Leap Day

Happy Leap Day! According to Wikipedia.com: February 29 is a date that occurs only every four years, in years evenly divisible by 4, such as 1988, 1996, 2008 or 2016 (with the exception of century years not divisible by 400, such as 1900) for the Gregorian calendar, which is most widely used in the world today. These are called leap years, and February 29 is the 60th day of the Gregorian calendar in such a year, with 306 days remaining until the end of that year. February 29 is also known as bissextile day or Leap Day.

What a fancy way of saying. . every four years - we get an extra day!

"Leaplings" are the affectionate name for those born on leap days... they put up with only celebrating their real birthday once every four years, and have to constantly fight with web sites telling them that Feb 29 isn’t a valid birth date. But on the bright side, if you’re the one in 1500 of us that was born on Feb 29, you can get a free lunch at Boston Market… as long as it’s under $10.

Speaking of marriage… if you’re a single man and want to remain that way, beware of women wearing scarlet petticoats on Feb 29 – or you could be taking a lover’s leap. Traditionally dating back to 5th century Ireland, leap years were the only times that women could legally propose marriage to men. In the 1200s, fines were introduced for men that refused such proposals – such as a kiss or a silk dress - to soften the blow on any distraught women. In many places, women on the hunt for a husband would signal their intentions by sporting scarlet petticoats (a type of underskirt).

Take lots of pics to record your Leap Day adventures... sh1ft.org is running their "A Day in the Life" photography project, which invites anyone with a camera to take a photo an hour to document their extra special extra day in photo form. Good for not only sharing your day with other photog geeks, this serves as an hourly reminder to make sure you make the most of February 29th... or else you're going to have a pretty lame set of pictures posted for posterity.

Or maybe you just want to watch a re-run of Quantum Leap?

Upcoming trailers. . .

Many of you are excited about Stephenie Meyer's book, Twilight, becoming a movie. There are a couple of fan-created trailers for Twilight posted up on YouTube. Isn't that great? I am linking to the longer one here. Stephenie Meyer had the chance to spend the weekend with the cast and crew on the set of the movie. She wrote about it here. Here is the official movie site: The Twilight Saga. I hope that keeps you satisfied until the movie comes out! :-)

Based on the book. . .

Have you ever read a book and thought, Wow, that would make a great movie? Wondering which one of your favorite books will be a feature film? Well, look no further - here is a list of upcoming movies based on the book. Now you will have plenty of time to read the book!


Book, Movie, Release Date
The Spiderwick Chronicles by Tony Diterlizzi, The Spiderwick Chronicles, Feb. 2008
Penelope by Marilyn Kaye, Penelope, Feb. 2008
Horton Hears a Who! by Dr. Seuss, Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who!, March 2008
Nim's Island by Wendy Orr, Nim's Island ,April 2008
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke, Inkheart ,April 2008
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian ,May 2008
Iron Man (Comic) by Stan Lee, Iron Man ,May 2008
Angus, Thongs & Full-Frontal Snogging,
by Louise Rennison, Angus, Thongs & Full-Frontal Snogging June 2008
The Boy in Striped Pajamas by John Boyne, The Boy in Striped Pajamas, June 2008
Kit: An American Girl (6 books) by Valerie Tripp, Kit Kittridge: An American Girl, July 2008
He's Just Not that Into You by Greg Behrendt, He's Just Not that Into You ,Aug. 2008
Forever in Blue (4th Summer) by Ann Brashares, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2, Aug. 2008
City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau, City of Ember, Oct. 2008
Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn, Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist, Oct. 2008
Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince Nov. 2008
Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo, Tale of Despereaux, Dec. 2008
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, Twilight ,Dec. 2008
Youth in Revolt by C.D. Payne, Youth in Revolt ,Dec. 2008
Cirque du Freak by Darren Shan, Cirque du Freak, 2008
Coraline by Neil Gaiman, Coraline, 2009
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak ,Where the Wild Things Are, 2009
Akira (Manga) by Otomo Katsuhiro, Akira (two part epic), Summer 2009

Upcoming Programme!

Self Defence Basics for Teens
McLaughlin Auditorium

April 3, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Limited to 20 participants.
Award-winning instructor, Emmanuel Manolakakis, of FightClub Martial Arts and Fitness Training Centre, will present an exciting self-defence program for teens ages 12-18. This free class will last an hour-and-a-half and will educate teens on how to protect themselves and introduces physical training. Please wear comfortable clothing. Registration is limited. A permission slip must be correctly and completely filled out and signed by the legal aged participant or the parent of minor aged (17 and under) participants before the event. Call Tiffany at 905-579-6111, ext. 5238 for more details.

This is going to be a really fun event - make sure to call and register before it's too late!

Learn how to do this:

Sunday at the Oscars

So. . . what did you think about the Oscars this year? Loved it? Hated it? Never watch it? What movies do you think should have won? Was your favorite movie of 2007 even nominated? Comment on what you think!

Best Picture Oscar Winner 2008
No Country for Old Men

Best Actor Oscar Winner 2008
Daniel Day-Lewis in There Will Be Blood

Best Actress Oscar Winner 2008
Marion Cotillard in La Vie en Rose

Best Supporting Actor Oscar Winner 2008
Javier Bardem in No Country for Old Men

Best Supporting Actress Oscar Winner 2008
Tilda Swinton in Michael Clayton

Best Director Oscar Winner 2008
Joel Coen and Ethan Coen for No Country for Old Men

Best Original Screenplay Oscar Winner 2008
Diablo Cody for Juno

Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar Winner 2008
Joel Coen & Ethan Coen for No Country for Old Men

Check out this Game!

Check out this cool online game - Free Rice. Test your vocabulary and feed hungry people in the process! All you have to do is select the correct definition for the words provided and for each correct answer, the site sponsors will donate 20 grains of rice to the United Nations World Food Program.

Concert Review: The Spice Girls

Hello all! Sorry it's been so long since the last post! I saw an excellent concert this weekend: Spice Girls! It was at "The Palace of Auburn Hills" near Detroit, Michigan. It was so worth the drive. Girl Power! They were ready to rock and they all looked amazing - almost better than ten years ago! They did not have an opening band - they just went right through with the entire set and it lasted about two hours. There were some great scenes and they even covered a few songs! It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see them, as they have cancelled the rest of their tour, but if they ever do get back together to tour - you should go see them!

SPICE UP YOUR LIFE!

Who was your favorite Spice Girl? Why do you love or hate the Spice Girls?

Coming Soon. . .

Teen Advisory Board

Location: Legends Centre Branch
Date & Time: March 6 @ 6:00:00 PM

Next Meeting: Thursday, March 6 at 6:00 pm, Legends Centre Branch
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Teen Game Night

Location: McLaughlin Branch
Date & Time: March 13 @ 2:30:00 PM - Due to March Break, this Game Night will be During the Day!

Come socialize, munch snacks, play classic board games, and build your skills on Guitar Hero. Ages 12 - 18. Drop-in programme. No registration required.
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All Times for this Programme:
March 13 @ 2:30:00 PM @ McLaughlin Branch
April 3 @ 7:00:00 PM @ McLaughlin Branch
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Craft It! St. Patty's Day!

Location: McLaughlin Branch Children's Studio
Date & Time: March 15 @ 2:30:00 PM

Craft project to be announced. Check out our teen blog for photos of previous sessions of crafty fun. This month’s programme will be in the Children’s Studio. Ages 12 - 18. Free registration at any branch.
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All Times for this Programme:
March 15 @ 2:30:00 PM @ McLaughlin Branch Children's Studio
April 12 @ 2:30:00 PM @ McLaughlin Branch
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Teen Trends: What’s up with your hair these days?

Location: Northview Branch
Date & Time: March 18 @ 7:00:00 PM

Short or long, straight, curly, or funky?? Get ready for a new you with a new super style! Annette Morgan of Andy’s Family Hair Centre will cut and style and answers questions about hair care too! Free registration at any branch.
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All Times for this Programme:
March 18 @ 7:00:00 PM @ Northview Branch
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Saturday movie matinees: Enchanted (2007)

Location: Northview Branch
Date & Time: March 22 @ 1:30:00 AM

107 minutes. Rated G. Free admission. Registration not required.
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All Times for this Programme:
March 22 @ 1:30:00 AM @ Northview Branch
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Saturday Movie Matinees: The Golden Compass (2007)

Location: Northview Branch
Date & Time: March 29 @ 1:30:00 AM

113 minutes. Rated PG.
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All Times for this Programme:
March 29 @ 1:30:00 AM @ Northview Branch
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Making Jewellery...for Girls & Guys

Location: Northview Branch
Date & Time: April 15 @ 7:00:00 PM

Rings, chains, necklaces, bracelets: it’s your choice! For teens 12-18. Free registration at any branch.
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All Times for this Programme:
April 15 @ 7:00:00 PM @ Northview Branch
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ANIMEniacs United

Location: Legends Centre Branch
Date & Time: April 24 @ 7:00:00 PM

Come and share your favourites with others, meet others who love anime as much as you do. Free registration at any branch.
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All Times for this Programme:
March 27 @ 7:00:00 PM @ Legends Centre Branch
April 24 @ 7:00:00 PM @ Legends Centre Branch

Happy Valentine's Day!

At OPL, we love our customers and that includes our teens! Stop in today for drawings, cookies, give-aways and more! Do you love or hate valentine's day? Here is a book talk about a whirlwind romance that involves both love and hate! This book is also going to be a movie starring Micheal Cera from Arrested Development and Superbad!

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist

Nick: “I know this is going to sound strange, but would you mind being my girlfriend for the next five minutes?”
Norah: “I answer his question by putting my hand around his neck and pulling his face down to mine.”


And this is how the never-ending one night date between Nick and Norah begins in this non-stop, edgy, poignant story full of cutting-edge music references. Nick is the only straight member (bassist) in a queercore band. According to Wikipedia, Queercore is “a musical genre, it may be distinguished by lyrics exploring themes of prejudice and dealing with issues such as sexual identity, gender identity and the rights of the individual; more generally bands offer a critique of society endemic to their position within it, sometimes in a light-hearted way, sometimes seriously” (Queercore, 2007).

Nick is heartbroken from his recent break-up three months, fourteen days, and 22 hours ago and can’t face his ex, Tris, (“rhymes with bris, which is what she does to guys” according to Norah) in a cluttered club alone, so he takes Norah along for the ride. Little does Nick know that Norah is angst-ridden from her recent break-up as well. Perfect. Told in alternating chapters, one from Nick’s perspective and the next from Norah’s, this book is a sometimes funny, sometimes sweet, sometimes sexy roller coaster of two teens trying to find themselves sharing one date over a very long night and discovering who they want to be. The narrative introduces endearing side characters, awesome bands and pop-culture references, and no drinking or drugs (these teens are straight-edge). Warning: the expletives fly fast and furiously throughout this heart-stopping, insightful, and incredibly funny novel that will leave you wanting to create the soundtrack to your own life.

Queercore. (2007, September 26). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 17:27, October 9, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Queercore&oldid=160567521

Photo from Google Images Search, provided by Deviant Art.

Welcome to the Teen Space!

Hello there! My name is Tiffany Balducci and I the newest addition to the Oshawa Public Library System and your Teen Librarian. This is your new and improved blog - but if you would like to access any of the back issues from the old blog, you can do so by clicking here.

Since I am new to town I will be looking for your comments, suggestions, ideas - anything you want to say - I am your sounding board to make the library a fun and enjoyable place to read, relax, and make friends.