Summer Library Challenge

The Summer Library Challenge is almost over!  Sunday is the last day to enter in items to earn your prizes.  Either stop by the Reference Desk or go to TimetoRead.webrary.org to enter in your items yourself!  You'll have 1 week to pick up your prizes and turn in your Grand Prize drawing entries. 

Remember - teens can win a $50 gift card to GameStop or the Teen Book of the Month Club where they will get to select a new book, once a month, for a year!  Good luck!

Pottermore

Hey Harry Potter fans, did you hear the news?

J.K. Rowling announced last week that Pottermore - "a free website that builds an exciting online experience around the reading of the Harry Potter books' will be coming soon!

Here's the video of her announcement.  The visuals are amazing!



Until then, you can get ready for the final Harry Potter film out July 15 by catching up with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 movie at the Library!  Join us on Wednesday, July 6 at 4 pm in the Activity Room.  We'll have snacks AND we'll be playing movie bingo!

Tie Dye Summer Library Challenge T-Shirt

Have you earned your Summer Library Challenge t-shirt yet?  Tie dye it!!

Come to the Library tomorrow between 1 and 3:30 pm to give your shirt a colorful makeover!  You can also play video games or watch a movie while you're waiting.  See you there!

Summer Library Challenge

Have you signed up for the TEEN Summer Library Challenge yet?  There's still time to check out items and earn prizes!

Just sign up for the Challenge in the Library at the Reference Desk OR sign up online at TimeToRead.webrary.org.  Then check out items from MGPL (books, audiobooks, CDs, DVDs, video games), download eBooks or eAudiobooks from MyMediaMall, or come to Teen Library programs.  Add your items yourself online or stop by the Reference Desk and we'll add them for you.

You'll earn prizes!
After 4 items - a SLC t-shirt
After 8 items - an MGPL sports bottle
For each item up to 16 - entry to the Teen Grand Prize drawings!

Teen Grand Prizes
Three teens will each win a $50 gift card to GameStop.  Another teen will win the teen Book of the Month Club and receive 12 books - one a month for a whole year!

Sign up and enter your prizes before the Summer Library Challenge ends on July 31!

STAR Volunteers

Looking for something to do this summer?  Be a STAR Volunteer!  You'll help out with the Summer Library Challenge for kids by interacting with them when they visit the Library this summer.

You can volunteer during Weeks 1-4 (June 5-July 3), Weeks 5-8 (July 4-July 31), or all 8 weeks.  If you want to volunteer but will be out of town, we can work out a schedule that works for you.

At the end of the summer, STAR Volunteers will be invited to a private pool party with pizza!  (Try saying THAT 3x fast!)

Go to teen.webrary.org to download an application or visit the Library to pick up one in the Teen Zone.

First Look at Katniss

Thanks to Entertainment Weekly, we can now see a first look at Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games movie!

Dark hair in a braid, bow and arrow, mockingjay pin...looks pretty good to me!  What do you think?

Battle of the Books Final Score

Battle of the Books 2010-2011 has ended!  The final two teams played their last battle today.  Here are the scores for this week...

Wed., April 19
Golf (118 points)
v.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help (97 points)

Thurs., April 14
Park View (104 points)
v.
East Prairie (74 points)

And the final scores ARE...
East Prairie School = 335 points
Golf Middle School = 548 points
Jerusalem Lutheran School = 395 points
Old Orchard Junior High = 573 points
Our Lady of Perpetual Help School = 489 points
Park View School = 386 points

Congratulations to Old Orchard Junior High for winning the competition this year!

The proud Bulldog Brigade after their last battle.

Thanks to everyone for participating this year!  You all did a great job!  Don't forget -- next year's list is ready! Check it out here: www.webrary.org/teen/battleofthebooks.html

Battle of the Books Score Update

We're getting close to the end!  Two teams played their last battle today.  Here are the scores...

Wed., April 13
Our Lady of Perpetual Help (118 points)
v.
East Prairie (67 points)

Thurs., April 14
Jerusalem Lutheran (62 points)
v.
Old Orchard Junior High (101 points)

Check out the new total scores!
East Prairie School (after 4 battles) = 261 points
Golf Middle School (after 4 battles) = 430 points
Jerusalem Lutheran School (after 5 battles) = 395 points
Old Orchard Junior High (after 5 battles) = 573 points
Our Lady of Perpetual Help School (after 4 battles) = 392 points
Park View School (after 4 battles) = 282 points

There are only 2 battles left!!

eBook, eBook, get your free eBook!

If you're a fan of good books, maybe you've read a few by Maureen Johnson.  Not only is she an author of great books, but she's awesome herself - we learned that when she Skyped with us back in May 2010!  Later this month Maureen Johnson has a new book coming out - The Last Little Blue Envelope. 

It's the sequel to 13 Little Blue Envelopes, the book where Ginny goes on a whirlwind adventure in Europe after receiving a package of 13 letters in the mail from her Aunt Peg who recently died of cancer.

In the new book, The Last Little Blue Envelope, Ginny is a little older, a little wiser, and has a sort-of boyfriend from her previous adventures.  But then she receives a message that will again send her on an adventure across Europe and change her life.  You will NOT want to miss this book.  I've been lucky enough to read it early, and trust me, it's fantastic!

But wait!  You haven't read the first book 13 Little Blue Envelopes yet??  Don't worry - it's not too late to read it before the sequel comes out...

For TWO WEEKS, Maureen Johnson is offering the FREE EBOOK for 13 Little Blue Envelopes!  Just follow this link to her blog post to get the link for your device to download the book.  And if you don't have an eReader, we have a copy of the book in the Teen Zone!  Hurry and check it out!

Battle of the Books Score Update

There were two great, very close battles this week!

Tues., April 5
Jerusalem Lutheran (90 points)
v.
Park View (84 points)

Thurs., April 7
Old Orchard (94 points)
v.
Golf (98 points)

Check out the new total scores!
East Prairie School (after 3 battles) = 149 points
Golf Middle School (after 4 battles) = 430 points
Jerusalem Lutheran School (after 4 battles) = 333 points
Old Orchard Junior High (after 4 battles) = 472 points
Our Lady of Perpetual Help School (after 3 battles) = 274 points
Park View School (after 4 battles) = 282 points

We're getting close to the end.  There are only 4 battles left!

Battle of the Books Score Update

Early update this week since there's only one battle.

Tues., March 29
Our Lady of Perpetual Help (97 points)
v.
Jerusalem Lutheran (74 points)


Here's an update on the total scores:
East Prairie School (after 3 battles) = 149 points
Golf Middle School (after 3 battles) = 332 points
Jerusalem Lutheran School (after 3 battles) = 243 points
Old Orchard Junior High (after 3 battles) = 378 points
Our Lady of Perpetual Help School (after 3 battles) = 274 points
Park View School (after 3 battles) = 198 points

There are still 6 battles left!

Battle of the Books Score Update

This week had two battles.  This list is the teams that played this week and their scores.

Tues., March 22
East Prairie (45 points)
v.
Old Orchard (130 points)

Wed., March 23
Our Lady of Perpetual Help (86 points)
v.
Park View (103 points)


Here's an update on the total scores:
East Prairie School (after 3 battles) = 194 points
Golf Middle School (after 2 battles) = 332 points
Jerusalem Lutheran School (after 2 battles) = 169 points
Old Orchard Junior High (after 3 battles) = 378 points
Our Lady of Perpetual Help School (after 2 battles) = 177 points
Park View School (after 3 battles) = 198 points

There are still 9 battles left!

Battle of the Books Score Update

There are three new battle scores this week!  Here are the scores from each game and the overall scores for each school so far.

Tues., March 8
Jerusalem Lutheran (96 points)
v.
Golf (79 points)

Wed., March 9
Park View (43 points)
v.
Old Orchard (138 points)

Thurs., March 10
Golf (136 points)
v.
East Prairie (62 points)

Here's an update on the total scores:
East Prairie School (after 2 battles) = 149 points
Golf Middle School (after 2 battles) = 332 points
Jerusalem Lutheran School (after 2 battle) = 169 points
Old Orchard Junior High (after 2 battles) = 248 points
Our Lady of Perpetual Help School (after 1 battle) = 91 points
Park View School (after 2 battle) = 95 points

There are still 9 battles left!

Beastly on Facebook?

Happy Teen Tech Week!

At last night's Mix and Mashups program, we looked at different ways technology and books have been mixed and mashed together.  Check out this awesome fake Facebook news feed for Pride and Prejudice!  Cool, right??  Now take a look at the Twilight and New Moon ones!!

After looking at those, we decided to create our own.  Here is our very own fake Facebook news feed beastlybook based on the book Beastly by Alex Flinn and movie that just came out!  Enjoy!

Teen Movie Alert

In case you didn't know, there are not 1, not 2, but 3 movies out that are based on teen books.
Fun Fact:  Alex Pettyfer (who also played Alex Rider in Stormbreaker and is rumored to play Jace in the movie adaptation of The Mortal Instruments) is in 2 of them!

The first one to come out was I Am Number Four.  Based on the book by Pittacus Lore, the movie is about teenage aliens hiding on Earth, who are being hunted down and killed in order.  John, number four, is next.



Next is Red Riding Hood.  If you liked Twilight, there's a good chance you'll like this movie too, since they both have the same director.  This book is a retelling of the classic Red Riding Hood by Sarah Blakley-Cartwright.



And don't forget the newest movie - Beastly!  We've been waiting for this one for a long time.  Based on the book by Alex Flinn, this is a modern adaptation of Beauty and Beast from the Beast's perspective.



Have you seen any of these yet?  What did you think??

Battle of the Books Score Update

There are two new battle scores this week!  Here are the scores from each game and the overall scores for each school so far.

Tues., March 1
Golf (117 points)
v.
Park View (52 points)

Thurs., March 3
East Prairie (87 points)
v.
Jerusalem Lutheran (73 points)

Here's an update on the total scores:
East Prairie School (after 1 battle) = 87 points
Golf Middle School (after 1 battle) = 117 points
Jerusalem Lutheran School (after 1 battle) = 73 points
Old Orchard Junior High (after 1 battles) = 110 points
Our Lady of Perpetual Help School (after 1 battle) = 91 points
Park View School (after 1 battle) = 52 points

There are still 12 battles left!

Let the battles BEGIN

This year's 6-8 grade Battle of the Books competition has just started!  If you've never participated or watched a match, BotB is a book trivia competition where local schools form teams and answer questions about 50 books.  Check out the list of books for this year here.  The team with the most points at the end of the competition is the winner!

Last week, Old Orchard Junior High battled Our Lady of Perpetual Help School.  The final score was Old Orchard 110, OLPH 91.  It was a great game!

If you missed that battle, there are still plenty left.  All games begin at 4 pm and take place in the Baxter Room, unless noted.  Stop by and watch a battle!

Tuesday, March 1 - Golf Middle School vs. Park View School
Thursday, March 3 - East Prairie School vs. Jerusalem Lutheran School (Activity Room)
Tuesday, March 8 - Jerusalem Lutheran School vs. Golf Middle School
Wednesday, March 9 - Park View School vs. Old Orchard Junior High
Thursday, March 10 - Golf Middle School vs. East Prairie School
Tuesday, March 22 - East Prairie School vs. Old Orchard Junior High
Wednesday, March 23 - Our Lady of Perpetual Help School vs. Park View School
Tuesday, March 29 - Our Lady of Perpetual Help School vs. Jerusalem Lutheran School
Tuesday, April 5 - Jerusalem Lutheran School vs. Park View School
Thursday, April 7 - Old Orchard Junior High vs. Golf Middle School
Wednesday, April 13 - East Prairie vs. Our Lady of Perpetual Help School
Thursday, April 14 - Jerusalem Lutheran School vs. Old Orchard Junior High
Tuesday, April 19 - Golf Middle School vs. Our Lady of Perpetual Help School
Wednesday, April 20 - Park View School vs. East Prairie School

Life As We Knew It

Tonight is a book discussion of the popular teen book Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer.  Come join us at 7 pm in the Cooperman Room for snacks and LAWKI jeopardy!  While you're waiting, check out my review for the book.

What's It All About?
Miranda is a normal teenage girl, looking forward to a summer that will be filled swimming, her college brother's homecoming, and a visit with her dad and stepmom...until a meteor hits the moon and pushes it closer to earth.  Suddenly tides are stronger and people are panicking.  And that's just the beginning!

Awesome Things in the Book
This book sucks you in!  I really felt like I was living in Miranda's world.  I wanted to know what was going to happen next so much that even though this was a re-read for me, I couldn't put it down!

Not-so-awesome Things
This book sucks you in...which means you kind of feel like you're experiencing the horrible disaster too.  Certain foods will start to feel like a real treat, and anytime the moon seems larger than normal, you'll want to check the news to make sure it hasn't been hit by a meteor.

Most Memorable Scene
The massive shopping spree.  Miranda's mom was so calm and organized for that situation.  Would you have known what to buy?

Cover Art
Love it!  The size of the moon is perfect and definitely drew my attention to read this.

Dream Cast
Since Miranda's the main character, I could visualize her easiest while reading.  If this book were going to be made into a movie, I'd cast Alexis Bledel from Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and Gilmore Girls.  I think she could handle being thrown into a disaster.

What do YOU think?  Did you like this book?  What's your favorite part?  Who would you cast in a movie version?  Share your ideas in the comments!

Teen Tech Week is Coming!

Teen Tech Week is March 6-12, 2011.  During that whole week, we will be celebrating the ways teens use technology!  Check out these special programs...

Literary Video Mashup Contest
Enter the Literary Video Mashup Contest and have a chance to win $50 in gift cards!  Just choose a well-known book, go to youtube.com/searchstories, and click “Create your own.”  Then follow the steps to write and upload your own story.  Email the URL with your name, grade, and phone number to teen@webrary.org by 11:59 pm, Thursday, March 10.  We’ll watch the entries and vote at the Teen Wrap-up Party on Saturday, March 12 at 2:30 pm!  Email teen@webrary.org if you have questions.

Want to see an example?  Click here to see the Mashup created by the Teen Library Council!

 

Mix and Mashups

Monday, March 7th

7 pm, Activity Room 
Look at different ways technology and literature can be mixed to make a mashup.  We’ll even create one ourselves!

Facebook for Parents
Tuesday, March 8
7 pm, Cooperman Room
Do your parents not understand why you use Facebook?  Send them to this lecture/demonstration to find out what it is, why you like it, and how it may be safer than they think.  Registration is required.  Your parents can register beginning 2/22.

There's an App for That
Thursday, March 10
7 pm, Activity Room

Discover the latest fun, useful, and FREE apps for your iTouch or smartphone.  Bring your friends and share YOUR favorites!

DIY Crafts: Tech Jewelry
Saturday, March 12
1 pm, Activity Room
Use technology parts to create special bracelets or necklaces!  Registration is required.

Teen Wrap-up Party
Saturday, March 12
2:30-3:30 pm, Cooperman Room
Attend this wrap-up party for not only the Winter Library Challenge but also Teen Tech Week! We’ll announce the teen winner for the Winter Library Challenge AND watch and vote on our favorite entries in the Literary Video Mashup Contest! Snacks and drinks will be provided!

February Teen Programs

Here are the teen programs coming up this month! All teens in 7th grade and up are invited. Bring your friends! Some of the programs require registration.

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

Mango Club
Monday, Feb. 7th, 7-8 pm, Cooperman Room
Want to learn a new language? Come to Mango Club! Hang out with your friends, eat snacks, and learn words in a foreign language. 


Teen Library Council (TLC)
NEW DATE!  Tuesday, Feb. 8th, 7-8 pm, Cooperman Room
Get involved in the Library, meet other teens, and earn volunteer service hours! Food and drinks will be provided.

Teen Video Gaming
Monday, Feb. 21st, 11:30-1 pm, Baxter Room
Spend your time off from school playing video games at the Library! Bring friends, play games, and eat pizza. 

Teen Improv Club
Monday, Feb. 21st, 7-8 pm, Baxter Room
Do you like to perform?  Play fun improvisational games up on stage!



Gettin' Saucy Teen Cooking Class
Tuesday, Feb. 22nd, 6-7 pm, Kitchen
Learn to prepare delicious food! Supplies and instructions provided. Registration required. Registration is limited to 8 and opens Feb. 8th!

R.E.A.D.: Read, Eat, and Discuss
Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer
Monday, Feb. 28th, 7-8 pm, Cooperman Room
Join us for a teen book discussion of Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer! Share your thoughts on the book, play Jeopardy, and enjoy food and drinks. Registration is required.

Teen Winter Library Challenge
Don't forget - ALL of these programs count for the Teen Winter Library Challenge!  Sign up at timetoread.webrary.org and earn your way toward great prizes!  YOU could be the one to win a snowboard or one of the museum passes!!


See you there!

Winter Library Challenge

Beginning January 10th, you can "track" items checked out from MGPL or programs attended on a dog-sledding map or online at timetoread.webrary.org.  You'll get a drawing entry for every checkpoint you reach (up to 16) and your choice of lip balm or an ice scraper after you complete 4 and 8 items.  Participants who complete 8 checkpoints will also receive a knit hat.

For teens the grand prize will be a snowboard!

The program ends Sunday, March 6.  Sign up at the Reference Services or Youth Services Desk or online at timetoread.webrary.org.

Attend the Teen Winter Library Challenge Kickoff Party on Sunday, January 9th from 2-4 pm in the Activity Room to learn more about the great prizes, sign up for the program, enjoy snacks, and play video games!!

January Teen Programs

Check out these fun teen programs in January! There's even a couple brand-new ones!  All teens in 7th grade and up are invited. Bring your friends! Some of the programs require registration.

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
Tuesday, Jan. 4th, 7-8 pm, Cooperman Room
Get involved in the Library, meet other teens, and earn volunteer service hours! Food and drinks will be provided.

Teen Winter Library Challenge Kickoff
Sunday, Jan. 9th, 2-4 pm, Activity Room
Kick off the Teen Winter Library Challenge with video gaming! Register for the Winter Library Challenge and learn about the great prizes you can win!

Mango Club
Monday, Jan. 17th, 7-8 pm, Cooperman Room
Want to learn a new language? Come to Mango Club! Hang out with your friends, eat snacks, and learn words in a foreign language. 

Gettin' Saucy Teen Cooking Class
Wednesday, Jan. 19th, 6-7 pm, Kitchen
Learn to prepare delicious food! Supplies and instructions provided. Registration required. Registration is limited to 8 and opens Jan. 5th!

Best Teen Books of 2010
Monday, Jan. 24th, 7-8 pm, Cooperman Room
Do you have a favorite book from 2010? Come to this book discussion and tell us why it's the best! Snacks will be provided.  

 Teen Improv Club
Tuesday, Jan. 25th, 7-8 pm, Baxter Room
Do you like to perform?  Play fun improvisational games up on stage!

Card-Making Extravaganza
Saturday, Jan. 29th, 10-12:30 pm, Baxter Room
Make unique cards using computers, stamps, cut-outs, and a wide variety of artistic techniques in this all-ages program!  Assistance, instruction, and supplies will be provided.  Drop in anytime between 10 and 12:30!

See you there!