Teens

Today is the day!  The American Library Association announced the 2023 Youth Media Award winners this morning at their LibLearnX conference in New Orleans!  Many of our staff's favorite books (make sure you take a look at our lists in the Downloads section of Katie Jane's Corner) were honored.  Add these to YOUR to-read list pronto!

Newbery Medal
Freewater by Amina Luqman-Dawson

Newbery Honors
Iveliz Explains It All by Andrea Beatriz Arango
The Last Mapmaker by Christina Soontornvat
Maizy Chen's Last Chance by Lisa Yee

Kekla Magoon, one of my faves, has a new book out this week! The Coretta Scott King and Printz Honor-winning author of How It Went Down gives us a moving contemporary novel about the bonds between a group of teens whose lives have been upended by tragedy.

The Minus-One Club (01/24/23)
Fifteen-year-old Kermit Sanders knows grief and its all-encompassing shadows. After losing his beloved older sister in a tragic car accident, nothing quite punctures through the feelings of loss. Everywhere Kermit goes, he is reminded of her.  But then Kermit finds a mysterious invitation in his locker, signed anonymously with "-1." He has no idea what he's in for, but he shows up to find out. Dubbed the "Minus-One Club," a group of his schoolmates has banded together as a form of moral support. The members have just one thing in common—they have all suffered the tragic loss of someone they loved.

Unleash your inner artist at our Teen Watercolor Painting event on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at 6:30 p.m.  Wendy will help you create watercolor postcards to take home and frame . . . or mail, if you want to take it old school.  Register online or by phone (205-444-7826) today.  If you want to explore working with watercolor a little more, grab one of these new books from the adult nonfiction department.

Stevie Bell solved the case of Truly Devious (#1 in a trilogy), and now she’s taking her detecting skills abroad when she becomes embroiled in a mystery from 1990s England in this pulse-pounding, laugh-out-loud stand-alone mystery.

Nine Liars by Maureen Johnson (12/27/22)
Senior year at Ellingham Academy for Stevie Bell isn’t going well. Her boyfriend, David, is studying in London. Her friends are obsessed with college applications. With the cold case of the century solved, Stevie is adrift. There is nothing to distract her from the questions pinging around her brain—questions about college, love, and life in general.

December 20th is Poet Laureate Day!  A poet laureate  is a poet officially appointed by a government  to raise the national consciousness to a greater appreciation of the reading and writing of poetry.  The United States has both a Poet Laureate and a Young People's Poet Laureate.  The current Young People's Poet Laureate is Elizabeth Acevedo.  She will serve 2022-2024, promoting poetry to children and their families, teachers, and librarians throughout her tenure.  Find her books here at Hoover Public Library!

The holiday break is almost here!  I know you have plenty of things to fill the time already, but add these FREE movie outings at Hoover Public Library.

Teen Holiday Movie Marathon on Tuesday, December 20
Bring a pillow and blanket and watch a holiday double-feature on the big screen in the Youth Program Room, Elf at 3 pm & The Grinch at 4:45 pm.  Snacks provided.

Family Movie in the Library Theatre on Tuesday, December 27 at 10:30 am
Bring tu familia to watch Encanto on the big screen.

Family Movie in the Library Theatre on Wednesday, December 28 at 2 pm
Race to the library to watch Sonic the Hedgehog on the big screen.

Some friends and family members are VERY hard to shop for.  I know.  My dad continues to be a gift-giving challenge.  But we're making it easy for you this year with Holiday Gifts on Tuesday, December 6, 2022 at 6:30 p.m.  The actual gifts?  Well, we want to keep that hush-hush.  Wouldn't want to spoil the big reveal when you present your gifts to your loved ones!  But we can reveal that we will also have hot chocolate, snacks, and general merriment.  Register online or by phone (205-444-7826) today.

BOOK BONUS!
Here are a couple of new seasonal reads just for you.

School is out during the entire week of Thanksgiving.  Looking for some fun stuff to do before the holiday actually arrives?  Here's what's happening at Hoover Public Library for kids and teens.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21
Baby Playdate: Friendship Fun at 9:30 a.m.
Enjoy a brief story and open ended play for 0-18 months.  Must register.
Story Lab: Lunch Menu at 4 p.m.
One story prompts lots of hands-on S.T.E.A.M. activities designed for 3 to 8-year-olds.  No registration required.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22
Together with Tots: Fall at 9:30 & 10:30 a.m.
Stories and songs for 18 to 36 months.  Must register.
Friendsgiving at 6:30 p.m.
Grades 7-12 celebrate friends and Thanksgiving with food and activities.  Must register.