Teens Recommend...

These titles were recommended by teens during Teen Read Week. Click on the link to learn more about each book. Request the ones you want & we will send it to your library of choice.

Devil's Kiss by Chadda Sarwat
15-year-old Billi SanGreal has grown up knowing that being a member of the Knights of Templar puts her in danger. If she is to save London from catastrophe, she must make sacrifices greater than she imagined.
Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
When Bella moves to the gloomy town of Forks and meets alluring Edward, her life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. Called "Freakin' sweet" by our reviewer.
Impossible by Nancy Werlin
Lucy discovers her family is under an ancient curse by an evil elfin prince. In order to break the curse, she must perform 3 impossible tasks before her daughter is born in order to save them both. Our reviewer says, "It has major twists in it. This book is about that anything is possible."

December @ the Library

Make gifts, ornaments, & candy, earn volunteer time, & play games @ the library!

GameFest--Wed. Nov. 25 & Dec. 16 @ 3 Play PlayStation & Wii. Compete in tournaments or enjoy open play. Food & pop will be provided.

Chocolate Galore & More--Sat. Dec. 5 @ 1 Make chocolate candy for yourself, as gifts & for the library holiday programs. Create, eat, have fun, & earn volunteer time!

Holiday Crafting Mania--Tues. & Wed. Dec. 8 & 9 @ 3:30 Make gifts, ornaments & your own wrapping paper. Enjoy holiday snacking too!

Fall Festival & TRW

On Sat., Oct. 17, members of the library's Teen Advisory Board hosted their annual Fall Festival for the community. This year over 270 children people attended and enjoyed pumpkin painting and other crafts, library golf, Bozo Buckets, ball throwing games, face painting, a musical gravestone walk, pumpkin bowling & pie throwing. Several brave teens were the pie throwing victims. For the second year we also had a haunted room. The teens worked very hard & everyone had a great time.

The Fall Festival kicks off Teen Read Week each year and this week the fun continued as teens won prizes when they checked out 'winning' books from displays.

The votes are in for the top teen books of 2009. Teens voted this fall for their favorites. Paper Towns by John Green came in first, followed by Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer. Other books voted into the top ten were:

• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
• City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
• Identical by Ellen Hopkins
• The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
• Wake by Lisa McMann
• Untamed by P.C. and Kristin Cast
• The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart
• Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Check them out @ the library!

Love Rules by Dandi Mackall

Love Rules is about this girl named Mattie and she has two best friends named Jake and Emily. Emily is a deaf girl, but Jake and Mattie can understand her and what she says.
Mattie and Jake are going off to college, and Emily wants something every Monday from them. They think that college is going to be a breeze, but they soon realize that it's going to be tough.
They will find love and they will learn a lot when they are at college.
This book has to be one of the best books I have every read. The plot and story line are so good. The ending of this book has to be the best part. It will touch your heart and make you smile for hours when you finish the book. I recommend this book to everyone.

Reviewed by Karina

Want to see your review on this blog? Want to earn volunteer time by writing reviews? Talk to Linda @ the library.

T.A.B.--Volunteering @ the Library

Last month T.A.B. members played games for prizes, ate snacks, went on a scavenger hunt, created colored sand for a program, made scary heads for the Fall Festival's haunted room, made craft samples, and created a great bulletin board in the Children's Program Room. This month they painted pumpkins, went on a photo hunt, played games, ate, cut crafts, won prizes, AND...they all earned volunteer time.

Do you want to have a say in what the library is doing for teens? Do you want to help plan programs? Perform in puppet shows? Help with other jobs @ the library? Earn volunteer time while having fun? The Teen Advisory Board may be for you. You just have to be at least 12 years old and fill out a volunteer form. Then join the fun!

We meet on the 1st Monday of each month 5-6pm. The next meeting willl be Mon. Nov. 2.

On Sat. Oct. 17 T.A.B. will host the library's 5th annual Fall Festival. It all started when members of T.A.B. were discussing what they wanted to do during Teen Read Week and decided they wanted to do something for the community. The Fall Festival features games, pie throwing, pumpkin bowling, crafts, face painting, library golf, & more. 60 people attended the first year. Last year over 250 kids and adults enjoyed the fun. There's still time to sign up to volunteer. Just talk to Linda at the library.

Crafting Mania: T-Shirt Reconstruction!

Last week teens reconstructed t-shirts! "What's that?" you say? Check out the pictures! They cut, tied, laced, painted, & even tie-dyed!

Join us next month on Tues. & Wed., Oct. 13 & 14 when teens will create goth puppets just in time for Halloween fun!

Vote for Your Favorite Book of '09!

Check out the 2009 Teens’ Top Ten Nominations. You can help decide which book is the best of the year. Most of these books are available @ the library. Ask if you can't find a copy and we'll have one sent to the branch of your choice. Click on a title to find it in the library catalog. Click here to vote!

Cashore, Kristin. Graceling, 2008.
Lady Katsa is born with a Grace (super talent) of killing. Her uncle, the king, makes her his brute squad. When she meets Po, a rival kingdom's Graceling, she becomes more powerful as a woman of justice, self knowledge, and romance.

Cast, Kristin & P.C, Untamed, 2008.
At finishing school for young vampyres, Zoey makes a shocking discovery about the school's leader, but no one will listen to her as her undead friends and 3 boyfriends turn against her. Loyalties are strained, truths are revealed, and an ancient evil is awakened in Cast's 4th House of Night novel.

Clare, Cassandra. City of Ashes, 2008.
The second in the Mortal Instruments trilogy, this volume continues the saga of Clary and her best friend Simon as they struggle to find their place in a magical world parallel to their NYC home. Demon-fighting shadowhunters, vampires, warlocks, werewolves, faeries, and a master villain named Valentine provide a heart-pounding backdroop as Clary uncovers secrets about her past.

Collins, Suzanne. The Hunger Games, 2009
To save her young sister from competing, Katniss Everdeen takes her place in the annual Hunger Games, a televised competition in which only one person, the winner, survives. By turns an adventure, a love story, and a futuristic thriller, this is the first in a planned trilogy.

Fukui , Isamu. Truancy. Tor Teen, 2008.
In the totalitarian society that Tack lives in, a rebel group called the Truancy is fighting for freedom. But Tack vows revenge on the Truancy when someone he loves is killed accidentally during one of their attacks on the government.

Fukui , Isamu. Truancy: Origins. Tor Teen, 2009.
Umasi and Zen, adopted and raised in a life of privilege, are horrified to discover that their father is behind the restrictive policies of their city. One brother will be driven to rebellion.

Gaiman, Neil. The Graveyard Book, 2008.
When a toddler wanders away from his home just before an assassin slays his family, he ends up in a graveyard. Named Nobody Owens, the ghosts and other denizens of the cemetery adopt him and teach him important skills he will need to survive, as the assassin. part of a group of killers, continues to hunt him.

Green, John. Paper Towns, 2008.
When they were little, Margo Roth Spiegelman was Q's best friend. Now, a month before high school graduation, she disappears after taking Q on a night of pranks involving dead fish and a depilatory, sending him on a quest to find her.

Harris, Joanne. Runemarks, 2008.
Maddie is shunned by the town because of the mysterious rune mark on her hand. This same rune mark will shatter her dull existence as it propels her into the center of a war between the new controlling religious government and Norse gods of old.

Hopkins, Ellen. Identical, 2008.
Identical teenage twins, Raeanne and Kaeleigh, respond in totally opposite ways to the abuse and abandonment from their parents. One twin finds bulimia and cutting eases the pain and helps her to maintain her passivity, while the other, more rebellious twin sinks into the world of drugs and sex.

Lockhart, E. The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, 2008.
When Frankie's boyfriend joins a secret society that she isn't supposed to know anything about, she surprises everyone--including herself--by trying to beat them and become the biggest prankster of them all.

Marriott, Zo. Daughter of the Flames, 2009.
Zira bears scars from the battle that left her orphaned and in the care of the Ruan people. When a tryant king threatens her home, Zira seeks help from an unlikely romantic interest and uncovers the truth about her past.

McMann, Lisa. Wake, 2008.
Going to sleep isn't a big deal for most of us, but for Janie, falling asleep means getting sucked into other people's dreams. The supernatural ability she's always considered a nuisance quickly becomes a nightmare when she blunders into a dream and witnesses a murder.

Meyer, Stephenie. Breaking Dawn, 2008.
In this, the fourth and final installment of the Twilight Saga, Bella's new life as the wife of vampire Edward Cullen is wrought with unexpected obstacles, difficult decisions, and potentially overwhelming outcomes.

Moran, Katy. Bloodline, 2009.
In the brutal world of Dark Age Britain, Essa fights for his life, his identity and the lives of those he loves. Paolini and Tolkien fans will be drawn in.

Ness, Patrick. The Knife of Never Letting Go, 2008.
Dangerous secrets can even be hidden in a world where all men and animals hear each others' thoughts. Because all women died shortly after he was born, Todd Hewitt is the last boy left in his town. When he learns a dangerous secret, he runs for his life with his dog and finds something even more surprising: a girl!

Noel, Alyson. Evermore, 2009.
Her life ripped apart by a tragic accident that killed her family, Ever struggles with her newfound ability to hear people's thoughts. Enter Damen, the new boy who seems the perfect distraction--except he doesn't eat or drink, and soon Ever discovers a supernatural new world of which she is now part.

Palmer, Robin. Geek Charming, 2009.
Dylan's middle name is "crisis." It seems to follow her wherever she goes. First she catches her boyfriend staring at another girl. Then her beautiful designer bag takes a swim in a fountain. However, along with crisis comes opportunity, and Dylan's Beverly Hills world is about to be turned upside down.

Pierce, Tamora. Melting Stones, 2008.
All life, all plant and animal, on the Battle Islands is mysteriously dying. Stone mage Evvy responds to the islander's call for help. They need her magic to solve the mystery. Accompanied by her friend and mentor, Luvo, she uncovers the deep secret revealed by the stones and the volcano. Will it be it be in time to rescue the children?

Scott, Elizabeth. Living Dead Girl, 2008.
Alice was kidnapped when she was young and is forced to pretend to be a little girl to please Ray. She could never escape and wishes for death. Soon her wish will be true, as she has become too old and now she must find Ray a replacement for her.


Smith, Cynthia Leitich. Eternal, 2009.
Zachary, a guardian angel, has, against all rules, fallen in love with his charge. When he sees Miranda sleeping in the shadow of death, his attempt to save her hurls her into life as a vampire princess and exiles him from heaven.

Smith, Sherri L. Flygirl, 2009.
Because she wants to fly and to support her soldier brother, 18-year-old Ida May Jones passes for white amidst obstacles of race and gender and joins the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) during World War II.

Weingarten, Lynn. Wherever Nina Lies, 2009.
Two years after 16-year-old Ellie's older sister, Nina, disappeared, Ellie pieces together clues to her whereabouts and heads out on a road trip that leads to murder and mystery with her hot new boyfriend, Sean.

Werlin, Nancy. Impossible, 2008.
This gentle story details young teen Lucy's rape and subsequent pregnancy, with an amazingly supportive cast of a faithful boyfriend and loving parents. A fairy tale set in the present, with flashes of realism and romance.

Yee, Lisa. Absolutely Maybe, 2009.
Maybe (short for Maybelline, her mother's favorite mascara) leaves home and heads to California on a mission to find her biological father, and avoid her mother's planned wedding number seven.

List and annotations are from the ALA website. Read more there and vote!

Fall Fun for Teens @ the Library

LIBRARY CARD SIGN-UP MONTH (ages 2-8th grade)

Sign up for a library card or show the one you have & pick a prize. Your name will be entered into a drawing for a gift card to Borders!

COOL TREASURE HUNTS @ THE LIBRARY

Celebrate Library Card Sign-Up Month every week by playing games for prizes. New games every week!

CRAFTING MANIA: T-SHIRT RECONSTRUCTION (ages 11 & older)

Tues. & Wed. 9/8 & 9/9 @ 3:30

Create a new t-shirt from an old one. Bring a t-shirt. All other materials & snacks will be provided.

SNACK & PLAN (ages 12 & older)

Mon. 9/14 @ 5

Members of T.A.B., Teen Advisory Board, & those wishing to join will eat, play games & plan programs for teens & younger kids. Earn volunteer hours!

GAMEFEST

Wed. 9/23 @ 3 (11 & older)

Play PlayStation & Wii games. Compete in tournaments for prizes. Food & pop, too!

Summer @ the Library

Teens 'Got Creative' &'Expressed Themselves'! They put on a puppet show, created masks, made sand art, dabbled with coffee, put on a mystery dinner theater, became book characters, & more! Teens also read more than during the last 2 summers with the 2nd highest participation ever! Congrats to all the readers, winners, actors, and artists!

Great Teen Reads!

Read the reviews; then check 'em out @ the library!

Summer Fun In July

Check out some of the pictures so far below & on the right of the page! Teens have made great masks, played games, solved a murder mystery, learned how to do improvisational comedy, read more than during any other summer, won prizes, and volunteered at programs. There's still fun ahead for July:

• Expresso Yourself starts on Tues. July 14. Create works of art with coffee and coffee grindings. Make beads from magazine pictures. Create sand art with colored salt and plastic bottles.


• GameFest Tues. July 22 Warm up with open play on the PlayStation 2 and Wii. Then compete in tournaments for prizes if you want to. Enjoy food & pop while you play.


• Keep reading and submitting those entry forms. Three winners will be chosen each week. Win t shirts, tote bags, & more! And you could win the grand prize of an MG3 player!

Who IS behind the masks???.....and....Who killed Lola LaPoufe?????

Summer Programs for Teens 11 & older
@ the Cedar Lake Branch Library

June 8-August 1 Read for prizes!
Put in an entry form for every magazine, 100 pages or book! 5 winners each week and a grand prize drawing for an MP3 player!

Summer Programs for Teens @ Your Library

· GameFest--Monday, June 8 & Wed., July 22@3pm
Play a variety of PlayStation & Wii games. Those who wish may compete in tournaments for prizes. Food and pop will be provided. Join the fun!
· Crafting Mania--Tuesday, June 9@ 1pm
Make your own famous Greek drama mask from a variety of materials. Help make a puzzle masterpiece, too! Recreate famous paintings one square at a time. All supplies (and snacks) will be provided.

· Red Cross Babysitter Training --Wednesday, June 17 @9am – 4:30pm
Teens, ages 11 to 15, will learn to care for infants and young children, to make decisions in emergencies, and keep themselves and children safe. Bring a sack lunch. Fee of $25 must be paid at the time of registration. This class is limited to 10 students.· Mystery Dinner Theater--Monday, June 22@ 4pm
Participants will play the parts as they work to solve the mystery of the sudden demise of actress Lola LaPoufe. The one who solves the prize will win a prize. Then play games that include drama, improv and lots of laughs while you eat a dinner of pizza and pop.· Laugh Out Loud @ Your Library--Wednesday, July 8 @7pm
The hilariously funny comedy troupe Tom Foolery will perform improvisational humor. They will teach members of the audience some games, too, so everyone can contribute to the hilarity. LOL!!!

· Expresso Self --Tuesday, July 14@ 4pm
Enjoy espresso and other snacks while you create amazing paintings with brewed espresso and coffee grindings. Create open-ended art with a variety of recycled materials, too.