Teen Review: Slide by Jill Hathaway

Vee has narcolepsy. Or at least that's the clinical term. In reality, when she has one of her "episodes," she doesn't just pass out. She slips into someone else's body and sees the world from their eyes. That's how she knows that her sister's best friend's suicide isn't a suicide. Because she was in the murderer's body when it happened. The only problem is Vee is the only one who knows.

Slide is a book worth reading if you're into paranormal/sci-fi type novels. The characters are likeable and the writing is engaging. The only problem I had with the book was that it was a little far-fetched, even for a sci-fi novel. However, if realistic plot elements are not a requirement for you, and if you enjoy strong female characters, put Slide on your reading list.

Rating: 3 out of 5, "a good read."

Reviewed by: Maya J, Age 15.

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This teen reviewer was able to read Slide months before it was released to the public! Want to read and review books before they even hit the shelves? Introducing the new Writer's Block ARC Review program!

ARCs (or Advance Reader Copies) are preview editions of soon-to-be-released books, which publishers send to libraries and reviewers to create buzz and entice them to order copies. At Writer's Block you can browse through the many ARCs we receive every month and even take one home as long as you agree to write a review! Writer's Block meets every other Wednesday from 6-7:30 PM. Register today!

Book Spine Poems by the Writer's Block crew

At last week's Writer's Block meeting, we tried our hand at some book spine poetry in honor of National Poetry Month.

Book spine poems are crazy easy and fun -- you "write" a poem using the titles of books you find on your shelves. Here's what we came up with:

We want to see your book spine poetry! Pull some books off of your shelves, stack them up, snap a photo, and send it to Ms. Melissa at MMijares [@] chplnj [dot] org. We'll post our favorites here!

Staff Pick: Daughter of Smoke and Bone

From goodreads: 
Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages—not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.

When an otherworldly stranger—beautiful, haunted Akiva—fixes his fire-colored eyes on Karou in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

Pick it: For Karou, one of the most complex, mysterious, and kick-ass heroines we've seen in any book this year-- and for tall, dark, and fiery Akiva, who completely redefines "swoonworthy."

Skip it: If fantasy bores you. Though the book is initially set in the "real world" (Prague, to be specific), things get imaginary fast.

Pair with: Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, for an alternate take on the end-of-days story imbued with Prachett's signature brand of British humor.

Presenting our very first COMIC-CON

Click on the image to see the large version!

CHPL Teens is taking over the basement foor of the library to provide you with a day of comic, anime, and manga-related fun! Bring a friend (or two...or four)!

[Pssst... calling all artists! We want your stuff for our Artist's Alley! For more info, contact Michelle Yeager at myeager@chplnj.org!]