Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh - Teen

We've moved!

2009-06-19T10:10:00.002-04:00

It's been a great run, but we're closing shop! You can check out all the most recently CLP - Teen news, teen blogger reviews, and info about all sorts of contests and special news for Pittsburgh teens at...

CLPTEENSBURGH!

See you there!

~Joseph

CLP Teen Anime Club: Ouran High School Host Club & Kanji Name Scrolls!

2009-05-27T12:58:00.001-04:00

Pocky, anime, and great friends await at the CLP Teen Anime Club! The first Saturday of every month, we show a new anime, possibly have an activity, and raffle off free DVDs at the end! What could be better? If you came!

Next meeting: Saturday, June 6th @ 3:00 PM

Kanji Name Scrolls!

With help from the University of Pittsburgh's Asian Studies Center, you will learn to write your name in kanji. All supplies for making your scrolls will be provided.

Ouran High School Host Club: Part 1

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Slice of Life
Creator: Bisco Hatori
Director: Takuya Igarashi
Producers: Gen Fukunaga
ADR Director: Caitlin Glass
Voice Actors: Caitlin Glass as Haruhi Fujioka
Vic Mignogna as Tamaki Suou
J. Michael Tatum as Kyoya Ohtori
Greg Ayres as Kaoru Hitachiin
Todd Haberkorn as Hikaru Hitachiin
Travis Willingham as Takashi Morinozuka
Luci Christian as Mitsukuni "Honey" Haninozuka

What it's about:

Ouran Academy: An institution of extravagance and prestige where learning comes secondary to luxury. But for studious Haruhi Fujioka, education is a privilege that must be earned, being on scholarship and out of place among the moneyed. That is until the day Haruhi stumbles upon the Host Club, a stumble which leaves the freshman indebted for millions of yen. And the only way to pay for the damages? Well, Haruhi will work as a Host. There’s only one problem: Haru-he is actually a Haru-she!

From the troublesome twins with their little games to the self-proclaimed “king” obsessed with the club’s newest member, these boys will cater to any desire. Freshman year definitely looks like it will be one to remember!

For more about the characters and the show, go to www.funimation.com/ouran.

~Joseph
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main

Get a Handle on Your Health!

2009-05-22T11:46:00.001-04:00

With the Pittsburgh weather changing (and changing again, and changing back, etc.) and the adrenaline rush of finals starting to subside, it's time to think about your health.

Whether you've been chronically ill all your life or are just starting to get that weird tingle in the back of your throat, there are reasons to make sure that you get the kind of health care you need. Unfortunately, there are some traps that can keep you from visiting a doctor:

No health care - According to the 2007 Census, 11% of all minors are without health coverage. While many teens might take for granted that they can cheaply see a doctor for a stomach ache, it's sadly not the case for everyone.

Busyness and presenteeism - Even if you have access to health care, you might feel like you don't have the time -- or inclination -- to use it. Your parents might be too busy to take you to the doctor for "little things," or your coach might tell you to "be a man" and fight through sickness.

A number of great online resources exist if you're looking for the kind of info that will get you through cold season, as well as any other health issues you might be battling. Of course, no online resource is a good substitute for a doctor, but it is a start.

The Pennsylvania CHIP Program - If you don't have health insurance, a recent government bill might make free or low-cost coverage available to you. Use this website to start your parents on the path toward applying to get you the care you need.

TeensHealth - TeensHealth is part of the award-winning KidsHealth Network, a project of the Nemours Center. The center was founded as a place where pediatricians and other medical experts develop health media free of "doctor speak," and is reviewed regularly for accuracy. It also has a Spanish-language componenent por la salud de los jovenes!

TeenHealthFX - TeenHealthFX is a nationally-renowned teen health site funded by Atlantic Health’s - Morristown Memorial Hospital and Overlook Hospital. The site has it's own Teen Advisory Board and aims to be a comprehensive place where general health info exists side-by-side with the "traditionally teen."

MedlinePlus - MedlinePlus is a service of the National Library of Medicine and has two teen-specific pages: Teen Health and Teens' Page are specific (though slightly redundant) pathfinders that lead teens to a number of specific health issues and various bits of research. It also scrapes articles from PubMed (a special, free database with medical articles) related to teen health.

Adolescent Health Transition Project - This important resource from Center on Human Development and Disability (CHDD) at the University of Washington gives teens with special health care needs due to chronic disease, disability, or developmental issues a resource to help you transition into independent young adulthood.

TeenGrowth - TeenGrowth is a simple, yet effective Q&A site from the Pediatric Health Alliance. It's easy to navigate and includes some sections that you might not usually find on teen health pages, like information on sports injuries and doctor visits.

~Joseph
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main

Prom Stories + GLSEN's Safe Prom for All

2009-04-16T11:57:00.001-04:00

Every year, around this time, America's high school students start turning their thoughts to one thing: prom.

Prom is a legendary night of gowns, tuxedos, photographs, limousines, coursages, spiked punch, romance, late-night hotel parties, and figuring out where in the world you are when you wake up the next morning. (If you don't believe me, check out Brian Sloan's A Really Nice Prom Mess.)

At least, that's what I've heard. I never went to prom, but I sure did hear lots of stories about it. Some may have been real, some may have been imagined, but it was all fascinating.

It turns out that trumped up prom stories go as far back as prom itself. The first proms were held in Philly in the 1920s and quickly emerged as the definitive status event for high schoolers who were growing up after World War I, in a land filled with more accessible technology (automobiles and radios), increased prosperity, and a public sentiment that resented immigrants.

In fact, one newspaper headline stated "If You Don't Like This, Go Back to the Country Where You Came From." Along with baseball & apple pie, prom became a national past time and a way for immigrant teens project an "American" identity. National newspapers and radio programs were a big part of this. The second they caught wind of the new phenomenon, they started promoting proms as one of the most important events in a teen's life. Juicy stories from proms were immediately published in teen magazines, and it wasn't long before the first "guidebook" for prom was published, in the early 1930s.

To this day, proms are still big business, and their stories will define America's cultural identity for another generation. However, that doesn't mean you can't make prom your own. After a brief message, we'll return to a list of books & websites that you can use to make prom the best it can be, if you choose to go.

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GLSEN Pittsburgh’s Safe Prom for All
Best Western – Parkway Center Mall
Sunday, May 24, 2009 • 7:00-11:00 PM
Dinner: 7:30 PM • Tickets: $25

GLSEN Pittsburgh is proud to sponsor UNIFIED! where many come together in a safe, nurturing environment without fear of harassment. This annual event is widely anticipated among Pittsburgh’s LGBT youth and their allies. However, this has been a difficult fundraising year for us, so we must receive at least 100 prepaid reservations by no later than Friday, April 24, 2009 for the Prom to proceed as planned.

Tickets can be purchased by check or money order made payable to “GLSEN Pittsburgh.” Please include name(s) of ticket holder(s). Mail to GLSEN Pittsburgh, PO Box 110288, Pittsburgh, PA 15232-0288. No paper tickets will be mailed. Please include your email if you would like electronic confirmation of your purchase. Your name on our paid ticket list will serve as entry to the event.

Our Safe Prom for All is a gathering of young people from the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and straight communities to celebrate an important milestone - graduation. So get out your best duds and your best date and come celebrate - UNIFIED!

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Websites:

BuzzFree Prom - sponsored by MADD, this program is for teens willing to go sober on prom night, in exchange for a card you can use for discounts to your favorite stores.

Lambda Legal: What LGBTQ Youth Need to Know - Do you feel like your school's prom is discriminating against you because of your sexual or gender identity? Check out this Q&A to see what's within your legal power to stop them.

My Prom Style - from the people that bring you Cosmo Girl & Seventeen comes a site dedicated to the fashion, make up, and social cues you need to know about today's prom.

Prom Night - it may not look like much, but this prom site offers good, no-nonsense information for ladies and gentlemen alike.

Stuck at Prom - If you and your date build your outfit out of duct tape, you could win a $3000 scholarship. Even if you decide to go the cloth route, check it out for the pictures alone.

Books:

Anderson, Laurie Halse
Prom

Ash doesn't want anything to do with senior prom, but when a teacher steals the school's prom fund and her best friend (the prom organizer) turns to her for help, Ash decides to save the day.

Cirrone, Dorian
Prom Kings and Drama Queens

When Emily is forced to choose between a new relationship with her dream guy and planning an alternative prom, all of her values are called into question.

Levithan, David and Daniel Ehrenhaft
21 Proms

This anthology of 21 prom stories is filled with as much dancing, drinking, and debauchery as it is about the quiet, fringe moments that make life really special.

Medina, Nico
Fat Hoochie Prom Queen

The large, boisterous Margarita challenges her stuck up former friend (and now enemy) Bridget Benson to a prom queen contest. How will Margarita size up to the competition?

Nelson, Blake
Prom Anonymous

Laura, Jace, and Chloe are three best friends on a prom mission. Will they survive finding dates, dresses, shoes, manicures, hairstyles, and limos long enough to actually go?

Preble, Laura
Prom Queen Geeks

Becca is the self-proclaimed "Queen Geek" at her high school. When she decides to cement her status by starting her own alternative prom, her best friend Shelby must decide whether to support Becca or go with her boyfriend to the traditional prom.

Prom Nights from Hell

Featuring author superstars like Meg Cabot and Stephenie Meyer, this anthology of short stories takes the rose-colored glasses off prom and shows it for the demonic, monster-infested hellpit it truly is.

Wood, Maryrose
How I Found the Perfect Dress

Morgan is a sixteen-year-old half-goddess whose earthly concerns (i.e., junior prom) take a backseat to when she must save her love Colin from a fairy curse.

~Joseph Wilk
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main

CLP Teen Anime Club: Solty Rei: Volume 1 & Special Team Trivia!

2009-04-15T11:28:00.002-04:00

Anime Club Team Quiz!

You and two other anime fans will be asked to put on your trivia hats and wrack your brains around the tough competition that will be had at this month's Anime Club Team Quiz! Compete for prizes!

Solty Rei: Volume 1

Genre: Action, Drama
Creator: Kentaro Yabuki
Director: Yoshimasa Hiraike
(Kaleido Star, Saishuu Heiki Kanojo, Vandread)
Producers: Gen Fukunaga
ADR Director: Christopher R. Sabat
Voice Actors: Carrie Savage as Solty Revant
Christopher R. Sabat as Roy Revant

What it's about:

Salvation lies in the heart of the broken.

Roy Revant is living the hard life of a bounty hunter in a broken city, a city where thousands have died in a mysterious event called the Blast Fall. Those who survived share the sting of loss. Countless Resembles walk the streets, people whose mangled bodies have been rebuilt with high-tech prosthetic devices. Yet there are those that even science cannot mend. Roy needs a miracle to escape his rut… and one night she falls from the sky. Like countless others Solty is a Resemble, but one unlike the world has ever known. A young girl without a past, soon she will have a family. But in this world, pain and alienation are never too far away.

For more about the characters and the show, go to www.funimation.com/soltyrei.

~Joseph
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main

GLSEN's Break the Silence Party

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

You’ve been silent all day.
Now it’s time to live out loud!
End your Day of Silence by speaking up and
sharing your story with us at GLSEN Pittsburgh’s annual
Break the Silence Party.

Friday April 17 2009 – National Day of Silence

• Meet new people,
• enjoy free food, and
• bring your ipod and we’ll play your favorite tunes!

April 17th from 3:00 to 6:30
Planned Parenthood Center
933 Liberty Ave Suite 200
Right in the middle of downtown Pittsburgh.
Two blocks up from the Wood St station.
Sponsored by the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN).

~Joseph
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main

25 Classic Albums Teens Still Love

2009-03-23T13:14:00.004-04:00

The decades may be gone, but many of today's teens still have an affinity for the albums that for generations have carried a cult following in America's high schools. Here are 25 time-tested albums that teens at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh have decided. Click the title to find it (or at least a "best of") in the catalog!

The Beatles
Abbey Road (1969)

You can't pick just one, but The Beatles' last album to be recorded vies for Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band for the most iconic cover. It also contains a nice array of songwriting contributions from all four members of the band, whether in Lennon and McCartney's moody "Come Together" or George Harrison's "Here Comes the Sun." Mak Delaney's Pepperland is a touching teen novel you can use to follow up with any Beatles-loving teen.

Black Flag
Damaged (1981)

This incredibly visceral 80s hardcore album has raged for over two and a half decades. Damaged vacillates its lyrics between the serious (alienation, boredom, etc.) to the humorous (television), but it never falters in the intensity department. From the riffs to teens ears, Black Flag is a blistering document of young rage.

Black Sabbath
Paranoid (1971)

Quite easily the most popular and influential heavy metal album of all time, Black Sabbath's Paranoid maintains a consistent atmosphere of dark, heavy riffs that still resound with teens who are looking to take metal back to its heavy blues rock roots. It's unfailingly dramatic themes take listeners through war, annihilation, death, and drugs and deposit them thoroughly rocked.

The Cure
Disintegration (1989)

There's no denying the aesthetic influence that Robert Smith's teased hair and eyeliner has had on today's teen music fashion, but The Cure's dark, bittersweet pop songs developed a soaring, epic quality that's been faithfully replicated in some genre of teen music for the last 20 years. [Editor's note: while typing this write up, a teen actually walked past me, gave me a thumbs up, and exclaimed, "The Cure... all right!"]

The Doors
The Doors (1967)

The Doors blended hypnotic, seductive, and accessibly daring music with Jim Morrison's drug-fueled poetic musings to create another psychadelic 60s album that maintains a place in music lore. Morrison died four years later, presumably of an overdose, leaving a legacy of neo-surreal abstraction that teens love.

Bob Dylan
Highway 61 Revisited (1965)

Every generation has its inner folkies, and today's high schoolers are no exception. For the contemporary teen, Bob Dylan's Highway 61 Revisited is probably the best bet. It's the first full Dylan album to go electric, and the first in which Dylan takes on the persona of the erstwhile folk wanderer for a more streetwise urban feel.

Eminem
The Slim Shady LP (1999)

Eminem's bouncy, yet entirely disturbing rap debut eschewed gangster tropes in favor of dark humor and vivid imagery. It's hard to look past the iconic pop status (not to mention multiple Grammy Awards as well as an Academy Award) to remember how villified Eminem was, from critics who were afraid of the effect that Eminem's violent creative imagination would have on America's children. Despite not releasing an album since 2004, Eminem remains one of the most popular rappers, and this album still has a legion of teen fans who enjoy dark rap with biting sarcasm and incredible lyrical skill.

Green Day
Dookie (1994)

This album sparked the mainstreaming of pop-punk and still holds up as a snotty, self-loathing document that's still scrawled in marker on teens' backpacks. Filled with adolescent jokes without losing as much edge as being on a major label can afford, Dookie is still a safe bet.

Guns N' Roses
Appetite for Destruction (1987)

Sex, drugs, liquor, urban decay, and skulls? It’s not just doodles in the average teen’s math notebook, but Axel Rose and company’s debut album of fast and dirty hard rock. With ugly riffs, even uglier lyrics, and frenetic guitar solos, Guns N’ Roses turned the tide from “good time” radio rock to something much more angry, dark, and disaffected.

The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Are You Experienced? (1967)

In an album that over 30 years later still seems otherworldly, Jimi Hendrix and company fused the most future-sounding elements of sixties psych with rock, pop, blues, and soul to form one of the most lasting and virtuoso rock debuts to grace teen ears. I recommend Jimi & Me, by Jaime Adoff, as an exploration of the relationship that teens and Jimi Hendrix can still share.

Led Zeppelin
IV (1971)

Rife with bluesy big riffs, dramatic lyrics, and epic bombast, Led Zeppelin's IV epitomizes everything awesome about 70s hard rock. Robert Plant's sensual, otherworldly vocals cap off an album that has staved off all attempts at imitation to remain fresh with each successive generation.

Bob Marley & The Wailers
Burnin' (1973)

The most iconic reggae artist in history (and one whose image adorns the wall of many high school seniors on their way to college) returned in 1973 to lead The Wailers in an album full of downtempo, anthemic protest songs. This album captures Marley perhaps at the most confrontational and anti-authoritarian, addressing the stark poverty of the Jamaican streets.

Nine Inch Nails
The Downward Spiral (1994)

Nihilism, depravity, and bleak soundscapes round out this Nine Inch Nails mainstay. The Downward Spiral gave heavy industrial music a nuanced pop structure and a very handsome, if brooding, face. For many teens, this album remains a gateway to even bleaker, heavier, noisy fringe music.

Nirvana
Nevermind (1992)

Full of raw music, buzzsaw guitars, guttural yelps, and dark lyrics, Nevermind has remained a mouthpiece of youthful disillusionment. The subsequent suicide of Kurt Cobain will likely preserve this status for generations to come.

No Doubt
Tragic Kingdom (1995)

Gwen Stefani's persona straddles the line between punky riot-grrl and innocent blonde. These internal contradictions have made No Doubt's early blend of punk, pop, and ska still hold up amongst teens, despite the propensity for you all to forget about the early works of current pop stars (i.e., Beyonce, Lil Wayne, etc.).

The Notorious B.I.G.
Ready to Die (1994)

The East Coast counterpart to 2Pac was The Notorious B.I.G., who elevated New York gangsta rap to commercial success with this brilliant collection of anthems. In spite of its subject matter, Ready to Die is full of easygoing bravado, slick beats, and a slew of expertly crafted narratorial voices that resound with teens (that is, if you trust the close-up of Christopher Wallace that adorn teens' memorial shirts).

Pink Floyd
Wish You Were Here (1975)

Dark Side of the Moon may be their most famous work, but Wish You Were Here tends to be the most appealing to teens. Formed as a song cycle dedicated to Syd Barrett, who'd left the band amidst speculations of mental illness caused by heavy drug use, it's mostly David Gilmour's warbly and shimmering production which resonates with teens who are really into recreating the drugged-out aesthetic.

Queen
A Night at the Opera (1975)

Self-conscious pomp and circumstance form the basis for a lot of music teens love today, and it's hard to find a band who does it any better than Queen. While it doesn't have the stadium anthems of A Day at the Races, this album has enough proggy, overblown, and epic rock to get teens going.

The Ramones
The Ramones (1976)

The Ramones stripped rock to its bare elements with this wildly fun debut. Widely heralded as the founders of punk, the Ramones parlayed three chords, upbeat drums, and goofy lyrics into an album that’s still fast and loud enough to annoy parents but simple enough to birth countless high school bands.

Red Hot Chili Peppers
Bloodsugarsexmagik (1991)

Another defining quality to many teen-appreciated albums from the 90s is infectious funk. Red Hot Chili Peppers employ this in spades on Bloodsugarsexmagik, a slap bass romp through topics like failed relationships, drug addiction, and hippie-ish dreaming of a better world.

The Sex Pistols
Never Mind the Bollocks Here's the Sex Pistols (1977)

A snotty assault on all things "good taste," The Sex Pistols crafted this album to offend as many elements of British high society as possible. What resulted is a fashionably anti-melodic and harsh set of anthems about being dissatisfied with the establishment. Their fashion statements still live on in the hallways of high schools wherever rebellion lies.

The Smiths
The Queen Is Dead (1986)

Morrissey's clever, coy lyrics and sensitive sap persona have led to a dedicated cult of personality that has emerged with each successive generation. The Queen Is Dead has proven to be The Smiths' most lasting effort, with a slightly more varied and occasionally rocking album full of wistful masterpieces that alternate between young love and clever satires of British class mores. For an amusing look at one teen's relationship with Morrissey, read Lauren Weinstein's comic collection Girl Stories.

Sublime
Sublime (1996)

Sublime's eponymous album arrived just months after singer Bradley Nowell died of a heroin overdose. This made their pop singalongs, culled from a fusion of reggae, dub, and so-cal punk, all the more appealing on long bus rides or driving around town with no place to go.

2Pac
All Eyez on Me (1996)

Langston Hughes's age-old question "What happens to a dream deferred?" may have been answered by this gangsta magnum opus, the first two disc rap album of original songs ever released by a single artist. 2Pac began recording this record within hours of being released from prison, and its nihilistic, middle-fingers to the world attitude is as relevant to the teens we serve now as ever. For a good look at how this relationship can play out in the real world, see Jacqueline Woodson's After Tupac and D Foster.

The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground & Nico (1967)

While it might be a Pittsburgh thing based on the Andy Warhol connection, almost all teens who are interested in left-of-center rock (from indie to contemporary new wave) can--and often do--trace its roots back to this album. This album was as diverse as it was expressive, with hints of pop, garage rock, and R&B fleshed out by Lou Reed's risque lyrics and colorful, if grim, guitar.

~Joseph Wilk
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh - Main

Nice to meet you!

2009-03-19T14:27:00.007-04:00

Hey folks,

You may have noticed a new face behind the teen desk these last couple weeks--in case we haven't gotten a chance to meet yet, my name's Tara, and I'm pretty new to both the library and Pittsburgh. I recently moved here from Portland, Oregon, and am still getting used to the city (and snow! and crazy-awesome football fans!)

Some things I'm into: records, comics, BAKING, community art projects, biking n' hiking, crafting, sewing, old movies, sarcasm, lazy sundays, vacation. Also, I'm trying to learn to play the banjo. I have a chubby tabby-cat named Miss Fridders, and hope to have a dog sometime very soon.

I'll be here most weekdays, so please feel free to say "hi" or introduce yourself if you see me around. I like to talk about comics and movies and music too, so if you need help finding something please, please come and ask me. I look forward to getting to know y'all!!!

Happy Thursday,
Tara

The largest cake I've ever baked:

New Opportunities (and Books) for LGBTQ* Teens in Pittsburgh!

2009-03-18T14:33:00.004-04:00

Local LGBTQ* organizations are working overtime to provide you with fun new programs and services. Here's what's on their calendar, including a lot of exciting FREE opportunities!

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Queer Youth Connection Event in March !

FREE Bowling @ Arsenal Lanes
212 44th Street
THIS Sunday: March 22
1pm to 4pm
Snacks and Drinks provided.

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QUEER YOUTH CONNECTIONS APRIL EVENT

FREE GODSPELL TICKETS @ Byham Theatre
Thursday April 16 th, 7:30 show
There are a limited number of tickets; please call

Contact Melissa Perkins, at (412) 441-9786 x233 or mperkins@persadcenter.org to reserve yours today

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Persad Youth Services AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM is Starting TUESDAY APRIL 14th!

Every Tuesday and Thursday from 3pm to 7pm
At the GLCC, (5808 Forward Ave, Second Floor. Sq. Hill)

Come Drop In, use the laptops, play a game, get homework help, hang out with your friends!

For additional information, please call Melissa at 412-441-9786 x233 or Lyndsey at 412-441-9786 x220

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The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh has recently gotten a handful of new and exciting titles with queer content. Take a look!

Bach, Tamara
The Girl from Mars

Miriam dreams of escaping from her boring small-town life and going to the big city to start her own life, especially when she develops romantic feelings for a girl named Laura and forms a new outlook after a weekend in the city.

Ryan, P.E.
In Mike We Trust

When Garth's uncle Mike comes to visit, he's like a breath of very needed fresh air. But before long, Garth is helping Mike with some mysterious things.

Hegamin, Tonya
M+O 4evr

In parallel stories, Hannah, a slave, finds love while fleeing a Maryland plantation in 1842, and in the present, Opal watches her life-long best friend, Marianne, pull away and eventually lose her life in the same Pennsylvania ravine where Hannah died.

~Joseph
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main

Beware the Ides of March Weirdness!!

2009-03-17T18:18:00.017-04:00

According to Oxford Reference Online, an Ide is a "day falling roughly in the middle of each month (the 15th day of March, May, July, and October, and the 13th of other months) from which other dates were calculated." So the Ides of March seem to have been only bad luck for Julius Ceasar, but we like to warn ourselves every year anyway, which is weird.

If you'd like to indulge your curiousity for the weird during this Ides of March, the library has plenty of oddities, whether books about weird things or books that are just weird (in no particular order):

Bat Boy Lives! : The Weekly World News Guide to Politics, Culture, Celebrities, Alien Abductions, and the Mutant Freaks that Shape Our World, by David Perel and the editors of the Weekly World News.

Now you don't have to hide your urge to pick up Weekly World News in the grocery check-out. All the absurdity that's fit to print is here in this handy volume.

Ripley's Believe It or Not! Encyclopedia of the Bizarre, Amazing, Strange, Inexplicable, Weird, and All True!, by Julie Mooney and the editors of Ripley's Believe It or Not!.

This is the 'real' version of Bat Boy, with stories like that of Randel Wise, who designed contact lenses for chickens.

Rear Ends : Found Photos from the Collection of Roger Handy, edited by Roger Handy & Karin Elsener.

Butts, no further explanation needed.

Odd Jobs: Portraits of Unusual Occupations, by Nancy Rica Schiff

Ever wondered what it would be like to be a golf ball diver, body piercer, or a video game tester? This is the book for you.

Elephants on Acid : and Other Bizarre Experiments, by Alex Boese

Have scientists ever really tested animal resurrection? You bet, and you can read all about that and other odd experiments here.

The Hypochondriac's Pocket Guide to Horrible Diseases You Probably Already Have, by Dennis DiClaudio

A hypochondriac's dream come true and worst nightmare - odd and frightening diseases.

The Book of Bunny Suicides, by Andy Riley

A classic of weirdness - learn all the ways that bunnies could die.

Read any weird books lately? Please share them in the comments section.

Top 10 Most Annoying Teen Fiction Trends, by Katie

2009-03-16T11:55:00.003-04:00

If I read one more book where a character is “oh my god so diffrerent” because they dress in black-and-hot-pink outfits and thinks that nobody understands them because they listen to Panic at the Disco and are just sooo alternative, I will scream. This does not make you (insert sparkles here) TOTALLY UNIQUE. It just makes you look like you know nothing about pop culture – look, this may have been a fresh and new idea for a protagonist, like, twenty years ago, but right now emo kids are right up there with the common cold. (Top offenders: most books involving vampires; Scarlett in Ghost Girl. Averted in: Sucks to Be Me – as well as subverted with Raven, the vampire wanna-be who thinks she’s qualified just because she shops at Hot Topic.)

Conversely, wearing polo shirts and lots of pink does not make you a shallow, vapid idiot who looks down your nose at everyone. Sorry, but people just don’t fit into perfect little boxes just like that. (Top offenders: any book about “elite” cliques ever; most books involving vampires. Averted in: Just Listen; Peace, Love, and Baby Ducks; most likely Frankie in The Disreputable History of Frankie Laundau-Banks. Absolutely subverted in The Squad – FBI-backed cheerleaders!)

Chosen ones suck. I personally don’t believe in destiny – “you make your own dream,” as John Lennon might say. I’m sorry, but when a character MUST SUCCEED BECAUSE THEY ARE CHOSEN BY A GREAT PROPHECY (okay, I’ll quit it with the caps lock) it takes all the fun out of it. (Top offenders: Harry Potter – because it was (sparkle) PROPHECISED!; most YA fantasy. Averted in: the Young Wizards series – Nita and Kit chose to become wizards of their own free will. Completely, 110% subverted in: Un Lun Dun – never underestimate the power of the Plucky Comic Relief.)

If I see the words “Manolo Blahnik” in a book about middle school students one more time… (Top offenders: that horrible Clique series (shudder!); Gossip Girl imitations for kids too young to watch the show.)

“Oh, look, a book by a fifteen-year-old author! We’ll publish it because that’s a cool gimmick, despite that there’s no editorial work done whatsoever and it’s a blatant Lord of the Rings rip-off!” (Top offenders: do I even need to tell you?)

Books trying to ride the wave of Twilight’s success bug me more than Twilight does, and that’s saying a lot. The local Barnes and Noble is clogged with vampire/human romances… and let’s not even get into fairy/human, werewolf/human, pixie/human, vampire/vampire, vampire/werewolf… the sheer uncreativity of the teen market is mind-boggling. (Top offenders: Marked; Wicked Lovely; Need.)

Unrealistic books where the main character wins a competition and is thrown into the (sparkle) WILD WORLD OF SHOW BUSINESS! Which is dramatic and full of beautiful people! Like the heroine! Only she’s normal! Even though she really isn’t and these books are just made to have us raise our hopes of stardom, only to be crushed when we realize that LIFE ISN’T LITERATURE! Gag me. (Top offenders: Starlet; almost any book on this subject. Subverted, though still not successfully, in Secrets of my Hollywood Life, about a teen actress who decides to live as a “normal” high school student.)

Authors trying to write in Meg Cabot’s style. She’s got the gift of making her books both semi-cheesy and yet ridiculously fun (especially The Princess Diaries) – her imitators are just cheesy. Louise Rennison wanna-bes are pretty bad too. (Top offenders: British teen chick lit; LBD -worst. Book. Ever. Averted in: um, Meg Cabot and Louise Rennison.)

And since it seems I can’t go a blog post without going on a manga-related rant: the spells, oh my god, the long, awkwardly translated, always-seeming-to-include-the-word-dragon spells. Can’t they just, I dunno, snap their fingers or something? (That’s why flame alchemy is useful, you know – you don’t need to talk, so you can maintain your dark-tall-and-brooding character trope!)

One word: Twilight.

Becca's Book Review: Brisingr

2009-03-13T10:33:00.002-04:00

In the elven language, brisingr means fire. It makes it the perfect title for Christopher Paolini’s third book in the Inheritence Series. With only one book left, Brisingr does an amazing job of getting you ready for the final battle between Eragon and Galbatorix. Let me first suggest that you read Eragon, and Eldest first. They provide a great foundation for this captivating work, but this review may spoil just a teensy bit if you haven’t yet read them.

We first find our hero Eragon, with his cousin Roran, pursuing their goal of rescuing Roran’s love, Katrina. Most everybody is familiar with Twilight, the teen romance with a little bit of action, well, Brisingr is an action tale, with a tiny bit of romance. And I mean tiny. We’re talking 3 chapters tops, in a 700+ page book.

Another huge deal is Eragon and Saphira (can’t forget the total bamf dragon) begin to fulfill their oaths, while making more, and more. Since the previous king was betrayed and killed by Murtagh, Eragon’s own brother (omigoodness!) a new dwarf king is elected, leading Eragon to plenty of danger in the underground kingdom.

Did you ever have to work with somebody you completely despised for your entire life? Well the humans of the Varden did. The ugly mofo Urgals joined up with the Varden in Eldest, and now we get to see how this combo plays out. *Hint, it involves bulky manly Roran vs big horned ugly guy. AHHHH!

Another important race is the elves. They have joined in the fight too, slicing and dicing through Galbatorix’s oath slaves. When Eragon returns to the Weldenvarden, the Cripple that is Whole, teaches him many things, like how Galbatorix gets his power (you’ll never guess hahaha) and how Eragon came into this world (not the gorey details). Saphira and Eragon battle the entire elven forest (bad idea) and Eragon visited a man he provided the most unthinkable punishment for (it’s so cool). Plus, reading this book will teach you, step by step how to make a Dragon Rider sword (not kidding).

If you haven’t already guessed, I think this book is AWESOME. All those sci-fi freaks and battle lovers will love this too. You may even love it if you’re neither, because it’s just that good.

~Becca C.

Free tickets to see Walter Dean Myers!

2009-03-04T10:37:00.004-05:00

Yes,it's true! Walter Dean Myers is visiting the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh THIS SATURDAY. Teens can win 2 tickets by stopping by the Teen space at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main (in Oakland) and answering our in-house trivia question. We only have two sets of tickets to give away, so stop by today!!!!

Holly

Teen Review: Cory's Hip Hop Recommendations, Pt. 1*

2009-02-27T13:42:00.007-05:00

If you are more into rap music or hip hop than R&B then you may like artists like Lil Wayne, Fabolous, and Young Jeezy. They are very great artists and they create very good music and hits that people like to listen to over and over again. But there are more good artists that are being discovered every day like Gucci Mane, Drake, and Jamie Foxx. These are artists that make good hits too that people like to listen to over and over again. Gucci Mane is an artist that has been out for a while and he is a artist that people compare to other artists. Most people say that Lil Wayne is the best rapper alive but some say Gucci Mane is better than Lil Wayne.

*Thanks to teen reviewer, Cory, for writing this review. It was completed as part of our Fine Alternative Program, which allows teens to work down their fines at the library. Stop by and we'll tell you all about it!

Holly
CLP-Main

Becca's Book Review: Twisted, by Laurie Halse Anderson

2009-02-24T16:23:00.005-05:00

A Twisted Review
By Becca C.

If one thing is true, it’s that very few books appeal to every type high school student. After reading “Twisted” by Laurie Halse Anderson, it’s easy to tell why this is one of them. Anderson is able to combine the life of a teenage boy, and the drama teen girls thrive on to make a gender neutral page turner. The book has an underdog feeling to it, yet doesn’t turn the popular kids into “mean girls” and there’s some life aspect that you will find you’re personally going through.

The story is about a high school senior by the name of Tyler Miller. Picked on during his middle school years, he decides to make himself a legend and end the torment for high school. He eventually suffers for his stunt. While paying his debt to society, Tyler also has to deal with his growing attraction to the popular girl at school, an ashamed, over bearing father, a sociallite sister going out with his best friend, and an effective solution to his bullies. He even develops a reputation that makes him the cops go-to-guy when the giant scandal goes down, and yes, it’s a huge shock.

Anderson has the inept ability to blend family issues, peer drama and inner battles without making it a giant cliché. There’s enough fights and female anatomy to keep the guys happy, but enough emotion and social strains to keep chicks interested. It’s easy for anyone to relate to this book. Whether you’ve ever been the butt of everybody’s joke and the target of everybody’s hits, had a giant thing for the cool kid, had the urge to do something reckless, had an unbearable home life, or even had the desire to end it all, you will find something that links your life to Tylers.

There are even some life lessons snuck inbetween the lines. Things like your actions will come back to haunt you and to be responsible are learned through the characters the hard way; Through public humiliation, social isolation and hard labor. It makes you think about how your actions will effect you in the future. You begin to question whether or not the perfect kids are really that perfect.
One of the most important things about the book is that it’s new. Released in 2007, there aren’t any references to how “groovy” the Brady Bunch is. With the exception of the geek’s universe aka Star Wars, everything in the book is all recent events. Everybody already knows that KISS is really ugly when they take off their makeup.

If you couldn’t already guess, I really suggest that you read this book. “Twisted” isn’t just for one type of person. Girls, boys, happy, sad, cowboys and indians will enjoy this book as much as I did.

Are You Ready for More Wizard Rock?

2009-02-19T11:43:00.003-05:00

If any of you muggles are getting pumped for the next Harry Potter movie and looking for something to do on a Friday night, check out this cool show at the Garfield Artworks.

***

Wizard Rock band from Ann Arbor, MI
TONKS AND THE AURORS
http://www.myspace.com/tonksandtheaurors

with Columbus, Ohio's
THE CHINESE CHOMPING CABBAGES
http://www.myspace.com/cccabbages

and local opener WEIRD PAUL (not Wizard Rock, but totally hilarious).

Friday February 27 6 pm all ages show (done by around 9 pm). $10
admission.
at Garfield Artworks, 4931 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15224.
The 86B and 54C buses will take you there.

Info: 412-361-2262 or info@garfieldartworks.com.

~Joseph
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main

Graphic Novels: like normal novels, only more awesome

2009-02-15T15:18:00.005-05:00

When I was seven years old my Dad bought me my first comic book at a 7-11. He told me to pick one off of the old spinning comic rack (a rare thing these days). I went for an issue of Captain America - Issue #401 to be exact. The cover featured a bummed out Cap sitting at his desk (yes, Captain America has a desk) with the faces of a bunch of heroes and villains floating above him. Something about the heavy vibe and all of the cool character's faces appealed to me.

Flash forward eighteen years and I still love comics. I'd steered clear of them for a few years off-and-on, but I've always come back. One great thing about working in TEEN is that I get to keep up with the stories and talk to patrons about their favorite stuff. That's right - comics in the library! I'm sure this isn't exactly news to everyone, but it's still a relatively new thing. It wasn't until the late 90s that graphic novels and trade paperbacks (generally six issues of a comic compiled and bound together) really started showing up in book stores and libraries. It's about time that comics, manga, and graphic novels are accepted as the works of art they truly are.

Check out these selections from our collection of graphic novels and graphic series. (Of course, there's plenty more where these came from - be sure to ask your friendly neighborhood librarian for suggestions!) :

House by Josh Simmons: This graphic novel by first-time author Simmons is a haunting tale in which three teenage friends explore a mysterious, abandoned house with tragic results. House is completely wordless, but the art is wonderful.

Batman - The Man Who Laughs by Ed Brubaker: Experience the first ever meeting between The Dark Knight and the Clown Prince of Crime! Batman is Gotham cities new defender, but he's never encountered any criminals quite like the chalk-faced madman known as the Joker.

Street Angel by Jim Rugg: Jesse "Street Angel" Sanchez is a homeless teen from the worst ghetto on Earth. She stays alive with her kung fu skills and skateboarding prowess, fighting Irish astronauts, ancient gods, and gangs of evil ninjas. Check out local author/artist Jim Rugg's awesome comic series!

Awkward and Definition: the high school comic chronicles of Ariel Schrag by Ariel Schrag: Ariel Schrag created these comics the summer following each year of High School. Awkward is about her freshman year and Definition is about her sophomore year. Wonderful true-to-life stories you can relate to. Impressive to think that a high school student created and published these great stories.

Shortcomings by Adrian Tomine: A wonderful falling-out-of-love story about (that most cliche of indie comic subjects) twenty-something slackers. Luckily, it is a wonderful story - sad and touching with great commentary on racial identity in America.

Corey W, Main - TEEN

Help us create a Book-of-the-Month!

2009-02-07T11:13:00.004-05:00

So I've an idea to start having a Book-of-the-Month in Teen. This would be in place of a monthly book discussion. There would be no actual meetings. The discussion about the book could take place informally at the Teen reference desk, or on the blog post comments.

Do you have any ideas for which books you'd like to see become a "Book of the Month" in 2009? Do you have any ideas about how to make this idea fly? If so, please share with us in the comments section.

Thanks for your help!
Holly

My My My, Lauren Myracle and Censorship

2009-01-28T14:57:00.013-05:00

I was very lucky to be able to attend the American Library Association's Midwinter Meeting in Denver last week. By far, the best part of my trip was attending the Freedom To Read Foundation's Fundraiser featuring Lauren Myracle. (It was there that I learned that her name is pronounced Myracle, not Miracle.)

Lauren spoke about the censorship and challenging of her books. Many adults across the country have challenged or banned her books, because they tend to deal with themes of sexuality, and have some swearing in them. At the fundraiser, Lauren read some angry emails she has received from parents. Parents called her books "evil, disgusting, filthy, and awful," and even referred to Lauren as "Satan."

TTYL was on the list of Most Frequently Challenged Books in 2007, and has recently been banned at the Round Rock Independent School District near Austin, Texas. The superintendent of the school district removed all copies of the book from the library, despite that fact that two committees reviewed the book and found it suitable for the library.

It is important to remember that librarians face book and material challenges on a daily basis, and we do our best to protect the First Amendment rights of teens.

If you'd like to send Lauren a little email of support or encouragement, please do so here.

I read banned books,

Holly

P.S. The photo above is of a two-story tall bear sculpture outside of the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. It doesn't have much to do with Lauren Myracle, but I thought it was awesome, and she was awesome, so there you go.

Here We Go! Get Hyped for Super Bowl XLIII!

2009-01-26T13:19:00.006-05:00

While we didn't get an official count, about 43 teens came to cheer the Steelers on to victory in Super Bowl XLIII, which will be held this Sunday in Tampa Bay! You can see pictures of participants in their black 'n gold glory on our Flickr page.

We also held our third annual CLP Teen Madden Tournament. Michael R. took home first place, staving off a fourth quarter comeback from Brian V. Check out all the action in the video below.

If you want to brush up on your Steelers before the big game, the library has a lot of great books and DVDs which you can browse in the subjects Pittsburgh Steelers (Football Team) and Pittsburgh Steelers (Football Team) -- History

Here are some of my favorites:

Blount, Roy
About Three Bricks Shy... and the Load Filled Up: The Story of the Greatest Football Team Ever

This classic book traces life on the Steelers, from Bradshaw to the "Steel Curtain," during the dynasty that birthed our first four rings. Surprisingly, it's actually a hilarious inside look at the personalities who were meaner than anything on the field.

Hickoff, Steve
The 50 Greatest Plays in Pittsburgh Steelers Football History

This book breaks down and ranks the greatest plays of Steelers football history. How do your favorites stack up? Check it out here!

Rooney, Dan
Dan Rooney: My 75 Years with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the NFL

Dan Rooney's Hall of Fame career has spanned over 25 years of being the owner of the Steelers and a lifetime with arguably the greatest football organization of all time. This is what he has to say from his birds-eye view, from immaculate receptions to one for the thumb.

Steelers: The Complete History

With gameday footage tracing back from Bill Cowher to the early days of NFL history, this DVD chronicles the life and times of the black and gold and the city which calls the Steelers its home.

If you're only just getting into football to cheer on your team, don't forget to try the NFL's Rule Book section. It will give you all the info you need to understand what's happening on the field, from a digest of the rule book to the "Beginners Guide to Football."

HERE WE GO!

~Joseph
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main

CLP TEEN STEELERS HYPE PARTY

2009-01-21T18:01:00.006-05:00

Before, it was just your run of the mill Madden Tournament. Now...

PITTSBURGH'S GOIN TO DA SUPERBOWL!

That's why on Sunday, January 25th @ 12:30 PM, we're having a special CLP TEEN STEELERS HYPE PARTY to get ready for the big game. We're stocking the teen section with food, video games, and a special Steelers hype-up DVD.

We'll also be showing our Steelers pride LIVE ONLINE at http://media.carnegielibrary.org/teen, so come check out the live action or join us in the chat.

~Joseph
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main

Enter the 2009 Dr. Helen S. Faison Racial Justice Student Essay Contest

2009-01-20T16:43:00.004-05:00

Today, people across the world took note of the inauguration of President Barack Obama. In recognition of this historic event, the YWCA Greater Pittsburgh is proud to sponsor the Dr. Helen S. Faison Racial Justice Student Essay Contest.

Here's the information about how you can use Obama's presidency as a springboard to thinking about your own place in the world. Download the application here.

2009 Dr. Helen S. Faison Racial Justice Student Essay Contest
Contest Rules

All essays should address the following question:

Barack Obama will be inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States on January 20, 2009. What can young people do to eliminate racism and other forms of prejudice during President Obama’s time in office?

The maximum length for the essay is 300 words. All entries must be printed in ink or typed double-spaced on one side only. Submissions will be judged on response to question, content, writing style, grammar/legibility, creativity, and essay length. (Please do not exceed 300 words.)

The completed form should be the last page of your essay. In order to ensure the fairest selection process, judges will not see student or school names. Parent/Guardian signature required. Please do not edit the form; all sections must be complete with contact information.

First, second and third place finalists will be selected in Grades 6, 7, and 8. Finalists will be recognized at the YWCA Greater Pittsburgh on Wednesday April 15, 2009. Winners will be notified in April and will be invited to attend an award ceremony free of charge as guests of the YWCA.

Return essay and entry form to: Dr. Helen S. Faison Racial Justice Student Essay Contest, YWCA Greater Pittsburgh Office of Racial Diversity and Inclusion, 305 Wood Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. Questions? Email rja@ywcapgh.org or call 412-255-1466. Entries must be received by Monday, March 9, 2008.

~Joseph
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main

Classic Films With Teen Appeal

2009-01-15T18:06:00.000-05:00

I just had a lovely conversation with some teen regulars about great movies, growing up, feeling out of place, etc. It made me quite happy to be working where I work, encountering wonderful people and sharing ideas.

They told me about how much they love movies from the 70s and 80s, and were excited about the recommendations my co-worker Connie and I gave them. They even suggested I blog about some more movies they might like but may not have heard of, so here I am! Your wish is my command.

Here's a list of films dealing with teendom that were very important to teenage Corey and which I hope teenage you will also enjoy. (Be sure to check the links and order your copies from the library today!):

Harold and Maude: "I haven't lived. I've died a few times." Connie started the conversation by bringing this film up. I first saw it in the ninth grade; my friends soon began calling me Harold. Harold and Maude is the story of a morbid, depressed, teenager who often fakes his own death and goes to funerals for fun. His outlook on life slowly begins to change when he meets Maude, a vivacious 79 year old woman who teaches Harold how l-i-v-e live live live!

Amelie: "At least you'll never be a vegetable — even artichokes have hearts." The title character (an adorable waitress in Montmarte, Paris) is sort of Harold and Maude rolled into one; she's a dreamer and an optimist, but she worries her dreams will never come true, that she will die alone, never realizing the love she hopes to find. "Times are hard for dreamers" she is told, and she knows it to be true. However, things change for Amelie when she decides to become a do-good-er, anonymously bringing people the joy she is afraid to reach out and grab for herself. Amelieis whimsical, romantic, sadly sweet and hilarious. It will melt away even the angstiest angst, if only for a little while. Check out the wonderful soundtrack!

Rushmore: "Sic transit gloria. Glory fades. I'm Max Fischer." The main character of director Wes Anderson's opus is Max Fisher, an overly ambitious fifteen year old playwright who attends Rushmore Academy on scholarship. Max is placed on academic probation when his grades continue to slip. Soon, things spiral out of control when he and his middle aged steel magnate friend, Herman Bloom, both fall for Rushmore's beautiful kindergarten teacher, Ms. Cross. Rushmore is both darkly funny and bittersweet. Check out the AWESOME SOUNDTRACK!

Pretty In Pink: "If somebody doesn't believe in me, I can't believe in them." So, I guess this is a bit of a cliche choice, right? I think it's the best of the 80s "brat pack" movies, though. The Breakfast Clubis great and all, but this one strikes more of a chord. You've got Andie (a bit of a misfit but a total sweetheart), Duckie (a pre-lame Jon Cryer who is awesome as the lovelorn best friend, crushing on his pal), and Blane (the wealthy and popular, but nice, guy) in a love-triangle. Andie likes Blane but she feels like she's nothing special; he's cute and popular, so why would he like her? Meanwhile, the duckman suffers. A film about love across class lines. Order the great soundtrack!

The Dead Poet's Society: "No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world." Haven't seen this one in years, but it's a heart-breaker; the story of a class of prep school boys inspired by their new teacher, whose call to arms is more than a little similar to Maude's, "Carpe diem, seize the day boys, make your lives extraordinary." A film about what's expected of us versus what we want, realizing your own dreams and fighting for them - always a good lesson to learn.

Honorable Mentions go to: Dazed and Confused, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Rebel Without a Cause, American Graffiti, Say Anything, The Virgin Suicides

Corey

CLP - Main, TEEN

Law of Ueki - A review by Eli Straussman

2009-01-15T18:04:00.001-05:00

Law of Ueki is a great comic by Tsubasa Fukuchi. It is about Kosuke Ueki who has taken part of a competition for the talent of blank. Now this means that if he wins the contest, he get any wish he wants granted, be it to destroy the entire world or to have a slice of pizza. Accompanying his mission is his witty friend Ai Mori (Amori for short), who after much snooping figured out Ueki's power. His other companion is his teacher and coach, Mr. Kobayashi. These two characters are very much alike. They are both space cases who don't adhere to all the rules and help anyone and everyone in need. Amori is a nervous wreck who looks out for Ueki at every turn.
The plot goes something like this. Middle schoolers are given powers (I.E the ability to turn CDs into razors, to turn hair into a drill) and a King Candidite. The real purpose of this contest is to choose the new king of the celestial world, because the current king has gotten bored with his job. The King Candidates give the kids their powers and teach them how to use it. Then the kids fight and the loser loses his/her power and the Candidate is no longer running. Also if you win a battle you get a talent. These talents are meant to help you win other battles. More fights you win, the more talents you get. There is a catch though. If you use your power on noncontestants, then you lose a talent. Ueki got the power to turn trash into trees, and when he starts of he has 8 talents (very few compared to other contestants).
Now the comic starts off pretty shaky, the art is very sketchy and the plot jumps pretty badly, but once you get to volume 4, it’s great. The drawing is more solid, and Mr. Fukuchi finally gets a grip on the plot. I recommend this book a lot. The Library contains volumes 1-7 and 10-13. Check it out now.

OMG! It's Ugly Covers Friday!

2009-01-09T15:31:00.006-05:00

Let's have another crack at captioning with this lovely cover for Cry Havoc, a relic from the Teen fiction stacks.

Karen: "Hurry Paul, we have to catch the disembodied wolf head."
Joseph: "Cry Havoc: When crying wolf just isn't enough."
Holly: "Wolfie Monster says: Me so hungry. Me want to eat bullet!"

Corey: "Giant wolf heads and Members Only jackets: a surprisingly important part of the Nazi war effort."

We welcome your captions in the comments section.

Happy Friday!

Holly

Top Albums of 2008

2009-01-06T14:47:00.003-05:00

Pop ruled 2008. From indie to hip-hop to dance to punk, no genre was immune to pop's grasp. Even pop got poppier! Here are some of our picks for top albums for teens in 2008. They may not all be in the teen section, but they're all available through our online catalog.

Any additions? Any albums that made you puke? Let us know in the comments.

19
Adele

Adele is a young London soul singer who drew musical comparisons to Amy Winehouse, both because of their chosen genre (soul) and because they both graduated from the same performing arts high school. Adele breaks from the Amy Winehouse mold with a plush, singer-songwriter element that enmeshes listeners in the dynamics of teenage heartbreak. This is a great album for any teen who, like Adele, seems "older than her years."

New Amerykah: Part One (4th World War)
Erykah Badu

While Erykah Badu didn't release an album that one might normally think of for teens, Erykah Badu re-emerged with the kind of album every teen could benefit from listening to. At once moving, intelligent, and bewildering, Badu lobs pronouncements about racism, crime, and the American government from in front of booming basslines and soulful melodies. This is a great album for any teen looking for an album in which style and substance are fearlessly soulmates.

A Pocketful of Sunshine
Natasha Bedingfield

If you take a wayback machine to January of 2008, you might remember this little under the radar pop gem. Full of sweet, upbeat numbers like "Put Your Arms around Me" and the titular "A Pocketful of Sunshine" (as well as reggae-tinged songs like "Love Like This") this album lent teens a solid offering of sunshine during the last dreary winter.

I Am... Sasha Fierce
Beyonce

A counterpoint to albums like T.I. vs. T.I.P. which explore what it means to be a pop star, Beyonce returns with a split-personality album that alternates between personal ballads on the "I Am..." side and infectious pop numbers like "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" from the Sasha Fierce persona. The ballads may feel a little sappy, but just about everything Sasha Fierce touches is as fierce as a dance floor can handle. If you like it, then you should have put a hold on it.

Rotation
Cute Is What We Aim For

Cute Is What We Aim For aim and hit with a style-conscious emo-pop album that adds some polish (in addition to some synth and horn flourishes) to their 2006 offering The Same Old Blood Rush with a New Touch. If songs like "Practice Makes Perfect" aren't reminiscent of those joyful, yet excruciatingly painful moments of youthful desire, then I don't know what is.

Breakout
Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus ditches the Hannah Montana moniker for another breakout album from this Radio Disney/Camp Rock star. Breakout is punchier, more guitar driven, and appealing to those tweens are are going through the same sort of growing pains in their lives as "Hannah Montana" is going through musically.

Indestructible
Disturbed

Apparently, the new hard rock that was attracting teens in 2008 didn't go away, it just got darker and angrier. Enter Indestructible, Disturbed's fourth studio album. Indestructible takes the pounding riffs from The Sickness and pairs then with the dynamics of Ten Thousands Fists to create what fans are lauding as their best album yet.

Shine
Estelle

Another Londonite, Estelle, showcases multiple talents on the fine R&B album Shine. Skillfully singing and rapping on tracks that run the gamut between reggae and glitzy pop, Estelle hit it big on the charts with the fun, flirty summer jam "American Boy" (featuring Kanye West). While the buzz quickly dried up, the album remained as a fine piece of pop R&B.

Folie A Deux
Fall Out Boy

Though only released a couple of weeks ago, it won't be long before long-time fans find and snatch this one up. While the album is a lot more on the melodic, powerpop side of spectrum than the crunchy, high-octane (yet unmistakably poppy) anthems they're known for, it retains a lot of the self-conscious reflection by which Fall Out Boy has made a name for themselves. A lot of people have compared this album to developments in the career path of Elvis Costello, which wouldn't be out of place, considering that Elvis Costello guest stars on the album.

Fight with Tools
Flobots

A little bit of jazz, a dash of funk, a sprinkle of soul, and a teaspoon of hip-hop, blended with some crushed hard rock, round out the album Fight with Tools, from the Flobots. One of the few bands gracing the alternative stations that actually had a record in 2008, Flobots have crafted a hopeful, politically uplifting album for any eclectic, change-oriented teen.

Mail on Sunday
Flo Rida

The party rap album of the year was Flo Rida's Mail on Sunday. From the T-Pain assisted "Low" to the Timbaland collaboration "Elevator," Flo Rida featured several strong club hits. Mix it with the absolutely infectious "In the Ayer" (which I still hear kids singing to themselves on the bus), and you have an album that may not last long but is sure to be a fun ride.

A Little Bit Longer
The Jonas Brothers

The Jonas Brothers somehow managed to become even bigger tween-pop superstars in 2008, with the release of the successful movie Camp Rock and the follow-up album A Little Bit Longer. Featuring saccharine guitars, vocal harmonies, ballads, and the inevitable rocker, these hearthrobs have starred in an album that's sure to get tweens swooning.

Juno: Music from the Motion Picture

Juno's quirky, smart, and youthful exuberance captured the attention of many teens, who clamored for the quirky, smart, and youthful soundtrack (which quickly rose to be a surprising chart-topper). The album predominantly features Kimya Dawson, formerly of the Moldy Peaches, whose rambling lyrical delivery and sweet guitar melodies make it a great companion for those awkward teen years.

Tha Carter III
Lil Wayne

After saturating the rap game with mixtapes and guest appearances, Lil Wayne (aka Weezy F. Baby)'s opus became the most anticipated album of 2008. This bizarre, disjointed joyride takes you from club bangers like "Lollipop" and "A Milli" to songs like "Phone Home," in which Weezy raps through an alien voice filter. There will be no shortage of interest in this album for several years, at least, if Lil Wayne's casual swagger is any indication.

Year of the Gentleman
Ne-Yo

In addition to producing and writing hit songs for such performers as Plies, The Pussycat Dolls, and Rihanna, Ne-Yo struck gold with the album Year of the Gentleman. With each song expressing heartfelt, gentle affection (from the R&B/house fusion single "Closer" to the upbeat, stacco synth-fueled "Miss Independent"), the album more than lives up to its name.

One of the Boys
Katy Perry

Not too many people realize that this pop sensation, who cloys about kissing a girl (and liking it), was once a Christian artist who wasn't even allowed to listen to secular music. While you might debate the merits of sultry ballads like "UR So Gay" and sassy electro-rock club hits like "I Kissed a Girl," they were nonetheless on the tongues of teens everywhere in 2008. The latest bouncy club hit, "Hot N Cold," shows that Katy Perry may be divine after all.

Funhouse
P!nk

With every song sounding like the "one hit" from a one hit wonder, P!nk's Funhouse is a raucous pop affair led by P!nk's "divorce song," "So What." Love it or hate it, it's hard to deny that Funhouse is unfailingly spunky for such a personal pop album. Through it, P!nk shows she can still get the party started.

Santogold
Santogold

With guest production by M.I.A. collaborators switch and Diplo, as well as a pan-continental flavor, it was easy to write off Santogold as 2008's Kala. Over time, this album proved that it had a personality unto itself, with verses and hooks by Santi White that will catch the attention of "new millennium" teens looking for a fun, intelligent, and altogether interesting indie dance album.

Circus
Britney Spears

This album definitely wins comeback album of the year award, for singlehandedly resurrecting an entertainment career that was completely derailed by tabloid escapades. One MTV special and enormously fun, catchy single (yes, I'm talking about "Womanizer" later), Britney was once again part of the teen pop landscape. The rest of the album pumps with a hyperkinetic energy and is flanked by a couple of surprisingly heartfelt ballads. Britney forever!

Paper Trail
T.I.

While performing 1,000 hours of community service related to federal weapons charges, T.I. spent a lot of time in America's schools, talking to teens about the importance of education and civic participation. This "back to school" theme resonated with T.I.'s latest chart topper, Paper Trail, which holds a title that refers more to a creative process (literally writing lyrics on paper, which hadn't been done since 2001's I'm Serious) than to tracing criminal activity. With a refreshing frankness, T.I. returned to top form with the Rihanna-backed song "Live Your Life" and packed the rest of the album with a thoughtful assessment of life, hip-hop, and life in hip-hop--in addition to fun party jams like "Swing Ya Rag" and the epic guest-filled monster "Swagger Like Us," which features Jay Z, Lil Wayne, and Kanye West.

Twilight: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Top 3 reasons to get the Twilight Sountrack:

1. It's related to Twilight.
2. Did I mention Twilight?
3. Seriously, Twilight (oh, and Paramore).

Lost in the Sound of Separation
Underoath

Frenetic and often atmospheric, the openly Christian Underoath have unleashed one of the most pummeling (yet inexplicably accessible) metalcore albums of 2008. From the first breakdown in "Breathing in a New Mentality" to the moment "The Only Survivor Was Miraculously Unharmed" fires up its jet engines and explodes, Underoath have offered teens an awesomely brutal album that will have even the most secular moshing.

Here I Stand
Usher

Usher returns with a 5th studio album full of piano-sprinkled, synth-laden R&B ballads. While it's been derided as "married man's music," losing the hip-hop energy that got teens excited about 2004's Confessions, Usher is still a household name--and how can anybody deny the magic of the single "Love in This Club"?

The Recession
Young Jeezy

Young Jeezy returns with another album of gritty down south beats, guttural vocals, and a stark, street realism style that's been Jeezy's trademark since Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101. But with songs like "Put On," "Crazy World," and "My President Is Black," Young Jeezy is also beginning to show how even thugs are getting motivated to help build a new America.

~Joseph
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main

Special Guest blogger!

2009-01-05T10:52:00.003-05:00

Igor O. reviews some wicked-awesome manga to start off the new year. Enjoy.

One Piece

When an ordinary boy eats a devil fruit he becomes an empowered being. The powers of the devil fruit have enchanted him, and for it he pays the price of being able to swim. Originally you may think that would be great - getting near superpowers and having to stay on land, but Luffie's goal is to become kind of like the pirates, and that is not any easy task. With a promise he made to someone and other strong pirates with more powers can he do it? Read One Piece to find out!

Xxxholic

There is no such thing as coincidence in this world but only Hitsuzen . . . or at least according to this parallel-world book coinciding with Tsubasa. The book is about a boy in high school who has an unusual ability - he can see spirits and ghosts. He is not very happy about this and wants this ability gone. But every wish has a price. Will Watanuki be able to fulfill that price, or will the people he meets change his outlook on spirits and make him acknowledge his gift? Read Xxxholic to find out!

Murder Princess

I have to admit this one was an unexpected find. I was not really expecting it to be any good. But the book was great. The princess and a well-known female bounty hunter switched bodies and now, when the kingdom is under attack, it’s the princess who fights the war. The real princess only wants the kingdom to stay safe and gave up the life to become a servant instead. What will become of this story? One thing I know is that I want to know!

All reviews by Igor. Posted by Connie.

Want to review a book or CD or game or magazine or series or something for our blog? Just ask!

Pre-Register for the Teen Madden 09 Tournament

2008-12-31T12:49:00.007-05:00

Think you got what it takes to challenge Pittsburgh teens in Madden supremacy and win a $50 check card? Join us at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh's Teen space (4400 Forbes Ave., in Oakland), where 16 players will take to the field on Sunday, January 25th @ 12:30 PM for all the big plays and big hits that you could ask for.

We're offering free pizza, snacks, and drinks so that you can invite your friends to come cheer you on--or if they can't, we'll be broadcasting the tournament live online to a national audience (URL TBA).

Please read the rules carefully before entering:

- You must be in high school or high school equivalent age (14-17) to participate.
- We will update the rosters before the tournament.
- Players will be seeded randomly.
- The first two games will be 3:00 minute quarters on All-Pro difficulty; semi-finals and finals will be 4:00 minute quarters on All-Madden difficulty.
- Each player will have one minute before the game to set their audibles and depth charts.
- If the winner cannot continue, the loser with the lowest point differential (aka whoever lost by the least) will fill their slot.
- The home team of each game will be determined by a coin flip.
- Rewinds will be turned OFF.
- Negative trash talk will get a player a warning. After the first warning, the player will be disqualified. Players are welcome to get excited about their own plays, but not at the expense of others. Players' friends will be removed after their first warning.
- Players will be confirmed in the tournament on a first-come, first-serve basis on the day of the tournament. Pre-registering does not guarantee any player a spot in the tournament. The library will open at noon on the day of the tournament.

To pre-register, contact Joseph via phone (412-622-3121), e-mail (wilkj@carnegielibrary.org), or through our online events page.

~Joseph
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh - Main

As my old friend Billy Shakespeare said...

2008-12-20T15:35:00.004-05:00

"Sweets to the sweet! Farewell."

I am sad to say that my time in the CLP Teen Department has come to an end. I will miss you all. Sadly I will no longer hear the dulcet tones of teens asking me for headphones, guest cards, or to sign up to play RockBand 2. I will merely have to help teens in eastern PA write papers and search for literary criticisms; for I am off to the faraway land know as the "high school library". Where you can be sure I will turn on any teen without a hall pass like the rabid bunny that I am. I will remember fondly the End of Summer Reading Party, listening to you sing the word "Pikachu" over and over to the tune of "(Don't Fear) The Reaper", seeing you dressed as vampires to celebrate the release of Breaking Dawn and watching you eat pizza at roughly the speed of light.

Thank you all for making my 6 months in Teen totally super awesome!!

Love, books, and Super Smash Bros. Brawl,
Cat

Friday Ugly Covers Archive & Caption Contest

2008-12-19T15:40:00.007-05:00

Once again it's time for the Ugly Covers Caption Contest! Please leave us your captions in the comments below.

Our staff has weighed in with their own captions:
"Time again for the Creepy Disembodied Head Regetta" - Corey
"The weight of the disembodied head upon my shoulders" - Karen
"I've shrunk you into a tiny man leaning against the pier -it's the greastest prank of all time! (Why am I not laughing, then?)" - Holly

Now it's your turn!
*Special thanks to Katie and Zoe for pitching in for the last edition.*

Holly

Winners! Second Annual CLP Teen Awards

2008-12-19T11:34:00.010-05:00

Shoe-ins and stunning upsets! It was a fascinating scene at the recent Second Annual CLP Teen Awards Ceremony at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main. What do you think about the winners? Below are the categories and the winners (in bold):

Favorite Music (overall)
Tha Carter II by Lil' Wayne 43%
Kala by M.I.A. 33%
CoCo by Colbie Caillat 24%

Favorite Hip Hop
Tha Carter III by Lil' Wayne 45%
Paper Trail by T.I. 40%
Smoke N Blaze by Kev Blaze 15%

Favorite Non-fiction Book
Stick Figure : A Diary of my Former Self by Lori Gottlieb 73%
Under the Overpass by Mike Yankoski 27%

Favorite Fiction Book
Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer 52%
Paper Towns by John Green 40%
Uglies Trilogy by Scott Westerfeld 2 8%

Favorite Fantasy or Sci-Fi Book
Artemis Fowl Series by Eoin Colfer 50%
War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells 36%
Star Trek Series by various authors 14%

Favorite Manga
Death Note by Tsugumi Ohba 63%
Naruto by Masashi Kishimoto 26%
Bleach by Tite Kubo 2 11%

Favorite Graphic Novel or Graphic Series
Spider-Man by various authors 57%
Runaways by various authors 38%
X-Men by various authors 5%

Favorite Wii Game
Mario Kart 42%
Super Smash Brothers Brawl 29%
Wii Sports 29%

Favorite Xbox or Xbox 360 Game
Rock Band 74%
Madden 09 17%
Halo 3 9%

Favorite Playstation I, II, or III Game
Guitar Hero 54%Rock Band 25%
Grand Theft Auto IV 21%

Favorite Movie
The Dark Knight 34%
Twilight 21%
Juno 17%
Wall-E 14%
High School Musical III 10%
The Incredible Hulk 3%

Favorite Website
YouTube 48%
MySpace 21%
Facebook 21%
Google 10%

Favorite Magazine
Time 50%
Seventeen 39%
Cosmo Girl 11%

Favorite Board Game
Scrabble 39%
Apples to Apples 36%
Clue 25%

Favorite Spot to Visit in Pittsburgh
The Carnegie Library (any location) 55%
Kennywood 41%
The Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History 3%

Holly

Take Home One of Our Tragically Overlooked Graphic Series! (A-M Edition)

2008-12-15T14:55:00.020-05:00

One of the saddest things for a librarian to see is an awesome title languishing on the shelf. They might have a great cover, an awesome story, or great writing, but we see them begging day after day for somebody to check them out. This happens often in our Teen Graphic Series section, where it's hard for items to get noticed in between the Batmans and Spidermans of the world.

So if you have a heart this holiday season, take home one of these lonely little friends and see why we bought them in the first place!

Avalon High: Coronation
Meg Cabot

Ellie Harrison moves to a new school in a new town, ready to adjust and restart her normal life. Yet, life proves to be anything but normal when it's possible that the boy she falls for, Will, just might be the reincarnation of King Arthur. Now Ellie must convince Will to take on the mantle and fight a brewing evil. This is based off of Meg Cabot's 2005 novel Avalon High, and the lively, manga-style art will breathe new life for even seasoned readers.

Avril Lavigne's Make 5 Wishes
Camilla d'Errico and Joshua Dysart

Hana is a lonely, quiet schoolgirl who would have nothing to distract her from her parent's dissolving marriage and the teasing of her classmates if it weren't for her imaginary best friend, Avril Lavigne. One day, Hana buys a mysterious package from the site Make5Wishes.com, which gives new meaning to the phrase "be careful what you wish for." Soon, the demon Romeo arrives, and Hana makes one regrettable wish after another!

Blokhedz
Mark Davis, Mike Davis, and Brandon Schultz

Blak has a magical ability that gives him extra-skilled fighting abilities in addition to being extraordinarily gifted in the skills of rap. Blak will need every one of these skills when he takes to the streets to battle gangs, his brother's killers, and his own personal demons--not to mention the literal demons that lurk deep within the city.

Courtney Crumrin
Ted Naifeh

Courtney Crumin was dragged from her previous life to a well-to-do suburb to live with her Great Uncle Aloysius. That wouldn't be so bad, if Aloysius wasn't creepy and strange noises weren't coming from the closets and the walls: creaks, clunks, and... groans? Suddenly, Courtney isn't just the new kid at school, she's the new kid at ghoul! Thankfully, Courtney's special brand of dark humor is enough to keep them at bay.

Girl Genius
Kaja & Phil Foglio

Adventure, romance, and mad science collide in these collections of Kaja & Phil Foglio's online webcomic Girl Genius. Agatha has no idea that she is a distant Heterodyne, a family who once "travelled the globe negotiating peace, stopping monsters, and shutting down doomsday devices." On top of that, Agatha possesses the Spark, the ability to play with the laws of physics. One day, an evil Baron comes-a-knocking, and Agatha is hurtled full-bore into an adventure that nobody could have exptected!

Grease Monkey
Tim Eldred

Robin Plotnik arrives aboard the space station Fist of Earth, ready to apprentice as a space mechanic under Mac, a super-evolved simian ready to guide her through the finer points of a monkey wrench. Together, they assist the Barbarian Squadron, the all-female team of space fighters waiting to go to war. Adventures ensue in this collected graphic series that is more fun than a barrel of humans!

Hopeless Savages
Jen Van Meter

It's hard to rebel when your parents are already punk rock superstars Dirk Hopeless and Nikki Savage. Thankfully, Rat Hopeless-Savage has the answer: take a 9-5 job and be as shockingly normal as possible. Of course, with parents (and friends) like Rat has, things can't stay normal for long. Can Rat keep it under wraps, or is he destined to live the life of the hopeless savage?

Roman Dirge's Lenore
Roman Dirge

Lenore isn't just your average little dead girl. Limbless cannibals, clock monsters, cursed vampire dolls, taxidermied friends, bunny impersonations, tea parties from the dark side, and an encounter with the "toof hairy" are just a few of the inhabitants of Lenore's darkly comedic world.

Livewires
Adam Warren

When the covert ops program S.H.I.E.L.D. wanted to test the next generation of androids, they wanted them to look--and act--like the next generation. The team is put in action right "out of the box" and has to adjust to their new, dangerous surroundings just like a teenager would. But when you're a teenager with highly-evolved cybernetic strength and other upgrades, you'll have more than growing pains.

The Lost Colony
Grady Klein

What happened to the colonies that were off the map? For one small, isolated village in the early half of the 19th century, it means being populated by a very eccentric set of harmonious characters. One day, a sinister figure arrives to sell slaves at auction, undermining the values and daily routines of the residents. One by one, they each try to disrupt the auction, but what are their motives?

~Joseph
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh - Teen

The Ugly Covers Archive & Caption Contest

2008-12-05T10:58:00.005-05:00

If you grew up in the 80's and 90's, your library would have looked very different. And not just because of the changes in technology, collections, and architecture that we've implemented over the last couple of decades, but because of the covers. Book covers.

They were ugly. Those book covers were so ugly that their shadows were ashamed to be seen with them. They were so ugly that they weren't just hit with the ugly stick, they got the whole log dropped on them.

We've compiled the most ridiculous of the ugly covers, from the terrible watercolor artwork to the awful 90s designs, so that we can all... make fun of them. Every Friday, we'll be presenting you a new cover from the archive and asking you to caption it. We'll hand-pick the funniest from the comments and feature them on the blog.

Okay, first up: Captain Hawaii, by Anthony Dana Arkin

We'll kick things off with some staff captions:

"Not spiders, not bullies, not even a barcode can stop... CAPTAIN HAWAII!" ~Joseph
"Captain Hawaii: Captain America's Mid-Life Crisis Baby" ~Holly
"brb i haz a waterfall in mah pantz" ~Karen
"Spiders and sharks... OH MY!" ~Cat

What do *you* have to say? Let us know in the comments, and see if you can get featured in the next edition of the "Ugly Covers Archive"!

~Joseph
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main

Second Annual CLP Teen Awards - Vote now!

2008-12-03T13:03:00.011-05:00

M.I.A. or Colbie Caillat?
Juno or The Incredible Hulk?

It's your turn to choose the winners of the Second Annual CLP Teen Awards. We've received your nominations and narrowed down the choices to the top picks in every category. Let your voice be heard!

At an after-hours event on Friday, December 12th, we'll announce the winners!

See you there!

Holly

Twilight Took a Bite out of the Box Office, But What Do You Think?

2008-11-26T14:20:00.004-05:00

The L.A. Times reports that the movie adaptation of Twilight, the vampirrific romance that's caught the world by storm, grossed a whopping 70.5 million. But just because you saw it doesn't mean you liked it. Cat and I were both bitten by the Twilight bug, and you can see our opinions below. What did you think? Leave a comment!

~Joseph
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main

Martin Luther King, Jr. Writing Awards

2008-11-21T13:39:00.002-05:00

Carnegie Mellon University's creative writing department is sponsoring the Martin Luther King, Jr. Writing Awards, for CMU undergraduates and Pittsburgh-area high school students.

This contest seeks writers who can use prose and poetry to respond to or be inspired by the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Prizes are $100, $75, and $25, with awards given in the categories of prose and poetry. The deadline is Monday, December 8, 2008. You can go to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Writing Awards homepage to see the prompt and get more information.

Meanwhile, if you are looking to take your creative writing skills to the next level, don't forget that the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh has a long list of books about writing poetry and writing fiction.

~Joseph
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main

Get Animated at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

2008-11-17T11:35:00.005-05:00

If to animate is to give life, then no place is more lively than the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh's TEEN department. At last week's art club, we cut, pasted, drew, and took picture after picture to create a stop-motion animation, entitled "Hi."

Are you interested in trying your hand at animation? Check out Ron Miller's Digital Art: Painting with Pixels, your guide to getting started with digital art, from 3-D modeling to animation and special effects. You also might want to check out Maureen Furniss's The Animation Bible: A Practical Guide to the Art of Animating, from Flipbooks to Flash. This is an amazing book that takes you through ever aspect of the process, including digital and hand-drawn works.

If you're wondering how you might be able to get started on your own, there is also some really powerful (and FREE!) software available to assist you. Check out Pencil, a free animation/drawing program, and Blender, a free, powerful 3-D animation studio.

If you have any animations to share, please link us. Everybody can use a little life during these cold, snowy times.

~Joseph
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh - Main

Spanish Language titles at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main

2008-11-04T17:33:00.008-05:00

Did you know that crepusclo means twilight in spanish? Well, now you do, because the Teen Department at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main, has a brand new Spanish Language collection. We have fiction, non-fiction, and graphic novels, including all of the titles in Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series.

We were inspired to create this collection by the non-English language collections in the Adult and Children's Departments here at the Carnegie Library in Oakland. You can find Hindi, Arabic, German, and more alongside the Spanish titles in those departments.
Stop by and check it out!

Nosotros esperamos verle aquí.

All the best,
Holly

Second Annual CLP Teen Awards

2008-10-31T14:35:00.007-04:00

Last year, teens had a blast walking the purple carpet into an Awards show like no other: you pick the winners.

It's time to nominate your favorites for 2008!

The voting process for our Second Annual CLP Teen Awards has begun!

Please visit our website to vote for your top picks in catagories like manga, video games, fiction, and more. We've added a ton of new categories this year.

Once we have your nominations we'll narrow the categories down to your top picks, and then its time to choose the winners out of the top three nominees in each category.

We'll reveal the winners at a special after-hours event on Friday, December 12th. We'll have pizza, snacks, video games, and door prizes to go along with the Second Annual CLP Teen Awards.
It's a party you don't want to miss!

Halloween Traditions

2008-10-29T19:30:00.010-04:00

Happy Halloween!!
Trick-or-Treating, pumpkin carving, costumes, candy, bobbing for apples, why do we do these things on Halloween? Where did it all come from? What are we even celebrating? Here are a few facts about Halloween. Halloween was originally a Celtic holiday called Samhain (pronounced Sah-ween). The Celts lived in and around the British Isles. It was a celebration to signify the end of summer and the harvest. They also believed it was the day on which the barrier between the world and the living was the thinnest. The Celts celebrated this time with bonfires, apple bobbing, and the carving of vegetables. They also wore costumes to try and trick the spirits into staying away from them. As different groups like the Romans and early Christians arrived in these areas they brought their own ideas and traditions moving to what we now see here in America today. Because the celebrations of Halloween in its many forms all have to do with death, spirits, ghosts, and magic the traditional images of Halloween have come to be pumpkins, witches, demons, etc.

Other parts of the world celebrate Halloween in different ways. In Mexico there is El Dia De La los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead. This is the day that a sprit returns to its home, families decorate the graves of their loved ones with flowers, food, photographs and a basin of water so the spirit can wash for the feast. In Ireland where most of our Halloween traditions began people continue to dress up and go Trick-or-Treating. In Scotland Halloween has evolved into Mischief Night were pranks and tricks are played. In England they continue to light bonfires in what is on what is now called Guy Fawkes Day (you V for Vendetta fans may know him as the man who tried to blow-up parliament in 1606).

May your candy be plentiful and your evil spirits few!

For more information click on the following:

The Library of Congress American Folklife Center

Halloween: Ancient Origins

Halloween (Wikipedia.org)

Cat

Paul: Volunteer

2008-10-29T12:57:00.002-04:00

One of our regulars at Main, Paul, had to complete fifteen hours of community service for school. Since Paul is such a big fan of the library he asked if he could complete his time with us. Of course we were only too happy to have him.

I asked Paul if he wouldn't mind completing a short blog post for us about some of his interests. Here it is:

Hi my name is Paul I love to read and write. My favorite book is Bang by Sharon G. Flake . I love this book because it’s full of drama. This book inspired me to go on with life; go on and live it, not play it. So if you want to go and learn important things you should read this book called Bang.

I love to listen to music; I play the drums as a matter of fact. I’ve been playing them for about five years now. I love writing lyrics and making up new beats. I love the drums because it is the rhythm of the song. I love hitting the sticks on them. My favorite music is rap, pop, and a little rock. I love these genres because of the beats and how they sing or rap.

I love doing these things because it’s fun and I choose them. These are some things I’d love to tell y’all about me.

Corey W., CLP Main - TEEN

Joseph's Lexically Limited Review of Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist

2008-10-04T11:46:00.002-04:00

Late in the movie, Norah tells Nick about the Judaic concept of tikkun olam, a Hebrew phrase that translates to "repairing the world." It turns out to be the perfect phrase to chart the course of two characters who begin the film broken but find solace in one wild New York night. [view trailer | find the book]

Nick (Michael Cera) begins the movie not with Norah but in the bedroom amidst photos of Tris (Alexis Dziena), the lying, manipulating heartbreaker who has reduced Nick into a blubbering sack of tears, rambling voice mails, and mix CDs. Norah (Kat Dennings) goes to the same private school as Tris and uses the tossed-away mixes as a way to escape Tris's cutting comments, her best friend Caroline (Ari Graynor)'s constant state of drunkenness, and her father's shadow of fame.

Nick also happens to be the only straight boy in the queercore band the Jerk Offs (played by Aaron Yoo and Rafi Gavron), and they soon arrive to pull Nick out of his stupor and out to New York City, where they have a show the same night that Nick's favorite band, Where's Fluffy?, is playing a secret show. Where's Fluffy? happens to be Norah's favorite as well, and soon the entire cast finds themselves at the Jerk Offs' show in preparation. To prove to Tris that she isn't a boyfriend-less loser, Norah goes over and makes out with the first single guy she sees. That guy just happens to be Nick.

Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist winds its script around the strengths of its two leads. As characters, Nick and Norah's ultra-hip energy are toned way down in favor of stressing the moments between the two. Michael Cera's nervous, quiet stutter and bashful smile blend well with Dennings's distant coolness to create a believable night in which two people can meet each other and fall in and out of love faster than you can ask, "Where's Fluffy?"

In between, humorous interludes featuring gay holiday cabaret, an awkwardly sexy dance on the hood of a Yugo, and a disgustingly well-traveled piece of gum set up each emotional beat so well that everyone in the theater was groaning, awww-ing, and cheering Nick & Norah until they "see red" (you'll get it once you see the movie). This is a can't-miss film not just for teens but for anyone with a heart.

~Joseph Wilk
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main

Igor Reviews Night of the Soul Stealer

2008-09-27T14:21:00.004-04:00

The book, Last Apprentice, Night of the Soul Stealer is a book that is part of the Last Apprentice series. The book is the 4th from the series. In the book Tom and his master the spook have come across some trouble with the witches of Pendle (town in the book). Its the spook's job do deal with the witches, gasts, and other forms of "the dark". Tom had lost his father last winter and his mom left for she had nothing to keep hold of. Tom was left a room in the old house that held all the valuables his mom collected and only he had the key to it. But the contents of that room was stolen and his brother jack and his family was being held hostage. he journeyed to Pendle with his master and Alice. Alice was raised by witches but tom believes that she is good and wants her by his side for she saved his life numerous of times. While in Pendle Tom runs into trouble he encounters a witch by the name of Meg who wants Tom to be hers' and will kill Alice to get Tom, but there is more foul deeds plotting in Pendle the 3 witch covens are uniting and old blood feuds are waining so the 3 covens are ready to summon the devil itself. Tom and his master try to stop them but fail, for 3 days the fiend tries to kill Tom for he is under the witches' bidding but Tom was able to hide in the room his mom left him, that room protected him and saved his life for on the 3rd day the fiend was free and went to do what he wanted to. Tom is alive but now that such evil is in the world what can he do? it remains to be seen, i haven't read the fifth book yet...
Rating: excellent

Note: Igor reviewed this book as part of our fine forgiveness program, which allows teens to reduce selected library card fines at a rate of $5.00 per hour. You can write reviews of books, movies, CD's, and more - all while getting your library card in functional order again. See us for details!
Holly

PEACEMAKERS in Pittsburgh

2008-09-26T09:40:00.000-04:00

Every day, violence on the streets and in school affects the lives of more and more Pittsburgh teens. Like in books such as Sharon Flake's Bang!, Ron Koertge's The Brimstone Journals, Todd Strasser's Give a Boy a Gun, Matt Whyman's Boy Kills Man, Walter Dean Myers's Autobiography of My Dead Brother, or Paul Volponi's Rooftop, violence can incite, fear, frustration, anger, and sadness that can scar not just people but whole communities.

As a result, local community leaders are asking YOU to join them in a project called PEACEMAKERS, a series of presentations that can help equip you with the tools to help uplift your surroundings. Check it out below.

PEACEMAKERS in Pittsburgh
A series of presentations addressing TEEN VIOLENCE in Pittsburgh by individuals actively engaged in initiatives to diminish it. Sponsored by the Anti-racism and Social Justice Committees of First Unitarian Church-- Shadyside.

All events begin at 7:30pm at the First Unitarian Church-- Shadyside.
605 Morewood Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
412-621-8008

FEATURING:
October 1
Tim Stevens-- Former president of NAACP Pittsburgh, co-chair of the Coalition Against Violence.

October 8
Valerie Dixon-- of the center for 'Victims of Violence' & radio talk show host of 'Peacing it Together.'

October 15
Richard Carrington-- U.S. Army, retired. Director of 'Voices Against Violence' youth programs

October 22
George Spencer-- President, MADDADS, Greater Pittsburgh Chapter

~Joseph
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main - Teen

BIG THINGS POPPIN' PARTY STYLE @ CLP TEEN!

2008-09-25T12:38:00.002-04:00

School's underway, but that doesn't mean nothing's happening @ CLP TEEN this fall! Get a sample of what's poppin' by taking a look at the events below (and please make sure you register by clicking on the links!):

Nick & Norah's Infinite Party : Songs That Saved Your Life, Teen Music Discussion Group
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM

The Teen Music Discussion Group offers offer teens an opportunity to discuss popular music in a fun and meaningful way.

In this edition of Songs That Saved Your Life we're celebrating the release of Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (the movie!) with a mix swap, music trivia and free snacks.

Location: Teens - Main
4400 Forbes Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Contact: Corey Wittig or Catherine Eiche
412-622-3121
wittigc@carnegielibrary.org

SAGDA Presents: The Teen "Living History" Party : In Honor of LGBT History Month
Saturday, October 11, 2008
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Why call it the "Living History" party? Because while lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) and allied teens* often read history, we never think of ourselves as the history of the future. That's why we're getting together to change the world! Eat free food! And dance dance dance!

On the reading tip, one of the portions of our party will be to make a video of us talking about our favorite books and how we're going to take the lessons of those books into the future.

Special note: this is an *after-hours* party, so if you come after 5:30 PM, make sure you come in through the back entrance so you can access Classroom A.

*not limited to just these sexual and gender identities

Location: Classroom A (back entrance)
4400 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Contact: Joseph Wilk
412-622-3121
wilkj@carnegielibrary.org

Teen Halloween Party 2008
Sunday, October 19, 2008
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

For the third year, the Teen Department is having a Halloween party complete with the screening of a creepy movie, video games, costumes and lots of candy. Bring your friends, dress up and have a blast.
And it is totally free!

Location: Teens - Main
4400 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Contact: Teens
412.622.3121
teensmain@carnegielibrary.org

Do you have any ideas for parties? You can always let us know by e-mailing teensmain@carnegielibrary.org. Until then, party on party people!

~Joseph
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main - Teen

Nick & Norah's Infinite Party - 9/30/08 @ 4PM

2008-09-17T12:29:00.003-04:00

Come celebrate the release of the Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist movie with music trivia, a mixtape swap, prizes, and, of course, snacks. Should be a great time!

As for the mix swap, if you haven't done one before, here are the rules: Just bring a mix to the party and swap it with someone else. make a themed mix, or just compile a bunch of your favorite songs. The choice is yours.

Simple enough, right? See you on the 30th at 4PM.

- corey

Teen Advisory Council - share your ideas!

2008-09-15T12:00:00.004-04:00

Hi, We're having our monthly Teen Advisory Council Meeting this Sunday, September 21st, at 2 PM.

What do we do at Teen Advisory Council? We plan events, and give our ideas about how the teen space, teen collections, and teen programs can be even better. In the past the Teen Advisory Council has assisted in planning the design of the Teen space at CLP Main, as well as programs such as Extravaganza and the Overnight at the Library. Plus, we always have snacks!

If you are interested in getting your voice heard, please join us on Sunday.

PS - After Teen Advisory Council, we are having a Banned Books Discussion.

Holly

Get ready . . . get set . . . get POLITICAL!

2008-09-10T08:49:00.002-04:00

Most people, unless they have been living under a rock all summer, know that there has been a lot of political news lately.

You all probably realize that on November 4, 2008 Americans will elect a new president.

Now, we're librarians, right? We do not endorse any one political ideology or platform in any way, shape, or form. However we are great big fans of being informed about the world around us. Perhaps many of you have questions about the election process. Why does the electoral college matter? How does democracy actually work? What the heck is the big deal about any of this? What is a pundit? All of these great questions!

So, even if you will not be eligible to vote this go around, stay informed! If you are 18, make sure you register!

Here are great books the library has about government, politics, voting, and activism that matter to you.

What You Should Know about Politics

Avoid the spin! No matter your political leaning, here is the perfect book to brush up on a single topic or read through to get a deeper understanding of the complex, often confusing world of American politics.

Declare Yourself: Speak, Connect, Act, Vote

Famous Americans talk about why voting matters, why your vote counts, and why you should get involved with politics at school and your community.

The Presidential Election Process

Authors with various viewpoints discuss how and why the American democratic process works. This is a good start for someone who wants to get to the basics of the matter.

A Young People's History of the United States, Volumes One & Two

A history of the United States from its beginnings, as told from the point of view of ordinary people, including slaves and Native Americans, to reveal the violence, racism, and injustices which occurred during key events.

Peace,
CA

Congrats to the 412 Brawl Team for an Impressive Showing

2008-08-26T09:43:00.007-04:00

On Friday, August 22nd the 412 Brawl Team faced off against teens from the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County. We kept up with them match for match, going down 0-1, evening the score 1-1, going down 1-2, then evening the score again 2-2. In an impressive come from behind victory, the 412 Brawl Team rallied behind Jelani and Aaron to go up 3-2.

While we eventually lost 5-3, I'd like to thank all the members of the 412 Brawl Team for putting up a respectable showing. We had a number of exciting moments, from Shing narrowly missing his own single-handed come from behind victory to the Webbs just utterly dominating the competition. We'll definitely be taking the 412 Brawl Team's first squad on the road with more tournament matches against other libraries, so keep your eyes open. Until then, scope out a replay of all the action below.

~Joseph
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh - Main

Banned (or Challenged) Books Discussion

2008-08-19T11:06:00.018-04:00

What is a banned or challenged book, you ask? A challenged book is a book that someone has asked to be removed from a library or store because they object to its content. A banned book is a book that has actually been removed from a library or store. Teen books are particularly vunerable to challenges because, well, they are read by teens. Some adults believe that teens don't have the ability to choose what book is right for them. They may believe that books with objectionable content will corrupt your young minds.

According to the American Library Association's Office of Intellectual Freedom, the most challenged book of 2007 was And Tango Makes Three. This is a children's book about two male penguins raising a baby together. Another title that is often on the annual Most Frequently Challenged Book List is The Perks of Being a Wallflower. This book is by Stephen Chbosky, a Pittsburgh native. Some reasons that are cited for the banning of this book include homosexual characters and offensive language.

Please choose a title to read from ALA's 2007 list of most challenged books and join us on Sunday, September 21st at 3 pm for a lively discussion about intellectual freedom.

Here are a few other web resources about Intellectual Freedom:

AS IF! Authors Support Intellectual Freedom
This blog features many teen fiction authors, such as Cecil Castellucci Brent Hartinger, David Levithan, E. Lockart, Jordan Sonneblick, and many, many more!

The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund
The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund started in 1986 and its purpose is to fight for the First Amendment rights of graphic novel artists.

National Coalition Against Censorship
This group is literally a coalition of 50 different non-profit organizations who have aligned to fight censorship. They are an Intellectual Freedom voltron of sorts.

Happy Banned Reading!

Holly

Who's Ready to Brawl? CLP Is Ready to Brawl!

2008-08-14T14:47:00.007-04:00

CLP Teen is still gathering players from the Pittsburgh area to take on the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County. The tournament takes place at the Main library Teen section before moving to the basement for the Teen End of Summer Party. If you can't make it, we will be broadcasting the tournament LIVE at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Teen Media Page (if you can make it, still be sure to tell all your friends).

Here are the rules:

The tournament will consist of eight matches of two-person teams, one from each library.
Whichever team notches the most wins at the end of the eight matches will be declared the winner. In the case of a tie, the winner will be determined by a match up of librarians.
Matches will be stock five matches to take place on the Final Destination board.
Items and friendly fire will both be OFF.

Meanwhile, check out the video for "Brawl Beat," featuring members Shing and Spig C of the 412 Brawl Team:

or download the MP3.

Until then, I remain...

Joseph
proud member of the 412 Brawl Team
Carnegie Libray of Pittsburgh, Main

Volunteer Services

2008-08-13T19:13:00.004-04:00

By: Ashley

Hi, I’m Ashley and I had to complete 20 hours of community service at the Main Carnegie Library in the Teen section.
My experience volunteering was a lot more exciting than I thought the staff had me do some hard tasks but there were also many fun tasks that made it a lot easier to work there and complete my hours. Also working here made me realize how fun and cool libraries can really be, I was never really someone to sit down and read a book, but here at the Carnegie Library there are thousands of Teen novels, comics and magazines. I realized reading could be really fun and exciting when you’re at the right place. The Carnegie Library has a fun and inviting environment for kids of all ages. The library has 11 computers, several beanbags, a wide variety of board, and card games which are also educational.
Many kids and Teens come in and out of the Carnegie Library each day and they all seem to be satisfied with the libraries books, computers, and fun creative activities. For instance, every Wednesday the Carnegie Library holds an art club, where kids and teens come to enjoy arts and crafts and hanging out with friends. My experience here was really inspiring and I enjoyed completing my community service at the Carnegie Library. Not convinced a library can be fun? Maybe you should check it out for yourself.

Vampire Plagues (book 3) Mexico, 1850

2008-08-13T13:43:00.006-04:00

The following is a review from Igor, who read this title and wrote the review for us in order to reduce his fines at the library. In some instances we allow teens to work off their fines at a rate of $5.00 per hour. Please contact the Teen staff at the Main library in Oakland if you are interested!

I haven't read the first book or the second book, but after reading this book I wanted to read all 3 books, the book is about three children who have this "mission" to stop this vampire lord (camazots) and he wants to rule the world with his vampire demons, as I had discovered he is a Mayan god and eventually was sealed for one thousand years, that was a thousand years ego, and now he has a small army of minions to do his bidding, he wants a amulet that will grant him power beyond all others so he must collect the 4 parts to it: the bat, the eye, the crown, and the moon, the bat is the form he takes, the crown is his rule over earth, the eye is to make him all seeing and the moon is to turn the world into full darkness, so after getting that understood the book is not bad but I got to admit I did not like the ending for there was not a battle but a trick, the vampire lord was tricked into assembling the amulet the wrong way and so he and his followers died by lightning...

good or bad? The book was good for it had me interested, but the plot was not good and the ending was a turnoff so I would say the book has a 4 star review from me

-Igor

Calling all Super Smash Brothers BRAWLERS!

2008-08-07T13:18:00.005-04:00

What happens when you take the winners of the CLP Teen Super Smash Bros. Tournament and pit them against the winners of the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County?

Intensity. Chaos. Pain. Punishment. Brawl.

We’re kicking off the Main library’s Teen End of Summer Party in style, by battling for respect in two person teams. The party will take place on August 22nd, and the tournament will be starting at 3:00 PM--broadcast LIVE on the internet on the Teen Media Page.

This is where we need YOUR help!

While we've got a few great players, we're short of recruiting the 16 we need to make a tournament. We need AMAZING Super Smash Bros Brawl players to help us in the final showdown.

Do you know anybody who fits this description? Please have them get in touch with Joseph about repping CLP! Joseph can be reached by calling 412-622-3121.

Thanks!

~Joseph
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main

Breaking Dawn Party

2008-08-06T17:57:00.005-04:00

Sparkling vampires, frozen hands, a pizza ripped to shreds- no this was not a scene from a horror film, it was the Breaking Dawn Party. We listened to vampire music from the Bella Cullen Project, sank our teeth into some Twilight Team Trivia, and a few vamp-ish souls even dressed in costume. Whether you were Team Jacob or Team Edward, Pro-Vamp or Pro-Wolf, a good time was had by all!Thank you to all the teens who participated (pictured above) and to Holly for putting it all together!!

Feel free to comment on the new book and/or your feelings about the Twilight the movie.

-Cat

SAGDA Meeting Minutes - 8/02/08

2008-08-05T17:11:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the new minutes of SAGDA, Pittsburgh's Teen Sexual & Gender Diversity Alliance. SAGDA's job is to give a laid-back conversational space for lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, omnisexual, transgender, transsexual, intersex, genderqueer, queer, asexual, questioning, straight-allied, and all the other permutations within the spectrum!

We chose the date to the SAGDA "Living History" party. It will be October 11th. The time is still to be determined (what works for you)?

Why call it the "Living History" party? Because while we often read history, we never think of ourselves as the history of the future. Let's change the world! And make art! And read! And dance dance dance!

On the reading tip, one of the portions of our party will be to make a video of us talking about our favorite books and how we're going to take the lessons of those books into the future.

We then watched the music video for Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl" (video | lyrics) for our monthly discussion, after reading some interesting biographical information about Katy Perry. SAGDA members felt that the song is way too formulaic, just a catchy pop tune with just enough controversy to make it big. Adding the words "I kissed a girl" to the regular pop standard isn't anything special or interesting. One SAGDA member thought it was like a "gay jingle," while another thought it did anything but put a positive spin on sexual diversity. In the song, kissing girls is "not what good girls do." Does that mean it's only for "bad girls"?

All in all, SAGDA members decided that the video makes no sense. It's just Katy Perry dancing around in nice shoes.

Of course, you can always borrow Katy Perry's One of the Boys from your local library and decide for yourself.

We're # 2!!!!!

2008-08-03T15:41:00.005-04:00

That's right, your very own CLP Teen Department staff came in numero dos in the annual Staff Association Quiz Night 2008. We were beaten only by Reference, but those peeps look up trivia for a living so, really the Teen Dept. kick some major booty!! Joseph, Corey and Connie helped to ensure our success by creating Team CLP Teen t-shirts!

Team Actually!, yes, that is our REAL name. -See us here in all our glory!

If you are interested in trying your own hand, or brain, at Trivia, sign-up to join our Breaking Dawn Party Monday 8/4 (that's right, tommorow, baby! Or today depending on when you are reading this.)

-Cat

Who's feelin' CRAFTY?

2008-07-30T10:11:00.003-04:00

What a great summer this has been for creativity. Every Wednesday has been a blast with TEEN ART CLUB. I am so glad that so many artistic people have come and spent time with us. And for all those "unartistic" folks who come, I hope you have changed your minds about what you can do.

So, I was thinking that it might be time to sum up what we've accomplished, and start to plan for the next couple of months. So here is what we've done:
1. Buttons (ever popular and exciting)
2. Kites (and some of them even took flight before crashing!)
3. Paper Crafts (origami has made a comeback)
4. Duct Tape Stuff (who doesn't like duct tape?)
5. Ojos de Dios (such a simple thing to make that is so pretty)
6. T-Shirt Redesigns (I <3 cheap, chic fashion)

Here is what is coming up:
1. TODAY 7/30/2008 Simple Screen Printing (a little messy, a lot awesome)
2. Wednesday 8/6/2008 More Buttons (1st Wednesday of EVERY MONTH)
3. Wednesday 8/13/2008 Beading (a classic craft activity)
4. Wednesday 8/20/2008 Digital Comics (something a little more high tech)

Now here is the part where I want to know what we can do this fall. Here are some of my ideas:
1. Duct Tape (clearly, this is necessary)
2. Yarn Monsters and Goth Sock Puppets (awesome Halloween fun)
3. Animation (moving art!)
4. Decoupage Letter Boxes (fancy collages with a useful result)
5. Marble Magnets (I can't wait to try these out!)
6. Punk Rock Scrapbooking (scrapbooking with an edge)

Any thoughts? Ideas? Stuff you like? Hate? Suggestions?

I LOVE SUGGESTIONS!

Remember our Teen Art Club motto: "Make Cool Stuff"

-Connie

Good News for Hero and Perry Moore Fans!

2008-07-28T10:21:00.002-04:00

Find Hero in the catalog!

According to Newsarama, Stan Lee made a surprise guest appearance at the San Diego Comic-Con's "LGBT Portrayals in Comics" panel to announce a budding partnership with Perry Moore, the author of Hero. What that partnership actually entails is still up for spectulation (do I smell a movie?).

Hero gained a great following for its epic portrayal of superheroics through the eyes of gay teenager Thom Creed. Thom must navigate both his budding sexuality and superpowers while under the watchful eye of his disapproving, ex-hero father--all while an unseen assailent is murdering the world's superheroes. While plots and mysteries abounded, Perry Moore managed to keep the book grounded in the characters. It was an altogether exceptional debut.

In the midst of comic-based blockbusters, Hero stands out as a story in which superheroics can be just as much about being oneself as it is about saving the world. And personally, it was nice to finally see a queer superhero save the day (take a look at Moore's essay "Who Cares about the Death of a Gay Superhero Anyway?" to see what fates have befallen the others).

Joseph
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main

Reads for a "Dark Knight"

2008-07-23T11:48:00.002-04:00

If you're like me, you've already seen Chris Nolan's masterful The Dark Knight. And if you're anything like me, you need more Batman. And more Batman. And even more Batman until you've stopped sleeping, started talking in a low-pitched, gravelly voice, and committed yourself to being a hero of the shadows.

Well, rest assured, teens, because the library is your place to fill your Batman needs. We have everything from classic collections to the latest trades. If you just saw The Dark Knight, you might be especially interested in the stories that most influenced the movie.

Frank Miller
Batman: Year One

Frank Miller's classic origin story set the stage for Batman's psyche and charted the course that Batman would take in years to come. It also introduced District Attorney Harvey Dent, one of Batman's closest allies in the fight against the mob, albeit one with a dark side (sound familiar?).

Alan Moore
Batman: The Killing Joke

This was one of the most sadistic renditions of the Joker when it was published in 1988. Joker's fixation on corrupting the sane through tragedy and chaos fed Christopher Nolan's storyline and Heath Ledger's performance.

If that's not enough, check out this list of everything we have to offer that could possibly do with Batman. Before you head off into the night to fight what evil lies behind the heart of the city, check out a Batman book today!

Joseph
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main

July Book Discussion - the Podcast

2008-07-20T15:36:00.006-04:00

Of the 4 attendees at the July Book Discussion, one brave soul agreed to create a podcast promoting the book of the month: Freak Show by James St. James. Listen below!

Subscribe Free
Add to my Page

Please vote for the book you'd like to read for the August meeting here:http://clpteens.blogspot.com/2008/07/suggest-book-for-august-book-discussion.html

Holly

The Library is Awesome - Thanks WTAE!

2008-07-18T14:39:00.005-04:00

You already know how wonderful the library is. But, many folks don't. Luckily WTAE has come to the rescue with a story on all of the freebies the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh has to offer. There's a video and a written story on the website.

If you watch the video, you'll see one of our teen regulars talking up our free access to the internet. We're very proud to be part of this news story. It's great to be recognized for all we do to provide access to information that is "Free to the People."

Holly

MMMMM...Raisin Brahms

2008-07-17T14:36:00.001-04:00

Check out this hilarious PSA from AmericansFortheArts.org. While it's true that the idea of 19th-century German composer Johannes Brahms crashing through your kitchen wall during breakfast to promote his Raisin Brahms is quite funny, it's also true that each year funding for the arts gets cut at schools throughout our country. Feast your eyes on these facts:

An impressive 89% of Americans believe that the arts are important enough to be taught in schools, and that it fulfills an important role in a well-rounded education. And they are right; studies show far-reaching benefits of an arts education:
• The arts teach you to be more tolerant and open.
• The arts allow you to express themselves creatively.
• The arts promote individuality, bolster self-confidence, and improve overall academic performance.
• The arts can help troubled youth, providing an alternative to delinquent behavior and truancy while providing an improved attitude towards school.

Unfortunately, the truth is that the average student spends more time at their locker than in arts classes. This PSA campaign was created to increase involvement in championing arts education both in and out of school. Parents and other concerned citizens are encouraged to visit www.AmericansForTheArts.org to find out how to take action on the behalf of the arts and arts education. The campaign stresses that some art is not enough and reinforces with the tagline: Art. Ask for More.

- Corey W./Main - TEEN

Suggest a Book for the August Book Discussion

2008-07-11T16:47:00.007-04:00

What would you like to read? Leave your recommendations in a comment today! I'd like to get the book chosen earlier this time, so that I can get copies, and then hold them for you at the Teen desk. The August Book Discussion will be on Sunday, August 17th, from 3:00-4:00 PM.

PS - This picture doesn't have much to do with reading books, other than it's what happens when you are at the library (which is filled with 3 million books and other materials) and go to Art Club.

Holly

Pittsburgh = The new Forks? Find out at our Breaking Dawn Party!

2008-07-09T13:15:00.011-04:00

I recently captured this picture near the library. The clouds over Pitt's Alumni Hall were quite ominious. I'm beginning to wonder if Pittsburgh might be a good home for vampires, with all the cloudy weather this summer. Stephenie Meyer should set the 5th book in the Twilight saga right here!

With all the cloudiness going on, maybe some Edward Cullen-type vampires will show up to our Breaking Dawn Party. We'll play trivia, give out prizes, listen to the Bella Cullen Project (a band that writes songs about the Twilight saga), and have some pizza. We are also giving out copies of Breaking Dawn to the top three costumes. We're looking for creative vampire-themed costumes, so the sky, er, the cloud's the limit!

If you'd like to attend this event, please register with us:
622.3121 or teensmain@carnegielibrary.org

Holly

It Came from the Stacks: Finding Cool Fiction

2008-07-09T11:24:00.006-04:00

It's summer, which means every day hungry teens tear through our books. It also means It also means each morning, we try to make everything look nice again after the teen tornado has swept through. While it's not fun stooping to pick up the books that have half-fallen through the floor and sneezing through clouds of dust, nothing can quell the feeling of when an interesting book catches your attention.

Here are the books that I found as I stooped, squatted, reached, lifted, and otherwise cleaned up after our illustrious teen readers:

Catherine Ryan Hyde
Becoming Chloe

Jordy is a gay 17 year-old who's left alone in New York City, with no family or friends to worry about. One day, Chloe comes into Jordy's life, with more secrets than a teen should ever have to bear. Chloe has been taught that the world is an ugly place, and it's up to Jordy to show her that it's not--before it's too late.

Brian James
Dirty Liar

Benji has to leave home after his mother's boyfriend crosses an unimaginable line. He moves into his father's Portland home with his new stepmother, but he doesn't trust her. Nor does Benji's father trust him. At the end of the day, can Benji even trust himself?

A.M. Jenkins
Repossessed

When a demon (who prefers to be called a "fallen angel") gets bored in hell, it makes its way to earth to inhabit the body of a seventeen-year-old slacker. Meanwhile, the teen's parents and friends are wondering why he's suddenly acting so strange...

Paula Jolin
In the Name of God

Nadia is a devoted student, daughter, and sister, but nothing compares to her desire to walk the straight path and follow the laws of Islam. But that doesn't stop her from being conflicted as her peers become Westernized; economic, social, and political struggles rage around her; and war breaks out in Iraq. Soon, her cousin is arrested for speaking out, and Nadia is drawn into an unforseen path of doubt and sacrifice.

David Nicholls
A Question of Attraction

The year is 1985, and Brian Jackson--a working class kid on a full scholarship to university--has a dark secret: he's always wanted to appear on the TV quiz show University Challenge. After he joins the school team and makes it through the qualifying rounds, Brian's finally poised to appear on television for the first time ever. But love has other plans for Brian. After he falls for one of the members on his team, he has harder questions to answer than trivia can provide.

Shana Norris
Something to Blog About

Libby Fawcett is not having a good day. First she lights her hair on fire with a Bunsen burner (with her longtime crush Seth Jacobs watching). Then she finds out that her mother is dating the father of Angel Rivera, the meanest, nastiest girl in school! Libby starts a secret blog to vent, but can even a blog contain what cruel prank Angel Rivera is about to play next?

Jon Ripslinger
How I Fell in Love & Learned to Shoot Free Throws

Danny "the Bruiser" Henderson plans on wooing the beautiful Angel McPherson. But not through traditional means like dinner, flowers, or chocolate. Angel McPherson happens to be the best female basketball player in the state of Iowa, and Danny knows the only way to her heart is through his jump shot. Unfortunately, Danny can't shoot a free throw to save his life.

Janet Ruth Young
The Opposite of Music

When his dad stopped listening to music, Billy knew something was wrong. Then he stopped eating, sleeping, or even being a father at all. Billy's family undergoes a series of creative remedies to fight the depression, but will their efforts drain them past the point at which they can keep their father alive?

~Joseph
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main

They're Talking About us in the Big City

2008-07-08T16:39:00.004-04:00

This Sunday The New York Times published an article in the travel section entitled "36 Hours in Pittsburgh" by Mr. Jeff Schlagel. It's the most e-mailed story in the travel section this week, as well as one of the most blogged about. (I'm doing my part!) I think we all know that Pittsburghers love to show off their town, but you know what's missing from the lists of attractions? The library, of course! All due respect to Mr. Schlagel, but I imagine he just didn't see the library as the exciting and vital place you and I both know it to be. I say that's his loss.

I urge you to read over "36 Hours in Pittsburgh" and, in addition to thinking about all of these great places in town, think about what's missing from the list. It's great to get good press for the city I love, but I see our town as more than just a place that used to be smokey. What do you think Pittsburgh's identity is? What should it be? What do you love about it? And, most importantly, how do you think the library fits into it all?

- Corey W.

SAGDA Meeting Minutes 07/05/08

2008-07-07T09:27:00.006-04:00

Welcome to the new minutes of SAGDA, Pittsburgh's Teen Sexual & Gender Diversity Alliance. SAGDA's job is to give a laid-back conversational space for lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, omnisexual, transgender, transsexual, intersex, genderqueer, queer, asexual, questioning, straight-allied, and all the other permutations within the spectrum!

We started with introductions from Angelito, our resident representative from the Persad Center's Closing the Gap program. Closing the Gap is a paid opportunity for sexually and gender-diverse teens to do peer counseling and mental health outreach. If you are interested in the program, or if you would like to schedule some time to talk to somebody about what's on your mind, contact them at 412-441-9786.

We then introduced ourselves and talked about our favorite candy. Candies that received multiple votes included Reece's Pieces and Chocolate Skittles (ew!). Some of us don't eat candy, due to health issues.

We then talked about what sort of programs we're interested in. One person mentioned an LGBTQ teen movie night, which may be possible. How do you feel about it? Which nights do you think would work best? What would you like to see at an LGBTQ teen movie night?

SAGDA teens also got excited over the idea of having a PARTY, in celebration of LGBTQ-related books and reading. This party will likely take place in the Fall in either late September or early October (any suggestions?). SAGDA members expressed the following desires for the party:

food (pizza, chocolate anything, drinks)
music (have teens bring iPods for cool, diverse music, as well as karaoke)
dancing
BOOKS! (how can we make this a special celebration for books?)

We then discussed the Advocate article They’re Here, They’re Queer, and They Don’t Need Us... Or Do They?, about the "new generation" of LGBTQ teenagers and their relationship to adults.

SAGDA members had some suggestions for adults looking to make a meaningful difference in the lives of LGBTQ teens:

It's important that adults do not take sexual advantage of teens who are looking to them for support. You should not be their gateway to sexual experiences.
Be more subjective in understanding the needs of LGBTQ teens. Don't assume your experience is the same.
Realize that there is a large perspective shift in teens' lives that offer LGBTQ teens friendship, acceptance, love, and identification in a lot of areas of society. Not everybody is a victim!

Thanks, and don't forget to attend the next SAGDA meeting on June 19th, on the second floor of Kiva Han (420 S. Craig St.) @ 2:00 PM!

~Joseph
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh - Main

Umm... I'm the NEW library assistant, Cat.

2008-07-02T11:01:00.004-04:00

Well, hello. I'm Cat, short for Catherine. Today is my second day here in CLP Teen- Main. (In the picture I am the one with the beak.)

Facts about me:

I am from a very small town called Orwigsburg,PA. I moved to Pittsburgh from Seattle last summer. I go to Pitt. I have no pets but I do have a ton of plants (they all have names).

Likes: Travel ( I have been to 16 countries and 4 continents.), Camping, Hiking, Dancing (in my bedroom to really loud music), Candy (yeah, Fun Dip!), Photography (my dirty little secret is that I love slide film), music (right now I'm all about British Sea Power and Luke Temple), and, of course Reading (I am currently reading Stephanie Meyer's Host).

Dislikes: jerky people, broccoli, black licorice, bugs near my bed (or where ever I happen to be sleeping), things that ooze, the smell of coffee, and cold weather.

Please, please, please- come up and say hi to me. I heart meeting new peeps!

Cat
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main

What will you wear to Prom? How about Duct Tape?

2008-06-19T10:18:00.005-04:00

"Prom pair use duct tape for higher education"

This article in the Post Gazette is about 2 local teens who duct-taped together masterpieces for prom in hopes of winning the "Stuck at Prom" competition.

Please go to www.stuckatprom.com if you'd like to vote for these top 10 finalists!

Stop by Art Club at CLP Main in Oakland next Wednesday, June 25th, at 2 pm to craft your own duck-tape creations on a smaller scale: wallets and whatnot.

SAGDA Meeting Minutes 06/07/08

2008-06-17T10:03:00.002-04:00

Welcome to the meeting minutes from SAGDA, Pittsburgh's Teen Sexual and Gender Diversity Alliance. For those still not in the know, SAGDA is a meeting group where lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, transgender, genderqueer, intersex, questionining, non-identified, and straight/cisgendered teens can come together for information-swapping, discussion, Apples to Apples, and more (whew)! We meet every 1st and 3rd Saturday at the 2nd floor of Kiva Han (420 S. Craig St., in Oakland).

SAGDA posters are finished and feature artwork by Keith Haring (thanks to the Keith Haring Foundation)! Over the next several months, posters will be sent to all the libraries in Allegheny County, Pittsburgh Public Schools, are various community organizations and stores around the area.

We're also going to have a presence at Pittsburgh PrideFest, which will be Sunday, June 22nd from 1:00-6:00 PM @ Liberty Ave., Downtown (directions are at the link above). We plan on having buttons & bracelets. But we'll definitely have BOOKS!

Come join us!

~Joseph
Carnegie Libray of Pittsburgh, Main

What Book Do You Want to Read this Month?

2008-06-15T16:16:00.004-04:00

Please send us your suggestions this week. You can leave a comment on this blog post, or, if you prefer, you can email us at teensmain@carnegielibrary.org. We'll post the winner, and that will be the July Book Discussion selection.

Short on ideas? Here are some websites with book lists:

Your very own teen librarians suggest books - http://www.carnegielibrary.org/teens/read/booklists/

Teen librarians from around the country suggest books - http://ala.org/ala/yalsa/booklistsawards/booklistsbook.cfm

Teens suggest books - http://ala.org/ala/yalsa/teenreading/teenstopten/teenstopten.cfm

The July Book Discussion will be held on July 20th, at 3 pm. Can't make the meeting? Please post any comments or ideas about the book on our Facebook group's page: CLP Book Discussion - Teen.

Many thanks to our Teen Advisory Council, who suggested that we use the blog to ask for title suggestions.

Eli reviews R.O.D.

2008-06-15T11:30:00.003-04:00

R.O.D by Hideyuki Kurata and Shutaro Yamada

R.O.D or Read or Die is a must read for any comic lover. It is about a teacher named Yomiko who can control paper with the mind. She can make it sharp and create things out of it. She loves Books and is considered a bibliophile, or a book lover and collector. In the book she goes to an author and asks for a signiture. The author get kidnapped and it's up to Yomiko to save her favorite author, Sumiregawa.*

*Eli is a local teen who writes reviews for http://clpteens.blogspot.com.

Ask us how you can review, too. Also, ask us how you can review books and other materials in exchange for a reduction in library card fines.

(Coincidentally, R.O.D. is one of the books we are giving away FREE for Teen Summer Reading. If you sign up today, there may be a copy left for you!)

Teen Summer Read Has Begun!

2008-06-10T17:06:00.003-04:00

The Summer Reading Extravaganza is over, which means Teen Summer Read has officially begun. And with over 350 teens registered (176 registered at Extravaganza), Pittsburgh teens are definitely off to a great start. If you haven't signed up yet, head on over to the Teen Summer Reading 2008 page ASAP to get in on all the fun.

Why join Teen Summer Read? For starters, if you sign up here at the Main library, you get a free book--to keep! Also, for every item you read (whether books, graphic novels, manga, magazines, websites, zines, etc.), you enter into a weekly prize drawing at your home library. Each library will be drawing winners for $10 gift cards to Best Buy & Target, as well as figuring out fun and exciting ways to give out $25 gift cards to American Eagle over the course of the summer.

Of course, there's also two major prizes. One teen at each library will win a Creative Muvo MP3 player. One extra lucky Pittsburgh teen will win LIMO RIDE TO KENNYWOOD for them and five friends (make sure that you read at least one book and fill out our evaluation form)!

We also have lots of fun stuff for teens happening at our libraries all summer. Keep checking the Teens @ Your Library page for more information. If you're creatively inclined, keep your eyes peeled for the Quick Flix teen video contest.

We look forward to seeing you at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh this summer. Stay cool!

~Joseph
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main

CLPTeens Congratulates the Pittsburgh Penguins!

2008-06-05T17:49:00.007-04:00

Though the ice has cleared and our beloved Pittsburgh Penguins are without a Stanley Cup, we'd like to send a warm thanks for an exhilarating season. Teens and librarians alike admired the Pens for showcasing skill, determination, and the power of youth.

In honor of the greatest show on ice, Connie put together a zamboni full of books, games, zines, music, and more. Check them out today, and extend your love of Crosby, Malkin, Fleury, Whitney, and the rest of the black and gold all summer long.

Fiction

Klutzhood
Chris McMahen

Arlo is the new kid in a hockey-crazy school in a crazy town. The thing is, Arlo's never even laced up a pair of skates! To fit in somewhere, Arlo joins a group of Misfits called the "Dumpster Dudes." Soon, Arlo is breaking windows and unleashing ants in the hallway. Will Arlo be put in the penalty box?

Getting in the Game
Dawn FitzGerald

When everyone tries to get thirteen-year-old Joanna off the boys’ ice hockey team, including Ben, her best friend since kindergarten, Jo resolves to deal with the problems caused by her participation.

Non-fiction

Ice Time: The Story of Hockey
Michael McKinley
GC846.5.M374 2006

A history of ice hockey emphasizing the professional game and players, from the roots of the NHL to current breakout stars and young talent.

The Rookie: A Season with Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins
Shawna Richer
GV848.5.C76 R53 2006x

Sidney Crosby had been hailed as the NHL’s next savior. Young, bright, photogenic, personable, and a media darling, the only question that remained was whether he could handle the big time.

Manga

My Heavenly Hockey Club
by Ai Morinaga

When Izumi Oda asks Hana, his major crush, to join the school hockey club, persuading her proves to be a difficult task. True, the Grand Hockey Club is full of super-cute boys, but given a choice, Hana prefers a sizzling steak to a hot date.

Game

NHL 08 (Xbox 360)

Dominate the ice as the NHL franchise of your choosing, delivering heavy hits and making key saves and scoring that clinch goal.

Magazine

ESPN

Look for frequent features about professional hockey teams and individual players from the major and minor leagues.

Zine

Murder Can Be Fun
“Issue #18: Sports Thrills”
Johnny Marr

~Joseph
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main - Teen

Teen Summer Dungeons and Dragons Tournament

2008-06-04T16:17:00.002-04:00

Interested in trying table-top role-play for the first time? Or are you a grizzled veteran of many dungeon encounters? The Carnegie Library welcomes interested parties of all experience levels to try out Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition! This five-week program will run every Thursday from July 17 – August 14, and include character creation and adventuring in a fantasy world where dragons are real and danger lurks around every corner. All books and materials will be provided. Participants should range in age from 12 to 18 years, and good humor, sportsmanship, and fellowship will be encouraged. Sessions will begin at 1:00 PM and run until 5:00 PM. The first session on July 17 will feature character creation and a sample combat (time permitting), and the next four sessions will involve actual adventuring.

Note: This program will use the new 4th edition of the D&D rules from Wizards of the Coast. This includes the new Players’ Handbook, Dungeon Master’s Guide, and Monster Manual. No other material will be needed.

Guest Blogger: Scott from Reference Services.

Extravaganza - Prizes, Games, Crafts, and a Pengua-sis.

2008-06-03T12:09:00.010-04:00

Sunday, June 8th, 12:00pm - 5:00 pm.

Extravaganza is a big party on the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh lawn in Oakland. Every year, Extravaganza celebrates the beginning of Summer Reading.

Sign up for Teen Summer Reading, then come visit us at the Teen Extravaganza Tents, featuring...

Free T-shirt Deconstruction! Free Books! Goodie Bags! Buttons! Video Gaming! A Hang Out Space with Comfy furniture! A Pengua-sis!

So, if you haven't seen the Pengua-sis, now is your chance.

If you have more questions about Extravaganza, please contact us at 412-622.3121 or teensmain@carnegielibrary.org

Will your parents vote for us?

2008-06-03T12:04:00.002-04:00

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh has been nominated for three Nickelodeon Parents Picks Awards!

Until June 30 parents can visit ParentsConnect.com to vote in various categories including "Best Library for Teens” and “Best Library for Big Kids” and “Best Library for Little Kids."

If your parents agree that we are the "Best Library for Teens," please encourage them to vote!

Holly

Create @ Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main-Teen

2008-05-28T16:18:00.009-04:00

Katie reduced her fines by creating these wonderful drawings. Ask us how you can reduce your fines at a rate of $5.00 per hour by reading, writing, or drawing. You may end up on the blog!

You should also know: you don't have to have fines to be creative in the library. Art Club meets once a week to paint, draw, make buttons, make duct tape masterpieces, and other create other fun crafts. We'll see you there on every Wednesday at 3 PM.

Holly

Parting is such sweet sorrow...

2008-05-21T18:43:00.005-04:00

Today I had a Shakespeare conversation with one of you rocking teens -- you know who you are! -- and I figured I just had to use one of his most popular "sound bites" for this entry's title.

Many of you already know that tomorrow, Thursday May 22nd, is my last day at the library. Now that I'm finished with my librarian degree (ow ow!) I have plans to return to Texas and bring some mad Spanish-language programming to my old neighborhood. I'm all about giving back to the community n'at... Oh man. I'm gonna miss Pittsburghese.

So please know that I've had a fabulous time here at CLP Main, and I've learned heaps. I shall carry pieces of you all in my heart-- wait, that sounded a bit creepy. Never mind. In any case, if simplicity is best, then I'll just come out and say it: I'll miss you.

Here's my info, in case you'd like to stay in touch:

http://teenbibliotecaria.blogspot.com/
narajaponesa@yahoo.com
Use this email address to look me up on Facebook or MySpace.

May the force and the faeries be with you.

~Violeta

P.S. Lots of faeries. Lots and lots of 'em.

Check Out this Amazing Video from the Multnomah County Teens

2008-05-16T17:12:00.003-04:00

On May 3rd, the Multnomah County Library held their Teen Council Retreat, in which over 30 teens hung out, played games, and impacted the future of their library. One amazing part of the retreat was the "Books" video they made (if you've ever seen the Kelly "Shoes" video, you'll know what they're up to). Check it out!

What do you want to see happen at your library? Join the Teen Advisory Council here at Main, and you too can meet new friends, eat snacks, and help bring the library into the next century.

Teen Advisory Council: All Teens Welcome
Sunday, May 18, 2008
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Help the Teen staff make decisions about future programming and services. In the past, the Teen Advisory Council has helped design the Teen department at CLP, Main, in addition to planning many programs.

Location:
Main (Oakland)
4400 Forbes Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Contact:
Teen @ Main
412.622.3121
teensmain@carnegielibrary.org

~Joseph
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main

Got holidays?

2008-05-15T13:13:00.012-04:00

You ever get bored and wonder what day it is? I mean, it's easy knowing the date. But what does each day mean to everyone out there? There are people out there having birthdays... having children... having their very first samosa... or their very first smooch...

It may not be so easy to know about the little historic events in people's lives but there are ways of knowing which holidays are being celebrated all over the world. Earth Calendar makes it easy. You can look up holidays by date, country, even religion. I browsed some of the pages and here's some random worldly holidays coming up next month.

June 4th: Revolution Day (Ghana)

June 14th: Day of Mourning and Hope (Lithuania)

June 22nd: Schoolteacher's Day (El Salvador)

So I thought to myself, "Oooooh! What day is today?" Lo and behold! Today is the International Day of Families!

*majestic horn tooting*

I have to admit, I feel all warm and fuzzy here. We all have problems with our families. There are times when family members are made of awesome, and times when they suck soooo bad. I find, though, that even after difficult phases, I can always come back to family.

And speaking of families! (*smooth librarian move here*) You know we have plenty of books at the library on this fascinating subject. Here's just a wee sampling of them-- in 3 words, and with lots of exclamation points.

Family! Nascar! Music!
Yellow Flag by Robert Lipsyte
Family! Competition! Religion!
Bee Season by Myla Goldberg
Family! Adoption! Multiculturalism!
The Women Who Raised Me by Victoria Rowell
Family! Secrets! Chickens!
The Chicken Dance by Jacques Couvillon
Family! Witchcraft! Dancing!
Bras & Broomsticks by Sarah Mlynowski
Family! Graphic! Autobiography!
Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel
Family! Heritage! Self-identity!
It's Not About the Accent by Caridad Ferrer

So get all close and chummy with your family-- whether it's your real family or a family you've created for yourself-- and enjoy a glorious day like today!

~Violeta
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main

CLP Teens Talk Music

2008-05-13T16:51:00.004-04:00

Six teens at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh recently talked to us about the whens, whys, and hows of their music listening habits. Watch the video here and leave your own thoughts in the comments (or stop by the library and check out the hundreds of CDs we have available, from Lil Wayne to Kimya Dawson!

~Joseph
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main

SAGDA Meeting Minutes - 05/03/08

2008-05-05T16:01:00.004-04:00

The Carnegie Pittsburgh's Teen Sexual and Gender Diversity Alliance (find us on Facebook! search "SAGDA") was back in session on Saturday, with some new members. We talked about stuff. Want to know what? Read on...

First thing on the agenda was checking in with teens who celebrated the Day of Silence, to see how it went. CAPA had one of the sparsest years yet, because people thought 1) it cost money to participate and 2) it was only for "gay kids." Of course, the answer to both of those questions is "No!" The Day of Silence is free for students in the school to participate, and it's for anyone who is interested in protesting the many ways in which students are silenced from being themselves, due to bullying and harassment.

Allderdice, on the other hand, had more people than expected, despite having no posters. Like CAPA students were a little confused about who was allowed to participate (yes, it's for EVERYBODY!). They also thought that they had to put duct tape over their mouths (ouch!), though all you really need to do is hand out cards with a statement explaining why you aren't speaking. Another interesting aspect limiting interest in the Day of Silence is the belief that the Day of Silence puts teens "back into the closet." The organizers hope that by bringing attention to harassment and the silence that people already experience in the closet of their choice, that more and more people are going to have space to start fully communicating themselves to their friends, family, and schoolmates.

North Allegheny surprised people with a small but enthusiastic Day of Silence, which spread through word of mouth. People wore all black in mourning.

So how can SAGDA we help ourselves promote the Day of Silence? Perhaps by making some buttons. Let's think about it.

Off the topic of the Day of Silence, SAGDA has a budget! We need to come up with events or other projects to spend our money on. Please submit your suggestions to the comments.

We also discussed the story of the pregnant man, as well as how transgender rights organizations have been distancing themselves from the story. The group more or less agree that these organizations should be supporting this man in the decisions he's making about his body. Fear of a public backlash seems to be against the principles that transgender rights organizations should uphold.

If you have an interesting article you want to share, bring it to our next meeting, which is Saturday, May 17th @ 2:00 PM, on the second floor of Kiva Han.

Notable upcoming dates:

Youth Invasion is Saturday, May 10th @ the Andy Warhol Museum
Pittsburgh PrideFest is Sunday, June 22nd @ Liberty Ave., Downtown

We may be having tables at both of these events, so if you have any ideas of what we should do, post a comment!

Joseph
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main - Teen

"I'm Looking for a History Book..."

2008-04-29T12:27:00.002-04:00

It's that time of the year when you, Schenley High School students, are asked to read a book featuring American history. You can read fiction or non-fiction, and you can read about any aspect of American history you choose. There are just two considerations to make when choosing your book:

it has to be 150 pages

ideally, it's going to be about something you're interested in!

Sound like a difficult assignment? When hundreds of your classmates are all searching for the same thing, it definitely can be. Thankfully, we offer a few ways to uncover the books that will be fun and informative.

Non-fiction

You can find many books on history through our LibraryThing catalog, where we've been inputting new books for the last year and a half (please make sure you click on the link to our suggested style). Through a few searches, you'll get a good feel for what we have available. Searches such as American history, United States history, and US History will give you a good idea of what's available, though if you don't find exactly what you're looking for, try a search for just plain history, where you might find a book that's slipped through the cracks (you might also want to take a look at often-overlooked memoirs). If you find a book you like, click on the link that says, "Find this in the catalog!" That will tell you what libraries have it, and whether you should expect to see it on the shelves.

If you're looking to expand your selection, you can browse around our catalog for all subjects starting with United States -- History. This will connect you to the whole gamut of literature the library has to offer (from the most academic to the very basic) and help you focus on a specific time period.

Fiction

Searching our LibraryThing catalog for historical will show you the latest fiction taking place in history (though keep in mind they aren't limited to America). We also offer a service called Novelist, which is one of the best tools available for you to search out fiction.

Browsing through historical fiction is as easy as checking the box marked "Teens" and searching for "historical fiction."

Since that includes historical fiction from all over the world, you might want to try a couple of other searches, including "historical fiction and america" or "historical fiction and united states." However, to get the full range of what Novelist offers, try searching for historical fiction and a specific event.

Other libraries may have already done the work for you, including great suggestions from the Plymouth District Library, the Beaverton City Library, and the Madison Public Library.

All that's left is going back to our catalog and making sure we have the book you're looking for.

150 Pages?

When you are looking at an item in the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh's online catalog, pay careful attention. You'll be able to see how many pages the book contains, so that you don't waste time searching for anything less than your minimum. For example, the record for Fallen Angels, by Walter Dean Myers, you'll notice that's 309 pages full of Vietnam War fiction.

When you're searching Novelist, you can use the "Advanced Search" link to only search for books that will meet your requirements.

Good luck, Schenley, and happy searching. Remember, you can always stop by the library and get help from any of our librarians.

~Joseph
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main - Teen

Free Comic Book Day

2008-04-29T12:26:00.001-04:00

"Free Comic Book Day is a single day when participating comic book shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely free to anyone who comes into their stores."

***

From manga to horror, superhero comics to those wacky teens from Riverdale, Free Comic Book Day has what you need! What a great way to get into comics, or -- if you've fallen off the wagon -- what a great time to get back in the habit! Check out these local comic shops this Saturday to see what it's all about:

Phantom of the Attic @ 406 South Craig St. in Oakland. Open 10 AM to 7 PM on Saturday.

The Copacetic Comics Company @ 1505 Asbury Pl. in Sq. Hill. Open 11 AM to 5 PM on Saturday.

Eide's Entertainment @ 1121 Penn Avenue, Downtown. Open 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM on Saturday.

***

And remember, comics are always free at the library! We've got thousands of graphic novels, manga and zines to choose from. Stop by the teen desk and we'll recommend something great.

- Corey W.

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main - Teen

But what exactly do you do?

2008-04-26T14:49:00.005-04:00

I get this question quite often as a librarian, so I thought I'd share some of my activities from today.

1. Created weekly schedules for the staff.
2. Tried to problem-solve existing scheduling glitches.
3. Helped someone who was doing a research project on Muhammad's views regarding violence.
4. Added tags to previous blog entries, since I always forget to do so when posting.
5. Looked at the bestselling teen fiction books at Barnes and Noble and Amazon, and crossreferenced titles with our catalog, to be sure we have them at the library.
6. Shelved manga and graphic novels like Genshiken and Persepolis.
7. Helped the Tell-a-tale Theater teens suprise Karen with a birthday cake.
8. Sent emails regarding Teen Summer Reading visits to local Pittsburgh Schools.
9. Worked on the schedule again.
10. Discussed volunteering with an interested teen.
11. Read reviews of upcoming teen fiction books, to decide which to buy for the Teen collection.
12. Renewed computer time for teens... a lot.
13. Set up paint and supplies for a teen who wanted to paint our meeting room doors.
14. Worked with teens to help get their library cards renewed.
15. Did I mention scheduling?

It's Saturday, so it's a slow day. :) See you at the library!

Holly

Happy Day of Silence 2008!

2008-04-25T13:58:00.003-04:00

When it comes to silence, you might think the library has the market cornered. But for every "Shh!" from a mean librarian is a middle or high schooler who doesn't feel like they can express who they are because they don't want to be harassed about their sexuality or gender.

That's why GLSEN is now promoting the Day of Silence, an opportunity for teens to work together to create a silence that is impossible to ignore (for more info, visit the Day of Silence webpage). This year's Day of Silence was today, April 25th.

In honor of the Day of Silence, I'd like to share with you some of the books featuring lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, allied, and altogether awesome characters that I'd read recently.

Touching Snow, by M. Sindy Felin
When Karina's brutal stepfather almost beats her half-sister to death, Karina needs to make a choice between what's easy and what's right.

Tips on Having a Gay (ex) Boyfriend, by Carrie Jones
Belle and Dylan were the perfect couple. But one night, Dylan utters the words Belle never expected to hear: "I'm gay." Now Belle gives herself seven days to redefine what love means and move on with her life.

Tale of Two Summers, by Brian Sloan
Hal and Chuck are best friends who've never been apart--that is, until Chuck gets into a prestigious summer theater camp at a university on the other side of Maryland. How will Hal and Chuck pass the time? By discovering sex, love, and friendship in unexpected places--and blogging about it all.

Parrotfish, by Ellen Wittlinger
This funny and heartwarming book features Grady, a transgender teen who navigates family, friends, and budding romance upon coming out.

Happy Day of Silence!

~Joseph
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main - Teen

CLP Librarians heart blogs

2008-04-23T14:03:00.006-04:00

A very ambitious group of Adult Librarians at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main have collaborated to create a fun and informative blog called Eleventh Stack. Here you can learn about everything from alternative forms of transportation to Life on Mars to Blogging for Equality. This blog is updated daily, so be sure to check in often!

Another very ambitious group of librarians - this time Teen Librarians from across the entire city - have collaborated to create yet another fun and informative blog called CLPTeensburgh. Interested in library programs for teens at neighborhood locations like the Hill District? Or would you like to read a good book review? Perhaps you are more in the mood to learn about writing contests. Check out this blog for a look at library service to teens across the entire city.

Think you've had enough of fun and informative blogs? Think again! If you are a parent of a young child, know a parent of a young child, or are an older sibling, than this blog is for you. Storypockets is a blog created by the Children's Department at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main. Did you know that the Nandanik Indian Dance troupe just visited the Main Library? Would you like to recommend a book to youngsters you know? Have a good look at this Children's Librarian blog.

Fare Thee Well

2008-04-21T18:35:00.002-04:00

Hi everybody, I just wanted to say so long and farewell to you all. My time as an intern here at the Carnegie has come to an end. It has been a great experience and far, far too short. I’ve learned a lot, and had a blast doing it. You all have a great space here, wonderful programs, and the best library staff a teen could hope for. I’m envious. I wish I had had such a great place to go as a teenager, and I hope my hometown of Denver gets as great a teen space as this. I wish you all the best, and thanks for helping me learn. I especially want to thank those of you who came to my program! Look me up on Facebook, and I’ll keep on checking up on what’s going on here through Facebook and the blog.
Slan Agaibh, Chris Lovejoy

Operation Teen Book Drop - the books were dropped today!

2008-04-15T19:16:00.008-04:00

Just in time for Support Teen Literature Day, the 650 books donated by the Young Adult Library Association and readergirlz were dropped off at UPMC Children's Hospital.

These books had an eventful month. They started in Chicago, jumped into some boxes and shipped themselves to Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main-Teen. When they got here, 5 fabulous teen volunteers took them from their cozy boxes and placed donation stickers on all 650 title pages. The volunteers also placed 650 pretty purple bookmarks inside these books. The books then went back home to their boxes. On Tuesday morning, they were loaded into a shipping van and taken to UMPC Children's - their final destination. Soon these books will find their way to patients and patient's families, and their final purpose will be realized: being a welcome escape to members of our community who could certainly use it.

2008-04-14T14:30:00.002-04:00

From Deadpool!!!

Hello blogger this is Deadpool the “merc with the mouth.” My interview with Entertainment weekly went so well they dropped the lawsuit. Today I have appeared in the D.C universe and I will battle Deathstroke in Gotham City. Before I fight him I’ll answer some questions that Jose from Mexico has sent to me. Here are some of the questions he sent me.

Question 1: How do you get a girls attention?

Be yourself, tell the truth about yourself.

Question 2: Cyclops vs you who would win?

Me because he is too nice and I got healing factor and better combat skills or wear the old marvel girl costume and make him die laughing.

Welcome to the CLP Manga Reading Room, Live from Tekko '08!

2008-04-11T10:44:00.001-04:00

Hey all you anime and manga maniacs! The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh is pleased to once again at Tekkoshocon, offering a manga reading room stocked with over 300 titles from Naruto to Chibi Vampire.

If you want a place to get away from the con hustle and bustle (or just think the library is cooler than a shinigami), please come visit us on the 5th floor of the Radisson Hotel, in Green Tree.

Believe it!

~Joseph
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main - Teen

Record a Song about YOUR Favorite Book/Author and Get a Chance to win $5000!

2008-04-08T11:44:00.001-04:00

Calling all readers and music fans!

Have you ever read a book and thought, "I sure would love to turn this into a song"? We just received word of an interesting new contest being sponsored by the people at Gale (one of the companies who make those research databases we keep trying to get you to use). Here's the info:

...we invite you and your patrons to compose a song about your favorite book or author, record a video of its performance and submit it for a chance to win $5,000 — $2,500 for you and $2,500 for your favorite library. Post the contest on your community board to encourage even more entries and have a better chance at winning a share of the prize money! Visit www.gale.com for complete rules beginning April 13, 2008.

If you're bursting with song but don't have a chance to record it, you can contact me at the Teen department at the Main library (412-622-3121). I may be able to help.

~Joseph
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main - Teen

Teen Power! the political process, voting and you

2008-04-03T14:02:00.003-04:00

Hi everyone. This year, as you know, is an election year. So we wanted to have a program to talk about some of the issues that will be discussed during the election, and more importantly, talk about the issues that are important to you. Some of you will be old enough to vote this November, but even if you won't be voting this year, politics is something that still effects you--funding for your schools and education, public transportation and the price of gas, even the air you breath and the water you drink. If you have an interest in politics, or are just curious to find out what those people on cable news shows are shouting about, join us for Teen Power! Sunday, April 13th @ 3pm. There'll be a trivia contest w/ prizes, followed by a discussion. Soda and snacks will be provided. Find out how you can make a difference!

Geek Teen Alert: Guitar Hero on the Commodore 64

2008-04-02T10:32:00.001-04:00

Hey teens! Have you caught the 8-bit retro madness of the chiptune craze, the people at SyntheticDreams have managed to make your dreams come true: Guitar Hero on the Commodore 64.

The FREE Shredz64 project lets you hook up your guitar controller and play along with a huge user repository of .sid files, which are music files designed to be played on the Commodore 64 system. These range anywhere from NES games to cheesy 80s hits.

If your parents still have one of these dinosaurs lying around the office (and I know some of you do), then you and some adventurous friends can breathe new life into the old system. If you don't, here's your chance to delve into the wonderful world of emulation. Here's what you need:

A downloaded copy of Shredz64.

Commodore 64 emulator. Your computer can simulate the C64 environment, opening up your computers to a whole host of fun, independently-designed games. PC users can check out CCS64, while Macs have Power64. For Shredz64, what matters is that your emulator can emulate paddles. Commodore 64 emulation can occasionally be tricky, so make sure you read the documentation.

Playstation to USB adapter. This will let you hook up your Guitar Hero controller to the computer. The Stepmania site currently has a great guide to finding the one that will work for you.

After a couple of mouse clicks and text commands, you'll be all set. Have fun, and be sure to check out the demo on Youtube!

Perks of Being a Teen Volunteer...

2008-04-01T19:03:00.009-04:00

Well, there's many, my friend.

Teen Volunteers at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh:

get a first look at what CD's, books, graphic novels, and video games are freshly returned,
get a chance to put their library service on their resume/school applications,
get a CLP badge, which allows free entry and discounts at many local museums, and
get to do things like SLEEP OVER at the library!

Recently, we had our first every Teen Overnight at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main. 30 Teens who have volunteered in the past 6 months were invited. They were treated to trivia, pizza, snacks, the world premiere of ROCK BAND at the library, a midnight book discussion, movie watching, Apples to Apples, all capped off with a bagel breakfast.

If any of these perks sound appealing to you, contact us to volunteer!

Found Object!

2008-03-31T17:49:00.003-04:00

Secret note found in the stacks:

Dear Stalker,
How is your mother doing? I understand she has come down with a bout of measels [sic] and weasels and is feeling rather poor. Bake her some crumpets for me, okay?

Toodle-oo pip pip,
Roger

*SIGH*
Never a shortage of love at the library.

Just for fun, help us come up with a random story of what would lead someone to write a note like this. The crazier, the better!

Special Art Club Meeting: Ohanami!

2008-03-28T16:33:00.006-04:00

Whoa, everyone watch out! April is on its way and it's not kidding around.

April in Pittsburgh can be a bit of an indecisive flirt. Just when you think it's going to stay warm and sunny, it flip flops back to the cold and the gray. Boo. Well, April in mainland Japan is quite different. It is the time for new beginnings: new school year, new friendships, and definitely blooming cherry blossoms (sakura). During this time, people hang around under trees, stuffing themselves with food and drink, being merry with friends and family.

So to celebrate this fabulous time of year, we are doing a special Art Club meeting that is going to be, to quote one special patron, made of awesome.

We are going to

draw Japanese flowery landscapes
make origami
drink delicious green tea in adorable little Japanese cups

Ohanami is going on at Teen on Wednesday, April 16, at 3pm. Pick up a loud pink bookmark when you drop by to remind you!

And just because I'm a sucker for pictures, here's one of me (Violeta) in front of sakura in Japan.

Two Amazing Reviews by the Illustrious Katie D.!

2008-03-24T17:11:00.004-04:00

Runaways
by Brian K. Vaughn

How many times in your life have you thought your parents were evil? I’m guessing that would be a lot, especially if you’re a teenager. But what if they actually were? And I don’t mean confining you to your room, grounding you for life, or taking away TV priviledges. We’re talking secret-society, super-powers, blowing-up-Los-Angeles evil.

This is what a group of teenagers discover in the graphic novel Runaways, written by Brian K. Vaughn and illustrated by Adrian Alphona. It’s not your average superhero comic, and that’s what makes it interesting: instead of muscled-up, costumed heroes punching eachother out on top of the Empire State Building, you have normal teenagers faced with the fact that their families have been lying to them for years.

In the first volume of this entertaining series, at a yearly “get together,” the main characters, while exploring a passageway in Alex Wilder’s house, overhear a meeting where their parents, in full super-villain costumes, commit a yearly sacrifice for some unknown reason. Disturbed by this encounter and completely sure that something is very wrong, four of the five teenagers run away from home to try and find the body of the sacrifice. They end up not only finding a psychic velociraptor and some sort of ancient book, but having to save the fifth from all of their parents—something that’s easier said than done, as it turns out.

This graphic novel is a great new angle on the tired superhero genre, and totally fun to read. The dialogue is fresh and not too overdramatic (HA HA! I SHALL KILL YOU, et cetera…) and all of the characters, as you see later, have their own personalities. It’s the perfect blend of a little sci-fi, a little action, a little fantasy, and a whole lot of humor. Don’t worry if you can’t find the second book in the series—I couldn’t, either, but I managed to continue on to volume three and only miss a little.

As a student at Rogers CAPA middle school, I have had to suffer through weeks of teacher hysteria, spontaneous group craft projects, and people constantly being called out of class for costume fittings.

The source of all of this chaos was the one act plays by three Rogers 8th grade writers being performed, a whole-school activity that (un)fortunately, I wasn’t involved in. The scripts of these plays are available online at CafePress. Since I’ve been reading these plays since the earliest drafts, I thought I might review them here are prove that you should SO TOTALLY order the book, now.

The first of the plays presented in the book is “Entanglement” by Juliana Collins. The play, to sum it up in a sentence, is about the relationship of a couple from opposite sides of the class and race divide. The dialogue is spot-on, of course, and the idea was good, but (oh dear god Juliana will kill me for saying this) it ends up being a leetle bit *pinches fingers to show how leetle* unresolved at the end. Still, it’s a really interesting story.

The second play is my personal favorite. Entitled “My Blood Is Still Red” and written by Claire Matway, a hugely talented poet and writer, it’s about what happens to an average middle-class family when their teenaged son reveals a huge secret. What’s the secret? You really think I’m going to tell you?! Go read it and find out for yourself, already! There’s nothing I can say about this play except, IT’S. AMAZING.

DeeDee Reaves, the author of the play “Twists of Heaven and Earth” had better look out, because her play is going to be a little bit critically challenged in this review. Her dialogue is fast and funny and full of great pop culture references (the SpongeBob line is particularly great) but it just… falls apart into a scene that’s a little bit soppy and tries a little too hard to make the end seem very much like an after-school special. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t buy the plays, though *wink*

You can find the plays here.