Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Book Review: Side Effects by Amy Goldman Koss

Isabelle, or Izzy as she is know, is going about her regular high school life until in the course of a day, her life changes dramatically. This is the day that she goes to a doctor’s appointment because she has swollen glands and a cold that won’t go away. Even as she leaves the doctor’s office and the hospital, where she goes for a quick test, she and her mother are unaware that anything is wrong. But then the phone rings with news that something is very wrong and she needs to go back to the hospital right away.

What follows is Izzy’s uphill battle with stage IV Hodgkin’s Lymphona. Luckily, the preface inside the book reassures us that Izzy will make it. (I hope I am not giving too much away). Much of the story focuses on Izzy’s treatments and how she gets through them. Side Effects also let’s us see how Izzy’s family and friends are affected by her cancer, and we are treated to the beginnings of a romance between Izzy and Andy, a straight A student who helps her get back on track at school.

All and all this book is a good solid read, and at 143 pages, a fast read. I would recommend it to anyone looking for an interesting problem novel.





Friday, November 13, 2009

Find Teen Holiday Programs at Your Library on the Event Calendar

Find out what activities are going on for Teen and Tweens at the library.
Please join us for a Scavenger Hunt and Party in the Library!
You can win great prizes then enjoy a Holiday Feast!
When: Friday, December 11th 2009
5:00-7:00pm
Grades 6+
(No Younger Siblings Please)
Drop Off- Chester County Library Front door
Pick Up- Library Back Door
Please register by Thursday, December 10th
Include the number of people coming
Register by phone: (610) 280-2632
E-mail: TLC@ccls.org

Tuesday, November 03, 2009

Cirque du Freak hit the theatres October 23rd


It seems like YA books are always being adapted into movies. Let’s check out the latest book at the movies : Cirque du Freak.



Cirque du Freak by Darren Shan.
As the story begins Darren Shan and Steve “Leopard” Leonard are best friends who are lucky enough to get tickets to attend an illegal circus. They both love novels and comics about vampires and wolfmen. At the circus they see a show staring a large spider named Madam Octa and man Steve believes to be a vampire, Mr. Crepsley. Is Mr. Crepsley a vampire? Will Darren and Steve betray one and other? Can the spider be stolen and controlled?


This is just the beginning of the first book of a twelve book series , The Saga of Darren Shan. On October 23rd the film Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant was released in theatres. This film is based on the first three books in the seires: Cirque du Freak, The Vampire’s Assistant, and Tunnels of Blood all by Darren Shan.