Find all of our programs in the events calendar! CLICK HERE.
Highlights

Happy Holidays! I added a few books below if you're in the market for a fun holiday read. Enjoy! 
 
This Winter
by Alice Oseman

Set over a particularly difficult holiday season, this standalone Heartstopper novella reunites Tori Spring, her little brother Charlie and Charlie's boyfriend Nick.
Eight Nights of Flirting
by Hannah Reynolds

"Determined to have a boyfriend this Hanukkah, Shira Barbanel, an absolute disaster at flirting, makes a deal with her nemesis-slash-former-crush: flirting lessons in exchange for career connections, but when things don't go as planned, she must learn to trust her heart."
How to Excavate a Heart
by Jake Maia Arlow

"Fresh off a breakup, college freshman Shani is distracted from her monthlong paleoichthyology internship when she gets involved with May, but when their relationship takes a serious turn, Shani's heartache over her ex-girlfriend's rejection comes rushing back."
Whiteout
by Dhonielle Clayton

"In Atlanta, just before Christmas, 12 teens band together to help a friend pull off the most epic apology of her life during the storm of the century, which results in a magical moment that changes everything." 
So, This is Love
by Tracy Andreen

Trying to figure out their relationship status when they return to boarding school after one magical Christmas Eve kiss, Finley and Arthur are faced with old enemies who add to the confusion, putting what could be love in jeopardy.
Poetry as a Gift
Join us to delve into the world of poetry and typewriters to craft unique and spontaneous poems. You’ll have the opportunity to create a gift that’s timeless and thoughtful for a friend or family member in time for the holidays. Sign up here! 
Saturday, Dec. 9 • 2:30-4 p.m. • Jefferson Branch Library
 
Creative Writing Workshop
Join us for a creative writing workshop led by our friends from Light Bringer Project. The workshop will focus on sci-fi to encourage young writers to submit their work into either the Tomorrow Prize or the Green Feather Award, free writing competitions with cash prizes! Sign up here! 
Tuesday, Dec. 19 • 4-5 p.m. • Jefferson Branch Library

Teen Events
Hill Avenue Winter Craft Festival
Join us at Hill Avenue for an afternoon of family-friendly craft projects inspired by the Winter season. Visit our DIY stations to make and take home your homemade crafts! We’ll also have the courtyard open for games, scenic seating areas, and will show a cozy movie to get ready for the cozy season! For all ages.
Saturday, Dec. 9 • 2-4 p.m. • Hill Avenue Branch Library
 
Melty Bead Madness
Create a design or use one of ours to make a melty bead pin or magnet!
Saturday, Dec. 9 • 3-4 p.m. • Santa Catalina Branch Library
 
Teen Finals Study Sessions
Visit the library for a place to study either on your own or with friends for finals week. Grab a snack, listen to some lo-fi, and get in the zone.
Tuesday & Thursday, Dec. 12 & 14 • 4-6 p.m. • Jefferson Branch Library
 
Teen Writers Meetup
Join other teens and write! Whether you are crafting poetry or a novel, writing can be lonely as it's typically a solo endeavor, but meeting with others who share the passion can be a great for inspiration and encouragement. We might write together, use writing prompts, or share our work in a safe and supportive space. For teens only. Sign up here! 
Saturday, Dec. 16 • 4-5 p.m. • Hastings Branch Library
 
Video Game Club/Night
Stop in for gaming on the Nintendo Switch. Make new friends while playing games in a healthy and competitive environment that fosters well-being, fair play, and an exciting atmosphere. Help players connect with engaging social interaction and new experiences every week. Drop by and join the Video Game Club! For ages 14-19.
Thursdays • 4-6 p.m. • Hastings Branch Library 
 
Community Board
More services for youth around our community
Community Works
Small Group Tutoring & Homework Assistance
Monday - Thursday • 4-7 p.m. • Grades 3-12 • Ends Dec. 20
  • Tutors assists with everyday homework, difficult assignments, special projects or providing aid to students in "catching up" on basic math and language skills. tutoring and homework assistance focuses on completion of assignments and comprehension of concepts. 
College and Career Services
Tuesdays & Thursdays • 3-4:30 p.m. • Grades 9-12 • Ends Dec. 14
  • College and career workshops, resume building, and job search assistance will all be offered in our career center. Please call for more information or to schedule an appointment. 
For more information or to register call/email Jennifer Bailey at 626-564-8762 or jennbailey@publicworksinc.org. Address: 90 N. Daisy Ave., Pasadena, CA 91107
 
The Tomorrow Prize & The Green Feather Award
Light Bringer Project: Omega Sci-Fi Project
Deadline: Tuesday, February 13, 2024
The Omega Sci-Fi Project is inviting all Los Angeles County high school students to submit short sci-fi stories for The Tomorrow Prize. The Tomorrow Prize encourages writers to use sci-fi to explore the diverse issues humanity wrestles with, spark creative solutions, and unite the worlds of art and science. The Green Feather Award co-presented by the Nature Nexus Institute, highlights an environmentally focused sci-fi story. They're seeking stories that integrate creative solutions to the climate and biodiversity crises. 
  • Selected finalists will be chosen to have their stories read in their honor by celebrity guests during the May 11th, 2024 Culminating Event.
  • First, Second, and Third place Tomorrow Prize winners will receive $250, $150, and $100 USD cash prizes.
  • The First place Tomorrow Prize winner will be published in L.A. Parent Magazine. 
  • The Green Feather Award is a special prize for an environmentally focused sci-fi story. The winner will receive $250 USD & online publication by the Nature Nexus Institute.
For more information visit: https://www.lightbringerproject.org/science-fiction-competitions
 
Career Corner
Target: On-demand Worker (Colorado)
Part Time; Hourly Pay: $17.75
For ages 16+. Target is hiring on-demand workers. On-demand workers don't have weekly schedules but can pick up shifts posted by supervisors. Being an on-demand worker grants you more flexibility and helps you create a schedule that works for you. Click on the link above to find out more! 
 
World Market: Seasonal Sales or Stock Associate (Colorado)
Part Time; Hourly Pay: $16.93-$17.43
For ages 16+. World Market is hiring both season sales and stock associates. They help with either customer checkout or stocking shelves and unloading merchandise. Click on the link above to find out more! 
 
Volunteer Opportunities
 
Reading Partners: Volunteers
For ages 14+. Reading Partners is looking for volunteers to tutor one hour (or more!) per week for a minimum semester at one of our many school sites in Pasadena while students like you can start building and creating a meaningful resume for future college applications.
 
Program Description: Reading Partners Program Model
  • We partner with elementary schools designated as Title I based on 40 percent or more of students qualifying for free/reduced-price lunch
  • For Reading Partners Traditional we turn a dedicated classroom space into a reading center where students and tutors come to engage in weekly tutoring sessions.
  • School leadership identifies the kindergarten through fourth-grade students who would benefit the most from Reading Partners and refers them to our program. 
  • Reading Partners assesses students and then places them in our curriculum.
  • Reading Partners then matches each student with a trained volunteer tutor.
  • Tutors follow our research-based curriculum that is fun and easy-to-follow.
Want to learn more and sign up? Visit their website here, or contact reni.araque@readingpartners.org.
 
Featured Book
          Three Drops of Blood by Gretchen McNeil
         Review by Jasmine Sov, age 17
 
When a behind-the-scenes scandal derails 17-year-old Kate’s acting career, she’s determined to get back on track. But it’s not that easy—she’s implicated in the scandal, her agent only sends her out for stereotypical “fat girl” parts, and her parents insist that she start paying rent to prove that she doesn’t have to go to college and can support herself as a professional actress. To pay her rent, Kate takes a tedious office job at her friend’s family law firm. There, she files papers and distracts herself by watching the people in the next building over. At first, it’s amusing—she sees an executive and her assistant having a passionate affair. But then the affair becomes a double murder, with Kate as the only witness. No one will believe her without bodies or evidence, so she decides to find clues herself. Can Kate bring the truth to light, or will she be the murderer’s next target?
 
READ THE FULL REVIEW ON THE TEENS BLOG
 
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