Celebrate Teen Read Month with Free Comics, Author Visits and Star Wars Reads Day

   Teen Read Month is a national celebration for teens to read for the fun of it.  A chance to break away from the textbooks and enjoy programs designed for them.    Free events and author visits are planned throughout Tulsa City-County libraries to showcase library resources for young adults.  Programs are designed to offer entertainment as well as a dose of education.    “BAM!” “WHAM!” “CRUNCH!”  Sure to be a hit is the arrival of “Comics Plus: Library Edition.”  Customers will have access to thousands of digital graphic novels and comics to read on a pc, tablet, smart phone or any web-connected device.  By clicking on the Comics Plus: Library Edition logo on Tulsa City-County Library’s home page customers can activate their account to download.  After seven days, the item is automatically returned.    Genres include: fiction, non-fiction, fantasy, thrillers, romance, indie comics, Sunday funnies and Manga.  Titles for the comics and graphic novels include Doonesbury, Bleach, Archie, Sonic the Hedgehog, Naruto, Dilbert, Cathy, Garfield, Red Sonja and The Shadow.  Among the many publishers available are Archie Comics, Papercutz, Andrews McMeel, VIZ Media, Ape Entertainment, Ape Entertainment, Dynamite, Graphic Classics and many more are added regularly.    New York Times best-selling author Gayle Forman will appear at the Martin Regional Library, 2601 S. Garnett Road, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m.  Forman’s popular works for teens include “Just One Day,” “Just One Year,” “Where She Went” and “If I Stay.”  She will speak about her life and works, answer questions from the audience and sign books.     Enjoy these free Teen Read Month programs: “tad@H Tuesday: Make a Playlist,” Oct. 7, 4-5:45 p.m., Helmerich Library5131 E. 91st St.  We will make a playlist with the Freegal music downloads.  Bring your phone, laptop or tablet, plus your library card.  We also will have a book giveaway. “Teen Book Wars!” Oct. 8, 6-7 p.m., Helmerich Library.  It is an epic battle of the books.  Listen to librarians defend some of their favorite books in four categories: Realistic Fiction, Graphic Novel, Sci Fi/Fantasy and Mystery.  The audience will vote on winners and have a chance to win door prizes. “Dreams to Reality: Minecraft Edition,” Oct. 8 and 15, 4-5 p.m., Owasso Library, 103 W. Broadway.  Join us for these special Minecraft sessions where participants will have a half hour to create a given objective as a team or individually.  Registration is required due to limited computer availability.  Call 918-549-7624 to register. “iDreams: My Vision of My Future!” Oct. 9, 3-4- p.m. Judy Z. Kishner Library, 10150 N. Cincinnati Ave. E., Sperry.  Celebrate Teen Read Month at this fun DIY event. “DIY Bookbinding,” Oct. 11, 1-3 p.m. and Oct. 14, 6-7 p.m., Pratt Library, 3219 S. 113th W. Ave., Sand Springs.  Keep track of your goals and dreams by creating your own journal.  We will create a book using card stock and other supplies.  This project will be completed over two sessions.  Registration is required and is limited.  Call 918-549-7638 to register. “Star Wars Reads Day,” Oct. 11, 1-3 p.m., Zarrow Regional Library, 2224 W. 51st St.  Feel the Force! Make a light saver, play games, join the costume contest and celebrate all things “Star Wars.” “Celebrate Star Wars Reads Day,” Oct. 11, 2-4 p.m., Collinsville Library, 1223 Main.  Tulsa Star Force will present “Star Wars” characters.  We will also have face painting, Jedi activity stations, storytime, prizes and drawings.  Cosplay in your “Star Wars,” Syfy or other anime/manga characters.  Sponsored by the Friends of the Collinsville Library. “Turn Your Dreams Into Reality: Learn How to Create a Successful Blog,” Oct. 14, 6-7:30 p.m., Helmerich Library.  Join Cullan Hudson, author of “Strange State: Mysteries and Legends of Oklahoma” and the corresponding blog strangestate.blogspot.com.  Hudson has traveled the globe searching for unexplained mysteries that inform and inspire works like his supernatural thriller “The Mound.” “Teen Time,” Oct. 15 and 29, 4-5 p.m., Martin Regional Library, 2601 S. Garnett Road.  Join us for fun activities, Wii gaming and board games.  Also, learn how to make a dream catcher.   “Happy Happy Cake Ball Party!” Oct. 16, 2-2:50 p.m., Broken Arrow Library, 300 W. Broadway. Super yummy! Decorate cake balls to look like your favorite book or anime characters. “Meet Author Gayle Forman,” Oct. 16, 7-8:30 p.m., Martin Regional Library.  Gayle Forman is an award-winning, New York Times best-selling author.  She will speak about her life and works, answer questions from the audience and sign books.  Copies of her books will be available for purchasing.  Sponsored by the Tulsa Library Trust. “Magazine Silhouette Wall Art,” Oct. 21, 3:30-4:45 p.m., Skiatook Library, 316 E. Rogers.  Create your own wall art from magazines.  We will have several designs to choose from or create your own.  Turn your dreams into reality with Teen Read Month.  Registration is required and class size is limited.  Call 918-549-7676 to register. “Tumbling With the Library,” Oct. 21, 6:30-7:30 p.m., South Broken Arrow Library, 3600 S. Chestnut.  Talk about Tumblr, fandoms and blogging.  A perfect time to set up your own account and get Tumbling. “Make It! Arm Knitting,” Oct. 23, 6-8 p.m., Zarrow Regional Library.  Who needs knitting needles?  Learn this fast and easy way to create your own handmade, wearable projects. “Books to Movies Festival,” Oct. 27, 2:30-4:40 p.m.  Join us as we make book covers, play Wii games and enjoy snacks. “DIY Dream Catcher,” Oct. 28, 6-7 p.m., Pratt Library.  Celebrate the end of Teen Read Month by creating your own dream catcher.  Class is limited to 18 on a first-come, first-served basis.    For more information on “Teen Read Month” or other library programs, call the AskUs Hotline, 918-549-7323 or visit www.tulsalibrary.org/teens. # # #