Meeting Minutes: 2/2/10 (4:30 - 5:30pm in the Board Room)

Present: Miko, Audrey, H.B., C.C., J.C., N.C., C.H., W.M., M.M., C.W.

Your Choice Month: Instead of picking one book to read, we all read on our own and shared our favorites from January. Here are our picks:

Alone with the Devil: Famous Cases of a Courtroom Psychiatrist
In Cold Blood
The Sanctuary
This Lullaby
The Dante Valentine series
The Road
Gintama
Memoirs of a Geisha
Hunger Games, Catching Fire

December Action Teen of the Month

Mariah

Mariah has worked over 100 hours at the library, and we can always count on her to show up for her shifts, enthusiastic and ready to work! Here she is, tirelessly painting a window for our 2009 Summer Reading program.

Age:
14

How do you help out at your library?

Shelving, cleaning, and neatening the kid section and teen area, keeping the teen area non-fiction display full, checking out books and moving recently returned books onto the sorting shelves. Plus helping out at events.

How long have you been doing it?

A year and a month.

What has been your best/craziest library experience so far?

It's hard to pick just one because I have had so many good experiences at the library. One of the best times was running a booth at the Harry Potter Party with my sister.

Favorite Book:
Hunger Games, plus several runner ups.

Favorite Band/Artist:
Red Hot Chili Peppers/ Alanis Morissette. I like everything...almost.

Favorite Movie:
A tie between: Being There, October Sky, Big Fish and Dragonheart.

Favorite Food:
More like a favorite meal... Chipotle Porkchops, mashed potatoes with gravy, salad with coarse pepper, and Toblerone (The honey and almond nougat one).

Favorite Quote:
"Look at life through the windshield, not the rear-view mirror."

ATAC -- 11/16/2009

ACTION TEEN ADVISORY COUNCIL
Date: Monday, 11/16/2009
Time: 5:00pm
Members Present: H.B., N.C., B.E., C.G., J.H., J.M., K.M., M.M., P.M., J.P., Miko

TEEN SURVEY

1. How do you find good books?
- From English teachers
- Browsing Sparknotes
- Friends' suggestions
- People magazine's reviews
- Top books in the Borders.com teen section

2. How do you find good movies?
- TV previews

3. What are your favorite websites right now, other than MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube?
- www.onemanga.com
- www.mangafox.com
- tmz.com
- Wikipedia
- Yahoo homepage
- www.postsecret.com
- ask.com
- ArcadeImpact.com
- JustJared.com
- Entertainment Online
- PerezHilton.com

HOMEWORK CENTER
- We still need tutors, especially for math.
- Make sure to keep it professional. Tutors should not have any contact with library customers outside the library.

THE NEXT MEETING
- Will be on Dec. 14th, since the 21st is too close to Christmas.
- M.M.'s Teen Survey will be passed out at the next meeting.

ATAC -- 10/20/2009

ACTION TEEN ADVISORY COUNCIL
Date: Tuesday, 10/20/09
Time: 5:00pm
Members Present: V.A., J.G., L.K., M.M., V.T.

Upcoming Library Events:
- The Teen Library Lock-In is this Friday, 6 - 10pm. There will be pizza, a rock band, henna, and a game of capture the flag. You must have a signed permission slip.
- The librarians need help with the Halloween Party on Saturday, October 31, at 1pm.

ATAC Changes
- The new meeting time will be third Mondays at 5pm.
- Because of budget cuts, our 10-hour milestone prizes have been cut.
- After every 10 hours of service, Action Teens are required to write a paragraph.
- Starting in November, there will be an Action Teen of the Month, announced each month at meeting.

Updates:
- Homework Center launched at the beginning of this month.
- Tutors report that it's going well, although teaching some of the kids requires a lot of patience.
- The library needs a lot of help shelving.

Trend Report:
- The Twilight mania seems to be dying down at long last. There's no specific series that's really popular right now.
- A lot of people are still on MySpace, but Facebook is gaining popularity.
- As far as movies go, everyone's going to watch "The Stepfather" and "Paranormal Activity."

Assignments:
- Tutors should focus on the Homework Center.
- M.M. will be creating a teen survey and will be in charge of the YA Non-fiction Display.

ATAC -- 8/10/2009

ACTION TEEN ADVISORY COUNCIL
Monday, 8/10/09
Present: A.C., M.M., M.R., V.T.

Speaker: Lisa Archibald from STAAND (Students Together Against Alcohol 'n' Drugs)
- STAAND is a group of youth advocates who research issues, collect data, and make presentations before policy-making and community audiences.
- STAAND is offering unpaid high school internships. Intern meetings are usually on Tuesdays at 3:30pm, with special events on weekends.
- Interns will gain public speaking skills and learn about public health policies. You can also get trained as an undercover decoy, working with the police!
- GREAT for college or your resume! Past participants have won awards and scholarships for their work.
- If you're interested, contact Enrique De La Cruz at 619-442-2727 X111. They also have a MySpace: www.myspace.com/staand_casa

Summer Reading Finale: Tuesday, August 11, 2009
- Tomorrow, 2 - 4pm.

Battle of the Bands: Saturday, August 15, 2009
- We need as many people as possible.
- We need service learners there by 3pm. The event will probably go till about 7pm.

After-Hours Teen Lock-In: Friday, October 23, 2009
- Registration begins Oct. 1.
- Permission slips will be required.

The New Teen Area
- Is going very slowly. No updates yet.

New Officer
- V.T. has been self-appointed janitor of ATAC.

Teen Scene -- Battle of the Bands This Saturday!

Teen Battle of the Bands is Saturday, August 15th, starting at 4pm. Here's our awesome line-up:

Chaotic Control
Demophobic
ImPerfect
Negative Zero
Paint
Strange Fruit
Whole-Hearted Commitment

The concert's at the Ronald Reagan Community Center (next-door to the library), and admission is free. Stop on by!

Teen Scene: Henna Tattoos

Natasha, a local artist, taught us about henna today. We each got an awesome henna tattoo!

Natasha tells us to avoid black henna -- it can burn you!

A.P. requests a tattoo of one of her own drawings.

We all show off our tattoos.

B&B with Cindy Pon -- Silver Phoenix

Meeting Minutes: 8/3/09 (1 - 2pm in the Board Room)
Present: Cindy Pon! Miko, G.B., H.B., G.C., N.C., J.G., K.G., O.R., J.L., M.M., S.N., J.S., S.S., W.M.

We were happy to have Cindy Pon join us for our book club meeting! We discussed her fabulous new book, Silver Phoenix, which earned great reviews from both our members and professional critics alike!

Teen Scene: Gourmet Desserts

For our teen craft this week, we made no-cook desserts: chocolate-covered strawberries and truffles!

Desserts by Chef K.G.

Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
- 16 oz. chocolate chips
- 1 tbs. butter
- 1 lb. fresh strawberries
1. Prepare a cookie sheet or large plate by lining it with aluminum.
2. Wash the berries and dry them thoroughly.
3. Put the chocolate chips and butter in a bowl, and microwave until it all melts, mixing every 45 seconds. It should take about 2 minutes.
4. Holding a strawberry by the stem, dip it in chocolate, twirling it in a circular motion to cover most of the berry. Twirl it as you lift it from the bowl to get rid of any excess chocolate.
5. Place the berry on the cookie sheet and repeat with the rest of the berries.
6. Refrigerate for 30 minutes until the chocolate sets. Make sure to eat them that same day.

Truffles
- 6 oz condensed milk
- 6 oz (1.5 sticks) butter, softened
- 1.75 lbs powdered sugar, sifted
- Cocoa powder (optional)
- Wire rack
- Tea towel
1. Put the butter into a bowl and stir in the condensed milk. Slowly add the powdered sugar. Add the cocoa powder if you'd like chocolate fudge.
2. When it is mixed together, turn the fudge onto a pastry board and knead until it's smooth and easy to shape.
3. Cut/roll the fudge into shapes of your choice. Decorate with sprinkles, chocolate chips, or roll in cocoa.

Teen Scene: Duct Tape Wallets and Roses!

For our teen craft today, we made duct tape crafts! Take a look!

Fabulous wallets. Pink, silver, and black by K.G.


Gorgeous rose by G.C.

ATAC Meeting -- 7/13/09

ACTION TEEN ADVISORY COUNCIL
Monday, 7/13/09
Present: A.C., G.C., K.G., M.M., M.M., W.M., M.R., S.S.

Another Rule to Add
We really love that our service learners like working with kids. However, please make sure that you maintain a professional distance when working with children at the library. You should never be in a position where you can be held responsible for a child's safety. Always tell Miko or Kristin if there is a little kid wandering around without a parent or guardian. NEVER hold a baby or a small child who is not family while you are on your shift, even if you have permission from the baby's parents.

Renaming TAG
The Teen Advisory Council has been renamed Action Teen Advisory Council (ATAC). This acronym was suggested by M.M. and M.M.

Officers Elected!
Our ATAC officers have been elected!
President - M.R.
Vice President - A.C.
Secretary - M.M.
Treasurer - W.M.

Harry Potter Party Helpers Needed!
Our Harry Potter Party is Tuesday from 2 - 4! We will start setting up at 1pm and probably clean until 5pm! If you can come and help us, please let Miko know!

B&B -- The Graveyard Book Discussion

Meeting Minutes: 7/6/09 (2 - 3pm in the Board Room)

Present: Miko, H.B., G.B., N.C., C.E., J.G., M.M., W.M.

1. Did you read the book?
- No.
- I got a couple chapters in...
- Yes!
- No.
- I didn't know what the book was...

2. Did you like the book?
- I didn't read it...
- It was too weird.
- It was slow.
- Yes! I loved it!
- Coraline was better.

3. This book won this year's Newbery Medal. Did it deserve it, do you think?
- No. I didn't like it.
- I guess?
- Yes!

4. Do you like Newbery Medal Winners?
- Yes.
- Somewhat. It depends.
- They're boring.
- I liked The Giver.
- The Giver was really good.
- I liked that one about the girl who saves her Jewish friend in World War II...
- Number the Stars?
- Yeah, that one! I loved that book!

5. Do you believe in ghosts?
- Yes. My mom saw one once.
- I have to see proof to believe in something, so no.
- Of course.
- I think so.

5. Are you afraid of graveyards?
- Yes, when I got lost in one.
- No...not when it's daytime.
- No one's afraid of graveyards in daylight. When it's dark, you start thinking about all the dead people in the ground, and how they could reach up and grab you and stuff.
- I love graveyards. I used to have one in my backyard. I could think there.
- I've gone to a lot of funerals.

6. Are you fascinated by true crime stories? Or do they turn your stomach?
- I don't like the murder part -- I like shows about how they figure everything out after. I want to be forensic scientist.
- Yes. It's interesting to see how sick people can get.
- If it's really gory, not so much.
- It makes me feel like L from Death Note. It makes you think.

And two questions we didn't get to:

7. What do you think about the idea of revenge being a "dish best served cold"?

8. Bod's tale is one of many orphan stories. What other orphan stories can you think of? Why do you think orphan stories are so popular?

TAG Meeting -- 6/9/09

TEEN ADVISORY GROUP MINUTES
Tuesday, 6/9/09

Present: M.B., N.C., V.M., W.M., Ma. Mo., Me.Mu., S.S.

Reorganizing TAG
TAG is now a monthly service learner meeting, where we check in on how we're doing and organize activities. In the meantime, we can talk about what programs and materials we want.

Our Mission
- Making the library a cooler place to be.
- Organize programs for the library.
- Inform the librarian of latest trends.
- Decorate the teen area so it's more modern.
- Raise money?

Electing Officers
We will be electing officers at our next meeting (July 13). Please prepare a speech of less than 1 minute if you would like to run for president, vice president, secretary, or treasurer.

Naming Our Tag
We will be renaming TAG at the next meeting. Please think of name options!
Possible Names
- ASIF -- Advisory Council in an Interactive Function
- CATS -- Council of Advisory Teens
- CTA -- Council of Teen Advisors
- TAB -- Teen Advisory Board
- TAC -- Teen Advisory Council
- TAG -- Teen Advisory Group
- TAG -- Teen Advocate Group
- TLC -- Teen Library Council
- YAAB -- Young Adult Advisory Board
- YAAC -- Young Adult Advisory Committee
- YAC -- Youth Advisory Committee
- YAG -- Youth Advisory Group
- YAHO -- Young Adults Helping Out

B&B -- Devilish Discussion

Meeting Minutes: 5/5/09 (4 - 5pm in the Board Room)

Present: Miko, H.B., G.B., J.C., N.C., C.E., J.F., A.G., M.M., M.M., W.M.

1. Did you like the book?

- Yes.

- I didn't finish it.

- It took me a while to get into it, but once I did, I liked it.

2. Lanalee seems so cool at first, but it turns out that she’s evil. Did she fool you?

- OMG, yes.

- What she said.

3. Have you ever thought someone was so nice, only to find out that he/she was a total jerk? How did they fool you? Did they do it on purpose?

- I've never had that happen.

- Me neither.

- When I was 5, I had this friend who told me she'd give me a makeover. She put all this makeup on me, and my mom told me I'd have to go to bed the rest of the day. Yeah, she did it on purpose.

4. Brother Frank tells Jane that being smart is not enough – you have to work to make it count. Do you agree?

- I agree.

- If you think you're smart, you're probably not.

5. There are 4 kinds of people in the world: smart and lazy, smart and hardworking, dumb and lazy, and dumb and hardworking. Which are you?

- I'm smart with certain things.

- I'm dumb and hardworking and sometimes smart and lazy.

- Smart and lazy sometimes...no, I'm really just lazy.

- I should say I'm smart and hardworking to make myself sound good, but I'm dumb and lazy. But surprisingly, I have an A in PE.

- All of the above.

- I'm only smart when it's convenient.

- I used to be dumb about stuff, but now I'm smart and hardworking.

- Smart and lazy. Occasionally hardworking.

- Smart with school stuff. I take pride in what I do, so I work hard.

6. Ally goes out with Elton, her best friend’s ex. Is that wrong, even if they really are in love with one another?

- It IS wrong. They can't be in love with one another.

- It's kind of okay. If Elton and Jane didn't work out, it shouldn't be bad.

- I think it's okay. Who cares?

- I'd be super duper mad. I'd probably choke her out. And maybe push him down the stairs.

- I think it'd be fine -- it depends on the circumsytances.

- Yes, it's wrong. I'd be jealous.

- I would never go out with my best friend's ex. That's just gross.

- I would tell her that she got my sloppy seconds.

7. Ally wanted to be popular so badly, she was willing to sell her soul. How important is being popular to you? What would you be willing to give up for popularity?

- I don't care about being popular. It's just about walking around and saying hi to everyone.

- I kind of agree. As long as you have your own friends, it's alright.

- Everything goes to popular people's heads.

- To be honest, just because you're popular doesn't mean everyone likes you.

- But if they don't show up at a party, no one else will.

- If popular were a person, I'd tell him to kiss my donkey.

- I'd rather have my friends than a million fake friends.

8. Have you had friends get makeovers and stop speaking to you?

- I think as you grow older, you start picking who you want to hang out with more.

- Yeah, in elementary school, I was friends with popular people for a while.

Questions we didn't get to:

9. Jane risks her own soul to save Ally's, even though Ally has betrayed her. Do you have friends you would risk your life and soul to save?

10. This is the exact kind of book that can get Miko in trouble with parents. Who do you think that is?

11.Do you think it's harmful to read about devils and violence?

B&B -- Keturah and Lord Death Discussion

Meeting Minutes: 4/7/09 (4 - 5pm in the Board Room)
Present: Miko, J.F., M.M., V.M., W. M.

1. Did you like the book and the main character?
- I did. I liked the book a TON. It was fantastic.
- Yes and yes.
- I thought the main character was cool.
- It was better than Twilight.

2. What was your favorite part?
- The very end, when Keturah chooses Lord Death.
- Me too -- I didn't expect it.
- When Lord Death is fighting with John Temsland.

3. What was your least favorite part?
- I don't think I had one. It was all very interesting.
- The prologue. I didn't get it. So did it all happen, or was it just a story?
- Oh, I didn't even read the prologue.

4. If you were Keturah, would you choose John Temsland or Lord Death?
- Girls always go for the mysterious, tall, dark types.
- Lord Death, completely, all the way.
- Lord Death. There's something appealing and mysterious about him.
- Lord Death without a second thought.
- John was too much of a goody-goody.

5. Did you have a favorite character? Who?
- Lord Death. He's very charming in that weird way.
- I agree.
- Obvious answer.
- Soor Lily was kind of cool too.

6. Who was your least favorite character?
- Gretta. She's too much of a perfectionist. "I'm not marrying him because he wears orange tights." Who says that?
- Ben Marshall.
- Padmoh.

7. Lord Death tells Keturah to name a person to die in her place. Keturah refuses. Could you be as selfless?
- Maybe...?
- If I didn't like somebody. It's easy to just point at someone you don't know on the street. It was harder for Keturah because she knew everyone in her village.
- I could not be that selfless.
- I don't think someone should die for you if it's your time to die.

8. Are you afraid of dying? If you were Keturah, would you have been afraid?
- Yes. Well, I really don't know.
- Actually, no. My mom and I talk about death.
- My aunt was driving in her car, and it was a perfectly sunny day. Then, out of nowhere, lightning struck a telephone pole and hit her car, and she died. My mom kind of brought me up to believe that if it's your time to go, it's your time to go.
- I would be very afraid. I would break down crying.

9. Keturah is determined to fall in love, even though she has only one day left. If you knew you only had one day to live, what would you do?
- Everything and anything I could.
- I think I would just want to make sure my friends and family knew I loved them. Leave a good impression.
- I would have a normal day.
- Spend a pleasant day with family. Go to the movies, or to the park.
- Ride a roller coaster. At Knott's Berry Farm.
- Do risky stuff, like bungee jumping, paragliding, or skydiving.
- It'd be a good time do something you've never done before.

10. Keturah is famous and popular for being an incredible storyteller. Are you? Or do you have a friend who's a great storyteller? Are they/you popular for this reason?
- Writing stories is easier.
- I can't do that either. I get nervous. Or I blank out. I have a friend like that.
- I have a friend like that. People like that are like instant magnets. And he's really popular. But he's not big-headed about it.
- C.E.'s good at telling stories. When we were little, she would make up a story, and I'd be so scared.
- I blank out in the middle of stories. I ruin jokes.

11. Do you believe in the afterlife?
- I think it's possible.
- I think I'll just have to wait and find out. I need hardcore facts.
- It's kind of a scary thought.

New: Teen Advisory Group

Come and join the El Cajon Library Teen Advisory Group (TAG)!

Teen Advisory Groups gather, eat snacks, get to know each other, and let librarians know...

1. What the teen trends are now.
2. What books, magazines, CDs, and movies you want at the library.
3. What teen programs you'd like to see at El Cajon Library.

Our meetings are on the second Tuesdays of every month at 4:30pm.

MySpace and Facebook!

We now have MySpace and Facebook accounts!

Visit our MySpace here

And our Facebook here

Friend us!

B&B -- Uglies Discussion

Meeting Minutes: 3/3/2009 (4-5pm in the Board Room)
Present: Miko, N.C., G.B., H.B., J.F., M.M., W.M., J.O.

1. Did you like the book? What did you like or not like about it?
- I liked it okay.
- I didn't finish it yet.
- I liked it a lot.

2. Do you plan on finishing the series?
- Yes.
- Sure?
- Yeah...I guess.
- No, I didn't read the first one.

3. Have you ever had a friend abandon you? Or have you ever abandoned a friend?
- I have. She thought I was a nerd and boring. It was awful.
- No, never.

4. Would you get the operation? Why or why not?
- I probably wouldn't, because I don't want to look like everyone else.
- No. I like being weird.
- No. I like being unique and standing out in a crowd.
- No, because no matter how I change, it doesn't affect anyone else.
- I think everyone has their own kind of pretty.

* Unrelated comment from M.M. that made us ooh and aah: "Hey, if you look into the eye on the cover, you can see the outline of the cameraman!"

5. Did you hope that Tally would get the operation at first? When did you change your mind? Or did you?
- I wanted her to get the operation, because I thought it'd be interesting.
- I wanted her to because of Peris. But then Shay came so I changed my mind.
- I think Tally should accept herself for who she is.

6. Have you ever found yourself trusting someone more or paying attention to him/her, just because of his or her looks?
- I don't think so, because I don't judge people just on looks.
- I trust pretty people less sometimes. Because they're EVIL.
- Looks can sometimes make you jump to conclusions about someone.
- The paying attention part -- if it's a boy, yes. If it's a friend, no.
- I look at personality first.
- I'm not really trusting of people, so I need to get to know them first. So I don't judge people for how they look.
- I do judge them at first, but I change my mind when I get to know them.

7. Do you have a “type” of guy/girl that you crush on easily? What physical characteristics do you look for?
- I look at hair and eyes. I like emo hair. Bedhead is cute.
- I like dark hair. I can't stand long hair. I think it's creepy. No blond boys.
- I like dark hair too. Chin-length is good. I'm a bedhead fan.
- I like Emo hair. Yeah, I LOVE that hair.
- I like bald guys. Not balding. But shaved heads.
- Skater hair and pretty eyes -- blue or green. I don't care what color green.
- I like hair that's long but not too long. Almost shoulder length. I wanna whoosh! their hair.
- Nobody too skinny, nobody bald and fat.
- I LOVE facial hair.
- I hate it when guys' legs are really hairy. Ew.

8. What kind of personality traits do you look for in a guy/girl?
- The weird funny ones.
- I really need someone who gets my sense of humor.
- He has to be funny.
- I want my guy to be sure about how he feels. Communication is important.
- idk.
- Someone who's not afraid to show who they are, but can hold back if he needs to.
- He has to be funny, and he has to be a gentleman.
- I'm looking for a perfect balance. Not a yes-man. Not too temperamental. Honesty. Sense of humor. Not too strict. Easy-going and friendly.
- He can't be a sissy.

Questions we didn't get to:
9. Consider the guys/girls you’ve had crushes on, or even the friends you have. If you are totally honest with yourself, how important are looks to you?
10. Have you ever met someone who you thought was gorgeous, but after getting to know them, seems ugly? Or the other way around?
11. Would you give up your ability to think independently in exchange for being happy, beautiful, healthy, and rich?
12. This is a book about a dystopia – humans have tried to create a perfect world and failed. Describe your perfect world. What rules would you have?

B&B -- how i live now Discussion

Meeting Minutes: 2/3/2009 (4-5pm in the Board Room)

Present: Miko, H.B., M.B., C.E., J.F., M.M., V.M., W.M.

1. Did you like the book? What did you like or not like about it?
- It DRAGGED on and on.
- I didn't get past the first page.
- It didn't explode in our faces with action-packed funness like Miko promised!
- The cousin thing is just too weird.
- It's holding my attention, but it's not make my Top 10.
- We don't like Daisy because it's wrong to fall in love with your cousin. And she's older than him, so she was taking advantage of him.

2. On the first page, the narrator talks about her name, and how it doesn't fit her. Does your name fit you? How?
- You grow up to live up to your name.
- I don't like my name -- it was my great-grandmother's, and it's too out there. I want something more generic.

3. If you could have any other name, what would you choose? How does it fit or not fit you?
- Something plain, like Jane.
- Something cool, but not too weird. Like Gemma. Gemma is a good name.
- I've never thought about changing my name before. My sister tells me I could be a Rebecca. (Everyone in the club agrees).

4. Daisy has anorexia. What have you learned about eating disorders in school? Do you see it as a problem among the people you know?
- We take basic nutrition courses, and we learned that it's really bad for you and throwing up all the time wrecks your teeth and stuff.
- I know people, but not a close friend. There's a group of girls at school who never eats. They sit around and share one orange, and say, "I'm sooo full. Do you want to finish this?" after one piece.

5. how i live now is narrated in a stream-of-consciousness style. What does "stream of consciousness" mean? Let's try an exercise where we write down everything we think for one minute.
By M.B. --
       curly, straw, cow
             spots
             freckles, Ian, teeth
Alyssa, Bitchy,
                                 Bianca,
               Elvis, Dancing,
               Feb 13,
                                      Disneyland,
                         Sebastian,
                      hair, Black,
                      spiky, sexy,

6. In this book, World War III erupts. However, the main characters don't take much notice of it until soldiers kick them out their house. Are you conscious of the war we are now in? Or do you forget about it most of the time?
- I watch the news every morning.
- Never, not until now.
- Not really. I forget until it pops into my head at random times. Like when people wear Obama shirts at school. Everyone's crazy about Obama right now.
- It's in the back of my mind all the time, but it's too depressing to think about.

7. Do you remember when 9/11 happened? Where were you and what were you doing?
- Yes. I came downstairs and my mom was in tears, and I asked her what happened. I was in 2nd grade.
- Nope, I don't remember.
- What's 9/11?
- I was staying home for the day, and I had just woken up. My mom said something terrible had happened. I felt bad because I wasn't crying too, so I went into my room and thought about a sad puppy and came back out again.

8. Daisy's cousins have superhuman powers. Isaac can talk to animals. Edmond can read people's thoughts. Piper is full of purity and good. If you had a superhuman skill, what would it be?
- To read the future.
- To read people's minds.
- To talk to animals.
- Telekinesis.
- To be able to deflect bullets with your mind.

9. If you could have any skill, but it could not be superhuman, what would it be?
- Sing.
- Dance.
- To draw better.
- To have a photographic memory.
- To play piano (like Edward).

10. Daisy and Edmond are in love, and they can sense each other's presence from afar. Do you believe in psychic connections or powers? Why or why not?
- Yes. It's all in our subconscious.
- Maybe, if you know someone. But I don't believe in love at first sight. That's too soap opera.

And two questions we didn't get to...
11. Daisy's cousins are homeschooled, and they basically just read whatever they like. Does this kind of education appeal to you, or would you rather have assignments?
12. When was the last time you read something that you really really liked as a school assignment?

February Events Calendar

JUST FOR TEENS
Anime Club
Tuesdays, 6:30 pm

Dungeons & Dragons Club
Thursdays, 5 pm

Teen Advisory Group
Tuesday, February 3, 5 pm

Teen Books & Brownies (Ages 12-18)
Tuesday, February 3, 4 pm (1st Tuesdays)

Video Game Arcade on the 60" screen
Saturday, February 7, 1 pm (1st Saturdays)

FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
Family Movie Night
Thursdays, 5:30 pm

Magic Show
Award-winning magician Michael E. Johnson performs – you will be mystified, surprised and entertained!
Saturday, February 14, 2:30 – 3:15 pm

Fine Free Friday

Hey guys! Don't forget that this next Friday -- January 30 -- is Fine Free Friday. There will be no fines for overdue materials returned or renewed, and replacement cards are free!!

B&B -- Cirque du Freak Discussion

Meeting Minutes: 1/6/2009 (4-5pm in the Board Room)
Present: Miko the Librarian, H.B., W.M., M.M., D.S., R.W.

1. Did you like the book?
- Yes.
- Loved it.

2. What was your favorite part of the book?
- When Darren and Steve are watching the freak show.
- When Darren steals the spider, and the spider bites Steve.
- Where Steve is talking to the vampire, and Darren is spying on them.
- When Darren fakes his death.

3. What was your least favorite part of the book?
- It was all pretty good.

4. Did you like Darren, the protagonist?
- He's alright. He isn't awesome.
- He is the only character we get to know, so we can't hate him. But we want to know the other characters' point of view.
- He's kind of annoying.

5. Who is your favorite character?
- Darren, because he's the only character.
- The vampire, because he's wise and has a scar.
- The spider, because she causes trouble.

6. Did you want to read the second book after finishing this one?
- Yes. We already did.

7. What would you risk your life for?
- Anime (just kidding).
- No object is worth risking my life for, but maybe my family.

8. This book is written at about a 4th grade reading level, but it's considered a teen book. In your opinion, which age group would this book be best for?
- 5th graders. I recommended it to 5th graders, and they loved it. But 6th graders hated it.
- 12 and older, because it's graphic.
- You should at least be 9 to read it.
- You should be 10.
- You should be 11 or 12.

9. This book is going to be a movie, scheduled to come out this year. Who would you cast as the main characters?
- The vampire is myserious and diabolical, so I would cast the Japanese actor who played L in "Deathnote."
- The kid from "Malcolm in the Middle," if he were still young.
- Shia LaBeouf.

10. If you were to leave your life as abruptly as Darren had to, whom or what would you miss most?
- The simple life. Human life is never as complicated as it is in books.
- Family.
- Dad and brother.
- My pet snake.
- Sweets...chocolate, cookies, etc.

11. This is a New York Times bestselling book. What do you think made it so popular?
- Because it was a vampire book.
- The front cover is nice.
- It's easy to read, and it's a page turner.

12. Why are vampire books so appealing, do you think?
- Because vampires are unrealistic and perfect.
- Because everything you read as a kid is sweet and pretty, and eventually, you get sick of it.
- Because they're immortal.

13. Would you rather be a vampire in Twilight, or a vampire in Cirque du Freak?
- Twilight, because they're perfect and immortal. I would choose immortality in a heartbeat.
- Cirque du Freak, because I don't want to live forever.
- I'd like to be a Twilight vampire, but I want to be able to die when I'm ready.

14. Knowing the controversial history of freak shows, would you go if there
- No, because they treat people badly.
- I would go, and then call the police.
- I would go, because it'd be cool to be so different from everyone else.
- I've been to "freak shows" in Tennessee, but people were treated well. It was really cool.
- I would go, but then I would picket it.

B&B -- Speak Discussion

Meeting Minutes: 12/2/2008 (4-5pm in the Board Room)

Present: Miko, N.C., C.E., J.F., M.M., V.M., W.M., R.W.

Announcements

• The next Books and Brownies meeting will be on January 6 at 4pm. We will be discussing Cirque du Freak by Darren Shan. The books
  are at the Children's Reference Desk!
  
• El Cajon Library needs a Teen Advisory Group. For the time being, we will hold our meetings right after our book club, for an extra half hour from 5 - 5:30.
  
• I will be picking the next book we read. Mwahaha.
  
• Please let me know if there are any books, graphic novels, CDs, magazines, or movies you feel the library needs!
  

So, most of us didn't like the book. In fact, counting me, only three people finished it...which is why we ended up not discussing most of the questions below. But hey, this isn't school. Why finish a book you don't like?

Speak Discussion Questions

1. Did you like the book? What did you like or not like?
   
2. Did you like the protagonist, Melinda? Did you identify with her?
   
3. Who was your favorite character?
   
4. Your least favorite character?
   
5. Melinda tries to figure out if she had been raped. How would you define rape?
   
6. If you were Melinda, would you trust Rachel again as a friend?
   
7. Mr. Freeman, the art teacher, succeeds in reaching Melinda, and she considers him a good teacher. Who are your favorite teachers, and why?
   
8. Which of your teachers suck, and why?
   
9. Do you think this is an accurate representation of what school is like for you?
   
10. On page 4, Melinda lists the groups in her school. Are those the groups you see in your school? Which would you say you belong to?
    
11. What books or movies best capture what life is like for you right now?
    
12. Would you have ditched Melinda if you had been her best friend in high school? When have you stopped being friends with someone?