T is for trouble... and teenager... coincidence?

Ok I will admit it the book "When Falcon's Fly" is not my cup of tea. The biggest enjoyment I got out of the book was seeing the names of local land marks in print and in context of the story... it's weird for me reading books with settings I have actually been too. I think it may have actually been a first outside of travel guides.

I can see how the book would appeal to a reluctant reader with its sports "action" sequences. It takes on the task of putting readers in a more active role and mindset as the reader, other styles of books are more of the "sit back and relax" or "sit back and hang on" this book attempted to engage the reader in the action and I feel that makes it a good choice for a reluctant reader. I will keep it in the back of my mind for reluctant readers.

When I think of teen RA work I'm a tad torn, I know I can handle girls, create exciting displays that will capture attention and spark interest... but then there are boys...  At the very least I can suggest gender neutral titles, and I'm pretty up to speed on graphic novels, so I'm not completely going to mentally freak myself out about the prospect of RA work for teens.... Oh and just about any guy who plays World of War Craft or Dungeons and Dragons, well I've pretty much got that covered. Being that fantasy and male nerds are more "cool" than ever, and also more likely to use the library than they average jock, I can pretty much peg a kid who looks like he hasn't seen the light of day in a few months, as a gamer and come up with a few titles to suggest. (I wouldn't make that snap judgment lol but you get the idea)

Also there is Novelist and the internet, book trailer and other resources I can use to help me out. I feel pretty darn lucky to have these tools at my disposal, but they absolutely make me more comfortable in my ability to Teen RA work. If it is a regular part of my job I can see myself taking a real interest in the material, learning and staying current with it, and over all enjoying the work to be better at teen RA. I wouldn't say I'm a natural or anything, but I do feel it is something I could pick up as I go along a do well with.

Teens usually seem to feel more comfortable talking to me than I am with them. I'm not sure why but I do often get asked for advice from the teens in my life and they even go out of their way to include me in their lives. That gives me a little confidence that I can offer them material, and content that engages them, and expands on their likes. They don't scare me nearly as much as the kids because I am way less afraid of the teen who tells me my suggestion "sucks", than the parent who tells me their kid has been having nightmares for weeks because I suggested the book "Where the Wild things are". I think I scared the kid I baby sat for life when I showed her Lion King II... she is 18 now and still remembers being sacred... Sure she loved the original Lion King but the 2nd one had alligators... well those are just scary... clearly...  I can gauge teens they don't freak me out too bad, kids I'm just clueless on.