Blue Noise by Debra Oswald

Blue Noise is about people letting you down, how to survive your family and the amazing thrill of making music with your friends.

Ash is drooling over his favourite guitar - the one he can't afford - when he meets Charlie Novak. One jam session later and Charlie convinces Ash to play in his band. But it'll never work. Bands never do.Erin is wandering down a corridor at school - overthinking things as usual - when she runs into Charlie. Literally. The guy is a fruit loop with his weird hair and hyperactive rantings. When Charlie invites her to be the band's keyboard player, Erin can't get a word in to say no. She's a classical pianist. It'll never work.But maybe this time things will be different. Maybe blues music is just what Ash and Erin need.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte - Twilight Edition

The Dubbo Branch Library has a new Twilight-inspired edition of Wuthering Heights - Bella and Edward's favourite book. If you are a fan of the Twilight series, why not have a read, and get some insight into the world of your fave vampire and his girl...

Love the Twilight books? Then you′ll adore Wuthering Heights, one of the greatest love stories ever told.
Cathy and Heathcliff, childhood friends, are cruelly separated by class, fate and the actions of others. But uniting them is something even stronger: an all-consuming passion that sweeps away everything that comes between them.
Even death...
"My love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks," said Cathy. "I am Heathcliff."

Conspiracy 365 - January by Gabrielle Lord

Conspiracy 365 is a new series written by Gabrielle Lord - one of Australia's leading and best-selling crime writers. This new adventure series for younger readers consists of 12 books released over 12 months. The first in the series January, is available now from the Dubbo Branch Library.

On New Year's Eve Cal is chased down the street by a staggering, sick man with a deadly warning...

'They killed your father. They'll kill you. You must survive the next 365 days!"

Hurled into a life on the run, with a price on his head, the 15-year-old fugitive is isolated and alone. Hunted by the law and ruthless criminals, Cal must somehow uncover the truth about his father's mysterious death and a history-changing secret. Who can he turn to, who can he trust, when the whole world seems to want him dead? The clock is ticking. Any second could be his last.

Liar by Justine Larbalestier

Micah Wilkins admits she's a liar. But will murder be enough of a reason to stop lying? An extraordinary and original story that will have you grasping for the truth until the very last page.

Secrets, lies, murder and betrayal. Micah Wilkins is a liar. But when her boyfriend, Zach, dies under brutal circumstances, the shock might be enough to set her straight. Or maybe not. Especially when lying comes as naturally to her as breathing. Was Micah dating Zach? Did they kiss? Did she see him the night he died? And is she really hiding a family secret? Where does the actual truth lie? Liar is a breathtaking roller-coaster read that will have you up all night, desperately seeking for something true.

Vote and Win stuff

Don't forget to place your vote in the Inky Awards! The Inky Awards are international awards for teenage literature voted for online by readers of http://www.insideadog.com.au/. Readers also have the opportunity to enter the Inky's Creative Reading Prize - entrants need to submit a creative response to a book they love. It could be a short story, video trailer, poem, song or illustration - or any format you choose. The winner gets to choose their prize - it's between a digital stills camera, a digital video camera or an Ipod touch. There are heaps of runners-up prizes as well, including books and insideadog t-shirts.

Youth Holiday Program

Week 1
Guitar Hero Challenge
Tuesday 6 October 2009
4:00 - 6:00pm
Come down to the library and show off your Guitar Hero skills – no bookings required

Dubbo City Youth Council Youth Cafe
Friday 9 October 2009
4.00-6.00pm
Youth Cafe is a place where young people aged 12-18 can go to ‘hang out’. Youth Cafe is a safe, drug and alcohol free place to go to enjoy meeting with friends, playing PlayStation3 games and listening to music. Food and drinks are be available. The Youth Cafe is supported by the Macquarie Regional Library and Dubbo City Council.

Week 2
Twitter and Treats
Thursday 15 October 2009
2:00 - 4:00pm
Cost: $2
Join us for Twitter, Flickr, Facebook and You Tube. You've heard about these technologies, now find out what they are and how they work. Choc treats provided. Bookings required.

Dubbo City Youth Council Youth Cafe
Friday 16 October 2009
4:00 - 6:00pm

The Devil's Paintbox by Victoria McKernan

When orphans Aiden and Maddy Lynch first meet trailrider Jefferson J. Jackson in the spring of 1865, they’re struggling to survive on their family’s drought-ravaged Kansas farm. So when Jackson offers an escape—a 2000-mile journey across the roughest country in the world—Aiden knows it’s their only choice.They say there are a hundred ways to die on the Oregon Trail, and the long wagon journey is broken only by catastrophe: wolf attacks, rattlesnakes, deadly river crossings, Indians, and the looming threat of smallpox, “the devil’s paint.” Through it all, Aiden and Maddy and a hundred fellow travelers move forward with a growing hope, and the promise of a new life in the Washington Territory. But one question haunts them: who will survive the journey?

Children's Book Council Award Winners

On the subject of prizes - check out the winners of the Children's Book Council Awards for Older Readers.

Older Readers Book of the Year:

Winner: Tales from Outer Suburbia by Shaun Tan

Honour: Into White Silence by Anthony Eaton

Honour: A Rose for the Anzac Boys by Jackie French

The Inky's Longlist

If you are ever sitting around thinking 'what do I read next', take a look at the website insideadog (http://www.insideadog.com.au/) - created by The Centre for Youth Literature, State Library Victoria - which promotes reading as an active, pleasurable and essential activity for all young people. The site contains reviews, a writer in residence and heaps of info about Australian and overseas books for young people.

They have also created the Inky Awards. The Inkys are international awards for teenage literature, voted for online by the readers of insideadog.com.au. There are three awards: the Golden Inky for an Australian book, the Silver Inky for an international book, and the Creative Reading Prize, won by a young person for a creative response to a book they love, in any format they choose.

The Longlist for the Inkys has just been released:

The 2009 Inkys Longlist

Broken Glass by Adrian Stirling

Everything Beautiful by Simmone Howell

Exposure by Mal Peet

Girl at Sea by Maureen Johnson

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Into White Silence by Anthony Eaton

Jarvis 24 by David Metzenthen

Love, Aubrey by Suzanne La Fleur

My Candlelight Novel by Joanne Horniman

Paper Towns by John Green

Screw Loose by Chris Wheat

Skim by Mariko & Jillian Tamaki

Ten Mile River by Paul Griffin

The 10pm Question by Kate de Goldi

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

The Beginners Guide to Living by Lia Hills

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Two Pearls of Wisdom by Alison Goodman

Where the Streets Had a Name by Randa Abdel-Fattah

Worldshaker by Richard Harland

Youth Cafe Launch @ Dubbo Branch Library

Great fun was had at the debut of the Dubbo City Youth Council Youth Cafe - held in the meeting room at the Dubbo Branch Library. The Youth Cafe is a place for youth to go that is fun, safe and a great place to meet up with friends, have a coffee and a snack and play the PlayStation 3. Youth Cafe is on Friday afternoons from 4.00-6.00pm and young people aged 12-24 are welcome.

Somebody's Crying by Maureen McCarthy

A murder in a country town is the backdrop for the story of three young people, Alice, Tom and Jonty, who are bound together because Alice's mother was murdered and Jonty is the suspect.

I really expected to enjoy Somebody's Crying because I loved McCarthy's Queen Kat, Carmel and St Jude get a life. Unfortunately I was a little disappointed. I found the storyline a little slow, and the main character of Tom somewhat bland. I felt that McCarthy's depiction of Tom was not authentic - he simply didn't resemble any 22 year old guy that I have ever known.

I did enjoy the character of Alice - McCarthy is extremely good at writing female characters. The storyline was far more entertaining when being presented from Alice's point of view.

The mystery component of the story does keep you reading and the twist at the end is surprising, but by the end of the book I felt neutral - not particularly affected by this book.

A Time for Dancing by Davida Wills Hurwin

What do you do when your best friend is dying?

Sam and Jules have been best friends forever. Now in the summer before senior year, Sam and Jules are certain they are ready for whatever the future brings. From college to professional dance careers, they'll share the triumphs and the tears together. But nothing could have prepared them for Jules's sudden illness and the discovery of its cause - cancer. Now both Jules and Sam must learn to accept the unacceptable - that Jules's cancer may not go away.

Calling all Graphic fans!

The Dubbo Branch Library has some great new Young Adult graphic novels.

Here is a sample:

Battlestar Galactica: Echoes of New Caprica by Emily Salzfass (Tokyopop)

The colonial fleet continues its perilous journey toward Earth and the hope of a brighter future, but the brutal Cylon occupation of New Caprica continues to impact the lives of everyone.

Star Wars Omnibus: Rise of the Sith

During the time of the Republic, the Jedi Council guided the Jedi Knights as they upheld their values of peace and justice throughout the galaxy - and the Sith waited in hiding for the right time to reveal their existence and take revenge...

Star Wars Omnibus: Emissaries & Assassins

It is the beginning of the end of the Galactic Republic. The Jedi just don't know it yet...

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Omnibus - Volume 6

Volume Six of the Buffy omnibus series delves further into the lives of Buffy and her closest friends - Willow, Xander and Giles.

Wolverine: Logan by Brian K. Vaughan (Marvel)

Wolverine travels to a mysterious hill in Japan to come to terms with the ghosts of a long-forgotten incident in his past, a moment that re-forged him in the flames of love, death and destruction.

The Eternal Smile: three stories by Gene Luen Yang and Derek Kirk Kim

Meet Duncan. Charming and brave, he's the Princess's favourite - and he's on the way to winning the throne. But lately, the walls of reality in Duncan's kngdom are wearing a little thin...

Stephen King's The Dark Tower: Treachery by Robin Furth (Marvel)

Everyone knows treachery is defined as someone doing you wrong when they ought not be. So now you want to know how to spot it? Well then, welcome to Gilead...an' take your pick of sights to see.

Dean Koontz's Frankenstein: Prodigal Son by Chuck Dixon

In the nineteenth century, Dr. Victor Frankenstein brought his notorious creation to life, but a horrible turn of events forced him to abandon it and slip away from the public eye. Two centuries later, a serial killer is on the loose in New Orleans, gruesomely salvaging body parts from each of his victims, as if trying to assemble a perfect human being.

The Jeans Go to Gaol (and do not collect $200...)

The Jean Genies continued their tour of Dubvegas and headed to the Old Dubbo Gaol. They hung around at the gallows, got pilloried, went through the wringer and inspected a very uncomfortable looking gaol toilet - but they had an excellent time. They made a flying visit to the Dubbo Visitors Centre and then went back to the library to relax.

Beat the Boredom!

The Dubbo Branch Library's Holiday program will help you remain un-bored for the entire school holidays...

For ages 13-18 - for more information contact the Dubbo Branch on 68014510.

Week 1- Tuesday 14 July 5.00-8.00pm - Twilight Formal and DVD viewing – Cost: $5
Come dressed in your formal gear for the Twilight Formal! Have “Prom Photos” taken, enjoy pizza and soft drink, and then sit back and watch the phenomenally popular ‘Twilight’ DVD.

Wednesday 15 July 4.30-6.30pm - Guitar Hero Fest – Cost $3
Unleash your inner Rock Star! Compete to become the Ultimate Guitar Hero and be in the running to win a prize. Pizza and soft drink will be supplied.

Week 2 - Tuesday 21 July 6.00-8.00pm - ‘Have You Got Talent?’ Cost $3
Show how talented you are at the Library’s ‘Have You Got Talent’ Night! Performers will have up to 4 minutes to impress the judges with a musical number, poetry reading, stand-up comedy act, dance or magic performance – or any other talent you have! Bring your own props, instruments or music and make a noise!

Thursday 23 July 2.00 – 4.00pm – ‘Fantasy Worlds’ Creative Writing Workshop Cost $5
Calling all budding authors! Join talented fantasy author Val Clark and learn how to write your own fantasy story. Each participant will receive a free pen and notebook.

The Jean Genies get decorated

The Dubbo branch library hosted some keen Jean decorators - here are the Jeans in all their glory...

Jean Genies Go to the Zoo!

The Jean Genies go to the Zoo!
The jeans are here and have been to the Taronga Western Plains Zoo! They met the keepers, were mauled by Juara the Sumatran tiger and worn by Cuddles the African elephant.

Drawing inspiration from The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series by Ann Brashares, this event has 4 pairs of jeans travelling around NSW public libraries in 2009. The Jeans will appear from nowhere, create magic, then disappear!

The Dubbo Branch is holding two workshops to decorate the jeans at the Dubbo Branch on Monday July 6 and Wednesday July 8 from 4 to 5.45pm. Come along to one or both of the workshops to decorate the jeans using fabric paints and other craft materials.

The jeans will then go to gaol for fun, photos and frivolity before they disappear and travel to their next destination. Come to Dubbo Branch Library on Saturday July 11 before 10.30am to participate. A signed permission slip must be returned to the library on or before the departure date and participants will return to the library at 12.30pm.

Book early by calling (02) 6801 4510 as places are limited.

CBC Book Week Shortlist - Book of the Year - Older Readers

For those who are unaware, the Children's Book Council releases a shortlist of books that have been nominated for Book of the Year for Older Readers.


The shortlisted titles are:

CORNISH, D. M.
Monster Blood Tattoo Book 2: Lamplighter
Omnibus Books, Scholastic Australia





EATON, Anthony
Into White Silence
Woolshed Press, Random House Australia





FRENCH, Jackie
A Rose for the Anzac Boys
HarperCollinsPublishers





MARCHETTA, Melina
Finnikin of the Rock
Viking, Penguin Group Australia





MOLONEY, James
Kill the Possum
Penguin Group Australia





TAN, Shaun
Tales from Outer Suburbia
Allen & Unwin

January Holiday Antics....

January holidays can get a tad boring - not at the Dubbo Branch Library though. We had fun creating 'Gock' puppets - Goth sock puppets... Check out the pics.

Death, Duck and the Tulip by Wolf Erlbruch

A strangely heartwarming story. In Death, Duck and the Tulip, Duck strikes up an unlikely friendship with Death. 'Who are you? Why are you creeping along behind me?' 'Good. You've finally noticed me', said Death. 'I am Death'. Duck is startled, then relieved when, the next day, she wakes up alive...you can't blame her for that. Duck and Death experience life together, swimming in the pond, climbing a tree and keeping company together until one day Duck feels very cold...

This beautifully illustrated picture book can provoke an emotional reaction from readers. Death, Duck and the Tulip is intriguing, haunting and thought- provoking. I recommend this book to teenagers and adults. This book deals with a difficult subject in an elegant, witty and straightforward way.

If you like this book you might like The Life of Riley by Colin Thompson

Dragon's Bait by Vivian Vande Velde

Carrying on the supernatural theme, I found Dragon's Bait to be a quick, entertaining read.

Alys, the daughter of a poor, sickly village tinsmith has a date with a dragon. Unfortunately this is a date that is not destined to go well. A group of greedy, corrupt villagers have conspired to have Alys declared a witch - and the punishment for witchcraft in her village is to become a tasty snack for the local dragon. The villagers stake Alys out on a hillside and scurry home to their warm beds. It's late, it's cold and it's raining, and all Alys can think about is revenge. Then the dragon shows up, a dragon that is full of surprises...

If you like this book you may like Eragon by Christopher Paolini and the Pern series of novels by Anne McCaffrey.