31 Flavorite Authors For Teens: ReaderGirlz Teams with YALSA!

Shaping Youth last reported on "readergirlz" social media launch this spring when they kicked off their power-packed teen lit site as a mashup of ‘old media meets new media’ striving to keep reading relevant for teens in the 21st century. Readergirlz divas Janet Lee Carey (Dragon’s Keep), Dia Calhoun (Avielle of Rhia) Lorie Ann Grover (On Pointe) and … [Read more...]

Behind the Scenes With Hollywood Stuntwoman Ann Coccagnia

Note to self: Stuntwomen are not to be messed with in the dark alley of gender inequity. They will kick your keister to kingdom come for media coverage that buys into sexploitation and blow you away with unabashed candor and first person wisdom straight from the workplace trenches. Meet Ann Coccagnia, Hollywood stunt woman, People magazine research pro, athlete, and … [Read more...]

“She’s Geeky” And Proud Of It!

When is a slur NOT a gaffe? When it’s self-ascribed…I easily self-identify with the geek chic stereotype. In school days I was voted ‘most studious’ but never studied. ‘Outstanding senior’ but never wanted to ‘stand out.’ So when I saw this invitation to participate in an UnConference called “She’s Geeky” … [Read more...]

Read Ferdinand On 9-20 to Help Jumpstart Low Income Kids!

Want to take a moment to stop and smell the flowers with your child? Make it this Thursday and you’ll be a part of a much bigger cause! The flower-whiffing, cud-chomping pacifist bull in The Story of Ferdinand has been selected by the nonprofit Jumpstart to unite the nation to Read for the Record as the largest shared reading experience ever! It’s short … [Read more...]

Teen Heroes, Twitter Journalism & Media Transparency

"Look, listen, live," declares Operation Lifesaver in this railroad warning. Whew. I'll say. David Armano, one of our Age of Conversation co-authors, offers this show-n-tell of Twitter media used to report on the scene when witnessing a 17-year old rescue an elderly woman from the train tracks, captured in 'citizen journalism' style. Aside from being a refreshingly … [Read more...]