Farmingdale Library Teens

by  Mikkaka Overstreet   Apr 4, 2023   Music lovers, rejoice! There’s a plethora of YA books about musicians to appeal to lovers of music in its many forms. From jazz to K-pop, there’s something for everyone. Though I personally have not a single musical bone in my body, I can enjoy the art. Research suggests music can help keep your brain young. Additionally, music listeners have higher mental well-being scores and lower levels of anxiety and depression than the overall population. Music activates just about every part of the brain. Though researchers initially believed that classical music had the most benefits, that’s not necessarily true. Furthermore, music lovers have greater social-emotional skills. If you’re a music lover who also loves books, you are getting all sorts of benefits. Reading books can lengthen your life span, lessen cognitive decline, and decrease stress. It can also make you more empathetic and improve your conversation skills. Thus, it is my very unscientific op

  MAY 23 EVER SINCE  BY ALENA BRUZAS Seventeen-year-old Virginia makes bad choices. In fact, she’s That Kind of Girl, according to the whispers. But as long as she has her tight group of best friends by her side, she’s able to ignore the gossipers. Until she finds herself spending time with Rumi, Poppy’s boyfriend. Breaking with tradition, she doesn’t hook up with Rumi. Worse, she falls in love with him.  While Virginia and Rumi’s relationship grows in secret, she discovers that his little sister, Lyra, is being groomed for abuse. The soon-to-be-abuser is a respected member of the community, and only Virginia knows who he is and what he does. If she stays quiet, Lyra will become a victim. But coming forward feels equally impossible. FOREVER IS NOW  BY MARIAMA J. LOCKINGTON I’m safe here. That’s how Sadie feels, on a perfect summer day, wrapped in her girlfriend’s arms. School is out, and even though she’s been struggling to manage her chronic anxiety, Sadie is hopeful better times are