“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 Nnedi Okorafor
What it’s about: Following Akata Witch (2011) and Akata Warrior (2017), this book continues the story of Sunny Nwazue. She has learned about the mystical energy in her blood, practiced controlling her powers, and continued to balance the various aspects of her identity and world. But now Sunny’s abilities are put to the test as she embarks on a quest to find a precious object that is hidden in an otherworldly realm, with the fate of the world on her shoulders.
Why read it? If you’re familiar with the Akata books, you already know why you want to read it! And if not, now is the time to check it out. This series is consistently found on all the ‘best YA books’ and ‘best fantasy books’ lists. It’s been described as “electrifying” and “stunningly original.”
by Olivia Seltzer
What it’s about: The Cramm is a news outlet created and run by 17-year-old Olivia Seltzer that summarizes the most important news stories and delivers them to you daily (in whatever format you prefer). This book is the context for the scoop behind the scoop of the day, giving more information about the wars, movements, and disasters that are currently shaping our world.
Why read it? Because knowledge is power. This book is by and for the young people who want to change the world and who know that it’s important to understand where we’ve been in order to steer us where we need to be.
by Karen McManus
What it’s about: Ivy, Mateo, and Cal used to be friends but have drifted apart. When the three of them run into each other on a rough day, they decide to ditch school together, just like old times. But when things get awkward between the former friends, they decide to follow another skipper… right to the scene of his murder.
Why read it? t’s Ferris Bueller’s Day Off with murder! Karen McManus consistently writes those mysteries that keep you on the edge of your seat guessing what’s going to happen next as you try to read as fast as possible.
by Molly Knox
What it’s about: Morgan lives in a small island community off the coast of Nova Scotia and is counting down the days until she’ll get to move away for college. Her plan is to move to a city, any city, and then finally come out and start living her life. Everything changes when she’s saved from drowning by a mysterious girl named Keltie, who turns out to be a selkie. Morgan struggles to keep her and Keltie’s various secrets while the girls fall for each other.
Why read it? This graphic novel combines a sweet queer romance with interesting mythology and explores how easily friendships and family relationships strain when you feel you can’t be yourself.
I Must Betray You
What it’s about: In this historical thriller set in Communist Romania in 1989, Cristian Florescu is being blackmailed by the secret police to become an informer. He has a choice: betray everything and everyone he loves or risk everything to undermine a dictator and join
the revolution.
Why read it? Ruta Sepetys is a master of writing compulsively readable historical fiction, and this engrossing and compelling tale delves into a setting that is relatively unknown to anyone outside of the Romanians who lived it.
Students in grades 6 through 12 are invited to share their thoughts about how the Library can better serve them through programming, products, materials, and more. Interested students should apply at teens.nolalibrary.org and tune in at 4:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every month for the Teen Advisory Board’s monthly meeting.
The Teen Advisory Board is sponsored by the Friends of the New Orleans Public Library.
For more information, contact Caitlin Young at
cmyoung@nolalibrary.org
or 504-596-3101.
These recommendations were provided by Kacy Helwick, Youth Collection Development Librarian at the New Orleans Public Library.
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