Library Ninja: Book List

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and is a celebration of the traditions and histories of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. There are a variety of cultures represented here. Asian-Pacific encompasses all of the Asian continent and quite a few islands including Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands, Easter Island, Fiji and more! Check out the complete list at the official website.

In tribute to these cultures, the Ninja presents to you a list of books featuring or written by Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Please enjoy!

If you follow APL Teens on Facebook, then you probably saw the post about Stephenie Meyer's production company, Fickle Fish Films, and her plans to make Lois Duncan's teen novel, Down a Dark Hall, into a feature film. As a long-time fan of Lois Duncan, I have some reservations about this, but I am also kind of excited. I read Duncan's I Know What You Did Last Summer and, although the movie is what I consider to be a fun (albeit violent) teen thriller that I would classify with films such as The Faculty and maybe even Scream, I remember being disappointed in parts of the book that they changed for the movie. But, this is the case with many book-to-movie adaptations, so it isn't a big surprise. I just hope that they keep the sense of creepiness that Duncan is famous for in her books.

Lois Duncan began writing in the 60's, but it is her teen thrillers written in the 70's and 80's that really made her popular. I remember flying through books like Ransom, The Third Eye, and Daughters of Eve. Many of these books were re-released with new covers in the 90's and again just last year. I admit I love the original covers mostly for nostalgia sake, but the 1990's editions are pretty cool, too. The new ones I'm not so sure about, but hopefully they will appeal to new readers of Duncan's work.

If creepy mysteries are what you crave, we still carry her books at the Arlington Public Library. Stop by and pick one up. Be sure to leave a comment on this post if you do or if you are already a Lois Duncan fan!

Teen Thrillers by Lois Duncan

It's no secret; I am a crazy person. One of my favorite things to do while I am at work is sneak over to the Bibliographic Services department. This is where all the new books are delivered and cataloged. Bib. Services (as we call it) is a magical place for book nerds like myself. It is also a dangerous place. Why? Because if I am not careful (and I never am!), I end up requesting a 10, 20, even 30 books on my library account! Madness, I tell you! And privilege. It is truly a privilege to have access to the library and to so many free services. However, it doesn't make me any less of a crazy person!

In my constant pursuit of new books, I saw that one of our awesome librarians has ordered loads of new Teen fiction. Whoo-hoo!! Share in the madness by keeping your eye out for these beautiful new books:

Looking at a book that is upwards of 400 pages can make some teens run for the hills! But before you take off, take a look at this list for reluctant readers. These books are quick reads, have page-turning plots, or are heavily graphic based. If you find reading to be a pain, check out one of these books and see if maybe you don't change your mind.

FICTION

Nonfiction