Tag teens

A collection of brightly colored dice of all different sizes.

Connecting Teens with D&D

Julia M Leave a comment
A photograph shoes mini-figures and dice in focus, with a teenager sitting behind an open book out of focus behind.
Teens gather weekly to play Dungeons and Dragons at HCLS Glenwood Branch.

by Julia M. and Paige S., teen instructors

What stemmed from a happenstance conversation in Summer 2023 with a group of teens asking for help with creating D&D characters grew into a long-term staple of teen programming at Glenwood Branch.

The first official meeting of the Glenwood D&D Club happened that September, when three students attended. I taught them how to play Dungeons & Dragons, but they were the ones who became fast friends, wove stories together, and welcomed new teens into the group over the span of the next six months. By the end of the school year, we had a group of six students meeting together every other Monday night to play the game and collaborate.

Teens love the welcoming environment, the lively atmosphere, and the opportunity to create and tell stories together where they can all play the hero. D&D is the perfect combination of a board game and a tale woven beside a flickering fire — each person contributes equally toward a collaborative, heroic adventure, the only limit of which is your own imagination.

By the end of Summer 2024, 15 to 20 teens were regularly attending. Not only that, but two of the recurring students worked with me to plan games for their peers and were running their games concurrently. We were now playing three D&D games simultaneously in our largest meeting room every other Monday night and had expanded the time to 90 minutes. With the teens recruiting their friends and neighbors, our almost entirely teen-run club continued to see an influx of new players even as the school year began and schedules shifted.

The group continued to flourish as the school year went on. We celebrated birthdays, finished complete storylines and began new ones, introduced new characters and challenges, and celebrated the group’s first anniversary.

Currently, the Glenwood D&D Club is still going strong. Teens continue to come to Glenwood excited and ready to see how their character’s stories will unfold. The fun doesn’t stop at Glenwood! In fact, D&D has found a home at the Central, Miller, and East Columbia branches, giving teens opportunities to play tabletop role playing games and build connections with one another.

Glenwood D&D Club
Mondays; Nov 10 & 24; Dec 8 & 22
6:30 pm
HCLS Glenwood Branch

Teen D&D Club
Wednesdays; Nov 19 & Dec 17
HCLS Miller Branch

Tabletop Gaming Paradise
For everyone. Register at bit.ly/tabletop-ECO
Thursdays; Nov 20; Dec 4 & 18
6 – 7:45 pm
HCLS East Columbia Branch
Gamers enjoy an evening of thrilling dice rolls and dire card draws. Explore our tabletop games collection or bring your own to share. Whether you have no experience or you are a tabletop min-maxer, this event is perfect for you!

Teen Dungeons & Dragons
Sat, Nov 22 | 1:30 pm
HCLS Central Branch

Our next chapter starts soon when the blog moves to the newly redesigned hclibrary.org. All the same great reviews and news, plus more library information! 

A black cover shows thin handwriting over a dark purple sketch of the Brooklyn Bridge, with the authors in magenta, and the title in creamy yellow.

Bauder Book Talks: Joy, Magic & Truth

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Thu, Nov 6 | 4:30 – 6:30 pm t
HCLS East Columbia Branch
For ages 11- 18. Registration required at bit.ly/bauder2025

A black illustrated cover where two people standing holding hands, backs to the viewer, with a sketched city in front of them and lots of small yellow stars.

Celebrate the voices of young Black girls in literature at this year’s Bauder Book Talk. Ashley Woodfolk shares how the stories center joy, magic, and truth while creating space for Black teens to see themselves on the page.

Middle and high school students are invited to hear directly from the author and receive a free copy of Blackout.

Ashley Woodfolk is one of the many co-authors of Blackout, an acclaimed YA novel that follows thirteen teenagers in six interlinked stories. After a summer heatwave causes a citywide power outage in New York City, Black teens explore love, friendships, and hidden truths over the course of a single day.
Woodfolk is the critically acclaimed author of The Beauty That Remains and When You Were Everything. Her work explores love, loss, friendship, and the complexities of finding one’s voice. A former publishing professional, Woodfolk is celebrated for her lyrical prose and heartfelt storytelling that resonates deeply with teens.

Bauder Book Talks is made possible by a generous gift from Dr. Lillian Bauder, a community leader and Columbia resident. Howard County Library System presents this annual endowed author event, for under-served students in grades 6-8 attending public schools in Columbia with high percentages of African American and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) students. Authors and titles selected are high-interest and high-quality on topics of social issues, equity, and related matters. Student participants have the opportunity to hear from and engage the author and receive a copy of the author’s book. The event honors the memory of Don Bauder, late husband of Dr. Lillian Bauder and a champion of civil rights and social justice causes.

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Fantasy Reads on the High School Summer Reading List

Julia M Leave a comment
The strong elongated letter of the title is surrounded by a symmetrical image of bones, birds, bugs, and plants - all in a deep blue green palette.
A young Black teenage boy in a hoodie stands in front of a spooky tree dripping with spanish moss. Mysterious light appears in front of his hand. Cover is all in dark blues and deep greys.
The brightly colorful cover illustration has a single figure of a Pacific Islander young woman with a headband woven of greenery and flowers. long hair, and other creatures worked into the bottom of the image.
A young woman's face, with light eyes, is partially masked by fabric and vines.
A dark image, almost an engraving, shows a lone figure on a far mountaintop.

by Julia M.

There’s no time like the summertime to dig into a long, immersive fantasy book. The 2025 High School Summer Reading list features several titles that fit the bill—here are five recommendations to keep you engrossed for hundreds of pages! 

Deep is the Fen by Lili Wilkinson is a suspenseful fairy tale centered on a cast of lifelike characters on their quest to find the heart of the nefarious secret society known as the Order of Toadmen. The main character, Merry, grapples with her magical ability as she fights against society to save her father. I loved this book’s sweet friendships, the rivals-to-teammates dynamic between Merry and her counterpart, and the way the mystery unfolds as we follow the main characters deeper and deeper into the murky magic.    

Blood at the Root by LaDarrion Williams explores a world of magic incorporated through Black American history, folklore, and myth. When Malik Baron reunites with his estranged grandmother, he’s drawn into a world of magic and mystery that may just give him the tools he needs to control his magical powers and protect his foster brother on his journey to find his missing mother. This book transforms the magic school trope into something defiant and heartfelt.  

Dragonfruit by Makiia Lucier is a fantasy adventure based on mythology from Guam and other Pacific Islands. We meet our main character, Hanalei, in her days of exile after her father steals a sea dragon egg. She spends her days studying and sketching the majestic sea dragons in the surrounding waters, and when an encounter with a dragon offers her a chance to return home, Hanalei is launched into a quest that could save her family—and the entire kingdom of Tamarind. The book delivers a beautifully woven, mythology-rich expansion on the teen dragon rider trope and leaves readers asking, “When will there be another one?” 

Wrath Becomes Her by Aden Polydoros is a historical fantasy set in 1940s Lithuania. The book follows Vera, a golem created from an ancient magic, called kishuf, by a father grieving for his murdered daughter. Driven with a violent purpose, Vera is sworn to avenge herself against the Nazis. Throughout her quest, she finds that she’s not the only one with access to kishuf—and it’s going to take everything Vera has within her to come out triumphant. This dark fantasy draws from Jewish folklore to spin a tale full of strength and vengeance.  

Heir by Sabaa Tahir picks up almost two decades after A Sky Beyond the Storm, the final installment in Tahir’s previous series. Sabaa Tahir excels at balancing a full cast of characters and creating interesting and distinct points-of-view, and Heir is no exception. We get to watch the story unfold from behind the eyes of Aiz, Sirsha, and Quil—the orphan, the outcast, and the prince. Like the Ember in the Ashes quartet, Heir tells a war story in a fantasy setting that delves into issues of genocide, human rights, family bonds, and betrayal, and underscores it with characters that forge fierce bonds of friendship and love.  

Happy reading!  

Julia is a Teen Instructor & Research Specialist at the Central Branch. They love to read YA books, play the cello, practice martial arts, try new cookie recipes, and generally squeeze as many hobbies into a day as possible.

A real dog, who is all brown and wears a collar and leash, rests its head on robot dog, who is plugged into a socket. A mouse dangles from the dog's leash.

Pick a Bunch of Black-Eyed Susans This Summer

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A lot of black-eyed susans in full bloom, showing bright yellow petals and a dark brown center.

by Jean B.

It’s summertime in Maryland and Black-Eyed Susans, the state flower, dot the landscape with their bright yellow blooms in gardens, along highway medians, and across open fields. Black-Eyed Susans also are blooming inside the library. These award-winning books for kids and young adults make a perfect choice for summertime reading.

The Black-Eyed Susan Book Award is Maryland’s student choice award, voted on by students in grades K-12 every year since 1992. With seven categories of competition, there are contenders for every age and reading preference: Picture Books (for grades K-2); Fiction/Nonfiction for grades 3-5, grades 6-8, and high school; and Graphic Novels for grades 3-5, grades 6-8, and high school.

Why pick a Black-Eyed Susan? The nominees for this award are selected by school librarians for high quality AND kid appeal. The winners have been voted the best by 20,000 students across Maryland – that’s a major stamp of approval!

But here’s the best reason to pick a Black-Eyed Susan: to make YOUR voice count for next year’s award winner! The 2025-26 nominees are out: students in participating schools or homeschool co-ops who read at least eight of the nominated picture books or three of the nominated fiction/nonfiction or graphic novel nominees will be eligible to vote in April 2026. HCLS also provides a pathway to voting through our Black-Eyed Susan book clubs at Central Branch.

Twenty thousand Maryland kids can’t be wrong! Here’s a sampling of what they liked best in 2024-25:

A large sea turtle swims through the blue waters, above the book title.
A real dog, who is all brown and wears a collar and leash, rests its head on robot dog, who is plugged into a socket. A mouse dangles from the dog's leash.
A person in a white T-shirt and long hair stands in front of a raging forest fire.

Picture Book winner:
Yoshi and the Ocean by Lindsay Moore tells the amazing true story of a sea turtle’s return to the wild after 20 years of care in a South African aquarium. With lyrical text and gorgeous artwork, this book follows Yoshi as she navigates a 25,000 mile journey across two oceans, mapped by a tracking device, to reach her original home. Beautiful to read with younger children, it also contains a wealth of information about ocean life, loggerhead turtles and oceanography.

Grades 3-5 Fiction/Nonfiction winner:
In Dogtown by Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko, a real dog, a robot dog, and a mouse band together to engineer an escape from the Dogtown Shelter and find their forever homes. In this charming animal adventure, short chapters and fun illustrations make it a perfect choice for a family read aloud or for kids just beginning to tackle full-length chapter books.

Grades 6-8 Fiction/Nonfiction winner:
Two Degrees by Alan Gratz is an action-packed thriller for those who love survival stories. The book follows four middle school kids in different regions of North America, each battling climate-change natural disasters. Though their challenges are different and parallel, the kids’ fierce struggles are linked as part of a bigger picture requiring joint action.

Jean is a Children’s Instructor and Research Specialist at HCLS Central Branch. She loves talking about books with people of all ages, but especially enjoys leading the Heavy Medals book club for fourth and fifth graders, exploring award-winning books of all genres. 

The Libary's mascot, Booker the Owl, is wearing his green shirt and a bandana over one eye as he takes aim at a star-shaped pinata in front of a sign that reads Happy Birthday.

Countdown to Summer (Reading): Celebrate Libraries!

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The Libary's mascot, Booker the Owl, is wearing his green shirt and a bandana over one eye as he takes aim at a star-shaped pinata in front of a sign that reads Happy Birthday.

by Jean B.

Who’s counting the days until the end of school? Kids, of course, and teachers, no doubt. Even parents and caregivers may be looking forward to more flexible days and freedom from regular routines — a break from alarms, homework, and heavy backpacks.

At the library, however, we are counting the days until summer and gathering our energy, because your downtime is our opportunity — we can’t wait to spend more time with you! In fact, we’re throwing a summer-long party to celebrate the 85th birthday of HCLS and all the ways our community comes together through the library to learn, grow, and connect.

Let’s get the party started! Starting Monday, June 2, visit any branch for your Summer Reading game, complete with reading and activity ideas, prizes, and special events. WHO IS INVITED? EVERYONE!

Visit hclibrary.org/summer often for all your summer reading information and details.

Ages birth – 4
Children ages birth-4 learn, grow, and make connections by singing, talking, reading, writing, and playing. Read or do an activity from the suggestions, and color in a balloon.
Ages 5 – 10
Read, listen, learn, connect, and celebrate. Each time you read or do an activity, color in a candy. Keep reading! For both children’s games: Pick up a prize after completing 10 books and/or activities before August 31, while supplies last.
Teens: 11 – 18
Earn raffle tickets whenever you read, attend classes, borrow items, or complete challenges. When you complete 10 tickets, visit a branch to receive a prize and be entered into the grand prize drawing. Continue to submit raffle tickets all summer.
Adults: 18+
The third annual Adult Reading Challenge offers unique reading challenges and complimentary reading recommendations. Complete three or more challenges by the end of August, or read three or more books of your own choosing. Complete a finisher’s card and be automatically entered into our prize drawings. All finishers also receive a limited-edition prize, while supplies last!

Summer Reading Celebrations
For everyone.
Join us to celebrate 85 years of the Library and all things summer reading with activities for all ages.
Wed, Jun 25 from 3 – 6 pm at HCLS East Columbia Branch
Wed, Jun 25 from 5 – 8 pm at HCLS Central Branch
Wed, Jul 9 from 5 – 8 pm at HCLS Elkridge Branch
Sat, Jul 12 from 11 am – 1 pm at HCLS Savage Branch
Wed, Aug 13 from 4 – 7 pm at HCLS Glenwood Branch
Thu Aug 21 from 6 – 8 pm at HCLS Miller Branch
Celebrations sponsored in part by Friends & Foundation of HCLS.

The cover shades from dark orange at the top to a light orange at the bottom, with two kids sitting tailor fashion. The one on the left has a book open, with swirls of an dragon sketch coming from the pages.

National Library Week: Graphic Novels for Kids

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National Library Week Poster shows four different, common scenarios at the library: reading, talking at the desk, using a sewing machine from the library of things, and someone drawing.

by Jean B.

What draws you into the library? Comfortable chairs and aisles of tall shelves, packed with interesting titles? Classes where you can learn or socialize? Play areas for children?

Libraries serve many needs these days and offer access to all kinds of media – not just the weighty tomes of classic literature. For many of our school-age customers, it’s the graphic novels that draw them in. Dogman to Batman, Smile and Guts – these titles possess a magnetic power to pull kids into the library, sometimes to the chagrin of their grown-ups. They ask: “Are graphic novels real reading, if they’re filled with pictures?”

This year’s theme and its honorary chairs, cartoonists Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud, affirm the value and power of these stories told through comic-strip panels. In recent years, graphic novels and their creators have received the highest honors in children’s literature, recognizing their artistry as well as the many benefits these books bring to young readers in building literacy.

Reading specialists stress the importance of motivation for a child’s success in learning to read. Kids need to be interested in the stories presented to them to do the work of reading. So if Dogman gets them to keep reading, it’s just as valuable as a classic! For those who may have fallen behind early in the reading process and lost confidence, graphic novels can restore their motivation. The images are appealing, the word bubbles less intimidating than full pages of text, and children can be successful without feeling the books are “beneath them.”

Graphic novels also teach children how to integrate text and visual literacy — an essential skill in today’s multi-modal landscape. When kids tackle a website, advertisement, or YouTube instructional video, they need to absorb both images and text to decipher meaning. That is the world we all now live in, and careful reading of a great graphic novel sharpens this important skill.

At Central Branch, the graphic novel collection literally creates the gateway for entering the children’s department. But in a much broader sense, graphic novels offer a gateway to the vast variety of books and materials readers will find in the library. Once DRAWN IN to reading, the discoveries and stories are limitless!

The cover shades from dark orange at the top to a light orange at the bottom, with two kids sitting tailor fashion. The one on the left has a book open, with swirls of a sprite sketch coming from the pages.

Celebrate National Library Week by exploring some of these award-winning graphic novels, all based on real experiences:
El Deafo by Cece Bell
New Kid by Jerry Craft
Mexikid by Pedro Martin
Stargazing by Jen Wang.

Jean is a Children’s Instructor and Research Specialist at HCLS Central Branch. She loves talking about books with people of all ages, but especially enjoys leading the Heavy Medals book club for fourth and fifth graders, exploring award-winning books of all genres. 

Children and their caregivers play on the floor of Savage Branch, with bright toys around them.

National Library Week 2025

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A woman wearing headphones works at a table surrounded by library shelves full of books.
A smiling group of six people stand inside the library.
Children and their caregivers play on the floor of Savage Branch, with bright toys around them.
A top down photo of four older women playing mah-jongg.
A young boy sits in a large chair intently reading a book.
A customer wearing a headscarf has a conversation with library staff at the desk.

During National Library Week we celebrate the many roles libraries play in their communities. We are hubs for preschoolers attending classes and learning skills to prepare for kindergarten, teens working on homework and looking for places to belong, new Americans learning English, immigrants studying to take the U.S. Citizenship exam, parents and seniors looking for connections, veterans working through trauma, and community members seeking to broaden their perspectives. 

This year’s National Library Week is more poignant than ever. With the dismantling of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, many libraries who depend on federal funding will be forced to shut their doors. In Maryland, federal grants fund statewide programming, innovative training, librarian certifications, operating costs, and other expenses. Libraries use federal funds to provide access to the internet, create new and novel programs for a range of interests, and train staff.  

In Howard County, we are fortunate that our community places a high value on libraries. While the portions of our budget that will be affected are still uncertain, we remain committed to the three key focus areas identified in our strategic plan released last year: 

  • All children enter school ready to learn, with emphasis on ages birth to 3; 
  • Teens and young adults feel a sense of agency and belonging, and 
  • An inclusive, connected community where everyone feels they belong.  

Through community meetings, surveys, and interviews, you told us these were important, and we intend to continue addressing them no matter what happens at the federal level. 

For 85 years we have enjoyed broad support from you, our community. And with your continued support, we will be here for another 85 years – and more! 

We look forward to seeing you in our branches this week as we celebrate National Library Week and the critical work we do with our community. 

Sincerely, 

Tonya Aikens
President & CEO
Howard County Library System

A colorful illustrated cover shows many children framed by sprays of flowers, with the title above them.

Reading List for Trans Visibility

ashbakerhcls
A colorful illustrated cover shows many children framed by sprays of flowers, with the title above them.

By Ash B.

Since 2009, March 31 has been recognized internationally as Transgender Day of Visibility. Created by trans community member Rachel Crandall-Crocker, the day is meant to spark hope and spread awareness of trans lives, especially through trans joy. 

General awareness of trans-ness has increased in the past 15 years; however, visibility does not always mean progress. Over the past three years, Americans (across all political parties) have grown less supportive of policies that support trans people (ex. protection against job and housing discrimination) and more supportive of policies that cause harm and restrict trans rights, particularly relating to athletics, restrooms, and healthcare (Pew Research).

The majority of Americans, particularly those aged 50+, report they do not personally know a transgender person. Perhaps that’s why the trans community has become such an easy target for disinformation and scapegoating. If a sizeable majority of the population personally knew trans and nonbinary people – truly knew us, as peers and coworkers and friends, as humans trying to live our lives as best we can – then perhaps we would be guaranteed more safety and bodily autonomy.

In the spirit of trans joy, all are invited to celebrate the trans community at the following events: 

This Friday (Mar 28), join HCLS for a free Trans Day of Visibility celebration hosted by the Howard County LGBTQIA+ Commission, in partnership with the Office of Human Rights and Equity. The event takes place at the Elkridge 50+ Center from 4 – 7:30 pm with read-alouds, arts and crafts, games, and a dance party. More info here. 

On Monday, March 31, 10 am – 12 pm & 3 – 5 pm, join us at Central Branch to make buttons, zines, collages, and vision boards. From 4 – 5 pm, a representative from Community Allies of Rainbow Youth (CARY) shares resources and answers questions.

Below is a robust roundup of titles from our collection, most of them authored by trans people. Regardless of your gender identity and personal background, there’s something here for everyone; I hope you check one out and learn something new! 

Trans 101 Information

Anthologies to Better Understand Transgender Experiences

Trans History

If You’re a Parent (whether or not you currently have a trans child) 

Inclusive Picture Books

Middle Grade Fiction

Young adult novels & graphic novels

Adult Fiction

Need more book recommendations? Feel free to contact us, and if we don’t own a title you’re looking for, you can Suggest an Addition to the Collection.

For more resources and organizations to connect with, here are the resource lists from Community Allies of Rainbow Youth and PFLAG Howard County.

Ash is an Instructor and Research Specialist at HCLS Central Branch with a passion for information literacy and community engagement. They love music, gardening, hiking, and cuddling with their golden retriever.

A crowd of teens stands in line at HCLS Elkridge Branch.

Teen Live! in 2025

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A crowd of teens stands in line at HCLS Elkridge Branch.
Teen Live! at the Elkridge Branch of HCLS in 2024.

by Deborah B.

You work at the Elkridge Library?” asked a woman attending her child’s soccer game. “I must tell you, my son loved, absolutely loved, that Teen Live event you did last month. He hasn’t stopped talking about it! Will there be more?” 

“Can you do more Teen Lives? Please,” begged a girl at Mayfield Woods Middle School. “Can you do one here?” asked a nearby teacher.  

No, we cannot do one at a school but can and are doing Teen Live at the branches again this spring. It’s no wonder Howard County teens loved Teen Live – it’s the ultimate after-school escape, where fun, food, and friends come together for an unforgettable experience! 

A boy with dark hair and glasses, wearing an orange T-shirt, gets ready to shoot a small basketball.

Designed by teens for teens, Teens Live is a smorgasbord of excitement, offering everything from free pizza to anime, arcade games, and larger-than-life activities. Whether you’re a gamer, an artist, a music lover, or just someone looking for a cool place to hang out, Teen Live has something for you. 

Shoot hoops, compete in Nintendo Switch and PS5 game tournaments, or unleash your creativity at arts and crafts stations. Anime fans can bond over their favorite shows, discover new series, and join themed activities. Every branch session is packed with energy, laughter, and new opportunities to connect with like-minded peers in a welcoming space. 

But that’s not all — Teen Live 2025 amps up the awesome with branch specific feature events from music and interactive performances to live demonstrations of technology and creative challenges. See and sample the shiny new contraptions, gadgets, and equipment Teen Live events are introducing. It’s the perfect place to relax, have fun, and explore new interests, all while enjoying free pizza. 

No need to bring anything—just show up, bring your friends, and get ready for an epic time at the library! Join one or more of these sessions:

Sat, Mar 8 | 2 – 4 pm at HCLS Savage Branch
Sat, Apr 5 | 3 – 5 pm at HCLS Central Branch
Tue, Apr 15 | 2 – 4 pm at HCLS Elkridge Branch
Mon, Apr 21 | 3 – 5 pm at HCLS Miller Branch
Wed, May 7 | 12:30 – 3:30 pm at HCLS Glenwood Branch
Wed, Jun 11 | 4 – 6 pm at HCLS East Columbia Branch

Deborah B. is a Teen Instructor and Research Specialist at the Elkridge Branch. Reading is her cardio.

Section of NC Wyeth painting showing King Arthur wearing armour, a red cape, and a crown.

High School Summer Reading List: King Arthur

Julia M Leave a comment
Section of NC Wyeth painting showing King Arthur with a

by Julia M.

Each year, HCLS and HCPSS work together to compile suggested reading lists for all ages. This year’s high school reading list is brimming with exciting titles published within the past few years, in dozens of different genres ranging from nonfiction memoirs by immigrant teens to adorable love stories centered on baked goods. Two of my favorite standout reads from this year’s list happen to share a common theme: both feature references to King Arthur that any Arthurian-legend-loving reader will happily devour.

A Black woman with natural hair holds her arms apart in front her her with red glowing around the top and a blue around the bottom, against a dark background.

Legendborn by Tracy Deonn has become beloved by many YA fantasy readers since its publication in 2020. The story follows Bree, a 16-year-old who enters a pre-college program at UNC with hopes of escaping from her hometown for the summer following her mother’s tragic death. Her world is upended when she is thrust into the secret world of people who call themselves Legendborn—the descendants of King Arthur, preparing for war against the demonic forces that oppose them. This book is for lovers of complex magic systems, emotionally driven romantic subplots, and a solid dose of high-action fight scenes. Readers who enjoyed the deep-rooted Arthurian references in The Lost Years (of Merlin) or the magical aura of The Raven Boys will love Legendborn. (Longer review also available.)

You can borrow it in print, e-book, and e-audiobook.

Gwen and Art are Not in Love by Lex Croucher is a new addition to the YA Arthurian-legend-canon. This book is rife with references to the legends, but with a lighthearted twist. Gwen and Art follows the title characters through an alternate-timeline historical rom-com that takes place several generations after the death of King Arthur. The two main characters are forced into an arranged betrothal but have zero interest in each other. Through a series of mishaps and a little forbidden-diary-reading, Gwen and Art realize that they are a perfectly unsuited match. They make a pact to cover up for one another as Gwen pines after a lady knight and Art kisses every boy he fancies. Readers will be drawn in by the bubbly humor, fast-paced tournament scenes, and the sweet found family that develops. If you love the joyful queer romance in Heartstopper or the feminist twists of the Song of the Lioness quartet, check out Gwen and Art are Not in Love. 

You can borrow it in print, e-book, and e-audiobook. 

A mostly pink cover with the title in large red block lettering, and floral illustration around the G and A. Four people in medieval clothing cluster at the bottom.

Julia is a Teen Instructor & Research Specialist at the Glenwood Branch + Makerspace. She loves reading YA books, playing the cello, practicing martial arts, trying new cookie recipes, and generally trying to squeeze as many hobbies into a day as possible.