Judging a book by it’s cover – yes, it’s something we ALL do. But have you ever read a book with a lame cover and thought that you totally could have done a better job designing it?

Well, now’s your chance. You can “Create Your Debut YA Cover” and post it for the world to see over at the 100 Scope Notes blog. There is already a gallery where other people have done the same. So, show us what you got!

I love this!!

We all need advice sometimes, but we don’t always know where to go for it.

That’s where ‘Hey Josh‘ comes in. Josh Shipp is a teen advice guru who runs a site where he passes on practical, hands-on, real-world experience to the thousands of teens who ask for his help. Abandoned and abused as a child and raised in foster care, Josh has taken his past of hurt and neglect, turned it around, and used it as a catalyst for helping others.

In addition to his website, Josh also has a YouTube channel (obviously). So check him out and see what you think!

Do you have an opinion on issues like politics, health care reform, world affairs or sports? I’m sure you do and your 9th grade social studies class is not always the most exciting place to share.

Check out Next Gen Journal, a site where teens and twentysomethings are writing original essays outlining their thoughts and opinions on these topics and more. And if you have something to share on world events, this is the place to be heard

Check out some new titles the library recently acquired for your reading pleasure…

Ghostgirl: Homecoming by Tonya Hurley

Fruits Basket, vol. 23 by Natsuki Takaya

Access Denied (and other eighth grade error messages) by Denise Vega

Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 19 by Hiromu Arakawa

Daniel X: Watch the Skies by James Patterson

Inubaka, vol. 13 by Yukiya Sakuragi

Boyology: a teen girl’s crash course in all things boy by Sarah O’Leary Burningham

Kitchen Princess, vol. 10 adapted by Nunzio Defilippis

Check out 11-year-old Damon Weaver from Florida as he asks some tough questions of President Obama. Nice job, Damon!

As a followup to our post on the original Bella and Edward dolls…

I would like to direct everyone’s attention to the fact that Barbie is now jumping into the arena with their own version:

I think they’re weird.

Looks awesome!

Calling all comic fans… We know you’re always looking for new stuff to get your hands on, and the publishers know it too. So why not check out some of what they’re putting on their websites.

Tokyopop offers a lot of old AND new material – including at least one chapter of every series online.

For those of you who are into the superheros, Marvel is offering over 100 free comics on their site.

And don’t forget the old standby… the Library has your back when it comes to books. Don’t forget to stop in or check out the catalog to see what we offer.

Seventeen-year-old Mia had everything to live for — a loving family, a beloved boyfriend, and her brilliant cello playing (and, very possibly, an acceptance to Juilliard). But everything changes during a tragic car accident. Now Mia hovers near the hospital bed where her physical body lies in a coma, weighing her options. Should she stay?

See the full review on Teenreads.com

Find it in the Library catalog!