Happy Blogiversary (Pt 2) ! : Stephanie’s Top 10 Posts

I am still very new to Teen Librarian’s Toolbox, but it’s a blog that I’ve followed for quite some time.  In March, Karen was gracious enough to let me join her as part of the TLT Team.  I don’t make pretty pictures for my posts like she does unfortunately, so unless she takes this blog and adds in her pretty pictures…it may look a little sparse! [Karen’s Note: I am so happy to be working with Stephanie, she has a tremendous heart for teens and such knowledge of our field.  And yes, I added pictures for you.]

So, in no order, rhyme, but lots of reason, here are my Top 10 TLT Posts!

I first really started paying closer attention to this blog when #the2012project started up because the concept was awesome and it completely interested me.  I had already been a fan of Karen’s excellent RA posters but this involved the teens.  It gave them ownership.  And to me, this is one of the strongest ways that we can give a voice that teens are in the library reading or hanging out all the time.  It’s a great advocacy campaign.  If you have not yet participated, there’s still plenty of time left!

Building the Stacks

I absolutely love this post because Karen hit the nail right on the head for those of us who work with tiny book budgets and an administration that wants numbers but doesn’t understand the investment.   And what I really love was that she didn’t stop with library administration but she talked to publishers and authors.  It was a perfect advocate piece and I loved every bit of it.

The ABCs of Hyperemesis Gravidarum

It’s something to hear about a disease online or on the news.  It’s another thing to hear about what it did to someone who is your friend.  As Karen educated me through her pain and her loss, I learned so much about her strength and her resilience as a woman. And it made me super thankful that she had a platform, such as Teen Librarian’s Toolbox, to help spread awareness of this disease.  Her story is heartbreaking but she is such a beautiful person because of it and because of all she does to increase awareness.

Thirteen Reasons Why: Teens & Suicide

This is one of my favorite books of all time and so it comes as no surprise to me that I love this post so much.  I live in an area of Louisiana where we have the highest rate of teen suicide in the state and I think that this book carries so much importance and that people need not overlook the message that Jay Asher was putting forward.  I actually used this book in my Adults Read YA Book Club and when we had our joint meeting of teens and adults, one of the best comments I heard was that the most gutting part of the book for my adult reader was not the suicide but the last person on the tape.  And that it taught her to always listen and take time for teens.  Powerful messages.

Q&A: Meet the 2012 Printz Award Winner, John Corey Whaley

This guy had to make it in there somehow.  I won’t continue to sing his praises because I’ve done so in many posts.  I was glad to be able to introduce someone that I believe in and that I care about as a friend to you guys.

Book Review: Wonder by R.J. Palacio

This is, so far, one of my favorite books ever written.  Ever.  Of all time.  And being able to review it, in my small way, was my passing along of this tale to the readers.  Choose kindness.  It’s a message that resounds with all ages and the story will stick with you long after you’ve finished.  August, you’ve stolen my heart.

What if Amy Wasn’t Pretty: A Tale of Censorship

Again, Karen worked her word magic (she’s so much better at that than me) and told the story of how some books are affected by censorship and why they shouldn’t be.  This is a newer post and still a hot commented topic so if you haven’t read it yet, check it out now and leave your thoughts with us.

Please Ignore Vera Dietz (guest post by Jenny Torres Sanchez)

I loved how Jenny was right on target with my own thoughts and feelings towards making sure teens find connections with books.  A.S. King is a perfect example of Why YA is completely relevant and Jenny’s novel, The Downside of Being Charlie, is another perfect example.  Teens HAVE to find a connect in literature and some of the more pretentious or classic lit, while very important to study and understand, does not do that for most teens.  

Dear Teen Me, with love from Stephie Jo

 This post made me reflect on so much about myself and my journey into adulthood.  No one will understand how much this post meant other than me but it was very cathartic to write and I think that every single person reading this blog should take five minutes and think about what you would tell your teen self.  Did you make it?  Are you stronger?  Or did you give up your hopes and dreams?  What did you become.

Racial Stereotyping in YA Lit

Who is reading Sarah Dessen? It might surprise you!

Race topics are a HUGE deal for me and this was one of my favorite posts because it allowed me to ‘preach’ on my platform.  I have issues with racial stereotyping and not just with the books that are out there but even with myself as a librarian and in making sure I am not stereotyping my teens.  I’m always very reflective and this post was one that I really got to share my heart with you guys.

And there you have it folks, my top 10 posts.

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