http://www.the39clues.com/
This website is based on the book series The 39 Clues of which there are 10 books. After their grandmother's death sibling Dan and Amy Cahill discover that they are a part of a very powerful family composed of such famous names as Mozart and Benjamin Franklin. Dan and Amy have a choice to make, take one million dollars and live their lives or accept the challenge to find 39 clues scattered around the world. The siblings are not alone; if they accept the challenge they are competing with ruthless family members that will stop at nothing to get to the clues first.
The39clues.com site would appeal to those users that have some background with the books because of references made. However a user could be introduced to the site, and then pick up an interest in the books. To begin the 39 clues journey users must create an account, selecting a username and password. The next step is to answer a series of questions. Would you rather be president or a world famous rock star? Would you rather explore an unmapped jungle or a top secret laboratory? Would you rather have a star in the sky named after you or a Hollywood star? After all questions are answered the user will receive feedback to which branch of the Cahill family he belongs. Email information must be entered and a confirmation email is sent to the user. Once the confirmation link is accessed the user may begin the clue hunt.
Users can watch webcast to learn about clues, access information about the authors of each book, create an agent card to build identity, form alliances or intimidate enemies, enter contest, and receive updates on new releases.
I would recommend the39clues.com to readers that are familiar with the books and youth that enjoy adventure, mystery, and strategy games. I think the introduction to this online site would spark an interest in the books because users would want to learn more about the characters and use the books to unlock more clues.
The39clues.com could be used in a gaming program. Youth could work as the characters in the books do, individually or in teams, to hunt for clue. May the best Cahill win.
Digital Youth Network (DYN)
http://www.iremix.org/
DYN is based in Chicago and provides opportunities for youth to engage in new media literacies in school and during out-of-school times. In school opportunities allow youth to receive instruction on digital literacy and afterschool component gives youth practice on what was learned and instruction on new media tools. Youth have access to Remix World, a social networking site private to DYN, to which poems, songs, videos and more are shared with peers and mentors.
This appears to be a great opportunity for youth living in the Chicago area. The DYN mentors have the background, knowledge and interest in working with middle and high school youth to ensure that teens understand how to become responsible media consumers and producers. The program seems structured with a curriculum and assessment. There are also examples of media projects created by youth based around school assignments (digital storytelling) and afterschool programming such as gaming, robotics, digital music and digital video production. Youth are being introduced to new equipment and learning to use their knowledge, skills and ideas for real-world and personal use.
DYN was instrumental in collaborating with the Chicago Public Library to create YOUmedia, the teen learning space in the Harold Washington Learning Center. Larger library systems that are interested in engaging teens and making digital media literacy a priority could benefit from communicating with DYN and CPL staff to learn how replicate this innovative project. Teens benefit by learning about new media forms, how to use in real-world experience and gain some lifelong skills.
The Stacks for Kids
http://www.scholastic.com/kids/stacks/
This is the one-stop shop for authors, books, games, and reading. Create an avatar. Discuss books. Talk about games and global warming. Enter contest. The possibilities are endless once you join STACKS.
For young people that enjoy reading, movies and the characters in these this could be paradise. Once users join this community they can chat with like-minded individuals. There are games based on movies and books to be played. Users can even listen to webcast of their favorite celebrities chatting about their favorite books. There are games galore: Deltora, Bone, Goosebumps, Star Wars, and Captain Underpants. Users can search for books by character, title, and author and be the first to hear about new releases.
This site would appeal to youth in grades 3-8 who enjoy a variety of games and reading. Youth would be able to chat with other and send e-cards to online friends. Introduction to STACKS is another way get children excited about reading.
When recommending a Goosebumps or Captain Underpants the librarian could also share the STACKS site. A bookmark, with the STACKS url could be made, highlighting the series that are found on this site.
