Mac Barnett is a New York Times bestselling author of books for children, including Extra Yarn, which won a 2013 Caldecott Honor and the 2012 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Excellence in Picture Books. He also writes the Brixton Brothers series of mystery novels.

Mac serves on the board of directors for the 826LA, which you might recognize since we have one of these non-profit organizations dedicated to supporting students ages 6–18 with their creative and expository writing skills in Ann Arbor. Several volunteers from Ann Arbor's 826michigan screened stories for this year's contest.

Mac Barnett is also a Judge for this year's It's All Write short story writing contest for teens.

The panel of 11 judges will look at the finalists in three grade categories of 6-7-8 (Middle School), 9-10 (High School) and 11-12 (High School) and select the winners who are announced at an Awards Ceremony on May 11, with http://www.as-king.com/|A. S. King] as guest speaker.

Frances O'Roark Dowell has published 11 books for teens and middle-grades fiction. She started with
Dovey Coe in 2000 which promptly won the Edgar Allan Poe Award and the William Allen White Children's Book Award.

In addition to the Edgar prize and William White award, her books have received other numerous awards, including the Christopher Award (Shooting the Moon),
the Voya Book Award (Where I’d Like to Be), and the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Excellence in Children’s Fiction, Honor Book (Shooting the Moon).

Frances says she writes from around 9 a.m. to noon on weekdays and has said she finds writing first drafts challenging and enjoys revising.

Frances is also a Judge for this year's It's All Write short story writing contest for teens.

The panel of 11 judges will look at the finalists in three grade categories of 6-7-8 (Middle School), 9-10 (High School) and 11-12 (High School)
and select the winners who are announced at an Awards Ceremony on May 11, 2 - 3:30 pm, with A. S. King as guest speaker.

Join us Friday afternoons in May to learn geeky stuff.

Introduction to Linux and the Command Line -- Friday May 10: 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Speak to your computer in a language it understands. Learn how to interact with a Linux machine from the command line, navigate the file system, create directories and edit files from the command line, write and invoke scripts, and automate basic tasks. Supplement the class with a Linux bible.

Introduction to Python -- Friday, May 17: 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Gain introductory knowledge of Python, a general purpose, high-level programming language, by way of brief lectures about core elements of the language coupled with interactive exercises. Get the kids involved with Python for kids or Hello World!: computer programming.

Introduction to Web Applications -- Friday May 24: 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Learn how to build applications using Google App Engine. Discusses the basics of web sites, web servers, and modern web applications. Following this discussion, we will learn how to build applications in Python using Google App Engine. By the end of the class, students will have built their first web application, and deployed it to Google's servers. Supplement the class with Essential app engine.

All classes take place in the third floor library training center downtown. Registration is not required. Classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Go to classes and handouts for more information.

Chess is happening at the Traverwood branch this Sunday, May 19, from 1 - 4 pm. Whether you have time for one rousing game or can stay for the full three hours,
you are welcome. Chess boards are provided. Also, check out materials here for the beginner or advanced player,
and everything in between.

The drop in sessions will start up again in the fall, but next month on June 27, we will have a program led by chess expert,
Jennifer Skidmore held at the Traverwood branch from 7-8:30pm, Grades 4 - Adult.

Lara Zielin's newest teen novel is Waiting Sky and tells the story of Jane McAllister, who decides to switch things up one summer and joins her brother chasing tornadoes, which gives her a fresh perspective, new options,and her first real romance. Lara is also the author of Donut Days a Texas Lone Star Reading List pick. Lara says "when I'm not reading or writing, you can find me running or working at the University of Michigan. Or obsessing about the Florida Keys, a place I love very much."

Ms. Zielin is also a Judge for this year's It's All Write short story writing contest for teens.

The panel of 11 judges will look at the finalists in three grade categories of 6-7-8 (Middle School), 9-10 (High School) and 11-12 (High School) and select the winners who are announced at an Awards Ceremony on May 11, with A. S. King as guest speaker.

Sunday, May 19 | 1:00-3:00pm | Downtown MPR | Grades 6th-Adult

Help us yarn bomb the garden at the downtown library! What is yarn bombing? It’s a form of knit graffiti and public art. We will be adding a coat of knitted color to our luscious outdoor garden.

At the program you’ll learn how to knit a small piece with our knit-cam and an instructor to help guide you. At the end of the program we'll use the pieces we created to yarn bomb the exterior garden by attaching them to trees and the like. We'd love your help with this art collaboration! The knitting instruction starts at 1pm, and it’s not an easy program to arrive late to if you plan to knit for the first time.

We highly encourage experienced knitters and crocheters to also join us. Or if you have a piece already made, bring it to the program and we’ll direct you to the garden yarn bomb zone!

We have a ton of yarn on hand, but ask that you bring size 8 or 9 needles if you have them.

For more info on yarn bombing see this great website, and check out the book Yarn bombing: The art of crochet and knit graffiti.

Saturday May 18, 2013: 11:00 am to 2:00 pm -- Downtown Library: 4th Floor Meeting Room

AADL is teaming up with the U.S. State Department and Germany's Zukunftswerkstatt (Future Workshop) to present this special event, matching three of Ann Arbor's best gamers with three winners of the German Library Gaming League to pursue ultimate LIBRARY GAMING VICTORY!

Three German Teens, ages 13, 15, and 18, are traveling to the US to compete at this May 18 tournament at the Downtown Library. They won their trips to the US at the Finals.

Cheer on your hometown gamers or our visiting German friends in a madcap sequence of video game contests, from the familiar to the bizarre, with INTERNATIONAL GLORY on the line!

This event is for teens (grades 6 - 12).

Saturday May 18, 2013: 11:30 am to 1:00 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Hey! It's a one-of-a-kind Mad Lib Poetry Workshop with the poets of the Made In Michigan Writers Series.

Team up with a famous poet to create a one-of-a-kind poem. After the poems are completed, they will be read aloud, followed by a reading of original poetry by the Michigan poets.

Books from the Made in Michigan Writers Series will be for sale. The event includes a book signing.

This event is for adults and teens (grade 4 and up).

Employees of the Ann Arbor District Library are signing up to participate in the 2013 Commuter Challenge. Have you signed up yet?? The Commuter Challenge is a fun, free commuting competition where you can win prizes for trying alternative commuting -- walking, biking, busing, carpooling, vanpooling, using the Park & Ride, telecommuting, or moped/motorcycling. For starters, every person who logs just one commute on the Commuter Challenge website during May will receive a coupon for free ice cream from Washtenaw Dairy! There are also lots of great ways for you to win additional prizes by logging commutes, submitting photos, and more. Interested? Get yourself to letsmakeamove.org and join in the fun.

What a rare opportunity for anyone who has small children in the family or teachers and caregivers who work with small children. Jim Gill is coming to Ann Arbor to give a workshop and a family concert.
The workshop will be at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 16, 2013 at the Downtown Library. The concert will follow at 7:00 p.m. At the workshop he will talk about how music plays such an important part in children's development. You will learn a lot but you'll also be entertained.
A Jim Gill family concert is fun for the whole family.
Don't miss these great events that are a part of our Children's Book Week celebration.