Want to make a banana piano?  Or an alphabet soup keyboard?  We know you do, so sign up for this month's Teen Tech Series program - MAKEY MAKEY!  Watch this video for some inspiration.  We'll post more leading up to the program so you can come up with some really great project ideas.

Last Friday, young readers celebrated the 2012 Caldecott Medal winner, This Is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen, at the Show Me The Winner program. See their read aloud video of the book here.

Earlier today, the the American Library Association's Youth Media Award Winners were announced. The One and Only Ivan by Kate DiCamillo won the Newbery Medal while This Is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen won the Caldecott Medal.

Our Mock Newbery Discussion group chose Wonder by R.J. Palacio as this year's award winner. Over the last seven months, participants in grades 4-7 read books that had received starred reviews from professional journals. They joined us each month to discuss the books. After much excitement over many of the titles, Wonder was chosen as their favorite. The real Newbery Award will be announced by the American Library Association on Monday January 28th. Stay tuned!

Our Mad Scientists had a great time creating skyscrapers from limited supplies and testing two different types of catapults. See more photos on our Facebook page: http://on.fb.me/UIHSYw

Our stuffed animal friends had a great time at their sleepover this past Friday. A big thank you to our teen volunteers Ilana, Katie, and Ellie for leading all the sleepover activities. See all the fun on our Flickr page. 

The Apprentices of the Book Empire Collection is now available for checkout.  Read stories written and illustrated by the twelve participants of the first Apprentices of the Book Empire young authors and illustrators program.  The five week program, for grades 2-5, began in September.  Each Apprentice wrote their own story, illustrated another Apprentice's story, and the Library published the stories for all to enjoy.  This collection is not to be missed.  Find the Apprentice Collection on the 2nd floor in Youth Services, above the picture books.

From Mrs. K's 2nd grade class at Meadowbrook, the pumpkins have arrived for public viewing in Youth Services. For the Literary Pumpkin Assignment, each student chose a book character and turned him/her/it into a pumpkin. These pumpkins are not to be missed and will be on display until the middle of November.

We have a great line up of new science programs for the fall. Science Explorers for grades 1-2 combines basic science concepts with hands-on activities. No previous lab experience is necessary, so sign up today for the first two programs in the series. We'll meet on Tuesday, September 4 & October 30, from 4:00-5:00 p.m. in the Youth Services Activity Room.

Are you a young author or illustrator? Then register today for the Apprentices of the Book Empire, an authors and illustrators Club for grades 2-6.  Starting Wednesday, September 12th, bring your finished story or manuscript to be illustrated and peer reviewed. Later, you will illustrate someone else’s story, learn about book design and the publishing process, and have your story published by the library! By the end of this five-week program, your story will be an official library book for others to check out and admire.