I recently saw that Derek Landy has a new Skulduggery Pleasant book out (recommended ages 8-12). The newest book in the series is called The Faceless Ones. I just picked it up this week and am hoping it is as good as the two previous titles. If you’ve never heard of the books before, you may want to check them out. They have all the right ingredients for a good read: magic, a walking/talking skeleton, evil about to destory the world, a young girl as the adventuresome sidekick and lots of humor.

The first title in the series is Skulduggery Pleasant and the second is Skulduggery Pleasant: Playing with Fire. Both are quick reads and fairly amusing for adults and kids will enjoy the humor and all the fights between the good guys and evil.

Abstinence

1 : voluntary forbearance especially from indulgence of an appetite or craving or from eating some foods
2 a : habitual abstaining from intoxicating beverages b : abstention from sexual intercourse

— ab·sti·nent  \-nənt\ adjective

— ab·sti·nent·ly adverb

He abstained from eating meat when he became a vegetarian.

Abstract

1 a : disassociated from any specific instance <an abstract entity> b : difficult to understand : abstruse <abstract problems> c : insufficiently factual : formal <possessed only an abstract right>
2 : expressing a quality apart from an object <the word poem is concrete, poetry is abstract>
3 a : dealing with a subject in its abstract aspects : theoretical <abstract science> b : impersonal, detached <the abstract compassion of a surgeon — Time>
4 : having only intrinsic form with little or no attempt at pictorial representation or narrative content <abstract painting>

— ab·stract·ly  \ab-ˈstrak(t)-lē, ˈab-ˌ\ adverb

— ab·stract·ness  \ab-ˈstrak(t)-nəs, ˈab-ˌ\ noun

Kandinsky and Mondrian were two of the early abstract artists.

(Definitions taken from Merriam-Webster online dictionary:  http://www.merriam-webster.com/)

Here are today’s SAT words:

Abrasive

1 : tending to abrade
2 : causing irritation <abrasive manners>

— abra·sive·ly adverb

— abra·sive·ness noun

The woman had an abrasive personality.

Abridge

1 a archaic : deprive b : to reduce in scope : diminish <attempts to abridge the right of free speech>
2 : to shorten in duration or extent <modern transportation that abridges distance>
3 : to shorten by omission of words without sacrifice of sense : condense

Little Women is available in a full text format and in an abridged format for children.

(definitions taken from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary )

We have some new books for teens that I would recommend! All of these titles are available through the Alameda County Libraries. You can look on the online catalog (www.aclibrary.org) to find where they are available or to place a hold on one of the books.

Fire by Kristen Cashore. The much anticipated sequel/prequel to Graceling. In a kingdom called the Dells, Fire is the last human-shaped monster, with unimaginable beauty and the ability to control the minds of those around her, but even with these gifts she cannot escape the strife that overcomes her world.

 The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan. Through twists and turns of fate, orphaned Mary seeks knowledge of life, love, and especially what lies beyond her walled village and the surrounding forest, where dwell the unconsecrated, aggressive flesh-eating people who were once dead.

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater. In all the years she has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house, Grace has been particularly drawn to an unusual yellow-eyed wolf who, in his turn, has been watching her with increasing intensity.

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. Sequel to The Hunger Games. By winning the annual Hunger Games, District 12 tributes Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark have secured a life of safety and plenty for themselves and their families, but because they won by defying the rules, they unwittingly become the faces of an impending rebellion.

(All summaries taken from the Alameda County Library Online Catalog.)

Each day we’ll try to post a new word or a couple of words for those of you ready to take the SAT’s. We’ll give you a word, the definition and use it in a sentence. Make sure to check back often to take advantage of the easy study time! We also have a large collection of SAT practice books at our branches and practice tests online through our website at Learning Express.

abate

transitive verb 1 a : to put an end to <abate a nuisance> b : nullify 1 <abate a writ>
2 a : to reduce in degree or intensity : moderate <may abate their rancor to win peace> b : to reduce in value or amount : make less especially by way of relief <abate a tax>
3 : deduct, omit <abate part of the price>
4 a : to beat down or cut away so as to leave a figure in relief b obsolete : blunt
5 : deprive 2

The rain abated after hours of downpours.

abbreviate

: to make briefer; especially : to reduce to a shorter form intended to stand for the whole

We abbreviate words when we chat online.

(Definitions from http://www.merriam-webster.com/)

Join us Saturday, December 5th from 1:30-3 pm in the Meeting Room. We will have cookies for everyone to decorate (2 per person) and lots of candies, frostings and more for the decorations! Plus, we will have card supplies so that everyone can make a card to take home. No registration necessary. All ages are welcome to attend.

Teens ages 13-19 are invited to join us for a night at the library. We will have a fun-filled evening of all things New Moon. There will be a costume-contest, scavenger hunt, all new trivia challenge and more. Best yet, there will be food and prizes! Sign up early to reserve a spot at this event. Pre-registration is required. Please contact the library for more details.

This Saturday, the library is hosting a Halloween and Dia de los Muertos Craft for children. All ages are welcome to attend, and younger children will need to be accompanied by an adult to help with the crafts. Craft runs from 12-2 pm and please arrive within the first hour if you wish to complete both crafts. We will decorate masks for Halloween and make “sugar” skulls for Dia de los Muertos. The masks may take some time to dry so we will work on those first. All supplies are generously provided by support from the Newark Library League. No registration required. Contact Mary Ayers for more details: (510) 795-2627 ext 15 or e-mail mcayers@aclibrary.org .

The final scrapbooking class will be held tomorrow (9/26) at 3 pm at the Newark Library. If you are interested in attending, please drop in. No registration required and all supplies will be provided. We will be focusing on scrapbooking techniques, such as heat embossing, how to apply rub-ons, paper piecing and more. If you have any other techniques you would like to see, please e-mail Mary at mcayers@aclibrary.org before tomorrow morning.

Do you like vampire stories? Check out some of our vampire novels available throughout the Alameda County Library system:

Teens/Adult Novels:

Vampire Diaries series – L.J. Smith

Interview with the Vampire – Anne Rice (and other novels)

Vampire Academy series - Richelle Mead

Vampire Kisses series – Ellen Schreiber

House of Nights series – P.C. Cast

Sunshine – Robin McKinley

Secret Life of a Vampire – Kerrelyn Sparks (and other novels)

Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter – Laurell Hamilton

Twilight Series – Stephenie Meyer

Dead Until Dark: A Sookie Stackhouse novel – Charlaine Harris (entire series)

Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side – Beth Fantaskey

Dracula – Bram Stoker

Blue Bloods books – Melissa De La Cruz

Books for children:

My Sister the Vampire series – Sienna Mercer

Bunnicula – Deborah Howe

Goosebumps: Vampire Breath – R.L. Stine