American Girl's: Julie Albright

So, I have been a fan of the American Girls Series since I was 11 years old. (I know, a little old to start the sereis, but that's when I found them.) With finding the 2 newest historical figures, I decided I wanted to start a year long (10 month) series using the girls.

For January, I decided to do a study on Julie Albright whose story takes place in the 1970's.
Since Julie is from the 1970's I wanted to have the girls make something with a disco ball feel. I came up with a disco picture frame made from foam sheets and broken c.d.'s.

I grabbed some old c.d's (most of them from AOL) and started breaking them apart with a pair of kitchen shears. I cut different shapes and sizes and set them aside in a plastic baggie. Then I cut a sheet of  foam board in half and cut a hole in the center that was big enough to frame a 5 x 6 photograph. (roughly 7 x 8 for the boarder). I then glued the side with a hole to the other half of the sheet of foam board, leaving the top unglued so a picture could slide through.

On the day of the program, I grabbed several books that were published in the '70's and books that won Caldecott's and Newbery's and also a few books about the 1970's and major ecological events ( Love Canal and Three Mile Island) since Julie loves nature.

While I didn't have a huge turnout, the few girls that came loved making the craft and I was able to adapt the craft for the little sister who wasn't old enough for the program by replacing the c.d. pieces with foam flowers that she could stick on the frame.

Sport Stacking @ Your Library

I have become a huge fan of sport stacking and have recently (April) introduced it to the tweens at my library. The first time I did the program, I had 48 kids show up to learn how to stack. The numbers are dwindling a little, but the group who keeps coming is learning to be great stackers.

I tried something new with them Monday. Instead of doing our normal watch the video and stack, we did relay races and I was able to watch them individually. I am getting a core group of stacking champions already. Hopefully, we will be up to competition shape by next summer.

Scavenger hunt

What do you get when you add 8 tweens and 16 crazy riddles about the library? A crazy, chaotic scavenger hunt with humerous results. Okay, I broke the 8 kids into two teams (boys + 1 girl and girls). Then I sent them to the children's department with a clue that led to one of my co-workers. From there the kids went on their hunt. Here are the clues I used for each team.

Boy's team:

1. Your adventure begins where your books are found
Becareful for many dangers abound
Your quest will begin with the one with dark hair
If you're nice to her maybe she'll share

2. A hero is in the eye of the beholder
a villain is usually someone much bolder
Here these two foes will forever remain
Go find them and their claim to fame. (Graphic Novel Rack)

3. Your next clue lies
where the nocturnal cow flies (Cow jumping over the moon)

4. Look to the land of eggs and pumpkins
You'll find a small man with a very long name (Rumplestiltskin book)

5. In search of clues-- you cannot get hotter
And your very next clue rides with Potter

6. The Settler of Old traveled in a wagon
And your very next clue will be found near the dragon (bulletin board)

7. A pop fly is what a catcher catches
but your clue lies hidden among the patches (Summer quilts)

8. Your adventures not finished this last clue remains
Go to the place where we began our game (meeting room)


Girl's clues

1. Your adventure begins where your books are found
Becareful for many dangers abound
Your quest will begin with the one with red hair
If you're nice to her maybe she'll share

2. A search through Reference will be a good duty
when you look through and find the flag of Djibouti

3. A Vampire wedding, a President's Daughter
These are the books that made summer much hotter
If you haven't read them you don't have to believe me
Just stand around and watch "As seen on T.V." (YA display case)

4. A glance near the mirror may give you a fright
When you look find Spiderwick's
Care and Feeding of Sprites

5. A black light that flashes is called a strobe
And your very next clue lies around the globe

6. If you're looking in a spot where you can't find a cable
Your next clue may be found under a table

7. This game is so long you may want to spit
You'll find your last clue in the life of Anthony Horowitz

8. Your adventures not finished this last clue remains
Go to the place where we began our game (meeting room)


It was a ton of fun and if I get brave, we may do it again.