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| Gravity by Sarah DemingWhat it’s about: Jewish Dominican boxer Gravity Delgado knows that no matter what else happens -- fighting with her coach, flirting with a teammate, dealing with her abusive mom -- she needs to stay focused on two things: making the Olympic team and protecting her brother, Ty.
Read it for: sweaty, pulse-pounding bouts and a fierce main character who pulls no punches.
About the author: A Golden Gloves champion herself, author Sarah Deming writes about boxing from real-life experience. |
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| Winterwood by Shea ErnshawFeaturing: Nora Walker, who’s descended from a long line of forest witches; Oliver Huntsman, who’s rescued by Nora after he inexplicably survives a winter storm; and the ancient, ominous woods that surround their Pacific Northwest town.
What happens: Though Nora is drawn to Oliver, she begins to suspect that he knows something about the local boys who’ve gone missing.
Reviewers say: “a delectably immersive, eerie experience” (Kirkus Reviews). |
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| A River of Royal Blood by Amanda JoyWhat it is: an enthralling, intricately plotted, East African-inspired fantasy about two sisters forced into rivalry for their country’s throne.
What happens: Outcast for her unstable magick, Princess Eva becomes tangled in a web of political unrest while she prepares to face her sister Isa in a traditional -- and deadly -- battle for the right to rule.
For fans of: Tomi Adeyemi’s popular, West African-inspired Legacy of Orisha series (which continues this month in Children of Virtue and Vengeance). |
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| I Hope You Get This Message by Farah Naz RishiThe premise: As an alien jury deliberates Earth’s fate, humanity grapples with what might be its last week of existence.
The characters: Adeem, who longs to bring his estranged sister home; Jesse, who cashes in on doomsday through a scam; and Cate, who searches for the father she’s never known.
Try this next: For further bittersweet, hopeful stories about teens living out their final days, try Alexandra Coutts’ Tumble & Fall or Lisa Schroeder’s All We Have is Now. |
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| The Light at the Bottom of the World by London ShahWelcome to: the year 2099, when London is completely underwater.
What happens: Desperate to discover where the corrupt government has imprisoned her father, submersible racer Leyla journeys through hazardous, unknown waters, accompanied only by a cagey, unwanted companion.
Series alert: This intriguing and richly detailed post-apocalyptic journey is the 1st in a duology. |
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| Picture Us in the Light by Kelly Loy GilbertStarring: high school senior and second-generation immigrant Danny Cheng, whose excitement about his art-school scholarship dims as his parents begin acting strangely and his tight-knit friend group implodes.
Why you might like it: If you enjoy character-driven reads, you'll be drawn to snarky, sympathetic Danny and his attempts to deal with grief, guilt, identity, family secrets, and love (romantic and otherwise). |
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| This Raging Light by Estelle LaureWhat it’s about: With her mom MIA and her dad unable to offer help, Lucille is stuck paying the family bills and taking care of her little sister. Thankfully, she's got her best friend Eden to lean on…though their friendship gets complicated when Lucille falls for Digby, Eden's twin brother.
Why you might like it: Pairing Lucille's poetic voice with her tough situation, This Raging Light is an emotionally charged story about strength, loss, and finding love when you least expect it. |
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| Light Years by Kass MorganIntroducing: Vesper, Cormak, Arran, and Orelia, four very different cadets who form a squadron at the Quatra Fleet Academy, a training ground for soldiers in an ongoing interstellar war.
Read it for: thrilling space combat, high-stakes drama, and an inclusive cast of characters -- including one who’s been sent to infiltrate the Academy and betray the other cadets.
Series alert: This fast-paced science fiction story (from the author of The 100) is the 1st in a series, followed by Supernova. |
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| The Memory of Light by Francisco X. StorkWhat it’s about: Vicky Cruz can’t pretend to be okay anymore. Following a suicide attempt, she lands in a hospital psych ward where she meets Mona, E.M., and Gabriel, who all have different backgrounds and diagnoses, and who all offer the support Vicky needs to face the hard work of living.
Try this next: Readers who relish this intense, emotional exploration of mental illness may also want to try Benjamin Alire Sáenz's Last Night I Sang to the Monster. |
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| The Light Between Worlds by Laura E. WeymouthStarring: siblings Evelyn, Philippa, and Jamie, who are transported from World War II London to the magical Woodlands, where they have years of adventures before they’re returned to London as if they’d never been gone.
What happens: Philippa and Jamie move on, but heartbroken Evelyn won’t stop searching for a way back to the Woodlands.
Try this next: If you’re fascinated by the poignant aftermath of travel between worlds, you might also want to try Seanan McGuire’s Every Heart a Doorway. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 14 and up! |
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After School Meal Program Mondays-Thursdays, 3:30 PM (until December 19) Carnegie Neighborhood Library and Center for Learning Mondays-Thursdays, 3:30 PM (until December 19) Stimley-Blue Ridge Neighborhood Library 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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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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Coloring Club
Mondays,
11:00 AM
Lakewood 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. All Lakewood Neighborhood Library programs are occurring temporarily at the Northeast Multi-Service Center at 9720 Spaulding, Houston, TX, 77016.
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Coloring Club
Saturday, December 14,
1:00 PM
Tuttle 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 Mondays-Fridays, 3:00 PM (until December 13) Mancuso Neighborhood Library Tuesdays, 3:00 PM Park Place Regional Library Open computer lab time for youth to explore databases, work on homework, play online games and more. Check out all of the digital resources that HPL has to offer.
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Craft Time
Thursday, December 12,
3:00 PM
McCrane-Kashmere Gardens Neighborhood 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. All McCrane-Kashmere Gardens Neighborhood Library programs are occurring temporarily at the Kashmere Multi-Service Center at 4802 Lockwood Dr, Houston, TX, 77026.
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Craft Time Tuesdays, 3:00 PM Pleasantville Neighborhood Library Thursdays, 3:30 PM Tuttle Neighborhood Library Get your craft on at the library with other teens! Geared for teens and tweens ages 9-18. Please contact your local library for further details.
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Makerspace
Wednesdays,
4:00 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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Retro Games Mondays, 4:00 PM Carnegie Neighborhood Library and Center for Learning Saturdays, 3:00 PM Henington-Alief Regional Library Wednesdays, 4:00 PM Scenic Woods Regional Library Tuesday, December 3, 10, & 17, 4:00 PM Smith Neighborhood Library Mondays-Thursdays, 3:30 PM Stimley-Blue Ridge 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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Retro Games
Thursday, December 5,
3:00 PM
Lakewood 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. All Lakewood Neighborhood Library programs are occurring temporarily at the Northeast Multi-Service Center at 9720 Spaulding St, Houston TX, 77016.
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STEM @ Your Library
Tuesday, December 10 & 17,
4:00 PM
Heights Neighborhood Library
Explosions, gadgets, and pulleys, OH, MY! Join us in the After School Zone for exploratory activities that make Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math FUN! Today's STEM Activity: 12/10 - 3D Pen Ornaments; 12/17 - Light-Up Greeting Cards
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STEM @ Your Library
Monday, December 9 & Thursday, December 12,
3:30 PM
Henington-Alief Regional 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: 12/12 - Basic Circuitry with Little Bits
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STEM @ Your Library
Monday, December 16,
4:00 PM
Jungman Neighborhood Library
Explosions, gadgets, and pulleys, OH, MY! Join us for exploratory activities that make Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math FUN! Today we will be hosting an exciting winter themed Escape Room. Think you can use your wits and “escape”? Come to the library and find out! This program is for tweens (ages 9-12), and teens (ages 13-18). Contact library for details.
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STEM @ Your Library Tuesdays, 3:30 PM Mancuso Neighborhood Library Wednesdays, 4:00 PM McGovern-Stella Link Neighborhood Library Tuesdays, 3:30 PM McGovern-Stella Link Neighborhood Library Wednesdays, 3:00 PM Pleasantville Neighborhood Library Wednesdays, 4:30 PM Robinson-Westchase Neighborhood Library Thursdays, 5:00 PM Shepard-Acres Homes Neighborhood Library Tuesdays, 4:00 PM Stanaker Neighborhood Library Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 3:30 PM Stimley-Blue Ridge Neighborhood Library Explosions, gadgets, and pulleys, OH, MY! Join us in the After School Zone for exploratory activities that make Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math FUN! Please contact your library for further details.
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STEM @ Your Library
Tuesday, December 10,
4:15 PM
Moody Neighborhood Library
Explosions, gadgets, and pulleys, OH, MY! Join us for exploratory activities that make Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math FUN! Today's STEM Activity: Winter Resistance Art
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Tabletop Games Friday, December 6 & 20, 3:45 PM Collier Regional Library Thursdays, 6:00 PM HPL Express Southwest Express Fridays, 4:00 PM McGovern-Stella Link Neighborhood Library Tuesdays, 4:00 PM Morris Frank Library an HPL Express Location Thursdays, 3:00 PM Pleasantville Neighborhood Library Thursdays, 4:30 PM Walter Neighborhood Library Strategy, role-playing and twenty-sided dice – join us and pick your vice! Teens will engage in long and short form RPG games, building character, cooperation and leadership skills in the process.
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Teen Book Club
Wednesday, December 11,
4:00 PM
Collier Regional Library
Engage your inner reader and join us for a lively discussion of novel elements as we explore a different book each month. Book selection for this month is In Her Skin by Kim Savage. Geared for ages 13-18.
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Teen Craft Tuesday, December 17, 4:00 PM Carnegie Neighborhood Library and Center for Learning Wednesday, December 4 & 18, 4:00 PM Collier Regional Library Wednesday, December 5 & 19, 4:00 PM & Monday, December 16, 3:30 PM Henington-Alief Regional Library Wednesdays, 4:00 PM Oak Forest Neighborhood Library Mondays, 4:00 PM Ring Neighborhood 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 Craft
Wednesdays,
4:00 PM
Heights Neighborhood Library
Get your craft on at the library with other teens! Geared for teens ages 13-18. This craft takes place in the After School Zone. Today's Craft: 12/4 & 12/11 - Knitting 101; 12/18 - Bottlecap Ornaments
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Teen Craft
Saturday, December 21,
12:00 PM
HPL Express Discovery Green
Get your craft on at the library with other teens! Geared for teens ages 13-18. The chosen craft is Winter Reading Bookmarks. Please contact your local library for further details.
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Teen Craft
Thursday, December 5, 12 & 26,
4:00 PM
Morris Frank Library an HPL Express Location
Get your craft on at the library with other teens! Geared for teens ages 13-18. Today we will be making 12/5 - Papercraft Snowflake Crowns; 12/12 Winter Reading Bookmarks; 12/26 - Melts Your Heart Melty Snow Man.
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Teen Movie Thursdays, 4:00 PM Carnegie Neighborhood Library and Center for Learning Monday, December 30, 3:30 PM Henington-Alief Regional Library Fridays, 3:00 PM HPL Southwest Express Saturday, December 7 & 21, 1:30 PM Johnson Neighborhood Library Angst, adventure, and romance! Movie time with teen appeal. All films rated G-PG13.
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Teen Movie
Monday, December 9 & 16,
4:00 PM
Heights Neighborhood Library
Movie time with teen appeal. Come to the Heights Library and join us for a fun holiday film! All films rated G-PG13. Now Showing: 12/9 - The Neverending Story (1985); 12/16 - The Grinch (2018)
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Teen Movie Monday, December 30, 4:00 PM Jungman Neighborhood Library Thursday, December 19, 4:00 PMMorris Frank Library an HPL Express LocationAngst, adventure, and romance! Movie time with teen appeal. Now showing The Nightmare Before Christmas. All films rated G-PG13. Tweens ages 9-12, teens ages 13-18
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Teen Movie
Friday, December 20 & 27,
3:00 PM
Lakewood Neighborhood Library
Angst, adventure, and romance! Movie time with teen appeal. Now showing: 12/20 - The Nightmare Before Christmas; 12/27 - The Public. All films rated G-PG13. All Lakewood Neighborhood Library programs are occurring temporarily at the Northeast Multi-Service Center at 9720 Spaulding St, Houston TX, 77016.
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Teen Movie
Monday, December 16,
3:00 PM
McCrane-Kashmere Gardens Neighborhood Library
Angst, adventure, and romance! Movie time with teen appeal. Now showing Last Holiday. All films rated G-PG13. All McCrane-Kashmere Gardens Neighborhood Library programs are occurring temporarily at the Kashmere Multi-Service Center at 4802 Lockwood Dr, Houston, TX, 77026.
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Teen Movie
Thursday, December 12,
3:00 PM
Smith Neighborhood Library
Angst, adventure, and romance! Movie time with teen appeal. Now showing Last Holiday. All films rated G-PG13.
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Video Gaming Mondays, 4:00 PM Carnegie Neighborhood Library and Center for Learning Friday, December 13, 3:45 PM Collier Regional Library Thursdays, 4:00 PM Heights Neighborhood Library Fridays, 3:00 PM Henington-Alief Regional Library December 10, 4:00 PM McGovern-Stella Link Neighborhood Library Fridays, 3:30 PM Moody Neighborhood Library Wednesdays, 4:00 PM Morris Frank Library an HPL Express Location Thursdays, 3:30 PM Oak Forest Neighborhood Library Mondays, Wednesdays & Thursdays, 3:30 PM Park Place Regional Library Friday, December 6 & 13, 3:00 PM Pleasantville Neighborhood Library Thursday, December 12, 19 & 26, 5:00 PM Ring Neighborhood Library Mondays-Thursdays, 4:15 PM Stimley-Blue Ridge Neighborhood Library Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 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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Video Gaming
Thursday, December 12 & 26,
3:00 PM
Lakewood 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. All Lakewood Neighborhood Library programs are occurring temporarily at the Northeast Multi-Service Center at 9720 Spaulding St, Houston TX, 77016.
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Video Gaming
Tuesdays-Thursdays,
3:00 PM
McCrane-Kashmere Gardens 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.All McCrane-Kashmere Gardens Neighborhood Library programs are occurring temporarily at the Kashmere Multi-Service Center at 4802 Lockwood Dr, Houston, TX, 77026.
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