Ages 11-18
Blog Post
From Warsaw to the American West
by Maxine
Today, October 7, is the birthday of two celebrated writers, Diane Ackerman and Sherman Alexie. Diane Ackerman, a poet and naturalist was born in Waukegan, Illinois in 1948. Ackerman's latest book, The Zookeeper's Wife has received accolades for being a unique mix of history of the Holocaust with the story of one woman's rescue of 300 Jews whom she hid at the Warsaw zoo. The New York Times says in their review: "Nature is patient, people and animals fundamentally decent, and the writer, as she always does, outlives the killer — that is the message of “The Zookeeper’s Wife." Ackerman is said to be one of those people who has never lost the wonder of childhood and that is evident in her poetry as well as books like A Natural History of the Senses.
Blog Post
Bleach, Naruto, Trigun?
by Brad B.
Season 2 of Bleach comes to a close with Disc 10. However, action junkies still waiting for their Naruto or Bleach DVDs to come in might want to check out Trigun: Vash the Stampede is an unstoppable gunslinger known for leaving devastation in his wake. Two insurance company representatives are on his trail to make sure he doesn't incur any more property damage while villainous foes and 'upstanding' lawmen right and left want him dead. But who is he, and is he bad or good? An anime series that's a little older, but definitely still worth a second peek.
Blog Post
Top Ten Graphic Novels for Teens: Sidescrollers
by elijah
There are a lot of great graphic novels out there for teens. If you want to read a really interesting graphic novel, check out YALSA's 2008 Top Ten Great Graphic Novels for Teens. The folks at the Young Adult Library Services Association picked out ten great graphic novels, including Sidescrollers.
Sidescrollers is the thrilling adventure of three guys who want to play video games and go to a concert. But to get to the concert they have to face their archnemesis, the big bully Richard (they call him "Dick"), an evil cat, angry girl scouts, and matrix lobsters. Will the trio make it to the concert and save the girl? Is Cap'n Crunch the meanest cereal guy or is he a wimp? Will Brian ever lose at Street Fighter?
Stop asking and read!
Blog Post
Drama! Jealousy & Ugly Betty Stylings! Telenovela Writing Workshop!
by erin
Saturday, October 11 & Saturday, October 18 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM @ the Malletts Creek Branch. For TEENS in grades 6-12.
Teens: do you have a flair for the dramatic? Do you love stories filled with greed, jealousy and deception? Entonces, the telenovela style of entertainment is just for you! The popular show, Ugly Betty is based on a Colombian telenovela called "Betty la Fea." In these two writing workshops we will write our own telenovela and film it. Si hablas Espanol, fantastico! If you know a little Spanish, that's great - if you don't know any, that's ok too. We'll write in both English and Spanish. Complimentary lunch will be served. Attendance at both workshops is encouraged, but your must register separately for each. Registration is required - call 327-8301, or visit any information desk.
Blog Post
AXIS Coffeehouse this Friday!
by K.C.
Join us this Friday, October 11 and take the stage at the AXIS Coffeehouse. Perform your own poetry or monologue, or maybe a favorite by someone else. If you prefer to watch, just sit back, sip on a hot drink, and enjoy the performances. Earn extra credit and fine forgiveness coupons!
Fridays, October 3-November 7 | 6:30-8:00 PM | Malletts Creek | Grades 6-12
Blog Post
Freerunning with Levi, Travis, and Mike
by Bertha
Freerunner Levi Meeuwenberg is joined by Travis Graves and Mike Friedman, co-founders of the UM Parkour Club, in a presentation of freerunning. Levi has competed on G4's American Ninja Challenge and Ninja Warrior.
This physical art which uses what the rural and urban landscapes have to offer is full of flips, tricks, and stunts, you wouldn't want to try at home, especially the 'superman frontflip' or the '360 wallrun.' If you're thinking about giving it a go yourself, you may want to check out Dynamics of Strength Training and Conditioning first.
Friday, September 26 | 7:00-8:30 PM | Downtown/Multi-Purpose Room Grades 6-Adult
Blog Post
Film & Discussion: KING CORN
by Bertha
Recent college graduates Ian Cheney and Curt Ellis leave the east coast for rural Iowa, where they decide to grow an acre of the nation's most powerful crop. They find that America's most subsidized crop has become the staple of its cheapest - and most troubling - foods. Watch the film and join the post-discussion led by UM Community Scholars. Cosponsored by Michigan Television and University of Michigan Community Scholars Program.
Check here for background to the making of the film or get the scoop on taking the eating challenge. Can you go a month without eating corn? Probably not. Thursday, September 25 | 6:30 - 8:30 pm Downtown Library 4th Floor Meeting Room
Blog Post
Booksigning and Discussion
by ErinDurrett
If you missed her in March, here's your chance to meet with Cassandra Carter! This Friday September 26th, author Cassandra Carter will be at Borders to sign and discuss her latest book. Miss Carter is known for her coming of age novels about America's teens which she writes about in her own unique and youthful style. Her latest book, 16 Isn't Always Sweet, is about a teenage girl, Jordan, dealing with sudden popularity after being in the hottest rapper's music video, and the fall out of her friendship to Adrienne, her best friend, whose jealousy is ruining Jordan's life. The signing and discussion will take place at 7:00 pm at the Arborland Mall Borders.
Blog Post
Graphic Novel Bootcamp: Training in the Fundamentals of Comics Storytelling
by anned
How is a graphic novel different than a comic book? Is it the length of the story, the format in which the story's printed, the genre or subject matter, or is there something more going on? Find out Sunday, September 28, 2008 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm in the Pittsfield Branch Program Room .
Join cartoonist and teaching artist Mark Rudolph, author of the graphic novel Closing Doors (recently featured in a documentary aired on Detroit Public Television), in an interactive discussion and hands-on workshop that explores the unique affordances granted to a cartoonist when making a graphic novel. Learn some of the fundamental techniques used by professional cartoonists as you create some of your own comics work. Discover some of the idiosyncratic storytelling possibilities facing an author of "long form" comics stories.
Supplies will be provided. All you need to bring is your imagination and the urge to create!
Blog Post
Book Release!
by ErinDurrett
This Saturday is great day for fans of Christopher Paolini's Inheritance Series. On September 20th, the third book of the Inheritance Series, Brisingr, will be released. AADL has the first two bestselling books in our collection: Eragon and Eldest. The first and most well known of the series, Eragon, was made into a movie, which AADL also owns.
For those of you unfamiliar to the Inheritance Series, the books are set in the fictional world of Alagaësia. The novels focus on a teenaged boy named Eragon and his dragon Saphira as he becomes one of the few remaining Dragon Riders, a legendary group who governed the land in times past but were almost completely destroyed by King Galbatorix, who betrayed his fellow Riders and claimed the crown. As Galbatorix attempts to capture Eragon and Saphira, Eragon begins a journey into the secrets of Alagaësia, making new friends of elves and dwarfs along the way.