Science Fiction and reality? Yep!

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!

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?!

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

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

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!