First Posted: 2/12/2014
It’s set in a dystopian version of Chicago.
When teens reach 16, they must choose a path for the rest of their lives based on five virtue types: the honest, the selfless, the brave, the peaceful or the intelligent.
But young Beatrice Prior is reluctant to make such a decision and ultimately makes a choice that turns her world upside down.
Welcome to Veronica Roth’s “Divergent,” an action-packed teenage novel similar in tone to “The Hunger Games” and the first selection for the Pittston Memorial Library’s “Teen Reading Lounge” program that kicked off yesterday.
Jean Decker, the Pittston Memorial Library’s young adult program coordinator, said the program is geared for young adults age 11 to 18.
Participants will read three science fiction/fantasy novels – ranging from dystopian societies to aliens, time travel, steampunk and faeries – from February to May.
The program is more than a reading group, though. Organizers will incorporate art-related workshops into the discussions. Judy Greenwald, an art teacher at Pittston Area, will work with the participants.
Decker said “Divergent” is particularly relevant because it is being released as a major motion picture in March.
“It’s perfect timing,” she said. Each teen will be given a copy of the book to keep.
“Teen Reading Lounge” is a program of the Pennsylvania Humanities Council, supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities and by federal Library Services and Technology Act funds administered by the Office of the Commonwealth Libraries. The Pittston Memorial Library received a $675 grant to fund the program.
The first novel is “Divergent” and the youth participants will be responsible for selecting the next two novels from a list of 26 other books. The list includes “Delirium” by Lauren Oliver, “Clockwork Angel” by Cassandre Clare, “Legend” by Marie Lu, “The Maze Runner” by James Dashner, “The Forest of Hands and Teeth” by Carrie Ryan, “The 5th Wave” by Rick Yancey and “The Lightning Thief” by Rick Riordan.
Pennsylvania Humanities Council believes that including teen audiences in the public humanities is the first step in building a community of well-informed, highly-engaged adults.
“Pennsylvania Humanities Council can play an important role in helping young people develop an awareness of how the humanities reach every corner of our lives,” said Mary Garm, the Lackawanna County Library System Administrator and Pennsylvania Humanities Council board member in a release. “Working with them is our opportunity to deliver civility and culture to the world they will create.”
Decker said he Marian Sutherland Kirby Library in Mountaintop is the only other library in Luzerne County chosen.
“We were chosen because we have teen-based programming already,” she said.
The roots for the project began several years ago with the popularity of “Oprah’s Book Club” when libraries held adult discussions on detective novels, memoirs, historical fiction and comparisons of books made into movies. The concept was adapted to suit teens.
One teen, Joseph, who asked to be identified by his first name, said he has been coming to the Pittston Memorial Library his entire life.
“I have had many good times here with various clubs and events,” he said in an email. “I enjoy coming to the library for volunteering, out Teen Advisory Group, and Book Clubs. Jeanie (Decker) is a great host to all of these events. This is why I joined the TRL at the Pittston Memorial Library.”
Decker said 21 teens are already signed up. The program was publicized through Facebook, newspapers, schools and the YMCA. If a teen wants to participate, it’s not too late. The next session will from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday,March 1.
“This is definitely not your everyday book club,” Decker said. “We’re trying to get these teens to grow up to be good adults and be able to connect with each other and to appreciate themselves.”
