Happy Spring! March 20th was the official first day of Spring, which means we can expect to see sunshine, flowers, and green grass– even if the weather has other plans.
The arrival of Spring means it’s time for our first seasonal special, complete with an intro to the season, fun events coming up this Spring, two books we think have Spring vibes, and a fun book quote to finish us off. Let’s begin!
Most people think of Spring as a season of sunshine, renewal, and Spring cleaning… but what makes it special here in Traverse City? To us, Springtime means the smell of lilacs and new grass. It means seeing festivals with family every other weekend. It means the feeling of bright sunshine and a cool breeze on our backs as we bike downtown. It means settling down with a good book on a drizzly day… and so much more. What does Spring mean to you?
To no one’s surprise, Spring here at the library also means a ton of events you’re sure to enjoy. Let’s talk about them!
1. Make Your Own Magnet Poetry: Tuesday April 7th from 4:00 - 5:00
Our magnet poetry board is always popular in our department, so this April we’re inviting teens to make their own magnet poetry sets that are 100% customized to you! All you’ll need is a magnetic surface– we’ll provide the rest.
2. Spring Book Sale: Sunday April 12th from 12:00 - 4:30
Are you looking for budget-friendly copies of your favorite books? Stop by the Friends of TADL Spring Book Sale to find your next Spring read! Fill a bag of books for just $5 at this popular annual event.
3. TADL Volunteer Fair: Tuesday April 14th from 3:00 - 6:00
With Summer just around the corner, we know Spring is a popular time of year to complete volunteer hours before school ends. That’s why the TADL Volunteer Fair is a great event for teens who want to do more for the community! With 20 local nonprofits attending, teens can find their perfect volunteering match no matter what your interests are.
4. Poetry & Pizza Night: Friday April 17th from 6:00 - 8:00 (Registration Required)
Celebrate National Poetry Month with an after-hours pizza party! We’ll be celebrating poetry with blackout poetry, group poetry games, poetry-themed crafts, and an open mic for teen poets! Come for the pizza, stay for the creative vibes.
5. Sashiko Denim Embroidery: Tuesday April 21st from 3:30 - 5:00
Do you have a pair of worn out jeans? Don’t toss them, upcycle them with Sashiko embroidery for a fashionable Earth Day project! This program will be led by local guest presenter Katie Asher from Slip Vintage.
6. Sunburst Mother’s Day Cards: Tuesday May 5th from 4:00 - 5:00
Moms are the best– that’s why they have an entire day dedicated to them! If you want to make a special gift mom’s sure to love, join us in making sunburst Mother’s Day cards. Pick mom’s favorite colors, then write a thoughtful message to let her know you care.
7. Eggshell Herb Gardens: Tuesday May 19th from 4:00 - 5:00
This Spring, make a sustainable herb garden out of 100% compostable materials– eggshells! These easy to grow herbs are great toppings for any Spring meals, and they're perfect for bringing a bit more green to your household.
We’ll also continue our monthly programs like Anime Club, the Teen Luddite Club, and our all-new Read It Keep It Teen Book Club, so keep an eye out for the latest dates.
If you’re more in the mood for reading, we’ve got you covered! Normally we say not to judge a book by its cover, but these two are exceptions. Try This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron or Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean if you’re looking for good books with Spring vibes.
Nothing reminds us more of Spring than flowers– and This Poison Heart has flowers everywhere. In this contemporary fantasy, Briseis has the power to grow vibrant flowers with a single touch. When she inherits her aunt’s rundown estate, she and her family hope it can be an opportunity for her to finally control her powers. But a mysterious set of instructions and a walled garden with the deadliest plants in the world make it clear that there may be something more sinister at work…
Tokyo Ever After takes readers to springtime in another country– Japan! Izumi has never felt American enough for her small town. But that all changes when she discovers the father she never knew is actually the Crown Prince of Japan, which means she’s actually a princess. Now she might be too American! Read Tokyo Ever After if you want a story where fairy tales meet reality… and maybe a little bit of bodyguard romance too. Emiko Jean does a great job of helping readers fall in love with Japanese culture alongside Izumi. Cherry blossoms and Sakura season perfectly encapsulate Spring vibes.
As we wrap up, we want to leave readers with a quote from one of our favorite YA characters, Katniss Everdeen.
Having lived her whole life in a dystopian world, we would have never expected Katniss to love Spring… but maybe that’s exactly why she does. As she realizes, Spring to her means rebirth and renewal. Spring means allowing herself to begin healing from the traumas of her past and pursue peace and happiness. It is a promise that she is resilient and that life will be okay. For Katniss, dandelions are associated with hope– hope that she wants to pursue with Peeta. We think this is a beautiful message to represent Spring. Dandelions in Spring mean hope and renewal to Katniss. They mean warmth and peacefulness to us. What do they mean to you?