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!

One week left to vote!

There's only 1 week left before the Playaway Contest to win $10,000 ends!  Remember to use ALL your email addresses.  The rankings are now frozen, so we don't know if we're winning.  Suspense!  You guys are doing a great job - keep spreading the word!

Here's an awesome visual reminder to vote made by a Morton Grove teen!

To vote, go here:  http://vote.playaway.com/v/mortongrove/