Hugo Cabret in 3-D

The SCLS Teen Blog hears that the film version of The Invention of Hugo Cabret will be in 3-D. The movie is scheduled to be released Dec. 9, 2011 (for now) and is being directed by Martin Scorsese (Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, The Aviator, Shutter Island, The Departed, etc.).

Prom Trends for 2010

Prom season is right around the corner! Teen Vogue has the inside track on what is hot in style, color, accessories and hair for her and him. Check it out by clicking on this link, or checking the magazine out from the Library!

http://www.teenvogue.com/style/2010/03/prom-2010-guide

One trend that seems to be mentioned in all the ads and articles includes gowns and dresses that reveal more than you would normally be allowed to show in school. Is this the case at your prom? What kind of dress are you planning to wear?

Let us know what you think!

Book on text messaging teens prompts most book challenges of 2009

ttyl series tops ALA's 2009 Top Ten list of most frequently challenged books

CHICAGO –Lauren Myracle’s best-selling young adult novel series ttyl, the first-ever novels written entirely in the style of instant messaging, tops the American Library Association’s (ALA) Top Ten list of the Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2009.

Two books are new to the list: Twilight (series) by Stephenie Meyer and My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult.

Both Alice Walker’s The Color Purple and Robert Cormier’s The Chocolate War return after being dropped from the list in 2008.

“Even though not every book will be right for every reader, the ability to read, speak, think and express ourselves freely are core American values,” said Barbara Jones, director of the ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom. “Protecting one of our most fundamental rights – the freedom to read – means respecting each other’s differences and the right of all people to choose for themselves what they and their families read.”

For nearly 20 years, the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) has collected reports on book challenges. A challenge is defined as a formal, written complaint, filed with a library or school, requesting that materials be removed or restricted because of content or appropriateness. In 2009, OIF received 460 reports on efforts to remove or restrict materials from school curricula and library bookshelves.

Though OIF receives reports of challenges in public libraries, schools, and school libraries from a variety of sources, a majority of challenges go unreported. OIF estimates that its statistics reflect only 20-25% of the challenges that actually occur.

The ALA’s Top Ten Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2009 reflect a range of themes, and consist of the following titles:

1. ttyl, ttfn, l8r, g8r (series), by Lauren Myracle Reasons: Nudity, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group, Drugs
2. And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell and Justin RichardsonReasons: Homosexuality
3. The Perks of Being A Wallflower, by Stephen ChboskyReasons: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Anti-Family, Offensive Language, Religious Viewpoint, Unsuited to Age Group, Drugs, Suicide
4. To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee Reasons: Racism, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group
5. Twilight (series) by Stephenie MeyerReasons: Sexually Explicit, Religious Viewpoint, Unsuited to Age Group
6. Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. SalingerReasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group
7. My Sister’s Keeper, by Jodi PicoultReasons: Sexism, Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Religious Viewpoint, Unsuited to Age Group, Drugs, Suicide, Violence
8. The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big, Round Things, by Carolyn MacklerReasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group
9. The Color Purple, Alice Walker Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group
10. The Chocolate War, by Robert CormierReasons: Nudity, Sexually Explicit, Offensive anguage, Unsuited to Age Group

Seven titles were dropped from the list, including: His Dark Materials Trilogy (Series) by Philip Pullman (Political Viewpoint, Religious Viewpoint, Violence); Scary Stories (Series) by Alvin Schwartz (Occult/Satanism, Religious Viewpoint, Violence); Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya (Occult/Satanism, Offensive Language, Religious Viewpoint, Sexually Explicit, Violence); Gossip Girl (Series) by Cecily von Ziegesar (Offensive Language, Sexually Explicit, Unsuited to Age Group); Uncle Bobby’s Wedding by Sarah S. Brannen (Homosexuality, Unsuited to Age Group); The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini (Offensive Language, Sexually Explicit, Unsuited to Age Group); and Flashcards of My Life by Charise Mericle Harper (Sexually Explicit, Unsuited to Age Group).

Also new this year is an updated list of the top 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of the Decade (2000 – 2009). Topping the list is the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, frequently challenged for various issues including occult/Satanism and anti-family themes. A complete listing can be found at http://tinyurl.com/top100fcb.

For more information on book challenges and censorship, please visit the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom’s Banned Books Week Web site at www.ala.org/bbooks.

The Office for Intellectual Freedom is charged with implementing ALA policies concerning the concept of intellectual freedom as embodied in the Library Bill of Rights, the Association’s basic policy on free access to libraries and library materials. The goal of the office is to educate librarians and the general public about the nature and importance of intellectual freedom in libraries.

Supernatural Writing Contest

Write a story featuring zombies, vampires, and other undead for the chance to win awesome prizes from Inkpop! You could win tech prizes such as the iPod Touch or even a trip to Inkpop's Supernatural Summer Book Tour. You can even win prizes just by voting on stories written by others!

Submit your entry on the following website: http://www.inkpop.com/contests/1/supernatural-writing-contest/

Attention Twilight Fans!

Stephenie Meyer is coming out with a new novella on June 5th! According to the web site: "Stephenie Meyer tells the devastating story of Bree and the newborn army as they prepare to close in on Bella Swan and the Cullens, following their encounter to its unforgettable conclusion." Check out the web site for more information: http://www.breetanner.com/.

Sneak Peek

ABC Family posted a sneak peek at the new Pretty Little Liars show, based on the bestselling series by Sara Shepard. The TV show will premiere this summer. Check out the clip.

Now, is the time to catch up on the series:

1. Pretty Little Liars
2. Flawless
3. Perfect
4. Unbelievable
5. Wicked
6. Killer
7. Heartless

Check the library catalog for each book!

Calling All Gleeks

Rumor has it that Oprah Winfrey's April 7 show will be devoted to all things Glee. Expect interviews with the cast and series creator, a never-before-seen backstage video and, of course, a show-stopping performance.

Oprah.com also is set to launch a destination page for Gleeks, which will include character guides, IQ tests, behind-the-scenes photos and more, on March 29.

Head to our catalog to find the Glee music CD and season 1 DVD.

Tell Your Story & Win $5000 from Aeropostale!

Aeropostale is searching for "Real Teens" to share why they are real teenagers by demonstrating respect, integrity, and compassion for others no matter how big or small. If you are between the ages of 13 and 19, you can find more information and sign up at http://www.realteens2010.com/. You also have the opportunity to vote in this contest. The top 8 Real Teens winners will each receive a $5,000 college scholarship and the chance to be featured in Aéropostale’s Fall 2010 marketing campaign. Submissions must be received by April 11, 2010, and winners will be announced during the week of April 19, 2010.

Calling All Blue Bloods Fans!

Keys to the Repository, the fifth book in the very popular Blue Bloods series by Melissa De La Cruz is set to be released on June 29, 2010 - just in time for some fun summer reading! You can place a hold on Keys to the Respository at the Somerset County Library's website. And never fear, this release is not the end of this fabulous series. A sixth book called Misguided Angel is set to be released on October 5, 2010. Melissa's official website also has announced that she is working on a spin-off series to Blue Bloods focusing on Bliss Llewellyn. The first book in this series will be called Wolf Pack. No release date is set for Wolf Pack yet. Once we know here at the library, we'll be sure to post it here.

Adam Lambert's Guyliner

American Idol standout Adam Lambert is once again making headlines for his lavish use of eyeliner. According to sources, Adam is "currently working on his own line of make-up for adventurous men. The line doesn’t stop at guyliner – it will also feature everything from foundation, concealer, shadow, mascara, and lip gloss, to nail polish."

Think Adam should stick with music and not makeup? Let us know what you think!

Facebook Takes on SNL

Long considered to be the stomping ground of oldsters and soccer moms, Facebook took one more step toward street cred this week when it was reported that an online movement to have veteran comedian Betty White host Saturday Night Live had actually worked. Average age group of the members driven to see the 84 year old host the show? 18 to 24. Facebook estimates that over 48,000 fans of the Facebook page propelled the movement forward and gained the attention of such outlets as CNN, MTV and The Daily Show.

Need a Facebook page of your own? Check out these great titles:

Facebook Me! : A Guide to having Fun with your Friends and Promoting Your Projects by Dave Awl

Facebook for Dummies by Carolyn Abram

Facebook : The Missing Manual by E. Vander Veer

Twilight Teaser Trailer Released!

After what seemed like an eternity of waiting for Twi-Hards, the ten second teaser trailer for Summit Entertainment's The Twilight Saga: Eclipse is now available! The full 90 second trailer will drop online on Thursday morning at around 6:00 AM PST/9:00 AM EST. Its contents are being kept under wraps but you can find some fun commentary analyzing the 10 second clip over at MTV.

The film is slated to hit conventional theaters and IMAX on June 30, 2010.

Books to Movies Buzz

With the entire media spotlight shining down on Tim Burton’s epic Alice in Wonderland, it’s entirely possible you may have missed the previews for two movies opening soon which will bring beloved stories to life! The first is a live action adaption of the wickedly popular Diary of a Wimpy Kid. The second is an animatron take on the Guardians of Ga'hoole series. Both have great word of mouth and have fans anxiously awaiting their release dates.

Watch the trailers below and let us know which movie looks better!

Diary of a Wimpy Kid




Guardians of Ga'hoole

Riot Grrl Reads

In honor of International Women’s Day, we’ve turned the spotlight on some great reads featuring heroines who are more interested in kicking butt than they are in romance. Check out these awesome titles full of riot grrl power!

Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer
Through journal entries sixteen-year-old Miranda describes her family's struggle to survive after a meteor hits the moon, causing worldwide tsunamis, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions.

Hold Still by Nina LaCour
Ingrid didn't leave a note. Three months after her best friend's suicide, Caitlin finds what she left instead: a journal, hidden under Caitlin's bed.

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly
In central Texas in 1899, eleven-year-old Callie Vee Tate is instructed to be a lady by her mother, learns about love from the older three of her six brothers, and studies the natural world with her grandfather, the latter of which leads to an important discovery.

Bad Apple by Laura Ruby
Tola Riley, a high school junior, struggles to tell the truth when she and her art teacher are accused of having an affair.

Broken Soup by Jenny Valentine
A photographic negative and two surprising new friends become the catalyst for healing as fifteen-year-old Rowan struggles to keep her family and her life together after her brother's death.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
In a future North America, where the rulers of Panem maintain control through an annual televised survival competition pitting young people from each of the twelve districts against one another, sixteen-year-old Katniss's skills are put to the test when she voluntarily takes her younger sister's place.

Book Review: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: The Classic Regency Romance—Now with Ultraviolent Zombie Mayhem!

It’s hard to avoid Jane Austen. Whether it’s from your Brit Lit class, the PBS mini-series or the countless movie adaptations, no doubt you’ve come across some version of Pride and Prejudice. Co-author Seth Grahame-Smith has re-imagined this classic novel by creating a subplot where a mysterious plague has afflicted England transforming people into flesh eating “unmentionables” (a.k.a. zombies) who roam the countryside killing and dismembering their victims. Grahame-Smith retains roughly 85% of the novel’s original text and his language and style mirrors that of Austen, making the addition of zombie mayhem relatively seamless. Whether you’re a loyal fan or zealous critic of Jane Austen, this book is definitely worth checking out.

Tech Alert: Google Buzz

Attention Gmail users! Google has created a new feature called Google Buzz which is built right into your Gmail account. Similar to Twitter and Facebook, Google Buzz allows you to share photo, links, and videos with people you chat with or email regularly. It is currently compatible with Twitter, Flickr, Picasa, YouTube, Google Chat and Google Reader so you can import material directly from these sites. There are currently plans to make it compatible with Facebook as well. Google Buzz is also available for mobile phones. Check it out today: http://www.google.com/buzz

Anti-Valentine's Day Poems

Even with postponing our annual Anti-Valentine's Party due to Snowmadgeddon 2010, we had an awesome turnout this afternoon! (Feb. 24th) One of the most hilarious activities we enjoyed were the writing of anti-love letters. Here are a few the spectacular ones:

Sweetie,
I love you, but now I see
You want nothing to do with me
This is really hard to say
'cause I held you tight,
You pushed me away
You leave me with the horrible fact
You're blind;
Can't see the heart you cracked
So I can see you like me- syke
but really ... what's not to like?!
--Veronica

You are my lover and always will be.
Even though you were just a little mean to me.
I know you love me,
and want me back.
But I'm sorry I can't stand this crap.
We're through.
I'm over you.
--Shelby

You mother fudge cake.
I'll kick your aspirin!
You biscuit,
so you better get the helicopter out of my face!
--Yvonne

Review of Incarceron by Catherine Fisher

Incarceron is every criminal’s worst nightmare: a sentient, ever evolving prison that morphs and grows according to its dark needs. Prisoners are born, live, love, fight and die in its depths like fleas on an infinite dog. Originally intended to be a utopian miracle of technological reform where criminals would be reborn and remade, the prison instead grew a cold intelligence and turned on its makers and the poor creatures trapped within it. Those on the Outside, in a parallel universe where humans have chosen to live like medieval villagers in an attempt to escape the anxiety of change and technology, still believe it is a paradise, while those who languish within do nothing but dream of escape. Only one man knows the truth about Incarceron—it’s Warden John Arlex. He possesses one of two crystal keys that allow communication between his world and the galaxy of the prison. Despite his best efforts to keep it hidden, it falls into the hands of his clever daughter, Claudia, who quickly uncovers its powers. There’s tons of cool twists–just when you think you have it figured out, the plot takes a 180. Place a hold on a copy today using the library’s catalog http://catalog.somerset.lib.nj.us/search~S8

Hunger Games 3 Title and Cover Announced!

I think anyone who has read the first two Hunger Games has been waiting anxiously for the final book in the series. The title and cover have just been announced. I personally LOVE the cover (mockingjay breaking free, pretty blue sky...foreshadowing?). To see the full article, visit the Scholastic Blog at: http://onourmindsatscholastic.blogspot.com/2010/02/hunger-games-book-3-cover-revealed.html.

So, what does an anxious reader do until the August 24th release date? Well, first you put the book on hold using the library’s catalog http://catalog.somerset.lib.nj.us/search~S8. Then you could read one of these books:



Dashner, James. The Maze Runner.
Teenage boys are deposited from a freight elevator into the middle of an enormous maze with no memory of their prior life or how they got there. One of the boys, 16-year-old Thomas, comes to a frightening understanding that he and the other boys must lock themselves in at night just to remain alive, and fight for their survival and a way to escape by day.

Fukui, Isamu. Truancy.
In the City, where an iron-fisted Mayor's goal is perfect control through education, 15-year-old Tack is torn between a growing sympathy for the Truancy, an underground movement determined to bring down the system at any cost, and the desire to avenge a death caused by a Truant.

Malley, Gemma. The Declaration.
In 2140 England, where drugs enable people to live forever and children are illegal, teenaged Anna, an obedient "Surplus" training to become a house servant, discovers that her birth parents are trying to find her.

Ness, Patrick. The Knife of Never Letting Go.
Pursued by power-hungry Prentiss and mad minister Aaron, Todd and Viola set out across New World searching for answers about his colony's true past and seeking a way to warn the ship bringing hopeful settlers from the Old World.

Nix, Garth. Shade's Children.
In a savage postnuclear world, four young fugitives attempt to overthrow the bloodthirsty rule of the Overlords with the help of Shade, their mysterious mentor.

Wooding, Chris. Storm Thief.
With the help of a golem, two teenaged thieves try to survive on the city island of Orokos, where unpredictable probability storms continually change both the landscape and the inhabitants.

Warren Rock Stars

Forget American Idol, America's Got Talent, and Glee. There are rock stars in Warren Township. This summer, the teens wrote and recorded an original song titled Made a Mistake. They did this during a two-hour workshop with artist Kathy Moser. Coming soon to your iPod: Made a Mistake by WTL Teens.