SAPL Teen Corner News and Reviews

Nightlight: A Parody

2010-01-13T09:51:00.002-07:00

Have you seen this yet? Nightlight: A Parody is a retelling of Twilight from The Harvard Lampoon who also gave us Bored of the Rings a few years ago. I know some fans of Edward and Bella will be deeply offended by this, but most people can see the humour in the parody. We will be getting a copy for the library so you can check it out and judge for yourself.

Kathleen

February is Adventure Month

2009-12-29T12:03:00.008-07:00

Here is the suggested booklist for the February meeting of the Books and Bites bookclub. Clicking on the linked book title will take you to the library catalogue to see the book's availability.

A print version of the booklist and an adventure book display can be found in the Teen Corner of the St. Albert Public Library.

Airborn
Matt Cruse Series #1
By Kenneth Oppel

The Angel Experiment
Maximum Ride Series #1
By James Patterson

Black Rabbit Summer
By Kevin Brooks

Candor
By Pam Bachorz

Carpe Diem
By Autumn Cornwell

Deeper
By Roderick Gordon & Brian Williams

Escape From Memory
By Margaret Peterson Haddix

Hatchet
By Gary Paulsen

The Highwayman’s Footsteps
By Nicola Morgan

Hit the Road
By Caroline B. Cooney

The Hunger Games
The Hunger Games Trilogy #1
By Suzanne Collins

Jellicoe Road
By Melina Marchetta

The Kingdom Keepers
By Ridley Pearson

The Last Thing I Remember
The Homelanders Series #1
By Andrew Klavan

Nobody’s Princess
By Esther Friesner

The Pale Assassin
By Patricia Elliot

Sebastian Darke: Prince of Pirates
By Philip Caveney

Seeds of Time
Eagle Glen Trilogy #1
By KC. Dyer

Sleeper Code
The Sleeper Conspiracy Series #1
By Tom Sniegoski

Stormbreaker
Alex Rider Series #1
By Anthony Horowitz

A Templar’s Apprentice
By Kat Black

To Catch a Pirate
By Jade Parker

Tomorrow, When the War Began
Tomorrow Series #1
By John Marsden

Unwind
By Neal Shusterman

Wish You Were Here
By Catherine Clark

Coming Soon: Books and Bites!

2009-12-14T10:19:00.003-07:00

Books and Bites is a new bookclub just for you. No, this isn't like your Mom's bookclub, it's about sharing the books you like with other people. NO REQUIRED READING, but you do have to be willing to try some different kinds of books each month in whatever theme we have chosen.
For example, January is Fantasy month. If you love Fantasy and want to share your favourite book with us, bring it! If you've never read fantasy, pick something from our list or choose your own book and give it a try. Then we spend an hour talking about the books we liked (and the ones we didn't). Who knows, maybe you'll find your next favourite book suggested by someone here!

Here is the suggested booklist for the January meeting of the Books and Bites bookclub. Clicking on the linked book title will take you to the library catalogue to see the book's availability.

A print version of the booklist and a fantasy book display can be found in the Teen Corner of the St. Albert Public Library.

The Amulet of Samarkand
Bartimaeus Trilogy #1
By Jonathan Stroud
Nathaniel, a magician's apprentice, summons up the djinni Bartimaeus and instructs him to steal the Amulet of Samarkand from the powerful magician Simon Lovelace.

Artemis Fowl
Artemis Fowl Series #1
By Eoin Colfer
Artemis doesn't know what he's taken on when he kidnaps a fairy, Captain Holly Short of LEPrecon Unit. These aren't the fairies of bedtime stories. These fairies are armed and they're dangerous.

Ash
By Malinda Lo
In this variation on the Cinderella story, Ash grows up believing in the fairy realm that the king and his philosophers have sought to suppress, until one day she must choose between a handsome fairy cursed to love her and the King's Huntress whom she loves.

Black Unicorn
By Tanith Lee
With her talent for mending things, Tanaquil reconstructs a unicorn which, brought to life, lures her away from her desert fortress home and her sorceress mother to find a city by the sea and the way to a perfect world.

The Blue Sword
By Robin McKinley
This is the story of Harry Crewe, the Homelander orphan girl who became Harimad-sol, King's Rider, and heir to the Blue Sword, Gonturan, that no woman had wielded since the Lady Aerin herself bore it into battle.

Book of a Thousand Days
By Shannon Hale
Dashti, sworn to obey her mistress, the Lady Saren, shares Saren's years of punishment locked in a tower, then brings her safely to the lands of her true love, where both must hide who they are as they work as kitchen maids.

A Chalice of Wind
Balefire Series #1
By Cate Tiernan
Separated since birth, seventeen-year-old twins Thais and Clio unexpectedly meet in New Orleans where they seem to be pursued by a coven of witches who want to harness the twins' magickal powers for its own ends.

The Demon’s Lexicon
Demon’s Lexicon Series #1
By Sara Rees Brennan
Nick and his family have battled magicians and demons for most of his life, but when his brother, Alan, is marked for death while helping new friends Jamie and Mae, Nick's determination to save Alan leads him to uncover a devastating secret.

Dragonsong
Harper Hall Trilogy #1
By Anne McCaffrey
Forbidden by her father to indulge in music in any way, a girl on the planet Pern runs away, taking shelter with the planet's fire lizards who, along with her music, open a new life for her.

Dreamhunter
The Dreamhunter Duet #1
By Elizabeth Knox
In a world where select people can enter "The Place" and find dreams of every kind to share with others for a fee, Laura is training to be a dreamhunter when her father disappears, leaving her to carry on his mysterious mission.

Eon: Dragoneye Reborn
By Alison Goodman
Eon hopes to become an apprentice to one of the twelve energy dragons of good fortune and learn to be its main interpreter, but to do so will require much, including keeping secret that she is a girl.

Eragon
Inheritance Series #1
By Christopher Paolini
In Aagaesia, a boy of unknown lineage called Eragon finds a mysterious stone that weaves his life into an intricate tapestry of magic and power, peopled with dragons, elves, and monsters.

The Fellowship of the Ring
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy #1
By J.R.R. Tolkien
Frodo the hobbit and his companions set out to deliver the One Ring of Power to the dark land of Mordor in order to destroy the ring in the forge of its creation.

The Fire Within
By Chris D’Lacey
When David moves in with Liz and Lucy, he discovers a collection of hand crafted, clay dragons that comes to life and has magical powers. David's personalized dragon, Gadzooks, can forecast the future, and inspires him to write a story.

Flora’s Dare
By Ysabeau S. Wilce
Flora Fyrdraaca fights a giant sea creature, rescues her best friend from a mass murderer, and more, all while lamenting her father's newly strict enforcement of household rules now that he is no longer drinking.

The Forest of Hands and Teeth
By Carrie Ryan
Through twists and turns of fate, orphaned Mary seeks knowledge of life, love, and especially what lies beyond her walled village and the surrounding forest, where dwell the Unconsecrated, aggressive flesh-eating people who were once dead.

Gideon the Cutpurse
Gideon Trilogy #1
By Linda Buckley-Archer
Ignored by his father and sent to Derbyshire for the weekend, Peter and his new friend, Kate, are accidentally transported back in time to 1763 England where they are befriended by a reformed cutpurse.

The Golden Compass
His Dark Materials Series #1
By Philip Pullman
When Lyra and her daemon Pantalaimon decide to spy on a presentation to scholars at Jordan College, they have no idea that they will become witnesses to an attempted murder—and that they are taking the first steps in a dangerous journey.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Harry Potter Series #1
By J.K. Rowling
Orphan Harry Potter is summoned to attend a famous school for wizards and he begins to discover some clues about his illustrious birthright.

Here, There Be Dragons
Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica Series #1
By James A. Owen
Three young men are entrusted with the Imaginarium Geographica, an atlas of fantastical places to which they travel in hopes of defeating the Winter King whose bid for power is related to the First World War raging in the Real World.

The Lightning Thief
Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series #1
By Rick Riordan
After learning that he is the son of a mortal woman and Poseidon, god of the sea, Percy is sent to a summer camp for demigods like himself, and joins his new friends on a quest to prevent a war between the gods.

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
The Chronicles of Narnia #1
By C.S. Lewis
Lucy is the first to find the secret of the wardrobe in the Professor's mysterious old house. At first, no one believes her when she tells of her adventures in the land of Narnia. But soon her siblings discover the magic and meet Aslan, the Great Lion, for themselves.

The Tombs of Atuan
Earthsea Series #2
By Ursula K. Le Guin
When young Tenar is chosen as high priestess to the Powers of the Earth, everything is taken away -- home, family, possessions, even her name. For she is now Arha, guardian of the ominous Tombs of Atuan.

A Wrinkle in Time
Time Fantasy Series #1
By Madeleine L’Engle
One stormy night a strange visitor comes to the Murry house and beckons Meg, her brother, Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin O'Keefe on a most dangerous and fantastic journey, a journey that will threaten their lives and our universe.

Kathleen

New Moon Sneak Preview!

2009-11-19T20:34:00.002-07:00

I'm going to a sneak preview of New Moon tonight at 10:00 pm!

Don't forget to try our New Moon trivia contest for your chance to win a collectible tin box filled with Twilight themed journals!

Kathleen

Edmonton Teen Writing Group

2009-11-12T08:48:00.001-07:00

WGA(Writers Guild of Alberta) EDMONTON TEEN WRITING GROUP NEXT MEETING
Sunday, November 20, 2009, 1:30 – 4:00 pm, Stanley A. Milner Library, Room 6 – 27 (6th Floor), 7 Sir Winston Churchill Square (That's the main branch of the Edmonton Public Library in downtown Edmonton)

The WGA Edmonton Teen Writing Group (for ages 15-18) meets monthly, facilitated by WGA Youth Mentor Alexis Kienlen. The purpose of this group is to unite teens interested in pursuing the craft of writing; to provide a fun, friendly, safe and structured environment for participants to receive constructive feedback on their writing; to involve themselves in literary discussion; and to engage with like-minded young writers. If you'd like to attend this meeting or would like further information about the group, please contact Alexis at alexiskienlen@hotmail.com.

Coming in November

2009-10-16T09:20:00.002-06:00

The Teen Corner is all spooked out so stop by for your annual Halloween horror fix.

Coming up in November we have a Twilight movie night on Friday, November 13. With New Moon coming out the next week, we thought you might need a refresher. The Library closes at 6:00 so you need to be at the Library by 5:50 to get your seat. As usual, we'll bring the popcorn, you bring a friend.

Murder Mystery!
We had so much fun at last year's murder mystery day that we're doing it again. The first session filled up quickly so we will be running another session on Saturday, November 28. There isn't a lot of room left in that one either, so call soon to reserve a spot (780-459-1682).

We will have a Teen Advisory Board Meeting on Thursday, November 26. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Kathleen

Spook it Up! Thursday, October 15

2009-10-08T08:29:00.002-06:00

It's that time of year again, time to decorate the teen corner for Halloween! We provide all the decorations (and snacks of course) and you bring the imagination. I'll even read you a spooky story as you work.

This is a TAB event but of course everyone is invited (well if you're in grades 7-12).
If you have any questions, give us a call at the Library 780-459-1751.

The Monstrumologist

2009-10-07T09:47:00.001-06:00

I love book trailers! It's like getting the blurb from the back of the book, but with sound (usually creepy sound). Check out this one for The Monstrumologist.

Amazing Altered Books!!

2009-09-25T08:46:00.005-06:00

I just had to post a few pictures of the amazing altered books that were created in a mere three hours last Saturday. We have had the books on display at the Library along with some how too books if you want to give it a try.

Kathleen

Free Creative Writing Worshop for Teens

2009-09-17T20:47:00.002-06:00

Do you like to write? Is it at the kitchen table where you make everyone within earshot listen to your latest ode? Or is it in your room with the door locked in a secret book you keep locked in your drawer? Maybe it's online and you're writing for a zine or your own blog! Whatever your flavour you won't want to miss this opportunity to expand your skills with writer/author Don Trembath. The session is called The Escape Artists: Writing to Get Away because writing is the perfect way to recreate your world. Sound interesting? Pick a time and give us a call to book your space.

(The important bits)
Saturday, October 3
9:00 am to Noon OR 1:00 - 4:00 pm (Your choice)
The Escape Artists: Writing to Get Away
For teens in grades 7-12
NO you don't have to have a Library card (but I think you should anyway because they bring joy)
call 780-459-1682 to register or get more information

September Programs for Teens

2009-09-03T14:02:00.002-06:00

Looking for something new to try? How about creating art from worn out books?

Saturday, September 19, 1-4 pm
Teen Altered Book Event

What's an altered book you say? Take an old book, rip or cut out some pages, stick the others together, add some paint, ribbon, pictures, charms or what ever you like and voila! altered book.

You don't need to know any more than that, just come with a willingness to get crafty (and probably dirty). Sound good? Call the Library at 780-459-1682 to register because we only have room for 10 people.

Thursday, September 24, 7-8 pm
Teen Advisory Board Meeting

This is our first meeting of the year. The Teen Advisory Board (TAB for short) is always open to new members and you don't have to come to every meeting. We get together about once a month (we'll set the dates for the rest of the year at this meeting) and you give me ideas for programs, new movies, books or cds, and any other ideas you have for improving the Library. For example, most of the following list of programs were suggested by the TAB:

Murder Mystery in the Library
Movie nights
Games night
Book discussions
craft programs
Breaking Dawn book launch party
Harry Potter movie party

and these are already planned for this fall:

Creative writing workshops (October 3 and 17)
Halloween decorating (October 15)
Murder mystery (November 21 and 22 *November 21 is already full)
Cheap Christmas Gift Crafts (December 12)

So bring a friend and your ideas, I'll bring the snacks. If you have any questions, give me a call at the Library at 780-459-1751 (really, I don't bite).

Kathleen

Grand Prize Winner

2009-09-03T13:59:00.002-06:00

Congratulations to Kate, the winner of our grand prize digital camera! Kate is happy that she will have her own camera now and won't have to borrow her brother's :)

Summer reading went much too fast, school is already back an now we're busy planning for fall. I'm already looking forward to next year's pile of summer reads!

EEK Summer Reading is Done!

2009-08-17T15:03:00.003-06:00

How did that happen? It's time to have the Wind Up Party and I feel like we just started.
Sorry, no delaying the inevitable.

If you've participated in TeenRC this summer you're invited to the Wind Up Party
Wednesday, August 19
1-3 PM
Main Floor Program Room

We'll eat some snacks, share our favourite summer reads, give out some prizes and maybe play some games.
Remember, If you have posted at least 4 times this summer, your name is in the draw for that digital camera!

Questions? Call Kathleen at 780-459-1751

TeenRC Video

2009-07-03T09:32:00.001-06:00

Check it out!

It's Here! Summer Reading!

2009-06-26T12:07:00.003-06:00

School's out (or almost) and it's time to move on to summer. The Teen Summer Reading Club is back up with a fresh look (www.teenrc.ca) and ready for you. Just like last year, you sign up for an account, read some books you like and post some reviews then sit back and see if you won a weekly prize (while you read more books you like).

There's a bit more information below, but you should check it out and see what's new.
And don't forget about posting some of your own writing on the site. I've seen poetry, stories and songs so far.

FAQ:

Do I need a library card to play?
Nope, but we always think it’s a good idea to have a library card. Even if you don’t have a card but live in St. Albert use St. Albert Public Library as your Home Library so you can be part of our prize draws.

Can I win a prize if I don’t have a library card?
See above. Just make sure I can find you to get your prize to you if you win.

What are the prizes?
Each week I’ll draw one name from the people who have submitted approved reviews that week. The weekly prizes will be a Library book bag with loot inside. It might be a water bottle, journal, Frisbee or a gift card! At the end of the game in August we will have a wind up party for everyone who attended. If you have at least 4 approved reviews, your name goes in the grand prize draw for a digital camera! Oooh Ahhh!

How do I sign up?
1. Go to www.teenrc.ca and click on Join Now.
2. Fill out the information (we need your phone number and email only for the game in case you win something or we need you to adjust a post) TeenRC is run by librarians who will never share or misuse your information. The site is fully moderated and no exchange of any personal info is allowed.
3. Wait for your activation email in your inbox, reply and you're off!

How do I write a review?
There are tips online at the site as well as at the Library. Spelling and punctuation don’t count, but content does (in other words you can’t just say I liked it, you have to tell us why you liked it. Or hated it.)

What if I’m scared of librarians?
Granted, we can be an odd bunch but it’s nothing a little chocolate can’t cure. Stop by the
Library Information Desk and ask us for a recommended book, then just try to shut us up! Really we’re just here to help and when we sit at that desk we’re just waiting for a good question from somebody like you.

What if I don’t like to read?
Hmmm, I’m pretty sure you do read everyday even if you don’t pick up a book. If you haven’t had any fun with those novel studies at school you may not have found the right book for you yet. Put us to the test or sign up for TeenRC and ask the other teens for a list of suggestions. You’d be surprised how many enthusiastic answers you get.

If this hasn’t answered your questions, please contact us at the Library or just dig around the TeenRC site.

Summer Reading Club

2009-05-22T09:41:00.002-06:00

If we are planning for summer reading club, that means summer must be coming somehow! We will kick off summer reading on June 26 with the first prize draw on July 6. We will use the same plan as last year with weekly prize draws and the grand prize draw at the final party. Watch for an announcement about the big prize!

Kathleen

February: TAB Meeting and Teen Writing Workshop

2009-02-04T08:31:00.003-07:00

Got the February blahs? Ready to just hibernate until spring? We have the cure! Get your creativity revved up and bring it to the Library.

February 19 - 7:00 -8:00 pm Teen Advisory Board Meeting
We need some creative minds to come up with a plan for the Rodeo parade. We also need a suggestion for our suggestion box for the corner. No plain Lucite box for us! Maybe we'll use our ninja craft skills and make something that night? We also have a little problem with the Fear Factor event we planned for March - no live animals, no mold and we have so many allergy issues to watch for that we will have to, sigh, cancel it. Now we need an alternate plan.

February 21 - 1:00 - 4:00 pm - Teen Writing Workshop with Author Don Trembath.
I know there are lots of great writers out there who would like to polish their skills in this workshop. We had local author Don Trembath here at the Library two years ago and the participants all wanted to come back the next month! If you like to write, please take the time to try this out. No horrible embarassment, no marks, no pressure. Writing is fun when you do it just for yourself.

FAQ:
Do I have to be library member? No, but you do have to register before the program.
How do I register? Call the Adult Reference Desk at 780-459-1682.
Can I bring a friend? Of course, just make sure they registered!
What if I don't know anybody! No worries, everybody else is just like you, there because they like to write.

If you still have questions, call Kathleen at 780-459-1751.

More and more new books!

2009-01-22T10:56:00.003-07:00

This morning I arrived to find more than 50 new paperbacks on my desk, ready to be put on the shelves. Everything from fantasy to sports, romance to diaries from a demon. Check it out, I'm sure you'll find something enticing.

Kathleen

New Books this Week

2009-01-21T10:32:00.002-07:00

Here are a few of the new books that arrived this week:

Flora's Dare: How a girl of spirit gambles all to expand her vocabulary, confront a bouncing boy terror, and try to save califa from a shaky doom by Ysabeau S. Wilce This is the sequel to Flora Segunda and is fantasy with a very twisted sense of humour.

Chloe Doe by Suzanne Phillips A gritty story about a girl who takes to the streets and the people who try to save her.

Monster Academy: Monster Hunters book 2 by Dean Lorey This is the third book by this author about these characters. They are very funny fantasy stories with lots of action and monster death.

Bloodchild by Tim Bowler If you like creepy thrillers, you'll love this book. Will wakes up one day without any memory but with a strong sense that something terrible is happening in his town. Why did someone try to kill him, and why do people seem so hostile toward him?

The Dragon's Lair by Elizabeth Haydon The third story of the Lost Journals of Ven Polypheme follows Ven into the midst of two warring kingdoms. He is supposed to find out the cause of their dispute and report back to his King. Unfortunately, the cause is a very angry dragon!

By Royal Command by Charlie Higson This is the 5th book in the Young James Bond series and it pulls in characters from the last 4 books. I love this series!

Headlong by Kathe Koja Lily and Hazel both attend the exclusive Vaughn school for girls. Lily has always belonged to the lifestyle at Vaughn and taken it for granted. When Hazel, the scholarship student, arrives on campus the two become friends and Lily sees that her life may not be as completely perfect as she always thought.

A couple that I have read lately and want to recommend are Impossible by Nancy Werlin and Graceling by Kristin Cashore. Both are fantasy novels with strong female characters. Impossible is about a girl who finds out that her family has been cursed by an Elfin knight and the only way to break the curse is to complete three impossible tasks. Graceling is more traditional fantasy. When we first meet Katsa, she is a strong-arm bully for her uncle the King. She is Graced, meaning she has some kind of special talent, in her case she believes it is killing. She is not happy with the way her life is but doesn not know how to change it. As the story goes, she does take control of her life and it changes dramatically. Romance, adventure, intrigue!

Stop by and see what else is new.

Kathleen

Teen Advisory Board Meeting

2009-01-14T09:51:00.001-07:00

In case you hadn't seen yet, the meeting will be Thursday, January 15 at 7:00 (yes that is tomorrow). Sorry for the late reminder.

Kathleen

New Books New Books New Books!

2008-12-17T10:59:00.003-07:00

It seems it is either feast or famine when it comes to the new books. I just got a huge pile of shiny new hardcovers on my desk. Here is a selection of titles, but there are too many to list them all so come by and take a look.

Walkaway by Alden R. Carter
Gamer Girl by Mari Mancusi
Iron Jaw and Hummingbird by Chris Roberson
Piggy by ireille Geus
The Blind Faith Hotel by Pamela Todd
Ghost Medicine by Andrew Smith
Burn by Suzanne Phillips
The Savage by David Almond
Stolen by Vivian Vande Velde (with a very creepy cover)
Bio-pirate by Michele Martin Bossley
Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson
Kendra by Coe Booth
Holly's Heart series 1,2,and 3 by Beverly Lewis

and if you're looking for something to do over the break, check out Stray Sock Sewing by Daniel (yep that's his whole name). Strange name, but really fun ideas for things to do with those odd socks that got left behind when the aliens pulled their partners into another dimension.

Kathleen

Board Game Night and Christmas Gift Crafts

2008-11-26T22:26:00.004-07:00

Just a reminder that Board Game Night is Thursday November 27, 6:30-8:30 p.m. upstairs in the training room (the one with red walls and computers).

Christmas Gift Crafts
Saturday, December 6, 1-3 p.m.
Main Floor Program Room

Save your hard earned cash and make your gifts. We will be making a card, an ornament and a gift from the kitchen (think popcorn). At the end of two hours you should have three gifts to give! Just to make sure that we have enough supplies for everyone, please call and register at the Adult Reference desk at 780-459-1682. Bring a friend, just make sure you put their name down too. If you have questions, call Kathleen at 780-459-1751.

Edmonton Teen Writing Group

2008-10-30T10:31:00.001-06:00

I just recieved this information and thought I would share it with the aspiring writers out there. Kathleen

EDMONTON TEEN WRITING GROUP

The Writers Guild of Alberta is proud to be launching a mentored writing group in Edmonton, specifically designed for teens age 15 to 19. The purpose of this group is to unite teens interested in pursing the craft of writing; to provide a fun, friendly, safe and structured environment for participants to receive constructive feedback on their writing, involve themselves in literary discussion, take part in writing-on-site projects, and engage with like-minded young writers. The group will meet on a monthly basis, with the first meeting to take place on Sunday, November 23, 2008.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

1:30 – 3:00 pm

Stanley A. Milner Library, Writers Centre

7 Sir Winston Churchill Square

This session will be facilitated by WGA Edmonton Youth Writing Mentor Alexis Kienlen, and WGA Program Coordinator Kelsey Everton.

We request that those of you who plan to attend this meeting contact Alexis Kienlen at alexiskienlen@hotmail.com to confirm your attendance. If you are unable to attend this month’s meeting but would like to join at a later time, please write Alexis a note and she will keep you on the mailing list for future meetings and group information.

For more information, you can also contact Kelsey at (780) 422-8174.

It's All About You

2008-10-29T14:43:00.004-06:00

I need your help because I have HOMEWORK! I forgot how grim that can be. So, here's the thing, I need your help to finish my assignment. I've made a short (10 question) survey that should take you all of 5 minutes to complete. You do have to be in Grades 7-12 to answer the survey. It's mostly multiple choice with two short (really!) answer questions. The last one is for you to recommend a book for me to read, and since the answers are anonymous, I won't come back and tell you if I didn't like it.

Here is the link to the survey through surveymonkey.com:Click Here to take survey

Thanks for your help!
Kathleen

Halloween Happenings

2008-09-30T13:14:00.003-06:00

It's become a tradition to decorate the Teen Corner for Halloween. I bring the non-healthy snacks, you bring your creativity and we make something spooktacular.

Thursday, October 16, 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Meet in the Teen Corner

After decorating we will have a short Teen Advisory Board meeting. The people who attended last month had so many great ideas, we couldn't decide what event to plan next! As always, everyone is welcome who is in Grade 7 and up.

Questions? Call or email me!

Kathleen

September Teen Advisory Board Meeting

2008-09-08T10:07:00.003-06:00

There went summer and here we are back to the regular routine. That means it's time for the Teen Advisory Board to meet and plan events for the next few months. We're always looking for new members! You don't have to promise to be at every meeting and event, just come when it fits your schedule. Our first meeting will be Thursday September 18 from 7:00 to 8:00 pm, but after that we will pick a time that will fit the majority of members.

If you don't know what the TAB does, here it is in a nutshell. We talk, we eat, we plan. You tell me what kind of events you want to see at the library and help plan them, show me the glaring holes in our book collection (or movie or music) and give me suggestions on how to fill them. Since I'm not a teen, I need advisers, right!

If you have any questions you can call me at 780-459-1751 or email me at ktroppmann@sapl.ab.ca

See you there!
Kathleen

And the Winner is...

2008-08-22T13:15:00.002-06:00

Congratulations to Kelsey B. who won the grand prize Flip Video camera at last night's TeenSRC wind up party! There were only 16 names in the draw so the odds were pretty impressive.

We had lots of snacks (and way too much candy), played some Scattergories and talked books. Everyone who was at the party went home with a prize as well, just for showing up!

Here's some summer reading statistics to impress your parents:
Number of St. Albert teens signed up on TeenSRC: 53
Number of Reviews posted: 115!
Number of people in the final draw: 16

It has been a great year for the Summer Reading Club and I'm sorry to see it end. The website will be rebranded and put back up in September so if you haven't had enough yet, you can continue to post on the TeenRC site all year. Sorry no prizes :(

If you are looking for something new to do this September, why not join the Teen Advisory Board? I'm always looking for new ideas, opinions and suggestions for teen services here in the library. Our next meeting will be Thursday September 18 from 7:00 to 8:00 pm. Times and dates after that will be determined by YOU. If you have any questions, call me at 780-459-1751.

Kathleen

TeenSRC Wrap Up Party!

2008-08-14T15:49:00.003-06:00

It's hard to accept that summer is almost gone, but it's time for the final party of the TeenSRC. If you have participated in the summer reading club, you are invited to the wrap up party.

When: Thursday August 21, 7:00- 8:30 PM

Where: Main floor program room, St. Albert Public Library

Who: Anyone who has participated in the TeenSRC.

Why: To celebrate all those great books you read and give away that awesome Flip Video camera to a lucky teen who has at least 4 approved reviews.

What else? We'll have some food, talk about books, give away some loot and maybe play some games.

Sound good? If you want to come, please RSVP to the library at 780-459-1682 so that we make sure we have enough food for everyone.

Hope to see you there!

Kathleen

Breaking Dawn Party Pics

2008-08-01T09:38:00.007-06:00

What a great party! We had fun speculating on what will happen in Breaking Dawn, made some fabulous vampire glitter gel and enjoyed some challenging trivia questions. Actually, the trivia questions weren't quite as challenging as I had thought. Our devoted fans whipped through the questions in no time and only got stumped twice in 40 questions! We had some real Twiheads who have read the book in excess of 10 times as well as some that are just finishing up the series. It was actually difficult to get people to play on Team Jacob for the trivia challenge, poor guy seems to get no love from anyone! At the end of the night we gave away a special edition copy of Eclipse, and the lucky winner was very happy since she didn't own any of the books and had been borrowing from a friend. Congratulations! Here are a few pictures of the event.

Kathleen

Breaking Dawn Party at the Library July 31

2008-07-24T19:49:00.002-06:00

Only 8 more days until you can get your Bella/Edward/Jacob fix!

That means only 7 more days until our Breaking Dawn Engagement Tea party. We'll be making some glitter lotion so we can all glitter like a vampire and playing some serious trivia. In honour of the engagement, costumes are encouraged. Bring a friend, you don't need a library card to come to this event!

Please register at 780-459-1682 so we make sure we have enough stuff for everyone.

Three Weekly Winners Already!

2008-07-18T15:05:00.002-06:00

Wow, that went fast. We already have 3 of 7 weekly prize winners! Congratulations to Tiffany, Tessa and Emily. Don't worry if you haven't joined the club yet, we still have 4 weeks of prizes and that big one at the end. If you haven't checked out the video to see the prize yet, make sure you take a look.

Right now we have 47 St. Albert Teens registered in the TeenSRC. Amazing!

Enjoy the weekend,
Kathleen

TeenSRC Video!

2008-07-14T16:30:00.002-06:00

Thanks to "the guys" who put this video toghether for me! They used my FlipVideo camera and built it at home. Nice work! Check it out!
Remember, if you have 4 posted reviews, you get your name in the grand prize draw for a FlipVideo of your very own!

First Prize Draw is July 4th

2008-07-03T11:24:00.002-06:00

I'll be making a draw for the first weekly prize tomorrow afternoon from all the users who have posted reviews. If you've got your account but haven't had a review posted yet, get to work! It takes the moderators a little time to get all the reviews approved and up on the site (we have to do it in between all that regular work!)

If you are having any problems with the site, please let me know.

Kathleen

Summer Reading Club is a Go!

2008-06-28T14:16:00.002-06:00

If you haven't checked it out yet, log into TeenSRC.ca and see what's happening. The first prize draw will be next Friday afternoon, so get your reviews posted! Not sure what you have to do for a review? Check out the FAQ at TeenSRC for some helpful hints. Don't stress, you don't get marked, and spelling doesn't count! We just want your real opinion about what you've been reading, good or bad. Rave, rant, use an excessive number of excalmation marks!!!!!!!!!!!

If you're still not sure you want to join the club, just head over and check it out without signing up. If your parent's are concerned about the online part of the online TeenSRC, rest assured that all books, posts, and forums are moderated by friendly neighbourhood librarians from across Canada.

TeenSRC Update and Summer Programs

2008-06-11T10:23:00.004-06:00

Only two weeks to go before school is done and you can read what you like! I've picked up the grand prize but I'm keeping it a secret for a little while yet. Our weekly prizes will be a library book bag with some goodies, and a book or dvd of your choice from my box. If you have other ideas, let me know.

When we did the Toilet Paper Prom dresses, I decided that we should do an altered jeans program this summer since the second Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants movie comes out in August. So hang on to those shabby jeans! We will be having our program on July 17 so we can wear them to the movie in August. I'll bring the paints, glitter, embroidery thread and beads, you bring the pants.

We will also be having a book launch party for Breaking Dawn. I thought earlier might be better than later since I hate it when somebody spoils a book I've been waiting for. We'll get together on July 31, but I'll let you know the details after TeenSRC is underway.

Teen Summer Reading Club Coming Soon!

2008-05-22T11:23:00.006-06:00

It may not seem like it but summer is coming and with it time to Read What You Like (remember that's our motto around here). If you played last year you know all about the online TeenSRC, but if you don't here is the short form. You (and several thousand others from 13-17) sign up for an online account, read some books you like, post some reviews of those books, and maybe even win some prizes. This year you can also participate in forums and author chats. That's the gist of it. I'll post more details when the time comes. Oh, the theme this year is "I Liked the Book Better" and considering the number of books to films coming out over the summer we should have lots to talk about. Starts June 26!

Kathleen

Pics of Prom Dresses

2008-04-29T14:07:00.006-06:00

Sadly I had to take apart the toilet paper prom dresses this week and give the manequins back. I noticed that I hadn't even posted pictures yet! I don't know where April went.
So here are some pics of the final dresses. Everyone who has seen them has said that they are amazing and they hardly believe that they are made from toilet paper.

Toilet Paper Prom Dresses!

2008-03-20T09:25:00.002-06:00

and Tuxedos!

I know how hard it can be to find the perfect dress, but I still don't recommend wearing these in the rain.

Yes indeed, we will be making couture prom dresses with that most versatile material, tp. Working in groups you will create a design and then craft it from toilet paper on a dress form. I've seen some beautiful wedding dresses created this way, so I thought that prom dresses couldn't be that hard. Could they?

The final creations will be on display at the library after our program.

If you think this could be your kind of prom dress, call 459-1682 to register.

Kathleen

Teen Advisory Board Meeting

2008-03-04T09:49:00.003-07:00

We will be having a Teen Advisory Board meeting on Thursday March 6 from 5:00 - 6:00 pm. It's time to plan some new programs and talk about the summer reading game. This poster isreally small so here are the details.

When: Thursday March 6, 5:00 -6:00 PM
Where: Main Floor Program Room
Who: YOU and your friends who want to make a difference in the library

Questions? Call Kathleen at 459-1751

See you Thursday.

Movie Night! February 22

2008-01-29T09:13:00.001-07:00

We will be having a movie night on Friday February 22 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. At our book discussion night we decided on "The Simpson's Movie". I dropped by the website and made this lovely avatar. I've always wanted purple hair. As usual, I'll bring the popcorn, you bring the friends.

If you have any questions, send me a note at kathleen@sapl.ab.ca or 459-1751.

New Year New Books

2008-01-23T08:39:00.000-07:00

Well somehow I missed putting this program on the blog and it's tonight! So...if you don't already have big plans, we are getting together from 5-6 p.m. tonight to talk about our favourites from 2007 and what we are looking forward to reading this year. I plan on giving away copies of a few of my favourite books, and of course I'll bring the snacks.

My apologies for the delay in posting. Hopefully you saw it in the newspaper or in the library before this.

Kathleen

Shiny New Books!

2007-12-21T11:58:00.000-07:00

It's just like Santa came early! Here are some of the new books that arrived this week (with summaries from our catalogue):

Breathe My Name by R.A. Nelson

Frances Robinson lives a quiet life, far from her horrifying past. When she was a child, her birth mother smothered her three sisters. Through pure luck, Frances survived. Now her mother has just been released from prison . . . and she wants to see Frances.

Bounce by Natasha Friend

With her trademark knowledge of what its like to be a girl, the author of "Perfect" and "Lush" pens an insightful, heartfelt story of a girl who must learn how to manage her life even when so many things are beyond her control.

The Alchemist's Dream by John Wilson

In the fall of 1669, the Nonsuch returned to London with a load of fur from Hudson Bay. It brought something else, too-the lost journal from Henry Hudson's tragic search for a passage to Cathay in 1611. The journal finds its way to the aged Robert Bylot and triggers disturbing memories of his life-memories of a plague-ridden city, the mysterious alchemist John Dee, and mutiny in the frozen wastes of Hudson Bay. Will the journal and memories finally allow Bylot peace of mind? (A Governor General Award finalist)

The Castaways by Iain Lawrence

ADRIFT AT SEA, Tom Tin and his four convict companions are only too glad when they come upon a deserted ship. The boys clamber aboard, not knowing whether they've been saved or set on a course toward doom. But after rescuing two men stranded on a melting iceberg, Tom begins to suspect that these unsavory sailors are dangerous castaways from this very vessel.

Chicks With Sticks (Knitwise) by Elizabeth Lenhard

For Scottie, Amanda, Bella, and Tay, life in Chicago is all about seeking shelter. They find it in the raggedy comfort of KnitWit, in the halls of their quirky private school, even in the arms of boyfriends. The girls are now staring down the end of high school and are fueled by the stress of college applications and service projects. Will this mean the end of the Chicks?

Hot Hands by Mike Lupica

Mike Lupica, the #1 "New York Times" bestselling author of "Heat," begins "Comeback Kids," a new sports-themed series for middle-grade readers. Billy Raynor is one of the best shooters in the league. But with his dad as his coach, and his parents newly separated, somehow everything has become complicated.

Taken by Edward Bloor

BY 2035 THE RICH have gotten richer, the poor have gotten poorer, and kidnapping has become a major growth industry in the United States. The children of privilege live in secure, gated communities and are escorted to and from school by armed guards.But the security around Charity Meyers has broken down. If this were a normal kidnapping, Charity would be fine. But as the hours of her imprisonment tick by, Charity realizes there is nothing normal about what's going on here. No training could prepare her for what her kidnappers really want . . . and worse, for who they turn out to be.

And that's just a sample! Here is a list of some of the other new stuff that has arrived:

Click: One Novel Ten Authors
November Blues
Don't Call Me Ishmael
Heaven Looks a Lot Like the Mall
The Feathered Cloak
Breakfast at Bloomingdales

So if you have some spare time over the holidays, stop by the library and pick up a new book.

Kathleen

NEW Comics in the YA Corner

2007-12-12T10:54:00.001-07:00

We're trying something new in the Corner, comic books. I've bought about 40 comics and they are in a magazine rack on the floor by the chairs. They are for in library use, so when you have a few minutes to fill while waiting for the rest of the family to find their books you can sit back, relax and read a comic. The titles are mostly superheros for now, but if they get used, I'm open to suggestions for other titles.

Kathleen

Cookie jars and duct tape and January prizes

2007-12-05T09:07:00.000-07:00

The Christmas Gift Craft program went really well and I am amazed at the creativity with the duct tape! My basic wreaths look pretty pathetic compared to the fancy Santas, poinsettias, and Christmas trees other people made. The cookie jars came out really well and I am sure that they will make great gifts. The gift boxes were pretty easy to make and the little Chinese food take out box was by far the most popular.

Next month we will be taking a day to actually talk about books. Yeah books, you know the stuff libraries are full of. What did you like this year? What do you think the library should have and we don't? I'm planning on making a list of my favourite books this year and giving them all away at our discussion night. Watch the usual places for more details.

Kathleen

Christmas Gift Crafts

2007-11-13T14:28:00.001-07:00

Can you believe it is that time of year already? It's time to dust off the glue gun and make some Christmas gifts. We are going to make a foodie gift in jar, whip up some gift boxes , and try our hand at a duct tape creation.

November 24
1:00 to 3:00 pm

Please let us know if you're coming (and bring a friend) so we have enough supplies for everybody. Call the Adult Information desk or myself to register.

Kathleen

New Books This Week

2007-11-09T12:57:00.000-07:00

Here is a quick list of some new paperbacks that have crossed my desk this week. I'm afraid I only have time to give you the title and genre this week.

Tesseracts Ten by Robert Charles Wilson and Edo van Belkom (editors) - Canadian speculative fiction
Sniper by Theodore Taylor - suspense
Torch Red and Fool's Gold by Melody Carlson - Christian fiction
Blind Spot and Over the Wall by Chris Fabry - NASCAR sports fiction
Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo by Robert Skye - fantasy
How to Save the Universe Again by Rob Payne - strange, bizarre and kind of funny sci fi?
Inside Girl by J. Minter - Chick lit
The Thrilling Life of Pauline de Lammermoor by Edeet Ravel - light funny chick lit
Drama Club the Big Production by Peter Lerangis - Contemporary novel for High School Musical lovers
What's French for EW? by Katie Maxwell - funny chick lit. Try it if you like Louise Rennison's Georgia.
The End of Forever Two Novels by Lurlene McDaniel - Contemporary life and death

So there you have it, a little bit of something for everyone. Enjoy!

New Books This Week

2007-10-29T13:34:00.001-06:00

I don't think I have time to include the full details of all the books right now, but here are a few along with a list of what crossed my desk this morning.

Devilish
by Marueen Johnson
Jane Jarvis, a senior at a Catholic girl's school in Providence, Rhode Island, tries to save her best friend by making a pact with a demon--in the form of a cupcake-eating, very friendly teenage girl.
From the author of "13 Little Blue Envelopes".

Miss Educated: An Upper Class Novel
By Hobson Brown, TaylorMaterne, and Caroline Says
Having survived her first semester at a posh Connecticut boarding school, Parker Cole still doesnt fit in. When Parker and her lab partner, Chase Dobbs, discover something terrible on campus, theyll both have an even harder time fitting in.

X in Flight
by Karen Rivers
"X in Flight" centers on the lives of three intriguing teens. X ; short for Xenos ; is 17, tough but shy. He's a decent golfer, but his mother thinks he's the next Tiger Woods. One night, X is shocked to discover that he can fly. Is he a superhero? An angel? Or just really screwed up?

Into the Ravine
by Richard Scrimger
Jules, Chris, and Corey get the ride of their lives when they make a raft out of a fallen maple tree and set sail down the ravine, facing natural dangers, meeting unusual people, and stumbling into wild parties along the way.

Also new this week:

Red Rage by Brigitte Blobel
Temping Fate by Esther Friesner
If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period by Gennifer Choldenko
The Empress's Tomb by Kirsten Miller
Miracle Wimp by Erik P. Kraft
Deadline by Chris Crutcher

Kathleen

New Titles this Week

2007-10-11T17:37:00.000-06:00

Since I see most of the new books that come in, I thought it might be a good idea to put out a list of what's new each week. The exceptions would be the books that already have holds on them, they go straight to the requestor and bypass me.

So, here is what's new so far this week.

Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller by Sarah Miller
Annie Sullivan was little more than a half-blind orphan with a fiery tongue when she arrived at Ivy Green in 1887. Desperate for work, she'd taken on a seemingly impossible job -- teaching a child who was deaf, blind, and as ferocious as any wild animal. But Helen Keller needed more than a teacher. She needed someone daring enough to work a miracle.

Bunker 10 by J.A. Henderson
At eight o'clock in the evening, 24 December 2007, Pinewood Military Installation exploded. The blast ripped apart acres of forest and devastated the remote highland valley where the base was located. No official cause was given for the incident. Inside Pinewood were 185 male and female personnel--a mixture of scientists and soldiers. There were also seven teenagers. This is the story of their last day . . .

All-in by Pete Hautman
At seventeen, Denn Doyle isn't old enough to gamble legally, but thanks to his talent for reading tells, he's made a fortune -- and along the way, he's upset some of the most notorious Texas holdem players in Las Vegas, including Artie Kingston, who had already lost his nightclub to Denn. But now Denn's luck has run out and he's just about broke. His only chance is a million-dollar, winner-take-all tournament at Artie's new casino, but Denn can't play unless he comes up with the $10,000 entry fee. Denn's future all comes down to one hand of poker.

Football Genius by Tim Green
Troy White has a phenomenal gift. He can predict football plays before they happen. Any position. Any player. Any team. When Troy's single mom gets a job working in public relations for the Atlanta Falcons, Troy figures it's his chance to prove what he can do. But first he has to "get" to the Falcons; and with tight security and a notoriously mean coach, even his mom's field passes aren't much help. Then Troy and his best friends devise a plan to get the attention of star linebacker Seth Halloway.

The Secret Life of It Girls by Dakota Lane

Here, in words and pictures, are the thoughts,
the secrets, the lives of It girls.
The stories are fiction, but the feelings are real.
You might think you know these girls. But look closer.
You'll be surprised by what you find.

I hope you find something you like!

Kathleen

Endymion Spring author Matthew Skelton Here!

2007-10-04T18:06:00.000-06:00

Saturday October 20, 2007
1:00 p.m.
Library Program Room

It was a dark and snowy night...

Okay, so that isn't quite the way the book begins, but it is creepy and mysterious. I was going to try to come up with a snappy summary, but this review from Kirkus sums it up really well.

"Kirkus Reviews /* Starred Review */ This thriller takes precocious children whose lives are disrupted by their parents' separation, surrounds them with untrustworthy, professionally jealous and personally greedy academics and drops them into a mystery involving an ancient book. Said tome is made from a miraculous paper—the remains of a mythical leafdragon—and is indestructible. The result is a volume containing the secrets of eternal wisdom; it appears to be blank, but is continuously writing itself and reveals the contents only to those pure children it has chosen. The first, a young apprentice to Johann Gutenberg, is Endymion Spring, who carries the book to Oxford to keep it out of the hands of the unscrupulous Fust (Faust). Blake, a contemporary teen, finds Endymion's book hidden in plain sight on an Oxford library shelf. Characters' stories and settings alternate between medieval Germany and contemporary Oxford, and the atmosphere is steeped in cinematic imagery, especially the tenebrous world of the Bodleian Library's underground tunnels and book stacks. Allusions to legends and poetry mix with the appeal of a magical book that only answers questions in riddles. Wonderfully engaging, even addictive. (Fiction. 11-16)
(Kirkus Reviews, June 15, 2006)"

I am really looking forward to meeting Matthew Skelton and I hope you join us on October 20th at 1:00 p.m.! If you have any questions, please contact the library at 459-1682.

Halloween Happenings

2007-09-28T11:22:00.000-06:00

We had so much fun decorating the Young Adult corner last year we decided to do it again. Bring your creativity and a friend and I will provide the decorations and treats.

What is the scariest book you have ever read? I would have to say mine is The Amityville Horror by Jan Anson. I stayed up all night to finish it, mostly because I was too scared to turn out the lights!

Kathleen

Gossip Girl Sneak Preview from Youtube

2007-09-20T12:47:00.000-06:00

Gossip Girl Hits the Small Screen

2007-09-12T11:32:00.001-06:00

I'm sure that real fans of the Gossip Girl series by Cecily von Ziegesar will already know this, but I see that the pilot for the Gossip Girl tv series airs next Wednesday, September 19th. What else will be "must see tv" this fall?

Teen Advisory Board Meeting

2007-09-12T08:33:00.000-06:00

The Teen Advisory Board took a summer vacation but now we are ready to go for another year. Our first meeting will be Thursday September 20th from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the Main Floor Program Room. What will we do? I'm hoping we can come up with some ideas for fall programs but really the agenda is up to you. If this is your first visit to the TAB, bring a friend! I'll bring the snacks and see you there. If you have any questions you can call me at the library at 459-1751 or email me at kathleen@sapl.ab.ca

See you Thursday!
Kathleen

Grand Prize Winner...

2007-08-23T18:26:00.000-06:00

Congratulations to Madeleine P. winner of the grand prize iPod Nano! I would have put up a photo of a happy Madeleine, but I forgot the camera. We enjoyed a killer game of Cranium, with the team of youngest players taking the lead throughout the game. Everyone ate their fill of pizza, chips and candy and agreed that the TeenSRC was a lot of fun and we would love to do it again next year.

Thanks to everyone who participated, I'm glad that you enjoyed your summer reading. Now that school is creeping closer don't give up on books. READ WHAT YOU LIKE.

Our next teen event will the Teen Advisory Board meeting on Thursday September 20th from 5 to 6 pm, but you can watch for more about that in the next few weeks.

TeenSRC Wrap Party

2007-08-08T10:31:00.000-06:00

Wow it's almost the end of summer already! Okay we have a few weeks left, but you still need to plan ahead. The last day for our Summer Reading Club will be August 19th. The website will stay up and you are welcome to use it all year, but for the purposes of parties and prize draws, August 19th is the end.

If you have participated in the Summer Reading Club you are invited to the TeenSRC Wrap Party on Thursday August 23 from 4-6 pm. We will be playing some games, eating some pizza and drawing for some prizes (most notably that iPod Nano!). If you have 4 approved reviews by August 19th then your name will go in the draw. I know that there has been some backlog in the posting, so I will try to help them out and post anything from St. Albert. If you sent something you don't see on the lists, please let me know.

Please call and pre-register just so I know how much pizza to buy. Questions? Call the Adult Reference Desk at 459-1682. I'm away on a well deserved holiday for a bit, but I'll be back in time for the party. See you there!

Kathleen

TeenSRC Weekly Winner

2007-08-08T10:26:00.000-06:00

Congratulations to Tiona L., this weeks winner of the weekly prize draw! With only two weeks to go the odds of winning that iPod nano are still high! Get your reviews in soon!

TeenSRC Weekly Prize Winner

2007-07-30T15:36:00.000-06:00

Congratulations to Lauren R., winner of this weeks prize bag! Lauren has two approved reviews (and maybe some in the queue). We only have three more weeks left before the final party, so keep reading!

TeenSRC Back

2007-07-30T15:35:00.001-06:00

The site is back up and running as of this morning. There is a major backlog of reviews to be posted, so be patient if you haven't seen yours up yet. There are now about 2,500 users on the site, 40 from St. Albert.

TeenSRC site Under Repair

2007-07-28T15:07:00.000-06:00

I was informed this morning that the TeenSRC site was compromised and currently under reconstruction. They are asking us not to try and log in while they are working on the fix. Sorry for the delays!

Year Of Wonders

2007-07-24T21:16:00.000-06:00

(Geraldine Brooks) It’s hard not to believe one isn’t living alongside young Anna Frith as she deals with the hardship of her small town being untimely stuck by the Plague of 1666. Brooks weaves an amazingly vivid tapestry of imagery that whisks the reader to a faraway time from the first sentence. The sensory description is very rich, and the character development is impeccable. Anna is a very likable character; she is strong of will and quick witted, but is not immune to the ravages of the plague as she sees it take some of her family members and closest friends. Despite these horrors, she struggles on as best she can, lending a hand to anyone in need and trying desperately to assuage some of their many grievances. I thought this book was great, albeit at some times deeply sad. (Necessary in a book about the Plague, I suppose!) Also, some of the descriptions of plague "symptoms" were a little icky!
Still, I found I would awaken from Anna’s world after a couple of hours and realize that I had paid no attention to anything else that was happening around me. An interesting choice too, who usually reads about the Plague on a hot summer’s night?

TeenSRC Weekly Prize Winner

2007-07-24T10:23:00.000-06:00

Congratulations to Jordan T, the winner of this weeks prize. Jordan has already put in 5 reviews and will be invited to the wind up party in August. Only four more weeks to go! (Does that mean summer will be ending soon too? Sigh.)

The Zahir

2007-07-17T20:59:00.000-06:00

In this novel of surprising impact, Paulo Coelho paints a vivid picture of one man’s pilgrimage to discover a much deeper understanding of himself and the world around him. After the unexpected departure of his beloved wife, the narrator struggles in vain to comprehend the reason why. The thought of her torments his awareness day and night; Esther had become his Zahir, “someone or something which gradually occupies our every thought, until we can think of nothing else.” Progressively, the narrator begins to abandon his personal history in favor of the freedom of spiritual enlightenment, and begins to distinguish the reason why so many people in our society today have everything they could wish for, yet are still trapped in the pitfalls of unhappiness. Coelho writes in such a soft, flowing voice that it is easy to lose yourself for hours on end, deeply immersed in the emotion of the narrator and his plight. I greatly enjoyed reading this book, for I even felt slightly enlightened when I had finished it. (Cheesy as that sounds!)

The Swallows of Kabul

2007-07-17T20:49:00.000-06:00

(Yasmina Khadra) A poignant, heartbreaking tale of two couples living in the utter squalor of Kabul under wicked Taliban rule: Mohsen & his wife Zunaira, and Atiq & his wife Mussarat. The author follows the couples in a very emotional portrayal of a country beaten down from the inside out. Their fates seem to be in the hands of pure chance as a world thrown into disarray deals them blow after blow. Khadra shows the Taliban as a disease that strikes down everything that is pleasurable and that gives man a reason for living.
Most importantly, the story of The Swallows of Kabul is one of love: love for a country, a belief, an ideal, but also a love (or a lack of love) for mankind. I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone wanting to read something a little different. Once tossed into the uncertain world of the Taliban through Khadra’s eyes, one starts to realize that the vivid depictions of brutality and madness are not far from today’s truth in the Middle East. It is not exactly a ‘light summer read’, but it provokes a great deal of thought in the reader, as well as a heightened appreciation of the prosperity that we possess.

TeenSRC Week 2 Winner

2007-07-16T19:10:00.000-06:00

This weeks winner is Ellexis L. ! Congratulations! We now have 30 players from St. Albert Public Library and more joining all the time. Ellexis has posted 4 reviews already so she is sure to be in the draw for the iPod at the party in August. The odds of winning are sure to be good, so keep posting!

The Party That Shall Not Be Named

2007-07-11T12:24:00.001-06:00

In anticipation of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows we will be having a teen only after-hours party on Friday July 20th. Did you ever wonder what the library was like after closing? Come to The Party That Shall Not Be Named and find out! We will watch a Harry Potter movie (your choice, you vote), play some Harry Potter trivia, eat some snacks and indulge in some wild speculation as to the fate of Harry, Hermione and Ron. Costumes are encouraged (hint hint). Space is limited so call to register early! Because this is a special program, we will need permission slips signed before you can come in. Pick one up from the Reference Desk next time you are in the library or you can print off the pdf form here.

Call 459-1682 to register.

TeenSRC Weekly Prize Winner

2007-07-09T18:53:00.000-06:00

Congratulations to our first weekly prize winner Jessica M! With the first week of the summer reading club gone, we have 22 St. Albert teens signed up along with 17oo across the country! If you haven't started yet, it's not too late! It's summer, read what you like.

And We're Off!

2007-07-02T09:33:00.000-06:00

All is well with the TeenSRC site. You can sign up with St. Albert Public Library in that long list box of Alberta libraries. As of last Friday, there were over 1000 teens signed up from across the country. I'll let you know the St. Albert statistics once they start reporting them by city. If you have any more problems, please let me know. Thanks for your patience!

Can't Sign Up for TeenSRC?

2007-06-28T18:09:00.000-06:00

AARGH! For reasons beyond my control, St. Albert Public Library isn't showing up on the list yet! Please be patient, I am hoping it will be rectified on June 29th. I'll keep you posted.

Summer Reading Club is Open!

2007-06-27T10:28:00.000-06:00

It's here! The Teen Summer Reading Club is waiting for your reviews. St. Albert Public Library is participating in an online summer reading project sponsored by the British Columbia Library Association so you will be interacting with teens from across the country. In order to participate you need to set up an account with the site. Be sure to indicate that you are from St. Albert Public Library so that you are eligible for our prize draws.

So how does it work? The TeenSRC summer club will run from June 28th through August 19th with the summer windup party on August 23rd. You get to read what you like for the summer and then submit reviews to the TeenSRC website through your account. Each week I will draw a prize winner from the reviews submitted from our library. Anyone who submits at least four reviews in the seven weeks of play will be eligible to come to the final party and their name will go in the draw for the grand prize iPod Nano!

Each review you post is moderated before it shows up on the listings. So how do you write a review? Don't panic, it's not that complicated and this isn't school. Here are some tips.

Tell a bit about the book. Where is it set? Are the characters believable? Is it creepy, sad, funny, boring, realistic? Remember detail is good but NO SPOILERS. Reviews with spoilers don't get posted.
Tell us your opinion! What made you like it or hate it? Did you like the dialogue, the characters, the plot, or the artwork? Why was it boring?
Does it remind you of anything else? A movie, tv show or another book?
Do you recommend it? This is where you get to rant or rave. Reviews are all about your experiences not anyone else's.

You can probably do it all in four good sentences. Please check out the FAQ section of the TeenSRC website for the full details about review posting.

If you need some suggestions of books to read, check out the online booklists at the TeenSRCbooklists in the Teen Corner. You can always check out what other teens have been reading by looking at the reviews online.

Log on to www.TeenSRC.ca and get reading.

If you have questions, contact Kathleen at 459-1751 or ktroppmann@sapl.ab.ca

Tamar by Mal Peet

2007-06-14T20:31:00.000-06:00

The subtitle of this book is A Novel of Espionage, Passion and Betrayal which defines the story.
On one hand it is a compelling mystery and thriller. Another plot line looks at the joys and perils of love and how loneliness and fear can make you mad. Set in Holland in 1944 as well as England in 1995, Tamar follows the story two SOE agents working as resistance fighters and the fifteen-year-old granddaughter of one of the men. She knows that she has been named Tamar at her grandfather's request but she has never known why. When her grandfather commits suicide he leaves her with a box full of items that send her on a journey of discovery (literally) where family secrets are revealed. The author gives you glimpses of what might come and yet the discoveries are still surprising. This book won the Carnegie Medal for Children's Literature in the U.K. but it is aimed at young adults in the 14+ age range due to the emotional complexities of the story.

Teen Summer Reading Club Coming Soon!

2007-06-06T10:59:00.001-06:00

The online Teen Summer Reading Club (TeenSRC) will launch soon. It will run for seven weeks and offer weekly prizes as well as a chance to win the grand prize of an iPod nano! Watch for details here and in the library, and get ready to `Book a Trip`with the Teen SRC!

Tattoo by Jennifer Barnes

2007-06-06T10:47:00.000-06:00

Bailey and her three best friends are hanging out at the mall on their usual Friday shopping trip. Strange things start to happen after they decide to wear the temporary tattoos Bailey bought from the strange lady at the accessories booth. The girls discover that the tattoos have given them supernatural powers that they will need to fight the ancient fairies who control fate. It's a crazy mix of supernatural oddities, Celtic mythology and high school mean girls. This is a fast paced fun read for fans of Charmed and Buffy.

Teen Advisory Board Meeting

2007-05-07T15:20:00.000-06:00

Summer is coming and it's time to finalize the details of the summer reading program and start thinking about fall. Bring your ideas and a friend and stop by on May 24th! If you have any questions contact me .

Kathleen

The Golden Compass Movie

2007-05-03T18:05:00.000-06:00

I love the His Dark Materials series by Philip Pullman and I am looking forward to the movie version. The website looks great! Check it out at www.goldencompassmovie.com. You can even find out what kind of daemon you would have if you lived in their world. If you haven't read the books yet, a daemon in their world is where your soul resides and your daemon changes as you get older and your personality and character become more set. I took the quiz and found out that my daemon is Boreallus, a male lion. What do you think? Does it suit me? As people look at the link below, the daemon might change. I'll wait to see the final result.

If you haven't read the books yet, you are in for a treat. Check out the website and then pick up the books.

Creative Writing Workshop

2007-04-24T15:04:00.000-06:00

Wow, my first post on the SAPL Teen Corner Blog! As you can see, I'm Kelci, and I'm part of the Teen Advisory Board here at the Library. We always welcome new members if this tickles your fancy!

Anyway, back to the point. On Saturday, April 14, I met an author. Award-winning teen author Don Trembath was in town conducting an interactive Creative Writing Workshop for teens! (Turns out authors are just like regular people! Who knew?) With Don leading the way, all 17 of us created and meticulously described a house, a character, and concluded our three hour journey by composing a dialogue between our character and one that another student had created. We were instructed to "write as we speak" and generate a conversation where our character was trying to sell the house we dreamed up. I thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in a bit of relaxing writing for the afternoon, and one can’t forget about all the scrumptious snacks! All it all, it was a great time, and I look forward to similar events in the future. Many thanks to Kathleen and Don for volunteering their time to create a fun-filled afternoon for us kids!

Teen Movie Night

2007-04-23T13:59:00.000-06:00

Drop in at the library on Wednesday night and join us for "Night at the Museum". No registration required, bring a friend and enjoy snacks from me (gum gum anyone?)! What's "Night at the Museum"? Here's the short form:

"In this wild comedy fantasy, a bumbling night watchman (Ben Stiller) at New York's Museum of Natural History inadvertently triggers a dormant curse that fully animates the dioramas, causing Mayans, Romans, Gladiators and cowboys to emerge, not to mention an angry T-Rex."

It's silly, it's funny and it's free! Hope to see you there. For more information, contact Kathleen at 459-1751 or Kathleen@sapl.ab.ca

Skinnybones and the Wrinkle Queen by Glen Huser

2007-04-15T16:21:00.000-06:00

I always enjoy reading about foreign lands and landscapes but sometimes it's comfortable to read a book set close to home. Skinnybones and the Wrinkle Queen is set in Edmonton. It mentions Whyte Avenue and Glenora and then takes a road trip through Jasper and off to Vancouver. Tamara is a foster kid on her way to a new home when we meet her. She's in a car with her social worker being careful to say the right things and smile at the right times. I quickly decided that she wasn't all bad, just very self centred. She comes up with multitudes of reasons to skip school - mostly because she wants to watch some kind of fashion program on tv. When she is forced to attend a school visit to a retirement home she is paired up with Jean, The Wrinkle Queen, who has her own agenda. Jean's dream is to attend Wagner's Ring Cycle in Seattle one more time, a trip that her doctors tell her she is too weak to take. Tamara wants to go to modelling school in Vancouver. With these two strong minded women in cahoots, trouble is sure to follow. I thought this book was a riot and it's a quick read too.

Online Photo Editing

2007-03-19T15:52:00.000-06:00

If you need a place to quickly touch up a photo before you send it to all your friends, check out Picnik. This is a brilliant site that lets you pull pictures from your computer, a website, Yahoo, Flickr, or a webcam and then edit them. You can fix colour, red eye, resize as well as play with fun effects. After you have tweaked the picture you can save it back to your computer or send it to a website or add it to your Flickr account or even print it. And it's free! (well so far) Go ahead, play!

Sold by Patricia McCormick

2007-03-19T14:32:00.000-06:00

I want to tell you that you must read this book. I want to tell you that it will change the way you feel about sharing your room or having to eat leftovers again tonight. I want to tell you that reading this book will change the way you think about your everyday life. All of that is true, but reading this book will also show you things that are so painful that most of the world likes to pretend that they don't exist. Sold is the story of thirteen-year-old Lakshmi who is sold into prostitution by her step father. She has been living a subsistence life with her mother and younger sister in a hovel in Nepal. When she is sold to an "Auntie" she thinks she will be working in the city as a maid and this will allow her to send money home to her mother. Instead she is sold to a brothel in India with bars on the windows. She is broken and left without hope as her body and mind are abused night after night. She snatches brief moments of peace through friendships with the other women in the brothel, but these friendships themselves are dangerous because it leaves her with something more to lose. The story is written in prose poetry. The shortest chapter can tell of indescribable pain in short blunt sentences that leave you feeling breathless and afraid to turn the page. The author based the experiences in this book on interviews with some of the thousands of girls and women sold into the sex trade in India.

March Teen Advisory Board Meeting

2007-03-06T13:39:00.000-07:00

We will be meeting on March 15th so those of you heading out of town for Spring Break can finnish your packing the next week. Please bring your agenda items along. At the last meeting we made up a list of potential donors for the Summer Reading Club. I'm hoping that some of you bring your artistic talents along and create the posters for next month's creative writing workshop. If you have any questions call me or send me a note.

Red Kayak by Pricilla Cummings

2007-03-01T11:44:00.000-07:00

Red Kayak is a powerful book about the choices we make and the consequences of them, about friendship, families and the power of sadness. The book reads like a mystery in some ways and the story is gripping even if you figure out what is happening before the author gets around to telling you. The story is about Brady, a thirteen year old boy whose family's livelihood comes from the river. When new neighbours buy up the farm next door and build their mansion on the hill there is some resentment in the community. A malicious prank gone wrong has tragic consequences that ripple through all of the families involved and Brady has tough decisions to make regarding his role in the events. This is one of the books nominated for the YRCA Middle Division. I think it was a great read (I ditched chores to finish the book) and would highly recommend it.

Creative Writing Workshop

2007-02-23T10:48:00.000-07:00

I have been able to book author Don Trembath for a creative writing workshop for teens on April 14th. I'll send out more information and and registration info in early March. It will run from 12 to3 on that Saturday and we will limit it to 15 people. Stay tuned for more info!

Young Reader's Choice Awards

2007-02-21T15:04:00.000-07:00

The Young Reader's Choice Awards are one of the oldest literature awards in the US and Canada. Each year the Pacific Northwest Library Association collects nominations for and winning votes for the Young Reader's Choice Awards (hereafter called the YRCA). How does it work? Nominations are taken only from children, teachers, parents and librarians in the Pacific Northwest - Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. Nominations are based on popularity, not necessarily literary merit. The nominations are then divided into three age divisions - Junior, Middle and Senior. In order to vote, you must read or listen to three nominated titles in that division. This year the nominees in the Middle Division (grades 7-9) are:

Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko
Bucking the Sarge by Christopher Paul Curtis
Kira-Kira by Cynthia Kadohata
The Outcasts of 19 Schyuler Place by E.L. Konigsburg
Red Kayak by Pricilla Cummings
The Sea of Trolls by Nancy Farmer
The Supernaturalist by Eoin Colfer
The Teacher's Funeral by Richard Peck

The nominees in the Senior Division (grades 10-12) are:

Airborn by Kenneth Oppel
A Hat Full of Sky by Terry Pratchett
How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff
Montmorency: Thief, Liar, Gentleman by Eleanor Updale
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

For a full description of each book check out the YRCA website and click on Discussions. The library owns several copies of each of these titles. Voting begins March 15 and closes March 30 so we can get our votes to our provincial representative to pass on. I am working my way through as many as I can in the next few weeks. I'll keep you posted on my opinions, but feel free to disagree! If you want to vote we will have voting slips available in the Young Adult Corner by March 15. Remember, your opinion is the one that counts!

February Teen Advisory Board Meeting

2007-02-05T14:28:00.000-07:00

At our last meeting we talked about the possibilities of a summer reading program for YA as well as siginging up extra reviewers for this blog. On the agenda this month is more planning for the Young Adult summer reading program, talking about an upcoming creative writing workshop and the Young Reader's Choice Awards. We'll meet on Thursday February 15th, 5:00 - 6:00 pm in the Training Room on the second floor. New members are always welcome!

What Happened to Cass McBride?

2007-01-30T14:50:00.000-07:00

I annotated this book for the Gazette for next week, but I think it deserves a bit more than three sentences. I enjoy a good thriller, but I don't like it when everything ties up at the end and everyone goes back to their same old lives. That's where this one is different. The story is told in alternating voices: the captor, the police, and Cass who is the captive. What seems like a straight forward revenge tale ends up much more convoluted and complex with each character having many reasons for ending up where they are. Sometimes the voices get confusing when you hear about things from the past and the present together, but is works to tell the story. I like the fact that the ending is really messy, meaning that you know what happens but you also know that nobody had a "happily ever after" moment either. It's not a long book, a quick read and worth your time. If you like this one, check out some of Gail Giles' other titles.

If I was a superhero...

2007-01-17T14:55:00.000-07:00

My daughter sometimes asks me what superpower I would like most. I think I would have to say the ability to fly. No cape. Apparently I won't get my wish. According to thesuperheroquiz.com I would be Wonder Woman if I were a superhero. I think Catwoman is much more interesting, but that nasty do gooder streak of mine eliminated my chances. Try it for yourself at www.thesuperheroquiz.com.

If you like comics or even comic genius try Stuff: The Life of a Cool Demented Dude by Jeremy Strong.

Part novel, part comic strip, this is the story of Stuff (AKA Simon) who is a fourteen-year-old boy with a host of problems. His father’s girlfriend has moved in with her evil daughter and feminist attack rabbit. He has fallen for the new girl at school even though he has a girlfriend and now the girlfriend’s insane big brother is going to pound him. Luckily, his art teacher at school has recognized his genius and given him free hand to draw his comic strip for the school paper. I liked the comic strip inserted throughout the book. Let me know what you think.

Eragon (the movie)

2007-01-15T14:27:00.000-07:00

Against my better judgement, I went to see the movie Eragon this weekend. I have read both of the books in this series and enjoyed them both. I don't think that the writing was always brilliant, but compared to the movie it was sheer genious! The movie left out three quarters of the plot making the character development almost nonexistant. For people who don't know the complete story, it must have been very confusing. The CG work was okay, and the settings were beautiful (it was shot in Hungary) but the acting was thin through most of it. I can only hope that they don't make a sequel. If you are at all interested in the story, please read the book! They are thick, but they move quickly and are much more intellegent than the halfhearted plot the movie provided.

January Teen Advisory Board Meeting

2007-01-12T10:35:00.000-07:00

It's the start of a new year and we are excited to be planning new things for our Young Adult department. I am looking forward to the first Young Adult summer reading program, some new furniture for the Teen Corner and more programs. Our first T.A.B. meeting of the year will be Thursday January 18 from 5-6 p.m. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Movie Night!

2006-12-05T15:24:00.000-07:00

December is such a busy month that we forget to stop and smell the cookies. Join us for a screening of How the Grinch Stole Christmas on Thursday, December 21st from 5:00 to 7:00. Snacks and goodies will be provided, registration not required. Bring a friend and take some time to relax.

Teen Advisory Board

2006-12-05T12:18:00.000-07:00

Starting in January the Teen Advisory Board will have a scheduled meeting time! We will get together the third Thursday of each month from 5:00 to 6:00. It will be easier for all of us to schedule if we know in advance when we will be meeting. If you have any projects or programs to suggest please bring your ideas to the next meeting. We are looking at an afternoon Creative Writing workshop in the spring and possibly a book group. New members are always welcome. If you want more information, please contact me at 459-1751.

News and Reviews

2006-11-14T15:17:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the SAPL Teen Corner Review blog! This is the place for St. Albert teens to post their movie, tv, music and book reviews.