Tween Adventure

As I began The Big Splash I found myself feeling relieved that it wasn't yet another fantasy adventure. When I was a tween I was completely obsessed with the Redwall books by Brian Jacques and I felt like I'd never have enough until I got a little older and VERY suddenly lost interest. After reading all the other books for this course I am actually growing tired of my own favorite genre. I wonder what the tweens are thinking when they read book after book with a similar formula. Many of them devour books like candy (and without a job and an adult life they have the time) so they must run into the same patterns that we see as librarians and lovers of children's literature. Do they see them too? Do they reach a point in their development as I did where they lose interest and move on to more sophisticated books? It think after my Redwall craze ended I read The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley. It's an adult title but it is still fantasy. I remember feeling proud for reading something so epic and long and afterwards stuck to adult titles throughout high school. I often see those adolescent rabid readers eager to move on to what they perceive as "more adult" books and often different genres. I think it's a great period to watch out for because it could present us with an opportunity as professionals to do some really great reader's advisory. All it takes is one good recommendation to set them on a completely new path in their literary development.

Hooray for Gaming

I was sad that I had to miss the gaming presentation in class although I have done a fair amount of reading on the topic for a term paper and presentation for another class, plus an ongoing interest. Gaming is such a great way to get kids into libraries and have untapped potential for learning experiences both academic and social. I have only recently gotten into video games myself, because I wasn't allowed to have them as a child, but I have been amazed at their variety and depth. A lot of the multi-player games require a ton of communication and teamwork and the solitary games often have a lot of plot which comes with a requisite amount of reading. I know that there is a growing number of educational games that simulate history or modern political structures or just help with basic math skills. They are getting better at masking the educational value to the kids by making them fun and beautiful to look at. Despite the growing prevalence of these kinds of games, anything that kids want to play can be harnessed into an opportunity for them to have a program in the library that has them interacting, with staff and peers and thereby contributing to the growth of their social community.

In my paper on the topic for another class, I was able to explore the potential for intergenerational programming with gaming. A great example was a program involving teens and senior citizens. The librarians held tryouts to find teens who were good at gaming and patient with the librarians that they would teach the games to. Once chosen, they would be teamed with a senior partner that they would train in the skill set of the game. Once training was finished there would be a tournament that would give the seniors a chance to show off some new skills and teens a chance to take pride in their students' achievements and the relationships they formed with their senior partners. This is a great way for seniors to see youth in the library in a different way and builds community in a way that is lasting and meaningful.

Go gaming!

PS - I love rock band!

Differences

I had a hard time getting through The Dragonfly Pool which was unexpected because I like historical fiction and ample exposition, but the first 150 pages of this was kind of a drag. By the time I finished, I had a change of heart because of the way the story carries out and the beautiful character development, especially with Karil and Tally. I usually relish slow moving books if they are well written, but this seemed to linger unnecessarily in places towards the beginning although the development of the story during and after Karil's escape from Bergania helps make up for a slow start. I wish I had read this prior to Schooled which is such a fun and fast paced book by comparison. The writing might not be as luxurious, but Korman is very funny and his cast of characters are strong enough to have their own voices throughout the book, which I found to be an interesting and effective device. It was a fast and really fun read, which made Ibbotson's slow by comparison.

This is really illustrative of kids own wide ranging tastes in literature. I think these books were written for very different audiences, and while many tweens have eclectic tastes that are always developing, many of them are similar to their adult counterparts in that they tend towards their own specific literary palate. It could be humor, mystery, adventure, fantasy, history or some combination, but it is remarkable to see them explore and develop their individualized sensibilities. It feels good to know that we can have some influence over them as librarians by figuring out what they are drawn to and getting them the best material that fits the bill. Schooled and The Dragonfly Pool are very different books, but both are well written with engaging plots and characters. Each could be a step along the way for a tween's burgeoning identity and sense of self.

Afternoon crowds

The more I think about the New York Times article, the more I am bothered by the solution that the New Jersey library came up with to quell their afternoon crowds. Closing the library or kicking kids out should always be a last resort for behavioral problems and crowd control. The energy that they have after sitting in school all day is a powerful force that can be harnessed in many really productive ways. Just having some basic supplies can help keep them occupied when they aren't on the computers. I have several board games (dealing in words of course) and lots of arts and crafts supplies. Establishing rules and a code of conduct is vital to making these materials work, so I've found that setting a time frame with an understanding that cleaning up is included to be helpful. Yesterday some of my tween girls were bored so I had them cut out pumpkins and leaves from construction paper to decorate my bulletin board. They were occupied and engaged with the activity while at the same time helping me and the library. Then when their work is displayed they have a stake in the space because they have contributed to making it better. It's an easy thing to do and I am lucky to have a group of responsible and respectful kids, but the sense of community that builds with these activities is the most powerful force a librarian can harness. It keeps them coming back and it builds positive relationships and trust between them and the staff as well as with each other. There is never fighting when the arts and crafts supplies are in use.