Teens Blog
Summer will be here before you know it! The last day of school for Kalamazoo Public Schools is June 15th, and that's also the first day of Summer Reading Games here at KPL. This year's game is easier than ever, so stop in at the Teen desk or any branch library, pick up a game board, and then start reading! The more you read, the more prizes you'll earn. Don't forget to come down to the library for Summer programming, too- we've got all sorts of activities to keep you entertained. Here's just a few program highlights for teens:
There's literally tons more stuff to do this summer, so be sure to check our calendar regularly to make sure you don't miss out. Even better, certain programs are special prize drawing programs where you can nab all sorts of cool stuff- but you've got to show up to win! Signup begins June 15th... don't miss out!
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Teen Summer Reading
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Hey, J-Pop fans! We need more ideas about what kinds of things you like to read and watch. Take a few minutes with this short survey and let us know what you want to see at the library!
UPDATED: Based on the number of votes, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood narrowly beat Akira for the next J-Pop viewing! But fear not- we have tons of anime to watch so we'll definitely get to your favorites.
UPDATE: Space is totally full for the hands-on portion of the program on both days! We'll still have some room for people to watch the artists work, so if you're interested come on down!
Attention all manga and anime fans! Ever wondered how to draw your own manga like the pros? Come to Central on Friday, March 11th at 3:30 PM, or the Kalamazoo Institute of Art on Saturday, March 12 at 1 PM to see a hands-on demonstration with award-winning Japanese manga artists Kohei Nishino and Tsugumi Nishino!
The duo, who create work under the collective name Konohana Sakuya, have been making manga and anime together for many years and have collaborated on some of the most popular titles in Japan. Since August 2004, they've had their latest work, "The Lights", serialized in the monthly version of Shonen Jump Magazine. Learn how to do brush and ink illustration at Central, and screentone shading at the KIA.
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Hands-On Manga Workshop
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http://www.kpl.gov/5-12/hands-manga.aspxHave you been to the library lately? If not, summer is a good time to reacquaint yourself with all the activities available to teens…all for F R E E.
First, there’s the summer reading game, designed to keep kids reading during the summer months by enticing them with prizes and opportunities to win raffle drawings for big ticket items like a digital camera or an iPod Touch. If you haven’t signed up yet, come to any branch and let us know you want to play along. It’s painless, it doesn’t require a library card, and all you have to do is keep track of how many pages you read throughout the summer. We even provide you with a gameboard.
Second, there are all kinds of special programs planned for teens this summer. Whether you like crafts, movies, or gaming, there’s bound to be something you’ll enjoy. There’s even a Japanese Swordplay demonstration. Check our calendar for all the options. Some require advance registration…others you can just show up if the spirit moves you. We’d love to see you!
Lastly, there are three recurring groups that meet on a monthly basis throughout the year: Teen Advisory Board (T. A. B), Galley Review Group, and J-Pop Club. Each of these groups always welcomes new members, so bring a friend and come join us!
Summer at the library – it’s not just for little kids any more.
Fellow graphic novel fans, let us all rejoice in the latest news of Scott Pilgrim! What's that? You don't know about Scott Pilgrim? Why, it's only the single most awesome graphic novel series of the past whatever years! At once hilarious and touching, the award-winning Scott Pilgrim series combines comedy, romance, science fiction, martial arts, manga, video games, skateboarding and rock music into a graphic novel so amazing, mere description simply does not do it justice- but I'll do my best:
Scott Pilgrim (20-something slacker and bass player for the band Sex Bob-omb) is unemployed and living in Toronto when he quite literally meets the girl of his dreams. Scott's been dreaming about rollerblade-wearing Amazon delivery girl Ramona Flowers ever since she started using his head as a trans-dimensional gateway to make her deliveries on time, and when they finally meet at a party it seems everything's looking up for ol' Scott. But not so fast! Ramona has seven evil ex-boyfriends and they're all coming to kill Scott, so in order to keep himself and his relationship with Ramona he'll have to defeat all of them in hand-to-hand combat. In short, just your average Canadian-slacker-bass-playing-boy-meets-rollerblading-girl-of-his-dreams-and-must-then-defeat-her-seven-evil-ex-boyfriends-who-are-coming-to-kill-him kind of story.
Two days ago, series creator Brian Lee O'Malley released the completely astounding cover art to the long-awaited sixth (and final) volume in the series, Scott Pilgrim's Finest Hour! I've posted a small version of the cover here, but you can download a bigger version for your computer or phone at Brian's official site. Now, as if that wasn't enough, some marketing genius saw fit to post the trailer to the upcoming film adaptation Scott Pilgrim vs. The World this morning! The movie, directed by Edgar Wright(who also directed Shawn of the Dead and Hot Fuzz so you know it'll be great), will be released here in the US on August 13. If you've read the series, you'll recognize just how awesomely awesome this trailer is. Check it out!
Updated: Due to the library closing on Thursday because of hazardous weather conditions, Mark's visit had to be canceled and will be rescheduled for the spring. Please check back on this page for further information!
Calling all comics fans: Teen Services invites you to join us as we welcome back author and illustrator Mark Crilley! Mark will be talking about all of his books for tweens and teens, including the acclaimed Akikographic novels for tweens and the manga series Miki Falls for teens, which was recently chosen by Brad Pitt's film company to be made into a major feature film. The Comics Buyers Guide also called Miki Falls "a brilliant new series by one of comicdom's best storytellers." The series was awarded a spot on the Young Adult Library Services Association’s Great Graphic Novels for Teens list in 2007, and Akiko has been nominated for the Will Eisner Award over a dozen times since 1995! Come listen to Mark as he tells behind-the-scenes stories from his experiences as a writer and illustrator, provides tips for aspiring writers and artists in the audience, and shares information about writing and storytelling.
For more information about Mark and a look at his work, check out his website or his page at DeviantArt.
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Mark Crilley
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http://www.kpl.gov/teens/events/mark-crilley.aspxHere in the Teen Services department, we are constantly striving to provide the kinds of programs that Kalamazoo's teenagers want. We know that gaming, crafts, and Japanese pop culture are popular. And Galley Group attracts new enthusiastic teen readers almost every month. Besides those, however, are there other programs we could offer that would bring you and your friends to the library? If so, we want to hear from you! Among the ideas that we have recently scheduled that either had to be cancelled due to lack of registrants or had few, if any, attendees include reader's theatre and workshops in the library's computer lab.
If you are a teenager and you have some good ideas about how the library can better serve its teen patrons, please leave your comments below. Better yet, consider joining the Teen Advisory Board (T.A.B.), which meets once a month. The next meeting is Wednesday, December 2, from 3:30 to 5 in the Van Deusen Room. We look forward to your feedback!
Anime, manga, and graphic novels continue to be crazy-popular, and this popularity has led tons of people to learn to draw in these styles. Of course, every artist has their downfall, and for many people, this means hands. Let's face it, hands are just hard to draw! Check out this video of Mark Crilley giving pointers.
We found this video on Drawn: The Illustrating and Cartooning Blog, which is a great resource for anyone who likes to draw.