Next week’s the big finale! Thanks to all for coming out to the sessions.

Alex Rider: Point Blank by Anthony Horowitz
When an investigationinto a series of mysterious deaths leads agemts tp am elite prep school, MI6 assigns Alex Rider, fourteen year old somewhat reluctant spy, yet again, on the case. Before he knows it, Alex is stuck in a remote boarding school high atop the Swiss Alps with the sons of the rich and powerful, and something feels wrong. Very wrong. These former juvinile delinquets have turned into well behaved, studious, and identical, overnight. It’s up to Alex to figure out who is the mastermind behind this plan, before they find him. The clock is ticking, is Alex’s luck about to run out?
look out for Skeleton Key, in your library.

Elissa’s Odyssey book 2 in the Phoenix Rising trilogy by Erica Verrillo
Elissa has escaped the evil clutches of the greedy Khan with the help of the Blue People, and her best friend Maya, and now longs to be reunited with her father. But when she becomes seperated from Maya and her faithful donkey, Gertrude, Elissa embarks on a perilous voyage to get back to them. During her adventures with the colorfyl crew of the rickety craft called the swamp maiden inclyding a fiery young count with a shadowy past, Elissa faces increasingly confounding questions” What is this mysterious weapon that has the power of lightning? Is an unseen hand leading her to others with Gifts of their own? Why is her Gift growing in power, and will she be able to master it before it masters her?

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
ARE YOU A GIFTED CHILD LOOKING FOR SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES? the add in the paper stated. Whe this unusual ad appears, dozens of children enroll to take a series of mysterious mindbending tests. But in the end, just four very special children will succeed. Reynie, ‘Sticky’, Kate, and Constance. Their challenge: go on a secret mission that only the most intelligent and resourceful children could complete. To accomplish it they will have to go undercover at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, where the only rule, is that there are no rules.

Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen
“Ruby, where is your mother?” with that question from the social worker, Ruby knows the game is up. She’s been libing alone in the yellow house, waiting out the months until she turns eighteen and can finally be on her own legally. It certainly wasn’t her plan to ve reunited with Cora the sister who left ten years earlier, and brought to live with Cora and her wealthy entrepreneu husband.
Suddenly life is transformed: a luxurious house, private school, new clothes, and even a chance of a future Ruby couldn’t even hae dreamed of. So why is she wary, unable to be grateful, incapeable of letting anyone close? Her old life has veen left behind, but where does she fit in this new life? Only Nate, the genial, popular boy next door, seems to understand, perhaps because he’s hiding a few secrets of his own.

Go here to view a handful of photos from last week’s event.

Cameron has reviewed of Tales For The Midnight Hour: Stories of Horror By J.B. Stamper. Sounds like a scary one, eh? Darci has written another review as well. This time she takes on The Kite Fighters by Linda Sue Park.

Join us on Wedenesday of this week for fun with digital video and music. In addition to our book discussions we’ll playing with free music creation software, shooting and editing some video, and uploading things to YouTube.

Megan has posted three new reviews over at her blog which can be read by clicking here. They’re for Princess Ben,  Th1rteen R3asons Why, and The Rules of Survival. Darci has did more writing as well. Her review for Trenton Scott Lee’s The Mysterious Benedict Society can be read at here.

Everyone had a blast this week playing Rock Band and learning a bit about video game history. Two brave souls even took the mic to sing! I’ll soon have a few pictures up from the event.

Next week we will be discussing Digital Video and Audio.

Recording the podcast.

Watering our newly planted Butterfly Bushes.

All these were sent in by Megan E.

Title- Maximum Ride 1- the Angel experiment
Author- James Patterson
Main Characters- Max, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gazzy, Angel, Ari, and Jeb.
Plot- Her full name: Maximum Ride. She’s 98% human, 2% bird, and that
girl can FLY! Her missions:
Protect her flock, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, and Gasman
Rescue Angel from a pack of whacjob, crazed, inhumane scientists
Infiltrate a secret facility and track down their parents
Figure out what she really feels about FangGer revenge on the one
perosn she thought she could trust
Discover the best chocolate-chip cookie in New York City
Save the whole freaking world for crying out loud!
Well, not in that order of course.
Setting- New York City, the School, Arizona, and the whole country!
Liked best about it- Um, I dunno. It’s a thrill with rockin
characters, and a hang on tight story
date sent- June 29

Title- Maximum Ride 2- Schools out forever
Author- James Patterson
Main Characters- Max, Fang, the Flock, Total, Jeb, Anne, and Ari
Plot- They’re back, and after years of laying low, they’ve been found
by an FBI agent and forced to go to their worst nightmare, yeah, you
guessed it, school. The one place where they learned everything,
except how to survive when they are veing hunted relentlessly by
killers.
Their Grade Card: Computer Skills A – can hack anything!
Scientific Research B- -score for discovering source of diabolical
plot, but lack to identify clones and imposters
Extreme Sports A+ -earned extra credit by trading Dumpster diving for
supersonic travel, aerial baller, and fluing with dogs.
Dating C- Relationships with non-winged peers improve, still need work
picking suitable mates.
Discipline D._ setting off explosives, stealing hidden documents, and
harassing faculry are no-nos— even if the headmaster is evil.
Saving the world- this is a pas/fail course…
liked about it- more action and romance, mixed with thrill and
excitement than the 1st
sent on June 29

Title- Maximum Ride 3- Saving the World and other extreme sports.
Author- James Patterson
main characters- Max, Fang, the Flock, Jeb, Ari, and the Director
plot- There’s one last chance for her to save the world, and it’s in
the hands of six kids who fly. Only they, led by the strong, valiant,
smart alec Max, can stop a deadly plot to annihilate half the human
population even as they are being hunted by nightmarish enemies. With
mankind on the brink of destruction, Max must fight to protect those
she loves identify a traitor in her flock, and uncover a startling
secret that will change her future… if there is a future. And come
in contact with the relationship between her and Fang. It is truely a
Maximum Ride.
setting- everywhere!
liked best- Better than the first two, with more… conflict and
trouble as Max fights battles not only with Erasers, but the little
vioce in her head.
sent- June 29

I’m reviewing The Wanderer by Sharon Creech. The book is about Sophie (an orphan who has forgotten her past), Brian and Cody (Sophie’s Cousins. Brian loves charts and Cody is very athletic.), and Uncle Mo, Uncle Stew, and Uncle Dock. It tells through Sophie and Cody’s journal entries the story of their sail to england on an old boat, The Wanderer. I enjoyed this book because the characters are realistic and humorous. I recommend this book to anyone. While telling the tale of a dangerous sailing adventure, it also tells the story of two kids trying to find their place in the world.

- Darci D. (click her name to visit her own SRP blog)

The following reviews were all written by Megan E.:

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The first week we spoke about the ever-metamorphing world of technology. I showed off a few disassembled computers, spoke of how quickly new technology developes, and went over a wealth of other things. We also talked of new books and music geared toward teenagers the library has recently added to the collection. Lastly, I created a blog for each child to post reviews of books they read throughout the program. There name will be placed in a cup each time they review a book … we’ll draw a name from it during our finale. Whomever’s name we draw will win an 80 GB iPod Classic!

Our second week’s theme was “Hackers, Viruses, and Spyware … Oh My!”. We discussed the history of computer viruses, spyware and hackers. Many might be suprised to learn how several former outlows turned legit and became computer security professionals. For instance, two men from California, both named Steve, built a business selling boxes that allowed anyone to hack the phone system and make free long distance calls. These two Steve’s dropped the illegal activity and went on to create Apple Computers!

The following Wednesday we researched the topic of Butterfly Bushes. Then, after that, we got away from the computers and went outside to plant two of them. Sadly, the dry weather seems to have hindered their growth but they are still clinging to life!

If you’ve yet to register for the Metamorphosis portion of our Summer Reading Program you may do so by calling either Harbin Memorial Library (338-4760) or the Central City Public Library (754-4630).