On October 16, the Bossier Central Library had a lock-in at the library! One of the activities that night was a Fear Factor Food Challenge!
Watch the video below to see pictures from the Challenge:
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Write a Letter to an Author - Win Cash Prizes!
Have you ever read a book that really spoke to you?
Ever thought about writing a letter to an author to tell them how their book impacted you?
In the Letters About Literature Competition, students are asked to do just that for the chance to win cash prizes!
Students in grades 4-12 may write a personal letter to an author, living or dead, from any genre (fiction, nonfiction, poetry, etc.) explaining how that author’s work changed the student’s way of thinking about the world or themselves. The entry should be written as a personal letter – not a book report or a fan letter. It should express how the book has impacted the student’s life or worldview.
Entries should be sent to the national competition, where the top 30-50 letters in each level will be selected. These top letters will be sent back to the Louisiana State Library so that first, second, and third place winners can be chosen for the state. State winners will be announced in March – first place in each level will receive a $50 Target gift card and $100; second place will receive $75, and third place will receive $50.
In mid-April, the national winners will be chosen from the first place winners in each state. Six national winners will be chosen to receive a $500 Target gift card, and will be able to nominate a school or library to receive a grant. Twelve national honor winners will receive a $100 Target gift card.
To get an entry form or more information about the competition, contact Tonya Oswalt at the Bossier Central Library (318) 746-1693.
Ever thought about writing a letter to an author to tell them how their book impacted you?
In the Letters About Literature Competition, students are asked to do just that for the chance to win cash prizes!
Students in grades 4-12 may write a personal letter to an author, living or dead, from any genre (fiction, nonfiction, poetry, etc.) explaining how that author’s work changed the student’s way of thinking about the world or themselves. The entry should be written as a personal letter – not a book report or a fan letter. It should express how the book has impacted the student’s life or worldview.
Entries should be sent to the national competition, where the top 30-50 letters in each level will be selected. These top letters will be sent back to the Louisiana State Library so that first, second, and third place winners can be chosen for the state. State winners will be announced in March – first place in each level will receive a $50 Target gift card and $100; second place will receive $75, and third place will receive $50.
In mid-April, the national winners will be chosen from the first place winners in each state. Six national winners will be chosen to receive a $500 Target gift card, and will be able to nominate a school or library to receive a grant. Twelve national honor winners will receive a $100 Target gift card.
To get an entry form or more information about the competition, contact Tonya Oswalt at the Bossier Central Library (318) 746-1693.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
The Lost Symbol - Book Review by Sarah
The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
If you're not a fan of Dan Brown, you should be. Fan's of Brown's The DaVinci Code and Angels & Demons will not be disappointed. The novel follows the main character, Robert Langdon (a Harvard symbologist), on his quest to unearth the secrets of the Free Masons. Langdon is essentially kidnapped and manipulated into working for the villain when Langdon's friend, Peter Solomon, pays a gruesome visit. In order to save Peter's life, Langdon must discover the Masonic secrets that will lead to godly power, power which the villain hopes to obtain. With the help of Katherine Solomon, Langdon unearths Masonic mysteries, a field of science known as noetics, and ancient symbols hidden in Washington, D.C.; however, Langdon faces a dangerous fiend. Can Langdon make it out alive?
Book Review by Sarah P.
If you're not a fan of Dan Brown, you should be. Fan's of Brown's The DaVinci Code and Angels & Demons will not be disappointed. The novel follows the main character, Robert Langdon (a Harvard symbologist), on his quest to unearth the secrets of the Free Masons. Langdon is essentially kidnapped and manipulated into working for the villain when Langdon's friend, Peter Solomon, pays a gruesome visit. In order to save Peter's life, Langdon must discover the Masonic secrets that will lead to godly power, power which the villain hopes to obtain. With the help of Katherine Solomon, Langdon unearths Masonic mysteries, a field of science known as noetics, and ancient symbols hidden in Washington, D.C.; however, Langdon faces a dangerous fiend. Can Langdon make it out alive?
Book Review by Sarah P.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Wrestlemania Reading Challnege!
Join the Wrestlemania Reading Challenge!The Wrestlemania Reading Challenge kicks off with Teen Read week on October 19th and continues through January 19th, 2010. Students in grades 5 thru 12 can participate by picking up a reading log at their public library and reading 10 books by January 19th (recording each book on the log). Once participants have finished their reading log, they can turn it in to the library to receive a WWE poster (supplies are limited!).
In addition, all partcipants who complete their reading logs are eligible to enter a bookmart contest. Participants can create a bookmark that encourages reading for a chance to win a trip to see Wrestlemania!
There will be one local winner in each of the three categories of the bookmark contest (grades 5-6, 7-8, 9-12). The winning bookmarks at the local level will be sent on to the regional contest where the winners of the trips to Wrestlmania will be determined.
For additional details, contact Tonya Oswalt at the Bossier Central Library.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Teen Read Week - October 18-24
The Bossier Parish Library kicked off Teen Read Week with a bang! Thirty-two teens from around the parish attended a lock-in at the Bossier Central library on Friday, October 16th. Teens solved a mystery, competed in a Fear Factor Food Challenge, and played various video and board games. This was the library's third lock-in! Look for more lock-ins in the future!
This year's theme for Teen Read Week is "Read Beyond Reality". The library is sponsoring two events for the week. The first is an essay contest - read a book that fits the "beyond Reality" theme and write a short essay (even just a paragraph!) that explains why you think the reality in the book is better or worse than our reality. One winner will be chosen out of the entries to receive a $25 gift certificate to Books a Million! Essays are due by 6 PM on Friday, October 23rd.
The second event is "Read Away Your Fines!" Teens ages 13-18 can come into the library Monday, October 19th, through Friday, October 23rd, between 3-5 PM - check in with Tonya Oswalt at the reference desk, and then go to the back of the library to read. For every 15 minutes you spend reading, you'll earn 25 cents in credits that you can use to pay off overdue fines.
Also, keep a look out for information about the Wrestlemania Reading Challenge!
This year's theme for Teen Read Week is "Read Beyond Reality". The library is sponsoring two events for the week. The first is an essay contest - read a book that fits the "beyond Reality" theme and write a short essay (even just a paragraph!) that explains why you think the reality in the book is better or worse than our reality. One winner will be chosen out of the entries to receive a $25 gift certificate to Books a Million! Essays are due by 6 PM on Friday, October 23rd.
The second event is "Read Away Your Fines!" Teens ages 13-18 can come into the library Monday, October 19th, through Friday, October 23rd, between 3-5 PM - check in with Tonya Oswalt at the reference desk, and then go to the back of the library to read. For every 15 minutes you spend reading, you'll earn 25 cents in credits that you can use to pay off overdue fines.
Also, keep a look out for information about the Wrestlemania Reading Challenge!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Grendel by John Gardner - Book Review by Joshua C.
Grendel by John Gardner
One of the most famous monsters of the Beowulf tales is a monster called Grendel, a beast who terrorized the Kingdom of Hrothgar.
John Gardner, in an often humorous way, shows the story from Grendel's point of view. The Author gives in insightful view to the characteristics of the monster, gives an explanation to the monster's actions and thoughts, and also gives a view of the way things were during the dark times of that setting. The entire story is well thought out and is a good book for those who have read the Beowulf stories.
Grendel is somewhat an inelegant monster. However, he feels burdened by the fact that he is a monster, being that his mother is the only one that excepts him; despite the fact she can never communicate with him. Feeling trapped in the cave he calls home, he goes out and tries to make sense of the realities of the real world and his existence.
During an event in which he is almost killed by an ox, he discovers humans. Grendel observes the humans from a distance, being that he didn't have much else to do. Through a person called a Shaper, Grendel learns that the humans see him as a creature of evil while the humans see themselves as the "good side". This makes Grendel hate the humans, which soon he starts attacking the them. At one point Grendel meets a Dragon, who tries to discuss with Grendel about the "truths" and such about who Grendel is. The Dragon encourages Grendel and puts a enchantment on him that makes is to where he can't be slain by human weapons. Grendel continues to attack the humans in a psychotic manner. At one point, a couple of mysterious strangers appear at the kingdom that Grendel had been attacking for so long. When Grendel attacks that night, he finds out he is outmatched despite the enchantment the Dragon and loses. Slowly dying, Grendel runs off. Watched by the animals Grendel looked down apon, Grendel ends his life at a plunging death.
Book Review by Joshua C.
One of the most famous monsters of the Beowulf tales is a monster called Grendel, a beast who terrorized the Kingdom of Hrothgar.
John Gardner, in an often humorous way, shows the story from Grendel's point of view. The Author gives in insightful view to the characteristics of the monster, gives an explanation to the monster's actions and thoughts, and also gives a view of the way things were during the dark times of that setting. The entire story is well thought out and is a good book for those who have read the Beowulf stories.
Grendel is somewhat an inelegant monster. However, he feels burdened by the fact that he is a monster, being that his mother is the only one that excepts him; despite the fact she can never communicate with him. Feeling trapped in the cave he calls home, he goes out and tries to make sense of the realities of the real world and his existence.
During an event in which he is almost killed by an ox, he discovers humans. Grendel observes the humans from a distance, being that he didn't have much else to do. Through a person called a Shaper, Grendel learns that the humans see him as a creature of evil while the humans see themselves as the "good side". This makes Grendel hate the humans, which soon he starts attacking the them. At one point Grendel meets a Dragon, who tries to discuss with Grendel about the "truths" and such about who Grendel is. The Dragon encourages Grendel and puts a enchantment on him that makes is to where he can't be slain by human weapons. Grendel continues to attack the humans in a psychotic manner. At one point, a couple of mysterious strangers appear at the kingdom that Grendel had been attacking for so long. When Grendel attacks that night, he finds out he is outmatched despite the enchantment the Dragon and loses. Slowly dying, Grendel runs off. Watched by the animals Grendel looked down apon, Grendel ends his life at a plunging death.
Book Review by Joshua C.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
A Farewell to Arms - Book Review by Sarah P.
A Farewell To Arms by Ernest Hemingway
Overall, Hemingway’s novel was spectacular. In this novel, at least in my opinion, Hemingway appeals to both genders. His uninhibited account of WWI combined with the love story of Catherine and Lieutenant Henry has universal appeal. Hemingway’s prose, however, may take readers a while to get used to. Hemingway’s experience in journalism is truly evident in his short, declarative narration. His prose lacks any poetic element, but rather is straightforward and blunt. The conclusion of A Farewell to Arms also leaves something to be desired. Characteristic with the rest of the novel, the conclusion is short and abrupt, leaving the reader grasping for something more. I can’t give away the ending, but some may accredit the seemingly unfeeling ending to Hemingway’s misogynist attitude. Despite having its drawbacks, I would recommend this book to anyone. Not only is it a rewarding read, but also a classic in American literature.
Book Review by Sarah P.
Overall, Hemingway’s novel was spectacular. In this novel, at least in my opinion, Hemingway appeals to both genders. His uninhibited account of WWI combined with the love story of Catherine and Lieutenant Henry has universal appeal. Hemingway’s prose, however, may take readers a while to get used to. Hemingway’s experience in journalism is truly evident in his short, declarative narration. His prose lacks any poetic element, but rather is straightforward and blunt. The conclusion of A Farewell to Arms also leaves something to be desired. Characteristic with the rest of the novel, the conclusion is short and abrupt, leaving the reader grasping for something more. I can’t give away the ending, but some may accredit the seemingly unfeeling ending to Hemingway’s misogynist attitude. Despite having its drawbacks, I would recommend this book to anyone. Not only is it a rewarding read, but also a classic in American literature.
Book Review by Sarah P.
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