Divergent Program Ideas

The Divergent series by Veronica Roth might be put to bed, but I haven't seen that book on the shelf since I purchased it in 2011. An early favorite, this series packs enough adventure for thrill seekers, a dystopian society to die for, and there are more than enough sparks on the romance front to keep all entertained.  That said, I've had multiple teens begging me for a Divergent program.  For whatever reason it hasn't materialized, but I am definitely going to hit that up this summer and watch the sparks fly. 

As I've previously stated, my program ensemble is very important to me.  I spend a lot of time and effort with my wardrobe overall, so it is no surprise to anyone that knows me.  If you find yourself in a similar boat or want to really want to get in character, might I recommend checking out the Official Divergent Tumblr for costuming suggestions?  If I lived in the Divergent dystopia I know that I wouldn't hesitate to select Dauntless on Choosing Day, but feel the requisite wardrobe of black and leather might be a bit much for a teen librarian running a program, so I proffer an adorable Abnegation outfit.  Grey is my favorite color to wear and as librarians are supposed to selflessly help everyone that comes through their library's doors it seems most fitting.  Please click on the link and browse the inspiration for your chosen faction to spice it up!

On to the games!  While my high schoolers prefer acting games and being left to their own devices to relax, my middle schoolers are hyper and can't sit still to save their lives.  If I am not constantly rushing from one high intensity game to another, trouble flares up.  Not all of these games will work for your teens, which is why I provided three per faction.  I got a lot of ideas from looking over this fabulous link by the Divergent Lexicon. Check that link out for food ideas as well!

Dauntless Games

These games should be executed with caution as Dauntless activities are not for the weak at heart! We played Trainwreck at a Hunger Games lock-in a few years back and there were a few skinned knees and head on collisions, so please be careful! I still recommend it because it was hilarious to watch and the teens had a great time.

• Manhunt
• Capture the Flag 
• Capture the Pearl sounds a whole lot more exciting, but might not be suitable for every library.
• Trainwreck

Erudite Games

These will go over particularly well with my uber nerdy teens.  I really like the Divergent trivia I found on Goodreads and can't wait to dig into it.

• Divergent Trivia
• Trivial Pursuit
• Jeopardy

Candor Games

Spotting lies and seeking the truth are the name of the game for Candor.

• 2 Truths & a Lie
• Truth or Dare
• Truth be Told

Abnegation Games

Abnegation facilitates selflessness and teamwork, so try these team building games!

• Hands Down
• Blanket Flip
• Portal

Amity Games

Amity games are all about teamwork and not about who wins.  I highly recommend the link I provided for Charades, as it is actually a variation known as Charade Relay.

• Charades
• Catchphrase
• Amoeba 

10 for 2010: Craftiness Explosion!

Here are some of the best links that were gathering virtual dust in my Google Reader. I've hand picked ones that I believe will work in most public library settings.

1. This one is practically cheating. The Long Thread collected the Top 100 Craft Tutorials of 2009. Whether you're more interested in mastering your technique before trying out some crafts at your library or looking for the next big purse tutorial sure to win your teens over, this list is surely going to have something for you. (Thanks to Craftzine for the link!)
2. I don't personally have a knitting club for my teens because I'm quite abysmal really, but I dream of one day having one. If you share this dream or already have one this ThreadBanger video featured on Craftzine detailing how to make a styling and easy crochet headband will be a welcome winter treat!
3. If your library is anything like mine, you have all your spring plans in place already. Why not start thinking summer thoughts then? This watermelon soap tutorial from Candle Tech's blog is an interesting twist on the handmade soap program. (Thanks to Cut Out + Keep for the link!)
4. Whitney of Youth Services Corner has just the right solution for the overgrown weeded book pile. Who doesn't need an awesome book clock?
5. Looking for an easy way to push Lewis Carroll's Alice stories before Tim Burton's movie debuts in March? Why not make up a display of the books with these Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum paper toys as the perfect compliment? Thanks for that, Toy a Day!
6. FREEZE! Don't forget to check out these t-shirts created by Craftster user fluffypants from freezer paper stencils! Check out this step-by-step tutorial for more information on how to create these excellent customized shirts.
7. Still Dottie is one of my favorite fashion bloggers. Check out her tutorial on how to embellish plain t-shirts with glitz and glam...
8. ...and without.
9. These leg warmer spats are easy peasy and if you don't want to try them out with your teens, you might want to try them out for yourself. Just sayin' Oh Craftster, you are the best!
10. Last one! Since I'm jealous of anyone that has a teen knitting club, I'm going to live vicariously through you guys until I get one of my own. Here's a star crochet pattern found (but of course) on Craftster.

BONUS JONAS: Shrink jewelry is a fun one to make for yourself or with the teens. Since this involves selecting images in advance I'm not sure how well it will work with teens, but this tutorial was too awesome to pass up. Enjoy! (Thanks Threadbanger for the link!)

Get ready to "Read for your Life"

Many have been buzzing about the changing of guards for the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature for some time now (Fuse #8, Mother Reader and A Year of Reading among them). While some people leaked the information on the interwebz last night (I'm looking at you NYTimes!), Katherine Patterson was officially named the 2nd National Ambassador for Young People's Literature this morning.

First and foremost, congratulations! Not only to Ms. Patterson, but to everyone who had a hand in selecting her because you did a phenomenal job. I had the pleasure of hearing her speak at the Baker and Taylor CATS Publisher preview this past November and she was delightful and showed that she will do much more than step up to the plate.

Jon Scieszka spent his time as Ambassador promoting the love of reading and motivating reluctant readers to enjoy reading. What will Katherine Patterson do? She has already started her Ambassadorial duties declaring that "Read for your Life" is going to be her driving force. What this entails we will find out in more detail in the coming weeks. If her time prior to receiving this honor is anything to go by, it can only be good for young people's literature. Shelf Talker has written up a fabulous summary of Ms. Patterson's numerous qualifications for the post and links to the aforementioned NYTimes article that is definitely work checking out for a more detailed look at Ms. Patterson's accomplishments.

10 for 2010: Favorite Programs of 2009

Not one for end of the year lists, I thought I would instead come up with a few for the new year. For the very first list (not to mention my first post of the new year) I thought I would start off with a reflection of my favorite 2009 programs. I know what you're thinking, isn't that just an end of the year list a few days late? Probably, but I like thinking about what worked best last year when developing ideas for the coming year so to me it's a start of the year process.

Below are some of my favorites linking (if available) flyers with more information, and blogs that inspired the program or ones that contain similar information:

1. Bento Boxes! -- The teens ate this up (literally--yuck yuck yuck). I found Lunch in a Box to be so helpful that I even printed out the page on gap filling for the teens to take home.
2. Fashion Forward -- One of the ways I battled a depleted budget was to harass convince my friend Christina to talk about her time at Fashion Institute of Technology and her post-graduation job working with Ralph Lauren.
3. Jam Session -- Recycling records into bowls was a smash hit. Halfway through we started sending off the records by playing a track from the album on YouTube as it melted in the oven.
4. When Zombies Attack! -- This one was yet another product of harassing convincing my friends to help out the library. I harassed encouraged her to combine her love of zombies with her theater training to create a most excellent interactive presentation.
5. Gift Workshop * -- This was an epic two parter. At the first workshop we had three projects going on: 1) Everyone turned Delias catalog pages into star-shaped gift bows and then either 2) made duct tape wallets or 3) decoupage magazine pieces onto little boxes.
6. Gift Workshop (2) -- At the second gift workshop we converted old CD cases into frames.
7. TAG -- Working directly with my Teen Action Group has been some of the most rewarding time I spent this year. I blogged back in November detailing a fun activity we did.
8. Writing Festival -- More harassment (oh whatever, we all know it was harassment at this point) on my behalf where I gathered some of my favorite writers to host stations and go over manga, fan fiction and a really awesome haiku game I learned in high school.
9. Rock Band -- I inherited a fabulous gaming program at my library featuring head-to-head tournament play. It was nice taking a break from that and watching everyone just playing instruments.
10. Candy Sushi -- This summer my Teen Cafe regulars rolled out some Rice Kristipie treats and Swedish Fish to some delicious results. Definitely revisiting this one in the next few years.

Leave some of your best 2009 programs in the comments!

* Sorry for the head tilt! Towards the end of the year I switched to vertical signage to be able to advertise more programs. It prints lovely, but is a bit annoying when looking at on the screen.

Festivus for the rest of us

Actually, I lied. It's not Festivus anymore. I was really hoping to do this post yesterday, but work intervened (until about 1 AM). Don't get too mad though. Once you see the amount of awesome I unleashed on the world last night you will be okay with my abandoning you for working from home. See: AWESOME. I finished the header, html and color selection on the proposal for the SCLS Teen Blog last night. We will put it to an official vote once our YA Librarian Committee meets again in January, but I'm confident it will work out.

That said, it's not just yesterday--I've been bad for a few weeks. I needn't tell you how much of a time suck the end of the year can be. It is still not an excuse for missing out on my friend Alicia's Blogiversary over at the LibrariYAn. CONGRATS!!

I saw this ARC in our summer reading prizes earlier this year and ordered the book. I featured it in a display in the month of November. I have yet to read it ::hangs head in shame:: I think that librarian by day has finally pushed me into checking out Hold Still by Nina LaCour when I get back to the library on Saturday.

Youth Services Corner highlights all the books turned movie in the coming months with fabulous imagery to boot.

YALSA blog has been out-doing themselves lately. Their daily December postings of Dollars and Sense are beyond helpful. So helpful there are really no words for how helpful they are. I can't wait until the last one is done and a compilation* is created. I wanted to also share this inspirational story that Erin Daly wrote for YALSA about nerdfighting. It is a holiday, after all. It may be my inner nerdfighter, but this story was quite touching.

*Until such a compilation is created, instead look at their economy tag which is entirely comprised of Dollars and Sense postings now.

And that about does it today, folks! Time to get all clean and shiny to go to my mom's house and eat too much food before going to my grandma's house tomorrow to eat even more food. Happy holidays!

No one takes Shakespeare up a notch quite the same way as McSweeneys. Previously, there was Hamlet Facebook Newsfeed. Now they bring you Shakespeare Police Blotters. Hat tip to Bib-Laura-graphy for the link!

I WANT THIS SO BAD!!!! It's no secret I'm an anglophile, but I want nothing more than to use a classic red phone box for a library. Boing Boing, you completed my life with this information. Thank you for your services.

Speaking of things I want... this dictionary + me = rapture:

(via this Super Punch post that also has a nifty steam punk lego curiosity cabinet)

Potential program ideas:

• Zipper rosette headbands
• Duct Tape no-sew fabric totes (too cute!)

Reviews that made me want to read the book yesterday:

• Dark Banquet by Bill Schutt reviewed on The YA YA YAs
• Ash by Malinda Lo reviewed on Librarian by Day

BONAS JONAS*: Super Punch has been linking a lot of fabulous art lately that you need to see. Click here. And here. Initial over here.

*I almost thought I was over these johnsons, but then I remembered how brilliant it is that someone living and breathing right now is dubbed Bonas Jonas.

New Blog!

I am delighted to present you with Curious Pages: Recommended inappropriate books for kids. Not that kind of inappropriate from what I've seen thus far, but a very fun look at random books intended for kids. Whoever knew that John Cage helped pen an awesome book about mud pies? Thanks to this new blogorino by illustrator Lane Smith (and some Bob fellow), I know that. And now you do, too!

Check it out!

Digital Towns

Move over John Green, Google is getting in on the paper town action! Paper towns are getting 2.0 with their bad selves in the form of Argleton. Google may or may not have created this town so that rival mapmakers cannot steal the fruit of their cartographic labors.

My question is does the terminology change because it's an online map or can we still call it a paper town?

Weekend Update

Thanks to my friend Camille, I became obsessed with the NYT article on the bento box phenomenon in America. I have since spent my free moments (when I'm not consumed with assembling new furniture from Ikea, Target and god knows where else) reading up on the blogs mentioned in the article. My favorite is Lunch in a Box because the author concentrates more on speed bento prep, rather than having artistic bentos, like those found on this old 2dayblog post:

Not that I have anything wrong with the artistic bento boxes. They are fabbity fab and I wish I could do them, but my idea of proper amounts of effort for lunch is getting in my car and going to Panera, so making a PS2 controller is clearly not going to encourage me to do this on a regular basis. I made one tonight with leftovers from dinner and other stuff I had in the fridge and I'm quite happy with the results!

In this picture the chicken teriyaki does not look as appetizing as it tastes, but I blame my camera phone. Either way, bento boxes are awesome! I placed two books on hold that should arrive sometime later this week. I will report back on my progress.

The Daily Prophet

How ridiculous is this image? I found it here doing a Google Image search for Horcruxes. Fun times.

In other news, I still have all these posts I want to write after finally seeing the latest film, but I want to see it again before I get down to the nitty gritty.

Kids, don't do drugs or you might end up altering the Potterverse. ::points and laughs:: You don't get your big death scene now, Crabbe! (Thanks, Mugglenet!)

You were seen by no less than a million muggles. Oh my flipplin' fuck! This cannot be real!!?! Does this mean that Undetectable Extension Charms are coming soon too? Because goodness knows that this little packrat could do with one of them bad boys (Again, props to Mugglenet with the assist from Leaky Cauldron).

Things to check out on the interwebz

• Do android librarians dream of electronic books? That I can't tell you, not having been an android at any point in my life, but I can assure you that the song with the same name is phenomz. Despite being 3256 years old in internet years, you should listen if you haven't heard it and especially listen to it again if you have because you know you love things smothered in awesome sauce (Laughing Librarian).
• Free handwriting fonts = Awesome teen posters (Craft).
• Non library related, but RPattz was in my dream last night (it was awkward, don't ask) so I figured I would share BWE's confession that Robert Pattinson is blue.
• Super Punch has outdone itself yet again. I fought the temptation (barely) to post the same image they used in a link round up because trust me, the Werewolf Nesting Transformation Dolls are gorgeous and must be viewed by everyone. EVERYONE!! Instead, I took one of the images they chose not to share created by deviantARTist spicysteweddemon and placed it below:

You can always count on me...

...and I can count on you. Good times bad times in between your friends will see you through...

Which friends? The BSC of course!! The Library Ladies and I are pretty ridic and spent yesterday determining which officer we would be. I got to be prez by default because my name is Kristie. Anyway, why am I telling you this? Mainly because this led to a whole bunch of adult takes on the infamous permanent 8th graders.

1. You may have already seen the BSC Headquarters as it has had it's heyday and became defunct while ago, but the archive is worth perusing. It was run by some chick named Tiff that goes through the books and rereads them as an adult and then reviews them with insane amounts of snark. Very enjoyable. Here is a sample.
2. Trying to defend Mary Anne to my friend Cara yesterday (who was hating on her for being a good two shoes) I summed up #60 Mary Anne's Makeover by stating the following:

   Ummm helLO!!? Didn't you ever read Mary Anne's Makeover? When she gets an edgey new haircut and cool clothes and the BSC shuns her for being "too cool for school" and Logan is all like OMG BONERZ!

3. Lastly, Danielle sent me this link via email today and there is only one word to describe this take on the BSC: McSweeny's.

MIcroblog day

I've been the worst blogger ever and despite the ambition that graduation + part time job + working computer = blog posts, I forgot to subtract all the time that moving and unpacking ultimately requires from this equation.

HOWEVER

It is Pottertastic Tuesday and I will post dag nabbit. Even if it is just pasting a story tangentially related to the man with the scar from the hilarious website, MyLifeIsAverage.

Today I was sitting on my friends porch. They have automatic porch lights that turn on at 6 o'clock. I waited until 5:59 and shouted "Lumos" at the lights. They turned on. I feel like a wizard. MLIA

ETA: Today, I was asking my teacher a question about Alcatraz. I said Azkaban. MLIA

ETA part deux: Today, my family all got new bathrobes. I got a black one, and my brother got a red one. They are really long, and make a *swoosh* noise when you run. I started pretending to be a death eater, and using forks as wands, my brother and I had a fight with magic. My sister called us immature and went back to pretending to be a princess in her pink one. MLIA

ETA (perhaps I should stop reading this site, since many people appear to like Harry Potter and you are now all aware of the fact that instead of blogging I read stupid websites): At school, I have a class with a kid whose last name is Potter and a kid whose first name is Draco. I might dedicate my entire year to making them hate each other. MLIA

(!)

Oh man! Why hasn't anyone taken me to see this Alice in Wonderland Opera? I can't remember the last time I woke up screaming from chronic nightmares. I think it's about time and I'm pretty sure this take on Carroll's classic is just the ticket for is-this-bed-moist-or-am-I-just-happy-to-be-awake level of night terrors. Thanks, SuperPunch!

MINI BOOK ALERT!!! I love mini things. I love books. By their powers combine, we get the Captain of AMAZINGNESS!

This reminds me of Kid Kits. Does anyone else remember Kid Kits? I always wanted one. I pretended I wanted to babysit, when really, I just wanted the Kid Kit. AND IT'S MINI!! I'm about to have an aneurysm from excessive enjoyment with all these teeny tiny how-tos floating around the interwebz. (via Craft)

Why do I not watch Jimmy Fallon's late night show? Seriously. He is trying to get a Saved by the Bell reunion up in this bitch and his show is conducive to this level of comedic genius? Thank you Meg Cabot's twitter! You've outdone yourself and that's sayin' something because you also brought me the trailer for My Little Ponies: Live Action.

I wrote this thing that one time that sorta seemed like Harry Potter...

People are crazy.

JK Rowling is being sued for plagiarism... again. At least the 2008 lawsuit launched by director John Carl Buechler was slightly legitimate. Harry Potter is a central character's name in his 1986 movie, Troll. It's a fantastical story and one could imagine it possible there is overlap, presuming of course, that Rowling has seen the movie.

Now, however, people are just after their slice of the pie. A lawsuit launched by the estate of author Adrian Jacobs claims that the 1987 novel was blatantly ripped off throughout the Harry Potter series. Mugglenet has a pretty good recap you should check out over herr. At this point I feel like too many people are looking at their own works with Pottergoggles, connecting dots where they see fit to either publicize their own works or gain money from the immense success Lady Rowling has earned. Seriously guys? We're still doing this? ::eye roll::

FML! Nickelodeon Magazine is Donesville!

I just got an email from the periodicals department at work saying that Nickelodeon Magazine is no longer in print. WhAt?!?! This magazine is my childhood! What is wrong with kids these days? How do they not realize that this magazine is perfect for cutting up silly pictures and collaging or reading comics or a great excuse to be silly for the sole purpose of BEING SILLY!?!

Here's your article verifying this by The Comics Reporter because I am too sad to go on.

::tears of infinite sadness::

Apparently this is program idea week?

Booo to censorship! Yay to staying on top of these silly shenanigans and trying to prevent them from happening again!! Thanks, YALSA.

Also from YALSA: Let's hear it for distraction! (i.e, the story of my sad, procrastinating life) and the YA Bookshelf Project. Check them out!

Where the Wild Things are papercraft via Toy-A-Day.

Super Punch, as per usual, produced some gemtastic gems for potential programs. First up is found item sculpture. While the teens may or may not generate such stunning works as those featured on Super Punch, it would be a great way to get rid of junk. Next week I'll provide you with the second link, mainly because I had plans to post something similar but I'm not quite there yet. So instead I will tease you and let you know that it exists and it will soon be yours to view, but not quite yet. Mwahahaha!

New (to me) Blogs

I wish I had Lisa Falzon's level of dedication to flash fiction. Perhaps now that I'm graduating....

::blinks:: What?

My inner lexicographer is flailing in delight. Thanks, My First Dictionary! You are delightfully snarky entertainment.

Mispelled Project begs to be turned into an alphabet book!

Amazing Things, indeed. The pictures on pencils is my favorite, thus far.

Apparently it IS possible for Yoshi to be even more adorable than he already is. You crazy kids at Yoshi 365...

This artist's work is very haunting, especially the blue pieces. I say haunting reluctantly, however, as there is a hopeful quality about it. My favorite is below:

Another one bites the dust

::long sigh::

I think Bib-Laura-ography has finally got me to check out twitter. I Facebook (far too much to be considered healthy, frankly), blog, ning on occasion, and god knows what other 2.0 shenanigans I get up to, but previous to today, I did. not. twitter. I was very proud of this. Then Laura had to go ahead and introduce me to this list of YA authors twittering compiled by Mitali Perkins.

Thanks for ruining the slim amount of free time I had allotted to reading new books.

March Madness at the close of the month

This would be such an awesome on-going library activity! Best Week Ever has a March Madness style bracket war over 90s movies. Doing something with pop culture would be a great way to incorporate the tagline of Pop Goes the Library: using pop culture to make libraries better. If the items in the bracket were more current, say best songs of the year, teenagers would vote and hopefully come to the results program where the final votes would be cast. :)

The program clearly won't last more than five minutes if it is just the final tally, so other fun things should be happening. Perhaps music videos going on in the background? Craft tables featuring awesome crafts, like these recycled cereal boxes turned bookmark? (Thanks Craft)