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             TEEN NEWS
                                           DECEMBER 2013/JANUARY, FEBRUARY 2014
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Frederick County Public Libraries
Greetings!

It seems like just yesterday we were helping you prepare for the start of the school year-and now we're already heading into chilly weather. Whether you're working on school assignments or looking for a fun, inexpensive afternoon with your friends, make sure to stop by your local library or sign up for our clubs and activities through our website.

It's always bright inside your local library, even when they day is gloomy and dark.  We warmly welcome you to pull up a comfortable chair with us anytime.

In the event that this newsletter was forwarded to you by a friend and you would like to continue to receive information about library programs, services, and events, we invite you to sign up here for our email newsletter.

Sincerely,
Darrell Batson, Director
Frederick County Public Libraries
In This Issue
Black-Eyed Susan Books
SAT Test Prep
Is It Polite to Call Teens Knit Wits? Absolutely!
Teen Advisory Group
Best of 2013 Gift Ideas
Teens Make Art!
Keep in Touch
Special Event

Winter Wonderland

Take time to enjoy the season, make a gift or two and celebrate.

Snacks may be served.
 
 3 pm

Tuesday, December 17

Middletown Library

 
For details, visit fcpl.org

BLACK-EYED SUSAN BOOKS: WHAT'S YOUR PICK?

The school year has started and we all know what that means--time to start reading this year's books nominated for the Black-Eyed Susan Award. In case you don't know, this book award is a children's (and teens!) choice award for the state of Maryland. The selected books are announced over the summer, kids and teens have most of the school year to read them, then votes are tallied and the winners announced in May. There are a ton of good books on the list this year, here is some information on just a few of them. If you'd like to see the entire list, check out the website.

 

Never Fall Down by Patricia McCormick

Based on a true story, this is a tale of a young boy from Cambodia, separated from his family and assigned to a labor camp. He does what he must to survive, which includes becoming a soldier and fighting for the very people who destroyed his life.

 

Don't Turn Around by Michelle Gagnon

Noa Torson is a smart and tough computer hacker who also happens to be a runaway. She lives and thrives off the grid until the day she wakes up on an operating table in a warehouse with no memory of how she got there. Noa teams up with fellow hacker Peter to discover what happened to her, but the pair soon becomes the target of a dangerous corporation determined to keep them from exposing its deadly secrets.

 

Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead. So did his father before him, until he was gruesomely murdered by a ghost he sought to kill. Now Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Everything changes when he meets Anna, a girl unlike any ghost he has faced before.

Every Day by David Levithan

Every day a different body. Every day a different life. There's never any warning about where it will be or who it will be. "A" has made peace with that, even established guidelines by which to live: Never get too attached. Avoid being noticed. Do not interfere. It's all fine until the morning that A wakes up in the body of Justin and meets Justin's girlfriend, Rhiannon. From that moment, the rules by which A has been living no longer apply. Because finally A has found someone he wants to be with-day in, day out, day after day.

 

Submitted by Tara Lebherz

Thurmont Regional Library

SAT TEST PREP

The SATs are fast approaching for many juniors and seniors and the library has a plethora of great resources to help students prepare for the big day. Whether you need help with the math, critical reading, or writing we've got you covered. 

If you're not sure where to start try one of these comprehensive workbooks:

  • Cracking the SAT 2014 by Adam Robinson
  • McGraw-Hill's SAT 2013 by Christopher Black
  • Peterson's Master the SAT 2013 from Peterson's 

If books aren't your thing, don't fret! Your Frederick County Library card gets you access to the online Testing and Education Reference Center where you can take up to three free online practice tests, and you can access the Testing and Education Reference Center from home by following the link above and entering your library card number when prompted. If you create an account you can even save your results so you can analyze your scores and find out where you need to focus your efforts.

 

If you need help with the essay writing and multiple-choice grammar questions don't limit yourself to only books with SAT in the title. We've got a wonderful selection of writing and grammar books:

  • Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation by Lynne Truss
  • Grammar Girl's 101 Misused Words You'll Never Confuse Again by Mignon Fogarty
  • Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing by Mignon Fogarty
  • Writing Skills: Success in 20 Minutes a Day from LearningExpress
  • Painless Grammar by Rebecca Elliott 

More information and links to other helpful websites can be found in our online Test Prep & Education Resource Guide. If you have any questions or are looking for additional SAT test prep resources please don't hesitate to e-mail or visit us. We're happy to help!

 

Submitted by Tracey Carter

Library Associate III - Web Content Editor, Virtual Branch

IS IT POLITE TO CALL TEENS KNIT WITS? ABSOLUTELY!

Knitting is not just for Grandma anymore. All kinds of people are taking to the needles these days, including teens. While teens are participating in high school athletics, drama club, and working part-time jobs, they are also finding time to knit. According to the Craft Yarn Council (CYC) not only are teens knitting but they are passing their knowledge on to others and teaching other teens to knit. CYC Executive Director, Mary Colucci points to a 2011 survey that estimates18% of all knitters are teens. Colucci also stresses that creativity is, by far, the number one most influencing factor that attracts teens to the craft.

 

It used to be girls were taught to knit in school, as it was thought to be a useful skill, not just a hobby. Recently, celebrities such as Julia Roberts, Cameron Diaz, and Dakota Fanning have been photographed pursuing their passion for knitting, which enhances knitting's popularity. Knitting's resurgence can also be noted in part to coincide with the growth of the internet. Web-savvy teenagers all over the world are swapping fun and trendy patterns on the internet-on websites such as Ravelry.

 

There are numerous books on the shelves directed specifically to teen knitters. Teen Knitting Club: Chill Out and Knit by Jennifer Wenger, and Not Another Teen Knitting Book by Vickie Howell are both popular selections. Not only are knitting and crafting books for teens available at your local library branches but also programming. Check out Knit Wits and Teen Crafternoon at the Walkersville Branch and Teens Make Art in Emmitsburg (registration required).

 

Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned professional, pick up a pair of needles and some yarn and join in on the fun. Be proud. Be a Knit Wit!

 

Submitted by Val Atmonavage

C. Burr Artz Public Library
TEEN ADVISORY GROUP (TAG)

Are you in grades 6 through 12? Would you like to earn some school service learning credits?

Would you like to get some work experience to put on your resume or application for your first job? Need more community involvement for your college application?

 

Maybe you just love to read or want to see how a library works. Well, come to one of our monthly Teen Advisory Group meetings! No obligation. Here's a summary of our activities:

   

            T alk about books

            E valuate teen material

            E njoy snacks and refreshments

            N etwork with other teens and meet staff

 

            A ttend monthly meetings

            D ecorate the library

            V olunteer for children's programs

            I ncrease library awareness among peers

            S hare ideas

            O rganize displays

            R eview books

            Y oung Adult Summer Reading Club member

 

            G et work experience for future job and college applications

            R ead toyoung children

            O pportunity to try something new

            U nderstand what it's like to work in a library

            P romote one of the newest and nicest libraries in the state of Maryland!

 

Meetings are the first Thursday of every month at 3 pm. To sign up, call 301-600-7212 or click on this link fcpl.org.

 

Submitted by Clare Bush

Thurmont Regional Library

BEST OF 2013 GIFT IDEAS

FCPL Staff and Librarians' Favorite Picks 

This holiday season give a gift that transports: back in time or to a future world; travel to a new and exotic place or down the streets of your hometown; slow and relaxing or edge of your seat adventure and action packed; give a book. Some on our list are new; some are old favorites; all are great stories! Find them in our catalog by clicking on the title.

 

Au Revoir Crazy European Chick by Joe Schreiber - "Ferris Bueller meets La Femme Nikita in this funny, action-packed young adult novel." - book cover

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia - paranormal, fantasy

Between Shades of Gray by Ruth Sepetys - historical fiction

The Blackhope Enigma by Teresa Flavin - fantasy, mystery

Chomp by Carl Hiassen - unconventional characters and madcap humor

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein - historical fiction

Die for Me by Amy Plum - supernatural mythology

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell - realistic fiction

Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger - Victorian paranormal steampunk

Fault in Our Star by John Green - realistic fiction

Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta - fantasy

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick - fantasy

See You at Harry's by Johanna Knowles - realistic fiction

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman - fantasy

The Thing About Luck by Cynthia Kadohata - realistic fiction

Will & Whit by Laura Lee Gulledge - graphic novel

Wonder by R.J Palacio - realistic fiction

 

Looking for more YA recommendations go to FCPL's Teen Goodreads for book reviews, reading lists, and more.

 

- Enjoy! And have a Happy Winter

 

Submitted by Miss Adrienne
Walkersville Branch Library

TEENS MAKE ART!

A brand new series of art workshops hosted by Library Associate Cynthia Wintermyer will kick off in December at Emmitsburg Library. Teens Make Art! is a monthly series to introduce tweens and teens to a variety of techniques and mediums to create art projects. All levels of artistic ability are welcome. All materials will be provided.

 

Registration is limited to ten participants. Register early online at fcpl.org or by phone at 301-600-6329.

  

Tuesday, December 10, 4 pm

Decorate a Hot Chocolate Mug: Use porcelain pens to decorate a porcelain mug for hot chocolate.

 

Tuesday, January 14, 4 pm

Aboriginal Rock Painting: Explore the ancient Australian art of Aboriginal rock painting and paint your favorite animal, flower or design on your own rock.

  

Tuesday, February 11, 4 pm

Reimagining Thrift Shop Paintings: Paint monsters, UFO's, fairies, and more right on thrift store landscape paintings.

 

Submitted by Cynthia Wintermyer

Emmitsburg Branch Library
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