+ Anima

by Natsumi Mukai

The manga + Anima is a riveting and enchanting tale that never ceases to amaze.   The species known as + Anima have animal-like qualities and since they are different they are shunned by their fellow man.  Cooro (crow-like boy), Husky (fish-like boy), Senri (bear-like boy), and Nana (bat-like girl) set out on an adventure to find more + Anima.  Cooro, Husky, Senri, and Nana are brought to life with their brilliantly detailed emotions and actions.  It’s like you are in their world.  Read the series to find out what danger lurks around the corner.

If you like this series try: Kingdom Hearts, Naruto, Yotsuba &!, Dragon Drive

Review by Jay

Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You

Book publishers are sneaky people. They contrive the cleverest ways to get people to pick up their books. Such is the case with ‘Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You,’ by Peter Cameron. Namely, it’s the book cover. At first glance, it appears innocent enough. Only after I had opened the book and read two chapters did I realize I had been manipulated. But I’ll get to that part later.

First, the premise. James Sveck is a teenager living in New York, and, like most teenagers, is struggling to come to terms with life and where he fits into it. Having just graduated from high school, James is poised to begin his journey through college. Only, James is not certain he wants to attend college. In fact, he would rather not. He dreads the idea. He does not like to be around kids his own age. His experience is that they are generally all the same: immature and shallow. James - like many people his age- is still exploring issues of identity. Torn by many internal conflicts, James sifts through each one in order to discover himself and the life spread out before him. And he does so with wit, unflagging intelligence, and irresistible humor.

Someday This Pain Will Be Useful To You’ is a surprisingly good novel. The characters are real. They crackle with life. The dialogue is superlative, and reading James’s many barbed observations is sheer pleasure. It’s a book to celebrate–as good as any coming-of-age story. And at its heart it’s a striking reflection on the 9/11 horror. I haven’t read a novel with such strong, compelling characters in a good while.

But how does the book cover ensnare the reader? What’s the secret recipe? It’s a combination of a snappy title and a unique cover design. The title is quirky and helps to set the tone of the story. It’s a phrase we all grow up listening to from our own parents, so we immediately relate. There’s a connection from the beginning. The cover design also draws in the reader. It’s merely an image of a teenager with his left hand clapped over his face. But subconsciously we as reader-ever inquisitive-want to know what is hidden beneath the hand-what that person looks like, to get an idea of who he really is, so we open the book and begin reading. In the end I’m glad I was hoodwinked. Otherwise I’d never have met James, or traveled down the same winding path with him, to experience the world in his own unforgettable perspective.

Review by Billy Cryer

Library Assistant

Georgetown Public Library

]]> http://blogs.georgetown.org/teenspace/2008/10/14/this-just-read-6/feed/ http://blogs.georgetown.org/teenspace/2008/10/08/not-quite-so-faqs-about-gpl-3-2/ http://blogs.georgetown.org/teenspace/2008/10/08/not-quite-so-faqs-about-gpl-3-2/#comments Wed, 08 Oct 2008 19:41:27 +0000 BethniK http://blogs.georgetown.org/teenspace/?p=233

Fun With Databases Part II

Ok, we know that TexShare databases can help with school work.  There is one more thing you should know about TexShare databases.  That thing is NetLibrary.  NetLibrary contains digital or ebooks.  That is full text books that you access/read online instead of in the print format.  Ebooks contain the same information- in fact they are page by page reproductions of the text version.  There are many different titles and subjects to choose from including study guides for math, college entrance exams, and cliff notes.  The books are available 24 hours a day as long as you have an internet connection.  And it’s all free.

Don’t worry, deep breath, we are coming to the end (at least for now).  The final database to have fun searching and using is the Testing & Education Reference Center. This database goes beyond homework and deals with life after high school.  The Testing & Education Reference Center can help you find a college, a graduate program, or a vocational school or career college.  This database can also help you find that career or job that is right for you with a career assessment tool.  The Virtual Career Library contains information on finding internships, finding jobs, writing resumes and cover letters,  and tips on how to interview.  Finally, there is a test preparation area with study guides for the TAKS, college and graduate entrance exams, nursing exams, Advanced Placement (AP) classes, and military entrance and career placement.  Again, this is all free.

So, how do you find all this wonderful stuff and start searching?  For NetLibrary go to the library website.  In the green bar along the top, click on Catalog & Online Services.  Then click on TexShare.  Call the library and ask for the user name and password you will need.  Or go to the library catalog and click on the TexShare Databases picture at the bottom and use your library card and phone number to log in.  For the Testing & Education Reference Center go to the library catalog and click on the Testing & Education Reference Center picture at the bottom and use your library card and phone number to log in.  Easy.  Contact Bethni King for more information or help using the databases.

Fun with Databases Part I

School is back in full swing and everyone has tons of homework.  Guess what?  The library can help you with that.  Not only does the library have books, computers, wireless Internet, and (gasp) librarians (including a teen librarian) - we also have databases.  Say it with me- databases.  GPL has TexShare databases that can help with research papers, history, current events, and English and literature homework among other things.

Databases are different from a general Google or Wikipedia search.

• Databases are better because the resources provided include newspapers, encyclopedias, magazines, biographies, radio/TV transcripts, and primary sources all in one place.

• Not all information on the web is free.  Some of the best information is located in the invisible or deep web inside databases that cost lots of money.  Luckily, GPL and the state of Texas are paying for access to this information for you.

• I know it’s hard to believe, but not everything on the web is reliable.  A website can be made by anyone claiming to be an expert.  It takes time and judgment to look at a website, determine if it’s content is good, it’s sources knowledgeable, and it’s links and references updated and working.  With our databases all that is taken care of for you.

• Finally, many of the databases contain full text - which means you’ll find whole articles there. You’ll also be able to read them online, copy to a USB drive, print, or email them.  And many databases have the citation included and ready to use.

All of which is a fancy way of saying your teachers will be more impressed and will give you a better grade than if you used just Wikipedia and Google.  Wikipedia and Google are good starting points but it are not the end all of web searching.

So, how do you find all this wonderful stuff and start searching?  Go to the library website.  In the green bar along the top, click on Catalog & Online Services.  Then click on TexShare.  Call the library and ask for the user name and password you will need.  Or, go to the library catalog and click on the TexShare Databases picture at the bottom and use your library card and phone number to log in.  Easy.  And did I mention free.  Contact Bethni King for more information or help using the databases.

Fun with Databases Part II will talk about other things the GPL databases can help you with.

]]> http://blogs.georgetown.org/teenspace/2008/10/03/not-quite-so-faqs-about-gpl-3/feed/ http://blogs.georgetown.org/teenspace/2008/09/23/this-just-read-5/ http://blogs.georgetown.org/teenspace/2008/09/23/this-just-read-5/#comments Tue, 23 Sep 2008 17:32:36 +0000 BethniK http://blogs.georgetown.org/teenspace/?p=185 Me, the Missing, and the Dead

by Jenny Valenting

All of us have important people in our lives.  Sixteen year old Lucas Swain has Violet, a dead woman, in an urn, whom he just met.  He feels that Violet is trying to tell him something about his father. Silly right?  How can a dead old woman lead Lucas to the truth about the man who abandoned his family five years ago?  But life (and death) is rarely exactly what it seems.  The more Lucas learns about Violet, the more he finds the dead have a lot to teach about relationships, family, self, and what’s important in life.  Me, the Missing, and the Dead is a short book with memorable characters whether alive, missing, or dead.

If you like this book try: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon; The Missing Girl by Norma Fox Mazer

There are two movies scheduled for release in October.  On October 3, 2008, Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist (based on the book of the same name by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan) hits the big screen. The movie stars Michael Cera of Superbad and Juno fame and Kat Dennings.  Nick and Norah spend one incredible night exploring love, life, and music in Manhattan.

City of Ember (the first book in the Books of Ember series by Jeanne Duprau) opens October 10, 2008.  An underground city has existed for over 200 years.  But now the generator is failing and supplies are running low.  It’s up to Lina and Doon to uncover the secret to save their world.

If you like

Twilight try the rest of the Twilight saga New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn

If you like Nick and  Norah’s Infinite Playlist try:  Naomi and Ely’s No Kiss List, Gingerbread, Shrimp,

21 Proms, Boy Meets Boy

City of Ember read the rest of the series The People of Sparks, Prophet of Yonwood, Diamond Of Darkhold

Kvetha Fricai (Greetings, friend in the ancient language of Alagaësia).  Horray! Brisingr (fire) the third book in the Inheritance cylce will be published on September 20, 2008. For anyone who has not heard, the Inheritance trilogy by Christopher Paolini is now the Inheritance cycle consisting of four books.  Sadly, there is no name and no date for the publication of book four.

While we wait to find out what happens to Eragon and Saphira,  here are some links to information on the world of Alagaësia, ancient the language, and interviews with the author.

Inheriwiki

Ancient Language of Alagaesia

Interviews with Christopher Paolini

More interviews with Christopher Paolini

Alagaësia

Vroengard Academy

While at the library test your Inheritance cycle knowledge with 2 trivia quizzes.  Turn them into Ms. Bethni for a prize.

Atra esterní ono thelduin (May good fortune rule over you)

A class and two workshops focusing on writing for kids and teens will be presented in March and April of 2009.  Write On: Hands on Workshops for kids and teens is taught by author Julie Kenner and is for anyone ages 9 and up and adults who want to write for children and teens.  Writing for Children, Preschool-Primary Grades focuses on how to approach writing books for children through primary grades and is taught by Linda Lipscomb.

For further information, contact:
Mr. Richard Groves, Adult Services Librarian
(512) 931-7620 or rgroves@georgetowntx.org or visit

Links for more information:

Writers College Course Catalog and Schedule

Georgetown Public Library

San Gabriel Writer’s League