{"id":8913,"date":"2017-10-04T11:40:50","date_gmt":"2017-10-04T18:40:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/kids\/?page_id=8913"},"modified":"2025-08-07T11:16:11","modified_gmt":"2025-08-07T18:16:11","slug":"young-readers","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/kids\/young-readers\/","title":{"rendered":"Young Readers"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Young Readers Guild is a reading program designed to inspire kids 8-14 to talk, read and interact with books and their community. Young Readers Guild was launched in 2024 and concluded with an author event in June 2025 (see an update below!). Due to Central Library’s ongoing temporary closure, Young Readers Guild will not continue this year. Check out our online calendar<\/a> for a full list of program offerings from Pasadena Public Library!<\/p>\n

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Young Readers Guild 2025<\/h2>\n

This year’s Young Readers Guild selection is Dogtown<\/em> by Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko!<\/p>\n

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This past fall, four young readers read a selection of books chosen by Pasadena Public Library staff, then voted for their favorite novel to celebrate with activities and an author event. This year’s readers selected Dogtown<\/em><\/a>, a novel about “a shelter for stray dogs, misbehaving dogs, and discarded robot dogs, whose owners have outgrown them. Chance, a real dog, has been in Dogtown<\/span> since her owners unwittingly left her with irresponsible dog-sitters who skipped town. Metal Head is a robot dog who dreams of being back in a real home. And Mouse is a mouse who has the run of Dogtown<\/span>, pilfering kibble, and performing clever feats to protect the dogs he loves. When Chance and Metal Head embark on an adventure to find their forever homes, there is danger, cheese sandwiches, a charging station, and some unexpected kindnesses along the way” (publisher’s description).<\/p>\n

This year’s celebration will take place on Saturday, June 14, 2025 from 10a.m. – noon at Jefferson Branch Library, located at 1500 E. Villa St. Pasadena, CA 91106<\/strong>. From 10 – 11a.m., enjoy a visit from the Pasadena Humane Society Wiggle Waggle Waggin\u2019 with adoptable dogs, make a no sew blanket, snuffle mat, or puppy craft, or read to a therapy dog team!<\/p>\n

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Then, at 11.a.m. join us for a live, virtual visit from author Gennifer Choldenko, moderated by this year\u2019s Young Readers Guild participants<\/strong> and followed by a question-and-answer session.<\/p>\n

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Prior to the author event, you can join us for a community service project in honor of the novel at Jefferson, San Rafael, and Santa Catalina branch libraries. Make a no-sew blanket or snuffle mat that will be later gifted to Pasadena Humane Society. As a thank-you gift for participating, you\u2019ll receive a free copy of Dogtown<\/em> with a signed bookplate by author Gennifer Choldenko!<\/p>\n

Barks & Blankets: A Community Service Project<\/strong><\/p>\n

Monday, May 12 \u2022 1 p.m.<\/strong>
\nSan Rafael Branch Library \u2022 1240 Nithsdale Rd.<\/p>\n

Tuesday, May 13 \u2022 4 p.m.<\/strong>
\nJefferson Branch Library \u2022 1500 E. Villa St.<\/p>\n

Saturday, June 7 \u2022 11 a.m.<\/strong>
\nSanta Catalina Branch Library \u2022 999 E. Washington Blvd<\/p>\n

This community service project will take place during our regular Barks & Books programs where children can read to a gentle, well-trained therapy dog, removing the anxiety they may experience when reading aloud to an adult or their peers. This helps strengthen reading skills and boosts confidence in reading aloud!<\/p>\n

If you have any questions about our upcoming events in celebration of Dogtown<\/em>, please contact Youth Services Librarian, Ashley Olmsted, at aolmsted@cityofpasadena.net.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Update!<\/h3>\n

On June 14, 2025, Young Readers Guild celebrated Dogtown<\/em> by Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko. Attendees enjoyed a visit from the Pasadena Humane Society Wiggle Waggle Waggin\u2019 where two dogs – Enzo and Charlie — were adopted by a family (congrats!), and made no-sew blankets and snuffle mats that were donated to Pasadena Humane Society this summer. Visitors also made a slinky puppy craft and read to some therapy dog teams.<\/p>\n

Gennifer Choldenko also joined us for a live, virtual presentation where she shared her inspiration for Dogtown<\/em> and how she and Katherine Applegate coordinated writing a series together. Young Readers Guild members also got a chance to ask her some of their biggest questions — including what she could tell us about the upcoming third novel in the Dogtown<\/em> series. We also learned that Gennifer’s favorite book as a kid was Charlotte’s Web<\/em> and that she volunteers at her local humane society in her free time. Take a look at the photos below to see a snapshot of the day’s activities!<\/p>\n

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