How Do I Join the Summer Reading Program? How Do I Join the Summer Reading Program?

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For Teens

You Are What You Read

 

 Dig in to reading this summer! Spice up your summer by joining our Summer Reading Program events especially for teens at a Chicago Public Library near you.

Summer in Chicago is the time for creativity! Shake off the last grasp of school and embrace the freedom that summer gives for cultural stimulation and groovy excitement, but don’t forget to bring a good book to help you on your way!

How can you participate??

  • Grab your library card and head to your local library!
  • Pick up a resource guide.
  • Use your time on the bus, at the beach or in your own back yard to read a wide variety of suggested titles.
  • Participate in related and inventive programming such as lectures, discussions and performances.
  • Learn more about the theme by exploring related content.
  • Attend some great teen programs about music!

Teen Volume Reads

Teen Volume logoLooking for something breezy and lyrical to read this summer from Chicago Public Library’s Teen Volume collections? Check out this list of music-related reading recommendations and ask your librarian for even more! Also, don’t forget to let us know what you think by submitting your review.


Teen Volume Programs

Spoken Word with Keith Kelley

Listen to spoken word artist, poet and musician Keith Kelley perform his poems and stories and talk about his inspirations for them. Take a look at stories and experiences found in classic and current works of literature; think about your message and create a captivating story or poem of your own with the energy and emotion to turn heads!

West African Drumming with Taylor

Learn about the culture and music of djembe drumming in West Africa in this hands-on workshop in which teens will have experience playing djembe and dunum drums. Teens will also learn at least one traditional djembe rhythm and hear at least one original story relating to the djembe.

Jandy Nelson photo
Jandy Nelson

Jandy Nelson, Author of The Sky Is Everywhere

In The Sky Is Everywhere, as Lennie faces the scary realization that she doesn’t know who she is since her sister’s death, she finds herself drawn to two different boys and begins to change her focus, from what she lost to what she could gain by opening up her heart. Join a multimedia presentation and discussion with author Jandy Nelson to learn more!

Jessica Hopper photo
Jessica Hopper

Jessica Hopper, Author of The Girls’ Guide to Rocking: How to Start a Band, Book Gigs and Get Rolling to Rock Stardom

Chicago author and music critic Jessica Hopper will help you get your groove! Don’t have a band yet? You’ll brainstorm an awesome band name, and create your very own “Desert Island Playlist” of the top 10 songs you can’t live without! If you’ve already got a band, you can learn about advanced rock topics like putting on your own shows, songwriting and keeping your band together.

Felicia Pride, Author of Hallway Diaries and The Message

In this interactive workshop, author Felicia Pride will read from her books and discuss how hip-hop songs and artists have shaped the way she’s defined and/or redefined herself; how she thinks, reacts and even writes. Come gain some insight and see how some of her life lessons can be incorporated into yours!

Franny Billingsley, Author of Chime

Join a reading, interactive presentation and discussion for teens with Chicago-area author Franny Billingsley! In Chime, a chime is rung for every year of a life a witch has lived before she is hung. There were 19 hideous chimes for Nelly Daws—guilty of no more than having red hair. Briony Larkin knows this because she has the sight and because she is wicked.

Improvisation with Promethean Theatre Ensemble

Improv is back! Lighten up, don’t miss a beat and have fun exploring characters while creating scenes of classic and current works with teen appeal. Workshops are limited to 25 participants, and registration is required. Wear comfortable clothes and come prepared to participate!

Body Percussion 101

Discover how rhythm can be a mode of expression! Explore new ways to make rhythm using your bodies by snapping, clapping, footwork, beatboxing and incorporating movement inspired by rhythmic stepping and hip-hop. Workshops are limited to 25 participants, and registration is required. Dress comfortably and be prepared to participate!

Reader’s Theatre Summer Tour

The Reader’s Theatre Troupe brings Teen Volume books to life through dramatic readings. Join us for theatrical games and prizes, and to learn about some great summer reads.


Music-Related Teen Volume Book Discussions

Join a monthly book discussion for teens in high school at your neighborhood library! Please be sure to call your local library to sign up in advance for each discussion; confirm the dates and times; and reserve a copy of the book to be discussed. (Note that discussions are offered all over the city, and the list below highlights only those programs featuring music-related books.)

Born to Rock by Gordon Korman

High school senior Leo Caraway, a conservative Republican, learns that his biological father is a punk rock legend.

Chime by Franny Billingsley

In the early 20th century, Briony feels guilt for all of her family’s problems and for her twin sister’s horrible injury, and she escapes to tell stories to the spirits that haunt Swampsea. In her town, only witches can see the spirits, and witches are sentenced to death. Briony keeps her secret until Eldric enters her life and exposes secrets that even Briony never knew. (Join author Franny Billingsley for each of these exciting discussions!)

Countdown by Deborah Wiles

Amid the confusion of the 1960s, 11-year-old Franny Chapman must deal with a difficult friendship, a suffering uncle, a troubling sibling and the cute boy across the street.

Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

At a concert, Nick sees his ex-girlfriend walk in with her new boyfriend, and he asks the girl sitting next to him to be his “pretend” girlfriend for five minutes. Norah, who is also trying to avoid someone, agrees. Nick and Norah’s instant connection begins a roller-coaster first date that takes them all over New York City.

The Rose That Grew from Concrete by Tupac Shakur

Written by Tupac Shakur between 1989 and 1991, before he became famous, this collection of deeply personal poetry is a mirror into the legendary artist’s enigmatic world and its many contradictions. Written in his own hand from the time he was 19, these 72 poems embrace his spirit, his energy—and his ultimate message of hope.

The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

As Lennie faces the scary realization that she doesn’t know who she is since her sister’s death, she finds herself drawn to two different boys and begins to change her focus, from what she lost to what she could gain by opening up her heart.

Stringz by Michael Wenberg

Jace is a mixed-race teen who is a cellist and loves to surf, but his life has never been easy. He never fits in where his mom decides to move them. When he starts playing the cello on the streets in his new city, Seattle, he learns to embrace his talent and discover what family really means.

Tyrell by Coe Booth

Tyrell, who is living in a Bronx homeless shelter with his spaced-out mother and his younger brother, tries to avoid temptation so he doesn’t end up in jail like his father. Instead, he uses his dad’s old DJ equipment to create a plan that could bring in a lot of money and get his family back in an apartment.

Ten Cents a Dance by Christine Fletcher

Fifteen-year-old Ruby Jacinski dropped out of high school and got a job in a factory to make ends meet for her, her mother and her sister. When she meets a notorious “bad boy,” Paulie Suelze, and finds out about a job dancing that pays a whole lot more than her factory job, she’s thrilled—and determined to get her family to somewhere better than their small apartment. But how far will she go to get to her dream?

Teen Volume discussions are made possible through generous grant funding from the Chicago Public Library Foundation.