By Erika Kosin
Rowan Public Library
Do you have a teen who likes to read but doesn’t know which book to read next?
Have him or her check out titles on the Teens Top Ten List. Each year, the Young Adult Library Services Association sponsors Teen Read Week, an event that reminds teens to “read for the fun of it,” stating, “it’s free, it’s fun and it can be done anywhere.”This year’s 11th annual Teen Read Week was Oct 12-18. Many libraries throughout the country celebrated. Teens across the nation, ages 12-18, were encouraged to vote for their favorite nominated book published in 2007.
All books nominated for the vote were selected by committees of teens throughout the country, making this the ultimate recommended for-teens-by-teens list.Each year, a sub-theme is chosen by teens during the previous Teen Read Week. This year’s theme was “Books With Bite @ Your Library.” This theme was a guide for public and school library celebrations, whether it was books about animals, technology, cooking or, just in time for Halloween, vampires.
The theme is meant to remind teens that reading books can be entertaining in an age where reading sounds dull compared to multimedia. While the Internet, television, movies and video games have a flashier appearance, Teen Read Week is a time when libraries and publishers push books to the forefront, boasting an inexpensive way to escape the everyday hassles, especially if you have a library card.Studies have shown that teens who read for fun tend to have higher proficiency levels at school and are constantly expanding their language and vocabulary skills.
After more than 8,000 teens voted, the top three spots are:
– “Eclipse,” by Stephanie Meyer ó In the third book in “The Twilight Saga,” Seattle is being ravaged by a string of murders that seems to be caused by a vampire looking for revenge, once again placing Bella in harm’s way. Meanwhile, Bella is forced to choose between her love for Edward Cullen and her friendship with Jacob Black, knowing that her decision has the power to awaken a battle between the werewolves and the vampires that will hurt those she loves. Will Edward and Jacob be able to put their differences aside? Will Bella be able to finally decide whether to remain human or become immortal?
– “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” by J.K. Rowling ó The seventh and final novel in the Harry Potter series finds Harry, Hermione and Ron searching for items that will help them destroy Voldemort while uncovering the mystery of the Deathly Hallows.
– “Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” by Jeff Kinney ó Greg Heffley knows he isn’t popular, but he still wants to fit in. Follow along with his journal (not a diary!) as he illustrates and records his observations of life in middle school. This is a very realistic and funny account of life and fun for all ages.
See the complete 2008 Teens Top Ten winner’s at www.ala.org/teenstopten.
Computer classes: South ó Tuesday, 11 a.m. online auction buying.
Children’s Program: Weekly Story Time. Headquarters ó Tuesday, 10 a.m., Toddlers and Moms (18-24 months); 11 a.m., Toddlers and Moms (24-36 months); Wednesday, 11 a.m., Tiny Tots and Moms (infants-18 months); Thursday, 10:30 a.m., Three through Five; 4 p.m., Noodlehead Story Times (4-8 years). South óMonday, 10:30 a.m., Preschool Time (3-5 years); 4 p.m., Noodlehead (4-8 years); Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., Toddlers and Twos (18-35 months); Thursday, 10:30 a.m., Baby Time (babies and toddlers); East ó Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., Preschool (2-5 years); 4 p.m., Noodlehead, (4-8 years); Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., Preschool (2-5 years); Thursday, 11 a.m. Baby Time (6 months-2 years).
Displays: Headquarters ó Jazz and Blues Festival by Eleanor Qadirah; South ó dolls by Rowan Doll Club; East ó art by Colleen Walton.Literacy: Call the Rowan County Literacy Council at 704-216-8266 for more information on teaching or receiving literacy tutoring for English speakers or for those for whom English is a second language.
Web site: For a listing of all library programs at all library locations, www.rowanpubliclibrary.org.