Unwind by Neal Shusterman

Three teens embark upon a cross-country journey in order to escape from a society that salvages body parts from children ages thirteen to eighteen.

It's Still Poetry Month

Two friends with the same first name present the true story of their lives told in a way never before seen. Born from their extraordinary friendship, this fresh, zine-like book tells of their passage into adulthood through poems and bold full-color images interwoven throughout.

A Poetry App for your iPhone

Only a few days left to celebrate 'Poetry Month!' Why not enjoy poetry all the time--from your iPhone?

“I took the library survey and look what they gave me.”

“I took the library survey and look what they gave me.” ~ Mr. Rutledge

Don’t forget to take the library survey to claim your candy*.

*Regrettably, your candy will be a little smaller.

Log-in to Blackboard. Under 'My Organizations' choose 'CBHS All.' The library survey is on the left.

2010 Teens' Top Ten Nomination Spotlight

Watersmeet by Ellen Jensen Abbott
Abisina is born into a colony of religious fanatics where she is persecuted for her appearance and kept alive only because her mother is a healer. When a new leader arrives, he rids the colony of outcasts. Abisina escapes and is rescued by some dwarves who help her journey to Watersmeet to find her father.

TAYSHAS List 2010

Earth Day 2010!

Here are some recommendations from The Houston Chronicle about going green. It's Earth Day, afterall.

• Ditch the car: Ride your bike, walk or take public transit whenever possible. When you have to drive,carpool with friends.
• Buy less stuff: Use the 24-hour rule to distinguish between things you really need and things that you just want because they look cool in the store.
• Eat less meat: Go veggie one or more times a week; vegetarian diets use fewer resources than meat-based diets.
• Make a waste-free lunch: Steer clear of disposables. Pack your lunch with reusable drink bottles, napkins and utensils.
• Nix the vampires: Don't let your gadgets (computers, game consoles, cell phones, MP3 players, etc.) suck more energy than they need. Use power-saving features to cut recharge times and unplug cords when not in use.
• Greenwashing: Labels can be misleading. Don't buy something (especially if you don't need it) just because it's labeled as green. Look for certified green labels (organic, fair-trade, recycled content, etc.) before buying.
• Vending machines: Vending machines are usually the antithesis of going green. Filled with pre-packaged snacks and drinks made from dubious ingredients, these machines are bad for your wallet, your health and the planet.
• Keeping up with Queen Bees: Resist the temptation to keep up with the other kids. Overconsumption wreaks havoc on the planet and your wallet. Don't rush out and buy the latest jeans or video game just because all the other kids have it. And take comfort in the knowledge that you're living green.
• Smoking: Hard to believe, but kids are still smoking. (The American Lung Association Web site reports that 20 percent of high school students said they have had a cigarette in the last 30 days.) Smoking wastes your money, trashes the environment and ends your life. Period.
• Multitasking: You don't have to look too hard to spot a kid texting friends on a cell, chatting on a cordless phone, sending Facebook messages, watching TV and playing a video game ... all at the same time! It's fine to multitask, as long as you're not plugged in or using batteries to do it.

And try out these other websites.
• Teens Turning Green: teensturninggreen.org
• Humane Teen: humaneteen.org
• Do Something: dosomething.org
• Green Teens: greenteensusa.org
• Mother Nature Network: mnn.com

2009 Most Frequently Challenged Books List

The American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom has released its list of the Top Ten Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2009. Lauren Myracle’s Internet girl series – ttyl, ttfn, and l8r g8r - tops the list, replacing the children’s book, And Tango Makes Three in the top spot.
The Office for Intellectual Freedom recorded a total of 460 challenges in 2009. For every challenge reported they estimate that there are 4 or 5 challenges that go unreported. They monitor challenge situations across the country, providing information and assistance to librarians and teachers facing attempts to remove or restrict materials in schools and libraries.

Get Reading! Make sure you're ready to vote for the YALSA 2010 Teens' Top Ten.

The Sky is Everywhere (FIC NEL)

Seventeen-year-old Lennie Walker, bookworm and band geek, plays second clarinet and spends her time tucked safely and happily in the shadow of her fiery older sister, Bailey. But when Bailey dies abruptly, Lennie is catapulted to center stage of her own life and despite her nonexistent history with boys, suddenly finds herself struggling to balance two. Toby was Bailey's boyfriend; his grief mirrors Lennie's own. Joe is the new boy in town, a transplant from Paris whose nearly magical grin is matched only by his musical talent. For Lennie, they are the sun and the moon; one boy takes her out of her sorrow, the other comforts her in it. But just like their celestial counterparts, they can't collide without the whole wide world exploding.

Day of Silence

Do I have a right to participate in the Day of Silence?

You DO have a right to participate in Day of Silence and other expressions of your opinion at a public school during non-instructional time: the breaks between classes, before and after the school day, lunchtime, and any other free times during your day. You do NOT have a right to remain silent during class time if a teacher asks you to speak.

Prom Tickets on Sale Today!

Make sure you are clear of overdue books and fines in the library so that you can purchase prom tickets. Stop by and check with us if you're not sure. And while you're at it, take a look at our display of prom books and magazines. It's time to get ready for your night of glamour.

Our Most Popular Poetry Book (811 SHA)

It's time to think about what you have to read this summer!

We are selling the books required for summer reading for those students taking AP or PreAP courses next year. The forms are due by May 7 along with your payment. You can find the forms here or you can pick one up in the library. Come see your librarians if you have questions.

A book for poetry month (808.81 POE)

Our own Coach Ferrell is spotlighted at The Houston Chronicle

We've had the pleasure over the years of helping Coach Russell Ferrell's "Sports History Class" research important athletes and events. He is being spotlighted at chron.com. Go Brook!

before I fall - by Lauren Oliver

Here's what readergirlz says about the new book before i fall by Lauren Oliver:

Samantha Kingston, a popular (and very self-absorbed) senior, believes she has everything she wants: the perfect boyfriend, amazing friends, the ability to get away with pretty much anything at her high school. In the first chapter, she is on her away home from a party when she gets into a car accident and dies.


However, she still wakes up the next morning. In fact, she must relive the day of her death seven times before she discovers she has the power to change her fate. The book is really about her evolution as a character, from someone who is self-absorbed and petty, to someone with a great capacity for love and empathy and understanding.

Check out the 'Book Spine' poem gallery

It's National Poetry Month

A new book From Stephenie Meyer is on the horizon

Fans of The Twilight Saga will be enthralled by this riveting story of Bree Tanner, a character first introduced in Eclipse, and the newborn vampire world she inhabits. In another irresistible combination of danger, mystery, and romance, Stephenie Meyer tells the devastating story of Bree and the newborn army as they prepare to close in on Bella Swan and the Cullens, following their encounter to its unforgettable conclusion.

Peeps in the Library

Millikin University made this site about marshmallow peeps using the library back in 2003. It's still fun to look at this time of year.