New DVDS for December

The Oak Lawn Public Library orders many of the latest and greatest movies and TV shows on DVD every week. But if you look at our shelves, you might not always see the newest stuff. That's because many of our patrons reserve them weeks before they're ever released.

If you've never done it before, it's easy! You can ask our staff for help in getting started, or you can do it online through our website. Just use our catalog to look up the DVDs you're interested in. (Naturally, it also works for books, music, etc.) Then hit the "Request" button. You'll need to sign in using your Oak Lawn library card, and a PIN, or password. Then you'll be added to the wait list. When your turn comes up, we'll call you letting you know you can pick up your DVD.

Here are some of the new releases coming up for December:

December 2
American Teen
Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
The X-Files: I Want to Believe
Wanted

December 9
The Dark Knight
Lost: The Complete Fourth Season
Man on a Wire

December 16
Mamma Mia!
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

December 23
Burn After Reading
Death Race
Hamlet 2
The House Bunny

December 30
The Duchess
Eagle Eye
Ghost Town

Click to Give Free Food

The Hunger Site was founded to focus the power of the Internet on a specific humanitarian need; the eradication of world hunger. On average, over 220,000 individuals from around the world visit the site each day to click the yellow "Click Here to Give - it's FREE" button. To date, more that 200 million visitors have given more than 300 million cups of staple food.

The staple food funded by clicks at The Hunger Site is paid for by site sponsors and distributed to those in need by Mercy Corps and Feeding America (formerly America's Second Harvest). 100% of sponsor advertising fees goes to our charitable partners. Funds are split between these organizations and go to the aid of hungry people in over 74 countries.

New Books

All About Lulu by Jonathan Evison

After his mother dies, William stops growing – until his bodybuilding father remarries a kind grief counselor and brings him a troubled stepsister, Lulu. Soon she’s his constant companion and his heart’s true desire. But when she begins to pull away, he must find meaning somewhere else.


Green Lantern: Tales of the Sinestro Corps

Graphic novel. The Green Lantern Corps – intergalactic police who use high-tech rings fueled by willpower to defend the universe. Now they face the Sinestro Corps, a villainous army whose yellow rings are just as powerful, but run on fear. Includes files on many of the heroes and villains from the series.


Last Battle of the Icemark by Stuart Hill

The finale of the fantasy trilogy begun with The Cry of the Icemark and Blade of Fire. Queen Thirrin must protect her kingdom from her murderous daughter Medea, who has returned with the King of the Darkness and his terrifying Ice Demons.


On Beale Street by Ronald Kidd

In segregated Memphis, Tennessee, Johnny has found a job working for Sun Records, which keeps him near the blues clubs of Beale Street. But when a young musician named Elvis Presley records his first song at Sun, nobody has heard anything like it. Controversy surrounds the new kind of music just as racial tensions are on the rise. Johnny sees the power music has to bring people together, while secrets from the past threaten to tear his world apart.

Ten Cents a Dance by Christine Fletcher

Chicago, 1941. Fifteen year-old Ruby Jacinski helps support her family with a dull factory job, until she meets neighborhood bad boy Paulie. Soon she is wearing silk and satin and making lots of money doing what she does best – dancing. Paid ten cents a dance to lead lonely men around a dance floor, she thinks she’s found a way out of poverty… until swinging with the hep cats turns into swimming with the sharks.

Vibes by Amy Kathleen Ryan

Kristy, a sophomore in an alternative high school, thinks that nearly everyone dislikes her. She should know – she’s psychic. But she begins to doubt her powers after learning long-held family secrets and some classmates’ true feelings.

You Just Can’t Get Enough

The latest Gossip Girl entry, featuring the heart-stealing Carlyle triplets.

Twilight Movie - What Did You Think?

Twilight, the movie, opens today.

If you've seen it, what did you think? How does it compare to the book? Do the actors live up to your imagination? Does the music work?

Send us your comments!

(Also, if you'd like to send us a full-length Twilight review, just click on the Review & Comment Form on the left.)

Websites of the Week: Decisions, Decisions

Making decisions can be hard, whether it's deciding how to spend your time, what kind of pizza everybody can agree on, or who gets to go first in a game. Fortunately, the web offers tools to simplify just about any decision.

When you can't convince someone with a persuasive argument, it's time to fight them hand-to-hand -- with rock, paper, scissors, that is. This simple game has been used to solve many disputes, but maybe it's not as simple as it looks. The World RPS Society website offers a look at basic and advanced strategy, tournaments, and even what your preferred move says about your personality.

Designate is an on-line tool that makes decisions for you in a snap. Just type in a question, such as "Who should wash the dishes tonight?" or "What should we have for dinner?" Then type in some choices and press the "designate" button. In seconds, your decision will be made. And if you don't like it, you can start over.

Then of course, there's the classic coin flip. But suppose you don't have any change on you. Or maybe you're bored with using a regular quarter. Random.org's Coin Flipper allows you to virtually flip anywhere from 1 to 16 coins from all over the world. The main site also provides random dice rolls, lottery numbers, and more.

New Books: New Ender and more

Ender in Exile by Orson Scott Card

A new sequel in the Ender series tells what Ender did after saving the planet Earth.




Suicide Notes by Michael Thomas Ford

Fifteen year-old Jeff describes his stay in a psychiatric ward after attempting to commit suicide.



The Possibilities of Sainthood by Donna Freitas

While regularly petitioning the Vatican to make her the first living saint, fifteen year-old Antonia Labella prays to assorted patron saints for everything from help with preparing the family's fig trees for a Rhode Island winter to getting her first kiss from the right boy.


William Henry Is a Fine Name by Cathy Gohlke

Thirteen year-old Robert attempts to understand why his friend William Henry is treated as less than human because he is black. Set in 1859 against the backdrop of the Underground Railroad.

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

Having recently been dumped for the nineteenth time by a girl named Katherine, former child prodigy Colin Singleton sets off on a road trip with his best friend to try to find some new direction in life.

Teen Game Night - Wed., Nov. 19

Come play Guitar Hero, Dance Dance Revolution, and more! Snacks and drinks provided. The Game Night will run from 7 to 8:30 and is open to all teens grades 6-10.

Obama Wins Presidency

Scholastic News Online

http://teacher.scholastic.com/scholasticnews/indepth/election2008.htm