Teens Blog

Super Saturday December 6

2008-12-01T19:28:00Z

This Saturday, December 6 - Otaku Anonymous at 1:30pm and Gaming Unplugged (x2) at 3:30pm.

This is our last meeting for the semester. I hope all of you have a happy holiday season and an excellent break.

Saturday, November 15 was the first annual National Gaming Day @ your Library. Thanks to all who celebrated with us.

Give it up to for EVPL for being crowned the National Super Smash Bros. Brawl Tournament Champions in a 32-library contest. After a long day of battling riddled with communication and connection problems, EVPL emerged victorious. I want to thank all of you who competed in the preliminary Brawl tournament and to those who went on to represent EVPL in the national event. A special thanks goes out to Shonic and Brett for their endurance and competitive play. Ann Arbor District Library organized and managed the tournament. You can read a wrap up of the events here http://gtsystem.org/partnerland.

"THUS, the stage was set for the first-ever (albeit compromised) gtsystem National Brawl Championship Match, featuring the Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library of Indiana, the Ann Arbor District Library of Michigan, Jerome Public Library of Idaho, and the East Flagstaff Community Library of Arizona. It was an intense set of matches, but when the dust cleared, the combined skill of the EVPL crew had emerged victorious, defeating AADL and becoming the first-ever gtsystem Brawl Champion, while FPL finished third, and JPL took fourth." - The Saga of the First Annual National Gaming Day.

Overall, we had a good time. We saw many new faces and played several games (even Uno). See you Saturday for another guest Otaku Council member presentation and more gaming.

Society for the Study of Modern Visual Culture will be cancelled due to Meet Your Legislators program.

Job Corps in the Teen Zone

2008-12-01T18:09:00Z

Nyra Sayers from Earl C. Clements Job Corps Academy will be in the Teen Zone at Central Library Wednesday, December 3 from 2:30 - 3:30.

Interested in exploring opportunites with Job Corps? Want to take a tour of the facility? Want to get your High School Diploma or GED and job training?

Outreach and Admissions Liason, Nyra Sayers will be available to provide information, answer questions, and start the application process on the first Wednesday of every month in the Teen Zone.

For more information, please contact Charles Sutton at 428-8271 or by email.

(Please visit the site to view this media)

Think Things Are Tough? Try Being in Gettysburg During the Civil War.

2008-11-29T19:26:00Z

LIzzie is very excited when her cousin Rosanna, a year older than her, moves to Gettysburg to live with Rosanna's sister. Lizzie's father and her twin brother have enlisted in the Union army, even though her twin, Luke, is only old enough to be a drummer. The two girls become best friends, and then Virginia-born Rosanna goes back to Richmond and her parents. It's almost impossible for the girls to keep in touch, since only smuggled messages can travel between the two sides during the Civil War. But news of Rosanna 's marriage to a man who joined the Confederate army does reach Gettysburg. When Rosanna learns that her husband has been injured in battle, she travels to the Confederate army to nurse him. Both girls get swept up in the affairs of the times, as Lizzie must quit school to manage her father's butcher shop, and Rosanna learns to treat all sorts of battle - related ailments of the men of the Confederate army.

In Two Girls of Gettysburg, Lisa Klein has included much that is historically accurate, including details of the Battle of Gettysburg and Lincoln's trip to deliver his now-famous speech. But what she also does very well is make the reader feel right there in the thick of things, experiencing the hopes and fears of any kid growing up at that time, along with the life-and-death situation of being in the midle of a battleground where people know and love participants on both sides.

Stephanie Meyer Isn't the Only One

2008-11-19T21:55:00Z

If you liked reading about Bella and Edward in the Twilight series, take a look at Impossible by Nancy Werlin. There are no vampires or werewolves, but there is one threatening fantasy character who lurks throughout. He seems so sympathetic and definitely compelling to most everyone he meets.

Lucy Scarborough is 17 and ready to go to her first school prom when unusual things begin to happen. Okay, she's had a few odd things already in her life -- she is the foster child of the nurse midwife who took care of Bella's single teenage mother when she found herself pregnant and alone, and that mother subsequently lost her mind. Every once in a while Bella sees her mother around town, but Bella keeps her distance from the bag lady with the shopping cart, and her friends don't know about the relationship. And her foster father teaches her a version of the folk song Scarborough Fair that he says her mother wanted her to learn, a strangely unsettling version.

But it isn't until after the horrific events of prom night that she realizes there is a curse on the women in her family, and just how terrible that curse is. Can she complete the 3 impossible tasks set forth in the song, or must she forfeit her child to the compelling, sinister, and not quite human man who appears, and succumb to madness as all her ancestors have?

Each of her ancestors was alone in trying to deal with the curse and solve its riddle. Lucy has the loving support of her foster parents, along with Zach, who becomes much more than her staunch ally.

School Library Journal called this book a "romantic fairy tale with modern trappings." I say it's a book that I absolutely had to finish. And all of us will be really lucky if we have someone like Zach in our lives.

Twilight Party at Red Bank!

2008-11-19T15:58:00Z

Come celebrate the release of the Twilight movie. We will have Twilight trivia, crafts, and vampire snacks you can sink your teeth into.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

3:30-4:30pm

Red Bank Library – Howard Room

Registration is required and available online.

official movie site with trailer

Stephenie Meyer's website

If you only had a short time to live...

2008-11-18T20:28:00Z

What if you only had a short while to live? What would it change about how you live? Would you take more chances or fewer risks? Would you tell everyone, a few close friends, or no one? Would you make plans for the future or focus on making memories for those you would leave behind?

Chris Crutcher explores this issue in Deadline, the story of 18 year old Ben Wolf. While at the doctor for his sports checkup, he learns that something is not right with his blood. Further tests show that he has a rare blood disease that is certain to kill him - aggressive treatment might extend things a bit, but there is no "long-term" left in his world. All of this happens in the first ten pages of the book. Then Ben starts wrestling with the big questions - what is the best use of the time he has left? What meaning will his life have had once he's gone? What risks are worth taking? As always, Crutcher explores these issues with a side order of humor.

Forever Changes, by Brendan Halpin, also looks at these questions. Brianna Pelletier is a high school senior, gifted in mathematics, who also has Cystic Fibrosis. Her case is fairly severe, and she doesn't think she has a whole lot of time left. All of her friends and classmates are making plans for college and the future, and she's not so sure she has a future to consider. Halpin is good at grabbing the reader's interest. My son picked up the book, thinking he'd read a chapter or two, and finished the book a few hours later.

Interestingly enough, both books have a music link. Ben Wolf finds that the song Too Old to Die Young resonates with him, while Brianna discovers a CD called Forever Changes by the group Love touches her deeply. You can find both of these at EVPL - see the links below.

Deadline, by Chris Crutcher
Chris Crutcher's website
Too Old to Die Young on Linda Ronstadt's Adieu False Heart
Forever Changes by Brendan Halpin
Brendan Halpin's blog
Brendan Halpin's MySpace
Love's Forever Changes

Love's Forever Changes concert

(Please visit the site to view this media)

Moe Bandy's version of Too Old to Die Young

(Please visit the site to view this media)

Battle of the (virtual) bands: The Beatles edition

2008-10-30T22:19:00Z

While being a musician in real life, playing to many sold-out crowds at Bar Mitzvahs, there's something about Rock Band & Guitar Hero that I love. Playing fake instruments in front of thousands of virtual screaming fans gets the adrenaline pumping!

Rock Band 2 released last month on Xbox 360, a couple of weekends ago on PlayStation 3, and later this year for Wii & PS2. The game features full four-player rawking, with guitar, bass, drums, and vocals. You can play all the songs from Rock Band 1, and new songs can be purchased and downloaded each week, so I've got nearly 400 songs! I brought my setup to this year's Staff Institute, and after TeenLibrarian@evpl's "Gaming in the Library" presentation, we rocked out! Take a look at the photos.

Guitar Hero: World Tour released this past weekend for Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, & PS2. I haven't played it yet, but I've heard some pretty good things about it. It too copies the four-player setup, with guitar, bass, drums, and vocals.

It was just announced this morning that Harmonix (the makers of Rock Band 1 & 2) will be making a game exclusively featuring music by The Beatles, releasing sometime next year. Activision previously announced the upcoming Guitar Hero: Metallica. So virtual bands won't have to worry about running out of gigs any time soon!!!

I know TeenLibrarian@evpl has been wanting to purchase either an Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3, along with either Rock Band 1, Rock Band 2, or Guitar Hero: World Tour for our open gaming at the library. So, which console do you recommend? (Let us know here.) Also, which music game do you recommend??? Help us solve our music-game-mystery by posting your comments below!

More Information

Xbox 360 or PS3?: TeenLibrarian@evpl's blog post about which console to purchase. LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD!
Staff Institute photos on Flickr: View photos of library staff rawking out!
RockBand.com: Official website of Rock Band 1 & 2.
GuitarHero.com: Official website of Guitar Hero.

Acrylic Painting with Connie Rae Bell

2008-10-23T21:59:00Z

Art for art's sake continues its art experience with will local painter Connie Rae Bell. Teens ages 12-18

Thursday, November 13 at 3:45

Central Library - Browning Events Room

Connie Rae Bell enjoys painting with bold strong colors in a variety of styles. She enjoyes realism, impressionistic and abstract. She teaches oil and acrylic painting to all ages.

If you have missed our local artists Sean Davis and Billy Hedel, you have certainly missed a fun, playful time.Don't miss Connie Rae Bell.

Please pre-tegister by calling Charles Sutton at 428-8217 or by email Teen Librarian. Art supplies are limited.

Painting, refreshments, and fun in a low key playful atmosphere.

Connie Rae Bell and her daughters were recently featured in the September/October 2008 issue of Evansville Living. Please check our catalog for available copies.

Thanks Harwood Middle School

2008-10-22T18:40:00Z

Tuesday, October 21, Harwood Middle School included Central Library as one of its field trip stops. Seventy-five students toured the library and were amazed and bedazzled by what they could do and discover at the library. The artwork throughout building; the Indiana Room; getting a free library card; old maps, magazines, city directories; and the infamous Teen Zone are just a few amazing things they discovered. But don't take my word for it. Just ask! Visit the library or schedule a library tour for your class or group. There is a lot you can discover at your local library.

Are you doing a project on a particular subject? Are you learning about Indiana history? Don't know what your local library has to offer? Schedule a library tour and let our friendly staff walk you through a collection of programs and services we have to offer.

To schedule a library tour please call Charles Sutton at 812-428-8217 or email Teen Librarian.

What have you discovered at your local library lately?(Janet)

Culture Night - Greece

2008-10-15T19:57:00Z

Culture Night will visit modern Greece Tuesday, October 21 at 6:00pm.

Central Library - Browning Events Room

Presenter: Nico Vasiloff

Curious about what teens are doing in Greece? Don't miss this facinating presentation by Greek UE student Nico.

Enjoy authentic food, culture, music, and more.

Online and electronic networks are bringing our worlds closer together. Online gaming and computing experiences are connecting individuals from diverse backgrounds around the world. Culture Night exposes you to other countries, cultures and lifestyles. Travel with us to Greece on Tuesday, October 21 6pm without leaving Evansville.

Sample Baklava (In Greek: μπακλαβάς, pronounced bahk-lah- VAHS) and enjoy an excellent presentation.

Brief facts about Greece:

Population: 10,722,816 (July 2008 est.)

Area is slightly smaller than Alabama.

Time Difference: Add 8 hours to current Evansville time.

Country information taken from CIA World Factbook

Time to Vote!

2008-10-15T00:29:00Z

Several fiction books about Elections and the Presidency:

Vote for Larry by Janet Tashjian

Josh Swensen made national news as Larry, an anti-consumerist blogger, in The Gospel According to Larry. He's back, and running for President in Vote for Larry. He knows he's too young to serve, but wants to use his near-celebrity status to raise issues important to young people that aren't being addressed by the major party candidates. Very thought-provoking, and a good follow up to the first book. Rumors are that a third book, Larry and the Meaning of Life, has just been published. Maybe you'll see it on our shelves soon!

First Boy by Gary Schmidt

Cooper Jewett lives with his grandfather on their dairy farm in New Hampshire. He's a pretty ordinary high school freshman, but one day notices that men in suits driving black sedans start showing up around his hometown, and they seem to be watching him. What he doesn't know is why, and how much trouble he might be in, and how on earth he might get out of it. This was pretty interesting - even when I thought I had things figured out, there was a twist or two at the end waiting to surprise me.

Ellen Emerson White's series about The President's Daughter

I've only read the last book in the series, which was published recently. The first three books have been ordered, though, and will be here soon. Meg, who is sixteen in the first book, has just moved to Washington DC after her mother was elected President. Suddenly, Meg and her family have many adjustments to make. Meg has a wicked sense of humor, a complicated life, and a love for the Boston Red Sox. The other titles in the series are: White House Autumn, Long Live the Queen, and Long May She Reign.

Wide Awake by David Levithan

Set in the future, the candidate running for President in this book will be the first gay, Jewish president if he is elected. It's fun to figure out what must have happened between NOW and the time this book takes place by putting together all the clues and bits of information dropped as Levithan tells his story.

What books and novels about politics and elections have you read and enjoyed?

Links of Interest:

Drawing with Billy Hedel

2008-10-08T21:26:00Z

Art 4 art's sake presents - Drawing with Billy Hedel

Thursday, October 9 at 3:45

Local artist Billy Hedel will present a drawing workshop for teens (ages 12-18) at Central Library in the Browning Events Room. Create a work of art and pick up a few drawing techniques.

If you missed Origami with Sean Davis, you missed taking home your very own paper crane. Seriously, Sean did his thing! He demonstrated two basic folds (squash fold and bi-section), sprinkled us with a brief history of the development and spread of origami and no one "killed any cat's". Don't ask. You had to be there! Let me just say everyone was successful and left with some pretty impressive origami.

Billy is sure to be just as successful and you are too. Don't miss Drawing with Billy Hedel.

To read Billy's Artist Profile visit http://www.patchwork.org/billy_hedel.php.

Can you imagine?

2008-09-16T17:19:00Z

Life as you know it totally and forever changed due to natural disaster. Rebuilding infrastructure, restoring power and being reduced to basic survival.

As Evansville rebuilds, cleans up, and moves on after remnants of Hurricane Ike hit, consider the courage of Miles and Seth, two teens who survive deadly hurricanes - their uncertainty, their loss, their choices, their future.

In Hurricane Song by Paul Volponi (Black and White, Rooftop, Rucker Park Setup) Miles moves from Chicago to New Orleans to live with his father two months before Hurricane Katrina struck. Father and son must put aside their differences in order to survive Katrina and life inside the Superdome.

In Dark Water Rising by Marian Hale, Seth and his family are also newly arrived residents of Galveston, TX. On September 8, 1900 a deadly hurricane hits. "This coming-of-age story describes how Seth struggles to reach safety, works for his own survival and that of others, and comes to terms with change and loss."

Check our catalog for availability.

A Blast from the Past

2008-09-15T20:10:00Z

The Retro Gaming event on Friday, September 12 was a blast! Arcade and console games from Atari, Namco, Capcom, and others were on hand. We played Asteroids, Pong, 1942, Sonic, Galaxian, Galaga, Pacman, and more. It was an informative and fun experience. With the lights dim and the sounds emanating from the consoles, it was reminiscent of an arcade. The only things missing were joystick controllers and feeding quarters.

One teen said, "I only know Pacman and Sonic." It would be interesting to know how the classic games he played rates with his current game play.

The teens showed and appreciation for nostalgia, but I think the program could easily work for adults. What are your vintage video game favorites?

maximum ride series

2008-09-12T16:35:00Z

My 14 year old son is a reluctant reader and I just had to announce that he devoured the Maximum Ride series by James Patterson. I have since gone on the Internet to find read-alikes and thought I would include a link to a site that I found. You could also try Novelist, a database that EVPL subscribes to, to find similar books and/or lists of books for reluctant readers.