2009 Thumps Up! top 20!  Read  these titles then vote on your favorite at your local library!

Compound by S. A. Bodeen
Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Playing With Matches by Brian Katcher
Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott
Stealing Heaven by Elizabeth Scott
Mexican Whiteboy by Matt de la Pena
Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson
Sweethearts by Sara Zarr
Paper Towns by John Green
Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-banks by E. Lockheart
Last Exit to Normal by Michael Harmon
Waiting For Normal by Leslie Connor
Chanda's Wars by Allan Stratton
Patron Saint of Butterflies by Cecilia Galante
Debbie Harry Sings In French by Meagan Brothers
Venomous By Chris Krovatin
Two parties, one tux and a very short film about the grapes of wrath by Steven Goldman

The Thumbs Up! Award was established in 1986 to recognize the excellence in, and to celebrate the uniqueness of, Teen/Young Adult literature. Young Adult and Teen Librarians from all over Michigan determine the winner. Since 2001, the Thumbs Up! Award selection process has included a teen vote. Hundreds of teens voted for their favorite title out of the Top Twenty list; the 2008 teen vote winner was Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson. The total vote winner in 2008 was Evolution, Me and Other Freaks of Nature by Robyn Brande.

New books for a new year!  Don't forget to join the teen boy's or girl's book clubs!

North of Beautiful  by Justina Chen Headley

Zombie Blondes by Brain James

97 Things To Do Before You Finish High School by Steven Jenkins

The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

Beautiful Americans by Lucy Silag

Deadly Little Secret by Laurie Stolarz

The Spectacular Now  by Tim Tharp

Priviledged by Kate Brian

The ABC's of Kissing Boys by Tina Ferraro

Kiss Me, Kill Me by Lauren Henderson

Evermore by Alyson Noel

Eternal by Cynthia Leitich Smith

The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray

New Manga & Graphic novels

Absolute Boyfriend Vol. 2 & Vol. 3

Angel Diary Vol. 6, Vol. 7, & Vol. 8

Beauty Pop Vol. 9

Black Cat Vol. 7, Vol. 8, & Vol. 9

Claymore Vol. 8, Vol. 9, Vol. 10, & Vol. 11

Money High Vol. 3 & Vol. 4

Muhyo & Roji's Burea of Special Investigations Vol. 5 & Vol. 6

Time Stranger Kyoko Vol. 1

Here are the new books for November.  Remember, you can always call and reserve books, reserve them online, or just come right in and check them out!

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson

Generation Green by Linda Siversten

What Happens Here by Tara Altenbrando

Powers & Voices by Ursula K. Le Guin

How to Hook a Hottie by Tina Ferraro

Love Curse of the Rumbaughs by Jack Gantos

Lemonade Mouth by Mark Peter Hughes

Frogs & French Kisses, Bras & Broomsticks, Spells & Sleepingbags by Sarah Mlynowski

The Wild Girls by Pat Murphy

The Heartbreakers by Pamela Wells

Love is Hell by Scott Westefeld

Manga and Graphic Novels

After School Nightmare Vol. 3 & Vol.4

B.B. Explosion Vol. 4 & Vol. 5

Chibi Vampire Vol. 9, Vol. 10, and Vol. 11

Confidential Confessions Vol. 5

Gentlemen's Alliance Vol. 7

King of Thorn Vol. 4 & Vol. 5

Little Queen Vol. 1 & Vol. 2

Magical Miracle Vol. 2 & Vol. 3

Spiral Vol. 2

Tail of the Moon Vol. 5 & Vol. 6

The Wallflower Vol. 10, Vol. 11, Vol. 12, & Vol. 13

Batman: Knight Fall

Batman: Dark Victory

Flash: Greatest Stories Ever Told

JLA/Avengers

JLA: Strength in Numbers

Runaways: Dead End Kids

Superman Birthright

Katniss is a 16-year-old girl living with her mother and younger sister in the poorest district of Panem, the remains of what used be the United States. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games." The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed. When Kat's sister is chosen by lottery, Kat steps up to go in her place.

This book was amazing.  I couldn't put it down.  It has everything: adventure, sci-fi, romance, political intrigue.  This is the first book in a planned trilogy and I cannot wait to see what happens in the next two books.

Here are some of the manga and graphic novels that are coming to the Benton Harbor Public Library Teen Department during September 2008.

Dragon Ball Z Vol. 2, Vol. 3, & Vol. 5

Big Brilliant Book of Bart

Big Beastley Book of Bart

Her Majesty's Dog Vol. 9 & Vol. 10

Mar Vol. 9 & Vol. 10

Me & My Brothers Vol. 3, Vol. 4, & Vol. 5

Mixed Vegetables Vol. 1

My Heavenly Hockey Club Vol. 4 & Vol. 5

Naruto Vol. 30 & Vol. 31

Rosario + Vampire Vol. 2

Sand Chronicles Vol. 3

Shaman King Vol. 14 & Vol. 15

Tsubasa Vol. 4 & Vol. 5

xxxHolic Vol. 4

Here are some of the new books coming to the BHPL Teen Department for September.  You may reserve books online, in person, or by calling the library.

Kendra by Coe Booth

Revelations (Blue Bloods 3) by Melissa De La Cruz

Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr

Geek Magnet by Kieran Scott

CosmoGIRL! Freaky Deaky: 150 Really Scary Stories

The Magician: The Secrets of The Immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott

Skinned by Robin Wasserman

Valient & Ironside by Holly Black

Beacon Hills High by Mo'nique

Prom Queen Geeks by Laura Preble

What If...Everyone Was Doing It? & What If...All The Rumors Were True by Liz Ruckdeschel

If I Was your Girl by Nini Simone

The Secret Circle and In the Serpent's Coils (Hallowmere series) by Tiffany Trent

Violent on the Runway by Melissa Walker

Here are some of the graphic novels and manga that should soon be at the Benton Harbor Library.  If you want to reserve a book you can call the library, reserve online, email Kat, or just come into the library.

Alive Vol. 4 & 5

Black Cat Vol. 5 & 6

Chibi Vampire Vol. 7 & 8

Dragon Drive Vol. 4, 5, & 6

High School Debut Vol. 3, 4, &5

School Rumble Vol. 5 & 6

Batman: Long Halloween

Love*Com Vol. 4 & 5

 Monkey High Vol. 1 & 2

O-Parts Hunter Vol. 2 & 3

Sugar Princess: Skating to Win Vol. 1

The New York Four

Yu Yu Hakusho Vol. 7 & 8