Free Comic Book Day!! Free Comic Book Day!!

This is the single day when comic book stores (and some libraries) across the county and around the world give away comic books free to anyone who comes into their stores. Crush Comics in Castro Valley and Comic Shop in San Leandro will be participating. So check them out.

We may have some free comics to keep too, so stay tuned for more information. Of course, the library always has free comics to borrow. Check out the wide selection in the teenspace under Dewey number 741.5.

Book Review: Before I Die

Before I Die
By Jenny Downham

Tessa’s got cancer and it’s not getting better. Knowing she’s going to die, she makes a list of 10 things to do before that fateful day. She’s never had a boyfriend, so guess what’s on the top of her list. But how does she make this happen under the watchful eyes of her protective father? Her friend Zoey can help and soon, she’s checked off number one. But somehow that’s not enough to satisfy the void within Tessa. So it’s on to number two. The tasks on her list are sometimes dangerous, sometimes irresponsible but always thoughtful. Tessa’s illness is something she has to deal with alone -- even with a supportive family -- and this book conveys that feeling well. At such a young age, it may be hard to think of the end of life, but this book makes you wonder: given the same circumstances what would I do? What would be important to me?


Click here to find Before I Die in the library catalog

Calling all Music Fans

So you always wanted to go to the Coachella music festival in Indio, CA, but it's a little far and there's no way your parents would let you go anyway. Well here's your opportunity to see the concert online. AT&T blue room will broadcast the the live shows here. The fun begins at 12:30 p.m. tomorrow and runs through Sunday.

National Poetry Month: Books Written in Verse

There are a bunch of books at the library that are written like poetry. Some are written in free verse, and others, like Keesha's House, use specific forms of poetry to write each of the chapters. Reading these books is a good way to get a dose of poetry and fiction at the same time. And since it's National Poetry Month, that's a double good thing.

Here are some of the YA Books we have at Hayward (titles link to the library catalog):

One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies

Sold

Out of the Dust

The Realm of Possibility

Song of the Sparrow

Street Love

Burned

Anime at the Library + Jeopardy Too!!!

There's an extra Tuesday in April, so we're going to do something extra special. We're going to show Anime. Applause. Applause. After the showing in the meeting room - Tuesday, April 22, 2008, 3:30 p.m. - stick around for Anime Jeopardy. Test your knowledge on Anime trivia and win cool prizes, like posters of your favorite manga characters.

Book Rec: Art for Arts Sake

The Plain Janes
By Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg

Jane was the victim of a bomb attack in Metro City. Her parents are frightened by the city after the attack and they move to the suburbs. Jane is ready for change too. She cuts her hair and colors it black and begins searching for a new set of friends. At her new school, she’s approached by the popular girl, but declines her friendship. Instead, she happens upon a group of outcasts who are all also named Jane. Since she’s having a hard time fitting into the regular school clubs, she comes up with an idea to create art installations in odd places and convinces her new friends to go along with it. They call themselves P.L.A.I.N. (people loving art in neighborhoods). This is a story about what happens when a group of teens start expressing themselves and even start inspiring others. The story is written in graphic novel format.

Click here to find The Plain Janes in the library catalog

Book to Movie

Several books will be made into movies this year. Be sure to read them here before going to the theaters:

Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (3/16/2008)
Inkheart (3/19/2008)
The Second Summer of the Sisterhood (8/8/2008)
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (11/21/2008)
The City of Ember (10/10/2008)
Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist (10/3/08)
Twilight (12/12/08)

Movies for these books have been announced but no release dates are set:

Uglies
Maximum Ride, Book 1
A Great and Terrible Beauty

Tuesday Craft: Suede Leather Lacing

Come make a necklace or bracelet with cool suede leather lacing. Come up with your own design or follow some simple patterns that will be provided. You could make something like this....

The fun starts Tuesday, April 15, 4 p.m., in the main library meeting room on the second floor. Hope to see you there.

Unknowing Criminal or Child Killer?

Right Behind You

By Gail Giles

The neighbor boy was over at Kip’s house bragging about his new baseball glove. Kip was in a bad mood and just wanted the boy to go away. Frustrated, he doused the glove with gasoline - while the boy was wearing it - and then set it on fire. The fire consumed the boy’s body and three-days later he was dead. Kip is 9-years-old and is sentenced to a mental institution for the crime. Meanwhile, his father is harassed by people in town who think Kip deserves more punishment. After four years, Kip is released and the family moves to Indiana under new identities. Wade starts to build a new life, but struggles to forgive himself for what he did and has trouble keeping his past a secret. The book follows three chapters of Kip’s life from his institutionalization, to life in Indiana and then to Texas, where Wade still struggles to come to terms with what he did. This book tackles questions of sentencing for young criminals and delves into the deep topic of forgiveness. It comes highly recommended.

Click here to find Right Behind You in the library catalog

Oh, James......Twilight Movie Mania

MTV has a an interview with Ashley Greene, aka Bella, in the upcoming (o when, o, when?) Twilight movie.

Can't get enough? The author, Stephenie Meyer, has a whole page dedicated to the movie on her website.