Laughing While Crying
Park Hill Author Traci Jones Writes To Young Adults
By Becky Corning, Librarian, Pauline Robinson Branch Library
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Park Hill’s own award-winning author, Traci Jones, likes writing for young adults. It is, she notes, an interesting age.
“Young adults are starting to really find out who they are,” Jones said in a recent interview for the Greater Park Hill News. “Their problems are interesting. They can actually solve their own problems, without going to an adult.”
On her website, at www.traciljones.com, Jones expands on her affinity for writing to that age. “Right now I can’t really think of why I would leave behind writing about the middle school years. It is such a hectic, wonderful turbulent time in life. Full of promise and full of misery. A time to laugh while crying.”
Jones grew up in Park Hill. Her Denver Public Schools teachers, she says, were supportive of her literary efforts, encouraging her to read, write, and enter literature contests. When she was about 10 years old, her mother gave her a manual typewriter for Christmas. She immediately set up a table in the middle of the living room and started typing a story.
However, her writing career hit a rough patch once she entered college. A professor, who both was her counselor and advanced Shakespeare teacher, told her in harsh terms that she was an “awful writer.” Stunned, she switched majors, and even quit reading for the most part.
However, after not writing for a long period of time, “something was just missing. An element of my soul was missing.”
Flipping through the Rocky Mountain News, she saw an announcement about a creative writing program, and decided to give it another try.
Her three young adult books followed: Standing Against the Wind was published in 2006; Finding My Place in 2010; and Silhouetted by the Blue in 2011.
Jones was surprised and thrilled to receive the American Library Association John Steptoe New Talent Award in 2007.
Check the library catalog for her books, you’re bound to be in for a treat. And watch for more books by Traci Jones in the future.
Pauline Robinson Branch Library, May events
One-on-One Computer Help | Mondays and Wednesdays, 12-1 p.m.
Get technology assistance from one of our in-house experts on your own device or a public computer. Learn the basics, such as email, social networking, word processing and eMedia. Call the library at 720-865-0290 to schedule an appointment for Monday or Wednesday. The library will be closed on Monday, May 30 in observance of Memorial Day.
Teen Cell Phone Photo Contest Display | May 1 – May 29
Teen cell phone photo contest photographs will be on display through the month of May.
Preschool Storytime | | Wednesdays May 4, 11, 18, 25, 10:30 a.m.
Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for 3-5 year olds and their parents or caregivers.
Anime Club | Saturday, May 14, 3 p.m.
Anime watchers, Manga readers and Anime Lovers alike come join us the second Saturday of the month. Watch, read, talk, act, eat and breathe Anime and Manga! For grades 8-12.
303ArtWay + Platte Forum | Saturday, May 21, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Join us for a conversation and art making session in response to the new art, health, and heritage trail planned to connect the Greater Park Hill and Denver. Families are encouraged to attend. For more information about 303ArtWay, visit their website at www.303artway.org.
French Intensive Gardening | Saturday, May 21, 2 p.m.
Learn how to yield lots of produce from a small plat using “intensive” planting techniques. Growing plants up a support takes less space than on the ground, leaving more room to plant other items.
The Pauline Robinson Book Club | Saturday, May 28, 12 noon
This month’s selection: Balm by Dolen Perkins-Valdez. Drop-ins are welcome.
Park Hill Branch Library. May events
Tuesday Tech Hour | Tuesdays at 4 p.m.
All Ages Storytime | Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.
Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for children of all ages and their caregivers. Craft activity immediately follows the program.
Baby Storytime | Thursdays and Fridays at 11:15 a.m.
Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for babies ages 0-18 months and their caregivers. Play and social time immediately follow the program.
Toddler Storytime | Fridays at 10:30 a.m.
Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for toddlers ages 18-36 months and their caregivers.
Magic Club | Monday, May 2 and Monday, May 16, 4:30 p.m.
Are you a teen in grades 6-12? Do you already play Magic: the Gathering, or are interested in learning? Join us two Mondays a month to play and meet other teens who are also Magic-Minded.
May the Fourth Be With You | Wednesday, May 4, 5 p.m.
Celebrate fandom in a library not so far, far away! We’ll have Star Wars crafts, games and activities for any Jedi, from Padawan to Master, to hone their ways with the Force. Costumes encouraged.
Sewing Lounge | Saturday, May 7, 10 a.m.
Have a project you want to work on, but don’t have a sewing machine? No problem, use ours. Grab your supplies and head on over. We’re here to answer your questions.
Montview Preschool Carnival | Saturday, May 7, 11 a.m.
Come find us at the Montview Preschool Carnival. We’ll have a booth from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Teen Advisory Board (TAB) | Tuesday, May 10 and Tuesday, May 24, 6 p.m.
Teens ages 13 and up are invited to join the Park Hill TAB. Help plan library events and projects at the Park Hill Library, talk about your favorite books, and make your opinion count! Join us for twice monthly meetings.
My Teenage Angst | Wednesday, May 11, 7 p.m.
Did you hold on to journals, yearbooks, and notes from your teenage years? Megan Nyce invites you to dust them off and join her for a hilarious trip down memory lane. Listen to friends and strangers read these keepsakes aloud and get to know your neighbors in a whole new way. Due to possible subject matter, attendees must be 18 or over. Sign up to read your journal aloud at reader@myteenageangst.com or visit www.myteenageangst.com.
Blooming Readers 4th/5th Grade Book Club | Thursday, May 12, 3:30 p.m.
Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea
Activity: Little Spring clouds!
Teen After Hours Fandom Trivia Night | Friday, May 13, 6 p.m.
Come for pizza, stay for trivia about all your favorite Fandoms. Some will go home with prizes, but all are guaranteed a fun time. For Teens in grades 6 and up. Call or stop by to register.
Childcare Meet and Greet! | Saturday, May 14, 2 p.m.
Parents, babysitters, nannies and caregivers are invited to connect to one another in a safe in person environment. Childcare providers, please bring your references for the parents to contact. Parents, feel free to bring the kids to help you find the best candidates. Denver Public Library has not screened any of the parties involved. It is the sole responsibility of participants to do any necessary investigation.
Genre Chat 2nd/3rd Grade Book Club | Tuesday, May 17, 3:30 p.m.
Thea Stilton and the Chocolate Sabotage by Thea Stilton
Activity: Chocolate Taste Test.
Skiing & Sleeping on the Summits of the Cascade Volcanoes with author Jon Kedrowski | Wednesday, May 18, 6:30 p.m.
In the spring of 2014, Dr. Jon Kedrowski, an author, avid ski mountaineer and expedition guide, pursued skiing the 20 highest Cascade Volcanoes in the Pacific Northwest in 30 days. He’s climbed five of the seven continental summits and summited Mt Everest in 2012. Embark on a virtual tour of the volcanoes, including the sunrises, sunsets, weather, climate and unique volcanology and the spectacular ski descents, during this interactive multimedia presentation. Both of his books will be available for sale and signing.
No Strings Attached Book Discussion Group | Saturday, May 21, 11 a.m.
Read whatever you want and attend whenever you can. Share a recent read, an old favorite, or anything in between.
North of 50: Simple Techniques for Pain Management | Tuesday, May 24, 4 p.m.
Ellen Weeks (MAcOM, CM) will walk us through a short course in simple pain-relieving techniques you can perform anywhere using a little thumb pressure, a washcloth, or a tennis ball. Bring your aching ankles and battered backs, and using household items, engage in some hands-on, easy, quick self-help solutions for decreasing pain.