what's up with the library?

Issue 9 2-2-11

2011-02-11T16:17:00.000-05:00

Issue 9 is now available online! Check out the amazing artwork and writings from recent residents. I hope you enjoy this magazine as much as we did at the library!

Issue 9 2-2-11

Oodles and oodles of doodles!

2011-01-06T09:27:00.001-05:00

Last night's program featured scribbles, scraggles, and drawings! As a group, we took a look at some droodles (doodle riddles, that is), listened to read alouds of The Pencil by Allan Ahlberg and Art by Patrick McDonald.

They doodled in new drawing pads they received thanks to a grant from United Way with ideas they pulled from the drawing jar! The residents learned about their public libraries in Lancaster and York, ate some yummy home-baked cookies, and played a silly doodle droodle game where they had to make art from their neighbors squiggles! It was a ton of fun!

New books for the new year!

2011-01-04T11:56:00.004-05:00

Here are some new books we just added to the YIC library! They've already left the shelves. :)

Guinness World Records 2011

Guinness World Records 2011 continues to build on the intriguing, informative, inspiring and instructional records and superlatives that have made Guinness World Records one of the most famous brands and an annual best-seller around the world.

Can't Get There From Here by Todd Strasser

She calls herself Maybe. Thrown out by her abusive mom, she struggles to survive on the streets of New York with homeless teens who become a family in the asphalt jungle. They try to care for one another, but it doesn't help much. They beg and forage for food. Maybe knows some of them work as prostitutes and deal drugs. One or two do find loving homes, but most will die--from AIDS, violence, exposure, suicide. Without sentimentality or exploitation, Maybe's disturbing first-person narrative lets readers know exactly what it's like to live without shelter, huddling in nests of rags, newspapers, and plastic bags.

Give a Boy a Gun by Todd Strasser

High school sophomores Gary Searle and Brendan Lawlor have had enough. Day in and day out, for more than two years, they have been harassed, beaten up, and cursed out by most of the jocks at Middleton High--especially by football player Sam Flach. Armed with guns they've stolen from a neighbor's collection, Gary and Brendan storm a school dance, booby trap all the doors with homemade bombs, and prepare to turn their high school caste system upside down with a violent show of force.

Last Chance in Texas by John Hubner

It's hardly surprising that Texas, with its reputation for being big, brash and tough, would run one of the country's most aggressive programs for criminal youth. Teenagers who commit violent crimes are confined to a secure campus, but the Texas Youth Commission also provides them with an opportunity to reclaim their future. In this important book, Hubner, an editor for the San Jose Mercury News, expertly examines the big picture: the spike in juvenile crime from 1984 to 1994, and the legislative initiatives that led to the creation of the TYC. It's his ability to tie those facts to the reality of daily life at the Giddings State School through the eyes of the students, therapists, teachers and athletic coaches that gives this book its power. Hubner focuses on Elena and Ronnie, two young offenders at Giddings, as they are forced to confront and make sense of their pasts, re-enacting the most traumatic scenes of their childhoods and their crimes.

Street Love by Walter Dean Myers

In short lines of free verse, teens in Harlem tell a story of anger, loss, and love across social-class lines. Damien, 17, is a basketball champion and academic star, accepted into a top college. His parents want him to date middle-class Roxanne, but he falls in love with gorgeous Junice, 16, who is desperate to protect her little sister after their single-parent mom is sentenced to 25 years for dealing drugs.

The Rose That Grew From Concrete by Tupac Shakur

A collection of poetry written by the rapper between 1989 and 1991, before he became famous. The poems are passionate, sometimes angry, and often compelling. Selections are reproduced from the originals in Shakur's handwriting, personalized by distinctive spelling and the use of ideographs (a drawing of an eye for I, etc.), and complete with scratch outs and corrections.

You Don't Even Know Me by Sharon G. Flake

en portraits interspersed with poetry draw readers into the lives of a variety of African-American teens. In "Getting Even," a boy copes with his grandfather's death and the desire to find who killed him. Jeffery, 16, gets thrown out of his Auntie's house with nowhere to go. Eric goes against his dad's command to stay home with his siblings and instead finds a girl, some fun, and some trouble; Justin writes in his journal about death, suicide, and sexual abuse. La'Ron is too afraid to tell his father he is HIV positive, so he writes him a letter, and his father writes back.

Bringing Bill Behind Bars

2010-12-08T16:14:00.001-05:00

Bill Shakespeare that is. Or as most of you know him, William.

That's right, last week I hosted the Shakespeare program with the students at the YIC. We kicked off the night with a Shakespeare trivia game to get some facts down about Bill's life, work, and time. Smarties were the prize for the winner... 'cause the winner had to be pretty smart to get those answers right!

Next, the teens played a homemade version of Nine Men's Morris, a checkers-like game Shakespeare himself may have played in the Elizabethan Era. The game board, authentically, looks like this.

But the teens played a paper version with swedish fish and m&ms as their game pieces!

We watched a video clip from the lovely Reduced Shakespeare Company. These guys ROCK and the teens were laughing SO HARD. See for yourself!

The teens lastly got a taste of acting themselves, learned about their public libraries in Lancaster, and learned how to use the library in the center.

Issue 8 of What's Up? Magazine wishes you a Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-18T12:37:00.000-05:00

Check it out!!

Issue 8 11-3-2010

Thank you to William "Mickey" Beck for his continued support by making these AWESOME covers for the magazines!!

Issue 7 now available online!

2010-11-18T12:21:00.000-05:00

Check it out and enjoy!!

Issue 7 8-4-2010

An overdue THANK YOU to United Way!

2010-11-11T11:41:00.000-05:00

This is a LONG overdue THANK YOU to United Way of Lancaster for awarding us a $1500 grant for the Summer Activities Initiative Fund. This fund went to $1400 worth of books for the YIC library and and $100 worth of writing and drawing journals for the residents. To see the items we've added to the collection with the grant money, visit the following pages of the YIC library's catalog:

SAIF Fiction
SAIF Nonfiction
SAIF Spanish

We are so thankful to be able to provide all of these new books to the kids! They are on the shelves and already well-loved!!

Native Americans

2010-11-11T11:32:00.000-05:00

Last visit to the center we looked at Native American culture. Residents played a Native American stick game and learned about the Spokane Indian Reservation in Washington. This all to prepare for the read aloud The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. The students really enjoyed this story - we read the first three chapters out loud together. The drawings inside induced many giggles!

This book makes a great read aloud. The YIC Library was fortunate enough to have 2 available copies plus a copy of Sherman Alexie's The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven. All 3 of these books were "checked out" by the end of the program.

Success!

Stay tuned. I know there was much delay (which I apologize for) but the latest 2 issues of What's Up? magazine will be showcased here on the web VERY soon!

Science Fiction and reality? Yep!

2010-05-19T12:33:00.003-04:00

Why is science fiction important?

Tonight at the YIC, we will be exploring the world of science fiction. I will lead a discussion with the residents about the characteristics we find in science fiction and how they all relate to reality... yes, reality.

We're going to talk about change and society's fear of change, society's fear of technology, and the consequences that come along with the rapidly approaching future. We will discuss issues like what happens with an altered brain and an oppressive/fear-inducing government? How does that effect man? How does that effect the world? Words like like "Utopia" and "Dystopia" will be defined and discussed. Then, I am going to read snippets from the inside covers of various contemporary young adult science fiction books and discuss their stories with the residents. I will read a significant portion from Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games, a thrilling science fiction novel!

Books discussed tonight will include:

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary Pearson

The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer

1984 by George Orwell

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins &
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

The Giver by Lois Lowry

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Issue 6 hits the YIC!

2010-05-19T12:06:00.000-04:00

Issue 6 is now available online!! This special issue has a drawing and photograph from residents as well as great writing! Enjoy what they've shared in this latest issue and stay tuned for the next one releasing in early August!

Thank you to all the teens who participated!!

Issue 6 5-5-2010

Happy St. Patty's Day with What's Up?!

2010-03-17T12:52:00.006-04:00

At my program at the YIC tonight, the residents will learn about folktales from various cultures. In particular we will read aloud the Caldecott Honor book Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters by John Steptoe and an old Irish folktale about a Leprechaun. We will play Mancala, a simple chess-like game originating from Ethiopia, and an Irish memory game where we will learn about Irish culture and Saint Patrick's Day fun!

Residents will receive copies of the latest issue of What's Up? magazine and will be given the opportunity to look through library books on folktales and Ireland. We will eat a treat together as I answer any and all library questions!

Black & White

2010-03-03T16:16:00.005-05:00

I am getting ready to head to the Lancaster County Youth Intervention Center where we will read snippets from Paul Volponi's Black and White.

For an ice breaker, we will start off with two truths and a lie (how appropriate!). For fun, we will play Balderdash (the classic bluffing game, great!). Then we will read parts from Black and White and talk about the characters.

Black and White is about two star high school basketball players, one black and one white. They experience the justice system differently after committing a crime together and getting caught.

We will discuss integrity... what it means, who do we know that has integrity, how do people of integrity influence the world... What happens when someone does not have integrity? Have we seen this happen in history? etc.

We'll take time to write and look through library books about being a successful teen. Each resident will get the latest copy of What's Up? Magazine and a yummy snack. Residents will be free to ask any and all library questions and I will do my absolute best to give them great answers!

Preparing for a positive future

2010-02-25T11:07:00.004-05:00

During my last visit at the Lancaster County Youth Intervention Center (YIC), I started the residents off with an ice breaker about what they want to be when they grow up! Many inspiring answers were in the mix, from an RN to a scientist!

We talked a little about getting to that point... making plans... setting goals. Then, residents wrote letters to themselves for one year now. They wrote about where they hope to be at that point, how they plan to get there, and the struggles they are facing in their current situations.

Next, the residents took an assessment of their personalities to find out what jobs might be interesting to them. Some of the answers (of course) were a wee bit outlandish, but others were right on target with their current hopes and dreams! Some results gave inspiring options and (I believe) may have opened some doors of thought!

We looked at resumes and talked about what makes them successful. The residents performed a few silly "what not to do" interviewing skits, and then one very fine young gentleman showed the group "how it's done."

We ate a snack together and I let the residents pummel me with questions about their local public libraries in Lancaster County. It was a very successful evening, and I hope they enjoyed the experience as much as I did!

Issue 5 of What's Up? Magazine RELEASED!

2010-02-12T09:45:00.003-05:00

Here it is! I hope you enjoy reading the best writings from the 2009 magazine submissions.

If you haven't been here before, "What's Up?" is compiled quarterly by the Library System of Lancaster County's "What's Up with the Library?" program held at the Lancaster County Youth Intervention Center. The writings inside are written by teen residents at the Intervention Center. They are a wonderful group of kids and they have talent!! Enjoy :)

Issue 5 2-3-10

New Books!!

2010-02-09T10:28:00.004-05:00

Here are a list of some great new reads we purchased and added to the Lancaster County Youth Intervention Center's library! These were requests that residents made during my program visits. At the end of each program, the teens fill out an evaluation that helps me to tweak my program and create new exciting activities based on topics of their choice. They are given the opportunity to request books and other resources that can be purchased for their library. Here's some that were wanted and fulfilled!

Twilight saga by Stephenie Meyer
Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
Several Teen Ink books - This are comparable to Chicken Soup books but are all by teens about teenage life.
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
Tracker by Gary Paulsen
Stitches by David Small - This one's a graphic novel!

I am confident that these selections will be very well read. They seem to be common favorites among teens today, and I was so glad that in these hard economic times we can still purchase books for these teens!! They really need encouraging hobbies. And where they are currently located... they need something positive and uplifting to do with their spare evening time. I really hope we can impact teens in Lancaster County with BOOKS and ENCOURAGEMENT that the library has so much to offer... We can open so many doors of opportunity and possibility!!

Issue 4 released 11-4-2009

2010-02-01T11:59:00.003-05:00

Read it now online!!!

Issue 4 11-4-09
Hope you all enjoy the writings from the latest residents at the Lancaster County Youth Intervention Center!

New Books!! Added to the YIC Library Collection!

2009-12-04T11:19:00.004-05:00

These three books are being added to the YIC's library.

After by Amy Efaw.
In complete denial that she is pregnant, straight-A student and star athlete Devon Davenport leaves her baby in the trash to die, and after the baby is discovered, Devon is accused of attempted murder.
The Secret to Teen Power by Paul Harrington.
"So what's the big secret? And what can it do for you? Well, if you've ever had a dream, a secret ambition, a passionate desire or goal, but had no idea how to make it real, then The Secret to Teen Power is for you. The Secret has already shown millions of people all over the world how to change their lives and make their dreams come true. And you can do it too. The Secret gives you the power to have, do, or be anything you choose. We're talking wealth, success, great relationships, better health and self-esteem... anything your heart desires. It's all totally achievable. And all you need to do is discover this Secret"--Cover.
Muchacho by LuAnne Johnson.
Living in a neighborhood of drug dealers and gangs in New Mexico, high school junior Eddie Corazon, a juvenile delinquent-in-training, falls in love with a girl who inspires him to rethink his life and his choices.

Issue 4 Hits the YIC Tonight!

2009-11-04T12:22:00.006-05:00

That's right!! Issue 4 of What's Up? Magazine is printed and ready to be distributed this evening to the residents at the Lancaster County Youth Intervention Center! I am so excited to show this to my program tonight. The cover design looks fantastic - done by William "Mickey" Beck of Columbia, PA (local graphic artist) who so generously volunteered his talents for several issues of the magazine. I hope you are excited to take a look at this!! It will be up on the blog here soon!

Tonight's program is a bit of a release! The title: Oodles of Doodles. It's precisely that! We're going to draw and look at drawings, play games with drawings, do brainteasers that involve drawings. I think it will be a lot of fun! We will even do a read aloud about drawing!

That's not all! Tonight marks the end of the latest contest that What's Up with the Library? has hosted at the Youth Intervention Center. This was in honor of Teen Read Week. A contestant was pulled out of the drawing and they will receive a HUGE basket of goodies thanks to Renee Christiansen, Youth Services, Library System of Lancaster County. Thanks Renee!! The basket includes notepads, writing materials, snacks, a calculator, a t-shirt, kazoo, and coupons to ISAAC's! Neato! Thanks to all who have participated!

Jay's Magical Recap

2009-09-09T14:57:00.006-04:00

Jay was fantastic during his visit! He began his presentation with a story about his childhood and a magical wallet that ALWAYS had $50! Honestly, this trick had us ALL amazed!!! After we picked up our dropped jaws, Jay impressed the residents with some of his tricks; he passed out some supplies and allowed the kids to make their own with his careful instructions! They were practicing on each other and the staff. They seemed to really enjoy it!

Thank you, Jay, for being such an avid library supporter. During his presentation, he reminded the residents of his childhood trips to the library to pick out magic books filled with tricks. Jay learned from the books and traveled to birthday parties to put on his own magic shows!

If you are interested in finding some magic books at a public library in Lancaster County, check out our Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) here.

"What's Up?" Welcomes Jay Sterling for a Visit!

2009-09-01T14:57:00.010-04:00

Wednesday, September 2nd the Youth Intervention Center and "What's up with the library?" welcomes Jay Sterling (international speaker, professional motivator, award-winning entertainer), to visit with the residents and show off his tricks!

Dr. Jay Sterling will share tricks and magic in a presentation filled with "art, science, and illusion." We are thoroughly excited to see what he has in store for the evening! I will post back after the program to share some of the details!! Be sure to check in!

Don't forget to check out Jay's website: http://www.imagicorp.com And see what he can do!

Video from http://www.imagicorp.com/entertainer.htm

Mimi Shapiro tonight!

2009-08-19T15:22:00.006-04:00

Tonight is a fantastic program by MIMI SHAPIRO, a local artist!! She makes beautiful "altered books" and will be sharing her art and talents with the residents this evening, who will be presented with the opportunity to make their very own altered books from old bookmobile library books.

Mimi is also a WRITER! She writes beautiful poetry that she incorporates in her artistic books.

Mimi has received prestigious honors and awards around the world. We are blessed to have her visit the Youth Intervention Center and help us reach out to at-risk teens.

This beautiful picture featuring Mimi's art is from her web page. Please view her gallery, read her poetry, and check out her biography by visiting her at: http://www.mimiartz.com/

This program is happening in BIG thanks to the Library System of Lancaster County's Youth Services Department, Renee Christiansen, in celebration of the 2009 Summer Reading Program "Be Creative-" and "Express Yourself-" where? "@ the library!"

Issue 3!!!

2009-08-12T08:51:00.006-04:00

Here it is! Hot off the press! I hope you enjoy reading these as much as I do, they just keep getting better and better!!

*A SPECIAL NOTE*AND THANK YOU* goes out to William "Mickey" Beck, local artist from Columbia, PA, for creating this AMAZING cover for us! We are hoping to see Mickey this fall visiting the residents with a program on graphic design!!

Enjoy :)

Issue 3 8-5-09 Online

Creative Career Building program!

2009-08-05T15:47:00.003-04:00

Tonight I will be visiting the YIC for a creative program that focuses on the future! We will do an icebreaker where each resident puts a "dream job" in the bookmobile bag, we'll pull them out one at a time and guess which job belongs with who! Then we will do an exciting writing activity called "Letter to myself" from MacGregor's Teambuilding with teens: Activities for leadership, decision making, & group success book. The residents will write about where they wish to be one year from today. One year from today, the letters will be mailed to their homes! After this activity, we will take a short peronality type assessment... a quick quiz from Farr & Shatkin's 50 best jobs for your personality that will show the residents the kinds of careers they might be interested in according to their personality type. Next, we'll learn about resumes and interviewing for a job. The night will conclude with an explanation of how the library can help individuals prepare for careers, create resumes, and successfully interview for a new position. We will introduce the new Live Homework Help available through their public library's subscription! We'll browse books with helpful tips and snack together.

Express Yourself @ Your Library w/ YIC

2009-07-15T12:42:00.006-04:00

The YIC will be celebrating this year's teen summer reading program with the "What's Up with the Library?" staff!

[Image (c) 2009 CSLP www.cslpreads.org]

After reading for 7 hours, teens fill out a form and receive a coupon for a free Rita's ice! Then, their entry form will be entered into a drawing for a tote full of library goodies!

Also in celebration of EXPRESSING OURSELVES, the "What's Up with the Library?" staff hosted the Oodles of Doodles (drawing) Program and the Kids as Writers (writing) Progam last month. The residents really enjoyed exercising their creativity!

Upcoming events include a visit from comic connoisseur Joe Miller and artist Mimi Shapiro!

Do you live in Lancaster County? If you are interested in participating in the 2009 summer reading program, please visit us online and find a local public library near you! Also, find out what special programs are going on now!

Joe, the comic guy, visits the YIC!

2009-07-15T12:36:00.009-04:00

Tonight, Joe Miller will visit the Youth Intervention Center for a program. He will discuss the history of comics, how comics are made, give the residents their very own FREE comics, and even give them an opportunity to create their own comics!

We are so excited for Joe to come tonight!

If you would like more information about Joe and awesome job, The Comic Store, please be sure to check out his website: http://www.comicstorepa.com/

Visit from author Holly Payne!

2009-06-30T09:55:00.005-04:00

Author Holly Payne visited the Youth Intervention Center on June 3rd to discuss the release of her latest book Kingdom of Simplicity on June 6th. As a former local of Lancaster County, she discussed her inspiration and the events in her life that led to this Amish story of forgiveness.

The bookmobile now has two copies of this fascinating novel and two more copies have been added to the Youth Intervention Center's library!

During the program, Holly shared a letter with the residents from a tragic past experience. She added that the letter and the writing of this novel led to her understanding of forgiveness. After passing around paper and pencils, the residents wrote adventure letters to their role models, and many of them shared! It was a very exciting program and the residents had many excited questions for the author. The evening ended, of course, with several autographs! :)

Thank you, Holly, for a fantastic visit!

Issue 2

2009-05-27T12:20:00.003-04:00

It's now available online! I hope you enjoy it! We want to thank all the residents that participated. It was a fantastic issue and we had a lot of fun putting it together!

Everyone! Please feel free to tell us what you think!

Issue 2 5-6-09

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Other Creative Writing magazine programs

Issue 2 & The Printz Award Program

2009-05-06T16:45:00.007-04:00

Tonight we release Issue 2 of What's Up? Magazine!!!!!!!! We are really excited to see what everyone thinks. Check back to the blog here soon for a digital PDF copy!

Our new program this evening is called Excellence & Awards. The residents will learn about The Michael L. Printz Award in recognition of Children's Book Week. They will decorate character potatoes to be entered into the annual Potato Awards! This program will help everyone to start considering what skills and traits go into excellence. They will listen to a read aloud of Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta, the 2009 winner of the Printz award!

Kids as writers + submission deadline!

2009-04-15T12:33:00.011-04:00

Hello folks. Tonight we are traveling to the YIC for the Kids as Writers program. We will make modpodged journals and participate in a creative writing activity. The residents will learn about publishing, hear a Teen Ink read aloud, and submit writings for the next issue of What's Up? magazine!

And that's right, today is the deadline for submissions! We can't wait to put Issue 2 together. It will be released on May 6, 2009 both in print and here on the blog. Be sure to check back.

Origami

2009-03-27T10:45:00.011-04:00

Hello again!

We're bringing back an older program that we used when we first started visiting the YIC! It's a fun program filled with hands-on activities. At the start of this program, the teens will need to learn to work together in order to complete a group jug gling ice breaker.

Some read alouds like One Red Dot by David A. Carter will show the residents the many amazing objects and designs, even 3-D ones, that can be made with paper! This book is too cool, see what's inside here.

After the read alouds, we're passing out origami "how to" books, pulling up chairs, and helping each other figure out how to make animals, water balloons, hearts, and many other fascinating objects from a single square sheet of paper! Residents will learn a bit about this Japenese art form and will listen to authentic Japanese music while folding.

Folktales & Cultures

2009-03-03T10:44:00.007-05:00

Hello!

We are ready this week to introduce an improved version of an old program, Folktales & Cultures. On Wednesday, we will be visiting the Youth Intervention Center (YIC) to read Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters, an African tale by John Steptoe, and The Red-Ribbon Leprechaun, an Irish folktale. The residents will create and play Mancala, a traditional game that originated in ancient Ethiopia, with simple materials like egg cartons and stones. They will play an Irish memory game as a group that utilizes several Irish and Celtic symbols and their meanings. After learning a little about Saint Patrick and enjoying a treat, the group will look through some selected library books about cultures and their folktales.

I have already received a message from Bryan, the program coordinator at the YIC. Resident's have been submitting their writings for the upcoming issue of What's Up? magazine already! We look forward to reading them this week.

We want to encourage anyone interested to post their writings or upload their artwork onto the blog! Thank you!

Valentines from the teens at the YIC

2009-02-18T11:38:00.002-05:00

Hello everyone! We hope you enjoyed reading our first issue of What's Up? Magazine. It was a pleasure to piece together for the teens.

Below are some additional writings by teens at the Youth Intervention Center. They were provided by Scott Feifer, a teacher that conducts two programs at the center, "The Writing Circle" and "People and Stories." These writings were from a Valentines program with "The Writing Circle." Thank you, Scott, for sharing them with us! We hope the readers enjoy them.

Comments and additional Valentines are welcome!

It’s Valentine’s and I feel so empty and weak in my heart. I look at the blocks in my cell, and everything goes dark. Then I think of y’all on my last Valentine’s Day. Then reality hits, and everything else fades away. You guys are the only thing keeping me together, because I know my memories of y’all will last forever. I hope y’all can feel the love I express through this pen and know that you’re just not my family but my best friends. I’m trying not to cry as I write this poem, but this is the only way my love is showing. -James

To A Special Someone!

The moment I saw you and felt that Crazy sensation, I couldn’t help it but tell you that I Love You! -Rodolfo

Roses are red

Violets are blue

Every night I may dream of you

I may love you I don’t know

But you are my mother that I do know

Happy Valentine’s Day

-Paige

Roses are red

Violets are blue

I miss the kids at Garden Spot

I miss the music I listen to.

I miss the concerts

I mostly miss my family and my friends

Mom, I’m sorry. Let me come home.

PLEASE.

-Brad, 15

I thank you for being on my side and not giving up on me and teaching me to be more respectful. I couldn’t do it without you and Maria being on my side. You’ve been like a father to me. In the short time we had, I realized it’s good to take the first step, and I will always remember you and Maria in my stories I tell to my kids. And when you go and get that surgery, I hope you stay strong. -Rachon

This message is for Maria:

Thank you for all you’ve done for me. It means a lot to me because some people never fought for me to be better, and when I do bad you always give me advice to be better and try to do my best. You share a lot of your caring and for me usually I’m sometimes shy around new caseworkers. I think God gave you a gift to work with me, and out of all the caseworkers I’ve had you were simply the best one I ever had. -Rachon

Charles,

I love you more than oreos love cream, more than 7^th graders love to daydream, more than peanut butter loves jelly. You’re best friend and brother, the one who makes my heart laugh when it wants to cry. Happy Valentine’s Day. I’m sending hugs and kisses your way.

Love, Diana

Dear Dad,

I know that sometimes it hurts to love me,

And I’m sorry that I’ve bruised your heart

and made it bleed

I make my amends to you once again.

I miss you, I love you, and I appreciate all that you’ve done.

Thanks for being here and loving me unconditionally.

Happy Valentine’s Day

from your Nana Banana

the passion of love

bursting into flame

is more powerful than death

stronger than the grave

Love cannot be drowned

by oceans or floods

it cannot be bought

no matter what is offered

I love you Kourtney

-Mark

Like the stars in the sky

I am calling to you

from the heavens above

I am looking for you

In the depths of my soul

I will live and breathe for you

sadness dwells inside you

you have nothing to fear

for I will protect you

I can feel your sadness

Let me be sad for you

So you will feel love once again

worry not about life

let me worry for you

you should always love life

for it is a part of you

I’ll be there when you fall

to catch you and say I Love You!

Happy Valentine’s Day Kourtney

-Mark

First Issue Available Online!

2009-02-11T11:16:00.004-05:00

Hello everyone! I hope you are having a lovely week. It is certainly springy here in Lancaster! I wanted to let you all know that the first issue of What's Up? Magazine is now available in pdf on this blog. How exciting! Look for present and new issues on the right side where it says "What's Up? Magazines." Take a look and be sure to check back here to write us some comments on what you thought. We would love your feedback! Let's make the next issue a hit!

Whats Up? Magazine - Issue 1

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Other Creative Writing magazine

Issue 1!

2009-02-02T09:43:00.006-05:00

FINALLY!

What's Up? Magazine's first issue is due out this week! They will be taken to the Youth Intervention Center at the time of our "Oodles of Doodles" program in the evening on Wednesday, February 4, 2009. Inside, readers will find a brief description of what's up magazine, poems, true stories, and words of wisdom written by teen residents at the YIC! We hope it is thoroughly enjoyed and sparks interest for future issues to be published!

Thank you to everyone who has helped make this publication happen. Our goal is to publish a second issue on May 6, 2009. All writing and artwork should be submitted by April 15, 2009. How exciting!

Thanks!

Welcome!

2009-01-30T10:15:00.003-05:00

Hello!

My name is Laura, referred to as Miss Laura by many of our young library patrons.

What's Up? Magazine was designed and compiled through the Library System of Lancaster County's "What's Up with the Library?" Program at the Lancaster County Youth Intervention Center (YIC) in Pennsylvania. My fellow "What's Up?" staff member Joan and I created this publication for teens by teens. In our program, we travel to the YIC twice a month to encourage young residents to read, write, and enjoy the free services the public library has to offer.

This blog is a place where we will share writing and art created by any young adults and residents at the YIC, encourage creative writing among youth and teens, provide constructive criticism for each other and our writing, and share our ideas and thoughts about life, books, and libraries!

I look forward to blogging with you!