Teen Blog
Books to Ring in the Year of the Ox/Bull/Cow
Photo by Macau Photo Agency on Unsplash Lunar New Year is a 15 day long festival typically celebrated in China and other East Asian countries that begins with the first new moon of the lunar calendar and ends on the first full moon of the lunar calendar. This year, the Lunar New Year begins on February 12th. Over 1.5
Great Reads for D&D Fans
Are you curious about Dungeons and Dragons (a.k.a. D&D) or are you a seasoned adventurer or DM (Dungeon Master) looking for a good read to inspire your next character or game session? Well rejoice heroes, I have a list of books to get you started on your next adventure. It’s All Fun and Games By
Top Teen Picks of 2020
This year, for obvious reasons, many of us have been reading, more than ever. Missed chatting with your fellow teens about what they were reading while hanging out at the library? Don’t worry. We got you! Here are some of the books teens and tweens have checked out most in 2020. How many have you
TAB Recommends
A Farewell to Arms Ernest Hemingway Place Hold Farewell to Arms by Earnest Hemmingway is made beautiful by Hemmingway’s delicious use of the English language. The writing is so beautiful that one is entertained and inspired while reading about wine, trees, cheese, or cobblestone. Hemmingway describes scenes in ways that no one else can. The main character
Spooky Halloween Reading List
Halloween is just a few days away. Now is the perfect time to curl up with a spooky set of short stories or that creepy novel you have wanted to read. Here are a list of titles to get you into the Halloween spirit. The Dead Girls of Hysteria Hall Katie Alender YA Alender Sixteen-year-old
Virtual Programs for Teens & Tweens
While we might still not be meeting in-person right now, we will be offering a lot of opportunities for you to geek-out, play games, have fun, learn, and virtually connect with the library this fall via Zoom, Discord, and more! Registration is required for all programs and events. Virtual Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) Club Date:
Mulan Read Alikes
The live action Mulan is FINALLY being released (on Disney+) on September 4. Happy Dance! If you didn’t know, Disney’s Mulan is based on Hua Mulan, a real person from Chinese legend. Her heroic feats are even recorded in ancient texts and a folk song known as the Ballad of Mulan. If you can’t wait
John Lewis
Congressman John Robert Lewis (February 21, 1940 – July 17, 2020) was an important figure in the American Civil Rights movement of the mid-20th Century. He served as a founding member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and was integral in the planning and execution of the historic March on Washington in 1963 and the
Digital Graphic Novels
If you are looking for your next graphic novel or manga series, check out the free comics and graphic novel eBook collection provided by the New Jersey State Library. There are over 3,767 titles available, no library card necessary as long as you are in New Jersey. Start reading now: https://njsl-vlcc.biblioboard.com/home.
Learn to Code
Do you want to learn a new skill over the summer? Have you always wanted to look under the hood of your favorite websites and video games? Have you ever wondered how you could use technology to make the world a better place? Do you need a way to get your parents off your back
New Books for Teens & Tweens
New This Week! The library has some new teen and tween titles! We are now offering Curbside pickup. Place a hold online and we will contact you to schedule a pick-up time. We Didn’t Ask for This Adi Alsaid YA Alsaid Place Hold Central International School’s annual lock-in is legendary — and for six students,
Pride Month
Pride Month is an annual commemoration held during June to remember the 1969 Stonewall Riots in Greenwich Village, New York, which gave birth to the LGBTQIA+ rights movement in the United States. It is a chance for us to honor diversity while supporting our LGBTQ friends and family. Below are some fiction and non-fiction reads to help you
Racial and Social Justice Resources
For teens searching for resources on racial and social justice, here is a list that I hope you will find helpful in these uncertain times. Whether you’re discussing current events with your parents, friends, or you’re merely learning for yourself, the following books and documentaries are available to you with your library card. Books are
Save the Date: Summer Reading 2020!
Teens and tweens, Summer Reading is almost here! The 2020 Summer Reading Program runs from Monday, June 15 through Monday, July 24. If you are entering grades 5 -12 (ages 9 -17), a resident of Verona, and/or have a Verona Public Library card you are eligible to register for our Summer Reading Program! If you
Book Clubs for Teens & Tweens
The Library will be debuting two new book clubs in June! This summer we will be hosting two virtual book clubs for Teens and Tweens to discuss some of the most anticipated YA books being published today. For middle school age patrons, we are offering the In-The-Middle Book Club for grades 5 – 8. This
Hunger Games Read Alikes
It’s here! The prequel to the Hunger Games Series, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes has been released. If you are a fan of The Hunger Games and want to know more about President Snow, Suzanne Collins wrote this for you. However, like many new titles, it could be difficult to get your hands on
Mental Health Awareness
May is Mental Health Awareness Month and while we are stuck inside dealing with a worldwide pandemic, we need to take care of ourselves now more than ever. Reading is a fantastic resource for mental health! There are numerous non-fiction titles that tackle mental health as well as fiction offerings that take up this very
Revenge of the 5th – Book List
Yesterday was Star Wars Day. Hopefully you got your meme on and tried out our virtual activities and scavenger hunt (if not, get on it). However, if you just can’t get enough of Star Wars AND you find yourself drawn to the *gasp* dark side, then Revenge of the 5th is your day to celebrate.
Podcasts for Teens (and the whole family)
Binged all your fav Netflix and Hulu shows? No new videos from your favorite YouTubers? TikTok getting old? Try a Podcast. There are an array of free Podcasts where you can tune into John Green (Turtles All the Way Down) and his brother Hank, play along to a Pants on Fire, teen friendly version of
Virtual College Tours
How do you visit a college in the age of social distancing? With the majority of campuses closed to in-person visits and tours, deciding on a college just got a little (or a lot) harder. However, there are some resources available to help you virtually tour college campuses until social distancing restrictions end. CampusReel offers
Stranger Things Read Alikes
Image by Quentin Marquet from Pixabay Finished binge watching Stranger Things on Netflix and don’t know what to do while you wait for Season 4? Check out these suggested titles to fill the void while you wait. Available Via Hoopla The Jumbies Tracey Baptiste Available in Hoopla A spine-tingling tale rooted in Caribbean folklore about
Graphic Novels on Hoopla
Marvel, DC, Indie? Superman or Captain Marvel? Do you have a favorite brand of graphic novel? Hoopla has you covered. Read classics like the Dark Phoenix Saga and discover new heroes like Kamala Khan. Check out these graphic novels with your library card and Hoopla. The New Kid Jerry Craft Perfect for fans of Raina
Anxious? Stressed? Find Support
Image by Wokandapix from Pixabay These are strange times we are living in. You might be feeling sad, anxious, angry, or confused. You might even find your day-to-day living situation adds more stress and anxiety. Just a few weeks ago, you might have gone to a friend’s house to talk, play a game, or just
Keep Calm & Read On
Yeah, it feels like you’re living in your own version of the Hunger Games and you have a sneaking suspicion you will be your household’s tribute in exchange for toilet paper.