Teens Blog

Filed under: Books
Tags: New Books, teen books, Teens
by Kate on May 1, 2012
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For all of you who didn’t know, the library had a Hunger Games Lock-In!

There was a public reaping, gamekeepers, and, of course, a pizza party!

We started off the night by reaping each tribute into their respective district. Then we had a cornucopia with prizes and clues where all the tributes had to grab something from the pile, along with the clue.
After figuring out their clues by going through books for the answer, they learned knot-tying and how to use a (nerf) bow & arrow.
Shortly after, there was an animal hunt on the kids floor. You gotta survive somehow in the arena, and we had some good practice with our own hunt.
We ended off the night with a pizza party.
Keep an eye out for other Hunger Games inspired activities in the future at the library!

Filed under: General

by karen on March 30, 2012
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We teamed up with Tim Cusack and Laughfest for a night of serious laughter. Gilda’s LaughFest is the nation’s first-ever community-wide festival, celebrating laughter for the health of it. The Grand Rapids Public Library was part of this 10-day festival. On kickoff day, we invited teens to perform in our hilarious Improv night.

One of the skits Tim Cusack led teens through was this one called “Handout.” Audience members gave the occupation of “gravediggers” to our two performers, who then had to put their hand out periodically and incorporate audience words into their skit.

Check out more of our funny skits on our YouTube channel.

Filed under: Events
Tags: improv, laughfest, Teens
by kolene on March 29, 2012
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We’re teaming up with LaughFest to bring you the Library’s first ever Teen Improv Night!

Are you the class clown? Do you always want to be the center of attention? Do you enjoy an audience? Then why not perform at our Teen Improv Night? Performers will create characters, scenes and songs on the spot, based on audience suggestions and prompts from the host, Tim Cusack.

If you’ve ever wanted to be a part of a three headed expert, now is your chance!

This hilarious event is happening Thursday, March 8 at 7 pm at the downtown Main Library.

To learn more about Improv, visit learningimprov.com.

Filed under: General

by kolene on February 21, 2012
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Lately if you’ve been browsing our new section you will find tons of recently released dystopian novels.  They’re the hot new thing and all the publishers are looking for the next Hunger Games.  Here are some of the top contenders.

Our Top Pick:

Legend by Marie Lu

In a dark future, when North America has split into two warring nations, fifteen-year-olds Day, a famous criminal, and prodigy June, the brilliant soldier hired to capture him, discover that they have a common enemy.

Also Try:

Divergent by Veronica Roth

In a future Chicago, sixteen-year-old Beatrice Prior must choose among five predetermined factions to define her identity for the rest of her life, a decision made more difficult when she discovers that she is an anomoly who does not fit into any one group, and that the society she lives in is not perfect after all.

Wither by Laura DeStefano

After modern science turns every human into a genetic time bomb with men dying at age twenty-five and women dying at age twenty, girls are kidnapped and married off in order to repopulate the world.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Sixteen-year-old Thomas wakes up with no memory in the middle of a maze and realizes he must work with the community in which he finds himself if he is to escape.

Filed under: Books
Tags: dystopian fiction, Teens
by Kate on December 17, 2011
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Teen Advisory Board (TAB) is here!

Grand TAB is a forum for you to express your interests. Be the voice of your school and community by planning fun and engaging programs with the Library. You can help us offer programming and services that  you are passionate about. From creation to participation, it’s all about what you want!

To find out more information, come to one of the  information sessions at he Library! There are two times to make it.

• Monday, January 9 at 5:00 pm at the Main Branch
• Friday, January 13 at 4:00 pm at the Madison Square Branch

We’ll answer any and all questions including, but… not limited to:

• What is Teen Advisory Board?
• How do I join?
• What do I have to do? When does it meet?
• Will there be food?

Bring a friend, bring two friends, and come see how you can impact how your library can better serve YOU.  TAB is here for YOU and needs YOU to succeed. Help the library help YOU.  Join Teen Advisory Board. Come have YOUR voice heard.

If you can’t make either information session, or you’re too excited to wait till January to find out more, send your questions to TAB@grpl.org.

Filed under: General
Tags: TAB, teen advisory board
by Melissa on December 12, 2011
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Looking for the next great read?  Finish the Hunger Games and looking for something along the same lines?  Well, look no further than this Dystopian reading list.  I’ll be posting more great dystopian reads in the next couple of weeks so keep and eye out and feel free to make suggestions!

The Giver by Lois Lowry

After being given his lifetime assignment at the Ceremony of Twelve, Jonas becomes the receiver of memories shared by only one other in his community and discovers the terrible truth about the society in which he lives.  This book presents a supposedly perfect society with a very disturbing under belly.

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Tally is about to turn sixteen. In her world your sixteenth birthday brings an operation that turns you from a repellent ugly to a stunningly attractive pretty and catapults you into a high-tech paradise where your only job is to have a great time. But Tally’s new friend Shay isn’t sure she wants to be pretty. She’d rather risk life on the outside. When Shay runs away, Tally learns a whole new side of the pretty world– and it isn’t very pretty. Then the authorities offer Tally the worst choice she could imagine: find her friend and turn her in, or never turn pretty at all.

The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer

In a future where humans despise clones, Matt enjoys special status as the young clone of El Patrón, the 142-year-old leader of a corrupt drug empire nestled between Mexico and the United States.  Follow Matt as he grows into a teenager and discovers the truth behind his existence.

The Declaration by Gemma Malley

Set in the year 2140 in England, this chilling dystopian tale explores issues of overpopulation, global warming and the ethics of immortality. A drug called Longevity has made life without death a reality for the masses-but driven humanity to the brink of a Malthusian catastrophe. Orwellian-like Authorities have all but outlawed procreation in an effort to stabilize the population. Those born illegally are inevitably captured, sent to processing facilities and taught to be Valuable Assets to society, i.e., slaves to the immortals. Surplus Anna has spent most of her 14 years inside Grange Hall, where she has learned to hate not only herself but also the parents who selfishly broke the Declaration in giving life to her.

Unwind by Neal Shusterman

In a future world where those between the ages of thirteen and eighteen can have their lives “unwound” and their body parts harvested for use by others, three teens go to extreme lengths to uphold their beliefs–and, perhaps, save their own lives.

Filed under: Books
Tags: dystopian fiction, House of the scorpion, Hunger Games, Teen reads, The Declaration, The Giver, Uglies, Unwind
by Kate on November 29, 2011
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A normal life- comprising just work, family and friends

All’s well, but heart yearning for something different

Then comes the person, we always longed for

World never seemed that beautiful, before

All other things/people start losing their priority

Heart wishes to be with that person till infinity

Somewhere at this stage, clouds start shadowing

Fighting, shouting, misunderstanding, crying

A sudden jump from world of fantasies to reality

Smiling, talking, socializing, infact living as a formality

Heart still on that person

But a self realization,

Of falling into misconceptions

Love often fails-a lifetime lesson

Filed under: General> Poetry
Tags: Poetry
by insomniac.aditi on November 19, 2011
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Come to the Wizard’s Ball on Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 2pm.

One of the fun things you can do is take part in costume contest by coming dressed as your favorite Harry Potter character.

Crafts that are inspired by the Harry Potter books and movies will be at the wizarding table. Create your own owl, make an origami golden snitch or have a lightning bolt painted on your forehead.

Filed under: General
Tags: Programs, Teens
by Diana on November 3, 2011
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Come to the Wizard’s Ball on Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 2 pm at the Main Library. Everyone is welcome.

Dress as you favorite Harry Potter character for the costume contest. This contest is open to everyone. Books awarded for the best costumes.

Check out this book Charmed Knits if you’re interested in knitting. Meet a wizard from the Grand Rapids Public Museum and enjoy all the activities.

Help us kick-off the exciting new exhibit Harry Potter’s World: Renaissance Science, Magic and Medicine.

Filed under: General
Tags: Programs, Teens
by Diana on October 25, 2011
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