Weehawken teens will read something out of this world next week as the library celebrates “Teen Read Week,” beginning Oct. 18 and ending Oct. 24. Presented by the American Library Association, this year’s theme is “Read Beyond Reality @ Your Library,” encouraging teens to read a variety of extraterrestrial or fantastical material.
“We thought it was a really interesting theme this year,” said librarian Kelly Fitzgerald. “Something that would really appeal to teenagers.” This is the second year the Weehawken library will participate in the program, along with thousands of other libraries, schools, and bookstores across the country.
“Teens have so many options for entertainment,” Fitzgerald said, “so it’s important to remind them to spend time reading for pleasure. It’s free, fun, and can be done anywhere.”
“Kids love exploring the paranormal.” – Kelly Fitzgerald
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“We wanted to tie in the programs with the ‘Read Beyond Reality’ theme,” Fitzgerald said. “And kids love exploring the paranormal, too.”
In addition, the library is holding an “Amnesty Week,” a week that teens can return overdue items free of fines.
Scary stories
For the third year in a row, the library is conjuring up some frightfully fun ways to celebrate Halloween. Children aged 4 through 10 are invited to the library on Thursday, Oct. 29 at 4 p.m. to listen to scary Halloween stories.
“For the younger children, they are basically silly stories,” Fitzgerald said. “For tweens and teens, the stories are a little scarier. Urban legends and stories you might read around the campfire.”
The “Haunted Happenings” hour will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 26 for children and teens age 11 through 16, who can stop by for spine tingling stories and urban legends, held at 5 p.m.
“I know the teens don’t really have people reading stories to them at that age anymore,” Fitzgerald said. “So they really get a kick out of the stories. They get scared and laugh about it after. It’s a lot of fun.”
Book club at the library
The first meeting of the library’s new Cultural Book Club will be held on Monday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. The new club, open to teens and adults, will explore various cultures of the world through not only reading, but with food, music, and more.
In addition to the cultural club, the library’s newly formed Manga and Anime Club is open to teenagers ages 13 through 18. For more information on national “Teen Read Week” or the library’s book clubs, please call (201) 863-7823.
Sean Allocca can be reached at editorial@hudsonreporter.com