2nd Tuesday – Meet Julie Orringer @ Mallets Creek Wed., March 21, 7 pm

Sun, 03/18/2007 - 7:38pm by K.C.

Hear Julie Orringer read from her short story collection, How to Breathe Underwater, a New York Times Notable Book and the winner of the Northern California Book Award. Julie is the Helen Herzog Zell Visiting Professor at the University of Michigan.

Last Exile

Sat, 03/17/2007 - 8:07pm by joy k

Visit the mysterious world of Prester in the steampunk anime Last Exile. The warring nations of Prester somewhat resemble Victorian England, but their skies are filled with flying ships: giant airships and smaller, faster vanships. Claus (a pilot) and Lavie (a navigator) are freelance vanship couriers whose lives become unexpectedly complicated when they agree to complete a dying pilot’s last mission: the delivery of a young girl to the fabled airship Silvana.

You can find all seven dvds of this series in the library’s collection: Vol. 1, Vol. 2, Vol. 3, Vol. 4, Vol. 5, Vol. 6, Vol. 7.

Make MySpace Yours

Fri, 03/16/2007 - 1:36pm by lola

Hang out at the library and work on your MySpace page. Find out how to get those cool backgrounds or how to upload your favorite pictures. Drop in to the third floor computer room at the Downtown library between 3:30 and 5:30 PM. Program for grades 9-12. Friend the library’s MySpace page while your working on yours and stay up on the all the cool programs at the library.

Hooked by the end of the first paragraph...

Thu, 03/15/2007 - 5:41pm by StoryLaura

It is amazing how the honest language and direct approach of certain authors grabs you immediately. Alabama Moon by Watt Key is a first novel and a great ride. Ten year old Moon has lived in the forest with his government-hating father his whole life. When he is forced into civilization and encounters jail, bullies and other troubling experiences, he survives by using the instinct and intelligence that helped him in his former life. Moon is a spitfire and this is a fun and moving adventure read for teenagers.

Season 4 Ideas: Qualifying Pools

Thu, 03/15/2007 - 11:04am by eli

Ok, based on some of the ideas we talked about at the planning meeting and our experience with pools at the throwdown, I'd like to propose an alternate qualifying system for the 2007 Super Smash / Double Dash Championship Season, based on set qualifying pools instead of randomized qualifying heats. Read on to find out what I've got in mind.

It’s Not Easy Being Mean (Clique Series)

Tue, 03/13/2007 - 2:26pm by jillean

If you thought The Plastics from Mean Girls were especially callous, watch out for The Clique in Lisi Harrison's Clique Series. The latest It’s Not Easy Being Mean is on Amazon.com Teen Top Sellers list.

Clique Series (Books 1 - 7)
The Clique
Best Friends For Never
Revenge of the Wannabes
Invasion of the Boy Snatchers
The Pretty Committee Strikes Back
Dial L for Loser
It’s Not Easy Being Mean

It's All Write! Deadline for Submissions March 19

Tue, 03/13/2007 - 1:15pm by Bertha

Now's the time to put the finishing touches on your short story entry. Deadline for entries is March 19th. Area teens (Grades 6-12) are submitting entries to a short story contest with generous prizes (1st Place $250, 2nd Place $150, 3rd Place $100) The Awards Program is held at the Ann Arbor Book Festival, May 19, featuring teen book author, Ron Koertge.
If you need suggestions for those last few changes, maybe Writing Magic-Creating Stories That Fly by Gail Carson Levine may be helpful.

Need guidelines? click here Good Luck!

The Braid

Tue, 03/13/2007 - 11:28am by K.C.

When their family is evicted from the Western Isles of Scotland in 1850, teenage sisters Jeannie and Sarah are torn apart. Jeannie goes with her parents and younger siblings to Cape Breton, Canada. Her older sister, Sarah, hides so she can stay behind with Grandma. Before they separate, the sisters braid their hair together, and cut it off, each taking half of the braid.

Though likely separated for life Sarah and Jeannie each tell their stories through poems that are knitted together and resonate with those things most important to both sisters, home, security, and heritage. The Braid made the 2007 Best Books for Young Adults list.

Pet & Wildlife Photo Contest - WINNERS!

Mon, 03/12/2007 - 8:04pm by erin

Our first annual Pet & Wildlife Photo Contest was a huge success! Over 40 entries were received and winners were chosen in 4 categories: Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8 and Grades 9-12. Visit the Downtown Youth Department anytime during the month of March to see ALL of the entries. This evening, March 12, was the award ceremony and every winner in each category was in attendance. First place got a $25 gift certificate to Borders and Honorable Mention got a a $10 gift certificate for Borders. Without further ado the winners are…

Maison Ikkoku

Thu, 03/08/2007 - 2:41pm by anned

Rumiko Takahashi might just be the wealthiest woman in Japan—if you have read the Maison Ikkoku series then you know why. Her characters are well developed, interesting, and well loved all over the world.

Yusaku Godai, a starving student, moves into a boarding house run by the beautiful, young, and widowed Kyoko Otonashi. Young Godai quickly falls in love only to find that he has many rivals for her affection (including a dog named after her late husband).

After you’ve read the book, don’t forget to check out the anime version.