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BOOKS & MORE

 
 
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Staff Review
Teen Review
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Featured Staff Review: What I Saw and How I Lied

What I Saw and How I Lied by Judy Blundell

Fifteen year old, Evie is eager to grow up.  She practices smoking with candy cigarettes and idolizes her beautiful mother.  Unfortunately, Evie grows up too fast too soon.  Upon returning from World War II, her father, Joe, begins to receive mysterious phone calls.  Then one night he whisks Evie and her mother to a vacation in Florida.  Palm Beach is a ghost town in September and they find the one hotel that is still open.  There they meet the Graysons, a glamourous couple looking to strike up a business deal with Joe.   They also meet a war buddy of Joe’s, Peter Coleridge, who looks like a movie-star.  Evie falls for him, but realizes too late he is not what he seems.  Secrets and deception begin to shatter Evie’s innocence and her once perfect image of her parents.  Now it is her turn to lie.  Judy Blundell, writer of many Star Wars novelizations, weaves an intricate story of intrigue and suspense.  She takes us back to post-war 1947 with every perfectly spun detail.  A historical fiction, mystery and coming-of-age novel all in one it beautifully crafted.  Winner of the National Book Award, this is a deserving but accessible novel for all readers.

Reviewed by Julianna Helt, CLP-Carrick

Featured Teen Review: Before I Die

Before I Die by Jenny Downham

The novel Before I Die has a humorous yet realistic view of life. Tessa, a young teenage girl, has had a deadly sickness for about three years now. Zoey, her best friend, helps her make a list of all the things she wants to do before dying. Tessa goes on to make the list. There are no boundaries or limits in this list. She decides she will break rules and laws no matter what. Throughout the story she has to be going in an out of the hospital because in many cases she was too close to death.  Will she make it through the list before she dies?

Reviewed by Ada, age 18

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Book Reviews

Click here to see all reviews.
Book Name Date Rating
Brisingr Kyle 6/7/2009
Jimmy Coates: Assassin? Alec 6/8/2009
Jimmy Coates: Target Alec 6/8/2009
nothing but drama kayla 6/8/2009
Monster Antwuan 6/8/2009
Crash Antwuan 6/8/2009
Milkweed Antwuan 6/8/2009
College Road Trip Antwuan 6/8/2009
Raven Rocks Antwuan 6/8/2009
Bad Boy: A Memior Antwuan 6/8/2009
The Mouse Rap Antwuan 6/8/2009
Scorpions Antwuan 6/8/2009
The Story Of The Three Kingdoms Antwuan 6/8/2009
The Kid Who Became President Antwuan 6/8/2009
Stanford Wong Flunks Big-Time Antwuan 6/8/2009
Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone Antwuan 6/8/2009
Nightwings Antwuan 6/8/2009
Miracle's Boys Antwuan 6/8/2009
Encyclopedia Brown Takes The Cake! Antwuan 6/8/2009
The Ear, The Eye and the Arm Antwuan 6/8/2009
Benjamin Franklin Antwuan 6/8/2009
The Report Card Antwuan 6/8/2009
Frindle Antwuan 6/8/2009
The Jacket Antwuan 6/8/2009
Lunch Money Antwuan 6/8/2009
The Landry News Antwuan 6/8/2009
The School Story Antwuan 6/8/2009
The Janitor's Boy Antwuan 6/8/2009
Narrative Of The Life Of Frederick Douglas, An American Slave & Incidents In The Life Of A Slave Girl Antwuan 6/8/2009
Diary of A Wimpy Kid Antwuan 6/8/2009
Diary of A Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules Antwuan 6/8/2009
Diary of A Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw Antwuan 6/8/2009
Miles To Go Antwuan 6/8/2009
Be Mine Antwuan 6/8/2009
Holes tyjuan 6/8/2009
bud not buddy tyjuan 6/8/2009
star wars legacy of the force: exile carly 6/8/2009
blessings in disguise kayla 6/8/2009
The Mysterious Benedict Society Dougie 6/8/2009
Killing Yourself To Live: 85% of a True Story Dylan 6/8/2009
Breakfast of Champions Dylan 6/8/2009
one piece vol 15 jacob 6/8/2009
Wizard's Hall Louis 6/8/2009
The Ranger's Aprentice Nicholas 6/8/2009
Who am i without him? Nell 6/8/2009
I, loreli Nell 6/8/2009
A Smart Girls Guide to Starting Middle School Julia 6/8/2009
The secret Life of Bees a novel tyjuan 6/8/2009
monster tyjuan 6/8/2009
Something To Blog about Brana` 6/8/2009
Spin It Like That Brana` 6/8/2009
Cashay Brana` 6/8/2009
Step To this Brana` 6/8/2009
Little Divas Brana` 6/8/2009
Twilight Tyller 6/9/2009
The City of Ember Drew 6/9/2009
The Name of this Book is Secret Drew 6/9/2009
Their Eyes Were Watching God Kijev 6/9/2009
Servent of the Bones jamilah 6/9/2009
The One, Book 1 jamilah 6/9/2009
twilight tyjuan 6/9/2009
second chance Dominique 6/9/2009
lady j Dominique 6/9/2009
courtin' jayd Dominique 6/9/2009
money hungry Dominique 6/9/2009
The Forest of Hands and Teeth Christina 6/9/2009
A Journey to the Center of the Earth carly 6/9/2009
Star Wars Lesgacy of the Force: Tempe carly 6/9/2009
Star Wars Legacy of the Force: Bloodlines carly 6/9/2009
Star Wars Legacy of the Force: Betrayal carly 6/9/2009
Change of Heart goda 6/9/2009
Innocent Mage Gregory 6/9/2009
twilight jamilah 6/10/2009
NEW MOON jamilah 6/10/2009
eclipse jamilah 6/10/2009
to catch a pirate jamilah 6/10/2009
confessions from the principal's chair jamilah 6/10/2009
ashleys jamilah 6/10/2009
ashleys:jealous jamilah 6/10/2009
ashleys:birthday vicious jamilah 6/10/2009
ashleys:lip gloss jungle jamilah 6/10/2009
blue bloods jamilah 6/10/2009
masquerade:a blue bloods novel jamilah 6/10/2009
revelations:a blue bloods novel jamilah 6/10/2009
marked: a house of night novel jamilah 6/10/2009
betrayed: a house of night novel jamilah 6/10/2009
chosen: a house of night novel jamilah 6/10/2009
untamed: a house of night novel jamilah 6/10/2009
hunted jamilah 6/10/2009
coldest winter ever jamilah 6/10/2009
milkweed jamilah 6/10/2009
number the stars jamilah 6/10/2009
blubber jamilah 6/10/2009
are you there god, its me, magaret jamilah 6/10/2009
just as long as we're together jamilah 6/10/2009
heres to you rachel robinson jamilah 6/10/2009
with friends like these kayla 6/10/2009
Twilight Michelle 6/10/2009
How I Survived Middle School: Can You Get an F In Lunch? Classie 6/10/2009
New Moon Michelle 6/10/2009
Awards
Books
Writing
Magazines
Comics

Every year, teens, librarians and other experts select the best books and other media in various categories. This section will help you locate the best of the best.

  • Alex Awards
    Each year ten books that are published for adults but are great for teens are honored.
  • Coretta Scott King Awards
    These awards honor the best works by African-American authors and illustrators.
  • Eisner Awards
    Get graphic! These annual awards honor comic books and graphic novels.
  • Odyssey Award
    Do you like to listen? The Odyssey Award honors the best audio books each year.
  • Printz Award
    The Michael L. Printz Award is given each year to the best work of literature published for young adults.
  • William C. Morris Award
    A new award that honors the best book by a first-time author for teens.
  • YALSA Selected Booklists
    These booklists, selected annually, recognize great works for teens in a variety of categories, including paperbacks; graphic novels; and best books.

Looking for more great books? Try one of these resources.

  • Novelist Plus
    Can't remember a book but can describe the plot? Looking for something to read that's similar to your favorite book? Novelist can help! Library card barcode number required to access Novelist outside the library.
  • Pittsburgh Public Schools: Books for Relaxing Reading... Summer Reading Lists
    Check here for some classic entertainment!
    Grades 6 to 8
    Young Adult (9-12)
  • Reading Rants: Out of the Ordinary Teen Booklists
    Reviews and booklists developed by teens and teen librarians!
  • TeenLink
    New York Public Library's teen page, including their annual "Stuff for the Teen Age" booklists.
  • TeenReads
    Reviews, interviews and more.
  • YALSA Selected Booklists
    These booklists, selected annually, recognize great works for teens in a variety of categories, including paperbacks; graphic novels; and best books.

Do you express yourself through writing? These resources will help you improve your writing, get published or even win prizes for your work.

  • Ralph Munn Creative Writing Award
    Express yourself by entering the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh's own writing contest. Win cash and be published!
  • AdLit Writing Contests
    Although this is written as if it were for your parents or teachers, don't let that stop you from entering these contests.
  • Alliance for Young Artists & Writers Scholastic Art and Writing Awards
    You can't get any more prestigious than this. Writers like Truman Capote, Sylvia Plath and Joyce Carol Oates had their beginnings in this contest. Acclaim, scholarships and more for students in grades 7 to 12.
  • CyberTeens Creativity
    Publishes poetry, fiction and non-fiction by teens.
  • A Girl's World
    Opportunities to send articles and creative writing and to find a pen pal for girls 7-17.
  • Gurl
    Show off with comics, poetry, stories and personal essays on this site for girls with a bit of an edge
  • Pomegranate Words
    Writing tips plus a chance to publish poetry, fiction, literary essays and drama for anyone under 19.
  • Push Novel Writing Contest
    If you're in 7th to 12th grade and have written a novel or are in the process, submit it to PUSH, edited by none other than David Levithan.
  • TeenInk
    With both print and online versions, TeenInk has a wide readership and is a great place to submit your own writing.
  • TeenSpace
    From the Internet Public Library: booklists, tips, zines and other sources to read or to consider for submitting work .
  • TeenVoices
    Like the print magazine version, this site is written by, for and about teen girls and young adult women. Includes articles, creative writing and an activist of the month.

Online or in print, magazines are a great way to learn about new things or entertain yourself.

  • The Book of Zines
    Help with publishing your own zine - History, directory and purchasing information for online magazines.
  • TeenVoices
    Like the print magazine version, this site is written by, for and about teen girls and young adult women. Includes articles, creative writing and an activist of the month.
  • Teen Vogue
    Fashion starts here.
  • J-14
    A magazine "Just for Teens."
  • Shojo Beat
    Manga from the heart.
  • Shonen Jump
    The world's most popular manga magazine!
  • LàTeen
    El mundo es tuyo - The world is yours.
  • XY
    The only national magazine written for gay teens!
  • Sports Illustrated for Kids
    The name says it all!

Comics, graphic novels and more!