October Tween Read Scene

Calling all tween readers! Welcome to Tween Read Scene with the New Lenox Public Library! Tween Read Scene will be a monthly feature in the Youth Services Blog that will highlight books for ages 9-12. The posts will be jam-packed with information on new tween titles, upcoming library events, and helpful tips on how to find your next great read!

For the first couple of months, I will review fiction genres (one genre per month) and give examples and recommendations of each. This will help you, as a reader, identify what types of stories you enjoy reading already, and get you curious about genres you may not have read in the past.

What are genres?

Think about your favorite book. Now, think about what you like about that book in particular. Maybe you like how the main character fights dragons, or how there is a puzzle to solve within the story, or how you laugh out loud while reading it. Whatever the reason, it most likely has to do with the GENRE of the book. Genre is a fancy word that librarians and teachers use to describe how we sort books by subject matter, style of writing, and format.

Let’s get spooky!

Because it is October and we have Halloween around the corner, this month we will focus on the HORROR genre. The horror genre’s main purpose is to shock, frighten, and thrill its readers through the use of supernatural elements. If it’s got monsters, ghosts, or an evil next-door neighbor, you can pretty much guarantee you’ve got a horror book. You won’t want to turn your lights off after reading one of these!

Book CoverTitle and AuthorCatalog LinkReading Level
Missing Pieces
(Hello Neighbor Series)
Carly Anne West
J WESAges 10-14
AR: 6
Lexile: 940L
Part of Your Nightmare
(Disney Chills Series)
Vera Strange
J DISAges 8-12
AR: 4.9
Lexile: 660L
Gloom Town
Ronald L. Smith
J SMIAges 8-12
AR: 4.7
Lexile: 650L
Slappy Birthday to You
(SlappyWorld Series)
R.L. Stine
J STI
PLAYAWAY J F STI
Ages 8-12
AR: 3.6
Lexile: 490L 
The Night Gardener
Jonathan Auxier
J AUX
AUDIO CD J F AUX
Ages 8-12
AR: 4.9
Lexile: 690L
Nightmares!
(Nightmares! Series)
Jason Segel & Kirsten Miler
J SEG
AUDIO CD J F SEG
Ages 8-12
AR: 4.8
Lexile: 670L
Scary Stories for Young Foxes
Christian McKay Heidicker
J HEIAges 9-12
AR: 4.4
Lexile: 640L
Small Spaces
Katherine Arden
J ARD
AUDIO CD J F ARD
Ages 10-14
AR: 4.1
Lexile: 570L

Upcoming Tween Events

DateProgramAgesRegistration
October 25Super Scientists: Disappearing Pumpkins3rd-6th GradeRegistration starts October 11
October 26Hocus Pocus NightAges 4-12Registration starts October 12
October 29Halloween After Hours6th-12th GradePermission slips available now

Check out the blog in November for our next genre, and have a fun and safe Halloween!