Best-Ever Teen Fiction

If you had to choose the TOP TEN BEST Teen Fiction novels, what would you pick? National Public Radio (NPR) is asking everyone to vote from a list of 235 finalists put together by an expert panel of judges. Click on the link below to check out the finalists and vote for YOUR top ten titles:

http://www.npr.org/2012/07/24/157072526/best-ever-teen-novels-vote-for-your-favorites

I, as a librarian and lover of teen books, had a rough time choosing just 10! Should it be MY all-time favorite teen novels or should it be ones that want ALL TEENS to read? Do I include my favorites RIGHT NOW, versus my classic favorites? Or should I consider those stories that seemed "groundbreaking" at the time they were published, whether it was because of the authentic voice, the format, or the genre? Hmmmm....so many good books, but only 10 votes! Well, needless to say, I chose a mix of everything, and while some of you may disagree, here's my list. (In title order)

American Born Chinese  by Gene Yang
This graphic novel questions our perception of certain stereotypes and how we are affected by those around us, as well as by our own thoughts and frustrations when it comes to identity.

Beauty Queens  by Libba Bray
A brilliantly written satire involving beauty queens stranded on an island. The voices are both humorous and thought-provoking, as the reader gets to know each contestant and her own individual struggles throughout the book.

The Book Thief  by Markus Zusak
A story told entirely from the point-of-view of Death? I'm in. That it takes place during World War II and is about a young, book-stealing German girl whose family is hiding a Jewish man makes it even more enticing and poignant for this reader.

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks  by E. Lockhart
A teenage girl infiltrates a secret all-male society at her boarding school. High-jinks, hilarity, and quite of bit of social commentary ensue. Girl power!

Fahrenheit 451  by Ray Bradbury
The quintessential dystopian novel about a society where book-burning is a common practice and firemen actually set fires, rather than put them out. This was the FIRST dystopian novel that I fell in love with, so I chose it for both the quality writing AND the sentimental feelings it brings.

Harry Potter (series) by J.K. Rowling
Okay. So,yes, this epic series started out as children's books. While this is mostly suitable for kids, I think that the entire series is one long coming-of-age story about a boy who grows up and figures out who he is with LOTS of help from the people he loves--friends and trusted adults included. Oh yeah, and he defeats the Dark Lord and saves both the wizarding and muggle worlds in the process. There is no other series (or world) quite like Harry's.

Looking for Alaska  by John Green
At the heart, it's about so many firsts--first time attending a boarding school, first time falling in love, the first time dealing with tragedy and other heavy issues... For me, it was my FIRST introduction to one of my favorite authors and the beautiful, thought-provoking language that his books possess.

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist  by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
If you ever wonder what it FEELS like to stay up all night in New York City with a person who shares your common love for music, traveling from place to place without a destination in mind, this book will show you.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower  by Stephen Chbosky
Okay, I was lucky enough to see an advanced screening of the movie (coming out in September!) and was reminded of how awesome this book is. It was also a groundbreaking book at the time it was published and went on to become a cult classic. Told in the voice of a boy starting high school, he makes friends, loses them, finds himself, and is forced to deal with some serious emotional issues.

Will Grayson, Will Grayson  by John Green and David Levithan
Another personal favorite. Both of these authors have an uncanny ability to capture and honestly potray those first feelings of discovery and self-awareness. This book is about two teens, both named Will Grayson, who cross paths on a fateful night and become part of each other's lives in unexpected ways. Like many of my favorites, it is about figuring out where you fit in without losing sight of who you are.


What does your TOP TEN Best-Ever Teen Fiction look like?


-Erica C., Teen Services Librarian at SMPL

Teen Battle of the Bands!

Join us as FIVE teen bands square off and battle for the ultimate prize of $500 AND the opportunity to attend an upcoming GRAMMY Camp® - SoundCheck or a GRAMMY®-affiliated
Question & Answer session.

TEEN BATTLE OF THE BANDS
Saturday, March 17 at 7:00 pm
Miles Memorial Playhouse
1130 Lincoln Blvd., Santa Monica, CA

Get Help Preparing for College!

Attention college bound students! Feeling overwhelmed by the college preparation process? Not sure which test to take or how to approach your college applications? The Santa Monica Public Library has a number of college preparation programs available for YOU, so take advantage of your local library's resources, and come to a program! Click on the program's title for event time and location details:

• Research 101 for Teens (Saturday, 10/15)--EVERY college-bound student should know the basics of research using print materials, databases, and the internet. This drop-in class will help you sharpen your research skills, especially when hunting around for colleges and preparing for college applications and essays.
  
• Nuts & Bolts: Completing the Application and Writing a Killer Personal Statement (Monday, 10/17)--Get solid tips on completing your college applications with Diana Hanson of College Mentors.
  
• College Essay Pointers and Application Guidelines (Wednesday, 10/19)--This workshop covers high school course selection, testing, the application process, essays and more.
  
• SAT Practice Test (Saturday, 10/29)--Take a full-length SAT practice test for FREE with Kaplan. Register at the Youth Reference Desk or call (310) 458-8621 during library hours.
  
• ACT Practice Test (Saturday, 11/19)--Take a full-length ACT practice test for FREE with Kaplan. Registration begins Monday, 10/17 at the Youth Reference Desk or call (310) 458-8621 during library hours.

Also, be sure to check out the College Resources page on our website for more information and links to college-related websites.

You Are HERE! Teen Summer Reading Club

Summer's here, and the sun is shining! Take a break from the heat and visit the Library for some programs, prizes, and more! Stop by your local Santa Monica Library and sign up for the Teen Summer Reading Club. Read 30 hours, receive prizes along the way, and get an invitation to the end-of-Summer Teen Party, where you can win MORE prizes, eat yummy food, and play lots of FUN games and activities!

The GRAND prize for this year's Teen Party raffle will be the ever popular NOOK Color! This eReader tablet allows you to read books, surf the internet through wifi and download apps. A great tool for any teen both to use during the summer and at school.

For more information on the Teen Summer Reading Club and teen programs throughout the Summer, CLICK HERE.

Stay cool, and see you at the Teen Summer Party!

6th Annual Santa Monica Teen Film Festival

Ladies and gentlemen, the results are IN!

This year's Santa Monica Teen Film Festival was a great success! Over 80 films were submitted, and 28 films were screened on Saturday, April 30 and Sunday May 1. On Saturday evening, we screened 12 films at the Miles Memorial Playhouse and on Sunday afternoon we screend 16 films at the Santa Monica Main Library, MLK Jr. Auditorium. After this screening, we announced the winners. Two awards for Audience Choice (one on Saturday and one on Sunday) were determined by popular vote. A panel of industry professionals and teens determined the winners by category.

CLICK HERE to check out photos from this year's Festival!

And the winners are:

Best of the Fest, 1^st place
Paris is Burning by Carolina Vazquez

Best of the Fest, 2^nd place
Bubble by Caleb Jaffe

Santa Monica Budding Filmmaker Award
Myles Blackwell (Mercy)

Best Documentary
Scotty’s Lantern by Samuel Bruce and Genevieve Ward

Best Animation
Bubble by Caleb Jaffe

Best Experimental/Music Video
Paris is Burning by Carolina Vazquez

Audience Choice Award, Saturday
Coin by Blake Simon

Audience Choice Award, Sunday
Dinner Time by Lisa Parker

A Little Flash...a little mob...

This past weekend Santa Monica teens (and kids and adults!) participated in a dance flash mob in the middle of the library! Coordinated by the Teen Advisory Council, teens learned dance steps from local choreographer Christine Suarez a few hours before the mob. Everyone had a great time dancing around the library!

View Flash Mob pictures on SMPL's Facebook Page HERE

And don't forget to "Like" us on Facebook and "Follow us" on Twitter!

Librarian Picks

Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi

In America's Gulf Coast region, where grounded oil tankers are being broken down for parts, Nailer, a teenage boy, works the light crew, scavenging for copper wiring just to make quota--and hopefully live to see another day. But when, by luck or chance, he discovers an exquisite clipper ship beached during a recent hurricane, Nailer faces the most important decision of his life: Strip the ship for all it's worth or rescue its lone survivor, a beautiful and wealthy girl who could lead him to a better life. . . .

Winner of the 2011 Michael L. Printz Award for Young Adult Literature, this adventure story grabs you from the first chapter and never lets go!