No, this book isn't about the Beatles.

Across the Universe by Beth Revis is a fast-paced sci-fi thriller. I originally picked this book up as a joke since the blurb on the front cover was so rediculous I couldn't not find out what the book was about. The cover said: What does it take to survive aboard a spaceship fueled by lies? I mean, come on. That's pretty cheesey. But I assure you, this is no space soap opera.

This book falls into my category of "Don't judge a book by it's cover." Guys, it's not a girly book. Hide it behind some other book, cover it with a garbage bag- just be sure you read it. Or maybe pick up a copy of the new edition. Looks more like a regular science fiction book than a romance.

The very first chapter begins with a creepy look at one of our main characters being cryogenically frozen. Yep, she was alive and willing to do this. The plan is, Amy will be frozen just like her two military parents, loaded onto the spaceship Godspeed and unfrozen in 300 years when they've reached a new planet. Sounds peachy. But Amy is woken up early. Not only that, she nearly drowns in the process. Once Amy figures out that she's the only one of the cryos who is awake, it's time to find some answers.

Enter Elder. Raised to be the next leader of Godspeed since birth, Elder spends most of his time being trained by the current leader, Eldest. Elder explains to Amy that lots of things have changed on the spaceship since they first left earth and a lot of these changes are creepy to say the least. The further Amy digs, the more secrets she finds. Secrets Elder never knew about and isn't sure he wants to know the answer to.

Three things I loved about Across the Universe:

1. It's told from two points of view. You get to hear from both Amy and Elder in alternating chapters.

2. It isn't a romance. The cover may make it seem like it's a gooey love-fest, but it's really a sci-fi murder mystery. That said, it is a book for older teens. There are some disturbing adult themes in there. 

3. It takes place in space! I don't know why, but I have a thing for books about teens on spaceships lately.

Beth Revis's first book moves at a very fast pace. Once I picked it up, I put everything on hold until I had finished it. Then I had to sit around for months while I waited for the sequel, A Million Suns to come out (which was also really, really good). Does Elder become leader of the Godspeed? Will they ever reach the new planet? Read it to find out!

Carter Finally Gets It by Brent Crawford is a guy's guy book.  Carter is just starting high school and is facing all of the typical problems any teen guy deals with (girls, friends, finding where he fits in) plus a few of his own (a sometimes debilitating stutter as well as ADD).  As Carter wades his way through the trenches of high school, he deals with a lot of serious issues while still keeping a sense of humor.

The best part of the book is the voice that Brent Crawford has given Carter.  This book made me laugh out loud so many times I lost count.  Carter may not be perfect, but he is always trying to do the right thing.  From trying to be a star football player to battling Taco Bell farts and first dates, Carter is one unforgettable character.

Blog posts have been a bit sparse around here lately.  Most of the time, I have a really hard time writing a post that I think anyone will actually read.  So why not write about something I'm actually good at?  I do TONS of booktalks about teen books every week.  I love reading the books and I love recommending them to tweens, teens and adults.  So I am introducing a new weekly teenZone blog post: Book of the week.

Our very first Book of the Week post for the week of January 2nd, 2012 features the book Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann.

If you like creepy, suspenseful books- this one's for you.  Cryer's Cross starts out following the main character, 16-year old Kendall, during the start of a new school year.  Cryer's Cross, Montana is a tiny town and despite the fact that the community was shocked by the disappearance of a Freshman girl, Tiffany, last spring, Kendall is managing to enjoy time with her life-long best friend (and maybe boyfriend?)  Nico. 

When Nico mysteriously disappears, Kendall is heartbroken.  A yearning for closeness to her missing friend combined with her Obsessive Compulsive Disorder lead Kendall to sit in Nico's old desk while at school.  Before long, Kendall can hear the desk...whispering things.  Things in Nico's voice.  And he's begging for help.

Kendall enlists the help of the new kid in town, Jacian, who seems to be the only one who believes her story about the desk.  Can they find Nico?  Is his disappearance related to Tiffany's?  This read is a creepy thrill ride that you won't want to put down!

Summer is officially here!

Why not cool off in the A/C with a good book?  Better yet, why not sign up for the Summer Reading Program and get rewarded for reading! 

Q: Why should I sign up?

A: You'll win awesome stuff like free books and a completion prize package full of cool stuff like vouchers for free food.  Also, you'll be entered for a chance to win our Teen Grand Prize: an HD Digital Video Camera!

Q: Is that all?  That sounds lame.

A: As it so happens, that is NOT all!  If we combine all of the reading hours from ALL of the teens who register for Summer Reading and the number reaches 3,000 hours, the library will host a FREE party for Teens Only after hours here in the library.  There will be pizza, music and tons of prizes.

Q: Okay fine.  What if I don't want to spend my entire summer reading?

A: There are tons of programs for teens at the library this summer:

http://www.bloomingtonlibrary.org/see_&_do/programs/summer_reading/program_guide.pdf

Want to sign up for Summer Reading?

Go to: http://www.bloomingtonlibrary.org/see_&_do/programs/summer_reading/registration/

Summer is over.  It's sad, but true. 

But there is good news!  There are still reasons to come to the library while school is in session:

1.  We have lots of research materials for any projects and papers your teachers may assign.  Need a book about Edgar Allen Poe?  Or help finding a good science website?  Stop by the Adult Services desk for help finding the materials you need.

2.  Access to FREE HOMEWORK HELP.  We have a link to Tutor.com on our homepage.  Tutor.com has free homework help from 3-11 PM everyday of the week.  You will get a chance to tell someone exactly what you need help with.  You can even have someone proofread your English paper or look over a resume.  This tuitoring service is $35 an hour for those who do not have a Bloomington Public Library card.  If you are a cardholder, it is FREE.

3.  You need a break.  We are holding a bunch of new activities for teens at the library this fall.  Want to explore new technologies?  Try our new Teen Tech Book Club.  Our first meeting is September 13th in the Tech Lab.  Or maybe you'd like to learn how to create your own computer animated cartoons.  Or perhaps you just want to zone out and make some nifty craft projects. 

Keep checking the TeenZone website and stay tuned for other cool oportunities at the library!

Hello!

My name is Natalie and I am the new Teen Librarian here at the Bloomington Public Library. 

And why should you care?  Because I am the one who controls all of the books/movies/video games/CDs and activities for teens! 

Is there a new CD you'd like to borrow but we don't seem to have it?  Ask for Natalie.  Tired of the video games down in the teen tech lab and you have a suggestion?  Ask for Natalie.  Is there a new book you can't find on the shelf?  Ask for Natalie.  

 Have a SUPER COOL idea for a program we could do here at BPL?  Ask for Natalie. 

I also need to make a plug for the SUMMER READING PROGRAM here at BPL. 

Our theme this year is Feast on a Books and we're using a "food chain" structure.  There are four food chain "levels" and each level has a craft project, movie and "food challenge."  Want to do the craft project but not the food challenge?  That's fine.  Just want to watch the movie?  That's fine too.  Here's the great thing about summer reading here at BPL: you only have to read ONE book to receive a ticket to our end of the summer party at the Miller Park Zoo.  But the more books you read, the more entries you get for our super awesome grand prizes.  Be on the lookout for the red and white pamphlets around the library for more info.

Hey all you Cats and Chicks in B-N!! 

Looking forward to the summer??  We sure are. 

Our summer programming lineup is way cool to take your mind off the hot, sizzling weather.

The theme is "Feast on Books", but we are going to feast on way more than that.  Here's the breakdown:

4 grand prize winners

3 ways to win: feast on food, feast on books, and feast on fun

2 months to finish

1 great adventure

Watch the website for registration, or call your local teen librarian for information: 309.828.6093.

In anticipation of Teen Tech Week, which begins Sunday 7 March and closes Saturday 13 March, we are posting a contest.

The folks over at the Instructables site are having a Dead Computer contest.  Submit your overhaul for a dead computer.  If you get the most votes, you win.  Simple.

Prizes:

First prize = Asus Eee Pc 1005HA, a copy of the book "62 Projects to Make with a Dead Computer", plus an Instructable Prize Pack.

Second prize = all the stuff above, minus the netbook

Official rules and inspiration are at the link

http://www.instructables.com/contest/deadcomputer/

Deadline for submission is the start of Teen Tech Week.  Winners will be announced by the end of Teen Tech Week.

By the way, if you win, we want to know so we can put pix of you all over our plasma screen!