Heads up, Wyckoff Teens! A new book has been selected for our next book discussion.

On 30 October 2008 at 7:00PM we will be discussing Peter Abraham's exciting (and totally cool! (not scary)) mystery DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE.

Get thee hence to the Wyckoff Library and retrieve a copy and start reading!

This week marks the beginning of our teen activities here at the Wyckoff Library. I was delighted to host not just one, but two such events.

On Tuesday, 23 September, I hosted the first Teen Writing Group meeting of the season, and five talented teens shared their prose and poetry creations.

On Thursday, we discussed a great book, THE DECLARATION, and I found out what the ten teens present thought about immortality, its upside and its decided downside. Who doesn't like dystopic fantasy? Makes reality look that much better, dontcha think?

Keep watching this space 'cause more is comin', you can bet on that!

Many may know that the book, LOOKING FOR ALASKA, won the Printz Award this year for the best Young Adult Fiction. (I loved the book, by the way, and it's in the Wyckoff YA Collection!)

Well, here is how author John Green (and his fiancee) looked when he got the news on his cell phone (actual pictures taken by his mother). (He's kinda cute, too!)

http://www.sparksflyup.com/weblog.php

Hey, Wyck YAs!

For all you graphic fans, this news is for you!

It's the birthday of comic book writer Stan Lee, (books by this author) born Stanley Martin Lieber in New York City (1922). He created The Fantastic Four, the Incredible Hulk, the X-Men, Thor, Daredevil, and Dr. Strange. But his most successful character of all was The Amazing Spiderman, an awkward teenager named Peter Parker who develops superpowers after being bitten by a radioactive spider. He was the first superhero to be filled with self-doubt, the first superhero to struggle with whether he wanted to be a superhero. Stan Lee's boss hated the idea but the first issue featuring Spiderman sold every copy that was printed and Spiderman went on to become one of the most popular superheroes ever invented.

from The Writer's Almanac for Wednesday, December 28, 2005

It's time to . . .

FALL BACK !

and if you want to know why . . .

http://webexhibits.org/daylightsaving/

http://geography.about.com/cs/daylightsavings/a/dst.htm

o'course, the good thing is that extra hour of dreamtime, so slumber in on Sunday . . . . it's not late, it's early!!!

From:
The Writer's Almanac for Monday, October 24, 2005

"It's the birthday of the man who created Batman: Bob Kane, (books by this author) born in the Bronx (1916). He's one of the few boys in American history ever encouraged by his father to become a cartoonist. His father worked as an engraver for a newspaper, and he learned that cartoonists were being paid quite well. He knew his son had a talent for drawing, so he told young Bob to work on cartoons. By the time he was 16, Bob Kane was selling his work for $5 a page.

Batman is the alter-ego of multimillionaire Bruce Wayne and one of the few superheroes in the history of comic books who doesn't have any special powers."

(All you Batman freaks, and you know who you are, celebrate the day!!)

When you turn on your light tonight to read that book you just got from the Wyckoff Library, remember Mr. Thomas Edison who, on this day in the year 1879, invented the lightbulb! Yay!

It certainly makes reading under the covers at night a lot less dangerous, no?

Seeya!

THE TEEN LIBRARY COUNCIL IS BACK! ! !

And it's cooler than ever, as evidenced by Wednesday night's turnout!

Lots of good chat, great suggestions, and terrific food was enjoyed by the seven interested teens who attended, plus me, Barbara, the YA (as in yay!) Librarian!

I got some great ideas from the Teen Council, along with the ones I already had, so everybody watch this spot for further news from me about more fun to be had. . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . AT THE LIBRARY! ! !

I'm thinking about books to discuss (thanks to your suggestions which I've taken under advisement, as they say) and another meeting in two-three weeks, so check here, or the Wyckoff website for library news about what's happening for Young Adults.

I'm looking forward to a totally cool year! (hope you are too!)

Many thanks to the five intrepid mother-daughter couples that attended the year's first Wyckoff Mother-Daughter Book Discussion yesterday evening.

The book discussed, Sarah Dessen's "TRUTH ABOUT FOREVER," was fully dissected, inspected, and otherwise discussed at length, with all ten attendees gamely answering the questions posed by this humble librarian.

The discussion was lively, at the very least, and we all vow to do this again, and soon!

Further, this librarian discovered some hidden talents in those attendees, as all showed a fine ability to be fairly creditable casting directors.

For information about the career of a truly big Hollywood Casting Director--

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/interviews/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=2072058

Anyway, stay tuned for more YA excitement at the Wyckoff Public Library!

New News for Wyck YAs!

Get ready for our first Mother/Daughter Book Discussion, happening here at the library on June 1, 2005.

The book to be discussed is none other than a title from the wonderful and esteemed Sarah Dessen, and it is (drum roll please!):

THE TRUTH ABOUT FOREVER

Stay tuned and await further notice.

Your YA librarian,

Barbara

First of all, let's all sing "Happy Birthday" to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Yes, today is the day, my friends, to celebrate Mr. Mozart and that fantastical music he gave to us lo those many years ago! (listening to it as I write...)

Second, but even more important (if Herr Mozart will forgive), yesterday's book discussion was FANTASTICAL as well, with lots of good chat and good snacks, thanks to those few, those happy few who attended (a quick nod to Mr. Shakespeare in that last sentence--ask me if you wish to know what I was paraphrasing there).

HOW I LIVE NOW is the great book we discussed that is available at the library for all to read.
(You can always give me your comments in person after you read it!)

Get ready 'cause more is coming, and fast. If you have any suggestions for a book you'd like to discuss in a friendly group with snacks, please let me know, ASAP.

TEEN BOOK DISCUSSION
January 26, 2005 at 4:00 PM
At the Wyckoff Public Library
Book to be discussed:

HOW
I
LIVE
NOW

by
Meg Rosoff

Interested readers may check out copies of this book at the library!

So, another salient quote for my Wyckoff Teens. Think about this one as you crack open those books to study. . .

"It is better to create than to learn! Creating is the essence of life."
Julius Caesar

Of course, learning has its own reward, and I highly endorse it! Just make sure you take a little time to Create!!

WELCOME BACK, YA BLOGGERS!

CONTINUE TO WATCH THIS SPACE FOR MORE SALIENT COMMENTARY AND/OR INANE REMARKS FROM YOUR YA LIBRARIAN, BARBARA WEBER!

FEEL FREE TO TREASURE EACH AND EVERY ONE!

A cool, yet jaded, observation from Oscar Wilde, who celebrates a birthday today:

"It is absurd to divide people into good and bad. People are either charming or tedious."

Ah, so true, Oscar!

Many thanks to those who came to the book discussion on Tuesday!! We talked about The Body of Christopher Creed and played some games. Be sure to keep an eye out for the next one, which will probably be held in a few months when you're out of school and looking for things to keep you busy!

*SHUSH*

Did you read The House of the Scorpion? If so, log in to www.bccls.org/teens/shush to discuss it with other teens!
Date: Tuesday, March 30
Time: 8:00-9:00 pm.

More events will be advertised when the new Young Adult Librarian starts so be sure to check in every once in a while. Take care! :)

Did you know:

You can get what you want just by asking?!
If you want something that isn't on the shelf, just ask for help at the Reference Desk!

The librarian will be happy to:
-order the item from a different library
-consider buying the book/movie/cd
-put you on the reserve list so you get our copy when it's returned

*Reminder*

Don't forget to come pick up a copy of The Body of Christopher Creed! The book discussion is getting closer and March 23 will be here before you know it. If you're in grades 7-12, please visit the Reference Desk to sign up. (Scroll down for more information.)

See you soon!

A little poem...

In honor of the One Hundredth Birthday
Of Theodore Seuss Geisel
March 2, 2004

On the second of March
Way back in aught-four,
(Not this one, but that one -
A century before)
In a family called Geisel
A boy was born - Ted -
A boy with amazing ideas in his head.

And as that boy grew,
Those ideas all got loose,
And he put them in books
And he called himself Seuss.

He took us to places that truly were neat.
Why - the things that he saw there on Mulberry Street!
He imagined us running the circus and zoo.
But he made us think hard
'Bout important things, too -
Like wars and pollution and justice for all,
("A person's a person, no matter how small")
Like being a grown-up, like following through,
He touched us all, somehow, from me on to you.

One hundred years after
That Geisel boy's birth
We still read his books
And we still share his mirth.
And we know that his legions of friends, far and near,
Will make enough noise for the whole world to hear.
(We'll blow "on bazookas and [blast] some great toots
On clarinets, oom-pahs and boom-pahs, and flutes.")
We'll blow out the candles,
We'll sing - celebrate -
A life so creative, amazing, and great.
So tune up your singing voice
Let your brain loose
And help us remember
Our friend, Dr. Seuss.
(c)2004 E. S. Stroomer


*Check out the blog archives to see information about the contest in honor of Dr. Suess*

March's Book Discussion

Copies of The Body of Christopher Creed are now available for pick-up at Wyckoff Library.

Drop by the reference desk and to sign up for March 23's book discussion group...only 15 people will be able to participate so come in before it's all booked up!

If you have any questions, email wyckya@bccls.org or call 201-891-4866. Hope to see you there!