“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 Renée Ahdieh
What it’s about: There’s a serial killer plaguing New Orleans in 1872, one that leaves its victims exsanguinated. When 17-year-old dressmaker Celine Rousseau is forced to flee Paris, she is taken in by the sisters of the Ursuline convent. All too soon, she is pulled into the glitzy underworld of the city and finds herself gaining the attention of the murderer and the mysterious Sébastien Saint Germain, who may or may not be involved in these dark deeds.
Why read it? It’s a sumptuous romance and thrilling mystery featuring aristocratic vampires in a sultry 19th century New Orleans setting.
by Mariko Tamaki & Steve Pugh
What it’s about: An alternate universe graphic novel about a DC Comics favorite, this story finds a 15-year-old Harleen Quinzel arriving in Gotham City with five dollars and a knapsack to her name. After finding out that the grandmother she was going to live with had recently passed away, she’s taken in by Mama, Gotham’s finest drag queen. But when Mama’s drag bar is threatened as a corporation begins buying up properties all over the neighborhood, Harley has to channel her anger into action. But will she choose activism or anarchy?
Why read it? It’s a fresh and funny reimagining of Harley Quinn’s origin story with realistically flawed characters, includes two of Harley’s most common comics allies, Ivy and the Joker, and it has really cool, stylized artwork.
by Brittney Morris
What it’s about: Kiera Johnson has a secret. It’s not just that she plays SLAY, a MMORPG card game that is based on Black culture specifically for Black gamers; the secret is that she is the game’s co-creator and developer. But when a dispute in the SLAY world results in a real-life murder, Kiera’s game becomes mainstream news and gets sensationalized as exclusionary, racist, and violent. Then comes the troll, who infiltrates the game and threatens to sue her for “anti-white discrimination.” Kiera has to decide how far she’ll go to protect her identity and the community she’s created.
Why read it? It’s a gripping, highly anticipated debut novel that’s been described as Ready Player One meets The Hate U Give with an immersive gaming world that was inspired by the world of Black Panther.
by Melanie Gillman
What it’s about: A queer, western graphic novel adventure theat finds Flor, a Latinx outlaw also known as the notorious Ghost Hawk, robbing the stagecoach that Grace, a trans runaway from Georgia, was using to escape her conscription into the Confederate Army. Flor has a plan for one last heist that could give them both the opportunity to start new lives, and luckily Grace has the acting skills and insider knowledge needed to pull it off.
Why read it? It’s a charming queer romance and an engrossing and unique graphic novel set during the Civil War that explores gender-nonconforming and transgender themes without being anachronistic.
by Maggie Stiefvater
What it’s about: There are people in the world who can pull things from their dreams. Whimsical, magical things when they’re lucky, nightmares when they’re not. Ronan Lynch is one of these dreamers, knowing that every time he sleeps, he could end up manifesting a curiosity or a catastrophe. Jordan Hennessy is a thief, trying to break into the clandestine world that buys and sells dream objects. And Carmen Farooq-Lane is a hunter, working with a group of people who believe it will be a dream that ends the world. People who will do anything to eliminate that threat.
Why read it? Maggie Stiefvater introduced some of these characters and this evocative and magical world in The Raven Cycle, a popular book series with a very dedicated fandom. This is the first book in a new series, the Dreamer Trilogy, that can stand alone from TRC but will delve deeper into the rich mythology of the world and explore the connections between dreams and desires, death and destiny.
These recommendations were provided by Kacy Helwick, Youth Collection Development Librarian at the New Orleans Public Library.
The New Orleans Public Library is no longer charging late fines for youth materials. Even though library fines for books, CDs, and DVDs are only $.20 per day, that relatively small amount can quickly add up over time, especially for teens who can’t always control when they can get to a library to return materials. By eliminating fines for youth materials, an economic barrier is removed that too often keeps people away form using all that the library has to offer.
The elimination of library fines for youth materials does not remove all responsibility form the library user. Materials that are damaged or are not returned within 90 days will be charged the amount of the item(s) plus a $5.00 processing fee.
Teens that already have late fines should talk to a librarian and discuss opportunities to work fines off by completing and submitting book reviews or by paying them over time.
Want to show other NOLA girls your talents and submit your writing or visual art?
Have questions or want to share content ideas with us?
Contact us to support your business or project (and Geaux Girl!) by advertising with us.
