Guys Read November update

by jason

There were six of us present for the Guys Read book club last Saturday, members present included: Theo, Grayson, Milos, Milo, Casey, and Jason (me).  Since part of our goal is to spread our love of reading and inspire others to pick up our favorite books I thought it would be cool to have the meeting publicly at The Wedge next door!  Even before we arrived, a happy stranger loudly exclaimed that the book Milos was carrying (Leviathan) was cool.   “We know!”

We set up our sign, got a slice, and talked about books for an hour.  Good times!  Everyone was impressed with this month’s selections and we agreed we’ll be reading more from both of the series on our own.  For the December meeting we decided to tackle Scott Westerfeld’s Leviathan since it is on the Iowa Teen Award list, and, instead of a comic this month, we’ll sample from the Guys Read short story series (thanks to Oscar for the idea last month).  A few members mentioned that they get extra credit for reading from the Teen Award list so that’s a bonus, also it was mentioned we should hit these teachers up for extra credit for attending Guys Read!

Most members were receptive to the idea of meeting for an extra hour of free reading as a group after the discussion time.  I thought other young guys would benefit from seeing a group of guys hanging out publicly and reading for fun, might also be a good way of picking up a few new members!  We’ll try this at our December meeting and see how it goes.

Here’s a list of some reading our crew is in the midst of:

Guys Read Book Club – ICPL Field Office – November

by jason

We’re still looking for guys in Grades 5-8 to join our newest book club!  We’re looking to match ICPL guys with books (and other readable things) in an interesting way. With pizza!  So if you’re hungry for new reading discoveries (or just hungry) join Theo, Grayson, Joel, Oscar, and Jason this Saturday.

Our next meeting is this Saturday, November 17th from 12:00-1:00 p.m. upstairs in Meeting Room E (it’s along the back wall past the Computer Lab). We’ll be talking about the comic series Usagi Yojimba by Stan Sakai and/or The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trent Lee Stewart and illustrated by Carson Ellis.  Don’t worry if you haven’t read these before, we’ll be doing other things as well and will vote on titles for the next meeting in December!

Guys Read, is a larger literacy initiative founded by children’s author Jon Scieszka, and is designed to draw attention to boys’ literacy and to help boys become self-motivated, lifelong readers.

No reservation required but if you think you’ll come check it out then shoot me an email so I make sure to have enough food!

Questions? Email Jason at teens[at]icpl.org or call 319-887-6075.

Guys Read Book Club – ICPL Field Office

by jason

Hey all you guy readers out there, come join our newest book club!  Our mission is to match ICPL guys with books (and other readable things) in a fun, guys-only environment. With pizza of course!  Aimed at guys in Grades 5-8.

Guys Read, is a larger literacy initiative founded by children’s author Jon Scieszka, and is designed to draw attention to boys’ literacy and to help boys become self-motivated, lifelong readers.

No reservation required but if you think you’ll come then shoot me an email so I make sure to have enough food!

Photo from http://templetontwins.tumblr.com/aboutthebook

Our next meeting is this Saturday, October 27th from 12:00-1:00 p.m. upstairs in Meeting Room E (it’s along the back wall past the Computer Lab). We’ll be talking about the comic series Amulet by Kazu Kibuishi and/or The Templeton Twins Have An Idea by Ellis Weiner with illustrations by Jeremy Holmes.  Don’t worry if you haven’t read these before, we’ll be doing other things as well and will vote on titles for the next meeting in November!

Questions? Email Jason at teens[at]icpl.org or call 319-887-6075.

Coder Dojo, Today!

by Emily

Happy rainy Saturday!

This is just a friendly reminder that Coder Dojo is meeting TODAY from 2-4 PM in the Computer Lab on the 2nd floor of the library. We’re making webpages today, so stop by and make something cool! We’ve got everything you’ll need, but feel free to bring your laptop if you wish.

See you there! :)

 

FoxSoccer-FIFA Club October 4

by jason

If there’s Soccer being played, then it stands to reason we’re going to have a FoxSoccer-FIFA Club meeting.  It’s Champions League ties this week (*sings falsetto* “The Chaam-pions”) so chances are good that we’ll be watching either the Benfica v FC Barcelona or Ajax v Real Madrid replays.  Will Cesc be able to stay upright against the feisty Portuguese home side? (no spoilers!)

Cesc headbutted

 

Benfica lost some star power during this summer’s transfer window but Barcelona may be without Puyol, Iniesta, Adriano, and will definitely miss out on Thiago and Piqué. And which Real will show up in Amsterdam? The one that demolished Deportivo or the fractious team that struggles with Getafe and Sevilla?

We can vote to watch any of the other great options including last year’s England champs Man City hosting last year’s German champs Borussia Dortmund.

Got Weekend Plans?

by Emily

Lots of stuff is going on in the area this weekend! Here’s a sample:

Lois Lowry Author Visit, Friday, October 5 at 7:00 PM in Room A

Get more specifics in this blog post. Get excited! (I am.)

7th Annual Iowa City Zombie March: Las Vegas!, Saturday, October 6, 5:00-10:00 PM

Zombies will be invading downtown Iowa City this weekend…will you join the horde? Zombies are gathering at Happy Hallow Park at 800 Brown Street at 4:00 PM (feel free to get makeup tips, zombie-walking tutorials, hang with zombie friends), then the march begins at 5:00. Eventually zombies will end up at the Mill, (free admission to zombies, a non-perishable food item for the uninfected), with snacks and zombie partying until 10:00. Sounds like great fun, and the proceeds of the event go to charity organizations in the area. Want more info? Check out their Facebook page or website.

Star Wars Reads Day, Saturday, October 6, in various locations

image source: http://www.starwars.com/reads/

Unfortunately, no locations in Iowa City according to the official website…but if you can get to Marion, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, or Des Moines, consider attending an event for Star Wars Reads Day. According to their website, “On October 6th, 2012, fans will come together to celebrate reading and Star Wars. Join in the fun by finding an event near you in the map provided below. All events will have giveaways and a raffle. Select events will have authors and/or costumed characters on hand from the 501st Legion, the Rebel Legion, the Mandalorian Mercs and the R2 Builders Club.” Check out specific information for your location through their website or Facebook page.

And remember, Teen Tech Zone on Saturdays also has crafts! We could make some zombie papercrafts, or find some Star Wars papercrafts online, or make a bookmark, or Mod-Podge a picture frame, or try out my new crochet hooks on some amigurumi (I’m just learning)…stop by and say hi between 1-4:00 PM!

FoxSoccer-FIFA Club

by jason

Thursday is the first of many Thursday Fox Soccer / FIFA12 Club meetings in the Computer Lab upstairs from 3-5.

We decided to form the club after seeing Justin Hoenke’s (of Portland, ME Public Library) club and talking with a couple West High teens over the summer.

World soccer fans will know that the International break is just wrapping up so we won’t be able to stream club matches for our first week.  FoxSoccer2Go has the England v. Ukraine available though.  It’s a World Cup qualifier and a chance for Ukraine to avenge their dubious loss from the Euro 2012 Group Stage match.  Find out if Ukraine coach Oleg Blokhin again challenges anyone to “go outside and have a man conversation”!

From Sky Sports.com

We’ve also got FIFA12 for PS3 for those that prefer to wait for the English Premier League to restart on Saturday.  If you have an EPL Fantasy Team be sure to come prepared to talk strategy with me!  #YayaAndTevezFTW

You can download the poster below:

http://teens.icpl.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/FOX_FIFA_poster.pdf

Author Visit: Lois Lowry, October 5

by Emily

Super exciting news! Lois Lowry, author of The Giver and Number the Stars, will be at the Iowa City Public Library Friday, October 5, at 7:00 PM in Room A. She’ll be reading from Son, her new novel in the Giver Quartet. As someone who grew up devouring Lois Lowry books, I’m probably a little more thrilled than most. Most adults, at least. :)

But seriously. If you haven’t read The Giver, please do. It’s great.

Tony Hawk for Libraries!

by Emily

Skateboard fans, rejoice: Tony Hawk will be in Cedar Rapids Friday, September 7 at 7:30 PM as part of the Inside Out series presented by the Cedar Rapids Public Library. He’ll be there to talk skateboards, business, philanthropy, and books, naturally. Tickets are a little pricey ($30-$35 for adults and $15 for youth 14 and under), but the proceeds go to an excellent cause: an initiative to build a library branch on the west side of Cedar Rapids. More libraries = a better world, right? AND you get to see Tony Hawk? If you’ve saved up your summer job money, this might be worth it. :)

Check out more at the Facebook event page.

Weekend Champloo, August 3-5

by Emily

A month ago it was July 4th. CRAZY.

Saturday, August 4, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Farmer’s Market 40th Anniversary Art Project. Free! The Iowa City Farmer’s Market has been around for 40 years(!), and they’re hosting a pennant-painting to decorate the Chauncy-Swan Parking Ramp: “Help celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Iowa City Farmer’s Market by painting a pennant to decorate the Chauncey Swan Parking Ramp! This activity will take place during Saturday Farmer’s Markets at a booth in Chauncey Swan Park. The pennants will be on display until the end of the Market season. This program is hosted by Summer of Solutions is sponsored by the City of Iowa City Public Art Program and the Iowa City Farmer’s Market.”

Saturday, August 4, 7:00 PM, Pentacrest: Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. Free! It’s the final Free Movie Series movie of the summer, so plan on bringing a blanket and some popcorn to the Pentacrest and check out Michael Cera as Scott Pilgrim, kicking some cool-looking butt! “When dreamy delivery girl Ramona (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) starts popping up in his life, slacker musician Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) takes notice. But to win the love of this rollerblading goddess, Scott must vanquish all seven of her evil exes in martial arts battles. Based on Bryan Lee O’Malley’s graphic novels, director Edgar Wright’s action-packed romcom also stars Anna Kendrick, Brandon Routh and Chris Evans.”

Stay cool and have a great weekend!

 

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