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Show SUMMER 2004 Page 8 The West View How I Spent My Summer TEEN BOOK REVIEWS The following book reviews were written by local By Jerry Pacheco teens and compiled by Melissa Sillitoe, former Liberty Park has librarian, who has worked with many teens who frequent the Chapman Branch Library. always been a fun place to be, but now it’s become an even more happening place for kids. A newly remodeled building on the northeast side of the park houses a full-day summer program for kids, grades 5 through 8. It is called Youth City - a City program, funded in part by Global Artways. Youth City gives teens something exciting, productive and social to do during the summer. Twenty-seven different classes are offered through the program. The classes provide a great opportunity to learn things that would not normally be available in school, such Reviewer: Felecia Brown | Book: “Holes” by Louis Sachar This book is about a kid named Stanley who has to go to boot camp. He meets different people who are there. What I like best about this book was that when he stuck up for Zero and when Zero ran away from the camp and when Zero was drinking slush. Reviewer: Heather Eckhardt Book: “Toughing It” by Nancy Springer and John Hanley The only person sixteen-year-old Tuff can really count on is his big brother, Dillon. Tuff has never met his father and his mother spends her days drunk. When Dillon is murdered, Tuff watches. I like it because it teaches us all a lesson about death and murder. I would recommend it for kids 12 and up because it has a lot of swear words. Other than that, it is a really good book. as web design and creating a CD of your own urban groove music that is made by putting different digital guitar chords and drum sequences together. There are also other fun classes like swimming and skateboarding. I am currently in this program and have taken classes like guitar and capoera. Capoera is a Brazilian form of self-defense that doesn’t use punching, but uses a series of fast flips and kicks along with music played by bongos and tambourines. Guitar was one. of my favorite classes, because I learned different chords and notes. Now I can read and make my own music. I now have more of an interest in playing the guitar and want to take further lessons. I have made new friends from all over the valley, including refugees from other parts of the world. I have also made Reviewer: Courtney Eckhardt Book: “Warriors into the Wild” by Erin Hunter Hacky sack is just one of the many activities that Jerry Pacheco enjoys during YouthCity at Liberty Park. Photo by Lance Duvall some with academic some connections of the adult instruc- - tors. I enjoyed going on field trips, such as bowling, canoeing on the Jordan River, and going to the Salt Lake Arts Festival. Youth City is offered at three different locations: Central City, Liberty Park, and Fairmont Park. The summer program runs through August 13. During the school year, it will become an after school program. For more information, contact Elizabeth Robinson at 533-0485 or go to www.youthcity.org. Jerry Pacheco is a fourteenyear-old boy, who lives in the West Pointe neighborhood on the west side of Salt Lake City. I loved reading this book because I know that if a house cat ever wants to become a warrior cat like Fireheart, they can. I discovered what a house cat has to give up to become the warrior it wants to be. I enjoyed this book about how other people love and take care of their cat. Reviewer: Pua Satuala Book: “Whale Rider” by Witi Ihimaera What I liked best about the book is that Paiked was able to overcome trial and tribulation. She proves that females can do their best in any culture (even with strong traditions). Meet Nicole Burnett: A Positively Driven Teen By Kate Rubalcava As an entering sophomore at West High School, Nicole Burnett does what every teen should do - she enjoys life. She dips into every desire she has and goes for it. One of her recent escapades includes being the second runner up in the Miss Teen Utah International Pageant, which was held in May. This particular pageant is only two years old, but has concrete, established guidelines for the girls to follow. Béing non-exploitive in nature, it focuses more on community, fashion and fitness. _ Nicole began preparing for the pageant last November. With help from her family, she sought sponsorship from businesses, Senator James Evans and non-profits, including her congregation at the Calvary Baptist Church. She is grateful for their kind donations and said that without their support _ she would not have been _ to© pay. for her evening When she was a child, she would watch “In Living Color” on television and dance along with the Fly Girls. Since then, she has performed in many dance competitions. ~ Recently she was elected into two offices of the Drill Team at West High School - as Vice President and Secretary. She hopes to motivate teens and improve their self-esteem through the power of dance. When she is not dancing her life away, Nicole is chatting online with her friends, writing poetry or watching movies. It is not surprising to find out that “Chicago” and “Grease” are among her favorite movies. Because Nicole has so many positive thoughts and words, it is not hard to pin down her source of confidence, poise and grace. “We gave her a plate and told her to pick what she wanted to do. We have been fortunate...and are so proud of her accomplishments and success,” says her father Earl Burnett. Nicole | : is the 15- year-old daughter of Earl and / Kori Burnett and a resident of Rose Park. Ny Nicole Burnett leads an ordinary teen life with extraordinary zest and promise for the future. Photo by Kate Rubalcava |