Graphic Mess?

Well, it was bound to happen. Capitalism has crept into the market of graphic novels! Do I sound naive or merely idealistic? Can you imagine the horror of picking up the newest graphic novel and seeing a cover sporting Glenn Beck, Sarah Palin, or Al Frankin? WTF (wasn’t that funny)!!

 

 

 

 

 

Now these marketing “geniuses” are going to rework every quasi celebrity, wanna-be musician, and TV show that’s ever exsisted into a graphic novel. Where have the creators of literature gone? The need to turn a fast buck is possibly overriding common sense on the literary front. Isn’t it ironic that there was a time when those who questioned the literary value of graphic novels may actually end up coming to their defense? 

If you’ve not experienced the pleasure of reading a quality graphic novel, here are a few suggestions…

 

 

 

Music in the Stacks?

What the heck are we talking about when we say “stacks”? Well, once a month at the library we invite various musicians to share their musical talent at the library. I mean, literally in the library! Yes, where everyone walks around on tip-toe, whispering about their new favorite books. Recently we had the pleasure of teen musician, Madison who joined us with her fiddle (don’t let her catch you calling it a violin!). It was so amazing to walk into a beautiful library and hear beautiful, foot tapping music to go along with it!

So, if you’ve never considered the library to be a source of music – think again. Not only do we have actual musicians in the library but we also have music CD’s available for checkout. With music ranging from Guns-N-Roses, George Michael, Justin Bieber to wedding music.

And if those still aren’t quite what you’re looking for, take a minute to listen to Gorillaz.

Who said Book Reports Couldn’t be “Fun”?

Next time that you’re asked to write the ominous “book report” think about getting creative in what you’re reading. Maybe you want to throw your teacher for a loop and introduce them to literture that they’ve perhaps not heard of before…until now!

1. How to Avoid Huge Ships by John W. Trimmer
2. Be Bold with Bananas by Crescent Books
3. Fancy Coffins to Make Yourself by Dale L. Power
4. 101 Uses for an Old Farm Tractor by Michael Dregni
5. Across Europe by Kangaroo by Joseph R. Barry
6. 101 Super Uses for Tampon Applicators by Lori Katz and Barbara Meyer
7. Suture Self by Mary Daheim
8. The Making of a Moron by Niall Brennan
9. Underwater Acoustics Handbook by Vernon Martin Albers
10. Superfluous Hair and Its Removal by A. F. Niemoeller
11. Lightweight Sandwich Construction by J. M. Davies
12. The Devil’s Cloth: A History of Stripes by Michel Pastoureaut
13. How to Be a Pope: What to Do and Where to Go Once You’re in the Vatican by Piers Marchant
14. How to Read a Book by Mortimer J. Adler and Charles Van Doren

Easy Money

Calling all teens!  Create a video promoting summer reading at your library and you could win $250!  The best short Public Service Announcement, using the theme “You Are Here,” produced by a Washington student or group of students that encourages use of their local public libraries and promotes reading all summer long will take away the contest prize.

The top video will be featured throughout 2011 as the official commercial for Washington’s Summer Reading Program.  Completed forms are due by March 7, 2011.  For more information, go to 2011 Teen Video Challenge .

If you need a little help uploading a video to youtube, check this out!

I Always Carry a Copy with Me

The other day while visiting with one of our loyal BPL teens, who is an avid reader, we began comparing notes on new books that we have and haven’t read, discussing how we almost become physically ill when reading “some” vampire lit, and the current state of the literary world in general. It was at this point that she suddenly asked me in a rather conspiratorial tone, “Have you ever read, Dandelion Wine?” I had to tell her that I had honestly never even heard of it before. Come to find out it it is her absolute favorite book of all time (so far) and that she carries it everywhere she goes. Now, that is someone who is committed to a book! It’s definitely at the top of my “to read” list. Thanks for the tip Jessa!! ;D

Dandelion Wine is a 1957 semi-autobiographical novel by Ray Bradbury, taking place in the summer of 1928 in the fictional town of Green Town, Illinois – a pseudonym for Bradbury’s childhood home of Waukegan, Illinois. The novel developed from the short story “Dandelion Wine” which appeared in the June 1953 issue of gourmet magazine.

The title refers to a wine made with dandelion petals and other ingredients, commonly citrus fruit. In the story, dandelion wine, as made by the protagonist’s grandfather, serves as a metaphor for packing all of the joys of summer into a single bottle.

The main character of the story is Douglas Spaulding, a 12-year-old boy loosely patterned after Bradbury. Most of the book is focused upon the routines of small-town America, and the simple joys of yesteryear. – Wikipedia

I’ve included this music video only because it has the same title and I liked the vibe…peace!

Teen Recommendation

Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard is about four friends who were brought together by a girl named Alison who went missing a year earlier. Now they are being brought back together when they start getting mysterious messages from a person who claims to be “A”. 

My favorite character was Aria because she reminded me of myself. This would be a fun book for anyone in 7th grade and up.

                                                                                                                                    – Ariel
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