Poem book hits the right chord

Hello Tween,
I love the rhythm of poetry...the way poems can make the words sing.

I have recently read a new book of original poems called “Dizzy in Your Eyes” by children’s book author Pat Mora that I would highly recommend. There are about 50 poems which convey many universal experiences of tween/teens.
Written in a variety of forms, these poems touch on love for sports and family; admiration for teachers; the loss of a loved one; the giddiness of first love and the pain of heartache. I can guarantee there will be at least one poem for you that will hit the right chord.

My Song
by Pat Mora

So many memories,
and I’m still young.
So many dreams,
my song’s just begun.

Sometimes I hear
my private melody grow,
then the sound vanishes,
but returns, I now know.

I’ve heard my heart break;
wounded, I’ve felt alone,
but slowly I learned
to thrive on my own.

I want to keep learning,
to deepen my song;
in whatever I work,
may my best self grow strong.........

(check out this book and read the rest of Mora’s stanzas for this poem)

Checking Out,
Mrs. V

Register NOW! Poetry and Pizza Night for Tweens

Hello Tweens!

When I was your age I loved poetry and wrote lots and lots of poetry. The words my favorite poets like Emily Dickinson really seemed to speak to me and reflected the "drama" I experienced in my young life. Funny thing is I can only write poetry when I am depressed...the good ones anyway. It has been many years since I wrote a poem, but every once in a while a stanza or two will creep in my mind and I won't have time to write it down. I might just take a gander at it for this upcoming program at the Main Library Children's Department.

Tweens will have the opportunity to share poems of their favorite poets or read what they have composed themselves inside the Children’s Theater. Song lyrics can also be shared or performed for their peers in grades fifth to eighth grades. Come read a funny, dramatic or sad poem in our intimate, relaxed café setting. Hot cocoa, pop, and pizza will be served. I believe this will be inspiring, so please join me and Mrs. Densmore for a poetic program. Register NOW!

Checking Out,

Mrs. V

New Moon Screening

Hello Tweens and Teens,

We have a great night planned for all “New Moon” fans! Don't miss the screening of "New Moon" on Tuesday, March 23 starting at 6:00 pm! We'll have refreshments a werewolf would love, games, and prizes. Bring your knowledge of the library and win "New Moon" themed goodies. Limited reserved seat tickets for the two rows are available when checking out 10 YA novels. Bring your receipts to the Adult Reference desk for your ticket and to get first dibs on a poster. All events will take place in the James R. Garfield Room at the Main Library. No registration required; for more info call (440) 255-8811. This movie is rated PG-13.

Hear the Eco! Listen to the Planet

Hello Tweens,
Whenever I get a spare minute from being a mom and working at the library I read my books or watch movies on my portable DVD player (a fantastic Christmas gift I received two years ago). Lately I have watched animated movies with an ecological bent and subject matter of a planet’s possible biological extinction if mankind or alienkind fail to take care of their planet or each other. There are three movies I would recommend: Science fiction movies “Battle for Terra” and “9”, as well as Barbie’s “Thumbelina.” They are movies with a message that are inspiring and thought-provoking.
Battle for Terra
Mala is a precocious girl living on the beautiful planet Terra, a place where peace and tolerance are celebrated. Unbeknownst to Mala and her fellow Terrians, the last inhabitants of Earth have exhausted the resources of their planet and those of three others. They are now searching for a new home. This Earthforce has discovered that the use of a Terraformer will make Terra habitable for humans. Unfortunately, it will become poisonous for the Terrians. When the Earthlings embark on a hostile invasion of Terra, Mala's father, Roven, is kidnapped. Hoping to save her father, Mala captures and hides Jim, a crashed human pilot. While Mala nurses Jim back to health, the two forge a friendship and a plan that could save both the human race and the planet of Terra. Soon, however, they realize that peace will not be secured unless they can combat both the Terraformer and dark political forces that will stop at nothing in their drive to achieve power for power's sake.
The animation production is beautiful and reveals the “soul” of the Terrians and the Earthlings. There is no bad guy in this film, just two species trying to survive in the universe. This film is about two friends who become ambassadors and peacekeepers over a planet that both species want for their own survival. This graceful and emotional tale is about sacrifices and the healing power of love and friendship.
9
When rag doll 9 first comes to life, he finds himself in a post-apocalyptic world where all humans are gone. It is only by chance that he discovers a small community of others like him taking refuge from fearsome machines that roam the earth intent on their extinction. Despite being the newest member of the group, 9 convinces the others that hiding will do them no good. They must take the offensive if they are to survive and they will need to discover why the machines want to destroy them in the first place. The very future of civilization may depend on them.
There is a certain innocence to these rag dolls, yet their circumstances and imperfections directs them to the same path mankind pursued…a dead end. 9’s hope and courage helps veer the group away from fear and destruction to instead a course of hope and survival. The group puts aside their different philosophies and personal motives to instead come together to battle one of mankind’s most technically fearsome war machine. It is a story of redemption and renewal.
Barbie Thumbelina
Meet a tiny girl named Thumbelina lives in harmony with nature in the magical world of the Twillerbees that's hidden among the wildflowers. At the whim of a spoiled young girl named Makena, Thumbelina and her friends have their patch of wildflowers uprooted and are transported to the city. This movie is about how one self-centered human being can negatively impact the world around them. Can you imagine how much damage can be inflicted by a population? Thumbelina is a feisty little character that will fight to keep her little garden world alive for future generations. This tiny character makes a huge impact on Makena, who underneath that selfish exterior lies a lonely girl striving to achieve her parent’s loving attention.
Check out this adorable movie and the special features where you can play the Flying Fairy Recycling game and Thumbelina's Green Thumb Challenge game.

Let me know if you have any suggestions for me regarding movies or books that convey a similar theme.
Checking out,
Mrs. V

Go for the Gold, Be an Olympic Reader

Hello Tweens!
I watched the Men's Singles Short Program Figure Skating Olympic competition last night. What a tough sport. Some may think the event is just an artistry and not a sport, but I would definitely disagree. Can you imagine performing triple axles and quads in front of thousands and knowing millions are watching and critiquing your performance in probably the most important event of your athletic career? The strength and power of their technical routines must match the artistic flow and expression of their performance. I would not want to be in their skates. I am sure it is tougher than it looks. Loved the passionate performance of the second place finisher USA Evan Lysacek. The first place finisher Russian Evgeni Plushenko didn't WOW me as much as Lysacek, but he must have had a little something more for the judges.
I was prepared to not like Lysacek, based upon my opinion on some soundbites, that he was arrogant, but when he finished his performance with tears in eyes, I reassessed my opinion. I guess a good athlete needs to be sure and confident about him/her self. One has to be to compete in front millions. These athletes truly care about being the best at what they do, and I guess I can't fault them on being a little proud of a job well done. After all they commit much of their lives to working hard to achieve a goal and when they do they are going to want to crow about it. I respect Lysacek on "walking the talk." I am glad he did well. He made our country proud.

To join the ride to Olympic glory, the Main Library children's department and the branches are conducting a reading incentive program called Go for the Gold! Be an Olympic Reader. Enter a chance to win some official Olympic prizes, t-shirt, pins and a stuffed toy moose with every five books or more checked out. Check out our website for more information. Drawing to be held on Monday, March 1, 2010.

Signing Off,
Mrs. V

Styling hair is an artform

I came across a beautiful book of about hair fashion illustrated and written by collage artist Terence Lawlor.
The fairytale-type setting takes place inside a palace full of lords and ladies with nothing better to do than pursue the latest trends in high fashion...especially hair fashion.
A monthly contest is held to name the top fashionista...mainly it is between three divas who regulary win the prize. These cold-hearted women were nicknamed by the social set as The Vanities. Their secret to their success and glory was an orphan child with a talent for hairstyling they "adopted."
Read how this orphan teaches the vanities a lesson in how to not be a fashion victim. This adorable Cinderella-like story is visually pleasing accompanied by lilting, humerous rhymes.

Signing Off,
Mrs. V.

Tweens have fashion sense

Recently went to a local mall and it seemed it had been turned into a venue for fashion week. Boy, do you kids know how to dress up into what I call a real art form, yet each person still managed to maintain their individuality despite the similar fashion sense of the group they were hanging out with.

There was the "scene look," which I am told is only about two years old. Tweens/teens wearing their dark hair in a shag-angle cut, flattened very straight. Their dark, heavy makeup matched the dark clothes accented by bright neon colors. A really rockin' and confident look.

The "preppy and popular" group dressed in light-colored, fitted, cowboyish, expensive brand-name clothing brought a smile to my face. I would describe this group as "flirty, bouncy and bright" wearing their Ugg boots and knit caps.

A crossover group of tween/teens seemed to have taken the best of both worlds and made it their own. One girl wore a long shirt dress, leggings, leg warmers with boots. The ensemble was accented with bright pieces of jewelry and long necklaces. This bohemian look was very pretty and feminine.

Thankfully I only saw two boys wearing those low-riding jeans with their boxers revealed. Dare I hope that fashion fad is on its way out. Anyway, great job kids! You are not only expressive, but fashion forward and I admire your initiative to be creative.

If you would like more accurate observations on current fashion trends check out the Feb/March issues of Girls Life and Discovery Girls magazines in the MPL Main Children's Department.

Checking out,
Mrs. V