Book Bag: Friendswood Youth Services Blog

It's the first day of NaNoWriMo!  Have you heard of National Novel Writing Month? It's exactly what it sounds like, you write a novel. In a month. I know, it's crazy, but totally achievable! Know how I know? I did it last year (while working full time, training for a 1/2 marathon AND going on a vacation). And so did Keith. Have you ever wanted to write a book but were afraid it would suck? Or you've been meaning to write down that great story but you just never seem to have the time (even though you spent 3 hours scrolling through your tumblr dash last night)? NaNoWriMo is the answer to your dilemma! Let me let John Green explain it, he does a waaaaay better job than I could. Plus there's puff! So, like he says, NaNoWriMo gives you the freedom to suck. The first draft of a book is supposed to suck. So if that's what's holding you back, stop it! Go sign up at http://nanowrimo.org/ (it's free) and start your book along with a HUGE online co...

I don't know if you're aware, blog readers, but I am a huge and I mean HUGE fan of the British series Doctor Who. Like a big, dorky fan  If you've never heard of Doctor Who, it's a British science fiction series about a time traveling alien. It's a scary, funny, poignant, and- in my opinion- important show. And if you hang around at library YA programs long enough, I will make you watch it. And you too, will become obsessed. Or at least learn the valuable virtue of patience while the rest of us obsess. This year Doctor Who will celebrate its 50th Anniversary on November 23. There will be a special episode airing and all the fans will lose their minds. It'll be great fun! BUT I couldn't let the celebration end after the 23 soooooo the Teen Advisory Group is hosting a 50th Anniversary Party! Join us on Saturday November 30 from 2:00-5:00pm to celebrate  All Things Who!  Snacks, crafts, games, and clips from the show! We're also having a co...

It's that time of year again. When the weather turns (just a little bit) cooler and night comes early. When things begin going bump in the dark and you see mysterious shapes out of the corner of your eye! That's right, it's All Hallows Read!  I know it's been a year, so here's a refresher, All Hallows Read is the holiday started by my close personal friend Neil Gaiman in order to share books with people! The official day is October 31st so as you can imagine the books we share are usually scary!  You know you can come in any time to get a good book from me, but I'll be pushing really good creepy/scary books until 10/31, so be on the lookout. Below are a few to get you interested. Seventeen-year-old Evie O'Neill is thrilled when she is exiled from small-town Ohio to New York City in 1926, even when a rash of occult-based murders thrusts Evie and her uncle, curator of The Museum of American Folklore, Superstition, and the Occult, into the thic...

If you've visited the YA area in the past month or so, you've probably noticed our new furniture additions. If you haven't noticed, you really should work on your observational skills! Last Wednesday we got our latest piece of furniture, and it's addition was something of an adventure, so I thought I'd share the day with you through pictures. Thanks to all the TAG kids who installed shelves and shifted a LOT of books! It all looks great! So, the moral of the story is, come check out (har har) our new furniture! DFTBA, Sti

I don't know if you've heard, but I've started a new series of Young Adult programs called Adulthood 101. These are hands on classes that deal with lots of things you'll find helpful in the 'real world' when you're an 'adult' (I say this because I sometimes find it hard to believe that I am actually an adult in the real world). Things like learning how to do your laundry or changing a flat tire. Some people learned these things from their parents or driving school and just need a refresher. Some people just straight up ignored all those lessons. Whatever category you fall into, these things might get you out of a jam in a few years when you're on your own. Our first class Lessons in Laundry was September 28, if you couldn't make it you can still access my presentation and practice on your own laundry at home. Your parents will be very impressed, I promise.

Check it out! The Young Adult programs for Fall/Winter 2013 have been announced! Here's a look at what we'll be up to once school starts.   If you'd like a physical copy, drop by and pick one up at the library! DFTBA, Sti

Every summer we have hundreds (and hundreds!) of kids attend our programs. The programs include magic shows, balloon animals, snakes, clowns, crafts, and lots of screaming/adorable/hyperactive kiddos. That is basically a list of things that terrify most people. We are able to do all of this with the help of our trusty volunteers. And believe me, they are worth their weight in gold. Our volunteers help set up for programs, assist during the programs by taking pictures, counting attendees, helping kids with the craft, and then clean up afterwards. All for free!  We had a really great group of teens helping out this year and we want to show how much we appreciate them with a special party. Next Monday, July 22 from 11:30-12:30 anyone who has volunteered for us this summer is invited to join us in the library's activity room for food of some sort (we haven't decided yet!) and general appreciation. We hope you can make it! DFTBA, Sti  p.s. Again, we thank you and so does J...

So, Man of Steel premieres this week! To celebrate it's release and just celebrate superheroes in general, we're having a Superman Party from 2:00-4:00 on Saturday June 15! Come out for some Superman crafts, goodies and check out some books about superheroes! This is a come and go event, so you're welcome any time between 2:00 and 4:00.   DFTBA, Sti

Welcome to summer! Our Tween and YA programs start today at 1:30 for Tweens (8-10 year olds) and 3:30 for Young Adults (11-18 year olds. Today the Tweens are making Super Hero Masks and the YAs making Smash Books!  On Friday at 1:30 the Tweens are making Bouncy Balls and at 3:30 the YAs are dropping eggs! And don't forget! The YAs are playing Muggle Quidditch on Saturday at Noon! See you there! DFTBA, Sti

When I was in the 5th grade I had a history teacher who told us that his idea of Heaven would be to sit in a movie theater and watch all of history like it was one long, epic movie. That was he wanted, well that and really buttery popcorn! Much later, I went on to st udy history in college. W hen I think back , it's that little story that partly inspired my love of history.  Rathe r th an think of history like a movie, though, I 've always consider ed history to be one long, epic story. And I love stories. So historical fiction has always fit in perfectly with my interests. I enjoy many different genres but hist orical fiction has always given me a sense of understand ing of and connection to the past. Whether it s Vikings or pioneers . S ervants or princesses . O rdinary people living or dinary lives or famous people changing the world. Th rough these books I have lived hundre ds of different lives in hundreds of different times, it's not unlike time travel...

Hey, it's nearly summer! Are you ready for the Summer Reading Club? We have some really cool prizes for the YA Summer Reading Club this year. For Stage 1 (3 hours)- you'll get a certi ficate and envelope full of free stuff around town. Free Whataburger, Astros tickets and lo ts more! Stage 2 (6 more hours)- earbud holder. I hate it when my earbuds get all tangled, th is is a great way to stop that! Stage 3 (12 more hours)- Superhero Rubber Ducky! And Pool Party permission slip ( the Pool Part y is July 14) Stage 4 (24 more hours)- Stressball with the cutest little fa ce! Stage 5 (48 more hours)- Backpack you may already have one or two of the se, but do they say Friendswood Public L ibrary on them? I th ou ght not! We also have tons of awesome things going on YA programming wise. As you know, we have a YA program every Wednesday and Friday at 3:30 during June and July. Come join us for all the fun! And don't forget , TAG will still be meeting on Wednes...