Read This Book

Looking for something to read? Of course you are!
The latest reviews from San Francisco teens. Read a good book recently? Post your review.


Monster Garage: How to Customize Damn Near Anything


First of all, I would like to say I am not interested in anything related to cars much less customizing one. However, this book made me appreciate the art of customization.The book is filled with step-by-step guides on how to start customizing complete with photos. As a reader, I can sense the passion as well as effort that was put into making this book. Following this observation, I would like to point out, a book such as this one will have a specific target audience: people with the money, time, as well as passion to customize. At the same time, some of the contents of the book are more broad such as the explanation to how things in a car worked, this may appeal to car owners and drivers.Overall, I highly recommend this book to those who care about the individuality of their car.

by Christina, San Francisco

Fear This Book (not in SFPL collection)
by Jeff Szpirglas

Contrary to the statement "You should not judge a book by its cover" I do.A book's cover initially captures potential readers by appearing appealing to the eye thus inspiring interest. When I first laid eyes on this book I quickly passed judgment, it's a cheesy book until I read the book. The book is filled with lots of interesting facts and information. Even if you are not entertained by the contents of the book you will be by the graphics.Although I was wrong to judge this book by its cover I was right about some of its elements. Its attempt to crack jokes was often pathetic.Overall, I think this book is more appropriate for the lower ages such as middle school rather than high school. Older kids will not stand for its silliness.

BANNED

Banned Books Week September 23rd-30th


The good news: Fewer books are being banned.
The bad news: Folks are still trying to tell people what they can and can't read.

Not familiar with Banned Books Week? Every year the the American Library Association(ALA) and libraries across the nation celebrate Banned Books Week. The idea is to encourage people to fight for their freedom to read. Occasionally you may read about a school or library or community that decides a book is offensive or unfit to read and they try to have the book removed from local libraries and deny folks the Right to Read. The ALA keeps track of this and you can read more about it at www.ala.org

What do you think? Do communities have the right to tell you what books you can and can't read? Do your parents have this right? Is it ever okay to deny someone access to a certain book? Post your comments.

Banned Books Week Teen Contest
Teens, test your knowledge of banned books. During September, correctly guess the titles of five banned books and be entered to win $50 BorderÂ’s books and music gift card. Fill out entry form at the Main Teen Center and participating branch libraries. From September 1st through 30th Main Library, Chinatown, Excelsior, Glen Park, Mission, North Beach, Ocean View, Ortega, Parkside, Portola, Richmond


The following books havechallengedd or banned the most in 2005. Find them at your library and read them. (and then read all the books at your local library, every single book, then ask for more!)

It's Perfectly Normal

Forever
by Judy Blume

The Catcher in the Rye
J.D. Salinger


The Chocolate War
by Robert Cormier

Whale Talk
by Chris Crutcher

What My Mother Doesn't Know
by Sonya Sones


Have you read these books? Post your comments!

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD

Love the library? And want to help? Hate the library and want to make it better? Consider joining the Teen Advisory Council. Help select books and magazine, help plan programs and events and best of all make your voice heard because after all it is your library.

Ask your local teen librarian for details, or stop in to the Main Teen Center.

What is the TEEN ADVISORY COUNCIL?

The San Francisco Public Library Teen Advisory Council is a group of San Francisco high schoolers who want to make the public library a better place for teens. We meet every month at the main library to plan library events such as the talent show, the teen summer read program, and other teen-related programs. We make ideas happen.

We aim to make the library more visible for teenagers, so that they will know about the great free resources we have right here in our city. Each council member is responsible for advertising library programs in our area of the city. We talk to other students about what the library has to offer.

We also want teens to participate in library decisions. We meet with library administrators to let them know what improvements the library can make to invite all teens inside the doors.

When you join the Teen Advisory Council, you agree to learn leadership skills such as sharing your opinions, negotiating with other teens, speaking in public (if you want!), contacting other agencies, applying for special funding (money!!). As teenagers, we can give our input on how money provided by the Friends and Foundation of San Francisco Public Library should be spent. In the past, we’ve successfully started S.A.T. prep workshops, a talent show, film programs, and a DJ skills workshop.

As a Council member, you also get to participate in fun events like the summer reading party and author visits.

If you want your voice to be heard, and you care about the public library, or you want to improve the library, apply for the Teen Advisory Council today!!

Don't Take My Word For It

Remember all those book reviews you wrote for the Teen Summer Read program? Here is what some San Francisco teens are reading...

The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things
by Carolyn Mackler

This is a book I think many people should read . The book is based on a 15 year old girl who lives in New York City. It's a great book for girls who have thought they were the only imperfections in their perfect families. The book shows the loneliness of a teenager when her best friend moves to Seattle.
Reviewer: Christina

The Circuit: Stories From the Life of a Migrant Child
by Francisco Jimenez

This book is about a Mexican family who came to California illegally. The author, which is also the main character, and his family had to live by picking cotton, grapes, and strawberries for different foreman during different seasons. Kids in this family barely went to school because when they were old enough to attend school, they had to help the family by working. This is a very interesting book because every chapter is a different story.
-L, San Francisco

Have you read these books? Post your comments.