Trying to Figure Out How to Get Published?

Many of you are writing stories, poetry and novels. I am sending you a link to TeenInk for anyone who does not know how to get their work published. Also, you can checkout what other teens are writing. You may be surprised to see some stories and poetry published on the site by local Tri-Town Teens... There is also a copy of Teen Ink in the magazine section of the Young Adult area in the Essex Library. I would love to publish your reviews here on the Essex Library's Teen Space blog.

Email Me...

Have You Read...

If you haven't read "Waiting for Normal" by Leslie Connor, you definitely should. I read this book because I know and love the author and ended up truely loving the story! Actually, I could not put it down. The main character was such a positive person through so much heartache and disappointment. She was a definite inspiration to me.

The publisher, HarperCollins, describes the book as follows: "Addie is waiting for normal. But Addie's mom has an all-or-nothing approach to life: a food fiesta or an empty pantry, jubilation or gloom, her way or no way. All or nothing never adds up to normal. All or nothing can't bring you all to home, which is exactly where Addie longs to be, with her half sisters, every day. In spite of life's twists and turns, Addie remains optimistic. Someday, maybe, she'll find normal. Leslie Connor has created an inspiring novel about one girl's giant spirit. waiting for normal is a heartwarming gem."

I highly recommend this book. Leslie Connor is a Connecticut author who has also written the picture book "Miss Bridie Chose A Shovel" and the young adult book "Dead on Town Line".

Twilight Series Book Discussion

Fans of the Twilight Saga are invited to a Book Discussion at the Essex Library on Monday, December 8th, 6:30-7:30pm to discuss "New Moon" by Stephenie Meyer. There will be Snacks, Sneak Previews, and Perhaps a Prize or Two...

All are welcome...

Books Into Movies

A great website for teens is Teenreads.com. Not only does it have great suggestions of the latest and greatest books to read, it also has cool features like author interviews and bios, Series lists, various genre book lists, book clubs, AND the latest on books that are being released into movies each month.

New Books into Movies this November:

November 7th "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" based on John Boyne's award-winning novel about the Holocaust told from the innocent eyes of a Nazi officer's young son.

November 21st "Twilight" made from Stephenie Meyer's vampire romance novel.

Also, "The Clique" is a direct-to-DVD film based on Lisi Harrison's bestselling series.

Book Discussion for Young Adults

Book Discussion for Young Adults
Wednesday, November 12th
7-8p.m.
The November Book Group for Young Adults is an easy one. Just read any book you enjoy and show up to tell us about it. We are hoping that everyone will find a new favorite book recommendation from another member of the group.
Snacks will be served.
Be sure to let us know you will be attending so that we will know how many snacks to make.
email jmccann@essexlib.org

College Prep Series - How To Pay Less For College!

Monday, November 10th 7-8pm

College Prep Series is Back with "How to Pay Less for College!"

Young Adults and their Parents are invited to the Essex Library for the first program of the year with the library’s College Prep Series on Monday, November10th at 7:00pm.

Sam Rosensohn, founder of College Planning Partnership will present “How to Pay Less for College!” As personal finances weaken and lenders get tough, learn which colleges will pay you to attend their schools. Discover how to identify the schools that are offering merit money (money not based on need but based on academic accomplishment) and how to qualify for merit money. Merit scholarships can be helpful in financing your college education. In contrast to need-based grants or scholarships, merit scholarships are awarded to students based on grades, accomplishments or other personal characteristics rather than financial need. Sam, author of the newspaper column College 101, will share with parents and students how to identify the schools that offer merit academic awards and honors programs that they can acquire. Sam will offer school lists, web sites and tips on how to prepare, starting in the ninth grade, for merit money and honors programs.

Most students do not actively seek merit money, because they do not know about this pool of money. They learn about merit money once they’ve been accepted to college. Come to this workshop and get a head of the curve.

Please contact the Essex Library at 767-1560 or jmccann@essexlib.org to register for this important informational evening.

2008 Teen's Top Ten Winners Announced!

The 2008 Teens' Top Ten
The vote is in! More than 8,000 teens voted on this year's winners.

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling
Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
Maximum Ride: Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports by James Patterson
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray
Extras by Scott Westerfeld
Before I Die by Jenny Downham
Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson

Video Game Surprise!

Can playing "Madden" or "World of Warcraft" encourage you to be more engaged in public life? Believe it or not, yes.

If you play video games, you might want your parents to read the report from PEW Research Center. Gaming may not be responsible for kids growing up to become anti-social hermits. In fact, this study shows that all that game time could actually make you a better citizen. More and more studies are showing that gaming is actually quite social. Attitudes towards games and gamers is often based on assumptions and emotions. People either project their own failings or profess views that seem correct, but are in fact not supported in the research.

What are your thoughts?

Want to Access a Library Source Without Leaving Home?

InfoAnytime is a real-time, web-based reference service that features live librarians who can help you find the information you need... any time.

How does it work? Click on the InfoAnytime link on the Essex Library's web site, enter your name and your question and wait a few moments for a librarian to come online.

Professional, highly-trained librarians conduct reference interviews via online chat, and provide answers and further resources in the form of web sites and online database citations. These online resources appear directly on your screen, next to the chat session window. You may interact both with the web sites provided and with the librarian until your question has been answered satisfactorily.

At the end of each session, both the participant and the reference librarians at the college receive transcripts of the session via email.

Looking For A Good Book Recommendation?

Teenreads.com bring teens info and features about their favorite authors, books, series and characters. They are a part of The Book Report Network, a group of websites founded in 1996 that share thoughtful book reviews, compelling features, in-depth author profiles and interviews, excerpts of the hottest new releases, literary games and contests, and more with readers every week. Teenreads.com is THE place online for teens to talk about their fave books --- and find the hippest new titles!

It's Teen Read Week! October 12-18

It's Teen Read Week! Vote now for the 2008 Teen's Top Ten! Voting takes place through midnight on Saturday.

Teens' Top Ten is a "teen choice" list, where teens nominate and choose their favorite books of the previous year! Nominators are members of teen book groups in fifteen school and public libraries around the country.

If you read nominated books throughout the year, you’ll be ready to vote for your favorites during Teen Read Week, October 12 - 18, 2008. Readers aged twelve to eighteen can vote right here, online, anytime that week.

See the 2008 Teens' Top Ten Nominations...

Banned Books Week: Celebrating the Freedom To Read

Banned Books Week is September 27 - October 4, 2008!

Banned Books Week: Celebrating the Freedom to Read is observed during the last week of September each year. Observed since 1982, the annual event reminds Americans not to take this precious democratic freedom for granted.

1. “And Tango Makes Three,” by Justin Richardson/Peter Parnell
Reasons: Anti-Ethnic, Sexism, Homosexuality, Anti-Family, Religious Viewpoint, Unsuited to Age Group

2. “The Chocolate War,” by Robert Cormier
Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Violence

3. “Olive’s Ocean,” by Kevin Henkes
Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language

4. “The Golden Compass,” by Philip Pullman
Reasons: Religious Viewpoint

5. “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” by Mark Twain
Reasons: Racism

6. “The Color Purple,” by Alice Walker
Reasons: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language,

7. “TTYL,” by Lauren Myracle
Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group

8. “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” by Maya Angelou
Reasons: Sexually Explicit

9. “It’s Perfectly Normal,” by Robie Harris
Reasons: Sex Education, Sexually Explicit

10. “The Perks of Being A Wallflower,” by Stephen Chbosky
Reasons: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group

Banned Books Week celebrates the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one’s opinion even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular and stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of those unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints to all who wish to read them. After all, intellectual freedom can exist only where these two essential conditions are met.


Banned Books Week is sponsored by the American Booksellers Association, American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, American Library Association, American Society of Journalists and Authors, Association of American Publishers, National Association of College Stores, and is endorsed by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress.

Banned Books Week is now on Myspace and Facebook. Check it out!

Christopher Paolini's "Brisingr" Is Here!

The much anticipated third book in the Inheritance Cycle has arrived!

A brief description of "Brisingr" by Christopher Paolini found on the Borders site... "Following the colossal battle against the Empire's warriors on the Burning Plains, Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have narrowly escaped with their lives. Still there is more at hand for the Rider and his dragon, as Eragon finds himself bound by a tangle of promises he may not be able to keep."

For more information about Christopher Paolini and his Inheritance Cycle visit the following link. There are even games and activities for you there. http://www.alagaesia.com/index.php

Watch a video of the author leading a young adult book group and answering questions about the series and himself from young adults like you... http://www.bordersmedia.com/shows/bookclub/paolini.asp?cmpid=SL_20080923_REW

Good News for "Twilight" Fans... Bad News for Harry Potter Fans...

Instead of coming out in November, "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince" will now be released on July 19, 2009.

Because of the Harry Potter delay, fans of "Twilight" will be so excited. The movie is now opening three weeks earlier and taking the NOVEMBER 21st slot!

Be sure to click on the titles above to find out more about these much anticipated movies...

"Twilight" Book Discussion At The Essex Library

Please Join Us For An Evening of "Twilight" Based Discussion At The Essex Library...

Who: Mother and Daughter Fans of the Twilight Saga

When: Tuesday, October 14th, 6:30-7:30pm During Teen Read Week!


Both Mothers and Daughter have really been enjoying this book series, so we thought we'd get a group together to talk about it before the movie comes out. You don't need to bring your mother OR your daughter to have fun with this group. Just read the book and show up. Snacks will be served...

Books are available to check out at the Essex Library. Drop by or give us a call to let us know you are going to attend this much anticipated book group event at 767-1560 or jmccann@essexlib.org.

For more information about "Twilight" visit the author's website at http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/twilightseries.html

Another New Staff Member Has Arrived At The Essex Library!

Jessica Branciforte has joined the staff as our new Children’s and Young Adult Assistant. Jessica recently graduated from CCSU with a degree in Elementary Education and will begin pursuing a Master’s degree in Library Science this month at SCSU. A resident of Cromwell, Jessica has been an active volunteer at the Cromwell Belden Library on many children’s and Young Adult programs including some enthusiastic appearances as ‘Fancy Nancy’. She brings a long list of experience dealing with children and young adults and is looking forward to meeting and working with Essex families.

Be sure to say hi to Jessica on your next visit to the Library and let her know what you would like her to plan for the young adults of our community...

Last Minute Back to School Information...

Not finished with your VRHS summer reading project? Can't find the packet the school sent home with you in June?? No problem! Click on this link http://vrhs.com/index.asp?school=vr, then click on the "Summer Reading" link on the right side of the page. You will be able to view and print the pdf copy of the packet. Have Fun!

For JWMS click on http://vrhs.com/index.asp?school=jw, then click on the "Summer Reading" Assignment" link on the right side of the page. You will be able to view and print the pdf copy of the packet. Good Luck!

WhereCan You Find the Bus Schedule for VRHS or JWMS?

No Problem... Click on this link below...

http://www.region4schools.com/pdf/Bus%20Routes/2008-2009%20Bus%20Route.pdf

Best of Luck on Your First Day of the New School Year!!

Pizza and Gaming Party for High School Aged Teens!

Tuesday, August 26th, 6:30-8pm
in the Program Room of the Essex Library

Teens of high school age are invited to a Pizza and Gaming Party. The Wii, DDR and Guitar Hero, also Chess and Backgammon will be available, along with lots of pizza and snacks. We thought it would be a fun way to end the summer before heading back to school. Get your friends together and plan to have a fun time at the library.

Please Judie McCann to let her know if you will be attending so that she can be sure to have plenty of food on hand... 767-1560 or jmccann@essexlib.org

Teens Top Ten

Where Teens Choose The Winners!

The 2007 Teens’ Top Ten is:

1. New Moon by Stephenie Meyer
2. Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
3. How to Ruin a Summer Vacation by Simone Elkeles
4. Maximum Ride: School’s Out – Forever by James Patterson
5. Firegirl by Tony Abbott
6. All Hallows Eve (13 Stories)by Vivian Vande Velde
7. Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer
8. River Secrets by Shannon Hale
9. Bad Kitty by Michele Jaffe
10. Road of the Dead by Kevin Brooks

About the Teens' Top Ten
Teens' Top Ten is a "teen choice" list, where teens nominate and choose their favorite books of the previous year! Nominators are members of teen book groups in fifteen school and public libraries around the country.

If you read nominated books throughout the year, you’ll be ready to vote for your favorites during Teen Read Week, October 12 - 18, 2008. Readers aged twelve to eighteen can vote online anytime that week. For the 2008 Teens’ Top Ten Nominees list, go to: http://www.ala.org/ala/yalsa/teenreading/teenstopten/2008_nominees.pdf

A Wii and DDR Party at The Essex Library For Teens!!

Friday, May 9th 7-9pm “Dance, Dance Revolution” AND Wii for Young Adults at the Essex Library! Young Adults in grades 7-10 are invited to a Wii and DDR Party in the program room of the Essex Library. There will be pizza and lots of gaming and dancing going on. Please call or email the library to register so that we’ll have plenty of pizza and drinks for everyone. jmccann@essexlib.org

College Prep Series At The Essex Library

Sam Rosensohn of College Planning Partnerships was at the Essex Library on Wednesday, April 23rd to discuss with teens and their parents How to Prepare for College and the basics of Scholarships and Grants. He stressed the importance of preparing for college all the way through high school by taking college prep courses and studying hard. He also noted that by the end of a student's junior year in high school they should be fairly well prepared for college. They should have been consistently involved in sports, clubs or whatever interests them all through the first three years. He also suggested that all students preparing for college and the SATs go on to CollegeBoard.com. There you can begin looking into colleges and universities, sign up for the word or question of the day, sign up for the PSAT or SAT, look into scholarships and grants, and more.

The library has been sponsoring a monthly College Prep Series during this school year. If you have any suggestions for future programs, please contact Judie McCann at the library or at jmccann@essexlib.org.

Welcome to the Essex Library Teen Blog!

Welcome the The Essex Library's new Teen Space Blog. I am so excited to share fun and interesting infomation with local teens. I will be periodically posting information about books, teen programming at the Essex Library, book reviews, interesting web sites, and more.

I am also looking for input from our local teens. Have you read a great book recently that you would like to share? Have you seen a movie that you would like to review? Do you want to share some of your favorite music with us? Do you have an idea for a program that you would like the library to do?

There is so much we can do to make this blog fun. I look forward to hearing from you.