Cambridge Public Library Teen Room

Happy B Day John Ford!

2012-02-01T15:50:00.002-05:00

A still from one of my all-time favorite flicks,

The Searchers.

YOU GUYS.

2012-01-31T17:01:00.004-05:00

We have NEW BOOKS left and right around here. On top of the stacks, on the desk. In PILES around the room because there are so many. Up until a minute ago we had a bunch of copies of The Fault in Our Stars floating around. The new Beth Revis book. A bunch of books with ladies wearing long gowns that are floating menacingly in some wind. A book that has flap copy that starts like this: "An ancient evil has been released..."

We also have a lot of ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMANCE.

There's a lot of excitement in the Teen Room right now, is what I'm saying. Get in on it. (This stock illustration is of a person being excited, in case you're wondering what it has to do with anything.)

Reflection in Action multimedia art contest

2012-01-31T15:58:00.001-05:00

Reflection in Action is an extension of the Harvard Medical School Office for Diversity Inclusion and Community Partnership Explorations program. RIA promotes careers in science and medicine for Boston and Cambridge middle school students, as well as healthy living and the national Let's Move! campaign.

As a part of their spring program RIA is holding a Building Healthy Communities contest. Eligible participants* may submit a work of visual art, performing art, or written art. Three winners will receive cash prizes or gift certificates.

*6th, 7th and 8th grade students who live in Boston or Cambridge, or attend Boston or Cambridge schools, organizations, after-school programs, community programs or religious institutions.

Prove It, Smartypants

2012-01-25T13:44:00.005-05:00

TOMORROW is the Teen Room's second annual SAT Vocabulary (and Grammar) Quizbowl Smackdown. Taking the SATs this weekend? Need to break from studying? Come study in a... different way. Even in you're not sitting for the test come up the ante by showing off your smarts. It's at 3:30pm, there will be candy, prizes, and hopefully enough room for your ENORMOUS BRAINS.

Spread the word!

What matters

2012-01-23T17:20:00.000-05:00

I have been so focused on the Republican presidential candidates and the Patriots getting into the Superbowl that I lost track of President Obama's upcoming State of the Union address this Tuesday.

But these interviews at NextGen Journal with college students around the country got me thinking not only about where the next four years will take us, but where the next generation of voters will take us.

What do you think? What matters to you and what do you hope our government will do about it?

Interview with Amandla Stenberg (Rue!) at Publishers Weekly

2012-01-20T09:44:00.001-05:00

You guys! Only 63 days left till The Hunger Games is in theaters!

How can we stand it? Well, reading this interview with Amandla Stenberg might help. She is a completely charming young lady and a reader (swoon!) She's just as excited to see the movie as the rest of the world.

Need money for college? MTV is looking to help you out

2012-01-18T18:40:00.000-05:00

Check out MTV's new Facebook app, My College Dollars. Not only does it provide you with application information, you can register to receive updates on scholarships based on your profile.

Walter Dean Myers is this year's National Ambassador for Young People's Literature!

2012-01-17T17:17:00.000-05:00

I am behindhand getting this important post up, and I apologize to y'all, but the truth is, I have been struggling with the right words to say how much I sincerely admire this man.

In the days since his ambassadorship was announced, Alexander Nazaryan wrote this provocative article for the NY Daily News scorning Myers's novels and questioning his fitness for the position. Whether or not you agree with him, I advise you to read it.
It is a powerful thing to seek knowledge. Which is why people will always argue over what is best for a particular group. Meaning, in this case, you guys.*

Walter & his brother. (Excellent hats.)

As for my admiration for Myers, hearing his own words will do that better than anything I could write here.

"We’re suggesting that they’re missing something if they don’t read but, actually, we’re condemning kids to a lesser life. If you had a sick patient, you would not try to entice them to take their medicine. You would tell them, ‘Take this or you’re going to die.’ We need to tell kids flat out: reading is not optional.”

*Since beginning this post, Tucson, Arizona has ruled that Mexican American history programs are illegal, removing books from classrooms and in some cases, taking them right out of students' hands.

The Joy of Books: Or, What Your E-Reader Still Cannot Do

2012-01-11T12:22:00.000-05:00

Literally the Best Thing Ever: Rookie Magazine

2012-01-09T13:12:00.003-05:00

Have you guys ever looked at the online magazine Rookie? It's billed as "a site for teenaged girls", but goodness gracious, I think there is something here for everyone:

Awesome playlists for any occasion.
A regular feature called "Literally the Best Thing Ever" where they tell you about the best things EVER.
Original Fiction.
Original Art.
Sex and Love advice
REAL style advice: as in, things actual people would actually wear to a party, that you probably actually already have in your closet.
Fun, funny, GOOD writing that doesn't treat you like an idiot just because you may be young, or you may be a lady, or you may be really interested in how to apply fake eyelashes.

Check it out, folks! And Happy New Year!

TAB: It's Not the End of the World

2012-01-09T09:17:00.000-05:00

This week's guest post offering is brought to you by your own Teen Advisory Board member, Stephanie (applause!) and is a fine reaction to the latest churn-out of dystopian fiction.

Thanks Stephanie! I for one, feel much better.

Happy Birthday to . . .

2012-01-08T15:39:00.003-05:00

Elvis Presley! (who worked in his high school library!!!)

AND

David Bowie! (who played the ukulele as a young child!)

John and Hank Green going on tour...

2012-01-07T11:11:00.000-05:00

...to promote John Green's new book, The Fault in Our Stars. Publishers Weekly gives more details, and the tour schedule is up on John's web page.

Click to read the first two chapters of The Fault in Our Stars and participate in the read-it-or-not forums!

The Boston event is listed as sold out, but you never know...those Green brothers are dedicated to their fellow Nerdfighters.

Props To Nicanor Parra

2012-01-06T15:39:00.010-05:00

The Chilean poet was awarded the Spanish-speaking world's highest literary honor, the Cervantes prize! Love ya bunches.

Descorcho Otra Botella

and go into my usual dance

I stretch a leg
it could just as well be an arm
I fold an arm
it could just as well be a leg

I squat without stopping my dance

unbuckle both Mister Shoes
throw one of them higher than heaven
bury the other deep in the earth

I start to get out of my sweater

at this moment the telephone rings
they call me from Mrs. Office
I'm going to keep dancing I tell them
until they give me a raise

Nicanor Parra

December 29, 1890

2011-12-29T20:46:00.003-05:00

I am told by many of you that I must forgive and so I shall

when I am dancing with my tribe during the powwow

at the end of the world.

The Powwow at the End of the World

by Sherman Alexie

Happy Holidays from the CPL Teen Room!

2011-12-23T15:11:00.000-05:00

We'll be back on Tuesday, December 27! See you then!

Flashback 1989

2011-12-22T12:49:00.003-05:00

The Brandenburg Gate re-opens after nearly 30 years of dividing East and West Germany!

Make One-of-a-Kind Gift Wrap today at 4:00

2011-12-21T12:16:00.000-05:00

You can be thrifty and save that cash for presents! Or you know, that special something you find for yourself when you're out shopping for Mom.

(C'mon, we've all done that. Seriously. It's just saving time and effort for whoever was getting you a hideous sweater anyway.)

So join your very own craftastic Teen Advisory Board this afternoon and turn that brown bag into bling.

Calvin & Hobbes Snowman Tribute

2011-12-20T18:02:00.001-05:00

Covered in awesomesauce with a side dish of rad.

Na Na Na Nominate!

2011-12-19T16:45:00.000-05:00

Your favorite books of 2011 for the Teen Reads 2012 Teen Choice Book of the Year.

You can also just check out what's already been nominated for a list of awesome.

Russell Hoban 2/4/1925-12/13/2011

2011-12-14T22:32:00.003-05:00

Mister Stone never talks coming down the middle
of the road, but in streams he will sing a little.

More Hunger Games bizness

2011-12-14T18:18:00.001-05:00

Fashion designers sketch their versions of Katniss's fire dress. Some are cool. Some are...less so.

I actually like this one, except for the scary face. But BCBGeneration took it all the way and lit it on fire. Waiting for that to happen on ANTM.

Or you could just rage about it here

2011-12-13T17:13:00.000-05:00

#worstbookever

Shakespeare made easier

2011-12-13T11:26:00.000-05:00

Not that I'm saying you shouldn't still read the play, but if you're feeling a little lost and getting all the characters jumbled up, these shorts from CliffNotes might help.

It's a fun study break too; I just enjoyed Hamlet*.

*And that's not even one of my favorite plays! Hamlet is a tool, and if I'm going to watch someone ruin the lives of everyone around him, I prefer Richard II.

May the Force be with you

2011-12-12T10:11:00.000-05:00

Man, I have to start practicing my cello again...

Family Drama : Dads

2011-12-09T13:58:00.000-05:00

As you might remember from my Father's Day posts, I have a soft spot for awesome dads in fiction. But they can also be confusing, frustrating, and sometime plain scary. Here are a couple of books for our Family Drama theme this month.

Playing It Cool by Joaquin Dorfman
Sebastian Montero has always been a go-to man. His life is comprised of a delicate system of checks and balances: I do something for you, you do something for me. But Sebastian isn't just looking out for Number One; he's notorious for helping out just about everyone in town.
Now he's helping his friend Jeremy plan a reunion with the father he's never known. A father who Jeremy's mother thought was dead. Jeremy isn't sure what kind of man his father will be, so Sebastian and Jeremy will switch identities until Jeremy is certain he wants his father to be in his life.

Shouldn't be any problems, right? Of course not.

Stuck In Neutral by Terry Trueman
Shawn McDaniel is special. He has total recall for everything he's ever heard, from TV jingles to conversations overheard at the bus stop. Yet he's still rated as having a 1.2 I.Q. That's because Shawn's cerebral palsy leaves him unable to control his muscles -- not one of them -- so he can't tell his parents how much he understands, how much he loves his life.

The life that his father is planning to take away from him.

Step Up Your Game

2011-12-07T13:46:00.004-05:00

You still have (a little less than) a month to get your entries in to the Year in Rap contest we mentioned earlier. If you needed some encouragement in the form of a LITTLE TINY BABY throwing down the gauntlet, look no further. Think you can do better than this little baby? Let's see you try. (I'm not sure anyone can do better than this little baby).

Family Drama: Tiger Eyes by Judy Blume

2011-12-05T17:23:00.003-05:00

This month in our Drop-In Book Discussion (Tuesday Dec 20th! 3:30pm!) we're talking about books that deal with family drama. Because over the holidays we all spend a lot of time with our families, and sometimes it's DRAMATIC, and it's always better to read about someone who has it worse than you.

You'll find books on the topic displayed around the room, or you can always ask us. This is one of my favorites. Tiger Eyes by Judy Blume. A secret about me is that I've read this book more times than I have read any other book on earth. About a million, probably. When I was young I read our library's copy so many times it fell apart and they just withdrew it and gave it to me.

A lot of the books we've displayed are WICKED DRAMATIC, but this is a nice quiet one. I'm not going to tell you any more than that, you'll have to take my word for it (or come in and ask me about it in person and I'll go crazy, and probably tell you the NUTS story of when I MET JUDY BLUME on the STREET. It was completely insane.)

(ALSO: It's going to be a MOVIE soon.)

Brainiac Raps

2011-12-03T11:41:00.001-05:00

The New York Times and Flocabulary are holding a Year In Rap contest! Think you can throw down ill rhymes about uranium mining and Occupy Wall Street? Well, DO YOU? Or are you fronting because you can only spit about girls and other MCs?

That's right, y'all: I'm forcing it.

Kitty Meets Flipper

2011-12-02T16:44:00.004-05:00

Having a kitty on a boat is one peculiar thing. But then having that kitty get near the water is totally bizarre. AND then if that kitty makes friends with dolphins...absolute cuteness ensues!

Tomorrow is December!!!

2011-11-30T14:47:00.004-05:00

How do you plan on spending the remaining 31 days in 2011? Will you finally tackle Tolstoy? Learn Amharic? Watch every episode of I Claudius? Not bloody likely. However, you could start a daily journal and jot down all those big thoughts crowding your ginormous brain before they escape forever.You could read a book that was not assigned to you in school(heavens to Murgatroid). And you could just smile for no apparent reason.
I would like to take a moment and give thanks for the gift from the gods named Gael Garcia Bernal. Today is his birthday! The most beautiful eye candy to come from Mexico since Dolores del Rio arrived in Hollywood in the silent film era!

Teen Book Discussion: COMICS!

2011-11-30T08:55:00.002-05:00

TODAY! It's TODAY!
Come talk about, gush about and learn about new and old and awesome comics! It will be amazing! (As always, if there is a non-comic book you're dying to talk about, bring that too!)

(This image is from Brad Meltzer's Identity Crisis and drawn by Rags Morales. The image was pulled from Mr. Meltzer's website. And is AWESOME.)

Book trailer roundup!

2011-11-29T17:10:00.000-05:00

Get on the wait list now, because these are going to fly off the shelves...

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Legend by Marie Lu

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater*

*She made this trailer herself!

The Exquisite Conversation

2011-11-28T15:47:00.000-05:00

Image credit: The Manor Arts

If you have ever played the game Exquisite Corpse, Gentle Reader, then imagine the same principle applied to a story. A superstar team of writers put their pens to paper to bring you The Exquisite Corpse Adventure and you can hear all about it on Saturday, December 3 at 1:00 PM.

M. T. Anderson, Natalie Babbitt, Susan Cooper, Timothy Basil Ering, Steven Kellogg, Patricia MacLachlan, James Ransome, and Katherine Paterson will be at Kresge Auditorium at MIT and the event is free, free, free!

Happy 70th Birthday Franco Nero

2011-11-23T16:48:00.002-05:00

aka DJANGO, the king of the spaghetti western.

And if you do the FOWL thing, Happy Turkey Day!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-22T13:11:00.000-05:00

I am super thankful for all of you guys! Wishing you a terrific holiday break with extra pie.

The library will be closed on Thursday and Friday, but back open on Saturday, when Beth and I will rock the giant TV if you ask sweetly. Or bring pie.

Maybe we can all watch some Muppets to celebrate the new movie. Anyone else going to check out the Muppets? Well, check out this:

(I am also thankful for Andrew Bird.)

Cambridge Teens Needed to Shovel Snow

2011-11-21T14:10:00.000-05:00

Help your neighbors, and make a little money for holiday shopping!

The Council on Aging, with some assistance from the Office of Workforce Development (OWD), puts together a list of teens each winter who are interested in being hired to shovel snow for seniors or residents with disabilities who might otherwise have difficulty clearing snow from their property.

Teens and residents negotiate the rate, with the resident making the payment directly to the teen. The COA helps to make the connection between the two.

If you are interested in adding your name to the list, please fill out the application below and return it to OWD (51 Inman St.), the Youth Employment Center at CRLS (459 Broadway, Rm. 2101) or to the Citywide Senior Center (806 Mass. Ave.)
http://www2.cambridgema.gov/CityOfCambridge_Content/documents/SnowApp.pdf

Teen Advisory Board meeting today at 5:00

2011-11-21T10:32:00.000-05:00

Learn it, live it, love it, people.

Breaking Up

2011-11-19T13:49:00.005-05:00

So, there's book coming out at the end of the year, and it's about a breakup. A horrible, heart wrenching breakup. The kind that can only come at the end of an amazing, exciting, against-all-odds, oh-my-god-all-my-friends-hate-me-because-i-am-obnoxiously-in-love love. This book tells both stories, the beginning and the end. At the same time.

It's a pretty great book. It's by Daniel Handler (who you THINK you haven't heard of, but trust me, you have). It also has illustrations (illustrations!) by the amazing Maira Kalman. If you like love stories, sad stories, realistic stories, funny stories and beautiful art, this book is for you, trust me.

BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE! Mr Handler has started a website where people can share their own breakup stories -- both regular people AND your favorite authors. I kind of expected it to be funny and goofy, and some of the stories are, but it's also sad, true, beautiful and most of all (worst of all), familiar.

Check it out guys. Laugh/cry.

Pick a Penguin

2011-11-16T22:05:00.002-05:00

2011 is the 50th anniversary of the Penguin Modern Classic.
Why not choose one of those little beauties you always meant to read,
and find a cozy warm couch to curl up on.

Or, just watch Blade Runner!!

DIY today at 4:00

2011-11-16T12:44:00.000-05:00

It's wicked easy. Yet super fun!

Shaq at the Harvard Book Store -- FREE event!

2011-11-15T12:51:00.000-05:00


Pictured here out of uniform, because let's not have to choose sides...HUGS!*

He will be signing copies of his new book, Shaq Uncut: My Story, this Saturday, November 19, beginning at 1:00!

*while it is my duty as a Bostonian to hate on New York and Los Angeles, I'm not gonna do that here.

Hunger Games Trailer

2011-11-14T12:44:00.004-05:00

Full trailer! Not just Katniss running in the woods!
Whattya think?
Whattya think?
Whattya think?

Nancy Thorp Poetry Contest

2011-11-10T12:42:00.002-05:00

This contest is sponsored by Hollins University and awards prizes for the best poems submitted by girls who are sophomores or juniors in high school.

First place (one winner): $200, plus free registration, transportation to, and housing for the Lex Allen Literary Festival at Hollins University on March 10, 2012.

Second place (six winners): $25 and publication in Cargoes. Two copies of Cargoes.

Requirements:

Students must be sophomores or juniors in high school
Poems must be submitted online
Students must have a faculty sponsor
Each student may submit no more than two poems (Microsoft Word or text document only)
Addtional pages must be labelled with the author's name, the title of the poem, and a page number.

Each entry must include:

Author's name
Author's mailing address
Author's phone number and or email address
Author's school
Address of author's school
Phone number of author's school

The deadline for this contest is Tuesday, November 15, 2011.

Check out this dope interview with Jennifer Lawrence

2011-11-10T09:05:00.000-05:00

Talking about The Hunger Games movie!

ONE week to THREE authors!

2011-11-09T16:29:00.000-05:00

Mark your calendars, because on Wednesday, November 16 at 5:00 pm we are hosting three debut young adult authors right here in your very own Teen Room!

Leigh Fallon, Carrier of the Mark

Instantly drawn to a mysterious, alluring boy in her class, teenaged Megan, an American living in Ireland, discovers that they are linked by a supernatural destiny that gives them powers Megan never knew she possessed.

Amalie Howard, Bloodspell

Meet Victoria Warrick: a high school outcast who learns on her 17th birthday that she’s actually a witch with an unimaginable power – and that her blood is literally her enemy. Victoria must fight for her life as friends turn their backs on her and new people in her life aren’t so easy to trust, including the dazzling but enigmatic Christian Devereux, who has a sinister secret of his own.

Joe Lunievicz, Open Wounds
Follow the adventures of Cedric "Cid" Wymann through the first 15 years of his life in New York city during the 1930s and 1940s . Orphaned as a child, Cid is taken from the orphanage at 13 by a distant relative from England, a shell-shocked survivor of the First World War with a ruined face and crippled body, who offers Cid the only family love he's ever known.

Tomorrow - Puppet Craft!

2011-11-08T10:09:00.004-05:00

Brought to you, by popular demand - PAPER BAG PUPPETS!

(queue applause)

We'll have the bags and the embelleshments. You bring the skills (we'll share some too), and we'll have a puppet ball.

Wednesday, 11/9 @ 4pm

Teen Room

(photo from http://www.jimmyjanesays.com/sketchblog/labels/Bags.html)

It's Guy Fawkes Day!

2011-11-05T12:47:00.003-04:00

It's Guy Fawkes Day, guys! I will admit that I had to look up the origins of this British holiday, which I have always heard of but never gave much thought to. Like most national holidays in most countries, the backstory is WILD.

I suggest you look it up (we can help you with that! just ask!), or come in and check out one of the most famous works inspired by Mr Fawkes, Alan Moore's V for Vendetta.

Need a project? It's NaNoWriMo!

2011-11-02T16:08:00.000-04:00

Also known as National Novel Writing Month! Now's the time to sit down and write that book -- you have a whole 30 days to do it!

Okay, now you have 29 -- but no problem!

Just in case you haven't come off your Halloween high...

2011-11-01T12:34:00.000-04:00

Classic...

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T14:55:00.000-04:00

YAY CANDY!

TAB: Anthropomorphic Tales

2011-10-26T17:56:00.005-04:00

Hey guys! So in reading The New Yorker recently, I stumbled upon his hilarious article called "Animal Tales," by Simon Rich. It's from their Shouts & Murmurs section, which if you don't frequent and check day and night more often than you breathe, you really ought to start. It can lead to a wonderful realm of wonderful knowledge (much alike Narnia, but without the evil)!

Anyways, this article is all about taking things from the perspective of animals. I've seen it done before, but not for humor, and it's great!

Here's an excerpt of the article, which consists of three conversations (frogs, dogs, and chickens):

“Well, it’s another beautiful day in paradise.”
“How’d we get so lucky?”
“I don’t know and I don’t care.”
“I think I’ll go walk over there for a while. Then I’ll walk back over here.”
“That sounds like a good time. Maybe I’ll do the same.”
“Hey, someone refilled the grain bucket!”
“Is it the same stuff as yesterday?”
“I hope so.”
“Oh, man, it’s the same stuff, all right.”
“It’s so good.”
“I can’t stop eating it.”
“Hey, you know what would go perfectly with this grain? Water.”
“Dude. Look inside the other bucket.”
“This . . . is the greatest day of my life.”
“Drink up, pal.”
“Cheers!”
(Laughs.)
(Laughs.)
“Hey, look, the farmer’s coming.”
“Huh. Guess it’s my turn to go into the thing.”
“Cool. See you later, buddy.”
“See ya.”

Well! Hope you guys are enticed to check out the humor section of The New Yorker! Even if political commentary ain't your thing, chickens must be, right? Unless you're a vegetarian, in which case we can go for the soy protein equivalent (talking soy protein? o.o)\

-Maggie

Halloween DIY Costumes

2011-10-25T16:20:00.000-04:00

Because we can't all be like this guy.

Tomorrow at 4:00!

The Civil War: Lots of war, not so civil

2011-10-24T17:24:00.002-04:00

I am so super excited, because on Saturday, November 5 we are hosting one of New England's largest Civil War reenactment groups right here on the front lawn, yo!

Do you know what that means? Epic mustaches! In fact, to do it justice, I must spell that moustaches.

Let's take a look at some of 'em:

Holy smokes, people, this is going to be so rad! Events include a vintage baseball game, a Civil War era fashion show, a Day in the Life of a Civil War soldier...and possibly hardtack! We can only hope. So fiddle-dee-dee your way on over here next weekend and check it out.

p.s. I just want to point out that if Jasper Cullen had really been throwing down during this particular American conflict, he would have been sporting one of these bad boys when he became a vampire. Poseur.

Teen Room Blog: Now with More Teens!

2011-10-20T13:16:00.005-04:00

Hey, hey.

So, we've kind of discovered that we've been using the 'yes, i am old' tag a little too often. We need some new blood around here. Young blood. The amazing and talented members of the Teen Advisory Board are going to be contributing to this very blog on a regular basis -- you'll be able to tell their posts from ours because they will actually be using current slang, and using it correctly. ALSO, the titles of their posts will begin with a triumphant TAB.

Oh man, I'm so excited.

As always, if you're interested in joining TAB the best idea is jump and squeal in front of the desk gasping "I want to JOIN! I want to JOIN!" Why wouldn't you?

Holy Teen Read Week, Batman!

2011-10-19T17:53:00.000-04:00

You guyyyyzz, I was kinda crazybusyalsoreallytired last week and I maybe kinda sorta forgot that it is TEEN READ WEEK this week.

But it's not too late! Go forth and read, y'all!

Specifically, you may wish to read one of these books, lovingly selected by teens JUST LIKE YOU.

You know what I say? Every week is Teen Read Week here in the Teen Room!

Screening of Restrepo tomorrow night; Sebastian Junger next week!

2011-10-19T17:17:00.000-04:00

Sebastian Junger, author of WAR, will be speaking at Sanders Theatre on Tuesday October 25th at 7:30 PM. The library has FREE tickets for this event. We are also holding a free screening of the documentary Restrepo, this Thursday, October 20 at 6:30 PM

For over a year, Junger and photojournalist
Tim Hetherington were embedded with the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team in the remote and heavily contested Korengal Valley of eastern Afghanistan.

The professional result was twofold: the book, WAR and the documentary, Restrepo - winner of the 2010 Grand Jury Prize at the
Sundance Film Festival and Academy Award
Nominee for Best Documentary.

DIY WEDNESDAY4pm/BEADED BOOKMARKS

2011-10-19T09:01:00.002-04:00

Be there or be square!

Scary Times

2011-10-17T17:07:00.007-04:00

If you've been in the Teen Room lately you may have noticed that we have not one, but TWO scary book displays. You may have also noticed that we've been trying to read some short but terrifying stories and poems during the 3:07 announcements.Maybe you've seen the skulls. And the cobwebs. You may have gleaned from all this that we take Halloween, horror, and being-scared-out-of-your-pants pretty seriously around here.

That is good gleaning, guys. You're right.

If being spooked isn't your thing, then go past the two book displays, avert your eyes from the spooktacular movies on the shelf, plug your delicate ears as we read tales of terror outloud. Surely you'd want to stay away from our Horror Movie Screening at 4pm on the Thursday before Halloween.

No matter who you are, though, you will probably find these pictures hilarious. I can't believe no one thought to do this before. Leave it to Canada...

MWA HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Teen Advisory Board Meeting TODAY!

2011-10-17T14:41:00.002-04:00

at 5:00. See Maya or Beth for details!

Stop the Presses

2011-10-12T13:49:00.000-04:00

Does anyone born after 1990 know what that means anymore? Ahh, this digital age.

But to the issue at hand. You may remember how I nearly wet my pants about X-Men: First Class (pauses to watch trailer for the 129th time). Well, that is nothing compared to how I feel about this:

Directed by the ONE AND ONLY Joss Whedon, with explosions, witty banter, more explosions, Robert Downey Jr., plus Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye. This is guaranteed to melt your eyeballs and turn your brain into a quivering mass of fan boy* guacamole.

2012? 2012??? How can I possibly endure this? (Watches X-Men: First Class trailer for the 130th time.)

*Or fan girl. This is the 21st century.

On This Day In 1692 The Salem Witch Trials Ended

2011-10-12T13:26:00.006-04:00

And it is Wolverine's Birthday!

Spooky business continues with DIY today at 4:00

2011-10-12T12:36:00.000-04:00

Credit: Inhabitots

Make like Dr. Frankenstein and stitch up your own adorbs & gruesome little pal! I will walk y'all through basic needle skills -- don't be scared!

Meet author/illustrator Kadir Nelson

2011-10-12T12:32:00.000-04:00

From We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball

This Friday, October 14 from 3:30 to 4:30 PM.

Discover how this award-winning author and illustrator creates his books! Kadir Nelson has made nearly thirty books for children. His paintings invite us into stories of famous and not-so-famous people. Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom and Henry's Freedom Box received coveted Caldecott honors. We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball won a Coretta Scott King Author Award and Illustrator Honor. His newest book is Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans.

Books will be available for purchase and autographing. Sign up is required. For ages 9 and older.

CRLS Roundup!

2011-10-11T16:38:00.000-04:00

Credit: Chapel Hill Memories

Because even librarians don't have all the answers...
CRLS Homework Center
The CRLS Homework Center is in the CRLS Pearl K Wise Library. The center is open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays (Friday also as needed) from 2:30 - 4:00 pm. All students are invited to drop in for help with their assignments.

I'm sure something about you is nifty.
Attention High School Seniors
Navigating the college admission process is a challenge and the college essay is the one place on your application where you can present yourself to an admission officer. This is where you can shine, which makes the essay, and the topic you choose, an exciting challenge.

Margaret McNally, M. Ed, a college counselor with a private practice in Cambridge, is holding individual workshops to brainstorm the college essay and help students find their personal story. Margaret is a former journalist and English teacher as well as an admissions director at a private school. Scholarships are available.

Look both ways.

Credit: Funny-Accident.com

Drivers Education Fall Class
Info & registration session will take place on Wednesday Oct. 5th at 2:30 in the main cafeteria. Classes meet on Mondays and Wednesdays starting Oct.17th. All classes are held in the Solomons Transportation Ctr, 456 Broadway, across the street from the high school.

I can't think of anything witty to say about Upward Bound, it is just neat-o.

The MIT/Wellesley Upward Bound Program is currently recruiting 9th and 10th graders.

Our program is a year-round (from time of entrance until graduation from high school), federally sponsored, educational program serving seventy (75) low-income and/or first generation eighth and high school college-bound students from the Cambridge community. The Program stresses the development of academic skills and motivation for students who might not traditionally be considered college-bound.

The MIT/Wellesley Upward Bound Program is having a Fall Open House for CRLS freshmen, sophomores and their parents on Monday, October 17th from 3:00-6:00 p.m. Come learn about the Upward Bound Program, Meet the staff and current students and participate in a fun Upward Bound Trivia. Please RSVP by Friday, October 14th at 617-253-5124 or email: lpires@mit.edu.

For more information about Upward Bound please contact: 617-253-5124 or email lpires@mit.edu.

Oh, my Science...
MIT Exploring Majors Fair
MIT is pleased to invite the students of Cambridge Rindge and Latin School to participate in an exciting annual event presented by the MIT Society of Women Engineers: The Exploring Majors Fair.

What: Through this interactive, engaging event, high school students will have the opportunity to explore a diverse number of science, math, and engineering fields and work on career development. The students will be able to network with current MIT students in a casual environment and discuss how MIT students chose their respective majors, research and internship experiences, and college in general.

Where/When: This year the date is set for Saturday, October 29, 2011, from 2:30 to 4:00 pm in Lobby 10 at MIT.

How: Students can fill out the registration form at http://swe.mit.edu/highschool/exploringmajors.php If you have any questions or concerns, please email exploringmajors2011@mit.edu

Steampunk panel at Boston Book Festival

2011-10-11T13:22:00.000-04:00

Is on October 15! The panel is at 11:00 AM and will be moderated by yours truly and feature the awe-inspiring presence of Kelly Link, Gavin Grant, Holly Black and Allison DeBlasi.

Get excited! This visual aid will assist you:

Happy Birthday to You,

2011-10-07T11:46:00.005-04:00

Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday to Yo-Yo Ma, Happy Birthday to You! Our very own Cantabridgian cellist, Yo-Yo Ma, is celebrating his birthday today!

Here he is performing with The Silk Road Ensemble for groups of six-graders in the Bronx...

But wait! If you haven't gotten your fill, he's playing at Symphony Hall next week.

DIY FAIL

2011-10-05T13:26:00.000-04:00

I regret to inform you that there will be no jolly craft times today. We're shorthanded and will have to postpone till next week.

Join us then!

Early Warning: Wednesday's DIY is Going to Be Amazing

2011-10-03T13:19:00.007-04:00

We're finally making these bracelets!

Wednesday @ 4pm!

Props for Jerome David Salinger

2011-09-28T21:23:00.006-04:00

Holden Caulfield is alive and well and living in your local library. In honor of banned books week I strongly urge you to read the book that defined a generation and gave birth to one of our most beloved literary characters. Before there was Arnold Spirit aka Junior there was Holden.

"Study the past if you would define the future"
Confucius

Happy, Enjoy, Welcome

2011-09-28T18:55:00.005-04:00

Happy New Year if it's your new year

Enjoy your day off if it's your day off.

Welcome back from France if you were just in France.

BANNED BOOKS WEEK

2011-09-26T13:40:00.003-04:00

On display in the Teen Room this week: Books you are far too young to read. Books you could not POSSIBLY understand or handle. Books that would make your young, delicate minds explode with confusion and fear, and turn you to a life of perversion and crime.

Check them out, and make the decision for yourself.

Four Books for Readers Who Feel They Were Born in the Wrong Era

2011-09-24T15:05:00.003-04:00

Sometimes it's annoying when all the book covers start to look the same.

Sometimes, though, it totally works.

All four of these: SWOON.

FREE SAT Test Preparation Class

2011-09-24T09:16:00.002-04:00

Are you taking the SATs this year? Can't wait for the awesome SAT Quizbowl to roll around again? Don't fear!

There is a 4-week (FREE) SAT Prep class being offered at the Central Square Branch!

When: 4 Tuesdays (beginning Oct 4) 6:30-8:30pm

Where: Central Square Branch Library, 45 Pearl Street

Register: Call 617-349-4013

I guess the class size is limited to ten, so hop to it, hoppy!

Gearing up for galoshes and a brolly

2011-09-23T15:03:00.005-04:00

Why not watch an oldie but goody in the guise of a Romy Schneider film-today is her birthday!!The sublime Sissi and one time squeeze of Alain Delon would be 73 today!!
My personal favorite is her pairing with Trintignant in The Combat on the Island.

Bon Anniversaire Chuck Jones+Leonard Cohen!!

2011-09-21T16:43:00.006-04:00

Dance me to the children who are asking to be born

Dance me through the curtains that our kisses have outworn

Raise a tent of shelter now, though every thread is torn

Dance me to the end of love.

Dance Me To The End Of Love by Leonard Cohen

WE JUST GOT A WHOLE BUNCH OF NEW BOOKS!

2011-09-21T13:06:00.002-04:00

Weepytimes

2011-09-19T18:34:00.005-04:00

The fall equinox is this Friday guys, but it kind of feels like fall has already fell. Leaves are changing, everybody has on socks and sweaters, and you can get pumpkin flavored ANYTHING.

When the weather and the light and colors start to turn like this I always feel like it's a good time to indulge a little romantic melancholy. I'm not talking about buried-under-the-covers unbearable sadness, that doesn't come around until February. I mean letting yourself listen to a few sad songs, watch a few sad movies, and curl up with a sad, sad book.

We've got a whole huge display of them here in the Teen Room. Grab one, take a deep breath of the crisp autumn air (before it turns into frigid winter air, and you can't take a deep breath or your snot will freeze in your nose), and let the tears flow.

The filly from Philly

2011-09-14T17:08:00.004-04:00

29 years ago today we lost a screen icon.

Grace Kelly was born to become a Hitchcock blond and she did that 3x over.

Along the way she garnered an Oscar, had an Hermes bag named after her and married a prince. She starred opposite Gary Cooper, Clark Gable and Bing Crosby but it was her pairing with Cary Grant that saw her dazzle. In "To Catch a Thief" she lit up the french riviera in technicolor delight. She did all of this by the tender age of 27 and then said adieu to cinema forever. Grace Kelly abandoned Hollywood for the Principality of Monaco and the dashing young Prince Rainier. Luckily for us she lives on in celluloid!

Your daily dose of super rad

2011-09-14T16:46:00.000-04:00

Sister Mischief at Porter Square Books

2011-09-14T16:45:00.000-04:00

Actually, the book is Sister Mischief, the author is Laura Goode. She will be reading and versifying on September 20, check it out.

"...a snappy, provocative, and heartfelt novel about discovering the rhythm of your own truth."

GOAT STAMPEDE (in video and fiction)

2011-09-13T09:21:00.004-04:00

A few weeks ago I read a pretty good book called What Comes After by Steve Watkins. It was fast and a totally absorbing read, but super duper sad. There was abuse and heartache and romance... and goats. So many goats! Most of the book took place on a goat farm, and the goats had babies so there were goat kids. It was so great.

I just picked up Texas Gothic by Rosemary Clement-Moore, and lo and behold - GOAT FARM! Actually it's an herb farm, but there are a few adorable goats that roam around, and get caught in trees, and oh my goodness it's amazing. (There is also a cute but surly cowboy that lives next door, kitchen magic, family rivalries and Vanilla Cokes. And I'm only on chapter 3.)

Anyway, enjoy these adorable goats, and if you want to extend the experience, pick up one of these goat-related books.

Swoon.

Knitting on Wednesday

2011-09-12T17:24:00.008-04:00

Whether you've never picked up a pair of knitting needles, or you need a little refresher, or you just need a Wednesday afternoon knitting buddy, I have what you need! This Wednesday, 9/14, from 4-5pm, join me in the Teen Room for some beginning knitting instruction. I recently picked up crocheting, so we can experiment together with that too. For a little inspiration, check out how Polish artist Olek (Agata Oleksiak) transformed New York City's Wall Street Bull using her fabulous crocheting skills (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/19/fashion/creating-graffiti-with-yarn.html).

2011-09-12T09:29:00.002-04:00

The Oldest High Schoolers

2011-09-09T13:24:00.003-04:00

Have you ever been watching a teen movie, especially one from back in the day (meaning before, like, 2002), and wondered why all the teenagers look so OLD? Have you found yourself wondering if high schoolers in the 80's and 90's just looked older than teens do now?

You're not alone! Or crazy! Movie-makers try to get away with some amazing business when they cast movies. Enjoy this slideshow of some of the oldest high schoolers to ever grace the screen.

And just in case you think this is just a way-back-then problem, let me point out that Channing Tatum is only one year younger than me, and Step Up only came out a few years ago. Mmmhmmm...

Another Rainy September Day

2011-09-07T17:20:00.002-04:00

What better way to spend a grey day than with the saxophonist supreme Sonny Rollins.

He turns 81 today so let us celebrate!

Because you don't have homework yet, do you?

2011-09-06T17:52:00.000-04:00

And that is why you will want to come to DIY in the Teen Room tomorrow at 4:00, when we will be making T-shirt jewelry for our kick off salute to Fashion Week (September 8-15). Also, I need something fabulous for my trip to Paris.

We will have t-shirts and beads, but feel free to bring your custom bling bling for this thing thing.


Image credit: www.beadinggem.com

Happy Birthday, Freddie Mercury

2011-09-06T12:23:00.000-04:00

A truly bodacious individual. Check out Google's homepage for a righteous doodle. Then put on some leather pants and listen to "Bohemian Rhapsody."

"Crooked eyeliner is so whack, it makes me nuts." -Carlos Duarte

2011-09-06T09:17:00.005-04:00

Putting Makeup on the Fat Boy by Bil Wright

Carlos Duarte is sixteen and has an amazing talent. Carlos has been applying makeup since he was a little kid. On his sister, on his sister's dolls, on his friends and on himself. By the time he's reached high school he's practically a professional. Even the emo rocker guys at his school ask him for advice.

When Carlos gets the opportunity to work at the makeup counter for a high-end line at Macy's he's through the roof -- but of course, nothing is ever as easy as it seems. Carlos' family and friends support him in amazing (and hilarious) ways, but the other guys in the neighborhood seem to have trouble grasping his larger than life talents and personality. Throw in a horrific diva of a boss, a pair of "borrowed" (and ruined) Stella McCartney thigh-high boots, and his sister's increasingly violent boyfriend... and all the sudden Carlos' dream job looks like a nightmare.

This book was great. The characters were funny but flawed, and the ending was the perfect combination of fairytale and realistic. I found myself shaking my head at Carlos from time to time, but ALWAYS cheering for him. And I picked up a few makeup tips.

Think: Tiny Cooper from Will Grayson, Will Grayson meets The Devil Wears Prada.

Hey! That's one fancy looking textbook.

2011-09-01T17:21:00.022-04:00

So you say you want to cover your textbooks? There's always the ever-available paper grocery bag. And sure, it's sturdy and doodle-friendly. Now, I'm not trying to knock the old standby...just trying to inject some craftiness into your daily life.

These oh-so-fancy-fancy bookcovers are made from old tshirts. But no need to stop there! You could very well use a swatch of jeans, sweatshirt, or any other material that will make you smile everytime you pull out your math book. The directions call for a sewing machine, but they could definitely be stiched by hand. And if you're not the sewing type...I'm sure you put a quick cover together with staples or even fabric glue. Really, the possibilities are endless. Oh, and, it's not like you need to do this every year. These covers are totally reusable. I so so so hope to see some fancy textbooks in the Teen Room this fall. Have fun!

http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/2011/08/easy-knit-book-covers-tutorial/#.Tlz-TpxOE5o.email

I am definitely putting some of these together to cover my own textbooks, and will gladly share tips if you run into me in the Teen Room.

Vote for this year's Teens' Top Ten

2011-09-01T09:59:00.001-04:00

Every year the Young Adult Library Services Association wants YOU to decide on the best ten books for teens. Rock your vote here; the winners will be announced during Teen Read Week (October 16-22).

DIY Jewelry

2011-08-31T17:23:00.001-04:00

Why don't you........

Make really cool, original, one of a kind jewelry with ribbon, hemp, thread, stretch cord, beads, buttons and whatnot.

For inspiration one should peruse the jewelry collection at the MFA, watch "The September Issue" and read Diana Vreeland's Allure

Test Prep

2011-08-30T13:17:00.000-04:00

The start of the school year is coming! (Like you could forget.) And among all the things you're looking forward to, don't forget standardized tests!

Yippee!

Did you know that we have a fantabulous resource available for you to use right here in the library or from the comfort of your home computer?

Step 1: Go to the library catalog.
Step 2: Select "Databases" in the Research and Information box.
Step 3: Scroll down and select "Testing & Education Reference Center."
Step 4: Prepare to crush the competition.
Step 5: Attend prestigious university, become president of the United States, and announce on national television that you couldn't have done it all without your local library!

Sweet.

Nothing by Janne Teller

2011-08-29T18:09:00.003-04:00

It's easy to find a book about ghosts or monsters or vampires or zombies, but I find the scariest books to be the ones that about real people doing real things. The spookiest stories are the ones that you think could maybe happen in your neighborhood, to people you know. There is nothing supernatural in the book Nothing by Janne Teller. Yet it's one of the most chilling books I've read in a long time.

A young man announces in school one day that life has no meaning, that it's a series of random events that pile up until you die. He walks out of the classroom, climbs a tree, and refuses to come down. The idea that life has no meaning at all is upsetting to his classmates, so they set out to prove him wrong.

In a small shed outside of town they start a pile-up of the most meaningful things they can find. It starts out simple. A favorite book, a new pair of shoes. The bigger the pile grows the more desperate they become to find things of real meaning. Sacrifices are demanded, sacrifices are made. Cruelty is revealed.

This book is not for everyone, and it's not for the faint of heart. It's a short book that goes from a quiet parable to an upsetting mess. Quickly. I actually had to put it down a few times and walk away from it. But I always came back. I wouldn't say i enjoyed reading this book, but it for sure made me think. I read it over a year ago, and here I am writing about it still.

Like I said, not for everyone. Very dark, kind of upsetting. Makes you think.

Autobiography of Malcolm X on Studio 360

2011-08-29T15:28:00.000-04:00

Credit: Melvin Reeves,
Permission courtesy of Barney Rosset

The first-edition hardcover of
The Autobiography of Malcolm X,
published in 1965 by Grove Press.

This weekend's program featured an in-depth look at how the book was written and how it has affected people over the following 46 years. Whether you've already read the book or are waiting until the last minute, it's worth a listen.

Hate List by Jennifer Brown

2011-08-24T16:09:00.008-04:00

Some of you may have read this as a summer reading elective, but those who haven't should pick up a copy for a little extracurricular reading. This is definitely a good read for the beginning of the school year! The characters deal with very realistic issues concerning friendships and emotions, and puts one's actions towards others into perspective. At the risk of sounding corny, I don't want to get into how important it is to be nice to people, no matter their appearance...so I won't go any further. Just trust me, I'm sure you'll identify with someone in this book and then struggle with who to side with.

Sharks & Boys by Kristen Tracy

2011-08-24T13:27:00.000-04:00

Enid has relationship issues. Her father has had several affairs and is currently living in the basement while her parents sort out their marriage. So she's pretty hung up on fidelity. Her mother is a wedding caterer, and crafting happy marzipan brides and grooms does nothing to help Enid's insecurities.

When Enid's boyfriend, Wick, tells her he thinks they should take a break and heads down to Maryland for a graduation party, Enid...well, she goes off the deep end. She takes off in her mom's car and stalks Wick, her brother, and their friends, hiding on board the sailboat where they are partying.

When she wakes up, the boat is out to sea and a storm is raging. Boat sinks, Enid and boys get bashed around and finally get into lifeboat. Which has no emergency supplies.

Oh, and another thing:

SHARKS!

And I am a terrible person, because this is where things get fun. Enid and the boys (who are all sets of twins, by the way; Enid and her brother are fraternal twins) struggle to survive not only the SHARKS but one another, as old grievances and grudges come to the fore.

Plus there are SHARKS. Not only is this book a great primer on the worst way to survive at sea, it is also a fantastic example on how to have a terrible romantic relationship. A terrific way to end your summer reading! One last trip to the beach, anyone?

Not quite as exhilarating as Beth's S.A.T. Quizbowl

2011-08-23T18:00:00.000-04:00

But good practice: www.knoword.org

MTV & Figment sponsoring a 9/11 writing contest

2011-08-23T13:35:00.000-04:00

I think most of you know MTV. Figment, if you don't already know it, is an online community for writers to share and collaborate and for readers to read something new!

And now like peanut butter and chocolate, two great tastes are coming together to encourage tolerance and diversity. To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the September 11th tragedy, they are sponsoring a contest where participants will collaborate with other readers and writers to craft an original story. The three winners will receive and Apple iPad and be featured on MTV Act and Figment.

Head over here for the complete details and start writing!

TOMORROW! MARK YOUR BOOK!

2011-08-23T12:26:00.003-04:00

Do you guys have any idea what kind of crazy things we find in returned library books? I once heard a story about an entire smooshed Cadbury Egg in a returned library book.

Do you guys need bookmarks? I kind of feel like you need bookmarks. Tomorrow in the Teen Room we'll have all the stuff you need to mark your page in style.

When: Wendesday @ 2pm
Where: Teen Room
What: Making bookmarks that are NOT made of Cadbury Eggs.