Teen Spot @ Henderson Libraries

Submit your writing now!

2012-01-25T09:27:00.000-08:00

The deadline for the third annual Henderson Libraries Teen Writing Contest is coming quickly! Don't forget to submit your poetry, fiction, or essay (not a school essay) for a chance to win! Eight teens will receive a gift card for placing first or second in one of eight categories including high school prose or poetry and middle school prose or poetry. See the link down there at the lower right corner of the screen for rules and a submittal form.

And if you love to write, think about joining the Green Valley Library Teen Writing Club! Our next meeting is Tuesday, February 21 from 4:30-6:00.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

2011-12-05T13:28:00.000-08:00

Crafting is a big deal these days. You take one look at Etsy or Pinterest, and you wind up spending an hour drooling over adorable hand-crafted items, from zombie plushies to pottery to clothing, etc.! Okay, maybe we don't ALL enjoy hand-crafted cuteness, but I'm sure we all know someone who is really (REALLY) into it (guys, I'm looking at you).

My favorite crafts use books to create a whole slew of different items: ornaments, wreaths, pumpkins, mobiles, dinosaurs-- you name it, someone's done it. Why would a librarian want to cut up a book, you ask? Because typeface against the creamy yellow background of a tattered page just looks so awesome! Besides, I only cut up books that are in really bad shape.

http://craftaphile.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-to-make-3d-paper-star.html

http://kaylaaimee.typepad.com/ce_jour/2009/11/tutorial-paperback-christmas-trees.html

Anyway, the point of this post is to invite you to a recycled book program tomorrow at Green Valley Library. From 4:30-5:30 we'll be making Christmas Trees out of book pages, sipping hot cocoa, and listening to some holiday tunes. If Christmas isn't your thing, you're always welcome to make your own creation! We'll raffle off a gingerbread house kit to one lucky attendee.

If you can't come, but feel intrigued, check out the tutorial links above!

2011-11-16T12:41:00.001-08:00

Have you seen this, Hunger Games fans? A blog full of recipes for the food mentioned in the Hunger Games! http://www.fictionalfood.net/category/books/hunger-games-book/ Learn to make your own goat cheese, where to get purple melon, and more! I'm sure you have seen the trailer, but just in case, here it is.

Books for the Holiday Season

2011-11-09T10:54:00.000-08:00

It's finally chilly outside, and inside we're all gearing up for the holidays: anticipating our favorite Thanksgiving dishes, putting up decorations, playing holiday music, and getting ready to celebrate. This time of year makes me want to curl up on the couch with a blanket, a mug of something delicious, and a book. I'm always looking for great holiday themed books for teens, but I find the pickings pretty slim. Am I missing something? Do you have a favorite? Share it!

In honor of Native American Heritage Month and the holidays that follow, here are a couple of recommendations-- great for guys or girls-- to help you get in the spirit.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

Sherman Alexie packs a punch in this absorbing novel about a Native American boy searching for a brighter future. At once humorous and stirring, Alexie's novel follows Junior, a resident of the Spokane reservation who transfers out of the reservation's school -- and into a nearby rich, all-white farm school -- in order to nurture his desire to become a cartoonist. Junior encounters resistance there, a backlash at home, and numerous family problems -- all the while relaying his thoughts and feelings via amusing descriptions and drawings. Having already garnered a National Book Award for Young Adult Literature, this moving look at race and growing up is definitely one to pick up. (Text from GoodReads (www.goodreads.com)

Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan “I’ve left some clues for you. If you want them, turn the page. If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.” So begins the latest whirlwind romance from the New York Times bestselling authors of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions? Rachel Cohn and David Levithan have written a love story that will have readers perusing bookstore shelves, looking and longing for a love (and a red notebook) of their own.

Teen Lounge Opening at Green Valley Library!

2011-09-12T11:29:00.000-07:00

The new Teen Lounge at Green Valley Library is now operational. There's a lounge area where you can check out games for in-library use, comfy seats for reading or hanging out, and tables for studying or homework. We've also got three teen-only computers that will soon be up and running! And don't forget the books! Teen fiction has been relocated to the Teen Lounge, and we have new books and brand new Teen Life books on display for you to check out.

Please join us for a grand opening celebration on September 20, 2011 from 4:30-5:30. You'll have a chance to meet Bobby and Sandra Ellis, who donated the funds to make the Teen Lounge possible, and there will be cake!

We'd love to see you at a teen event. Find the calendar here, or pick up a hard copy at the library!

Teen Book Review

2011-08-24T09:47:00.000-07:00

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
Reviewed by Elizabeth, Grade 6

Summary: Meggie and Mo must escape and defeat Capricorn and his men. Read out of their book by Mo, Dustfinger tries to get back into his story.

Review: I did love this book. Its characters were great, and the story and idea was great. it made me think about words a lot, and about books - to the point where the words seemed different. If you're a book-lover, then this is your book. Sometimes the language gets bad, but I wouldn't say too bad. I didn't really approve of the ending, but overall, I liked it!

Bubbly Boba

2011-07-15T11:06:00.000-07:00

If you're feeling a little too hot next Tuesday at 4:30, come to Green Valley Library for a delicious and interesting drink! We'll be learning how to make boba milk teas and slushies, and you can choose your flavor-- green tea, purple yam, or lychee slush.

So what is this boba I speak of? Basically, balls of tapioca that you can chew at the end of your drink or suck up through a giant straw. Some of you have probably had your share of boba drinks, especially if you hang out on Spring Mountain Rd. Love it or hate it, it's a popular Asian treat, and a fun alternative to your standard boring Starbucks order.

Boba is a variant of what Americans call bubble tea, a drink that became popular in Taiwan in the 1980s. It is also referred to as pearl milk tea because the boba resembles pearls. Two tea shops in Taiwan both claim that they originated the recipe. Chun Shui Tang teahouse made a concoction of milk tea, fruit, tapioca balls, and Hanlin Teahouse made milk tea with smaller white tapioca balls. The drinks weren't popular at first, but when they were featured on an unidentified TV show, people became interested. I can't find the name of the show, so please share if you find out!

Today, boba shops are all over the place, and they offer way too many varieties of boba drinks to name. You can get tea, fruit-flavored soft drinks, smoothies, slushes, and more with a big dose of boba at the bottom.

If you're interested in trying out a few shops, I have listed some below. Drinks cost around $4 at a shop, but you can make them for much less money at home. Visit an Asian market to find raw boba (you have to boil it), tea, and a wide assortment of flavors and ingredients you can add! Find out how to cook your boba, and get a free drink by registering for the Boba Cafe Workshop!

Boba Tea Lounge
8846 S Eastern Ave
Las Vegas, NV 89123
(702) 942-6064
CooCoo's Gourmet Coffee Cafe (Not specifically a boba shop, but apparently they serve it, and it's in Henderson)
19 W. Pacific Ave.
Henderson, NV 89015
568-5069

Volcano Tea House
4215 Spring Mountain Rd.
Las Vegas, NV 89102
873-0301

No 1 Boba Tea
4255 Spring Mountain Rd.
Las Vegas, NV 89102
364-4724

Books related to this post:

The Fortune Cookie Chronicles

Iron Wok Jan!

New books for teens at the library!

2011-05-24T17:32:00.000-07:00

Now you can keep tabs on all the latest teen books at Henderson Libraries by subscribing to our RSS Feed here. To see if a book is in at your nearest library, just click on the title, and you will be taken to the library catalog.

You can follow this feed in any RSS reader using the URL. If you don't already use an RSS reader, or if you don't even know what an RSS feed is, take a look at this explanation and list of readers at About.com: http://email.about.com/od/rssreaderswin/tp/top_rss_windows.htm

I love Google Reader, and I subscribe to our new teen books feed there!

While you're at it, why not subscribe to this blog?!

Unlocked Voices 2011

2011-05-06T10:35:00.000-07:00

Twenty-nine teens participated in this year's Henderson Libraries Teen Writing Contest! You can view a PDF of the magazine and read their work on our website here.

We had a great time reading everyone's submissions, and we look forward to doing it all again next year! Look for contest info in November!

Now for some photos from the event:

Finalist Michelle Bostaph smiles with her copy of Unlocked Voices.

Emilie Robins, 1st Place Middle School Poetry

Jasmine, Amber, and Ashley Mixson pose with their certificates. Ashley won 1st Place High School Poetry and Honorable Mention High School Prose. Jasmine won Honorable Mention Middle School Poetry.

Marlo Wilde, Honorable Mention Middle School Prose

Felicia Kalkman won 1st Place Middle School Prose.

Panelists from Nevada Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators spoke about career oportunities in writing.

Now These Are Some Sweet Books!

2011-04-19T10:14:00.000-07:00

That cake looks almost too good to eat! (I said almost folks, I'm not crazy)

Awesome books and cake are quite possibly two of my favorite things ever! Usually the website Cake Wrecks showcases all of the things that can go wrong (horribly wrong) with cake decorations, but on Sundays they devote their posts to cakes that should be considered works of art. A few days ago in honor of National Library week, the website Cake Wrecks dedicated a post to all things literary!

You can check it out here, and man! You would not believe what some people can do with cake!

Sci Fi Comic Free for Reading and Recreating

2011-03-16T10:46:00.000-07:00

http://www.visionmachine.net/

This is very cool. Greg Pak and R.B. Silva have published a new free comic under a creative commons license. That means that anybody is free to read and recreate the book as they see fit, as long as the result is noncommercial (you can't sell it!). Characters, storyline, and even images are up for grabs. The creators actually want people to create new works based on their book.

The plot sounds pretty awesome, too:

"In the year 2061, three friends grapple with revolutionary change when Sprout Computers releases the most visionary piece of personal technology ever created. The latest sci-fi mindbender from writer Greg Pak ("Planet Hulk") and penciller R.B. Silva ("Jimmy Olsen")."

The product is called iEye, and it's a recording device people can use anytime, anywhere, to record anything. The catch is that all of these recordings are monitored, and content is policed for copyright infringement-- meaning that simply singing your favorite song as you walk down the street could get you a cease and desist order for breaking the law.

Take a look and see what you think! I'd love to see some local teen creations based on this comic!

Free Music? Sounds Good to Me!

2011-03-05T13:35:00.000-08:00

If you have a Henderson Library Card you can download up to 3 songs each week. And the best part? Once they're downloaded you can KEEP them! You can access freegal and other awesome downloadable content from the library webpage here.

Here are the Top 10 Freegal Downloads for Henderson Libraries:

Someone Like You - Adele

Sing (Glee Cast Version) - Glee Cast

Firework (Glee Cast Version) - Glee Cast

Thriller/Heads Will Roll (Glee Cast Version) - Glee Cast

Hold It Against Me - Britney Spears

What the Hell - Avril Lavigne

We R Who We R - Ke$ha

Hey Soul Sister - Train

For the First Time - The Script

Strip Me - Natasha Bedingfield

Coming to a Theater Near You!

2011-01-29T11:56:00.001-08:00

Some pretty awesome YA novels are being made into movies! There's some BIG names attached to the cast so you might want to take a peek below.

You can check out any othese novels at a library branch near you!

I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

You've probably already seen the trailer for this one; it's due out in theaters February 2011. This action packed flick also has an awesome cast - including Alex Pettyfer as Number Four/John Smith, "Glee" star Dianna Agron as Sarah, and Callan McAuliffe as Sam.

Beastly by Alex Flinn

Vanessa Hudgens and Alex Pettyfer (Yep, he's in "I am Number Fours AND "Beastly!" This guy is busy!) star in this modern, urban retelling of "Beauty in the Beast." Neil Patrick Harris of "How I Met Your Mother" and Mary Kate Olsen also make appearances in the movie. It comes out March 4th.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Lionsgate has a release date set for "The Hunger Games!"The movie will hit theaters March 23, 2012. Now we just have to wait for news about the cast! Check out this article from Entertainment Weekly here where Suzanne Collins talks about writing the screen adaptation! According the magazine, the movie's budget is reported to be $60 million!!! Do you think that's enough?

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Lily Collins as Clary Fray in the movie version of Cassandra Clare's novel. What do you think about the casting choice?

Wake by Lisa McMann

Miley Cyrus is attached to star in the movie version of "Wake" by Lisa McMann. The movie is being developed by MTV Films. Be sure to check out the sequels "Fade" and "Gone," available through the library. McMann also has a new novel coming out in February called "Cryer's Cross."

Incarceron by Catherine Fisher

Calling all Taylor Lautner fans! He's reported to star in the movie adaptation of "Incarceron." The movie is due to come out sometime in 2013. You'll also want to check out the sequel "Sapphique" at the library!

The Maze Runner by James Dashner
Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke is set to take Dashner's first novel of the sci-fi trilogy to the big screen. Be sure to check out the sequel "The Torch Trials" at the library!

Favorite Blogs and Websites

2011-01-06T14:20:00.000-08:00

So, inquiring minds want to know: what's your online routine? Every time I sit down in front of my computer, I wind up staring at Facebook. It's less than amusing most of the time, but the addiction is solidly in place. Leave me a comment and tell me which URLs your fingers automatically type when you sit at your desk! Teach some librarians how to stay in touch with you whipper snappers.

In the mean time, here are a few links to other places that I think you might enjoy visiting.

http://www.xkcd.com/
XKCD is a webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, and language, according to the website. Hilarious stick figures are what draw me in.

http://www.hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/
Hyperbole and a Half is a blog full of the musings of a really funny chick who creates crazy drawings in Paint. At least, I think it's Paint. Almost a webcomic, but not quite.

http://www.teenreads.com/
I'm a librarian, so of course I had to throw some books at you. Really, though, this website does a swell job of informing readers about the best upcoming YA books. Even if you think you're too mature for YA books, you'll probably be reading them when you're thirty and longing for your younger days, so why not get a head start?

http://figment.com/
Figment is a social neworking community for writers. Post your stuff and get feedback! Also, it's really pretty.

http://pixelgirlpresents.com/
Pixel Girl Presents is my favorite source for awesome desktop backgrounds. They also offer stuff for your phone, iPad, etc. The art is really snazzy.

http://weheartit.com/
This is a visual bookmarking site. Keep track of photos and videos you love, and you'll never find yourself searching Google endlessly for that hilarious picture you KNOW you saw somewhere. Believe me. I've done it.

http://www.delicious.com/
This is just a bookmarking site in general. Save links to websites you want to visit again and tag them for easy retrieval. Also, browse other people's public tags to discover new sites you'll love. Just be careful when you create your tags. I have tags for things like "pop_up_shark," which I can assure you I will never use twice.

http://mashable.com/
Get news updates from all over the web. Being informed is good.

I'm sure there are thousands that I missed, so fill me in!!

Teen Book Review

2010-12-13T13:28:00.000-08:00

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
Reviewed by Morena Holland

Huckleberry Finn is a boy who gets tired of the constant rules and regulations he has to follow everyday. He lives with Widow Douglas, a very nice and decent woman, but Miss Watson, the sister of the widow is the one person Huck probably hates the most. Although Miss W's intentions are good, her efforts to make Huck civilized only make him dislike her even more. Despite not being in custody of his father:,Pap, Huck avoids being with Pap. Pap is an alcoholic, resulting in abusive, and disturbing behavior. Being a rebellious teenager, Huck decides to fake his own death, and runs away. During the beginning of his journey, his friend Jim (Miss Watson's slave), looks out to find Huck. After Huck and Jim reunite, they experience many problems during their adventures. Jim being a runaway slave, Huck dealswith many inner conflicts. He decides no matter what, he is going to help Jim to freedom. Together they experience a fascinating journey and their friendship begins to grow stronger. Huck shows maturity at the end of the story.

Review:

This book was a great novel. It shows many subliminal messages and the how humankind/society truly needs to change its judgmental ways.
Morena Holland

www.myspace.com/morenaholland

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMGnjuUcNyE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jM_x1e5CICg&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-YYmm5frV8&feature=related

A new option for digital books

2010-12-06T13:42:00.000-08:00

The Google eBookstore opened today. While many of the books on the site are available for purchase, classics are available absolutely for free. This might be a helpful service when you've procrastinated on a school assignment and you just can't find that book you're supposed to read!

Many websites are debating whether or not Goole joining the world of literature is a good thing. What do you think? Do you like to read e books, or do you prefer paper? Do you own an eReader or an iPad? Do you want one? Share your thoughts!

More on this topic:

http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2010/12/google-bookstore/comment-page-1/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/06/google-ebooks-store-to-ch_n_792538.html?ir=Technology

Top Ten Holiday Movies

2010-12-01T15:14:00.000-08:00

Break out the sparkly holiday lights and hot chocolate! It's the most wonderful time of the year!

In December, I love to watch all of my favorite holiday movies. Luckily, the library owns all of them so if you have a library card you can get all of these movies for free! So here, are my top ten holiday movies!

10. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (The original cartoon, not the live-action film. That one's just creepy)

9. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

8. A Christmas Story ("You'll put our eye out!")

7. Miracle on 34th Street

6. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

5. The Santa Clause

4. Love Actually (Yes, I'm a sap)

3. Elf ("We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corn, and syrup.")

2. A Charlie Brown Christmas

1. A Muppet Christmas Carol

I'll always have a soft spot for Gonzo and Kermit the Frog. No doubt I'll watch it a dozen times between not and the end of the month.

What's your favorite holiday movie?

Holiday Stuffs

2010-11-17T12:10:00.000-08:00

Here are some things happening in the next few weeks!

Chocolate Wonderland
November 16, 2010- December 31, 2010
4:30 to 10:00pm
2 Cactus Drive, Las Vegas NV
Phone:(702) 435-2655
Stroll down Ethel’s Cactus Garden’s illuminated cacti pathways spread over 3 acres, featuring 6000,000 holiday lights. Santa will be available from 6pm to 8pm every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until December 19th.

Gift of Lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
November 19- January 2, 2011
5pm to 9pm Sun-Thurs
5pm to 10pm Fri, Sat, and holidays
Phone: 702-451-1641
Celebrate the holidays by experiencing over 400 animated and sparkling displays in a convenient, comfortable drive-thru setting! Enjoy millions of lights, plus festive arches and tunnels. A Vegas holiday tradition you won't want to miss and great fun for the entire family. This year all the displays have been refreshed with the latest generation LED lighting and saving 90% in energy compared to old fashioned incandescent lights.

Special pricing on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday: standard vehicles are just $10 when donating gently used items to Goodwill of Southern Nevada. All other evenings receive $2 off with a donation. Coupons are available at the event, any Goodwill retail store or Goodwill donation locations.

WinterFest
December 9-11, 2010
Henderson Convention Center & Events Plaza
Complimentary Admission
The City of Henderson will host its annual WinterFest celebration, December 9-11, at the Henderson Events Plaza and Henderson Convention Center, both located at 200 S. Water Street, in the Water Street District. The event will feature a variety of family-friendly activities including an official tree lighting ceremony with Mayor Hafen and Santa Claus, as well as the WINTERFEST PARADE, train rides, petting zoo, pony rides, gingerbread house displays, A Charlie Brown Christmas production and much more! Admission for all activities is complimentary.
Please visit: http://www.hendersonlive.com/special-events/winterfest

New Graphic Novels @ Gibson Library!

2010-11-17T11:45:00.000-08:00

We just got some new graphic novels at the Gibson Branch! Here are a few of Sarah's favorites.

Koko Be Good by Jen Wang

Koko's always cooking up new projects, even though most end in disaster. But she promises herself that thsi time will be different. This time she will Be Good. But where will she start if she doesn't even know what that means?

Dawn Land by Will Davis; Adapted from the novel by Joseph Bruchac

"Ten thousand years ago, Young Hunter set out on an epic quest to overcome the Stone Giants who were terrorizing his people. Pitted against creatures of legend, Young Hunter journeyed to the innermost heart of his own humanity, even meeting the very gods of the land. He was entrusted with his tribe's most dangerous secret, a weapon that would change mankind forever."

Brain Camp by Susan Kim, Laurence, klavan, and Faith Erin Hicks

"Neither artistic, dreamy Jenna nor surly, delinquent Lucas expected to find themselves at an invitation-only summer camp that turns problem children into prodigies. And yet here they both are at Camp Fielding, settling in with all the other loosers and misfits who've been shipped off by their parents in a last-ditch effort to produce a child worth bragging about. Bust strange dissapearances, spooky lights in the woods, and a chilling alteration that turns the dimmest, rowdiest campers into docile zombie Einsteins have Jenna and Jucas feeling more than a little suspicious...and a lot afraid."

A Home for Mr. Easter by Brooke A. Allen

"Tesana has never really fit into anything before but her daydreams. But when making an attempt to connect to her peers by joining in a pep rally planning committee she suddenly discovers a little white rabbit that lays brightly colored eggs. Realizing that she may have found the REAL life Easter bunny, Tesana embarks on an epic quest in an effort to get him back to his natural habitat and into safe hands. However as she progresses on her fanciful journey she gains more and more undesired attention until the quest becomes a race to stay ahead of greedy pursuers and find a safe place for her new friend...wherever that place may be"

28 Days Later: London Calling by Michael Alan Nelson

"Picking up whre the first movie left off, this original graphic novel continuation bridges the gap between the first film and its sequel 28 Weeks Later. Revealing the never before told tale of Selena as she makes her way back into Great Britian to face The Infected."

Beyond Vampire Reading List

2010-10-20T13:23:00.000-07:00

So you're tired of Twilight? Yeah, me too. So is Betsy C., a staff writer at Teen Ink (which, by the way, is a pretty cool place to get your writing published if you're a teen and you like to write). Here's a link to a very short article recommending some non-Twilight books with strong female protagonists. There are a lot more where these came from, so feel free to ask for some recommendations next time you're at the library:)

http://www.teenink.com/Weekly/2010-10-19-article

Thrill the World!

2010-10-20T13:08:00.000-07:00

Zombies are taking over Gibson Library this Saturday!

Support your fellow teens during a worldwide simultaneous dance event to break the world record for the most people dancing to Michael Jackson's Thriller at the same time! The dance begins at 4:30pm sharp but you'll want to come early! Starting at 1pm we'll have all things ZOMBIE from jeopardy to crafts, even zombie themed snacks! (dont' worry, we won't be feasting on braaaaains).

Thrill the World also kicks off a month-long food drive to benefit Three Square, so don't forget to bring a canned good to help fight hunger in Southern Nevada!

Spooooooky

2010-10-13T14:32:00.000-07:00

Here are some spooky things to do during the month of October! For even more ideas, visit http://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/events/halloween/

Galleria Mall at Sunset
Halloween Fun Town Carnival
Mon-Fri 4-10pm, Sat-Sun 12-10pm

The District at Green Valley Ranch
Carnival of Horrors-Trick or Treating
Sunday, October 314-7pm
“The site of an old run-down traveling carnival is a great place to pick up some candy for some trick-or-treating excitement! Just watch out for the side-show characters who have been hanging around this place for years and years and years. Kids can trick or treat from a number of ghoulish carnival characters, and take a ride on The Carousel of Doom! Sponsored by Mix 94.1 FM”

Fright Dome at Circus Circus
Thursday-Sunday 7pm to midnight
“Spread throughout five acres, this haunted theme park features dark, fog-filled attractions complete with ghoulish and gore-clad professional actors. Fright Dome includes roaming scare actors, high powered strobes, multi-colored lasers, and eerie sound effects”
Tickets are $34.95, but there is also an option for a group tour. Visit Frightdome.com for more details.

Pumpkin Smash at Shooting Park
Clark County Shooting Park archery range, 11357 N. Decatur Blvd.
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 30
$8 general admission, $4 for children 17 years of age and younger
More info: 702-455-2000
The "fun shoot" will consist of an archery shoot at paper pumpkin targets and a shoot-out every hour at pumpkins that ooze green. Hot dogs and drinks will be available for purchase. There will also be balloons for the kids. The age groups will be 8 and under, 9 to 11 years old, 12 to 17 years old and 18 years and older.

FREE Dew Tour Tickets

2010-10-09T14:50:00.000-07:00

Are you into all things BMX and skateboarding?

You're in luck, because Henderson Libraries is giving away FREE TICKETS to the Dew Tour Champtionships at the Hard Rock Hotel on October 16th!

If you wanna score these free passes, ask how at your library's Youth Services Desk. But hurry! We have a limited number of tickets available!

101 Fun Things for Fall

2010-10-06T11:11:00.000-07:00

From About.com, here are a bunch of ideas to keep fall fun. Head over to the actual site for how-to links!

1.Drink apple cider.

2.Make a friendship bracelet and send it to your friend.

3.Start or update a checking account.

4.Plan a Harvest Party.

5.Plan a Halloween Party.

6.Plan a fun filled trick with friends.

7.Hike a rail trail and check out the fall foliage.

8.Ride a trail on a ATV.

9.Stuff a scarecrow.

10.Make a leaf rubbing.

11.Make a gravestone rubbing.

12.Tell a ghost story.

13.Take a picture looking up into a fall foliage tree with your cell phone and send it to a friend.

14.Write a note to a friend that is far away.

15.Leave a motivational quote on a friend's social networking page.

16.Write a thank you note to someone who has helped you.

17.Play a murder mystery game.

18.Make a fall or Halloween pin using our safety pin patterns.

19.Make falling leaves earrings.

20.Visit a corn maze.

21.Make a blue jean craft for school.

22.Eat candy corn.

23.Decorate for Halloween.

24.Take a hunters safety course and go hunting.

25.Attend a school football game.

26.Attend a high school soccer game.

27.Attend a school field hockey game.

28.Attend a volleyball game.

29.Learn a new make-up trick.

30.Write a haiku about a leaf you've found.

31.Offer free babysitting for one night to someone who could use the break.

32.Take pictures of the fall foliage.

33.Join a new school club or invite someone new to a club you are in.

34.Picnic at a local park.

35.Have an overnight movie marathon.

36.Have a bonfire/campfire complete with marshmallows.

37.Bike five miles.

38.Sketch a tree that is losing its leaves.

39.Play in a pile of leaves.

40.Volunteer in a community effort for your local food pantry.

41.Camp in your backyard.

42.Visit the local library and ask what is coming in that you may be interested in.

43.Sit or look outside and write a poem.

44.Sit or look outside and write a song.

45.Sit or look outside and write a play.

46.Start your novel.

47.Make a website.

48.Give your social networking page a fall look.

49.Friend someone famous on your social networking page.

50.Write in your journal, "My Top Ten Favorite Fall Activities".

51.Get your community's events list for the fall and attend an event.

52.Get a new hairdo.

53.Watch last year's cool fall flick on DVD.

54.Go to this year's cool fall flick in the theater.

55.Make a leaf t-shirt.

56.Make a fall leaf shaped collage out of fall fashion magazines.

57.Go pumpkin picking.

58.Go on a hayride.

59.Take your dog/pet for a mile-long walk.

60.Clean out and organize your junk drawer so you have room for this school year's junk.

61.Create a sidewalk mural with chalk, use a fall theme.

62.Have a fall color scavenger hunt.

63.Make a Taffy Apple Pizza Dessert for your family.

64.Write in your journal: "10 Things I'm Thankful For".

65.Got a sibling in college? Send them a goofy picture.

66.Read something that moves you emotionally.

67.Read something funny.

68.Take a poll of your friends on something you feel is an important issue.

69.Do a crossword puzzle.

70.Put together a jigsaw puzzle.

71.Learn one thing about your favorite actor/actress that you didn't already know.

72.Roast pumpkin seeds.

73.Collect pine cones for the holidays.

74.Make a new after school snack.

75.Start a new healthy habit.

76.Visit a historical site.

77.Play hopscotch.

78.Organize a yard sale.

79.Organize your favorite links.

80.Add a folder for homework help sites to your favorite links.

81.Add a folder for sites on a new interest to your favorite links.

82.Think of three ways you can make your life better. Employ at least one of them.

83.Create a family newsletter to send to your whole family.

84.Create a cartoon character.

85.Hug your parent, a friend and yourself.

86.Play Apples to Apples.

87.Join a book club.

88.Play with Magnetic Poetry.

89.Experiment and decide what way is the best way to eat leftover turkey - journal it.

90.Carve a Pumpkin.

91.Make a dream catcher.

92.Paint a funny face on a pumpkin.

93.Make place cards for dinner.

94.Change something about your bedroom.

95.Give your email signature a fall look.

96.Paint your nails in a fall color - toenails too!

97.Make Apple Cinnamon Lip Gloss.

98.Take a bath in Autumn Peach Bath Salts.

99.Create a school friends scrapbook album.

100.Learn how to make a favorite family recipe.

101.Write out your school holiday schedule on the family calendar.

Anticipaaaation!

2010-09-28T19:02:00.000-07:00

So I just finished reading an awesome book! Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl is the second installment of the Caster Chronicles, a southern gothic supernatural series set in tiny (and some might say backwoods) Gatlin, South Carolina. Earlier this year, I devoured Beautiful Creatures, and I just couldn't wait to get my hands on the next book! The tale is dark and romantic, and it's beautifully written. You can almost feel the humidity and taste the southern cooking!

Ethan Waite was an average teenage guy until he met Lena Duchannes. All he ever wanted was to escape his small town life for college somewhere far away-- especially after his beloved mother died in a mysterious accident and his dad went off the deep end. Then he literally met the girl of his dreams (dreams from which he often woke covered in soil or water), and began to learn that there's a lot more to Gatlin than meets the eye. Lena is a caster. You might call her a witch, but she'd just laugh at you. The Caster Chronicles follow Lena from birthday to birthday, as she learns whether she will practice light or dark magic. It's a big decision for her because her family is cursed, and her decision carries very real consequences.

In Beautiful Darkness, Lena remains confused about her future, and she's convinced she doesn't fit in anywhere. Her romance with Ethan is heating up to the point of electric shock, but she keeps pushing him away because she fears she may be Dark, and she doesn't want to hurt anyone else. When John Breed, a mysterious demon/caster hybrid makes his way into Lena's life, Ethan finds himself on a dangerous underground journey to save the girl he loves, accompanied by his best friend Link, caster-librarian-in-training, Liv, and a cat named Lucille. In the caster tunnels below Gatlin and beyond, the trio meets demons and vexes who threathen to suck the life right out of them, quite literally. This book kept me turning the pages, and I can't wait for the next one!! Beautiful Darkness comes out on October 12, and it'll make a great read to get you in the Halloween spirit! If you haven't checked out Beautiful Creatures, make sure you grab it quickly, so you'll be ready for this one!

New Books at Gibson Library!

2010-09-24T10:13:00.000-07:00

Here are some new fiction titles we’ve put out on display here at Gibson Library!

Freak Magnet by Andrew Auseon
Sell-Out by Ebony Joy Wilkins
Deception: A Haunting Emma Novel by Lee Nichols
The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman
Harmonic Feedback by Tara Kelly
Toads and Diamonds by Heather Tomlinson

Click on the links to see more about each book. If you have your library card number, you can put a hold on the book and have it waiting for you when you come in!

Vote Now . . .

2010-08-25T10:06:00.000-07:00

. . .for your favorite teen book of the year! The Teens' Top Ten poll allows you to pick your favorite book of the year from a list of ten titles chosen by teen reading groups across the country.

Vote here!

They ask you to choose up to three books, which is a bit confusing. You're voting for the ONE TOP BOOK, so if you like three titles equally well, go ahead and choose three. Otherwise, you can just pick your favorite.

I'd vote for Beautiful Creatures, but I'm not a teen, so go pick your fav!!

Here are the nominations:

Abbott, Ellen Jensen. Watersmeet. Marshall Cavendish. 2009. (9780761455363).

We're ordering this one. . .

Anderson, Laurie Halse. Wintergirls. Penguin/Viking Books. 2009. (9780670011100).

Check it out!

Brown, Jennifer. Hate List. Hachette/Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. 2009. (9780316041447).

Check it out!

Carter, Ally. Heist Society. Disney/Hyperion. 2010. (9781423116394).

Check it out!

Cashore, Kristin. Fire. Penguin/Dial. 2009. (9780803734616).

Check it out!

Clare, Cassandra. City of Glass. Simon & Schuster/Margaret K. McElderry. 2009. (978-1416914303).

Check it out!

Clayton, Emma. The Roar. Scholastic/Chicken House. 2009. (9780439925938).

Check it out!

Collins, Suzanne. Catching Fire. Scholastic/ Scholastic Press. 2009. (9780439023498).

Check it out!

Dessen, Sarah. Along for the Ride. Penguin/Viking. 2009. (9780670011940).

Check it out!

Fisher, Catherine. Incarceron. Penguin /Dial. 2010. (9780803733961).

Check it out!

Fitzpatrick, Becca. Hush, Hush. Simon & Schuster. 2009. (9781416989417).

Check it out!

Forman, Gayle. If I Stay. Penguin/Dutton. 2009. (9780525421030)

Check it out!

Garcia, Kami and Margaret Stohl. Beautiful Creatures. Hachette/Little, Brown Books for

Young Readers. 2009. (9780316042673)

Check it out!

Geektastic: Stories from the Nerd Herd. Edited by Holly Black and Cecil Castellucci. Hachette/Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. 2009. (9780316008099).

Check it out!

Golding, Julia. Dragonfly. Marshall Cavendish. 2009. (978-0761455820).

We're ordering this one. . .

Jinks, Catherine. The Reformed Vampire Support Group. Harcourt/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 2009. (9780152066093).

Check it out!

Lieb, Josh. I Am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to Be Your Class President. Penguin/Razorbill. 2009. (9781595142405).

Check it out!

Ockler, Sarah. Twenty Boy Summer. Hachette/Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. 2009. (978-0316051583).

Check it out!

Patterson, James. Witch and Wizard. Hachette/Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. 2009. (9780316036245).

Check it out!

Pierce, Tamora. Bloodhound. Random House. 2009. (9780375814693).

Check it out!

St. Crow, Lili. Strange Angels. Penguin/Razorbill. 2009. ( 9781595142511).

We're ordering this one. . .

Stiefvater, Maggie. Shiver. Scholastic . 2009. (9780545123273).

Check it out!

Tanigawa, Nagaru. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. Hachette/Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. 2009. (9780316039017).

We're ordering this one. . .

Westerfeld, Scott. Leviathan. Simon & Schuster/Simon Pulse. 2009. (9781416971733).

Check it out!

Yep, Laurence. City of Fire. Tor/Starscape. 2009. (9780765319241).

Check it out!

Would you survive The Hunger Games?

2010-08-14T15:56:00.000-07:00

If you think you can survive the Capitol's Hunger Games (or just can't wait for Mockingjay to come out) you might want to check out a new board game!

In The Hunger Games: Training Days, you have been selected as a Tribute to represent your district in the Hunger Games and must test your skills in the Training Center. The goal is to prepare for the Games by impressing sponsors and Gamemakers while increasing your Approval Rating. The game comes with Tribute Cards, District Effort Tokens, a deck of 45 Challenge Cards, and an Approval Tracker.

Thrill the World!!

2010-08-07T13:56:00.000-07:00

How would you like to impress your friends at this year's Halloween party by busting out with your Thriller moves when the song comes on (and if it's a good party, you know it will)? Well, you can learn the dance, meet new friends, and have a good time at the library this fall. Beginning in September, Green Valley Library will hold training and practice sessions every Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. Gibson Library will also hold training sessions (more info to come), and on Saturday, October 23 we will have a zombie party and dance the Thriller at Gibson Library to take part in Thrill the World, a world-wide, simultaneous dance of the Thriller. We may even help set a world record! We did this last year at Green Valley and it was a lot of fun!

The Art Institutes

2010-07-14T14:40:00.000-07:00

The Art Institutes

If you love to cook and have been waiting to be recognized for your tallents, here's your chance! Although this year's winner has already been announced, you can start thinking about a winning recipe for next year's Art Institutes Best Teen Chef. Visit the link above for rules and regulations for this year's competition.

Outdoor Picture Show

2010-06-21T19:23:00.000-07:00

The District at Green Valley Ranch

"The Outdoor Picture Show™ presents free movies under the stars that the whole family can enjoy! Screenings take place every Friday and Saturday evening at dusk from Spring through Fall at The Green, adjacent to Whole Foods Market and The Carousel. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets to sit on, and picnic baskets with snacks to enjoy. Complimentary popcorn is provided."

Fantastic Mr. Fox
Friday, June 25, 2010
8:00pm MPAA Rating: PG
"Mr. and Mrs. Fox (Clooney and Streep) live an idyllic home life with their son Ash (Schwartzman) and visiting young nephew Kristopherson (Eric Anderson). But after 12 years, the bucolic existence proves too much for Mr Fox’s wild animal instincts. Soon he slips back into his old ways as a sneaky chicken thief and in doing so, endangers not only his beloved family, but the whole animal community. Trapped underground and with not enough food to go around, the animals band together to fight against the evil Farmers - Boggis, Bunce and Bean - who are determined to capture the audacious, fantastic Mr. Fox at any cost."

Library Ladies Recommend

2010-06-11T09:42:00.000-07:00

I keep making resolutions to write up some awesome book reviews for some awesome books and post them here, and it keeps not happening. So instead of a formal review, here's what I've been reading lately.

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

This one is the most recent book from two popular authors of young adult literature. John Green is absolutely hilarious, and you can check out his vlogs and other fun stuff on his Nerdfighters website. I highly recommend the video about how to make a baby. Don't worry: it's not as creepy as it sounds. Green's works include Looking for Alaska, An Abundance of Katherines, and Paper Towns-- all funny/realistic portrayals of high school life for a certain brand of intelligent, indie-music-loving, and possibly-nerdy teenage boy and his friends.

David Levithan is well known for his skillful writing about teen relationships. He's published many great books covering the full gammut of like, love, and lust, and he doesn't shy away from GLBT themes. He co-wrote the novel Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, which I'll bet you saw on the big screen in 2008.

Together, these two have created a funny, heartfelt story of two Will Graysons, one gay and one straight, both of whom find themselves in the orbit of the very fabulous, very large, and very gay Tiny Cooper. Will Grayson, Will Grayson is on my shelf just waiting for me to finish this weekend, so I can't offer a full review of the book yet, but I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys humor and realistic fiction. Green's Will Grayson is very similar to the male protagonists featured in his previous novels: he's shy, he's witty and sarcastic, he's into music, and he just isn't sure how to approach Jane, the smart-cute girl he's trying hard not to like. This will Grayson is starting to learn that he really does enjoy having Tiny as a best friend, even though Tiny's a little brash and egocentric. I'm hoping that this Will manages to give up his determination to "shut up and not care" before I turn the final page. Levithan's Will Grayson starts out depressed, frightened, angry, and a litte unpleasant. Slightly more than halfway through the book, he's still fighting his depression, but he's a lot less angry and more entertaining once he meets and falls for Tiny Cooper. I'm disturbed by this Will's blatant disregard for capitalization, but it does help readers figure out which Will is narrating each chapter.

I'm really excited to learn how the rest of the story unfolds, and I am in love with all of the characters. Tiny is larger-than-life and fully lovable, both Will Graysons are complex and amusing, Jane is the girl I sort of wished I could be in high school, and all the supporting characters are interesting in their own right. Definitely put this one on your to-read list. You can request it here, and start earning some minutes for the Summer Reading Program while you're at it!

Teens Read Review by Emma

2010-05-25T13:40:00.000-07:00

Defining Dulcie by Paul Acampora, is the story of 16 year-old Dulcie Morrigan, who, after her father dies in a fatal custodial accident, is dragged from Newbury, Connecticut to California. But when her mom threatens to sell the last piece of her father left, Dulcie hightails it back to her hometown in her dad’s old fire-engine-red Chevy to find some sanctuary in her grandfather. But when Dulcie’s grandfather’s new employee, Roxanne and Roxanne’s suspicious mother are added to the mix, you can tell Dulcie’s definitely not going to forget this summer.
I thought that Defining Dulcie was a wonderful family story. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Dulcie and what she thought of the events around her. I liked that she is sarcastic and humorous, but you can see her sensitivity shine through her tough exterior.

“And yet Dad’s accidental demise fast-forwarded me into some kind of real-life-meets-Cartoon-Channel thrill ride, a crazy collection of episodes and moments that made me pause in front of small mirrors and whisper, ‘Dulcie, are you all right?’ The girl in the reflection usually answered, ‘I think so.’ But sometimes she’d say, 'Define 'all right''."

I also liked how the author made it seem that the only thing that was keeping the situation from falling apart was the tight family bond seen throughout the book.

“Frank wiped his hands on the back of his blue workpants, “It seems to me,” he said, “that the wind is blowing from west to east today Roxanne.” Then he turned to me and gave me a big smile. Before I knew what was happening, he wrapped me up in a huge Frank Morrigan hug. “And look what the wind blew in,” saidFrank, “Just look what the wind blew in."

Overall Defining Dulcie is a heartwarming story about how family is glue keeping all of life pieces together. At only 165 pages, this is a short read, perfect for those times during summer when you’re taking a break from the sand and away from your friends. Two thumbs up!

Top Ten Reasons to Sign up for Teen Summer Reading

2010-05-22T13:48:00.001-07:00

Who you gonna call?

2010-05-19T11:33:00.000-07:00

Improv Everywhere is known for playing "extraordinary pranks in ordinary places." You've probably seen the group impersonating Best Buy employees, or asking, "Where's Rob?" at a Knicks game. My personal favorites are, of course, the pranks that take place in a library! Check out this video of the group busting some ghosts at the New York Public Library! NYPL actually invited the pranksters to put on a scene in order to bring attention to the library in the midst of budget cuts. My favorite quote from the story?

Guard: Sir, what are you doing?

Rodgers: Um… haunting the library.

For more library pranking fun, check out the Library Musical by Prangstgrup:

I wanted to end this with a video from the recent episode of Glee where a stereotypical librarian calls the gleeks cute after their performance of M.C. Hammer's "U Can't Touch This," but the video was removed from YouTube! At any rate, if there are any awesome performers out there who want to stage a musical number in my library, I say bring it on. My manager might say otherwise, but I guess there's only one way to find out!

froZEN 75

2010-05-15T15:08:00.000-07:00

Looking for something to do on a Saturday night? Why not hang out at Club froZEN 75? This teen only night club is a place to meet people and enjoy some of today’s hottest music.

"Club froZEN 75 is open every Saturday from 7:30 to 11:30, and there is a $15.00 cover charge. Come dressed to impress… that means no plain t-shirts or sportswear!"

Be sure to visit their website below for important information on rules of conduct and restrictions.

http://www.clubfrozen75.com/index.html

Hey Anime Fans!

2010-05-05T10:28:00.000-07:00

Have you had a chance to visit VIZ Anime? It's Viz Media's new interactive website that includes more than 400 episodes from its hit series, such as Bleach, Death Note, Honey & Clover, and Naruto Shippuden. Episodes can be streamed for free and new ones are being added weekly! Viz hopes the new site will encourage its anime fans to connect with each other, discuss their favorite shoes, and offer ratings and opinions of hte various episodes. So what are you waiting for? Start streaming!

Or if you prefer some face-to-face interaction with other Anime fans, you really should check out the monthly Anime Club meetings at the Gibson and Green Valley Libraries. Head to Henderson Libraries' calendar of events to check it out!

http://events.hdpl.org/evanced/lib/eventcalendar.asp

Picture Book Report: Illustrators offer cool tributes to their favorite books

2010-04-20T13:11:00.000-07:00

A Wrinkle in Time. The Giver. Where the Red Fern Grows. Peter Pan. Alice in Wonderland. Sabriel.

Chances are you've read and loved one of these books. The website Picture Book Report has brought together 15 of the best illustrators and artists to post drawings inspired by their favorite books.

The website is updated daily, so check it out!

These were a couple of my favorites!

ArtFest of Henderson

2010-04-20T10:53:00.000-07:00

May 8-9, 2010
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Henderson Events Plaza,
200 South Water Street
FREE ADMISSION

Looking for something to do? Head down to the Henderson Events Plaza on May 8th and 9th for over 150 booths of international art! On display and up for sale will be jewelry, photography, pottery, paintings, and much more. There will be live entertainment and lots of food... best of all, admission is FREE!!!

For more information visit: http://hendersonlive.com/special-events/artfest

Another Book-y Contest for You!

2010-04-14T16:55:00.000-07:00

Here's another book blog for you to read, as well as another chance to WIN some BOOKS! Oh yeah, and you can also win some clothes to go with your books. If you like Meg Cabot, visit Green Bean Teen Queen here, and enter to win the Airhead novels and a $50 American Eagle gift card! Delicious!

Win Free Books!

2010-03-08T12:33:00.000-08:00

Lately, I've been enjoying the book review blog I Heart Monster. The author is awesome, she has an awesome blog name, and she helps keep me up to date on young adult literature (aka teen books)! Throughout March, she's giving away a bunch of fun new books! To check out her site and enter the numerous contests, click on the banner below. Who could say no to a chance to win free books???

Do you feel supported by your community?

2010-02-18T17:01:00.000-08:00

Today, I came across an interesting survey online. Precious Voices was created by Crittenton Services of Greater Washington’s Youth Advisory Board after members read the teen novel Push by Sapphire, which inspired the recent film Precious. Members found themselves asking how many young women in the United States experience abuse, neglect, or other issues that lead to low self esteem and lack of motivation.The survey found that, among the 99 teen women surveyed

59% have felt voiceless at one time in their lives
54% have been subjected to physical force from someone in their home
40% do not trust that when they tell a teacher about an issue, that they really care and will help
37% have witnessed their parents/guardians hitting each other
31% have been touched in an unwelcomed way by someone close to them
18% have been in a relationship with a boyfriend or girlfriend who used physical force with them

See the full survey here. The website offers links to resources for young women experiencing such problems. Reading the survey made me think about teenage boys, too. What issues do boys face at home and in the community that might cause them to struggle with self esteem? A websearch led me to a study conducted by the US Department of Health and Human Services which addresses challenges faced by young men, as well as potential solutions. View that study here.

If you are a teen struggling with abuse, neglect, or plain old dysfunction at home or eslewhere, the libraries offer resources to help you establish goals and grow beyond the struggle! You can find links to a variety of websites for teens at the HDPL Teen Spot: http://www.mypubliclibrary.com/teenspot/itsyourlife.html. The websites provided here offer everything from advice, to information about abusive relationships, and even college and career info. If you don't find what you're looking for there, we have plenty of nonfiction books in the library to help with issues, and we also offer plenty of fiction that might help brighten your day! Check out the catalog here. You could even think about attending a teen event at your nearest library. One of the best ways to develop self esteem and feel better about life is to find new hobbies and meet people! We offer weekly teen events for all kinds of interests. What's the bottom line? The Teen Services Librarians at Henderson Libraries are here to help you find the information you need to improve your life. We'd love to see you in the library.

Teen Volunteers Recommend

2010-02-04T14:58:00.000-08:00

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones. Reviewed by Schaller D.

See if it's available at your library!
Summary
Sophie is cursed by the Witch of the Waste. She leaves town and her little hat shop, and she hops aboard Howl's Moving Castle. Unbeknownst to her, Howl has a mysterious past full of wizardry and magic. Sophie meets new friends, has one huge adventure, and has mix ups of her own. Read the book to find out the full story!

Review
Another shnawesome (my personal word) book of mystery, full of puzzles to be figured out and magic. Jones puts it together nicely with lots of "Gotcha!" twists I never expected. I didn't want to put it down! Sophie's adventures are always different, along with the other characters'. Jones is talented and writes a mystery-filled magic book well. I would put it next to Harry Potter.

Teen Volunteers Recommend

2010-02-04T14:21:00.000-08:00

Journey to the Centre of the Earth by Jules Verne. Reviewed by Sierra L.

Summary

The great professor Hardwigg, his nephew Harry, and their Icelandic, elder duck hunter Hans, go on a perilous adventure hoping to retrace Arne Sakkenasms’ journey to the center of the earth.

How Did You Like It?

Overall, I enjoyed this book by Jules Verne for a variety of reasons. Though I usually tend to avoid sci-fi and fantasy novels, this was quite imaginative and really made you think about their options and situation. Though the beginning was rather slow and monotonously flowing, it picked up and got really creative. This novel also was very factual and any reader could easily see how informed Verne was. At some parts, the plot became too far-fetched to believe, at others, too intriguing to stop. As I said, recollecting on the novel, it was interesting, but at parts I literally fell asleep. If fantasy lands excite or entertain you, testing scientific theories and laws is suspenseful, then “Journey to the Centre of the Earth” by Jules Verne will be perfect for you.

Glee!

2010-01-15T15:45:00.001-08:00

This is so exciting! Teens and young adults, ages 16-26 can submit video auditions to participate in an open casting call for a few new roles on Glee! I am about one month too old to participate, and I certainly don't sing well enough to compete with the existing cast members, but you might just fit the bill. Check out the details and submit your tape here:
http://www.fox.com/glee/audition/

I think it would be awesome to see a library teen on one of my favorite shows!!

What are the librarians reading?

2009-12-15T19:09:00.000-08:00

Splendor: a Luxe Novel by Anna Godbersen. 391 pages. 2009.

This final installment of The Luxe ties a tidy bow around the series, fit for one of those dazzling dresses that adorn the covers. Godbersen takes us on a final wild ride with the characters we love, as well as those we love to hate.

Carolina Broad, who graces the cover in her lavender gown, has finally established herself among New York’s social elite; however, she still longs for the love of Leland Bouchard. When Carolina finds herself in Leland’s arms, she believes her wildest dreams have come true, but her lies and social blunders along the way to engagement may yet cost Carolina more than her newfound wealth can buy.

Penelope Hayes has been trapped in the Schoonmaker mansion under the pretense of miscarriage while her husband travels to Cuba with dashed hopes of serving his country. Bitter and alienated, Penelope crashes back into the social scene and discovers that she may yet assume a title grander than Mrs. Henry Schoonmaker. The Prince of Bavaria is even more scandalous and seductive than Penelope, and she agrees when he asserts that she would be happier if she were a princess. Poor Penelope has finally met her match!

Elizabeth’s belly continues to swell, and she feels utter gratitude for Mr. Cairns, who has not only married her despite her condition, but has also purchased a lovely house for her. While arranging her husband’s office, Elizabeth finds a document that links her name to Will Keller. When Elizabeth recognizes a man at the door, she realizes that Mr. Cairns may not be her savior after all. Only one person can save her from this new-found horror, but will he return from war in time?

Diana has traveled the world looking for Henry. She finally reunites with him in Cuba, but the pair’s blissful reunion ends when an officer discovers Diana in Henry’s bed. As soon as Diana returns to New York, she knows that she has outgrown the city and its stifling rules. An escape to Paris with Henry is all that Diana can hope for, but a shocking turn of events at the Schoonmaker mansion may prevent Henry from joining her.

If you're looking for a light, but well written book to get lost in for the weekend, give this on a try! Ultimately, the women emerge strong and independent. Godbersen leaves us with a satisfying conclusion to this wonderful series for readers who love historical fiction, romance, and intrigue.

Teen Volunteers Recommend

2009-11-13T15:44:00.000-08:00

The Collector by John Fowles. Reviewed by Chloe.

Summary:

A butterfly collector takes his interest in a girl named Miranda to a new level of obsession when the thought of kidnap crosses his mind.

How did you like it?

The Collector is a suspensful novel that will leave the reader wondering the outcome of Miranda and Frederick's circumstances until the end. The novel gives insight on a strange and disturbed man as well as a fascinating young woman with a will to survive. It's easy to read and is definitely fast paced. It is exciting and still thoughtful. Though I read it for school, I would have read this book for fun anyway.

Teen Volunteers Recommend

2009-11-13T15:35:00.000-08:00

Teen volunteers earn credit and have a good time helping us out at the library. They spend their volunteer hours working on crafts for story time, shelving DVDs, cleaning up, and more, but what do they do in their spare time? Well, sometimes they read! To keep up with volunteer- recommended reads, keep coming back for Teen Volunteers Recommend. . .

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. Reviewed by Kayla.

Summary:

A young middle-class woman begins the novel as an assistant to an older woman. When she meets Maxim de Winter, they become friends and soon marry. Upon moving into his home, she is haunted by Maxim's deceased wife, Rebecca. Her death by drowning is causing a mystery at the castle.

How did you like it?

Overall, this novel is entertaining. I read it for school, but it is something that I would read on my own. Maurier is a great descriptive writer, and the characters' emotions are realistic. This book does not try to idealize love or be a scary thriller. It is especially interesting that the author does not give the main character a name. Her writing evokes interest in the reader.

Get Published Here!

2009-11-06T15:59:00.000-08:00

Are you an avid reader? Want to get involved in the library and get some practice writing? You've come to the right place! We are seeking teen book reviewers to help us promote all the awesome reads HDPL offers. Stop by Green Valley Library to pick up a review sheet, or send us an e mail at jdsullenberger@hdpl.org. We will try to get a submission form online soon!

Reviews should contain your first and last name, your grade, the book's title and author, a brief summary, and your critique! For some tips on how to write a great review, see the following websites:

http://www.ehow.com/how_4448564_write-professional-book-review.html
http://teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/bookrev/read.htm
http://www.writing-world.com/freelance/asenjo.shtml

We hope to read your thoughts soon!

Transitions and an Exciting Event!

2009-08-17T10:30:00.000-07:00

First, an announcement! HDPL is now on MySpace, so check us out and add us if you like! With the addition of the MySpace blog, we are going to be changing the purpose of the Teen Spot Blog (the one you are reading now)! In the future, we will start posting book reviews here, and all of the library happenings will show up on our MySpace blog. We still want YOU to help us with these reviews, and we'd love to give you a voice here on our website. If you are interested in contributing, please e mail Jessica Sullenberger (that's me) at jdsullenberger@hdpl.org. Contributors must be between the ages of 12 and 17.

I do have one last announcement before we switch gears. Tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. at Green Valley Library, we are having a Fall Fashion Preview. A student from the International Academy of Design and Technology is going to talk to us about what's hot for the fall season. Even better, he's going to teach us how to forecast trends by keeping up with news, pop culture, politics, and more. I am very excited about this program, and I hope that some of you are, too! Please come to the library a few minutes before the program starts so we can begin on time! Light refreshments will be provided. If you have any questions, or if you want to sign up, give me a call at 207-4262. I hope to see you there!

Express Yourself at the library this summer!

2009-06-27T14:00:00.000-07:00

If you're reading this blog, you probably enjoy reading in general. But even if you don't love reading, I know you love prizes! This summer, Henderson District Public Libraries offers you a Teen Summer Reading Program with the opportunity to win some very cool stuff, including gift cards to your favorite stores, food, and go-kart racing.

What do you have to do for a chance to win? It's simple. Register for the SRP online here or at your nearest library. Whenever you read throughout the summer, log your minutes online. Log five hours by midnight on Sunday each week, and you will be entered into weekly raffles. Here's the raffle schedule:

6/22 - Eight Bowling Passes (2 drawings)

6/29 - $25 Gift Card to Borders (2 drawings)

7/6 - $25 Gift Card to Regal Cinemas (2 drawings)

7/13 - 4 Pack of Passes for King Putt Mini Golf (2 drawings)
Pottery (session at All Fired Up) and a Pizza ($25 Gift Certificate to Pizza My Dear) (1 drawing)

7/20 - $50 Gift Card to Best Buy (2 drawings)

7/27 - $50 Gift Card to GameStop (2 drawings)

8/3 - $50 Gift Card to Galleria Mall (2 drawings)

8/10 - 2 Passes to Pole Position Raceways (including all gear needed for the go-karts) (5 drawings)

That's not all we have to offer, either. Check out the library events calendar here to find teen events at your favorite library. We'll be hosting creative, artistic programs and more all summer. Some highlights follow:

Gibson Library

Teen Tech Club (6 weeks)
Monday June 22, June 29, July 6, July 20, July 27, and August 3
2:00-3:30 p.m.

Teen Poetry Cafe
Thursday, July 9
7-8:30 p.m.

Henna for Teens
Wednesday, July 22
4:00-5:15 p.m.

Green Valley Library

Crafty Altered Book (2 weeks)
Thursday, July 2 and Thursday, July 9
3:00-4:15 p.m.

Catching Fire Survival Tips with Aaron from Red Rock Canyon Interpretive Association
Tuesday, July 7
3:00-4:15 p.m.

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince Launch Party (with costume contest and prizes)
Tuesday, July 14 4:00-6:00 p.m.

Malcolm

Wii the Teens!
Tuesday, August 11
4:00-5:30 p.m.

Paseo Verde

Rock Band
Thursday, July 2
6:00-8:00 p.m.

Library Idol
Monday July 20
6:30-8:00 p.m.

Battle of the Bands
Friday, August 7
6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

Fantasy Road Trip Contest

2009-06-04T10:38:00.000-07:00

Win an 8 GB iPod Touch and a collection of signed audio books!

Fantasy Road Trip Contest
Fans of Libba Bray, Tamora Pierce, and Rick Riordan

What do you have to do?

Make a video between 30 seconds and five minutes long, which includes a reference to the state of Florida, a reference to audio books, and a clip of dialog from an audio book of your choice, written by the above mentioned authors. The video will tell the authors where you would go and what you would do if you could go on a road trip with one of your favorite characters.

Videos will be posted to YouTube, and the authors will select three winners!

Contest ends August 17, 2009

For full rules visit http://www.randomhouse.com/audio/features/listen-up-florida/contest/

If you are interested in participating, please see Teen Services Librarian, Jessica, at the Green Valley Library youth services desk. If we have enough interested teens, I will help you out, and we will show your video at the library!

Green Valley Library Teen Advisory Group

2009-06-03T16:27:00.000-07:00

Green Valley Library is starting a new Teen Advisory Group, and I would love to see you all there.

Teen Advisory Group, or TAG, comprises teens from 12-18 who are interested in contributing to the library in a fun, meaningful way. What you do is up to you-- pitching in to plan and conduct teen events, performing community service projects, working with children, helping librarians select the best books to order, etc. If you have an idea that would improve the library experience for you or other teens, you are welcome to share.

Furthermore, we need a new name for the TAG! Please share ideas in the comments here OR at the meeting. Our second meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 9 at 4:30 p.m. in the program room. Snacks are provided, and it's a great chance to meet new people. You can register online here, or you can just drop in if you are a rebel who simply refuses to register!

Teen Spot is Back!

2009-05-22T13:36:00.000-07:00

This blog has been very quiet for a long time, but we're hoping to turn things around with your help!

Henderson District Public Libraries is looking for teens ages 12-17 who are interested in promoting their favorite books or community events by writing short reviews or articles for publication in this very blog. If you have an interest in writing or editing entries, please contact Jessica Sullenberger, Teen Services Librarian at Green Valley Library by e mail: jdsullenberger@hdpl.org. Let's get the communication and creativity flowing, please!

Do you have suggestions about books or other materials you would like to see in your Henderson Library? Feel free to leave a comment. What about teen programs? Do you know how much we offer for teens year round? What are we missing? We would really love to hear your input. If you'd like to get involved beyond the blog, ask someone at your closest library about the Teen Advisory Groups at Paseo Verde and Green Valley, also known as the YAK (Young Adult Krew) at the Gibson Library.

To find teen programs (some upcoming events include anime club, altered books, a Harry Potter party, open craft time, nature survival skills, and candle making), visit our events calendar and set the age group to "teen" before you search.

And, of course, feel free to pay us a visit at the library.

Teen Online Halloween Costume Contest

2007-10-31T12:10:00.000-07:00

Click here to vote for your favorite costume on our Teen Online Halloween Costume Contest!

Favorite Author Poll

2007-10-30T14:58:00.000-07:00

Scott Westerfeld won the favorite author poll. Check out one of his latest books, Extras the 4th book in the Uglies "trilogy."

Video Game Poll

2007-10-30T14:57:00.000-07:00

Which video game consoles do you own? We want to know! Leave a comment and tell us if you have one that isn't on the list.

Do you have TOO MUCH HOMEWORK???

2007-09-05T15:30:00.000-07:00

With school starting up there’s a lot to think about… seeing your friends again… what teachers will you have… & how much homework are you going to get every night?

This is becoming a heated issue, with some saying there’s way too much, causing kids to stop reading for pleasure. Sara Bennett [co-author of the book The Case Against Homework, which can be found at the Paseo Verde library] organized the parents at her child’s school and had a homework policy instated that limits tests to 2 per week, declares Monday test-free & banned school projects over certain vacations. More on this topic can be found at CQ Researcher. The article is "Students under stress".

A USA Weekend.com article by Tom Loveless suggests that teens today don’t have enough homework. The article states that learning takes time, but other things are taking up teenagers time like socializing with friends, extracurricular activities, television & part time jobs. The article also recommends a target amount of homework of 10 minutes per day per grade. (10 minutes for 1st graders, 90min for 9th graders, 120min for 12th graders.)

What do you think?

Favorite Author Poll

2007-08-29T16:06:00.000-07:00

We have a new poll! If your favorite author (or just one you like a lot) isn't in the poll, leave a comment and tell us who they are so we can put them up next time.

Polls!

2007-08-15T15:18:00.000-07:00

My apologies, our poll asking which movie made the best book is on the fritz. But it looks like Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is the favorite, beating out Eragon, Lord of the Rings and Stormbreaker! We'll have another poll up and running once Blogger fixes the problem. Thanks for voting!

What The Dickens: The Story of a Rogue Tooth Fairy by Gregory Maguire

2007-07-25T15:59:00.000-07:00

A fierce storm has been raging for days and Dinah and her siblings are under the care of their young uncle Gage while her parents have gone for supplies. Gage tells the children a story from his childhood to quiet their fears and get them all through the tumultuous night. The tale he tells may or may not be true, but Dinah couldn't care less.

What-the-Dickens is born a tiny orphan Skibberee. He doesn't know who he is or what his place is in the world, only that he has a deep attraction to a cat named McCavity and her magnificent teeth. His penchant for all things dental gets What-the-Dickens in plenty of trouble and hurls him into the path of another young Skibberee. She could be his ticket to living a true Skibbereen life, but What-the-Dickens doesn't know if that's what he wants or even if he'd be welcome as a stranger among his own kind.

Forthcoming September 2007

2007-07-10T16:46:00.000-07:00

We just keep doing stuff here at the Paseo Verde Library!

July 13, that's right, this Friday the 13th at 3 p.m. you have a chance to finger the thief at the library! We'll learn how police use fingerprints to solve crimes and even practice lifting and identifying prints.

Many thanks to everyone who came to DDR this month (there were 32 of you, if you can believe it!) We'll be Playing DDR on the big screen again on Saturday, August 4th at 2:30p.m.

Also coming up we're showing Agent Cody Banks on Friday, July 27th at 3p.m.

Teen Paperback Series

2007-06-28T16:10:00.000-07:00

Hey Guys
I am thinking about changing some of the teen paperback series at the Paseo Verde Library. Let’s start with the TV Tie-ins. Are any of you still reading any of these?

7th Heaven
Alias
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Charmed
Flight 29 Down
Star Trek-Enterprise

Would you like us to get tie-in books about any other TV shows? If so, leave a comment and let me know.

Fruit Bowl Project by Sarah Durbee

2007-06-14T16:15:00.000-07:00

An 8th grade teacher brings in a cool rock star to help teach her writing class. The resulting efforts of students, who write about the same topic, are in the style of a poem, monologue, fairytale, a rap and more.

If you're interested in writing, this is a great book to give you some ideas on different types of writing. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Rachel

My favorite mysteries that aren’t Mysteries.

2007-06-11T19:40:00.000-07:00

I don’t normally read Mystery novels, but some of my favorite books are mysteries that don’t quite fit the stereotype.

So Yesterday by Scott Westerfeld
Hunter is a cool hunter, he gets paid to find the newest trendsetters. He's got it made, until he makes his greatest find yet and his whole life gets turned upside down.

Stuck in Neutral by Terry Truman
Shawn is a "serious genius" who can't move a muscle, not even his eyes. He's satisfied with his life, until he discovers that his father is thinking of killing him to end his "suffering"

The Unlikely Exploits Trilogy by Philip Ardagh
"The very last words young Fergal McNally heard in his life were: 'Don't lean out of that window!'" The McNally children travel to the big city for a typing competition when the unthinkable happens, and that's just the beginning.

Pick one up at your Henderson Library, you might like it, You Never Know...

What’s your favorite non-mystery mystery?

It's Happening Again!

2007-05-26T11:34:00.000-07:00

DDR at the Paseo Verde Library on Saturday, June 2 at 2:30 p.m. We'll project the game onto our BIG screen and provide water and snacks. You bring your friends, and your feet.

Check out some of our Graphic Novel collection while you're here!

MySpace: Good Bad or Over Rated?

2007-02-01T10:16:00.000-08:00

There’s a magazine story about a 16 year old girl who arranged to meet a man online. Her father found out, followed the girl, and threatened to kill the girl and the man she was meeting. What makes this story interesting? It was published in an 1886 edition of Electrical World, written about the new and scary technology of, get this, the telegraph!!

Sound familiar to what the news and various adults are saying about MySpace? View this article to get more dirt.

Think you know everything about MySpace? Here's a top 10 list of things you don't know (or perhaps you already do you!)

Did you know that MySpace will soon be launching a software download that would allow parents to track the use of their child’s MySpace user name, purported age and location. What do you think about that?

Should schools ban networking sites like MySpace, or teach students to use the sites responsibly?

Tell us what you think! How many of you use MySpace? Are you using it wisely? What does that even mean, “to use it wisely”? Are adults too worried about teens not knowing how to “be smart”? What thoughts came to mind when you read these articles?

*** You might need to turn off pop-up blockers to view some of the articles.

Welcome to Hot Topics!

2006-11-28T07:59:00.000-08:00

Each month a different topic that is a hot spot either in the news or amongst our teenage readers will be highlighted. The purpose is to put the information out there for you to have, to show both sides of the story to get you thinking, and then for you to add your comments so that you have a forum for your voice and can learn what other teens think too.

This months issue is illegal immigration. It’s been in the news a lot lately. It was a topic discussed with the recent elections. And many community teens have been voicing their opinions about this in local schools. But how much do you really know, and how much do you think you know?

To get a good understanding of both sides of the issue, check out this article
(The article will appear as a pop up, so if you have a pop up blocker temporarily disable it. Also, you might be prompted to enter your library card # & PIN)

What is the White House Guest Worker Program? Find out here

For a summary of the Real ID Bill click here

Whenever trying to understand current issues, it’s always a good idea to understand the history leading up to the present. For a brief overview look here

If you have ideas for future Hot Topics please either leave them as a comment, or email me at mtspiller@hdpl.org.

DDR Recap

2006-10-25T08:23:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all the teens who made our DDR event a success! We had about 25 of you here at the Paseo Verde Library on Saturday afternoon. We had some expert players there who really tore up the floor and some beginners who had a good time learning to play.

DDR

2006-10-17T13:46:00.000-07:00

We're hosting a Dance Dance Revolution party at the Paseo Verde Library this Saturday, October 21 at 2:00PM. Play DDR with your friends on our big screen. We'll have water and healthy snacks to keep you going.

October Book Club Book

2006-10-04T11:54:00.000-07:00

The book we are discussing for our October Book Club is The Hole by Guy Burt. It is about six teenagers who find a small deserted cellar at their school. Inside the cellar is a hole. Five of the teens climb down a rope ladder into the hole, and the sixth teen pulls up the ladder, closes the door, locks it from teh outside, and walks away. They were planning on staying in the hole for three days, then emerging to become part of the greatest prank ever played at the school...except it doesn't work out that way. No one returns to let them out. Read this book and post your comments here to participate in our online book club!

Check Out this Resource!

2006-10-04T11:49:00.000-07:00

Do you ever have to write papers about current issues? Need some background about these issues? Or maybe you need opposing viewpoints? Check out the CQ Researcher database for all the information about current issues. You can access the database by going to our home page (http://www.hdpl.org/). Once there, you'll want to click on the "Online Databases" link. If you are accessing this page from home, you'll have to enter your library card number next, so make sure you have it handy. Once in the databases, scroll down to where the databases are listed alphabetically, and click on the "CQ Researcher" link. This will take you to all the information you might need on current and controversial issues!

Stress Management Workshops for Teens

2006-10-04T11:34:00.000-07:00

Teens—You’re back in school, involved in organizations, have
volunteer or employment commitments, and you still need time for family, friends and yourself! How can you manage it all?

Attend our Stress Management workshop, presented by
Dr. Glenda Insabella to help get a handle on how to manage your stress and cope with the demands of your life!

Tuesday October 10, 2006
3:00pm
Malcolm Library
2960 Sunridge Heights Pkwy., #100
Please call 263-7522 to register

6:30pm
Gibson Library
280 S. Water St.
Please call 564-9287 to register

Thursday October 12, 2006
3:00pm
Pittman Library
1608 Moser
Please call 565-5816 to register

6:30pm
Paseo Verde Library
280 S. Green Valley Pkwy
Please call 492-6581 to register

Stay With Me by Garret Freymann-Weyr

2006-09-25T15:20:00.000-07:00

This beautifully written novel explores how Leila's life changes after her half-sister, Rebecca, commits suicide. While she wasn't very close to Rebecca, Leila's life is impacted by her sister's death, as well as by the effects of Rebecca's death on the rest of her family. Haunted by why Rebecca felt it was necessary to end her life, Leila attempts to solve the big mystery of why Rebecca committed suicide and discovers many things about herself along the way. This poignant story is about family, love, and self-discovery.

Teen Spot @ Henderson Libraries

Submit your writing now!

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Favorite Author Poll

Polls!

What The Dickens: The Story of a Rogue Tooth Fairy by Gregory Maguire

Teen Paperback Series

Fruit Bowl Project by Sarah Durbee

My favorite mysteries that aren’t Mysteries.

It's Happening Again!

MySpace: Good Bad or Over Rated?

Welcome to Hot Topics!

DDR Recap

DDR

October Book Club Book

Check Out this Resource!

Stress Management Workshops for Teens

Stay With Me by Garret Freymann-Weyr