Teen Review: Ultraviolet by R.J. Anderson

Hi, my name is Jenna and I am a senior at West Mifflin Area High School. I volunteer at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Main. No matter where I am, you will probably see a book in my hand. I hope you enjoy my book reviews!

Ultraviolet – R.J. Anderson

The book automatically opens up with heavy subject matter. The first page is Alison confessing that she killed Tori. But did she really? Alison wakes up in a hospital, which is surprisingly very plain and bare. This is when she realizes that she is a mental patient. Alison is transported to Pine Hills, a mental patient facility for teens.

When Alison was questioned by the police, Alison told them that Tori had simply ‘disintergrated’ right before her eyes. But, Alison didn’t even know if she could trust herself. She has always been able to taste shapes and letters and see things that no one else can see. With all of her weird abilities getting in the way, she could not even remember what happened that day with Tori.

At Pine Hills, Alison meets Faraday, a neuropsychologist who really gives her the answers she needs. Alison learns more about her synthesia and Faraday reassures her she is not crazy.

Alison is deeply moved by everyone at Pine Hills. Over time, she learns more about people and about herself. She learns to not judge others, and that sometimes first instincts are wrong about certain people.

This novel honestly has it all. Science fiction, romance, coming-of-age, and mystery are all major themes of this book along with many others. Even though there are so many different important aspects of this book, they somehow seem to blend.

There is one thing that readers will not see coming that is introduced towards the end of the book. Everything that readers thought was going on, will turn out to be something completely unexpected.

One of the best parts of reading this book was getting inside of Alison’s head, quite literally. Learning about a condition like synthesia really opened my eyes. I can’t believe there are people out there that actually have this condition. Readers will become fascinated with all the different meanings behind shapes, colors, and letters that a synthesete interprets.

5/5 !

World Kindness Day

I bet you didn’t know that today is World Kindness Day.  I didn’t know it either until a few days ago, but I think it’s a great idea.  The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation has a great website with ideas about how you can help and get involved in your community, cards and bookmarks, and resources about how kindness can make you a happier and healthier person.  And the best part is that it is FREE and EASY to practice kindness.  It can be as simple as smiling or saying hello to someone.

The Library is also a great place to turn for ideas about kindness.  You can volunteer at one of your local branches,  find a great book about kindness, or even go shopping to help the Library and the community!  Here are some great examples of items we have that can help you on your journey to be a kinder person:

 Do One Nice Thing:Little Things You Can Do To Make the World a Lot Nicer by Debbie Tenzer.  Debbie Tenzer is the founder of a website (DoOneNiceThing.com) that focuses on how making small improvements can make a big difference to the world around you.  Her website has a bunch of great ideas and stories, including ways to help the victims of Hurricane Sandy.  In her book, she offers a bunch of easy ideas that people can do to help that won’t take much time or money.  This is a great resource for anyone who is looking for simple ways to practice kindness.

The Power of Small: Why Little Things Make All the Difference by Linda Kaplan Thayer and Robin Koval.  The authors are  advertising executives who offer a number of stories how the smallest acts can influence the biggest decisions.

Jim-CLP Sheraden

Get text alerts for CLP- Main Teen events!

You guys are always asking me for more information about events happening here at CLP Main- Teen.  You’ve seen the flyers, posters, whiteboard messages, monthly printed calendars, Facebook invites, and event listings on the CLP website – all to advertise  our exciting and FREE programs.  You seem excited… but on the day of the program you inexplicably don’t show up.  Why?  Nine times out of ten, you tell me that you simply forgot.   Never fear, forgetful teens, you will never have to miss one of our awesome programs again!  How?  By signing up for our new text messaging services using Celly!  Here at CLP Main- Teen, we’re using Celly to create different “cells” to represent all of our diverse program and events offerings.  Right now we have nine, but we’ll probably be adding more soon.  Sign up via text message and you’ll instantly be added to the distribution list and receive alerts for any of the special cells listed below.

• Text @clpteensevents to 23599 and we’ll let you know about the latest parties, contests, and cool opportunities for teens.
• Text @clpteensartclub to 23599 for information about art related programming, our weekly Art Club and featured project.
• Text @clpteenswriting to 23599 to get updates about creative writing workshops including our monthly poetry workshops.
• Text @clpteensanimeclub to 23599 for all anime and Anime Club related updates.
• Text @clpteensmovies to 23599 for updates about our Bad Movie Fridays program and other special film events.
• Text @clpteensTAC to 23599 for information and reminders about CLP Main’s monthly Teen Advisory Council.
• Text @clpteensgaming to 23599 to be the first to learn about any new games and our weekly All Out Gaming program.
• Text @clpteensbookdiscuss to 23599 to find out about any teen book discussions and author visits happening at the library.
• Text @clpteensadvocacy to 23599 to learn how you can advocate for a better-funded and better library.

If privacy is a concern- which it really should be – you should know that your name and number will be kept private – even from us.  Don’t have a cell phone?  No problem!  Sign up to receive email notifications by creating a Celly account using a Twitter or Facebook account, or email address.  And if you ever decide that you don’t want to receive our text alerts anymore, just text stop to 23559.  If you want to temporarily turn off messages to your phone, text off to 23559.  Please keep in mind that standard text messaging rates apply.  Contact us here at CLP Main- Teen or visit the Celly FAQ page for more information about how the services works.

End of Summer- BOO! End of Summer Party- YAY!

When I was a teenager, I couldn’t stand those back-to-school advertising campaigns that seem to kick in while summer is still in full swing.  And how about the stores that start selling fall jackets when it is still 90 degrees outside?  For me personally, the count down to the new school year was such a drag that even a full scale-gratuitous-shopping-binge didn’t prove therapeutic.  So now that the Teen Department at CLP Main is hosting an End of the Summer Celebration on Friday 8/24 from 2 pm to 5 pm, I feel like such a traitor.

But really- we’re on YOUR side.  We’re not trying to pour salt in the wound, we simply want to reward you all for your participation in this year’s Teen Summer Reading program (which, by the way, it’s not too late to sign up for….).  And the truth is, we’ll use any excuse to throw a party here in the Main Teen Department.  So, come- despite yourself- and just try to enjoy the last sliver of summer….

Friday, August 24

2pm to 5pm

CLP Main- Teens

4400 Forbes Ave.

Pittsburgh, PA

• Video gaming!
• TWO bad movies- one about a crazy summer and one about going back to school!
• Button making!
• iPad photo booth!
• Light snacks!

All teens in middle or high school welcome.  For more information, contact teensmain @ carnegielibrary.org or 412.622.3121.

The Last Day of School…the Movie!

The end of the school year….  Ahhhhh….  It’s so close, you can taste it, right?  Soon the public pools will open, Extravaganza and Teen Summer Reading will be in full effect, the Pirates will be crushing the competition (well…. hopefully….), and you’ll be homework free for a solid two or three months.  When I think back to my school days, I remember those last ones the fondest.  The summer held so much anticipation and so much promise!  I almost didn’t even mind attending school, because I knew my days there were numbered.  The school days were short, the tired teachers showed films instead of- well- teaching, and the only writing we students did was in yearbooks.  Turns out many others have found inspiration in those last days of school, so much so that there are entire movies dedicated to those last days of school.  Teens of Pittsburgh- you are almost there!  Join us at CLP Main- Teen on your last day of school- Wednesday, June 13 at 3 pm- for a screening of a classic of the genre.  Until then, you’ll just have to experience the excitement the last days through film.  Below are some of the best and they are all available to check out from the library.

Can’t Hardly Wait

Dazed and Confused

I Love You Beth Cooper

Rock ‘N’ Roll High School

Say Anything

Summer School

The Wackness

Feel inspired to make your own last day of school film?  Check out CLP’s QuickFlix 2012 contest and free digital filmmaking workshops!

What are YOU Doing This Summer?

Sun is shining. Weather is sweet. Make you wanna move your dancing feet.” Bob Marley

Only a few days left of school.  The clock is ticking down the minutes until you can rush out those doors; jump on the bus, and say, “Its SUMMER!”  No more school, no more homework, no more nagging voices telling you to stop fooling around and pay attention!

I don’t know about you, but this summer looks like it is jammed packed with so many cool things to do.  Don’t have any money? No special vacations out of the beautiful city of Pittsburgh?  If I were you I wouldn’t worry too much about either one.  Your local Carnegie libraries have been planning round the clock to set up an awesome summer vacation just for you.  Check out this list of things to do for the month of June!

June Events

• Summer Reading Extravaganza |  June 10th, 2012 | 12:00 – 5:00pm
  Did someone say iPad?  Sign up for Teen Summer Reading and find out how you could win an iPad!
• Hip-Hop on L.O.C.K. Music | Starting June 16th, 2012 | 1:00 – 4:00pm
  Sign up fast!  Space is limited!
• QuickFlix Media Arts | Starting June 25th, 2012 | 1:00 – 4:00pm
  Want a chance to make a winning video?  Grand prize $100 iTunes gift card!
• Riddikulus Wizard Rock Concert | June 20th, 2012 | 5:00 – 7:30pm
  Featuring The Whomping Willows, Lauren Fairweather, Tonks and the Aurors, Justin Finch-Fletchley, Snidget, and I Speak Tree

Also check out the Teen events at your local library this month as they will include:  Gaming, Anime clubs, Teen Advisory, Musical workshops, Art clubs, Creative writing, and so much more!  Check out what is happening at your library so you don’t miss out!

Yeah, this is just for the month of June… Come back to check out the month of July and August too!

Tell me, what do you’ve got planned for your awesome summer break????

Scratch Day @ CLP Main- Teen: Saturday 5/19 from 1 to 4

IMAGINE + PROGRAM + SHARE

Are you interested in creating digital videos, games, and animation?  Do you have a vision and passion for digital art, but lack the technical skills?  If you answered yes, then  Scratch is the perfect programming language for you.  Scratch is a visual programming language that was developed by MIT students in order to offer beginner programmers a simple way to create their own interactive stories, games, animations, music, and art.  Scratch is free to download, easy to learn, and offers a safe and supportive community of Scratchers to share your creations with.

Scratch Day- Saturday, May 19, 2012- is a worldwide network of gatherings, where people come together to meet fellow Scratchers, share projects and experiences and learn more about Scratch. Last year, more than 125 Scratch Day events were held in 36 countries around the globe.  Scratch Day @ CLP Main- Teen will feature tutorials for newbies, games to help you hone your Scratch abilities, skill sharing for advanced Scratchers, a project showcase, Scratch the Cat button making, peer Scratch tutors, fun, community, and more!

Pittsburgh teenagers (grade 6-12), mentors and educators are strongly encouraged to bring a laptop to the event.  But don’t despair if you can’t bring your own equipment- you will NOT be left out.  A limited number of laptops will be provided for use during the program.

Scratch Day in Pittsburgh is presented by Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Chevron Center for STEM Education and career Development at Carnegie Science Center, The Ellis School and Girls, Math & Science Partnership (a program of Carnegie Science Center). This event is sponsored by The Ellis School and Spark, Supporting the Kids+Creativity Network.

Event web site: http://day.scratch.mit.edu/event/554

Presented by: Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Chevron Center for STEM Education and career Development at Carnegie Science Center, The Ellis School and Girls, Math & Science Partnership a program of Carnegie Science Center

Event fee: FREE

Sponsor: The Ellis School and Spark, Supporting the Kids+Creativity Network

Some refreshments will be provided.

Saturday, May 19, 2012
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Teens- Main
4400 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA   15213

For more information, contact:
412.622.3121
teensmain@carnegielibrary.org

Teen Review: Matched by Allyson Condie

My name is Jenna. I go to a high school where I’m part of the marching band and the cheerleading squad. I’m pretty busy, but I always find time to read. I’m also very creative and I like doing little crafts out of random things I find.

Matched by Ally Condie

Cassia was so excited for her Matching ceremony. She’s been restlessly waiting for 17 years for this day to come. The Matching ceremony is when she will know who she has been ‘matched’ with. Who she will marry, who she will have kids with, and who she will spend the rest of her life with. Who she is matched with is of course decided by the Society. Every single decision is made by the Society.

When the day comes, Cassia and everyone at the ceremony become utterly surprised when they see that Cassia’s match is her best friend, Xander. It is extremely uncommon that the two matches already know each other, so the two best friends become sort of celebrities.

At the ceremony, every Matched girl/boy receives a card that holds more information on their match. When Cassia entered her card about her match, instead of seeing Xander’s face and facts, a different face appears on the screen…Ky Markham’s.

Ky was just a mutual friend of Cassia and Xander, but now that Cassia has seen Ky’s face on her Match card, she can’t stop thinking about him. She’s suddenly doubting everything the Society stood for. She doesn’t want all of her decisions to be made for her anymore, especially when it comes to whom she loves.

Cassia learns more and more about the world she lives in and in return learns more about herself and about the person she truly loves, Ky.

This book is interesting because it was about a young girl completely going against everything she’s ever known. The love story in it is sweet and cute, but most of the characters are rather one dimensional. Overall, this book would be rated a 3/5.

Great Irish Stories for St. Patrick’s Day

 

March to me means two things- NCAA March Madness and Saint Patrick’s Day.  I’ve always loved Saint Patrick’s Day and my family always had a huge party to celebrate.  Of course my grandparents last names were Murphy, Mulligan, McGillicuddy, and Carney.  So, yeah we’re pretty Irish!  We still have a while to go until the actual Saint Patrick’s Day, so I thought instead of focusing on the holiday I would talk about some of my favorite Irish writers and stories.  I may be a bit biased in favor of Irish writers, but anyone will have to admit that such a small country has produced some of the greatest writers and storytellers of all time.  This tiny island nation has produced literary giants like James Joyce, Sean O’Casey, and William Butler Yeats to contemporary writers like Frank McCourt and Cecelia Ahern.  I’ve picked a few of my favorite books by Irish authors.  Hopefully, you will pick one up to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day!  Enjoy!

 White Horse Trick by Kate Thompson- The third in a series that started with The New Policeman, but it can be read without having read the others.  It’s set in the future when the climate has become disasterous and everyone is struggling to get food and water in order to survive.  However, a group in Ireland has found a way to transport people to the land of the fairies where there are no such problems.  The only problem is the fairies don’t want more people in their land, so they must be tricked into letting more humans into their homeland.   




 A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, inspired by an idea by Siobhan Dowd- Dowd was a fantastic writer who had just started publishing before her untimely death from cancer at age 47 in 2007.  This book is based on an idea she had about a young boy named Connor who is already dealing with his mother’s cancer and bullies at school when has a monster begin to appear to him every night at 12:07.  The monster tells Connor that he will tell three stories and then Connor must tell the monster the TRUE story of his life.  It doesn’t sound that scary, but it shows how sometimes our worst nightmares are nothing compared to the reality of life.  Definitely one of the best books I have read in a long time. 

 The Alchemyst by Michael Scott- The first in a series about Josh and Sophie Newman, two normal teenagers living in San Francisco.  Atleast they think everything is normal until they find out their bosses are really Nicholas and Perenelle Flamel, the famous alchemist and his wife.  The Flamels are hundreds of years old and have been waiting for a set of twins prophesied to save the world.  The Flamels think that Josh and Sophie are those very twins and their lives are never the same.  Scott uses mythology from Ireland (a almost every other culture) in this exciting series. 

 The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne- Bruno is a nine year old whose father has a job working for the German government.  This is the story of how he deals with the problems he encounters when his father gets a new job.  This sounds pretty normal except for the fact that it is 1942 and the German government is controlled by Adolf Hitler and the Nazis.

New Teen Book Club at CLP Main

From Emily Carlin's Flickr Stream

I love to read and discuss books- that’s why I became a librarian!  Strangely though, I’ve always been reluctant to join a book club.  I find that the hardest part about committing to one is being required to read a specific book- the same one as everyone else!  Maybe I have a problem with authority, but I just don’t like being told what to read and I bet you don’t either.  That’s why I’ve started a different kind of book club.  The days of having to read the same title as everyone else in order to participate are over, my friends!  CLP Main- Teen is modeling a new kind of book club for teens.  Here’s how it works:

• Every month the discussion will focus on a different theme.
• Try to bring a book you’ve read and enjoyed that relates to the theme.
• Meet other teens who love reading and learn about their favorite books.

So, now you have no excuses.  Participation is as simple as showing up.  In fact, come by even if you don’t have a book in mind to talk about.  Share a little about a great movie you saw or an article you read on the subject.  And by the time you leave, you’ll have a whole list of new titles you’ll want to check out.

Fourth Tuesday of Every Month
4:oo pm to 5 pm
CLP Main- Teen
4400 Forbes Ave.
For more information or to register, contact teensmain@carnegielibrary.org or 412.622.5526

Themes for upcoming book clubs include:
February 28: African American Voices
March 27: Sports, Games, and Gaming
April 24: Poetry and Novels in Verse

Don’t know what to read?  Ask a librarian for a suggestion or check out CLP’s monthly, featured books lists.