Teen Events
Unless noted, all programs are for teens ages 12-18, and free to attend. To receive monthly news about teen events, services, and special announcements, you can subscribe to the Teen Newsletter on this page by checking the Teen Newsletter box and filling out your name and email address, then clicking subscribe. You’ll receive an email to confirm your subscription.
Special Events
ArtNight
ArtNight Pasadena is in March and October. Enjoy a free evening of art, music, and entertainment. To learn more, visit http://artnightpasadena.org/
Summer Reading
Earn cool prizes for reading during the summer! Sign up online at https://pasadena.beanstack.com
Pasadena Loves YA
Our annual teen book festival is in September. Meet 12-16 Young Adult authors as they present a series of panels and book signings. Free tote bags for the first 200 attendees and a "Book Blitz" giveaway will be towards to end of the festival. Book sales provided by Vromans Bookstore. This program is open to all ages. For more info visit pasadenalovesya.com
National Coming Out Day
On October 11, join us for the annual National Coming Out Day celebration at Central Library. All ages welcome. There will be raffles, music, resource tables, food trucks, photo booths, games, and speakers.
Teen Murder Mystery
The Teen Advisory Board plans and hosts a themed after-hours murder mystery dinner party at Pasadena Central Library annually on a Friday in October. This program is for ages 12-18 only. To learn more about our past murder mystery events, check out the Teens Blog.
Young Readers League
Young Readers League is a reading program designed to inspire kids 8-14 to talk, read and interact with books and their community. Presented in partnership by Pasadena Public Library and Vroman’s Bookstore. Sponsored by The Friends of the Pasadena Public Library. Young Readers League takes place in October-November. To learn more, visit the Young Readers League page on the Kids Blog.
Advocacy
Youth Network
Teens: we need your opinions. Show up, discuss topics of interest to youth in the community and/or participate in the training. Great for anyone who wants to gain leadership skills, public speaking, and cares about community improvement. Youth Network meets on the first Wednesday of every month during the school year (September-May) in the Studio on 4th (next to Teen Central) at Central Library. For ages 12-18.
Books and Writing
YA Book Club
Monthly young adult book discussion facilitated by Teen Advisory Board. YA Book Club is usually the first Monday of every month from 6-7pm in Teen Central, Pasadena Central Library. For ages 14+. No signup needed. Email Jane Gov at jgov@cityofpasadena.net for more info or subscribe to our Teen Newsletter.
Linda Vista Teen Book Club
Monthly teen book discussion at Linda Vista Branch Library, usually on a Saturday afternoon. For ages 13+. Email Deborah Niblick at dniblick@cityofpasadena.net for more info.
Teen Writers Meetup
Monthly meetup for teen writers ages 12-18, facilitated by Teen Advisory Board. An informal session where you can meet with other teens, do a few writing exercises, talk about writing, bounce ideas, and share your work. Teen writers usually meet on the last Thursday of the month from 6-7pm in Teen Central, Pasadena Central Library. For ages 12-18. No signup needed. Email Jane Gov at jgov@cityofpasadena.net for more info or subscribe to our Teen Newsletter.
Careers and Academics
SAT Mock-Test & ACT Mock-Test
Periodically, we offer free mock SAT and ACT testing at our Central Library, Hastings Branch Library, and La Pintoresca Branch Library. Please check the events calendar, Off the Shelf newsletter, or subscribe to our Teen Newsletter to learn about upcoming opportunities.
Contests and Competitions
Young Readers League Writing Contest
In October, the Young Readers League Writing Contest is open to kids and teens up to age 14. To learn more, visit the Young Readers League page on the Kids Blog.
Teen Writing Contests
In summer, we accept submissions for publication. Selected stories and poems will be printed in our Teen Zine and published in our Teens Blog. To submit, check back periodically on the submission site. The contest is open to Pasadena residents only. https://forms.gle/8386TCakuT45sU356
Teen Art Contests
In summer, we accept submissions for the Teen Zine. Selected artwork will be printed in our Teen Zine and published in our Teens Blog. One art piece will be selected as the cover of an upcoming Teen Zine issue. The contest is open to Pasadena residents only. Please check the Teen webpage, Off the Shelf newsletter or subscribe to our Teen Newsletter to learn about upcoming opportunities.
Films & Games
Teen Anime Club
Stop by Santa Catalina Branch Library to watch the latest anime on a Tuesday afternoon. No signup needed. Call Santa Catalina Branch Library for more info (626) 744-7272.
Teen Game Days
Join other teens for board games and video games on the Nintendo Switch or Xbox. Must play well with others. Facilitated by Teen Advisory Board. Teen Game Days is monthly on a Friday afternoon at Central Library. Please check the events calendar, Off the Shelf newsletter, or subscribe to our Teen Newsletter to learn about upcoming game days.
Switch Hour
Stop by for an afternoon of gaming with the Nintendo Switch. For ages 12+. No signup needed. Call Santa Catalina Branch Library for more info (626) 744-7272.
Video Games Club
Every Monday at Hastings Branch Library. The Ultimate Smash experience is here! With multiple setups of Smash Ultimate, light snacks, and plenty of people to interact with, you’re sure to find the perfect balance of fun and competition! Take on new rivals here weekly and learn advanced tricks from all of our veteran members! Drop by and be part of the experience! For ages 14+.
STEAM
Discover Day
Monthly activities for teens at Allendale Branch Library. Build something, make something, learn something. No signups necessary. For more info, call (626) 744-7260.
Innovation Lab
The Innovation Lab at Central Library contains equipment such as 3D printers, CNC cutters, sewing/embroidery machine, and design software. It is available for patrons ages 13+ who have taken the orientation and signed a User Agreement. For more information, please visit http://www.cityofpasadena.net/library/steam/
Sew It Begins
A monthly sewing class for beginners at our Hastings Branch Library. Gain confidence and learn the basics of sewing. Bring your own machine or use one of the library’s. Registration required. For dates, please see the events calendar or Off the Shelf newsletter. For ages 13+. Call Hastings Branch Library at (626) 744-7262 for more info.
Teen Events Calendar
Teens' Blog
- Milo and Marcos at the End of the World – Teen Book Review
Reviewed by Samuel Redfearn, age 16 Milo and Marcos at the End of the World by Kevin Cristopher Snipes Milo Connelly already had a tendency to overthink before the world started collapsing around him, but ever since Marcos reappeared in his life, it appears as though God Himself has intervened
- Twin Crowns — Teen Book Review
Reviewed by Hailey Chen, age 14 Twin Crowns by Catherine Doyle and Katherine Webber Wren Greenrock is in disguise. She has trained her entire life for the sole purpose of stealing back the throne from her twin sister, who doesn’t even know she exists, to finally give both witches and
- Private Label — Teen Book Review
Reviewed by Jasmine Sov, age 16 Private Label by Kelly Yang Serene Li longs to design her own couture dresses, but she’s stuck working as an intern for her mom’s fashion brand. After her mother is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, Serene’s jolted into leadership of the company, where she faces
- Sense and Second-Degree Murder — Teen Book Review
Reviewed by Samuel Redfearn, age 16 Sense and Second Degree Murder by Tirzah Price The Dashwood sisters each harbor somewhat peculiar interests. Elinor, the eldest, enjoys chemistry; Marianne, slightly younger than Elinor, works alongside her father in his detective business; and Margaret, the youngest, is a budding novelist at only
- The Place is Still Beautiful — Teen Book Review
Reviewed by Giselle Carlos, age 17 This Place is Still Beautiful by Xixi Tian Annalie and Margaret Flannagen have conflicting feelings toward their childhood home. Seventeen-year-old Annalie savors the Midwest—the small-town closeness of it all—while Margaret feels suffocated and claustrophobic. When Margaret moves to college at NYU, Annalie breathes a