Reading Rants 2008 Top Ten

www.readingrants.org
Reading Rants, a website featuring out of the ordinary booklists for teens, has been an online presence since 1998. Written by Jennifer Hubert and designed by Andrew Mutch, Reading Rants has become a popular book review source for teenagers as well as their grown-ups. In May 2007, Andrew transformed the original website into an interactive blog, where teens can not only respond to Jen’s reviews but write their own.


2008 Top Ten
Please note that there has been absolutely no attempt to balance this list by age, gender or genre. These are just my “from-the-gut” favorites. Just click on the title to go right to the review.
Abel, Jessica. Life Sucks.
Anderson, M.T. The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Vol. II: The Kingdom on the Waves.
Barlow, Toby. Sharp Teeth.
Johnson, Maureen. Suite Scarlett.
Lanagan, Margo. Tender Morsels.
Lockhart, E. The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks.
Meldrum, Christina. Madapple.
Myracle, Lauren. Bliss.
Rebeck, Theresa. Three Girls and Their Brother.
Reeve, Philip. Here Lies Arthur.

Best Pictures of 2008

The Boston Globe's "Big Picture" site has 120 of the best photos of the year from around the world, showing amazing natural events, the horrors of war and disasters, and the triumphs of human achievement.

Check them out

here

here

and here.

(Please be aware that some of the photos contain disturbing images, including some injuries and even images of the dead. We suggest the site in spite of this because the overall collection is so powerful.)

Merry Christmas!

Santa's just had a long night. What is he dreaming of?

May the Force Be with Yule!

Did you know there was a Star Wars Holiday Special? It stars many of the characters from the original Star Wars Trilogy (Episodes IV-VI), as well as some characters you never heard of. It's the first time the world met Boba Fett. And it turns out George Lucas doesn't like to talk about it.

What could Lucas possibly have to hide? Why is this lost masterpiece not on DVD? Find out for yourself, starting here.

A Twist on the Classic Christmas Tree

Take a look at some unusual Christmas trees around the world.

Buzzwords of 2008

Buzzwords are words and phrases people use to describe a new trend. The New York Times has a list of what was hot in '08 -- including online favorites like "FAIL," "Twitt-," and "DWT." Read about high-tech graffiti, Stephanie Meyer fans, the perfect kung fu term for pwning a jaguar, and more.

Club Penguin

http://www.clubpenguin.com/
Club Penguin is a snow-covered, virtual world where you can play games and interact with friends in the guise of colorful penguin avatars.

The Internet: It's Good for Ya

The next time someone complains that you're spending too much time on-line, you can remind them about the Digital Youth Project's recent report that says Internet use is beneficial to teens.

Then, once your position is secure, go play the drums or pop some bubble wrap.

New Books: Ghostbusters, Joker, and more

Ghostbusters: Ghost Busted

The heroes of the Ghostbusters films return in an all-new collection of manga stories. They’re saving New York from ghosts, ghouls, and poltergeists!

Joker by Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo

The Joker has been released from Arkham Asylum. Now he’s back on the streets of Gotham City, and he’ll do whatever it takes to get back what’s his.

Headlong by Kathe Koja

High school sophomore Lily opens herself to new possibilities when she becomes friends with “ghetto girl” Hazel, a new student at the elite prep school which Lily has attended since preschool.

I Have Seen the Watchfires by Cathy Gohlke

Seventeen year-old Robert wants to fight in the Civil War, but a promise keeps him working the family farm and the Underground Railroad… until a letter from his cousin propels him into a prison escape to free his Confederate uncle.

Teen Game Night - Wed., December 17

Come play Guitar Hero, Dance Dance Revolution, and more! Snacks and drinks provided.

The Game Night will run from 7 to 8:30 and is open to all teens grades 6-10.

The Hajj and Eid al-Adha

Yesterday, Boston.com posted a big photo spread about the Muslim Hajj and the festival of Eid al-Adha. These amazing photos show an insider's perspective of Muslims performing their duty to make a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca. They also show how Muslims around the world commemorate Ibrahim's (Abraham's) willingness to sacrifice his son to God.

Website of the Week

Cartoonster
http://cartoonster.kidzdom.com
This site is a site worth visiting if you are interested in learning about the basics of cartoon animation. Created by a teenager, there are simple tutorials that help you understand the concepts of frame by frame animation.

College students play "Muggle Quidditch"

Check out this article about Boston University students who play a live-action version of the game made famous in the Harry Potter novels.