The 2nd annual San José Public Library Scholastic Open will take place in the Santa Teresa Branch Library Community Room on Saturday, July 9 from 9:00 am - 6:00 pm.

Tournament Information

2 sections: USCF and unrated. (50 players maximum each)

Schedule: 6 rounds, G/30, round times: 9:30 am, 10:45 am, 12:00 noon, 2:30 pm, 3:45 pm, 5:00 pm.

Half point byes: OK all, limit 2, must commit before round 1.

Tournament Organizers/Directors: Mathew Benson (SA), Chris Black (KL).

Prizes: Trophies to top 3 in each section. All others will receive chess puzzles.

Special Rules: All players must be pre-K through 12 grade during 2010/2011 school year. Players in USCF section must have valid USCF membership at time of event. USCF section must follow USCF rules.

Notes:  Swiss tournament. Players will only play others in their section. Please bring clocks, all other equipment is provided. USCF section will be USCF rated.

Registration: Call (408) 808-3068 or register in person at the Santa Teresa Branch Library information desk. 

This program is co-sponsored by Let's Play Chess and the Friends of the Santa Teresa Library.

Want to learn more about chess? Find chess books at the library such as Capablanca: A Primer of Checkmate. Or visit chessthings.com where you'll find information about chess activities and education in the Bay Area.

In the opening chapter of The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen, high school junior Jessica wakes up in the hospital to find that the lower half of her leg is gone, damaged beyond repair in a horrible bus accident that also claimed the life of one of her track teammates. Jessica is devastated. Running meant everything to her, and now she can't even get out of bed. However, her will is strong, and with the help of her loving family and friends, she is quickly on the road to recovery and to walking once again with her new prosthetic leg. But will Jessica ever run again?

As someone who also loves to run and gets what that runner's high feeling is all about, I can't even imagine how crushing it would be to have it taken away. Despite the odds and the setbacks along the way though, Jessica is inspiring, positive, and full of hope. While still recovering and confined to a wheelchair, Jessica ends up befriending a girl with cerebral palsy in her math class named Rosa, and as they become good friends, Jessica makes the connection that like Jessica, Rosa wants to be seen as Rosa, not as the girl with a disability. In the end, you can't help but cheer for Jessica like an excited fan along the track.

While losing a limb would surely be an awful tragedy, this story ends up being a feel-good "best case scenario" of what would happen in the aftermath of such a terrible event, thanks to Jessica's determined spirit and her wonderful support network. Parts of the book are certainly sad, but there are plenty of humorous and heart-warming scenes that keep this from being just another tear-jerker. I also found the bits about Jessica's recovery and prosthesis to be really informative. If you're looking for other inspiring stories like this one, try Shark Girl by Kelly Bingham, The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin by Josh Berk, or Owning It : Stories About Teens with Disabilities.

Sign up now for Evergreen Branch Library’s Teen Talent Show. This contest will be held in the Community Room on Saturday, April 30 at 2:00 p.m. Registration packets are available at the Information Desk. Teens, ages 12-18 are invited to perform individually or in groups up to 10. You will have five minutes to share your singing, dancing, comedy, magic or other special talent and win prizes.

First place- $50

Second place- $25

Third place- $10

The first and second place winners will participate in the city wide competition on May 21^st at the Almaden Branch Library for a chance to become San Jose’s teen talent 2011.

We're still looking for more entries for our Teen Photo Contest! If you're 12-18 years old and like to take photos or are just beginning here is a contest just right for you! We're inviting teens to show us why they love the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library by taking a photo showing why this library is special to them! You can print out this PDF entry form and return it to the Children's Room at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library by April 30. There will be cool prizes so don't miss this chance to be a winner. The library has many books on basic photography to get you started or give you ideas. Be creative and take a chance!

19 hours after Jace leaves home in Chicago, he ends up at his brother's doorstep in Albuquerque with cuts and bruises to his face, less than $4 in his pocket, and a message from Mom: I'll be there on Thanksgiving. Swati Avasthi's debut novel, Split is a gripping story about abuse, frustration, anger, redefining family, and how the strength of this family can get you through things that may seem completely hopeless. The story completely pulls you in from the first pages, the characters are well thought out and likeable, and Avasthi's subtlety about a sensitive topic is appreciated. Chosen as one of this year's Best Books for Young Adults by YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association, Split is an excellent read for the older teen reader.

Will you be taking the SAT test? Find out how you would score on the test by taking a full length practice SAT test for FREE proctored by the Princeton Review on Saturday, April 23 at the Evergreen Branch Library starting at 10:15 am. The test will be held in the Community Room. This is a great opportunity to try your hand at the types of questions you will see on the actual test. Please call the library at 408-808-3060 to reserve a spot. Then get a personalized score report by returning to the Evergreen Library on Wednesday, April 27 at 6:00 pm. Remember that the San José Public Library has many SAT review books that you can borrow.