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| All That I Can Fix by Crystal ChanStarring: Ronney, who wishes that his family -- suicidal dad, pill-popping mom, and super-smart little sister -- wasn't so infamous in their small Indiana town.
What happens: The local eccentric releases exotic zoo animals into the town, further complicating Ronney's life and sparking raging debates about gun control and animal rights.
Why you might like it: Honest, angry, and fiercely funny, Ronney is a character you won't soon forget. |
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| Bruja Born by Zoraida CórdovaWhat it's about: Beautiful Lula Mortiz is a healer from a long line of brujas, but after her boyfriend Maks is in a terrible accident, healing isn't enough, and Lulu's desperate magic disrupts the balance between life and death.
Series alert: This eerie, intensifying follow-up to Labyrinth Lost (starring Lula's sister, Alex) will leave you longing for the next book in the Brooklyn Brujas series. |
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| My Plain Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi MeadowsWhat it's about: Teenage Charlotte Brontë is working on a novel about her dear friend Jane Eyre, but it's not quite the classic you'd expect: for one thing, this Jane can control ghosts.
About the authors: After recounting the supernatural adventures of Lady Jane Grey in My Lady Jane, this trio of authors returns with a hilarious and feminist "deconstruction of a gothic novel" (Booklist).
For fans of: Mackenzi Lee's The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue. |
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| A Thousand Beginnings and Endings by Ellen Oh and Elsie Chapman, editorsWhat it is: a collection of reimagined myths from diverse Asian cultures.
Featuring: Roshani Chokshi's tale of a lovelorn Filipino mountain spirit; Lori M. Lee's android version of a Hmong folktale; Alyssa Wong's bittersweet take on the Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival; plus stories by Renée Ahdieh, Melissa de la Cruz, Julie Kagawa, and many more.
Who it's for: anyone looking for an authentic, inventive, "own voices" take on Asian mythologies. |
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| Wild Blue Wonder by Carlie SorosiakWhat it's about: Quinn's memories of good times at her family's magical summer camp in Maine are poisoned after her best friend Dylan dies in a boating accident. Blaming herself, Quinn sinks into guilt and grief until a surprising romance helps her find a way forward.
Why you might like it: Quinn's journey from heartbreak to healing -- told in then-and-now style alongside the unfolding mystery of Dylan's accident -- will keep you turning pages all the way through. |
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| The Vast Fields of Ordinary by Nick BurdStarring: Dade, a high school grad who's stuck in a stifling Midwestern suburb. Weary of his bickering parents, pathetic job, and hook-ups with his closeted friend Pablo, Dade can't wait to get out.
What happens: Mere months before his escape to college, Dade falls hard for handsome, enigmatic Alex Kincaid.
For fans of: A.S. King's Ask the Passengers, Peter Cameron's Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You, and other novels with messy, true-to-life characters. |
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| The Loose Ends List by Carrie FirestoneWhat happens: Maddie's post-graduation plans take a sharp detour after her Gram announces that she has terminal cancer and is taking the whole family on a "death with dignity" cruise.
Featuring: irreverent dialogue, international locales, and a memorably quirky cast of characters.
Why you might like it: Hefty doses of humor and romance help to balance this thought-provoking look at life and loss. |
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| That Thing We Call a Heart by Sheba KarimWhat it’s about: It’s the summer after senior year, and Shabnam is in love for the first time. She’s dying to tell her outspoken best friend Farah, but first she’ll need to repair the rift that’s been growing between them since Farah starting wearing the hijab.
It is for you? If you like Jenny Han's books and want further relatable, realistic stories about the complications of friendship and romance, be sure to pick up That Thing We Call a Heart. |
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| Radio Silence by Alice OsemanWhat it's about: While studying for college qualification exams, stressed-out British teens Frances and Aled bond over Aled's notoriously secretive podcast, forming an intense friendship that leads them to question both their shared past and the futures they're supposed to want.
You might also like: Natalie Standiford's How to Say Goodbye in Robot (for another thoughtful look at unconventional friendship) or Kathryn Ormsbee's Tash Hearts Tolstoy (for another take on internet fame featuring an asexual character). |
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| Like Water by Rebecca PodosFeaturing: Vanni Espinoza, whose college swimming dreams are shattered after her dad is diagnosed with Huntington’s disease (a condition she might inherit); and Leigh, the captivating newcomer who shakes up Vanni’s ideas about who she is and what she wants.
Read it for: an inclusive group of characters, believably complex relationships, and a vivid small-town New Mexico setting.
You might also like: Julie Murphy’s Ramona Blue, another book about family obligations and a life-changing relationship. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books for age 14 and up! |
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After School Meal Program
Monday-Thursday,
3:30 PM (starting August 27)
Morris Frank Library an HPL Express Location
FREE after school meals are available for youths ages 1-18. No registration is required to eat; just show up at a site near you! The nutritious packed lunches are prepared to USDA standards and delivered daily by the Houston Parks Department. First come, first served. Children must consume food on site. Please contact your library for further details.
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After School Zone Monday-Thursday, 4:00 PM (starting August 27) Heights Neighborhood Library Monday-Friday, 3:00 PM (starting August 27) Mancuso Neighborhood Library Monday-Thursday, 3:30 PM (starting August 27) Morris Frank Library an HPL Express Location Monday-Friday, 3:00 PM (starting August 27) Pleasantville Neighborhood Library Looking for some fun after school? Join us at 1 of our 15 After School Zone locations for a variety of engaging activities and a chance to hang out with friends, weekdays after school hours. Video games, homework help, and hands on STEAM programs are just some of the activities offered. Intended for youth ages 7-18. Please see our unattended children policy for guidelines. Contact your library for further details.
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Anime Club Wednesday, August 15, 2:00 PM Carnegie Neighborhood Library and Center for Learning Calling all otaku! Let's meet up and share our love of Japanese anime, manga, and pop culture. We will have fun activities, crafts, and games to help us comprehend Asian culture. Please contact Carnegie Neighborhood Library and Center for Learning for more information.
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Anime Club
Saturday,
2:00 PM
Vinson Neighborhood Library
Calling all otaku! Let's meet up and share our love of Japanese anime, manga, and pop culture. Please contact your library for further details.
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Art Club
Wednesdays,
3:30 PM
Henington-Alief Regional Library
Van Gogh, da Vinci, and why not you? Explore talented artists and try your hand at mimicking their signature styles to create your own work of art.
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Beginner Guitar
Mondays,
5:00 PM
Henington-Alief Regional Library
We’re strumming along at the library! Join us to learn guitar basics, including the principles of playing tabs, strumming, and guitar maintenance. Participants are invited to bring their own guitars or use library instruments as available. Ages 10 - 17.
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Board Games
Fridays,
1:00 PM
Johnson Neighborhood Library
Whether you're feeling nostalgic or love the thrill of competition, come and enjoy your favorite classic board games, card games, party games and more at the library! Please contact your library for further details.
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Coloring Club Saturday, August 18, 1:00 PM Young Neighborhood Library Embrace the coloring craze! Coloring relaxes the mind while tuning fine motor skills and encouraging creativity. We provide the coloring pages and tools, you bring your imagination.
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Computer Craze Thursdays, 4:00 PM Johnson Neighborhood Library Tuesdays, 4:00 PM Young Neighborhood Library Open computer lab time for youth to explore databases, work on homework, and more. Check out all of the digital resources that HPL has to offer.
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Life Hacks for Teens
Monday, August 13,
4:30 PM
Young Neighborhood Library
Adulting is HARD! Learn tips, tricks, and life skills to ease the transition from teen to independent adult in this practical skills workshop.
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Listening In
Fridays,
3:30 PM
Young Neighborhood Library
Say what?! Join us for a listening party of your favorite comedy, science, and pop culture podcasts.
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Lunch at the Library Monday-Thursday, 12:00 PM (until August 16) Collier Regional Library Monday-Thursday, 12:00 PM (until August 9) Hillendahl Neighborhood Library Monday-Thursday, 12:00 PM (until August 16) Johnson Neighborhood Library Monday-Friday, 12:00 PM (until August 10) Mancuso Neighborhood Library Monday-Thursday, 12:00 PM (until August 9) Oak Forest Neighborhood Library Monday-Friday, 12:00 PM (until August 16) Park Place Regional Library Monday-Thursday, 12:00 PM (until August 9) Stanaker Neighborhood Library Monday-Friday, 12:00 PM (until August 17) Tuttle Neighborhood Library FREE summer meals are available for youths ages 1-18. No registration is required to eat; just show up at a site near you! Nutritious packed lunches are prepared to USDA standards and delivered daily by the Houston Food Bank. First come, first served. Children must consume food on site. Please contact your library for further details.
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Makerspace Wednesday, August 8 & 22, 2:00 PM Carnegie Neighborhood Library and Center for Learning Make STUFF! Hands on DIY activities that inspires kids to create, invent, and learn. Activities may include circuit exploration, stop motion animation, repurposing found objects- the sky’s the limit! Please contact your library for further details.
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Snacks at the Library Monday-Thursday, 3:00 PM (until August 16) Johnson Neighborhood Library Monday-Friday, 3:30 PM (until August 10) Mancuso Neighborhood Library Monday-Thursday, 3:30 PM (until August 9) Stanaker Neighborhood Library FREE summer snacks are available for youths ages 1-18. No registration is required to eat; just show up at a site near you! Nutritious snacks are prepared to USDA standards and delivered daily by the Houston Food Bank. First come, first served. Children must consume food on site. Please contact your library for further details.
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STEM @ Your Library Saturday, August 25, 10:30 AM Heights Neighborhood Library Explosions, gadgets, and pulleys, OH, MY! Join us for exploratory activities that make Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math FUN! Please contact your library for further details. Today's STEM Activity: K'Nex.
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STEM @ Your Library Thursday, August 16 & 30, 4:00 PM Scenic Woods Regional Library Wednesdays, 2:00 PM Young Neighborhood Library Explosions, gadgets, and pulleys, OH, MY! Join us for exploratory activities that make Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math FUN! Please contact your library for further details.
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Teen Book Club
Monday, August 27,
4:45 PM
Young Neighborhood Library
Immerse yourself in a good book! Share your passion for reading with fellow readers during a lively discussion featuring a different book each month. Geared for ages 13-18. This months book discussion will be My Hero Academia Vol 1 and My Hero Academia Vol 2 by Kōhe Horikoshi.
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Teen Craft
Wednesday, August 29,
4:00 PM
Heights Neighborhood Library
Get your craft on at the library with other teens in the After School Zone! Geared for teens ages 13-18. Please contact your local library for further details. Today's craft: Creepy Cute Felties!
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Teen Craft Tuesdays, 1:30 PM Park Place Regional Library Thursday, August 9 & 23, 4:00 PM Scenic Woods Regional Library Get your craft on at the library with other teens! Geared for teens ages 13-18. Please contact your local library for further details.
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Teen Movie Saturday, August 11 & 25, 1:30 PM Johnson Neighborhood Library Saturdays, 11:00 AM Young Neighborhood Library Angst, adventure, and romance! Movie time with teen appeal. All films rated G-PG13. Please contact your local library to find out what movie is playing this week.
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Video Gaming Wednesdays, 4:00 PM Freed-Montrose Neighborhood Library Mondays, August 27 & Wednesday, August 29, 4:00 PM Heights Neighborhood Library Thursdays, 6:00 PM Hillendahl Neighborhood Library Thursdays, 2:00 PM Jungman Neighborhood Library Wednesdays, 3:30 PM Looscan Neighborhood Library Fridays, 3:30 PM Scenic Woods Regional Library Wednesdays, 3:30 PM Vinson Neighborhood Library Mondays & Thursdays, 4:30 PM Young Neighborhood Library Consider yourself a gamer? Meet new friends, and compete against fellow players in popular video games! Refine your hand-eye coordination and problem solving skills while exploring unique digital worlds. All games rated E-T. Please contact your library for further details.
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Write On!
Saturday, August 18,
1:00 PM
Vinson Neighborhood Library
Get your creative juices flowing as you explore the art of creative writing. Poetry, character development and short stories are just some of the writing elements you’ll develop in this program. Intended for Kids, Tweens and/or Teen audiences.
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