TODAY (Dec. 5) Singstar Country Karoke

Find your inner Garth!
Come wail out ballads of lost love and broken down pickups.

Yes, your librarian purchased Singstar Country at Walmart last night, her Christmas gift to you.

Be there: Friday, Dec. 5, 4:00 - 5:45 p.m.

Remember, we close at 6 p.m. on Fridays...have your ride ready)

Don't let the librarian sing!

Free Streaming Manga

Naruto fans have something to look forward to in 2009, thanks to VIZ Media, publisher of the popular series.

On January 15, 2009, Naruto Shippuden will be available for download just days after its release in Japan from the official Naruto Web site. A new English-subtitled episode will be added every Thursday. Earlier Naruto episodes are also currently available for free through a variety of Web-based, video streaming outlets, including HULU (www.hulu.com) and JOOST.

http://www.naruto.com/

Read a Vampire Novel for Free, Online

Secret Vampire, the first book of nine in L. J. Smith’s Night World series, can be freely downloaded until December 21.

Night World is the secret society for vampires, werewolves, witches, and shape-shifters, and there are very strict rules—such as falling in love violates all of the Night World’s rules (especially if one of the lovers is a human).

Sound familiar?

To read Secret Vampire, visit this website:

http://www.simonsays.com/extras/pdfs/night_world.pdf?wsref=1&nn=Librarian

December Events for Teens

Dec. 2, 4:00 p.m. MOVIE: Prince Caspian
Dec. 9, 4:00 p.m. MOVIE: Horton Hears a Who
Dec. 13, 2-3 p.m. Teen Christmas Party
Dec. 15, 4-5:30 p.m. Rock Band on the Playstation II
Dec. 18, 4-6 p.m. Singstar Country on the Playstation II (Karoke)
Dec. 22, 4 p.m. Gingerbread Wars (construction battle)
Dec. 23, 4 p.m. MOVIE: Kung Fu Panda

Movie: Wall-E

Join us Tuesday, November 18, from 4:00 p.m. until 5:37 p.m. for the movie Wall-E.

This movie is BYOS: Bring you own snackedge, snackstuff, snack-a-lack-a-lacklack

This Summer

This Summer, our teen programs center around change.

Famous playwright William Shakespeare wrote about our human capacity for change and growth:
"We know what we are, but not what we may be."

I like these lyrics from Switchfoot (If you watch American Idol, you may have seen David perform this song recently):

Welcome to the planet
Welcome to existence
Everyone's here
Everyone's here
Everybody's watching you now
Everybody waits for you now
What happens next?
What happens next?

I dare you to move
I dare you to move
I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor
I dare you to move
I dare you to move
Like today never happened
Today never happened before

Welcome to the fallout
Welcome to resistance
The tension is here
The tension is here
Between who you are and who you could be
Between how it is and how it should be

I dare you to move
I dare you to move
I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor
I dare you to move
I dare you to move
Like today never happened
Today never happened

Maybe redemption has stories to tell
Maybe forgiveness is right where you fell
Where can you run to escape from yourself?
Where you gonna go?
Where you gonna go?
Salvation is here

I dare you to move
I dare you to move
I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor
I dare you to move
I dare you to move
Like today never happened
Today never happened
Today never happened
Today never happened before

Who Will You Become This Summer?

Teen Spy Novels

Ya know, I loved spy novels as a young girl. I was reading Quiller novels, Len Deighton, John LeCarre, Robert Ludlum, Ian Fleming, and Alistair MacLean books in middle school...in fact, I wrote the FBI in fourth grade and told them I wanted to work for them as a spy! (They sent me back a fat packet with information that included the fact that accountants and computer programmers were those most likely to find employment with the FBI...and they probably opened a file on me :-)

My spy reading went a little dormant in recent years, though I did truly love the Bourne movies. I read Stormbreaker a year or two ago, and liked it okay, but I really enjoyed a FEMALE-oriented teen spy novel I just finished.

I liked I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You, partially because it included some Harry Potter-type elements. These super-genius girls go to this top-secret school filled with interesting professors and cutting-edge (though not magical) technology. There's lots of cool spy-info, a little romance, great friendships - it's a good read. There's a second book in the series out now, and they're even making it into a movie!

Beanball: A Novel in Verse

I'm not a big sports fan, but I enjoyed Beanball, a novel told in verse about a high school baseball player. I've got a lot to do (like sleep!), so I'm going to use a summary from Barnes and Nobel instead of writing my own:

"It's the last inning of a high school baseball game between arch-rivals Oak Grove and Compton. Center fielder Luke "Wizard" Wallace steps up to the plate--and is hit by a beanball, a wild pitch that shatters his skull, destroys the vision in his left eye, and changes his life forever.

In this riveting novel, the events surrounding this pivotal moment are recounted through free-verse monologues by 28 different voices, including those of Luke and his Oak Grove teammates; the pitcher, Kyle Dawkins, and other Compton players; the two coaches; Luke's family members and teachers; and Sarah Edgerton, a new classmate who seems more affected by Luke's injury than his girlfriend is.

With its unusual format, gripping subject matter, and economy of language, Beanball is a thought-provoking, fast-paced read."

I've read lots of novels written in verse, and that's not the strength of this book - if you're looking for something with a real poetic quality to the writing, look to The Braid or Locomotion or Love That Dog. I liked the compactness of this book, the varying viewpoints, and I came to care for all of the characters.

Teen Contest - Win $50 by Filming a VIDEO!

TeenTech TV 2008

Teens, if you are passionate about a favorite book (and isn't life about enthusiasm?), the New Carlisle Public Library would like to film you talking about that book, for up to five minutes.

We'll post the videos to YouTube, and then link the library's webpage to those videos. You could either do a straight, serious talk about the book, or something creative, involving props, costumes, co-actors...the sky's the limit.

Perhaps you'll end up with a "book trailer," a short promotional film about a book similar to the movie trailers you see during coming attractions at the theatre.

In fact, we'd like to turn this into a contest, beginning now, and running until July 25th, 2008.

The best "Book Talk" performed by a teen (5th - 12th grade) will win a $50 cash prize generously donated by Marshall and Rhonda Gorby of New Carlisle.

OFFICIAL RULES:

* This contest is for teens in 5th-12th grade

* Book talks should be family-friendly, suitable for general audiences in language and theme

* Films should be no longer than five minutes in length, and must be filmed by the librarian

* Video book talks may be presented by one teen or by a "team" of teens working together. If the winning video is submitted by a team, the $50 cash prize will be split equally among all team members.

* All entries must be filmed at the New Carlisle Public Library by July 25, 2008.

* To respect your privacy, please do not mention information that would identify you (your name, your teacher, your school, your address or city) during the video booktalk itself. We will record that information on an official entry form.

* Have your parent or guardian stop by the library and sign a permission form allowing you to participate in this contest

* To set up your time to film, please contact Maggie Bollar at the New Carlisle Public Library, 845-3601, ext. 207.

Thank You So Much!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I loved the birthday cake and the cards and the post-its and the teddy bear and the gum and the windchimes and the sweet-smelling spray - best birthday I've ever had!

But please do not buy me presents...my present is when you READ...heh!

-a grateful, though aged, librarian

"Teenage dinosaurs may have butted heads in violent clashes"

Actually, we still see teen headbutting today, but the clashes are over boyfriends and vindictive MySpace postings.

My personal outlook on friendship can be summed up in this handy phrase, suitable for taping up on the door of your locker:
"No More Drama."

For me, friendship in its essence implies trust, reliability, care, and communication.

Try it and see if it works for you.

Watch This!

Funny British Books

I just finished reading Sue Limb's Girl, 15, Charming But Insane.

It was very funny, reminding me of the Georgia Nicolson books by Louise Rennison and the TTYL series by Lauren Myracle. If you read adult novels, it read a lot like novels by Helen Fielding (Bridget Jones) and Sophie Kinsella.

The author's British, but despite having quite a bit of British slang, I could really identify with fifteen year old Jess, insecure with her looks and in love with a boy who doesn't love her back. Jess has to deal with the normal tortures of high school, a perfectly blonde best friend who looks like Britany Spears, and her own divorced parents.

I liked it well enough that I plan on reading the next two books in the series: Girl, Nearly 16, Absolute Torture and Girl, Going on 17: Pants on Fire.

What have you been reading lately?

I myself am DONE with dragons for awhile, though hairy-toed hobbits still charm me.

--Librarian, 38, Charming But Insane

No Guitar Hero Today

Well, the weather zapped us and we're closing early. See you next Friday!

PS2 Gaming - MAYBE - Snow is Coming!

Hi Guys,

This is your librarian speaking. We were supposed to play Guitar Hero 3 and Singstar tomorrow (Friday, March 7th, 3:45-5:45 p.m.), but I heard on the radio that they are anticipating 4-6 inches of snow for Friday.

If you see white stuff on the ground PLEASE call the library first (845-3601) to make sure we are open before you head out walking or driving. If you get a recorded message with our hours, we are not open.

I don't want you to freeze your toes off trekking to the library if no one's home...so to speak.

If I don't see you this Friday, I'll see you next Friday.

Maybe you should stop by the library today to pick up some reading material, just in case we do get snowed in. There's nothing better than reading while curled up on the sofa with a blanket...

Guitar Hero 3 Now Playing @ Your Library

The library purchased Guitar Hero 3 and one wireless guitar! Thanks Ted!

We rocked out, starting today, and we will do it again Friday, March 7th, starting around 3:30 p.m. and continuing until about 5:45 p.m.

By the way, if you happen to know Joyce Neese, please tell her thank you. Joyce and her husband Mike generously donated snacks and drinks for our last SingStar/Guitar Hero competition. Joyce helps the library out in a thousand ways, so give her a big hug.

Your librarian purchased SingStar Amped for you, and we're having fun with that, too.

Be a Rock Star!

You're invited to a
SingStar Competition

Friday, February 29th, 4:00 - 5:45 p.m.

This event is BYOS (Bring your own snacks)

The library closes at 6 p.m. on Fridays, so please have a ride ready.

Visit Us on MySpace

Hey,

We've got a MySpace page now!

Stop by and visit us:

http://www.myspace.com/newcarlislelibrary

Eragon, Eldest, and Brisingr

Originally planned as a trilogy, Christopher Paolini's Inheritance Cycle has now become a quartet.

Christopher's announced a release date for the third book, Brisingr, and he's released the cover art.

Find out more:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_3_(Inheritance_trilogy))

Twilight - THE MOVIE

The wait is over. At 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, August 2, 2008, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers will release the most anticipated novel of the year -- Breaking Dawn -- the fourth and final book in Stephenie Meyer's #1 international bestselling Twilight Saga.

The countdown to Breaking Dawn will begin on Saturday, May 31, 2008 with the publication of the Eclipse Special Edition. This deluxe hardcover version of the third book in the series not only includes the cover art for Breaking Dawn, but also the first chapter—both of which will be revealed to the public for the first time.

"Stephenie Meyer has written a dazzling grand finale to an epic love story," commented Tingley.

Meyer's fans will have plenty to keep them occupied until the release of the Eclipse Special Edition and Breaking Dawn. On May 6, 2008, Little, Brown and Company will release The Host, Meyer's highly-anticipated debut novel for adults. Little, Brown and Company has announced a 500,000 copy first-printing and Meyer will embark on a 10-city author tour for The Host.

Meyer's amazing year will be capped off by a major motion picture event. Summit Entertainment will bring Twilight to the big screen, directed by Catherine Hardwicke ("Thirteen," "Lords of Dogtown") and starring Kristen Stewart ("Into The Wild") and Robert Pattinson ("Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire"). It will be released nationwide on December 12, 2008.

In just two years, Stephenie Meyer has become a worldwide publishing phenomenon. Twilight was one of 2005's most talked about novels and translation rights have been sold in 33 countries. There are over 5.5 million copies of the Twilight Saga in-print worldwide.

Maggie says: I know a lady right here in New Carlisle whose granddaughter is working on the Twilight movie! I will keep you posted as I hear news from her.

Playstation 2 Gaming Mania

I love technology and would happily make my home inside any BestBuy store that would have me. On my last trip to BestBuy, I bought a Playstation 2 for YOU to use. I know you want Guitar Hero and DDR, but so far your librarian can only afford SingStar... We've had two four-hour long SingStar marathons, and they were amazingly fun. I loved my off-pitch, tuneless turn at the microphone, in which I howled my way through a Franz Ferdinand song. We're going to have more singing competitions: watch this blog for days and times.