Summer is here and school is no longer in session, but that doesn't mean you have to stop reading and learning for fun! Express Yourself @ the library, our summer reading program is for students in grades 7-12. The program runs from June 15 to Aug. 8. Pick up a form at the library or by clicking HERE. Read 10 books or 1,500 pages and enter the titles on your form. Return the form to earn a $5 bookstore gift card and other prizes. Prizes are available from Aug. 8-Aug. 18. They are provided by the Friends of the Library.

Congratulations to our 2009 Bookmark Contest winners. Many thanks to all the artists who submitted designs and to their teachers and parents who supported the event. Prizes were courtesy of the Friends of the Library. First Place: Lydia Koring, Stevenson High School; Second Place: Julia Maiuri, Utica High School; Third Place: Michael Prascius, Grissom Middle School; Honorable Mention: Erica Binkowski, Utica High School; Jackie Close, Sterling Heights High School; Rebekah Hughes, Warren Mott High School; Sanjana Shahreen, Sterling Heights High School; Alexander Thornton, Grissom Middle School.

This spring, Robert Fix, Director of Metro Detroit Gamers, will host a gaming session for teens at the library on Saturdays, July 18 and Aug. 15 from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. in the Programming Center. The session will include board games and more. Come and learn a new game or enjoy playing an old favorite! No registration is necessary and light refreshments will be provided. For more information on the Metro Detroit Gamers, visit www.metrodetroitgamers.com.

Teens! Are you interested in becoming a writer? Want to learn more? Join Sterling Heights resident and MFA candidate Sharon Cicilian as she guides you on your way to becoming a better writer. The Creative Writing Workshop for Teens will take place on Tuesdays, June 2, 9, 16 and 23 from 2-4 p.m in the Library Programming Center. TEENS COMING STRAIGHT FROM SCHOOL: Feel free to come late. All four Tuesdays are part of the workshop. Learn more about creative writing, mixed media, poetry, and myths and their place in literature. If you already write and would like to share or workshopwhat you’ve done, bring your work along. Participants will have the chance to have their work published on the library’s Web site. Registration is mandatory. Visit www.shpl.net or call (586) 446-2640.

The Canton Clan will be breaking and popping at the library on Thursday, June 25, from 3-4 p.m. The free performance will take place for teens in sixth through 12th grade in the Programming Center on a drop-in basis. The Canton Clan promotes the art of bboying and bgirling (the proper name for break dancing) and the various funk styles (popping and locking) through teaching, performing and holding events. The dancers will provide background on the history of break dancing, demonstrate some of the different styles and even teach a few of the moves. Registration is not necessary for this event.

Stop by the library and have your caricature drawn by Dan-D, a caricature artist on Thursday, July 23 from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Dan-D will do black marker drawings of the first 72 teens in grades sixth through 12th grade who claim a number in the library’s Programming Center. Please bring your school ID as proof of age.

Teens! If you loved the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer, come watch the film based on the first book. Twilight (PG-13, 2008) will be shown for teens in sixth through 12th grade in the Library Programming Center on Thursday, Aug. 13 at 2:30 p.m. Whether or not you read the books, come watch the movie, starring Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson. Snacks will be served. Registration is not necessary.

Oh, BTW, there are books just for fun, too!