Saint George and the Dragon

Saint George and the Dragon by Margaret Hodges. Illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman.
Youth Non-fiction – Lower Level – J398.22 SAI

Here is an oldie but goodie that deserves to be remembered. Caldecott-award winning illustrator Trina Schart Hyman is one of my favorites of all time, and this book is a fine example of her work. These are glorious full-page pictures (watercolor and ink if I am not mistaken), with borders and marginalia around the facing page of text. It’s a long picture book for older readers and the text, telling the story of the Red Cross Knight’s epic battle with the dragon, is beautifully written. Every time that my son asks for it at bedtime on an already late night, I look for a way to abridge the text to make it a more manageable length. Every time I end up just reading the whole thing, because the words are just right, with strong metaphors and alliterations adding to the medieval feel of the book. For kids too old for little-kid picture books and not quite ready for all chapter books, this is a book detailed and exciting enough to capture.

Pac Man Party Wii

Pac Man Party
Youth Video Games- Lower Level– VG-PAC

Pac-Man Party for the Wii is a great game the whole family can enjoy. You have the option to play the arcade classic Pac -Man (as well as Galaga and Dig-Dug) but if you want family fun try playing the party mode/mini games where 4 players can play. There are about 45 different mini games that are offered including curling, eating, racing and many more. The single player story mode lets you compete again Blinky. The game is set up like a monopoly board; once it is determined how many spaces your character will move you can set up a castle. Beware - if your opponent lands on your castle you have to battle for it. The more castles you have the more cookies you earn!! During level 1 the first player to accumulate 12,000 cookies win and you make it to the next level and play against another ghost. The game is geared more towards kids and families but still fun to play with your friends.

Crank

Crank by Ellen Hopkins
Teen Zone Fiction- Main Level– Hopkins

Crank is based loosely on Ellen Hopkins' daughter’s experience with crystal meth. Kristina’s mother has finally agreed to let Kristina go visit her father for 3 weeks during summer vacation. Kristina was very excited until she actually reunited with her father and realized that he was not who she remembered. Kristina’s father left her alone so he could go to go work. She filled her time by wandering around his apartment complex and she eventually met Adam. Kristina introduced herself as Bree. She started hanging out with Adam and experimenting with different drugs. Kristina was fearful while “Bree” was fearless and would try anything. Adam took her to the bowling alley (where her dad works) which was the hotspot for drugs. Kristina realized that her dad was a known user and dealer. She decided to experiment with crystal meth (which she refers to as the monster) and was instantly hooked. Once she heads back to Reno, Kristina lets Bree come out and make new friends. She finds and starts hanging out with other meth/drug users. She destroys relationships without really realizing what she is doing because everything she does is for the drugs. Even at her lowest point when found out she was pregnant because she was raped by her dealer she did not stop using. It is a difficult book to read based on the subject matter but it is an eye opening experience to realize why some people start using drugs and why they have a hard time getting clean and sober. Ellen Hopkins writes in free verse and compels readers to the very end. To keep up with Kristina’s story and struggles you can follow up with

Glass by Ellen Hopkins
Teen Zone Fiction- Main Level– Hopkins

Fallout by Ellen Hopkins
Teen Zone New Fiction- Main Level– Hopkins