Eclipse 2017!

Are you ready for the August 21st total eclipse of the sun? While we won't get a total black out here in West Allis, there will still be a lot of time for you to check out this awesome phenomenon. If you are still looking for a safe way to view this event, why not make a simple viewer out of a cereal box!



This video from NASA is makes it look pretty easy to make a safe, cheap eclipse viewer! If you need more explicit directions, check out this post, which gives you a supply list as well.  (TimeandDate.com)

Want more info about the Eclipse? NASA really has you covered! Here is their official Eclipse 2017 site. And to help us answer the age old question can you really go blind from watching the Eclipse without glasses is Mental Floss. The TL;DR is maybe not, buy you can damage your eyes pretty bad up to and including blindness, so it's not worth the risk.

I'll see you @ the library!
Katie

PS While there are some libraries with limited Eclipse viewing glasses, West Allis was not one that received these. Sorry for any confusion!

Friday Fun: August 18th, 3:30-5:30 PM

It's time for Friday Fun! For those new to this, Friday Fun is our monthly Teen Program where teens come play games, have a snack and hang out at the library. We open our Constitution Room from 3:30-5:30 and teens show up and hang out!

Like all teen events, it's for those students going into grades 6-12, or those of you ages 12-18.

I'll see you @ the library!
Katie

Future Bookish Distractions

As we slowly move towards the end of summer reading, here are some Bookish Distractions to keep up your spirits!

First off, did you read Ella Enchanted? Did you LOVE Ella, and the world of Frell? Then check out this article from the Huffington Post about Ella and how she became a feminist icon.

If you weren't an Ella fan, what about Princess Mia? Here's an interview with Meg Cabot all about the Middle School Princess books, and Star Wars! (Entertainment Weekly)

Up next are 100 best Books for Middle Grade Readers from Book Riot! These are great choices for those of you not quite ready for YA.

Book lovers might want to check out this list of 25 books books lovers should read from Mental Floss. While I don't agree with every suggestion on the list, I highly recommend the Westing Game by Ellen Raskin. Go, read it if you haven't.

You keep reading, and I'll see you @ the library!
Katie

Writers Camp: Last Session 2017!

There is a small tear in my eye as I think about the last session of Teen Writers Camp this summer! As tradition dictates, and because it is totally fun, we will be playing writing games like Mad Libs or "Pass the Story". Whether you've come to one, or this is your first session, I hope to see you Thursday August 10th, from 2-3 PM.

I'll see you @ the library!
Katie

Book Review: Coming Up for Air by Miranda Kenneally

Maggie King is driven to succeed. It's her senior year in high school, and she is swimming towards many things, including a spot on the Cal-Berkeley swim team, and hopefully a chance to swim in the Olympic trials.

Maggie has given up a lot to be at the level she is at, and with so many goals in reach it's hard to focus on being a normal teen, until she realizes how many normal teen experiences she has missed.

Inspired by a friend's suggestion she create a high school bucket list, she decides it's time she figures out how to live life a little more outside the pool, especially when it comes to boys. So why not start with her best friend Levi?

It is easy to kiss Levi, and even though she promised to not ask for anything more. Can her friendship with Levi survive these kissing lessons? What's worse, losing Levi or losing a chance at the Olympics.

Fans of the Hundred Oaks Series should be lining up for this fun summer read, that will have you turning pages. Maggie is completely honest in her inexperience with boys, as well as what she wants, and maybe even needs. Other characters from other books pop up, so while you don't need to read the other books in the series, it helps if you have. Every summer I look forward to the new Miranda Kenneally book, and Coming Up for Air does not disappoint!

I'll see you @ the library!
Katie

Summer Reading Update

Summer Reading is quickly coming to the end. All of you West Allis-West Milwaukee peeps are gearing up to start on September 1st, the day after summer reading ends. So here is an update on prizes and what's going on!

It's not too late to turn in Book Review Logs! You have until August 31st to turn those in, and we still have quite a few coupon packs for those of you who still have a first book review log to turn in. Don't forget for every additional book review log you turn in you earn an additional entry into our Grand Prize Drawing!

If you are wondering what book sets we are giving away check out this post here, or look at the graphic on this entry. We (finally) have a poster with the books up in the Teen Space, as well as a list at the reference desk as well.

Don't forget we still have a few events Just For Teens in August!

1. Our last session of Writers Camp is August 10th from 2-3. We are going to be playing writing games, and all teens are invited.

2. Friday Fun will be August 18th from 3:30-5:30 PM. This is a casual hang out time @ the library, and we will have games, snacks and coloring sheets!

3. Our Teen Summer Reading Finale event will be August 24th from 7-8 PM. We will have door prizes, minute to win it games, and other fun stuff.

I hope you are all having an awesome summer, and enjoying your last few free days until school starts!

I'll see you @ the library,
Katie

Bookish Distractions:

It's time for some Bookish Distractions!

We have one week of writers camp left, and I know there are more aspiring authors out there! Check out this list of 100 Books for Writers from Book Riot.

If you prefer your writing advice in smaller doses, here are 18 Things Every Young Writers Should Know from Buzzfeed. Great advice from some popular YA writers!

After looking at so many book reviews, I know there are fans of Raina Telgemeir out there, and Book Riot has 5 more Graphic Novels for you to check out.

Epic Reads gives us so many great articles and book lists, so lets help them out by ranking your favorite YA book to movie adaptions. When I checked Harry Potter and Hunger Games were neck and neck, but if you haven't checked out last place Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, I highly recommend both the book and movie!

Finally, fans of Princess Mia and the Princess Diaries should be happy to hear that a 3rd movie has not been ruled out, yet. So no news is good news? (E Online)

I'll see you @ the library!
Kaite

Teen Writers Camp: August 3rd

It's the penultimate Teen Writers Camp of the summer! This week we are going to be revising stories, so either come with something short you wouldn't mind sharing with someone else, or be prepared to write a short portion of your story. We'll talk about giving feedback, and constructive criticism.

So, Thursday, August 3rd, 2-3 PM, Library Constitution Room. Teens, ages 12-18 or those students going into grades 7-12 Writers Camp.

I'll see you @ the library!
Katie

Bookish Distractions:

Total Potter Brain here.

I'm still "Potter-ed" out from last night's AWESOME Harry Potter Birthday Party, I had serious (Sirius?) fun with you all! So to tide you over until Monday, here are some BOOKISH DISTRACTIONS:

I know some of you have summer reading assignments, based on the calls and book requests I'm getting, so here are some tips on rocking those summer reading assignments you have! (Pro tip: seriously, do the reading.)(Book Riot)

If you are looking to procrastinate a bit, here is a quiz to help you figure out just who you are in a story. Me, I'm a side-kick, which I kind of expected. But the best side kicks usually get their own books! (Epic Reads)

Have you heard that Jenny Han's To All the Boys I've Loved Before is going to be a movie? Seriously, this is going to be awesome! (Buzzfeed)

Buzzfeed has a good list of feminist books for readers of all ages, if you want a little more "girl power" for your summer reading.

And because I have Harry Potter brain from planning the Harry Potter Birthday Party we had last night, here an article about the legacy Harry left behind!

I'll see you @ the library!
Katie

Teen Events: Thursday July 27th

What does your Thursday look like? I have TWO awesome events for you to attend at the library.

First up we have a session of our awesome Writers Camp, where we will be working on the setting of our stories. I'll have stuff for you to make maps of what ever part of our story you want to work on! Writers Camp is for teens, or those of you going into grades 6-12, and is from 2-3 PM in the Library Constitution Room.

Then, we have a quick turn around to get the room ready for a Very Harry Birthday Party! This event is for tweens and teens, so anyone going into grades 4-12. From 6:30-8 PM we are going to have the birthday party Harry Potter deserved, complete with party games, cake and trivia! Hogwarts gear and costumes are encouraged (but not required!)

TL;DR
Thursday July 27th, two awesome events for you @ the library!
2-3 PM, Writers Camp for those going into grades 6-12
6:30-8 PM, Harry Potter Birthday Party for those going into grades 4-12

I'll see you @ the library!
Katie