Lit Slam

Ally Sheedy, as the fringe-dwelling loner in John Hughes’ 1985 opus, The Breakfast Club, expresses her dread of adulthood with this sad assertion: “When you grow up, your heart dies.” That’s not necessarily true, but some Johnson County teens aren’t taking chances. Elementia, a literary magazine written, illustrated and edited by area kids and sponsored by the Johnson County Library and the Olathe Public Library, ensures — metaphorically, anyway — a heart-healthy voyage toward grown-up worries.”A teen committee goes through the entries, finalizes selections and gives points to each entry,” says librarian Angela Parks. “The ones with the most points from the committee go into the magazine. Teens submit graphics and art, and we assemble everything into the magazine.” Tonight at 7, teens will present works from the newest issue of Elementia with live readings at the Johnson County Central Resource Library (9875 West 87th Street, Overland Park, 913-495-2400). The evening includes an exhibition of the issue’s visual art and refreshments.

Tue., Dec. 2, 7 p.m., 2008