Join the Queue

Every Tuesday new books, CDs, and DVDs are released into the world. Instead of buying them, check them out at your library!

Here are some of the March 31, 2009 releases that the library has on order. Place your hold now to get it sooner!

Books:

Willow by Julia Hoban (April 2)







If I Stay by Gayle Forman (April 2)







Look Both Ways (Midnight Twins Trilogy) by Jacquelyn Mitchard (April 2)







CDs:

R.O.O.T.S. - Routes of Overcoming the Struggle - Flo Rida






King Baby - Jim Gaffigan






Quiet Nights - Diana Krall






Defying Gravity - Keith Urban






It's Blitz - Yeah Yeah Yeahs






DVDs:

Marley & Me







Seven Pounds







Slumdog Millionaire







Tell No One







Graphic Novels:
Released April 1, 2009

Negima Vol. 21 by Ken Akamatsu







Negima Neo Vol. 1 by Ken Akamatsu







Kitchen Princess Vol. 9 by Miyuki Kobayashi







Gakuen Prince Vol. 1 by Jun Yuzuki

What's on Tap

Here's what's happening at your libraries for the week of March 30:

Monday, March 30:
Job Search Workshop @ Gillis, 10-12pm
Movie Mondays @ Sanger, 3:30-5:30pm

Tuesday, Match 31:
ALL LIBRARIES CLOSED

Wednesday, April 1:
Teen Poetry Contest Begins!

Chance to win the Twilight series @ Fowler, 1pm
Movie Wednesdays @ Orange Cove, 2:15-4:15pm
Ghost Stories @ Fowler, 3:30-4:30pm
The Big Read - The Caves of Sequoia National Park @ Woodward, 7-8pm

Thursday, April 2:
Hooks and Needles, knit and crochet @ Auberry, 1-3pm
Pinedale Teen Council @ Pinedale, 3:30-5pm
Murder Mystery on the Mississippi @ Gillis, 4pm
Tom Sawyer Book Discussion @ Auberry, 7-8:30pm

Friday, April 3:
Chess Fridays @ Politi, 3-4pm
Teen Action Group @ Fowler, 3:30-5pm
Teen Fliks @ Fowler, 3:30-5pm

Saturday, April 4:
Volunteer Orientation @ Fig Garden, 9-11:30pm
Trading Card Games @ Clovis, 10-2pm
Saturday Matinee Movie @ Fig Garden, 1:30-3:30pm
Get Your Game On! @ Caruthers, 2-6pm
Teen Writing Workshop @ Woodward, 2-3:30pm
Manga Book Discussion @ Clovis, 3:30-4:30pm

Sunday, April 5:
Teen Action Group @ Fig Garden, 1-2pm

Newes from the Dead

Newes From the Dead by Mary Hooper

Imagine what it would be like to be accused of a terrible crime you did not commit. Imagine what it would feel like to be found guilty and sentenced to hang. Imagine what it would be like to wake up to discover you survived the hanging only to find yourself in a coffin, unable to move or speak.

This riveting and relentlessly realistic novel is based on the true story of Anne Green. In 1650, the young servant girl was found guilty of murdering her newborn child. This is a fictionalized account of the events before and after the trial. The characters are written so clearly the reader feels connected to them from the first to the last page. Life in England during the 1600s was not easy, especially for the vast majority who were poor and without political influence. Anne's story is an emotional roller coaster between sympathy, horror and hope, but well worth the trip.

Game-Based Learning

The next time someone says that video games are a waste of time, show them this interview with MIT professor Henry Jenkins on learning through video games. In the video, Jenkins also discusses the need for education reform. He argues that we are no longer autonomous learners--that we are in the age of collaboration, whether online or in real life, and that schools need to catch up. What do you think?

Bad Economy=Good Time to Enter Contests

Have you entered our contest yet? You HAVEN'T?? You could win a gift card to Barnes & Noble, not to mention bragging rights, a lifelong legacy and other wonderful benefits that I can't remember right now. Only 2 days left to submit!

Speaking of contests, here are some other current contests related to reading and writing:

How to Ditch Your Fairy Contest
Tell "Who's Your Fairy" in 200 words or less and win a phone call from author Justine Larbalestier, a signed copy of her book, a $150 gift certificate to Forever 21, and a sneak peak at Justine’s next book. Ends April 30.

Hunger Games Writing Contest
In 500 words or less, tell how you would survive the Hunger Games for a chance to win a private lunch with Suzanne Collins in NYC, all expenses paid. Ends May 15.

Maximum Ride Giveaway
Just fill out a form for a chance to win all 5 books in James Patterson's Maximum Ride series. Ends March 31.

Claudia Ann Seaman Awards for Young Writers/Polyphony H.S.
Submit original poetry, fiction or nonfiction for a chance to win $500 and be published in Polyphony H.S. Word on the street is Polyphony is still seeking entries for its June issue. Ends June 1.

HarperTeen Fresh Fiction Sweepstakes
Just fill out a form for a chance to win nine of the hottest books. Ends April 16.

Signet Classics Student Scholarship Essay Contest
Win one of 5 $1000 college scholarships by submitting an essay about Charlotte Bronte's classic Jane Eyre. For high school juniors and seniors only. Ends April 15.

If you already stayed up all night reading A Child Called "It"...

A Child Called "It" by Dave Pelzer

Dave Pelzer survived one of California's worst cases of child abuse on the books. He went on to become a famous author who has inspired countless others who have also suffered abuse.

If you devoured this book, be sure to take a look at everything else related to Dave Pelzer, especially The Lost Boy.


If you like a horrific story where the underdog manages to escape, try some of the following:
The Boy from the Basement by Susan Shaw
The Death of Jayson Porter by Jaime Adoff
Ellen Foster by Kaye Gibbons
Identical by Ellen Hopkins
Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen
Looking for JJ by Anne Cassidy
The Rules of Survival by Nancy Werlin

Prom Fiction

Spring is here! That means April showers, blooming flowers, warmer weather and the event millions of girls and guys are really looking forward to--or really trying to avoid. Prom. Here are some books to help you celebrate (or cope).

Prom

by Laurie Halse Anderson

Prom Kings and Drama Queens

by Dorian Cirrone

Prom Crashers

by Erin Downing

The Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress

by Tina Ferraro

21 Proms

edited by David Levithan and Daniel Ehrenhaft

Fat Hoochie Prom Queen

by Nico Medina

A Really Nice Prom Mess

by Brian Sloan

Join the Queue

Every Tuesday new books, CDs, and DVDs are released into the world. Instead of buying them, check them out at your library!

Here are some of the March 24, 2009 releases that the library has on order. Place your hold now to get it sooner!

Books:

Stargazer by Claudia Gray







Broken Soup by Jenny Valentine







Something, Maybe by Elizabeth Scott







CDs:

The Hazards of Love - The Decemberists






Shine - Martina McBride






DVDs:

Bolt







Quantum of Solace








The Riches - Season 2







Graphic Novels:
Released March 25, 2009

Case Closed Vol. 28 by Gosho Aoyama

What's on Tap

Here's what's going on at the libraries this week:

Monday, March 23:
Movie Mondays @ Sanger, 3:30-5:50pm
Peer Tutoring @ Woodward Park, 3:30-4:30pm
Murder Mystery on the Mississippi @ Cedar Clinton, 4-5pm

Tuesday, March 24:
Peer Tutoring @ Woodward Park, 3:30-4:30pm

Wednesday, March 25:
Games and Fun @ Sanger, 1-5pm
Movie Wednesdays @ Orange Cove, 2:15-4:15pm
Tom Sawyer Book Club: Graphic Novel Edition @ Riverdale, 2:45-3:45pm
Peer Tutoring @ Woodward Park, 3:30-4:30pm
Tom Sawyer Bingo @ Pinedale, 4pm
Book Discussion: Tom Sawyer @ Orange Cove, 4:30-5:30pm
Trivial Pursuit @ Sunnyside, 6-8pm
Big Read: An Evening with Paul Kaser @ Woodward Park, 7-8:30pm

Thursday, March 25:
Hooks and Needles knit and crochet @ Auberry, 1-3pm
Peer Tutoring @ Woodward Park, 3:30-4:40pm

Friday, March 27:
Chess Fridays@ Politi, 3-4pm
Teen Trading Post @ Fowler, 3:30pm

Saturday, March 28:
Get Your Game On! @ Caruthers, 2-6pm
Rock Band and More! @ Pinedale, 2-3:30pm

You Name It, You Win!

What: Teen Poetry Book Naming Contest
Deadline: Sunday, March 29, 5pm
Prize: Barnes & Noble Gift Card
ENTER NOW

Every year, we publish poems by Fresno teens in observance of National Poetry Month (April). Copies are free to the public and they are added to our library collection for posterity.

Our current book, Young Valley Heart, needs a new name and we're looking to you to name it. Send your submission(s) by Sunday, March 29. We will pick the best ones, post 'em and then you'll get to vote. The person who comes up with the winning entry gets a Barnes & Noble gift card.

Enter Now

Questions? Leave a comment here. And check back soon for how to submit your poetry to be included in the book.

New Anime

The following anime DVDs were added to the library this week. But, don't check the shelves just yet...these DVDs already have lots of holds on them! Be the next person in line by clicking on the one you want, then click on the Request Item button that looks like the one to the right. From there, you just need your library card number and you're good to go.


Dragon Ball GT: Season 1
Dragon Ball GT: Season 2



Dragon Ball Z: Season 6
Dragon Ball Z: Season 8




Fullmetal Alchemist: The Complete First Season





Naruto Uncut: Box Set 10
Naruto Uncut: Box Set 11



And finally, if you just want to have an idea of the hundreds of anime DVDs we have, try searching by keyword Animated and Japan. It's not everything we have, but it's a lot.

Top Ten Top Ten Lists

I love top ten lists. Just go to Google and type in "top ten" and you'll get a plethora of lists. (Kind of like when you go to YouTube and type in "how to"---it's amazing the stuff you come up with.) Alas, I digress. Here are my favorite top ten lists of late:

10) Top 10 Great Graphic Novels for Teens (2009) Because I'm always looking for good graphic novels.

9) Top 10 Free Time Wasting Sites on the Net Because it's no fun to work hard ALL the time.

8) Top 10 Teens with Supernatural Powers Edward Cullen gets an honorable mention, dang!

7) Top 10 Strangest Natural Phenomena Spontaneous human combustion, lucid dreaming, and moonbows, ooooh.

6) Top 10 Scariest Urban Legends Because urban legends are just fun.

5) Top 10 Dumbest Laws in the World Because, oops, I almost brought a bear to the beach when I was in Israel last. Glad I didn't.

4) Top 10 Ugliest Animals Cos they're so CUTE!! (For the record, I will take two aye-ayes thankyouverymuch).

3) Top 10 Strangest Lego Creations Oh my gosh, I want a lego iPod case!

2) Top 10 Underreported News Stories (2008) Because we have a right to know.

1) Top 10 Google Maps Satellite Photos From secret messages to Colonel Sanders' head to giant pink bunnies, these pics will not fail to wow you.

Wintergirls

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

Laurie Halse Anderson is best known for her insightful and moving novel Speak. It's been ten years since Speak was published and she continues to write books that examine intense issues. Her newest novel comes out this week: Wintergirls.

At night, when everyone else in the house is asleep, Lia escapes to the basement and to the StairMaster, where she puts in four hours of grueling exercise. During the day, she eats only enough food to keep her conscious and able to drive (she crashed her car once, too lightheaded to focus on the road). She meets a goal and then sets a new one: 100 pounds, then 95, then 90. She'll get to 85 because she is in control.

Cassie is Lia's best friend. Unlike Lia, Cassie eats...and then vomits it all back up again. The two girls have gone down a dangerous path, so dangerous that Cassie is now dead. Lia is now alone in her destructive ways.

You'd think that losing your best friend to an eating disorder would make you face your own, but Lia just falls further and further into anorexia. She's even having hallucinations of Cassie coming back from the dead, blaming Lia for her death.

This is a heart-wrenching story about a girl so consumed with her disease that she can't see the people who love her and who want to help her. We probably all know someone like Lia, or Cassie, or maybe you even struggle with food issues yourself (who doesn't?). Laurie Halse Anderson opens the door and lets us into Lia's head, where we can see first-hand the war she wages with herself every day. Highly recommended.

The Wintergirls MySpace page.

Join the Queue

Every Tuesday new books, CDs, and DVDs are released into the world. Instead of buying them, check them out at your library!

Here are some of the March 17, 2009 releases that the library has on order. Place your hold now to get it sooner!

Books:

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson (March 19th)







Zenith by Julie Bertagna







Max: a Maximum Ride Novel by James Patterson (March 16th)







DVDs:

Seven Pounds







Twilight (March 21)







Wuthering Heights







Graphic Novels:
Released March 18, 2009

We Were There Vol. 3 by Yuki Obata







Fruits Basket Vol. 22 by Natsuki Takaya

What's On Tap

Monday, March 16:
Movie Mondays @ Sanger, 3:30-5 pm

Tuesday, March 17:
(Don't forget to wear green!)
Funny Face Plant Pot @ Orange Cove, All Day
Murder Mystery on the Mississippi @ Mosqueda, 3-4:30 pm
Historic Submarine Journey to the North Pole @ Fowler, 6:30-7:30 pm
Youth Sci/Fi & Fantasy Book Club @ Clovis, 6:30-7:30 pm

Wendesday, March 18:
Funny Face Plant Pot @ Orange Cove, All Day
The Big Read: Colorful Language of Tom Sawyer @ Kerman, 10-11 am
Move Wednesdays @ Orange Cove, 2:15-4:15 pm
Design a Tom Sawyer Book Cover @ Riverdale, 2:45-4:15 pm
Jumping Frog Craft and Contest @ Fowler, 3:30-5:30 pm
Origami Frog & Frog Jumping @ Selma, 4-5 pm
Teen Book Club @ Sunnyside, 4-5:30 pm
Book Discussion - Adventures of Tom Sawyer @ Orange Cove, 4:30-5:30 pm
Big Read: Caves of the Sierra Nevadas @ Bear Mountain, 5-6 pm
The Bid Read: Film - The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1938) @ Woodward Park, 7-8:45 pm
Open Mic Night - Poetry @ Central, 7-8:30 pm

Thursday, March 19:
Funny Face Plant Pot @ Orange Cove, All Day
Design a Tom Sawyer Book Cover! @ Gillis, 3-4 pm
Pinedale Teen Council @ Pinedale, 3:30-5 pm
Scavenger Hunt @ Fig Garden, 4-5 pm
Teen Council Meeting @ Auberry, 5:30-6:30 pm
Teen Video Game Hour (Soul Caliber IV) @ Woodward Park, 5:30-6:30 pm
Connect with the Classics (book: Ethan Frome)@ Woodward Park, 7-8 pm
Mark Twain's Fresno County Connections @ Fowler, 7-8 pm
Mother/Daughter Book Club @ Clovis, 7-8 pm

Friday, March 20:
Chess Fridays @ Politi, 3-4 pm
Guitar Hero @ Cedar Clinton, 3-4 pm
Teen Action Group @ Fowler, 3:30-5 pm

Saturday, March 21:
Funny Face Plant Pot @ Orange Cove, All Day
Trading Card Games @ Clovis, 10-2 pm
Get Your Game On! @ Caruthers, 2-6 pm