October 2009 - Book of the Month

Shiver
by Maggie Stiefvater
"For years, Grace has been fascinated by the yellow-eyed wolf that saved her from its pack when she was a child. Sam, bitten by a wolf as a boy, is that wolf. Long obsessed with each other at a distance, they finally meet after a wolf hunt (inspired by the apparent death of a local teen) sends a wounded and temporarily human Sam into Grace's arms. Their young love is facilitated by Grace's hands-off parents Once upon a time, I would've leaped at the rare opportunity of curling up with Mom on the couch. But now, it sort of felt like too little, too late, Grace muses), but threatened by two linked crises: the fact that Sam will soon lose the ability to become human and the instability of a new lycanthrope. Stiefvater skillfully increases the tension throughout; her take on werewolves is interesting and original while her characters are refreshingly willing to use their brains to deal with the challenges they face." - Publisher's Weeky

August 2009 Book of the Month

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

In a future North America, where the rulers of Panem maintain control through an annual televised survival competition pitting young people from each of the twelve districts against one another, sixteen-year-old Katniss's skills are put to the test when she voluntarily takes her younger sister's place.

July 2009 Book of the Month

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

It's just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery. . . . Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak's groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can't resist-books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau. This is an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul.

LIBRARY’S TEENSPACE LEADERSHIP PLANS LOCKIN

Do you know a teen more likely to hang at the library than at the mall? How about a young leader looking for a volunteer project? TeenSpace might be just the place for them.

Once a month, the Racine Public Library, invites teens ages 11-17 to gather and share food, plan teen programs and activities, work on creative projects, plan leadership/volunteer activities, and generally hang out with other teens with some of the same interests.

The 2009 TeenSpace Leadership group is in the process of planning a Spring Lock-in/Gaming Night and a community service project. The next meeting will be held on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 1:30 p.m. in the Martin Room just off of the Youth Services dept. All TeenSpace leaders old, new or just curious are encouraged to attend. If you know a teen that might be interested, please spread the word! Call Becky at 262-619-2571 for more information.

TeenSpace members will be integral to designing a new teen area during planned remodeling in winter 2009. They will also have a voice in teen material selection and program planning.