Teen Poetry Contest

It's almost time for National Poetry Month, which means what? Yep, it's the return of our annual poetry contest for teens. We already know that you guys are creative (just check out Express Yourself) but now it's time to actually get paid for it. Or, win a Borders gift card, to be more specific.

For more info, rules, and how to submit your poetic masterpiece, head over to our poetry page (click the poster on the side).

The contest starts April 1, but we wanted to get you thinking about what poems you want to enter.

Teen Tech Week

 

Teen Tech Week is back! During March 7-13th, submit a review about nearly anything* and we'll put your name in a drawing for several Barnes & Noble gift cards. But that's not all! Friend us on MySpace, Facebook, YouTube or Twitter and we'll add your name again!

And why do we celebrate Teen Tech Week? Because we here at the library believe that Technology + Teens = Awesomeness.

*Nearly anything: books, movies, tv shows, music, video games, magazines, comics/graphic novels, audiobooks, etc. Basically, anything you can get at the library.

Violet Eyes

Violet Eyes by Debbie Viguié

In a dynamic retelling of "The Princess and the Pea," 17-year-old Violet falls in love at first sight with the dashing Prince Richard, who has arrived at her impoverished family farm in the middle of a storm and whose parents insist that he marry a princess of high nobility.

Batman: Arkham Aslyum

There’s a big ongoing debate here at RWL…Marvel vs. DC Comics, who would win? Some of us would bet on Spiderman and the Hulk, while others think Superman and his Super Friends would totally kick everyone around.

No matter what side of the issue you take, you will enjoy playing Batman: Arkham Asylum. Here you play the role of the Caped Crusader, the Dark Knight, the Greatest Detective in the World. The Joker (voiced by Luke Skywalker himself, Mark Hamill) has made plans to lure Batman to Arkham…and to destroy him. Harley Quinn, Zsasz, Scarecrow, Ivy, Bane, Killer Croc and the Riddler all make appearances to take their best shot at the Dark Knight.

Get your name on the queue and get ready to outsmart, out think and beat the snot out of some Joker’s hired thugs. It is up to you to restore order to Arkham Asylum. The cowering warden is depending on you!!! This game is awesome. We have it for the PS3 and the 360. Stay tuned for the sequel later this year (or early next).

Join The Queue

Every Tuesday new books, CDs, and DVDs are released into the world. Instead of buying them, check them out at your library!

Here are some of the February 23, 2010 releases that the library has on order. Place your hold now to get it sooner!

Books:

Hard to Get by Emma Carlson Berne







The Carbon Diaries 2017 by Saci Lloyd







Violet Eyes by Debbie Viguie







Goldstrike: A Thriller by Matt Whyman








DVDs:

Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant







The Informant







Graphic Novels:

Negima!, Vol. 25 by Ken Akamatsu







Zombie-Loan, Vol. 8 by Peach Pit







Sarasah, Vol. 3 by Ryang Ryu







Higurashi When They Cry: Curse Killing Arc 2 by Ryukishi07

What's on Tap?

Here are the events of the week:

Monday, February 22:
Homework Help @ Mendota, 3-6pm
Homework Help @ Woodward, 3:30-5pm
Study Hall @ Woodward, 3:30-5pm
Movie Mondays @ Orange Cove, 4-6pm

Tuesday, February 23:
Art Smart @ Orange Cove, 4-5pm

Wednesday, February 10:
Afternoon Movie @ Politi, 2:30-4:30pm
Art Smart @ Mendota, 3-5pm
Homework Help @ Mendota, 3-6pm
Homework Help @ Woodward, 3:30-5pm
Study Hall @ Woodward, 3:30-5pm
Wii Gaming Tournament @ Fowler, 4-5pm


Thursday, February 25:
Hooked on Yarn @ Orange Cove, 10-12pm
Hooks and Needles Knit and Crochet @ Auberry, 1-5pm
Wii Gaming @ Kerman, 6-6:45pm

Friday, February 26:
Nothing Scheduled

Saturday, February 27:
Teen Tech Day @ Caruthers, 2-4:30pm

Sunday, February 28:
Fahrenheit 451 Play @ Central, 2:30-4:30pm

American Idol

Ok look, I know it's not cool to like American Idol, but I do. I honestly do. And I know that at least some of you do too, because millions of people watch it and I know I'm not the only one here in all of the Central Valley. Usually I really start watching during Hollywood week, and this year did not disappoint. I loved Ellen, am already missing Simon thinking of him gone after this season, and had fun trying to guess who'd make it into the top 24. But what I really love about American Idol is the goosebump moment, when someone takes me by complete surprise and I'm left thinking "Whoa. I wanna hear that again!". This happens once or twice a season, and it's already happened this go-round with Andrew Garcia's  acoustic version of Straight Up by Paula Abdul. I thought it was mellow, soulful, and totally surprising. Here it is:



So clearly Andrew is my current favorite. Who knows if he still will be next week. Who's yours?

Plants v. Zombies

Back in October, I posted a nice little YouTube clip of a song about Plants v. Zombies. I didn't know anything about it except it had a cute little song, but now I'm hooked.

I know I am way behind on this Plants v. Zombies thing (I'm a MAC), but since they have released a version of it for the iPhone...well, I've become addicted. I can't stop playing it. It's really cut into my Words with Friends time.

How you played this game? Are you addicted? And if you forgot the song, here it is:

Join The Queue

Every Tuesday new books, CDs, and DVDs are released into the world. Instead of buying them, check them out at your library!

Here are some of the February 16, 2010 releases that the library has on order. Place your hold now to get it sooner!

Books:

You Don't Even Know Me: Stories and Poems About Boys by Sharon G. Flake







Addicted to Her by Janet Nichols Lynch







DVDs:

Good Hair








Graphic Novels:

Oh My Goddess! Vol. 14







Video Games:

Data East Arcade Classics Wii Only

What's on Tap?

Here are this week's events:

Monday, February 15:
ALL LIBRARIES CLOSED- President's Day

Tuesday, February 16:
Mardi Gras "Read for Beads" @ Kingsburg
Mardi Gras "Read for Beads" @ Fowler
Art Smart @ Mendota, 3-5
Art Smart @ Orange Cove, 4-5pm
San Francisco's Shakespeare on Tour presents "Hamlet" @ Fowler, 4:30-5:30

Wednesday, February 17:
Mardi Gras "Read for Beads" @ Kingsburg
Mardi Gras "Read for Beads" @ Fowler
Games and Fun @ Sanger, 1:30-4pm
Afternoon Movie @ Politi, 2:30-4:30pm
Homework Help @ Mendota, 3-6pm
Homework Help @ Woodward, 3:30-5pm
Study Hall @ Woodward, 3:30-5pm
Bejeweled Mardi Gras Masks! @ Fowler, 4-4:45pm

Thursday, February 18:
Mardi Gras "Read for Beads" @ Kingsburg
Mardi Gras "Read for Beads" @ Fowler
Hooks and Needles Knit and Crochet @ Auberry, 1-5pm
Mardi Gras Masks @ Fig Garden, 4-5pm
Wii Gaming @ Kerman, 6-6:45pm
Connect with the Classics @ Clovis, 7-8pm

Friday, February 19:
Mardi Gras "Read for Beads" @ Kingsburg
Mardi Gras "Read for Beads" @ Fowler

Saturday, February 20:
Mardi Gras "Read for Beads" @ Kingsburg
Mardi Gras "Read for Beads" @ Fowler
Book Club @ Orange Cove, 10:30-12pm
Old School Games @ Tranquillity, 11am
Teen Tech Day @ Caruthers, 2-4:30pm

Sunday, February 21:
TAG - Teen Council @ Fig Garden, 1-2pm

Fresh Films

If you are an aspiring film maker? Want to spend your spring break in Hollywood working on a movie? Then you need to check out Fresh Film's contest. You don't need any film experience and be between the ages of 13-18. The application is seems easy (there are two essay questions). The site has tons of information about the contest. Better hurry, the contest ends February 15!

Mockingjay

We finally have a title and a cover to the last book in The Hunger Games trilogy! What do you think of the title and cover? Are you as excited as we are? Check out Scholastic's post on the cover and the books. Slight spoilers for books one and two, so tread carefully!

Little Miss Red

Little Miss Red by Robin Palmer

Sixteen-year-old Sophie's dream of meeting her soul mate during spring break in Florida seems to have come true, but she must determine if Jack is really the romantic hero he seems to be, or if ex-boyfriend Michael could be.

Join the Queue

Every Tuesday new books, CDs, and DVDs are released into the world. Instead of buying them, check them out at your library!

Here are some of the February 9, 2010 releases that the library has on order. Place your hold now to get it sooner!

Books:

Eleventh Grade Burns (The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod) by Heather Brewer







The Life of Glass by Jillian Cantor







Gone by Lisa McMann







Nothing by Janne Teller







DVDs:

Couple's Retreat







A Serious Man







The Stepfather







The Time Traveler's Wife







Graphic Novels:

Inuyasha Vol. 45 by Rumiko Takahashi







Kekkaishi Vol. 20 by Yellow Tanabe

What's On Tap?

Be sure to check out some of the teen council meetings this week!

Monday, February 8:
ALL LIBRARIES CLOSED

Tuesday, February 9:
Visual Poetry Photo Contest Begins @ Woodward Park
Art Smart @ Orange Cove, 4-5pm
Shakespeare at the Library - King John @ Woodward Park, 6:30-8:30pm

Wednesday, February 10:
Art Smart @ Mendota, 3-5pm
Homework Help @ Mendota, 3-6pm
Homework Help @ Woodward, 3:30-5pm
Movie - Fahrenheit 451 @ Caruthers, 3:30-5:30pm
Wii Gaming @ Fowler, 4-5pm
Valentine Movies - Ghosts of Girlfriends Past @ Sunnyside, 6-8pm

Thursday, February 11:
Hooked on Yarn @ Orange Cove, 10-12pm
Hooks and Needles Knit and Crochet @ Auberry, 1-5pm
Auberry Teen Council @ Auberry, 3:30-4:30pm
Valentine's Origami @ Cedar Clinton, 4-5pm
Gillis Teen Council Meeting @ Gillis, 5-6pm
Wii Gaming @ Kerman, 6-6:45pm
Woodward Park Teen Council Meeting @ Woodward Park, 6-7pm

Friday, February 12:
Nothing Scheduled

Saturday, February 13:
Mardi Gras' "Read for Beads" @ Fowler
Yu-Gi-Oh! Tournament @ Sunnyside, 2-4:30pm

Sunday, February 14:
TAG @ Fig Garden, 1-2pm

Jekel Loves Hyde

Jekel Loves Hyde by Beth Fantaskey

I was lucky enough to get my hands on this book back in November. I tried to wait as long as I could before reading it, but I couldn't help myself.

Jill Jekel was a good girl. She obeyed all the rules. She never broke them; what her parents said was law. All that changed when Jill's father was murdered. At 17, she was left to take care of the bills, the house and her mother. When she finds out that her father stole her college money right before he died, Jill decides to break the rules. She starts by opening the mysterious box in her father's office. What's inside could be the key to winning a scholarship.

In order to win, Jill decides to ask the brooding Tristen Hyde for help. Once he see's what in the box, he is more than willing to help Jill. As the team of Jekel and Hyde try to recreate the experiments based on the novel, they hope to not only win the prize, but to save Tristen's sanity and possibly his life. That was the plan at least, until Jekel gets a taste of what it’s like to be bad.

I knew a little bit about the book, but it still blew me away . It’s nothing like I’ve ever read - It’s dark, twisted, and romantic all at the same time. It’s been a couple months since I read it, and I am itching to read it again. I can’t wait to see what Fantaskey has for us up next, but I do know I will be the first in line to read it.

Join the Queue

Every Tuesday new books, CDs, and DVDs are released into the world. Instead of buying them, check them out at your library!

Here are some of the February 2, 2010 releases that the library has on order. Place your hold now to get it sooner!

Books:

Poison Eaters: And Other Stories by Holly Black







Bikini Breakdown by Melody Carlson







Sweet Little Lies by Lauren Conrad







Scarlett Fever by Maureen Johnson







The Long Way Home by Andrew Klavan







Shadow Souls by L.J. Smith







Light Beneath Ferns by Anne Spollen







DVDs:

Law Abiding Citizen







Love Happens







New York, I Love You







Saw VI







Zombieland







Graphic Novels:

Vampire Knight, Vol. 9 by Matsuri Hino







D. Gray-man, Vol. 16 by Katsura Hoshino







High School Debut, Vol. 13 by Kazune Kawahara







Naruto, Vol. 47 by Masashi Kishimoto







Ng Life, Vol. 4 by Mizuho Kusanagi








Stolen Hearts, Vol. 1 by Miku Sakamoto







Black Bird, Vol. 3 by Kanoko Sakurakoji







Alice in the Country of Hearts, Vol. 1 by Hoshino Soumei







Kaze Hikaru, Vol. 16 by Taeko Watanabe