We're giving away 25 copies of Unwind by Neal Shusterman! 

A dystopian novel for grades 7 and up about a world where unwanted teens fear for their lives, Unwind challenges readers' ideas about where life begins, where it ends, and what it truly means to be alive. 

Simply complete the contest entry form and you'll be entered into our random drawing.  Twenty-five lucky winners will be selected on November 15, 2008.

Enter the Unwind Contest

We asked Neal Shusterman to contribute a recipe to pair with Unwind, about teens who are salvaged for their body parts.  The possibilities were gruesome to consider!  But Mr. Shusterman's offering, Unwound Cookies, are appealing, delicious, and perfectly suited to his book.

Unwound Cookie Recipe 

 

 

The Norwalk (Connecticut) Branch Library's Boys to Men Book Club smoothes the transition to manhood by connecting boys with local community leaders in the context of a book discussion group.

Children's Librarian and group facilitator Sherelle Harris saw the need to bring male role models in the community together with middle and high school boys, and formed the group in January, 2008.  "Boys with no father or prominent male figure in their lives needed to connect with these men," says Harris.  "Introducing men in high-powered or low-key positions in their community gives the boys a chance to see that, although the men have different personalities and backgrounds, they still made it to where they wanted to be."

Hill Harper's book, Letters to a Young Brother: MANifest Your Destiny, anchors group discussions.  Aimed at young black men, Harper's book tackles topics such as materialism, sex, single parenthood, and faith - issues central to the lives of the participants.  Each week, the group reads one chapter of the book, and a member of the community is invited to lead the discussion.

When Reverend Albert R. Dancy from Macedonia Church in Norwalk facilitated a dicussion on careers, he asked each of the boys to discuss their dream profession, coaxing even the reluctant boys to chime in.  And for the discussion about sex led by former local boxer and community leader Fred Kitt, Harris invited two high school girls to join the group to represent the female point of view.  "Mr. Kitt gave equal billing to both the boys' and the girls' viewpoints." says Harris.  "The whole scene was positive and very refreshing!"

The success of Boys to Men will soon benefit girls, too.  Harris plans to convene a similar group for girls in 2009 using Harper's latest book, Letters to a Young Sister: DeFINE Your Destiny.