For Teens
Teen Volume Reads
Teens are invited to learn more about popular young adult authors and favorite teen books on Chicago Public Library's website through the following interview features. If you have a burning question for your favorite author, please submit it to teenvolume@chipublib.org with the name of the author because, who knows, that might be the next author we'll be featuring on the website. In the meantime, we hope you enjoy these interviews, encourage you to read books by these authors and welcome your feedback!
Reading Lists
Author Series: Q&A
Jessica Hopper
Chicago area rock critic Jessica Hopper presented a program in YOUmedia, the library’s new teen space, in July 2009, right after the release of her first book The Girls’ Guide to Rocking: How to Start a Band, Book Gigs and Get Rolling to Rock Stardom. If you want to figure out your musical style, need tips to convince your parents to let you go on tour or just need to find inspiration from all the rockin’ women who have paved the way for you to make it big, Jessica Hopper can help you.
Kristin Cashore
Author Kristin Cashore astounded many with her debut novel, Graceling. Her book was named a Best of the Best title for young adults by Chicago Public Library and has notably received a lot of recognition among fantasy and adventure fans. We are delighted that the author happily took time out of her busy writing schedule to answer questions from Chicago Public Library’s Teen Advisory Council member, Sarah Garvey, and hope all teen readers in Chicago enjoy reading them!
John Green
The author of three wonderful books for young adults, including Paper Towns, visited Chicago Public Library. Approximately 375 fans came to ask him about his life, his books and his Nerdfighting Tour with his brother, Hank (see http://nerdfighters.ning.com). We are happy to have had the opportunity to record the questions and answers on our website for you.
Kevin Brooks
The author of many mysterious books for young adults, including The Road of the Dead, Lucas and most recently, Black Rabbit Summer. In October 2008, he came all the way from his home in England to talk to teens at the Chicago Public Library about his long journey to becoming a great writer.
Benjamin Alire Sáenz
The author of children’s books, poetry and two Outstanding young adult novels, Sammy and Juliana in Hollywood and He Forgot to Say Goodbye. We are happy to have had the opportunity to ask about his life and his work.
Rachel Cohn
Chicago Public Library librarians and teen readers have adored the books of Rachel Cohn, including Gingerbread; Shrimp and Cupcake; You Know Where to Find Me, so we were thrilled to have the opportunity to have her answer a few questions about herself, writing and her characters.
Nnedi Okorafor-Mbachu
Chicago area author Nnedi Okorafor-Mbachu’s new novel The Shadow Speaker takes the reader to a magical world called Ginen, where buildings are grown from seeds and Earth’s pollution is seeping in and causing trouble. We found out what the author has to say about Ginen, young adult books and plants that don’t grow into buildings.
Laura Ruby
In Laura Ruby’s most recent young adult novel, Good Girls (HarperCollins, 2006) there is one party, one hook-up and one cell phone photo that wreaks havoc on Audrey’s senior year, forcing her to reconsider what it means to be ‘good.’ Find out what Laura said in her interview.
Elisha Cooper
The author and artist Elisha Cooper spent a year interviewing, sketching and observing high school students from Chicago’s Payton College Preparatory High School and wrote a memorable new book about it. On Weds., April 16, 2008, Teen Advisory Council Member Karen Feng was fortunate enough to the interview Elisha about himself, his writing and this new book, ridiculous/hilarious/terrible/cool: A Year in an American High School.
Nick Hornby
Nick Hornby’s new novel, Slam, is about a fifteen year-old kid named Sam Jones, whose life seems to be going okay for him, until he finds out his ex-girlfriend, Alicia, is pregnant … and he’s the father. Convinced that fatherhood will wreck his future, Sam turns to his hero, skater Tony Hawk, for answers (that is, he turns to a talking poster of his hero Tony Hawk for answers). Will life keep slamming Sam down, or will he get back up and skate into the sunset? Here’s what Teen Advisory Council members learned about the book and author Nick Hornby.
Justina Chen Headley
Teens across the city read and discussed the book, Nothing But the Truth (and a few white lies) with author, Justina Chen Headley. Find out what Justina Chen Headley told CPL's Teen Advisory Council in a personal interview.
Meg Cabot
Teens also interviewed Meg Cabot, author of How to be Popular. Find out what she says about high school and get the answer to why her male characters are all brunette.