Teens


10 Book Series for Fans of Harry Potter

Artemis Fowl

Artemis Fowl

By Eoin Colfer

Twelve-year-old Artemis Fowl is a millionaire, a genuis, and, above all, a criminal mastermind. But even Artemis doesn’t know what he’s taken on when he kidnaps a fairy, Captain Holly Short of the LEPrecon Unit. These aren’t the fairies of bedtime stories; they’re dangerous! Full of unexpected twists and turns, Artemis Fowl is a riveting, magical adventure.

Keeper of the Lost Cities (1)

Keeper of the Lost Cities

By Shannon Messenger

Twelve-year-old Sophie has never quite fit into her life. She’s skipped multiple grades and doesn’t really connect with the older kids at school, but she’s not comfortable with her family, either. The reason? Sophie’s a Telepath, someone who can read minds. No one knows her secret—at least, that’s what she thinks, until she meets the mysterious (and adorable) Fitz, who reveals a shocking truth. Forced to leave behind her family for a new life in a place vastly different from what she has ever known, Sophie still has secrets. Finding the truth could mean life or death – and time is running out.

The Iron Trial (Magisterium #1)

The Magisterium

By Holly Black and Cassandra Clare

Most kids would do anything to pass the Iron Trial. Not Callum Hunt. He wants to fail. All his life, Call has been warned by his father to stay away from magic. If he succeeds at the Iron Trial and is admitted into the Magisterium, he is sure it can only mean bad things for him. So he tries his best to do his worst — and fails at failing. Now the Magisterium awaits him. It’s a place that’s both sensational and sinister, with dark ties to his past and a twisty path to his future.

The Last Apprentice (Revenge of the Witch)

The Last Apprentice

By Joseph Delaney

For years, Old Gregory has been the Spook for the county, ridding the local villages of evil. Now his time is coming to an end. But who will take over for him? Twenty-nine apprentices have tried—some floundered, some fled, some failed to stay alive. Only Thomas Ward is left. He’s the last hope, the last apprentice.

Cinder

The Lunar Chronicles

By Marissa Meyer

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

The Serpent's Shadow (The Elemental Masters Book 1)

Elemental Masters 

by Mercedes Lackey

the series largely focuses on Elemental Masters, people who have magical control over air, water, fire, or earth. Each elemental master has power over elementals, as well. Each book in the series is loosely based on a fairy tale.

Carry On (Simon Snow Series)

Simon Snow

By Rainbow Rowell

Simon Snow is the worst Chosen One who’s ever been chosen. That’s what his roommate, Baz, says. And Baz might be evil and a vampire and a complete git, but he’s probably right. Half the time, Simon can’t even make his wand work, and the other half, he starts something on fire. His mentor’s avoiding him, his girlfriend broke up with him, and there’s a magic-eating monster running around, wearing Simon’s face. Baz would be having a field day with all this, if he were here–it’s their last year at the Watford School of Magicks, and Simon’s infuriating nemesis didn’t even bother to show up.

The Legend of Greg (An Epic Series of Failures)

The Legend of Greg an epic series of failures

By Chris Rylander

Risk-averse Greg Belmont is content with being ordinary. He’s got a friend–that’s right, just one–at his fancy prep school, and a pretty cool dad (even if he is obsessed with organic soaps that smell like a mix of salted pork and Icelandic bog). The problem is, Greg isn’t ordinary . . . he’s actually an honest-to-goodness, fantastical Dwarf! With the help of new friends, Greg learns the history of the Dwarves, marked with epic failures since the beginning of time. The return of the magic they once wielded means big changes are afoot, escalating tensions with the Dwarves’ sworn enemy: the Elves.

Shadow and Bone (The Grisha Book 1)

The Grisha Trilogy

By Leigh Bardugo

Soldier. Summoner. Saint. Orphaned and expendable, Alina Starkov is a soldier who knows she may not survive her first trek across the Shadow Fold—a swath of unnatural darkness crawling with monsters. But when her regiment is attacked, Alina unleashes dormant magic not even she knew she possessed. Now Alina will enter a lavish world of royalty and intrigue as she trains with the Grisha, her country’s magical military elite. As the threat to the kingdom mounts and Alina unlocks the secrets of her past, she will make a dangerous discovery that could threaten all she loves and the very future of a nation.

Mister Monday: The Keys to the Kingdom, Book 1

The Keys to the Kingdom

By Garth Nix

Arthur Penhaligon is not supposed to be a hero. He is, in fact, supposed to die an early death. But then his life is saved by a key shaped like the minute hand of a clock. Arthur is safe, but his world is not. Along with the key comes a plague brought by bizarre creatures from another realm. A stranger named Mister Monday, his avenging messengers with bloodstained wings, and an army of dog-faced Fetchers will stop at nothing to get the key back, even if it means destroying Arthur and everything around him.

-Mallory Thompson, Librarian


My Favorite Book

When people ask me what my favorite book is, I draw a blank. I cannot think of a single title, author or even genre! But when I take a minute to reflect, I can think of hundreds of titles, authors, and genres that have stayed with me over the years and newer ones that have more recently touched my heart.

What defines a “favorite” book? Is it by a beloved author? Is it one that a friend or loved one recommended long ago? Is it a story that I could really relate to at the time I was reading it? Does the main character remind me of someone? There are just too many aspects of what makes a “good” book to even make it possible for me to pick a favorite! So I have learned to adapt; what are one or three books that make me smile when I think about them?

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

One classic title that has long been a “favorite” of mine is definitely Anne of Green Gables and its sequels by L.M. Montgomery. I relate to Anne in so many ways; we both have overactive imaginations, we both would rather be daydreaming, and we both love the people in our lives with a fierce passion. Anne and I both have tempers, we both tend to act before we think, and we both find that people are naturally drawn to us. 

An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson

One new “favorite” that I stumbled upon this past year was Ohio author Margaret Rogerson’s An Enchantment of Ravens. I’ve long been a fan of Holly Black’s modern faerie tales, but this story, while similar, also took the reader back in time, which was appealing to me as a fan of historical fiction. The story was, in a word, cool. As in, “Wow, that’s so cool!” I can’t give too many details without spoiling too much of the story, but I can say that it was an unexpected pleasure to read. I chose it on a whim after reading the author’s other book, Sorcery of Thorns, which I also really enjoyed. Enchantment was so different yet so similar to anything else I have read. I truly was not expecting to enjoy it as much as I did. I am so glad it struck me though, because I know I will be reading it again!

-Julie, Library Assistant


My Book Reading Log

Book Log inside

With the start of a new year upon us, I always find it fun to look back over the past year to see all the books I have read.  I did not read near as many as I wanted to in 2019, but that is OK.  The ones I did read were fun, challenging, and inspiring. 

Looking back, my favorite for the past year was, Never Settle: Sports, Family, and the American Soulby Marty Smith, the ESPN sports reporter.

One of the things I started doing years back was to write down the title, author, and date finished of each book I read. It has been fun to look over the list to see what I was reading at various moments of my life.  I can tell you the book I was reading when my sons were born and what I was reading on any of a number of trips or vacations.  Nothing is more telling about a person than seeing what a person reads.  It shows what they are passionate about how they spend their time. 

Book Log cover

As 2020 begins, I encourage you to keep a list. Pick up an old journal to write down your titles or create a spreadsheet on the computer.  Whatever method you come up with, you will be glad you did it. As time marches on, you learn quick that nothing is more valuable than your time. 

Happy reading!

-Jim Gill, Director


Food for Fines 2019

‘Tis the season for giving thanks!

In celebration of Thanksgiving and in preparation for Christmas, the Dover Public Library is bringing back the popular Food for Fines program.

November 23 – 30, we will be accepting donations of nonperishable food items to benefit T-4-C’s “Share-A-Christmas” program. During the drive, library patrons who bring in food items will receive a waiver on overdue fines. One food item will waive up to $1 in fines, up to $5 a day!

All food items must be unopened and must carry their original packaging and labels. The library cannot accept home-canned or home-prepared food, nor items that have reached their expiration dates.

This program will not waive fees for lost or damaged materials.

Donate to a good cause and clear your library account!

-Liz, Teen/Outreach Services Manager


Teen Art Show

I heart Art with watercolor background

Calling all young artists! The Library is looking for submissions for our Teen Art Show. The show will run through the month of December in the Community Room. This is a great opportunity to share your work with the community! Anonymous submissions are accepted. For more information, call 330-343-6123 or email me, Liz Strauss, at strausel@doverlibrary.org.

Submission Guidelines & Instructions

Who can submit work?

Anyone in grades 6-12 or under age 18 may submit work for the Art Show

What can I submit?

You can submit 2D works (drawings, paintings, etc.)

How many works can I submit?

Each student may submit 1 piece.

How do I submit my art?

Fill out a Submission Form, also available at Dover Public Library. Print clearly! Attach the form to your art. Bring the art with the completed form to Dover Public Library by Friday, November 29 OR Turn in the art with the completed form to your participating Art Teacher

When will Art be Returned?

Your pieces will be available for pick up on Monday, January 6. Pieces turned in through a classroom will be returned to the teacher. Artists who turn in works individually will be notified when they can pick up their art at the library.

Reminder: The Library is not responsible for lost or damaged pieces.


Manga Book Review

A Silent Voice written and illustrated by Yoshitoki Ōima 

A Silent Voice written and illustrated by Yoshitoki Ōima

At the urging of Miss Liz, I decided to give Manga a try.  You know, the graphic novels from Japan. I don’t usually read comic books, but there must be something more than meets my eye because so many young people are reading them and making some pretty fantastic doodles in their notebooks. So, Miss Liz picked out A Silent Voice for my first experience.  The first challenge was opening the book to the first page – it starts in the back and you read to the front, and you read from right to left. I caught on pretty quickly after a page or two.  

The story line is about a teen who bullied a handicapped student in middle school and is now trying to make amends for his behavior.  The language (which has been translated from Japanese) was precise. That is a good thing because, otherwise, it wouldn’t fit into the dialogue bubbles. The vocabulary was not sophisticated but rather imitated the speech and thoughts of the teenage characters.  There was a lot of meaning conveyed in a few words. I found it to be engaging and timely, so I read all 7 books in the series.  

a page from A Silent Voice

What I found particularly fascinating were the drawings, especially since Oima was both the author of the script AND the creator of the illustrations.  These illustrations moved the plot forward and helped me follow the story line. Every frame of the graphic novel shows the characters with different expressions that illustrate the actions and the emotions taking place at that moment in the story line. Now that takes talent!  No wonder the teens of our community want to imitate the characteristic style that is Manga.  

Even though I may not read many more graphic novels (and there are a lot of them in the children and teen departments at our library), I am able to say that now I am familiar with that genre and can appreciate the effort that goes into it.  It is a pleasant way to give your brain a “vacation” from some of the heavier reading that we do, or should I say, that I do. But, more importantly, there is a lesson for ALL of us: Bullying is wrong and it takes a courageous person to recognize that he is a bully and to make every attempt to redeem himself no matter how hard it is.  

Visit the teen department, grab a graphic novel, and spend a comfortable evening venturing into the world that is Manga.

-Sherrel, Library Assistant


3D Printing FAQ

This summer, the Dover Public Library unveiled our new 3D Printer. And it’s awesome! As with every other new service, there have been a lot of questions about how this will all work. Here are some of the questions that we keep getting about this new toy. 

I mean, about this serious new piece of serious equipment that prints only serious items. Obviously. 

What kind of machine is it?

A Dremel 3D40

What material does it use?

PLA Filament

Can it do 2 colors?

Unfortunately, ours is a one color 3D printer. 

How much does it cost to print an item?

Your first print is free! We ask that you keep your free print under 12 hours. After your free print, the price is $1 per hour.

Okay, so how long does it take?

The time it takes to print depends on how big the item it, how dense the item is, and how detailed the item is. We will always tell you how long it will take/the price before we print it.

Where do I find something to print?

Go to thingiverse.com for ideas! Download the .stl file to a thumbdrive and bring it in. The tech staff will do the rest.

Can I design something myself?

You can use a 3D design software like Tinkercad to create your own designs. 

Okay, I didn’t understand any of that. Can you just print me a unicorn?

The Tech Team is more than happy to help you find the right file to fit your needs. There is usually a member of the Tech Team at the Front Desk, but you can always call the Library at 330-343-6123 to make sure someone who is trained on the 3D printer will be here to help when you visit. 

Happy 3D Printing! 

Liz – Teen/Outreach Services Manager & Tech Team Member