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…
Tag: Pamela Groseclose
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…
A Hogwarts Reading List : Ravenclaw
In honor of the United State’s twentieth-anniversary publishing of Harry Potter, I will be sharing a book list once a month to highlight books tweens should read based on their Harry Potter House. In April I highlighted books every Slytherin should read and in July I highlighted books every Gryffindor should read. This month I am highlighting books every Ravenclaw should read. Ravenclaws are often categorized as the smartest house, but this doesn’t mean that people in other houses are less intelligent. Like all houses, there are a diverse group of people that make up the house. Perhaps the most distinguishing quality of Ravenclaw is their love of learning. This often makes Ravenclaws possess intelligence, creativity, individuality, and wit. When it comes to reading, they often want to be challenged and learn something new. This results in Ravenclaws reading a wide range of literature. They especially love mystery or puzzle…
Tween Books that Touch on Anxiety
While working the reference desk one evening a mom approached me and asked for middle-grade books with characters who struggle with anxiety. She explained that her daughter has all of sudden has been exhibiting anxiety doing routine activities such as traveling in a car.The patron wanted a book with a character who was going through something similar. Before I even got a chance to begin my search, two other parents standing nearby said, “I need that too!” In a world of uncertainty, sometimes we just need to know that we are not alone with our fears. This is especially true for tweens who are already in a scary time of transition. Librarians can help by providing families with resources and books to encourage them to discuss the feeling of anxiety and how to deal with it. If needed, librarians can also provide resources to refer families to get additional help….
What Do Tween Library Users Want?
Have you ever had a moment where a patron recognizes you, but you can’t identify who they are? One day while I was walking between library departments, a young teen called out my name and stopped me in my tracks. She started asking me personal questions. I politely answered her, but I couldn’t figure out how this teen knew so much about me.
LARP on Mars: A Tween Program
While sipping on my coffee and taking in the cooler weather, I can’t help but reflect on how quickly summer has gone by. Last Saturday was my library’s last day of our annual summer reading program. Its end brought joy and chocolate to my fellow staff members and groans and less excitement from the kids and families. As the upcoming school year brings new beginnings, I must reflect on how I served my tweens this summer. One of my favorite programs that I was a part of was a program entitled “Live Action Roleplay (LARP) on Mars”