Book Byte: The Switch by Anthony Horowitz

Ever wish you were someone else? That is Tad Spencer's wish in Anthony Horowitz's new book The Switch. Be careful what you wish for...it doesn't always turn out like you had imagined. Check it out!

Book Review: Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

This is probably the best Printz Award winner yet. I really enjoyed this book. Check it out!

Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
I will freely admit that I didn’t really get hooked on this book until I was over a hundred pages in. In fact, this is a book I have picked up and started several times before and ended up putting it down. I think the only way I got through it this time is because I made a commitment to read it, and I am so glad I did. Jellicoe Road is a story about tragedy and triumph, family and friends, hope and loss. It tells the story of two families, the Markham’s and the Schroeder’s, and their lives on the Jellicoe Road.

Our primary narrator for the novel is Taylor Markham, who was abandoned by her mother at a 7-eleven on Jellicoe Road when she was 11 years old. As Taylor reluctantly accepts a leadership role at her school and leads the war against the townies and cadets, she also starts down a path of self discovery, where she discovers her own history and who she really is.

Nothing in this novel is as it seems and it takes quite a while for the pieces of the puzzle to begin to fall into place. Once you get to that part, though, it becomes nearly impossible to put the book down. Highly recommended.

Cautions for sensitive readers: There is some profanity in the book and some sexual situations. There is also a violent car accident that is referred to with some graphic depictions.




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Friends of the Library Book Sale!

Just a reminder to stop by KHCPL Main this weekend for the semi-annual Friends of the Library Book Sale. Plenty of books at bargain prices!

Book Review: Chaos Code by Justin Richards

The Chaos Code by Justin Richards

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book was just plain fun. It has a lot of action, mystery, and excitement. When Matt Stibling is sent to his father on his school break he doesn't expect to wind up in a mystery that ties to the hidden technologies of the fabled city of Atlantis. This book is fast paced and well written.

I would compare this book to Indiana Jones--fast paced and action packed.

Cautions for sensitive readers: Some violence, but not explicit and some horror like creatures (Golems). Other than that the book is free of sex and I can not remember any instances of foul language.


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This Week for Teens: Magazine Bowl Craft at KHCPL South

It's not too late to join us at KHCPL South to help us celebrate Earthday by recycling some old magazines. We will turn old libary magazines into Magazine Bowls. Come help us turn trash into art! For details call 765.453.4150.

Want More Books? Come to the Friends of the Library Book Sale

Love books and bargains? Want to support the library? Then mark your
calendar for the upcoming Friends of the Library book sales at KHCPL Main.

Semi-Annual Book Sale

At the semi-annual book sale in April, most books sell for $.50 or $1 and magazines
are free. Popular best sellers, collector’s editions, and other quality books are sold in the special sales room.

Friday, April 24 • 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friends of the Library members are offered first choice of sale books. Memberships are sold at the door for $5 (individual) and $10 (family).

Saturday, April 25 • 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The book sale is open to everyone.

Sunday, April 26 • 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
$2-A-Bag-Day! Fill a bag and pay only $2.

Proceeds from the book sales help support library programs and purchase
items needed to improve library service. Volunteers are always welcome to
work before and during the book sales. If you would like to help, or learn more
about the Friends of the Library, please contact Peg Harmon at KHCPL
Main, 765.457.3242, during business hours.

Who's the Baddest Book of Them All?

School Library Journal is hosting a "Battle of the Kids Books." Take a look at some of these popular teen titles and share your opinions on the blog. You can also join the peanut gallery and vote on the poll to see which will win. The judges are well known YA authors who will choose their favorite book in the different rounds. Check it out to see if your favorite beats the others. Just a warning though...there have already been some upsets!

Who's the Baddest Book of Them All?:

Welcome, everyone. Two weeks from today SLJ's first annual Battle of the (Kids') Books will commence with one of you 2008 books ending up the u...

Book Review: Far From You by Lisa Schroeder

Far from You by Lisa Schroeder

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
Alice, named after the character from Alice in Wonderland is still reeling from the death of her mother. Her father has remarried and has had a baby with his new wife. Alice feels like he is pushing her away and that she isn't part of the family. She resents her stepmother and the new baby and struggles to come to terms with the death of her own mother.

Alice expresses her feelings in her music and to her boyfriend Blaze, but feels largely misunderstood by her father, stepmother, and even her best friend, Claire. When disaster strikes April has to learn to rely on her new stepmother and her faith to see herself through, and learn to let go of her painful past.

This novel written in verse is well written. It is a quick and enjoyable read with well developed characters. It should appeal to fans of Lurlene McDaniel and teens who like a story about finding hope in tragedy.

Cautions for Sensitive Readers: There is some foul language in this book, but it isn't overdone. Alice and her boyfriend talk about having sex and even go to a hotel, but when Alice says no, her boyfriend respects her decision. The situation is handled well. There is no violence in this book.

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Something, Maybe by Elizabeth Scott Now Available

Check out the new book by Elizabeth Scott, Something, Maybe available now at the library. Seventeen-year-old high school student Hannah is trying to lead a normal life, despite the fact that both her parents are famous for their wild lifestyles, which means getting her secret crush to notice despite her parents.

Don't Miss Out!

This is your chance to tell us what you want the teen area of the library to look like. There is still time for you to be a part of the committee to decide what the new teen area will look like. Call 457-3242 for details. We need your help!

City of Glass by Cassandra Clare Available Now

City of Glass, the 3rd book in the Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare has arrived. Check it out!

Book Review: Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson tackles the tough topics of eating disorders and cutting. It is the haunting story of Lia, who recently lost her best friend Cassie to an eating disorder. She and Cassie were wintergirls together. They were both going to be the thinnest, skinniest, most beautiful girls in school. Cassie dies alone in a motel room, leaving Lia to sort through her own issues and eating disorder.

Lia, hospitalized twice for her own battle with anorexia, doesn’t want to believe that anything is wrong. She thinks that everyone else has the problem, and she is fine. On a subconscious level though, she recognizes that her disorder is taking her down the same path as Cassie. She feels the cold, and the loss, but she cannot bring herself to eat. She doesn’t believe that eating will solve her problems. At one point Lia states, “I want to eat like a normal person eats, but I need to see my bones or I will hate myself even more and I might cut out my heart or take every pill that was ever made” (203).

Lia, clearly unbalanced by both the disease and her friend’s sudden death feels that she is being haunted by Cassie who climbs out of her coffin and refuses to stay in her grave. She knows that she doesn’t see the world the way others do, but she doesn’t understand why. “They yell at me because I can’t see what they see. Nobody can explain to me why my eyes work different than theirs. Nobody can make it stop” (197).

Anderson has written a gripping tale of pain and loss and a search for identity separate from her disease. Her language is poetic, drawing you into the story and not letting you leave until you reach the very last page.  Often disturbing, this book takes you into the mind of girl suffering from an eating disorder, a girl who injures herself for letting that one morsel past her lips, a girl whose inner voices tear at her self esteem, a wintergirl.


Cautions for sensitive readers: The main character does refer to herself as a stupid b***h throughout novel and cuts herself as punishment for not living up to her expectations. There isn’t any sex in the book.



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Teens! We Need Your Input!

This is your chance to tell us what you want! We will be having a meeting at KHCPL Main to determine what the new teen area of the remodeled library will look like. Register now, we only have room for 15 teens. Call 457-3242 for more details or to register.