Are you waiting to read The Hunger Games?  Are you are struggling to find something to read?  Maybe you should try some of these teen-approved books!

Ever year YALSA works with a diverse group of teens to compile a list of their favorite books.  In August and September, teens all over the country get a chance to vote online.  Following is the complete list of books:

• All Good Children by Catherine Austen
• Ashes by Ilsa Bick
• Abandon by Meg Cabot
• Tempest by Julie Cross
• What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen
• Wither by Lauren DeStefano
• Where She Went by Gayle Forman
• Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen
• Eona by Alison Goodman
• The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
• Page by Paige by Laura Lee Gulledge
• Legend by Marie Lu
• Hourglass by Myra McEntire
• Cinder by Marissa Meyer
• Shine by Lauren Myracle
• A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
• This Dark Endeavor by Kenneth Oppel
• Across the Universe by Beth Revis
• Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
• Divergent by Veronica Roth
• Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
• The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
• How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr
• All These Things I’ve Done by Gabrielle Zevin

How many have you read?

If you missed West Michigan author Bob Tarte‘s recent appearance at the Englehardt branch, there’s still one more chance to hear him read from his latest laugh-out-loud pet-centered memoir, Kitty Cornered.

He will be at the Krause Memorial branch at 6:30 PM on Monday, April 23 to read from and sign and sell copies of his books.

Tarte’s appearances are part of KDL’s Celebrate the Mitten author series, which includes more than a dozen published authors from around the state appearing at various branches through May, and an author showcase from 1:00 to 4:00 PM this Saturday, April 21, at the Kentwood branch.

The Sand Lake / Nelson Township branch will be closed for the remainder of today (Monday, April 16) due to a power outage.

Their “Dogs for Dollars” fundraiser at the Rockford Corner Bar tonight will still take place as scheduled.

The branch will re-open tomorrow if power is restored. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Alphabet Egg Hunt

Here is a great way to reuse those small plastic eggs that the Easter Bunny has left behind and help children learn to read at the same time.

Materials:

• Paper
• Marker
• Scissors
• Plastic eggs
• Pictures of animals cut from an old magazine (or printed from a computer)

Directions:

Cut out several squares of paper small enough to fit inside the eggs. Write down the name of an animal (i.e. H-E-N) using one piece of paper for each letter. Place the letters inside of a plastic egg, along with a picture of the animal. You can use clip art images printed from a computer, old magazines, or draw a picture of the animal yourself. Make several eggs then hide them in the house or outside in the yard.

To Play:

Give your child a container with a handle and let them hunt for the eggs. When all the eggs are found open the eggs together. Spell out the animal’s name with the letters and sound it out to make a word.

This article originally appeared in our Early Lit Bits eNewsletter. Read the most recent issue online or sign up to receive this monthly update highlighting early literacy tips and resources for parents and caregivers.

Attention book lovers, aspiring writers and made-in-Michigan supporters! Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 21 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM for ”Celebrate the Mitten,” a showcase of Michigan authors at the Kentwood branch.

Nearly 20 authors from across the state will be on hand to sign their books, meet with readers and participate on a trio of panels aimed both at budding writers and book lovers.

For detailed information on participating authors, click here.

Celebrate El Día de los Niños / El Día de los Libros (Children’s Day/Book Day) with KDL! A celebration will take place at 2:00 PM on Saturday, April 28 at the Kentwood branch. Children of all ages are invited to enjoy traditional Mexican crafts, music, a performance by the dance company Grupo Tarasco and other activities.

Children’s Day/Book Day, founded by author Pat Mora in 1996, is a daily commitment to link all children to books, languages and cultures.

As with many popular books, there is a current hold list for all of the books in the Hunger Games trilogy.  But while you wait, or if you just want more literature with a dystopian theme, there are books available.

Starters by Lissa Price tells the tale of a post-apocalyptic world decimated by a viral outbreak where desperate surviving teens rent their bodies to seniors who want to experience youth again.  Sixteen-year-old orphan Callie rents out her body only to discover that her renter is planning to commit a murder!

The Wikkeling by Steve Arntson presents a society in the overpopulated city of Addition where children like Henrietta and her two pals are kept secure but overly protected by technology of all sorts.  Imagination is frowned upon as are all things considered “old fashioned.”  There are mysteries to be solved.  Why does a wounded cat appear in Henrietta’s attic when there are no longer any pets?  And who is this mysterious, creepy Wikkeling following the three friends around town?  This book is illustrated in a beautiful classic style and is entertaining for children and adults.

More suggestions?  You bet!  Check out this “If You Like The Hunger Games” booklist.   
“And may the odds be ever in your favor.”

Stellar books await at KDL!  To view 10 of the most popular Adult Science Fiction titles at KDL this year, click on the link to the KDL Top Ten List!

If you are looking to expand your cooking repertoire, make sure you stop by our upcoming Giant Warehouse Book Sale. There will be a large variety of cook books for sale.

The sale will take place at KDL’s Service Center in Comstock Park (814 West River Center Dr., one block north of the Fifth Third Ball Park, behind Wendy’s).

Schedule:

Friday, April 27, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Saturday, April 28, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday, April 29, 1:00 – 4:00 PM

We hope to see you there!