Matched

In a future where society decides everything for you: what you see, when you die, even what you believe.  They even choose your soul mate during a Matching ceremony.  When Cassia is being matched, she is relieved she is matched with her lifelong friend.  But then the screen goes black, and for an instant she sees Ky Markham’s face instead of Xander’s. It’s only for a few seconds, and society tells her it’s a glitch, but Cassie thinks about Ky a lot; now she begins to doubt her matching, and society.  Will Cassia go against society’s decision and fall in love with Ky?  Cassia is risking a lot, and putting everything on the line; however, is she willing to pave out her own path and face the impossible choice?  Find out in Matched.

Sequels: #2 Crossed, #3 Reached

Unwind

After the Second Civil War over reproductive rights, America had given parents the right  to unwind their kids if they were between the ages of thirteen and eighteen.  What’s unwinding?  Unwinding is when parents decide to have their children taken apart organ by organ and have their parts "donated" to those people who need them.  Kids don’t have a choice if they what to be unwound or not, they don’t have that right.  But when one boy goes against everything and runs away from his unwinding, he doesn’t realize he’s about to change everything!

Sequels: #2 UnWholly, #3 UnSouled (coming Fall 2013)

Delirium

Love.  It’s so easy to fall in love, but it’s easier to be hurt by the ones you love.  That’s why love is now considered a disease.  Anybody who shows any type of emotion or even dares to fall in love is taken and disconnected from the world.  They practically disappear.  And ninety-five days before Lena’s eighteenth birthday and her chance to be "cured" and be safe from the delirium of love, she falls in love herself.  Lena must decided whether to get the cure and live a safe, happy, and predictable life; or live a life of adventure, full of excitement, and be with the boy she’s in love with.

Sequels: #2 Pandemonium, #3 Requiem

Did you hear about the wolf spider so big that it took several shots to kill it?  Did you know that Mr. Rogers was a Marine Sniper in Vietnam or that you can prevent Facebook from using your posts by including a simple copyright notification?  What about Manti Te'o’s internet "girlfriend?"

Everything you just read was a lie. How many of you have actually been taken in by one of these hoaxes?  (I'll admit to believing that Mr. Rogers was a sniper.)  Often it's one of your friends sharing it through Facebook or Twitter.  Other times you hear about it on the local news.  How do you know when something is legit?  Is there any way to tell? 

We think so.  That’s why the San José public library is offering the "News Know How" program this summer at the new Educational Park Branch.  We're bringing in real reporters to show you how to separate fact from opinion and hoax from reality.  For two weeks you’ll work with Reporters, Librarians, and your fellow teens to create your own project (check out last year's projects).  Now you may be asking yourself.  Why should I spend two precious weeks of my summer actually learning?  Well, not only will your project be presented online for you to show off, you'll also receive a stipend (read money) for going through the program. 

The program will run 10:00 am - 3:00 pm Monday through Friday from June 17 to June 28, 2013. Once you've applied you will be contacted in order to schedule an interview. Interviews will begin May 1, 2013 and continue until all the spots are filled. Please contact Erik Berman (Erik.Berman@sjlibrary.org) if you have any questions.

Applications are now live.  Click here to be taken to the registration page.    Once you've completed the application, you will recieve an email with additional information.

Who do you trust for your daily news? CNN, Fox News, NBC, CBS, The Drug Report, Reuters, the Huffington Post? We have so much news coming in so fast and so frequently that it can feel like you can never catch up with the latest Supreme Court decision or celebrity gaffe.  (I just checked my smart phone and two new articles have been released on my favorite news app.)  Knowing who to believe and how to evaluate the credibility of a given article is becoming more important than ever thanks to the influx of news sources and corporate news agencies, be it independent blogs or even the posts from your local library (which of course are impeccably credible).   

That's why the San José Public Library, with the help of American Library Association and the Open Society Foundations, is offering the News Know How media literacy program this June at the newly opening library, Educational Park.  The Library will be recruiting 15 students to participate in a special two week crash course in media literacy.  Students will learn how to critically evaluate the news they see every day.  They will spot misinformation and propaganda; they will check sources and distinguish between a reporter's fact and opinions.  In the end, as teams, they will produce their own report, sharing what they learned with the rest of the world.

The program will run from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm Monday through Friday from  June 17 - 28, 2013 at the Educational Park Branch of the San José Public Library.  Participants must commit to the full two weeks and to completing the final project.  In return they will receive a stipend.

Any teen interested in the program should follow this link to register.    Applicants will recieve an email with instructions concerning the next step.

Each year, the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) gives out several awards and creates selected booklists of items that are likely to be appreciated by young adults.  These lists provide for a wide range of reading and maturity levels, and some adults may be surprised at the high quality writing and storylines.  I admit that I was one of those adults who was skeptical at reading YA, or young adult, fiction.  YALSA’s various awards helped change my mind and led me into the enjoyable word of YA reading materials.

The ten recipients of the Alex Award are books written for adults but also have special appeal for young adults, ages 12 through 18.  The 2013 winners are listed below.  Whether you are an adult or a young adult, I encourage you to give some of these titles a try!

1. Caring is Creepy by David Zimmerman (also available as an e-book)
2. Girlchild by Tupelo Hassman
3. Juvenile in Justice by Richard Ross
4. Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan (also available in large print)
5. My Friend Dahmer by Derf Backderf
6. One Shot at Forever by Chris Ballard
7. Pure by Juliana Baggott (also available in large print and as an audiobook)
8. The Round House by Louise Erdrich
9. Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt (also available as an e-book and an eAudiobook)
10. Where'd You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple (also available as an eAudiobook, an audiobook, and in large print)

And visit this page for additional Alex Award nominations that did not receive the award, yet are still worth checking out.

Enjoy the following paranormal romance titles at your library today! Let us know if there is a title that you would like the library to have by filling out and submitting the purchase suggestion form. 

Hush, Hush (Series) by Becca Fitzpatrick

Nora Grey, a high school sophomore, lives with her widowed mother in a rural area near Portland, Maine. One day, Patch Cirpiano, a new and mysterious student joins her biology class and sits next to her. Eventually, after having several interactions with him, she soon finds herself attracted to him. In a turn of events, she discovers scars on Patch's back, leading him to admit that he is a fallen angel who seeks to become human. How will Nora respond to this shocking discovery?  

Timeless by Alexandra Monir

Michele Windsor has moved in with her grandparents in New York City after a family tragedy occurred. For many years, she has had romantic dreams of a mysterious man that she has never met before. While staying at her grandparent's mansion, she discovers a magical diary that transported her back to the year 1910. After being sent back to this year, she eventually meets the mysterious man who has been haunting her dreams and falls for him. Who is this man? Check out this title to find out more. You can also download this book from the library's Overdrive and Axis 360 eBook collections.

Shiver (Series) by Maggie Stiefvater

A moving, paranormal romance story about Grace and a mysterious wolf that often watches her from a nearby distance. Later, Grace discovers a wounded boy near her home and makes a shocking discovery that this boy is that same wolf in human form. Will their relationship last? Read more to find out. This title is also available in eBook and CD audio book formats.

Congratulations BOTB 2013 Winners!

1st Place

Lizard Kingdom Progressive Rock

“Lizard Kingdom is heavily influenced by bands such as the Fall of Troy, Ricky Martin, Sha Na Na, Nickelback, Milli Vanilli, and Brian Wilson. In our spare time, we enjoy making balloon animals. Collectively our favorite food is pickles. Our pre-show ritual is we gather around, and run with scissors to display bravery.”

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2nd Place

Cactus  Experimental/Fusion

"Cactus is a group that plays for the sheer love of all different kinds of music, whether it be jazz, blues, alternative, classic rock, or Motown. Each practice is always different consisting of spontaneous new ideas every time. We enjoy the simple things in life, humor, and acting weird and crazy!"

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3rd Place

Half N Half   Indie Rock

“We have been together since Fall 2011, and started out playing covers. But with HALF of us wanting to play this, n Half of us wanting to play that, we finally decided to collaborate to write our own music! “

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Supporters:

The library gratefully acknowledges the generous contributions of its community sponsors:

• Live 105.3 FM
• PinUp Productions
• San Jose Pro Drum
• Steetlight Records
• San Jose Rock Shop
• Music Village
• Music Go Round