Harmless by Dana Reinhardt book review (Audiobook Version)

Harmless is told from the point of view of the three main characters: Anna, Emma and Mariah. Alternating chapters from the point of view of each character, the three best friends find themselves enveloped in a lie they have created to escape punishment from their parents after lying about their whereabouts on a Friday evening. After telling their parents they are going to a movie, but actually going to Mariah's boyfriend's house, they are caught in this lie when Emma's parents decide to go to the movie that the three girls are supposed to be at. In a panic, they develop a lie, saying they were down by the river and Emma was attacked by a homeless man. The girls' parents want them to go to the police and the lie gets out of hand and grows until a suspect is arrested. In the audiobook version, the three characters are narrated by three separate people. The audiobook includes an interview with the author in which she talks about how she decided on the topic of the story, how she became a reader and whether young adults are still reading today. The title fits the book well: how something that seems harmless at the time, may not be so in the long run. Recommended for teen readers 15 years and up.

The Cardturner: A Novel about a King, a Queen, and a Joker by Louis Sachar Book Review

Alton spends his summer taking his great-uncle Lester to bridge games at the local bridge club. He is his Uncle Lester's chauffeur and cardturner(he turns his uncle's cards) because as it turns out, Uncle Lester is blind. Alton gets this job after his Uncle Lester fires his great step-niece, Tony, for questioning one of his plays. This is the last thing that Alton wants to do during his summer break, but his mom and dad believe Uncle Lester is not long for this world and hopes that this will put their family in his good graces and they'll inherit some, if not all of his fortune. Alton's parents are extremely annoying; they only care about the money. But Alton's character is very likeable. And slowly Alton becomes very good friends and bridge partners with Tony.

There is a lot of bridge jargon throughout the book, but Alton explains quite a bit throughout the book. While the subject of bridge is a large theme in the book, if readers can get past these parts, they will definitely enjoy the book. Recommended for teens ages 15 and up.

Trash by Andy Mulligan book review

Raphael, Gardo and Rat are all trashboys who live in the city dump. Each day they go through the heaps of trash in the dump looking for treasures. Usually they find nothing of significance; mostly it is all rubbish. But one day Raphael finds something special and mysterious. It's so special that the police come to the dump looking for this item, willing to pay the dumpsite boys a reward for anyone who finds it. Raphael, Gardo and Rat decide this item is too special to turn over to the police which brings terrifying circumstances to all boys. Yet, they persevere and solve this mystery, righting a wrong that once happened. This book is loosely based on Mulligan's experience visiting a dumpsite while teaching in Manila. Recommended for young adult readers ages 13-18, especially those who enjoy mystery and action books.

A World Without Heroes by Brandon Mull book review

Jason Walker lives in Colorado with his parents, likes to play baseball with his friends and volunteers at the local zoo. One day, while cleaning the hippopotamus tank, he hears music, which sounds like it's coming from the tank. When he takes a closer look, the sound seems to be coming from the hippo. He falls into the tank and is swallowed by the hippo. The next thing he knows, he is in another world, along a river bank, watching a group of people on a raft floating down the river playing instruments. Jason has arrived in Lyria, another world which is ruled by an evil wizard named Maldor. There is only one way to destroy Maldor. One word said in his presence will destroy him. The syllables to this word are hidden throughout Lyria. Many people have tried to discover this word and failed. All Jason wants to do is find a way home; but he soon finds himself on a quest with another Beyonder named Rachel, looking for the syllables to the word. Will they succeed? Will they destroy Maldor? Will they return to their own world?

Readers who have enjoyed Suzanne Collins Underland Chronicles and Mull's Fablehaven series will also enjoy this series and anticipate the upcoming books in this series. Recommended for readers 9 and up.

Yearbooks wanted!

We maintain a collection of The record, the yearbook of Vineland high school, for the use of the public. Bring your library card or license to the information desk and leave it with us while you look at the yearbook of your choice. Here is a list of gaps in our yearbooks. Please contact Jeanne or Holly prior to June 15th, 2011, if you have any to donate or know where we could obtain them.
Prior to 1917, 1918-22, 1924-28, 1930-32, 1936, 1942, 1944, 1949, 1953, 1958-61, 1996, 2005.

What's going on today...

10:30 – 11:15 a.m. Preschool Story Time, ages 3-5 (Register – Children’s)
To register call: (856) 794-4244 ext. 4246

1:15 – 5:15 p.m. Internet for the unemployed (Register in person at library information desk)
To register call: (856) 794-4244 ext. 4243

Computer classes!

Openings are available for May computer classes in Email (5/16), Internet (5/4) and Word (5/19). Come over right now to sign up!

Computer help!

Computer classes as part of the BroadbandUSA federal government grant program will be offered every month here. To register or to learnmore about them, please come into the library and visit the information desk.

Did you know that the library offers computer tutoring? You'll meet for 2-one hour sessions on any topic you need help with. To register, please come into the library and visit the information desk.

If you want to be a computer tutor, please contact Anita, our Volunteer Coordinator at (856) 794-4244 ext. 4734 to sign up!

Wanted!
Computer Tutors (English speaking and Spanish speaking):
Volunteers to provide one-on-one help to people who want to improve their computer skills.
Responsibilities:
• Meet one hour per week with an assigned student in the Library’s computer lab.
• Help that student improve their computer skills. Tutors will be matched with students who fit their level
of computer expertise. Many students will be at a very basic level (learning to use the mouse, start using
email, etc.) and so it is not necessary for tutors to possess advanced computer knowledge.

What's going on today...

10:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Microsoft Windows for the unemployed (Register in person at library information desk)
To register call: (856) 794-4244 ext. 4243
10:30 – 11:00 a.m. Toddler Time, age 2 (Register – Children’s)

6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Mother’s Day Craft, ages 10 & younger (Register – Children’s)
To register call: (856) 794-4244 ext. 4246

Did you know?

Vineland Library offers books in large print? Bigger print for those who need it.
Faxing, printing, and photocopying
Children and teen programs?
Computer classes on creating an email and making a résumé?
English as a Second Language tutoring?
Meeting room rentals
Silent study areas
Art exhibits
CDs
DVDs


Plus free:
Audiobooks on CD and downloadable onto your MP3 player or iPod
Ebooks downloadable onto your MP3 player or iPod