Archives for Homepage Teens

Dive into Diversity: YA Historical Fiction

Dive into Diversity: YA Historical Fiction

In 2021, my Dive into Diversity posts about young adult books will focus on a different genre each month. I’ll highlight books with characters that represent a range of experiences and identities. I’ll also feature books written by authors who share an aspect of their characters’ identity, as much as possible. This month, with the Fourth of July approaching, I'm highlighting some great YA books in the historical fiction genre. Not all of them are set in the United States, but many of the titles below examine events in U. S. history from a perspective that's different from the dominant
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June 24, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: Dive into Diversity, historical fiction, staff picks, staff recommendations, and YA literature.

TaleWise July & August Events

TaleWise July & August Events

TaleWise presents: Unicorns: Break the Cage Tuesday, July 20, 3:30 p.m. Grades K-8 Access the program here. Note: a free registered Zoom account is required to access the Library’s youth programs. Get a Zoom account here. Join us on a wild adventure about two kids who visit the city zoo and discover all sorts of incredible animals, including a horse who knows in its heart that it’s truly a unicorn! The animals join forces to stand up to the tyrannical Zoo Owner — but do they have what it takes to leave their cages forever? The fun animated story segues
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June 24, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: children's events, performing arts, Talewise, teen events, and trove events.

Grab & Go Craft Kits: Cigar Boxes

Grab & Go Craft Kits: Cigar Boxes

Teens in grades 7-12 can pick up a kit with project supplies at the Library, then follow along with the instructional video below to make the project. Or, you can find the materials around your home and follow the video to make the project. Kits are first come, first served, and will become available on Monday, June 21st in the Library lobby. For this month’s project, we’re using decoupage to decorate cigar boxes. Your kit contains a cigar box, Mod Podge, a foam brush, and some magazine pages. You’ll need to provide scissors, and you might want to use paper
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June 21, 2021 9:30 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: crafts, crafts for teens, and Grab & Go kits.

Summer Events for Teens

Summer Events for Teens

Check out the Library’s lineup of programs in July and August for Grades 7-12! Note: Youth-focused virtual programs require a registered Zoom account. Creating an account is free and easy at http://zoom.us/signup. Summer Reading at White Plains Public Library: 6/28 – 8/20 Summer Reading at the Library kicks off Monday, June 28 and runs through Friday, August 20. Reading activity will be logged online with READSquared. More information on Summer Reading at White Plains Public Library can be found here. Grab&Go: Kits Grab&Go: Kits are fun and educational activities to do at home. Kits are available in a variety of
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June 8, 2021 1:30 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Events, Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: book discussion, chess, edge events, games, gaming, performing arts, STEAM, STEAM learning, technology, and teen events.

STEAMy Summer Days

STEAMy Summer Days

Mondays-Thursdays (except when noted) From 1:30-3:30 p.m. For teens entering Grades 6-10 in the fall. Registration is required. This summer the Library is excited to offer 8 weeks of free mini-camps for teens going into Grades 6-10 in the fall. This is the fifth year that Argus, a Verisk Analytics company, is funding these free summer camps. Week 1: 6/28 – 7/2 (Monday-Friday) 3D Prototyping With The Techno Chix Click here to register. Students will learn the fundamentals of 3D modelling and CAD (computer-aided design) using the free Onshape software to make basic models. After learning the basics, students will
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June 6, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: Argus, children, STEAM, STEAM Camps, Verisk Analytics, and White Plains Library Foundation.

Celebrate Pride 2021 with Children’s & YA Books!

Celebrate Pride 2021 with Children’s & YA Books!

LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and all of the other sexualities, sexes, and genders that aren't included in these few letters) Pride Month is celebrated annually in June to honor the 1969 Stonewall riots, which took place in New York City. The Stonewall riots marked the beginning of a movement to abolish discriminatory laws and practices against LGBTQIA+ persons in the United States, which continues to our present day. Pride celebrates the achievements of LGBTQIA+ Americans, and it highlights the work that continues in order to achieve equal justice and equal opportunity for those in the LGBTQIA+
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May 25, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: LGBTQIA+, Observances and Celebrations, Pride Month, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

Grab & Go Craft Kits: CD Artwork

Grab & Go Craft Kits: CD Artwork

Which Craft? Wednesday has been phased into Grab & Go Craft Kits! Instead of finding materials around the house, teens in grades 7-12 can pick up a kit with project supplies at the Library, then follow along with the instructional video below to make the project. Or, you can find the materials around your home and follow the video to make the project. Kits are first come, first served, and will become available on Monday, May 17th in the Library lobby. For this month’s project, we’re making reflective art from old CDs. The kit includes painted CDs and some mini
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May 17, 2021 9:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: arts and crafts, crafts for teens, Grab and Go Kits, and sustainability.

Library Reopening April 29th

Library Reopening April 29th

To read this text in Spanish, click here / Para español, haga clic aquí. We are very pleased that the Library reopened on Thursday, April 29th. A huge thanks goes to all of our patrons for their patience as we navigated this past year. Some facts about our service updates: We reopened with the exact same level of service we offered over the summer: Patrons are welcome to browse the first floor collections and check out material. Appointments are no longer required to visit the Trove. We will still be mindful of the number of people using the space at
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April 27, 2021 3:38 pm | by | 17 Comments
Categories: COVID-19, Director's Corner, Featured, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: covid-19, COVID-19 update, COVID19, library hours, library reopening, and library services.

Dive into Diversity: YA Graphic Novels

Dive into Diversity: YA Graphic Novels

In 2021, my Dive into Diversity posts about young adult books will focus on a different genre each month. I’ll highlight books with characters that represent a range of experiences and identities. I’ll also feature #ownvoices authors, or authors who share an aspect of their characters’ identity, as much as possible. In honor of Free Comic Book Day on May 1, this month’s column is all graphic novels. If you love graphic novels, stay tuned for more information about our upcoming summer graphic novel book club for grades 4-8. This month, I read a new Project LIT pick, Flamer by
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April 27, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: Dive into Diversity, Free Comic Book Day, graphic novels, staff picks, staff recommendations, YA Fiction, and YA literature.

April and May Book Discussions for Kids and Teens

April and May Book Discussions for Kids and Teens

Calling all readers! Join our Youth Services librarians in reading and discussing some truly awesome books. Each month, we host two Project LIT book discussions: one for kids, and one for teens. Note: you must have a Zoom account to attend these programs; sign up for a free account here. Project LIT Book Club for Kids and Tweens In April, our Project LIT Kids Book Discussion group will be meeting on Wednesday, April 14th at 4:30 p.m. We will be reading The First Rule of Punk by Celia C. Pérez! Children in 4th, 5th, and 6th grade are invited to
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April 23, 2021 9:27 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Events, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: book club, book discussion, kids book club, Project Lit, and teen book club.

Grab & Go Craft Kits for Teens: Paper Beads

Grab & Go Craft Kits for Teens: Paper Beads

Which Craft? Wednesday has been phased into Grab & Go Craft Kits! Instead of finding materials around the house, teens in grades 7-12 can pick up a kit with project supplies at the Library, then follow along with the instructional video below to make the project. Or, you can find the materials around your home and follow the video to make the project. Kits are first come, first served, and will become available on Monday, April 19th. When you arrive at the Library to pick up a kit, just call 914-422-1490 and ask for the Grab & Go Craft Kit
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April 19, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: arts and crafts, Grab & Go kits, and teens.

YTI Performing Arts Video Classes

YTI Performing Arts Video Classes

Courtesy of Youth Theater Interactions (YTI) in Yonkers, below is a selection of free performing arts video lessons in the categories of Acting, African Dance, African Drumming, Ballet, Keyboard, Music Theory, Tap and Vocals. These are video series of previous YTI virtual semesters. YTI has provided these video lessons to the Library free of charge to encourage the White Plains community to “Take a chance and learn a new form of artistic expression on your own schedule, and from the safety of your own home.” Acting Spring 2020 Virtual Class Series Fall 2020 Virtual Class Series African Dance Spring 2020
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April 14, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Classes, Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: acting, ballet, dance, music, performing arts, theater, and Youth Theater Interactions.

Financial Literacy for Middle Graders

Financial Literacy for Middle Graders

Tuesdays: April 6, 13, 20, & 27, from 5:00-6:00 p.m. Local student, Varun Bansal, will teach a four-part workshop on financial literacy for students in grades 4-8. Financial literacy is a passion of Varun’s and he is happy to share everything he has learned with younger students to get them on the path to financial wellness. He will be covering basic concepts of earning, spending, and saving, how to develop better money habits, basics of investing, banking, credit, and debit cards – how to open bank accounts, the difference between checking and savings accounts, card options, interestrates, borrowing, etc., and
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March 30, 2021 4:51 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: edge events, financial literacy, The Edge, The Trove, and trove events.

Autism Acceptance Month

Autism Acceptance Month

April 2nd is World Autism Awareness Day, and the month of April has been deemed Autism Acceptance Month. Let’s Light it Up Blue and support acceptance and inclusion of people with autism! Unfortunately, despite its prevalence in today’s society, many people still don’t understand this spectrum disorder. So what is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)? It is a range of conditions typically characterized by challenges with social skills and communication difficulties. It affects 1 in 54 children in the United States today. Since it is a spectrum, people with autism can range anywhere from needing significant support in everyday life to
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March 24, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: Autism, Autism Acceptance Month, book recommendations, children's books, Observances and Celebrations, picture books, staff picks, staff recommendations, and YA books.

Dive into Diversity: YA Books in Verse

Dive into Diversity: YA Books in Verse

In 2021, my Dive into Diversity posts about young adult books will focus on a different genre each month. I’ll highlight books with characters that represent a range of experiences and identities. I’ll also feature #ownvoices authors, or authors who share an aspect of their characters’ identity, as much as possible. This month, in preparation for Poetry Month, I’m highlighting novels (and one memoir) in verse. I love reading books written in this format. In addition to being quick reads, they’re often beautifully written and convey emotion in a unique way. Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo Grades 10
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March 23, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: Dive into Diversity, national poetry month, novels in verse, Observances and Celebrations, Poetry Month, staff picks, staff recommendations, teen books, and YA books.

March-April Break Week

March-April Break Week

The Library has some awesome events planned during Spring Break Week, March 29th – April 1st! Note: for events taking place within Zoom, a free registered Zoom account is required to access the Library’s youth programs. Get a Zoom account here. I Will Dance – Storytime & Author Visit with author Nancy Bo Flood Monday, March 29, 11:00 a.m. Ages 2-6 Access the program here. Award-winning author Nancy Bo Flood virtually visits the library to read from her book, I Will Dance. More information here. 3D Design & Printing Monday, March 29 – Thursday, April 1, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00
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March 18, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: author visit, children, children's events, edge events, Spring Break, teen events, teens, and trove events.

Learn About Ancient Rome!

Learn About Ancient Rome!

Learn about Ancient Rome! Grades 1-6, Teens Museums with Marisa will take you back in time to Ancient Rome for a fun and fact-filled series of archaeological explorations! Note: a free registered Zoom account is required to access the Library’s youth programs. Get a Zoom account here. Discovering Ancient Rome Monday, March 29 at 3:30 p.m. Access the program here Learn about the history and archaeology of one of Ancient Rome. Gladiators and Secrets of the Colosseum Tuesday, March 30 at 3:30 p.m. Access the program here Learn about fearsome gladiators and battles in the most famous arena of all
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March 18, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: children's events, kids, March 2021, The Trove, and trove events.

International Transgender Day of Visibility

International Transgender Day of Visibility

Each year, March 31st is celebrated as the International Transgender Day of Visibility. This is a day to honor the experiences and contributions of transgender and gender nonconforming people, and to recognize the discrimination they face. We’ve collected a bunch of children’s and YA books that reflect and celebrate a variety of transgender and gender nonconforming people. Find a collection of related titles on OverDrive here. The Human Rights Campaign Organization’s Welcoming Schools Project has a wealth of curriculum resources for teachers and parents. For further reading, I highly recommend their booklist: Great Diverse Children's Books with Transgender, Non-Binary and
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March 16, 2021 9:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: children's books, children's literature, International Transgender Day of Visibility, Observances and Celebrations, staff picks, staff recommendations, YA books, and YA Fiction.

Grab & Go Craft Kits for Teens: Blackout Poetry

Grab & Go Craft Kits for Teens: Blackout Poetry

Which Craft? Wednesday has been phased into Grab & Go Craft Kits! Instead of finding materials around the house, teens in grades 7-12 can pick up a kit with project supplies at the Library, then follow along with the instructional video below to make the project. Or, you can find the materials around your home and follow the video to make the project. Due to wintry weather and winds, Grab & Go Kits are now held inside the Library. Rather than having them sit outside to be picked up, when you arrive at the Library to pick up a kit,
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March 15, 2021 9:00 am | by | 1 Comment
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: arts and crafts, creative writing, Grab & Go kits, national poetry month, poetry, Poetry Month, and youth writing workshop.

Dive into Diversity: YA Romance

Dive into Diversity: YA Romance

In 2021, my Dive into Diversity posts about young adult books will focus on a different genre each month. I’ll highlight books with characters that represent a range of experiences and identities. I’ll also feature #ownvoices authors, or authors who share an aspect of their characters’ identity, as much as possible. Predictably, the February edition highlights books that feature romance as a central plot element. Super Fake Love Song by David Yoon Grades 9 and up OverDrive; Library Catalog I was excited to read David Yoon's next book after loving Frankly in Love when I read it in 2019, and
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February 23, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: Dive into Diversity, romance, staff picks, staff recommendations, teen books, YA books, and YA Fiction.