Columbus Library

It's hard to believe that this coming Tuesday, August 24, marks the first day back to school for Columbus City School students.  Where has the summer gone?  It seems like only yesterday that I was watching fireworks at Red, White, & Boom.

Does anyone have any favorite summer 2011 memories? 

Chanda's Secrets, a powerful novel by Allan Strattan, has been turned into an award winning film titled "Life, Above All."  

In Chanda's Secrets, Chanda, a 16 year-old girl living in a poor village in Southern Africa, must deal with personal tragedy as the AIDS epidemic affects those closest to her.  She must overcome the fear and shame that has taken over her community and face the truth head on.

In the film version, "Life Above All," the character Chanda is 12 years old, and is played by first time actress Khomotso Manyaka.

"Life Above All" is now playing in select theaters across the U.S.
 

Great news for fans of Anna Godbersen's Luxe series: a film version of the best-selling books is in the works!  And the creative force for the movie is going to be the same group of people who created the "Gossip Girl" T.V. series!  Since the project is still in the early stages, it might be a couple of years before we get to see Elizabeth Holland on the big screen, but I think that it will be well worth the wait.

The Luxe follows the lives (and scandals) of a group of teenage socialites and their servants in Manhattan, N.Y. in the year 1899.  Fashion, gossip, and backstabbing abound in this dramatic series.  Check out the first book in the series here!

Looking for a good book?  If so, you might want to check out YALSA's (Young Adult Library Association) 2011 Teens' Top 10 nominations.  Teens just like you in book groups in schools and libraries all across the country have chosen 25 of their favorite teen books published within the last year.  Only ten of these books will make the Top Ten list.  YALSA wants YOUR input, so check out some of these excellent titles and vote for your faves starting August 22!

Today, June 27, marks the 24th day of Summer Reading Club 2011!  A lot has been going on over the last few weeks, and our VolunTeens have been hard at work signing people up, awarding prizes, and assisting with fun programs.

If you haven't yet done so, visit your nearest library location and sign up for a reading record.  You can earn cool prizes coupons for free stuff all around Columbus, a flash drive wrist band, and win an AMC Movie Ticket Package - all just for reading! 

Also, don't forget to check the many free fun programs just for teens at the library.  You can vote for your favorite rap artist, get an authentic henna tattoo from a skilled henna artist, learn how to design your own video games, and a ton of other things!  Click here for a full list of free summer programs at the library, or come on in to your nearest library locations to get a calendar of events.

For information about Summer Reading Club at the library visit Summerreadingclub.com.

A few days ago the first poster for the final Harry Potter film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II, was made public.  It's a close up of a very intense looking Harry and Voldemort staring each other down amid bloody chaos.  The poster reads, "IT ALL ENDS 7.15."  Although it may be too early to tell, I can't help but wonder if most people are over the whole Harry Potter franchise and if they really care one way or another that the final film is being released this summer.  On the other hand, it is the final film, so maybe there will be a rebirth of Harry mania this July. 

What about you?  Are you looking forward to seeing Dan Radcliffe play Harry one last time on the big screen? 

Image courtesy of IMDB.com

Earth Hour is where people from all across the world come together in celebration of the one thing we have in common - our planet.  It is a chance for you to do your bit for the environment. 

All you need to do to participate is sign up to let the people behind Earth Hour know you're taking part and turn off ALL your lights for one hour, no matter where you are in the world.  Earth Hour will take place on Saturday, March 26, 2011 beginning at 8:30 P.M. and lasting until 9:30 P.M. (local time).

Click here to sign up!
 

The nominees for the 2011 Oscar Awards have been announced, and the "Best Picture" picks are:

Black Swan

The Fighter

Inception

The Kids Are All Right

The King's Speech

127 Hours

The Social Network

Toy Story 3

True Grit

Winter's Bone

Of all of the nominated movies I've seen The Social Network and The Fighter.  I thought that The Social Network was just ok, and wasn't blown away.  The Fighter (starring Mark Walberg and Amy Adams) was the best movie I've seen in a long time, and if Christian Bale doesn't win for Best Supporting Actor I don't know who will.

Seen any of the nominated movies?  If so, which one do you think will win "Best Picture?"  Any other award predictions?

On Monday the American Library Association announced the Michael J. Printz Award winner for excellence in young adult literature (aka teen books).

And the winner is . . . Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi!

The story is about a teenager named Nailer who lives in a futuristic world and scavenges copper wiring from grounded oil tankers for a living.  But when he finds a beached clipper ship with a girl in the wreckage, Nailer has to decide if he should strip the ship for its wealth or rescue the girl.

Click HERE to view and reserve this year's and previous years' winners!

A two-headed turtle has been found in a person's back yard in Manisa, Turkey.  It has two heads and four legs in one shell.  Because this is so rare, the turtle has been moved to a nature reserve where the public can view him.  The little guy(s) is only about a month old, but its species can live up to 75 years.

Click here to check out the cuteness!