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Teen Scene: Upcoming Books & Programs December 2018
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| Little White Lies by Jennifer Lynn BarnesWhat it's about: When her estranged grandmother offers her half a million dollars to become a debutante for a season, 18-year-old car mechanic Sawyer can't refuse, and not just because of the money -- it's also a chance to find the father she's never known.
Read it for: a sharp, page-turning peek at the ball gowns, back-stabbing, mysteries, and scandals of Southern high society. |
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| An Assassin's Guide to Love & Treason by Virginia BoeckerFeaturing: Katherine (aka Kit), a girl who disguises herself as a boy as part of a plan to assassinate Queen Elizabeth I; and Toby, the spy who's tasked with foiling the assassination.
What happens: Suspicions (and sparks) ignite when Toby and Kit are cast in an exclusive royal performance of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.
For fans of: the delicious historical detail and inclusive attitude of A Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee. |
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| This is Kind of an Epic Love Story by Kheryn CallenderStarring: Nate Bird, who swears off dating after his father dies (leaving his mom heartbroken) and his romance with best friend Florence fails.
What happens: Nate's childhood friend Ollie moves back to town, and their rekindled connection challenges Nate's anti-relationship resolve.
Why you might like it: This will-they-or-won't-they romance offers authentically awkward situations and a diverse, well-rounded group of characters. |
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| Phantom Wheel by Tracy DeebsWhat it's about: After being tricked into creating a data-stealing virus for greedy tech company Jacento, six teen hackers join forces to destroy the virus before it unleashes digital devastation.
Why you might like it: Pairing complex characters with a pulse-pounding pace, this cyberthriller is "a must-read for every aspiring hacktivist" (Kirkus Reviews). |
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| Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha NganWhat it's about: At age 17, Lei, a member of Ikhara's lowly Paper caste, is forced into training to become one of the brutal Demon King's concubines. Despite living in constant fear, she soon finds herself drawn into an unexpected romance -- and a treacherous plot.
Who it's for: Though the disturbing themes of oppression and violence may not be for everyone, mature fantasy fans will appreciate the intricate world-building, gripping pace, and captivating love story in this debut novel. |
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| Never Always Sometimes by Adi AlsaidFeaturing: Best friends Julia and Dave, creators of the Never List, an outline of all of the clichéd teen activities -- such as life-changing road trips, hair dye experiments, and running for prom king -- that they'll never, ever do.
What happens: For senior year, Julia and Dave decide to break their own rules and see how many "nevers" they can accomplish. The results are hilarious, poignant, and surprising.
For fans of: Stephanie Perkins and John Green. |
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| Top Ten by Katie CotugnoWhat it is: A charming and realistic collection of flashbacks highlighting the top ten moments in the odd-couple friendship between popular hockey player Ryan and anxious introvert Gabby.
Why you might like it: Alternating perspectives let you see both characters' points-of-view as they support each other through health issues (both mental and physical), grapple with their growing attraction (a problem, since they both have girlfriends), and approach the end of high school. |
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| Since You've Been Gone by Morgan MatsonWhat it's about: Two weeks after she disappears without saying goodbye, Emily's best friend Sloane mails her a list of challenges for the summer. With the help of attractive overachiever Frank Porter, Emily tackles the list -- which includes "go skinny-dipping," "dance until dawn," and "ride a horse" -- and hopes that they'll lead her back to Sloane.
Is it for you? If you loved Maureen Johnson's 13 Little Blue Envelopes, you'll fall for this sweet and funny read.
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| Side Effects May Vary by Julie MurphyWhat it's about: Facing terminal leukemia, Alice enlists her friend Harvey to help her complete her revenge-fueled "Just Dying To-Do" list -- a plan that backfires when she goes into unexpected remission.
Who it's for: readers looking for honest stories about not-so-saintly cancer survivors.
About the author: Go back to the start with this first book from Julie Murphy, the popular author of Dumplin' (which is soon to be a Netflix movie). |
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| A Semi-Definitive List of Worst Nightmares by Krystal SutherlandWelcome to: the Solar family, where each member is cursed to live with (and die from) one great fear.
What happens: Seventeen-year-old Esther Solar doesn't yet know which fear will kill her, but she keeps a long list of contenders, carefully avoiding them all...until her childhood crush Jonah convinces her to confront and conquer them instead.
Read it for: a dark, moving, magical realist story about the thorny bonds of mental illness and family history. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books for age 14 and up! |
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Holiday Open House
Sunday, December 2, 1:30 pm
Event Location
Messenger Library Board and Staff invite everyone to join us for holiday entertainment, activities and fun! Santa will read a story at 2 pm and then visit with families. Santa tickets will be distributed starting at 1:30 pm. Celebrate with live music, Gingerbread Contest, Treasure Hunt in the Stacks, Used Book Sale, the History Singers of Forest Park, and more. Lots of fun for all ages!If you'd like a reminder email or text, please register.
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Gingerbread House Contest
Sunday, December 2, 1:30 pm
Conference Room
Show off your sweet-making skills in our Gingerbread House Contest! Fill out an entry form and bring your creation and completed entry form to the Adult Services Help Desk anytime between November 29th and December 1st. Then, invite your friends and family to join us at the Annual Holiday Open House on Sunday, December 2nd, from 1:30 to 4:30 pm. Entries will be accepted in three categories: Traditional (the house is made of traditional gingerbread and everything on the house is edible) Non-traditional (includes "gingerbread style" houses that may include or be entirely of non-edible materials) Families and children (gingerbread houses made by families with children under age 12, or children under age 12)
Entries will be on display in the Conference Room on December 2nd during the Open House. Winners will be chosen at 4pm by our judges, and the three winners will have their gingerbread houses displayed in the library through December 17th. All other houses must be picked up during library hours by December 3rd. For and entry blank or more information, contact the Adult services Help Desk or check our website.
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Library Book Sale
Sunday, December 2, 1:30 pm
Meeting Room 1
Don't miss our Holiday Open House book sale! This year's sale includes gently used, like new, and older hardcover/paperback fiction and non-fiction books. Plus a selection of DVDs/BluRays, music CDs, audiobooks on CD, children and teen books, holiday and coffee-table books, and more! Prices range from 50 cents to $1.
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Teen DIY: Magnetic Chalkboard
Wednesday, December 12, 6:30 pm
Tinker Youth Program Room
Grades 6-12. Create and personalize a magnetic chalkboard perfect for your locker. Use chalkboard paint to turn picture frame glass into a write-able surface and decorate the frames as you wish! Registration required.
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Caudill Book Club
Monday, December 17, 6:30 pm
Tinker Youth Program Room
Gr. 4-8. Join us for snacks, conversation and activities about the Caudill Award nominees. The first 5 to register at the Youth Services Desk will receive a free copy of the book. Registration required.This month we're reading The Inquisitor's Tale, or, The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog by Adam Gidwitz.
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Saturday Afternoon Cartoons
Saturday, December 29, 2:00 pm
Main Meeting Room
Grades 3-8. Travel back to the good ol' days of Saturday morning cartoons by settling in with a bowl of cereal and watching some cartoons. Register if you want a reminder email or text. Children under 8 must be accompanied by a caregiver while in the library. December 22: Adventure Time January 26: Gravity Falls February 23: Kim Possible
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