Monday, December 30, 2013

Bartlett Public Library's Top YA Books of 2013

As 2013 comes to a close we have the readers' of Bartlett Public Library's top ten* Young Adult books of the year!


10) The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Trying to make sense of the horrors of World War II, Death relates the story of Liesel--a young German girl whose book-stealing and story-telling talents help sustain her family and the Jewish man they are hiding, as well as their neighbors.
Ebook


9) The Clockwork Princess The Infernal Devices Book 3 by Cassandra Clare
The continuation of the story of Tessa Fell and Victorian London's dangerous supernatural underworld.
Book 1: Clockwork Angel
Book 2: Clockwork Prince
 

8) Reached by Allyson Condie
Book 3 in Condie's Matched series.  Cassia has always trusted her dystopian society where everything from careers to who you marry is decided for you, but then there is a glitch in her match and not only does she start questioning who she loves, but all of society around her.
Book 1: Matched
Book 2: Crossed

7) The Kill Order by James Dashner
Prequel to The Maze Runner trilogy: Before WICKED was formed, before the Glade was built, before Thomas entered the Maze, sun flares hit the earth and mankind fell to disease. Mark and Trina were there when it happened, and they survived. But surviving the sun flares was easy compared to what came next.

6) City of Bones by Cassandra Clare (Book 1 in The Mortal Instruments series)
When 15 year-old Clary Fray heads out to Pandemonium Club in NYC, she hardly expects to witness a murder, much less a murder committed by three teenagers brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears. This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons.  Within 24 hours Clary is pulled into their world, when her mother disappears and she is attacked by a demon.  But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother?

5) Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia (Book 1 in the Beautiful Creatures series)
In a small South Carolina town, where it seems little has changed since the Civil War, sixteen-year-old Ethan is powerfully drawn to Lena, a new classmate with whom he shares a psychic connection and whose family hides a dark secret that may be revealed on her sixteenth birthday.
Downloadable Audiobook

4) The Rise of Nine by Pittacus Lore (Book 3 in the Lorien Legacies)
Until the day I met John Smith, Number Four, I'd been on the run alone, hiding and fighting to stay alive. Together, we are much more powerful. But it could only last so long before we had to separate to find the others. . . .
Downloadable Audiobook

Book 1: I am Number Four
Book 2: The Power of Six
Book 4: The Fall of Five

3) The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.
Ebook

2) Divergent Series by Veronica Roth (includes Divergent, Insurgent, and Allegiant)
In a dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions and all 16-year-olds must make their choice. Beatrice Prior makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . .
Ebook

And Number One

1) The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins (includes The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay)
In a future North America, where the rulers of Panem maintain control through an annual televised survival competition putting young people from each of the twelve districts against one another, sixteen-year-old Katniss's skills are put to the test when she voluntarily takes her younger sister's place.  But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.
Downloadable Audiobook


What do you think of this year's top YA titles?  Let us know if you have a book you think more people should be reading.


*List based on number of checkouts per title
**The Hunger Games and Divergent were grouped together to avoid them being (almost) the entire list.

Thursday, December 26, 2013

First Clip from the Divergent Movie



Divergent hits theaters March 21st.

Still need to catch up on the series?  All three books are available through the library.


Read them all an looking for something to tide you over?  Check out of these reads to get you through the wait.

Sunday, December 22, 2013

In the Shadow of Blackbirds



In the Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters (a Morris Award Finalist) takes place at the end of 1918, as young men were going off to fight and die in World War I and the Spanish Influenza was raging and killing millions at home.  Mary Shelley Black (yes, she was named after the famous author) has just left her home in Portland (due to her father being jailed and tried as a traitor), for her Aunt's in San Diego.  War and disease have taken countless loved ones and spiritualism and seances are a growing trend.  Mary Shelley has no time for such superstitions; she prefers things that are based in fact.  Then Stephen, her childhood friend, and first love, is killed overseas and his spirit starts visiting Mary Shelley, complaining about blackbirds torturing him.  She is desperate to help Stephen, but where do you start in helping someone who is already dead?  This historical fiction read gives fascinating insights to life in 1918, with a ghost story that fits the tone of the time period, and the mystery surrounding Stephen's tragic death keeps the pages turning.

Another historical fiction, supernatural, murder mystery is The Diviner's by Libba Bray.  Check out the review.

Lisa

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Teen Winter Reading Club

Teen Winter Reading Club starts today!


Teens in 6th - 12th grades can pick up reading cards at the reference desk on the first floor or upstairs in youth and teen services to win prizes and submit drawing tickets for our grand prize (a $75 gift card for Amazon)!

One of the ways to win prizes this year is to submit a review for something you read.  Reviews will be posted here and on our Teen tumblr page.  

Questions?
Email Lisa at: lbarefield@bartlett.lib.il.us
or call Youth and Teen Services at: 630-837-3560

Monday, December 16, 2013

The More You Read - Winter Reading Club 2013/2014





“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” – Dr. Seuss



   
Let us know all the the things (books, blogs, tumblrs, magazines, fanfiction, etc.) you're reading and be entered to win prizes!  Sign up starts December 21st and all cards must be submitted by February 15th.  Teens (in 6th - 12th grades) can sign up at the reference desk on the first floor or upstairs in Youth Services.

Questions? Leave a comment, email Lisa at lbarefield@bartlett.lib.il.us, or give us a call at (630)837-3348.
 
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