Teen Time: Black History Month @ the movies!

There are so many wonderful events to celebrate in February.  Valentine’s Day, Presidents Day, and Black History month! We love celebrating diversity and what better time to do so then this month! So, for this week’s Teen Time we are taking a look at some awesome movies that celebrate black history, heritage, and culture! Attendees will snack on popcorn and candy and choose from this selection of four feature films. See below for details!

The Wiz- A Motown spin on the classic story “The Wizard of Oz”! Dorothy is a Harlem schoolteacher who tries to save her dog from a storm and is whisked away to an urban OZ.  In order to get back to Harlem, Dorothy must find The Wiz and embarks on an adventure where she meets the scarecrow, tin man, and cowardly lion.  An incredible cast and fun Motown music make this classic a fun choice!

42: The Jackie Robinson Story-In 1946, Branch Rickey, legendary manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, defies major league baseball’s notorious color barrier by signing Jackie Robinson to the team. The heroic act puts both Rickey and Robinson in the firing line of the public, the press and other players. Facing open racism from all sides, Robinson demonstrates true courage and admirable restraint by not reacting in kind and lets his undeniable talent silence the critics for him.

The Princess and the Frog- This story is not only enchanting but it also features the first African American Disney princess! Tiana is a hardworking New Orleans young woman trying to scrape enough money together to open her own resturant. Prince Naveen shys away from hard work and only wants to live a life full of fun and adventure. When they both fall under a spell that turns them into frogs they must work together to break it or live out their days as frogs.

Hidden Figures- This true story focuses on three of the many black women who helped make space exploration possible.  Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughn, and Mary Jackson are mathematicians and computers who work hard on the difficult calculations and equations needed to get to the moon, all without receiving credit for their hard work.  They face the challenges of racism, sexism, and oppression in the workforce but they overcome it and triumph as they help to get the first man into orbit! Spectacular, moving performances by three talented women make this a must see! 

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Teen Time: Blind Date with a Book

February is here! Love is in the air! Flowers, chocolates, cards, and sweet nothings are plentiful. Maybe your perfect Valentine’s Day is a romantic date with your big time crush or with your long-time love. Maybe your perfect Valentine’s Day is some quality time with your best friends watching/mocking romantic comedies or horror flicks. Maybe you just want to eat some chocolate while you get lost in a great book.  Whatever the way your spend Valentine’s Day we want you to have the best date a library can offer: A Blind Date with a Book! Join us on February 8th from 3pm-5pm. We will provide a variety of books wrapped in brown paper with a variety of descriptions on them and teens are invited to check them out and take them on a date. Teens who would like to play matchmaker are invited to cover some books in the same way for a Blind Date with a Book Display in the main library. Whatever way you decided to enjoy the month of February we hope you find something wonderful to read!

 

Teen Time: Bullet Journaling

Bullet Journaling is quickly becoming one of the trendiest ways to get your life organized, track habits, and doodle all rolled into one neat little package! The practice of keeping a planner may not be a new one, but creating layouts and customizing what exactly you want to keep track of has become the newest way to have fun staying organized. A quick search on YouTube yields tons of results from seasoned journalers who offer their tips and tricks to creating the best layouts, new habit trackers, and the best products to get your bullet journaling off on the right foot.  Tomorrow we will be holding our own bullet journaling session.  We will be watching some YouTube videos to get some ideas and then have some time to practice some different layouts.  Bring your favorite journal or one will be provided.  We will also provide fun, colorful pens to jazz up your bullet journals! Check out these books for more information!

Beyond Bullets by Megan Rutell-Beyond Bullets builds on the established foundations of bullet journaling and moves into suggestions for creative layouts, how to set up and keep a running index, and advanced lettering styles.

Dot Journaling: A Practical Guide by Rachel Wilkerson Miller– This is the ultimate beginners guide for learning the basics of dot journaling.  This guide will tell you how to set up your pages and to not be too hard on yourself if things aren’t set up in the optimal way–learning what works for you is part of the process. Both of these books are available at the Library.

Teen Time: Self Defense with Master Flotka

The new year is a great time to start fresh! Whether you are trying to keep track of good habits or learn something new, there is something refreshing about January and it seems like a great time to get started.  Tomorrow during our Teen Time, we will meet with Master Carl Flotka who will be demonstrating self-defense techniques.  Master Flotka is a 6th degree master instructor and teachers at Master Flotka’s ATA Martial Arts studio.  Come and learn how to protect yourself and others at this interesting session! 

Teen Time: SAT Prep

During Teen Time this week, we have invited special speaker, Jessica Rollins, to join us from Sylvan Learning Center to talk about SAT Prep. Jessica will be discussing tips and strategies for getting the most out of your SAT experience, as well as discussing how the SAT scores factor into college admissions. It’s never too soon to start thinking about this important aspect of high school.  Everyone can benefit from hearing information about how to understand this standardized test, as well as get you thinking about life after high school.  While you are here, check out some of these excellent resources from the library!

Reading and Writing Workout for the SAT by The Princeton Review– The Princeton Review is THE college admission and test prep company. This 2nd edition is a fantastic resource that will give you all the information you need to know about how to prepare for the SAT. They include questions, answers, and explanations as well as a providing variety of topics and writing drills that will help you do better on the writing section.

The Perfect Score Project: Uncovering the Secrets of the SAT by Debbie Stier- Here’s a book that your parents or guardians can read with you! Debbie Stier, a mother who wants to help her teenage son prepare and take the SAT, strives to better understand the test, how to prepare for it, and deciphering the results.  She takes the test seven times (!), prepares with one of the greatest test prep companies available, and works with coaches. The result is in her book, helping you to better understand what methods work and what doesn’t and what it means to take this important test.

Designer Hot Cocoa!

With the freezing temps and snow swirling everywhere it can be tough to keep warm! I know nothing helps thaw me out more than a nice, steaming, warm beverage.  Tomorrow, January 4th we will be kicking off the new year with some hot cocoa in the library. This isn’t just any old hot cocoa though–this is designer! Designed by you! We will have all the ingredients and a few suggested recipes to try out. Follow our suggestions or go wild and create your own concoction. The combinations are endless. We will have ziplock bags and sharpies so you can label your mix and take it home for friends and family to test out too. If you are looking for a fun and yummy way to warm up this winter, look no further!

New Year: New Goals

Goodbye 2017! It’s been quite a year! As the end of the year approaches, it’s inevitable that we reflect on the year gone by and begin to anticipate the upcoming new year. Making New Year’s resolutions and setting goals are a great way to get the most out of the next year! Are you ready for 2018?

Personally, I always try to set goals that push me to try new things.  Last year, I set a goal of wanting to run my first 5k and trained for the majority of the year. I ran it in September and it was a blast! I’m so happy I pushed myself to try something new! Maybe you want to get more organized in the New year. Maybe you need to work on learning a new skill. Maybe you want to figure out how to declutter your life…or maybe just start with your room. Here are a few books to help you prep for 2018!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dot Journaling -A Practical Guide : How to Start and Keep the Planner, To-Do List, and Diary That’ll Actually Help You Get Your Life Together by Rachel Wilkerson Miller: I am a list maker. Always have been, always will be.  Why not jazz up all of those lists a little bit.  While I’m at it why not add in some additional information like tracking my spending or time spent reading. Insights into how I manage my time can help give me an idea as to where to more effectively plan my days, weeks, or even months.  This guide will help you focus on what’s most important to you.  You can make it as simple or as elaborate as you like.  You can chose what to track and how. The idea is that you are planning efficiently and effectively and being mindful of how time is spent.  I love being aware of how I spend my time, especially when I feel overwhelmed. Sign me up!

The life-changing magic of tidying up : the Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kando: Say what you will about this book, but it’s popular for a reason.  It has helped many people de-clutter their homes, work spaces, and lives.  Looking to reduce the quantity of your material possessions? This book will help you do that.  By examining each item we own closely, understanding if it brings you joy (or not) will help you determine whether it should continue to be a part of your life. Not only does this book promise to help you untangle your home organization, it promises that once accomplished, you will never have to do it again.

How to Write Good by Ryan Higa: Ryan Higa, YouTube sensation and internet darling has written a book. A book on how to write. Now if you love Ryan, (or if you aren’t even remotely familiar with him), you should still pick up this book.  Ryan tells  his story but also teaches students how to excel at writing.  A wonderful New Year’s resolution would be to up those English grades and who better to learn from that this charismatic young man. He mixes his own experiences with life lessons and lessons in writing well.  Sounds like a winner! 

 

Holly Jolly Reads for the Winter Season

The holiday season is upon us.  There is snow in the air, the hot cocoa is flowing, and it’s time to settle in with a fantastic book to keep you warm all season long! Whether you love an exciting action/thriller, a feel-good romance, or rousing social justice read, the library is the place for you. Check out several books to keep you company all winter long.  Books can be checked out for 3 weeks and renewed up to three times as long as there are no holds on them.  Get them while they are here because these books are hot for the cold months ahead!

Landscape with Invisible Hand by M.T. Anderson-A story of alien invasions,  deteriorating love between two teens, and 1950’s nostalgia sounds like a winning combination to us! The protagonist must keep up appearances and keep the alien race invested in his love story with someone he is quickly falling out of love with in order to survive.  This new book by Anderson, who also wrote the popular “Feed”, has movie buzz already and is an interesting treat to read. The Truman show meets reality TV.

Jane Unlimited by Kristin Cashore– When you have no direction, your choices are endless! All of the choices Jane makes leads her to a mysterious island mansion called Tu Reviens.   While there, Jane made choices that will impact her life forever.  All choices come with a reward or a price and Jane is learning just how far she is willing to go.

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green– An instant best seller! John Green is known for his writing quotable quotes, realistic, heart wrenching plot lines, and relate-able and quirky characters that stay with you forever. TATWD is no exception.  Brimming with heart and a unique protagonist, Aza, John Green tells a story of a young girl trying to solve a mystery while understanding herself as well.

When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon– A rom-com for the ages! This story follows aspiring web developer and independent woman Dimple who is ready for life and not ready for a husband and Rishi who is a hopeless romantic ready for love with his future arranged wife.  When these two met fireworks spark and the reader is in for a treat watching their love story unfold.

STEM Skills: Tremendous Tutus!

Do you have fashionable ambitions? Ever thought of making your own clothes? Come to Teen Time next Thursday, December 14th from 3pm-5pm in the library annex.  We will be using tulle fabric and elastic to create some cool no-sew tutus. We will be measuring, tying, and modeling some cool tutus! Make one for yourself or give it as a gift this holiday season! We will provide the materials, you provide the creativity! Check out these three books on crafting and making your own clothes!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Teen Time: Bullying Prevention

Bullying is a serious problem in America, one that most teens will face at some point in their lives.  We want to equip our teens with the knowledge and understanding to know what to do when a bullying instance is taking place.  We want you to know how to problem solve when these intense situations present themselves. We have partnered with MSU extension to bring a Bullying prevention program to the library.  On Thursday, December 7th from 3pm-5pm Abigail Cudney will be presenting “An Introduction to Bullying Prevention”. Here is information on what the program will cover.

Every day across our communities, thousands of young people are affected by a range of harmful bullying behaviors. Be SAFE: Safe, Affirming and Fair Environments is a Michigan State University Extension initiative designed to help young people aged 11 to 14 (and adults) work in partnership to create environments that are physically and emotionally safe.

During Teen Time we will cover: An introduction to Bullying Prevention: where participants will explore attitudes and beliefs about bullying behaviors, and build an understanding of what bullying is.

We hope you will join us for this important presentation.  There will be time for questions at the end and pizza will be provided for all attendees.