Happy Valentine's Day!

It's been too long since my last post, but the weeks since Christmas have flown by in our busy library. There are dozens of great new titles being released and I'm trying to keep up. If you have a recommendation for a book for our collection, please let me know, here or in person. This seems to be the year for finishing trilogies; I've just received the final books for each of the following series:

Enclave by Ann Aguirre  (Horde)
Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi (Into the Still Blue)
Pure by Julianna Baggott (Burn)
Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick (Monsters)
Tempest by Julie Cross (Timestorm)
Shatter Me by Tehera Mafi (Ignite Me)


In the next few months, we'll see the third books for these popular series:

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
Ashfall by Mike Mullen
Blood Red Road by Moira Young
Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne

This is just a taste of the new books. Come in and see them all.

The new bookmarks are here and are proving to be just as popular as the last batch. We'll have one more contest for the artists in the school to design bookmarks in the last term.

Melanie Ray, a professional story-teller, visited the library yesterday to share some tales of the Middle Ages with a particular emphasis on the stories found in Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales. As always, her audience of senior students was whisked away to other times and lands for an enchanting hour.

Happy Holidays!

What a lovely start to the holidays! The snow day felt like a gift - a slow day for wrapping gifts, reading, napping, and enjoying the fall of lazy flakes from a quiet sky.

The Bookmark Contest was a success. Kody, Kayliegh, Danica, Megan, Jordyn  and Loveleen created amazing tiny works of art which will be available in the new year.

This is just a quick post for now. I'll be back soon with a list of new books which will be ready to borrow when you all return to HPSS. Hint - Manga fans will be very happy.

The winner is...

Harveer Sekhon won the Divergent boxed set. Congratulations, Harveer, and thank you to all who participated. We've got some terrific new reviews. The next contest will be a new Design a Bookmark contest. Listen to the announcements for the start of this competition.

NOVEMBER CONTEST!

The library is hosting an exciting contest for November. The prize is a box set of the Divergent trilogy in hardcover - many of you have loved this series, now you have the chance to own all three books to read or reread at your leisure. To enter, all you have to do is write a review of any book and submit it to Ms. Schmor in the library. You can submit it in person or by email to Christine.schmor@mpsd.ca. Names of entrants will go into a draw that will take place on Thursday, November 21st at 3:30 pm. You can write up to four reviews for four chances to win. Good luck!

HOW TO WRITE A REVIEW***************************************

Your reviews do not have to be lengthy. You should begin with an introduction to the main characters, the setting and the plot. Set the scene and hint at future twists, but no spoilers please. If you know the genre or type of literature (paranormal, fantasy, romance, mystery, thriller, science fiction, humour, survival, dystopian, steampunk, relationship issues etc.) make mention of it.

Next, explain what you most liked about the novel. Try to be specific and provide examples where you can. If you simply say the story was interesting, you're not telling us much. But if you describe the characters as multi-dimensional, realistic and compelling and the plot as original, suspenseful and surprising, we have a much more clear impression. You can mention some weaknesses at this point, but they should not overshadow the novel's strengths.

Finish with a recommendation. What kind of reader would be most drawn to this story? Is the novel appropriate for a certain age group or for anyone? Does the novel put forward an important theme or lesson about life? Is this a series book that will have readers looking for the sequels? Is this a book that will change a reader's life?

The book you've been waiting for.... ALLEGIANT

 

Yes, it is finally here. Those of you who have been dying to know what happens to Tris and Four can now finish the Divergent series with the long-awaited Allegiant. We have two copies that are out with readers right now, but we have more coming next week. Here's a look at the upcoming movie.

MORE READALIKES!

I've just listed some readalike titles for the  Conspiracy 365 series and John Green's novels on the " If you like, you should try" page. Take a look!

House of Hades is in the library!

One of the most eagerly anticipated sequels has arrived! The House of Hades, book four of The Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan, has already been snatched from the shelves and the early student reviews are excellent. We have 3 copies of what appears to be a fast read - no putting this one down- so you shouldn't have to wait too long for your turn at the adventures.