12.29.2011

Fresh Picks!

Here are the new books in the teen section this week:
  • Lie by Caroline Bock
  • Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs
  • The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson
  • Steampunk!:  An Anthology of Fantastically Rich and Strange Stories edited by Kelly Link and Calvin J. Grant
  • Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan
  • The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
  • How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr
  • Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick

Potter vs. Twilight


This just shows how severe Potter fans feel about Twilight. Enjoy!

Book Review: Fallen by Lauren Kate


The last book I read before this was Beautiful Creatures. After the somewhat horrible ending to that, I was ready for something else. But when I read the back of Fallen, I thought I would be reading the same thing. I, as I often am, was wrong.
Fallen tells the dystopian (why is everything dystopian nowadays?) tale of Lucinda Price who has (possibly) been the reason for the death of her friend, Trevor. She has been sent to Sword & Cross, a reformatory school for teens. There, the live triangles (SHOCKER!) start. Luce must choose between cute, smooth Cam (who sounds like he's the beachy blonde type but he isn't) and Daniel (who sounds tall, dark and handsome but is only the former and the latter) who flips her off on their first encounter.
On top of her brewing love triangle, Luce must worry about the shadows that cause so much trouble in her life. When they take the life of the new kid Todd, things start to get crazy at Sword & Cross. Cam and Daniel get in fights (sound like Twilight much?) that are pretty violent and Luce decisions are much more difficult. She begins to sway toward Daniel though when she has dreams of him in an angelic state.
Can Luce discover things about the twisted and mysterious past of Daniel? Does it involve her? Will Cam turn out to be sweet like he came on or turn into something worse? Will Luce EVER get out of Sword & Cross? Don't expect me to tell you! Go get Fallen today!

12.17.2011

Stamped Wrapping Paper

Last Wednesday, 16 teens came out to make stamped wrapping paper.  We made worked in groups to make giant rolling stampers using mailing tubes and self-sticking foam shapes.  (Tip:  Double up the foam shapes to make a sharper impression on the paper.)  Then, the groups quickly painted the foam shapes and rolled out their designs on Kraft paper.  Yes, it was messy, but at least I had the forethought to cover the carpet with roofing tarps!  The finished products turned out nicely.  The wrapping paper did require some drying time, though, so I just hope everyone comes back to pick up their papers if they are planning to use them for Christmas.  Here are some (slightly blurry because I took them with my phone) action shots:




12.14.2011

Gift Card Donations

The Teen Advisory Board is collecting partially used and unwanted gift cards from library patrons until January 15.  Make space for new cards in your wallet and help us fund teen programs in 2012!  We combine the amounts left on the cards to purchase supplies, snacks, and prizes. 

So far, we've collected $74.72 for stores like Wawa, Old Navy, Target, Kohl's, CVS, and Barnes & Noble.  Thanks to everyone who has donated this month!  We still have a month to go, and all contributions are tax deductible.  No amount is too small.  :)

12.12.2011

2011 Barnes & Noble Bookfair!

Saturday was the library's bookfair at the Barnes & Noble in Broomall, and it was a success!  Thanks to all of our library patrons who came to do personal shopping, plus some purchases we made for the library, we are on track to make the most money ever!  We are taking our fundraising money in books again this year, which will be awesome for our teen section.

If you missed the day, don't worry.  You can shop in any Barnes & Noble store or online until December 17.  Just give them our bookfair ID number (10554343) when you check out.

Here's what I bought with my library budget at the fundraiser:

FICTION
  • The Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare (Infernal Devices series)
  • Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (Hunger Games trilogy; additional copy)
  • L. A. Candy by Lauren Conrad (replacement copy)
  • The Fight by L. Divine (replacement copy)
  • Frenemies by L. Divine  (replacement copy)
  • The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore (Lorien Legacies series)
  • l8r, g8r by Lauren Myracle  (replacement copy)
  • Heartless by Sara Shepard (Pretty Little Liars series)
  • Ruthless by Sara Shepard (Pretty Little Liars series)
NONFICTION
  • Guinness World Records 2012
  • It Gets Better:  Coming Out, Overcoming Bullying, and Creating a Life Worth Living edited by Dan Savage and Terry Miller
  • Seventeen Ultimate Guide to Style by Ann Shoket and the Editors of Seventeen
GRAPHIC NOVELS
  • Yotsuba&!, volumes 1-3, by Kiyohiko Azuma
  • Naruto, volumes 51-53, by Masashi Kishimoto
  • Bleach, volumes 36 and 37, by Tite Kubo
  • Pandora Hearts, volumes 3-5, by Jun Mochizuki

12.08.2011

Three Reviews

The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan
In The Red Pyramid, Riordan faces the challenge of introducing us to new characters and a whole new mythology!  He is famous for writing the Percy Jackson series, which is based on Greek mythology.  The Kane Chronicles series focuses on a brother and sister, whose Egyptologist father endangers all of their lives during a research experiment gone wrong.  Soon, Carter and Sadie realize that the gods of Egypt are real, and that saving their father means trying to stop the most evil among them.  I had to read this for middle school book group, and I was actually surprised to find myself liking it.  Of course, there was a lot of action and some great battle scenes, but my favorite part of the book was actually learning about Egyptian mythology.  The second book in this series, The Throne of Fire, is already available, and the third (unnamed) book will be out on May 1, 2012.

Heist Society by Ally Carter
Ally Carter is known as the author of the Gallagher Girls spy series, starting with I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You.  But, in this book, she goes in a different direction, featuring Kat Bishop, who has been raised as a thief since birth.  Kat attempts to escape into a "normal" life, but is sucked back into the family business when her dad is implicated in a major heist that she knows he didn't commit.  This book reminded me of a cross between Son of the Mob by Gordon Korman and a heist movie (like Ocean's Eleven or Tower Heist).  It was an easy and fun read, with plenty of action, cliffhangers, and plot twists to make it interesting.  There's also a sequel, Uncommon Criminals, so look for that as well!

Birth Marked by Caragh M. O'Brien
16-year-old Gaia is a midwife-in-training who hands over a quota of babies to the Enclave every month, even though she's never been allowed inside. But when Gaia returns home and finds her parents have been arrested by the very people they serve, she starts a dangerous journey into the city to find them.  This dystopian fantasy's strengths are the character of Gaia and the medical problems caused by the small gene pool in the Enclave.  Several of the plot elements are a bit too convenient, but a disturbing twist at the end made the reading worthwhile.  This book is a good choice if you are a fan of the genre, or particularly interested in science or in childbirth.  And, if you like this book, the second book in the trilogy, called Prized, was released last month.

12.07.2011

Newest of the New

Here's what you can look for in the teen section this week:

FICTION
  • The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson
  • Texas Gothic by Rosemary Clement-Moore
  • So Much Closer by Susane Colasanti
  • Caleb's Wars by David L. Dudley
  • Lies by Michael Grant (replacement copy)
  • Stay with Me by Paul Griffin
  • The Girl Is Murder by Kathryn Miller Haines
  • Addie on the Inside by James Howe
  • Silhouetted by the Blue by Traci L. Jones
  • Passion by Lauren Kate (Fallen series)
  • The Other Girl by Sarah Miller
  • The Vampire Diaries:  Stefan's Diary, Volume 3:  The Craving by L. J. Smith
  • Deadly Little Voices by Laurie Faria Stolarz (Touch series)
  • A Need So Beautiful by Suzanne Young
NONFICTION
  • How to Survive Anything by Rachel Buchholz
  • Dear Bully:  70 Authors Tell Their Stories edited by Megan Kelley Hall and Carrie Jones

12.01.2011

Fall DDR Day

Yesterday, 15 teens came after school to play Dance Dance Revolution.  We had free play for a while, then 14 people entered a tournament.  Everyone played cards and games between dancing, and, of course, there were snacks.  There were four really good players in the tournament, but Jennifer surpassed them all to win!  She earned two five-dollar gift cards, one to Burger King and one to Five Below.  (I usually do a $10 to one store, but I had to use up some leftover gift cards from summer reading.)  We'll do some more DDR over the winter, so look for it on the schedule!

11.30.2011

Get That New Book Smell...

Here are this week's additions to the teen section:
  • Ultraviolet by R. J. Anderson
  • The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler
  • Shelter by Harlan Coben (Mickey Bolitar series)
  • Legend by Marie Lu
  • Blood by K. J. Wignall

11.29.2011

Asian Culture Club 11/23/11

The day before Thanksgiving, 21 teens came by to watch the amazing anime movie Howl's Moving Castle.  Thirteen of them were regular Asian Culture Club members and eight were visitors, including some college students home on break!  We finished off 14 bags of microwave popcorn during the movie, and also had a drawing contest on the theme of "buildings."  Here are some drawings that won prizes:

by Christine

by Tracey

by Alvin

by ?

11.21.2011

Book Review: Across the Universe

Across the Universe by Beth Revis
(Click here to find a library copy.)

This book opens with a chilling description of Amy and her parents undergoing the cryogenic freezing process, in hope of being the first to colonize the distant planet of Centauri-Earth.  It grabbed me from the start!  When Amy is purposely unfrozen 50 years early and left to die, she is found just in time by Elder.  The generations have been manipulated on the ship to provide strong leadership, and Elder, a leader in training, is the only other teenager.  In the claustrophobic environment of the ship, Amy must navigate a society that has changed dramatically from what she knew on Earth.  She doesn't look or talk like anyone else, and she certainly doesn't know who to trust. As Amy and Elder get to know each other, they also start to realize that something is desperately wrong aboard the ship.  Told in alternating chapters between Amy and Elder, this gripping science fiction story will keep you guessing until the end.  This is a great book for guys and girls, despite the slightly girly hardback cover.  If you are looking to read the next big teen trilogy, this might be it!  Want to find out what happens next?  The second book in the trilogy, A Million Suns, will be released on January 10, 2012.

As you're reading, check out a clickable map of the ship at http://www.acrosstheuniversebook.com/ to help you visualize the layout.  

11.19.2011

Mini Wreath Magnet Craft

Last Wednesday, 18 teens showed up after school to make mini-wreath magnets.  Someone donated a giant box of mini wreaths to us, so everyone got to make as many as they wanted.  Everyone made at least two, but some people did as many as seven!  We decorated them with odds and ends of ribbon, lace, fake flowers, buttons, rosettes, bells, and patches.  People did seasonal ones, of course, but also branched out and made themed wreaths like "three-year-old ballerina" and "picnic."  And, for the first time ever, I let teens use the glue guns!  (It worked out really well and no one injured themselves.)  Check out our work:






11.16.2011

Look! New Books!

Here are what's new this week:

FICTION
  • Bite Club by Rachel Caine (The Morganville Vampires series)
  • Last Breath by Rachel Caine (The Morganville Vampires series)
  • Drink Slay Love by Sarah Beth Durst
  • Damned by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie
  • Perfect by Ellen Hopkins
  • Paper Covers Rock by Jenny Hubbard
  • Dust & Decay by Jonathan Maberry
  • Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry
  • Fury by Elizabeth Miles
  • Another Faust by Daniel and Dina Nayeri (replacement copy)
  • The Hidden by Jessica Verday
GRAPHIC NOVELS
  • Fractured Fables
  • Bleach, volumes 20 and 26, by Tite Kubo
  • The Sons of Liberty, volume 1, by Alexander Lagos (replacement copy)
  • BoBoBo-Bo Bo-BoBo, volumes 1 and 2, by Yoshio Sawai
NONFICTION
  • Strutting It!  The Grit Behind the Glamour by Jeanne Beker

11.11.2011

Eleven Party!

Tonight, 25 teens showed up to celebrate 11/11/11!  It only happens once a century, so it's a good excuse for a party.  We did all kinds of activities with the number 11, which was a challenge to plan.  It made the Teen Advisory Board and me be very creative!  For example, our prizes for the evening were two pixie sticks for the smaller events (representing 11) and 11 pieces of candy for the bigger events.  

We started with some brainteaser questions, like naming six-letter words that had a double L in the middle or trying to say "eleven" in eleven foreign languages.  Throughout the event we also watched some media clips:
  • The scene in This Is Spinal Tap where we learn that their speakers go up to 11
  • The heist from the end of Ocean's Eleven
  • Inigo Montoya besting the six-fingered man in The Princess Bride (because he only had six fingers on one hand, thus making him a eleven-fingered man!)
  • The opening scenes from an episode of Dr. Who titled "The Eleventh Hour" featuring the 11th regeneration of the Doctor.

We also did a little activity where we wrote the "11th Commandment."  Chutima and Michael won with this entry:  "Thou shall not be narcissistic, like bragging, showing off skills, throwing money in the air, start speaking another language, kissing yourself in the mirror, etc."  Other funny entries:
  • "Thou shalt not be normal.  It'll be boring."  --Veronica and Shorell
  • "Thou shalt not eat macaroni without cheese."  --Chantiel and Blya
  • "Thou shalt not read this commandment."  --Grace and Marissa
We had a lot of fun with our 11-item chopstick race, as well.  Everyone got plate and a set of chopsticks, and sat in a line with their team.  The chopsticks represented the number 11, of course, and the teams had to use only the chopsticks to pick up 11 objects and move them down to the other end of their lines.  It was hilarious, and everyone was very encouraging to their teammates who didn't have great chopstick skills.  Team One (in the front of the picture below) was an early lead, but then competition heated up.  It was a close finish, but Team One pulled it out at the last minute!  If we had more time, we would have done it again.

Our biggest activity of the evening was the 11 scavenger trivia hunt.  Internet access was banned, so everyone had to find their information in (gasp) books!!  Only the computer catalog was allowed for a few questions.  All of the questions were about the number 11, of course.  Questions covered everything from the 11th President to Apollo 11 to how November got its name.  Two teams turned in perfect papers, getting all 11 questions and the bonus.  Congrats to Emily, Jasmine H., Marissa, and Grace for having excellent library research skills!

We won't get to repeat this program for another hundred years, so I'm sorry for those who had to miss it.  It was so much fun!


 Everyone loved the chopstick race!  It was intense!!

Two sisters came in identical outfits as the number 11.  Awesome!

11.09.2011

Asian Culture Club 11/9/11

Today at our Asian Culture Club meeting, we:
  • Hooked people's phones and mp3 players up to the speakers to listen to J-pop and K-pop. 
  • Had a ramen bar, where we made our own recipies for different combinations of things to add and tried them out.
  • Learned about the classic Japanese anime character Doraemon and had a coloring contest to win a Doraemon crayon set.
  • Watched some anime clips, courtesy of Laurel
What did we put in our ramen?  I made chicken-flavored ramen and added extra chicken.  Then, people selected from:  rainbow bell peppers, mushrooms, tomato, onion, carrot, peas, cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, and a variety of spices.  Everyone's turned out differently, but no one was unhappy with their choices.  We had enough ramen and supplies for everyone to have seconds, and even thirds!  Want more ramen ideas?  Laurel found a great list of recipes.

Want more Doraemon?  Here is a coloring sheet, and there's also a nice papercraft version of Doraemon available online.

Join us for our next meeting on Wednesday, November 23, from 3:00 to 5:00.  We are starting early so that we can watch Howl's Moving Castle (PG)!  We will have snacks and free drawing time during the movie.

Check These Out!

Here are the new books in the teen section this week:

FICTION
  • Beauty Queens by Libba Bray
  • Tiger's Voyage by Colleen Houck (Tiger's Curse series)
  • The Black by D. J. MacHale (Morpheus Road series)
  • The Light  by D. J. MacHale (Morpheus Road series)
  • Inheritance by Christopher Paolini
  • Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma
GRAPHIC NOVELS
  • Cross Game, volumes 1 and 2, by Mitsuru Adachi
  • The Sons of Liberty:  Death and Taxes by Alexander Lacos
  • My Boyfriend Is a Monster by Evonne Tsang

11.02.2011

What's New!?

Here are our newest books in the teen section!

FICTION
  • Playground by 50 Cent
  • Ambition by Kate Brian (Private series)
  • Kiss of Death by Rachel Caine (Morganville Vampires series)
  • Crossed by Ally Condie (Matched trilogy)
  • Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl (Beautiful Creatures series)
  • Everybody Sees the Ants by A. S. King
  • Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause (replacement copy)
  • Darkangel by Meredith Ann Pierce
  • Thirst, No. 1, by Christopher Pike
  • Withering Tights by Louise Rennison
  • Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick by Joe Schreiber
  • The Silver Bowl by Diane Stanley
GRAPHIC NOVELS
  • Comic Party, volume 1, by Sekihiko Inui
  • Chibi Vampire, volume 1, by Yuna Kagesaki

10.26.2011

New Audio Books!

Have you listened to any good books lately?  Try one of these!

BOOKS ON CD
  • Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
  • Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen
  • Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen
  • This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen
  • Before I Die by Jenny Downham
  • Across the Universe by Beth Revis
  • The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan (Heroes of Olympus series)
  • The Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan (Kane Chronicles series)
  • The Alchemyst by Michael Scott (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series)
BOOKS ON PLAYAWAY (Pre-loaded MP3 players)
  • Don’t Judge a Girl by Her Cover by Ally Carter
  • Only the Good Spy Young by Ally Carter
  • What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen 
  • Looking for Alaska by John Green 

10.24.2011

TAB Bake Sale

On Saturday, the Teen Advisory Board (TAB) had an amazing bake sale in the library lobby.  We raised $248.25 to fund our Hunger Games lock-in this December!!  We had a great variety of food, including cupcakes, brownies, lots of types of cookies, muffins, Rice Krispy Treats, and a delicious Middle Eastern sweet that was like a honey-filled fried doughnut.  We sold nearly everything by the end!  

Thanks to our bakers (and their families):  Katie, Grace, Emily, Elena, Amie & Kim, Anas & Arig, Billy, Genni, Marissa, and me.

Thanks to our workers:  Saranjeet, Genni, Arig, Anas, Katie, Marissa, Grace, Kim, Amie, Christelle, Jasmine, Emily, and Elena.

And thanks to all of the library patrons and staff who bought things from us!  We appreciate you all!!


Superhero Night!

Last Friday, 18 teens came out to celebrate Teen Read Week at our Superhero Night!  As everyone arrived, they used a superhero name generator to get an identity if they didn't already have one.  They also entered to win a comic book and took pictures in our superhero photo area.  During the program, we watched movie clips, did a theme song guessing contest, decorated cupcakes, matched heroes to their catchphrases, had a costume contest, and generally acted heroic.  It was a lot of fun!  Huge thanks to my friend Mike, who shared his love of all things superhero with us.  He had a great time meeting everyone!  Also, thanks to grown-up library teen Caitlin, who donated the comic books we gave away.

I handed out Spiderman pencils to people who knew the theme songs, and Katie ended up with three.  I had to stop calling on her!  For bigger prizes, the Teen Advisory Board suggested "things a superhero would put on his/her utility belt," so we came up with keychain flashlights and carabiner watches.  Everyone who won a contest got to pick one of those, available in many colors to match every superhero's costume, of course.  Micah and Chantiel won the cupcake decorating contest (see photos below).  Chantiel also won the comic book drawing.  Avis ruled the catchphrase matching, with Christelle and Own close behind.  We had seven people enter the costume contest, and it came down to Janitor Man and Bat Girl.  Bat Girl won because Mike was impressed that she had knitted her own hat and cape!  Bat Girl received a comic book for her efforts.  Janitor Man and Bat Girl both got candy, as well.

Are you sad you missed it?  I put lots of links below!  Also, next summer's reading theme is "Rule the Night," so we should definitely do superheroes again!

Movie/TV Show Clips:
Original Batman Bomb Scene
Original Batman Shark Scene
Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog
X-Men 2
The Incredibles
Batman Begins
Spiderman 2
DareDevil
Mystery Men

Theme Songs:
Batman Beyond
Batman (1989)
Superman
X-Man Animated Series (1992)
Spiderman
1960s Batman TV Show
1980s Ninja Turtles Cartoon

Some shots from the superhero photo corner:






Some cupcakes:

Billy made Janitor Man's logo

Chantiel's winning cupcake:  a flying superhero

Nehimya decorated his for X-Men

Micah's winning cupcake:  the symbols of Superman, the Green Lantern, and Batman

Laurel did another version of Batman's logo.

10.20.2011

Book Swap & Alice

It's Teen Read Week!  One way we decided to celebrate was to have a book swap and movie event with a movie inspired by a book.  This afternoon, 14 teens showed to swap 33 books and watch Alice in Wonderland (2010; PG).  We also  ate 10 bags of microwave popcorn, plus other snacks!  That has to be some kind of record.  I hope everyone enjoys their new books from the swap, but if you don't, we'll swap again over the winter!!

10.12.2011

Stuffed Shelves

Look for these new items in our teen section!

FICTION
  • The Princess and the Pauper by Kate Brian
  • Ghost Town by Rachel Caine (Morganville Vampires series)
  • The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (additional copy)
  • Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon
  • Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead (Vampire Academy series; additional copy)
  • The Apothecary by Maile Meloy
  • Witch & Wizard by James Patterson (additional copy)
  • Life:  An Exploded Diagram by Mal Peet
  • A Long Long Sleep by Anna Sheehan
NONFICTION
  • The Duh Awards by Bob Fenster
  • The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook:  Holidays by Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht 
GRAPHIC NOVELS
  • Naruto, volume 1, by Mashshi Kishimoto (replacement copy)

10.08.2011

Duct Tape Crafts

Last Wednesday, 14 teens came for our after-school duct tape craft program.  It was sticky, but fun!  I had two projects planned, duct tape wallets and hair bows, which most people chose to work on.  Instead of written directions, we used two online video tutorials.  This worked out really well because we could pause it to do work, or watch tricky bits twice!  (Two people did their own thing, creating duct tape versions of the Japanese TV character Domo!)  We had lots of fun colors and patterns of tape, thanks to a great sale at the craft store and the inspiration of my 5-year-old. 

You can check duct tape books out of the library, such as Got Tape? and Ductigami. Duck brand duct tape has also their own YouTube channel!  They have lots of helpful videos on there, as well as tons of craft ideas on their website.  Raid your family's toolbox for the duct tape and make something!

Here are some tutorials to get you started:
Duct Tape Bow
Duct Tape Wallet
Duct Tape School Folder
Duct Tape Bookmark

Duct tape wallets, hair bows, and Domos!

10.04.2011

Book Review: Sean Griswold's Head

Sean Griswold's Head by Lindsey Leavitt
Review by Elena

Sean Griswold's Head is a story about an average girl named Payton Gritas.  Ond day, she accidentally sees her mom injecting a needle into her dad's veins.  After this sudden shock, her parents tell her it's not what she thinks.  Her father has multiple sclerosis, a disease that affects the brain and spinal cord.  She is outraged to find out that her brothers already know, and Payton desides not to speak with her family.  Payton's parents ask the school counselor to help her, and the counselor tells her to keep a focus notebook.  This might help her focus on something other than her father's disease.  She also chooses a focus object to redirect her attention.  Unfortunately, Payton chooses the head of Sean Griswold, a boy who sits in front of her in biology class. 

Writing in the notebook is helpful at times, but Payton constantly argues with her best friends, quits the basketball team, and starts to do poorly in school.  Payton also slowly becomes friends with Sean, and is slowly crushing on him.  She still will not speak with her family at all, even though she always sees her father in pain and not moving at all because of the disease.  Payton's anger grows, not just at her family, but at the disease.  As the months pass, Sean persuades Payton to practice for a bike marathon to raise money for multiple sclerosis.  

I think this book is a great story for anyone over the age of 12.  It tells a lot about multiple sclerosis and the real symptoms people have.  This story is unique and fun, but also deals with a serious subject.

10.03.2011

Fall Nintendo Night

Last Friday, 39 teens showed up for our fall edition of Nintendo Night!  It was our busiest one ever, with three simultaneous tournaments.  We had full brackets in the Super Smash Bros. Brawl tournament, with 18 teams.  I matched them up randomly, and we ended up with a final match of David J. and Colin vs. Devon and Jared.  Jared put up a good fight at the end, but was ultimately beaten.  It was a great match!  David J. and Colin each got a $15 gift card to Game Stop, and all four guys got candy.  Huge thanks to John E. for keeping the controllers straightened out for each match.  It was a big help!

The Naruto Shippuden III tournament was also full, with 16 entrants.  This has been a popular game at our club meetings, so it was not a surprise to see some exciting matches and hear a lot of bragging!  Dennis M. defeated David T. in the final for a $10 gift card to Game Stop.  All of the top four finishers received candy.

For our third tournament, we did a Pokemon Black and White tournament on DS.  Evan didn't like our rules from last time, so he took a shot at running it his way.  It worked pretty well, and it also went really fast!  Ten people entered, which worked down to a three-way final.  David J. took home the $10 Game Stop gift card, and all three top finishers got candy.   Evan did all the work of this tournament, from making the rules to checking teams to recording victories in the brackets.  Thanks, Evan!

We do this several times a year, so look for another Nintendo Night on the winter 2012 schedule. 

10.02.2011

Fall Craft Closet Cleanout

I don't usually do Craft Closet Cleanout two months in a row, but we have too much old stuff in the attic!  So, 14 people showed up after school on Friday to make things.  I like it because it gets supplies out of my storage room and they like it because there's a lot of variety.  I usually take pictures, but I forgot to charge my camera battery, so you'll just have to trust me that we made awesome stuff!

Here's what we made:
We actually finished off supplies for several of these, so yay for us!  I worked yesterday, and I got lots of different projects organized for our next CCC (with help from Sara A.), so look for it on the winter calendar.

9.29.2011

Banned Book Week Discussion

Yesterday, six teens showed up for our annual Banned Books Week book discussion.  This is a fun meeting because you don't have to actually read a specific book to show up!  Instead, we talk about a list of books that ranges from children's books to popular series to classics that people read for school.  Everyone has read something on that list, whether it's Junie B. Jones or Animal Farm.  It's amazing how many of our school-assigned summer reading books have been challenged or banned somewhere!  We talked about a lot of issues and had a really interesting conversation.  Celebrate your freedom to read...come check something out of the library!  :)

9.28.2011

New Additions

Here are our latest acquisitions in the teen section!

FICTION
  • Abarat:  Absolute Midnight by Clive Barker
  • Reel Life Starring Us by Lisa Greenwald
  • The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
  • Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs (additional copy)
  • Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
GRAPHIC NOVEL
  • Kitchen Princess, volume 6, by Natsumi Ando
  • Cactus's Secrets, volume 4, by Nana Haruta
  • Bleach, volume 27, by Tite Kubo
  • Natsume's Book of Friends, volume 3, by Yuki Midorikawa
  • Inubaka:  Crazy for Dogs, volumes 8, 10, 12, and 16, by Yukiya Sakuragi
  • The Last Dragon by Jane Yolen
  • Sgt. Frog, volumes 7, 18, and 20, by Mine Yoshizaki
  • Godchild, volumes 7 and 8, by Kaori Yuki
  • Angel Diary, volume 13, by Kara Lee YunHee

9.24.2011

School Spirit Ponytail Holders

Our fall programs have started!  Last Wednesday, 11 teens showed up after school to make School Spirit Ponytail Holders and watch Tangled.  Genni suggested it because of the hair connection, and it was a great choice.  I hadn't seen it before, and I loved it, especially Maximus the horse!  Anyway, the ponytail holders are super-easy to make, but take a long time.  Cutting and tying all of that ribbon is a chore!  Everyone used their school colors, which was perfect since it's football season.  And the ponytail holders turned out wonderfully!  I hope to see some of these in pep rally pictures!!


9.23.2011

Just Dance

Today, 13 teens showed up after school to play Just Dance.  Actually, it took a while for people to work up their nerve, so Uno became very popular!  However, once the game got started, everyone was really into it.  Things were going so well that I forgot to do the mini-tournament I had promised.  Talia reminded me at the very end.  I'm so sorry!  We'll have to save it for next time.

Book Review: Hate List

Hate List by Jennifer Brown
(Click here to find a library copy.)

Near the end of her junior year, Valerie's leg was badly injured in a school shooting.  Several students and a favorite teacher were killed; others were injured.  Valerie stopped the shooter's rampage, but she was also implicated in the crime:  the shooter, Nick, was her boyfriend, and his targets were people on a list she had started.  Can Valerie return for her senior year?  Should she even be allowed?  Is she guilty?  Is she a hero?  Tough questions face Valerie, and the reader, in this realistic look at life after a tragedy.  I appreciated how the author showed the impact of the shooting on Valerie's family through the story.  Also, the discussions Valerie has in therapy are really thought-provoking.  If you like to read seriously realistic fiction, then this one's for you.

9.12.2011

Book Review: Forgotten

Forgotten by Cat Patrick
(Click here to find a library copy.)

If you've ever been disappointed or unhappy with a situation, someone has probably told you that "tomorrow is a new day."  You can always start over, work harder, or try to fix a problem.  But, what if tomorrow really was a new day?  What if you woke up every day with no memory of anything in your past, only things to come in your future?  That is the case for 16-year-old London Lane, who writes herself notes every night so she can lead a normal life.  Trying to stay under the radar at school works for London until she meets Luke, a handsome new boy who is very interested in her.  I kind of expected this book to turn into some kind of government dystopia, with Luke trying to gain her confidence and turn her over to the authorities.  Instead, this book took some very unexpected turns and dealt with interesting questions about family and relationships.  For me, Luke ended up being a little too perfect in his role of boyfriend.  However, he definitely deserves to be a book crush!  A realistic fantasy, Forgotten is a quick read that will make you imagine "what if..."

9.09.2011

Newest of the New

Recent new books added to the teen section:

FICTION
  • Bronxwood by Coe Booth
  • The Opal Deception by Eoin Colfer (Artemis Fowl series; additional copy)
  • The Time Paradox by Eoin Colfer (Artemis Fowl series; additional copy)
  • Torn by Margaret Peterson Haddix (Missing series)
  • Tiger's Quest by Colleen Houck (Tiger's Curse series)
  • Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr (Wicked Lovely series; replacement copy)
  • Angel by James Patterson (Maximum Ride series)
  • Divergent by Veronica Roth
GRAPHIC NOVELS
  • Vampire Game, volumes 7, 11, and 13, by Judal
  • Rave Master, volumes 13, 20, and 24, by Hiro Mashima

9.07.2011

Fall Schedule!

The schedule of teen programs for the fall is now available online!  Six programs are already registering, so get your name on the list.  You can call the library, stop in, or reply to event invitations from our Facebook group.

Sign up now for...
  • School Spirit Ponytail Holders (9/21)
  • Just Dance (9/23)
  • Banned Book Week Book Discussion (9/28)
  • Craft Closet Cleanout (9/30)
  • Nintendo Night (9/30)
  • Duct Tape Crafts (10/5)

9.06.2011

Join Our Facebook Group...Again...

We moved to the new groups format on Facebook, so please check us out.  Go to Sellers Library Teens (the group with the robot keychain profile picture) and request to join!  The Facebook group is the fastest, easiest way to register for events and find out what is going on at the library. 

9.02.2011

Look! New Books!

New items for you to check out:

FICTION
  • Eighth Grade Bites by Heather Brewer (additional copy)
  • Ninth Grade Slays by Heather Brewer (additional copy)
  • Tenth Grade Bleeds by Heather Brewer (additional copy)
  • Money Hungry by Sharon G. Flake (additional copy)
  • How to Be Bad by E. Lockhart, Sarah Mlynowski, and Lauren Myracle (replacement copy)
  • Forgotten by Cat Patrick
NONFICTION
  • The Simpsons:  A Complete Guide to Our Favorite Family edited by Ray Richmond
  • Taking Care of Your "Girls":  A Breast Health Guide for Girls, Teens, and In-Betweens by Marisa C. Weiss and Isabel Friedman
GRAPHIC NOVELS
  • Dawn Land by Will Davis

8.29.2011

Thank You for Your Support!

Summer has ended and school has begun, but the businesses that supported our teen summer reading program are open year-round!  Huge thanks to these community businesses for their donations to our teen program:Please show them some love! 

8.25.2011

End-of-Summer Craft Closet Cleanout

Yesterday, 19 teens showed up for our last program of the summer--Craft Closet Cleanout!  Many of our craft regulars were there, plus some new people, so it was a good mix.  We did two projects from our recent outdoor art programs, as well as resurrected a bunch of older projects.  Here's what people made:
Sad you missed it?  I'm planning two CCCs for the fall because the attic is full of old craft supplies!

 This table was making pop top bracelets and robot keychains.

 This table was working on hair chopsticks and scratch-painted CD magnets.

Shrinky dinks are awesome!

8.22.2011

Teen Summer Reading Winners, Week 10

Today, I did the very last drawing for our teen summer reading program at Sellers.  Don't despair, though!  We're taking slips through August 27th, so bring them in if you still have them to get your free book and free food coupon.  Delaware County still has a Nintendo DS Lite and a Nook to give away before the end of the month, so you could still win big!

Our winners this week:

Ghada Ayad, grade 7
won a hardcover book, mini-highlighers, and candy.

Nathaniel Lacy, grade 9
won a hardcover book, a card game, and candy.

Jessica Dinh, grade 6
won a hardcover book, hair barrettes, and candy.

Alan Ooi, grade 6
won two free games of bowling at Wynnewood Lanes.

Jackie Ersek, grade 8
won a gift certificate for a free 16” cheese pizza from Jano’s Italian Pizza Kitchen in Drexel Hill. 

8.17.2011

Author Visit Tonight!

We have three wonderful Pennsylvania authors appearing at Sellers tonight!  Come meet Josh Berk, Marie Lamba, and Allison Whittenberg at 7:00 p.m. in the adult library.  Hear about how they became writers, learn about their books, and ask them your questions.  The event is free, but you can buy the authors' books and get them signed if you are interested.  Hope to see you there!

8.15.2011

Teen Summer Reading Winners, Week 9

We had five more winners in our library's teen summer reading program this week!  We still have one more week of prizes, and the county has two more big prizes to award.  Summer reading officially ends Saturday, August 20, but you have an extra week to turn in the slips!

Adrian Israel, grade 7
won a hardcover book, a card game, and candy.

Guleen Kaur, grade 6
won a hardcover book, hair barrettes, and candy.

Gabriel Bury, grade 10
won a hardcover book, a $5 gift card to Five Below, and candy.

Briet Ha, grade 6
won a gift basket with a dolphin keychain, orca puzzle, dolphin paperweight, and sea creature stickers.

Sujoy Das, grade 8
won two free games of bowling at Wynnewood Lanes.

8.11.2011

CSI: Ancient Egypt

On August 2, we had a big crowd for our CSI:  Ancient Egypt presentation!  Over 40 teens and adults came out to hear Dr. Stephen Phillips from the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology talk about dead bodies!!  I didn't know what to expect, but it was so fascinating that no one minded when his presentation ran overtime.  Dr. Steve is a museum research assistant, but he should be a professor.  He's a great teacher! 

Dr. Steve talked about what forensic anthropologists do, connecting it to current TV shows like Bones and CSI.  He also briefed us on how bodies decompose, talking about the University of Tennessee Anthropological Research Facility (a.k.a. the Body Farm).  Then, we learned some key parts of the skull structure that would help us identify male from female and give an approximate age range.  We looked at the shape of the back of the skull, the forehead and brows, and the jaw, as well as examined the presence and condition of teeth.  He had lots of interesting examples in his slides and kept the presentation interactive.  Finally, we examined the evidence surrounding the death of King Tut:  Was it murder by a blow to the head?  We decided that it wasn't, but the evidence did not rule out another form of murder like poison. 

The whole event was educational, but it was also fun.  Anthropology is really intriguing!  This program was funded by the Commonwealth Lecture Program and the Sellers Library Teen Advisory Board.  Thanks to everyone who showed up!  We hope to have Dr. Steve back again soon.

8.10.2011

New Books This Week

Here are the new additions to the teen section:

FICTION
  • The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin by Josh Berk
  • Hate List by Jennifer Brown
  • Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
  • Over My Head by Marie Lamba
  • The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart (replacement copy)
  • Betrayal by Lee Nichols (Haunting Emma series)
  • Max by James Patterson (Maximum Ride series; replacement copy)
  • I Conquer Britain by Dyan Sheldon
NONFICTION
  • Tactics, volumes 2, and 4-7, by Sakura Kinoshita
  • Jing:  King of Bandits, volumes 4 and 7, by Yuichi Kumakura
  • Rave Master, volumes 12, 22, 23, and 25, by Hiro Mashima
  • JPop Idol, volume 1, by Milleni+M
  • Ripley's Believe It or Not:  The Remarkable...Revealed!

8.08.2011

Teen Summer Reading Winners, Week 8

It's already Monday again, and time for a new batch of winners.  We have five of our own, and another one for the county drawing!  You still have three more weeks to earn prizes here, so don't delay turning in your slips.  The county also has two more prizes to give away before the end of the month:  another Nintendo DS Lite and a Barnes and Noble Nook eReader!!  Summer reading ends on August 27...just in time for school to start.

This week's winners:

Tu, grade 9
won a hardcover book, a card game, and candy.

Jasmine, grade 8
won a hardcover book, mini highlighters, and candy.

Fatima, grade 9
won a hardcover book, a stretchy book cover, and candy.

Josiah, grade 7
won a gift certificate for a free 16” cheese pizza from Jano’s Italian Pizza Kitchen in Drexel Hill.

Quentin, grade 11
won a $10 gift card to GameStop.

Noella, grade 10
won a Nintendo DS Lite from the Delaware County Library System in the county-wide drawing.

8.06.2011

Outdoor Art: Marble Magnets

Last Wednesday, 23 people stopped by the craft tent to make marble magnets!  This is a simple craft that looks really awesome, and is great for your fridge or locker.  Just get flat-backed glass marbles (I got three different sizes at Dollar Tree!) and find magazine pictures, words, or patterns that look cool under them.  Use a drop of white craft glue to attach the picture so it shows through the marble (it will dry clear).  Use a glue gun to attach a magnet to the back.  Let the whole thing dry for 24 hours, then enjoy.

Huge thanks to Judy, Genni, and Christine for being my craft volunteers this week! 

Making magnets

Some finished products

8.01.2011

Teen Summer Reading Winners, Week 7

Week 7 of the teen summer reading program is complete, and we have five more winners!  Didn't turn in your slips yet?  Don't worry!  I have saved some good prizes for the last three weeks of the program, plus Delaware County still has big stuff to give away.  Keep reading!  Here's what we gave away this week:

Siaka, grade 6
won a hardcover book, a card game, and candy.

Hazara, grade 10
won a hardcover book, an anklet, and candy.

Christelle, grade 8
won a hardcover book, a set of Alice in Wonderland movie pins, and candy.

Abbey, grade 7
won a hardcover book, a Hello Kitty ring, and candy.

Owen, grade 8
won two free games of bowling at Wynnewood Lanes.

7.27.2011

Multicultural Author Visit!

Join us for an amazing author event on August 17, from 7:00 to 8:00 pm! To wrap up our summer theme of One World, Many Stories, Pennsylvania authors Marie Lamba, Josh Berk, and Allison Whittenberg will all be a part of a discussion on multicultural teen fiction. This event is made possible by a grant from the Wal-Mart Foundation. The program will be held in the adult library, so all are welcome to attend.

All of the authors will be available for book signing after the event. Bring your wallets (or your parents with their wallets) because book sales will be provided by Children's Book World from Haverford. They take cash and credit!

Want to read the books before the event? Check them out of the library! Allison Whittenberg is the author of Sweet Thang, Hollywood and Maine, Life Is Fine, and Tutored. Josh Berk is the author of The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin. Marie Lamba is the author of What I Meant... and Over My Head.
You don't have to register for this event, but anyone can accept our Facebook invitation!

7.25.2011

Teen Summer Reading Winners, Week 6

We have five more winners at Sellers this week, plus one from the county!  Go us!!  Continue turning in those slips, because we still have four weeks to go in the summer reading program.

Here are this week's winners:

Zainab, grade 9
won a hardcover book, a stretchy book cover, and candy.

Talia, grade 8
won a hardcover book, locker magnets, and candy.

Mashfi, grade 8
won a hardcover book, a card game, and candy.

Teferi, grade 7
won a signed copy of Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan, and candy.

Sarah, grade 9
won a gift certificate for a free 16” cheese pizza from Jano’s Italian Pizza Kitchen in Drexel Hill.

Zahra, grade 6
won an iPod Shuffle from the Delaware County Library System in the county-wide drawing.

7.24.2011

License Plate Journals

Last Friday, 21 teens showed up for our summer journal workshop.  We made journals out of old license plates!  (Big thanks to my dad for the donation of some old license plates from his basement!)  It was really simple.  We just hooked them together with some report rings. The hardest part was punching the holes in the paper to fit inside; everyone's hands got really tired.  We created special title pages with stickers and drawings, then broke them in with some writing.

Special thanks to Nitha and Caitlin, library grads who love to write.  They helped me out with the event, and each taught a writing exercise to the group!  Caitlin had everyone brainstorm three characters, three settings, and three props, and then use at least one of them to write a paragraph.  Nitha talked about different kinds of haiku and had people write their own.  I talked about six-word memoirs, and gave away some copies of I Can't Keep My Own Secrets while people worked on telling a story in six words.  We definitely had some creative writers in the group, and it was fun to hear everyone read their work aloud. 

I have some leftover supplies, so look for this project at Craft Closet Cleanout in August!  And, if you have some license plates of your own hanging around, try this easy License Plate Memo Board.

 Cleaning the license plates--very important!

 Assembling the journals and making title pages.

Writing!

7.23.2011

Outdoor Art: Button Jewelry

Last Wednesday, 19 teens showed up for our outdoor craft program.  This is smaller than previous weeks, but that's probably because of the heat!  It definitely wasn't because of the projects--they were really cute.  We made button and bead bracelets, button jumble earrings, and knotted button necklaces.  The earrings were especially awesome.

Thanks to Katie, Amie, Kimberly, and Emily for helping with set-up and staying for the whole time.  Special thanks to Asa for jumping in to help clean up.  There is no craft next week, but come back on August 3 to make magnets.  See you then!

 Everyone was concentrating!

 A cute pair of button earrings

 Jasmine adapted her necklace into an anklet!

Want to make more stuff with buttons?  Try these: