Thursday, January 29, 2015

SAT Prep- Small Group Instruction



Sundays

February 15, 22, March 1, and 8 

3:00- 5:30pm

Prepare for the SAT test with this series of classes taught by Tom Kenney, a certified teacher with years of experience preparing students for the SAT test.

The fee for this program includes instruction only. Participants MUST provide their own copy of the book: The Official SAT Study Guide by The College Board, 2nd edition. 


To register: Stop by or call the library, or register online

Please note:  A non-refundable check for $100 (made payable to Tom Kenney) is due at the time of registration, or at the very latest, by the first class.  Due to the cumulative nature of the class, no new  students may join the class after the first session has occurred.  

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

3D Printer Tinkercad Workshop- New Date!



The teens who were signed up for the workshop are being invited to attend the Adult Tinkercad Workshop (which will cover the same material) 
on Friday, February 13th @ 7:00pm.  

Please see a librarian to sign up for the new program.

 

4th Annual Hauppauge Writing Contest

 Attention teens in Hauppauge Middle School who like to write:


Announcing the fourth annual writing contest co-sponsored by the Hauppauge School District and the Friends of the Hauppauge Public Library!

Kids and teens (Grades 1-8) in the Hauppauge School District (or those attending private or parochial schools served by the Hauppauge Public Library) are invited to enter this writing contest.  It can be in the form of a story, an essay, or a poem, as long as it goes with the theme:  

Every great dream begins with a dreamer.

First place winner will receive a $25 gift card and second place winner will receive a $15 gift card.  All students who participate will be invited to share their writing during a library celebration on Saturday, March 28, 2015.

 Contest deadline is: Saturday, February 28, 2015.  
(So start thinking now about what you'd like to write about!)


Here's all the info you need to know! 

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Staff Ratings from Teen Read Week 2014

Just a few short months ago, we celebrated Teen Read Week at the library.  During that time, we asked teens to recommend books they felt the library staff should read.  What follows is a list of those books and what we thought of them.  All the participants thoroughly enjoyed the reading challenge, even the ones who went outside of their normal reading comfort zones.  Thanks to all the teens who gave us the book titles, and thanks to all of the staff who took part in this reading experience!  




The Compound by Bodeen, S.A. (YA FIC BODEEN)
After his parents, two sisters, and he have spent six years in a vast underground compound built by his wealthy father to protect them from a nuclear holocaust, fifteen-year-old Eli, whose twin brother and grandmother were left behind, discovers that his father has perpetrated a monstrous hoax on them all.
Recommended by Owen, Gr. 8/ Staff Member Who Read It: Catherine, Librarian
I really liked this book a lot.  I listened to it on audio and the narrator was very engaging.  (Especially when he was depicting the character of the father as he slowly looses control throughout the book.)  The story was fast-paced and well-written and I'm looking forward to reading the sequel, "The Fallout" when I get the chance.  Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

 


The Giver by Lois Lowry (YT FIC LOWRY)

Given his lifetime assignment at the Ceremony of Twelve, Jonas becomes the receiver of memories shared by only one other in his community and discovers the terrible truth about the society in which he lives.

Recommended by Danielle, Gr. 6/ Staff Member Who Read It: Kathleen, Head of Circulation
I found it to be a well-written, coming-of-age "adventure." I enjoyed how the story was crafted into a mystery of watching Jonas go from the safety of childhood to learn of the perils of adulthood and all the responsibility that the world encompasses.  I only gave it four stars as I did not develop a deep relationship with any of the characters.  Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  

The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod: Tenth Grade Bleeds by Heather Brewer (YA FIC Brewer)
As the evil vampire D'Ablo seeks the ritual that would steal half-vampire Vlad's powers, Vlad struggles to resist feeding on the people around him, has a conflict with his best friend Henry, and gives up all hope of a normal year at Bathory High.
Recommended by Harry, Gr. 8/ Staff Member Who Read It: Matt, Library Director
The writing was very good and the story was fast-paced, but as I was reading it, I found it very hard to believe that no one knew he was a vampire.  (Side note: you can pick up this book without having read the previous ones in the series.  The author does a good job of bringing you up to speed with the characters and storyline.)  Rating: 3 out of 5 stars



Divergent by Veronica Roth (YA FIC ROTH)
In a future Chicago, sixteen-year-old Beatrice Prior must choose among five predetermined factions to define her identity for the rest of her life, a decision made more difficult when she discovers that she is an anomaly who does not fit into any one group, and that the society she lives in is not perfect after all.
Recommended by Udthi, Gr. 6/ Staff Member Who Read It: Joanne, former Head of Children's Department and Assistant Director


I chose to read Divergent on a teen recommendation because it isn't normally the type of book that I would pick to read for myself, and I wanted to see what all the hype was about it. At first I was not thrilled because of all the violence and fighting in it. But as the book progressed, I found myself wondering what was going to happen next and I couldn't stop reading it!  It really captures you and draws you into the story! Rating: 5 out of 5 stars


The Familiars by Epstein, Adam Jay (J FIC EPSTEIN)
When a scrappy alley cat named Aldwyn passes himself off as a magical animal companion to Jack, a young wizard in training, Aldwyn and his fellow "familiars," a know-it-all blue jay and bumbling tree frog, must save the kingdom after the evil queen of Vastia kidnaps Jack and two other wizards.
Recommended by Linette, Gr. 8/ Staff Member Who Read It: Donna, Librarian 


I really liked the book Familiars.  It was like a Harry Potter book, but with animals casting the spells! I would recommend it to anyone (particularly younger teens) who like fantasy books about animals. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars




Wolf in White Van by Darnielle, John (FIC DARNIELLE)

Creating fantastical mail-order role-playing games from his apartment where he endures a life of solitude after a disfiguring injury, Sean is blamed for a disaster involving two high school student clients, an event that compels him to reevaluate his own past.

Recommended by Daniel, Gr. 12/ Staff Member Who Read It: Brianna, Page
Although it was creatively told, the ending was too ambiguous for me. I found it nihilistic, though lyrically written.  Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

 


  

The Testing by Charbonneau, Joelle (YA FIC CHARBONNEAU)
Sixteen-year-old Malencia (Cia) Vale is chosen to participate in The Testing to attend the University; however, Cia is fearful when she figures out her friends who do not pass The Testing are disappearing.
Recommended by Danielle, Gr. 6/ Staff Member Who Read It: Dakota, Page
A great read for those who enjoy dystopian novels.  You can relate to the characters, which makes it that much more enjoyable.  Suggested for readers who also enjoyed books such as The Hunger Games and Divergent. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars







The Finisher by David Baldacci (YT FIC BALDACCI)

Vega Jane has never left the village of Wormwood. But this isn't unusual, nobody has ever left the village of Wormwood. At least not until Quentin Herms vanishes into the unknown. Vega knows Quentin didn't just leave, but that he was chased. And he's left behind a very dangerous trail of clues that only she can decode. The Quag is a dark forest filled with terrifying beasts and bloodthirsty Outliers. But just as deadly are the threats that exist within the walls of Wormwood. It is a place built on lies, where influential people are willing to kill to keep their secrets. Vega is determined to uncover the truth. But the closer she gets, the more she risks her life.

Recommended by Shivani, Gr. 6/ Staff Member Who Read It: Deepa, Business Manager 
I liked this book and found it hard to put down.The story is fast paced right up to the very end. Good strong female lead character. I love the mystery of this world... The author doesn't reveal too much about what, where and who the creatures in the book really are, so it leaves a lot to the imagination. Not thrilled with the ending though. The plot cuts off before any of the questions are answered.  So there will be a sequel or maybe a series. Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars


Counting by 7’s by Sloan, Holly Goldberg (YT FIC SLOAN)
Twelve-year-old genius and outsider Willow Chance must figure out how to connect with other people and find a surrogate family for herself after her parents are killed in a car accident.
Recommended by Sreevarshini, Gr. 6/ Staff Member Who Read It: Jill, Librarian
This book was okay- not great, but not bad.  I was expecting to like it a little more than I did given the popularity of the title and the positive comments from book reviewers.  Rating: 3 out of 5 stars 






I am Number Four by Lore, Pittacus (YA FIC LORE)

In rural Ohio, friendships and a beautiful girl prove distracting to a fifteen-year-old who has hidden on Earth for ten years waiting to develop the Legacies, or powers, he will need to rejoin the other five surviving Garde members and fight the Mogadorians who destroyed their planet, Lorien.

Recommended by Vivian, Gr. 6/ Staff Member Who Read It: Lissetty, Librarian
9 young aliens had to leave their planet after it falls under attack. They come to earth to develop their powers. In the very beginning of the story the reader learns 3 of the 9 have been killed and they have to be killed in order so #4 is the next in line. They story had a nice pace to it and enough action but the writing wasn't great.  Rating: 3 out of 5 stars 
 

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