Teen-a-Palooza III

We have been especially busy during these rainy days, as three programs over the past two days each attracted 30 participants. Our final Teen-A-Palooza of the year included Wii/DDR/GH II gaming & a Christmas tree ornament sewing project.

Young Adult Evaluation Form Comments:

"The program is awesome, because you got to sew." Jesus L., 9th grade

Young Adult Suggestions for Future Programs:

"Maybe a cooking activity?" - Melissa L., 11th grade
"Field trips!" - Nancy G., 9th grade

Toddler Story Time

I can't believe that we had 15 people at toddler story time today. I think that may be a new record for that noon time slot! Here are some nice pics from the special needs class and toddler story time.

Toddler & Special Needs Story Times

I can't believe that we had 15 people at toddler story time today. I think that may be a new record for that noon time slot! Here are some nice pics from the special needs class and toddler story time.

Teen-A-Palooza II

The young adults at La Puente Library enjoyed their second Teen-A-Palooza this week, which included crafts, such as a lip gloss necklace, and DDR, Guitar Hero ("Real guitars are for old people."), and Wii Gaming. The young adults also helped out with a couple of holiday-themed art projects for kids (pics attached). The funny thing is that after the kids completed their mini-X-mas trees and piñata ornaments --- a number of teens swooped in and made their own piñata ornaments and miniature trees! In fact, today, I had 2 regulars and 3 new teens working at a separate table, all by themselves, on their very own precisely-designed ornaments!!! (Does this count as two teen programs this week? Just joshing!) : )

YA/Kids Talent Expo

This afternoon, over twenty young adults, kids, and parents gathered for an exciting talent expo. Although our 4th grade would-be Rachael Ray canceled, the Break Dancing Boys and YA/kid duets made up for the absent cooking demo.

Teen-A-Palooza

Today, young adults enjoyed our first ever Teen-A-Palooza, a veritable Festivus of gaming 'n' crafting. This extravaganza included Wii-playing, stained glass-painting, DDR-dancing, Guitar Hero-jamming, and, of course, snacking galore.

Evaluation Form Suggestions:
"Making ice cream, more crafts, more games." - Josie R., 6th gr.
"Making key chains." - Gabby G., 7th gr.

Other Comments:
"It was lots of fun." Juan G., 9th gr.
"Awesome." Vanessa P. - 10th gr.
"I love it." Paula V. - 6th gr.

National Children's Book Week

In celebration of National Children's Book Week, families enjoyed Rudy's Chemical Magic Show at the La Puente Library. Teens assisted kids with Thanksgiving-themed projects at both story times this week. Children attending toddler story time created 3 crafts today, to make up for the holiday closure.

YA Thanksgiving Art Activity, La Puente

Yesterday, young Adults created fun votives with a stained glass effect & Thanksgiving-themed centerpieces, at the La Puente Library. We had a total of 16 YAs (and 5 involved parents).

Comments:
"A good program. You learn more & more everyday and the activities are funny." - Ofelia V., 7th grade

Suggestions:
"My friend and I can demonstrate Folklorico dancing." - Melissa L., 11th grade
"Make your own small pinata!" - Tiffany S., 6th grade
"Christmas party!" - Stefany G., 6th grade

Chocolate Skulls & Pan de Muerto for Dia de los Muertos @ La Puente Library

Yesterday, the young adults of La Puente celebrated Dia de los Muertos with art activities such as chocolate skull painting, articulated skeleton decorating, and creating thematic frames (for which we took fun photos). The staff provided pan dulce, pan de muerto, tamales, mango horchata, and florentinas. The program ran 2 hours, and attracted 35 young adults. Two of these YAs won manga titles in our costume contest.

For Halloween Day, we read about Dia de los Muertos, then the teens assisted story time participants in frosting chocolate skulls of their own.

Teen Suggestions for Future Programs:

"Next year -- pumpkin decorating contest!" - Viridiana D., 8th grade
"Try to make the haunted house scarier." - Daniel D., 6th grade
"Hope we would bake a cake and decorate it..." - Paula V., 6th grade
"Do this again next year." - Maritza G., 12th grade

Teen Read Week I

While the meeting room transforms into a haunted house, our young adult programs are held outdoors. The challenge is that younger siblings want to tag along when YAs assemble in front of the library. Tuesday, we offered a stamping art project table for the 13 kids a few yards away from the more mature decoupage project for the 13 teens. (Unfortunately, the alternative craft didn't quell the younger sibs!)

Suggestions for future

"More painting projects." - M. Lopez, 11th grade
"Keep making more fun projects." - R. Martinez, 12th grade
"I don't really have any ideas right now." - C. Santillan, 10th grade

Attached photographs are of the decoupage event and teens helping at story time last week.

Article in West Covina Highlander about Project Runway for Young Adults

http://www.sgvtribune.com/highlanders/westcovina/ci_6577029

July 31, 2007
Project Runway

As described in today's West Covina Highlander article (http://www.sgvtribune.com/highlanders/westcovina/ci_6577029), about 25 teens, siblings, and parents joined us for our mock-Project Runway at West Covina Library on Tuesday, July 31. We provided ribbon, buttons, and other decorative notions that young adults used to "rehab" or refurbish older garments. For example, an old pair of jeans looked new with some bedazzling (glued on gems) and a shorter length (i.e., bell bottoms become pedal pushers). We also supplied T-shirts that teens decorated.
Young adults had one hour and fifteen minutes to complete garments. Then, they modeled! The teens and their modeling siblings rocked the catwalk. A photographer from the Highlander was planted at the far end, and music blasted from a CD compiled by a teen, which included Santinos runway selections from the TV show, Project Runway. Meanwhile, the TV played The Devil Wears Prada. The top three winners received great prizes, including a tiara, golden Barbies, swag bags of books and gift certificates (like those given at the Oscars). Two runners-up received Starbucks gift cards.

Evaluation Form Comments:
It was nice. - Maria Argnelo
I like this! - A. Moreno
When are we doing this again? - Marcella

Teen Karaoke, La Puente

Teens Assist with Story Time, La Puente

At Gaming Day this Tuesday, we had so many teens (20), that it felt like P. Diddy might be hosting. At storytime, teen volunteers and kids used stencils and hands to paint canvas storage boxes (these once contained library CD cases), and later created an articulated horse craft.

Story Time, La Puente

Dried bean mosaics were our storytime art project yesterday. They must've been sneaking art supplies, because one of the tykes was, well, gassy. Ah, the joy of children.

Teens Assist with Storytime, La Puente

With two weekly storytimes at La Puente, families are feeling even more welcome in the library. Three volunteer teens helped with the afternoon craft on Wednesday and today children made shapes with homemade dough. Also shown are pics of the Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month display of Spanish easy books.

Sculpty Modeling Clay Art Program for Young Adults, La Puente

Wednesday, August 29, 16 young adults at the Library enjoyed the CalBook Discussion Group & Art Program, in which we sculpted with Sculpty modeling clay. The program was held on the main library floor, so I acted as bouncer to the underage siblings who were hyped up on a First-School-Day-Over Anxiety Release High. (Don't worry we have craft times for kids, too!)
Suggestions for Future Programs:

"Things that are fun and exciting." Paula V.

Evaluation Form Comments:

"It was cool." Kimberly R.
"Keep J. out!" Jennesa P. (J. was released from the meeting shortly after Jennessa expressed this. J. was especially hyped up after the first day of school. Fortunately, his mother [the real bouncer] was watching the meeting closely from a nearby study carrel.)

Quick & Dirty Book Review

Freak the Mighty, by W. Rodman Philbrick
ALA Best Book for Young Adults & ALA Recommended Book for Reluctant Young Adult Readers
"Nani gigantum humeris insidentes."
"A dwarf standing on the shoulders of a giant may see farther than a giant himself."
Well-written, climatic tale of two young outcasts, one freakishly tall (Kevin), the other suffering from Morquio's Syndrome (Max). Ironically, though committed to personal and intellectual growth, Max's body stagnates at toddler-size. As learning-disabled Kevin lifts Max to his shoulders, the two begin to adapt a similar worldview.
Paralleling the tale of King Arthur and his knights of the round table, the two boys fight local evildoers and overcome forces much larger than seems plausible for two young boys.

Book Review

Book Review of Darren Shan’s Lord Loss

Young Adults! Wait no longer for your daily dose of pulse-quickening horror and suspense. A compelling book…a plot full of twists, which leaves the reader hungry for more. This high praise comes from record-breaking Harry Potter author, J.K. Rowling, for Darren Shan, author of the Demonata series. Lord Loss is the first in the series --- a step up for readers who loved Shan’s Cirque du Freak as pre-teens, are getting into YA lit and developing a thirst for gore.

As Lord Loss begins, Grubs Grady is a nondescript teen whose most pressing challenge is his current punishment for smoking on the high school campus. After weeks of being grounded for this nasty habit, his parents, curiously, lift the penalty a few days early. Then, they drop him off at the dull home of a creaky relative and disappear to enjoy an evening at the ballet, sans son. When Grubs devilishly sneaks out that night, he discovers:

1. The ballet was just an alibi,

2. Vicious, murderous, chess-playing demons exist, and

3. He exhibits incredible strength when attacked by supernatural forces.

Grubs spends the next few months/200 pages wrestling with the repercussions of what he discovered that evening. Does he utterly destroy the demons that have just ruined his life? No. It isn’t indulging too much to reveal that the ending satiates suspense built throughout the story, but is also refreshingly realistic.

Book Review

Confessions of a Back-up Dancer by Tucker Shaw
2005 ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers
K.K. is obsessed with getting THERE when she dances to the top 40 hits of her favorite pop stars. Through luck, hard work, and the encouragement of her gay guy bud, she finds herself dancing as a back-up for one of her favorite stars, a Britney/Jessica Simpson-like Texan flanked by an overpowering mother figure. When K.K. gets THERE around this mater familia, she finds herself in a Tejas-sized heap of trouble. Balancing her dancing, her pride, and her need to scrounge up the moolah to cover the tuition for her juvenile delinquent brother's reform school --- it all proves exhausting for K.K. Will she make it through the summer without breaking her dance contract or losing her realness?

Book Review

Flake, S. G. Who am I without him?: Short stories about girls and the boys in their lives.
ALA Top Ten Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers selection.
Though the title implies that these will be nonfiction shorts written by various young adult writers, in fact all are composed by author, Sharon Flake. This creates a nice consistency. Another surprise: the stories are not all narrated by female characters, for example, the final tale is actually a loving letter composed by a deadbeat dad offering cautious dating advice to his blossoming teenage daughter.

Each vignette is engaging, but also, each is a downer! If you want a good cry about a lousy ex-bf, read Who am I without Him?

Comic Book/Manga Ratings: Created for YA Librarians

I haven't found exactly what I want in terms of graphic novel ratings. Comic book and manga publishers apply inconsistent ratings even within one series, much less among all of the series. I use my term Barbie naked here to describe the kind of nudity used in manga that is drawn for the young adult crowd --- basically, nipple-free with non-specific genitalia rendering. I have written the following list bluntly/quickly, rating the manga and comic books that were handy. I plan to add titles regularly. I'm not judging graphic novels in general, just offering the details some librarians (or parents) might want, not being able to catch every detail of every book. Disclaimer: My list may have some missed details as well, let me know. My writing is not a reflection of the opinion of my employer.

--- M Delatte
Young Adult ok
Adams, S. Build a Better Life by Stealing Office Supplies: Dogbert’s Big Book of Business.
Adams, S. A Cubicle’s Eye View of Bosses, Meetings, Management Fads, & Other Workplace Afflications.
Adams, S. The Dilbert Future: Thriving on Stupidity in the 21st Century.
Adams, S. Dogbert’s Top Secret Management Handbook.
Arakawa, H. FullMetal Alchemist, rated T (teen), series is poorly-written and violent, v.2, v.4, v.8, v.10, v.11 are all extremely violent, v. 12 is less offensive than v.10, which features the statement, "I can't help it, sir. I just love big boobs."
Azuma, M. Elemental Gelade: 2, rated T, chaper 6:Barbie naked, p. 4, 22, 58-72, p. 72 naked fighting & p. 73 "you pervert!"
DC Comics. Batman in the Sixties.
DC Comics. Justice Society Returns.
Ellis, W., Doran, C., & Stewart, D. Orbiter.
Goldberg, R. Inventions by Maynard Frank Wolf.
Gross, E. Spider-Man Confidential: From Comic Icon to Hollywood Hero.
Guindon, R. The World According to Carp: A Guindon Collection.
Guisewite, C. Revelations from a 45-pound Purse.
Harvey, R. C. Cartoons of the Roaring Twenties, v.1
Helfer, A. A Graphic Biography of Malcolm X. Not rated, content is appropriate for young adults. Very well-written, descriptive, visual account of the life and struggles of Malcolm X.
Hutta, Y. Hikaru no Go, A (all ages), v.6,v.7,v.8 are okay for all ages.
Iwase, M. Gundam Seed Destiny. 13+, v.1 seems ok, very few words, more visual
llander, N. My Cat’s Not Fat, He’s Just Big Boned.
Johns, G. Green Lantern: No Fear, a bit gorey. High-action, stimulating book esp. good for boys.
Johns, G. Infinite Crisis.
Kahn, J. The Greatest Golden Age Stories Ever Told.
Kanan. Galaxy Angel, 13+, v.1, p.24-25, ridiculously large breasts & showy top,v.3 ok, v.4 ok, v.5, p.72, 73, Barbie naked in bed, suggestive.
Kaniger, R. The Metal Men: Archives, v.1.
Kaplan, S. 101 Ways to Count Sheep: Or Holy Cow, Not Another Sheep!
Katchor, B. Julius Knipl: Real Estate Photographer: The Beauty Supply District.
Ketcham, H. Dennis the Menace: His First Forty Years.
Howard, G. & MacIntosh, C. I Gave at the Office.
McCloud, S. Understanding Comics.
Oda, E. One Piece, T, series is violent, reviewed v.11, v.12, v.13, and v.14. Note that v.13 was generally sexy. Style of art seems inspired by Ralph Steadman (an artist who worked with Hunter Thompson).
Ona, F. Ghost Hunt. T, squeaky clean, reviewed v.2-v.6.
Satrapi, M. Persepolis: 1, 2, Violence, good message.
Tachikawa, M. Mink, rated for youth/10+, v.1, ok, v.2, p.111, gratitous panty shot, v.5, more of the cosplay-style outfitting (see first page of ch.24), towards the end of ch.23, there is mild shadow nudity for 3 characters.
Takaya, N. Fruits Basket. An ALA 2005 Top Ten Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers.
Thaves, B. Are We There Yet? A Frank and Ernest History of the World.
Thomas, R. The Chronicles of Conan, v.4, Sexy outfits, violence, but ok.
Thomas, R. Ghost Rider, v.1, Sexy outfits, violence, seems ok.
Thorp, G. Silver Anniversary Yearbook: 1958-59, 1983-84.
Toriyama, A. DragonBall Z, v.12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19-26.
Trudeau, G. In Search of Cigarette Holder Man. A Doonesbury Book.
Unger, J. The Second Herman Treasury.
Van Amerongen, J. High-Stepping through the Neighborhood.
Veitch, T. Star Wars: Dark Empire I & II.
Watterson, B. Calvin & Hobbes, Scientific Progress Goes Boink.
Watterson, B. Calvin & Hobbes, Yukon Ho, p. 116 “Why aren’t you at the library?!?”
Wilson, G. Is Nothing Sacred?
Yang, G. L. American Born Chinese. Angst-ridden, pokes fun at Chinese stereotypes, a good read.
Yasuhiko, Y. Joan: Book One, Joan of Arc series.
Yatate, H. and Tomino, Y. Gundam Seed Destiny, v.2.
Yu, L. Y. Kiss Me, Kill Me, T, v.5.
Neels, B. and Itoh, K. A Girl in a Million (Harlequin).


Young Adult Questionable
Bendis, B. M. and Oeming, M. A. Powers: Roleplay, v. 2, p. 3 “I don’t even have time to whack off” and “What the fuck.”
Clamp. RG Veda, T, v.7, p.32 & p.50, Barbie-naked, p. 181, half-naked embrace, v.9, book is fine, but there are little cat-like characters in an implied pose of lesbian oral sex.
Fujishima, K. Oh My Goddess! p. 28 Goddess w. naughty bits vaguely covered by flowing hair, p. 42. Unwanted breast-grabbing attack on goddess, p. 46 Unwanted hip-grabbing with tongue-action.
Fuyumi, S. Mars, v.1, boy kisses statue of boy p.41-42, teacher feels student’s boob with no punishment p.33-34.
Moriyama, D. Chrono Crusade, T, series features plenty of nuns and cleavage, v.3, p.146 "Damn," p.28-29 Barbie-naked in shower
Nakajo, H. Hana-Kimi For You in Full Blossom, v.3, p.151-165, rape scene.
Soryo. F. Samurai Deeper, rated OT, v.2 p.84-85 Barbie naked; v.3, p.156 boob-grabbing, p.193 Barbie nude;v.6, p.1 Barbie naked; p. 194 @ hot spring Barbie naked girls together.
Takei, H. Shaman King, T, series is sexy in general, the style is influence by American comics, v.6, pp. 175-176, weird shower scene, v.10, pp.112, 118, 140, weird, pseudo-naked pixie, v.11 sexy in general
Watase, Y. Alice 19, T, v.5 pp.22,27-29 violence, p.76 high school girls undressing to bras in locker room, v.3, pp.14-15, younger and older girl in tub together in bunny ears, p.17 frame of person tied up in ropes next to woman covering her naked body with a piece of Chinese-style fabric (or towel?).
Adult
Groening, M. Work is Hell. 3rd fr. final page, “third base: digital vaginal contact” not sure if this statement is adult or YA, but the overall book is targeted to older crowd.
Niles, S. Wake the Dead.
O'Neill, K. League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: I, Violence, gore.
O'Neill, K. League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: II, pp.35, 49, 66, 73
violence, gore, pp. 89-90, 93-95 Female nudity, consensual adult sex depicted.
Samura, H. Blade of the Immortal. OT, pt.II, entire book is violent/gore-filled.
Yoshido, S. Trinity Blood, rated OT, v.1, seems ok besides violence.

Project Runway, La Puente

On August 15th, 29 young adults cut, stitched, and painted T-shirts in an effort to win Fashion Oscars, fashion-oriented books, cool backpacks, and a variety of hip gift cards at La Puente Library's Project Runway. YA Services Coordinator Debbie Anderson kept the sewing machine hot and advised teens on how to rehab old garments or reinvent the shape and look of the basic T. Pictures of the winners shown.

Top Chef for Young Adults, West Covina

We invited young adults to join our Top Chef program on Saturday, 8.4.07, presented by Chef Nate Allen, a Chef to the Stars (i.e., Tobey Maguire & Leo DiCaprio). Teens tasted delicacies and learned about careers in the culinary arts. We had thirteen attendees, four of whom were teens --- the rest were mostly parents trying to teach their teens that eating healthy can be cool.

Book Club for Young Adults, La Puente

8.1.07 Caught in the Crossfire: Young People and War
A Book Club for Young Adults Sponsored by the California Center for the Book

Five young adults discussed Soldier's Heart and The Gadget. YAs also wrote haiku about war, to be compiled in a newsletter at the end of the summer.

CalBooks evaluation form Q&A:

Is this the first time you attended a book discussion at the library?

"Yes, but not the last." - John Kim, 17

Did you enjoy the Caught in the Crossfire discussion program? Why or why not?

"The discussion program was very enjoyable, because I gained a deeper insight of what others thought about war."
- Caren Chang, 17

"Yes, because it was fun talking about war." - Daisy, age 15

"It was a good discussion and kind of funny." - Claudio, age 14

"Love talking to others." - John

"Yes, because we get to talk about the books." - Linda

What do you think about the books that were chosen for the program? Were there any you really liked or disliked?

"They were hot." - John

Attached are pics from the book club and a very busy storytime craft, which teen volunteers helped to wrangle.

YA Book Club, West Covina

The California Center for the Book program for tweens, Caught in the Crossfire: Young People and War, was fairly well-attended, attracting 6 tweens & 1 ten-year old cousin.

CalBooks evaluation form Q&A:

Did you enjoy the Caught in the Crossfire discussion program? Why or why not?

"Yes, because I was able to say what I had accomplished reading. I would like to keep coming, because it's very interesting learning about people's thoughts." - Sarah Alejo, 11

"Yes, it was exciting and fun." - Lawon Carney, 11

"Yes, it was very opening and fun." Kristina Austin, 14

"It's good so far." - Jazmine, 14

"Ovcorce [sic] I enjoy it a lot. I love game night!" - Savannah A., 11

What do you think about the books that were chosen for the program? Were there any you really liked or disliked?

"This book." - Andy Moreno, entering 12th grade

"I don't like or understand books on war." - Sarah