What's Up for Teens
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Almaden Branch Library Teen Volunteers Stage a Puppet & Variety Show
On Thursday, June 21, 2012, teensReach volunteers (with the assistance of the staff) presented a fun puppet and variety show at the Almaden Branch Library. This program was part of the Summer Reading Celebration and was held in the large Community Room. The show's directors were Almaden Branch Librarian, Ed Koetitz and Pirjo Polari-Khan, adult volunteer (photo on the left). Opening the show were the colorful chicken and duck marionettes that danced and interacted with the children to their delight. A humoreous musical skit was presented called "Dog Rules" that detailed the rules that all dogs must follow. Featured at the end of the show, was the puppet play called "Mr. Eagle's Park," which was written by Irma Polari, Polari-Khan's mother, and tells the story of an eagle that takes over a park but soon learns that it's no fun to play by himself. Carol Rosen, Correspondant for the MercuryNew.Com wrote an informative article that can be found here.
Teen Talent Show 2012
Show off your unique talent and win prizes, too!
Do you sing, love to dance, do stand-up comedy or have a unique talent??? Compete in our first round of Teen Talent Show competitions to win prizes and a spot at our final talent show event on Saturday, August 11th @ 2pm at at the Almaden Branch Library.
Visit a participating library to sign-up!
Registration packets will be available at participating San José Public Library locations. Participants must submit their registration form at the location where they want to compete.
Check out pictures of past Teen Talent Show Competitions
Regional Competitions: Prizes 1st place $50, 2nd place $25, 3rd $10
Tully Community Branch, July 5th @ 2pm
Edenvale Branch, July 18th @ 6pm
Hillview Branch, July 19th @ 3pm
Santa Teresa Branch, July 21st @ 3pm
Cambrian Branch, July 25th @ 6:00pm
Evergreen Branch, July 26th @ 4pm
Final Competition: Prizes 1st place $100, 2nd place $75, 3rd place $50
Saturday, August 11th @ 2pm
Join us for the grand finale of Teen Talent Show 2012 at the Almaden Branch Library.
The first and second place winners from our local contests will compete for the honor of becoming the San José Teen Talent 2012. Come early and bring your family and friends to cheer on your favorite talent!
Teen Lock-In: The Zombie Apocalypse!
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Get ready to own the night! Teens ages 12-17 are invited to spend a fun-filled Zombie themed evening at participating San Jose Public Library branches on Friday, August 3rd from 8pm to 11pm*. Participate in fun and memorable activities such as s
IMPORTANT: The Teen Lock-In event takes place at the libraries listed below. To register, you and your parent or guardian must come to the library that you prefer to participate in this event and fill-out the registration form. Please submit the form by Friday, July 27th. Space is limited and all teens must be pre-registered and have reviewed two books for the Teen Summer Reading Celebration to participate.
(*Teen Lock-In will be from 7pm to 10pm at Berryessa branch library, Evergreen branch library and Santa Teresa branch library.)
6445 Camden Ave.
San José, CA 95120
(408) 808-3040
ab.sjpl@sjlibrary.org
Berryessa Branch Library (Note: From 7pm to 10pm at this location)
3355 Noble Avenue
San José, CA 95132
(408) 808-3050
bb.sjpl@sjlibrary.org
921 South First St.
San José, CA 95110
(408) 294-1237
bla.sjpl@sjlibrary.org
Evergreen Branch Library (Note: From 7pm to 10pm at this location)
2635 Aborn Rd.
San José, CA 95121
(408) 808-3060
ev.sjpl@sjlibrary.org
1600 Hopkins Dr.
San José, CA 95122
(408) 808-3033
hb.sjpl@sjlibrary.org
Joyce Ellington Branch Library
491 E. Empire St.
San José, CA 95112
(408) 808-3043
je.sjpl@sjlibrary.org
Santa Teresa Branch Library (Note: From 7pm to 10pm at this location)
290 International Circle
San José, CA 95119
(408) 808-3068
sa.sjpl@sjlibrary.org
1243 San Tomas Aquino Rd.
San José, CA 95117
(408) 244-4747
wv.sjpl@sjlibrary.org
Start Preparing for the SAT!
Are you planning on taking the SAT this Fall? San José Public Library will be offering 2 practice tests this summer, giving you the opportunity try your hand at the types of questions you will see on the actual test. These full length practice tests will be proctored by Princeton Review and are open to all high school students. Pre-Registration is required.
Saturday, June 16, 2012 - 10:30am
King Library (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library)
Wednesday, July 18, 2012 - 1:00pm
In addition, you can check out a variety of new study books for both the SAT and the ACT.
Lastly, you may also want to look at the LearningExpress Library Tutorials, Tests, eBooks which are accessible with you library card, and have great College Preparation materials, including tools and tips for both the SAT and ACT.
Online Book Club - Local Comics, Week 1
For June 2012, our Online Book Club continues by discussing Aztec of the City by Fernando B. Rodriguez and the winners of last year's Graphic Novel Contest.
Each week, we'll put forth a different question to prompt reflection on the books and their ideas. We hope you will participate in the discussion by leaving comments below!
For Week 1, we'd like to ask:
Comics and graphic novels follow certain formats that have held fast for decades. Panels depict each scene and carry the story through in a linear fashion. Sometimes, there are interludes or even mini-comics that are interspersed. In Aztec of the City, there is a one page comic called Burrito that is placed in the middle of the first story. What do you think of this formatting style? Does it enhance the experience? Can you think of instances in other art forms or media where this breaking up of the story is used?
I'm not a big comic book reader, though many of my friends are. The process of getting information from the illustrations, layout and text is a new one to me. When I came across the Burrito comic, it completely confused me. I found the cartoon to be humorous, but it broke up the story that was being told about Tony. Though to be fair, the portion before the Burrito comic could be considered exposition and the part after the climax of the story.
How about you? What impact does a formatted break in a comic or graphic novel have on you?
Summer Reading Celebration Volunteer Opportunity at the Joyce Ellington Library!
On Thursday, May 31st, 2012 from 4pm-5pm, there will an important special training event for all interested teens who want to volunteer for the Summer Reading Celebration 2012 program at the Joyce Ellington Branch Library.
We are especially inviting members of the Joyce Ellington Library's teensReach group to this special training event!
Those volunteers attending this event will learn to sign-up kids for the Summer Reading Celebration program, award prizes and assist Joyce Ellington Library staff in summer programs.
Summer Reading Celebration 2012 starts on Friday, June 1st, 2012 and ends on Tuesday, July 31st, 2012.
For more information on this training for volunteers or to become a volunteer at the Joyce Ellington Library Branch, please contact Adrian Barrientos, Youth Services Librarian at (408) 808-3043 or by e-mail: adrian.barrientos@sjlibrary.org.
Teens: Ready to Spy?
Do you love to spy? Then check out the following espionage stories at your library today! Be entertained as characters embark on exciting adventures to infiltrate their enemies and see how they handle the challenges of going incognito to accomplish their missions.
I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter
Cammie is a spy-in-training, attending Gallagher Academy, a top-secret boarding school training future female spies. Cammie has to keep her spy training a secret and as she does, it leads to complications in her relationship with Josh. Will Josh discover that she is actually a spy? Will their relationship last? Check out this title to find out! This title is also available for your e-reader or as a downloadable audiobook.
Alex Rider: Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz
Alex Rider's world will never be the same when his uncle is mysteriously killed. He soon discovers that his uncle was actually a spy working for the British government. They decided to recruit Alex and have him take over his uncle's profession of working as a secret agent. He is assigned to complete his uncle's last assignment: to investigate and uncover the secrets of the Sayle Enterprises. This is an action-packed story that will intrigue readers! This title is also available as a graphic novel or audiobook.
SilverFin: A James Bond Adventure by Charlie Higson
From a humble beginning to becoming a world class spy, get to know one of the most popular spy characters during his teenage years! James was as an orphan who lived with his Aunt and attended boarding school in Eton. The adventure begins when a local boy named Alfie is missing. James team up with Alfie's cousin, Red, to investigate and help find Alfie. Will they succeed? Read this book to find out more!
For more recommendations, please see a Youth Services Librarian at your library.
Summer Reading Celebration Volunteer Opportunity at the Alviso Branch Library!
On Friday, May 25th, 2012 from 4pm - 5pm, there will be an important special training event for all interested teens who want to volunteer for the Summer Reading Celebration 2012 program at the Alviso Branch Library.
We are especially inviting members of the Alviso Library's teensReach group to this special training event!
Those volunteers attending this event will learn to sign-up kids for the Summer Reading Celebration program, award prizes and assist Alviso Library staff in summer programs.
Summer Reading Celebration 2012 starts on Friday, June 1st, 2012 and ends on Tuesday, July 31st, 2012.
For more information on this training for volunteers or to become a summer volunteer at the Alviso Library Branch, please contact Adrian Barrientos, Youth Services Librarian at (408) 263-3626 or by e-mail at adrian.barrientos@sjlibrary.org .
Scavenger Hunt at the King Library
Summer Reading Celebration
You're Invited!
Sunday, June 3 from 1-4 p.m
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
The kickoff event invites people of all ages to participate in a scavenger hunt inside the King Library (Lower Level-4th Floor).
The scavenger hunt will be divided into three groups: families with small children, teens and adults. Each group will have their own set of clues and will have to search for hidden treasures inside the library to be eligible to win a prize.
Prizes include tickets to ...
- Great America
- Tech Museum
- Laser Quest
- Happy Hollow Park and Zoo
- Children’s Museum
- San Jose Giants
The kickoff event will also feature a community resource fair and plenty of live entertainment.
1:00 p.m. Music by harpist Elizabeth Erickson
2:00 p.m. Ballon Artist from A New Twist Balloons inside the Children's Room
3:00 p.m. Enjoy a free concert at 3 p.m. with Cascada de Flores performing Mexican and Caribbean song and dance.
Downtown Parking:
Free parking in the street and the 4th and San Fernando Street Garage located across from the King Library
Book Trailer Contest - June 1 - July 31, 2012
Teens: want to do something more imaginative than just writing a review for Summer Reading books that you have read? Create and submit a book trailer review for Summer Reading, and you could win a Kindle Fire! Upload a short clip, no longer than 4 minutes, to YouTube, providing your review of the book. Be creative! The contest is open to all participants in the Teen Summer Reading Celebration.
How to enter:
- Create your own book trailer, reviewing a book that you read for Summer Reading. You can submit more than one video, but each video has to be for a separate book.
- Post the video on YouTube using the tag: SJPL2012SRC
- Sign up for Summer Reading here, starting in a few weeks.
- When you log the book you read on the Summer Reading website, make sure to include a link to your video in the review field.
Entries will be judged on creativity and content by a panel of library staff.
Need some examples? Check out the winning entry from last year's Book Trailer Contest, created by Nathan Verdonk.
Here are links to some professional book trailers:
- Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
- The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
- The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler
Teens who submit links to their Book Trailer will automatically be entered in the contest. The top 3 winners will receive:
- 1st place: Kindle Fire
- 2nd place: $50 gift card for iTunes
- 3rd place: $25 gift card for Jamba Juice
Entries for the contest must be submitted between June 1 and July 31, 2012. Winners will be announced in August.
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