Farmingdale Library Teens

by Kelly Jensen SLJ June 2019 These excellent, engaging BookTubers focus the bulk of their channels on talking all things young adult. Francina Simone An author and all-around book enthusiast , Simone not only talks about the books she loves and has been reading but also digs deep into the news and hot topics of discussion in the YA literature world.  Some of her most popular videos include an exploration of sex in YA as it relates to books like those by Sarah J. Mass, the things she dislikes about YA, and what it means when content is (or is not) problematic. She's outspoken and honest. Ellias (formerly Brandon the Bookworm) With a mix of emotional honesty and vulnerable videos and a wicked love for all things YA, Ellias's BookTube is a great channel for readers who want a full picture of a book lover within and beyond their passion for reading.  Ellias's introductory video is a must watch, as it explains why he's changed the name of his BookTube channel, as...

SLJ 7/2019 by Thomas Knowlton Pick number one-  Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime In its aesthetic, Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime (Asteroid Base. $19.99; Grade 6 & Up) draws from the lighter side of anime (think of shows like Sailor Moon), presenting a science fiction universe filled with pinks, purples, and space bunnies- who shoot rainbows out of the chests to open locked gates. What makes this cooperative, multiplayer video game particularly challenging and fun to play with middle schoolers is the way in which it implicitly demands that players work together to pilot a giant, unwieldy spacecraft through a hostile world. Although a single player (with a computer-controlled pet) can take on this task, this title shines when four players are communicating and working together completely in sync, warning each other of incoming  dangers and cheering when they finally clear a level. Rather than giving players the feeling of control, Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetim...