Once Upon a Time...

This isn't the Cinderella you remember - but it's the one you won't forget.

Cinder
Book One
of
The Lunar Chronicles
by: Marissa Meyer

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, Cinder must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future. Join the adventure with Cinder, the first installment of The Lunar Chronicles!

Watch the trailer!

Get more Cinder at facebook.com/lunarchronicles

Book Review: Lola and the Boy Next Door

Stephanie Perkins, author of Anna and the French Kiss, has written a funny, quirky and romantic novel about a teen girl who discovers that love might have been right next door all along. Lola and the Boy Next Door is such a charming book; I just had to share it with you. Get ready; you'll fall in love with this story.

Lola is a creative teen who is extremely interested in costume design. In fact, her dream is to design and wear a winter formal dress just like Marie Antoinette. If you have any doubts about Lola's expressive style, just check out the front cover of the book. You have to love the plum striped hair and hot pink mini.

Lola lives with her two dads and a dog named "Heavens to Betsy" in a mint green Victorian in the San Francisco area. Her hot rocker boyfriend Nick is usually the source of family conflict. Her best friend Lindsey Lim has an obsession with mysteries and dreams of being a detective. Lola tries to be a good daughter and devoted friend.

The Bell Twins, Cricket and Calliope, have returned to the neighborhood and now live in a lavender house right next door to Lola. Cricket is cute, intelligent, nice and has an excellent fashion sense. Tell me, who could resist a guy like that? He has been her good friend and love interest since ninth grade. He currently attends Berkley and comes home on weekends. Cricket seems to show up everywhere. He has pale blue eyes, a bright smile, nice personality and understands Lola better than anyone else. Now, Lola's more confused than ever. She loves Nick but still has feelings for Cricket.

On, what's a girl to do? Well, you can always throw on your best black lace blouse, hot pink mini and face what life throws at you. You'll just have to read the book to find out what happens between Lola and Cricket. But, when you finish, you'll want to read this delightful book all over again.

Remember, you're unique so be proud of who you are.

Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1: November 18

"Forever is only the beginning"






The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 opens in theaters on November 18, 2011. Are you ready? Now, how many times have you reread the entire Twilight Saga? Visit our library catalog to check out our books, graphic novels, movies and more related to the Twilight Series. Be sure to visit the Breaking Dawn Official Movie Website. You'll find the movie trailer, image gallery, music, apps and so much more to satisfy your Twilight craving. Have fun and visit us soon!

2011 Teens Top Ten

More than 9,000 teens have voted for their favorite books from the past year. The winners of the 2011 Teens Top Ten are listed below. Just click on any book title to check on its availability at your local library or to place a hold for your favorites.

If you have read any of these titles, which ones are your favorites?

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick
I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
Matched by Ally Condie
Angel: A Maximum Ride Novel by James Patterson
Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
Nightshade by Andrea Cremer (Also available in ebook format)

Book Review: Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Jay Asher’s Thirteen Reasons Why is a haunting, deeply moving novel about how we can profoundly affect the lives of another by how we treat them. Asher writes with emotion, sensitivity and impact. The book was often difficult to read, but I think it is essential for everyone.

Clay Jensen begins listening to a mysterious box of tapes left on his doorstep and discovers the voice of dead classmate Hannah Baker. He must pass the tapes on to twelve other people. By listening to the tapes, he will discover the circumstances that led to Hannah’s suicide. Of course, he continues listening to the tapes at all hours of the night and visits the locations Hannah asks her listeners to visit. Asher alternates between Hannah’s voice and Clay’s thoughts. You will be profoundly impacted by the eerie voice of Hannah Baker. More importantly, you will begin to realize the importance of your behavior and its impact on other people.

You will continue reading page by page until you reach the very end. I could not put the book down. If you enjoy reading thrillers or psychological fiction, you will become fan of this book.

Please visit the Birmingham Public Library Website to reserve a copy of this book or check on its availability at your local library.

Also, visit the Thirteen Reasons Why Website to learn more about the author, view an online scrapbook in which you can share your thoughts, view videos and more extras.

Central Summer Reading Re-cap

The winner of the Central Teen Summer Reading Program grand prize was Avery Moore. The grand prize was a $50 gift certificate to Wal-mart!

Melissa Pittman won 4 box seat tickets to a Barons Baseball Game!

The Central Birmingham Public Library would like to thank all their sponsors for the Summer Reading Program including Wal-mart, the Birmingham Barons, and Talladega Super Speedway.

Figment: Write yourself in!

A new writing site for young writers!

Are you a writer? Do you want to connect with other writers and share your stories? On Figment, a new website for teens, you can read and write nonfiction and fiction -- short stories, poems, novels -- you pick the genre. Also featured are excerpts from some recent young adult novels and a blog that includes interviews with YA authors. Whatever your preference, sonnets or science fiction, cell phone stories or biographies, you'll find it on Figment.

Sign up free today and:

• READ: Browse an extensive library of creative writing from established and emerging writers.

• WRITE: Compose and store your writing all in one place. Work on it anytime, anywhere on your computer or mobile

• CONNECT: Be a part of a vibrant community of writers, readers, and published authors. Get feedback. Share stories.