Excitement is in the air as many of us slowly start to adjust to our new normal. It is summer reading season for most, and since many of us sat out last year, we are upping our game to welcome families back into the library, but as you do so, make sure you can target reluctant tween readers in the process. Being a tween already has many uncertainties, but things are even harder to navigate amid the pandemic, especially for reluctant readers. But libraries can help! To get these young tweens interested in reading, librarians need a hook. These hooks can be as simple as sports, video games, or even popular T.V. shows. For the past few weeks, I have been working on booklist bookmarks that tweens can pick up during the summer. I have also created a reader’s advisory sheet for tweens and families to pick up to get…
Author: Pamela Groseclose
Books for Tweens During Uncertain Times
More than ever, librarians are offering dynamic programming from their homes. Cooking, craft programs, and book talks are filling up Youtube! All of these things as needed, but do not forget to include book lists to your lineup. I know this might seem self-explanatory, but in a rush for programming, it is hard to stop and remember how much books offer us and tweens! Books help kids to explore issues, develop empathy, and reduce stress. Next Steps As summer approaches, we are all scrambling to find new ways to offer programming. One thing my library has found success doing is setting out a take-home craft kit that we set outside. These craft kits go very quickly! Consider offering a take-home craft that tweens can take home & provide paper booklists that tweens can grab and go in case they do not have internet access, or perhaps they need a break…
12 Books Tweens Can Read After Dog Man
Last month, I highlighted twelve books readers who enjoyed Raina Telgemeier should read. This author is outrageously liked, but another equally popular series I can’t seem to keep on my shelf is the Dog Man series by Dav Pilkey. Readers who like Dog Man are typically just starting in chapter books or are reluctant readers. They generally enjoy books that are fast-paced, funny, and have some illustrations. Usually, they have already read Captain Underpants, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and Big Nate, and it is often difficult to find other books these young patrons will enjoy. If you are running out of suggestions, this post is for you!
12 Books Tweens Can Read after Raina Telgemeier
As a children’s librarian, I get lots of questions. One reoccurring question I often get from kids is, “What book should I read after I have read all of Raina Telgemeier?” I not only get this question from kids, but I also get it from parents and educators too! So if you have a kid or parent that needs some fresh read-alikes, this post is for you. Here are my top twelve books to read after you have read all of Raina Telgemeier’s work. Awkward (Berrybrook Middle School Series) by Svetlana Chmakova On her first day at her new school, Penelope–Peppi–Torres trips into a quiet boy in the hall, Jaime Thompson. Peppi is teased and called the “nerder girlfriend.” How does she handle this crisis? By shoving poor Jaime and running away! Peppi feels ashamed about the way she treated Jaime. Things are already awkward enough between the two, but…
Play it Big : Helping Tweens Transition to Teen Services with Board Games
As a teen service librarian, one of the most challenging tasks is activating the tween and teen space. In my six years of experience in youth services, I have always tried to think of the next big thing to boost programming numbers and make the area more inviting to tweens and teens. I constantly brainstormed ideas and re-evaluated my services. Surely this was enough, but my tweens taught me otherwise. I was working too hard on something that was already happening.
Creating a Successful Tween Book Club
Book Clubs are always an excellent tween and even teen program, but it is often difficult to get one started. There can be many barriers to making it work. One of which is competing against school activities and precious time with family. Tweens and teens are busier than ever, and libraries are having to go the extra mile to attract families to library programming. In the past, I have only been able to have success with book clubs through outreach. My former library was lucky enough to team up with the local school librarians to offer a book club over the lunch hour for students. Recently, I moved out of state to pursue another job. One of the things I missed most was doing a book club. Looking back, I realized it was my library’s version of a tween advisory board. I felt lost with it. I decided that I…
Book Gift Ideas for Tweens
Librarians are experts at reader’s advisory. We read in our spare time to do a better job while we are on the clock. So when it comes to holiday book ideas, librarians are the experts. Unlike bookstores and retailers, librarians are free agents whose only interest is helping to connect readers to the right book. They can help the most reluctant reader become passionate about books. Librarians can even help the most challenging group of readers-tweens. As the year comes to a close, it is a great time to take a look back at some of the best books of the year. These books would make an excellent gift for a tween or educator in your life. If not a gift, these books are worth adding to your to-read pile. 24 Hours in Nowhere by Dusti Bowling Thirteen-year-old Gus lives in Nowhere, Arizona. His life in Nowhere is miserable, and…
A Hogwarts Reading List : Hufflepuff
In honor of the United State ’s twentieth-anniversary publishing of Harry Potter, I have been a sharing a book list once a month to highlight books tweens should read based on their Harry Potter House. In April, I books every Slytherin should read. In July, I highlighted books every Gryffindor should read, and in August I highlighted books every Ravenclaw should read. This month I will be highlighting the final house the Hufflepuffs!