Frappr map

While checking my google alerts today, I received a link for Frappr Map. You can customize map locations then post them to the blog of your choice. I tried it out for myself and that it to be at first another socialization tool for mid-20 somethings for like your's truely. Frappr works by typing in a city and state (or country) and the site creates a map pin pointing the send location. Ideally its for friends to create maps to show how they are in location to one and another. However, the more I thought about it, the more Frappr could be used as a tool for a class project.

For example, one could use Frappr to create a map of Napoleon's 1812 campaign. A student can create a blog writing about the soldiers experience then log onto Frappr to create a map showing the different battlefields. This could be use with ELA blogs as well. Want to show the different cities andd countries of Hemingway's writing, create a Frappr map.

Frappr does not have the graphics of Google Earth. It's zoom in function does need some work (I tried zooming into Salem, and found my city to be in the Atlantic Ocean). The map itself does have a crude computer graphic quality to it. However, if you are using Frappr for a mere representation, it does the trick.

Library Thing

Have you always wanted your own personal library- complete with online catalog- or OPAC as we librarians refer to it? Well now you can! Library Thing (www.librarything.com) is a service that allows post what books you have in your library.

The service is free for up to 200 books, however for a mere $25 you can post as many books as you like for a life time. The process in which you input your information is easy, just type in the title of your book, select your edition, and them click on the title to add to your library. The book entry includes its MARC record from the Library of Congress, the cover art (if available), the number of Library Thing members that also own the book, and a link to World Cat to show other near by libraries that circulate the book. Members can also write their own reviews of the book. And, if you do not like a book- you can "Unsuggest" it.

I have worked in a library where there was no public access OPAC and it is frustrating to not have that sort of information available for patrons. For a school library where there not be an OPAC, Library Thing can be a helpful to for library media specialist, school staff, and students. This will allow lms an opportunity to have a public access catalog and it is relatively easy to maintain. An ideal volunteer project for Library volunteers and students.

Please feel free to investigate what is in my personal library (please keep in mind that it is a new tool for me and I just starting inputting books):
http://www.librarything.com/catalog.php?view=kcerasale

This Ain't a Scene- it's a music video

Music Video Review: Fall out Boy This Ain't a Scene...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvPvcV44rCc

For give me for I do not have cable, thus no MTV. All my music video watching is done via YouTube. I was watching American Idol tonight and I saw the Verizon V-Cast commerical at least 20 times with the body builder rocking out to Fall Out Boy's latest single, which I love. The commerical made me curious to see what take the group took on the music video. The result is something that I am pretty please with.

If you loved Blink 182's video for All the Small Things then you'll appreciate FOB's This Ain't a Scene... . THe video is loaded with satire- from celebrity naughty pictures taken with cell phones, da hood, and an amazing rocking funeral. It makes me see past FOB's image as a teeny popper / emo / wanna be punk to a more sophisticated style that young adults should appreciate.

To view the video for free- you can go to YouTube (www.youtube.com) or it can be purchase through ITunes.

Apologizes and Book Review

Book Review:
Rachel Cohen's Cupcake

A thousand pardons. The end of the February was busy. American Idol just started back up again (finally) and for those who may not know it yet, I got married in January and our work is still not done. I have to change over my last name (which is now Cerasale-Messina) and that takes up a lot of time.

I did find some time for some readings- Rachel Cohn's Cucake . Cucake is the third book in the Cyd Charisse series. Fresh out of alternative high school and on a clean break with surfer boyfriend, Shrimp, Cyd, aka CeeCee, aka Dollface finds hersef far away from her beloved San Francisco and in the city that never sleeps. There she finds herself getting to know her "biofamily" and trying effortlessly to break into the cupcake industry. Cyd is not alone in her adventure- she has some old friends (including half brother and roommate Danny) as well as some new (straight edge boss Mold). Cyd slowly eases herself into the Big Apple and when she finally begins as if she feels at home, Shrimp reappears.

Truth- Cucake is spunky enough to make me want to go out and dye my hair black with blue highlights, it still lacks a certain spark that I adored in the first Cyd Charisse book ( Gingerbread ). More and more I feel Cyd is more like a modern day Weeztie Bat- a modern day fairy tale for young adults. Gingerbread seem more "real." I could identify more with Cyd, her problems, and rebellions. However- she came off as more spoiled, princess, diva like. In her previous books Cyd came off as more down to earth while in Cupcake she just seem unattainable.

Help a friend of mine

My friend Laura, who is an amazing and creative educator, is working with her students on a math project involving surveys. Please help her students out by taking at least two minutes and filling out their surveys:

Tashima's survey on ipods
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=38053274567

Carl's survey on video games
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=520823273855

Why another blog Katie

Because I just love to Blog so much!

Seriously, this blog is for my professional interest and a great passion of mine- young adult library services. It amazes me the wealth of information teens have available to them. It kind of makes me jealous that they have so much (not like computers and the internet were not around ten years ago when I was 15, but come on- I had to wait until I was 22 to get an iPod). And do not get me started on the YA books being publish. Lucky I look so young, no one gives me a second glance when they see when wolfing down a Carolyn Mackler or Sarah Dressen on the T.

What I hope is that Library professionals (especially those that work in youth services) and educator can use this blog as a source of information about YA materials, sources, and what nots (I love the word whatnots). I love to review materials (including books, videogames, magazines, and web sites). Why not share my reviews with the world (or at least the library / education world). Anyone is more than welcome to comment (please try to make sure it is related to the post). Hope you enjoy what I have to share.

K :)