What is the Shoreline Teen Advisory Board?

Find out more about STAB by reading this introductory letter, the primer and our mission statement. Then, if you want to join, fill out the background check, the online application and the parent/guardian signature form. (For a few suggestions on filling it out, take a look at this post.)


10.15.2011


There are a couple really great programs coming up next month that I wanted to let you know about. Let your friends and family know about them too! If you want to register for one of the classes, click on the link! Thanks!

Be Smart About Credit Cards
November 9
7pm
Don’t get buried in credit card debt! Learn how to compare credit cards, how to decipher the technical terms on the credit card application and agreement, what different interest rates mean, and how to manage your credit card spending.

Job Finding Strategies Workshop
November 17
7pm
Learn how to create and conduct a “Confirmational Interview”, a meeting style that will encourage hiring managers to meet with you to want to help you in your quest. And, if none is available, you could still find a job being created just for you, because of how you present yourself!

Both of these programs are part of our Life After High School series and pretty much every library in the system is having one of the programs. If want more options, take a look!

And for extra FUN, take a look at the graphic on the right. They are all photos of celebrities from their high school yearbook. See if you can identify them.

Or don't.

The choice is yours.

10.05.2011

Shorecrest Volunteer Resource Fair Attendees!

I had a great time meeting you at the fair on Tuesday! If you have questions about volunteering please feel free to contact me. However, if you want to apply please hold off until next week until I get some bugs worked out of the system.

If you signed up for more information, expect an email from me sometime next week. If you don't hear from me, then please contact me. Thanks!

9.28.2011

Want to be a part of this thing we call the Shoreline Teen Advisory Board?

Want to be a part of this thing we call the Shoreline Teen Advisory Board?

This is what you need to do:

1. Go to https://app.betterimpact.com/PublicOrganization/4971bb69-bc61-4086-b183-c0b7d17cc18a/1 and click on the button on the right that reads “Fill in an application”.
2. Under the “Additional Info” (the 2nd page) please write Shoreline as your "Applicant Library". Other then that, feel free to answer the questions as they pertain to you.
3. Go to the background check link and print it out. You will have to bring the completed form to the library.
4. When you have completed the application, please email that you are done. Also, make sure to include the name you used when you filled out the application just in case I have a hard time finding you.
Thanks!

9.24.2010

Room 9 Water Book List
Here is a list of books I told the Room 9 students about. Please leave comments about the books and whether you liked them or not.

Exodus by Julie Bertagna
In 2099, as the Earth is slowly being covered by rising oceans, 15 year old Mara must rally her village to leave their island and find safety in another land that may not exist.

Close to shore : the terrifying shark attacks of 1916 by Michael Capuzzo
During the summer of 1916 shark attacks along the New Jersey shore resulted in one of the largest shark hunts in history and a massive wave of panic.

Al Capone does my shirts by Gennifer Choldenko
When your dad is a guard on Alcatraz, you get all the perks… like having a mobster do your laundry.

The Sea of Trolls by Nancy Farmer
Jack’s village is attacked by rampaging vikings and he is captured and made a slave. He must use all his wits and his budding talents as a bard to find a way to escape and rescue his sister.

Man vs. wild : survival techniques from the most dangerous places on Earth by Bear Grylls
If you like the show you’ll love the book. If you don’t like the show you’ll still like the book.

Dark water rising by Marian Hale
In 1900, one of the deadliest hurricanes to hit the United States touched down in Galveston, Texas, killing 8,000 people.

Soul surfer : a true story of faith, family, and fighting to get back on the board by Bethany Hamilton
The true story of Bethany Hamilton, champion surfer who lost an arm in a shark attack but found the courage and strength to return to the water and surf again.

Flush by Carl Hiaasen
A young environmentalist fights for friends, family, and swampland in Florida.

Operation Red Jericho by Joshua Mowll
When their parents go missing Becca and Doug join their uncle on board his research ship and join the secret group known as the Honourable Guild of Specialists.

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
After a plane crash, Brian is stranded in the wilderness alone. He must rely on his own strength and courage to survive the ordeal.

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
After Mary’s village is attacked and destroyed by the flesh eating “Unconsecrated” she goes on a journey to find a better life and safety.

Deadly perils : and how to avoid them by Tracey Turner
Don’t panic. It is all in this book.

7.28.2010

Twisted Histories:
Vampires, monsters, superheroes and steam-punks....and you thought history was boring! A new display and reading list at the Shoreline Library called “Twisted Histories” explores the wonderful worlds of alternative history, Gothic horror, and historical fantasy. Stop in today and take a twisted trip back in time.

Marvel 1602 by Neil Gaiman and Andy Kubert (Graphic Novel, 2007) A slew of heroes from the Marvel universe, including the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, and Nick Fury, are re-imagined in the year 1602.

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld and Keith Thompson (2009)In this steam-punk version of World War One, two young teens are caught up in opposite sides of a battle being fought with genetically engineered warbeasts and mechanized monsters.
The Monstrumologist by Richard Yancey (2009)Young Will Henry is the orphaned ward of a “mad scientist” who studies, dissects, and hunts monsters.

A Great and Terrible Beauty (The Gemma Doyle Trilogy) by Libba Bray (2005)Teenage Gemma is sent to an exclusive boarding school when her mother suddenly dies. But the social conventions governing young women in the 19th century are just the beginning of her problems, which include dark visions, and strange happenings on campus.

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith (2010) The author of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies turns his attention from British literature to American history, imagining the former president as a battler of the undead.

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party by M. T. Anderson (2008)A young boy in 18th century America is the subject of a mysterious experiment in this challenging novel.

London Calling by Edward Bloor (2008)Martin has good reason to be depressed, with problems at home and bullying at his exclusive prep school. But when Martin’s grandmother bequeaths him a mysterious radio and he begins to have strange dreams, his world may change forever.

The Hollow Kingdom by Clare B. Dunkle (2006)In 19th century England, sisters Kate and Emily are sent to live at their family home of Hallow Hill in the wake of their father’s death. However, the girls have no idea that a there is a strange, dark presence at the estate with his own plans for the girls’ future.
Steamboy (Film, 2005 or Manga 2005) In this steam-punk thrill-ride, Victorian London is re-imagined to dazzling visual effect by Akira writer/direct Katsuhiro Otomo.

The Year of the Hangman by Gary Blackwood (2004)15-year-old Creighton, a spoiled, selfish English lad, is kidnapped by privateers in this alternative history of the year 1777, which explores what would have happened if the Americans had lost the Revolutionary War.

4.30.2010

Kingdom Book Talks
Rayma Norton from Lake Forest Park Library
Rick Orsillo from Shoreline Library

The Diary of Pelly D by LJ Adlington
On a distant planet, Tony V uncovers a diary that threatens everything he knows about the world around him.

A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
In a British boarding school in 1895, Gemma Doyle deals with the recent death of her mother as well as with the discovery that she has special powers and the ability to see into “The Realms”.

Charles and Emma by Deborah Heiligman
Charles Darwin and his wife, Emma, were deeply in love and very supportive of each other, but their opinions often clashed. Emma was extremely religious, and Charles questioned God's very existence.

The Hollow Kingdom by Clare Dunkle
The Goblin King has chosen Kate to be his queen and she doesn’t have much say in the matter.

The Red Hourglass: Lives of the Predators by Gordon Grice
From black widows, to wild pigs, to dogs, discover why and how predators do the things they do.

Dune by Frank Herbert
The Interplanetary Emperor worries that the power of the Atreides Duke will rival his own, so he sends the Atreides family and their supporters to rule a remote desert planet. In this treacherous place, the betrayed Duke’s son uncovers his own unexpected destiny.

Call of the Wild by Jack London
The quest for gold in the Yukon brings out the best and worst in men and in their beasts. Buck, a dog stolen from a comfortable home and sold to labor in the frozen Yukon Territory, uses his wits and instinct to survive the harsh treatment of men and nature.

The Secret Under my Skin by Judith McNaughton
In the 24th century, after an environmental disaster, the government has outlawed all but the most basic technology. But, amid this chaos, Blay discovers secrets from her past that gives her hope for the future.

Princess Ben by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
Ben is the first in line to assume the throne after being orphaned. She must struggle to evade threats from rival kingdoms while learning who she can trust in her own court and how to master new skills.

One Kingdom: Our Lives with Animals by Deborah Noyes
The complex relationship between people and animals is explored in myth, history, art and science in this photo essay.

Sovay by Celia Rees
A young English woman discovers her power – first as a highwayman, then as a spy during the bloody days of the French Revolution.

Heroes of the Environment: true stories of people who are helping to protect our planet by Harriet Rohmer
Teens, adults, athletes and scientists who are working to create positive changes in their environments, from a “green” building supply business hiring community members in the South Bronx to a lone woman fighting to save thousands of Caribou in Arctic Village, Alaska; a Hopi Indian Reservation in Arizona to Louisiana wetlands.

Behind the Mask: The Life of Queen Elizabeth I by Jane Resh Thomas
Her father killed her mother. Her sister tried to banish her. She prevailed and rose to become the most revered ruler of her time. How did this unmarried Queen survive in a world ruled by men?

Dr. Franklin’s Island by Ann Halam
After crashing on an island, three science students find that they are on an island and the subject of experiments dealing with splicing human and animal genes.

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
When his parents are assassinated, Prince Alek escapes from his enemies with the help his father’s friends and a giant, mechanical walking machine. His only hope of survival lies with his enemies who on are aboard the Leviathan, a genetically engineered flying whale.

Poison by Chris Wooding
Poison’s sister is kidnapped and replaced with a changeling. To get her sister back, Poison must make a perilous journey that will not only put her life in jeopardy, but the fate of all mankind.

4.14.2009

Some pictures from Operation: Teen Book Drop.

1.30.2009

I realized today that I meant to email you guys about our meeting next Tuesday, February 3 from 4-6pm. This meeting will be one of our replacement list meetings so I need your suggestions. Since I’m late getting it to you, email me by tomorrow morning (Saturday Morning just to clarify) with ideas for replacement books we need. I’m looking for books with authors with last names ending in U-Z. So, The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak would be an example of a book that we could use. I’ll try to get the booklist out by Sunday night. Cross your fingers. I’ll try to get them on BWI but it may end up back on Amazon. Also, please let me know if you can come so I know how many lists to make.

Next, at the meeting we discussed some important dates coming up. As always, I’ll try to add them to the Google Calendar (Look to the right) as soon as I can. Now I’ll try to start adding them to the Facebook Events as well. However, for your convenience, here is a handy list for you to mark on your calendar at home:

April 4-5: Emerald City Comicon

April 13: The Joy of Censorship with Joe Raiola, Editor-in-Chief of Mad Magazine

April 16: Operation Teen Book Drop

May 2: Free Comic Book Day

May 3: Ellen Forney visits

12.03.2008

STAB meetings on the December 2nd

I was going to give you an update on what we did at our STAB meeting, but basically if you just read the STABentation (STAB Orientation), the introductory letter and the background check you'll know what we talked about. By the way, if you haven't done your background check yet, please get it to me ASAP. Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks!

And don't forget, we have our next meeting next Tuesday, December 9, from 4-6pm. Please add your booklists to the BWI account by Thursday, December 4. Thanks!

11.30.2008

Don't forget our STAB meeting on December 2nd from 4-6pm. This won't be our typical meeting so you won't have any books to review. Just come for the chat.

11.17.2008

Stories : a booklist for Room Nine classes

Presented by Aarene Storms, Chloe Chung, and Rick Orsillo
November 2008

The Alchemyst: the secrets of the immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott Nicholas Flamel is a fourteenth-century alchemist posing as a modern-day San Francisco bookseller. When a magical book is stolen, he--with the help of his wife, a set of teenage twins, and various gods--must retrieve it.

Beastly by Alex Flinn A retelling of “Beauty and the Beast”…from the Beast’s perspective. Rich, handsome, and mean-spirited Kyle plays a nasty trick on the wrong ugly schoolmate: an undercover witch, who curses him to a life of ugliness unless he can find true love.

Beauty: a retelling of Beauty and the Beast by Robin McKinley When Beauty's father is imprisoned for picking a rose, she agrees to take her father's place at the castle of the enchanted Beast. This version makes the Disney movie look like sissy stuff.

Beauty and the Serpent : thirteen tales of unnatural animals by Barbara Ann Porte Puppies from hell, escalator-dwelling cats, murderous crows, a coma-inducing snake tattoo, and more.

Black Pearls : a Faerie Strand by Louise Hawes Seven re-told tales based on traditional traditional fairy tales. Cinderella craves the deaths of her wicked stepmother and stepsisters; one of the seven dwarfs, falls in love with Snow White. Gretel tells what really happened with the witch, the oven, and her brother Hansel.

Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale Dashti, documents her time in service to Lady Saren through journal entries. When Saren, sixteen, refuses her father's choice of bridegroom, her father locks both girls in an isolated tower with provisions for seven years. A retelling of the obscure Grimm story “Maid Maleen”.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak Death narrates the story of Liesl; her foster parents; the Jewish fugitive they are hiding; and a wild but gentle teen neighbor, Rudy, who defies the Hitler Youth and convinces Liesl to steal for fun.

The Diary of Pelly D by L.J. Adlington Toni V, a barely-educated brute laborer helping to pulverize the bombed-out remains of a city plaza, uncovers the diary of Pelly D.

Dream Factory by Brad Barkley Two teens working at Disney World as costumed characters over the summer try to resist falling in love.

East by Edith Pattou Rose agrees to go away with a talking white bear, and finds herself in a magical duel with the horrible Troll Princess. A retelling of “East of the Sun, West of the Moon.”

Fablehaven by Brandon Mull (sequels: Rise of the Evening Star and Grip of the Shadow Plague) Seth and Kendra visit grandfather's isolated Connecticut estate and discover that the place is a secret haven for magical creatures, both benign and wicked.

Fairest by Gail Carson Levine Gifted with a beautiful voice that has the power to captivate all who hear it, kindhearted Aza, believing that she is ugly, catches the attention of a handsome prince--and an evil new queen. An unusual retelling of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.”

Geeks : how two lost boys rode the Internet out of Idaho by Jon Katz The true story of two teens who used their education and the internet to leave their small town and start new lives.

Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! By Laura Amy Schlitz A medieval village is more than just lords and ladies. In this particular village there are also Nelly the Sniggler, Edgar the Falconer's son, Mogg--daughter of the town villein, and the town's resident half-wit.

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale On her way to marry a prince she's never met, Princess Anidori is betrayed by her guards and her lady-in-waiting and must become a goose girl to survive until she can reveal her true identity.

The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley (companion novel: The Blue Sword) Aerin, daughter of the King of Damar, uses the magical powers of the blue sword to kill the dragons that threaten the kingdom

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke (sequels: Inkspell and Inkdeath) Meggie’s father has been keeping a secret: when he reads aloud from a book, he can bring the characters in it to life.

Left for Dead by Peter Nelson The true story of how a young boy helped the survivors of the U.S.S. Indianapolis reverse the court martial of their captain fifty-five years after the sinking of the ship.

Moon Riders by Teresa Tomlinson (sequel: Voyage of the Snake Lady) In ancient Greece, teenage Myrina joins the Moon Riders (a.k.a. the Amazons), befriends the young prophetess Cassandra, becomes a player in the Trojan War, and serves as a witness to many of the events told in “The Odyssey.”

The New Policeman by Kate Thompson (sequel: The Last of the High Kings) Time is leaking out of the human world and into T’r na n'îg. Fifteen-year-old fiddle player J.J. determines to fulfill his mother's wish for more time; in the process, he solves the mysterious time-skin leak.

Poison by Chris Wooding When Poison's little sister is stolen, she sets out to confront the Phaerie Lord to demand her sister's return.

The Rumpelstiltskin Problem by Vivan Vande Velde Retelling Rumpelstiltskin not once, but six times, in an attempt to answer questions inspired by the original tale…. "You'd think that in reality that the miller would have noticed that his daughter doesn't actually know how to spin straw into gold"….

Samuel Blink and the Forbidden Forest by Matt Haig (sequel: Samuel Blink and the Runaway Troll) Newly-orphaned Samuel and his younger sister Martha are sent to live with their strange aunt Eda on the edge of a magical forest, which is threatened by creatures that have been corrupted by the wicked Changemaker.

Shadow Spinner by Susan Fletcher Marjan, a young storyteller in ancient Persia, takes dangerous risks to deliver a new stories to Shahrazad.

Sisters Grimm: the Fairy-Tale Detectives by Michael Buckley (sequels: Usual Suspects and others) Daphne and Sabrina are descended from the famous storytelling brothers, and Ferryport Landing is a magical town, populated with "Everafters," characters straight from fairy tales.

Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George In this retelling of “East of the Sun, West of the Moon” a girl, who is so unwanted that her mother refused to even name her, agrees to earn wealth for her family by spending a year in the magical palace of a gigantic talking white bear.

The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner (sequels: Queen of Attolia and King of Attolia) A king orders the thief to carry out a nearly-impossible heist under threat of death. Lots of action, humor, and a surprise ending.

Whales on Stilts by M.T. Anderson An intrepid trio must defeat an insidious plan to use whales equipped with metal stilts and laser-beam eyes in a takeover of the state capital-and then the world.

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen When 23-year-old Jacob is suddenly orphaned, leaving him penniless, he drops out of Cornell veterinary school and parlays his expertise with animals into a job with the circus.

Whirligig by Paul Fleischman After a drunk teenage driver kills a girl, his life is transformed by fulfilling a request of the girl's mother.

The Witch’s Boy by Michael Gruber Raised by a witch, a she-bear, and a demon, Lump is anything but ordinary. A retelling of “Rumpelstiltskin” and other familiar fairy tales.

The Year of Secret Assignments by Jaclyn Moriarty Three Australian teens establish pen pal letter exchanges with a rival public high school.

10.23.2008


STAB was honored to host first time author Carrie Ryan at an event today. You can read a description of her book, The Forest of Hands and Teeth, but I just like to say it is about love and zombies. So, basically, a little something for everyone.

Carrie was really interesting and gave lots of background on zombies and how she came up with the book. She also discussed a little bit about the writing process. Carrie graciously signed oversize manuscript copies of the book that the publisher sent us. Plus, she had chocolate bars. I'll try and get her to come back when she writes the sequel.

10.18.2008

STAB meeting, special events and your advice!

The lists for our meeting are up at BWI. If you can't access them or don't know what I'm talking about, please contact me. Our meeting is Tuesday, October 21st at 4pm. Only 3 of you gave me definite "yes"s to coming. If you can make it and didn't let me know, email or call me and I'll let you know which list to tackle.

Secondly, I'm hoping you can give me more advice. Thanks to STAB alum Victor, I put together a pretty good list for Richmond Beach's Game On! program. Take a look at the wishlist and tell me what you think.

Also, please remember to come to our author meet 'n greet on Thursday, October 23rd 4pm. We'll be meeting first time author Carrie Ryan. She will be discussing her book, The Forest of Hands and Teeth. You still have time to come in and pick up a preview copy to read before the meeting. I've been reading it and I'm pleasantly surprised. So far, I haven't gotten too much gore out of it. But I have a feeling something nasty is about to happen. Fingers crossed! I'm trying to think of appropriate snacks to bring for a zombie book. Suggestions?

And lastly, if you are planning on going our STAB field trip to go see Nancy Werlin on Sunday, I'll be sending out the medical release/permission slips soon. I also post them to the blog tomorrow or Monday. Please bring them to me Tuesday or Thursday.

10.07.2008

The next STAB meetings of 2008!

Many of you have been asking me about our STAB meetings. I, unfortunately have some bad news. We have technically “run out of money” so we won’t be “buying" any more books this year. However, that doesn't mean we have to stop getting together at our meetings. I think what we should do is make our own list of books and review them. Then I request that we buy them next year. So, what I would like everyone to do is this:
1. Make a list of about 10 or so books that you think that we should own in the Shoreline Library. Try and limit it to teen books. Feel free to find out if we own the books by checking the catalog before you go to the next step. It will save us all time and trouble.
2. Go into BWI (email me if you need the password and login) and click on the link "Your Lists" on the top left side of the page. Find the list "STAB Picks" in "Private Lists" and open it by double clicking. To add books to this list:
2a. Use the "Add by Searching" link in the blue box on the top left side of the page.
2b. Type in the title of the book. The search can be a bit weird so you may need to try it a couple of times in different ways. Watch the dial buttons on the right to make sure you are searching the title or author or whatever your preferred search type is.
2c. Find the cheapest copy (because it is usually a paperback, not because I'm stingy).
2d. In the quantity field (QTY column) type 1 then click anywhere on the page.
2e. The check box in the "Want" column should be marked. If it isn't click it to mark it.
2f. Then click "Return to Editing" at the top of the page.
2g. Repeat as necessary.
2h. Make sure to hit the "Save and Exit" button when you are done.
3. Come to the meeting prepared to talk about your book. I'll assign your books to other people as well, but you'll have first crack at talking about it. I'll take a look at the books and if there are too many, I'll choose a bunch to review at our meeting.

I hope that isn't too complicated, but if it is, give me a call, email or come in and I can try to walk you through it.

Please get your list done by October 14th. We'll have our meeting on the 21st from 4-6pm.

10.06.2008

Read. Flip. Winners!

A collegue of mine put together a montage of the Read. Flip. Win. winners and posted it on YouTube. I thought you might enjoy seeing it as well.



If you are looking for a full list of entries, take a look at this extensive list.