Teen Scene
February 2023
In this Issue
Recent Releases
Spotlight on: Rom-Coms
Teen Events
Recent Releases
Unraveller
by Frances Hardinge

Starring: Kellen, who can unravel anything, including clothing and curses. He saved Nettle, who was trapped in bird form, and now she's his closest ally.

What happens: When Kellen finds himself cursed, he and Nettle endeavor to find what's really behind all this evil magic. They must remove Kellen's curse before he unravels literally everything.

Author alert: Check this book out if you've enjoyed author Frances Hardinge's other lyrical dark fantasies like The Lie Tree, A Skinful of Shadows, or Deeplight.
Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute
by Talia Hibbert

Meet: Celine Bangura. Her conspiracy theory TikTok account is thriving, but her former best friend Bradley Graeme left her for the cool kids years ago.

Survival of the fittest: When a scholarship program requires Celine to complete a wilderness survival course, she and Bradley are teamed up. If they can re-establish trust, they just might win it all.

What sets it apart: Author Talia Hibbert's YA debut overflows with sincere emotion and witty banter, just like her popular adult romances.
Nine Liars
by Maureen Johnson

In 1995: Nine Cambridge students staying at a country house were playing drunken hide-and-seek. Two ended up dead in a woodshed, and one survivor saw something she can't explain.

Enter: Stevie Bell, sleuth extraordinaire, visiting her boyfriend for a week as he studies abroad in London. Can she solve the cold case before the murderer finds her?

Series alert: This is the 5th entry in author Maureen Johnson's Truly Devious series, though it can be read on its own.
We Are All So Good At Smiling
by Amber McBride

What it is: an intense, hopeful novel in verse following a girl named Whimsy's journey with grief and clinical depression.

What happens: While hospitalized, Whimsy bonds with Faerry, a Fae boy. After she's discharged, the two team up to investigate their inexplicable fear of the forest at the end of their street.

Read it for: a dark adventure exploring trauma, racism, and thoughts of suicide, lightened by Whimsy and Faerry's encounters with characters from classic fairy tales and folk stories.
City of Nightmares
by Rebecca Schaeffer

Your worst nightmare: might come true in Newham. Ness' sister turned into a giant spider and ate their father, for example. Now Ness works for an organization -- or is it a cult? -- helping those affected by Nightmares.

Enter: Cy, a living Nightmare. Despite Ness' fear, she and Cy must uncover the conspiracy behind the targeted attack that only they survived.

Why you might like it:  Original worldbuilding and snappy dialogue make this dark fantasy as fun as it is frightening.
Spotlight on: Rom-Coms
Blackout
by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon

What it is: a collection of six compelling, joyful love stories, each starring Black characters and written by a big-name Black author.

What happens: After a blackout darkens all of New York City, a pair of exes reconnects on an hours-long walk home, their path intersecting with five other couples along the way.

You might also like: Color Outside the Lines (edited by Sangu Mandanna) for another inclusive romance anthology; or Black Enough (edited by Ibi Zoboi) for further short stories centering Black teens.
I Kissed Shara Wheeler
by Casey McQuiston

The search: for Shara Wheeler begins shortly before graduation, after she kisses Chloe Green and vanishes. Chloe needs her rival for valedictorian back so she can win fair and square.

The search party: Chloe plus two other students Shara kissed, who collect cryptic notes and untangle the mystery of Shara's disappearance and Shara herself.

Author alert: I Kissed Shara Wheeler is the YA debut from author Casey McQuiston, whose adult romcom Red, White & Royal Blue found a wide audience.
Of Curses and Kisses
by Sandhya Menon

The Beauty: Jaya Rao, princess of an Indian imperial house. She and her sister are attending an elite boarding school in Colorado to stay out of the public eye.

The Beast: Fellow student Grey Emerson, whose family has been feuding with Jaya's over a cursed ruby. But Grey and Jaya might discover that love is even sweeter than revenge.

Tale as old as time: This delightful romance kicks off a series of fairy tale retellings set at St. Rosetta's Academy.
Kiss Number 8
by Colleen AF Venable

Kisses 1-7: were with boys, and Amanda found them way less exciting than kissing a girl. This realization, and Amanda's deepening feelings for her best friend Cat, upend her life.

What happens: Amanda shakes things up in a relatable, messy way, confronting her deeply religious family about a long-held secret and making new, accepting friends.

Try these next: For more queer coming-of-age graphic novels, try Maggie Thrash's Honor Girl or Mariko Tamaki's Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me.
Loveless
by Alice Oseman

College: Might be the place that Georgia is finally able to find herself, as she realizes the narrative that Dating + Sex = Love might not be true for her. 
 
The Reveal: Georgia doesn't feel sexual or romantic feelings for everyone - but she learns she might be asexual and aromantic - and there are more ways to find love and connection! 
 
Powerhouse Author: If you, like us, loved Heartstopper, or are new to Alice Oseman's work - you are certain to have a great time with her wondrous words. 
 
 
Teen Events
 
Intro to Embroidery Machine
95th St Library
Thursday, February 2, 2023
6:30pm - 8:00pm
 
Watch a step-by-step demonstration on how to use the library's Embroidery Machine. See fun examples of personalized items that can be created. This is a demonstration class. *Registration required
 
Family Game Night
95th Street Library
Meeting Room A/B
Monday, February 6, 2023
6:00pm - 7:30pm
 
Whether your family prefers board games, card games, or anything in between; there is something everyone will enjoy! Caregiver participation is required. Games vary from session to session.
Limit 50 participants. No registration is required. Participants will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis.
 
Teen Gaming Tournament 
95th Street Library
Teen Space 
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
3:00pm - 5:00pm
 
Show off your gaming skills in a Mario Kart 8 Deluxe tournament. Visit the Teen Space to sign up for your spot, then compete against other teen gamers to win a prize!
 
Teen DIY: Morse Code Bracelets
Nichols Library
Program Room (Nichols)
Thursday, February 9, 2023
4:30pm - 5:30pm
 
Say it in style! Create a fun message bracelet using Morse Code! *Registration required
 
Creating Pepakura Paper Models
Naper Blvd. Library
Program Room (Naper Blvd.)
Monday, February 13, 2023
3:00pm - 4:30pm
 
Learn about pepakura, which is a form of paper crafting that allows the creation of incredibly detailed 3D models using paper. *Registration required
 
Green Screen & Sound Recording Studio Orientation
Online
Tuesday, February 14, 2023
10:00am - 10:30am
 
This orientation is required in order to use the Green Screen Room and Sound Recording Studio. Participants must be a Naperville Public Library card holder or a registered Reciprocal Borrower to register. This program is being held virtually via Zoom. An email will be sent the day before and the day of the program containing the link to join. *Registration required
 
Teen Dungeons & Dragons Club
Online
Tuesday, February 14, 2023
6:00pm - 8:30pm
 
Meet with other teens to play Dungeons and Dragons in an online campaign. All tabletop role-playing experiences are welcome. Computer with webcam/mic and internet connection required. This program is being held virtually. *Registration required
 
Video Game Club
95th Street Library
Meeting Room A/B
Thursday, February 16, 2023
4:00pm - 5:30pm
 
Play and talk video games like Minecraft, Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros., and more. Participants are welcome to bring their own Nintendo Switch and DS devices. Grades 4-7 *Registration required
 
Practice Test: SAT
95th Street Library
Computer Classroom
Monday, February 20, 2023
1:00pm - 4:30pm
 
High-school-age students can gain confidence in their testing ability by taking a full-length practice SAT test using LearningExpress Library, a database free to Naperville Public Library cardholders. *Registration required
 
Teen DIY: Mini Hanging Plant
Nichols Library
Program Room (Nichols)
Tuesday, February 21, 2023
4:30pm - 5:30pm
 
Learn how to create a mini hanging planter to add some extra greenery without taking up shelf space! *Registration required 
 
Teen Paint & Snack Art Party
95th Street Library
Nomura Room C
Thursday, February 23, 2023
4:00pm - 5:30pm
 
Teens, recreate your own masterpiece by following step-by-step instructions to paint your own version of the sample art piece. Snacks will be available to help feed your creativity. All materials will be provided, but please wear clothes you don't mind getting paint on. Each month is a new painting! *Registration required
 
Explore Embroidery Machine Software
Nichols Library
Program Room (Nichols)
Thursday, February 23, 2023
6:30pm - 8:00pm
 
Watch a demonstration of the Library's embroidery machine software. Learn how to convert graphics to embroidery designs and edit existing designs. *Registration required
 
The Life-Changing Power of Community
Online
Thursday, February 23, 2023
7:00pm - 8:00pm
 
Internationally-known author Clifton Taulbert ("Once Upon A Time When We Were Colored," "The 8 Habits Of The Heart") illustrates the power of community to transform lives.
From the cotton fields of Mississippi to the boardrooms of colleges and corporations around the world, Taulbert’s journey is a remarkable testament to hard work, education, and the many kindnesses good people showed him throughout his life. Taulbert, the writer, is recognized and embraced around the world, from South Africa to Australia. His first book, "Once Upon a Time When We Were Colored," became an international bestseller and a major motion picture. This special Black History Month program is organized by Gail Borden Public Library District, in collaboration with the Naperville Public Library. *Registration required
This program is being held virtually via Zoom.
 
 
Caudill Club
95th Street Library
Nomura Room C
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
4:30pm - 5:30pm
 
Join us for tasty treats and talk about the 2023 nominees for the Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award. Multiple copies will be available for check out. *Registration required
This month we will be discussing "A High Five for Glenn Burke" by Phil Bildner.
 
Monthly Teen Book Giveaway
95th Street Library
Teen Space (95th Street)
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
3:00pm - 5:00pm
 
Take home and keep a new book or Advanced Reader's Copy to write a review (the good, the bad and the ugly) and bring the review back to the library within the next month. Reviews will be posted on the Monthly Teen Book Giveaway Reviews page on the Library's website.
 
Naperville Public Library
200 W. Jefferson Ave.
Naperville, Illinois 60540
630-961-4100

https://www.naperville-lib.org/