Teen Review of Bodega Dreams by Ernesto Quinonez

Bodega Dreams
**** four stars

Everyone in my grade had to read it and it was amazing. This was one of the very few books I actually loved reading, that had anything to do with school. The story is about a guy Chino trying to get ahead in East Harlem the legal way. He is trying to finish school so he can get a good job. However, this comes into conflict with Willie Bodega's agenda. Willie Bodega sells dreams and Chino gets tangled up in Bodega's scheme, while battling with his morals. Chino discovers how much dreams cost and how far he is willing to do to achieve his dreams.

Raffle for AUTOGRAPHED Stephenie Meyer books!

If Edward Cullen is your idea of the perfect guy and you dream of being Bella, the ultimate romantic heroine, then this is the raffle for you! We're raffling an AUTOGRAPHED set of Twilight and New Moon by Stephenie Meyer, two of the best romances written for teens in years!

Email Laura with your name, phone number (that's how you'll be notified), and age, or enter in person at the Reid Branch library. The winner will be chosen on Monday, October 23rd.

Win the books and prepare to be transported to the misty beauty of Forks, Oregon!

WIZARD ROCK!

Have you guys heard about this?! There's a whole new genre of music called Wizard Rock - bands who play songs all about the Harry Potter books! Here are some sample songs:

"Save Ginny Weasley" - Harry and the Potters
"Neville and Luna" and "Remember Cedric" - The Remus Lupins
"My Dad is Rich" - Draco and the Malfoys
"Polyjuice Problems" - The Hermione Crookshanks Experience

Here are the links to these bands' websites:

Harry and the Potters – Website/ Myspace
The Remus Lupins – Website / Myspace
Draco and the Malfoys – Website / Myspace
The Whomping Willows – Myspace
Dobby and the house Elves – Myspace
The Hermione Crookshanks Experience – Myspace

You can also buy CDs from their websites!

Lastly, I don't know if any of you are able or willing to make the trek to Brooklyn, but Harry and the Potters are doing a concert out there Saturday, September 23rd at 7:00 p.m. for all ages. Check out their website for more info.

Listen cautiously - you're going to become addicted to Wizard Rock, just like me!

THANK YOU!

A huge THANK YOU to all of you for making our 2006 Teen Summer Reading Program so successful!!!!

We had 106 readers in this year's program and collectively they read 1, 140 books. WOW!

CONGRATULATIONS! KEEP READING!!!

TEEN THURSDAYS: August 3 & August 10

ONLY TWO MORE TEEN THURSDAYS LEFT UNTIL THE END OF SUMMER!!!

AUGUST 3rd 3:00-4:00 p.m.

PICTURE FRAMES!!!

Come into the library to make the perfect frame for those fantastic summer photos!

AUGUST 10th 3:00-4:00 p.m.

HEMP CREATIONS

The best way to show off that summer tan is to wear some fabulous hemp jewelry! We're making bracelets, anklets, and necklaces while we chat it up and eat lots of snacks! Stop by the library to check it out!

TEEN THURSDAYS: July 20 and July 27

JULY 20

SWAP YOUR STUFF

Do you have magazines, comics, or other books lying around the house that you’ve finished reading? Bring ‘em into the library for a SWAP! Trade your stuff for someone else’s and get all “new” reading material!

*No registration required*

JULY 27

BABYSITTING CLASS

Lots of you are starting to stay home by yourself and/or staying home with siblings. Some of you have even started babysitting for others. Come to the library to learn safety tips and ideas while the 'rents are away! This class will be taught by a member of the Paramus Board of Health who is a registered nurse.

[Note: This class is not affiliated with the Red Cross babysitting course]

*REGISTRATION REQUIRED*

Call the library at 201.444.4911, respond to this post, or visit the library to register

TEEN THURSDAYS July 6 and July 13

Wondering what this "Teen Thursday" thing is all about? Well, it's happening every Thursday from 3-4 p.m. and here's what we're doing this week and next:

JULY 6 - MAKE-YOUR-OWN CARDS

Do you know someone with a birthday coming soon? Or is there someone you want to say "good luck" to? Send them a card to let them know you're thinking about them! Come to the library to learn some card-making techniques and even leave with a few handmade cards. And you never know...there may be a raffle for a prize involved as well!


JULY 13 - DECORATE WITH MAGNETS

Wanna decorate your locker? Looking for a cool gift idea? Need to spice up your parents' fridge? Well, here's your chance! We're making magnets from pictures in magazines and packaging them in tins. Come show off your creativity and munch on a few snacks!



FYI - There is no need to sign-up for these two Teen Thursdays. If you have any questions, post them here or call the library at 201.444.4911.

SUMMER READING PROGRAM!

No school, lots of sun, hanging out with friends, and lots of activities... Sounds like summer is here again!

And that also means it's time for the summer reading program at the Branch library!!!!! We have the usual suspects: the Wheel of Reading (those who have done the Teen program before will be very familiar with this), parties laden with pizza and junk food, and lots of prizes to choose from.

So what are you waiting for? Get to the Branch library NOW or call us - (201)444-4911 - to register for the KICK-OFF PARTY on Thursday, June 29 from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. We're keeping the library closed off to everyone except you guys, which means lots of noise, good food, and riotous fun...and no one "shhhing" you!

SIGN UP TODAY!

REVIEW: Enthusiasm by Polly Shulman

This is the story of two best friends: Julia and Ashleigh. Ashleigh is the flighty, enthusiastic friend, and she decides her new obsession will be Jane Austen. Julia is the more soft-spoken of the two who often finds herself victim to Ashleigh’s whims. In the style of old farce, the girls believe themselves to be in love with the same "Mr. Darcy" and hilarity ensues. Naturally, the confusion is cleared up and all’s well that ends well.

This is one of the more delightful books I’ve read lately. As you’ve seen, I’ve been reading heavier books lately (Uglies, King Dork, and Twilight). Enthusiasm is the perfect remedy for too much seriousness. The female characters are sweet and self-confident – no yucky backstabbing here, ladies. The male characters are realistically chivalrous and funny. Even the more unlikable characters have their own charm and add some comic relief.

Enthusiasm is the perfect light-hearted summer read. I’d recommend it to teens 6th grade and up. Enjoy!

****4 out of 5 stars.

CURRENTLY READING: Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz

REVIEW: Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

**** 4 stars out of 5

Tally Youngblood lives in Uglyville, where all kids go under the knife to become “pretties” on their 16th birthday. But just weeks before her operation, Tally meets a girl who makes her think twice about the procedure and its consequences. A whole new world is opened up to Tally and she now begins to question everything she knows…and fight against what she once thought was right.

This is a page-turner of a story. It’s got great action sequences, love between characters, and deep friendship. It also brings up some really important questions. Even though it takes place in a futuristic world, there are a lot of issues that resonate with the world we live in today.

The only complaint I have about this book is that it gets a little too moralistic at times, meaning that it sort of beats you over the head with the moral that “looks aren’t everything.” But it blasts that message at you over and over again, which can get kind of old.

Other than that, it’s a phenomenal book. I’ve already checked out its sequel Pretties! Can’t wait to start it!

CURRENTLY READING: Enthusiasm by Polly Shulman

REMINDER: Don’t forget that you can submit your own reviews! If you want to share info about a book you’ve read (good review or bad), email it to me at walt_whitman25@hotmail.com and I’ll post it on the blog!

REVIEW: "Blue Bloods" by Melissa de la Cruz

Blue Bloods
by: Melissa Dela Cruz

The new "fad" in teen books right now are usually about ridiculously rich kids whose parents dont care with what they do or about vampire love story. Well, guess what...this new book by Melissa Dela Cruz is about both. I was scared to actually read it thinking I couldn't stand the annoying kids in the story, but it is actually pretty good. The story is amazingly original and a different take on where vampires are from. It even explains how vampires arrived in America. There is more coming, I hope, because I still have lingering questions on how the book is going to end.

Macy Queen
10th grade
16 years old

NEW MAGAZINES ADDED!

I'm "test driving" four new magazines! If lots of people check them out and/or read them, then I'll most likely get a subscription. The magazines are:

• Mad Magazine
• Entertainment Weekly
• BOP
• Animation Magazine

Take a look and let me know if you'd like me to keep them. Stop me in the library or post a comment on the blog!


STILL CURRENTLY READING: King Dork

REVIEW: "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer

I just finished reading Twilight by Stephenie Meyer on Wednesday night - I stayed up until 2 am to do it! I haven't done that since Da Vinci Code! So that's a good indication of how much I loved it!

It is the story of Isabella Swan, who moves from sunny Phoenix to live with her dad in the Pacific Northwest. She meets Edward, a devastatingly handsome guy who just happens to be a vampire, along with his brothers and sisters. Naturally, Isabella and Edward fall in love in the midst of keeping Edward's secret safe and running from a cruel, vicious fellow vampire.

The book, though a bit overlong, is gripping and well-written. The emotions experienced by Edward and Bella are vividly described - it is one of the best love stories I've read. The final climactic showdown involving the evil vampire is surprisingly creepy and scary so make sure to read it in the dark. 8-)

4 stars out of 5

Recommended for ages 13+

CURRENTLY READING: King Dork by Frank Portman

Welcome to Reid Branch's teen blog

Hey all!

First, I haven't met lots of you yet so let me introduce myself. My name is Laura and I'm the new teen librarian at the Branch library. I'm eager to meet all of you and start creating a space where you love to hang out. In the coming months I'll be ordering new books. If there's anything you want to request, stop me in the library or post a comment here.

Second, speaking of book ordering, I recently did a Barnes and Noble buying trip and bought some really exciting new books. So coming to a shelf near you are the following books:

Bass Ackwards and Belly Up - Liz Craft
Just Listen - Sarah Dessen
Blue Bloods - Melissa de la Cruz
The Love Curse of the Rumbaughs - Jack Gantos
Ark Angel (Alex Rider) - Anthony Horowitz
Nailed - Patrick Jones
Born to Rock - Gordon Korman
Gossamer - Lois Lowry
Travel Team - Mike Lupica
Startled by his Fuzzy Shorts - Louise Rennison
Amazing Grace - Megan Shull
It's Kind of a Funny Story - Ned Vizzini
Pretties - Scott Westerfeld
Uglies - Scott Westerfeld
Elsewhere - Gabrielle Zevin
The Book Thief - Markus Zusak

I know that's a lot of books so I've highlighted the ones that are the latest, greatest, and most recommended.

Check back each week for new posts; I'll also be posting raffles for books here as well. So keep coming back! And feel free to leave comments and book reviews.

Laura