Ages 11-18
Blog Post
Fullmetal Alchemist: The Movie
by joy k
If 51 episodes of the Fullmetal Alchemist anime tv series weren’t enough for you, you won’t want to miss the movie sequel: Fullmetal Alchemist: The Conqueror of Shamballa. Although the anime is originally based on the manga by Hiromu Arakawa, the storylines diverge after a certain point, so the movie represents an entirely new adventure of the Elric brothers—with all the steampunk action that you loved from the tv series and manga. Don’t miss it!
Blog Post
Fabulous Fiction Firsts #72
by muffy
I am sure if you are a reader of mysteries, you would have come across some very famous feline detectives. Occasionally, a dog or two have tried to get in on the act. Clever, I am sure, but they have always relied on their two-legged sidekicks.
Now Leonie Swann, in her debut mystery (translated from German) Three Bags Full* introduces fleecy ones who work alone!
In the bucolic Irish village of Glennkill, a flock of sheep has just come across the murdered body of its beloved shepherd George Glenn. Led by the very smart Miss Marple, they are determined to bring the killer to justice, not withstanding all the obstacles in their way (they can’t talk, their chief suspects is the BUTCHER!).
Already a bestseller in Europe, U.S critics are calling Three Bags Full a “quirky philosophical mystery”, “refreshingly original” and “magical”. Swann also “peppers the text with literary allusion that add humor and lighten the existential gloom of both people and sheep”.
* = Starred Review
Blog Post
Fabulous Fiction Firsts #71
by muffy
If you enjoyed The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, (Did you like the movie too?) I would suggest The Last Summer (of you and me). It is teen author Ann Brashares's break into the adult market, and a summer read, perfect for the beach.
Paul (McCartney) named after Sir Paul by his wayward father, and sisters Riley and Alice have been pals since they were babies, growing up next door to each other summering on Fire Island. Tomboy older sister Riley and Paul have a strong connection that transcend the seasons, until the summer when Alice turns 21 and heading to law school.
That summer, she and Paul decide to act on their mutual attraction with unforeseen consequences. When a family tragedy strikes, it forever alters the course they have set for themselves. A coming-of-age story sure to please the Brashares fans.
Blog Post
Rash wins 2007 Thumbs Up!
by K.C.
The Thumbs Up! Award committee has voted Rash by Pete Hautman as the 2007 winner. Rash is a chilling satire that tells the story of Bo, a struggling teen. It's 2076. Anyone who litters or verbally assaults another person in the Safer States of America goes to prison. Bo has five family members in jail, and due to his temper he is sent to a remote work camp where he has to make fast food pizzas, play the dangerous and illegal game of football, and battle the bears that live in the cold north. It’s a great read or listen on audio CD.
The committee also chose four Honor books. They are An Abundance of Katherines by John Green, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock, and Notes from the Midnight Driver by Jordan Sonnenblick.
Blog Post
Paradise Kiss
by joy k
Fashionistas won’t want to miss Paradise Kiss, one of the new series in the library’s anime collection. Adapted from the popular manga of the same name by Ai Yazawa, it’s the story of Yukari, a high school student focuses on preparing for her college entrance exams. By chance she meets a group of teens studying fashion design at an art high school. And when they ask her to be the model for their label, Paradise Kiss, in their school competition, Yukari has to decide what her priorities are-—and what she really wants to do with her future.
Blog Post
1st Annual Kid’s Art Fair
by lola
Youth in grades Kindergarten through 12th from Washtenaw County are invited to submit their artwork to be juried for the very first Kid’s Art Fair at the Townie Street Party on July 16.
Interested young artists should bring samples of their artwork to the Downtown Library Multi-Purpose Room on Saturday, June 16 between noon and 1 PM. Art jurors will score the work between 1 PM and 3 PM. Everyone is invited to watch the process.
Jurors will announce the young artists invited to exhibit their work at 4 PM. These artists will be allowed to sell their work at a booth at the Townie Street Party!
Check out the library's great art book collection to get some ideas!
Blog Post
Meeting the reclusive J.D. Salinger
by emilyas
What would it be like to meet the author of The Catcher in the Rye, someone who avoids the public eye at all costs? In this NPR article, a Wisconsin author describes a trip he took to meet J. D. Salinger, and his success at meeting a man of many written, but few spoken, words.
Blog Post
Fabulous Fiction Firsts #69
by muffy
In this About a Boy meets The Nanny Diaries, first-time novelist Holly Peterson hits the mark.
Manny (a nanny of the male persuasion) is the only thing that stands between busy Upper East Side TV producer Jamie Whitfield and a nervous breakdown. Between her high-powered and emotional distant lawyer husband, 9 year-old holy-terror of a son Dylan, and baby Gracie, she is in constant overdrive. She needs a nanny and better yet, a strong male presence in Dylan’s life.
The answer to her prayers arrives neatly packaged as Peter Bailey – a warm, sensitive, 29 year-old Internet entrepreneur waiting on funding. Things work out a lot better than she could have hoped for but she had not anticipated that “the help” will save her in more ways than one.
Smart, sexy, amusing and “a fabulous sharp skewering of the silly-rich in New York”, while it is not great literature, you will be entertained.
Blog Post
Breaking the Silence on Sexual Abuse – Sunday, June 10
by K.C.
In 2001, Angela Shelton was on a quest to find herself in an effort to heal from her past. The result of that quest is her 2004 film, Searching for Angela Shelton.
Join Ms. Shelton at the downtown Library this Sunday, June 10, from 1-4 pm in the 4th floor meeting room. She will introduce a screening of her award-winning film and afterwards lead a discussion. The film is not rated, but has strong language. Cosponsored by SafeHouse Center.
Blog Post
Anime Insider now available at four locations!
by joy k
The library’s recently started subscribing to a new anime magazine, Anime Insider. It features articles on new series coming over from Japan, manga reviews, and other industry news. Visit them online for a sneak peak at their content. The magazine is available at our Downtown Teen section and our Malletts Creek, Northeast, and Pittsfield branches.
The library still gets Newtype USA; you can also browse the full list of magazines available at our locations here.