Wednesday, June 22, 2011

MAD CITY MONEY!!



In this interactive reality budgeting game, teens are given a new occupation and salary which comes with obligations... Make choices about real life stuff, all while trying to not go broke!



Presented by the Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union.




They will be here at the New Tampa Regional Library,
Fridays
July
1,8,15,22 & 29
2:oo pm

Midnighters: The Secret Hour



I absolutely loved the book Midnighters: The Secret Hour by Scott Westerfield. It has plenty of action, adventure , suspense, mystery, and basically, a little bit of everything. It starts when a 15-year old girl named Jessica Day moves from Chicago to the town of Bixby, Oklahoma. Other than some abnormal people and abnormal. things, like the taste of the water, Jessica thinks the town is pretty normal. But after waking up to a room bathed in blue, yet with no shadows, she quickly realizes it isn't. Jessica is plunged into the world of the 25th hour, a secret hour kept for monsters, aka Darklings. in the 25th hour, almost all humans and nay of thier creations are frozen, and it passes by in a split second for them. The ones who aren't frozen, the Midnighters, are blessed with special abilities, in the 25th hour. Dess is a polymath, someone with extraordinary math skills, which happens to be the Darklings weakness, along with technology. Rex is a Seer, someone who can read the ancient hidden history of the lore and Darklings. Melissa is a mindcaster, someone with telepathic abilities. And lastly, Jonathan (who ends up becoming Jessica's boyfriend), is an Acrobat. Gravity has no effect on him in the 25th hour. Up until Jessica arrived, the darklings haven't troubled any of them. After being attacked by the ruthless devils, they know that Jessica's power is really powerful, enough to scare the Darklings. For the sake of her life, Jessica teams up with the rest of the Midnighters to keep the Darklings at bay, and find out what her mysterious ability is. What happens next? you need to read this incredibly amazing book to find out. This book is definitely a 10 out of 10. The plot is awesome, filled with unexpected twists and mesmerizing details. You literally have to read all of the 383 pages in one sitting. Scott Westerfield is a mastermind, and this book is a must-read. The Midnighters is a trilogy, an it's also on of the few cases where the sequels are just as super as the original. You have to read this book!


Submitted by Sudha

New Tampa Regional

TAB

The Girl Who Could Fly




'The Girl Who Could Fly' sounds like a story packed with action, but it's a basically a feel-good story. The book is centered around a girl named Piper McCloud who believes that if you truly believe with your heat, you can do anything. In this book, 10-year old Piper McCloud lives with her old parents on a farm in Lowland County. Piper has never been given much freedom, and while the other folks think it's because she isn't right in the head, it's actually because Piper can fly. one day, after a series of unfortunate and disappointing events, Piper accidentally reveals her ability and instantly become world-wide news. Shortly afterwards, she gets a visit from a very caring, nice, and beautiful government agent. The agent, Dr. Letitia Hellion, comes with an exclusive invitation to join her school for kids with special abilities just like hers. Piper is then happily whisked away to I.N.S.A.N.E., where she meets 11 kids who have awesome super powers. She find her 11 year old enemy, Conrad, a mad genius, She also finds great friends like Violet, who has the power to shrink at will, and Bella Lovely, who can color anything at a touch. Through a series of fortunate (even though it didn't seem like it then) events, Piper realise that the facility isn't as perfect as she thought it was. She quickly learns that not everything is as it seems, and that anything worth having doesn't come without a fight. I would give this book a 8 out of 10. There were parts in this book where the author, Victoria Forester, couldn't added details. There were also parts where she couldn't expanded on what she was saying. There were also a part in this book where I was seriously confusee on whether the book took place in the past, present, or future. There was one really cheesy, but touching, part of the book, but it was bearable. I think Victoria Forest did a pretty good job portraying the characters of these kids. She was perfect as making the character's personality match their ability. For example, Bella, who had the power to spread color, was joyful, optimistic, kind, caring, and always smiling. Piper McCloud was portrayed as bubbly, optimistic and determined girl. She cared for others and wouldn't give up. This book didn't have much action, but it definitely had a lot of adventure. This book is long, but it's an easy read. Even though I think Victoria Forester could've done better on some parts, I still liked "The Girl Who Could Fly" and would recommend it to anyone looking for a fun book.



Sudha

New Tampa Regional Library

TAB Member

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Metrocon is here again!

Yes, ladies and gentlemen! Florida's largest anime convention makes its return this weekend! This year's Human Chess Match's theme is Escalation: Monsters vs. Hunters. And the Fantasy Masquerade and Metro Star Parting will also take place during the weekend. All this and more right here in our own Tampa Bay Convention Center.

Metrocon Official Page

Friday, June 3, 2011

Billy Creekmore by Tracy Porter



The book Billy Creekmore by Tracy Porter is the tale of a 10-year old Billy Creekmore's unsual life. Able to sense ghosts and make up completely believable storeis since he was born, Billy's life has been a series of unfortunate events. As historical fiction, it follows Billy and details his life from the time he was born (Friday the 13th!) to his dream home, surrounded by people who love him. The book starts off in an orphanage run by the lazy and mean Beadles. Then, it goes to Holly Glen, a coal camp, where Billy lives with his aunt and uncle. Finally, it goes to circus after circus, as Billy meets new people and finds lost friends. Overall, I give book 4 stars. Since it's set in the 1900's, many of the characters and settings are modeled after real people or places of that time. This keeps the plot interesting. However, the author could've done a better job describing how Billy feels in some parts.




Sudha

New Tampa Regional Library TAB Member

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

ENTER NOW! Teen Film Festival




Are you a filmmaker? Want an audience to see your movie on the big screen? Want to win a BIG, Best Picture prize?




Starting TODAY, June 1st, you can enter your movie in the first annual HCPLC Teen Film Festival! Teens entering grades 6-12 are welcome to enter. Your movie can be in any genre and can be up to ten minutes long (including credits).




Deadline for entries is July 31, 2011. The ten best movies will be screened at a special red carpet event, Saturday, August 13 at the John F. Germany Public Library! Prizes in several categories will be awarded, including Best Picture... and the Best Picture winner will receive a $200 gift card!




Entries can be submitted at your local HCPLC library location OR by mail. For all the rules and the official entry form, click here!