Book Discussion Group for Teens to Begin in March

A teen book discussion group will begin meeting in March. Our first meeting will be Saturday, March 28th from 3:00-4:00 p.m. At our first meeting we will be discussing "Life As We Knew It" by Susan Beth Pfeffer.
About the book: Miranda's disbelief turns to fear in a split second when a meteor knocks the moon closer to the earth. How should her family prepare for the future when worldwide tsunamis wipe out the coasts, earthquakes rock the continents, and volcanic ash blocks out the sun? As summer turns to Arctic winter, Miranda, her two brothers, and their mother retreat to the unexpected safe haven of their sunroom, where they subsist on stockpiled food and limited water in the warmth of a wood-burning stove.
Told in journal entries, this is the heart-pounding story of Miranda's struggle to hold on to the most important resource of all--hope--in an increasingly desperate and unfamiliar world.
If you are planning to attend this discussion group please have the book read before coming to the meeting on March 28th.

Book Trailer Contest for Teen Tech Week

As part of Teen Tech Week we will be having a contest in which you can create a book trailer promoting your favorite book.
WHAT IS A BOOK TRAILER: A book trailer is similar to a movie trailer, in that it is designed to create interest in a book and to encourage others to read the book.

THE RULES:
• You must be between the ages of 13-18 to enter.
• Your video should be 1-3 minutes long.
• Your video should promote a book available at the Buena Park Library.
• You must upload your video directly to YouTube and then send us the link using the online entry form explained below. Videos must be uploaded by March 16, 2009.
• Your video may not contain content that is inappropriate (think PG rating).
• You can find information and examples of book trailers at http://ca.youtube.com/iplteens and http://www.kalama.com/~zimba/tjomsland/yalit/booktrailers.html (some of the individual trailers are dead links to try the following examples: The Chocolate War, The Dangerous Book for Boys, How I Live Now, and I am the Messenger).
JUDGING:
The entries will be judged based on how well the above rules were met and how entertaining or informative the video was. The creator of the winning video will receive a Best Buy™ gift card.

GETTING STARTED:
• Sign up for a free YouTube account at www.youtube.com.

• Get help with creating, uploading and troubleshooting your video at the
YouTube Help Center.

• Great information on camera work, lighting, sound, editing, music and more at http://www.youtube.com/video_toolbox

The official entry form for the Buena Park Library’s Book Trailer Contest is located at www.buenaparklibrary.org (click on Teen Tech Week YouTube Contest link) and
ENTER YOUR YOUTUBE VIDEO HERE.

Free Practice SAT Test--January 31

Get ready for the SATs by taking a free practice SAT test on Saturday, January 31st from 9:45a.m.-2:00p.m. See how you'll score on the SATs without affecting your college record. You will take a full-length test under realistic testings conditions. Pre-registration is required. You can pre-register at the Information/Refernce desk at the Library or call the Library at 714-826-4100 ext.125.
Please bring a calculator and two #2 pencils on test day.

Game Making Workshop--January 24

Do you want to learn how to make your own computer games? Then this workshop is for you. In this workshop you will be using downloadable Game Maker 7.0 software to get you started building your own great games in no time. Game Maker allows you to make exciting computer games, without the need to write a single line of code. Using easy to learn drag-and-drop actions, you can create professional looking games within very little time. This workshop is on Saturday, January 24th from 2:00-4:00 p.m. in the Library's Board Room upstairs. Each participant will have the use of a laptop to create his/her game. There is a limit of 21 attendees so make sure to pre-register at the Library's Information/Reference Desk.

Cookie Decorating Workshop--December 20

There will be a Cookie Decorating Workshop for teens on Saturday, December 20th from 2:30-3:30 p.m. in the Library's auditorium. The supplies needed to make your tasty creations will be provided. You can eat them right away or take them home to share with family or friends.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl Tournament

This video was taken during our 2nd Super Smash Bros. Brawl Tournament. There were about 50 participants. We played a double elimination tournament. Players could play until they had two losses.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl Tournament

There will be a Super Smash Bros. Brawl Tournament on Saturday, November 22nd from 2:00-4:00 in the Library's auditorium. Pre-registration for this event is recommended to ensure a spot in the tournament. You can register at the Information/Reference Desk in the Library.