Worcester Public Library Teen Blog

Anime Wings!

2012-02-08T15:31:00.000-08:00

Teens! Come to the Main Branch Worcester Public Library to watch Anime movies, meet with friends, and eat snacks! Takes place in the Banx Room every other Friday from 3-5. Upcoming dates are as follows:

February 10, 24, March 9, 23

For more information call Rezarta @ 508-799-1671

Learn to Draw Manga!

2012-02-03T07:56:00.000-08:00

Teens! Learn to draw manga with graphic artists Andy Fish and Jamie Buckmaster on Friday's in the Banx Room at the Worcester Public Library. Lessons are free and all materials are provided!

Program starts at 3:30pm and is offered throughout the spring on the following Friday's:

February 3, 17, March 2, 16, 30, April 13, 27, May 11, 25

We hope to see you there!

February Book Club

2012-02-03T07:40:00.000-08:00

Join the Worcester Public Library's Young Adult Book Club on February 29th from 6-7:30pm to discuss the book "Gone" by Michael Grant. Find out what happens in this thrilling sci-fi book when everyone 15 years and older mysteriously vanishes in the blink of an eye, and the kids left behind are forced to fend for themselves and solve the mystery of what happened.

Free Zumba Classes!

2012-02-03T07:23:00.000-08:00

Come join us at the Worcester Public Library for free Zumba Classes every Saturday from 11am-12pm for teens and their families! The classes are taught by Susan Hernandez, and take place in the Saxe Room of the WPL. For more information or to sign up call Rezarta at 508-799-1671. We hope to see you there!!

This Week's Events

2012-01-24T08:50:00.000-08:00

Wednesday January 25th - Teen Book Discussion

Come to the Oak Room at the WPL Main Branch from 6-7:30pm to discuss the book Falling Leaves: The Memoir of an Unwanted Chinese Daughter by Adeline Yen Mah. Falling Leaves is the true story of Adeline Yen Mah, who was born in North-East China in 1937. We will be discussing themes such as the treatment of women in China, arranged marriages, and the practice of foot binding. For background information on 19th century China, click here!

Friday January 27th - Anime Wings

Join us in the Banx Room at the WPL Main Branch from 3-5pm to watch Anime movies and enjoy free snacks! For more information call Rezarta at 508-799-1671 or click here to see the flyer!

Summer Anime Wings Program

2011-05-19T08:54:00.000-07:00

Our Anime Movies Club will continue during the Summer. All teens who enjoy Anime are welcome to join the club. Every Wednesday, starting July 13 to August 17 @ 5:30-8:30 PM in Banx Room. Program is free!! Refreshments will be provided!!

Massachusetts Teen Choice Book Award

2011-05-10T07:14:00.000-07:00

2010 Winners of Massachusetts Teen Choice Book Award:

Middle School Winner:

LOST HERO by Rick Riordan

High School Winner:

FANG by James Patterson

April-POETRY MONTH-

2011-04-11T09:38:00.000-07:00

http://www.poets.org/page.php/prmID/41

National Poetry Month FAQ

1- What is National Poetry Month?

National Poetry Month is a month-long, national celebration of poetry established by the Academy of American Poets. The concept is to widen the attention of individuals and the media—to the art of poetry, to living poets, to our complex poetic heritage, and to poetry books and journals of wide aesthetic range and concern. We hope to increase the visibility and availability of poetry in popular culture while acknowledging and celebrating poetry’s ability to sustain itself in the many places where it is practiced and appreciated.

2- Who started it?

The Academy of American Poets has led this initiative from its inception in 1996 and along the way has enlisted a variety of government agencies and officials, educational leaders, publishers, sponsors, poets, and arts organizations to help.

3- When is National Poetry Month?

April. Every year since 1996.

4- Why was April chosen for National Poetry Month?

In coordination with poets, booksellers, librarians, and teachers, the Academy chose a month when poetry could be celebrated with the highest level of participation. Inspired by the successful celebrations of Black History Month (February) and Women's History Month (March), and on the advice of teachers and librarians, April seemed the best time within the year to turn attention toward the art of poetry—in an ultimate effort to encourage poetry readership year-round.

5- What are the goals of National Poetry Month?

The goals of National Poetry Month are to: Highlight the extraordinary legacy and ongoing achievement of American poets
Introduce more Americans to the pleasures of reading poetry
Bring poets and poetry to the public in immediate and innovative ways
Make poetry a more important part of the school curriculum
Increase the attention paid to poetry by national and local media
Encourage increased publication, distribution, and sales of poetry books
Increase public and private philanthropic support for poets and poetry

6- Shouldn't we celebrate poetry all year round, not just in April?

By all means, yes! We encourage the year-round, life-long reading of poetry. National Poetry Month is just one of the many programs of the Academy of American Poets. To keep the celebration going, consider becoming a member of the Academy and receive special benefits and privileges year round, listen to a few of our poetry audio clips, or attend a poetry event in your area.

A NEW YA SCI-FI "The Chemical Garden Trilogy", by Lauren DeStefano

2011-04-05T09:47:00.000-07:00

By age sixteen, Rhine Ellery has four years left to live. She can thank modern science for this genetic time bomb. A botched effort to create a perfect race has left all males with a lifespan of 25 years, and females with a lifespan of 20 years. Geneticists are seeking a miracle antidote to restore the human race, desperate orphans crowd the population, crime and poverty have skyrocketed, and young girls are being kidnapped and sold as polygamous brides to bear more children.

When Rhine is kidnapped and sold as a bride, she vows to do all she can to escape. Her husband, Linden, is hopelessly in love with her, and Rhine can't bring herself to hate him as much as she'd like to. He opens her to a magical world of wealth and illusion she never thought existed, and it almost makes it possible to ignore the clock ticking away her short life. But Rhine quickly learns that not everything in her new husband's strange world is what it seems. Her father-in-law, an eccentric doctor bent on finding the antidote, is hoarding corpses in the basement. Her fellow sister wives are to be trusted one day and feared the next, and Rhine is desperate to communicate to her twin brother that she is safe and alive. Will Rhine be able to escape--before her time runs out?

POETRY SLAM at Worcester Public Library

2011-04-05T09:32:00.000-07:00

Please Join WPL Poetry Slam Program on Wednesday, April 6th at 6:00 PM, with Alex Charalambides poet and director of the Worcester Youth Poetry SLAM. Program is free. Pizza and refreshments will be provided.
http://worcesteryouthslam.com/

Song of the Week: Black Or White - Michael Jackson

2010-08-24T18:45:00.000-07:00

Every week on the blog, we're going to share a song that we here at the Worcester Public Library think you'll enjoy, whether it be something to tap your foot to or something to read to.

This week's song is another famous one: Black or White, once again by Michael Jackson in anticipation for the event "Celebration of the Life of Michael Jackson", this Saturday at the Library. Enjoy the song's catchy guitar riff and powerful lyrics!

The "Celebration of the Life of Michael Jackson" event is being held here at the Library in the Saxe room, with cake, local bands performing Jackson's music, and a screening of the major motion picture documentary, "This Is It", which chronicles the rehearsals for Jackson's last concert tour that were cut short by his untimely death.

The event is on August 28th, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

Song of the Week: Jam - Michael Jackson

2010-08-18T10:21:00.000-07:00

Every week on the blog, we're going to share a song that we here at the Worcester Public Library think you'll enjoy, whether it be something to tap your foot to or something to read to.

This week's song is a famous one: Jam, by Michael Jackson. Enjoy the song's irresistible beat, meaningful lyrics, and awesome rap breaks!

Also, be sure to come to the "Celebration of the Life of Michael Jackson" event being held here at the Library in the Saxe room, with cake, local bands performing Jackson's music, and a screening of the major motion picture documentary, "This Is It", which chronicles the rehearsals for Jackson's last concert tour that were cut short by his untimely death.

The event is on August 28th, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

Song of the Week: I Don't Trust Myself (With Loving You) - John Mayer

2010-08-12T21:04:00.000-07:00

Song of the Week: Cool My Heels - Nikki Yanofsky

2010-08-03T10:09:00.000-07:00

Every week on the blog, we're going to share a song that we here at the Worcester Public Library think you'll enjoy, whether it be something to tap your foot to or something to read to.

This week's song is an upbeat one: Cool My Heels, by Nikki Yanofsky. Enjoy the song's happy mood, and remember that when things are rough and the heat is on, just cool your heels!

By Teens, For Teens: Writer's Group

2010-08-02T09:58:00.000-07:00

For the past couple years, the Worcester Public Library has proudly hosted a creative writing group for teenagers. We have put out two volumes of collections of the teens' works, in published form available for check out at the Library itself.

On September 23rd, 2010, the Writer's Group will start up its third season, and any teenager with a passion or curiosity for writing is welcome to join us as we share our works and eventually put out a third compilation. From poetry to stories, any form of writing is welcome!

So, join us on September 23rd, 2010 at 3:30 PM for Writer's Group!

Books to Check Out: Ink Exchange, by Melissa Marr

2010-07-28T09:58:00.000-07:00

Unbeknownst to mortals, a power struggle is unfolding in a world of shadows and danger. After centuries of stability, the balance among the Faery Courts has altered, and Irial, ruler of the Dark Court, is battling to hold his rebellious and newly vulnerable fey together. If he fails, bloodshed and brutality will follow.

Seventeen-year-old Leslie knows nothing of faeries or their intrigues. When she is attracted to an eerily beautiful tattoo of eyes and wings, all she knows it that she has to have it, convinced it is a tangible symbol of changes she desperately craves for her own life.

The tattoo does bring changes - not the kind Leslie has dreamed of, but sinister, compelling changes that are more than symbolic. Those changes will bind Leslie and Irial together, drawing Leslie deeper and deeper into the faery world, unable to resist its allures and helpless to withstand its perils....

Sounds spooky!

Song of the Week: Dreams - Brandi Carlile

2010-07-27T10:53:00.001-07:00

By Teens, For Teens: 'Inception' Review

2010-07-22T10:00:00.000-07:00

By Brian Vinik

Christopher Nolan's follow-up film to his 2008 blockbuster movie 'The Dark Knight', titled 'Inception', is a mind-bending (or invading, rather) adventure that has thrills, amazing special effects, likable characters, and pretty much all of the elements that make a good movie.

The film follows a man named Dom Cobb ('Titanic''s Leonardo DiCaprio), who is an expert in the practice of inception - that is, using special technology to enter the dreams of sleeping people and either implant or extract ideas or information. When a man named Saito (Ken Watanabe), head of an energy company, comes to Cobb, he asks him to perform inception on the heir (named Robert Fischer (Cillian Murphy)) to an energy empire on the verge of a takeover of the entire business. The goal would be to try to convince the heir to break up his dying father's empire upon inheritance. In exchange, Cobb will be allowed back into the United States a free man, as opposed to being internationally on the run for being accused of a crime he did not commit.

Cobb gets together a team of people to help him with the inception, including a college student named Ariadne (Ellen Page) who is determined to find out a secret Cobb is hiding. Together, the team enters Fischer's dreams during a ten hour flight and encounter mental security, gunfights, car chases, and much more action and adventure.

I highly enjoyed 'Inception', and I highly recommend it to any fan of science fiction or action/adventure.

By Teens, For Teens: "Favorites Megamix"

2010-07-19T09:53:00.001-07:00

This is a remix video and audio-wise by library Teen Advisory Group (TAG) member Brian Vinik - it combines artists Shakira, Michael Jackson, and Ofra Haza into one piece. Join TAG and share your own creations! We'd love to share them here on the Teen Blog.

Welcome to the Worcester Public Library Teen Blog!

2010-07-14T10:47:00.000-07:00

Hello!

We would like to welcome you to the official blog of the Worcester Public Library Teen Zone. Here you will find interesting articles we find, book discussions, works from the library's own teens, along with updates regarding library activities for youth. Check back shortly for more posts!

The Blog Staff