SNEAK PEEK

SNEAK PEEK
The buzz on books
SEVENTEEN MAGAZINE
The stuff you really gotta read right this second:
"The Torn Skirt," by Rebecca Godfrey (Harperperennial Library, $11.95). Sara Shaw is a teen looking for something -- or someone -- real. She decides that a lawbreaking runaway has that realness -- and a life far more exciting than her own. But instead of finding a new path, Sara winds up surrounded by druggies, thieves, girls gone wrong and skater boys gone worse. That sucks for her, but you'll be fascinated by the seamy, disturbing world she encounters.
"The Little Friend," by Donna Tartt (Knopf, $26). Tartt, author of "The Secret History," has written another mesmerizing, dark mystery (think Nancy Drew goes Southern gothic). Harriet has spent her life haunted by the murder of her brother, Robin, on Mother's Day. Her grief-stricken family never fully recovers, so Harriet creates an imaginary world for herself. Twelve years after Robin's death, she decides to find his murderer and seek revenge.
XFor more reviews, check out the latest issue of Seventeen or visit the magazine's Web site at www.seventeen.com.
HOTLINKS
Cool site: Get Crafty
By BECKY SHER
KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
There's more to crafting than Martha Stewart. Sure, she seems to have cornered the market on all things handmade and homey, but plenty of other people are turning everyday objects into fabulous clothing, jewelry and decorations. You can meet a slew of hip young crafters at Get Crafty (www.getcrafty.com), a Web site dedicated to DIY (that's do-it-yourself) projects that are cheap, fun and easy.
Basically, Get Crafty is a community where crafty types share their projects, like macram & eacute; belts, pillowcase skirts and underwear made from T-shirts (seriously). Most Get Crafty projects require inexpensive materials, often stuff you can find already lying around your house. The site's contributors do a great job of explaining each craft, usually including step-by-step photos and links to related sites or other resources.
But Get Crafty isn't just about crafts -- it's dedicated to everything DIY. The "Thrift" section includes articles on how to haggle at a thrift shop, hold a clothes swap and reuse your trash. The "Eats" section features easy, yummy recipes you can make yourself. And if you love admiring other people's craftiness, but just don't think you can manage it yourself, buy cool handmade goods in the Get Crafty store.
XBecky Sher writes for Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service.
Bullseye by Target
By ERIC GOODWIN
KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
Part advertisement, part e-zine, Bullseye (http://www.bullseye.target.com/) is taking aim at teen Web surfers. The site -- a venture of Target stores -- uses articles, polls and online games to promote a certain lifestyle; a lifestyle supported, of course, by products available at your local Target.
Bullseye offers content for both girls and guys. The girls' section features beauty and fashion tips, plus horoscopes and interactive quizzes. It also features a "Hello Kitty" section where visitors can play a game or send an e-card. The guys' section has articles on extreme athletes such as Tony Hawk and Dave Mirra, plus interactive polls.
If you're into music, you'll want to check out Bullseye's "Sounds Good" section.
Finally, Bullseye boasts a fun games section. One featured game, "Dorm Room Blitz," puts you in the shoes of a beleaguered college student who has to dodge distractions (pizza, TV, etc.) impeding his path to his dorm room, where he has to cram for his exams.
XEric Goodwin writes Hotlink for Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service. You can send e-mail to egoodwin@krtinfo.com.