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| Summer Bird Blue by Akemi Dawn BowmanWhat it's about: A visit with her aunt in Hawaii holds no excitement for Rumi Seto after the death of her sister and songwriting partner, Lea. Grief-stricken and detached from the music she loves, Rumi finds solace and strength with her aunt's neighbors, teen surfer Kai and prickly old Mr. Watanabe.
Who it's for: readers in search of sophisticated, emotionally charged stories and characters with intersecting identities.
Try this next: Jandy Nelson's The Sky is Everywhere. |
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| Mirage by Somaiya DaudWhat it's about: Amani has only just turned 18 when droids from the Vathek empire kidnap her and take her to the royal palace on the planet Andala, where she's forced to serve as a body double for the merciless, much-hated Vathek princess.
Read it for: treacherous court politics, star-crossed romance, and a Moroccan-inspired setting.
Series alert: If you love this complex, gripping read about oppression and resistance, you're in luck -- it's the 1st in a new series. |
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| Darius the Great Is Not Okay by Adib KhorramStarring: Persian American Darius Kellner, a depressed, geeky tea enthusiast who's bullied at school and misunderstood by his family.
What happens: A visit to Iran introduces Darius to a new side of himself, as well as to his first real friend, Sohrab.
Why you might like it: You'll be immersed in Darius's experiences as he digs deeper into Persian culture, grows closer to Sohrab, and grapples with mental illness and identity. |
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| Seafire by Natalie C. ParkerWhat it's about: After losing their families to the brutal warlord Aric Athair, Captain Caledonia Styx and her all-female crew sail the seas in search of vengeance. When her best friend is rescued by one of Athair's soldiers who claims to support their cause, Caledonia has to decide how much she's willing to risk to get her revenge.
Series alert: Filled with high-adrenaline action and a diverse cast of girls, this futuristic seafaring adventure is the 1st in a trilogy. |
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| The Sacrifice Box by Martin StewartWhat it's about: In 1982, Sep, Arkle, Lamb, Hadley, and Mack cement their friendship by sealing treasured objects inside an old stone box. By 1986, none of them are still friends -- but someone has reopened the box, and the consequences are devastating.
Read it for: snarky humor paired with horror so gruesome you can practically smell the rotting flesh.
For fans of: zombies, TV's Stranger Things, or '80s-era Stephen King books. |
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For Fans of The Hate U Give
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| A Certain October by Angela JohnsonStarring: sixteen-year-old Scotty, whose average life (school, hanging out with her friends Misha and Falcone, and spending time with her little brother, Keone, who has autism) turns into a whirlwind of shock and guilt after a tragic accident leaves Keone in a coma and a classmate dead.
Why fans might like it: Similar to The Hate U Give's Starr, Scotty feels fully, messily real, and her story is heart-rending yet hopeful. |
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| I Am Alfonso Jones by Tony Medina; illustrated by Stacey Robinson and John JenningsWhat happens: One minute, Alfonso Jones is shopping for a new suit; the next, he's been shot by a white police officer, and he's a ghost, watching from the afterlife as his loved ones mourn and seek justice.
Art alert: vivid black-and-white illustrations reinforce the unflinching tone of this graphic novel.
Why fans might like it: While The Hate U Give looks at police violence from the survivor's perspective, I Am Alfonso Jones gives the victim a voice. |
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| Long Way Down by Jason ReynoldsWhat it's about: When 15-year-old Will boards an elevator with a gun in his waistband, he's ready to avenge his brother's murder. But can his resolve outlast the surprises of his ride to the ground floor?
Read it for: spare, page-turning poetry that packs a strong emotional punch.
Why fans might like it: Like The Hate U Give, Long Way Down focuses on one character's grief and internal conflict in the aftermath of murder. |
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| Dear Martin by Nic StoneWhat it's about: Justyce McAllister is 17, Ivy League-bound, and one of the few black students at his prep school. Following a disturbing incident of police profiling, Justyce doesn't know how to cope with his anger and frustration -- so he pours them into letters to civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.
Why fans might like it: The Hate U Give and Dear Martin are both powerful debut novels about black teens facing violent racism. |
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| Piecing Me Together by Renée WatsonStarring: aspiring collage artist Jade, who lives in a poor, mostly black neighborhood and goes to a fancy, mostly white high school.
What happens: After being invited into a mentoring program for "at-risk" African American girls, Jade (who doesn't feel particularly "at-risk") is matched with an unhelpful mentor, prompting her to explore success on her own terms.
Why fans might like it: Jade, like Starr, has to juggle two social identities while trying to stay true to herself. |
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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-Thursdays, 3:30 PM
Morris Frank Library an HPL Express Location 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
Collier Regional Library Mondays-Thursdays, 4:00 PM
Heights Neighborhood Library Mondays-Fridays, 3:30 PM
Henington-Alief Regional Library Mondays-Thursdays, 3:00 PM
Jungman Neighborhood Library Wednesdays-Fridays, 3:00 PM
Lakewood Neighborhood Library Mondays-Fridays, 3:00 PM
Mancuso Neighborhood Library Tuesdays-Fridays, 3:30 PM
Moody Neighborhood Library Mondays-Thursdays, 3:30 PM
Morris Frank Library an HPL Express Location Tuesdays-Thursdays, 3:30 PM
Oak Forest Neighborhood Library Mondays-Fridays, 3:00 PM
Park Place Regional Library Mondays-Fridays, 3:00 PM
Pleasantville Neighborhood Library Mondays-Fridays, 3:00 PM
Stanaker Neighborhood Library Mondays-Thursdays, 3:30 PM
Stimley-Blue Ridge 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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Anime Club
Wednesday, October 10 & 24, 5:00 PM
Carnegie Neighborhood Library and Center for Learning 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. We will have fun activities, crafts, and games to help us comprehend Asian culture. Please contact your library for more information. |
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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,
1:30 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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Club Yarnia
Tuesday, October 2,
3:30 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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Coloring Club
Mondays,
4:00 PM
Johnson 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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Halloween Happening
Thursday, October 25,
5:00 PM
Hillendahl Neighborhood Library
This ghoulish bash features games, spooky crafts, a costume contest, and loads of spooky fun!
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Homework Help Lab
Mondays, 4:30 PM
Young 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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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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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
Tuesdays, 4:00 PM
Carnegie Neighborhood Library and Center for Learning Wednesdays, 4:00 PM
Stanaker 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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Scream In
Saturday, October 27,
7:00 PM
Central Library
Join us for an evening of chills, thrills and fun…if you dare! Youth ages 10-15 are invited to a screamingly good time at our annual after-hours event. The evening includes games and crafts, contests and a spooky trip through HPL's Haunted Maze. Costumes are encouraged but not required. Registration is required. Space is limited. Registration opens October 1, 2018.
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STEM @ Your Library
Friday, October 12, 3:30 PM
Carnegie Neighborhood Library and Center for Learning Thursday, October 11, 3:30 PM
Morris Frank Library an HPL Express Location
Explosions, gadgets, and pulleys, OH, MY! Join us for exploratory activities that make Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math FUN! We will be doing Gooey Slime! Please contact your library for further details. |
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STEM @ Your Library
Monday, October 22,
4:00 PM
Collier Regional Library
Explosions, gadgets, and pulleys, OH, MY! Join us for exploratory activities that make Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math FUN! Design your own Frankenstein using 3D pens!
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STEM @ Your Library
Thursday, October 4 & 18, 4:00 PM
Hillendahl Neighborhood Library
Explosions, gadgets, and pulleys, OH, MY! Join us for exploratory activities that make Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math FUN! Today we're making: 10/4 - Instant Worms; 10/18 - Ice Tray Batteries
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STEM @ Your Library
Tuesdays,
3:00 PM
Lakewood 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. 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
Thursday, October 4 & 11,
4:00 PM
Scenic Woods 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.
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Teen Book Club
Monday, October 29,
5:30 PM
Jungman Neighborhood Library
Engage your inner reader and join us for a lively discussion of novel elements as we explore a different book each month. This month’s title: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Geared for ages 13-18.
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Teen Book Club Wednesday, October 24, 4:45 PM Young Neighborhood LibraryImmerse yourself in a good book! Share your passion for reading with fellow readers during a lively discussion featuring a different book each month. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. Geared for ages 13-18.
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Teen Craft
Saturday, October 13, 2:00 PM & Monday, October 22, 3:30 PM
Central Library
Let's get crafty at the library with your friends! Geared for tweens ages 9-12. Please contact your local library for further details. Join us in making: 10/13 - Goopy Slime; 10/22: Sock Zombies
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Teen Craft
Monday, October 29,
4:00 PM
Collier Regional Library
Get your craft on at the library with other teens! Geared for teens ages 13-18. We will be making sock zombies.
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Teen Craft
Thursday, October 11 & 25, 4:00 PM
Hillendahl Neighborhood Library
Get your craft on at the library with other teens! Today we're making: 10/11 - String Dolls; 10/25 - Sock Zombies
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Teen Craft
Monday, October 15,
5:30 PM
Jungman Neighborhood Library
Get your craft on at the library with other teens! Geared for teens ages 13-18. We will be making Creepy Cute Felties!
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Teen Craft
Tuesday, October 2,
4:30 PM
Oak Forest 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. This week, do up your diary with DIY Journals!
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Teen Craft
Thursday, October 18,
4:00 PM
Smith 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,
3:30 PM
Carnegie Neighborhood Library and Center for Learning
Angst, adventure, and romance! Movie time with teen appeal. All films rated G-PG13. Movies will be shown during After School Zone. Now showing: 10/4 - Ghostbusters (2016) (PG-13); 10/11 - I, Frankenstein (PG-13); 10/18 - Warm Bodies (PG-13); 10/25 - Dracula Untold (PG-13).
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Teen Movie
Thursdays, 3:30 PM
Henington-Alief Regional Library Fridays, 2:30 PM
HPL Express Southwest Saturday, October 6 & 20, 1:30 PM
Johnson Neighborhood Library Thursdays, 4:00 PM
Walter Neighborhood Library Saturdays, 11:00 AM
Young Neighborhood Library
Angst, adventure, and romance! Movie time with teen appeal. All films rated G-PG13. |
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Teen Movie Mondays, 3:00 PM McCrane-Kashmere Gardens Neighborhood LibraryAngst, adventure, and romance! Movie time with teen appeal. Now showing: 10/8 - The Mummy; 10/15 - Boo! A Madea Halloween; 10/22 - Boo 2!: A Madea Halloween; 10/29 - Beetlejuice. 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, October 18,
3:30 PM
Morris Frank Library an HPL Express Location
Angst, adventure, and romance! Movie time with teen appeal. Now showing The Addams Family Movie. All films rated G-PG13.
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Video Gaming
Wednesdays, 4:00 PM
Freed-Montrose Neighborhood Library Mondays & Wednesdays, 4:00 PM
Heights Neighborhood Library Saturdays, 3:00 PM
Henington-Alief Regional Library Thursdays, 6:00 PM
Hillendahl Neighborhood Library Wednesdays, 3:30 PM
Looscan Neighborhood Library Saturdays, 2:00 PM
Shepard-Acres Homes Neighborhood Library Wednesdays, 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 Programming department 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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