Vampire Academy Book Review

8.  Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Type: Book Review
Title: Vampire Academy (Book 1)
Author: Richelle Mead
Publisher: Razorbill

ISBN: 978-1595141743

Ages: 15 and up

Genre: Vampire

Reader's Annotation: Enter a magical world, Vampire Academy will shock you for its jaw-dropping plot twist. Rose will meet all your vampire expectations, and leave you thirsty for more.

Summary: This book takes place in St. Vladimir's Academy, which is a boarding school where vampires are educated int he ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them.  The book centers on the character of Rose Hathaway, a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess.  They have escaped the school, but are caught and returned to the Academy. This is a dangerous place, and we’ll find out what happens to them both.

Critical Evaluation: Vampire Academy is the first novel of Richelle Mead’s vampire series. This novel reaches a diverse young adult audience, who relate to the school setting. Richelle Mead brings to light all the issues that surround attending school, such as, social emotional issues, relationships, gossips, and so forth. The coming-of-age topics that surface in this novel are effectively portrayed in this “the vampire world.”  Rose’s personal struggles, and identify battles, result in a captivating story.
 
Challenge Issues:

• Book is about vampires
• Book takes place in a fantasy life and not real life

Challenge Defense Ideas:

• Be familiar with the themes in the material and how they relate to young adults today.
• Stay calm and remember to not be personally offended by their comments or concerns.
• Libraries provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues.  Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
• Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
• LISTEN to what they have to say and reiterate our freedom to read and be without censorship.
• All material for young adults are under the review of the branch manager and even further up, the Library Director and even City Council members. 

Fault in Our Stars Book

5.  Fault In Our Stars by John Green

Type: Book Review
Title: The Fault in Our Stars
Author: John Green
ISBN: 978-0525478812
Published: 2012
Genre: Romance

Reader's Annotation: "The Fault dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings."

Plot Summary: This book is about two teenage kids, Hazel Grace and Augustus Waters, who meet in Support Group for the different cancer that they each have. They both have feelings for each other and their journey together creates meaning in each others' lives. 

Critical Evaluation:  A New York Times Best-Selling book, that book is about to be created into a movie.  This is a very intelligent book that deals with difficult issues: illness, family, relationships, Teenage love that is very gritty and reality of terminally ill people and specifically cancer.

As a male writer, writing from the point of view from a female character, it definitely keeps my attention.  Hazel's character sounds genuine and incredible witty and smart.  John Green was able to make Hazel into a character that was wise beyond her years, and very aware of her surroundings. This  form of thinking is what we would expect from people who don't have a lot of time on this Earth, and have cancer.  

This love tale is very inspiring and sad at the same time.  John Green is able to create meaning between the relationship of young love. It's innocent and so pure, and the fact that they both have cancer elevates their experiences together even more.  Even the characters of Hazel's parents seem very believable, and as an adult reading this novel, gives me the perspective of what go through with all of their sacrifices and their persistence to stay positive in this difficult situation.   

Challenge Issues: 

• Cancer issues for teens
• Romantic 

Challenge Defense Ideas: 

• Become familiar with the made-up world and the its' positive contents.
• Refer to the imagery and artwork, which can inspire Young Adults to take up drawing.
• Stay calm and remember to not be personally offended by their comments or concerns.
• Libraries provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues.  Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
• Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
• LISTEN to what they have to say and reiterate our freedom to read and be without censorship.
• All material for young adults are under the review of the branch manager and even further up, the Library Director and even City Council members.

World Soccer Game

4.  World Soccer Game Review

Type: Computer Game
Website: http://www.soccergamespot.com/free-soccer-games/world-cup-soccer
Ages: 10 and up

Overview:  No matter what your age, you cannot be too old to play good old fashioned soccer games online.

This game can be played by copying the link above and inputting it to the web browser of your choice at the public library.  The library does not have this game on the computers, but rather on the Teen Page of the website.

Most of the computers in the Library do have "Adobe Shockwave Player" installed, so that you can play this game online for FREE.  If you are home, you will have to install this program to be able to play.

Game Functions: You have the option of playing in the tournament mode or play a quick game.  You can choose your own country and see how you fare against the world.  This game is really easy to play, and it only has 3 players on the field for each team.

Controls: "Use arrow keys to move player. Z- Pass/change player.  X- Shoot the ball.

Critical Evaluation: 3 out of 5 stars.  With the 2014 World Cup being played this summer in Brazil, it can be an addicting game to play and get you excited about watching your favorite team play on television.  The specific game that I chose was World Soccer from Miniclip.com.   It's really easy to use, and requires very little to no experience.  The game is especially fun if you use the tournament mode, which keeps track of your team by country, while you go up against other countries around the world.

The problem with this game is its simplicity. Because it's only 3 versus 3, you cannot play multi-player, or even save your progress if you decide to quit the game.  Still, this game is very fun and will keep you busy for hours.

Challenge Issues:

• Teenagers should not be playing games online.
• Teenagers should spend their time reading at the library.

Challenge Defense Ideas:   

• Be familiar with the themes in the material and how they relate to young adults today.
• Stay calm and remember to not be personally offended by their comments or concerns.
• Libraries provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues.  Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
• Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
• LISTEN to what they have to say and reiterate our freedom to read and be without censorship.
• All material for young adults are under the review of the branch manager and even further up, the Library Director and even City Council members