My First Video Review

You've read my review for Dance of Shadows already - but how about a new format? 

Sneak Peak is a fun YA program at my library where the new books are all brought out at one time, red carpet style, with book talks as the entertainment. This year our super YA librarian, Joan, wanted to intermix some media into the program and asked me to film myself.

If I had more time to spend on this, it could have been really polished - but it turned out pretty awesome as it is! Stay tuned for more book talks and book trailers soon!!

Book Review: Dance of Shadows

Dance of Shadows

by Yelena Black

I read this without following my typical review format - so I thought I'd include my book talk on this here instead. This is a sneak peak because I won't give my book talk for a few more days.

The New York Ballet Academy. Dancers spend years dreaming of what it would be like to attend. They admit the most dedicated, talented, and graceful dancers each year. That was my sister – Margaret was amazing and dedicated and passionate. Which is why I know she didn’t run away like everyone has said. It is my turn to go, I’ve been admitted and it isn’t my passion for dance that brought me – but my dedication for finding my sister.

Before I can start looking I’m pulled out of bed in the middle of the night for what I thought was a hazing. The masked dancers hold out a scalpel that we are to slice into our own feet and drag a line of blood across the practice hall floor.

Barefoot, I stepped forward. The upperclassmen closed in around me, chanting in English. You’re not good enough. You’re not worthy. The words came out low and muggy through their masks. You will never be a dancer.

They’re right, I thought, searching their hollow faces. I gripped the knife and slashed the ball of my foot. The chanting grows louder all around me, words now in French that I do not understand. They grow louder, louder, until the words pounded through my head.

Later I discover their meaning, “Run Away, Flee for your life. Save your soul.”

Only a few days later my friend goes missing. A boy who is equal parts mysterious and dreamy starts seeking me out. Our instructor goes from demanding to sadistic. I’m cast in a lead role that seems cursed. First my sister, now my friend, maybe others have disappeared too - and instead of saving them, I might be next.

Check out the book trailer as well 

Book Review: Sisters Red

Sisters Red

by Jackson Pearce

May 23rd

This is one of the books I'll be book talking at an upcoming YA program. I totally "judged books by the cover" when I picked out my two books I was totally attracted to the covers. However, beyond the cover, Little Red Riding Hood is my favorite Grimm tale. It is dark and delightful. 

On to the book. It starts out with young Rosie and Scarlett March. Their grandmother is attacked (shocking), but on a delightful turn, a man doesn't show up to save them (Joseph Gordon-Levitt would approve). Now onto adulthood Scarlett carries the physical scars and Rosie carries the emotional burden as they band together with the help of  Scarlett's only friend, Silas, to fight the Fenris. 

Here are some problems: First, their names. Scarlett and Rosie? That is a little heavy handed with the red metaphor I think - couldn't one of their names been a French version of this? They are the March sisters, which in the literary world should only refer to the Little Women. Scarlett is covered with scars? That was just bad planning. The second problem? The pretty shallow development of Rosie's feelings toward Silas. Okay, so she likes the boy and knows she shouldn't. Now what? This has been going on for 147 pages now. Make a move or move on. 

New Graphic Novels

I've said it before, I'm not a graphic novel fan. However, as the collection developer for the graphic novel section at my library, I'm learning a lot. Additionally, I'm finding some things I really like.

First up, Hildafolk by Luke Pearson

a Norbrow Press Graphic Novel

You know how people (um, librarians?) are always saying you can't judge a book by its cover? Well, that should probably be that you "shouldn't" judge a book by its cover, because you totally can - and I do, often!

Hilda was so adorable with her bluish hair that I couldn't pass her up. However, not having done any research I didn't realize that this is book two, book one is Hilda and the Midnight Giant. There is also Hilda and the Bird Parade ... both of which I'll be ordering soon because this is a sweet book.

A mere 12 pages to tell an enchanting story about a girl and her adventures. Well, Pearson pulls it off. Between her desire to be cozy, her adoration of trolls, and the excellent artwork this story is one to read and re-read.

Struggling readers will enjoy the brevity of the story. Graphic art snobs will love Pearson's work, and anyone who likes a folky-fairy tale will be captivated by Hilda and Twig (a trusty sidekick). 

The publisher, who I gave some credit to above, hosts the 17x24 project, of which the Hilda series is a part, where up and coming graphic novelists can publish in a cost effective format. See more information on their website. 

Cardboard by Doug TenNapal

Cardboard was a book I picked up on a whim and decided to read. I had ordered it for the library and it had some great reviews. I decided to see what all the "fuss" was about. Now, this isn't my favorite art style and this adventure story isn't what I typically read. But this was fun and made me see why kids love a graphic novel. I liked figuring part of the story out for myself. 

When I'm reading in Story Time, I'm really picky about the kind of picture books I present. I like them to be witty and poignant, but they have to have EXCELLENT illustrations. Not art, not elaborate paintings, but great art! Great art is where part of the story is told in the picture. That is what a graphic novel does and I really saw that here.

The reason graphic novels are perfect for struggling readers is because they help to develop reading skills and interest, but they also promote reading comprehension in ways that I'm not sure teachers always understand.

I loved this story about a father and son and their adventures trying to make life happy for themselves. I'm not the only one, evidentially Tobey Maguire, Chris Wedge, and Fox Animation are interested in the book as well!

The Secret of Stone Frog by David Nytra

This book is a part of the "Toon Graphic Novel" series and is the reason I ordered it. Well, actually I read two different reviews that said if you liked Alice in Wonderland you'll love this. Seriously? Didn't I already face that disappointment in Coraline? When will I learn that nothing holds a candle to Alice?

Deep breath, vent over.

The illustrations remind me of The Littlest Prince and aren't something I cared for. However, the story captured me within the first few frames ... and then disappointment strikes. This isn't a story for Alice in Wonderland lovers - it is Alice in Wonderland. It is a cheep knock-off. Lost in a new land, strange creatures telling them which way to go, giant flowers, a huge headed evil woman, bee warriors rather than Card soldiers, talking animals, and magical rabbits and silly rhymes ... I could go on. 

In the end, I liked the book (didn't see that coming did you). The illustration style wasn't my favorite and the story has so many similarities to Alice that I was surprised it wasn't called Wonderland and the author didn't say Carroll was his favorite. However, the story was sweet and enchanting. Good enough for a second read I think. 

Book Review: Scarlet

Scarlet

The Lunar Chronicles: Book 2

Marissa Meyer

Picture from another great blog review on Nosegraze

Sunday, April 21

Two things. First, I haven't read a book in over a month. Second, anything Little Red Riding Hood related catches my attention. Wait, three things, third - I really, really, loved Cinder (it was my first review here on Lizz the Librarian!)

I started the story to be slightly disappointed that Cinder wasn't a part of the first chapter or two, but I so quickly loved Scarlet's character that I when Cinder did have a chapter, I found myself impatiently awaiting Scarlet's return. 

The character of "Wolf" (the name is totally heavy handed) was charming before we even meet him. Emile's description made me instantly want him to be the love interest of Scarlet. Laughably I was only about twenty pages into the book. However, YA books aren't known for their deep and unpredictable plot lines. 

Monday, April 22

Here is the thing I love about YA fiction - there is this tease that is so much better than the real thing. You know how two characters can spend five pages building up to that perfect moment ... and then it doesn't happen? Well, that is much better than the first kiss, every time! 

Tuesday, April 23

I was anxious to get off work and home to my book. That is almost a joke, except I'm totally serious. The ending was perfect! The characters, after spending so much time not doing what I wanted them to do, finally came around and made me happy. Meyer has really intrigued me with her fairytale turned dystopian YA novel style and I am so anxious for the last book in this series that I friended the series on Facebook for some more information. Turns out the next book doesn't come out until 2014 and is entitled "Cress". The brief description on GoodReads says that it will be about Cinder and Rapunzel. Um, excuse me? What about Scarlet? What about Wolf? What about the characters I'm REALLY involved with right now???? 

This isn't the best book trailer, and the guy's voice isn't deep enough for a voice over, but here ya go!

Character Review (minor spoilers, but not plot spoilers)::

Scarlet: This girl is no nonsense! She isn't going to let anyone push her around. She knows her name is heavy handed because of her red hair and she wears a ratty red hoodie her grandmother gave her. I wish that red hoodie had played into the story a little, but it didn't. Her grandmother is missing and she still continues on with life until a man who is unlike anything else falls into it. I felt that Scarlet went from naive to not so naive really quickly, but since I'm not quite sure about her age, maybe this was a natural progression.

Wolf: I'm fanning myself as I write about him. The man is shy, sweet, strong, and sexy. His animal instincts are pretty much the only thing that can scare Scarlet. Now, before this starts sounding like a Harlequin Romance Novel, let me just say that this book is all about the tease. In 400 and something pages there is a total of three kisses from any character pairing. But Wolf, I wouldn't mind him feeling the need to save me at any point in time. I loved how Meyer was able to balance the animal instincts with his innate tenderness. He was sweet and terrifying all at the same time.

Cinder: The girl is back and she is not going to let anyone keep her down. After escaping from prison (obviously she wasn't going to spend the whole book in a prison cell) she goes on a hero's mission with a half-pathetic accomplice in tow. I love how human she is, how she is loyal to her friends and wants to maintain her humanity, even though she knows it wasn't ever there to begin with. Although 65% of the book is dedicated to Scarlet and Wolf, Cinder's story moves along seamlessly. 

Thorne: First, his name is Thorne, which makes me thing that he has to be Sleeping Beauty's Prince Charming. However, Sleeping Beauty doesn't even have a book announced, so I may be wrong. Well, Cinder stumbles across him while trying to escape prison, interrupting his perusal of inappropriate pictures. Even though he is winey and overly confident (I'm being nice here), he really does help Cinder in ways that she couldn't have done without. One review describes him as her Han Solo and I think that is pretty apt. A girl as strong as Cinder (or Princess Leia) can balance out a guy like this. Unlike Han Solo, Thorne doesn't make a move, leaving our current Cinder/Kai pairing intact. 

Kai: This Prince, excuse me, Emperor, is a huge disappointment in this whole story. Doesn't he remember Cinder at all? He barely seems conflicted when ordering her recapture, is disappointed when they can't turn her over to the Lunars, then he seems to just give up on everything he once stood for. He isn't winey like Thorne, he is just pathetic and weak. Even though I loved their story in the first book, I find myself hoping that Cinder falls for Throne instead. 

Thorne cracks me up in his picture ... and I imagined Scarlet's hair longer ...

Book Review: The Blessed

The Blessed

by Tonya Hurley

February 4

I picked this up on a whim, the cover was intriguing and a friend of mine (also the YA librarian at my library) said she hadn't read it yet and wanted to know what it was about. I added it to the already giant pile of books I was checking out to give it a try. 

The premise is strange, at least, I think it is strange, I am 70 pages in and still not really sure what is going on. However, it did grab my attention from the very first page. 

What I know: There are three girls who truely need someone to do an intervention in their lives (where I beleive this is probably heading). I like the girls for how unlikeable they are. It is hard to write about a character who isn't perfect and whose flaws are right there, on the surface, while building something else below. So far, 70 ages in, I'm really liking each of the girls.

What I need: I need something to happen! I mean, 70 pages in and I still don't know what is going on? According to Good Reads I'm 17% through the book. Okay, that doesn't seem like that much. But I just want to know, who is Sebastian? 

iPad Class - Week 1

After teaching a couple introductory iPad classes at my local library, I have found that learning the iPad really takes some time and exploration. You can't just go in one day and figure it all out. So, for those people who are just learning (and for those of you who have been doing this awhile), each week I hope to present a new tip or trick so you can start getting the most out of your iPad.

Week 1 

What do you want to do with your iPad? It seems like a simple question, but is it? The now common adage, "there is an app for that" was not said without reason!

See what it all means after the break