“Self Portrait” by Katie McDowell (18), New Orleans Center for Creative Arts "An Old Man in Military Costume" by Simone Wuttke (18), Dartmouth College (recent Benjamin Franklin High School graduate) "This oil on canvas painting is inspired by Rembrandt's 'An Old...
I have sat with anger ingrained in my ribs night after night. I know the five stages of grief. Why am I so stuck on anger? Denial was the first one. It hit when I stood in front of my fridge all alone in my house with my knees wobbling, staring at the screen on my...
Partner Yoga Poses by Laurie Azzano of Lolo’s Youth StudioYaaaas, finally! Hello, summer! Inhale deadlines. Exhale freedom. If you’re like most, summer represents one big sigh of relief. No more early morning alarm clocks, homework, tests, school drama, or crazy,...
Makes 20-24 brownies (depending on how big you slice them) BAKE TIME: 30 minutesIngredients 6 eggs 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour 3 cups brown sugar 1 cup white sugar 2 sticks butter 1/2 cup Crisco shortening 1 1/2 cups baking cocoa powder 3/4 teaspoon salt 3 teaspoons...
If you are struggling with anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, or any form of mental distress, reach out to someone right away who can be there for you. Professional help is always an option when your psychological well-being is at risk. There is zero shame in...
Teen-Friendly NOLA ClinicsClinics that serve adolescents usually focus on the reproductive health needs of adolescents and young adults but may also provide primary care services. The ages served vary depending on the clinic, but they usually include preteens (11 or...
Have you ever wondered how you can apply astrology to your everyday life but don’t know where to start? Astrology can be very complex and sometimes overwhelming to interpret, so I have compiled a quick guide to help you consciously incorporate daily practices to...
Did you know clothing isn’t biodegradable?That means it doesn’t decompose once it’s dumped in the trash—it just sits in a landfill and creates nasty greenhouse gases in our environment. “We have to think longer and harder about the clothing we wear, where it came...
New Orleanians love their glitter, and, more than ever, we all deserve a little extra sparkle in our lives. Addie Ellis of the local biodegradable glitter company Glitter Nymph shared with us how to make shimmery oil that is good for your skin and nature. Since you...
I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast is Me by Jamison Shea What it’s about: Laure will do anything to prove a Black girl can be a star in the cutthroat world of Parisian ballet, even make a deal with a primordial power she finds in a pulsating river of blood in the...
Are you looking for inspiring ways to volunteer in the local community while fulfilling your school’s service hour requirements? We’ve talked to some great organizations in the area that rely on volunteers to help their wonderful programs run. Learn more about each...
Imagine that you just found out you are pregnant. For some young people, this may be exciting news; for others, it is not. Questions swirl: How can I take care of a baby and finish school? How can I afford to be a parent if I don’t finish school? How will my parents...
Lucy Scholz is my “shero” because she ran 300 miles from Los Angeles, California, to Las Vegas, Nevada, as part of The Speed Project. That’s roughly like running to Houston, Texas, or Seaside, Florida, from New Orleans! Not only did she win the 2023 competition and...
Careers in Skilled Trades With the cost of college continuing to rise, skilled trade careers are a great alternative pathway to stable, well-paying work and upward social mobility. Many trade workers provide essential services and help build and maintain important...
by Harmony Becker
What it’s about: American-raised Nao returns to Japan for a year between high school and college to reconnect with her Japanese heritage and relearn the language. She moves into a shared house in Tokyo with Hyejung (from South Korea), Tina (from Singapore), and a pair of Japanese brothers. The three girls all speak English better than Japanese and they connect as they deal with language barriers, homesickness, and cultural differences.
Why read it? This graphic novel is perfect for readers who want the vicarious experience of studying abroad in Japan, but it is also for anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider or fish out of water. Nao, Hyejung, and Tina are incredible characters who all have different reasons for leaving their homes, and their adventures are amusing, heartbreaking, and moving.
by Matt Haig
What it’s about: Reassurance and encouragement. Author Matt Haig has depression and writes notes to his future self when he sees stories or quotes that give him hope during his low points. The Comfort Book presents experiences from Haig’s life, anecdotes from history, and lessons from science in short chapters and meditations to give new perspectives on life’s highs and lows.
Why read it? It’s a short book that can be read in any order, or just partially, and offers some gentle optimism and support for anyone in need of comfort or inspiration.
by Mary H.K. Choi
What it’s about: The only thing sisters June and Jayne Baek have in common is that they both live in New York City. June is the classic controlling older sister with a high-pressure, high-paying finance job and Jayne is the self-obsessed, self-destructive college student with poor taste in men and an eating disorder. But the distance they’ve been keeping from each other starts to dissolve when June is diagnosed with cancer and Jayne has to reverse their roles from childhood and be the one to step up and take care of her sister.
Why read it? It’s an engrossing, intense, and realistically nuanced character-driven book that explores issues of mental and physical health, cultural identity, and sibling bonds. Pick it up if you’re looking for a book to make you cry (and occasionally laugh).
by Kekla Magoon
What it’s about: A comprehensive history of the Black Panther Party, an organization that mobilized Black Americans to protect and support themselves and drew thousands of members over decades. The book explores their community activism, self-defense principles, and how they were labeled as militant revolutionaries and became the target of active sabotage by the U.S. government.
Why read it? The Black Panthers are often left out or mentioned as a side note in history lessons on the Civil Rights Movement. Kekla Magoon, normally a fiction writer, has been researching and working on this book for more than 10 years, and her narrative skill makes this essential book both informative and engaging.
by Crystal Frasier, Val Wise, & Oscar O. Jupiter
What it’s about: Annie is a smart but very antisocial lesbian who’s pushed to join the cheerleading squad as something to put on her college application. Bebe is Annie’s former friend and a trans girl who happens to be the captain of the squad. As Bebe helps Annie learn about teamwork and Annie helps Bebe stand up for herself, their friendship rekindles and romance blossoms.
Why read it? It’s a fun queer rom-com in a graphic novel format. There are moments of laugh-out-loud hilarity, bright artwork, and it explores deeper themes of acceptance and advocacy.
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These recommendations were provided by Kacy Helwick, Youth Collection Development Librarian at the New Orleans Public Library.
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