Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Back to School Update

Did you know the Teen department of the Newport Public Library has a homework only computer? My Space and Facebook are blocked, but you do have IM and internet accessibility as a well as access to many subscription databases - paid for by the library FREE to you - to help you with school research, college preparation and more. AND you have access to one-on-one homework help from 2-closing . (This service is accessible from home 2-10pm 365 day a year.)

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Celebrating 90 Years of Women & the Vote!


The Newport Young Adult Department joins with the League of Women Voters, Newport's mayor, and many others in celebrating 90 years of "Women & the Vote"! We have mounted a display of super-terrific books about the fearless women who helped get the 19th Amendment to the Constitution passed. On August 18, 1920, by a one-vote margin, the Tennessee General Assembly became the thirty-sixth state to ratify the proposed amendment and on August 26, 1920, the U.S. Secretary of State certified the amendment, which reads: "The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex." Come check out our collection of books on this exciting time in U.S. history!

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Teen Summer Reading

We are sad to see our summer reading program come to a close, but it was a good six weeks with many active readers. We hope you will all join us again next year!

SRP Grand Prize Winnner

Our grand prize winner for the 2010 Summer Reading Program is Kelsey Critz. Kelsey has been a program participant for 2 years. We are looking forward to having her join us next year.

Kelsey attended our final pizza party where we played word games, gave away MAKE WAVES! T-shirts, books and other prizes and made tie dye t-shirts. She took home a $50 gift certificate for beach wear and water sports equipment.

Congratulations Kelsey!

SRP Raffle Winner

Our fifth and final summer reading raffle winner is Anna Forsberg.

Anna attended our finale pizza party where she chose to receive a $15 gift certificate for pizza.

Congratulations Anna!

Thursday, August 19, 2010

AirmanAirman by Eoin Colfer

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is a strange story of life on the bleak Saltee Islands, where Conor Broekhart is imprisoned after having discovered a conspiracy against King Nicholas, whose murder he sees, and after having been convicted of that murder by the criminal Sir Hugo Bonvilain. On the island, Conor is first beaten by Bilto, then his wounds are cleaned by mites (yuck!), then he is set to work mining diamonds. Years pass, but Conor is determined to escape. That's only the beginning of this action-packed narrative, as parachutes, hang-gliders, an American spy named Linus, a queen's coronation, and a few hot air balloons add to the drama. The point of the story sometimes seems confused, but the point really is all the adventure. If you like Colfer's other hero, Artemis Fowl, you'll go for Conor Broekhart too.



View all my reviews »
TangerineTangerine by Edward Bloor

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


In an average middle-class development in an average Florida town, the lives of Paul Fisher, his brother Erik, his parents, classmates, and teachers turn out to be anything but ordinary. With a new school to adjust to, Paul hopes to be able to make friends and fit in by joining the soccer team. But Paul's thick glasses mean that the school's insurance won't allow him to play soccer. His parents tell him his eyes were injured when as a child he looked too long at an eclipse, but Paul suspects his brother Erik had a part in his injury. As Erik's obsession with becoming a star football player unfolds, we see that the family, so seemingly average, is hiding the truth about the vicious nature of one son, and the victimhood of another. This is a gripping tale about boyhood, and family secrets, and growing up.



View all my reviews »
Ella EnchantedElla Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Ella is cursed with the gift of obedience, that is, if she tries to disobey someone she begins to feel quite ill. This means that when Hattie, a daughter of Dame Olga, tells Ella to hand over the necklace of her Lady (which she'd just been given), Ella simply must obey. Needless to say, the comedies that ensue when Ella is first told to do one thing, then another, are many. But in the end, the delightful Prince Charmont (Char, as Ella calls him) brings out that special fits-one-only slipper, and . . . well, you know the rest. This is a delightful retelling of the Cinderella story.



View all my reviews »

Monday, August 16, 2010

Middletown Public Library is holding a "Sarah's Key" Book Club

DETAILS: Required summer reading can seem like a drag. It doesn’t have to be. Middletown Public Library is turning your school obligation into a celebration! We’re hosting a book club/pizza party aimed at discussing the Middletown High School required summer reading: “Sarah’s Keyby Tatiana de Rosnay.

We are offering 3 separate sessions:

*THIS* Thursday, August 19 @5PM (5 spaces open)

*NEXT* Tuesday, August 24 @6PM (2 spaces open)

Monday, August 30 @10AM (3 spaces open)

It’s FREE, but space is limited. To reserve your spot email ChristinaWolfskehl@yahoo.com (please indicate preferred session).

Me, the Missing, and the DeadMe, the Missing, and the Dead by Jenny Valentine

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I really liked this book; especially the way it all came full circle at the end. This book has a slow start to it, but it is worth hanging in. The revelations and discoveries made by the main character make for an interesting surprise ending.

View all my reviews >>

Summer Reading Finale


Our wonderful summer reading program is drawing to a close. All participants who have been reading, crafting and watching movies with us are invited to our pizza party finale. There will be games, pizza, book giveaways and prizes.

We'd love to see you all there on Thursday, August 19 at 4pm in the program room. RSVP if possible to help us determine how much pizza to order.

SRP Raffle Winner

Our fourth summer reading raffle winner is Sean Bradley. Congratulations!

Sean gets to choose either a summer reading program t-shirt or a $15 gift certificate for Pizza. Please come to the YA desk to claim your prize.

We draw a new name every week so keep reading; every book equals a raffle ticket!

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians (Alcatraz, #1)Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians by Brandon Sanderson

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


I'd have to say, this is not my favorite book. However for those of you that love outlandish fantasy and sarcastic heroes, this is the book to read. Enjoy! It is definitely a unique story line and the writing is consistent throughout despite it's unique approach to story telling.

View all my reviews >>

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Teen Summer Reading

We're having great fun with our summer reading program this year.

Check it out and then come join us.

Teen Movie



Join us Tuesday, August 17 in the library program room at 5:30 for 20,ooo Leagues Under the Sea! Watch Captain Nemo battle sea monsters while eating popcorn and hanging with your buds. Popcorn and drinks provided, FREE of charge.

This movie is part of our summer reading program, but you do not have to be registered to attend. Interested in finding out about the summer reading program? Click here.

Summer Reading Craft Event


The YA librarians are praying for good weather on Thursday, August 12, so we can play in "the yard". Meet in the library program room at 4pm and we'll head out together. We'll be tye-dying T-shirts. Shirts and dye provided. Please RSVP if possible.

Didn't RSVP; don't worry, come anyway. We plan to have extra shirts on hand.
Raining; no worries we'll find something fun to do inside. As always, there will be good eats!

This is a free event, but you must be registered for our summer reading program and have read at least one book this week to attend. See a Newport Public Library librarian to register for SRP.

SRP Raffle Winner

Our third summer reading raffle winner is Grace Jannotta. Congratulations!

Grace gets to choose either a summer reading program t-shirt or a $15 gift certificate for Pizza. Please come to the YA desk to claim your prize.

We draw a new name every week so keep reading; every book equals a raffle ticket!

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Tantalize (Tantalize, #1)Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Gee, a love triangle between a girl, a werewolf and a vampire. Where have I heard that before? Well it is supposed to be a read-alike and this time the werewolf is the love of her life

I have to say, Smith did a great job of creating a totally different story. This story had some interesting twists and turns; many of which don't turn up until the wrap up. You never even question them and then - bam! The demise of Uncle D., both times, now that was a biggie for me. I do wonder, did anyone else walk away wondering if "the garlic treatment" could cure her.

Be sure to read the author's note at the end, some interesting trivia.

View all my reviews >>

SRP Raffle Winner

Our second summer reading raffle winner is Marquise Scott. Congratulations!

Marquise gets to choose either a summer reading program t-shirt or a $15 gift certificate for Pizza. Please come to the YA desk to claim your prize.

We draw a new name every week so keep reading; every book equals a raffle ticket!

Teen Movie


Join us Tuesday, August 10 in the library program room at 5:30 for Pirates of the Caribbean and snacks! It is sure to be a swashbuckling adventure for everyone. Popcorn and drinks provided, FREE of charge.

This movie is part of our summer reading program, but you do not have to be registered to attend. Interested in finding out about the summer reading program? Click here.

Summer Reading Craft Event



Thursday, August 5
is our fourth Summer Reading Program (SRP) craft event. Join us at 4pm in the library program room and create your own message in a bottle time capsule. We've collected wine bottles and parchment paper, pens and pictures, decoupage and chocolate, and we're ready to have some fun. We'd love to have you join us; craft supplies and microwave s'more mixins' are supplied.

This is a free event, but you must be registered for our summer reading program and have read at least one book this week to attend. See a Newport Public Library librarian to register for SRP.

Teen Movie



Join us Tuesday, August 3 in the library program room at 5:30 for Message in a Bottle and snacks! We'll pop popcorn and drink ice tea.

This movie is part of our summer reading program, but you do not have to be registered to attend. Interested in finding out about the summer reading program? Click here. For teens who are registered in the program, we'll be creating our own messages in bottles and making microwave s'mores on Thursday, August 5. Join us!