Brooklyn teens (and their librarians) talking about their favorite books, sharing original art and writing, and promoting cool free stuff to do!
National Financial Literacy Month
Dearest Bookworm,April was a busy month, with a stock market decline and a looming recession it is so important that we continue to educate ourselves and grow our Financial Literacy. As April closes and a new month begins I am leaving you with a short booklist that covers a multitude of financial topics that could be useful to know!Stock market 101 : from bull and bear markets to dividends, shares, and margins - your essential... guide to the stock market Investing for the first time can be intimidating. In easy-to-understand language, Stock Market 101, 2nd Edition provides the groundwork…
Announcing the 2025 Teen Writing Contest & Ned Vizzini Prize Winners
We received 970 submissions, and the Teen Writing Contest Committee is pleased to announce the following prizes, honors, and selections for the 2025 Teen Writing Contest & Ned Vizzini Teen Writing Prize. Poetry Middle School First Place: Russia is Not Russian by Sasha KeehnerSecond Place: I Held the Match by Tess DolceHonorable Mention: My Only Love Pizza by Javon FindlayHonorable Mention: The Wild Tulip by Angria UtnasunovaHonorable Mention: The Beautiful Truth by Sophia Smith High School First Place: Plot by Michelle LeeSecond Place:…
Teen Climate Justice Booklists: Explore, Empower, and Inspire
In honor of Earth Month, it’s time to dive into the world of climate change, climate justice, and discover what YOU can do to help create a greener, more sustainable future.How to Fight for Climate JusticeCheck out these non-fiction reads that break down the science behind climate change and reveal the societal forces driving man-made global warming. Learn what’s really happening to our planet, pick up practical tips on how to make a difference, and discover ways to take care of yourself while standing up as an eco-advocate.Who Fights for Climate JusticeMeet the trailblazers making change…
National Poetry Month (A Booklist)
Dearest Bookworms,I know what you are thinking, Another Booklist!? I was thinking this to when I was deciding what to post this month, but April is a month of many observances and as a librarian it is our sworn duty to bring books to the public. Below you'll find a list of Poetry books for National Poetry Month, and if you are a Poet please submit your Poem to be shared on the BKLYNFuture Instagram or Blog. Black girl you are Atlas Poet Renée Watson looks back at her childhood and urges readers to look forward at their futures with love, understanding, and celebration in this fully…
2025 Trans Day of Visibility Books for Teens
Dear Bookworms,Happy Trans Day of Visibility, want to celebrate with a book? We have 5 really wonderful options (truthfully we have way more and choosing just 5 was tough) for your reading pleasure!The Borrow a Boyfriend Club Noah Byrd is the perfect boy. At least, that's what he needs to convince his new classmates of to prove his gender. His plan? Join the school's illustrious (and secret) Borrow a Boyfriend Club, whose members rent themselves out for dates. Once he's accepted among the bros, the "slip-ups" end. But Noah's interview is a flop. Desperate, he strikes a deal with the club's…
An Arab American Heritage Month Booklist
Dear Bookworms, HAPPY EID! We are back at it again with another book reccomendation post! There is a number of observances for April but I want to start the month off with Arab American Heritage Month, below you will find a list of books written by or featuring Arab Americans. From here : a memoir Refugee advocate Luma Mufleh writes of her tumultuous journey to reconcile her identity as a gay Muslim woman and a proud Arab-turned-American refugeeHuda F cares? This summer's exercise in Fahmy family sisterly bonding involves a trip to Disney World--which seems like it is headed…
Happy Lunar New Year 2025!
Hey everyone! It's been so fun writing for this blog, but I will be taking a break from it for a while. This will be my last post until I return! Below are ten books to read in honor of Lunar New Year, which starts tomorrow, January 29th. Age 16 by Rosena Fung: Sixteen-year-old Roz is preoccupied with normal teenage stuff: navigating high school friendships, worrying about college, and figuring out what to wear to prom. When her estranged Por Por abruptly arrives for a seemingly indefinite visit, the already delicate relationship between Roz and her mother is upended. With three…
In Honor of MLK Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement
Yesterday was Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the U.S. Below are ten books about his life as well as the Civil Rights Movement. A Long Time Coming : a lyrical biography of race in America from Ona Judge to Barack Obama by Ray Anthony Shepard: Meticulously researched and drawn from numerous primary sources, this biography-in-verse tells the story of racism in the U.S. through six important Black Americans from different eras who struggled for justice, chronicling how much - and how little - racism has changed since our country's founding.All You Have to Do by Autumn Allen: In April 1968, in…
A New Teen Graphic Novel Virtual Book Club
If you love reading graphic novels like I do, I'd love for you to join my new teen virtual book club! We will meet on the last Thursday of each month. Our first club meeting is on January 30th at 4pm on Zoom and we will discuss Huda Fahmy's hilarous graphic novel, Huda F Are You?, the first in a series!"Huda and her family just moved to Dearborn, Michigan, a small town with a big Muslim population. In her old town, Huda knew exactly who she was: She was the hijabi girl. But in Dearborn, everyone is the hijabi girl. Huda is lost in a sea of hijabis, and she can't rely on her hijab to define…
January 2025 Teen Book Releases
After Life by Gayle Forman: Amber bikes home one spring, seven years after she died after being hit by a car while riding that bike, and her return impacts those around her as she struggles to learn how and why she got a second chance.Better than Revenge by Kasie West: When seventeen-year-old Finley discovers her boyfriend Jensen used her pitch for their school's podcast team, she plots revenge while unexpectedly discovering her talent for football and a deeper connection with Jensen's rival, Theo.Bingsu for Two by Sujin Witherspoon: River Langston-Lee dumps his girlfriend, quits his job at…
Books I'd Like to Reread in 2025
We often get excited for the books that are coming out. It's easy to forget the books we've read and loved before. While my TBR is a mile long, I also want to re-read these ten titles below!Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo: Camino Rios lives for the summers when her father visits her in the Dominican Republic. But this time, on the day when his plane is supposed to land, Camino arrives at the airport to see crowds of crying people. In New York City, Yahaira Rios is called to the principal's office, where her mother is waiting to tell her that her father, her hero, has died in a plane…
Happy Holidays!
Happy Holidays! Below are ten books to read during this holiday season.Christmas Clash by Suzanne Park: Chloe Kwon can't stand Peter Li. It's always been that way. Their families don't get along either: their parents operate rival restaurants in the Riverwood Mall food court--Korean food for the Kwons and Chinese food for the Lis. Now it's the holiday season and Chloe's the photographer at the mall's Santa Land, and Peter works at the virtual reality North Pole experience right across the atrium. It's all Chloe can do to avoid Peter's smug, incredibly photogenic face. But it turns out the…
It's Disability December!
It's Disability December! What is it, might you ask? A reading challenge to promote books with disability representation. Below are ten books to consider reading!1. Breathe and Count Back from Ten by Natalia Sylvester: Veronica, a Peruvian American teen with hip dysplasia, auditions to become a mermaid at a Central Florida theme park in the summer before her senior year, all while figuring out her first real boyfriend and how to feel safe in her own body. 2. Darius the Great is not Okay by Adib Khorram: Clinically-depressed Darius Kellner, a high school sophomore, travels to Iran to meet…
December 2024 YA Manga Releases
Do you love manga? Check out these new and upcoming releases!Akane-banashi, Vol. 10 by Yuki Suenaga: Shinta Arakawa wants nothing more than to pass his shin’uchi exam—the test that would make him a top-rank headliner and master storyteller in the traditional Japanese art of rakugo. Akane Osaki, his daughter and biggest fan, spies on him while he practices and learns his routines for herself. When rakugo master Issho Arakawa expels everyone after the exam with no explanation, a fire is lit inside Akane. From that day forth, she has had one goal—to avenge her father and prove his art was worthy…
December 2024 Teen Book Releases
Better Than Revenge by Kasie West: Seventeen-year-old Finley has only ever had one goal: to become a famous podcaster. This includes coming up with the perfect pitch to land her on her school's podcast team. But when her football-obsessed boyfriend, Jensen, decides to also try out—and uses her idea—she's left confused and betrayed. Determined to get back at him, Finley and her friends try to find the perfect revenge scheme, but quickly discover that Jensen is almost-impossible to best. Keyword, almost. Includes an author Q&A! By chance, Finley discovers a knack for kicking and…
Five Books I’m Grateful For
In honor of this Thanksgiving season, I wanted to share five books I'm grateful to have read. These five books are ones I not only really enjoyed, but have stuck with me. They have helped change the way I understand myself, or the world. I have either already reread them, or I plan to next year. Share below what books you are grateful for!Gender Queer: a memoir by Maia Kobabe: In 2014, Maia Kobabe, who uses e/em/eir pronouns, thought that a comic of reading statistics would be the last autobiographical comic e would ever write. At the time, it was the only thing e felt comfortable with…
November is Native American Heritage Month
Happy Native American Heritage Month! Below are five novels with Native American or Indigenous main characters, and five non-fiction titles to help you learn more about Native American and Indigenous cultures. FICTION1. Rez Ball by Byron Graves: When the varsity basketball team members take him under their wing, Tre Brun, representing his Ojibwe reservation, steps into his late brother’s shoes as star player but soon learns he can’t mess up?—?not on the court, not in school and not in love.2. The Rez Doctor by Gitz Crazyboy: Ryan Fox dreams of becoming a doctor. But when university takes…
Ten Memoirs to Read in November
November is National Memoir Writing Month. Try reading any (or all!) of these memoirs and maybe even sit down and write about your own life!All Boys Aren't Blue : a memoir-manifesto by George M Johnson: In a series of personal essays, prominent journalist and LGBTQIA+ activist George M. Johnson explores his childhood, adolescence, and college years in New Jersey and Virginia. From the memories of getting his teeth kicked out by bullies at age five, to flea marketing with his loving grandmother, to his first sexual relationships, this young-adult memoir weaves together the trials and triumphs…
An Election Day 2024 Booklist
Today is Election Day! Many people of voting age (18 years old and older) are visiting their local polling location to cast their ballot. If you're interested in learning more about voting and elections, check out the books below.If you're eligible to vote, visit NYC Votes to find out how and where to vote, and what's on the ballot. Your vote matters!FICTIONRunning by Natalia Sylvester: When fifteen-year-old Cuban American Mariana Ruiz's father runs for president, Mari starts to see him with new eyes. A novel about waking up and standing up, and what happens when you stop seeing your dad as…
Spooky Teen Reads for Halloween
Are you excited for Halloween? Do you love to read horror and/or thrillers? Have I got recommendations for you!Flawless Girls by Anna-Marie McLemore: When her sister Renata returns from prominent finishing school Alarie House, seemingly pleasant, unnervingly polite and possibly murderous, younger sister Isla is determined to find out want happened to Renata by going back to the school and is drawn into the opulent, unsettling place that won’t give up its secrets—or her—without a fight.Killer House Party by Lily Anderson: Red Solo cups? Check. Snacks? Check. Abandoned mansion full of countless…
Ten Books on Bullying for National Bullying Prevention Month
October is National Bullying Prevention Month. The ten books below raise awareness on how bullying affects teens and might help readers become better allies to those who are being bullied.All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir: Lahore, Pakistan. Then. Misbah is a dreamer and storyteller, newly married to Toufiq in an arranged match. After their young life is shaken by tragedy, they come to the United States and open the Clouds' Rest Inn Motel, hoping for a new start. Juniper, California. Now. Salahudin and Noor are more than best friends; they are family. Growing up as outcasts in the small desert town…
New Teen Non-Fiction to Check Out
Want to learn something new? Need advice? Check out these new(er) non-fiction releases.Civic Minded : what everyone should know about the US government by Jeff Fleischer; How do student loans work? What do sanctions do? Where does federal spending go, and who decides on the budget? Author and established journalist Jeff Fleischer digs into these and other relevant civics topics to explain the history behind different processes and programs, what they look like today, and why it’s important to understand them.How to Survive Your Parents : a teen's guide to thriving in a difficult family by…
Join the Menstrual Movement
Rakisha, Branch Manager/Kings Bay
Hey boys and girls and friends beyond the gender binary, it’s everyone’s favorite period advocacy librarian here to talk about Period Action Day. Period Action Day (a.k.a PAD) is a global day of awareness that occurs on the second Saturday of October every year. PAD was established in 2019 to “end period poverty and stigma through advocacy, education, and service.” Period poverty is the inability to afford period products, lack of access to safe and clean places to perform menstrual care, and the inability to receive accurate information about the menstrual process.…
October is LGBTQ+ History Month
Happy LGBTQ+ History Month! Below are ten novels to check out in honor of this momentous observance. A Million to One by Adiba Jaigirdar: United in one goal—stealing the Rubaiyat, a jewel-encrusted book aboard the RMS Titanic—four girls find careless mistakes, old grudges and new romance putting them, and their mission, in grave danger when tragedy strikes.Charming Young Man by Eliot Schrefer: They say Lâeon Delafosse will be France's next great pianist. But despite his being the youngest student ever accepted into the prestigious Paris Conservatory, there's no way an impoverished…
October 2024 Teen Book Releases
Halfway There: a graphic memoir of self-discovery by Christine Mari: Christine has always felt she is just half: Half American, half Japanese. As a biracial Japanese American who was born in Tokyo but raised in the US, she knows all too well what it’s like to be a part of two different worlds but never feeling as though you belong to either. Now on the brink of adulthood, Christine decides it’s time to return to the place she once called home. So she sets forth on a year abroad in Tokyo, believing that this is where she truly belongs. After years of feeling like an outsider, now she will…
It's Banned Books Week! (9/22-9/28)
Hey y'all, it's Banned Books Week (9/22-9/28). This year's theme is Freed Between the Lines. Since 1982, Banned Books Week has served as an event to highlight the importance of free and open access to information, including the right to read whatever you want.Below are the top ten books that have been banned or challenged in school and public libraries in 2023. All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson: In a series of personal essays, prominent journalist and LGBTQIA+ activist George M. Johnson explores his childhood, adolescence, and college years in New Jersey and Virginia. From…
It's Latine & Hispanic American Heritage Month! (9/15-10/15)
Every year, Latine & Hispanic American Heritage Month is celebrated in the U.S. from September 15th-October 15th. Below are ten books with Latine or Hispanic main characters. Ander and Santi Were Here: A Novel by Jonny Garza Villa: Nonbinary teen Ander is ready to leave their family's taquería and focus on their art, but when Santi, an undocumented immigrant from Mexico, begins to work at the restaurant, the two teens spark a romance made complicated by immigration police.Breathe and Count Back from Ten by Natalia Sylvester: Verónica, a Peruvian‑American teen with hip dysplasia,…
Paid Opportunities and More for Teens
Apply today for internship opportunities at Brooklyn Public Library and other institutions around NYC!Brooklyn Public Library paid internshipsBPL has four internship applications open. Sign up here for our teen newsletter to stay up-to-date about all of our opportunities for teens. You can also find info about our programs and internships at bklynlibrary.org/teens, and follow us on Instagram @bklynfuture.BPL: BookMatch TeenLearn the art of recommending books and offer a readers’ advisory service exclusive to teens. Along the way, meet new friends and make connections to…
September is Bisexual Visibility Month!
Did you know September is Bisexual Visibility Month? It is a celebration of bisexual identity, community, and relationships. September 23rd is officially Bisexual Visibility Day. In honor of this special observance, check out these teen novels with bi main characters. Alondra by Gina Femia: Seventeen-year-old Alonda finds friendship, fame, and love on the streets of Coney Island when she befriends a group of teen wrestlers. Forever is Now by Mariama Lockington: When sixteen-year-old Sadie, a Black bisexual recluse, develops agoraphobia the summer before her junior year, she relies…
September 2024 Teen Book Releases
A Second Chance on Earth by Juan Vidal: When sixteen-year-old Marcos travels to Cartagena, Colombia to scatter his late father's ashes, he strikes up a friendship with Camilo, a boy his age who works as a local taxi driver and shares Marcos' love for the novel One Hundred Years of Solitude." Celestial Monsters by Aiden Thomas: Transgender demigod Teo and his friends must battle the Obsidian gods and steal back the sun stone in order to free their fellow semidioses and return Sol to the sky.Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White: After being nearly beaten to death for evidence he holds…
Back-to-School Teen Book List
Are you excited for the upcoming school year? Below are ten books set in high school or college.American Panda by Gloria Chao: A freshman at MIT, seventeen-year-old Mei Lu tries to live up to her Taiwanese parents' expectations, but no amount of tradition, obligation, or guilt prevent her from hiding several truths--that she is a germaphobe who cannot become a doctor, she prefers dancing to biology, she decides to reconnect with her estranged older brother, and she is dating a Japanese boy. Can she find a way to be herself, before her web of lies unravels.Bunt! : striking out on financial aid…
Happy Fat Liberation Month!
Did you know August is Fat Liberation Month? Started by the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance, it is a month-long celebration of fat positivity, and to address the history of discrimination and stigma against fat people. Here are ten books that feature fat main characters and / or real fat people's stories. Across a Field of Starlight: a graphic novel by Blue Delliquanti: Lu and Fassen are from different worlds and separate solar systems, so when the war of Fassen's world invades Lu's peaceful home, they find themselves at the forefront of a battle they hoped would never…
August 2024: YA Manga Releases
Akane-Banashi, Vol. 7 by Suenaga Yuki / Moue Takamasa: Shinta Arakawa wants nothing more than to pass his shin’uchi exam—the test that would make him a top-rank headliner and master storyteller in the traditional Japanese art of rakugo. Akane Osaki, his daughter and biggest fan, spies on him while he practices and learns his routines for herself. When rakugo master Issho Arakawa expels everyone after the exam with no explanation, a fire is lit inside Akane. From that day forth, she has had one goal—to avenge her father and prove his art was worthy of the title of shin’uchi. In order to secure…
Teen Reads with "Summer" in the Title
Are you all about summer? Be sure to check out these novels that have the word "Summer" in the title!Hot Boy Summer by Joe Jimenez: Four gay teens in Texas have the summer of their lives while discovering important truths about realness, belonging, and friendship in this joyful young adult contemporary novel for fans of Adam Silvera and Becky Albertalli.Hurricane Summer by Asha Bromfield: While visiting her father who lives in Jamaica, eighteen-year-old Tilla faces a storm of dark secrets that threaten to unravel her own life, while an actual storm, Hurricane Gustav, threatens the lives of…
August 2024 Teen Book Releases
Castle of the Cursed by Romina Garber: After losing her parents in a mysterious attack, seventeen-year-old Estela suffers from survivor's guilt and is sent to live with her Aunt in their ancestral Spanish castle, where she uncovers family secrets and meets a supernatural, silver-eyed boy who claims he is trapped in the castle.Eighteen Roses by Shannon C F Rogers: Filipina American Lucia grapples with teenage angst, family expectations, and friendship woes as she reluctantly prepares for her debutante ball.Everything We Never Had by Randy Ribay: Set in the 1930s to today, four generations of…
My Summer Reading List
Below are five books I hope to read this summer!1. Four Eids and a Funeral by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé and Adiba Jaigirdar: The town of New Crosshaven has it all—even its own infamous love story. These days, Said Hossain spends most of his time away at boarding school. But when his favorite hometown librarian, Ms. Barnes, dies, he must return to New Crosshaven for her funeral and for the summer. Too bad being home makes it a lot harder to avoid facing his ex–best friend, Tiwa Olatunji, or facing the daunting task of telling his Bangladeshi parents that he would rather be an artist than a doctor…
Teen Graphic Novel Releases in 2024
If you enjoy reading graphic novels and non-fiction, check out some of this year's releases! Call Me Iggy by Jorge Augusto Aguirre: Crushing on a girl at school who doesn't know he exists, Ohio-born Colombian American teen Iggy finds his life unraveling when his grandfather's ghost decides to meddle in his love life, setting him off on a journey of self-discovery.City Boy by Greg Pak: Meet a new Korean hero named...City Boy! Or at least, that's the best translation of what the cities call him. City Boy, a.k.a. Cameron Kim, is just trying to make a living by using his powers of being able…
My Top Five Reads of 2024 (So Far!)
I can't believe it's already July! I've read twenty-five books so far, and these are my top five:Brownstone by Samuel Teer and Mar Julia (graphic novel): Almudena has always wondered about the dad she never met. Now, with her white mother headed on a once-in-a-lifetime trip without her, she’s left alone with her Guatemalan father for an entire summer. Xavier seems happy to see her, but he expects her to live in (and help fix up) his old, broken-down brownstone. And all along, she must navigate the language barrier of his rapid-fire Spanish—which she doesn’t speak. As Almudena tries to adjust…
Happy Disability Pride Month!
Happy Disability Pride Month! It's held every year in July to recognize the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26th, 1990. Each color of the Disability Pride flag symbolizes a type of disability: The 2021 disability flag colors each represent a type of disability:Green: sensory disabilitiesBlue: emotional and psychiatric disabilitiesWhite: non-visible and undiagnosed disabilitiesGold: neurodiversityRed: physical disabilitiesBelow are ten books with disabled characters, or are written by people with disabilities. Breathe and Count Back…
July 2024 Teen Book Releases
Cursed Boys and Broken Hearts by Adam Sass: Grant Rossi, an eighteen-year-old with a poor dating record due to a wish gone wrong, returns to his family's vineyard and B&B to help save it from disrepair, only to find himself working alongside his former friend and first love, Ben McKittrick.Everything We Never Had by Randy Ribay: Set in the 1930s to today, four generations of Filipino American boys grapple with identity, masculinity, and father-son relationships.Exes and Foes by Amanda Woody: Long-time rivals Emma and Caleb find themselves both chasing Juliet and decide to compete for her…
Give Audiobooks a Try: 10 Recommendations for Teens
In celebration of Audiobook Appreciation Month, below are ten audiobooks to try for both newbies and more experienced listeners!All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir: Lahore, Pakistan. Then. Misbah is a dreamer and storyteller, newly married to Toufiq in an arranged match. After their young life is shaken by tragedy, they come to the United States and open the Clouds' Rest Inn Motel, hoping for a new start. Juniper, California. Now. Salahudin and Noor are more than best friends; they are family. Growing up as outcasts in the small desert town of Juniper, California, they understand each other the way no…
Read with Pride 2024 YA Booklist
Happy Pride, y'all! Check out these ten YA books with LGBTQIA+ main characters to read with pride this month, and all year round!Canto Contigo: A Novel by Jonny Garza Villa: In a twenty-four-hour span, Rafael Alvarez led North Amistad High School's Mariachi Alma de la Frontera to their eleventh consecutive first-place win in the Mariachi Extravaganza de Nacional; and met, made out with, and almost hooked up with one of the cutest guys he's ever met. Now eight months later, Rafie's ready for one final win. What he didn't plan for is his family moving to San Antonio before his senior year,…
Paid Opportunities and More for Teens
Lots of paid summer opportunities are opening up - apply now! Brooklyn Public Library: Teen TechiesDo you love technology and your library? Want to make a difference in your community? Looking to build your resume and gain valuable work and leadership experience? Apply to BPL's Teen Techies program here!HERicane NYC ProgramNYC Emergency Management invites New York City high school students to participate in the I-DIEM HERricane program in NYC, designed to encourage young women from 16-22 years old to pursue careers and leadership roles in emergency management. For additional details…
Why the Freedom to Read Is Important
Fiona Z. | Freedom to Read Teen Ambassador
This essay was submitted by one of our teen interns, Fiona Z., who is currently in our Freedom to Read Teen Ambassadors program.Immortality isn't real but would you believe me if I told you, you can live millions of lives, laugh millions of laughs, walk to distant worlds, and see the end of time through pairs of eyes that aren't your own? The possibility of experiencing millions of relationships, connections, and conflicts without even getting up from your chair is solely possible because of books. The experience of reading goes beyond just a leisure activity; it is a profound and…
June 2024 Teen Book Releases
Annie LeBlanc is Not Dead Yet by Molly Morris: Winning the chance to resurrect her ex-best friend Annie LeBlanc from the dead for 30 days, Wilson Moss, ecstatic to have her back, discovers a loophole that may mean Annie can stay for good, but the only person who can help is someone who hates them both.Brownstone by Samuel Teer: In the summer of 1995, almost-fifteen-year-old Almudena is sent to live with her estranged Spanish-speaking father, and together they renovate a brownstone and build a relationship while Almudena navigates the Latin American side of her heritage for the first time.Four…
Book Recommendations for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
BookMatch Teen interns offer book recommendations to fellow teens. Here are three lists of recommendations for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month. Read them this month, and all year! Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Titles for Middle GradeAsian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Titles for TeensAsian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Titles for AdultsWant more recommendations? Fill out BookMatch Teen's online questionnaire and get a personalized booklist!
Ten YA Books for Reluctant Readers
If you're struggling to find some quick and accessible novels that will grab your attention, check out the ten listed below:Airlock by Tash McAdam: Brick, a young thief, is terrified of outer space. But they’re forced to escape Earth when a warrant goes out for their arrest. There’s nothing left for them on the dusty, barren wasteland of Earth anyway. Brick stows away on a cargo ship headed for the moon. They reluctantly allow a local teenage enforcer named Amar to tag along. But the ship ends up containing unusual cargo and the crew members may not be who they appear to be. Suddenly the…
May 2024 Teen Manga Releases
A Condition Called Love, Vol. 8 by Megumi Morino: Hotaru is a 16-year-old high school first year who has always been ambivalent about love, preferring instead to have a lively life with her family and friends. So when she sees her schoolmate, Hananoi-kun, sitting in the snow after a messy, public breakup, she thinks nothing of offering to share her umbrella. But when he asks her out in the middle of her classroom the next day, she can't help but feel that her life is about to change in a big way.Black Clover, Vol. 35 by Yuki Tabata: Asta is a young boy who dreams of becoming the greatest mage…
A Different Kind of Mother's Day Booklist
Mother's Day on May 12th will be a tough day for me. My mother and maternal grandmother passed away last year, so this will be my first one without them. I will spend the day thinking and talking about them, and of course, missing them.I wanted to take a different approach to a Mother's Day booklist this time -- to highlight novels with more complicated mother-daughter relationships. Ones that involve grief, illness, strife, and / or estrangement. I'm hoping this booklist helps any teens who can relate and feel alone in their experience. Dancing at the Pity Party: A Dead Mom Graphic…
Announcing the 2024 Teen Writing Contest & Ned Vizzini Prize Winners
We received 800+ submissions, and the Teen Writing Contest Committee is pleased to announce the following prizes, honors, and selections for the 2024 Teen Writing Contest & Ned Vizzini Teen Writing Prize. Poetry Middle School First Place: Probably by Stella DempseySecond Place: Unbreakable by Gia OcceanHonorable Mention: Where I'm From by Tamira BradshawHonorable Mention: Welcome to New York by Alan Kofman Honorable Mention: Monster Dream by Jeffrey OrtigozaHigh School First Place: Unfinished Gun Poem by Arielle Lichtman Second Place: Mourner…
Three May Celebrations: a booklist
May is a very significant month in terms of celebrations. It's Asian-American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Mental Health Awareness Month, AND Jewish American Heritage Month. In honor of these three observances, check out this booklist below:AANHPI Heritage Month:Gloria Buenrostro is Not My Girlfriend by Brandon Hoàng: As one of only two Asian Americans in his school and often left out, Gary jumps at the chance of breaking into the school's popular clique by befriending the most beautiful girl in school, but as he comes closer to achieving his goal, Gary also risks…
May 2024 YA Book Releases
A Tale of Two Knights: Tristan and Lancelot by James Persichetti and L Biehler: When Merlin goes missing and Camelot falls under attack, King Arthur sends his estranged half-sister, Morgan le Fay, and esteemed Knights of the Round Table, Tristan and Lancelot, to find him. As the reluctant trio travels through Albion saving towns from treacherous foes and battling fae, their bonds deepen, and sparks fly between the two knights. Before they can sort through their complicated feelings, an unexpected dark force appears, bringing what just might be the end of Camelot. Bite Me, Royce…
Book Review: Super Boba Cafe
Karen, Coordinator of Young Adult Services
This book review was submitted by a local teen. Wolf W. attends middle school in Brooklyn and enjoys visiting the Windsor Terrace Library.Super Boba Cafe by Nidhi Chanani is an interesting and beautifully written book. It is about a child who shares embarrassing photos of herself with her “Crush,” or “Boyfriend.” He is not satisfied “And wants more,” as said in the text. She feels uncomfortable and doesn’t respond. When she doesn’t respond he leaks the embarrassing photos on social media and other sharing platforms, whatsapp, discord, ect. When she comes to school the next day she is…
April is (Also!) Autism Acceptance Month
Happy Autism Acceptance Month! Below are ten novels and non-fiction books on autism and/or with autistic main characters. FICTION:Daniel, Deconstructed by James Ramos: Photographer and film buff Daniel Sanchez learned a long time ago that the only way to get by in an allistic world is to mask his autism and follow the script. Which means he knows that boisterous, buff, and beautiful soccer superstars like his best friend, Mona Sinclair, shouldn't be wasting time hanging out with introverts...But when Daniel meets a new classmate, Gabe Mendes, who is tall, mysterious, nonbinary, and--…
YA Books to Read for Arab American Heritage Month
In celebration of Arab American Heritage Month, check out these ten books below: From Here : a memoir by Luma Mufleh: Refugee advocate Luma Mufleh writes of her tumultuous journey to reconcile her identity as a gay Muslim woman and a proud Arab-turned-American refugee. Home is Not a Country by Safia Elhillo: A novel in verse follows the experiences of a misfit teen in a discriminatory suburban community who questions her mixed heritage before unexpected family revelations force her to fight for her own identity.Hope Ablaze by Sarah Mughal Rana: Eighteen-year-old Nida faces…
April is National Poetry Month: Booklist
All the Fighting Parts by Hannah V. Sawyerr: In the wake of being sexually assaulted by her pastor, sixteen-year-old Amina struggles to regain her footing until she finds the strength within herself to confront her abuser in court.Alma Presses Play by Tina Cane: In 1980s New York, half-Chinese, half-Jewish Alma, whose life is a series of halfways, uses her Walkman to get through the challenges thrown her way until she is ready to press play on the soundtrack of her life.An Impossible Thing to Say by Arya Shahi: In the aftermath of 9/11, high school sophomore Omid grapples with finding the…
Perfectionism
I’m an artist. Of course I am a perfectionist.Growing up, I learned to put my best foot forward in everything I do. Strive for perfection and never settle for less. Especially in art school. Every stroke of your brush, every scratch of your pencil, every eraser mark, everything must be done with intention and done with perfection.The afternoon sun beamed down on my hunched-over back, burning me as I added final details to my sketch. The art teacher leaned over my shoulder, breathing down on me. Several tense moments passed as the compliment that I was anticipating never came.“Look at this…
April 2024 Teen Book Releases
Canto Contigo: a novel by Jonny Garza Villa: In a twenty-four-hour span, Rafael Alvarez led North Amistad High School's Mariachi Alma de la Frontera to their eleventh consecutive first-place win in the Mariachi Extravaganza de Nacional; and met, made out with, and almost hooked up with one of the cutest guys he's ever met. Now eight months later, Rafie's ready for one final win. What he didn't plan for is his family moving to San Antonio before his senior year, forcing him to leave behind his group while dealing with the loss of the most important person in his life-his beloved abuelo.…
Ten YA Books to Read to Celebrate Spring
Blaine for the Win by Robbie Couch: High school junior Blaine Bowers has it all—the perfect boyfriend, a pretty sweet gig as a muralist for local Windy City businesses, a loving family, and awesome, talented friends. And he is absolutely, 100% positive that aforementioned perfect boyfriend—senior student council president and Mr. Popular of Wicker West High School, Joey—is going to invite Blaine to spend spring break with his family in beautiful, sunny Cabo San Lucas. Except Joey breaks up with him instead. In public. On their one-year anniversary. Because, according to Joey, Blaine is too…
Are You a Foodie?
If you love reading about food, baking, and cooking, be sure to check out these ten novels:Drizzle, Dreams, and Lovestruck Things by Maya Prasad: The Singh sisters grew up helping their father navigate the bustle of the Songbird Inn. Nestled on dreamy and drizzly Orcas Island in the Pacific Northwest, the inn's always been warm and cozy and filled with interesting guests—the perfect home. But things are about to heat up now that the Songbird has been named the Most Romantic Inn in America. Nidhi has everything planned out—until a storm brings a wayward tree crashing into her life one autumn…
March 2024 Teen Book Releases
Ariel Crashes a Train by Olivia A Cole: Ariel grapples with her fear of her own mind and violent fantasies, driven by her desire to meet her parents' expectations and societal norms, until a summer job at a carnival leads her to new friends who help her discover her struggle with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and find acceptance and support for her true self.Bad Like Us by Gabriella Lepore: While at a private beach lodge with her popular classmates when an anonymous letter leads to murder, Eva places her trust in Colton and together they uncover secrets that upend everything they thought they…
Defending the Freedom to Read
Karen, Coordinator of Young Adult Services
Recently one of our StoryTeen interns, Adelaide, gave testimony to the New York City Council about fighting book bans.Good afternoon. Thank you to the Members of the New York City Council for the opportunity to speak today.My name is Adelaide Sendlenski. I’m a sophomore in high school at Saint Ann’s and a participant in Brooklyn Public Library’s StoryTeen program. Through StoryTeen, I have had the opportunity to learn how important early childhood literacy is--the foundations laid from birth to 3 years impact a child’s learning for their entire life--and through StoryTeen I’ve had the…
March is Women's History Month: A Booklist
1. Anne Frank's Diary: The Graphic Adaptation by Ari Folman, David Polonsky, Anne Frank: The only graphic biography of Anne Frank's diary that has been authorized by the Anne Frank Foundation and that uses text from the diary--it will introduce a new generation of young readers to this classic of Holocaust literature. This adaptation of Anne Frank's Diary of a Young Girl into a graphic version for a young readership, maintains the integrity and power of the original work. 2. Ashes in the Snow by Ruta Sepetys: Lina is a fifteen-year-old Lithuanian girl. She paints, she draws, she…
My Top Ten Manga Picks (in no specific order)
Do you also like to read manga that can get your blood bumping, make you swoon, or make you cackle from laughter? Be sure to give the ten titles listed below a look if you haven't already.Demon Slayer by Koyoharu Gotoge: A popular action manga about Tanjiro, who sets off to become a demon slayer to avenge his family and find a cure for his little sister who’s turning into a demon. This manga explores the themes of familial love, revenge, comradery, and resilience. Haikyu! by Haruichi Furudate: A popular volleyball manga about Hinata, who upon seeing the “Little Giant” of…
Happy Lunar New Year 2024: A Booklist
1. Flamer by Mike Curato (graphic novel): It's the summer between middle school and high school, and Aiden Navarro is away at camp. Everyone's going through changes--but for Aiden, the stakes feel higher. As he navigates friendships, deals with bullies, and spends time with Elias (a boy he can't stop thinking about), he finds himself on a path of self-discovery and acceptance.2. Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo: Seventeen-year-old Lily Hu can't remember exactly when the question took root, but the answer was in full bloom the moment she and Kathleen Miller…
Happy Valentine's Day!: Ten Romance Recommendations
Happy Valentine's Day! Do you also like to read romantic titles that’ll make your teenage heart swoon with affection and heartbreak? Be sure to check out these ten titles. American Panda by Gloria Chao: A freshman at MIT, seventeen-year-old Mei Lu tries to live up to her Taiwanese parents' expectations, but no amount of tradition, obligation, or guilt prevent her from hiding several truths--that she is a germaphobe who cannot become a doctor, she prefers dancing to biology, she decides to reconnect with her estranged older brother, and she is dating a Japanese boy.A Sign of…
February is Black History Month: A Booklist
1. Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson: Raised in South Carolina and New York, Woodson always felt halfway home in each place. In vivid poems, she shares what it was like to grow up as an African American in the 1960s and 1970s, living with the remnants of Jim Crow and her growing awareness of the Civil Rights movement. Touching and powerful, each poem is both accessible and emotionally charged, each line a glimpse into a child’s soul as she searches for her place in the world. Woodson’s eloquent poetry also reflects the joy of finding her voice through writing stories, despite the fact…
February 2024: Teen Book Releases
Cupid's Revenge by Wibke Brueggemann: Unlike her friend Teddy, sixteen-year-old Tilly is not looking for a girlfriend, but when Teddy forms a crush on Katherine Cooper-Bunting, his co-star in their community theater production, Tilly finds herself also swooning over her. Escaping Mr. Rochester by LL McKinney: In this empowering Black queer romance reimagining of Charlotte Brontèe's classic novel, Jane Eyre, the new governess at Thornfield Hall discovers her cruel employer has locked away his wife as revenge for withholding her inheritance and, as his dark plan unfolds,…
Publishing Opportunity!
What is something you wish you knew before entering middle school? The Gutenberg Project aims to tackle this very question through publishing a book comprised of short stories all written by high schoolers (like you!). So submit your short stories today to be considered for publication! For more information please check out our poster below. Happy Writing! We can’t wait to see what you write! Best of luck, The Gutenberg Fellowship at Avenues: The World School
A Martin Luther King Jr. and Civil Rights Movement Booklist
As you all know, yesterday (January 15th) was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. In celebration of this momentous holiday, below are ten books to read on his life and the Civil Rights Movement. 1. A Long Time Coming : a lyrical biography of race in America from Ona Judge to Barack Obama by Ray Anthony Shephard: This YA biography-in-verse of six important Black Americans from different eras, including Ona Judge, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Ida B. Wells, Martin Luther King Jr., and Barack Obama, chronicles the diverse ways each fought racism and shows how much--and how little--…
Tips and Tricks For Getting Out of a Reading Slump
Maisie Carroll | BookMatch Teen intern
At the end of 2022, I was in a deep reading slump. I hadn’t read anything in a month, breaking a years-long streak. I felt disappointed, frustrated, and annoyed. I would look at my TBR list and the unread books on my shelf with contempt as I knew they would sit there for months longer. I wanted to be reading again, but somehow it felt impossible. And yet, I did climb out of the reading slump eventually. It was slow and gradual, but at the end of 2023 I have been reading books consistently for the past three months. Here are some tips that helped me. Maybe they can help you too. …
Ten LGBTQIA+ Reads with BIPOC Main Characters
All the Yellow Suns by Malavika Kannan: Sixteen-year-old queer Indian American, Maya, who falls for her white, wealthy, and complicated female classmate, Juneau, is asked to join a secret society of artists, vandals, and mischief-makers who fight for justice at their school. Bianca Torre is Afraid of Everything by Justine Pucella Winans: Bianca, an anxious, introverted nonbinary teen birder somehow finds themself investigating a murder with their neighbor/fellow anime lover, all while falling for a cute girl from their birding group...and trying not to get killed next. Chasing Pacquiao…
Ten Verse Novels to Read in 2024
1. All the Fighting Parts by Hannah V Sawyerr: In the wake of being sexually assaulted by her pastor, sixteen-year-old Amina struggles to regain her footing until she finds the strength within herself to confront her abuser in court. 2. A Million Quiet Revolutions by Robin Gow: Two seventeen-year-old trans boys in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, struggling to understand themselves and their love for each other, are inspired by an online story about trans soldiers who fell in love during the American Revolution. 3. An Appetite for Miracles by Laekan Zea Kemp: With the…
Winter Solstice: It's the Return of the Light!
Rakisha, Branch Manager/Kings Bay
When my now 18-year-old and 16-year-old kiddos were in elementary school, their teachers would have Winter Solstice parties just before the start of December break. When I was in elementary school from 1977-1984, we had Christmas parties and lit Hanukkah candles. We didn’t learn about “Winter Solstice,” whatever that was. I assumed that schools had chosen to recognize this scientific phenomena in order to be more inclusive of the different cultures that compromised the student bodies of New York City. It wasn’t until I started reading up on earth celebrations earlier this year that I…
Our Favorite YA Books of 2023
With 2024 approaching, a few of our YA librarians wanted to share some of their favorite books of this year. Perhaps they're your favorite too! Em Tone Akane-banashi, Vol. 1: On That Day by Yuki Suenaga: Shinta Arakawa wants nothing more than to pass his shin'uchi exam--the test that would make him a top-rank headliner and master storyteller in the traditional Japanese art of rakugo. Akane Osaki, his daughter and biggest fan, spies on him while he practices and learns his routines for herself. When rakugo master Issho Arakawa expels everyone after the exam with no explanation, a fire…
My To-Be-Read (TBR) List for 2024
We're just a few weeks away before 2023 is over. I've been thinking about what books I'd like to finally read. Here's my TBR (so far!) for 2024. 1. Ash by Malinda Lo: In this variation on the Cinderella story, Ash grows up believing in the fairy realm that the king and his philosophers have sought to suppress, until one day she must choose between a handsome fairy and the king's huntress. This is a novel I read about 10 years ago, and I'm so excited to re-read it in 2024! 2. Didn’t See That Coming by Jesse Q. Sutanto: Playing anonymously as a guy to avoid…
'Tis the Season to Be Reading: A Holiday Booklist
Are you ready for the holiday season? Here are some books set during Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Years. 1. Christmas Clash by Suzanne Park: Enemies Chloe Kwon and Peter Li, whose families operate rival restaurants in the food court, must work together to save the mall from a developer and discover that the feud between their families goes far deeper than either of them realized. 2. Eight Dates and Nights by Betsy Aldredge: Teens Hannah and Noah, who each have different ideas of how to spend Hanukkah, team up to save the last Jewish remnant in small-town…
December 2023 YA New Releases
1. Caught in a Bad Fauxmance / Rose Elle Gonzalez: Agreeing to fake date the son of his family’s longtime enemy, Devin Báez uses this opportunity to gather intel strong enough to take them down and keep the family cabin they gambled on a risky bet until he realizes love is in the cards. 2. Dark Heir / C.S. Pacat: In this much anticipated sequel to the New York Times bestseller Dark Rise, Will travels to the heart of the ancient world where he must keep his true identity hidden as he’s tempted by the darkness within. 3. Defiant / Brandon Sanderson: To…
Can't Get Enough of Coriolanus Snow in The Hunger Games?
Last week, after eight years since Mockingjay Part 2 released in theaters, we finally have a new Hunger Games franchise film: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes! This dystopian prequel to the infamous The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins follows a teenage Coriolanus Snow (eventually the President Snow we all know and loathe from The Hunger Games trilogy) as he navigates mentoring Hunger Games tribute Lucy Gray Baird from District 12 to help her survive the tenth annual Hunger Games. Coriolanus Snow, known also as Coryo, serves as a…
A Short Nonfiction November Booklist
Happy Nonfiction November! Nonfiction November is a month-long challenge to read more nonfiction books. Here are five books to read this month: 1. From Here : a memoir by Luma Mufleh: In her coming-of-age memoir, refugee advocate Luma Mufleh writes of her tumultuous journey to reconcile her identity as a gay Muslim woman and a proud Arab-turned-American refugee. 2. Hidden Systems: Water, Electricity, the Internet and the Secrets Behind the Systems We Use Everyday by Dan Nott: This non-fiction graphic novel illustrates the hidden history for every…
Ten Books to Read During Native American and Native Alaskan Heritage Month
November is National Native American and Native Alaskan Heritage Month. First approved by former President George H. W. Bush in November 1990, it has been observed yearly as both "Native American Heritage Month" and "National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month" since 1994. Below are ten books that celebrate Native American and Indigenous voices and history of North America. Fiction 1. Funeral Songs for Dying Girls by Cherie Dimaline: To save her father’s job at the crematorium and the only home she’s ever known, Winifred and her con-…
Happy Halloween: A Horror Booklist
Happy Halloween, everyone! Is anyone wearing a costume this year? If you enjoy horror or thrillers, be sure to check out this booklist: 1. All These Sunken Souls : a black horror anthology edited by Circe Moskowitz: Welcome to the Dark. We are all familiar with tropes of the horror genre: slasher and victims, demon and the possessed. Bloody screams, haunted visions, and the peddler of wares we aren’t sure we can trust. In this young adult horror anthology, fans of Jordan Peele, Lovecraft Country, and Horror Noire will get a little bit of everything they love—and a…
Five Graphic Novels to Read Now
As someone who loves graphic novels, I'm happily sharing five 2023 releases to check out. 1. Brooms by Jasmine Walls and Teo Duvall: It’s 1930s Mississippi. Magic is permitted only in certain circumstances, and by certain people. Unsanctioned broom racing is banned. But for those who need the money, or the thrills...it's there to be found. Meet Billie Mae, captain of the Night Storms racing team, and Loretta, her best friend and second-in-command. They’re determined to make enough money to move out west to a state that allows Black folks to legally use magic and take…
Ten Spooky Ghost Stories for Fall
Fall is finally here, and Halloween is only two weeks away! If you enjoy spooky ghost stories, check out any of these titles below: 1. Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas: Yadriel, a trans boy, summons the angry spirit of his high school's bad boy, and agrees to help him learn how he died, thereby proving himself a brujo, not a bruja, to his conservative family. 2. Delicious Monsters by Liselle Sambury: Told in alternating timelines, seventeen-year-old Daisy and her mother move into her deceased uncle's mansion, only to find horrors waiting inside, and ten years later,…
October is LGBTQ+ History Month
First celebrated in the United States in 1994, LGBTQ+ History Month is a month-long celebration in October of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer history. It also honors the ongoing history of queer and trans rights. Below are ten books that celebrate the lives of both real (and fictional) LGBTQ+ people of the past. A Million to One by Adiba Jaigirdar: Josefa is an unapologetic and charismatic thief, who loves the thrill of the chase. She has her eye on her biggest mark yet—the RMS Titanic, the most luxurious ship in the world. But she isn’t interested in…
Celebrate the Freedom to Read: Banned Books Week!
October 1st-7th 2023 is Banned Books Week! Created in 1982, Banned Books Week is an annual celebration of the freedom to read and a time to uplift frequently challenged book titles. The theme this year is "Let Freedom Read!" Banned Books Week is an important time for libraries, schools, and other places of learning across the country to uplift the right to intellectual freedom and the right to the freedom to read. For 2022, there were thirteen titles in the list of the top ten frequently challenged books, including ties for fifth and tenth place: Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe…
October 2023 YA Book Releases
And Don't Look Back by Rebecca Barrow: After her mother's death, teen Harlow pieces together the truth of her family's past and what her mom was hiding from. Beholder by Ryan La Sala: The only survivor of a NYC penthouse party massacre where dead bodies were arranged into disturbingly elegant sculpture, Athan becomes the prime suspect and, desperate to prove his innocence, must confront an ancient evil compelling its victims toward violence, chaos and self-destruction. The Blackwoods by Brandy Colbert: Told from multiple points of view, Ardith and Hollis Blackwood's…
Facing My Last Year of High School
Every school year brings a new set of challenges and apprehensions, but no school year feels as stressful as the last year of high school. Many seniors find themselves standing on the precipice of adulthood and facing a life outside the structures of public school. While senior year brings many joys, it can bring some concerns. Daniella, a Story Teen Intern at the Central Branch, took some time out of her busy schedule to offer a few thoughts about her senior year. --Bklyn Future This school year will be my last year as a high school student, and I’ll be transitioning into adulthood.…
Hispanic Heritage Month Booklist
“I’ve put up with too much, too long, and now I’m just too intelligent, too powerful, too beautiful, too sure of who I am finally to deserve anything less.”— Sandra Cisneros Did you know that National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed every year in the U.S. from September 15 to October 15? Why? To "celebrate the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America." Below are ten awesome books written by Hispanic American writers with Hispanic American main characters…
Teen Book Review: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
When I stumbled upon the book Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, written by Benjamin Alire Saenz, I immediately felt seen as a person. Not only was it my first piece of queer literature, it served as a love letter for Mexican-American queer adolescents– a revolutionary concept to me at the time. The book follows two Mexican-American teenagers exploring facets of their identity when grappling with cultural norms, social conformity, and hidden family secrets, in the midst of the AIDS epidemic. Aristotle and Dante meet in a public pool, where Dante teaches Ari…
Paid Opportunities and More for Teens
Apply today for internship opportunities at Brooklyn Public Library and other institutions around NYC!Brooklyn Public Library paid internshipsBPL has three internship applications open, with more to come. Sign up here for our teen newsletter to stay up-to-date about all of our opportunities for teens. You can also find info about our programs and internships at bklynlibrary.org/teens, and follow us on Instagram @bklynfuture.BPL: BookMatch TeenLearn the art of recommending books and offer a readers’ advisory service exclusive to teens. Along the way, meet new friends and…
Period Protection For Back to School
Rakisha, Branch Manager/Kings Bay
Pencils? Check. Notebooks? Check. Bookbag? Check. Scientific calculator? Check. Uniform shirt? Check. Pads and tampons? Uh-oh! When preparing for the new school year, heading to the Staples and Rumi to stock up on cute stationery supplies seems like a no brainer but how about the menstrual hygiene aisle at the supermarket? Although all New York public middle and high schools are required to have free period products available in the restrooms, it’s easy to be caught unaware. Bathroom dispensers in schools, however, are only a drop in a bucket compared to the millions of menstruators who…
Ten Upcoming YA Releases to Put on Hold!
1. All Alone With You by Amelia Diane Coombs: Eloise Deane is the worst and doesn't care who knows it. She's grumpy, prefers to be alone, and is just slogging through senior year with one goal: get accepted to USC and move to California. So when her guidance counselor drops the bombshell that to score a scholarship she'll desperately need, her applications require volunteer hours, Eloise is up for the challenge. Until she's paired with LifeCare, a volunteer agency that offers social support to lonely seniors through phone calls and visits. Basically, it's a total nightmare for Eloise's…
Park Slope Book Lovers Group Wants YOUR Vote!
If you’re a teenager who enjoys reading then the Teens’ Top Ten might be something you’d like to look into. The Teens' Top Ten is a “teen choice" award, where teens choose their favorite books of the previous year. This year twenty-five amazing books have been nominated and now from August 15 to October 15 it’s up to all of us - teens across the country - to vote and narrow those twenty-five books to the best ten. Beginning August 15, teens can vote online here. You can find all titles at Brooklyn Public Library. Visit your local branch or our online catalog to place holds! Are you…
August is Romance Awareness Month
August is the start of Romance Awareness Month, but it’s not just another time of the year to stress about your romantic prospects (or lack thereof). Romance Awareness Month has come to represent a time to enjoy the meet-cutes, enemies to lovers, and forced proximity love stories created by some of our favorite authors. As we move into the dog days of summer, now is the perfect time to curl up with a romance novel on the beach or binge watch your favorite rom-com movies under the artic blast of your air conditioner. Streaming platforms are offering us movie adaptations of some of the most…
Summer 2023 Teen Book Releases
A Guide to the Dark by Meriam Metoui: Stranded at the Wildwood Motel while on their spring break road trip, Mira and Layla discover eight people died in their room and set out to find the connection between the deaths and the unexplainable things that keep happening inside Room 9. All the Yellow Suns by Malavika Kannan: Sixteen-year-old queer Indian American, Maya, who falls for her white, wealthy, and complicated female classmate, Juneau, is asked to join a secret society of artists, vandals, and mischief-makers who fight for justice at their school. Give Me a Sign by Anna…
A Non-Fiction Booklist
Do you also like to read about science, history, people, etc? Be sure to check out these twelve titles listed below: All Boys Aren't Blue: a memoir-manifesto by George M Johnson: A first book by the prominent journalist and LGBTQIA+ activist shares personal essays that chronicle his childhood, adolescence and college years as a Black queer youth, exploring subjects ranging from gender identity and toxic masculinity to structural marginalization and Black joy. Black Birds in the Sky: the story and legacy of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre by Brandy Colbert: A searing new work of…
Barbieheimer: Which is your choice?
Next week on July 21st, 2023, two highly-anticipated films with award-winning directors are debuting on the big screen: Greta Gerwig's Barbie and Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer. Barbie is based on Mattel's popular doll discovering the 'real world' while Oppenheimer tells the story of the creator of the atomic bomb. While the films have completely different genres, they are both stacked with A-list casts and crews and are both expected to be hits at the box office. For Barbie, Margot Robbie stars as the titular character with Ryan Gosling as Ken; Oppenheimer…
July is Disability Pride Month!
Happy Disability Pride Month! It's held every year in July to recognize the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26th, 1990. The featured image is the disability pride flag and each color symbolizes a type of disability: The 2021 disability flag colors each represent a type of disability: Green: sensory disabilities Blue: emotional and psychiatric disabilities White: non-visible and undiagnosed disabilities Gold: neurodiversity Red: physical disabilities Below are five books that have disabled characters, or are written by people…
Five Books on Grief and Loss
Less than two weeks ago, my Grandma Betty passed away at 101 years old. She lived a long and active life. She and I were also quite close. I moved into her building in 2021 to help take care of her. I'm grieving her death but I'm also relieved to know she is now at peace. Below are five books that address grief and loss well. 1. Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo: Camino Rios lives for the summers when her father visits her in the Dominican Republic. But this time, on the day when his plane is supposed to land, Camino arrives at the airport to see…
For the Love of K-pop & Their Fans
Rakisha, Branch Manager/Kings Bay
It was a rare Saturday off from work in the early part of 2019. My kids were 14 and 12 years old, and in middle school at the time. The oldest was watching television and my youngest was reading scanlations of their favorite manga on the computer. I was scrolling through Twitter while making breakfast, and I saw that something called “BTS” was trending. I called out to my children, “Hey! What is a BTS and why is it trending so much on Twitter?” Both laughed at me. “Mommy,” My youngest began in their trademark dry tone. “BTS is not a ‘what,’ they’re a ‘who’ and they’re always…
June 2023 Teen Book Releases
Basil and Oregano by Melissa Capriglione: Basil Eyres and Arabella Oregano are both students of cooking with magic at Porta Bella Magiculinary Academy, and although the two are instantly smitten with each other, Arabella has a secret with the potential to throw Basil's future aspirations into jeopardy. Darkhearts by James L Sutter: When his former bandmate dies, David is thrown back into contact with singer Chance, forcing him to rediscover all the things that once made them so close—and that tore them apart—as he attempts to claim the celebrity he’s been denied. Family Style…
(New) AAPI LGBTQIA+ Reads to Check Out!
Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month is almost over, and Pride Month is fast approaching. Below are ten (newer!) books with characters of both identities. Beating Heart Baby by Lio Min: Seventeen-year-old Santi Arboleda finally feels settled in his new life in Los Angeles with a growing found family and a relationship with musical prodigy Suwa--until Suwa is offered the chance to step into the spotlight that he has always denied himselfand they must finally face their dreams, their pasts, and their futures, whether together or apart. Chasing Pacquiao by Rod…
Let's All Celebrate Menstruation
Rakisha, Branch Manager/Kings Bay
I am the Puberty Librarian. I am the Period Lady. I’m the patron saint of library menstruators. If I had $1 for every time a coworker said “I think of you every time I get a tampon from the staff bathroom,” I’d be able to pay both my kiddos’ college tuition. I have a brand and a reputation, and I accept it proudly. Sometimes, it gets burdensome because I’m a librarian that contains multitudes, doggoneit! I make jewelry. I’m learning to read Korean. I’m studying philosophy. Then, I remember that period poverty and menstrual equity is still a worldwide issue. If the thought of me inspires folks…
May is (Also) Jewish American Heritage Month
May is Jewish American Heritage Month. One way to celebrate is to read books with Jewish protagonists, ideally by written Jewish-identified authors. Here are ten books I recommend checking out! Color Me In by Natasha Diaz: Fifteen-year-old Nevaeh Levitz is torn between two worlds, passing for white while living in Harlem, being called Jewish while attending her mother's Baptist church, and experiencing first love while watching her parents' marriage crumble. Cool for the Summer by Dahlia Adler: Anticipating a romantic summer with her football star crush, Lara struggles…
Happy Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month!
In May, the U.S. celebrates Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month. According to asianpacificheritage.gov/, the month is one for “paying tribute to the generations of Asian and Pacific Islanders who have enriched America’s history and are instrumental in its future success.” In honor of this special occasion, pick up a book (or 10) written by an AANHPI writer and enjoy! Darius the Great is Not Okay by Adib Khorram: Clinically-depressed Darius Kellner, a high school sophomore, travels to Iran to meet his grandparents, but it…
Announcing the 2023 Teen Writing Contest & Ned Vizzini Prize Winners
Karen, Coordinator of Young Adult Services
This post has been edited to reflect a new list of winners. We received 900+ submissions, and the Teen Writing Contest Committee is pleased to announce the following prizes, honors, and selections for the 2023 Teen Writing Contest & Ned Vizzini Teen Writing Prize. Poetry Middle School First Place: A Child’s Thoughts on Recurring Themes in Headlines by Gabi Flatto-Katz Second Place: Green blades, barbeque, and dawn + dusk by Mae Lower Honorable Mention: Where I'm From by Emmanuella Anaela Ibeanu Honorable Mention: An Ode to Ye Mordious…
April 22nd is Earth Day
Spring is in bloom in Brooklyn and there is no better way to celebrate it than with Earth Day! A holiday started in 1970 to raise awareness around environmental protection, Earth Day is now celebrated annually world-wide on April 22nd. There are many ways to celebrate and honor the Earth we call home. Below are five book recommendations to help get in touch with nature and brush up on your knowledge of climate change this spring. Braiding sweetgrass for young adults : indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge, and the teachings of plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer. …
Five Books to Read During Autism Acceptance Month
Did you know April is also Autism Acceptance Month? Over 7 million people in the United States are on the Autism spectrum; Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability in the U.S. What is autism? Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a complex, lifelong developmental condition that typically appears during early childhood and can impact a person’s social skills, communication, relationships, and self-regulation. The Autism experience is different for everyone. It is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is often referred to as a “spectrum condition” that affects people…
April 2023 Teen Book Releases
Need book recommendations? Check out these twelve upcoming releases. 1. Pieces of Me / Kate McLaughlin: Eighteen-year-old Dylan is diagnosed with Dissociate Identity Disorder and grapples with what her diagnosis means for her future and her past. 2. Promposal / Garrett Raechell: To move to the top of the waitlist at her dream school, Autumn Reeves becomes the Promposal Queen, but when she is forced to partner with her former-crush-turned-enemy, she finds her friendships, her business and her entire future on the line. 3. A Whole Song and Dance / …
April is National Poetry Month
Did you know April is National Poetry Month? If you like to read poetry or verse novels check out the booklist below: A Time to Dance by Padma Venkatraman: Veda, a classical dance prodigy in India, lives and breathes dance--so when an accident leaves her a below-knee amputee, her dreams are shattered. For a girl who's grown used to receiving applause for her dance prowess and flexibility, adjusting to a prosthetic leg is painful and humbling. But Veda refuses to let her disability rob her of her dreams, and she starts all over again, taking beginner classes with the youngest…
Saving the World One Tampon at a Time
Rakisha, Branch Manager/Kings Bay
My 16 and 18-year-old kids like to tease me about my childhood and teen years, because it is so vastly different than their upbringing. Every now and then, I will reveal something that will make them exclaim “wow, you were poor.” Those memories are funny now, but they were not then. I recall being a broke college student working a part-time job and spending an afternoon searching for enough soda cans and beer bottles to collect a dollar in nickel deposits. I just needed enough money to buy a cheap box of maxi pads from the 99-cents store, because I wasn’t getting paid for another two days.…
YA Books with Disability Representation
Did you know that March is Disability Awareness Month? Like many other people, I live with multiple invisibile disabilities. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), up to 1 in 4 or 26% of adults in the United States have some type of disability. Below are ten books (fiction and non-fiction) that center disability representation. FICTION: 1. Breathe and Count Back from Ten by Natalia Sylvester: Verónica, a Peruvian-American teen with hip dysplasia, auditions to become a mermaid at a Central Florida theme park in the summer before her senior year, all…
Paid Opportunities and More for Teens
Get the details about BPL's Teen Writing Contest, Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), and more! Sign up here for our teen newsletter to stay up-to-date about all of our opportunities for teens. You can also find info about our programs and internships at bklynlibrary.org/teens, and follow us on Instagram @bklynfuture. Brooklyn Public Library: Teen Writing Contest Entries are accepted in two categories: Poetry (up to 500 words); Prose (up to 2,500 words). Awards will be given in two age groups: Middle School (grades 6 – 8) and High School (grades 9 –…
Getting Witchy for Women's History Month
Rakisha, Branch Manager/Kings Bay
I was sitting at my kitchen table flipping through my first deck of recently purchased tarot cards. A stack of young adult books about paganism, magic and witchcraft sat in front of me. As I shuffled the cards from my left hand to my right, I asked out loud: “Am I witch now?” My quick-witted 16-year-old replied: “Historically, yes. You’re an older, divorced, Black woman who wears pants. You’re a witch.” Well, dang. Technically, they weren’t wrong in their assessment and it inspired me to delve into the connection between women, marginalized communities and witchcraft. Pagan …
Enter BPL's 2023 Teen Writing Contest! - March 1-31
Do you like to write? Brooklyn Public Library's 2023 Teen Writing Contest is accepting submissions March 1-31. The contest is open to middle and high schoolers all over NYC. Top winners in poetry and prose will receive the new Ned Vizzini Teen Writing Prize with a cash award, and have their pieces published in the Teen Writing Journal distributed by the Library. Stop by your local library branch to see if they're giving out FREE Grab & Go Writing Kits. For more information and the link to submit visit: https://www.bklynlibrary.org/teen-writing-contest…
March Teen Book Releases
March is almost here! Here are twelve books to put on hold that will be released next month. 1. Dear Medusa / Olivia A. Cole: Sixteen-year-old Alicia Rivers has a reputation that precedes her. But there's more to her story than the whispers that follow her throughout the hallways at school--whispers that splinter into a million different insults that really mean: a girl who has had sex. But what her classmates don't know is that Alicia was sexually abused by a popular teacher, and that trauma has rewritten every cell in her body into someone she doesn't recognize. To the world…
Paid Opportunities and More for Teens
Get the details about internships and jobs at wildlife parks around NYC, a media internships, a podcast challenge, two writing contests and more! Sign up here for our teen newsletter to stay up-to-date about all of our opportunities for teens. You can also find info about our programs and internships at bklynlibrary.org/teens, and follow us on Instagram @bklynfuture. Morgan Library: Teen Writing Contest Did you know the first writer identifiable by name in human history is a Mesopotamian woman from 2300 B.C. named Enheduanna? Inspired by Enheduanna, the Morgan is hosting a…
Love is in the Air, and on the Page!
Happy Valentine's Day! Want a fun romance to read? Look no further than this booklist. 1. 6 Times We Almost Kissed (And One Time We Did) by Tess Sharpe: Penny and Tate have always clashed. Unfortunately, their mothers are lifelong best friends, so the girls’ bickering has carried them through playdates, tragedy, and more than one rom-com marathon with the Moms. When Penny’s mother decides to become a living donor to Tate’s mom, ending her wait for a liver transplant, things go from clashing to cataclysmic. Because in order to help their families recover physically,…
Fifteen Recommended Reads for Black History Month
February is Black History Month. Black History Month was proposed by Black professors and the Black United Students group at Kent State University in 1969, and was first celebrated a year later from January 2nd to February 28th. Not until 1976, was it finally celebrated nationwide. One way to celebrate and honor Black history is by reading books by Black writers, poets, activists, etc. Below are fifteen books to read this month, and all year round! Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé: Welcome to Niveus Private Academy, where money paves the hallways, and…
Sexplanations for You!
Rakisha, Branch Manager/Kings Bay
There is so much information about sex, but there aren’t many clear answers. Is gender and virginity really a social construct? Does sexuality exist on a spectrum? Am I normal? Jokes about kinks or accusations of grooming and sexualization are all over social media, and most of these comments are by folks who neither have the experience nor the knowledge of what those terms mean. The LGBTQIA+acronym seems to grow longer by the day while people are declaring themselves ethically non-monogamous and polyamorous before they’ve even had their first kiss. How does one cut through the…
A Lunar New Year Booklist
Almost American Girl: An Illustrated Memoir by Robin Ha: For as long as she can remember, it's been Robin and her mom against the world. Growing up as the only child of a single mother in Seoul, Korea, wasn't always easy, but it has bonded them fiercely together. So when a vacation to visit friends in Huntsville, Alabama, unexpectedly becomes a permanent relocation--following her mother's announcement that she's getting married--Robin is devastated. Overnight, her life changes. She is dropped into a new school where she doesn't understand the language and struggles to keep up. She is…
Paid Opportunities and More for Teens
Get the details about internships and jobs at wildlife parks around NYC, a podcast challenge, and free arts programs! Sign up here for our teen newsletter to stay up-to-date about all of our opportunities for teens. You can also find info about our programs and internships at bklynlibrary.org/teens, and follow us on Instagram @bklynfuture. Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has several job, internship and volunteer opportunities available for young adults (ages 14-26) at their five wildlife…
Six Coming-of-Age Stories To Check Out
Every Summer After / Carley Fortune: They say you can never go home again, and for Persephone Fraser, ever since she made the biggest mistake of her life a decade ago, that has felt too true. Instead of glittering summers on the lakeshore of her childhood, she spends them in a stylish apartment in the city, going out with friends, and keeping everyone a safe distance from her heart. Until she receives the call that sends her racing back to Barry's Bay and into the orbit of Sam Florek--the man she never thought she'd have to live without. For six summers, through hazy afternoons on the…
Sing Your Freakin' Heart Out!
Rakisha, Branch Manager/Kings Bay
Sing Your Freakin' Heart Out In the spring of 2022, my group of K-pop-loving friends taught me about the slew of karaoke rooms in mid-Manhattan near Macy’s Herald Square. Soon we were taking monthly pilgrimages to KoreaTown, colloquially known as K-Town, to storm our favorite karaoke spot. Armed with beverages, fried chicken, and unchecked volume, we would spend hours belting out Broadway showtunes, bad girl anthems, raunchy rap songs, and the requisite BTS hits. We would leave with our moods lighter and our friendship bonds tighter. It was definitely better than singing into a…
Re-Reading My Favorites in 2023
While it's exciting to keep track of all the new books coming out, there's something to be said for re-reading books you once enjoyed. In between reading new and upcoming releases this year, I'm going to also re-read some of my favorites. I browsed by bookshelves at home, reviewed my Goodreads account, and picked out five books. Will I still love them? Looking forward to finding out! Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender: Felix Love has never been in love--and, yes, he's painfully aware of the irony. He desperately wants to know what it's like and why it seems so easy for everyone but him…
New Year, Same You and That's Ok!
Rakisha, Branch Manager/Kings Bay
Counting down to a new year makes me anxious especially in the age of social media. I’m overwhelmed by all the year-in-review countdowns--top 10 songs, top 10 TikTok trends, top 10 most searched terms on Google! UGH! Even worse are the messages of “New Year, New You." They feel like a personal attack. Did I live up to my goals? Do I have any new goals? Do I have to work harder, read more, take better IG photos, eat better, vote, save the world? All this new year resolution stuff is just too much pressure. When did this even start? According to History.com and Almanac.com, new year…
Paid Opportunities and More for Teens
Get the details about a writing contest, a scholarship just for NYC teens, and free arts programs! Sign up here for our teen newsletter to stay up-to-date about all of our opportunities for teens. You can also find info about our programs and internships at bklynlibrary.org/teens, and follow us on Instagram @bklynfuture. Freedom to Read Advocacy Institute As an outgrowth of BPL's Books Unbanned project, PEN America and the Brooklyn Public Library are teaming up to co-host the first ever Freedom to Read Advocacy Institute this spring - for teens.…
Jewish Books to Read During Hanukkah
This year, Hanukkah is from December 18th-26th. If you enjoy reading stories with Jewish characters and/or themes, be sure to check these out: Color Me In by Natasha Diaz: Who is Nevaeh Levitz? Growing up in an affluent suburb of New York City, sixteen-year-old Nevaeh Levitz never thought much about her biracial roots. When her Black mom and Jewish dad split up, she relocates to her mom's family home in Harlem and is forced to confront her identity for the first time. Nevaeh wants to get to know her extended family, but one of her cousins can't stand that Nevaeh, who inadvertently…
You Ask, We Answer...Asexuality
Rakisha, Branch Manager/Kings Bay
Question: Can I be asexual even as a virgin? Answer: What a great question! Thank you for your courage in trusting me to provide you with some information. The short answer is “yes,” but let me delve further. First, let’s define what does it mean to be asexual or “ace.” Asexuality is a sexual orientation where people have a lack of interest in having sex. It doesn’t mean that this person will never be in a romantic relationship or have sex. Sexual desire is a complex and individual experience. “Asexuality is an orientation not an ideaology.” For more information and to find support,…
December & January Teen Book Releases
'Tis the season to be reading! Here are some new and upcoming releases in December and January to put on hold now: Acting the Part / ZR Ellor: Playing a lesbian warrior on a hit TV show, queer actor Lily Ashton orchestrates a fake-dating scheme to save their on-screen love interest from being killed off while coming to terms with their own gender identity. A Million to One / Adiba Jaigirdar: An acrobat, an actress, an artist, and a thief, four girls who seemingly have nothing in common, work together and plot a heist to steal the Rubaiyat off the Titanic. As You walk On…
Support and Community for LGBTQ, Jewish and BIPOC Teens
Rakisha, Branch Manager/Kings Bay
The mass shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs is a further reminder of the how scary and isolating the world can be for LGBTQ+teens. To add to the trauma, people around the country are also banning books that affirm the existence of the LGBTQ+community. Recent antisemitic comments by celebrities highlights an overall rise in antisemitism in the United States that have many Jewish people fearing for their safety. We have learned over the past two years the importance of standing up and supporting those in marginalized communities who are experiencing primary or second-hand trauma because of…
It's #NonfictionNovember!
Did you know it's Nonfiction November? It's a month-long challenge to read more nonfiction books. As someone who loves reading nonfiction, I was super excited to learn about this. If you're interested in trying a book or two before the month is over, here are five recommendations! 1. Better Than We Found It: conversations to help save the world by Frederick Joseph: Every generation inherits the problems created by the ones before them, but no generation will inherit as many problems--as many crises--as the current generation of young people. From the devastations of climate…
Things I wish I knew about Student Loans
Ah Student Loans, the bane of my exsistence, and unlike Anthony Bridgerton, it is not the object of all my desires. My family had little experience with the financial aid and student loan process. So when it came time to apply for aid we had NO IDEA what we were getting ourselves into. If I am being honest, my story is not unique. I am one of 43 million borrowers who needed to take out Student Loans in order to get an education. Here are some things I wish I knew before taking out Student Loans: Refunds are NOT free money Refund checks happen when you have more Aid (Grants,…
Five Books to Read for Native American Heritage Month!
November is National Native American Heritage Month. First approved by former President George H. W. Bush in November 1990, it has been observed yearly as both "Native American Heritage Month" and "National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month" since 1994. To honor this important yearly event, here are five amazing books that center Native American and Indigenous voices of North America. Apple Skin to the Core by Eric Gansworth: The term "Apple" is a slur in Native communities across the country. It's for someone supposedly "red on the…
November 2022 New Book Releases
Fall is here! Need some book recommendations? Put a hold on any, or all of these upcoming releases: At Midnight : 15 beloved fairy tales reimagined / Dahlia Adler: A collection of fifteen original and retold fairy tales, reimagined with fresh perspectives and unexpected twists. Bloodmarked / Tracy Deonn: When the leaders of the Order reveal that they will do everything in their power to keep the approaching demon war a secret, Bree and her friends go on the run so she can learn how to control her devastating new powers. Jasmine Zumideh Needs a Win / Susan Azim…
Ten Horror & Thriller Reads for Halloween
Do you love a good scare or thrill? Below are ten books I recommend reading this Halloween! Belladonna / Adalyn Grace: Nineteen-year-old orphan Signa Farrow confronts Death--and her own deathly powers--when she investigates the mysterious murder of a relative at the Thorn Grove estate. Blackwater / Jeannette Aroyo (graphic novel): Tony Price is a popular high school track star and occasional delinquent aching for his dad's attention and approval. Eli Hirsch is a quiet boy with a chronic autoimmune disorder that has ravaged his health and social life. What happens when these…
October 2022 Teen Book Releases
Need some new book recommendations? Put a hold on these upcoming releases: After Dark with Roxie Clark by Brooke Lauren Davis: Eighteen-year-old Roxie agrees to help her sister Skylar uncover her boyfriend's killer, but they discover that everyone in Whistler, Indiana, is hiding something and some ghost stories are best left untold. A Scatter of Light by Malinda Lo: The summer of 2013 in the Bay is a momentous one for eighteen-year-old Aria Tang West, for the working-class queer community she finds herself in, and for her artist grandmother. The First to Die at the End by Adam…
Apply for an internship at Brooklyn Public Library!
Applications for two of Brooklyn Public Library's internships are now open: apply today! BookMatch Teen Learn the art of recommending books and offer a readers’ advisory service exclusive to teens. Along the way, meet new friends and make connections to careers in publishing, writing, libraries and more. Participants must be in grades 9-12 and will earn a stipend, volunteer hours and resume-boosting experience. Apply online here by October 5. Librarians of Tomorrow Librarians of Tomorrow is an innovative, hands-on internship program for 10th-12th grade students from diverse…
Book Review: The Storm Crow by Kalyn Josephson
The Storm Crow by Kalyn Josephson is a brilliant, beautifully written story with fantastical elements, strong characters, and a captivating plot. It is about Princess Anthia of Rhodaire. She is training to be a crow rider, a warrior of the sky, when the Illucian empire invades and kills all of the crows and Thia’s mother and mentor. Thia is thrown into a deep depression and she struggles to navigate her emotions and save her kingdom from Illucia at the same time. Josephson tackles the issue of mental health openly, which is another reason why this is one of the best fantasy books I’ve…
Top Shelf at Windsor Terrace
Hey friends, it's Noor and Maleha here. Noor, why don’t you start us off... At the Windsor Terrace Library the top shelf of the kid's fiction area was boring and a totally unreachable display for books. But we took that boring unreachable shelf and turned it into something that the kids would enjoy looking at. The idea came to our heads when we were looking for coloring pages for the kids to color in. Then an idea popped into Maleha’s brain that I didn’t know existed. DINOSAURS READING BOOKS!! Like those who don’t like dinosaurs? Maybe except for the asteroid that…
Banned Books to Borrow Now!
Banned Books Week is coming up -- September 18-24th. At the Brooklyn Public Library, we read banned and challenged books all year round! Some of my favorite books have been banned or challenged by libraries and schools throughout the country. Want to learn more? Join my monthly book club. In September, we're talking about Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe. Below are five banned books I'd recommend to teens in a heartbeat: Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender: Felix Love has never been in love--and, yes, he's painfully aware of the irony. He desperately…
Banned Books Week - Program Round Up
Karen, Coordinator of Young Adult Services
Banned Books Week: This Story Matters Tuesday, September 20 / 5:30pm Housing Works Bookstore, 126 Crosby Street, New York, NY Censorship continues a record-breaking sweep across our nation in the form of book bans, removal of literacy materials from school libraries, and the limitation on educators’ speech in the classroom. Teachers, parents, and citizens often feel hopeless when seeking ways to combat censorship, but there are some novel approaches recently taken by libraries, associations, and educators that support a student’s right to read. Banned…
You Ask, We Answer Your Puberty and Sex Questions
Rakisha, Branch Manager/Kings Bay
Question: What are beginner tips for sex you'd give a young man? Which condom brand is the best? Thank you for being brave enough to ask such a sensitive question. Making the decision to have sex for the first time is a big decision, but it can be made less overwhelming with pre-planning. Don’t expect sex to be as it is in movies, books, or in pornography. Everyone responds physically and emotionally to sex differently. Secondly, the decision as to when to have sex is yours alone. Don’t let society, your family, your friends, or a romantic partner pressure you. Once you’re…
Check 'Em Out: Historical Fiction & Fantasy Picks
Fantasy Forging Silver into Stars by Brigid Kemmerer: When a stranger rides into town offering Jax and Callyn silver in exchange for holding secret messages for an anti-magic faction, the choice is obvious--even if it means they may be aiding in a plot to destroy their new king. It's a risk they're both willing to take. This Vicious Grace by Emily Thiede: Alessa has a gift from the gods that’s supposed to magnify a partner’s magic, but instead it’s killing every suitor she touches, and with her island in danger and a powerful priest convincing her soldiers that her death is the island’s…
Safe Sex and Free Condoms
Rakisha, Branch Manager/Kings Bay
When used correctly, condoms are one of the most discreet and portable ways to protect yourself from unwanted pregnancy and sexuall transmitted diseases. Condoms are also a versatile form of protection that can be used during oral, vaginal, or anal sex. Every gender can protect themselves with a product that has little to no side effects. For folks with latex allergies, condoms are also available in plastic or nitrile varieties. Cases of syphilis and gonorrhea have gone up since 2020 in New York City. The rates of syphilis went up by 30.7% among people reported as female (females…
July's New YA Releases to Check Out!
Meet me in the middle by Alex Light Eden had her best friend Katie-she didn't need anyone else. But then there was Truman. Katie's older brother, the artist. The recluse. The boy with an innocent smile but dangerous eyes. Eden had never really known Truman-not until the night of Katie's accident. With Katie in the hospital and Truman fleeing from his grief without a word, Eden is left alone to grapple with her pain. But when Truman returns to the city, can Eden let him back into her life knowing that their first kiss is what tore their world apart? These twisted bonds by Lexi Ryan Brie…
Video Games in Books
Do you love playing video games? Here are five books to read about teens who play too! Don't Hate the Player by Alexis Nedd: By day, Emilia is a field hockey star with a popular boyfriend and a mother obsessed with her academic future. By night, she's kicking virtual butt as the only female member of a highly competitive eSports team. Emilia has mastered the art of keeping her two worlds thriving, which hinges on them staying completely separate. When a major eSports tournament comes to her city, Emilia is determined to prove herself to the male-dominated gaming community. Her…
July is Disability Pride Month
Did you know 13.2% of Americans had some kind of physical or mental disability in 2019? Since the passing of the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) in 1990, Disability Pride Month is celebrated every July. The Americans with Disabilities Act helps protect the rights of people with disabilities in five important areas: employment state and local government facilities and services public accommodations telecommunications transportation. Unfortunately, many people with disabilities still face discrimination and stigma. In light of this reality, it is even more…
Banned: A Poem
This poem was submitted by Libby S., a teen living in Alabama. Banned. Banned. Your book is taken away from those who need it. Banned. Your story is no longer heard. Banned. Your voice is silenced by those who don’t want you to speak. Banned. You can no longer share with the world the experiences you’ve had. Banned. You can no longer help those with your writing. Banned. You can no longer provide a new opinion to a story. Banned. You can just sit and watch as people go about their day, no longer able to read your book. You know that there are people out there that need your book. You…
Check Out BKLYNthology + YA Booklist Created by BKLYNthology Writers
Teens ages 13-18 participated in any genre of their choice, and those who have submitted a story that satisfies all the requirements were featured in BKLYNthology. There have been few to no edits done to the following stories to ensure that they would be true to what the writers wanted to express. Check out BKLYNthology and the YA booklist BKLYNthology writers curated! Printed copies of this anthology will be available at the New Utrecht branch at the front desk on the second floor. BKLYNthology: https://docs.google.com/document/d/19y3dmsUQrjzSQiD1VtaKcOHIEioq4-…
New Book Releases in June!
Happy Summer, y'all! Here are eight new releases to check out this month!
Let's Celebrate Menstrual Hygiene Day!
Rakisha, Branch Manager/Kings Bay
Period. Cycle. Monthly. Aunt Flow. Special visitor. Shark Week. Everyone who sheds their uterine lining has a special name for that time of the month. For some menstruators, getting a period is no big deal. It’s just another few days out of the month, but it’s a big deal for others. Some folks get periods with debilitating pain. For some trans men, it’s a painful reminder that their body and gender don’t align. And, for some people, it means having to stay home from work or school because they cannot afford menstrual hygiene products like maxi pads, tampons, or menstrual…
BKLYNthology
Do you want to get a short story published? Up to twenty submissions will be selected and included in an anthology that will be published by an internship project through the New Utrecht branch. $50, $25, and $15 gift cards will be rewarded to the top three selections respectively. All interested participants should register for the virtual information session on May 23 from 4:30-5:30 PM. There will also be an optional (but highly encouraged) Office Hours session which you can sign up for on May 26 from 5:00-6:00 PM. I will be briefly reviewing and providing…
Intentional and Mindful Planning
Four years ago when I was a baby Librarian, I started Bullet Journaling. I started for two reasons: to keep track of all the details that came with my new grown up job and student loan debt. One day a month I would set aside time to set up my bullet journal for the new month, creating trackers and calendars to help me organize my goals and commitments for the month. Google says journaling helps with anxiety, envoking mindfulness and helps ground the writer in the present: something that my Type A self needed. As someone who is a "PLANNER" I often find myself worrying about all the…
Books Unbanned: One teen's response
Teens around the country have been sending messages to our Intellectual Freedom Teen Council requesting a free, out-of-state ecard to access books that may be banned or challenged in their state. K. Pointer submitted this one last week. Find out more about Books Unbanned here. For me, the freedom to read is crucial. Reading has always been a way for me to explore and experience the world. I have learned so much about myself and the human experience through books. The fact that book banning is still present today honestly makes me sick. Through many challenged books I have…
Announcing the 2022 Teen Writing Contest & Ned Vizzini Prize Winners
Karen, Coordinator of Young Adult Services
We received hundreds of submissions, and the Teen Writing Contest Committee is pleased to announce the following prizes, honors, and selections for the 2022 Teen Writing Contest & Ned Vizzini Teen Writing Prize. Congrats to our winners and many thanks to our staff readers and judges. Poetry Middle School First Place: Pigeons by Maya Cohen Second Place: Where I’m From by Lilla Burke Honorable Mention: On Riding the Subway by Oren Milgrom-Dorfman Honorable Mention: The World of My Mind by Hannah Powell Honorable Mention: Broadway…
Five May Book Releases to Look Out For!
Need more book recommendations? Here are five upcoming releases in May. Put them on hold ASAP! I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston: "After seventeen-year-olds Chole and Shara, Chole's rival for valedictorian, kiss, Shara vanishes leaving Chole and two boys, who are also enamored with Shara, to follow the trail of clues she left behind, but during the search, Chloe starts to suspect there might be more to Shara and her small Alabama town than she thought." Bravely by Maggie Stiefvater: "A retelling of Brave, this book tells Merida’s story and her longing for adventure and…
Paid Opportunities and More for Teens
Here are a few internship and training opportunities for teens! The Guggenheim: Art Detectives Spend some time at the Guggenheim Museum this summer! Art Detectives is a FREE program for NYC high school students that are interested in the arts and sciences! During the month of July, this summer program is a unique opportunity to study with a variety of museum conservators and scientists working in the fields of art conservation and cultural heritage science. MetroCards cards and snacks will be provided for the in-person meetings. Upon successful completion of the program…
Book Recommendations for Poetry Month!
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo A novel about finding your voice, and for the main character, Xiomara Batista, the way to do that is through poetry. She keeps a notebook under her bed, full of words that she can’t say – especially to her mother. But then Xiomara is invited to join the slam poetry club at school and has to decide if she’s going to stay silent or not. The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta It is the story of Michael, a black, gay teen, who discovers the Drag Society at university and finds himself on the stage, finally free to be precisely whom he was always meant to be. Atta…
Seasons
Enjoy this seasonal poem by seventh grader Christopher Thayer. Seasons by Christopher Thayer When the flakes as white as paper drizzle lightly on my palm, I wonder to myself when Summer will come. When I watch my breath float in the air, I wonder to myself when Summer will come. Just a few more months, I say to myself. When the new flowers in the yard start to bloom, I wonder to myself when Fall will come. When the bees fly from flower to flower, I wonder to myself when Fall will come. Just a few more months I say to myself. When I look at the windows splattered with rain, I wonder…
Destigmatizing Periods: An Intergenerational Conversation
Asha K.| Cycle Alliance Intern
When my aunt, Desiree, was 11 years old when she first got her cycle. At that time, she thought menstrual cycles were disgusting. Seeing her older sister get her period was also uncomfortable to her, because she did not want to experience the same cramps, pain, blood, and messiness that she saw her sister going through. My aunt’s mother told her that menstruation was part of becoming a woman, and that she would eventually get it some time in her life. She never received a full conversation about menstrual cycles from her mom, and was left to figure it out on her own. Desiree wishes she…
Tears at Sunset: A Poetry Portfolio
After The Tragedy Orange flowers, yellow leaves, green grass, blue water, and a deep, crimson red sky. Damp soil clung to the bottom of my combat boots, dragging me down to earth with every step I took. Heavier and heavier. An old oak tree stood sturdy, not yielding to strong winds, desperate to cling to the Earth. I extended a long, scarred arm to the bare oak tree’s bark. My callused, rough hands gingerly traced an odd circle again. And again. The color faded, not as dark or as rough as the rest of the russet oak tree, but dark like my morning bitter, black coffee I love to drink. I…
Happy Trans Day of Visibility 2022!
Happy Trans Day of Visiblity! Today is especially important in light of all the anti-trans legislation being passed in states across the nation. While there is much darkness and pain, there is also light, and joy and hope. I highly recommend checking out this short but powerful piece on Teen Vogue. It was put together by teens like you! As a transgender person, what brings me joy is seeing other trans youth and trans adults flourish, and being happy in their day-to-day life. It also beings me joy seeing parents supporting their transgender kids in all aspects of life…
The Contest
My name is Mia. I’m going to tell you about the day that changed my life forever. It was a normal school day. I was waving goodbye to my mom when I saw a bright neon orange sign on the school door. The sign said, ”Do you love to write? If so, enter our teenage writing contest. For more information and details, please visit our website www.teenagewritingcontest.org.” I screamed silently in my head. I love to write. Asking me that is like asking a dog if it likes peanut butter. I walked into school that day, and for the first time, could not wait until it ended. As soon as school was over, I…
Paid Opportunities and More for Teens
Here are a few internship and training opportunities for teens, plus BPL's own Teen Writing Contest! Brooklyn Public Library: Mapping Our Worlds Apply for this seven-week art workshop hosted by Brooklyn Public Library and Stingray Arts Collective. Learn how to map your community, your culture, and your future through collage art, creative writing, meditation, movement and more. Workshops begin in April 2022; apply online here to participate. Teens will receive a $100 stipend for participating in the program. Summer Youth Employment Program Summer Youth Employment…
St. Patrick's Day Book Bingo
Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar: A YA romance set in Ireland with Sapphic and Bengali main characters.Hani and Ishu both want something from the other, and pretending to date may just get that done. All the Bad Apples by Moïra Fowley-doyle: When Deena's wild older sister Mandy goes missing, presumed dead, Deena refuses to believe it's true. Especially when letters start arriving--letters from Mandy--which proclaim that their family is not just stuck with bad luck or bad decisions but a curse, handed down to women from generation to generation. Mandy's gone…
Amelia’s Dream
My name is Amelia, and I ride horses. Now, typically women don't ride horses. They cook or clean. However, I burn everything I try to cook including water and I couldn't clean if my life depended on it. I always dreamed of riding horses and entering the yearly riding contest. I said to myself, why not teach myself how to ride, and enter. One night while everyone was asleep I snuck out into the barn and taught myself how to ride. As it turned out, I was great at it. One day I decided to ride during the day. Pa had gone hunting and was not supposed to be back till that night, and Ma was…
The Method I Like to Use for Songwriting
As a vocal student at LaGuardia High School, songwriting is one of the things I am grateful to be able to do. While I really have no idea if the songs I write would make it to the top 100’s list, I still have my own way of creating them. Songwriting is a process that can branch out in any direction possible. Maybe it will begin with the music, and then the lyrics. Maybe your song was originally just a title before you added any lyrics! You will eventually find your own way of making music, and to help you out: this is what I like to do. Additionally, songwriting advice isn’t just…
Paid Opportunities for Teens
Here are a few internship and training opportunities for teens, plus BPL's own Teen Writing Contest! Brooklyn Public Library: Teen Writing Contest and Ned Vizzini Writing Prize BPL's Teen Writing Contest is a chance for local teens to showcase their work in a supportive environment and to win the new Ned Vizzini Teen Writing Prize, an award to honor Ned and his literary legacy. If you're a teen writer from New York City, grades 6-12, you're invited to submit your poetry and prose to be judged by a panel of BPL's expert young adult librarians for creativity, style and voice. Submit your…
We Answered Your Sex Ed and Puberty Questions
Rakisha, Branch Manager/Kings Bay
Question: How can I masturbate beside using my hand? I'm nervous because I feel I’m starting to like masturbating too much, and I like putting things in my anus. I'm scared my mom might find out, please help. You have given us quite a doozy of a first question. Thank you! I applaud your bravery in reaching out. First things first: You. Are. Normal. There is nothing wrong with masturbation. It is a healthy activity that allows you to connect with your body and helps you learn what types of touches you enjoy. Liking it “too much” only becomes a problem if it interferes with your daily…
Black History Month: Portraits
Keely Jean-Baptiste, a Librarians of Tomorrow intern, created a fantastic Black History Month display at the Mill Basin Library last month. Keely selected the books, wrote and designed a booklist, and drew two portraits of John Lewis and Shirley Chisholm. Check out Keely's beautiful work here!
I Love Reading Again Because of Graphic Novels
I've always enjoyed how colorful graphic novels were. Even if they weren't flashy, the graphics always helped add to the story. Graphic Novels are my favorite type of book. They let me easily dive into whatever world the author has envisioned, but schools make it hard to give students opportunities to read graphic novels. One year in middle school, my ELA teacher wanted us to read at least 30 minutes a day and write a paragraph summarizing and analyzing what we read. We were able to choose whichever book we wanted as long as we could write the paragraph every day. I remember many…
All About Writing!
Do you like to write? Enter this year's Teen Writing Contest anytime between March 1-31. Below are five books about teen writers to enjoy and inspire you! EMERGENCY CONTACT BY MARY H.K. CHOI: For Penny Lee high school was a total nonevent. Her friends were okay, her grades were fine, and while she somehow managed to land a boyfriend, he doesn't actually know anything about her. When Penny heads to college in Austin, Texas, to learn how to become a writer, it's seventy-nine miles and a zillion light years away from everything she can't wait to leave behind. Sam's stuck.…
Paid Internships for Teens
Here are a few paid internship opportunities open for applications, plus a photo contest! Ladders for Leaders The Ladders for Leaders program offers outstanding high school and college students the opportunity to participate in paid 6-week summer internships with leading corporations, non-profit organizations, and government agencies in New York City. Ladders for Leaders is open to NYC students ages 16—21, enrolled in high school or college with a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 80 (3.00) and prior work or volunteer experience. Apply here by February 20,…
A Bit of Romance!
Just in time for Valentine’s Day! Grab a YA romance novel so you can have a bit of romance during the holiday. Which of these have caught your eye?
Ten Graphic Picks for Black History Month
Afar by Leila Del Duca: In a post-industrial desert wasteland, fifteen-year-old Boetema develops the ability to astral project to other planets. On her own planet, with her parents gone, she and her thirteen-year-old brother, Inotu, must cross a dangerous desert to flee a cyborg bodyguard. Bingo Love by Tee Franklin: "When Hazel Johnson and Mari McCray met at church bingo in 1963, it was love at first sight. Forced apart by their families and society, Hazel and Mari both married young men and had families. Decades later, now in their mid-'60s, Hazel and Mari reunite again at a…
Ask Us Your Sex & Puberty Questions
Rakisha, Branch Manager/Kings Bay
Nearly seven years ago, my supervisor gave me the okay to facilitate puberty and sex ed workshops for teens at my branch. I had not planned on becoming the “Sex Ed Librarian” when I started here 17-years ago, but here I am offering to help you answer some of your biggest sex and puberty questions. My kiddos were on the cusp of puberty and starting middle school nearly a decade ago. Since they have so much access to information at their fingertips, I didn’t want them to enter into a new social world with inaccurate information. Sure, they knew how babies were made, that people with…
Dive into Databases this Black History Month
Welcome to a new monthly blog installment that will highlight online databases for teens. This month I will be linking databases in honor of Black History Month. Black History Month is a yearly celebration of the achievements of African Americans that takes place in February and every year a theme is chosen. This year's is Black Health and Wellness. One of my favorite databases for the month is the African American Experience I love this database for several reasons. It is a great source for locating primary documents and peer reviewed articles related to the…
Digital Research Resources: Arturo Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
A former BookMatch Teen Intern at BPL, Elani is currently interning at Central Library's Youth Wing during her college’s field work term. I was fortunate to have manifested an interest in archives and history during the pandemic and less so due to the fact that many museums, archives, and historical centers had decided to close or limit their patrons. Even though some are still open to the public, as an out of state college student I don’t have the luxury to go out and visit them regularly. Digital archives are useful especially when you’re a student and/or aren’t currently…
Paid Opportunities for Teens
Here are some exciting paid opportunities coming up with applications due in the next few weeks. Questions? Feel free to email us at bklynfuture@bklynlibrary.org. Pratt Institute Data Labs Pratt Institute is looking for teens to participate in five exciting data labs! Participants will work with adults to co-design a data literacy library activity. Have fun while exploring hands-on work with data, alongside storytelling and creative production. Teens will receive a small stipend (gift card) for their participation. The labs are presented by Pratt Institute.…
Upcoming Book Releases to Put on Hold Now!
Here are 10 interesting books coming out this February. If you like to get new releases before anyone else, be sure to put these on hold right now! Extasia by Claire Legrand: In a postapocalyptic world, sixteen-year-old Saint Amity joins a coven and sets out on a quest to summon the Devil in order to protect her village, which is controlled by group of pious elders. Fire Becomes Her by Rosiee Thor: In a world where magic can be bottled and power sipped, seventeen-year-old Ingrid Ellis tries to rise in society on the arm of Lindon Holt, but when she agrees to spy…
Paint the Tiny Library Contest for Teens
Books Are Magic and Arts Gowanus are searching for a teen (12-18 years old) artist to design and paint their tiny free library! Winners receive a $200 stipend and a $50 gift card for art supplies. Your work will be posted on Art Gowanus and Books Are Magic's social media too! Submissions are due by January 28th and winners will be notified February 1st. Want more information? If you have any questions, reach out to johnny@artsgowanus.org.
Vaping, Not the Safe Alternative
Asha K.| Cycle Alliance Intern
Since 2014, E- cigarettes have been the most commonly used tobacco product in the U.S. In 2020, over 3.6 million U.S. youth, mostly high school and middle school students, have used E- cigarettes in the past 30 days. Using one e-cigarette, also known as a vape, is like smoking 20 regular cigarettes. Children and teenagers younger than 18 years old are especially vulnerable to addiction. “Nicotine can change the biochemical pathways in the body, making paying attention more difficult and priming the brain for addiction,” says Dr. Jennsen, a primary care physician and reseacher at…
Welcome, StoryTeens!
Karen, Coordinator of Young Adult Services
Brooklyn Public Library recently launched its newest internship program, StoryTeen! Our first cohort of teens come from neighborhoods across Brooklyn and NYC. Over the next six months they will learn about the art of storytime, assist with programs for young children, and learn about early literacy. Our interns speak many languages--English, French, Hindi, Korean, Mandarin, Spanish, Russian, and Urdu to name a few--and you may even spot them during one of our multilingual storytimes. StoryTeen is made possible through City’s First Readers, an initiative of The New York City…
Arts Connection and Scholarship Plus!
Read on for some exciting opportunities to apply for in the next few weeks! Scholarship Plus Scholarship Plus', a significant college scholarship and support program for NYC high school seniors, application is now live. Applications must be submitted online by Thursday, January 20, 2022: you may apply here. Arts Connection Arts Connection connects teens to the arts through performances, studio visits, film screenings, and internships and training opportunities! Bookmark their Teen Program Open Applications page to keep track of these. Here are the programs…
Fairy Tale Retellings & Reimaginings
This year I've fallen hard for fairy tale retellings and reimaginings. If you enjoy them too, I highly recommend putting these titles on hold! Ash by Malinda Lo: In this variation on the Cinderella story, Ash grows up believing in the fairy realm that the king and his philosophers have sought to suppress, until one day she must choose between a handsome fairy cursed to love her and the king's huntress whom she loves. Briarheart by Mercedes Lackey: Miriam may be the daughter of Queen Alethia of Tirendell, but she's not a princess. She's the child of Alethia and her…
Paid Internships + Writing Contest
This month, there are two paid internships open for applications from the Museum of Arts and Design, and a writing contest with prize money from Youth Communication! MAD (Museum of Arts and Design) MAD has two paid internships: RECESS and Artslife. Both applications are open. RECESS is a paid intensive, focusing on crafting narrative, public speaking, and research. Teens will have the opportunity to create audio tour materials for the permanent collection. There are two separate sessions, one in February and one in April during NYC public school breaks. In addition to $15 per hour, MAD…
Paid Internship Opportunity!
Apply now for an exciting paid internship for high school seniors from the Apollo Theater! Apollo Theater Academy (ATA) Administrative Internship Program The Apollo Theater Academy (ATA) Administrative Internship Program provides high school students with opportunities for professional and personal development as they explore careers in the arts and entertainment industries. Workshops and required work will be delivered remotely for the majority of the internship. Every student accepted into the 2022 Administrative Internship Program will be provided with the equipment and supplies…
Let it Snow! Winter-Themed Fantasy Books to Curl Up With
It's somehow already December and the temperature is starting to drop. It even snowed a bit the other day! What better way to stay warm and cozy than to curl up with a good book? Here are some fun winter-themed fantasy novels to check out, and two booklists I made for more recommendations: BKLYN BookMatch: Wintery Reads for Teens Wintery YA Set in Fantastical Worlds A Winter's Promise by Christelle Dabos: Plain-spoken, headstrong Ophelia cares little about appearances. Her ability to read the past of objects is unmatched in all of Anima and, what's more, she…
Books and Gratitude
I feel grateful for a lot of things in my life -- health, family, friends, being a librarian, my cat, tea, and the list goes on! I'm also grateful for books, especially these five. They have changed my life! Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe: Kobabe's beautiful graphic memoir helped me realize I'm non-binary! Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo: One of my favorite historical fiction novels by one of my favorite authors! Like a Love Story by Abdi Nazemian: A powerful novel set during the height of the AIDS epidemic in NYC. I cried so much! Sadie by Courtney Summers:…
Ten Awesome Books By Indigenous Writers
November is Native American Heritage Month and we're celebrating by highlighting ten novels and non-fiction books for teens, by Indigenous writers in North America! An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States for Young People by Jean Mendoza: Going beyond the story of America as a country "discovered" by a few brave men in the "New World," Indigenous human rights advocate Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz reveals the roles that settler colonialism and policies of American Indian genocide played in forming our national identity. Apple : Skin to the Core : A Memoir…
Happy Ace Awareness Week! (10/24-10/30)
It's Ace Awareness Week everyone! Formerly known as Asexual Awareness Week (since 2010), this special occasion is being celebrated from October 24th - 30th this year. "An asexual person does not experience sexual attraction or an intrinsic desire to have sexual relationships." Asexuality is also a spectrum and there are many ways to identify as a part of the ace-spec community. Below are ten novels that center ace-spec characters: Beneath the Citadel by Destiny Soria: In the city of Eldra, people are ruled by ancient prophecies. For centuries, the high council has stayed in…
Fantasy Fiction for Fall!
Want to explore a new place without having to leave your couch (or bed)? Check out these eight titles that are chock full of fantastical elements and adventure! The Iron Raven by Julie Kagawa: Robin Goodfellow. Puck. Prankster, joker, raven, fool... King Oberon's right-hand jester from A Midsummer Night's Dream. The legends are many, but the truth will now be known as never before, as Puck finally tells his own story and faces a threat unlike any before. A threat that brings him face-to-face with a new enemy...himself. With the Iron Queen Meghan Chase and her prince…
LGBTQ+ History Month Reads
October is LGBTQ+ History Month in the United States. We celebrate the history and achievements of the LGBTQ+ community across the country. Here are five amazing books that capture the many lives and experiences of queer and trans people of our past. FICTION Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo: Seventeen-year-old Lily Hu can't remember exactly when the question took root, but the answer was in full bloom the moment she and Kathleen Miller walked under the flashing neon sign of a lesbian bar called the Telegraph Club. America in 1954 is not a safe place for two girls to…
Paid Opportunities and More for Teens
Apply this month for internships with the Brooklyn Public Library, the Brooklyn Museum, Reel Works, and City Limits, and find out more about Scholarship Plus! Have questions about these or other opportunities? Email us at bklynfuture@bklynlibrary.org. Brooklyn Public Library: Librarians of Tomorrow This paid internship for 10th-12th graders matches you with a Library mentor. You'll receive training, tons of work experience, and knowledge about exciting careers. Apply now online here! Please ask your librarian if you require the print application instead. City Limits (…
Banned Books Week 2021 (Sept 26-Oct 2)
Since 1982, Banned Books Week has served as a week-long celebration of the freedom to read. This year's theme is, "Books Unite Us. Censorship Divides Us." Books have been challenged throughout the years for a number of reasons including: LGBTQIA+ content, an emphasis on social justice, is anti-racism, and according to the American Library Association, "caused nightmares." These were the Top Ten Challenged Books in 2020: George by Alex Gino. Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds. All American Boys …
Paid Opportunities and More for Teens
Apply this month for internships with the Brooklyn Public Library, the Brooklyn Museum, and more, plus scholarships and free classes, listed by order of application deadline. Have questions about these or other opportunities? Email us at bklynfuture@bklynlibrary.org. Brooklyn Public Library: Librarians of Tomorrow This paid internship for 10th-12th graders matches you with a Library mentor. You'll receive training, tons of work experience, and knowledge about exciting careers. Apply now online here! Please ask your librarian if you require the print application instead.…
Love the Fall? Try These Easy Drink Recipes for Chilly Days (and Nights)!
Love fall drinks that warm you up? Try these five recipes now, or any time of the year! Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate: Milk (any kind you like.) Heavy/double cream Chocolate (milk, dark, or semi-sweet.) Drinking cocoa powder (use your favourite!) Pumpkin puree Vanilla extract Ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves Hot Pumpkin Nog (Dairy-Free!) 1 ½ cups of non-dairy milk 1 large egg + 1 yolk 3 tbs sugar ⅛ tsp pumpkin pie spice ⅛ tsp cinnamon ⅛ tsp Kosher salt ¼ tsp pure vanilla…
Latinx Heritage Month Book Recommendations
Today marks the start of Hispanic Heritage Month (9/15-10/15). According to the National Hispanic Heritage Month website, The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402. In honor of this special month-long celebration, here are ten books written by Latinx authors: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire…
Paid Opportunities and More for Teens
Apply this month for internships with the Brooklyn Public Library, the Brooklyn Museum, and more, plus scholarships and free classes. Have questions about these or other opportunities? Email us at bklynfuture@bklynlibrary.org. Brooklyn Public Library: Librarians of Tomorrow This paid internship for 10th-12th graders matches you with a Library mentor. You'll receive training, tons of work experience, and knowledge about exciting careers. Apply now online here! Please ask your librarian if you require the print application instead. Brooklyn Museum: Three Internships! Museum…
New YA Releases in September
If you enjoy staying on top of new releases, here are ten books coming out in September! 1) Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World by Benjamin Alire Saenz: In Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, two boys in a border town fell in love. Now, they must discover what it means to stay in love and build a relationship in a world that seems to challenge their very existence. Ari has spent all of high school burying who he really is, staying silent and invisible. He expected his senior year to be the same. But something in him cracked open when he fell…
Reading Challenges to Try!
One fun way to discover new books is to complete reading challenges. Here are a few challenges to try: Find a book with titles that start with the first letter of your first name and/or last name. Pick a state, city, or country of your choice, and find books to read set in that place. Search for books with a specific cover, ie: flowers, food, a rainbow, hands, an animal, etc. Try reading books of another genre or format. For example, if you usually read fantasy, try a mystery or historical fiction. Or, if you usually read traditional novels, try a graphic novel or…
More Poetry by CJ Case
Play time As the cake rises The pan get overflowed and burst Spitting up thousands of pieces of candy “Aren’t I pretty?” “I was molded into the form you wanted. With the correct ingredients The proper instructions I’ve changed. Aren’t I pretty?” We live in a world where the superficial is the norm Where altering our bodies grants us praise Ever so stretching the distance from our past self Almost to the point where that black figure in the mirror becomes unrecognizable But aren’t I pretty? I’ve become what…
August New Releases!
This poster was created by Eileen, one of our awesome TLVP summer interns. Put any, or all of these books on hold for pick up by visiting our library catalog.
Join BookMatch Teen on Discord!
Looking for a good book, or just want to talk about all the stuff you love? Connect with BookMatch Teen! BookMatch Teen is an internship program at BPL that trains teens to give book recommendations to other teens. You can sign up to receive a personalized booklist on the BPL website at bklynlibrary.org/bookmatchteen. You can also find BookMatch Teen on Discord, where our friendly book recommendations bot will take down your info and ping BMT members to get your booklist started. BookMatch Teen also hosts live bookmatching programs, and our next one is this Wednesday, August 11. Join…
Jellyfish
Words I can never seem to find the right ones to express myself To convey the way you make my heart ache How it squeezes So much it becomes hard to breathe And tears overflow Creating a pool Our own personal sea Thousands and thousands of fish swim in my heated tears And in the midst of the scattered sea life You still manage to find me To hold To care for To love Words Such trivial things can make or break a soul Connect lives from across oceans as far as the eye can see And still I can’t find the ones to show how much I love you To express the endless nights of my constant…
Paid Opportunities and More for Teens
Looking for a paid internship, a scholarship, or a free class? We post opportunities for teens from BPL and other NYC institutions regularly. Feel free to email bklynfuture@bklynlibrary.org with any questions about these and other opportunities! Bklyn Public Library: Teens, Applying to College is Easier Than You Think! Get tips on the college application process! Recommended for high school sophomores, juniors and seniors. Free! Registration is required. Be sure to check out BPL's free college counseling service anytime, Bklyn College Connect! Brooklyn Museum…
All About Food!
I love to eat, and I love to read about food and eating! There are lots of delicious YA novels that center around food, cooking and baking. Here are a few I recommend! They just might inspire you to try something new too! A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by Laura Taylor Namey: "For Lila Reyes, a summer in England was never part of the plan. The plan was 1) take over her abuela's role as head baker at their panadería, 2) move in with her best friend after graduation, and 3) live happily ever after with her boyfriend. But then the Trifecta happened, and everything-including Lila…
Heading to College this Fall?
If you're starting college soon and are wondering what it might be like, here are some recommended reads: AMERICAN PANDA BY GLORIA CHAO: At seventeen, Mei should be in high school, but skipping fourth grade was part of her parents' master plan. Now a freshman at MIT, she is on track to fulfill the rest of this predetermined future: become a doctor, marry a preapproved Taiwanese Ivy Leaguer, produce a litter of babies. With everything her parents have sacrificed to make her cushy life a reality, Mei can't bring herself to tell them the truth--that she (1) hates germs, (2) falls…
Epic Domino Chain!
BPL's libraries have expanded their services and hours for the summer, just in time for you to visit, enjoy some free AC, and find some good books to read! If you were wondering what BPL staff were up to while the libraries were closed to the public, check out this video of a book domino chain made by librarians Ben and Emma in the Central Library's Youth Wing. You'll never look at books the same way again! Photo by Tom Wilson on Unsplash
It's Disability Pride Month!
“I wish for a world that views disability, mental or physical, not as a hindrance but as unique attributes that can be seen as powerful assets if given the right opportunities.” -Oliver Sacks July is Disability Pride Month, which only officially started in 2015. This year marks the 31st anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, but more progress lies ahead! Disability can be physical or mental, common or rare, visible or invisible, or learning disabilities. Most disabilities are invisible! Are you interested in learning more about living…
Keep Cool and Read On!
Reading indoors is one of my favorite ways to stay cool on hot and humid days. Here are six books to check out that are set during the summer! A MAP TO THE SUN BY SLOANE LEONG: One summer day, Ren meets Luna at a beachside basketball court and a friendship is born. But when Luna moves to back to Oahu, Ren's messages to her friend go unanswered. Years go by. Then Luna returns, hoping to rekindle their friendship. Ren is hesitant. She's dealing with a lot, including family troubles, dropping grades, and the newly formed women's basketball team at their high school. With Ren's…
Review: These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong
During the height of terror in 1920s Shanghai, new drugs are being produced rapidly; dangerous strangers lurk around every corner; and gang violence is on a steady rise. The city is ruled by two of the most prominent gangs: the Scarlet Gang & the White Flowers, who are each other’s sworn enemies. If that wasn't enough, a sickness is sweeping Shanghai’s glistening streets and wiping out entire families. No one knows where it came from; no-one knows how it spreads. They only know is that it’s lethal. After her three-year exile in America, Juliette Cai is more than ready to…
Celebrating Pride in 2021!
June is Pride Month and one way I celebrate each year, is by reading books written by and for LGBTQ+ folks (like myself!). Here are five teen books I've read and loved, and three I can't wait to check out! Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender: Felix Love has never been in love, painful irony that it is. He desperately wants to know why it seems so easy for everyone but him to find someone. He is proud of his identity, but fears that he's one marginalization too many-- Black, queer, and transgender. When an anonymous student begins sending him transphobic messages--…
Mexico: Defending My Country by Eric Gonzalez Cardona - COMIC
Karen, Coordinator of Young Adult Services
Mexico: Defending My Country by Eric Gonzalez Cardona was a Finalist in Brooklyn Public Library's 2021 Teen Writing Contest for the Ned Vizzini Teen Writing Prize. You can view the work of other finalists and winners in the 2021 Teen Writing Journal. Copies will be available for a limited time in the Youth Wing of the Central Library starting August 9.
College Talks #1: Thinking About College
Awa Diawara | Librarians of Tomorrow Intern
Hello! If you’re reading this, you’re probably thinking about college, and have no idea where to start. Well, I have good news for you! This series called “College Talks” will help you and guide you on where to start when thinking about college. I’m a high school senior as of right now and will be attending Baruch College in the fall of 2021 so I can totally understand the stress that comes with choosing colleges. If you want even more help, Brooklyn Library has its own service called College Connect where you can ask questions about college as well as get help with doing applications…
Addressing Racism and Discrimination
Awa Diawara | Librarians of Tomorrow Intern
Awa has compiled excerpts from a presentation and discussion she led recently about racism and discrimination for Brooklyn Public Library. Origins of Racism The origins of white supremacy and racism in the United States are centuries old, dating to 1619, when enslaved people were brought from Africa to the Virginia colony. Fast forward to the era of entertainment, two centuries later. Blackface was highly common on television. African-Americans were depicted to look and act like monkeys. I never noticed this until someone pointed it out: clowns, with their…
I Am Not a Virus
Recently, there has been an increase in hate crimes towards the Asian American community. In order to raise more awareness of this topic, I decided to make a poster and book flyer for Asian American rights. Through these posters, I want to convey that these hate crimes are unfounded and should not be tolerated. Michelle Lin is a Librarians of Tomorrow intern and a senior at Brooklyn Technical High School.
Paid Opportunities and More for Teens
Looking for a paid internship, a scholarship, or a free class? We post opportunities for teens from BPL and other NYC institutions regularly. Feel free to contact BPL or email bklynfuture@bklynlibrary.org with any questions about these and other opportunities! If you're looking for some tips on the job search, one of our teen Librarians of Tomorrow interns is offering a virtual program, Tips for Interview Prep for Teens, this Friday. She'll share some tips on how to look for jobs, what to put on a resume, and what to do in the interview, plus breakout rooms for…
Free Summer Ideas for Teens!
Ripley Butterfield | BookMatch Teen
Right now, many teens are anxiously wondering, “What is this summer going to look like?” This is true across the United States and the world, as more and more people get vaccinated against COVID-19. (If you are 16 years or older anywhere in the US you can get a vaccine right now! Click here to find walk-in appointments in NYC!). In New York City, the summertime cultural shift is already becoming obvious. On days around 60 degrees Fahrenheit and above, the streets of Brooklyn are bustling with people: kids drawing with chalk, people holding stoop sales, neighbors talking on the corner.…
Reading Through the Seasons
In all honesty, the pandemic has stretched longer than I initially anticipated and has shaped my perspectives in ways I didn’t imagine. I have consistently found more time on my hands as a result of quarantine, and if you’re like me—someone who is always searching for worthy books to occupy my day—then you’re in luck! Without further ado, I present to you the best book to read based on the season of the year. Winter: Pachinko by Min Jin Lee Ah, winter, the frosty, bone-chilling season. As someone who has a perpetual fear of the cold, I become strongly attached…
Cycle Alliance Maxi Pad Distribution: Friday, May 21
Rakisha, Branch Manager/Kings BayBrooklyn Public Library’s Cycle Alliance and Her Village Inc. will be co-hosting a menstrual product distribution and donation event on Friday, May 21 at 2 p.m. Approximately 100 packages of maxi pads will be given to menstruators in need. The public is also encouraged to donate unopened boxes of maxi pads, panty shields, tampons, menstrual cups, and children’s and adult diapers to stock future distribution days. The Cycle Alliance launched in the fall of 2019 as part of the Brooklyn Public Library’s BKLYN Incubator initiative. Through …
Israel's Attack on Palestine’s Al -Aqsa Mosque
Zoha B. | Librarians of Tomorrow Intern
Israel has been torturing Palestinians for years now. The attack on the holy mosque (Masjid - Al - Aqsa) isn’t something new, and that itself says how oppressed Palestinians have been, for the longest time. Even though this has been going on for so long, it’s like every time I hear of a new attack on Palestine, it hurts more and more. What’s super devastating is the fact that, with this recent incident, the Israelis chose to attack in the few remaining days of Ramadan, the most holy month for Muslims. The young kids who were reaching out to Allah (God in Arabic) to help them recover from…
A Selection of Poetry
Zhi Xin Huang | Librarians of Tomorrow Intern
She She was red, because people thought she was attractive and heartwarming She was green, because people thought she loved nature and got jealous easily She was blue, because people thought she was quiet and reserved She was yellow, because people thought she was optimistic and full of joy She was pink because people thought she was immature and oversensitive She was not purple because people thought she was predictable She was not orange because people thought she was fragile She was not gray because people thought she was attached She was not brown because people thought she was…
Why I Love Ramadan
Aqsa Tasleem | Librarians of Tomorrow Intern
For Muslims, this is the lunar month of Ramadan in which we fast and pray to our God (Allah). Ramadan both starts and ends on the New Moon – when the moon is barely a sliver in the sky. This year, Ramadan is celebrated from Monday, April 12, 2021 through Wednesday, May 12, 2021. Many world religions follow a lunar calendar, including Lunar New Year in Asian cultures. In addition, the Jewish religion’s holiday of Passover occurs on the 15th day in the lunar month of Nisan. During Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset each day. They wake up at dawn to eat their…
Announcing the 2021 Teen Writing Contest & Ned Vizzini Prize Winners
Karen, Coordinator of Young Adult Services
We received hundreds of submissions, and the Teen Writing Contest Committee is pleased to announce the following prizes, honors, and selections for the 2021 Teen Writing Contest & Ned Vizzini Teen Writing Prize. Poetry Middle School First Place: Where I’m From by Nwabude Anthony-Alexandre Ibeanu Second Place: One Thirteenth by Ivy Laidlaw-Morris Honorable Mention: Breezy B by Brian Babb Honorable Mention: Free (After S.E. Hinton) by Iago Macknik-Conde Honorable Mention: The Swamp by Tara Wong High School First Place: Type Designer by Kai Giovanni Second Place…
YA Verse Novels for National Poetry Month
Happy National Poetry Month! If you also like poetry, or novels-in-verse, check out any, or all of these five books! APPLE: SKIN TO THE CORE BY ERIC GANSWORTH: "The term "Apple" is a slur in Native communities across the country. It's for someone supposedly "red on the outside, white on the inside." Eric Gansworth is telling his story in Apple (Skin to the Core). The story of his family, of Onondaga among Tuscaroras, of Native folks everywhere. From the horrible legacy of the government boarding schools, to a boy watching his siblings leave and return and leave again, to a young…
A Poem for Ramadan
This poem is centered around Ramadan, a spiritual holy month for Muslims. I captured the importance and what this special month means to me. Also, how Ramadan shapes how I perceive everyday things and moments. I keep this month very close to my heart. which I attempted to write about in this poem. The Holy Month of Ramadan Indeed it is not a burden, but a blessing. from dawn to dusk to talk with you is to talk with he who illuminates noor the flowers that you so blossom during this month and celebrate this as if you’ve been given a new beginning, a restart as…
Happy Earth Day!
Teen artist Yanari Rodriguez created this poster to promote Earth Day, and gives some background here. Thank you, Yanari! Happy Earth Day to all! My inspiration for creating this poster is my love for nature. Going outside every morning and taking a breath of fresh air gives me a purpose and makes me feel alive. I feel it is necessary to take care of our beautiful planet, because without it, where would we all be?
Oshi No Ko Manga Review
Brought to you by the same manga artist of Kaguya-sama: Love is War and the manga artist of Kuzu No Honkai, the story initially follows a sparkling idol of fake smiles, Hoshino Ai, and a doctor who idolizes her. However, an accident happens, and the doctor soon finds himself to be reincarnated as his idol’s son, Hoshino Aquamarine. Together with his twin sister, Ruby, who also reincarnated, the characters took steps into the showbiz industry. The story centralizes itself on the showbiz/entertainment industry. It explores what happens behind the scenes and shows how everything isn’t as…
Book Review: The Midnight Lie by Marie Rutkoski
At nineteen, Nirrim is everything her foster mother wants her to be. She is patient, dutiful, and a hard worker—traits that benefit her low status. She has never tasted anything sweet or worn color; those things are reserved for the High Kith, the rulers her people serve. More importantly, she has never left Herranth, the militarized city that she calls home. There is no room for questioning anything in Herranth. Should any citizen step out of line, they are made to pay a tithe. The tithe can be anything from a few lost pieces of hair to actual fingers. Nirrim knows to keep her head down…
Paid Opportunities & More for Teens
Looking for a paid internship, a scholarship, or a free class? We will post opportunities for teens from BPL and other NYC institutions regularly here to make sure our info is up to date. Feel free to contact BPL or email bklynfuture@bklynlibrary.org with any questions about these and other opportunities! Opportunities at Brooklyn Public Library BPL's Teen Writing Contest If you're a teen writer from New York City, grades 6-12, you're invited to submit your poetry and prose to be judged by a panel of BPL's expert young adult librarians for creativity, style and voice. Accepting…
The Grammys are a Scam
Awa Diawara | Librarians of Tomorrow Intern
If you watched this year’s Grammys like I did, chances are you were also angered by who received the pop duo performance award. Nominated for the Best pop/duo performance were: J Balvin, Dua Lipa, Bad Bunny & Tainy- "UN DIA (ONE DAY)" Justin Bieber feat. Quavo- "Intentions" BTS - "Dynamite" Lady Gaga with Ariana Grande- "Rain On Me" Taylor Swift feat. Bon Iver- "exile" Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande won for“Rain On Me.” No disrespect to those AMAZING artists. However, BTS’s "Dynamite" had so many more achievements than "Rain On Me." "Dynamite" was on top of the charts for…
Summer Museum Internship - GOALS for Girls with the Intrepid
This internship application is due April 6th and has a few steps, so hurry if you want to apply! Are you someone who identifies as a girl in 8th or 9th grade in NYC? Do you like science, technology, or computers, and want to meet other girls who like exploring how to solve problems? Looking for a cool experience this summer that will help build your resume? Check out GOALS for Girls at the Intrepid Museum. They are looking for girls in all five boroughs to participate in a summer intensive, and if you enjoy your experience, to become interns for one of the wildest museums in NYC (ever…
Our Story
We are thought to be invisible in history- to not voice our thoughts, and to stay at home and not be seen. We are thought to be silent- to listen and not be heard to swallow and gulp down our words of anguish beneath our tongues. But we can no longer be invisible, because we have learned to raise our voices- the meeting at Seneca Falls, and the series of protests that follows. We as women have united and will no longer be silent under abuse, to voice our thoughts and sufferings and to be set free under the wings of independence. Michelle Lin is…
Enter BPL's Teen Writing Contest!
Brooklyn Public Library's Teen Writing Contest is still accepting submissions, through March 31! The contest is open to middle and high schoolers all over NYC. Get the details and the link to submit here: https://www.bklynlibrary.org/teen-writing-contest Need some inspiration? Here is a list of books selected by BookMatch Teen for their spectacular writing.
Storytime with the Pajama Club
New York City high school student Madison Xu is launching a free virtual storytime for children, filled with stories from around the world! Read on for some background, and program details, from Madison. When I was younger, my mom was always there to help me find amazing books about different cultures and people. I loved the way that the words could transform even the most distant living experiences into something familiar. I’ve always noticed the lack of more diverse and international narratives within our educational institutions and our popularized children's books. This…
Top Five Scary Movies You SHOULDN'T Watch!
Awa Diawara | Librarians of Tomorrow Intern
If you’re a horror fan like I am, chances are that during quarantine you’ve been binge watching every scary movie out there, you're now used to cheap jumpscares, and nothing has gotten you. Well, this list contains five of the highest rated horror movies, all of which are filmed as found footage! Watch at your own risk.... Gonjiam Haunted Asylum- This movie gave me the chills and it has to be the scariest one on this list. It follows the story of six people who break into an abandoned haunted asylum, livestreaming the whole thing. It takes a while for all the…
Building Virtual Friendships
One of the biggest losses for me over the course of quarantine has been my social life. There were so many people who I would see every day at school, and I had a lot of friends. However, when we weren’t able to go to school anymore, I lost contact with a lot of them and only really remained in touch with my best friends. I started to feel lonely and wished that I could make new friends. Finding ways to be social and meet people while following all COVID guidelines was difficult—but it was possible! I know it can be really daunting to interact with people over Zoom, especially when…
COVID-19 Day of Remembrance with BookMatch Teen
Sunday, March 14 is COVID-19 Day of Remembrance, an official day of remembrance in New York City. In honor of this day, BookMatch Teen members have created a list of the books that got them through this past year. What books, or shows, games or songs, helped you? Want more good reads? Fill out this short form, and BookMatch Teen will send you a personalized booklist.