A book of memoirs came out last year – a very short book of memoirs.  In fact, each writer had to write his or her life story in six words.   Since I tend to be, well, rather verbose, this was a daunting challenge but I came up with the following:

Ballerina dreams, bad feet, library school

Or

The last kiss always a doozy.

Or

D.O.B. , B.A.  Mrs., M.L.S., I.R.A., R.I.P.

Okay you twitterers… let’s see some short memoir!

Writing a blog takes time, energy, dedication….it’s hard work! Coming up with a topic can be a real challenge sometimes. So let’s hear it teens of Des Plaines. This is YOUR blog! What do you want to read about? Music, tv, books, programs, games? Or better yet- if you’re a teen DPPL TAB member you can write for the blog.

So comment away! What do you want to see here? And if you’re interested in writing short posts just email me: tab AT dppl.org

That’s right, Susan Beth Pfeffer (the author of the fantastic Life as We Knew It and The Dead & Gone) is going to be at Niles Library this SUNDAY (the 18th) from 2pm to 3:30pm in their large meeting room A&B. Click on this link to learn more and register!!

Starting on October 18, the entire world past, present and future celebrates the teen book.  What is your favorite teen book of all time?  I have two favorites and coincidentally, people tried to ban both!  The first is The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger.  The narrator Holden Caulfield sets the standard for all the confusion every teen who is ever walked this planet experiences day after day.  (Holden’s favorite word?  – phony)

The second book is The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier.  How can teens be so cruel to one another?  How can authority be so injust?

So what’s your favorite teen book?  It can be a book written specifically for teenagers or a book about a teenager.  (A Catcher in the Rye, for example, is also an adult book but since it’s main character is a teen, it qualifies.)

That’s right- you can learn to protect yourselves! This Saturday is a self defense programs for girls 12-19. It’s being taught by IMPACT Chicago. You’ll get to learn and practice physical self-defense skills and verbal boundary setting in a safe and supportive environment. A female instructor will lead the physical training and discuss the “what if” questions we all think about. It’s this Saturday, October 10, from 1-3pm in Friends Room A/B/C on the first floor.

What about moms or aunts? They can take the class for adult women from 1o-12 on the same day.

To register for the TEEN class, click here.

To register for the ADULT class, click here.

(BONUS! Teens that are 15-19 years old can register to attend the teen class from IMPACT Chicago for $100! The class meets October 17,18, 24, and 25 and all you have to do is write “DPPL Jill” on the online application. You do not have to sign up for or attend the library program to get this discount. Go to IMPACT Chicago to register.)

What do you feel about how the library treats teens and teen programming? What kinds of programs should we have? What are the newest, greatest, best books, graphic novels, video games, and DVDs out there? Is the library too BORING? Help us be cool!

How do you do that? Come to the library’s Teen Advisory Board meetings. We’ll feed you snacks and candy, you help us come up with great ideas. Everybody wins! It all starts Thursday September 24th from 4-5pm in the Teen Lounge on the 3rd floor.

We need your help!

Have you ever written a story based on a character from one of your favorite books, TV shows or movies? Created an alternate reality or history for that character? Wanted to read what other fans have imagined happened after the story ended? Then check out these sites highlighted in the featured article “When Harry Met Bella” from the August 2009 issue of School Library Journal:

Fanfics.org

Fanfiction.net

FictionAlley

MediaMiner

Twilighted

The article also pointed out some dos and don’ts when writing fanfic.

• Do use the same standards when writing fanfic that you do when writing anything else. Use good grammar, spelling and sentence structure.
• Do edit your story before submitting it. Ask a friend to proofread it for you.
• Don’t send your fanfic to the author.

Have you written any fanfic? Was it posted? Do you have a favorite place to read stories by other fans? Have other tips for teens interested in writing fanfic? Share what you know.

Voice your choice, vote for your favorite books in the Teens' Top Ten

The American Library Association wants to know what you – yes, you – considered the best books of the last year. It’s easy, just click the picture on the right and vote, or, use the link that follows: Teens’ Top Ten Survey

The Teens’ Top Ten for 2009 will be announced after voting is complete on September 18, 2009, so hurry up and make your opinions known. If you don’t vote, you can’t gripe if you don’t like the winners…

Help us help you.  Here’s a short survey conducted by a national publication that will assist us in knowing what teens want from their public libraries.

teen survey

Thanks.

Did your teacher give you a list of books before school got out in June or did you get a letter in the mail over the summer telling you that you have to read one or more books before school even starts? Was it a book from the Rebecca Caudill Award list? Will you be a freshman at Maine West and have to read The Graveyard Book? Do you have to read Sunrise Over Fallujah? Ender’s Game? Animal Farm? If you’re one of the “lucky” ones who had assigned reading for the summer, tell us what you thought.  Was the book a good choice? Did you like it? Hate it? Haven’t even started it???