Join the PG My Gen Book Club

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh is pleased to collaborate with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette to provide young readers with the chance to enjoy and comment on some fun and thought-provoking books. Read more about it on the Post-Gazette website: My Generation Book Club.

September 2007

	Meyer, Stephenie Eclipse Completing the tale begun in Meyer’s Twilight, this thrilling novel finds Bella, Jacob and Edward fighting unknown foes and struggling to sort out their complicated relationships.
	Henson, Heather The Vampire Bunny Based on James Howe’s Bunnicula, this version for beginning readers introduces Harold the dog, Chester the cat and the new pet that they fear just might be a monster.

July 2007

Harry Potter's adventures will be coming to an end later this month. But how will things turn out for everyone's favorite wizard? And what are folks doing to prepare for the big moment? The Post-Gazette wants to know. So click on over to the My Generation Book Club and answer these questions by July 17th:

• What is your favorite "Harry Potter" book and why?
• Except for Harry, who is your favorite character and why?
• Author J.K. Rowling has announced two characters will die in the last book. Who are they, and why will they meet their doom?
• What's your next must-read after "Harry Potter" ends?
• What would you like to see Rowling write about next?
• Where do you plan to be and what will you be doing at 12:01 a.m. July 21, when "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" becomes available?

And if you're stumped for an answer to number four, don't forget to check the new book shelves at your local library where Potter Mania is in full swing.

June 2007

Whether they're on the silver screen, in comic books or flying high in our imaginations, most of us find superheroes fascinating. The MY GEN picks for this month offer an intriguing crop of heroes and villains to entertain readers of all ages.

	McLeod, Bob SuperHero ABC From A to Z, comic book artist McLeod has created a quirky superhero for each letter of the alphabet. This amusing alphabet book is definitely not just for little kids.
	Vaughan, Brian K. Runaways: Pride and Joy Sure, most kids think their parents are evil-but what if they really were? This is the first volume about a group of teens who face the truth about their families and try to set things right, superhero style.

May 2007

Whether you're angling to be queen or think the whole thing is a colossal waste of time and money, prom is one of the primary rites of spring. This month's feature book for teens on MY GEN takes a humorous look at this annual ritual while the book for younger children is just plain humorous.

	Anderson, Laurie Halse Prom Philadelphia teen Ash couldn’t care less about her high school prom—until an unscrupulous teacher embezzles the funding for it and her prom-crazy friends turn to her for assistance.
	Pennypacker, Sara Clementine  Illustrated by Marla Frazee. Clementine is a typical third grader, that is if your idea of typical is a mixture of Judy Moody, Ramona and Junie B. Jones with plenty of her own unique personality rolled into the mix. She’s just the kind of girl who might grow up to find herself in a predicament like Ash’s—and who’d have the bright ideas to get herself out of it.

April 2007

April is National Poetry Month -- but don't panic. Poetry can be easy and fun--and it can also be hip and cool. Don't believe me? Try these two Post-Gazette picks and see for yourself.

	Prelutsky, Jack Behold the Bold Umbrellaphant Odd animals cavort across the pages in funny poems and imaginative illustrations. Don't miss the Ballpoint Penguins.
	Grimes, Nikki Bronx Masquerade Poems written from different points of view capture the voices of high school students and weave together to paint a picture of contemporary urban teen experience.

March 2007

This month MY GEN is all about dragons, so of course excitement and adventures abound.

	Cowell, Cressida How to Speak Dragonese, By Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III Brains battle brawn as Hiccup, scrawny son of a Viking chief, tries to outwit a band of marauding Romans intent on kidnapping the local dragons.
	Paolini, Christopher Eragon The first book in the Inheritance Trilogy, Eragon has already been made into a film and developed an enthusiastic following.

February 2007

February is Black History Month. Don’t miss these MY GEN titles for a look at the African-American experience in the past—and today’s world, too. For more information on these books, visit the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Celebrating Black History.

	Woodson, Jacqueline Show Way Illustrated by Hudson Talbott A “Show Way” is a kind of quilt. How the women in one family learned to make quilts, how the quilts were used in the quest for freedom and the thread of love and hope that runs through the family are beautifully illustrated in words and pictures.
	Flake, Sharon G. Who Am I Without Him?: Short Stories about Girls and the Boys in their Lives Pittsburgher Flake creates true-to-life stories of families, relationships and the complicated, urgent world of adolescence.

January 2007

	Barrows, Annie Ivy & Bean Illustrated by Sophie Blackall. Despite their apparent differences, a wonderful friendship springs up between energetic Bean and her new neighbor, Ivy in this first title in a contemporary series for early chapter book readers.
	Brashares, Ann Forever in Blue: The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood Fans have been eagerly awaiting the fourth installment in this popular series about four teen friends. Check out the other three: Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, The Second Summer of the Sisterhood, Girls in Pants.

December 2006

Two very different books are featured this month.

	Robinson, Barbara The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Robinson’s holiday classic takes a decidedly humorous look at holiday traditions.
	Le Guin, Ursula Gifts Le Guin’s thoughtful novel explores the notion that not all gifts are benign and creates a complex world in which tradition plays a strong role.

November 2006

This month's selections explore the future.

	Pretties by Scott Westerfeld You can also read the companion books in this Sci-Fi trilogy: Uglies and Specials. Go to his website www.scottwesterfeld.com to read more about him and his books.
	Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix Luke is an illegal, thus hidden, third-born child in a society that limits families to two children. If you enjoy this book, check out other titles in the Shadow Children Series.

October 2006

October's PG My Gen Book Club selections are The Librarian of Basra by Jeanette Winter and Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi.

	The Librarian of Basra: a True Story from Iraq by Jeanette Winter Read more about how author/artist Jeanette Winter wrote The Librarian of Basra.
	Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi Read what Marjane Satrapi has to say about her book and to read a brief excerpt from Persepolis.

September 2006

	Frindle by Andrew Clements For more information about author Andrew Clements, check out his website at www.AndrewClements.com.
	Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli Read more about Pennsylvania author Jerry Spinelli at www.JerrySpinelli.com and My Gen Book Club Author Q&A: Jerry Spinelli

To submit a review to the Post-Gazette, please write no more than 300 words and e-mail your submission to mygen@post-gazette.com.

If you're looking for more great reads, check out the recommended titles in the Book Nook (http://www.carnegielibrary.org/kids/booknook/) or ask your local librarian for suggestions.

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