4th Twilight Book Announced!

Stephenie Meyer has announced that Breaking Dawn, the fourth book in the Twilight Series will be released on August 2, 2008! For more information, visit Stephenie's website at http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/breakingdawn.html

Teen Book Review: Someone to Love Me by Anne Schraff

Someone to Love Me is a very interesting book, if you like realistic fiction and books that deal with real problems. Someone to Love Me is about a girl named Cindy Gibson who doesn’t love herself, so she dates a boy named Bobby Wallace who abuses her.

I think that, if you read this book, you will love it! Many girls have issues with themselves, emotionally and physically, and this book relates to that. I also liked that Cindy’s friends gave her advice on how to be true to herself and not let any boy give her a negative self-image. Someone to Love Me is a book that will interest you a lot and also the whole Bluford Series!

Reviewed by Maddy

Teen Book Review: Confessions: a novel by Kate Brian

They want blood…

I am befuddled as to what to say about this minute portion of Kate Brian’s writing. It provides for the mystery fans but, hardly provides for followers of Cecily Von Ziegesar books who were led to believe the book was going to be a Gossip Girls clone. For both fans, this novel takes you through a whirlwind; from disappointment to enjoyment, laughter to boredom.

Since this is an addition to Brian’s series, the main idea of the novel seems simple, but is rather complex. In the book, Reed Brennan is attending a private school, Easton. When things seem to be going smoothly, Reed’s current boyfriend is arrested for the murder of her ex-boyfriend. Though the evidence appears to present a clear cut murderer, Reed believes that her boyfriend didn’t commit the crime.

The book is well written and somewhat enjoyable but, this mystery themed novel is not what the Cecily Von Ziegesar fans signed up for. Also, it’s not a book that you would run out to buy or the type of book that you would tote around and read in every waking moment during the day. In the preceding novels, hazing and social hierarchy had a consistent roll in each novel. However, this novel allows those qualities to wither away into what I perceive will lead to nothingness. Kate Brian is trying to change the series’ identity but, she can’t. I’m worried that this book will always try to jump between those two groups of fans I described. The series is going through an identity crisis. Followers of both types of books have one thing in common: They are both blood thirsty crowds that aren’t being satisfied as consistently as they should be. Their commonality is that they want blood.

I wouldn’t prevent anyone from reading this book because it is a well written book. This book would be a fit suggestion for mystery fans. It was over all entertaining and distractive. Since I am not a mystery fan but, rather a Cecily Von Ziegesar fan, I still want blood.

-Reviewed by Larissa-Helen

Teen Book Review- Before I Die by Jenny Downham

Not a book you have to read before you die...

If you want a book that inspires you to gauge your eyes out in horror and disgust, this is the book for you.

Before I Die was written by Jenny Downham. The book’s premise is centered on a teenage girl who is terminally ill with what can be assumed to be a cancerous disease of some nature. This girl decides that, before she dies, she wants to do all the things she has never done. Her sidekick is her best friend, who keeps encouraging the main character to complete the goals on the list.

I disliked this book because it was just so depressing. My first thought, after the first chapter, was that this book wasn’t sad or dark…just annoying. Yes, she is terminally ill. We know. We get it. Then, after a while, she starts to say that she doesn’t want to complete the list anymore but forces her friend to make her continue. Why?

I couldn’t figure out the setting. First, I thought they were in America, then I thought they were in England. Finally, I stopped caring. If you read this book, you’ll be inclined to burn it and if you want to read it, then you’re just crazy.

-Reviewed by Larissa-Helen

Twilight: The Movie

Have you heard who has been cast as Bella and Edward in the Twilight movie?

Kristen Stewart (Panic Room, Into the Wild and Speak) nabbed the role of Bella, while Robert Pattinson (Cedric Diggory in the Harry Potter movies) will play Edward.

What do you Twilight fans think?

September 23, 2008

That is the date book three of the Inheritance series will publish, according to Random House. Christopher Paolini is the author of the Inheritance series, which started with Eragon and then Eldest.

Let the countdown begin ...

Now You're Library is Open Late Night Too!

Things you can do with duct tape!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Note: We received this on July 20! Apologies for the late posting.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K.Rowling, the last and final book in the Harry Potter series, comes out tomorrow! At midnight, people will most likely be FLOCKING to the nearest book store to grab their hands on the final Harry Potter book. J.K. Rowling says that Deathly Hallows will definitely be the last Harry Potter book, much to the disappointment of major HP fans. In ten years of time, Harry Potter has become one of the most famous books/movies in the whole world! When J.K. Rowling just started writing HP, she was a struggling mother who took care of her child alone. Now, she is worth about 1 Billion dollars! She has also found a new husband and now has three darling children! Someone will definitely die in the last book, and Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort will face off for their last and final time. Though, we have no idea what the outcome will be. Rowling used many twists and turns in the series, and there will definitely be some in this last book, probably the most mysterious and most anticipated HP book of all. I personally think that out of Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Harry Potter, Harry will be the only one that lives and he and Ginny will pair up. Neville, Voldemort, and Draco may die and Snape may turn good. Though, or course, this is only MY opinion, and there probably is many others. The only way to find out the real outcome is to read the last and final book of the HP series. We also must anticipate that Rowling starts a new series that will captivate our minds, though I believe that it would never match Harry Potter's popularity. Almost every kid and adult has heard of Harry Potter and/or read at least one of the books and/or saw at least one movie. We will all wait for midnight to buy the probably the most mysterious and most anticipated HP book ever. Posted by Laurel Now that the book is out, what did you think of it? Leave your comments here!

Mehndi Program at Bridgewater Library

Poem

Courage

When the whimper of your fears
Awakens in your eyes
The harder you think
The more you cry

Your soul on undecided
On fire inside
Its time to step up
You think of those who lied

It’s your time to be brave
To get up and fight
From the same eyes you cried from
You see a new sight

People around you changing
Coming out of their shell
You come out of the point
Where you fell

By: Cristina

Series / Book Review: Warriors by Erin Hunter

Warriors by Erin Hunter leads you through that you have never seen through before, through the eyes of a wild cat, or Clan cats. These wild cats live in 4 different Clans, and they not only are allies, but rivals also. ThunderClan, WindClan, RiverClan, and ShadowClan are all different in their many ways, personality, terrain of their territory, prey, and sometimes, appearance. Their biggest similarity is that they all join under StarClan, their warrior ancestors. After a cat dies, they walk the sky paths of StarClan, and they look down on the living cats, and advise them however they can.
In every Clan, there are 9 different ranks. The first is kits, or kittens. Every Clan cat has two parts to their name, each name is made of two different words, the first part is the part that usually stays with them forever. The second part changes according to your rank, For kits, their name would be [blank]kit (EX.Ripplekit)Then, when they are six moons old, or six months, they are each assigned a mentor, usually a senior warrior, a deputy, or rarely, a leader. At this time, the cat's name would be [blank]paw. (EX. Ripplepaw) The mentors teach every apprentice the way of the Clans, their territory, hunting skills, fighting skills, and of course, the warrior code, a set of rules that each Clan cat must go by, or face the consequences. The next rank is warrior, when an apprentice is about 12 moons old, or when the leader see fit, they become warriors. Then, their name would be totally unique, being [blankblank]. (EX. Ripplepelt) Sometimes, when a cat becomes apprentice, they choose to be a medicine cat apprentice, still following the warrior naming system, but they assist the medicine cat, and learn the different uses of each herb from their medicine cat mentor. As a medicine cat or medicine cat apprentice, you must go to the Moonpool every half-moon and share tongues with StarClan, meaning, going to the Moonpool and talking/conversing with StarClan. Sometimes, when danger is ahead, or some big event, StarClan will go into usually, the leader's or either medicine cat's dreams and give them a prophecy, a mysterious message that might hint about the future. There are two leaders, a leader, which is the highest rank, and a deputy, as a second-in-command. As a deputy, your warrior name stays, but as a leader, the second part of your name will become "star". So, the name would be [blank]star. (EX. Ripplestar) A queen is a she-cat who is expecting or nursing kits in the nursery, and an elder is a cat that has retired from its duties as a warrior or medicine cat. That does not mean that they won't be able to protect their Clan, only that they have retired. There are many other rules and customs of the Clan cats, but if I listed those, I would be here all day. To find out, pick up the first book, Into the Wild, at your local library. To find out more about the Clan cats and the authors, go to http://www.warriorcats.com/. One more thing, did you know that Erin Hunter, the author is actually three people? Kate Cary and Cherith Baldry take turns writing each book, and Vicky Holmes comes up with the major storyline and she is also the editor! Please remember to pick up these books! Also, for some major fan sites/forums, go to:

1. http://www.warriorswish.net/
2. http://www.warriorswish1.proboards85.com/
3. www.kitsufox.com/warriors

There are many more fan sites/forums and if you don't like these that I listed, google it, and go to your favorite fan site/forum!

Reviewed by Laurel

Book Review - The New Rebellion by Kristine Kathryn Rusch

“…As though a million voices cried our in terror and were suddenly silenced.” (Ben Kenobi Epi. IV) On Yavin IV, home of the Jedi Academy, and on Coruscant, capital of the New Republic, Luke Skywalker and Chief of State Leia Organa Solo feel a great shock in the Force. Millions have suddenly perished in a massive galactic genocide. The New Rebellion, by award-winning author Kristine Kathryn Rusch, is set 13 years after Return of the Jedi, and reveals a dire new threat to the New Republic, the Jedi, and the entire galaxy.
On Coruscant, Leia Organa Solo faces a political challenge. Former Imperials have been allowed to join the Senate. Feeling that they will stir up trouble, Leia plans to set the tone for the Senate’s term by boldly reminding everyone of the horrors of the Empire. But it seems that there is a new horror has appeared in the galaxy when a huge explosion rocks the Senate chamber, injuring and killing hundreds. Han Solo, Leia’s husband, follows a lead to Smuggler’s Run, a “wretched hive of scum and villainy” (Ben Kenobi Epi. IV). Meanwhile, Luke tracks down a former pupil turned rogue Jedi named Brakiss, who may hold the secret to the devastation. And on Coruscant, Leia confronts a political disaster. But all these events have been orchestrated by a master of the dark side of the Force, bent on controlling the galaxy. He’s targeted Luke, Leia, and billions more to die in a “holocaust unequaled in galactic history.”
The New Rebellion has all the old favorites facing down a shadowy new menace. Star Wars fans will be pleased to know that this also has famous Expanded Universe characters, such as Talon Karrde, Mara Jade, and Wedge Antilles. The rest of you don’t need to worry, you don’t have to be a Star Wars genius to be able to read this book. This story is most interesting partially because of a storyline involving R2-D2 and C-3PO. The dynamic droid duo turns out to be a lot more than anyone expects and end up being vital to the future of the New Republic.
I highly recommend this stand-alone novel to everybody. You don’t have to love Star Wars to enjoy this magnum opus of a book. Kristine Kathryn Rusch does a masterful job of creating a suspenseful storyline, compelling characters, and a thrilling conclusion.

Reviewed by Andrew

Robin Friedman at Borders

Author Robin Friedman will appear at the Borders in Bridgewater on Friday, June 29 at 7 p.m.

Friedman's books include How I Survived My Summer Vacation and The Silent Witness. Her newest book is The Girlfriend Project.

For more details, call the store at (908) 231-0111 or visit the author's Web site at http://www.robinfriedman.com

Movie Review:

NEW BLONDE BOND,
SAME GOOD OLD ACTION

Americans for years have had a fascination for the British secret agent who, before his successful films, was just another character in a series of novels by Former British WWII Agent Ian Fleming. Sean Connery (The Untouchables) of course became the first to have the chance to showcase stylish action skills and impeccable cunning as Ian Fleming’s famous 007. Connery was followed by Roger Moore (007 For Your Eyes Only) and others; the latest two being the charming Pierce Brosnan (007 Goldeneye), and the blonde pretty boy Daniel Craig. When Craig was introduced as the new Bond in 007 Casino Royale, Americans all asked the same questions: “Who the heck is this guy?” and “Why is he blonde?” Well, those who are actively into movies would know Craig’s noteworthy role in Spielberg’s Munich. As for the blonde part, American filmmakers have always had a preference of blondes over brunettes. Am I right? Out of the other potential nominees, which included British powerhouses such as Hugh Grant, Clive Owen, and Orlando Bloom, Craig was the only one who not only looked the part, but acted better than any Bond that America had seen since Sir Sean Connery.

Fleming’s 007 Casino Royale starts at the beginning of Bonds career when he has yet to achieve his double-0 status. Packed with lengthy chase scenes, action packed encounters with epic villains such as Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen), and beautiful damsels in distress, make Bonds newest flick the best yet. Judy Dench’s (Shakespeare in Love) performance as “M” deserved an Oscar nomination of its own, and Craig’s performance as the 007 (which was nominated for a BAFTA Award) was so believable, that he could make Bond more popular than he already is (if that’s even possible). So it just goes to show; no matter what color your hair is, its your acting that makes your character worth watching.
7.5 out of 10

By Soham

High School Musical 2

The Disney Network plans to air High School Musical 2 on Friday, Aug. 17. The sequel takes place over the summer. Troy (Zac Efron) is working at the local country club and gets Gabriella (Vanessa Anne Hudgens) a job as a lifeguard. However, he is unaware that Sharpay (Ashley Tisdale) wants to keep them apart. Everyone else is back as they all get ready for the club's annual talent show.

Scott Westerfeld's new book

Scott Westerfeld, author of "So Yesterday" and the "Uglies" trilogy recently spoke at a conference for librarians and gave some details about his newest book "Extras." It is the fourth book in the "Uglies" trilogy/series and is set in Japan. It takes place three years after the end of "Specials" and has a different main character. There will be some guest stars from the "Uglies" trilogy in the newest book. He said in the world of "Extras," fame has replaced money and face rank is the most important thing (think FaceBook, MySpace, etc.) "Extras" is to fame as "Uglies" is to beauty is the way Scott described it. "Extras" looks like it will be out Oct. 2, 2007. For more information, check out Scott's blog at http://www.scottwesterfeld.com/blog/

The Golden Compass Movie

If you've ever read the His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman, you'll want to check out this website from the upcoming movie The Golden Compass, the first book in the trilogy. Find out what your daemon is, and if you're saying to yourself, "a what?," visit the website!

Princeton Teen Book Bash

The Princeton Public Library is hosting the Princeton Teen Book Bash on Saturday, May 5 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. There will be a bunch of young adult authors at the event. You can meet them, hear them read from their books and buy signed copies.

Some of the authors scheduled to appear are K.L. Going ("Fat Kid Rules the World"); Megan McCafferty ("Charmed Thirds"); Blake Nelson ("Paranoid Park"); Maureen Johnson ("13 Little Blue Envelopes"); Ned Vizzini ("It's Kind of a Funny Story"); E. Lockart ("Dramarama"); and more.

Go to www.princeton.lib.nj.us/teens/books/index.html for details.

Movie Review - Little Miss Sunshine

The typical American Family Comedy. We have seen it. A father who strives for his children to make him proud, a mother with depression and anxiety from god-knows what, a suicidal uncle ready to end his time on earth, a drug addicted grandfather who feels no shame in destroying his lungs, a nihilistic teenager who refuses to converse with his family because they are so “uncool”, and an adorable little girl who is more concentrated on her looks than anything else. Have we seen this before? Probably. The lack of unoriginality in such movies like “RV” makes the family comedy genre an Oscar- repellant.

But Little Miss Sunshine changed all that stereotyping once it came into theatres. We have all seen American families have major breakdowns on the silver screen before, but not as entertaining as this. Little Miss Sunshine, with it’s quirky, and out-of-the-box humor, keeps a smirk on its audiences’ faces from start to finish. The fabulous direction by husband-wife duo Jonathan Dayton, and Valerie Farris, and a superb debut screenplay by Michael Ardnt, make this family comedy a complete rival to the ordinary.

With 2 Golden Globe Nominations and popular bids for Oscars, Little Miss Sunshine is truly the surprise comedy of the year. An artsy look at a typical American family that delivers to America, one extremely important moral: No matter how different or weird the members of you family are, they are still your family and that’s all that matters.
By Soham