October Eureka Moments

by

Thoroughly in the swing of things now? Already bored with what’s going on? Happy but ready to add more programming and interest to your services? Whatever the case, maybe some of these innovations, research publications, and other cool tidbits will inspire you.

  • You know your patrons like games. And you may already know of some of the social justice gaming websites and programs out there, like Games for Change or Spent. Now it might interest you to know that there’s a new game out there designed specifically to target your ethics, not just to make you live in someone else’s shoes or support a cause. Quandary is its name, and it was designed by The Learning Network, a collaboration between MIT and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Take a look at the game here, and then consider if your gaming club might attract new members with an interest in social justice, or if your volunteer group might like to try some gaming. Now that so many teens are so savvy at programming, you might be able to get a group together to create a game that tackles a local issue that they find important.

    • Read More →

    YALSA Symposium Pre-conference: Body Positivity and Size Acceptance in Contemporary Young Adult Fiction

    by

    In case you haven’t noticed, I’m fat.’  Yep.’  And I have green eyes (and hair, right now), and I’m tall, and have a tattoo.’  These are all descriptors of me.’  Our fearless leader, Angie Manfredi, opened the session much the same way (except she doesn’t have green hair).’  For me, someone who’s been an on-again-off-again size activist for years, it was the perfect way to set the stage.’  Angie’s unapologetic view of herself and her infectious energy created a few hours that went by far too quickly.’  I would have happily spent all day.

    She began talking a little about size acceptance (and by that we mean *any* size, not just large) and continued on to a full literature review.’  Her list included titles that were (by her definition, and this author’s as well) actually positive, from authors who had good intentions but just missed the mark, and those titles that featured body issues but were sending problematic messages.’  She also talked about adult titles with teen appeal, some recommended reading for adults and a few choice titles about disordered eating too.’  I appreciated her list immensely (if you’ll pardon the pun).’  She only included YA titles published in the last 5 years (acknowledging that there were other good older titles) so it was fresh. Read More →