Wingspan Yoga for Teens

Join yoga instructor Julie Weiss to discover the many joys of yoga. In this program, teens will build strength, flexibility, and self-confidence through yoga postures, breathing techniques, and meditation. Yoga is fun, challenging, and helps you learn about the most important subject...You! Be within and soar beyond with Wingspan Yoga for Teens!

Please wear comfortable clothing, bring some water, and a yoga mat if you have your own. Extra mats will be available if you need to borrow.

FREE, BUT SPACE IS LIMITED. SIGN UP AT THE FRONT DESK.

Monday, January 7th
Monday, January 28th
Monday, February 11th
All classes from 5p-6p

CR@SH!

Chill out and Cr@sh. Bring your PSP or your Nintendo DS. Play games on our Gamecubes. Bring games for our PS2. Relax, eat tasty treats, make fun crafts.
FREE!


Friday, December 21st at 5:30pm

A Terrifying and Heartbreaking Story

A 13-year old girl named Megan Meier killed herself after being distraught by bullying via Myspace from a boy named Josh Evans. Megan and Josh had been Myspace friends, exchanging messages and all that other good stuff that goes along with those Myspace friends you have, but have never met in real life. Except one day Josh turned on Megan, and started posting hate filled bulletins about her. Megan was so upset, she hung herself in her parents house.

And now, it turns out, that Josh wasn't real. He was a made up profile by the parent of a girl Megan used to be friends with. The mother of Megan's ex-friend invented Josh so she could dig up information about Megan and use it against her.

Read the whole story here.

This is a heartbreaking story. I hope you all will read it and think twice before using words to hurt others. You never know how deeply they can wound someone.

CR@SH recap!

We had a record turn-out at CR@SH this past Friday. With 2 Gamecubes, a Nintendo 64, and Playstation 2, how could you go wrong? We decorated some cutie patootie tote bags, chowed down on some pizza rolls and other goodies and belted out some songs on Singstar. Not bad for a Friday night at the library. Although I may need to impose a "one time only" rule on "Sk8ter Boi". I've heard enough Avril to last me a lifetime.
And if you forgot to bring your tote bag home, it's waiting for you at the front desk.
Scroll down for pics.

Book Review - Touching Snow

Touching Snow by M. Sindy Felin

Karina is a Haitian-American, struggling to get through middle school, avoiding the taunting and teasing of her classmates, and trying to avoid being put into special education classes in the fall. At home, Karina and her sisters fear the wrath of their stepfather, whose harsh discipline includes regular "beat-ups", as Karina calls them. Living with her extended family in Chestnut Valley, New York, Karina and her sisters Enid and Delta know exactly what sets their stepfather off -- wasting the hard earned food that kids in Haiti would love to have, leaving lights on, not cleaning the kitchen properly, or being late to school. One night, he takes one of his beat-ups too far on Enid, and Karina and her sisters think that this might be the last straw, that their mother will finally kick Gaston out and they will no longer live in fear. This book will having you racing through to the last page. You'll be rooting for Karina and her sister, hoping they can escape a life of violence. It also gives a wonderful insight into what life is like for an immigrant family trying to adapt to living in the United States.

Book Review - Remembering Raquel

Remembering Raquel by Vivian Vande Velde

Maybe it's really morbid, but have you ever wondered who would come to your funeral if you died? Have you ever thought about what your classmates would say? Would the popular girls that ignored you all year long pretend to care that you're dead? Remembering Raquel is told through the voices of the people in Raquel's life - some she knew, some she didn't. But her death affects all of them, from the kids she talked to on her fantasy game message boards, to the school custodian that has to clean out her locker. We learn what kind of person Raquel was like when she lived -- caring, sarcastic, creative. And we get to see how one person's death can have a ripple effect on so many others. It's a little bit sad, but a quick and thought-provoking read.

Halloween Party and Day of the Dead Recap

We had lots of fun at the Halloween Party & at the Day of the Dead craft program. We'll definitely be doing both of these events next year - make sure to check out the pics (scroll down).

HALLOWEEN PARTY!

We are having a Halloween Party on Wednesday, October 31st at 2:45pm. Instead of the usual Teen Zone that day, we will have tasty Halloween treats, creepy crafts and a movie! You need to sign up in advance to get an invitation for the party, so stop by the Teen Zone today or Monday to sign up. Invitations will be given out next week.

Day of the Dead Craft - November 1st

Sugar Skull (c)2005 Chelsie Kenyon

Dia De Los Muertos is a holiday that originated in Mexico and is a time for remembering those who have passed. Celebrate this special day by decorating a sugar skull, a fun and creepy craft. Space is limited - make sure to sign up today!

Thursday, November 1st
5pm

For Teens in Grades 7-12

Dark and Dreary

Yesterday as I drove to the library in the dark and dreary rain, I heard a song on the radio that I haven't heard in more than 10 years. A song I used to listen to over and over, that at the time, described all my emotions to a "T". I got chills hearing it again. Here's my favorite part:

Fool enough to almost be it
And cool enough to not quite see it
And old enough to always feel this
Always old, I'll always feel this

No more promise no more sorrow
No longer will I follow
Can anybody hear me
I just want to be me
When I can, I will
Try to understand
That when I can, I will

-Smashing Pumpkins "Mayonaise"

Is there a song you like to listen to when you are feeling blue? Leave the lyrics in comments!

Celebrate Teen Read Week!

LOL @ Your Library!
It's Teen Read Week! Hurray! Read for the fun of it. Come to the library to celebrate with fun events - watch Transformers on Thursday night at 6 or come to Crash on Friday at 6pm.
We'll be rocking out to SingStar on the big screen Friday night, in addition to the playing games on GameCube. Bring you own games too (as long as they aren't rated M)

Make sure to vote for your favorite teen read for ALA's Teens' Top Ten!
ALA's Teen Top Ten

Our lip gloss is.....well, you know the rest.

We made lip gloss, lip balm, lip-whatever-you-want-to-call-it - today! It was a blast. Thanks to everyone that came out and got all sorts of crafty. Check out the pics below.

When Good Things Happen to Good People

Today, the universe is in perfect harmony. Rachel Cohn and David Levithan, two of my favorite authors, who co-wrote one of my favorite books, Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist - just got some great news. Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist is being made into a movie! And while I am usually not a big fan of big screen adaptations of books I hold close to my heart - it looks like this one is going to RULE! Michael Cera of this summer's funniest movie (in my humble opinion) Superbad is starring as Nick, and Kat Dennings is playing Norah. Among other things, Kat did a bunch of episodes of ER, and was also great in The 40-Year Old Virgin. Sounds like a perfect cast to me. I can't wait to see this movie! If you haven't read the book yet, get to it! Especially if you enjoy sarcasm, snarkiness, music, NYC, and/or romance.

Book Review - The Queen of Cool

The Queen of Cool by Cecil Castellucci


Libby Brin is the coolest girl in her Los Angeles high school. She's got it all, hot clothes, hot car, parents that give in to her every desire, invitations to all the cool parties. Whenever Libby gets an idea, everyone follows along - like when she came up with Wear Your Pajamas to School Day. Even though there are probably tons of kids that wish they could be just like Libby, Libby is BORED. Dreadfully, inexplicably, bored. So on her quest to make life more interesting, she signs up for an internship at the Los Angeles Zoo. She is forced to team up with Sheldon, who wears armpit-high acid washed jeans and has a crater face. Worse still, is Tina, aka Tiny, a little person with an annoyingly bubbly personality. Libby has to suffer through an entire winter term with these two losers, all the while mucking out animal cages. But after awhile, Sheldon and Tiny don't seem so bad. The more she gets to know them, the more Libby begins to like them. But how can Libby be the Queen of Cool with friends like Sheldon and Tiny? Libby is a really funny character, and even though she is really shallow in the beginning, it is great watching her grow throughout the book.

I read this book right after another book by Cecil Castellucci, called Boy Proof. I highly them recommend both!

It's Banned Books Week!

Celebrate your freedom to read!
What is Banned Books Week, you ask? Let's see what the experts in all things library have to say. Straight from the American Library Association:

Banned Books Week (BBW) celebrates the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one’s opinion even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular and stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of those unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints to all who wish to read them.

Truth!

Make sure you stop by the Westbury Library to grab a Banned Books Week booklist. Too lazy to make the trip? Here are a few books that have had the censors in a tizzy this year:

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

The Bermudez Triangle by Maureen Johnson

Athletic Shorts: Six Short Stories by Chris Crutcher

Fat Kid Rules the World by KL Going

Of course, all these and more are available at the Westbury Library.

Make Your Own Lipgloss

Is your lipgloss poppin? Learn how to make your very own yummy flavored lipgloss.
It's all free - but you MUST sign up at the front desk.

Friday, October 12th @ 4:30pm

Book Review - Tomorrow, Maybe

Tomorrow, Maybe by Brian James

Gretchen, nicknamed Chan, is living on the streets in New York City. She hangs out with a group of streetkids that scrape by begging for change and living in abandoned buildings. She knows everyone has a story, a reason why they left home -- but who has room in their hearts to pity others when your own life is so hard? That all changes when Elizabeth shows up at Chan's squat. Elizabeth is dirty, beautiful, and very young. Only eleven years old, Elizabeth is in worse shape that Chan could ever imagine being. So Chan decides to take her in, to protect her and keep her safe. Together they take on the streets, saving up money to escape their harsh reality. But it seems like no matter how hard they try, the streets keep winning. Chan has a truly unique voice and this book left my heart aching long after I put it down.

We Cr@shed!

Thanks to everyone that came out for our first Cr@sh session. We played Mario Kart Double Dash and Wrestlemania on our GameCube's, made super cute sand art glitter pens, played a round of Taboo and watched Night at the Museum. The next Cr@ash is October 19th at 6pm. Bring your GameCube or X-Box games, or if you have a game system you want to bring, we'll hook it up to one of our monitors. E-mail me if you have any questions!

Scroll down for pics!

Cr@sh - This Friday at 6pm

Come Crash at the Westbury Library. Play video games. Watch and review anime. Get crafty. EAT FOOD!

Friday night from 6-8pm

A manga maniac is on the loose

I have some startling news for you. A vile individual is destroying our manga collection. Several copies of Love Hina and Pichi Pichi Pitch have been ruined. The culprit is ripping out large sections of the books, rendering them useless. Many of these books are no longer in print, so I will not be able to replace them. I beg of you, if you know who is doing this, please oh please oh please, tell them to QUIT IT!

Book Review - Define "Normal"

Define "Normal" by Julie Anne Peters is one of the best books I have read all summer. It was recommended to me by the Westbury Middle School librarian, Ms. McCarthy - and I am so happy she mentioned it to me. The story is about two eighth grade girls, prissy and perfect Antonia, and punk and weird Jazz, who are paired up to participate in a peer counseling program at school. But even though Antonia's life might look perfect on the outside - straight A student, teacher's pet - she is struggling to keep it all together. Jazz is struggling too; her parents are pressuring her to fit in with their wealthy society, and all Jazz wants to do is express herself.

This is an amazing story about two people who couldn't be more different coming together to work on their problems, and how even when it seems like somone's life is picture perfect, everyone has issues.

The Teen Zone Returns September 6th

Laptops, movies, music and games, all at your fingertips! The Teen Zone is open to teens in grades 7-12. Get in on the action, Monday - Thursday from 2:30-4:30.

Book Review - Dead Girls Don't Write Letters

In a word.......creepy.

That's how I felt reading the book Dead Girls Don't Write Letters by Gail Giles. Sunny's older sister Jazz has been presumed dead in a fire when all of a sudden a letter from Jazz appears in the mail. Sunny is not entirely excited to find out her dear sister is alive and well. Everyone thought Jazz was talented, beautiful, sweet and smart, but Jazz also had a mean streak a mile long, something she made sure to hide from everyone except Sunny. So things definitely get weird when Jazz shows up at home. Jazz doesn't look quite right. But she acts like the old Jazz, knows intimate details about thir family, and has all her mannerisms. But Sunny quickly realizes she is NOT Jazz. Why would someone want to take over a dead girls life? Who is this girl pretending to be Jazz? Is she dangerous? I could not put this book down until I read the very last page. And here is a warning -- the ending leaves you asking more questions. A super fast, super creepy read.

Summer Reading Wrap-Up Party!

If you read three or more books this summer and submitted your reviews, you are invited to our Summer Reading Wrap-Up Party! The party is on Thursday, August 30th at 6pm. Eat pizza, collect your prizes, and talk about your favorite books of the summer.

Last day to submit summer reading reviews - August 27th

If you signed up for the summer reading program, make sure you get all your reviews in by next Monday, August 27th. You need to submit at least three reviews to get the invitation for our summer reading wrap-up party. It's going to be lots of fun, so keep those reviews coming!

Summer Readings Lists

Lost your summer reading list?
Click on the links below to download your school's summer reading list.
Need help finding your books? Ask a librarian! We are happy to help.

Westbury Middle School
Westbury High School
Carle Place Middle/High School

Hip-Hop Dance Class

It's our last program of the summer - so make sure you come out and show off your moves! The instructors from local dance school The Dancin' Place will be here to teach you a routine, and then you'll have the chance to perform. MAKE SURE TO SIGN UP AT THE FRONT DESK!!

Join us on Thursday, August 23rd at 6pm.

Our first blog!

Welcome to my very first blog!
I hope this blog will keep local teens up-to-date in all that is happening at the Westbury Library, from books to music to programs. Check back soon for more info!