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DECEMBER 29, 2009
JCPL Teen Librarians' Top 9 of 2009
As the year is winding down it's time to look back on 2009 to see just how this year measured up. If you're like most magazines, web sites, talk shows or other attention-seeking media junkies, you'll find the best way to do this is by creating a numbered list of the years most memorable. We are no different. We hope you enjoy our list of the assorted best of 2009, in no particular order.


1.  Best Viral Video:
The Duck Song - You've heard the joke, now learn the song!  Waddle, waddle
From Jenna, Standley Lake Library   

2. Best Fun Way to Go Green:
OrigAudio - Green, origami, and sound all wrapped up in one package!
From Tisha, Golden Library

3. Best TV Show:
Glee - The songs, especially the mash-ups, the dancing, and the characters are all GREAT! It made me laugh and itmade me cry, and I loved getting to know how Sue “Cs” it.
From Allison, Belmar Library

4. Best Animated Movie:
Up - It has it all, laughs, sadness, adventure, danger and a talking dog!
From Sarah, Evergreen Library

5. Best Band:
Paramore - Hayley has a great voice and it is easy to relate to their lyrics. They have three albums, the newest in 2009, and they are also on the Twilight soundtrack.
From Amy, Edgewater Library

6. Best (?) Controversy:
Chris Brown's abusive behavior towards then girlfriend Rhianna - I put the question mark after "Best" because it's hard to think that anything good can come out of a domestic violence situation like this one. However, I think that this is becoming more and more of a problem in our society. It's unfortunate that it takes something this violent and public to get the problem of domestic violence the attention is deserves, but anything that can get the media, school or parents talking about this issue to teenagers and coming up with ways of preventing violence of any kind is a step in the right direction.
From Nikki, Columbine Library

7. Best Hike:
Horseshoe Trail, Golden Gate Canyon State Park - It's close to Denver, the State Park fee isn't high, only 1.8 miles,  moderately difficult and great views at the top.  The part I like best is that near the top the trail becomes rather faint so instead of following it on the ground you get to follow it by finding the signs posted along the way.
From Shelly, Arvada Library

8.  Best video game of 2009:
The Beatles Rock Band - Rock Band and the Beatles meet! Just play it and you'll see why it's my top pick for 2009.
From Arra, Lakewood Library

9. Best Book:
Catching Fire - This book has already appeared in two posts on JCPL Teens and it should come as no surprise that we choose it as our top pick for 2009.
From JCPL Teen Librarians

We wish you all the best in the new year as we all begin to watch for the experiences that will define 2010. Comment below and share with us some of your favorite things from 2009!
 

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posted by Sarah, Evergreen Library

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DECEMBER 23, 2009
Guitar Hero or Rock Band?
What are you doing on break? If you don't feel like being at the mall with everyone else, you might be gaming. If you like music, what do you play? Some gamers adore Rock Band and were anxious for the Beatles edition to come out, while others would never play anything but Guitar Hero. What about you? Tell us what you like to play.

For a fun look at this 'friendly competition,' check out Prizefight and see if you agree with Brian Tong

If you're into gaming and you're looking for some tips and tricks, check out these magazines at the Library...

Game Informer
Play
PlayStation magazine

Would you like to invent the next big game? Start with:

book jacketBeginning Game Programming: A GameDev.net Collection by John Hattan and Drew Sikora

 

 

book jacketPicture Yourself Creating Video Games by Jason Darby

 

 

 

book jacket

The Art of Producing Games by David McCarthy

 

 

 

book jacketChallenges for Game Designers by Brenda Brathwaite and Ian Schreiber

 

 

Enjoy the holidays, whether you’re playing Rock Band, Guitar Hero or inventing the next big game!
 

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posted by Tisha, Golden Library

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DECEMBER 22, 2009
Dies Natalis Solis Invictus: Birth of the Unconquerable Sun
Welcome to you, Old One
Welcome to the snow and ice,
The bitter cloud of your breath,
The pillow-feathered snow
Welcome you in, this Winter day.

May your blessing hold us,
May your chills avoid us,
May the bright promise
Of each clear day
Remind us of your gifts.

Old One, cold one,
Though we fear your storms,
Yet we welcome you
Into our winter hearts,
With each cleansing breath,
To blow away the old year
And usher in the new.

by John Matthews

Dec. 21 is the Winter Solstice, the shortest day and the longest night of the year. On this date our journey to the dark heart of the year is complete. In all places and throughout time humans have marked the Winter Solstice as a time of celebration and introspection. It is the birthday of the sun! After this date, each day the sun will shine a little longer and each night will grow a little shorter as we begin our journey into spring. The birthday of the sun is celebrated with light, warmth, family, friends, joyful music, dancing, symbols of life such as evergreens, and lots of good food. Here are some books that have ideas for your celebrations.

book jacketThe Winter Solstice: The Sacred Traditions of Christmas by John Matthews with contributions from Caitlin Matthews

 

 

book jacketYule: A Celebration of Light and Warmth by Dorothy Morrison

 

 

 

book jacketHandmade Candles: Recipes for Crafting Candles at Home by Jane Blake & Emily Paulsen

 

 

book jacketComfort Food: Rachael Ray Top 30 30-minute Meals by Rachel Ray

 

 

book jacketGifts from the Heart: Simple Ways to Make Your Family's Christmas More Meaningful by Virginia Brucker

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posted by Shelly, Arvada Library

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DECEMBER 15, 2009
Book Wish List
Hello! Are you looking for that perfect gift for a friend, brother, sister or cousin who is a reader? Maybe you are a reader and want to add something to your Wish List?  Well, we’ve got some great suggestions for you. Read On!

For those who like FANTASY

book jacketFire by Kristin Cashore (this is a companion Graceling)
Eon: Dragoneye Reborn by Alison Goodman
Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

 

 

For those into Science Fiction

book jacketThe Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
Unwind by Neal Shusterman

 

 

For those into Steampunk

book jacketLeviathan by Scott Westerfeld
Airman by Eoin Colfer
Airborn by Kenneth Oppel

 

 

For those who read about regular people (or not so regular-regular people?)

book jacketMarcelo in the Real World by Francisco Stork
If I Stay by Gayle Forman
Going Bovine by Libba Bray

 

 

Mystery

book jacketThe Year of Secret Assignments by Jaclyn Moriarty
Ring of Fire by Pierdomenico Baccalario
 

 

 

How about a little Supernatural?

book jacketShiver by Maggie Stiefvater
The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong
Liar by Justine Larbalestier

 

 

For those who read Biographies and Memoirs

book jacketClaudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Phillip Hoose
Charles and Emma: The Darwin’s Leap of Faith by Deborah Heiligman
Stitches: A memoir  by David Small

 

Books for FUN!

book jacketZombie Haiku by Ryan Mecum
I Can't Keep My Own Secrets: Six-word Memoirs by Teens Famous & Obscure by Smith Magazine
Sir John Hargrave's Mischief Maker's Manual by Sir John Hargrave

 

Take care and have a happy holiday season...

 

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posted by Allison, Belmar Library

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DECEMBER 14, 2009
Are you a Guitar Hero?
Let's celebrate the end of the semester and the holidays! Join us to play Guitar Hero World Tour until our fingers cramp up.

3:30-5 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 17
Standley Lake Library
In the meeting room
Teens 11-18 only.
Tickets not required

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posted by Jenna, Standley Lake Library

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DECEMBER 10, 2009
If you only had two years to live before the world ended, how would you live your life?
It's an interesting question and one that you'll be asked more and more now that the clock is ticking on the supposed last two years of the world as we know it. Scholars of various disciplines believe that the end of the world will occur at 11:11 a.m. GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) on Dec. 21, 2012 when the 5,125-year-long Mayan Long Count Calendar runs out. The Mayan people were advanced astronomers and mathematicians, and their calendar system is one of the most admired of all time. All of their astronomical calculations were made with the naked eye and yet are almost as accurate as our modern technology's calculations. Did the Maya know something back then that will affect our future as a planet? 

In addition to the many Doomsday theories that have been circulating for decades are the theories that we are about to enter a 30-year period of prosperity and happiness. The Galactic Alignment, or the rising of the winter solstice sun in conjunction with the center of the galaxy, happens only once every 25,771 years and happens to coincide (or perhaps that is the point) with the end of the Mayan Calendar. Some scholars argue that we should feel very lucky to be alive at the end of the great cycle AND a Galactic Alignment instead of anticipating an apocalypse.

Of course, the vast majority of scholars and scientists think this whole conversation is ridiculous and pointless because there is really no evidence suggesting that anything, good or bad, will happen on Dec. 21, 2012.

So, what do you believe? If we are to believe that we only have two years left, what are you going to do with the time you have left? If we are about to enter a new enlightened age, what do you envision for our future? Is anything at all going to happen on 2012? Leave your thoughts in the Comments.

For more information, check out these books, DVDs, and web sites:

 
 
 
book jacket2012: science or superstition by Gary Baddeley (DVD)
 
 

December 12, 2012, the Official Website for 12/21/12 Information
2012 Phenomenom, Wikipedia
NASA - 2012: Beginning of the End or Why the World Won't End

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posted by Nikki, Columbine Library

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DECEMBER 7, 2009
Now, More Than Ever
Now, more than ever, the world needs our help. What can you do? LOTS! It's so easy! Just go to The Hunger Site every day and click to make a FREE donation. Then navigate the tabs at the top to click for FREE donations to combat breast cancer, provide child healthcare, promote literacy, save the rainforest and help with animal rescue. When you click, businesses and organizations make the donations for you! You can also shop, with your parent's cooperation, at their stores to help even more. Each site has a store plus there is a Gifts That Give More store. At the Gifts That Give More store you can buy a pair of shoes for a student in Africa, send a girl to school in Afghanistan, feed a hungry family in the United States, save Jaguar habitat, and so much more. The last thing my adult relatives need is more stuff. So I get them a Gift That Gives More instead. I buy the gift and give them the information about the cause I helped as their gift.

And while you're at it...

Monday is often the toughest day of the week, isn't it? You have to get up early, get yourself to school, turn in homework, and think about all the things you have to do during the week. Why not start off the week with a smile on your face? Visit the Do One Nice Thing web site to join a cause and help others: send a cheery message to a soldier in the Middle East, provide a warm sweater to another teen who can’t go to the mall and buy a new one, and fill a backpack with school supplies for an elementary school student. Those are just a few of the things you can help out with at Do One Nice Thing. No local groups in your community? This web site will show you how to start your own Do One Nice Thing club.

Happy Giving in December!

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posted by Allison, Belmar Library and Shelly, Arvada Library

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DECEMBER 3, 2009
It’s Not Just the Tree that’s Green: Gifts Made from Recycled Materials
It's that time of year again, the smell of cookies baking, the holiday music, the frosty air...and the stress of finding that perfect gift for your friends/family. This year, turn your holiday from white to green and make a gift from recycled materials. Why brave the crowds of the shopping malls when you may be able to stay toasty warm in your house.

Here are some great ideas for gifts made from recycled materials found in books at the Library:

book jacketAlternaCrafts: 20 Hi-Style Lo-Budget Projects to Make
By Jessica Vitkus
YA 745.5 Vitkus

This book has instructions for lots of crafty gift ideas including a "Shaggy Dog Rug" made out of torn up old t-shirts.

book jacketRubbish! Reuse your Refuse
By Kate Shoup
745.59 Shoup

This book contains lots of crafty ideas for how to reuse everyday items. My favorite is the "vanity plate," using an old license plate to make jewelry.

book jacketCreative Juice: 45 Re-Crafting Projects to Make with Recycled Stuff
By Cathie Filian and Steve Piacenza
745.5 Filian

So many projects...so little time! Turn a hub cap into a candle holder or matchboxes into a tiny treasure chest.

book jacketJeaneology: Crafty Ways to Reinvent your Old Blues
By Nancy Flynn
YA 687.1 Flynn

Learn how to spruce up an old pair of blue jeans or how to craft a placemat out of your worn out duds.

book jacketGeneration T: 108 Ways to Transform a T-Shirt
By Megan Nicolay
646.404 Nicolay

Tired of your old Ts…with some creative snipping and tying you will have a completely revamped fashion that will be a sure hit with your friends.

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posted by Arra, Lakewood Library

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