Teen & YA Staff Picks
-
Check & Mate
Mallory Greenleaf is done with chess. Every move counts nowadays; after the sport led to the destruction of her family four years earlier, Mallory’s focus is on her mom, her sisters, and the dead-end job that keeps the lights on. That is, until she begrudgingly agrees to play in one last charity tournament and inadvertently wipes the board with notorious “Kingkiller” Nolan Sawyer: current world champion and reigning Bad Boy of chess.
Nolan’s loss to an unknown rook-ie shocks everyone. What’s even more confusing? His desire to cross pawns again. What kind of gambit is Nolan playing? The smart move would be to walk away. Resign. Game over. But Mallory’s victory opens the door to sorely needed cash-prizes and despite everything, she can’t help feeling drawn to the enigmatic strategist....
As she rockets up the ranks, Mallory struggles to keep her family safely separated from the game that wrecked it in the first place. And as her love for the sport she so desperately wanted to hate begins to rekindle, Mallory quickly realizes that the games aren’t only on the board, the spotlight is brighter than she imagined, and the competition can be fierce (-ly attractive. And intelligent…and infuriating…) -
I Must Betray You
Romania, 1989. Communist regimes are crumbling across Europe. Seventeen-year-old Cristian Florescu dreams of becoming a writer, but Romanians aren’t free to dream; they are bound by rules and force.
Amidst the tyrannical dictatorship of Nicolae Ceaușescu in a country governed by isolation and fear, Cristian is blackmailed by the secret police to become an informer. He’s left with only two choices: betray everyone and everything he loves—or use his position to creatively undermine the most notoriously evil dictator in Eastern Europe.
Cristian risks everything to unmask the truth behind the regime, give voice to fellow Romanians, and expose to the world what is happening in his country. He eagerly joins the revolution to fight for change when the time arrives. But what is the cost of freedom?
Master storyteller Ruta Sepetys is back with a historical thriller that examines the little-known history of a nation defined by silence, pain, and the unwavering conviction of the human spirit.
-
Mr. Villain's Day Off
One evil supervillain spends most of his time hatching nefarious plots to take over the world--but on his days off, nothing gets between him and the cute pandas he adores! This fresh, charming comedy series answers the age-old question of what a villain does off the clock!
The mysterious and dastardly man known only as the General within the evil organization plotting to take over the world is one of the top targets of Earth's defensive unit, the Rangers. But on his precious days off, he's more likely to be at the local zoo staring at his beloved pandas or trying out new ice cream flavors! Will his secret hobbies be jeopardized forever when his natural enemy--a Ranger hero out to save the Earth--catches him in the act?
-
Sally's Lament
Disney's New York Times best-selling A Twisted Tale series meets perennial fan-favorite The Nightmare Before Christmas, asking
"What if Sally discovered Christmas Town instead of Jack?"
Sally has mostly loved her creepy hometown of Halloween Town. But lately, she can't help but want something more. In a place full of the frightening, you'd think living in the shadows wouldn't feel so . . . isolating. She knows she could do so much more if she wasn't always stuck in the lab of her creator, Dr. Finkelstein. Soon Sally is surprised to learn that the Pumpkin King, Jack, is longing for a change of his own. Determined to find a solution for them both, Sally follows a vision that could be the key to changing their fates.
But the more time Sally spends in the strange, jolly land of Christmas Town, the more suspicious she grows of the seemingly idyllic winter wonderland. What is lurking behind those dancing sugar plums? And what exactly does it mean to be put on the Naughty List? Will Sally be able to save the best of both towns--before it's too late? -
The Inheritance Games
Avery Grambs has a plan for a better future: survive high school, win a scholarship, and get out. But her fortunes change in an instant when billionaire Tobias Hawthorne dies and leaves Avery virtually his entire fortune. The catch? Avery has no idea why -- or even who Tobias Hawthorne is.
To receive her inheritance, Avery must move into sprawling, secret passage-filled Hawthorne House, where every room bears the old man's touch -- and his love of puzzles, riddles, and codes. Unfortunately for Avery, Hawthorne House is also occupied by the family that Tobias Hawthorne just dispossessed. This includes the four Hawthorne grandsons: dangerous, magnetic, brilliant boys who grew up with every expectation that one day, they would inherit billions. Heir apparent Grayson Hawthorne is convinced that Avery must be a conwoman, and he's determined to take her down. His brother, Jameson, views her as their grandfather's last hurrah: a twisted riddle, a puzzle to be solved. Caught in a world of wealth and privilege with danger around every turn, Avery will have to play the game herself just to survive.
** Avery's story continues in The Hawthorne Legacy and The Final Gambit
Upcoming Teen Events
Winter Reading Program for Adults and Teens
Winter Reading Program for Adults and Teens
Whether it's snowy or sunny, winter in Michigan is always a good time to read. Check out books or audio books to enter a chance to win a gift certificate to a local business.
Green! Green! Green!
Messy Play
Hands-on, messy sensory play for kids of all ages.
Kids of all ages can stop by the Owosso children's library and do some fun green activities!
Disclaimer(s)
Accessibility
The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.
Monday Matinee - The Quiet Man
Join us for a classic John Ford film starring John Wayne as a retired American boxer who returns to his Irish roots where he meets a fiery local woman, played by Maureen O'Hara, and faces various challenges, including a fierce rivalry with her bro
Disclaimer(s)
Accessibility
The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.
Iron Bead Craft
Make & Take Crafts
Come for a fun time making a craft to take home with you.
Teens and tweens can stop by the Owosso children's library to create fun figures using an iron and beads!
Disclaimer(s)
Accessibility
The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.
Friends of the Owosso Library March Meeting
Join the Friends of the Owosso Library for a business meeting. We are looking for new members to volunteer to support the library .
Spring Break Fun
Need something for the kids to do over spring break? Bring them in to use the MakerSpace cart, make bracelets, play Switch and board games, and more. Just drop in during regular library hours: Mon.
Download & Stream YA Titles
BiblioBoard Library

Discover local content from self-published authors, top indie eBooks, and so much more. Never experience a hold, checkout, or lending limit.
Read Michigan

A cooperative effort between the Library of Michigan and the presses of the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Wayne State Univ
Hoopla

Instantly borrow free digital movies, music, eBooks and more, 24/7 with your library card.
eBook Public Library Collection
Ebsco Books

Full text of more than 20,000 titles for the general user. A variety of topics is included.
Libby

Free downloads of e-books and audio books. A valid library card is required. New home for Overdrive users.