Ages 11-18
Blog Post
Thievery Has Never Been So Good
by Brad B.
I feel like not many people know about this fantasy series by Megan Whelan Turner (see below). Maybe I am wrong; maybe it is not the secret gem I think it is, but, if not, if you're saying to yourself, "hey, dude, never heard of it", then check it out (both literally and figuratively!).
The first book, The Thief, won the newberry honor in 1997 and is a short novel with a clever twist (don't worry, I'm not spoilling anything; I knew there was a twist ahead of time and still couldn't figure it out!). Now, though I know people have heard of this first book, it's the second and third book in the series that I am not so sure people know about (but maybe I am wrong here). The second book,The Queen of Attolia, is where things really take off, in my opinion. The plot becomes much fuller, more complex, and more intense. Instead of one really great twist like in the first book there are several upon several until your head starts to spin a little. The characters are ones you fall in love with, as is the way with any good book, especially the brash, rude, young thief who is the main character. The Third book The King of Attolia, has just recently come out and continues the storyline.
Maybe I just like the characters a little too much, but to me, these are lesser known, good books.
Blog Post
Scrapbooking !
by Bertha
[cover_image]1402710313|b12576979[/cover_image]
Now's the time to pull together those pictures and clippings from that memorble event, trip, or sport season. The library will provide paper, stamps, and all the extras to put them on the page.
August 16th, Wednesday, from 2:00-4:00 pm at the Pittsfield Branch - Teen Program; no registration required.
Blog Post
Gen Con or Bust!
by lola
I went to Gen Con, the Best Four Days in Gaming, this weekend in Indianapolis. It was really awesome. I saw tons of new card games, board games, and role playing games. I also found out some cool stuff like the book Dragonology is now a board game. The new video game based on Eragon was available to play even though it doesn’t come out until November, and there was big talk about the movie coming out in December. I also saw the crew of Mythbusters from the Discovery Channel. They did a demo on how to clean stinky feet, a concern for the participants of Gen Con. I am already dreaming of next year. Did anyone else get a chance to go?
Blog Post
Mario Kart, Super Smash, and All-Ages DDR: it's a Tournament Weekend!
by eli
It's August, and you know what that means... the AADL-GT Super Smash Double Dash Championship Season Opener! It'll be the centerpiece of a weekend of tournaments that starts off Friday Night, 8/18, with an All-Ages Dance Dance Revolution Tournament from 6-9 PM in the Downtown Library's Multipurpose room. Prizes for Beginning and Advanced players, and all ages, from kids to teens to parents, welcome! We'll then start the GT Season Saturday, 8/19, at Noon in the Multipurpose Room with Team and Single Player Super Smash Bros. and Mario Kart Events for grades 6-12! Each event will award $40, $30 or $20 giftcards to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place players or teams. Please note that this event is planned to be broadcast live on CTN, comcast channel 18, so all players must have a signed release form on file. If you've brought one before, you don't need a new one, but all new players must bring a signed form to play!
Also, we've got a Mario Kart Tournament for Kids, Grades 1-5 on Sunday, 8/20, from 1-4 PM including prizes. Post a comment here if you have any questions, or register online for these events. Walk-ins are welcome, but be on time to be sure to get a spot in the tournament. Good luck, everyone, and we'll see you next weekend!
Blog Post
LEGO Contest Winners!
by erin
Our 1st Annual contest was a smash success! We had close to 70 entries - from the parent/child category all the way up to high school. From a "Peace Enforcing" ship, to a replica of an ancestral castle the projects were creative, unique and awesome. Thank you to our judges - Eli Neiburger, AADL IAS Manager, Duane Collicott from Bricks for Brains and Philip Proefrock, an architect at Luckenbach Ziegelman Architects. Close to 200 people attended the event last night. The 1st Place, Runner-Up and Honorable Mention winners received Toys R Us gift certificates for $30, $20 and $10 respectively. Several of the winning projects are on display at the Downtown Youth Desk - be sure to stop by!
Lego Contest Image 1
Lego Contest Image 2
Lego Contest Image 3
Lego Contest Image 4
Click "read more" for a list of winners.
Without further ado our winners were:
Parent/Child Category: 1st Place/Jesse Cheng & Dad; Runner-Up/Zane Jones & Dad and Honorable Mention/Alexa Boyse-Pecor. Best Architectural/Grace Zheng; Coolest Robot/Christine Zheng; Best Vehicle/Daniel Zacks; Most Creative/Kiele Williams; Most Sophisticated/Huda Vaid; AADL Certified Lego Master Builder/Jesse Cheng.
Grades 3-5 Category: 1st Place/Ryan George; Runner-Up/Benjamin Janevic; Honorable Mention/Jordan Steiff. Best Motorized/Victor Boyse-Pecor; Best Architectural/Alexander Deatrick; Coolest Robot/Caleb Jones & Louis Teitelbaum; Best Vehicle/Diego Garcia; Most Creative/James Portz; Most Sophisticated/Sarah Adams; AADL Certified Lego Master Builder/Ian McKenny
Grades 6-8 Category: 1st Place/Ray Batra; Runner-Up/John Behrendt; Honorable Mention/Jake Johengen. Best Motorized/Noah Kaczor; Best Architectural/Patrick Weisner; Coolest Robot/Nikita Nikishin; Best Vehicle/Joaquin Aguero; Most Creative/Cal Kirchen; Most Sophisticated/Clara Ness; AADL Certified Lego Master Builder/Ashin & Noveen Fujii
Grades 9-12 Category: 1st Place/James Dunbar; Runner-Up/Steven Walker; Honorable Mention/Daniel Nees. Best Motorized/Daniel Nees; Best Architectural/James Dunbar; Coolest Robot/Elizabeth Deatrick; Best Vehicle/Steven Walker; Most Creative/Joshua Gillespie; Most Sophisticated/James Dunbar; AADL Certified Lego Master Builder/Jacob Powers & Emilio Mateo
Blog Post
Yoga this Thursday, 7 pm at Pittsfield Branch
by K.C.
Beat the heat by relaxing, meditating and learning poses from Victoria. She will guide you through each exercise. Wear comfortable clothing, bring a mat if you have one, and don't eat a big meal beforehand.
Don't miss this great chance to strengthen your body and outlook on life.
Blog Post
Pinhole Photography @ Mallettts Creek, Saturday, Aug. 5, Noon-3 pm
by K.C.
Imagine taking a picture using an oatmeal box, a pop can, or even a room! That's what pinhole photography is all about. Photographer Matt Callow will explain how it works and guide you through building your own camera. Then comes the fun when you take photographs that will be displayed at Malletts Creek Branch Library in October.
Blog Post
Yoga this Thursday, Downtown Library, 7-8 pm
by K.C.
Beat the heat by relaxing, meditating and learning poses from Victoria. She will guide you through each exercise. Wear comfortable clothing, bring a mat if you have one, and don't eat a big meal beforehand.
If you came last week, Victoria promises new moves and exercises. Don't miss this great chance to strengthen your body and outlook on life.
Blog Post
Cosplay Contest and DDR Expo
by lola
Come to the 3rd Annual Cosplay Contest at the AADL this Wednesday, August 2, from 6:30-8:30 pm at the Downtown Library Multipurpose Room . Dress up as your favorite anime, manga or videogame character and compete for prizes. First, Second and Third place winners will win gift certificates to Wizzy Wig. Judging will be based on a combination of knowledge of your character, costume quality and character enthusiasm. Dance on our Cobalt Flux pads in character or come to watch the contest and play DDR.
Blog Post
Claymation is Calling
by erin
You like to play with epoxy, wire cutters and clay. Or you're a painfully patient type who wants to spend YEARS filming a puppet frame-by-frame for the fame and glory that Will Vinton and Nick Park revel in. Or maybe you just like to try new things and get free food. Regardless the Workshop will be an awesome afternoon. Brad Patullo worked on MTV's Celebrity Deathmatch and the PJs with Vinton - and he's a really cool guy. WHEN: Saturday August 12, 2006: 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm (yes, it's really 5 hours - but pizza and drinks will keep you going). WHERE? Downtown. Space is limited and you HAVE to register - just call 327-8301 and you're golden - well, unless you call too late and it's filled. Don't snooze.