And Speaking of Writing...

Check out:

Writer's Circle

Mondays, 7:00 -- 8:00 p.m.

Rice St. Library
1011 Rice St.
651-558-2223

Come share your writing and get feedback in a friendly, supportive atmosphere.

Poetry to prose, nonfiction to novels, all writing is welcome.

Human Rights Essay Contest

Amnesty International Group 315
Human Rights Essay Contest 2009

Essay Topic:

As we celebrate the 200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln, the author of
the Emancipation Proclamation, discuss the nature and extent of
human trafficking today and how this form of modern day slavery
violates basic human rights.
Who can enter: All Minnesota students in grades 9-12
Prizes:
First Prize: $350 and commemorative plaque
Second Prize: $150 and commemorative certificate
Honorable Mentions: Commemorative certificate
Prizes will be presented at a special ceremony on May 21, 2009. In addition, award winners will be
publicized in the local media.

Rules:

— Entries are limited to three double-spaced typewritten pages, not counting bibliography.
— Each entry must include a cover sheet with the following information: Student’s name, grade, and
age, name of school, home address and telephone number. E-mail address is desired, but not
required.
— Essays will be judged on clarity, persuasiveness, and quality and completeness of information
(bibliography required).
— All submitted essays become the property of Amnesty International Group 315.

Deadline:

MAY 2, 2009

Entries should be E-mailed to ginbopp@comcast.net or mailed to
Virginia Bopp, AI Group 315
1309 Jersey Avenue, North
Golden Valley, MN 55427

For more information, contact Virginia Bopp, Essay Contest Coordinator @ (763) 546-1377.
Also please visit www.twincitiesamnesty.org and www.amnestyusa.org

The Jewels (Story)

During late fall/early winter, Highland Library presented Writing Up A Storm: A Teen Writer's Group. Young writers came and shared what they had written in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. Below is a portion of a story by one of these writers, who even has her own website. Enjoy!

Here is a bunch of stuff from my story:

Chapter 1

The City and A Visitor

Rosa Mesea was sitting on a bench in a courtyard in the city of Rosetta, Elou, Land of Men. The courtyard walls were made of dark stone that were covered with tapestries of treasure and gods. Green grass grew lusciously and yellow and pink tulips and rhododendrons blossomed whole-heartedly. This courtyard was in a castle, and this castle was Rosa's home. She was a princess.

Rosa looked to the right of the courtyard to where a door was. This door led to the great dining hall. She started toward it, but as if by a magnet, turned to the opposite wall. The opposite wall was very high and had one arrow slit that looked over the town below. Rosa had often looked out and watched the people in the town.

Rosa walked over to the wall and looked out. Then she turned sharply and walked out. She was going outside.

*    *    *

As this was happening, an armored figure was coming out of the mountain 3 miles away.

*    *    *

Rosa climbed down on a rope in a wool skirt and cotton lace-up shirt that she borrowed from a friendly lady servant. The only royal thing she had with her was a leather rope necklace with a large opal at the end. Her mother, the queen, had said to never take it off or lose it. 

She had told her lady-in-waiting that she would be taking a nap and would not like to be disturbed in the next few hours.

As soon as she hit the bottom of the outside of the castle, it was like she was in a whole new world. Bustling people in clothes of which she had on, crowded the streets. There was only one very pretty thing in this jumbled mass of people, and that was a community vegetable garden. The only person in the garden was a girl her age, working hardily on pulling weeds. She had pale skin and slightly red cheekbones. Her mouth was finely shaped and hands were thin and fair. Rose stepped toward the girl and knelt beside her. Rosa helped her pull weeds. After about 15 minutes, the girl got up and made a sudden noise. Rosa jumped. They both stood up and the girl asked, "What's your name?" "Ros-Rosittia" Rosa said shakily, catching herself just in time. "Cassie" she said and held out her hand. They shook.

*    *    *

The armored stranger had just entered the city, and saw two plainly dressed girls shaking hands. At first glance, they looked like normal girls from all over town. But at second glance, the stranger saw that one of the girls looked very familiar. Also the stranger saw a leather rope around her neck.

*    *    *

After introductions, they went to Cassie's house to ask if they could go swimming. Her mother said it was ok.

It was a perfect day for a swim. The air was warm and dragonflies flew low over the water. As they bathed, Cassie told a bit about herself. Rosa found out that Cassie had been found in a forest when she was two. Since then, she has lived with her adopted parents. Then Cassie asked about Rosa's life. Rosa turned very pale. "What is it, Rosita?" asked Cassie, very alarmed. Rosa got out of the pond and sat under a tree. Cassie got out and sat next to her.

Rosa asked "Cassie, can you keep a secret?"

"Sure I can!" said Cassie, thrilled with the chance to keep a secret.

"Well…"

"What?!"

"Umm…"

"Go ahead!"

"Ok. First of all, my name isn't Rosita, it's Rosa."

"What!"

"Yes."

Rosa twisted and rung her hands in nervousness. "Yes," she said again under her breath.

"Anything else?" Cassie asked, her eyes shining.

"Yes. I am a princess."

"Really."

"Yes."

"O.K."

"Uh oh! I've got to go. I hope to see you tomorrow, right here, at noon?"

"Sure!" said Cassie, nodding her head.

Rosa ran toward the castle.

*    *    *

Rosa climbed up a vine that led up to her bedroom window. She jumped inside and walked across the room. Then she stopped. She felt a presence behind her

Rosa whirled around to find a figure had been standing behind her. When it stood, it reached five and a half feet tall. It seemed to have long blonde hair and bright blue eyes. This figure also seemed to have armor, but the armor wasn't steel or iron, but a silky material although strong as stone. It seemed to be a man, but was fair enough to be a woman or even a child. This person said in a calm voice, "I saw in the village today. You know you're not allowed out there."

Rosa was speechless. How did it know? Rosa managed to squeak out "Who are you?"

"I am Coleaf Monarch of Elvenwald. My father was a friend of your father."

"Oh."

Rosa thought about what Coleaf had said. Wasn't Elvenwald were the elves lived? Also her father was away, so Coleaf couldn't be visiting him.

Then Rosa spoke up and said, "Would you please leave the room so I can dress for dinner?"

"Of course," Coleaf said a little alarmed, and left the room, shutting the door behind it.

Rosa quickly surveyed the room. Then she saw a shadow move across the bottom of the door. Coleaf was listening to see if she would escape.

         So Rosa undressed and redressed in a shimmering dinner dress. She spruced up her hair and walked stiffly past Coleaf and down to dinner.

The Jewels (Question)

Okeey-Dokeey! Here goes! Ok, so I was wondering how to get my story on to the blog and stuff. So if you could tell me, that would be great!

-- Anneliese

Anneliese:
Do you know how to send an attachment through email? If not, then you could copy and paste some of your story and email it to this blog -- especially the lyrics of your Elvish song. That would be great!

Book Club In A Bag

They're heeere!!!



The Saint Paul Public Library has a great selection of new Book Clubs in a Bag with teen appeal. You can find these in the catalog with the rest of the Book Clubs in a Bag titles by searching “book club set” in the catalog’s keyword search.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian—Sherman Alexie
Al Capone Does My Shirts—Gennifer Choldenko
American Born Chinese—Gene Yang
The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation
Vol. I: The Pox Party—M. T. Anderson
Blood and Chocolate—Annette Curtis Klause
The Book Thief—Markus Zusak
Chasing Vermeer—Blue Balliett
The City of Ember—Jeanne DuPrau
Coraline—Neil Gaiman
Defect—Will Weaver
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks:
A Novel—E. Lockhart
Drita, My Homegirl—Jenny Lombard
Feed—M. T. Anderson
The First Part Last—Angela Johnson
Frindle—Andrew Clements
Godless—Pete Hautman
The Headless Cupid—Zilpha Keatley Snyder
Holes— Louis Sachar
Hoot—Carl Hiaasen
Just Ella—Margaret Peterson Haddix
The Lightning Thief—Rick Riordan
Looking for Alaska—John Green
Make Lemonade—Virginia Euwer Wolff
Monster—Walter Dean Myers
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH—Robert C.O’Brien
Pictures of Hollis Woods—Patricia Reilly Giff
Rash—Pete Hautman
Rats Saw God—Rob Thomas
Shackleton’s Stowaway—Victoria McKernan
Skellig—David Almond
Sold—Patricia McCormick
A Step from Heaven—An Na
Tangerine—Edward Bloor
This Is All: The Pillow Book of Cordelia Kenn—Aidan Chambers
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle—Avi
Twilight—Stephenie Meyer
The Uglies—Scott Westerfeld
Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art—Scott McCloud
A Wrinkle in Time—Madeleine L’Engle

St. Anthony Library's Teen Book Club

Did you know that the Saint Anthony Library's Teen Book Club has its own blog? For information on upcoming dates, times, and book titles, read on!

Highland Library's Teen Book Club

Highland Library's next Teen Book Club meeting will be:

Saturday, April 4, at 2:00 p.m.

We'll be discussing The Alchemyst by Michael Scott.

Summary:
While working at pleasant but mundane summer jobs in San Francisco, fifteen-year-old twins, Sophie and Josh, suddenly find themselves caught up in the deadly, centuries-old struggle between rival alchemists, Nicholas Flamel and John Dee, over the possession of an ancient and powerful book holding the secret formulas for alchemy and everlasting life.



Highland Library
1974 Ford Parkway St. Paul, MN 55116
651-695-3700

Come join us!

Return of the King (Movie)

Return of the King (Movie)

The trilogy of Lord of the Rings has truly changed the way people think of fantasy. The epic battles, the danger, and the forbidden love is what made people fall in love with these masterpiece films. In this significant third and last installment of the trilogy, Frodo must complete his treacherous quest to bring the ring up to the fires of Mount Doom. But, darkness has almost completely devoured Middle Earth, putting Frodo and his friends in even greater jeopardy. The Two Towers left us with Gollum guiding the way for Sam and Frodo, along with revealing his two extremely different personalities. Gollum schemes ways to get rid of the “stupid fat hobbit” Samwise Gamgee, in order to steal the ring from Frodo. Frodo’s troubles only worsen after Sam is forced to leave. The eye of Sauron is watching his every move, as well as the rest of the Fellowship. While Frodo struggles on his way, Aragorn, son of Arathorn, must earn his right as the true king of Gondor. However, Denathor, the Steward of Gondor, is bitter about his son’s death, and will have no king sit on his throne. Aragorn must find a way to destroy the growing army of orcs, and distract Sauron’s eye so that Frodo stands a chance to destroy the ring. In the end, (spoiler alert!) Frodo bids farewell to his hobbit companions, despite their weeping and pleading. He confesses that “the Shire has been saved....but not for me.” Return of the King is an incredible journey in which all of the characters learn the significance of love, overcoming darkness, and perhaps most important- sticking with your friends.

Reviewed by: RK

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

Millions of people have accompanied Harry Potter throughout his adventures. The seventh and final book, The Deathly Hallows wraps up everything that Harry has discovered in his previous years. He is 17, and he is not returning to Hogwarts. Instead, he is trying to locate the rest of the horcruxes, in order to destroy them. He is not the only one looking. Voldemort continues his greedy hunt for Harry. Harry must hide out, in the most unknown areas, praying that he will not be seen. His ever-loyal friends Ron and Hermione accompany him. Tempers rise among the three friends, and one ends up leaving the company. Harry is endangering his life, as well as his friends’ lives. He must demolish all of the horcruxes and fulfill the prophecy: “neither shall live while the other one survives.” A heart pounding epic adventure, The Deathly Hallows is a book full of, ruthlessness, and integrity coming from the most unexpected people

Reviewed by: RK

Rondo Community Outreach Library's "Anime Tuesdays"

Come to Rondo Community Outreach Library's Anime Tuesdays!

Tuesdays at 3:00 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room

This month we are showing the anime series Chrono Crusade.

Teens 14 and older are welcome to join us!



Rondo Community Outreach Library
461 N. Dale St. 55103
651-266-7400

2 Reviews From RK For Teen Tech Week

Hi. My name is RK, and I tried to set up a blogger account under the name "RT" but the St. Anthony Park library branch told me to just send the attachments to you directly. I filled out the green registration form at my library, so all I need is to have my reviews posted. I appreciate any help you can give me. If they end up being posted, I would love to see them.

Thank you,
RK

RK:
We'd love to see your reviews, too! Just email them to this blog at:

beth.harrington1.spplteenbloggers@blogger.com

Thanks!

EarthBound

I am writing this about the video game EarthBound for the Super Nintendo. It's one of the best RPG games for the SNES. It's about a boy who gains PSI powers from a meteorite that hits his small town of Onnet. From the meterorite, a bee named Buzz Buzz arises (and is soon killed) from the metorite and tells him that in 10 years, the alien force known as the giygas will take over, and from there he sets out on his journey to defeat the giygas.

Koanin

Runescape Club

Love Runescape, like the poster below? Then check out:

Runescape Club
Each week it’s nothin’ but Runescape.
Bring your friends!

Thursdays, 3:30 -- 5:00 p.m.

Rice Street Library
1011 Rice St. St. Paul, MN 55117
651-558-2223

Please register at the Information Desk.

Runescape

I like Runescape because it's fun. Runescape is fun because you can talk to people online. I like to play Runescape cause I want to see my level get bigger. I like to get cool drops.

The Shape of Water

The Shape of Water by Anne Spollen

It introduces a new sort of character. She's the sort of character that some people won't like, but you will still want to know her story. She is not a normal person, she's isn't preppy or gothic or ditzy or smart. There is almost no mention of school. There is only her, and her thoughts, and her knowledge. You can really see every little detail of her life.

Reviewed by: A

Rule of the Bone

Rule of the Bone by Russell Banks

It's very matter-of-fact. Everything in the book seems to be something you've heard of before, but have never actually seen. It could be any person's story. It all seems like something you'd do, if you had the chance, if you were in that situation. You're always thinking, "Yes, I would've done that too. That's the right thing to do."

Reviewed by: A

Tithe

Tithe by Holly Black

Holly Black incorperates a good mixture of urban life and folklore. She does a wonderful job of portraying teenage angst and wanting to belong. I find the mixture of folklore and modern day really draws you in.

Reviewed by: DWF

The Demonata: Lord Loss (Book 1)

The Demonata: Lord Loss (Book 1) by Darren Shan

It's scary, gory, and really creepy, and because it's fantasy. It's also good because Darren Shan writes it really well.

Reviewed by: AE

Valiant

Valiant by Holly Black

It was a very well-written story, and I found it very true to Holly Black's writing style. It was perfectly eerie, although constructed in such a way that the only way to predict it was to not predict at all. Every event was well timed and every detail maintained it's own importance.

Reviewed by: A

Win A FREE Flash Drive!

That's right, you can win a free flash drive by submitting a book, movie, or cd review to this blog during Teen Tech Week, March 8 -- 14.

For more details, stop by a Saint Paul Public Library Information Desk.

Go for it!