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.

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!

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.