The Last Summer of the Death Warriors by Francisco X. Stork

Pancho goes to live at St. Anthony's after his father and sister die because he has to. Pancho helps wheel D.J., the kid who has brain cancer and is pretty bossy despite the fact that he's dying, around because he has to. Pancho makes the choice to go to Albuquerque, though, for just one reason: to avenge his sister's murderer. Unfortunately, he's only able to get to Albuquerque by agreeing to stay with D.J. while he undergoes new cancer treatments. D.J. is pretty insistent on believing that he and Pancho are friends, trusting him with his secrets and even telling him about the Death Warriors Manifesto. Part of what it takes to be a Death Warrior is to behave in such a way that always confirms the belief that life is better than death -- not just living life to the fullest, but also shunning death. Being a Death Warrior doesn't quite fit into Pancho's plans of what he would like to do when he finally confronts his sister's killer.

With a diverse mix of characters, there are no stereotypes presented in this story, and everyone has the opportunity to decide what kind of person he or she wants to be. This story was strongly reminiscent of the song lyric "You can't always get what you want / but if you try sometimes you just might find / you get what you need."
Like the author's most recent novel, Marcelo in the Real World, this novel is recommended to readers of all kinds.

Reviewed by kate the librarian.

Bayou : Volume One by Jeremy Love

This graphic novel tells the story of a poor black girl who is betrayed by her white best friend and now has to save her wrongly-accused daddy. This is a pretty sterotypical reproduction of the idea of the "poor black girl" and the "rich young lady," but the storytelling and imagery is absolutely magical. When the writer and artist draws in fantastical elements and talking animals, the result is even more enthralling. This is the first in a series of published comics that first appeared online at ZUDACOMICS.COM. Like lots of graphic novels, this is a super quick read that will stay with you long after your finished looking at it. It's certainly worth it. (Barnes and Noble lists a publication date of January 2011 for Volume 2.)

Recommended to all ages.

Call number: YA GRAPHIC LOVE (Teen Room)

Reviewed by kate the librarian.

3rd Annual NLW Teen Poetry Contest

Congratulations to the winners of the third annual National Library Week Teen Poetry Contest at Franklin Lakes Public Library!


Sasha, a sophomore at Indian Hills High School, received First Prize of a $50 American Express Gift Card.
Ariana, an eighth grader at Franklin Avenue Middle School, received Second Prize of a $25.00 Barnes and Noble Gift Card.
Margaux, a sophomore at Saddle River Day School, received Third Prize of a $25.00 Barnes and Noble Gift Card.

In addition, two honorable mentions were Connor, eighth grader at Franklin Avenue Middle School, and Sonalika, Junior at Ramapo High School.

The Teen Poetry Contest was part of the celebration of National Library Week 2010 and National Poetry Month. At Franklin Lakes Public Library and area schools, teens were given a contest entry form and encouraged to create original poems or song lyrics. We received 25 awesome poems and three winners were chosen by an array of local judges in addition to recognition of two honorable mention submissions. Second and Third Place prizes were generously provided by Access Self Storage in Franklin Lakes.

will grayson, will grayson by John Green & David Levithan

will grayson, will grayson is not for the faint of heart. If you like your teen lit clean and unchallenging, please do not choose this book for your Saturday afternoon.

Will Grayson is kind of your average high school boy, though maybe on the dorkier-side of average, except that he has a BIGGER-than-average best friend. Will's best friend, Tiny Cooper, is larger than large and gayer than gay. And he is aiming to write, produce, and star in his own high school musical, Tiny Dancer: The Tiny Cooper Story, (and co-starring Phil Wrayson). Will Grayson has two interests in life: good underground music and Jane (maybe); and two rules in life: Shut up. and Don't Care.

will grayson has never heard of Will Grayson or Tiny Cooper. when he's not online with Isaac, will spends most of his time trying to make sure that his best friend Maura knows that he's not interested in her that way without hurting her feelings -- more because he has no other friends than because he cares overly about Maura's feelings. will grayson likes almost nothing, least of all himself.

When lives collide, new worlds open for everyone involved. Filled with heartbreak, heart-to-hearts, and breakthroughs, this story is mostly about love, but not like you've ever seen it before. Recommended to all older high school readers -- gay or straight, big or small, boy or girl. John Green and David Levithan are a dream team.
Call number: YA GREEN

Reviewed by kate the librarian.

NLW Teen Poetry Contest -- First Place!

Thank you to 25 young writers for submitting entries to the Third Annual National Library Week Teen Poetry Contest at Franklin Lakes Library! And the winners are . . .

History

It's been a long time
Since the old man lifted his eyes
His gaze has been shifted to the city's demise.
His name has been stripped of value and lore.
Despite the lives they have cost once before,
His words have been muted by the frenzy of war.
His face is a parchment of creases of time
His palms have a vision, patterned by line.
It is not he who is blind, reader, it's you,
Unable to tell the false from the true.
The man can predict the motion of skies,
You are defenseless in History's eyes.

written by Sasha, age 15, Indian Hills High School

NLW Teen Poetry Contest -- Second Place!

Full

The emptiness that surrounds,

It fills me up

with nothing

where something once was.

What do you do

when you are plunged into darkness?

Watching the last sliver of light

escape beyond our grasp?

The emptiness takes over.

How can I bear it

until the door opens

and the light returns?

I cannot.

I will not!

The waiting... the anticipation

battles with the raging emptiness

It is the emptiness that surrounds,

that fills me up

with nothing

where something once was.

written by Ariana, age 13, Franklin Avenue Middle School

NLW Teen Poetry Contest -- Third Place!

Winter Tree

The bare trees hold themselves up straight

But occasionally shiver in the cold.

They sway back and forth

As the breeze tickles their exposed arms.

They shake like a dog that is soaking wet

That just escaped from falling in the pool.

They stand in one place reaching for the sun,

Anticipating grabbing some warmth.

The wind sounds like a flat music note

Swiveling and scurrying between each branch

The powerful whisper vibrates along the trees

Sending them in utter shock to move.

The branches are so fragile and flimsy

That they could easily break off with one snap.

With branches as delicate as a baby birds' wings,

They want to be secure and steady.

The trunk is the heart and soul of the tree

That spreads life into each branch.

Each branch attributes a quality to support the tree

Through every season during the year.

A single tree cannot survive on its' own,

For it needs every other tree in order to live.

With a single breath, and a single sway,

It can keep a whole forest alive.

written by Margaux, age 15, Saddle River Day School