L.A. Youth’s summer reading picks
With popular goths and scary short stories, these books are way better than your English teacher’s summer reading list.
CD reviews (May – June 2009)
L.A. Youth writers review Lily Allen,
Angel y Khriz and the Twilight soundtrack.
Movie review: Up
Patricia, 17, says that the latest Pixar movie, Up, is amazing.
Book review: Willful Creatures
Lia, 17, thought this collection of short stories was weird, but in a good way.
Movie review: The Proposal
Kevin, 14, didn’t laugh during this predictable romantic comedy starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds.
Book review: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Jean, 16, says this novel about loss is inspiring nonetheless.
Movie review: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Destiny, 16, wishes she hadn’t wasted her money and time on Revenge of the Fallen.
Movie review: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Gabe, 16, says that the latest film continues the magic of the series.

Letters to the editor (May – June 2009)
Readers offer their thoughts and feelings on stories that appeared in our March – April 2009 issue.
Essay contest: What can’t you live without?
Essay contest winners chose a cell phone, ribbons, a brush and dancing.

Hundreds of LAUSD students protest budget cuts
High school students from several LAUSD schools walked to district headquarters on May 29 to plead for their teachers’ jobs. Read a first-person account from one of the students who organized the protest.