teen librarian

Once again the brilliant bloggers over at Booksmugglers are running their YA Appreciation Month. Click on the image to take a look…

Daniel A. Rabuzzi‘s debut fantasy novel The Choir Boats (ChiZine Publications, Toronto, 2009) is featured
as Wowio‘s July Book of the Month. During July 2010 only, the e-book version is FREE to download here: The Choir Boats

The Choir Boats was selected by January Magazine as a Top Ten YA Novel for 2009.
Reviewers describe it as “Gulliver’s Travels crossed with The Golden Compass and a dollop
of Pride and Prejudice,” and “a muscular, Napoleonic-era fantasy that, like Philip
Pullman’s Dark Materials series, will appeal to both adult and young adult readers.”

Knowing that the quickest way to a man’s heart is through the breastbone is of no help when you are trying to win it
If James Bond had not sprung fully-formed from his creators mind and if he had not had the disability of being male, then the chances are that he would have been a student at the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women.

I’d tell you I love you, but then I’d have to kill you is the first book in the Gallagher Girls series by Ally Carter and introduces the reader to Cammie (the Chameleon) Morgan, a resourceful young woman fluent in 14 languages and capable of killing a man in seven different ways. She is, in fact the perfect spy in training. She is also a teenager, with all the shortcomings that being 15 years of age brings.

Being trained as a superspy is no help when she meets a cute boy when she is out on assignment, add to this a devilishly attractive male teacher and a troublesome new classmate and you have the makings of La Femme Nikita meets Gossip Girl (only far superior).

I’d tell you I love you but the I’d have to kill you is BRILLIANT! A New York Times bestseller, it has strong female protagonists that will appeal to teen boys as well s their female counterparts. It has been my guilty pleasure read this week and it made me the envy of my Teen Book Group.

I am now looking forward to Cross my heart & hope to spy

Set three months after the events of Sea Djinn, Fire Djinn opens with Finn Kennedy and his fellow Light Fighters Georgina and Fred enjoying a night under the stars in the deserts of Dubai. Struck by a plea for help and a vision of destruction they are again plunged into the battle between the Djinns of the Dark and the Light for the life of the world.

Bleaker in tone than the first book; Fire Djinn is just as compelling and entertaining. Ushering in new villains to challenge the at times reluctant heroes with a horrific plot to scorch the face of the world leaving only a chosen few survivors dedicated to serving the dark. With the Light Fire Djinn missing and his forces scattered and broken, Finn and his friends stand alone, his allies in the sea kingdom being of limited use against the earth-bound power of the Dark Fire Djinn.

Linda Davies makes good use of the characters standing in the many shades of grey between the Light and the Dark. I was kept guessing about the motivations and allegiances of a number of the characters up until the end. The secondary characters are proving to be just as interesting as the primary protagonists, with a number of new faces popping up and hopefully staying around to be fleshed out more in future books. A number of the story strands from Sea Djinn were tied up in Fire Djinn and others were expanded and elaborated on. There is a firm sense of continuiity from the first book and Fire Djinn felt like a firm continuation of a solid narrative. The main characters are developing nicely and the morals within the tale are subtle and give pause for thought long after the end of the book.

An epic book that starts with a bang and burns through its pages to a satisfying conclusion and set up for further adventures!

Forget Twilight, banish Buffy, discard Dracula – only this book can save you from the Fallen Ones!

Vampireology is the true history of vampires, or the ‘Fallen Ones’, who have lived amongst us since the beginning of time. Drawing on the ancient truth about vampires, the book is a warning to a world in great danger. Inside the reader will discover the origins of vampires, learn about famous vampires from history and find out how to recognise and destroy these terrible creatures!

Visit Ologyworld to find out more about this book and others in the series.

Win one of 2 Vampireology T-shirts and Tattoos courtesy of Ologyworld & Galactus. To enter leave the name of your favourite vampire or vampire slayer in the comments field and why you think you should win a shirt.

Smart Study: How to Study Less and Get More is a unique study skills graphic novel that teaches students how to develop good study habits.

Graphics and speech bubbles tell the story of Jane Genovese’s own personal experience of grappling with studies through high school and university to achieve great results.

As well as explaining healthy eating and the importance of regular sleep, the graphic novel shows how to use mind-mapping – a particularly effective technique for teenagers – and offers advice on managing stress levels through exercise and deep breathing.

Young reviewer, 15-year-old Shenton College student, Felia Veth, said:
Your comic wasn’t just true and heart spoken, it was also really funny and I can relate to it so much. I mean you could have just written all the advice down in monotone writing and drawn lifeless stick figures but by turning your experiences and advice into a witty comic I can now remember every bit of time saving info and advice. Thanks!

For a “Smart Study” information pack please send an email to
jane@learningfundamentals.com.au

If you would like to preview sample pages or order copies of this
graphic novel (RRP: $14.95AUD), please visit
http://learningfundamentals.com.au/smart-study-comic/

Click on the cover to find out about the Graphic Novel Fool’s Gold created by Teenagers at the Dearne High School in Yorkshire.

Win a full-colour copy of Fool’s Gold signed by the pupils and staff of The Dearne High School that took part in its’ creation.

This is currently the only signed edition available to the public.

To enter the competition answer this simple question:

What is the name of the group of friends in Fool’s Gold? (the answer can be found in the second interview question)

Answers in the comments section below.

Competition rules:

This competition is global.
One entry per person.
The winner will be chosen at random using random.org
The competition will close at the end of February 2010