I’ll admit it: I’m a big Twilight fan. Even though I’m quite far from being a teenager, I love the romance and angst of it all. So when I saw that Stephenie Meyer had written The Host, a book NOT within the Twilight series, I was very skeptical. This was before the Twilight series was done and I couldn’t imagine Stephenie writing anything that didn’t take place in the hallowed Twilight universe or with its beloved characters. So when the book came out, I boycotted it. I knew I would not be able to accept some other world by this great (yes, I said great) author.

Now it’s been a few years since the last Twilight book came out. Last month I saw a trailer for a movie made of this book and decided it was time. Time for me to finally read The Host. So I checked out the enormous tome and dove in. It’s a hefty book! No way a slow reader like me could read the whole thing in three weeks. There was a list of people waiting for it, so I wouldn’t be able to renew it. Because of this, I read the first half and listened to the second half on CD in my car. I was dubious about liking it but, like her other novels, it dragged me right in. The characters are so well-drawn. The plot is intriguing and exciting.

The story takes place in an alternate America. Aliens have landed and have taken over the bodies of almost all of the Earth’s population. The humans act as hosts to these parasitic beings who are much more peaceful than we are. But there remain sects of resistant humans trying to escape being taken over by the peaceful parasites, called “souls.”

I don’t normally read science fiction, but this really drew me in. The story is really about displacement, adaptation, and trying to forge a good life and make everyone happy, which is pretty much impossible. This book is classified as adult fiction, where Twilight was for teens, but I would recommend it for teens and adults. It’s a wonderful story and [dare I say it?] even better than the Twilight series.

Deadly by Julie Chibbaro can be found on Link+.  After reading an article about strong female lead characters in an article by Joanna H. Kraus in the San Jose Mercury News, I became interested in reading the titles she recommended.  Of course, this was after reading the Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.  I was interested in reading other young adult titles with strong female protagonists like Katniss Everdeen.

Prudence is a young lady who is much more interested in learning about science in the male-dominated early 1900's.  She applies as an assistant to an epidemiologist, Mr. Soper.  Soon, Prudence finds herself involved in finding the cause of several typhoid epidemics around the city. 

This tale is a fictional account of what happened to Typhoid Mary.  Mary Mallon was the first person who was identified as a healthy carrier of the typhoid disease.  It was unheard of at that time for a healthy person to spread disease.  Trying to convince the public, the courts, and Mary Mallon becomes an uphill struggle. 

Julie Chibbaro is also the author of Redemption, also a Link+ book.

The Pregnancy Project by Gaby Rodriguez created a firestorm for the author when it was revealed that she had faked a pregnancy for her senior project.  The book is an inspiring read about a teen who sought a way to give voice to a group of people who are often looked down upon by peers, teachers, and their families.

Teens are taught by adults that teen pregnancy should be frowned upon.  Gaby has grown up in an economically-disadvantaged household where all of her immediate family have been teen parents.  Gaby has seen first-hand how difficult it is to raise children as a teen through her mother and seven siblings.  However, she also wonders if the very stereotypes about teens who become parents perpetuates the problem from generation to generation.

Gaby comes up with an innovative solution to this problem.  She decides to fake a pregnancy to see how her family, friends, and teachers treat her, after they find out she is pregnant.  Once she is done with the project, she will reveal the stereotypes she has seen and hopefully help teens who become pregnant. 

As an honor student, she has been viewed as the hope for her family.  However, there have been naysayers who say she will probably end up a teen mom as well.  What happens when Gaby supposedly becomes pregnant?  How will her friends and teachers react?  How will her family react when they think that their one hope for future salvation is dashed?

If you have a talent for creating comic/manga style illustrated short stories, you are invited to enter San José Public Library’s Graphic Novel Making Contest for all ages as part of our Summer Reading Celebration, 2012. This contest is sponsored by San José Public Library, Hijinx Comics, San José Museum of Art and TRY Japan Culture Group.

Here’s how to enter …

• Create your own comic book with a maximum length of 8 pages, including the cover page.
• Use letter-size paper (8.5 x 11) with black-and-white drawings and text on one side only
• Each submission must be the creative and original work of a single individual—the author/illustrator.
• Computer generated images are acceptable as long as they are your original work (no clip art)
• Consider submitting a photocopy that is an accurate reflection of the original (as submissions are non-returnable).
• San José Public Library reserves the right to reproduce your work. You can reuse all your work after the contest
• Be sure to print and complete the creative works release form. Include your Name, Age, Contact Information and Signature.
• Entries can be submitted to any San José Public Library location no later than 8p.m. on Tuesday, July 31, 2012.  There is a limit of one entry per contestant.

Entries will be judged on content and illustrations by a panel of library staff and comic industry professionals. All cash prizes will be awarded as gift cards. 

• Children (up to age 6): first place will receive Art Supplies
• Children (7-12):  first place $40, second place $20
• Teens (ages 13-17):  first place $100; second place $70; third place $50
• Adults (age 18 and above):  first place $100; second place $70; third place $50

Winners will be announced and prizes awarded at a reception to be held at the Berryessa Branch Library on Saturday, August 25th at 2:00 p.m.in the Community Room. Author Oliver Chin will be the keynote speaker. 

Check out the award winning entries from 2011 and 2010.

Learn how to make your own comic book, graphic novel or manga!  Oliver Chin will be teaching this free workshop for teens at some San José Public Library branches.

San José Public Library staff members are ineligible to participate.

San José Public Library reserves the right to refuse submissions that are not appropriate for a general audience.