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Teen Room
• News & Updates •
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• WHAT'S COMING UP IN AUGUST •
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We have plenty of fun activities planned for the second half of the summer! Lots of crafting, a cooking class, game nights, and book clubs. Check out the program calendar for the most up-to-date information.
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grades 6-12
registration required
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grades 6-12
registration required
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grades 6-12
registration required
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grades 6-12
registration required
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grades 6-12
registration required
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(both while supplies last)
grades 6-12
no registration required
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• TWEEN & TEEN BOOK CLUBS •
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Registration is now open for the August meetings of our 6th, 7th/8th, & 9th grade summer book clubs. Books are available at the Teen Desk. Join us! |
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Breaking Boundaries through YA Literature |
This monthly teen-led book club is open to 9-12th graders from Lexington and the surrounding areas. The mission of the group is to utilize YA books to spark conversations which explore the themes of social justice, inclusion and equality, and to enhance connections from communities in and around Lexington. |
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One of Breaking Boundaries Book Club leaders, Sarah M., offers a quick peek at this month’s book pick: Lakewood by Megan Giddings!
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Lakewood is a groundbreaking novel exploring themes of race and class in a modern world, and the moral dilemmas faced by working-class families. Protagonist Lena, a black millennial, is forced to drop out of college and take a new job after discovering the full extent of the family debt. Her job, though? To be a human test subject in the remote town of Lakewood Michigan. The discoveries are important, but for test subjects like Lena, the potential consequences could be devastating. Giddings explores themes of trauma and denial, as the reader is left to piece together what’s really going on.
If that sounds interesting to you, then consider registering for this month’s Breaking Boundaries meeting, August 17th at 5:30. Register through our program calendar to receive the link.We will likely meet at a different time for upcoming school year meetings, too. (Sarah M.)
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• BEACH READS - ROMANCE BOOKS •
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For some of us, there is nothing like stretching out at the beach with a good book, preferably a romance! Looking for something to read on your next trip to the shore? Here is a collection of YA romance books compiled by former Teen Library Leadership Council member, Bianca S. Interested in more suggestions from Bianca? Swing by the Teen Room and pick up a copy of her 'favorites' book list.
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Julie Berry's most recent YA novel (2019) is a blend of historical fiction, romance, and mythology. The story of two couples falling in love during World War I is set within the a larger narrative - that of Greek gods Aphrodite, Ares, Hephaestus, Apollo and Hades as they recount their roles in fate of the young lovers thirty years later. This sweeping epic novel spans two wars and two very different intertwined worlds - that of the mortals on earth and that of the gods who intervene in their lives. Want to get lost in a book this summer? I recommend you grab a box of tissues, settle into a comfortable chair, and slip into Lovely War. (gr 8+)
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This summer, all LHS students will be reading a single Community Read book, Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu. We have plenty of copies of the book available at Cary in several formats. Borrow a physical copy from Teen Room or check out an e-book or digital audiobook on Libby from Overdrive. Looking for more information about the high school's summer assignment? The LHS Community Read website may be helpful. |
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Justin returns to the Teen Newsletter this month with some of his current favorite graphic novels. Each of these three suggestions is also available on Hoopla. |
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Summer camp stories for the summer, but with a fun monster twist! Skye is forced to go off to summer camp while visiting her father and step “momster”, but accidentally gets on the wrong bus where everyone else is a monster! Skye is full of sass and snark and I really enjoyed the humor in this spooky (but not that scary) book. The monotone colors are used really well and fans of Raina Telegemier should check this one out.
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This sci-fi graphic novel asks the question, “What if the world just suddenly lost almost all of its gravity?” I found this to be an extremely fun concept, since it poses a fundamental change to the world at large. If you jump too high, you could literally fall up off the face of the earth or when it rains, the water doesn’t fall into the sewer system. If you love sci-fi concepts that build on their world, fantastic art, and an energetic main character please check this one out!
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This is a fantasy pick I’ve been recommending. If you liked Game of Thrones (political backstabbing, light magic elements, murder plots, forbidden loves), you will definitely love this medieval fantasy series. The titular Sleepless have a real Night’s Watch vibe - they take a vow to protect someone and they never sleep again. Princess Pyppenia is uncertain of her role in the court following her uncle's ascension to the throne. Her Sleepness Knight guards her, but she must also learn how to navigate the new court dynamics while figuring out who is trying to assassinate her from the shadows.
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More Cary Happenings for Teens |
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Our Teen Librarian, Michelle Techler, appeared on July episode of NECN's Page Turners with recommendations of books that celebrate Summer Road Trips. Check out her teen suggestion for the month.
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This is a quintessential coming-of-age-road-trip story. Mariam, Ghaz, and Umar are Pakistani American teens who head out from New Jersey to New Orleans on a spur of the moment road trip. Initially, the trip is planned as a rescue mission to help Ghaz escape her ultra-conservative parents. However, all three of them have personal challenges they confront while on their journey. As they travel the country, they experience moments of Islamophobia, but also unexpected kindnesses. And along the way, the bonds of their friendship are cemented, while they each grow a little in understanding their own truths. This is a funny, snarky but also poignant book that tackles tough issues. (gr 10+)
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LexSeeHer is looking for volunteers (gr 6-12) to participate in their efforts to honor the work women have done for the community of Lexington. Fill out a student committee interest form if you would like to learn more about adding a youth perspective to the projects.
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