He's here, he's here...TODAY!

The one...the only DAVID ADAMS RICHARDS!!!!  In our very own little auditorium!  Yipee!!

Crush

By Carrie Mac
Review by Brynn Haley, grade 10

Crush is about a teen girl named Hope, who, while staying with her older sister in an unfamiliar town for the summer, meets some interesting people, and unexpectedly falls for another girl.

Hope has never imagined liking another girl.  She's always identified as being straight, and although she has no problem with other people liking the same sex, she struggles with the discovery that she is attracted to another girl, and develops a serious crush soon after meeting her for the first time.

Crush is a very short (and sweet) novella.  It's a cute, fun story of a first romance and coming to terms with oneself.

I recommend this book to any teen, because Hope's feelings and confusion that come with her first romance make her a relatable character to anyone.

Deliver Us From Evie

By M.E. Kerr
Review by Brynn Haley, grade 10

Deliver Us From Evie is set in a small, very religious farming community in Mississippi.  18-year-old Evie Burrman, along with her two brothers, has lived and worked on the family farm all her life.  Naturally, this work has made Evie more masculine and tough, and she's comfortable that way.  Others, however, are not.  There are rumours about Evie circulating the small town, and these rumours conflict with the moral beliefs of the neighbours, and her mother's wish that Evie could fall in love and marry a man someday.

These rumours are confirmed to her family by Evie herself whe she meets Patsy Duff, the daughter of a rich, very influential man who happens to be the neighbour to the Burrmans.  Patsy is beautiful, she could have any man she wants but she chooses Evie, and Evie chooses her.  Although her family becomes more accepting of Evie and her relationship with Patsy, others in town, especially Patsy's father, are completely against them seeing each other.

Deliver Us From Evie has some great lessons to teach about loving and accepting others.  Told from the point of view of Evie's brother, Parr, the reader gets a complete look at the life of the family, and an indepth look into Evie's struggles and relationship with Patsy, and also Parr's own struggles with his future, and the girl he loves, and coming to terms with Evie being an "out" lesbian in a hostile town that rejects her.

I'd recommend this book to anyone.  It's a great book about family, life in a small town, and what one will do for love.

BLOG CONTEST UPDATE!!

To date I have received 40 entries in the HHS Library Guild Blog Contest.

I am so proud of my readers, my heart is bursting with good cheer.

You have until the first week of June to get those entries in, so keep up the good work.

To date, here are the stats:  Amber Morehouse, grade 11 ROCKING OUT at 20 entries!!!
                                            Brynn Haley, grade 10 CATCHING UP at 11 entries!!
                                            Zoe Jardine, grade 9 DOING GREAT at 6 entries!
                                            and Chaya Pattison, grade 11, with 2 entries and
                                            Jeff Cramm, grade 10, with 1 entry.

Nice work.  To celebrate, here is a paper owl (or two) under glass.  Aren't they cute?!  Real prizes to be awarded in June at the Medieval Feast.

Keep on geeking out my friends, you are an inspiration.  In fact...I think I'll go read something right now!

~Ms. Carson
HHS Librarian

Bed of Roses (Book 2 in Bride Quartet)

by Nora Roberts
Review by Amber Morehouse, grade 11

This story is the one after Vision in White.  It is about Emmaline "Emma" Grant and Jack Cooke.  Emma is a florist for Vows (the wedding business).  She is very romantic and has a knack for knowing who will like whom.  Jack is an architect and Delany Brown's best friend.  Emma and Jack have liked each other for a long time but neither of them knew about it until Jack kissed Emma on the stairs.  From then on things escalated.  Close to the end Emma and Jack have a huge fight.  Jack comes crawling back and asks Emma to marry him under the moonlight.  Hopefully they'll have their "happily ever after" too.

I would recommend this book if you like romance (break-up/make-up), you will most likely like this series.

Vision in White (Book 1 of Bride Quartet)

By Nora Roberts
Review by Amber Morehouse, grade 11

This book is about Mackenzie "Mac" McBride and Carter MacGuire.  Mac and her four friends run a wedding business.  Mac is the photographer.  Carter is a high school English teacher.  Carter has had a crush on Mac since high school and Mac is very opposed to the idea of love.  Mac's mother Linda has been married three times and is always manipulating Mac for what she wants.  Carter gets into a lot of messes with Mac because of his interfering friend Bob who wants him to get laid.  Carter's ex is also interfering.

In the end, though they go through a lot, Mac and Carter get engaged and hopefully will live happily ever after.

If you like romance, you will like this series.

Black Dawn (Night World Series)

By L.J. Smith
Review by Amber Morehouse, grade 11

In this book, Maggie Neely's brother has disappeared and she thinks his new girlfriend is pretty suspicious.  Maggie follows Sylvia and is kidnapped for a Blood Feast for the vampires.  Maggie meets up with many strange people and is told she is going to free the humans from vampire slavery.  Cady, an unconscious friend, tells Maggie all about the Nightworld.  Maggie finds her soulmate, Delos Redfer (the Prince of Vampires), and he is also a Wild Power.

In the end, treachery is revealed, Delos and Maggie get together, and Maggie finds her brother relatively unharmed.

I would recommend this book if you like romantic suspense with vampires.

Linger

by Maggie Stiefvater
Review by Amber Morehouse, grade 11

This is the 2nd book in the trilogy.  In this book we have a new character named Cole.  He and Isabel get together.  Grace is really sick and there have been a lot of werewolves dying in wolf form.  Cole thinks that he is crazy (and he sorta is, by the way).  Grace gets grounded after being found making out with Sam and things get worse from there.

In the end, Grace is admitted to the hospital and Cole has a theory of how to cure Grace by making her a werewolf.  It succeeds.  Now Sam is a human and Grace is a wolf.

I'd recommend this book if you like a teenage romance that often changes perspective.

"Failure to Launch" (real world edition)

Boys Adrift by Dr. Leonard Sax
Review by Ms. Carson, HHS Librarian

Boys Adrift: The Five Factors Driving the Growing Epidemic of Unmotivated Boys and Underachieving Young Men has been sitting on my desk for a few months and I've finally gotten around to finishing it.  This is not because it isn't an engaging or thought-provoking read, it is, in fact, scarily so. 

Dr. Sax presents a very real and well-researched argument for why the "boys" (i.e.: men) of my generation (kids of the Boomers) are refusing to "grow up" and move out or move on with their lives.  For one, they don't have to.  Many are allowed (and content) to live at home and sponge off their affluent parents.  He also gives five good reasons why this continues:

1. Video Games - why bother going out and working for something in the "real world" when you can play video games in the comfort of your home and be instantly gratified when you win (and turn off the system when you don't)?
2. Teaching Methods - school kids today sit in classrooms listening to teachers, they are not engaged and focused and physically rewarded for learning.  Also, many boys thrive on competition, which has largely been weeded out of our schooling in favour of inclusive "everybody wins" efforts to preserve children's "self-esteem."
3. Prescription Drugs - more and more kids (especially boys) are being put on medicine for ADD or ADHD which saps their energy and motivation.
4. Environmental Toxins - endocrine disruptors found in modern plastics are leeching into our food and water supply, causing boys to be more infertile, overweight, and more likely to have genital abnormalities than their fathers.
5. Devaluation of Masculinity - what does it mean to be a "man" in our culture?  Homer Simpson?  50 Cent?  Most longstanding cultures, like Orthodox Jews or Native American tribes, have enduring traditions and rituals that endow men with manhood.  What are these in North American culture?  Strip clubs and playing Xbox?  Dr. Sax argues that we need adult men to step up and be role models (ahem! gentlemen) for the next generation.  That boys cannot teach themselves how to be men, as seems to be evident in a culture where a large portion of men in their 20s still live at home.

So, why was this so difficult for me to read?  Well, I have a son.  I have male friends in their late 20s and 30s that still live at home.  I am a librarian in a high school filled with adolescent boys.  I have a responsibility to help educate (not alienate) this next generation to fulfill their potential.  Luckily, Dr. Sax, has outlined in Chapter 8, how we may do this. 

I highly recommend picking up this book at the HHS library and reading it yourself, even if you may not agree with everything he has to say.  It is essential for the parents of boys, young men who are feeling lost and don't know why, and educators alike.

Full Frontal Feminism

by Jessica Valenti
Review by Brynn Haley, grade 10

If you're even the slightest bit interested in the topic of feminism, Full Frontal Feminism is a great book to get you started in learning what it's all about.

Full Frontal Feminism pretty much covers all of the main ideas and issues that surround feminism.  It debunks myths and reminds us what feminism is really about - equality of the sexes.  And it does so in a fresh and appealing way, this book is by no means dull.  Full Frontal Feminism is directed at a young audience, so it is a great way to introduce yourself to feminism and women's issues in an easy to understand, reader-friendly guide.  Whether or not you identify as a feminist, or aren't really sure, this is a good read for anyone concerned for women's issues and rights.

The author, Jessica Valenti, also has an interesting feminist blog, http://www.feministing.com/, check it out!

Face the Fire - Three Sisters Island Trilogy (book 3)

by Nora Roberts
Review by Amber Morehouse, grade 11

This is the end book in the "Three Sisters Island" Trilogy.  It is Mia and Sam's story.  Mia is the owner of Cafe Book.  Sam Logan was her childhood sweetheart.  Sam is the son of a very rich businessman, whose shadow Sam was always in.  Sam came back to the Island hoping to get back together with Mia, but Mia doesn't want to risk her heart again.  Sam is also a witch, so he is involved with the Legend.  This time around the Evil is viciously attacking everything Mia cares about. 

In the end, Mia, Nell and Ripley along with Sam, Zack and Mac completely banish the Evil and get on very well with their lives.  If you liked the other books in this series you'll love this one.

Love & Sex

Various Authors, Edited by Michael Cart
Review by Brynn Haley, grade 10

Love & Sex: Ten Stories of Truth is a compilation of short stories about, you guessed it, love and sex.  Each story has something different to be learned from it, and covers many areas within love, relationships, and sexuality.  The characters include lesbian, gay, bisexual, trangendered, and questioning teen among straight ones, that come from different backgrounds too, so everyone can relate to the stories and the characters in them.

Love & Sex: Ten Stories of Truth has some really, really good stories in it, and I'd recommend it to anyone, because it's well worth the read.  The stories are enjoyable, inclusive, and have important lessons in them too.

Whether you're a girl or a guy, straight or gay, you should read this book!

Heaven and Earth - Three Sisters Island Trilogy (book 2)

by Nora Roberts
Review by Amber Morehouse, grade 11

This is the continuation of Dance Upon the Air.  The story is about Ripley Todd and Mac Brooke.  Mac is a paranormal researcher and is interested in the psychic elements of the Three Sisters Island legend.  Mia tells him a bit about it but Mac falls for Ripley.  Ripley is the Deputy, and doesn't like relationships.  The evil surrounding the Island has found a new vessel in a reporter. 

In the end Ripley, Mia, Nell, Zack and Mac push back the evil again.  Next is Mia's turn; will she fulfill the legend or will she throw everything away?

If you liked Dance Upon the Air, you will love to read this one.

Library Guild Meeting

NEXT MEETING TUESDAY MARCH 29th

Let's finish our model medieval castle (we are so close!!!) and then we can start our new Spring project.  I'm not going to peep about what it is until we finish our castle...except for this ONE HINT: it has to do with books.  :)

ALSO: If you are interested in Student Yoga on Fridays coming back to the library, please stop by and let me know.  If we get six people signed up, Stephen from Amana will come teach us!  I have 2 people signed up now, we need 4 more.  Let's stretch our minds and bodies.

~Ms. Carson

HHS Librarian

Dance Upon the Air - Three Sisters Island Trilogy

by Nora Roberts
Review by Amber Morehouse, grade 11

This story is about Nell Channing.  Her actual name is Helen Remington and she is on the run from her evil husband.  He thinks she's dead because she faked her death.  Nell arrives at Three Sisters and gets a job at Cafe Book, owned by Mia Devlin, the local witch.  There is a legend about Three Sisters.  It involves Nell, Mia and Ripley Todd.  Zack, Ripley's brother, falls for Nell at the end of the book.  Evan Remington goes to an insane asylum and Zack marries Nell.

If you like rocky romances, you will most likely like this book.

grl2grl

By Julie Anne Peters
Review by Brynn Haley, grade 10

grl2grl is a collection of short stories told by teen girls about love, life and relationships.  The girls in the stories range from lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning, and all have a unique story to tell.

The short stories in this book cover topics such as first-romance, long distance relationships, and bad break-ups, to more difficult subjects such as abuse, rape, hate-crimes, and many other problems that queer youth face today.

I recommend this book to any girl, no matter her sexual orientation.  Any girl can relate to some of the characters and issues they are facing in this book, which makes it a great read.

Big Rothesay Read 2011

Jerk, California tells the story of a teenage boy on a road trip to California to try to understand his Tourette's Syndome, the girl who's messing with his mind, and his father's death.  Sounds awesome!  I will order a copy (or two) as soon as the new budget gets released.  But until then, order it from NBPLS. http://www.gnb.ca/0003/index-e.asp   All you need is your NB Library card.  Sweet!

~Ms. Carson
HHS Librarian

David Adams Richards!!!!!

Guess who is coming to Hampton High on March 31st!?!?!

That's right, famous NB author David Adams Richards is giving a talk during Period 4 & 5.  If you'd like to attend please see Mrs. Donovan.

Richards is well known for such awesome books as Mercy Among the Children, The Lost Highway, The Bay of Love and Sorrows, and God, is.

Come check out one of his award-winning novels at the HHS Library.  Remember to look in the Can Fic section.

~Ms Carson

HHS Librarian

Angels & Demons

by Dan Brown
Review by Amber Morehouse, grade 11

This book is very fast-paced and is set over 24 hours.  Robert Langdon is a Professor from Harvard who was asked to go to CERN (Center of European Nuclear Research) to look at a symbol.  The symbol is that of the Illuminati and is carved into a dead man's chest.  Vittoria Vetra is a Physicist at CERN.  She and her father (the dead man) have been working with anti-matter.  When a specimen of anti-matter is stolen, Vittoria and Langdon go to Rome to find the anti-matter that the Illuminati has stolen.

I would recommend this book if you like fast-paced murder mysteries.

Rage

by Julie Anne Peters
Review by Brynn Haley, grade 10

Rage is a novel that does a great job of giving the reader a glimpse into dating violence and domestic abuse, and how it can affect anyone.

Reeve Hartt always has girls chasing her: she's beautiful and desirable, but she has a dark side.  Reeve is cold-hearted and mean, she doesn't allow anyone to get too close and emotionally intimate with her.  Anyone who manages to get too involved with her is in for trouble.

Johanna is drawn to Reeve and wants to know her, love her, even.  She'll do anything to be with Reeve.  But when Johanna finally gets her wish and gets with Reeve, she doesn't know what she's in for; that to be with Reeve means risking her friendships, her job, and things she holds dear to herself.  What Johanna so strongly believes is love could be the opposite when it comes to loving Reeve Hartt.

I definitely recommend this book to any teen.  It's a beautiful, frustrating story that teaches important lessons about love, relationships, and how dating abuse can take control of someone's life so easily.

The Chosen - Night World Series

by L.J. Smith
Review by Amber Morehouse, grade 11

This book is about Rashel.  She is a vampire hunter.  She hates vampires because one killed her mother and brother.  She is a very famous hunter called "Cat."  When Rashel's hunter friends catch a vampire she is set to guard him but instead she lets him (John Quinn) free.  When Rashel saves a girl from being a blood slave she tells her hunter group.  Since she let Quinn go they don't trust her anymore.  So with the help of Daphne (the girl she saved) she sets out to destroy the enclave.  The enclave is going to have a blood feast so she needs to stop it.  She meets up with Quinn again and they find out they are soulmates.  Quinn helps Rashel destroy the blood feast abd saves her little brother, who was actually turned into a vampire.
I would recommend this book if you like vampires and light romance.

33 Things Every Girl Should Know About Women's History

Edited by Tonya Bolden
Review by Brynn Haley, grade 10

This very informative book does a wonderful job of introducing such an important topic that isn't talked about as much as it should be: women's history.

33 Things takes the reader through history and teaches about important women and what they did, big events that affected women, the history of feminism and women's rights, and even interesting topics such as women in music, sports, and literature, and how women's clothing fashions changed over the years.

The aim of this book is not only to empower girls, but to show them where women's empowerment began, and all of the reasons why.  This book helped me to appreciate the rights and status I have as a girl, and the women (and men!) who fought for them.

33 Things presents facts and information in interesting ways, with poems, stories, illustrations, and quotes.  It's the perfect book for a girl to start learning about "her-story."

Welcome back from March Break!

I have to say, with the news of the terrible floods, earthquake and nuclear explosions in Japan, I spent a lot of time on the break thinking about the apocalypse (it didn't help I was sick with the flu and reading Derrick Jensen's Endgame).

What would the world, and libraries, look like without humans?

~Ms. Carson
HHS Librarian

p.s The photograph is from Lori Nix, she designs these awesome dioramas and then takes pictures of them.

Test your knowledge...with this game

Think you can tell a good, valuable online resource for projects just by looking?

Test your knowledge:

http://cdl-prod.bcit.ca/library/weg/

Have a great March Break

Harvey

Harvey by Herve Bouchard and Janice Nadeau (Illustrator)
Review by Ms. Carson, HHS Librarian

One spring (the first of two springs of the year, specifies Harvey), his father dies of a heart attack and he subsequently feels like he is disappearing, like his hero, Scott Carey.

First-ever winner of the Governor General's Award for both story and illustration, Harvey is a perfectly encapsulated snapshot of a childhood moment of trauma and loss, one with far-reaching effects.  Harvey's descriptions of his parents and family, and the drawings of him playing in the streets with his friends, will bring even the most forgetful adult back to memory lane.  The real pain of isolation Harvey experiences even before his father's death is only magnified with this most terrible loss.  Nadeau's simple but perfectly detailed renderings make it obvious why this was the Governor General's top choice.

Highly recommended for both teens and adults.

bullying...it's bigger than you think.

onusnetwork.ning.com

Are you being bullied?  Are you picking on others and not sure how to stop?  Are you watching other people be teased and hurt and don't know what to do?

Like many students, I was subjected to bullying and know first hand it's long-lasting effects.  I also know how easy it is to lash out at others when people are picking on you.  It's a terrible cycle and you have the power to stop it.  Tell a teacher, principal, TA, librarian, parent or good friend.  If they don't help you, tell someone else.  Keep talking about it until someone listens.  You don't deserve to be treated like you are worthless, no matter what you may have done or said in the past.

Go to onusnetwork.ning.com to find others who are going through the same thing and know you are not alone.

Peace.

Ms. Carson
HHS Librarian