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August 18th, 2010

As I read Joy Fleishhacker's latest "Media Mania" column (see below), I couldn't help thinking of the old Batman television series that ran in the 1960s. It was the first television show I ever saw in color, and gawd, did I love the sound effects—THWACK! BIFF! OOOF! To paraphrase the superhero's illustrious sidekick, Robin, "Holy webcasts, Batman!" Have you seen SLJ's fall line-up? There are two Teen Buzzes (August 19, September 15) and two Nonfiction Buzzes (August 31, September 23). And there's something new and very exciting, a virtual summit, "ebooks: Libraries at the Tipping Point," which has tracks for public, school, and academic librarians. We're going to keep you busy and informed, 'cause that's our job.–Dodie Ownes, editor

IN THIS ISSUE

• College Completion Agenda 2010 Progress Report
  The College Board has just released its "College Completion Agenda 2010 Progress Report," and if you don't have time to shoulder through the full 282-page document, at least take a look at the 16-page executive summary. more » » » 
  
  
  
• From the Trenches
  Teens may be surprised to learn that I Know What You Did Last Summer; I, Robot; and Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy started out as books before they became full-length feature films. Comparing a book to its movie adaptation can create quite the discussion, especially if your favorite print pages have been left on the editing-room floor. Although movies can visually enhance a novel's images, I still stand by the saying that's on my favorite coffee mug, "Never judge a book by its movie." more » » » 
  
  
  
• WolframAlpha—Computational Knowledge Engine
  Once in a while, someone shares something with me that I'm completely blown away by and that just happened! WolframAlpha is a new online search engine. It's constantly evolving and it has the ability to track down answers, particularly for those queries that need to plumb statistical databases. Using it makes me feel like I'm seeing the web of the future. more » » » 
  

Game and Music Reviews by Young Adults

• Game and Music Reviews by Young Adults
  Two kinds of heat are featured this month, the first from dragons and the second from indie band Arcade Fire. While Dragon Quest is well-established, Arcade Fire has just been "discovered" by conventional media, though their first album was released in 2003. Both are sure to be popular with teens looking to kick back and enjoy the last few weeks of summer. more » » » 

Biddeford Book Ninjas—Book Reviews by Young Adults

• Biddeford Book Ninjas—Book Reviews by Young Adults
  The Ninjas have delivered a diverse set of reviews for this issue. We have everything from a look at krakens to an exciting techno-thriller. You'll also see that E. Lockhart's Ruby Oliver is back, and this time her problem is too many boyfriends. The reviewer of De Goldi's The 10 P.M. Question thinks fans of Perks of Being a Wallflower will go for it. Thank goodness there are still a couple weeks of summer reading time left! more » » » 

Media Mania: Book Tie-ins to High-Interest Movies, TV Shows, and More—Joy Fleishhacker

• Kapow! Scott Pilgrim Bounds from Graphic Novel to Silver Screen
  It's Love Story meets video-game action and comic book élan in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (PG-13), a motion picture adaptation of Bryan Lee O'Malley's award-winning graphic novel series published by Oni Press. Part eye-rolling slapstick, part old-fashioned romance, and part superhero flick, the movie mixes realism with frenetic fantasy and incorporates the sensibilities of a generation of viewers raised on Sonic the Hedgehog and Super Mario Bros. more » » » 
  
  
  

Seen and Heard

• Psst...Want to Win a Free Book?
  What teen doesn't have secrets? Your patrons will relate to Essie Green, the protagonist of Jenny Meyerhoff's new novel Queen of Secrets (FSG). Loosely based on the Biblical Book of Esther, this compelling novel is sure to be snatched off the shelves. Wouldn't you love to have a copy for your teens? more » » » 
  
  
  
• NOAA Photo Library
  Looking for a resource for great images for science projects and reports? The NOAA Photo Collection from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is virtually guaranteed to have everything your patrons or students need, and since the images are all in the public domain, they're copyright free. more » » »