Experience to Go: Explore Outdoors

June 1, 2019 | jonesw

Experience To Go Kits are created to help you pursue your best life and try something new. The Explore Outdoors Kit includes a monocular telescope cell phone lens, magnifying glass, butterfly net, Nature Connection workbook, and a journal to share your observations. Come on in and take one home!

Can't make it in to get a kit? Try one of these local resources:

Or download an app to help you become a nature expert:

  • Leafsnap - (free, iOS) - instantly identify leaves and plants with a single photo
  • Merlin Bird ID - (free, iOS and Android) - search for and identify local birds
  • TrailLink (free, iOS and Android) - find trail maps, photos, reviews, and more

 

Under the Radar YA Fantasy

May 9, 2019 | jonesw

Looking for a new fantasy series to try? Already read popular series like Red Queen, Throne of Glass, and Shadow and Bone? You may have missed some of the fantastic fantasy titles below!

Daughter of the pirate king by Tricia Levenseller
East by Edith Pattou

YA Books for Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month

May 5, 2019 | jonesw

In 1992, the month of May was designated Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month. Celebrate by reading a YA book by an author of Asian or Pacific Islander ancestry this month! Some selections are listed below. 

After the shot drops by Randy Ribay
American born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang

YA Look Alikes

April 26, 2019 | jonesw

These YA book covers will have you doing double takes! Which do you prefer?

You're Welcome Universe vs. Picture Us in the Light

You're welcome universe by illustrator Whitney Gardner

Share a Story: Garden Storytime

April 17, 2019 | jonesw

Did you miss our Garden Storytime this week? Don't worry, here's what you missed, plus a few more suggestions so you can create your own storytime at home, complete with songs and stories.

From Storytime

One leaf rides the wind : counting in a Japanese garden by Celeste Davidson Mannis

Most Challenged Books of 2018

April 12, 2019 | jonesw

This week, the American Library Association released its list of the most frequently challenged and/or banned books of 2018. Which challenged books have you read?

For more information, visit the Banned & Challenged Books page of the Office for Intellectual Freedom's website. 

George by Alex Gino

Reasons: banned, challenged, and relocated because it was believed to encourage children to clear browser history and change their bodies using hormones, and for mentioning “dirty magazines,” describing male anatomy, “creating confusion,” and including a transgender character

A day in the life of Marlon Bundo by Jill Twiss

Reasons: banned and challenged for including LGBTQIA+ content, and for political and religious viewpoints

Recommended Realistic Fiction for Teens

April 11, 2019 | jonesw

Contemporary realistic fiction takes place in the present and covers topics that are likely to happen in real life. These novels explore many common issues for modern teenagers. Looking for a funny story? Jump down to the "Humor" section. 

Ask the passengers : a novel by 1970- A. S. (Amy Sarig) King
Dear Martin by Nic Stone

We Need Diverse Books For Teens

April 8, 2019 | jonesw

The We Need Diverse Books movement began in 2014 as a call to reform the publishing industry. It is now a nonprofit organization which promotes young people's literature that is reflective of many diverse backgrounds. The titles below represent a sample of books showcasing main characters of color, LGBTQIA characters, and characters with disabilities or mental illnesses. For more suggestions, visit Where To Find Diverse Books or the Walter Award. 

BIPOC Characters

The astonishing color of after by Emily X. R. Pan

After her mother's suicide, grief-stricken Leigh Sanders travels to Taiwan to stay with grandparents she never met, determined to find her mother who she believes turned into a bird.

Recommended Romance for Teens

April 3, 2019 | jonesw

Love is hard...but reading about it isn't! These romantic titles are sweet, charming, and easy to dive into. 

Camp by Lev AC Rosen

At Camp Outland, a camp for LGBTQIA teens, sixteen-year-old Randall "Del" Kapplehoff's plan to have Hudson Aaronson-Lim fall in love with him succeeds, but both are hiding their true selves.

Dating Makes Perfect by Pintip Dunn

The Tech sisters don't date in high school. Not because they're not asked. Not because they're not interested. Not even because no one can pronounce their long, Thai last name--hence the shortened, awkward moniker. But simply because they're not allowed. Until now..

Tween Test Kitchen

jonesw

Do you want to experiment in the kitchen? This is your chance! Test out your cooking chops with unique and silly recipes that you can recreate at home. All supplies will be provided.

For ages 9-12. Registration is required and begins July 11. 

Some recipes may contain dairy, gelatin, or gluten. Substitutions for these will be provided when possible.

[#Food by Med Coolman is licensed under CC BY 2.0] 

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