January 2025 Teen Newsletter

Teen Website

Teen Librarian, Jennifir Huston

jhuston@sailsinc.org

January: A Month of Beginning

Message brought to you by Anthony Xin


January, the first month of the Gregorian calendar, ushers in the New Year with a sense of

renewal, optimism, and an eagerness to set new goals. Named after Janus, the Roman god of beginnings, transitions, and endings, January is symbolic of a fresh start. This month, often characterized by its crisp winter weather in many parts of the world, holds a special place in the hearts of many as a time to reset and move forward.


One of the most important events in January is New Year's Day, celebrated on the 1st. It is a time for people to come together with family and friends to celebrate, make resolutions, and set intentions for the year ahead. New Year's resolutions are a tradition that dates back to ancient Babylon, where people made promises to their gods to pay their debts and return borrowed objects.


In addition to New Year's celebrations, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is another crucial holiday

observed on the third Monday of January in the United States. This day honors the civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., who played a pivotal role in the American civil rights movement. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for equality and justice and is often marked by events and activities that promote community service and social justice.


Seasonal Changes and Nature


In the Northern Hemisphere, January is typically a cold month, often associated with winter

weather such as snow, ice, and chilly winds. The stark beauty of a winter landscape can be both serene and awe-inspiring. We in the northeast of the US specifically associate January with cold winters and violent blizzards.


In contrast, the Southern Hemisphere experiences summer during January, with warm

temperatures and extended daylight hours. This period is often associated with outdoor activities, vacations, and festivals. Countries like Australia celebrate Australia Day on January 26th, marking the arrival of the First Fleet of British ships at Port Jackson, New South Wales, in 1788.


Whether it's setting New Year's resolutions, celebrating cultural and historical milestones, or

simply enjoying the beauty of the season, January offers something for everyone. As we step into this new month, let's look forward to new beginnings and endless possibilities.

Past Programs

Drum Workshop with Dave Curry of Drums For One and All

Candy Sushi

Copper Ornaments with Heather Beck

Crafty Teens: Cookie Decorating

News

Rules for Teens at Boyden Library Beginning


Teens are asked to follow a new set of rules as the new school year begins in September. Beginning September 1st, no food or drinks will be allowed anywhere in Boyden Library with the exception of water.


Unfortunately, this is due to high volumes of messes as well as caked on chocolate, drinks, and food found not only in the Teen Room, but other parts of the library.


Teens will also be asked to sign an Agreement of Use form which states the rules of the room and library beginning in September which will be good for one year.

Letters About Literature


Letters About Literature in Massachusetts is a commonwealth-wide personal and reflective writing initiative sponsored by the Massachusetts Center for the Book. The program invites students in Grades 4 through 12 to read a book of their choice, reflect on it, and write a personal letter to its author, explaining the impact this work had on them. 

Students may have a strong connection to the theme of the book, or they may recognize themselves in a particular character. Some students will write about challenging events in their lives that connect to the books they have read. Others may take exception with a particular authorial viewpoint, be inspired by a particular authorial triumph, or link the humor or the erudition of the author to their lives. Whatever they choose to write about, students are encouraged to dig deep into their own thoughts and experiences, sticking with a central point and following it as far as they can to an original statement about why this book matters to them and to the world in which they live.


Letters are read in three grade-level categories:

Level I: Grades 4 through 6

Level II: Grades 7 and 8

Level III: Grades 9 through 12


The judges will award 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place and name up to seven additional Honorable Mention writers in each level.


1st Place: $200

2nd Place: $150

3rd Place: $100


Massachusetts Center for the Book will recognize 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, Honorable Mention, and Finalist letter writers with certificates of merit sent to schools or homes.

An Awards Ceremony for 2024-25 Letters About Literature will be held in-person in late spring, 2025. (A virtual celebration is substituted when in-person gatherings are not possible.)


Submissions will be accepted from October 1, 2024 until January 15, 2025.


How to Enter Here

The Spirit of The Lunar New Year

Written by Anthony Xin


The Lunar New Year, also known as the Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, is one of the most important and widely celebrated festivals in Asian culture. This occasion marks the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunar calendar and is a time for family reunions, feasting, and cultural festivities.


In 2025, the Lunar New Year falls on January 29th, ushering in the Year of the Snake. While many in the western world have heard or seen the Lunar New Year be celebrated, what they don't know is the story of the origins of the Lunar New Year. This tale dates back thousands of years to ancient China, and according to legend, the festival began as a way to scare off a mythical beast named Nian (translates to “year” in Chinese). Nian terrorized people for decades, coming on the first day

of the new year to devour livestock, crops, and even villagers. However, the townsfolk eventually discovered that loud noises, firecrackers, and bright red decorations, would scare off the beast, which caused them to eventually become integral elements of the celebration.


Today, the story of Nian is celebrated as part of the rich tapestry of Chinese culture. While the literal fear of the beast has faded into myth, its symbolic significance has endured the test of time. The legend reminds us of the power of community, the importance of tradition, and the hope for a fresh start with each new year. As firecrackers light up the sky and red lanterns glow in streets and homes,

they pay homage to this enduring tale, ensuring that Nian remains a vibrant part of the Lunar New Year’s legacy.


How do people actually celebrate this holiday?


Preparation for the Lunar New Year begins well in advance of the actual date. Families thoroughly clean their homes to sweep away any ill-fortune and make way for incoming good luck. This practice is known as "spring cleaning." Additionally, homes are decorated with red lanterns, couplets, and paper cuttings that have joyous phrases and symbols.


On New Year's Eve, families gather for a grand reunion dinner, often considered the most important meal of the year. The dishes served during this feast are carefully chosen for their symbolic meanings. For example, fish represents surplus and prosperity, dumplings symbolize wealth, and glutinous rice cakes (Nian Gao) stand for higher income or position in the coming year.


The Lunar New Year celebration is not just limited to this dinner however, and often spans multiple days all with various activities. On the first day, people wear new clothes, usually in red, and visit family members to exchange greetings and red envelopes (hongbao) filled with money, which are given to children and from elders as a token of good luck.


Lion and dragon dances are a common sight during the festivities, performed to ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune. These vibrant and energetic performances are accompanied by the sound of drums, gongs, and cymbals, creating a lively atmosphere.


The celebration also includes the lighting of firecrackers and fireworks to welcome the new year with a bang. These displays are meant to scare away evil spirits and bring joy and excitement to the community.


In conclusion, the Lunar New Year is far more than just a calendar event; it is a vibrant celebration of heritage, family, and hope. Rooted in centuries-old traditions like warding off the mythical Nian, the festivities blend storytelling, cultural rituals, and communal joy to mark the transition into a new year. From the dazzling lion dances to the warmth of family reunions and the glow of red lanterns, every element reflects a shared desire for prosperity, health, and happiness. As the festivities unfold, they remind us of the enduring power of traditions to connect us to our roots while embracing the promise of new beginnings.

The Resolutions

By Mia Garcia

Book Review by Amrutha Veduri


The Resolutions is a book by Latinx writer Mia Garcia, from Puerto Rico, who currently lives in New York. This young adult novel was published in 2018. The story revolves around four Latino young adults named Jess, Nora, Lee and Ryan. These four friends are inseparable because they do everything together. They have common interests and spend most of the day together either in the form of hiking or never ending group texts or at their birthday parties.


But now, they are in their senior year of High School, busy looking over and setting their future goals. This makes it hard for all 4 to hang out like they usually did. In Jess’ eyes everyone is busy. Nora, who is juggling between school and work responsibilities at La Islita del Caribe, her mother’s restaurant, rarely has time to sit down and hang out. Ryan, who is dealing with his break up with Jason, hasn’t been feeling good about himself lately. Lee still carries the weight of her mother’s memory even after three years of her death. This makes Jess worried as the four seniors are slowly growing apart. So, Jess decides to host a New Year’s party and do the tradition with her four friends of writing New Year’s Resolutions. Instead of making their own resolutions, they assign resolutions for each other. They promise to follow through and actually, they finish them amidst heart-breaks and life-changing decisions against their bonding.


The Resolutions is a beautiful story of four best friends with which anyone, irrespective of age, can connect. Mia Garcia shows her expertise in decoding the best and most beautiful part of friendship. Though the characters of the novel are Latino young adults, every teen will see themselves and connect with the characters of Jess, Nora, Lee and Ryan, particularly with their never ending texting over chatting apps.

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter

By Erika L. Sánchez

Book Review by Bailey Hall


In I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez, we follow Julia Reyes, a teenage girl living in Chicago, as she deals with the loss of her older sister, Olga. Olga was seen as the perfect daughter, the one who stayed home, followed the rules, and helped their parents. After Olga dies in a tragic accident, Julia feels even more pressure to live up to her sister’s image.


However, Julia is nothing like Olga—she’s outspoken, dreams of leaving home to go to college, and struggles to fit into her parents’ expectations.


As Julia grieves, she discovers secrets about Olga’s life that make her question everything she thought she knew about her sister. Olga wasn’t as perfect as everyone believed. Julia starts digging into Olga’s past and learns shocking truths that change how she sees her family. Meanwhile, Julia also faces challenges of her own—her parents don’t understand her, she feels trapped by their strict rules, and she battles feelings of loneliness and sadness.



This book is a heartfelt story about family, secrets, and finding yourself. Julia’s struggles are relatable, and her personality is bold. The story shows how hard it can be to balance your own dreams with family expectations. I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter is an emotional read that keeps you hooked from start to finish.

A New Year's Message from Saloni

By Saloni Khairmode


As December comes to an end, a new year will begin to unfold. January 1st is celebrated as the beginning of a New Year and is a special day to cherish the memories and experiences from the previous year. New Year's eve is a day for family and friends to gather and to commemorate one another for their support and achievements. As 2024 comes to an end, and as 2025 begins, it allows for everyone to set goals for themselves and to challenge themselves by trying something new! On this special day, homes are decorated and families make resolutions. Every household has its way of celebrating the New Year, whether it's watching the Ball Drop, attending a New Year's Eve party or just celebrating with family and friends, the celebration of the New Year allows for everyone to gather and cherish their moments together. 


So as the most beautiful time of the year approaches, let's celebrate one another and look forward to the amazing beginnings and opportunities 2025 has. Happy New Year in advance from your Friends at Boyden Library. 


Upcoming Programs!

Dungeons & Dragons

Mondays: January 6, 13, 20, 27

5:00-7:00

Fuller Conference Room

Register

Social Worker Hours

Tuesdays, 7,14, 24,28

4:00-6:00

Fuller Conference Room

Drop In


Office Hours with Social Worker Stephanie Neipris

Feel free to drop in during this time for assistance on:

Information and referral

Benefits assistance

Resources for mental health and substance use

Brief counseling

And more!

Registration Not Required

January Take & Make: Mini Puzzle

Grades 7-12

Monday, January 6-11

Ground Floor Circulation

Register

Crafty Teens: Chinese Lanterns

Tuesday, January 7

Grades 7-12

Boyden Community Room


Celebrate Chinese New Year by making your own Chinese Lantern

Register

Healthy Relationships

Chat with Our Social Worker

Stephanie Neipris

Tuesday, January 14

Ages 14-17

Fuller Conference Room


Teens, ages 14-17, join us as we discuss setting healthy boundaries and healthy relationships with our social worker intern! 

Pizza and snacks will be provided.

Registration is required.


Register

Dance Movement with Katelyn Kramer

Grades 7-12

Saturday, January 18

12:00-1:00

Boyden Community Room


Join Katelyn Cramer as she leads fun dance/movement expression!


Have you ever wondered what makes someone an icon? Ever wanted to try learning how to be as confident as Taylor Swift or as strong as Travis Kelce? Join us for a dance and movement based group that will explore what it means to be a legend. Participants will discuss icon's attributes and use them to inspire movement in the body, while exploring concepts such as the courage to be yourself, finding your personal strengths, and how to support each other. Come dance with us!


Sunflower Movement Therapy



Sponsored by The Friends of Boyden Library

Register

Yes Chef! Stovetop Lasagna

Grades 7-12

Thursday, January 23

4:00-5:30

Boyden Community Room


We will work together to make tofu lasagna on the stovetop!  


Vegetarian Friendly.


Inspired by Boyden Library's newest online resource Library Chef!

Register

Library After Hours

Grades 7-12

Friday, January 24

6:00-8:00

Boyden Community Room


Teens!


Have you ever wanted to hang out at the library after closing time?

Play games, watch movies, eat pizza!

Party after hours at the library with Jennifir and Libby!


Please note this is a party for ages 11-18 or Grades 7-12

Register

Snackable Chats & Delicious Sips

Grades 7-12

Wednesday, January 29

4:00-5:00

Fuller Conference Room


Snack Chat is Teen led group!


Teens will make a fun drink, have a fun activity, snack, and chat!


The group will meet the last Wednesday of each month.


Registration is required due to limited space.

Register

New Fiction

Legend of the White Snake

by Sher Lee

Fantasy


A snake spirit transforms into a boy and must hide his true identity after falling for a headstrong prince in this lush, romantic retelling of the traditional Chinese folktale.

When Prince Xian was a boy, a white snake bit his mother and condemned her to a slow, painful death. The only known cure is an elusive spirit pearl—or an antidote created from the rare white snake itself. Desperate and determined, Xian travels to the city of Changle, where an oracle predicted he would find and capture a white snake.


Seven years ago, Zhen, a white snake in the West Lake, consumed a coveted spirit pearl, which gave him special powers—including the ability to change into human form.


In Changle, Xian encounters an enigmatic but beautiful stable boy named Zhen. The two are immediately drawn to each other, but Zhen soon realizes that he is the white snake Xian is hunting. As their feelings grow deeper, will the truth about Zhen’s identity tear them apart? 

~Amazon

Perfect Girl

by Tracy Banghart

Thriller


AN EDGE-OF-YOUR-SEAT THRILLER FROM THE AUTHOR OF GRACE AND FURY


" A riveting thriller packed with so many chills and swoon-worthy moments, readers will be tearing through the pages." ―Natalie C. Parker, award winning author of the Seafire Series


"A chilling cat-and-mouse game." ―April Henry, New York Times bestselling author of Girl, Stolen and Stay Dead


Jessa has been raised to be the “perfect girl.” She is unfailingly polite, never rocks the boat, and always follows the rules―no matter what. Her friends love to give her a hard time for being such a goody two-shoes, but Jessa likes it this way. She knows what's expected of her, and she's happy to be the person her parents (and society) want.


When a freak storm takes out the power during a sleepover at Jessa’s creepy, old house, things go south before the pizza gets cold. Her friends are at each other’s throats, unexpected guests keep showing up (some more welcome than others), and it’s not just her brother serving up jump scares. A killer looking for the perfect girl has targeted Jessa, and she’ll have to reject everything she’s been taught if she wants to keep herself―and her friends―alive until sunrise.


Who knew perfection could be so dangerous?


“Banghart mischievously upends all the sleepover-and-pizza conventions to create a twisty tale of love and desire gone foul. A darkly jubilant, unbound, addictive read.” ―Derek Milman, author of A Darker Mischief and Swipe Right for Murder


"Deliciously smart, suspenseful, and chilling. Perfect Girl is almost too good." ―Anica Mrose Rissi, author of Nobody Knows But You


"Perfect for a stormy night!” Diana Rodriguez Wallach, author of Small Town Monsters and Hatchet Girls

~Amazon

Prince of Glass & Midnight

by Linsey Miller

Fairytale


For fans of Disney Twisted Tales and Serena Valentino's Villains comes the next book of the Disney Prince Young Adult series where Prince Charming tells his side of Disney’s Cinderella.


Ever since the death of his mother, Prince August of Charmant has sworn off love. Now with his growing responsibilities at court, August is unable to delay conversations of marriage any longer. But news of a magical memory curse plaguing a nearby village—the same village he used to spend his summers with his mother—offers August an escape. He convinces his father to give him five days to lead the royal investigation before returning to the palace for good. While away, August must confront his own bittersweet memories of the village, his mother, and Ella, the childhood friend he hasn’t spoken to in nearly six years. But maybe the best person to help him restore the town’s memories is the girl he hasn’t been able to forget.


Once reunited, August is surprised to see how Ella has changed. While she’s still beautiful and clever, she’s more reserved and possibly keeping secrets of her own—a fact August finds increasingly hard to ignore. Together they investigate the origins of the magic impacting the town, but the memory loss is spreading quickly, and their rekindled friendship places them in more danger than they could have imagined. With time ticking down to his return to the castle, August must grapple with his growing feelings for Ella and solve the mystery before it’s too late.


When the clock strikes midnight, the fate of the kingdom may just rely on finding the owner of a lost glass slipper...

~Amazon

Here Goes Nothing

by Emma K. Ohland

LGBTQ+


A fun yet thought-provoking modern reimagining of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing.

Eighteen-year-old Beatrice has never been a fan of her neighbor Bennie, but when Beatrice's beloved younger sister starts dating one of Bennie's closest friends, Beatrice is drawn into their social circle. As Beatrice wrestles with increasingly confusing feelings for Bennie, her usually close relationship with her sister is fraying, her grief over their mother’s death is simmering in the background, and she’s overwhelmed by looming senior-year decisions about what she wants to do with her life. But after a crisis arises, Beatrice must figure out how to process past traumas and open up to the possibilities of the future.

~Amazon

New Graphic Novels

Anzuelo

by Emma Rios



"A sweeping magical-realist coming-of-age story set after the apocalypse." — The New York Times


A gorgeous and brutal story that revolts against the notion of violence as the only response to a life without hope.


The Sea, secretly more complex than anyone imagined, rises one day. The horizon folds as the Sea absorbs the world and transforms everything that's been pulled inside it. Three kids find themselves unmoored and lost, but brought together by the physical and mental changes wrought by the tides and a desire to avoid harming any living creature.


Anzuelo is the new hand-watercolored graphic novel by the Eisner award-winning cartoonist Emma Ríos (Pretty Deadly, Mirror, I.D.), presented in a deluxe hardcover with archival quality 120gsm paper.

~Amazon

Otaku Vampire's Love Bite

by Julietta Suzuki


Some vampires live to feast on the blood of their victims. Others just want to score super limited edition anime merch!


Hina Alucard is a modern vampire who drinks blood from bags instead of from humans. But she’s also a complete shut-in who hasn’t left the house in 30 years. In an effort to reach her, Hina’s dad does something that changes her life—he gives her a DVD of the Vampire Cross anime! Hina is instantly obsessed, especially with the character Mao. But it’s difficult to fangirl as hard as she wants from her bedroom in Romania, so now Hina is out of the house and off to Japan to live her otaku dream!


Hina’s so busy collecting Mao merch that she almost doesn’t feel bad about missing out on the Vampire Cross cafes. If only she had a human friend who could eat all the themed food for her! But connecting with humans isn’t easy until Hina literally bumps into her neighbor Kyuta, a prickly boy who looks just like Mao. Having her best friend live next door will be so convenient! Now if she can just convince him to actually be her friend…

 ~Amazon

New Nonfiction

Drawing Animals

by Hugh Laidman


A valuable guide by a well-known teacher and artist, this volume abounds in expert advice on methods and techniques for drawing animals, offering 26 lessons with step-by-step drawings of wild and domestic creatures. Author Hugh Laidman directed the U.S. Marine Corps art program, was commissioned by the National Gallery of Art to do work for NASA, and was a successful syndicated cartoonist. In Drawing Animals, his breadth of skill and experience has been successfully distilled into a concise, easy-to-follow and beautifully illustrated guide.

Laidman offers knowledgeable advice on methods and techniques before proceeding to the heart of the book: expertly rendered instructional drawings of more than two dozen animals, from cats and dogs to elephants and gorillas. The emphasis throughout the text is on understanding animal anatomy and behavior as a guide to creating natural, expressive drawings, while developing an individual style and approach. Artists at all levels, beginner to expert, will find this book a source of inspiration as well as instruction.

~Amazon

The Ballerina of Auschwitz: Young Adult Edition of The Choice

by Dr. Edith Eva Eger


In this young adult edition of the bestselling, award-winning memoir The Choice, Holocaust survivor and renowned psychologist Dr. Edith Eger shares her harrowing experiences and gives readers the gift of hope and strength.


Edie is a talented dancer and a skilled gymnast with hopes of making the Olympic team. Between her rigorous training and her struggle to find her place in a family where she’s the daughter “with brains but no looks,” Edie’s too busy to dwell on the state of the world. But life in Hungary in 1943 is dangerous for a Jewish girl.


Just as Edie falls in love for the first time, Europe collapses into war, and Edie’s family is forced onto a train bound for the Auschwitz concentration camp. Even in those darkest of moments, Edie’s beloved, Eric, kindles hope. “I’ll never forget your eyes,” he tells her through the slats of the cattle car. Auschwitz is horrifying beyond belief, yet through starvation and unthinkable terrors, dreams of Eric sustain Edie. Against all odds, Edie and her sister Magda survive, thanks to their sisterhood and sheer grit.


Edie returns home filled with grief and guilt. Survival feels more like a burden than a gift—until Edie recognizes that she has a choice. She can’t change the past, but she can choose how to live and even to love again.

~Amazon

Go to boydenlibrary.org/calendar for more programs!

Hours:

Monday - Thursday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Friday & Saturday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Sundays: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Closed: Wednesday, January 1st, New Year's Day

Closed: Monday, January 20th, MLK Day

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