Printz Honor Book and Medalists

Each year, the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) awards The Michael Printz Award to the best book written for young adults. In addition, the organization names up to four honor books. The books are judged entirely on literary merit rather than popularity and are thus a great place to start if you're looking for something new and different to read!

Honor Books:

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alide Sáenz

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

Dodger by Terry Pratchett

The White Bicycle by Beverley Brenna

And the Printz Award medalist is:

In Darkness by Nick Lake

You can see all the Youth Media Award winners, including the YALSA Nonfiction Award, the Morris Award for Best YA Debut, and the Caldecott and Newbery Medalists right here.

Meet Your Librarians!

Name: Melissa Brinn
Title: Youth Services Librarian - Young Adult
Education: Cherry Hill East (!), then The College of New Jersey, then Rutgers for grad school.
Favorite books:  Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, Coraline by Neil Gaiman, Paper Towns by John Green,The Arrival by Shaun Tan
Most likely to: Have a figurine of Harry Styles on her desk
Programs I run: Middle School TAB, Writers Block
Ask me about: Graphic novels, video games, and sci-fi & fantasy titles. Also, Bridges! Ask me about Bridges!

Name: Michelle Yeager
Title: Youth Services Supervisor - Young Adult
Education: Rowan University followed by Rutgers New Brunswick for a master’s degree in Library Science (YES, it’s a real thing!)
Favorite books:  Recent faves include Hush by Eishes Chayil, The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams, A Stolen Life by Jaycee Duggard, Everybody See the Ants by A.S. King, Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whales
Most likely to: Perform two jobs at once (She's currently the acting Director of the library!)
Programs I run: High School TAB, Table Top Trials, Anime Day, and more….
Ask me about: Realistic Fiction, True Crime & Biographies. Also, fiction about teens facing crazy-tough issues: think religion, kidnappings, drugs, pregnancy…you know, the stuff you’d see on Dateline. 

CHPL's Picks for the Printz

Well, last year we were only 1 for 5 with our Printz predictions, but that's not going to stop us from doing it again! (Hey, at least we got the medalist right -- that's got to count for something.) 

I'm feeling really good about this list. I guess we'll just have to see what goes down on January 28th!

Our picks/predictions for Printz honor books:

Our pick/prediction for the Printz Award winner:

And the rest of the books on our short list:

Me, Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews
Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore

My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece by Annabel Pitcher

Boy 21 by Matthew Quick

Did you read any books this year that were award-worthy?

Staff Pick: Graphic Novelist Rick Geary

Looking for the ultimate 90's throwback? I recently rediscovered Rick Geary's Treasury of Victorian Murder and Treasury of 20th Century Murder (originally published in the mid-to-late 90's) and I'm officially obsessed. Each book details the events of an unsolved murder or mystery -- from the famous Borden tragedy to the disappearance of the Lindbergh baby -- presenting just as many questions as it does answers. The black-and-white illustrations keep the books from being gratuitously gory... but make no mistake, this is some brutal stuff. Geary's style draws you in from the first panel, blending historical fiction, investigative journalism, and just a bit of comic book pulp.

The bottom line?

Pick it: if you like some veracity to your tales of true crime. Geary presents only the facts and refrains from exaggeration and unnecessary speculation.

Skip it: if you're looking for twist endings, ultra-violence, or sensationalism. The measured, almost clinical tone may be less compelling to some than others.

Pair with: The True Crime nonfiction series by Brenda Haugen, which picks up in the 20th century where Geary leaves off!

Reviewed by: Melissa

Lord of the Rings Extended Editions Marathon

We're really excited to announce this event :D

You're invite to a three-day screening of the extended editions (aka the only editions, amirite?) of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy!

More info on the flyer below -- click to enlarge:

Each movie exceeds 3 hours in length, so it's literally going to be epic! We recommend wearing comfy clothing and maybe doing some meditation exercises beforehand... you know, to prepare your mind for the long journey into the heart of Mordor.

Spread the word, bring a friend. Hope to see you there!

Goodbye Ms. Jaclyn!

We're proud and happy to announce that Ms. Jaclyn starts her new job as the library's Circulation Supervisor today! We're also a little bit sad, because that means that she no longer serves as one of our Teen Librarians. It's a bittersweet symphony, this life :-\

We did a quick interview with Jaclyn on her thoughts about leaving the department:

What will you miss most about being a Teen Librarian?
I'll most miss talking and interacting with teens on a daily basis.

What is your fondest memory from your time as a Teen Librarian?
I have so many great memories, some of my fondest are:
- the “You are Here: Hogwarts” event (Summer of 2011)
- the TAB-run, Pajama Party-themed Family Fun Night (December of 2011)
- organizing Comic-Con!

How can our teen patrons keep in touch with you?
Teen patrons are always welcome to visit me at the main circulation desk! Please stop by to say hi!

If you didn't get a chance to say goodbye to Jaclyn at the library this weekend, feel free to leave a message to her in the comments! We'll make sure she gets them.

Best of luck to you, Jaclyn! We miss you already!

Mega-Album of Behind-the-Scenes Photos from The Hobbit

Look what we found!

150 -- count 'em -- 150 images from the production of Peter Jackson's The Hobbit, which premieres in exactly one month.



It might be too early to call, but... THIS MOVIE IS GOING TO BE INCREDIBLE ::flails::

Loving the concept design for the goblins and Radagast's house (!!!). What are your thoughts on Peter Jackson's vision of Middle Earth?