"A Wrinkle in Time" by Madeleine L'Engle

Photo Credit: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/117980.A_Wrinkle_in_Time

Interested in the battle between good and evil?

The ultimate triumph of love?

I thought so!  Who isn't?!

A Wrinkle in Time is the original great fantasy fiction novel.  Before Harry, Ron and Hermione.  Before Katniss.  Before Lyra Belacqua.  We have Meg Murry.

Meg is transported through time and space with her 5 year old brother, Charles Wallace, and her friend Calvin O'Keefe in order to rescue Meg's father.  Her father is a gifted scientist who is being held prisoner on another planet.

On her journey to find her father, awkward and homely Meg finds friends along the way, but also finds quite a bit of evil and darkness that's trying to stop her rescue mission.

Find out what happens in A Wrinkle in Time...

Follow A Wrinkle in Time on Facebook


Praise for A Wrinkle in Time

•  Newbery Medal
• Sequoyah Book Award
• Lewis Carroll Shelf Award

See  A Wrinkle in Time in Salina Public Library's catalog:

• A Wrinkle in Time in book format
• A Wrinkle in Time in audiobook format (CD)

See A Wrinkle in Time on Goodreads.com

MacmillanChildrens.  (2012, January 30).  A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle (50th Anniversary Edition) [Video File].  Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJnZTVjLh1c


L'Engle, Madeline.  A Wrinkle in Time.  New York: Laurel Leaf Books, 1962.  Print.  ISBN-0440998050, paperback, USD $9.99.

"The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie

Photo Credit: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/693208.The_Absolutely_True_Diary_of_a_Part_Time_Indian

Welcome to the story of Junior: Nerd-extrordinairre.

Please begin by viewing this:

Doesn't it sound fun?

The library owns several copies, so you'll have an easy time getting your hands on Sherman Alexie's very first YA novel, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.

Also called "Junior," Arnold Spirit Jr. is a budding cartoonist on an Indian reservation in Spokane, Washington and tells his story with by including an occasional comic.

Junior is constantly being bullied, stutters, speaks with a lisp, and is driven to get an education.  He ends up transferring high schools, leaving the reservation for a school full of rich white kids.  The only other indian at Junior's new school is the mascot.

When life throws him obstacles like his people thinking he's a traitor, Junior tells his story with a combination of wit and humor, making The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian an absolute must-read.

Check out all the awards and recognition it has received...


Praise for The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
(Award list provided in the book, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian)

• National Book Award Winner
• Boston Globe - Horn Book Award Winner
• New York Times Bestseller
• L.A. Tines Book Award Nominee
• New York Times Book Review's Notable Book (children's book)
• Booksense #1 Pick
• Publisher's Weekly Bestseller
• ALA Best Book for Young Adults
• NYPL Book for the Teen Age
• BCCB Blue Ribbon Winner
• School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
• Horn Book Fanfare Best Book of the Year
• Amazon.com Best Book of the Year
• Publisher's Weekly Best Book of the Year
• Kirkus Reviews Best YA Book
• NAPPA Gold Award
• PNBA Book Award Winner
• KLIATT Editor's Choice, Hardcover YA Fiction
• ABC Best Book for Children
• PW "Off the Cuff" Favorite YA Novel

See The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian in Salina Public Library's Catalog:

• The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian in book format
• The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian in audiobook format (CD)
• The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian in audiobook format (Playaway)

See The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian on Goodreads.com



CoolStoryPros.  (2011, July 29).  The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian - Sherman Alexie [Video File].  Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQMyOkvbu7A


Alexie, Sherman.  The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.  New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2007.  Print.  ISBN-9780316013697; paperback; USD $8.99.

"Vampire Academy: A Graphic Novel" by Richelle Mead

Photo Credit: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8643220-vampire-academy

Based on Richelle Mead's hit series,  Vampire Academy, the graphic novel doesn't disappoint.

You get all of the adventure, suspense, and romance of Vampire Academy in 144 pages of incredibly illustrated full-color graphics.

Rose and her best friend, Lissa, have been on the run for two years when they are found and drug back to St. Vladimir's Academy; a special school for vampires.  Lissa is a princess with very special, and very secret powers who must be protected at all times.  Rose is dedicated to training to be Lissa's vampire guardian; a role that St. Vladimir's Academy specializes in perfecting.

Along with trying to stay alive, Rose and Lissa are faced with guy-issues, an annoying arch-nemisis named Mia, and horrific "pranks."

Whether you're new to the Mead's books, or a die-hard Vampire Academy fan, you'll love this graphic novel.

Once you finish, you'll definitely want more.

Where can you find it?

There's an app for that!

That's right!  Publisher, Penguin Young Readers Group has created an app that allows you to keep all-things Vampire Academy at your fingertips!

Here is a teaser for the app:

Check out Richelle Mead's (pretty impressive) website here




See Vampire Academy: A Graphic Novel in Salina Public Library's catalog:

• Vampire Academy: A Graphic Novel in book format

See Vampire Academy: A Graphic Novel on Goodreads.com




PenguinYoungReaders.  (2011, November 15).  THE WORLD OF RICHELLE MEAD app [Video File].  Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cLqJlvkmyQ



Mead, Richelle, original author. Vampire Academy: A Graphic Novel.  Adapted by Leigh Drogoon.  Illustrated by Emma Vieceli.  Colored by Vicki Pangestu, Fandy, Soulcore, Julia, and Vino of Caravan Studio.  Cover design and lettering by Ching N. Chan.  Penguin Young Readers Group, 2011.  Print.  ISBN-9781595144294, paperback, USD $12.99.

"Jinx" by Meg Cabot

Photo Credit: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/207684.Jinx

Ever had a day where NOTHING goes right?  Something breaks, you fall in front of your crush, you spill all over yourself at school...

Well for Jinx, every day is like that.  Being unlucky is is kind of her thing.

Jean is so unlucky that her entire family calls her Jinx.

Jinx moves from Iowa to live with her aunt and uncle in Manhattan in a very swanky house.  She's thrilled at first, hopeful that he luck will start improving.

Her cousin, Tory, has been practicing witchcraft and is convinced that Jinx also has "the gift." Legend of witchcraft that has been rumored about in their family for generations among the family's women.  Jinx recognizes the dark magic Tory practices and refuses her cousin's invitation to join Tory's coven.

Tory and her friends couldn't be more different from Jinx, and things quickly become tense between the two cousins.  To make matters worse, Tory is convinced that Jinx is trying to seduce Tory's crush and next-door neighbor, Zach.

Tory's behavior grows far more sinister than anything Jinx could have imagined.



Here's a video of Meg, talking about her "writing process" on a typical day.  Maybe writing is in your future, too!

Check out Meg's website, or follow her on Facebook and Twitter!


See Jinx in Salina Public Library's catalog:

• Jinx in book format
• Jinx in audiobook format (CD)

See Jinx on Goodreads.com

MegginCabot.  (2011, October 3).  A Day in the Life of Meg Cabot [Video File].  Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Obwic2exbwI

Cabot, Meg.  Jinx.  New York: HarperTeen, 2007.  Print.  ISBN-9780060837648 ; hardback; USD $16.99.

"Upstate" by Kalisha Buckhanon

Photo Credit: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2334401.Upstate

January 25, 1990
Dear Natasha,

Baby, the first thing I need to know from you is do you believe I killed my father?  I need to know if you believe what everybody saying about me because I need to know if you got my back.  Right now I don't know who in my corner and who ain't.

(This excerpt appears on page 4 of Upstate, written by Kalisha Buckhanon, 2005)


Antonio is in prison, Natasha is not, but they're in love.  They've been torn apart but are determined to remain faithful to each other by writing letters.

They write letters for ten years, and every letter appears for you to read in Upstate.  You get to see their love, perspective, writing, faith, and hearts change as they do.

Here is an audio clip from Upstate.  It covers Antonio's first letter to Natasha.

Kalisha Buckhanon has some serious web presence!  Find her on...

• on her website
• on her blog
• on Twitter
• on Facebook
• on Tumblr
• on YouTube
• on MySpace

Praise for Upstate

• American Library Association's ALEX Award, 2006
• Audio Publishers Award for Literary Fiction, 2006
• Nominated for the Hurston/Wright Foundation's Debut Fiction Legacy Award, 2006
• Terry McMillan Young Author Award, 2006

See Upstate in Salina Public Library's catalog:

• Upstate in book format
• Upstate in audiobook format (CD)

See Upstate on Goodreads.com



macstories.  (2012, April 12).  Upstate by Kalisha Buckhanon--Audiobook Excerpt [Video File].  Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PclAOhIqDM

Buckhanon, Kalisha.  Upstate.  New York: St. Martin's Press, 2005.  Print.  ISBN-0312332688; hardback; USD $19.95.

"Revenge of the Living Dummy" by R.L. Stine

Photo Credit: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2485213.Revenge_of_the_Living_Dummy

Slappy is back!

After nearly a ten year hiatus from the Goosebumps series, R.L. Stine returns with Revenge of the Living Dummy.  This book is #1 in his HorrorLand spin-off of his Goosebumps books.

Stine starts the story featuring Britney and her BFF, Molly, digging in a graveyard during a storm.  It's quickly quite obvious that something is not right.  The hand creeping up out of the grave and latching onto Britney's leg might have been a giveaway on the "something is not right" sign.

Let's jump back two weeks...

Britney's annoying, irritating, and troublesome cousin, Ethan, is moving into her house, her room, and her life for an undetermined amount of time.  When he moves in, he brings an eerie wooden ventriloquist dummy named "Mr. Badboy" with him.

Britney notices strange things start to happen, but assumes that Ethan is behind it all...

...until Mr. Badboy sits up in bed, blinks, and begins to speak to her.

After doing some research, Britney and Molly discover something completely terrifying about Ethan's "doll."

Read Return of the Living Dummy to find out what makes this doll tick.

You may want to keep the lights on.

Now that you're thoroughly ready to have the bejeezus frightened out of you, check out this interview of R.L. Stine by Barnes and Noble.  It may explain a bit about why his books are such fun (yet terrifying) reads.

He's pretty rad.

Be a pal.  Follow R.L. Stine on Twitter: @RL_Stine

Or... access his website here: http://rlstine.com/

PERSONAL NOTE: R.L. Stine might reply to your Tweets.  He replied to mine!  Excuse me while I try not to hyperventilate from excitement.

Be cool, Amy.  Be cool.




See Revenge of the Living Dummy in Salina Public Library's catalog:

• Revenge of the Living Dummy in book format
• Click here for other R.L. Stine books in SPL's catalog

See Revenge of the Living Dummy on Goodreads.com



BNStudio.  (2008, April 4).  R. L. Stine - Exclusive Video Interview [Video File].  Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6SV8rgFa0g

Stine, R. L.  Revenge of the Living Dummy.  New York: Scholastic, 2008.  Print.  ISBN-9780439918695; paperback; USD $5.99.