CSLP is taking a new approach to involve all teens in summer reading at public libraries.

Teens across the country will be invited to create a 30 second to 3 minute video using the 2011 teen slogan “You are Here” in combination with reading and libraries. The idea is to involve teens in summer reading, before and during the summer months, by being part of the process and have a chance to be creative and have their ideas heard.

A public library program:

Each teen video will be associated with a local public library (where no local library exists the association can be with the regional or state public library agency). This is a perfect opportunity to start a teen video group in a local public library and/or for the public library to promote the video competition to school, teen centers, and individual teens with an interest in creating videos.

Graphic Novels: A Gateway for Reluctant Readers

Free Webinar

Tuesday, September 7, 2010, from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. CDT

Register here

Graphic novels can be a perfect medium for encouraging reluctant readers of all ages to get excited about reading! Although comics can initially seem less intimidating than a text-heavy work, they can be innovative, beautiful, and thought provoking. Graphic novels can encourage youth who normally shy away from books to read willingly, even for pleasure!

During this one hour webinar, Kyla Hunt, Library Services Consultant for the Texas State Library & Archives Commission, will talk about how reading graphic novels can help build literacy. She will discuss how and why various types of comics appeal to different reader-groups, from wordless picture books for younger kids to manga for teens. The webinar will end with discussion of program ideas designed to encourage readers to get excited about the world of comics, and eventually, the world of reading.

The Texas State Library is hosting this webinar and has invited people from anywhere in the country to join in. It is free, so take a look. Note that the time is CENTRAL and adjust for your location.

Friday, September 10, 2010

9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. ET

In the online classroom

Ahoy, youth services staff! You are invited to dive in and share the best and most surprising events and happenings from your Summer Reading Program. You have worked hard to make reading a splash in summer 2010, so reserve this time to relax and make your own wave. This is the first online sharing session for all youth services staff to learn from peers across the state.

No preparation is needed to participate, but if you would like to share photos, please contact Patricia Romig by August 15, 2010.

For more information about this session, contact Patricia Romig, Youth Services Consultant, at paromig@dos.state.fl.us or 850.245.6629.

Registration information:

Register for this session

Once your registration has been processed, you will receive a confirmation e-mail with instructions for joining the live session. The session is held in an online training room with audio available only via telephone.

For additional registration information, contact:

Stephanie Race at sfrace@dos.state.fl.us or 850.245.6630

Melissa Hooke at mhhooke@dos.state.fl.us or 850.245.6632

This final book in a trilogy starts at the end and ends at the beginning. The world is literally coming to an end, and the people in Ireland are just trying to hang on. The Liddys know of another place where they can be safe, but Donal can’t leave all the rest of the world behind to suffer. The only hope for saving civilization is to help people across the border into the fairy world of Tir na n’Og.

Why I picked it up: Because it was sent to me. I never start a book in the middle of a series.

Why I finished it: I wanted to see how Thompson would end with the beginning

There are lots of fiction books about teens trying to get into college, but what happens once those teens attend college?  This is a look into the average life of fictional Harvard student Callie from California, who's just trying to fit in with her new roommates and their social scene.

Why I picked it up: I was interested to see what the authors considered an average life for a Harvard student (their bio says they both attended Harvard)

Why I finished it: Because I had to write this review.  Seriously, the book was awful.

I would recommend it to: no one.  There was poor characterization, changing POV when not intended, too many characters, varying levels of language and sophistication (I counted 7 f-words on one page, then 2 fake curse words on the next), and no mention of the academic side of college life.  There was also a 20 page (yes, I counted) scene of drug use that had no bearing on the story at all.  Pass on this one.