IN THIS ISSUE

• Friends and AT&T Create Teen Centers at Dallas Public Library
  The AT&T Foundation has donated $500,000 to the Friends of the Dallas (TX) Public Library to create new teen centers and programs in 20 libraries. The Dallas Public Library’s (DPL) three newest teen centers at the Skillman Southwestern, Park Forest, and North Oak Cliff branches were also mostly sponsored by AT&T. more » » » 
• Teens Top 10 Voting Starts Early
  Teens’ Top Ten is a “teen choice” list that enables kids to nominate their favorite books of last year. Nominators are members of teen book groups in 15 school and public libraries around the country, as well as the Interesting Reader Society, which contributes reviews to SLJTeen. Teens nationwide can now vote on their favorite titles from August 24 to September 18. more » » » 

• Teen Read Week: Are You Ready?
  Sure, Teen Read Week (October 18–24) seems far away, but it’s not! YALSA has lots of great ideas and materials available on its Web site, and registration is, of course, still open. Looking for a way to bring an author in for Teen Read Week, but lack the funds? Check out this recent article from School Library Journal featuring authors who Skype. more » » » 

Saved by the Bell - Sixty Second Tech Tips

• Fences - Corral Your Desktop
  Are you headed back to school? Have you just realized how cluttered your computer desktop has gotten? There are great tools available to help you organize your desktop. These tools are generally operating-system specific; so this month we’re focusing on Windows and next month we’ll do Mac. Fair enough? Then let me introduce you to Fences. more » » » 

The Debut: John C. Ford

• SLJTeen Talks to John C. Ford, Author of The Morgue and Me
  You’re fresh out of high school and your college scholarship is locked in. You decide to hire on at the local morgue because you’d like to be a spy. John C. Ford’s debut novel, The Morgue & Me begins with this premise, but the prologue starts at the end of the tale. Readers will be instantly drawn into wondering why the narrator is so calmly discussing why he shot someone—and you’ll spend the rest of the book finding out. more » » » 

Interesting Readers Society - Book Reviews by Young Adults

• Interesting Reader Society - Book Reviews by Young Adults
  The Interesting Reader Society is a diligent bunch and has hit SLJTeen with a tsunami of book reviews for this issue. You'll find a hearty helping of fantasy of every stripe with nary a single vampire, werewolf, or zombie in sight—and that seems to be just fine with these teen readers. more » » » 

Gamers Corner

• Sims 2
  In 2000, Sims took the world by storm as the first game in which players could regulate the life of a Sim, or humanlike creature. In 2004, Sims junkies were taken for an even larger spin with Maxis’ introduction of Sims 2. The new version revolutionized the world of video games by letting players not only control the life of a “Sim,” but by also letting them select its eye and hair color, and its name and clothing. more » » » 

Media Mania: Book Tie-ins to High-Interest Movies, TV Shows, and More

• Yo, JOE!
  Paramount's G.I. JOE: The Rise of COBRA (PG-13) blasted into theaters on August 7, 2009, earning the number-one spot for its opening weekend. Like the recent Transformers big-screen bonanzas, this live-action thriller is based on a Hasbro toy franchise. JOE fans who can't get enough of the action will happily immerse themselves in the many new titles available. more » » » 

Opportunities

• Wild Ones: Lorrie Otto Seeds for Education Grants
  The Lorrie Otto Seeds for Education Grant Program gives small monetary grants to schools, nature centers, or other nonprofit educational organizations for the purpose of establishing outdoor learning centers. Funds are provided exclusively for the purchase of native plants and seeds. Nonprofit groups including schools, nature centers, houses of worship, or similar organizations can apply for funding through October 15, 2009. more » » » 
• YALSA Young Adult Literature Symposium
  Save the date! YALSA’s next young adult literature symposium, “Beyond Good Intentions: Diversity, Literature, and Teens,” will take place November 5–7, 2010, in Albuquerque, NM. Proposals for the 2010 symposium must be submitted by October 1, 2009. more » » » 

Vermonia

Simultaneous with the publication of Quest for the Silver Tiger (August 2009), Candlewick Press has launched a Web site where readers can access the Vermonia Game developed alongside the stories. In the first title of the Vermonia series, readers meet a group of pretty average rocking teens that are pushed into action when one of their pals is kidnapped. Classic good versus evil stuff that teens love. The book contains hidden numbers and symbols which give readers access to online puzzles and portals that delve deeper into the world of Vermonia.

Great Group Skits

Every teen and tween services librarian and media specialist needs a copy of Great Group Skits: 50 Character-Building Scenarios for Teens (Search Institute Press, 2009, ISBN: 978-1-57482-265-6) Yes, there are great skit ideas—Bubble Gum Chance, Top Chef, Learner’s Permit, and 47 more—but the supporting information on coaching, discussion, and asset building make this an educator’s dream come true. Put together by a conflict resolution specialist and a theater specialist, most scenarios are shorter than 10 minutes and only a handful require props or costumes. Pick any one of these activities to use as an ice-breaker at the next meeting of your teen advisory group, and be sure to recommend this book to middle and high school counselors, language arts teachers, and theater programs.