Friday, April 30, 2010

Skype with Maureen Johnson!

Have you ever wanted to talk to a famous teen author? Soon you can!! Young adult author Maureen Johnson is going to Skype with us on Thursday, May 27th.

Haven't heard of Skype? It's a free Internet video chat. We'll be able to talk to her about her books, her writing process, and what it's like to be friends with other teen authors! Stay tuned to the blog for fun updates on Maureen Johnson and reviews of these popular books she's written --

The Key to the Golden Firebird
The Bermudez Triangle
Devilish
Girl at Sea
13 Little Blue Envelopes
Suite Scarlett
Scarlett Fever

For more information on this program or to register, stop by the Reference Services Desk, go to calendar.webrary.org, or call 847-929-5101.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Spring Blast


Tomorrow, Saturday April 24th, is Morton Grove Public Library's 3rd Annual Spring Blast!! All day, from 10 AM to 2:30 PM, there will be activities inside and outside the Library! There's crafts, the "Village on the Green" miniature golf course, music, a scavenger hunt, video gaming (Guitar Hero, Rock Band, and Wii games), free popcorn, dancers, hybrid cars, and so much more! AND for Teens Only, you can play Silent Library! Just get together a team of 3-4 teens and email jwehrheim@webrary.org with your names and the time you'd like to play - 10:30, 11:15, or 1 pm. You can win prizes!!

See you at Spring Blast!

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Battle of the Books 2010

The final battle is done, and Battle of the Books 2009/2010 is over. Congratulations to the Lord of the Books team from Our Lady of Perpetual Help for scoring the most points and winning the Battle for the fifth year in a row!

Here are the final scores for all the teams:
East Prairie School - 529 points
Golf Middle School - 245 points
Jerusalem Lutheran School - 309 points
Old Orchard Junior High - 524 points
Our Lady of Perpetual Help School - 596 points
Park View School - 403 points
Plato Academy - 496 points

The students who participated should be very proud of their hard work studying books and authors! Thanks to the coaches, parents, relatives, and friends who attended the battles and supported the students.

If you want to start preparing for next year's competition, you can find the list of titles on the 2010/2011 Battle of the Books list here!

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Teen T-Shirt Design Winner!

Congratulations to Nadiya for winning the Teen T-Shirt Design Contest!! Thanks to all of the teens who submitted their ideas and voted on the final four last week! You can get a t-shirt with the winning design this summer during the Summer Library Challenge.

Here's a sneak peek of the design that will be on the Summer Library Challenge Teen T-Shirts!

Saturday, April 17, 2010

New Books!

Check out the Teen Zone for great new books on display! Here are just a few of the latest YA books you'll find.

Happyface Happyface
by: Emond, Stephen

"Just put on a happy face!"
Enter Happyface's journal and get a peek into the life of a shy, artistic boy who decides to reinvent himself as a happy-go-lucky guy after he moves to a new town. See the world through his hilariously self-deprecating eyes as he learns to shed his comic-book-loving, computer-game playing ways. Join him as he makes new friends, tries to hide from his past, and ultimately learns to face the world with a genuine smile. With a fresh and funny combination of text and fully integrated art, "Happyface" is an original storytelling experience.
...More

Once Once
by: Gleitzman, Morris






Will Grayson, Will Grayson Will Grayson, Will Grayson
by: Green, John and David Levithan

One cold night, in a most unlikely corner of Chicago, two teens both named Will Grayson are about to cross paths. As their worlds collide and intertwine, the Will Graysons find their lives going in new and unexpected directions, building toward romantic turns-of-heart and the epic production of history's most fabulous high school musical.

Hilarious, poignant, and deeply insightful, John Green and David Levithan's collaborative novel is brimming with a double helping of the heart and humor that have won both them legions of faithful fans. ...More


Before I Fall


Browse Inside

Before I Fall
by: Oliver, Lauren

A terrible accident takes Samantha Kingston's life. The catch: Samantha still wakes up the next morning. In fact, she relives the last day of her life seven times, until she realizes that by making even the slightest changes, she may hold more power than she had ever imagined. ...More

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Young Adult T-Shirt Design Contest

The "Final Four" have been selected for the Young Adult T-Shirt Design Contest! You all submitted GREAT entries, and it was difficult to narrow down. We received 12 designs, and based on the criteria of fitting in with the 2010 Summer Library Challenge theme, we selected four.

Now it's YOUR turn to vote!

The winning design will be the image on the front of the Summer Library Challenge teen t-shirts. To vote, visit the Teen Zone, write down the number of your favorite design, and put the paper in the orange and blue bucket. But hurry! Voting ends THIS Saturday, April 17th, at 3 pm!

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Battle of the Books Weekly Score Update

It's time for another update on the scores. We had three more battles this week.

Mon., April 12
Jerusalem Lutheran (49 points)
v.
Plato (108 points)

Tues., April 13
Plato (67 points)
v.
East Prairie (107 points)

Wed., April 14
Jerusalem Lutheran (72 points)
v.
Golf (50 points)

Three teams are finished, but four more still have a final battle. Here are the current totals:
East Prairie School (after 5 battles) = 439 points
Golf Middle School (final score) = 245 points

Jerusalem Lutheran School (after 5 battles) = 258 points

Old Orchard Junior High (final score) = 524 points

Our Lady of Perpetual Help School (after 5 battles) = 501 points

Park View School (after 5 battles) = 310 points

Plato Academy (final score) = 496 points


Two battles left!

Thursday, April 08, 2010

Battle of the Books Weekly Score Update

There were three more battles this week!

Tues., April 6
Old Orchard (77 points)
v.
Plato (96 points)

Wed., April 7
Park View (62 points)
v.
East Prairie (85 points)

Thurs., April 8
Park View (50 points)
v.
Old Orchard (108 points)

Here's an update on the total scores:
East Prairie School (after 4 battles) = 332 points
Golf Middle School (after 5 battles) = 195 points

Jerusalem Lutheran School (after 3 battles) = 137 points

Old Orchard Junior High (final score) = 524 points

Our Lady of Perpetual Help School (after 5 battles) = 501 points

Park View School (after 5 battles) = 310 points

Plato Academy (after 4 battles) = 321 points


There are only five battles left!

Sunday, April 04, 2010

New Books

MGPL just got a ton of great new books! Here are a few of the newest YA books available to check out. You can find these and others on display in the Teen Zone.


The Agency 1: A Spy in the House

The Agency 1: A Spy in the House
by: Lee, Y. S.
2010-03 ISBN:0763640670 / 9780763640675
Format: Hardcover


First in a new series. Packed with action and suspense and evoking the gritty backstreets of Victorian London, this breezy mystery debuts a daring young detective who lives by her wits while uncovering secrets--including those of her own past. ...More


Twilight: The Graphic Novel, Vol. 1 Twilight: The Graphic Novel, Vol. 1
by: Meyer, Stephenie
2010-03 ISBN:0759529434 / 9780759529434
Format: Hardcover


When Isabella Swan moves to the gloomy town of Forks and meets the mysterious, alluring Edward Cullen, her life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. With his porcelain skin, golden eyes, mesmerizing voice, and supernatural gifts, Edward is both irresistible and impenetrable. Up until now, he has managed to keep his true identity hidden, but Bella is determined to uncover his dark secret... ...More


Cirque Du Freak, Volume 2: The Vampire's Assistant Cirque Du Freak, Volume 2: The Vampire's Assistant
by: Shan, Darren
2009-08 ISBN:0759530386 / 9780759530386
Format: Paperback


Darren returns to the old-fashioned freak show where, thanks to Mr. Crespley, he has become a "half-vampire." Darren once again struggles against the urge to feed upon the human blood his health requires. ...More


Ghosts of War: The True Story of a 19-Year-Old GI


Browse Inside

Ghosts of War: The True Story of a 19-Year-Old GI
by: Smithson, Ryan
2009-05 ISBN:0061664685 / 9780061664687
Format: Hardcover See Other Formats


In a harrowing memoir about combat, friendship, fear, and a soldier's commitment to his country, Smithson brings teen readers inside a world that few understand, as he describes his experience as a 19-year-old Army engineer in Iraq. ...More

Friday, April 02, 2010

April Programs

There are a lot of great programs coming up this month! Some of these programs have limited space, so check the registration date and reserve your spot before they're gone!

To register:
Online: Go to http://calendar.webrary.org

By phone: Call 847-929-5101

In person: Stop by the Reference Services Desk or Youth Services Desk


Teen Library Council Meeting
Wed. Apr. 7th, 6-7 pm
Meet new friends, get involved in fun activities, tell us what you want to see at the Library, and earn volunteer service hours in the process! We'll talk about new books, upcoming programs, the Summer Library Challenge, volunteer opportunities, and Spring Blast.

Tech Week Workshop: Resumes
Mon. Apr. 12th, 7-8 pm
Summer is coming soon. Do you need help writing a great resume to land a summer job? Learn tips at this Teen Tech Workshop! Registration is required and limited to 6. Morton Grove residents have priority. Teens only. Registration is open NOW!

Tech Drawing/Writing Club
Wed. Apr. 14th, 5:30-6:30 pm
Do you like to write or draw? Come to the library for an informal club meeting where you can share ideas and tips, or just talk to other writers or artists.

DIY Crafts: Card Making
Sat. Apr. 17th, 1-2 pm
Learn how to make cards using paper, stamps, and ink to impress your friends and family! Instructions and supplies are provided. Registration is required. Teens only. Registration opens Apr. 3rd!

Gettin' Saucy Teen Cooking Class
Tues. Apr. 20th, 6-7 pm
Learn to prepare delicious food! Supplies and instructions provided. Registration required. Teens only. Registration opens Apr. 6th!

3rd Annual Spring Blast
Sat. Apr. 24th, 10:00-2:30 pm
The Morton Grove Library's 3rd Annual Spring Blast Outdoor Festival will have games, music and activities - crafts, face painting/tattoos, food/beverages, "Village on the Green" miniature golf, music, a scavenger hunt, dancing, hybrid cars, video gaming, and MORE! For TEENS ONLY, we'll also be playing Silent Library!

See you there!