It’s no surprise that we love talking about books here at the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library, and the end of the year is a perfect time to gather together favorites. With that in mind, three of our Youth Services librarians thought we’d share our top picks of 2022 for kids and teens. Check them out, and view our complete list of recommendations!
And while you’re at it, be sure to participate in our best books giveaway!
Growing up, my brother and I spent a lot of time bonding over our shared love of video games. Our parents mostly appreciated our hobby from a distance, but the times that they did join in were always tons of fun, and memories I treasure to this day. Playing video games as a family can be a great way to build stronger connections and to understand the media your children consume. It also gives you opportunities to model empathy and problem-solving skills, and learning to cope with losing in games can help kids build emotional resilience.
With that in mind, why not host a family video game night? Here are some video game suggestions to get the ball rolling:
The library has video games available for a variety of different consoles, including several generations of PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo systems. Video games in our children’s collection have a green sticker on the spine to make finding them easy, but if you ever have questions about whether a video game is appropriate for your child just check the ESRB rating on the back. Visit the ESRB website for more information on what these ratings mean: https://www.esrb.org/ratings-guide/
Most importantly, remember to have fun! Playing video games together can offer a window into your child’s world, and you may even find yourself feeling like a kid again.
August is often full of last-minute road trips and, if you’re anything like me, you enjoy a great audiobook while on the road. I especially appreciate an audiobook you can stream right from your smart device, which is why I’m an avid Hoopla user. Hoopla has a wide selection of audiobooks and it doesn’t have any wait lists! Just login, find an intriguing audiobook, and you’re set to download it right away. Each Eau Claire library cardholder gets four downloads per month, and those downloads automatically return when they’re due. Win-win-win!
If you’re looking for a good place to start, try one of these awesome teen audiobooks available now on Hoopla.
Loveless by Alice OsemanIf you love a great journey of self-discovery, Loveless is the perfect choice!
This is the funny, honest, messy, completely relatable story of Georgia, who doesn’t understand why she can’t crush and kiss and make out like her friends do. She’s surrounded by the narrative that dating + sex = love. It’s not until she gets to college that she discovers the A range of the LGBTQIA+ spectrum – coming to understand herself as asexual/aromantic. Disrupting the narrative that she’s been told since birth isn’t easy – there are many mistakes along the way to inviting people into a newly found articulation of an always-known part of your identity. But Georgia’s determined to get her life right, with the help of (and despite the major drama of) her friends.
Dustborn by Erin BowmanIf Science Fiction is more your jam, Dustborn is an involving postapocalyptic Western-Sci-Fi mashup.
Delta of Dead River has always been told to hide her back, where a map is branded on her skin to a rumored paradise called the Verdant. In a wasteland plagued by dust squalls, geomagnetic storms, and solar flares, many would kill for it – even if no one can read it. So, when raiders sent by a man known as the General attack her village, Delta suspects he is searching for her. Delta sets out to rescue her family but quickly learns that in the Wastes no one can be trusted.
When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya MenonFor those seeking sweet romance, When Dimple Met Rishi will surely hit the perfect note.
Now that Dimple Shah has graduated, she’s ready for a break from her family – especially from Mamma’s inexplicable obsession with her finding the Ideal Indian Husband. Ugh. But Dimple knows that her mother must respect that she isn’t interested in doing that right now – otherwise she wouldn’t have paid for her to attend a summer program for aspiring web developers, right? Rishi Patel is a hopeless romantic, so when his parents tell him that his future wife will be attending the same summer program as him – during which he’ll have to woo her – he’s totally on board. Although their parents hadn’t planned suggesting the arrangement so soon, when their kids signed up for the same summer program, they figured “Why not?”
Into the Bloodred Woods by Martha BrockenbroughInto the Bloodred Woods is a dark fairytale where Beauty and the Beast are one and the same…
Happily ever after is a lie. Once upon a time there was a kingdom, and a forest that liked to eat men, and a girl who would change everything, but not alone…In a faraway land, populated by were beasts and surrounded by a powerful forest, lies a kingdom about to be sent into chaos. On his deathbed, King Tyran divides his land, leaving half to each of his two children – so they’ll rule together. However, his son, Albrecht, is not satisfied with half a kingdom. And even though his sister, Ursula, is the first born, he decides that, as a girl and were bear, she is unfit to rule. What follows is an epic battle of good, evil, and something in-between.
If you’re looking for gripping narrative non-fiction, try The Race of the Century, which relates the history of the race to break the 4-minute mile.
Highly acclaimed author Neal Bascomb pulls together his peerless research and fast-paced narrative style into this inspiring and moving story of three men racing to achieve the impossible — the perfect four-minute mile. There was a time when running the mile in four minutes was believed to be beyond the limits of human foot speed. In 1952, after suffering defeat at the Helsinki Olympics, three world-class runners each set out to break this barrier. Bascomb delivers a breathtaking story of unlikely heroes and leaves us with a lasting portrait of the twilight years of the golden age of sport.
The Pigeon is NOT allowed to drive the bus and most certainly does NOT want to take a bath, but this fall, The Pigeon WILL Ride the Roller Coaster! That’s right! The Pigeon returns in September for another storybook ride. In fact, there are so many exciting books for children and teens that will be released in the coming weeks, and we can NOT wait to share them with you! Click on this link to see our growing list of sure-to-be new favorite books, and place your holds on them today! We’ll let you know as soon as they are ready for you to pick up at the newly renovated library. Nifty!
For additional book suggestions, check out our themed lists here.
Chase away the February blues with Art Week at the library! Most Eau Claire schools are off Thursday and Friday, so we are celebrating!
All week long, the Youth Services division will offer drop-in art stations and scavenger hunts in the library.
We are also hosting professional artist Dan Gogh who will be teaching two free art workshops online! The “Drawing Animals Workshop” is offered for elementary aged students, and tweens and teens in 5th grade can attend the “Drawing Manga Workshop.” Both are on Friday, February 25. Register here to receive the zoom link.
But, wait, there’s more!
On Thursday, February 24, join us on Zoom for Pajama Storytime Online at 6:30 p.m. Be sure to snuggle up in your snazziest PJs! This Storytime will feature bedtime stories, songs, and all the Storytime fun you’ve come to expect. Register here to receive the Zoom link.
And, of course, we always offer books, movies, video games, maker kits, and so much more, so stock-up for chilly weather and family time. Be sure to stop down – we’re always happy to see you!
I don’t know about you, but I LOVE a good audiobook. And now the library has even more ways to enjoy your favorites (or soon-to-be favorites) on audio.
Playaways®
Playaways are audiobooks pre-loaded onto a handy little device (about the size of a deck of cards). All you need is a battery and a pair of earbuds/headphones to listen. Check out all the juvenile and teen titles available in our library catalog here.
Wonderbooks®
Wonderbooks are print books with a built-in audiobook component. Inside the front cover is an attached audio device which reads the book aloud. These may be listened to via the built-in speaker or with headphones. Perfect for children that like to listen and read along with the text. Check out the juvenile titles available here.
VOX™ Books
VOX™ Books capture children’s attention by combining a book into an all-in-one read along. Like Wonderbooks, inside of the front cover is an attached audio device which reads the book aloud; simply push a button to listen. These are great for pre-readers, emerging readers or even seasoned readers! Check out the collection here.
Questions on Playaways®, Wonderbooks®, or VOX™ Books? Let us know at 715-839-5007 or ysstaff@eauclaire.lib.wi.us. We’re always happy to help!
Hey, teens, with all this time at home, have you started to try new recipes? I do love fancy beverages from local cafes, but I’ve been excited to experiment with my own versions over this last year.
Back in the day, I used to work at a coffee shop that also happened to sell stellar fruit smoothies. I love love loved their drinks, and splurged more often than I probably should have as a poor college student. When I left for library work, I started to make my own smoothies at home. They’re SO easy to make – and super tasty! It may seem like too much trouble, but all you need is a blender, fruit or veg, and ice. I mean, what recipe is easier than that?
You can use frozen fruit, fresh fruit, canned fruit – or a combination. Add yogurt, milk (or dairy free alternative), or a little juice. Add a bit of honey or sugar if you need it a little sweeter. Be a rebel and try adding spinach or other vegetables; you never know what deliciousness you may invent.
As the weather starts to warm up, I’m getting into my smoothie groove again, and thought I’d share a favorite recipe with you. Give it a try, and share your snaps on Instagram. Be sure to tag us @eclibraryteens.
Tropical Burst Smoothie
3/4 cup frozen pineapple
3/4 cup frozen mango
3/4 cup frozen strawberries
1/2 fresh banana
1/2 cup plain yogurt (or a splash of non-dairy milk)
4-5 ice cubes (or about 1 cup)
Throw the frozen fruit into a bowl. Microwave for 90-120 seconds to thaw out (or leave on the counter for a few hours. But who has time for that?). Once fruit is mostly thawed, place in blender. Add banana, yogurt, and ice. COVER with lid. You may want to hold the lid down to be safe. Smoothie on the ceiling is NOT fun. Blend until smooth. Poor into a glass, add an eco-friendly straw, and enjoy in the sunshine.*
Looking for more smoothie recipes? Google compiles TONS of great suggestions. Or try some of these awesome e-books from the library. We’ve got smoothie books for DAYS. You may need to log in to to see all of them. Use that library card power!
*Maybe clean the blender for your parents? Or double the recipe and bribe them with a smoothie so you don’t have to clean.
Did you know that Youth Services has a special advisory board for teen services, run by the teens themselves? The Young Adult Advisory Board (YAAB) meets each month to discuss ideas for programs, teen materials, and much more! Teen members recently created a booklist of some of their favorite teen reads to share with you all.
Check out these book recommendations for you or the teens in your life. Teen reads recommended by teens for other teens. What’s better than that?
Young Adult Advisory Board Teens Recommend…
To find out more about our current Young Adult Advisory Board, head over to the Teen Lounge @ Home Blog for member profiles.The Young Adult Advisory Board (YAAB) is open to teens in grades 6 through 12. YAAB currently meets virtually on the 1st Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m. to discuss ideas for programs, materials, activities in the Teen Lounge and ways to make the library a better place for teens. Always accepting new members: apply today!
Want some fresh reads to keep your kiddo interested and engaged in reading (and perhaps a few titles for yourself as well)? Let the knowledgeable staff at the library do the browsing for you! We will create a personalized bundle of books and other materials based upon your or your child’s interests. Staff will put up to 10 items on hold for each participating child or teen and up to five items on hold for each participating adult. You may request one new bundle each month for each participating reader. Ready to give it a try? Simply fill out this form: https://www.ecpubliclibrary.info/kids/book-bundles/
HAPPY READING!
Winter Break is around the corner, and we have you covered for a week of playing, crafting, exploring, and learning together. We provide the materials; you provide the imagination!
Water Wow: Make a watercolor tape resist painting on canvas. Recommended for Toddlers-Kindergarteners.
Playdough Creations: Mix-up and explore your very own batch of silky, smooth playdough. One kit is enough fun for two children! Recommended for Toddlers-Kindergarteners.
Edible Sculptures: Use Rice Krispies treats to design a show-stopping baked good creation. Recommended for school-age children.
Cactus Buddy: Paint and “plant” a silly rock cactus. Recommended for school-age children.
Yummy Gummy: Make your very own Gummy Bears. Ingredients and bear molds provided. Limited to youth in grades 6-12 only.
Mini Watercolor Polaroid: Use watercolor paint and paper to create mini polaroid pictures. Limited to youth in grades 6-12 only.
Mix and match activities based on your interests. Let us know what activities you would like, and we will compile your Break in a Bag (limit to two activities per child, no duplication of activities). Complete this registration form or call Youth Services at 715-839-5007. While supplies last.
Want to keep on tinkering, dabbling, and making this winter break? Let these titles kickstart your creativity!
