Farmingdale Library Teens

by Tirzah Price Aug 15, 2022   As a teen, working was my reality — after school jobs, summer shifts, and of course, babysitting on weekends and evenings. I love it when YA books depict working and jobs because not only does it reflect the lived experiences of a lot of teens, but I also think that reading about working teens can teach readers a lot about what it’s like to enter the workforce (which, let’s be real, can be intimidating, especially to more reserved teens!). Of course, it shouldn’t be all work and drudgery — first jobs can be an exciting avenue to discovering your strengths, responsibility, freedom, and meeting people you might not otherwise encounter in your day-to-day life! It can even lead to love! These young adult books all feature romance and the workplace, whether that’s a job at a food truck or in retail, or an internship, or just work at a family business. Most of these YA workplaces romances feature a relationship between employees (which can be fraught w...

  Rachel Brittain   Aug 12, 2022 Is there anything more perfect for some summer reading than a book set in Hawai’i? A more atmospheric setting is hard to find, not to mention the islands’ rich cultural heritage and history. Regardless of genre, it seems safe to say that any book set on Hawai’i is, by definition, a beach read. Look, sorry, I don’t make the rules. (I do, actually. At least in this one instance.) Even without a beach setting to read them on, books set in Hawai’i still make some of the best beach reads. These 10 books set in Hawai’i range the gamut from light comfort reading to heartbreaking familial epics, and each and every one of them will sweep you away. Whether romance novels full of island vibes or historical fiction that draws readers back into the islands’ tumultuous past, these books are exactly what you need for a bit of summer respite. And you can enjoy them all from the comfort of your house, sans beach vacation. Truly, is there anything better? Find a...

  Ashlie Swicker   Aug 12, 2022 The first day of school is my favorite day of the year. However, I understand that firsts are uncomfortable for many others, and few firsts are as nerve wracking as the first day of school. Whether you are a caregiver preparing a child or an educator preparing a learning environment, there are so many different considerations. Academic pressures aside, classrooms are places where names can be butchered, feelings can be damaged, fitting in can seem like a challenge, and differences might be viewed as issues instead of causes for celebration. A good educator will spend the first weeks building community and helping students share their authentic selves with their classmates. Caregivers can also set their children up for success. I have children who feel big feelings and struggle with anxiety, and at our house, first day of school prep includes an early return to the school night routine. This is one less thing to struggle with as we return to earl...

 by  Abigail Clarkin   Jul 11, 2022 New England is home to a beautiful coastline, snowy winters, and land rich with complicated history. There are small towns nestled in the mountains, and bright cities bustling with business. As a resident Rhode Islander, I have spent my fair share of time in both places. Some days, I navigate the T while visiting friends or family in Boston. On other days, I am headed to a remote part of New Hampshire to go hiking. The vibrancy of possibilities and interesting, sometimes spooky environments means that each of the New England states — Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont, for anyone unfamiliar — are the perfect settings for young adult fiction. And I’m pleased to see YA in New England sprinkled throughout bookstands of new releases in 2022. For example: looking for a city ripe with magic? Have the teens grow up in Providence, Rhode Island. Need a town where werewolves might thrive? Maine i...

 by Kelly Jensen August 1, 2022 There are so many things about anthologies that make them compelling. You get a taste of an author’s writing without committing to a whole book, you get to see how different authors take on a theme or topic, and you get the opportunity to consider the choices that went into the creation of the anthology. Why did the editors choose these authors or arrange the contents in a specific way? As someone who has edited  three YA anthologies , I find anthologies even more fascinating than I did prior to doing the behind-the-scenes work. We continue to be in an age where  YA anthologies  are thriving. They’re covering a  wide range of fascinating topics  across a big swath of genres and styles. There are new editors and voices within these collections, as well as established and beloved creators. This year and next year are promising a host of exciting and necessary YA anthologies, with something for every kind of reader. One thing th...