Teens

Paracord is a lightweight nylon kernmantle rope originally used in the suspension lines of parachutes.  But now?  It is used for so much more!  Learn how to knot, twist, and tie it to create a bracelet or a keychain at Paracord Extravaganza on Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at 6:30 p.m.  Sign up begins tomorrow, 06/08/22, when you can register online or by calling the Teen desk at 205-444-7826.  If attending the program isn't enough for you, check out one of these books!

June is National Oceans Month, so what a perfect time to begin our ocean-themed Summer Reading program!  Oceans of Possibilities starts Wednesday, June 1, 2022.  Sign up is easy!  Either grab a paper log from one of the desks, or sign up on Beanstack.  Then, all summer long, record the title and number of pages of each book you read.  When you reach certain page totals, you'll receive a prize -- 250, 500, 1000 & 1500.  At 2000 pages, you can choose a free book or enter your name into a raffle drawing.  You will also earn an entry to a raffle drawing for every 500 pages after that, up to 5000 pages.  At 500 pages, kids will also be entered into the drawing for a bike from Bike Link.  Teens can always choose to enter the raffles instead of getting smaller prizes.  Prize redemption will begin on Monday, June 6.  The last day to redeem for prizes is Sunday, July 31.

It's back!  The HUGE after-hours Summer Reading Kick-Off event you've always loved is returning after a two-year pandemic hiatus.  That's right folks, the last one was our Star Wars Episode Fun event in 2019!  Since it's been such a long time, and since we have so many folks new to the area and our library, here's a breakdown of what you can expect at Dive In! on Friday, June 3, 2022 at 7 p.m.

Kid Zone = Disney Underwater
Swim your way through Nemo's Fishtank Escape obstacle course.
Make a Dory hat.
Meet Ariel at Ursula's tentacle-y ring toss.
Construct Luca's Pasta Vespa.
Strut your stuff at Tomotoa's Shiny Treasure Dance Party.

Teens = Pineapple Under the Sea
Let our Krusty Krab workers help you make a paper bag SpongeBob SquarePants.
Blow the perfect bubble . . . SpongeBob style.

Samira Ahmed is the best-selling author of several books about revolutionary girls.  Her latest release is no exception.  If you want to make this powerful read part of your personal book club, make sure you take a look at the book club guide.

Hollow Fires (05/10/22)
Safiya Mirza dreams of becoming a journalist. And one thing she’s learned as editor of her school newspaper is that a journalist’s job is to find the facts and not let personal biases affect the story. But all that changes the day she finds the body of a murdered boy.

Jawad Ali was fourteen years old when he built a cosplay jetpack that a teacher mistook for a bomb. A jetpack that got him arrested, labeled a terrorist—and eventually killed. But he’s more than a dead body, and more than “Bomb Boy.” He was a person with a life worth remembering.

April is National Poetry Month!  We have a very large collection of poetry books, as well as an impressive selection of novels-in-verse.  But here are some of the latest and greatest titles for kids and teens.

We're getting a jumpstart on Earth Day during this month's Homeschool Hub!  Join us for Earth Day Science next Wednesday, April 13, 2022 at 2 p.m.  Students in grades K-8 will complete two water-related experiments, one exploring the water cycle and the other demonstrating the effects of water pollution.  Registration is required, so sign up online or by phone (205-444-7830) today.

Are you an 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grader in need of community service hours?  Come to the library for our Teen Volunteer Days, and we'll put you to work!  Help us prep for Summer Reading and other special events Tuesday, April 12-Thursday, April 14, anytime 4-8 p.m. 

NEW BOOK BONUS!
Laeken Zea Kemp, the author of Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet, has a new novel out this week!

Heartbreak Symphony (04/05/22)
Aarón Medrano has been haunted by the onstage persona of his favorite DJ ever since his mother passed away. He seems to know all of Aarón’s deepest fears, like that his brain doesn’t work the way it should and that’s why his brother and father seem to be pushing him away. He thinks his ticket out is a scholarship to the prestigious Acadia School of Music. That is, if he can avoid blowing his audition.

Attention fans of Jenny Han and Jane Austen!  This new rom-com about the unexpected consequences of one teen’s quest to help her friends find love is for you!

Love, Decoded by Jennifer Yen (03/08/22)
High school junior Gigi Wong strives to be the best. After all, that’s what everyone expects of her—her parents, friends, and even potential colleges. Thankfully, her best friend, Kyle, is always there to listen with a smile and a delicious bowl of ramen. Still, with her future—and her dreams—on the line, how is she to stand out when her classmates seem so perfect too?