Teens @ the Library

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

2012-02-01T14:43:00.000-05:00

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

2012-01-27T08:03:00.002-05:00

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

2012-01-11T11:08:00.000-05:00

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.

Teen Talent 2012: Coming Soon

2011-12-20T10:06:00.003-05:00

Like to sing, dance, do stand-up comedy or have a unique talent? Want to perform in front of people for a chance to win cash? Teen Talent 2012 is coming to Hillsborough County this March and April. Starting in February, you will be able to register solo or as a group for a chance at stardom. Registration forms will be available soon at the information desk of participating libraries.

Check out the talent from the competition last year at the SouthShore Regional Library and see if your talent stacks up!

Did I mention that first place is $100?

More information coming soon........

Teen Art on Display!

2011-11-29T16:42:00.007-05:00

It looks Great! It looks Grand!

Benito Middle School Students have enriched the New Tampa Regional Library's children's area with ARTWORK! Group portraiture, Escher patterns, and still life sketchings. People of all ages have been observed walking through this colorful wall exhibit, appreciating the creative output of BENITO Middle School.

submitted by Elisa

Jan Platt Library Teen Book Club :: Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

2011-11-15T15:01:00.001-05:00

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, December 1st at 5:30pm we will be discussing Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card 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 the 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!

"Andrew 'Ender' Wiggin isn't just playing games at Battle School; he and the other children are being tested and trained in Earth's attempt to find the military genius that the planet needs in its all-out war with an alien enemy. Ender Wiggins is six years old when his training begins. He will grow up fast."

Ender's Game won the Nebula Award and Hugo Award (the two most prestigious awards in science fiction). It was also honored with a spot on American Library Association's "100 Best Books for Teens". In 2008, the novel, along with Ender's Shadow, won the Margaret A. Edwards Award, which honors an author and specific works by that author for lifetime contribution to young adult literature.

See what books our Book Club has read by checking out our bookshelf on Goodreads.

Hispanic Heritage Poster Winners

2011-11-14T15:59:00.003-05:00

Are you curious who won the 2012 2nd Annual Teen Hispanic Heritage Poster Contest? Visit Studio 813 and find out if your poster was the winner?

Do you want to see all of the posters including the honorable mentions? We have setup displays of the posters at the Tampa Bay History Center (part of display shown above) and the SouthShore Regional Library. The displays will stay up through the end of November.

Congratulations to the winners!!!

National Gaming Day @ The Library

2011-11-12T16:19:00.006-05:00

What a DAY !

Several contestants came to compete in National Gaming Day in the Tampa-Hillsborough County Libraries! This saga starts at the West Tampa Branch Library. After a lot of "Hey Man", "Awww's" and "Yeah's!", two remained. Those two went online to battle against the C. Blythe Andrews Library. Christian and D'Andre made it to the SEMI-FINALS! (We weren't sure we were going to make it). They had tough competitors!

The John F. Germany Library, Sulphur Springs Partnership Library, and the C. Blythe Andrews Library were ready to "BRAWL!" They set the rules but West Tampa Reigned Supreme!

Congratulations to D'Andre, National Library Gaming Day Champ in Hillsborough County!

Library Debuts Facebook Page!

2011-11-09T13:03:00.008-05:00

There’s a new Facebook page in town! Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System went live with its first Facebook page last week!

We are excited to interact with you in this new way and hope you will check us out and ”like” our page! This is a great way to get breaking news from the library, as well as finding out about upcoming teen contests including Teenz Ink and the Teen Talent Shows in March and April where you can win CASH!

Click on the image below to get started, we look forward to your feedback!

The Return of Shadocon!

2011-11-07T16:23:00.003-05:00

Yeppers, Shadocon is back! Same place and all- at the Crowne Plaza Hotel right here in Tampa. Meet some of your favorite voice actors. Dance the night away at the Final Fantasy Ball! Enjoy .hack//SIGN the Musical. Play video games, sing along with anime music videos, participate in the panels, and gaze at the costumes in the cosplay contest- and much more! Right here, this weekend- at Shadocon!

Shadocon

Walking Ghost Tour a Success: Picture It @ Your Library!

2011-11-04T15:33:00.002-05:00

Teens at the John F. Germany Public Library wrapped up Teen Read Week in style, by participating in a walking ghost tour in Downtown Tampa. Click here to check out some of the raw footage from the tour. Look closely, you never know what they have been caught in film.

Free Downloadable Music

2011-10-26T13:41:00.004-05:00

Are you looking for a free option for downloading music? Freegal is a downloadable music service offering hundreds of thousands of DRM-free songs, over 100 genres of music, and more than 50 record labels from the Sony Music Entertainment catalog. The artists available on Freegal include Ke$ha, Kelly Clarkson, and Britany Spears. You will find many of your favorites through this service. The only catch is that you are limited to 3 downloads per week and that you need a library card.

Want to give it a shot? You can visit Freegal through our Arts and Entertainment page on the library website.

Open Stage for Teens @ Jan K. Platt Regional Library [Wednesday, November 30th]

2011-10-25T16:51:00.000-05:00

Open Stage for Teens

@ Jan K. Platt Regional Library

Wednesday, November 30th, 2011

4:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Teens : Come check out our Open Stage event! Enjoy the café atmosphere with tea, coffee, and snacks while you watch your friends perform their favorite talent. Those that want to go on stage can sign up in advance, at the library information desk or by calling 813-273-3652, or at the door for a three minute time slot to perform a song, poem, dance, magic trick, or any other talent you want to share.

This event is hosted by the Jan K. Platt Regional Library Teen Advisory Board and funded by the Friends of the Jan Platt Library.

College Financial Workshop @ John F. Germany Public Library

2011-10-20T10:39:00.003-05:00

Dealing with all the steps it takes to go to college can be scary -- and confusing. Especially finding a way to pay for it. Come to the John F. Germany Library on Thursday, October 20 at 6 pm for a college financial workshop for students and their parents and get the answers to some of your biggest questions. "What are the due dates for financial aid forms?" "What scholarships am I eligible for?" "What are the application deadlines for UT and HCC?" Representatives from the University of Tampa and Hillsborough County Community College will be on hand with answers to these questions and more. Plus, you'll have a chance to win SAT tutor books. And the best part? It's all free! Can't make it on October 20? Surf over to Hillsborough County Library's "College Prep 101" website for more tips on paying for college.

Get closer to college @ your library!

Giving Tree Music - Drumming @ Jan Platt Library

2011-10-10T12:52:00.001-05:00

Hi !

We are having a very special event at Jan Platt Library : a Giving Tree Music Drumming event on Tuesday, October 18, from 4:30 - 5:30

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.

Son of Neptune Just Released

2011-10-07T15:03:00.006-05:00

The book many of us have been waiting on has finally arrived. Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan has just been released this week. We will add the book to our catalog soon, but you can always read the first book of the series. The Heros of Olympus is the second series for Percy Jackson and his gang of demigods and Son of Neptune is the 2nd book in that series.

The first series was called Percy Jackson and the Olympians and started with the Lightning Thief. Some of us have only seen the movie version of the Lightning Thief, but the book is a huge improvement from the movie. If you have not read any of his books, you should check out the Lightning Thief.

The John F. Germany Public Library will also celebrate the arrival of Rick Riordan's new book with an Octoga Party for teens under the age of 15. Come dressed as your favorite Greek God or Goddess and enjoy an afternoon of Percy Jackson themed games and contests.

Jan Platt Library Teen Book Club :: The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp

2011-09-29T11:56:00.001-05:00

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, October 27th at 5:30pm we will be discussing The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp by Rick Yancey 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 the 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. TAB members earn community service hours toward graduation, scholarships and more!

"Alfred Kropp was just trying to survive high school when his guardian uncle gets him roped into a suspicious get-rich-quick scheme that changes his life forever: stealing Excalibur—the legendary sword of King Arthur. But after Alfred unwittingly delivers the sword into the hands of a man with enormously evil intentions, he sets off on an unlikely quest to try to right his wrong and save the world from imminent destruction. This gripping, fast-paced, hilarious novel is both a thrilling adventure story and an engaging account of one boy’s coming of age."

See what books our Book Club has read by checking out our bookshelf on Goodreads.

It's all fun and games... @ the library!

2011-09-29T09:42:00.002-05:00

Come play with us at the many Game Zones offered at libraries around the county. We bring the video games; you bring the fun! Some branches also offer online PC gaming or other activities, too. Check the event schedule or talk to your librarian to find out when the fun is coming to a branch near you!

Need Community Service Hours?

2011-09-23T13:32:00.004-05:00

Love to read? Devour the latest book by your favorite author and review it on our teen blog. Enjoy socializing with your friends? Plan an after-hours party for teens in the library. Many libraries throughout the county have Teen Advisory Boards (TABs) where you can earn community service hours while having a say about how libraries serve teens in the community. This is your chance to help increase literacy among your peers and make a difference in their lives. You might even have some fun on the way and learn new skills such as video editing and other cool technology tools.

Looking for your closest TAB? Checkout our TAB page for more information or if you’re interested in chartering a completely new TAB, we’ve just added a Teen Advisory Board at the John F. Germany Public Library in Downtown Tampa.

2011-09-17T12:15:00.003-05:00

Blow me down - September 19 is “Talk like a Pirate” day!

Now you too, can sound like a real pirate. Mango Languages offers “Pirate” as one of its over 30 language offerings. You too can learn how to say “Oh my gosh the ship isn’t moving” (Blow me down, the ship’s becalmed) and “Holy cow!” (Shiver me timbers) in Pirate using Mango’s free language course.

Head on over to the Homework Help section of the Library's Teen Central website for a link to Mango Languages.
Just remember that a pirate’s favorite letter is ARRR!

Lauren L. @ John F. Germany Public Library

Teen Jam 2011 - Stix of Fire Rocked the Auditorium

2011-09-14T15:06:00.003-05:00

Teen Tuesday Nights started with a bang at the John F. Germany Public Library on Tuesday, September 13th. Stix of Fire rocked the auditorium with some great tunes, while the rest of us chowed down on pizza and soda. This is the start of a series of programs including a Teen Advisory Board and Game Zone on Tuesday Nights.

Teen Advisory Boards allow you to gain community service hours needed for college scholarships while giving teens a voice about library programs. Help steer us old folks to some fun and educational programs that you want to see in the library. You might even be voted in as an officer, which will look great on your college resume.

Game Zone gives you the opportunity to play a Wii on a big screen with an exceptional sound system. The games include Smash Brothers Brawl and Mario Kart. An Xbox 360 provides even more of your favorite games.

Food and soda will be served to help keep your energy up while hanging out at the library. So don’t forget, Tuesday Nights are for teens at the John F. Germany Public Library.

Annual Teenage Battle Of The Bands Now Accepting Registration

2011-08-25T16:08:00.000-05:00

What: 14th Annual Teenage Battle of the Bands
When: Saturday, Oct. 15 from Noon - 11 p.m.
Where: Hillsborough County Fair, 4810 E. State Road 60 in Dover
Registration: $50 Entry Fee per Band by Oct. 7

The 14th Annual Teenage Battle of the Bands, hosted by the Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department, will be held Saturday, Oct. 15. The event is scheduled from Noon – 11 p.m. at the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds, 4810 E. State Road 60 in Dover, five miles east of Brandon at the intersection of Sidney-Washer Road and Highway 60.

Bands can apply now for the competition that provides free studio time to the top two winners. The entry fee is $50 dollars per band and members must be between 13 and 20 years of age. Only one band member can be age 20. Styx of Fire was the winner of Battle of the Bands last year.

Contact Joe Soletti, Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department, for registration information at (813) 376-5778.

Middle School the Worst Years of My Life

2011-08-20T11:37:00.005-05:00

James Patterson has done it again. His new book "Middle School : The worst years of my life" already has people talking.

Visit the Website at middleschoolbook.com

It is full of interactive enjoyment.

Read the first 20 chapters for free.

Download it to your iphone for more fun.

I haven't even read it yet, but I'm already excited.

It's an app

It's an eBook

It's an Audio Book

It's a comic.

So many choices...

First Annual Teen Film Festival: Did you Win?

2011-08-18T09:40:00.004-05:00

And the winner is .... Magic Chalk!! With a grand prize of a $200 gift card from Best Buy, Magic Chalk took home the gold at the first annual Teen Film Festival. The nominees include a film about a first date, a nerd, and many other creative adventures.

At the award show, the filmmakers, their friends, and family walked the red carpet, took celebrity photos, and enjoyed refreshments. A screen of the films followed with awards handed out for the best film in each category. None of this would have been possible without the generous support of the Friends of the John F. Germany Public Library.

Teens had two months to create, film, and edit their films, which were then judged by a committee of librarians. Start brainstorming ideas for next year's festival and you may be the next Teen Film Festival winner!

Check out the photos in our Flickr Photostream and the Videos on Studio 813.

Jan Platt Library Teen Book Club :: Sabriel by Garth Nix

2011-08-05T09:48:00.019-05:00

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!

Join us for our first Teen Book Club meeting of the new school year. On Thursday, September 29th at 5:30pm we will be discussing Sabriel by Garth Nix 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 the 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. TAB members earn community service hours toward graduation, scholarships and more!

Ever since she was a tiny child, Sabriel has lived outside the walls of the Old Kingdom, away from the randompower of Free Magic, and away from the Dead who won't stay dead.But now her father, the Mage Abhorsen, is missing, and to find him Sabriel must cross back into the world.

Though her journey begins alone, she soon finds companions: Mogget, whose seemingly harmless feline form hides a powerful-and perhaps malevolent-spirit, and Touchstone, a younger Charter Mage long imprisoned by magic, now free in body but still trapped by painful memories.

With threats on all sides and only each other to trust, the three must travel deep into the Old Kingdom, toward a battle that will pit them against the true forces of life and death-and bring Sabriel face-to-face with her own hiddden destiny.

A tale of dark secrets, deep love, and dangerous magic, Sabriel introduces Garth Nix an exceptional new talent.

See what books our Book Club has read by checking out our bookshelf on Goodreads.

Teen Mural Project on Display at Ruskin Branch Library

2011-08-01T11:01:00.009-05:00

A four-panel mural, created by South County area teens is on display at the Ruskin Branch library. The project was funded by the SouthShore and Ruskin FOL groups and through a grant received from the Community Foundation of Greater Sun City Center. The mural was designed and created by teens with the guidance of Mike Parker, community arts facilitator and Laurie Burhop, art coordinator at the SouthShore Regional Library.

The mural depicts how we access information in the library. Each panel represents a different time period in history, beginning with hand-written manuscripts and ending with computers and technology. The mural is a wonderful piece of art. It says a lot about the teens in our community and their love for the library. Everyone is encouraged to stop by the Ruskin Library and view the mural!

Giving Tree Music Drum Circle @ Jan Platt Library

2011-07-06T12:36:00.005-05:00

Hi !

We are having a very special event at Jan Platt Library : a Giving Tree Music Drum Circle on Monday, July 18th from 3:30 - 4:30. 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.

Check out this awesome Giving Tree Music Drum Circle video:

Go to the Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library webpage and click on Events calendar (on the right side of the page) to see more summer events for teens on Mondays and Thursdays.

Tokyo-a-Go-Go hits Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library

2011-07-02T14:57:00.000-05:00

JBK teens kicked off their Summer Reading programs as the first stop for the Tokyo-a-Go-Go teen summer program. The JBK Teen Anime/Manga Club held a special event on June 9, which incorporated wide range of activities, including

Sumo Wrestling photos

Your Name in Japanese

Screening a Few Anime Favorites

We also enjoyed a few Chopstick Races and fun snacks like pocky, fruit jellies and ramen.

Thanks to Youth Services for the fun activity ideas and to the Friends of the Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library for their ongoing support for our teen programs!

MAD CITY MONEY!!

2011-06-22T11:43:00.004-05:00

In this interactive reality budgeting game, teens are given a new occupation and salary which comes with obligations... Make choices about real life stuff, all while trying to not go broke!

Presented by the Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union.

They will be here at the New Tampa Regional Library,
Fridays
July
1,8,15,22 & 29
2:oo pm

Midnighters: The Secret Hour

2011-06-22T11:24:00.002-05:00

I absolutely loved the book Midnighters: The Secret Hour by Scott Westerfield. It has plenty of action, adventure , suspense, mystery, and basically, a little bit of everything. It starts when a 15-year old girl named Jessica Day moves from Chicago to the town of Bixby, Oklahoma. Other than some abnormal people and abnormal. things, like the taste of the water, Jessica thinks the town is pretty normal. But after waking up to a room bathed in blue, yet with no shadows, she quickly realizes it isn't. Jessica is plunged into the world of the 25th hour, a secret hour kept for monsters, aka Darklings. in the 25th hour, almost all humans and nay of thier creations are frozen, and it passes by in a split second for them. The ones who aren't frozen, the Midnighters, are blessed with special abilities, in the 25th hour. Dess is a polymath, someone with extraordinary math skills, which happens to be the Darklings weakness, along with technology. Rex is a Seer, someone who can read the ancient hidden history of the lore and Darklings. Melissa is a mindcaster, someone with telepathic abilities. And lastly, Jonathan (who ends up becoming Jessica's boyfriend), is an Acrobat. Gravity has no effect on him in the 25th hour. Up until Jessica arrived, the darklings haven't troubled any of them. After being attacked by the ruthless devils, they know that Jessica's power is really powerful, enough to scare the Darklings. For the sake of her life, Jessica teams up with the rest of the Midnighters to keep the Darklings at bay, and find out what her mysterious ability is. What happens next? you need to read this incredibly amazing book to find out. This book is definitely a 10 out of 10. The plot is awesome, filled with unexpected twists and mesmerizing details. You literally have to read all of the 383 pages in one sitting. Scott Westerfield is a mastermind, and this book is a must-read. The Midnighters is a trilogy, an it's also on of the few cases where the sequels are just as super as the original. You have to read this book!

Submitted by Sudha

New Tampa Regional

TAB

The Girl Who Could Fly

2011-06-22T10:49:00.004-05:00

'The Girl Who Could Fly' sounds like a story packed with action, but it's a basically a feel-good story. The book is centered around a girl named Piper McCloud who believes that if you truly believe with your heat, you can do anything. In this book, 10-year old Piper McCloud lives with her old parents on a farm in Lowland County. Piper has never been given much freedom, and while the other folks think it's because she isn't right in the head, it's actually because Piper can fly. one day, after a series of unfortunate and disappointing events, Piper accidentally reveals her ability and instantly become world-wide news. Shortly afterwards, she gets a visit from a very caring, nice, and beautiful government agent. The agent, Dr. Letitia Hellion, comes with an exclusive invitation to join her school for kids with special abilities just like hers. Piper is then happily whisked away to I.N.S.A.N.E., where she meets 11 kids who have awesome super powers. She find her 11 year old enemy, Conrad, a mad genius, She also finds great friends like Violet, who has the power to shrink at will, and Bella Lovely, who can color anything at a touch. Through a series of fortunate (even though it didn't seem like it then) events, Piper realise that the facility isn't as perfect as she thought it was. She quickly learns that not everything is as it seems, and that anything worth having doesn't come without a fight. I would give this book a 8 out of 10. There were parts in this book where the author, Victoria Forester, couldn't added details. There were also parts where she couldn't expanded on what she was saying. There were also a part in this book where I was seriously confusee on whether the book took place in the past, present, or future. There was one really cheesy, but touching, part of the book, but it was bearable. I think Victoria Forest did a pretty good job portraying the characters of these kids. She was perfect as making the character's personality match their ability. For example, Bella, who had the power to spread color, was joyful, optimistic, kind, caring, and always smiling. Piper McCloud was portrayed as bubbly, optimistic and determined girl. She cared for others and wouldn't give up. This book didn't have much action, but it definitely had a lot of adventure. This book is long, but it's an easy read. Even though I think Victoria Forester could've done better on some parts, I still liked "The Girl Who Could Fly" and would recommend it to anyone looking for a fun book.

Sudha

New Tampa Regional Library

TAB Member

Metrocon is here again!

2011-06-15T12:05:00.002-05:00

Yes, ladies and gentlemen! Florida's largest anime convention makes its return this weekend! This year's Human Chess Match's theme is Escalation: Monsters vs. Hunters. And the Fantasy Masquerade and Metro Star Parting will also take place during the weekend. All this and more right here in our own Tampa Bay Convention Center.

Metrocon Official Page

Billy Creekmore by Tracy Porter

2011-06-03T10:28:00.005-05:00

The book Billy Creekmore by Tracy Porter is the tale of a 10-year old Billy Creekmore's unsual life. Able to sense ghosts and make up completely believable storeis since he was born, Billy's life has been a series of unfortunate events. As historical fiction, it follows Billy and details his life from the time he was born (Friday the 13th!) to his dream home, surrounded by people who love him. The book starts off in an orphanage run by the lazy and mean Beadles. Then, it goes to Holly Glen, a coal camp, where Billy lives with his aunt and uncle. Finally, it goes to circus after circus, as Billy meets new people and finds lost friends. Overall, I give book 4 stars. Since it's set in the 1900's, many of the characters and settings are modeled after real people or places of that time. This keeps the plot interesting. However, the author could've done a better job describing how Billy feels in some parts.

Sudha

New Tampa Regional Library TAB Member

ENTER NOW! Teen Film Festival

2011-06-01T09:10:00.006-05:00

Are you a filmmaker? Want an audience to see your movie on the big screen? Want to win a BIG, Best Picture prize?

Starting TODAY, June 1st, you can enter your movie in the first annual HCPLC Teen Film Festival! Teens entering grades 6-12 are welcome to enter. Your movie can be in any genre and can be up to ten minutes long (including credits).

Deadline for entries is July 31, 2011. The ten best movies will be screened at a special red carpet event, Saturday, August 13 at the John F. Germany Public Library! Prizes in several categories will be awarded, including Best Picture... and the Best Picture winner will receive a $200 gift card!

Entries can be submitted at your local HCPLC library location OR by mail. For all the rules and the official entry form, click here!

Are You a Wimpy Kid?

2011-05-18T18:32:00.001-05:00

Miss Jen, the Wimpy Kid

Prove it! Enter the Wimpy Kid Do-It-Yourself Comics Contest!

Jeff Kinney himself will announce the winners at the American Library Association Annual Conference on June 25, 2011. Kids & teens 6-16 can enter until June 10, 2011, and all the details are here!

And if you're looking to get some inspiration from the original, you can pick up one of these Diary of a Wimpy titles at the library!

ps... this is what I look like as a wimpy kid, courtesy of http://www.wimpyourself.com/ --->

JBK Teen Anime/Manga Club Wins Free Stuf

2011-05-17T18:12:00.001-05:00

The Teen Anime/Manga Club at Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library is small but active, and this month they were pretty lucky too!

RightStuf.com's Stuf for Clubs program sends us a monthly email newsletter that gives us news about upcoming anime. Stuf for Clubs also hosts a monthly giveaway drawing for clubs that respond back to their poll question. In April, the winner was Jimmie B. Keel!

We answered the question "Which anime series features your favorite opening or ending theme?" with the teens' pick, the series "Paranoia Agent."

Our reward for being the lucky winners of the April drawing... a free copy of the Super Gals Complete Collection (Seasons 1 & 2).

Needless to say, our teens were pretty excited to win!

Want to check out the Teen Anime/Manga Club at Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library? Drop by on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 5:30pm. Or check here for an anime club at a library near you!

Summer fun for teens!

2011-05-16T18:10:00.000-05:00

Looking for some summer fun AND learning? Check out the Money Adventures Camp offered by Hillsborough County Extension for teens 13-16!

The camp will feature hands-on learning activities dealing with credit, banking, car buying, and job searches & interviewing. The camp will also include fun afternoon field trips for more information

Not only will you learn about money management, you will also get to go on exciting field trips!

Bowling
MOSI
IMAX
Miniature Golf

For more info and the registration form, visit http://tampabaysaves.ifas.ufl.edu/.

And if you're looking for more ideas on money management for teens, pick up one of these books at your local library:

School's almost out...

2011-04-30T09:16:00.003-05:00

Summer. It's almost here. It's so close you can taste it. All that stands in the way are those last few school projects... and finals. The library can help you breeze through the next month and those last few tests.

Check out our Homework Help page for lots of useful links. We can help you cite papers, find great sources, and more.

Taking the SAT or ACT soon? Try Learning Express Library for practice SAT & ACT tests to help you ace those exams. Use your library card number to log on from home.

Sleeping in, days at the beach-- you're almost there! Good luck, and keep an eye on teens.hcplc.org for lots of fun, free events happening at your library this summer.

Thursday : Skype Author Chat for Teens with Pam Bachorz @ Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library

2011-04-20T10:09:00.002-05:00

Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library
3910 S. Manhattan Ave.
Tampa, FL 33611-1214
813.273.3652

Read the first chapter, see photos of settings that inspired CANDOR, and listen to music that gives you the flavor of the story at the author's website. You can also Visit Candor, Florida online.

Read 'em now: Teens' Top Ten nominations!

2011-04-14T13:31:00.004-05:00

Did you know that today is Support Teen Literature Day? Well, it is! Do your part by helping YALSA select books for the Teens' Top Ten List. Click here to see a list of the 25 nominated titles. Read them this summer, and then vote for your favorites during Teen Read Week in October. By the way, I highly recommend the short story collection ZOMBIES VS. UNICORNS. You may be surprised who wins. Just sayin'.

Who said there's no such thing as a free ride?!?!?!?

2011-04-07T18:33:00.000-05:00

Looking for a way to get around this Spring Break?

HART's Spring Break STAY-cation program offers middle and high school students with student ID FREE rides on all HART local, Connector, In-Town Trolley and Flex routes for the entire month of April.

How's that for a great way to get to your library (and other attractions) for some great teen programs, books & DVDs this Spring Break!

THIS SATURDAY! Teen Talent Show Finals!

2011-04-07T10:45:00.006-05:00

GRAND FINALE!

Saturday, April 9th @ 3:00 PM

John F. Germany Public Library, downtown Tampa

See the winners from our five regional library Teen Talent Shows compete for big prizes and bragging rights. Who are the most talented teens in Hillsborough County?

Find out at the Teen Talent Show: GRAND FINALE!

Need directions to the John F. Germany Library? Click here!

THIS WEEKEND! Teen Talent Shows!

2011-03-23T13:06:00.004-05:00

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 9th. Cash prizes awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place!

Bloomingdale Regional Library: Saturday, March 26 @ 12:00 PM

Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library: Saturday, March 26 @ 3:00 PM

New Tampa Regional Library: Saturday, March 26 @ 12:00 PM

West Tampa Branch Library: Saturday, April 2 @2:00

GRAND FINALE!
John F. Germany Public Library - Saturday, April 9 @3:00 PM

Into art?

2011-03-21T14:07:00.005-05:00

Are you an artist? Show off your creativity at the library. Whether you work with paints, pens, or computers, we've got a program for you. Need more info? Click here for our event calendar.

Cyber Creations Club @ Bloomingdale Regional Library - Mondays at 4:00 PM

Teen Mural Painting @ Southshore Regional Library - Mondays at 6:00 PM

Art & Animation After School @ C. Blythe Andrews Jr. Public Library - Wednesdays at 3:00 PM

Crafty Creations @ Town N Country Regional Library - Thursday, March 31 at 4:00 PM

Save the Date : Skype Author Chat for Teens with Pam Bachorz

2011-03-17T12:43:00.007-05:00

Pick up a copy of CANDOR at our Teen Book Club display @ Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library

Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library
3910 S. Manhattan Ave.
Tampa, FL 33611-1214
813.273.3652

In a town where his father brainwashes everyone, Oscar Banks has found a way to secretly fight the subliminal Messages that turn even the most troubled kids into model citizens. On the outside, he's the perfect Candor teen, and no one knows that he's built an entire business around helping new kids escape before the Messages take hold.

But then Nia Silva moves to town, and Oscar thinks she's perfect exactly the way she is. Soon he must make a choice: let Nia be lost to the brainwashing, or help her stay special and risk himself in the process.

Read the first chapter, see photos of settings that inspired CANDOR, and listen to music that gives you the flavor of the story at the author's website.

Teen Tech Week is here!

2011-03-08T11:13:00.004-05:00

It's Teen Tech Week at the library! Stop by to Mix and Mash music, edit a Viral Video, create Digital Manga, and more. Don't forget to participate in our SUPER SMASH BROTHERS BRAWL Tournament, Saturday, March 12th. Click for program dates and participating library locations.

March Teen Events @ Jan Platt Regional Library (South Tampa)

2011-03-04T11:47:00.020-05:00

[Click to view fullscreen]

Hi ! I’m John, a librarian at the Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library in South Tampa. I'm writing today to tell you about our programs for teens (middle and high-school) at the library this month (March, 2011).

On Wednesday this week we had an Origami event. The event was a big blast; we made the cat mask, the swan, the peacock, and the flapping crane. If you missed it this week we will have another origami event this summer.

On Thursday we had our first “Om Café,” an international multi media exploration dedicated to the United Nations Year of the Youth. We had great conversations, artistic explorations, coffee, chai, sweets and more. This great program is part of a series and will be meeting the first Thursday of the month through June. Each “Om Café” meeting will focus on a different Spotlight Value. Come and join the conversation!

On Thursday March 10th: Make your own mash-ups for Teen Tech Week using music downloaded from our new music database Freegal. Learn how to mix and mash your music using Audacity audio editing software.

Our next Teen Advisory Board meeting is on Saturday March 19th at 3pm. Have ideas for teen events and clubs at the library? Bring them to share! Enjoy snacks, laughter and fun while planning events and creating videos, podcasts, photos and more. TAB members also earn community service hours for graduation and scholarships!

Directly after our TAB meeting we have our Teen Book Club (pick up your copy today @ Jan Platt Library!) We will be hanging out and discussing Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi, winner of the 2011 Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature.

Our GameZone meets on Tuesdays from 4:00 – 5:15pm. Play Nintendo Wii and PlayStation 2 at the library on our large projection screens. Some of our video games titles are: Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Guitar Hero Series and Rock Band. See you after school for some gaming fun!

On Wednesdays, March 16th and 30th from 4:30—5:30 pm our Teen Anime/Manga Club will be meeting and screening Anime titles and talking about all things Anime/Manga.

On Wednesdays, March 9th and 23rd from 4:30 - 5:30 pm we have our Teen "Go" Board Game Club. Come learn and play one of the oldest games in the world: the ancient East Asian board game “Go.” A popular Anime/Manga series called “Hikaru No Go” has made many very curious about how to play the game. Now you can learn and play with your friends. The rules are simple, the strategy complex. Learn in minutes, play for a lifetime.

We also have our Teen Talent Show this month on March 26th! Read all about it and sign up today at Jan Platt Library to be in the show! Space in limited, do not delay! Click here for more info on Teen Talent Shows at libraries around Hillsborough this month!

Tweet, write, and WIN.

2011-03-03T12:49:00.004-05:00

Want to win $50 for Amazon.com and/or a Nook eReader? Check out this contest for creative teens from the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) and Figment.com!

Part One:

Come up with a Steampunk device or instrument and give it a name and a description of what it looks like. For example, “Blimflocket – a wristwatch with a chain that goes up the arm and links to a person’s neck.”
On March 7 tweet this invention along with the hashtag #YALSApunk and @figmentfiction. A winning device will be chosen based on creativity, and the inventor will receive a $50 Amazon gift card!
On March 8, the winning device will be announced on the Figment and YALSA sites and by Twitter.

Part Two:

For the second part of the contest, write a short story (750 words or fewer) on Figment (sign up here!) in which the winning device from the first round gets used. Submissions will be accepted March 8-11.
Figment users will vote to select finalists the week of March 14. National Book Award winning-author, Kathryn Erskine, will choose a winning story.
The winner will be announced the week of March 21 and will receive a Nook e-reader!

Looking for some good Sci-Fi/Fantasy?

2011-02-24T16:34:00.005-05:00

The Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America have just announced the 2010 Nebula Award nominees. There's a category dedicated to YA novels, so why not check out a few of the nominees? Links to the books in our catalog, where available, are below. I've read SHIP BREAKER and WHITE CAT -- both are awesome.

SHIP BREAKER by Paolo Bacigalupi**
**Discuss this book with other teens at Jan K. Platt Regional Library's Teen Book Club!
March 19, 2011 at 4PM

WHITE CAT by Holly Black

MOCKINGJAY by Suzanne Collins

HEREVILLE: HOW MIRKA GOT HER SWORD by Barry Deutsch

THE BOY FROM ILYSIES by Pearl North

I SHALL WEAR MIDNIGHT by Terry Pratchett

A CONSPIRACY OF KINGS by Megan Whalen Turner

BEHEMOTH by Scott Westerfeld

COLLEGE GOAL SUNDAY!

2011-02-17T14:18:00.004-05:00

Sunday, February 20 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM

LIBRARY LOCATIONS (click for address and directions):

C. Blythe Andrews Jr. Public Library

Seffner-Mango Branch Library

SouthShore Regional Library

Get FAFSA help... and win scholarship money! Attend College Goal Sunday for free assistance completing your federal financial aid application (FAFSA), and you may win one of two $250 scholarships. Start off on the right track toward paying for college!

TEEN ROCK FEST - Friday, March 11th

2011-02-16T08:24:00.000-05:00

TEEN ROCK FEST!

Sponsored by the Friends of Hillsborough County Parks

Friday, March 11th @ 6:30 PM

Lake Park

17302 N. Dale Mabry Hwy.

Lutz, FL 33549

Click for more info!

Free SAT/ACT Practice at Seffner-Mango Branch Library

2011-02-09T11:15:00.007-05:00

Sign up for a FREE Princeton Review SAT/ACT practice test at the Seffner-Mango Branch Library. The first ten students in the door will receive a FREE 2011 SAT Practice book, courtesy of Know How 2 Go!

The test will be held Saturday, February 19th starting at 10:30 AM. Preregister at the library today!

TEEN TALENT SHOWS! Register now!

2011-02-05T08:48:00.006-05:00

Got talent? Win cash!

Do you have an unusual, unique, or highly skilled talent? Sign up to perform in the library's TEEN TALENT SHOW! Compete against other teens for cash prizes. Prizes will be given in both middle and high school divisions.

$100 - First Place

$50 - Second Place

$25 - Third Place

Want to earn double the prizes? The winners from each branch will compete in our Grand Finale, Saturday April 9th at the John F. Germany Public Library!

Limit of 20 acts per location.

Spectators are welcome - invite your friends and family!

TEEN TALENT SHOW LOCATIONS

SouthShore Regional Library - Saturday, March 19 @ 3:00 PM

Bloomingdale Regional Library - Saturday, March 26 @ 12:00 PM

Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library - Saturday, March 26 @ 3:00 PM

New Tampa Regional Library - Saturday, March 26 @ 12:00 PM

West Tampa Branch Library - Saturday, April 2 @2:00

GRAND FINALE!

John F. Germany Public Library - Saturday, April 9 @3:00 PM

February Teen Events @ Jan Platt Regional Library (South Tampa)

2011-01-31T16:33:00.016-05:00

[Click on flyers to view fullscreen]

Hi!
I’m John and I’m a new Librarian at the Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library in South Tampa. I'm writing today to tell you about our programs for teens (middle & high-school) at the library this month (February, 2011).

We just started a new Teen Advisory Board (aka TAB)!!! Our next TAB meeting is on Saturday February 26th at 3pm. Have ideas for teen events and clubs at the library? Bring them to share! Enjoy snacks, laughter and fun while planning events and creating videos, podcasts, photos and more. TAB members also earn community service hours toward graduation, scholarships and more! Click here for more info about what TABs do for the library and what TAB can do for you!

Directly after our TAB meeting we have our Teen Book Club (pick up your copy today @ Jan Platt Library!) We will be hanging out and discussing the first book in the Ranger's Apprentice series : The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan.

"When fifteen-year-old Will is rejected by battleschool, he becomes the reluctant apprentice to the mysterious Ranger Halt, and winds up protecting the kingdom from danger."

Check out a copy today!
Our GameZone meets on Tuesdays from 4:00 – 5:15pm. Come hangout and play Nintendo Wii and PlayStation 2 at the library on our large projection screens. Some of our video games titles are: Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Guitar Hero Series and Rock Band. See you after school for some gaming fun!

On Wednesdays, February 2nd and 15th from 4:30—5:30 pm we will have our Teen Anime/Manga Club will be meeting and screening Anime titles and talking about all things Anime/Manga.

On Alternate Wednesdays, February 9th and 23rd from 4:30 - 5:30 pm we have our Teen "Go" Board Game Club. Come learn and play one of the oldest games in the world: the ancient East Asian board game “Go.” A popular Anime/Manga series called “Hikaru No Go” has made many very curious about how to play the game. Now you can learn and play with your friends. The rules are simple, the strategy complex. Learn in minutes, play for a lifetime.

Go Links:
What Is the Game of Go? - from the American Go Association
The Interactive Way To Go
goproblems.com - Interactive go problem database and community

Start reading Hikary No Go manga today! &
Pick up some flyers to share with your friends!

Teenz Ink: WINNERS!

2011-01-27T09:47:00.003-05:00

The judges have spoken! Click on the banner to read the winning entries of our annual Teenz Ink short story contest. Close to 200 teens submitted stories this year. Thanks to everyone who participated, and a huge CONGRATULATIONS to our winners!

HIGH SCHOOL

First Place: An Empty Sky by Kelsie Anthea Davis

Second Place: Vodka and Chapstick by Laura Rangel

MIDDLE SCHOOL

First Place: Chased Through Time by Shira Hayes

Second Place: Yodeling Disaster by Kenza Holland

2011 Great Graphic Novels for Teens

2011-01-21T11:10:00.023-05:00

Check out these new lists from The Young Adult Library Services Assn. (YALSA)!

2011 Great Graphic Novels for Teens

2011 Top Ten Great Graphic Novels for Teens

See More: YALSA's Book Awards & Booklists

Bakuman. Volume 1, Dreams and reality / story by Tsugumi Ohba ; art by Takeshi Obata (Viz Media, 2010)

2011-01-14T10:32:00.008-05:00

Average student Moritaka Mashiro enjoys drawing for fun. When his classmate and aspiring writer Akito Takagi discovers his talent, he begs Moritaka to team up with him as a manga-creating duo. But what exactly does it take to make it in the manga-publishing world? Moritaka is hesitant to seriously consider Akito's proposal because he knows how difficult reaching the professional level can be. Still, encouragement from persistent Akito and motivation from his crush push Moritaka to test his limits!

2011 Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in literature written for young adults

2011-01-10T16:27:00.007-05:00

Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in literature written for young adults
“Ship Breaker,” written by Paolo Bacigalupi, is the 2011 Printz Award winner. The book is published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

Four Printz Honor Books also were named: “Stolen,” by Lucy Christopher and published by Chicken House, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.; “Please Ignore Vera Dietz,” by A.S. King and published by Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Random House, Inc.; “Revolver,” by Marcus Sedgwick and published by Roaring Brook Press, an imprint of the Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group; and “Nothing,” by Janne Teller and published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division.

January 10, 2011
American Library Association announces youth media award winners
http://ala.org/ala/newspresscenter/news/pr.cfm?id=6048

Whatcha reading, punk?

2011-01-04T08:44:00.004-05:00

Are you a science fiction fan? Did you know you may also be a punk?

There are a few different "---punk" subgroups within the sci-fi genre. Steampunk has grown in popularity recently. Steampunk novels mix the old with the new, usually referencing Victorian times and the invention of the steam engine -- think machines with clockwork pieces, dirigibles, gas lamps, and top hats. On the flip side, Cyberpunk books look into a fast-paced future, taking technology and pushing it to a whole new level. Cyberpunk books may feature robots, hackers -- think of movies likeThe Matrix or Blade Runner (which was based on a book, by the way). Finally, there's Biopunk, a subgenre that looks at the human body or biology as fodder for science fiction plots -- genetic engineering, cloning, etc.

Want to get punky? Check out our Sci-Fi Punks Goodreads shelf for a list of titles.

Try something new in the new year...

2011-01-03T08:22:00.004-05:00

2011 is here! Start the new year right by trying something new (for free!) at your library.

Need to relax? Learn the ancient art of Tai Chi at the Bloomingdale Regional Library, Thursday, January 6 @ 3:30 PM and Thursday, January 20 @ 6:30 PM.

We've got Yoga classes, too: Wednesday, January 12th at the SouthShore Regional Library and Wednesday, January 19th at the Bloomingdale Regional Library.

Tired of your same-old stuff? Trade your old stuff for some new stuff at the Teen Swap Meet, Saturday, January 15th at the Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library. The swap starts at 3:00 PM.

Ladies, learn the art of self-defense starting this Saturday, January 8th @ 10:00 AM at the New Tampa Regional Library. Sign up for this three-week series is limited to 20 people.

Click here for the full calendar of upcoming teen events.

Check out our Flickr photostream

2010-12-22T11:52:00.002-05:00

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hcplclibraryteens/

and our slideshow

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hcplclibraryteens/show/

Free Anime!

2010-12-15T14:36:00.000-05:00

Straight from the folks at Funimation:

FUNimation is premiering Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood – Episodes 27 – 39 (DUB) on iTunes before you can see it anywhere else, AND we’re giving you episodes 1 and 27 for FREE! That way you don’t have to wait for the DVD/BD release on December 28th to check it out. Head over to iTunes.com/FUNimation to download them now!

The freebies don’t stop there either. You can also get the first episodes of Trigun and Soul Eater for FREE on iTunes.

So if you're jonesing for some anime to watch on the iPad, iPhone, iPod touch or computer this holiday break, this looks like a good stop.

And don't forget to drop by your local library to stock up on anime dvds and manga over the break!

New Teen Events @ Jan Platt Regional Library (South Tampa)

2010-12-14T10:27:00.018-05:00

Hi!
I’m John and I’m a Teen Librarian just starting at the Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library in South Tampa. I’m very excited about some new events and clubs that will be starting in January:

We are starting a Teen Advisory Board (aka TAB)!!! Our first TAB meeting is on Saturday January 22nd at 3pm. Have ideas for teen events and clubs at the library, bring them to share. Click here for more info about what TABs do for the library and what TAB can do for you!

Directly after the first meeting of our new TAB group, we will have the first meeting of our Teen Book Club (pick up your copy today @ Jan Platt Library !) We will be hanging out and discussing the book Uglies by Scott Westerfeld.

"Tally Youngblood lives in a futuristic society that acculturates its citizens to believe that they are ugly until age 16 when they'll undergo an operation that will change them into pleasure-seeking "pretties." Anticipating this happy transformation, Tally meets Shay, another female ugly, who shares her enjoyment of hoverboarding and risky pranks. But Shay also disdains the false values and programmed conformity of the society and urges Tally to defect with her to the Smoke, a distant settlement of simple-living conscientious objectors." -- School Library Journal

Sound Good ! See You There !

We will continue our GameZone on Tuesdays from 4:00 – 5:15pm. Come hangout and play Nintendo Wii and PlayStation 2 at the library on our large projection screens. Some of our video games titles are: Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Guitar Hero Series and Rock Band. See you after school for some gaming fun!

On Wednesdays, January 5th and 19th from 4:30—5:30 pm we will have our Teen Anime/Manga Club will be meeting and screening Anime titles and talking about all things Anime/Manga.

On Alternate Wednesdays, January 12th & 26th from 4:30 - 5:30 pm we will have the first meetings on our Teen "Go" Board Game Club. Come learn and play one of the oldest games in the world: the ancient East Asian board game “Go.” A popular Anime/Manga series called “Hikaru No Go” has made many very curious about how to play the game. Now you can learn and play with your friends. The rules are simple, the strategy complex. Learn in minutes, play for a lifetime.

Links:

What Is the Game of Go? - from the American Go Association

The Interactive Way To Go

goproblems.com - Interactive go problem database and community

A cool FREE app for Marvel Comic fans with iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch

2010-12-13T13:20:00.000-05:00

From Wendy Stephens at YALSA:

"The app offers a selection of free comics, access to saved titles, and top 25 lists sorted by series, author, and genre. There is also an option to browse by series title, creator, genre, rating, storylines, and release date. [...] The range of titles available on the interface dates to the 1950s. Readers will need an email address to set up a Marvel.com account."

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

2010-12-08T12:19:00.004-05:00

Yes, everyone! The Chronicles of Narnia are back for their third movie installment. This Friday, December the 10th, the Voyage of the Dawn Treader will be opening in theatres near you!

In honor of this upcoming third movie, we will be having a Family Film Festival based on the Chronicles of Narnia this coming Saturday the 11th at 1PM at the 78th Street Community Library. Free snacks will be provided.

Official Narnia Movie Website
Narnia Web
Narnia Fans
The Lion's Call
Aslan's Country

The NEW! HCPLC Teen Website

2010-12-07T17:19:00.003-05:00

You may have noticed that the library's teen website has received a bit of a facelift. We've added a lot of great stuff. Take a few minutes to explore the new site!

Along with a dedicated Homework Help section, great links, and a College Prep 101 site, we now have a YouTube channel, a Goodreads shelf, and the new STUDIO 813 -- a place for you to show off your creative genius. Want to add your art, poetry, videos or writing to Studio 813? Attend an upcoming Teen Advisory Board meeting at your local library for more information. TABs generate a lot of the best stuff on our site, and you can even earn service hours for TAB participation.

What are you waiting for? Here you go. Go. Click. Do it!

Homework Help on the Run?

2010-11-24T11:35:00.002-05:00

The popular Tutor.com homework help resource has just announced that customers and students may begin accessing the Tutor.com SkillsCenter Resource Library containing links to thousands of tutorials and study guides using the new Tutor.com To Go App for iPhone and iPod Touch. Download it now for those homework emergencies!

And don't forget you can get Live Homework Help from Tutor.com's real live tutors any day from 2pm to midnight... for free when you access it from our teen webpage with your library card.

NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program

2010-11-23T11:22:00.004-05:00

November is National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) !

Are you participating?

Are any of your friends participating?

Are you thinking about participating next year?

Check out the NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program . . . The "Dare Machine" is really fun (I can’t stop clicking "Dare Me")

National Gaming Day Tournaments!

2010-11-10T12:01:00.005-05:00

Saturday, November 13th is National Gaming Day! Libraries all around Hillsborough County are holding gaming tournaments featuring Super Smash Brothers Brawl and other great Wii and PS2 games. Click here to check the calendar and find a tournament near you. You may even have the chance to play against teens at other libraries over the Wii network!

Image via freakinerd @ deviantart, used under Creative Commons.

ShadoCon

2010-10-30T14:15:00.002-05:00

If you thought anime convention season was over...guess again!

Yeppers, Tampa has a brand new autumn con! It's ShadoCon's first year. If you like cosplay, anime music videos, anime panels, voice actor guests, contests, or just plain meeting other fellow otakus, ShadoCon is the place for you! There will even be a Final Fantasy Ball, a Talent Search competition, and a Breakdance Breakdown.

ShadoCon will take place on November 5-7 at the Crowne Plaza in Tampa.

ShadoCon

Candor by Pam Bachorz

2010-10-29T15:44:00.000-05:00

Candor is set in the model community of Candor, Florida, where every teen wants to be like Oscar Banks, the son of the town's founder. Oscar earns straight As, is student-body president, and is in demand for every club and cause.

But Oscar has a secret. He knows that parents bring their teens to Candor to make them respectful, compliant, and perfect through subliminal Messages that carefully correct and control their behavior. Oscar's built a business sabotaging his father's scheme with Messages of his own, getting his clients out before the change happens. After all, who would ever suspect the perfect Oscar Banks?

Then Oscar meets Nia, the girl he can't stand to see changed. Saving Nia means losing her forever, but by keeping her in Candor, Oscar risks exposure . . . and more.

The first few chapters passed by quite slowly and the story never really picked up until about halfway through. Then it got really good. The ending is my favorite part, because it was completely unexpected. I'm not sure what I was expecting to happen, but it certainly wasn't what actually happened. It left me with my mouth hanging open.

Candor is a good book if you enjoy books set in a world similar to ours but also different.

Louis

(Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library TAB Member)

Manga? On my computer? Sign me up!

2010-10-25T18:00:00.000-05:00

TOKYOPOP, one of the major anime & manga publishers in the US, recently posted this on their Facebook page:

Read TOKYOPOP online- legitimately and for free! OverDrive, a distributor of eBooks, provides TOKYOPOP eBooks to some libraries. Use the search function to see if your library uses OverDrive. Yeah for libraries!

Well, conveniently enough, we ARE one of the libraries that uses OverDrive to provide eBooks & audiobooks to our patrons...

So manga fans, head over to our OverDrive site and search for "Tokyopop" to see the manga YOU can check out and read from the comfort of your computer or eReader without even setting foot in the library.

Yule Ball @ SouthShore Regional Library

2010-10-25T07:56:00.004-05:00

Celebrate the SouthShore Regional Library's Teen Advisory Board's 3rd Anniversary at the Yule Ball. This is a Harry Potter themed event. Win prizes in the Costume Contest (Barnes and Noble Gift Card Prizes) and enjoy teen deejayed music, dancing, food and refreshments. Free tickets are available now at the Information Desk at SouthShore Regional Library. Registration is limited and required prior to the Ball.

This anniversary event is sponsored by the Friends of the SouthShore Regional Library. For more information about teen programming and other FREE programs @ your library®, call (813) 273-3652 or visit hcplc.org.

Liar by Justine Larbalestier

2010-10-22T16:07:00.002-05:00

Can you figure it out?

Liar is a gripping fantasy novel that takes you on an insanely confusing, while enjoyable, ride. Meet Micah, an intelligent girl who will tell you straight up that she is a compulsive liar. Walk with her as she tells you the story of her life, taking you on a wild and bumpy road complete with plenty of twists. As each new piece of information is introduced, contradicting the last, you won't be able to resist the urge to sort lie from truth in Micah's words.

Determination sets the tone of this novel as Micah struggles to tell us the truth and figure out who, what, and why she is in life. In this fun and fascinating story, you can't help but think deeper and examine the different aspects of Micah's alleged life, as well as your own. Everybody lies. This is often said, and you will most definitely hear it in Liar. In reading this novel, Micah may have you questioning yourself. Do you always tell the truth?

All in all, this is a very interesting read that is highly entertaining. Liar will have you tearing through the pages. Two thumbs up to Justine Larbalestier.

Briana

(Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library TAB Member)

Seffner-Mango Library After-Hours Teen “Get in Character!” Ball !!!

2010-10-20T09:18:00.005-05:00

Werewolves! Vampires! Zombies! Pirates! Superheroes! And more!
Get in Character! Come to the library in costume as a character from a favorite book (Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Steampunk, Graphic Novel, Manga, Mythology, Folk Tale, and many more genres are out there to choose from).

On October 29th the Seffner-Mango Branch Library will be hosting a special after-hours Teen “Get in Character!” Ball from 7pm to 10pm (just for you!). Enjoy dancing, food, games, and crafts! There will also be a costume contest with awesome prizes!

Happy Teen Read Week!

2010-10-20T08:12:00.004-05:00

Happy Teen Read Week! Celebrate at the library, where we have all kinds of great events, as well as all the new books you're craving. Don't forget to vote for next year's Teen Read Week theme, and check out the winners of this year's Teens Top Ten -- the top ten books chosen by teens, for teens.

Teenz Ink Short Story Contest

2010-10-13T08:43:00.007-05:00

Calling all writers! It's time to get inspired.

The library's annual Teen Read Week short story contest, Teenz Ink, starts next Monday, October 18th. The contest is for anyone in grades 6-12. You could win a $100 gift card! Get all of the details and the online entry form right here!

Library info... via text message.

2010-09-30T13:47:00.004-05:00

Want a fast, convenient way to find out about library teen programs? Sign up for text notifications! Click here, find your library's keyword, and text it to 313131 to sign up.

The Last Book In The Universe

2010-09-22T12:39:00.004-05:00

The Last Book in the Universe
By Rodman Philbrick

The second I stared to read ‘The Last Book in the Universe’ by Rodman Philbrick, it put pressure on my brain by forcing me to remember the different terms the author uses for daily things. I really enjoyed the action and adventure that keep you going on through the book until the end. If I were to rate this novel then I would give it four stars because it is interesting, but the author could have shown a little more effort by bringing out the action parts of the novel. The best part about this book is that you always have something to keep you interested, to keep you turning the pages; the small, not entirely fascinating quests that Spaz Boy faces as he tries to find a cure for the bone disease his sister has. Spaz and Ryter go through three treacherous latches, Billy Bizmo’s, the Vandal Queen’s, and the Monkey Boy’s, to just find Spaz’s sister, Bean. Latches are like little cities that a person and his or her gang, such as Billy Bizmo, rules. After they find Bean (his sister), they had to try to sneak into Eden, a ‘perfect’ place, and try to get a Proov, a ‘perfect’ person, into helping them find a cure. When you are in the one chapter when Spaz and Ryter are traveling through the Pipe you have to just keep on reading to see all of the new conflicts that jump out at you. As the book begins to end, Spaz still has one unanswered question, but the thing that is irritating him the most is that everyone seems to have figured out the answer except for him. Why has Billy Bizmo and Lotti Getts, the Vandal Queen, been treating Spaz so specially? What is so particular about a Spaz? Read this page-turner to find out!

Priya

(New Tampa Regional Library TAB Member)

Win a book shopping spree from James Patterson!

2010-09-14T15:09:00.005-05:00

Hey high school seniors: want to win up to $5000 for new books?

Author James Patterson is giving away gift certificates to college-bound high school seniors -- eight $5000 awards, eight $2500 awards, and 40 $250 awards. Click here to get the details and online entry form. Deadline is December 31, 2010.

Need help with homework? Try TUTOR.COM!

2010-09-08T10:35:00.011-05:00

Another school year, another year of homework. I can hear you sighing already, but never fear -- the library has you covered.

Chat online with a live tutor using Tutor.com. Live homework help is available from 2PM to midnight, seven days a week. The tutors can help you with any subject, any level -- for example, you can get math help with algebra, calculus, or any subject in between. Need an editor for your English paper? They can do that too!

Connect to this fantastic FREE service from home using your library card number. You'll never fall into the pit of homework despair again!

Vote NOW for the Teens' Top Ten!!!

2010-08-24T13:30:00.001-05:00

Have you read any of the the YALSA 2010 Teens’ Top Ten nominations?

Watersmeet by Ellen Jensen Abbott
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
Hate List by Jennifer Brown
Heist Society by Ally Carter
Fire by Kristin Cashore
City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
The Roar by Emma Clayton
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen
Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
hush, hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
If I Stay by Gayle Forman
Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Geektastic: Stories from the Nerd Herd edited by Holly Black and Cecil Castellucci
Dragonfly by Julia Golding
The Reformed Vampire Support Group by Catherine Jinks
I Am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to Be Your Class President by Josh Lieb
Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler
Witch and Wizard by James Patterson
By the Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead by Julie Anne Peters
Bloodhound by Tamora Pierce
Strange Angels by Lili St. Crow
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya by Nagaru Tanigawa
Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
City of Fire by Laurence Yep

Vote NOW for your favorites!

Voting is open now through September 17. The winners will be announced during Teen Read Week, Oct. 17-23.

The Teens’ Top Ten is a reading list chosen entirely by and for teens. Last year, more than 11,000 teens voted for the Teens’ Top Ten, choosing Paper Towns by John Green as their favorite title.

I loved this book the moment I started to read it!

2010-08-11T08:24:00.004-05:00

The Face on the Milk Carton
By Caroline B. Cooney

‘The Face on the Milk Carton’ is the first book in a suspenseful mystery novel series. I loved this book the moment I started to read it! I really enjoyed the emotion and the romantic scenes. The best thing about this novel is that it’s so interesting that it makes you keep going until the climax. “Why are Janie’s parents always so anxious? Why are they not letting her see her birth certificate? Was Janie kidnapped?” After all that you just cannot put the book down! You keep turning the pages and moving to the edge of your seat, as Janie goes on the adventure of her life to find her true identity. The clues don’t go together and get more complicated as new puzzle pieces come into play; I felt as if I was a part of the story and had to finish the act. When everything finally goes right I thought that the book had finished, however, it was only half done. There was still a missing piece to what I thought was the complete puzzle. Yet, as the book begins to end, all of your questions will not be answered. I am now looking forward to reading the next book in the squeal, “Whatever Happened to Janie?” and hope that this book will be just as mysterious and full of complexity.

Priya

(New Tampa Regional Library TAB member)

SMILE by Raina Telgemeier

2010-08-11T08:10:00.002-05:00

Braces. Appliances. Rubber bands. Retainers. Anyone who's had dental drama knows that it isn't fun, but Raina's experience is especially intense. After an accident knocks out her two front teeth, Raina spends years undergoing surgeries, braces, and other forms of orthodontic torture to get her smile back to normal. But who feels like smiling anyway when you're dealing with the dramas of middle and high school?

If you're looking for a great graphic novel with a funny, relatable story, pick this one up at your local library.

Click here to place a hold on SMILE.

THE MONSTRUMOLOGIST

2010-08-04T08:26:00.003-05:00

From the author of THE EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURES OF ALFRED KROPP...

Want a creepy read? Place a hold today.

Geektastic!

2010-07-29T10:00:00.002-05:00

GEEKTASTIC: STORIES FROM THE NERD HERD

Short on time? Check out a short story collection for great reads, in bite-sized increments. A great example is GEEKTASTIC, edited by Holly Black and Cecil Castellucci.

Are you a band geek or a Dungeon Master? Is World of Warcraft a way of life? Can you talk for hours on the finer points of Star Trek or Star Wars? Can you name every star in the Whedonverse? Are your video game skills beyond compare? Answer "yes" to any of these questions, and there's a good chance you will enjoy GEEKTASTIC. See what happens when worlds collide and a Jedi falls in love with a Klingon, find out the darker side of meeting your MMORPG crush, and see if a team of specialized geeks can try to help the head cheerleader talk nerdy to her boyfriend. All this and comics drawn by Scott Pilgrim's Bryan Lee O'Malley.

Check it out at your local library.

Metrocon 2010

2010-07-22T12:21:00.003-05:00

Guess what everybody! Metrocon will be here again this weekend! Yeppers, this Friday through Sunday the 23rd-25th of July, Metrocon will be taking place at the Tampa Bay Convention Center.

For more information, check out the Metrocon website at:

http://www.metroconventions.com/

Books to Movies: BEASTLY

2010-07-16T09:06:00.005-05:00

BEASTLY - Alex Flinn's modern twist on "Beauty and the Beast" - hits the big screen next March. The film features Alex Pettyfer, Vanessa Hudgens of High School Musical fame, and Mary-Kate Olsen.

Plot:

Kyle is handsome, rich, and popular... but also spoiled, arrogant, and cruel. He thinks nothing of playing a humiliating trick on a student named Kendra. Little does he know that Kendra has her own powers -- and she turns him into a hideously ugly creature for revenge. Now his only hope of becoming human again is finding true love. Kyle is used to Daddy's money getting him out of sticky situations, but that won't help him this time. How can you find true love when you look positively BEASTLY?

Pick up the book at your local library.

Zombies travel north! RRahhhhhhRRRrrrrrww

2010-07-15T10:21:00.004-05:00

Zombies. They're everywhere. Okay, maybe not everywhere-everywhere (although have you checked under your bed lately?) but they're definitely at your local library this summer! Live it up the undead way by attending a GOT BRAINS? zombie program at the library. Learn practical tactics to survive the zombie apocalypse, play zombie games, eat brains, and more. Make sure to arrive in your best zombie camouflage, in order to enhance your chances of survival. After all, you're going to need that brain of yours once school starts next fall. It would be a shame if something ate it. Nom nom nom.

Seffner-Mango Branch Library - Monday, July 19 @ 3:00 PM
New Tampa Regional Library - Thursday, July 29 @ 2:00 PM

Scott Westerfeld :: Uglies Movie Update (4 realz)

2010-07-13T14:11:00.003-05:00

Visit Scott Westerfeld's blog for info.

LEVIATHAN by Scott Westerfeld

2010-07-13T08:09:00.006-05:00

Looking for a great steampunk read? Try LEVIATHAN by Scott Westerfeld.

More by UGLIES author Scott Westerfeld.

What is Steampunk, anyway?

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

2010-07-12T11:27:00.007-05:00

About the book:

If you could relive your last day, what would you do differently? This is what Samantha asks herself when, after a fatal accident driving home from a party, she wakes in her bed to find she must repeat the entire day again. And again. As Samantha lives through multiple Fridays, desperate to prevent her death, she is struck by how even the most insignificant acts, like running late for school instead of being on time, can change everything. Suddenly she is noticing uncomfortable things about her friends and about herself she has never noticed before. By changing the past, can Sam change her fate?

Pick up this book at your library.

Visit the author's website.

Zombies vs. Unicorns

2010-07-12T11:06:00.006-05:00

It's a question as old as time itself: which is better, the zombie or the unicorn? A short story anthology due out in September called Zombies Vs. Unicorns hopes to settle the matter.

Some of your favorite YA authors are ready to take sides: Team Zombie includes Libba Bray, Cassandra Clare, Maureen Johnson, and Scott Westerfeld while Team Unicorn supporters include Meg Cabot, Margo Lanagan, Garth Nix, and Holly Black.

Where do YOUR allegiances lie? Take the poll on the Z vs. U website. As of this post, Team Unicorn is winning! BOOOOOO!

- a Team Zombie librarian

For The Win by Cory Doctorow

2010-06-30T12:40:00.008-05:00

About For The Win:

In the virtual future, you must organize to survive

At any hour of the day or night, millions of people around the globe are engrossed in multiplayer online games, questing and battling to win virtual “gold,” jewels, and precious artifacts. Meanwhile, others seek to exploit this vast shadow economy, running electronic sweatshops in the world’s poorest countries, where countless “gold farmers,” bound to their work by abusive contracts and physical threats, harvest virtual treasure for their employers to sell to First World gamers who are willing to spend real money to skip straight to higher-level gameplay.

Mala is a brilliant 15-year-old from rural India whose leadership skills in virtual combat have earned her the title of “General Robotwalla.” In Shenzen, heart of China’s industrial boom, Matthew is defying his former bosses to build his own successful gold-farming team. Leonard, who calls himself Wei-Dong, lives in Southern California, but spends his nights fighting virtual battles alongside his buddies in Asia, a world away. All of these young people, and more, will become entangled with the mysterious young woman called Big Sister Nor, who will use her experience, her knowledge of history, and her connections with real-world organizers to build them into a movement that can challenge the status quo.

The ruthless forces arrayed against them are willing to use any means to protect their power—including blackmail, extortion, infiltration, violence, and even murder. To survive, Big Sister’s people must out-think the system. This will lead them to devise a plan to crash the economy of every virtual world at once—a Ponzi scheme combined with a brilliant hack that ends up being the biggest, funnest game of all.

Imbued with the same lively, subversive spirit and thrilling storytelling that made LITTLE BROTHER an international sensation, FOR THE WIN is a prophetic and inspiring call-to-arms for a new generation

READ:

Find Little Brother in our catalog

Download a free copy of Little Brother from the author

Find For The Win in our catalog

Download a free copy of For The Win from the author

YA author John Green at ALA :: Book Nerd PARADISE

2010-06-26T09:15:00.003-05:00

(so ... no advance copies of Mockingjay ... hopefully this means no spoilers! Is everyone counting down to August 24?)

Young Adult author John Green hanging out the annual American Library Association conference in Washington DC.

John Green is the author of Paper Towns, Looking for Alaska, An Abundance of Katherines and most recently Will Grayson, Will Grayson (a colaboration with Young Adult author David Levithan).

READ:

Find John Green books in our catalog

Find David Levithan books in our catalog

Dreaming of an Ivy League college?

2010-06-24T16:04:00.000-05:00

Got Ivy League dreams but need a way to pay for it? Did you hear this news?

Harvard University announced recently that from now on undergraduate students from low-income families will pay no tuition. In making the announcement, Harvard's president Lawrence H. Summers said, "When only ten percent of the students in elite higher education come from families in the lower half of the income distribution, we are not doing enough. We are not doing enough in bringing elite higher education to the lower half of the income distribution."

If you know of a family earning less than $60,000 a year with an honor student graduating from high school soon, Harvard University wants to pay the tuition. The prestigious university recently announced that from now on undergraduate students from low-income families can go to Harvard for free... no tuition and no student loans!

To find out more about Harvard offering free tuition for families making less than $60,000 a year, visit Harvard's financial aid website at: http://www.fao.fas.harvard.edu/ or call the school's financial aid office at (617) 495-1581.

Want to know more about this college or others? Check out CollegeSource Online to answer lots of the important questions, like...

what will it cost?
what are the application requirements?
what majors do they offer?

Transworld Skateboarding Magazine @ the Library

2010-06-22T11:30:00.005-05:00

Transworld Skateboarding Magazine at some Hillsborough County libraries. Check it out!

Go Skateboarding!

2010-06-21T09:32:00.003-05:00

June 21st is Go Skateboarding Day! In honor of this event, some parks are offering free skate sessions, including the skate park at the New Tampa Community Park. The session starts tonight at 8 p.m. Helmets and waivers are required. For more info, call the Tampa Parks and Recreation Department New Tampa Community Recreation Center at 975-2794.

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (The Hunger Games trilogy final installment)

2010-06-16T12:34:00.007-05:00

Mockingjay, the final installment in the Hunger Games trilogy, will be released on August 24.

Place a hold Today for Mockingjay!

Catch up with the series and check-out:

Book 1: The Hunger Games
Book 2: Catching Fire

In "The Hunger Games":

Twenty-four are forced to enter. Only the winner survives.

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. Each year, the districts are
forced by the Capitol to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve
and eighteen to participate in the Hunger Games, a brutal and terrifying fight
to the death – televised for all of Panem to see.

Survival is second nature for sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who struggles to feed her mother and younger sister by secretly hunting and gathering beyond the fences of District 12. When Katniss steps in to take the place of her sister in the Hunger Games, she knows it may be her death sentence. If she is to survive, she must weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

Summer Time Travel

2010-06-10T10:01:00.003-05:00

Wanna go back in time? Play old-school games, whip up some tie dyed shirts or shrinky dinks, or maybe even take home a pet rock? Get in touch with the past at our Catch A Wave programs, happening at your library this summer.

Choose your destination, McFly:

1960s
Lutz Branch Library - Tuesday, July 13 @ 3:00 PM

1970s
Bloomingdale Regional Library - Saturday, June 12 @ 2:00 PM
New Tampa Regional Library - Thursday, June 24 @ 2:00 PM
78th Street Branch Library - Wednesday, July 14 @ 3:00 PM
Lutz Branch Library - Tuesday, August 10 @ 3:00 PM

1980s
Lutz Branch Library - Tuesday, June 15 @ 3:00 PM
New Tampa Regional Library - Thursday, July 15 @ 2:00 PM
78th Street Branch Library - Wednesday, August 4 @ 3:00 PM