Teen Pick: The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Charlie just needs someone to talk to. Someone who listens and understands and doesn't try to sleep with people even if they could have. And he finds someone, a person he only ever refers to as "friend." He tells them everything through the letters he writes. Through these letters we watch Charlie as he goes through his freshman year. We're there, helping him to deal with his grief after his best friend Michael commits suicide, leaving Charlie all alone when he starts high school. We're there when Charlie makes his first friends, Patrick and Sam. When he falls in love for the first time. When he learns that all it takes is the right song to feel infinite. Most importantly, we're there as Charlie begins to grow up.

I suggest this book to anyone who feels they can handle it. Charlie and his friends don't just sit around playing board games or frolicking in fields. They smoke. They drink. They act like real people with real flaws. In some ways that's one of the best things about the book. You can imagine Sam and Patrick as people you know. Charlie, who is awkward, bookish, and terrible asocial is in some ways the type of person I imagine myself to be. But if you can handle the adult themes that appear in this novel every now and then, read it. Don't hesitate, run to the library and pick up a copy. The Perks of Being a Wallflower isn't the type of book you forget. It's not the type of book you regret reading or never finish. It's the type of book that makes you think, the type of book that makes you feel. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky is the type of book you want to read.

Reviewed by: Maya (8th grade)

Staff Pick: Dash and Lily's Book of Dares

Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

It is the week before Christmas. You are in your favorite bookstore, and you come across a red journal. Inside is a list of questions along with a dare. Do you dare to take the challenge from someone you don’t know? In this holiday story, set in New York City, two young teens take this challenge, and by doing so, they write back and forth in a way of getting to know one another. But to find the journal each time, Dash and Lily dare each other to do things that they would not normally do. This is a good story about discovering oneself while discovering a new friendship. I was cheering for these two the whole way!

Reviewed by: Jacquie

Teen Pick: Witch and Wizard

Reviewed by: Sarah K (8th grade) for Writer's Block

The book Witch and Wizard by James Patterson attracted me for many reasons. The excerpt from the book on the back cover appealed to me, it was exciting and made me want to read more. James Patterson is also one of my favorite authors, and his quote,"This is the story I was born to tell. Read on, while you still can..." compelled me to read also.

My initial reaction for this book was that it was a good, exciting book that tells of two siblings, Wisteria and Whitman Allgood. As the story progresses, you discover they are both witch and wizard, hence the title. They uncover the powers as the book progresses, and they fight to rescue their parents from the New Order, a government that obviously doesn't have the people as a first priority.

I really like this book because it has loveable characters; Wisty, who is a rule-breaker, and Whit, who is perfect. I also liked how each chapter is from either Wisty or Whit's perspective.

If I owned this book, I would definitely read it again. I would recommend it to someone who likes fantasy-adventure.


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Writer's Block meets twice a month in the CHPL Craft Room on the second floor. Participate in writing prompts and games, learn tips and tricks for improving your writing, and share your work with others. New members are always welcome!

Staff Pick: The Black Book of Secrets

The Black Book of Secrets
(The Sinister City series Bk #1)

By: F.E. Higgins*

Are you a fan of The Last Apprentice series or Harry Potter? Try picking up The Black Book of Secrets. The Black Book of Secrets is dark, mysterious and a complete page turner. On the very first page we meet the main character, Ludlow Fitch, waking up to find his mother, father and the horrible tooth surgeon, Mr. Gumbroot, trying to strap him down in a dental chair in order to pull out his teeth to sell for money. Ludlow narrowly escapes and runs away to the safe and quiet little town of Pagus Parvus...

... But things are not quite what they seem and the people of Pagus Parvus each have their own dark secrets. This book will keep you hooked until the very last page, a must read for grades 6 & up. Reviewed by: Michelle  

*Also check these other titles in The Sinister City series: The Bone Magician, & The Eyeball Collector.

Teen Pick: Monsters of Men

Monsters of Men by Patrick Ness

War makes monsters of men. If you've read the other books in this series you've heard it before and now you get to see just how true it is.

Monsters of Men starts off with a bang, almost literally, wasting notime starting off where the last book ended: with the beginning of the Second Spackle war. It's up to Todd and Viola to save the New World as
war ravishes the planet once more. Tough decisions have to be made as once more Todd and Viola are separated as Todd stays back to watch over the Mayor while Viola gets to the settler ship. Does Todd let the Mayor go in hopes he'll lead the army. Should Viola launch a missile and start a full fledge war in order to save Todd? And most importantly, which side will come out the victors?

Monsters of Men was an exciting read. Like the second book in the trilogy you get to see the story through both Todd and Viola's eyes, narrated in such a way that you feel like your there inside their heads as these things happen. The difference is in this book you get a unique perspective, seeing things through the eyes of the Spackle Todd let free in the last book, 1017. Characters die and unexpected decisions are made. If you liked the rest of this series, you'll definitely enjoy Monsters of Men. It manages to stay well-paced and interesting throughout the entire book, moving in unpredictable ways.

It introduces new characters you can't help but fall in love with, such as Bradley and Simone and sheds a whole new light on ones we've met numerous times. All in all, Monsters of Men was a great conclusion to an amazing series, managing to tie up all loose ends in a clear and well thought through way, unlike some books *COUGH* Mockingjay *COUGH*.

Advanced Reader Copy reviewed by: Maya (8th grade) for Writer's Block


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Writer's Block meets twice a month in the CHPL Craft Room on the second floor. Participate in writing prompts and games, learn tips and tricks for improving your writing, and share your work with others. New members are always welcome!

Staff Pick: Dear George Clooney, Please Marry My Mom

Violet's TV-director dad has traded a job in Vancouver for one in Los Angeles, their run-down house for a sleek ranch-style home complete with a pool, and, worst of all, Violet's mother for a trophy wife, a blonde actress named Jennica. Violet's younger sister reacts by bed-wetting, and her mother ping-pongs from one loser to another, searching for love. As for Violet, she gets angry in ways that are by turns infuriating, shocking, and hilarious.
When her mother takes up with the unfortunately named Dudley Wiener, Violet and her friend Phoebe decide that they need to take control. If Violet's mom can't pick a decent man herself, they will help her snag George Clooney. - from BarnesandNoble.com

The verdict: Fans of Georgia Nicholson’s hijinks will enjoy main character Violet’s wit and endearing (if not a bit self-centered) point of view. In fact, they might actually prefer her to Georgia – she’s less boy-crazy and more grounded. Even as Violet tries her best to intimidate her mother’s new boyfriend and meddle in her love life, she remains likable and even funny. Fun fact: Author Susin Nielsen was a writer for the classic Canadian series Degrassi Junior High!

Reviewed by: Melissa

What's On Display?

In honor of LGBT History Month, the Youth Services Librarians did a display of Young Adult LGBT literature! Here are some choice selections from the display:

Kissing Kate by Lauren Myracle

The kiss is no peck on the cheek, and therein lies the rub. Since the fateful event, Kate has been cold to her friend. At first Lissa misses Kate dearly, but gradually, through personal insights derived from some new and unexpected friendships (and forays into new-age dream therapy), she finds the strength to confront both Kate and her own sexual identity.

 Call Number: Y Myracle, L.

Gay America by Linas Alvenas

From colonial times, to the Victorian period and beyond, author Linas Alsenas demonstrates how, within one century, gay women and men have gone from being socially invisible to becoming a political force to be reckoned with and proud members of the American public living openly and honestly.

Call Number: YNF 306.76 ALV

Transparent by Cris Beam

When Cris Beam moved to Los Angeles, she thought she might volunteer just a few hours at a school for gay and transgender kids. Instead, she found herself drawn deeply into the pained and powerful group of transgirls she discovered. 

Call Number: YNF 306.7 BEA

Hero by Perry Moore

Thom Creed, the gay son of a disowned superhero, finds that he, too, has special powers and is asked to join the very League that rejected his father, and it is there that Thom finds other misfits whom he can finally trust.

Call Number: Y Moore, P.

Debbie Harry Sings in French by Meagan Brothers

When Johnny completes an alcohol rehabilitation program and his mother sends him to live with his uncle in North Carolina, he meets Maria, who seems to understand his fascination with the new wave band Blondie, and he learns about his deceased father's youthful forays into "glam rock," which gives him perspective on himself, his past, and his current life.

Call Number: Y Brothers, M.

Want more? Of course you do! Come to CHPL for tons more books on display, a brochure with even more recommendations, and on October 13 at 6 PM, a special LGBT edition of Not Your Momma's Book Club (Grades 6 and up welcome).

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Are you struggling with, or do you know someone struggling with an LGBT-related crisis? The Trevor Project is the leading national organization focused on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among youth. Their 24-hour helpline is just a phone call away: 1.886.4.U.TREVOR.

Visit the It Gets Better Project on YouTube to see thousands of real people -- including some celebrities -- tell their stories and sound the alarm on homophobic bullying.