"From Zero to Hero" - Be More Chill by Ned Vizzini

“So what do you want Jeremy? … I utilised quantum teleportation to mine other squips for information; I delved deep into my own human modelling engines; I planned driving routes, verbal one-liners and points of attack on the female body; I set you up with a girl to bring you here and a few back-ups in case you made mistakes, and I made sure they were all, hands down, the most gorgeous females in your limited universe. And you threw it all away. So what? What do you want?” – page 222

YA Material Review - Fanfiction.net

Fanfiction.net is an internet place where people can post their fiction writing as well as read posts by other people for free. With the slogan “Unleash your Imagination” the site allows people to exercise their creative skills as well as learn from other people.

Weetzie Bat and the Censorship challenge

Francesca Lia Block wrote her novel Weetzie Bat with a storyline of an urban fairy tale, but her teen main characters encounter obstacles that are very real that other young adults must often confront as well.

YA fiction online

Rutherford, Leonie Margaret. 2009. “Industries, artists, friends and fans: Marketing young adult fictions online. First Monday 14(4): http://firstmonday.org/htbin/cgiwrap/bin/ojs/index.php/fm/article/view/2443

I am looking forward to the discussion for this week’s class because I really enjoy reading what I know as fanfiction.

Lindsay Public Library

Lindsay Public Library
The left side of the photo is the original Carnegie building, with the addition seen on the right.

            

 The Lindsay Public Library first opened in March 1899 as a free library to meet the needs of the town.  In June 1904 the library was re-built with the funds that were granted to the town by the Carnegie library funds. The original Carnegie building still stands but now contains only the children and young adult collections while the addition that was built in 1977 serves as the adult and reference section. Additionally, the Lindsay Gallery also operates out of the second floor of the library, sharing its space with the reference department. The Gallery offers the community art classes, courses and workshops for adults and children in addition to varying art exhibits.

YA Literature: Information Resources

I am just putting the finishing touches on my presentation for tomorrow's presentation on resources for YA literature. The amount of resources that are out there is outstanding. I am particularly impressed by the availability of reader’s advisory lists that can help librarians (as well as teachers, parents, clubs, teens… really anyone!) find a variety of materials that will ideally appeal to young adults. It is also nice that the ALA offers courses to help expand our awareness of YA lit, something that would be beneficial to take every few years to keep up with trends and new published materials.

Let’s hope that the presentation goes well and that my anxiety doesn’t show too much!

"Forever" by Judy Blume

"About school, I have two things to say. One, senior year is a bore, except for activities and history..." (p. 118)

Okay, so that quotation has little significance to the actual storyline, but it is still my favourite line!

Forever chronicles the life of Katherine as she finishes her last year of high-school with all of the feelings of social awkwardness and desires to be accepted that are often associated with one’s teen-aged years. Katherine soon finds herself “head-over-heels” in love with Michael,