TeenZone Blog

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare, is the first book in "The Mortal Instruments" trilogy.

Clary Fray is a normal high school student growing up in New York City until she discovers that there are demons, her mother is kidnapped, and she meets the very alluring and two year older Jace.

I enjoyed this book for its fast pace and action, as well as the romance. Fantasy doesn't always do well on the mystery part of a story. Although I figured a lot of things out and suspected other things, I thought this was well organized and well thought out. Is there such a thing as a pure genre? It seems that mystery, fantasy, even science fiction use different aspects of each other. As for this book, it is a good story whatever the literary category.

Fight scenes must be hard to write because I often get lost. Sometimes I get confused on a second reading. It is hard to have words become visuals for fast action. But Clare did well, and maybe even better than most.

If you have read City of Bones, please make some comments here. If you haven't, you might want to give it a try. If you enjoyed Twilight, you might like this also.

So please comment. You might even find that you would get volunteer time. Besides, Kenny can't be the only member of Teen Council who is out there.

Posted by Dymphna Harrigan at 01:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Earlier this summer I read the first book in the "Companions Quartet" series, Secret of the Sirens by Julia Golding. Someone asked me to buy the book, but I wanted to read it first so I borrowed it from another library. Well I liked it so much that I read the other three and bought all 4 for our collection. This is a fantasy that presents mythical creatures such as minotaurs and unicorns living in our world, protected by a secret society. There is a strong environmental message that runs through the four books that I really liked. The characters really grew on me, and I was a bit sorry that there were only four books. I would love if some of you might read this and send me your comments. Also, you might want to see what books arrived in August. The September list is not out yet, but I can tell you that Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins is here, and if you liked Hunger Games, you will love this. But please, comment. Oh, and tomorrow is the Galley Book Discussion.

Posted by Dymphna Harrigan at 01:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This month we are discussing Down the rabbit hole : an Echo Falls mystery by Peter Abrahams. Like her idol, Sherlock Holmes, eighth grader Ingrid Levin-Hill uses her intellect to solve a murder case in her hometown of Echo Falls. The discussion will be Tuesday, May 13th from 6:30 to 7:30 pm in the LTC Conference room. The first ten students to sign up will be given a free copy of the book. If you have not yet finished the book, come to the discussion and enjoy talking about the parts you have read or listen to comments by middle school students. If you want to attend the book discussion please call (797-4528) or stop by the desk on the second floor. For a list of all the Nutmeg Nominees for 2008, go to the Nutmeg Award site for a complete list and description of the nominated titles. The program is free, but you do need to register.

Posted by Dymphna Harrigan at 03:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This month we are discussing Bucking the Sarge by Christopher Paul Curtis. You may be familiar with some of Curtis' other books: Bud not Buddy and The Watsons go to Birmingham. This book is set in Flynt Michigan where fourteen-year-old Luther keeps a sense of humor while running the Happy Neighbor Group Home for Men. Luther is involved in his cold and manipulative mother's shady business dealings in Flint, Michigan. But Luther dreams of going to college and becoming a philosopher. The discussion will be Tuesday, April 8th from 6:30 to 7:30 pm in the LTC Conference room. The first ten students to sign up will be given a free copy of the book. If you want to attend the book discussion please call (797-4528) or stop by the desk on the second floor. For a list of all the Nutmeg Nominees for 2008, go to the Nutmeg Award site for a complete list and description of the nominated titles. The program is free, but you do need to register.

Posted by Dymphna Harrigan at 11:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This month we are discussing Bucking the Sarge by Christopher Paul Curtis. You may be familiar with some of Curtis' other books: Bud not Buddy and The Watsons go to Birmingham. This book is set in Flynt Michigan where fourteen-year-old Luther keeps a sense of humor while running the Happy Neighbor Group Home for Men. Luther is involved in his cold and manipulative mother's shady business dealings in Flint, Michigan. But Luther dreams of going to college and becoming a philosopher. The discussion will be Tuesday, April 8th from 6:30 to 7:30 pm in the LTC Conference room. The first ten students to sign up will be given a free copy of the book. If you want to attend the book discussion please call (797-4528) or stop by the desk on the second floor. For a list of all the Nutmeg Nominees for 2008, go to the Nutmeg Award site for a complete list and description of the nominated titles. The program is free, but you do need to register.

Posted by Dymphna Harrigan at 12:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Shackleton's Stowaway by Victoria McKernan will be the book discussion topic next Tuesday, February 12th. This is a fictionalized account of the adventures of eighteen-year-old Perce Blackborow, who stowed away for the 1914 Shackleton Antarctic expedition and, after their ship Endurance was crushed by ice, endured many hardships. If you are familiar with the history or have seen the movie, you will enjoy discussing the book with other teens. The discussion will be Tuesday, February 12th from 6:30 to 7:30 pm in the LTC Conference room. If you want to attend the book discussion please call (797-4528) or stop by the desk on the second floor. For a list of all the Nutmeg Nominees for 2008, go to the Nutmeg Award site for a complete list and description of the nominated titles. The program is free, but you do need to register.

Posted by Dymphna Harrigan at 12:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

The book for the October Nutmeg Discussion is Revenge of the Witch, book 1 in the Last Apprentice series by Joseph Delaney. This is a great book for October. The book begins with young Tom, the seventh son of a seventh son, as he starts work as an apprentice for the village spook, whose job is to protect ordinary folk from "ghouls, boggarts, and all manner of wicked beasties." The discussion will be Tuesday, October 9th from 6:30 to 7:30 pm in the LTC Conference room. If you want to attend the book discussion please call (797-4528) or stop by the desk on the second floor. For a list of all the Nutmeg Nominees for 2008, go to the Nutmeg Award site for a complete list and description of the nominated titles. The program is free, but you do need to register.

Posted by Dymphna Harrigan at 04:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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On Monday, September 11, the teen volunteers met for the first time as a group since June. Some of these teens will help with the Junior Library Halloween Party to be held on October 27th. Other teens have agreed to help plan a program or play this school year.. If you are interested in becoming a member of this group, contact Mrs. Harrigan or stop by the second floor and pick up an application. .

Posted by Dymphna Harrigan at 04:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Every January, Connecticut students vote for one of the ten Nutmeg Nominated Books. The winner receives the Nutmeg Award View image for the teen category. The 2007 winner was Vampire High by Douglas Rees. The nominees for 2008 have been announced. Go to the Nutmeg Award site for a complete list of the nominated titles. The FRIENDS of the Danbury Library is sponsoring book discussions on all 10 of the nominated titles. The first discussion is Emako Blue by Brenda Woods to be held on Tuesday, September 11th from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Library Technology Center Conference Room. Call or stop in to register. The first ten Danbury residents to register will receive a free copy of the book.

Posted by Dymphna Harrigan at 03:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Remember the next Talk Book Discussion is May 10th at 6:30 in the Library Technical Center Conference Room. We will be discussing Stormbreaker, an Alex Rider Adventure by Anthony Horowitz. If you would like to join this discussion, call (797-4528) or stop by the Junior Library to Register. The group will select the July discussion book at this meeting. The book selected for May is Al Capone does my Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko. Seating is limited and snacks are provided so please register.

Posted by Dymphna Harrigan at 03:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

The next Teens Talk Book Discussion is May 10th at 6:30 in the LTC Conference Room. We will be discussing the book,Stormbreaker, an Alex Rider Adventure, by Anthony Horowitz. If you would like to join this discussion, call (797-4528) or stop by the Junior Library to Register. The group will select the July discussion book at this meeting. The book selected for May is Al Capone does my Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko. Seating is limited and snacks are provided so please register.

Posted by Dymphna Harrigan at 10:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

The next Teens Talk Book Discussion is April 12th at 6:30 in the LTC Converence Room. We will be discussing the book, Eldest by Christopher Paolini. If you would like to join this discussion, call (797-4528) or stop by the Junior Library to Register. The group will select the June discussion book at this meeting. The book selected for May is "Stormbreaker, an Alex Rider Adventure" by Anthony Horowitz. Seating is limited and snacks are provided so please register.

Posted by Dymphna Harrigan at 06:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

At the February, Talk It Up Book Discussion, we had a great dialogue about Eragon. The next discussion is Thursday, March 1st from 6:30 to 7:30 in the LTC Conference Room. We will be discussing Pirates by Celia Rees. This swashbuckling adventure is a great pirate story. If you are interested in joining us, please call (797-4528) or stop by the library to sign up. At the February meeting, we decided to discuss Eldest, Inheritance Book 2, by Christopher Paolini at the April book discussion. Also, put a hold on either Pirates or Eldest as soon as possible so you will have time to read the book before the discussion.

Posted by Dymphna Harrigan at 11:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

January is Nutmeg Book Award Voting Month. Middle school students can vote for your favorite Nutmeg teen title in Danbury Library or your School Media Center. Have you decided which is the one you liked best? This and the Teens Top Ten are the only two book awards where you make the final decision. So exercise your right, and vote! If you can't make it into the Library, email me with your name, grade, school, and favorite title. I'll fill out the form for you. Click here to see all the nominated titles.

Posted by Dymphna Harrigan at 11:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

At the monthly Nutmeg book discussion, everyone agreed to continue having monthly book discussions. The book they chose for February 13th is Eragon by Christopher Paolini. We'd like to figure out a way to see the movie as a group and then discussing that also. Call the library (797-4528) if you want to sign up.

Posted by Dymphna Harrigan at 04:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)

Many teens attended the Nutmeg book discussions when they were in Elementary School. Last year, 2005, was the first year the Nutmeg Book Award was given in two categories. The elementary school category is still for grades 4th through 6th, but a new middle school category has been added. This year we are having 5 discussions of the 10 nominated books in the middle school category. The next discussion is Tuesday, November 21st from 6:30 to 7:30 in the LTC Conference Room. This discussion will be about the book Airborn by Kenneth Oppel. If you have not yet read the book or are not finished with it, come to the discussion anyway. You will find you have something to contribute and learn a bit more about the book. Click here to see the other books we will be reading.

The first 20 Danbury residents to sign up will get a free copy of the book, and we always have good snacks. So you have no excuses. Registration helps me plan for food and drink, so call 797-4528 and let us know you are coming. I hope to see you there.

Posted by Dymphna Harrigan at 10:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Connecticut students vote each year on their favorite book, and the winner is the Nutmeg Award View image
receipient. Last year a 7th and 8th grade category was instituted.

As with the elementary (4th, 5th, 6th) school category, 10 books are nominated and voted on in January. Go to the Nutmeg Award site for a complete list of the nominated titles.

Also, the Danbury Library is sponsoring book discussions on 5 of the nomiinated titles. The next discussion is Vampire High by Douglas ReesTuesday, October 24th from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Library Technology Center Conference Room. Call or stop in to register. The first twenty Danbury reaidents to register will receive a free copy of the book.

Posted by Dymphna Harrigan at 03:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)