Drop in at the Library This Saturday for Game Days!

OK....you've been sitting around like a slug over the holiday break, haven't you? Well, here's your chance to get moving and have some fun. Stop by the Renton Downtown branch this Saturday, January 2nd for Game Days from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. We'll have Dance Dance Revolution, High School Musical karaoke, Guitar Hero, and board games. Come on, it's time to get off the couch and work off some steam at the library. Oh, and maybe check out a book or audiobook too.

Teen Tuesdays Go Big

Sure, winter break is great...but what about that slow week after Christmas? Stop by the Highlands Library Tuesday the 29th for a Bigger & Better Winter Break Teen Tuesday!


Make your friends stars with your own cartoons. Make expansive art. Eat Bigger & Better holiday treats! Play SingStar, DDR, and Guitar Hero and take home free stuff!!


Teen Tuesdays are the last Tuesday of every month, 3-4:30 at the Highlands Library, and are always for teens only.
(image is courtesy of freeimages.co.uk)

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

It's the day of the Reaping, an annual ritual in Panem, a futuristic world where hunger and starvation are the norm. Every youth between the ages of 12 and 18 from all 12 districts await the verdict. One boy and 1 girl will be selected from each district to participate in the Hunger Games, twenty-four in all. They will be trained for a week, with abundant food, exercise and clothing. And at the end of the week, they will be placed in the arena, where they will be observed by millions on live TV as they are forced to fight to the death.

16-year-old Katniss is used to hunting for food since she secretly poaches meat back home to feed her family, and to barter with at the market. So when her younger sister’s name is called to be a participant in the Reaping, Katniss steps forward to take her place. In another world, Katniss and the other participants might have been friends. Some might have even been more. But in the world of the Hunger Games, there can only be one winner, and that is the only person left alive.

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson

It is the near-future where advances in biotechnology have made it possible to create synthetic body parts and even brains that behave just like human tissue. But it is still a controversial and very illegal practice. Jenna Fox has just woken up after a year in a coma, and the world she wakes up to is completely unfamiliar to her. Slowly a few memories begin to return, and not only her own memories, but she can recite Thoreau and the details of obscure events in history as though she pulled them out of a textbook, and she can even remember things that happened when she was only a year old. But she can't seem to remember the car accident or what happened to her friends Kara and Locke who were in the car. As her memories begin to return, Jenna begins to make some very disturbing discoveries about her existence, and even her own humanity. Is she real, or is she something else?

The Giving Season......Renton Library's Mitten Tree

Hey Teens! How would you like to do something meaningful for others this holiday season? Between December 1st and December 31st, you can decorate the library's first Annual Mitten Tree with mittens, hats, scarves, socks, and other warm fuzzy things. Items donated will benefit mothers and children of the YWCA of Renton.

You might even try your hand at knitting some things yourself. The library has some great books on knitting.

Knitgrrl: Learn to Knit with 15 Fun and Funky Patterns by Shannon Okey

Knitgrrl 2: Learn to Knit with 16 All-New Patterns by Shannon Okey

Win a Basket of Books from Teen Reads!

Celebrate the season with Teenreads.com's Fourth Annual Holiday Basket of Cheer contest! You have until December 10th to enter to win a "Basket of Holiday Reading and Fun," including 10 great books and holiday-themed prizes like chocolate and warm, fuzzy things!

Having trouble finding time to read…..try an audiobook!

No one disputes the fact that teens have very little free time to read. Who does these days? So I want to let you in on a little secret that many adults have already discovered…….audiobooks. The Renton Libraries have a terrific selection of young adult audiobooks read by some really fantastic performers, oftentimes actors.

Audiobooks may not be for everyone, but if you haven’t tried one, you may be missing out on a really cool entertainment experience. And the beauty of audiobooks is that you can listen to them while you’re doing almost anything, like riding the bus, driving, or just messin’ around.

Here’s a list of some of my favorites:

Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson
In the not-too-distant future, when biotechnological advances have made synthetic bodies and brains possible but illegal, seventeen-year-old Jenna, recovering from a serious accident and suffering from memory lapses, learns a startling secret about her existence.

The Immortals trilogy by Cassandra Clare
Werewolves, vampires, fairies, and a very handsome but tortured angel....what more could you ask for?

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
In a future where food is in very short supply, sixteen-year-old Katniss's survival skills are put to the test when she voluntarily takes her younger sister's place in the Hunger Games, a televised competition and fight to the death.

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
In all the years she has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house, Grace has been particularly drawn to an unusual yellow-eyed wolf who has also been watching her.

Feed by M.T. Anderson
This story is set in a futuristic world where most people have computer implants in their heads to control their environment. Titus never questions the coolness of his feed even after he meets Violet, a beautiful, intelligent girl who has decided to fight the feed and its omnipresent ability to categorize human thoughts and desires. What's great about this audiobook is that the commercials are performed as if the listener has his very own feed......Sinister!

His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman (performed by a full cast)
In a land where a person's soul is in the form of an animal companion, Lyra and her daemon Pan must set on on a mission to find out who is killing children's daemon's (and thus their souls) and to find the secret of "dust."

The Tiffany Aching series by Terry Pratchett
A young witch-to-be named Tiffany teams up with the Wee Free Men, a clan of six-inch-high blue men, to rescue her baby brother and ward off a sinister invasion from Fairyland.

Coraline by Neil Gaiman
Looking for excitement, Coraline ventures through a mysterious door into a world that is similar, yet disturbingly different from her own, where she must challenge a gruesome entity in order to save herself, her parents, and the souls of three others.

Percy Jackson and the Young Olympians series by Rick Riordan
After learning that he is the son of a mortal woman and Poseidon, god of the sea, twelve-year-old Percy is sent to a summer camp for demigods like himself, and joins his new friends on a quest to prevent a war between the gods.

Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin
After fifteen-year-old Liz Hall is hit by a taxi and killed, she finds herself in a place that is both like and unlike Earth, where she must adjust to her new status and figure out how to "live."

Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer
In a diary, sixteen-year-old Miranda describes her family's struggle to survive after a meteor hits the moon, causing worldwide tsunamis, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions.

You can find these and other audiobooks in the YA section of the Renton Libraries, or you can place a hold on them in the library catalog using your Renton library card.

Teen Tuesday Goes Retro

Ready to go back in time? This Tuesday, November 24, go wayyy back...to the 1980s!

Play Frogger, the ORIGINAL Super Mario Bros., PONG, and more. As always, there will also be free snacks and prizes. Bonus points for wearing your retro '80s gear.

Teen Tuesdays are the last Tuesday of EVERY month from 3-4:30 at the Highlands library. They are always free and always for middle and high schoolers only, so see you there!

(the "joystick hand" is courtesy of freeimages.co.uk)

RPL Young Writers Group

Our next meeting will be this Thursday, November 19th from 4:00 to 5:15 p.m. In the meantime, don't forget to write.

In light of the Holiday-itis with which we are undoubtably all beginning to suffer, for this week's workshop we will just plan to kick back and have fun with word games and warm-ups. Scrabble anyone? Hope to see you there!

Are you up for the challenge?

Challenge yourself, and even challenge your friends! Can you write a novel in 1 month?

November is National Novel Writing Month, an annual challenge to writers to complete an entire novel in 1 month (November 1st to 30th). Take some time out this month from the demands of school and life and exercise your your creative thinking abilities.

More info on NaNoWriMo's Young Writers program can be found at http://ywp.nanowrimo.org/.

The 2009 Teens' Top Ten Picks Are In!

More than 11,000 teen voted across the United States between Aug. 24 through Sept. 18 for the Teens Top Ten Books of 2009. The winners were announced during Teen Read Week by WWE Divas Brie Bella and Nikki Bella, with a special appearance by John Green. See the video here!

And the number 1 top pick as chosen by teens? Paper Towns by John Green! Find out why teens thought these were so great. Check them all out at the Renton Library.

1. Paper Towns by John Green
2. Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
3. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
4. City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
5. Identical by Ellen Hopkins
6. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
7. Wake by Lisa McMann
8. Untamed by P.C. and Kristin Cast
9. The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart
10. Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Read Beyond Reality - Teen Read Week 2009

October once again means it’s time for Teen Read Week October 18th to 24th! Stop by the Renton Main Branch or Highlands Branch, and check out some books and audiobooks that will change your world.

Here are some suggested titles that are TOTALLY beyond reality....and super fun. You can find any of these in the Young Adult area. Check 'em out!

Evernight by Claudia Gray
The Darkangel by Meredith Ann Pierce
The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod by Heather Brewer
House of Night series by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
Graceling and Fire by Kristin Cashore
Generation Dead by Daniel Waters
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
You Are So Undead to Me by Stacey Jay
Zombie Blondes by Brian James
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith (and Jne Austen)
Vampire Kisses by Ellen Schrieber
Demon Chick by Marilyn Kaye
Hollow Kingdom by Clare Dunkle
Shiver by Meggie Stiefvater
Stonekeeper's Curse by Kazu Kibuishi
Tales from Outer Suburbia by Shaun Tan
Pretty Monsters by Kelly Link
Skin Hunger by Kathleen Duey
Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Roar by Emma Clayton
Soul Enchilada by David Macinnis Gill
Need by Carrie Jones
Gone by Michael Grant
Wake by Lisa McMann
Curse Dark as Gold by Elizabeth C. Bunce
Impossible by Nancy Werlin
Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary Pearson
Kin by Holly Black

Teen Tuesday at the Highlands Library Goes Spooky

Ready for Halloween? Stop by the Highlands library next Tuesday the 27th after school (3-4:30 p.m.) for some *slightly spooky* (rated TVPG) anime, free snacks, and prizes. Oh, yeah, and Halloween costumes are always welcome...shall we have a contest?

Featured New YA Book!

Forest Born by Shannon Hale
It's finally here! The 4th book in the Books of Bayern series by the Newbery Honor-winning author of Goose Girl and Princess Academy!
When her beloved forest no longer gives her comfort and her brother Razo invites her to the city to be one of Queen Ani's waiting women, young Rinna happily accepts. But war has come to Bayern again, and Rin is compelled to join the queen and her closest allies--magical girls Rin thinks of as the Fire Sisters--as they venture into the Forest toward Kel, the land where someone seems to want them all dead.

TTYL - Teen Review (with possible spoiler)

TTYL by Lauren Myracle

Review by Natalie Stembridge

"I read this book and thought it was pretty good. I did not like how the boy dumps Maddie, but it was a great thing to learn about tenth grade.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Read it! Review it!

Read a good book lately? Your librarians would love to hear about it, and so would other teens. Send your fiction or non-fiction book review to the Teen Librarian, and it could get posted here on the Library's teen Blog!



If you decide to send us a review, please include the following:

• Book's Title
• Author
• A brief summary of the plot (tell us what it was about, but don't give away any spoilers)
• Describe what you liked about the book and why you liked it.

Try a Great Book!

The Amaranth Enchantment by Julie Berry (YA BERRY)
When Lucinda Chapdelaine was five years old, her parents left for the royal ball, and never returned. Since that time Lucinda has been stuck in perpetual servitude in her evil aunt’s jewelry store until the day when a mysterious visitor, a rare and beautiful piece of jewelry, and a handsome prince all enter her aunt’s shop setting in motion a series of events that will forever change Lucinda’s life. If you're looking for a great historical fantasy (with occasional nods to the Cinderella fairytale throughout), a spunky heroine and a well-developed plot, you will thoroughly enjoy this story.

Teen Tuesday at the Highlands Library

Last Tuesdays are teen days at the Highlands Library!

Does the start of school make you want to curl up and dye? Thinking about Halloween or just need some flair? Bring your white socks, shirts, scarves, and hairbands to the Highlands Library on September 29th @ 3 p.m. for tie dyeing. Plan on some pretty random colors, or leave your suggestions in the comments. While waiting for your masterpiece to soak, play Guitar Hero, Sing Star Pop Star, and other games and eat free snacks. Teen Tuesdays are always for middle and high schoolers only, so see you there!

Be a Rebel - Read a Challenged Book!

This week's Teen Advisory Board group had a very productive discussion about Banned Books Week (September 26 to October 3, 2009). Every year, the American Library Association compiles a top-ten list of the 10 most challenged books of the previous year. Books face challenges every day by individuals or groups who feel the contents are objectionable in some way. These individuals often request that the materials be removed from library collections, making them unavailable to everyone. Most of the books featured during Banned Books Week were not successfully banned from library shelves due to the efforts of librarians and library boards to maintain them in their collections.

Here is the list of the Top Ten Most Challenged Books of 2007 - 2008:

1. And Tango Makes Three, by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell - Reasons: anti-ethnic, anti-family, homosexuality, religious viewpoint, and unsuited to age group
2. His Dark Materials trilogy, by Philip Pullman - Reasons: political viewpoint, religious viewpoint, and violence
3. TTYL; TTFN; L8R, G8R (series), by Lauren Myracle - Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, and unsuited to age group
4. Scary Stories (series), by Alvin Schwartz - Reasons: occult/satanism, religious viewpoint, and violence
5. Bless Me, Ultima, by Rudolfo Anaya - Reasons: occult/satanism, offensive language, religious viewpoint, sexually explicit, and violence
6. The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky - Reasons: drugs, homosexuality, nudity, offensive language, sexually explicit, suicide, and unsuited to age group
7. Gossip Girl (series), by Cecily von Ziegesar - Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, and unsuited to age group
8. Uncle Bobby's Wedding, by Sarah S. Brannen - Reasons: homosexuality and unsuited to age group
9. The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini - Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, and unsuited to age group
10. Flashcards of My Life, by Charise Mericle Harper - Reasons: sexually explicit and unsuited to age group
    

During Banned Books Week, stop by the public library, and celebrate your freedom to read by picking out a challenged book.

We're on Facebook!

Renton Library has a Facebook page! If you're on Facebook, become a fan of the Renton library. You can find us by searching "Renton Public Library" within the Facebook page.

Check Out a Cool Trailer for the upcoming book "Hush, Hush"!

OK, for those of you who insist that books are boring, you might think differenly after watching this clip for Becca Fitzpatrick's debut YA novel, Hush, Hush coming out soon.

Click on the link at the left to check it out and enjoy....

The book is on order for the library so you can already place a hold on it in the library catalog.

Imagine! Create! Participate!

Young Writers' Group @ Renton Main Branch
If you enjoy expressing yourself through the written word, then this is the group for you!

The library's new Young Writers' Group is a great way to share your writing, learn some new creative writing techniques, and build your creative portfolio in a relaxed, supportive setting.

Our first meeting will will be at the Main Branch on Thursday, September 24th from 4:00 to 5:15 p.m.

If you're interested, you can sign up at the Children’s Reference Desk or Information Desk, or E-mail the Librarian or call 425-430-6610.

Teen Summer Reading Winners Are Announced!

The drawing was held, and the Teen Summer Reading winners are in!

Grand Prize (4 GB Ipod Shuffle) - Kevin Malley, Grade 6

2 x $20.00 Barnes and Noble Gift Cards awarded to Ashley Wallace, Grade 6 and Marissa Madayag, Grade 9

Congratulations to the prize winners and to all those who finished the summer reading program this year!

Renton and Highlands Libraries would like to give a very special THANK YOU to Common Ground Coffee and Cupcakes (900 S 3rd St # A, Renton, WA 98057, 425-235-1717) for their very generous sponsorship this summer. They gave a a free cupcake to every finisher of both the Children's and Teen Summer Reading programs making finishing extra sweet!

Teens Get to Vote Too!!!!

Those of you in grades 6 to 12 get a say in the annual Top 10 [Book] Picks for Teens. All you have to do is read a few of the nominated YA books (You've probably done that this summer, right?) and then Vote for Your Top Three Favorites at






Voting is open Aug. 24 through Sept. 18, 2009. Winners will be announced in a webcast at http://www.ala.org/teenstopten during Teen Read Week, Oct. 18-24.

2009 YA Fiction Nominees:
Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Untamed by P.C. and Kristin Cast
City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Truancy by Isamu Fukui
Truancy: Origins by Isamu Fukui
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Paper Towns by John Green
Runemarks by Joanne Harris
Identical by Ellen Hopkins
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart
Daughter of the Flames by Zoe Marriott
Wake by Lisa McMann
Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
Bloodline by Katy Moran
The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
Evermore by Alyson Noel
Geek Charming by Robin Palmer
Melting Stones by Tamora Pierce
Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott
Eternal by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith
Wherever Nina Lies by Lynn Weingarten
Impossible by Nancy Werlin
Absolutely Maybe by Lisa Yee

You can place any of these books on hold with your Renton Library Card at http://hip.rentonwa.gov/ipac20/ipac.jsp?profile=home#focus

Happy Reading!!!

What's Happening for Teens at RPL?

Teen Advisory Board
Main Branch
(Grades 6 to 12)
Exercise your creativity and develop leadership skills while socializing with other teens, and participating in fun activities. Snacks and drinks are free!

Upcoming Meeting Dates:

Thursday, September 17th, 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 15th, 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Libraries Aren't Just for Books Anymore

Sure, libraries are still a great place to go to find books for fun and leisure, personal enrichment, and learning new things. But did you know that libraries offer other great resources as well? No, not DVD's.....well, yes, we have lots of those too, but that's not what I meant. In fact, you don't even have to go into the building to check out some of the great information available through your public library.

I'm talking about Library Databases. What's a database you may ask? Well, allow me to introduce you. Library databases provide access to magazine, newpaper, and research articles online, many in full text, right at your fingertips! No more wading through evil microfische or Microfilm! These are subscription-based services, available for free to anyone with a current library card. You can find biographies, current events, science research, and more. And the best thing is, the information is CURRENT and RELIABLE, not always the case on the World Wide Web.

Next time you have to do research for a school report, just get out your library card and take a look the Renton Library's Online Databases.

Award Winning Titles at Renton Libraries

Ever wonder how librarians spend their free time? Probably not. Well, perhaps you've wondered how all those award-winning books get selected every year? Well, the answer to both those questions is: Librarians READ them of course. Now, there are a lot of books published every year, hundreds of thousands in fact. That's a lot of books to get through. So librarians like to talk with one another about the great books they're reading, then they team up and form committees, go to national conferences, and vote on the best of the best. How's that for Democracy?

Now you can virtually drop by Renton Library's handy new Award Winners Webpage featuring links to all the great award winners, both current and past, and then check one out from the Renton Library. You'll also find the nominees for the upcoming Young Readers Choice and Sasquatch Awards. Happy Reading!

Teen Game Days at Renton Libraries! - Summer Finale

Renton Highlands Branch - Tuesday, August 25th, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Renton Main Branch - Thursday, August 27th, 2009, 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. -

Stop by the one of the Renton Libraries the last week of August to play Guitar Hero2 - Aerosmith, Dance Dance Revolution, board games, High School Musical karaoke, eat snacks, create some artwork, and generally have fun.

Visit With a Critter at the Renton Main Branch

“Max” is visiting the Renton Public Library, and he’s bringing all his furry friends!
The Seattle Humane Society’s bright yellow, 38-foot mobile adoption and education unit will be loaded up with dogs, cats, and even a few critters – all available for on-the-spot adoption.


WHAT: MaxMobile Visits Renton
WHERE: Renton Public Library Main Branch
WHEN: Tuesday, August 18th, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
WHY: Adorable animals available for adoption, or even just a cuddle with a warm, furry human!

Be sure to check with your parents before you head out, especially if you're hoping to bring anybody home. Remember, animals are a really big responsibility (food, vet bills, little wanted "presents" around the house, etc.) and require a big committment. Find out more at the Max Mobile.

Teens Love Polls, Right?!!!

Here's one about your library at http://allaboutrenton.wordpress.com/

Calling All Engineers of the Future!

The National Engineers Week Foundations' 2009-2010 Future City Competition invites all seventh and eighth grade students in the United States to create cities of the future. The theme this year is "Providing an Affordable Living Space for People Who Have Lost Their Home Due to a Disaster or Financial Emergency." Contestants will first design a model of their city using SimCity 4 Deluxe software, and follow it up with a physical model using recycled materials and a research essay about it. The best part is, it's your chance at winning scholarships and travel!

For more information, visit http://www.futurecity.org/competition.shtm

There's Still Time to Win Prizes!

Great News! There's still another month left of summer! And that means you still have time to check out some great books from the library, and complete your summer reading log. If you haven't picked one up yet, teen reading logs are still available at the Renton Main and Highlands Branches. You can also turn in reviews and tell us what you liked or didn't like this summer! Stay cool with some terrific summer reads!

Here's a list of some new and/or very hot titles to get you started. Check them out at the Renton Libraries.

Hotlanta by Denene Millner
Living a privileged life in Atlanta, wealthy and beautiful African American twin sisters, Sydney and Lauren, must deal with family secrets and scandal when their father is released from prison.



Graceling by Kristin CashoreIn a world where some people are born with extreme and often-feared skills called Graces, Katsa struggles for redemption from her own horrifying Grace, the Grace of killing, and teams up with another young fighter to save their land from a corrupt king.


Suck It Up! by Brian Meehl
After graduating from the International Vampire League, a scrawny, teenaged vampire named Morning is given the chance to fulfill his childhood dream of becoming a superhero when he embarks on a League mission to become the first vampire to reveal his identity to humans and to demonstrate how peacefully-evolved, blood-substitute-drinking vampires can use their powers to help humanity.

Gone by Michael Grant
In a small town on the coast of California, everyone over the age of fourteen suddenly disappears, setting up a battle between the remaining town residents and the students from a local private school, as well as those who have "The Power" and are able to perform supernatural feats and those who do not.


Skin Hunger by Kathleen Duey
In alternate chapters, Sadima travels from her farm home to the city and becomes assistant to a heartless man who is trying to restore knowledge of magic to the world, and a group of boys fights to survive in the academy that has resulted from his efforts.


The Carbon Diaries 2015 by Saci Lloyd
In 2015, when England becomes the first nation to introduce carbon dioxide rationing in a drastic bid to combat climate change, sixteen-year-old Laura documents the first year of rationing as her family spirals out of control. Told in short diary entries filled with scrapbook clippings, this riveting ecothriller is one girl's attempt to stay grounded in a world where disaster has become the norm.

Teen Altered Book Craft at Renton Main Branch

2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, August 6th

You’d be surprised at what you can do with an old book. Using recycled library books, we will make original works of art or create a “new” book for a journal or sketchbook. All craft materials and tools will be provided. Call to Register: 425-430-6825.

Teen Tuesdays at the Highlands Library

Tuesday, July 28th, 3:00 to 5:00p.m. - Highlands Library
This week, stop by the Highlands Library for our first ever Anime Party! Watch anime, show us your moves in Dance Dance Revolution, draw manga, try your hand at origami, and make your very own candy sushi. Oh, yeah, and did we mention there will be free snacks and prizes, too!

Tell Us What You Think!

The City of Renton is considering a ballot measure to propose annexing the Renton Library System to the King County Library System. Now is your chance to have a say, and to actually have your voice heard! Take the survey, and then tell your parents to take it too! http://www.surveymonkey.com/rentonlibrarysurvey.

Strange Mad Libs

Sitting at home on a Sunday afternoon, you'd think I'd have better things to do than play on the Internet. Well, actually I do, but since I'm reading the new Emily the Strange novel, The Lost Days, I got it in my head to check out her Website (http://www.emilystrange.com/) and wandered onto her strange Badlibs. Here's what I came up with:

"A LAB EXPERIMENT GONE HORRIBLY WRONG" A badlib by Jessica Marie.
"HORNK! GASPLUSH! BAKLOOIE! Terrible sounds poured from the Oddisee as Emily frantically pushed buttons and pulled levers, trying to find out what had gone so horribly wrong. She was in the final stages of a very important experiment to create a brand-new type of stalking cat. But unfortunately, it looked like she had created a hellish mutant sweet tortoise, instead! “I don’t get it,” Emily said out loud, while her faithful lab assistant and cat friend Mystery listened. “All I did was take some DNA from my big toe, add a little hairball and a cup of berry juice (you know, the stuff Johnny Depp drinks?) and mix it all in a beaker. My data shows that this should work! Mystery, where did I go wrong?” Mystery scooted loudly, then meowed into the microphone of the Oddisee. Her thoughts were translated on the screen: “bleedin' bimbo!! I mean, normally you’re pretty smart for a human, but today you acted like a big idiot. What made you think you should get DNA from your big toe? It should have come from your butt cheek! Also, I really think you should have used candy instead of hairballs - it ALWAYS makes my experiments much more interesting! And finally – I recommend blood instead of berry juice. I don’t care if Johnny Depp drinks a gallon of that stuff a day, it just doesn’t make a good stalking cat!” Emily slapped her earlobe and sighed. “You’re right, Mystery. You’re always right.” Then, turning some dials and fiddling with some ipods, she tried to end the experiment. But – fudgerola!-- it was TOO LATE! The hellish mutant sweet tortoise had escaped, and was running around the lab, breaking beakers everywhere. The last thing Emily saw was its huge, piehole mouth opening wide – and then, the total darkness of the inside of its eyeball. “HELP! MYSTERY! GET ME OUT OF HERE!” she yelled as loudly as she could. But all she could hear, from her prison inside the monster, was the sound of one cat laughing...

Even More Book Recommendations!

After another busy week of visiting schools, here are a few more books we showed off in classes...just some of the fun titles you can grab to start your summer reading. Don't forget that you can put these on hold from home by visiting the library catalog or in person at either library branch.

Heck: Where the Bad Kids Go by Dale E. Bayse

Milton is a good kid...honest!! So why is he doomed to this place where even the boogeyperson doesn't think he belongs for all eternity...or until he turns 18...whichever happens first?

Alcatraz versus the Evil Librarians by Brandon Sanderson

Alcatraz just turned 13 and his present was...a bag of sand. Some inheritance! But then suddenly everyone is after it...and it may be more valuable than he thought. He's off on a dangerous mission...to the public library? But watch out for dinosaurs. And sharks. And lots of other stuff those evil librarians have been hiding.







Hip Hop: A Short History by Rosa Waters
How far back to you think hip hop goes? A little history, and a few favorite stars in this quick read.







Teen Zone: Astrology by Jackie Barrow

Draw your own personal chart based on the time and place you were born and get an absolutely personal horoscope!






Adventures in Cartooning by James Sturm, Andrew Arnold, and Alexis Frederick-Frost

Warning: There is a big dragon in this book who will eat all of your candy if he is not stopped! Read the exciting story, and learn to draw one of your own in this all-cartooning adventure.

Renton Librarian Recommendations

Kris and Jessica have been busily visiting schools to talk about summer reading, and along the way we've been sharing some fun and interesting books with everyone. In case you were enticed but can't remember the titles, here's a list of some of the books we've been sharing . You can place holds on them by visiting the Renton Library Catalog, and be sure to have your library card handy.

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

In Tally's world, everybody gets to be supermodel pretty once they turn 16. But is that really as great as it sounds?

Blue Lipstick: Concrete Poems by John Grandits

Technically, It's Not My Fault: Concrete Poems by John Grandits

Guinness World Records to the Extreme

Observe some of the worst jobs in the world as well as some other pretty amazing (or disgusting) things.

An Artists America by Michael Albert

Check out the amazing artwork that can be made with everyday objects like cereal boxes and Campbell soup labels.

Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin

Travel to Elsewhere where everyone goes after they die and then ages backwards until they are reborn and sent back to earth to live a new life.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Travel into a distant future where hunger and starvation are just around the corner. 16-year-old Katniss volunteers to participate in the Hunger Games, a televised survival contest in which the winner is the last person left alive.

Acceleration by Graham McNamee

Can Duncan and his 2 sidekicks stop a potential serial killer before he becomes an ACTUAL one?

Heir Apparent by Vivian Vande Velde

14-year-old Giannine is stuck in a virtual reality adventure game in which the only way out is to win the game or die for real.