Why YOU Love The Library

During the month of February the Teen Room hosted an interactive bulletin board where people could wire down why they love the library and we got lots of great responses! Here are some of our personal favorites:

💗 "I love how people are welcomed with open hands when they're new. I love how we meet new people and turn them into family.

💗 "I love that the library keeps people involved and that it is a quiet study place."

💗 "I love the books, staff and the fact that we can watch anime."

💗 "It has a huge variety of books you could read."

💗 "I love that everything is free and there is always something for everyone."

💗 "I can be myself and meet new people."

💗 "It is my favorite place in the whole world."

💗 "Anime club!"

💗 "All the friends I made here & Dungeons and Dragons!"

💗 "There are two large bean bags!"

💗 "They complete me!"

💗 "They have mangas!"


Thanks for all the love! We love you all too!

Anonymous Featured Artist

Today we have a very special submission from a teen artist that wanted to remain anonymous. This is their work "Instagram Girl" drawn in ink and marker just for us. We love it!

"Instagram Girl" by Anonymous.

Featured Artist - Shawnee

Thanks to Shawnee who recently brought in her amazing ink sketch called "Bait" which she drew for 2019 Inktober.

"Bait" by Shawnee

October Teen Art Contest

Some of you know that this year during the Summer Reading program, the Main Library's teen room hosted our first ever art contest. Well, it was so popular we decided to have another one for the month of October! Here's what you need to know:

* The contest is open to anyone living in Yuma County who is between the ages of 13 and 18.

* Each artist may only submit ONE piece of art. It must not be larger than 8" by 12".

* We will start accepting art on October 1st and we will stop accepting art on November 2nd at 5PM. Judging will take place November 3rd.

* Due to space limitations, only 2-dimensional art will be accepted, so no sculptures or other 3D pieces please.

* Any medium is just fine, but all art has to be 100% original work (no tracing or editing of other people's original art). High quality photocopies or high-resolution scans of your original work are fine to submit.

*This is a Halloween themed art contest, so your art has to be related to: Anime, Movies, TV shows, Video Games, Comics and Manga (No YouTube fandoms will be accepted).

* Your art must feature at least one character from your fandom in a Halloween costume.

* Your art can be turned in in person at the Main Library teen room or you cane-mail a scan to teen@yumalibrary.org

*After the contest, you must pick up your work no later than Saturday, November 16th by 5PM or it becomes property of the teen room. 

* Top 3 places will be chosen by a panel of impartial judges, and a voting jar will be available for one week after November 3rd to pick a "people's choice" winner.

If you have any questions about the contest, you can e-mail us at teen@yumalibrary.org, come into the teen room and speak to Dominique or call us at 928-373-6479.

Below are some examples of the artwork turned in for the LibraryCon's art contest back in May.

                             

Artist of the Week: Luke Bowling

This week's art is a pencil sketch from Luke Bowling, he calls it Sume Bro. It's an original character.
Nice job Luke!

"Sume Bro" by Luke Bowling

Artist of the Week: Zoey Myers

This week's featured artist is Zoey Myers who made this cool pencil drawing of a character she designed and created herself. She calls him Flower Boi.

Nice job Zoey!

Flower Boi by Zoey Myers

If you are between the ages of 13 and 18 and want to be a featured artist, poet, or author on the Teen Xing Blog, drop off your original artwork at the Main Library teen room any time during open hours, or e-mail us a JPeg scan of your art at teen@yumalibrary.org.

Writing must be submitted in .DOC format. 

Artist of the Week - Andres Perez

Today's featured artist is a teen who has been featured on the blog in the past. This is a piece titled Naruto Vs. Sasuke based on the anime Naruto, created by Andres Perez. Beautiful work Andres!

Naruto Vs. Sasuke by Andres Perez

Artist of the Week: Jadin Molina

Today's art is from Anime Club member Jadin Molina who bring us original pencil drawings he has named "Expressions of One." What a talented artist!

"Expressions of One" by Jadin Molina

Artist of the Week: Rose Webber

This week's featured artwork is by Anime Club member Rose Webber. It's a pencil drawing inspired by the anime "That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime!"

"That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime." By Rose Webber

Artist of the Week: Pablo Sanchez

Your featured artist this week is Pablo Sanchez, a member of our Teen Anime Club who created this awesome pencil drawing of Edward and Alphonse Elric from the anime Fullmetal Alchemist.
We love it!

"Edward and Alphonse Elric" by Pablo Sanchez

Artist of the Week: Ian Town

This week we have a very cool rendition of the character Allmight from My Hero Academia created for us by teen artist Ian Town, a member of our Teen Anime Club!
It is done in pencil and colored pencil. Nice work Ian!

"Uru Miytow - Allmight" by Ian Town

Artist of the Week: Jennie Copp

This week's featured art is a pencil drawing called "Snowman Fight" created by Jennie Copp, a member of out Teen Anime Club!
Nice job Jennie!

"Snowman Fight" by Jennie Copp

Of Men, Dice and Monsters Part 1

Below is a submission from one of our teens, Samantha Onweiler, 15 years old. Samantha became inspired to write this story at our weekly Dungeons and Dragons club of which they are a member. It is based on the campaign they are currently playing with the group.

Of Men, Dice, and Monsters

Written by: Samantha Onwiler, Age 15

Our story begins with a man named Gold. He meets with a guy named Connor, who is the leader of a mercenary gang. 

Connor gives him a quest to investigate a man and his mansion. He promises a handsome reward for completing this mission. To accompany Gold on his mission, Connor provides a young High Elf known as Soveliss Galanodel, or more commonly Sov. He was rather eager to get her off his hands, as she seemed to be a rather annoying companion.

Before leaving on their quest Connor offered a meal of porridge and fruit.

"You don't know what's in that." Soveliss muttered.

"For the last time Sov, I'm not going to poison you!" Connor shouted in reply to her remark.

"Tsk, okay."

Connor quickly stopped them before they left and gave them each a red strip of cloth, so they could blend in as members of his gang. Gold and Soveliss set off along the path, each wielding their weapons along with some healing potions from Connor. 

Gold wielded a large double-sided battle ax. As for Soveliss, she was a sorceress and wielded a staff with a large opal atop it. Together they were sure to be powerful, but only if they are able to learn to get along.

Soon they found where they were to branch away from the main path. Continuing along the new route they soon found their way to a rope bridge. Gold began crossing with hardly and trouble. But Soveliss on the other hand, despite being an agile elf, had some trouble and was quite wobbly.

They eventually made it to the other side and found the secret entrance to the mansion, hidden behind some bushes. They saw that the place they were about to enter had no light what so ever. Luckily for both of them their races had darkvision, allowing them to see most of what was in the dark.

Entering the mansion they begin trekking through the long hallway. Soveliss abruptly stops as she hears a hissing voice in her head.

"Who... Are... You..." It hisses to her.

"Why... Are... You... Here..." It then hisses in Gold's head.

Drawing their weapons they realize whatever this is, it's not going to let them continue without a fight.

"Who... are... you...? What... do... you... want...?" The creature hidden in the shadows hissed.

"C-cookies?" Soveliss replied in a whimper.

"What? Who are you talking too?" Gold questioned.

"I heard a voice! It was asking me something so I responded!"

"Tsk, whatever."

Gould proceeded to light a torch and that’s when he heard what Sov was talking about.

"That... burns...! I... don't... like... pain...!" The beast hissed.

"What the heck was that?" Gold asked.

Then, from the shadows emerged a hideous, one-eyed beast. It was a Nothic and it was not happy that the pair had injured its one bulbous eye. Gold drew his axe and handed the torch to Soveliss who took a few steps back, trying to keep distance between her and the Nothic.

Taking a swing at the ugly beast with his ax, Gold found himself in an uncontrollable rage. Sov then decided to try and help him by casting a spell, known as Firebolt. The sudden attacks, which had both missed the gruesome creature, had only made it angrier. It charged with a mighty rage and slashed into Gold and Sov with razor like claws. Due to Soveliss having only her regular clothes on she took the most damage.

"Get out of here, Sov!" Gold cried to her. But she had made up her mind and was staying. Quickly downing the Healing potion from Connor, she drew her staff once again. Casting Firebolt once more she made a direct hit and the beast let out a sickening cry.

The monster tried fleeing after realizing it was not worth fighting. But before it could get past, Gold took his ax swinging down and slicing it in half with a sickening squelch. 

Standing in the midst of what had just happened they barely noticed a new shadow dancing in the torch’s light. Then, just barely, out of the corner of her eye, Sov noticed a man standing in the shadows. Sov letting out a blood curdling scream and dropped her staff with a thud.

"Hello there, new friends."The stranger spoke as he slowly stepped into the light. Before he could say anything else Soveliss and Gold drew their weapons and aimed them at the newcomer.

"Who are you and why are you here?" Gold questioned. The man simply answered by showing them his red sash tied on his left wrist.

"Connor sent me as extra muscle. The name is Shadow." The man said coolly. He was revealed as he drew closer to be a Dragonborn who stood at around 5 foot 11 inches tall.

"Well if you are a friend then..." Soviless trailed off as another monster in the distance let out a screech.

"We need to keep moving before another one of the beasts shows up." Gold said.

"Wait up there, friends!" A voice shouted from behind. The small group turned to find three people running at them full speed. The three then came skidding to a halt.

 "Hi there, the name is Rocky! And these two are Kekoa and Oberg." The one who seemingly called out said to the group. "Connor sent us to help you!"

"How many people is he going to send after us?!" Gold asked "Now as I was saying, we need to keep moving. There is another one of those beasts out there and I'd rather not stick around for it."

The now rather large group begins to head through the rather narrow corridor. After walking for some time, they find themselves at a steep ravine. Looking into the ravine they see an entrance to what appears to be a sewer. However in front of them stand two splitting hallways.

"We should split up." Gold said.

"What is wrong with you! If we split up that puts us at huge risk of running into the monster and not having the support we need!" Soviless retorted.

"I suppose that's true. Fine, we will stick together. But we are going with the left hallway." 

"Okay"

The group wandered down the hall for quite a while until they came upon a lit up area. Cautiously walking into the light they found themselves at a large wooden door.

"Do we open it?" Shadow asked.

"Wait! What if the monster is behind that door! We should use my spell Mage Hand. It would let us open the door at a distance." Soviless said.

"Hey, while you guys were talking, I opened the door." Gold spoke up above the babbling group.

The group now found themselves in a large room with two doors. One wooden door and one heavy iron door with scratches around it. Now it was up to them to choose.

Artist of the Week: Andres Perez

This week's featured art comes from the video game Fortnite! It's a drawing by 14 year old Andres Perez.

Great job Andres!

Fortinte by Andres Perez

Featured Poet - "You" by A'Myah Banks

This beautiful poem was submitted by A'Myah Banks. Congratulations on being our featured poet of the month!

You

When you said that I'm the one you wanted. The countless times

you said you loved me. The way your deep but fragile voice always managed

to put me to sleep. But those eyes, those eyes I can't seem to shake. I'll never

forget them. no matter how hard I try. You will always be part of me that I will never

let slip away. Heaven? Yeah, heaven was the way I felt when you held me close

to your chest. So close that all I could hear was the rhythmic beat of your heart.

I miss you. I want you back. I want your laugh, your sarcasm, your imperfection. 

I just want you. "Late at night when all the world is sleeping I stay up and think of

you, and I wish on a star that somewhere you are thinking of me too." Cause I need you.

I want so bad to be back in your arms. For you to hold me close like you used

too. For me to be yours, and you to be mine. Even as days grow old and my

memory starts to fade, never, never will I let you go. 

Fan Art Showcase

As some of you probably know if you were there, at the last Yuma LibraryCon on May 4th, 2019 we hosted an art contest sponsored by the Friends of the Yuma County Library store. Three of the artworks were chosen as first, second and third place winners by the friends, but we thought all the art was great and the artists deserved to be recognized for their effort, so here are all the runner up entries that we received for the competition:

Clock Work by Emma Ablanalp

Deku Villain AV by Clarisa Lujan

The Doctor by Devin Culver

Fire Breather by Damian Thompson

Goofy by James Meier

Hell Boy by Azellia Olmos

Jaidenanimation by Elisabeth Schweda

Kakashi Sensei by Jacqui Lawson

Kanna by Takara Rose

I'm a 9 Year Old by Nicole Galaviz

The Royal by Erick Martinez

I Love Sally VwV by Sarah Hernandez

In All Might's Shadow by Freddy Gomez

Sign of Peace by Gisela L. Coronado

Something Else YT & Odd is Out by Isabel Scweda

Sylveon by Vivian Benedict

Wilson, The Gentleman Scientist by Danielle Leon

Featured Artist: Dani

One of our favorite artists, Dani, sent in this original creation she calls Webber, the spider person. We love it! Thanks Dani!

April Poetry Contest!

April is National Poetry Month and to celebrate, the Main Library is hosting a poetry contest! Details are in the image below, but in case you can't see it well, here are the basics:

It's open to anyone ages 13-18.

The poem can be any style and doesn't have to rhyme. 

The poems can't be longer than 20 lines. 

You can turn in a poem that is either typed out or written by hand, but make sure we can read your handwriting if it's hand-written. 

You can pick up an entry form at the Main Library Teen desk.

Once poem will be featured on this blog each week, and one poem will be chosen as "best poem" by an anonymous vote. 

If your poem is chosen as a featured poem you will win a small prize. 

If your poem is chosen as the best poem you will win a slightly bigger prize. 

Get your entries in early! No poems will be accepted after the 26th. Voting opens in the teen room on the 29th of April and ends on May 4th, after Library Con. 

Featured Artist: Sydney

Congratulations to this week's featured artist Sydney Lopez who drew us this amazing fan art of 707 from the game/visual novel Mystic Messenger. For those who don't know, visual novels are text-based games where you make choices and have character interactions which unlock parts of the story. They're super popular in Japan and Korea and are just making their way to the USA.

707 from Mystic Messenger by Sydney Lopez

If you want us to feature your art work, you can drop it off in person at the Main Library's Teen Room any time we're open, or e-mail us a high-res Jpeg or PNG file to teen@yumalibrary.org

Featured Artist: Faith

This week's artist is Faith Johnson who drew a portrait of one of our regular library patrons named Jill. Jill loved it some much she encouraged Faith to submit it to the blog so here it is! Isn't it beautiful?

"Jill" by Faith Johnson"