Team Zombie or Team Unicorn?

Entertaining read? Check. Great cover art? Check. (Admit it, it's important!) Lots of zombies and unicorns? CHECK!

If you'd like to read something not so serious over winter break--something you can easily set aside and resume between distractions and read in any order... this book's for you!

Zombies vs. Unicorns is an anthology of irreverent short stories written by some of the most popular young adult authors around. Holly Black (Team Unicorn) and Justine Larbalestier (Team Zombie) began a debate on their respective blogs about which supernatural being is better. The debate went viral and soon the entire YA writing community seemed to be divided! Long story short--this turned into a book. Half the stories argue for zombies, half the stories argue for unicorns--leaving you, the reader, to decide this question "as old as time itself."


Before you decide, WATCH this video, VISIT the website, and READ the book! Then, let us know your ANSWER!

P.S. BRRRRR! It's not too late to curl up with a good book. Join our Winter Reading Program by using our easy online sign-up. All you need is your active Palatine Public Library card to participate. Read 800 pages by January 31 to earn coupons to local businesses; read 1,000 pages to be entered into a drawing for an AMC movie gift card. Everything is online, including your reading log. Happy reading!

Incarcerated in...Incarceron

Welcome to the world of Incarceron, a vast living prison from which only one person has ever escaped. It is the only place 17-year-old Finn can remember as home, other than brief flashes of memory from the Outside. Are those memories real or fake?

Claudia lives Outside and is the daughter of the fearsome Warden of Incarceron. Outside, everyone is forbidden to use modern technology and is forced to follow protocols of 18th century England. Even though she lives a life of luxury and privilege, nothing can make up for the fact that Claudia is about to be forced into a marriage of her father's choosing. Both Finn and Claudia are trapped in their own prisons with no hope of escape... until they each find a crystal key that links them together. Vowing to help the other escape, Finn and Claudia put everything at risk to find the door to freedom. What both don't realize is there is far more at risk than their own lives, as well as sinister plots they couldn't have imagined.

Sign up for Vampires in the MOVIES!

Do you like movies, pop culture, random trivia, bats AND vampires? Well, we have the perfect program for you!

On Tuesday, December 14, from 7:00-8:30 p.m., enjoy a fun program all about famous vampires in film. Watch short movie clips and learn about the legends and folklore behind these mysterious characters. Such as... why don't vampires have a reflection? Why can't vampires go out into the daylight? Why do they turn into bats? Why aren't they vegetarian? You'll be an expert when you leave and you might even take home a DVD!

For an added challenge, participate in an online contest on our facebook page for your chance to win a gift bag of vampire-themed books. This event is for both teens and adults. To register online, click here.

Hope to see you there!

Teen Review of Keeper

It's been awhile... hasn't it? Fortunately, we have something special to share!


Here's the latest book review written by Lawson K., an 8th grade student at Winston Campus and one of our Teen Advisory Board members.  


"I recently completed a phenomenal realistic fiction book, Keeper written by Mal Peet. It's about a reporter who interviews a world-famous soccer player, El Gato. Throughout the book, El Gato—which means "The Cat" in English—describes how he grew up in an impoverished village and became a great player. Keeper revolves around an important theme that is found in many realistic fiction books: coming-of-age. This is not about his physical age; it's about how mature El Gato becomes over a few short years.


The following quote portrays this very concept: “It is about respect,’ the old man said. ‘Respect. You know what this word means?’” I would rate this book a four and a half out of five for its seismic enjoyment quality. This simple read is something I would recommend to anyone who needs something to satisfy his or her reading crave."

Score!

Librarian's note: If you're in the mood for sports fiction with a mysterious spin, you'll love finding out the secret behind the great player, El Gato. Thanks for sending us your review, Lawson!


Have you read anything good lately? We'd like to know!