WII @ Your Library

Come and Join the Fun. Party On!!!

The Friends of the New Milford Public Library have donated two Wii's.

We will have a party to test them out.

January 17th, 2-4 pm.

Registration required. www.biblio.org/newmilford

INKHEART, THE MOVIE

28
Days to Theater Premiere
January 23, 2009
Synopsis
A young girl's father has the power to bring characters from books to life by reading those books aloud. When a power-hungry villain from a rare children's fable kidnaps the man, his daughter bands with a group of friends both real and imagined to set things right.


Starring
Brendan Fraser, Paul Bettany, Jim Broadbent, Helen Mirren, Kathy Bates

2008 in Review

A Year of Great Books

BRISINGR (BOOK 3, INHERITANCE SERIES) by Christopher Paolini


BREAKING DAWN (BOOK 4, TWILIGHT SERIES) by Stephanie Meyers
The Twilight series, about an ordinary teen girl who enters into an extraordinary romance with a vampire. With New Moon, the sequel to Twilight, set for filming in 12 weeks, speculation has surrounded the role of Jacob. Taylor Lautner, a fan favorite, might not reprise the role as some think he is too short and not muscular enough for the character's transformation in book two. One rumored actor for the part is Michael Copon, who had a role on One Treel Hill. For more details read the article on MTV's movie blog.

LONG SHADOWS (BOOK 5, WARRIORS SERIES) by Erin Hunter

CLIQUE SUMMER COLLECTION by Lisi Harrison

DIARY OF A WIMPLY KID: RODERIC RULES (BOOK #2, WIMPY KID SERIES) By Jeff Kinney

What was YOUR Favorite YA Program?

Click here to take our Online Survey

Happy Holidays

Have a Safe and Happy Holiday!!

December is Party Month!!

Join us for the YA Holiday Party (Grades 6-9) --December 17th 6:30-7:45
Grab Bag, Food and Surprises
Bring your appetite and don't forget your grab bag gift

Join us for the Holiday Party for Ages 4-7 --December 20th 2:30-4
Sponsored by the Young Adult Council
Come see what the Council has created
Crafts, Food, Games

For all you Stockmarketers
Don't forget our end of session party --December 16th 4-5
Pizza, Ice Cream and Fun

YA Meeting November 19th 6:30

Come and Join the Fun. Help us Plan the Holiday Party.
Get NEW books first. We need one more Book Buddy, come
and read to a younger child.


October, 2008. We planned, we created, we competed!!

Countdown

The Tales of Beedle the Bard

Offering the trademark wit and imagination familiar to Rowling's legions of readers--as well as Aesop's wisdom and the occasional darkness of the Brothers Grimm--each of these five tales reveals a lesson befitting children and parents alike: the strength gained with a trusted friendship, the redemptive power of love, and the true magic that exists in the hearts of all of us. Rowling's new introduction also comments on the personal lessons she has taken from the Tales, noting that the characters in Beedle's collection "take their fates into their own hands, rather than taking a prolonged nap or waiting for someone to return a lost shoe," and "that magic causes as much trouble as it cures."

But the true jewel of this new edition is the enlightening and comprehensive commentary (including extensive footnotes!) by Professor Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, who brings his unique wizard's-eye perspective to the collection. Discovered "among the many papers which Dumbledore left in his will to the Hogwarts Archives," the venerable wizard's ruminations on the Tales allow today's readers to place them in the context of 16th century Muggle society, even allowing that "Beedle was somewhat out of step with his times in preaching a message of brotherly love for Muggles" during the era of witch hunts that would eventually drive the wizarding community into self-imposed exile. In fact, versions of the same stories told in wizarding households would shock many for their uncharitable treatment of their Muggle characters.

Professor Dumbledore also includes fascinating historical backstory, including tidbits such as the history and pursuit of magic wands, a brief comment on the Dark Arts and its practitioners, and the struggles with censorship that eventually led "a certain Beatrix Bloxam" to cleanse the Tales of "much of the darker themes that she found distasteful," forever altering the meaning of the stories for their Muggle audience. Dumbledore also allows us a glimpse of his personal relationship to the Tales, remarking that it was through "Babbity Rabbity and Her Cackling Stump" that "many of us [wizards] first discovered that magic could not bring back the dead."

Both a wise and delightful addition to the Harry Potter canon, this new translation of The Tales of Beedle the Bard is all that fans could hope for and more--and an essential volume for the libraries of Muggles, wizards, and witches, both young and old.(From Amazon.com)

TEEN JEOPARDY

Are you good at trivia?
Lots of Fun, Lots of Prizes.

Join us October 18th for Teen Jeopardy
New Milford Public Library
New Milford, Ct.
2-4

Preregister 860 355 1191 x204
or vfisher@biblio.org

IT’S YOUR FUTURE—TELL US WHAT YOU THINK

Not old enough to vote, we’d like to know what you think about the two presidential
Candidates.Where do they both stand on major issues? The economy, health care, education? It’s your future. Who makes sense? Try http://factcheck.org. It’s an unbiased site where you can see what both sides are saying or how about where the candidates have mislead the public http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/the_whoppers_of_2008.html Give us your vote and we’ll tally the results and post them in November.

Grab Bag of Books Giveaway

Every month in our Grab Bag of Books contest, five readers are awarded a Teenreads.com signature tote bag filled with some of the hottest books --- and may even include a sneak peak at titles that haven’t been released yet! This contest period’s winners will each receive a copy of AIRHEAD by Meg Cabot, THE GOOD NEIGHBORS: Book One - Kin by Holly Black and Ted Naifeh, THE MIRACLE GIRLS by Anne Dayton and May Vanderbilt, SUITE SCARLETT by Maureen Johnson and the VAMPIRE KISSES Box Set, which includes the first three books of Ellen Schreiber’s Vampire Kisses series
http://www.teenreads.com/features/grab_bag/index.asp

GRAB YOUR LAPTOPS AND INVEST

NEW SESSION STARTING TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7TH

With the stockmarket the top news item of the year, this session of
the stockmarket game promises to be more exciting than ever before.

Will you lose your shirt or will you become a millionaire.

Sign up and try your hand.

Call 860 355 1191 ext 204
email vfisher@biblio.org

Brisinger Party

A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL!!


Best Costume Max Alexander
Brisingr Book Winner Brian Olencki

Dragon Grub--Scorched Earth Brownies, Dragon Scale Chips, Dragon Egg Punch and
Fiery Dragon Salsa

Join us for our next program!!

Brisingr--What Do You Think?

Hurray--the day is finally here. Are all you fans buried in the
book or have you finished. Let me here your comments and criticisms.

Party at two. Marshmallow Catapult, trivia, what color is your dragon
find your dragon rider stone, and dress in Costume. Enjoy, enjoy,
enjoy. Pictures to follow!!

Young Adult Library Council

CALLING ALL YOUTH - GRADES 6-9



BE PART OF YOUR NEW MILFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY!

MAKE THE YOUNG ADULT COUNCIL YOUR CLUB!!!

SHARE IDEAS, VOLUNTEER, CREATE, PARTY, HAVE FUN.

GET FIRST DIBS ON NEW BOOKS

All meetings on Wednesday from 6:30-9
For more info http://newmilfordyacouncil.googlepages.com/enjoythefun
or call 860 355 1191 ext 204 and ask for Ms Fisher or email vfisher@biblio.org.

NEXT MEETING

OCTOBER 15
NOVEMBER 19
DECEMBER 17TH.

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE

Banned Book Week Readout

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 29TH 3:30 TO 5 PM.

Find out what books have been challenged and why!
Read a "Banned Book" wiht friends!!!
Enjoy refreshments!!
Win a door prize.

Registration required 860 355 1191 ext 204 or email vfisher@biblio.org

So You Wanna...

Learn how to be a CIA agent? Convert to Buddhism? Write a screenplay? Give a high tea? Become a member of the paparazzi? Well the So You Wanna duck can help you out. As well as the writers at the website (because it's kind of hard for the duck to type with those wings). But from changing your religion to getting a cool career like a fashion designer, this website can show you the steps on how to do it. So hit their website and soon you could learn the steps on how to score higher on your next SAT test...or be snapping pictures of Brad and Angelina. It's up to you

Inheritance Cycle Websites

Official Sites
www.alagaesia.com
www.shurtugal.com
www.brisingr.co.uk

Fan sites
www.youtube.com/shurtugalcom
http://brisingr.info/
www.eragon.atw.hu
www.shadeslayer.com
www.brisingr.net

Forums
www.eragonfans.com
www.eragonforum.com
www.brisingr.net
http://www.bebo.com/inheritance-cycle
www.inheritanceforums.com
www.saphiraforums.com
http://shruikanforums.com
http://wyrdaforums.sytes.net

Social Networking Groups
There are many Brisingr and Inheritance related groups on Facebook.
Click here for the largest group.

Blogs
http://www.myspace.com/shurtugalcom
http://www.myspace.com/palancarvalley

Information
http://inheritance.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page

Eragon Movie
www.eragonmovie.com
www.eragongame.com
http://edocsil.com/

http://www.johnjudepalencar.com/

Paolini Interview

From home-schooled teen to hit author, Paolini takes wing with dragon series
By Karen Holt

Even superstars get the jitters. Christopher Paolini tries not to dwell on the huge expections surrounding Brisingr, the third book in his blockbuster Iheritance Cycle fantasy series.

With the first two books in the series selling 15.5 million copies worldwide, Knopf is preparing for Brisingrs September release with 2.5 million copy first printing, its biggest ever for a children's book ever for a children's book. Meanwhile, fans are squealing messages like, "I can't wat!" and "OMG, I need it!" on web discussion boards.

"As an author, I found that I can't really allow myself to think about those things," 24 year old Paolini says, speaking by phone from his home in Montama "I actually fell into that trap with the first part of Brisinger . . . I sat there and I started obsessing about every single word."

He worked past it by turning away from the keyboard and writing with an ink-dip pen on 80 pound parchment paper. His mother transcribed the pages. Now its readers who are obsessing, spinning the meager bits of information Paolini has tesed out to them into full blown specualtion about what will happen to Eragon, Saphira and the rest of the inhabitants of Alagaesia.. . .

Get BOOK PAGE for September 2008 at your library to read the rest of the interview.

What is a Banned Book?

From the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

What is a banned or challenged book, you ask? A challenged book is a book that someone has asked to be removed from a library or store because they object to its content. A banned book is a book that has actually been removed from a library or store. Teen books are particularly vulnerable to challenges because, well, they are read by teens. Some adults believe that teens don't have the ability to choose what book is right for them. They may believe that books with objectionable content will corrupt your young minds.

According to the American Library Association's Office of Intellectual Freedom, the most challenged book of 2007 was And Tango Makes Three. This is a children's book about two male penguins raising a baby together. Another title that is often on the annual Most Frequently Challenged Book List is The Perks of Being a Wallflower. This book is by Stephen Chbosky, a Pittsburgh native. Some reasons that are cited for the banning of this book include homosexual characters and offensive language.

Please choose a title to read from ALA's 2007 list of most challenged books.http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/bannedbooksweek/challengedbanned/frequentlychallengedbooks.cfm

Here are a few other web resources about Intellectual Freedom:

AS IF! Authors Support Intellectual Freedom http://asifnews.blogspot.com/
This blog features many teen fiction authors, such as Cecil Castellucci Brent Hartinger, David Levithan, E. Lockart, Jordan Sonneblick, and many, many more!


The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund http://www.cbldf.org/timeline/index.shtml
The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund started in 1986 and its purpose is to fight for the First Amendment rights of graphic novel artists.


National Coalition Against Censorship http://www.ncac.org/action_issues/youth.cfm
This group is literally a coalition of 50 different non-profit organizations who have aligned to fight censorship. They are an Intellectual Freedom voltron of sorts.

Happy Banned Reading!
(from http://clpteens.blogspot.com/)

City of Ember Fans-- 4th Book

The Fourth and Final Book of Ember

That first winter in the village of Sparks was desperately hard. Doon decided he had to do something. He told Lina his plan. "And I want you to come with me," he added.

So they went. But what they found was not what they expected at all.

Coming in the fall of 2008!

Congrats to Carly--Just One Thing Winner

Did any of you catch Carly K. on Channel 8. She was one of the winners of the Preserve the Planet One Thing Contest. Congrats Carly!!

Brisngr Release Party

Come celebrate the long awaited release of Brisngr. Enter to win your very own copy.
Play games, which dragon will be yours? Enjoy dragon food, come in costume (optional) Have fun!!

Saturday, September 20, 2008
New Milford Public Library
2-4

All ages welcome!! Registration Required 860-355-1191 ext 204 or send me an email
nmplreference@yahoo.com with your name, phone and age.

We Left Our Legacy with Decorated Bookcarts

Our Young Adult Way Out Wednesday program brought out all our talented artists. The artist first created their masterpieces on paper. The following week thoughts became action as everyone painted their creation. See the pictures above of our newly decorated bookcarts and the fun we had.

Leave your Legacy, Decorate a Bookcart

Our Young Adult Way Out Wednesday program brought out all our talented artists.
See the pictures below of our newly painted and Decorated Book Carts.

BOOK TRAILER CONTEST--BE CREATIVE!

Summer Reading?





Get involved in the Hot Summer Twisted/Speak Book Trailer Contest!


Details! Details!

1. Create a book trailer for SPEAK or TWISTED. You may not use clips from the SPEAK movie (it is copyrighted, that's why). Your trailer must qualify for a PG rating. Try to keep it under two minutes long.

2. Post the trailer on YouTube. Include the phrase "TWISTED trailer contest" or "SPEAK trailer contest" in the title. Submissions must be posted by 12:00pm, EST, August 31, 2008.

3. Once the trailer is posted, notify us by emailing the Office Mouse: officemouse AT writerlady DOT com . When you notify us, please provide a link to your trailer and a valid email address so we can contact you if you win. If you are in a Summer Reading group, include the name of your librarian and her (or his) email address.

4. Watch and wait. Winner will be chosen by Laurie Halse Anderson (aka me).

5. NOTE! Contest is only open to people who will be 21 years old or younger on August 31, 2008.

6. If your trailer is chosen as the winning entry and you are not 18 yet, your parents will have to sign a release form granting me the rights to use your trailer. If you are over 18, you get to sign for yourself. You will be credited as the producer of the trailer, but the only payment you will receive is the prize described below. If you win, be sure to include this on your college or film school application.

7. If you are in a library summer reading group, your library will receive 5 signed copies of my books. The librarian in charge of the group gets to decide which books to receive.

8. There will be two prizes awarded; one for the best SPEAK trailer, one for the best TWISTED trailer.

9. The creator of the winning trailer will be awarded an 8GB iPod touch. Winner agrees to be responsible for setting up and paying for Internet connection and any warranty protection plan.

10. Winners will be announced on this blog, Sunday, September 7th, and will be notified by email.


I think that's everything. Please feel free to post this announcement to library and academic listservs. If you have any questions about the contest, please post them in the Comments section.

The Light Princess

A king and queen, after some time, have a daughter. The king invites everyone to the christening, except his sister Princess Makemnoit, a spiteful and sour woman. She arrives without an invitation and curses the princess to have no gravity. Whenever the princess accidentally moves up in the air, she has to be brought down, and the wind is capable of carrying her off. As she grows, she never cries, and never can be brought to see the serious side of anything. The court philosophers, when consulted, are unable to propose any cure that the king and queen will suffer to be used.

She passionately loves swimming, and when she swims, she regains her gravity. This leads to the proposal that if she could be brought to cry, it might break the curse. But nothing can induce her to cry.

A prince from another country sets out to find a wife, but finds fault in every princess he finds. He had not intended to look at the light princess, but becoming lost in a forest, he finds the princess swimming. Thinking she is drowning, he "rescues" her, ending up with her in air, scolding him. He falls instantly in love and, at her demand, puts her back in the water, and goes swimming with her. Days pass, and the prince learns that her manner is changed between the water and the land, and he can not marry her as she is on land.

Princess Makemnoit, meanwhile, discovers that the princess loves the lake and sets out to dry it up. The water is drained from the lake, the springs are stopped up, and the rain ceases. Even babies no longer cry water.

As the lake dries up, they discover that the only way to stop it was to block up the hole the water is flowing from, and the only thing that will block it is a living man, who would die in the deed. The prince volunteers, on the condition that the princess keep him company while the lake fills.

The lake fills up. When the prince has almost drowned, the princess suddenly shrieks and frantically drags his body from the lake to take it to her old nurse, who is a wise woman. They tend him through the night, and he wakes at dawn. The princess falls to the floor and cries.

After the princess masters the art of walking, she marries the prince. Princess Makemnoit's house is undermined by the waters, and falls in, drowning her. The light princess and her prince have many children, none of whom ever lose their gravity.

Thumbs down to the movie version of this book. The combination of 1980's animation and real actors could be greatly improved with the latest technology. If you like fairy tales, this might be an interesting read.

Where the Red Fern Grows

Take out the tissues for this movie!! The Young Critics Club gave thumbs up to both the movie and the book. Although the movie couldn't include all of the details of the book without making it unbearably long, it kept all the important points. If you have never seen this one, and love animals, it is a must see!

Chef a la New Milford

Our creative chef's vied for the title of Chef a la New Milford on July 16th. Isabelle Morrissey with her Chinese Tower tied for first place with Curtis Makowicki and his Minty Choclit Bunana. Carly Kleinstern ran a close second for her Windmill Wonder a la mode. What a yummy time!!

DO NOT PASS GO, DO NOT COLLECT $200

Competing for the title of New Milford Monopoly Champion, sixteen participants ran past go to acquire as much wealth as luck and skill would allow in New Milford Public Library's Annual Monopoly Tournament. The tournament was held on July 2, 2008. The grand prize winner was Tyler Plisko with Andre Cardenas coming in Second and Scott Thompson claiming Third Place, with participants Colm Farrell on the right and Chris Sweet on the left.

The Incredible Journey

Summer is moving fast!! The Young Critics Club watched Homeward Bound Monday afternoon and compared it to the book, The Incredible Journey What a surprise!!! The movie got thumbs up as better than the book!! Although the basic plot was the same, there were many differences between the book and the movie that didn't seem to have a logical reason such as name changes for the characters.

Come join us next Monday at 1:30 to watch Where the Red Fern Grows. Books for comparing are available in the Children's room of the library. See you then!!

Sign up for Programs Online

Indiana Jones Moviethon was an overwhelming success!! Thanks for all who came!!

Summer programs are moving fast.

Design a Dessert has a waiting list but let us know if you are interested.

We still have room in Decorate a Bookcart. Leave your name, phone and age in comments and we will sign you up.

There is also room in Board Games Day. Same routine or call to register.
860 355 1191

Have a safe and fun summer!!

The Dairi Burger

What in heaven's name is a dairi burger? On a recommendation from the YALSA listserv, I visited The Dairi Burger to read about the reissue of the teen series Sweet Valley High. Enjoy Francine Pascal's books?
Check this out!!

WAY OUT WEDNESDAYS

JOIN THE FUN Come and register for our Summer Programs,for kids coming out of Grades 5 through Grades 9.

July 9th INDIANA JONES MOVIETHON Come and enjoy the first two Indiana Jones movies in time for the new release. Prizes!! Popcorn!! Enjoy a summer afternoon with friends!!

July 16th DESIGN A DESSERT Bring your creativity and your appetite. Who will be Chef a la New Milford? Waiting List

July 23 & 30 DECORATE OUR BOOKCARTS Have fun and leave your lasting legacy at the library.

August 6 BOARD GAMES Enjoy the afternoon with friends for games and food.

YOUNG CRITICS CLUB

Our first book will be Marilyn Redmond's Henry Hamilton Graduate Ghost, a bounty of laughs and excitement as Henry Hamilton, a Civil War ghost tries to scare a skeptical and modern family. What's a poor ghost to do? READ THE BOOK. WATCH THE MOVIE July 7th at 1:30 at the library. Registration required. Hope to see you there!!

Podcasting

Our First Try at Podcasting with Gabcast. Not the easiest way to Podcast because you use the phone as your mike and it stops recording when the talking stops. It does eliminate the need
for downloading software or extra equipment.

Gabcast! Williwaw #2


Gabcast! Williwaw #1

Metamorphosis @ Your Library

Summer WOW Programs!!!! Join us for summer fun. We will transform the library book carts into works of art. We will Morph a new Monopoly winner in the Annual Monopoly Tournament. Change your old books into new ones at our book swap on June 25th. Become a couch potato for a day when we have an Indiana Jones Moviethon--popcorn anyone? Bring your favorite Board Games and transform your friends into a game enthusiast.

Like watching movies? Did you enjoy the book or movie more? Come join us in the YOUNG CRITICS CLUB to read and view four titles--your choice!! Come in or call to check out days and times or visit our website www.biblio.org/newmilford
All programs require registration. 860-355-1191 ext 204. Hope to see you there.

Book Discussion

The New Milford Public Library will have a book discussion on Tom Bodett's Williwaw at 2 pm on June 16th. We will try to podcast this so stay tuned to this blog.

Preserve the Planet "One Thing" Kids Contest

Kids in Grades k-12--combine with News Channel 8 and MyTV9 TV. Join the "One Thing" Idea Contest with your ideas to preserve the planet through energy conservation. If everyone does just "onething" everyday, what a difference we could make!!

Want to know more:
www.Onethingct.com.

HOW THE CONTEST WORKS:
To enter, children ages 6-18 share their Onething idea (in 50 words or less) for conserving energy and saving the planet and either enter on-line at myzone.tv or send in their entry to News Channel 8/MyTV9 Marketing Dept, 8 Elm Street, New Haven, Ct 06510
There are 3 cateegories (grades K-5, 6-8 and 9-12)
3 Grand Prizes in random drawing. One winner for each category.
Grand Prize includes winners appearing in an on-air television spot sharing their one thing idea plus a $50 gift certificate to Barnes and Noble
57 Runner up prizes will be awared a $50 gift certificate to Barnes and Noble.


HOW MANY WAYS CAN YOU SAVE THE PLANET?

Free Books

HarperCollins Publishers announces First Look Teen, a program to preview books in a variety of genres, with readers who make a difference – you!

Each month, HarperCollins will offer Advanced Reading Copies (ARCs) of great books by fabulous authors that you will have the opportunity to review. Reviewers are selected at random, but you must enter the program to be eligible. Join First Look Teen now – the sign up will take approximately two minutes. If you are already a member, sign in at right to continue. http://www.harperteen.com/firstlook/

Is copy-cat book cover art becoming an unwanted trend?

http://yalibrarian.com/
April 22, 2008

As a reader and frequent book store browser, I devote a degree of judgment towards book covers while downing an uppity-caffeinated beverage. When picking up an unfamiliar title, the presentation of a book is as important as appearing professional for a job interview. The book’s cover art introduces the reader to the story. Elements infused within the design, illustration, or photography heavily contribute towards the overall presentation and appeal. In fact, there are many times when a reader cannot recall the title or author, but is able to conjure a description of its cover. Once in a while, roles reverse and the consumer influences the cover. These titles become branded by the cover art due to momentous success i.e. Eragon, Twilight, Harry Potter. However, most titles receive a new makeover as the book transforms from hardcover to paperback to reprints, thereby creating a high expectation towards packaging.

Book cover art is a fine art as it attempts to attract its targeted audience. Those of us connected to the bookworld have a high regard for the efforts invested in printing high quality book covers, especially when we are booktalking titles to teens. Attractive and varied covers help us entice readers to expand their reading preferences. For publishers to package two different products with the same illustrations gives the impression of an impetuous company undermining current ethical standards. Whether copyright has been breached is not the immediate issue, rather consumers expect that their personal dollars are purchasing a unique product. To hinder the dystopian possibility that one day there may be several different titles displayed next to each other featuring the same cover art, please voice your opinions in the comments.

YOUNG SCIENTIST CHALLENGE

For students in grades 5-8
Hosted by Discovery Education & 3M
Prizes: all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, DC, for the competition finals; 1st place: $50,000 U.S. Savings Bond; 2nd place–10th place: $1,000; Opportunity to appear on television -- and more!

This challenge, which I only discovered a day or two ago, is already about halfway over (entries must be submitted by June 15), so if you're a budding scientist, be sure to visit the Discovery page to grab the details of the contest http://youngscientist.discoveryeducation.com/about/about.html It sounds wonderful. Here's a little bit about the contest:

Discovery Education/3M Young Scientist Challenge is the premier national science competition for students in grades 5 through 8. The Young Scientist Challenge is designed to encourage the exploration of science among America’s youth and to promote the importance of science communication. In 1999, Discovery Communications, LLC, launched the competition to nurture the next generation of American scientists at a critical age when interest in science begins to decline. Over the past nine years, more than 540,000 middle school students have been nominated to participate in the competition, and winners have gone on to speak in front of members of Congress, work with the nation’s top scientists, and pursue academic careers in the sciences.

Good luck!

How Do You Write :)

According to AP internet writer Anick Jesdanon, two thirds of teens use emoticons and informal styles in their writing.

How about you?

The Pew Internet and American Life Project, in a study released Thursday found non-standard elements in assignments were much more noticeable in those who used social networking sites.

What does this mean?

Failure to use proper capitalization and punctuation, 38 percent carry short cuts in instant messaging over to their assignments.

Do you think rules will change completely in a generation or two?

How much do you write by hand?

The study found that the computer generation is shunning computer use for most assignments. Almost 2/3 of teen typically do their school writing by hand. And for personal writing outside, long hand is even more popular--the preferred form for nearly 3/4 of teens.

Based on article NY Times April 24, 2008

Earth Day

Recycle Your Computer for a Greener Tomorrow
April 22nd, 2008 will mark the 38th anniversary of the first Earth Day--April 22, 1970. For those of us old enough to remember, the first Earth Day was celebrated with spirited walks and demonstrations across our country, accompanied by promises to clean up the Earth. My first exposure to saving the environment was after reading Rachel Carson's Silent Spring. All of my friends walked the streets picking up litter and other debris. We were enthusiastic in our part to clean up the Earth. Over the years since, I have been a faithful recycler at home, separating paper trash from recyclable items, turning off lights when not in use, and keeping the heat to a minimum whenever possible during the winter months. But, back in the 70's, I didn't own even one computer, let alone several, and, like many of you, I'm now faced with the issue of what to do with old, out-of-date computers. It doesn't take a degree in environmental science to figure out that disposing of your old computer at the local dump is probably not the best idea. So, what to do? Well, here are some suggestions for those of you who, like me, remain passionate about preserving the Earth.

* Check with local non-profit groups in your community. Only good for computers with life left in them, charitable donations are a good way to give back to your community while taking care of Mother Earth. For profit, Staples in New Milford will take your old computer for $10.

* Check with your computer's manufacturer.
Many major manufacturers--Dell, Gateway, HP, and Apple for example--offer free or low-cost recycling programs.

* Check with your local environmental group. New Milford Recycling has special days to collect hazardous waste, which are posted well in advance.

Calling all Harry Potter fans!

"Want to get your (gloved) hands on J.K. Rowling's The Tales of Beedle the Bard? Amazon.com wants to send you and a friend to London, England to spend a weekend with the rare and delightful book of fairy tales (security guards included, of course), handwritten and illustrated by J.K. Rowling herself. Open to muggles ages 13 and older in 24 countries, the Beedle the Bard Ballad Writing Contest challenges you to creatively answer one of the following three questions in 100 words or less:
• What songs do wizards use to celebrate birthdays?
• What sports do wizards play besides Quidditch?
• What have you learned from the Harry Potter series that you use in everyday life?

English-language submissions will be accepted through 11:59 p.m. PDT April 22, 2008. An Amazon.com committee will select 10 semi-finalist submissions (based on creativity and writing style) from each of two age categories: 13-17 and 18-and-over. Amazon.com customers will determine the two finalists and Grand Prize winner by voting for their favorites. The Grand Prize includes round-trip airfare, two nights lodging at a London hotel, as well as an expense allowance. Plus, each of the finalists from the two age groups will receive an Amazon Gift Certificate in the amount of $1,000." (From the Amazon.com website).

Science Fair Ideas

It's that time of year. Need some help with your project? Here are some recommended links

http://pbskids.org/dragonflytv/scifair/index.html

http://www.newtonsapple.tv/ScienceTryIts_Index.php Newton's Apple Science Try Its. These fun project ideas require that kids get hands-on.

http://www.sciencebuddies.org/ Science Buddies is a real treasure for teacher resources. To find them, click on the teacher's lab at the top of the home page.

http://www.ipl.org/div/projectguide/ Science Fair Project Resource Guide was created by librarians and is a classic among science-fair veterans. Guidance found here is designed to lead kids step-by-step through the process of selecting a topic, doing a project and creating a fair display.

http://pbskids.org/zoom/activities/sci/ ZOOMsci has simple science experiments that are ideal for elementary students and teachers seeking in-class projects.

http://www.exploratorium.edu/explore/online.html

http://www.virtualsciencefair.com/

Dragon Slippers

I have just finished a children's/young adult fantasy called "Dragon Slippers.

A lifelong reader and writer of fantasy fiction, Jessica Day George studied at Brigham Young University where she enjoyed classes in pottery-making and Old Norse, and dutifully forced herself to sit through biology and math. Originally from Idaho, and having briefly lived in Delaware and New Jersey, she now resides in Salt Lake City, Utah, with her husband, their young son, and a five pound Maltese named Pippin. Dragon Slippers is her first novel for young readers.
Many stories tell of damsels in distress, who are rescued from the clutches of fire-breathing dragons by knights in shining armor, and swept off to live happily ever after.

This is not one of those stories.

True, when Creel’s aunt suggests sacrificing her to the local dragon, it is with the hope that the knight will marry Creel and that everyone (aunt and family included) will benefit handsomely. Yet it’s Creel who talks her way out of the dragon’s clutches. And it’s Creel who walks for days on end to seek her fortune in the king’s city with only a bit of embroidery thread and a strange pair of slippers in her possession.
But even Creel could not have guessed the outcome of this tale. For in a country on the verge of war, Creel unknowingly possesses not just any pair of shoes, but a tool that could be used to save her kingdom…or destroy it.
This is a good first novel. One that I and the other staff members who read could not put down. Jessica Day George's sequel to Dragon Slippers will be out in April

Brigham City Carnegie Library

Dollar Sense

Have some financial fun!! Play Escape from Knab
http://www.escapefromknab.com/

Calculate what your dream would cost
http://www.jumpstart.org/madmoney/pgv_money_rc_main.html

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Reviews for TEENS by TEENS

See what Teens in Colorado think? Jefferson Public Library has a list of books with reviews written by kids your age. New review for Atonement Child by Francine Rivers. Or for all of you puppy lovers how about a review of Marley and Me

Brisngr SEPTEMBER 20, 2008

For all Eragon fans, check out the cover art for the third volume of Christopher Paolini's Inheritance Cycle. The book will be released on September 20th. The series will now be 4 books, instead of the originally planned 3

The White Darkness, by Geraldine McCaughrean, published by HarperTempest, an imprint of HarperCollins has won the 2008 Michael L. Printz Award. The award announcement was made during the American Library Association (ALA) Midwinter Meeting in Philadelphia, January 11-16.

Fourteen-year-old Symone's exciting vacation to Antarctica turns into a desperate struggle for survival when her uncleís obsessive quest leads them across the frozen wilderness into danger.

McCaughrean has won numerous awards for children's literature in her native England. Celebrated for her novels, picture books and folklore adaptations, The White Darkness is her first contemporary young adult novel.

"Symone's unforgettable voice propels this journey of discovery in a book that is intricately plotted, richly imaged and brings new meaning to the term unreliable narrator," said Printz Award Committee Chair Lynn Rutan. "Readers will need to hang onto their snow goggles in this compelling book in which nothing is as it seems at first glance."

You Think Our Winters are Cold . . . READ

2008 Teen Nutmeg Nominee
In 1914, Ernest Shackleton set out to reach the South Pole. He did not return to civilization until 1917! Soon after the men reached Antarctica, the ship was crushed by the ice and the men were stranded in Antarctica with no shelter or way home. Amazingly, these men survived for nearly two years and absolutely no one died. Amazing story but the fact that it is true is quite impressive. This is a fictionalized account of 18-year-old Perce Blackborow who stowed away on the ship. I guess he picked the wrong ship to stow away on!

Anyone who likes adventure must read Shackleton's Stowaway by Victoria Mckernan