MORE VIDEO GAMES ARE ON THE WAY!

We are now going to carry xbox 360 games as well as Wii and PS2. With the new games being available tomorrow (12/18), we'll have around 20 titles for each platform.

The games check out for 1 week and can be renewed once. You can also place holds on titles if they're checked out.

Send me an email if there's a title you'd like me to purchase (as long as it's rated "T" or lower) at mdecker@littletongov.org

Don't forget we also have teen Wii every 3rd Thursday at 3:30 where we play games on the big screen. Come check it out!

Are you all ready for the new Twilight movie "New Moon" set to open on November 20? Here's a link to the official movie site: http://www.twilightthemovie.com/

While you're waiting to see the film, come into the library and check out some other books featuring creatures of the night!

You might enjoy:

The Darkest Powers series by Kelley Armstrong. The first book, The Summoning, introduces Chloe, a 15-year-old girl who sees ghosts and is sent to a special home for disturbed kids--she soon discovers that the teens at the home are not what they seem...

The Night World series by L.J. Smith, which describes the lives of the vampires, werewolves, witches, and shape-shifters that secretly live among us.

The Immortals series by Alyson Noel. The first book, Evermore, introduces 16-year old Ever, who can see auras and hear other people's thoughts.

The Reformed Vampire Support Group by Catherine Jinks. 15-year old Nina is part of a support group for vampires where nothing much happens until one of the members is murdered. The vampires in this funny adventure mystery aren't sexy and superhuman--they're dead, after all, which means they smell and get VERY bored after years of the same old conversations...

I've got a HUGE list of other books, just ask for the BOOKS WITH BITE list at the information desk--or look in the bibliography notebook on the wall near the teen fiction.

Feel free to email me if you'd like some more "creature of the night" suggestions!

mdecker@littletongov.org

WEEK 9 The CHAMPIONSHIP!

Last week's winner was...Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Cast your vote in this final battle by filling out a voting slip in the library or by emailing Mark at mdecker@littletongov.org

This week's battle is the FINAL BATTLE! I will announce the winning title on Monday, October 19th during TEEN READ WEEK.

Eragon
by Christopher Paolini

VS

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
by J.K. Rowling

WEEK 8 The Finals Continue!

Last week's winner was...Eragon!

The winner of this week's battle will compete against Eragon in the final battle next week.

Cast your vote in this week's battle by filling out a voting slip in the library or by emailing Mark at mdecker@littletongov.org

Stay tuned here to find out which book wins this week's battle!

This week's BATTLE (the battle between authors with initials instead of first names):

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
by J.K. Rowling

VS

Voyage of the Dawn Treader
by C.S. Lewis

WEEK 7 The FINALS begin NOW!

Last week's winners were: Eragon; Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire; Inkheart; Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

From now on, there will be only 1 battle each week until we find out which title is the BEST TEEN BOOK!

Cast your vote by filling out a voting slip in the library or by emailing me your vote at mdecker@littletongov.org

Stay tuned to find out which title will win!

This week's BATTLE

ERAGON
by Christopher Paolini
VS
Inkheart
by Cornelia Funke

Week 6--The PLAYOFFS Begin NOW!

Last week's winners were: Inkheart; Number the Stars; The Lightning Thief; and Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

All of the winners from previous battles will now be competing against one another!

There are 4 battles this week, with 2 books in each of the battles.

Cast your vote for 1 book from each battle by filling out a voting slip in the library or by emailing me with your votes at mdecker@littletongov.org

Remember, only vote for 1 title in EACH battle. If you haven't read at least one of the books in the battle, please don't vote in that battle!

I'll update which books are battling each week here, so keep checking back!

Battle #1
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
By Jules Verne
VS
Eragon
By Christopher Paolini

Battle #2
Goose Girl
By Shannon Hale
VS
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
By J.K. Rowling

Battle #3
Lightning Thief
By Rick Riordan
VS
Voyage of the Dawn Treader
By C.S. Lewis

Battle #4
Inkheart
By Cornelia Funke
VS
Number the Stars
By Lois Lowry

Week 5--The Semi-Finals--Round 2 Begins NOW!

Last week's winners were: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea; Eragon; Goose Girl; Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

All of the winners from previous battles will now be competing against one another!

There are 4 battles this week, with 2 books in each of the battles.

Cast your vote for 1 book from each battle by filling out a voting slip in the library or by emailing me with your votes at mdecker@littletongov.org

Remember, only vote for 1 title in EACH battle. If you haven't read at least one of the books in the battle, please don't vote in that battle!

I'll update which books are battling each week here, so keep checking back!

Battle #1
Inkheart
By Cornelia Funke
VS
Maximum Ride:
The Angel Experiment
By James Patterson

Battle #2
Number the Stars
By Lois Lowry
VS
Pride and Prejudice
By Jane Austen

Battle #3
Lightning Thief
By Rick Riordan
VS
Twilight
By Stephenie Meyer

Battle #4
Two Princesses of Bamarre
By Gail Carson
Levine
VS
Voyage of the Dawn Treader
By C.S. Lewis

Week 4--The Semi-Finals--begin NOW!

Last week's winners were: Eragon; Fablehaven (tie); Goose Girl (tie); Hatchet; The Two Princesses of Bamarre; Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

All of the winners from previous battles will now be competing against one another!

There are 4 battles this week, with 2 books in each of the battles. Cast your vote for 1 book from each battle by filling out a voting slip in the library or by emailing me with your votes at mdecker@littletongov.org

Remember, only vote for 1 title in EACH battle. If you haven't read at least one of the books in the battle, please don't vote in that battle!

I'll update which books are battling each week here, so keep checking back!

Battle #1
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
By Jules Verne
VS
Angel’s Command
By Brian Jacques

Battle #2
Eragon
By Christopher Paolini
VS
Bloody Jack
By L.A. Meyer

Battle #3
Goose Girl
By Shannon Hale
VS
Fablehaven
By Brandon Mull

Battle #4
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
By J.K. Rowling
VS
Hatchet
By Gary Paulsen

The Battles Continue!

The winners from last week were: Inkheart; Angel’s Command; Number the Stars; Bloody Jack; The Lightning Thief. These titles will show up again in future battles...

Week 3 Battles Begin NOW!There are 5 battles this week, with multiple books in each of the battles. Cast your vote for 1 book from each battle by filling out a voting slip in the library or by emailing me with your votes at mdecker@littletongov.org

Remember, only vote for 1 title in EACH battle. If you haven't read at least one of the books in the battle, please don't vote in that battle! I'll update which books are battling each week here, so keep checking back!

Battle #1
Ender’s Game
By Orson Scott-Card
VS
So You Want to be a Wizard
By Diane Duane
VS
Eragon
By Christopher Paolini
VS
Stormbreaker
By Anthony Horowitz

Battle #2
Fablehaven
By Brandon Mull
VS
The Falconer’s Knot
By Mary Hoffman
VS
Goose Girl
By Shannon Hale
VS
Life as We Knew It
By Susan Pfeffer

Battle #3
House of the Scorpion
By Nancy Farmer
VS
The Naming
By Alison Croggon
VS
Hatchet
By Gary Paulsen

Battle #4
The Silenced
By James Devita
VS
Hunger Games
By Suzanne Collins
VS
The Two Princesses of Bamarre
By Gail Carson Levine

Battle #5
Left Behind
By Dennis Lehaye
VS
Vampire Kisses
By Ellen Schreiber
VS
Voyage of the Dawn Treader
By C.S. Lewis

The Battles Continue! The winners from last week were: Goblet of Fire; Twilight; Pride & Prejudice; 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea; Maximum Ride. These titles will show up again in future battles...

Week 2 Battles Begin NOW!

There are 5 battles this week, with multiple books in each of the battles. Cast your vote for 1 book from each battle by filling out a voting slip in the library or by emailing me with your votes at mdecker@littletongov.org

Remember, only vote for 1 title in EACH battle. If you haven't read at least one of the books in the battle, please don't vote in that battle! I'll update which books are battling each week here, so keep checking back!

BATTLE #1 (4 titles in this battle)
A Long Way Down By Nick Hornby VS Midnighters: the Secret Hour By Scott Westerfeld VS Inkheart By Cornelia Funke VS Evil Star By Anthony Horowitz

BATTLE #2 (4 titles in this battle)
Angel’s Command By Brian Jacques VS Nobody’s Princess By Esther Friesner VS Talent By Zoey Dean VS My Fair Godmother By Janette Rallison

BATTLE #3 (3 titles in this battle)
As Simple as Snow By Gregory Galloway VS Number the Stars By Lois Lowry
VS Wild Magic By Tamora Pierce

BATTLE #4 (3 titles in this battle)
Bloody Jack By L.A. Meyer VS Piccolo, the Grey Robe By Robin Ambrozic
VS The Mysterious Benedict Society By Trenton Stewart

BATTLE #5 (3 titles in this battle)
Tales of Beedle the Bard By J.K. Rowling VS Silverfin By James Higson VS The Lightning Thief By Rick Riordan

Bemis Teen Battle for the Best Book

Let the voting begin!

As there were more than 70 books nominated, we're going to have multiple battles each week instead of just one. There are 5 battles this week, with multiple books in a couple of the battles.

Cast your vote for 1 book from each battle by filling out a voting slip in the library or by emailing me with your votes at mdecker@littletongov.org

Remember, only vote for 1 title in EACH battle.

If you haven't read at least one of the books, please don't vote!

I'll update which books are battling each week here, so keep checking back!

BATTLE #1 Every Harry Potter book was nominated, so vote for your favorite! (Sorcerer's Stone; Chamber of Secrets; Prisoner of Azkaban; Goblet of Fire; Order of the Phoenix; Half Blood Prince; Deathly Hallows)

BATTLE #2 All of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series was nominated, so vote for your favorite! (Twilight; New Moon; Eclipse; Breaking Dawn)

BATTLE #3 Emma by Jane Austen VS Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen

BATTLE #4 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne VS The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare

BATTLE #5 100 Cupboards by Nathan Wilson VS Maximum Ride: the Angel Experiment by James Patterson

The Bemis Teen Battle for the Best Book has started! Nominate a title and get your name entered in a prize drawing. Make sure the book is a "teen" read! You can nominate a book by filling out a slip in the library or by emailing me with your name & phone#, book title & author.

Once I've got a enough books nominated, I'll start pitting the nominated books against each other in a "battle" each week. The book that gets the most votes stays in the competition--the loser is removed. The book that ends up winning the competition will be announced in October. Check back here to see which books are battling! Battles should begin next week.

Vote for your favorites by emailing me: mdecker@littletongov.org

Check out the finalists in the

Bemis Library Most Talented Teen Contest!

Come watch them perform at the

Bemis Library

on

Wednesday, July 15th at 7:00 p.m.

Help vote on who is the most talented teen!

One lucky winner in each age category will take home a savings bond from the

Colorado Business Bank.

The contestants in the middle school category are:

Nicholas, who sings

Ana and Ari, who sing and dance

Graeson, who plays the violin

Caitlin, who sings

Janeen, who sings

The contestants in the high school category are:

Khiemberly, who sings

Iona, who dances

Sara, who sings

Kalynn, who sings and dances

Camilla, who plays piano and sings

Hey all!

Check out this poem emailed to me and written by a teen named Justin--great stuff!

Inside me lives
The wolf, the raven, the fox,
Cleverest animals of them all,
Caged like common zoo animals and
Howling, cawing, barking to be
Let free.

Inside me lives
A flowing, peaceful creek,
Carrying ideas, inspiration, words
To my pen,
Occasionally bended by rocks, branches,
And the litter of common folk.

Inside me lives
An eleven year old Harry Potter,
Treated non-existent by family,
And trying to find his place in
The world.

Inside me lives
An amazing magician,
Making wonders and wowing people
With deception, Illusion, mirrors.
A magician never tells.

Inside me lives
A locked box containing my heart,
To which few have the key
And even fewer know about,
Concealed behind a veil of
Sarcasm, rebellion, and indifference.

Inside me lives
A child, an adult
A killer, a hero
A wiseman and a fool.
Inside me lives....
Me.
And inside me I'll stay.

Express Yourself!
Register for the Teen Summer Reading Program!

Registration has begun at the Bemis Library. Come in to sign up for the program and pick up a tally sheet to keep track of your reading. Make sure to check out the awesome programs happening throughout the summer! Some of the programs require registration and/or a special application.
Email Mark with any questions!
mdecker@littletongov.org

Applications for the Teen CSI program are now available at the library!


CSI Police Program
Littleton Police Department
Held at Bemis Public Library
Grades 9-11 July 7-9 10:00 – 3:00
Special Application required (limited to 12 participants)
Applications at Bemis Public Library after May 15
Explore the science of solving crime and put your knowledge to the test in hands-on activities! Participants will learn about fingerprints, shoe prints, crime scene diagramming and photography, bloodstain analysis and other topics. Lunch will be provided.

Summer Reading is COMING!! The theme is "Express Yourself"

1st day to sign up is May 26th.

Applications for summer film school are available NOW! Come to the library to pick one up.

Tons of programs and prizes available throughout the summer. Come check it out!

Check out the winning photos from the teen photography contest! Congratulations to Chelsea, whose "Never Back Down" photo won the "younger" contest, and Shaun, whose "ball of light" photo won the "older" contest. Both of these photographs will be featured on summer reading bookmarks. Congrats!

Are you looking for some excitement in your life? Check out the Arapahoe Rescue Patrol--a search and rescue team composed of teens in high school.

They are currently looking for recruits--check out their info page at http://www.arapahoerescue.org/recruiting
There are informational meetings for teens and parents.
These meetings will be held at Patrol Headquarters; 6529 South Broadway in Littleton (Also Littleton Fire Station 12) on: Wednesday April 1, 2009 at 6:00PM Saturday April 4, 2009 at 9:00AM Tuesday April 7, 2009 at 6:00PM
Call 303-797-1896 for questions.

Congratulations to Teen Tech Week contest winners Samantha, Ben, Jay, Lee, Bryan, and Taylor!

This is Bryan's goofy self-picture...

Also check out Bryan and Taylor's funny video on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5xAGwThgUg

FRIDAY'S CONTEST: First person to e-mail me with the correct answer to this question: What day and time is the library showing the movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail? Email me at mdecker@littletongov.org

GOOD LUCK!

WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY CONTEST: Send me a link to a funny video you've made and uploaded to YouTube. If you have a funny movie but can't get it uploaded to YouTube and have it available in some other format, send me a link and we'll see what happens... I'll select a winner and confirm via e-mail.

Be sure to include whether I can post the link to your video on this blog for others to see.

(Make sure your video is rated "G")

Good luck!

Questions? Email me at mdecker@littletongov.org

TUESDAY'S (3/10) CONTEST: Shoot Your Face! Take a goofy picture of yourself and send it to me via email at mdecker@littletongov.org Make sure to tell me if it's ok to post your photo on this blog.

I'll draw a random winner who can select their prize!

Upcoming contest: make a funny video and upload it to Youtube--start working on something funny now!

Be sure your video is rated "G"

It's Teen Tech Week! Check here all week for info on contests where you can win prizes! Come in to the library and check out some books on technology and careers--things like how to turn blogging, video gaming, re-mixing and sampling, or digital photography into a career.

MONDAY'S CONTEST: the first person to TEXT me their name at 303-877-5376 wins a $10 gift card (Starbucks, Best Buy, Target, movie theaters, and other choices...).

Keep checking all week for other contests!

Hint: at least one contest this week will involve Youtube!

Call me 303-795-3961 or email me at mdecker@littletongov.org with questions

There's still time to enter a photo for the photography contest! New deadline is Sunday, March 15th. There are now CASH prizes to be won for each age group as well. 1st place winners will get $50 CASH + have their photo published on a library bookmark. 2nd place winners get $30 CASH. 3rd place winners get $20 CASH. One lucky winner will also get to spend a day at Sgt Peppers Photography Studio to see how a professional studio functions. Send me your photos or questions! mdecker@littletongov.org

Writing Contest!

Find out how you can win prizes for writing about Abraham Lincoln. Go to http://colincoln200.org/ for more info. Entries need to be received by 3/23/09. Check with Mark for more details.

Are you into PHOTOGRAPHY?

Join us for a class on digital photography, put on by the experts at

Sgt. Peppers Photography Studio.

The class is at 1:00 on Saturday, Feb. 21. Then put your new knowledge to work and submit a photography that best shows the theme "Express Yourself" by March 7. Winning photographs will be published on a bookmark that will be given out to hundreds of people for the teen summer reading club!

The class and contest are for teens in 6th through 12 grade. Call the library at 303-795-3961 or email Mark at mdecker@littletongov.org to register, or for questions.