Tweens
Tweens belong at PPLD! Join friends (or make new ones) at one of our programs for ages 9 - 12, find resources and help for homework projects, and explore new book ideas using our many reading lists.
Many of our locations keep special activities on hand for your enjoyment in the Library and some even have spaces just for tweens ages 9 - 12. Ask at your favorite Library to see what is available.
Quick Links
Reading Lists
- Book Club for Kids - The free podcast where middle graders talk about books.
- Spooky Middle Grade - Spooky books are not just for Halloween - they are good all year round!
- Random House Kids: Middle Grade Titles - Find your next favorite book with author talks and book trailers
Novelist K - 8 Plus - Search fiction and nonfiction titles for tweens including read-alikes, series, genres, authors, and subjects. Browse lists of award-winning titles.
Fun Activities
Tween Programs
Make new friends, try new things, and learn new skills! PPLD Tween programs are designed specifically for ages 9 - 12 and encompass everything from art, to science, to pop culture, to having a blast.
Tween Library Squad
Have a voice in your community, meet new friends, and make a difference, all while having fun! We want to learn from the experts (you!) what programs and events tweens want to see at the Library. Each meeting will include time for you to give ideas and feedback, as well as time for a fun project or activity. Ages 9 - 12. Registration Required. (Formally known as Junior Advisory Board.)
Dungeons & Dragons
Play D&D with other tweens, led by our very own Dragon Masters! New members are always welcome and no experience is necessary. Registration is required. For ages 9 - 12.
Games and Activities
Pac-Man
How many Pac-Man mazes can you solve?
Prodigy
Play an epic fantasy game while honing your math skills!
Marvel HQ
Explore comics, games, and activities at Marvel HQ.
Ducksters Games
Try your hand at one of these free online games.
Freerice
Learn, play, and give back with Freerice! Each time you get a vocabulary word correct, sponsors will donate rice to the World Food Program (WFP).
Star Wars
Learn and explore the world of Star Wars through videos and activities.
Minecraft
Play classic Minecraft for FREE with up to nine friends.
LEGO
Find games, videos, and more for all things LEGO.
Nerf
Love Nerf? Try your hand at online nerf games.
Rocket League
Welcome to the high-powered hybrid of arcade-style soccer and vehicular mayhem!
Coding
Code Monster from Crunchzilla is an interactive tutorial for kids that focuses on action. Code changes immediately yield visible results.
Scratch is the world’s largest coding community for children. It is a great place to learn a coding language with a simple visual interface that allows young people to create digital stories, games, and animations.
Learn and build coding skills through fun projects and challenges at code.org
AppInventor.org is a site for learning and teaching how to program mobile apps with MIT's App Inventor.
Podcasts and More
"Listen along as 11-year-old Mars Patel and his pals JP, Toothpick, and Caddie set out on an audacious adventure in search of two missing friends. The mysterious tech billionaire Oliver Pruitt might have a thing or two to say about their quest, because as he likes to say, “To the stars!” In fact, that’s just where they might be headed…"
Tai Poole is trying to find answers to life's biggest questions. What happens after we die? What is love? How can we fix climate change? He may not solve them all, but give him a break ... he's only 11 years old.
Join Tai as he heads to coffee shops, universities, and playgrounds seeking answers. His conversations with everyone from NASA experts to his little brother will expand your mind and touch your heart.
In the era of fake news, kids need to learn to be able to tell what’s true from what’s false. And what better way to do that than a game show that puts kids in the driver’s seat, adults on the hot seat, and a sound-effects robot strapped to the roof? Each week, a kid interviews two experts in a particular topic, one of whom is a genuine, credentialed expert, the other a liar. Hilarious and fast-paced, the show teaches kids to ask insightful questions, weigh the evidence before them, and trust their gut.
Now a TV show on Disney+
Smash Boom Best is a debate show for kids and families from the makers of the award-winning podcast, Brains On! Every episode takes two cool things, smashes them together, and lets you decide which is best. Our debaters use facts and passion to make their case – teaching listeners how to defend their own opinions along the way.
Homework
Need help with your homework?
Explore our Homework and Educational Resources Guide for a variety of educational databases perfect for studying, learning, and researching.
Tween Life
Mental Health
We All Have Mental Health
Ever wonder what we mean by "mental health"? This short video gives an overview of what mental health is and ways to manage it.
In a crisis? Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor. Free 24/7 support at your fingertips.
Research shows that when we take a few minutes to practice mindful breathing it can be an effective tool for coping with stress and anxiety.
Got 60 seconds? Take a mental health minute to learn about various mental health conditions.
Middle School
Learn the top 10 tips for success in middle school from a middle school teacher.
Stop bullying on the spot. Learn more about what bullying is and how to help stop it.
Growing Up
For information about your changing body and mind and the kinds of issues that older kids face, this is the place.
Girlshealth.gov gives girls reliable, useful information on the health issues they will face as they become young women, and tips on handling relationships with family and friends, both at school and at home.