Lansing Library Teen Dept. Podcast

Book of the Month - November

webmaster@lansing.lib.il.us (Lansing Public Library) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:55:33 PST

Dream Factory by Brad Barkely and Heather Hepler
A strike made up of various character actors in Disney World threatens to close the park. The higher-ups decide to hire high school kids to fill these positions until the strike concludes. Ella, cast appropriately in the role of Cinderella, goes to the place where dreams come true in hopes of moving on from the sadness surrounding her home life. Luke portrays the hyper chipmunk Dale while his gorgeous girlfriend, Cassie, occupies the Chip costume. Ella has her very own Prince Charming, Mark. Everyday the two of them get married in front of the park while in between shows Mark spouts out fact after fact about the Happiest Place on Earth.

When a scavenger hunt is presented to the teen staff, Cassie and Mark join up in hopes to win a mini vacation away from Disney at a resort. That leaves Luke and Ella as partners. The two of them become fast friends. Every night they sneak out of their dorms to go to a bench and talk for hours. The friendship threatens to grow into something more. Is Mark really Ella’s Prince Charming? Are Chip and Dale an inseparable pair?

Told in alternating chapters between Luke and Ella, Brad Barkley and Heather Hepler tell a tale of love found in unsuspecting places. The characters of Bernard, a lifetime portrayer of J. Worthington Foulfellow from “Pinocchio,” and Mark unveil some special Disney World secrets throughout the book. Barkley and Hepler touch every emotion from happy to sad to love and loss. Read Dream Factory today and see which couple will live happily ever after.

Feel free to leave a comment about the Book of the Month or tell us what book you would like to see as the next Book of the Month.

November Events

webmaster@lansing.lib.il.us (Lansing Public Library) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:19:33 PDT

Movie Night: Van Helsing Tuesday, November 3 @ 5 p.m. [Grades 6 and up]
Legendary 19th-century monster hunter Van Helsing is sent to mysterious Transylvania to battle Dracula who is trying to release evil with the unwilling help of Frankenstein’s monster and a wolf-man.
Rated PG-13

Henna Program Saturday, November 7 @ 1 p.m. [Grades 6 and up]
Come in and learn about the history, cultural practices, and the preparation of henna. You will also get a chance to practice your own henna designs and get a small design from a Henna specialist.
Sign-up and permission slip required. Limit 15.

TAB Meeting Tuesday, November 10 @ 5 p.m. [Grades 6-12]
It’s your chance to say what you want to see at the library. Tell us what programs, books, movies, and music you want at the library. And, as always, snacks will be provided.

“On the Edge” Book Discussion: Crank by Ellen Hopkins **
Wednesday, November 11 @ 5 p.m. [Grades 6-12]
The “On the Edge” book discussion group features books about edgier, more mature topics.

Kristina Georgia Snow is the perfect daughter, gifted high school junior, quiet, never any trouble. But on a trip to visit her absentee father, Kristina disappears and Bree takes her place. Bree is the exact opposite of Kristina. Through a boy, Bree meets the monster: crank. And what begins as a wild ecstatic ride turns into a struggle through hell for her mind, her soul- her life. (Summary from Lansing Public Library catalog)

“Off the Shelf” Book Discussion: Peak by Roland Smith **
Monday, November 23 @ 5 p.m. [Grades 6-12]
A fourteen-year-old boy attempts to be the youngest person to reach the top of Mount Everest. (Summary from the Lansing Public Library catalog).

** Additional copies available at the upstairs circulation desk

World Ruled by Video Games?? YES PLEASE!

webmaster@lansing.lib.il.us (Lansing Public Library) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:34:13 PDT

Epic
By Conor Kostick

Erik lives on New Earth, a place where violence was banned generations ago. Anyone who commits an act of violence is immediately exiled. The only way to settle disputes or handle appeals to the government, known as Central Allocations, is through a video game. Everyone, starting at a young age, makes a character that must start with nothing in hopes to adventure enough to get enough equipment and money to make a difference in their lives and attend the prestigious Mikelgard University. Most people never get successful enough in the game to move up in the ranks of society and spend their lives working in crop fields or salt mines. But there are also a few who will risk everything to get themselves heard, like Erik, his friends, and his father.

When Erik’s father is exiled, Erik decides to try a new technique in playing the game. Instead of putting all of his character points into becoming a strong, bland-looking fighter like everyone else, he finds an obscure class known as a swashbuckler and puts almost all of his points into his female character’s appearance. Right upon starting the game, doors never available to average players open up and Erik sees a different side of the game. Erik learns that in order to save his exiled family he must rally up his friends and defeat some of the toughest opposition in the game such as Inry’aat, the red dragon, the Committee, a group of older players that run the game, and a vampire who is a little more than he seems.

Epic takes the video gamer’s dream of life built around a video game and creates a science fiction world to house it. Conor Kostick uses terms that are easy to understand for those unfamiliar with video games but will also suck video game fans in. Epic appeals to those uninterested in reading the perfect story. Full of loyalty, determination, and teamwork, Epic is full of amazing characters overcoming elite opposition.

Unlikely, Unbelievable, Unforgettable

webmaster@lansing.lib.il.us (Lansing Public Library) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 09:57:21 PDT

Un Lun Dun
By China Mieville

In the same vein of Alice’s rabbit hole and Lucy’s wardrobe, Zanna and Deeba find their way into the other world known as Unlondon. Unlondon is an abcity to the actual city of London. There are more of these “not-cities” such as Parisn’t and Lost Angeles. A majority of London’s thrown out or forgotten items will make their way to Unlondon. Unlondon may look similar to the city of London as we know it, but it is full of animated trash, houses built of appliances without walls, clothes made from pages of books, and city buses that rely on other forms of propulsion than wheels such as hot air balloons and wings.

Zanna receives a business card in London telling her she is the “Shwazzy.” Soon Zanna, along with Deeba, find an entrance to Unlondon. Zanna discovers that she is the prophesized “Chosen One” who is supposed to save the city of Unlondon from ultimate destruction. Things don’t go according to the plan outlined in the prophetic talking book of the Prophseers. Both Zanna and the abcity are under attack from the Smog.

In Unlondon, the smog is a living being with the goal of total destruction. Deeba finds the responsibility of saving her best friend and an entire city resting on her shoulders. She, along with a group of friends including Conductor Jones, a half-ghost boy named Hemi, a man with a pincushion for a head and pins for hair named Obaday Fin, a talking book, and a milk carton named Curdle, go up against the most powerful and most deadly thing in all of Unlondon.

Un Lun Dun is a funny, fast-paced fantasy story that leaves you wanting a sequel. The characters are so ridiculous yet so real at the same time. Mieville takes obscure and impossible situations and breathes life into them so you feel as if you are really there. Un Lun Dun will make you start checking bookshelves and elevators for ways into these wacky worlds.

Check out this Caudill!

webmaster@lansing.lib.il.us (Lansing Public Library) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 11:34:37 PDT

A Crooked Kind of Perfect
by Linda Urban

Zoe Elias has one dream. One day she will perform intricate piano pieces on the stage of Carnegie Hall. She will wear a beautiful evening gown, long gloves that reach her elbows, and a tiara. She will be the next prodigy. There’s only one thing that stands in her way. Zoe needs to learn how to play the piano.

Zoe’s life changes when her father goes to the mall in hopes to buy her a piano. Boy is she surprised when the deliverymen don’t bring in a piano. Instead, Zoe finds the Perfectone D60 sitting in front of her. The Perfectone D60 is an organ with fake walnut veneer and none of the majesty of a piano. By purchasing the Perfectone D60, Zoe is promised free lessons from Maybelline Person, pronounced “per-sawn”. Zoe learns that becoming a prodigy takes a lot of work. With the support of her neurotic father and her annoying classmate, Wheeler, Zoe pushes forward and struggles to become great. Soon Zoe has her chance to perform on stage at the Perfectone Performorama.

A Crooked Kind of Perfect is a quirky story about a young girl achieving her goal. Brought the life by the colorful characters and hilarious situations, this novel is a quick but entertaining read. A Crooked Kind of Perfect is just the thing for younger teen readers.

Black Sheep

webmaster@lansing.lib.il.us (Lansing Public Library) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 11:22:11 PDT

Buddha Boy

By Kathe Koja

Justin’s life is fairly normal. He has two really good friends, Jakob and Megan, who blend in with the rest of the student body of Edward Rucher High School. Everything changes when a new student joins the fray. Michael Martin prefers to be called Jinsen, his Buddha name. He is a small boy with a shaved head who constantly wears oversized T-shirts. Along with his bizarre looks and his inclination to beg for money during lunch, Jinsen has earned the nickname, “Buddha Boy.”

Justin feels sorry for Jinsen and gives him money during lunch. Soon Justin finds out that his relationship with Jinsen is not going to end there. Justin and Jinsen are paired together for a project for one of their classes. At first Justin is apprehensive, especially when Jinsen invites him over to his house to work on the project. Soon Justin realizes that Jinsen is not just a freaky kid from school.

Their friendship grows as the two boys share their appreciation for art, despite the disapproval of Justin’s other friends. The jocks and bullies at the school start to pick on Jinsen and his prized artwork. Justin finds himself standing up for Jinsen, even when he won’t do it himself. It’s difficult being different at a new school and Justin learns just how hard it really is from Jinsen when Jinsen finally reveals his secret past. Will Jinsen ever fit in with the rest of the students at Edward Rucher High School?

Kathe Koja spins a wonderful tale about fitting in and sticking to your principles. The twists and turns of the story will keep you enthralled throughout this quick read. The friendship between Jinsen and Justin keeps you rooting for them in the end. Buddha Boy is a great story for anyone who ever thought that they were the weird kid at school.

Upcoming events fo Sept. and Oct.!

webmaster@lansing.lib.il.us (Lansing Public Library) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 11:16:10 PDT

TAB (Teen Advisory Board)
Tuesday September 8 & October 13 @ 5 pm
Stop by the library every 2nd Tuesday at 5 pm for our monthly TAB meeting. This is your chance to tell us what you think. Is there a program you’re dying for the library to host? Are we missing a book or two that we just must have? This is your chance to give us some feedback. We are waiting with open ears and snacks! Grades 6-12

Wednesday, September 2 @ 5 pm
Teen Book Discussion: So Yesterday by Scott Westerfeld
Hunter Braque, a New York City teenager who is paid by corporations to spot what is "cool," combines his analytical skills with girlfriend Jen's creative talents to find a missing person and thwart a conspiracy directed at the heart of consumer culture. (excerpt from Lansing Public Library catalog)
Grades 6-12

Wednesday, September 16 @ 5 pm
Movie Night: Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (rated PG-13)
The roguish yet charming Captain Jack Sparrow's idyllic pirate life capsizes after his nemesis, the wily Captain Barbossa, steals his ship, the Black Pearl, and later attacks the town of Port Royal. Captain Barbossa kidnaps the governor's beautiful daughter, Elizabeth. In a gallant attempt to rescue her and recapture the Black Pearl, Elizabeth's childhood friend Will Turner joins forces with Jack. What Will doesn't know is that a cursed treasure has doomed Barbossa and his crew to live forever as the undead. (excerpt from Lansing Public Library catalog)
Grades 6 & up

Tuesday, September 29 @ 5pm
Banned Book Talk
It’s Banned Book Week again! Do you ever wonder what the big deal is about banned books? Are you curious about why Gossip Girl by Cecily Von Ziegesar was banned? Or how about the Printz Award winner Looking for Alaska by John Green? Come in to the Banned Book Talk and find out why books were banned, what they are about, and why you should read them. Don’t let censorship win. Grades 6-12

Wednesday, October 7 @ 5 pm
“On the Edge” Book Discussion: Freeze Frame by Heidi Ayarbe
The “One the Edge” book discussion group features books about edgier, more mature topics.

Fifteen-year-old Kyle doesn’t believe he deserves to live after accidently shooting and killing his best friend. (excerpt from Lansing Public Library catalog)
Grades 6-12

Teen Read Week: Read Beyond Reality @ Your Library
October 18-24
This year’s theme can be illustrated in many different ways. Science fiction, fantasy, graphic novels, and paranormal/horror are all different genres that stretch our reality to the extreme. Try to read something outside your reality this week.

Monday, October 19 @ 5 pm (Paranormal night)
Movie Night: Ghostbusters (rated PG)
When ghosts go on a rampage, only three men can save the world. Soon every spook in the city is loose and our heroes face the supreme challenge. If you want your spirits raised, who you gonna call? Ghostbusters! (excerpt from Lansing Public Library catalog)
Grades 6 & up

Tuesday, October 20 @ 5 pm (Fantasy night)
Book Discussion: The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor
When she is cast out of Wonderland by her evil aunt Redd, young Alyss Heart finds herself living in Victorian Oxford as Alice Liddell and struggles to keep memories of her kingdom intact until she can return and claim her rightful throne. (excerpt from Lansing Public Library catalog)
Grades 6-12

Wednesday, October 21 @ 5 pm (Science Fiction night)
Movie Night: A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (rated PG)
The greatest adventure in the universe begins when the world ends. Earthling Arthur Dent learns that his planet is about to be demolished and his only chance for survival is to hitch a ride on the passing spacecraft. He discovers many things on his journey, but the most important is that everything you need to know can be found in one book: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. (excerpt from Swank Motion Pictures, Inc.)
Grades 6 & up

Thursday, October 27 @ 5 pm
Comic Book Workshop and Discussion
Local comic book team Unshaven Comics will lead a discussion about comic books including how they make them and their experience with comics. Get some ideas about how you can make your own comic books.
Grades 6 & up

Back to School Blues

webmaster@lansing.lib.il.us (Lansing Public Library) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 12:46:32 PDT

Come in and check out our "Back to School Blues" display. Here's a sneak peek at one of the blue books.

Quaking by Kathryn Erskine

Fourteen-year-old Matt has made a few wrong turns in her life. For years Matt, whose real name is Matilda but don’t you ever call her that, has been bouncing around from distant family member to distant family member while pushing her limits every time. Now Matt is at her final stop. Her cousin, Loopy, has found a distant cousin of her own who will take Matt in. Sam and Jessica Fox are a little different than who Matt was expecting. Sam and Jessica are practicing Quakers. Matt looks like your average rebellious teenager with her black clothes and black makeup, but she is not as tough as she looks. Sam and Jessica, along with Rory, the special needs boy who also lives with them, try to find out what’s really going on in Matt’s head.

There’s a war going on and Matt has just landed in a very pro-war area. Matt realizes that she has a lot in common with Sam and his fellow Quakers, especially when the war is involved. Matt must endure oppression for her peaceful beliefs from the Social Studies teacher and the school bully and his posse. At the same time, there are reports of violent protests against churches and groups in the area that promote peace and Sam is right in the middle of them.

Matt must learn to fight the bullies of today while trying to overcome her devastating past. Quaking contains a topic not found in many books today even though it is a part of everyday life. Quakers are still present in society today and Quaking does a wonderful job of explaining their beliefs. The timeliness of the war and its controversy creates a strong connection to Matt and her family that is easy to relate to. At first, Matt is strong on the outside but weak and frail on the inside. Throughout the growth of Matt’s relationship with the Foxes, Matt finds her voice and makes her true self known.

A Big Thanks

webmaster@lansing.lib.il.us (Lansing Public Library) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 10:41:44 PDT

The Summer Reading Program, Live Green, Read Green @ Your Library is just beginning and is proving to be more popular than last year. As you start scouring the shelves for the perfect books to bring you through this summer, let's take a second to thank the amazingly generous sponsors of the Teen Summer Reading Program of 2009.

Thanks to:

Baker's Square
Game Stop
Lansing Cinema 8
Music Lab
Schoop's Hamburgers
Teri's Tea Rose

If you haven't yet, stop in downstairs and check out all the prizes you could own just by reading books.

Enhancing Education Through Technology

webmaster@lansing.lib.il.us (Lansing Public Library) — Fri, 15 May 2009 14:35:19 PDT

Heritage Middle School has partnered with Lansing Public Library as part of the school's E2T2 grant: Enhancing Education Through Technology.

Listen to this brief podcast to learn what the Newenhouse family likes to read!

Looking for the books they talked about? The Lansing Library has them! Click on the links below to see if they are available now, or to add your name to the request list.

Patty mentions her favorites: Nora Roberts, J.D. Robb, and Nicholas Sparks.
She just finished reading The Choice by Nicholas Sparks.

Jessica likes The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick.

Rebecca is reading The Boy Who Dared by Susan Campbell Bartoletti.

For more information on other events we have recorded, visit our Podcast Information Page.

A Night of Poetry

webmaster@lansing.lib.il.us (Lansing Public Library) — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 07:27:34 PDT

The entries are in and thanks to the amazing influx of poems, the annual Poetry Cafe is on! Keep Wednesday, April 29 open on your calenders in order to join us at 6 pm for a night of poetry and snacks. Winners of the poetry contest will be revealed and prizes awarded. Feel free to read your own poems or your favorite poem at our open mic. Also, those who entered a poem in the contest will receive our poetry magazine, Random Inklings; the new home to their poetry.

Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award

webmaster@lansing.lib.il.us (Lansing Public Library) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:26:40 PDT

The wait is over!

The 2009 winner of the Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Award is The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan.

2nd place: The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

3rd place: Shug by Jenny Han

Cool stuff in March

webmaster@lansing.lib.il.us (Lansing Public Library) — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 10:17:00 PST

March 5: Book Discussion-Epic by Conor Kostick
On New Earth, a world based on a role-playing video game 14-year-old Erik persuades his friends to aid him in some unusual gambits in order to save Erik's father from exile and safeguard the futures of each of their families. (from Lansing Public Library catalog)

March 9-14: Teen Tech Week - Just Press Play@your library
Teen Tech Week is a week set apart in order to celebrate all the awesome technology in our lives whether it is watching movies, listening to music, or playing video games.

March 9 @ 5pm: Movie Night - School of Rock (rated PG-13)
When his band votes him out due to his embarrassing musical antics, Dewey has to make rent somehow. After intercepting a call for his substitute-teacher roomie Ned, Dewey finds himself in front of a class of elite elementary school students. Dewey decides to take on the music program and makes it his goal to teach them the gospel of rock and roll. His ulterior motive is to get them to compete against his former band for a cash prize. (from Lansing Public Library catalog)
Grades 6-12, no sign-up required

March 12 @ 4 pm: Game Day!
You can't celebrate technology with video games! Come on by and try your luck at DDR.
Grades 6-12, no sign-up required

March 14 @ 1pm :Animoto class
What is Animoto? Well its basically a website that allows you to upload your pictures, add a little music, and end up with your own music video! Feel free to bring your own pictures. Space is limited so sign up today!
Grades 6-12, sign-up required, Limite 6

All through the month of March, stop by the Teen Desk and write down your favorite music, movie, and video game on our big poster board.

If you signed up for Read for a Lifetime, time is running out. You must read your four books and turn in your sheet to the Teen Desk by March 31st. One lucky person will win a gift card to the mall!

Looking toward April....
April is National Poetry Month and once again we are holding our Poetry Contest and Poetry Cafe. Pick up an entry form at your school or at the library. All entries due March 31st.

The Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award

webmaster@lansing.lib.il.us (Lansing Public Library) — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 11:09:47 PST

The Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award was developed to encourage children and young adults to read for personal satisfaction. It is an Illinois award for outstanding literature for young people and is sponsored by the Illinois Reading Council, Illinois Library Media Association, and the Illinois Association of Teachers of English.

Here is a list of the 2010 Nominees:

Naked Mole-Rat Letters by Mary Amato

Home of the Brave

by Katherine Applegate

Shark Girl by Kelly L. Bingham

Shooting the Moon

by Frances O’Roark Dowell

Freedom Walkers: The Story of the

Montgomery Bus Boycott

by Russell Freedman

Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George

The Thing About Georgie by Lisa Graff

All the Lovely Bad Ones

by Mary Downing Hahn

Crossing the Wire by Will Hobbs

Kimchi and Calamari by Rose Kent

Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life

by Wendy Mass

The Mozart Question by Michael Morpurgo

A Small White Scar by K.A. Nuzum

The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt

Elephant Run by Roland Smith

The White Giraffe by Lauren St. John

First Light by Rebecca Stead

Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree

by Lauren Tarshis

A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban

Someone Named Eva by Joan M. Wolf

At the moment we do not own all of these titles, although they are all on order. Stop by the Reference Desk in the Youth Services Department or call 708-474-2447 for more information.

Facebook

webmaster@lansing.lib.il.us (Lansing Public Library) — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 12:08:35 PST

Did you know Lansing Public Library has a Facebook page? We will update the Facebook page with everything that is going on with the Youth and Teen Departments regularly. Check it out to keep yourself updated on what book discussions or activities are going on!

A Tale in Harper's Ferry

webmaster@lansing.lib.il.us (Lansing Public Library) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 13:04:11 PST

Hidden in the middle of the historic town of Harper's Ferry lives Josh, his parents, and his two brothers. Their dad is a bit of a crackpot and forces them to live in seclusion. Things change when the Richmonds move into the huge, beautiful, historic house next door. Josh has never experienced a family like this one. Josh becomes close friends with Luke, the youngest of the three Richmond boys. The more Josh interacts with this family, the more he begins to question his own homelife.

Josh begins to search for the concealed truth about cowmint,the miracle plant, John Brown, and his grandma's old house which is identical to the Richmond's house. Only his father has all the answers.

Check out The Night I Freed John Brown by John Michael Cummings today!

Big Fat Manifesto

webmaster@lansing.lib.il.us (Lansing Public Library) — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 13:24:56 PST

When you see overweight people, what to you do? What do you think? Let's be honest, most people laugh out loud, to themselves, or make a rude comment to their friend. Most people think things like, "ya know, if they just exercised, they would lose weight and be happy" or "fat people are lazy" or "if she just put down that cheeseburger, maybe she would fit into nicer clothes". Many people are stuck on those thoughts and ideas because of what TV and other media feeds them.

Jamie Carcaterra has had enough. Jamie is a high school senior, a part of the newspaper staff, a part of the drama department, a friend, a girlfriend, a daughter, and an obese teen. She starts a column in her school newspaper to confront all of the people who thinks those things about fat people. She dubs herself "Fat Girl" and "sticks it to the man". It seems like Jamie will stop at nothing to get her point across, and along the way she finds out a lot about herself and her life. She's been a Fat Girl her whole life, is that all she will ever be?

Susan Vaught gets into the head of a fat girl and brings to readers to understand that everyone has issues, no matter what size.

Wanna find out what happens? Check out Big Fat Manifesto by Susan Vaught.

Dealing with Cyberbullies - Tips for Teens

webmaster@lansing.lib.il.us (Lansing Public Library) — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 12:53:25 PST

Don't reply. You may want to respond, but this is exactly what cyberbullies want. They want to know they've got you scared, worried and upset. Don't give them that satisfaction.

Don't keep this to yourself! You are not alone, and you did not do anything to deserve bullying. Tell an adult you trust about the situation. Don't try and solve this on your own.

Don't delete messages. You don't have to read them, but you should keep them. They are your evidence. You may unfortunately get similar messages again, perhaps from other accounts. The police and your ISP, and/or your telephone company can use these messages to help you.

Do get a trusted adult's help. If you are getting physical threats:

Call your local police.
Inform your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or cell phone service.
Protect yourself.

Never arrange to meet with someone you met online unless your parents, friends, or a trusted adult go with you. If you are meeting them, make sure it is in a public place.

For more information go to www.cyberbullying.org.

This information is sponsored by the Illinois Library Association and myspace.com.

Safe Blogging Tips for Teens and Pre-teens

webmaster@lansing.lib.il.us (Lansing Public Library) — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 11:15:42 PST

1.    Be anonymous. Avoid postings that could help a stranger to locate you. This includes your last name, address, phone numbers, sports teams, the town you live in, and where you hang out.

2.    Protect your info. Check to see if your service has a "friends" list that allows you to decide who can visit your profile or blog. If so, allow only people you know and trust.

3.    Avoid in-person meetings. Don't get together with someone you "meet" in a profile or blog unless you are certain of their actual identity. Talk it over with an adult first. Although it's still not risk-free, arrange any meetings in a public place and bring along some friends, your parents, or a trusted adult.

4.    Think before you post. What's uploaded to the Internet can be downloaded by anyone and passed around or posted online pretty much forever. Avoid posting photos that allow people to identify you, especially sexually suggestive images.

5.    Check comments regularly. Don't respond to mean or embarrassing comments.

6.    Be honest about your age. Membership rules are there to protect people. If you are too young to sign up, don't lie about your age.

This information comes from ConnectSafely.org and is sponsored by the Illinois Library Association.

The Giver

webmaster@lansing.lib.il.us (Lansing Public Library) — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:26:10 PDT

On September 30 @ 7 pm come to the library for The Giver by Lois Lowry. Find out what happens when Jonas is assigned the job, the Receiver of Memories. For a little taste of the book, check out our book trailer below.

A Trilogy?

webmaster@lansing.lib.il.us (Lansing Public Library) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 07:18:16 PDT

I recently finished the Uglies/Pretties/Specials Trilogy. Throughout each book I was eager to get to the end so that I can see what happens in the next one. Normally I can't get into Science Fiction books, I tend to stick with realistic fiction, but I just could not put these books down. Now, the reason this entry is titled as "A Trilogy?" is because the Uglies/Pretties/Specials books are a trilogy, yet there is indeed a forth book called Extras. I haven't finished Extras yet, but it seems to be more of a telling of what was after the Specials. I really think everyone should try these books out! They are fun, intense, and dramatic, everything you need in a good book! Uglies was also an Abraham Lincoln Illionois High School Award Book.

Twilight Movie Release!

webmaster@lansing.lib.il.us (Lansing Public Library) — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 08:44:50 PDT

Stephenie Meyer's Twilight has been made into a movie and will open in theaters on Friday, November 21st. Only 71 days left! Be patient!

The library will be holding a party to celebrate the release of this highly anticipated film for this popular book series. Please check back soon for details....

The Warrior Heir book trailer

webmaster@lansing.lib.il.us (Lansing Public Library) — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 15:03:54 PDT

Jack Swift discovers what it slightly more than a normal family secret. Apparently Jack is a warrior. Not only is he a warrior, he is one of the only warriors left in the world. Everyone wants him to fight, to show off his warrior heritage. Can he make the sacrifice to do what is right?

Look for it today!

Check out our first ever book trailer!

webmaster@lansing.lib.il.us (Lansing Public Library) — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:23:06 PDT

Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin

Get your copy today!

Homework?

webmaster@lansing.lib.il.us (Lansing Public Library) — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:44:27 PDT

Hi Everyone!
I hope the new school year is going well, remember to stop in the library if you need help with any projects or research. We are here for you!