The Traverse des Sioux Library Cooperative will host its Tween and Teen Battle of the Books on August 2, 2025 at the St. Peter Community Center. Battle of the Books is now accepting participant applications. You can apply at the New Ulm Public Library or on our website at www.newulmlibrary.org. Just scroll down on the library’s home page and click on the poster for the event in your age range. You have until May 29 at noon to apply and space is limited. Tweens (ages 9-12) and teens (ages 13 -18) who are accepted will receive four books to keep. You will be notified when your books arrive at the library for pick-up. Read the books through June and July. You will be placed on a team according to where you live. Those teams will compete in a trivia game based on the books that have been given out at the beginning of June. Each team member of the winning tween and teen team will receive a $25 gift Amazon gift card. There will be fun activities and door prizes as well. The tweens program takes place 10-11:30 a.m. The teen program runs from 12:30-2 p.m. The St. Peter Community Center is located at 600 S 5th St. in St. Peter. Spectators are welcome.

Even if your child isn’t old enough for Battle of the Books, we offer plenty of great reading material. “Home” by Matt De La Pena is a love letter to home. Home is where the heart is, as we find out in this follow up book to “Love”. The notion of home as the walls we build around us is fractured when something happens to the place we call home. We learn that home is the people whose love surrounds us during the most difficult times in our lives. Both “Love” and “Home” are beautifully illustrated by Loren Long.

In the graphic novel, “Buzzing” by Samuel Sattin, Isaac is a twelve-year-old with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). His thoughts circle around him daily like a swarm of bees. The strict therapy that is mother believes in doesn’t seem to be helping. As Isaac makes friends and becomes involved in a role-playing game, his thoughts begin to lessen. The school counselor, who has a more casual approach with Isaac’s OCD, thinks his participation with the game will only help. With one bad grade on a test, Isaac’s mom takes his game and new found friends away. Isaac must learn to trust himself and his older sister to find a way to get back to the place where his mind is calmer. Rye Hickman did a wonderful job with the illustrations. This graphic novel really pulled at my heartstrings. I’ve read many books featuring kids with OCD because my youngest was diagnosed with it as a middle school student. I think this book handled the subject aptly and with respect for all the characters and their feelings.

Please ask at the children’s desk if there is something you’re looking for and can’t find right away; we’re here to help. Check out our monthly calendar of programming, too. We offer a variety of activities for all ages, from story time to STEAM classes for all grades. You can find more information on our website at www.newulmlibrary.org on the Library Events page.

The library is located at 17 N. Broadway and is open to the public Monday-Thursday 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. and Friday-Saturday 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.