EOL's Teen Scene

Wandmaking Friday October 14th & Quidditch Sunday October 16th

2011-10-10T17:50:00.000-05:00

Two Great Programs This Week!!!

Friday October 14th, join us in the meeting room of the Emmet O'Neal Library for some seriously cool wandmaking. All your friends will be so jealous of your Olivander's style wand! So easy and so super-fly!

Speaking of super-fly...On Sunday October 16th from 1-3 pm we will have Quidditch on the field across the street from the library!
Be there or be grounded!

Quidditch! For the Win!!!

2011-07-05T10:48:00.000-05:00

Saturday July 16th from 10 am-3pm
The Emmet O'Neal Library Young Adult Department will hold our first ever Quidditch Tournament for Teens! Come be the Wizard you know you are. You will learn all the ins and outs of playing quidditch, college style. That's right we'll be playing by International Quidditch League rules!
Come be a part or cheer your favorite Hogwarts House on!
Prizes Prizes and Prizes!!!

Summer Reading--We, the Awesome!

2011-06-04T12:47:00.003-05:00

That's right. You read correctly.
We, the young adults of the Emmet O'Neal Library, do humbly wear the mantle of awesomeness.
We're awesome like Sasquatch.
We're awesome like Mr. T.
We're awesome like Chuck Norris riding on the magical unicorn of happiness.

Wanna be awesome too?

Then come on down to our programs this summer!
We're giving away not one, not two, but three color Nooks!
Why?
Because we're awesome!

There are three Ways to Win!

First Way
1. Keep a list of the titles you read and their respective page numbers.
2. Tally up the total pages you have read and turn your book list in by Wednesday July 20th.
3. Winner will be announced on Friday July 22nd at 4:30 pm.

Second Way
Random Drawing
Sign up for summer reading and your name is entered to win.
Plus, for every program you come to, you get to enter your name for an additional chance to win!
Winner will be announced on Friday July 22nd.

Third Way
Creativity
Express how the Emmet O’Neal Library is awesome in song, video, essay, poem, painting, etc. ad infinitum.
Your imagination is the only limitation as long as we have some sort of finished product in hand.
Winner will be announced on Friday July 22nd.

Come into the cool! Come into the awesome! Come into the Emmet O'Neal Library!

Teen Writing Workshop

2011-04-12T17:55:00.003-05:00

Join us Friday April 29th from 4-6 pm for a hands on writing workshop with the amazing poet and acclaimed children's author, Irene Latham.
Irene has a wealth of knowledge and ideas that will get your creativity flowing.
Be here!

2010's Most Challenged Books

2011-04-11T09:33:00.000-05:00

"And Tango Makes Three" waddles its way back to the number one slot as America’s most frequently challenged book | American Libraries Magazine

Library Video Contest Winner!!!!

2011-04-11T09:30:00.001-05:00

RED VELVET WHOOPIE PIES!

2011-01-11T15:52:00.002-06:00

Greetings Teensations!

This Friday January 14th we're bringing in Chef Extraordinaire Angela
Schmidt to take us on a hands-on culinary journey. Chef Angela holds five
degrees in Culinary Awesomeness and has a special recipe cooked up just
for us.

"But Matt", you ask, "what are we going to be cooking?"

Try RED VELVET WHOOPIE PIES. That's right. I said it. RED VELVET WHOOPIE
PIES. It's a guaranteed good time.

We'll start out at 4 in the meeting room and then transfer down to the
super secret underground kitchen. I bet you didn't know the library had a
super secret underground kitchen. We do. And now you've got an exclusive
pass to visit it.

Pre-registration for this program is greatly appreciated, so we know what
quantity of ingredients to purchase, so give us a call, drop me an email,
or just show up on Friday at 4.

Don't Forget You Can Prep for Your Big Tests for Free Online!

2010-10-06T14:23:00.008-05:00

ACT/SAT/PSAT & AP Practice Exams for Free!
For Real, Yo!

Here's how it works:

1. Go to our website: www.eolib.org

2. At the bottom of the page click on "Research Databases."

3. In the left-hand column under the heading "Social Sciences and Tests"

click on "LearningExpressLibrary."

4. Under New Users click "Register" and fill out the required information.

5. On the left side of your screen click "College Preparation." Choose

what exam you want to take and voila! It's super cool and each test is timed just like the real deal.

6. Need help? Call a librarian at 445-1121, and we'll help get you set up.

7. Ace your exam!

Remember you will need a valid library card in order to access the exams, so come by the Emmet O'Neal library to get a card or get your card renewed. All you need to get a library card is a valid driver's license or your parent or guardian to come in with their driver's license. And don't

forget to stop by and say hello to us on the second floor.

What the librarians are reading...

2010-09-15T10:30:00.001-05:00

The Great Wide Sea by M.H. Herlong

Grades 7 - 10

Ben, Dylan, and Gerry are still mourning their mother’s death when their dad decides to buy a boat and take them on a year-long sailing trip. Tensions flare between Ben and his father, but they gradually learn to live together in close quarters. Then one morning the boys wake up to discover their father has disappeared—and they are lost. What happened to him? Where are they? And what will they do when a terrible storm looms on the horizon?

The Big Burn by Jeanette Ingold
Grades 6 - 9

Based on the events surrounding one of the biggest fires of the twentieth centry, The Big Burn is a portrait of a time and a place and an event that altered the face of Montana and Idaho, changed the way we fight wildfires, and dramatically transformed the people on the front lines forever.

Fat Cat by Robin Brande

Grades 8 and up

You are what you eat. . . .Cat is smart, sassy, and funny—but thin, she’s not. Until her class science project. That’s when she winds up doing an experiment—on herself. Before she knows it, Cat is living—and eating—like the hominids, our earliest human ancestors. True, no chips or TV is a bummer and no car is a pain, but healthful eating and walking everywhere do have their benefits. As the pounds drop off, the guys pile on. All this newfound male attention is enough to drive a girl crazy! If only she weren’t too busy hating Matt McKinney to notice. . . .This funny and thoughtful novel explores how girls feel about their bodies, and the ways they can best take care of their most precious resource: themselves.

A Brief History of Montmaray by Michelle Cooper

Grades 7 -10

“There’s a fine line between gossip and history, when one is talking about kings.” Sophie Fitzosborne lives in a crumbling castle in the tiny island kingdom of Montmaray with her eccentric and impoverished royal family. When she receives a journal for her sixteenth birthday, Sophie decides to chronicle day-to-day life on the island. But this is 1936, and the news that trickles in from the mainland reveals a world on the brink of war. The politics of Europe seem far away from their remote island—until two German officers land a boat on Montmaray. And then suddenly politics become very personal indeed. A Brief History of Montmaray is a heart-stopping tale of loyalty, love, and loss, and of fighting to hold on to home when the world is exploding all around you.

God Is In the Pancakes by Robin Epstein

Grades 8 - 10

Fifteen-year-old Grace Manning is a candy striper in a nursing home, and Mr. Sands is the one patient who makes the job bearable. He keeps up with her sarcasm, teaches her to play poker . . . and one day cheerfully asks her to help him die. At first Grace says no way, but as Mr. Sands’s disease progresses, she’s not so sure. Grace tries to avoid the wrenching decision by praying for a miracle, stuffing herself with pancakes, and running away from all feelings, including the new ones she has for her best friend Eric. But Mr. Sands is getting worse, and she can’t avoid him forever. Robin Epstein has delivered an incredibly engaging, thought-provoking debut YA novel, with all the snappy dialogue and attitude of the movie Juno.

Honey, Baby, Sweetheart by Deb Caletti

Grades 9-12

"I'm not usually a reckless person. What happened the summer of my junior year was not about recklessness. It was about the way a moment, a single moment, can change things and make you decide to try to be someone different."

Ruby McQueen is a sixteen-year-old high school student with the name, she thinks, of a rodeo cowgirl porn star, or, maybe worse, a Texas beauty queen runner-up. Her mother, Ann, one of the town librarians, was reading too much Southern literature before Ruby was born, and Chip, Ruby's father, who was already dreaming of Nashville stardom, thought it would make a great stage name someday. Soon after Chip Jr. was born, Chip left to try his luck in the music business and ended up at the Gold Nugget Amusement Park one state over. He returns occasionally for visits that turn Ann's heart upside down, and Ruby's stomach inside out. It is summer in the northwest town of Nine Mile Falls, a place where brown bears sometimes show up in the shopping mall and people in hang gliders soar down the mountains and sometimes get stuck dangling from the trees. Ruby, ordinarily dubbed The Quiet Girl, finds herself hanging out with gorgeous, rich, thrill-seeking Travis Becker. With Travis, Ruby can be someone she's never been before: Fearless. Powerful. But Ruby is in over her head, and finds she is risking more and more when she's with him.In an effort to keep Ruby occupied and mend her own broken heart, Ann drags Ruby to the weekly book club she runs for seniors. At first Ruby can't imagine a more boring way to spend an afternoon, but she is soon charmed by the Casserole Queens (named, quite ironically, after women who bring casseroles to new widowers' homes in hopes of snagging a husband). When the group discovers one of their own members is the subject of the tragic love story they are reading, Ann and Ruby ditch their respective obsessions to spearhead a reunion between the long-ago lovers. But this mission turns out to be more than just a road trip. Somewhere along the way Ruby and her mother learn the true meaning of love and freedom from it, individual purpose, and the real ties that bind.

Beastly by Alex Flinn (the movie is due out next year)

Grades 8 and up
A beast. Not quite wolf or bear, gorilla or dog but a horrible new creature who walks upright—a creature with fangs and claws and hair springing from every pore. I am a monster. You think I'm talking fairy tales? No way. The place is New York City. The time is now. It's no deformity, no disease. And I'll stay this way forever—ruined—unless I can break the spell. Yes, the spell, the one the witch in my English class cast on me. Why did she turn me into a beast who hides by day and prowls by night? I'll tell you. I'll tell you how I used to be Kyle Kingsbury, the guy you wished you were, with money, perfect looks, and the perfect life. And then, I'll tell you how I became perfectly . . . beastly.

A Kiss In Time by Alex Flinn

Grades 5 - 8
Talia fell under a spell. . . . Jack broke the curse. I was told to beware the accursed spindle, but it was so enchanting, so hypnotic. . . .I was looking for a little adventure the day I ditched my tour group. But finding a comatose town, with a hot-looking chick asleep in it, was so not what I had in mind. I awakened in the same place but in another time—to a stranger's soft kiss. I couldn't help kissing her. Sometimes you just have to kiss someone. I didn't know this would happen. Now I am in dire trouble because my father, the king, says I have brought ruin upon our country. I have no choice but to run away with this commoner! Now I'm stuck with a bratty princess and a trunk full of her jewels. . . . The good news: My parents will freak! Think you have dating issues? Try locking lips with a snoozing stunner who turns out to be 316 years old. Can a kiss transcend all—even time?

Cloaked by Alex Flinn

This retelling of The Princess and the Frog will be published February 2011.

Scott Westerfeld's Uglies series (Uglies, Pretties, Specials, Extras)

Grades 6 and up
Tally is about to turn sixteen, and she can't wait. Not for her license -- for turning pretty. In Tally's world, your sixteenth birthday brings an operation that turns you from a repellent ugly into a stunningly attractive pretty and catapults you into a high-tech paradise where your only job is to have a really great time. In just a few weeks Tally will be there. 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 about a whole new side of the pretty world -- and it isn't very pretty. The authorities offer Tally the worst choice she can imagine: find her friend and turn her in, or never turn pretty at all. The choice Tally makes changes her world forever.

Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games trilogy (Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockingjay)

Grades 7 and up

Katniss is a 16-year-old girl living with her mother and younger sister in the poorest district of Panem, the remains of what used be the United States. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games." The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed. When Kat's sister is chosen by lottery, Kat steps up to go in her place.

Justin Somper's Vampirates series (Demons of the Ocean, Tide of Terror, Blood Captain, Black Heart, Empire of Night)

Grades 6 - 9

Twins, Connor and Grace, never dreamed that there was any truth to the Vampirate shanty their father sang to them before he died, but that was before the two were shipwrecked and separated from each other. For Connor, who is taken aboard a pirate ship, there's the chance to learn to swordfight, but for Grace, aboard a mysterious ship of vampire pirates, the danger is great. What will it take for them to find each other?

Derek Landry's Skulduggery Pleasant series (Skulduggery Pleasant, Playing With Fire, The Faceless Ones, Dark Days, Mortal Coil)

Grades 5 - 8
Meet Skulduggery Pleasant: Ace detective, snappy dresser, razor–tongued wit, crackerjack sorcerer, and walking, talking, fire-throwing skeleton—as well as ally, protector, and mentor of Stephanie Edgley, a very unusual and darkly talented twelve-year-old. These two alone must defeat an all-consuming ancient evil. The end of the world? Over his dead body.

Going Bovine by Libba Bray

Grades 8 and up

All 16-year-old Cameron wants is to get through high school—and life in general—with a minimum of effort. It’s not a lot to ask. But that’s before he’s given some bad news: he’s sick and he’s going to die. Which totally sucks. Hope arrives in the winged form of Dulcie, a loopy punk angel/possible hallucination with a bad sugar habit. She tells Cam there is a cure—if he’s willing to go in search of it. With the help of a death-obsessed, video-gaming dwarf and a yard gnome, Cam sets off on the mother of all road trips through a twisted America into the heart of what matters most.

D. J. MacHale's Pendragon series (The Merchant of Death, The Lost City of Faar, The Never War, The Reality Bug, Black Water, The Rivers of Zadaa, The Quillan Games, The Pilgrims of Rayne, Raven Rise, The Soldiers of Halla)

Grades 5 - 8
Bobby Pendragon is a seemingly normal fourteen-year-old boy. He has a family, a home, and even Marley, his beloved dog. But there is something very special about Bobby. He is going to save the world. And not just Earth as we know it. Bobby is slowly starting to realize that life in the cosmos isn't quite what he thought it was. And before he can object, he is swept off to an alternate dimension known as Denduron, a territory inhabited by strange beings, ruled by a magical tyrant, and plagued by dangerous revolution. If Bobby wants to see his family again, he's going to have to accept his role as savior, and accept it wholeheartedly. Because, as he is about to discover, Denduron is only the beginning....

Terry Pratchett's Discworld series (there are over 30 books in this series, here's a list!)
Terry Pratchett has invented a phantasmagorical universe in which a blissfully naive interplanetary tourist called Two-flower joins up with a drop-out wizard whose spells only seem to work half of the time. Together they undertake a chaotic voyage through a crazy world filled with monsters and dragons, heroes and knaves. Pratchett has taken the sword and sorcery fantasy tradition and turned it in its ear to create an entertaining and bizarre spoof.

Keeper by Kathi Appelt

Grades 4 - 7

To ten-year-old Keeper, this moon is her chance to fix all that has gone wrong...and so much has gone wrong. But she knows who can make things right again: Meggie Marie, her mermaid mother who swam away when Keeper was just three. A blue moon calls the mermaids to gather at the sandbar, and that's exactly where she is headed -- in a small boat, in the middle of the night, with only her dog, BD (Best Dog), and a seagull named Captain.

When the riptide pulls at the boat, tugging her away from the shore and deep into the rough waters of the Gulf of Mexico, panic sets in, and the fairy tales that lured her out there go tumbling into the waves. Maybe the blue moon isn't magic and maybe the sandbar won't sparkle with mermaids and maybe -- Oh, no..."Maybe" is just too difficult to bear. Kathi Appelt follows up to her New York Times bestseller, The Underneath, with a tale that will pull right at your very core -- stronger than moon currents -- capturing the crash and echo of the waves and the dark magic of the ocean.

What great books have YOU read lately??
Holley

Alabama Football this Saturday, Sept. 18th, 2010 at Emmet O'Neal Library

2010-09-14T09:19:00.002-05:00

Most 21st century libraries have books, movies, computers and even video games, but only one library brings you Alabama football in all its crimson glory, and that's the Emmet O'Neal Library in Mountain Brook.

Join us this Saturday, September 18th from 2:30-5:30 as we bear witness to the Crimson Tide beating the Blue Devil out of Duke University.

Barbecue, drinks, snacks and a hi-def big screen guarantee you'll be in the middle of the action.

School's back in session!

2010-08-18T14:33:00.004-05:00

How do you feel?

Like this?

Or like this?

Summer Reading is Over!!!!

2010-07-28T14:15:00.004-05:00

Another Summer Reading program has successfully drawn to a close, and we had record turn-outs for several of our programs. We had 210 students sign up, and they read about 1500 books among them. Standout programs were the water balloon war which brought out over 40 teens, the scavenger hunt with 30 teens, the soldering programs which taught 30 teens electronic basics and of course the Game On! video game tournaments that each drew around 40 students.

Congratulations to Michelle, Jeremiah and Cole who were the winners of our top three prizes!

Other notables were Susan, Madeline, Elizabeth, Julian and Esther who all earned over 500 points!!

Great job everyone, and thank you for making the Emmet O'Neal Young Adult Department the coolest place on planet Earth!!!

What's Cooler than Cool? iPad!!

2010-07-17T13:52:00.004-05:00

This Friday, July 23rd is the big day. I'll announce the winner of the iPad at the final party at 4:30 on Friday (you do not have to be present to win).

Unfortunately there can be only one winner of our iPad. I wish I could give an iPad to each of you who has worked so hard this summer! Seriously!

We've had fantastic reviews on all sorts of media: books, movies, magazines, music and manga...It's been so cool getting your perspectives on what's hot and what's not. But in the end, only one lucky teen will walk out of the Emmet O'Neal Library with the iPad. Will it be you?

Post Reviews in the Comments Here!

2010-06-08T09:46:00.002-05:00

How to Earn Points:
-Attend Programs - 20 points

-Read Books
You get points for books that you've read since May 23, 2010.
Less than 100 pages - 3 points
100-200 pages - 5 points
200-400 pages - 8 points
400-600 pages - 10 points
600-800 pages - 12 points
800-1000 pages - 15 points
Over 1000 pages - 18 points

-Write reviews
When writing reviews you can review any book, cd, movie or magazine that you've read since August 2009.
Book reviews - 5 points
Movie reviews - 3 points
CD reviews - 3 points (NOTE: review the entire album not just individual songs)
Magazine reviews - 3 points (NOTE: review the entire magazine)

-Post reviews on the teen blog
3 Bonus Points for posting reviews at www.eolteens.blogspot.com

A refresher on how it works:

You can review books, movies, or CD's you've read, seen, or listened to since May 23, 2010. In your review, include:
-the title and author/artist
-what you liked and/or disliked (plot? characters? the ending? too slow?)
-NO SPOILERS!!! DO NOT give a way the ending, or what happens to major characters!
-Give a rating or 1 to 5 stars, with 5 being the best of the best.
-Reviews should be at least 3-5 sentences long and be sure to put your initials at the end.
-Be creative! List your favorite tracks of a CD, favorite quote from a book, etc.
-After clicking on "Comments" and writing your review, select "Anonymous" and submit.
-Email Matt at mlayne@bham.lib.al.us to let him know which review you posted so your points will be logged.

For more information about these events or anything teen-related at EOL, contact Matt Layne!

mlayne@bham.lib.al.us

205/445-1141

Today is the day!

2010-06-05T14:49:00.001-05:00

Stephenie Meyers' Eclipse novella, The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner, is officially available! Visit the catalog and place your hold today!

Also, starting Monday June 7th, you can read it for free online at www.breetanner.com!

Happy reading!
Holley

SUMMER READING HAS ARRIVED!!!

2010-05-24T10:27:00.003-05:00

So come get signed up on the double!

The theme for the Emmet O'Neal Teen Summer Reading is Pirates vs. Ninjas.

This year we have some ginormous prizes for our top point earners:

1. A 16 GB iPad

2. An 8 GB iPod Nano with Video Camera

3. A 12 megapixel Casio Ex-S12 Digital Camera

"But, Matt, how do I earn points?" you ask.

I'm glad you asked.

Programs Attendance 20 points

Book Points

Less than 100 3 points

100-200 pgs 5 points

200-400 pgs 8 points

400-600 pages 10 points

600-800 pages 12 points

800-1000 pages 15 points

Over 1000 pages 18 points

Book Reviews 5 points

Movie Reviews 3 points

CD Reviews 3 points

*3 Bonus Points if reviews are posted on Teen Blog

(www.eolteens.blogspot.com)

Questions? Call Matt (205) 445-1141 or mlayne@bham.lib.al.us

Be the Force!

2010-05-07T15:05:00.001-05:00

Check out this coolio Star Wars video that stars YOU!

Win an iPad!!!

2010-04-13T16:14:00.002-05:00

Game On! Announcing the First-Ever Shmoop High School Essay Contest

Grand Prize = iPad 3G
(Yep, the kind that's not even in stores yet)

In celebration of National Poetry Month, your topic is a Robert Frost classic.

Get the contest details here

Open to high school students (or younger)
Deadline for entry: May 28
500 words maximum

Finalists Judged by Jim Burke. Mr. Burke is...

Special Advisor to Shmoop
AP English Literature and 9th Grade College Prep English teacher
Author of 20 books for English teachers
Founder of The English Companion Ning, an online community of more than 15,000 English teachers

Spread the Word: Share on Facebook or Share on Twitter

More Info: http://www.shmoop.com/news/2010/04/12/poetry-essay-contest-ipad/

cosmic contest

2010-04-07T11:23:00.003-05:00

The American Library Association has partnered up with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and IMAX to offer library patrons seats to the Hubble 3D movie, telescopes, and Hubble 3D posters!

Visit the Explore the Universe @ Your Library website, answer 6 questions about the Hubble Space Telescope, and you'll be entered into the drawing for one of 4 great prizes!

Grand prize (1 winner): 25 IMAX® tickets, a telescope and a signed Hubble 3D poster

1st prize (1 winner): Family 4-pack of IMAX® tickets, a telescope and a signedHubble 3D poster

2nd prize (2 winners): Family 4-pack of IMAX® tickets and a Hubble 3D poster

3rd prize (3 winners): Pair of IMAX® tickets and a Hubble 3D poster

The contest is open to kids enrolled in kindergarten through 12th grade and runs through April 30, 2010 so don't wait, enter the drawing now! Unfortunately, the film is only playing in 2D in Huntsville at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center but it makes a great road trip!

Check out the Hubble Space Telescope in the library's catalog and at their home on the web!

Holley

Cool New Music!!!!!

2010-03-09T10:45:00.002-06:00

The Top 20 Unsigned Bands with free downloads!

Enjoy!

-Matt

Hunger Games

2010-02-11T14:48:00.004-06:00

If you haven't yet picked up Suzanne Collins' books in the Hunger Games series, climb out from under that rock and head on over here, we'll set you up!

The premise of the story (from Collin's website):

Katniss is a 16-year-old girl living with her mother and younger sister in the poorest district of Panem, the remains of what used be the United States. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games." The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed. When her sister is chosen by lottery, Katniss steps up to go in her place.

Hunger Games is the first in the series, followed by Catching Fire. The last in the trilogy will be out August 24, 2010 and will be titled Mockingjay! Read the press release here!

In this USA Today article, notice that Collins mentions she has finished the screenplay for Hunger Games!

Happy reading!

Holley

Awesome Teen Internet Resources!

2010-02-09T10:33:00.005-06:00

Check out this site!

Resources galore!

And this one!

And this one!

And if that's not enough, find a great book here!

And here!

Food, Inc., Friday January 15th 5-7

2010-01-12T09:51:00.000-06:00

This Friday, January 15th, from 5 pm until 7 pm come get educated about healthier eating by watching the eye-opening documentary Food, Inc.

Food, Inc. reveals surprising—and often shocking truths—about what we eat, how it's produced, who we have become as a nation and where we are going from here.

We'll be serving organic local popcorn and other fresh local delicacies.

See you at the library!

Next Game On! December 4th!

2009-11-24T11:08:00.000-06:00

Paper Towns Top's Teens' Top Ten Choice

2009-10-22T15:34:00.002-05:00

NEWS
For Immediate Release
October 20, 2009

“Paper Towns” tops YALSA’s 2009 Teens’ Top Ten

CHICAGO — Teen readers across the country chose “Paper Towns” by John Green as their favorite book in the annual Teens’ Top Ten vote, sponsored by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA). Teens cast more than 11,000 votes online between Aug. 24 and Sept. 18, with the official list announcement during Teen Read Week, October 18-24.

The 2009 Teens’ Top Ten is:

1. Paper Towns by John Green (Penguin/Dutton)
2. Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)
3. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (Scholastic)
4. City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare (Simon & Schuster/Margaret K. McElderry)
5. Identical by Ellen Hopkins (Simon & Schuster/Margaret K. McElderry)
6. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (HarperCollins)
7. Wake by Lisa McMann (Simon & Schuster/Simon Pulse)
8. Untamed by P.C. and Kristin Cast (St. Martin's Griffin)
9. The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart (Disney-Hyperion)
10. Graceling by Kristin Cashore (Harcourt/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)

The Teens’ Top Ten is a booklist created entirely by and for teens as part of YALSA’s Young Adult (YA) Galley Project, which facilitates access to advance copies of young adult books to national teen book discussion groups. These groups evaluated books published between January 2008 through April 2009 and then created a list of 25 nominations. Teen voters across the country then cast ballots for their three favorites, creating the 2009 Teens’ Top Ten. Final nominations for the 2010 Teens’ Top Ten vote will be posted on Support Teen Literature Day, April 15, 2010 at www.ala.org/teenstopten.

To learn more about the teen book groups and participating in the YA Galley program, visit www.ala.org/teenstopten. Publishers interested in participating in the program may contact Nichole Gilbert, ngilbert@ala.org, for more information.

For more than 50 years, YALSA has been the world leader in selecting books, videos, and audio books for teens. For more information about YALSA or for lists of recommended reading, viewing and listening, go to www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists, or contact the YALSA office by phone, 800-545-2433, ext. 4390; or e-mail: yalsa@ala.org.

Downtown Library Hosts 1st Annual Ghoul's Ball for Teens

2009-10-22T14:28:00.001-05:00

Friday, October 2, 2009

Teens Invited to the 1st Annual Ghoul's Ball

Teens, you are invited to the 1st Annual Ghoul's Ball! There will be music, dancing, games, food, and a costume contest. Prizes will be awarded for the Scariest, Funniest, and Best Literary Character costumes. See you there! Mwa-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha...

What? 1st Annual Ghoul's Ball
Who may attend? Students in grades 7-12
Where? Central Library, Atrium
When? Thursday, October 29
Time? 7:00-9:00 p.m.

To register call 226-3651.

Posted by Tressa at 3:45 PM

Teen Read Week: Teens Vote for the Top Ten Books

2009-10-19T16:54:00.002-05:00

Click the image above to find out the 2009 Top Ten Teen Books!

Beatles Rock Band Wednesday, October 7th

2009-09-26T10:45:00.003-05:00

Beatles Rock Band at the the library, Wednesday October 7th, 4:30-6:30.

All You Need is Love, Help!, Strawberry Fields Forever, Yellow Submarine. We've got it. Come play it!

Prizes: iTunes Gift cards for the fabbest four + Door prizes galore!

Pizza, snacks and more fun than an octopus's garden in the shade!

Super Smash Bros. Brawl Friday September 4th

2009-08-30T15:55:00.002-05:00

This Friday the Game is back ON!

We'll be battling it out with Super Smash Bros Brawl.Flying babies, egg spitting dinosaurs, and some sort of blue hedghog that buzzes all over the screen! What could be better? Howzabout Magic the Gathering between rounds?

Be at the Emmet O'Neal Library Friday, September 4th from 4:30 to 6:30 to share the pure joy that is Super Smash Bros Brawl!

Pizza from Bongiorno's, gift cards for the top three contenders and more fun than you can shake a wii-mote at! Grades 7-12 only, please.

See you at the library!

Game On! Friday, August 7th 4:30-6:30

2009-08-04T11:14:00.002-05:00

This Friday the Game is back ON!

We'll be battling it out with Super Smash Bros Brawl.

Flying babies, egg spitting dinosaurs, and some sort of blue hedghog buzzing all around! What could be better? Howzabout Magic the Gathering between rounds?

Be at the Emmet O'Neal Library Friday, August 7th from 4:30 to 6:30 to share the pure joy that is Super Smash Bros Brawl!

Post Your Summer Reading Reviews

2009-07-14T14:50:00.000-05:00

Here!

Just hit the comment button and post away! Books, magazines, cd's or movie reviews. We want to hear what you really think!

Potterpalooza this Friday

2009-07-14T14:18:00.003-05:00

This Friday for one day only watch the bold evolution of young Harry Potter as he transforms into old Harry Potter. We're taking it from the Sorcerer's Stone to the Order of the Phoenix.

We are going to watch every single Harry Potter movie on our fantabulous new Blu-ray system. We'll start at 10 am and go until the credits roll on the Order of the Phoenix. I'm guesstimating around 10 pm.

See you on Friday!

No Program Friday July 3rd, Book Arts Friday July 10th

2009-07-01T14:37:00.004-05:00

We aren't having a teen program this Friday because the library's closed.

I, for one, am going to be home shooting bottle rockets and roman candles off of my deck while singing all of Lee Greenwood's hits. It's all about the patriotism, baby! There's Lee: >===============================>

Next week, howsomever, have I got a program for you!
Joe DeCamillis, Artist Extraordinaire, is going to show us the magic of book alteration. We're going to take old books and cut them and paint them and pound them and nail them and make them into amazing works of art. If you only come to one summer reading program this summer, then make it this one. I'm SERIOUS!!!

I've been collecting all these cool old art books and other crazy books for us to use. We'll provide everything you need plus pizza. If you want to add any photos to your book bring those along. That's Friday, July 10th, from 2:30-4:30 for Book Arts.

Questions? Call me 445-1141

-Matt

New Alex Rider Book!!!

2009-06-15T11:41:00.004-05:00

For all you Alex Rider fans, Anthony Horowitz has posted some information about the next book in the series on his blog at http://anthonyhorowitz.com/newscentre/, and it is officially titled (drumroll please), Crocodile Tears.

And incidentally, if you've not checked out the Alex Rider movie from the juvenile dvd's downstairs, it is definitely worth watching!

Get your Twilight On-board!

2009-06-12T12:13:00.004-05:00

This August set sail for Alaska with Emmet and Alice Cullen on the Twilight Fan Cruise.

It's a guaranteed fan-tastic time!

www.twilightfanscruise.com

New Reviews

2009-06-12T11:55:00.004-05:00

Since we've had so many reviews posted, I figured it's time to start a new thread. Keep up the great work, and the laptop will soon be all yours!

Add your new reviews of books, movies, cd's and magazines to this post.

Book reviews = 8 points
Magazine, cd's and movies = 6 points

Make sure you have at least three sentences in your review. Tell us what you liked or didn't like about the work and why.

Done with Twilight and need a fix?

2009-06-01T15:05:00.002-05:00

I recently read the first novel in a new series called "The Immortals" by Alyson Noel, and lemme tell ya - it's no Twilight (I mean really, what is?), but it's GOOD STUFF and I will definitely be picking up its sequel (due out in June).

Sixteen-year-old Ever used to have it all - a little sister named Riley, loving parents, and her dog Buttercup. She was part of the popular crowd, a beautiful cheerleader with long blond hair and blue eyes, and a cute boyfriend. Until one day, a terrible accident claimed the lives of her family, and she is left to attend a new school and with new abilities - she can see auras, hear thoughts, and know a person's entire life story just by touch. Veiling herself in baggy hoodies with an Ipod in her ear at all times to block out her classmates' sneers, Ever is miserable except for the moments when Riley comes back to visit. And then she meets Damen, exotic and beautiful Damen, who (TWILIGHT PARALLEL ALERT) is the only person who's mind is blank and aura is clear. Something is obviously not normal about him, but she can't quite put her finger on it. (And nope - it's not the obvious.) And why is he attracted to HER? Dun dun dun...

Definitely pick this one up!

~Lauren
(PS: I'm reading PC Cast's House of Night series next, so be on the lookout for more reviews!)

Points and Reviews for Summer Reading

2009-05-21T13:49:00.004-05:00

Hey Everybody!

Summer Reading is upon us. This year we're giving away an Acer Aspire laptop for the person with the most points!! We're going to have all sorts of other coolio prizes and programs, so make sure to stop by the reference desk and get signed up. Here's how to earn points:

YA Summer Reading Program: Point System:

Programs 10

Books Read

Up to 200 pgs 5

200-400 pgs 8

400+ pages 10

Book Reviews 5

Movie Reviews 3

CD Reviews 3

*3 Bonus Points if reviews are posted on Teen Blog

(www.eolteens.blogspot.com)

If you want to post a review just reply in the Comment section to this post. I'll be posting a new blog for review weekly.

Remember, you get 3 bonus points for your reviews. A refresher of how it works:

You can review books, movies or CDs you've read, seen, or listened to since May 20
In your review, include the title and author/artist
Tell me what you liked and/or disliked (the plot? characters? the ending? too slow?)
Please please please do NOT give away the ending, or what happens to major characters. No spoilers!!
Give a rating of 1-5 stars, with 5 being the best of the best
Review should be at least 3-5 sentences (be sure to put your initials at the end)
Be creative! List your favorite tracks of a CD, favorite quote from a book, etc.
After clicking on "Comments" and writing your review, select "Anonymous"

Email me at mlayne@bham.lib.al.us to let me know which review you posted and I'll give you your points.

! ! ! Friday April 10th MOVIE NIGHT ! ! !

2009-04-06T16:25:00.006-05:00

Grades 7-12 only!

In the Pacific Northwest there is a town called Forks...

Come on over to the library Friday April 10th 6:30pm-9pm and watch what the Cullens are up to...If you haven't seen this movie yet (shame on you!), here's your chance! Mingle with friends, eat pizza, win prizes!

If you have seen the movie, what is your favorite part? Do you like the movie or the books better and why?

See you there!

Holley

Check It Out @ the Library!!!

2009-03-25T14:21:00.010-05:00

Through March 31st Mountain Brook artist, Phillip Stutts' amazing woodwork creations are on display in the Young Adult Department on the second floor of the Emmet O'Neal Library. Phillip is a senior at Mountain Brook High School and has been working with wood since he was about fifteen years old. Come by the library and check out the beautiful pieces he has created!

Win A Trip to New York City

2009-03-18T16:03:00.002-05:00

How's a trip to New York grab ya? Write a 500 word essay on how you would win the Hunger Games and get ready to fly. You can check out The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins with our other new titles on the first floor.
The deadline for the contest is May 15th, and you can enter it here: http://www.scholastic.com/thehungergames/contest/index.htm

Got Art?

2009-03-07T14:29:00.006-06:00

Mountain Brook High School

10th Grade U.S. History

Teacher: Alessia Sartorio

ART OF THE WEST

We have the assignment description on file and a selection of books pulled that you may check out to help with this project. The assignment is due March 13, 2009.

Come by the library today! Don't find what you need? Ask for me!

Happy Researching!

Holley

Visit the Hero Factory!

2009-02-26T17:35:00.001-06:00

You too can be a superhero! Here's mine!

Holley

Is Stephen King a hater?

2009-02-04T16:26:00.002-06:00

Stephen King recently made his opinion of Twilight series author Stephenie Meyer more than clear when he said, "Stephenie Meyer can't write worth a darn. She's not very good."

The full story will appear in the March 6-8 issue of USA Weekend but you can read reports on King's hatin' ways here and here.

How would you compare the Harry Potter books to the Twilight books? Is Stephen King being a snob or is Stephenie Meyer's fame not-quite-earned? Let us know!

Holley

Assignment Alert!

2009-02-04T15:46:00.003-06:00

Classes are in full swing and your friendly librarians @ EOL stand ready to help!

The Assignment Alert area next to the 2nd floor Reference Desk is packed with resources (some of which you may check out!) for the Mountain Brook High School 10th, 11th, and 12th grade English classes.

If you have a literary or social issues paper in any of the classes listed above, we have books for you! We also keep the paper assignments (the same assignment descriptions you'll find at the high school library) on file if you need specific information on due dates or topics to be covered. Feel free to email me (hwesley@bham.lib.al.us) if you need additional help, I'll do my best!

Holley

Exam Breaks

2008-12-10T10:44:00.002-06:00

Need a great place to study for your exams? Come to the Emmet O'Neal Library! Starting on Monday, December 15th through Thursday, December 18th we'll have the entire meeting room set aside during the day for students preparing for their exams. There are also a few private study rooms for groups of four that are available on a first come first serve basis. PLUS We'll have snacks and drinks available to keep you at your sharpest! See you at the library!

Twilight!

2008-12-10T10:17:00.001-06:00

What do you think?

Did you love the movie adaptation?

How many times have you seen it?

Did it live up to your expectations?

Half-Blood Prince movie moved to July 2009 release!

2008-08-15T10:15:00.002-05:00

Woe! Gnashing of teeth!

If you were expecting to see the next Harry Potter movie at Thanksgiving, you can hang it up. Warner Brothers announced yesterday that the film release EvErYoNe is anticipating will be moved by ELEVEN MONTHS to a July 2009 release!

Sorry guys!

htw

! ! ! 12 GRADE PROGNOSTICATION ASSIGNMENT ! ! !

2008-08-13T16:36:00.005-05:00

It's nearly that time again and the election will be here before we know it, meaning that the seniors at Mountain Brook High School will be attempting to predict the outcome of the this year's presidential election. This is a HuGe assignment so get a jump on your peers and head to the library soon!

The Mountian Brook High School Library has set aside a large number of books to help you in your research as well as putting together a website with a ton of online resources you may use.

It's a looooooong assingment, but here are the particulars:

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT PROJECT: 2008
PROGNOSTICATION RESEARCH AND “CONVENTION”

Prognostication, by definition, is a forecast or prediction. Government students will be responsible for a prognostication of the Presidential Election of 2008. The project will culminate in a day long presentation to be held on Tuesday, November 4, 2008, at which time the research conclusions will be reported and the results will be tallied. Students will work both on an individual and on a group basis prior to November 4 to gather and analyze information on the State assigned by the teacher. Groups are assigned by the teacher, and each group will be responsible for a notebook containing information and a prognosis for each State assigned to that group.

I. Group Notebooks
A. Each group must secure a three-ring binder (recommended 2” to 2-1/2”) in which all information will be organized.
B. Each notebook must be divided into separate sections as indicated below in the research assignment. Each of the major divisions and subdivisions must be separated and identified by a tab divider.

C. Cite your sources (using the correct current format from the MBHS Library) for all research information. Give the source beside each section of information.
D.***Due November 4, 2008 (except where otherwise noted)***

II. Assignment
A. Write a 500 word summary of the economic, geographic, and demographic characteristics of your State.

1.***Due Friday, September 5***
B. Demographics
1. Define demographics.
2. This section must include the following information, using Census 2000, or more recent estimates. State this consistently in either absolute numbers or in percentages (or both).
a. race
b. religion
c. registered voters by age grouping
d. voting age population by age grouping
e. voting age population by White, African-American, Hispanic (# and %)
f. registered voters by party
g. occupation
h. educational levels
i. union membership
j. per capita income
k. persons below the poverty level (be sure to include the poverty level cut-off)
l. unemployment rates currently
m. population distribution by rural (or farm) vs. urban or urban/surburban
n. national origin/ethnic groups for groups of the State’s population representing 1% or more of the population; give a listing without numbers for any others
o. military population
p. number of soldiers deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan
3. Based on the information in THIS section, who is more likely to win the election? Briefly
explain your answer, citing specific examples to support your position.
4. ***Due date, Friday, September 26***

C. Analysis of past elections
1. Voter turnout in 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004 (specify whether this is a percentage of registered voters or of the voting age population)
2. Vote by party in presidential elections since 1948
3. Vote margin in the 2004 Presidential Election (both # and %)
4. Party affiliation of the State Legislatures 1982-2008
5. Party affiliation of the Governors 1982-2008
6. Party affiliation of the U. S. House of Representatives members 1982-2008
7. Party affiliation of the U. S. Senators 1982-2008
8. Based on the information in THIS section, who is more likely to win the election? Briefly explain your answer, citing specific examples to support your position.
9. ***Due Wednesday, October 22***

D. Cut out 1 (one) one-sided visual (approx. 22” x 28”) representing your State to use to display in the upstairs or downstairs commons areas of the Social Studies wing. Choose something that in some way illustrates your State.
1.***Due Friday, October 31

E. Campaign Information (beginning August 1, 2008)
1. communication from relatives, personal friends, etc. from specific States (optional)
2. poll results (both national and State) in chronological order
3. “convention bounce” and “debate bounce” in articles and/or TV analysis
4. major issues in the campaign
5. summaries of relevant magazine and newspaper articles, internet sources, and TV programs
(give channel, date, time, and program title).
a. You must include a copy of the articles and internet articles with citation information.
b. Please copy only that which applies directly to your group (do not waste paper).
c. Highlight the articles to demonstrate that you read them. The highlighting must make sense.
d. Organize this information chronologically and neatly.
6. BLOG’s can be a valuable source of opinion-based information, but be very careful in your
use of them.
7. ***Due September 5, September 26, October 10, October 24, and November 4, 2004 .

F. Analysis of debates, due 3 days after each debate.

G. Prognosis: After carefully studying all of the information, the GROUP must forecast how their individual State will vote for President. These predictions MUST be supported by an essay discussing at least 5 (five) major determinants (based on the above data). Tie this discussion to the specific issues in the campaign and the candidates positions on those issues. To do this
section effectively, you must go back to II, sections A – F and tie the research information
together. (Determinants = what causes something to happen the way that it does.)

ISSUES tied to DEMOGRAPHPICS, DEMOGRAPHICS, DEMOGRAPHICS.

H. Prepare a 3 to 5 minute Power Point summary of the reasons for your prognostication and a single sheet (2 copies) rationale for your prognostication. The Power Point summary and the single sheet summary will be given and turned in on November 4.

III. At the end of the project, list the specific contributions to the project made by each member of the group.

I. – III. represent the group aspect of this project. There are some individual activities you can do to impact your individual grade.

IV. To strengthen your project, learning experience and individual grade potential you are encouraged to complete additional activities and research. Some suggestions are listed below. These can be individual or group-based. They will be graded and credited to you accordingly.

Submit your proposal in writing, and get your teacher’s approval of these additional activities.

Approval for additional “stuff” must be gained no later than Friday, October 3 or Monday,
October 27.

A. volunteering and assisting the campaigns of recognized, active candidates

B. volunteering and assisting recognized special interest groups in getting their message out

For A & B you must have:
1. Verification of the nature of the work, the dates and hours worked, and an official’s signature
on their letterhead.
2. You will also need to write a one-page essay of your reactions to this activity and what you
learned about the election process through this work.

C. serving effectively and successfully on one of the committees for planning and executing the political assembly and the November 4 presentation

RECAP OF THE DUE DATES:

September 5, Friday - State summary theme (II. A.)
September 5, Friday - Poll Results and Article Summaries (II. E. 2 & 5)
September 26, Friday - Poll Results and Article Summaries (II. E. 2 & 5)
September 26, Friday - Demographics (II. B.)
October 3, Friday - Approval for additional “stuff”
October 10, Friday - Poll Results and Article Summaries (II. E. 2 & 5)
October 22, Wednesday - Analysis of Past Elections (II. C.)
October 24, Friday - Poll Results and Article Summaries (II. E. 2 & 5)
October 27, Monday - Approval for additional “stuff”
October 31, Friday - Standards (II. D.)
November 4, Tuesday - Poll Results and Article Summaries (II. E. 2 & 5) – in notebook
Group Notebook (I.)
3 to 5 minute Power Point summary of the reasons for your prognostication and a single sheet summary (2 copies) of that rationale for your prognostication – separate from Notebook

Good Luck!

htw

Three books you may have missed!

2008-06-23T17:46:00.006-05:00

If you haven't heard of these three titles, you may want to prop up that rock and RuN to the library!

Violet on the Runway by Melissa Walker

Violet is transformed from awkward teenager to high-fashion diva almost overnight, when she is unexpectedly "discovered" and whisked away to the New York catwalks.

Spud by John van de Ruit

South Africa in 1990 might be foreign to American teens who have never heard of apartheid, but 13-year-old John Milton and the rowdy boys at boarding school make for an unforgettable cast of characters. Read the book, and discover the crude origins of John's nickname, Spud.

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

This is an intense novel about a boy, Clay, dealing with the death of a girl he liked. Before she committed suicide, Hannah Baker left a series of cassette tapes behind, explaining the events that led her to end her life.

htw

Pick a Game!

2008-06-16T13:57:00.003-05:00

On Friday July 25th, we'll have our end of the Summer, Summer Reading Celebration coupled with our Game On! We'll hold the drawing for the three summer reading prizes plus have lobster other prizes. Lobster? Anyway, we need to pick what game to play for the tournament.
Rock Band
Mario Kart Wii
Super Smash Bros Brawl
Guitar Hero
or something completely different?
Post your choice in the comments!

Pick a Movie!

2008-06-16T13:39:00.003-05:00

Friday July 11th is our late-night movie night from 6 to 10 pm. We'll have pizza, build your own sundaes and oodles of fun. Now all we need is to decide what movies to watch. So comment on this blog and let me know what you want to see (oh, and no R rated movies.) We'll vote on the top choices.

So You Wanna Publish A Review?

2008-06-04T14:29:00.002-05:00

Hey Everybody!

We've had 125 people sign up for Summer Reading to date!

The 3 main prizes we are offering are:

4 gigabyte Ipod Nano
7.1 megapixel Digital camera
A full-scale Halo mask (designed by our very own Jake Shill)

You get an entry towards which ever prize you like after every 25 points you earn. You just need to come by and fill out a ticket and drop it in the box for your prize. We'll have drawings for the prizes at the end of the summer as well as prizes for most points earned.

If you want to post a review just reply in the Comment section to this post. I'll be posting a new blog for review weekly.

Remember, you get 3 bonus points for your reviews. A refresher of how it works:

You can review books, movies or CDs you've read, seen, or listened to since May 20
In your review, include the title and author/artist
Tell me what you liked and/or disliked (the plot? characters? the ending? too slow?)
Please please please do NOT give away the ending, or what happens to major characters. No spoilers!!
Give a rating of 1-5 stars, with 5 being the best of the best
Review should be at least 3-5 sentences (be sure to put your initials at the end)
Be creative! List your favorite tracks of a CD, favorite quote from a book, etc.
After clicking on "Comments" and writing your review, select "Anonymous"

Email me at mlayne@bham.lib.al.us to let me know which review you posted and I'll give you your points.

SUMMER READING LISTS HAVE ARRIVED!!!!

2008-05-15T17:41:00.007-05:00

Copy and paste this address to get to the Mountain Brook School summer reading lists:
http://tinyurl.com/5s5mzq

Then come browse our reading list shelves and get a jump-start on your summer reading.

Summer Reading Sign Up Begins Sunday May 18th

2008-05-12T16:06:00.005-05:00

Metamorphosis is upon us!!! Come to the Emmet O'Neal Library on Sunday May 18th, from 1 to 5, to get a jumpstart on the Summer Reading Program.

It's a 100% guaranteed good time!

Teen Advisory Board

2008-04-11T14:41:00.004-05:00

To Kill A Mockingbird

Did you miss To Kill A Mockingbird at the Alabama Theatre on Thursday night? Never fear!
We're having our own private screening on Saturday April 19 at 2 pm at the Emmet O'Neal Library.
Bring a friend and enjoy this classic treasure.
We'll provide snacks and drinks for your viewing pleasure!

Metamorphosis @ Your Library

2008-03-11T14:15:00.004-05:00

Metamorphosis @ Your Library is more than just the theme for our summer reading program! Come welcome Matt Layne as your new young adult librarian! He appreciates any and all of your ideas for future programs.

Teen Board Sponsors Children's Book Sale

2008-02-13T09:40:00.004-06:00

The EOL Teen Advisory Board will sponsor the Second Annual Children's Book Sale Saturday, February 16th, from 9:30-4:30. This is the weekend before the annual Friends of the Library sale, and the money raised will be used for teen programming and services. If you've been to any of our Game On Video Tournaments - and a lot of you have! - thank the Teen Board and the annual book sale for making it such a blast. Last year the Teen Board raised over $300, which was used to purchase our Wii video gaming system and we're already discussing how to best use the money this year. Any suggestions??

Coming In January: Rock Band!

2007-12-28T13:27:00.000-06:00

“A lot of rock bands are truly a legend in their own minds.”

-David Lee Roth of Van Halen

Just how good are YOU? Are you a legend in your own mind or have you got what it takes to beat the competition? EOL's video tournaments are our most popular program, and each month we have a room full of competitors who think they're going to be the winner. Well, January 11 (4:30-6:30) will be your chance to prove you & your band are indeed the best. We're rolling out our first 'Rock Band' video tournament and can't wait to see who takes top honors. As always, we'll have pizza, door prizes, and prizes for members of the top band. You can play, or just hang out and watch. Give us a call or email to let us know you're coming, so we know how much pizza to buy! Call 445-1122 or email Terri at tleslie@bham.lib.al.us.

For more Rock Band game info, videos, or downloads check out their website at http://www.rockband.com/

Are you ready for Inkheart on the big screen?

2007-12-10T09:44:00.000-06:00

We've seen The Lord of the Rings; The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; Eragon; The Dark is Rising; and The Golden Compass come to theaters...now Cornelia Funke's Inkheart is on the horizon! This newest fantasy flick is due out in March 2008.

View the website and trailer by clicking here!

Happy Reading!

htw

After Hours @ EOL: Flappers, Gangsters, & All That Jazz

2007-11-26T09:28:00.000-06:00

It’s Twenties Night! Join us for “after hours” fun, & support a great cause, too: the Greater Birmingham Humane Society.

Saturday, December 1st, at 6:00 the library will be closed, and the fun begins…we have gala style games to play, vintage 1920’s cars (one comes complete with bullet holes), jazz & swing music, all the food you can eat, and door prizes. Also, dress in a twenties-style costume and you may win the Costume Contest (and a cash prize!).

All you need to get in the door is a donation(s) for the Humane Society. They need dog & cat treats and toys, bleach, detergent, USED blankets and towels, and NON-CLUMPING kitty litter, among many other items. For a complete list come by the library or check out the GBHS website at http://www.gbhs.org/ under ‘support us/wish list.’

You’ll earn Community Service hours for this fun, as well as good, deed!

Who: TEENS! Grades 7-12
When: Saturday, December 1st, 6:00-8:00
Where: Emmet O’Neal Library
Your Ticket In: Donation(s) For The Humane Society

Call 445-1122 or email Terri at tleslie@bham.lib.al.us to register or if you have any questions.

New Arrivals!

2007-11-02T09:50:00.000-05:00

We have so many new books coming in, it feels like Christmas! Over one hundred new books have arrived in the last few weeks; there's just not enough hours in the day when you have so many good reads to choose from. You can find these in the 'New YA Literature' section on the first floor. Some of my favorites from this latest shipment:

"The Absolutely True Diary Of A Part Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie

Budding cartoonist Junior leaves his troubled school on the Spokane Indian Reservation to attend an all-white farm town school where the only other Indian is the school mascot. Sports, girls, & hilarious graphics: Junior tells it like it is.

"Vampire Academy" by Richelle Mead

Two years after a horrible incident made them run away, vampire princess Lissa and her guardian-in-training Rose are found and returned to St. Vladimir's Academy, where one focuses on mastering magic, the other on physical training, while both try to avoid the perils of gossip, cliques, gruesome pranks, and sinister plots. One of the best of the emerging 'vampire genre.'

"Evolution, Me, and Other Freaks Of Nature" by Robin Brande

Following her conscience leads high school freshman Mena to clash with her parents and former friends from their conservative Christian church, but might result in better things when she stands up for a teacher who refuses to include "Intelligent Design" in lessons on evolution. A relevant topic, presented well.

"Someday This Pain Will Be Useful To You" by Peter Cameron

It’s time for eighteen-year-old James Sveck to begin his freshman year at Brown. Instead, he’s surfing the real estate listings, searching for a sanctuary—a nice farmhouse in Kansas, perhaps. Although James lives in twenty-first-century Manhattan, he’s more at home in the faraway worlds of Eric Rohmer or Anthony Trollope. James’s sense of dislocation is exacerbated by his willfully self-absorbed parents, a disdainful sister, his Teutonically cryptic shrink, and an increasingly vague, D-list celebrity grandmother.

"Powers" by Ursula Le Guin

The third book in the "Gifts" series. When young Gavir's sister is brutally killed, he escapes from slavery and sets out to explore the world and his own psychic abilities.

"The Very Ordered Existence of Merilee Marvelous" by Suzanne Crowley

In the small town of Jumbo, Texas, thirteen-year old Merrille, who has Asperger's Syndrome, tries to live a "very ordered existence". But disruption begins when a boy and his father arrive in town and the youngster makes himself a part of the family.

Other arrivals:

Sealed With A Diss by Lisi Harrison

21 Proms by David Levithan

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

Pendragon: The Pilgrims of Rayne by D.J. MacHale

Pants On Fire by Meg Cabot

Dragons From the Sea by Judson Roberts

Fire From the Rock by Sharon Draper

Cover Up! Mystery At the Super Bowl by John Feinstein

Miracle Wimp by Eric Kraft

The Spell Book of Listen Taylor by Jaclyn Moriarty

Time of the Eagle by Sherryl Jordan

Also, check out our ever-growing Manga collection!

Paolini's Inheritance Cycle continues next year!

2007-10-30T18:39:00.000-05:00

Did you read Christopher Paolini's books, Eragon and Eldest? Have you been waiting impatiently for news a new book in this series?

Then you've come to the right place!

Word came down today from Christopher Paolini's publisher, Random House, that the yet-to-be-titled third book in the Inheritance Cycle series will be published.........
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................................September, 23, 2008!

Paolini’s fans will be able to see him talking about the fourth book in an exclusive video message that will air on his Web site, http://www.alagaesia.com/, beginning at 5:00 pm EDT today, October 30, 2007.

Happy Reading (and waiting)!

htw

Murder & Mayhem @ The Library

2007-10-25T13:26:00.000-05:00

There’s been a ghastly murder at Emmet O’Neal and we need help to solve it! Part CLUE, part CSI, part Scavenger Hunt, only the most clever and courageous sleuth can solve the crime and win the prize. Beware: the library will close mid-hunt and then you’ll be locked in…do you have what it takes to catch the murderer?

Who: Teens, Grades 7-12
When: Saturday, October 27, 4:00-6:00
What: Mystery, Pizza & Door Prizes!
Where: Emmet O’Neal Library

Please call 445-1122 or email Terri to reserve your spot!

J.K. Rowling Kicks Off US Book Tour

2007-10-16T09:28:00.000-05:00

J.K. Rowling kicked off her US book tour by signing 1,600 (that's sixteen hundred!!) books at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood yesterday. The author, who said she felt like she was "on vacation," was thrilled to be meeting her readers one on one. She hasn't started the promised Potter Encyclopedia yet but promises it will be soon. For the complete interview with Ms. Rowling, go to http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21311672/?gt1=10450.

Her tour dates and locations:
Monday, 10/15: Los Angeles Kodak Theater
Thursday, 10/18: Ernest N. Morial Auditorian at the Convention Center in New Orleans
Friday, 10/19: New York's Carnegie Hall
Friday, 10/19, 7 p.m.: New York's Carnegie Hall (open to adults)

Gettin' Retro: Tie Dye, Man

2007-10-09T10:27:00.000-05:00

We're kicking off Teen Read Week this Saturday, October 13 with Get Retro: Tie Dye at 2:00, for grades 7-12. Wear old clothes (seriously, the dye is permanent!) and bring a 100% cotton t-shirt. There are only 25 spots available and people have already started signing up, so call and let us know if you're coming: 445-1122 or email Terri at tleslie@bham.lib.al.us.

Come in to EOL to during Teen Read Week to boost your endorphins, lower your blood pressure, and improve your immune system: simply by laughing with a humorous book or graphic novel! Stop by and see what’s funny at the library, or pick up a page turner that you can read or listen to just for the fun of it. See you there!

Banned Books Week: Are Your Favorites Safe?

2007-09-24T15:08:00.000-05:00

You may not have thought about it, but reading is a privilege and a right. During Banned Books Week, September 29 - October 6, thousands of libraries and bookstores throughout the nation will celebrate a democratic society's most basic freedom -- the freedom to read. "Not every book is right for every reader," said American Library Association (ALA) President Loriene Roy. "Libraries serve users from a variety of backgrounds - that's why libraries need - and have - such a wide range of materials. Individuals must have the right to choose what materials are suitable for themselves and their families." Censorship threatens this basic democratic right.

Harry Potter was the most challenged series in 2006. Are your favorites safe? Below are the Top Ten Most Challenged Books Of 2006:

"And Tango Makes Three," by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell

"Alice" series, by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

"Athletic Shorts," by Chris Crutcher

"Beloved," by Toni Morrison

"The Bluest Eye," by Toni Morrison

"The Chocolate War," by Robert Cormier

"The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things," by Carolyn Mackler

"Gossip Girls," series by Cecily Von Ziegesar

"The Perks of Being a Wallflower," by Stephen Chbosky

"Scary Stories" series, by Alvin Schwartz

Off the list this year, but in years past have often been included, are such classics as "Catcher in the Rye," by J.D. Salinger; "Of Mice and Men," by John Steinbeck; and "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," by Mark Twain.

Top 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books:

http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/bannedbooksweek/bbwlinks/100mostfrequently.htm

Most Challenged Books of 21st Century:

http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/bannedbooksweek/bbwlinks/topten2000to2005.htm

Free people read freely. Come by the library today and exercise your right to read!

Teen Read Week: LOL @ Your Library

2007-09-24T14:49:00.000-05:00

Coming October 14-20: Boost your endorphins, lower your blood pressure, and improve your immune system by stopping by Emmet O'Neal Library during Teen Read Week to laugh with a humorous book or graphic novel! Stop by and see what’s funny at the library, and pick up a page turner that you can read or listen to just for the fun of it.
We're kicking off TRW Saturday, October 13 with Get Retro: Tie Dye at 2:00, for grades 7-12. Wear old clothes (seriously, the dye is permanent!) and bring a 100% cotton t-shirt. Call and let us know if you're coming: 445-1122 or email Terri at tleslie@bham.lib.al.us. See you there!

How 'Bout Them Apples? iPod Gets WiFi

2007-09-05T14:27:00.000-05:00

Apple announced that improvements, long-awaited improvements, are finally coming to iPod. New versions of the classic and nano iPods with new styling and increased storage (up to 40,000 songs!) are coming soon. For more info, check out the announcement on CNN's website:

http://tinyurl.com/2hopqg

Best Donuts In America

2007-09-05T10:23:00.000-05:00

Look. I know you may think this is not a big deal. BUT, you never know - you may be out on the road, on vacation, and get a craving for something sweet. How cool would it be to have one of the best donuts in America? Even better, how cool would it be to go on a road trip JUST to taste each one of these delicious, delightful, donuts? Doh!

Go here for Homer's dream-come-true list: http://tinyurl.com/2vzxrx

wii: Let the Games Begin!

2007-09-04T11:35:00.000-05:00

At last! We have wii and can't wait to let the games begin! Everyone here at the library is so excited. Join us for the first wii Video Tournament this Friday, September 7, from 4:00-5:45...there'll be pizza, prizes for the Top 3 players, and door prizes as well. What a great way to kick off the weekend! Space is limited, so you must register whether you want to play or just watch - you're welcome to do either :) Just call 445-1122 or email Terri at tleslie@bham.lib.al.us. Think you've got game? Well, bring it on.

and the winners are......

2007-08-27T14:35:00.000-05:00

The 2007 Teen Choice Awards are in and the results are not surprising...Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End looked to mop up the rest of the competition. Here's the long, long list of winners....is anyone (anything) missing??? Tell us about it!

Choice Movie: Action/Adventure--Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End

Choice Movie: Drama--The Pursuit of Happyness

Choice Movie Actor: Drama--Will Smith (The Pursuit of Happyness)

Choice Movie Actress: Drama--Jennifer Hudson (Dreamgirls)

Choice Movie Actor: Action/Adventure--Johnny Depp (PoC: At World's End)

Choice Movie Actress: Action/Adventure--Kiera Knightley (PoC: At World's End)

Choice Movie Actress: Comedy--Sophia Bush (John Tucker Must Die)

Choice Movie Actor: Comedy--Will Ferrell (Talladega Nights and Blades of Glory)

Choice Movie: Horror/Thriller--Disturbia

Choice Movie Actor: Horror/Thriller--Shia LeBeouf (Disturbia)

Choice Movie Actress: Horror/Thriller--Sophia Bush (The Hitcher)

Choice Movie Villain: Bill Nighy (Davy Jones)--PoC: At World's End

Choice Movie: Comedy--Knocked Up

Choice Movie Hissy Fit--Ryan Seacrest (Knocked Up)

Choice Movie: Breakout Female--Sophia Bush (John Tucker Must Die and The Hitcher)

Choice Movie: Dance--Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan (Step Up)

Choice Movie: Breakout Male--Shia LeBeouf (Guide to Recognizing Your Saints, Disturbia and Transformers)

Choice Movie Chemistry--Will Smith and Jaden Smith (The Pursuit of Happyness)

Choice Movie Scream--Steve Carell (Evan Almighty)

Choice TV Movie--High School Musical 2

Choice Summer Movie: Drama/Action/Adventure--HP and the Order of the Phoenix

Choice Summer Movie: Comedy/Musical--Hairspray

Choice Movie Rumble--PoC: At World's End--Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) vs. Crew of the Flying Dutchman

Choice Movie Liplock--Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom (PoC: Dead Man's Chest)

Choice Movie Chick Flick--The Holiday

Choice TV Show: Drama--Grey's Anatomy

Choice TV Show: Comedy--Hannah Montana

Choice TV Animated Show--The Simpsons

Choice TV Variety/Reality Show--American Idol

Choice TV Actor: Drama--Hugh Laurie (House)

Choice TV Actress: Drama--Hayden Panettierre (Heroes)

Choice TV Actor: Comedy--Steve Carell (The Office)

Choice TV Actress: Comedy--Miley Cyrus (Hannah Montana)

Choice TV Sidekick--Allison Mack (Smallville)

Choice TV Personality--Tyra Banks (America's Next Top Model and The Tyra Banks Show)

Choice TV Breakout Show--Heroes

Choice TV Breakout--America Ferrera (Ugly Betty)

Choice TV Male Reality/Variety Star--Sanjaya (American Idol)

Choice TV Female Reality/Variety Star--Lauren Conrad (The Hills)

Choice TV Villain--Vanessa Williams(Wilhelmina Slater)--Ugly Betty

Choice Music Single--Girlfriend (Avril Lavigne)

Choice Music: Male Artist--Justin Timberlake

Choice Music: Femail Artist--Fergie

Choice Music: Rap Artist--Timbaland

Choice Music: R&B Artist--Rihanna

Choice Music: Rock Group--Fall Out Boy

Choice Music: Female Breakout Artist--Vanessa Hudgens

Choice Music: Male Breakout Artist--Akon

Choice Music: Breakout Group--Gym Class Heroes

Choice Music: Love Song--With Love (Hilary Duff)

Choice Music: R&B Track--Beautiful Girls (Sean Kingston)

Choice Music: Rap/Hip-Hop Track--The Way I Are (Timbaland featuring Keri Hilson and D.O.E.)

Choice Music: Rock Track--Thnks Fr Th Mmrs (Fall Out Boys)

Choice Music: Payback Track--What Goes Around...(Justin Timberlake)

Choice Male Hottie: Zac Efron

Choice Female Hottie: Jessica Alba

Choice Comedian: Dane Cook

Choice Male Athlete: Tiger Woods (Golf)

Choice Female Athlete: Maria Sharapova (Tennis)

Choice Action Sports Female: Lisa Andersen (Surfing)

Choice Action Sports Male: Shaun White (Snowboarder, Skateboarder, Surfing)

Choice Summer Song: Hey There Delilah (Plain White T's)

Choice Summer Artist: Miley Cyrus

Choice Summer TV Show: Degrassi

Choice V Cast Video: The Hills

So, what do you think? Did your peers leave anyone out? What do you think of the categories? Is there one you would have liked to see that isn't listed? What great movie have you seen that didn't make it to this list? Why should it have been represented here? Do you have a favorite TV show that failed to make the grade? Who is your favorite musical artist? Discuss.

Happy Viewing! (and Reading!)

htw

MBHS AP Biology students!

2007-08-27T13:07:00.000-05:00

The first Assignment Alert of the new school year has arrived here at Emmet O'Neal Library and we librarians are ready to help you ace the assignment!

If you have Walt Rogers' AP Biology class, then your research and project on biomes is due...

September 21, 2007.

We have plenty of books that you may check out as well as some great reference books out of which you may make copies!

From home, a great place to start your research would be the library's catalog which you can access by going to our website, clicking "online catalog" from the menu on the left, and doing a subject search for "biotic communities". You will find books not only at Emmet O'Neal but those available at other libraries across the county...all available to you with a couple of clicks and a few days wait! Also, the catalog will lead you to some great electronic resources the Jefferson County Library Cooperative offers you:

Good luck with your assignments!

I'll see you at the library!

htw

Harry Potter & The Order of the Phoenix

2007-07-11T10:12:00.000-05:00

Harry Potter & The Order of the Phoenix has finally arrived!

Check out http://movies.msn.com/movies/?GT1=7701 for the movie stills, interviews, reviews, and discussions...plus, let us know what you think of the movie. How does it stack up against past Potters??

Book, Movie, & CD Reviews: Get Your Points Here!

2007-06-19T17:14:00.000-05:00

We've gotten so many reviews (close to 30!) in the original post I thought I'd start a new thread. Remember, you get 3 bonus points for your reviews. A refresher of how it works:

You can review books, movies or CDs you've read, seen, or listened to since May 20
In your review, include the title and author/artist
Tell me what you liked and/or disliked (the plot? characters? the ending? too slow?)
Please please please do NOT give away the ending, or what happens to major characters. No spoilers!!
Give a rating of 1-5 stars, with 5 being the best of the best
Review should be at least 3-5 sentences (be sure to put your initials at the end)
Be creative! List your favorite tracks of a CD, favorite quote from a book, etc.
After clicking on "Comments" and writing your review, select "Anonymous"

Email me at tleslie@bham.lib.al.us to let me know which review you posted and I'll give you your points. We've gotten some great reviews - keep them coming!!

What Do YOU Think Of This Article?

2007-06-19T17:05:00.000-05:00

School Penalizes Students for Hugs, High-fives
"Strict no-contact rule, meant to stem violence, has some pushing for change "

I found this article very interesting, but wonder what you guys think. Read the article,
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19293872/?GT1=10056, and let me know!

Extra, Extra......Copies of Summer Reading List Books!

2007-06-14T17:11:00.000-05:00

We've just gotten in a big group of extra copies of those hard to find Summer Reading List books you've been looking for!

7th-Inkheart / Cornelia Funke
7th-Stargirl / Jerry Spinelli
7th-Homecoming / Cynthia Voight
7th-In These Girls, Hope is a Muscle / Madeleine Blais
7th-Cheaper By the Dozen / Frank Gilbraith
8th-Fallen Angels / Walter Dean Myers
9th-Out of the Night That Covers Me / Pat Cunningham Devoto
9th-Lord of the Flies / William Golding
9th-Adrift: 76 Days Lost at Sea / Steven Callahan

If you have been looking for any of these titles, QUICK!!!, give us a call so we can hold a copy for you!

445-1121

Happy Reading
htw

make your own.....

2007-06-12T17:27:00.000-05:00

.....Death Eater mask art at the official Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix website! There is a software download involved but you can upload your art, rate your own and other people's efforts, and much more! July won't get here fast enough!

htw

What's Your Theory? Harry Potter Cover Art

2007-06-06T09:59:00.000-05:00

Everyone seems to have a different opinion about just what exactly is being hinted at in the cover art of the upcoming "Deathly Hallows" book (alas, the last HP book!), so I thought I'd open up a discussion and see what YOUR theories are. Post them here, and get 3 bonus Summer Reading points! For a closer look of both the US and UK covers, go to www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/gallery/dh. Once the book is released in July, we'll check everyone's theories, see who was dead on and post the winning theories...so, what do you think?
Be sure to email me at tleslie@bham.lib.al.us if you post so I can give you your bonus points.

Harry Potter is coming to Universal Studios ! ! !

2007-05-31T16:48:00.000-05:00

Just when you thought you'd seen and done everything Disney World and Universal Studios had to offer, the Harry Potter theme park steams in (from Platform 9 3/4 no doubt) to raise the flagging spirits of sad, heartbroken fans. The park is set to open in late 2009 in Orlando, Florida complete with the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the Forbidden Forest and Hogsmeade Village! Don't expect to run into Harry, Hermione or Ron however, as there will not be any character look-alikes in the park :(

htw

We Interrupt This Program...

2007-05-29T20:30:00.000-05:00

...to announce that (hopefully) all "technical difficulties" relating to the posting of book, movie, and cd reviews have been resolved. Now when you click on "Comments" be sure to change your identity to "Anonymous." That should allow everyone to post. If you hit any snags, please email me at tleslie@bham.lib.al.us to let me know. Thanks for your patience, everyone!

Get Your Points! Book, Movie, and CD Reviews

2007-05-25T15:53:00.000-05:00

One of the many ways to get extra summer reading points is to post book, movie, or cd reviews. Simply click on "comment" at the end of this post and write your review.
All reviews must include:

Title
Author

A brief summary (at least 3-4 sentences) of why you did or didn't like the book, movie, or cd; you have to show that you've put some thought into it to get the points.

Rating 1-5 stars, one being the worst, 5 the absolute best

The 'Honor System' is in effect - please post reviews only on those books, movies, and cds that you've read, seen, or listened to since the Kick-Off on May 20. Feel free to be creative - include your favorite track or lyrics from a cd, or quote from a movie or book. Sign off with your intials, and email me at tleslie@bham.lib.al.us and let me know which title you reviewed and I'll give you credit/points. I can't wait to see what you guys send in!!

Summer's Finally Here!

2007-05-25T15:24:00.000-05:00

...and our Summer Reading Program is off to a fabulous start. Over 100 teens have signed up in less than a week; the competition for the top fifteen highest point holders will be strong. And they're worth working for, those top fifteen point holders win admission to the Potter-Palooza Lock-In on July 20 which includes a free copy of "Deathly Hallows" at 12:01 a.m. No waiting in line! No fighting the crowd! Just relax, watch Potter movies, eat pizza and wait for the official release at 12:00 a.m. If you're interested in competing, you'd best sign up soon - there are lots of ways to get points but people have already stocked up on books to read and are asking about the programs. You can sign up at the Adult Reference Desk. On Friday, June 1st at 2:00 we're kicking of the program with Summer Daze on the lawn across from the library...Ultimate Frisbee and Giant Twister (a 14-foot inflatable Twister game) begin at 2:00, and we'll end the program with lots and lots of water (wouldn't you like to know???). We also have video tournaments, henna tattoos, scavenger hunts, guitar hero & dance dance revolution coming up...lots of fun stuff to do and lots of ways to get points.

"Deathly Hallows" Cover Art Released!

2007-03-30T09:47:00.000-05:00

There's been buzz galore surrounding the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows' cover art. The US, UK, and UK Adult covers all reveal tantalizing clues as to what may be in the works for Harry and friends. The Leaky Cauldron has a great discussion board, where all kinds of theories are proposed and of course MuggleNet should be checked out for clues, too...what is Harry reaching for? Who, or what, is reflected in his glasses? Who's that creeping up behind him? Every inch of the covers contain clues - what are your theories??

Check Out Our New Arrivals!

2007-03-22T19:50:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone! Loads of new young adult books are arriving everyday at Emmet O'Neal...come check out The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing by M.T. Anderson, Being by Kevin Brooks, Tamar by Mal Peet, Breathe: A Ghost Story by Cliff McNish, and Anatomy of a Boyfriend by Daria Snadowsky. Also arriving are extra copies of hot-and-in-demand titles such as the Clique and Eagle Strike series, .hack, fullmetal alchemist, bleach, and death note manga titles, and the Mates, Dates series.