readergirlz is a literacy and social media project for teens, awarded the National Book Foundation's Innovations in Reading Prize. The rgz blog serves as a depot for news and YA reviews from industry professionals and teens. As volunteers return full force to their own YA writing, the organization continues to hold one initiative a year to impact teen literacy. All are welcome to "like" us on Facebook!
Here's a roundup of all of Ellen Hopkins' discussion posts for Impulse this month. Feel free to jump in and add your thoughts at any time! Thanks again, Ellen and rgz!
Here's a big gracias to the awesome Ellen Hopkins for joining us at readergirlz this month! Things we learned about Ellen during our LIVE chat include:
1. Her advice for aspiring authors? "Read, read, read... and write, write, write." 2. Ellen's favorite character of her own is Tony from Impulse. He's so sweet. 3. She likes bombardment in a LIVE! chat... which is a GOOD thing since the readergirlz chat was crazy! In an awesome way.
Having Ellen here this month has been beyond beyond amazing. Thank you, Ellen, for hanging out with readergirlz!!
Tony, Vanessa, and Conner go through an intense survival camp together. They each find power and strength to do what they think is right through this experience. Have you ever gone away and participated in a similar extreme challenge?
As discussed last night in our awesome LIVE! chat, Ellen Hopkins has chosen an amazing and eclectic soundtrack this month for Impulse. Here's a peek at who's on it--you can play it in the right sidebar, or hit up this month's issue for automatic listening action.
Throw an Impulse book party with these great suggestions from featured author Ellen Hopkins, who'll be LIVE! here on Wednesday night at 9pm EST/6pm PST! (The magazine-word poem? Inspired.)
Food: Veggie platter; crackers and cheese; popcorn
Décor: Scatter words cut from magazines or newspapers in the center of the tables. Find words signifying hope, despair, perfection, stress, depression, mania, etc. Use for craft (below). Also votive candles in glass bowls, signifying hope.
Movies:One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest; King of California; A Beautiful Mind
Craft: Use words cut from magazines to create poems. Glue them on construction paper.
Connor, Tony and Vanessa all tell their stories with signature poetic styles. Have you ever expressed your feelings through poetry? What's your poetic style?
In a surprising twist, Tony and Vanessa fall in love. Has love ever surprised you? Tell us, rgz! We are ready for some good love stories! Can't wait to hear from Ellen, also. :~)
How are books chosen to be featured on rgz? Basically, the divas listen to teens and book the main features. Sometimes they will find a "must read" that they strongly believe they have to bring to attention. If an author is available, a month is agreed upon and booked. Thanks to Dia Calhoun for her hard work as our author liaison!
The divas then ask the postergirlz for excellent other reads that compliment the feature. There is no runner up, honor read, or second place. Every single feature and recommend stands tall as a significant contribution to YA lit. And we are honored to have each one spotlighted!
So special thanks to our postergirlz for this month's recommended reads that accompany Impulse so well!
And what a delight to turn a corner at TLA and run into Margo Rabb! She's absolutely delightful!
We have touched on suicide on several books at rgz, so our fantastic postergirl Jackie made this document for us. I thought to share it again as each of Ellen's characters has been hospitalized for attempted suicide.
If you or your friend is contemplating this act, GET HELP NOW. Each individual matters to our world.
Suicide is the third most common way for young people ages 10-24 to die. More worrisome is that for every suicide death among young people ages 15-24 there are 100-200 failed attempts. In 2005, 16.9% of U.S. high school students revealed that they had thoughts of attempting suicide in the preceding 12 months.*
Suicide is serious, but it is preventable. If you are thinking about suicide or someone you know is exhibiting signs that they might make an attempt on their own life, please use the resources below. All calls are confidential.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
1-800-273-TALK
1-800-273-8255
Call this 24-hour hotline for any kind of emotional distress ranging from suicide and mental illness to homelessness, loneliness and family problems. They’ll listen, and refer you to resources in your area.
National Hopeline Network
www.hopeline.com
1-800-SUICIDE
1-800-784-2433
This 24-hour hotline will seamlessly and immediately connect you to the crisis center closest to the place you are calling from.
The Trevor Helpline
www.thetrevorproject.org
866-4-U-TREVOR
866-488-7386
A 24-hour suicide prevention helpline focused on helping gay or questioning youth, but anyone is welcome to call.
Read more about suicide, warning signs, and general mental health issues:
