Now for Something Really Big!!!!!

My Morning Make A Jedi Cry Ritual!!!!!

Hello all,
It is I, the great and Noble Sith Lord Darth Bill. I have been busy and away from the blog far too long, it appears. Let me address some issues that have arisen while I have been away:

1) Sir Samuel, if I were a mere Jedi I'm sure I would accept your gracious apology. As I am not a cowardly Jedi or Jedi friend, I find myself jiggling with glee that I have reduced you to that oh-so-sad apologetic state. Dear boy, never, ever apologize to a Sith. I am amused by your lack of knowledge in the ways of the dark side. If anyone else feels the need to apologize or grovel at my feet, please feel free to do so as I do enjoy it all so much! Hahahahahahahahahahaahhaahhahahahhahahhhhahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahha!!!!
Oh, I do slay me!

2) Bravo and Hip, Hip Hooray to Mr. Kimmel (I do so love his book "Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock." He has a great Sithish Sense of humor, I would dare say!) and Mr. Abbott (his "Secrets of Droon" series I am about to start reading. I have heard nothing but good things about them! I wonder if they have in Sith Lords in them? Hum?) for sharing some cool info with us about themselves.

The Sleepmaster - Fighting Crime Before Bedtime!!!

3) I gotta tell ya; I am so disappointed in one Jedi Sympathiser that goes by the name of Mr. Carl. Yes, I think we all know who I am talking about. We recently had a little get together here at the library to celebrate the holidays. Everyone was here for the most part except--guess who? If you said Carl you would be 100% correct. What was his excuse you ask? Was he fighting crime in his costumed identity as "The Sleepmaster?" Noooooooooooooo!!!!! Was he saving the Earth by recycling insane amounts of plastic soda bottles!!!!! Nooooooooooooooooooo!!! What was his grand and stupendous excuse? He was sleepy and tired!!!!!! That's right at 6:00 p.m. Carl had over stayed his bedtime limit!!!! I gotta say guys this is lamo!!!!!!!!!! He must of had Jedi training in his youth; disgusting I tell ya!!!!!!!

Well now, I really want to talk about one of our new books that I know you cats will dig:

If Dinosaurs were Alive Today by Dougal Dixon - This a a really cool book in many ways. Not only does it give you an Overview of the Story of the Dinosaurs, Lives of the Plant-Eaters, Lives of the Man-Eaters, Lives of the Ocean-Dwellers, Lives of the Flying Reptiles, The End of the Dinosaurs, among many other interesting factoids, but it also hypothesizes through really cool writing and great pictures, like the one on the cove, what life in the here and now would be if some of these great beasts lived today. Some examples shown and written about are: a Tyrannosaurus surprising and attacking a heard of Wild Cattle; a Rhino facing off with a Styracosaurs and many, many more. This is a truly awesome book that needs to be read and looked at to really be appreciated.

Well, peace everyone and have a great holiday season,

Bill "The Kidder" Librarian

I Knew It!

Yep, I knew Darth Bill wold give all the Jedi an in-your-face taunting. Oh, well, don't let that stop you. The big thing is to keep on reading. Maybe we could all create a galaxy in which Sith and Jedi sit down and read together in peace.

Or maybe not.

Anyway, last weekend I went to this totally cool place, Colonial Williamsburg, and got to see some fascinating sights. One of them was the Public Goal (Jail). Here's a picture:These two cells are from the original jail, built over 300 years ago! Their big claim to fame is that they once held 15 of Blackbeard's pirates!

Speaking of colonial times, here are two really great books about the American Revolution. The first is George vs. George: The American Revolution as Seen From Both Sides by Rosalyn Schanzer. This book tells the story of the Revolutionary War by giving us biographies of George Washington and King George III. Each man believed firmly that he was right and had an iron determination to fight it out to the end. We know who won, of course, but it was a long and bitter struggle and it looked like the war might have gone to King George instead of George Washington. What a great story! Read it and see if I'm right when I say that history is exciting and not boring! (PS--This book has a drawing of King George and his wife Charlotte in it. Our city of Charlotte is named after her.)

The other one is King's Mountain by G. Clifton Wisler. 14-year-old Francis Livingstone is an ordinary boy living in the Watauga Settlements of North Carolina. The Revolutionary War has been going badly for the Patriots, those fighting for independence from England, but it has not affected the lives of the families in this remote settlement. Then he and his sister have to go to Camden, South Carolina to help their grandmother run her tavern. They arrive just in time to see the English army occupy the town. It's a dangerous time for Patriots like Francis and his sister. Can they escape and get back home? And will the English army make good its threat to burn all the Patriot homes in North and South Carolina? You've got to read this terrific book. I was holding my breath the whole time, wondering what would happen to young Francis.

This book is especially interesting to those in the Charlotte area because the battle of King's Mountain took place only 40 miles from here! If you want to see the battlefield, click on the King's Mountain National Park site here. Since the battle happened on October 7, 1780, they're going to hold special events the weekend of October 6 and 7. Click here to find out what they will be. I'd like to go--maybe I'll see you there!

AND-----since Bill's challenge went uncompleted, wait until October 1, when I will issue my own challenge to all you readers! I will raise the stakes on his challenge. Are you up to it?

Carl

Listen Up! Darth Bill Speaks!

Hello all you brave, noble, and well-read Jedi out there. It is I, Darth Bill, bravest Sith this side of the Outer Rim. Well, well, well I guess I'm going to have to have to wear a dress. Oh, wait a minute, let me recount the Jedi comments: 1, 2, 3, 4 .......... My goodness, it seems I have made a mistake. The Jedi are one commenter short! Well, I must say that I am relieved that I will not be wearing a dress anytime soon (not that I was ever truly worried that I would) and happy to see there are at least 4 literate Jedi out there. Very impressive indeed! Sad, sad, sad. If I were not a Sith, I would cry. Well, enough of this Jedi bashing; let's move on to more interesting subjects, shall we?

Sith Rule, Sith Rule, Sith Rule!!!!!!! Yeah, in your face Jedi!!!!!!! Yea, you know it!!!! Sith are the best!!!!! Yeah, you know it!!!!! Wooooooo!!!!!!!Woooooooooo!!!!!! Jedi stink!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We are the best, oh yeah! Go Sith!!!!
Sith Rule!!!!
Sith Rule!!!!
Sith Rule!!!!




Yes, I feel much better now.

Yes, now on to other matters:

I want to talk about the first book in a really cool series I am reading now (I'm now on the 5th book in the series). The name of the book is "Artemis Fowl" which is the name of the main character in these books by Eoin Colfer. Artemis is a 12 year old who also just happens to be a genius. Unfortunately he uses his great intellect in what most would view as criminal activities. Artemis takes his criminal genius to a new level when he decides to kidnap a fairy for gold. Yes, you read what I said correctly, I said fairy. Artemis and his faithful friend and bodyguard, Butler, discover that, deep beneath the Earth, exists an extremely advanced society of fairy folk composed of elves, pixes, centaurs, goblins, dwarfs and many other creatures. Unfortunately for Artemis and Butler their choice of kidnapping victim is the worst choice they could have possibly made Captain Holly Short, of the LEPrecon (Lower Elements Police Reconnaissance) Unit. Thus starts this great book and series. This book is both full throttle action and full throttle laughs. Highly recommended!!!


I also recently finished reading this really cool graphic novel called Mouse Guard, Fall 1152 by David Peterson. If you are a fan of the Redwall Series by Brian Jacques, or not, and are into great epic adventure stories, you will love this graphic novel. This book tells stories of the famed Mouse Guard, the equivalent of King Arthur's Knights of the Round Table. Their duties are to defend the common mouse and defend their hidden cities from intruders and enemies. The main characters in this story are Lieam, Kenzie, and the brash, young Saxon who are investigating the mysterious disappearance of an old merchant mouse. While doing this they discover a traitor in the Mouse Guard, the legendary Black Axe. Other Mouse Guard stories are included in this graphic novel that are equally adventurous tales. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Well take it easy and peace,

Bill

Too Bad!

Too bad--so sad--we didn't get enough Jedi readers to write to us in time. We won't get to see Darth Bill in a dress. And I hate to think of the taunting that he will give the Jedi! That's all right, though. The main thing is that we enjoy reading and telling each other about our favorite books.

Speaking of reading---here are 2 books that are really good. One is The New Kid At School by Kate McMullan, the first in the Dragon Slayers' Academy series. Have you ever read it? It's a lot of fun. Young Wiglaf is the third-eldest son in his family and no good in the cabbage fields. So when the family sees a sign for a Dragon Slayers' Academy that teaches kids to become heroes, slay dragons, and bring home gold, Wiglaf is naturally chosen. Does he go? Does he actually slay a dragon? You bet--but you'll never guess how! I really like this one.

The other is Man From the Sky by Avi. It centers on three people, Jamie, Gillian, and Goddard. 11-year-old Jamie can barely read because of a learning disability, so he spends a lot of time staring at the sky, using his imagination to see pictures in the clouds. Gillian is a neighbor who'd like to be his friend but hears people say he's crazy because he stares at the sky. Goddard is a grownup who has devised a foolproof plan to steal a bag containing a million dollars while on a plane. The plan almost works until Jamie sees Goddard parachuting out of the sky. Goddard is so startled that he drops the bag! Who will find it first--Jamie, Gillian, or Goddard? What will happen if the wrong person finds it? You've got to read this quickly-moving and suspenseful book to find out!

A Younling Asks, "Can One Jedi Make a Difference?"

young jedi
Originally uploaded by schw4452

Of course! We have just had a post from a Jedi reader and now we need only one more to see Darth Bill in a dress! But we have to hear from you today! The challenge is good through September 10, which is today. All we need is one! I know you can do it!

Here is the comment from our latest Jedi reader, who chooses to remain anonymous:

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Obi-Wan Kenobi Says, "Write, Noble Jedi!"":

Hello, I am also One, and a true Jedi! If you are looking for two great, wonderful, and realistic books to read, then you have come to the right place! I have recently read two great books. They are called Eleven Kids, One Summer and Ten Kids, No Pets. Both books are by the wonderful author, Ann M. Martin. Ten Kids, No Pets is about a family that moves from a large apartment to a big farm. Their mother will not let them have any pets. The book Eleven Kids, One Summer is about a family that went to the beach for the whole summer. Both books are filled with adventure and fun for all.

OK, Anonymous. Come in and get your free book. Let's hear from another Jedi reader---and the more, the better!

3 Graphic Novels

Hey everyone, this has been a busy day and so I'm going to write a very short post about 3 graphic novels. All 3 of them have very good stories and outstanding artwork. The first is Beowulf, a Hero's Tale Retold by James Rumford. This is one of the greatest hero-vs.-monster stories of all time. The fearsome Grendel is killing the men of Denmark. Beowulf decides to slay the monster using only his bare hands! Then he has to face Grendel's even-fiercer mother! Finally, when Beowulf is old, he must kill the dragon terrifying his country. A great story and one of my very favorites!

The second graphic novel is also based on an old legend, this time from ancient China. It's Yu the Great: Conquering the Flood; A Chinese Legend. (story by Paul D. Storrie; art by Sandy Carruthers) Floodwaters cover all of China, forcing some people to live in the trees! Only Yu, descendant of an Immortal, can help, but he doesn't know what to do. Will he ever figure it out? And who is the owl and turtle who speak to him? Read and find out!

The third is a lot of fun--Captain Raptor and the Moon Mystery. (story by Kevin O'Malley;art by Patrick O'Brien) Have you ever read a story in which the hero was a dinosuar? Captain Raptor must locate the spaceship that has suddenly crashed into Eon, the planet Jurassica's mystery moon. Can they survive the dangers of Eon and find the strange spaceship? Read along, space action fans, and thrill to the amazing adventures of Captain Raptor!

That's it for today. Don't forget to write to us by Monday, O noble Jedi, if you want to see Darth Bill in a dress!

PS--I made a mistake. The Beowulf book isn't really a graphic novel; it's an illustrated story. You won't find it in the graphic novels section, but you will find it in the nonfiction area under the J398.2 call number.

Back From the Beach With a New Comment! And the Answer to Mystery Mel!

Hey gang, I've just come back from North Myrtle Beach and had a great time. There are no Sith on that beach, as Darth Bill had on his, but they do have some great places to eat. The force is so strong in that magical place that your food will prepare itself, as you can see by this picture:

When I got back, there was a new comment from Hockey-sniper. Here it is:

I read a book called No Howling in the House by Mercer Mayer. It is about this one wolf and he had his mom's magic and the sister had her dad's howl.

I'm in second grade and live in Hawaii. I want to see a picture of Darth Bill wearing a dress!

Well done, Hockey-sniper! I really like books by Mercer Mayer. There's a good one that Mercer illustatrated called Everyone Knows What a Dragon Looks Like by Jay Williams. The story is exciting and Mercer's illustrations are fantastic. Now, to make it official, Hockey-sniper, are you a Jedi? We have to know before Darth Bill puts on that dress. If you are, then we need only 2 more Jedi to write to us by September 10!

Speaking of the force, I have to let all of you know that Lord Vader got it right--Mystery Mel is indeed a girl. The force is really strong in him to figure it out. In fact, she's Melanie, one of our fellow coworkers here at Imaginon. She wanted to comment on our blog and I didn't see anything wrong with that as long as she told us about books boys like. What do you guys think?

Let us hear from you, especially all you Jedi readers!

Another Jedi Responds! Only 3 more!

Faster than the Millenium Falcon, another Jedi reader has responded to Darth Bill!

I read this book called Inkheart, written by Cornelia Funke. In the story, a certain person’s voice has the ability to send people into the setting and story of a book, and at the same time bring characters from that book to life. I was amazed throughout the entire book. This story is now one of my top 5 all-time favorites!
ENJOY!
Obi-Wan Jesse

Take that, Darth Bill! Well done, Obi-Wan Jesse. Come in and get your free book. And where are you, Obi-Wan Andrew? We need to hear from a noble Jedi like you!

A Jedi Reader Writes! We Need Only 4 More!

All right! Our first Jedi has answered Darth Bill's challenge:

I read a book called the Bermuda Triangle. I am a jedi reader. I found a fact that the triangle is 500,000 square miles long. I want to see Darth Bill in a Dress!! (O: Justin B.

Good job, Justin B! Come in and get your free book. Justin knows, as I've always said, that nonfiction is not boring!
But---dum dum DUM!--whenever the Jedi appear, the Sith are not far behind. Here's a new posting from Lord Vader:

I just finished Deltora Quest: The Lake of Tears by Emily Rodda. Lief and his companions continue on in their quest in this book. They have to fight an evil sorceress and some of her children. They pick up another companion along the way and find another gem.
The force tells me that Mel is a girl I have seen at the library many times before.

What do you think, guys? Is Mystery Mel a girl or boy? Is he right? I know the force is strong in him, but can we trust Lord Vader? Hmmm....

Darth Bill in a Dress! I Gotta See This!

OK, here's your chance! Who wants to see Darth Bill in a dress! I know I do! Come on, let's hear it! Just 5 comments from Jedi readers will do it. I will personally take the picture. I know all you Jedi want to see a Sith in a dress!
Well, on a different note, here is the second list of books I promised on Tuesday. (Sorry I didn't post it yesterday)

Graphic Novels

All That Pikachu by Hideki Sonoda

Hercules story by Paul Storrie
Teen Titans: Go! Ready for Action!
Goosebumps: Terror Trips

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: A Novel In Cartoons by Jeff Kinney

Series Paperbacks

Pokemon The Movie 3: Spell of the Unknown by Tracey West
Shivers: A Ghastly Shade of Green
Secrets of Drron Special Edition: The Magic Escapes by Tony Abbot
Deltora Quest: The Forests of Silence by Emily Rodda
Star Wars: The Last of the Jedi and
Star Wars jedi Quest: The School of Fear by Jude Watson

Nonfiction

Mysterious Jungles by Andrew Llamas
Roanoke: The Mystery of the Lost Colony by Lee Miller
The Human Body Revealed by Dr. Sue Davidson
Black Whiteness: Admiral Byrd Alone in the Antarctic by Robert Burleigh

Let me tell you about a couple of great books. One is Whales On Stilts by M. T. Anderson. This is the one I'd nominate as Goofiest Book I've Read This Year. It's funny with really goofy humor. There's a girl named Lily whose dad works for a mysterious company that is supposed to make stilts for whales. That's weird enough, but then she sees her dad's boss, who has a whale's tail sticking out of the back of his suit, pour salt brine water over his head (which has a bag over it) Then she finds out that this company is part of a plot to take over the world through death and destruction by fitting whales with laser eyes! This book gets goofier and funnier, but it gets pretty exciting too. There are chases, narrow escapes---and whales blasting towns with laser eyes! It's not like anything you've read lately and you'll really enjoy it.

The other one is Instruments of Death--written by Stewart Ross; illustrations by Inklink. (Sorry--no picture available) It's a graphic novel about anicent China. A 12-year-old boy is suddenly taken from his home to be a zither player for the first emperor to unify all of China. He plays the zither (a stringed instrument) very well and becomes a favorite of the emperor but then he gets caught up in a scheme to assassinate the emperor. It's a good story and there are lots of interesting facts about ancient China at the back of the book.
OK---enjoy the weekend and let us hear from all you Jedi readers!
Carl

Darth Bill and Two Evil Sith (But Not Too Evil)

Wow! What great luck! We've had two more boys come in today to claim their free books. All this in one day! Here we see Darth Bill standing behind Jay B. (alias Evil Sith II) and Trevor B. (alias Smith the Sith). You can read their comments in the post from July 21. Darth Bill and Jay are obviously starting to enjoy their reign of terror while Trevor seems to be thnking about what planet to send the Death Star to next.
So we've had 2 comments from these guys and 3 or 4 from Lord Vader with only one comment from a Jedi, Obi-wan Andrew. That means the Sith are running the reading galaxy so far. Well, come on, Jedi Knights! Are you going to let the Sith take over? Let's see that the Jedi can read as much as they can!

Return Comment of the Jedi

Hey all you Jedi and Sith across the galaxy (and especially you, Darth Bill),

Obi-wan Andrew has answered your challenge! Here is his latest comment:

Hi Darth Bill and Carl,
I haven't gotten around to reading the free book you gave me yet because I'm reading a book I checked out. It's called "Star Wars, Jedi Quest: The School of Fear" by Jude Watson. One of the Senator's sons is kidnapped, and Anakin and another padawan named Ferus must go to the school to gather information to save him. It's pretty good so far, and I think Star Wars fans would enjoy it.
Another series I like is "Andrew Lost". I started reading it when my mom found it for me at the library. I know there are at least 15 books in the series. I finished number 14 last week, and I'm searching for number 15 now. In number 1, Andrew and his sister, Judy, and his robot, Thud, are normal sized people. It's Show and Tell at school, and Andrew builds a shrinking device to shrink garbage. But it backfires and shrinks him, Judy and Thud! Some of the other really good book titles include: Andrew Lost in Time, Andrew Lost in the Garden, Andrew Lost in the Ice Age, & Andrew Lost in the Garbage. I think the funniest one is Andrew Lost With the Bats. They are stuck in a bat cave and Thud gives out information that Judy doesn't like. The more you read, the funnier it gets! Have a great July 4th holiday, and if you're not the driver, then read in the car!
Obi-wan-Andrew

PS Darth Bill--
The Sith will never overcome the Jedi.

So what do you think, all you Jedi and Sith and readers? Got any favorite Star Wars books? Have you read the Andrew Lost books? Any other favorite reads?