Let's Talk about Ender's Game

First off, a big salute to all the English students in Ms. Tucker's class that have read the book and posted comments on our Newport Reads 2008 web log! Good discussion!

Secondly, this Thursday, we will have a panel discussion to talk about Ender's Game, right here at the library. The community is invited to come and share ideas about the book and the various subjects it deals with. Gary Firestone will moderate the series with a Powerpoint presentation of "The Enderverse."

Discussion issues range from Morality and Ethics, Military involvement, Child development, education and psychology and the common themes of science fiction in literature.

Join us for an interesting evening of exchanging ideas about Ender's Game.

Transformers - ya gotta love them!

A long time ago, far away on the planet of Cybertron, a war was being waged between the noble Autobots (led by the wise Optimus Prime) and the devious Decepticons (commanded by the dreaded Megatron) for control over the Allspark, a mystical talisman that would grant unlimited power to whoever possessed it.



Teens and adults came together last night to enjoy this good vs. evil sci-fi drama. The special effects were amazing, and we all cheered for the loveable Autobots. The popcorn and candy were good, too!

Catch us on Myspace!

If you have a Myspace account, we'd like you to be our friend! Our address is www.myspace.com/newportlibrary.

And don't miss Transformers, showing tonight in the library's downstairs meeting room!!

Transformers Screening on March 20th!

As part of NEWPORT READS 2008! and the Third Thursday Teen Night, we will be showing the film Transformers. Come join us in the McEntee Meeting Room at 7:00 p.m.!



When teenager Sam Witwicky buys his first car, he doesn't know is that it's actually an alien robot. This isn't the only alien to arrive on Earth. Optimus Prime and a fellow group of transforming robots have arrived in search of the AllSpark. Megatron and the Decepticons are also searching for the AllSpark, and will do anything to get it, even if it means destroying the city.

"I think Michael Bay sometimes sucks ("Pearl Harbor," "Armageddon," "Bad Boys II") but I find it possible to love him for a movie like "Transformers." It's goofy fun with a lot of stuff that blows up real good, and it has the grace not only to realize how preposterous it is, but to make that into an asset." - Roger Ebert

What a success!

Thanks to Cindy McConnell, Curt Fewkes, Tiana Tucker, Patti Littlehales, Marian Brown and Marlene O'Neil for their hard work that made the "Ender's Game" kickoff a smashing success! Over 100 community members of all ages congregated at the Newport High School in the Boone Center for an evening of intellectual discussion and what might be considered "mindless" video games.


The evening began with a surprise, distinguished award presentation for Cindy McConnell from the College of Education Alumni Association. After a few words from Curt Fewkes, chair for Newport Reads! and NHS principal, Jon Zagel, Science Fiction professor Margaret McBride from the University of Oregon gave a very interesting talk about styles and forms of science fiction. As most of our "older" generations found out first hand - video games take primal skill and intense focus.

For the students of today, born with video controllers in their hands, the games are instinctive. For the 40 somethings and up, the hand eye coordination required in many of these games is challenging and takes a new level of concentration.
It was fantastic to see Ms. Tucker battling her nemesis at the Play Station, library director Wyma Rogers attempting to play Barracuda on the Guitar Hero, and Ms. McConnell kicking up her heels on Dance, Dance Revolution! The night was deemed a success for all who attended and the library is proud to be part of a program that brought today's generations together in the name of the future - science fiction!
In the meantime, keep reading Ender's Game!

Join us at Newport High School March 6th at 5:00!

The main theme of "Ender's Game" is the games that Ender plays - mind games and war games. It is through the mind game that Ender is able to come to terms with the changes that are occuring in his life. In the battle room Ender joins the kids at school to play war games - the games that have a fine line between being just a game and crossing over to reality. The greatest game that Ender plays is while he is the commander of the Third Invasion. His health is jeopardized, he cannot sleep, he barely eats, and he is forced to be a leader and not a friend to those he cares for.



Are Ender's attempts to destroy the buggers motivated by a desire for the games to end? Will Ender come to realize how to separate mind games, war games and reality?
Stay Tuned...