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| Internment by Samira AhmedThe setting: a frightening near-future U.S. in which Muslim Americans are forced into internment camps.
What happens: Wrenched from her home after she and her family are imprisoned, strong-willed 17-year-old Layla Amin becomes a leader for the resistance, risking everything to take down the camp and shatter the silence that allows violent injustice to go unchecked.
Is it for you? While some readers might find the premise too disturbing, others will be riveted by the brave, authentic heroine. |
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| We Rule the Night by Claire Eliza BartlettWhat it’s about: Linnâe is a general’s daughter who disguised herself so she could join the army. Revna is a so-called traitor’s daughter who was caught using illegal magic. Their dislike is mutual, but when they’re both recruited to an all-female regiment that flies living metal planes into battle, their lives depend on their ability to share a cockpit.
Read it for: an unlikely but powerful friendship and an imaginative, Russian-inspired fantasy world. |
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| In the Neighborhood of True by Susan Kaplan CarltonWhat it’s about: In 1958, after her father dies and her mother moves the family from New York City to Atlanta, Ruth Robb quickly learns the ways of privileged, popular Southern girls: become a debutante, find a nice boyfriend in the Christian club, and don’t tell anyone you’re Jewish.
Why you might like it: Inspired in part by real events, this detail-rich historical read captures the tension between fitting in and staying true to family and faith. |
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| Funny, You Don't Look Autistic: A Comedian's Guide to Life on the Spectrum by Michael McCrearyWhat it is: a candid, upbeat memoir about author Michael McCreary’s experiences of growing up autistic and becoming a stand-up comic.
What’s inside: snarky humor, pop culture references, supportive advice for readers on the spectrum, and misconception-busting insights for neurotypical readers.
You might also like: Shane Burcaw’s Laughing at My Nightmare, another uproarious memoir by an author who uses humor to deal with ableism (as well as life’s other challenges). |
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| Night Music by Jenn Marie ThorneStarring: classical pianist Ruby, who just bombed her audition for the music school where her famous composer father teaches, and musical prodigy Oscar, who just scored a chance to study with Ruby's dad for the summer.
What it’s about: Even though Ruby needs to figure out who she is outside of the music world, and Oscar shouldn’t risk his career by dating his mentor’s daughter, their connection is undeniable.
For fans of: thoughtful, captivating contemporary romance. |
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| Avalon by Mindee ArnettWhat it’s about: Mercenary Jeth Seagrave is determined to buy back his parents’ spaceship from a ruthless crime boss -- so determined that he and his renegade crew take a job in the dangerous, unpredictable Belgrave Quadrant.
Who it’s for: Bursting with high-octane action, this series opener (followed by Polaris) will grab readers who love space westerns, heist stories, and chosen families.
Try this next: M.K. England’s The Disasters. |
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| Empress of a Thousand Skies by Rhoda BellezaStarring: Crown Princess Rhee, sole heir to the galaxy’s dynasty, now undercover and out for revenge after an assassination attempt; and Aly, a refugee turned reality TV star who becomes a fugitive after he’s accused of Rhee’s murder.
Read it for: compelling characters, interstellar world-building, and intertwining storylines that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Series alert: catch the conclusion to this duology in Blood of a Thousand Stars. |
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| Contagion by Erin BowmanFeaturing: microbiology intern Thea, former military pilot Nova, and their teammates on the rescue ship sent to answer a distress call from a mining crew on the planet Achlys.
What happens: By the time the team arrives on Achlys, there's nothing left but piles of corpses and an ominous note. Can they discover what killed the drill crew without meeting the same fate? Multiple perspectives heighten the suspense in this horror/science fiction hybrid.
Look for: the sequel, Immunity, on shelves this July. |
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| Defy the Stars by Claudia GrayWhat it’s about: While fighting to protect her home planet from Earth colonizers, pilot Noemi discovers Abel, an abandoned, highly advanced Earth mech who might prove to be a crucial ally.
Why you might like it: Alternating narration allows you to see both sides of Noemi and Abel’s evolving relationship -- and the complicated moral dilemma that comes with it.
Series alert: this gripping science fiction story continues in Defy the Worlds and Defy the Fates. |
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| Nyxia by Scott ReintgenWhat it’s about: To save his struggling family, Detroit teen Emmett Atwater accepts a high-paying offer from Babel Communications to join their expedition to the planet Eden, home to a miraculous substance called nyxia. The catch? He’ll have to fight the nine other recruits for a place on the final team.
Series alert: to find out what’s next for this page-turner's multicultural cast, pick up the sequels, Nyxia Unleashed and Nyxia Uprising. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books for age 14 and up! |
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After School Meal Program Mondays-Fridays, 3:30 PM Carnegie Neighborhood Library and Center for Learning Mondays-Fridays, 3:30 PM Henington-Alief Regional Library Mondays-Fridays, 3:00 PM Jungman Neighborhood Library Mondays-Thursdays, 3:00 PM Mancuso Neighborhood Library Mondays-Thursdays, 3:30 PM Morris Frank Library an HPL Express Location Mondays-Fridays, 3:00 PM Park Place Regional Library Mondays-Thursdays, 3:30 PM (until May 21) Stimley-Blue Ridge Neighborhood Library Mondays-Thursdays, 4:30 PM Young 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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After School Zone Mondays-Fridays, 3:00 PM Carnegie Neighborhood Library and Center for Learning Mondays-Thursdays,4:00 PM (until May 23) Collier Regional Library Mondays-Thursdays,4:00 PM Heights Neighborhood Library Mondays-Fridays, 3:30 PM Henington-Alief Regional Library Mondays-Fridays, 3:00 PM Jungman Neighborhood Library Mondays-Fridays, 4:00 PM Moody Neighborhood Library Mondays-Thursdays, 4:00 PM Morris Frank Library an HPL Express Location Tuesdays-Thursdays, 3:30 PM Oak Forest Neighborhood Library Mondays-Fridays, 3:00 PM Pleasantville Neighborhood Library Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 4:00 PM Smith Neighborhood Library Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 4:00 PM Stanaker Neighborhood Library Mondays-Thursdays, 4:00 PM Young Neighborhood Library Looking for some fun after school? Join us at The SPOT 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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After School Zone Wednesdays-Fridays, 3:00 PM Lakewood 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.vPlease 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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Anime Clube
Saturdays,
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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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, 4:00 PM Johnson Neighborhood Library Saturday, May 11, 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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Homework Help Lab
Mondays-Thursdays,
3:30 PM (until May 21)
Stimley-Blue Ridge Neighborhood Library
Students will be allowed to access Brainfuse, other educational websites, library’s databases, all Microsoft office application,including, word, excel, and PowerPoint. These sessions will allow students to study independently or in groups. Library staff will be present to serve as the facilitator and to assist with computer questions.
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Makerspace
Thursdays,
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-Thursdays,
3:30 PM (until May 21)
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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STEM @ Your Library
Tuesday, May 28,
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! Please contact your library for further details. Today's STEM Activity: Mini Mechas!
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STEM @ Your Library
Tuesdays,
3:30 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! Please contact your library for further details.
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STEM @ Your Library Wednesdays, 3:30 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! We will be making Slime this week!
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Tabletop Games
Tuesdays,
4:00 PM
Morris Frank Library an HPL Express Location
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, May 8,
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. Geared for ages 13-18.
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Teen Craft Tuesday, May 7, 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. Please contact your local library for further details. Join us in celebrating Earth Day with this awesome upcycled craft! Today's craft: Ninjas!
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Teen Craft
Wednesday, May 15,
2:00 PM
Henington-Alief Regional Library
It’s time to break out the needles and hooks, we’re crafting up a storm! Bring your own project or learn basic knit, crochet or embroidery skills with simple beginner projects. Crafters of all skill levels welcome. Please contact library for details. Teens 13-18.
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Teen Craft Monday, May 20, 5:30 PM Jungman Neighborhood Library Saturday, May 11, 2:00 PM Vinson Neighborhood Library Get your craft on at the library with other teens! Geared for teens ages 13-18. This week is "Dragon Haku Ornament"!
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Teen Craft
Thursday, May 9,
5:30 PM
Robinson-Westchase 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 Movie Thursdays & Fridays, 4:00 PM Carnegie Neighborhood Library and Center for LearningAngst, adventure, and romance! Movie time with teen appeal. All films rated G-PG13. Movies will be shown during After School Zone. Now showing 5/2 & 5/3 - Mulan; 5/9 & 5/10 - Crazy Rich Asians; 5/16 & 5/17 - Princess Kaiulani; 5/23 & 5/24 - Karate Kid (1984); 5/30 & 5/31 - The Hundred Foot Journey.
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Teen Movie Monday, May 13 & 20, 4:00 PM Heights Neighborhood LibraryMovie time with teen appeal. Come to the After School Zone and join us for a fun film! Now showing: 5/13 - Crazy Rich Asians (2018); 5/20 - Moana (2016). All films rated G-PG13.
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Teen Movie Fridays, 2:30 PM HPL Express Southwest Saturday, May 25, 1:00 PM Tuttle Neighborhood Library Thursdays, 4:00 PM Walter Neighborhood Library Angst, adventure, and romance! Movie time with teen appeal. All films rated G-PG13.
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Teen Movie Monday, May 13, 3:00 PM Lakewood Neighborhood Library Angst, adventure, and romance! Movie time with teen appeal. All Lakewood Neighborhood Library programs are occurring temporarily at the Northeast Multi-Service Center at 9720 Spaulding, Houston, TX, 77016.
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Video Gaming Mondays & Thursdays, 4:00 PM Carnegie Neighborhood Library and Center for Learning Saturdays, 3:30 PM Henington-Alief Regional Library Mondays-Thursdays, 4:15 PM Stimley-Blue Ridge Neighborhood Library Tuesdays, 3:30 PM Vinson Neighborhood Library Mondays & Thursdays, 5:00 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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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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