Make waves at your library

Book talks, painting, ‘Name that Tune’ in store for young people in Chester CHESTER — From book discussions to a name-that-tune competition to drama workshops, teens will be making all kinds of waves at the Chester Public Library this summer. “Make Waves at Your Library” is the 2010 theme for teen summer programming at public libraries nationwide, and Chester is in the flow. The calendar of events is suitable for ages 11 to 18. “Waves offer a remarkably useful rubric,” said Gabriel J. Wasserman, the Chester librarian for teens and tweens. “The theme allows us to show how a basic physics concept interrelates not only with water, a dwindling global resource, but with a civics lesson — the need to help society make positive changes. Art, music, fiction and nonfiction will all have a fresh vitality at the library because of this cohesive concept - making waves. I think it ties together important ideas for adolescents to consider and we have designed programs that bring out various facets of wave making. The overriding goal is to help kids grow, making meaning from knowledge and valuing their own creative minds.” July 13 Teens and tweens will discuss Catherine Fisher’s “Incarceron,” a British novel published in the U.S. this year. A fantasy story with multiple protagonists, it’s much different from the realistic fiction of Tangerine. Wasserman said he wanted to offer for discussion two very different types of novel this year, so kids would have options and maybe consider how different genres generate brain waves in different ways. “Incarceron is wavy insofar as it breaks narrative molds even for fantasy,” Wasserman said “It’s the first novel I’ve read that’s set in a prison that turns out to be alive. There’s an echo, perhaps, of The Andromeda Strain (Michael Crichton’s classic sci-fi warning about technology as a dystopian force). Incarceron warns, in compelling detail, about how we can create and inhabit prisons of our own making. It’s a dark story, but one where most characters have a great deal of energy, strength and hope. The pace is fast and there are elements sure to captivate and fascinate a variety of boys and girls.” July 15 On July 15, Chester Library summer programming turns to the fine art of painting. Local artist Pat Foxx will show teens and tweens some watercolor techniques in a participatory workshop. “Each person will learn a bit about watercolor, see some examples, and create a free and expressive painting inspired by watery music,” said Foxx. “Each person will be given a piece of a larger image to paint, using the watercolors.” Paul Ellis, a writer, director and producer based in Sugar Loaf, will return to lead two drama workshops at the library. Ellis helps youths to think creatively as they design and act out various scenarios. His provocative workshops at the library create waves in the fabric of culture. They have been very popular among teens and tweens over the past few summers. July 29 On July 29, teen music phenom Jesse Schacher will lead “Name That Tune” a musical contest wherein teams are challenged to identify songs from small audio snippets. Participants at last summer’s Name That Tune were very enthusiastic even though Schacher was away on vacation when the contest took place. “I’m definitely looking forward to it and I hope as many people come as are up to the challenge,” Schacher said. “There will be mostly modern songs, the last three years, with a few oldies thrown in.” And for the rest of the summer... Among other summer activities for teens and tweens is Battle of the Books (for which Bob Quinn is again being invited to be the official question reader). Chester seeks to reclaim its crown from Warwick in this third annual competition of literary recall. Copies of the material, as well as other puzzles and brain teasers relating to waves, are available to all Chester teens and tweens. For more information, call 469-4252 or stop in at the library at 1784 King’s Highway.