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| Five Midnights by Ann Dávila CardinalWhat it’s about: While visiting family in Puerto Rico, “Gringa-Rican” true crime fan Lupe is disturbed by a recent series of murders. When it looks like her missing cousin might be the next victim, Lupe and her reluctant ally Javier investigate, only to discover that the clues point to a notorious mythical monster.
Why you might like it: a captivating combination of gritty, real-life danger and chilling supernatural horror. |
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| Hungry Hearts: 13 Tales of Food & Love by Elsie Chapman, editorWhat it is: a flavorful collection of interconnected, food-themed stories set at Hungry Hearts Row, where you can find multicultural meals of all kinds…with a bit of magic served on the side.
What’s inside: a witch who cooks up vengeance, a girl who speaks through baked goods, a boy who meets a ghost at a food festival, and much more.
Featuring: stories by Sandhya Menon, Sara Farizan, Anna-Marie McLemore, Rebecca Roanhorse, and Jay Coles, to name just a few. |
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| Like a Love Story by Abdi NazemianThe setting: New York City during the AIDS crisis, 1989.
The characters: talented fashion designer Judy; her best friend Art, the only out gay student at their high school; new student Reza, who’s petrified by the idea of coming out; and Stephen, Judy’s HIV-positive activist uncle.
Read it for: complicated romance, chosen families and an emotionally charged glimpse into not-so-distant LGBTQIA history. |
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| Patron Saints of Nothing by Randy RibayWhat it’s about: Filipino American Jay is shocked and grief-stricken by the murder of his Filipino cousin, Jun -- how could someone like Jun get mixed up in the vigilante violence of President Duterte’s war on drugs? Fed up with his secretive family, Jay travels from the U.S. to the Philippines in search of answers.
Who it’s for: readers in search of gripping family drama and unflinching, own voices insights into Filipino politics and growing up bicultural. |
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| Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret RogersonWelcome to: Summershall, one of the Great Libraries of Austermeer, where sword-wielding apprentice librarian Elizabeth guards the grimoires, magical books that can transform into deadly monsters.
What happens: After a horrifying attack on the library leaves Elisabeth branded a traitor, she reluctantly teams up with sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn and his demonic servant, Silas, to uncover and confront the true threat.
For fans of: epic adventures, inventive systems of magic, and smoldering love stories. |
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| Adnan's Story: The Search for Truth and Justice After Serial by Rabia ChaudryThe crime: the 1999 murder of high school senior Hae Min Lee, for which her ex-boyfriend, Adnan Syed, was convicted and sentenced to life in prison.
The aftermath: Adnan has always claimed to be innocent, and author Rabia Chaudry raises issues about the investigation and trial that might make you wonder if justice has truly been served.
Media buzz: If you remember Adnan’s case from the podcast Serial, you won’t want to miss the depth of detail in this compelling read.
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| The Borden Murders: Lizzie Borden & the Trial of the Century by Sarah MillerThe crime: the 1892 hatchet murders of Andrew and Abby Borden, Lizzie Borden's father and stepmother.
The aftermath: Newspaper accounts of the slaying were wildly sensational, and Lizzie's suspicious behavior, which led to her trial for the murders, only led to more rumors.
Why you might like it: This intriguing book presents the evidence from the Borden trial with you-are-there vividness, allowing you to draw your own conclusions about these famous -- and still unsolved -- murders. |
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| The Freedom Summer Murders by Don MitchellThe crime: the 1964 murders of American civil rights workers James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner, who were killed by members of the Ku Klux Klan.
The aftermath: Although some of the perpetrators received brief sentences after a 1967 trial, the case against them continued into the 2000s.
Is it for you? While this book doesn’t shy away from the ugly, deep-rooted racism that led to the murders, it also offers moving profiles of the victims, told by their families and friends. |
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| The 57 Bus: A True Story of Two Teenagers and the Crime That Changed Their Lives by Dashka SlaterThe crime: In November of 2013, Sasha (a white, agender, middle-class teen) and Richard (a black, cisgender, disadvantaged teen) were riding a public bus in Oakland, California, when Richard set Sasha's skirt on fire.
The aftermath: In The 57 Bus, journalist Dashka Slater takes you beyond those bare facts, presenting an up-close look at the two teens' lives, both before and after the crime.
Who it’s for: anyone interested in complicated questions of privilege, empathy, and justice. |
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| Chasing Lincoln's Killer by James SwansonThe crime: the 1865 assassination of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln by actor John Wilkes Booth.
The aftermath: This suspenseful, moment-by-moment account begins with Lincoln’s assassination but focuses on the intriguing 12-day manhunt for Booth and his co-conspirators, complete with photographs and quotes from the real people involved.
Try this next: Chasing King’s Killer, also by James Swanson, about the assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books for ages 14 and up! |
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After School Meal Program
Monday, August 26-Friday, August 30,
3:30 PM
Carnegie Neighborhood Library and Center for Learning
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, August 26-Friday, August 30, 3:00 PM Carnegie Neighborhood Library and Center for Learning Monday, August 26-Thursday, August 29, 4:00 PM Heights 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 Thursday, August 29, 4:00 PM McGovern-Stella Link Neighborhood Library Saturday, August 17, 3:00 PM Morris Frank Library an HPL Express Location Thursday, August 15 & 29, 3:30 PM Vinson Neighborhood Library 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.
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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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Block Party Saturday, August 17, 1:30 PM Oak Forest Neighborhood Library Saturday, August 10, 1:30 PM Shepard-Acres Homes Neighborhood Library It’s time to party! Please join us at our Back to School Block Party, a celebration of community, city and rebuilding. Enjoy games, activities, music and more! All ages welcome.
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Coloring Club Mondays, 4:00 PM Johnson Neighborhood Library Saturday, August 10, 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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Coloring Club
Fridays,
3:00 PM
McCrane-Kashmere Gardens 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 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
Tuesday, August 27,
3:00 PM
Pleasantville Neighborhood Library
Bring your imagination and your whole family! All hands on deck for this interactive, cross generational crafting experience. Please contact your library for further details.
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HPL Digizine Project Tuesday, August 13, 2:00 PM McGovern-Stella Link Neighborhood Library Wednesday, August 7-Thursday, August 8, 3:00 PM Vinson Neighborhood Library Calling tweens and teens! Instructors from Writers in the Schools will teach participants how to create an original zine (independent magazine). Individual pages from teen-produced zines will be scanned and gathered together into the first ever HPL Digizine Project! Space is limited. Please contact your library for details. Ages 9-18.
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LEGO Mania
Monday, August 19,
3:30 PM
Henington-Alief Regional Library
LEGO maniacs wanted! Let your imagination run wild and explore your engineering skills as you play with LEGO at the library.
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Lunch @ the Library Mondays-Thursdays (through August 15), 12:00 PM Collier Regional Library Mondays-Thursdays, 12:00 PM Jungman Neighborhood Library Tuesdays-Fridays (through August 9), 12:00 PM Stimley-Blue Ridge Neighborhood Library FREE 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
Thursday, August 29,
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 Tuesday, August 27, 4:00 PM McGovern-Stella Link Neighborhood Library Monday, August 26, 3:00 PM Pleasantville 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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Snacks @ the Library
Mondays-Thursdays,
4:00 PM
Jungman 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 Thursday, August 15, 22 & 29, 3:30 PM Henington-Alief Regional Library Wednesday, August 28, 4:00 PM McGovern-Stella Link Neighborhood Library Tuesday, August 27, 3:30 PM Oak Forest Neighborhood Library Wednesday, August 28, 3:30 PM Pleasantville Neighborhood Library Thursday, August 8 & 15, 1:00 PM; Thursday, August 22 & 29, 4:00 PM Shepard-Acres Homes 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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STEM @ Your Library
Thursday, August 8,
3:00 PM
Stimley-Blue Ridge Neighborhood Library
Explosions, gadgets, and pulleys, OH, MY! Join us for exploratory activities that make Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math FUN! This week we will be making SLIME!
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Tabletop Games
Thursday, August 29,
3:30 PM
Pleasantville 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
Monday, August 19,
3:30 PM
Henington-Alief Regional Library
Engage your inner reader and join us for a lively discussion of novel elements as we explore a different book each month. Contact your library for book titles for each month. Geared for ages 13-18.
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Teen Craft Monday, August 19, 3:30 PM Henington-Alief Regional Library Wednesday, August 28, 3:30 PM Oak Forest Neighborhood Library Tuesday, August 13 & 20, 1:00 PM; Tuesday, August 27, 4:00 PM Shepard-Acres Homes 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
Monday, August 12 & 26,
5:30 PM
Jungman Neighborhood Library
Get your craft on at the library with other teens! Geared for teens ages 13-18. This week is "Journal Craft"!
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Teen Movie Thursday, August 29-Friday, August 30, 4:00 PM Carnegie Neighborhood Library and Center for Learning Fridays, 2:30 PM HPL Express Southwest Saturday, August 24, 1:30 PM Johnson Neighborhood Library Thursdays, 5:00 PM Stanaker Neighborhood Library Saturdays, 1:00 PM Tuttle Neighborhood Library Angst, adventure, and romance! Movie time with teen appeal. All films rated G-PG13.
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Teen Movie
Mondays,
2:00 PM
McCrane-Kashmere Gardens Neighborhood Library
Angst, adventure, and romance! Movie time with teen appeal. Now showing: 8/12 - The Duff; 8/19 - Hairspray; 8/26 - Lean on Me. 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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Video Gaming Monday, August 26 & Thursday, August 29, 4:00 PM Carnegie Neighborhood Library and Center for Learning Fridays & Saturdays, 3:00 PM Henington-Alief Regional Library Thursday, August 8, 15 & 22, 2:00 PM Jungman Neighborhood Library Friday, August 30, 3:00 PM Pleasantville Neighborhood Library Tuesday, August 13 & 27, 3:30 PM Vinson 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
Tuesdays & Wednesdays,
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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Young Writers Workshop
Saturdays,
10:30 AM
HPL Express Discovery Green
For more information, please contact the office of Systemwide Programs at 832-393-1560. Writers in the Schools, HPL Express, and Discovery Green team up to offer Houston's only free and open writing workshop for kids. Funded in part by a grant from the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance, HPL Express, Writers in the Schools, and Discovery Green. Class is limited to 25 students on a first-come, first-served basis.
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