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Teen Program & Events

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Teens: the library is more than just books! Whether you use the Teen Area to study, join a library program to hang out with friends, or volunteer for community service, SBPL can help you meet your goals. Learn about our fun teen programs, check out our volunteer opportunities, and find your next read!​

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Most Recent Reviews

January 2026

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

Reviewed by: Luke M

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen is the kind of book that wastes zero time getting you into trouble, and then makes you figure it out step by step. It follows Brian Robeson, a teenager flying in a small plane to visit his dad when everything suddenly goes wrong and he ends up alone in the Canadian wilderness with only a hatchet for real survival gear. From there, the story becomes a gritty learning curve: Brian has to build shelter, find food, make fire, deal with animals, and handle the mental side of being totally isolated. The main conflict is survival against nature, but the bigger fight is Brian versus panic and hopelessness. What I liked most is how practical and visual the writing is. Paulsen makes you feel the cold water, the hunger, the bugs, the fear at night. It is not dramatic in a cheesy way, it is dramatic because it feels possible. The book also does a good job showing how Brian changes, not with some big speech, but through small wins and mistakes that slowly turn into confidence. You can tell he starts out as a regular kid, and then the wilderness forces him to grow up fast. My opinion: I was locked in the whole time. It is a simple concept, but it stays interesting because every choice matters. I also liked that it made me think about how most people, including me, would probably overestimate how prepared we are until it is real. If you like survival stories, outdoor adventures, or anything that feels intense without being complicated, Hatchet is an easy recommendation. Thumbs up.

To All the Boys I've Loved Before  by Jenny Han

Reviewed by: Anonymous

To All the Boys Iʼve Loved Before is a charming novel following the life of Lara Jean Covey, a hopeless romantic who is in high school. At the start of the book, you get to briefly hear about her previous crushes before something absolutely crazy happens, causing chaos throughout her family and school life. Additionally, there are other conflicts that occur that make her life even more wild, especially going through all of this while managing being a teenage girl, which sometimes can feel like a job in and of itself. Lara Jean has an adorable bubbly personality that is charming and fun to relate to. I also admire how crafty she is, and her love for baking, which are two qualities you will quickly get to know about her. Additionally, you will quickly fall in love with the other characters in the book. Author Jenny Han does a great job giving everyone relatable personalities, naturally why the characters are so likable. The book takes place in Charlottesville, Virginia, the charming hometown of the University of Virginia. The imagery in this book is very impeccable. When Lara Jean goes on trips, wears a new outfit, visits a favorite restaurant, or spends the afternoon with her little sister, Kitty, everything is so vividly painted that you almost feel like you are there yourself! Lara Jean's father, Mr. Covey is also really funny, as is Kitty, and her more serious but also kind older sister, Margot. You can also watch this book after reading it because it is on Netflix! And if you are sad about it being over, there are two more books in the three-book series, and another show about Kitty (XO Kitty)!! In conclusion, I would recommend this sweet novel to someone in the mood for a cozy comfort read.