Book of the Week Podcast: The Program by Suzanne Young

CLICK HERE to hear Mr. Bott's review of The Program by Suzanne Young

Bott Jams Volume 2

**NOTE** My book of the week will now be on a podcast starting this week. I'll throw the link on this blog by Friday.

I've been given some feedback on my music selections from last week's posts. Most of it was shock that I, a librarian, would ever entertain the thought of listening to "that type of music." I laugh most of the time I hear that because, in my opinion, growing up in the early to mid 90's during the height of metalcore and indie rock was the best time for music...Forget the Beatles, I had Botch. You can have Pink Floyd, I had Pavement. It wasn't the most popular music, but if you had a good group of people who knew had access to a decent record shop, you struck gold.

My parents never listened to music around the house. My dad played some Frank Zappa on occasion, but other than that I was on my own. My cousins were older and in high school already by the time I hit 12 years old and were hanging out with guys in bands that were playing a mix of metal (think old thrash metal) and punk rock. They used to practice on the other side of town and I hung out with them once or twice and got to browse through their catalogs of old records and tapes (yes tapes). Before I knew it, I was hooked. One thing I need to clarify, just because people play loud, screamy music doesn't mean they're evil.

From metalcore I graduated to some indie rock bands that played catchy and above all interesting music. Music that I couldn't find on the radio (aside from say, Nirvana). So that's a really brief summary of why I dig the music I do. Work for your music. Go on the Internet and search for good bands. Go to shows (more on that next week). I found good bands in 1993 and there was no Internet.

Now for the music:

Instrumental Music:
Explosions In The Sky- My favorite instrumental band. Beautiful music that at times can be crushing and they always illicit emotion. Probably the loudest live show I've ever been to.
Godspeed You Black Emperor - Weird and always dark, Godspeed makes for a really interesting show and each one of their albums ebbs and flows through a range of dissonance and melody.
Russian Circles - Chicago based band that is heavier than the previous two I mentioned with a much more drive background of rock influenced instrumentals.
Pelican - Heavy, downtuned, and sometimes confusing. Their first EP was disgustingly heavy and blew out a speaker in my old car. Since then, they've been a little more structured in the music and that works to both their advantage and disadvantage at times.
Mogwai - By far the eclectic band on this list. They do have some vocals in certain songs but for the most part they are instrumental; heavy when they want to be and melodic most of the time.

Explosions in the Sky


Noise Rock/Just Noise
Lightning Bolt: I love this band. I saw them once in Manhattan and before the opening act played their last song, LB (who were set up in the middle of the floor amidst the crowd) just started playing...LOUD. Looking up their song Dracula Mountain on YouTube.
The Melt Banana - I honestly don't know what to make of this band. It sounds a little like throwing instruments down a flight of stairs. Some noise, some grindcore, some synth, lots of confusion.
Daughters - They're from Canada. They're done now, but their first album featured all screaming. Their next two, none. So I don't know if they're metal or noise, but they are strange fo sho. Hit up The Locust while you're at it

Lightning Bolt


Rap/Hip Hop
Aesop Rock - NOT ASAP ROCKY - Aesop Rock is a dude who can throw rhymes like crazy and raps stories with feverish fluidity.
Blackalicious - I know, hilarious name. But seriously, they rap the alphabet...How can you beat that? Two dudes who throw rhymes in multisyllabic format. It's a win.

Aesop Rock

For the Indie Crowd:
The Shins: Wonderful musicians with a knack for hooks that will have you singing along ALL THE TIME.
Pavement: First heard this band in the 90's. A little quirky, grooving guitars, and influenced bands from Weezer to Bright Eyes.
Bright Eyes: Speaking of which, Conor Oberst writes a lot of music. That's one of the things that irks me about Bright Eyes; the shear volume of songs he puts out. I can't keep up, but their catalog is wonderfully eclectic. Sometimes quiet, sometimes loud, always interesting.
Balance and Composure: So they're not really "indie" - in fact, I might classify them as a little grunge- but I love this band. It's easily the most interesting, fluid rock band I've heard in years.
The Appleseed Cast: Solid band, sometimes instrumental and always influential. They are a bit harder than Explosions in the Sky and when you throw in the haunting vocals it makes for a phenomenal and since unmatched combination.

The Shins

HONORABLE MENTION:
3 bands here: The Deadly (Philadelphia), Burning Love, The Bronx. All 3 of these guys are punk rock machines. Their stuff will make you tap your feet and want to see them live. The Deadly is since defunked, but their album "The Wolves Are Here Again" is from Pluto Records and you can buy it for like 2$.





Disclaimer: These recommendations are personal views and not associated with any entity other than Mr. Bott himself.

Bott Jams Volume 1

I've had a ton of conversations regarding music with GHS students so I thought I would share some of the music I'm currently listening to and some bands I think you guys/gals should check out.

Metal/Hardcore: I've been jamming to the harder stuff since I heard Minor Threat and Black Flag back in 1993. Since then I've been obsessed and have seen too many shows to count. My top bands in this genre rarely change and they're a bit older. Most of the stuff coming out today I just don't like
Listen to:
- Turmoil - Philadelphia metalcore that just rips
- Terror - Hardcore music with face-melting riffs and an insane live presence.
- Between the Buried and Me - Epic metal songs that mix melody and technical styles
- Every Time I Die - Big riffs, great lyrics, and getting better with age
- Converge - Best...band...ever


Turmoil's "The Process Of"


Post-Hardcore: I cringe when I hear this word. Asking Alexandria is not screamo. They're just terrible. Here are a couple screamo bands I've listened to for years:
- Circle Takes the Square- chaotic, melodic, and wonderfully mysterious
- Braid - Love love love this band. They are still the best in terms of song structure in this genre.
- You & I - If clean vocals are your thing, don't listen. But phenomenal builds and crushing guitars
- City of Caterpillar - Speaking of builds...this band does it best. Look up their live shows on YouTube and you'll see what I mean.


(city of caterpillar)

Indie Bands: For the more rock oriented folks, these bands are not necessarily radio rock. But definitely more accessible than some hardcore bands:
- mewithoutYou - rock meets rhythm and absolutely incredible vocals. They are, I guess, considered "christian" but don't let that deter you.
- Future of the Left - I'm not sure where to put this band because they're so weird and quirky. I dig their style and their street cred in the rock genre can't be topped.
- Q and Not U - Math rock from D.C. Spastic, but their odd timing keeps you guessing without being pretentious.
- Minus the Bear - I think everyone knows this band. Cross referenced with legendary hardcore band Botch and post rockers These Arms Are Snakes, MTB is the most listen-able(?) band on this list.


(mewithoutYou)

Punk Rock: My first love. Since I happened upon Black Flag back in the day, I haven't looked back:
- Black Flag - Just listen...NOW
- Minor Threat - Ian MacKaye (frontman: See Fugazi) made me love punk rock. He coined the term "straight edge" and has influenced almost every band I've listened to since.
- Find Him and Kill Him - Fastest band ever and is just raw punk rock. Listening to them is like hearing a tornado.
- Kid Dynamite - Having grown up in PA, Kid Dynamite was the punk band everyone wanted to emulate in my town. They could be fast, but also throw in a melody or two that even made your girlfriend tap her feet. Great great band


(Minor Threat)

***Honorable Mention*** Balance and Composure - I'm 3 songs in to their newest and it's awesome. I'll issue an update soon.


There are tons more and I'll update occasionally. Feel free to tweet me some suggestions (books or music) @MrBott1 or throw me some bands when you see me. One more thing, being a librarian I can't help but mention a book here, so for my "Books on Music" pick, it's Journals: Kurt Cobain: A great look into one of, in my opinion, the most incredible and troubled minds in music.

Bott's Book of the Week: My Friend Dahmer...yeah...that Dahmer

So Jeffery Dahmer is a real American horror story. From 1978 to 1991, he was responsible for the murder of 17 men and boys in the great Milwaukee area. But it didn't end there, throughout the course of his trial it came to light that he consumed his victims.

Now...having said that...Why would anyone want to read a book about a serial killer/rapist? First of all, it's not necessarily a biography about Dahmer himself. It's more along the lines of how the author, Derf Backderf, shared a relatively normal high school friendship with this would be murderer. Backderf's art is straight up creepy; but it paints Dahmer in an almost sympathetic light. According to Backderf, Dahmer was a goofball. A kid who didn't fit in and someone who by all accounts was looking for guidance during an impressionable time in his life.

I hate that I felt sympathy for anyone who committed such heinous crimes, but that's what this book does. It makes the reader a.) Uncomfortable because we know the outcome b.) A little angry. I say that because, and Backderf says as much, "Where were the damn adults?" Now, Backderf's book is not without its flaws. He admits to being a bit of a bully and then contradicts himself as saying he was a friend. Still, the book is a quick and quirky read. Something that I don't want to visit again.

Ugh...The Red Sox...Plus Book of the Week!

You must know something about me. I am a die hard Yankees fan. So when The Red Sox, a team I've loathed since I was 2, clinched a spot in the World Series, I was a little dismayed. Especially since my Yanks are at home on the couch or golfing. They'll play the Cardinals and probably win which will put me in an even worse mood. Then, to top it all off, the first student I see this morning is wearing a Sox hat and telling me about how she had seats in center field for the game....Go Cardinals!

Music- Currently I'm listening to Nick Cave & Warren Ellis' stuff, old Nirvana B-sides, and I spin Converge's Jane Doe on the way home from work everyday.

Books- I just finally finished American Lion which is the story of Andrew Jackson in the White House. Dude was harsh...Rumor has it that, in a duel, he allowed the other man to shoot first uncontested so he himself could get off a clean shot. 

Now for your Book of the Week

The girl on the cover is dead. Well...sort of. Her name is Tegan and she's 16, just trying to make it by like every other teen in the year 2027. Things are starting to come together for her, too. She's got a hot date, good friends, etc. That's when tragedy strikes. A sniper's bullet find her head and drops her like a hot potato. DEAD. And then she wakes up. Weird right? How did she survive? 

As you can ascertain from the cover, she was frozen. She wakes up 100 years later as Australia's newest celebrity: The Frozen Dead Girl! The book gradually lets the reader think that the government froze her for scientific reasons, for good. But as you read, you realize that the government might not have the best intentions for young Tegan and Tegan realizes that the future isn't exactly what she had expected.

This was a good, good book. Not great, but good. The reason is wasn't super was because the middle was super slow. They do give you clues as to what's going to happen, but it's so few and far between that it couldn't keep my attention through the entire novel. The ending more than makes up for it, though and the characters drive the story once it finally gets going again.

Bott's Book of the Week + A Couple Library Things...

Tough loss on Friday, Dutchmen. What did Shakespeare say? "It is not in the stars to hold our destiny, but in ourselves." You'll get them next time.

On the library end of things- Quotation books are out in the library for those that need a good yearbook quote. Don't make it something from a song, please. Those are always the worst. I can't tell you how many of my classmates quoted a song that now everyone makes fun of- make it something good. Might I suggest Shakespeare, Voltaire, Hobbes, Locke, etc.

NOW for the Book of the Week:

A Pig, A Movie Star, and A Small Town Girl.

Mr. Bott's Book of the Week: This Is What Happy Looks Like

This book had an interesting story and after reading a TON of fantasy and science fiction, I needed a little fluff. Yes...this book is fluffy. It has love, humor, and a pig. In fact, that's how this whole thing started. Graham is a movie star. Like a real, live movie star. Ellie is not. These two should have no connections other than Ellie seeing Graham on the big screen; however, Graham sends an accidental email to Ellie about his pet pig. Ellie is, needless to say, shocked. 

What's even more shocking is that Graham takes a liking to the response Ellie sends. Wouldn't you know it....these two hit it off over emails. They tell each other life stories and experiences and soon Graham starts to think that Ellie's hometown in Maine would be the perfect place to shoot his new movie. That's where things get a little complicated. Can Ellie and Graham survive a real life meeting? 

Before I answer that (which I won't because that would ruin the ending), this is not a book I'd normally pick up. It's lovey...I'm not. It's fluffy...I'm not. But I very much enjoyed the emails between Ellie and Graham. They were funny and light and at times I forgot that Graham was a "movie star" because Ellie brought him back down to earth with her small town charm. This is also a very quick read because the emails make up a good portion of the book. It's not without its faults, though. I think Jennifer Smith is a great writer and I liked her previous novel but I don't see her writing that life changing novel for students like John Green's Looking for Alaska. I have to be in the mood to read lovey dovey stuff. It just so happens I was this time.

Mr. Bott's Book of the Week- Girl, Stolen- This might not end well...

I am always up for a good thriller, the only problem is I have been lured into these kind of books before. It starts out at the speed of light and then slows toward the middle of the book and eventually loses me before the inevitable twist at the end. Girl, Stolen by April Henry was a wild ride from the start and continued throughout the entire book. It's a pretty thin novel, too which was perfect for me to read while my son took his naps.

Sixteen–year-old Cheyenne Wilder is sleeping in the back of a car while her mom fills her prescription for antibiotics. Before Cheyenne realizes what’s happening, their car is being stolen. Griffin hadn’t meant to kidnap Cheyenne, but once his dad finds out that Cheyenne’s father is the president of a powerful corporation, everything changes—now there’s a reason to keep her. How will Cheyenne survive this nightmare? Because she’s not only sick with pneumonia—she’s also blind.

Strengths of this novel: The characters- I am really impressed with Cheyenne and her resilience through the entire ordeal. She's blind, yet the imagery the author gives through Cheyenne's viewpoint creates of a sense that she's stronger than her captor. She also draws on Griffin's (her captor) emotions and elicits sympathy from him which she then uses to her advantage. I love how smart and resourceful she is. It makes me wonder how I would react in the same situation. 

Another strength is the length of the book. It's small which keeps the story moving. I wish more authors would take a cue from Henry in that regard. As I mentioned, too often I've been drawn into a daze of wordiness that lulls me to sleep (and I've read Tolstoy and Tolkien). Her real strength is not how many words she uses, but how she uses them. 

The only weakness is why Griffin chooses to keep her. Her father "very powerful"...Nothing new there. Other than that it's hard to find many things wrong with Girl, Stolen.

4 out of 5 Stars

Hello Guilderland! Bott's Book-o-da-Week & More

Sorry for the delay in posts. It's been a busy, crazy month here. I am excited to join Guilderland Central School District as their new high school librarian! I have been transitioning nicely and meeting teachers and students. DISCLAIMER!!! I can barely remember my own name sometimes, let alone 1800 students/teachers, so forgive me if I ask you your name 20 times.
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Ok, now on to my book of the week! I have said it before that I am sick of dystopian fiction. Since The Hunger Games came out and blew up the world every few months we see another book cross the desk that has, "similar to The Hunger Games" in the description. I stepped back for a bit and read a bunch of non-fiction, a TON of zombie fiction, and everything John Green ever wrote. So when I picked up The Silenced by James DeVita, needless to say I was hesitant.

I had to give it a shot and I was VERY pleased. 

The Silenced tells the story of Marena, a 16 year old girl whose country has recently come under the rule of the Protectorate, a totalitarian government created by the Zero Tolerance Party. Emphasizing homogeneous thinking and personal appearance, the Protectorate restricts basic rights and freedoms and the idea of individuality is strictly forbidden.

The Protectorate describes this philosophy of Zero Tolerance as, “there is no room for YOU anymore, there is only room for US.” 

Citizens are moved from their homes and settled into re-adaption communities to help them embrace the new order. Children are required to attend classes at training facilities to be schooled in this new “right-thinking” and any resistance results in behavior modification or neutralization. Marena’s own mother was neutralized for speaking out against the ideals of the Zero Tolerance Party.

All of this suffocation, in combination with her mother's downfall, ignite her passion and resolve to rise up against the Zero Tolerance Party. This book is partly inspired by true events from WWII and a group of German students called the White Rose resistance group.

It is a fascinating look at how the past can predict the future and even though there is certainly some repetition here from other dystopian novels, The Silenced stands on its own.

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 This is one book of many that I have on the dock to review. If you have any suggestions for me, you can email me at bottb@guilderlandschools.net or stop by the library to see me any time!

Welcome Back! Who Has Coffee?

GOOOOOOOD Morning everyone! Welcome back to all those who have joined us in the past and to all those who are new to SCLA, good to have you!

I will start book of the week next week as it will be our first full week. I read about 50 books this summer and I'm actually having difficulty choosing a favorite. Anyway, let's start with the library hours: This year we are looking at 8-3:30; however, if you need to schedule time after or before school to use a computer, you MUST let me know ahead of time. I have a son whom I must pick up everyday and letting me know that you need extra library time as I'm headed out the door might be tough. I will definitely try to work with you as much as possible.

The library is open for lunch most days unless I have classes scheduled. Look for the open/closed sign on the library door. Book circulation will start in 2 weeks (likely) as I need all new students loaded into my library system. Returning students, I might be able to work something out with you if you want a book sooner.

Computers are up and ready to go....

Bott had his gallon of coffee.....

Let's do this....

Big CONGRATS to All Award Recipients!

Last night was awards night and we had a great turn out. Seeing as I am your librarian, I want to acknowledge the Library Award recipients for the 2012-2013 school year. Now, the Library Award is not simply a person who checks out books, but someone who is inquisitive and eager to learn and someone goes beyond the subject matter they learn in class. 

This year's awards go to Nick Zito and Areen Lulu. Both students show such wonderful promise and understand the importance of knowing how to think instead of just what to think. That goes a long way with me. Nick is a senior who focused much of his reading on non-fiction books. He will be pursuing a career in the army and criminal justice. Areen is our resident vampire book guru. She has read EVERY vampire book in the SCLA Library. Areen and I had some heated philosophical debates, some active and fun discussions regarding books, and she played an integral part in choosing titles for next year's orders. For that I thank her!

To those who received scholarships and awards last night: Keep.It.Up. You now have a responsibility to not only maintain that level of academic integrity, but encourage those around you. 

And for those who did not receive an award, Keep.Trying. If you feel as though you deserve something in life, go get it. Do not sit back and say "Oh well..." Be determined. Work hard. Come to school everyday and I can guarantee you will see results. Life is an everyday occurrence, not just when you feel like it. 

Oh and one more thing: PLEASE RETURN ALL LIBRARY BOOKS TO BOTT ASAP!

WE DID IT--> 1500 Books!

Hello SCLA! First and foremost I'd like to congratulate everyone on a great year in the SCLA Library. Last week we passed our goal of 1500 books circulated. Now, given the amount of students we have, divided by the amount of books we checked out, it averages to 5.2 books per student. That is amazing! I can't wait to break that record next year...

All of the books are due May 31st which means you have some time. Once May 31st hits, I have to send out the final overdue notices. Please return your books, guys! We need all books returned so others can enjoy them next year. If your book is not returned, the overdue notice will contain the price of the book should you choose to replace it.

SO BRING BACK YOUR BOOKS!!!!

Book of the Week Time Folks! Plus Library Updates

Greetings everyone! I'd like to first thank our seniors at SCLA for an awesome field trip to Vermont on Friday. We had more ice cream than I care to admit, but it was a wonderful experience and, despite some GPS troubles, we made it there and back in one piece!

Now, as far as our library goal for the year. Again, we set the goal at 1500 books circulated by the end of May. We only have 50 more to go! What does this mean? It means we are readers at SCLA. There are books in hand and I am constantly getting recommendations from everyone here. Keep up the good work and even if we miss our 1500 goal by one book I know that you have the drive and determination that inspires me each day I come to SCLA, so thank you!

ON to the Book-o-da-week...This one is a tear jerker...

WILLOW by Julia Hoban -------------------------------------->


Willow's parents are dead....


                They died in a car accident, but Willow survived....


To make the situation worse, Willow was the one driving the car.....


                                         To cope with the pain, she begins cutting herself....

She bleeds and bleeds and bleeds, emotionally and physically,

UNTIL

Willow meets Guy- he understands her

                                                                             Their relationship might be just what Willow needs...

Check it out today! For more updates and information, "like" us on Facebook.

SAT Prep Has Started! Book of the Week!

ATTENTION JUNIORS AND SENIORS- SAT Prep has started.
Our library is stocked full of SAT practice and prep books. Most colleges want SAT scores and if you might even be able to take them for FREE. See your guidance counselor for more information and throughout the next month, I will be holding little SAT boot camps to help you prepare.

Mr. Bott's Book of the Week: The House of Tomorrow by Peter Bognanni. 


I know I've said this before, but this is the craziest book I've ever read. It's about triangles, love, punk rock, living in a dome and....well, just check out the trailer....

I know, right...

I think my head just exploded...

I couldn't put this book down!

Book of the Week + New Hunger Games Trailer!

Happy National Library Week! ANNND WHAT A WEEK! We have new Hunger Games movie news!

Let me start with that because I just saw the trailer and fist pumped to myself (again, because I'm a nerd). Catching Fire is the second book in The Hunger Games series (available at the SCLA Library). A bunch of students and teachers went to The Hunger Games movie last year we loved it, so I was super excited to see the new trailer. It follow Katniss and Peeta as they start touring The Districts (because of course they BOTH SURVIVED and may or may not be in looooveeee). But, as always, things get a little crazy when the plot to kill Katniss and anyone she holds dear starts to unfold.

SOOOOO with this news, what do you think my Book of the Week is going to be? Catching Fire of course!


Read it before the movie comes out! I always like to compare the book to the movie as, most of the time, things change. Let's hope they don't change much because Catching Fire was my favorite book of the series.





Pssst...You...yeah you! REGENTS are right around the corner. Don't get caught off guard, pick up some practice Regents books in the library today!

Welcome Back! Bott's Book of the Week + News

Welcome back everyone! Hopefully you are rested from your spring break and now that it is warming up outside, I thought this book would be appropriate for my Book-o-the-Week! The Mutt: How to Skateboard and Not Kill Yourself. 

I used to skateboard back in the day and I've always idolized Rodney Mullen. The man is a magician on a skateboard and this autobiography offers an insight as to how he got started and why he stuck with it even though he was encouraged to quit

Below are some of the tricks Mullen invented and refined over the years. This book will even give you some pointers when you're out there skating.

NEWS

1. We have been going strong again this year at the SCLA Library. We set our goal of 1500 books circulated (like last year) and I'm proud to say we are 250 books shy of that with 2 months left! Great job - We have the best students here and you make me proud EVERYDAY!

2. REGENTS- Don't wait until the last minute. Regents exams are in 2 months and the SCLA library has all the test preparation materials you need. Likewise, we have tons of SAT books to help you out; remember, the SATs are kind of like your college entry test.

3. CONGRATS are in order- We just received the list of SCLA seniors accepted to 2 and 4 year colleges. I can't express how awesome it is to hold that acceptance letter in your hand and know that your future starts NOW.

4. FINALLY- Short story and poetry contest participants- your entries are due April 12th. Winners will be announced next week!

"Like" SCLA SCSD on Facebook!

Search the OPALS online library catalog for a book, find out news and much more on the SCLA Library Homepage

Do You Know Jenna Fox? No? Neither Does She...

My book of the week is called The Adoration of Jenna Fox, by Mary E. Pearson. I read this book in an hour it was that good. It takes place in the future and young Jenna Fox has just woken up from a coma. You see, she was in an accident a year ago and, now 17, doesn't remember anything. A lot has happened while she was out, new planets have been discovered a new president has been elected, etc. She has missed it all.

Her dad is trying to help her remember...


              But she doesn't remember anything....nothing, not a thing.....For now....



Soon, her memory begins to return and she starts to ask question, questions no one wants to answer...





                     

Short Story and Poetry Contest! Plus, Book-o-da-Week

3rd Annual Short Story and Poetry Contest!

Do you write poetry? Or maybe you have a story to tell... Well now is your chance. Here are the rules:

- All stories and poems must be original

- Stories should be short, but have a beginning, middle, and end

- Anything genre is acceptable: mystery, adventure, realistic fiction, science fiction, what ever you want!

- All submissions must be in by April 12, 2013. 

Prizes include gift cards to Dunkin Donuts, Barnes & Noblem, and Subway (mmmmmmm...)

For more updates, "Like" SCLA SCSD on Facebook!

Book of the Week! - Stitches, by David Small

Mrs. Karr's English class is doing graphic novels and while I was up there this morning giving a short lesson, I couldn't believe I forgot about this book. STITCHES tells the story of a young boy who develops a growth in his throat. He goes in for a routine surgery and when he wakes up he discovers the growth was actually cancerous and they had to remove a vocal chord, leaving him barely able to talk...now, he's angry at everyone. 

This book is dark and a little twisted, but it reads like a movie. The images are so distorted and off-putting that it makes you not want to turn the page...but you HAVE TO because together, the pictures and story make this an incredible read!

Book of the Week and Library Update!

Library update first - We are just short of 1100 books circulated for the year! That is awesome and just to give you an idea of how awesome it is, we average 4.2 books circulated per student. We have a goal of 1500 books circulated before June. Let's do this!

I am sure some of you have heard by now that we have to tighten our belts here in Schenectady. We are amongst the poorest districts in the state and we don't always get our fair share. I STRONGLY urge you to learn about how you, the student, is losing out on some serious $$$$. Our Superintendent, Mr. Spring, has put together some information here. Take some time to read, sit down with your parents/guardians and read, and find out what you can do. Without proper funding, we are going to lose some critical services.

Book of the Week - Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay

I love Shakespeare...this is not Shakespeare- but that doesn't mean it's bad, heck no! I loved this book. It's a twist on Shakespeare and Romeo and Juliet's love story which we all think is tragic, but this digs a little deeper...

The most tragic love story in history . . .

Juliet Capulet didn't take her own life. She was murdered by the person she trusted most, her new husband, Romeo Montague, a sacrifice made to ensure his own immortality. But what Romeo didn't anticipate was that Juliet would be granted eternity, as well, and would become an agent for the Ambassadors of Light. For 700 years, she's fought Romeo for the souls of true lovers, struggling to preserve romantic love and the lives of the innocent. Until the day she meets someone she's forbidden to love, and Romeo, oh Romeo, will do everything in his power to destroy that love.


OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! Get it from the SCLA Library today!

Mr. Bott's Book of the Week! Fine...I'll read about Zombies...

Each year it's something different. Last year it was all about VAMPIRES. I'm sure the culmination of the Twilight film series had something to do with that. This year, it's ZOMBIES. The TV series The Walking Dead is huge and the adaptation of the book World War Z into a major movie starring Brad Pitt is definitely driving interest in the genre.

Now I'm a simple librarian. I like Lord of the Rings and Walter Dean Myers and Sharon Draper and Ellen Hopkins and the list goes on and on...but I could never get into ZOMBIE books. They always seemed like the same plot over and over. So when I picked up ASHES, the first book of the trilogy by the same name, I thought it was going to bore me to death. I was wrong.

The story is about Alex, a young girl who is having a rough go of it. She goes for a walk in the woods....

                                                   Then there's an explosion......

                                                                                    And people are...."CHANGED"

check it out:

I loved this book...Not your average Zombie story!

Book of the Week & Regents!

Hi SCLA Students!

1. Regents is next week...Yes...NEXT WEEK! With that said, you might want to brush up on the information presented on the Regents exams. I have every workbook known to man that will help you with some of the more difficult Regents questions. Stop by the library to check them out today!

2. Book of the Week- Oddly enough, my Book(s) of the Week are the aforementioned REGENTS WORKBOOKS!



GET IN HERE...TAKE OUT THESE BOOKS...PASS YOUR REGENTS!

Mr. Bott's Book of the Week!

This book deals with my favorite protagonists, Ingrid....she's cool- plays soccer, smart, and just snagged the role of Alice in the production of Alice In Wonderland. Now, she usually gets a ride from her mom to soccer practice, but her life is about to change when she decides to walk home...and gets lost...

Thirteen-year-old Ingrid Levin-Hill decides to be independent and walk to soccer practice.  After getting lost on the way, she meets a woman people call Cracked-Up Katie and calls a taxi from Katie’s house.  Ingrid is horrified to hear Katie’s murder announced on the news the next day.  She is afraid to tell anyone she was at Katie’s house, and then realizes she left her soccer shoes in Katie’s living room.  Thinking she might be fingered as a suspect, she secretly heads off to retrieve her shoes in the middle of the night.  The plot thickens when she sees another intruder in the house while she is there.  She knows the wrong men have been arrested for the crime—but is afraid to talk, even when the police chief questions her directly about those red soccer shoes.  In the meantime, the chief’s cute son starts calling her, she gets the lead role in the community play, and her relationship with her older brother Ty has its ups and downs.  She continues a positive relationship with her Grampy, a lively character in the family.  Ingrid independently investigates, trying to figure out whodunnit.

Happy New Year- Book of the Week TIME!

Happy New Year Everyone! Welcome back- So what does January bring us?

1. The second batch of new library books have arrived. I will be advertising the covers around the school and Marcus will be reading a couple reviews on the announcements.

2. REGENTS ARE THIS MONTH - There will be a review session on Saturday Jan. 12...stay tuned

3. Overdue notices will be sent out via Facebook and, if books are not returned, phone calls will be made home!

4. BOOK OF THE WEEK TIME! This is a slight twist on the Cinderella Story...and by slight I mean, wicked awesome! This book is called Cinder by Marissa Meyer. Just think if Cinderella was a cyborg (robot human hybrid) and the fate of the world lay in her hands...

From Amazon.com

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . . 

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.