The club will run from Monday, January 24th, through Tuesday, March 15th, 2011.



Participants can earn fun prizes along the way, and everyone will be invited to a party. Although the club is mainly for those in grades 6 - 12, kids in grade 5 may sign-up also if they are interested.


Throughout the winter, teens and "tweens" will be able to visit this blog to see updates about the Teen Winter Reading Club, find out what cool programs are happening just for them, read other teens' "online" reviews of books, music CDs, and movies, play games, complete "special" challenges, and even post their comments and suggestions.



Sign-up began on Monday, January 10th, 2011.

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MAHWAH LIBRARY'S HOME PAGE

Use the following link to get back to the library's home page and also to search the library catalog: http://mahwah.bccls.org/
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THE M.P.L. TEEN FAN BOX

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LIBRARY CALENDAR OF EVENTS

NEW! NEW! NEW!

Now everyone can view all the library's wonderful programs using our special "Events Calendar." For many of the programs, patrons can even register online and receive reminder notices. Just click on the link below, to see what events are coming up on a monthly basis.

By setting the calendar to "List View" you can even limit your searching to the types of programs that are age/grade appropriate, or are of the most interest to you.

Once you find the programs that you're really interested in coming to, then you can register for them and will even receive an e-mail reminder. If programs don't require you to register, then you can use the "Remind Me" function so you're guaranteed not to forget about the event.

If you have any questions or are having trouble trying to register for programs, please feel free to contact Denise J., the Teen Librarian and she will assist you in any way.


http://nj.evanced.info/mahwah/lib/eventcalendar.asp

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TEEN WINTER READING CLUB "YOUTUBE" VIDEO

Hey teens! Here's a little video that I put together to help promote the 2011 Teen Winter Reading Club. I hope you enjoy it, and I hope you sign-up. Thanks, Denise J. Teen Librarian
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OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

"ONLINE REVIEWS" FORM

Participants can submit “online” book and audio book reviews in order to be eligible to win a “special” prize. For each book and audio book review submitted, participants will receive a “mitten” to hang up in the Teen Section. At the end of the club, all of the “mittens” will be entered into a drawing for the “special” prizes.

Teens and “tweens” can also submit reviews of graphic novels or manga, music CDs, and even movies. However, participants do NOT receive “mittens” for these reviews. These reviews will only count towards “points” earned on their “Reading/Activity Log.”

Participants may submit as many “online” reviews as they wish. All reviews will be monitored by the Teen Librarian. Once they are accepted, they’ll be posted on this blog. Just use the link below, and make sure you fill in all of the necessary information about how you would like Denise J., the Teen Librarian to post your reviews to the blog.

THE 2011 "TEEN WINTER READING CLUB" HAS NOW OFFICIALLY ENDED.

THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO SUBMITTED ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIC REVIEWS!!! JUST SCROLL DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS BLOG TO READ THEM. : )

SIGN-UP FOR THIS YEAR'S "TEEN SUMMER READING CLUB" WILL BEGIN ON MONDAY, JUNE 6TH. SEE YOU THIS SUMMER!!!

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
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SPECIAL CHALLENGES TO COMPLETE

* Trade "Silly Bandz" with Denise J. -- (5 Points per Silly Band)



* Suggest a possible future Teen program to Denise J. -- (20 Points per suggestion)



* Suggest a better name for “Sock” the Sock Monkey –
(20 Points per suggestion)



*
Sing a few verses of "Frosty the Snowman" to Denise J. -- (20 Points) Earn an additional 10 Points for each friend you get to sing with you.



* Click on the links in the “Ways Teens Can Make a Difference This Winter” section of this blog. Each fact you write in “Reading/Activity Log” will be worth (25 Points).



* Design or print out and color a "Winter" themed decoration to be hung in the Teen Section. (30 Points per decoration)



* Write or recite an original short poem or Haiku that has a "Winter" related theme. Written submissions will be hung on display in the Teen Section.
(75 Points per poem or Haiku)



* Sign-up to adopt “Sock” the Sock Monkey – (Read Sock’s story on this blog, or ask Denise J., the Teen Librarian for more information).

Sunday, January 23, 2011

THERE AND BACK AGAIN -- THE ADVENTURES OF A SOCK MONKEY

Yay!!!  I'm ready to leave that
"Cracker Barrel" in Kissimmee, Florida
Hi everyone,

On December 4, 2010 I became the luckiest Sock Monkey alive!  I'd introduce myself, but you see I don't have a name quite yet.  So you can call me "Sock" for now.  Maybe that's the first thing you could help me with: finding a great name.

Anyway, this husband and wife came into the restaurant/store where I was living at the time (if you'd really call it living).  Oh, I can't tell you how I longed to be adopted, and just find a good and loving home.  The stress and depression of being in that place day in, and day out was really starting to get to me.

But then it happened!  I saw them walking over to the area where my shelf was.  I didn't want to get my hopes up too high though.  They seemed to be looking for something in particular.  I just figured that they were looking for a Christmas gift for a child, and were probably going to pick out one of those cute, little "Beanie Babies."  But no, wait a minute!  "Do my ears deceive me?"  I asked myself.    I overheard them talking and I thought "are they really looking for a Sock Monkey to adopt?  No, it can't be!  Uh oh!  I have competition from the other monkeys on my shelf.  How do I get their attention?  How do I make them really notice me?"  "Please pick me, PLEASE pick me" I willed as I crossed all of my fingers and toes...or socks I mean.

I don't know if it was by magic, or just my captivating personality that won out in the end.  But that wonderful couple made the best decision of their lives and decided to take me home with them (or at least to the hotel for a few days).  I soon found out that they live here in New Jersey, in a nice white house with two young cats that they'd also recently adopted.  They're both sweet cats, but YIKES I have to watch out for those claws.  It seems that they like me, but not as a friend.  Instead, I believe they think I'm some kind of kitty toy or something.

I had been talking with the Mrs. of the house one day, and was thanking her again for bringing me here to hers and the Mr.'s home.  First she told me to call her "Mom" from now on, and then she explained to me that although they love their home very much, they absolutely love to get out and travel.  She said "now that we have you, we have a cute companion to bring along with us to all of the fascinating places we go to."  "OMG!"  "This cannot be happening!"  I thought.  Not only does my dream of ending up in a loving home come true, but now another one of my dreams will come true as well:  I'm going to SEE THE WORLD!!!

Here I am on the way to the hotel in Walt Disney World. 
Gee Mickey Mouse is swell, but I think Stitch is a lot cooler!
I guess you could say that my life changed forever on that fateful day.  No more lonely, boring existence for me.  It's my goal to travel to many different places during this entire year!  I want to experience as many sights, sounds, and cultures as I possibly can, and then blog about them.  That is, if you'll help me like Mom & Dad did.  You see, even though they love to travel, they explained that they would need some help to make sure that I achieve my goal.  That's when Mom came up with the brilliant idea of asking all of you to "adopt" me too (well, sort of).  She figured that maybe some of you would be willing to take me with you when you travel.  Please, oh pretty please with whipped cream, sugar, sprinkles, hot fudge, caramel sauce, chocolate brownie chunks, nuts (unless you're allergic to them), and even a cherry on top!!!

Denise J. your Teen Librarian, (and my Mom) thought of some names for me, but didn't like any of them.  So first, she and Dad are asking for your help to pick a great name for me.  She said you guys have started a "Teen Winter Reading Club"  and can earn "points" on your "Reading/Activity Logs" for each name you think of.  That'd be really cool because, if I may be honest, the name "Sock" is a little lame.

The next step is to talk to her about signing up to "adopt" or "check me out" of the Mahwah Public Library for a little bit.  She figured that you teens could take me on day trips, mini vacations, or even week long vacations.  But in order to do this, you'll need to fill out a "PERMISSION FORM" and let her know when and where we're going on our trip, and when I'll be coming home.  And, you'll have to PROMISE that you'll take great care of me.


Here's What Mom Would Like You to Do,
Once You've "Adopted" Me Or "Checked Me Out:"

In order to earn up to "450 points" on your "Reading/Activity Logs" she asks that while I'm with you, you take at least one picture of me (you can be in it too) with something special that represents where we are.  Mom would also like us to gather at least "3" facts about the place that we're going to.  If possible, she'd like you to e-mail the pictures and information to her at:  jukniewicz@bccls.org. 

This information does not need to be sent until after our trip is over.  But remember, you won't receive any "points" until she has received everything; including ME!  If you cannot send the information digitally or electronically, then she asks that you hand everything in to her when you return me to her at the Mahwah Public Library.

Oh, one more thing.  She was telling me that this year's "Teen Summer Reading Club" theme is about traveling and world cultures (how fitting!) so if you bring back a small item (stickers, postcards, posters) that represents where you've been, then you'll earn another "150 points" and small prizes.  These items may be used in the "Teen Section," as decorations to help get in the spirit of things this summer.

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DON'T FORGET that you'll be responsible for taking good care of me, and getting me home safely.  My Mom's a tough cookie, and she said that if I get lost or I'm returned late, or with "boo boos" then you might not get all of those "points" on your "Reading/Activity Logs" and might get "points" DEDUCTEDOr even worse....you might not receive gift cards or other prizes that you've earned!!! Oh, no!  We don't want that to happen!

So, if you're interested in having an adventure together then make sure you talk to Mom ASAP.  Otherwise, you might miss out on a fun opportunity.


See you real soon,
"Sock"