The Best Book You Probably Haven’t Read: Going Bovine

Title: Going Bovine
Author: Libba Bray
Audience: Older Teens & Adults

This book is so far and away my favorite read from 2009 that nothing even came close. On its surface, it is a story about Cameron, a slacker teen who find his whole life thrown off balance when he is diagnosed with Mad Cow Disease. What happens next is a roller coaster ride involving Cameron, a hypochondriac dwarf, a feisty gnome, a punk rock angel and one of the craziest road trips in history. But what really makes this story so irresistible is that it can be read either as a hallucination as Cameron’s loses his brain to his disease bit by bit or as a supernatural battle between good an evil. Either way, you’ll love Cameron’s acerbic humor and root for him in his battle against death. This book is a monster clocking in at 480 pages but the characters are so well defined and unforgettable that you’ll be tempted to start rereading the minute you finish.

My other favorites of 2009: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins; Columbine by Dave Cullin; The Everafter by Amy Huntley; The Forrest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan; When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

And don’t forget to check out Libba Bray’s own book trailer on youtube!

Tech Alert: TheOneAbout.com

Everyone knows that youtube is a rad way to upload and share videos with friends. But what about being able to have your friends add to that video to create one monster work of staggering genius? TheOneAbout.com is a super easy program that will not only do that but much, much more. Right now it’s only in its Beta version but you can still create what is called “Tributes.” Basically these are compilation videos of friends or events. Check it out here.

Think it has the legs to replace youtube in the future? Let us know!

Bye, Bye Hannah

It was a sad news day for Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana fans when The Disney Channel confirmed today that the hit comedy, Hannah Montana, will air its final season in spring, 2011. But thanks to the library you can relive all of the fun through our collection of DVDs and CDs. Check out the catalogue for specific titles today!

Movie Monday: 51 Things

HurricaneAubrey took the YouTube world by storm a little over a year ago with this entertaining video that made me think a little bit differently about the stuff I have hanging around my apartment. If you haven't seen it yet, I suggest you take a peek.

Movie Monday: What not to do with books

While I don't recommend that you bust out some books to use as ping pong paddles (especially not SCLS library books!) I do recommend that you watch this video in its entirety. Hilarious!

Let your voice be heard!

Got something to say? Let us know!

Really loved a book? Hated it? Let us know. Send us a book review.

Think we should feature a website or video? Email it.

After librarian review, your thoughts, poetry or whatever may end up on the SCLS Teen Blog. Why not give it a try? Send us an email at sclsteens@gmail.com.

Movie Monday: Crowd Control

Madison Square Garden just has one question: Where's Rob?

Craftacular: Gift in a jar

Couldn't make it out to Watchung's Teen Cafe tonight? No worries, you can still make a gift in a jar for someone this holiday season. The best part about these gifts is that you probably already have the ingredients lounging around your pantry. This website has a vast variety of recipes sure to please your friends and family. We made the M&M cookies tonight, but you can use whatever you like.

Movie Monday: Holiday Craftacular Edition

Strapped for cash but still want to give a stunning holiday present this year? Or perhaps you want to look your best this New Year's Eve. Either way, try on this handmade accessory tutorial from Teen TV's Craft Club for size.

NOTE: The video play automatically (as I'm sure you've found out by now)

Sparkly bib necklaces:

Movie Monday: Daredevil Edition

There are no words for how mind boggling amazing this is, so just watch as these guys attempt to create a life-size Hot Wheels style Loop the Loop.



[Note: Obviously you shouldn't try this at home]

Craftacular: Zipper Flower Rosettes

Zipper rosettes are very big right now and can sometimes carries big price tag to match. Instead of buying a headband or necklace, why not try your hand at making one yourself? Check out 15 year old Gabby's blog Quirky and Co. for an easy to understand tutorial (complete with pictures!) on how to make one for yourself or for someone on your holiday gift list in about an hour or so.

Movie Monday

We're going to try something a little different here on the SCLS Teen Blog. Starting today we are going to feature random videos of all sorts every Monday. For the opening Movie Monday, I'm going to bring you not one but TWO excellent videos that showcase two people that took their doodles to the next level and then some.

Facebook: Atari Photo Sauce

There's a new facebook app that takes remixing your photos to a whole new level. Atari Photo Sauce lets you easily transform your photos into a vibrant smorgasbord of awesomeness. You want to make your pictures sickenly cute? Check. You want a butcher's knife coming out of your head? Check. You name it, and there's probably a digital sticker for you. Don't just take my word for it, check out some of these pictures:

Here's one I made using a random concert picture:

Pretty Little Liars news

Looks like ABC Family (home to 10 Things I Hate About You and Greek) is trying to turn The Pretty Little Liars series by Sara Shepard into a TV show.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the show is set three years after the disappearance of the manipulative and vindictive "Queen Bee" Alison. It revolves around her four 16-year-old girlfriends, Aria , Emily, Spencer and Hanna, who have lost touch with one another until each of them begins to receive mysterious messages suggesting that Alison is watching them and knows every secret they're desperate to keep. The messages don't stop even after Alison's body finally is discovered.

My Zombie Form

Vampires were so 2008, while Zombies are so 2009.

Have a little fun and "zombify yourself."

Toy Story

Ever wonder what inanimate objects would do if they could move around? Flickr user Stefan created an internet sensation with this concept in his flickr set Stormtroopers 365. Each day he takes a picture of two stormtroopers enjoying their free time away from Darth Vader.

I wonder if the stormtroopers checked out their manga book from their local library...

Do you tweet?

Demi Lovato does and so do her Camp Rock costars, the Jonas Brothers!

Here's one of Demi's most recent tweets:

Looks like I'll be trick-or-treating in a hotel this year somewhere on the east coast.... What to wear, what to wear...3:46 PM Sep 15th from web

And not to forget the JoBros, here is a tweet from today, honoring their brother Nick:

Happy Birthday to our bro' Nick J!! We love you man, many more to come!!!! - Joe and Kevinabout 3 hours ago from web

The Clique: Teen Queen DS

If you love The Clique series by Lisi Harrison, then you’ll want to check out the soon to be released Nintendo DS game from Gorilla Systems. Slated for an Autumn 2009 premier, The Clique: Teen Queen will allow users to take on the role of the new girl at school and compete in a bunch of challenges to climb the social ladder. For more information, visit the official site. You can also download lots of cool freebies like ringtones and wallpapers!

Vote Now!

You may not have been old enough to vote in last year's election, but you can still have your opinion heard. Below are two on-going award campaigns that are waiting for your vote.

Books
Polls are now open for the Teens' Top Ten 2009! Click here to go to the ballot and select three of your favorite titles. We will post the results here, so stay tuned!

Movies

Spike TV is looking for voters to honor their favorite science fiction, fantasy, horror movie actors, actresses, movies and comics with the 2009 SCREAM awards. Some literary favorites are among the nominees, such as Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Twilight and slew of comic/graphic novel titles.

School Shopping

Need some new school duds? Why not take some inspiration from your
favorite book and tv characters this season! Some lines to be on the
lookout for include:

The new Miley Cyrus/Max Azaria line now available at Walmart will
feature a variety of leggings, tie-dyed camisoles and lots of basic
tees.

The Jonas Brothers have a line aptly called “JONAS” that mixes prep
school style with a rocker twist. It is avaliable at J.C. Penney,
Kmart, Sears, Wal-Mart and Target.

A line inspired by “Wizards of Waverly Place” will feature boho chic
tunic tops and miniskirts. Most of the fashions will be available at
Kmart, Sears and Target.

Beyonce has a collection for teens through her Sasha Fierce collection
that will be sold exclusively at Macys.

“Mad Style for True Jackson” is inspired by the Nickelodeon hit and
has items designed by the star, Jane Siskin. Sold at Wal-Mart, this
line will feature a wide array of jean styles.

Love Gossip Girl? Target will be selling a line inspired by the show
from September 13-October 17.

Twilight: New Moon apparel will drop in Nordstrom’s on October and
will feature clothing all of the main characters would wear.

Guilty Pleasure Music

This time tomorrow my tween cousin and I will be on my way to the Taylor Swift concert. And I’m trying to keep a pretty low profile about it. Why? Because Taylor Swift is what I would define as a guilty pleasure. You know, those songs that you blast when you’re alone but would never admit to liking in public?

I started thinking about some of my other guilty pleasures and have compiled a playlist of sorts. Sadly these six tunes appear on my iPod and are on frequent play. All of these songs are available through your library for no charge. And don’t worry. They have plenty of other music available you won’t be embarrassed to listen to in front of your friends!

Song Title: Wannabee
Artist: The Spice Girls

Song Title: Dress You Up
Artist: Madonna

Song Title: Kiss Me Deadly
Artist: Lita Ford

Song Title: The Final Countdown
Artist: Europe

Song Title: It’s Not Unusual
Artist: Tom Jones

Song Title: Right Now
Artist: Van Halen

What's your greatest guilty pleasure?

DVD Alert: Disaster Flicks

I know most people get their thrills from roller coasters in the summer but when I’m looking for an adrenaline rush, I love to hit up the library’s DVDs. I’m pretty much obsessed with disaster flicks, especially those old school films that rely less on special effects and more on tapping into the fear of the unknown and dread of the expected. These films may have been made years ago, but they definitely hold up. Below is a list of my top five favorite disaster flicks. And the best part? You can check them out and it won’t cost you a thing! So the next time you’re looking for a reason to stay in the air conditioning, pop in one of these bad boys. You won’t be disappointed!

5. The Swarm
The premise is pretty simple really: a swarm of killer bees attack the United States. But what makes this disaster flick so irresistible is the clichés and ridiculous dialogue. If you prefer humor in your disaster films, look no further.

4. Earthquake
While earthquakes and their aftermath are pretty standard fare these days, check out the movie that started it all. Charlton Heston leads a ragtag group as they try to deal with the aftermath of an earthquake that has leveled Los Angeles.

3. Poseidon
Although I still have a special fondness for the over the top acting of the original film, the Poseidon Adventure, this remake stands apart for its excellent action sequences. On New Year’s Eve is capsized by a wave trapping a group of people beneath the sea. Their only hope of survival is making their way to the water’s surface- a task made more difficult by fires, flooding and falling debris.

2. The Andromeda Strain
Based on the best selling novel by Michael Crichton, the last ten minutes of this film will have you sitting on the edge of your seat. The story starts as a remote village in New Mexico is contaminated by a satellite crash. When scientists discover the origin of the deadly matter, everything starts to unravel.

1. The Towering Inferno
On the night of its dedication, a raging fire breaks out in the world’s tallest skyscraper trapping all of the party goers inside. Paul Newman and Steve McQueen lead this all star cast with some of the most quotable film lines ever. I still think of this film every time I enter a building over five stories tall!

Upcoming Program at WGL

This Saturday we are having the first annual Teen Summer Writing Festival at the Watchung Library. There will be a variety of different writers offering mini presentations, workshops and fun writing games to help combat writer's block and allow you to Express Yourself @ your library this summer! For more information on the program details, check out the flyer below.

Miranda Cosgrove Visits Bridgewater Mall!

Attention all iCarly fans! According to Miranda Cosgrove’s official Twitter page and website, she will be at the Bridgewater Commons Mall on September13, 2009 at 12:00PM signing autographs at the Aeropostale store!

The 99: Superheroes You Need to Know

Move over Batman and Spiderman, the 99 are coming! Word has it that the world’s first Muslim Superheroes, the 99, are headed to British television screens as early as next year. Created by Dr. Naif al-Mutawa to counter Jihadist role models, characters include a burka-clad woman named Batina the Hidden and a Saudi Arabian Hulk-type man named Jabbar the Powerful. The show is called the 99 because each character (yes that means 99 characters!) possesses one of Allah’s 99 attributes. Given that Forbes magazine just listed the 99 as one of the top 20 trends sweeping the globe, many eyes will be on the series to gauge its potential crossover appeal with western viewers.

To read more media coverage of the new British show, visit the 99!

TV Alert: Project Runway

After what seems like decades of legal wrangling, the sixth season of Project Runway finally drops tonight at its new home on Lifetime. Time will tell how much spandex and glitter will fall victim to this current crop of designers. In the meantime, bust out your best dress crafted from produce and check out these books guaranteed to unleash your inner fashion diva!

Title: Influence
Authors: Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen

Title: The 1980s and 1990s
Author: Deidre Clancy Steer

Title: Careers for Fashion Plates & Other Trendsetters
Author: Lucia Mauro

What's happening at WGL

Last night in the kitchen of the Watchung Library, three of our teens had a blast creating candy sushi as part of a new monthly program called Teen Cafe. Take a peek at the cooking process and see the artistic snack they made!

What would sushi be without sticky rice? Observe our teens rolling out freshly made rice krispie treats to begin the sushi process:

Here you can see our teens wrapping their "sticky rice" with fruit roll-ups:

And voila! Candy sushi, complete with some Swedish Fish:

Interested in coming to the next Teen Cafe? Join us in Watchung next month and learn how to make chocolate-dipped peanut butter pretzel sandwiches!

Need a new look?

Thought of all the ways you could possibly Express Yourself this summer? Think again! Try mixing up the way you tie your shoelaces with these neat instructions.

Anyone that has read Scott Westerfield's So Yesterday can tell you that funky shoelaces are a great way to get noticed.

Did you hear?

The N, known for it's television programming for teens, will be changing their name to TeenNick starting September 28th. Here is an excerpt from their FAQ page:

Is it true that The N is going to turn into TeenNick?

Man, you are on top of this stuff! Here's what's up: This fall The N is going to change its name to TeenNick. That's all. We'll still have the same awesome shows, an awesome website, and Degrassi... we'll just have a different name and logo. We might change how things look but not how things are. The same people are still gonna work here. Basically everything here will have the same spirit, attitude, and audience that it does right now; it's just going to be called TeenNick.

Can't get enough Twilight?

Then good thing it's coming out in graphic novel format! Entertainment Weekly reports that Stephanie Meyer is working closely with the artist Young Kim to ensure this next adventure for her saga meets her vision.

Here is a sneak peak at a frame (sans dialogue):

New Moon Trailer

Check out the trailer for New Moon:
http://www.newmoonmovie.org/trailer/

Mark Your Calendars

The release date for the movie version of "Twilight" has been moved up to Friday, Nov. 21. Do you think it will be the No. 1 movie of the weekend? How much do you think it will make? Do you plan to see it?

Teen Book Review: Payback by Paul Langan

(also published as The Gun)

Payback is a very fascinating book, if you like realistic fiction. The Payback is a book about a boy name Tyray Hobbs who, if you ask me, is a really stupid boy who likes to get in lot of trouble. Last year, a little boy name Darrell learned to face up and decided to take down Tyray Hobbs. Following with his bullying behavior, the reader learns that he has family problems. I wouldn’t want to cause any more problems for myself, if you hear what I’m saying. I wouldn’t make a lot of trouble or do hateful things to people because it may turn back to bite you.

-by Maddy

City of Ember Movie

The movie version of popular novel by Jeanne DuPrau is due out in October. Check out the trailer at http://www.cityofember.com/

The Dangerous Days of Daniel X

Calling all Maximum Ride fans! The new novel by James Patterson will be released on July 21, 2008. Place a hold you your copy today!

Calling All Erin Hunter Fans!

The Erin Hunter Team behind the popular Warriors series has created an exciting new series called The Seekers. Place a hold on your copy of The Quest Begins (book 1) today!

Teen Book Review: The Other Boleyn Girl

The Other Boleyn Girl is one of Philippa Gregory’s best works. It is a historical fiction novel about Mary Boleyn (the narrator) and her family’s desperate attempt to raise both the Boleyn and the Howard names to riches and fame. They try to make their way to the Tudors (the royal family) by making Mary become his mistress in hopes that she can provide the son that Queen Katharine cannot give King Henry.

This novel gives the reader an inside look at the English court and the Tudor family. I was delighted by this book. The dramatic and historical take on this portion of history made me feel engaged in this book. Though it is somewhat lengthy (about four hundred pages), I felt a connection to this book. I had been reading it for so long that I felt married to this book. Oddly, I could have spent my whole life reading this book over and over again. Still, when I was done, I had to put it aside and remember the wonderfully scandalous events.

Obviously, I recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction but I also believe that there is another kind of reader who would enjoy it. This book is for
the girl who waits for the new Lisi Harrison book to come out or the new Gossip Girl book. I can come to this opinion because I am that kind of reader. I thrive on scandalous books that weave social hierarchy into the mix. This was one of my favorite books I have ever read and after a long marriage; I have to put it aside for another Phillipa Gregory novel. With hope it will be as good as the last.

-Reviewed by Larissa-Helen

Prequel to: The Golden Compass

Due out in April, the prequel to Philip Pullman's The Golden Compass. Place a hold on a copy today at http://www.somerset.lib.nj.us/

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