August's Teen Only Book Group Selection

Copies of August's book, Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier, are in the Teen Area  now for the next Teens Only Book Group meeting!  The group will meet Wednesday, August 20th from 3 to 4 p.m. in the Robbins Library Teen Area.

In Ruby Red, Gwen learns about her Time Travel gene when she is finds herself back in time.  Gwen's cousin was supposed to be the time traveler in the family, but now Gwen must navigate her new life as part of the secret society called The Guardians.  

Yes, I know.  I picked a book with a girl with a big red dress on the cover.  I'm aware that it might not interested everyone, but as always, you don’t have to read the book to come to the meeting.  Just come share other books you have read and enjoy the discussion.

Swords, Cake, and 3D Printing!!!

Science of Swordplay
Monday, July 28
6:30-8 p.m.
Robbins Library Community Room
A chronological presentation of several different eras of European sword use. Links the correlation between the book and the sword with examples from historical combat manuals and physical demonstrations of the use of several different types of swords. Be prepared for a demo, and a question and answer/"MythBusters" segment where we discuss the common misconceptions about swords.
Please register here to guarantee your spot.

Cake Decorating
Wednesday, August 6th
4-5:30 p.m.
Robbins Library Community Room
Join a  talented cake decorator  from Whole Foods in Arlington to learn  some simple tips and techniques for decorating cakes and cupcakes. This is a hands on and delicious workshop where you can eat your creations. Not recommended for teens with life threatening food allergies.This program is made possible by the generosity of Katie Lamie  from Whole Foods Market Arlington, MA.
Register here to reserve your spot.
***Registration closes July 30th***

3D Printing 101 for Teens
Wednesday, August 13th
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Robbins Library Community Room
Have you heard about 3D printers on the news? Although the technology has been around for over 20 years, the personal 3D printer movement makes anything seem possible. In this fast-paced workshop you'll get to "meet" a 3D printer, discuss the history of the technology, then dive into some basic 3D design with a free tool you can use at home. Please register here.  Space is limited!
 ***If you can bring your own device or check out one of our laptops 10 minutes before the start of the program, we have 6 more spaces available! If you are using your own computer, check to make sure the browser will work for the program by click here. If you do not receive an error message or are using one of our laptops, you can contact Aimee at 781-316-3204 or by e-mail at agagnon@minlib.net. These spaces are first come, first serve.***

3D Printing 101 is Back!

Back by popular demand, 3D Printing 101!  In this fast-paced workshop you will discuss the history of the technology and dive into some basic 3D design with a free tool you can use at home.  If that isn't enough, you will get to see a 3D printer in action!!! 

This workshop will be held Wednesday, August 13th from 6:30 to 7:30 PM in the Robbins Library Community Room.  Space is limited, so please register here ASAP!

Creative Writing from our Winter 2014 Teen Writers' Workshop

It is finally here!  The long waited creative writing of our Winter 2014 Teen Writers!  My apologies on the delay.  Enjoy!!!

Our Winter 2014 Writers
by Lynette Benton

Here are the works that several of the Robbins Library Teen Writers wrote during the winter of 2014. As you will see, their work exhibits a level of creative expression seldom seen in writers so young. Each of the works expresses the writer’s own unique style and vision; none of the pieces resemble any of the others. The teen writers achieved that critical element of strong writing: originality.

Each of the teens focused on improving one aspect of their writing, such as inserting more suspense into their work or strengthening descriptions so that readers could easily visualize both the environment and the action.

The writers presented their work in a public reading in the Robbins Community Room in April 2014.

We invite you to join the Robbins Library Teen Writers in the fall. (You will be able to register for the classes here on the Robbins site shortly.) Classes begin on Monday, September 8, and run for six (6) alternating Mondays. We meet at 6:00 in front of the elevator in the main lobby. I hope to see you there.

Now, sit back and enjoy the students’ writing. Prepare yourself for mystery, mischief, and the macabre!

Holaweeno- by Cole Kraus
When Arrows Fly- by Emma Kraus
"Concert Kill", "Protected by the Predator", and "The Abomination" by Hunter Spadafora
The Advanced Society by Ian Bernardin
The Writer by Isaac Wilde

If you would like to read all the works by our writers, please click here.

Teen Events July 21st to August 6th

A Time to Dance with Author Padma Venkatraman

Monday, July 21

6:30-8 p.m.

Robbins Library Community Room

Loosely based on inspiring stories of a few differently-abled  (disabled) dancers, A TIME TO DANCE is a novel about spiritual awakening, the power of art, love and resilience of the human spirit. The author will read from her book, answer questions and sign books at the conclusion of her talk.

Science of Swordplay

Monday, July 28

6:30-8 p.m.

Robbins Library Community Room

A chronological presentation of several different eras of European sword use. Links the correlation between the book and the sword with examples from historical combat manuals and physical demonstrations of the use of several different types of swords. Be prepared for a demo, and a question and answer/"mythbusters" segment where we discuss the common misconceptions about swords.

Please register here to guarantee your spot.

Cake Decorating
Wednesday, August 6th
4-5:30 p.m.
Robbins Library Community Room
Join a  talented cake decorator  from Whole Foods in Arlington to learn  some simple tips and techniques for decorating cakes and cupcakes. This is a hands on and delicious workshop where you can eat your creations. Not recommended for teens with life threatening food allergies.This program is made possible by the generosity of Katie Lamie  from Whole Foods Market Arlington, MA.
Register here to reserve your spot.

***Registration closes 1 week before event starts***

Movie Clues for Friday's Movie

We are playing a Space and Time Travel themed movie for teens tomorrow, Friday July 18th, in the Robbins Library Community Room from 1:30 to 4:00 PM.  
Unfortunately, I can’t tell you the title here, but I can give you some clues!

1- This movie was the film debut of Chris Hemsworth, best for his role as Thor.

2- A recording of a Russian train's toilet flushing was used for the sounds of the automatic doors on the Enterprise in this movie.

3-  When Leonard Nimoy first met Zachary Quinto on the set of this movie, Nimoy said, "You have no idea what you're in for."

4- Wil Wheaton, best known as Wesley Crusher in Star Trek: The Next Generation, recorded voices for many of the Romulans.

5- The sound made by Kirk's motorcycle was a sound used for flying cars in The Jetsons (1962).

*These facts are from IMDB.com

Upcoming Events July 15- July 21

Teens Only Book Group

Wednesday, July 16

3-4 p.m.

Robbins Library Teen Area

This months book is “Planesrunner” by Ian McDonald; copies are available in the Teen Area now.  No worries if you don’t finish the book, just come share other books you’ve read, eat snacks, and enjoy the discussion.

Teen Movie-Space and Time

Friday, July 18

1:30-4 p.m.

Robbins Library Community Room

We can’t tell you the title here, but if you check the Teen Blog and Facebook Page we'll give you some clues!  You can also check in the library for flyers or call the Reference Desk.

A Time to Dance with Author Padma Venkatraman

Monday, July 21

6:30-8 p.m.

Robbins Library Community Room

Loosely based on inspiring stories of a few differently-abled  (disabled) dancers, A TIME TO DANCE is a novel about spiritual awakening, the power of art, love and resilience of the human spirit. The author will read from her book, answer questions and sign books at the conclusion of her talk.

Padma Venkatraman coming to Robbins Library!!!

Do you consider authors rock stars (I know I do!)? Then don't miss Padma Venkatraman's author visit Monday July 21st from 6:30 to 8:00 PM in the Robbins Library Community Room.  

Her new book, A Time to Dance, came out in May with starred reviews from Kirkus, Booklist, VOYA, and SLJ! Loosely based on inspiring stories of a few differently-abled (disabled) dancers, A Time to Dance is a novel about spiritual awakening, the power of art, love and resilience of the human spirit.  Padma Venkatraman will read from her book, answer questions and sign books at the conclusion of her talk.  

To learn more about Padma and her award winning books, check out her website here.  

Teen Events Week of July 7th

Teen Doctor Who Fan Club

Tuesday, July 8

3-4:30 p.m.

Robbins Library Teen Area

Teen whovians!  Join us for our first meeting for fans of Doctor Who.  Help us pick an official name, create rules, and celebrate the awesomeness that is Doctor Who!

Henna Alchemy for Teens

Thursday, July 10

3-5 p.m.

Robbins Library Community Room

How exactly is henna made?!  Find out in this workshop. Facilitator uses a natural henna that she makes with Jamila henna powder, lemon juice and essential oils. It is 100% safe on all skin types, with the only concern being with people who have citrus allergies. 

Please register here to guarantee your spot.

Closed for 4th of July

The Robbins and Fox Libraries are closed for The 4th of July

The Robbins Library will reopen with regular hours, 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Monday July 7th

The Fox Library will reopen with regular hours, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Tuesday July 8th.

Henna for Teens

Have you ever wondered how henna is made? Then join us Thursday, July 10th from 3:00 to 5:00 PM in the Robbins Library Community Room for the Henna Alchemy for Teens workshop.  

The facilitator uses a natural henna that she makes with Jamila henna powder, lemon juice and essential oils. It is 100% safe on all skin types, with the only concern being with people who have citrus allergies. 

Please register here.  *We need at least 4 people registered to run the program, so be sure to have your friends register with you!*