The Luxe

Have you read The Luxe by Anna Godbersen yet? Well, what are you waiting for!?! If you like mystery, romance, historical fiction, tales of high society - you MUST read this book. But you don't have to take my word for it. Check out this new article and reserve your copy today.

Jewelry Making Workshop

Join us for a fun introduction to jewelry making with instructor Melissa Nappi. We'll be making beaded dangling earrings. Limit 15 teens. Sign up at the front desk. Free!

FEBRUARY 29 @ 5:30

Book Review - Bounce by Natasha Friend

Evyn received the absolute worst present for her 13th birthday. Her father has informed her that he is marrying his girlfriend, Eleni, and that Evyn and father and brother Mackey will be leaving Maine and moving to Boston to live with Eleni's family. Talk about dropping a bombshell. Now Evyn has to leave her best friends and her big comfortable house and move into the city, where she will share a room with the twins. In addition to the twins, there are four more new step siblings Evyn is forced to deal with. To make matters worse, she has to go to private school, where all the girls look like they stepped out of an Abercrombie catalog, with perfect headbands holding back their perfect hair. Evyn feels like she doesn't fit in anywhere, not in her new home, or her new school, or around her own brother, who has transformed himself for computer geek to hot shot thespian. Even her beloved father is like a stranger to her, having gone from hippie to preppy ever since the move. The only thing that makes Evyn feel better is having late night conversations with her mother -- who died when Evyn was just a baby. Through these late night talks Evyn slowly begins to warm up to her new family and her new life.

This is a really great story, and Evyn is a funny and likable character. I read Natasha Friend's last book, Lush, right before this, and I really like her writing style and her storytelling Both Lush and Bounce are both quick and fun reads. Take them home today!

Twilight - Check out the Cullens

The casting for the Cullen family in the upcoming film adaptation of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight is complete! Check out Stephenie Meyer's website for a look at the Cullen Family! What do you think? Are they what you pictured? And while you are at it, read this new interview with Rachelle Lafevre, who plays Victoria in the movie.

New Manga!

If you're sitting home bored during your winter break, come to the library and check out all the new manga we just got in. We have Ceres Celestial Legend Volumes 1-10 (thanks to a kind donation by a library patron) and Girl Got Game Volumes 4-10. Also, Bird Kiss Volume 4 and High School Debut Volume 1.

Want more manga? Send me an e-mail and tell me what you'd like to see at the library.
aliblau@westburylibrary.org

Book Review - Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Hannah Baker committed suicide 2 weeks ago, and before she did it, she wanted to make sure that the people that drove her to it knew exactly why. There were 13 reasons why Hannah killed herself --13 people that affected her life, some in small, seemingly insignificant ways, and others more profound. 13 people will receive the tapes that Clay Jensen has in his backpack. They all must listen to them, and pass them on, so all of them will know exactly what drove Hannah to end her life. Hannah made sure to make a second set of tapes, and if the unlucky 13 don't pass their tapes on, the second set will be made public, exposing their secrets to everyone. Clay can't understand what he could have done to hurt Hannah. He could have loved her, if she had given him a chance. So why is he on the tapes? In one single night, Clay will find out more about Hannah then he ever knew. And he will learn dark secrets about his classmates.

This is a thrilling and suspenseful book, which will leave you thinking about all the little things that you say or do to others. What might seem like just a funny note passed in class could have a big impact on someone else's life.

I suggest reading this one along with Remembering Raquel by Vivian Vande-Velde

Teen Book Club

Thursday, March 6th @ 5pm

Discuss the latest in teen lit!  This month's book is Before I Die by
Jenny Downham.  Tessa has just months to live. Fighting back against
hospital visits, endless tests, drugs with excruciating side-effects,
Tessa compiles a list. It’s her To Do Before I Die list.  Released from
the constraints of ‘normal’ life, Tessa tastes new experiences to make her
feel alive while her failing body struggles to keep up.

Pick up the book starting February 15th. Please sign up at the front desk
so I know how much snack stuff I should buy.

Book Review - Sweethearts by Sara Zarr

Jennifer Harris and Cameron Quick were childhood friends, bonded together by a twisted and frightening memory that has followed Jennifer throughout her teenage life. Jennifer couldn't imagine a life without Cameron, so when he disappeared, a part of Jennifer was gone too. As a kid, Jennifer Harris was overweight and spoke with a lisp, and along with Cameron, was a social outcast, taunted and harassed all through school. Now Jennifer is Jenna, with a new body to match her new personality. Pretty, sweet, and terminally cheerful, Jenna cannot forget about what she went through with Cameron, the only person in her life who really knows who she is and what she feels. And then one day, out of the blue, Cameron returns. Jenna's whole life is turned upside down when Cameron wants to confront their shared memories.

This is a real page turner - I couldn't wait to find out what exactly happened to Jennifer and Cameron that day after school, but at the same time I was terrified to find out what it was. Part of the book also deals with Jennifer and her mom and step-dad, and I thought it was a really nice portrayal of the daughter/step-father relationship. Definitely give this one a shot - and while you're at it, pick up Sara Zarr's last book Story of A Girl. Another great read you won't want to put down.

Teen Advisory Group Meeting

Teen Advisory Group Meeting, Friday March 14th @ 4:30pm

New members welcome! We need YOU to share your thoughts and opinions about
the Westbury Library.  Give us your feedback about our collection of
books, movies and music.  Tell us want kinds of programs you want to see.
Discuss important issues affecting the library.  Meetings will be
held every other month, please try to attend all meetings.

CR@SH - This Friday!

Don't forget! Crash is this Friday! We'll be hooking up the DDR, along with all the usual fun stuff - Gamecubes and the PS2. Bring a friend, bring an extra controller, bring a game.