Teens

  • Romantic Wednesdays: 2013 RITA Award Winners

    On July 20th, the Romance Writers of America (RWA) announced the winners of the 2013 RITA Awards, which honor excellence in romantic fiction. From supernatural mysteries, to teen dystopian fiction, to fresh contemporary love stories, these books represent the diversity and breadth of the romance genre. The Haunting of Maddy Clare by Simone St. James Equal… Continue reading

  • Romantic Wednesdays: Ex-Box

    Now it’s not a gaming console, it’s that little box in the back of your closet or in the storage unit at your apartment, that little box of doom and gloom. I’ve come to believe that most of us have a Pandora’s box of heartbreak. It has the power, once opened, to bring back all… Continue reading

  • Who Says the Dead Can’t Dance?

    Ok, I’m not usually a big fan of gore and ghosts, but when they come with excellent characters and a great deal of witty dialogue, what’s not to love? I can’t guarantee that everyone will find these books funny, but that was definitely an aspect that kept me turning the pages. After all, I had… Continue reading

  • Little people up to no good (part 2): the modern tiny person

    Were you thrilled when Arrietty came out, but now want new tiny adventures? Well, look no further! The Bromeliad trilogy by Terry Pratchett (1989) I’ve tried very hard to stick to tiny people who are more people than fairy, and of all of Pratchett’s tiny people, the Nomes of the Bromeliad best meet that criteria.… Continue reading

  • Science Fiction Fridays: More Alternatives to Game of Thrones

    In our never-ending quest to call out readable alternatives to terrific TV series, SPL librarians have been looking for something to satisfy that GOT craving–Game of Thrones, that is. One of our fabulous teen librarians have some suggestions for you for when the series ceases to engage–or if your appetite, once whetted, needs some print… Continue reading

  • Summer Reading: Reviews from Rainier Beach Readers

    Identity: Your Passport to Success by Stedman Graham It’s Chicken Soup for the Soul meets a motivational roadmap. The concepts are all familiar but presented in a compelling way. ~Arleen House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer This futuristic sci-fi novel will enthrall audiences of most ages. Matt, the young clone of the wealthiest, most… Continue reading

  • Science Fiction Fridays: What to read when you’re not watching Game of Thrones

    Since he joined the Night’s Watch, Jon Snow hasn’t had much time to read, what with all the other things keeping him busy at the Wall, like fighting ice zombies and protecting Sam and wondering what his pet direwolf is up to. And now that Jon has been captured by Wildlings, there’s even less time… Continue reading

  • Books with green covers, literally

    A favorite and fun library display to do is one which is literally a rainbow of covers. Library staff go on the search for books with covers in primary and other major colors. These finds are displayed on book easels. Then the serendipitious time happens with people pausing, contemplating, oohing and chuckling. Keeping in mind that the St. Patrick’s Day holiday is this week, I asked… Continue reading

  • Librarians select Top 20 Teen Novels

    After some spirited discussion, our Teen Services Librarians whittled down an admirable list of contenders to get to the Top 20 Teen Novels of the 21st Century. Then they decided to take it one step farther: Each Monday they feature one of the titles over on our Push to Talk blog, where there’s a bit… Continue reading

  • Seattle Picks: Terror for teens

    Take a look at some of the horror novels recommended by our teen services librarians: Possessed by Kate Cann Rayne takes a job at an old mansion to escape the London projects, and meets a group of rich, hot teens. When she uncovers the mystery of their power it will take all her strength and… Continue reading

  • Staff Favorites: Two novels for teen readers

    Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters by Natalie Standiford Each of the three Sullivan sisters has committed a crime against Almighty, their rich and powerful grandmother. She threatens to cut their entire family out of her will, leaving her vast estate to Ponchos for Puppies (the most ridiculous charity on earth) if the culprit who has… Continue reading

  • Place your holds now!

     Moon Over Manifest won the Newbery Medal this morning, Ship Breaker took home the Printz, and A Sick Day for Amos McGee received the Caldecott Medal. Check out the full list of winners from the ALA’s Youth Media Awards 2011. And here’s a neat trick: You can search award titles easily in our catalog. Here are… Continue reading

  • The Sky’s the Limit: Young Women and Aviation

    There are two books in the Library’s collection with titles that sound exactly alike: Flyy Girl and Flygirl. But don’t get them mixed up. One is a gritty, realistic, coming of age urban fiction—that’s Flyy Girl by Omar Tyree. The other, Flygirl, is an action-packed, historical novel about flying during World War II written by… Continue reading

  • Personalized reading suggestions for teens in Seattle!

    For all you teens in Seattle — our incredible teen services librarians are ready to help you find a book you WANT to read. All you have to do is use the Ask-a-Librarian form to tell us a little bit about what you like to read. We’ll get back to you in a day or two… Continue reading

  • Sasquatch Sightings

    Summer is a great time to go hiking, camping and exploring!  If you live in Washington, you’ve probably heard of Bigfoot, or Sasquatch, who some believe lives deep in the woods.  Even if you never see a Sasquatch while hiking, you can discover great stories about them at the library. In Searching for Sasquatch, Arlo… Continue reading

  • Cover art for Hunger Games #3 revealed — and here’s how you’ll know when you can put a hold on it

    Is it mean to tease you with the cover of a book that isn’t available yet? Maybe. But I thought you’d forgive me since now fans of Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games can ramp up the anticipation for the August 24 release of Mockingjay. Read all about the trilogy at the Scholastic blog. Now, you know… Continue reading

  • Soup’s On!

    The New Year is already off to a flying start and everyday routines are back in full swing with work, school, homework, sports… You get the picture. As a librarian, I don’t work banker’s hours. I work “public service” hours, which include weekends and evenings, with a schedule that varies from week to week and… Continue reading

  • Maybe it will make sense now: ‘The Manga Guide to Calculus’

    Even though the library’s digital book service Safari Books Online hasn’t been at the forefront of my pleasure reading (no page-turning fiction to be found here!), I thought I’d take a look through it the other day — maybe there would be SOMETHING in it for me. I immediately liked that you don’t have to download any software… Continue reading