Whether it’s the book series or the TV series that you love, you are definitely not alone! Gossip Girl is definitely a teen fav. While you wait for new episodes/books, try these:

If you like the look into the insider's look rich, prep school life, try one or more of these:
Insiders by J. Minter
The Clique by Lisi Harrison
The A-List by Zoey Dean
Prep: a novel by Curtis Sittenfeld

If you would like a look at how the rich live from an outsider’s viewpoint, try:
The Au-Pairs series by Melissa de la Cruz
The Nannies series by Melody Mayer
Fresh off the Boat by Melissa de la Cruz
Confessions of a Teen Nanny by Victoria Ashton
LBD series by Grace Dent
The Manny by Sarah L. Thomson

If you like the series because of the drama and appreciate a little humor, try:
Angus , Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging and the rest of series by Louise Rennison
The Year My Life Went Down the Loo and the rest of the series by Katie Maxwell
Mates and Dates series by Cathy Hopkins
I Was a Non-Blonde Cheerleader by Kieran Scott

If you are most intrigued by romance plots, love triangles, and relationships between friends and enemies, check out
Girls Dinner Club by Jessie Elliot
The Queen of Second Place by Laura Peyton Roberts
Kissing the Bee by Kathe Koje
Doing It by Melvin Burgess

If you are most interested in the relationships between dysfunctional family members and couples, try:
This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen
Gingerbread by Rachel Cohen
The Queen of Everything by Deb Caletti
If I Have a Wicked Stepmother, Where’s My Prince? by Melissa Kantor

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A hilarious spoof comedy that tackles the most memorable scenes from your favorite sports movies. An out-of-luck coach tries to lead a ragtag team of fumbling footballers to victory. With Carl Weathers, David Koechner. (2008, 87 minutes, rated PG-13)

Charlie and Phil are two dads that decide to turn a dilapidated camp into a day camp for a group of unruly kids. Facing foreclosure and lack of enrollment, it's up to Charlie's father, a colonel, to help get things in order. With Cuba Gooding, Jr., Brian Doyle-Murray, Lochlyn Munro. (2008, 89 minutes, rated PG)

A man is reunited with his teenage daughter after spending years in a mental institute. When he becomes convinced that ancient treasure is buried under his home, his daughter decides to go along with his antics. With Michael Douglas, Evan Rachel Wood. (2008, 93 minutes, rated PG-13)

Posted by Daniel at 12:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Peach Girl: Change of Heart Vol. 1 by Miwa Ueda

Peach Girl: Change of Heart is a manga series that is published in the authentic right-to-left Japanese format.  At first it seemed weird to read a book backwards, but it was cool to read it in the style that it was originally printed.  Peach Girl is about a girl named Momo who does not fit in at her Japanese school because she has naturally tan skin and blonde hair.  She’s very insecure, but a lot of other girls are jealous of her unusual (for Japan) appearance, and try to make her life miserable.  Momo has also just started dating a new guy and is finding out all kinds of secrets from his past, including secret relationships and jealous ex-girlfriends.  This book is soap-opera level dramatic, but very fun and exciting. The pictures and text work together perfectly to tell the story and once you start reading this manga series, it’s very addictive!

Posted by Lena at 05:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Bloody Dawn, a re-enactment of Quantrill’s raid on Lawrence, premiered Jan 11th in Wichita. The next showing will be 10 a.m. on Feb. 16th in Lincoln, Ks.

Cassandra Blackwell, a Seaman High School junior, plays the part of Lydia Stone whose father is shot during the raid on Lawrence. Cassandra has always been interested in the history of the Bleeding Kansas era and did added research on the character, Lydia Stone that she portrayed.

The actors weren’t paid because Bloody Dawn was funded by a grant. Cassandra had to provide her own dress and her mother did her hair. She found there was a lot of “hurry up and wait”. Read more.

Posted by Gayle at 09:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Your vote counts! Watch local middle school students review Shakespeare's Secret by Elise Broach, a Kansas William Allen White Award nominee.

Posted by Robin at 10:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Website of the Week is www.classof2k8.com. This website features 28 authors whose first novel for teens or kids comes out in 2008.  Fourteen of the novels are for young adults, and this website is a great way to learn about books that don’t have the name recognition of an already-famous author.  They have a blog to let you get to know the writers more personally and get lots of information about the upcoming book releases.  There are also contests and reading guides that will be updated throughout 2008.   So if you want to be on the cutting edge and discover the next J.K. Rowling before everybody else, check out this website!

Posted by Lena at 02:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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An ex-hotshot reporter, along with his cameraman, sets off on a dangerous journey to interview and capture a wanted war criminal deep in Bosnia. With Richard Gere, James Brolin, Terrence Howard. (2007, 101 minutes, rated R)

When SWAT Commander Rigg is abducted and thrust into a game, the last officer untouched by Jigsaw has but ninety minutes to overcome a series of demented traps and save an old friend or face the deadly consequences. With Donnie Wahlberg, Shawnee Smith, Costas Mandylor, Tobin Bell, Angus Macfadyen, Betsy Russell. (2007, 95 minutes, rated R)

Posted by Daniel at 12:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Night Tourist by Katherine Marsh 

Weird things start happening to ninth grade bookworm Jack Perdu after he is nearly killed in a car accident.  He sees a pale stranger who disappears into thin air, finds a 100 year old map of New York City with his dead mother’s name scrawled on it, and overhears a mysterious conversation about a ghostly underworld that living people cannot enter.  His worried father sends him to a doctor in New York City, where Jack meets a girl named Euri in Grand Central Station.  She leads him to a secret passage nine floors below the train station, and he is swept into a world beyond what he ever imagined.

This book pulls you into a frenetic adventure as Jack tries to find his dead mother and unlock the secrets of her life and death before he runs out of time and must stay in the underworld forever.  As Jack and Euri decipher the clues and try to hide the fact that Jack is still alive from the vicious guards, the story gets deeper and they learn about themselves and their roles in life (and death).  The story is intertwined with Greek mythology and modern New York City flavor, which makes it an unusual fantasy that I couldn’t put down.

Posted by Lena at 04:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Your vote counts. Watch a local middle school student review The Sacrifice by Katherine Benner Duble, a Kansas William Allen White Award nominee.

Posted by Robin at 10:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Your vote counts! Watch a local middle school student puppeteer review The Naked Mole-Rat Letters by Mary Amato, a Kansas William Allen White Award nominee.

Posted by Robin at 10:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The Ten
Ten stories inspired by the Ten Commandments. Includes a woman who falls for a ventriloquist's puppet, a guy who becomes a hero after falling out of a plane, and more, presented by a man who has to choose between his wife and his lover! With Adam Brody, Famke Janssen, Gretchen Mol, Oliver Platt, Paul Rudd, Winona Ryder, Liev Schreiber. (2007, 96 minutes, rated R)

Good Luck Chuck
Meet Charlie Logan. He's a good luck charm and women are guaranteed to find true love after they sleep with him. What seems like a blessing feels like a curse when he meets the girl of his dreams and does anything he can to break the curse. With Jessica Alba, Dane Cook, Dan Fogler. (2007, 99 minutes, rated R)

Mr Woodcock
Self-made success John Farley returns home to find that his worst nightmare, his junior high gym teacher, is dating his mom. With Amy Poehler, Susan Sarandon, Seann William Scott, Ethan Suplee, Billy Bob Thornton. (2007, 87 minutes, rated PG-13)

Persuasion (2007)
Adaptation of Jane Austen's novel about lost and found love. Anne is persuaded to reject a proposition of marriage from the man she loves due to his lack of fortune. Years later she is made the offer again. (2007, 93 minutes, not rated)

Saving Sarah Cain
A newspaper columnist returns home for her Amish sister's funeral and discovers that she is now the guardian of her five nieces and nephews. How will everyone adapt when she moves them out of their world and into her own? With Elliott Gould, Tess Harper, Lisa Pepper. (2007, 103 minutes, rated R)

Posted by Daniel at 12:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Michael L. Printz Award is a national award for a book that exemplifies literary excellence in young adult literature. It is named for a Topeka, Kansas school librarian who was a long-time active member of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). 

WINNER: The White Darkness by Geraldine  McCaughrean
Fourteen-year-old Symone's exciting vacation to Antarctica turns into a desperate struggle for survival when her uncle's obsessive quest leads them across the frozen wilderness into danger. A longer description can be found on this Graffiti post on survival tales.

HONOR AWARD: Dreamquake: Book Two of the Dreamhunter Duet by Elizabeth Knox
In this inventive and richly imagined finale of the Dreamhunter series, Tziga Hame discovers that he can enter the Place and share his dreams with other people. When he disappears, his daughter knows that the art of projecting dreams has turned sour--leaving a puzzle only she can unravel, a puzzle having to do with the very nature of the Place itself.
One Whole and Perfect Day by Judith Clarke
Lily feels both love for and embarrassment about her eccentric family: a grandmother with an imaginary friend, an ax-brandishing grandfather, a mother who brings home patients from the elder-care facility where she works, and an estranged older brother, Lonnie, who still can't seem to get his life together. Lily's wish to get one perfect day with her family is unexpected fulfilled.
Repossessed by A. M. Jenkins
Repossessed tells the comic story of Kiriel, a fallen angel who takes a vacation from his job as a tormentor to experience life as an American teenage boy.
Your Own Sylvia: A Verse Portrait of Sylvia Plath by Stephanie Hemphill
With photos and an extensive list of facts and sources, this biography-in-verse is a welcoming introduction to newcomers to Plath's work.

This year's winner and honor award winners are a bit of a surprise to me. The book I thought would win, didn't even get an honor award. And a couple of these, I've never heard of before. What do you think of the winners? Have you read any of them?

Posted by Michelle at 11:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Your vote counts. Watch local middle school students review Kansas William Allen White Award nominees. The Dr. Dyl Show includes interviews about Defiance by Valerie Hobbs and A Dog's Life: The Autobiography of a Stray by Anne Martin.

Posted by Robin at 01:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

With the writer's strike, it might be awhile before you get to watch a new episode of Heroes. In the meantime, feed your addiction by checking out one or more of these books. 

The most obvious choice is the graphic novel based on the TV series. Heroes. Volume 1 is on order, but you can place a hold on it already.  I hear it's fantastic!

So This Is How It Ends by Tui Sutherland
If you are intrigued by Peter (and other heroes) attempts to save the world from an apocalyptic future, try this one. In New York, Kali wakes to an empty subway car, and an even emptier city. Venus and Gus survive an earthquake in Los Angeles and realize they have to deal with more than just the aftershocks. In Chile, Tigre finds himself in an unfamiliar jungle, and strangely not alone. And Amon, in Egypt, can see his path but is blind to the full picture. These five teens are suddenly trapped in a seemingly deserted world. Why have they survived? What force—or intelligence—connects them? Drawn inexorably toward one another, they only know their future involves an experience outside anything they could have imagined and they will learn that they have the power to complete the destruction of Earth or to save it.

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
If you are hooked on the quests such as “save the cheerleader, save the world” or Hiro’s quest to re-establish the legendary acts of Kensei, try this one. Twelve-year-old Percy has always been considered a troubled boy, hopping from school to school. When his life is in danger, though, he is told the secret of heritage: he’s a demigod who seems to attract mythical monsters. He’s quickly shipped off to Camp Half-Blood Hill to learn more about the Greek gods and begin a quest to prevent war between the immortals. This is a wild, action-filled, tale full of humor.

Fade by Robert Cormier
Try this book if you are intrigued by the darker aspects of the series and the internal struggle of good vs. evil within individuals such as Niki and Sylar. This book is told by alternating narrators who describe three teen boys in three different decades who discover their family’s extraordinary power of invisibility. Their ability enables them to consider criminal acts of violence as well as peeping tom opportunities which will warp their personalities and change the lives of the people around them. This is a dark, seductive, gripping tale that will haunt you.

The Eyes of Kid Midas by Neal Shusterman
If Peter is the character you like the most and you are attracted to the struggle of good vs. evil but would like a lighter, much more comic read, try Shusterman’s book. He tells the story of one boy's struggle to control his thirst for revenge against a class bully as well as his desire for everything else. Atop the Divine Watch lies the key to the most awesome power imaginable--a pair of sunglasses that grant their wearer access to their every dream. But before Kevin Midas realizes it, his wishes are tearing his world apart.

Hero by Perry Moore
If Claire’s struggle to please her father, live under the radar, and still find a way to explore her abilities is the most compelling part of the series for you, then perhaps you’ll enjoy Hero. Thom Creed is used to being alone. Even though he's a high school basketball star, he still isn't accepted because of his father, Hal. Hal Creed was one of the greatest and most beloved superheroes of The League until the disastrous Wilson Towers incident. After that, Thom's mother disappeared and his proud father became an outcast. The last thing in the world Thom would ever want is to disappoint his father, so Thom keeps two secrets from him. The first secret is that he's gay. The second is that he has a superpower--the power to heal others. Initially, Thom has trouble controlling his powers without making himself ill. But with trial and error, he improves and is asked to join the League. Even though he knows it will upset his dad, Thom can't resist.

Hidden Talents by David Lubar
If you enjoy watching the characters discover and test their abilities, check out Lubar’s novel. Six kids shipped off to an alternative boarding school discover their misunderstood psychic talents are the cause of past and current problems. The six bond over their discovery and attempt to help each other control their abilities while keeping their abilities a secret.

If you have a suggestion for another Heroes-like book or you want to comment on my choices, post a comment!

Posted by Michelle at 02:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This Wednesday’s Website of the Week is www.etsy.com.  It’s a place to buy and sell anything handmade.  If you make any kind of craft, it’s easy to set up your own shop and sell your stuff.  They have everything from knitted socks to hand poured soap to toilet decals.  It’s easy to spend a lot of time browsing this website because they have a lot of ways to find exactly what you want.  You can view items by color, search for crafts made locally, or use their customized gift guides.  I think that my favorite feature is the Treasury section, where users can compile lists of their favorite items that follow a certain theme, like Pirates or Paris.  If you want to support some creative crafters by buying their unique stuff or just look at some crazy crafts, etsy.com is a fun website to visit. 

Posted by Lena at 11:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Announcing Youtube William Allen White nominee videos . . .

Wondering which book to read? Take a look at these creative Youtube videos starring Topeka area students as they review some of the William Allen White Award nominee books. Each year Kansas students (YOU) have the opportunity to read and vote for the best book in the 3-5 and 6-8 grade reading range. The nominated books, “the best of the best”, are chosen by a state committee for you to read and vote on through your schools and local librarians.

Leave a comment and let us know what you think!! Should we do more of these? Would you record one? If so which book would you pick? The new list for 2009 will be out soon!

Our first video features: Shakespeare's Secret by Elise Broach, On Estruscan Time by Tracy Barrett and Out of Order by Betty Hicks.

Stay tuned for Dr. Dyl Part 2 tomorrow . . .

Posted by Robin at 01:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Dragon Wars
A young girl has the power to make a giant serpent into a dragon that can only go to Heaven when she sacrifices herself. Now it is up to her reincarnated lover and his mentor to help her when the forces of evil try to claim her for themselves. With Jason Behr, Amanda Brooks. (2007, 90 minutes, rated PG-13)

Smiley Face
An actress eats some special cupcakes left by her psycho roommate, and then proceeds to repay a drug dealer, attend an audition, and replace the cupcakes that made her high. With Adam Brody, John Cho, Anna Faris, John Krasinski, Jane Lynch, Danny Masterson, Marion Ross, Danny Trejo. (2007, 85 minutes, rated R)

3:10 To Yuma
A captured outlaw and a Civil War veteran cross paths when the outlaw needs safe passage to the train taking him to prison and the veteran volunteers for the job. With Christian Bale, Russell Crowe, Peter Fonda, Gretchen Mol. (2007, 122 minutes, rated R)

Golden Door
Salvatore, a Sicilian peasant, and Englishwoman Lucy fall in love on a perilous trans-Atlantic journey to America. But neither is prepared for the realities of Ellis Island, where they'll stop at nothing to make it through the golden door into America. With Charlotte Gainsbourg. (2007, 118 minutes, rated PG-13)

Posted by Daniel at 12:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Don't forget these great previously reviewed books either:

Golden Compass by Philip Pullman. Read Graffiti review here.

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr. Read Graffiti review here.

Surviving Antarctica: Reality TV 2083 by Andrea White. Read Graffiti review here.

Rash by Pete Hautman. Read Graffiti review here.

Or the classic Narnian tale: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis.

Posted by Michelle at 10:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Teen book review 
This book is Monster, written by Walter Dean Myers. A young man named Steve Harmon is in this book. He writes about his time in prison. He has a notebook he writes in, and that talks about how he ended up in prison for a crime he did not do. People thought he did the crime, but some people did not. They had a big discussion in court about the situation. Some discussions he writes about in his notebook. Also, in his notebook he writes how he hates the life in jail, and he gets mad at the fact that no one believes him except his mother. When you read this book, the book just might be confusing. When he discusses his crime, in court, that is when the situation really gets confusing, because the judge and his lawyer get into this big discussion, and then they start talking to the other jail mates to see if Steve's story was true. This book is really interesting, because you do not know the surprising ending. He was also taught to make a movie in one of his classes at school, so that means he made this book as a movie.
Reviewed by teen: Heather

Posted by Gayle at 10:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Do you have a bunch of old T-shirts hanging in the back of your closet? We can help you turn your old shirts in to something new that you actually want to wear! Using tutorials from Megan Nicolay’s awesome book, Generation T: 108 Ways to Transform a T-Shirt, we will be making new shirts, tank tops, bags, and even a rug. You can make a ton of cool designs once you learn the basic techniques, so bring a few old T-shirts and a lot of creativity!

Posted by Lena at 01:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Do you make your own music? Do you like to sing or have your own band? Now is your time to shine! Showcase your talents in YALSA’s Teen Tech Week Promotional Song Contest.

The purpose of the contest is for teens to create a song that promotes libraries and their many technology resources to teens. Judges will be looking for content that promotes library technology and Teen Tech Week, well-written and audible lyrics, creative approach, and clear-sounding production quality. Teens may begin working on the contest immediately.

Teen Tech Week will be held during March 2 – 8, 2008. All contest materials are due on March 8, 2008 at midnight. Read the official rules and entry form, along with tips on how to get started here or visit the Teen Tech Web site at www.ala.org/teentechweek .

Posted by Lissa at 09:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)