Secret Keeper

Secret Keeper

by Mitali Perkins

It is 1974 and India is in the midst of harsh economic times and political unrest. 16-year-old Asha, her sister and mother are forced to leave their comfortable lives in Dehli when her father loses his engineering job. While he searches for employment in New York, the three woman move in with his brother's family in Calcutta. As tension runs high in the crowded household, Asha's dreams of higher education and freedom clash with family obligations. Secret Keeper is very much grounded in the time and setting of the book, but it also resonates with themes that cross time and cultures. The transition into adulthood is fraught with self-discovery, loss, sacrifice and the discovery of first love. No matter where or when a person lives, life is about the choices one makes, and learning to live with their consequences.

The Treasure Map of Boys

The Treasure Map of Boys : Noel, Jackson, Finn, Hutch, Gideon--and Me, Ruby Oliver by E. Lockhart

A few months ago, I was given an advanced copy of the third book in the Ruby Oliver series. I hadn't read the first two, so I read those before I dug into Treasure Map. I was so unprepared for how much I would love Ruby Oliver. I thought they were cute books, but E. Lockhart was able to capture some teen anxieties. I remember having anxiety attacks as a teen over the smallest things, so I was able to relate.

For Ruby, life is even more complicated than it was when we last left her. She has no boyfriend, some of her friendships are still on shaky ground, but the worst is that they boys in her life are confusing her. One is writing her notes, her ex is sending her frogs, one is helping her cook, her friend (?) is working for her dad and always around, and another is baking her brownies. All these events lead Ruby to make some tough decisions and learn that growing up and being a better friend is not as fun and one would think.

I can't wait to read "Roo 4" as Lockhart refers to it. When I finished book 3, I just wanted to give her a hug! I'm excited and very curious to see where the Ruby's path takes her.

Read this series from the beginning:

1. The Boyfriend List: (15 guys, 11 shrink appointments, 4 ceramic frogs, and me, Ruby Oliver)
2. The Boy Book: a Study of Habits and Behaviors, Plus Techniques for Taming Them
3. The Treasure Map of Boys: Noel, Jackson, Finn, Hutch, Gideon--and me, Ruby Oliver
4. Real Live Boyfriends: Yes. Boyfriends, Plural. If My Life Weren't Complicated, I Wouldn't Be Ruby Oliver

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 July 28, 2009 releases that the library has on order. Place your hold now to get it sooner!

Books:

Fade to Blue by Sean Beaudoin







Geektastic: Stories from the Nerd Herd by edited by Holly Black and Cecil Castellucci







Pretty on the Outside: Fame Unlimited by Liane Bonin







The Black Circle (Book 5 of 39 Clues Series) by Patrick Carman







Evil? by Timothy Carter






Sunset Boulevard: A-list (Book 2 of the Hollywood Royalty Series) by Zoey Dean







The Treasure Map of Boys : Noel, Jackson, Finn, Hutch, Gideon--and Me, Ruby Oliver by E. Lockhart







Petty in Pink by Rachel Maude







Troy High







Notes from the Dog by Gary Paulsen







Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink







DVDs:

Battlestar Galactica - Season 4.5







Dragonball: Evolution







Fast & Furious







Graphic Novels
Released July 29, 2009

Hoshin Engi, Vol 14 by Ryu Fujisaki







WaqWaq. Vol. 1 by Ryu Fujisaki







Maid Sama, Vol. 2 by Hiro Fujiwara








Vampire Knight, Vol. 7 by Matsuri Hino








D.Gray-man, Vol. 14 by Katsura Hoshino







Rosario+Vampire, Vol. 8 by Akihisa Ikeda







Slam Dunk, Vol. 5 by Takehiko Inoue








Trinity Blood, Vol. 11 by Kiyo Kyujyo







Bizenghast, Vol. 6 by M. Alice Legrow








Black Bird, Vol. 1 by Kanoko Sakurakoji







Cirque Du Freak, Vol. 2 by Darren Shan







Kimi Ni Todoke=From Me to You, Vol 1. by Karuho Shiina








DNAngel, Vol. 12 by Yukiru Sugisaki








Crimson Hero, Vol. 11 by Mitsuba Takanashi







Phantom Dream, Vol. 3 by Natsuki Takaya







Tsubasa Those With Wings, Vol. 2 by Natsuki Takaya







Kaze Hikaru, Vol. 14 by Taeko Watanabe

What's on Tap

We are headed into the homestretch of the summer reading program, but there is still time to participate!

Monday, July 27:
Poetry Workshop @ Cedar Clinton, 1-2pm
Express Yourself @ Woodward Park, 3-4pm
Musical Nights--Patrick Contreras & Steve Ono @ Sanger, 7-8pm

Tuesday, July 28:
Dream Catchers @ Fig Garden, 1-2pm
Dream Catcher @ Mosqueda, 2-3pm
Live Flower Creations @ Sanger, 2:30-3:30pm
PS3 Gaming @ Sunnyside, 3-4pm
Wii Gaming @ Caruthers, 3-4pm

Wednesday, July 29:
Taste of Japan @ Clovis, 2:30-3:30pm
Summer Movie - Bride Wars @ Fig Garden, 3-5pm
Xbox 360 Gaming @ Central, 3-4pm
Art for Beginners @ Bear Mountain, 4-5pm
iPaint @ Ivy, 4-5pm
Tie-Dye Fashion @ Mendota, 5-6pm
Photography Part 2 @ Auberry, 6:30-7:30pm


Thursday, July 30:
Practice PSAT/SAT tests @ Fig Garden, 9:00-2:30pm
Edible Beach @ Reedley, 1-2pm
Hooks and Needles @ Auberry, 1-3pm
Rhythm Sticks @ Fowler, 2-3pm
Photography Part 2 @ Orange Cove, 4-5pm
PS2 Gaming @ Gillis, 4-5pm
Wii Rockband @ Fowler, 4-5pm

Friday, July 31
Art for Beginners @ Selma, 2-3pm

Saturday, August 1:
Volunteer Orientation @ Fig Garden, 9-11:30am
Dream Catchers @ Pinedale, 2-3pm
Edible Beach @ Laton, 3-4pm
Go! @ Politi, 3-5pm

Speak Out!

Who: Calling all Hmong girls, ages 12-25...

What: Hmong Girls Speak Out!

When: Saturday, Aug 1, 2009 from 10am-3pm

Where: Stone Soup Fresno (1345 Bulldog Lane, Fresno)

How: RSVP to MaiKa Yang 559-224-7613 or myang@stonesoupfresno.org

Bonus: Food to be provided!

Breathless

Breathless by Lurlene McDaniel

Everything about Travis's life indicates he'll grow-up to have the perfect life. His parents are great. His kid sister looks up to him and is almost more a friend than sibling. He's got a wonderful best friend who'd do anything for him. His girlfriend loves him with all her heart. He has a strong sense of faith and he's in the top of his game with competitive diving. Then the accident happens.

Cliff diving didn't cause Travis to get bone cancer but nonetheless from that moment forward everything in Travis's bright future disappears and even though on the surface he's still got what should matter (his family is doing everything they can to help him get well, his best friend and girlfriend are still by his side) Travis can't avoid getting seriously depressed about his new reality. The constant medicine, awful surgery and continued lack of strength all make him feel more and more hopeless. He sees a way out but it goes against everything he's learned in church about what's right and wrong. Is giving up as simple as letting everyone else believe what they want?

If you read this book, please take a moment to complete this form.

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 July 21, 2009 releases that the library has on order. Place your hold now to get it sooner!

Books:

Bug Boy by Eric Luper







Coffeehouse Angel by Suzanne Selfors







CDs:

Monuments & Melodies - Incubus






Battlefield - Jordin Sparks






DVDs:

Coraline







The Great Buck Howard







Monk - Season 7







Pushing Daisies - Season 2







Watchmen







Graphic Novels
Released July 22, 2009

Case Closed, Vol. 30 by Gosho Aoyama







Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 19 by Hiromu Arakawa







Inubaka : Crazy for Dogs, Vol. 13 by Yukiya Sakuragi

What's on Tap?

Only about three weeks left of the summer reading program. Check out what's going on at your library before it's too late!

Monday, July 20:
Wii Gaming @ Politi, 12-1pm
Poetry Workshop @ Cedar Clinton, 1-2pm
Intro to Movie Making @ Woodward Park, 3-4pm
Dream Catchers @ San Joaquin, 4-5pm
Musical Nights--Red Rag Andy Band @ Sanger, 7-8pm

Tuesday, July 21:
Wii Gaming @ Fig Garden, 1-2pm
PS3 Gaming @ Mosqueda, 2-3pm
Taste of Japan @ Sanger, 2:30-3:30pm
Art for Beginners @ Caruthers, 3-4pm
Dance Moves @ Sunnyside, 3-4pm

Wednesday, July 22:
Dream Catchers @ Clovis, 2:30-3:30pm
Dream Catchers @ Easton, 3-4pm
Summer Movie - High School Musical 3 @ Fig Garden, 3-5pm
Cooking Challenge @ Bear Mountain, 4-5pm
Edible Beach @ Mendota, 5-6pm
Photography Part 1 @ Auberry, 6:30-7:30pm

Thursday, July 23:
Hooks and Needles @ Auberry, 1-3pm
iPiant @ Fowler, 2-3pm
Art for Beginners @ Kingsburg, 3-4pm
Photography Part 1 @ Orange Cove, 4-5pm
Taste of Japan @ Gillis, 4-5pm
Wii Super Smash Bros. Brawl @ Fowler, 4-5pm

Friday, July 24:
Xbox 360 Gaming @ Selma, 2-3pm

Saturday, July 25:
Live Flowers Creation @ Piedra, 11-12pm
Edible Beach @ Tranquillity, 12-1pm
PS2 Gaming @ Pinedale, 2-3pm
Go! @ Politi, 3-5pm
Tie-Dye Fashion @ Riverdale, 3-4pm

A Year in Reviews

One year ago today, we got our first review. Since then, we have received 387! Thank you for making our review page so amazing! Instead of the regular review post highlighting the newest ones, we are going to do the top 10 reviews for the past year.

1. gothiclolitamaiden from Clovis with 44
2. Lynna from Woodward Park with 38
3. Tina R. from Woodward Park with 30
4. Sandor S. from Woodward Park with 22
5. ha110w33nm4n from Clovis with 21
6. Matt G. from Woodward Park with 20
7. Cindy from Clovis with 18
8. Lizzie from Central with 18
9. Missy from Clovis with 18
10. Annabelle L. from Fig Garden

Of the 387 reviews, 333 came from the following libraries:

• Woodward Park with 166
• Clovis with 114
• Central with 18
• Sunnyside with 17
• Fig Garden with 13
• Auberry with 3
• Cedar Clinton AND Gillis with 1 each

Thanks again for a great year and keep those reviews coming!

MySpace vs. Facebook

When you sit down to waste time on the Web do you go to MySpace of Facebook first? Even if you've grown bored with both, you'll appreciate this video.


Whichever one you spend your time on (MySpace of Facebook)... please add Read Watch Listen!