2006 Thumbs Up! Nominee

Wed, 04/12/2006 - 4:37pm by K.C.

Just Like That -- Vote For Me!
High school senior Hanna has just broken up with her boyfriend. Confused and sleepless, Hanna decides to go for a late night walk. A chance encounter on that cold, frozen night changes Hanna’s life forever.

A fascinating book. Hanna discovers how one choice entirely changes the primary focus in her life leading her to people but for that single choice she would never have met. If she had not taken the late night walk, she might still be living her normal, boring life. If this book is your choice for the best of 2005, vote for it by using the green ballot available at the library and put it in the box posted in the teen area, or give it to the librarian, or e-mail your choice to davise@aadl.org.

2006 Thumbs Up! Nominee

Wed, 04/12/2006 - 4:29pm by K.C.

Criss Cross -- Vote For Me!
Debbie and her friends over the course of a summer experience new thoughts and feelings, question their identities, connect and disconnect. As their paths crisscross, they find themselves one step closer to who they’re really meant to be.

This is a book for readers who enjoy reflecting while reading a story. This book encourages you to think about how the people criss crossing in and out of your life help shape the real you. If this book is your choice for the best of 2005, vote for it by using the green ballot available at the library and put it in the box posted in the teen area, or give it to the librarian, or e-mail your choice to davise@aadl.org.

2006 Thumbs Up! Nominee

Tue, 04/11/2006 - 1:47pm by K.C.

A Room on Lorelei Street -- Vote For Me!
Zoe’s life is more than she can bear – until she rents a room of her own on Lorelei St. But between struggling to pay rent and feeling guilty for leaving her alcoholic mother, how far will Zoe go to keep her independence?

Zoe is real. She struggles with conflicting feelings of love and responsibility for her family and desire to live a “normal” teenage life free from heavy burden. I found myself drawn easily into riding her emotional roller coaster. If this book is your choice for the best of 2005, vote for it by using the green ballot available at the library and put it in the box posted in the teen area, or give it to the librarian, or e-mail your choice to davise@aadl.org.

2006 Thumbs Up! Nominee

Tue, 04/11/2006 - 1:38pm by K.C.

Teach Me -- Vote For Me!
High school senior Nine (short for Carolina) has always felt different from her classmates. When she crosses the line with her high school English teacher, her new feelings are so overwhelming she wonders if she even understands herself.

I struggle with this book. My negative feelings are fueled by an intense dislike of the main character, Nine. A member of the Thumbs Up committee believes the portrayal of Nine is accurate based upon someone who went through the same thing. Convince me I should vote for the book in spite of detesting the main character. If this book is your choice for the best of 2005, vote for it by using the green ballot available at the library and put it in the box posted in the teen area, or give it to the librarian, or e-mail your choice to davise@aadl.org.

Retro Octathalon, DDR, and Karaoke: This Weekend!

Tue, 04/11/2006 - 8:52am by eli

This Friday April 14, AADL-GT is proud to present the first ever Retro Octathalon, an 8-game tour of videogame history with prizes for high scorers of all ages! We'll start off with qualifying rounds for each age bracket, with kids qualifiers from 1-3 PM, Teen qualifiers from 3-6 PM, and Adult qualifiers from 6-8 PM. Players will cycle through all 8 games, and the top 3 scores in each age bracket will win cool Retro Nintendo prizes from Wizzywig.

From 8-9 PM, the top scorers from each age bracket will face off against each other for a shot at a gamestop giftcard: $40 for first place, $30 for second, and $20 for third. Adult qualifiers and the finals will also be broadcast live on Comcast channel 18, so tune in if you can't make it!

We'll also have all-ages DDR on Saturday, 4/15 from Noon - 3 and all-ages Karaoke Revolution on Saturday, 4/15 from 3-5, plus open play on Monday! Come to the downtown library for some great gaming this weekend, and read on for details...

2006 Thumbs Up! Nominee

Mon, 04/10/2006 - 2:34pm by K.C.

Twilight -- Vote For Me!
Bella leaves sunny Phoenix to live in gloomy Washington and is drawn to fellow student Edward, a distractingly handsome but aloof and angry boy. Bella falls dangerously in love – a danger magnified by Edward’s secret life as a vampire.

The gloomy setting, the romantic tension and pervading sense of danger combine to make this modern gothic thriller. This one garnered a lot positive comments on the committee. If this book is your choice for the best of 2005, vote for it by using the green ballot available at the library and put it in the box posted in the teen area, or give it to the librarian, or e-mail your choice to davise@aadl.org.

2006 Thumbs Up! Nominee

Mon, 04/10/2006 - 2:24pm by K.C.

Inexcusable -- Vote For Me!
Senior Keir Sarafian is a good guy: a loving son and brother, a loyal friend, and an excellent teammate. He can’t understand why Gigi Boudakian, his friend since kindergarten and the love of his life, would accuse him of something so...inexcusable.

Keir tells you his side of the story in what I believe is an all too authentic voice. I believe there is a Keir in every community. Agree? If this book is your choice for the best of 2005, vote for it by using the green ballot available at the library and put it in the box posted in the teen area, or give it to the librarian, or e-mail your choice to davise@aadl.org.

The Silent Spring

Mon, 04/10/2006 - 1:39pm by Maxine

On Thursday, April 13, 1962, The Silent Spring by Rachel Carson was published. The book sounded an alarm about the use of chemicals, especially pesticides, and the harm they caused to humans and the environment. The book's publication heralded the beginning of the environmental movement. Carson, an ecologist, took great pleasure in her natural surroundings, and in her observations saw disturbing signs of the effects of these pollutants.

On April 22, Earth Day, 2006 invites all who care about the future of Planet Earth to celebrations, lectures and activities in the U.S. and around the globe. Ann Arbor will be having its own Earth Day celebration.

2006 Thumbs Up! Nominee

Fri, 04/07/2006 - 1:46pm by K.C.

Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie--Vote For Me!
Scott hilariously documents in his journal (not a diary!) the trials and tribulations of his first year in high school – falling in love, drifting apart from his friends, dealing with his mother’s pregnancy, and learning more about himself than he expected.

I thoroughly enjoyed Scott’s journal entries, explaining his attempts to get closer to a girl for whom he has a crush. Each effort leads to experiences that Scott could never have imagined in his wildest dreams. If this book is your choice for the best of 2005, vote for it by using the green ballot available at the library and put it in the box posted in the teen area, or give it to the librarian, or e-mail your choice to davise@aadl.org.

2006 Thumbs Up! Nominee

Fri, 04/07/2006 - 1:44pm by K.C.

Day of Tears -- Vote For Me!
Her master promised Emma that she would never be sold, but in 1859 she and over 400 other slaves were sold during a two-day auction know as “the weeping time.” Based on a heart wrenching true moment in history.

Multiple voices [master, slaves, runaways, adult, child] combine to create a horrific tale of slavery. In many ways this book is more powerful than reading a historic account. If this book is your choice for the best of 2005, vote for it by using the green ballot available at the library and put it in the box posted in the teen area, or give it to the librarian, or e-mail your choice to davise@aadl.org.