Making the Right Decisions for College

Tuesday, February 3 7:00 - 8:00 PM
West Caldwell Public Library Community Room

Wondering if you should take the SAT or the ACT? Can't tell the difference between early decision and early action regarding your college application?

Join us for an informative talk with CollegeLink Consulting founder David Twersky as he provides advice on a number of college-related topics, including making the best choices on your path to college acceptance.

Open to high school students and their parents or guardians.

Register by calling 973-226-5441 or clicking HERE.

Teen Game Show Night January 27 @ 5:30

Think you've got what it takes to be a winning game show contestant?

Come to our Teen Game Show Night and play Family Feud and Minute to Win It games for prizes!

Open to teens in grades 6-12.

When: Tuesday, January 27 5:30-7:00 PM
Where: West Caldwell Public Library Meeting Room, 30 Clinton Road, West Caldwell NJ 07006

Call 973-226-5441 or click here for more info.

See you there!

New YA Books - January 2015

Ready to get energized and start on all those New Year's resolutions?!!!..........uh, maybe later. We've got a whole batch of new books to read!

Assassin’s Creed: Renaissance by Oliver Bowden

YA FIC BOWDEN

Betrayed by the ruling families of Italy, Ezio vows to exact his revenge and restore his family's honor by using the skills he has learned from such great minds as Da Vinci and Machiavelli to become a righteous assassin.

Monkey Wars by Richard Kurti  

YA FIC KURTI

When rhesus monkeys are brutally massacred on the streets of Kolkata by a troop of power hungry langur monkeys, a young langur soldier's life is changed forever.

There Will Be Lies by Nick Lake

YA FIC LAKE

Shelby Cooper has been overprotected by her single mother all her life but after a car accident, Shelby's mother steals her away from the hospital, revealing that Shelby's father is not dead, but rather a violent man who promised to hunt them down.

Hidden by Donna Jo Napoli

YA FIC NAPOLI

When a marauding slave ship captures her sister, Melkorka, Brigid is lost at sea but survives, disguised as a boy, and sets out to rescue Melkorka.

Isabel’s War by Lila Perl

YA FIC PERL

Twelve-year-old Isabel has no interest in the war in Europe until her family welcomes Helga, a German war refugee, into their home in the Bronx.

The Boy in the Black Suit by Jason Reynolds

YA FIC REYNOLDS

Soon after his mother's death, Matt takes a job at a funeral home in his tough Brooklyn neighborhood and, while attending and assisting with funerals, begins to accept her death and his responsibilities as a man.

The Ghosts of Heaven by Marcus Sedgwick

YA FIC SEDGWICK

Four linked stories begin with a Paleolithic-era girl who makes the first written signs, continue with Anna, who people call a witch, then a mad twentieth-century poet who watches the ocean knowing the horrors it hides, and concluding with an astronaut on the first spaceship from Earth sent to colonize another world.

X by Ilyasah Shabazz

YA FIC SHABAZZ

This riveting and revealing novel follows Malcolm X from his childhood to his imprisonment for theft at age twenty, when he found the faith that would lead him to forge a new path and command a voice that still resonates today.

We Should Hang Out Sometimes: Embarrassingly, A TrueStory by Josh Sundquist

YA BIOG SUNDQUIST

Josh Sundquist, a Paralympic ski racer and cancer survivor, never had a steady relationship. Was he a freak? Some sort of anti-social monster? To find out, he tracked down each of the girls he had tried to date since middle school and asked them straight up: What went wrong?

FDR and the American Crisis by Albert Marrin

YA 973.91 MAR

The definitive biography of president Franklin Delano Roosevelt for young adult readers. Follow Roosevelt from his early political career through his struggle with polio to his time as President during the horrific events of World War II.

Winter 2015 Teen Events @ the Library

If You Like....The Hunger Games

Looking for more heart-pounding reads like The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins? Try out some of these other books with murky futures, non-stop action, and strong characters you can cheer for! 

Graceling by Kristin Cashore (2008)

YA FIC CASHORE

In a world where some people are born with extreme skills called Graces, Katsa struggles for redemption from her own horrifying Grace, the Grace of killing, and teams up with another young fighter to save their land from a corrupt king.

The Selection by Kiera Cass (2012)

YA FIC CASS

America Singer is living in a caste-divided nation that formed after the war that destroyed the United States. America is chosen to compete in the Selection--a contest to see which girl can win the heart of a prince--but all she really wants is a chance for a future with her secret love, Aspen, who is a caste below her.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner (2009)

YA FIC DASHNER

Thomas wakes up with no memory in the middle of a maze and realizes he must work with the community in which he finds himself if he is to escape.

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers (2012)

YA FIC LAFEVERS

In fifteenth-century Brittany, Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage to the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain. There she learns that the god of Death has blessed her with dangerous gifts---gifts that will make her the perfect assassin.

Legend by Marie Lu (2011)

YA FIC LU

In a dark future when North America has split into two warring nations, fifteen-year-olds Day, a famous criminal, and prodigy June, the brilliant soldier hired to capture him, discover that they have a common enemy.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer (2012)

YA FIC MEYER

As plague ravages the overcrowded Earth, Cinder, a gifted mechanic and cyborg, becomes involved with handsome Prince Kai and must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect the world in this futuristic take on the Cinderella story.

The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness (2009)

YA FIC NESS

On an alien world where everyone can hear everyone else’s thoughts, Todd makes a disturbing discovery at a spaceship crash site and is soon on the run from a power-hungry tyrant with his dog and the ship’s mysterious occupant.

1984 by George Orwell (1949)

FIC ORWELL

One of the most influential dystopian novels ever written. Winston lives in a desolate, totalitarian society where every move he makes is watched by the Thought Police. Can he find the strength to escape the system and experience love and independence? 

Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer (2006)

YA FIC PFEFFER

When a meteor hits the moon, Miranda must learn to survive the unimaginable. Told in journal entries, this is the heart-pounding story of her struggle to hold on to hope in an increasingly desperate world.

Divergent by Veronica Roth (2011)

YA FIC ROTH

Beatrice must choose among five factions to define her identity for the rest of her life, a decision made more difficult when she discovers that she does not fit into any one group and that her “perfect” society is not perfect after all.

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater (2011)

YA FIC STIEFVATER

Returning champion Sean Kendrick competes against Puck Connolly, the first girl ever to ride in the annual Scorpio Races, a dangerous competition involving deadly water horses.

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld (2005)

YA FIC WESTERFELD

All Tally wants is to turn sixteen; on that day she will be transformed into a gorgeous “Pretty” whose only job will be to have a great time. But when her best friend runs away before the transformation, Tally must find her and turn her in….or never become pretty at all.

Other Authors You Might Like:

Jenna Black

Joelle Charbonneau

Cassandra Clare

Ally Condie

Jeanne DuPrau

Nancy Farmer

Lois Lowry

Lauren Oliver

Beth Revis

Neal Shusterman

New YA Books - December 2014

Check out some hot new YA reads for cold December days!

No Place to Fall by Jaye Robin Brown

YA FIC BROWN

Sixteen-year-old Amber Vaughn dreams of attending the North Carolina School of the Arts to pursue a dream of becoming a professional singer, but her family is falling apart and she is torn between two boys.

 

Top Ten Clues You’re Clueless by Liz Czukas

YA FIC CZUKAS

The day before Christmas, money goes missing from a donation box at GoodFoods Market. Chloe and five of her co-workers try to identify the thief as they are held in the break room until the police arrive.

 

The Princess of Thorns by Stacey Jay

YA FIC JAY

After ten years of exile among fairies who teach her to use her magically-enhanced strength and courage, Sleeping Beauty's daughter Aurora enlists the help of Niklaas, eleventh son of King Eldorio, in the fight to reclaim her throne.

The Number 7 by Jessica Lidh

YA FIC LIDH

When Louisa moves from North Carolina to her father's childhood home in Pennsylvania, a phone call from beyond the grave brings a buried family secret to life.

 

Now That You’re Here by Amy Nichols

YA FIC NICHOLS

When street smart graffiti artist, Danny, is jolted into a parallel world, only Eevee, an alluring science geek has the know-how to get him home. But as he falls for her, his motivation to leave dwindles. Part 1 of the Duplexity series.

Zodiac by Romina Russell

YA FIC RUSSELL

When a violent blast strikes the moons of Cancer, sending its ocean planet off-kilter and killing thousands of citizens, Rhoma Grace, a student from House Cancer, must convince twelve worlds to unite as one Zodiac against Ophiuchus, the exiled thirteenth Guardian of Zodiac legend.

The Perfectionists by Sara Shepard

YA FIC SHEPARD

Forging a friendship based on their mutual hatred of a philandering boy, five girls imagine a perfect way to kill him and must prove their innocence when he is killed in the exact manner they envisioned.

Diamond Boy by Michael Williams

YA FIC WILLIAMS

When Patson's family moves to Marange region of Zimbabwe, he begins working in the mines, searching for blood diamonds, until government soldiers arrive and Patson is forced to journey to South Africa in search of his missing sister and a better life.

Mindfulness for Teen Anxiety: A Workbook For Overcoming Anxiety at Home, at School and Everywhere Else by Christopher Willard

YA 155.5 WIL

Psychologist Christopher Willard offers teens proven-effective, mindfulness-based practices to help them cope with anxiety, identify common triggers (such as dating or school performance), learn valuable time-management skills, and feel calmer at home, at school, and with friends.

The Survival Guide for School Success: Use Your Brain's Built-in Apps to Sharpen Attention, Battle Boredom, and Build Mental Muscle by Ron Shumsky

YA 370.15 SHU

This book provides ten tools to improve executive functioning, described as "mental apps" that will appeal to digital natives. Featuring plenty of examples, practice assignments, and a playful tone, this book can provide an academic boost to any student.

Make Up: Your Guide to Beauty, Style and Success---Online and Off by Michelle Phan

YA 646.72 PHA

YouTube sensation Michelle Phan collects her best advice, stories, and lessons into a book her fans have been asking for. It includes her trademark beauty and style tips and tutorials, as well as stories from her life and advice on the topics her fans ask her about most.

The Babysitter’s Backpack by Rebecca Rissman

YA 649.1 RIS

Do you want to get started as a babysitter? Everything you need to know is right here! You'll learn about basic childcare skills, staying safe while babysitting, and starting your own babysitting business.

Teen Holiday Madness Program next Wednesday @ 5:30

Teen Holiday Madness is next Wednesday, December 17 at 5:30 PM!!!

Stop by and make a t-shirt t-bone dog toy to donate to a dog at the Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter this holiday season! Bring in a can or bag of wet or dry dog or cat food and be entered to win a prize!

We'll also have some cookie-decorating action, and tons of games.

Can't make the program but still want to make the craft? Stop by the youth services or reference desk and pick up a craft-to-go bag. It's got all the supplies you need to make the t-shirt t-bone!

For more info, email ya@westcaldwell.bccls.org call 973-226-5441.

Open to teens in grades 6-12. See you there!

International Games Day!

Do you have what it takes to be a game champion? 

We're celebrating International Games Day on Saturday November 15 with TWO Wii game tournaments and plenty of board games, card games, and more! 

For grades K-5: Mariokart Tournament starting at 10:00 AM.

For grades 6-12: Super Smash Bros. Brawl Tournament starting at 2:00 PM. 

The program is free and open to the public, but you MUST register if you'd like to compete. 

Sign up by calling 973-226-5441 or register online at http://tinyurl.com/WCPL-Events.

Location: West Caldwell Public Library Meeting Room, 30 Clinton Road, West Caldwell NJ 07006

New YA Books - November 2014

Check out some of these great new reads for November! 

The Stepsister’s Tale by Tracy Barrett

YA FIC BARRETT

Jane cares for her mother and sister until her stepfather dies, leaving nothing but debts and Jane's spoiled stepsister behind, but a mysterious boy from the woods and an invitation to a royal ball are certain to change her fate.

Heap House by Edward Carey

YA FIC CAREY

Young Clod is an Iremonger. He lives at Heap House, his family's mansion at the center of the Heaps, a vast sea of lost and discarded items. Each Iremonger has an odd gift and Clod’s is perhaps the oddest of all….he can hear all of the objects of Heap House whispering!

 

Michael Vey: Hunt for the Jade Dragon by Richard Paul Evans

YA FIC EVANS

Michael, Taylor, Ostin, and the rest of the Electroclan head to Taiwan in search of nine-year-old child prodigy Lin Julung, or Jade Dragon, who the Elgen kidnapped for Hatch's army of electric children.

The Jewel by Amy Ewing

YA FIC EWING

Violet, a poor girl from the outer city, finds forbidden romance and uncovers brutal secrets when, after three years of training, she is purchased by a royal family as a surrogate mother for royal children.

Vango: Between Earth and Sky by Timothee de Fombelle

YA FIC FOMBELLE

In a world between wars, a young man on the cusp of taking priestly vows is suddenly made a fugitive. Fleeing the accusations of police who blame him for a murder, as well as more sinister forces with darker intentions, Vango attempts to trace the secrets of his shrouded past and prove his innocence before all is lost.

Mortal Heart by Robin LaFevers

YA FIC LAFEVERS

Annith's worst fears are realized when she discovers that, despite her lifelong training to be an assassin, she is being groomed by the abbess as a Seeress, to be forever shut up in the convent of Saint Mortain.

Beware the Wild by Natalie C. Parker

YA FIC PARKER

A teen girl and her boyfriend must find her older brother after he wanders into their town's swamp and a mysterious girl appears in his place.

How It Went Down by Kekla Magoon

YA FIC MAGOON

When sixteen-year-old Tariq Johnson is shot to death, his community is thrown into an uproar because Tariq was black and the shooter, Jack Franklin, is white. Everyone has something to say, but no two accounts of the events agree.

Stronger Than You Know by Jolene B. Perry

YA FIC PERRY

After fifteen years of horrific abuse and neglect by her mother and her mother's boyfriends, Joy struggles to understand and accept a normal life with relatives, at school, and with a boyfriend.

I Love I Hate I Miss My Sister by Amelie Sarn

YA FIC SARN

Eighteen-year-old Sohane loves no one more than her beautiful, carefree younger sister, Djelila. And she hates no one as much. The two have always shared everything. But now, Djelila is embracing her life as a secular teen, and Sohane is becoming more religious in her Muslim faith.

UnDivided by Neal Shusterman

YA FIC SHUSTERMAN

The thrilling continuation of the UnWind Dystology series.Three teens band together to force the government to repeal horrific procedures in which unwanted teenagers are captured and are unwound into parts that can be reused for transplantation.

Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater

YA FIC STIEFVATER

Book 3 of the Raven Cycle. Blue Sargent has found things. She has friends she can trust, a group to which she can belong. The Raven Boys have taken her in as one of their own. The trick with found things though, is how easily they can be lost.

Slump by Kevin Waltman

YA FIC WALTMAN

Derrick "D-Bow" Bowman thought sophomore year would be easier, but his girlfriend Jasmine leaves him for putting too much focus on basketball, the jump shot he worked on all summer is not working, and his father has a heart attack, forcing Derrick to accept that basketball cannot be his only priority.

Bad Boy: A Memoir by Walter Dean Myers

YA BIOG MYERS

Bestselling author Walter Dean Myers travels back to his roots in the magical world of Harlem during the 1940s and 1950s. As a boy, Myers was quick-tempered and physically strong, always ready for a fight. He also read voraciously and aspired to be a writer. But growing up in a poor family, his hopes for a successful future diminished as he realized the class and racial struggles that surrounded him.

Dear Bully: Seventy Authors Tell Their Stories edited Carrie Jones and Megan Kelley Hall

YA 302.3 DEA

Discover how Lauren Kate transformed the feeling of that one mean girl getting under her skin into her first novel, how Lauren Oliver learned to celebrate ambiguity in her classmates and in herself, and how R.L. Stine turned being the "funny guy" into the best defense against the bullies in his class. Today's top authors share their stories about bullying in a collection at turns moving and self-effacing, but always deeply personal.