Dear Reader,

     Judge a book by its cover is the last thing people say to do, but we all know we do it.  I mean what book seems more interesting, a book that is on fire or a book with a frog eating a fly cover.  Yet, we try to be universal and fair, we open the book and read its small paragraph descrivitng its contents.  These small summeries are extremely helpful, since without them, we would have to read the first couple of chapters to see what it's about.  People now a days...can't be trusted...

Yours truly,

Alvaro Donayre

Attention vampire lovers!  The 60's TV cult classic, Dark Shadows, is back starring Johnny Depp and directed by Tim Burton.

Who's excited about this one? 

Have a favorite vampire film?  I like The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari.  Here's one you may have heard of...

Saturday, March 17th, 1 to 3 pm

You are invited to join us at the Oak Park Public Library Main Library Veterans Room for the first ever OPPL Hunger Games Competition! Teens in grades 6 through 12 will compete for prizes and glory for their district as they battle it out. Only one can win!

We will be dividing attendees in to Districts and testing tributes in a variety of areas. In order to preserve the fun of the day, we are not revealing exactly what those areas are - but knowing something about the series would probably be a good thing!

No registration is required for this special program, but arrive early to secure your assignment. Spaces are limited!

The biggest award in teen fiction, the Michael L Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature, was announced this morning! We live for these big award nominations! Go ahead and call us nerds, but don't miss these fantastic award winners representing the very best in teen reads from 2011.

2012 Winner

Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley

Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing

Witty, sardonic Cullen Witter agonizes over the disappearance of his beloved brother, Gabriel, while everyone else in his stiflingly dull Arkansas town thrills to the apparent return of a long-extinct woodpecker. Kidnapping, bromance, arcane religious texts, and ornithology collide in this ground-breaking coming-of-age tale.

“Straightforward, yet increasingly complex, this novel masterfully weaves together themes of brotherhood, friendship, loss and religious obsession,” said Printz Award Committee Chair Erin Helmrich.

2012 Honor Books

Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler, art by Maira Kalman

Published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

In this beautiful piece of bookmaking, heartbroken movie obsessive Min Green dumps a box of relationship ephemera on ex-love Ed Slaterton’s porch, each item attached to a raging, loving, insecure and regretful letter explaining how each memento contributed to their breakup.

The Returning by Christine Hinwood

Published by Dial Books, an imprint of Penguin Group Young Readers Group USA.

A large cast of characters from two fictional kingdoms recover from a drawn-out, brutal war in a portrait both sweeping and specific as it explores the ramifications of the conflict on Cam, the only one who lives to return to his village.

Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey

Published by Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Random House, Inc.

Spurred by the mysterious death of a schoolmate, Charlie confronts racism and his fears as he learns about family, friendship and love in the oppressive heat of small-town 1960s Australia. Silvey weaves themes of freedom and loyalty with moments of humor in this wrenching novel.

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Steifvater

Published by Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic, Inc.

A bloody, intoxicating horse race on the Island of Thisby is the backdrop for this atmospheric novel. The heart-pounding story pits two teens against death – to win is to survive.