Celebrate Teen Tech Week with Manga Tech

Do you love reading Manga? Why not write it too? We've got a program to help make it easy. It's called Manga Tech and it's happening March 9 through March 13. Here's how it works. Every day after school this week you'll get a chance to use the Tokyopop Manga Creator Software to create your own manga. No drawing required, we've got plenty of character clip art to help you. Here's the schedule of events for the week:

Monday, 3:30 p.m.: We'll teach you how to use the software.

Tuesday, 4 p.m.: Comic book author Oliver Chin will give you tips for creating a graphic novel

Wednesday and Thursday, 3:30 p.m: Come and use the software to create your manga

Friday, 3:30 p.m.: Share your manga, play videogames, cosplay, have snacks.

It should be a lot of fun. Register at the Main Library Children's desk or call 510-881-7945.

You could make a Manga like this (no drawing required):

This program is made possible with a Teen Tech Week 2009 grant from the Young Adult Library Association in partnership with the Verizon Foundation.

Esperanza Rising

“Esperanza Rising” is a book about a young 13-year-old girl who passes through a lot of suffering, as she has to get used to a new life. Esperanza was a rich girl who lived in a big house with servants. Her dad dies and her evil uncle takes over all of their property. As they are left without nothing they decided to go to the United States. They were used to fancy dresses, a big house, being clean, and not working. As they got to the United States Esperanza’s mom had to work in the fields and they lived in a small room with some other friends. As Esperanza’s mom, was dying she had to start working in the fields to pay for the doctor. JG, 15

New Moon

New Moon is a new great book written by Stephanie Myer. New moon has new characters and new drama. In the story we learn a lot more about Jacob and his family secret. New moon is mostly about werewolves and why they hate vampires so much. Edward sadly isn’t in the story as much as he was in the last book. When he leaves Bella feels empty on the inside and wants to feel her empty whole by going to Jacob and doing reckless things. While hanging with Jacob she learns his secret and why werewolves even exist. She also finds out that she is being hunted down by Victoria to get even with Edward. Jacob promises to her that she wouldn’t get hurt with all their planning she forgets about her vampire friends until one day Alice comes back to town. Read New moon to find out what happens to Bella does she die or lives? And what ever happen to Edward? Find this all out in the second book New Moon. Krystal, 15

Will You Be Mine?

As you may know, Valentines day is upon us. Whether you have a love or not, why not use this time to be creative. On Wednesday, Feb 11, we'll be making Valentines cards and heart pillows at the library. We'll have all the supplies, and if you don't know how to sew, don't worry, we'll teach you. The love in starts at 1:30 p.m.


If you're more tech inclined, click here to find out about Tokyopop's Contest to create a Valentine using some of their art. Win Manga and other cool stuff.

News Just for You

Did you know that President Barack Obama is a left handed, that yellow is the new fashion color for 2009 or that in Nigeria a goat was arrested for armed robbery? These and many other interesting factoids can be found on a new website called TweenTribune.

This is news just for you. That is, if you're a tween. What's a tween you say? It usually covers someone in the 5th through 8th grades.

Click here to check out Tween Tribune

Let us know what you think; leave a comment.

Book Review: Forgetting Something?

Don't you just hate it when you forget what you were just about to say, or do? Try imagining yourself losing every memory you had in the last four years. Not remembering any of your friends, or anything you used to do or like. That's exactly what Naomi Porter, from Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin had to go through when she tripped down the steps of her school. She woke up in the hospital not remembering anything; not her best friend, her sister, or even her boyfriend! And in her journey to remember her past, she also meets a new, mysterious guy, James. If you're looking for a book with lots of humor, yet filled with lots of emotion, then you really ought to read this book.

-Josh, 15

Are You Ready to Enter the House of Night?

Who said you can never get enough of vampires? Basically every teenager across the country. Vampire novels are sweeping the nation. You may have heard of the popular book series Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, or Blue Bloods by Melissa De La Cruz. If you've enjoyed those, then you are guaranteed the thrill of your life with The House of Night Series by P.C. and Kristin Cast. The first novel to the series, Marked, starts out with your not-so-average teenage girl, Zoey Redbird. Zoey's life is chaotic when she has an ex-boyfriend to avoid, an on and off best friend, a new step-dad, and a mother that barely pays attention to her. As if her life wasn't crazy enough, she becomes marked by a vampyre from the House of Night. Leaving everything behind, she sets off to stay with her grandmother before taking off and start her training as an adult vampyre. Along the journey, she meets new friends; Stevie Rae, the ultimate Kenny Chesney fan, Erin & Shanee, the "twins" thought to be separated at birth, Damien, gay but loyal, and Erik Night, her knight in shining armor. The following novels; Betrayed, Chosen, and Untamed, takes you through Zoey's journey from being an uncomprehensible teen, to a vampyre priestess trainee with powers that turns the House of Night upside down. P.C. and Kristin Cast's House of Night Series makes a big distinction between what a vampire was known to be, and how vampires are seen in the 21st century. Be sure to look out for the 5th addition to the series, Hunted, coming out in March, 2009!

- Stacey, 13