My picks for August

Fiction Book- Sabriel by Garth Nix

Sabriel is a young necromancer journeying to the Old Kingdom. Along the way, she has found Touchstone- a young man imprisoned as a wooden ship's figurehead! Now they need to find the Abhorsen- but Sabriel only has her bells and sword so far! Part one of the Abhorsen trilogy.

Nonfiction Book- The Usborne Internet-Linked Encyclopedia of World History

Curious about the inventions of the ancient Mayas? Wonder when and where did agriculture first begin? Trying to figure out what changes did the Norman Conquest bring? All this and much more can be found in this encyclopedia- complete with many internet websites if you want to learn even more about your favorite historical
period or event.

Manga- Godchild by Kaori Yuki

Earl Cain of Hargreaves lives in Victorian England. Cain seems to be always involved in solving mysteries- very often involving poison. But are they isolated- or perhaps connected to a certain secret society?

Anime- Vampire Princess Miyu

Miyu is the chosen one to banish the wicked shinma from the earth. Miyu passes herself as a regular schoolgirl- but her only true friend is her guardian Larva. This anime has both a 4 episode OVA and a 26 episode TV series- both of which are very good.

Website- Neuroscience for Kids

How do dreams happen? What does each lobe of the brain do? What exactly happens in your body when you touch something hot? Why are yawns so contagious? How do you get to see in color and three-dimensionally? These questions, and more, can be answered in this very informative and entertaining website. Also contains informations about the many careers related to neuroscience.

Upcoming Programs @ Jan Platt Library

Looking for something fun to do after school? If you live in South Tampa, Jan Platt Library will be having teen programs 3 days a week after school starting in September. Here's the schedule:

Tuesdays @ 4:30
Ophelia Project: Girls Circle
For grades 6-8. Sign up now for this exciting club just for girls. Come enjoy group discussions, crafts, books and special activities. This program will take place every Tuesday during the school year. Begins Sept 2.

Wednesdays @ 4:30
Anime-Manga Club
Join us for a discussion of your favorite anime and manga, an ongoing anime movie series, skits, games, and more! Learn how to draw characters, and speak phrases in Japanese. Begins Sept 10.

Thursdays @ 4
Game Zone
Get in the zone and join your friends for some gaming fun with Dance Dance
Revolution, Guitar Hero and other great games. Begins Sept 11.

We have even more planned for November, when we will begin our Teen Advisory Board and host two special teen programs at our library...Stay tuned!

Anime in America

Animenation's News Blog has a great article today about the history of anime in America. Check it out right HERE.

My favorite part of this article is when the author mentions Voltron premiering in 1984. Though I did watch my share of "Japanese cartoons" back then, I did not find out that Voltron was originally an anime called Go-Lion until many years later!!!

Brisingr

Coming soon- the third installment of the Inheritance cycle by Christopher Paolini. This third book is called Brisingr. Inheritance was originally intended to be a trilogy...but there is just so much to the story, that the author has decided to write it in four books! Now we have a title- and on the 20th of September we will have the book in our hands! Check out the official site to see what "Brisingr" means in the language of Alagaesia and for more news about this long awaited book.

Summer Teen Saga @ SouthShore - Part I

On July 9th, a group of SouthShore Library Teens joined Leonor Rosser in learning about Origami and how to make large origami projects like Giraffes and Oritzuruses.

Everybody had fun and with poster board, tape, and markers, they were able to make these giant creatures. The teens were also able to make smaller origami dinosaurs to take home with them.

Next on the Summer long saga at SouthShore Library on Wednesday 7/23 at 3pm, come join us as a FBI agent tells us harrowing real-life stories as they fight terroists and the other evils of society.

See you then.....

Next Weekend: Metrocon and Red Bull Flugtag!

Next weekend brings 2 fun events to the Tampa Convention Center.

Metrocon: Florida's Largest Anime Convention
Since 2003, Metrocon has brought anime fans together with its amazing anime convention. Now, it's bigger than ever and has a great line up featuring many special guests. Metrocon will be held from July 18-20 at the Tampa Convention Center, so get your costume ready and join the fun!

And...

July 19 is Tampa Bay's Flying Day
Are you looking for something exciting and free to do? Check out the Red Bull Flugtag event happening at the Tampa Convention Center. This event will feature more than 30 crazy teams competing to see who can fly. What is Flugtag? It literally means "flying day." Click this link to see teams compete. You can even play the Flugtag Game!

My picks for July

Fiction Book- The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott

Fifteen year old twins Sophie and Josh are working summer jobs to save money to buy a car. When a mysterious guest comes to the store Josh works at and asks for a codex, Josh finds out that his boss is no ordinary human being. He is no other than Nicholas Flamel, the famous alchemist from the middle ages! What is causing Flamel and his wife Perenelle to be immortal? And is why Dr. John Dee searching for this particular codex?

Non-fiction Book- 100 Careers in the Music Business by Tanja L. Crouch

Do you play a musical instrument? Write songs? Never miss your favorite band or singer in concert? Want to make music videos? You could turn your passion into a profession. Check out many cool careers described in this book- from sound engineer to concert promoter and more.

Manga- Suikoden III by Aki Shimizu

Lady Chris Lightfellow is a knight- and now the leader of the Zexen knights. Hugo is the son of the chief of the Karaya clan of the Grassland, who wants a truce with Zexen. And Geddoe is the head of the Harmonian mercenaries- but can he remain just a neutral observer of the conflict between Zexen and the Grassland? Who is the true hero? Who is good and who is bad? And who will recruit the 108 stars of destiny? Based on the video game of the same name.

Anime- Case Closed

Teen detective Jimmy Kudo has been poisoned by villains. Now he looks like a 7 year old boy and lives with Dr. Agasa until he can find the antidote. But that does not prevent Jimmy- now disguised as Conan Edogawa- from teaming up with his friend Rachel Moore and her detective father Richard and helping Inspector McGuire solve even the most perplexing of crimes and mysteries.

Website- Test Your Geography Knowledge

Know how to read a map and the capitals of all 50 States? Now you can go beyond that and challenge your geography skills in the fun and engaging quizzes of this site.