Olympic Reading

We're just one week away from the start of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London! Are you planning to watch them?

Take a look at this year's Olympics website! What's your favorite summer Olympic game? Mine's gymnastics.

In keeping with the Olympic spirit, why not spend the next few days enjoying a good book about the Olympics as well as watching the games? Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Fiction:

Rush for the Gold: Mystery at the Olympic Games by John Feinstein

Pankration: The Ultimate Game by Dyan Blacklock

Artemis The Loyal by Joan Holub & Suzanne Williams

Nancy Drew & The Hardy Boys: At All Costs by Carolyn Keene

In Lane Three, Alex Archer by Tessa Duder

The Century Kids, The 1930s: Directions by Dorothy and Tom Hoobler

Nonfiction:

Fire On Ice: Autobiography of a Champion Figure Skater by Sasha Cohen with Amanda Maciel

Jim Thorpe: Legendary Athlete by Barbara Long

Jesse Owens by Tony Gentry

Inside the Olympics by Nick Hunter

The 2012 London Olympics by Nick Hunter

The Olympics' Strangest Moments: Extraordinary But True Tales from the History of the Olympic Games by Geoff Tibballs

Go USA!

The 25 Most Beautiful Public Libraries in the World

That's the Amsterdam Public Library pictured above.

I know I do these kinds of posts pretty frequently, but if you're any kind of library-lover at all, I hope you appreciate these beauties as much as I do. Flavorwire is the latest to post beautiful, international libraries. However, this batch is especially good (and nearer and dearer to my heart) because they're all public libraries! Have you been to any of the ones that they've listed? I've been to three of them.

Read their article here: The 25 Most Beautiful Public Libraries in the World

Francis Lawrence, Director of Catching Fire

Catching Fire, the Hunger Games sequel is due to come out on November 22, 2013. But there are going to be a few changes this time around. Most notably, The Hunger Games' director, Gary Ross, isn't returning to make the newer movie. Instead, the movie will be directed by Francis Lawrence (no relation), who also directed Water For Elephants and I Am Legend.

According to The Huffington Post, the new director is "looking to keep Catching Fire authentic."

To the Los Angeles Times, Jennifer Lawrence said, "The new movie will be very real, which is what I’m excited about," and then, "I really like his take, which is a lot of what I liked in Gary Ross. It’s the realistic grasp of the story instead of all the details of the imaginary things."

Catching Fire will start filming this fall!

2012 Battle of the Books- Titles announced!

Today is the day we've all been waiting for!  Announcing the titles for the 2012 Summer Battle of the Books for Middle Schoolers:

Heist Society by Ally Carter
A group of teenagers uses their combined talents to re-steal several priceless paintings and save fifteen-year-old Kat Bishop's father, himself an international art thief, from a vengeful collector.

Gregor the Overlander (Underland Chronicles: Book 1) by Suzanne Collins
When eleven-year-old Gregor and his two-year-old sister are pulled into a strange underground world, they trigger an epic battle involving men, bats, rats, cockroaches, and spiders while on a quest foretold by ancient prophecy.

Revenge of the Witch (The Last Apprentice: Book 1) by Joseph Delaney
For years, Old Gregory has been the Spook for the county, ridding the local villages of evil. Now his time is coming to an end. But who will take over for him? Twenty-nine apprentices have tried--some floundered, some fled, some failed to stay alive. Only Thomas Ward is left. He's the last hope, the last apprentice. Can Thomas succeed? Will he learn the difference between a benign witch and a malevolent one? Does the Spook's warning against girls with pointy shoes include Alice? And what will happen if Thomas accidentally frees Mother Malkin, the most evil witch in the county?

Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce
12-year old Liam looks like he's thirty. Sometimes it's not bad; for example on the first day of school the principal mistakes Liam for a teacher or when he convinces a car dealer to let him test drive a Porsche. So feeling like he's stuck between two worlds, Liam cons his way into being the adult chaperone on the first space ship to take civilians into space. But when the ship is stuck 230,000 miles from home, being mistaken for an adult is not good.

The Black Book of Secrets by F.E. Higgins
When Ludlow Fitch runs away from his thieving parents in the City, he meets up with the mysterious Joe Zabbidou, who calls himself a secret pawnbroker, and who takes Ludlow as an apprentice to record the confessions of the townspeople of Pagus Parvus, where resentments are many and trust is scarce.

Close to Famous by Joan Bauer
Twelve-year-old Foster McFee and her mother escape from her mother's abusive boyfriend and end up in the small town of Culpepper, West Virginia, where they use their strengths and challenge themselves to build a new life, with the help of the friends they make there.

Eighth Grade Bites (The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod: Book 1) by Heather Brewer
For thirteen years, Vlad, aided by his aunt and best friend, has kept secret that he is half-vampire, but when his missing teacher is replaced by a sinister substitute, he learns that there is more to being a vampire, and to his parents' deaths, than he could have guessed.

The Alchemyst (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel: Book 1) by Michael Scott
While working at pleasant but mundane summer jobs in San Francisco, fifteen-year-old twins, Sophie and Josh, suddenly find themselves caught up in the deadly, centuries-old struggle between rival alchemists, Nicholas Flamel and John Dee, over the possession of an ancient and powerful book holding the secret formulas for alchemy and everlasting life.

* The Battle of the Books is a summer-long program for teens entering Grades 6-9.  We'll be having a kickoff party tonight (June 1st) at 6:00pm.  If you can't make this kickoff, and are interested in participating in Battle of the Books, please see a librarian for an information packet that explains the program in detail.

More Beautiful Libraries from Around the World

A few months ago I made a post called 10 of the Most Beautiful Libraries and Bookshops to Visit on Your Travels. Well, library-lovers, today we can admire more of these international beauties. This time we'll look by continent, thanks to MentalFloss.com.

First, they've listed 15 Spectacular Libraries in Europe. This list includes 1 library in Ireland, 2 in England, 1 in France, 1 in Spain, 1 in Portugal, 2 in the Netherlands, 1 in Switzerland, 3 in Austria, 1 in Germany, and 2 in the Czech Republic. Take a look at the link above and just scroll through the pictures. Is your library this beautiful? Have you ever been to any of these landmarks?

 Next, there are 11 Fabulous Libraries in South America.This includes 2 in Brazil, 1 in Chile, 3 in Peru, 1 in Costa Rica, and 4 in Columbia. Click the link above and look at how beautiful these structures are both inside and out. I would love to sit down in any of these, but especially the EPM Library in Colombia. That one looks so cozy.

Lastly, and closest to home, they've looked at 10 Amazing North American Libraries. These have 2 located in Canada, 2 in Mexico, and 6 in the USA. Click the link above and see if you've been to any of these famous libraries. I've been to the Central Library of Vancouver, Canada and the Stephen A. Schwarzman Library, USA.

These all look so beautiful! What's the nicest library you've ever been to?

Results for the 2012 Printz Award Project

The Michael Printz Award is given annually by the American Library Association for excellence in Young Adult Literature. Over this past winter, teens in grades 6-12 volunteered to read and review books from a list of titles that were possible contenders for this award. 26 teens participated and 39 reviews were handed in. Out of the 25 titles offered, 20 books were picked up, reviewed, and rated from 1-5 (5 being the best) by these teens.

Thanks to all the teens who contributed. Here are the results!

Addie on the Inside by James Howe (Reviewed- 2 times; 5 stars)

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys (Reviewed- 2 times, 5 stars)

Chime by Franny Billingsley (Reviewed- 2 times, 3.5 stars)

Close to Famous by Joan Bauer (Reviewed- 1 time, 4 stars)

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor by (Reviewed- 1 time, 3 stars)

Eight Keys by Suzanne LaFleur (Reviewed- 3 times, 4 stars)

The Inquisitors Apprentice by Chris Moriarty (Reviewed- 1 time, 2 stars)

Jefferson's Sons by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley (Reviewed- 1 time, 3 stars)

L.I.E. by Caroline Bock (Reviewed- 1 time, 3 stars)

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness (Reviewed- 1 time, 3 stars)

Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt. (Reviewed- 1 time, 4 stars)

Paper Covers Rock by Jenny Hubbard (Reviewed- 4 times, 3.5 stars)

Pick-up Game edited by Marc Aronson and Charles R. Smith Jr. (Reviewed- 2 times, 2.5 stars)

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater (Reviewed- 2 times, 4 stars)

Shine by Lauren Myracle (Reviewed- 7 times, 3 stars)

Small Acts of Amazing Courage by Gloria Whelan (Reviewed- 1 time, 3 stars)

Small Persons with Wings by Ellen Booraem (Reviewed- 1 time, 3 stars)

The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann (Reviewed- 4 times, 4 stars)

Where I Belong by Gillian Cross (Reviewed- 1 time, 3 stars)

Wildwood by Colin Meloy (Reviewed- 2 times, 2.5 stars)

Here are a few things that our teens have said on their reading:

"I liked the setting of this book and how it told a story that many people had never heard of before in history. It was also very inspiring that a girl my age was able to overcome obstacles and loss to survive, and never lost hope..." -Natalie, grade 9 on Between Shades of Gray.

"The book was beautifully written and very compelling." -Katherine, grade 12 on Daughter of Smoke and Bone.

"I liked the plot twists and surprises in the book. The unexpected events that occurred were very interesting and the character development through the story was very nice." -Jordy, grade 9, on Shine.

The actual winner of the Printz Award was Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley.

A Maurice Sendak Tribute

“There must be more to life than having everything.” -Maurice Sendak

It's a sad day for anyone who's ever fallen in love with a children's book. Influential, unrivaled and famous author Maurice Sendak died this morning, at age 83, four days after he suffered a stroke. Maurice "revolutionized children's books and how we think about childhood simply by leaving in what so many writers before had excluded. Dick and Jane were no match for his naughty Max. His kids misbehaved and didn't regret it and in their dreams and nightmares fled to the most unimaginable places" (Associated Press).

If you've never had the privilege of being taken away by one of Maurice Sendak's books, here are a few suggestions to get you started:

Alligators All Around: An Alphabet

Pierre : a Cautionary Tale in Five chapters and a prologue

Very Far Away

Where The Wild Things Are

Also, make sure to take a look at this awesome blog inspired by the beloved Where The Wild Things Are, called Terrible Yellow Eyes. The pieces presented on this site were done as a tribute to his life and legacy.

And enjoy this brief and lovely adaptation of "Where the Wild Things Are," almost undoubtedly his most famous book:

 

Then view this 2006 NBC interview with Maurice Sendak.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

"Sendak spoke often, endlessly, about death in recent years - dreading it, longing for it. He didn't mind being old because the young were under so much pressure. But he missed his late siblings and his longtime companion, Eugene Glynn, who died in 2009. Work, not people, was his reason to carry on" (Associated Press).

We'll miss you, Maurice... but the wild things cried, "Oh please don't go! We'll eat you up, we love you so!"