I Was a Non-Blonde Cheerleader by Kieran Scott

4/5 Stars
This book proves to the reader that it doesn’t matter if you’re different. As long as you set your mind to it you will be able to achieve anything. AS long as you make an effort at being nice to everyone they will eventually like you as well. This was a phenomenal book and I strongly recommend it to others.
Madeleine P.

Short Story Writing Contest!

As part of the 2011 Pass the Book programme, Oshawa Public Libraries will be running a short story contest for all ages! There will be a teen category for those 13-18.

If you have a humorous family story of up to 1500 words, and a valid Oshawa Public Libraries card, then you can enter your story to win!

Your entry should:

Be typed and double spaced.

Have a word count.

Have page numbers.

Say the title of the work in the top left corner of each page.

Be clipped together, not stapled.

NOT say your name anywhere on it, as judging will be anonymous.

More details, and complete rules and guidelines for this exciting contest can be found in the newsletter, or in the 2011 Pass the Book Short Story Writing Contest brochure, which is available in the library. The contest ends September 25, 2011, so if you’re interested, make sure you get your submission in before the deadline, to any branch of the Oshawa Public Libraries.

The Lock Artist by Steve Hamilton

4/5 Stars
Michael has a tragic past that caused him not to talk at all ever since he was 8 years old. He found his talent which is opening safes with no explosions. He ended up going to jail and once he gets out he will try to talk to Amelia. Michael and Amelia fell in love. She will wait for him.
Melissa M.

Freaky Monday by Mary Rodgers and Heather Hach

4/5 Stars
I rate this book 4 stars because I liked the ending and all the characters. But I didn’t like the beginning of the book. It didn’t interest me.
Hannah M.

Teen Photo Contest

Are you 13-18 years old?
Are you creative?
Do you have a favourite book?

If so, then why not enter the YALSA 2011 Teen Read Week photo contest? All you have to do is create a visual version of your favourite book’s title. You could win gift bags, signed copies of books, and more. One lucky winner will walk away with an e-reader, pre-loaded with great teen titles!

More information, including rules and entry guidelines, can be found on the YALSA website at http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/teenreading/trw/trw2011/trw11photocontest.pdf.
Good luck!

And the Nominees Are...

Voting is underway for the ALA Teens’ Top Ten list! There are twenty-five nominees, but only ten will make the cut and be announced victorious during Teen Read Week (October 16-22, 2011). Vote for your favourites at http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/teenreading/teenstopten/teenstopten.cfm before September 15 to make your opinion count!

Here is the list of nominees…

Bachorz, Pam. Drought. Egmont USA. 2011. (978606840160).

Beam, Cris. I Am J. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. 2011. (9780316053617).

Beaudoin, Sean. You Killed Wesley Payne. 2011. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. (9780316077422).

Black, Holly and Justine Larbalestier. Zombies vs. Unicorns. Simon & Schuster/Margaret K. McElderry Books. 2010. (9781416989530).

Card, Orson Scott. The Lost Gate. Tor Books. 2011. (9780765326577).

Clare, Cassandra. The Clockwork Angel. Simon & Schuster/Margaret K. McElderry. 2010. (9781416975861).

Collins, Suzanne. Mockingjay. Scholastic. 2010. (9780439023511).

Collins, Yvonne. Love, Inc. Disney/Hyperion. 2011. (9781423131151).

Condie, Ally. Matched. 2010. Penguin/Dutton. (9780525423645).

Cremer, Andrea. Nightshade. Penguin/Philomel. 2010. (9780399254826).

Fitzpatrick, Becca. Crescendo. Simon & Schuster Children’s. 2010. (9781416989431).

Grant, Michael. Lies. 2010. HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen Books. (9780061449093).

Hawkins, Rachel. Demonglass. Disney/Hyperion. 2011. (9781423121312).

Hakwins, Rachel. Hex Hall. Disney/Hyperion. 2010. (9781423121305).

Kagawa, Julie. The Iron King. 2010. Harlequin. (9780373210084).

Lore, Pittacus. I Am Number Four. HarperCollins. 2010. (9780061969553).

Moore, Peter. Red Moon Rising. Disney/Hyperion. 2011. (9781423116653).

Nelson, Jandy. The Sky is Everywhere. 2010. Penguin/Dial Books for Young Readers. (9780142417805).

Oliver, Lauren. Before I Fall. HarperCollins/HarperTeen. 2010. (9780061726804).

O’Neal, Ellis. The False Princess. Egmont USA. 2011. (9781606840795).

Patterson, James. Angel: A Maximum Ride Novel. Little, Brown & Company. 2011. (9780316036207).

Pearce, Jackson. Sisters Red. Little, Brown and Company. 2010. (9780316068680).

Smith, Cynthia Leitich. Blessed. Candlewick Press. 2011. (9780763643263).

Westerfeld, Scott. Behemoth. Simon Pulse. 2010. (9781416971757).

White, Kiersten. Paranormalcy. HarperCollins/HarperTeen. 2010. (9780061985843).

She’s So Money by Cherry Cheva

4/5 Stars
This book was very drama-packed. It kept me wondering throughout the whole time. Overall the book was very well written. And I hope to get the chance to read more of Cherry Cheva’s books. She’s so Money is about a girl who got into Harvard but was forced to cheat and do other peoples’ homework to keep her parents' restaurant from going bankrupt.

Madeleine P.

Doo-Wops and Hooligans by Bruno Mars

3/5 Stars
On this CD, I only know like six songs. I really like Bruno Mars. He’s an awesome singer. Marry You and The Lazy Song are my two favourite songs from this album.

Sarah N.

Page by Tamora Pierce

5/5 Stars
Amazing. Just absolutely amazing. “Page” was even better than First Test. Instead of focusing mainly on the sexist areas of knighthood, Tamora focused on the changes in a female’s life, and adolescence. She showed both sides and feelings of womanhood. Also, unlike First Test, she showed the maturity of the pages and how people change over time. She showed the improvement in how Kel was treated, and how finally Lord Wyldon accepted her as “one of the boys”. Kel experiences love, heartbreak, and jealousy. She also experiences a stronger friendship with Neal and Cleon. Kel expands her learning and, doing so, she starts to teach those who cannot do as well as she can.
Alexandrya S.