Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman

I recently "read" Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman (I listened to the audio version) and I can't get this amazing book out of my mind. If you are interested in mental illness or schizophrenia in particular, you need to read this book. It really helped me see how a young man (14 year old Caden Bosch) slowly sinks into a delusional world and totally looses all sense of reality. Based partly on the experiences of the Shusterman's son, who is also the book’s illustrator, this story will captivate you. Beware, it is a little confusing as you go through Caden's delusional journey, but stick with it and I think you won't be sorry.

Laurie Halse Anderson, award-winning author of Speak, calls Challenger Deep "a brilliant journey across the dark sea of the mind; frightening, sensitive, and powerful. Simply extraordinary."

National Book Award and Golden Kite Award Winner

For more information about Challenger Deep:

Interview with Neal Shusterman, Challenger Deep, 2015 National Book Award Winner, Young People's Literature

Five questions for Neal Shusterman

What are you going to be when you grow up? Here area some career ideas!

I just found this on Colquitt County High School's guidance department's website. They had a share button, so I figured that gave me permission to share it. There's a lot of information, dig in and get some great ideas for the future!  Click the "View on Symbaloo" to view the entire grid.

Book Recaps, Rapid Reviews, and Series Lists!

Have you ever checked out a book only to realize it was a sequel to a another book in a series? Well, that just happened to me. As I was looking for a synopsis of the first book,  I just discovered a wonderful website: Book Series Recaps. Not only can you get recaps of books, you also can read reviews and get series lists. I will definitely be going to this site again and again, it's a great go-to if you are a serious reader or just if you want to know the next book in a series.  Book Series Recaps - So what happened in book one?

A Very Different World

Did you know that October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month?  We all need to think about how safe we are online and what technology is doing to our freedom and security.

For more information, this is a good website, StaySafeOnline.org

I have Firefox on my computer at home and this morning I came across this video:



There's a lot of food for thought here and this topic is sure to come up again and again. Don't take your privacy and freedom for granted! 

Teen activities @ NCRL

October Events for Teens! 

Teen Book Club!

Teen Book Club next meeting: Thursday, October 13th at 6:00 pm at the Wenatchee Public Library. We will be discussing Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs. Teens can still pick up a copy of the book from the Wenatchee Public Library front desk. 

The Teen Book Club is for teens in middle and high school and meets once a month on the second Thursday of each month. Pizza is provided at meetings! 

Star Wars Reads!

The Wenatchee Public Library will be participating in the Star Wars Reads program this year!On October 14th we will be having Star Wars themed activities all day long (9:00 am-6:00 pm) at the library. This includes special book displays, a costume contest, Star Wars themed crafts and more! Attached are a couple posters.

Meet Michael Vey!

Have you met Michael Vey?  This popular series stars Michael Vey, an ordinary fifteen year old boy with extraordinary electric powers. Come to the CHS Library and check the first book of the series, The Prisoner of Cell 25, out and hopefully you'll want to read all six books.  The last book of the seven book series will come out soon. To check out the series website, click here. 

Banned Book Week: Sept. 25 - Oct. 1, 2016

Did you know next week is:

AMENDMENT IEssays »

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Celebrate your freedom to read!

2016 Fall Readers @ CHS featuring KIZOA movie software

Fall readers 2016 - Kizoa Video Editor - Movie Maker

Please consider reading . . . Evergreen Teen Book Award nominees

Did you know if you read at least two nominees from the Evergreen Teen Book Award list, you can vote in March for your favorite and be a part of this huge book award process in our state? Please consider checking them out this year and remember to vote later in the spring. There's lots of variety and something for everyone. See the display near the Career Center office window and check one out today!

WELCOME BACK TO A NEW SCHOOL YEAR!

Well, it's September again, welcome back to CHS and specifically to the LIBRARY!

I read a few books this summer, but my favorite was These Shallow Graves by Jennifer Donnelly, The book was a great mix of romance, historical fiction (set in the late 1800's in New York City) and mystery. I enjoyed the author's other book, A Northern Light, as well.  What did you read this summer? Please comment below and let us know!

 

Alice Cooper - School's Out - See you next year!

I hope you have a safe and fun summer, see you in the fall!

Do me a favor, please read something this summer, thanks.

Seniors: Are you College Ready???

I came across this infographic this morning and found it to be very interesting. I think you will also.

Did you know about the free summer audiobook program from NCRL?

I just found out about this program that started last week through the North Central Regional Library. You can download two free audiobooks per week now through August 17th. I hope you take advantage of this! 

Click here for link to AudioFile

I just discovered KIZOA!!!

KIZOA test movie - Kizoa Video Editor - Movie Maker

I had some time this Friday afternoon to try something new I just discovered: KIZOA, a free online movie maker. This is just a very quick example, there's a lot more you can do with this app. 
Try it, you'll soon be addicted!

3Strands - CNN Freedom Project Everyday In Cambodia

Mrs. Gemienhart's 9th grade Honors English class is reading Sold by Patricia McCormick. They are using ths video for part of their studies about human sex trafficking, a huge global problem.

Take a break from technology, get outside - It's springtime!

We all need to take a break from technology at times. For me, getting outside in our beautiful area is the best. You can't stay inside all the time. Last week I hiked above the hills of Cashmere and Wenatchee plus paddled around Three Lakes with my friend Shelley who also is a high school librarian. Fun times! 

AND THE WINNER OF THE EVERGREEN TEEN BOOK AWARD IS . . . .

Congratulations to this year's winner: The 5th Wave by Rick Yancy!!

After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.

Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie’s only hope for rescuing her brother—or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender.

 http://www.the5thwaveiscoming.com/books

TIME TO VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE!

VOTE HERE ONLINE

9th Grade Honors English: Good books to read!

Did you know we have an English Wiki?

The 9th grade Honors English class recently read books and wrote reviews on our CHS English Wiki. You can find the link on the CHS Libary webpage or click here. I wanted to do something with their book suggestions and eventually came up with this book trailer.

AUTHOR VISIT: DEVRI WALLS!

 Devri Walls came on Feb. 29th to speak to several English classes. We had a great time listening to her inspirations and how she became an author of fantasy books for young adults. I think the classes really enjoyed her talk, I know I did!

Mrs. Walls described the design process of her book covers and how she works with a Photoshop artist to come up with the branded covers of her book series. She also went over all the related careers in the book industry including book agents, copy editors, publicists, digital artists and photographers.  Mrs. Walls has a acting and musical background, and even though she wouldn't sing for us, she kept everyone's attention with her animated talk.  Mrs. Walls visited several high schools in the area that week.

During 1st and 4th blocks Mrs. Walls met with several student writers and went over their work. Here she sat with junior Elyssa Corbaley and goes over Elyssa's latest story. The students really got a lot out of her suggestions and comments. 

Devri admitted, "I really loved the way you altered the set up and let me sit down with the kids. I was so nervous at first but it worked beautifully and I have to say it was one of my favorite parts of the week. Hopefully the students enjoyed it as well." 

I hope we have the chance to have Devri Walls visit our school again.

AVID speaker: Mr. Bart Vandegrift

We has the privilege of hearing Mr. Bart Vandegrift, the Chelan County Court Commissioner today, for the AVID speaker of the week. Mr. Vandegrift has been an appointed judge for the juvenile and family court for the past 17 years. I really liked his words of wisdom that he presented today:

1. If you're not a genius, work harder.

2. Make friends with inspirational people.

3. Get out of your comfort zone.

4. READ READ READ 

(and no, I didn't pay him to say that!) He encouraged the students to read everything they enjoy and then try something new. Wow, I couldn't have said it better. 

We have an author coming!!

I have some exciting news: on February 29th Devri Walls, a YA fantasy author from Idaho, will be here to share with some of our English classes. I have purchased five of her books and they will be available after she speaks.

Here are her books. The Wings of Arian, Wings of Lomay, Wings of Tavea and Wings of Nestor are all in the Solus Series.  The Wizard's Heir is a stand alone title. I hope you get to hear her, she should be very interesting. She visited Quincy High School last year and they enjoyed her so much they invited her back this year. She added more high schools in our area on her tour. If you are a writer, be sure to speak to Mrs. Gemeinhart so you can be a part of a group of student writers who spend some time with Devri Walls.

The 5th Wave - Official Trailer #1 (Chloe Grace Moretz & Nick Robinson)

On Friday, January 22, 2016, the movie based on Rick Yancey's popular book, The 5th Wave, will be released and should be popular to CHS students as this book has been heavily checked out since we got our first copy in 2013. Watch the trailer for a glimpse of this tension filled movie:

The 5th Wave is also one of the Washington State Evergreen Teen Book Award nominees for this school year. If you read at least two of the nominees, you qualify to vote for your favorite. I predict The 5th Wave will be a big contender for this year's award. Watch for ballots in March to vote.