A Note from Jen... December is a fun month because before you know it, you're on holiday break! Keep yourself entertained by participating in some of the activities at our libraries. Or, if the cold weather makes you feel like staying home and reading, check out the book recommendations from other teens, below. And finally, it's not too late to join us for the Mock Printz Workshops in January. The reading list and information was listed in last month's newsletter, and click the link below for more information. See you next year! Your Friend Wants You to Read This. The Freedom Writers Diary-- Freedom Writers with Erin Gruwell The book is a diary of students and their teacher. It's set in Long Beach, California from 1994-1998. The setting is an important part of the story because it involved gangs, drugs, homelessness, you name it. However most of this book takes place in the classroom. If I could, I would tell the authors that I started writing my own book because of this one. It's a book that EVERYONE should read. --Review by Travis "Straight from the front line of urban America, the inspiring story of one fiercely determined teacher and her remarkable students." Zen and the Art of Faking It-- Jordan Sonnenblick The whole plot revolved around San trying to fit in, or rather stand out, at school by inventing a character for himself. The theme was that you just need to be yourself and lies you tell will come undone. San was pretending to be a really zen type of guy. I think this book would deserve an award because it was very insightful about trying to just be yourself as a teen and learning to accept you for who you are. --Review by Katarina "From masterfully funny and poignant Jordan Sonnenblick, a story that will have everyone searching for their inner Zen." Secrets-- Robin Jones Gunn Jessica Morgan wants to break all ties to her multi-millionaire father so she can live a life of her own. So, at age 25, she runs away from home and tries to hide her identity. Jessica has many secrets she is trying to hide, so she tries to keep all friendships on the surface. It becomes hard to do, because of all the friendly people in the small town she now lives in. I thought Jessica was a very interesting character. She turned down a spot in her father's business and later all his money so she would no longer be under his power. Most people would accept a position like that at a drop of a hat. But instead, she chose to work at a high school teaching English. --Review by Allison "Will Jessica's past destroy her future? Or can she find a deeper peace that will end her need to keep Secrets? Readers will find out in the first book of the new Glenbrooke series." Last Chance for Mock Printz Email teens@fvrl.org to sign up to participate in the Mock Printz Workshop on January 21 at Cascade Park Community Library. Want more information about the event? Click here to read the article in last month's newsletter. And here are the nominated titles again; click the link to place a hold. Welcome to Bordertown-- Holly Black and Ellen Kushner, eds Anya’s Ghost-- Vera Brosgol Blink and Caution-- Tim Wynne-Jones Chime-- Franny Billingsly Divergent-- Victoria Roth Everybody Sees the Ants-- A.S. King Jasper Jones-- Craig Silvey Karma-- Cathy Ostlere A Monster Calls-- Patrick Ness Okay For Now-- Gary D. Schmidt Did you miss something? Click HERE for past Teen eNewsletter Issues!

What's Going On? Crafty Events: Teen Arts & Crafts Night Cascade Park Community Library December 6, 5 pm This month’s project: “Do something for others.” Make felt scarves or blankets for ShareHouse. Drop off canned and dry food donations, too. Chainmaille Workshop Battle Ground Community Library December 6, 3:30-5:30 pm Teens! Learn how to make a unique chainmaille bracelet. Bring 2 small needle nose pliers. Workshop limited to 10 teens. Sign-ups required. Crafternoon Vancouver Community Library December 20, 4:30-5:30 pm Create a different project, take it home, and show it off. Gaming Events: Woodland Community Library December 16, 4-6 pm Crazy Karaoke Madhouse! Karaoke video games of various shapes and sizes will be played. Sing your heart out! Snacks provided. Vancouver Community Library December 27, 4:30-5:30 pm Gaming unplugged! Play games of the old-school variety. Checkers, chess, Jenga, Magic, cards, etc. Stevenson Community Library December 31, 1-4 pm Invite your friends! Many new games, and old favorites to share. Regular Gaming Events: CCG (Collectible Card Game) Battles Vancouver Community Library Wednesdays in December, 3-7 pm. Bring your Yu-Gi-Oh, Magic, Pokeman or other collectible card deck for open play. Don’t know the rules? Come and learn! Teen Gaming Group Washougal Community Library, 4-6 pm Ridgefield Community Library 3:30-5 pm Fridays December 2,9,16,23,30 Join this informal group for fun playing RPGs! We speak and play Dungeons and Dragons, GURPS, Call of Cthulu, etc.! Teen 'Scape Vancouver Community Library Fridays December 2,9,16,23 3-5 pm. Need to unwind after a long week? Play video games, eat snacks, and hang out. Volunteer @ Your Library! Click here or email Sherry for more information. Teen Council Food, friends, and fun! We want your ideas about library services for teens. Bring your friends. Click for meeting schedules and locations. Teen Book Groups Pick up a copy of the book in advance (special copies available at the library hosting the program). Then come talk about the book with other teens. Stevenson library- December 8, 3:30 pm Stardust by Neil Gaiman Vancouver library- December 13, 4:30 pm Un Lun Dun by Charles Mieville Battle Ground library- December 13, 5:00 pm American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang Ridgefield library- December 16, 4:00 pm City of Bones by Cassandra Clare Three Creeks library- December 20, 6:00 pm Independence Hall by Roland Smith

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