B.E.T.A. Job Training

Check out the teenspace for flyers about the Bayfair Employment Training Academy, or B.E.T.A. This free program is available for youth aged 14 to 24, who live in unincorporated areas of San Leandro, Hayward and Castro Valley. The program offers free training in how to look for, and work at a job. It's a six-week course at Bayfair Mall. After completing the course you get a certificate that will help you as you approach employers for a job. Ask Shawna for an application. These must be completed 2-weeks before the session starts. The next session is March 31, 2008.

Really liking the same old, same old

Kiffe Kiffe Tomorrow

By Faïza Guène

Kiffe Kiffe Tomorrow is the story of Doria, a 15-year-old Moroccan girl living in the Paradise housing projects of suburban Paris. Her dad just left her mother to live with another woman in their native Morocco and now her mom has to work cleaning hotels to support them. The diary-like story tells of Doria's encounters with social workers and a psychiatrist, all well-off French people who don't have a clue what her life is like. The book's title comes from a word made up by Doria. She takes the Arabic word kif-kif meaning same old, same old and combines it with the French verb kiffer meaning to really like something. It describes her resiliance during these hard times. The book was written by Faïza Guène, an Algerian immigrant to France, when she was 19. While reading it think of how life in a suburb of Paris, compares to life in Hayward. Is it much different?

Click here to find Kiffe Kiffe Tomorrow in the library catalog

Free Music Online!

There are a couple of really cool sites that offer free podcasts of trance and progressive house music for those of you who are in to that.

Check out the Gareth Emery Podcast Garethemerypodcast for the latest in dance music. He's a DJ from Southampton, UK. The podcast is like a radio show with an average of 45 minutes of heart thumping beats. A new track is added every two-weeks. Unless your digital music player can play MP4 files, you'll have to download this podcast through itunes.

FabChannel shows free concert videos online.
Find concerts for all different types of music and watch them on your computer.

Three great reads

The Kayla Chronicles
By Sherri Winston

In middle school, Kayla and her friend, Rosalie, started a girl power group called SPEAK (Sisters Providing Encouragement and Kindness). Now in High School, Rosalie’s got a plan that will really put SPEAK on the map. She wants Kayla to try-out for their high school’s popular jazz dance group in order to expose the group’s practice of allegedly accepting only big-breasted girls. Kayla never stands up to Rosalie, so she says she’ll do it. She’s a gymnast after all and likes to dance. But, in fact, she’s always secretly hoped to be a part of the Lady Lions. Rosalie wouldn’t understand that. It doesn’t fit with her girl power values. So what will Kayla do if she actually makes the group?


Click here to find The Kayla Chronicles in the library catalog


Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist
By Rachel Cohn & David Levithan

Nick’s just finished his band’s set at a New York club and he’s watching the next band play feeling a little sorry for himself because his ex-girlfriend is there with another boy. Then he sees she’s approaching him and he turns to the girl standing next to him, Norah, for help. She agrees to be his girlfriend for five minutes and the two lock in a kiss that changes everything. Yes, it was that good. What follows is an all-night adventure and a little more kissing as the two deal with old romances and the new spark between each other. The book is told from both Nick and Norah’s point of view and gives a good glimpse into New York night life.


Click here to find Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist in the library catalog

Tyrell
By Coe Booth

Tyrell’s got it hard ever since his father ended up in jail for the third time. The 15-year-old, his mom and his younger brother, Troy, are kicked to the street because they can’t pay the rent. Instead of a shelter they end up in a cockroach infested motel. His mom expects him to take care of the family by selling drugs, but Tyrell isn’t about to get caught up in that. He doesn’t want to get locked up like his dad. This story tells of Tyrell’s plan to make money as well as deal with his good-girl girlfriend, Novisha.


Click here to find Tyrell in the library catalog