CHECK IT OUT

Reading may not be the first activity teens associate with rocking, but

it’s a pastime that can contribute to a lifetime of learning and

enjoyment. To remind adolescents that books can provide myriad pleasures

outside the classroom, Newport libraries will join the American Library

Assn. in promoting leisure reading during Teen Read Week, Sunday through

Oct. 23.

Thanks to a $10,000 Youth Services Materials grant from The California

State Library, this year’s theme -- “Reading Rocks: Read for the Fun of

It!” -- will be easier to support.

The funds have been used to enrich the Young Adult Collection with

materials that inspire reading beyond homework assignments.

The Young Adult Collection now includes such new leisure reading gems as

“In the Forests of the Night,” a haunting tale starring Risika, a

world-weary, 300-year-old vampire.

Written by talented, 14-year-old Amelia Atwater-Rhodes, the atmospheric

saga is reminiscent of Ann Rice’s Lestat novels. Teen horror fans are

bound to find additional appeal in knowing one of their peers penned it.

More clearly reflecting real adolescent angst is Rob Thomas’ “Rats Saw

God,” starring a funny, rebellious teen driven by a controlling father

and a broken heart. The former overachiever is flunking his senior year

of high school and challenged by a writing assignment that forces him to

face his self-built prison of anger and insecurity.

Students at Time Zone High, the setting of Todd Strasser’s “How I Spent

My Last Night on Earth,” are struggling with another kind of confusion:

the imminent end of the world. In her final 24 hours, brilliant,

beautiful “Legs” Hanover must sort out romantic possibilities and

betrayals before a hurtling asteroid smashes into Earth.

An ethical dilemma forms the core of “The Revelation of Saint Bruce,”

Tres Seymour’s new novel that explores betrayal, loyalty and conformity.

After staunchly moral Bruce rats on his best friends for drinking at

school, he’s forced to reflect on everyone’s motives, including his own.

Other reality-based situations are tackled in “Ironman,” Chris Crutcher’s

popular teen read about a high school football player thrown off the team

for directing his family-related rage at the coach. In this sports novel,

young readers will find a thought-provoking examination of anger

management and other big issues.

Other fine leisure reading selections for teens are listed in “Best Books

for Young Adults,” available at Newport libraries.

Check them out at the grand opening of the Central Library’s new Teen

Center (outfitted with comfy new furnishings, additional computer

terminals and new resources), at “Cosmic Comic Relief,” a special Teen

Read Week program from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday. The fun will include a

cartoon-drawing workshop and a rousing game of Stump the Librarian. At

this program and throughout the year, librarians will be available to

assist teens with leisure reading selections.

* CHECK IT OUT is written by the staff of the Newport Beach Public

Library. This week’s column is by Melissa Adams, in collaboration with

Terri Wiest.