April Tween Read Scene: Action-Packed Adventures Await

Looking for a thrilling, exciting read this spring?  Well, look no further!  The ACTION/ADVENTURE genre has exactly what you need to keep you on the edge of your seat!  

Books in the ACTION/ADVENTURE genre follow the main character(s) as they embark upon an epic adventure or journey filled with daring feats and non-stop action.  Commonly, books within this genre overlap with other genres such as Fantasy, Sci-Fi, or Historical Fiction.

Go on a journey of a lifetime without ever leaving the couch with these great reads!

BooksCall NumbersReading Levels
Holes by Louis SacharJ SAC

AUDIO CD J F SAC
Ages 10-12
AR: 4.6
Lexile: 6600L
Masterminds by Gordon KormanJ KOR

PLAYAWAY J F KOR
Ages 8-12
AR: 5.2
Lexile: 730L
Addison Cooke and the Treasure of the Incas  by Jonathan W. StokesJ STOAges 8-12
AR: 5.2
Lexile: 700L
Storm Runners by Roland SmithJ SMI

AUDIO CD J F SMI
Ages 8-12
AR: 4.5
Lexile: 700L
96 Miles by J.L. EsplinPLAYAWAY J F ESPAges 8-12
AR: 5.2
Lexile: 760L
Compass South by Hope LarsonJ GN LARAges 10-12
AR: 2.4
Lexile: 290L
A Wolf Called Wander by Rosanne ParryJ PAR

PLAYAWAY J F PAR
Ages 8-12
AR: 4.3
Lexile: 670L
Paradise on Fire by Jewell Parker RhodesJ RHO

PLAYAWAY J F RHO
Ages 10-14
AR: 3.3
The Wild Robot by Peter BrownJ BRO

AUDIO CD J F BRO
Ages 8-12
AR: 5.1
Lexile: 740L
Scar Island by Dan GemeinhartJ GEMAges 8-12
AR: 4.1
Lexile: 610L

Upcoming Tween Events

April 25
Super Scientists
3rd-6th Grade
Registration starts April 11

March Tween Read Scene: Get a Clue with the Mystery Genre

Do you love solving puzzles?  Are you able to guess the ending to every movie?  Well, the MYSTERY genre might be just right for you!  Stories in the MYSTERY genre feature a crime or mystery and allow you, as the reader, to become the detective.  They can be spooky, funny, or suspenseful, but it is your job to figure out what has happened throughout the story.  

Become a super sleuth with these great MYSTERY stories!

Book TitleWhere to Find ItReading Level
All the Greys on Greene Street by Laura TuckerJ TUC
AUDIO CD J F TUC
Ages 8-12
AR: 5.9
Lexile: 910L
Linked by Gordon KormanJ KORAges 8-12
AR: 5.3
Book Scavenger  by Jennifer Chambliss BertmanJ BER
AUDIO CD J F BER
Ages 9-14
AR: 5.5
Lexile: 810L
The Mystery of Black Hollow Lane by Julia NobelJ NOB
PLAYAWAY J F NOB
Ages 8-12
AR: 4.4
Lexile: 620L
The Strangers by Margaret Peterson HaddixJ HADAges 10-12
AR: 5.1
Lexile: 730L
Premeditated Myrtle by Elizabeth C. BuncePLAYAWAY J F BUNAges 10-14
AR: 5.5
Lexile: 740L
The Van Gogh Deception by Deron HicksJ HICAges 10-12
AR: 5.4
Lexile: 750L
Greenglass House by Kate MilfordJ MILAges 10-12
AR: 5.4
Lexile: 800L
If You Find This by Matthew BakerJ BAKAges 8-12
AR: 4.9
The Harlem Charade by Natasha TarpleyJ TARAges 8-12
AR: 5.4

Upcoming Tween Events

March 28
Super Scientists
3rd-6th Grade
Registration starts March 14

April 1
Art Attack!
4th-8th Grade 
Registration starts March 18

April 1–30
TinkerCAD Challenge: Self-Watering Planter
4th Grade & Up
Registration starts April 1

Check out the blog next month for a new genre and happy reading!

February Tween Read Scene: Back to Reality

Compared to the fantasy genre, realistic fiction may seem boring. But let me assure you,
these books are anything but ordinary. Realistic fiction allows readers to understand the
world around them through the eyes of others. The events in these books could happen in real
life, and the characters feel familiar–like old friends. Many times the realistic fiction
genre tackles serious issues and gives readers the opportunity to “walk a mile in someone else’s
shoes.”
Check out these extraordinary realistic fiction titles!

Fighting Words by Kimberly Brubaker BradleyJ BRA
AUDIO CD J F BRA
Ages 10–12
AR: 3.6
Wink: Surviving Middle School With One Eye Open by Rob HarrellJ HARAges 9–12
AR: 3.9
Lexile: 580L
Starfish  by Lisa FippsJ FIPAges 10 & up
AR: 4.1
Efrén Divided by Ernesto CisnerosJ CISAges 8–12
AR: 4.5
Lexile: 710L
The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan GemeinhartJ GEM
AUDIO CD J F GEM
Ages 9–12
AR: 4.7
Lexile: 730L
Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker RhodesJ RHO
PLAYAWAY J F RHO
Ages 10 & up
AR: 3
Lexile: 360L
Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World by Ashley Herring BlakePLAYAWAY J F BLAAges 8–12
AR: 4.9
Nowhere Boy by Katherine MarshJ MARAges 10–14
AR: 5.4
Lexile: 810L
Pippa Park Raises Her Game by Erin YunJ YUNAges 9–12
AR: 5
What About Will by Ellen HopkinsJ HOPAges 10 & up

UPCOMING TWEEN EVENTS

February 28
Super Scientists
3rd-6th Grade
Registration starts February 14 

Come back next month for a new genre, and happy reading!

January Tween Read Scene: Fantasy

Christmas may be behind us, but we can still enjoy wondrous worlds and extraordinary creatures
within the FANTASY genre. Books written as FANTASY are set in fictional times or worlds
and contain supernatural or otherworldly elements that cannot exist in real life. Unicorns,
dragons, and wizards make frequent appearances in FANTASY books, and most contain an
element of magic.

Make one of these fantastic fantasies your next great read!

Maya and the Rising Dark by Rena BarronJ BAR  Ages 8-12
AR: 5.2
Lexile: 720L
City of the Plague God by Sarwat ChaddaJ CHA    Ages 8-12
AR: 4.5  
Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. AlstonJ ALS    Ages 8-12
AR: 4.9
Lexile: 700L
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame MbaliaJ MBA
AUDIO CD J F MBA      
Ages 8-12
AR: 4.8
Lexile: 680L
Lalani of the Distant Sea by Erin Entrada KellyJ KEL    Ages 8-12
AR: 4.4
Lexile: 600L
The Way to Rio Luna by Zoraida CórdovaJ COR      Ages 8-12
AR: 5
Lexile: 710L
The Serpent’s Secret by Sayantani DasGuptaJ DAS      Ages 8-12
AR: 5.2
Lexile: 730L
Curse of the Night Witch by Alex Aster  J AST      Ages 8-12
AR: 5.3
Lexile: 770L  
A Dash of Trouble by Anna MerianoJ MER
AUDIO CD J F MER    
Ages 8-12
AR: 5.3
Lexile: 850L  
Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani ChokshiJ CHO
PLAYAWAY J F CHO
Ages 8-12
AR: 4.7
Lexile: 630L

Upcoming Tween Events

January 24: Super Scientists
3rd-6th Grade
Registration starts January 10

February 4: Art Attack!
4th-8th Grade
Registration starts January 21

Check out the blog next month for a new genre, and stay warm with a good book!

December Tween Read Scene: Laugh-Out-Loud

As the days get shorter, you might be looking for something to brighten your mood. The HUMOR genre is a great cure for the winter blues. The characters within this genre are often involved in silly adventures and are always making hilarious mistakes along the way. These books often focus on real issues, but allow us to see that sometimes it’s okay to laugh at our mistakes.

These books are sure to have you ROFL!

Stand Up, Yumi Chung! by Jessica Kim

PLAYAWAY J F KIM

Ages 9-12
AR: 4.4
Lexile: 620L

Max & the Midknights by Lincoln Peirce

J GN PEI

AUDIO CD J F PEI

Ages 8-12
AR: 3.3
Lexile: 490L

Pie in the Sky by Remi Lai

J LAI

Ages 8-11
AR: 4.5
Lexile: 720L

Lions and Liars by Kate Beasley

AUDIO CD J F BEA

Ages 9-12
AR: 4.8
Lexile: 720L

Funny Girl: Funniest. Stories. Ever.

J FUN

Ages 8-12
AR: 4.5
Lexile: 660L

The Unteachables by Gordon Korman

J KOR

PLAYAWAY J F KOR

Ages 8-12
AR: 5.1
Lexile: 740L

The Smartest Kid in the Universe by Chris Grabenstein

J GRA

Ages 8-12
AR: 4.7
Lexile: 640L

Frazzled: Everyday Disasters and Impending Doom by Booki Vivat

J VIV

Ages 8-12
AR: 4.9
Lexile: 830L

Invisible Emmie by Terri Libenson

J LIB

Ages 8-12
AR: 3.8
Lexile: 570L

A Whole Nother Story by Cuthbert Soup

J SOU

PLAYAWAY J F SOU

Ages 8-12
AR: 5.6
Lexile: 900L

Upcoming Events for Tweens

December 1-31: TinkerCAD Challenge

            4th-12th Grade

            Registration required

December 27: Super Scientists

            3rd-6th Grade

            Registration starts December 13

January 7: Art Attack!

            4th-8th Grade

            Registration starts December 24

Check out the blog next month for a new genre, and have a happy holiday!   

November Tween Read Scene

Have you ever wondered what it would have been like to live in ancient Egypt, survive the sinking of the Titanic, or cross the country on the Oregon Trail? Although time travel to the past is not currently available, we can still experience the past through the historical fiction genre.

Books in the historical fiction genre are easy to recognize because they all take place in the past. The characters and events in this genre may or may not be real, but the author uses them to create a story in which the reader can experience what it may have been like to live during that time.

Take a journey back in time with these great reads!

Title & AuthorTypeReading Level
We Dream of Space
Erin Entrada Kelly
Book: J KEL
Audio CD: AUDIO CD J F KEL
Ages 8-12
AR: 4.6
Orange for the Sunsets
Tina Athaide
Book: J ATHAges 8-12
AR: 4.1
Lexile: 600L
Nine, Ten: A September 11 Story
Nora Raleigh Baskin
Book: J BAS
Playaway: PLAYAWAY J F BAS
Ages 8-12
AR: 4.8
Lexile: 730L
Show Me A Sign
Anne Clare LeZotte
Book: J LEZAges 8-12
AR: 5.1
Lexile: 730L
Hero on a Bicycle
Shirley Hughes
Book: J HUGAges 10-14
AR: 6
Lexile: 880L
Like a River: A Civil War Novel
Kathy Cannon Wiechman
Book: J WIEAges 9-12
AR: 5.1
Lexile: 750L
Echo
Pam Muñoz Ryan
Book: J RYA
Playaway: PLAYAWAY J F RYA
Ages 10-14
AR: 4.9
Lexile: 680L
Al Capone Does My Shirts
Gennifer Choldenko
(Tale from Alcatraz Series)
Book: J CHO
Audio CD: AUDIO CD J F CHO
Ages 10-14
AR: 3.5
Lexile: 600L
The Lincoln Project
Dan Gutman
(Flashback Four Series)
Book: J GUTAges 8-12
AR: 4.8
Lexile: 700L
Catherine’s War
Julia Billet
Book: J GN BILAges 8-12
AR: 3.7

Upcoming Tween Events

November 16
Girls Rock Book Club
4th-8th Grade
Registration Open Now

November 29
Super Scientists
3rd-6th Grade
Registration starts November 15

December 3
Art Attack: Button Wreath Ornament
4th-8th Grade
Registration Starts November 19

December 7
Geek Out! Graphic Novel Club
4th-8th Grade
Registration Starts November 16

Check out the blog next month for our next genre, and have a happy & healthy Thanksgiving!

October Tween Read Scene

Calling all tween readers! Welcome to Tween Read Scene with the New Lenox Public Library! Tween Read Scene will be a monthly feature in the Youth Services Blog that will highlight books for ages 9-12. The posts will be jam-packed with information on new tween titles, upcoming library events, and helpful tips on how to find your next great read!

For the first couple of months, I will review fiction genres (one genre per month) and give examples and recommendations of each. This will help you, as a reader, identify what types of stories you enjoy reading already, and get you curious about genres you may not have read in the past.

What are genres?

Think about your favorite book. Now, think about what you like about that book in particular. Maybe you like how the main character fights dragons, or how there is a puzzle to solve within the story, or how you laugh out loud while reading it. Whatever the reason, it most likely has to do with the GENRE of the book. Genre is a fancy word that librarians and teachers use to describe how we sort books by subject matter, style of writing, and format.

Let’s get spooky!

Because it is October and we have Halloween around the corner, this month we will focus on the HORROR genre. The horror genre’s main purpose is to shock, frighten, and thrill its readers through the use of supernatural elements. If it’s got monsters, ghosts, or an evil next-door neighbor, you can pretty much guarantee you’ve got a horror book. You won’t want to turn your lights off after reading one of these!

Book CoverTitle and AuthorCatalog LinkReading Level
Missing Pieces
(Hello Neighbor Series)
Carly Anne West
J WESAges 10-14
AR: 6
Lexile: 940L
Part of Your Nightmare
(Disney Chills Series)
Vera Strange
J DISAges 8-12
AR: 4.9
Lexile: 660L
Gloom Town
Ronald L. Smith
J SMIAges 8-12
AR: 4.7
Lexile: 650L
Slappy Birthday to You
(SlappyWorld Series)
R.L. Stine
J STI
PLAYAWAY J F STI
Ages 8-12
AR: 3.6
Lexile: 490L 
The Night Gardener
Jonathan Auxier
J AUX
AUDIO CD J F AUX
Ages 8-12
AR: 4.9
Lexile: 690L
Nightmares!
(Nightmares! Series)
Jason Segel & Kirsten Miler
J SEG
AUDIO CD J F SEG
Ages 8-12
AR: 4.8
Lexile: 670L
Scary Stories for Young Foxes
Christian McKay Heidicker
J HEIAges 9-12
AR: 4.4
Lexile: 640L
Small Spaces
Katherine Arden
J ARD
AUDIO CD J F ARD
Ages 10-14
AR: 4.1
Lexile: 570L

Upcoming Tween Events

DateProgramAgesRegistration
October 25Super Scientists: Disappearing Pumpkins3rd-6th GradeRegistration starts October 11
October 26Hocus Pocus NightAges 4-12Registration starts October 12
October 29Halloween After Hours6th-12th GradePermission slips available now

Check out the blog in November for our next genre, and have a fun and safe Halloween!  

October displays at the Library

October is here, and the Library display cases are changing.

Halloween I Spy

It’s a Halloween I Spy where you will have to beware of ghosts, and goblins, skeletons and bats.
Try and count all the ghosts in our New I Spy Case!

Where in the World is Transylvania?

Did you know that Transylvania is a real place? It’s a country called Romania!

Bat Fun Facts

Find out if Vampire Bats really do suck your blood!

National Apple Month

Find out how many types of apples there are!

Black Cats

Black cats are everywhere! Come and see Ms. Elizabeth’s awesome collection of black cats.

Bullying Prevention Month

October is Bullying Prevention Month. Be kind to everyone! Learn what bullying is and ways you can help solve the problem.

Showcase your own collection

Would you like to display your collection in our Display Cases for a month? You can download the Display Case Agreement request form (PDF, 124 KB) or come in and talk to a staff member.

Fall Favorites… Staff Picks & Award Books

As summer winds down and you head back to school, we have a few options to help you get into the reading groove again. We’re heading into the next season, which calls for a new Staff Picks List and the Illinois State Award Booklists. Stop in and explore the two displays next to the Youth Services desk. These lists are full of good choices when you don’t know where to start!

It’s always fun to think about the books we have enjoyed and recommend them to you.


The start of school brings the challenge of seeing how many of the State Award Nominees you can read in order to vote to help choose a winner in the Spring. You can pick up a list of books or grab a Bingo sheet as a different way to keep track!

Below are each of the lists with an online link:

Monarch Award Grades K-3

Bluestem Award Grades 3-5

Caudill Award Grades 4-8:

Back to school + back to books = back to the library… See you soon!

Calling All Collectors…..

We are happy to announce the re-launch of display case collections featuring YOU!

In the Youth Department, there are 4 display cases that are available for kids (up to 8th grade) or organizations focusing on children to display their prized collections, art exhibits, or information on their organizations. The cases may be reserved for one month by calling, emailing, or stopping by the Youth Services desk. We will be happy to give you more details or sign you up!

Here are some photos from previous displays:

Insects or rocks or shells? Buttons or coins or bells? Even if you haven’t started a collection, click on the link in each photo for some inspiration to get started:

A quick search in PrairieCat also brings up a list of books to browse for possible collection ideas:

Start thinking about what you may be able to share with your library friends, or look around to find something to begin a collection… we need your help to fill these display cases!

Hope to see you soon!