Teen Review of Bodega Dreams by Ernesto Quinonez

Bodega Dreams
**** four stars

Everyone in my grade had to read it and it was amazing. This was one of the very few books I actually loved reading, that had anything to do with school. The story is about a guy Chino trying to get ahead in East Harlem the legal way. He is trying to finish school so he can get a good job. However, this comes into conflict with Willie Bodega's agenda. Willie Bodega sells dreams and Chino gets tangled up in Bodega's scheme, while battling with his morals. Chino discovers how much dreams cost and how far he is willing to do to achieve his dreams.

Raffle for AUTOGRAPHED Stephenie Meyer books!

If Edward Cullen is your idea of the perfect guy and you dream of being Bella, the ultimate romantic heroine, then this is the raffle for you! We're raffling an AUTOGRAPHED set of Twilight and New Moon by Stephenie Meyer, two of the best romances written for teens in years!

Email Laura with your name, phone number (that's how you'll be notified), and age, or enter in person at the Reid Branch library. The winner will be chosen on Monday, October 23rd.

Win the books and prepare to be transported to the misty beauty of Forks, Oregon!

WIZARD ROCK!

Have you guys heard about this?! There's a whole new genre of music called Wizard Rock - bands who play songs all about the Harry Potter books! Here are some sample songs:

"Save Ginny Weasley" - Harry and the Potters
"Neville and Luna" and "Remember Cedric" - The Remus Lupins
"My Dad is Rich" - Draco and the Malfoys
"Polyjuice Problems" - The Hermione Crookshanks Experience

Here are the links to these bands' websites:

Harry and the Potters – Website/ Myspace
The Remus Lupins – Website / Myspace
Draco and the Malfoys – Website / Myspace
The Whomping Willows – Myspace
Dobby and the house Elves – Myspace
The Hermione Crookshanks Experience – Myspace

You can also buy CDs from their websites!

Lastly, I don't know if any of you are able or willing to make the trek to Brooklyn, but Harry and the Potters are doing a concert out there Saturday, September 23rd at 7:00 p.m. for all ages. Check out their website for more info.

Listen cautiously - you're going to become addicted to Wizard Rock, just like me!

THANK YOU!

A huge THANK YOU to all of you for making our 2006 Teen Summer Reading Program so successful!!!!

We had 106 readers in this year's program and collectively they read 1, 140 books. WOW!

CONGRATULATIONS! KEEP READING!!!

TEEN THURSDAYS: August 3 & August 10

ONLY TWO MORE TEEN THURSDAYS LEFT UNTIL THE END OF SUMMER!!!

AUGUST 3rd 3:00-4:00 p.m.

PICTURE FRAMES!!!

Come into the library to make the perfect frame for those fantastic summer photos!

AUGUST 10th 3:00-4:00 p.m.

HEMP CREATIONS

The best way to show off that summer tan is to wear some fabulous hemp jewelry! We're making bracelets, anklets, and necklaces while we chat it up and eat lots of snacks! Stop by the library to check it out!

TEEN THURSDAYS: July 20 and July 27

JULY 20

SWAP YOUR STUFF

Do you have magazines, comics, or other books lying around the house that you’ve finished reading? Bring ‘em into the library for a SWAP! Trade your stuff for someone else’s and get all “new” reading material!

*No registration required*

JULY 27

BABYSITTING CLASS

Lots of you are starting to stay home by yourself and/or staying home with siblings. Some of you have even started babysitting for others. Come to the library to learn safety tips and ideas while the 'rents are away! This class will be taught by a member of the Paramus Board of Health who is a registered nurse.

[Note: This class is not affiliated with the Red Cross babysitting course]

*REGISTRATION REQUIRED*

Call the library at 201.444.4911, respond to this post, or visit the library to register

TEEN THURSDAYS July 6 and July 13

Wondering what this "Teen Thursday" thing is all about? Well, it's happening every Thursday from 3-4 p.m. and here's what we're doing this week and next:

JULY 6 - MAKE-YOUR-OWN CARDS

Do you know someone with a birthday coming soon? Or is there someone you want to say "good luck" to? Send them a card to let them know you're thinking about them! Come to the library to learn some card-making techniques and even leave with a few handmade cards. And you never know...there may be a raffle for a prize involved as well!


JULY 13 - DECORATE WITH MAGNETS

Wanna decorate your locker? Looking for a cool gift idea? Need to spice up your parents' fridge? Well, here's your chance! We're making magnets from pictures in magazines and packaging them in tins. Come show off your creativity and munch on a few snacks!



FYI - There is no need to sign-up for these two Teen Thursdays. If you have any questions, post them here or call the library at 201.444.4911.