Family valued 6.16.04

‘Rave Reviews’ for teens

Every summer my office receives quite a variety of reading
lists for children and adults. Occasionally I get one for teens, but it is
usually the required reading list for a local school or one produced by an
organization jumping on the bandwagon to tout literature for teens.

            One
unusual compilation that marks its 10th anniversary this year is the Monroe
County Library System’s Rave Reviews,
a hand-sized publication developed by teen literature specialists, young adult
librarians, and staff serving teens from each of the member libraries.

            What makes
Rave Reviews unique is how it is
developed. Each year this library group reads, nominates, reviews, and votes on
titles that don’t necessarily make mainstream lists such as ALA’s Notable lists
or SLJ‘s Best Books of the Year.

            The final
14 to 18 selections, usually fiction but not limited to this type, must receive
five “yes” votes and must not appear on another recent genre list created by
the team. This ensures that teens are exposed to titles that they may not
necessarily know about from peers or other sources.

            The
annotated list represents a variety of genres and the titles are of good
literary quality. Popular appeal is also a factor, but not the predominant one.
You can pick up a copy of Rave Reviews from any Monroe County public library once summer reading programs begin.

— Carolyn Schuler

This week for families:

Cool
Kids Thurs, June 17, Dady Brothers, 7-9 p.m. | Fri, June 18, music and
culture of India, 7-8 p.m. | Sagawa Park, Erie and Main Sts, Brockport, Free.
637-3984, www.brockportny.org.

Henrietta Public
Library Fri, June 18, Father’s Day craft, 3:30-4:30 p.m. | Tues, June 22,
summer program registration, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. | 455 Calkins Rd. 359-7092

RMSC Strasenburgh
Planetarium 657 East Ave. A Trip to
Saturn and Pluto, Saturdays 1 p.m. | The Sky Tonight, Sat 10:30 a.m. | I
See The Sky, for ages 3-5, Sat 9:30 a.m.| Dave Matthews Laser, Sat 9 p.m.
| Reserve seats. Tix: $4-$7. See “Movies” section for large-format film
showings. 271-1880

Rochester Boys Choir Now auditioning for 2004-2005 season, boys grades 2-7, Asbury First United
Methodist Church, 1050 East Ave. 381-9228, www.rochesterboyschoir.org.

Rochester Museum and
Science Center 657 East Ave. Surprise!
It’s Science, through May 2005. | Body
Carnival: the Science and Fun of Being You, ongoing. | Rochester’s Frederick Douglass, through Jan 2006. | Live Science
Demos, Wed-Fri 3:30 p.m., Sat 2, 3, 4, Sun 1:30, 2:30, 3:30. | Hours: Mon-Sat 9
a.m.-5 p.m., Sun 12-5 p.m. Tix: $5-$7. 271-1880, www.rmsc.org.

Seneca Park Zoo 2222
St Paul St. Sat, June 19, Golden Link Folk Singers, 3 p.m. | Sun, June 20,
Moonbeam2Earth Project, 3 p.m. | Hours: daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tix: $5, $4
seniors, $2 kids. 467-9453, www.senecazoo.org.

Strong Museum 1
Manhattan Square. Making America’s Music,
through Sun, Sept 12. Opening weekend activities: Sat-Sun, June 19-20. |
Long-term exhibits include National Toy
Hall of Fame, Can You Tell Me How To
Get To Sesame Street?, and Super Kids
Market. | Hours: Mon-Thurs 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Fri 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat 10
a.m.-5 p.m., Sun 12-5 p.m. Tix: $7; $6 seniors, students; $5 children. 263-2700

You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown Fri-Sat, June 18-19 and 25-26.
Everyone’s Theatre Company, Victor Educational Center Auditorium, 953 High St,
Victor, 7:30 p.m., June 26 1:30 p.m. Tix: $10, $5 seniors, students. 415-4747

A lesson while haggling

Having savings accounts for your kids
is nice, but if you really want to give them a lesson in economics (and have
fun), hit the East Avon Flea Market. Give ’em a couple bucks and stand back as
they unleash their inner Donald Trump.

            I’ve
seen shy 9-year-olds bring dealers to their knees with steadfast refusals to
pay the asking price for a pack of Yu-Gi-Oh! cards. Visiting the largest Flea
in Upstate New York sharpens math skills and builds confidence like no trip to
the mall ever could.

            Kids
love the Flea for the same reason we adult devotees do. There are tons of
really cheap, cool stuff to be had, old and new. Hey kids, need that elusive
toy to complete your set? Anybody can have mom or dad search eBay. Come down to
the Flea and mix it up with the pros in person. Go early for the best
selection, or late for the best bargains.

            The
East Avon Flea Market is open Sundays from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Check out the large
snack bar and live entertainment. Don’t worry, they have flush toilets. Take
390 south to the Avon exit, bear right onto Routes 5 and 20, then turn right at
the intersection of Route 15. The Flea is a mile down on the left. Like Trump
Tower, you can’t miss it. I recommend teaching kids the essential question, “Is
that your best price?” during the half-hour drive.

            Info: 226-8320 or www.eastavonfleamarket.com.

— Linda Kostin
(www.junkstorecowgirl.com)

This article appears in Jun 16-22, 2004.