PML YA Yakkers!

Patchogue Medford Library Young Adult Department

Saturday, July 29, 2006

Welcome to Summer Reading Club Week 6

First, just to clear something up: we WILL accept book reports on August 12. Saturday August 12 will be the last day of the Summer Reading Club.

This week's Young Adult programs at the library are:
Summer Smoothies - Monday, July 31, 3:00 - 4:15 pm
Want something cool? Make some smoothies to sample and get some recipes to make them at home.

Crocheting 101 - Tuesday, August 1, 7-8:30 pm
Learn crochet basics and begin making a scarf. Bring a J or K crochet hook and a skein of your favorite yarn.

Drop-In Crafts - Wednesday, July 2, 10:30 - 12:00
Nothing to do this morning? Come on in and do some crafts with us!

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants: The Suffolk Tour - Wednesday, August 2, 12:00 - 1:30
This week we are making a denim pin, to match the jeans, totes and wallets we have done over the last month.

Hip Hop Dance - Thursday, August 3, 1:00 - 2:00
Love to dance? Bring some friends to this hip hop workshop.

Teen Advisory Council of the Teen Friends - Friday, August 4, 4:30 - 5:30
Help plan library events and activities! Meet new friends!

Treasure Booksack - Saturday, August 5, 2:00 - 5:00 pm
Come create a knapsack for your treasures. An $8.00 materials fee (cash or check) is due upon registration.

Need a way to pay for our trips and programs, or even for library fines? Ask us how you can earn LIBRARY DOLLARS!

Friday, July 28, 2006

Chapter 9: Life as a Book

Book Survivor Adventure Log

Voted off: The Fellowship of the Ring, Redwall and Skeleton Key


As my skin began to take a pappery feel to it, I reached into my pocket and pulled out a book of matches. The Wordling glanced at me and began to scream. I struck a match and walked toward him, caused him to scream even louder. Then I threw the match in his direction and he began to catch fire.

The Wordling burned and screamed various lines of famous text. " I am Sam....Sam I am.." he howled. HIs mouth grew larger. "Water, Water everywhere, but not a drop to drink," he shrieked. His legs began to kick. "Call me Ishmael," he chortled. The Wordling continued to yell until he disappered into nothing. I felt myself become more flesh like. This was what I had hoped! Lucy!

I turned around and saw that Lucy was lying on the floor in a pile of shredded paper. She put her hand to her head. "Oh!" she said. "What happened?"
I shook my head. "Where am I? And why do I feel like I just finished a very long, gruesome book.." I sat down and told her of my adventures. Upon hearing what happened to Max, she began to cry.

I patted her on the shoulder. "My dear," I started. "Do not despair...there is a ring..a magical ring that can alter reality. I can use it to restore Max and ourselves to before this retched journey even began..."

"Ring?" Lucy asked. "Where is this ring?" I shrugged and told her what I knew. "The Bubbling Volcano?" she inquired. "I haven't a clue! But...I do know of a strange area that has been sticking out in my mind. I don't remember where i am, yet.I seem to recall a Redwall near the entrance of this town..perhaps that is what you are looking for?"

I nodded and asked her to take me there. We ran downstairs and through the town square. It seemed like the entire town was empty. Had I destroyed all life by destroying the Wordling? However, a small Mongoblin stood crying in front of a bright Redwall. Lucy walked over to him cautiously. "What is wrong?" she asked him.

The Mongoblin sniffled. "The Wordling has been erased" he squealed. "How will I ever get new reading material on my body?" Lucy and I glanced at each other.

Lucy knelt down next to him. "We have things in our world called bookstores or libraries. In bookstores, you can purchase books..and in libraries you can borrow them for free." The Mongoblin's eyes lit up.

"You mean," he sniffled. "I can borrow books and actually hold them in my hand?" We both nodded. He jumped up and cheered. "Can you take me there?"

Lucy glanced at me. "Yes...but can you help us? We're trying to find the Bubbling Volcano!" The Mongoblin glanced at Lucy with fear.

"Why would you want to go there," he asked. Lucy smiled.

"We are trying to locate a ring to alter reality."

"Oh, you mean like Frodo and Sam?" asked the Mongoblin. Lucy nodded.

The Mongoblin grinned. "Cool! A Fellowship of the Ring! I like that! My name is Tootie!" he said. Lucy smiled and shook his hand and I did the same.

I examined the Redwall and saw that there was a strange marking on the wall. "What is this?" I asked.

Tootie smiled. "That is the door to the volcano..but it is sealed by a terrible force........" Lucy frowned.

"How do we open it?" Lucy asked. The Mongoblin froze.

"You need the Skeleton Key," said Tootie. "It is located in the heart of the Spookwood Forest in the Bone King's tomb." He shivered. "I would not recommend it."

Lucy and I glanced at each other. We had no choice. "Will you take us there?" I asked. Tootie frowned. "Please."

Tootie smiled. "Okay, but I warned you, this place is CREEPY!" Lucy, Tootie and myself walked away from the Redwall and toward a foreboding mist. IN the far distance, I saw nothing but blackness. I heard the sound of low moans and howls. Where were we headed? What was this forest like? And would I ever find this ring?

To be continued..

Monday, July 24, 2006

It's Week 5 of the Summer Reading Club!

Here we are in Week 5 of the Summer Reading Club already! If you haven't joined yet, it's not too late, even though only 3 weeks are left. Join, read and report on at least one book, and get your invitation to our exclusive end of summer DJ party. This party is open to Summer Reading Club Members only. Don't forget that you will also receive a prize for signing up, and a weekly prize every week that you report on a book. You also get a raffle ticket for each book you report on, giving you the chance to win a gift certificate to Borders, Target, a local restaurant, Bob's Stores, or more!

Meanwhile, here are the activities we have planned this week:

Monday, July 24, 12:30 - 1:30 So You Want to Become a Vegetarian
Come create a whole wheat pasta dish with "neat balls" and fresh tomato sauce. Develop your meal planning and cooking skills. We will discuss how to make healthy food choices, and important foods you may want to include in your diet.

Wednesday, July 26, 12:00 - 1:30 Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants - the Suffolk Tour
You can still join us for the denim-inspired craft program. This week, we will be making denim wallets.

Wednesday, July 26, 1:30 - 3:30 All Tied Up - Knots and Nets
Did you know a knot can save a life? Learn how to tie basic knots for boating and other uses, plus make nets for a variety of practical and ornamental uses.

Friday, July 28, 3:00 - 4:30 The Insider's Guide to PML
Find out some of the things you probably never knew about your library and take a behind the scenes tour with Jeri and Brian! Space is limited.

Friday, July 28, 5:30 - 7:30 Yu-Gi-Oh Trade and Play
Join your friends for some laid back duels, card trading and snacks.

Friday, July 21, 2006

Chapter 8: The Mongoblin City of Durwood

Book Survivor Adventure Log

Voted off: Airborn

I followed the road for what seemed to be miles and miles. I came to a red spot on the ground. Was this blood? I stepped my foot gently on the innards of the circle and instantly, I was Airborn!

I flew over a giant brick wall and landed flat smack on my bottom. Around me were mountains that appeared to be made of books. A creature that had "Literarily Sound" written on its face came over and kicked me in the shin.

"Whose woods these are, I think I know.." said the creature. Why! That was a Robert Frost poem! It seemed that I had entered..Mongobling Territory! "Welcome good stranger," said the creature, "to the Mongoblin Capital of Durwood." I smiled. "I am your host, Renoir Dubois Sasquatch, but you can call me Randy."

Randy stood up and blew on his hand, making some dead paper fall off it. He picked it up off my nose and handed it to me. "This is a map of our city," he said. "If you could be so bold and follow me......." He stood up and began turning toward a giant clock tower.

I looked at it and saw each hand was made up of thousands of books. What a glorious clock. "What time is it,"I asked.

Randy giggled. "What time is it you ask, you stupid fool!" Randy began to laugh. "It is time to read!" Randy sat down and began to examine his arm, which had printed words on it. I looked around. If I wanted to fit in with the natives and discover where Lucy was, I should try to blend in. I sat down and began to read the sidewalk, which was peppered with pages from "The Sisterhood of Traveling Pants." I sat down and began to read about the adventures of a pair of pantaloons when a howl broke out among the street. A weirdly shaped creature began to run through the streets, scowling and throwing letters around.

"What is that?" I shouted.

"Oh!" screamed Randy. "That is a wordling!" He paused. "A wordling gives us new writing, and tries to convert outsiders to our race." The wordling stopped and looked at me.

"What if I don't want to become a mongoblin?" I asked.

Randy shrugged. "Run?"

I stood up and began to run through the streets. The wordling chased me and yelled various lines of poetry at me. I ducked into a shop. A woman who was wearing a wordy bonnet stood behind the counter.

"What do you sell here?" I asked.

She smiled and pointed to a bottle of ink. "Temporary bookmark tattoos for when you need a break from reading yourself." I nodded as if I understood. "But I havev a rare find, an extremely rare edition of a book! Do you want to see?" I nodded. What the heck? I had nothing to lose. I followed the woman up the stairs to a pedistal where a book was placed. I couldn't read the cover.

"Ya know, sweetie," said the woman. "I'm very good friends with the wordling, and he brings me any ....special finds." The woman began to laugh and laugh and her eyes fell out of her head and landed on the floor. At once, I realized, that this was the wordling. Sitting on the pedistal was a copy of Sleeping Beauty. Or at least that is what it appeared to be. But on closer examination, I saw that instead of Aurora, the princess of the main title, it was ...Lucy? Yes, sure enough, Lucy's image was on the cover. I squinted and saw that if I looked closely enough, she appeared to be..breathing?

"Oh yes," said the Wordling. "Your friend is alive and preserved inside this book. She was quite the catch. And I think you'll be even better..so if you could come closer to me, we'll make this easier on both of us..."

The Wordling grabbed me with its papery hands and began to squeeze. I glanced at Lucy, helpless. I felt my skin began to change....

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

War Stories

These three books are stories of the United States at war. Two of them deal with World War II, the third is about the Vietnam war. All three are stories of minority groups doing military service.

Eyes of the Emperor by Graham Salisbury
After Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, Japanese-Americans enlisted and were drafted like all other young men in the United States. The country was at war, and they were Americans. But many people suspected their loyalty. On the mainland United States, many Japanese-Americans were moved from their homes to internment camps. Eyes of the Emperor is based on the true story of a group of soldiers from Hawaii. The Japanese-Americans among them faced discrimination in many forms. Finally, with President Roosevelt’s approval, they were singled out for special duty – they were used as bait to train attack dogs.

Code Talker by Joseph Bruchac
The Navajo Code Talkers were unsung heroes of WWII. Their fluency in both English and Navajo made them vital to the war effort. These marines were in the front lines in all the major battles in the Pacific theater, transmitting coded messages in the Navajo language. When they returned home, they had to keep their activities a secret, and for more than 20 years, nobody outside the service knew the important part they had played. As children, all of these men had been forced to attend government boarding schools, where they were taught that their traditional ways were worthless, and they were prohibited from speaking their native language. But when the country was at war, the government asked the Navajo to use their language to save American lives

Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers
In 1967, the United States was deeply involved in the Vietnam War. Fallen Angels is the story of a young, black soldier from Harlem serving in a combat unit. Unable to afford college, he had volunteered for the army right after high school, and had no idea of the horrors he and his unit would face in combat. He questions how he and so many other black soldiers end up in combat units in the most dangerous places, and questions why they are there, coming to doubt the morality of the war. He encounters officers who are willing to sacrifice men so they can get ahead, as well as prejudice, in addition to the dangers of the front line.

Monday, July 17, 2006

Our NYC Adventure

Our trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art was a great success! Six teens and four adults joined two librarians on our adventure.

We took the train from Patchogue to Penn Station, where we caught the C Train (the subway!) up to 81st Street. We walked through Central Park, past the Delacorte Theater, the Great Lawn and Belvedere Castle to reach the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

At the museum, we went through the Egyptian Wing to the Temple of Dendur. We saw Arms and Armor, and had a great lunch in the Museum cafeteria. Finally, we went to a special fashion exhibit - Anglomania.

We left the museum, and headed to the bus stop, stopping at the art stalls along the way.

Taking the M4 bus down 5th Avenue turned out to be one of the highlights of our tour! We passed all the famous store windows, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Rockefeller Center and the Empire State Building.

We had a great time, and I'll post pictures when I get them!!

Send us your suggestions for our next NYC Adventure!

Here's a quick list of what we have going on at the Library this week:

Monday, July 17 - Ink Blot Watercolors
2:30 - 4:00 Join artist Hillary as she helps you create beautiful watercolor paintings. No experience necessary!

Tuesday, July 18 - PML Players New members welcome!!
10:30 - 12:00 Band Rehearsal
1:30 - 12:00 Puppet Show Rehearsal
3:00 - 4:30 Puppet Crafts

Wednesday, July 19
Drop In Crafts
10:30 - 12:00 - Drop in to the Library and do a craft with Martha and Jeri
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants - The Suffolk Tour
12:00 - 1:30 Join us for a Denim Craft. We are making jeans bags this week. We will also be adding our decorations to the traveling pants received from one of the other participating libraries.
Teen Talent Showcase Auditions
6:00 - 8:00 - Got talent? Show us your stuff! Pre-register for an audition time. Our performance will be at the Theatre on Friday, August 11.

Thursday, July 20 - Busy Babysitters Fun
4:00 - 5:15 - Learn about fun activities to do with young children, and discuss what it's really like to babysit. Preregister in the Childrens' Department.

Friday, July 21
4:30 - 5:30 - Teen Friends Meeting
Come on in and help plan library events and activites. Meet other teens!
5-30 - 7:30 - Alive After 5
Join the teen friends at their booth at the Alive After 5 street fair on Main Street. We will be selling used books, CDs, movies and more to raise money for teen friends activities.

Hope you are all ready for another busy week!!

Friday, July 14, 2006

Chapter 7: The Murky Waters

Book Survivor Adventure Log

Voted off: Adrift and The Incredible Journey.


I exited the torched laden cave and came across a giant body of water. I found it hard to believe once more that water could exist so high above sea level. And this body stretched for miles and miles. Was it an undiscovered ocean? Could I become a famous explorer?

I began to chop some trees with the Hachet I had in my pouch. Chopping trees is hard work, but suffice it to say, I am splinter free! After chopping for what seemed to be many days, I began to construct a crudely designed raft. How did I know where I was going you ask? Well, there was a sign that said "Mongoblin territory this way."

Finally when my craft was complete I set sail. For 30 days and 30 nights I was Adrift. I began to get hungry. I grabbed fish with my bare hands and ate them raw.

One night, after grabbing a particularly colorful fish, it began to speak to me. "Hello ole chap," it murmored.

"Ole Chap?!" I said. Was this a British fish?

"I hate to trouble you but do you have any fish flakes?" he asked. I looked in my pocket and shook my head. "Very well mate" he said. The fish jumped back into the water. Suddenly, I missed that fish. I screamed his name over and over again, despite that I didn't even know what it was!

"Fishie!" I shouted. "O fishie!" I screamed. But he never returned. After a couple more days, I began to see weird shapes and sounds. I saw the mooing of a giraffe. I began to see swords rain from the sky.

A kangaroo bounded onto my raft. "Ello, from Australia!" I shouted. Apparations! Apparations for sure!!

Eventually, my raft embarked on the edge of a beach and collapsed from exhaustion. When I woke up, a woman was standing over me. She looked like she was a mongoblin by the way her eyes had words written on them. She began to spit out copies of The Catcher and the Rye. I began to fight with her, throwing punches left and right. By they got absorbed into her paper....

She grabbed me by the wrist and I pulled out my hachet and began to slice at her paper thin arms. She screamed and I ran away. This has been a most Incredible Journey. I stopped in front of a sign. Mongoblin territory?!

Monday, July 10, 2006

Welcome to Week 3 of the Summer Reading Club

Here's what's going on this week:
July 10
2:45 - 3:45 Learn the secrets and techniques of Sudoko (teens only)
3:45 - 4:45 Sudoko for teens and adults

July 12
12:00 - 1:30 Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants: The Suffolk Tour
Bring a pair of jeans to decorate. An additional pair will be decorated and shared with 3 other libraries in Suffolk County. At our other meetings (July 19 and 26 and August 2 and 9), we will do additional denim crafts.

2:00 - 3:00 Book Survivor II Adventure Mountain Book Discussion
Join us to discuss the 16 books in Book Survivor II. Have a snack, and maybe win a prize or two.

July 13
1:00 - 2:00 Hip Hop Dance Workshop.
Bring your friends and have some fun learning new dance moves. An additional session will be held on August 3.

July 14
5:30 - 7:30 Yu-Gi-Oh Trade and Play
We're not having any tournaments during the summer, but come on in and meet your friends for some laid back duels, card trading and snacks.

July 15
8:15 New York City Adventure
We are taking the 8:15 train from Patchogue Train Station into Manhattan, where we will go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art! Pre-registration required. $15.00 covers round trip train fare and admission to the museum. You must register by Wednesday July 12!!!

Friday, July 07, 2006

Chapter 6: Fleeing Reality?

Book Survivor Adventure Mountain

Voted off: Around the World in 80 Days


The Island of the Blue Dolphins huh? My new found friend swam around my feet.
"Courderoy, you look amazing!" I said.

"Well thank you!" he bubbled.

"Do you have any idea how I can find my friend Lucy?" I asked.

He swam over to a small group of dolphins. A green dolphin swam toward me.

"Hewwo," he said. "My name is Bubbles," said the dolphin. "I can tell you how to find your friend."

He told me of a magic ring that could alter reality. I decided this was something that I needed to find. If I was able to find this ring, I could go back to when we were just setting off and decide not to go on this blasted trip.

"Where is this magical ring?" I inquired.

"Oho!" said Bubbles. "This ring is located inside the Bubbling Volcano." He whistled. "That volcano is in the heart of Mongoblin territory!"

I screamed. Bubbles snorted. "How far away do you think Lucy is from us?" I asked.

"Well," Bubbles said. "Mongoblins can travel at quadruple our speed. So technically, they can move extremely fast."

Does this mean what I think it could mean? Would it be possible for them to make it...Around the World in 80 days??!

The dolphin pointed toward a cave I hadn't seen before with its nose. "If you follow the torch lit path into this cave," he bubbled. "You are bound to find the way to the start of Mongoblin territory."

I bid him well and began to follow the torch lit path. Lucy, I'm coming!

Thursday, July 06, 2006

Heroes Welcome


The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp by Richard Yancey

Alfred Kropp is an unwilling and unlikely hero. Overweight and unpopular, he struggles through his school days until his uncle involves him in the theft of King Arthur’s legendary sword Excaliber. His uncle is killed, and the theft starts an incredible battle between rival groups of modern-day nights. There are knightly battles, a beautiful girl, suspense, hot cars and adventure as Alfred saves the world.


Want to read about the original knights of the round table? Try The Once and Future King by T.H. White for adventure, magic, knights and beautiful maidens. This classic recounts the story of King Arthur from his birth until the end of his reign as king of England. You’ve heard of King Arthur, Queen Guinevere, Merlin and Lancelot. Here’s their story.

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

summer activities

Hi -

It's summer, and we have loads of activities at the library. Here's what's going on this week.
July 5
10:30 - 12:00 drop in crafts - we are creating decoupage boxes.
3:00 - 4:00 battle of the books practice. You can still sign up!!!! Help us take down the other libraries in Suffolk county with your knowledge of books.
4:00 - 6:00 snackin' with the Simpsons - Come watch four episodes of the Simpsons, and share some snacks and fun.

July 6
10:30 - PML Players Teen Band Orientation. Practice sessions will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:30 am through August 3. We will perform at the PML Players Puppet Theatre and at the Teen Talent Showcase events
1:30 - PML Players Puppet Theatre Orientation. We need writers, directors, actors, set and costume designers and help of all kinds.

July 7
9:30 - 1:00 Pirates Adventure. We are taking the train from Patchogue to Sayville, and going to the opening day showing of Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man's Chest. Register at the main desk. $10.00 includes train, movie, popcorn and soda. Bring your families! (Movie is rated PG-13)
4:30 - 5:30 Teen Advisory Council of the Teen Friends. Help plan library events and activities. Meet other teens!

July 8
2-3:30 Navigating New York City. Join us to learn about resources for planning a trip into the city. We will review maps, and train, bus and subway schedules, and plan our trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, scheduled for July 15.

And don't forget to join our Summer Reading Club, now in its second week!