogs are popular and well-read by librarians working with teenagers and young adults all across the country, as well as writers and others interested in YA literature and teens, and cover topics well beyond books, such as movies, music, and other media. As of today, they are accepting applications for these positions.

If you believe you could blog once a month on topics of interest, and would like an application for one of these positions, please inquire with Mrs. Hage at the library.

Web Resources: Free Online Graphic Novels

2008-01-14T09:40:00.000-06:00

Via DailyBits.Com, an article that links to seventeen excellent, free, downloadable graphic novels, including the opening segments to Neil Gaiman's Sandman comic, the X-Men-Through-The-Looking-Glass title Doom Patrol, as well as Bill Willingham's popular Fables print. Be sure to read the comments - they link to still more great free-for-download graphic novels such as Girl Genius and Megatokyo, and are a terrific introduction to the genre. Read more here!

The Tenth Circle - Discussion and Links

2008-01-09T08:56:00.000-06:00

We're all really excited to be discussing The Tenth Circle with you tomorrow! We'll be seeing you at lunch, or if you have thoughts to share, you're welcome to post them in comments for further discussion here on the blog.

Over in the sidebar, there is a link to Jodi Picoult's website for this book. There you can find a discussion guide we'll be looking at for tomorrow, a podcast on inspiration, and more.

Ms. Bennett also found this link which we thought might be of interest. It's a multimedia exploration and explanation of all the elements in Dante's Inferno, one of the major inspirations for Picoult's book. It's a good tool to see how many of the different sins that represent each level Picoult has found a way to focus on with different elements of the story, and to see how many 'levels of hell' she puts the Stone family through.

Spotlight Blog: Young Adult Books Central

2008-01-07T12:35:00.000-06:00

For book reviews, up to the minute news, and best of all, monthly giveaways of young adult books just hitting the shelves, take a look at Young Adult Books Central blog and website. This month's featured book giveaways include Poseur and The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl.

Laurie Halse Anderson Needs Your Help!

2008-01-04T14:49:00.000-06:00

From her personal blog, Laurie Halse Anderson is looking for help to update the media section of her website. Students who help her by making soundtrack recommendations for some of her books will receive a handwritten thank-you note from the author - so go take a look!

New Ways to Get New Books!

2008-01-04T12:42:00.000-06:00

Here's an interesting opportunity for someone who doesn't mind writing in to share their thoughts about the books they read. A number of publishers with a web presence have clubs that YA readers can join to be eligible for drawings to receive advanced release copies of anticipated books, and offer the opportunity to act as book reviewers for their websites.

For more information, take a look at these three links:

HarperTeen's First Look Program

Random House Teen's Random Buzz

Simon and Schuster's PulseIT Club

Book Giveaways - Melissa Marr and HarperTeen Best of 2007

2008-01-02T15:18:00.000-06:00

Via Melissa Marr's own LJ, here's a headsup that her fansite is holding a contest to give away four advanced release copies of Ink Exchange, the anticipated followup to her well-received first YA novel Wicked Lovely. Details on the contest may be found on her fansite, WickedLovely.com.

Interested in reading her first book? Wicked Lovely is featured along with four other books (Pretty Little Liars #1, Jinx, The Luxe, and Ana's Story) as part of HarperTeen's choices for their Best of 2007 Sweepstakes. Sign up for a chance to win this whole prize pack!

The Tenth Circle Reading Guide

2008-01-02T12:51:00.000-06:00

Please be sure to take a look at Jodi Picoult's website for her reading guide and more information on our upcoming book club selection. The page for The Tenth Circle is full of neat extras, such as information on the graphic-novel illustration puzzle within the book, a podcast, and discussion questions. We're looking forward to seeing you all at lunch on the 10th!

HHS Reads for January

2007-12-14T12:53:00.000-06:00

The HHS Reads book for January is The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult, a story of one family's journey through their own version of Dante's Inferno. When fourteen-year-old Trixie Stone, daughter of comic book illustrator Daniel and Dante professor Laura, accuses her boyfriend of rape, all the family's demons are brought to light. This is reflected in the graphic-novel illustrations interwoven throughout the novel, Daniel's artistic interpretation of the trials his family is going through, and how his own past influences the present.

Extra copies are available now at the library, so be sure to stop in to claim your own! We will be discussing the book on Thursday, January 10th during all three lunch periods.

It's a Giving Season...

2007-12-12T11:49:00.000-06:00

'Tis the season for giving, and a number of authors just love to post holiday giveaways to fans and friends. Follow the links in this post for some terrific reading opportunities and contests!

Writer Tiffany Trent, author of the new YA series Hallowmere, is hosting a drawing to receive signed copies of the first two books of the series, as well as other goodies (who doesn't like cookies and chocolates?). The Hallowmere books are a post-Civil War gothic fantasy series that should appeal to those who favor Holly Black or M.T. Anderson's The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation.

Jo Knowles, whose book Lessons from a Dead Girl has been nominated to the YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers, is doing a stocking-stuffer drawing for signed copies of her book. Post to your own blog to advertise the drawing, and get an additional name in the stocking!

Lisa Schroeder's blog on both MySpace and Livejournal is hosting The Twelve Books of Christmas! For twelve days in December, Lisa is giving away twelve different books to those who comment with interest. The list includes a copy of Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, and Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli - an upcoming HHS Reads book. Sign up and win!

For a basket of possibilities, Teenreads.com is hosting its Holiday Basket of Cheer giveaway ending the 17th; sign up for the possibility of winning a gift basket of twelve books - and Christmas stocking stuffers and sweets.

Event Reminder!

2007-12-12T11:15:00.000-06:00

Just a reminder: Read It 1st this Thursday and Friday features Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause. Come to the movie this Thursday, December 13th at 6 pm and the lunchtime discussion this Friday, December 14th. If you would like to read this book, we still have copies available at the library!

TTT--Results are In!!

2007-10-29T14:36:00.000-05:00

According to teens across the country, New Moon by Stephenie Meyer is the one book of the year!. Check out the other books on the Top Ten List.

Anime and Manga Club @ La Crosse Public Library

2007-10-16T08:44:00.000-05:00

There is an Anime and Manga Club at the La Crosse Public Library. Check out the article, "Group helps librarian mind her animes and mangas", in the La Crosse Tribune.

It's Teen Read Week

2007-10-15T10:01:00.000-05:00

We are celbrating Teen Read Week along with libraries all over the country.
Join in the activities at HHS!

Book Swap and Sale--You brought the books in, you get to pick new ones. If you didn't bring in books to swap don't worry on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 you can purchase books for a quarter ($0.25).

Vote for the Teen Top Ten--nominated by teens from all over the country and voted on by YOU!

Vote for movies for our Comedy Film Fest on Friday--Vote today for what you want to watch on Friday, October 19, 2007 @ 3:30 p.m. during the Comedy Film Fest in the library.

Create your own comic strip for our Comic Strip Book Mark Contest--Pick up the form today and turn in the finished comic strip by Thursday, Octboer 18, 2007. You will get to choose the best comic strip on Friday which will be made into a bookmark and published here at HHS.

Visit HHS Library's very own Photobooth--On Tuesday, October 16, 2007 and Wednesday, October 17, 2007 and you can look like this too!

HHS Reads--Lunch Discussion of Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock on Thursday, October 18, 2007

The Results are In!

2007-10-09T13:23:00.000-05:00

The November Book is Inexcusable by Chris Lynch. Thanks to those of you who voted. Inexcusable will be discussed on Thursday, November 15th during all lunches. Reserve your copy today--we will be getting additional copies of the book in the next couple of weeks.

New Book(s)!

2007-09-21T12:20:00.000-05:00

I'd vote in the poll, but I don't think my opinion should matter for it, being as I won't be around for the discussion D: But! I've been reading, and I figured I'd share my opinions on a few new reads with everyone :D

Girl Overboard, by Justina Chen Headley
I actually read this novel as part of a new bookclub, and really enjoyed it. They talk a lot about manga in it, which is awesome, and is just a really cute book. I could easily see it as being a book club book for you guys at some point, so Bee, check it out!

Tithe series, by Holly Black
I'm calling it a series, though I honestly don't know if it is. So far there are 3 books: Tithe (about Kaye), Valiant (about Val), and Ironside (about Kaye again, but Val is a minor character). I really enjoyed them, and read them much too fast--I'll definately be going back and re-reading them at some point soon. They're about faeries, but if you liked Twilight, you'll probably like these :)

Vote on the Book=======================>

2007-09-21T10:18:00.000-05:00

You get to choose the book we are reading in November. Your choices are:

Fat Kid Rules the World by K.L. Going
His name is Troy, but to the world--and in his internal dialogues— he is the Fat Kid. Really Fat. Almost 300 pounds of sweating, unhappy insecurity. Then out of a moment of despair comes magic. As Troy considers whether to splatter himself on a subway track, Curt MacCrae, a charismatic punk rocker/homeless kid/dropout, comes along and stops him. For the price of a meal, Curt befriends Troy, and he sees something under all those layers: a potential musician, a friend, and someone with the ability to see through life's bull.

Inexcusable by Chris Lynch
High school senior and football player Keir sets out to enjoy himself on graduation night, but when he attempts to comfort a friend whose date has left her stranded, things go terribly wrong.

Vote in the Poll in sidebar to the right, on or before October 3 @ 4:00pm.

readergirlz.com

2007-09-17T19:52:00.000-05:00

I stumbled on readergirlz.com tonight and thought some of you would be interested in it. Next month readergirlz.com has teamed up with YALSA, sponsors of Teen Read Week, they will be facilitating online discussions with 31 different YA authors! And some of your favorites will be there...Stephenie Meyer, John Green, Meg Cabot, Ann Brashares, Carolyn Mackler and many more. Check out the full schedule here.

From their manifesta, "Reading a book isn't the same thing as experiencing a book. You know what we mean. There's a reason why we readergirlz are known to shove books at our best friends: books that have rocked our world, books that have revealed our souls, books that are gifts of the heart." This statement totally shares how I feel about reading. Reading is an experience that is worth sharing. Share it with each other, your family, your teachers, your friends, everyone!! As Martha Stewart would say, "It's a good thing."

Fall Events

2007-09-10T11:16:00.000-05:00

We are back in school! A few of you have stopped by to check out and say Hello. It is good to see you back and hear about your summers.

I wanted to remind you that this Thursday, September 13, we will be discussing Scott Westerfeld and his books during all three lunches. You don't have to have to read all of his books to attend. As usual, you bring lunch and will bring dessert.

On September 27, 2007, we will be reading, discussing and watching Hoot by Carl Hiaasen. Discussion will be during lunch and the movie will be in the library starting at 6:30 pm. We now have copies of Hoot to be checked out, get yours today!

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

2007-08-22T12:23:00.001-05:00

I know many of you have already read it and are itching to discuss this book. Here is your chance. If you haven't read this book do not read the comments to this post THEY WILL HAVE SPOILERS!!!

So those of you who want to discuss post comments to this post. By the way I finished less then a week after it came out and am itching to hear what you all think!

Road Trip Photo & Information

2007-08-22T12:21:00.000-05:00

Mrs. B said you all had a great time and Stephenie was wonderful. I hope to see more photos posted here (hint, hint) of the activity. I hope you are all enjoying the rest of your summer.

Remember it is a Scott Westerfeld summer and we are discussing his books here this summer with a lunch discussion on Thursday, September 13, 2007.

More Stephenie Meyer/Twilight series things.

2007-08-12T18:39:00.000-05:00

Several of us from HHS were at the Eclipse signing with Stephenie Meyer last Friday, and I have to say, it was AWESOME. I knew that Elizabeth, her publicist, knew who I was, but I was pleasently surprised when Stephenie and Elizabeth both started to holler my name to get my attention and wave in between the Q&A and the book signings :P I already commented on this to the people that were at the book signing, but they could have had it set up a lot better. 20-30 chairs for 500+ people will give you an idea how prepared they weren't. Regardless, Stephenie was funny (as always) and it was a really fun night.

Over the past few days I've read several articles about her and/or Eclipse, which I'll link below, along with an excerpt of my favorite:

"Ask any high school girl: boys can be a pain. Fall for one who seems appealing, and he turns out to be a monster. One moment he acts like you don’t exist, the next, he drives you crazy by playing it cool — while his brothers circle you with hungry eyes. If you take a break to cut the tension, and hang out “just friends”-style with a younger guy who’s puppy-dogging you, what happens? Wouldn’t you know, he turns out to be a nightmare too."

-- New York Times book review
-- Wall Street Journal: After Harry Potter
-- Wall Street Journal article
-- Deseret Morning News: a Utah newspaper

Happy reading!

Stephenie Meyer Trip!

2007-08-02T14:25:00.000-05:00

REMINDER! You must have your money and permission slips in by Wednesday!!

We are going! Here is what you need to know...

What? Author, Stephenie Meyer Q&A and book signing

When? Friday, August 10^th 1pm from the Kwik Trip parking lot in Holmen.

The event starts at 7pm at the bookstore. We have allowed time for travel and dinner. We do not have an end time for the event. Students will have access to a phone at Kwik Trip when they return home to contact parents for a ride home.

Where? Borders Book Store Woodbury, MN

Cost? The event is free! You will need to pay $15 for transportation. Bring spending money for food and any other items you plan to purchase.

You will find the permission slip on the HHS LMC's website, to be printed off. Permission slips need to filled out and returned to the High School Office by Wednesday, August 8th @ 3 pm. There are 6 seats available in the van--availability is first come first serve. Also, we need 6 of you to go otherwise we will cancel the trip.

If you have any questions email me, recbec @ holmen.k12.wi.us (take out the spaces before and after the @ symbol).

The Borders Book Club featuring Stephenie Meyer

2007-07-25T12:30:00.000-05:00

Stephenie Meyer has won an enormous following for her very well-written page turners about a high-school girl who unwittingly falls head over heels in love with a vampire. What is a girl to do when the boy whom she obsesses over happens to not be human? This third book in the dark romantic saga, coming August 7, finds Bella at a crossroads as graduation approaches.

Click below to view The Borders Book Club featuring Stephenie Meyer. This video is quite long, and features Stephenie speaking with several fans about Twilight, New Moon, and her upcoming novel Eclipse. Enjoy!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

2007-07-25T08:32:00.000-05:00

I would love to discuss this one with you. DO NOT READ the COMMENTS they will include SPOILERS!!!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows--Have you...

2007-07-23T00:09:00.000-05:00

...finished it yet? I am about 1/3 of the way through it and realized I needed to do some homework for my class and came across this article which I thought some of you might enjoy. Jim Dale is the narrator for the Harry Potter Series on audio. I have listened to the first five on audio, Dale does a wonderful job with the voices of all the characters and I always wondered how audiobook narrators kept track of the different voices (I can barely keep track of two characters voices when I am reading picture books to my nieces and nephews!). The New York Times published this article last week: "The Voice of Harry Potter Can Keep a Secret".

Suggestions and a Survey

2007-07-15T00:19:00.000-05:00

I am taking a class this summer on YA lit called "Making the Match." Next week 7/26/07-8/2/07, I need to read two books that teens have suggested, so I need some suggestions! I would like to read something new (some of you know what I have already read--so give me some different ideas and remember I have to read 2 of them next week!). Please put your comments in the suggestions. Also, next week I need to survey at least 12 of you. If you are interested in that, please comment as well. I have your email addresses, so you don't need to leave them in the comments.

More on Stephenie Meyer

2007-07-14T15:07:00.001-05:00

Here is another article you might enjoy on Stephenie Meyer

http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/2007-07-12/news/charmed/

Happy reading!!

Battle of the Books 2007-2008

2007-07-10T11:28:00.001-05:00

It is official this is the list...it looks like a promising list.

Ask Me No Questions by Marina Budhos
The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game by Michael Lewis
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas: A Fable by John Boyne
Copper Sun by Sharon Draper
Eagle Blue: A Team, A Tribe, and a High School Basketball Season in Arctic Alaska by Michael D'Orso
Escape!: The Story of the Great Houdini by Sid Fleischman
Fairest by Gail Carson Levine
Firestorm: The Caretaker Trilogy: Book 1 by David Klass
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling and Mary GrandPre'
Heat by Mike Lupica
Invisible by Pete Hautman
Last Shot: A Final Four Mystery by John Feinstein
My Sister's Keeper: A Novel by Jodi Picoult
New Moon by Stephenie Meyer
The Rules of Survival by Nancy Werlin
Team Moon: How 400,000 People Landed Apollo 11 on the Moon by Catherine Thimmesh
The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan
The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel by Diane Setterfield
Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

I know a lot of you have already read some of these and if you haven't there looks like some really good ones here. If you haven't participated in Battle of the Books before you should start this year. The idea is for a team to read all of these book (that doesn't mean everyone has to read all the books, but that isn't a bad idea) and know them inside and out before February when the state competition is. The more you know about the books the better chances you will have of answering the questions. You may start reading these books right now and watch for more information here and at school when you come back in the fall.

What is you favorite Westerfeld?

2007-07-10T11:10:00.000-05:00

What is your favorite book by Scott Westerfeld? Why?

I had always really liked Uglies, but after reading both of the books in the Peeps series I think I might have a three way tie. I really like Westerfeld's ideas about vampires. It is actually a disease. I liked the way he brought a lot of information about parasites into Peeps. In a weird way, Peeps seemed a little bit more believable to me (ok I know that might sound like a stretch).

I haven't read the Midnighters Series, yet and was hoping to this summer, but I decided to take a Online course this summer about young adult lit. You guys better watch out--I am reading a lot of great stuff and getting some good ideas! Speaking of which if you need something to read, I would highly recommend Sold by Patricia McCormick--it didn't make me cry but it was pretty close. Sold has short, poetic chapters that make you keep reading and wanting to know more. Sold tells the story of a young Nepali girl who is sold by her family (knowingly or unknowingly, I'm not sure) into the sex trade in India. I will definitely be looking at it for book club next year and if you are in forensics I think there is some great material there as well.

Happy reading!!

Book Club!

2007-06-30T09:29:00.000-05:00

Has anyone else been good about participating in book clubs over the summer? I just found out within the last week or so that I'll be doing one, and I'm really excited for it. I've missed talking with others about books I like/dislike.

It's kind of fitting, actually, since I was working during the Twilight/New Moon discussion that was at the High School that the book club I'm going to is to discuss these two books, and bits and pieces of the third.

Unlike our book clubs at the HS though, there is one difference: this book club will have the author at it. I'm thrilled for the opportunity and I'll be sure to let you all know how it goes--it will actually be video taped and used for publicity for Borders so I'll try and find the link and post it here after it's edited and whatnot.

Here's hoping the rest of you are having fun, book filled summers!

Summer Reading

2007-06-19T10:22:00.000-05:00

What are you reading this summer?
I am about 3/4 the way through A Thousand Splendid Suns. It is an amazing book. I have cried and I have smiled--there is a touch of romance and is all about life in Afghanistan from a woman's perspective starting in the 1970s. It is by the same author as The Kite Runner--Khaled Hosseini. If you haven't read The Kite Runner it is a thought provoking must read much like A Thousand Splendid Suns. I would highly recommend either books.

John Green Interview

2007-06-05T23:27:00.000-05:00

Recently John Green visited the Netherlands promoting his book An Abundance of Katherines. While there he did an interview. Check it out! It is almost as good as seeing him in person, he talks a lot about his books Looking for Alaska and An Abundance of Katherines, so if you haven't read either you may want to wait to watch the interview because he does talk about the endings of the books.

Happy reading!

La Crosse County--Summer Reading Program

2007-06-04T09:12:00.000-05:00

More summer reading opportunities...

You can participate in the Teen Reading Raffle--for every book you read you receive a ticket to enter in a drawing at the library. Teen nights will be held at the Onalaska Public Library with a variety of activities. Check out their website for more information.

ZOMGGGGG!1!!!1!

2007-06-02T10:50:00.000-05:00

Stephenie Meyer will be touring, starting on August 7th--the release date for Eclipse. So here's what my tenative week is going to look like:

August 6th: St. Paul --> Mall of America: Eclipse Release Party
August 7th: Read Eclipse, get some sleep, drive to Chicago --> Eclipse Booksigning #1
August 8th: A fun day in Chicago, assuming at least a few of my friends come --> Eclipse Booksigning #2
August 9th: Drive to Milawukee, spend the day with a girlfriend that lives there --> Eclipse Booksigning #3
August 10th: Drive home to my apartment in St. Paul --> Eclipse Booksigning #4

Wahoo!

I sent Bee an e-mail so hopefully she'll set up something for bookclub, either to come to the release party and a booksigning or maybe just a booksigning. Either way it's going to be a BLAST. Wisconsin area is certainly getting hit by Mrs. Meyer very well indeed on this tour!

New Poll--Summer Reading Time

2007-05-24T09:02:00.000-05:00

Check out the new poll in the right sidebar. How many hours a week do you usually spend reading during the summer? After you vote you will be able to see the reults.

I love the summer because I read a lot more then I do in the winter. I get to spend time outside in the sunshine with a good book and on rainy days curled-up in my "reading" chair. I can't wait for a few hours of downtime.

Free Stuff to Do @ the La Crosse Public Library

2007-05-24T08:46:00.000-05:00

The La Crosse Public Library is sponsoring a Teen Summer Library Program. There are a lot of great events that even I want to participate in! Breakdancing 101, Blood and Chocolate, Making Gocks, Mehndi, Manga & More, Madden '07 Tournament, other gaming and FREE PIZZA! For more information take a look at the Teen Connection Website.

The La Crosse Public Library recently remodeled and updated the teen area to make it even more comfy for hanging out on hot summer days (and other days too). Check out the open house on Monday, June 11 from 2-3 p.m.

Library Comic Strip--An Abundance of Katherines

2007-05-23T16:00:00.000-05:00

Unshelved is a comic strip set in a library. I find it absolutely hilarious and occasionally there are ones that I just have to share. On Sundays, it is Unshelved's Book Club. This week they "presented" An Abundance of Katherines by John Green (also the author of Looking for Alaska and the funny video blog Brotherhood 2.o.

Used with permission. (Overdue Media LLC).

Oh my goodness!

2007-05-22T21:04:00.000-05:00

Barnes & Noble @ the Mall of America is interested in doing an Eclipse Release Party, if I can find between 50-100 people who would be willing to come. So far my list is at 25 of people who I think would come but please please please let me know if you're not on the list and would want to come. Of course I'll have to check with everyone on it to make sure they'll come but this would be so much fun, and the twin cities isn't that far away. Wahoo for one last book event before the seniors leave?

Mrs. Rech
Mrs. Foster
Mrs. Bennett
Nissa T
Liz R
Danielle H
Danielle S
Jordan M
Megan O
Megan W
Sara L
Sami F
Stefi J
Emily L
Lauren/Haley
Nathen O
Sami M

Below this line is a list of people from work & the Twilight Lexicon, just to add a few more in number <33
Echo
Mel
Trinity
Jess
Tess
Moonlight_Sonata
Velvet_Night
Chaos

So far this list puts us right at 25, though Chaos told me that "some other people" from the Twilight Lexicon are in the area and would probably want to come--how many that is, I don't know. But oh oh oh I'm so excited!

For those of you who are questioning why not have a party in La Crosse, the lady in charge at our Barnes & Noble is...less than willing to host events. I actually complained to the corperate offices and will have a chat via telephone with someone tomorrow about it (yikes!).

BUT YAY ECLIPSE IS COMING OUT I CAN'T WAIT!!!

Online Book Club

2007-05-20T23:10:00.000-05:00

I just discovered what looks to be an interesting website that I thought might interest you. The Reading Lounge is another place where you can discuss books online. They discuss a variety of books including YA titles, coming up in July there will be a discussion of I Am the Messenger by Marcus Zusak. One of the books currently being discussed is The Glass Castle which won an Alex Award in 2007.

More Photos

2007-05-17T15:55:00.000-05:00

I added photos to the HHS Reads Photo Album.

We had a huge discussion during 2nd lunch 19 people (including me)!! Way to go you guys I hope you enjoyed the discussion. I can't believe it is the last one of the year. We will miss the seniors--Megan O, Megan W, Dani H, Jordan M, Sara J, Holly B, and Nissa T--next year!

For more library photos visit our other albums.

TTT 2007

2007-05-15T09:08:00.000-05:00

Start Reading Now so you can VOTE for Teen Top Ten 2007
The nominations are:
Firegirl by Tony Abbott
Clay by David Almond
Road of the Dead by Kevin Brooks
Secrets of My Hollywood Life: On Location by Jen Calonita
The Loud silence of Francine Green by Karen Cushman
Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
How to Ruin a Summer Vacation by Simone Elkeles
In Search of Mockingbird by Loretta Ellsworth
The Christopher Killer by Alane Ferguson
What Happened to Cass McBride by Gail Giles
Hello, Groin by Beth Goobie
River Secrets by Shannon Hale
Shock Point by April Henry
Bad Kitty by Michele Jaffe
Born to Rock by Gordon Korman
New Moon by Stephanie Meyer
Kiki Strike:Inside the Shadow City by Kirsten Miller
Prom Anonymous by Blake Nelson
Maxium Ride:School's Out--Forever by James Patterson
Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer
Penelope Bailey Takes the Stage by Lusanna Reich
All Hallows Eve by Vivian Vande Velde
Skin by Adrienne M Vrettos
The Unresolved by T.K. Welsh
Flora Segunda by Ysabeau S. Wilce

Remember to read as many of these as possible, so you can make an informed choice in the fall

Happy Reading!!!!!

Library Lock-In

2007-05-15T07:56:00.000-05:00

Check out the photos from the library lock-in. So what did you think? What did you like what didn't you like? Make suggestions!

Library Lock-In

Eragon @ the Library Lock-In

2007-04-19T15:46:00.000-05:00

The next book on your to do list should be Eragon by Christopher Paolini. Eragon was made into a movie in 2006. If you haven't seen the movie Read It 1st--In Aagaesia, a fifteen-year-old boy of unknown lineage called Eragon finds a mysterious stone that weaves his life into an intricate tapestry of destiny, magic, and power, peopled with dragons, elves, and monsters. With a description like that how can you not try it.

Lunch Discussion

2007-04-19T14:03:00.000-05:00

Check out the photos from the lunch discussion. We had great discussions. Feel free to continue the discussion online here on the blog!

HHS Reads

Happy reading!!

Who's Your favorite?

2007-04-11T11:46:00.000-05:00

Who is your favorite character from American Born Chinese? Tell us why!

American Born Chinese

2007-04-10T09:39:00.000-05:00

I started reading the book, and all I kept thinking was, "what the heck?" I was not getting the whole monkey thing. Did not like the book all that much until it came together in the end. I really need to re-read it because it really is a good book and I think I will enjoy it knowing what the monkey thing is. It has a ton of great discussion points! I am excited to discuss it next week! Hope you all enjoy : ) Don't get hung up on the monkey...

Authors

2007-04-05T10:09:00.000-05:00

So, if anyone's curious as to how authors write, etc... in his latest video blog John has filmed himself with several other authors (including Scott Westerfield; I haven't read anything by the other authors). It's not his typical hilarious video, but it is interesting to see what authors do while they write :)

Also, if you're a Twilight/Stephenie Meyer fan: READ MY LAST ENTRY. It really would be nice to know so I can figure something out about it.

Bee, hopefully you're having a nice vacation!

Stephenie Meyer Goodstuff

2007-04-04T11:08:00.000-05:00

Ok, so. I have a few points to make, all of which center around everyone's favorite author :D

01. Prom Nights From Hell by Meg Cabot, Stephenie Meyer, and a few other authors didn't come out on April 1st like it was supposed to. The current release date is April 24th--hopefully they don't change it again! For anyone who's interested it's 4-6 short stories about paranormal prom dates, all of which go very wrong. It looks really good, and is by several fantastic authors so you should definately check it out once it's released!

02. New Moon by Stephenie Meyer comes out in paperback soon, and this is supposidly a "special edition" book, from what I understand. It will have the first chapter of Eclipse in it (yay!) as well as a few other goodies (I want to say a poster and maybe something like stickers but I can't remember for sure). Originally I thought it came out May 5th, which is the date of the Eclipse Prom (a Stephenie Meyer event in Phoenix, for those who aren't aware ^^), but after talking to the bookstore that is sponsering the event the current release date for this book is April 10th. Make sure to watch for it if you want to read the first chapter of Eclipse!

03. Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer comes out August 7th. I talked to a few people at Barnes & Noble last night and asked them nicely to have a Eclipse release party, similar to what they do with Harry Potter. I got a name and e-mail to contact, but before I did so I wanted to find out how many people would be interested in going to it. That way we would be able to get the book at 12:01 AM rather than waiting until normal opening hours--if you're anywhere as obsessed with these books as I am you won't want to wait the extra 10 hours or so. Plus, what could be more fun than a party for it!?

Oh, and in terms of what I've read recently. Frankenstein, which wasn't very good. I wouldn't reccomend it, though learn about the author if you're bored. Mary Shelley had a very interesting life...

More on American Born Chinese

2007-04-02T23:41:00.000-05:00

Check out this review of American Born Chinese, it is interesting and gives us some interesting information. It will also give you a great overview without giving away the story. I would encourage you to check it out if you a little skeptical about reading it.

Something else to check-out is an interview with the author of American Born Chinese, Gene Luen Yang.

Rate American Born Chinese

2007-03-30T19:56:00.000-05:00

What did you think? Is it the worst book you've ever read (1 star)? Is it the best (5 stars)? Tell us why in the blog comments (not the poll comments)! You must vote to see the results.
Happy Reading!

Our Visit with Jodi Picoult

2007-03-19T13:49:00.000-05:00

A few of your favorite HHS staff members visited (and others) Madison, WI to see and listen to Jodi Picoult. Mrs. Court, Mrs. Foster, Mrs. Wopat, Mrs. Swobada, my mom and I headed to Madison after school on Friday. Jodi read from her latest book Nineteen Minutes which is about a school shooting. I love to listen to authors read from their own book and listen them answer questions about how they work, what they are currently working on and even give insite about why they write what they do. This was my third time seeing Jodi and I know it won't be my last. Check out the photos!

Elsewhere

2007-03-12T22:41:00.000-05:00

I'm reading Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin currently and have to say it's really good. Lately every book I've looked at on Amazon has recomended it as something I would like (Twilight, New Moon, Looking for Alaska, Uglies, Peeps, etc...) and Amazon is correct--the book is wonderful. I'm 200/275 pages into the book and would highly recomend it.

The End of the World?

2007-03-12T16:48:00.000-05:00

One of the best books I have read all year!! Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer. An asteroid hits the moon and changes everything for Miranda and her family. The life as they knew it is over. Will Miranda and her family survive the tsunamis, the volcanoes, the cold, the snow...other people. Read Life as We Knew It, in Miranda's journals starting before the moon is hit. Be with her and her family as they survive day to day life in a way they never anticipated. I promise you will not be disappointed!

Done

2007-03-12T11:36:00.001-05:00

I'm done with the book Where The Heart Is.

Authors Who Blog

2007-03-07T23:19:00.000-06:00

Check out this article from Publisher's Weekly about authors who blog. The article features authors Meg Cabot, Sarah Dessen, Stephenie Meyer, John Green and others. The authors talk about why they blog and what they like and don't like about it.

Do you like it when your favorite authors have blogs? Do you read their blogs on a regular basis? What/Who are some of your favorites?

Where the Heart is

2007-03-07T10:49:00.001-06:00

I've started reading it and so far it is pretty good.