Thank you for another great summer of programs and reading here at DBRL! We’ve surveyed the book reviews that teens have submitted all summer long and compiled the results into a list of some of the most popular titles and series:
In June, the library invited area youth to submit a work of visual art as part of our annual Summer Reading program. We received many entries that included photos, paintings, drawings and collages. After much consideration by a jury of staff artists, we are happy to announce our contest winners:
First Place: “Forest Fox” by Zlata Kolenikova
Second Place: “Build a Better World” by Joya Hagemeyer
Third Place: “Memories Never Had” by Elijah Gersk
As we reach the end of one contest, we look forward to the next. Now through October 14, submit your entry into the library’s Six-Word Memoir Contest. We are asking teens to tell us about themselves in just six words. No more. No less. Winners will be announced on our website in November.
Daniel Boone Regional Library is hosting two different programs to celebrate National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) and three workshops exclusively for young writers. Additionally, we launched our Six-Word Memoir Contest for teens just last week. These events provide great opportunities for teens to get their words into the world, connect with other local authors and hone their craft.
The Columbia Public Library is co-sponsoring two events with the Columbia NaNoWriMo group:
Get Ready to Write a 30-Day Novel Thursday, October 26, 7-8:30 p.m. Columbia Public Library, Friends Room
Learn how to sign up, prepare a plot or sketch out a plan before you start and get tips on writing your first draft. Find out about “write-ins” in the area and meet other creative people. Adults and teens. No registration required.
NaNoWriMo Write-In Event Friday, November 10, 6-9 p.m. Columbia Public Library, Reading Room
Finish the second week of National Novel Writing Month at the library with a special after-hours work session. You’ll be among fellow NaNoWriMo participants and have a chance to get lots of writing done. Co-sponsored by the Columbia NaNoWriMo group. Adults and teens. No registration required.
In celebration of Teen Read Week, we invite you to tell us about yourself in just six words. No writing experience is necessary; after all, you’re the master of this subject. Submit your six-word memoir by Saturday, October 14. Winning entries will be posted on our website in November.
Eligibility:
1. Participants must be between 12 and 18 years old.
2. Participants must reside in either Boone or Callaway County, Missouri.
Contest Rules:
1. One entry per individual.
2. Entries must be exactly 6 words. No more. No less.
3. Submissions must be spelled correctly and not use abbreviations.
4. Daniel Boone Regional Library reserves the right to not publish inappropriate content.
You may contact a librarian with any contest questions at teen@dbrl.org or (573) 443-3161.
Registration is now open for our next session of “Wii U Family Game Time” on Saturday, September 2 from 3-4:30 p.m. We invite kids and teens to compete for the gold cup in “Mario Kart 8” or chase spooks in “Luigi’s Ghost Mansion.” A variety of other games will available for group play including, “Just Dance.” Snacks provided. Ages 10 and older. Parents welcome. To sign up, please call (573) 443-3161.
What It’s About:“The Sun Is Also A Star” is a story about love and leaving. Natasha is desperate to find a way to keep herself and family from being deported back to Jamaica. Daniel has the biggest meeting of his life, an entrance interview for an Ivy League college that he doesn’t want to attend. Fate puts these two in each other’s path again and again on the day Natasha is scheduled to be deported. At first Natasha doesn’t believe in love, but as her feelings for Daniel grow it becomes too difficult for her to deny. Here’s the conflict: If she admits she is falling in love with him, how can she say goodbye to him in less than 24 hours?
What I liked about it: I liked that the story is told from both Natasha’s and Daniel’s viewpoints. During most of the book, Natasha is a very cynical young woman who cares more about facts and numbers than art and love. Daniel, a poet, is her exact opposite. At times it felt like this opposition was a bit contrived. Honestly, I didn’t like Natasha until the very end. However, the story is very good and the ending was my favorite part.
Similar Titles: If you like realistic fiction about love or multicultural relationships, here are a few books you should check out: “Something In Between” by Melissa De La Cruz, “Like No Other” by Una LaMarche, “The Orange Houses” by Paul Griffen and “You in Five Acts” also by Una LaMarche.
The Gateway Readers Award honors a young adult novel that is selected by Missouri high school students. To be eligible to vote, students must read at least three of the finalists. Voting will occur at participating schools early next March, so you can use the summer months to get crack-a-lackin’ on this list! The winner will be announced in April 2018.
“Ruthless” by Carolyn Lee Adams
When Ruth is kidnapped, she’s determined not to become the serial-killer’s next trophy. She escapes, but her captor begins stalking her through the wilderness.
“Six of Crows” by Leigh Bardugo
Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz’s crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction, if they don’t kill each other first.
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 2018, this is a great list of summer reads for students in grades sixth through eighth.
“Red Queen” by Victoria Aveyard
In a world divided by blood—those with common, red blood serve the silver-blooded elite, who are gifted with superhuman abilities. Mare, a Red, discovers she has an ability of her own. To cover up this impossibility, the king betroths her to one of his sons as a lost Silver princess. But Mare uses her new position to help the Scarlet Guard.
“The Fixer” by Jennifer Barnes
When her grandfather develops dementia, sixteen-year-old Tess, is whisked away by a sister she barely knows to Washington, D.C. and thrown into a world of power, wealth, love triangles and family secrets. Continue reading “2017-18 Truman Award Finalists”
On average, 2.8 million teens runaway from home each year. Rainbow House, a local emergency shelter for youth, receives 10-15 calls each month from teens who have either been abused or kicked out of their homes. To help combat this serious widespread problem, the Youth Community Coalition partnered with Rainbow House to launch the Safe Place Program.
How does Safe Place work?
Youth can stop by one of 20 Safe Place sites, including the Columbia Public Library. Then, they simply find the first available employee and let them know they are in need of a safe place. Young adults will be connected to emergency shelter and other supportive resources available through Rainbow House.
The Teens’ Top Ten is a “teen choice” list of recommended reading sponsored by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). Sixteen 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. YALSA also provides a downloadable booklist for easy printing and sharing.
“Nightstruck” by Jenna Black
Becket, an ambitious but ordinary teenager, was walking her dog one night when she heard a baby cry. Going to help, Becket is tricked into opening a door between worlds, allowing a dark magic into the mortal world. As the magic trickles in, you better be inside or you’ll face the changes in the night. Innocent everyday items and buildings grow fangs, tails and eyes. People become the Nightstruck. Continue reading “2017 Teens’ Top Ten Nominees”
Thank you for another great summer of programs and reading here at DBRL! We’ve surveyed the book reviews that teens have submitted all summer long and compiled the results into a list of some of the most popular titles and series:
Daniel Boone Regional Library is hosting two different programs to celebrate National Novel Writing Month (
Registration is now open for our next session of “Wii U Family Game Time” on Saturday, September 2 from 3-4:30 p.m. We invite kids and teens to compete for the gold cup in “Mario Kart 8” or chase spooks in “Luigi’s Ghost Mansion.” A variety of other games will available for group play including, “Just Dance.” Snacks provided. Ages 10 and older. Parents welcome. To sign up, please call (573) 443-3161.
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