Things to look forward to (now that the party is over (but is the party really over?)):

TEEN WRITING GROUP: Thursday 11/5 6:00 - 7:30 PM

BOOK DISCUSSION (THE LAST KNIGHT): Thursday 11/19 6:00 - 7:00 PM

Both will be held in the Monroe Room and both will offer refreshments (when do I not offer refreshments!).

As they used to say (well before my time, in truth),

"BE THERE OR BE SQUARE!"

Get ready, party pics are comin'!

GO YANKEES!

NOW. . . ON TO THE WORLD SERIES!!!!

If you weren't there, well , what can I say? You missed a great party! Clearly, Wyckoff teens know how to party down, and let's just say that I haven't enjoyed "Musical Chairs" as much as I did tonight (even remembering my early childood!). You guys rocked the house, that was beyond true!



Watch this space for some cool pics, and then you can either remember what you experienced or see what you missed!

This is Babs, all tuckered out from a night of partying with Wyckoff teens! (And . . .I have to be a Librarian tomorrow, too!)

Wow, the jury is in and the verdict is final! Hilari Bell beat out Stephenie Meyer by a mile and a half, literarily speaking that is!



In tonight's book discussion of JESSICA'S GUIDE TO DATING ON THE DARK SIDE, the book by Ms. Bell was judged (and fairly, I might add most gently to all TWILIGHT fans out there!) to have far more merit, both in content and conceit, than the hallowed Meyer fiction.



If you haven't read this novel yet, get a copy and check out our jury's findings. Frankly, both the hero and the heroine of JESSICA'S GUIDE are far superior to the much vaunted Edward and Bella. There was a 'realness' to them that is soooo missing in the TWILIGHT series (all of which I read and loved, by the way).



I am open to all comment on this topic, but don't get too snippy about it until you've read the competition. I'm telling you, you will like it, and if you don't, well you missed your chance to hate it verbally at tonight's book discussion.



Read on, oh teens of Wyckoff (and anyone else who may be reading this post)!

So here's my current effort to keep all my blogging fans up-to date on what's happening at the library!

First of all, I was away last week visiting Williamsburg, VA, and if you have not been there yet, mention it casually to your parents. It is a fabulous place to visit, AND learn about American History. You can't help but absorb Colonial history and the American Revolution just by walking along the lovely byways and paths. It's a sort of 'living history' kind of place with many folks dressed and acting their parts, quite well, in fact. We saw lots of great playacting, music, and just good stuff in general.


Feel free to ask me more when we meet again. Mayhap I shall post pics on this particular blog, too, once my pics are secure in Photoshop-Land!



But as I began, what's new for teens at the Library? Funny you should ask!



This coming Tuesday, one week from today, on the 20th of October from 6:00 to 7:00 PM I shall be discussing a great book with teens, JESSICA'S GUIDE TO DATING ON THE DARK SIDE, a darkly funny vampire novel that I think is head and shoulders above Ms Meyer's work (need I say which that is?), from a purely literary standpoint. I still have books if you want to do a quick read of this eminently readable book!



Secondly, it's PA-A-A-ARTY TIME! Yes, on Thursday the 22th of October I will be hosting a party to celebrate Teen Read Week, and to recall the great summer teens enjoyed here at the Wyckoff Library! That is from 6:30 to 8:30 in the Monroe Room and there will be games, music, laughter, fun, and food (of course!). Caveat: Only those signed up in advance will be admitted!!!!



Contact me with any questions you may have about any of the above, either via a post here, an e-mail there (wyckya@bccls.org) or a simple ringy-ding-ding on the phone (201-891-4866).

Wyckoff Teen Writers WRITE ON!!

As last night's first Teen Writers Group meeting evidenced, the teen writers of Wyckoff are back and better than ever (IMHO)!!

So yesterday I was composing a post, outlining what was on my agenda for Wyckoff teens ongoingly. I was trying to do this at a very busy Reference Desk, and that comes under the heading of "ain't gonna happen!". The upshot is I did not post yesterday (INSTEAD I AM POSTING IT TODAY!), but I did go home last night, checked my own e-mail and discovered that one of you anonymous folks had left me a message, attached to my last blog entry.



Ya know, if you're going to maintain a blog, MAINTAIN IT! That was an order to myself, as I have been verrrrry remiss for the past many weeks in updating this weblog (for that is what 'blog' actually stands for, dontcha know).



The message left to me yesterday was a query: When is writing????? :)
The answer to that message is: OCTOBER 1ST, THURSDAY, FROM 6:00 - 7:30 PM.

'nuff said!

Okay, the blog is BACK (after a brief hiatus (SAT word...look it up!))!

I have not been idle these past several weeks. In fact, I'm planning a great season for Wyckoff teens. So far, here's where we stand:

10/1/2009 Thursday 6:00 - 7:30 WYCKOFF TEEN WRITERS GROUP MEETS, Monroe Room, for Wyckoff teens from 12-16. Bring a recent piece of writing (or, if small, a couple of pieces will do, too). Be prepared to read them aloud to your peers--it's a WRITERS GROUP after all.

10/20/2009 Tuesday 6:00 - 7:00 PM, BOOK DISCUSSION! This month we will be celebrating TEEN READ WEEK by reading and discussion JESSICA'S GUIDE TO DATING ON THE DARKSIDE by Cheaney. Books are available NOW! If you haven't guessed yet, it's a vampire novel, and it most certainly is as entertaining as TWILIGHT, if I may dare say that.

10/22/2009 Thursday 6:00 - 8:00 PM, PARTY!! This is a party in celebration of our Summer 2009 activities, as well as Teen Read Week. Lots of entertainment, lots of fun, lots of food! Plus, prizes for all!

Keep checking this spot, and never hesitate to contact me at the library, via e-mail (wyckya@bccls.org) or at this very blogspot!

We are midway through the summer of teen programs.

Yesterday was the third of the TALK IT UP/SPEAK OUT book discussions, and we all had a great time! The coolness, though, was when the lights went out as we were in the middle of the TALK IT UP discussion of SHAKESPEARE'S SECRET.

An unexpected blackout in the Library!!

(Of course, when is a blackout ever really expected anyway!) We all left the Monroe Room and wended our way about to the front of the Library to find that the lights had come on...so we just continued our discussion and the mass consumption of chocolate!

http://simply-simpy.com/wp-content/themes/simply/images/lb_images/blackout1.gif

Yes, it's BASTILLE DAY!

TODAY IS THE BIRTHDAY OF HAROLD BLOOM!

You may not know him yet, but if you ever chance to require literary criticism of any sort, you will doubtless encounter his work. We have many books, edited by Mr. Bloom, sitting pretty on the Library shelves awaiting your introduction. A great writer himself who has written criticism of his own work as well, Bloom's collection of critical reviews of literature and authors is legend!

"In the finest critics, one hears the full cry of the human. They tell one why it matters to read."

Yeah, I know, I haven't blogged in a good long while, but it's not for lack of intent. Nay, intent was certain, it's just that late June was way bizzy for me, including a wonderful family wedding (mayhap you will see pics, whenever!), and now I am in the Adirondacks on a long-awaited and well-earned vacation.

Sitting on the porch overlooking a lovely lake and gazing at Pharoah Mountain in the misty distance...yes, a vacation is just what I needed. (A rainy day in the Adirondacks is way better than a sunny day in NJ anytime!)

But I shall return, and next week I will see many of you at Book Discussion on Thursday, and maybe even at Literary Magazine on Tuesday! (Check my summer schedule at wyckoff-nj.com, if you please,)

Today is the anniversary of the steamboat disaster of 1904, featured in this historical fiction novel, THE UNRESOLVED by T. K. Welsh, which relates the tale of the tragedy that took the lives of more than 1,000 people who died when fire erupted aboard the steamboat General Slocum in New York City's East River.

It is told from the point of view of a girl who died in that fire. . .after her death. . .yes, she is a ghost!

At present, our copy is checked out, but feel free to ask at the Ref Desk for this book and we will attempt to get one asap-ishly for you!

If this little girl had been allowed to live out her life, she would now be 80 years old, and full of the wisdom that comes with such an age.

Instead, her life ended before she had any opportunity to show what she could have become.

Instead, we are left only with remembrances, such as this joyous photo taken in an innocent age, at an innocent age.

And her diary, her beloved Kitty.

Her memory is alive and she is honored each time someone reads her diary, into which she poured the wisdom she had accrued in a life cut short so cruelly.

Today, we celebrate the birthday of

ANNE FRANK.

GET READY FOR SUMMER!!
Our theme this year for Wyckoff teens is
EXPRESS YOURSELF
@ YOUR LIBRARY,
and our summer-long reading program with incentives will again be offered.
The Library will also be hosting book discussion groups:

TALK IT UP! for those entering 7th through 9th grade, and

SPEAK OUT! for those entering 10th through 12th grade.

Six books chosen by Barbara the Teen Librarian will be discussed

every Thursday evening for six weeks, from
July 17 through August 20,
6:00 to 7:00 PM and 7:30 to 8:30 PM.

BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE NOW!

And we will be offering a number of other great arts programs

to get Wyckoff teens creative in a way cool way!
Check out the Library Summer Teen Schedule

and contact Barbara at the Library if you have questions

about these summer activities…
@The Library

Last night the Wyckoff Teen Writers Group met, maybe for the last time this season (but we shall see...).

Those who attended were Jen D, Jen K, Amy, Sally, Kaitlyn (the extreme softball player), and a new member of our group, Kevin (and we hope he returns to us when next we meet!).

Need I mention candy was consumed? Need I mention great writing was done, and more great writing was read aloud to the amazement and amusement of all present? Need I mention that if you weren't there, you should have been and you were missed? Well, all of the above is TRUE!

Keep watching this space for more news of more new to come for Wyckoff teens!

PS: Picture above represents no one in the Teen Writing Group . . .yet!

Another birthday !!

Name:
Walt Whitman
Birth Date:
May 31, 1819
Death Date:
March 26, 1892
Place of Birth:
West Hills, New York, United States
Place of Death:
Camden, New Jersey, United States

Read the and tell me Mr. Whitman was not years and years ahead of his time. Then read his biography sometime and learn the coolness of this poet! (btw, you may ask a librarian for such a biography, if you wish! I happen to know one!)

Song of Myself (excerpt)by (the birthday boy) Walt Whitman

This is the meal equally set, this the meat for natural hunger,It is for the wicked just the same as the righteous, I make appointments with all,I will not have a single person slighted or left away,The kept-woman, sponger, thief, are hereby invited,The heavy-lipp'd slave is invited, the venerealee is invited;There shall be no difference between them and the rest.
This is the press of a bashful hand, this the float and odor of hair,
This the touch of my lips to yours, this the murmur of yearning,This the far-off depth and height reflecting my own face,This the thoughtful merge of myself, and the outlet again.Do you guess I have some intricate purpose?Well I have, for the Fourth-month showers have, and the mica on the side of a rock has.
Do you take it I would astonish?Does the daylight astonish? does the early redstart twittering through the woods?Do I astonish more than they?
This hour I tell things in confidence,I might not tell everybody, but I will tell you.
20
Who goes there? hankering, gross, mystical, nude;How is it I extract strength from the beef I eat?
What is a man anyhow? what am I? what are you?
All I mark as my own you shall offset it with your own,Else it were time lost listening to me.
I do not snivel that snivel the world over,That months are vacuums and the ground but wallow and filth.
Whimpering and truckling fold with powders for invalids, conformity goes to the fourth-remov'd,I wear my hat as I please indoors or out.
Why should I pray? why should I venerate and be ceremonious?
Having pried through the strata, analyzed to a hair, counsel'd with doctors and calculated close,I find no sweeter fat than sticks to my own bones.
...
I exist as I am, that is enough,If no other in the world be aware I sit content,And if each and all be aware I sit content.
One world is aware and by far the largest to me, and that is myself,And whether I come to my own to-day or in ten thousand or ten million years,I can cheerfully take it now, or with equal cheerfulness I can wait.
Excerpts from "Song of Myself" by Walt Whitman. Public domain.