As I’m writing this, those of you in the Waltham Schools are about to enjoy over a week of vacation. A lot of you will be celebrating Christmas with your families and loved ones, and I hope all of you will take the time to visit the library! If you are looking for something to do over the break, here are a few ideas:

1. If you haven’t already done so, check out Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One. It’s still playing in most major theatres, including the reasonably priced Capitol Theatre in Arlington. Seeing the movie has inspired me to re-read the entire series. I am about halfway through book four and am remembering how much I enjoyed the books the first time. I still do have a bit more of a soft spot for Ron and Hermione than I do for Harry, and I still prefer Remus Lupin to Sirius Black, but that’s just me.
2. Check out the 24 hour marathon of the movie A Christmas Story on TBS. This is actually a movie that both you and your parents will find funny. If you miss the marathon, be sure and check out a copy from our AV department. While you’re at it, check out the book that inspired the movie, In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash by Jean Shepherd. If nothing else, you’ll learn never to stick your tongue on a frozen flag pole, even if someone triple dog dares you.
3. Nominate your favorite books for the Massachusetts Teen Book Award. You have until January 7!
4. Check out the new teen books that came in this week:
   • Where the Streets Had a Name by Randa Abdel-Fattah
   • Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson
   • Star of Stone: Century Quartet Book II by Pierdomenico Baccalario
   • King of Ithaka by Tracy Barrett
   • Five Days of the Ghost by William Bell
   • Draw the Dark by Ilsa J. Bick
   • The Dead Boys by Royce Buckingham
   • Crave by Laura J. Burns and Melinda Metz
   • Soccerland by Beth Choat
   • Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
   • Sugar and Spice: An L.A Candy Novel by Lauren Conrad
   • Take me There by Carolee Dean
   • Enchanted Ivy by Sarah Beth Durst
   • The Legions of Fire: The Books of the Elements Volume 1 by David Drake
   • Wildthorn by Jane Eagland
   • Sphinx’s Queen by Esther Friesner
   • Bright Young Things by Anna Godbersen
   • The Defense of Thaddeus A. Ledbetter by John Gosselink
   • Jane by April Lindner
   • Touch Blue by Cynthia Lord
   • Hold Me Closer, Hold me Necromancer by Lish McBride
   • Three Quarters Dead by Richard Peck
   • The Things a Brother Knows by Dana Reinhardt
   • A Good Horse by Jane Smiley
   • Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters by Natalie Standiford
   • Empty by Suzanne Weyn
   • The Curse of the Wendigo by Rick Yancey

posted by Laura

Was there a book that you really loved, this year? Are you sick of books that you never heard of or don’t like winning awards? Well, here is your chance to let your voice be heard. The Massachusetts Teen Book Award is an award that is decided by Massachusetts teens between the ages of 12 and 18. You can nominate your favorite books for the rest of the year and then vote on the winner in early 2011.
Vote online (for ages 13-18) or download a paper form and vote by mail. (for ages 12-18)

We have some new YA titles, this week. Click on the title to reserve a copy or call 781-314-3425 X3.

• Manifest: a Mystyx Novel by Artist Arthur
• The Body Scoop for Girls: A Straight-Talk Guide to a Healthy Beautiful You by Jennifer Ashton, M.D.
• Glimmerglass: a Faeriewalker Novel by Jenna Black
• House of the Star by Caitlin Brennan
• Losing Romeo: a BFF Novel by A.J. Byrd
• Pathfinder by Orson Scott Card
• Fifteen Candles: An Amigas Novel by Veronica Chambers
• She’s got Game: An Amigas Novel by Veronica Chambers
• After the Fire by Becky Citra
• Clockwork Angel: The Infernal Devices Book One by Cassandra Clare
• Next Semester by Cecil R. Cross II
• Misguided Angel: a Blue Bloods novel by Melissa de la Cruz
• Threads and Flames by Esther Friesner
• Blank Confession by Pete Hautman
• The Dark Game: True Spy Stories by Paul B. Janeczko
• Firelight by Sophie Jordan
• Payback by Paul Langan
• Summer of Secrets by Paul Langan
• Indigo Summer by Monica McKayhan
• Jaded: An Indigo Novel by Monica McKayan
• Step Up: An Indigo Novel by Monica McKayhan
• Love at First Bite: The Unofficial Twilight Cook Book by Gina Meyers
• Night Star: The Immortals Series by Alyson Noel
• Fixing Delilah by Sarah Ockler
• The Last Full Measure by Ann Rinaldi
• Mindblind by Jennifer Roy
• Lost and Found by Anne Schraff
• A Matter of Trust by Anne Schraff
• Royal Blood: A Vampire Kisses Novel by Ellen Schreiber
• Vampire Kisses: The Beginning by Ellen Schreiber
• The Mosts by Melissa Senate
• Lesson Learned: a Keysha Novel by Earl Sewell
• The Promise by Chandra Sparks Taylor