Teen Travel Reads

February 22, 2016 | jonesw

Drive, fly, or sail your way into these novels about teens traveling the world. 

Anna and the French kiss by Stephanie Perkins

When Anna's romance-novelist father sends her to an elite American boarding school in Paris for her senior year of high school, she reluctantly goes, and meets an amazing boy who becomes her best friend, in spite of the fact that they both want something more.

Are we there yet? by David Levithan

Sixteen-year-old Elijah is completely mellow and his 23-year-old brother Danny is completely not, so it’s no wonder they can barely tolerate one another. So what better way to repair their broken relationship than to trick them into taking a trip to Italy together? Soon, though, their parents’ perfect solution has become Danny and Elijah’s nightmare as they’re forced to spend countless hours together. But then Elijah meets Julia, and soon the brothers aren’t together nearly as much. And then Julia meets Danny and soon all three of them are in a mixed-up, turned-around, never-what-you-expect world of brothers, Italy, and love.

Yummy Fiction: Chapter Books About Cooking, Baking, and Sweets

February 19, 2016 | jonesw
Bliss by Kathryn Littlewood

Twelve-year-old Rose Bliss wants to work magic in her family's bakery as her parents do, but when they are called away and Rose and her siblings are left in charge, the magic goes awry and a beautiful stranger tries to talk Rose into giving her the Bliss Cookery Booke.

The candymakers by Wendy Mass

When four twelve-year-olds, including Logan, who has grown up never leaving his parents' Life Is Sweet candy factory, compete in the Confectionary Association's annual contest, they unexpectedly become friends and uncover secrets about themselves during the process.

Charlie and the chocolate factory by Roald Dahl

Each of five children lucky enough to discover an entry ticket into Mr. Willy Wonka's mysterious chocolate factory takes advantage of the situation in his own way..

Me Before You Read Alikes

February 19, 2016 | jonesw

If you loved Me Before You by JoJo Moyes, check out one of these titles today. 

After I do : a novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid

When Lauren and Ryan's marriage reaches the breaking point, they come up with an unconventional plan. They decide to take a year off in the hopes of finding a way to fall in love again. One year apart, and only one rule: they cannot contact each other. Aside from that, anything goes. Lauren embarks on a journey of self-discovery, quickly finding that her friends and family have their own ideas about the meaning of marriage. These influences, as well as her own healing process and the challenges of living apart from Ryan, begin to change Lauren's ideas about monogamy and marriage. She starts to question: When you can have romance without loyalty and commitment without marriage, when love and lust are no longer tied together, what do you value? What are you willing to fight for? 

The fault in our stars by John Green

Sixteen year old Hazel, who has cancer, meets Augustus at a kids-with-cancer support group and as they fall in love they both wonder how they will be remembered.

Great Music Documentaries

February 18, 2016 | jonesw
Amy [videodisc]

Examines the life and career of pop singer Amy Winehouse.

A band called Death [videodisc]

Equal parts electrifying rockumentary and epic family love story, A BAND CALLED DEATH chronicles the incredible fairy-tale journey of what happened almost three decades later, when a dusty 1974 demo tape made its way out of the attic and found an audience several generations younger. Playing music impossibly ahead of its time, Death is now being credited as the first black punk band (hell...the first punk band!), and are finally receiving their long overdue recognition as true rock pioneers.

Bob Dylan don't look back [videodisc]

Portrait of the artist as a young man. In spring, 1965, Bob Dylan, 23, a pixyish troubador, spends three weeks in England.

Laugh Along With Chapter Books

February 18, 2016 | jonesw
Bad kitty meets the baby by Nick Bruel

Bad kitty is not pleased when a baby joins her family. Includes fun facts and tips for training a cat to perform tricks..

Cloudy with a chance of boys by Megan McDonald

While older sister Alex is trying to orchestrate a perfect first kiss with her heartthrob and younger sister Joey prefers frogs to boys, Stevie Reel wonders if she is ready for a boyfriend while being pursued by a new boy in her class.

Cosmoe's wiener getaway by Max Brallier

Cosmoe Earth Boy, captain of the flying food truck Neon Wiener, cruises the galaxy with his friend Big Humphree, protecting the universe and narrowly escaping space bad guys.

Hilarious Memoirs

February 18, 2016 | jonesw
Born standing up : a comic's life by Steve Martin
Bossypants by Tina Fey

Actress Tina Fey recounts her life, sharing how she managed to fulfill her dream of one day becoming a comedian on television and discussing her childhood, marriage, career, and views on beauty, politics, motherhood, and relationships.

Everything is perfect when you're a liar by Kelly Oxford

Fanboys and Fangirls: YA With Geeky Characters

February 17, 2016 | jonesw

Earn your Geek Out badge with a young adult book featuring a geeky character. 

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

When twin sisters Cath and Wren go to college, Cath fears that it may be time to give up her love of the Simon Snow series, and possibly grow apart from her sister.

Fat boy vs the cheerleaders by Geoff Herbach

When the high school cheerleading team takes over a soda vending machine's funds, which were previously collected by the pep band, Gabe Johnson, an overweight "band geek" tired of being called names and looked down on, declares war.

Nonfiction That Reads Like Fiction for Adults

February 17, 2016 | jonesw

These true-life tales are as fast-paced and exciting as fiction! Check one out and earn your Keep It Real badge. 

The devil in the white city : murder, magic, and madness at the fair that changed America by Erik Larson
The ghost map : the story of London's most terrifying epidemic-- and how it changed science, cities, and the modern world by Steven Johnson

I’m Famous On the Internet: Books by YouTubers and Other Online Celebrities

February 17, 2016 | jonesw

Check out a book written by a YouTuber or Blogger and earn your Geek Out badge. 

The amazing book is not on fire : the world of Dan and Phil by Dan Howell

YouTube stars Dan Howell and Phil Lester tell the humorous story of growing up, becoming YouTube stars, and give advice to their teen followers.

Binge by Tyler Oakley

"Pop culture phenomenon, social rights advocate, and the most prominent LGBTQ voice on YouTube, Tyler Oakley brings you his first collection of witty, personal, and hilarious essays written in the voice that's earned him more than twenty-one million followers across social media. For someone who made a career out of over-sharing on the Internet, Tyler Oakley has a shocking number of personal mishaps and shenanigans to reveal in his first book: he experienced a legitimate rage blackout in a Cheesecake Factory; he had a fashion stand-off with the White House Secret Service; he crashed a car in front of his entire high school in an Arby's uniform; he projectile vomited while bartering with a grandmother. With millions of fans clamoring for more Tyler Oakley, he delivers his best untold, hilariously side-splitting moments with trademark flair in Binge"--.

Geeky Cooking & Crafts

February 17, 2016 | jonesw

Itching to create some Harry Potter or Star Wars goodies? Just looking for an outlet for your geekiness? Try one of these books and earn your Geek Out badge!

Charmed knits : projects for fans of Harry Potter by Alison Hansel
Fashion geek : clothes, accessories, tech by Diana Eng

Pages