Tuesday, August 29, 2006

No medium is sacred

Every time you turn around, adaptations are being made of our old favorites -- books to movies, classics to graphic novels, even video game characters are popping up on the big screen or in print, and vice versa! What would you like to see get a makeover? What books did you think should have been left alone? Or how would you have done it better...?

Some titles to consider:

classics-->graphic novels
Treasure Island
Beowulf
the plays of Shakespeare

movies-->video games
The Warriors
Star Wars

graphic novels-->movies
V for Vendetta
X-men
Hellboy


video games-->books/graphic novels
Halo
Warcraft and World of Warcraft
Tomb Raider

movies-->books
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
The Fog
Serenity
My Neighbor Totoro


video games-->movies
Resident Evil
Final Fantasy
Silent Hill

Monday, August 28, 2006

DOWNLOADABLE AUDIOBOOKS FOR TEENS

The Library has a new collection of about 300 downloadable audiobooks for young adults and children, with titles ranging from classics to brand new bestsellers. New titles will be added every month. You need Windows media player to listen to them -- either an MP3 player, your computer, or a new cell phone with WMA. At this point, the books are not compatible with the IPod. The Library has 6 Windows-based MP3 players for you to borrow -- ask about them at the Information Desk. Hint: upgrade now to Windows Media Player version 10 -- it has a feature that will automatically sync the download to your MP3 player.

Click this link to find out about how to get started with the downloadable audiobooks:

http://www.newcanaanlibrary.org/using_the_library/audiobooks_instructions.htm

You'll need the 14-digit barcode number from your library card to access the audiobook site. When you get to the NetLibrary/Recorded Books search screen, look for the Young Adult link on the right hand side of the page, in the "Browse" box. Let us know what you think!

Monday, August 14, 2006

New Teen Mags -- what do you think?

The library subscribes to 10 magazines now (including GamePro, Seventeen, & Teen People) that are read mostly by middle and high school students. We're thinking about adding these 4 -- would you read one or more of them? which ones? if we can only get 2 of the 4, which ones would you choose? can you suggest any others?

1. CosmoGirl. CosmoGirl! is a magazine for real girls with real issues -- guys, beauty, fashion, money, parents, school, changing bodies, and more. Each bimonthly issue has insider beauty and fashion secrets from the stars and their stylists, plus celeb and runway fashion trends that readers can actually afford and find at local malls. CosmoGirl! gets personal and gives realistic advice about situations at home, at school, and with friends with an eye toward encouraging individuality and confidence

2. Skateboarding. The voice of skateboarding. Each issue is filled with interviews with the pros, trick tips on how to improve your skating, and worldwide coverage of skateboarding. Designed to spread the culture, each issue brings bold, inside coverage of equipment, events, personalities & techniques.

3. Teen Vogue. teenVOGUE magazine began as a version of Vogue magazine for a younger audience. The magazine focuses on fashion and celebrities, but also offers information the latest entertainment and feature stories on current issues and events.

4. Teen Voices. Teen Voices is about girls being themselves and realizing their potential. There are enough magazines that tell girls how to look and act to impress a boy or buy certain products. Teen Voices honors the authentic voices of teenage and young adult women. Teen Voices challenges the mainstream media's image of girls by providing an intelligent alternative packed with original writing, poetry and artwork. We encourage our readers to write articles on self-esteem, racism, sexism, feminism, popular culture, health, and other issues important to them.

Summer Reading

Still lots of time for summer reading -- for school or just for fun. Here are quick links to what's available right now at the Library for some of the school reading lists:

Entering 7th Grade at Saxe (read at least one of these books)

Entering 8th Grade at Saxe (read a book, watch a movie)

NCHS Recommended Books (lots of great selections, from classics to bestsellers)

Thursday, August 10, 2006

Welcome to our teen blog!

We're always adding great new stuff for teens. Take a look!