Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen
Starring Lindsay Lohan
2004

Rating: 2/5 ... this doesn't even deserve my imagination.
Okay. Maybe even 1.5. But I won't be that mean.

What a waste of 90 minutes. I should've known better. This was one of those movies that you expected it to be good but just... was a total disappointment. I'm trying to think of what I can compare it with. Not John Tucker. That's a different kind of bad. Which I thought was okay, just they could've done better.

This movie was just the opposite. It was too much that just... died.

Well. Just think of every other teenage movie movie about the popular girl hating you and trying to be better than her plus that cute boy that does stuff for you and a friend that finds out something bad about you that you never told her and then gets mad. Then some parties that you're not invited to. There. I already told you the plot. Okay, fine... I'll explain.

Lindsay Lohan stars as Lola, but her real name is Mary, which was supposed to be another subplot but... didn't really work. There are voiceovers that just reminded me of Mean Girls, but just came out randomly. She's a New Yorker and wants to make it big as an actress, but then they move to New Jersey. She's now in a random small town suburbia. She also worships this lead singer for a rock band.

So on her first day of school, she just randomly introduces herself to this girl at the bikerack. They both like the same band so they bond. Then she meets the rich popular girl who's father is the lawyer for that band they like. She has these weird fantasies that are just... really awkward. Lola and the popular girl, which I can't even remember her name, both try out for the school play, but wow, surprisingly, Lola gets the part. Then her beloved band is going to break up and have one last show in NYC and an afterparty bash for their friends. That popular girl has tickets and Lola doesn't. So Lola lies and says she does. Then, yeah. You can probably predict the rest.

It was like the most seriously unrealistic movie ever. Like seriously, how OLD were these girls? I heard something about fifteen? That's like my age. And you should see how much make up they wear and what they're wearing. And the humour parts were dreadful. You had to laugh at how bad they were. Also, that boy is just randomly there and then in the end they kiss. He wasn't even a big part. Also, that girl was so unrealistically rich. Why would a girl THAT rich live in small town New Jersey?

Also, the film was filmed in Toronto. There was a flaw I noticed. On the lawn of their new home, there was a Remax sign. For some reason I HIGHLY doubt that Remax exists in New Jersey.

So, as soon as I can, I'm gonna bring this back to where it belongs. On the shelf sitting in dust in the Teen section. Heaven forbid someone else pick this up.

BEWARE OF THIS MOVIE!

Volunteer Hours: 1/2
Total: 12 1/2!
This review can be published in the Teen Newsletter.

Jessica

Shopaholic Ties the Knot
Sophie Kinsella
432 Pages
Adult Fiction

Rating: 4.5/5 Wedding Receptions (You'll understand why!)

These books are seriously addictive. I just CAN'T stop reading them! It's so sad how I only have one more left to read (it was a miracle how I got my hands on it. Okay. Let me just tell you to save time. I was at Angus Glen and I got this book. Then I was like, I might as well get the next one too. But when I checked the library catologue, there were people on the waiting list :(. So when I was walking back, there was someone shelving books, and he had THE BOOK IN HIS HANDS! And then he put it on the shelf...... and heh, I undid his hard work and took it. What a great day that was.)

But anyhow, this book was realllyyy good too. Becky Bloomwood is back AGAIN in this third installment of the Shopaholic series. Her best friend, Suze, is getting married (to her cousin, needless to say, that tried to hit on Becky in the first book. But anyway.) and even though her life is going extremely well, Becky starts to notice that her own finger is bare. She has been happily dating her boyfriend, Luke Brandon, for two years. She's beginning to wonder... what will happen in the future?

Then, to Becky's surprise, Luke proposes! Her mother is even more excited, ready to plan Becky's backyard wedding for her little girl. But then, Luke's distant mother, is ready to pay for an all-expense-paid glamourous bash. As much as Becky tries, she just cannot seem to turn any offer down. Now she's stuck tangelled in two weddings on the same day. What will Becky do? Can she please everybody without letting the other down?

This book was reallyy good and was not a disappointment at all. And it was so exciting to see Luke and Becky getting together, because they're a good couple. A lot of romance novels don't seem to make the reader think that the two characters are destined for each other, without actually saying so. It feels like I know them personally and if anything happened between them I would probably sob (I'm way too soft), and this isn't even a ROMANCE novel, like all those Nicholas Sparks books I read.

Another humourous hit, definately a laugh out loud novel. It was also a tearjerker. It was everything, seriously. I should protest to Sophie Kinsella to write a fifth novel. It hurts to think that I only have one more left :(. I hope I'm not spoiling the series for everyone! You BETTER read it!

Oh, and by the way. I went to Angus Glen today and I saw the TRAP recommendations! That was so cool. I was like, Hey! I'm apart of that. It'd be so awesome if people read books because I recommended it. Except, it was empty :O I should've just put some books there. That'd be funny. But anyhow, GET ON THE WAITING LIST FOR THE SERIES because I have all of them! It's SO good and you'll definately agree with me.

Onto to read the fourth book!

Volunteer Hours: 3
Total: 12!
This review can be published in the Teen Newsletter.

Jessica

Awake and Dreaming: Kit Pearson

i loved this book! a 4th grade girl named theo lives with her irresponsable, young, and poor mother.theo always reads books to stop herself from thinking about her own miserable life, and dreams about having a perfect family. she doesnt do well in school, but she loves the library.

her mother gets a new boyfriend and they decide to go on a trip, but not with theo. theo has to go live with her aunt, so theo's mother went on the ferry with her to get there.on the ferry, theres a weird woman who keeps staring at her. for the first time in her life, she makes friends wih a "perfect" family. soon enough, she's mysteriously adopted by the family a day later. she gets new clothes and things of her own for the first time, and has great brothers and sisters. but as months go by, she starts to fade from her family's lives, and is often unseen or forgotten. somehow, she mysteriously gets back onto the ferry with her mother- she went back in time.

was the family real, or was the whole thing a dream? would she ever see them again? who knows, she must've been awake and dreaming. teeheehee =)

i really recommend this book- it's awesome ;)

volunteer hours: O.O' [none]i'm in grade 8.sad.[would have been three]
this review can be published in a teen newsletter.

Chloe Leiberman (Sometimes Wong)
Carrie Rosten
210 Pages

The underlying notion of fashion is of "making," "forming," or "shaping."

- John Ayto, Dictionary of Origin Words

Chloe Leiberman (sometimes Wong) is totally and completely obsessed with fashion - not that she can help it. She has a major problem, and constantly has symptoms of RED CARPETOSIS, IMPULSIVITY, VOCAL TICS, HALLUCINATIONS, ETC. ETC., which is why she has diagnosed herself with fashion disorder, or FD. This "disorder" has totally taken over her life, as it strikes at the most inconvenient of times. And her problems only get worse when she starts flunking school, and tells her parents that she doesn't have the dreaded 'plan' for life after highschool. Not only is this story the daily livings of Chloe Leiberman (sometimes Wong) as a senior in highschool, but it also doubles as her application for design school.

This story was witty and funny, with lots of references to designers. It was a little long, and sometimes boring. But it did talk a little bit about life after sending this so-called application in, and has a glossary at the back of the book explaining some of the language she uses in the book (as she is Chinese and Jewish). Rating: 3/5

Community Service: 3 hours (12 total)

QUESTION:::::

Do we have to say if the article we wrote can be published in the newsletter? If so, all of mine in the past, and the future, can be published. If i change my mind about this, i'll keep you updated. Thanks!!

- Jenn :-)

Without A Paddle (2004)
Cast: Dax Shepard, Matthew Lillard, Seth Green
Running Time: 95 mins
Rating: PG-13

Plot: 3 childhood friends reunite at a friend’s funeral. They soon discovered that their friend who just died had a treasure map to D.B. Cooper’s $200, 000. So they decided to go on a treasure hunt (with little knowledge of anything to do with camping, hiking, canoeing, what so ever). Along the way, they are met with numerous (not to mention hilarious) challenges. These included canoeing down a 100 ft waterfall and getting chased by a bear. They even found themselves in a middle of an illegal pot field, and were soon being chased by mad pot farmers who are attempting to kill them…

All in all, this movie was the most funny one I seen in ages!!! It kinda surprised me how good this film was, although *a lot* of crude/ dirty humour was involved…(so be cautious if you are easily offended). There are also some very deep moments, so it’s not like any all-out-straight-laugh-your-head-off movie. So consider watching it!

s.t.e.p.h.i.e.
total volunteer hours: 4 ½
(can be published in newletter)

The Secret of Stoneship Woods
Rick Barba
134 Pages


Great book to read. I have just started, but I think that you bloggers should start too.

I borrowed this book from Angus Glen library, so there should be duplicates or wait for I'm done. Almost...

comments, comments, comments

I know the blog is a little small, at the moment.
What made the blog most interesting in the summer was when other people responded to a person's posts.
Please do so again.
It also helps when you later read the same title because then you have more to share.

Catherine

blogger Display

In the summer, when we had our summer blog, I had a recurring display of books from the blog. this sounds easy but it is hard because the good books are constantly out.
Anyway, if no one objects, we are planning to do the same thing with your titles.
I think I will also do like I did in the summer. I will put your name on the book.
For example, if Rachel recommends a book, I will put either Rachel or Shummer. I use either your screen name or your first name. I never use your full name to protect your privacy.

Catherine

Bloggers counting volunteer hours

I have a favour to ask. When you are ready to collect your hours, you can send Andrea or I, the form and we will happily fill it out for you.
You can go into your local library branch, give it to the staff and they will send it by courier. We can also have one of their staff fill in the form for you, at your nearest branch because your volunteer hours are posted on the blog.

Personally, I know I would like to fill in the form for you. If i know the volunteer, I always try and personalize the form.

You are all doing a great job. Keep up the good work!

catherine and of course, Andrea.
Angus Glen Teen department

My turn - Catherine's review

I read two books, this weekend. they were both quick reads. I worked yesterday so i wanted something light.

Mistake. I took home two fairly heavy topics.

First review - Can you keep a secret by Sandra Glover?
131 pages
9/10

As in any school, there are the bad girls: Zoey and Tracy. things go along and just before Christmas, trouble happens. Tracy does not return to school, in the new term.

Zoey latches on to the good girls; a girl named karen, in particular. As much as Karen wants to stay away from Zoey, zoey becomes an integral part of her life.

This book is very short but takes you through many emotional highs and lows. I am not particularly intuitive so I think maybe someone else might pick up on the clues as to what is going to happen next.

I thought this was a great book, right down to the last page.

catherine
Teen Library Assistant
Angus Glen Library

Shopaholic Takes Manhattan
Sophie Kinsella
416 Pages
Adult Fiction

Rating: 4.5/5 Shopping Bags

Alright, to be honest, this book was SO AWESOME I couldn't put it down! I read it in like two hours. It has all the charm and hilarious moments from the first book and makes it even better! I liked it better than the original (surprising for a sequel!)

Becky Bloomwood is back, and she has it all. Her own TV show, her high-profile boyfriend, Luke (who's also a workaholic), and a closet full of clothes to be worn. Then, just when she thinks it can't get any better, Luke announces that his company is expanding to New York City (they live in London), and Becky's invited to come!

With sample sales, Barney's, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Sephora, it seems like the perfect place for her. After a night of bliss, however, her career and relationship with Luke takes a turn in a matter of seconds. Now Becky is unemployed, her reputation ruined, and is trying to get over Luke. How will everything turn out? Is all hope lost between Becky and Luke? Will she repair the damages and triumph in the end?

This book was quite a page turner. It was so good and easier to understand because it was in DOLLARS! It had a much better climax than the last book and it felt like I was actually there! The ending though, was pretty predictable, but I guess the author knew that so she added in a few things to give it a little 'punch'. I still liked the ending. You will too.

The book also is very 'clean' and I still find it very surprising since it's an adult book. I don't know how the author thinks of all these ideas about Becky and her spending. For example, when Becky's shopping in America, she says that it's hard to take American dollars seriously and she can spend all she wants right? Foreign money doesn't count. Well, she ends up spending WAY more than necessary, as usual.

So if you read the first book, you've GOT to get started on the second! Immediately!
(I'm currently reading the third and borrowed the fourth today at the library).

Jessica

Volunteer Hours (Total): NINE!
This review can be published in the Teen Newsletter.

Peaches
By: Jodi Lynn Anderson
312 pages
Rating: 7/10

Plot Summary: This book is about 3 very different teenage girls and how they spent their summer on a peach orchard. In between all of that they discover the true mean meaning of friends, finding the right guy, going through hard times, and picking the perfect Georgia peach…

…first, there’s Murphy. She was found stealing, so as punishment, she had to help out at the peach orchard. But Murphy’s the type of girl who likes to cause a little mischief and the rebel out of the 3…

…then there’ Birdie, the daughter of the guy who runs the peach orchard. Her parents are filing for divorce, the business is in debt, and everything is just falling apart for her. Her only friends are 2 dogs…

…lastly, there’s Leeda, who lives in a huge mansion and is one of those popular girls. To get away from her family and her “perfect” sister, she decided to resolve to the peach orchard. Between her and Birdie, they really have nothing in common, except for the fact that they are cousins…

…little did they know that this summer, along with the Darlington Peach Orchard will bring them together.

This book started out totally boring for me, but it DID get more interesting.
And there’s a sequel too (can’t wait to read that!!!) here’s the title if anyone’s interested – The Secrets of Peaches. Overall, this is just another story about friendship and girl stuff, so the targeted audience is of course GIRLS!

s.t.e.p.h.i.e.

volunteer hours: 3
(can be publish in newsletter)

Life As a Poser
By: Beth Gillian
235 pages

Eva cortex has a famous movie star as a mother, but won't say she's her daughter. She becomes a poser but what will it take? Under the wig, make-up and lies, she feels like a liar. What will it take? Read it. I thought this book was boring. I think a person that likes biography would like this.

-shimmer

Rating:3/10

A Room on Lorelei Street
By: Mary E. Pearson
266 pages

Zoe lives with her alcoholic mother who use Zoe's money for beer, food and taxes. Zoe decides to move to a room on Lorelei Street. School becomes a problem. She's suspended on her first day of school and some certain teachers hate her. The problems are just beginning...... I thought this book was O.K. because this book has a reference to a prostitute that I don't like.

-Shummer

Rating:4/10

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
By: Ann Brashares
326 pages

Once there 4 friends and they went shopping. A simple pair of jeans were made to fit all of them. These friends were together even before they were born. There mom's were in the same aerobics class. Now, this summer these friends are going there own places of the world. Carmen is going to visit her dad, in Charleston. Lena is going to Greece to visit her grandparents. Bridget is going to an all girls soccer camp in Mexico. Tibby is left carelessly in her house to rot over the summer. Read how these girls' lives bond together around the world with this pair of jeans. I thought this was an amazing book. Sometimes there was to much girl stuff in there, and sometimes to much love. It's a good book.
Read it!

-Shummer

Rating:9/10

The Naming
By: Alison Croggon
489 pages

Maerad is a slave for as long as she can remember. Her family were killed in a war and she was captured as a slave when she was a little girl. One day, while she was working, a strange man came to her and helped her escape. His name is Cadvan. With Cadvan, Maerad finds her unknown powers. Together, they fight dark forces to fulfill her destiny. What do they come across? Read it to find out! I thought this book was too long the same topic. The action...a bit more, otherwise, it was a thriller.

-Shummer

Rating: 7/10

Westminster Abby
S.A.S.S. Series
Mical Ostow
168 Pages

Okay, I know that you're probably getting a little sick of me reviewing the SASS series, but i REALLY like these books!! Just this one, than the Italy one, which i will read as soon as I get my hands on a copy, and i'll move on to other books, i promise!!!

In this installment of the series, Abby is practically forced to go to London, England by her overprotective parents who try to seperate her from her boyfriend, James, who they don't approve of. A normally boring, shy girl who is known for being a goody-goody, Abby cannot wait to reinvent herself. When she leaves, she considers herself vanilla, but when she returns home, she hopes to be a full-fledged hot fudge sundae. While enduring her classes, and the dinner hall's terrible food, she manages to find some great new friends Zoe, Fred, Simon, Chrissy and Melaine. She also meets a really cute England native named Ian. But just when everything starts going well, Abby is thrown a curve ball, and finds herself in a really confusing situation. But with drama in the romance department, will she still be able to stay on top of her grades, and keep from diappointing her parents?

While this book doesn't have as much culture in it as the other books in the series (she doesn't have to worry about learning a new language, even if she has a hard time getting used to the accent and some English lingo), it still says alot about London and what it's all about. The great thing about these books are they help you invision yourself in different countries without ever leaving your bedroom (or wherever else you read!), which is always welcome to people like me, who love to travel. On occasion, you can even learn some history and background information on these cities.

I liked this book, even though this particular one was more about love than the city. All travellers welcome!!! 4/5 stars!

Bon Voyage,

- Jenn :-)

(3 community service hours - 9 total)

Planet Janet
Dyan Shedon
223 Pages

In this book, Janet Bandry gives you an in-depth look at her interesting life in London, England. It's set up as journal entries, with you getting her hilarious take on everyday events, including some odd occurences. As she goes through her DP (DARK PHASE) with her best friend Disha, Janet is sure to give you her version of life, with some names she has invented for people in her life (MAD COW or MC- her mom, SIGMUND - her dad, GEEK BOY - her brother, etc. etc.). While I can't give you a complete description of everything that happens in her cooky life, a few odd things include her becoming a vegetarian for her crush, Elvin, her brother's crazy stocker (Bethsheba a.k.a. Bumshiva), and her father having an affair with their neighbor.

This book is cute as pie, and has an equally amusing sequal, PLANET JANET IN ORBIT. There isn't much else to say about this book, as it's pretty clear that i LOVE it. But if you have trouble understanding the English lingo, attend to the back of the book, where a glossary can be found.

Rating: * * * * */5!!!!!

- Jenn ;-)***

Community Service: 3 hours (6 total)

Hello,

This is my first time posting a blog. I hope that everyone will considerate about my blog and take their free time in reading it. I'm sure it will benefit you.

I have been reading this book called "I Know What You Did Last Summer". I am not sure if anyone have heard of it. This book is by Lois Duncan. It is about a group of young adults (able to drive) accidently crashed a young teenager on a bike. They did not want to get in trouble, so they kept it a secret. After many days, the police cannot find out how did it and there is no evidence on anybody. Many months later, a girl named Collie told them that you are the ones that killed. At the beginning of the book, there was a letter sent to them with no return address that said "I know what you did last summer", All the way to the end, the person that send it was Collie. The teenager's parents did not charge them but it gave them a big and life lesson.

The book's vocabulary is not difficult for a grade 7-8 student. I will recommend it to a grade 8 student. I hope you enjoyed my blog, and I hope that you will take a look at this book at the Markham Public Libraires.

Thanks!

Do your friends need volunteer hours?

mention the blog and have them email us, if you think this might be of interest to them.

This will work out especially for those who are short on time.

It is also great because you do not need to come to a specific library branch.

This can all be done from home.

catherine

The Au-Pairs
Melissa de la Cruz
304 Pages
Teen Fiction

Rating: 3 out of 5 Annoying Brats (haha)

The summer job of a lifetime has been taken up by three girls, all for their own reasons. Three Au-Pairs were wanted to take care of four annoying, spoiled children in the East Hamptons, where the rich and famous spend their summer vacations. The ad guarantees a summer of a lifetime, oh, and of course, $10,000.

The first au-pair, Eliza, is an ex-socialite, whose father took some wrong turns and landed him unemployed and Eliza out of the city. She's ready to make a comeback and spend her time where she has spent all of her summers: the Hamptons. Of course she'll be working, but there's all the parties and events to attend...

Mara, on the other hand, is a small town girl, ready to work for her college fund. It is her first time seeing so many celebrities (expecially all at once!)

The third and final au-pair is the Brazilian girl Jacqui. With her stunning and exotic beauty, she's used to getting what she wants. Last summer, she spent two weeks with this American boy, and for the first time, she felt true love. All he mentioned was 'the Hamptons,' and when she saw the ad, she took the opportunity right away to find him.

Through many obstacles in love, fitting-in and getting along, the girls manage to pull through the summer. Each learn from the other to become a better person. Not to mention the parties and boys they went through those two months.

This book is extremely predictable, but I guess it isn't that bad. Not as bad as the A-list, which has to be the worst book in the world. They always compare it to this and Gossip Girl, and it's not even close. Anyway, back to this book. If you want an easy and entertaining read, this is it. No intelligence required. I even feel like reading the rest of the series! It is pretty unrealistic as well, as... well I don't want to spoil it, now do I?

There are enough 'elements' to keep the reader entertained, though it is not written the best nor does it create much suspense. There are some sexual tones, but it's brief and not in-depth. There's plenty of name-dropping and brand naming; it makes you feel as if you know how it works in 'their world' (the world of the rich and famous). And unlike the A-List (yes I really hate that book), they name REAL celebrities and REAL places.

Give the book a chance. It's a really easy one-night read, and is quite entertaining. For those offended by sexual references, keep away.

Jessica

Volunteer Hours (Total): 6 (!)
This review can be published in the Teen Newsletter.

THE BIG FAT LIAR
Starring:Frankie Muniz as Jason, Amanda Bynes as Kaylee, Paul Giamatti as Wolf
Director: Shawn Levy
Jason had to do an assignment for English class where he had to make a creative story, but however he didn't do it and he lied to the teacher that the reason he didn't do it is because his dad was in ER and that he has to take care of him. BUt soon the teacher and Jason's parents finds out the Jason had been lying, so the teacher gives Jason a second chance to make the story and handed in by 6 o'clock. Jason does finish the story by 5:45 and rides a bike to the teacher but in his way he got stopped by a Limo which hit him minorly. In the limo there is the producer Marty Wolf. Jason asks MArty to drop him in where the teacher was and somehow MArty allows JAson to get in and tells him he will drop him. In the Limo Jason accidently drops his papers, and when he gets off the community college where the teacher is his story paper is in the limo. After Jason leaves the producer notices that Jason has left the story paper titled "THE BIG FAT LIAR" there and didn't bother to drop it of to JAson. However Jason's parents and his teacher thinks that Jason is lying when he tells that he did do his assignment and that he dropped it in the limo and they don't believe JAson. When Jason and his friend KAylee goes to the theather to go see a movie, JAson see the trailer for the movie BIG FAT LIAR and finds out that the producer is making a movie oout of his story, and when he tells this to his parents, they don't believe him. For the long weekend Jason's parents are going on a vacation. SO, JAson thought that he should make his parents have the trust in him and flys of to LA with Kaylee to go and see WOlf to make him tell his parents say he did take JAson's story.
The rest of the movie is all about how JASon makes WOlf to admit that he stole JASon's story.
From my point of the movie the movie was funny and i will reccomend other teens to watch it.It is adventurous. You will really will wanna to find out how Jason makes WOlf admit that he stole his story. This story will make people to think of the "The Boy Who Cried Wolf" fable where the moral was "Even when liars tell the truth, they are never believed" and also in this movie you will learn this lesson.

(Volunteer Hours:1/2 hour)

TRAP Newsletter,

One of the things I'd like to do with the TRAP is to publish a monthly, one-page newsletter of reviews. We'll be able to make copies of the newsletter available in the library branches, and eventually, post in on the teen webpage (when ever it goes online). I'd like input from the group on this project. I thought we'd have a "featured book" or "book of the month" - we could have a longer review, include a picture of the book cover, etc, - and then include maybe five other items that members of the TRAP have reviewed over the month. What do you think? I'm totally open to suggestions as to format, design..whatever. If anyone wants to be the newsletter editor (pick the reviews, format the document, etc.) email us and we can work that out too. We'll aim to have the first "issue" out in early October.

P.s. Since it'll be your reviews that we'll be using, please let us know if you don't want your reviews published in the newsletter (just email the teen department at teens@markham.library.on.ca). We'll only use your blog i.d. so you won't have to worry about having your name published or anything like that.

Andrea's blurb about herself...

Hi Everyone,
As many of you know by now, I'm Andrea and I'm the Teen Services Librarian at Angus Glen Library. I got into teen services because I as much as I didn't especially enjoy my adolescence, I feel like it is an amazing time of life with great potential for self-discovery and exploration, and working with intelligent, creative teens is a pretty cool way to make a living. I also feel like teens can easily get overlooked or misunderstood, and it is exciting to get to advocate for young people.
I'm excited about the TRAP - I think it is a fairly unique volunteer opportunity and a great way to get people talking about books - and I hope you all have a lot of fun with the programme.

On a personal note:
I have a million billion hobbies and interests - art, music, crafts, literature, running around outside doing stuff, riding my bicycle, eating delicious vegetarian food, petting my kittens Charlie and Brodie... basically anything you can think of. I live in Toronto with my husband Mike and am found many nights 'round and about chatting with him and other friends about ideas, pop culture, world events, celebrity gossip or anything else interesting over dinner or whatever. I'll looking forward to reading your reviews (and maybe posting a couple of my own from time to time).

Confessions of a Shopaholic
Sophie Kinsella
310 Pages
Adult Fiction

Rating: 4 Shopping Bags / 5 Shopping Bags

Rebecca Bloomwood is in serious debt. Her job as a financial journalist on 'Successful Savings' is not quite cutting it. Of course, she didn't dream of her career coming down to this. She dreamed of being a writer for Vogue or Cosmopolitan, but you have to start somewhere. Not only does her job bore her to death, it just can't keep up with her spending.

Rebecca is a shopaholic. She just cannot stop spending! She can barely afford her flat, her closet full of the newest clothes or her Visa bill. It's HILARIOUS how she gets out of things (dating the check wrong for her payments, saying her dog died even though she doesn't have one). Her dad then gives her some advice: 'Cut back or Make More Money.' You can just imagine what happens when she tries to cut back.

After almost finally giving up, thinking she's a failiure, a story comes up that she actually cares about. Rebecca learns that she can make a difference and has the power to change her life forever.

The story is told through Rebecca's mind. It's an extremely entertaining book and does not contain anything explicit, even though it's an adult book. It's less offensive than some of the teen books I've read. However, the only drawback to reading this is that she is from London, meaning all the prices are in Pounds and you have no idea how much she's spending. If you're reading this, just keep in mind that Pounds are stronger than even the American dollar. Also, because I am young, it's hard to understand payments and all the financial things she covers for her stories.

Other than that, it's a really good book and I highly recommend it, if you want a break from a heavy drama. This is just a light comical story that's a few days read. Enjoy!

Jessica

Volunteer Hours: 3
This review can be published in the Teen Newsletter.

Both Sides Now - Ruth Pennebaker

The main character - Lisa - is the biggest contradiction to the stereotypical teenager. She is a straight laced girl who is on her school's newpaper, earns top marks in all of her classes, and has a strong sense of self decipline. "If you don't plan, you'll get taken by surprise, and I don't want that to happen to me. I want to plan for everything so that I can have a good, successful life," is one of the pharses her life revolves around.

However, there is one thing Lisa didn't plan for - her mother getting breast cancer. Lisa's life starts to go out of control. She forgets to meet a deadline for her school paper, and she flunks her driver's license.

Suddenly, she starts to see life through her mother's eyes; having to take life as it comes, not being able to directly control your future.

Her life takes a dramatic turn, and instead of trying to be "strong" for her mother, she realises that all along it was her mother that was being strong for her.

Most of the story is written in Lisa's point of view, but every now and then the author adds a paragraph or two from Rebecca's (Lisa's mom) point of view. You get to see the different perspectives on the same situation, and it makes you reflect on your own life.

The book is very solid and touching, and the part that really hits home is that the author (Ruth Pennebaker) is a cancer survivor herself.

This book deserves a silver medal (3.75/5 stars)

- Sonika

Hello everyone!!!
Here are a few things about me...
My name is Mina (shortned). I am in grade 10. My favourite subjects are Math,and English. My favourit genre for books are mystery and suspense. I love reading books but after school started i have had no time to read. I have all heavy workload subjects this semester and unfortunately i have English next semester which means i can't read as much as books. I was part of the TSRP during the summer and i enjoyed. Well thats all for now!

Okay, time to introduce myself, without giving too much away (i'm scared of crazy people on the internet, okay???). Sorry about that, anyways.... i'm in grade 10 this year, although i won't say where, and my name is Jenn. I'm also a big reader, and writer too for that matter. I was part of the Teen Summer Reading Blog, as you may have gathered from my last entry. My favourite colour is turqouise (a kind of bluish-green, like this font), and i love art!!!! I love painting and drawing, everything about it!!! I tend to be funny (so i've heard, i'm always making people laugh, although i hope that isn't because of my appearance) and i also tend to be pretty shy around people i don't know. I have a little puppy - okay, he's almost three, but he'll always be a puppy to me!! - and i love playing soccer and swimming. Well, that's enough about me for now, you'll hear more from me, later!!!

- Jenn :-)

Spain or Shine - Michelle Jellen
S.A.S.S. Series (Students Across the Seven Seas)
214 pages

Elena is a shy, reserved girl who would rather be behind the camera than in front of it. But when she gets the chance to fly overseas and study play production for a semester, she decides to come out of her shell. When she first arrives, she is confused, and hates the thought of speaking Spanish to others, in fear of saying the wrong thing. But after she befriends a surfer-dude Alex, and flirty-but-true Jenna, she sees that she can be anybody she wants to be, and that there's no reason to be shy. She quickly excells in her classes, especially play production, and meets a cute Spaniard named Miguel who keeps her slightly confused the whole time she's in San Sebastian.

But the real reason for her success is in meeting her Great-Aunt Elena, who teaches her the value of her friendships, and to seize every opportunity that comes her way. It is this relative who helps Elena with a great achievement that occurs near the end of the book, althought i won't ruin the surprise!!!

The S.A.S.S. series is great because it teaches you a bit about the country where the student is studying (the series includes books about England, Spain, Germany, Italy, and France) and even helps you learn a bit about the languages. This particular book was fairly interesting, but another book in the series, The Sound of Munich (Germany), which i posted about on the Teen Summer Reading Blog, had more substance. They are cute reads, which i think are marketed more towards girls.

Rating: * * *.5/5

- Jenn :-)

(Volunteer Hours:3)

Hey Everyone,

I guess it's time to post my blurb. I've never done this before. Well, I heard about this blog when I went to the library (big surprise right?). I guess I was looking for volunteering opportunities and it seemed destined I join (haha). I love books. I love writing. I love making my opinion be heard. And I guess blogs are pretty cool too. So my name is Jessica, I go to UHS like Stephie. In fact, she's in two of my classes, so it's really coincidental. Tomorrow's the second week of initiation, 'Freshmen Fridays' as they call it, so we'll see how it goes. I'll just make sure I'm not carrying my Grade 9 Geography textbook tomorrow lol.
Hmm well, I love books. I read all teen series, even though they're all similar. My favourite series has to be Gossip Girl (it's good! admit it!). I have a whole pile of library books to read, so expect a TON of reviews from me. I just read 'Confessions of a Shopaholic' on the weekend, so stay tuned! If only there weren't any homework, I'd get started right now lol.

Jessica (um, I'll make a more exciting signature later)

okay, so here's my blurb:
hello everyone, my name is Stephie (no, it's not a short form for Stephanie, my original name is Stephie...i just have to write that because everyone always ask if my real name is Stephanie) and i'm 14 years old. i've joined the reading blog since the summer so i'm looking forward to this one as well =). i go to Unionville High School (does anyone here go there?) and luckily, i survived the first friday of september (initiation day)...but still 3 more to come. i'm an only child (very sad), i love reading books by Meg Cabot (even though i didn't finish reading all of them yet, but oh well, lolz). i'm famous among my group of friends as the tomato lover because I LOVE TOMATOES (x13), yes, i love the number 13 as well, hehe. anywayz, that's it for now, bye

s.t.e.p.h.i.e.

Hi, I am Catherine! For those of you who do not know me from the Summer Reading Blog, I am the Teen Library Assistant at Angus Glen.
Prior to working in the Teen Department, I worked in Adult and Teens. Since I started with Markham Public Libraries, I have spent time at Unionville, Markham and now Angus Glen Branches.
My children are: Christine, 21 and Andrew, 18 as well as a furry 3rd child, a shih-tzu named Leo, aged 2 1/2. My husband, Steve and I are married 23 years. He says it just feels longer.
If you are ever at Angus Glen, ask if Andrea or I are working. We would love to meet you.

Catherine

Please feel free to write a blurb about yourselves. Blurbs do not count for volunteer hours.

Sample Review
Marley and Me By Josh Grogan
291 pages

This is the autobiography of a dog, yes, a dog. It is the story of a labrador retriever named Marley and his owner, Josh Grogan and his wife, Jenny.

As a child, Josh had this incredible dog. At least, he remembers his dog as a cross between Lassie and Mother Teresa.

When his wife suggested that they get another dog as practise for parenthood, Josh thought it was ideal. They went and met Marley. It seemed like a match made in heaven until they saw Marley's dad running through a farmer's field. This should have told them what was coming.

Marley has many adventures from swallowing an expensive necklace, fear of thunderstorms, destroying a garage to upending a service porch.

This book is quite funny because I being a pet owner did not have to live through these experiences. A couple of bedroom references where Marley gets between the husband and wife.
Overall, I loved this book.

It has been on the Globe and Mail Best Sellers list for months. This is classified as adult material but with the exception of Marley, in the couple's bedroom a few times, nothing offensive. The owner does think a few choice words for Marley, at times but I don't remember him using the words.

Catherine
Teen LA
Angus Glen Library

(You can sign it with your first name or screen name)

If I was counting volunteer hours:
Volunteer Hours: 3

This review can be published in the Teen Newsletter.

Think this blog looks lame? Yes, it is a generic blogger template and could use some prettying up. If anyone wants to redesign the blog, let us know. (Would count towards your volunteer hours, should that be an incentive...)

Welcome to TRAP!!

TRAP is our newest (and maybe coolest) volunteering opportunity at MPL. As many of you know from the Teen Summer Reading Programme, the idea for TRAP came from the TSRP blog. It is meant to be a forum for teens in Markham to discuss books, CDs and DVDs, and to earn volunteering hours doing it. It is also a readers' advisory tool for the Teen Services staff - what that means is that your reviews will be used to help create reading lists, displays in the teen department, and hopefully a peer review page on the upcoming Teen Website. The Teen Services staff will also use this blog to keep you posted about upcoming events at the library.

Here's what you need to know...

1. Members are expected to contribute one (or more!) reviews a month
2. There are no regular meetings in person
3. You can review a Book, CD or DVD that we have at any of our branches in the MPL system
4. You are also encourage to post recommendations for items you think the Teen Librarian should purchase for the system (these don't count as reviews for the purposes of volunteer hours, though.)
5. There's no word limit on reviews, but please try to include the following: title, author, # of pages, plot summary, what you thought about the book, the main themes and subjects, who you think the target audience is, and how you would catagorize it in terms of genre (e.g. sci-fi, romance, etc.)
6. Any questions or concerns can be directed to the Teen Services Department at teens@markham.library.on.ca

For those of you counting this service towards your mandatory community service hours for school, here's how to count your hours:

• each CD or DVD review counts as 1/2 hour of volunteer service
• each book review counts as 3 hours

However, you must contribute book reviews - not all your hours can be from watching movies or listing to records. Remember: only reviews of materials in the library collection count towards your hours. You are responsible to keep track of your hours and to contact us if you need volunteer forms signed.

Finally... Have fun! We look forward to reading your reviews.
Andrea Cecchetto - Teen Services Librarian
Catherine Glynn-Anker - Teen Services Assistant