Super Sequels

Recently I have read a couple of sequels from two teen authors I really enjoy: Scott Westerfeld and Brent Crawford. Westerfeld's new book is called Behemoth and it is a sequel to his action-packed, alternate history steampunk novel Leviathan. Behemoth picks up right where Leviathan leaves off, continuing the story, so readers will definitely want to start with the first one if they haven't read it yet. Anyway, the premise is that Europe is gearing up for war between the Clanker states (Germany and its allies, whose inhabitants depend on steampunk-like machinery for technology and weaponry) and the Darwinist states (England and its allies, whose inhabitants depend on genetically modified animals for technology and weaponry). The focus is on two main characters: Alec, who is the son of the Austro-Hungarian archduke whose assassination triggered the beginnings of war, and Deryn, a girl who posed as a boy in order to join Britain's air force and fly on the Leviathan, a gigantic airship-like beast. So far I've been enjoying the series, but not as much as Westerfeld's Uglies or Midnighters series.

I have also read Carter's Big Break, a sequel to Brent Crawford's first book Carter Finally Gets It. I loved seeing Carter again, mainly because he is hilarious. He's fourteen years old and his youth and raging hormones prevent him from thinking clearly a lot of the time, with extremely funny results. I laughed out loud A LOT while reading the sequel. The world Carter inhabits is true to the high school experience (meaning, there is mature content in the book), so kids who don't mind that but would like a funny, true-to-life novel with a great main character should pick this one up.

We're a Five-Star Library!

I am delighted to report that Library Journal has listed Allerton Library (under its other name, Monticello Township Library) as a five-star library in its ranking system, which compares libraries of similar sizes all across the United States.

Library Journal took four factors into account when ranking libraries: circulation, visits, program attendance, and Internet use (all per capita, and all based on 2008 numbers). You can see the main page here, and you can see us in the list here, with our per capita scores listed out. We circulated 14.6 items per capita, had 87.9 visits per capita, had .52 program attendances per capita, and .69 Internet uses per capita.

Of course, the article stresses that none of these numbers reflect the quality of library service or patron experience--they reflect quantity only. But we like to think people come in because they like it here. Let's keep it going, everybody!

Construction Party

Join us this Saturday for a Construction Party here at the library building! The City of Monticello is bringing a backhoe to the parking lot, and kids will be able to climb in it, with a demonstration following. There will also be construction-related crafts and activities, such as making paper tool belts, building Popsicle stick houses, creating buildings from boxes, and playing with pretend hammers and nails. Today is the last day to sign up if you want to be sure to get a spot. Call us at the library or stop by. See you Saturday!

Youth Literature Festival

Come see me at the Youth Literature Festival on Saturday from 10-4 at the Krannert Center in Urbana! I'll be there meeting authors, taking part in all the activities, and volunteering to help host picture book author Jim Aylesworth! The event is free to all, including free parking underneath the Krannert Center.

This event will be so much fun. There will be music, storytelling, puppets, activities like bookmark making and illustration activities, and lots more. I LOVE getting signed books so I'm really looking forward to this. And did I mention it's free??