Tween/Teen Crafternoon Recap: Duct Tape Craft!

Today, I hosted a Tween/Teen Crafternoon featuring Duct Tape Crafts with 7 tween/teens! This was a big hit and we only covered two crafts. We went from 2 PM to almost 3:30 PM making bows and wallets. Here are a few highlights of our creations.

The Duct Tape we had today. Guess which were the most popular!*

Crafters figured out how to make bows of different sizes.

 We were so focused making wallets that I forgot to get pictures! After most wallets were done, some added their bows, added designs, and more to their wallets to personalize them!

*The most popular duct tapes? Bacon, teal, and pink.

Like these crafts? We're bringing Duct Tape back in February. Just want to craft? Join us in January for our next Tween/Teen Crafternoon.

Book Talk: Just One Year by Gayle Forman

Just One Year by Gayle Forman

Just One Year
by Gayle Forman
Call Number YA FOR
WVPL - BB

Did you read Just One Day back in January? Here's the story you've been waiting for: Willem's.

Willem wakes up in a hospital. He's disoriented, confused, but knows he has to get back to something. He's forgetting something. The details start to come back and he has to get back to her, but he can't remember where she is. So he tries to find her, gives up, and tries again with help. Luck, fate, accidents. That's how he's lived. Is that how he should continue living now?


This is not the story of what happened at the end of Just One Day. Instead, this is the story of Willem and what happened when he disappeared, stranding Allyson/Lulu and sparking her journey. For him, his journey is slightly different. He's searching for her, but at the same time, he realizes he's searching for himself. Willem will travel to Mexico (so close to her!), India, and home again trying to learn about himself and the family he came from over the course of a year.


A portion of this review is on our Shelfari page here.

Bow Ties are Cool!

Especially duct tape bow ties. Like this:

The sun looks snazzy today!

 Of course, you don't have to make a bow TIE. You could take a HAIR BAND bow, or add a bobby pin to it and make a HAIR bow or you could make a bracelets. The possibilities are endless. I'll just show you how to make the bow.

Bows like this are just one of the options at our upcoming Tween/Teen Crafternoon: Duck/Duct Tape on December 28. A basic wallet and bracelet will be available to make and then customize!

 

Or how about this guy? He looks great with a bow tie.

Be sure to register!

Hunger Games at WVPL!

Coming to a library near you...

It's WVPL's own version of The Hunger Games (don't worry. This is more an RPG style thing)! Just in time for the release of Catching Fire!

We still need volunteer tributes! Will you volunteer? (Or you can pretend you were selected). Sign up and get the details here.

Also, want to talk your favorite books to movies? Middle School students are invited to join us at Ambler, Wednesday at 4:30 PM to discuss their favorite adaptions. Learn more here.




In the meantime, while you're waiting for these events, you can stop by Blue Bell to pick up a book similar to the Hunger Games. Here are just a few...

 Girl in the Arena.

by Lise Haines

YA HAI

 

Defiance

by C.J. Redwine

YA RED 

 

 


The Declaration

by Gemma Malley

YA MAL

Coming up: International Games Day!

Are you interested in being part of an international event? We're hosting our own International Games Day here at WVPL in Blue Bell on November 16 from 11 AM to 1 PM. Bring the family (if you want) or bring some friends. We'll have either the Wii or Xbox 360 set up and a bunch of board games for you to play from chess to Twister.

Drop in any time after 11 AM but before 1 PM to play some games! Bring snacks to enjoy.

WVPL Hunger Games Event: REGISTRATION OPENS TODAY.

Here it is! The event you've all been waiting for: WVPL's Hunger Games! Celebrate the release of Catching Fire, the movie by participating in our own version of The Hunger Games.

Registration opens TODAY and is required (we're also taking only 24 tributes to start). You can check out this link to our event page for all the details. When you sign up, you are signing up to participate.

Happy Hunger Games and May the odds be ever in your favor!

Coming Up! Teen Write-Ins and NaNoWriMo!

I'm excited. Are you excited? November is National Novel Writing Month! For anyone over 18, you commit to 50,000 words in 30 days and try to write a novel. Think that's impossible? It is possible. Just look at some of your favorites, Cinder by Marissa Mayer was a NaNoWriMo book (and I suspect all of the Lunar Chronicles will be) and so was Anna and the French Kiss. So it can be done and the book can be published.

Lucky for anyone ages 13-17, you just have to commit to 30,000 words in 30 days or your own personal goal.

Ms. T is on board!

So are you a NaNoWriMo participant? I plan to be and this year, we'll be hosting Teen Write-Ins! This is open to teen writers and teen NaNoWriMo-ers on Saturday afternoons at Blue Bell at 3:30 PM. We won't be meeting November 2nd but we'll start November 9 at 3:30. Want a reminder? Sign up here.

All writers between the ages of 13-17 are welcome to come in for one hour of furious writing! Bring your computer (laptop or netbook, please), notebook, or tablet to write from 3:30 to 4:30 PM.

Planning for College? College Planning Series is Back!

Planning for college can be so stressful, but it doesn't have to be. With some tips and time, you can pick the best college for you.

This October, we're bringing back our popular College Planning Series. Here we offer a variety of workshops that can take some of the mystery out of college planning.

• On October 15, at 7 PM, Chyten EducationalServices will present on writing a college essay. Students will learn how to write a great college application essay and what pitfalls to avoid.
• On October 22, at 7 PM, the library will host an “Introduction to the College Process” workshop where participants will learn how to prepare for the college process and what to expect. This is presented by Eric Karlan from The Ivy Experience. Parents and high school students are welcome to attend.
• On October 29, at 7 PM, the library will host a workshop on “Choosing a College.” This popular session will teach participants what to ask during a college visit and what to look for in a school. This is presented by Tanjanesia "Tanjy" Willoughby of Willoughby EducationalConsulting. Parents and high school students are welcome to attend.

 All of these sessions are free to the public and there's no registration. For more information about these sessions, visit http://wvpl.org/regular-programs/college-planning-series.

Oh Me! Oh My! SAT/ACT Test Time!

Test time is around the corner. Time to sharpen pencils, test your calculator, and fill your water bottle. Study some test books or check out the library...

Did you know that the library has a few ways we can help with test prep? Aside from those fantastic test prep books you can check out from the library, we have two other ways to help you out!

First, sign up to save your seat today for our Which Test Is Best Mock Exam happening Saturday, September 21 from 10 AM to 2 PM. We ask you to sign up as we're limited to only 20 test takers (as of this time, we have lots of seats open). This FREE test will help you figure out which test is best for you: ACT or SAT. Chyten Educational Services of Blue Bell administers the tests and gives you the results for free. This is the third time we're offering this service.

Second, check out Learning Express! This "database" is actually a fantastic test prep subscription site that we offer to you for FREE. All you need is your library card and a computer, and you can log onto Learning Express to take practice versions of the exam, read study guides, and more! Learning Express also covers AP tests, college tests, and career prep as well. You will need to create an account.

Take a look at these resources today!

Coming up! Middle School Book Club

Are you in grades 6-8?
Did you read your summer reading assignment?
Did you want to discuss it with others or find new stuff to try (and not just complete a school assignment)?

Starting this month, we're hosting the first Middle School Book Group meeting on Tuesday, September 10, at 4:30 PM at Blue Bell and on Wednesday, September 18 at 4:30 PM at Ambler. If you're in grades 6-8 you're welcome to attend and discuss books you read over the summer as part of required reading or for fun.

The Middle School Book Group will include snacks and be moderated by Ms. Tegan, Youth Services Librarian. You can talk about required summer reading, Reading Olympic titles, or other titles that you really enjoyed (or did not enjoy during the summer). You will also be asked to help create a name for the group as well as suggest future topics.

Go here to register and learn more!