New Peeps Cover & A Sensational Website Overhaul

Now we all love Scott Westerfeld to pieces, but it gets better. Check out the new peeps cover and his newly made-up steampunk website. Two great reasons to pick up Leviathan & Peeps over your Christmas break if you haven't already done so...

Check out the book trailer for Leviathan on his website too!

Westerfeld on Peeps:

Maybe there are too many vampire novels, I thought. But that was part of the challenge, to see if I could do something that felt new and interesting, while still being full of bitey goodness. (Unsurprising confession: I am a Buffy fan.) So the book had to be original, but also icky, scary, funny, tragic, and (ahem) not sucky.

Besides getting a new take on the sunlight-impaired, my other big concern was that my vampires should actually make some sense as far as science goes. So I started doing some vampire research, reading a bunch of books about rats, parasites, bites and stings, and biology.
After consuming all there was to know on these subjects, I came up with the four important features that any vampire novel (of mine) had to include:
natural selection,
sexual attraction,
parasitic infection,
and Elvis memorabilia.
Okay, I can’t tell you much more without giving the whole thing away. But I’m very happy with the results. And the cover is certainly cool.

The Sweet Far Thing, By Libba Bray

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Paperback: 848 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers; Reprint edition (April 28, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440237777

Series Title: Gemma Doyle Trilogy

Book 1: A Great and Terrible Beauty

Book 2: Rebel Angels

Book 3: A Sweet Far Thing

Reader's Annotation: The Third book in the Gemma Doyle Trilogy, the adventures of Miss Doyle culminate. She faces Circe while at the same time she faces her own history and the people in her life now. The battle must take place and Miss Doyle is forced to lead the way and save the day.

UnLibrarian Opinion: The final book in the trilogy is both "sweet" and a "far thing" in terms of what I expected. The ending left my wanting another tale and and a time machine. The book will not disappoint hardcore Gemma Fans...maybe. But let's face it guys, sometimes the book is better for not taking the easy way out. The same lush, magical details of the first and second book persist and the conflict between class, sexism, and the glorious victorian era are spot on! I loved all three of these books! This book is over 800 pages long so it's details can drag on not so fierce readers. Those who want the magic get bored with the balls and those wanting Victorian England get stuck in the realms for too long. But, for the most part, I felt that the fact that Ms. Bray didn't cut up her story to make it more accessible gives it an edge that not all YA books have and does the scope of the turn-of-the-century project justice. Anything less would have seemed to 21st Century to me even if at times we want some magic of our own to get through almost a thousand pages! ;)

Product Description via Amazon
* “A huge work of massive ambition.”—Publishers Weekly, Starred

It has been a year of change since Gemma Doyle arrived at the foreboding Spence Academy. Her mother murdered, her father alaudanum addict, Gemma has relied on an unsuspected strength and has discovered an ability to travel to an enchanted world called the realms, where dark magic runs wild. Despite certain peril, Gemma has bound the magic to herself and forged unlikely new alliances. Now, as Gemma approaches her London debut, the time has come to test these bonds.

The Order—the mysterious group her mother was once part of—is grappling for control of the realms, as is the Rakshana. Spence's burned East Wing is being rebuilt, but why now? Gemma and her friends see Pippa, but she is not the same. And their friendship faces its gravest trial as Gemma must decide once and for all what role she is meant for.

A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
A #1 Book Sense Bestseller
A New York Times Bestseller
A Publishers Weekly Bestseller
A USA Today Bestseller
A 2008 New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age

Notes:

FINALIST 2007 - Publishers Weekly Best Children's Book of the Year
WINNER 2008 - Amazon Best of the Year

Extras: Film for first book,A Great and Terrible Beauty, set to be released 2010.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0833962/

Official Trilogy Website:

http://www.randomhouse.com/teens/gemmadoyle/home.php

Official Trailer:

One of My Favorite Fan Trailers:

Another UnLibrarian Book Trailer! The Forest of Hands and Teeth

The FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH, by Carrie Ryan

Book Trailer by the Unlibrarian!

The Forest of Hands and Teeth, By Carrie Ryan

• Title: The Forest of Hands and Teeth
• Author: Carrie Ryan
• Publishing Date:  March 10, 2009
• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385736819
• Reader's Annotation: In an apocalyptic world Mary lives in a village surrounded by a fence that keeps The Unconsecrated out. Constantly surrounded by death, she is driven by the need to know more. But can Mary survive when she is forced to go down the paths she always dreamed of, and is there really anything other then death waiting for her?
• Synopsis:  As a child Mary's mother tells her of an immense ocean. This place is beyond the Forest of Hands and Teeth and has water as far as the eye can see. But, in Mary's village the sisterhood preaches there is nothing outside the Forest of the Hands and Teeth. The only safe place is that of of the village and it is the people's duty to keep the human race from being expelled forever. It is Mary's duty to watch her mother who longs for her lost love (Mary's Father) who has been taken by The Unconsecrated. Mary knows that her mother longs to be with him and she fears she will give herself to The Forest and The Sickness. Meanwhile, the spring vows and binding ceremonies are coming and men in the village are speaking for the women. Mary has only ever longed for one boy, but it is another that seeks her hand. Mary's duty is fast upon her it may not be anything she ever expected. 
• The beauty of The Forest of Hands and Teeth, Carrie Ryan's first book, lies within it's stark voice that never wavers from it's bleak tone that alludes to that small voice of hope at something more that lives in the back of all our minds. The book doesn't pander to the sugar coated, everything will turn out ok devices that are so inherent in YA lit today. It is refreshing despite it's topic of zombies (a genre being penned at a rate to rival the vampire literary epidemic). The zombie or vampire fan will devour this easy read but not be left without provoking thoughts and conversation. I have the slightest feeling the popularity of this book will spread like the disease of the Unconsecrated. 
  
• Extras: Seven Star Pictures have already bought the rights to the book for a film. It is slated for release in 2010. 
• Medium levels of blood and violence may leave the timid reader uncomfortable, but for the most part warnings for parents and readers are mild. 
  
• Author's Website:  http://www.carrieryan.com/news.php
• The book trailer was a Teen Book Video Award 2008 Finalist.  It is one of the best I've seen! If you are thinking of reading this book you must watch the trailer! 
• 
  
• The UnLibrarian is currently working on a fan "casting" book trailer! Stay Tuned!  

The Host, By Stephenie Meyer

By: Stephenie Meyer
Publisher: Little Brown
Publish Date: 2007
ISBN: 0316068047
Page #: 624
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Science-Fiction

Age Level: Adult
Series Titles: No sequel has yet to be published, alhtough Meyer has said she intends to release it as a trilogy.
Subjects: Romance

Reader's Annotation: Earth has been taken over by an alien race of parasite's called Souls who implant themselves in their hosts. A small group of human's fight back but are faced with a runaway host who has taken over the body of one of their own.

Synopsis: The famed author of the Twilight Series introduces herself to the adult market with her first novel. Like twilight it revolves around a grand quartet of love and temptation, death and life. For Melanie Stryder, the world is an evil, apocalyptic place taken over by something unthinkable. To her, her boyfriend Jared, and her younger brother Jaime, life is only about survival. But when she suspects that another of her family may be alive, she leaves Jared and Jaime to find her. She never makes it having instead been captured by the Souls and used as a host. When the host is placed inside her the Soul called Wanderer is astounded to find that Melanie's voice not silenced. She see her memories and images of Jared and Jaime. Instead of taking the normal path a Soul takes on Earth (living a violence free, happy pseudo-life) she sets out to see if they are still alive. But when she finds them, she quickly realizes that they want her dead, not knowing that inside her Melanie still lives.

Notes: Although directed to adults, the story line is generally harmless. Small amounts of sex and violence do exist, but for the most part it echoes the feel of Twilight's innocent nature even with war, beatings, love, and loss. Ok, for teens.

Stars: 4

Extras: Official Book Trailer from Little Brown here: The Host's Website http://thehostnovel.com/

(I think mine is better, laugh out loud.)

Author Website http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/thehost.html

Extra's: Book Trailer (Made by Courtney)

Bad Girls Don't Die, By: Katie Alender

By: Katie Alender

Publisher: Hyperion
Publish Date: April 21, 2008
ISBN: 1423108760
Page #: 352 pages
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Horror, Fantasy
Age Level: Older Teen
Series Title: n/a
Subjects: Ghosts, Family, Fitting In 

Reader's Annotation:  Alexis shows herself to the world as your typical interesting teen with pink hair and a cool photography hobby. The problem is, Alexis is more alone then most teens. Her parents are self-absorbed and she lacks any real companions. Her hobby and her sister are what keep her afloat. Suddenly the things that seem secure aren't. Life is starting to become scary and unexplainable and Alexis must figure it out all on her own.

Synopsis: Alexis thought she led a typically dysfunctional high school existence. Dysfunctional like her parents' marriage; her doll-crazy twelve-year-old sister, Kasey; and even her own anti-social, anti-cheerleader attitude.
When a family fight results in some tearful sisterly bonding, Alexis realizes that her life is creeping from dysfunction into danger. Kasey is acting stranger than ever: her blue eyes go green sometimes; she uses old-fashioned language; and she even loses track of chunks of time, claiming to know nothing about her strange behavior. Their old house is changing, too. Doors open and close by themselves; water boils on the unlit stove; and an unplugged air conditioner turns the house cold enough to see their breath in. Alexis wants to think that it's all in her head, but soon, what she liked to think of as silly parlor tricks are becoming life-threatening--to her, her family, and to her budding relationship with the class president. Alexis knows she's the only person who can stop Kasey -- but what if that green-eyed girl isn't even Kasey anymore? (Via AMZN)

Notes: Not for readers who are not interested in fantasy or horror. Slightly scary, Bad Girls Don't Die, isn't afraid to push the fictional envelope. Bad Girls Don't Die is an enjoyable debut novel by Katie Alender. It is a page turner that satisfies your need for a bit of a horror-thriller, while at the same time delivering issues of feeling like a misfit and dealing with family issues. 

Stars: 4 Stars
Awards: n/a

Extras:  Author Website: http://katiealender.com/

Discussion Guide (Contains Spoilers):  http://katiealender.com/downloads/BGDDdiscussionguide.pdf
OFFICIAL BOOK TRAILER:

ghostgirl, By Tonya Hurley

By: Tonya Hurley
Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers
Publish Date: 
ISBN: 0316113573
Page #:  336 pages
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Fantasy
Age Level: Older Teen
Series Titles: 

ghostgirl

homecoming (YTBR) Available for pre-order here

Subjects: Popularity & Death

Reader's Annotation: In a story that is about as sweet as death can be, Charlotte Usher meets her maker by choking on a gummy bear. And now that she's dead, she's is hoping she will rest in utter popularity!

Synopsis: Charlotte Usher feels sadly transparent at school, and this is before she dies! Then one day she really is dead. Now that she is truly see-through (and in as cute a way as the cover of this book: because she choked on a gummy bear) she decides she can go about her goals another way. Being in the here after doesn't halt Charlotte from wanting to be the "life" of the party; it just makes her more resourceful about reaching her hopes and dreams. It is true most teens feel everything is life and death in high school, but wait till you meet Charlotte! In this kooky but sweet story, Ms. Hurley makes our life and death experiences with feeling invisible so much more fun to deal with. Have you ever really thought about how far you would go to feel like the life of the party? 

Notes:  "Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep.And if I should die before I awake, I pray the popular attend my wake." 

Stars: 5 Stars
Awards:
Extras:  R.I.P. - Read In Peace http://www.ghostgirl.com/

NYPL teens talks about ghostgirl: 

A truly Incredible Fan Project:

Blue Bloods, By Melissa De La Cruz

By: Melissa De La Cruz 
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH
Publish Date: 2006
ISBN: 0786838922
Page #: 320
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Fantasy
Age Level: Older Teen
Series Title: Blue Bloods

Masquerade

Revelations

Subjects: vampires, high-society, fantasy

Reader's Annotation:  Schuyler Van Alen is having a hard time fitting in with the too perfect upper elite. Perhaps the high society blood that runs through the upper east side is something darker then societal royalty, and Schuyler may have more in common with them then she thought.

Synopsis: Ok, Gossip Girl fans, I have a vampire book just for you. Those Mahanttan elites are just too perfect right? Well in De La Cruz’s Blue Bloods, the story’s main character Schuyler Van Alen doesn’t fit in. But on her 15th birthday everything changes. She can see a myriad of blue veins in her arms and she finds that although she thought she didn’t fit in, she has more in common with the wealthy elite then she ever knew. De La Cruz broaches teen subject matter’s such as anorexia and social classes in a new, fantatic way. Though somewhat risqué, for language, drugs, & sexuality, De La Cruz manages to “suck” you in anyway. This is the "OMFG" (reference: Gossip Girl’s Advertising Scheme) of Vampire books! 

Notes: Blue Bloods is a Yalsa reluctant reader quick pick.

Stars: 4

Extras: 

Series Website: http://www.bluebloodsbooks.com/

Author Website http://melissa-delacruz.com/index.php/books/title/blue_bloods/

Author Gives Advice to Young Writers: http://melissa-delacruz.com/index.php/info/advice/

Official Trailer: 

Great Fan Trailer: 

Uglies, By Scott Westerfeld

By: Scott Westerfeld

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Publish Date: February 8, 2005

ISBN: 0689865384

Page #: 448

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Science-Fiction

Age Level: Older Teen

Subjects:

Plastic Surgery, Fitting In, Beauty, Adventure, Dystopia

Series Title: The Uglies Series: Uglies, Pretties, Specials, Extras

Reader's Annotation: Tally Youngblood is 15 and can't wait to be pretty like her best friend Peris. While waiting to become "Pretty," she meets and befriends another another "Ugly" named Shay and together they wait to become 16 when everything we become perfect, or will it?

Synopsis: In all the books I read over the past year, this series sticks out the most. Why? Although it's simply written, the ideas are penetrating. The notion that most of us feel on display, varying degrees of ugly, and/or constantly striving to be like someone else, can not possibly be new to any of you. Today's society is obsessive with beauty and face forward. Meet Tally Youngblood, a teenage girl in a not so distant, dystopian future where everyone gets a "pretty" operation when they turn 16. They grind, shave, replace, and manipulate your body until you wake up a new, beautiful, perfect you. In the Uglies, after you complete the change, you are officially a "Pretty." You then get to move into a new world where being pretty is your new and only job. Partying, having everything you need, being popular is the perfect existence right? But, what if comes with a price? Does anyone ever NOT want to become a pretty?

Notes: Books Two and Three follow Tally and the Crims through their twisted fates against the powers that be. All three a mindful feast, but a simple, zippy read. You just can't not read these books. Cut out a day or two. It might make you re-think that rhinoplasty.

Stars: 5

**************************************************************************************

Extras: Westerfeld Heaven (Are you a bubble head?)

• The Extras, an unexpected fourth book in the series. Meet Aya and find out what her world is like post-Tally. In her world it's all about fame and nobody wants to be the "extra!"

• There is currently a guidebook called From Bogus to Bubbly available. This companion is a spoiler if you have yet to finish the series.

• Mind-Rain:Your Favorite Authors on Scott Westerfeld's Uglies Series (Paperback) DUE JUNE 1st!

• Westerblog: http://scottwesterfeld.com/blog

• Uglies discussion questions for your book group: http://scottwesterfeld.com/blog/?page_id=172

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Below are some Fan Made Youtubes that caught my attention as being rather well done! Enjoy!

Original Unlibrarian Fan Trailer, Little Brother

Little Brother, By Cory Doctorow

The Unlibrarian has created a Book Trailer for Little Brother just for YOU! We hope it inspires you to read the book. Hands down the best read you'll have all year! Check your libraries for available copies, or visit this link:





For a direct link to Little Brother on Indie Bound Cut and Paste the link below:

http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780765319852