12.10.2011

YA Series Gifts for your Bookish Buddies (or your bookish self)

We scoured the internets to bring you the Actual Stuff from some of our favorite YA book series. We here at CHPL would be thrilled to receive any of this swag in our stockings this year!

Tessa's Clockwork Angel  (via Etsy seller hebelmet)

Curse Workers Protection Amulets (via Etsy seller hebelcurseworkers)

The famous Marauder's Map! (via Hot Topic)

Bella Swan's wedding necklace (via Hot Topic)


St. Vladimir School Crest Hoodie (via Arcane Vault)

Katniss' Mockingjay Pin (via Amazon)

11.19.2011

Staff Pick: Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

From Amazon:
Teen beauty queens. A Lost-like island. Mysteries and dangers. No access to emall. And the spirit of fierce, feral competition that lives underground in girls, a savage brutality that can only be revealed by a journey into the heart of non-exfoliated darkness. Oh, the horror, the horror! Only funnier. With evening gowns. And a body count.
**
Many have compared this book to Lord of the Flies, and while the premise is pretty similar, I saw Beauty Queens as YA's answer to Mean Girls. Never has a book so accurately portrayed the strange land known as "Girl World." Bray offers a riotous commentary on consumerism, pageant culture, and gender norms.

Pick it: For Taylor Renee Crystal Hawkins (aka Miss Texas), the self-appointed leader of the plane-wrecked girls; for Ladybird Hope (a stand-in for a certain former governer and hockey mom from Alaska, maybe?); and for all the rest of the wonderfully diverse, quirky girls you meet in this book. 

Skip it:  Don't skip it! This is my pick for best book of 2012, so I think everyone should at least give it a try!

Pair with: Cinderella Ate My Daughter, in which famous sociologist Peggy Orenstein gets to the bottom of the new (and potentially problematic) definition of "girly."

Reviewed by: Melissa

10.25.2011

Attention all artists, writers, poets, and creative thinkers!

Remember that time you wrote that thing in English class and you thought, ‘Hey, this is actually pretty good, I should show it to someone’? Submit it to Bridges!

Remember that time in math class, when you were supposed to be learning quadratic functions, but instead you drew a hilarious caricature of your math teacher? Submit it to Bridges!

Remember that time you submitted a short story, poem or piece of artwork to Bridges? No? Then you should! Right now!

Are you between the ages of 13 and 18? Do you know how to put words or lines together to form nice artwork, coherent poems or decent stories?

Submit these coherent words or pretty lines to Bridges, the Cherry Hill Library’s new teen art and literary zine, today!

***

That's right, CHPL is starting up a literary 'zine for teens. We want your stories, essays, comics, artwork/photography (must be black-and-white), and poetry! Our first issue will debut in Winter 2011, so start sending your stuff in now!

Submission forms are at the Cherry Hill Public Library Youth Desk, but you can also e-mail your submissions to bridgeszine [at] gmail [dot] com. Check out the Bridges website for submission guidelines and more information!

10.13.2011

Staff Picks: New Releases

Looking for a good read? CHPL has got! You! Covered! We've hand-picked our favorite new fall releases, check them out! (...literally...)

 A girl wakes up in skeleton face paint slumped over a subway seat, with absolutely no memory of how she got there. Sure, before she went to rehab this would have been just another Sunday morning. But when she sees the words "HELP ME" drawn into her chest, she knows there's something strange going on. Miss Melissa says, "Like The Hangover, but not funny."

What would you do if you had the house to yourself for six months -- no parents, no rules, unlimited funds? Hot tub parties? Junk food for breakfast? Adopt that kitten you've always wanted? If you answered "all of the above!" you may want to read this book -- you'll find a lot to love in the plucky narrator.
 We here at CHPL absolutely loved Julie Halpern's Into the Wild Nerd Yonder and have been waiting for this one! Miss Melissa says: "Any book that starts out in a mental institution sounds good to me!"
 We don't even know what this book is about, we just had to include it because it is the most awesome book cover EVER. (Just kidding, it's about a college student who loses his way after the death of his father -- until a foursome of adorable angels arrives, who will stop at nothing to help him achieve his DESTINY.)
 Goodreads reviewer #1 says: "This book was beautifully written. The ending will STUN you." Goodreads reviewer #2 says: "I hated everything about this book except the cover." This sophomore novel from Nova Ren Suma has been stirring up controversy since its release...which side will YOU take?

9.12.2011

Fall Fun at CHPL


This fall we're all about books, geekery, and a bit of Serious Business. Check out what's on our event calendar this September!

The Danger Diabolique Comic Book Club: Addicted to graphic novels or manga? Come hang out, snag cool freebies, enjoy some snacks, and find out what's coming up in the world of comics! Thursday 9/8 AND Thursday 9/22. 6:00-7:00 PM in the Craft Room.

Writer's Block: Calling all aspiring novelists and poets! Writer's Block is a place to find new inspiration, talk to fellow writers, and get feedback on your writing. Writer's Block members are also the editors and designers of our literary 'zine! Wednesday 9/14 AND Wednesday 9/28. 6:00-7:30 PM in the Craft Room.

Acting Up: Join us for some fun improv and acting! Play games, perform skits and act a fool! (P.S. No experience needed! :P) Wednesday, 9/21. 6:00-8:00 PM in the Craft Room.

Anime Nite: Anime and candy sushi: could there be a better combination to de-stress in the middle of your busy week? We think not. Tuesday, 9/27. 6:00-8:00PM in the Multicultural Room.

Dungeons and Dragons: Transport back to the time of myth and explore a fantasy realm in this classic tabletop game. Local Dungeonmaster Matt Brinn leads an epic 3-hour afternoon session of battling, puzzle-solving, and monster-slaying. Newcomers and veterans welcome! Saturday 9/17. 1:30-4:30 PM in the Craft Room

College Prep Series: College App season is upon us! We’ve teamed up with KAPLAN to bring you these workshops and practice tests:
Financial Aid 101 - a one-hour workshop about the basics of applying for financial aid. Thursday, 8/29. 7:00-8:00 PM.
ACT & SAT Practice Tests - full-length, proctored exams that will show you what to expect in a test environment. ACT: Saturday, 10/8. 11:00AM-3:00PM SAT: Saturday, 10/15. 12:00-4:30PM.
ACT vs SAT- a one-hour workshop outlining the similarities and differences of these two college entrance exams. Thursday, 10/27. 7:00-8:00 PM.

Register for all of these events today! Just click here.

9.01.2011

Summer 2011 Recap!

Thank you to everyone who came to our programs, helped with kids programs, manned the Summer Reading desk, and visited to borrow books and chat! We hope you enjoyed Summer 2011 as much as we did!

8.03.2011

HUGO

That's the new name of the page-to-screen adaptation of The Invention of Hugo Cabret, which will be directed by the legendary Martin Scorcese. I have to admit I was hesitant when I heard they were making a movie of the book, but this trailer looks kind of awesome! It's set to premiere in November 2011 -- what do you think? Would you go see it?

7.28.2011

Shocking Revelations: A Short, Short Story by the Writers Block Crew

This story has it all: deception, underwear models, a cameo by the President... but I'm getting ahead of myself. This is what happens when 10 teen writers (and one teen librarian) create a story sentence by sentence. Behold:

A guy stuck in a nuclear facility with no escape was busy fixing the hole in his dress when...

his suicidal half-brother's cousin ran into the room with a knife!

The cousin's jaw dropped, and the knife slid from his hand.

"Merry Christmas to you too, RuPaul!" he screamed.

"Tyra, you're not kidding anyone anymore!"

But Tyra continued to spread the gospel of "smize" to wannabe Top Models all over the country.

However, the President decided that "smize" were to be deemed illegal because he could not make his own eyes smile.

This decision cause him to reminisce on his days as a model when he was fired due to the aforementioned inability to make his own eyes smile.

Whenever he tried, he ended up making other people's eyes smile instead of his own -- thus ending the President's underwear modeling career.

Depressed by this, he attempted to kill Harry Potter, but died when a rampaging Hyperbole [editor's note: inside joke.. you had to be there?] bit off his head, because everyone knows that Harry Potter WON'T FREAKING DIE.

Written by Mason W., Michael C., Marissa C., Gigi L., Patricia S., Sarah K. Ms. Melissa, Ambar S., Maya J., Sarah K., and Julia D.

7.20.2011

OH. EM. GEE.

We are DYING over the new Hunger Games "motion poster." What do you think of it?

7.16.2011

Awesome Alert!

Fans of Holly Black's The Curse Workers trilogy, check this out!

Etsy seller Hebeldesign has created a special line of rings, pendants, and charm bracelets inspired by objects from White Cat and Red Glove -- books set in a world where curses are real and bare hands are deadly weapons. We think they fit perfectly with the edgy, dark, and mysterious tone of the books!



Protection Amulets, $28.00 each

Aren't they awesome?? A little pricey, but worth the splurge if you're a die-hard fan!

7.06.2011

9 days until IT ALL ENDS!

Have you started the countdown too? We're feeling bittersweet about the end of the Harry Potter universe. (Pottermore can't come soon enough!) The only cure for Harry Potter withdrawal is MORE HARRY POTTER, obviously! That's why we're having a 2-day Movie Marathon event in the days leading up to the big premiere!


Movies 1-3 will be shown on Wednesday, July 13. Movies 4-6 will be shown on Thursday, July 14. Both events will take place in our Conference Center, and will begin at 11 AM. Bring a friend -- no registration required! Don't miss the chance to see the whole story played out on our big projection screen!

6.29.2011

Staff Pick: The Last Little Blue Envelope



Slideshow created by Melissa

6.22.2011

You Are Here: SUMMER

School's out, and three glorious months of freedom stretch out in front of you. So what's the plan? Sure, you've got that family trip to the Grand Canyon, and you agreed to babysit your cousins on Wednesdays. But where do you really want to go this summer? Well, we've got a just a couple of options for you!

You Are Here: Hogwarts

Is a trip to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter out of the question this year? CHPL has the next best thing: A Hogwarts Party complete with an epic trivia battle where your Harry Potter knowledge will be put to the test! Also: we'll head out to the Quidditch pitch for some friendly competition. Winner takes the House Cup!
Monday, July 11 6:00-8:00 PM

You Are Here: The Zombie Apocalypse
You knew this day was coming! The undead have risen, and no place is safe -- except for CHPL! It's time to put all those months of survival training to the test. How long do you think you'll survive in our sudden-death game of Humans vs. Zombies?
Wednesday, July 20 6:00-8:00 PM

You Are Here: District 13
Ever wonder what it'd be like to be a Tribute in the Arena? Why wonder when you can find out for yourself? We're holding our second CHPL Hunger Games, with challenges inspired by the actual Hunger Games  -- and in our version, there can only be ONE Victor!
Monday, July 25 6:00-8:00 PM

You Are Here: Camp Half-Blood

Do you have near-superhuman strength? Ever find yourself randomly comprehending Ancient Greek? Then you, like Percy Jackson, may be a demi-god, and you, like Percy, probably have many mythical creatures chasing after you! Escape to Camp Half-Blood, where you'll discover your ancestry, train for battle, and feast on blue food!
Wednesday, August 3 6:00-7:30 PM 


You Are Here: Rosewood High
Who is A? Where is Ali, really? Is there anyone in Rosewood High that you can actually trust? Do you think you have all the answers? If you do, or if you just love the intrigue and deception of Sara Shepard's Pretty Little Liars series, you will not want to miss this night of trivia, games and mystery.
Monday, August 15 6:00-7:30 PM

With so many places to go this summer, you might just have to bail on the Grand Canyon! You can start the adventures by registering on our online event calendar.
**All of the above events are being held in the Conference Center in our basement**

4.29.2011

May Brings Murder, Mysteries & More!

In honor of "Get Caught Reading Month" we at CHPL have compiled a list for you of our most compelling mysteries, true crime and forensic science reads. 
Check 'em out!

                       
Newer Titles - Fiction:

All Unquiet Things by Anna Jarzab
After the death of his ex-girlfriend Carly, northern California high school student Neily joins forces with Carly's cousin Audrey to try to solve her murder.

The Big Splash by Jack Ferraiolo
Matt Stevens, an average middle schooler with a glib tongue and a knack for solving crimes, uncovers a mystery while working with "the organization," a mafia-like syndicate run by seventh-grader Vincent "Mr. Biggs" Biggio, specializing in forged hall passes, test-copying rings, black market candy selling, and taking out hits with water guns.

Black Rabbit Summer by Kevin Brooks
When two of sixteen-year-old Pete's childhood classmates disappear from a carnival the same night, he is a suspect, but his own investigation implicates other old friends he was with that evening--and a tough, knife-wielding enemy determined to keep him quiet.

Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann
Seventeen-year-old Kendall, who suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder, lives with her parents on a potato farm in a tiny community in Montana, where two teenagers go missing within months of each other, with no explanation.

Elixir by Hilary Duff (yes, that Hilary Duff)
Clea Raymond, a talented young photojournalist who has spent her life in the spotlight, and her best friends, Rayna and Ben, travel the globe trying to unravel a centuries-old mystery that could reveal her soul mate's identity and the secret of her father's disappearance.

Fall for Anything by Courtney Summers
As she searches for clues that would explain the suicide of her successful photographer father, Eddie Reeves meets the strangely compelling Culler Evans who seems to know a great deal about her father and could hold the key to the mystery surrounding his death.

The Lying Game by Sara Shepard
Seventeen-year-old Emma Paxton steps into the life of her long-lost twin Sutton to solve her murder, while Sutton looks on from her afterlife.

Trash by Andy Mulligan
Fourteen-year-olds Raphael and Gardo team up with a younger boy, Rat, to figure out the mysteries surrounding a bag Raphael finds during their daily life of sorting through trash in a third-world country's dump.

Theodore Boone by John Grisham
With two attorneys for parents, thirteen-year-old Theodore Boone knows more about the law than most lawyers do. But when a high profile murder trial comes to his small town and Theo gets pulled into it, it's up to this amateur attorney to save the day.


                                                      True Crime, Forensic 
                                  Science, & More - Nonfiction:

The Black Dahlia: shattered dreams by Brenda Haugen
Seventeen real girls, real-life stories: true crime by Seventeen Magazine
An Unspeakable Crime: the prosecution and persecution of Leo Frank by Elaine Marie Alphin
Who Killed My Daughter? by Lois Duncan  
The Year We Disappeared: a father-daughter memoir by Cylin Busby & John Busby
The Zodiac Killer: terror and mystery by Brenda Haugen



Crime Scene: the ultimate guide to forensic science by Richard Platt
The Dark Game: true spy stories by Paul B. Janeczko
The Medical Examiner by Toney Allman
Police Lab: how forensic science tracks down and convicts criminals by David Owen

Coming Soon!

Every Bone Tells a Story: hominin discoveries, deductions and debates by Jill Rubalcaba
How They Croaked: the awful ends of the awfully famous by Georgia Bragg
Spies of Mississippi: the true story of the spy network that tried to destroy the civil rights movement by Rick Bowers

3.16.2011

Teen Pick: Hourglass

Imagine being crazy. No, worse than that, imagine knowing you are crazy. Imagine waking up every morning, knowing that you are missing more than a few marbles, seeing things that you know aren’t there. It sucks right? For the past five years, this has been Emerson’s existence. Emerson sees dead people. That sounds bad, but they’re not ghosts or anything, more like apparitions. Emerson and her brother have tried everything to get rid of the visions, but nothings worked. In a last ditch attempt, Emerson’s brother has called in one last consultant from a organization called Hourglass. Emerson says she’ll give it one more try, but when the person they send is barely any older than her she knows it’s just another phony. That is until she finds out that he can see the weird visions too.

Hourglass by Myra McEntire seems like another paranormal romance novel at first glance. Orphaned teenage girl who thinks she’s crazy? Check. Handsome and mysterious young lad? Check. Suffocating amounts of teen angst? Nope. Wait, what? You’re telling me this novel is missing the key component of all paranormal romance novels? Yep, that’s right.

The thing that makes Hourglass stand out from the rest of the books on the paranormal romance shelf at your local Barnes and Nobles is not its super swoony plot line or supernatural creatures. It’s the fact that if you take away the paranormal aspect it’s full of characters you adore or, at the very least, relate to. Emerson isn’t some sort of beautiful, graceful model-type. She’s short, strong and can flip people twice her size over her shoulder, not because of magic, but because she trained. Michael isn’t dark or angsty. He’s actually a pretty normal guy. He’s funny, nice and at times, he can even be - wait for it  - awkward. The thing that makes Hourglass stand out period, is that when you add the paranormal back in you get an brilliant book with an unbelievable plot.

Myra McEntire’s Hourglass is funny, engaging, intelligent and all the other things you want your books to be (unless you want your books to be sucky, in which case, you're out of luck). If you’re a fan of shows like Doctor Who or books like When You Reach Me, you’ll enjoy this book. If you’re a fan of strong female characters, you’ll enjoy this book. If you’re a fan of memorable one-liners, you’ll enjoy this book. Basically, what I’m trying to say is this: you’ll enjoy this book. Read Hourglass by Myra McEntire.

 Hourglass will be released on May 24, 2011.

Advanced Reader Copy reviewed by Maya J, 8th grade

3.10.2011

Teen Tech Week: Book Trailers!

It's Teen Tech Week, which means all of this week's teen programs have a techie-themed spin. At TABs U-Nite, teens competed in the Fastest Text contest, answered technology-related trivia questions, and competed in a high-school vs. middle-school game of Sheen or Gaddafi? (The victors? Middle school!)

Finally, we created book trailers for some of our favorite books using Animoto, a free slideshow creation program. Check them out!

Paper Towns by John Green:



Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling:

Teen Tech Week: Short Story Tweets!

At Writer's Block this week, we talked Twitter and blogs. What is a blog? What kinds of blogs are out there? Why might an aspiring writer want to start one? Then we wrote some Short Story Tweets -- that is, short stories that are only 160 characters long. Needless to say, it was pretty difficult to write anything intelligible in so few words, but we tried our best! Here they are for your enjoyment:

By Maya J:
Yellow is a color. It is very bright. I had a yellow ball. It rolled out into the street. A car came. I was very scared. The man swerved and swore at me. Yellow.

By Gabrielle M:
Once upon a midnight (Wait! I can't use that. Damn Poe!) there was a girl, a girl who was prompted to write a 160 character story. She was unable, so this is it.

By T.J. S:
"Hello." No answer. The black door taunts me with its golden knob. I step closer, feeling a terrible revelation coming. Knock knock. "Hello." I say. Nothing.

By Savannah M:
Once upon a time, I had to write a really short story and I couldn't think of anything. I thought and thought and thought, but never came up with anything. So sad.

By Julia D:
The once was a unicorn name Bob. He lived in a kingdom under the sea. One day, a zombie came, and a fight ensued. Obviously, Bob won by using the power of rainbows. (OK, even though this one was over 160 characters I had to share it just for the Zombies vs. Unicorns reference!) 

Also by Maya J: Imagine you are sitting in a car. The car is not moving. Do you get out & push? Call for help? Yes? Wrong answer. There's a serial killer behind your car. Oops.

By Sarah K:
This is a pretty short story because it ends right here. (Well played, Sarah K. Well played.)