Tween & Teen Events & Programs

The Next Chapter Teen Book Club Meets 2nd Sunday of the month from 2 - 2:30 PM Register on the calendar. Contact Carolyn at cthorenz@rcls.org for more information. Join other teens for a lively discussion and snacks. We are preparing for the 2022 Battle of the Books. Be part of the team! February pick: Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo March pick: The Radium Girls by Kate Moore April pick: Good Omens by Neil Gaimen
Gardiner Ink! YA Creative Writing and Visual Art Meet Up Meets 4th Sunday of the month @ 2:00 PM Register on the calendar. Contact Carolyn at cthorenz@rcls.org for more information. Showcase your creative writing and artwork in our yearly publication. Prompts, tips and writing and art share during monthly meetings. This year's Gardiner Ink! will feature entries from a 250-word flash fiction contest. Artists will have the opportunity to design work that enhances the literature as well as create independent pieces. Help Wanted for our new Gardiner Ink! Art Department. Be part of the design and editing process. Currently accepting submissions of original poetry, fiction, and art. Original works of visual art can include paintings, drawings, and photography. Flash Fiction Writing Contest (teens to adults) Can you write a story that takes about a minute to get through? Put your writing and editing chops to the test. Stories should contain a protagonist, conflict, obstacles and complications with a resolution all within no more the 250 words. Entries will be accepted through April 24 and will be featured in the 2022 issue of Gardiner Library's YA literary magazine Gardiner Ink! 1. Use one inch margins all around. Indent each paragraph 3 to 5 spaces. 2. All entries must be printed in Times New Roman, 12 pt. type and double-spaced as a Word Document. 3. The title of the work and a page number should appear on every printed page. 4. Entries must be in good taste, using proper grammar, punctuation and correct spelling. 5. Illustrations or pictures can accompany a manuscript. 6. Italics or alternate fonts can be used when stating characters thoughts. There will be 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in the teen (13-19) and adult (20 and up) categories. Manuscripts will be blind-judged. Accepted materials will be published in the 2022 issue of Gardiner Ink!
Battle of the Books 2022 Team Informational meeting February 13: Register. Second Sundays (April - June) @ 2:30 PM Weekly over the summer (day/time tbd) Contact Carolyn at cthorenz@rcls.org for more information. If you love to read and enjoy some friendly competition "Jeopardy-style", come join the Gardiner Library Battle of the Books team. Read some or all 8 chosen books in different genres. Then, battle against up to 25 other RCLS libraries to bring home the title of Battle of the Books Champs. Fun, prizes, and community service hours for all team members. Team members must be between the ages of 11-18 and not graduated from high school. This year's chosen books.
Felting Series with Christine Adams Ages: 10 to adult (6-9 year olds with adult supervision) Registration required by 24 hours before each class. $10 includes all materials. Limited spaces available. Needle felting is a fiber art that involves repeatedly stabbing a special needle into a piece of wool in order to stiffen and shape it into the desired form. February 20 Part One: Learn to felt a penguin! Register. March 13 Part Two: Learn to felt a Gnome! Register. April 10 Part Three: Learn to felt a bunny! Register.