Brooklyn teens (and their librarians) talking about their favorite books, sharing original art and writing, and promoting cool free stuff to do!
Finding your Passion (your Spark, or Joy, or whatever you want to call it)
Christina, Branch Manager/Mill Basin
Christina Armieri December 29, 2020 My Passion is discovering things (research). Discovering information about other people, other cultures, different ways of thinking, or just new things to study. I found that I love being a librarian by working in my neighborhood library as a teenager. I learned the Dewey Decimal system (pre-electronic catalog) and it made writing my papers so much easier. I discovered I enjoyed helping others with their papers and schoolwork. I started seeing how school,…
Join us on Discord!
Discord is an instant messaging platform designed to build any kind of community imaginable. It allows communication through voice calls, videos, text messaging, media, and files in private chats or as part of groups called "servers." At one time, Discord was used only by gamers, but it has taken many strides to make its platform more mainstream and secure in the wake of the pandemic. Since then, many others have found a home on the site, creating communities to discuss anything from Star Wars to their favorite anime. Some even exist just for people to send each other…
What Got You Through 2020?
As the weather grows colder, obligations drag on, and an underwhelming holiday season approaches, life can feel a little grey. Maybe work is piling up or it’s a bummer that family hangs are a no-go. Hey, maybe you’re feeling just fine! Regardless, I’m formally inviting you to revisit media that made you feel something. Find delight in a book from your middle-school days or a k-drama that you binged at the start of quarantine. Get nostalgic with a poorly written sitcom that you vaguely remember enjoying on your caretaker’s couch; a comforting piece of fanfiction from a few years ago; or a…
Wintertime Teen Reads
There's nothing like curling up with a good book when it's cold and snowy outside. If you enjoy stories set during the winter, be sure to check out any, or all of these! Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan: In a story told in the alternating voices of Dash and Lily, two sixteen-year-olds carry on a wintry scavenger hunt at Christmastime in New York, neither knowing quite what--or who--they will find. Let it Snow by John Green, Lauren Myracle, and Maureen Johnson: In three intertwining short stories, several high school couples…
Holiday Hopes & New Year Beginnings
Christina, Branch Manager/Mill Basin
I like the winter holidays. Many multicultural celebrations are meant to purge the misfortunes and mistakes of the old year and to have hope and goodwill for the new year. The winter holidays can be a time of contemplation, to re-center yourself, and to strengthen your beliefs and goals. You can look back on the past year, determine what things that were favorable or unfavorable to you, and decide what you are going to do differently in the new year. Whether you are symbolically casting off the sins of the previous year by tossing pieces of bread, food, or stones into a…
Upcoming December Teen Events
Over at the Brooklyn Public Library we understand this time of year looks a bit different from previous years. The inability to see extended family, hang out with your friends, and attend events has vanished. Feelings of isolation and both mental and physical taxation have hit many hard since April. There are plenty of ways to celebrate the holidays, be social, and fight away these negative feelings while maintaining proper COVID guidelines. I would like to highlight some amazing programs and events for teens occurring over the next few days by the library. Brooklyn…
If You Love (the Supernatural)
Ghosts and hauntings may seem like they belong firmly in fall, but there’s something about winter with its early nights and frigid air that can conjure up visions of spirits—just ask Charles Dickens. If you still want a chill up your spine as you sit by the fire, consider these offerings to get you through the long, dark months. NOVELS Neil Gaiman is a modern master of the macabre, and The Graveyard Book is a perfect introduction to the genre. Young Bod (short for Nobody) has spent his whole life in a graveyard being raised by the specters who inhabit it. While there’s much to discover…
Teens Create!
It's been a hard year, but Brooklynites know that when times get tough the tough get going! Young Adults in Brooklyn remain undaunted by the many challenges that 2020 brought. Instead they found an opportunity to create, explore, and grow. Whether it's a community service, an artistic endeavor, a fun program, or even the next great American novel, young people in our community know how to step it up! Here are a few of the many great things created by community teens this year: Young adults in our Best Buy Teen Tech Center at the King's Highway branch have certainly kept busy. One BBTTC…
A Few Thoughts on Gratitude
We are all going through a really rough time right now. Life is overwhelming and scary. Many of us won't get to celebrate Thanksgiving with our loved ones. Many of us have been directly affected by COVID-19. Many of us miss spending time with our friends and family, traveling, eating at a restaurant or cafe, and feeling safer. Nevertheless, we can still feel and express gratitude, or be thankful for what we DO have. I am grateful to have discovered and read these five books this year. They gave me hope and made me laugh, a lot. Want to check them out? Click on the…
If You Love (Cooking)
As the year winds down, many are pulling out their favorite cookbooks and beloved family recipes to indulge in some good ol’ home cooking. Whether you’re the permanent sous-chef for the adult in your life or are just starting to dabble in all things culinary, you’re sure to find some helpful expertise, literary kindred spirits, and a lot of fun in this first installment of “If You Love.” NOVELS Books are naturally always on the brain here at BPL, and there's no shortage of cooking-inspired novels in our collection. Elizabeth Acevedo’s With the Fire on High follows teen mom…
Educational Resources
As a Brooklyn Public Library card holder, teens have access to a plethora of online resources to help aid in educational pursuits. Now more than ever, during this unprecedented time BPL is here to help as students, educators, and parents navigate a new world of blended and virtual learning. Whether you're looking for one-to-one tutoring, access to newspapers around the world, interactive learning games, or visual learning style resources there is something for everyone. This curated list of BPL offered databases are just a few examples of online resources available to BPL card…
Fall Into Self-Care!
How is your fall starting off?
Here are some booklists from BookMatch Teen all about self-care, covering Physical Health, Mental Health, Strengthening Yourself, and setting Routines.
National Voter Registration Day
National Voter Registration Day is celebrated on the fourth Tuesday of September. It's a reminder to register to vote if you haven't already, check your voter registration, and get the word out to vote on November 3, Election Day. Make sure everyone in your life who is eligible has the opportunity to vote! BookMatch Teen have made a booklist that will keep voting on your mind - take a look here.
BookMatch Teen Geek-Outs: Supernatural Comics, Discord Hangouts and More.
Emilia V. and Rula P. | BookMatch Teen
What are BookMatch Teen members into lately? Here's a list! Want your own list of personalized book recommendations? Fill out a short form online and BookMatch Teen will make you your own list. Supernatural Comics: Solo Leveling by Chu-Gong on Tapytoon Comics.- Sung Jinwoo is the weakest of the rank E hunters. After being trapped in a dangerous situation he turns into a "player" who can now see an interface showing him quests, stats, inventory, store, and levels. Will he succeed in leveling up to become the most powerful hunter? Flow by Honey B on Webtoon.- In an alternate…
The Latest Geek-Outs from BookMatch Teen
Here's what BookMatch Teen is geeking out over this week! Doki Doki Literature Club. Be prepared for some shocks when you play this game of psychological horror. BookMatch Teen member Favour's best friend in the game was erased, and other characters' memories are in danger of being removed: the game itself comes alive and takes control. The Legend of Korra. In this follow-up to Avatar: The Last Airbender, Korra is developing a great spiritual understanding of her responsibilities. Michael’s. Especially for textured paper to make your own notebooks. …
A teen's thoughts on school reopenings
How do you feel about NYC schools opening in just a few weeks? Here is a post written by Ripley, a BookMatch Teen member, for Struggle-La Lucha. In "Rushed School Reopenings Endanger Students, Workers" Ripley offers her thoughts on school reopenings, and interviews a number of teens on theirs.
Go-To Reads
This week, BookMatch Teen brings you a list of their go-to books, favorites that they always want to recommend. What are your go-to reads? Want more recommendations? Fill out our short online form and you'll get a personalized booklist from BookMatch Teen!
What Should You Read this Summer?
If you are looking for a book to read this summer but don’t know what to read, take this quiz to receive a list of books that aligns to your interests. Once you get your score, look it up here to get your summer booklist. Any one of these books can take you on an intense trip or an emotional roller coaster that is more enticing than watching an action adventure movie. And remember, just because it’s a book to read in the summer doesn’t mean it’s filled with hot, stuffy weather. For more summer books, check out BPL's Summer Reading lists, and BookMatch Teen's Summer Vibes…
Geek-Out List from BookMatch Teen
Here's what BookMatch Teen has been geeking out over this week, including haircuts, conspiracies, video games and new routines! Love, Victor- This binge-worthy Hulu original series is a spin-off of Becky Albertalli’s beloved book, Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, and the movie version, Love, Simon. A sweet watch: it follows a high school student as he navigates sexual orientation, issues at home, and other things teens know well. Funky Quarantine Haircuts- How many teens have taken to new snips and shaves during this odd home-bound time? Judging by TikTok users, it’s too many to…
Science Fiction Escape with BookMatch Teen
Why not start off your week with some new books? Here's a list of science fiction titles from BookMatch Teen, most of which take place in space. Escape to colder and darker worlds during this heatwave, and share your favorite science fiction reads with us!
What BookMatch Teen Members are Currently Geeking Out Over
Christly of BookMatch Teen shares what the group is geeking out over this week. Let us know your current geekouts in the comments! Want more recs from BookMatch Teen? Fill out our online form to get a personalized booklist made by teens, for teens. Brighton Beach - It’s summertime and it is the perfect weather to go sit by the beach and enjoy the water. Brighton beach happens to be one of the better beaches in the Brooklyn area. Nothing better than a good swim in the ocean! Cooking - This is the best time to brush up on your cooking skills. Quarantine allows you to learn…
From a High School Activist
We are pleased to share this insightful blog post by BookMatch Teen member Ripley Butterfield. Originally published on Struggle/La Lucha, Ripley talks about her involvement in protests in past years, her awakening as an activist, and how this moment is different. Read Ripley's post here: https://www.struggle-la-lucha.org/2020/06/11/from-a-high-school-activist-getting-radical-during-george-floyd-protests/ Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments. Have you been able to attend a protest, or found other ways to be involved? Have you written about it? We would…
Read for Pride!
June is Pride Month, and what better way to celebrate than reading? Here are a few of our many lists of LGBT2SQIA+ titles created by BPL librarians and by teen members of BookMatch Teen. Let us know your favorite titles in the comments! BKLYN BookMatch Pride 2020 - YA BKLYN BookMatchTeen: LGBTQ+ Pride BKLYN BookMatchTeen: LGBTQ+ Fiction and Poetry BKLYN BookMatchTeen: LGBTQ+ for a fan of Black-ish and Billie Eilish Want your own personalized list? Fill out a BookMatch (for recs from BPL librarians) or BookMatch Teen form (for recs from fellow teens) online and we'll make you…
Teens Take the Met with BookMatch Teen
Teens Take the Met, an afterhours event just for teens, usually draws thousands of NYC teens to the Metropolitan Museum of Art on a May Friday evening. This year, it's going virtual on Friday, May 29 from 11:00am-8:00pm, and is getting interest from teens all over the world. Interns in BookMatch Teen, who are trained to give book recommendations to other teens, have created a virtual program that will take place on BPL's teen Instagram account, @bklynfuture. Join us in the Stories at 1:30pm on Friday, May 29 to get book recommendations, paired with songs and movies, and share your…
Announcing the 2020 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 2020 Teen Writing Contest & Ned Vizzini Teen Writing Prize. Poetry Middle School First Place: Here’s To La Ciencia Emigrante by Iago Macknik-Conde Second Place: Blue Hands by Vaikuntha Tamayo Honorable Mention: Ode by Ihshan Jaman Honorable Mention: Basketball Game by Aidan Lebron Honorable Mention: All Might by Naomi Schulz High School First Place: The Roach In My Bed by Thisbe Wu Second Place (Tie):…
What to Read, Watch, Play During Quarantine
BookMatch Teen is here for all of your book recommendation needs - fill out our online form to get your own personalized booklist, created by a fellow teen: https://www.bklynlibrary.org/bookmatchteenform In the meantime, here’s what BookMatch Teen members have been checking out during quarantine: Strange the Dreamer series by Laini Taylor. It’s easy to lose yourself in this fantasy series about the power of dreams and nightmares. We Unleash the Merciless Storm, by Taylor Kay Mejia. The sequel to We Set the Dark on Fire, Carmen has to choose between love and La Voz, the…
An Enlightening Evening with Emily Lockhart
On March 3rd, Emily Lockhart, author of We Were Liars and Genuine Fraud*, visited the Brooklyn Heights Library! Taking command of the room, Emily began by reading an excerpt of We Were Liars. After she elaborated on the role of fairy tales in her life, I realized that Emily utilized impactful moments of her adolescence as inspiration for her literary work. We Were Liars highlights teenage angst and the universal phase in our teen hood where we challenge the beliefs held by our elders. Before writing We Were Liars, Emily had identified as a comedy writer and a series of events had led her to…
Reading Recommendations for Teens by Teens
Are you a teen who loves to read? If so, it’s pretty likely that: a. You’re not sure what to read next, b. Finding books that interest you seems impossible, or maybe c. You have some niche obsession that you’d just die to find a book about. If any of the above applies to you, you’re in luck! BookMatch Teen is a program that helps teen readers find books that they’ll actually want to read, even when they aren’t quite sure what they’re looking for. The Bookmatch Teen staff is made up of book-loving teenagers from all over Brooklyn. It’s an internship, based in BPL’s Central Library…
Featured Artist: Frankia P.
Karen, Coordinator of Young Adult Services
Two drawings from Frankia P., a patron of the Crown Heighs Library. Frankia attends MS 61, started drawing when she was six, and only likes to draw animals.
The Librarians of Tomorrow Opening Forum!
On November 25, 2019, we welcomed the 2019-2020 Librarians of Tomorrow interns with an Opening Forum! As a Peer Leader intern, I was honored to assist with this event. The Librarians of Tomorrow internship program allows 10th-12thgraders who are interested in libraries to work behind the scenes at a BPL branch. As a former LoT intern, I can say that Opening Forums are awesome! As the event began, we all ate yummy food and began to meet the other cool interns and mentors present. After completing an icebreaker together, everyone settled into their seats and enjoyed listening to several…
(BookMatch) Teens Take the Met
Teens Take the Met has been one of NYC's most popular teen events since it started several years ago. Every year, The Met gives a floor of the museum just to teens! Organizations from around the city come together to host activities, including dancing, arts and crafts, science experiments, and BPL's table: BookMatch Teen! At our BookMatching table, people filled out a short form about their interests and taste in books. Then they dropped off the form with us before exploring some fun events, such as the silent disco right next door! While they were gone, we worked hard…