Area teens will reveal their talents and build their skills in writing and filmmaking at the Oak Park Public Library this month. On Saturday, November 19, teens will gather for Wild Book! Book-writing Boot Camp starting at 1 pm. On Friday, November 25, Wild Films! 24-Hour Filmmaking Contest for Teens kicks off at 1 pm with a two-hour session providing guidance in casting, shooting, and editing.

Teens must be registered by Wednesday, November 23 to participate in the filmmaking contest. No registration is necessary for Wild Books! and both events are free to teens.

• Wild Book! Book-writing Boot Camp
  Saturday, November 19
  1:00 pm - 5:00 pm Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake Street
  Gather with other teens to write story-based blog entries for a "virtual" book that will last forever online. Robert Cass, a graduate student in the University of Illinois's library science program, will facilitate this entertaining and fun program for teens in grades 6 through 12.

• Wild Films! 24-Hour Filmmaking Contest for Teens
  Friday, November 25
  1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake Street
  Kick off this contest with a two-hour session providing guidance in casting, shooting, editing, etc. Robert Cass, a part-time actor/improviser and graduate student in the University of Illinois's library science program, will provide filmmaking instruction. Then, 24 hours later, turn in your finished films at the Main Library's Second Floor Service Desk. Judges will award prizes for first, second, and third place. This 24-hour filmmaker contest for teens is part of our continuing Maurice Sendak celebration. Registration is required. Registration begins Thursday, November 10th and teens must be registered by Wednesday, November 23rd to participate.

"We know there are many very talented teen writers and filmmakers in Oak Park and the surrounding area," states Monica Harris, Assistant Manager of Adult and Teen Services. "We see this with our teen summer volunteer program and throughout the year at our teen events. Wild Book! and Wild Films! will give these teens a chance to create and express themselves."

Robert Cass, a graduate student in the University of Illinois's library science program, will facilitate both Wild Book! and Wild Films! as part of his ongoing internship at Oak Park Public Library. Robert also assisted with the library's 2011 teen summer volunteer program. "Robert's technical skills and approach were invaluable to our "Street Team" and "AV Club" - our teen film crews this summer," states Sharon Grimm, Communications Coordinator.

Both Wild Book! and Wild Films! are part of our ongoing Maurice Sendak celebration. Sendak is best known as the illustrator of more than 100 picture books including Where the Wild Things Are and In the Night Kitchen. "In a Nutshell: The Worlds of Maurice Sendak," a national traveling exhibit, will be at the Oak Park Public Library through December 16, 2011. This exhibit, which combines art and words, reveals the push and pull of New and Old Worlds in Sendak's work and shows how Sendak's artistic journey led him deeper into his own family's history and his Jewish identity. "In a Nutshell" is open at the Main Library, 834 Lake Street, during regular library hours. More events related to "In a Nutshell" are listed at www.oppl.org/sendak/ [1].

More information events and resources for teens at www.opplteen.org [2]. Even more ways for teens to share their writing with the world [3].