Looking for Adventure?
Check out Orca's new series Seven.
After his death at 92, David McLean's unusual will sends his seven grandsons on unique journeys across the world. Read one story or read all seven.
Posted by Melissa W. at 12:23 PM
Posted by Jen K at 11:28 AM
Labels: contests, prizes, summer reading 2013, video
The Teen Advisory Board at Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library kicked off Teen Read Week with a spooky evening of fun, inspired by classic and contemporary literary horror. Monster Mash drew around 50 teens in their creepiest costumes to enjoy ghoulish games and dance ‘til their feet fell off (literally, of course!)
Some of the night’s highlights:
• “Best Costume” prize awarded to Tinkerbell
• The Mummy Race won by mummy Wes S. and his wrapping partner Ashleigh S.
• The ghoulishly good snack table, featuring treats like cakepop eyeballs (chocolate cake coated in white chocolate and decorated like eyeballs) and graveyard pudding (chocolate pudding layered with crushed oreos with ladyfingers sticking out like little gravestones).
Thanks to the Friends of the Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library for making this night possible!
Posted by Jen K at 12:57 PM
Labels: events, Jimmie B Keel Regional Library, Monster Mash, TAB
The Teen Advisory Board makes a tremendous difference at the Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, and few outstanding members were recently recognized by the Library Board for their dedicated service. On September 27, the Library Board presented a Certificate of Commendation from the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners and a pin for Volunteer Excellence to five members of the Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library T.A.B., recognizing each for completing 100 or more hours of service to the library.
Rita M. receives a Certificate of Commendation for 100+ hours of volunteer service. |
Posted by Jen K at 3:11 PM
Labels: awards, Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, TAB, volunteer
Posted by Jen K at 2:36 PM
Labels: crafts, events, Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, TAB
This summer, teens across Hillsborough County attended events at their local libraries and submitted more than 200 book reviews. Now that you're back at school, you have even more reasons to visit the library.
The library has free programs for teens and a ton of great resources for your school projects.
Whether you enjoy gaming, anime, crafts, movies or books, the library offers programs. Don't see anything for you? Join a TAB group and receive community service hours for volunteering at the library and helping the librarians plan events for teens.
Posted by Melissa W. at 10:13 AM
If you want to win an iPod for participating in the HCPLC's summer reading program, you still have two weeks to earn tickets.
Remember that you can earn tickets for writing reviews for the books you read this summer.
Jessica read Forever by Judy Blume and highly recommends this book about first love that "ends unexpectedly and leaves you emotionally attached."
If you are looking for a great series, Jasean recommends the Artemis Fowl series. In Jasean's review of the conclusion of the Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer, he says that "the Artemis Fowl series is amazing and had me hanging off my seat."
Two Book Flip participants recommend the Skyship Academy: the Pearl Wars by Nick James. According to Garren. "this book was really cool... it was in the future on earth. Earth was destroyed and there are two groups... the skyship people and the unified party."
Keep reading and reviewing!
Posted by Melissa W. at 11:35 AM
Labels: Book Flip, Book Review, Own the night Own an iPod
Skyship Academy: The Pearl Wars is back! Find this flipped book next to a biography of the evil mastermind of World World Two.
Nightshade has also returned and is hiding behind a poisonous copy of Fine Gardening Magazine.
Posted by elisa carlson at 12:25 PM
On Tuesday July 31, the John F. Germany Library invites all teens to join us for our Midnight Snacks program. Come by the Auditorium at 2 p.m. to learn how to make s'mores without a campfire or to turn the assorted snacks in your cupboard into a great snack.
All teen participants will also earn a ticket to enter the Own the Night, Own an iPod drawing.
Posted by Melissa W. at 1:05 PM
Labels: John F. Germany Public Library, Own the night Own an iPod
Looking for a great book to read before school starts again? It is not too late to earn tickets for the Own the Night, Own an iPod drawing.
Destiny earned two tickets for her review of Suzanne Selfors' Coffeehouse Angel. In this YA novel, a teen's kindness to a stranger results in the granting of deepest wish. Destiny also recommended Seflors'
novel Saving Juliet about a young actress that finds herself transported to Shakespeare's Verona in time to try to save Juliet and Romeo from their tragic fates.
Looking for a book with some action? Nick recommends The Dangerous Days of Daniel X by James Patterson. After his parents are killed by an alien, Daniel discovers "awesome powers that make him unstoppable."
Visit your local library to find one of these great books!
Posted by Melissa W. at 12:50 PM
Jennifer recommends Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver. She gives the book 4.5 stars and says "you don't want to put the book down...you want to know what she'll do to change." In this great read for high schooler readers, Samantha dies in a car crash, but she continues to relive the day of her death until she is able to make a life altering change.
Each year, a set of books are selected by the Florida Association of Media Educators (FAME) to help high school students find great non-required reading books. This year's Teen Reads include Queen of the Water by Laura Resau. A teen from the Town N' Country library highly recommends this book set in Ecudaor. "Virginia's story will speak to anyone who has ever struggled to find his or her place in the world." It will make you laugh and cry, and ultimately, it will fill you with hope." After she is taken from her small village to be an unpaid servent to a wealthy coupl, Virginia fights to find a place for herself and secretly learns to read and write. Even once she manages to find her freedon, she continues to struggle as "she is caught between two cultures."
Posted by Melissa W. at 4:59 PM
Posted by John R. at 4:26 PM
Labels: drum, Jan Platt Regional Library, music, Own the night Own an iPod
Posted by Melissa W. at 2:49 PM
Labels: Book Review, John F. Germany Public Library, Own the night Own an iPod
One copy of Nightshade was recently returned and hidden with a new clue!
Here are the current clues!
There are two copies of Skyship Academy: The Pearl Wars by Nick James hidden at Jan Platt Regional Library. Find one and Book Flip it! Here are the clues:
Posted by John R. at 2:10 PM
Posted by Melissa W. at 10:53 AM
Labels: Book Review, John F. Germany Public Library, Own the night Own an iPod
One copy of Nightshade was just found and checked out! Soon to be flipped! One copy of Skyship Academy: The Pearl Wars was just found and checked out! Also soon to be flipped.
Stay tuned for new clues when they come back.
New clues! New clues!
There is still a copy of Skyship Academy: The Pearl Wars at New Tampa Library, but it has migrated to a spot next to Fodor's Seattle guidebook.
There is also still a copy of Nightshade at New Tampa Library. It's conducting some research into lycanthropy by studying Gary Jeffrey's Werewolves: Stories of Deadly Shape-Shifters.
Posted by elisa carlson at 3:36 PM
We have a copy of the novel Skyship Academy by Nick James! We have a new clue as to the location of this book. Can you solve it and claim this copy of Skyship Academy?
If you wish to read this book, go gaze upon the stars in Galaxy 522.
Posted by Nikki at 3:29 PM
Labels: Book Flip, Own the night Own an iPod, Upper Tampa Bay Regional Library
One copy of Nightshade was just found and checked out! Soon to be flipped! Watch this place for the new clue when it comes back.
One copy of Skyship Academy was returned today and hidden with a new clue! Here are the current clues!
There are two copies of Skyship Academy: The Pearl Wars by Nick James hidden at Jan Platt Regional Library. Find one and Book Flip it! Here are the clues:
Posted by John R. at 3:36 PM
Labels: Book Flip, Jan Platt Regional Library
Posted by Melissa W. at 11:56 AM
Posted by Nikki at 12:00 PM
Labels: Book Flip, Own the night Own an iPod, Upper Tampa Bay Regional Library
Book Flip Clues @ Jan Platt Regional Library
One copy of Skyship Academy was found today and checked out! Soon to be flipped! Watch this place for the new clue when it comes back. Here are the current clues!There is one copy of Skyship Academy: The Pearl Wars by Nick James hidden at Jan Platt Regional Library. Find it and Book Flip it! Here is the clue:
There are two copies of Nightshade by Andrea Cremer hidden at Jan Platt Regional Library. Find one and Book Flip it! Here are the clues:
These clues were created by the Jan Platt Regional Library Teen Advisory Board
Posted by John R. at 4:51 PM
Labels: Book Flip, Jan Platt Regional Library
Book Flip Clues @ Port Tampa City Library
There is one copy of Skyship Academy: The Pearl Wars by Nick James hidden at Port Tampa City Library. Find it and Book Flip it! Here is the clue:
There is one copy of Nightshade by Andrea Cremer hidden at Port Tampa City Library. Find it and Book Flip it! Here is the clue:
Posted by John R. at 4:59 PM
Labels: Book Flip, Port Tampa City Library
Book Flip Clues @ Jan Platt Regional Library
There are two copies of Skyship Academy: The Pearl Wars by Nick James hidden at Jan Platt Regional Library. Find one and Book Flip it! Here are the clues:
There are two copies of Nightshade by Andrea Cremer hidden at Jan Platt Regional Library. Find one and Book Flip it! Here are the clues:
These clues were created by the Jan Platt Regional Library Teen Advisory Board
Posted by John R. at 4:52 PM
Labels: Book Flip, Jan Platt Regional Library
At the New Tampa Regional Library, a copy of Skyship Academy: Pearl Wars has settled in next to another YA fiction book set in Seattle, about a girl trying to Breathe.
Steam Punk isn't only for books - find a copy of Skyship Academy: Pearl Wars next to this Steam-y graphic novel at the New Tampa Regional Library.
Werewolf books are forming a pack at New Tampa Regional: you can find a copy of Nightshade in the YA Fiction section, nuzzling a copy of this book about accompanying a werewolf to the Moonlight Ball.
A copy of Nightshade has been Banished to the YA section at New Tampa Regional Library, in the hopes that maybe there Calla will resolve her identity issues.
Posted by elisa carlson at 1:40 PM
We have hidden our copies of Nightshade and Skyship Academy: Pearl Wars in the East Building at the John F. Germany Public Library.
White Cat is from a popular series about a teen torn between their obligations to their family and what is right. Find this book by Holly Black and a copy of Nightshade in the YA section at JFG.
Looking for a copy of Skyship Academy: Pearl Wars? Check out the travel section at JFG to find out more about Seattle and a copy of Skyship Academy: Pearl Wars.
Posted by Melissa W. at 12:40 PM
Labels: Book Flip, John F. Germany Public Library, Summer Reading 2012
Want a chance to win an Ipod? Participating in the Book Flip could possibly get you one! Throughout the summer, a copy of the novel Nightshade, by Andrea Cremer and Skyship Academy: The Pearl Wars by Nick James will be hidden inside the library. All you have to do is hunt for the book, read it, and then hide it again for someone else to find. Then, with the help of a librarian, you will post a hint as to where you hid the book on the teen blog. Finally, attend the end-of–summer wrap-up party to discuss your hunt for the books and their content. By participating in this Book Flip, you will earn three tickets for the Own the Night, Own an Ipod drawing for your chance to win.
Posted by Bill H at 7:15 PM
You Could Win Prizes!
Sister and brother co-authors of the Another Series, Dina and Daniel Nayeri, have created modern-day, paranormal page-turners such as, ANOTHER FAUST and ANOTHER PAN. Their latest book is called, ANOTHER JEKYLL, ANOTHER HYDE.
Readers are invited to write a story that reinvents a classic tale or character, making it modern and, original!
Write a story in 1,200 words or less.
Visit http://www.teenreads.com/ for more information
Teenreads let you find the titles that you like so you can check them out from your local library!
Posted by Gabrielle at 3:09 PM
On Thursday, April 26th at 5:30pm The Jan Platt Regional Library Teen Book Club will be discussing The Amulet of Samarkand. Come join the discussion and help select future books for the group to read. Copies of the book are available at Jan Platt Library for check out. Refreshments will be provided.
Posted by John R. at 2:14 PM
Labels: Bartimaeus, Book Club, Book Review, books, Jan Platt Regional Library, Jonathan Stroud, reading, TAB, The Amulet of Samarkand
Do you love reading? Looking for something new? Join us for our monthly Teen Book Club. We read and talk about books selected by teens like you!
Posted by John R. at 2:32 PM
Labels: Book Club, books, Jan Platt Regional Library, Jonathan Stroud, reading, TAB, The Amulet of Samarkand
Right here in Tampa! Right this weekend! It's Khaotic Kon! Featuring special events such as the Murder Mystery Theater, Hetalia Nation, and Evil Shinding of Ma-Intent. And of course, old con favorites such as Anime Music Video and Cosplay contests. Join us for Tampa's first springtime anime convention!
Khaotic Kon
Posted by Heidi at 11:29 AM
Labels: anime / manga, anime conventions
Talented Teens from all over Tampa visited the West Tampa Branch Library for great performances of poetry, music and dancing. The standing room only crowd of 85 fans were cheering throughout the contest. It must have been difficult for the judges because the competition was steep. Who could forget the cowboy... or the mimes or the dance crew or the cute little steppers ... Pop, Hip Hop, Country, Dance, Step, Keyboards, Pianos, Poetry, Show Tunes, and Gospel! Oh My! Each one of those talented teens fought fiercely for the prize, but the winners were a middle school singer named Miranda and a high school student named Jonathon, “The Piano Man". Each winner took home the first place cash prizes of $100 each.
West Tampa was one of six regional contests throughout the county. The first and second place winners for the middle and high school divisions in each regional contest are invited to the John F. Germany Public Library this Saturday, April 14th at 2pm. Best of luck to the West Tampa Winners in the finale! Go West Tampa! GO! GO!
A special Shout-Out goes to the Ada T. Payne Friends of the Urban Libraries for their support in making such programs possible!
Posted by Gabrielle at 12:13 PM
Come to the library and cheer on your friends at our upcoming Teen Talent Shows! The winners of each show (middle and high school divisions) will be invited to the grand finale at the John F. Germany Library downtown on April 14th. Cash prizes awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place!
Posted by John R. at 11:06 AM
Labels: events, Teen Talent Show
The Green Team from left to right, Kaylob, Team Captain, Cesar and Xayonara
The audience cheered as the clock was started. Both teams worked feverishly to complete their tasks – to prepare a drink, entree and desert for the judges, using at least one of the "Secret Ingredients." With moments to spare, both teams finished and the Captains presented their fare to the judges. The Green Team got off to a slow start, but finished strong and received praise for their dessert and drink, but it was the Red Team that won the coveted "Black Spatula" and the right to be called "Soul Chefs 2012!"
Posted by HCPLC Teen Team at 10:34 AM
Labels: C. Blythe Andrews, Jr. Public Library, SoulChef, TAB
Calling all teen filmmakers! The Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System is providing you the opportunity to film a commercial for Teen Tech Week 2012 Geek Out @ your library. The commercial can either highlight digital resources/technology in the library OR promote Summer Reading: Own the Night.
Prizes in the two categories will be awarded and featured on the library's website and Facebook page on Friday, April 6, 2012. Both winners will receive a $50 gift card, courtesy of the Friends of the John F. Germany Public Library.
Entries will be accepted by HCPLC library locations from Friday, March 9 2012 until close of library business (5:00pm) on Monday, March 10, 2012. Please visit any of the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library locations for more information.
Posted by Bill H at 12:15 PM
Are finding ways to fulfill community service hours stressful for you? Do you dread some of the tasks you have to do and wish you could set your own projects? Well, if you participate in Teen Advisory Board (T.A.B.) at John F. Germany you can! The purpose of T.A.B. is to add adolescent appeal to the library: stuff that teens like. The way that this is done is simple and effective, and it benefits you too!
Teens gather to discuss what might make their peers more interested and active in the library. For example, just last Tuesday we were discussing how social networking sites can easily get information about T.A.B. out to the teenage public. We discussed the effects of Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, and texting on teens while enjoying some Zebra Cakes and Sprite. Sounds fun, right? When you start attending T.A.B. you can opt to start volunteering also.
Mr. Bill, our awesome T.A.B. leader, can help you come up with a project to suit your strengths. For example, my project is writing this blog for you guys, but there are many other options too. Once you decide, you just pick the most convenient day and time and start ranking in those volunteer hours. You can even count the hour-long T.A.B. meetings we have every other Tuesday! I can honestly say as a T.A.B. member myself, that earning volunteer hours has never been as flexible, easy, or as enjoyable.
Come join us on the first and third Tuesday of the month at the John F. Germany Library at 6:30pm to start working with the T.A.B.
Hope to see you there! ~ Ariana, T.A.B. member
Posted by Bill H at 6:50 PM
Do you love reading? Looking for something new? Join us for our monthly Teen Book Club. We read and talk about books selected by teens like you!
Posted by John R. at 3:24 PM
Labels: Book Club, Jan Platt Regional Library, Michael Scott, Nicholas Flamel, reading, TAB, The Alchemyst
Do you love reading? Looking for something new? Join us for our monthly Teen Book Club. We read and talk about books selected by teens like you!
Posted by John R. at 2:43 PM
Labels: Book Club, books, Cassandra Clare, City of Bones, Jan Platt Regional Library, reading, TAB, The Mortal Instruments
The winners of the Teenz Ink short story contest were announced!
Click on the banner to read the winning entries of our annual Teenz Ink short story contest. We had over 275 stories submitted by teens this year. Thanks to everyone who participated, and a huge CONGRATULATIONS to our winners!
High School
First Place: Crossroads: A Tale of Changing Seasons by Jackie
Second Place: The Long-Tailed Mountain Lady by Wei Wei
Middle School
First Place: Betrayal of Artemis by Pauline
Second Place: The Memory By: Rikianne
Posted by Bill H at 8:03 AM
Do you love reading? Looking for something new? Join us for our monthly Teen Book Club. We read and talk about books selected by teens like you!
Posted by John R. at 11:08 AM
Labels: Angie Sage, Book Club, books, Jan Platt Regional Library, Magyk, reading, TAB