The Main Library's Urban Readers Book Group is meeting on Tuesday, February
5th, from 6pm to 7pm to talk about The Help by Kathryn Stockett. If you've seen the movie, then you know The Help is a remarkable story about life in Mississippi during the civil rights era. Join us for an enjoyable discussion and light refreshments! Contact Crystal at 929-3400 for more information on the Urban Readers Book Group.

Life sucks for Dave Marshall. He hates his job working the night shift at a crappy 24-hour convenience store, he's been crushing on a gorgeous girl who does not even know he exists and he is constantly taking crap from rich, surfer-dude, Wes.  

As a junior in high school, Jack Gantos lived on his own in a hotel in Puerto Rico. As a senior, he rented a room from a couple who sold prosthetic limbs for a living. 

This story is automatically a page turner for middle school level. It brings every person in a high school society into action, the smart girl who wants to get into the big school, the football jock, the overweight guy, whose confidence isn't up to par. It can appeal to everyone, and that is what I liked most about this book. It also brings in a plot that investigates a mysterious character Angel, and keeps you guessing about what has truly happened to Angel. Payback Time is an easy read that brings in mystery to keep you guessing, recommended if you are looking for a sports type book, but has more than sports in it.

This was a pretty good book, but the genre, it's never been one of my favorites. The plot, I felt, missed a few key points, that made me confused a bit, but I can't reveal for spoiler problems. And Goth Girl/Kyra, I just didn't like her personality, I understood what she went through, but did she need to act like that? But anyways, the sequel is out, and I'm not quite sure if I'll read it or not.

Divergent is definitely a plain, fun book, that doesn't require much thinking to enjoy. The world building is not done very well, but if you don't want to think about how everything happened, and take in a lot of information from the book, this is definitely the book for you. I can't tell you much about the book itself, and how I liked the heroes, because there would be way too many spoilers in it! But I really and truly cannot wait for the next book to come out, (which is May 1, 2012.) I think this series can transform from this beginning to a truly spectacular series!

 In a society where unwanted teens are salvaged for their body parts, three runaways fight the system that would 'unwind' them. There's Connor, the badboy troublemaker who constantly gets into fights and causes his parents much suffering, Lev, the 'tithe', a human sacrifice to God, who's been prepared his entire life for his unwinding, and Risa, the pianist from an orphanage who's being unwound to cut costs and downsize. They must fight for their lives until their eighteenth birthday, or risk being unwound, a fate worse than death itself.  

If you're a fan of vampires, but not a big fan of Twilight, or other similarly-styled vampire novels, then you're sure to be a fan of Eight Grade Bites, book one of the Chronicles of Vladimir Tod. Told from the perspective of thirteen-year-old Vlad, he has to control his vampire urges all while dealing with the challenges of coping with the tragic death of his parents, a major crush, bullies, eight grade in general, a substitute teacher who may or may not know his secret, and may or may not be plotting to kill him and Nelly, his mother's best friend, and now his legal guardian, and being hunted by the head of a vampire city known as Elysia for crimes his father committed. 

Ghosts of War is the true story of Ryan Smithson, the story of his beginning, his basic training, his year in Iraq, and his life in America after his return. It tells the story of why he went to Iraq, why he felt he was needed there. I believe the quote on the front cover, and in the book, sums it up; "If I don't do something, who will?" 

Many of you don’t know Owly, an owl featured in the wordless graphic novels by Andy Runton. But for two boys, he is their new best friend. At a time when they were struggling to learn to read, Owly provided just what they were looking for: a deep, meaningful story that they could read themselves.

Learning to read is more than just decoding the letters on a page. It’s also knowing how a book works, understanding structure and comprehending the story itself. While it’s easy to dismiss graphic novels as just “comic books,” I would urge any parents out there that have children at home who love graphic novels or manga to give in. If Stone Rabbit, Spiderman and Fashion Kitty are what keep your children begging for more, so be it.

While they dream of being a superhero or a Babymouse with attitude, they are developing a love of books and reading. They are also making a connection with the library that will last a lifetime. Here at RCPL, we have something for everyone, including more than 4,600 graphic novels for children and more than 9,000 for adults and teens.  (Did I mention they’re free with your library card??)

Yes, adults, because children aren’t the only ones who can get re-engaged with reading through graphic novels. I see plenty of adults in our library, that wouldn’t normally pick up a book, reading graphic novels. It’s exciting. I also know plenty of guys who are huge fanboys, with good reason. Maus by Art Spiegelman won a Pulitzer Prize in 1992. Comic books also broke color barriers by featuring the first African American superhero, The Black Panther, in 1966. Comic books and graphic novels can tackle heavy issues with words and images working in concert, in much the same fashion as a picture book. Often the images convey as much or more about the human experience as the words.

So, that’s why two boys (and many more) and I love Owly (and Batman and Calamity Jack!) Check out our great graphic novels for children and tweens!