Joanna Axelrod Youth Services Librarian Escondido Public Library Anna Hartman Children's Librarian San Diego County Library - La Mesa Branch Betwixt, BeTWEEN, and Befuddled

Who are They and Why Should I Care? Very ambiguous definition! –9-14 years old (4th – 9th grade) “too old for toys…too young for boys” Tweens are searching for a place where they belong and libraries can provide it

Challenges – Programming and Scheduling Distinguishing unique programs for tweens - not just lumping them into a group with your kids or teens Since the age definition is so ambiguous, finding a balance between age and developmental appropriateness for all tweens

Scheduling Considerations After school or summer school (afternoon is best to avoid these times) Still rely on parents for ride

Running the Program Sign Up in advance if limited supplies or space. No Parents Allowed Divide the group if there are not enough supplies for all to use at one time Reminder Call!!!!

Book Clubs Escondido Public Library’s In BeT(w)een Book Club La Mesa Library Tween Book Club for 3-5 graders

Not Just a Book Club Add an activity related to book List of Books and Activities on Summer Reading Wiki

Selecting Tween Activities Activities for Tweens are those that are too hard for young elementary and too babyish for Teens. Sometimes the directions need to be adapted to make it easier for large groups.

Hydro Bracelets

Hydro Bracelets and Wand Supplies 1 ft ¼ inch diameter clear plastic tubing 1 inch 3/8 inch diameter clear plastic tubing Glitter, small confetti, etc. to fit inside ¼ inch diameter tubing 2- ½ screw protectors (hardware department) Super Glue Water Food Coloring (optional) Bracelet Total Cost: $8.60 (with super glue) Total Cost per 20 Tweens: $.43 Wand Total Cost: $11.40 Total Cost per 20 Tweens: $.58

Snow Globe

Supplies Baby Food Jars, Plastic Ocean Animal, Glitter, Food Coloring, Water, Super Glue Total Cost: $20-30 Total Cost per 20 Tweens: $1-1.50

Water Bottle Holder

Supplies Cotton or polypropylene belt webbing, 1 rubber O- ring, 2 no-sew dungaree buttons, fabric paint Total Cost: $60-95 Total Cost per 20 kids: $

Seashell Creatures

Supplies Seashells (variety of sizes, shapes, and colors) Google Eyes Craft Glue Other embellishments Total Cost: $14.00 Total Cost per 20 Tweens: $.70 From:

Message in a Bottle

Supplies Used Water Bottles Glitter Glue Stickers (Rhinestone Skickers) Paper Crayons/Markers Total Cost: $10-30 Total Cost per 20 Tweens: $1-1.50

Water Creature Eraser Supplies Sculpey Amazing Eraser Clay Total Cost: $26 Total Cost per 20 Tween: $1.30

Crystal Rock Garden

Supplies Alum Jar (size may vary depending on how many rocks you put in) Water Microwave (dissolving alum in water) Total Cost: $20 Total Cost per 20 Tweens: $1.00 From

Water Science Cauldron Bubbles Test which materials will make the cauldron bubble clear glasses, water, oil, salt, sugar, sand Dancing Raisins Make raisins and other objects dance or float tall clear glass, club soda that has a lot of bubbles, raisins, beans, chocolate chips, etc. Water Filter Make a filter that will clean water 2-liter soda bottle cut in half, napkins or paper towels, gravel, sand and cotton balls for your filter, dirty water From:

Save the Date!! SERRA Tween Workshop Wednesday, March 10, 2010 East Valley Community Center, Escondido $20 full day program includes lunch Featuring Teri Lesesne –Sam Houston State Univ. Prof and Self-proclaimed “Goddess of YA Literature” –Author of Naked Reading: Uncovering what tweens need to become lifelong readers –