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
Mike MullinChicago Public Library hosted author Mike Mullin as part of the 2012 Summer Reading Program, Rahm's Readers: You Are What You Read. Mullin’s debut novel, Ashfall, received a 2011 Top 5 YA Novels honor by National Public Radio, a Best Teen Books of 2011 honor by Kirkus Reviews, a 2011 New Voices Selection by the American Booksellers Association, a 2012 Young Adults’ Choices honor by the International Reading Association, as well as appearing on the Chicago Public Library’s 2012 Best of the Best Fiction for Teens list. Learn more about Mullin.
Susan VaughtChicago Public Library hosted author Susan Vaught as part of the 2012 Summer Reading Program, Rahm's Readers: You Are What You Read. Vaught has had two books named Best Books for Young Adults by the American Library Association. In her program, she read from and discussed her novels Big Fat Manifesto and Freaks Like Us. Learn more about Vaught.
James KliseChicago Public Library has hosted local author James Klise several times. Klise was awarded the American Library Association Stonewall Honor Award in 2011 for his GLBTQ novel for teens, Love Drugged. Read more about the author and his award-winning novel here. Learn more about Klise.
Mary OsborneChicago Public Library was fortunate to host local author Mary Osborne several times for readings and interactive teen art workshops related to her novel, Nonna’s Book of Mysteries. In these programs, the author not only discussed alchemy and Renaissance art, but led teens in a reflective art project about dreams, intentions and goals. Learn more about Osborne in our interview.
Michael Albert, aka Sir RealArtist and author Michael Albert (aka Sir Real), a modern pop artist, was a special Reading is Art-RAGEOUS guest at the Chicago Public Library in July 2010. Combining art with a recycling philosophy, Albert is known for his works in “Cerealism” and using product packaging to create collage. Learn about what inspires Albert.
Barry LygaAuthor Barry Lyga visited students from Chicago Military Academy in Chicago Public Library’s YOUmedia at the Harold Washington Library Center in March 2010 to discuss his newest book Goth Girl Rising, published in March 2010. He presented Writing 101 basics and tips and answered questions about his first novel, Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl, and his latest sequel, Goth Girl Rising.
Lauren OliverStudents from Chicago’s VOISE Academy were fortunate enough to meet the author Lauren Oliver, whose debut novel, Before I Fall, was published in March 2010. Her visit to Chicago Public Library’s teen space, YOUmedia, took place on March 9, 2010. She answered questions posed by the teens and also led them in some writing prompts, which we’ve shared here.
Christine FletcherIn September 2009, the author Christine Fletcher conducted three exciting multimedia “Hepkitten” presentations relating to her book, Ten Cents a Dance, for at the Back of the Yards Branch Library (the neighborhood in which her book is set), the Beverly Branch and the Harold Washington Library Center digital teen space, YOUmedia. Teens from Chicago Public Schools’ Hyde Park Academy and Kenwood Academy had the opportunity to submit questions, which the author thoughtfully answered and we wanted to share this great information with all of our readers.
Jessica HopperChicago area rock critic Jessica Hopper presented a program in YOUmedia, the library’s 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 CashoreAuthor 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 GreenThe 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 nerdfighters.ning.com). We are happy to have had the opportunity to record the questions and answers on our website for you.
Kevin BrooksThe 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 SáenzThe 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 CohnChicago Public Library librarians and teen readers have adored the books of Rachel Cohn, including Gingerbread, Shrimp and Cupcake and 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-MbachuChicago-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 RubyIn 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 CooperThe 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. In April 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 HornbyNick Hornby’s new novel, Slam, is about a 15-year-old kid named Sam Jones, whose life seems to be going OK 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 HeadleyTeens 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 CabotTeens 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.