TSRC is Over :'(

Hopefully everybody had an AWESOME SUMMER this year and enjoyed some good books at the cottage, beach, park, or anywhere else you like to read in the summer. We had an amazing turn out for the program and the numbers are in. The teens of Wellington County (that’s you) read over 633,000 pages! Thats six hundred and thirty-three THOUSAND pages! AMAZING!

With such great reading going on, we’d like to know what kind of prizes you’d like to win next year. So be sure to take our poll below and if you have any other ideas on how to make the TSRC better next year let us know with a comment.

Remember your comments and participation are still counting towards the August Blog prize!

Let the August Blog Draw Begin!

Great job to everyone who contributed to the blog throughout July! We at WCL are extremely impressed by the writing skill and critical thinking exhibited by the teens of Wellington County.  Keep up the great work!

The draw for the July book prize will take place today and the winner will be contacted this evening.

Blog posts will now be counted towards the August draw so keep on reading; and keep an eye out at your local branches in the coming weeks to find out the title of the next book prize.

Exciting New and Upcoming Teen Fiction Releases

City of Heavenly Fire (The Mortal Instruments #6)

By Cassandra Clare      

Darkness returns to the Shadow hunter world. As their society falls apart around them, Clary, Jace, Simon and their friends must band together to fight the greatest evil the Nephilim have ever faced: Clary’s own brother. Nothing in the world can defeat him — must they journey to another world to find the chance? Lives will be lost, love sacrificed, and the whole world changed in the sixth and last instalment of the Mortal Instruments series!

 

Allegiant (Divergent #3)

By Veronica Roth

What if your whole world was a lie?
What if a single revelation—like a single choice—changed everything?
What if love and loyalty made you do things you never expected?
The explosive conclusion to Veronica Roth’s #1 New York Times bestselling Divergent trilogy reveals the secrets of the dystopian world that has captivated millions of readers in Divergent and Insurgent.

 

The House of Hades (Heroes of Olympus #4)

By Rick Riordan

At the conclusion of The Mark of Athena, Annabeth and Percy tumble into a pit leading straight to the Underworld. The other five demigods have to put aside their grief and follow Percy’s instructions to find the mortal side of the Doors of Death. If they can fight their way through the Gaea’s forces, and Percy and Annabeth can survive the House of Hades, then the Seven will be able to seal the Doors both sides and prevent the giants from raising Gaea. But, Leo wonders, if the Doors are sealed, how will Percy and Annabeth be able to escape?

They have no choice. If the demigods don’t succeed, Gaea’s armies will never die. They have no time. In about a month, the Romans will march on Camp Half-Blood. The stakes are higher than ever in this adventure that dives into the depths of Tartarus.

Ready for a Challenge? The Teen Summer Reading Challenge Has Begun!

The 2013 Teen Summer Reading Challenge (TSRC) is running from June 15th to August 10th, so hurry to your nearest Wellington County Library Branch to signup!

Don’t know what the TSRC is all about? Check out the Teen SRC FAQs page for more info.

Back by popular demand, branch prizes this year will again be Chapter’s Gift Cards, and the Grand Prize draw winner will receive a Kobo E-reader!

But that’s not all, for the months of July and August, every time you post a comment, answer a question, or write a review for the Teen Blog (You Blog it We Read it) you’re name will be entered into a draw for a free mystery prize (to be revealed later in the summer)! Be sure to include your name in your post so that we know who to enter in the draw.

Intermediate Digital Photography Techniques Workshop Saturday June 15, 1:00-5:00pm

Have an interest in photography? Going on a trip and want to truly capture all the sights? Come take advantage of this opportunity to learn some new tricks and tips from professional photographer Cyndi Fleming. 

This is a FREE hands-on class for individuals who are intersted in learning more about the craft of digital photography and already have some basic familiarity with their DSLR (Digital Single Lense Reflex) camera. You will be encouraged to share some of your images for class feedback and comment. Here is your opportunity to become more knowledgeable with your digital camera and discover how to take the best possible photos in an enjoyable learning environment. Bring your DSLR camera, camera manual, memory cards, charged batteries, additional lenses (if applicable), flash (if applicable) and a tripod if you have one. Please register, space is limited! Class is provided by Cyndi Fleming http://www.euryscape.com. Teens and Adults welcome!

YALSA’s 2012 Teen Top Ten winners have been decided!

2012 Top Ten Teen Winners are:

1. Divergent by Veronica Roth
2. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
3. Legend by Marie Lu
4. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
5. What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen
6. Across the Universe by beth Revis
7. Cinder by Marrssa Meyer
8. The Scorpio Races Maggie Stiefvater
9. Where She Went by Gayle Forman
10. Abandon by Meg Cabot

For more information about these books and news about upcoming teen awards check out the YALSA 2012 winner list here.

A list of the new nominees for 2013 can also be found on the YALSA site: YALSA 2013 Nominee List

YALSA Teen’s Top Ten Nominations for 2012

The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) nominations for the best teen books of 2012 are here! These books have been selected by teen groups, just like our very own TAG, for a chance to be named one of the Top Ten Teen books of 2012.

Looking for a good read? Come out to your local library and try one of these fantastic nominees.

In a futuristic world where children are “cured” of bad behaviour through treatments that turn them into obedient, well-mannered citizens 15-year-old Maxwell Connors wonders if life outside of New Middletown might be a better alternative. When his younger sister Ally is targeted, Max and his family must make a choice: submit to vaccination, flee their home, or stay and fight…

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When an electromagnetic pulse engulfs the Earth life as we know it comes to an abrupt end. No computers, no phones, no cars; all electronics are rendered useless in the catastrophe. With the world in chaos, and billions dying Alex must learn how to survive in this new world and who she can trust as society crumbles and humanity degrades.

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A botched attempt to create a perfect race has left all males with a lifespan of 25 years and females with a lifespan of only 20 years. Geneticists scramble for a solution and orphans crowd the streets as crime and poverty soar. In this nightmare world of genetic experimentation gone wrong, Rhine Ellery has been kidnapped and sold into marriage. With her life clock ticking out Rhine must find a way to escape her sordid marriage and sinister father-in-law before it’s too late.

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Diagnosed with severe thyroid cancer at age 13, Hazel had prepared herself to die. Three years later, thanks to a miracle medical breakthrough able to drastically shrink the tumors in her lungs, Hazel grapples with the uncertain prospect of a long life. Tethered to an oxygen tank and reliant on a constant cocktail of chemicals to keep the cancer at bay, Hazel finds unexpected support in the guise of another cancer patient, Augustus. Together Hazel and Augustus re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define the legacy everyone leaves behind.

In this prequel to the classic Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein sets out to find the elixir of life in a desperate attempt to save his twin brother, Konrad. Delving into forbidden lore and risking life and limb, Victor and his friends prepare themselves to sacrifice everything to bring Konrad back from death’s door. Victor’s resolve will be put to the test however in this heroic venture as the cost for his brother’s life may be more than he ever dreamt.

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Looking for more nominees you can find in the Wellington County Library collection? Try one of these acclaimed titles:

• Abandon by Meg Cabot
• Tempest by Julie Cross
• What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen
• Where She Went by Gayle Forman
• Eona: The Last Dragon by Alison goodman
• Page by Paige by Laura Lee Gulledge
• Legend by Marie Lu
• Hourglass by Myra McEntire
• Cinder by Marissa Meyer
• Shine by Lauren Myracle
• A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
• Across the Universe by Beth Revis
• Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
• Divergent by Veronica Roth
• Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
• The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
• How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr
• All These Things I’ve Done by Gabrielle Zevin

Freedom to Read Week: February 24 – March 2, 2013

Every year, especially in library land,  we celebrate the intellectual freedom rights we are granted under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom. Meaning we can provide YOU access to a diverse range of reading materials, online and in print! However, schools and libraries often receive challenges from members of the community that try to censor or ban certain materials.

What types of things have been challenged in Canadian libraries?

 

Written in Blood by John Wilson

 

This book was restricted in a K-12 school to students below grade 8  due to a complaint because of :

• Violence
• Racism
• Age-inappropriateness

 

 

The Golden Compass (His Dark Materials, Book ) by Philip Pullman

Library patron complained that this title should be burned or at least moved to the Adult section because:

• Satanism
• Occult
• Violence
• Religious viewpoint

 

 

Essex County Volume 1: Tales from the Farm by Jeff Lemire

This Teen/Adult Graphic Novel received a complaint by a library patron for having shocking and offensive language.

 

 

 

 

 

Body Drama: Real Girls, Real Bodies, Real Issues, Real Answers by Nancy Amanda Redd

This book was shelved as a teen non-fiction book. However, a mother complained to move it to the adult section because it contains nudity.

 

 

 

What do you think about these titles and censorship in the library?

Happy Holidays!

The Holiday season is definitely upon us, and we want to wish you Happy Holidays and an Awesome New Year!

Please note the branch closures over the next week at the library. Check with your local branch for more information!

Monday, December 24 – Arthur, Clifford, Hillsburgh, Palmerston and Puslinch branches are closed all day. All other branches will close at 2:00 pm.

Tuesday, December 25 – All branches closed.

Wednesday, December 26 – All branches closed.

Monday December 31 –  Arthur, Clifford, Hillsburgh, Palmerston and Puslinch branches are closed all day. All other branches will close at 2:00 pm.

Tuesday, January 1 – All branches closed.

All library branches will resume regular hours on Wednesday, January 2nd!

What’s New at WCL

The holidays are almost upon us! Spend your time off with friends and family, but don’t forget to put in some quality “me” time, too! And what better way to relax and enjoy your holiday vacation by curling up with a good book. Here are just a few of the many new books at WCL!

 

Venom – Fiona Paul

 About the book (from Goodreads):

 Cassandra Caravello is one of Renaissance Venice’s lucky elite: with elegant gowns, sparkling jewels, her own lady’s maid, and a wealthy fiancé, she has everything a girl could desire. Yet ever since her parents’ death, Cassandra has felt trapped, alone in a city of water, where the dark and labyrinthine canals whisper of escape.

When Cass stumbles upon a murdered woman—practically in her own backyard—she’s drawn into a dangerous world of courtesans, killers, and secret societies. Soon, she finds herself falling for Falco, a mysterious artist with a mischievous grin… and a spectacular skill for trouble. Can Cassandra find the murderer, before he finds her? And will she stay true to her fiancé, or succumb to her uncontrollable feelings for Falco?

Beauty, love, romance, and mystery weave together in a stunning novel that’s as seductive and surprising as the city of Venice itself.

 

Colin Fischer – Ashley Edward Miller & Zach Stentz

About the book (from Goodreads):

Colin Fischer cannot stand to be touched. He does not like the color blue. He needs index cards to recognize facial expressions.

But when a gun is found in the school cafeteria, interrupting a female classmate’s birthday celebration, Colin is the only [one] for the investigation. It’s up to him to prove that Wayne Connelly, the school bully and Colin’s frequent tormenter, didn’t bring the gun to school.

 

Death of a Kleptomaniac – Kristen Tracy

About the book (from Goodreads):

At sixteen, Molly is a girl who’s just started living–at last she’s popular. But for a girl who has everything, Molly feels like she never has enough. So she steals. At least there’s plenty of time to fix this last little problem. Except Fate has other plans for Molly. Like death. Suddenly dead and in denial, how can Molly move on when life was just looking up? Can she abandon her earthly ties or will she jeopardize her soul to stay close to her loved ones?