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.

2013 CLSP Teen Video Challenge

Take part in the national Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP)! Create a video promoting Summer Reading at the public library, including your interpretation of the 2013 SLP teen slogan "Beneath the Surface," and you could win $275 and a $125 award for your library.


Any teen, aged 13 -18, can enter the CSLP "2013 Teen Video Challenge" in the state where they live. Videos can be created individually or as a team. The winning video from Florida will become one of the official Teen PSAs for the National 2013 CSLP Summer Reading Program (CSLP Winning Videos).


The deadline for entries is February 1, 2013. The application is available online. For more information visit the CSLP website.

It was a Graveyard Smash!

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!

Outstanding Teen Volunteers!

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.

 Stephanie A., Cydney B., Rita M., Clarissa N., and Wes S. have each gone above and beyond in service to the library and its community, not only participating in T.A.B. projects, but also helping with programs for children and adults and volunteering for special projects with staff.

Ms. Janet and I (and Ms. Annamae too!) are proud of each and every one of them, and we’re thankful to the Library Board for helping express the appreciation that we feel for the support that these special young people have provided to us, our library and our community. Congrats!

A Hauntingly Good Time!

Are you ready for a ghoulishly good October? The teens at JBK certainly are after last week’s hands-on workshop for teens, Special FX.  TAB member David F. led this unique and incredibly fun event, sharing tricks of the trade from his favorite hobby, special effects makeup. Almost 20 teens (and a few daring adults) learned the basics to creating burns, bites, gouges and other gruesome makeup effects.  The Friends of the Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library provided plenty of liquid latex, theatrical makeup and fake blood for everyone to get their hands dirty. Now they’ll all be ready for next week’s Monster Mash dance and any other haunted festivities they shamble into!

Summer may be over, but the fun continues @ your Library

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.

Own the Night, Own an iPod

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!

Flipped book clues at New Tampa Regional

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.

Midnight Snacks @ JFG

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.

Own the Night Book reviews

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!

Own the Night, Own an iPod Book Reviews

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."

Own the Night with Giving Tree Music!

Hi !

You are invited to a very special summer teen event at Jan Platt Library : a Giving Tree Music Drumming event on Monday, July 9th at 3:30!

Connect our Global Community through Music! Drumming in a group can spark joy in an individual. We provide the drums; all you need to bring is yourself. Sing, drum, dance and laugh as we explore the magic of community and teamwork. We will learn traditional songs and stories, and how to "talk" to each other with our drums.

You will also get a ticket for our "Own the Night Own the IPod" contest.

Own the Night, Own an iPod Book Reviews

Looking for a great book to read this summer? Julia and Salena recommend The Trouble with Half a Moon by Danette Vigilante. This 2012-13 Sunshine State Reader tells the story of a girl who makes friends with a young boy in her apartment building after the death of her brother.

Julia also recommends Saint Louis Armstrong Beach by Brenda Woods a novel set at the brink of Hurricane Katrina. Saint is a young musician that must help save his neighbor Miz Moran, his neighbor and his canine best friend Shadow.

Remember that every time you check out a Sunshine State or a Teen Reads book, your book review earns you three entries into the Own the Night, Own an iPod drawing for an iPod Touch.

Current Book Flip Clues @ Jan Platt Regional Library

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:

• If the young protagonist Cassrus Stevenson were to write a children’s picture book, where would he put it in the library?
• In world ___ II the Japanese bombed _____ Harbor. You might want to learn the real “Pearl War” before reading this one.

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:

• If you wanted to know what is happening in your town that week/day/month you would look here.
• Nightshade is a flower known for its poisonous attributes, however if you didn’t know that, then you would look here.

Own the Night, Own an iPod Book Review

This summer, your reading can earn you an iPod Touch. After you finish a book, fill out an Own the Night, Own an iPod book review to receive entries into the end-of-summer drawing. Throughout the summer, we will post reviews to help you find a great book for your next checkout.

Katherine recommends The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff. She describes the writing as "descriptive and realistic." Sutcliff’s historical fiction novel follows the journey of a young Roman officer named Marcus Flavius Aquila as he attempts to discover the whereabouts of his father and the other 4,000 members of the Ninth Legion after they disappeared after passing Hadrian’s Wall in northern Great Britain. Katherine also praises the novel for being "well-researched." In 2011, a movie adaption titled The Eagle starring Channing Tatum and Jamie Bell was released.

New Book Flip clues at New Tampa Library

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.

A new clue for Skyship Academy @ Upper Tampa Bay Library!

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.

Current Book Flip Clues @ Jan Platt 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:

• If the young protagonist Cassrus Stevenson were to write a children’s picture book, where would he put it in the library?
• In world ___ II the Japanese bombed _____ Harbor. You might want to learn the real “Pearl War” before reading this one.

There is one copy of Nightshade by Andrea Cremer hidden at Jan Platt Regional Library. Find it and Book Flip it! Here are the clues:

• Nightshade is a flower known for its poisonous attributes, however if you didn’t know that, then you would look here.

New Book Flip Clue @ JFG

A copy of Nightshade was recently returned to the John F. Germany Library and the teen left this clue about it:

Reader beware, if paranormal is what you seek, then don’t be meek, because guardians of the Nightshade shall be at your feet.

Looking for 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.

Book Flip Clues @ Upper Tampa Bay Library

We have two copies of the novel Nightshade by Andrea Cremer. Can you solve this clue and find where this supernatural story is located?

A library is found in Upper Tampa Bay, where books can be found in every which way.

Amongst the aisles is a tale paranormal, and where it is found can be quite abnormal.

Nightshade, by Cremer, a young adult story, can be found hiding at this book depository.

More than 130 pages, Nightshade is a good read. Can you locate the book based on this lead?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We have a copy of the novel Skyship Academy by Nick James! Can you figure out the clue and snag a copy of this book?

Skyship Academy is a tale of a war, a battle for energy not oil or ore.

Two young men trigger stunning reactions, both become targets of political factions.

Upper Tampa Bay has the library you seek with this book of a future that seems so bleak.

Aircrafts and energy are a common theme. Search for books near six twenty three.

Current Book Flip Clues @ Jan Platt 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:

• In world ___ II the Japanese bombed _____ Harbor. You might want to learn the real “Pearl War” before reading this one.

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:

• Nightshade is a flower known for its poisonous attributes, however if you didn’t know that, then you would look here.
• The book involves a wolf saving a small boy who is out hiking . . . follow the boy as he finds out more about wolves to find a copy of the book.

These clues were created by the Jan Platt Regional Library Teen Advisory Board

Book Flip Clues @ Port Tampa City 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:

• Skyship Academy: Pearl Wars has been spotted in the Maritime Room of the Port Tampa Library

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:

• Andrea Cremer received her Ph.D. in History. You can find a copy of her book Nightshade in the history section of the Port Tampa Library.

Book Flip Clues @ Jan Platt Regional 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:

• In world ___ II the Japanese bombed _____ Harbor. You might want to learn the real “Pearl War” before reading this one.
• You should research what a pearl is about before reading a story about it.

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:

• Nightshade is a flower known for its poisonous attributes, however if you didn’t know that, then you would look here.
• The book involves a wolf saving a small boy who is out hiking . . . follow the boy as he finds out more about wolves to find a copy of the book.

These clues were created by the Jan Platt Regional Library Teen Advisory Board

Book Flip Clues @ New Tampa 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.

Book Flip Clues @ the John F. Germany Library

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.

Book Flip Starts June 11th

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.

Visit these participating locations beginning June 11, 2012 to flip your copy:

- Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library- wrap-up party July 19th, 4:30 p.m.

- John F. Germany Public Library- wrap-up party August 4th, 2 p.m.

- New Tampa Regional Library- wrap-up party August 4th, 1 p.m.

- Port Tampa City Library - wrap-up party at the Jan Kaminis Platt Library

- Upper Tampa Bay Regional Library- wrap-up party August 2nd, 4:30 p.m.



~ Ariana, John F. Germany Public Library T.A.B. member

Short Story Writing Contest! @ teenreads.com

 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!

Book Review :: The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud

The Amulet of Smarkand, a book by Jonathan Stroud, shows us a unique form of magic. Magic that is unlike that of Harry Potter, or Eragon, or even “the force” in star wars. It shows us much darker kinds of magic, sorcery of the kind where ghoulish creatures and demons are summoned mostly to do the dirty work for their masters and to protect them from other magicians and their servants.

The author uses footnotes at the bottom of several pages to help explain what is going on in the book, something that I have not seen done before, but that works very well with the book. These footnotes are very entertaining and contain a lot of information, so it would be a good idea to read them as you go. He also writes from Nathaniel and Bartimaeus’ points of view so the reader gets to see what each is thinking and how their perspectives compare and/or contrast.


Introduction to the characters:

Nathaniel was once a normal boy, but after being abandoned by his parents, he finds himself in a new life where deception and revenge are common and where power and intelligence are the key to survival. After being humiliated by another magician Nathaniel summons Bartimaeus to help him get revenge by stealing the Amulet of Smarkand. However, everything starts to go wrong when the djinn learns Nathaniel’s true name, something that gives him power over his master.

Bartimaeus is a powerful djinn who suddenly finds himself under the power of a young boy seeking to steal a very powerful amulet from a powerful magician. He tries to trick the boy, but he soon realizes that this is futile and is forced to do what the boy asks. That is until he finds out Nathaniel’s name.



If you want to find out what happens, read the book! Hopefully you’ll love it and will want to come to our book club to share your thoughts.


Book review by Gabriela L. (Jan Platt Regional Library Teen Advisory Board member)

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.

Jan Platt Library Teen Book Club :: The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud

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!

On Thursday, April 26th at 5:30pm we will be discussing The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud at Jan Platt Library. 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.

The Amulet of Samarkand was selected for the 2004 American Library Association's Best Books for Young Adults list.

Come an hour earlier at 4:30 and join our Teen Advisory Board. Have a voice in creating library programs and recommending materials like graphic novels, manga, young adult fiction, and music. Help promote the library to other teens. T.A.B. members earn community service hours toward graduation, scholarships and more!

"Nathaniel, a magician's apprentice, summons up the djinni Bartimaeus and instructs him to steal the Amulet of Samarkand from the powerful magician Simon Lovelace."

See what other books our Book Club has been reading by checking out our bookshelf on Goodreads.

Khaotic Kon!

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

Teen Talent Show @ West Tampa Library

First Place Winner High School

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!

2012 Teen Talent Show !

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!

• New Tampa Regional Library - Saturday, March 24, 2:00 PM
• SouthShore Regional Library - Saturday, March 31, 2:00 PM
• Bloomingdale Regional Public Library - Saturday, March 31, 2:00 PM
• Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library - Saturday, March 31, 3:00 PM
• West Tampa Branch Library - Saturday, April 07, 2:00 PM
• GRAND FINALE! @ John F. Germany Public Library - Saturday, April 14, 2:00 PM

Teens Get Things Cookin' at CBA

The sound of R&B music playing in the background…the virtual time clock showing "1:00:00' on the screen…a table with hidden ingredients… the Community Room @ CBA was transformed into the "Soul Chef Arena."

The atmosphere was electric with anticipation, as the audience waited for the names to be called for The Red Team and the Green Team. Six teens were randomly chosen. The Red Team was led by Antonio, a member of the CBA TAB and the Green Team was led by Kaylob, also a TAB member.

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!"

Pictured from left to right, the winners of the coveted “Black Spatula,” Blessing with her brother and sister; Uary Jones; Antonio, Red Team Captain; Howard Harris, President of the Ada T. Payne Friends of the Urban Libraries and Amanda

Special thanks to the Ada T. Payne Friends of the Urban Libraries for funding Soul Chef and providing two of our judges, Howard Harris, and Yvonne Lewis, and thanks to Uary Jones for providing her palate as well.

Film A Commercial - Win a Gift Card

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.

TAB @ John F. Germany Public Library

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

Jan Platt Library Teen Book Club :: The Alchemyst by Michael Scott

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!

On Thursday, March 22nd at 5:30pm we will be discussing The Alchemyst : the secrets of the immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott at Jan Platt Library. 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.

The Alchemyst is on Young Adult Library Services Association's 2012 Popular Paperbacks reading list.

Come an hour earlier at 4:30 and join our Teen Advisory Board. Have a voice in creating library programs and recommending materials like graphic novels, manga, young adult fiction, and music. Help promote the library to other teens. T.A.B. members earn community service hours toward graduation, scholarships and more!

"While working at pleasant but mundane summer jobs in San Francisco, fifteen-year-old twins, Sophie and Josh, suddenly find themselves caught up in the deadly, centuries-old struggle between rival alchemists, Nicholas Flamel and John Dee, over the possession of an ancient and powerful book holding the secret formulas for alchemy and everlasting life."

See what other books our Book Club has been reading by checking out our bookshelf on Goodreads.

Jan Platt Library Teen Book Club :: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

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!

On Thursday, February 23rd at 5:30pm we will be discussing City of Bones by Cassandra Clare at Jan Platt Library. 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.

Come an hour earlier at 4:30 and join our Teen Advisory Board. Have a voice in creating library programs and recommending materials like graphic novels, manga, young adult fiction, and music. Help promote the library to other teens. T.A.B. members earn community service hours toward graduation, scholarships and more!

"Suddenly able to see demons and the Darkhunters who are dedicated to returning them to their own dimension, fifteen-year-old Clary Fray is drawn into this bizarre world when her mother disappears and Clary herself is almost killed by a monster."

See what other books our Book Club has been reading by checking out our bookshelf on Goodreads.

Teenz Ink: 2012 WINNERS

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

Jan Platt Library Teen Book Club :: Magyk by Angie Sage

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!

On Thursday, Janurary 26th at 5:30pm we will be discussing Magyk by Angie Sage at Jan Platt Library. 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.

Come an hour earlier at 4:30 and join our Teen Advisory Board. Have a voice in creating library programs and recommending materials like graphic novels, manga, young adult fiction, and music. Help promote the library to other teens. T.A.B. members earn community service hours toward graduation, scholarships and more!

"After learning that she is the Princess, Jenna is whisked from her home and carried toward safety by the Extraordinary Wizard, those she always believed were her father and brother, and a young guard known only as Boy 412--pursued by agents of those who killed her mother ten years earlier."

See what other books our Book Club has been reading by checking out our bookshelf on Goodreads.