Frisbee in the Lynnwood Library?

Can we do that?

Well, yeah. As long as the library is closed. Which is exactly what we're doing Friday night (February 26th). By 7pm, Lynnwood Library will have been transformed into an 18-obstacle course for Frisbees. Dare to try your hand?

We'll provide the Frisbees, the snacks, and for a few lucky players, a prize. You'll be 12-18 ready to have fun - absolutely no skill is required!

As with all library programs, this is a FREE event thanks to the Sno-Isle Foundation & the Friends of the Library.

These books are HOT!

Have you ever thought about what it would be like to be a firefighter? How about a paramedic or other first responder? I just found out about Explorer Post 444, a teen fire and rescue group sponsored by Snohomish Fire and Rescue. If you're between the ages of 14 and 20 and live in the Snohomish School District, you can get hands-on experience, leadership and skills training, and an opportunity to find mentors and make new friends.

Reading about this program made me think about all the great firefighter-related reading you can find on our shelves. If you're not inclined to rush out and join Explorer Post 444, or if you live in an area that doesn't offer a similar opportunity, you can experience the excitement, heroism, and peril of firefighting from the comfort of home.

Fire investigator Nanase
by Izo Hashimoto

In this graphic novel, firefighter academy student Nanase is a rookie fire investigator with a dark past. As she solves crimes of arson, she must also face her own fiery demons. 2 volumes.





The broken places : a novel
by Susan Perabo

12 year old Paul Tucker worships his firefighter dad, Sonny. When Sonny is injured saving a teenage neo-Nazi, he is catapulted into the national spotlight. Paul's family must struggle to cope with the scrutiny and uncomfortable truths fame brings.

The Rescue
by Nicholas Sparks

When volunteer firefighter Taylor McAdden rescues a single mom and her developmentally disabled son from a car wreck, they form a special bond. But will they be able to overcome their fears and form a family?





I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry

PG-13. Just because it's about firefighters doesn't mean it has to be serious! Larry, a firefighter, can't name his own children as beneficiaries on his life insurance policy due to a glitch. So he calls in a favor from co-worker Chuck, and asks him to pose as his domestic partner on a few forms. When their "relationship" becomes front-page news, the two men must pose as a happy couple.

Good Things in Small (And Shiny!) Packages

Yes, I'm taking about picture books. What, like you don't read graphic novels? Just think of these as very short graphic novels. Really, really shiny and colorful short graphic novels. If it's been a while since you picked up a picture book, you may have forgotten how amazing they can be. Luckily, I'm here to remind you. These books are not just kid stuff. They are hilarious, poignant, surprisingly wise, and even controversial.

And Tango Makes Three
by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell

This was the single most banned book of the year - three years in a row. Yep, the most controversial book in America is a picture book. And it's about penguins! Who could ban adorable, cuddly penguins? Well, ok, they do happen to be gay. And raising an "adopted" baby penguin. Fight for your right to read about whatever kind of love and family you choose! Go! Fight! Read! (Can you tell that I think everybody should read this book?)

Zen Shorts
by Jon Muth

A giant Zen panda, Stillwater, moves in next door and shares his quiet wisdom with his new neighbors in three short tales. I'll say that again - Giant. Zen. Panda. It's hard to get more awesome than that. But pandas aside, this is a beautiful, elegant, and enlightening book for all ages. I didn't read it until I was in college, and I adored it. You'll be hard pressed to find an adult book with such a graceful and simple introduction to Zen. And did I mention pandas?

The Giving Tree
by Shel Silverstein

Ok, I'll admit it. This book still makes me sob like a baby. If you're in the mood for a tearjerker, this story of the bond between an often-selfish boy and his self-sacrificing apple tree will do the trick faster than any movie. And let's face it- it's probably a good reminder to think about how we're treating the people who love us, no matter our age.


Curious George
by H.A. Rey

Well, I really wanted to recommend Curious George Goes to the Library, but by some hideous twist of fate, we don't have it at the library! Still, it's hard to beat the silliness of an overly curious monkey, in any of his books. Let your inner child come out to play, and remember how much fun these are! Taking Spanish this year? Jorge el Curioso would love to play with you.


Do you have other suggestions for picture books teens will still enjoy? What are the picture books that you love?

Hunger Games 3 Title & Cover Announced!!

And so the final book in the massively popular Hunger Games trilogy will be named MOCKINGJAY, which, if you are a fan of the series, makes a ton of sense.

What do you think of the cover? Are you excited to read Mockingjay?

What do you think will happen?

There's plenty of time to catch up - Mockingjay won't be released until August 24th. Place your hold for Hunger Games and Catching Fire today!

What, according to editor/author David Levithan on the Scholastic Blog, won't be in Mockingjay:

• Panem is not shaken up when District 9 is nominated for a best picture Oscar.


• At no point does President Snow utter the line, “This is Snowmageddon, baby.”


• Despite internet rumors to the contrary, it is not revealed that Cinna has been secretly designing outfits for a Capitol operative known as “Lady GaGa.”


• All rumors of a crossover appearance by Geronimo Stilton are false.


• In a tough editorial call, we decided not to have Katniss win the Hunger Games…only to be interrupted by Kanye West.

Supernatural Authors - tonight at Alderwood B&N

Tonight two great up and coming authors will be at the Alderwood Barnes & Noble at 7pm.

Carrie Jones is the author of Need and its brand new sequel Captivate.

Zara and her friends knew they hadn't solved the pixie problem for good. Far from it. The king's needs grow deeper every day he's stuck in captivity, while his control over his people gets weaker. It's made him vulnerable. And now there's a new king in town...


Alyxandra Harvey is the author of Hearts at Stake.

On Solange’s sixteenth birthday, she is going to wake up dead. As if that’s not bad enough, she also has to outwit her seven overprotective older brothers, avoid the politics involved with being the only daughter born to an ancient vampire dynasty, and elude Kieran Black—agent of an anti-vampire league who is searching for his father’s killer and is intent on staking Solange and her entire family...

See you there!

Are you a writer? Or a reader?

From the website:

"inkpop is an online community that connects rising stars in teen lit with talent-spotting readers and publishing professionals.
Our social networking forum spotlights aspiring authors and the readers who provide the positive springboard for feedback.
inkpop members play a critical role in deciding who will land a publishing contract with HarperCollins. Whose work will you help rise to the top? "

So, what that means is you can submit your writing to the website and potentially, be discovered as the Next Stephenie Meyer (or whomever).

If you are more of an aspiring critic, you can simply go on and react to what's been submitted, and vote for your favorites - and maybe see them someday in print on the shelves of your local library.

If you're wanting a real, live, writer's group, check out the events at your library - especially during the summer. Sometimes we even have actual published authors running writer's workshops.

HEY TEEN VIDEOPHILES!

Show off your cinematic skills in our Teen Contest. Create a video that promotes the library or your favorite book.

The grand prize winner gets a Flip MinoHD video camera in the design of their choice. All finalists receive an "Infamous for Information" t-shirt.

The deadline to submit your video is March 31, 2010, so start writing your script and casting your superstars.

The Teen Video Contest is part of Teen Tech Month, which runs through the month of March.

See contest information and entry form