Jefferson County Public Library Logo

Teen Blog Archive
Home >Teen Blog Archive

JCPL Teens

MARCH 31, 2012
Science Saturday-7 Deadly Things You Won't Believe Most People Survive

Courtesy of cracked.com, here's a list of seven things most people assume you would die from but, in reality, the odds are in your favor for survival.

#7-You have a 96 Percent Chance of Surviving a Plane Crash: Yep, that's right.  If you do actually crash, out of the 53,487 people involved in plane crashes in the U.S. from 1983-2000, 21,207 survived. That's about a 96 percent survival rate. Of course your underwear would have a lower survival rate.

#6-Getting Shot is only Fatal 5% of the Time: Unless you happen to get shot in the head or perfectly in the heart, if you get medical attention in time, there is a 95% chance of survival. So it looks like all those bad guy henchmen in films end up surviving in spite of what it looks like.

#5-You Have a 1 in 3 Chance of Surviving Getting Stabbed in the Heart: Not bad odds considering.  

#4-Venomous Snakes Kill Fewer People than Insects: Surprisingly out of the 7,000 to 8,000 people who get bit by poisonous snakes in a year, only five die from it. You heard that right, FIVE! More people are killed by non-venomous insects each year than by snake bites. Unless you're caught on a plane with a bunch of them. Then the odds sky rocket!

#3-More Than Half of the Passengers Survived the Hindenburg: Okay, this doesn't apply directly to your life, but if more than half of the people aboard a gigantic fireball can survive, the odds are decent that you would.

#2-You Have a 99% Chance of Surviving a Black Widow Spider Bite: Contrary to popular belief, the black widow venom has a whopping death rate of well under one percent. Although the bite itself is reportedly excruciating so I'd still avoid it if at all possible.  

#1-Getting Struck by Lightning Only Kills 10% of Victims: Again, considering you're getting hit by a blast of energy to tune of 30,000 amps, those odds aren't too shabby.

Add a comment
(0 comments)
posted by Erin, Golden Library

------------------------------------------------------

MARCH 30, 2012
Peculiar in Colorado?

The photos in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children are kind of creepy and definitely add to the story. (This book is finally on the shelf, by the way!) The author collected them from yard sales and attics. 

I found some similar pictures in the Denver Public Library’s digitized collection. What kind of crazy images can you track down?

Add a comment
(0 comments)
posted by Chandra, Belmar Library

------------------------------------------------------

MARCH 29, 2012
Are You Prepared for the End?!

One of my new favorite shows is National Geographic’s Doomsday Preppers, which is all about average Americans who are actively preparing for the END OF THE WORLD… or something almost as bad.

What’s great about the show is that they all have different end-of-the-world scenarios they are preparing for: massive earthquakes, solar flares, economic collapse, volcanic eruptions, plague, etc. (So far, no one has actually admitted to preparing for the Zombie Apocalypse, but I think secretly it’s probably in the backs of their minds…)

If you want to find out how to prepare for your own end-of-the-world disaster-- or just the run of the mill snowstorm—log into our awesome database or head to the Natural Disasters and Weather Emergencies page on our website.

It will provide you with lots of great links! Everything from local news sources to disaster relief organizations; links about preparing disaster kits for your family and pets; research links explaining the mechanics of things like tsunamis and earthquakes. Fema for Kids actually has games to help you prepare for any and every situation.

I still haven’t found the Zombie Apocalypse links, so if you come across them, let me know!

Add a comment
(0 comments)
posted by Tana, Arvada Library

------------------------------------------------------

MARCH 28, 2012
New Stiefvater Series Coming

I'm very excited that Maggie Stiefvater is one of the keynote speakers at the Colorado Teen Literature Conference this Saturday. I was a fan of her Wolves of Mercy Falls series and her latest book The Scorpio Races and she's always engaging and entertaining when she speaks. I'm excited that Scholastic recently announced the publication of a new four-book series from Stiefvater. The first book in the series, The Raven Boys, will be published by Scholastic Press on September 18; three additional books in the Raven Cycle will follow.

The book introduces Richard “Dick” Campbell Gansey, III, a handsome private school student seeking a vanished Welsh King, and Blue Sargent, the daughter of a psychic, who has been told that if she kisses her true love, he will die. “I grew up on a diet of exceptional fantasy series for children—The Dark Is Rising, The Black Cauldron, A Wrinkle in Time, The Chronicles of Narnia—and I’ve always wanted to write one of those sprawling epic sagas built from intimate moments,” said Stiefvater in a statement.

JCPL already has the title in our catalog so be sure and place a hold and be one of the first ones to get it. I've already got my name on the list!

Add a comment
(0 comments)
posted by Erin, Golden Library

------------------------------------------------------

MARCH 27, 2012
What’s your Hunger Games Name?

I’ve come across two fun ways to figure out what your Hunger Games name should be. 

hungernames assigns you a name and interesting death. I’m Fulvia Cropperwood from District 3; I was killed by a harpoon.

Also, the Forever Young Adult blog has a few simple questions and rules to determine your H.G. name. I am Neless D. Hoprose. I think that is catchier. What’s your H.G. name?

Add a comment
(4 comments)
posted by Pam, Standley Lake Library

------------------------------------------------------

MARCH 26, 2012
Movie Monday - Prometheus

I first saw Aliens when I was 15 and I made it one of my goals to become a Space Marine like Sigourney Weaver in the movie. (A goal that makes little sense if you’ve actually seen the movie and what types of things happen to Space Marines…)

Clearly, since I’m a Teen Librarian, my Space Marine dream remained just that… a dream. Alien and Aliens are still favorite movies of mine, though, so it is with HUGE EXCITEMENT that I am sharing the new Prometheus trailer.

 

 

Set in the Alien universe, this is not exactly a prequel, but will help to explain some of the things that happened before Alien. It is set to be released June 8th! Yea! Just in time for my birthday…

Add a comment
(0 comments)
posted by Tana, Arvada Library

------------------------------------------------------

MARCH 25, 2012
Every Other Day

EotherDay.coverIf you liked Jennifer Lynn Barnes Raised by Wolves series, check out her newest title Every Other Day!!

Every Other Day is about a 16 year old girl who is entirely normal... every other day. Every 24 hours her predator instincts take over and Kali becomes a demon hunter. Unfortunately, the demons start hunting her on a day that she is human. Oops!

 Not sure if you should read it? Jennifer Lynn Barnes talks about what kind of reader would like her book.

 

Add a comment
(0 comments)
posted by Rene, Evergreen Library

------------------------------------------------------

MARCH 24, 2012
Science Saturday: Bringing back the dead?

It looks like scientists think they’ll be able to use bone marrow found in a fossil clone a woolly mammoth in the next five years. They seem really excited about it. But have they seen Jurassic Park?! Or read Z. Rex? What do you think about the idea of bringing back extinct animals?

You can find expert sources and news articles about ethical issues in JCPL’s Opposing Viewpoints in Context database. It’s excellent for debate topics, but is also great if you just want to get a little more information before you make up your own mind. I always love to get both sides of a topic.

Add a comment
(0 comments)
posted by Chandra, Belmar Library

------------------------------------------------------

MARCH 23, 2012
Hunger Games Mania!!

Opening night is here! After many long months of waiting The Hunger Games film premieres today! Woohoo! Last night's midnight showings of the film drew record crowds. Are you as obsessed with The Hunger Games as we are? Will you be there tonight? Tell us what you thought of the movie.

Last Friday we had some rabid fans attend our Hunger Games program. Tributes competed in a Hunger Games like competition to find out who the winning tribute from each participating library would be.  The winners were:

Columbine Library: Morgan

Evergreen Library: McKinley

Golden Library: Sydney

Standley Lake Library: S.J.

Congratulations to all the winners!

If you still can't get enough of The Hunger Games, find out what district you're from by taking this handy quiz. Or discover which character you would be. Still want more? How about a Hunger Games themed wedding or dinner party? Any other ideas?  Post them below.

Add a comment
(0 comments)
posted by Erin, Golden Library

------------------------------------------------------

MARCH 22, 2012
Code Breaking at Columbine

Need to send some top-secret messages? See if you can decipher these codes before your friends.

Columbine Library
Tuesday, March 27, 4pm

Add a comment
(0 comments)
posted by Jessie, Columbine Library

------------------------------------------------------

MARCH 21, 2012
Light Assisted Dance

Whoa. I’m a dance-movie addict, but this is SO MUCH COOLER than even Step Up 3! Skip to about a minute in to see the best parts.

If you love America’s Best Dance Crew and So You Think You Can Dance! and you haven’t seen Step UpStep Up 2: The Streets or Step Up 3 , you really have to. 

I love the dance at the end of Step Up 3, set to Singin' in the Rain. What’s your favorite dance routine in a movie?

Add a comment
(0 comments)
posted by Chandra, Belmar Library

------------------------------------------------------

MARCH 20, 2012
Get Advance Tickets for Mirror, Mirror!

Mirror Mirror, a hilarious retelling of Snow White, comes out on March 30. But you can see it early!! Sign up to get advanced screening passes to watch Mirror Mirror for free at AMC Cherry Creek 8 this Saturday at 2. You still have to get there early, having a pass doesn’t guarantee you a spot. If you go, let us know what you thought.

Add a comment
(0 comments)
posted by Chandra, Belmar Library

------------------------------------------------------

MARCH 19, 2012
Movie Monday - Thirteen Reasons Why

Production hasn't started yet, but Selena Gomez has signed on to star in the movie version of Thirteen Reasons Why.

In the book, Clay Jenson receives a mysterious package. Inside are seven cassette tapes that Hannah Baker, Clay’s secret crush, recorded before she committed suicide two weeks earlier. Clay is one of 13 people who listen to the tapes and discover what part Hannah thought each of them played in her death.

Be sure and check out the website, which has audio recordings of the tapes and a place where you can write how the book affected you.

Add a comment
(0 comments)
posted by Chandra, Belmar Library

------------------------------------------------------

MARCH 18, 2012
Read This! The Drowned Cities

The Drowned Cities is the companion book to Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi.  This book takes off with a bang and doesn’t stop until the last page.  Mahlia is an outcast in her small rural village where she assists the local doctor.  When she helps the injured Tool, a creature that is a genetic amalgamation of human and dangerous animal genetics, she sets in motion a chain of events that not only impact the entire village but also change the course of her life and that of her fellow orphan Mouse.  In this post-apocalyptic novel the United States is fractioned into different states, global warming has changed the landscape and bands of soldier boys fight over the territory that used to be Washington D.C..  When Mouse is capture by a band of soldier boys Mahlia recruits Tool to help her in the dangerous rescue attempt. Beyond being a non-stop adventure novel Drowned Cities questions what is human nature and if it is inevitable that we will always descend into war and chaos.

This book comes out in May so get on the hold list today!

Add a comment
(0 comments)
posted by Arra, Lakewood Library

------------------------------------------------------

MARCH 17, 2012
Science Saturday - Your Cat Might Make You Crazy

I'm sure you all know the stereotype of the librarian with the bun, glasses and 20 cats at home that she likes to dress in different Victorian dresses on the weekend.  It turns out that your cat really may make you crazy.  Jaroslav Flegr, a Czech evolutionary biologist, has been doing studies on Toxoplama Gondii, the microbe that causes Toxoplasmosis.  This microbe is transmitted through cat poo.  Normally, your body will fight it off with flu like symptoms.  After you have recovered the microbe is dormant in your brain.  This is when the fun begins.  In rodents this microbe wil make them more active, thus more attractive to cats, and also can make the rodent less cautious.  In humans it makes men more introverted and suspicious and women more outgoing and trusting. 

Find out more in The Atlantic magazine article "How Your Cat is Making You Crazy."

Add a comment
(1 comment)
posted by Arra, Lakewood Library

------------------------------------------------------

MARCH 16, 2012
Standley Lake Teen Time

 

Sat. March 17th

2:00 – 3:30

Join us in the meeting room for Minute to Win It!

Add a comment
(0 comments)
posted by Pam, Standley Lake Library

------------------------------------------------------

MARCH 15, 2012
Nyan Cat

Nyan cat is the most awesome annoying thing on the internet. You can simply listen (and watch) for as long as you can.

Simply said, Nyan cat is simply a cat, shaped like a pop tart (or toast, depending on where you are), dancing while pooping rainbows. A song is going on, and if you hit the lower volume button, it will get louder, and if you hit it a few more times, it goes all rainbow strobe in the background. It is awesome. Do not do near epileptic people or anyone easily angered.

 

 

Add a comment
(1 comment)
posted by Patrick, Evergreen Library, Teen Advisory Board

------------------------------------------------------

MARCH 14, 2012
Are You a Born Leader?

If so, applications are currently being accepted for the 2012-2013 Youth Leadership Jefferson County (YLJC) class. The application deadline is May 7, 2012. 

YLJC is a creative program designed to advance the leadership potential of high school students in Jefferson County community. Students get a chance to interact with community leaders and institutions, explore career options, experience leadership, network with other students, and broaden their perspectives on community issues. Full day monthly sessions emphasize leadership skills and provide experiences through multiple approaches such as site tours, lecture, small and large group discussion, panels, and hands-on activities.

YLJC encourages a diverse group of participants. Program acceptance is based on students’ interests and their desire to explore their leadership potential. For more information about the program go here or call The West Chamber at 303-233-5555.

Add a comment
(0 comments)
posted by Erin, Golden Library

------------------------------------------------------

MARCH 12, 2012
Movie Monday-The Perks of Being a Wallflower

The classic teen novel The Perks of Being a Wallflower has been made into a film. The frequently challenged book is about Charlie, a high school freshman, navigating through the strange worlds of love, drugs, The Rocky Horror Picture Show and dealing with the loss of a good friend and his favorite aunt. The movie stars Logan Lerman (Percy Jackson and the Olympians) as Charlie, Emma Watson (You know her...Hermione!) as Sam and Nina Dobrev (The Vampire Diaries) as Candace.

The film should be released in the fall of 2012. Although the trailer isn't available yet, check out the film's Facebook page to see all the latest news about the release. And come into the library and check out the book. It's a great read!

Add a comment
(0 comments)
posted by Erin, Golden Library

------------------------------------------------------

MARCH 11, 2012
Roller coasters above Buenos Aires

Filmmaker Fernando Livschitz combined video of roller coasters with scenes of Buenos Aires to create this super fun video.

Buenos Aires - Inception Park from Black Sheep Films on Vimeo.

 I love the song, so I looked it up. It's called Worries, by Langhorne Slim. Check out one on his CDs to hear more of his music.

Add a comment
(0 comments)
posted by Chandra, Belmar Library

------------------------------------------------------

MARCH 10, 2012
Science Saturday-The Secret Life of Ice

When you think of ice and frost and snow, you probably don’t think of undulating patterns of glorious color, do you? White with a hint of blue is as far as the eye normally gets, but… Change your perspective, this time through the use of a polarizing lens, and a whole new world waits.

Colors that dance across the screen like an explosion of pure joy… What a lesson for the curious mind! Look deeper! Change your angle! The world is a wonder just waiting to be seen… really seen! Want to see the world through new lenses?

Want to know more about the secret worlds of water and ice? Come to the library and find the tools you need to dig deeper, dream bigger, and see the hidden colors…

Add a comment
(0 comments)
posted by Tana, Arvada Library

------------------------------------------------------

MARCH 9, 2012
Check Out These Nebula Award Nominees!

The Nebula Awards presented by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) recently annouced their nominees for the Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy. The judges are going to have a tough time picking just one from all these great choices.

Akata Witch, Nnedi Okorafor

 

 

Chime, Franny Billingsley

 

 

Daughter of Smoke and Bone, Laini Taylor

 

 

Everybody Sees the Ants, A.S. King

 

 

The Boy at the End of the World, Greg van Eekhout

 

 

The Girl of Fire and Thorns, Rae Carson

 

 

Ultraviolet, R.J. Anderson

 

 

The Freedom Maze, Delia Sherman

The winners will be announced on May 19th at the 47th Annual Nebula Awards Weekend. Come in and check out one of these awesome titles today!

Add a comment
(0 comments)
posted by Erin, Golden Library

------------------------------------------------------

MARCH 8, 2012
Be the Difference!

I confess. This trailer for the movie Bully made me cry. I remember how awful kids could be in school; sometimes it feels like a ‘bully or be bullied world.’ I remember feeling sad and alone; the weird kid with glasses.

 I also remember sticking up for the new girl that the other kids were being cruel to. She was so grateful, so desperate to be liked and accepted, that later, much to my lasting regret, I was mean to her too. I didn’t want to be her hero; I just wanted to be like everyone else. She cried and then she moved away. Now I cry every time I think of how awful I was to her.

Bullying can have real and lasting consequences; sometimes even suicide.

But this is a problem that we can solve! This is about changing the norms: Reaching out to others in kindness, defending the weak, not being afraid to be a hero to someone who needs you.

If you or someone you know is being bullied, the library has a lot of materials on how to create strategies to overcome it. Come see one of the librarians and we’ll find a good book or video for you to look at.

This movie, Bully, is a ‘year in the life’ of five families dealing with bullying and will be released March 30 to a limited showing (which means it won’t be in a million theaters near you – maybe just one or two…).

Remember: A moment of kindness today will save you years of regret later.

Add a comment
(0 comments)
posted by Tana, Arvada Library

------------------------------------------------------

MARCH 7, 2012
Teen Time: Hunger Games Trivia

Gear up for The Hunger Games movie release (and JCPL's Hunger Games Contest) at Evergreen Library’s March Teen Time, where we’ll test our knowledge of the book with a trivia contest. Brush up on your Districts, the who’s who of Panem, how tributes met their untimely ends, and much more. Hope to see you there!

 The Hunger Games

Hunger Games Trivia
Evergreen Library
Wednesday, March 14, 4 pm

Add a comment
(0 comments)
posted by Briana, Evergreen Library

------------------------------------------------------

MARCH 6, 2012
Lakewood Teen Time

Join us for Teen Time at the Lakewood Library.  We will be making Chinese Snake Knot Necklaces and sharing what we are currently reading.

Lakewood Library
Wednesday, March 7th
4:00 p.m.

Teens are invited to the Lakewood Library once per month for Teen Time! This will be a one hour time of a fun event such as a craft, or activity, or guest speaker with hands on elements. Lakewood Teen Time will meet the first Wednesday of each month from 4-5pm in the teen room.

Add a comment
(0 comments)
posted by Arra, Lakewood Library

------------------------------------------------------

MARCH 5, 2012
Movie Monday-A New Avengers Trailer

Is anyone else as psyched about The Avengers movie coming out this summer as I am? I'll admit I'm a comic book geek, but with Joss Whedon directing and the stellar cast they've whipped together how can you go wrong? In all honestly, I wasn't a huge fan of the other Avenger superhero movies that have come out, with the exception of Iron Man and Captain America. (I was pleasantly surprised by Captain America.  It was funny, action packed and I thought Chris Evans did an admiral job as Cap.)  But I am counting down the days for this one. Enjoy!

 

Add a comment
(0 comments)
posted by Erin, Golden Library

------------------------------------------------------

MARCH 4, 2012
March - New Teen Books

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver: Lena is now actively fighting to restore society to a world where love will no longer be considered a disease. Sequel to Delirium.

Balthazar by Claudia Grey: Vampire Balthazar More emerges from his centuries-long isolation to help Skye Tierney, a psychic girl who once attended Evernight Academy, when she catches the attention of the cruel master vampire responsible for murdering Balthazar and his family four centuries earlier.  Book #5 in Evernight Series

Everlasting by Elizabeth Chandler: Ivy should be ecstatic that her formerly dead boyfriend Tristan is back on earth with her, but the life of a fallen angel is never easy. Sequel to Kissed by an Angel

Dead is a Battlefield by Marlene Perez: Jessica Walsh is starting her freshman year at Nightshade High and trying to forget about the tragic events surrounding her brother's graduation.

Out of Sight, Out of Time by Ally Carter: Cammie Morgan wakes up in a convent with amnesia.  How did she get there and what is her mission.  Book #5 in the Gallagher Girls series

Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins: Sophie is stripped of her magical powers.  How will she defend herself from the Brannicks, her sworn enemies? Book #3 in the Hex Hall series.

Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink: After seeing her parents' murdered, sixteen-year-old Helen Cartwright learns she is one of three remaining angelic descendents charged with protecting the world.

Add a comment
(0 comments)
posted by Jessie, Columbine Library

------------------------------------------------------

MARCH 3, 2012
Science Saturday - Google Science Fair

Do you have a scientific question that you want to explore?  Want a chance to win a free trip to the Galapagos Islands or to work at CERN?  Google is hosting a science fair online.  Check it out to see if you have a shot!

Need some ideas to get started or a place to find information about your topic?  Check out our science databases.

Add a comment
(0 comments)
posted by Arra, Lakewood Library

------------------------------------------------------

MARCH 2, 2012
Mind Blowing Book Art

Brian Dettmer uses knives, tweezers and surgical tools to carve away parts of old books, one page at a time. He doesn't add anything to them or even glue parts back in different places.

 

I wonder if the library would charge him for returning a book damaged if he returned it like this!

 

Click on the picture to see more of his art then check out a book from the library for ideas on how to alter your own books.

Add a comment
(0 comments)
posted by Chandra, Belmar Library

------------------------------------------------------

MARCH 1, 2012
Cinderella of the Future

I heard abCinderout the book Cinder, by Marissa Meyer a few months ago and was super excited for it to come out. I have to admit, I'm a sucker for fairy tale re-imaginings. And when they're this inventive and clever I tend to go overboard. That being said, this book rocks! A cyborg Cinderella? Ingenious, I say! The story covers all of the fairy tale bases but does it in really unique ways.

Evil Stepmother? Check!

Handsome prince? Check!

Royal ball? Check!

Glass slipper? Check!

Fairy godmother? Hmmm, kind of.

Meyer does a believable job of creating an Earth of the future where the moon is inhabited by Lunars and all the countries of the Earth are allied together. Cinder, (aka Cinderella) is a cyborg mechanic living in New Beijing who just wants to get out from under her stepmother's guardianship and get her own place or escape to Europe. When the Prince arrives at her shop needing his android repaired, her life changes in drastic ways. This is the first in a series and with a cliffhanger ending, you'll be begging for more. Scarlet, the second in the series will be out in 2013.

Add a comment
(3 comments)
posted by Erin, Golden Library

------------------------------------------------------

Subscribe via RSS
Search

Categories