Happenings!

Now that the holiday break is coming up and you don't have anything to do because school is out, COME TO THE LIBRARY!

Here's some fun things that are happening during break......

Wednesday, Dec 28- come to the Middle School Book Group! Maybe we'll read aloud some picture book stories.

Thursday, Dec 29- Build LEGO CREATIONS! 10:30-11:30am, use Legos to build extravagant buildings or help younger kids create creative creations!
- Visit the library to play computer games online! 3:30-4:45pm! You know you're gonna wanna come and talk about all your Christmas and Hannukah presents!

Don't forget that the library is closed Dec 25-26 and January 1-2! So check out all your books, dvds, cds, graphic novels, and etc before then! I'm sure you'll want to keep plenty busy over break!

The Fletcher Free Library now has a TWITTER! Follow us on twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/FletcherFree

BOOK REVIEW!

The newest book craze to hit the shelves of every library and bookstore in the US is the series by Suzanne collins, "The Hunger Games." With the sequel, "Catching Fire," and the one after that, "Mockingjay."

Here's a really basic synopsis:
Katniss Everdeen is the main character. She lives in a world where the government runs and owns everything. There are 13 districts in the country, Panem. Most of these districts are in poverty, except the Capitol. Each family is required to get food from the government in hard times. In return, the family has to put in a name of a person who is entered into The Hunger Games. The people whose names are selected are known as tributes. They basically have to fight to the death to become the victor and survive. Katniss' sister, Prim is chosen as a tribute, but Katniss volunteers to go in Prim's stead. It's her story of surviving and starting a revolution in the country.

I thought the books were exciting! I had heard a number of good things about them, and they didn't disappoint! I would say that the hype surrounding the books made me more critical, so I judged them more. I was pleased with the action and the romance surrounding a couple of the characters. Some people have said the books are too violent, but Suzanne Collins didn't go overboard in my opinion. The books are meant for Young Adult readers, but adults like myself would find them entertaining and engaging. I would definitely give them 4 out of 5 stars. The second book in the series was my favorite because it detailed what happened after The Hunger Games, and the 3rd book had many twists and turns!

Pick up a copy of the books at the library! Tell me what you think!

December isn't just for Santa...

December is for getting involved at the library!

It's not an official month, but I think it should be. In December the library has some NEW programs starting for the year:

Computer Gamezzzzzz
Thursdays in December (the 8, 15, 22, 29)
In the Pickering room (upstairs across from the Teen Room)
3:30-5pm
Come play your favorite Flash games or hop online!

Teen Advisory Board (TAB)
Tuesday the 6th and Tuesday the 20th
3:30-4:30pm in the Teen Room
Come be a part of the process and help decide which direction the library will go in!

BOOOOK Club
Wednesdays in December (7, 14, 21, 28)
3:30-4:30pm
We're gonna read some awesome books! Come with suggestions.

Hunt Middle School Book Cluuub!
Every Friday in December (2, 9, 16)
3:15-4:15 in the Hunt Middle School library
Meet us at Hunt and we'll talk about books book books!

Is there anything else you think the library should do or have? Please come put suggestions in the suggestion box on my desk (in the Teen Room)! Or you can call the Youth Desk! Or you can make a paper airplane and send it my way!

Now here's a picture of tons of Christmas gifts for you to look at:


Question: How do you and your family celebrate the Holiday season?

books Books BOOKS!

As promised in the last blog entry, here is a list of books that the library has that I think you should check out!

Green Mountain Book Award Winner for 2011
Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Green Mountain Book List
Skim by Mariko Tamaki
Refresh Refresh by Danica Novgorodoff

Print Award Winners
Monster by Walter D Myers
Nation by Terry Pratchett
Tales of the Madmad Underground by John Barnes

Fiction
Zombies vs. Unicorns by Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Non-Fiction
Poetry Speaks Who I am by Elise Paschen and Dominique Raccah
Queer: The Ultimate LGBT Guide for Teens by Kathy Belge
Ask Elizabeth by Elizabeth Berkley

Graffic Novels
The Zabime Sisters by Aristophane
Waltz With Bashir by Ari Folman and Ron Ben-Yishai


Those are some suggestions of books! Let me know if you like them or books that you would recommend!

Until next time,
Tess

Next blog post: A Big Fat Questionnaire

Teen Advisory Board, That's What's Up!

Hello all!

Have you ever heard of TAB? No, I don't mean the soft drink: the Teen Advisory Board for the Fletcher Free Library! What is it you ask?

The Teen Advisory Board, TAB for short, is a way for the library to get feedback on what types of programs and things that the library offers. Basically, it's to see what you want to get out of the library. The library wants to cater to your needs and see if you have any ideas on how to make it fun for you to come.

I need some volunteers. I'm looking for a team of creative teenagers with the dedication to making the library a more progressive place. If you can dedicate an hour a week and meet at the library to discuss changes, come join us! If you decide to join, I hope that you can commit to meeting every week. I'm going to be looking for some teens to serve on the "Board" of TAB. Meaning as the President and Vice President. If you think you would be a good fit, come see me at the Teen Desk up in the Teen Room.

Tentatively the meetings will be scheduled for Monday at 3:45pm - 4:45pm. More details on that to come.

The next blog will be: A collection of cool books in the Teen Room.

Hey You! Yeah, You!

Hey There!


I'm Tess; the new Americorps member here at the library! I am the new Teen Literacy Coordinator here at Fletcher Free. That means, I love to get teens reading and motivated to learn. I know, that's pretty cool.

I need your help with a few things! You ready?

I'm starting some book groups and I would love to know:

• what days would work best for you teens and your friends?

• If you're interested, what time would be best to meet for you?
  
• What types of books do you want to read?
• Would you be interested in computer gaming days?

Come find me at the Teen desk up in the Teen Room at Fletcher Free! Or talk to the Youth Librarian, Rebecca, about some of your ideas! We'd LOVE to know. And you never know, you may get some free candy in the process.... ;D

Looking forward to meeting you!

For the next blog post: Want to be part of the Teen Advisory Board at the library?