Carrie's Review: After Dark by Haruki Murakami

After Dark is a chilling and mysterious novel that takes place in the streets of Tokyo between midnight and sunrise. During the course of these seemingly dead hours, readers find the city at its peak. Murakami intertwines several unsuspecting character plots together as strangers meet and help one another. The book also plunges into a spooky supernatural world where it is not impossible to unexpectedly fall into the other side of the TV. This novel was a fast yet intriguing read. It is certainly one that will have to be read more than once in order to understand the important lessons that make up After Dark. Murakami's novel is filled with symbolism and realistic human characters and make for an enjoyable and thoughtful read.
Rating: 5Q, 3.5P

Mary's Review: Debbie Harry Sings in French by Meagan Brothers

This is the kind of book that a person could finish in two hour, if they really set their minds to it. Its more a novella than novel, which is both its greatest strength and greatest weakness. On the one hand its not a book about the ISSUES, its a book with an issue, and that makes it feel much less heavy handed than a lot of YA fiction. Johnny is a goth who accidentally overdoses at a club, and is sent to rehab where he decides he wants to go somewhere else with his life. This is the first time he hears the titular singer Debbie Harry. His single mom, still grieving the death of Johnny's father, sends him across the country to live with his uncle following the rehab. It's there that Johnny starts piecing life back together, finding a father figure in his uncle and a girl he loves.He also begins to realize that his love for Debbie Harry extends to wanting to be her. Or at least to wanting to dress up like her. Johnny's journey is covered nicely for the novel's short length, making it solely his journey in a way many books don't. The story is an emotional rollercoaster condensed, and the reader really feels for the protagonist. On the downside, the protagonist is more or less the only one the readers feel for. Barring Johnny's girlfriend Maria the cast is mainly peripheral. We see them when they affect Johnny's life, but not beyond that. We may like or dislike them, but we are never really allowed to care. We know that Johnny's mother suffered a crippling depression, for example, and that his uncle went through an ugly divorce, but we never see the details nor feel those characters' pain. It's Johnny's story from start to finish. Even considering that, the plot is interesting enough to warrant a read, though some readers might be turned away by the cross dressing subject matter.
Final Verdict: 3Q, 3P

The High Strung Concert

The Golden Compass--pick up your book today @ TZ desk!!

Movies Transform @ your library

Game On!

Game On! --this Wednesday from 2-3:30. There are a few surprises in store to transform our normal DDR/GH2 regime. Don't miss your chance to become a Legend and Rock out in our band.

Krav Maga

For those of you who attended the awesome Krav Maga workshop this afternoon (or for those unable to attend), here is the link to Casper Martial Arts website http://www.caspermartialarts.com/

You can find more information about Krav Maga and a schedule of the classes. They teach beginning Krav Maga on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12-1pm and 730-830pm. Contact them for more information.

Thanks again to Sharon, Mark & Joey for such an outstanding workout. We now know a few basic self defense moves to protect ourselves.

May Events for Teens

Social Networking & Online Safety part 2

The Today Show ran another story today about the dangers of MySpace and YouTube and the thrill teens seem to be getting from posting stunt videos.

Below is a list of websites that are great resources with common sense tips to keep yourself safe and preserve your rights to access the Internet. Always remember to check the policies of the sites like MySpace and YouTube. They include safety tips and places to report inappropriate behavior/postings.

Click here for a guide to social networking from YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Assocation).

Wired Safety has great information about keeping yourself and others safe on the Internet.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children runs a site called Netsmartz, which is intended to educated kids, teens, parents, and teachers about various pieces of Internet safety.

Finally, here is a list of books we have available at NCPL regarding online safety.

006.702 Buckley
The Rough Guide to MySpace & Online Communities by Peter Buckley. 2006

006.702 Courtney
Logged On and Tuned Out: a nontechie’s guide to parenting a tech-savvy generation by Vicki Courtney. 2007

006.702 Goodstein
Totally Wired: what teens and tweens are REALLY doing online by Anastasia Goodstein. 2007

006.702 Kelsey
Generation MySpace: helping your teen survive online adolescence by Candice M. Kelsey. 2007

006.702 Magid
MySpace Unraveled: a parent’s guide to teen social networking by Larry Magid and Anne Collier. 2007

006.702 Melton
What in the World are Your Kids Doing Online? by Barbara Melton & Susan Shankle. 2007

006.702 Neal
MySpace for Moms & Dads: a guide to understanding the risks and the rewards by Connie Neal. 2007

006.702 Willard
Cyber-Safe Kids, Cyber-Savvy Teens: helping young people learn to use the internet safely and responsibility by Nancy E. Willard. 2007

Today in the News: MySpace, bullying, & revenge

Headline: Teens videotape beating as revenge for online posts

According to a report on this morning's Today Show, 8 teenagers in Florida have been arrested for beating another 16-year-old girl. They videotaped the 30 minutes beating and were going to post it online as retribution because she had bullied them on MySpace. Click here for the story and video.

What can you do to keep yourself safe online and in the "Real World"?

• Report bullying and inappropriate behavior (online or otherwise) to the proper authorities (ex. parents, school officials, MySpace, police).
• If you fail to report an incident like the one that took place in Florida, you could be charged as an accessory.
• Remember, MySpace and the Internet are public places. Anything you post online is there forever. So be careful.
• Think before you post!