Professional Development Opportunities for Educators and Librarians

October 2, 2008
An Evening with Todd Strasser on October 2 to Feature Reading and Workshop by Award-Winning Author

The M. Jerry Weiss Center at New Jersey City University will hold “An Evening with Todd Strasser,” a professional development workshop and reading by the guest author, on Thursday, October 2, 4:30 – 6:00 p.m., in room 202 of Hepburn Hall, 2039 Kennedy Boulevard in Jersey City.

Mr. Strasser, whose young adult books include Boot Camp, How I Changed My Life, Mob Princess, Nighttime, The Tardy Boys, Kidnap Kids, Drift-X, Can’t Get There from Here, Give a Boy a Gun, Impact Zone, The Diving Bell and The Accident, CON-fidence, The Wave, and 16 books in the “Help! I'm Trapped…” series, has published more than 100 books. He has also written such movie novelizations as Home Alone, Free Willy, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, and Jumanji.

Admission, which includes two (2) New Jersey Professional Development hours, is $25.00 or $20.00 for full-time undergraduate students with identification. Parking will be available in NJCU’s West Side Lot for a $6.00 fee.

To register for the program or for further information call Maureen McGuire, NJCU director of development, at (201)200-2196 or e-mail her at mmcguire1@njcu.edu

Fall 2008
There is a new Professional Development Institute for Educators at NJCU. The Institute is a collaborative initiative between the College of Education and the Office of Continuing Education. This year, they will be offering 42 workshops for four (4) professional development hours each. These courses will enable K-12 educators to fulfill NJDOE requirements for professional development hours. Tuition for each workshop is $150.00 ( with a 10% discount if three or more teachers from the same school district register together for the workshop)

Of the 42 workshops, 24 will be offered face-to-face on campus every Friday from 9:00am to 2:00pm. The face-to-face workshops will start on October 3rd and the online workshops will begin on October 13th.

The other 18 workshops will be offered online, each lasting one week with participants required to complete four hours worth of work.
Click here for a catalog and more information
http://web.njcu.edu/dept/continuinged/Content/pdie.asp

Celebrate Banned Books Week 9/27/08-10/4/08

psst… want a banned book???
The Guarini Library has them!
September 27 - October 4, 2008

most frequently challenged books in 2007:

The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom received a total of 420 challenges last year. A challenge is defined as a formal, written complaint, filed with a library or school requesting that materials be removed because of content or appropriateness. According to Judith F. Krug, director of the Office for Intellectual Freedom, the number of challenges reflects only incidents reported, and for each reported, four or five remain unreported.

The “10 Most Challenged Books of 2007” reflect a range of themes, and consist of the following titles:

1) “And Tango Makes Three,” by Justin Richardson/Peter Parnell (Juv. .R523a)
Reasons: Anti-Ethnic, Sexism, Homosexuality, Anti-Family, Religious Viewpoint, Unsuited to Age Group

2) The Chocolate War,” by Robert Cormier (Juv. C811c)
Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Violence

3) “Olive’s Ocean,” by Kevin Henkes (Juv. H513oL)
Reasons: Sexually Explicit and Offensive Language

4) “The Golden Compass,” by Philip Pullman (Juv. P982N)
Reasons: Religious Viewpoint

5) “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” by Mark Twain (Juv.C625ahbn)
Reasons: Racism

6) “The Color Purple,” by Alice Walker(PS3573.A425 C6 1982)
Reasons: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language,

7) "TTYL,” by Lauren Myracle ( We will be getting it!)
Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group

8) "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” by Maya Angelou (PS3551.N464 Z466 1971B)
Reasons: Sexually Explicit
9) “It’s Perfectly Normal,” by Robie Harris ( Juv. 612.6.H316IT 1996)Reasons: Sex Education, Sexually Explicit

10) "The Perks of Being A Wallflower,” by Stephen Chbosky (Juv.C513p)
Reasons: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group

Off the list this year, are two books by author Toni Morrison. "The Bluest Eye" and "Beloved," both challenged for sexual content and offensive language.

most frequently challenged authors of 2007
1) Robert Cormier
2) Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson
3) Mark Twain
4) Toni Morrison
5) Philip Pullman
6) Kevin Henkes
7) Lois Lowry
8) Chris Crutcher
9) Lauren Myracle
10) Joann Sfar

Check OSCAR on the Guraini Library Home Page to find books by these authors
http://sirsiprod.njcu.edu/uhtbin/cgisirsi/x/0/49

Check http://www.bannedbooksweek.org/

Check http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/challengesupport/challengesupport.cfm
if there are challenges to books in your library or school!

JCPL Book Fair in Jersey City 9/13/08

Here's another activity for September!

Bibliophiles, bookworms, book peddlers, and those who love writing and hearing the written word will have an opportunity to indulge themselves with a day of literary delights when Jersey City holds its first annual book festival on Saturday, Sept. 13."

A Tale of Our City" will be held in Van Vorst Park on Montgomery Street, right across the street from the Main Branch of the Jersey City Free Public Library. The library is organizing the event and hopes to make it annual.The festival will be part of a daylong nationwide celebration known as "the Big Read," an initiative of the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA) that puts a spotlight on encouraging reading and literacy.

The festival is funded by a grant from the NEA.As part of the initiative, free copies of Ray Bradbury's classic sci-fi novel Fahrenheit 451 will be handed out to festival attendees who have a valid library card, or who apply for a card during the festival. Members of the Jersey City Theater Company will conduct a public reading of the book.

Sonia Araujo, the assistant library director for the Jersey City Public Library, said last week that so far 12 authors have committed to an appearance at the festival. They will sign and sell their books, as well as read excerpts.Among them are city native and noted historian Thomas Fleming, and Helene Stapinski, an author of several books including the memoir of life in Jersey City, Five Finger Discount.

Source: Hudson Reporter, Ricardo Kaulessar

Jersey City Readers, Writers Alert

Interested in Hispanic Heritage?
Have you written a book that is about Jersey City?
Are you interested in news about reading, literacy and community events?
Then check out
the JCFPL Daily Read
the new blog from Jersey City Public Library, NOW!

Get ready for September!

Visit the Library!
3rd floor-
Juvenile Books (K-12)
Professional Books (Check OSCAR)
4th floor-
Curriculum Collection for lesson ideas, texts and much more

Interested in creating a wiki?
See this offer from PB Wiki
http://www.backtoschoolchallenge.com/

English/ESL/Reading teachers
Try this interesting site Lessonwriter.com to prepare worksheets and comprehension activities. (registration is necessary)

Don't forget-
September 18, 11-3pm
Study Abroad Fair
Gilligan Student's Union
http://web.njcu.edu/dept/oissa/Content/study_abroad.asp
Office of International Student and Study Abroad
New Jersey City University

Register by September 6th

Study Abroad Fair Registration Form
Thursday, September 18th, 2008
11:00AM-3:00PM


Name_____________________________________

Company __________________________________

Address 1_________________________________

Address 2_________________________________

Phone______________________________________

Fax________________________________________

Email______________________________________

Web Site (optional)________________________



___YES, I will attend this year’s Study Abroad Fair.

___NO, I will not be able to attend but would like to hear about future events hosted by the Office of International Students and Study Abroad.

Registration forms may be faxed to us at 201-200-2326,
emailed to cwhite@njcu.edu,
or mailed to the following address
New Jersey City University
2039 Kennedy Boulevard,
Grossnickle Hall, Room 303
Jersey City New Jersey 07305-1597
Phone: 201-200-3022
Fax: 201-200-2326

International Day of Peace
September 21
Read a peace-ful book:
Ain't gonna study war no more : the story of America's peace seekers
Juv. 303.6 .M528a

The Big book for peace
Juv. 810.8 .B592

Can you say peace?
Juv.K198ca

or
Teach Peace with these books in the Curriculum Collection (4th floor)
I will be your friend : songs and activities for young peacemakers
CMC M1992 .I95 2003

Teaching young children in violent times : building a peaceable classroom
CMC LB3013.32 .L485 2003

War & peace : a guide to literature and new media : grades 4-8
CMC U21.2 .W3446 2007

Banned books Week
September 27 - October 4, 2008
http://www.bannedbooksweek.org

Jon Scieszka and more at Newark Public Library 10/22/08

Attention Teachers, Librarians, Parents!

Jon Scieszka, Library of Congress National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, will be the keynote speaker at
Showcasing Information Literacies: New Dimension 2008,
which will be held on Wednesday, October 22,2008,
from 9:30am to 3:30pm,
at the Newark Public Library

Fee: $55 (Parking, a continental breakfast and a hot and cold luncheon buffet will be provided as part of the registration fee.)

Door prizes include a laptop and a Kindle!

The NJ Center for the Book has planned a day of celebration with a focus on literacy, book arts, and poetry in partnership with the Newark Public Library.

The program includes sessons on teaching literacies, the art of storytelling for youth at risk, showcasing how to present Shakespeare in the classroom, instruction in genealogical searching for young people, and, finally, partnering with New Jersey's Public Broadcasting Station in teacher resource training.

For the full program click and registration see http://www.njcenterforthebook.org/news_events/Oct22Program.pdf
Online registration is available at http://www.njcenterforthebook.org/registration/register.php

Animated West African Folktale screens in Newark

Kirikou and the Sorceress screens at the 2008 Newark Black Film Festival.

Kirikou and the Sorceress is a wonderful animated West African folk tale recounts the story of Kirikou, who seeks to free his village of a terrible curse and to find out why Sorceress Karaba is so mean. (Note : This film is available in the Guarini Library Media Collection - V3061.)

July 28| 10:30 am NEWARK PUBLIC LIBRARY
July 30| 1 pm NEWARK SCREENS ON SPRINGFIELD AVE.
July 31| 1 pm NJ STATE MUSEUM
August 1| 2 pm ASBURY PARK HIGH SCHOOL
70 minutes

For more information visit http://newarkmuseum.org/museum_pages.aspx?id=240

Newark Public School students particpate in an opera

Saturday, August 2, 2008 at 8 pm,a free production of Emmett Till: The Opera will take place at Science Theatre, (Science Park High School), 260 Norfolk Street in Newark, NJ.

Trilogy: An Opera Company has commissioned celebrated composer Charles Lloyd, Jr. to create an opera about young Emmett Till whose brutal murder in 1955 in the Mississippi Delta came to symbolize the start of the Civil Rights movement in America.Trilogy: AOC will re-enact this tragic American story with the hope of stimulating new and helpful discussions about a still-divided America.


Students from Newark Public Schools will participate in the production as the Greek Chorus. These youngsters have been chosen to particpate as part of a youth mentoring program and have been exposed to various aspects of the creative process. Also performing is the Longar Ensemble Orchestra and the Songs of Solomon Choir.

The performance features tenor Robert Mack as Emmett; soprano Diana Solomon-Glover as Mamie; soprano Lori Maribol as Willie Mae; mezzo soprano Alteouise Devaughn as Alma; soprano Sheila Jackson as Mary; baritone Raemond Martin as Mose Wright; tenor Derrick Alton as Uncle Crosby; baritone Richard Hobson as the reporter; Anthony Chisholm as Mr. Mobley and Kevin Maynor as A. A. Raynor.

Harlem Book Fair 2008

The 10th HARLEM BOOK FAIR Anniversary Celebration & Gala
Harlem, New York
in association with the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

Events from July 18 - 20, 2008
West 135th Street from Malcolm X Blvd.
to Frederick Douglass Blvd.

The programs of the 10th Anniversary Gala and Celebration of the Harlem Book Fair will begin on Friday, July 18th and conclude on Sunday, July 20th at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. The outdoor festival will be held on Saturday, July 19, from 11 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on West 135th Street between Lenox Avenue and Frederick Douglass Boulevard.

Authors from around the world, literature discussions and more!
http://www.harlembookfair.com/page12740.asp
http://www.qbr.com/page12742.asp
http://www.qbr.com/page12741.asp

Including:
YOUNG READERS PAVILION
TMA (THURGOOD MARSHALL ACADEMY)
SATURDAY, JULY 19

12:30 – 1:30pm ELEMENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL CHILDREN’S BOOK: ONE ON ONE WITH THE EXPERTS (PANEL DISCUSSION)
Moderator: Irene Smalls
Panelists: Linda Trice (Kenya's Word); Troy Johnson (Founder of aalbc.com); Bernette Ford, Publisher ColorBridge Books; Eric Velasquez (Illustrator); Janet Hubert (J.G. and the B.C. Kids)

3:15 – 4:15pm COMIC BOOKS: WHAT’S THE STORY WITHIN THE STORY
Room TBA (WORKSHOP)
Facilitator: Jerry Craft (Mamasboyz)
Learn how to draw comics. What’s the story behind Iron Man? What’s the story behind The Hulk? Comic books and graphic novels are often the first access to reading for our youth. This workshop creates access to creative self-expression and enhances self-esteem

3:00 – 4:00pm WRITING FOR THE YA MARKET: ONE ON ONE WITH THE EXPERTS
Room 303 (PANEL DISCUSSION)
Moderator: Clara Villarosa (Founder, Hue-Man Bookstore)

Panelists: Rita Garcia-Williams (No Laughter Here); Jaira Placide (Fresh Girl); Jennifer Burton (Topeka Heights)
http://www.harlembookfair.com/page12760.asp


See the events at
http://www.harlembookfair.com/page10688.asp

An Important Library program for Teens-7/9/08- Maplewood

Free and open to the public.
Wednesday,July 9,6:00 pm in Memorial Hall

Meet actor Michael B.Jordan from the HBO Series,The Wire

Michael B. Jordan, former cast member of the HBO Series The Wire will discuss the impact of the show on teenagers and adults in regard to drug trafficking, drug addiction, and drug prevention. Jordan will also discuss the difference between reality and the fictional depiction of selling drugs.

This program is co-sponsored by Maplewood Memorial Library and the Maplewood Municipal Alliance; Sponsor of Anti Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Programs for the Township of Maplewood.

Maplewood Memorial Library
51 Baker St. Maplewood
973-762-1622
http://www.maplewoodlibrary.org/

Top Ten Youth Biographies-2008

Top 10 Biographies for Youth: 2008.
First published June 1, 2008 (Booklist
http://www.booklistonline.com/
Cooper, Ilene (author).

Note: Some of these books are in the Guarini Library Collection or are available for review at the Weiss Center!)

This year’s top 10 biographies for youth spotlights saints and strong men, patriots and pianists, showing how diverse the world of children’s biography has become. These books were chosen from titles reviewed in Booklist during the past 12 months.

As Good as Anybody: Martin Luther King Jr. and Abraham Joshua Heschel’s Amazing March toward Freedom. By Richard Michelson. Illus. by Raul Colón. Knopf, $16.99 (9780375633359). Gr. 1–4.

This powerful, well-crafted picture book about the partnership between two great civil rights leaders follows King and Polish rabbi Heschel from boyhoods fraught with prejudice to the 1965 march in Selma, Alabama.

Elizabeth Leads the Way: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the Right to Vote. By Tanya Lee Stone. Illus. by Rebecca Gibbon. Holt, $16.95 (9780805079036). Gr. 1–3.

This short, incisive picture-book biography introduces Stanton and what she accomplished, beginning with her shocking realization that the law treated women unfairly. The child-pleasing artwork makes this highly accessible.

Frida: Viva la vida! Long Live Life! By Carmen T. Bernier-Grand. Illus. by Frida Kahlo. Marshall Cavendish, $18.99 (9780761253369). Gr. 7–12.

Using lyrical free-verse poems, Bernier-Grand brings readers into the life of artist Kahlo. Each well-produced painting by Kahlo is paired with an original poem that expertly extends the imagery so evident in the art.

George Washington Carver. By Tonya Bolden. illus. Abrams, $18.95 (9780810993662). Gr. 3–6.

Bolden’s strong writing finds a worthy subject in the slave-born scientist Carver, but she never shies away from directly and indirectly addressing criticisms of Carver for his lack of political activism. Photos and reproductions of Carver’s paintings help make this a standout.

The Many Rides of Paul Revere. By James Cross Giblin. illus. Scholastic, $17.99 (9780439572903). Gr. 4–7.

Giblin’s attractive, large-format book looks at Revere’s life and his role in the American Revolution, in many cases setting the record straight. Salient facts and intriguing details combine effectively with period portraits, narrative paintings, engravings, and maps.

Piano Starts Here: The Young Art Tatum. By Robert Andrew Parker. Illus. by the author. Random/Schwartz & Wade, $16.99 (9780375839658). Gr. 2–4.

Parker contributes both words and pictures in this heartfelt portrait of jazz great Art Tatum. The vibrant scenes contrast crowds of dancers and musicians in a swirl of animated motion with scenes of the nearly blind Tatum, set against moody, abstract, shifting colors.


The Real Benedict Arnold. By Jim Murphy. illus. Clarion, $20 (9780395776094). Gr. 7–10.

Murphy has a difficult task—getting past rumors and folktales to present Arnold in a fair and honest way—and he does it meticulously. While never going beyond his sources, he still manages to offer a fascinating look at a man whose name has become synonymous with traitor.

The Secret World of Hildegard. By Jonah Winter. Illus. by Jeanette Winter. Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine, $16.99 (9780439507394). Gr. 1–4.

A medieval visionary might not seem the topic for an early-level biography, but with elegant simplicity, this mother-son team introduce Hildegard, squeezing out the essence of her life, and making her story accessible to young children. A small jewel.

Strong Man: The Story of Charles Atlas
In this winning picture book, McCarthy separates fact from fiction as he tells the story of Atlas, the original 98-pound weakling who transformed himself into a world-famous strong man.

The Wall: Growing Up behind the Iron Curtain . By Peter Sís. Illus. by the author. Farrar/Frances Foster, $18 (9780374347017). Gr. 7–10.

This autobiographical picture book is an artistic account of Sís’ coming-of-age in Prague during the cold war. The remarkable art expresses the interplay between Communist restrictions and Western influences (Booklist’s 2007 Top of the List winner for youth nonfiction).

A site for digitally connected teachers

PBS Teachers Connect
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/connect/
PBS Teachers Connect is an online community of teachers exchanging ideas, resources and instructional strategies on the integration of digital media and technology. Educators can search more than 3,000 standards-based classroom activities, lesson plans, interactive resources and other materials on the PBS Teachers Web site, http://www.pbs.org/teachers/ then easily bookmark, annotate, share and manage their tagged content within the PBS Teachers Connect community. Many of the resources feature PBS'award-winning programming and content, including on-demand streaming video from select PBS programs.

PBS Teachers Connect started on July 1, 2008 and is an offshoot of the PBS Teachers
web portal to the wide-ranging multimedia instructional resources and professional development services PBS offers preK-12 educators.

Updates-Booklists,Teaching and Books and Dinosaurs!

Fantasy/SciFi alert

The encountering enchantment website on fantasy, science fiction and speculative fiction has been updated with new titles
http://www.encounteringenchantment.com/New___Forthcoming_Titles.html

Language Arts/Literacy/Librarian Educators Alert:
BOOK SMARTS is a new open access ("free-to-read") journal that offers brief, informative discussion of books on critical issues in education.
The Spring 2008 Issue of BOOK SMARTS is available at
http://www.book-smarts.net

Included in this issue:
* Harrison, L. E. (2006). The Central Liberal Truth: How Politics Can
Change a Culture and Save It from Itself. NY: Oxford
University Press.
Reviewed by Edward M. Olivos, University of Oregon

* Glass, Gene V. (2008) Fertilizers, Pills, and Magnetic Strips: The
Fate of Public Education in America. Charlotte, NC: Information
Age Publishing, Inc.

* Ohanian, Susan. (2008). When Childhood Collides with NCLB.
Brandon, VT: Vermont Society for the Study of Education, Inc.

* Meiners, E. R. (2007). Right to Be Hostile: Schools, Prisons, and
the Making of Public Enemies. London & NY: Routledge.

* Norton, Bonny & Toohey, Kelleen (Eds.) (2004) Critical Pedagogies
and Language Learning. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Danny and the Dinosaur fans
It's the 50th anniversary of the pub.llication of Danny and the Dinosaur
See http://www.sydhoff.org/

A few thoughts for teachers- Did You Know 2.0

Although it is a year old, This is a most illuminating presentation:


The link is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMcfrLYDm2U&eurl=http://thefischbowl.blogspot.com/2007/06/did-you-know-20.html

It was originally posted on http://thefischbowl.blogspot.com/2006/08/did-you-know.html
and was part of a faculty presentation at a school staff meeting.
Enjoy.

Great Websites for Kids!

The Association for Library Service to Children has just updated its Great Websites for Kids. Websites can be searched or browsed by subject.

See it at http://www.ala.org/gwstemplate.cfm?section=greatwebsites&template=/cfapps/gws/default.cfm

Help School Libraries in NJ!

Take Action Now to Advance School Libraries!

A draft of new School Reform Program regulations includes the following requirement:

N.J.A.C. 6A:XX-1.1 Standards-based instruction

(g) All school districts shall provide library-media services in each school building, including a certified school library media specialist and access to computers, district-approved instructional software, appropriate books including novels, anthologies and other reference materials, and supplemental materials that motivate students to read in and out of school and to conduct research.

NJASL needs your help to ensure that this requirement for school libraries is retained in the School Funding Reform Regulations.

Write to Commissioner Lucille E. Davy in support of this proposed requirement
http://njasladvocacy.pbwiki.com/f/SLMS%20Commissioner%20Letter%20Template.doc

Urge your colleagues to send letters to Commissioner Davy in support of retaining this requirement
http://njasladvocacy.pbwiki.com/f/Teacher%20Commissioner%20Letter%20Template.doc

Help all members of your school community (students, parents, staff, administrators) to write in support of this requirement


Letters should be sent to:
Lucille E. Davy, Commissioner
Department of Education
100 River View Plaza
P.O. Box 500
Trenton, NJ 08625

Teacher Job Fairs

NEW JERSEY TEACHERS' JOB FAIRS

Here are upcoming teacher's job fairs!! MARK YOUR CALENDARS and spread the word to friends, colleagues, college graduates, and all and sundry!!!


1. KEAN UNIVERSITY TEACHER JOB FAIR
http://www.kean.edu/~career/teacher_jobfair.html
WEDNESDAY, May 21, 2008
1:00--5:30 PM--CAS Building
1000 Morris Avenue, Union, New Jersey

2. PATERSON PUBLIC SCHOOLS TEACHER JOB FAIR (For directions and details, go
to--http://www.paterson.k12.nj.us)
WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2008
3:30--5:30 PM
The New Roberto Clemente School
582-506 Market Street
Paterson, New Jersey
(Entrance and parking on Pennington Street) Positions available-- BILINGUAL/ESL MATH & SCIENCE SPECIAL ED/CHILD STUDY TEAM

3. FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP PUBLIC SCHOOLS (Somerset County) TEACHER RECRUITMENT FAIR--For high school and middle school candidates in all academic content areas starting September 1, 2008.
http://www.franklinboe.org

Interested applicants must email resumes for pre-screening to:
mginsburg@franklinboe.org

Directions to Franklin High School--
http://www.franklinboe.org/fhs/directions.html
SATURDAY, May 31, 2008
9:00 AM--1:00 PM
Franklin High School
500 Elizabeth Avenue
Somerset, New Jersey 08873

Teen Reading Events in NYC- May-August

May 7 -- Teen Author Reading Night (6-7:30, Jefferson Market Branch of NYPL, 425 6th Ave, at 10th St.)

Tara Altebrando, What Happens Here
Libba Bray, Up All Night
Erin Haft, Meet Me at the Boardwalk
Cheryl Klam, The Pretty One
Nico Medina, Fat Hoochie Prom Queen
David Levithan, David Ozanich, and Chris Van Etten (aka David Van Etten), Likely Story
Lizabeth Zindel, The Secret Rites of Social Butterflies



May 8 – UP ALL NIGHT reading/party with Libba Bray, Peter Abrahams, Sarah Weeks, Patricia McCormick, and David Levithan (Books of Wonder,18 W. 18th st.
New York, NY 11373(212) 989-3270; 5-7 PM)


May 16 – LIKELY STORY reading with David Levithan, Chris Van Etten, and David Ozanich (aka David Van Etten) (7:30pm, B&N Greenwich Village, 138 W. 10th St. New York, NY (betw. Greenwich Ave. & Waverly Place) )

May 19 – Prom reading with Brian Sloan, Nico Medina, Jeanny Le Ny, and David Levithan (6:30pm, Borders at Time Warner Center, on Columbus Circle)

June 1 – HOW TO BE BAD reading with E. Lockhart, Sarah Mlynowski, and Lauren Myracle (Books of Wonder,Books of Wonder,18 W. 18th St. New York, NY 11373(212) 989-3270 1-3PM)

June 25 -- Teen Author Reading Night (6-7:30, Jefferson Market Branch of NYPL, 425
6th Ave, at 10th St.)

Susanne Colasanti, Take Me There
John Coy, Box Out
Sarah Beth Durst, Out of the Wild
Daphne Grab, Alive and Well in Prague, New York
E. Lockhart, Sarah Mlynowski, and a stand-in for Lauren Myracle, How to Be Bad
Randi Reisfeld, Rehab
Rachel Vail, Lucky


Aug 13 -- Teen Author Reading Night (6-7:30, Jefferson Market Branch of NYPL, 425 6th Ave, at 10th St.)

Nora Baskin, All We Know of Love
Matt de la Pena, Mexican Whiteboy
Donna Freitas, Possibilities of Sainthood
Lauren McLaughlin, Cycler
Lauren Mechling, Dream Girl
Margo Rabb, Cure for Heartbreak
Martin Wilson, What They Always Tell Us

LAPTOP RAFFLE at the Family Technology Fair for Grades 3-8

5th Annual "Families in Technology Day"
Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA)
New Jersey Chapter and New Jersey Institute of Technology's Educational Opportunity Program

Along With the Corporate Sponsorship Of:

Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG)
Prudential
Microsoft
Merck
UBS

Presents....

Our 5th Annual "Families in Technology Day"

TECHNOLOGY AWARENESS = COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT "Honored Guest - To Be Announced"

Saturday May 31st 2008 at 9:00 am - 3:00 pm New Jersey Institute of Technology Kupfrian Hall University Heights, Newark, NJ 07102

Technology Workshops for All Ages
Informative Lectures & Cultural Entertainment & Other Giveaways ...and Continental Breakfast & Lunch!

For Students (Grades 3-12) Accompanied By Their Parents

FREE LAPTOPS will be raffled to students submitting a paragraph on how they can benefit from the use of a laptop. Paragraph must consist of a minimum of 4-5 sentences. Originality, sincerity and good grammar is important. Paragraphs may be emailed or mailed to:

BDPA - New Jersey Chapter
P.O. Box 25192
Newark, New Jersey 07101 or

Email: bdpainfo@bdpanewjersey.org

All entries MUST be received by May 23, 2008.

For Event Registration, Call: 1(888)203-5073.

Free Comic Book Day- Saturday 5/3/08

Saturday May 3rd, 2008

What is Free Comic Book Day?
Free Comic Book Day is a single day when participating comic book shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely free* to anyone who comes into their stores.

See http://freecomicbookday.com/ for more information

Free Comic Book Day Store Locator:
http://freecomicbookday.com/fcbd_locator.asp

Each retailer will decide the guidelines for receiving comics

For those near Elizabeth New Jersey:
Free Comic Book Day at Elizabeth Public Library
Mangafest
Saturday, May 3, from 12:30 – 4:30 pm in the Main Library Auditorium

A high quality program with free comics…
Ample parking, directions and information at: www.elizpl.org.
A day full of hands-on learning for long-time manga fans and anyone newly interested. A program well worth the trip.
Mangafest will feature experts in manga and Japanese culture

Mangafest will offer a rich experience of the craft of manga (the Japanese word for comics). Mangafest will feature a hands-on, manga workshop for teens and panel discussions that cover Japanese culture and careers in comics. Customary comic book giveaways, Japanese snacks and autographed books will accompany the day’s events. Guest speakers include Misako Takashima (aka Misako Rocks!) author of Biker Girl and Rock and Roll Love, Ali Kokmen, Del Rey Manga Marketing Director and Janna Morishma, Director or Diamond Kids Group, Diamond Comic Book Distributors. During the drawing workshop for teens, there will be a special Q&A session for adults. The program is free and open to all parents, teachers and students. Please call Kimberly Paone, Supervising Librarian, Teen Services Department for more information at 908-354-6060, x-7235.