The Truman Readers Award honors a book that is selected by Missouri junior high students. To be eligible to vote, students must read at least four of the finalists. Voting will occur at participating schools early next spring. While the winner won’t be announced until April 2020, this is a great list of summer reads for students in grades sixth through eighth.
“Long Way Down” by Jason Reynolds
Fueled by sadness and anger over his brother’s death, Will gets on the elevator, gun in hand, intent on seeking revenge. At each floor, someone connected to his dead brother gets on and has something to share with Will.
“Piecing Me Together” by Renée Watson
Tired of being singled out as an at-risk kid at her mostly-white private school, Jade resists joining “Women to Women,” a mentorship program for at-risk girls, in favor of applying for the school’s amazing study abroad program. Continue reading “2019-20 Truman Award Finalists”
ONLINE ENTRY FORM
Informational Flyer [PDF]
We invite local teens to submit nighttime-inspired photographs for a chance to win a Barnes & Noble gift card. Capture pools of light created by streetlamps, moonbeams reflected on calm waters, shadows cast by bright neon signs or other creative visions.
This contest is open to those entering grades 7-12 in Boone and Callaway counties. Submissions are due by Friday, July 19. Winners will be announced in late August and posted on the library’s website and social media.
Continue reading “Night Photography Contest for Teens”
The Daniel Boone Regional Library is challenging youth ages 12-18 to read for 15 hours, submit three book reviews and do seven fun, library-related activities. Complete this Summer Reading challenge, and beginning July 1, you’ll receive a free book. You’ll also be entered into a drawing for other fun rewards including an Amazon Fire tablet.
Step One: Register for the Teen Summer Reading Challenge. Download a reading tracker to help you manage your reading, reviews and activities.
Step Two: Submit three book reviews.
Step Three: Complete any seven of these activities. Continue reading “Teen Summer Reading Challenge”
Summer Reading Info Sheet (PDF)
This summer, allow your imagination to soar among the stars as the Daniel Boone Regional Library celebrates a “Universe of Stories.” Our annual teen Summer Reading program launches May 22, encouraging young adults to dream, create and read.
Beginning Tuesday, June 4 you can submit your entry into the “Night Photography Contest for Teens.” Share your nighttime-inspired photographs for a chance to win a Barnes & Noble gift card.
In July, travel to a galaxy far, far away by participating in one of ten Star Wars escape room sessions. This program will be hosted at our branches in Holts Summit, Ashland and Columbia. While BB-8 was on a secret mission for the Resistance, the First Order found and abducted him. Luckily, he was able to send a distress signal the moment he was captured. You must crack the codes to locate our beloved droid, and help him break out before it’s too late! Continue reading “Teen Summer Reading Preview”
2019 Teens’ Top Ten Nominees (PDF)
The Teens’ Top Ten is a “teen choice” list of recommended reading sponsored by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). Fifteen young adult book clubs from libraries across the country are responsible for narrowing down a list of nominees for teens to vote on nationwide. Below is this year’s full list of Top Ten nominations. Don’t forget that the library offers print, eBook and audiobook editions of these titles.
“#MurderTrending” by Gretchen McNeil
Dee has been wrongfully convicted and sent to an island dubbed Alcatraz 2.0., where the worst criminals are murdered in terrifyingly creative ways for an app called Postman. She refuses to go down when she knows she’s innocent. Can she make it out with her Death Row Breakfast Club before they’re all killed off one by one?
“An Absolutely Remarkable Thing” by Hank Green
April May and her best friend Andy have fame thrust upon them after their video of a strange statue in New York goes viral. As the world discovers that there is far more to the statues than people initially suspected, April finds herself becoming the primary source of authority concerning the statues. At the heart of a viral marketing campaign and with her fame growing, April risks losing her relationships, her security, and her own identity. Continue reading “2019 Teens’ Top Ten Nominees”
Printable Flyer (PDF)
The Columbia Public Library is excited to once again partner with Project LIT Battle, a student book club from Battle High School, to offer a spring community book discussion. On Thursday, May 9 from 6:30-7:30 p.m., we will discuss the graphic novel “Speak” by Laurie Halse Anderson. This program is also part of the countywide Journey Toward Inclusive Excellence Initiative.
Melinda Sordino, a freshman at Merryweather High School, busts up an end-of-summer party by calling the cops, and now nobody will talk to her, let alone listen to her. As time passes, she becomes increasingly isolated and practically stops talking altogether. Only her art class offers any solace, and it is through her work on an art project that she is finally able to face what really happened at that terrible party: she was raped by an upperclassman, a guy who still attends Merryweather and is still a threat to her. Continue reading “Project Lit Community Book Club”
After two months of nail-biting competition, central Missouri teens have selected their March Madness Teen Book Tournament Champion! We began with a list of 16 finalists which included perennial favorites like “The Giver” by Lois Lowry, bestsellers such as “Red Queen” by Victoria Aveyard and newcomers like “Children of Blood and Bone” by Tomi Adeyemi.
Many thanks to the teachers and school librarians who have supported this program, and to all the teens who have participated! And now, our 2019 champion is….
“The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas
Subscribe to our teen program newsletter to get a sneak peek at this year’s Summer Reading program, “A Universe of Stories.” Through this program, the library challenges young adults to read for 15 hours, share three book reviews and do seven of our suggested activities. Complete the challenge, and you will be eligible to win some pretty awesome prizes like an Amazon Fire tablet!
Summer Reading begins May 22 and we have programs for children, teens and adults. Download our info sheet to learn more and share the library love!
VOTE NOW through April 4 for the tournament champion!
Thank you to all the teens who have shared their favorites with us. So far, we’ve collected over 100 ballots from dozens of area teens. With each round of voting, teens’ names have been entered into a drawing for a chance to win an Amazon Fire tablet. The book tournament winner will be announced on Friday, April 5.
March Madness Teen Book Tournament Finalists
“The Sun Is Also a Star” by Nicola Yoon
VS
“The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas
Printable Flyer (PDF)
Next month, the Columbia Public Library will host a free workshop, “College Planning Strategies.” Join us on Wednesday, April 10 from 6-7:30 p.m. as you learn how to work toward your goals while in high school. Kristie Beck of Savvy Strategies will share tips on finding the right colleges, completing the application process and maximizing your chances of getting accepted.
This program is for families with children in grades 7-11. Both parents and students are welcome. Registration begins Tuesday, March 26. To sign-up, call (573) 443-3161.
As you make your journey toward college, don’t forget that the library has a wealth of resources to help you:
VOTE NOW through March 24 for the final two contending titles!
During the months of February and March, area young adults have eliminated 12 books to determine their top four favorite titles in the March Madness Teen Book Tournament. Below is the list of contenders remaining after the first two rounds of voting. If you are just joining us, here’s a recap of how you can participate for a chance to win and Amazon Fire tablet.
How It Works:
- Round 1: Voting complete for the Elite Eight.
- Round 2: Voting complete for the Final Four.
- Round 3: VOTE NOW through March 24 for the final two contending titles.
- Round 4: Vote March 26- April 4 for the book tournament champion.
- April 5: The champion is announced!
Each round you vote, your name will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win an Amazon Fire tablet. March Madness is open to all teens ages 12-18 who live in either Boone or Callaway County, Missouri. Limit one ballot per person, per round.
March Madness Teen Book Tournament: Final Four
- “The Giver” by Lois Lowry
- “One of Us Is Lying” by Karen M. McManus
- “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas
- “The Sun Is Also a Star” by Nicola Yoon
