Teen Short Story Writing Contest!

Teen Short Story Writing Contest!

Teen Short Story Writing Contest!

Write Your Masterpiece

Due on or before March 11, 2020

THEME: Spies, Mafia, & Mystery

From spies on Capital Hill to the murder mystery at the cabin in the woods, Madison Library District is in search of mystery stories written by our local teens.

It was a dark and stormy night. Suddenly, a shot rang out. A door slammed. The maid screamed.

~ Snoopy

How to Participate

​Anyone age 12 to 18 can submit a story between 500 and 2000 words.

All stories must be typewritten and submitted to the Madison Library District at the front circulation desk or emailed to gina.m@madisonlib.org.

Prizes will be awarded at our Teen CSI party on Friday the 13th of March @ 7:00 p.m., so bring us your most mystifying mysteries or your superlative spy stories for a chance to win.

Story Time – January 14 and 15, 2020

Story Time – January 14 and 15, 2020

Story Time – January 14 and 15, 2020

10:30 am in the Community Room – ages 2 to 5

In January, we learned about the letter “S.”

This Week, We Learned About Sneezes and Sniffles.

Tip:  Teach your child what they can expect if you have to visit a doctor’s office. These places are often scary, but the library has plenty of books about seeing a doctor.

Craft Activity

Band-aids and tissues can make lovely butterflies!

Songs, Rhymes, and Fingerplays

Five Little Monkeys

Five little monkeys jumping on the bed.
Ahhh choo!
“I feel sick!” one of them said.
Momma called the doctor and the doctor said,
“Cover that sneeze, wash those hands, and put that monkey in his own bed.”

Four, three, two, one…

One little monkey jumping on the bed.
Ahhh choo!
“I feel sick and tired,” he said.
Momma called the doctor and the doctor said,
“Cover that sneeze, wash those hands, and put that monkey in his own bed.”

All the little monkeys were lying in their beds,
Resting all day when each of them said,
“We feel better. Let’s have some fun!”

Then five little monkeys hopped out of bed.

All the Little Germs

All the little germs, dirty and mean,
Hiding on your hands, (point to where they’re hiding)
Where they cannot be seen.
Wash them, (rub hands together)
Scrub them, (rub knuckles together)
Rinse them away. (whisk hands across each other)
Then we’ll have clean hands, (hold hands out palm up)
Hip, hip, hooray! (jazz hands!)
-storytimekatie.com

The Elevator Song

tune “Do Your Ears Hang Low”
Oh, the city is great, and the city is grand!
There are lots of tall buildings on a little piece of land.
Oh we live way up on the 57th floor
and this is what we do when we go out the door.
Take the elevator up, take the elevator down
(3 times)
Then we spin around!

Tops and Bottoms Handwashing song

(tune “Are you Sleeping”)
Tops and bottoms, tops and bottoms
In between, in between.
Scrub them all together, scrub them all together
Now they’re clean, squeaky clean!
-Jbrary.com

Books Presented

Pigs Make Me Sneeze!
by Mo Williams

In Pigs Make Me Sneeze!, Gerald believes he is allergic to his best friend! Will he have to stay away from Piggie forever?

Find it in our Catalog

Sneeze!
by Alexandra Sly

There’s something in the air–pollen, dust mites, mold spores, dust, goose down, cat hair, pepper, flu viruses, and bright light–that’s causing these nine kids to sneeze. 

Find it in our Catalog

Germs Are Not for Sharing
by Elizabeth Verdick

Achoo! Cough! F-L-U-S-H! What to do? In childcare, in preschool, at home, and everywhere, toddlers need to learn that germs are not for sharing.

Find it in our Catalog

Bear Feels Sick
by Karma Wilson

Autumn has come to the woods, and Bear doesn’t feel well. He sniffles and sneezes. He cannot sleep. He aches all over. Worst of all, he’s feeling too poorly to play with his friends.

Find it in our Catalog

One Cow Coughs: A Counting Book for the Sick and Miserable
by Christine Loomis

All the animals in the barnyard are sick: two mules moan, three sheep shake, four hens hold their heads that ache . . . and ten turkeys weep at the welts on their knees. No need to worry, help is in store.

Find it in our Catalog

Additional Books

Bill Nye the Science Guy’s Great Big Book of Tiny Germs
by Bill Nye

Germs, germs, everywhere! Did you know that: – Some germs are good for you, or even delicious? Find out how more about germs and how to stay healthy, with eleven cool experiments.

Find it in our Catalog

Do Not Lick This Book: It’s Full of Germs
by Idan Ben-Barak

Min is a microbe. She is small. Very small. In fact so small that you’d need to look through a microscope to see her. Or you can simply open this book.

Find it in our Catalog

A Germ’s Journey
by Thom Rooke

Where did your cold germ come from? And ACHOO! Where is it going next? A germ’s journey is filled with snuffles, sniffles, and sneezes.

Find it in our Catalog

Llama Llama Home with Mama
by Anna Dewdney

Ah-choo! Uh-oh, Llama Llama’s nose is feeling tickly, his throat is feeling scratchy, and his head is feeling stuffy. Back to bed, no school today for Llama Llama! Instead, he’s home with Mama.

Find it in our Catalog

The “Get Well Soon” Book: Good Wishes for Bad Times
by Kes Gray & Mary McQuillan

Cynthia the centipede, Harold the hamster, Tiffany the turtle, and other animals suffer from various injuries or illnesses.

Find it in our Catalog

Early Literacy Tip:

Sharing stories is a great snugly activity when children aren’t feeling well, make sure to have plenty of books at home.

Story Time – January 7 and 8, 2020

Story Time – January 7 and 8, 2020

Story Time – January 7 and 8, 2020

10:30 am in the Community Room – ages 2 to 5

In January, we learned about the letter “S.”

This Week, We Were Introduced the Word “Snake.”

Snakes are important members in the web of life as both predators and prey. They feed on mice and other small rodents which helps to control the pest population.

Craft Activity

You can decorate a paper plate snake by cutting magazine squares into triangles. 1 square will make 2 triangles.

Songs, Rhymes, and Fingerplays

S-N-A-K-E

I had a snake
he was so green
as green as snakes can be!
S-N-A-K-E, S-N-A-K-E, S-N-A-K-E,
he is my favorite snake!

Snakes Slither

Snakes slither on the ground,
Snakes slither all around.
Some are short, some are long.
Some have fangs,
and some have none.
-1001 Rhymes and Fingerplays

I’m Being Swallowed by a Boa Constrictor

I’m being swallowed by a boa constrictor
a boa constrictor, a boa constrictor
I’m being swallowed by a boa constrictor
And I don’t like it very much!

Oh no, oh no, he swallowed my toe,
he swallowed my toe, he swallowed my toe,
Oh no, oh no, he swallowed my toe,
And I don’t like it very much!

Oh gee, oh gee, he’s up to my knee,
he’s up to my knee…

Oh fiddle, oh fiddle, he’s reached my middle,
he’s reached my middle…

Oh bleck, oh bleck, he’s up to my neck,
he’s up to my neck…

Oh dread, oh dread, he swallowed my….
Schlirppp!
-Shel Silverstein

Books Presented

Snakes
by Valerie Boden

A basic exploration of the appearance, behavior, and habitat of snakes, a family of scaly reptiles. Also included is a story from folklore explaining why snakes do not have legs.

Find it in our Catalog

Can I Play Too?
by Mo Willems

In Can I Play Too? Gerald and Piggie meet a new snake friend who wants to join in a game of catch. But don’t you need arms to catch?

Find it in our Catalog

Hide and Snake
by Keith Baker

A brightly colored snake challenges readers to a game of hide and seek as he hides among familiar objects.

Find it in our Catalog

Additional Books

They Thought They Saw Him
by Craig Strete

A little chameleon successfully avoids a number of dangers by changing colors to match his surroundings.

Find it in our Catalog

Mouse Count
by Ellen Stoll Walsh

In this charming companion to Mouse Paint, Ellen Stoll Walsh introduces the concept of counting forward and backward in a suspenseful story that will keep young readers guessing

Find it in our Catalog

The Rattlesnake Who Went to School
by Craig Strete

On his first day of school, Crowboy pretends he is a rattlesnake, but then he meets a girl in his class who wants to be a rattlesnake too.

Find it in our Catalog

Early Literacy Tip:

When your children have happy experiences, they want to repeat them. Starting kindergarten can seem as an extension of informal library “classes.” Children who have had joyful experiences in the public library often approach school with a positive attitude, ready and excited to learn.
-Megan Dowd Lambert

Reading Picture Books With Children

Winners of our 2017 Teen Writers’ Contest!

Winners of our 2017 Teen Writers’ Contest!

Congratulations to the top three winners of our Teen Writer’s contest!

  1. First Place: The Story of the Stars by Naiya H.
  2. Second Place: Stars of Night by Claire H.
  3. Third Place: The Starry Night by Malina O.

The stories were judged on originality, grammar & spelling, use of the prompt “Starry Night” from the painting by Vincent Van Gogh, a clever beginning or “hook”, and overall enjoyment.

A big thanks to all the teens who participated!

The stories were clever and a true joy to read.

Keep an eye out for our next contest and keep writing!

Read Naiya Herzoff’s winning story here:

"The Story of the Stars" by Naiya Herzoff

The horse caused Theodorus to bump slightly in the saddle as he rode down the rough dirt road. The sun glowed above, bright and glorious, and the lush green trees gave the fragrance of fresh nature. The journey was a long one, merely a lone man riding into the unknown. He rode on, occasionally giving his trusty horse an approving pat. The palomino whinnied gladly, and he spoke to it.

“Hey Marron, don’t worry. I think I see something ahead.” And indeed he did. As they trotted up a hill, there was a slight view of what looked like a small town. They rode over, and went down a straight path leading to the distant town. After a while, they reached the beautiful community and rode inside. The sun shone over the brick and wood walls of the houses and shops. People were walking in the streets, all looking pleasant and lively. Many said hello to him, and one man even offered to buy him something.

“What can I get you for free today?” he asked. “Bread? A new coat? Anything, for I put it upon myself to care for all the newcomers in this town.” Theodorus politely refused the man’s gift, for he felt guilty that the man’s money would be wasted on him.

He rode through the town, intending to just pass through and leave again, but soon realized he was becoming very weary. He knocked on the door of a pleasantly beautiful looking red brick home, hoping for a place to stay for the night. An old man with green eyes that sparkled and a small scruffy gray beard opened the carved wooden door.

“Excuse me for interrupting,” Theodorus said nervously. “But I was wondering if maybe I could stay one night at your home? My journey has been tiring, and I have no money for a room.” The old man smiled, and his eyes shined. He beckoned Theodorus into the home, opening the door wide.

“Come in, come in. My name is Giovanni, now let me show you inside.” Theodorus quickly tied up his horse on the front porch and stepped inside. The house was warmed by a gray stone fireplace, the flames crackling and popping, giving the room a homey glow. It had only a few padded chairs clustered in the corner and a small wooden table. A doorway looked into a small, humble kitchen, with many lit candles gathered on the counter. Giovanni led him to a short hallway and took Theodorus through one of the red wooden doors.

“This shall be your room,” Giovanni mentioned. It was a small but homey room, with a low bed and a square oak desk. The window displayed a slowly descending sun. Bright colors were painted across it, creating a beautiful canvas. Giovanni smiled warmly and strode from the room. Theodorus paced around for a minute before sitting at the desk, staring absentmindedly at the candle, watching the wax slowly drip down.

He sat up suddenly, quickly becoming aware of how dark the room had become. In his daydreaming, the candle had been reduced to a mere stub. The window now displayed a magnificent starry night sky. Theodorus left the room to find the kind old man cooking a stew over the fire.

“Finally,” he remarked. “I was starting to worry you had slipped away and left.” He carefully spooned some warm stew into a bowl and handed it to Theodorus.

“Eat up! Sorry dinner is so late.” They sat down together at the small dinner table, and Theodorus was very grateful of the man’s generosity.  Giovanni started up a conversation as they ate.

“So, tell me about yourself. Why are you here? Where are you traveling?” Theodorus told him of his travels across the country, riding on rough dirt roads to find a city to live in, any city he came across. He had been kicked out of his previous home because of tax increase, and now he needed a place to work at to purchase a house.

“My luck for work will be better in the city,” he mentioned to Giovanni. “I have no true destination, only the road in front of me.” After dinner was finished, Giovanni took him out of the house and led him to a small hill overlooking the town. They lay down on the grass by a large tree and looked up at the stars in silence. Theodorus took the peaceful time to think about everything as he silently praised the splendor of the stars. They were the brightest he had ever seen, and he watched them with delighted wonder. He chose not to ask the old man his question about the stars, for it seemed absurd and childish. They later walked back down the hill in pondering silence.

Theodorus slept steadily, and he awoke feeling pleasant and relaxed. He sat up in the bed, and the memories flooded back. His bright morning spirit soon dimmed as he realized that he had to leave this lovely home and say goodbye to Giovanni. He quickly got ready, slung his pack over his shoulder, and walked through the main room of the home to the front door. As he reached for the knob, Giovanni walked out of the kitchen and exclaimed, “Are you leaving already? At least stay for breakfast, my dear man.”

Theodorus unwillingly walked away from the door and took a seat at the small table.

“All right, all right. I shall stay for breakfast, but that only. I must leave, for I do not wish to intrude on your life any longer, and the work I need is most likely elsewhere.” The old man’s sparkling eyes seemed to dim.

“I wish you could stay in my home a while longer so we could become better acquainted. I’m sure there is work for you in this town.” they both sat down and enjoyed bread as they talked. Giovanni told of the blacksmith’s apprentice, and how he had passed away of disease.

“The blacksmith needs a new apprentice, and you may be up for the job. Why don’t we go meet him?” Theodorus reluctantly agreed to stay a week longer and meet the blacksmith in three days’ time.

The three days came and went with many good meals, meeting others in the town, and star gazing. The two soon became good friends, and went together to meet the blacksmith. As they walked in the shop, they saw a large dark haired man with a scruffy beard holding a metal rod in a fireplace.

“Hello, can I help you with anything?” He smiled over at them in the friendly way that all the townsfolk seemed to greet people. He carried the pole over to a workbench and hit it hard with a hammer.

“I was wondering about the apprentice job,” Theodorus hollered over the sound of hammering. “Is the spot available?”

The blacksmith stopped hammering and looked at him. “Sure, what’s your name?”

“Theodorus.”

“Are you friends with Giovanni here?”

“Why yes, I am. He is a good man. I assume you know him?”

“Of course, I know everyone in this town.” He began hammering again. He yelled, “I’m a bit busy at the moment. Meet me in four days at this shop late in the day. Farewell!”

The next day came and went just as the ones before it. Theodorus and Giovanni made new friends, cooked, learned, and watched the stars. As they were star gazing, Theodorus finally mustered the courage to ask Giovanni about them. “Why are the stars above this town so splendid and bright?”

Giovanni looked at him in a curious way and said, “I was wondering when you we going to ask that. You see, as a community, we believe that when a person dies, a new star appears in the sky above the place they most called home. The kinder and better the life that person had, the brighter the star is.” He looked up and his eyes twinkled.

“Make it your goal to one day to be one of the brightest and most splendid stars shining in the sky.” And without another word, he walked down the hill back to his house.

Theodorus decided to stay on the hill by the tree and think for a while. He thought of life, of hope, of Giovanni. He lay for hours, looking without stopping. When he finally got up to go back, the sun was rising, declaring morning. He set down the hill striding to the house he knew well now, but found a surprise.

There was a man with an officer hat and coat standing at the door. Two other men were carrying out a large wooden board with something on it covered in a white sheet. Suddenly curious, he asked the officer, “What’s going on here? Where is Giovanni?”

The officer told him with a grim face, “I am sorry, but your friend Giovanni passed away last night. Marco Ricci had stopped to drop off a gift and found his body in his bed, passed from old age.”

The wave hit, pulsing and burning inside Theodorus. It was too much, and he simply turned around, left the officer, and ran. He did not know where, but his pain was guiding him. It pulsed, pushing him on and on along the grass of a distant valley. He didn’t care if he got lost, or if he was tired. He didn’t care, he just ran. He tried to run from the pain, but he knew he could never escape it. Everything was wrong, life was a lie, existence was just an evil and painful mockery of human beings. Nothing, nothing could hurt as much as he hurt. Nothing. Finally stopping his run, he simply sank to his knees and cried.

After hours of painful solitude, he eventually made his way back to the town. He planned to untie his horse, grab his pack, and leave. He never wanted to come back; he never wanted to feel this pain again. He walked up to the house, and it hurt to see it. The door was slightly ajar, and he could see people inside. “Leave his spirit alone, you fools!” he hollered. They all looked up from their work of inspecting the house. A woman in an officer coat came and put her arm around him.

‘I am so sorry. This never should have happened. He was the best man this town has ever known, and his loss is the worst of them also. We found his will, and he left the house to you, Theodorus. You’re one of us now.”

He glared at her. “I don’t deserve to live here. I’ll never be half the man he was. It’s not mine. You take it. Anybody. Take it! I can’t live with the pain!” He turned away as the officers left the house and wished him good luck, trying to comfort him. He didn’t care. He left again, this time going to the hill to watch the sunset.

Theodorus lay by the same tree as all the times before. Like all the times when he had Giovanni, when life felt like it had a purpose. He watched as the orange sun sank below the horizon of the town, and the same magnificent stars appeared in the sky. The sun came up, and he noticed something. There was a new star in the sky, shining brighter than the rest, twinkling with goodness. At that moment, everything became right as he walked to his new home.

October Teen Crafts – Harry Potter Fun!

October Teen Crafts – Harry Potter Fun!

Teen Crafts

Every Other Thursday at 4:00 pm in the Community Room

We’ve got more great Harry Potter Crafts for the month of October!

  • October 5: Monster Book of Monsters Tin
  • October 19: Mini Potion Bottles and Hogwarts House Friendship Bracelets

All supplies are provided – these are free events for teens ages 12 to 17.

Teen Crafts for September! Hurrah for Hogwarts!

Teen Crafts for September! Hurrah for Hogwarts!

Teen Crafts

Every Other Thursday at 4:00 pm in the Community Room

September is going to have some really fun Teen Crafts!

  • September 7: Olivander’s Magic Wands and Golden Snitches 
  • September 21: Hogwarts House Spellbooks and Writing Quills

All supplies are provided – these are free events for teens ages 12 to 17.

Be Part of the Teen Action Council!

Be Part of the Teen Action Council!

Hey teens ages 12-17!

Do you need leadership & service opportunities for college applications, like to be involved, or just love to read?

Then join the Madison Library District Teen Action Council! We meet once a month to plan activities and events for local teens.

Membership is limited- so APPLY TODAY. 

Teen Crafts for July!

Teen Crafts for July!

Teen Crafts

Every Thursday at 4:00 pm throughout Summer Reading

  • July 6 – Perler Bead World (pictured above)
  • July 13 – Popsicle Stick Ferris Wheels
  • July 20 – Bottle Sand Art
  • July 27 – Sail Boats

For teens ages 12 through 17; all supplies provided!

Perler Bead World
Bottle Sand Art
Bottle Sand Art
Teen Crafts for June!

Teen Crafts for June!

Teen Crafts

Every Thursday at 4:00 pm throughout Summer Reading

  • June 8 – Canvas String Art Graffiti
  • June 15 – Painted Rock Treasure Hunt (pictured above)
  • June 22 – Decorated Peat Pot Plants
  • June 29 – Painted Wooden Bird House

For teens ages 12 through 17; all supplies provided!

Canvas String Art Graffiti
Decorated Peat Pot Plants
Painted Wooden Bird House

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