long time no see

I was just checking into the blog since someone had left a comment and I am shocked at how much traffic it is receiving even though I haven't posted anything in months and am no longer running the Guild, much to my chagrin.  Obviously, being a nerd and a librarian, I read constantly.  I'm starting to wonder whether I should continue posting book reviews....would anyone read them?  What do you think?

for those who forget what it was like to be a teenager......

"I couldn't remember how to forget myself.  I didn't want to think about myself, to reckon myself in, to deal with myself every livelong minute on top of everything else but swerve as I might, I couldn't avoid it.  I was a boulder blocking my own path.  I was a dog barking between my own ears, a dog who wouldn't hush.  So this was adolescence."

~Annie Dillard

Going to Nova Scotia this summer?

http://novascotia.aemma.org/

Interested in being trained in Medieval warfare?  AWESOME.

The Last Day

Well lovelies, this is it.  Your last day of school for the year (woo hoo!), my last day as HHS Librarian (not so woo hoo).  It is with a heavy heart I leave my beloved post here as your Guild Master, but I trust you will carry the torch in my absence.

I leave you two more Medieval models to complete (the village and cathedral!), dueling swords (ahem! pool noodles), some rotten fruit (styrofoam balls covered in dyed sheep fiber), our crest, and this blog.  It is not much, but it is ours, and so it is wonderful.

Thank you for sharing your time, thoughts, reading recommendations, frustrations, fears, laughter, and boredom with me.

Stick together.  That's what matters in life: people.

I'll be seeing ya.

Happy Reading.

Ms. Carson

~HHS Librarian



The Undead Next Door

by Kerrelyn Sparks
Review by Amber Morehouse, grade 11

This is a vampire love story.  It's about the vampire fashion designer Jean-Luc, who is being stalked by a vampire serial killer, and Heather, a mortal.  They meet in an event in which Jean-Luc thinks Heather is stealing his designs.  She isn't, but Lui, the serial killer, sees them together and wants to kill Heather, who he thinks is Jean-Luc's girlfriend.

For her protection, Jean-Luc convinces her to temporarily move in with him.  When Heather finds out Jean-Luc is a vampire she freaks out momentarily and then still stays with him because he is safer than Lui.  In the end, Lui is destroyed and Jean-Luc convinces Heather to marry him.

Funny Misshapen Body

by Jeffrey Brown
Review by Ms. Carson, HHS Librarian

Holy crap (literally)!  This fun graphic novel made me snort and giggle until way past my bedtime.  If you like poop jokes and awkward angsty teenage moments...this is for you!  Jeff Brown, a shy, artistic, not-exactly-popular lad, chronicles his teen and college years dealing with Crohn's Disease, weight gain from steroids, losing his virginity (finally), and dabbling with drugs and binge drinking.  But mostly, you get a real flashback (to those of us past high school and college) to the sheer embarrasment of living under the self-imposed microscopic navel-gazing of those years.  Those still going through it will definitely relate (even if you don't work at a wooden shoe factory or have to change your underwear a few times before lunch).  You also get to see the hours and hours of work and obsession that go into making art and the often skittering trajectory (and harsh rejection) those who pursue their dreams suffer under.

A hilarious romp through one man's journey to adulthood, one bathroom emergency at a time.  Definitely recommended, but not for the easily offended.

Stealing Water

by Tim Ecott
Review by Ms. Carson, HHS Librarian

Let me just say that I always thought I came from a pretty weird family.  A loving, but slightly deranged group of misfits (myself included).  Well, honey, my family and your family have NOTHING on Ecott's.  His mum runs a pawn shop in the bowels of South Africa that regularly hides hot goods and criminals (of all varieties).  His dad has the kind of temper that involves molotov cocktails at midnight.  It isn't unusual for his home to contain more animals than people.  Money, water, and food are in short supply, but never gin or Valium.  The adults seem less responsible than the children.  And no one knows each other's real age.

A truly engrossing read, almost entirely without self-pity or affectation.  The real-life version of Coupland's All Families are Psychotic.  Just great.

Angel Without Wings

Here's a little excerpt from a novel being written by grade 10 student, Jeff Cramm.  Check it out and leave a comment for him!

Once upon a time there was a world not quite like ours. This world is called Neo Terra. Neo Terra is home to many different kinds of beings; like werewolves. These werewolves were quite powerful and were bipedal. Some were bounty hunters while others tried to live with the humans. There were also vampires in this mystic world. The vampires loved their solitary confinement, and would kill almost anyone. Though their bite doesn’t turn you to a vampire, it’s been said it’s deathly fatal. There are plenty of different creatures in this world. In this world there was a kingdom of great renown known as Anivestis. Anivestis was located on the western continent of Flow......

As I finished, I looked to the class, then turned to the teacher to see a look of distaste.

 “This is a pretty farfetched story; where did you get this from again?”

“I dreamed it up last night,” was my answer.

The class burst into laughing and suddenly I felt like getting back to my seat. English class came to an end, and so did the school day seeing as this is my last period. I went to my locker and opened it and got my books ready to go home.

            My name is Vincent Nekosame, and I am a 17 year old high school student in Kyoto, Japan. I have chestnut hair that is down an inch below my ears. My eyes are a deep green and I am 5 foot 10 inches in height. I was never a popular kid in school for several reasons, but the latest reason would have to be that I have been having dreams of another world. Ever since I can remember I have been having them, but lately they have been coming more frequently. The place is apparently called Neo Terra, and this kingdom known as Anivestis. As I closed my locker to leave for my house, a couple of boys came towards me.

“Hey, Vincent!” one boy called out.

I recognized the voice as if it was my closest friend. His name is Kida, one of the bullies at my school. He is a blockhead that is barely passing any of his classes. This guy looks like your usual big, thick-headed guy except that he is a ginger.  Kida thinks he can get away with anything because his father is a lawyer.

“Where are all you fairy friends, out for a stroll?” Kida started, “it’s not like you got any other friends, right?”

I was not going to take it this time; I put my bag down and made my first mistake.

“Stop it Kida,” I said in a stern voice, “or you will regret it.”

Kida looked to his friends and started to laugh, “Oh, I’m sorry Vincent. Did I hurt your feelings?” He said in a demoralizing tone, “I think I have just the fix for this, how about a little beating to take your mind off of it?”

 He started to come towards me clinching his fist. I backed off a bit preparing for the pain when I saw a broom come down of Kida’s head.

“Leave Vincent alone!”

Then this person kept beating the guys with the broom till they left. I noticed who it was after they left. Her name is Koyiko Koromiko. She is one of the cutest girls in my school.

Pictures from the FEAST

 Chainmail is all the rage.

 Mark the Monk

 Tina our wonderful medieval chef!

 Bread plates and bowls and stew and beef, oh my!

 Helen was a stealth elf in a past life.

 Queen Amber receives her 1st place prize.

 Brynn Hayley 2nd place Blog Contest!

 Mac Galbraith 2nd place for hours logged!

 We dine!

 Zoe Jardine 3rd place Blog Contest!

No forks during the Dark Ages!  Dominic manages just fine...

Remember, tomorrow we FEAST!

Awards!  Archery!  Silliness!  Yipee!

All Guild members to meet in the Library at the beginning of working period to get into costume and then we DINE!  Roast beef and pudding and wine (ok, sparkling juice), oh my!

and the winner is.........

ZOE JARDINE!!!  Last Class Story Bash 2011

Last Class Story Bash!

Would you like to be the next David Adams Richards or J.K. Rowling?  This is a shout-out to all aspiring creative writers.  Come on down to the library TODAY at noon hour and bring your lunch; we are having a LAST CLASS STORY BASH.  We are starting at 12:45 SHARP, no one will be permitted to join the contest after this time.  Come have fun with your fellow writers and have a chance to win the PRIZE: a copy of the awesome book by Karen Benke called: Rip the Page, Adventures in Creative Writing! 

Think you are too old for fairy tales?

This week at the Hampton High Library our Huskies in Ms. Spurr-Mackay's English class are learning all about MYTHS, LEGENDS, FOLKLORE, and yes, FAIRY TALES!!

Come check out our excellent collection of books on the subject, on display this week only.  We have BEASTS! Book One drawn by some of your favourite comic/graphic novel artists.

We also have four books in the "ology" series: Monsterology, Vampireology, Wizardology, Oceanology.

Maybe we'll even be lucky enough to have one of Ms. Spurr-Mackay's students share their own fairy tale on our little blog!

Happy reading.

~Ms. Carson
HHS Librarian

All I Want for Christmas is a Vampire

by Kerrelyn Sparks
Review by Amber Morehouse, grade 11

This is a vampire love story between Ian, a vampire bodyguard, and Toni, a mortal bodyguard for vampires.  Toni is protecting vampires in their day sleep so she can get proof of their existence and free her best friend from the psych ward.  Ian is a vampire that was turned when he was 16, and is taking an experimental drug that allows vampires to stay awake during the day.  The side effect is aging a year every time he uses it.  Ian wants to look older so he took the drug and is now uber hot.

Ian finds out about Toni's plan to prove the existence of vampires and doesn't like it, but will help Toni help out her friend.  Throughout all this Toni and Ian fall in love.

I would recommend this book if you like supernatural romance.

The Killing Game

by Iris Johansen
Review by Amber Morehouse, grade 11

This book is about a forensic sculptor, Eve Duncan, and her best friend Joe, a detective.  The story is about a serial killer who is trying to taunt Eve with the death of her child, Bonnie.  A little girl called Jane is the target of the serial killer.  They go across country trying to find the killer and keep him from killing Jane.  Eve's ex protects them from the police when Eve kidnaps Jane to keep her safe.  Joe and {Spoiler alert!} Eve get together by the end of the story.

I would recommend this if you like action-packed books.

Stranger in Her Arms

by Lorna Michaels
Review by Amber Morehouse, grade 11

This is a story about an FBI profiler losing his memory and ending up at nurse Christy's front door.  By the time that Jonathan regains his memory, they have been shot at, harassed by a dead snake, and nearly run off the road.  A serial killer is doing all this and tried to kill Jonathan because he was getting too close and the killer is trying to kill Christy because she was his type of victim and to tick off Jonathan.  By the end of the book, Jonathan and Christy end up together and the serial killer is in jail.

I would recommend this book if you like action-packed romance stories.

Final Target

by Iris Johansen
Review by Amber Morehouse, grade 11

This is the story of Melissa Riley and Michael Travis.  Melissa's sister is involved in a very dangerous endeavor.  She is trying to pull the president's daughter out of a coma.  Another person is trying to keep her in a coma because she saw something that she shouldn't have.  Travis saved the president's daughter and is trying to keep her, Melissa, and Melissa's sister safe.  Hopefully he succeeds.

The four of them go cross-country to try to keep from the killer and to get the president's daughter to wake up.  This is a very good book for action lovers.

If you like action-packed romance stories then I'd suggest this to a friend.

Blog Contest Update!

HEADS UP!!!!  Friday May 27th is the LAST day to get those blog contest entries in!!!!  So get writing!!!
Did you notice he's reading a library book?    :)  A good one too, I love Time's Arrow.
(I pinched this pic from http://www.martinamisweb.com/)

What My Father Gave Me

by various Canadian authors
Review by Brynn Haley, grade 10

What My Father Gave Me is a compilation of true stories about girls and their relationships with their fathers.  Each story is unique, just like each relationship, the characters, and the situations surrounding them.

I found the stories in this book all equally interesting.  The relationship between fathers and daughters is an important one that will help to shape a girl's life, and these stories show the profound impact a father has on his daughter.

I recommend this book to any girl.

And of course, this particular book review wouldn't be complete without a shoutout to my own dad: "I'm so proud to call you my dad, you're awesome and I love you!"

Medieval Faire a success!!!!!

Thank you to everyone who made our Medieval Faire a smashing success.  We surpassed our fundraising goal.  Highlights include Mrs. Hill walloping Andrew Perry with a pool noodle, beautiful music by Emma and Emily, Mr. Stoddart's humiliating though spirited defeat to Ms. Carson, and Mr. Boyd's excellent attempt to challenge her reign.  There were also a great many blows to our king's crown!  If anyone got any hilarious pictures, please post!! or email to me.  In fact, I had so much fun, I laughed myself hoarse (horse/hoarse...jousting...get it?? ahhh....lame, I know).  :)

 

Thanks for all the hard work Guild Members, you all deserve a place at the Round Table!!!

Three cheers!

 

~Ms. Carson

HHS Librarian

Medieval Faire ~ May 17th ~

Look good in tights and tunics?  Who doesn't?!

Join the Guild for a frolicking festival of fun on the lawn outside the Library Tuesday, May 17th.

Or, should the weather be crummy (oh, that never happens in NB) inside the Library at noon hour on Tuesday.  There will be minstrels, delicious baked goods, duels, and a chance to decrown the king!

All proceeds go to the Library Guild Feast and Award Ceremony to celebrate nerdiness and the love of reading!

Notice: All members must come for a VERY ESSENTIAL meeting Monday, May 16th at noon hour to pick out costumes and make the King's stocks.  Be there! or be square(d).

nice.

Einstein: A Life

by Denis Brian
Review by Matthew Blachard, grade 10

He was born March 14.  His face is a symbol of science.  His name is a synonym for genius.  Denis Brian's biography of Einstein will take you from beginning to end: from when he was just a little boy roaming the streets on his own, to when he whispered his last words on his death bed.  And everything in between.  This book goes deep into Einstein's life and beyond the science.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves history.

Alexis: My True Story of Being Seduced by an Online Predator

by Alexis Singer
Review by Brynn Haley, grade 10

Alexis is the true story of a teenage girl who met a seemingly harmless man online who ended up changing Alexis' life.

Alexis was part of an online community she refers to as "The Forum."  It's like any other forum, with average members, and the few well-known members.  Alexis is surprised when one of the most popular forum members sends her a casual message one day.  She has no idea what chain of events will unfold when she opens his message.

Over the course of the year, Alexis centers her life around the attention she gets from this man, and even though they've never met, she feels that he is quickly becoming the most important person in her life.  Alexis' personal life is put at stake, and everything changes, as her online relationship advances beyond what she imagined it could.

I could understand Alexis' deep-set need to please another person, and to get the attention she craved, no matter from who or in what form.  These are feelings that we all can have, so I recommend this book to teens and those who care about them.

Now THAT'S a Treehouse!!!

Just felt I needed to share this picture from Creating an Family Garden: Magical Outdoor Spaces for All Ages by Bunny Guinness.

Don't know what the sky is like in your neck of the woods...but here in Southern NB it's been rainy, cloudy, windy and um...rainy for weeks, with the occasional teaser of sunshine.  Going out to work in the garden has been, well, wet and drab (and oh my, it's also blackfly season!).  But I'm trying to remind the neighbours (and myself) that blackflies pollinate blueberries.  Summer will be here soon enough...for now, let's imagine we can open the door of this magical tree and slip down the rabbit hole of a really good book!

"Grey day, grey day, I watch but nothing moves today"

~from Dr. Seuss' My Many Colored Days

~Ms. Carson

HHS Librarian

The God Box

by Alex Sanchez
Review by Brynn Haley, grade 10

The God Box is about a boy named Paul, who holds his religion very close to his heart, and feels that his sexuality and religious beliefs cannot possibly mix.

Paul's church teaches that homosexuality is sinful and wrong, and Paul himself has believed that all his life.  But when an openly gay, Catholic boy named Manuel becomes a student at Paul's school, Paul is forced to confront his own feelings and re-examine his moral beliefs.  As Paul struggles to come to terms with his feelings, he asks Jesus for guidance and answers, but neither come easily.

This book examines an important question in both the LGBT and Christian communities: Can homosexuality and Christianity mix, or is it an impossible combination?

I recommend this book to any teen who is interested in this topic; this book is very insightful, yet allows the reader to come up with their own answers.