The teen area at the Main Library is an inclusive, fun, and safe environment for teens between the ages 13 and 17 to socialize, study, and create a community. The Fort Smith Public Library aims to provide teen programming that promotes literacy and creativity in the community and encourages teens to become critical thinking, global citizens. The teen book collection includes fiction, non-fiction (including anime and manga), and a new releases book display.
Award Winners
Have you checked out this year’s award winners? To see the current and past award winners, click here.
Library Lists
Need help finding something to read? Take a look at NoveList, ask our staff for recommendations, and check out our library lists for teens.
A Universe of Stories
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Song of a Blackbird
View Catalog EntryFictionalized but based on true events, Song of a Blackbird has two intertwined timelines: one is a modern-day family drama, the other a thrilling tale of a WWII-era bank heist carried out by Dutch resistance fighters. In the present day, teenage Annick is desperate to find a bone marrow donor that could save the life of her grandmother, Johanna. She turns to her family history and discovers a photograph taken by Emma Bergsma.
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On Again, Awkward Again
View Catalog EntryThe laugh-out-loud YA romance by two award-winning and bestselling authors, Erin Entrada Kelly and Kwame Mbalia, that's perfect for fans of To All the Boys I've Loved Before or When Dimple Met Rishi When Pacy Mercado and Cecil Holloway spot each other during the first week of freshman year, it's love at first sight. Well, more like love at first fleeting, injury-riddled glance, since the moment is ruined thanks to clumsiness and a criminal case of IBS. Despite their total lack of game, Pacy and Cecil are drawn to each other.
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Every Borrowed Beat
View Catalog EntryA 17-year-old girl receives a life-changing heart transplant--and uncovers the truth about her donor all while falling in love in a novel that's "alternately heart-wrenching and heartwarming" (Kirkus). A touching read for anyone seeking a story filled with hope and emotional depth. What if the heart that saved your life also held the secrets of another's? * "With its perfect blend of chronic illness representation, mental health exploration, and romance, this is sure to appeal to fans of books like John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars . . .
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Earthrise
View Catalog EntryFrom award-winning historian Leonard S. Marcus, Earthrise is a unique middle-grade nonfiction book about the astonishing photograph taken during the Apollo 8 mission that forever shifted the way we view ourselves and our planet. Gazing out the window of the Apollo 8 spacecraft on Christmas Eve, 1968, NASA astronaut Bill Anders grabbed his camera and snapped the iconic color photo of our planet rising over the lunar horizon. Not long after the crew’s safe return, NASA developed Anders’s film and released “Earthrise” to the world.
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A Deathly Compendium of Poisonous Plants
View Catalog Entry"Should you encounter any of the plants in this book, do not treat them lightly. They can kill you. Or cause you unbearable agony. Or land you in jail. Consider yourself warned." Explore the strange and remarkable stories of poisonous and even deadly plants. Science, history, and true crime converge in an informative and exciting look at Mother’s Nature’s ghoulish garden.
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Crush
View Catalog EntryThe #1 New York Times Bestselling Series An Amazon Best YA Book of the Month Glitter magazine’s YA Feminist Must-Reads of 2020 Everything feels off—especially me. I’ve returned to Katmere Academy, but I’m haunted by fragments of days I have no recollection of living and struggling to understand who, or what, I really am. Just when I start to feel safe again, Hudson is back with a vengeance. He insists there are secrets I don’t know about, threatening to drive a wedge between Jaxon and me forever. But far worse enemies are at our doorstep.
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The Coven Tendency
View Catalog EntryDark and uncanny, Zoe Hana Mikuta takes a Gen Z knife to Victorian gothics in this bloody and unrelenting fantasy about a group of young witches and the horrors of being in love Just like her mother and her mother's mother, 18-year-old Vanity Adams is destined to lead a lavish life under the patronship of the Museum, someday taking her place as its premiere necromantic Spectacle and the centerpiece of their weekly soirees thrown for the City's elite.
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The Corruption of Hollis Brown
View Catalog EntryFrom acclaimed author K. Ancrum comes a queer romantic thriller in which the lives of Hollis, a boy in search of meaning, and Walt, a spirit with unfinished business, collide when Walt takes possession of Hollis's body...and maybe his heart. For fans of Adam Silvera and Aiden Thomas! Hollis Brown is stuck. Born to a blue-collar American Dream, Hollis lives in a rotting small town where no one can afford to leave. Hollis's only bright spots are his two best friends, cool girls Annie and Yulia, and the thrill of fighting his classmates.
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Oathbound
View Catalog EntryTracy Deonn’s #1 New York Times bestselling Legendborn Cycle continues in the sensational third book about a dazzling contemporary fantasy world that blends Southern Black Girl Magic with secret societies and the legend of King Arthur! Severed from the Legendborn. Oathbound to a monster. Bree Matthews is alone. She exiled herself from the Legendborn Order, cut her ancestral connections, and turned away from the friends who can’t understand the impossible cost of her powers. This is the only way to keep herself—and those she loves—safe.
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Heiress Takes All
View Catalog EntrySeventeen-year-old Olivia Owens isn't thrilled that her dad's getting remarried ... again. She's especially not thrilled that he cheated on her mom, kicked them out of their Rhode Island home, and cut Olivia out of her rightful inheritance. But this former heiress has a plan for revenge. While hundreds of guests gather on the grounds of the gorgeous estate where she grew up, everyone will be thinking romance-not robbery. She'll play the part of dutiful daughter, but in reality she'll be redistributing millions from her father's online accounts.
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The Boy Lost in the Maze
View Catalog EntryFrom the UK Children's Laureate comes a spellbinding YA novel in verse blending the ancient myth of Theseus and the Minotaur with the quest of a modern-day teen in search of his father. Theo, a seventeen-year-old London schoolboy with a single mother, is desperate to track down the father who left them, whom he scarcely remembers. At school he discovers Greek mythology and the ancient story of Theseus, a fatherless son driven on a similar search. As Theo focuses on Theseus in a series of poems he composes, it becomes clear the two journeys echo each other in uncanny ways.
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Money for Adulting
View Catalog EntryIt's never too early to make your money work for you! Discover how with this teen guide to financial health. You don't have to work on Wall Street to know that money is important. Learn to handle it responsibly with this teen guide to money skills that makes managing money more fun! It dives into the essentials of saving, investing, and more, with tips on getting the most out of everything you earn. Before you know it, you'll be throwing around terms like dividend and liquidity like a finance professional.
Teen Blog Entries
Staff Picks!
Did you know that there are over 250,000 books to choose from at the Fort Smith Public Library? With so many items, it can be a little overwhelming to find something to read. Never fear, that is why your friendly FSPL staff is here! One of the Youth Services staff members favori...
Upcoming Events for Teens
Use your imagination to transform a plain seashell into a work of art as part of our ‘Color Our World’ library summer program theme! All ages are welcome. This is a messy craft, so parents should make sure that their children are dresse
Kids, Tweens, and Teens are invited to the Main Library to design, create, and build unique creations with the LEGO Club! Everyone loves LEGOs; this event is free and supplies are provided – just bring your imagination!
Bring your snacks and covered drinks- or visit Dewey’s Café!- before watching a movie on the big screen. It’s free and fun for everyone! Today's movie is Despicable Me 4.
Poets, musicians, and other talented folks - come join us for this casual, fun event. Just show up, no need to register. Showcase your talent, or just come out to listen and enjoy.
The Genealogy Department at the Fort Smith Public Library is offering an immersive 360-degree experience that allows participants to use virtual reality technology to hear firsthand stories from Holocaust survivors - told in the very places where
Now at the Windsor Drive Branch! Crochet Club is a welcoming place for beginners to learn the basics and for experienced crafters to work on their projects. Members can share ideas, tips, and inspiration in a supportive environment.
After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she's ever faced.
Bring your snacks and covered drinks- or visit Dewey’s Café!- before watching a movie on the big screen. It’s free and fun for everyone! Today's movie is Mufasa: The Lion King.
This month we will build our watercolor skills by painting some of our favorite sweet treats and more. Come join us! FREE with all supplies provided, and open to all teens and adults. Limited to first 15 participants.
Databases for Teens
American History
Surveys American history from the Colonial era and American Revolution through to the nation's rise to eminence as a global superpower. Analyzes American political conflict, economic development, and changing culture.
“The Traveler Statewide Resource project is made possible by a grant from U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Arkansas State Library under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.”
American Mosaic: The African American Experience
Includes student learning modules related to African American studies; includes biographies, scholarly articles, primary sources, and images.
“The Traveler Statewide Resource project is made possible by a grant from U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Arkansas State Library under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.”
Arkansas Driving Tests
Practice permit tests and handbooks for cars, motorcycles, and CDL. Also available in Spanish.
CultureGrams
Primary sources, statistics, and cultural reports covering the countries of the world, states, and Canadian provinces. Explore the United States and discover state flags, maps, sports teams, recipes, symbols, songs, and more.
“The Traveler Statewide Resource project is made possible by a grant from U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Arkansas State Library under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.”
eBooks Central
A collection from ProQuest providing access to authoritative eBooks from the world's top publishers on a range of subjects: arts, business management, education, general knowledge, health & medicine, history & political science, law, literature & language, religion & philosophy, science & technology, and social science.
“The Traveler Statewide Resource project is made possible by a grant from U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Arkansas State Library under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.”
eLibrary: Academic
A general reference collection of periodical and digital media content specifically tailored for K-12 schools and libraries of all kinds, covering a variety of subjects including business, education, general interest, health, language arts, sciences, social sciences, and many other curriculum-specific subject areas.
“The Traveler Statewide Resource project is made possible by a grant from U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Arkansas State Library under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.”
eLibrary: Guided Research
Provides access to eLibrary’s periodical and digital media collection through a user interface specifically designed for student researchers.
“The Traveler Statewide Resource project is made possible by a grant from U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Arkansas State Library under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.”
Gale Virtual Reference Library
Database of encyclopedias and specialized reference sources for multidisciplinary research. Your library card is required to access this database.
Hoopla
Hoopla is a digital media service that allows you to borrow movies, music, audiobooks, ebooks, comics and TV shows to enjoy on your computer, tablet, or phone – and even your TV! With no waiting, titles can be streamed immediately, or downloaded to phones or tablets for offline enjoyment later. We have hundreds of thousands of titles to choose from, with more being added daily. Hoopla is like having your public library at your fingertips. Anytime. Anywhere.
Learning: Literature
Students can find author biographies, contemporary criticism, reviews, and multimedia resources from medieval times to the present.
“The Traveler Statewide Resource project is made possible by a grant from U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Arkansas State Library under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.”
ProQuest Central
An easy-to-use multimedia resource that supports research in business, health and medical, social sciences, arts and humanities, education, science and technology, and dozens of other disciplines.
“The Traveler Statewide Resource project is made possible by a grant from U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Arkansas State Library under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.”
ProQuest One Literature
Primary and critical text database for literary research at all levels. Provides full text access to more than 500,000 works of poetry, drama and prose stretching from the 8th century through the present day, including primary resource collections from diverse and modern authors.
“The Traveler Statewide Resource project is made possible by a grant from U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Arkansas State Library under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.”
ProQuest Research Companion
This database helps students understand the scholarly research process and supports educators as they teach the core information literacy principles of finding, evaluating, and using information.
“The Traveler Statewide Resource project is made possible by a grant from U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Arkansas State Library under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.”
Salem Press Online Collection
Salem Presses offers a wealth of information on literature, history, science, health, and more. Researchers have access to a collection of reference materials, eBooks, and more. This resource also has biographical information and primary documents. Outside the library, use fortsmith as the remote password.
Science Online
With a wealth of content and a dynamic design that facilitates STEM research and learning, Science Online offers a comprehensive overview of a broad range of scientific disciplines.
“The Traveler Statewide Resource project is made possible by a grant from U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Arkansas State Library under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.”
SIRS Discoverer
General reference database for elementary and middle school learners, researchers, and educators covering curriculum areas and content sets such as reading, language arts, current events, science, social studies, history, health, and technology. SIRS Discoverer provides editorially-selected, indexed, and curated materials from over 2,100 newspapers, magazines, and websites offering guided research for young researchers.
“The Traveler Statewide Resource project is made possible by a grant from U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Arkansas State Library under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.”
SIRS Issues Researcher
Background and analysis on 350+ leading issues, providing pros and cons on social, scientific, health, historic, economic, political, and global issues.
“The Traveler Statewide Resource project is made possible by a grant from U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Arkansas State Library under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.”
Today's Science
Today’s Science bridges the gap between the science taught in class and real-world discoveries—giving in-depth explanations of important advances in biology, chemistry, the environment, space, physics, and technology.
“The Traveler Statewide Resource project is made possible by a grant from U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Arkansas State Library under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.”
World Book Student
Find thousands of articles and multimedia aligned to curriculum. Contains numerous tools to engage users in 21st-century education and blended-learning practices.
“The Traveler Statewide Resource project is made possible by a grant from U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Arkansas State Library under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.”
