Vampire High

Cody Elliot hates his new home in New Sodom, Massachusetts. All he wants to do is go back to California. He flunks every class in his school so his parents send him to Vlad Dracul. Turns out this is a school full of jenti (vampires) but because jenti can't get into water, and water polo is required by the state, they have a few human students. Cody realizes that he doesn't have to do anything, and he will graduate with flying colors. After becoming friends with Justin, a jenti student, Cody decides he actually wants to work and be graded like a jenti. Ileana, a "princess" of her people befriends Cody as well, and Cody likes Ileana...alot. Trouble ensues when Cody makes enemies on both sides. How will this typical California kid manage to finish his freshman year at Vlad Dracul High?

Reading Incentives

Finding reading incentives for high school students isn't easy. While they like the bookmarks, these are not an incentive to read. To encourage our students, we plan to have several programs.

We had success with the Million Word Challenge, and plan to use this again. Students will be encouraged to read a million words or more to win prizes. We'll have drawings for various prizes, such as gift cards, for the students. We will promote this throughout the year with posters, announcements, commercials featuring the drama students and the broadcast journalism classes, and in the school newspaper. Students will be recognized during the year and at the end of the year awards ceremony.

We will also have book giveaways. Periodically, we receive donated books and will randomly give them to students. It's exciting when we receive the books, and the looks on the student's faces when they come in and we tell them...FREE BOOK DAY!

Library Advocacy

School libraries are one of the best places on earth. Where else can a student be a pirate, sailing on the high seas, or an explorer, looking for adventure in a deep, dark, cavern, or a princess, looking for true love? In all these adventures, no one will tell you it's too dangerous, because you are reading a book. And, if you aren't sure what kind of adventure you are looking for, there is a librarian to help you.

School libraries have changed over the past decades. No longer is the school library a dark, dusty, place with old books and an even older librarian who shushes students at every opportunity. On any given day, you will find students doing research, using a variety of media. The internet has given students a plethora of sites to gather information, and it is the librarian who teaches them how to sift through the "junk" and find what they truly need. Opening before school and after school provide students with a safe place to finish projects, homework, or to hang out with their friends. This is just one of many services the library provides.

And, of course, finding that perfect book for a student, and being rewarded with a huge smile. That's one of the best parts about being a librarian.

The Sweet Life Of Stella Madison-Book Review

Stella Madison is the 17 year old daughter of two restaurant owners. Her mother and father have been separated for six years. She feels torn between her boyfriend Max, and her mother's new intern Jeremy. When Stella lands an internship with the newspaper as the new food critic, she doesn't think she can do it. She is a junk food junkie, and doesn't think she can write about the "frou-frou" food. During the summer, she learns that life isn't fair, and that she actually knows more than she thinks she does about food and dating isn't all it's cracked up to be, especially when you aren't sure of what you want.

I really liked this book. Stella is a strong character who goes through some typical teenage problems, with the added issues of her parents being almost divorced, and a complicated love life. The menus of the restaurants were interesting, although I would have to agree with Stella about the fancy foods. The story was interesting and I highly recommend this book.

Molina High School Library

It's a new school year, and we have a lot of plans for the upcoming year.
Coffee Bar
Night events -Poetry Slam, Club meetings, Open library
Book clubs
Crafting sessions
and much more.....

We want to hear from you:
What do you want from YOUR library?

Guinevere's Gamble

In the second book of the Chrysalis Queen Quartet, Guinivere is still living with her Aunt and Uncle, King Pellinore and Queen Alyse, and her cousin, Elaine. Llyr, one of the Old Ones, has been assigned as her protector, as the prophecy about her begins to come true. All the kings are called to a council with High King Arthur, to solve a pressing problem with the Saxons. Unfortunately, the king is unable to attend, but Sir Bedwyn represents him well. Sir Bedwyn also been charged with getting Arthur's sister Morgan to her future husband. Morgan learns of the prophecy about Guinevere, and tries to ruin her relationship with Elaine. She also attempts to ruin Llyr as well. Guinevere learns that a lady sometimes has to stand up for what is right, even if it could cause trouble.

This is a fantastic story. I recommend this story to those who like Arthurian stories.

Teen, Inc, by Stefan Petrucha

Jaiden Beale has lived at NECorp all his life. When he was 2 days old, his parents were killed by faulty equipment and since he had no relatives, the corporation responsible for the accident adopted him. He lives in the corporate building, with Nancy as one of his caretakers. Jaiden and his friends discover that NECorp is poisoning the water supply, and decide to do something about it.

The plot was well developed and the story was interesting to read. The action was well paced and the characters were believable. I couldn't put this book down.